Season 1 Episode 5
Scene opens on Halls of Ilmarin on the slopes of Mount Taniquetil. The Halls and gardens are bathed in the golden light from the Two Trees, visible away to the West. Camera pans across the grounds, where we see Elves arriving and entering the Halls. Camera travels with them into the Halls, which are decked out in colourful swags of flowers and fruit. The scent of pine boughs fills the air. Several large tables are laden with food for the feast – cooked meats, fresh bread, cheeses, fruits, salads, etc, We see servants ladling from huge bowls of punch and pouring fresh juices and wine for the guests. The Valar are mingling with the guests, dressed in their finest robes, to all appearances beautiful and majestic Elves.
Manwë and Varda personally greet the Elves as they arrive. After a while Manwë calls for silence:
Manwë: Beloved Children of Eru….Friends! it gives us great joy to welcome you all here for this glorious feast of thanksgiving. We look forward to sharing your company and praising Eru in music and song. First let us thank Eru for the bounty of this land, and ask for His Blessing on us and our endeavours in His Name [holds arms outstretched in supplication, with his face lifted upwards, his eyes closed. Recites ‘Grace/Blessing’ in Elvish, then opens his eyes and gestures towards food] Friends – let us enjoy the fruits of the Harvest!
Elves, Maiar and Valar start partaking of the feast. Guests drift towards smaller tables set up around the room, some spill outside onto terraces and on to the lawns. Camera travels around, picking out little tableaux and snatches of conversation.
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Cut to scene of a horseman approaching city of Valmar. As he comes closer we see that it is Fëanor. He rides pass the gates of the city, heading northwards, with the Ring of Doom and the Two Trees on his left. As he passes close to the Trees he pauses, drinking in the beauty of their light. Then his eyes drift to the Ring, the site of his public humiliation years before. He grimaces and kicks his heels into his horse’s flanks, urging him into a gallop again. Cut to horse and rider reaching the slopes of Mount Taniquetil. As he ascends higher up the mountain path, Fëanor looks back southwards across the route he has ridden. For a second his eyes seem to pick out a dark mass moving along the skirts of the Pelóri, then he blinks, and it is gone. He rubs his eyes and strains to see again, but there is no movement. With a shake of his head he continues upwards.
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Cut back to scene inside Halls. The feasting has slowed, and musicians are in full flow. Manwë and Varda are seated, enjoying a paen to Eru sung by one of the Vanyar, accompanied by a harpist. Fëanor arrives quietly, and lingers in the doorway, listening to the music. He is noticed only by the singer who is facing him. When the song is ended, the singer gives a bow first to Manwë and Varda, then gives a mock bow to Fëanor. All eyes turn in his direction. Fëanor is dressed in his everyday clothes, with no ornamentation or sign of his rank. He ignores the startled, querying expressions and whispers as he walks forward across the Hall towards Manwë and Varda.
Cut to close up of Nerdanel who is sitting at a table with her father, and Indis. Nerdanel gives a small gasp and her father pats her arm to reassure her. Fingolfin and Finarfin glance at each other with querying looks. Cut back to Manwë who stands and holds out his arms in greeting.
Manwë: [to Fëanor] Curufinwë Fëanáro…I am greatly pleased to see you have not denied my bidding, although it seems you do not find any pleasure in this occasion from the way you are attired… Nonetheless, in my love thou remainest and wilt be honoured in my hall… [to general assembly] We have enjoyed a time of peace, since the shadow of the Enemy has departed from this land, and the Light of the Trees is undimmed. Whilst doubts persist, and some cry of evil omens that the Enemy was not hunted down, if our fears should be realized, then we must stand united in thought and purpose. For that is the way the Enemy works – destroying us from within, setting brother against brother. It is for this reason that I seek to heal the evil that has arisen among the Noldor. [turns to table where Finwë’s sons are seated with Indis and her daughters] Fingolfin, stand forth beside your brother! I would have you two reconciled.
[Fingolfin stands, glances at his brother Finarfin for reassurance. Finarfin nods in encouragement. Fingolfin approaches Manwë and stands next to Fëanor.]
