Nienna Meets Aulë

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Rhûn Darkmoon and Lihan Taifun

Nienna Returns from Mt. Taniquetil

After reporting to Manwë, Nienna walks toward her brother's home, Mandos, the Halls of Waiting. With fewer Elves living in the mortal lands in this era, there are fewer deaths, and her work in Mandos is lighter. But there are still some of the Dead she wants to speak with again, and it is not always easy to slip away from Alqualondë and "Apakenwë", undetected.

Walking down the westward path, she realizes how much she misses being in Aman -- the pure, rarified air, the radiant unblemished sunlight and clear piercing starlight -- none of the smoke and dust of the mortal lands. No laundry, or chamber pots, or torn clothing. Timeless beauty, outside the decay of time. Although she could travel the distance in spirit form, in nearly no time, walking to Mandos will be a pleasure.

The Dark Flowers

With a grunt of satisfaction, Aule dusts off his hands and steps back to survey his work.  "Yes, that will do nicely," he says with only the wind in the nearby forest to hear.  He folds his arm and surveys the wall a moment longer, giving a shake of his head that none had thought of so simple a solution until now.  He turns to pick up his shirt and cloak. It had been chill earlier this day when he had risen to continue his labours on the wall, but as the day had warmed, he had tossed them aside.  His hand stays, the cloak untouched, for he spies a figure approaching down the road from Valimar.

Aulë Surveys His Work

Rounding a corner of the path, Nienna sees a great stone wall.  Disturbing energies roil in the vicinity, originating, as nearly as she can tell, from the direction of the wall.  Nearby stands a figure, not small, but appearing small in comparison with the wall.

With an impatient sniff, Aule folds his arms to await the approach of the traveller, a small contemptuous smile curving his lips. None had passed this way from Valimar since he had sent that upstart guard packing back to the palace with a flea in his ear. Nor should they. When the Maker himself was at work, who would dare disturb him.  It was with no small amount of curiosity now then that he watched the small figure approach.

As Nienna approaches, she recognizes her fellow Vala, Aule, his own energy nearly drowned by the turmoil from the wall.  "Well met, Maker!" she calls out in greeting.

The scrowl that had creased Maker's face relaxes into something resembling a smile as he recognizes the traveller as none other than Nienna, the gentle lady of compassion. 'Well met, indeed, fair Nienna!  This is indeed an unexpected pleasure.  I had thought you in Alqualonde.'

 Nienna smiles to see her old associate.  "We have been in Alqualonde -- Irmo and I -- and I will be returning soon.  I had a message to carry to the Lord of the West."  Her eyes gaze fondly around the forest, as she continues.  "And I will make a short visit to Mandos, where I still have a few urgent duties, before I return to the mortal lands."  Her eyes rest uncertainly on the wall, marring the natural beauty of the landscape.

 Aule's gaze follows Nienna's eyes to the wall.  He nods towards it with his chin. "An unfortunate but necessary addition I fear, Fair One.  I happened upon a guard as I too was journeying to see our dear Lord of the West." He cannot keep a slight sneer from his voice as he voices his brother's title, "when I happened upon a guard sent to keep travellers safe from those strange and deadly blooms that had appeared here.  Why no one simply thought to build a wall around them instead of wasting manpower guarding them is beyond me.  But now the wall is built. The evil is contained and the guard is back on duty in Valimar, warming Ingwe's bed, no doubt."

Nienna's eyes tighten, hearing the unaccustomed unkindness in Aule's words.  Everyone knows the Noldor are his favorites -- always eager to learn the crafts of building.  But never has Nienna heard him speak ill of the other Children.  Nonetheless, she holds her tongue.  "It was well done to build a wall.  But what brings you to speak to the Lord?"

 Aule's brow darkens as he thinks of the reason for his journey. He lifts a hand and rubs his forehead in that gesture that has become all too familiar since leaving the Halls of Mandos. "Oh, you have not heard the news?  You do not know that I am branded traitor and liar?" The bitterness is strong in his words. "I had thought that coming from Taniquetil you would have heard all about it from that yapping puppy Eonwe."

Nienna blinks in confusion.  "No, I heard nothing.  I did not see Eonwe at all.  What strange tale is this?"

Aule stares hard at his fellow Ainu for long moments, searching her face for any trace of deceit or mockery. Finding nothing but genuine confusion and concern some of the tension leaves him.  The bitterness is still strong in his voice, however, as he relates his story. "Brother Manwe seemed to believe me incapable of dealing with the dark magic found written on the walls of Melkor's former cell.  He wrote to me, commanding I stop recording them and cleansing the cell, stating he would send others to do so. Others!  What others would be more capable than I when it comes to dealing with Melkor's trickery!   So he sent his little pet Eonwe. Eonwe, his mouthpiece and only a Maia, when six of my own  had already succumbed to it!" He snorts contemptuously, "But the work was already complete by the time that jumped up creature arrived and he dared, he DARED to accuse me, ME, not only of disobeying the instructions of the Lord of the West, but of outright treachery!  He then not only drew his blade in my presence but held it to my throat!" By now his voice had risen and the last word was an utter roar of outrage.  Coming to himself and realising to whom he is speaking  he takes a deep breath and continues more quietly. "That is why I seek my brother. To clear my name and inform him of his precious Herald's impudence."

Nienna tries to hide a frown, as she says cautiously, "I perceive these events have greatly upset you.  Now consider, harsh words will not convince Manwe.  Perhaps he would hear your case more favorably if you spoke calmly.  Come, will you walk with me for a while, and settle your mind?"

 Aule turns his head to stare up the road towards distant Taniquetil where resides Manwe, his brother and King. He then turns  to look back down the road to the Halls of Mandos. Every fibre of his being had yearned to return there since the moment he had left.  The prospect of doing so was almost painful in the pleasure of it.  He glanced again towards Taniquetil before returning his gaze to the fair Vala standing before him, considering her words carefully. Again the hand raises to rub at his brow as he slowly nods and says simply, "Yes, I will walk with you."

Aule bends down and finally retrieves his forgotten shirt, slipping it on deftly and tying the fastenings before reaching for his cloak and travelling pack.  With one last glance at the wall, he turns to Nienna and nods. "Let us walk."

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