Lord Eonwe, master of arms of Valmar and banner bearer for Lord Manwe, shouts, “The Valar have arrived! Lord Manwe, The council of the Valar is hereby gathered!” At this, Manwe nodes and smiles briefly. Manwe stands with a stern look on his noble face as he nods graciously and yet lovingly at each member attending. Ulmo bows his head with great respect. After a moment, Manwe speaks in a solemn tone, “At our last gathering, we celebrated the passing of an Age and the beginning of the restoration of balance. There remains great darkness even still and with it great dangers for the Children of Iluvatar.”
Linfea says, “Greetings to you Lord Manwe, and to my brothers and sisters.” Manwe nods. Arien nods her head with respect to the Elder King and listens intently. Manwe speaks. "Now we gather to hear of the latest news of troubling events, and what has become of one of the dearest of the First of the Children of Iluvatar...” then pausing and looking down, he slightly utters, ”Dear Olwë.”
Irmo nods, listening. Melian silently looks around at the assembled company, meeting each one's eyes in brief acknowledgement, bowing respectfully to Lord Manwe. Ingwe bows his head in obeisance to Lord Manwe. Manwe breathes deeply, then continues. “And after taking council of all who can contribute, we shall consider what can be done. We shall proceed with each in turn around this circle, allowing the one to the right hand to speak without interruption. Starting on my right with Linfea? Dost you have a thought to share?”
Linfea steps forward to speak. “Forgive me, Lord Manwe. Yes, indeed. It came to my attention that a series of unusual occurrences manifested. I found one of the Great Swans of Alqualonde far, far from home. Next, I saw the hawk, Voronwe, also far, far, far, from the home of Queen Comet. These birds were far out to sea and heading west, apparently at a great speed. In addition, I saw floating upon the waves what appeared to be charred bits of parchment. Looking closely I was able to make out lettering. Taken together and especially noting the haste with the birds, exhausted as they were, were flying, I decided to help by gathering them to me and bringing them to you that you might be able to decipher the meaning. While on my way, an elven maiden fell out of the sky!! This merely strengthened the notion that things were amiss.”
Ulmo nods, and adds, "Not just any elf, gentle Linfea, but Elwing the White." Arien arches an eyebrow but listens silently. Melian sighs as she remembers Elwing.
“Ahh, I see!” Linfea continues. “There has been no sign of King Olwe, and Alqualonde seems quiet.” Manwe gives a look of concern at Linfea. “I brought her to landfall and hastened to the palace to speak with you,.waiting there for some time and when you sent the call ... well, as you can see here, we are!!! I hope that this is helpful, for I know not else.” She sits back down and awaits the next.
“Thank you, Linfea,” says Manwe. She nods.
Ingwe slowly stands up and bows deeply before Lord Manwe and nods respectfully to all the attending members of the council. “I bring grave news, My Lord. A guard of Valimar reports of two Vanyar deaths within Valarinde.” Nienna gasps. Ulmo frowns as he listens to the news, his brows knitted together and his face dark. Arien frowns deeply as well. “A patch of unfamiliar dark flowers can be found within the forests of Valarinde and a Vanya maiden was found near it. All we know is that one feels ill within close proximity of these strange flowers. That is my report, Lord Manwe.”
"Lord Ingwe..." rumbles Ulmo....."these flowers...."
“ Yes, Lord Ulmo?”
"Have their kind been seen before in Valarinde by any of your kin?"
“No, M'Lord. We have not seen them before nor can give them name. They are a dark purplish in hue....almost black.”
Melian coughs. Manwe stirs and gives a stern look. "The flowers of darkness....more treachery from the Dark One!" Arien listens grimly.
Ulmo frowns and gives a curt nod. "Know we how the maiden came to her end?
“ We do not. Rille is the one that found her, but she has already passed on to the Halls of Mandos. Shortly after he found her, he died while giving his report to the guard.”
Ulmo bows his head, heaving a large sigh before turning his eyes to the Lord of the West. "Truly have thou spoken, Lord of the West, treachery."
Manwe: "Thank you Ingwe!” Ingwe nods respectfully and returns to his seat. Melian whispers, “Aaaah.”
"Guardian of the Sun, “ says Manwe. “What have you observed in the daily traverses across the skies?"
