House of the Golden Flower

Hurin and Huor stayed with us for a year, and after that first day the days when Huor was not in the company of Turgon and his brother were few. I still kept company with Idril, and managed my House, and spoke occasionally with Galdor. One morning I rose late, having been woken early and been well loved by an over-amorous Turgon. Hurin and Huor knew so long ago that Turgon and I were a pair that it was common for me to stay in the King's house overnight without pretending that Turgon and I did not keep night company.
And thus I was on my way to see Idril when I heard soft weeping.

Now I was then near the East Hall on the third level, and Maeglin's set of rooms. Darkness was fairly sequestered there, for heavy drapes blackened the light from the windows, and many of the furnishings were of dark wood or metal, for Maeglin was a clever forgeman. I followed the sound to its source, just behind the door of Maeglin's room. I instructed the person to move back from the door, for it was locked and that was the source of the woman's distress. With a mighty heave I broke it open, and captured an armful that threw itself at me.

"He's coming! He's coming!" She shrieked, clawing to get past me. "He's coming back!"

I held her fast. "Who? Who's coming?"

"Maeglin! He'll kill me...kill me...kill me..." She was very close to passing out.

"Why would he kill you?" I asked her. She shrugged, didn't know, and tried to escape. I noted that she had been thoroughly debauched, and it didn't bother me that Maeglin had a lover, but it did bother me that she was absolutely hysterical.

"Alright, come on." I said, and carried her out into the hall. She followed me meekly, her face white in fear.

Once out, I tucked her in an alcove to comfort her fear and need to hide, then went in search of Turgon's steward. Perhaps he could help the woman.

Turgon's steward I found in the kitchen, arranging the day's meal schedules. I told him to meet me up in the alcove outside the East Hall, and returned there. I found the girl, lying in a pool of blood from her slit throat. I knelt swiftly and checked for a pulse, finding none. I stood in silence a moment. I needed to tell Turgon. I was sure Maeglin had done it, but there was no proof. Clever, clever Maeglin. I heard the steward coming up the stair. I could not be found with the body, it was in Maeglin's plan so that he could blame me or have me killed. I had been the last to touch her, to see her alive. I was the only one here now, and with his influence, Maeglin would believably blame me.

Maeglin had almost caught me. Almost. I would not walk into a trap again. I fled down the hall, to Idril's room. I needed a solid alibi, and Idril could vouch that I was with her at the time of the killing, even if she were to lie. I hadn't done it. And who would argue with Idril? The game's stakes had just gotten higher, and now it was between Maeglin and I. Well, I wouldn't make it easy for him to drag me down. I really shouldn't drag Idril into it, I knew, but she was already involved.

When I told her, her left brow rose in alarm. "We have to tell my father."

"He won't believe us."

"He might."

"Maeglin has him where he wants him. He can't even conceive of the idea that Maeglin might be plotting against him and manipulating him."

"So what do we do?"

"Tell him, of course."

"But isn't it pointless?"

"It's incriminating not to." I pointed out.

She sighed, and we set out, her taking my hand.

When we reached Turgon's office, our knock was answered by Maeglin, sliding himself through the opened door with a glare at each of us. "Where have you been?" He asked. Ah, so that was the game. Get both of us, if not one. But you don't want Idril dead, so what's your plot? I wondered.

Instead I answered "In Idril's rooms, playing a game of strategy with her maidens." I made sure to mention our witnesses.

His eyes narrowed. "You should not consort with servants. It is not befitting of a Lord." He told me, then turned to Idril.

"Why are you here?" His voice dripped with sustained lust and hate.

"To speak with my father. Privately." She answered coolly.

He leered, and opened the door. She walked through, and I remained close on her heels. Maeglin breathed hot and angry on my neck as I passed him by. He left and attempted to close the door behind himself, but I stopped it and left it open, so that he could not eavesdrop on the other side.

Turgon looked up from his desk at us. "Yes?"

Idril lay her hand flat at her side, palm facing the floor. It was a signal to me to stay silent.

"Father," She began. "I fear we have a murderer amongst us."
Turgon now paid her full attention.

"This morning, Glorfindel found a woman weeping in Maeglin's rooms, greatly distressed. He managed to convince her that he would find her some aid, and left her where she was hiding, refusing to come out. When he had summoned the Steward, he returned to her, but she was dead."

Turgon looked sharply at me. "Do you know who did it?"

"I suspect Maeglin, my King." I replied.

"And yet there is no proof. I shan't pretend I don't tire of your accusations, but please Glorfindel, have the sense to have undeniable proof when you lay blame." He snapped. I was hurt, but said nothing in reply.

"Where are Hurin and Huor?" Idril suddenly asked. I noticed with a bit of a shock that they were not present, and that I hadn't seen them all morning.

"I granted them leave, and Maeglin sent them away." That hit like a blow. I hadn't even had a chance to say farewell to them, Idril either. I would miss Huor dearly, and Hurin too. "Did you wish to send them away?" I asked.

"No, they wanted to go."

"But Maeglin orchestrated it 'on their behalf'." I let my anger show in my sarcasm.

"Yes, he did." I felt my heart plummet. He still saw no wrong in his sister-son!

"Tell me Turgon," I said coolly, "would you trust your sister-son with your fate and your kingdom moreso than I?"

"You are not the heir, and I cannot choose between you." He said, not meeting my eyes.

I knew that he had chosen between us. And that, despite the fact that I would never lie to him or deceive him of ill will, he had chosen Maeglin. I was hurt, and more than that, afraid. If Maeglin killed him as Turgon had now unknowingly given him power to do, would I be allowed to take Idril and flee? Or would we both become slaves to his malice and yes, his lust, for I saw that he looked on Turgon with jealousy at times?

I turned on my heel without another word, and left the palace for my own house. Turgon did not stop me.