Disclaimer: I own the ocs and not much else in this world. Tolkien and the people who own his work, they own the rest of it.
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Once To Life and Twice To Death
If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.
-Anne Bradstreet, Meditations Divine and Moral
Imladris, Spring, TA 2048
"That utter and complete ass of a human!"
Morwen heard the bellow from Glorfindel's office and jumped to the side as a dagger came flying out, embedding itself in the wall across from the office.
Morwen cautiously peaked inside, stealing herself to make a quick escape from anymore flying weapons. She raised a brow at the clearly enraged elf.
"Perhaps I should come back later?" She asked as she forced herself not to flinch under Glorfindel's ice cold glare.
"What?" He barked out.
Glorfindel shook his head, "I apologize, Morwen. I have received some disturbing…..news from Gondor's king."
"Earnur, the start-up captain who tried to take the Witch-King on?" Morwen asked.
"Precisely." Glorfindel spat out.
"I gathered from what you did to the poor wall the news was more infuriating than disturbing?"
Glorfindel gave her a confused look, "The wall?"
Morwen gestured to the hallway outside.
Glorfindel lowered his head in a bashful manner and went to the hallway to retrieve his dagger.
"I, um, thought the door was closed…..obviously it was not."
"Would you have not seen…..you threw it over your shoulder, didn't you." Morwen said.
"Maybe." Glorfindel answered as he pulled the dagger from the wall, inspecting the blade for damage.
Morwen sighed and shook her head, "What did Earnu…" she stopped at Glorfindel's obvious twitch, "..um, the King of Gondor say to you?"
"Oh, nothing much." Glorfindel said as he stood in the hallways looking for something to cover up the obvious dent in the wall. "He just saw fit to inform me that five years ago the Witch-King issues him a challenge."
"When he took over Minas Ithil?" Morwen asked.
"It is called Minas Morgul now. As you know, the siege was quite a blow to Gondor. Earnur had just become the King and, so it would seem, did not yet want to ask for the suggestions of his elven elders as to how he should proceed." Glorfindel said.
"He wasn't foolish enough to answer the challenge, was he?" Morwen asked, trying not to smile as Glorfindel moved one of the hall tables under the dent.
Glorfindel walked into his office, retrieving a large vase full of tall flowers, "Apparently some merciful Vala saw fit to grant him enough restraint to not answer the challenge. However," Glorfindel paused as he placed the vase on the table, attempting to arrange the flowers to conceal the tell-tale spot, "he has started to reconsider."
Glorfindel turned to Morwen, silently asking if she approved. The flowers did cover up the spot well, even if the table seemed a bit out of place. She nodded, for it was the best Glorfindel could do until he bribed one of the housekeepers over to his side.
Glorfindel gave one last approving nod and came over to Morwen, guiding her inside the office and closing the door.
Morwen sat down, not bothering to stop her hand from tracing the knot work on the desk.
"His advisors are letting him go ahead with such a plan?" She asked.
"Apparently." Glorfindel said as he settled himself in his desk chair.
"Did you not explicitly state the Witch-King will not be killed by a…" Morwen started.
"Yes, well, Earnur does not seem to mind his elven elders. If he answers such a challenge, he will die. I do not know how I can make it more clear to him." Glorfindel said, his jaw slightly clenched.
"He probably think himself even more invincible now that he is King." Morwen said.
"Indeed." Glorfindel agreed.
Both looked towards the door as it opened, Erestor stepping inside.
"I was hoping to find the two of you here. Glorfindel, there is a company of dwarves here and they would like to speak with you."
"It's the least I can do for our dwarven allies." Glorfindel said though his eyes showed he was not so keen to speak with them.
Erestor nodded, "Morwen, Celebrian and Arwen will soon return with all the trappings for the Spring Festival could you them."
"Of course, Erestor. Less ribbons and buntings, more nature and reverence." Morwen said.
"Exactly." Erestor nodded then looked at both elves expectantly.
Morwen and Glorfindel moved to carry out their tasks.
Morwen studied Lady Celebrian as she instructed a group of elves on where to place the stringed lanterns, smiling at the light she saw in her Lady's face.
Lady Celebrian had changed much in the past years.
The Lord and the Lady of the realm had come to some sort of understanding; Celebrian would spend the winter and spring of the year in Imladris and the summer and autumn in the Golden Wood. When times called for it, she would spend the whole of the year in Imladris.
Something Lord Elrond had said to Celebrian all those years ago must have struck a chord within her. She was happier than Morwen could remember, especially considering the events of 1981.
Lord Elrond had, in that year, forbid her from going to the Golden Wood following the attacks on the dwarves of Moria. Rumor had it a balrog had appeared.
