Círdan's stood upon the deck of the ship watching his crew reverently hoist his standard up the main mast.
The host from Balar marching under the starred banners of King Gil-Galad had initially been attacked, for the local inhabitants had thought them reinforcements for the Noldor force that had so devastated the city. Under Glorfindel's quick instruction and his own agreement the standards had been lowered from each of the ships and the host had advanced under the Teleri banners. Círdan shook his head; it had been long since he had seen those standards blowing in the wind above an armed host.
Looking out across the city, over the morning mist, at the devastation left in the wake of the Fëanorion invaders he felt fear for the elves under his charge and indeed all elves, for how could they, so obviously divided, come together at the needed time to defeat the enemy that threatened them all. Still, he hoped that the large number of soldiers that had volunteered to stay in Arvernien would help in some small way to rebuild the trust that was lost.
"Good Day My Lord"
Círdan's musings were cut short by an elleth's greeting and he looked over the side of the ship to better see the caller.
"Good Day to you Lady Galadriel, are you come to see us off?"
The lady looked uncomfortable, "You have not been asked, I must apologise. Celeborn and I seek passage to Balar. There is an elf there that we would see, our meeting is long overdue."
Understanding dawned on Círdan's face and in one well practised move he jumped from the side of the ship to land elegantly a few paces from Galadriel. He smiled at the lady's obvious shock at his move, and bowed, "We would be honoured to have you and your husband accompany us, My Lady." He offered his arm, which Galadriel took with a smile, "and I'm sure that Elurín will be overjoyed to see you again."
Galadriel smiled at the sea captain's kind words, a little nervousness obvious in the manner in which she fiddled with the trim of her gown. "What is he like? It has been so long, I did not think to ever see him again this side of the sea."
Círdan smiled, "He is quiet, and studious, but still affable, and he is well loved by all. Come, you shall sail with me, allow me to escort you aboard."
-
The sailor paraded down the deck, his deep voice calling out, "All are reminded to stay on board and to try to keep out of the way of the crew until the ship is fully docked." He shook his head at the excitement of the returning soldiers; they had been gone for barely the turn of a moon, which in his opinion was hardly enough time to miss the loved ones left behind, nay, they would never be sailors he thought with a smile.
"Do you see her?"
Dînnen was hanging off the side of the boat, scanning the crowds that had gathered on the docks, Glorfindel's hand had hold of his belt for fear the other elf would fall, but he too scanned the crowds in the hope he might see a familiar dark haired elf among them.
"There! There she is, and does that not look like a babe in swaddling clothes?" he bounced up and down at the sight, and Glorfindel grinned in reply, "I have to get off this boat now!"
He quickly removed his sword, thrusting it into the hands of one of his fellows and climbed onto the railing.
"Dînnen nay!" Glorfindel called, looking down at the gap between ship and dock which still seemed far too wide to him, though several of the sailors had already made the jump. He reached to grab hold of his belt once more, but too late, as Dînnen jumped onto the boards.
Feeling suddenly compelled to do likewise after seeing Mîrgaer's brother make the jump, shortly after her husband; he cast an apologetic look at Círdan who was looking displeased, though his eyes sparkled with understanding,and leapt from the boat himself.
He caught up to their fair haired companion, and held him back by the arm as the young couple greeted with an embrace and kisses and the small white bundle was passed into the arms of the dark haired elf. 'Twas then that Dînnen turned to his companions and raised the elfling in his arms with a proud smile and the others moved forward.
After greeting Mîrgaer they turned their attentions to the tiny elfling.
"So does my Sister Son have a name?"
Mîrgaer beamed, "Aye he is named Lindir, for he has been entertaining the palace with his voice."
Glorfindel looked at the wriggling screaming elfling, with his father's blue eyes and just a hint of his mother's fair hair and raised a brow.
"I sincerely hope his voice improves with age," his uncle muttered under his breath and Glorfindel smiled broadly in reply.
"Certainly there is naught wrong with his lungs." Mîr frowned at the Golden Elf in mock indignation and clouted him over the head playfully.
As the others cooed over the new elfling Glorfindel scanned the crowds for the elf that had his love, his heart heavy despite the jollity of the day, for he knew that his absence could not bode well.
"He would not come." Glorfindel's eyes snapped down to meet Mîr's, "He did not think you would want him here and none of my arguments swayed him."
Glorfindel nodded once, "I have been a fool," he muttered.
"Aye, aye you have indeed," Mîr chastised lightly, "but take comfort from the fact that he loves you still, though he would deny it." She shook her head absently, "He is confused and hurting, he needed you here, you do know that don't you?"
"Aye," Glorfindel breathed in regret, knowing now he had acted too rashly.
-
"My dear wife has said that never again would there be a King of Doriath, I thank the Valar for delivering to us a King, and the new hope he represents." Celeborn smiled; the joy of recent discoveries clear on his face.
Gil-Galad looked uneasy in his chair, a fact that did not go unnoticed by the Lady Galadriel.
"Celeborn's words make you uneasy my Lord?"
Gil-Galad raised his eyes to meet the Lady's gaze, "Aye they do, He has forsaken his name, and I fear he will not take kindly to being burdened by such responsibilities."
Celeborn's eyes widened considerably, "He has forsaken his name? That will not do! Nay that I will not allow! What name does he go by?"
"Erestor."
Galadriel laughed, "That is his name as much as any, and brings to mind a scholarly youth with ink on his nose, how I have missed them." Suddenly realising what she had said she corrected, "…him."
Celeborn frowned, "he has responsibilities whether he would be burdened by them or not, I would see him now."
Gil-Galad nodded once and rose. "I believe he is currently in the library, if you would follow me."
Celeborn rose to follow the High King from the room, but was held back by Galadriel's hand.
"My Love, he is only just returned to us, I would ask you not to drive him from us with demands and accusations. My heart cares nothing for names, and he is not the elfling we once knew, he is full grown and no longer bound by the words of his elders."
Celeborn looked conflicted, trying to balance the needs of a people against the needs of his nephew who had seen the worst and the best of what elves were capable of. He nodded once and with an arm about his lady's waist guided her from the room.
-
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A/N – Celeborn is in fact Elurín's Great Uncle, but I have dropped the prefixes to make the text easier to follow, it somehow seems more natural.