An Alluring Offer by octopus_fool  

They had a problem. Nobody could deny that any more, and Tata was more aware of it than most. The families and friends of those that had disappeared came to him to proclaim their grief, and there was nothing Tata could do but to try to console them.

They didn't stand a chance against the creatures in the shadows, against the Hunter and the nightmares that followed them. They made sure not to wander alone, and to guard their camps, but the problem remained as they waited for Oromë's return.

Tata could not believe his eyes when Enelyë led the strange being into the camp.

There was an odd spring to the creature's step, nothing like the dances of the Quendi. He was wearing strange, colourful garments, with little bells attached to some of the folds and tips of them. He carried a pipe, not unlike those the Quendi liked to use to accompany their songs, but there was a fey glint to it, not unlike the glint to the creature itself. It was as if the pipe was trying to look like a normal instrument, just like the piper was trying to look like one of the Quendi. He was doing a miserable job at it, and Tata did not believe that anyone would believe the guise.

Except for Enelyë, as it seemed. Because why else would she lead one of the shadow creatures into the camp?

"This is Tinfang Warble," Enelyë said with a bright smile. "He will help us against the creatures in the shadows."

Tata nodded at the creature. "Please excuse us for a moment." 

Tata urgently pulled Enelyë away. "What makes you believe that this Tinfang Warble is not one of them? Do you not see how his shape flutters and dances in the light of our fires?"

"Of course I see that. But do you not feel how different he feels to the shadow creatures, how he feels warm rather than setting your hair on end? Enel trusts him."

"Some people say they have seen shadow creatures of flame. A feeling of warmth is not a guarantee that he is safe."

"He says that he was sent by Oromë, and that he can help keep us safe until Oromë returns."

"Well, I don't trust him, and I don't want him in the camp of my people."

"At least listen to him," Enelyë said. 

Tata agreed, seeing little harm in that.

"Enelyë says you want to help keep us safe from the creatures in the shadows," Tata said as they returned to where Tinfang Warble sat staring into the flames, tapping his toes as if he could barely keep his feet still, while countless curious Quendi watched. "How do you plan to do that?"

"I will lead them far away."

"And why would they follow you?"

Tinfang Warble tapped his pipe. "They won't be able to resist the tune of my flute, not when I set my mind to it."

"I don't suppose you will be doing this for the goodness in your heart," Tata said, and the piper cocked his head as if trying to understand the meaning of his words. "What do you ask in return?"

"I wish for your people to listen the proposal Oromë and I will make."

Tata considered this. They were waiting for Oromë's return already, and people were eager to hear what word he would bring from the Valar in the West. Agreeing to this would change very little.

"If you manage to rid us of most of the shadow creatures, you will have the ear of my people," Tata finally agreed. 

"I will leave at once," Tinfang Warble said, and spun out of the camp in a twinkle of stars.

When Tata stood at the edge of the camp later on, he could hear the distant warbling of a pipe, playing strange, enchanting melodies as it wandered ever further away. Tata felt the brief urge to follow, but it was not him that the melody was calling.

The woods filled with the whispers and roars of the terrible creatures that made a habit of pursuing the Quendi. Few of the Quendi could sleep until the roars faded into echoes, and a different quiet settled over the woods, a peaceful one.

Tata's people found themselves no longer beset in the shadows, and Imin and Enel reported the same. 

Tata watched as Oromë proposed that the Quendi leave Middle-earth for the West, his face stony. He wanted safety, not flight. He could read the same thought in the faces and hearts of his people.

Tinfang Warble stepped forward, pulling out his pipe. It looked less like a simple wooden pipe now, as it was shining with silver, and the stars reflected in it as if they were to spring forth from it. Tata remembered a haunting tune in the woods, and the most terrifying creatures he had known following willingly.

Tata hastily stepped forward. "We will consider your proposition. I bid you now leave the camp while we discuss and think about it."

"You promised I would have the ear of you people," Tinfang Warble said, with a glint in his eye.

Tata stepped back against his will. 

Tinfang Warble lifted his pipe to his lips, and the most entrancing tune Tata had ever heard began to emerge from the pipe, slow at first, then faster and more urgent, until all Tata's people were dancing to the sweet, haunting music. The stars twinkled to the tune, and the trees themselves waved in the rhythm.

Tata looked at his empty camp. Only a handful of his people still lingered. 

Tents had been broken down for the journey, bags packed, stores of Western Corn taken along. 

His children were gone.

In the distance, Tata heard a melody ring over the dark woods, and the stars twinkled brighter than before.

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