Chapter 7
Warnings: none
(Glorfindel)
I stood silently in front of Fingolfin's large desk in his study while he sat pouring intently over the letter I was appointed to deliver by Turgon. Beside him, Fingon stood quietly, following the letter's progress with his eyes. Finishing at last, Fingolfin sighed and handed the letter over to Fingon, while taking a long sip of a glass of wine.
"I cannot say I disapprove of what Turgon is doing." He said finally, after wiping his lips with a napkin on the table. "He is right to do so. These are dangerous times, and none know how long this watchful peace will last."
Fingon, finishing up with the letter, folded it up and placed it carefully back onto the desk.
"It may be that by this move, my brother will outlast all the kingdoms of the Princes of the Noldor." Fingon replied prophetically. "For I foresee some great doom in store for the exiles of Valinor."
"That may be." I replied in turn to the prince's words. "Time will tell."
Fingolfin and Fingon both nodded. Rising from his great desk, Fingolfin pushed back his chair and moved to pace around the large study.
"Something must be done." He said, "We cannot forever sit waiting for the Enemy to strike again. We must make the first move."
"That is what my lord feels also." I said, in agreement with Fingolfin's words. Fingolfin nodded his approval and continued his pacing around the study.
"Tell me, Glorfindel, how exactly are we supposed to communicate with you while you and all of Turgon's household lies secluded someplace far from Beleriand?" Fingon interjected suddenly from his place by the desk.
"We will be near enough." I said, trying hard to answer his question without giving away the location of our hidden city. "We will be able to hear of all that passes in Beleriand, and we will come to your aid when it is needed."
Fingon did not look appeased, but he remained silent. Fingolfin was still pacing around the study, staring pensively at the floor. I stood silently watching Fingolfin's progress with tired eyes, his frenzied pacing seeming to hypnotize me. I stifled a yawn, but was heard by Fingolfin anyways. He stopped his pacing at last and looked at me with concern, studying me closely.
"You are tired Glorfindel." He said, "I will arrange one of my people to show you to your chambers, where you can rest."
I muttered my thanks wearily, bowing low, while Fingon flagged down one of the servants and gave him instructions.
I did not remember much after that but throwing myself onto the soft feathered bed in one of the numerous chambers in Fingolfin's halls and falling into a deep, deep sleep.
(Merlassë)
I dipped my hand beneath the clear surface of the rippling brook, feeling its gentle current flow past me. A faint whisper of a forgotten song played teasingly by my ear.
"Linneniel!"
I stood and turned around. Mirellas was waving at me to come. The camp had been disassembled early this morning and all was in a hurry to set off at once. Yestereve, when we had stopped to make camp, Turgon himself had addressed the party, saying that we were at last nearing the hidden city. All the camp was in a state of excitement, heartened at the thought of reaching our destination after all these weeks of travel. The trek across Beleriand had not been easy for the Eldalië of Nevrast, and they were all glad to be nearing the end of the long journey at last.
"Linneniel we are leaving! Come!"
I left the song of the brook behind me and moved to join Mirellas and the rest of the party that was already moving out of the area. Mirellas smiled as I walked to her side and we continued forward, pressed onwards by the surge of people behind us, sweeping us like a strong current towards the looming shadow of the mountains growing increasingly taller before us. Following the plodding pace of the company, I fell once again into thought.
I had not spoken to Ulmo since our last meeting by the river near the springs of Ivrin. His words had stuck me deep in my heart, and ever afterwards I had been wary of my actions, lest I draw the eyes of Melkor the traitor upon this party of the Eldalië whom I had come to care for so much. Oh how Melkor would rejoice if such a piece of information ever passed by his ear, and the memory of his leering smile and his silky voice was enough to cause a chill in my soul. That same silky that haunted me since the days before days in the dwellings of the Ainur.
//flash//
"Lovely Merlassë, you should not be so alone by yourself here."
