Disclaimer: Original characters supposedly belong to me, though the non-original characters events, worlds etc do, most indeed, belong to Tolkien.
Chapter 23: The Wheel's Still In Spin
Nothing endures but change.
-Heraclitus
The Havens, Spring, TA 1300
"Galdor, can you find a way to convince Lord Cirdan to exile Aglargelair and his two sons?"
Galdor looked up at one very annoyed Morwen of Imladris, trying his best to hold back his laughter. From some resource of his soul Sigilion had found enough courage or stupidity to attempt to court Morwen again, as did his brother, Adan (so named by his father in an attempt to show he did not have prejudice against the other races) in the vain hope that someone in the family would get close to Imladris.
Morwen was not impressed, to say the least.
"I thought you were escorting Rian and Eluialeth around the Havens." He said.
"I was, until we were waylaid by Sigilion and his brother. I decided to do the honorable thing and sacrificed myself to the cause. Melui is showing them around now." Morwen reached up pulling some leaves from her hair, "I had to.." Galdor reached over and pulled out a few twigs, "Thank you, Galdor, I had to take to the trees to get away from those……"
"Fools?"
"Yes. Fools, perfect term. And let me tell you, those wood elves get so much of my respect. I thought I was going to fall near on ten times."
"To be fair, they do have systems of ropes to guide them, and much larger and sturdier tress with far more branches." Galdor said.
"True, but still, I never realized how far from agile I was. Remind me not to mock Elladan the next time he falls out of a tree." Morwen said.
Incredulous, Galdor asked, "Elladan still takes to the trees?"
"Occasionally. He does so more for solace now than for eavesdropping. Though, occasionally, still eavesdropping." Morwen said as she pulled yet another leaf out of her hair.
"Good to know….." Galdor started.
"…some things never change." Morwen murmured.
Both were silent as they pondered over the changing events of the last centuries. It was getting worse, though none would openly say such a thing. Elves were starting to come to the Havens now more to sail to Aman than to visit near the sea. Gildor Inglornion had become more of a guide for those leaving than a ruler over a party of wandering elves. It was a sad yet inevitable fate.
Galdor looked down at the letters on his desk, "Reports have come from the patrols around the Misty Mountains, the orcs have grown. Rumor has it the dwarves are fearing an attack."
Morwen sat down at her own desk. Galdor had it moved into his office years ago, to secure both of their nerves.
"Thalion had mentioned there was a fear of their numbers growing. On each patrol he has led they have encountered more and more." Morwen said.
"Oh, that reminds me, we have another group of Haven elves willing to go to Imladris for training. I meant to send that message out to Glorfindel this morning." Galdor said.
Galdor started to look through his various piles, Morwen standing up to help him. The wayward letter was finally located near the window.
"You know," Morwen said as she pushed herself up from the floor, "it would be better to send that to Congweth or Balanauth. Eru knows where Glorfindel is at the current moment."
"Do I detect a hint of anger there?" Galdor asked.
"Annoyance, really. I know I should be used to it and to a small degree I am…." Morwen trailed off.
"But couple his constant travels with the fact that only the few select know of the truth of your relationship and the little time you do have together is full of your duties, yes, Morwen, I think you are allowed to be slightly annoyed." Galdor said, then added, "..no matter how selfish that may be."
"Galdor, I am now reminded of why I have always enjoyed your company." Morwen said.
"Well that makes two of us." Galdor said, laughter shining in his eyes. "Now, let me get this to Cyllon."
Morwen raised a brow, "He delivers long distance messages now?"
"No, but he does run them to the post of the messengers who go between the realms. Cirdan says it is good for him to get all that energy out."
"Yes, what is Cyllon like when it is storming and he is not sent running around the Havens?" Morwen asked.
"Who said he is not? Cirdan thinks running around in the rain is good for the soul. You have to sail a ship in much worse." Galdor said.
"Ah," Morwen said, sitting down at her desk to get back to her work, silently laughing.
