Chapter 20

A weary calm permeated the allied camp on the first morning after the war. Meereen's packing was simple but comprehensive. He cast one last glance in the direction of Gondolin, a touch of reluctance in his heart. "Go with peace of mind, Meereen," Glorfindel's voice echoed behind him, his golden hair gleaming in the morning light. "I'll keep an eye on these little ones for you." He patted Meereen's shoulder, his tone gentle but filled with unmistakable concern.

Meereen nodded and glanced at Glorfindel gratefully. The inexplicable longing for Maglor in his heart seemed to be temporarily suppressed by reason after he decided to go to Nargothrond, but like a shadow sinking to the bottom of the water, it had not truly disappeared.

"I will be back soon," Meereen promised.

"Safety first," Glorfindel emphasized, waving his hand. Two well-armed, composed Gondolin guards stepped forward silently. "They will escort you to Nargothrond. While the journey is relatively peaceful, evil still lurks in the wilderness. Beware." He paused, a sharp glint flickering in the depths of his blue eyes. "Also, ensuring your safe arrival is our shared desire." This was also to prevent Maglor from abducting him along the way.

Taking advantage of the last glimmer of moonlight still fading from the horizon, the three quietly left the camp and merged into the twilight before dawn. The journey was surprisingly smooth. Perhaps it was because Angband's minions needed a break after their setback in the Valley of Shadows, or perhaps it was because Glorfindel's chosen path was sufficiently secluded that they encountered no real danger. Led by their two guides, they traversed the forests and hills of Meereen, gradually sensing the distinct atmosphere of the south, distinct from the gloomy north.

Meereen held its breath as the majestic gates of Nargothrond, carved into the winding rock face of the River Narog, came into view. Sunlight! Such abundant, such bright sunlight, like the texture of golden honey, generously showered upon the white stone walls, the lush vines, and the clear, flowing water. The air was warm and moist, filled with the unique scent of water vapor, the fragrance of flowers, and the sun-warmed rock.

"Aridil is right..." Meereen murmured to himself, his eyes filled with wonder and admiration. This place was completely different from the forests he knew, from the oppressiveness of the Valley of Shadows, or even from the hidden splendor of Gondolin, guarded by the encircling mountains. It was open, flowing, and teeming with the energy of life. Shortly before they reached the city gates, a group of elegant Elf guards, clad in silver and blue, came to meet them. The leader bowed gracefully to Meereen: "In the name of His Majesty Finrod Felagund, Lord of Nargothrond, welcome you, noble Lord Meereen, Keeper of the Forest. His Majesty has long awaited your presence and has commanded us to receive you."

A warm feeling welled up in Meereen, filled with anticipation for the upcoming meeting. Flanked by elven guards, he entered the subterranean hall bathed in eternal sunlight. The gurgling water played a natural melody against the rock walls, while sunlight filtered through carefully designed holes, creating flowing beams of light. Everything here felt new and comforting to Meereen.

Almost immediately, at the same moment Meereen entered the gates of Nargothrond, Maglor, in Fëanorion's camp, had just concluded a lengthy meeting with Maedhros regarding the deployment of the eastern front. As usual, he headed towards the area where Meereen had rested, only to find it completely deserted, even the air thinning. A wave of cold irritation gripped him. He immediately stopped a passing Gondolin Elf. His voice remained as pleasant as ever, but the smile was gone from his eyes. "Excuse me, where has Meereen been?"

The elf looked bewildered and answered honestly, "Lord Meereen? My apologies, Lord Maglor, but I do not know. He seems... to have left a long time ago."

Maglor's heart sank. He was almost certain that this was Glorfindel's doing. From the moment they first met, the golden-haired lord had been overly wary and interfering with his closeness to Meereen. How dare he so blatantly push Meereen away from him! Just as his chest was boiling with rage and he was pondering a countermeasure, the tent curtain was drawn aside and Curufin walked in. His gray-blue eyes swept across Maglor's gloomy face, and the corners of his mouth curled up with a hint of understanding and a hint of sarcasm.

"Looking for the Child of the Forest?" Curufin's voice carried his characteristic, piercing sharpness. "No need to look for him. Before daybreak, he'd already left for the south, accompanied by two of Glorfindel's guards." He paused, looking at Maglor's suddenly clenched fists, and added slowly, "Judging from his direction, he's heading towards Nargothrond, Finrod's territory."

"Nargothrond..." Maglor repeated in a low voice, with a cold light flashing in his eyes. Glorfindel had indeed sent him to Finrod, using Finrod's prestige and friendship to isolate him!

He wanted to set out immediately, but the burden of defending the east, recently entrusted to him by Maedhros, weighed heavily on his shoulders. It was a matter of vital importance to the safety of the entire line, and he couldn't withdraw at this moment. A strong sense of frustration washed over him. Curufin keenly noticed the struggle and unwillingness in his brother's eyes. He took a step closer, his voice lowered, a tone of tentativeness and initiative: "Do you want Celegorm or me to run to Nargothrond for you? To 'invite' that little fellow back? Finrod may be difficult to deal with, but he won't completely turn against us for a human."

