It's time for the Battle of the Sudden Flame. Things get real hot for everyone. This will be a long chpater given all the major changes happening in Nargothrond and Beleriand as a whole.
Reflections in the Aftermath of Battle
Finrod
Year 455
My brothers are gone. My annoying, hot-tempered, reckless little brothers are gone. At least I do not have to break the news of Aegnor's passing to Andreth – she having inexplicably keeled over (well, I suppose at 94, mortal hearts get a tad dodgy) upon receiving news Morgoth has finally broken the Siege, so her great grand-niece says. Fine, I can be reckless too. Narrowly escaped a messy end myself thanks to the line of Beor. I do hope they do not actually collect on whatever favour I promised them while groggy from an axe-blow to the helmet. Edrahil's been yelling at me about some Oath of Friendship (did I actually take a leaf from Uncle Feanor's book on how to tick off the Valar?) I apparently swore to the House of Beor.
I imagine Galadriel must be so pleased our nephew and his household rolled up on my doorstep instead of hers. I don't suppose those spiked bear-traps at the edge of the Gridle of Melian had something to do with that. She could never abide Orodreth's company. I recall the time in Valinor when she dangled him out a tall window by his heels.
I also seem to have lost a week of my life, during which I seem to have named dear Orodreth as my official heir-apparent and extended an invitation to my Feanorion cousins to take up residence in Nargothrond. It could have easily gone the other way and maybe Celegorm and Curufin would have committed a spot of kinslaying over who exactly is the future king of Nargothrond. Must remind Edrahil never to allow me to call Council when I am still suffering from the aftereffects of a blow to the head.
I do wonder where Atto's ring went. Gildor claims I handed it over to some Barahir guy, which I definitely do not recall having met. Head hurts, better stop.
Orodreth
Year 455
Me. Heir-apparent to Uncle Finrod. And after I lost his fancy tower too. I feel bad about that, and Ada and Uncle Aegnor getting burned by a dragon, and granduncle Nolo… Wait, who's the High King now? Cousin Fingon? I suppose I better find a suitable fiancé for my little girl quickly before those lords start getting funny ideas about her. The lad she was speaking to by the pools this morning looked an honest sort. He'd do, I suppose. Better than her hanging about Curufin's brat.
Wait, what is this news from Cirdan that my boy has arrived in Balar safely? Do I really have a son out there or do old elves go senile too? I better ask my wife. Surely she will know if we had a son.
Gildor
Year 455
I suppose things could have been worse. We could have had all 7 sons of Feanor under our roof. I do not mind Tyelpe much. He is a decent sort, unlike his uncle and father. I could put up with Huan. I suppose Ada will have to call off poker night with those two about. I wonder if since I am not officially Ada's heir-apparent, I can move to Balar on a permanent basis. Island living might suit me better. I do not wish to be on the receiving end of Celegorm's cruel little games, mostly involving his little brother's toys. That finger trap thing almost cost me a finger. Then there was that noose thing… I can appreciate a bit of rough-and-tumble but I have my limits and I will like my partner to respect them. I do not see how stinging nettles rubbed on your sensitive bits are supposed to improve your love-life. I really prefer Maglor's company so much more. Too bad we heard he shacked up at Himring with Mad Maedros after losing his Gap.
Edrahil
Year 455
I know letting refugees into Nargothrond is a noble deed, but have a care who exactly you let in, milord. I am, of course, referring to a certain pair of Feanorions. Why couldn't we have gotten ourselves Maglor the bard instead? Then there was that stunt you pulled with your nephew. Apologies, but what hope do we have with Orodreth? If he could lose your tower fortress Minas Tirith, I doubt he can hold Nargothrond for long. Even his little girl seems brighter than him. Gildor is so ticked off, I had to talk him out of packing his bags for Balar. I doubt the lad will be remaining long though. Out of your so-called offspring, he was the one with the most diplomatic promise.
Also there is that awkward question of Barahir and his people, It is a lucky thing they took off elsewhere instead of moving to our city. I recall Beor mentioning the damp in our lower caves can wreak havoc with mortal bones. I must be thankful the Dwarves have their own caves to retreat to and will not be imposing on our hospitality. I am sure when His Majesty allowed his cousin the use of our forges, it doesn't mean evict everyone else out of their workshops. Then there's that dumb blond buffoon clamouring to be let out so he can bring home an orc or two.
Celegorm
Year 455
A month in a cave. A full month in a stinking cave. I need the open air. I want to feel the sun on my skin and the wind in my hair. Why did I let Curufin talk us into coming here instead of to Himring? Huan has made like a bear in winter and gone to sleep under the bed. Let sleeping dogs lie. He almost took my foot off the last time I accidentally stepped on him.
