Disclaimer: Tolkien's world, I pitter patter around in it
Game and Set
Chapter One: A Sense
Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.
--Charles H. Spurgeon
Imladris TA 2851
"The White Council is meeting again?" an exasperated Morwen asked a road-weary Glorfindel. Glorfindel, who had just finished a return journey from Mirkwood and was desiring a bath, a meal, and a rest, had been detained upon his arrival by the group of elves he had helped raise. It was really his fault, teaching them to be so persistent in gathering information. Glorfindel tried not to think of the dirt in his hair, or the road dust that had taken residence in his clothes and skin. He looked at the eager faces of the gathered, all sitting around Elladan's bedroom.
"Yes." Glorfindel answered. "It is only a formality, to be sure. All know an attack on Dol Guldur is the best plan of action. One we should undertake soon."
Eluialeth regarded him with a curious look, "Why so soon?"
Glorfindel sat back in his chair, not used to leading a war council with a group full of non-warriors, "Sauron has not yet revealed himself, which means he is still gathering strength. It would be best to attack him while he is weak and when we still have plenty of forces to attack him with. We all know the numbers sailing are starting to become obvious."
Elladan put down the dagger he had been examining, "It almost seems wrong to attack something when they are weak, even Sauron."
Glorfindel regarded his former pupil, his still student, "Even weak as an infant, Elladan, Sauron can still take control of your mind when you are fully strong. You know the most important rule of battle, Elladan."
"Never underestimate your enemy." Elladan dutifully answered.
"Do well to remember that and apply it." Rian said. "I would rather not have to weep over your corpse; it might ruin my dress."
"And then what would she have to live for?" Eluialeth asked.
Even Rian had to laugh at such a statement.
Glorfindel playfully gave Eluialeth a chastising look, "Eluialeth a councilor should be objective in their opinions of others."
Eluialeth smirked, "Let me ask my father about that in regards to the Golden Hall, Cirdan's library, the councilors of LothLorien, the…"
"Your father is different," Glorfindel said, "and he has been around much longer than you. He once had objectivity, it has been forced out of him."
"He means the little objectivity Erestor had to begin with." Morwen said.
Glorfindel nodded, conceding the point to Morwen.
"Do you know where this council will be held?" Elrohir asked. "I would enjoy traveling again."
Glorfindel smiled, "You will travel soon enough."
"What does that mean?" Elladan asked.
"It means," Glorfindel said as he stood up, "that you will find out once I feel it is time to tell you. I promise you though, you will not spend the majority of this new year stuck in Imladris."
"Where are you going?" Eluialeth asked.
"I am abandoning you children…" Glorfindel smiled at the protests and the thrown pillow of Morwen, "for I am in desperate need of a bath and I have a meeting to lead."
"Soldiers?" Elladan asked, annoyed he was not invited.
"Former warriors?" Elrohir asked, trying to reason out why the twins were not at such a meeting.
"Elderly elven folk?" Morwen asked with a condescending smile.
"I am sure you will find out the attendants later." Glorfindel said as he made his way out of the room, shaking his head at the group.
"Really, it is not as if we are elflings anymore." Rian protested.
"To him we always will be, he saw as infants." Elladan said.
"Maybe you three, and Eluialeth," Rian said, "but I came here as a much older foundling."
"Yes, so ancient at thirty." Elrohir muttered.
"Not even at your majority." Morwen said.
"He cannot protest to our ages all that much. If he did, how does one explain Morwen?" Eluialeth asked.
Elladan snickered as Elrohir smirked, "Yes, well, Morwen always has been different."
"And has had a distinct lack of respect for Glorfindel as her elder." Elladan said.
Morwen narrowed her eyes, "You must admit there are times when I act more the adult than he does, and it was so even in my childhood."
Elladan smiled, "Ah, yes, the boiling water event of TA 182."
"I did not know Glorfindel could screech so." Elrohir said.
"And over a sugar flower." Elladan said.
"Oh, do tell." Eluialeth said.
Elladan leaned back, "It all started with the preparations for the spring festival and the kitchen hands needing help………….." Elladan started, much to the amusement of the gathered.
