Either by the ordonnance of the Powers or by simple chance, the sentence was never finished; for the door swung open, and in strode Celegorm, his armour ragged, black blood dripping from the blade of his sword.
“Nelyo,” he said, “I need your permission to – Findekáno? Is that you?”
“Well met, cousin,” said Fingon, amused. “You left a rather conspicuous trail on the floor, did you know that? And since when do you ask for permission to do anything? The world is truly going mad.”
“Things have changed,” said Celegorm coolly. “Now I need permission to breathe.”
“Granted,” said Maedhros. “What happened?”
“I wish to go Orc-hunting. Kano has trouble in the Gap.”
“If he needed help, he would send for it.”
“No, he would not!” Celegorm snapped. “I told Moryo about this before, and he dismissed my concerns as well – yet now, behold! Kano has taken into his head that the Gap is his to take back, and his alone. If he has a foothold of his old fortress to die on, he shall.”
“See?” Fingon crossed his arms. “This is why I love your side of the family. You inspire me. Amongst you, I feel tame and responsible.”
“If grief amuses you, then we shall be friends no longer,” said Celegorm.
“Enough,” said Maedhros; and in his voice was a kind of power that reined his brother in, and made Fingon fall silent, and look at him.
Somehow, he did feel powerful.
“What shall we do now?” said Celegorm apprehensively.
Maedhros raised his eyes to meet his, back straight, head raised in a gesture of defiance. His wrath, long-latent and suddenly flared, lapped at his fëa like waves of consuming fire.
“Now,” he said, his voice calm and terrible, “is the moment when I have reached the very end of my patience. It seems that Moringotto’s servants have forgotten the taste of their own blood; and it will be my pleasure to remind them.”
“You are going yourself!” Celegorm exclaimed.
“And not alone,” said Fingon. “One does not go Orc-hunting, and leave me out of it.”
“Get some sleep,” said Maedhros. “We ride at first light.”
– The Seven Gates, Chapter 28