Maglor suddenly raised his eyes to Curufin, his gaze sharp as a knife. He knew his two brothers too well. The glint in Curufin's eyes wasn't simply a desire to help; it was a desire to study the strange power of Meereen. Celegorm was even more impulsive and reckless.

"No!" Maglor refused flatly, his voice icy. "You must not touch him, least of all you, Curufin, and Celegorm." He stared into his brother's eyes, a warning in his voice. "Meereen is not a specimen for your lab. Your 'researching' gaze will scare him away, and might even destroy his precious qualities." He couldn't take any chances. What he needed was Meereen willingly approaching, drawn to his song and his presence, not driven away by rough treatment. Curufin raised an eyebrow, noncommittal about his brother's warning, but he didn't refute it either.

Maglor took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and made a decision. He needed a gentler approach, one that would be less likely to alarm Finrod and Glorfindel. "Curufin," he said, his tone slow, his voice undeniable, "I want you to go to Nargothrond yourself. But not to 'capture' him."

Curufin looked interested.

"Find Meereen and use your 'wisdom,'" Maglor emphasized the word "persuade him. Tell him that Himring holds the knowledge he longs to know, about the echoes of the ancient forest, about the songs before the stars fell... Tell him that I am waiting for him there, with a 'surprise' prepared for him. Find a way to make him voluntarily follow you out of Nargothrond and bring Himring back. Remember—" Maglor's eyes became unusually deep, "do it cleanly, without leaving any trace. Do not arouse Finrod's suspicion, and do not leave any handle for Glorfindel to catch."

A gleam of light flashed in Curufin's grey eyes, and he bowed gracefully. "As you wish, I am well versed in the art of speaking."

When Curufin informed Celegorm of Maglor's orders, the latter scoffed. "Maglor is too cautious!" Celegorm waved his hand impatiently, his golden hair swaying at the back of his neck. "He's just a mere human. Even if we take him by force, what can Finrod do? Glorfindel is far away in the north. By the time word of him reaches Turgon, he'll be listening to Maglor sing in the gardens of Himring! Why bother trying to 'convince' him?"

Although Curufin felt a little disapproving of his brother's excessive caution, he knew better than to disobey Maglor's will, especially regarding that peculiar human. "Celegon, put aside your impatience. Maglor wants a willing captive, not a captive filled with fear and hostility. This is in line with his plans, so we shall do as he is told." A playful smile played on his face. "Besides, wouldn't it be interesting to visit Nargothrond and see how Finrod manages it, and to get a closer look at the little creature that so captivated Maglor?"

Celegorm snorted. Although he was dissatisfied, he dared not disobey Maglor's order. "As you wish, but be quick. I don't have much patience for children."

Without further ado, the two brothers quickly packed up their belongings and, like two cheetahs blending into the shadows, they left the camp silently, following the path they had taken through Meereen, heading south towards Nargothrond, the hidden kingdom surrounded by flowing water. A battle under the name of "persuasion" was about to unfold quietly under the bright sunshine.

At that moment, in the dreamlike hall of Nargothrond, adorned with the sound of flowing water and sunlight, Finrod was having a pleasant conversation with Meereen. Finrod's erudition and gentleness brought a spring breeze to Meereen. He shared the knowledge of the forest, and listening to the ancient legends Finrod recounted, temporarily forgot the fatigue of the journey and the vague feeling of strangeness towards Maglor in his heart.

However, when the squire quietly presented Glorfindel with the secret letter, delivered by the mithril bird, Finrod's gentle smile faded. He quickly scanned the words written in fluent Elvish, his brow furrowing ever deeper, his golden eyes filled with solemnity and worry. Every word in the letter weighed like a heavy stone, cast into the tranquil lake of his heart.

He looked up at Meereen, who was captivated by the beauty of Nargothrond, his eyes gleaming with pure curiosity and delight. Glorfindel's warning was not groundless. Finrod knew the power of Maglor's song and the Fëanorians' obsession, which was almost paranoid and buried beneath their elegance.

"Meereen," Finrod said, his voice still gentle, but with a subtle hint of caution. "You must have come so long and hard. I have arranged comfortable lodgings for you beside the water gardens. It is sunny and close to my library. Rest for a few days and recover your strength, and we will discuss the details later."

Meereen readily agreed and was grateful to Finrod for his thoughtful arrangement.

Finrod watched Meereen depart, led by his squire, his fingers unconsciously tracing Glorfindel's secret letter. Maglor would never give up easily, and where were his two dangerous brothers, Curufin and Celegorm? Beneath the bright sunshine of Nargothrond, a dangerous undercurrent began to surge beneath the calm waters. He must be extremely vigilant to protect this young friend, caught up in the ancient entanglements of the Elves.