Rewritten this chapter to have the confrontation happen in a tavern instead of at the banquet, with Mornel not being an active participant in the mess.

Confrontation

Two days after their visit to Finrod's villa, Orodreth and his wife left hastily for Lorien in the company of the Maia Aiwendil. The residents of the villa were tight-lipped about the reasons for the sudden flight. The details were vague at first but the birds who lived in Tirion and around Finrod's villa did talk. It just took Mornel some time to piece the snippets of information gleaned from city sparrows, magpies, crows, and a particularly grumpy owl together to make sense. Helwien ran into Lady Eldalote by chance at the market and managed to get the rest of the story from her.

"So it's that foolish Sinda wife overdoing it with the poppy all this while?" Caranthir snorted in disgust.

"Well, it was a close one, and Aiwendil got there in time," Mornel explained as she tried her hand at embroidering a handkerchief. Any later and they would have had to appeal to Lord Namo… Salabeth had gone to rouse her husband for his meal, only to find him cold and barely breathing. Her alarmed shrieks had brought the rest of the household running. Finrod had quickly diagnosed an overdose of poppy and gone for help. It was fortunate that Master Aiwendil had taken up temporary residence in his orange grove to better understand the nesting habits of birds.

Helwien had laughed as Eldalote related how Prince Finrod had roused the Maia from his slumber by literally shaking him out of his nest. They were able to keep Orodreth from slipping into Mandos a second time but it would take the skilled Maiar of Lorien to undo any damage he might have suffered from his wife's carelessness.

"Lady Eldalote told me Salabeth was beside herself with fear of losing her husband. Since that banquet, she had been dosing him to keep the nightmares away… He's lousy at shielding…" Helwien added.

"Doesn't work that way at all," Caranthir shook his head. "Such methods might stop the nightmares from reaching her, but it doesn't mean Orodreth is free of their shadow. We tried dosing my brother, after Angband… Half the time the nightmares still came and more intensely…" He paled under his freckles and shuddered.

Some nights in Amon Ereb were so bad for Maedhros that all his brothers were affected by his nightmares, even with the doses of poppy and calming tisanes he was relying on to find relief. They would lie awake listening his screams. Celegorm or Maglor might brave his fury to enter his bedroom and soothe him. Even when they did manage to enter reverie, their dreams were tainted with darkness and blood. At least here in Aman, Morgoth could not touch them from the Void, could he?

"Finrod is kicking himself for not recognizing the signs sooner," Mornel added as she sucked her finger after pricking it. She had heard the news from her bird-friends of how Finrod had blamed himself. Finrod might be less inclined to blame Orodreth for losing Minas Tirith in his current state. Perhaps Lorien might help Orodreth recover, without the need for his wife to dose him into insensibility.

"How's Finduilas coping?" Mornel asked.

"Oh, that poor child! With all the uproar, Lady Indis intends to take her to Valmar when she leaves Tirion tomorrow… Mind you, it is quite a journey but she will be closer to her parents in Lorien, and away from that loathsome Lord Guilin," Helwien added. "Would you believe that elf has the nerve to spread the word about Laurelosse and his son Gelmir getting betrothed?"

Caranthir laughed heartily, seized his wife round the waist, and kissed her on the lips. "Let him make a fool of himself."

Mornel grinned impishly as her brother related the news the siblings had heard from their Aunt Lalwen that very morning to his wife. Lord Ecthelion of the Fountain and their little cousin Laurelosse were to be officially betrothed. The surprise announcement would be made at an upcoming court banquet celebrating the last fruit and flower of the Trees. However, it was already an open secret.

It was almost a pity she had made arrangements to leave the city for Lorien, where she hoped she would be of more use to her kinsman Orodreth. She only hoped that there would not be trouble at the banquet from any of Laurelosse's disappointed suitors.


"Why, I never thought I would see this – Cousin Caranthir and Angrod drinking together!"

