The Wrong One
By Nefhiriel
A/N: This chapter is really just a break from all the angst. I love writing humor and...well, this chapter happened right in the middle of all the angst. I'm REALLY anxious to know what everyone thinks of it... (winks pointedly at lurkers) LOL. If you don't have the time or energy, don't feel guilty ; ) But please, if you can, I would absolutely LOVE to hear your thoughts!
See first chapter for disclaimers. Reviewer responses at end of chapter.
Chapter 20: An Unlikely Advisor
Elrond walked past Moranuen and Glamdil, who watched in concern as their lord, fists clenched, face a mask of pain, left the clearing. Neither could remember seeing Elrond so upset. Anyone could see that something was troubling him.
"He has been through a lot." Glamdil said understandingly, his voice full of compassion.
"Yes." Moranuen's voice was soft as he contemplated what his friend had said. "And I have a feeling that whatever he said," he looked meaningfully at Dagron, "it couldn't have helped."
Glamdil nodded and sighed.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Now free of all curious faces, Elrond walked a ways into the trees before stopping. Dagron's words clung to his thoughts, refusing to be dismissed. First they made him angry. "Angry" was really the understatement of the millennium to describe Elrond feelings. The rage boiled so hot within him, that it nearly scared him.
The forest was full of both young and old trees. Every shade of green was faithfully represented by leaf, grass and bush. The sky was blue, the birds were singing, the wind was gently blowing...Elrond brought his fist down on the trunk of a tree, abruptly ending all thoughts of the beauty that surrounded him. The things that that fiend had done to his son were unthinkably cruel. The phrases that Dagron had used came back to taunt him mercilessly.
...I invented a way of hurtin' 'im without doin' any permanent damage....'e's not an easy one to break... That so called 'son' of yours could 'ardly keep 'is eyes open when we were though with 'im!... in the end we had him whimpering all right...
He brought his other fist down, but felt the anger begin to dissolve into heart-ache for Estel. Why couldn't he have been there? The thing that haunted him most was the images he now had of Estel, alone and calling for him, without any reply ever coming. He rested his forehead against the rough bark and groaned.
"My lord?"
Elrond's initial reaction was to groan again: why couldn't they leave him alone, even for a minute? He reduced his protestations to an inaudible sigh, and raised his head to see who it was. It was Glamdil, looking very awkward and uncomfortable.
"What is it Glamdil?" Elrond asked, watching the nervous elf quizzically.
"It is just that I...Ah..."
"Is Estel worse?"
"No," Glamdil worked quickly to relieve him, "no, he is well."
"Then what is it?"
"Well, my lord, I..."
Elrond crossed his arms and waited patiently. The sight was certainly an interesting one, he'd never seen his second-in-command so flustered! He had a hard time keeping a smile of amusement from showing as the younger elf actually began to fidget. Whatever was disturbing poor Glamdil had the competent warrior almost to the dire point of wringing his hands—a resort Elrond had never seen him brought to before. The black-haired elf stumbled over a few more words and finally brought his honest, golden-brown eyes up to meet his lord's.
"Oh, I wish Lord Glorfindel were here!" he said at last. "He would know what to say. If only Erestor, or, or anyone but me were here, they would know what to do. Elbereth! Why can't do this right? Anyone else could!"
"What are you talking about?" Elrond broke into his self-abasing tirade. "Glamdil, if something is the matter, please, tell me. Perhaps there is something you wish to talk to me about?"
"It is not so much that I would like to talk to you, as much as I was hoping to have you talk about it to me," noticing Elrond's blank expression, Glamdil attempted to clarify, only to make it all even more confusing. "I was hoping that maybe if I came here you would talk to me and I could talk to you and if you talked then..."
"Glamdil, what are you trying to tell me?"
"Forgive me, my Lord." Glamdil flinched at how nonsensical he knew he must be sounding.
"You haven't said anything yet," Elrond's lips curved only slightly. "for what do you ask forgiveness? Are you about do something you will regret, or is it something you have already done?"
"No, hir-nin!" Glamdil's face colored with embarrassment at the good-natured teasing. "At least, I hope what I say does not offend." he tried to explain his seemingly abnormal behavior, "I was standing with Moranuen and saw you suddenly leave. I couldn't help but notice that you were..."
"Acting strangely?" Elrond supplied the missing description of himself with still more amusement, and watched the young elf squirm.
"Well, forgive me for saying so, but yes. I know it was presumptuous of me, but from the look on your face I could not help but wonder if..."
"I was mentally stable?" Elrond was enjoying this game of "finish-the-sentence", but he was really becoming curious as to Glamdil's original intentions for this encounter.
"My Lord..." Elrond could sense, by the way the earnest tone of his voice, that Glamdil was about to satisfy his curiosity. "My Lord, I came to see if you need anyone to talk to, just in case you were troubled about something."
