A/N: I have been ill and had to take time off from everything including writing. Hopefully, this year will be a better one for me. Here is the next chapter for the readers who have been patiently waiting. Thank you.
King's Tower. July 17, Second Age 145
GIL-GALAD ran his hand through the empty space next to him, the place where Silwen would have been. Sunlight filtered through the sheer silk curtains, each flutter a sigh and a whisper in answer to the warm winds from the open window. The silver stars Silwen embroidered on the curtains glittered reminding Gil-galad of his beloved's moonbeam hair. Many mornings, he had lain next to her, watching her sleep, thankful for each rise and fall of her breast.
"I miss you," Gil-galad whispered into the pillow and buried his face, inhaling the scent of the sea flowers that still lingered there. He could still feel the warmth of her. He wanted to stay there, remain buried in the scent of her, but she would not have approved. And he had promised her.
Someone opened his chamber door. Elendur coughed, a practice his valet used to 'nag' at Gil-galad.
The king sat up on the bed. "I'm up."
"Have you had a restful sleep, Your Majesty?" Elendur pulled aside the curtains as he placed a golden tray with a glass of water on the bedside table.
"I did until that ruckus in the palace."
"Sire?" Elendur blinked. "I have not heard anything."
Elendur knew everything that went on in the palace. It was a source of pride for him.
"Probably nothing," Gil-galad said. He could not explain to Elendur the change that was taking place inside. Ever since his union with Silwen, he felt as if a gate had been thrown open and all his powers that slept within burst forth. He sensed things he didn't even know he could sense.
"Everything is ready for our travel to the Grey Havens, your Majesty. Will you be traveling with Lord Commander after the meal?"
Gil-galad nodded. The Council would not convene until Autumn and his uncle was away with his family at Forlond although Belegor was back on duty. As for himself, Gil-galad was scheduled to spend the rest of the summer with Lord Cirdan who had informed him that the tower Gil-galad had designed to memorialize Silwen had begun its construction.
Sighing, Gil-galad headed to Gilmagor's chamber which was two stories below his. The hallways of the palace were usually quiet this early, but this morning, Gil-galad sensed a disturbance despite the seeming tranquility. Twice weekly, the king broke his fast with the chief councilor and Lord Commander in a more casual setting to listen to the reports and discuss what went on in his realm.
When he was near Gilmagor's chamber, the king saw the Lord Commander walk up one of the side stairs.
Even with a crutch, Gilmagor was still up and about early in the morning. It seemed to the king that the old Elf barely slept.
"What has happened?" the king asked the Lord Commander.
Gilmagor dismissed the Royal Guards following the king, then opened his chamber door.
"Something happened during the night, didn't it?" Gil-galad said as he entered the sparsely decorated chamber of Lord Commander and followed the elder Elf into the balcony where the servants were setting up a table for a morning meal.
"Nothing worth reporting."
"Come, now, Lord Commander. I felt the disturbance in the South Tower during the night. You will not tell me that there was nothing."
Gilmagor looked up with a slight frown.
"You felt that? You must be coming into your power now."
The king shrugged. His uncle and Gilmagor had told him that once he established a close affinity with his realm, he may, if his power was strong enough, feel disturbances within his realm.
Gil-galad had been the king of this realm for over a century and a half, and it was only now that he was beginning to sense things.
"How far is your reach?" the Lord Commander asked.
"Not much," Gil-galad rubbed his neck. "Just a feeling here and there and only within the King's Tower."
"It will take time. Your father never got to that point. Even Lord Fingolfin took several decades after he became the king that he managed to extend his senses beyond the palace grounds. It was not until the last years of his reign that he was able to sense everything within the boundary of Hithlum."
"My father was the king for only sixteen years. I have been king for a century and a half but only now I am beginning to sense. But, you still have not answered me, master."
"It was nothing. Just pranksters. They broke into the cellar. I had a guard stationed at the cellar door." Gilmagor waved his hand when the king frowned. "Just to avoid the repeat of what happened last Midsummer Festival. Nothing serious. But, earlier today, that guard was knocked unconscious." Gilmagor offered the king a cup of tea.
Gil-galad blinked. It was hard to believe. "They attacked a guard?"
"More like they were surprised, and they reacted. With one of the five Gondolin wine bottles. The guard is fine although the bottle is lost."