It was the silken voice of Melkor that had disturbed me from my thoughts as I sat by the sparkling fountains of song that graced the fair halls of the Ainur. And it was his smile that I first saw as I turned my head to the sound of his voice, meeting his piercing gaze that was unrelentingly hard.
"Can that brother of yours not even find time to accompany his own sister that she should be left to sit so alone and friendless?" said his voice smooth as oil, wrapping himself like a cloak around me in a caress that sounded the first chill in my heart.
"My brother is in Eru's service, Melkor. I have not time for your flowery words, what is it you want?" I retorted, pushing him away from me.
"Tsk, tsk, little Merlassë, your temper is as hot as your brother's, I had only sought to accompany you as he had left you…alone." He replied, smiling in that leering way of his. "You should not send away a ready friend so hastily."
"And it is only my friendship that you want, is it, Melkor." I answered, glancing warily at him. Dealings with Melkor were never that simple, he had his ways of persuasion that led the other into more than one had bargained for.
"Of course, my pretty one. Who would not want to befriend one as lovely as you?" He said, smiling again. His voice was like to the caress of an icy hand.
"Save your flattery, it will not work on me Melkor." I told him coldly. "Leave me be, your friendship is not wanted here."
"Ah how you wound me, my lovely. Surely my company is not that repulsive to you as that is it now?" He replied, sitting next to me on the fountain, his voice wrapping once more around me. This time he was more persistent, more forceful, his presence almost choking me.
"Unhand her, Melkor. My sister wants not your attentions."
It was at the jarring words of my brother that Melkor did cease his forceful conduct towards me. He rose from the fountain, his face barely concealing his annoyance as he faced my brother.
"Ah Tulkas, ever playing the protector of all." He said smoothly, his face changing to one of pleasantry as he spoke. "I was only seeking to accompany the sister that you had so…thoughtlessly…left to sit on her own. You should grateful that she had a friend to keep her company."
"My sister needs no friends such as you, dark one." My brother answered icily, drawing me to his side. "Leave us."
Melkor smiled suavely, bowing, left, sweeping out of the halls with a whirlwind into the void where he often passed his time. As he left, my brother turned to me, his face concerned.
"I care not what others say about him, sister, but I trust him not at all. Stay away from him, for my sake, alright?" He said to me, as we both sat down by the fountain once more. I nodded, silently agreeing with my brother's words.
And then afterwards, we moved on to happier topics, the presence of Melkor all but forgotten as my brother recounted his ventures of the day, the twinkling song of the water playing delicately in the fountain behind us.
But later on, I overheard my brother and Melkor as I passed by an empty hallway in the dwellings of the Ainur, their voices ringing in the stillness.
"Stay away from my sister, Melkor, I do not want you near her again." My brother said, his voice dripping with contempt.
"I will speak with her if it pleases me." Melkor answered calmly, "I need no permission from you to do it."
"Touch her again, and I will find you to answer for it." My brother replied in a deadly quiet whisper. But Melkor only smiled silkily at me brother and spoke a few simple words that haunted me long after.
"If you can catch me."
//flash//
"What are you thinking about Linneniel?"
It was Lenwë's voice sounding beside me as we walked on in the afternoon sun. I turned to smile at him as I shook the last wisps of that memory that had clouded my thoughts since morning.
"It is nothing, my friend, merely the echoes of a memory long ago." I replied. As I spoke to him, I saw his fair face clouded with a frown as his features displayed all the characteristics of one who was deeply troubled by something. His façade of cheerfulness had not done much to hide his unease.
"You worry for Glorfindel, do you not, Lenwë of Nevrast?" I asked, taking a guess as to the source of his anxiety. My guess must have struck near the mark for then Lenwë sighed, frowning once more at my words.
"Regardless of what the King has said about sending him off on a quick errand, I cannot help but worry as to what exactly it is." He replied, shaking his head. "He has been gone for near a turn of the moon, one must wonder where he might be."