Fëanor: [hesistantly, as though he is struggling to swallow his pride] Brother…my actions were reprehensible…I allowed the lies of the Enemy to cloud my judgment in matters that I should have trusted to my heart. I ask your forgiveness…
Fingolfin: [holds out his hand] It is already forgotten, Brother…As I promised, I do now release you and will hold no grudge against you. [Fëanor takes his hand in silence] Half-brother in blood, full brother in heart will I be. You shall lead and I will follow. May no new grief divide us! [bows head]
Fëanor: I hear you….So be it! [The brothers embrace. Finarfin steps forward and bows to Fëanor in subservience also.]
The whole assembly of guests stand with cheers and applause. Elves surround the threesome, congratulating with hugs and back-slapping. Indis nods ad smiles in encouragement at Nerdanel, who is hanging back, reluctant to make the first move towards Fëanor. Eventually Fëanor catches sight of Nerdanel…their eyes meet and Nerdanel give him a small smile. Fëanor moves shyly towards Nerdanel. After a slight hesitation they fall into each other’s arms. Varda nudges Manwë and he gestures for the music to continue. Elves are soon dancing and singing in celebration. Fëanor bows to Nerdanel in mock formality to invite her to dance with him, and laughing, she accepts. Camera pans over the scenes of jubilations and out over the slopes of the mountain, across the deserted city of Valmar, which is bathed in the silver and golden radiance of the Two Trees at the hour of their lights mingling. Cut.
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Scene opens on street in Valmar: We see a close up of a elaborately scripted hand written announcement on cloth inviting all to the feasting and celebration at Taniquetil. It is hanging attached to a wall. A stiff wind blows it off and we see it dance and prance through the empty streets of the city of Valmar until it blows out of the Golden Gates and the camera is outside them. We see the Two Trees, taller than the largest Redwoods - Telperion and Laurelin at the time of day when both are shining together casting both a silver and gold aura over the landscape and the gleaming exterior of the city. A dark cloud moving near ground level approaches the Mound on which the two Trees stand. The winds seem to whip up stronger and the two Trees sway and some leaves fall from each .
The winds seem to break up the dark cloud, revealing Melkor and Ungoliant, as they ascend Ezellohar. Melkor bears a long jet black spear of shiny metal. Its end bears four shorter barbs - two thrusting forward and two going backwards. Ungoliant rushes towards Telperion but Melkor raises a gloved hand and stops her in her tracks.
*
Cut briefly to the feasting on Taniquetil Camera focus in on Yavanna sitting at a table with others with a goblet in her hand and looking very happy. Festive music is playing.
*
Cut back to Melkor He raises his spear high over his head. Just at that moment the wind dies suddenly. There is a deathly hush in the air, like everything is holding its breath. Melkor notices the change and hesitates for a moment looking around him half expecting the Valar on his tail. Then with all his might thrusts it with great effort into the trunk of Telperion crying out as he does so in a bestial and horrid scream of both exertion and release.
*
Cut back to Yavanna who reacts as though slapped hard across the face... she shakes her head and her eyes open wide and she is thrust back deeper upon her chair, her goblet tips and falls spilling a dark wine like blood across a white linen covered table...
*
Cut back to Trees Melkor withdraws his spear the barbs rip at the core and bark of Telperion ripping out large sections of it leaving a wound that is several feet around. Ungoliant is fidgeting and moving like a cat on a hot tin roof in anticipation ... Melkor motions her forward and she spring, her agility that of a much smaller animal, and spreads her many legs, fixing herself to Telperion. Her beak goes to the gaping wound and she begins to suckle and drink from the Tree making obscene noises and moving her body and legs on the tree in a crude imitation of mating.
The only sounds are natural ones – Ungoliant’s obscene sounds, the cracking of the Tree wood, Melkor breathing harshly, almost panting from his exertion, and the pleasure he is getting from the desecration - no music at all.
As Ungoliant does this Telperion begins to die. Leaves fall - first just a few, then in torrents like a rainstorm. The silver light wanes and dies altogether leaving the scene lit only in gold. Each flower and leaf loses its colour as it falls and by the time it hits the ground is devoid of any colour at all. The branches are naked and some begin to wither and crack loudly, and the smaller ends break off and begin to fall. Some hit Melkor and Ungoliant but they are oblivious to it. The great Tree splits in several parts and begins to teeter and waver losing large upper branches which fall around them. Melkor uses his arms to ward off a particularly large section which he brushes aside like a much smaller twig.
When the glory of Telperion is destroyed, Ungoliant detaches herself from the remains of the trunk.