Galdor shook his head at her and walked out of the office to find Cyllon.
Morwen stood in the kitchen of Melui's home, Rian and Eluialeth in the library upstairs.
"Thank you for showing them around, Melui, I am sorry I had to abandon you." Morwen said.
Melui waved the apology off, "It was quite fun, actually. Well, Eluialeth was quite fun, Rian was……"
"Annoying?"
"Yes." Melui nodded.
"Yes, she gets like that when she is in an unfamiliar setting. And she has not spent much time out of Imladris since Elladan started the whole courting." Morwen explained.
"Really? I thought for sure should go to Green…Mirkwood. It is still so difficult for me to say that." Melui shook her head in disbelief at the situation.
"Difficult for those who live there as well. Tirnion often says he is surprised at what he has gotten used to, seeing so much darkness and little light." Morwen murmured, tracing a finger along the cutting board.
"Yes, it is amazing what we learn to get used to." Melui said. "I have been living here for so many years and I have never seen this many elves pass through only to go farther west."
Morwen moved to Melui's side giving her a hug.
"We are still here. And we should spend our time laughing, not upset." Morwen said.
Melui laughed, "Yes, we should speak of the most current tactics Sigilion is using to attempt to seduce you."
"Oh, that will be a merry talk. Is a fish supposed to be a good gift? Am I to be honored by that?" Morwen asked.
"Well, it is common enough food here, maybe he thought you were hungry?" Melui pondered.
"Melui, it was a fish I am sure the other fish eat for a snack."
"A little hungry then?"
"Perhaps we should get the old wheelbarrow out." Morwen wondered.
"I do not think Rian would allow Eluialeth on her shoulders, or the other way around." Melui said.
"They do clash. Largely due to the fact Eluialeth thinks any she-elf foolish enough to go for Elladan is not worth her time." Morwen agreed.
"Really?" Melui asked surprised, "But Elladan is such a nice person."
"He is the big brother who has taunted her for being the baby of the family for years." Morwen explained.
"And Eluialeth let him?" Melui asked.
"Well," Morwen paused taking a sip of the drink Melui held out to her, "when Eluialeth was only 90 she pushed him into the fountain. That quickly stopped his taunts. She was, I fear, too young to realize they were made out of nothing but the deepest affection."
"Oh, Imladris, such a stoic fortress and yet such a silly place." Melui mused.
"Alas, it happens with so many carefree young elves running around." Morwen said.
"Oh to be so young again…" Melui trailed off, "…though, you would not know that. You are still so young to me and have so much to learn."
"Oh, Melui, your encouragement of me is so very great."
"I am merely pointing out that there will be much to come in these next few years, things you've never experienced. I remember what it was like during the Last Alliance, even as young as I was. The fear, the uncertainty and how we learned to take each moment of laughter and happiness and cherish it. People say the children who have been born and have grown during this peace have had it best, I feel they are at a slight disadvantage, for in truth, they do not yet appreciate all they have. And they won't, tell it is gone."
Morwen dropped her eyes, idly playing with the chain around her neck.
"Never matter," Melui said, pulling some dry goods out of the cupboard, "let us get this to Rian and Eluialeth before they manage to destroy my husband's study, I fear that will set him on edge."
Imladris, Summer TA 1300
Glorfindel rode into Imladris, Elrohir riding behind him supporting a wounded Elladan.
Elrond rushed down the steps, "What has happened?"
"A very large band of orcs." Glorfindel answered. "I do not know where they came from, but they were heading towards the dwarven settlement in the Misty Mountains. I sent Thalion ahead to offer aid if it is not too late."
"And where is Balanauth? Is he injured?" Elrond asked.
"No." Glorfindel said, dismounting and helping Elrond pull Elladan from his brother's arms, "I sent him to recover Rian from the Havens. She would want to be here and Elladan would want her here."
"It is not as bad as it looks, father." Elrohir said, "I sent him to sleep to fight off discomfort more than anything else. It was a clean slice through the shoulder."
