Círdan stood leaning over the chart that was open upon the table, in conference with three other elves, Gil-Galad was pacing the length of the carpet that ran down the hall and Glorfindel stood by the fireplace gazing distractedly into his goblet.
"Can the ships not sail as soon as the host is assembled?"
Círdan lifted his eyes to meet Gil-Galad's gaze, and shook his head, "If the ships set off before the next tide, we will likely lose the entire fleet on the rocks before they even come within sight of the city, we must wait for the tide."
Gil-Galad nodded and sighed, bowing to the judgement of those more experienced in these matters. His gaze came to rest upon Glorfindel and he moved to his side, "Walk with me?"
Glorfindel looked up startled from his thoughts, before nodding once in acceptance. They walked down the room and finally out into the gardens.
"Are the forces assembled?"
"Aye, My Lord they will be ready to set sail with the tides at dawn."
"Good." The High King muttered absently, "and what of you? This business with Erestor is surprising; he will need us to be there for him." He paused, "I removed the guard from his door, why did you feel that necessary?"
Glorfindel had stiffened at Gil-Galad's probing, "Anger, I suppose, I feel as if he has betrayed me." He shrugged.
"While that is understandable, you would do well to remember that his complaint against us is far greater than any complaint we may have against him. He has honoured us with his trust for many years, even if he has not given himself over entirely."
"I have not wronged him." Glorfindel stated, quite affronted. "And I have never slain kin."
Gil-Galad sighed, "And neither have I," he paused before adding thoughtfully, "Consider what happened to him Glorfindel, can you truly blame him for distrusting all those of Noldor blood?"
"I do not know"
The King could see that Glorfindel was not really taking his words to heart, and he sighed softly in frustration. "I am not ordering you to go with the fleet to Arvernien Glorfindel; will you not stay and help me to aid Erestor?"
"I cannot, my Lord, and besides there is none more suited to this journey than I."
Certainly Gil-Galad could not deny that, but still he wished the Golden Lord would reconsider.
"You should know Glorfindel, that if you truly love our Sinda Prince."
"King," Glorfindel interjected
"King?"
Aye, King. Elurín is Dior's heir is he not? Even if he is the younger son."
"Quite so. Glorfindel if you love him, you must know that your heart will not listen to your head in this matter."
Glorfindel sighed, "I need time, My Lord. I do not know what I think or feel at this moment."
Gil-Galad nodded once in understanding, "You should get some rest, unless you would like to join Erestor and me for the evening meal?"
Glorfindel shook his head in answer.
Gil-Galad opened the door and poked his head around to see if the audience chamber was occupied. The door to Erestor's room was shut and the audience chamber was empty so he ushered in the servants. They quickly laid out the meal and left the room, quietly and efficiently, and the High King shut the door behind them.
Pausing only to fill two goblets with wine Gil-Galad crossed over to the closed door and knocked.
He heard a muffled, "Go away" from the room, and sighed,
"Erestor, I am coming in, whether you will it or no." Silence greeted his comment, so after a moment he pushed open the door.
At first glance the room appeared empty, but then the King caught a slight movement out of the corner of his eye, and looking again, he saw that the elfling was curled up in a quilt on the floor by the fire. He moved to join him, taking a seat upon the hearthrug, being sure not to get too close. Large, dark eyes observed him warily.
He smiled in what he hoped was a reassuring manner before asking; "Is what Maedhros said true? Are you Elurín Diorion?"
A dark look seemed to pass over the elfling's face, and he looked away.
"I must know, little one."
"Elurín is long dead, I am Erestor. My name is Erestor." The elfling's voice seemed to be trying to convince; his eyes were pained.
Gil-Galad fought the urge to reach out to him, as he calmly met the elfling's stare.
"I cannot deny that I am disappointed that you felt you could not share this with us, even after all these years. But I do not blame you, Erestor, what you must have endured is beyond my understanding." Gil-Galad shook his head absently, as if to emphasise the fact. "But I would try. Make me understand."
He picked up one of the goblets that he had placed on the table and held it out to Erestor, who took it from him warily. The elfling looked at the contents and smelled it before raising it to his mouth. It made the King's heart ache to see that distrust, but he said nothing.
"Where would you have me begin?" Erestor's voice sounded ragged from crying, his eyes ever searching the High King's face. He seems ready to bolt if I should make a wrong move, Gil-Galad thought. Before he could reply Erestor's stomach rumbled in need and he smiled.
"There is a meal laid out next door, let us satisfy your hunger as we talk."
Erestor nodded once and rose, dragging the quilt with him into the next room. Surveying the table he could tell that some care had been taken to produce his favourite dishes and he was silently thankful for that. He took a seat upon the divan, curling up in the quilt once more.
Gil-Galad let him settle down, before handing him a plate of food and considering which seat to take. While the divan where Erestor was seated would mean he was close enough to comfort the elf he did not wish to make assumptions that were unwelcome, so finally he chose to sit in the fireside chair next to the divan, to give the elf some space.
Erestor picked half-heartedly at his food, lost in his own dark thoughts. And Gil-Galad was just at the point of attempting to draw him out with a question when he spoke.
"There was nothing extraordinary about that morning, we had breakfast. Eluréd teased me as he always did when I had archery practise," he raised his eyes to Gil-Galad's before adding, "I was never very good at archery." He shook his head absently and Gil-Galad smiled fondly at the gesture.
"Ada seemed tired, I don't know why and Nana and Elwing where talking about their gowns for the upcoming solstice ball." Noting the grief now shining from the elfling's eyes Gil-Galad silently berated himself for not noticing this buried pain.
"How can a day that starts off so ordinary, become so horrible? I cannot reconcile these memories of normality with the devastation of but a few hours later, nay, I cannot." He finished shaking his head and reaching for some bread.
Gil-Galad observed him silently, content to let the elfling talk his fill and marvelled at his calm, almost detached words.
A/N RMC – I'm glad to know it wasn't too predictable, and that you're enjoying it, thanks!
Ilaaris – Thanks for your comments
CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur – Thanks!
Asha Dreamweaver – On your questions this time I'm going to have to say, all will become clear (at least I hope so!)
Crecy – LOL, thanks for your comments
