Again, thank you for the faves, follows, and reviews everyone! :) Here is the next chapter... I hope you enjoy, and let's see how Glorfindel reacts! *retreats to Mithril box*
Warning: for one slightly disturbing image from Eruanna's past. Give her a hug, will you? ;)
Chapter 19
Eruanna blinked stupidly. A heavy, tense silence fell upon the room like a stifling blanket as the statement suddenly registered in their minds. Glorfindel's face went pale, and then anger began to suffuse his eyes.
When he finally spoke, his voice was frightening in its utter calmness. "And why, pray tell, Mithrandir, do you seek to take mine sister from me?" He asked softly, and a shiver of fear ran through all those whose were there, for it was a deadly softness.
Mithrandir have the ellon a wary look. "I foresee that there is an important part she must play in this coming part of the war." Was his wary, cautious reply.
"I see. And why, exactly, did you see this- convenient- vision, whereas I did not?" Glorfindel continued, his voice becoming as cold as the Helcaraxë which he had crossed all those years ago.
Celébrian gave a slight gasp at the implied accusation while Galadriel and Celeborn merely watched, faces unreadable, sensing that the conflict was between the two only. Mithrandir gave him a tired look and sighed once more.
"Glorfindel, would you deny the will of the Valar?" He asked wearily.
Glorfindel's lips turned white as his fists clenched, trembling as he held back his anger stemmed from fear. "The will of the Valar? You mean the manipulation of the Valar?" He seethed. "They allow my sister to be taken by the orcs for their damned sport, to be tortured at the hands of orcs and even Balrogs for thousands of years, and then now as her feä is beginning to heal, they would rip her away from me again for their own manipulative purposes!?" He spat, venom laced in every word as his anger grew.
"Does she deserve that!?" He demanded, then turned away agitatedly, shoving trembling fingers through his hair as he fought to master himself, shaking. Eruanna sat there in shock, staring at her brother with wide eyes and pale face at his vehemence. Mithrandir closed his eyes in sorrow.
Glorfindel turned around, his face closed off and without expression, though in his eyes shone the light of the two trees. "No." He said simply.
"I am sorry to hear that you feel that way, Glorfindel, my friend." Gandalf said slowly, voice heavy with sorrow. Glorfindel's face flashed for a moment with regret and doubt, but it passed a moment later. "I have no claim to Eruanna. But would you deny Arda the help that your sister could give?" He asked softly.
That snapped Eruanna out of her shock, and she stood from her seat, moving towards the wizard. He smiled down at her tiredly, placing a hand gently on the bright head of Mithril shot with gold. She placed a hand on his knee.
*I will go with you.* She said simply, eyes soft.
"No, seler. You cannot." Glorfindel said, though his voice was more a plea than anything. His façade was rapidly crumbling. She turned and gave him a measuring look, and he flinched despite himself as the light of the Valar shone through her eyes from the depths of her feä.
*It is my choice, Muindor. I am well past my majority, though perhaps not in body.* She reminded him. *I will not deny the will of the Valar, for are they not the spokesmen of Eru, who cares for all of His children? Do they not wish the best for us? Even as every commander over an army must make sacrifices, so they must sometimes make sacrifices for the greater good.* She said firmly. And then her eyes grew weary.
*I am much too 'manipulated,' already to ignore this war anyway, Muindor. Was I not there at Dol Guldur? Am I not branded by evil? Have I not spent, as you have said already, many years in his former domain? Am I not a part in all this already? I am too caught up in this war and in Eru's grand conspiracy of love to think that I have no part in anything.* Then she sighed.
*And would you have me attempt to deny something that is a very part of me?* She asked, and he knew that she spoke of the light of the Valar in her feä that shone through her eyes. He sat down, defeat written on his face as he looked down at his hands.
"No." He finally answered in a hoarse whisper. "But I asked the Valar- I begged them..." He spoke almost to himself, a forlorn note in his voice. Eruanna moved in front of him, crawling into his lap.
*Ask what, Muindor?* She asked softly as he clutched her tightly, tears dripping onto his cheeks.
"I don't want to loose you, seler. I don't want you to leave me, no matter how short of a time." He choked. "I asked them- I begged them- I always wanted a sibling, and now that I have you, I don't want to give you up. Not to anyone." He said, voice shaking and thick with tears.