"And the others?" Elrond asked headed towards the healing rooms.
"They will soon arrive. There are not any grave injuries, but a few will need stitches and to have some shrapnel removed. Laugoneth's son will need the remnants of an arrow head removed from his back. The wound was clean, all things considered and he was well enough to ride." Glorfindel informed his Lord.
"Or so he said he was, like any proud warrior." Elrond said, giving Glorfindel a knowing look as they laid Elladan down on the bed.
"He should be awake in less than an hour." Elrohir said.
Elrond nodded, "Very good, Elrohir. You have learned your lessons well."
"Indeed he has." Glorfindel said, "Our injuries would have been much more difficult to take care of if we had been lacking Elrohir's considerable skill."
Elrohir bowed his head in thanks at the compliment.
Elrond patted both on the shoulder, "Go, wash up. I will stay here with Elladan until he wakes, tell the healers to send any they cannot yet see here. Get some rest, both of you."
Glorfindel nodded, guiding Elrohir out of the room, "I know it is difficult to leave your brother now, but it would be best if you followed your father's advice."
"I am aware of that, Glorfindel. I would just rather know he is safe. I know he is, and even if he wasn't, he is in the best hands."
Glorfindel watched Elrohir go. Smiling as he remembered his long ago days, a literal lifetime ago, when he honestly believed there was nothing his own father could not fix.
He made his way to his quarters and let out a world-weary sigh as he closed the door. Tonight he would rest and tomorrow he ride out again.
It was the least he could do.
Imladris, Autumn, TA 1300
Glorfindel sat in Erestor's office watching the plainly disturbed elf pace back and forth.
"Erestor, it is hardly the end of the…." He started.
"Glorfindel, when you have daughters you may sit there and tell me it is hardly the end of the world when some……excuse for a male elf attempts to marry your eldest, but until that day, you will sit there silent until we both find a way to undo this engagement." Erestor spat.
"Am I to sit here the whole time or may I get up for a drink?" Glorfindel asked.
"Glorfindel, a pesky elf from LothLorien is trying to make away with my eldest. This is not the time for foolery!" Erestor yelled.
"Faeleth seems to find him a perfectly respectable elf, or she would not have consented to the engagement." Glorfindel tried to explain.
"Indeed, Erestor," the voice of Tirnion interjected, "I have met this Orophin and despite some of his relations, he is a perfectly respectable elf. Lady Celebrian also threw in her favor for the match."
"Tirnion, it is not best to annoy one's host." Erestor said.
"Forgive me." Tirnion quickly said, biting his lips to keep from smiling.
Glorfindel reached over and lightly tapped him on the back of the head, "Do not taunt the Chief Councilor."
"Speaking of Councilors, when is Morwen to return?" Tirnion asked.
"After Mid-Winter if the weather permits." Erestor answered, "Eluialeth wanted to see a Mid-Winter festival in another realm and Morwen agreed to stay to offer her company."
"Oh, Glorfindel, does Morwen no longer desire to be in your company?" Tirnion asked, more out of jest than out of serious inquiry.
"If you must now, I prefer her in the Havens…." Glorfindel said.
"Do you?" Tirnion asked.
"…because she is safer there than she is here." Glorfindel finished. "I believe it was the fear of having to see your countenance again, Tirnion, that kept her in the Havens for so long."
"Ah, yes, blame it on the wood elf." Tirnion said.
"Speaking of wood elves, what has Saeros been up to?" Erestor asked.
Glorfindel suddenly stood up, embracing Tirnion, "You have managed to do it, my dear Tirnion, you have managed to finally get Erestor's mind on something else. I applaud you."
Tirnion pulled back from the sudden embrace and gave a graceful bow. "It is what I am here to do. As for your inquiry Erestor, he has been delighting in the fact the darkness and all with it has allowed him to spread more rumors and malcontent. Elves are more apt to believe him in these days. I fear King Thranduil is merely waiting for a reason to forcibly send him off to Aman."
"Oh, yes, that would be a lovely thing to do with him." Erestor said.
