"Thank you my Lady." Elrond bowed, graciously accepting the green-gray cloak from Galadriel. The weave was widely known to camouflage and protect elves so cloaked.
"Wear your chest armor underneath your tunic." The golden lady said in his mind. "I see danger on the road and in Mithlond."
"Thank you for your concern my Lady. I will be careful." Elrond returned wordlessly. Celebrían had already taken the cloak and swung it around his shoulders. She nearly matched Elrond in height. The golden flower pendant was displayed proudly about her neck.
"He parted with the pendant from his Adar." Galadriel noted.
"I fear it might mean serious business." Celeborn returned with mirth. "But watch closely." Galadriel saw her daughter pull a small object from her pocket. Celebrían proceeded to secure the cloak with the small mithril clasp. It was decorated with a representation of the star and a rose.
"No longer will they believe that you are betrothed to the golden flower." Celebrían laughed and kissed him deeply.
"Celebrían, you honor me far too much." Elrond mumbled in astonishment, so low that only Celebrían could hear. He squeezed her hand tightly. "Please stay safe here in Lothlórien. I will return once the situation has stabilized."
"Stay safe my love." Celebrían whispered in return. She caught Glorfindel's knowing glance. The Golden warrior had his hand clasped over his heart in his reaffirmation of his vow to stand by the peredhel. Celebrían was pleasantly surprised when Elrond, in a departure from his usual reluctance over public displays, caught her lips in a romantic kiss. She felt the rushing force of his spirit surround and pour into her being and bent her love towards him in return.
"My heart is ever yours." Elrond's soft voice riveted joyously through her. She touched her tingling lips in wonder as Elrond turned and walked over to his mount. He gave a last smile and wave and then the company parted. The large contingent of elves of Imladris, Mithlond and the Havens journeyed to their next destination: the hidden valley.
Xxxxxxxxx
"You parted with the golden flower! I am appalled!" Glorfindel teased. He enjoyed the gentle smile that spread over his friend's lips. "You are besotted!" They had been traveling for half a day only stopping briefly for lunch.
"I will never understand my good fortune. But I thank Eru to be so blessed." Elrond said.
"It is not our lot to ever understand." Cirdan intoned. "Enjoy any time you are blessed together."
"I hope to, much as Ereinion and Indiriel cherished their time together." Elrond said then sobered slightly as they mounted their horses for the next leg of their journey. "But the next task ahead is to get our warriors safely to Imladris and then hence to Mithlond."
The spring air turned cold as dusk fell. The large contingent of elves stopped to pitch tents for the night. Cooks were busy preparing stews and warm drinks. Elrond, Cirdan and Gildor had agreed on the distribution of the watch and general logistics of setting camp. Elrond departed briefly to attend to the necessities.
"Glorfindel!" Elrond sent out a wordless request as he pulled up his leggings. The trees were unsettled and cried of danger lurking nearby. An all too familiar whistling sound made him dash left and sprint toward the safety of the trees. He heard the arrow sail by him. Seconds later he ducked behind a large tree trunk and carefully observed his surroundings. He heard the trees' distress at elves turning against a fellow elf and knew immediately that there were others approaching. The closest of his assailants stepped around the tree a sword glinting ominously in the dusk light. Reflexes took over as Elrond crouched and struck out against his attacker, who grunted in pain. Elrond grabbed his wrist, his grip strong enough to snap bone with a sickening crack. His attacker cried out in pain that far exceeded that of the injury, masking the whistle of additional arrows raining down on them. An arrow had impaled the elf sending him sprawling into Elrond. Red blood sprayed onto Elrond's tunic as he saw young green eyes opened wide in shock.
"Father shot me." The elf gasped, sinking to his knees. Elrond spied the eldar elf in the trees, setting yet another arrow on his bow. But several more opponents were closing in on him with swords drawn. He sidestepped the injured elf, hoping to draw the arrows away. He turned and drew Hadhafang in one swift motion. Swords flashed and hissed in a dizzying array. Elrond did not wish to slay fellow elves but that was clearly his attackers intent. He disarmed one elf sending him to the ground with a wound to the leg. While dealing his companion a swift kick before a new voice hissed.
"You refused to die on that beach nearly an age ago." A dark haired elf's sword flashed through the air crashing loudly with Elrond's blade. Elrond's mind registered the fact that arrows had ceased to fly. He fought to focus the rage building inside him. His instincts took over.
Xxxxxxxxx
Glorfindel and Cirulian were discussing the distribution of the night watch along the nearly mile long campsite when the Vanya stiffened and halted in mid-sentence.
"What is wrong?" Cirulian exclaimed in agitation.
"Elrond!" Glorfindel exclaimed, turning and calling out to the guards. They all sprinted off in the direction the peredhel had taken, moving quickly through the bush to the trees where several elves were locked in a battle with Elrond. Glorfindel pointed to the archer in the tree, who was firing indiscriminately upon the warriors below. The golden warrior's dagger found it's mark and the unknown archer plummeted earthward.
