Is anyone still here ?
Still Book I, but Volume II...
Volume II
Chapter 26: The Return
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"I like my cousin Galadriel," said Turgon, "but I must admit that she has always been a little big-headed."
"What do you mean ?" Penlodh asked.
"That thing about wanting to command, to become queen..."
"That's the pot calling the kettle black !" exclaimed Aredhel.
"And why is that ?"
"Look at the throne you're sitting on, potato !"
"Penlodh, she called me a potato !"
Penlodh massaged his temples.
"Anyway, that's not the point, I never wanted to be a king. What I wanted was to live in a place that suited me. As for ruling, I don't rule anyway, Penlodh does."
Penlodh's face turned red. Turgon continued :
"Galadriel, your great friend... She doesn't just want to command... She thinks she's Varda, with her big white dresses embroidered with diamonds... And here she comes following Melian everywhere to get her magic recipes... She was already doing that in Valinor. First with Finrod, and then when she was done with him, she began to investigate in our uncle's workshops, with her fluorescent hair... Hence the sad consequences that we know. And then it was all those weird glass-bodied, animal-headed Maiar who lived in Valimar... She cleaned them all out ! Yeah, the sad truth is that your chum is power-hungry."
"Nonsense !"
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Annoyed by her older brother's latest sexist remarks, Aredhel decided to go out for some fresh air. On the way, she met Idril, who was carrying a large tabby cat in her arms.
"Where did you get that cat ?" Fingolfin's daughter wondered. "He's strangely dressed..."
"Isn't he ?" replied the blonde princess. "I found him in the kitchens, lying by a stove."
"Isn't he anybody's ?"
"I don't think so... The cooks told me it was a stray cat. Poor thing, he must have been cold out in this weather !"
She stroked the bottom of his chin. The animal stretched its head and began to purr.
"You will come with me and I will prepare a nice little basket for you in my flats !" she said.
Aredhel looked at the adopted feline with a sceptical expression. In ecstasy, the pet laid its head on the princess's chest.
"That cat is weird", she thought.
-0o0-
Sanyas Etilion was an elf specialised in roofing, member of a guild of architects from the House of the Pillar. He lived in a flat in the centre of Gondolin with his wife and two young children. This middle-class elf lived a quiet and simple life, and like many inhabitants of the city, he had had children quite close together, not waiting for the first to reach adulthood to conceive the second, so idyllic and reassuring was the setting of the Hidden City.
The only flaw in this picture was one of their neighbours, a young nobleman who happened to be one of the Lords of the Twelve Houses of Gondolin. For a fortnight now he had been playing the flute at all hours of the day and night, and this was disturbing the sleep of his offspring, for elves with growing bodies need more rest than adults.
"I've already been to talk to him," said Lúsina, his wife, a healer. "But he only told me he was going to play lullabies."
"These nobles, they think they can do anything !" Sanyas grumbled. "But it's been a long time since I met that human being who lives with him... What's his name again ?"
"I think it's Blondin. The caretaker says he's gone."
"Did he ? Well, in a way, that's good... It wasn't very safe for the children... You never know..."
"He seemed nice, though. But after all, it's true, we don't really know what people of this species are capable of. It is said that they are often violent."
She did say 'people', however, because if one were to look at his physical appearance, Blondin was quite humanoid in form, and looked more like an elf than an orc.
"It's true that he looks like us, though... A bit like dogs look like wolves... Besides, it seems that they are polygamous, like dogs."
"What a horror !"
"You said it. And I'm not saying this out of malice, but he smelled funny... Not to mention the noise he made when he walked ! You could hear him from three kilometres away when he went up the stairs."
The two elves nodded.
"Yes, maybe it's better he's gone."
Unfortunately for them, the Human's absence did not last long. A few days before the winter solstice, he was back in the flat of his master, Ecthelion, and the musician stopped playing the flute at night.
"He looks bad, the Lord of the Fountain," said the caretaker one day, a Noldo wearing a blue hat.
"The young elf on the top floor ?" Lúsina replied.
"Yes. At least it's not as bad since his squire came back. It had put him in impossible states. You may think it strange, but he says it's his friend !"
"So you can be friends with a Human ?" the elf-woman wondered.
"I suppose so. And after all, they are Children of Ilúvatar, like us."
"It is true..."
"We must not forget that."