"Bellion has calmed these past centuries, though I believe that has more to do with the realization that to survive and still manage to prosper we need to at least be civil to our fellow elven kind." Tirnion said.
"It is good to know that even in these days stubborn elves can learn a good lesson." Glorfindel said.
"Indeed." Erestor answered, clearly implying something else.
The mirth of the study was broken as a pale faced Elrond walked in, clutching a hand to his forehead.
He spoke softly, "I have just far spoken with Mithrandir and Galadriel."
"What have they said?" Erestor asked.
"It has been confirmed." Elrond said, sadness in his tone, "the Nazgul have re-emerged."
Glorfindel could not remember the last time he had ridden so hard. He had left most of his patrol behind, eager to get to Morwen and Eluialeth, eager even more to get them back to Imladris. Not even the Havens were safe if the Nazgul had been let out.
Elrohir was the only rider to keep pace with him and even he started to fall behind. His current horse, Ninglor, was eagerly pushing on, as if sensing her rider's nervousness. Glorfindel knew they would have to rest soon, but as for now he pushed on.
The Havens, Mid Autumn, TA 1300
Morwen was trying to avoid Adan, Sigilion's even more abhorrent brother, but was finding the library of the Havens was not so easy to hide in as the one at Imladris.
"Adan, what will it take for you to leave me be?" She asked.
"A simple moment with you, Morwen. I am sure once we have spoken you will…"
"…want to avoid you just as much as I do now. Adan, really, I am not eager to be in any sort of relationship. I am much more better suited to being alone."
"Rumor has it you have been with an elf of Mirkwood, one of the warriors."
Morwen bit back a groan, "And this time, I assure you, rumor is wrong. Tirnion is dear to me, I will give you that, but he is like a brother."
"And what of Lord Glorfindel?" Adan asked.
"What of him? He is a lord of my realm and known to me my whole life." Morwen said, not lying.
"Rumor says…" Adan started.
"Adan, your time would be better spent if you did not waste it listening to rumors." Galdor said from the doorway.
"Galdor, they have let you out of that cage of an office? How quaint." Adan said.
"Yes, well, you know, hard work is what happens when one is a trusted member of the realm. Now, if you will excuse me, I am need of Morwen's assistance."
Adan narrowed his eyes and watched Morwen as she quickly made her way over to Galdor. They hurried out of the room. Galdor did not say anything before he could speak and be out of range of Adan's ears.
"Reports have come in form the Rangers and the Wise confirming that the Nazgul have reappeared." He informed her quietly.
Morwen could not hold back her gasp, "Eluialeth and I must get…"
"Cirdan has far spoken with Elrond, despite his distaste for such a task. Glorfindel and a guard are on their way. Knowing Glorfindel, he should be here before nightfall. He will need to rest, as will the party once they arrive. Anything you must finish and anyone you planned on visiting in the next few weeks, I suggest you start making your apologies." Galdor said.
"I will at once. Eluialeth will not be pleased but, hopefully, she will understand the urgency." Morwen said.
"If she does not initially, Glorfindel will make sure she does by the end of it all." Galdor murmured.
Glorfindel and Ninglor came racing up to the stables of Cirdan's realm. Thandrog and Morwen came running out of the house, having anticipated his arrival.
"Where is Eluialeth?" he asked
"With Melui in Galdor's office." Thandrog answered, "Go inside with Morwen, Glorfindel, I will see to your horse."
"Thank you, Thandrog, I fear Elrohir is not far behind me." Glorfindel said.
"Cirdan has already been alerted of the impending arrival of the guard. He has rooms prepared for the night's rest." Thandrog said.
"I shall go thank him at once. Thandrog, thank you." Glorfindel said.
"You are most welcome, Captain." He answered.
Glorfindel strode over to Morwen fighting the urge to pull her into his arms and making certain she was well.
"Are both you and Eluialeth well?" he asked, walking sedately at her side.