Glamdil let the words tumble out and then instantly ducked his had with sudden mortification at how bold his words had sounded. But he had said it. From the moment Elrond had walked past him, wearing that look of pain, he had known that something had needed to be said. No one—not even a wise lord such as Elrond—was above needing someone to talk to. He knew it. He suspected that the twins and Legolas were rather too emotionally involved in the situation themselves to provide the sympathetic ear that Elrond needed right now. The question was whether he was the kind of elf who was good for that sort of thing. Eru! He had no clue how to go about helping the elven Lord, he was not a counselor or an advisor! Surely helping Elrond required much older and wiser beings, like Glorfindel or Erestor. But he had to try. He admired Elrond so much, he had every ounce of his loyal, soldier's heart. He couldn't just sit by and watch him struggle with so much pain.
Now he felt obligated to say something more. Most likely, he would just make more of a fool out of himself with his accursedly clumsy tongue. How he hated being the center of attention...
"I have already taken up much of your time. I am sorry," he prepared to go, "I will leave now."
He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around.
"Hannonlemellon-nín"
Glamdil was stunned. Elrond had always been equally kind to everyone, from Lord Glorfindel to the youngest elfling. He never flaunted his title as "Lord of Imladris". He never ordered anyone to call him "Lord", and he didn't have to. Those around him were compelled to respect him. It was unthinkable to do otherwise. Or at least, Glamdil had never thought about it before... And now here he was, in a very uncomfortable situation to begin with, and Lord Elrond suddenly calling him "friend"—what was he suppose to do now?
Well, Glamdil, you started this absurd little conversation and now you have got to carry through with it.
"But Lo—" he couldn't bring himself to say "Lord", it sounded so stiff and ungrateful after just having been called "friend". "That is, I mean, there is no need to thank me, my l..."
It was hopeless.
Elrond laughed. He couldn't stop himself. The poor elf couldn't even settle on what to call him.
Glamdil steadily became more flustered as his attempts to straighten matters only made Elrond laugh harder. Now he really was out of his comfort zone. If he didn't know how to deal with a serious Elrond he certainly didn't know how to deal with a hysterical Elrond. Not that Elrond was actually hysterical...yet.
Just as Elrond was getting a handle on his laughter, Glamdil decided it was time to say something—it was a fatal mistake.
"Is something the matter, my Lord?"
Coupled as Glamdil's words were with a timid pat to his shoulder, Elrond broke out into another bout of laughter. This was all making Glamdil decidedly uncomfortable. How did Glorfindel ever cope with the unpredictable moods of Elrond? Well, he reasoned, perhaps he doesn't normally break out into hysterical laugher during their counsel sessions... He would have to talk to Glorfindel.
Elrond finally had pity on his disconcerted would-be advisor, and stopped laughing.
"Come," he shook his head with the lingering effects of his laughter and motioned for Glamdil to follow him. "we should be getting back to the camp before they begin to wonder what happened to us." Glamdil nodded and fell silently into step. "Thank you, Glamdil."
"But—My lord, I... I haven't done anything. I..."
"Oh, but you have." they reached the clearing and Elrond turned to face him, putting his hand appreciatively on his shoulder. "You have done more for me than you may realize."
Glamdil stared wonderingly after him. Elrond was right, he hadn't a clue what he'd done that was so useful. The only thing he'd done was make a fool of himself. Well, if it helped... But he doubted that he'd ever be able to do whatever it was he'd done a second time.
To Be Continued...
Reviewer responses:
silvertears630: You have no idea how happy your review made me! I was especially excited that you liked "my" Moranuen so much : ) I was so grateful to Cassia and Sio for letting me use him, but I was a little afraid that I would "ruin" him... (gulp) Oh, I'm SO glad you liked the part with Elrond confronting Dagron, and FINALLY putting a little fear into that monster. (eg) Yay! (squeals) I read in your bio that you're a lurker? Well, I'm very excited to have coaxed a review out of a "professional lurker", LOL. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know that you're liking it – it is SOOO encouraging : )
Star-Stallion: LOL, I'm glad that I wrote that realistic enough that is actually scared you! Hehehe, it's hard to keep resolutions not to sleep, isn't it? : ) Thanks so much for the review!
HarryEstel: Nope, very few would have been as noble and merciful as Elrond was to Dagron – I probably wouldn't have been! Thanks so much for reviewing!
jacquelinestel: Hehehe, poor Estel. JE, you tell your brother to quit throwing our beloved characters down the stairs! If they were to get hurt... Just tell him that there are a lot of girls who would come seeking vengeance if he were to "damage" either Legolas or Estel ; ) Only authors are allowed to do that! Yes Legolas, do give him the evil eye – he deserves it for hurting my poor ranger. But Estel, let this be a lesson to you – that's what happens when you don't go to bed when you're told! LOL. Thanks!