Elrond walked by Elladan's room, smiling as he heard the pleasing sound of laughter from inside. He turned to Mithrandir at his side, "Nothing lightens the heart more than hearing you children's laughter."
"And your foundlings." Mithrandir added. "I do not think we should disturb them just yet. Let them have this."
"Yes, the news can wait for another day." Elrond said as the two continued the walk to Elrond's chambers and his private study. It was an amusing fact of Imladris that its Lord hoarded two studies, an office, and a secret library but if it kept Elrond happy few bothered to protest. To be fair, Rian had made a disgruntled comment when Eluialeth had moved into the office already occupied by both Morwen and Rian but had been quickly silenced when Elrond informed her the office would be expanded. Complaints or no, Elrond was not giving up his few quiet and private sanctuaries in the realm.
Elrond waited until they were inside before he made mention of his concerns, "I do not think this council will turn out in our favor."
Mithrandir nodded, "I still have hope. The others must see the need. Thranduil will, at least, agree to our side."
"Galadriel should as well, what threatens Mirkwood threatens her." Elrond agreed.
"Is it true Thranduil ordered his daughter to sail?" Mithrandir asked as he settled down into a chair, pulling out his pipe while ignoring Elrond's disapproving look.
Elrond moved to open the windows as he spoke to Mithrandir, "He did indeed. His wife and middle son are already in Aman. Merileth tried to fight the order, but it was royal decree and Merileth is a citizen of Mirkwood before she is a citizen of the Golden Wood. Galadriel could not have stopped the order if she wanted to, which she did not. With Merileth off in Aman, that march warden husband of hers can keep his mind on the borders rather than his wife."
"That is quite harsh."
"I do not believe that elf knew what he was getting into when he married Merileth. It is not a simple marriage, there are responsibilities and events to attend and many other things which could drive an elf not raised in such a life insane." Elrond said.
"Rian handles it quite well." Mithrandir said.
"Because we force our councilors to attend such events. One must also say that Imladris and the Golden Wood are wholly different places."
"Quite, things change here more often and there is a constant stream of people coming and people going." Mithrandir said.
Elrond shrugged, "I enjoy a busy and merry home. The more visitors we have, the more chance I have to learn news from around Arda."
"The more you can learn about their people and their customs. Ever the scholar."
Elrond smiled, "Thank you." Elrond took his own seat. "Now, what do you wish to discuss?"
Mithrandir put down his pipe, "Only a few concerns of an old wizard."
"Then kindly share them with an old half elf willing to listen." Elrond said.
The councilors sat at their morning meeting, all staring intently at Erestor, their leader.
"The White Council will be meeting here to discuss matters of the highest secrecy and importance to the future of all. We will have many renown guests in our halls, as we have had before. I urge you all to present a most professional and welcoming image for them. However, do watch what you say. Do not give anymore information to our guests than you have to, despite how trivial the information may seem to you. Am I understood?" Erestor glanced around the room, taking in all of faces. "Good. You will receive your individuals assignments later today. Dismissed."
Rian leaned into Morwen's side, "Do you have to perform scribe duty again?"
Morwen shrugged, "No one has said such. Curunir is the leader now, he may make the decision."
Rian nodded, "Yes, he is the leader and yet, they are meeting in Imladris, again."
"Perhaps Isengard is not so friendly." Eluialeth said.
Morwen smiled, "I think it is more that Imladris is, in a sense, neutral. While we are an elven realm…"
"We have inhabitants of other races. We cannot hastily go into a decision without weighing the odds for all." Eluialeth finished.
"I still think it has something to do with the White Council's love of our cuisine." Rian said.
"We do have marvelous bakers and cooks." Morwen agreed.
"And we understand why one cannot simply survive on traditional elven food." Rian said.
Eluialeth shrugged, "Maybe they just enjoy sleeping in beds which are not in trees nor in, whatever Isengard has."
"Or perhaps they enjoy listening to the useless babble of the young female councilors." Erestor said.
"Now, now, the LothLorien elves are a bit more silly than we." Rian protested.
