Mairon stood back and whipped his forehead with the back of his hand as he looked at his work. He held up a silver crown that had thin strings of silver wrapping around it. On different parts of the string was more string that wrapped around it. Spead around the silver crown were small leaves of pure silver. He sighed and put it down, it was a wonderful piece of work. It took him ages to make each part perfect but something was missing from the center. He just couldn't seem to figure out what will be perfect there.
Mairon looked up as he heard the door open and saw Aulë walk in. "My lord," He said standing up straight. Well as straight as he could with the ache he got in his back for standing for so long.
"What are you doing here this early?" Aulë asked. "With these bodies, we do need to make sure we sleep."
"I assure you I am fine my lord," Mairon said waving it off and pushing some of his bright orange-red hair from his face.
Aulë sighed he was quite used to Mairon staying in the forge for hours at end. He was filled with determination and had a natural talent for craftsmanship. "Alright. Let's see what you created this time?" Aulë said.
"I was working on what you asked for actually. I am not done with it yet but here is what I have so far," Mairon said and held out the crown. "You said you wanted it to give it to Lady Yavanna."
Aulë took the crown and looked at it. He smiled it was flawless as usual. "This is just fantastic Mairon and you did this in one night?"
"Yes. It took me some time to get the sketch for how it should look done and I need to fix some of the leaves. I also plan on adding some jewel for the center...perhaps an emerald." Mairon said.
Aulë put the crown down and said, "You are by far the best smith I have here. You know...I have been thinking of taking a Maiar for my right hand and I am highly considering you for the task. With your talent, we can help make Arda a beautiful place when the elves and man awake."
"Really?" Mairon asked his eyes lightening up with excitement.
Aulë nodded and said, "Yes. However, you need to make sure to take care of yourself. You have talent beyond anything I have seen since...for a long time." He began his sentence with confidence but it ended a bit off. Mairon did not seem to notice he was much more focused on possibly becoming Aulë's right hand.
"I will my lord," Mairon said.
"Very good. Now go get some rest," Aulë said. Mairon nodded and took off his work apron and hung it on a peg by the door. He then hurried out of the room and Aulë sighed a bit. Perhaps he should have waited until late to tell him. He then shook his head and went about his business.
Mairon walked with pride and excitement. If he got chosen maybe he could help create Arda into a perfect place. He just needed to work hard and do his best of all bests. He stopped when a voice said, "You seem rather happy,"
Mairon turned to face Melkor who was leaning against a tree his black hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail that was tossed over one shoulder. Mairon frowned and glared a bit at him and he asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Me? I am merely just walking around and admiring the different sculptures and works of at around here." Melkor said leaning his head to one side. "Now, could this excitement be from Aulë noticing how flawless your works are?"
Mairon narrowed his eyes and asked, "Now did you know that?"
"Please, I know a lot of what happens around here. Most Vala blabber on and on to whoever will listen. I do also like going to his forge and seeing all that's going on." Melkor said. He pushed himself forward and walked over to Mairon. "I really hope you get this...with your talent, you deserve that position. To change Arad, to make it perfect."
Mairon was a bit startled at Melkor speaking like that so freely. He shook his head and said, "Just stay away from me. It's not enough for you to follow me around Aluë's forge and distract me from my work. Now you have to bother me in my way to my room to rest?"
"Oh. Come on, you have great talent and that fascinates me." Melkor said. Mairon opened his mouth but closed it and turned and stalked away. Melkor chuckled amused as he leaned back against the tree.
Mairon was confused as he stormed away. Normally Melkor was just a complete annoyance. He knew that Melkor went into the forge and he also seemed to hang over Mairon's shoulder. It drove him mad that's why he worked strange hours so Melkor does not slide in and distract him.
Mairon groaned and ran a hand through his hair. He then shook his head and moved on to his room. He just had to ignore Melkor and focus on showing Aulë he could do it.
