4. The Harrowing
Prompt: Mithrim: "There would be no one to frighten you if you refused to be afraid." -Gandhi
Write a story or poem or create artwork where the character conquers his or her fears.
Maglor never knew what set brother against cousin that eve. He'd returned to camp to find them nigh another Kin-slaying, 'til Finrod apologized, abandoning the hunt.
Afterward, they'd spoken little until the Bragollach, and Finrod died in the raiding years for mortal debts.
Things have worsened since – unbearably so: the Nirnaeth. Doriath. Sirion.
"We persist," Maedhros ever says. "Oath-bound under curse, we cannot but."
By night, however, conviction vanishes: "For nothing!" he cries upon waking. "Everything, for trickery, ai, cruelty, Cousin – !"
But nightmares pass. Strange fears fortunately pass: "To sword, brother." Maedhros rises to their bloody task. "We're still bound."
Author's note:"When three hundred years and more were gone since the Noldor came to Beleriand, in the days of the Long Peace, Finrod Felagund lord of Nargothrond journeyed east of Sirion and went hunting with Maglor and Maedhros, sons of Fëanor. But he wearied of the chase and passed on alone [...]" - "Of the Coming of Men into the West," The Silmarillion
Building on In that hour Finarfin forsook the march... but his sons were not with him.
This is a work of fan fiction, written because the author has an abiding love for the works of J R R Tolkien. The characters, settings, places, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for certain original characters who belong to the author of the said work. The author will not receive any money or other remuneration for presenting the work on this archive site. The work is the intellectual property of the author, is available solely for the enjoyment of Henneth Annûn Story Archive readers, and may not be copied or redistributed by any means without the explicit written consent of the author.
