Category: Tolkien-Universe

Rating: M

Couples: Egalmoth/Rog, Maeglin/Salgant

Warnings: AU, canon-levels of Everything

Chapter: 2

Copyright: Characters & places © By Tolkien Estate and/or mynameisjessejk, Plot & OC´s © by me

Authors note: Set in the Otter(less) Mayhem Universe of abovementioned mynameisjessejk on AO3. Unofficial sequel to 'The House of the Mole'

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"I had to wrestle him to the ground..." Turgon concluded his report of what had happened softly. He and Tinnuion had been bathed and dressed in clean clothes while Tuor took the patrol to the river. "He tried to jump after them." One hand held the mug of calming tea, the other absentmindedly was rubbing an angry bruise on his arm. "I... I don't think I ever heard him so upset as then."

Aredhel made a mournful noise, sitting on the bed beside her son and petting his sleeping form. The healers that had looked him over had quickly decided on either a sleeping or calming draught - she wasn't entirely sure, but regardless of what it had been, it had certainly put her child to sleep. He had curled up absolutely tiny, even now still whimpering a bit.

"And the rest?" Erestor and Coruneth - among others - had arrived shortly after Turgon had, his panicked ride through the city not having been exactly subtle by any standards. Considering his panicked ride had included neither of their spouses, the two had been among the very first to join the royal family of the city.

"Thankfully did no such thing, at least until we parted ways." New Gondolin's King whispered, leaning heavily against his wife. "They are taking the long route home. Cirith Oron is impassable now, unless we decide to build a bridge over that... gap." A shiver ran through his body, eyes squeezing shut against the mental image of two of his friends falling to their deaths like that. It was one thing to lose them in battle, but... Powers, Egalmoth had been laughing just moments before it had all gone so wrong.

He didn't notice the look Ecthelion and Glorfindel's spouses shared at that. From among all the Lords, Egalmoth had been the closest to the two so this would be breaking them. Worse, at this distance, neither managed to get much more than a sense of 'alive' through their marriage-bonds, meaning they could do nothing to support them until they actually arrived in the city.

"I'll join the search if nothing's been found by the time Ecthel gets back." The Avari woman stated with conviction. "The river goes past several enclaves of Avari before it hits the coast, so maybe they'll have found them by that point."

"I'll send word to Elrond. Especially his twins will no doubt be more than willing to help with the search in the water." Erestor nodded sharply, rising from his seat on one of the couches in the King's private quarters. "We can't expect much of Eärendil, sadly, since he needs to sail every night and can't get too far from harbour before having to turn back, but Elwing might well be willing too."

"Let's do that then." Idril shared a look with her mother which spoke volumes without ósanwë. "I'll see about sending some men to meet up with the others, escort them back here. Do you know which way they'll be going, papa?"

"The next northern one." Fingolfin's son murmured, the tea starting to work on him. "It's the fastest after... that one..."

"Well, with that plan made..." Elenwë pulled her husband to his feet, freeing the mug to put it on the side-table. "You need to rest as well, my love. C'mon."

"Let... let me know..."

"Yes, we'll let you know any developments." Aredhel briefly abandoned her child to help her law-sister put Turgon to bed beside him. "It's not your fault either, brother."

With that, Idril shooed out all the others, leaving only the two mothers with the sleeping men.

"We should have someone check the other high-passes." Erestor mused as they walked. "The next northern one is secure in that regard, but I recall several others being also on high cliffs. If one got weakened to this degree..."

"Others might as well." The Princess nodded, grief filling her. "Mayhap some of Maiar can do so, I think no one will feel comfortable having to risk a repeat of this. I'll have to decree that all high passes are off limits until further notice."

"I can write it after my message to Elrond?" Imladris' former Chief Advisor offered, knowing that not only his spouse had lost dear friends this day. Even without her own grief, Idril should have the option to be with her father and cousin once they woke again. "Then you only need to set your seal."

"Thank you." She managed a weak smile.