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Return to Valinor
By DLR  2003

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Chapter Ten

Glorfindel crossed his arms on the table in front of him and laid his head down with a sigh.

Erestor regarded him with a mixture of amusement and concern.  "I wonder why exactly, you agreed to this responsibility if it was going to try you so."

"You could always assist me, if you had the inclination."

Erestor smiled.  "I give thanks to the Valar that I do not feel so inclined."

Glorfindel snorted.  "Your lack of enthusiasm has been duly noted for future reference should you ever be 'inclined' to ask a favor of me."  He looked up.  "Ai, Elanna, what in Mandos' name are you eating?"  He quickly hooked his finger into the small girl's mouth and pulled out something unrecognizable.

"What is it?"  Erestor asked, amused at the look of disgust on Glorfindel's face.

"I have no clue," admitted the golden-haired elf.  "No Elanna.  Do not eat . . . what ever this is."  He wrinkled his nose.  "Pray lock me in a dungeon if I ever show any predilection to beget offspring."

Erestor smirked.  "So where is Gwendolyn?"  His brow creased in puzzlement.  "Are you not courting her?  Children are usually the outcome of marriage you know."

"Gwendolyn is in her bed nursing a turned ankle.  Courting her?  Well, that is a good question.  She still thinks I am, in spite of my patient efforts to convince her otherwise."

Erestor stared at him.  "You had dishonorable intentions and now you are jilting her?"

"Calm yourself.  I have never broken a heart in the past and do not mean to begin now.  She will be fine in the end; it is simply taking a very long time to bring this friendship to a close."

Erestor bristled.  "Why should you wish to?  She is a lovely girl and would make any Elf a wonderful wife."

"Exactly," said Glorfindel.  "I have no wish for a wife."  He paused and regarded his friend with narrowed eyes that began to twinkle.  "Ah, I see clearly now.  You are enamored of her yourself."

"I am not," Erestor said very quickly.  "I merely think such treatment of an innocent young lady's affections is shameful."

Glorfindel sighed.  "Apparently I am losing my ability to ascertain who is innocent and who is not, or it would have never gone this far."  He placed his hand on Erestor's shoulder and a slow smile spread across his face.  "I see a solution to my problems in you, Mellon-iaur."

Erestor scowled at him.  "I will not aid you in your deception."

Glorfindel's eyes widened in surprise.  "Nay, of course not, you are the shining hero that will take her mind away from the devilishly handsome but shallow rogue."

Erestor grunted.  "I am not certain I follow you."

"One moment."  Glorfindel responded to a pull on his tunic.

Elanna handed him a cloth bundle.  "Here, Lorfi."

"Why thank you," Glorfindel answered absently.  He took a closer look and put his hand over his eyes.  Erestor tilted his head enquiringly.  Glorfindel shuddered.  "You do not wish to know, believe me."

Erestor grinned.  "Where is Elethîr?" 

"Hopefully he is with Lindir, leastways, that is where I left him.  Now there is an Elf always willing to aid a friend in distress unlike others who-shall-remain-nameless."  Glorfindel looked with dismay at the soiled diaper he still held in his hand.  He quickly discarded it into a nearby refuse bin.

"Does one not usually wash and re-use those?" asked Erestor.

Glorfindel grunted.  "Not if I am child-minding."

Elanna tugged on his tunic once more.  "Here Lorfi."

Glorfindel rolled his eyes.  "No Elanna, I do not want your dress.  You need to wear this, put it back on please."

The naked elf-child dropped the garment with disinterest and squatted down to follow the progression of an insect across the floor.

Glorfindel sighed and turned back to Erestor.  "We were speaking of Gwendolyn, I believe?"

The other Elf's eyes darkened.  "Indeed we were and of your inexcusable treatment of her."

"What?"  Glorfindel looked pained.  "She is fine, I assure you, and she will still be fine when all is said and done.  Trust me on this; I have more than six millennia experience in these matters."

Erestor snorted.  He was quiet for a time.  "What was that you were saying earlier?"

Glorfindel looked up from watching Elanna.  "Saying?  About what?"

Erestor reddened.  "About me being a hero or something of that nature."

Glorfindel grinned.  "Tis a role that would suit you to the ground my friend, should you decide to undertake it."

Erestor looked wary.  "I would have to do . . . what?"

"Simply be the solid pillar of support you always have been, no more, no less."

Erestor was thoughtful, frowning.  "Support for Gwendolyn you mean?  After you jilt her?"

Glorfindel looked at him.  "Are you becoming deaf?  There will be no jilting.  It will be her decision to transfer her affections elsewhere."  He smiled smugly.  "Or so she will think."

Erestor raised an eyebrow.  "So, are you going to apprize me of this wonderful plan?"