"How did they manage to get into the cellar? Who would dare?" the king said and knew by the look on Gilmagor's face that the swordmaster knew the identity of the culprits. "You know who they are. The guard told you, did he not? Tell me. And don't hold back."
Gilmagor sighed but said with resignation in his voice, "Thranduil." Then, he added, "And Elrond."
Gil-galad could not help his mouth from hanging open. Thranduil, he could understand. The Sinda seemed to be involved in every trouble that occurred in Lindon ever since he came to stay here. But Elrond?
"The guard must have hit his head rather hard. Thranduil, I understand, but Elrond? Does that even make sense to you?"
"Elrond confessed to me himself," Gilmagor said. "After speaking to the guard, I was on my way back to the palace and found the two…fighting by the edge of the lake. I ordered them to come see me later in the morning when they were properly dressed, but Elrond followed me. He confessed that it was all his idea, that he dragged Thranduil into it."
"I find that hard to believe. This is Elrond we are talking about. The prudent, strait-laced, even-tempered Elf. I am sure he is trying to take the blame for Thranduil's sake. I'll talk to Elrond myself," the king said and got up from the table.
Just then, a servant knocked on the screen that separated the balcony from Gilmagor's sitting room.
"Lord Commander, Officer Thranduil Oropherion of the Royal Guards wishes to speak with you," said a servant.
Gilmagor looked at the king, shook his head when Gil-galad stood up, before walking into the sitting room. Gil-galad sat back down. It was too early in the morning anyway. And although he could not see them, he could hear them.
"I thought I told you to report to my office," Gilmagor said.
"I just wanted you to know, sir, that it was I who took Elrond into the cellar. I planned it and instructed him to just follow along. The fault was mine. I am sure you know that he is not one who would even think of doing such a thing."
"Is that so? That is exactly what Elrond said when he caught up to me after I left you two. He said he was the one who thought of it and convinced you of it."
Thranduil scoffed aloud. "And, you believe him? You know as well as I that he is not capable of such trickery. I made the plans. He followed to keep me in line."
"So, you are telling me Elrond is a liar?"
"No, my lord. I am not saying he is a liar. He is just trying to defend me. It is typical of him, is it not? I do not wish to owe him by letting him take a punishment he does not deserve. It is his way to try to take all the blame. You know how he is."
The king nodded to himself as he listened. That made perfect sense.
"Yes, he is rather soft-hearted which you are not, I presume?" Lord Gilmagor said.
The king wondered where the Lord Commander was going with this questioning.
"You know I am not, sir." Thranduil sounded brazen.
"Then, why are you defending him?"
"I am not. I'm just trying to take responsibility for my actions as you have always lectured us to do."
"Indeed?"
There was a long moment of silence before Gilmagor spoke again.
"Do you know what is a punishment for stealing? Never mind that you broke into the king's cellar and knocked out a guard?"
"It was only for sport." It was said quietly but there was a hint of defiance in Thranduil's tone. "And I did not mean to hit the guard, and I heard he was not hurt."
"You didn't mean it, so it is acceptable? Do you know what I heard mortals do to those who steal? They cut off the hands that did the stealing as a punishment."
The king grimaced. As much as he wanted to see Thranduil punished, especially for dragging Elrond into this, and the king was certain it was Thranduil who instigated it, such punishment seemed violent and unfit for the crime committed.
"How barbaric! Will Noldor follow such savage custom of Men?" Thranduil said. There was a definite sneer in his voice.
"If necessary. Since you do not agree, what do you think is a fitting punishment for such a crime? If you were the owner of something valuable that was stolen, what would you do?" Lord Gilmagor asked.
"It was only wine, not some priceless treasure."
"Oh, is it? That bottle that you used to knock over the guard was one of only five bottles of wine from Gondolin."
"Still, it was only wine."
"A wine from a city that no longer exists in Middle Earth."
"Whether it was from the halls of Valar or from Gondolin, it was still wine. How could one compare another's life or even a body part to the value of wine?" Thranduil's voice was full of challenge.
"There are some who would have given their lives to have a few precious things from Gondolin."
"Only Noldor would be willing to give up life for material things," Thranduil scoffed.
"You forget to whom you speak," Lord Gilmagor's words were an icy whip.
The king felt himself go rigid. But Thranduil did not hesitate as he spat the next words.
