<♦| Fanuilos, the Maia of Ice |♦>
Fanuilos was once a Maia of the element ice. He loved winter more than anything, as well as snow, frozen water and the scent of snow-covered trees. The Maia was completely dressed in white. His hair shone like freshly fallen snow and his eyes shone an icy blue. Only a few colors adorned his garment, these were silver and blue. He would not wear anything else. Since he was between the elements of air and water, it was sometimes difficult to interpret his affiliation with the Valar Manwe and Ulmos.
He was once sent by Manwe himself into the eternal ice, the Helcaraxe, to protect it from Morgoth. Morgoth and his servants were never to cross the Helcaraxe. This was Fanuilos' only task, because he said directly that he did not come to Arda to serve a Valar, but to protect Arda.
The presence of the Maia alone ensured that unbearable temperatures plagued the Helcaraxe. Although he reinforced wintry areas with his presence, he was still inferior to Morgoth and his servants. Ice melted in the power of fire, but ice could also freeze fire if it had a solid body. This would not last long, but it gave others time to flee or launch a good attack.
When Morgoth dared to cross the Helcaraxe anyway, there was a fight between the Valar of fire and the Maia of ice. Fanuilos was defeated by the Valar and Morgoth smashed the Maia's body. Now the way across the Helcaraxe to Aman should be clear, but the noise of the fight attracted the other Valar. Ulmos was the first, followed by Manwe and Varda, and lastly Aule and Mandos rushed up.
Together they drove Morgoth and his servants out of the Helcaraxe, but it was already too late. The Maia of Ice was dead. His body lay broken and torn in the icy snow of the Helcaraxe. The Valar were overcome with grief and so they took the Maia's body and returned to Aman. Tears adorned their faces and melancholy filled their hearts. Although Fanuilos was always aloof, he was always loyal and brave. Always fulfilling his duty. They knew that when a Maia died, he returned to Eru Illuvatar, their creator.
But this time a Maia did not return. Fanuilos stayed in the Helcaraxe, knowing that if he left, Morgoth would dare to advance to Aman again and he could not allow this. So the Maia stayed in the Helcaraxe and connected with the eternal ice. His Fea entered the element and a brief, light glow illuminated the former battlefield. A white shimmer now shone beneath the ice of the Helcaraxe.
So, that was the first part about Fanuilos. Let's see when I write the second part that describes the meeting between Fingolfin and Fanuilos.