"All my life I have been unselfish of anything. My very life was for the sake of others, and even now I live for Elrond. All I asked for was to be selfish for you- just one thing I wanted for myself. And I couldn't protect you-" Glorfindel's voice broke as he found himself unable to go on, breathing harshly.
Gandalf watched, his eyes soft and compassionate. Celébrian was weeping silently in her chair. Celeborn and Galadriel watched with pity. Eruanna sighed visibly, wrapping her small, slender, delicate arms around his neck. Glorfindel held her to himself, face still buried in her hair. She said nothing for a moment.
When she finally spoke, her voice was soft and slow. *Gil nîn, Muindor. Always. I promise. But I must do this- and you must stay here, for I feel in my heart that you cannot go with me. And when I return to you- for I shall- then you may be selfish for me as much as you wish. I love many, for my heart can hold them all within- but all my love for those of kindred blood, strong and true, belongs to you.* She promised him solemnly, pulling back to look up at his tear-streaked, bleak face.
She reached up with long, slender fingers similar to his, and wiped away his tears gently, the drops of liquid wetting her hands and smudging on his cheeks. She caught one tear that fell from his eyes onto her finger, and looked down at it, her face suddenly looking dazed and her eyes glazing over.
Eruanna looked at the tear on her finger, feeling the familiar sea-longing well up in her heart, and unconsciously brought her finger to her mouth. The tear landed on her tongue in a burst of sudden saltiness. Glorfindel's tears, she thought absently, were not bitter at all. They were, oh, so very salty. It dried out her mouth- her tongue suddenly felt thick and cumbersome in her mouth, painfully familiar.
For a moment, she could almost feel the hot blood filling her mouth from where she bit on it from the throes of agony that coursed through her body from the constant, relentless torture. She could taste it, rusty and metallic, the smell repulsive and clogging her senses.
The blood in her mouth changed from her own to that of something else, bitter and acidic, making her want to gag from disgust. She could see it pool before her, black and smoking, broken bodies of orc filth littering the ground as the angry groaning of trees reached her ears.
And then she suddenly saw in her mind's eye the image of Boromir's brother- Faramir, she remembered- and tears of private grief ran down his cheeks as he sat in a chair. He looked up at her despairingly, guilt and sorrow in his eyes. In his hands, she saw a cloven horn of white, edged with silver.
"Eruanna!" Glorfindel's shout snapped her out of her daze, and she looked up at him with a surprised look on her face. He looked worried.
"Are you alright?" He asked. She nodded absently, thinking on her vision.
In a moment, Gandalf was in front of her, holding her hands. "What did you see." He said softly but firmly. Glorfindel tensed.
She looked at the wizard, face chalky and eyes clouded in confusion. *Tears- sea- salty- blood- orcs dead- black blood- trees angry- Far-* She abruptly cut herself off as something in her warned her to say naught of the last vision. Gandalf gave her a piercing look and then seemed to be satisfied, nodding curtly.
"You see now." He stated. She looked down with a nod. He sighed. "So be it. We leave tomorrow morn." He said softly, and stood, placing a hand on Glorfindel shoulder.
"I ask that you remember your time in Aman, Glorfindel. The Valar only wish for the best for both of you. Remember, her fate was written out even before the creation of Arda, just as yours was." He said softly. Glorfindel nodded, head still hung down in shame.
"Forgive me, Mithrandir. I'm afraid that recent events have worn away at my patience. My outburst was uncalled for." He said quietly. Gandalf nodded.
"It is understandable and forgiven, Glorfindel." Was his only reply, and then he left to rest, professing weariness.
Glorfindel merely held Eruanna to him closely, gathering comfort from her presence as she clutched his hair and snuggled into him trustingly, kissing his cheeks reassuringly. And everyone knew better than to disturb them.
LOTRLOTRLOTR
Eruanna was pacing in Glorfindel's talan that evening and wringing her hands when IT appeared again.
*Errm... Suggestion...* It said sheepishly.
*Where have you been!?* Eruanna cried, sitting down hard.
*Apologies. I suppose I should have brought this up earlier... But I digress. This is important, so listen up. You need to go ask the trees for a favor.* It directed.
*Which tree?* She asked, standing up.
*You need to do this now before you leave tomorrow- which, by the way, is supposed to happen, so don't worry- so hurry up and go! I'll tell you where to go.* Her conscience retorted, and she fled without a word. Glorfindel was currently out apparently 'getting something,' though she had her suspicions about that statement.
