Chapter Four: Musings and Meetings
"It does look a lot like him, doesn't it?" asked Maglor, gazing at a bust of the Roman emperor Julius Caesar. They had gone to the museum that morning, Glorfindel having called in sick to work, sending Mr. Sutherland, also known as "the Hobbit", into a raging fit. Maglor had to admit, however, that Glorfindel had done a very convincing stuffy nose.
"It does," agreed Glorfindel, his arms folded on his chest, studying the statue. "But his chin protruded a bit more…and there's something about his nose…"
Maglor chuckled. "His nose?"
"Yes," nodded Glorfindel. "I don't know what it is, but…" He pushed up the sleeves of his black sweater and knelt down in front of the bust, staring at the nose. He was determined to figure out what it was. Maglor stood embarrassedly beside him, blushing as a pair of college girls ambled by, giggling at the former Elf-Lord.
"Glorfindel…" Maglor murmured, nudging the blonde Elf's leg with the toe of his boot.
"I have it!" exclaimed Glorfindel. "The bridge of his nose used to have a bump. They took it out here."
"Well done. Now get up! People are staring!"
Glorfindel stood and pushed his hair over his shoulder. "I tell you, they always try to glorify everyone, and end up twisting the stories."
"Twisting isn't the word," huffed Maglor. "Ripping apart is more like it."
"Wouldn't I know it," said Glorfindel sadly, shaking his head. "I was at Wounded Knee when that massacre took place."
"You were?" asked Maglor, surprised.
Glorfindel nodded. "I was a trader at the time, and I got stuck there when the soldiers surrounded the settlement." His eyes grew shadowed. "There was the most beautiful little girl, only three or four years old at the most. She was always laughing. I danced with her one night, and you should have seen her stomp around that bonfire. She was - " he broke off. Maglor laid a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. He shrugged it off. Taking a deep breath, he continued. "She was killed by those soldiers."
"I'm sorry," whispered Maglor.
Glorfindel scoffed. "Soldiers. Ha! Murderers, I would say."
"When did you come over here?" asked Maglor.
"I came with the early colonists," said Glorfindel.
"So you were in the Revolutionary War?"
Glorfindel nodded. "I fought with the colonists." He laughed. "I took part in the Boston Tea Party."
Maglor grinned. "Decked out like a native?"
"Aye, my friend. Feathers, face paint – I felt like a peacock!"
"I was in Ireland at the time," said Maglor.
Glorfindel gazed at him. "You always stay by the sea, then?"
Maglor nodded. "I feel drawn to it."
"As do I," replied Glorfindel, tugging on a strand of hair.
They were both silent for a while, their minds filled with tangled thoughts. The quiet was broken when the young women who'd laughed at Glorfindel came back with a camera.
"Could we photograph you?" asked one of the girls. "I'm an art student, and you two are perfect models for a piece I'd like to do."
"You want to…draw us?" asked Glorfindel, the corners of his mouth twitching.
"If that's all right?" the girl said, nodding.
Glorfindel and Maglor exchanged looks, and grinning, Glorfindel said, "Go ahead."
The girls looked delighted, and began snapping pictures. Glorfindel was relieved that they allowed photos in this particular museum.
After the girls bid them farewell, the Elves laughingly headed off to an Elizabethan jewelry gallery.
"These mortals know nothing of jewels," said Maglor. "You should have seen my father's creations." He looked troubled. "Especially the Silmarils," he added ruefully.
"I have, and they were magnificent," whispered Glorfindel, lowering his voice as a group of young students in uniforms passed, their teacher calling them down the hall. "These poor mortals know nothing of the past, nothing of the great deeds of our people. And those of their own."
"The mortals of the past caused more problems than they solved. The Numenoreans brought about their own fall," Maglor said.
"Aye," Glorfindel agreed, "but I feel compassionate towards them. They are lost."
"How can you feel compassion for such warlike creatures?" asked Maglor. "They still war among themselves, to this day. If they were Elves, they would be labeled kinslayers. So how can you feel for them?"
Glorfindel looked at him. "The same way I feel for you," he said gently.
Maglor turned to him in surprise and gazed at him wordlessly. "Thank you," he said finally.
"One does not need rewards to give kindness," said Glorfindel. "It is not like wealth. When you gain wealth, then give it away, you lose. When you are given kindness, and you give it away, you only get more in return."
Maglor was speechless. Unable to reply, he hugged Glorfindel.
With a laugh, Glorfindel returned the embrace.
That evening, after the museum had closed, Glorfindel and Maglor were headed back to the café, the autumn wind sweeping orange and red leaves around their shoes and blowing back their hair and scarves.
"I'd like you to meet someone," Glorfindel said as they walked into the café.
"Who would that be?" asked Maglor, sitting down at their usual table.
"Do you remember that girl who we said looked like Arwen?"
"Yes," Maglor said, raising an eyebrow. "What about her?"
"Well, she and I are good friends now," explained Glorfindel, hanging his coat on the back of his chair.
"When did this happen?" asked Maglor.
"I'll explain later," said Glorfindel. "She's coming now."
"Hi, Lor!" called Evana, walking up to their table. She nodded to Maglor. "Hello, sir."
"Hello, Evana," smiled Glorfindel. "I'd like to introduce you to my friend, Maglor Fëanorion."
"That's an interesting name," she said, shaking hands with Maglor. "I'm Evana Williams."
"It's Italian," lied Maglor. "It's nice to see you again, Miss Williams."
"You, too," she said. "What can I bring you?"
