Whatever You Say, Ace by Isilme_among_the_stars  

Three

“Father, you can’t just abandon them” Maedhros protested, “What about Findekáno the Valiant? He and his followers fought bravely for us. Won’t we at least go back for them?”

“Needless baggage they are Maitimo,” he decried, his eyes fey, “yes, even them. No, we will not go back.”

“Oh, he argues the case for Finno,” Celegorm huffed, “what about Írisse? What about Findaráto and the rest?”

Maglor gave him a sharp look.

“They’re not important enough, clearly. He only uses that persuasive voice of his because he can’t stand to be parted from his beloved Findekáno. He’s not the only one who left a lover behind,” Caranthir muttered.

“Shut up, you idiot,” Maglor elbowed him in the ribs. It was too late. Fëanor had heard.

“Maitimo?” he inquired, dangerously quiet.

Maedhros met his eyes undaunted, “There is nothing to tell. We should send the ships back for your brother, and our cousins, who fought beside us and will do so again. As is right.”

Fëanor picked up a torch, not breaking eye contact with Maedhros for a second. “Burn them,” he ordered.

“I will have no part in this,” Maedhros asserted calmly, and he stood aside.

“It’s so tragic,” Ossë whispered to Ulmo, “Fëanáro burns the ships and now Findekáno and Maitimo will be separated forever.”

“Well at least Findekáno will be safe in Aman, and the rest of Nolofinwë’s host with him. It’s a small price to pay.”

“But you cannot deny it is sad,” Ossë said.

Ulmo sighed, misty-eyed, “they were so adorable together.”

Ulmo had not accounted for Noldorin determination. In that very hour, they made the decision to cross the ice.

Maglor had longed to run after his brother, to fight for him from the very day he was taken. He did not do so, because it was a foolish endeavour. What sense was there in sacrificing many to win back the one? No matter how dear to him that one was. But Fingon had dared, and Maedhros was somewhere on the other side of the lake right now, safe with him.

“I knew Maitimo was sweet on Finno,” Amras whispered to Maglor, “But I did not realise that Finno loved him back.”

“Well, clearly he does,” Maglor reasoned, “or he probably wouldn’t have taken himself on a near suicidal solo rescue mission to get him back.”

Both were silent for a moment, taking in the gravity of Maglor’s words.

“I can’t quite believe it. It still doesn’t seem quite real, that he could be back,” Amras sounded choked up and strange.

“Neither would I if I hadn’t seen that tuft of red hair. It was unmistakable.”

“It’s a good job Finno does love him, or maybe we wouldn’t have seen him again.”

Maglor swallowed, feeling guilty. His brother didn’t have the right of it, and it was largely his own fault, but he didn’t have the heart to correct him. Besides, perhaps Finno really did love Maitimo.

“You sent an eagle,” Námo accused.

“So what if I did?” Manwë was not intimidated.

“You said you would not listen to their pleas,” Námo reminded Manwë.

“Yes, but you heard how desperate they were! I couldn’t just leave them like that. Think how awful it would be, Námo, to mercy kill your own lover. I couldn’t just let that happen,” Manwë reasoned.

Námo was silent. Manwë wondered if perhaps he had a heart after all. Nienna was not the only one that cried for the plight of the Noldorin exiles, no matter what the rest of them might say.