AelKennyr Rhiano (with TedTheRushBandFan Hammerer and Ilianor Ilios)
Quick as thought, roiling like a strong incoming tide, Ulmo came the Shining Lands, skimming over the surface of the land, clothed in the form mortals find more reassuring. He was going to the Halls of mighty Manwe, he who is first among all the Valar, and he would not enter the fabled hall a giant mass of water. To the sacraed mountain of Taniquetil, he sped, the wind drying the sea water upon his skin, but he noticed it not. Ahead, he felt the comforting presence of the mightiest of them all, and a calm fell over him. He felt the peace that came from entering the presence of Manwe. Ulmo pauses at the entrance to Manwe's hall, his eyes searching before lighting upon the form of Manwe, seated upon his throne. He bowed his head in respect, waitng for the Great Valar to recognize his presence. Manwe says "I see the mists swirl as my dear Ulmo comes near."
Slowly, with great reverence, Ulmo moved forward, until he was at the steps of the seat of the Elder King, the Lord of the Breath of Arda. With great respect, he bowed lowed from the waist and then straightened up. His eyes lite upon the Maia of the North Wind, and he nodded to her as well. "Hail, Manwe Sulimo, Eldar King of Arda."
"Greetings! Great Ulmo! I am please to see you again but worried also as there must be something great news either good or ill. What brings you forth from the depths?"
The eyes of Ulmo reflect the steel grey of the sea in the aftermath of a raging storm. Thought his face is utterly calm, the eyes reflect deeper emotions. "My Lord knows me well," his voice rolled around the halls likes the pounding of sea against the shore. "I bring fearful news from the lands of the Children of Illuvatar."
Manwe looks troubled at this news and breathes deeply...waiting to here the news. Ulmo takes a deep breath and stills his form before the Lord of Arda, his brother Vala and his Lord. "Mightiest of us all, seeing the Gentle Maia of the North Wind here, I can only assume she has brought to your ears the beseeching prayer of Olwe of Alqualonde?" Ulmo turns a kindly gaze upon the gentle and kind Maia. "Well I know Lady Ainome's affection for the seafaring elves, and their kind king."
Manwe responds. "We were about to discuss these things but there are many storms nearby which has cause me to become distracted."
Ainome, Maia of the North Wind answered. "Yes, m'lord, and more: I love my Lord Manwe and love always helping him."
Ulmo nods in response to her gentle answer and turns to the Lord of the West. "Indeed, Lord Manwe, I saw them upon my journey to thee. I knew your faithful Winds would be ever watchful, but..." his pause left his words hanging. "I do not know how much into the veils of time you can see, my Lord. Ages have passed since the Song of Creation. I remember nothing in that song that bespoke the events unfolding now."
Manwe scans the scintillating form of Lord Ulmo, "Indeed, time has changed many things, but I can still hear the song. But... Please reveal this urgent news! What has happened?"
"Greatest of the Aratar," Ulmo began, "I bring most fearful news. Darkness...a darkness so deep and dreadful that it seeks to rend the mind of Olwe in twain has seized the Teleri Lord. It is said, Lord of the West, that a cup of poisoned wine was given to him as he left the lands of the sylvan elves. They returned to Sylvhara, but he then fell under the influence of a flower of such evil an deadliness that all who come unto its sphere of influence, they are never as they were again, even if they should survive the encounter. But I fear there is more at work with Olwe."
Manwe leans forward in his throne as his eyes widen. "Oh! This treachery most foul....is this pain and suffering the darkness of my brother?"
"Osse's wife, the beloved Unien, brought me news to my palace...more dire news, Beloved friend and King of Arda. The Lord of Dreams cannot bring the Teleri lord comfort or relief. He is tormented by nightmares that consumed, and threaten to rob him of his reason. Irmo has tried to bring solace through dreams but a blackness has engulfed Olwe that Irmo cannot even break or penetrate, save once, through a brief visit, in deams of Olwe's brother Elwe, who walks the Halls of Mandos. Already, once, Olwe has been at the gates of Mandos, and if the news Unien brings is true, he shall be at those doors again, my Lord.
"Olwe sails to his death, Mighty Manwe. The Sylvans plan to kill to save him. No one among us knows, save perhaps your far seeing eyes, if this be the redemption and salvation of the Teleri Lord,...or the loss of our champion."
Ulmo stares at the face of Manwe, seeing the kind visage, so well known to him over the passing of time. His voice drops to a low, intimate tone. the one friends use, for the centuries have seen the friendship grown and deepen such that one nearly knows the mind of the other. "They mean to take his life in a ritual, Manwe, and mix his blood with the tears of his killer, who must be someone who loves him deeply. Unien says that Comet is en route to Alqualonde herself. Then, by magicks the elves of EA have learned, shall they attempt to resurrect him."