Erestor smirked, "Ah, Rian, you have just been assigned to our LothLorien visitors. Eluialeth, you may watch over those from the Grey Havens. Galdor knows Imladris well, but it has been quite a long time since Cirdan has visited. Gildor and his people have already been settled. Morwen, please handle Mirkwood, we are still not certain whether Thranduil is traveling our not. He may send one of his sons."
"Wonderful. And what are we to do until they arrive?" Morwen asked.
"Keep Elladan and Elrohir inside Imladris. I know they have been looking for any hint of an excuse to leave, and they may find one with the return of their grandparents. Other than that, keep to your normal duties and make sure the rooms of your selected guests are ready." Erestor said as he walked off.
"Who is handling Curunir.." Morwen stopped at the dark look Erestor gave her, "Ah." She said. Morwen turned to Rian and Eluialeth, "Who else believes we need to go pay attention to our sorely neglected office?"
Rian and Eluialeth quickly followed after her.
Glorfindel sat on one of the fences, watching as the twins took in their practice. Many elves were gathered around, remarking on the ever improving skills of the twins. Glorfindel enjoyed studying them from afar, to truly see just how their skills were improving and how they were taking the praise. When they did not know Glorfindel was watching, they showed more of their true selves. Glorfindel smiled as he felt the arms come around his waist, "Hello, Morwen."
Morwen rested her chin on Glorfindel's shoulder, "The twins are becoming most skilled."
Glorfindel nodded, "Certainly the best of their age group. I had hoped they would turn out well, but they have gone beyond even my highest expectations."
Morwen smiled, "They are not too prideful and they are willing to learn from the Rangers."
"It does give them quite an advantage when they go into the Wild." Glorfindel dislodged Morwen from her place as he turned to look down at her, "Should you not be preparing for our many guests?"
"Erestor has gone with the divide and conquer strategy. I have Mirkwood and they are still debating on how they are sending."
"Is Tirnion coming?" Glorfindel asked, curious about how their friend was faring after his known harsh discussion with Merileth.
"Possibly as a guard, though I doubt both Thranduil and his seneschal would be out of Mirkwood at the same time." Morwen said.
"No, not at a time like this." Glorfindel agreed.
Morwen pushed a strand of golden hair behind his ear, "How are you feeling, with all that has come to pass? I know it is making you dwell on things you'd rather not."
"It is occasionally, but I have learned there are better things to dwell on."
"Such as?" Morwen asked.
"The future and all that it may entail." Glorfindel leaned down to give Morwen a kiss.
Morwen tensed quickly and pulled away from Glorfindel, "I am sorry, I did not think…."
Glorfindel studied her, most confused, "Morwen what is it?"
"We are out in the open and I should not have…"
"I did not even think of that." Glorfindel felt his shoulders slump, "We must be careful, especially with all of our lovely guests running around."
"And all of those loose tongues." Morwen agreed.
Glorfindel hopped down from the fence and gave Morwen a chaste hug, "We will not have much time to ourselves as the guests arrive. Come, let us enjoy what little time we have."
"I have correspondence to get to." Morwen warned.
"I am certain Rian will sacrifice her chair to me for the greater good of us all. Besides, she has her own things to worry about." Glorfindel said.
"Such as?"
"Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn." Glorfindel said, a touch of sadness in his voice.
Morwen gasped, "I had not even thought of that. And Rian is to be around them the whole time."
They started to walk back to the house, "She still has residual guilt." Glorfindel said.
"You may want to speak with her, to give her some advice."
"If she will listen. I have tried in the past."
Morwen nodded, "Yes, but now she is truly being confronted with it."
"They hold her no ill will, they could not." Glorfindel said.
Morwen nodded, silently contemplating. Her eyes drifted toward the western horizon, "Do you think Lady Galadriel knew?"
Glorfindel shrugged, "I think she had an inkling, I think she knew it was one possible path among many. Elrond has told me he never saw it, but I think he too sensed something."
"He may have and he may have ignored it. When it is so close to you, that sense of foreboding…."
"You do everything to bury it." Glorfindel murmured.
It had been a week since all of the guests had arrived in Imladris. The council was to take place in the morning, it was scheduled to occupy most of the next two weeks. Rian, however, had already gone to new levels of nervousness.