"No, Lord Commander. You forget to whom youspeak. Many of us who had to leave the burning Menegroth behind didn't even have a cape over our backs, never mind carry a bottle of wine." Thranduil's voice was hard and cold. "At least it was the Enemy that destroyed your home. Mine was destroyed by those I thought were kin."
Gil-galad's heart hammered as the words struck him. The devastation at Sirion had been harder to face because it was the hands of his own kin that had destroyed it. It had taken centuries for his people to find their light again after Sirion.
There was another long silence until Thranduil spoke again. Surprisingly, the Sinda's voice was muted lacking the defiance of the moment ago.
"I will report myself to Lieutenant Gwindir for appropriate punishment. All I ask is for you to reconsider your judgement of Elrond. We would not be in this predicament if it wasn't for my actions."
"A crime committed together are punished together. As I have said to Elrond, you will report to my office after leaving here and wait for my decision. Dismissed."
Gil-galad heard Thranduil walk away and the chamber door open.
"If it meant that much to you, take my hands," Thranduil said. Then, the door closed.
The king walked into the sitting room and found Lord Gilmagor sitting behind his desk, his hands tented in front of him.
"He is as insolent as ever," Gil-galad said approaching the desk. "He certainly says whatever he wants, doesn't he? I envy him that, at least." The king shook his head looking at the door to the chamber. "Should we just take his hands? He offered. That'll surely prevent him from getting into any further mischief." Gil-galad grinned and turned to his swordmaster. "Don't let him get to you, master. He is like that with everybody."
Gil-galad remembered Thranduil's words to him at their last meeting. The Sinda did not hold back one bit.
"As hard as it is to listen, he speaks what is true." Gilmagor's voice was quiet and grave. "There is much sorrow in that lad."
"There is much sorrow in all of us, all those who lived through the First Age."
"Even so, I feel he is changing."
"How so?"
"The very first time when I met him, there had been anger, grief, and pain. The pain and grief are still there, and I don't expect he will ever forget the wrongs that were done to him. Yet it seems to me, the heat of his anger has subdued."
"Time heals us all." Gil-galad hoped.
"I hope you are right, Ereinion." Gilmagor sighed. "If Sauron is here in this land and if he is scheming to fill the void his master left, we will need every Elf united as one. We are much diminished from what we once were, not only in numbers but in strength. If we are to face another Dark Lord, we will need to be united. Every one of us."
"Do you think it is possible?" Gil-galad looked out of the window remembering the look of pure hatred in Thranduil's eyes that day at the Great Hall. Gil-galad shivered remembering what he had promised Silwen, that he will do everything possible to realize their dream of a united Elven realm. But can they reach beyond such hatred?
"When I first met Thranduil, I wasn't so sure," said Gilmagor. "It is hard to break out of our own prejudices we have carried for too many years. And even harder to let go of anger that had been simmering. But, I see Thranduil and my heart hopes." Gilmagor looked into the king's eyes. "It will depend a lot on you, Ereinion, as our king and the leader of our people. When the water that flows from the top is pure, it can clear the clouds of the water downstream. The words you speak, the actions you take, all those things will matter whether you want it or not. Your views and actions will be emulated by your people, just as my soldiers will be affected by the words and actions of their officers. It is why a role of a leader is a difficult one."
"I understand." Gil-galad dropped his head. "I used to think it was such a burden. How I wished to escape it. But Silwen showed me that if I change how I see things, it will make a lot of difference." He smiled. "She said being a king is a lot like being a gardener. It is up to me to work the soil to enrich it for the seeds, to protect the seedlings, to make sure they are planted with care, that they are protected from the weather. And if I am diligent, fair and open, many flowers could bloom and thrive together in this garden. She said I was blessed because I was given a rare gift to work the land that is not under harsh weather as had been my grandfather and father."
Will you refuse to plant seeds in fear of what the winter will bring? Gil-galad was reminded of Silwen's words.
"Perhaps the winter looms with the danger of frost, but if I can protect the plants from this frost that is to come, there is a chance our people can send out deep roots and thrive in this land. Perchance, this is a chance for me to rid this world of the dark lord and shape it into the world of beauty and peace that my people had dreamed of, a world where all of us could live together and be just Elves, the children of Eru, and not Noldor or Sindar or Nandor."
The king walked over to a window feeling the cool breeze from the Gulf of Lune.
"Winter will come regardless of what I want. One day, niphredils and elanors may wither and even uilos may no longer flower. The world may utterly forget that they existed and bloomed in this land, but you and I will know it had. And sometimes, that is enough. I will not fear the frost. I will not stop planting and stop tending the garden in fear of what may come. I only wish…I wish I had known this before."
