::Fountain and Flower::

Disclaimer: I bow to Tolkien's greatness, nothing more.

A/N: A short ficlet about two elf lords, a fountain and one half-elven child.

*

A high pitched shriek of an amused child sounded off to his right, and one golden haired elf lord swerved down yet another corridor in his search for the little bundle of... joy that now terrorized Imladris in the early hours of the evening. Smoothly dodging past one other harassed elf, Glorfindel pressed his lips together in tolerant annoyance. Arwen was trying his nerves that night. Another ear piercing giggle led Glorfindel down the stairs to the gardens, his feet making no noise as he hurried to catch up with the elfing that refused to be put to bed.

'I have you now, tithen hiril.' Glorfindel smiled smugly he lifted Arwen out from underneath the small bench that she was trying to hide under. A small pout appeared on her delicate features.

'You are no fun, Glorfi. Ada can never find me.' Glorfindel smirked again.

'That is because your ada does not know where to look.' The elf lord carried her back to her rooms, where two other frustrated elves were waiting. Elladan heaved a sigh of relief as he saw his tutor walk calmly through the door, his baby sister sitting comfortably in Glorfindel's arms. Elrohir just slumped into a chair and closed his eyes, grateful that the search for the ever elusive Arwen was over. Glorfindel placed her gently in the middle of the bed, patting her head. Arwen snuggled down, then insistently tugged on Glorfindel's silver sleeve.

'I want a story, Glorfi!' Elladan sniggered at the use of Glorfindel's pet name.

'Yes, Glorfi, tell our sister a tale.' Glorfindel sent Elrohir a death glare, but bit his tongue in the presence of little Arwen. His eyes glinting with amusement, Glorfindel pulled Elrohir out of the chair and settled himself down.

'Very well. What do you wish to hear about, Arwen?'

The child sat on the bedcovers for a moment, unsure of what to choose from the many, many tempting choices.

'Tell me,' Arwen said, sticking the tip of her tongue out of the corner of her mouth as she screwed her eyes shut in thought, 'Tell me about my daerada. Ada's ada.'

Glorfindel's mouth twisted into a bittersweet smile, remembering his time in Gondolin.

'As you wish.'

The elf lord inhaled deeply as he recalled some of his past memories.

*

Ecthelion, chief of the House of the Fountains, stamped in feet in impatience. Glorfindel stood slightly off the side, grinning at his flustered friend.

'Why so jittery, Ecthelion?' Ecthelion only glared at the lord of the Golden Flower, muttering something unsavoury under his breath about Turgon condemning the two of them to such a horrible fate. Glorfindel's grin only grew wider as he monitored his usually calm companion.

'Surely babysitting Earendil for a few hours cannot be that horrible that you become so... jumpy during your watch.' Ecthelion shot Glorfindel another dark look, pawing his blade unconsciously even though he and Glorfindel had been set on patrol for the inner part of the Hidden Rock.

'That child is a horror, mellon nin. He will have you ripping your hair out by the end of the day.' Glorfindel looked doubtfully at Ecthelion as he absently played with a number of flaxen coloured strands. A moment later, the two could see Idril, accompanied as always by her husband Tuor, carrying Earendil and coming towards them. Tuor was set to go on duty the next day, and Celebrindal had wanted to accompany her husband for some quiet time alone away from the noisy blabbering of her child, as Ecthelion knew all too well. The obvious choice was to place young Earendil in the company of Glorfindel and Ecthelion, seeing as they would come off watch in a number of hours and that the half-elven was already used to their company. Ecthelion had suffered many a night watching Earendil when Tuor and Idril were called for by Turgon, his house being situated closest to the couple's. Glorfindel, being one of his best friends, occasionally tagged along, but always left before the monster started mauling his prized possessions and nerves.

Tuor waved to the two, and Glorfindel raised a hand in a gesture of return greeting. Ecthelion just glowered on. Idril finally worked her way over to them.

'Mae govannen, Ecthelion, Glorfindel.' Ecthelion forced a smile for Earendil, who tugged at his mother's hand. Tuor ruffled his son's hair and set a hand on his shoulder. Idril flashed a overly bright smile as she ushered her child over to the two elves.

'Now behave, Earendil, and amila and ada will come back to fetch you tomorrow.' Earendil nodded, the picture of innocence in the face of his parents. Ecthelion smiled again, though it came out more of a grimace. With a nod of thanks, Idril linked hands with Tuor and the two disappeared before Glorfindel could say aught in return. Ecthelion looked ready to cry in despair, muttering some prayer to Elbereth for strength to withstand the day in front of him. Earendil, on the other hand, looked overjoyed.

'Uncle 'Thelion!' Earendil screeched and threw himself at the Lord of the Fountains. Grudgingly, Ecthelion had no choice but to catch him. Glorfindel's grin grew impossibly wide as Earendil started tugging on the silver locks of Ecthelion's hair. Suddenly, the boy's attention shifted, and his eyes grew wide as he spotted the lurking Glorfindel. Glorfindel began to slowly back away, abruptly thinking that perhaps Ecthelion was right about the boy. Something glowed in those eyes that made him look, quite frankly, dangerous.