Arien looks over at the Elder king and then back to those assembled. "M'lord, many of these things did happen on my watches across the skies..." Melian looks to the bright lady and waits. "From sylvhara the came the smoke that carried those parchments Linfea spoke of."
Linfea gave an “ahhh” and added, “There was music on the wind, also.”
Arien continues. “And there was music on the winds also. And those dark flowers...they have appeared in other lands prior to those we have heard of tonight. Slyvhara again, being one of those having suffered from their plague.”
Ingwe takes a sharp intake of breath. Ulmo gazes upon the fiery countenance of the Maia as she spoke, his tail fins slowly moving from side to side. He turns and sweeps his gaze across the company gathered, his lips pursed.
"I have noted that despite the efforts of many across many lands...none have been able to rid themselves of these flowers....even the onset of winter has not diminished them." Arien smiles slightly. "And finally, I have noted the comings and goings of those of you gathered here around the mortal lands, which has not happened in at least an age."
Ulmo speaks. "These flowers are also in the mortal world?" He growls his question, his voice like the angry sea, crashing and foaming. Linfea raises a hand.
Arien's eyes glow in response. "Aye." Melian darts an anxious eye at Lord Ulmo. Ulmo nods, grim faced, and looks in Linfea's direction.
“These are also the ones that appeared in the garden of Vana?” she asks.
Nienna speaks. “They do sound similar.”
"The ones that cause the trees to blight?" blurted out Ulmo.
“You saw them, too, Nienna, “ says Linfea. “Yes, she answers Ulmo, “and the garden still does not grow.”
"Aye,” confirms Arien. “It would seem that they have spread far to the west."
"But that here, in the Blessed Realm...how may that be possible?" Ulmo asks.
“Yes,” added Nienna, “and they caused even Lady Vana to lose touch with her body.”
“We tried remedies,” continues Linfea, “and it appeared that it had worked for a time, but they came back.”
Melian asks the gathering, “Can someone describe the flowers?” It is Arien who answers.
"Lord Ingwe's description was quite accurate from those that I have seen in the mortal lands....very dark purple...almost black." Ingwe nods in agreement and Melian nods as well.
Manwe stands and looks sternly. "Wait, we must get to everyone before speaking of restoring balance. Have you concluded, Arien?"
Ulmo bows his head in honor and obedience. Linfea is chastened but excited. Arien nods. "Aye, I believe others will have other news to add so I am finished for now."
"Very good! Lord Ulmo, King of the Seas and most wise in the knowledge of the depths, now, speaketh all thou dost know."
Ulmo nods his head and slowly moves to the center of the circle, the angry sweep of his tail, and the dark expression on his face matched his voice as he spoke. His gaze sweeps around the gathering. Ulmo bows deeply before Manwe, his voice bubbles up from deep within, firm, low, angry. "As thy commands, Breath of Arda and mightiest of the Aratar, " he says, the anger always beneath his words. “Indeed, as you have heard, a darkness is gathering in the world of the Children. I wonder if and to what degree our twisted and dark brother has had a hand in all that has transpired, for well imprisoned he remains. My brothers and sisters, in Alqualonde is Olwe, Lord of the Teleri, waiting to see if he will lay down his life or be saved from a cruel torment no Child of Illuvatar should have to bear.”
Nienna sniffs at the implication that Melkor can be called "brother." Linfea squirms. Manwe looks up into the sky. Arien: scowls hotly at the thought of the dark one and his meddling.
"Well we know that the Teleri have vanished, and only the mind of Eru knows where. In a visit to the court of his Cousin, Olwe was most foully poisoned upon his own ship. He was returned to Sylvahara, where they attempted to cure him. But he fell upon the flowers and was snatched away from them all, to where, not even Lord Irmo could tell, for the mind of Olwe has been seized by a darkness and no Ainu can touched his mind as once we did."
Ingwe furrows his brows in consternation. Arien remembers the efforts to rescue the king during the troubles at sea.
"Spirited away from his sylvan cousins or perhaps, he wandered off, he was finally found by them....but his mind ...." Ulmo pauses and sighs. "His mind is an unbalanced thing."
Nienna Nienna looks at her brother Irmo, unsure whether this news makes more or less sense of recent events.