Naesse: Yeah, quite a few people have already come to me with the request to punch Dagron's lights out...But I still need him – so you'll just have to settle for threatening to hurt him for now... Practice "the look" and perhaps you can help Elrond strike a little fear into him ; ) LOL. Thanks!
Hyperactive Forever: ROTFL!!! "Kamikaze Death Birds" (I watched "The Birds" at night recently and scared myself silly!), and Rabid Hair Eating Beavers... : ) Those are some great threats! Isn't it fun to think of new words? I do it by accident all the time, so it's easier to just say "I made it up" instead of "Oops, I've said something stupid again, haven't I?", LOL. Hehehe, well, I'm glad that my four-year-old brain is entertaining all you "older people" ; D Aww, I'm sure you have more than cobwebs and empty space in your head : ) At least part of your brain must be intellectual if you're in Advance Standing classes! (I've been homeschooled all my life so I wouldn't know exactly what that means, but hey, it sounds impressive : ) Anyways...Thanks for reviewing!
elitenschwein: (cheers) You think I'm doing Mora like C&S?! You have no idea what a relief it is to me to hear you say that! I was so afraid I might "ruin" him : b LOL, I just couldn't resist mentioning Kaldur. Oh I know, I can hardly believe I actually created as annoying a character as Dagron! (as the author, though, I can foil his horrible plans : ) Hehehe, I'm getting tons of requests to kill Dagron...But I'm afraid that I still need him! Sorry : ) All I can suggest is that you work on giving him "the look" and help Elrond put a little fear into him, LOL. Oh, don't EVER (I repeat EVER!) apologize or pity me when you ramble! I absolutely LOVE it when people ramble. I love to ramble myself, and if you don't ramble back...Well, the conversation can get pretty one-sided ; ) Hannon le, mellon-nín!
polingly: Well, I think this will be my last chat with you until you get back (and even then, we'll be leaving!). (sob) I don't know how I'll survive! Brutal R/L : b Don't apologize... Hehehe, glad you thought the bit with Mora was funny : ) Well, I got so tired reading stories were the only mode of revenge on the villains is killing them – what kind of revenge is that?! I find it so much more satisfying when the heroes remain noble and don't become obsessed with revenge, and the bad guys live to feel fear... Yeah, I guess you're right, the thought of trying to tie his hands behind his back after...ew...that is gross : b Well, I might not actually get all that many posts in while your gone. We found some promising land (YAHOO!) and might start building a house soon, so we'll be REALLY busy right up until the day WE leave on vacation. Anyways, hopefully we'll reconnect some time after both our vacations (I'm kind of hoping, like Imbecamiel mentioned, that we'll be able to e-mail each other a few times while we're in AZ). Hannon le, gwathel-nín esse Ilúlvatar!
Drylith: Hehe, I must admit, it was fun to write a scared Dagron : ) Well, we'll see just what Iluvatar has in mind for Dagron... Though of course, this being my story, he'll have to consult me first! Ah the power rush! (maniacal laughter) Hehe, it's probably a good thing it's not like that in REAL life... Yeah, the "Complete Guide to Middle Earth" is SO helpful, isn't it? I don't know how I'd have gotten through the Silmarillion without it : ) Thank you so much for reviewing, mellon-nin!
EverKitsune: Right behind – or with – C&S?!?! Really? Wow. I'm speechless. I'm glad you like my story that much! Oh yes, I absolutely love Mora (it was fun writing the part where he got so "cocky" LOL) – and all the other characters too : ) Hehehe, glad you liked Legolas' insult. Yeah, I know what you mean about Elrohir, he really deserves more attention! I'm actually writing (or TRYING to write) a story that centers around Elladan and Elrohir, where they BOTH get quite a bit of attention. But, I'm not sure how long it'll be before I finish it, right now I'm running low on inspiration : b I'm glad you think I do a good job putting depth into characters, I try very hard to do so! Anyways...Thank you SO much for going back and reviewing all those chapters! (I'm not sure exactly what the "highly recommend" button is for, I just do it for any story I like...I think it's some sort of trial thing they're doing on here.)
Troubles8806: No need to apologize – I know how horrible RL can get. Oh, what part do you have in the play? It sounds like a lot of fun. I hope your final performance went well! I'm so glad to hear that you're still enjoying the story! Thank you so much for taking the time out of an insane schedule to review the chapter!
My special thanks to EverKitsune For adding me to your author's alerts and Favorite list!
The next chapter should be here Tuesday or Wednesday, as usual : ) It's called... um... um... no it's not called "um" it's.. ah... (sheepish grin) Sorry... Figuring out the title of the next chapter seems to have slipped my incredibly flighty artist's mind... again... There's a reason I'm called the Blasted Butterfly, you know ; )
- Nefhiriel
Vice President and Co-founder of the SNWCG, and member of the F.F.F.F.F.