Eruraviel hummed softly to herself, her eyes taking in the sights of the mid-afternoon sun casting a halo of light around the buildings and water cascading over the jagged peaks. Imladris truly was beautiful, Eruraviel acknowledged hearing soft steps approaching her from behind. She cast a calm look over her shoulder, smiling gently as she saw Arwen once again coming to join her. The young elleth had taken quite the shine to her, and often spent her free time listening and talking to Eruraviel about her travels.
As Arwen sat herself down on the soft grass next to her, Eruraviel let the silence continue, not seeing a reason to break it just yet. She hadn't spent this long inactive in centuries, and she still hadn't adjusted to not needing to constantly look over her shoulder.
"Eruraviel… can I ask you something?" Arwen began softly, her voice almost hesitant. Eruraviel nodded wordlessly, not looking at the younger elleth as she knew that could stifle ones courage when asking about a topic one was already nervous about.
"I've spent years training with Glorfindel and my brothers… and yet no matter how I ask, I'm never allowed to venture out with my brothers on patrol. Adar refuses to relent and allow me to go, but I don't understand why." Arwen explained, and Eruraviel could hear the honest confusion and mild hurt in her voice.
She contemplated what she was being asked, understanding both sides of this apparent disagreement between father and daughter.
"Did you know I had a little brother?" Eruraviel began, seeing the widened eyes of Arwen next to her as Arwen shook her head.
"No. What was he like?" Arwen asked curiously, her eyes bright.
Eruraviel tilted her head back, staring up at the clouds.
"Bright, full of life and excitement. He could be clumsy at times and managed to set his hair aflame trying to cook, repeatedly. He spent more time with his hair short than long because of it." Eruraviel stated humorously, Arwen giggling into her hands.
"It was just him and I, as our parents died when he was only 32. I did my best to look after him, and he was determined to follow me into the Guard. Much like our father."
Eruraviel paused, her heart heavy as she thought over her greatest failure.
"I was the elder of us, and an active guard member, so I did everything I was able to keep him safe and happy. I'd promised our parents that I'd protect him." Eruraviel said, her voice growing softer.
"When Gondolin was attacked, I refused to allow him to fight, not against the kind of enemies we were facing. Dragons, Balrog's, Spiders, Orcs… No he had no place in that fight. Only one of the buildings collapsed, throwing us apart. When I regained my feet, I found him lying still upon the stone surrounded by blood. His neck had been snapped."
Eruraviel blinked back a haze of tears, hearing Arwen gasp in shock.
"I failed. The most important task I'd taken, that I'd sworn to my parents to do and my brother was killed less than a dozen paces from me." Eruraviel turned heavy eyes to Arwen who looked closer to tears than she herself was.
"The world has been filled with chaos, grief and loss since Melkor decided he wanted more than what he had. Families, friends, cities and even entire nations have been completely destroyed for millennia. I do what I can, where I can, to stem the tide of death Sauron is now spreading. Even my efforts are not always successful." Eruraviel smiled grimly, turning her gaze to the largest of the buildings below where Elrond and Celebrian dwelled within.
"It has never ceased to amaze me how foolish many are to discount your father because of his mixed heritage. In my eyes, he is far stronger than they could hope to match. He has the raw passion and drive of the humans, tempered with the patience and willpower of the elves – all backed by the ability to wield that stockpile of power as a descendant of Melian. Elrond held on when he and his twin were held against their will after losing both parents. He stood firm against Melkor's creations, the loss of Sirion, his twin and the many, many more losses that followed." Here Eruraviel paused to focus on Arwen who was listening with wide eyes.
"Your father has watched the world tear itself apart since he was an elfling. He's learned to stand in defense of all those he considers his, and Imladris was born out of that very drive. He may not be allowing you to join your brothers on patrol. However, maybe he can't face the thought of his daughter being forced into seeing the same horrors he has. He says no, not out of disregard for your fighting abilities, but out of the strongest desire in him to protect his family. I will never be able to forgive myself for failing my brother and my parents by letting him die. I can understand your father wanting to protect you from the evils of the world when he's already lost so much to it and for it." Eruraviel trailed off, seeing Arwen look down at her hands in contemplation.
"Elrond is known as one of, if not the greatest, target of Sauron and his forces. It is part of why Glorfindel and Master Erestor remain with him whenever he must leave the vale for any purpose. It is why your mother was taken – both her own powerful lineage, and her role as Elrond's mate. You would be targeted even more heavily, and Elrond knows that." Eruraviel pointed out, seeing Arwen's shoulders slump.
