Disclaimer: I own nothing but the OC's and the plot, everything else belongs to Tolkien and those who currently own the rights to his work.
Chapter 38 – Setting the record straight
Third Age 2806 (one year later)
Eruanna missed the block and Erestor cut her across the abdomen with one fluid motion. She took the killing blow none too gracefully, throwing her practice sword to the ground in frustration. That was the fifth time Erestor outmaneuvered her and what burned most was she knew he wasn't even really trying.
Her hands rested on her hips and with a fair amount of frustration still lingering in her voice grumbled, "At least we're using wooden swords, otherwise I'd be in a lot of trouble."
"You'd be dead," Erestor's voice was stern but his eyes laughed at her unladylike tantrum.
Eruanna leaned down to reclaim her sword. The thing was useless. "It would be helpful if you showed me how to block that move."
Erestor shook his head apologetically. "A good teacher allows his students to figure some things out for themselves," he told her.
Eruanna could not keep her sarcasm at bay. "Is this another character building exercise or do you simply enjoy watching me lose?"
Erestor's eyes laughed at his child's words but he made no verbal reply. The lesson was intended to build character, but he dared not admit that Eruanna's inability to figure out the correct response and her childlike tantrums were more than a bit amusing.
Erestor's well humored expression sobered somewhat as he watched Eruanna rub her shoulder for the third time in the last hour. "I think we're finished for today. You shouldn't overwork that shoulder."
"It's fine, ada," she replied. In truth, Eruanna was ready to call it a day. Her shoulder might be well enough but her ego couldn't take any more humiliation.
Erestor wrapped his arm around Eruanna's shoulders; the sight of her dirt smeared cheek brought a smile to his face. He lifted a hand to wipe the smudge away but only succeeded in making it worse. "I believe we could both use a bath as well," he laughed as Eruanna lifted a hand to rub her cheek, grimacing at the grime she found there.
"A bath would be wonderful," Eruanna could barely wait to take a long soak and forget how soundly she'd been walloped.
Eruanna walked over to the edge of the small training field to where her cloak and waterskin lay across a long bench. Her eyes fell on a small break in the trees where a branch lay in an oddly unnatural position, as if someone had moved it away to get a better look at the field. Eruanna's lips curled into wry grin and she called over her shoulder to Erestor, "I believe we had visitors."
Erestor groaned dramatically, "It is growing tiresome."
Erestor only agreed to spar with Eruanna on the condition they use wooden replicas. He didn't trust himself to wield a real sword in her presence. After a few practice sessions, Erestor discovered that he'd garnered a handful of curious admirers. Word spread about his skill in the months following the border skirmish, and some time later someone let slip a version of the tale surrounding Glorfindel and Erestor's injuries.
"They just want to see you in action," Eruanna tried to soothe Erestor's annoyance but her words did little to ease the tension.
"I know," Erestor threw his own cloak over his shoulder and headed for the path leading to the House. He needed to put a stop to these rumors once and for all and taking advantage of the fact that their 'spies' could not be far, he didn't head directly for the house but instead took the winding path leading past the other training fields. Eruanna followed on his heels. She said nothing, but when his eyes found hers she shot him a questioning look. They did not have to travel far before coming within earshot of a conversation not intended for Erestor's ears.
"I tell you he nearly killed Glorfindel," Authion, Glorfindel's lieutenant, exclaimed.
"Don't be absurd," a younger ellon replied, waving the older warden away as he drew a bow, concentrating on a target far afield.
"Who did you hear that from?" A third warden, sitting upon the grass looked up at the lieutenant with disbelief written clearly across his face.
"Caladwen, she was there. She saw their injuries," Authion replied, daring the younger warden to doubt the healer's claim. No one made a reply. They all knew Caladwen was not the type of elleth to make up stories.
Vanimon, the youngest of all the assembled wardens, spoke for the first time since Authion began his rant. "I saw him…when we were attacked on the road to Imladris."
"So what do you think?" Authion pressed the ellon.