"The Sylvan healers think to restore him through a ritual most barbaric to me, to Nienna and Irmo...most barbaric and desperate. They have no idea the extent of his....condition." Ulmo looks at Nienna and Irmo, his voice filled with a sadness. “The Sylvans mean to kill him to cure him."
Melian gasps! Arien looks with some confusion and concern.
Irmo speaks to the gathering. "Yes, he had just arrived in Alqualonde, and is preparing for a method, from which to take his life. We were there, when his ship arrived."
His sister, Nienna, adds, “His mind is quite disordered.”
"Irmo and Nienna know more of his mental state than I." Ulmo falls quiet. Arien looks to Nienna and Irmo. Nienna begins.
“Yet with what is left of his mind, he calls upon Eru to protect him, and to save his people from the darkness.”
Irmo adds, "He goes into episodes, and sees violence. He mentioned spiders frequently, and also a dark-skinned matron. But he is able to calm his mind, albeit for short periods of time, and speak with reason."
Nienna chimes in. The dark-skinned woman might be a true person, for we met a dark-skinned person on the dock, in Alqualonde. He claimed he had travelled there without his body, or some such thing .”
"How is such possible for a mortal being?" asks Ulmo, incredulous.
“ I know not; I did not think mortals were capable of such travel,” the Vala answers. “Nor can I explain how he arrived at Alqualonde harbor by ordinary means.
Arien then says, "The elves have advanced in the magical abilities considerably since the last age."
Olwe is also bent upon seeking protection of the Valar, and refusing the voice in his head. Olwe said the voice spoke like Olwe belonged to it," says Irmo.
Melian murmurs, “Interesting.”
Ulmo turns to Manwe. "Lord of the West, Olwe has remained faithful to the will of the Valar and believes he has failed both us and his people. I fear for the desperation he must have."
Linfea plucks at an errant swan feather on her gown.
“This plan to kill him -- is this not the dark magic which infected Numenor?” asks Nienna.
"I learned a bit from the sailor, Nole,” offers Irmo. “He mentioned that there would be a ritual through which they will take his life. Supposedly this will purify his soul."
"There are many other beings and creatures that have also appeared since the end of the last age, and along with them there are these new dangers," comment the Maia who guides the daystar. Ulmo paces, restless, like the sea.
“How can dark magic purify a soul?” continues Nienna.
Ulmo nods and comments, "The sailors talk of this ritual. None go through it and are fully restored."
Irmo confessed, "I was stammered by this news. I cannot believe evil such as this has perpetrated the minds of the Children of Illuvatar."
His sister, Nienna, says, “I would not see the darkness of Numenor fall on Alqualonde.”
"The ritual you speak of....the last time it took place, I do remember it well,” mused Arien. “It took place as I was crossing over the equinox. From all I could see, it apparently worked for those that were afflicted...and there were some grievous afflictions indeed. The flowers had turned one elf into a demon...and he was restored by this ritual."
“Beloved Lord of the West, Olwe has always been steadfast and faithful. His love, both of his people and for Eru and all the Ainur, obvious and constant. We cannot lot let him stay in darkness." Ulmo beseeches Manwe.
Irmo: "My sister and I, through long discussion, came up with an alternate way around this barbaric ritual that screams of the history of the fallen of Numenor."
“Is there an alternative?” asks Linfea. Manwe listen, intent.
“Have you spoken with your wife, Lady Este?” Nienna asks her brother.
"She is, quite frankly, horrified at this news of ritual that will be performed in Alqualonde."
Linfea asks the gathering, “May I take that we are in agreement that Olwe must be savedIt isn't often we interfere.”
Ulmo bows his head and looks to the Lord of the West, waiting with a restlessness. Manwe nods in agreement. "But in order to restore balance we must."
Arien's eyes glow "I would not see the king of the Teleri suffer such indignity as being turned into something of darkness: he should be saved by whatever efforts we possess."
Nienna asks, “Can we prevent this? Can we prevent this darkness, and restore the king?”
"Olwe has stated, according to the Sylvharan cleric, that he will not submit to any treatment until he hears from Eru, through Manwe," Arien tells the council.
“Surely Eru does not approve!” exclaims Nienna.