"So I remain behind while those I love fight?" Arwen asked somewhat bitterly. Eruraviel sighed, sitting up and crossing her legs as she rested her chin on her usable hand with her elbow on her knee.
"The best person to ask advice from about this topic would be your grandmother, rather than myself." Eruraviel told her, Arwen lifting her head to look at her in confusion.
"What? Daernaneth?"
Eruraviel hummed affirmatively.
"She's the daughter of a king, has several very powerful brothers, a strong mate whose also a prince… can you think of anyone else who may understand you better?" Eruraviel said, seeing Arwen blink before gray eyes went wide in realization.
Seeing the understanding, Eruraviel decided to finish her… lecture.
"Battles are chaos. Watching friends and innocents being killed is its own form of torture. Sometimes, all the skill and power in the world isn't enough when the odds are stacked against you. Death isn't something to celebrate, nor are battles things of glory and excitement. They are filled with terror, exhaustion and pain – particularly when you finish one long battle knowing that the next day will be a repeat of today. My advice to you would be to talk to your Daernaneth, and your Naneth, and think over what they have to say. Then, take a day, spend it with Elrond and talk with him. Listen to why he's saying what he is, and work through it together."
Arwen was silent for a long moment before she nodded finally.
"Together."
Eruraviel smiled gently.
"Life isn't easy, it wouldn't be worth it if it was, but just remember – one step at a time as the humans like to say. Don't look at this as unending, for all things must come to an end. This is just another hill one must climb, and right now Arwen, you are writing your own story. How it ends, that's all decided by you. What do you want your story to say?"
Both fell silent, before another set of steps sounded nearby, making both elleth turn to see Glorfindel approaching.
"Eruraviel, we have some elves who are quite curious about your mare." Glorfindel announced, making Eruraviel groaned in resignation.
"Again?" She whined, not wanting to deal with a new crowd of curious questions, it grew exhausting after a while. Glorfindel snickered but nodded.
"Indeed. However, while I would offer to do so in your place, I know better than to approach a Gondolin mare uninvited." Glorfindel pointed out, Eruraviel grimaced and used her left hand to push herself to her feet. She'd seen more than one person learn that lesson the hard way after being bitten or kicked by Arvellas when they'd made that very mistake.
"Very well." Eruraviel sighed, following along as Glorfindel led the way to the training fields, throwing his arm across her should earning an eye roll though she didn't knock his arm off.
"I'm only doing this as long as they behave." Eruraviel stated, still a little grumpy. Arwen trailed behind them, just as quietly curious about Arvellas. As they neared the fields, Eruraviel spotted almost a dozen warriors gathered near the fence line that overlooked the pasture where Arvellas was grazing quite close to the large black stallion.
Eruraviel tugged on their bond, Arvellas head lifting from the grass as the mare quickly trotted over to meet her as Eruraviel hopped the fence with ease.
"Afternoon mellon-nin, I see you've made a friend." Eruraviel teased her mare, Arvellas letting out a chuff and bopping her head up and down.
"I didn't know mares could get to her size." A voice asked hesitantly, almost shy. Eruraviel continued her scratching, turning her head to inspect the youngster who'd spoken.
"Gondolin steeds are unusual in many ways compared to a standard horse." Eruraviel stated.
"Like the Meras?" Arwen wondered, Eruraviel humming in consideration.
"In some ways yes, but not quite. Gondolin steeds possess the same longevity as the elves, bonding with only one rider their entire lives." Eruraviel said. Glorfindel nodded, coming up beside her and letting Arvellas make the choice on if she wanted to approach. The mare did so, before tugging mischievously on his hair making the vanya yelp and Eruraviel snicker.
"They're also much stronger and have greater stamina and agility than a horse." Glorfindel added on, trying to pull his hair away from Arvellas.
"Need help Glorfindel?" A deeper voice asked filled with amusement. Eruraviel only grinned when Glorfindel groaned upon seeing Elrond and Erestor watching. They would doubtlessly be teasing the blond about this for weeks.
"I'm just fine thank you." Glorfindel gritted out petulantly.
Eruraviel took pity on him, stepping closer and raising her hand to scratch under the mares jaw. Arvellas, pleased with more scratches, released Glorfindel's hair.
