EREINION GIL-GALAD FINGONION glanced at Lord Cirdan and placed a gentle hand on the back of his foster father. The elder Sinda was motionless and his face was serene, belying what must lie underneath. Aron is the son of Lord Cirdan's niece. His niece was one of the many who perished during the attack at Menegroth. And Aron was the only blood kin Cirdan had with him now that his nephew, Lord Istuion, had left to be with Oropher.
The kinslaying at Doriath was as devastating for Cirdan and his people as it had been for the Sindar from that Fenced Land. And like many of his people, Lord Cirdan lost much through the long years: his son at Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the Battle of Unnumbered Tears; his wife who sailed afterwards; to Silwen who was like a daughter to the Falathrim lord.
Silwen. Beloved. Gil-galad caressed his gold ring and turned it around his finger, an old habit formed after she left this mortal world. The four centuries had not dulled the pain. Gil-galad doubted any amount of time would, not until they could meet again.
"When did this happen?" Thranduil asked, breaking the silence of the room. His voice sounded eerily calm.
"Early this morning when…"
"How early?"
"Dawn, before the sun rose."
A shadow slipped over Thranduil's flawless skin and his eyes narrowed into a slit, glinting like a naked blade.
Officer Harnen shrank where he sat.
"Why didn't you send a bird? Even if the boats were lost, you could have sent a bird and we would have known hours ago. Do you not know that with every hour that passes, the chance of rescuing the captured will decline tenfold?"
"We cou….couldn't. The birds…they were dead. We found them all shot to death."
There was a gasp. Gil-galad swallowed. No one said it, but everyone knew it. This wasn't a normal Orc raid. This was a carefully planned and executed act, something Orcs were not capable of doing without someone to control them.
Lord Gilmagor, who had listened without a word, sat back down.
"Lord Commander?" The king turned to Gilmagor. In all military matters, Gilmagor had the authority.
"It is time," Gilmagor said as he turned to Elrond. "Sound the alarm. Send out the birds as well as the riders to all the forts in our boundary. Have Commander Erfaron send out troops to the village to see to its fortification and to provide support to any scouts sent after the Orcs. Help the commander with the fortification of this fort. Captain Belegor, inform the Royal Guards to prepare to move out. Have the ship ready to depart as soon as possible. Send some out to scout the river route to make sure the trip down the river will be safe. Lord Celebrimbor, you will take over and prepare the troops at the Hills of Evendim."
Celebrimbor frowned. "This is only a small raid, actually not even a raid. They didn't attack the village. Are we not overreacting?"
"It is not. We have someone who can control the Orcs," said Gil-galad. Lammaeg and Lord Cirdan nodded. "Remember the report from the Silmacil after that incident at the Dwarven ruin? Couple centuries ago, now. They mentioned there was another power behind the dragon. We discussed this at the Council meeting, Celebrimbor, the possibility that Sauron was behind it."
"That wasn't proven," Celebrimbor said. "And even if it was, sending up an alarm at the first moment the Enemy makes a move, isn't that too much too soon? This could cause panic. We knew Orcs were moving recently. Isn't that why you moved some troops to the Hills of Avendim in the first place?" Celebrimbor turned to Gilmagor.
They had received a missive from Oropher as to the movement of the Orcs in the Misty Mountains. Gilmagor had sent out several Silmacils to the east to check on them.
Once established in the east, Oropher provided Lindon with invaluable information on the movement of the Orcs and the other remnants of the Dark Lord which had migrated east along the base of the western arm of the Misty Mountains. It was a great relief for Lindon which was too far west from where these former dark forces had settled. Eriador was wide and wild. Having an ally on the eastern side of the Misty Mountains who could monitor the dark horde meant Gil-galad could keep a wary eye on the Enemy despite the distance.