"I would not presume to fully know the will of The One. However I find it hard to believe He would agree to the good king suffering needlessly."
"Indeed but please share any more information, Nienna. And then we shall end with the final wise council with Lord Irmo." Manwe nods at Nienna.
Arien sighs deeply, finding that she actually misses the impatience of Osse.
“I have no more specific information. The king is in a desperate position, and needs healing. But surely this ritual of darkness cannot be the only cure?” responds Nienna.
Linfea wonders about a salt water purging.
Irmo tells the gathering. "I will consult with my wife, Este, and see if she can provide a potion to calm Olwe during this ritual."
"Certainly... Is there another option?" asks Manwe. Linfea, restless now, calls a small salt laden breeze to her side.
Arien makes a suggestion. "Perhaps Nienna and Irmo can continue their investigations....we need more information."
Irmo continues, "The potion should keep Olwe from feeling any pain and to recover quickly following this event."
"I agree with Lord Irmo. Allow Lady Este to give unto Irmo and Nienna the potion. They, in their disguise, may pass it to the Sylvan healers to use,” petitions Ulmo.
Linfea asks, “Do we know just what this ritual entails?”
Ulmo looks at Linfea. "They will have Comet, his kin, take his life.and then through a mixture of her tears and his blood, and elven magicks, summon his soul back from the halls of Mandos."
"I am loath to let Olwe suffer, much less any Child of Iluvatar, due to this... last remaining darkness. We should act and act quickly," rejoins Manwe.
“And Manwe will permit the cleric of Eru to participate in this?” Nienna asks the Lord of the West. I would not see the darkness of Numenor fall on Alqualonde, because of ‘expediency.’”
Linfea shudders and swirls the briny breezes about her. Arien cringes a bit. Linfea says, “ remember King Olwe from the beginning of the ages. He is worth saving at any cost.”
Ulmo, too, comments. "I like not the barbarism, but can we forbid their attempts and thus steal away their free will?"
"Yes... please do what you can to help Olwe,” Manwe says. “We can delve more into what must be done to stop this shadow flower plague." Ingwe grimly ponders over the deadly solutions.
"Since Nienna and Irmo are there... we can allow them to act in Olwe's best interest,” says Arien. Ulmo nods, face grim.
Ulmo asks, "Lord of the West, so this potion may be distilled and given to Olwe?"
Manwe sighs deeply and says. "Yes! At once!"
> Next Irmo & Estë
Linfea says, “Greetings to you Lord Manwe, and to my brothers and sisters.” Manwe nods. Arien nods her head with respect to the Elder King and listens intently. Manwe speaks. "Now we gather to hear of the latest news of troubling events, and what has become of one of the dearest of the First of the Children of Iluvatar...” then pausing and looking down, he slightly utters, ”Dear Olwë.”
Irmo nods, listening. Melian silently looks around at the assembled company, meeting each one's eyes in brief acknowledgement, bowing respectfully to Lord Manwe. Ingwe bows his head in obeisance to Lord Manwe. Manwe breathes deeply, then continues. “And after taking council of all who can contribute, we shall consider what can be done. We shall proceed with each in turn around this circle, allowing the one to the right hand to speak without interruption. Starting on my right with Linfea? Dost you have a thought to share?”
Linfea steps forward to speak. “Forgive me, Lord Manwe. Yes, indeed. It came to my attention that a series of unusual occurrences manifested. I found one of the Great Swans of Alqualonde far, far from home. Next, I saw the hawk, Voronwe, also far, far, far, from the home of Queen Comet. These birds were far out to sea and heading west, apparently at a great speed. In addition, I saw floating upon the waves what appeared to be charred bits of parchment. Looking closely I was able to make out lettering. Taken together and especially noting the haste with the birds, exhausted as they were, were flying, I decided to help by gathering them to me and bringing them to you that you might be able to decipher the meaning. While on my way, an elven maiden fell out of the sky!! This merely strengthened the notion that things were amiss.”
Ulmo nods, and adds, "Not just any elf, gentle Linfea, but Elwing the White." Arien arches an eyebrow but listens silently. Melian sighs as she remembers Elwing.