"Arvellas is connected to my faër, and we can communicate to some extent through our bond. She will always be able to find me, no matter the distance." Eruraviel continued, slowing her scratching as the stallion approached and drew the mares focus.
"What about foals?" Another warrior questioned in dry amusement as he stared at the two. Eruraviel sighed, wondering who the stallion belonged to.
"If she choses a mate, it will be the only one she takes. Any foal carried by her will be of Gondolin stock and carry the same traits even if the sire is a normal stallion." Eruraviel said tiredly.
"It seems she has picked a mate." Glorfindel chuckled, watching the stallion now trail after Arvellas, the mare growing bored of the attention from the elves. Not that Eruraviel blamed her.
"Indeed, I'll need to find the rider and apologize for any trouble Arvellas may cause because of this." Eruraviel groaned. Glorfindel smirked, making her hackles raise.
"What is it." Eruraviel demanded tiredly.
The other warriors seemed to be sharing his glee.
"Well, the stallion belongs to our dear lord of Imladris." Glorfindel stated, gesturing to where Elrond stood watching their byplay in curiosity. Eruraviel paled slightly, immediately turning to bow to the Half-Elven Lord.
"I am so sorry I-"
Elrond waved his hand, clearly unbothered.
"Worry not, I worried for him when he's still not chosen a mare. That he chose Arvellas shows that he has good taste. Much like yourself and Glorfindel." Elrond returned, causing Eruraviel to immediately turn bright red.
She categorically refused to look at where Glorfindel stood.
"What." She squeaked out, her voice somewhat choked.
While yes, she couldn't deny there was a connection between them, the idea of her bonding to Glorfindel when his status was so far above her own…!
Not only that, but Glorfindel was most definitely a dominant. She wouldn't risk him by bonding to him only to have to deal with her fighting in the war. That would only be cruel. Elrond smirked, raising a single eyebrow as he looked at them.
"Never bet against a seer." Elrond pointedly told her, making her face turn even redder. Retreat, she needed to retreat.
"I'm…" She paused as her voice cracked, slowly backing towards the fence.
"I'm just going to… head to my room for a little while."
With that, she turned and bolted for her room.
Eruraviel would never tire of watching thunderstorms.
She stood on one of the balconies, staring at a sky colored in hues of gray, red, orange and yellow as the sun slowly set on the horizon. Bright flashes of light snapped through the clouds in glowing arcs of light and power. It would be followed in mere moments by the cascading rumbles and booms that shook the air.
Rain fell in sheets, leaving only a clean scent untainted and filled with just the barest hint of ozone. It had only been two weeks since her arrival and yet time seemed to have come to a crawl. It felt like the passing of the days were hardly noted, a stark change from the adrenaline and blood filled days of constant fighting she'd become accustomed to.
"Beautiful, isn't it." A deep voice said calmly from beside her, pulling her thoughts away from the darker corners of her mind. Eruraviel nodded, seeing the golden hair of Glorfindel out of the corner of her eye as he joined her in watching the storm rage above.
"Untainted, clean, and so very different from the storms I've seen for a long while." Eruraviel sighed.
Glorfindel hummed in contemplation, making her turn to him curiously, finally over her embarrassment from earlier in the day.
"What?" Eruraviel prompted, wondering what he was thinking.
Glorfindel turned bright blue eyes to her, the golden flecks within highlighted as lightning continued to flash above.
"Where were you Eruraviel? None of us have been able to find any concrete traces of what happened to you." Glorfindel finally asked.
"Indeed, and we never stopped looking either." Another voice chimed in, Eruraviel turning to see they'd been joined by Elrond, Erestor, Celeborn and Celebrian. Eruraviel frowned, her head tilting as she contemplated where to even start.
"I've been in the east, fighting mostly." Eruraviel stated, seeing their eyes narrow.
"Fighting what? The east has been quiet since the Siege of Barad-Dur and the close of the battle of the last alliance." Elrond asked immediately, his silver gaze sharp. Eruraviel turned to him in honest confusion.
"Quiet which was only a stop gap? The east has been an active war front for at least the last 1500 years." Eruraviel reminded them, only to pause as their faces went dark.
"What." Elrond demanded immediately.
"Have… have you not learned about this already?! I would have thought such serious news had already been learned of by the realms of the west!" Eruraviel groused in exasperation. How in Manwë's name did they not know about this.
"Eruraviel, I believe a miscommunication has occurred. Whatever incidents and information you're referring to are unknown to us." Glorfindel soothed, but his own face was tight. Eruraviel began pacing her mind churning as she wondered how she was supposed to explain all of this.
