DISCLAIMER: See Chapter One.

11.

Music

Katy thought she would have to explain the rules of chess to her visitor. That would have been a bit awkward, since she hadn't played chess in years and had probably forgotten half the rules. Gil-galad solved that problem not only by knowing the rules better than she did, but by defeating her soundly four times in a row.

"Where did you learn how to play?" she asked.

"Círdan taught me how to play when I first arrived at the Havens; years later, we taught Elrond and Elros."

"I first learned at school. We had a chess club, and I used to play a few games with my dad. He probably let me win most of the time." Katy placed the pieces back on the board, ready for a fifth game. She hoped that Gil-galad didn't think she was letting him win.

Katy looked up to see a knowing smile on his face, but she was startled to see sadness in his eyes again.

"Is everything all right?" she asked. She wanted to reach out and gently put a hand on his arm, as she would if Sasha or Natalie were upset. She only just stopped herself – Gil-galad might not like such familiarity, and it would probably be inappropriate for Katy to do that anyway.

Gil-galad nodded slowly. "Yes, thank you. I was thinking of Elros when he was a child, before he made his choice. Elrond still deeply misses him."

Katy looked down at her lap. Oh. She wanted to ask what Elrond and Elros were like as children. In fact, there were so many things she wanted to ask him; but remembering Elros had clearly upset him and she didn't want to ask questions about a sensitive subject.

"What music is this?"

Katy had put on a playlist of music by the Mediaeval Baebes. She had explained how an MP3 player and speakers worked to her guest, and set the playlist on repeat.

"The singers are a choral group called the Mediaeval Baebes. I'd be very happy to turn it off if you don't like it."

"Katy. I was not going to say I do not like the music. I do like it, and I was merely going to ask what the words of this particular song mean. I believe I made it very clear to you that I am not going to harm you. You have no reason to be afraid of me." Gil-galad spoke calmly and firmly.

"I'm sorry. I will relax more, I promise. To answer your question, this song is called 'Pearl'. It's about a river, and the happiness it brings to the singer. In fact, he thinks he'll find paradise on the other side of the river if he crosses it. These singers take old texts, songs and poems and write music for them."

Come on, Katy. You're perfectly safe with him. He's not going to hurt you.

'Love Me Broughte' was the next song in the playlist. Katy had to consider her answer very carefully when Gil-galad asked her what this one was about.

"I guess…this song is about Ilúvatar."

Gil-galad's response was a solemn nod.

To be continued. Reviews are very welcome!