Both elves turned at the elleth's voice to see a smiling Idril and her husband. Caranthir had to admit that Angrod was a fair sparring partner despite the occasional squabble. Finrod was a little too restrained in the training yard for a good workout.

"We just ran into each other," Caranthir lied. It was Caranthir who had suggested the tavern for its strong ale and authentic Sindar cuisine. "Isn't this too rough a place for a lady?"

"If it's good enough for Helwien, it's good enough for me," Idril retorted.

"We won't be staying long. Just need to pick up a friend…" Tuor replied. "Ah, there he is!"

He nodded at Voronwe across the taproom, who was taking way too much ale. The news of the informal betrothal had spread despite the palace's attempts to keep it quiet before the Noldoran's announcement. Voronwe was one of the many thwarted hopefuls.

"It's official then?" Voronwe slurred as he looked up. His father had encouraged him to press his suit, claiming that the lady was favourably disposed to him despite indications to the contrary. His good friend Tuor had warned him about getting his hopes too high.

"It will be after the banquet tomorrow," Idril replied as she firmly took Voronwe's tankard away from him. She motioned for Tuor to help her with Voronwe.

"Need to clear my head…" Voronwe murmured and allowed Tuor to lead him in the direction of the privies where he would likely be sick. Judging from the empty tankards on his table, a major hangover was unavoidable.

"At least Laurelosse has made her heart clear to all," Caranthir said as he downed his ale. "Too bad her brother is nowhere near to crack the skulls of those who refuse to accept her decision. Perhaps as a Balrog-slayer himself, our gentle Lord of the Fountain could convince them…"

"Ellyn," Idril murmured as she shook her head. She had experienced her share of difficult suitors during her time in Gondolin. Hopefully, Voronwe had the good sense not to make a nuisance of himself at the banquet to which he and his father were invited as members of the nobility. She sat down beside her cousins and ordered a mild ale for herself and a strong one for her husband. She had visited the establishment before with Mornel and Helwien in search of proper Sindar cuisine.

"I expect he will send apologies for illness and excuse himself," Caranthir predicted as he glanced at Idril. Like the older elves, she wore the garb of a commoner. Still, her golden hair and fair looks attracted more attention than usual. This tavern was not known to be frequented by the Noldor nobility.

"Isn't that Lord Guilin and his son over there?" Idril asked nonchalantly. Her companions frowned and looked in the direction she indicated. She was right.

"Excuse me, I need to have some words with him over my granddaughter…" Angrod slammed his empty tankard onto the table.

"Let's not be hasty…" Caranthir warned. Still, he excused himself and went after Angrod. It was to be expected that Angrod's patience over the shoddy treatment and malicious slander against Finduilas would eventually run out. Guilin would soon learn the truth of her cousin's epesse of Iron-Handed.

"Did I miss something?" Tuor asked as he returned alone. Voronwe had requested some minutes of privacy to nurse his broken heart in the back alley. Tuor would check on him after enjoying a tankard of his own.

"I do think we will have need of the City Watch soon…" his wife replied with a grim smile. It was not every day that Angrod and a Feanorion, especially Caranthir the Dark, would stand together.

"Pity, this is really good ale…" Tuor took a swallow of his ale before the punches started flying. Dodging a stool, his wife took his arm and the couple fled after leaving a generous tip on the table for the owner.


Dearest Coz

The announcement went off without a hitch. Uncle Ara has arranged for us to have a formal wedding portrait done before the big day. Aunt Anaire has volunteered to help us with my trousseau. It is a little odd the fuss they are making, given that I am not officially a princess like Amme, but Amme says to allow him and Aunt Anaire this little indulgence given that they missed out on the weddings of Cousin Galadriel (did I get her Sindarized name right?) and Idril. Lord Tuor had a few words with Voronwe. I am pleased to hear that both he and my beloved are friends once more. He missed the announcement, being unwell. Ecthelion and I sent him a get-well-soon fruit basket.

