"She did what?!" The young High King of the Noldor loudly shouted at the messenger.
"She immediately sent them a message back my lord, that she most definitely would not surrender the jewel." The elf told him once again, taken aback by the reaction of his lord.
"Is she out of her mind? Did she think at all? Foolish girl!" He cursed forcefully, pacing his appartment.
Cirdan winced at Ereinion's use of language and the sheer force of his rage. He decided to interfere "She is the leader of her people, she can decide as she wants."
Ereinion, eyes blazing with anger, moved his hand up to silence the shipwright and turned towards the messenger "tell me how long ago it was that she sent this message and then leave us."
The shaken runner quietly replied "a week ago, my lord" and left the room with a bow, closing the doors behind him.
"I never thought she would be so stupid! How can she? How can she be so irresponsible?" Ereinion started to shout again.
Cirdan frowned at his young charge's behaviour "Stop it, boy, even if you disagree, you should show some respect!"
"I will not stop!" he was pacing around his study. "You do realise who sent her that message? It are no longer their hot-headed younger brothers with whom we are dealing. This is Maedhros and Maglor Feanorion we are talking about, whom both once wore this crown." He took the circlet from his head and threw it on the desk. "I know them, I know them both. They are honorable men. I do not believe they wish for war, but they do not send idle threats either. And you know as well as I do that they never break a promise. If she refused their terms, they will come for the jewel with their troops, even if they do not want to. They have no choice in the matter and you know it."
Cirdan's face was set in a grim expression "I do."
Ereinion stood still and brusquely turned around, facing his foster father. "I have to go there shipwright, as soon as I can, perhaps I can still prevent the worst from happening."
"Do you really think that you will be able to stop them, my boy?"
"I have a duty to my people to try, as our dear Elwing does not seem to care for hers. I thought that at least she would have had enough sense to try and delay her answer. Tell me, Cirdan, how can she put a jewel above those that rely on her for their safety?"
"She has lost her home to the Feanorians, Ereinion. Her father and brothers died by their hand, I do not think she is inclined to give them anything."
"Those that killed Dior are long dead, they fell when he did, and besides, did she forget how that started? It were not the Feanorians who slew Thingol. Has she forgotten how her father and great-grandfather made the same mistake as she makes now? How can her family be so obsessed with a jewel? Theirs is no oath, no promise binds her to keep it. So what if the Feanorians would hold it? If it would have been my decision, I would gladly have given it to them." He took a deep breath before he continued "Oh don't look at me like that, shipwright, yes I would, or do you really believe a jewel is worth more than a life? If my father taught me anything, it is that it is not." Bitterly he added "And off course Earendil is away at sea, with that ship you helped him build. At least he would have remembered who our real enemy is. Ever since my cousin and Tuor left, they both seem lost. They do not seem to care anymore for anything. I cannot understand her, Cirdan, how can she so bluntly refuse and start a war. Because that is what will happen, they will come, they will fight and blood will be spilled once more. And you know what is the worst, shipwright? Our enemy will laugh, for he sees us defeated without even moving a finger."
He dropped vehemently in his seat at those last words and hid his head in his hands.
Cirdan, who had patiently waited and listened, moved then and kneeled next to him. He lifted his young ward's chin with one finger, forcing him to look into his eyes. "I know, Ereinion, I know all this, and I think there is little we can do, this is not in our hands. But I hear you, and you might be right. So I will sail, and we will try to prevent what is coming, though I doubt we will be on time. And we will take what troops that we have, for if worst comes to worst, we will defend Sirion. That too is our duty, my boy, we cannot let the Feanorians get away with this either."
Ereinion straightened his back and sat up in his chair. "Then let's prepare, Cirdan, and this time, I will join. I will not stay behind." Cirdan wanted to protest, but when he saw the look in the young one's eyes, he knew he would not win this battle. And he realised once more that the weight that had been put on his charge's shoulders had made him mature, even if he was still very young by the reckoning of the elves.