"You refused to die on that beach nearly an age ago." One of Elrond's attackers hissed in a low voice. Glorfindel saw the half-elf eyes flash with rage and his sword swiftly felled the elf in front of him with a blow to the ribs while a kick and turn caught the elf behind him by surprise. A third attacker almost managed to slip under the half-elf's defenses, but his sword met Hadhafang with a mighty clashed. The attackers blade was parried in a blur of moves to quick to catalogue. A few seconds later Glorfindel and the guards were upon them and moments later the six attackers had been subdued.
"Elrond are you injured?" Glorfindel paled at the red blood that now decorated his friend's tunic. Elrond surveyed the scene before answering.
"I am uninjured." His low voice echoed in the sudden silence. He turned and hurried back to the fallen figure of his first attacker. Glorfindel followed closely. Three arrows with identical flecking protruded from the prostrated figure. Elrond bent to feel for a pulse.
"His father was the archer." Elrond reported. "But he clearly targeted his son after I disarmed him."
"Why would a father seek to dispatch his own son?" Glorfindel said in astonishment. "It is unlikely that the archer survived the fall."
"Why indeed. I doubt he is more than a century old." Elrond mumbled, shaking his head. Then he focused his full attention on the injured youth. The agitation of the trees at this battle of elf against elf was palpable. "He lives yet. I will tend his wounds."
"Not here." Cirdan ordered, crouching next to Gil-Galad's Herald and heir. "I would that you return to a secure location. Most consider you the next High King. It brings the majority of elves some stability and order in this time of upheaval. We will transport him directly to your tent. I have already summoned Noenri." Two of the guards appeared with a makeshift stretcher. Elrond noted that several guards were already evaluating the other would-be assassins.
"Come, Elrond." Glorfindel pulled him upright. "You can retrieve your healing supplies." Cirulian immediately appeared beside the half-elf, now sandwiched between them.
"You are sure you are unharmed?" The captain inquired as they quickly crossed into the camp.
"I am uninjured." Elrond repeated as they crossed over to where his tent had already been erected. The next few hours were a blur as Elrond and Noenri removed the three arrows and closed the wounds. Noenri was one of Elrond's early teachers. The ancient healer was heartened by the thought that the peredhel had long ago surpassed his teachers. Elrond carefully set the elf's wrist and stabilized it in a cast. The elf had lost far too much blood. Elrond focused his healing energy on the youth before him and felt the most grievous wound begin to knit slowly as his aid poured forth. He concentrated, seeking the telltale signs that the injured elf's own healing force was reawakening. Once he was sure that the elf had been stabilized he envisioned the flow of aid slowing and felt it stop. An age ago he could not control this force, but lessons from the lady Galadriel in his own youth had taught him to control what he shared. Green eyes were watching him dumbly as he returned to himself.
"Why?" The young elf asked in a hoarse voice.
"Hatred among elves can not be erased through hatred. Only kindness, understanding and love can overcome it. Rest, young one." He ordered moving his hand over the elf's wide eyes, which immediately complied with the Herald's order, closing as the injured elf succumbed to sleep.
"You must also rest, Elrond." Noenri said. "You have spent much energy in caring for this one. Rest and recover your own strength."
"Both of you should rest. I will watch over your patient." Glorfindel interjected, slightly ill at ease that this attacker should be afforded a cot in Elrond's tent. "We have found room on one of the carts for him. But you healers must ride on your own. I doubt any will share their horse with either of you." The jest illicited a small smile from each. Noenri waved Elrond away then explained some of the youth's injuries to Glorfindel. When the elder healer departed, Elrond had already washed and changed. It was not long until Elrond fell into an exhausted sleep. Glorfindel mused over the events and sent a small prayer of thanks to Eru that his friend's skill as a warrior had again been his salvation. It was quite late when he noticed green eyes contemplating the sleeping peredhel with a mixture of confusion and wonder.
"Why did you attack him?" Glorfindel questioned.
"He is polluted with the weaknesses of men. He does not deserve to be High King." The young elf blurted out without a thought. It was apparently the opinion of his father drilled into him by years of repetition.
"He is enhanced by the strength of men and maiar." Glorfindel countered. "I see you admire his beauty."
"Father and the others believe that such mixed blood denigrates our elvish heritage." The green eyes betrayed uncertainty.
"The son of the famous mariner has always lived his life in service to others. It is my great honor to be numbered among his friends." Glorfindel returned, carefully watching for the youth's reactions. "You are old enough to make your own decisions. Your actions were dishonorable and unworthy of one of the first born." Shame was clearly written in the green eyes.
"Why did he save me?" The elf mumbled.
"He is honorable. He used his gifts of healing, an inheritance of his ancestor Melian the Maia, to help others. I hope you will appreciate this gift and beseech his forgiveness."