*
Cut back to Yavanna: She has nearly lost consciousness and appears covered in sweat and in great fear and pain.. We see the Hall through her eyes - the music now appears discordant and faces are blurred and the room dizzying... many are focused on Yavanna but most in the area still have no idea what is happening and the feasting and merriment continues .Focus on Fëanor and Nerdanel who decide to take a stroll out on the terraces.
*
Cut back to Melkor He spears the second Tree, and motions to Ungoliant to feast upon Laurelin and the scene is repeated. But this time instead of seeing all the detail of the assault, we intercut it with Yavanna losing even more strength and suffering more pain...
*
Cut to scene on terrace outside Halls of Ilmarin. Nerdanel and Fëanor are wrapped in each other’s arms, each conscious only of the other;
Fëanor: [whispers] I have missed you.
Nerdanel: I have missed you too.
Fëanor: How could I have been so foolish and pig-headed?
Nerdanel: You are not foolish. Even the Valar were deceived by Melkor’s lies.
Fëanor: How could I have placed more importance upon mere jewels than on the best wife a man could have? [lifts her chin with one finger. Focus on Fëanor, who is smiling bitterly.] Do you know, I shut those things in a wall and have not looked at them since?
Nerdanel: [places finger upon his lips] Hush, beloved! I behaved just as foolishly! You are my husband, and even if I could not make you see sense I should still have supported you, not driven you away with harsh words that I regretted as soon as they left my mouth.
Fëanor: They are forgotten already…dear, sweet Nerdanel…forgive me! [They kiss deeply, and then Nerdanel rests her head on Fëanor’s chest as they stand looking out over the plains below. Fëanor buries his face in her hair, drinking in her scent.] Of course, those jewels are not so far away now. I would love to see them in your hair.
Nerdanel: Really?
Fëanor: Absolutely. I want to see you wearing the Silmarils . . . [whispers] and nothing else.
Nerdanel: [giggles softly,] The stars are visible early this evening, surely it is only just the hour of the Lights’ Mingling? [Fëanor’s head snaps up suddenly as he realizes something is wrong.]
Fëanor: [confused] What in Eru’s name – No! [turns toward Ezellohar. Focus on Fëanor, horrified. shouts] The Trees! The Light is dying! [other Elves outside stop and stare out into the dusk as well.]
*
Cut back to Laurelin The last leaf falls and the Tree dies. Yavanna collapses completely in a dead faint, breathing shallowly. By now, the entire assembly is aware that something is wrong – Fëanor and other Elves have come running in from outside shouting that the light from the Trees is fading. The musicians have stopped playing and a deathly silence takes over. Aulë glances round, looking for Yavanna, and cries out as he sees her slumped across her chair. He and Estë rush over to her.
*
Cut to a distance shot of the mound of Ezellohar, the Two Trees now barely a quarter of their height, stripped of all foliage, branches ruined some fallen and piled around the base of each tree, a thick pile of both leaves and flowers perhaps twenty or more feet deep in places.....and like swimmers rising from the water first Melkor then Ungoliant raise their heads above the remains and the music comes in striking a very loud and ominous chord of evil triumph. They shake off the leaves and flowers and Melkor is shocked to see that Ungoliant is now twice her previous girth and appears to be giving off smoke or fumes which create their own areas of fog that appears unhealthy and sulphurous... he points to the Wells and Ungoliant shambles forth, barely able to waddle in her bloated form and begins to drink deeply... Melkor steps several paces back and turns his own helm away in disgust at both the sight and the sounds.
Once she has drained the Wells completely, Melkor beckons with an outstretched arm to Ungoliant ordering her to come with him and flee. As he does the wind suddenly flares up again, and the cloth banner announcement of the feasting that we saw at the scenes start flies and hits him in his arm. He catches the banner, scans it in contempt and throws it away from him. It snags on a wrecked branch lying on the ground and flaps forlornly. Cue very mournful and dramatic music coming into that Tree scene signalling the triumph of Melkor and the death of the Trees.
They depart in pitch dark which appears grey, purple and black on the screen - the city of Valmar no longer shines and appears nearly black as well. The camera withdraws back and we see the entire landscape looking drained of colour as if it had just died.
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_________________ There is magic in long-distance friendships. They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound. ~Diana Cortes
Last edited by Elentári on Sun May 01, 2011 7:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
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