"Start with the worst part, just get that out of the way first." Erestor suggested, seeing her dilemma. Eruraviel nodded slowly but continued her pacing.
"About 1000 years into the third age, Sauron managed to regain a physical form." Eruraviel announced deciding such a grave statement couldn't be cushioned - no matter how she phrased it, it would still be devastating. Gasps slipped from her fellow eldar, with Elrond letting out a deep growl of fury.
"He what."
Eruraviel paused, turning a solemn gaze to the former herald of the high king as thunder rumbled overhead ominously.
"His form is weakened, nor as fair as the one he used prior but he has a body, nevertheless. He's been steadily building his forces behind the black gates, and even beyond them." Eruraviel confirmed, watching silver eyes turn to mithril as rage grew in behind them.
"So when you said you've been fighting in the east-" Erestor began, making Eruraviel hum in confirmation.
"I've been fighting alongside the dwarrow against his forces, Lord Grór has me as a standing commander."
Elrond took up her pacing, his arms down by his side as his hands balled into fists so tight his knuckles turned white.
"How is it that none of the elven realms knew of this!" Elrond hissed out.
Erestor nodded, his hazel eyes nearly black, deeply disturbed by such dark news.
"We should have been informed long ago. Someone or something kept messages from being relayed to the elven council." The advisor agreed, leaning against the wall.
"Could they have also been behind my kidnapping?" Celebrian asked softly, her voice almost hesitantly.
"Possibly. The orcs and humans did share a crest, in spite of being of completely different races. Though a much cruder form on the orcs. It isn't one I've seen yet, but his allies are numerous and we've had a difficult time keeping up with their many identifiers." Eruraviel said.
"We need to summon the council. Immediately." Celeborn announced, his voice cold.
"Eruraviel, can you tell us about what forces you do know of?" Glorfindel asked seriously. Eruraviel turned to the vanya, nodding after a moment.
"I can share what I know of him and his movements. I'll need a map though." Eruraviel acquiesced.
"There's several in my office we can use." Elrond offered immediately. The group left the balcony, Glorfindel walking firmly beside her.
"Celeborn can you contact Galadriel and ask her to summon the council to Imladris? We will need representatives from each elven realm." Glorfindel requested.
"Of course." Celeborn agreed. Eruraviel couldn't help but wonder how this day had changed greatly from how she'd anticipated it going, or how busy her life was despite not being actively fighting as commander on the battlefield.
Thoughts of the war reminded her that she did need to make a return soon. She couldn't remain away from the east much longer.
Stepping into Elrond's private office, Glorfindel locked the door behind them, Erestor closing the balcony doors while Elrond retrieved a large map and spread it out over his desk.
Eruraviel grabbed a brush and began tracing the battle lines as she last knew them.
"Sauron has concentrated his efforts on breaking the east – in particular Lord Grór who has kept him from extending his reach beyond the Sea of Rhûn. However, he cannot come from further south as Mirkwood would be alerted. Originally, I believed it was because he didn't want to engage on multiple fronts but if he's concealing his return from the elves it would make sense why he's avoided revealing himself to Thranduil. As such, he's pushing from the north through the Withered Heath. The Witch King has been his commander on that front, while he continues to try and push beyond the Sea of Rhûn." Eruraviel began, marking the previous paths used by the enemy.
Elrond frowned, leaning over the map beside her, the others mimicking them around the desk.
"I thought the nine were still sealed away in Dol Guldur?" Elrond stated.
Eruraviel could only shake her head.
"I dare not guess as to when or how the Witch King was freed. As of now, I believe he's the only one of the nine who has been. None of the other Ulari have shown themselves. I can confirm that the Witch King is active, as I have been the one leading the northern front against him. We've clashed blades more than once." Eruraviel explained, Glorfindel's head jerking around to stare at her.
"You've fought with the Witch King?! What happened? Were you hurt?" Glorfindel pressed immediately, making Eruraviel stare in slight confusion over his concern.
"I… yes, I'm fine. I've had a few injuries from him, but they've healed. I've clashed with him five times thus far." Eruraviel answered.
Glorfindel didn't seem appeased.
"You had an arrow buried into your arm and said you were fine. What injuries did you take from him." Glorfindel demanded, unwilling to let her deflect his worry much to her internal dismay.