Manwe breathes a sigh and then breaths deeply looking up and out to the skys beyond the glittering thronerome walls, "We must understand how dark the realms are and know the ways that the light may be brought back to the realms... and to Lord Olwe. We must know how to act so we may act wisely."
Ulmo bows his head in respect to his great and dear Lord. "I cannot say I know if their magicks would be great enough to drive such a great darkness back, since it has Olwe so in its grip. Loving and loyal the Teleri king has ever been. It is a great blow to hear how he now suffers." He casts a troubled look at Manwe. "The Dark One is still in his prison, I am told...." his voice trails off, waiting.
Manwe sighs heavily and then looks sternly and Ulmo and says, "The time will come when he is let lose but he is and shall remain bound until then. Many things shall occur before then but what is to become of the Teleri and Olwe is unclear for many strong wills are at work."
"Long has Lord Tilion been parted from the Teleri Lord's side. Perhaps, Lord Manwe, if he should be sent to Olwe's side, we should learn more of the Teleri Lord's true condition. But aside from all that, the news of such a dreadful ritual brings a unease to my heart."
Manwe stands and looks about the room at each one attending and speaks decisively, "This is what we shall do..." Ulmo looks ups and waits attentively, upon the word of the Lord of the Breath of Arda. Manwe raises his hand to alert Eonwe to be ready for instructions..."Send Lord Tillion to dear Olwe... He who knows Olwe's mind clearest and will be most wise in how to sooth Olwes troubles in this perilous time."
Ulmo hears the soft tread of feet somewhere behind him in the great hall. Eonwe nods and begins to leave but notices Manwe's hand has not fallen. Manwe, giving a stern, yet gracious, glance of reproach, continues. "Let all the beloved Ainur of these halls and throughout the Undying lands hear of this which Lord Ulmo has brought." With his hand still raised, he continued. "And summon them to a meeting in the great meeting place... the Circle of Thrones at the appointed hour by consent." With this Manwe lowers his hand and nods to Eonwe, who runs swiftly from the throne room.
"With your permission, Lord Manwe, I feel the call of the seas. I can better know how the Lord of the Teleri fare if I am there instead of here. And, as thy will know, I am ever loathe to leave the waters of Ea."
Manwe stands and motions his left hand as if sweeping back a curtain of mist, "We must prepare for the meeting. Return to the waters you so beloved, my friend... Lord of the Waves, but I adjure you to come in communion with thy peers as we gather soon to discuss such troubling news."
"As you speak, so I obey, Lord of the West." And in his nature, Ulmo bows once and withdraws, quickly, eagerly for the waters of the world.
Turning to his Wind, Manwe contemplates the news he has heard and turns his mind to the great council that lies ahead.
Slowly, with great reverence, Ulmo moved forward, until he was at the steps of the seat of the Elder King, the Lord of the Breath of Arda. With great respect, he bowed lowed from the waist and then straightened up. His eyes lite upon the Maia of the North Wind, and he nodded to her as well. "Hail, Manwe Sulimo, Eldar King of Arda."
"Greetings! Great Ulmo! I am please to see you again but worried also as there must be something great news either good or ill. What brings you forth from the depths?"
The eyes of Ulmo reflect the steel grey of the sea in the aftermath of a raging storm. Thought his face is utterly calm, the eyes reflect deeper emotions. "My Lord knows me well," his voice rolled around the halls likes the pounding of sea against the shore. "I bring fearful news from the lands of the Children of Illuvatar."
Manwe looks troubled at this news and breathes deeply...waiting to here the news. Ulmo takes a deep breath and stills his form before the Lord of Arda, his brother Vala and his Lord. "Mightiest of us all, seeing the Gentle Maia of the North Wind here, I can only assume she has brought to your ears the beseeching prayer of Olwe of Alqualonde?" Ulmo turns a kindly gaze upon the gentle and kind Maia. "Well I know Lady Ainome's affection for the seafaring elves, and their kind king."
Manwe responds. "We were about to discuss these things but there are many storms nearby which has cause me to become distracted."
Ainome, Maia of the North Wind answered. "Yes, m'lord, and more: I love my Lord Manwe and love always helping him."
Ulmo nods in response to her gentle answer and turns to the Lord of the West. "Indeed, Lord Manwe, I saw them upon my journey to thee. I knew your faithful Winds would be ever watchful, but..." his pause left his words hanging. "I do not know how much into the veils of time you can see, my Lord. Ages have passed since the Song of Creation. I remember nothing in that song that bespoke the events unfolding now."
Manwe scans the scintillating form of Lord Ulmo, "Indeed, time has changed many things, but I can still hear the song. But... Please reveal this urgent news! What has happened?"
