Category: Tolkien-Universe

Rating: M

Couples: Egalmoth/Rog, Maeglin/Salgant

Warnings: AU, canon-levels of Everything

Chapter: 14

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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They had left some horses and large clothes near the docks, precisely in case one of the skinchangers came to the city with news. Never mind that the clothes were made for his human frame and would leave all his descendants swimming in them - though in differing ways.

He whistled softly for one of the horses - theree were several hanging around - he grinned when noticing the noble white steed. "Asfaloth? I guess Glorfindel told you to come here?"

The stallion whickered, offering his side.

"Wow, I feel honoured." He chuckled, jumping up nimbly. "Let's get to the city then, with all speed." That might have been a wrong statement, because the horse below him took off at such speed he briefly wondered if there were ringwraiths in Aman all of a sudden. At least Glorfindel's steed had waited until he was firmly seated, because otherwise he'd have ended up back on the ground again.

"Alright, alright, slightly less speed!?" He called out, noting gratefully that the full-on sprint turned into a firm gallop he could deal with. "Thank you."

Looking up at the sky, he realized it would be about time for the weekly council... if that was happening under these circumstances. That would make informing everyone infinitely easier, if it was so.

He gently pulled on the reigns, relieved that he had gained the strange honour of outright commanding Asfaloth! Neat! "Is the Council in session?" He looked down at the nearest cityguard when they arrived at what was the current outer limit of the city and started up the road to the palaces in the rough middle of the sprawling expanse of buildings.

"Yes, my Lord." The elf nodded, wearing a jerkin of one of the Penlod's Houses. "Did you...?"

Tuor merely grinned at that one, driving Asfaloth up the street. Behind him, he heard running footsteps. In an hour, the entire city would know, no doubt. Ah well, he'd at least beat the news to the palace.

In the courtyard of his law-father, he nimbly jumped off, Asfaloth promptly abandoning him for a short break in the stables before Glorfindel would have use of him to get down the river again.

"Normal room?" He asked the King's Guard at the door, one of the few groups who still wore full armour when on duty.

"Yes, my Lord." The female had the same hopeful look in her eyes, but he bounded off, taking the stairs several steps at a time.

He was getting so much exercise these last few days, that was for certain. The Lord of the House of the Wing did not wait for the guards at the council-chamber to open the door for him themselves, throwing them open himself and only barely slowing down as he did so.

Everyone was here, which was good since he didn't have to go hunt through the city for anyone important. The moment they realized who had interrupted, several of them rose from their seats.

"Found them!" He beamed into the room. "They're on their way back." Idril promptly fell back into her seat, covering her face with her hands. He could feel the waves of relieved joy in their bond. Turgon looked barely better, face hidden behind a curtain of hair as his head fell forward. The King's shoulders were trembling.

"Where? How!?" Glorfindel and Ecthelion reached him first, golden hair filling his view when the Lord of the Golden Flower grabbed his shoulders.

"They got fished out the river by one of the Avari clans in the forest." Tuor grinned widely. "We bundled them into the boats and the rest are coming up, but I got send ahead to arrange for transport from the docks... or probably as far down-river as possible. Paddling against the current is going to be hell." He did know some thing about boats himself still, despite it having been literal Ages since he truly used them for anything. "So yeah..."

"They're...?" Salgant had towed Tinnuion over, at least that is how he interpreted the hand around his cousin-in-law's arm. Tinnuion looked like a scared child, even with the presence of his fiancé and mother beside him. In fact, he looked like it was only those two that kept him from collapsing.

"Both alive, and Elrond has assured me that they both will be fine." The former human kindly informed the trembling form, choosing to ignore the worries his grandson had voiced about Egalmoth's leg. That could wait until - and if - it became necessary. "They are both coming back to New Gondolin..."

Turgon's nephew trembled, tears flooding from his eyes in relief. Burying his face in his hands, the young Lord whined, sobbing brokenly. The two at his sides curled around him, murmuring soft comfort. Tuor reached out as well, pressing his lips to his young kinsman's head.

Elenwë moved past him, giving orders to the guards beyond the open doors. "Well, what are you all waiting for!?" She demanded when her attention returned to the group. "Get yourselves to the river! I'll make sure New Gondolin doesn't burn down." She laughed as she made shooing motions at them all, most needing little excuse to rush off to get their own horses.

"C'mon, let's get a bunch of horses and proper riding-clothes." He threw his arm around his wife's cousin's shoulders and started towing him out of the room. "They are equally eager to see you, so let's not make them wait."