A Deed Unforgiven by LadySternchen  

Flashback- Maedhros

Please don’t come at me about names here. As you know, I use the Sindarin versions in my storytelling, but as this is a flashback-chapter told from Maedhros’ perspective, that felt very off, so I edited it. And then realised again why I don’t do that normally, because we just don’t know which names or nicknames the Noldor in Beleriand would have used amongst each other. Absolutely feel free to tell me what to improve!

The battlefield reeked of blood and mud, of Orcs and charred flesh. The muscles in his left arm burned from wielding his sword for hours and hours, while the straps of his shield rubbed over his stump. But that did not matter just now.

What mattered was that they were losing. He cursed himself over and over again for charging too soon. Again. Had not just that impatience ended up costing him his hand?

Well, that, and Finno’s determination to save him, cost it what it may.

And speaking of Finno…

Nelyo turned to look for his cousin’s standard, to see where he stood and how he may reach him. Then they could find Turukáno and counsel with him on how they would proceed.

There.

Finno’s blue and silver banner fluttering in the smokey air, but that did nothing to reassure him. Quite the contrary, as Finno was clearly in deep trouble.
Nelyo raised his sword once more, he had to reach Finno, to help him…

But in that very moment, the world ended.

Nelyo’s world ended.

A fiery whip.

Finno did not yell, nor move, nor fight back.

Gleaming black steel soaring through the air.

But Nelyo yelled. Screamed as if his life depended on it.

A white flame sprang from Finno’s cloven helm.

And Nelyo felt his heart being ripped apart.