It was a pity Cousins Caranthir and Angrod were absent too, locked up for drunkenness and rowdy behaviour. Cousin Finrod had to drop by the watch-house after the banquet to have them freed. Seems they had some altercation with Lord Guilin and his son in a local tavern. I do hope they work things out before Uncle Ara decides to send them all on a long journey south or something. Gelmir would be a nicer ellon if he quit following his father so blindly. I can understand how Guilin feels about the love-triangle between Finduilas, his son, and that Turin, but seriously, that was an entire Age ago. Shouldn't we move on already? I guess Gelmir still blames himself for what happened with his brother. At least he did not provoke Caranthir into killing him given some dolt locked them in the same cell. Or should I credit your brother with his restraint?

You will be present for our big day, won't you? It's a pity Master Olorin says there is no way we can get news to my brother. We do so wish he could be a part of the wedding party but there is no way we can wait an Age or two for his return.

Many hugs and kisses,

Laurelosse, soon-to-be Lady of the Fountain

P.S. I know Aunt Anaire means well by acting as our chaperone. However, we are both grown elves and it is getting rather tiresome to have her cough every time we hold hands.

P.P.S. Ecthelion sends his good wishes and hopes for Orodreth's recovery.


"Oh dear, I do wonder where Angarato got his temper from given how mild his parents both are…" Aunt Findis clicked her tongue and pinned a sheet on the clothesline.

"You have never seen Uncle Ara in battle," Mornel grinned as she put aside the letter she had just received from a Maia. Aunt Findis had been informed beforehand of the impending betrothal but she had not known of the brawl her nephews had been caught up with.

"I will be writing to Angarato shortly about his son, after Salabeth's lessons," Findis had taken it upon herself to tutor Orodreth's wife in herb-lore. It was a bit of a struggle in the first few days given the language barrier but Findis had picked up enough Sindarin to communicate with her student.

"How's Orodreth?" Orodreth had been taken to Lady Este's isle, where the most critical cases were treated solely by the Maiar. Salabeth's lessons helped take her mind off her spouse. Findis had pointed out that she was no use to anyone fretting on the lake shore when she could be learning proper healing.

"He is much better now. He should be able to receive visitors in the next few days, once he leaves the isle," Findis pinned up the last of her laundry.

"What was Orodreth like as an elfling?" Mornel asked.

"Mischievous at times, like all elflings I suppose. Liked growing things – flowers and herbs… Rather quiet in some ways…" Findis smiled wistfully. "A regular little scholar…" All this was not new to Mornel, who had heard them from Lady Eldalote.

"Oh, he thought the world of his Atto… I suppose all boys are the same in that. He wanted to partake in the martial arts under Lord Tulkas like his father did but Eldalote thought him too young and frail for such rough sport back then."

"Really?" Mornel remarked. Among the Avari and Silvans, training started young for their warriors. Elflings would be mentored and trained by their elders in various skills necessary for the well-being of their community. Some might be identified as potential shamans or healers, others as warriors, hunters, or craftspeople according to their aptitudes. A talented warrior was allowed to lead a troop into battle regardless of his or her age. Mornel had known of a highly dangerous but successful ice-bear hunt led by a huntress barely into her adolescence and a trio of trainees who had yet to earn their warrior-braids.

"Eldalote's people had hopes that he would be a disciple of Lady Yavanna or Lady Este, before the Darkening happened. Angarato and Aikanaro were already trying out wrestling moves on each other and their playmates before they were even in the schoolroom, but never that child. He's more likely to be admiring roses in the garden with Itarille or planting daisies."

Author's Notes:

Ran into a bit of a block on how Mornel can help Orodreth in Tirion, so I have removed the family to Lorien and Valmar for now. I have officially paired Ecthelion and Glorfindel's sister for this fic, and Laurelosse might be more insightful than she lets on.

It's a quirk of Findis in this fic-verse insisting on using the Quenya names of her family.