♢♢♢
It was a few days later and Mairon was back at the forge and was working on shaping a jewel to fit the crown. He sat back and stretched a bit. He then sighed when he heard the door open. "So. What are you working on this time?" Melkor asked as he strolled into the room.
"Just a crown for Lady Yavanna," Mairon said. "Now if you'll excuse me I have work to do."
"Fine. You don't have to shout," Melkor said but he didn't try to leave. Instead, he just leaned against the wall and said, "Yet. It's a shame that you're wasting your talents on that. You could be doing so much more."
Mairon's hand glowed a bright golden red and he turned and threw the glowing orb that appeared in his hand. The orb flew through the air and Melkor dodged it but only slightly. It slightly burned a part of his face. Melkor turned to him and Mairon said, "Leave. Now!"
"Fine," Melkor said with a light sigh. He then turned and left the room letting the door close with a slight slam. Mairon sat down and groaned a bit. Melkor was getting under his skin again. The work he did was important and his talents were not being wasted. He shook his head and took a deep breath and went back to work.
It must have taken him several more hours to complete since when he looked up the forge was empty. Which was not unusual for him to do at all he stood up and stretched. He then put the crown down and looked at it. He smiled proudly at his work all's it needed was just a few more changes and it'll be done. He stood up and then headed out of the forge and down the hall. He stopped when he heard Aulë's voice. He stopped outside a door when he heard Aulë talking with Yavanna.
"I do not know. I have many options for who I could choose," Aulë said. "I may want to go with Mairon. He's skill is fantastic and he will be a very fine chose."
"Maybe you should not pick him," Yavanna replied. "I mean he's skill is good but he's too focused with making this perfect. I do not think he'll be able to connect with the elves when they awaken. He only sees what's there and is too curious and excited about things."
"You do have a good point," Aulë sighed. "He does not understand others at all, he's horrible in that actually. Why just the other day..." Yet, Mairon chose to walk away quickly not hearing the other part. He felt slightly hurt by what he heard them say about him.
'What did they mean by that? What's wrong with wanting to make things perfect and wonderful? What's wrong with being curious and excited....how could they say I do not understand others. I do understand them I'd just prefer to be focusing on my work. Also...none of them seem to understand me even.' Mairon's head was spinning as he walked to a quiet area to be alone. He sighed and sat down on a rock and pulled his knees to his chest. He shut his eyes and shook his head. He needed to get himself together, he could not let hearing a partial conversation get him this worked up. Yet, it still hurt to hear what they said.
"You look blue," A voice said.
Mairon looked up to meet Melkor's face and he groaned softly. "Can you just leave me alone," He said.
"Aw. Come on you seem upset by something." Melkor said as he plopped down next to Mairon. "Come on. I know practically everything that goes on down there. You can tell me what happened."
Mairon looked away and some hair fell over his face as he said in a soft voice, "It's Yavanna and Aulë I guess...they were saying how I am too focused on making perfect things. How I do not understand people at all and how I am too curious about things...I mean what's wrong with that? What's so wrong with wanting to make nice things?" His shoulders shook as tears came to his eyes a bit.
"Ignore it. Those two just blabber nonsense to each other and I am sure they will pick you. After all the point of all this is for the Elves and the Valar will want someone to help them make it perfect." Melkor replied.
Mairon wipes the tears away and looks at Melkor. "You think so?" He asked softly.
"I know so," Melkor said. "So chin up and face tomorrow. Don't worry, you will be just fine."
Mairon nodded and stood up. "Thank you...Melkor. It's surprising a bit...normally you are a pain in my side but today you actually helped me."
"Yeah. Many can be surprised when I do that," Melkor said.
Mairon nodded a bit and said, "Well. I should go...thank you I guess."
Mairon nodded at him and walked off. He went to his room and sat down on his bed and let out a breath. He felt a bit calmer now, he did not have to worry about this. He'll be fine. Just fine.