But Oropher was driving a hard bargain. He conditioned his assistance on having Thranduil returned to him earlier than they had agreed upon. Gil-galad feared, however, that such help from Oropher may cease once Thranduil was no longer in Lindon. Oropher insisted that he and his people had no interest in the welfare of Gil-galad's people. He wanted to return to the way of life of the Woodelves among the wild, free and unrestrained. The Sinda seemed to believe that was how they were meant to be. But that was not ideal, at least not for Gil-galad. Unlike the Noldor and the Sindar living in Lindon, the Woodelves were numerous. If and when they were needed, the Woodelves could make up, in numbers, what the combined army of Noldor and Sindar could not. Gil-galad hoped Oropher would have a command over the Woodelves so that when the time came for the Elves to be united against the dark forces, convincing Oropher would be enough to do so. And in order to accomplish that, Gil-galad could not let the ties he had built with Oropher to die. At least, not while Sauron had power in Middle-earth.
If only Lalaithwen would succeed, then Gil-galad would not have to worry about losing that vital connection. Thranduil would become part of the family. If his son were to marry Lalaithwen, Oropher would have no choice but to accept.
"Shouldn't we discuss this first before sending out the alarm?" Celebrimbor looked around the room as if to seek support.
"That discussion is not for here." Lammaeg who had been quiet cut in.
Gilmagor nodded. "I agree." Gilmagor turned to Belegor. "You are dismissed, Captain Belegor. Please see to your order. Officer Harnen get some rest. We may call on you again later."
"Sir!" both Harnen and Belegor left.
"We should call the meeting of the Council, Your Majesty," Lammaeg said. "The alert should be for the military only until we are more certain of what is happening. We should send out the Silmacil. Once we have all the information, then the Council could decide what needs to be done."
"Two of our own are taken." Thranduil's voice, strung tight and sharp, ripped through their discussion demanding attention. "Every moment you waste discussing this, you take away their lives."
Gilmagor turned to Thranduil. "Captain Thranduil, your job is to see to the safety of His Majesty and his household. Please prepare the rest of the Household to be moved. You are dismissed, captain."
"I am off duty, my lord. And Belegor is here. He is the Captain of the Royal Guards on duty now. I am not needed. Please let me lead the search party. I know these mountains and I know Orcs. I can track them. I could bring them back."
Gil-galad felt Lord Cirdan go rigid. The king turned to his foster father and met Cirdan's eyes. The elder Sinda shook his head, just slightly, undiscernible for others, but Gil-galad knew what Cirdan meant.
"Certainly not. You have your order. Dismissed." Gilmagor's voice brooked no argument.
Gilmagor let out a sigh of relief that it wasn't he who had to say it. He knew what Thranduil was feeling. He knew what Commander Aron meant to Thranduil.
"You can't stop me." Thranduil said, his voice almost a growl.
"How dare you question the order from Lord Commander," Celebrimbor growled back. "You forget your place, Captain."
Thranduil's eyes, glinting like a well-honed sword, clashed with the cool gray eyes of Celebrimbor.
"Lord Celebrimbor," Gilmagor stepped between the councilor and the captain. "Even if this incident proves to be nothing, it doesn't hurt to be prepared. Please see to the troops at the Hills of Evendim. In the event something goes wrong, we will need the troops to be ready."
"And once they are prepared, come to the Grey Havens, Celebrimbor," Gil-galad added. "By then, most of the Councilors will be there. We will decide then once we have more information. Go now, cousin."
Frowning, Celebrimbor turned to Thranduil, then snorted aloud.
"As I always said, Your Majesty, you shouldn't spoil your pets. Remember that spoiled dogs will jump onto your lap unbidden. They might even bite."
With a curt bow, Celebrimbor took leave. Gil-galad didn't miss the fire in Thranduil's eyes nor the clenched fists, one of which Elrond held back.
The king sighed, remembering the tension in the Council chamber whenever Celebrimbor and Thranduil were in it. Thranduil was not a full-fledged member of the council and did not have a vote in the Council's decisions. But he was allowed to present his views when bidden. And the Sinda was a vocal opponent to Celebrimbor whenever his cousin said anything remotely against the rights of the Sindar in Lindon.