Gil-galad took in a breath and stood up straight. He felt as if he could finally understand what it meant to be a king. He hoped he had enough time left to him to do all that he wanted to achieve, what he and Silwen dreamed for this realm, before leaving it.
Gilmagor bowed. "Indeed, we are all Elves. I believe you are right, Sire. If we work together, if we can be united, we could overcome what this follower of Morgoth will bring. What we need now is time. If we have enough time in our hands, we can be prepared to meet whatever this servant of the Enemy brings."
"And, Captain Astalder, he is out there now trying to give us the time we need."
Lord Gilmagor's face turned grave upon hearing the name of his nephew. The King's heart felt heavy. Gilmagor had intended to sail on the ship that left Grey Havens after the New Year, but when no news from the Captain came from the North, the Lord Commander had given up the idea of sailing to wait for the news of his nephew.
"Have you had any news from the captain?"
"Not since the raven sent by the Dwarves at the end of Stirring."
The last message was from Lord Hanar and not from Captain Astalder. According to the Dwarven lord, Lord Onar led the party of Silmacil down to where the dragon was buried. When they reached the bottom of the chasm underneath the King's Isle, they found the mound disturbed. And there was a tunnel. Lord Onar himself led the Silmacil through the freshly excavated tunnel which led through the root of the Blue Mountains. According to the letter, they emerged somewhere at the north tip of the mountain range. It was there that they were attacked by a company of Orcs and wargs. And a dragon. When the smoke and shouts dissipated, many had fallen. One of the Dwarves who had followed Lord Onar had been knocked unconscious and when he woke, he was buried under the bodies of slain Orcs and a pile of fresh snow. Among the slain Dwarves, they found a body of two of the six Silmacil warriors. There was no trace of Lord Onar, the two guards in Lord Onar's service, and the rest of Silmacil.
Lord Gilmagor had sent another group of Silmacil to look for their whereabouts, but they returned unable to find any trace.
"Maybe he is at a place where he could not send a message without giving out his location. I heard it was typical for the Silmacil to be out there several months at a time, sometimes years without contact." Gil-galad suppressed his own unease.
Lord Gilmagor had even tried to reach the captain using Sanwe-latya, but he could not reach his nephew. But, Gil-galad had been told that it was usual practice for the warriors to close their minds when near the abode of enemies. Opening one's mind allowed it to be exposed to powerful enemies. And someone like Sauron would know how to exploit it.
Gilmagor nodded and smiled although it did not reach his gray eyes.
"Now you are reassuring me. I remember when it was the other way around."
"I will not let the negative things wear me down. There will always be problems, sorrows, and losses. They will shape us in what we do, what we think, but we need not be defined by them. I will not let those things rule me nor let them waste opportunities. Not again."
"Her time with you had been brief, but she had left you with much."
"She hasn't left me. She is here." Gil-galad touched his heart.
Gilmagor's gray eyes warmed.
"You are right, My King. We need to focus on what we can do rather than agonize over things that we have no control over. You will rule; I will train. As for Sauron, for now, at least, I must leave him to Astalder and his Silmacil."
Gilmagor came and stood next to Gil-galad, and they looked out the window together.
"So, what do you plan to do with Elrond and Thranduil? How's the guard who was knocked unconscious?"
"The guard was soaked with wine, but our healer didn't find any notable injury."
"I guess he will testify at the hearing against both of them?"
"There will not be any hearing because the guard said he didn't remember anything."
"Was he hit that hard?"
"More like he was covering for them both," said Gilmagor. "He was one of the new recruits from last year trained by Thranduil and Elrond."
"Even if he does not 'remember,' there were other guards there."
"Others insisted that they didn't have a good look at them because it was so dark out during the night."
"They are also the new recruits from last year?"
Gilmagor nodded. "At least, the two down by the cellar were."
"Then, you have no case against them?"
"Had it not been for their own confession, no. But, as is, both Elrond and Thranduil confessed."
The king itched to intervene but knew that it would only make things worse for the two officers.
"We will take them with us to the Grey Havens. I plan to set them to guard duty at the Tower Hills."
"I hope not for the whole summer?" Due to the remote location, Gil-galad knew it was the least favored guard duty among the soldiers. "I heard they haven't got back their light yet. They will need to find their light before the council convenes in the Fall."