Xxxxxxxxx
"Only the youth and one other of Elrond's would be assassins survived." Gildor commented. "The other's died of their injuries. Many had also been pierced by arrows from one of their own."
"Word spread quickly that the Herald thwarted six attackers nearly single handedly. I hope that will cause any others to abandon any further actions against him." Cirdan said.
"How will the two survivors be punished?" Gildor inquired.
"He has decided to hand them over to a tribunal in the Havens for a trial. I think the younger elf already shows remorse but the elder." Cirdan sighed. "Well, it will be important to hold a fair trial."
"I over heard Elrond and Glorfindel talking." Gildor admitted. "Is it really true the he may reject the High Kingship?"
"He believes that is best for our people." Cirdan returned in a low voice. "It will require all of his and our expertise in diplomacy to introduce an alternative government. Ereinion ruled with benevolence for longer than many can remember."
"If anyone could devise a peaceful transition to an alternative system, it would be Elrond." Gildor mused. "Does he really court Celebrían Celeborniel?" Cirdan laughed in response to Gildor's flabbergasted expression.
"You tried to corner Galadriel's elusive treasure." Cirdan smiled knowingly.
"She is an enigma to me." Gildor confided. "Good luck to Elrond. He certainly sets his sights high."
"One can not control the leanings of the heart." Cirdan had watched in admiration in the passing millennium as the elf, he and Ereinion once sheltered as a gangly boy stepped into his rightful place in elven history. But nothing could have prepared him for the upcoming sixty-year transition from monarchy to council rule which would emblazon Elrond's name as synonymous with wisdom, compassion, and generosity. Following this transition, Elrond would be known and sought out as a lore master, healer, and strategist. He would be councilor to Kings of men, elves, and dwarves as well as for the poor and forgotten and a myriad of people in between. The peredhel's home would be christened "the last Homely House", a loving misnomer for the center of learning and culture that Elrond boldly established in Imladris.
Xxxxxxxx
"Did Erestor give any indication as to when he will return to us?" Elrond wondered aloud. They were descending through the misty Mountains. It seemed surreal that in only two more weeks they would be entering the boundaries of Imladris.
"He was planning on staying a few years." Glorfindel confided, realizing that some of the trip to Greenwood must be a hazy to his then injured friend. "He wished to support Calimdriel and aid Orodiun's recovery as much as possible."
"No doubt that Thranduil will also employ his services as he sets of his own council and settles in to ruling a kingdom." Elrond predicted. "I have no fear for Greenwood for Thranduil has always showed many of the attributes of a great leader."
"But you fear for other realms."
"Yes, especially for Gondor and Annor for obvious reasons but also for Amroth in Lothlorien. My heart fears for his well-being. In my dreams he wanders aimlessly the shores of middle earth."
"Is there more sorrow yet to come!" Glorfindel exclaimed.
"We have lived long lives already. Unfortunately, as you know all to well, there are times of sorrow and hardship. We must deal as best as we can and learn to move forward."
"Did you tell Galadriel or Celeborn?" Glorfindel asked curiously.
"Aye, she confessed that she felt misgivings about his mental stability but had pushed them aside as others had greater need. They both vowed to be vigilant and offer any aid they could." Elrond confided.
"And Mithlond? Have you fears for Ereinion's seat of office?"
"Strangely, I have little fear for Mithlond. Our support and presence may be needed there for many years but we are not alone. The task of introducing rule by council may meet shock and resistance at first. Fortunately, there is no shortage of candidates to sit on such a council. Many elves with strong values and good hearts would be more than willing to serve the greater good. Glorfindel of the renown House of the Golden Flower would be a natural candidate." Elrond smiled. "That is if you choose to rule."
"I have no desire for politics." Glorfindel returned.
"But you can not deny that you always enjoyed life in Mithlond." Elrond laughed at memories of Glorfindel's many intrigues and adventures. "Would life in Imladris ever hold similar appeal for you?"
"Just what are you proposing, my friend?" Glorfindel laughed.
"I would be most honored if you chose to more permanently fill the position of Seneschal. I know it is far beneath your abilities and heritage, and I do not presume to order you nor will I ever take your service and presence for granted."
"It brings me much joy to be your friend and advisor. You yourself served Ereinion for far longer than one with your stature and heritage would be required. I am most honored to be Seneschal of the quiet valley haven, though, intermittent trips to Mithlond, Lothlórien, and Greenwood would be most appreciated."
"You drive an easy bargain." Elrond laughed. "You are most welcome to travel at your leisure."
"Except for the first fifty years of any of your offspring's lives." Glorfindel smirked. "Any child of Elrond is likely quite susceptible to heart-stopping adventures in their youth. With my luck, it will be twin sons who require protecting, as twins run in your family. I must insist on extra pampering to adequately compensate my efforts."