Vanimon didn't really want to think about it, but his mind found its way back to that battle and his memory of the High Counselor. "He was amazing," Vanimon replied rather breathlessly. The warden immediately realized his words sounded a bit childish and attempted to remedy the situation by adding, "for an ellon who sits around reading all day, that is."
"I thank you for thinking so, Vanimon," Erestor's voice rang out as he stepped into view. Eruanna followed him hesitantly, not really knowing where this confrontation would lead.
"Lord Erestor, Lady Eruanna," Authion balked.
Erestor fixed the lieutenant with a pointed gaze. "You should not fall prey to idle gossip, Authion. It is not befitting an ellon of your age and station."
"Forgive me, I didn't intend, that is…," the warden stumbled over his words.
Eruanna fought hard to keep her laughter at bay as a look of unease fell over the assembled wardens.
"You merely wish to find out the truth of the matter," Erestor finished for him.
"Yes," Authion managed to answer.
Erestor shook his head at the wardens, his expression one of amusement. "Do you really think that I am capable of defeating the Great Balrog Slayer in a contest of skill?"
One warden opened his mouth to answer then closed it tightly, as if fearful of voicing the wrong opinion.
A second ellon, braver than the first, offered the Lord a somewhat diplomatic answer. "We don't know, that is, we've heard stories."
Erestor nodded and fixing his gaze once more on Authion, questioned him directly for the first time. "You've seen Glorfindel and I spar before, have you not?"
Authion nodded, "a few times, in years past."
Erestor's brow rose in challenge, "And did you ever see me win?"
"No," he admitted, both to Erestor and the assembled crowd. This minor fact was certainly a blow to his theory regarding Glorfindel's injuries. Authion's belief that Erestor could defeat Glorfindel in a fight seemed rather absurd given the ellon's poor showing each time the Seneschal dragged him out to the training fields.
Erestor smiled inwardly as the doubt lingering in Authion's and the other wardens' eyes faded from sight.
"I wouldn't imagine so," Erestor's eyes mocked himself and the very idea of anyone defeating the great Balrog Slayer. He graced the young wardens with an expression of kind understanding. "Some edhil allow their imaginations to run away with them. You should avoid placing trust in foolish rumors."
"Yes, sir," the group intoned as one.
"Good day to you all," Erestor nodded his farewell before taking Eruanna's arm and leading her back to the path.
"Good day," Eruanna added as she was led away. The pair walked back to the house in silence. It was only when they reached the courtyard that Eruanna once again found her voice. "Ada?"
"Hmm," Erestor was startled from his own thoughts by the sound of Eruanna's voice. He looked down into her face, her eyes full of questions.
"Why did you do that?" she asked him.
Erestor had no need to ask what she was referring to. He breathed out a tired sigh. It was a difficult question to answer, there were so many reasons. "Glorfindel is looked upon with great admiration by our wardens. I wouldn't want anyone to think less of him."
"Or differently about you," Eruanna added, seeing in his eyes some of what was left unspoken.
"There are some beliefs that are not meant to be challenged," Erestor's unshakable belief in that statement shone clearly in his eyes.
"Ada," Eruanna shook her head disapprovingly. Why can't he allow people to see his true self? Eruanna was about to voice this question when Erestor halted her with a firm gaze and uplifted hand.
Erestor's hand rose to silence any lecture that was forthcoming. The decision to put an end to this gossip had nothing to do with Erestor and Glorfindel, it was not personal. This was about the House of Elrond, about the turnings of the world and all the people in it. It was about holding on to the surety of the past, even as the world was changed.
The future was uncertain but some things could remain unaltered by the currents of time, some things must remain. The Eldar needed certainties to anchor them in times of great hardship. The trials were coming, and Erestor would not allow one rash act to add to others' confusion.
Erestor took Eruanna's hand in a firm grip. The intensity of his words left no doubt as to their importance. "Glorfindel is the great Balrog Slayer and I am the wise counselor. That is how it has always been and that is how it must remain."