"Greatest of the Aratar," Ulmo began, "I bring most fearful news. Darkness...a darkness so deep and dreadful that it seeks to rend the mind of Olwe in twain has seized the Teleri Lord. It is said, Lord of the West, that a cup of poisoned wine was given to him as he left the lands of the sylvan elves. They returned to Sylvhara, but he then fell under the influence of a flower of such evil an deadliness that all who come unto its sphere of influence, they are never as they were again, even if they should survive the encounter. But I fear there is more at work with Olwe."
Manwe leans forward in his throne as his eyes widen. "Oh! This treachery most foul....is this pain and suffering the darkness of my brother?"
"Osse's wife, the beloved Unien, brought me news to my palace...more dire news, Beloved friend and King of Arda. The Lord of Dreams cannot bring the Teleri lord comfort or relief. He is tormented by nightmares that consumed, and threaten to rob him of his reason. Irmo has tried to bring solace through dreams but a blackness has engulfed Olwe that Irmo cannot even break or penetrate, save once, through a brief visit, in deams of Olwe's brother Elwe, who walks the Halls of Mandos. Already, once, Olwe has been at the gates of Mandos, and if the news Unien brings is true, he shall be at those doors again, my Lord.
"Olwe sails to his death, Mighty Manwe. The Sylvans plan to kill to save him. No one among us knows, save perhaps your far seeing eyes, if this be the redemption and salvation of the Teleri Lord,...or the loss of our champion."
Ulmo stares at the face of Manwe, seeing the kind visage, so well known to him over the passing of time. His voice drops to a low, intimate tone. the one friends use, for the centuries have seen the friendship grown and deepen such that one nearly knows the mind of the other. "They mean to take his life in a ritual, Manwe, and mix his blood with the tears of his killer, who must be someone who loves him deeply. Unien says that Comet is en route to Alqualonde herself. Then, by magicks the elves of EA have learned, shall they attempt to resurrect him."
Manwe breathes a sigh and then breaths deeply looking up and out to the skys beyond the glittering thronerome walls, "We must understand how dark the realms are and know the ways that the light may be brought back to the realms... and to Lord Olwe. We must know how to act so we may act wisely."
Ulmo bows his head in respect to his great and dear Lord. "I cannot say I know if their magicks would be great enough to drive such a great darkness back, since it has Olwe so in its grip. Loving and loyal the Teleri king has ever been. It is a great blow to hear how he now suffers." He casts a troubled look at Manwe. "The Dark One is still in his prison, I am told...." his voice trails off, waiting.
Manwe sighs heavily and then looks sternly and Ulmo and says, "The time will come when he is let lose but he is and shall remain bound until then. Many things shall occur before then but what is to become of the Teleri and Olwe is unclear for many strong wills are at work."
"Long has Lord Tilion been parted from the Teleri Lord's side. Perhaps, Lord Manwe, if he should be sent to Olwe's side, we should learn more of the Teleri Lord's true condition. But aside from all that, the news of such a dreadful ritual brings a unease to my heart."
Manwe stands and looks about the room at each one attending and speaks decisively, "This is what we shall do..." Ulmo looks ups and waits attentively, upon the word of the Lord of the Breath of Arda. Manwe raises his hand to alert Eonwe to be ready for instructions..."Send Lord Tillion to dear Olwe... He who knows Olwe's mind clearest and will be most wise in how to sooth Olwes troubles in this perilous time."
Ulmo hears the soft tread of feet somewhere behind him in the great hall. Eonwe nods and begins to leave but notices Manwe's hand has not fallen. Manwe, giving a stern, yet gracious, glance of reproach, continues. "Let all the beloved Ainur of these halls and throughout the Undying lands hear of this which Lord Ulmo has brought." With his hand still raised, he continued. "And summon them to a meeting in the great meeting place... the Circle of Thrones at the appointed hour by consent." With this Manwe lowers his hand and nods to Eonwe, who runs swiftly from the throne room.
"With your permission, Lord Manwe, I feel the call of the seas. I can better know how the Lord of the Teleri fare if I am there instead of here. And, as thy will know, I am ever loathe to leave the waters of Ea."
Manwe stands and motions his left hand as if sweeping back a curtain of mist, "We must prepare for the meeting. Return to the waters you so beloved, my friend... Lord of the Waves, but I adjure you to come in communion with thy peers as we gather soon to discuss such troubling news."
"As you speak, so I obey, Lord of the West." And in his nature, Ulmo bows once and withdraws, quickly, eagerly for the waters of the world.
Turning to his Wind, Manwe contemplates the news he has heard and turns his mind to the great council that lies ahead.
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