Celebrian’s champion part ii
King Finarfin of Tirion frowned across the desk at his nephew. They were in Alqualonde, so this wasn’t even his office; it belonged to a senior scribe and had been commandeered to get Maglor out out the public eye. Finarfin had been in Alqualonde to meet his granddaughter, and was as surprised as anyone at Maglor’s arrival. But as high king of the Noldor, any ruckus caused by a Noldo was ultimately his responsibility.
So here they were.
“In my defense,” Maglor said eventually, “I didn’t actually know before today that I was the one who killed Galadhon. I would have tried harder to convince Celebrian to choose a different Champion if I had.”
“How could you not know?”
Maglor shrugged. “It was dark, and it’s not like anyone was wearing name tags. I still don’t know who killed Caranthir either.”
“Galadhon recognized you easily enough.”
“Well yes. I was probably the last thing he saw when he died, that’s more memorable.”
“You see why I’m concerned about you being here.”
“A bit, but I’m perfectly happy to go on to Tirion.”
“I’m not actually pleased to have you in my kingdom either.”
“I don’t actually recall committing any crimes that are your jurisdiction?”
“You led an army that massacred innocents three different times, and then attacked the Noldorin army!”
“I’m not disputing that, but those were in Alqualonde - so the punishment is Olwe’s to decide - in Doriath - Thingol or Galadhon or some other Sinda - and in Sirion - Elwing or Earendil.“
“And attacking the army after we’d defeated Morgoth?”
“Already pardoned by Eonwe!’
“None of those excuses will make people like you.”
“But they’ll tolerate me if you forbid murdering me in the street.”
“I don’t trust you, not after all you’ve done.”
“Why not? I’m an exceptionally trustworthy person, and have never broken my word.”
“And which promise will you hold to now? Feanor’s ridiculous bloodthirsty Oath, or some obscure Sinda law?”
“Celebrian is my daughter-in-law, and I protect my family above all. If you can delay my trial until she is healed, I promise to attend - unarmed even - and not start fights until then.”
“She is my granddaughter. I want her to be safe as well.”
“So let me help her.”
“Alright.” After a pause, Finarfin prompted, “Your sword and harp?”
“Are staying with me.”
“You said you’d be willing to go unarmed.”
“To the trial, and even there I should want a harp! I can’t properly express my repentance without a good dirge.”
“A harp in you hands is a weapon, I'm not an idiot.”
“I never said you were! Caranthir did, but I didn’t. And as Champion, I need to be prepared against attack as well as supportive in her healing.”
“Attack from who? We’re not in Middle Earth, or Beleriand; there won’t be roving bands of orcs.”
“I know that, and so does Celebrian logically speaking. But she doesn’t feel it yet, and until she feels safe I will guard her. Besides, there are plenty of others around who could attack.”
“Like who? She’s neither a Feanorian nor hated by you, so she ought to be safely out of any kinslaying.”
“There are other reasons to attack someone. The Teleri might view her choice of Champion as mockery. There were those in Gil-Galad’s court who disliked Elrond and will hold it against her. The Valar may declare her a criminal. The Vanyar may consider themselves snubbed, as she’s as Vanyarin as Noldorin but no one is consulting them. A local Maia of a stream may dislike familiarity that she enjoyed with the Bruinen. Whatever the case, she will should not face it alone.”
“You see danger everywhere.”
“ have practice, surviving thousands of years without being found by any elves or killed.”
“What could you even do against the Valar?”
“Sing; it worked for Luthien.”
Finarfin pinched his nose. “Why do you think she’s in danger from the Valar? Has she committed a crime, or helped you cover up yet another kinslaying?”
"She has harmed no one, and broken none of the laws of the Valar known to me from when I last dwelt on Valinor."
"You think she did something that the Valar outlawed since?"
"Who can understand the minds of the Valar? Perhaps they banned me from Imladris, where she has welcomed me time and again."
"The Valar would not do that if Elrond welcomed you."
"He did, but it's not without precedent. they have exiled an elf from a city over a matter entirely between elves against the wishes of the king before."
"That was very different! Your father threatened my brother's life, and it was in Tirion in Valinor, not Middle Earth."
"But Manwe is lord of all Aman. if he has the authority to order a king he may order a prince, whichever shore."
“We’re getting off track on theology. Did you harm or threaten anyone in Imladris, whether or not Celebrian covered it up?”
“Of course not! It would have upset Elrond tremendously, in addition to being pointless. I haven’t killed any elves since the end of the First Age.”