She ran down the stairs and through the woods as her conscience directed her in the right direction. *Left- right- yes- that way- there.* It stopped, and so did she in unconscious response. In front of her was a small knell, on top of which was a small white pavilion.
The glade was golden, leaves scattered everywhere and gleaming in the last beams of Laurelin's last flower. She approached the pavilion warily and quietly, feet bare as they stepped through the leaves. The air about the place was interesting to her, feeling as though there was an air of the past about the place.
*Because here, the veil between the zero and first dimensions are thin.* Was the answer to her wonderings. *We live in the first dimension, and the zero dimension is the past. The second dimension is the future.* It explained further.
By then, she had reached the pavilion and was standing in the center of it. She shivered in the soft breeze that blew. It wasn't cold; rather, she could feel the sense of time diluted here even more than at the edges of the clearing. The very trees here were wavering between the past and present, pulsing with life.
*That tree, over there. It's one of the oldest in this forest and therefore has weight around here with the rest of them. You must ask it for help. The trees must promise to help the elves if they love this forest.* Her conscience urged.
She sidled up to the mentioned tree and hesitantly reached out, touching the bark shyly. Her consciousness brushed against the tree's, and it stirred slightly, welcoming her.
*Welcome, leafling Díllothel.* It said slowly, with much patience.
*Greetings, Mellyn nîn.* She replied respectfully. *It is good to see you.* She added truthfully.
There was a gentle pat on her head. *We always welcome the Noldo, leafling. What would our Díllothel ask of us?* It asked.
*I go away tomorrow. I was... Hoping that I could ask you for a favor.* She replied.
*Ask, then.* It said patiently.
*This forest... The elves... The trees... Times are dangerous. Orcs wander about, and many other foul things. The elves have sometimes a hard time to protect the forest. Please, you are part of the forest- will you not help the elves? They need your help to keep their people protected and the forest clean.* She begged the trees, who stirred.
*This is our home. Díllothel is right, we must help the bright elves. Díllothel do not worry; we will do what leafling asks.* The tree replied, and the others stirred in agreement, branches shaking in resolve. Eruanna sighed inwardly with relief.
*Thank the Valar.* Her conscience sighed.
*Thank you, Mellyn nîn. Please, will you say hello to elf Haldir for me?* She added on second thought.
*Yes. Díllothel stay safe.* Was the reply, and with a smile, she broke the connection and began to run back to her talan, leaving behind her the rustling of leaves that glowed silver in the first lights of Tilion's rays.
Eärendil twinkled brightly in the sky, and Eruanna took a moment to wave up to it, winging a small prayer to the Valar for protection and safety.
LOTRLOTRLOTR
"And we hear you, little one, we do." Manwë murmured.
"So, who won the bet?" Tulkas asked, striding in and setting himself down next to Nessa, who leaned over and kissed his cheek. He returned in kind along with a wink that made the rest roll their eyes.
"Save it for later, you two. As for your question- Glorfindel chewed him out." Oromë sniggered, and was joined by several others.
"I was afraid Glorfindel wouldn't take this too well." Manwë sighed despondently. Varda reached over and kissed his cheek gently, patting his hand.
"Do not worry, beloved, I am sure that he will see the cause of it and forgive us." She comforted. Manwë shook his head.
"His request is... Disturbing, to say the least, considering what Nàmo plans to do once she gets here." He said with a troubled air, sinking into thought.
Nàmo stirred. "Nay, grant him his wish. He deserves it, you must admit. Besides, if he is selfish for her than he will want the best for her, you know that." He spoke for the first time, a shadow of premonition lacing his tone. The rest of his brethren gave him considering looks but nodded, seeing the wisdom in Nàmo's words.
"Speaking of which, Yavanna, you are sure that they are ready?" Vairë asked plaintively, and Yavanna sighed good-naturedly, feigning an annoyed look.
"Dear sister mine, do you doubt my handiwork? Of course they are, no cause for worry." She sniffed. Vairë sighed.
"I'm just so worried for the dear thing. I know she'll be safe as can be with them but still." She went on, and the Valar exchanged amused looks.
"Well, now that we have that in order- Irmo? How goes it with HIM?" Manwë asked, a sense of duty mingled with concern in his voice.