“Ahh, I see!” Linfea continues. “There has been no sign of King Olwe, and Alqualonde seems quiet.” Manwe gives a look of concern at Linfea. “I brought her to landfall and hastened to the palace to speak with you,.waiting there for some time and when you sent the call ... well, as you can see here, we are!!! I hope that this is helpful, for I know not else.” She sits back down and awaits the next.
“Thank you, Linfea,” says Manwe. She nods.
Ingwe slowly stands up and bows deeply before Lord Manwe and nods respectfully to all the attending members of the council. “I bring grave news, My Lord. A guard of Valimar reports of two Vanyar deaths within Valarinde.” Nienna gasps. Ulmo frowns as he listens to the news, his brows knitted together and his face dark. Arien frowns deeply as well. “A patch of unfamiliar dark flowers can be found within the forests of Valarinde and a Vanya maiden was found near it. All we know is that one feels ill within close proximity of these strange flowers. That is my report, Lord Manwe.”
"Lord Ingwe..." rumbles Ulmo....."these flowers...."
“ Yes, Lord Ulmo?”
"Have their kind been seen before in Valarinde by any of your kin?"
“No, M'Lord. We have not seen them before nor can give them name. They are a dark purplish in hue....almost black.”
Melian coughs. Manwe stirs and gives a stern look. "The flowers of darkness....more treachery from the Dark One!" Arien listens grimly.
Ulmo frowns and gives a curt nod. "Know we how the maiden came to her end?
“ We do not. Rille is the one that found her, but she has already passed on to the Halls of Mandos. Shortly after he found her, he died while giving his report to the guard.”
Ulmo bows his head, heaving a large sigh before turning his eyes to the Lord of the West. "Truly have thou spoken, Lord of the West, treachery."
Manwe: "Thank you Ingwe!” Ingwe nods respectfully and returns to his seat. Melian whispers, “Aaaah.”
"Guardian of the Sun, “ says Manwe. “What have you observed in the daily traverses across the skies?"
Arien looks over at the Elder king and then back to those assembled. "M'lord, many of these things did happen on my watches across the skies..." Melian looks to the bright lady and waits. "From sylvhara the came the smoke that carried those parchments Linfea spoke of."
Linfea gave an “ahhh” and added, “There was music on the wind, also.”
Arien continues. “And there was music on the winds also. And those dark flowers...they have appeared in other lands prior to those we have heard of tonight. Slyvhara again, being one of those having suffered from their plague.”
Ingwe takes a sharp intake of breath. Ulmo gazes upon the fiery countenance of the Maia as she spoke, his tail fins slowly moving from side to side. He turns and sweeps his gaze across the company gathered, his lips pursed.
"I have noted that despite the efforts of many across many lands...none have been able to rid themselves of these flowers....even the onset of winter has not diminished them." Arien smiles slightly. "And finally, I have noted the comings and goings of those of you gathered here around the mortal lands, which has not happened in at least an age."
Ulmo speaks. "These flowers are also in the mortal world?" He growls his question, his voice like the angry sea, crashing and foaming. Linfea raises a hand.
Arien's eyes glow in response. "Aye." Melian darts an anxious eye at Lord Ulmo. Ulmo nods, grim faced, and looks in Linfea's direction.
“These are also the ones that appeared in the garden of Vana?” she asks.
Nienna speaks. “They do sound similar.”
"The ones that cause the trees to blight?" blurted out Ulmo.
“You saw them, too, Nienna, “ says Linfea. “Yes, she answers Ulmo, “and the garden still does not grow.”
"Aye,” confirms Arien. “It would seem that they have spread far to the west."
"But that here, in the Blessed Realm...how may that be possible?" Ulmo asks.
“Yes,” added Nienna, “and they caused even Lady Vana to lose touch with her body.”
“We tried remedies,” continues Linfea, “and it appeared that it had worked for a time, but they came back.”
Melian asks the gathering, “Can someone describe the flowers?” It is Arien who answers.
"Lord Ingwe's description was quite accurate from those that I have seen in the mortal lands....very dark purple...almost black." Ingwe nods in agreement and Melian nods as well.
Manwe stands and looks sternly. "Wait, we must get to everyone before speaking of restoring balance. Have you concluded, Arien?"
Ulmo bows his head in honor and obedience. Linfea is chastened but excited. Arien nods. "Aye, I believe others will have other news to add so I am finished for now."