"Since we are talking about bad looks," Lúsina suddenly said to the concierge, "did you notice the King's at the Firith festival ? It always makes me sad when I see him. To have lost his wife, when they had just been married..."
"Don't tell me about it ! I lost a cousin in the Ice. So I can imagine how terrible it must be for him. "
"The poor elf ! He looks so sad sometimes. And the princess, who is so beautiful ! Losing her mummy when she was just a little girl !"
The two inhabitants of Gondolin had tears in their eyes, thinking of the misfortunes of the royal family.
Index of original characters
Arlodh : brother of Penlodh, remained in Valinor. He had married Elenwë's sister, before she knew Turgon.
Barandîr : Noldo elf of the House of the Celestial Ark, somewhat racist or pretending to be, enemy of Ecthelion who cut his hair. His name means 'chestnut-coloured head'.
Belin the Blond : human, youngest son of Erik the miller. In his youth, he looked after the animals of the mill, especially the donkeys and draught horses, and then became the squire of Ecthelion of the Fountain. He has a strange cat that talks and likes to wear clothes.
Cenedril/Cilintír : a Noldo painter, originally from Valinor. He is known as one of the best in his profession. His name means "mirror".
Erik : human, former miller of Gondolin. Died of old age.
Eudes : human, son of Eric the miller. He took over his father's mill with the help of his brother Robert.
Fanalossë de la Source : noldorin elf, mother of Ecthelion. A great fencer known for her muscles. According to Turgon, she and her husband were not originally part of the Valinorian nobility.
Fengiel : young Noldo elf serving in the palace, in the kitchens. His name means 'reed' in Quenya.
Halains : human and barbarian people living beyond the Blue Mountains, from which Erik the Miller's ancestors are said to have come.
Hildor : King Turgon's minstrel, originally from Valinor. He has often delirious visions, and seems to have a weakness for male beauty (especially that of Fëanor's sons).
Ilvanya : sister of Eldalotë, wife of Angrod and mother of Orodreth. (see chapter 32) Her name means 'perfect'.
Iswen : Noldo, daughter of Duilin. A friend of Sîla, she is also known for her beauty.
Jehanne : human, wife of Erik the miller and mother of Eudes, Robert and Belin. She died of illness eight years before her husband.
Korma of the Source : half Noldo, half Teler, father of Ecthelion, Lord of the Source in Hithlum. His name means 'ring' in Quenya. (but nothing to do with the unique ring, I chose it at random...)
The Cat : Belin's pet since his childhood, he once belonged to Sauron Tevildo. He has decided to serve the Good, and is convinced that Belin is the blond man seen in his visions.
The Father of Erestor : he has no name, but we know that he is the Father of Erestor. He is part of the Ecthelion regiment.
The Father of Meleth : he is a tall elf with curly brown hair. He is a tanner, and belongs to the Sindar. His daughter Meleth helps him in his work.
Lodh : father of Penlodh. Noldo from Tirion, he married a Vanyarin herbalist he met in Valimar. He was a carpet-maker there, but some say he was a merchant.
Lúsina : healer, neighbour of Ecthelion. Wife of Sanyas. Her name means 'bright/cordial' in Quenya.
Maica : The younger sister of Ecthelion's father. Her name means 'sharp, piercing/sword'. She seems to be part of Fingolfin's army.
Meril Limwen : Young elf woman living in Barad Eithel, daughter of Gildin of the Hawk, a baron of Fingolfin. Orodreth is in love with her, but she loves Fingon.
Nieninquë : a singer and musician with whom Glorfindel is in love. Her name means 'snowdrop' in Quenya.
Nindë : Noldo, secretary of Egalmoth. Her name means 'the thin one'.
Robert the Red : human, son of Erik the miller. He helps his brother at the mill, but also raises cows and chickens.
Sanyas : Member of an architectural guild, neighbour of Ecthelion. Husband of Lúsina. His name means 'normal' in Quenya.
Sîla : Sinda, daughter of Galdor of the Tree. Gifted in embroidery, she is one of Idril's followers. Her name means "white sparkle".
Tathar : Nando elf president of the SUN, the Nandorin Unitary Union. He runs a collective farm near Belin's brother Robert. His name means 'willow'.
Thavron : a slightly lazy elf working on the polishing of the hill. His name means 'carpenter'.