Irmo gave them all a wry look. "Causing me grief, as does every Reborn." Was his dry answer, and they all laughed. "But being serious-" and his face became grave- "he is starting to remember some of his past life, though not quite all of it yet." He gave them a significant look. "As in, not his exact position or cause for fame." He elaborated. There were nods all about.
"I see. Very well, then. I have a feeling that THAT memory will not surface until he sees her." Manwë mused in reply.
"Most likely. Hopefully. Which is strange in a sense, considering that it was one of his greatest concerns in his former life. But nonetheless, when the time comes, we must see to it that he is not there at the harbor when they arrive. I am still not looking forwards to Glorfindel's reaction to this..." Irmo cringed inwardly, as did the rest at the thought.
Then Nàmo gave them an odd smile. "Would you like to bet on that?" He offered amiably, and the Valar burst into laughter that had a tinge of hysteria in it.
After all, in the words of King Arafinwë: "With the presence of Glorfindel comes the absence of peace." And no one, not even the Valar, could disagree with that- which tells much of our dear Balrog-slayer, does it not?
A quote by Ingaran Ingwë: "He grows on you."
LOTRLOTRLOTR
Eruanna and Glorfindel were in bed. Neither was asleep. Neither was comfortable. Neither was happy. Both didn't dare move for fear of breaking the uncomfortable silence that blanketed them as well as the thin sheet did, and as a result both felt extremely awkward.
Eruanna was scared of breaking the silence for fear that Glorfindel still hadn't gotten used to the idea of her leaving yet- to put it mildly- and Glorfindel was afraid of breaking the silence for fear that Eruanna would think that he was angry at her.
Then Glorfindel sighed. "Oh, this is ridiculous." He muttered, and drew his sister into his arms. "I'm not angry at you, seler. I'm just worried for you." He sighed, and waited anxiously for an answer.
The awaited reply was quick in coming as she immediately tucked herself more firmly into his side and clutched his hair with a contented sigh. *I'm glad, Muindor.* She said simply, and he wrapped his arms around her with a sense of relief.
"Good. You will take care of yourself, seler?" He asked anxiously, unable to help himself. She giggled at him, and he quirked a smile despite himself. "Good grief, seler, look what you've done to me. Now you've turned me into a mother hen. Oh, the horrors!" He gasped, and she giggled wildly in reply.
*No! Estel told me you did that to him first!* She protested, and he shot her a mock-glare.
"Oh, so that little chit has been telling tales, has he? I'll tell him something or two next time I get my hands on that scruffy little mutt, see if I don't. And if he so much as dares to attempt to escape my wrath by going to Mandos, I will go there myself and drag him back." He growled, and Eruanna howled with laughter at the thought of Estel being a 'scruffy little mutt,' the words bringing an all-too-clear image to her mind.
He chuckled and dug a finger into her side as she squealed. "What are you laughing at, insolent brat?" He demanded, and she batted his hands away.
*Is it true that you threatened to skewer 'Dan and 'Ro?* She queried with a little too much interest, and he snorted.
"Now wherever did you hear that?" He asked suspiciously, and she gave him a toothy grin.
*'Restor.* She replied innocently. He raised an eyebrow.
"Erestor? You mean that old worry-rat? He never tells tales, don't fib, seler." He said in mock-severity. She sniffed in offense.
*He did too. I heard him. He came out of the library muttering 'I don't know why Glorfindel didn't skewer those two holy terrors' and went off down the hallway with imprecations.* She insisted, and Glorfindel buried his face into her hair, shaking with laughter.
"D-don't e-eavesdrop, Eruanna!" He gasped, and she smacked his arm.
*I don't eavesdrop! I merely happen to hear these things!* She wailed, and he had to transfer his face underneath the pillow to keep from guffawing in the dead of night.
*Well? You still didn't answer me, so if you have quite recovered-* But her voice held a smile in it.
He came out from his retreat and replied, still chortling. "Yes, I did seriously consider it quite a few times."
*Why didn't you?* She asked.
He snorted. "Simple, of course. For one thing, I couldn't decide which one to skewer first, and secondly, I decided that they weren't worth the trouble to try to formulate an answer for Elrond as to why his sons were giving my regards to lord Nàmo." He answered dryly, and it was Eruanna's turn to make a retreat under the pillow.
By the time they fell asleep, it was with relaxed smiles on their faces and their bond as strong as ever. The tension between them was gone, for they had found understanding with each other once more.
The quote by Ingaran Ingwë, High King of the Vanyar, belongs to Fiondil.