"Very good! Lord Ulmo, King of the Seas and most wise in the knowledge of the depths, now, speaketh all thou dost know."
Ulmo nods his head and slowly moves to the center of the circle, the angry sweep of his tail, and the dark expression on his face matched his voice as he spoke. His gaze sweeps around the gathering. Ulmo bows deeply before Manwe, his voice bubbles up from deep within, firm, low, angry. "As thy commands, Breath of Arda and mightiest of the Aratar, " he says, the anger always beneath his words. “Indeed, as you have heard, a darkness is gathering in the world of the Children. I wonder if and to what degree our twisted and dark brother has had a hand in all that has transpired, for well imprisoned he remains. My brothers and sisters, in Alqualonde is Olwe, Lord of the Teleri, waiting to see if he will lay down his life or be saved from a cruel torment no Child of Illuvatar should have to bear.”
Nienna sniffs at the implication that Melkor can be called "brother." Linfea squirms. Manwe looks up into the sky. Arien: scowls hotly at the thought of the dark one and his meddling.
"Well we know that the Teleri have vanished, and only the mind of Eru knows where. In a visit to the court of his Cousin, Olwe was most foully poisoned upon his own ship. He was returned to Sylvahara, where they attempted to cure him. But he fell upon the flowers and was snatched away from them all, to where, not even Lord Irmo could tell, for the mind of Olwe has been seized by a darkness and no Ainu can touched his mind as once we did."
Ingwe furrows his brows in consternation. Arien remembers the efforts to rescue the king during the troubles at sea.
"Spirited away from his sylvan cousins or perhaps, he wandered off, he was finally found by them....but his mind ...." Ulmo pauses and sighs. "His mind is an unbalanced thing."
Nienna Nienna looks at her brother Irmo, unsure whether this news makes more or less sense of recent events.
"The Sylvan healers think to restore him through a ritual most barbaric to me, to Nienna and Irmo...most barbaric and desperate. They have no idea the extent of his....condition." Ulmo looks at Nienna and Irmo, his voice filled with a sadness. “The Sylvans mean to kill him to cure him."
Melian gasps! Arien looks with some confusion and concern.
Irmo speaks to the gathering. "Yes, he had just arrived in Alqualonde, and is preparing for a method, from which to take his life. We were there, when his ship arrived."
His sister, Nienna, adds, “His mind is quite disordered.”
"Irmo and Nienna know more of his mental state than I." Ulmo falls quiet. Arien looks to Nienna and Irmo. Nienna begins.
“Yet with what is left of his mind, he calls upon Eru to protect him, and to save his people from the darkness.”
Irmo adds, "He goes into episodes, and sees violence. He mentioned spiders frequently, and also a dark-skinned matron. But he is able to calm his mind, albeit for short periods of time, and speak with reason."
Nienna chimes in. The dark-skinned woman might be a true person, for we met a dark-skinned person on the dock, in Alqualonde. He claimed he had travelled there without his body, or some such thing .”
"How is such possible for a mortal being?" asks Ulmo, incredulous.
“ I know not; I did not think mortals were capable of such travel,” the Vala answers. “Nor can I explain how he arrived at Alqualonde harbor by ordinary means.
Arien then says, "The elves have advanced in the magical abilities considerably since the last age."
Olwe is also bent upon seeking protection of the Valar, and refusing the voice in his head. Olwe said the voice spoke like Olwe belonged to it," says Irmo.
Melian murmurs, “Interesting.”
Ulmo turns to Manwe. "Lord of the West, Olwe has remained faithful to the will of the Valar and believes he has failed both us and his people. I fear for the desperation he must have."
Linfea plucks at an errant swan feather on her gown.
“This plan to kill him -- is this not the dark magic which infected Numenor?” asks Nienna.
"I learned a bit from the sailor, Nole,” offers Irmo. “He mentioned that there would be a ritual through which they will take his life. Supposedly this will purify his soul."
"There are many other beings and creatures that have also appeared since the end of the last age, and along with them there are these new dangers," comment the Maia who guides the daystar. Ulmo paces, restless, like the sea.
“How can dark magic purify a soul?” continues Nienna.