Morwen still remembered the nightmares that had awoken in Glorfindel upon that news. Elrond had given him concoctions every night to send him into a dreamless sleep. There were still times when it was obvious Glorfindel was lost in thought, thinking of the foe who had brought home down once before.
The balrog was not the event that had sent Celebrian into a small bout of despair.
No, it was the attack on the northern woods of LothLorien and the fateful end of two of the elves fleeing to the south, Amroth and Nimrodel.
Celebrian had known Amroth since she was a child and in a way, Morwen herself believed, Amroth was like Celebrian's own Glorfindel. He was a lord of the Golden Wood, and while not a fan of King Thranduil had strived to get along with him. He ruled the more northern half while Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn had taken the southern, though now they were the sole rulers.
Morwen had never met him but she had heard tales of him. Nimrodel had been his beloved and in the confusion of the fleeing she had been lost, Amroth had gone to find her and also was lost, to the despair of all those who loved him.
It was only fitting they had been lost together.
There were still those who searched for both Nimrodel, her lost companion, and Amroth, even Gildor had dedicated an entire section of his party to search for them.
All these years later there was still nothing.
Celebrian had found solace and happiness somewhere though, and had pulled herself out of her own darkness.
Lord Elrond was certainly the happiest Morwen had seen him in years.
"Morwen, stop being such a councilor and get over here. Tell me them the purple is far better than the blue." Celebrian said, her ever so musical voice tinged with laughter.
Morwen could not stop her smile, "Whatever the Lady bids."
"Oh, do not be so with me." Celebrian said, coming over to her and playfully tying Morwen's hair back with one of the ribbons, "I do so remember when you were but a child, all wild braids and scratched legs."
Arwen laughed, "Morwen? Scratched legs and wild braids? I find that hard to believe, even when looking like a drab councilor she has always been so well kempt."
"Not so much when she was young, our little wild child of Imladris." Celebrian said, her voice full of memory and affection.
"Now, I do believe Elladan has bested me there." Morwen protested.
"Our wild spirit then. You see, Arwen, when Morwen came along the household believed all young she-elves were like Aerlinn or Tharien, nice and quiet and proper. Morwen proved them all wrong." Celebrian stopped for a moment, "Rian even more so."
"Yes," Morwen said, "Let us think of Rian. The child who bit Lindir so hard when she was tired of her harp lessons she left a scar. The child who, though by accident, knocked down a whole shelf of Elrond's books in an attempt to reach a perching owl. The child who…"
"As an adult is tempted to remind her foster-sister of the time she accidentally slapped Glorfindel with a hefty tome and broke his nose and gave him two beautiful black eyes." Rian said.
Arwen was shocked for a moment, then soon found herself in a fit of laughter.
"I would remind you, dear foster-sister, I was struggling with that tome as I stood high on a ladder and you were the one who told Elladan to tug my hair in order to see how high I would jump." Morwen said.
"That accusation has never been proven." Rian said.
"Thankfully. Glorfindel still gets twitchy whenever someone mentions the 'tome incident of TA 201.'" Celebrian said.
"Alas, poor Glorfindel's nose has never been the same." Rian snickered.
Morwen narrowed his eyes, "His nose is just fine, thank you very much."
Arwen giggled, "Of course you would say that, Morwen, you are still so infatuated with him after all these years."
Morwen gave Arwen a curious look , then she remembered that Arwen was not one of the select few, nor, was Celebrian (though even Morwen knew Celebrian saw far more than any gave her credit), "Yes, Arwen, I am. I fear it will never go away and honestly, I pray it never does."
"Oh, I doubt it ever will." Celebrian murmured and as Morwen met her eyes she saw the knowledge there. Celebrian knew and she obviously approved.
"Now, let us get back to the decorating." Celebrian said. "I want this festival to be most pleasant. Especially since we will be hosting guests from Mirkwood."
"Who is coming this time?" Rian asked as she helped hang up a leaf green bunting on the balcony.
"Laeriel, Tholinnas and Tirnion as their guard. I believe Laeriel insisted Tirnion needed to take a leave."
Morwen snickered, "Considering in his last letter to me he asked how horrible it would be if he used the new recruits for target practice rather than trying to train their incompetent selves, I believe you are correct. He has lost much of his good humor in the past few years, doing the work of five elves as opposed to one."
"Yes, I heard they are trying their best to find a second-in-command now that Tirnion has advanced and Nordithen is off in the Havens." Rian said.
Morwen nodded, "Yes, Seidron is the most likely candidate. His test will probably be how well he can manage while Tirnion is gone. Valar help him, it will be a true baptism by fire."
Celebrian laughed, "The poor boy, if Tirnion doesn't get to him, Thranduil will."