"Various stab wounds, though none from a morgul blade, a few broken ribs and exhaustion." Eruraviel said tiredly, Glorfindel easing back from the flash of worry that had grown hearing of the stab wounds. It was why she'd added on that none came from a morgul weapon.
"What is the composition of Sauron's forces?" Erestor asked after a moment of silence.
"He's got his own forces of orcs, trolls, wargs, ogres, and goblins. However, he also has the people of Harad on his side and those from Khand. None of the eastern territories are safe." Eruraviel stated.
Celeborn sighed, leaning back and crossing his arms as he stared down at the map in tired hatred. Eruraviel understood, they'd been fighting this war for two ages now, and seeing a resurgence in activity was disheartening.
"Sauron himself is weaker as well currently." Eruraviel finally said, setting the brush to the side.
"Weaker how." Elrond asked warily, looking at her carefully.
"Freeing the Witch King, reembodying himself, it took much of what little strength he was able to amass. He doesn't leave Mordor often, only twice that I know of. His magic is diminished, and he has less of it than before. Like a raging river that's been dammed." Eruraviel said.
Elrond frowned, turning to stare for several moments at the crackling fire in the hearth.
"He knows he's weaker." Elrond said slowly, as though a thought was brewing. Erestor left his spot coming to stand beside him.
"Elrond?" The advisor asked softly.
Mithril eyes turned from the fire to lock eyes with Erestor before flickering to them.
"That's why he's been so careful to keep his presence hidden. If he tipped his hand and word spread to the elves he'd once more find himself under siege. It took 8 years of siege on Barad-Dur before he revealed himself and took part in the fighting. If he knows he's been weakened, he cannot afford to come into direct conflict with any of the Eldar who could match him now." Elrond theorized.
Eruraviel tilted her head but finally nodded. The Eldar, the old elves from the first age were much fewer now, but their power was great. Everyone in the room, apart from Celebrian were Eldar, as was Galadriel, Cirdan, Gildor, Galdor and Thranduil. Before, their own power hadn't been enough to match the deranged Maiar, but now… there was a very good chance they could, a chance it seemed Sauron wasn't willing to take yet.
"So he's hiding again, trying to bide time to rebuild his strength." Glorfindel stated.
"How long till he could regain his full power?" Celeborn wondered quietly.
"I don't know that he can." Eruraviel interrupted, drawing the attention back to herself.
"How so?" Celeborn questioned seriously.
Eruraviel scratched the back of her neck, turning a bit… sheepish.
"The two times he has shown himself, I've been present either before or shortly after." Eruraviel hesitantly admitted, Glorfindel's eyes growing dark.
"Please tell me you didn't attempt to engage him." Glorfindel growled out, hissing when she shrugged.
"I did. Well, Lord Grór and I both did. We dragged the fight out the second time when we realized the longer we fought the more strength we forced him to use. Not only that, but he doesn't have possession of the one either. He poured so much of his strength and power into the creation of it…" She trailed off, only for Erestor to finish her statement.
"That without, his strength has been diminished far below what he once held." Erestor voiced, Eruraviel nodding.
"Indeed. I can honestly say that Thuringwethil was stronger than he is currently." Eruraviel said to give them a fighting comparison of his current strength.
Glorfindel snorted, drawing her attention back to him, seeing the wry look of amusement on his face.
"What." Eruraviel groused, dreading what he'd say next, as she had a gut feeling it would be irritating.
Glorfindel smirked, her dismay rising.
"Eruraviel, that doesn't help at all. None of us would ever wish to pit ourselves or another against Thuringwethil, as the vampire was and remains a terrifying image to all. That's like saying a balrog is now as weak as a fire-drake." Glorfindel pointed out, making her growl.
"Then who else am I supposed to compare him to? A slug? A mouse?" She snarked, only to hear Elrond abruptly choke and begin coughing before it trailed into near hysterical laughter. She turned to him in concern, only to see Erestor's shoulders shaking under the weight of his own laughter.
"What..." Eruraviel trailed off in confusion.
Glorfindel joined in on their hilarity, Celebrian leaning against her father as she giggled helplessly. Celeborn stood with his eyes closed, breathing slowly.
"Only you would compare the dark lord to a slug or rodent." Glorfindel laughed out, bracing a hand on the desk.
Eruraviel sighed but then shrugged.
"Well he is kind of like a rodent, or a cockroach with the way he just won't stay dead." She retorted, only for Elrond to hit his knees, the elf lord now cackling.
Valar, it was like she was surrounded by children.