Ulmo nods and comments, "The sailors talk of this ritual. None go through it and are fully restored."
Irmo confessed, "I was stammered by this news. I cannot believe evil such as this has perpetrated the minds of the Children of Illuvatar."
His sister, Nienna, says, “I would not see the darkness of Numenor fall on Alqualonde.”
"The ritual you speak of....the last time it took place, I do remember it well,” mused Arien. “It took place as I was crossing over the equinox. From all I could see, it apparently worked for those that were afflicted...and there were some grievous afflictions indeed. The flowers had turned one elf into a demon...and he was restored by this ritual."
“Beloved Lord of the West, Olwe has always been steadfast and faithful. His love, both of his people and for Eru and all the Ainur, obvious and constant. We cannot lot let him stay in darkness." Ulmo beseeches Manwe.
Irmo: "My sister and I, through long discussion, came up with an alternate way around this barbaric ritual that screams of the history of the fallen of Numenor."
“Is there an alternative?” asks Linfea. Manwe listen, intent.
“Have you spoken with your wife, Lady Este?” Nienna asks her brother.
"She is, quite frankly, horrified at this news of ritual that will be performed in Alqualonde."
Linfea asks the gathering, “May I take that we are in agreement that Olwe must be savedIt isn't often we interfere.”
Ulmo bows his head and looks to the Lord of the West, waiting with a restlessness. Manwe nods in agreement. "But in order to restore balance we must."
Arien's eyes glow "I would not see the king of the Teleri suffer such indignity as being turned into something of darkness: he should be saved by whatever efforts we possess."
Nienna asks, “Can we prevent this? Can we prevent this darkness, and restore the king?”
"Olwe has stated, according to the Sylvharan cleric, that he will not submit to any treatment until he hears from Eru, through Manwe," Arien tells the council.
“Surely Eru does not approve!” exclaims Nienna.
"I would not presume to fully know the will of The One. However I find it hard to believe He would agree to the good king suffering needlessly."
"Indeed but please share any more information, Nienna. And then we shall end with the final wise council with Lord Irmo." Manwe nods at Nienna.
Arien sighs deeply, finding that she actually misses the impatience of Osse.
“I have no more specific information. The king is in a desperate position, and needs healing. But surely this ritual of darkness cannot be the only cure?” responds Nienna.
Linfea wonders about a salt water purging.
Irmo tells the gathering. "I will consult with my wife, Este, and see if she can provide a potion to calm Olwe during this ritual."
"Certainly... Is there another option?" asks Manwe. Linfea, restless now, calls a small salt laden breeze to her side.
Arien makes a suggestion. "Perhaps Nienna and Irmo can continue their investigations....we need more information."
Irmo continues, "The potion should keep Olwe from feeling any pain and to recover quickly following this event."
"I agree with Lord Irmo. Allow Lady Este to give unto Irmo and Nienna the potion. They, in their disguise, may pass it to the Sylvan healers to use,” petitions Ulmo.
Linfea asks, “Do we know just what this ritual entails?”
Ulmo looks at Linfea. "They will have Comet, his kin, take his life.and then through a mixture of her tears and his blood, and elven magicks, summon his soul back from the halls of Mandos."
"I am loath to let Olwe suffer, much less any Child of Iluvatar, due to this... last remaining darkness. We should act and act quickly," rejoins Manwe.
“And Manwe will permit the cleric of Eru to participate in this?” Nienna asks the Lord of the West. I would not see the darkness of Numenor fall on Alqualonde, because of ‘expediency.’”
Linfea shudders and swirls the briny breezes about her. Arien cringes a bit. Linfea says, “ remember King Olwe from the beginning of the ages. He is worth saving at any cost.”
Ulmo, too, comments. "I like not the barbarism, but can we forbid their attempts and thus steal away their free will?"
"Yes... please do what you can to help Olwe,” Manwe says. “We can delve more into what must be done to stop this shadow flower plague." Ingwe grimly ponders over the deadly solutions.
"Since Nienna and Irmo are there... we can allow them to act in Olwe's best interest,” says Arien. Ulmo nods, face grim.
Ulmo asks, "Lord of the West, so this potion may be distilled and given to Olwe?"
Manwe sighs deeply and says. "Yes! At once!"
> Next Irmo & Estë