Imladris, Mid-Spring, 2048
Tirnion sat near one of the lone archery ranges in Imladris doing his best not to think of what Seidron was doing with his troops back in Mirkwood.
There was a friendly but competitive competition going on between the elves gathered on this range, the private one for Lord Elrond and those he considered family, both by blood and by bond.
Elladan and Elrohir were among the gathered, as was Glorfindel and Balanauth. Eluialeth was their objective scorekeeper since, honestly, no one could cozy or bribe points out of her.
She also would not be likely to tell anyone, save her father and Morwen, how the elves were gossiping like the old ladies of the human settlements. Erestor and Morwen were already quite aware of such a thing.
"I am merely saying," Elrohir grunted as he pulled his deeply embedded arrows out of the target, "while Morwen may glare and throw knives at a practice board in anger, Rian will glare and throw knives at a person in anger. Therefore, I see Elladan as more foolish and smitten than Glorfindel."
"And we must do well to remember," Balanauth said, "Elladan is most close to Morwen as well so, to be fair, he gets both of them."
Tirnion smiled at Elladan, "You obviously have a death wish."
"Not at all." Elladan said. "I merely like to be kept on my toes."
"Let us also say, Elladan's life will never be boring." Glorfindel said with a smile as he re-strung his bow.
"Oh please," Eluialeth said not bothering to look up from her book, "Morwen has it the worst. She deals with all of you, plus Rian, willingly."
"The poppet has a point." Tirnion said, laughing at the glare Eluialeth gave him.
"The poppet is contemplating using you as target practice." Eluialeth said.
"How many points would that garner her?" Elrohir asked his twin.
"I think it would have to do with placement." Elrohir answered.
"And impact." Balanauth said.
"Distance as well, and whether or not he was stationary or moving." Glorfindel said.
"And if she was using a long or short bow against me and the type of arrows." Tirnion said.
Eluialeth shook her head at them and sighed, "Are you five going to continue with your competition or may I go inside?"
"We'll continue." Elrohir said.
The other elves stood back as Glorfindel, with a piece of dark cloth covering his eyes, readied his bow.
Imladris, Spring Festival, TA 2048
Elrohir smiled down at Morwen as they both participated in a most lively dance. The Spring Festival was the most relaxed and informal of all. It was revered for the bringing of new life to the world, but still, it was full of song and dance much more happy than the stoic sounds of autumn and winter and the lazy pace of the summer music.
He let his gaze travel over the party. Celebrian was laughing with Faeleth as they watched Tirnion lead Arwen in a dance, both mindful of the playfully glaring Lord Elrond. Glorfindel and Laeriel were catching the eyes of many as their wide smiles and golden hair attracted the light from the lamps. Elladan and Rian were pressed close, whispering to each other, taking little note of the pace of the music. Tholinnas stood near the minstrels, taking delight in their skill. Even Eluialeth was smiling as her father swung her around.
Lindir's hands must have been aching from the pace of the music, but he was all too happy to continue.
All of their human and dwarven guests seemed to be at ease as if sensing there was no need for pretense when the elves were being so carefree.
"Where is your mind?" Morwen asked.
Elrohir smiled, pulling on one of Morwen's flower entwined plaits, "Everywhere, dear Morwen."
"As per usual." She smiled.
"Of course." Elrohir said.
Morwen's gaze traveled over to the side. "You should dance with Celuwen."
"No, no, there will be none of your elven match-making tactics used on me." Elrohir said.
"It is just a dance, Elrohir. And be honest, who would you rather have use such elven match-making tactics on you, me or Elladan?"
Elrohir narrowed his eyes at her, "You're very good."
"I am very aware. Now go." Morwen said.
"What will I do with you? It would be most improper to leave my partner in the middle of a dance." Elrohir said.
"Which is why I am here," Tirnion said, "Well, that and I am tired of your father glaring at me, I believe he has gone from playful to serious."
Elrohir looked at his father, now dancing with his sister and warding off any potential suitors. Elrohir shook his head, amused but defeated, "I guess I should go ask Celuwn for dance."
Morwen and Tirnion nodded as they watched him leave.
"That was simple." Tirnion said as Elrohir walked off.
"He is just remembering the last time Elladan and I conspired to have him dance with an elf maiden." Morwen said.
"Oh dear, what did you do?"
"We merely told him if he ever desired to see any of his clothing again, and also never desired to have to walk from the Bruinen to the house in his most natural state, he would therefore agree to dance with a selection of elf maidens at the Autumn Festival. We kept all of his clothes hostage until the festival was over."
"Surely he could have procured clothing from elsewhere." Tirnion said.
"Yes, of course, but Elrohir is both picky about the fit of his clothing and quite happy to play along. It brings joy to his life, honestly." Morwen said.
