A sudden small glint of light suddenly passed over his closed lids. Elrond moaned deep and low in his throat as his dreams slipped into oblivion. He knew exactly who was trying to wake him. The half elf rolled over to get away from the light. He had not the presence of mind to say anything yet.
"You have a meeting today, mellon. Time to wake," Halvorn said chipper as usual.
Elrond finally opened his eyes, turning his silver gaze to meet Halvorn's, who was leaning far too close for comfort. The blasted Nandorin elf shined a small mirror in his face once again. "Daro," Elrond growled as he carefully sat up in bed.
Smiling that his job was done, Halvorn backed up and took a seat at the desk. He placed his mirror and candle down as Elrond scanned the area. It couldn't have been much earlier than dawn but the time was difficult to surmise for even the mornings in this forsaken land were dim. At least his friend had cleaned up his own mess, Elrond thought to himself with relief. "How much sleep do you get?" Elrond asked in irritated curiosity.
Halvorn shrugged gaily. "I honestly don't keep track, but far less then you it seems. It must be your mortal strain," he said with a smirk. The smirk grew slightly more sombre. "How did you sleep?"
Elrond couldn't remember his dreams in this groggy state, but his night had been fitful. "It was fine," he replied as he swung his legs over the edge of the small bed and he ran a hand through his dishevelled hair. For a moment, he envied Halvorn's new look with those short locks. They were probably far easier to manage than his own current mane. "I am not looking forward to this," he mumbled exasperatedly. The half-elf pulled open the top drawer of his sole nightstand. He combed his tangled locks as Halvorn gave him advice.
"Just remember, you don't have the whole picture," Halvorn said.
Elrond let out a half-hearted chuckle. "I don't think I will make the same mistake twice. Now, I must merely fix the issue." He thought about the options as he pulled some clothes on. The more formal dress would probably be more appropriate. "I think it is imperative we do not let the Sindarin king leave the camp prematurely. I think that is the first issue. I fear, even now, that the stubborn elf is gearing to leave."
Halvorn nodded, "I am under your command. Do wish me to find him, my lord?" Halvorn's voice adopted its characteristic reserved pitch that it took when the ellon was speaking on duty.
"I would think that would be best," Elrond spoke. "While, you are doing that, I will be speaking to our High King about which direction he wishes to go. Time to fix this," he said with determinedly finality.
Halvorn gave a curt nod. "I will go find King Thranduil, then." The elf quickly moved out of the room, leaving Elrond alone with his thoughts.
XxX
"My lord!"
Thranduil didn't even try to hide his annoyance at his servant's voice. He let out a deep sigh and turned from his packing to face the red-haired ellon. "What is it?" He demanded icily.
The shadow of fear crossed the servant's face and he swallowed before speaking his news. "Halvornos of the North is here to speak to you at the behest of Elrond Peredhil," the man spoke cautiously.
"Please, do not call me by that name," A rich voice spoke behind the servant. "I am simply Halvorn." Surprised, the servant whirled around to look at the now-present ellon. The ellon's gaze poisoned as soon as the servant realised how bluntly the officer had disobeyed his command to wait.
The ugly glance did not deter Halvorn, however, and he suavely strode into the large area that had been prepared for the king of the Sindar. The giant space was probably more than the camp could afford to spare on only one person, but this person was Thranduil King and even if Halvorn did not like him very much, he could not deny that the regal lord had accrued certain rights. Halvorn stopped his feet before they touched the layer of beast furs that had been placed on the floor and bowed low. "My lord," he greeted.
Thranduil narrowed his eyes at the approaching ellon. He was surprised when the elf actually saluted him, bowing deeply and thumping his right fist to his chest. The king raised a perfect eyebrow. He did not bother with returning the ellon's greeting. "What are you here for?" Thranduil knew the answer but whether or not this elf would speak it out plainly would be the test.
Halvorn hesitated for only a moment while he found the words he wished to speak. It had never been his strong point, dealing with subtleties through word. "My lord, Commander Elrond wishes for you to stay but a little longer and to meet with him. He has word to give to you, and, indeed, would have come himself were it not for the High King's summons. He believes there is a way to bring aid to your people," Halvorn ended on that note, speaking as much as he dared. He did not wish to speak his lord's mind without first knowing all of it.
Thranduil was silent for a long moment, thinking. "When does he wish to speak. I have a long journey to make," Thranduil said. The elf's barely perceptible swallow told him everything he needed to know. This elf had not thoroughly planned his venture and was probably in league with the commander in whatever scheme the half-elf was thinking up. The king waited patiently for an answer, now watching with the eyes of a lion trifling with its prey.
Halvorn spoke up, feeling the definite change in atmosphere. This elf was playing him and there was nothing he could do about it. Mentally, Halvorn cursed himself. He should have paid more attention to his forefathers' word play in court. "Commander Elrond wished to see you immediately after his meeting with the Lord Gil-Galad." There. That sounded reasonably well, Halvorn thought.