"Yes, there has not been a hint of what is going on in the rest of Arda here in the Havens. The Havens are still far removed." Morwen said.
"Yes, well," Glorfindel said as he pulled off his riding gloves, "I fear little will stop a Nazgul if they have a reason to attack."
"Have they just been gathering strength since the end of the Second Age?" Morwen asked.
"As far as we can tell, yes." Glorfindel answered as he followed Morwen into the house where the councilors' offices were located.
"Has your stay here been nice? I apologize for cutting it short, but we will all rest easier knowing you and Eluialeth are safe within our realm." Glorfindel said.
"No apologies are needed. The stay has been nice and peaceful with the glaring exceptions of recent events and waiting to hear Elladan had healed from his injury." Morwen said.
"Yes, Elladan was quite insulted you were not by his bedside to watch him bask in the glow of Rian's concern." Glorfindel smiled.
"From what I saw of Rian the moment she heard of the injury I do not think I would have been able to handle such a….glow." Morwen murmured.
"You did not tell me of this." Glorfindel said.
"Glorfindel, I believe she used curses even Cirdan has not heard."
Glorfindel laughed, reveling in the feeling. Laughter and merriment had not been his most recent emotions.
"Sigilion and his brother still causing you trouble?" he asked.
Morwen shrugged, "As much as can be expected. Their father is even more desperate to get them into a court more connected with the rest of Aman. I tempted to tell Adan that Tharien is still not married, but then I would run the risk of having to deal with the both of them."
Glorfindel shuddered, "Please, for my sake, do not give Aglargelair an excuse to come to our realm."
"Oh, that is just a horrible thought." Morwen said as she pushed the door to Galdor's office open.
As the door closed to all outsiders, Glorfindel took Morwen's hand in his own, grateful to know she was truly there and safe.
The journey back to Imladris had been nerve-wracking. There were a few minor skirmishes with small bands of orcs. Eluialeth, who had never seen such a being before, had taken to sleeping close to Morwen, seeking comfort from her older friend. Even Morwen, who in the past three hundred years had seen her fair share of the ever increasing orcs, was horrified by the sight of these orcs, largely due to the fact they wore belts of dwarf beards around them. It was safe to say at least one of the dwarven settlements in the Misty Mountains had been attacked.
Glorfindel, overprotective of those he viewed as family in the best of times, was needless to say difficult to live with on the journey back. This time, however, Morwen could not be angry with him, especially as the shaking body of Eluialeth clung to her whenever night fell.
Morwen had never been so exhausted from a return journey to Imladris though she was warmed at seeing Eluialeth reunited with her parents and sister.
"I fear she will not be content for some time." Glorfindel said from beside her.
"She has a family who loves her deeply and is within the boundaries of her home, she will at least sleep tonight." Morwen said.
"And you?" Glorfindel asked.
"If you are unable to locate me in the morning…."
Glorfindel laughed, "Look for the twins. Some things…"
"Never change." Morwen smiled, "and hopefully, they never will."
Glorfindel, aware of the crowd around them, pulled Morwen into a chaste embrace, "Hopefully, in some contexts they will, for the better." He whispered into her ear and walked off to tend to his horse and his soldiers.
A/N 1: Title is from a line in Bob Dylan's The Times They Are A' Changin': Come writers and critics/ Who prophesize with your pen/ And keep your eyes wide/ The chance won't come again/ And don't speak too soon/ For the wheel's still in spin/ And there's no tellin' who/ That it's namin'. In fact, the song can sort of be viewed as the soundtrack for the chapter.
A/N 2: Since I have had a few inquires about this: The events mentioned in this chapter (the return of the Nazgul, the attacks of the dwarves in the Misty Mountains, the ever increasing orc populations) all did happen in TA 1300 so says the Tolkien timeline. Of course, a heck of a lot more is going on at the time….but I am writing about the elves and ok, am being just a tad neglectful to the humans of Middle Earth. For the curious, you can look at Appendix B of Return of the King (the book, people) or google the Encyclopedia of Arda.