"Elrohir does seem to revel in making other people happy." Tirnion said.
"He is very compassionate and does thrive off the joy of others." Morwen agreed.
"A very good trait in a ruler, if he ever takes on such a role." Tirnion said.
"He very well may. Now, enough of serious talk. This is a festival, frivolity should be commencing all over." Morwen said with a smile.
Tirnion smiled in return, "Let us dance. I can only hope Glorfindel will not spend his time glaring at me now."
"He has learned to not glare at you." Morwen said. "Well, to not do so under most circumstances."
Tirnion laughed and took Morwen's hand, leading her over to the group dance.
Imladris TA 2050
Morwen jumped at the sound of frantic knocking on her door.
As she pulled it open she was surprised to see Erestor on the other side.
"Erestor, what has happened?"
"Glorfindel has received some very disturbing news and he will not tell anyone what it entails. He has locked himself in his study." Erestor said.
Morwen look concerned, "Has someone asked Lord Elrond to come, he.."
"Morwen, please, we have already tried that. We are hoping he will let you in." Erestor said, true worry in his eyes.
"Erestor I do not think…." Morwen started.
"Morwen, think, when was the last time Glorfindel ever truly denied you something, well, as long as he felt your safety would not be compromised. Please, Morwen. We need to at least know what the letter said." Erestor pleaded.
"If it was something of great importance, would it not come to Elrond?" Morwen asked.
"Morwen, you have been a councilor for how long? And a scribe before that even. News dealing with armies or things of such a nature tend to go to the captain of a realm first." Erestor said, always the teacher.
"Of course, of course." Morwen agreed.
Morwen closed her door and made her way down the hall, Erestor by her side.
"There is no guarantee he will let me inside." Morwen said.
"There is the hope that he will." Erestor said.
Morwen gave him a nod and as they came to the office door, she took a breath to calm herself.
She knocked softly and inquired in a soothing voice, "Glorfindel, may I come in?"
Glorfindel looked up from the letter on his desk as he heard Morwen's tentative voice.
He let out an annoyed sound, knowing full well this was Erestor's doing.
He opened the door wide enough only to permit Morwen to enter. He gave a dark look to his old friend as Morwen slipped into the office under his arm.
"Erestor, you do your job far too well." He said.
"I would not have to if you would not worry me so." Erestor said. "Tell Morwen to find me in my office when she is done getting the information from you and you have stopped acting like an elfling."
"To think, I once wondered what I would ever do without you." Glorfindel said through clenched teeth.
"You would miss me, greatly. Now go, go, little Glorfindel." Erestor said, a smile on his face as he saw his friend was in not so dire straits.
Glorfindel laughed and shook his head at Erestor as he closed the door.
He turned to find Morwen at his desk, reading over the letter that had caused him such trouble.
"You also do your job far too well." Glorfindel said as he leaned back against the door.
Morwen looked up at him, completely unashamed, "You told me to never waste an opportunity to gather information. I certainly did not tell you to engage in a verbal game with Erestor. Though you may owe him an apology."
"I was upset." Glorfindel explained.
"As you should be. Erestor, however, should know that Gondor now has no king and no heir." Morwen said.
Glorfindel pinched the bridge of his nose, "They would still if he had just heeded my words the first time."
Morwen came over to him, giving him a quick embrace. She moved to pull away but Glorfindel quickly pulled her back.
She laid her head to rest on his shoulder, "Some people do not listen, Glorfindel. It is not your fault Earnur succumbed to pride and took on the Witch-King's challenge."
"I should have made the threat more clear." Glorfindel insisted.
"Glorfindel nothing is more clear than 'you do so and you ride to a most certain death' or 'he will not die by the hand of man.' Earnur's death lies only on the shoulders of Earnur."
Glorfindel let out a sad laugh, "I know you are right. I just, I cannot help but think…"
"There was nothing you could do….from what you have told me Earnur has been wanting a re-watch with the Witch-King since the Battle of Fornost. It is not your fault. Erestor even visited Gondor and made sure to stress to all the advisors that Earnur's pride needed to be controlled." Morwen said.
"Mardil did his best." Glorfindel pointed out.
"And now Mardil is the Steward." Morwen said.
"Earnur may one day be found." Glorfindel said.
Morwen gave him a dubious look.
"I never said he would be found alive." Glorfindel clarified.
"There will be a council over this." Morwen said.
"Of course there will be and I guarantee I will have to attend it." Glorfindel sighed.
"We should go tell them now." Morwen said.
"Indeed. But let us linger here for some time. I would take some comfort in our closeness." Glorfindel said.
A/N: Renna, again, thank you for the review!