"Certainly," Glorfindel muttered dryly.  "As soon as I think of one."  He held up his hand as Erestor's jaw dropped.  "In the interim, you will pick some flowers and present yourself to cheer her weary hours of incapacitation."

Erestor paled.  "Simply walk into her room?"

Glorfindel smiled.  "That would be the easiest way to converse with her."

"What shall I say?  She has hardly even noticed me before, we are barely acquaintances."

"A good time to remedy that, yes?"  He paused.  "Do you not wish this?"

"I . . . I . . ." Erestor stammered.  "Yes and no.  She will most likely have no interest in me.  I am so much older than she; set in my ways, dull and boring to her perhaps."

Glorfindel looked at him and sighed.  "She is interested in me and I am older than you are."

"Well yes, this is true, but you are you and I am . . . me."

"Regard Elrond and Culurien, then."

Erestor sniffed.  "Culurien has a good five hundred years on Gwendolyn."

Glorfindel put his hand on his friend's shoulder.  "You will be fine, you merely lack confidence.  I will accompany you the first time, with an explanation of my sorrow at being unable to visit more frequently, what with watching the twins and all.  You will be her salvation from boredom."

Erestor still appeared doubtful.  "You will come with me and stay as long as I need you?"

"Indeed," said Glorfindel solemnly.  "We will ride forth into battle once more."  He looked up, startled, as Lindir suddenly appeared on the terrace with a very dirty-looking Elethîr under one arm.  He was quite distressed.

"What is it?" Glorfindel asked quickly.  "Is Elethîr all right?  What on Arda has happened to him?"

Lindir looked down at the child he held as if in a daze.  "Nay, it is nothing, he is fine.  We were playing in the  . . . ah . . . mud, that is all."  The eyes he raised to meet Glorfindel's were filled with shock.  "We have guests, Lord."

Glorfindel was puzzled.  "That is not a problem, why do you . . . ?"  He froze and stared at the Elf that ascended the steps behind the servant.

Ereinion smiled hesitatingly at him.  "Mae govannen, Glorfindel."  He nodded.  "Erestor."

The dark-haired Elf of Ondomar looked at the new arrival in disbelief.  "Sire?"

Glorfindel recovered quickly.  "I am sorry, pray forgive me.  Elrond had mentioned this, but it is still something of a shock to actually see you, Sire."

"Please, I am simply Ereinion now."  He looked at the stunned faces of Lindir and Erestor and smiled grimly.  "Apparently Elrond did not share the news with everyone."  He coughed.  "Allow me to present my wife, this is Iswende," he said, touching the arm of the lady beside him.  "And this is our family."  His four children lined up obediently for inspection.  Nínim, the eldest, suddenly put her hand over her mouth and giggled.  Every head turned to look at the source of her amusement.

"Lannie!"  exclaimed Elethîr with glee.

The small elfling had climbed onto the luncheon table.  She stood frozen for a moment amidst the plates and glassware while everyone stared at her open-mouthed.  Glorfindel groaned and covered his face with his hands in horror.

Erestor was the first to speak.  "Perhaps it would have been a good idea to have put a fresh diaper on her earlier."

"Lorfi!"  Elanna squealed.  "Look, mess!"

Glorfindel sank into a chair.  "Yes darling, I can see that," he whispered.

Iswende's lips twitched.  "Do not fret, accidents will happen.  Help me girls, please."  They bustled about and in no time, the baby and the table were clean once more.  She held Elanna in her arms as her husband conversed with Glorfindel.

"Elrond and Culurien are in the city commissioning the construction of additional furniture," the blond Elf was saying.  "They should be back any day now and it will not be soon enough for me.  A substitute nursemaid, I am not."

"Ah, it is different when you have your own," Ereinion said, gathering Emmelin into his lap.

Erestor finally pulled himself together and remembered some manners.  "You must indeed be weary from your travels, would you prefer to visit your chambers, or is refreshment the first priority?"

Ereinion glanced at his wife, who smiled.  "Both would be sorely appreciated," she said, "perhaps a wash first, then something to eat."

Erestor nodded.  "Very good.  Lindir, will you inform the kitchen please?"

Lindir tore his eyes away from his former high king and master and wordlessly handed Elethîr over to Glorfindel who promptly deposited the still mud-covered child onto the floor.  He inclined his head and hurried off to make arrangements for the unexpected visitors.

"Now then," Erestor continued.  "If you would follow me, I will show you to the guest chambers." 

"Come children."  Iswende fell into step beside her husband.  "It was indeed a tiresome journey from Alqualondë."

"Ah," said Erestor.  "You live in the city?"

"Just outside," Ereinion responded.  "Iswende has family in that area."

"I see."  Erestor was finding it difficult to make small talk, between the shock of seeing Gil-galad alive again and his mind still reeling with thoughts of Gwendolyn.  He stopped rather abruptly before a closed door and threw it open.  "Here you are, I hope it will be to your satisfaction.  The servants will be up shortly with hot water."  He paused and stood silently, at a loss for words. 