I silently pondered over his words. It was true, none knew where Glorfindel might be now, save the Turgon the King. And there were many dangers in the wilds of Beleriand that one of the Quendi might encounter, the servants of Melkor for one…But in an attempt to cheer my friend up, I put on a smile and spoke comfortingly to him.
"He will be back soon, Lenwë, I am sure of it."
Lenwë sighed. "Then we must hope."
But Lenwë's words had planted the seeds of disquiet in my heart, and I worried for the gentle, golden-haired elf that had once rescued me from the beaches of Middle Earth. He had shown me great charity and I could not sit and do nothing if he really was in need of my help. I would not stand by and do nothing if one that I had come to care for so much was in danger of posthumous peril.
(Glorfindel)
My message being delivered, I had set out at once with Fingolfin's reply at dawn the following morning, significantly reinvigorated by the plentiful sleep I had gotten the night before. I flew across the plains of Mithrim, my white stallion like a shooting star across the ashen landscape. I had little over a week to reach the dry springs that marked the doorway into the hidden city under the roots of the Encircling Mountains, and I was not sure if I would make it in time.
Heavy snow had all but closed off the passes through the mountains, and I was greatly hindered in my way south of Lake Mithrim by the constant snowstorms that raged on the plains of Mithrim. It took much longer than I had anticipated to reach the passes through the Ered Wethrin. Sighing as I squinted through the haze of what promised soon to become a blizzard, I urged my stallion onwards, ascending into the lofty peaks of the Mountains of Shadow where the snow fell even more heavily as the ascent progressed.
I knew that Turgon would be obliged to continue on without me should I be unable to reach our meeting place at the appointed date. He would be taking a great risk even waiting three days for me, exposing the entire company to the devices of the Enemy. Once they have entered the Hidden City and the gates shut behind them, I would have to seek entry in with great caution, lest my progress be marked. The entire return journey I had been carefully watching my back, ensuring that I was not being followed by something or someone undesirable.
The power of the vala Ulmo would protect the King's party in their entry of the hidden city, and I hoped he would protect me as I made my way as quickly as I could in the direction of the Encircling Mountains.
(Merlassë)
In the late afternoon, the company reached the banks of the mighty Sirion, flowing from its springs deep in the Northern regions of Ered Wethrin and made its way south all the way to the Great Sea far, far south from here. The company stopped to rest a while on its sandy banks while I wandered away from the rest of the party, seeking my mighty friend whom I had not seen in many days.
"Well met Merlassë, Singer of the Water."
Ulmo arose with his usual majesty from the rushing waters of the Sirion, hastening past us in its course to the sea.
"My Lord Ulmo." I addressed him, nodding my head in respect. Ulmo smiled at my words.
"So what brings the little singer to seek my company? I thought I had thoroughly scared her away last we spoke." He said, eyes sparkling with laughter. I blushed and looked down at the swell of the water, listening to his rippling laughter like the waves on the sea.
"You jest with me, my friend." I answered wryly, as his laughter faded away. Ulmo only chuckled.
"Yes, I suppose I do." He said. "But come now, what exactly do you seek my company for these days, when you have so many of the Children of Ilúvatar to do so already?"
"I have come to seek your help, friend." I answered. Ulmo looked at me with great interest on hearing my answer.
"And what kind of help would you seek, little singer?" He replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Do you know of the one of the Eldalië they call…Glorfindel?" I asked.
"Yes." He said, regarding me still with intrigue.
"I would know if he is well." I continued, "And I would know, where ever he may be, if he has your safeguard." I looked up as I finished my query, meeting the eyes of my friend who was now looking at me with an air of amusement.
"And do you usually concern yourself so deeply in the affairs of the Eldalië, Merlassë of the Ainur?" He asked, eyes twinkling with mirth.
"They are my friends, Ulmo." I answered, holding his gaze steadily, "And I have come to care for them a great deal."
"Indeed." He said softly, watching me tenderly now. I nodded in affirmation, eagerly waiting for him to answer my earlier questions. Seeing my enthusiasm, Ulmo continued on.