Thranduil thought about it. He really did. Then he turned his back to the officer and resumed packing the few official things he had been preoccupied with earlier. "He is speaking with the king in his private chambers, I presume?"
A strong feeling of alarm ripped through Halvorn's mind and adrenaline zipped down the ellon's spine. The elf struggled to keep it all under his mask. At least that was one thing he could excel at. "Yes," was his simple reply.
Thranduil smirked, still keeping his hands busy. If Gil-Galad was speaking with Elrond than it was plausible the half-elf was trying to fix the issue or change his lord's mind. A rogue flash of accusation crossed his mind. What business did this half-elf have with the Sindar's woes? It could have been the obvious; the ellon wanted to help and was actually struck by Thranduil's report. He made up his mind. Whatever the reason, his people needed every chance. He straightened and met the eyes of his servant, who was silently standing by and listening. "Finish gathering all of my things. I will be back." The silver-haired king then met Halvorn's eyes. "Lead me there, now."
Halvorn had no other choice than to obey the king. He gave another salute then, with anxiety spiking in his stomach, turned on his heel leading the way to the High King.
XxX
"Elrond, it is not merely a matter of whether the garrison can be deployed or not," Gil-galad said emphatically. He was growing weary of his Commander's ideas. The High King of the Noldor was sitting upon his luxurious throne, much the same as he had been sitting last night. A breeze toyed with his hair from the open tent. It was a relatively nice day even for the Black Lands. A servant was standing unobtrusively close by, ready to retrieve anything the instant the king wished for it. Everything in the room spoke of order and sheer perfection…
Except Elrond. It was obvious this decision had been wearing the ellon thin. The normally robust ellon looked small today and tired. He paced in front of the king's throne going through the lists of ideas in his head one by one. It wasn't all in vain. The ellon had already given the king some worthy options, but things were steadily going downhill as Elrond exhausted his designs. "My lord, the garrison is ready. I am ready to lead it there immediately."
Gil-Galad sighed through his nose. "I know the garrison is ready, but think about how large a hole we will have in our defences if they leave? You must learn to take these things into account." If you are ever to be my successor... He added silent and doleful.
"We will have an entire front undefended if the northern defences fall, will we not?" Elrond asked, trying to hide his hesitance. To him the entire conversation felt as if it were unhinging with every word.
"Yes, we will. That is if Thranduil's forces fail so quickly." Gil-Galad perceived the moment Elrond understood his words fully. Perhaps the elf was still as sharp as in the days of his youth.
"You don't believe the situation is as dire as Thranduil deems," Elrond stated. He had never… That thought had never come into his mind once before. "Why would he exaggerate? We both know his forces were small to begin with," Elrond pondered.
"In war, every enemy is counted twice, Elrond. I'm sure your fathers taught you that." The tall elf king stood and made his way to the map laying at a table. He let that titbit settle with the half-elf for a moment until he heard the other's boots follow him. "I have a mind to move your garrison forward north," Gil-Galad said as Elrond leaned over beside him to peer at the parchment.
Elrond kept the hope out of his voice, but it was impossible to keep it from glimmering in eyes. "What do you have in mind?"
The elder was opening his mouth to answer when he was interrupted by an officer in bright green armour. "High King!"
Both ellyn at the table faced the newcomer. "Speak and may you have good reason to disturb me," Gil-Galad spoke firmly.
The officer instantly hesitated, obviously checked thoroughly by the words of his lord and king. Fortunately, the elf was able to overcome the lump in his throat and force his tongue to move. "High King, I have seen King Thranduil. He is on his way here now. An officer accompanies him. They will arrive soon, my lord," he said.
Gil-Galad shot Elrond a sharp glance but held his tongue. "Go," he ordered the soldier, who swiftly left.
"My lord…" Elrond began.
"Let me guess, the officer accompanying Thranduil is Halvorn?" The look in Elrond's eyes was enough to give truth to the guess.
"I did not tell him to bring Thranduil here, merely I asked him to bid the king to stay a little longer, lest you come to a decision and he is gone. I told him to bide his time and wait patiently," Elrond explained.
Gil-Galad snorted. "The Sindar king hath little patience it seems," he muttered. The king strode to his place and took his seat on his throne again. "Well, let us wait and see what this elf has to say."
Elrond looked at the tops of his boots and took his place standing at the right hand of his lord. For some reason, he felt more unworthy then he had even felt last night. However, the king must have sensed his mood, because only a handful of breaths had passed when the thick shoulders of Gil-Galad relaxed and he met Elrond's silver gaze. "I know it is not your fault, Elrond. It may be your friend's though," he warned.
Elrond nodded, his eyes sliding to the tent entrance. They remained there in both trepidation and expectance. In his heart, he knew that could very well be the case. He prayed a silent prayer otherwise. Halvorn, please do not be the cause of this interruption.