Gil-galad wondered at times like this whether it had been a good idea to have had Pengolodh teach Thranduil the history of Noldor. Now, Thranduil knew exactly who Celebrimbor was. It was like adding a tinder to the fire.
"I understand your concern for Commander Aron," Gil-galad said, watching the door close behind Celebrimbor. "I know he is like a family to you. But, remember he is as important to us as well, Thranduil. He is Lord Cirdan's grandnephew, so I consider him family. But we have capable trackers. Trust in your fellow warriors. They will find Aron. I promise." One way or other.
Gil-galad could not promise that they will find Aron alive, however. Everyone in the chamber knew that.
"Let me go, please." Thranduil sank down onto his knees and bowed his head. "Please, Your Majesty. I ask you this favor. Have I not been a loyal guard for the past centuries? Please."
Gil-galad swallowed a gasp. He had never expected Thranduil to bow down to him. Never had the proud Sinda ever bent his knees in front of him, whether in private or in front of others, never once through the past four centuries.
The king was moved. He knew what it took for Thranduil to bend. He understood the desperation of wanting to save a life of the one who means so much. A soft ache ran through his heart as Gil-galad turned the gold ring around his finger once again.
The King turned to the three elder lords. But all three of them shook their heads.
"You are to return to the Grey Havens with the king. That is an order, Captain," Gilmagor said, his voice firm and commanding.
"We cannot have a repeat of what happened last time, Thranduil," Cirdan's voice was warm and concerned. "I want Aron back as much as you do. But, there are times when we must wait."
Gil-galad was glad his uncle chose not to say anything. The king understood the concerns of these elders. Oropher was working with them now, however reluctantly. But if they lost Thranduil, should some harm come to him, and even if the fault did not lie with them, everything they had done to build this fragile relationship with Oropher would be lost. And Sauron was back. There was too much at stake.
"Please, Your Majesty." Thranduil looked up at the king, his eyes glistening.
"I am sorry, Thranduil." Gil-galad steeled himself. "Please trust your fellow warriors. They will do everything they can."
Thranduil shot up. "I am going." Thranduil's eyes flashed defiantly, burning with moist heat. "I am off duty as of this evening. Has Your Majesty forgotten? I am free to do with my off time as I wish, or is that now forbidden?"
"I can't let you go if you plan to go after Commander Aron."
"You can't stop me." Thranduil hissed.
Elrond grabbed Thranduil's elbow. "Thranduil, please."
"The truth is, I can." Gil-galad said. It took only a look from him and the two guards moved one on each side of Thranduil. They looked at their captain with a look of apology, but Thranduil's eyes were not on them.
"You are going to imprison me?"
Gil-galad met the Sinda's eyes which were half pleading, half defiant.
"Give me your word of honor and I will trust you, Thranduil. Promise me that you will not go after Commander Aron. Give me your word on your father's honor and life. If not, I cannot let you leave."
Gil-galad looked at the Sinda steadily with unwavering calm. He did not worry that Thranduil would lie to him and go do what he wanted. Four centuries Thranduil had been his guard, yet the king did not feel he knew the Sinda any more than he had when Thranduil first came to Lindon. But Gil-galad knew one thing for certain. Thranduil valued his words like a dragon its hoard. The king had learned to trust the words Thranduil gave.
Thranduil's eyes, that strange shade of blue green, flickered. He clenched his fists, turning his knuckles white. Silence swallowed the sounds and filled the room with something sticky, thickening the air within it.
Thranduil turned away. "I cannot."
"Then I am sorry. I cannot let you leave the fort. Take him." The king gestured to the guards. "You will ride with me in the ship to the Grey Havens."
The guards escorted Thranduil out. Elrond turned. He opened his mouth, but Gilmagor looked sternly at him.
"Have you forgotten your order, Captain Elrond? Every second counts," Gilmagor said before Elrond could say anything.
"Sir!" Elrond glanced at Gil-galad but left the chamber.