Must vent. Dumb bootlicking valet refused to let me out into the woods to hunt, citing orcs in the area. Refused to let me out even if I offered to kill those pesky orcs on sight. Refused even when I offered to bring a live one home for him to sharpen his knives on. Dumped him in the nearest cesspit.
Going stir-crazy. Must vent. Cousin Finrod has Council for the next three hours? Perhaps that cute page Gildor might be up for some fun and games in the meanwhile. I will really enjoy roughing him up a lot. Must remember to gag him real good as he's a real screamer, like Finrod. Sound does tend to echo in this city.
Curufin
Year 455
Must be strong for Tyelpe. I did promise Her I will take care of him. Cannot. Must not cry. Must work. Best way to deal with it. Must work. Must get rid of all worthless clutter and dead weight Finrod has accumulated in his forges. The fool. That includes those clumsy smiths loitering about.
Must remind Celegorm to rein in his foul temper. Beating some random servant-elf black and blue will not endear us to our soft-hearted cousin. I will have to coax Finrod to give him a free pass in and out of the city. Maybe we can use walking Huan to our advantage and threaten him with finding doggy poo in his royal bed.
Come to think of it, Finrod has rather fancy digs. Too bad they are all going to that dullard Orodreth. Perhaps with a bit of work, we might swing things in our favour. Somehow the lords managed to get a majority vote against us joining the Council, so pushover Finrod claims. As king, he should be able to overrule them. Perhaps a sword might convince him, or a fancy necklace might work better.
Must plan, must think of future – and how to wrest those Silmarils from you-know-who.
Celebrimbor
Year 455
Nana, I miss you bad. If you are watching from Mandos, I am sad to announce both Uncle Celegorm (whom you detest) and Ada are slipping off the deep end. Celegorm is letting the beast-side of his nature out in a huge way. Had to rush poor Gildor to the healers this morning, along with a bribe for them not to rat on us so we all get tossed out into the snow on our butts. The good news is that after two weeks of bedrest and healing, Gildor should be up to making plans for winter-travel to Balar for his continued good health. Ada accompanies him when he is calling on King Finrod, just to avoid a regicide. Do not see what Finrod Felagund sees in them.
I am sincerely believe they are up to no good. It's like that weird tingle I got when that Avari loser was kicked out by Ada… I have this odd feeling things will come crashing down around our pointy ears really soon, and not just from having lost our home of Himlad.
Finduilas
Year 456
What a year. Nana has left Ada and Nargothrond for good. Something about him asking her if I had a brother and she accusing him of cheating on her. Ada is an idiot. What makes him think that Nana has a son out there she is not even aware of? I doubt he has been cheating on her. He's too dull for that. According to Uncle Finrod, Ada was quite alright before that horse kicked him in the head, so I need not worry about my offspring.
Oh somehow, I am now betrothed to Gwindor, and we only spoke once or twice. I think it must be his father's idea. I never liked Lord Guilin, or his wife. Gwindor apologized about it. He did feel it is too soon for a betrothal himself, his brother having died so recently… but his parents and my dear Adar insisted. Then they had Uncle Finrod announce it at Council and before the entire population, so we can't really back out now. Gwindor is rather sweet, and easy on the eyes. I think I could even grow to love him over time.
Gwindor
Year 456
What was His Majesty and Prince Orodreth thinking? Finduilas is a real beauty but isn't she a tad young to be betrothed? Come on, I was prepared to wait for a few more years past her majority. Shouldn't we give poor Gelmir his due mourning? Maybe looking on from Mandos, he finds the sight of me being forced into a fancy silver robe and crowned with laurel leaves amusing. It was so embarrassing. And poor Finduilas had to go through the entire thing with me in her heavy golden dress with wildflowers in her hair.
I must start thinking of her as my future wife now, instead of a princess. Also, I must aspire to be deserving of her hand. I know half the lords present at our betrothal ceremony were wishing they could get away with a kinslaying of their own. Tyelpe warned me I better keep well clear of his uncle and father, lest I get trampled to death in the stables or peppered with arrows.
Author's Notes:
The Ring of Barahir and the attendant pledge of friendship is this fic is an almost accidental happening rather than an act of heroic or legendary status that it later achieves courtesy of Beren and Luthien. Too often history happens that way. A series of 'what-just-happened?' s.
Cirdan probably did not realize his letter has caused the breakup of one couple. More questions on Gil-galad's parentage in the making. Celegorm has caught a bad case of cabin fever, and Gildor is making plans to bail out lest he ends up killed during one of Celegorm's games.