"The one whom they call Glorfindel has been sent by his King to deliver a message to the High King Fingolfin of the Noldor." He replied, "He left for his halls more than three weeks ago after taking counsel with his King. He is now making his way to meet up with the King's company again, though he has been greatly impeded by the heavy snowstorms of the northern regions – Melkor's doing of course, but he knows not of Turgon's plans." I nodded at his words, listening intently.
"I have been watching over him the entire journey, Merlassë." He continued, "Never fear, he will be reunited with his friends and his King very soon." Ulmo smiled gently down at me while I breathed a great sigh of relief.
"You have my sincere thanks, my friend. Your words bring me great comfort" I told him gratefully. Ulmo nodded, smiling still.
"This one of the Firstborn must have a special place in your heart, to have you hold him so high in your affections, little Singer." said Ulmo softly while I was still rejoicing in the fact that he was safe and would return soon.
"Why of course, Ulmo." I said matter-of-factly, "I owe much to his hospitality in accommodating me among his people."
Ulmo chuckled.
"Yes, but is that all Merlassë, I wonder…is that all?"
xXXx
Making my way back to the camp of the Eldalië relieved of the worries of my anxious mind, I silently pondered the curious words of Ulmo. What did he mean when he asked if I had only cared about the golden-haired elf because he had shown me great kindness? Should there be any other reason why I should care for him beyond that? I did not know. In any case, my thought was interrupted once again by Lenwë waving me over to partake in some stew and bread. My thoughts seem to be often interrupted by him of late.
"The King says that we may reach the city in a matter of days." Announced Aranel as we were all gathered around the small fire on which our dinner had been warming on.
"I say it is about time." Said Belagos in reply, "Even without Glorfindel here breathing down our necks day and night, I'd be glad to rest properly at last after a few months of travel."
Both of the ellith nodded fervently in agreement.
"Personally, I don't mind the walking, but I can't stand this confinement to the camp," exclaimed Aranel. "I hate being fenced into such a small area, I feel like we're being herded."
Elenwen made baa-ing noises and Mirellas giggled.
"What about you Lenwë?" asked Mirellas, after her giggles resided, glancing at the sullen figure in the corner, "What do you look forward to when we reach the Hidden City?"
"I know not." Was his reply, as he retreated farther away from the dancing light of the campfire as fiery Arien set behind the snowy peaks of Ered Wethrin. We all sat in silence for a moment, staring into the flames of the fire that was our only source of heat as the Sun star took with her the last lingering tendrils of warmth along with the daylight. Finishing up with his soup quickly, Lenwë took himself away from our cozy huddle around the fire, disappearing into the twinkling torchlight of the encampment. Worried for him, I rose nimbly and made to follow, excusing myself from the rest of the group.
"What ails you, my friend?" I asked, when I had caught up with him, walking quickly to keep up with his fast pace. "You have not been yourself lately."
"Do not concern yourself with me Linneniel, I am fine anyhow." He said, dismissing my concern. I barred his way, stopping him with a hand.
"Lenwë if there is something that worries you, speak and be relieved of your worries." I said, forcing him to look at me with another hand. "It will do you no good to keep it all bottled inside, you are disturbing the peace of everyone around you."
My words made him smile and he took my hand from its strong grip under his chin and held it in his own.
"Then let them worry, Linneniel." He said, smiling now, "It will do them some good anyhow."
I laughed, shaking my head at his mischeivious smile. He laughed too and led me strolling at a more leisurely pace through the camp.
"Tell me what troubles you, my friend." I asked again as we walked. "Surely you are not that worried about our friend Glorfindel?"
"It is he that I worry about." He said with a huff, "What in Arda was Turgon thinking sending him away alone like that?"
"You must be great friends with him, that you should worry so much to his well-being you could not even eat a meal in peace." I remarked.
"He is the closest thing to a brother I have." He said, his eyes glazed over with a far away look. "He is like family to me. My only family."
Lenwë hesitated a moment before beginning again.