It was far too late, though, and within seconds, Earendil had magically appeared next to Glorfindel and had begun to try and braid his hair. Try to braid.

*

Quite Some Time Later...

*

Glorfindel wanted to cry with relief when the horn sounded for the changing of the guard. His once straight and flowing hair had become, essentially, a disfigured birds nest. Ecthelion was smirking in delight and he pulled Earendil away from Glorfindel. The golden haired elf's mind raced as he searched for an excuse, any excuse, to get him away from the monster for a number of hours.

'Ecthelion, I have to go to my House to change. I shall meet you at yours.' Ecthelion did not have a chance to argue, for Glorfindel had fled. Ecthelion suddenly realized he was alone, with Earendil pulling him joyfully forward. The two moved through the streets, bathed in the warm rays of the dying light of Anar as Arien rode, one tall elf lord being steered to and fro by an over-eager child.

'What's that, uncle 'Thelion?'

'It's a fountain, Earendil.'

'What's that, uncle 'Thelion?'

'It's another fountain, Earendil.'

'What's that, uncle 'Thelion?'

'It's... a... fountain... Earendil.'

'What's that, uncle 'Thelion?'

'Oh for Eru's sake, that's... Oh. Oh. That's Glorfindel, Earendil. Go greet him.' Earendil happily bounced off towards the approaching figure that was trying to hid behind Egalmoth's form. Minutes later, Glorfindel was pulled grudgingly through the gates into the House of the Fountains.

*

Elemmakil of the Fountain was having a good day. He had finished his duties, snitched some victuals off Legolas and was now proceeding back to the House to have a bath and settle down for a good night of reading. Yes, Elemmakil was having a good day.

*

Glorfindel had thought that bringing the toy ship from his house to present to Earendil was a good idea. Glorfindel decided that, in reality, Earendil should not be given any toy in any context to play with for the next few thousand years or so. The half-elf had managed to create more havoc with one ship figurine than Morgoth could ever hope to amass with ten thousand orcs clashing cymbals and beating drums. One of Ecthelion's vases now lay broken in a corner, cushions, some with seams broken and stuffing missing, were strewn everywhere throughout the once neat room and the ship was now on its way to conquer Ecthelion's liquor cabinet.

Thankfully, the silver haired elda intercepted the young boy, suggesting he play elsewhere. Not so thankfully, Earendil had taken that suggestion to heart and had proceeded to run out of the corridor and down to one of the large fountains outside. Ecthelion had sprinted out after him to prevent the boy from drowning in one of the deep fountains, as the day was no longer young and the light was bad, while Glorfindel had trailed behind, commenting that Ecthelion should not have built such deep fountains while picking feathers out of his hair.

*

Elemmakil whistled to himself as he strolled leisurely through the gates of his house, before stopping short in shock as he watched Earendil fling himself into one of the deepest fountains in the area, with a angered Ecthelion yelling at him and Glorfindel sprinting over to see the matter. Elemmakil decided Turgon had better know what was happening to his grandson, and hurried over to the King's square.

*

Earendil accidentally tripped on a stone, and though he managed to hold on to balance and steady his footing, the ship, which had been held in his hand, flew out of his grasp as he failed around, and landed in a fountain. The water sloshed over the miniature deck, swamping the ship and it sank. Earendil howled with rage, kicking himself up, his foot flying to contact with Ecthelion's groin, causing him to hear a curse that was most inappropriate for his young ears, before throwing himself into the fountain after his ship.

*

Ecthelion cursed all things under the sun as he limped as quickly as he could towards the fountain ahead of him, were Earendil had already partially disappeared into the depths, which were dark due to the sun dipping at last beyond the horizon. Cursing savagely, he turned his head around and yelled,

'Oh Eru, Glorfindel! Earendil is trying to commit suicide!'

*

Egalmoth was walking back to his house when he heard the worst mouthful of words his ears had ever had the pleasure of listening to and the sounds of Ecthelion yelling about Earendil trying to commit suicide. Not waiting to find out what had happened, Egalmoth dropped everything and ran towards the King's square.

*

Glorfindel sprinted over to the fountain, and found Earendil's hand thrashing desperately at the surface for a moment before disappearing into the depths. The lord of the Golden Flower did not waste a second for thought and threw himself into the water. He did not catch Ecthelion screaming behind him.

'Glorfindel, don't!'

*

Turgon rubbed his temples as he walked back to the King's square. Today's court had been especially trying, and all he wished for was the strongest stuff from Beleriand and a warm bed. Before he managed to get far, though, Egalmoth and Elemmakil came crashing into him. The King of Gondolin looked worriedly at the expressions on their faces. Before he could ask what was the matter, the two started blabbering at the same time.

'My Lord, your grandson is trying to-'

'My Lord, Ecthelion is trying to-'

'Commit suicide!'

