Rebellion by Uvatha the Horseman  

The Aftermath

Aulë was the last one downstairs for dinner. He sat down at the head of the table beside Yavanna. Although there were thirty or more people present, many of whom were teenagers, the group was unusually quiet.

At Aulë's left, Mairon's place was empty.

"Shall we rearrange the place settings and chairs, so there isn't a gap?" asked Curumo. "And the same in the dormitory? I could take his bed. It would be a shame to let his spot by the window go unused."

"No." said Aulë. "Just leave everything the way it is, for now. It doesn't seem real to me that he's gone."