Act I, Part IX: The Taking of Tinnurion
Tinnurion rode his horse into the open fields of Himlad and sought for Eöl wherever he could. This did not go without notice of Celegorm and Curufin whose lands it were he had entered. Thus it passed that he found himself quickly surrounded by their scouts and he was brought before the brothers like his master weeks before him. To them there seemed no doubt that he was indeed one of Eöl's kin, dressed in fine black raiment, bleak in the face even for an elf and unforthcoming.
'Why should my scouts find you hither, trespassing our lands silent and secretive, as if taught by Morgoth himself to walk like one of his thralls?'
This Curufin asked as he looked at Tinnurion with disdain. But Tinnurion was silent and his eyes found their mark in Curufin's and they told many things of their own.
'Come speak silent one, or set you in chains I will until you reveal your schemes.'
And Tinnurion, angered by his words, answered:
'How is it that when Curufin, Lord of Himlad, comes unbid to the lands of the Teleri and takes what is not his, finds himself within mercy of our Lord, but when one of the Teleri dare venture into those lands they are met with hostility?'.
These words raised the ire of Curufin, and as his mood turned from mad to worse his brother aside him spoke:
'If we have wronged the Lord of Beleriand, let him or one of his heralds come forth and we shall remind him who it is that keeps the enemy at bay. For by the blood of our kin, his lies secure beyond the eaves of Doriath. But to you I say you deceive us not, for it is not by mercy of -your- lord that we may thrive hither in peace. Nay, it is not for you at all to say where we should or should not stay.'
And Tinnurion, accepting the challenge of words spoke proudly:
'Nay, lands I am not indeed at power to keep from you, but my thoughts and my secrets are my own to spend, and to those who deem it otherwise I say take up arms again and slay me where I stand, for that is all you shall ever know. But if there is but an inkling of honour in the house of Fëanor, I say be not twice-cursed and release me so that this play of words may end and I may seek the Lord you speak of.'
Much now they disliked Tinnurion, and if their law abided it, they would indeed have ended his stubborness. But striking him down unarmed would bring to terror even their own people, as in it would resonate the evil of Morgoth. Thus Curufin spoke:
'Cursed be he who serves the Dark Elf, lawless and enthralled. Keep then your secrets and your hatred and leave our hall free and untainted. May you ride west and seek him out, and wander ever in ceaseless doubt!"
And the words of Curufin were of such power that the hall grew silent and a shadow passed over Tinnurion's face. Never would he forget these words, and ever would he hate Curufin the most out of all the sons of Fëanor.
But Tinnurion, caring only to find Eöl, knew now that Eöl had gone westward, and he rode swiftly across the Aros and further west into Nan Dungortheb, where evil shadows lingered and was pursued to the Pass of Anach. There he lost his pursuers, but lost his way also and veered too far north into Taur-Nu-Fuin, and a shadow of doubt came over him and pressed to find his way out came upon a band of orcs who took him prisoner and by some evil stroke of luck or the carelessness of the Noldor, the orcs found it safely to Angband where Tinnurion was put into chains. Here he was met by great terrors who would have smote him into the ground if they had not deemed him useful. Instead they sent him off to work in the mines, from whence escape was nigh impossible.
Thus ended the life of Tinnurion as he had known it, and in his thralldom all the splendour and youthfulness of the Eldar that he yet possessed was utterly spent. For five long years he walked bent under the crack of Balrog whips that tore at his body and being, leaving him maimed in posture for the remainder of his life. But Tinnurion's will was strong, and as was his way he schemed in secret and like his master he could see well in dark places, until at last he found a way out.