"They are watching me." Rian stated as she paced back and forth.
"They are not." Morwen insisted.
"They are, and they always have these little smiles on their faces as the watch me." Rian said.
Morwen sighed, "Perhaps because you are scuttling around like a tiny little Rian-Mouse."
"Rian, really, you are probably most amusing to them in your stammering state." Eluialeth said.
"Oh, thank you." Rian spat out.
"Rian, they have met you before and have seen the true Rian. They know little Rian-Mouse is not you." Morwen stated.
"Why a mouse? Why not something more mysterious?" Rian asked.
"Mysterious things do not stutter." Eluialeth said as she moved to the next stack of her papers.
"They could stutter." Rian insisted.
Morwen pressed a hand to her forehead, "You are not arguing that."
Rian settled down into one of the chairs, "Morwen, what am I to do?"
"Why ask me? I never spend much time in their presence and I am certainly not the she-elf their grandson is planning to court." Morwen said.
"Again." Eluialeth added.
"Eluialeth, be nice." Morwen chastised.
"Sorry." Eluialeth said.
"Do not apologize, Eluialeth, if you became all polite and charming I would not know what to do with myself." Rian said.
"Eluialeth has plenty of her own charm, as long as you like your charm with barbs." Tirnion said as he entered the room. There was a tired smile on his face, but a sense of tranquility in him that had not been there before. Tirnion had, indeed, made peace with his past.
"Berenon calmed down?" Morwen asked.
"Enough. He has never been to such a large and important council without his mother or father present. He certainly has never met Curunir." Tirnion smiled, if only slightly wicked.
"When did you meet him?" Morwen asked.
"Once, when Mithrandir was with us." Tirnion explained, alluding to the five years of patrols he ran under Mithrandir's orders.
"And your take?" Eluialeth asked, not bothering to look up from her work.
"It was just a feeling but, I find him suspicious. I should not, he is an Istari but…"
"It is your instinct. There is something off setting about him." Rian agreed.
Tirnion nodded, "Yes. Radagast is more concerned about the animals and plant life than elves and humans. Mithrandir while formidable to be sure is still so kind to others. Curunir…"
"Is intimidating and makes you feel as if you know nothing about anything." Eluialeth said.
"Yes, good observation." Tirnion agreed.
Eluialeth shrugged, "It was what my father said. For that reason I dislike Curunir on principle. I do not like any who try to make my father into a fool."
"And only fools would try such a thing." Morwen muttered.
"Lovely," Rian said, "now may we get back to my problem?"
"Rian has a problem?" Tirnion asked.
Morwen laughed, "Stuttering Rian-Mouse."
Tirnion blinked as he glanced at Rian, "Pardon?"
Eluialeth took a breath and said, "Rian has taken to stuttering around Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn because she fears they blame her for Lady Celebrian's attack, which clearly they do not. Of course, there is also that whole in an almost relationship again with their eldest grandson matter."
"Ah, Stuttering Rian-Mouse. It all makes sense." Tirnion turned to Rian, "You need to get over your fears. It was not your fault. Eluialeth even says it was not your fault and honestly, it is Eluialeth, if it was your fault she would tell you."
Morwen nodded, "She would."
Rian smiled, "Yes, she would. Brutal honesty is certainly Eluialeth's specialty."
Eluialeth smiled, "Why Rian, that is the nicest thing you have ever said about me. I am touched."
"I just cannot let it…" Rian started.
"Go, we know. Do not focus on it, it is in the past. It is over and done with and has probably been written into song. Focus on the future, your marriage once Elladan finally grows a spine, and how you do not want to stutter your vows when you happen to catch Lady Galadriel or Lord Celeborn's eye during them." Morwen said.
Rian scoffed, "Oh, that makes me feel so very much better. A future I may possibly never have and if I did I am now picturing it as a Stuttering Rian-Mouse."
"Bad plan there, Morwen." Eluialeth said.
"She is focusing on something else now." Morwen protested.
"Morwen does have a point." Tirnion agreed.
Eluialeth laughed, "It is a lovely image."