Gil-galad massaged his heart. A knot tightened his chest there. "Are we doing the right thing? Keeping Thranduil? He knows this area, and he is skilled. Perhaps we should allow him to lead the rescue party?"
"I want Aron back. Safe and alive." Cirdan's eyes glistened. Gil-galad's heart tightened to see the elder Sinda so grieved. "But we cannot lose Thranduil. You know what is at stake. I am certain Sauron stirs again."
"And our experience with Sauron tells us he never forgets nor forgives," said Gilmagor. "I shudder to think what he would do if he were to get near Thranduil or even Elrond." He was quiet for a moment before he continued. "This attack, this is not about war. From what I gathered from the report from the Silmacil, the number of Orcs moving from the Misty Mountains was limited. There are not enough Orcs to be a significant threat to Lindon. If it was, I cannot imagine how the village was spared. Sauron would have had the village burned down to announce his return. But he did not do that. He did not want conflict. This is something else."
"Thranduil, I understand, seeing how far Sauron went trying to frame him, but why Elrond? And if you believe this is not an attack, why sound the alarm?" Gil-galad was puzzled. "Then, is not Celebrimbor correct? Perhaps, it is too early to react?"
"Unfortunately for us, Sauron knows exactly who Elrond is. He is the embodiment of all the races and the blood of kings from both the Edain and our people. Elrond represents everyone Sauron hates. Remember he had Elrond abducted under my very watch. Valar were watching over us when Elrond was spared a direct confrontation with that Dark Foe. That dark Maia would not have spared him. As for the alarm, if this is Sauron, he is going to want to test our borders. We do not want him to doubt our strength and preparedness." Gilmagor let out a long sigh.
"If it is not to attack us, what is your guess, Gilmagor?" Lammaeg asked.
"Sauron knew we would know if he grabbed our soldiers. It seems clear to me that Commander Aron and the other soldier were grabbed for some purpose. If they meant to kill them, it would have been easier to just shoot them dead. Our guards were completely unaware and surprised." Gilmagor rubbed the bump on his crooked nose.
"Do you think he knows who Aron is?" Cirdan's eyes clouded. "Perhaps this was to lure Thranduil? In revenge of what happened at the ruin?"
"It didn't seem so, and I hope not. That bodes more ill if that was so." Gilmagor frowned. "If you will give me leave, Your Majesty, I will take the Silmacil and travel to Forochel."
Unable to sit, Gil-galad walked over to a window. He needed to breathe.
"Is that necessary? If you are wrong and there is an attack, we need you here, Gilmagor." Lord Lammaeg seemed to share Gil-galad's concern.
"Remember the report about three months ago?" Gilmagor asked.
"The quake at that mountain, the one you believe was the last location of Captain Astalder?" Gil-galad winced at the sharp pain through his chest.
They had all known that when Astalder left the Grey Havens that year after the first yen, it may be the last time seeing him. That was like that with all the Silmacil, but Gil-galad had not the time to think. If he had known that it would be the last time he saw the captain… Gil-galad unbuttoned the collar of his robe. The lump in his throat made it difficult for him to breathe.
He had been too occupied by what happened to Silwen; he had not thought much about Captain Astalder's departure. Even before, the captain had disappeared often and was rarely at the palace. But it seemed to the King that Astalder was always there when Gil-galad needed him the most. And he had never gotten to say goodbye or, more importantly, to thank Astalder. The pain washed over his heart and stung his eyes.
"Do you think, is it even possible, that he may be alive?" Gil-galad asked what he always feared to ask. The pain would be too great at its confirmation.
"No." Gilmagor took in a long breath. "Sometimes, we must hope even when it seems hopeless, but we must not hold onto empty ones, Ereinion. Sauron was kept away for these past four centuries because they sacrificed themselves. I am certain."
Lammaeg moved over to Gilmagor, his hand on the Lord Commander's shoulder just as Lord Cirdan did.
Gil-galad swallowed the lump in his throat as he faced the window.
