Chapter 3
Galadriel could only stare. Celeborn glanced at her questioningly but she ignored him. She moved forward quickly. The golden haired Elf sent her a rakish grin.
" Nerwen?"
Galadriel took his hands, staring up at him, and then touching his cheek.
" Glorfindel? Is it truly you or some phantom?"
Glorfindel bowed with a flourish.
" Did you think I would leave you here alone, lady? I swore an oath to protect you and Ereinion. Leastways, tis my calling to infuriate you to Mandos."
Galadriel caught sight of her husband's face and took a slight step back, realizing how inappropriate she was acting in front of him.
" I am wed now."
Glorfindel shrugged.
" You did not invite me."
Galadriel rolled her eyes, a stray tear leaking from her eye.
" You were dead. That is what Idril and Tuor said."
Glorfindel looked away, closing his eyes.
" That was a small problem. Where is Idril?"
Galadriel glanced back, seeing Elros standing a ways away.
" That is one of her two grandsons. She and Tuor went to Aman; and Eärendil sails the skies."
Glorfindel turned his head down.
" Ereinion?"
Eönwë cleared his throat.
" Peredhil?" He bade the one forward. " Where is your brother?"
Celeborn stepped forward, seeing Elros' hesitation.
" We were attacked, lord Herald. Elrond was seriously wounded; and our king lies in critical condition."
Eönwë's face turned horrified.
" Perhaps I can be of some assistance."
Eyes turned to the black haired she-Elf. Nienna slowly meandered forward to Glorfindel's side.
" Perhaps I can attend to your ailing."
Galadriel's eyes became wary and assessing.
" This is far beyond the skill of the Elves." Galadriel pursed her lips. "What is your name, Elfling?"
Nienna kept her temper in check.
*She has not tamed her foolish pride as of yet.
" I am Celebhiril; and I am no Elfling, lady Artanis."
Glorfindel nodded.
" She was known in Gondolin."
Galadriel finally shrugged.
" I will take your word, Glorfindel."
Nienna glanced up at the golden haired with a thankful look, before crooking an eyebrow.
*Liar.
A slight smile tugged on Glorfindel's lips.
*Nienna is known to every Elf. I did not lie.
Nienna shook her head.
" May I see this King?"
~*~
Melaurë rose, seeing the unfamiliar black haired she-Elf enter. Galadriel followed her inside, sending Melaurë a cautious glance. The stranger bent beside the bed, assessing the damage. She then looked up, seeking Melaurë's eyes.
" What happened?"
Melaurë found comfort in this woman's bottomless gray pools of grief. Melaurë felt as if she could trust this woman.
" Orcs."
The raven-haired woman shook her head, a tear streaking down her cheek.
" Why do you linger in this world of death?" She murmured. "You were never meant to die or feel this pain."
Glorfindel entered and could not stop his horrified exclamation.
" Precious Eru! That cannot be Ereinion."
Melaurë rushed towards him, accepting his wordless embrace. She sobbed into the golden haired Elf's shoulder, for he had been like a second son to her.
" Oh, Glorfindel. They say it does not look well at all."
Glorfindel sent Nienna an inquiring glare. She closed her eyes, taking the King's hand.
~*~
He was surrounded by darkness. It was cold and silent; but far better than the frosted wasteland of wails he had been nearly consumed by earlier. He could feel another presence. Warmth suffused his being as light began to appear. No face could he see amidst the light, but he knew someone was there.
" Come back. There are those that would wish you living."
He reached a hand out to the light. And then he was falling…
~*~
Nienna's eyes flew open abruptly. She glanced up at Glorfindel.
" Fetch Eönwë. Tell him to come here immediately."
Glorfindel took off at a run. Melaurë glanced at the woman.
" What is it?"
Nienna looked up at Eönwë.
*Who is this?
Eönwë glanced at her strangely.
*Ereinion Gil-Galad.
Nienna rose.
" I must ask that you all leave this tent." She took Melaurë's hands. "I promise you will see your son sit up and live again."
Melaurë nodded, gently kissing her son's cheek before exiting the tent. Galadriel crossed her arms stubbornly.
" As the King's head healer, I-"
Nienna sent her a headshake.
" You are wise, daughter of Finarfin; but there are some things even you should not know about."
Galadriel sighed and left. Nienna glanced at Eönwë.
" Make sure they do not become peeping Toms."
~*~
Ereinion could not stop falling. He suddenly felt something catch his arm, slowly pulling him back towards the light.
" Fight, young King. You must fight."
As he entered the light, it was as if the weight of Arda fell upon his chest.
~*~
With a loud gasp, he came off the bed. Nienna gently pushed him back down.
" Lay still, Majesty. You have yet to recover."
Ereinion stared at her.
" Who are you?"
Nienna's expression turned soft.