"You see, we had been friends even as we roamed the green fields of Valinor together, long ago. My naneth was one of the ladies of Queen Elenwë, the wife of Turgon, and I was often left to wander the halls of Turgon to while she sewed with the other ladies of the Queen. There I met him when he came with a delegation of the Vanyar, his father being the cousin of the Queen, though his mother was one of the Noldor. We were both only youths then though he was of the elder, and at first I thought him conceited as he took great pride in his Vanyarin heritage. But after an incident involving us raiding the kitchens of Turgon's halls, all enmities were resolved. We became the best of friends, he and I. Inseparable. And from that day forth he spent much time in Turgon's halls and became a favourite of the King."
"So we grew to maturity in the halls of Turgon and Glorfindel found another great friend in his older cousin, our King. But when Fingolfin declared his wish to leave Valinor and return to Middle Earth, Glorfindel left Aman in the Long March to Beleriand for my sake, for my parents were faithful subjects of the House of Turgon and would follow him to the ends of the earth. Even against his fathers will, he marched with us out of Valinor."
"By rights, Glorfindel should not even be here. He is one of the house of the Vanyar, he had no cause to rebel against the Valar at all, for the grievances were not upon his kin. It is true that he is related to the houses of the Noldor also, but he was one of those who disagreed with the words of Fëanor and had little love of him. But he forsook all when he heard that I was to leave with the party to Middle Earth. He swore allegiance under the House of Turgon, his friend and cousin several times removed, and joined us in our arduous journey. What a futile dream we had!"
Lenwë scoffed, as he continued on with his story, "We thought we could have defeated one of the vala himself. And so we fell into our folly. The curse of Mandos fell upon us as we persisted onwards in our obstinacy. When Finarfin turned back, I urged Glorfindel to go with them, and forsake not the realm of the Valar because of me, though I must follow for love of my naneth and my adar. But he would not turn back, and followed, though we were all much aggrieved and despaired by the kinslaying at Aqualondë."
"And it only worsened. The treachery of Fëanor was shown at the burning of the ships at Losgar, and we were left to brave the grinding ices of the Helcarxë. Many did not survive that journey…" at this, Lenwë's voice faltered. We walked on in silence until he spoke once more.
"I lost my naneth and adar on that trek through the grinding ice. My naneth fell alongside Queen Elenwë and my adar died trying to save her. Glorfindel had to hold me back as I ran to grab my adar's hand as he slipped over the edge…A moment later, the entire section of the iceberg broke off into the churning sea…If it wasn't for Glorfindel, I might not even have lived to seen Isil rise over Middle Earth."
A tear slip down his cheek, glistening in the flickering torchlight of the dusk. I handed him a handkerchief that I kept by my side ever since that incident with the soup, weeks ago. He wordlessly took the cloth, muttering a word of thanks, wiping away the offending tear quickly and clutching the handkerchief tightly in his hand.
"Ever since that day, Glorfindel had taken me under his wing and took care of me like an older brother. He is only one I could call family, here east of the Sea."
Lenwë fell silent once more, seemingly to have finished his story. Looking around me, I found that, circling, we had arrived back once more at the dying campfire we left some time ago. The fireside was empty, and it appeared that the rest of our friends had left to join some other more interesting party elsewhere. Lenwë stoked the smothering embers back to life as we seated ourselves on the short grass by the fire, listening to its crackling as it gathered strength. I pondered upon the things that Lenwë had just revealed to me, bringing me back to the thoughts Glorfindel of the Noldor again.
My admiration of his character had only been elevated by Lenwë's testament of his steadfast devotion and love for a friend. He was one well worthy of esteem and respect. His fëa shone bright with the light of Ilúvatar and its brilliance illuminated the life of all those around him. How wondrous are the children of Ilúvatar! How fair their countenance, and how extraordinary their lives, they who had been brought into this world with the life of the Flame Imperishable. Each day I dwelled among the Firstborn of Eru, I never cease to marvel of their vibrant life, so like my own which Eru had called into being, the daughter of his thought. But he, he was a wonder beyond all wonders, for in my eyes, he was the most marvellous thing that my Father ever created.