"I will leave tonight." Gilmagor's voice was soft, but firm. "The quake may have something to do with Sauron. If it is, then there is a possibility that a way inside the mountain is open somehow. I would have gone when I received the news of the quake, but the winter arrived and the way there was impassible. It is still early, but the weather should have calmed."
Lord Gilmagor had sent several Silmacil after Captain Astalder when no news of him came. And the Silmacil returned unable to find a trace except to say that they found a village where there was a story of sixteen brave men who disappeared after following two strangers into the belly of a mountain. The Silmacil had determined that the two strangers were Astalder and Astarno. But they could not locate the entrance to the cave beneath the mountain. But three months ago, one of the Silmacil returning from the east met a Northman on the road and heard a news that there was a quake at the mountain and the Orc horde was gathering there.
"Why not send other Silmacil? Why do you need to go there yourself?"
The king did not wish his master to take the trip. Gilmagor had recovered the use of the broken arm and the leg, but he was not the warrior he once was.
"Too much time has passed. There will be no remains of them." Gil-galad paced, anything to stop the bleeding of his heart.
"Perhaps not them, but if it is the place, there is something I must recover."
Hearing the determination in the Lord Commander's voice, Gil-galad knew he could not stop him.
"I will leave two Silmacil here, to make sure Thranduil gets on the ship with you, Ereinion. Once he is at the Grey Havens, Thranduil will have to accept he cannot go after Aron." Gilmagor turned to Lord Cirdan. "Please leave in the morning, as the dawn arrives. It will prevent any attempt on the part of the Orcs to attack the ships."
"May Elbereth light your way and keep you safe," said Lammaeg as he held onto Gilmagor's arm, and Cirdan held onto the other. And surprisingly, Lammaeg and Cirdan linked their arms. And the three elder lords put their heads together.
Gil-galad felt tears well up in his eyes. He blinked them away. He was the king. Gilmagor would not have wanted to see him falter.
When Gilmagor left, Lammaeg came to stand on Gil-galad's right and Lord Cirdan on his left as they watched the door close behind the Lord Commander.
"Don't worry, Ereinion. He is an old coot, but he is a tricky one. He will return." Lammaeg padded Gil-galad's back.
Nirnaeth Arnoediad (Sindarin. The Battle of Unnumbered Tears)—The fifth and the last battle fought between the Noldor and Morgoth in the First Age. Noldor lost and Morgoth took control of the most of Beleriand. Remainder of Noldorin forces scattered. Gil-galad's father, Fingon, died in this battle.
Hills of Avendim (known as Emyn Uial in Sindarin, Hills of Dusk)—Several hills north of Tower Hills on the eastern side of River Lune. It is said that Galadriel and Celeborn settled here after they left Doriath. When Numenoreans first returned to Middle-earth, they met other men, ancestors of Edain, here who settled among these hills. It later became the center of Kingdom of Arnor under Elendil.
RECAP:
The Silmacil-the elite warriors used by Noldor on covert missions. They are the best of the best (my creation and not in Tolkien's work)
Astadler-Captain and the charismatic leader of the Silmacil. Read the last chapter of Part 1 (Ch101) if you don't remember what happened to Astalder.
In my stories, Gil-galad is Fingon's son, thus belongs to the House of Fingolfin.
RECAP:
The Silmacil-the elite warriors used by Noldor on covert missions. They are the best of the best (my creation and not in Tolkien's work)
Astalder-Captain and the charismatic leader of the Silmacil. Read the last chapter of Part 1 (Ch101) if you don't remember what happened to Astalder.
In my stories, Gil-galad is Fingon's son, thus belongs to the House of Fingolfin.
A/N: Celebrimbor is the son of Curufin, 5th son of Feanor. Curufin was one of the three sons of Feanor who died at Menegroth when Feanor's sons attacked (second kinslaying) Doriath. In Part1, What It Means to be a King, Curufin is called Kurvo (name used by his family). Thranduil would see Curufin as the murderer of his family, and Celebrimbor would see Oropher (and the Sindar from Menegroth) as the murderer of his father, so you can imagine how they would feel about each other.