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Chapter Thirty-Eight: Verno ar Vesse

As his horse gently trotted along toward the mountains ahead where the figures of soldiers training lay, Glorfindel took a moment to glance back at the growing city behind him. Towers and high spires reaching towards the heavens drew his eyes upward but below was a sprawling city of white with buildings and homes completed. The grand wall and waterfalls cascading over their heights were the last plans that were left to build in the final stages of the new city.

Though, Gondolin was truly not quite done, in the sense of the basic design it was. The people of Vinyamar would add on their own individual flair as they settled in their new home. Groups of citizenry would start coming, gradually at first, in the next decade. The travelers would have to be small and travel quickly as to avoid any evil supporters of Morgoth seeing them. However, Turgon had already begun sending essential people to prepare for the families and others. All would be lost if Turgon's hidden city were to be found out before anyone were to begin residing there.

Glorfindel sighed, hoping that Turgon would let Elrilya come in the earliest settlers. The possibility was unlikely due to her status with Turgon's family, which would have her leaving Vinyamar in the last journeys. Either way, she would soon be in his arms. Turgon had allowed Glorfindel a stay in Vinyamar of seven years after his binding to Elrilya so that they could be together for a time. Now, however, he had been gone nigh five years and he missed her every moment they were parted. Glorfindel had even developed a habit of twisting his ring around his finger whenever his idle thoughts rested on Elrilya again. He only hoped time would pass quick enough for him to see her soonest.

Coming closer to his soldiers' training grounds, Glorfindel espied Ecthelion at the edge watching intently with his arms crossed. Glorfindel had to smile to himself regarding Ecthelion because the captain tried to be serious at times but usually was the more light-hearted of any of the guard, always having a humorous comment or encouraging remark to say. He was also a thinker who kept more personal matters to himself yet still managed to be amiable with all. Glorfindel supposed that was why no one had discovered the secret relationship Ecthelion had with Aredhel, save Glorfindel through his sighting by accident.

"The day is ideal for our training," Ecthelion said as Glorfindel dismounted next to him. "Though, our soldiers are hardly needing instruction much more, they all know so much now."

"It is best to keep at practice even in peace," Glorfindel said with a sigh. "We shall be improved and survive a battle that may come to us unawares."

"Too true," Ecthelion agreed. "That is one thing they still must learn."

"The realization comes with age and experience," Glorfindel chuckled. "That is why we are their superiors and teachers to show them the path."

"I thought you only got this position because you are Turgon's kinsman?"

Glorfindel narrowed his eyes at the Noldori captain who was struggling to keep a straight face. Usually he could remain passive after a good quip but Glorfindel's reactions usually were well worth the break of custom to not laugh. Glorfindel was about to respond when a rider from the gate in the mountains rode up next to them.

"Lord Glorfindel, more of King Turgon's assignments have arrived," the young ellon informed him. "They will be here shortly to greet you."

"Very well," Glorfindel sighed as he looked across the valley to see the approaching riders. "I wonder who he has sent now."

"Cooks perhaps?" the captain offered hopefully, standing next to Glorfindel. "The same meals are always cooked by Ireth and is becoming quite predictable and bland."

"So I was not the only one," Glorfindel chuckled quietly.

They both turned fully to greet the nearby riders whose leader dismounted swiftly as they stopped. The ellon was another of Glorfindel's soldiers who had been assigned to travel to and from Vinyamar with the important citizens to finish with the preparations.

"My lord," he said with a slight bow of his head. "Lord Turgon has sent along more blacksmiths and miners as well as another healer to take the place of our lead healer here so that she may prepare her family back in Vinyamar to come to Gondolin."

"Wonderful," Glorfindel said with a smile, hearing a disappointed sigh next to him from Ecthelion. "Show them to where they can take their supplies and belongings."

"Lord Glorfindel," the ellon called Glorfindel back as he began to step back to the training. "It may be best if you show the healer yourself."

Not expecting such a statement from his soldier, Glorfindel turned back just as another figure came forth, drawing back a hood. His eyes lit up as he realized Elrilya stood before him and without a pause of hesitation; Glorfindel swept her into his arms. The soldier glanced over to Ecthelion a moment, uncertain if he should stay or say anything else to his captain. Ecthelion gave him a nod with his head to go on ahead to the city before clearing his throat out of discretion.

The soldiers and Ecthelion had noticed a definite change in Glorfindel since his binding ceremony in Vinyamar. No longer did he hold back from showing his love to his spouse in public but openly encouraged it with Elrilya unless of course some politeness should be observed. However, no one minded his current display of affection and welcome to Elrilya since they could understand his missing her after quite some time. They drew apart after Ecthelion's second cough reminding them where they were and others were nearby.

"Go on, I can finish with them here," Ecthelion said as he smiled.

Glorfindel returned the smile and led Elrilya back to her horse, helping her mount it then climbing onto his own steed, a third horse was tied by rope to Elrilya's carrying supplies and belongings. They rode slowly toward the city as he realized she was taking it all in for the first time with her own eyes rather than through his thoughts and memories. Glorfindel also noted she must have closed off her mind so that she could surprise him at the right moment without his knowing. She had succeeded well, he thought to himself.

"Why did Turgon let you come so soon?" he asked finally.

"I no longer am an apprentice," she said gladly. "He would have sent Náriël but she recently discovered she is with child. She suggested to Turgon that I be allowed to go in her place so that I can ready everything for her and the others."

Reaching across the gap between their horses, Glorfindel took her hand and squeezed it.

"I am proud of you," he said lovingly at the news of her promotion. "I was hoping that Turgon was not doing strange favors for me."

"Nay, Náriël said I earned it," Elrilya said with a smile.

"Much better," he said as he led her toward their new home.

Glossary

Verno ar Vesse: husband and wife