"Ah, espressos, as usual," said Glorfindel. "Why don't you join us? It's not busy," he pointed out, glancing at the only other people there, who were a pair of elderly women and a young girl who looked like a Goth.
Evana looked around. "I suppose I could for a few minutes," she said.
As she hurried off, Maglor said, "She certainly is a nice child."
Glorfindel nodded. "Determined, as well. She had to pay her rent today, and was two hundred short on Friday. I don't know if she got together the money she needed, but seeing how cheerful she is, I think she was successful. She would not let me pay it for her, though I tried hard to get her to."
Maglor looked mildly surprised. "She is very strong."
Glorfindel nodded. By then, Evana was coming back with their coffee.
As she sat down in a chair she'd pulled over from another table, Glorfindel asked, "So, how did everything go today?"
"I did it!" she said happily, taking the top off of her cup and blowing on the liquid inside to cool it.
"You were able to come up with enough?" he continued.
Evana nodded. "And I have some extra."
"That's great," Glorfindel smiled.
"And I didn't even need your help."
Glorfindel laughed. "You could still submit a poem if you like," he told her. "The contest closes Friday. It's only Monday."
"I wanted to," she said. She reached into her pocket and pulled out an envelope. "Here you go. I can give it to you, can't I?"
"Of course!" Glorfindel said. He took the envelope and put it in his coat pocket.
"So, did you ever live in Italy?" Evana asked Maglor.
"Yes, actually. I came from Rome," answered the harpist.
"Really? Have you ever been to the Colosseum?"
"Many times," said Maglor, remembering the gladiator fights he'd avoided during the time they were popular. They'd always made him feel sick.
He and Evana chatted for a while as Glorfindel looked on amusedly. The old women and Goth girl left eventually. After a couple hours, the door jangled open and two dark-haired young men stepped in, laughing.
"And then, the idiot tried to run you down with his motorcycle!" exclaimed one, nearly doubled over with laughter.
"Elladan? Elrohir?" asked Glorfindel.
The men looked up at him. "Lor!" they cried happily, dashing over to him. Two seconds later, Glorfindel was buried under the twins, who were attempting to embrace him at the same time without suffocating him.
"My nephews," he told Evana with a wink.
"How are you?" asked Elrohir.
"Fine," Glorfindel laughed, a hand on the younger Elf's shoulder. "Where did you two blow in from this time?"
"Hong Kong," said Elladan. "Elrohir learned a bit of Cantonese while we there."
"Yes, I did," Elrohir said defensively. "What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing," said Glorfindel. "I have some friends I'd like you to meet." He gestured to Maglor. "This is Maglor Fëanorion," he said, glancing at them as surprise flashed across their faces. "And this is Evana Williams," he continued.
The twins' faces were a mixture of sadness and shock. Quickly, Elrohir forced his expression into one of welcome. "It's nice to meet you, Evana," he smiled.
Evana looked unsure, but she shook his hand. "You, too."
Elladan followed his brother's example.
Glorfindel sensed the tension and discomfort. "Well, I believe we need to be going, Evana, so if you'll excuse us…"
"Of course, Lor," she smiled, looking slightly relieved. "It was good to see you."
Glorfindel nodded. "I'll turn in your entry."
"Thanks. Goodbye!"
The Elves bid her farewell and left, but Elladan lingered.
"Do you need something?" asked Evana.
"I know it seems a strange request, as we don't know each other, but may I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Can I…hug you?" he asked hesitantly.
Evana's eyes widened, and she laughed nervously. "That is a strange request, but…I suppose you could."
Elladan sighed and hugged her quickly and tightly. When he let go, he looked furious with himself. "I'm sorry, miss. It was a very weird thing to do."
"It's all right," Evana said.
"Thank you," he whispered. He then ran out the door, leaving it to crash shut behind him, along with a very confused Evana. Elladan knew it had been strange, but for a moment, it had really felt like he was holding Arwen again, able to hug his sister once more.
Reviewer Responses:
Mirfein: I always felt bad for Maedhros, too, and I see him as a more sorrowful person than cruel. I liked writing the Elros scene. I'm glad you like my writing, and thank you very much for the compliments and for putting me on your fav. lists!
Rhys: I'm glad you liked it! I really want to capture Maglor's grief of all that happened. I hope I've succeeded. As for the "man dancing" – that was meant as slight foreshadowing for what happened later. I know all about those orchestra harps, and that is indeed what he plays. Thank you for pointing that out. I'd thought about that beforehand, so don't worry. I enjoy writing Evana and the friendship growing between her and Glorfindel. I'm glad you like her! And now you know Mr. Hobbit's real name! And thank you for pointing that error out. One question, though – what's chai?
curious one: I'm glad you do. Here's your update!
BanbieBunny: Good to see you! I'm glad you like it. I don't know where it's going, myself!
sqrt(-1): Thank you for pointing that out. I fixed it! (slaps self) I'm stupid sometimes. There you go! More Elves! And no, Glorfy and Evana won't fall in love. She's too much like Arwen for him. It would be weird. I'm happy you like it!
Sunflower in the Shadows: I thought it was very interesting. But why did you remove it? I'm glad you like this one. Here's your update!
Kalayna: I'm glad you you're happy. You certainly deserve the review and the fav, because that was an amazing piece of writing. Thank you for reviewing this, and I'm glad you like it!
Ellfine: (blushes) Thank you! I like Glorfy and Evana's relationship. There was your "next installment"!
jillian baade: I'm interested too. I don't know, myself! Thanks for the review.