'Murder your grandson!'

'Earendil has thrown-'

'Earendil has been thrown'

'Himself into one of Ecthelion's fountains!'

'into one of Ecthelion's fountains by the lord of the Fountains!'

'Glorfindel is trying to help-'

'Glorfindel is consorting with-'

'Ecthelion!'

Turgon's eyes widened, and all three ran towards Ecthelion's House.

*

Glorfindel struggled to grab and steady the thrashing body in front of him. Earendil was panicking, and bubbles of air were all around him. The elf kicked his legs and hit something hard, causing him to groan and swallow water, but his arms instinctively thrust forward, taking Earendil with them.

*

Ecthelion lay, groaning on the floor, paralysed and in pain.

'Glorfindel!', he hoarsely screamed, 'don't!'

Oh Elbereth, it hurt!

*

Turgon ran and ran, he ran so fast the trees were a blur and Elemmakil was a dot and Egalmoth was an insignificant figure behind him. My grandson, he thought desperately, I am going to kill Ecthelion and Glorfindel!

Turgon crashed through the gates and saw Earendil lying on the ground next to a fountain, dripping wet and wailing, while the fountain behind him bubbled and sloshed as if Ulmo had possessed it, while Ecthelion lay prone on the ground. In true grand-parental concern, Turgon took in Earendil's figure, then determining he was all right, dragged Ecthelion up by his collar as the elf lord groaned in pain.

'What did you do to my grandson?!'

'Don't do it, sire! Don't jump into the fountain!'

Dropping Ecthelion, who crumpled back to his original position, Turgon returned his gaze to the still bubbling fountain. Egalmoth, who skidded up, panting, looked at it too. Turgon pushed him forward. Swallowing nervously, Egalmoth took up a large stick lying on the ground, then bashed the waters furiously. A minute later, he felt the stick being pulled, and before he could react, he was yanked into the swirling waters.

*

Glorfindel writhed at the pain in his foot, but it was the least of his worries as something or someone had started to bash him on the head. Wincing in pain, vision impaired and with no way of defending himself, Glorfindel tugged at whatever was being used to assault him as hard as he could, and felt a weight falling forward onto him. A flash of hair and skin made him realize that it was a fellow elf, but in his fury and rage, Glorfindel pummelled the elf with all his might, using him to push himself up and taking a revitalizing gasp of air before diving back in and hammering.

*

Elemmakil watched in horror as his lord lay on the ground groaning, Earendil being comforted by Turgon and the fountain alternating between sloshing water and showing flashes of elf.

'My lord!', he cried as Turgon hurried over to the waters, having satisfied his grandson, 'where is Glorfindel?'

*

Turgon looked at the water after hearing Elemmakil, noticing the golden tinge every few seconds. When Egalmoth's head next appeared, he pulled the elf up with all his might, but the creature with the Golden Tinge was too powerful and strong, and the Lord of Gondolin was dragged into the fray.

*

Egalmoth panicked as something viciously tried to decapitate him, and after taking a breath of air, plunged back in. The being fell on top of him.

*

Glorfindel felt the weight of his attacker double, and decided it was time for retreat. He pushed himself away, and was surprised to find a foothold. Glorfindel stood up in the water.

*

Egalmoth felt the size of his attack double and back off, and found a convenient foothold. Egalmoth rose up from the water.

*

Turgon felt the creature retreating and found he foot on the bottom of the fountain. Turgon pushed himself up from the water.

*

Ecthelion had by then managed to get up, and pulled Earendil away from the fountain, motioning for Elemmakil to lead the boy into the House. He gazed at the three soaked elf lords before him. The water level came up to Glorfindel's, Turgon's and Egalmoth's shoulders. Ecthelion fell down laughing, crying in his mirth. Glorfindel glared at his friend, his hair plastered all over his face, and hoisted himself out of the fountain, pulling Turgon and Egalmoth up after him.

'It was you, my lord?' Turgon was not listening, and instead threw himself at Glorfindel. Glorfindel fell, Turgon on top of him as his King roared,

'What were you doing to my son?' Glorfindel tried to breathe. He gasped out an explanation.

'My lord! He threw his ship into the fountain by accident, then he kicked Ecthelion in order to throw himself into it to retrieve the toy! I was trying to get him out!' Turgon faltered. A look of enlightenment dawn over him. The king removed his hands from Glorfindel's neck.

'Oh.'

Egalmoth broke down in laughter next to Ecthelion. Eventually, the four elf lords managed to stand up. Turgon was laughing nervously, patting both Ecthelion and Glorfindel on the back, while Egalmoth tried to wring his hair dry. Ecthelion smiled understandingly as Turgon apologized for what had happened.

'No need, my lord, but I believe that Glorfindel and I have a request to make of you.' Turgon, wanting to make up for what had happened, nodded. The two lords spoke at the same time.

'Do not make us baby-sit Earendil again. Ever.'

And floating innocently on the water's surface was one small toy ship.