Ereinion looked at him with understanding and gripped his shoulder.  "Thank you, we will be down shortly."  He closed the door behind him and took his wife in his arms.  "This should prove to be an interesting visit."

Iswende smiled.  "I would call that an understatement."

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Elrond held up his hands, silencing the clamor of voices assaulting him.  "One of you at a time, if you please."  The various members of his family and household lapsed into silence, now wondering who should speak first.

Elethîr ran into his arms.  "Ada, Ada!"

Elrond lifted him high.  "Suilad, Tithen-iôn, and what has happened to you?  Did someone drop you in a mud puddle?"  The dirty toddler threw his chubby arms around his father's neck and giggled.

Elanna chimed in, tugging at Elrond's tunic.  "Ada, Ada, Ada, look me!"

Elrond glanced down and raised his eyebrows.  "Look at you, indeed."  He turned to Culurien.  "Apparently we are wasting time and money ordering clothing for this one."  He looked at the faces gathered around him.  "Now then, what are you all so excited about?"

Glorfindel cleared his throat.  "Firstly, welcome back, we have missed you.  Oh Mandos, have we missed you," he added muttering.  "Secondly, we have guests, they only just arrived." 

"Guests?" Culurien asked a little nervously.  "Why, how . . . nice.  Do these guests have names?"

Erestor coughed and looked uncomfortable.

"What?" said Elrond.  "Has Manwë himself come for a visit?"

Glorfindel stepped in with a serious face.  "It is Gil-galad."

Culurien relaxed and smiled.  "This is wonderful news; did Iswende and the children come as well?  I had invited them some time ago, but she has not written recently."

Erestor looked at her with puzzled eyes.  "I seem to be missing something here."

Elrond placed a hand on his shoulder.  "I am sorry, Mellon-iaur, it was not my intention to leave you in the dark.  I saw Ereinion while we were in Lórien and had a long discussion with him; many old problems concerning the past were dealt with and hopefully put to rest."

"Oh, I see."  Erestor placed his hand atop Elrond's and looked into his eyes.  "I am so happy you are able to finally put all of that behind you, no one should be made to suffer for as long as you did."

"We have a new life here in Aman, a fresh start for everything.  I have no room in my heart for old grudges, I wish only for peace."  Elrond closed his eyes and stroked his son's soft dark hair, with a contented smile crossing his lips.

Culurien straightened up from dressing Elanna. "With your permission I will attempt to separate the dirt from our child, and then I go to greet Iswende."  She exchanged children with her husband and departed.

Elrond tickled his daughter into a fit of giggles.  "Did you behave while Ada was away?"  Glorfindel snorted and Elrond raised his eyebrows.  He looked around.  "Where is Gwendolyn?"

"Gwendolyn has had a very restful last few days in bed with an injury, while my life on the other hand has become Mandos incarnate, mostly due to the antics of this . . ." he poked Elanna in the ribs, making her shriek, "little . . .angel."

Elrond smirked.  "You have been child-minding?  I would have enjoyed seeing that."

"Well you have missed your opportunity, because Arda will end before I ever undertake such chore again."  Glorfindel grinned and winked as he made good his escape.

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Culurien hugged her friend enthusiastically.  "Why did you not tell me you were coming?  I would have been better prepared."

Iswende looked at her in surprise.  "I did tell you, did you not receive my last letter?"

Culurien was surprised as well.  "The last letter I had from you did not mention this journey, no."

"Oh my, then.  This is awkward.  It seems we are unexpected."

"Unexpected, but not unwelcome, believe me.  I am so glad to see you."

"And I you."  Iswende smiled at Elethîr and Herenion sitting on the floor staring at each other.  Emmelin was making attempts to get them to play together with limited success.  She put a small wooden horse in Elethîr's hands and he fingered it with interest.

"Mine," proclaimed Herenion.

"He can play with it," his sister admonished.

"Mine," Herenion repeated and took the toy out of Elethîr's hand.

"No, bad baby," said Emmelin.  "You have to share."  She returned the toy to Elethîr before he could begin to cry.  She picked up a brush and applied it to Elethîr's still damp hair.  "You are a good baby, I like you."

Iswende chuckled.  "She is quite the little mother, that one."

"Indeed," said Culurien, amused.  "Come, it is time for tea, let us join the others."

They walked through the dim hallways until they opened up to a terrace adjoined by a colorful garden.  Elrond and Ereinion were seated at a table sharing a bottle of wine, the very picture of relaxation and comradery.  Elrond threw his head back and laughed suddenly, laying his hand on his cousin's arm as Ereinion smiled back at him.

"Yes," Culurien whispered, watching them.  "I am very glad you came."

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