S2E7: Spirit of Fire, or how to plot out scandalous romantic interludes; also, did you know they're building Alqualondë right now?
Protagonists: Indis and Fëanor (they are the antagonists of each other's stories)
Supporting Cast (in order of appearance): Finwë, Nienna, Ingwë, Iminyë, Olwë, Mahtan, Rúmil, Nerdanel, the Valar, young Findis, young Fingolfin.
Story: Fëanor disapproves of Indis' involvement in his father's life, and she tries to form a relationship with her best friend's child.
Teaser: Finwë goes to Lorien to visit Míriel's body in the light of Telperion and is comforted by Nienna; he explains his grief to her. Meanwhile, Ingwë visits Tirion on official kingly business and finds the house of Finwë in a bit of disarray because one of young Fëanor's experiments has resulted in a slight...explosion when something went wrong.
Act 1
1) Ingwë confides his shock at the state of Finwë's household to his family in Valmar. Indis is saddened that the child of her friend is growing up without a mother and with such neglect. At Ingwë's suggestion, she resolves to visit Finwë and help out.
2) Upon her arrival, Finwë greets Indis and is glad for her proffered help. While out and about in town, Fëanor comes across a very lifelike statue and takes it for a real person. Bystanders laugh at his mistake, but he praises the skill of the artist.
3) Inciting Incident: While he is down at Alqualondë on kingly business, she meets Fëanor engaged in another of his home experiments (brewing mead, making gems, etc). She takes one look at his slipshod apparatus in the 'domestic' space of the house, and tells him to stop. He takes umbrage at the correction, and informs her that this is not her house. There is no mishap (this time). Establishes Fëanor's attitude as 'You're not my mom!' and he thinks she is trying to limit his creativity.
Act 2
4) The Noldor Court/ Council Hall. Disagreements have arisen between the Teleri and the Noldor over the project of building Alqualondë. The Teleri have a very laid-back working style and do not keep on task or follow plans, frustrating the Noldor workmen (including Mahtan). Olwë is focused on defending the actions of his people. While the two groups are arguing, Indis acts as 'translator', explaining the view point to both sides in terms the other can understand so they can agree on their next actions. Finwë is impressed by her diplomatic skills. Fëanor and Rúmil are watching from the gallery. Rúmil, who is recording the proceedings of the court (in Sarati) makes some verses praising Indis' resolution of the problem and mentions something about Fëanor's sour expression.
5) Finwë can't stop talking about Indis. In his moody teen angst, Fëanor decides to retaliate against Rúmil by...one-upping Rúmil's key invention with his own superior writing system, the Tengwar. Meanwhile, Finwë and Indis have a googly-eyes moment (no kissing). When Fëanor shows Finwë his new invention, Finwë doesn't get it [But we already have a writing system?], but Rúmil is impressed. Indis, conflicted over what has happened with Finwë and fearing she has betrayed Míriel, flees back home to Valmar.
6) Finwë and Fëanor travel to Valmar in pursuit of Indis. While Finwë is trying to get her to speak with him, Fëanor discusses the situation with Ingwë. He hints darkly at what has been happening, and the nature of the taboo (elves have no 'remarriage') comes out in this conversation. Ingwë, who had been sympathetic to Finwë's loss and grief, becomes decidedly less sympathetic.
7) Finwë and Indis work things out. There are declarations of love. There is 'We can never be together' angst. Ingwë wants them to stay apart. It is decided to petition the Valar to judge the situation (Nienna is involved).
Act 3
8) Fëanor has grown up. Finwë asks Fëanor to come with him to Valmar to hear the decision of the Valar; Fëanor refuses and leaves Tirion, wandering around a wild countryside. He comes upon a quarry, and sees some curious rough statues cut from the stone. This is Nerdanel's private quarry and outdoor workshop. They meet. Cut back to the Valar and reveal the permission for Finwë and Indis to marry, contingent on Míriel's promise never to return - which she has given, blessing the marriage of her husband and best friend.
9) Wedding plans; but everyone in Tirion is somewhat scandalized that the king is getting REmarried. They don't even have that word. While it was originally planned as a big state wedding, it winds up being a smaller affair as no one really wants to take part. Ingwë and his wife Iminyë do attend and have accepted this. Fëanor threatens not to attend, but Nerdanel talks him into going - when personal appeals do not work, she gives practical considerations as to why he should be there (emphasizing his duty as prince). Nerdanel attends the wedding with her father Mahtan.
10) The wedding itself goes well, but afterwards Rúmil gives a rather questionable performance as bard - he damns Indis with faint praise. Seeing this, Fëanor follows up with a 'toast' or speech about how Míriel was a wonderful queen of the Noldor and can never be replaced. Everyone is shocked he would do such a thing (Maybe they think he is drunk? Maybe he is?).
11) After the wedding, Fëanor moves out of his father's house and becomes Mahtan's apprentice, working with a community of artists. Mahtan teaches him how to make farm implements (like a sickle). {Romantic interlude of Fëanor and Nerdanel wandering the wild countryside of Valinor}
Act 4
12) Fëanor and Nerdanel get engaged. Nerdanel asks Fëanor to invite Indis to the wedding. He does - he goes to the house and invites her in person. The household is not empty the way Fëanor remembers it from his own childhood - there are now four children living here.
13) Climax 1: At the wedding, Indis gives a tribute to her friend Míriel, singing a song about her at the beginning. Truly touched by this, Fëanor invites Indis to take the mother-of-the-groom role in the wedding. All seems well.
14) Climax 2: Indis explains to her children (Findis and Fingolfin, as the others are too young) what that was all about, and how difficult it was for Fëanor to grow up without a mother, and how much she misses her own dear friend.
TAG: ??? I forget...was 14 the tag? Oh well, I'm missing something and will come back to this.