Rian nodded, started to giggle and then covered her mouth as she made such a childish sound. Morwen started to laugh at her, Eluialeth and Tirnion joining them, the musical sound of elvish laughter filling the room.
The Council had ended and all had exited the room in silent dignity, though Morwen and Eluialeth had both seen the banked fury in the gazes of many. Elrond had immediately ordered the twins to the seek out the Rangers, Berenon and Tirnion, after having a few choice words to say about Curunir had ridden back to Mirkwood, both looking as if they hoped to come across a band of orcs to take out their ire on. Gildor, with a shaking head, had gathered his people and started to make their next pass to the Grey Havens.
"What has happened?" Rian asked, "Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn have said nothing. They seemed almost resigned as they rode off."
"Elrond and my father as well." Eluialeth agreed, "though Mithrandir has been smoking on that horrid pipe all night, and Cirdan with him!"
Morwen sighed, "I shall go ask Glorfindel."
"Are you sure that is wise?" Rian asked.
Morwen nodded, "He may need to speak with someone and Erestor and Elrond, they are too close."
Morwen made her way to the practice fields, following the stringed lamps that been moved to light up the private archery range. Morwen smiled as she saw the newest piece of artwork covering the target. Glorfindel looked up as he heard her approach.
"Did they send you to gather information?"
"Well, none of us were quite ready to brave the pipe weed." Morwen said.
Glorfindel laughed, "Mithrandir is unique."
"As is Cirdan." Morwen agreed.
Glorfindel put down his bow at that, "Cirdan?"
Morwen smiled, "Yes, Cirdan."
"Ah, sailors."
"What happened?" Morwen asked.
"Do you want to know? You might be tempted to do some of your own target practice and frankly, I do not think Elrond is of the right mind to heal whomever you hurt."
"What happened?" Morwen repeated, ignoring the slight tease.
"Mithrandir proposed an attack on Dol Guldur…" Glorfindel started as he notched an arrow,
"As anyone with sense would do." Morwen said as Glorfindel took his position.
"Curunir, the leader," Glorfindel said as he pulled back, "overruled him." Glorfindel let the arrow go. The impact was so intense the arrow passed completely through the target.
Morwen raised a brow, "Well, I can understand the anger and frustration at the sheer stupidity of such a decision but really, Glorfindel, the point of the target is to stop the arrow."
Glorfindel sighed, "I'll retrieve it in the morning."
"You could have killed an owl." Morwen said.
"I think we would have known. Thandrog tends to sense when animals in this realm are hurt. He has warned them away from the ranges. Furthermore, if an owl was that low to the ground, I may have just saved a poor mouse." Glorfindel said.
"Indeed." Morwen watched as Glorfindel moved to the target, taking off the drawing of Curunir.
"What is Mirkwood going to do?" she asked.
Glorfindel shook his head, "Berenon seems to think his father will fortify the borders. He is ordering more trading and collecting of jewels in order to pay off some of the human settlements and, of course, for his own pleasure."
Glorfindel gathered his bow and quiver, reaching out for Morwen's hand. "Come inside and help me come up with advice for our Mirkwood friends."
"I do not know much about battles." Morwen said with a smirk.
"But you have been doing research for Elrond on many things the Mirkwood elves have to face." Glorfindel said.
"True." Morwen walked in step with Glorfindel, "Did I tell you about Rian's new title?"
Glorfindel smiled down on her, "No. I assume there is a pleasant story to go with it."
"Certainly."
"Then do tell, for I am in much need of the laughter." Glorfindel pulled Morwen closer to his side as they walked into the House, for once not caring about who was watching.
A/N 1: If there is a delay in updating, it's b/c I have a friend visiting from Nov. 6-12, so there probably won't be an update next week. We shall see.
A/N 2: Nima, as I told Renna, it never gets boring for me! I love to read the reviews, truly. And I figure, if the elves can sing songs and laugh when the One Ring is in their realm (which, ok, some would not know) but also with the Nine Riders so close to their home (which they probably did know) then they have to find some good in all of the bad.
Anneri, I left you a reply on the lj, but in case you didn't see it, trust me, the series is not over, just that one little story. And really I was being a little whiny the other night, so yeah. But, thank you for the review, nonetheless.