-Author's note-

Yes, I am wicked and stole a good idea from another FF.net writer, Crimson Starlight-- putting Elvish (Sindarin in this case) in brackets, {}. So that's what those mean. And go read her stuff, it's good too.

Chapter 8

The Meeting

{No! I say, any reaction to this is foolishness! We cannot do anything. We could conceivably stir up interest, but that is precisely what we do NOT want to do. How do we know anyone is taking this seriously?}

{But Firlaith, surely you do not think I counsel action? I merely think we should look into this. Find who was there, talk to them perhaps, make sure we know-}

{Know what? How can knowing-}

{-sure we know what they might or might not do. Better to know when the worst is going to come and be prepared than live in worry.}

Esgalmir put his head in his hands. Everyone had come to Malfinien's house on time, and it had taken almost 10 minutes for Firlaith to have his usual violently hands-off reaction. Malfinien was sitting back in a corner, next to her harp, looking as disappointed as Esgalmir himself felt. Most of the other Elves, he noted, had gone into the next room over, to talk about other matters; it wasn't often they met together, and speaking Sindarin was such a pleasant change.

Or would be pleasant, if it weren't for Firlaith. Lothwen tried to reason with him, but nooooo... Esgalmir was about ready to get up and smack Firlaith on the back of the head, he was being so stubborn. Instead, he settled on an interjection to try and stop the argument.

{Firlaith, stop acting like a hard-headed Dwarf,} he snapped. THAT got a reaction.

Firlaith froze. Slowly, he rotated on the ottoman, his upper body motionless, until he was face to face with Esgalmir.

{Don't ever say that again.} Esgalmir eyed the older Elf cooly.

{And why not? You're clearly not listening to what Lothwen is actually saying. She keeps insisting on NOT taking any action, on simply learning more about these particular humans. I for one would have done so on my own, were it not for Malfinien calling together this meeting.}

{I will take no action, whatever you choose to do. And think about what you are planning: if you expose yourself, you expose all of us.}

{I'd like to add another reason to try to contact these people,} Esgalmir said after a moment. {One that none of us has yet mentioned.} Someone in the next room over heard him, and their talk quieted. Esgalmir stilled the emotions and memories beginning to stir in his mind, and spoke. {What if they can lead us to the Straight Road?}

Silence. Then Firlaith said slowly, {How... how do you know if we can take the Straight Road? Not one of us has the knowledge to pass the girdles of the Valar and reach the Blessed Realm. To try to contact them in this hope is no reason at all.} No-one spoke for a long moment.

{So what do you propose we do?} asked Esgalmir bitterly. {Stay here, for the endless aeons resting before us? Wander lonely through the world of the humans, doing nothing of note for fear of being discovered, building no relationships with Men, just trying to survive? We cannot live as the Eldar here. We have known this for years. And now, when we have the chance, you would choose this life of nothingness?}

{I would choose Valinor,} said Malfinien simply. A collective murmur from the other Elves, yes, they would rather go to Aman than stay here. Firlaith shrugged.

{I did not say I would choose to remain here. I said we might not have a choice.}

{But you said we should not even try!} Esgalmir snapped. {I would rather-- I would rather end my own life than live another 10,000 years like this!} He bowed his head, shocked at himself. To commit suicide was to scorn Eru's gift, and what Esgalmir had just let out of his mouth amounted to nothing less than blasphemy. The tense silence of the other Elves told him they felt the exact same way.

{Forgive me, I did not mean-}

{Thank you, Malfinien,} said Lothwen, ignoring him. {Thank you for trying to have a coherent meeting. Firlaith, everyone.} She bowed and walked rapidly out the front door. The other Elves followed, murmuring thanks to Malfinien and goodbyes to Firlaith. Last of all, Firlaith got up, thanked Malfinien, and strode from the house. Malfinien looked at Esgalmir.

{Goodbye,} she said simply, then turned and disappeared into the next room. Esgalmir nodded dumbly, got up from his chair, and walked out the door.