In my eyes, the light of his fëa drew me like the Eldar to the stars of Varda. And his gentle gaze sounded in my heart, the whispers of a strange song that I could not understand. He deserved all the protection and aid that I could give to him to speed his journey returning, and to bring him safely back to be reunited with his friend, Lenwë of the Noldor, to whom he meant so much.
Remembering once again of the heavy snows that blocked his passage through the mountains, I thought of one thing that was well within my power to allay his path. Something that I was well adept at doing since the days before days…
xXXx
The hour was late and the night, starless. The sky was overcast with heavy clouds that gathered over the peaks of Ered Wethrin. I silently walked the banks of Sirion the Great, watching the lights of the encampment in the distance. I had slipped past the guards again, forsaking the advice of Ulmo. I was careful this time, I told myself, and I would return soon after I had done what I left to do.
I stood under the shadow of the Mountains of Shadow, the rushing stream of Sirion to my right. Stepping into the current of the great river, I stood amid its swells, letting its power wash over me, embracing its strength.
Oh great river hear my song, the song of Merlassë of the Ainur. Let the rain fall upon the mountains - let its warmth chase away the breath of Melkor the traitor. Let the song of water sing once again, and sound in the peaks of the mountains. I will give you the breath of Life and it shall seep into the veins of mountain, for your waters rise into the skies of Manwë and fall upon the earth. Let my song be carried on to the springs in the heights, let my life be carried forth and thaw the frozen land. For the days from now till Rana's light be dimmed, rain shall fall upon the earth, so one may pass unhindered by.
Oh great river, hear my song, the song of Merlassë of the Ainur.
(Lenwë)
I had entered Linneniel's tent to bring her an extra blanket for the night, only to find that she was not in her small cot. Worried that she would catch cold in the chilly winter night, I had gone searching for her all over the encampment, only to find myself unable to find her once more. Setting my jaw, I deduced that she had once again gone wandering in the night and I stormed off to search for her, finding one of the guards on duty tonight that I was friendly with and explaining to him my situation. He was reluctant to let me pass and doubtful that an elleth would have slipped past their guard, but I assured him that she had done it once before and he agreed hesitantly, alerting the archers hidden in the trees and sending another guard out with me to search for the missing elleth., who, I told myself, was to be given a sound scolding the moment I found her.
xXXx
We hunted the banks of Sirion, eyes scanning the trees and the banks in search of her, but our attempt was fruitless. My heart despairing that some ill had befallen her, I suggested that we both split up and make a sweep up and down the banks of the river. The guard agreed. I wandered upstream, panic arising in me, hoping to find her, but the night was as dark as the void, and I could not see far even with the light of my elven eyes. But as I walked further and further upstream, my ears caught the melody of an unearthly song, and the voice was of one whom I knew…
And then I caught sight of her, though I knew not if my eyes deceived me, for though I knew her to be Linneniel, I could help but doubt myself in the face of the spectacle I was met with.
She stood in the waves of the mighty Sirion, her arms lifted up in song to the sky. The words were in a strange tongue I knew not of and it rolled around me like the waves of the gentle sea – tender and commanding at the same time. Her gaze was like the light of the Two Trees, brighter still if it could be: they were eyes that none of the Quendi could ever possess. The river current carried her power, though I do not know how I knew. And as I watched in amazement, the breeze carried the breath of spring around me and thawed the frost on the ground. And as I stood in wonder, I felt the drop of water upon my face.
It was showering warm rain in winter.
Spent the entire weekend working on this chapter and now am posting it in the middle of the night because I know I won't have time to tomorrow. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter. If you find any mistakes/grammar errors of the kind, please excuse me and take into consideration I AM writing at 1 o'clock in the morning while doing my French homework at the same time. Alors, bonne nuit mes amis et j'espère que vous appréciez mes efforts.