Act I, Part IV: The Flight of the Eöl
The battle at Amon Ereb was the first of the sorrows of Aeglirion. For all the wounds and waste of life, his love for battle was sated, and before long he vowed never again to take part in the wars of the Elves against Morgoth. Dark were his thoughts, and often he fell into deep silence for many days, grieving the changing of the world. Terrible now it seemed to him, and much he feared the coming of the Noldor, whose fate bore some doom still unclear to him.
Like of mood was Eöl, who felt ill at ease now in Doriath, and when about the forests of Neldoreth, Region and Nivrim the Girdle of Melian was raised, he fled east, to Nan Elmoth, and with him went few others, counting among them Aeglirion. For he had grown to love Eöl, and within the gloomy forest he was devoted to him and served him well; tending his smithy and assisting him with his craft - yet ever desiring Eöl's craftsmanship himself. For while he learned many secrets of metalsmithing, in the making of things he had less skill than his master and often his hands failed him in his designs (save in the brewing of strong cordials and mysterious draughts, for which he was much loved in Eöl's household). But what he lacked in skill he made up for in diligence. Indeed, his steadfast resolution was a boon to Eöl's smithing endeavours.
Eöl meanwhile asked leave of Thingol to make Nan Elmoth his fiefdom, for he was much respected for his craftsmanship among the high court of Menegroth, which was rivalled only by that of Fëanor. Thingol would grant him his request, if in payment he offered him something of worth, and though Eöl begrudged it greatly, he offered the High King one of his proudest creations, Anglachel, the black sword. Thingol accepted his payment, and thus it befell that Eöl became a vassal and Lord of Doriath and Nan Elmoth his fief. And though many knew he lived thither in the dark wood, none knew how to find his dwelling, hidden deep within the forest. For by enchantment Eöl denied any to find his abode.
And so it was that Aeglirion spent the last of the Valiant Years in and about the realm of Nan Elmoth, and he turned secret and silent like his master.