" Celebhiril. I have journeyed from afar. You are lucky, good lord."
Ereinion still struggled to sit up. She gently placed her hands on his shoulders.
" Your mother is worried enough as it is."
Ereinion froze.
" Where is she?"
Nienna rose, going to the tent flap.
~*~
Melaurë saw Celebhiril exit the tent.
" Celebhiril, my son?"
She motioned inside.
" He is calling for you."
Melaurë rushed inside. Eönwë shook his head at Nienna.
" You have always had a soft spot for the Elves."
Nienna shushed him.
" I am an Elf, Eönwë."
The herald caught sight of the Silmaril colored hair not too far away, apparently listening in on their conversation.
" I am sorry. You remind me of someone in Valinor. It keeps slipping my mind." Eönwë amended.
Nienna touched his shoulder, lowering her voice.
" Have you taken the Peredhil's answers?"
Eönwë shook his head.
" I will wait for the King to recover. Twill be only a day or so. That length of time will not change their sentences."
Nienna nodded. She rubbed her arms. Glorfindel appeared.
" I have a tent set up, my lady."
Nienna took his hand.
" Call me Celebhiril, please."
Glorfindel nodded with a jesting smile.
" I cannot always call you my lady, can I?"
~*~
Ereinion was sitting up and looking far more like himself the next morning.
" You have a visitor." Melaurë nearly sang.
Ereinion's heart leapt.
*Perchance it is that vision that healed me…
A familiar golden head entered. Ereinion only stared.
" Glorfindel? Glor?"
The roguish smile that had made the Elf so favorable among the maidens appeared.
" Aye, good King. I have missed so much. Last I remembered Turgon was king."
Ereinion caught Glorfindel's forearm.
" I am glad you are back. I heard you had died."
Glorfindel nodded solemnly.
" I did, but like a bad fish, Ilúvatar threw me back."
Ereinion managed a small chuckle before wincing. Instantly his mother was clucking and prodding.
" Nana, would you leave me and Glorfindel to speak for a moment?"
Melaurë nodded.
" Do not excite, upset or make him move, Glorfindel; or so help me Eru, I will have your head."
Glorfindel sent her an innocent smile.
" I am no crook, Melaurë."
Melaurë just sent him a youthful smile.
Ereinion smiled.
" She lives again."
Glorfindel nodded.
" She has spoken many times with Celebhiril."
Ereinion glanced up slowly.
*Is that her name?
" That name is not familiar to me."
Glorfindel sent him a small smile.
" You know her face. I can see you do. The beautiful raven haired one that healed you." Glorfindel caught Ereinion's slight blush. " As usual, I am all knowing."
Ereinion rolled his eyes.
" Let me be. Surely you are attracted to her."
Glorfindel looked down.
" I was, but she is not in my league." His eyes turned serious. "Neither is she in yours either."
Ereinion looked momentarily stunned. Glorfindel turned his head, before glancing at Ereinion.
" Take my word on it, Princeling."
Ereinion rolled his eyes again, still curious. Sleep began to overtake him and as Glorfindel left, he fell into dreams.
~*~
When he awoke, his mother was not there. She was asleep on a small pallet nearby. Ereinion began to sit up.
" Stay still, Majesty. I just laid that poultice on your stomach."
Ereinion froze and then turned his head. She sat there, nose in a book, reminding him somewhat of Elrond.
" Dear lady, I believe I am well enough to sit up."
The book lowered a bit, revealing red-rimmed eyes.
" Then sit up. I can only advise, Majesty."
Ereinion sat up at an angle, so the slippery potion over the gash on his stomach would not slide off. He glanced at her.
" I am Ereinion."
She closed her book.
" Celebhiril."
Ereinion glanced at her.
" May I call you by that?"
Nienna looked at him.
" What else would you call me, my lord?"
Ereinion had to smile slightly. He shifted against the pillows uncomfortably.
" I could forever call you my lady."
Nienna merely inclined her head, wiping a sudden tear.
" I am sorry. There is something in my eye."
Ereinion stopped her flight, grabbing her petite wrist.
" Why do you weep like the Lady Nienna?"
Nienna paused, glancing at him with a look full of irony.
*Because I am her.
Nienna stepped past his hand.
" I have seen sorrow unimaginable." She patted his hand, sending peace flowing up his arm. " Worry not about myself. You are the one needing to worry about your own health."
Ereinion lay back in the pillows, accepting the glass of water she poured.
" Will you remain with us, Lady Celebhiril? I know plans for havens have begun."
Nienna paused before nodding.
" Aye, I will remain here." She took the glass. " Now sleep."
Ereinion watched her leave before allowing a blissful smile to crease his face.
*I must be more ill than I think. I am acting like an adolescent Elf fawning over her.
His smile increased.
*She stays…
Nienna watched from the tent flap, shaking her head.
*I am in too deep already.