"Mistress Taurien will accompany us."
Gil-galad felt sorry for Elrond.
"Elrond was really looking forward to going camping at Eriador. He wanted to meet the Ents."
Gil-galad knew how much Elrond was looking forward to it. He felt bad for Thranduil, too, but the Sinda probably deserved the punishment.
Gil-galad frowned when a realization hit him. This is exactly the kind of thinking I must change, the king reminded himself. If he were to be the king for all Elves, then, he needed to treat each one as one of his own. In order to gain trust, he needed to give trust.
"They could still go, just not too far into Eriador. They will have about a week of free time before we return to Lindon."
"They? Is it wise to keep them together? It seems when they are together, they tend to get more into trouble."
"I spoke with Mistress Taurien yesterday on the progress of their light. It was her suggestion that I keep them together. She believes their shared past is the key to unlocking their light."
"Their past is hardly similar, and not much of it shared."
"That may be so, but I trust her judgment. And if there is one lesson I learned from all that happened during the past winter, it is that separation is not an answer. Shared experiences, however small, bind people together. When you argue and fight, you are forced to hear the other side. It is when we listen only to the views that are like our own that we become stunted, blind and deaf. We end up unaware of our own prejudices, or worse, strengthen them. But, to grow, to see and hear better, we need to open ourselves to differing views, cultures, and opinions. Thranduil and Elrond may share only a sliver of their past together, but that small piece may have more impact than all others, and their different background may give them insights into each other that they could not see by being alone. No matter how different, when thrown together, they may reach a new understanding. Look at your uncle and Lord Cirdan."
The king nodded remembering the change in his uncle. Lord Lammaeg had never stayed long in the Grey Havens prior to the past winter. While at the Isle of Balar, Lord Lammaeg and Lord Cirdan clashed often and kept to their own side of the island. After the Great War when they settled in Lindon, Lammaeg stayed at Forlond, the city farthest from the Grey Havens. The brief times Lord Lammaeg stayed at Grey Havens, he brought his own food and servants, but during the past winter, due to the long stay, Lammaeg had no choice but to accept Lord Cirdan's hospitality.
"Do you remember your uncle's face when he was first offered the sea stew?" Gilmagor laughed out loud. "Now, he can't get enough."
"It seems he is more accepting of Lord Cirdan, also." Gil-galad smiled remembering more pleasant conversations he had with the two elder lords.
"Lammaeg may have finally understood that Lord Cirdan is no threat to him and to this realm. Despite how he seemed to have opposed you at every turn, your uncle loves you. Loves this realm. All he wants is to keep both safe."
"I know." Gil-galad turned to the Lord Commander. "Isn't that also the reason why you threw Belegor and Thranduil together? You hope they will come to understand each other."
"They both have issues they need to resolve. And I will not teach alapente to any warrior who does not know how to control his anger."
"I know you spoke of teaching Elrond the technique, but I did not expect you were planning to teach others."
"Both Belegor and Erfaron are skilled and talented. They are both powerful warriors who will be able to use the technique."
"And Thranduil? He is a Sinda. Were there other Sindar who were taught the technique?"
"I am not sure. I only know I have not taught any Sindar, but mostly because I have not met one who I felt certain had power enough to wield it. But I am certain now that Thranduil can. His mother's blood is true in him. What happened at the Dwarven ruin, we cannot talk of it, but believe me, Your Majesty, to face Sauron, then to survive the encounter to tell of it… Even with that vile servant in his diminished form, it was a feat not many can boast of. And I have a suspicion that Thranduil may have played a bigger part in it than was said."
"I don't know, master. He is rather arrogant and proud. If there was something to brag about, I doubt he would have kept it to himself."
"Perhaps." Gilmagor smiled. "Proud he is and arrogant without a doubt. But, boastful, I have yet to see. Or, perhaps he does not know the full impact of what he may have accomplished."
Gil-galad supposed that could be so although both he and Gilmagor were aware that whatever great feat that was done, none of it could be openly acknowledged. Knowing Gilmagor, however, the king was sure that the Lord Commander means to reward the Sinda. His master believed in punishments, but he also believed in rewards for jobs well done.
Next week: Chapter 100 Letting Go-Elrond and Thranduil enter the forest at the edge of Eriador, a forest thick with trees as thick as the deeply buried pain the two Elves carry in their hearts.