"I'm afraid your plans to teach my lords Sindarin hasn't met with much success, Lord Erestor." Thráin issued half an apology in his tone.
They were eating in the king's chamber; just the two of them so they could have a private meeting without the many interruptions the king faced daily. Dáin was happy and could spend a rare night with his own family for an intimate meal. In deference to Erestor, Thráin spoke the language of the elves, although Erestor was almost at ease with Khuzdul as he.
"I understand the needs of the kingdom come before a language lesson. You couldn't have foreseen attacks that took most of my class in different directions." Erestor's soothing tone let Thráin understand he didn't hold a personal grudge.
"I finished the book and was wondering if our library had any other's on the twins or elves that I got to meet recently. I know you have been helping Ori learn our own Hall of Tomes."
Erestor nodded and took a bite of stew made with provisions from the Iron Hills. He had to admit it was much better than the stale fare he ate before Dáin's wagons started regular trips. "I organized your small selection of elven books. I didn't see any recent additions. The latest was a book of meetings with the elves for trade; hardly entertainment for one wishing to just relax. I hope Elrond sends one with Fili about the twins' fighting years. I could request a copy if your ravens can fly over the mountain in the winter."
"We fly ravens all the time to settlements that don't have a Durin to talk to one. We just put a note on a leg. I am expecting one any day from the White Mountains. Also I sent ravens to watch over Thorin and return with any message from him. Did you see us work the ravens during the conference two hundred years ago?"
"A little bit. I saw them landing and flying off the rampart regularly. My duties to Elrond kept me tied to his side."
"We were getting reports constantly of movement in all directions. Father didn't want an attack while three realms were so close to the mountain. We feared it would be blamed on father trying to harm relationships even further with elves should anything go wrong. I was more than happy with the lesser lords and Prince Legolas and let my father smooth Thranduil's ruffled feathers."
Piket appeared from the shadows at the motion of the king's hand. Silently he removed dishes. Lastly he placed a desert of cinnamon bread sticks and tea. Pouring, he gathered the pan and left.
"If you write a note, I'll send a raven to Elrond," Thráin offered. "We can send it in the morning."
"What size paper do you use?"
Thráin held his right hand out with his index finger and thumb showing an inch. "We can wrap up to a foot of message. I put one on five ravens to the White Mountains."
"If Mithrandir were here, he could contact Elrond for me."
"If he were here, I would feel better about sending Thorin east with such a small group of warriors. The lady could use her mirror to report danger." Thráin had a thought. "Why did she never see me in captivity?"
Erestor's impenetrable face disclosed nothing. He paused while formulating a respectful response. "It wasn't your time."
"Does she only watch over elves?" Thráin was curious, not angry or resentful of being forgotten by the Valar.
"She wasn't allowed a glimpse of Verthenwë; for it would have caused Celeborn to attempt a rescue and he might have been killed. Mithrandir has indicated Celeborn's story isn't done should Sauron be defeated. He has just enough memories of a final meeting with the Valar to know the key elves during the final defeat of Sauron. The Lady witnesses whatever is pertinent to our cause and inconsequential incidents. Sometimes she asks the Valar to see something and it is granted her. She isn't allowed to see inside Mordor or Gundabad or any fell stronghold. We have speculated and the consensus is her fëa would be too damaged and she would be forced to sail. Elrond also has some foresight; as does Glorfindel." Speaking his good friend's name sent a wave of loneliness through him. He knew he would most likely sail with Elrond, but wasn't so sure his golden hair friend would join them. If any of Elrond's children remained behind, so would the golden warrior.
"And Gandalf? Does he see things also?"
"Some. He is more in tune with all races and tries to spend time with each this side of the Orocarni," Erestor replied.
"What is your take on what the Elrondion's saw?" The story that got back to him was disquieting and he was loathe to send even Dáin's wagons out.
Erestor sobered and even Thráin could see the subtle shadowing of his face. "Troubling. We are no match for a wizard. It would take one to fight one. I'm sure if we are in grave danger, Galadriel would see and somehow get word to us." To lighten the conversation, Erestor added, "I would bet she can also talk to ravens."
Thráin laughed, "I would not take that bet."
Elrond snagged his mug of tea as he moved to the window to watch the falls empty a trickle of water compared to vast quantities usually plummeting with a roar that carved this hidden valley long before Eru Ilúvatar created the Eldar. Galadriel was hailing and he automatically stepped to an outside space to allow his ring and fëa unfettered access for the power of the rings to aid communication. "I greet you this chilly morning, Galadriel. How is Lórien?"
"I am alone with my mirror and enjoying the warm sun on my face." Without any further personal news, she promptly began. "Thorin Oakenshield is at the southern stronghold of Jötunheim. I saw him for the first time a few days ago, watching in darkness Eärendil flying low. I wonder what Eärendil was looking at? He would have been over Mordor.
"Why did you mention Thorin was in the dark?" Elrond knew it could mean several things, but wanted a better mental picture.
"There were no campfires. I saw in starlight about forty dwarves."
"Good, he is being cautious. With the report of an unknown wizard and him seeing the Nazgûl firsthand for the first time, he is becoming the leader I was hoping for. The Thorin who came here a few months ago wouldn't listen to my words of warning."
Done with Thorin, she turned to her next topic. "King Thráin sent two ravens your way this morning. Look for messages on their legs. I saw Erestor with him on the rampart and believe Thráin has made another elven friend."
"I miss him here. I take all he does for granted, but he deserves a break."
"I was hoping to see the hunters looking for a mountain lion feeding on our lambs and kids. Celeborn, Legolas and Arwen left yesterday morning to hunt it down."
"Arwen? Really? I know she hunts with her brothers, but usually limits her endeavors to game meat. Does this mean her fëa is warming to Legolas?" His heart lurched with hope.
"It means she wants a story of her own to tell the twins. She treats Legolas like a younger brother."
"I don't know whether to be angry or disappointed," Elrond raged. A movement out of the corner of his eye had his head swiveling. Glorfindel, done with his morning rounds, joined him and was now pouring his own tea. Elrond held out his cup for a warmup. "Glorfindel is here. Any message for him?"
"Your iôns are with Lord Estoras, but I'm sure will find excuses to wander. They haven't been near Tharbad in centuries, so I expect they will hunt to the south for the refuge and dwarves."
"As long as they earn their keep," Elrond groused, knowing this close, Glorfindel could eavesdrop on the conversation. He was standing beside Elrond, hand resting on his shoulder to establish his own contact. He had powers he never disclosed, even to Elrond and decided now was a good time.
So it was with great surprise when Glorfindel addressed Galadriel. "Have the eagles been flying over Eriador?"
"Good morning, Glorfindel. Landroval's son, Valtron, was spotted flying through Caradhras Pass by the Galadhrim and reported back to Celeborn. It is believed he followed Mithrandir, because the timing coincided with his arrival. Mithrandir will be leaving soon for Imladris, so look for him in early April."
"I was in Aman last night and spoke with Gwaihir. He was giving a report of the battle to the Valar. Landroval was with him and they are allowing the youngest eagles to patrol in their absence."
Elrond couldn't take it any longer. "Glorfindel, how can you talk to Galadriel without a ring of power?"
He heard Galadriel laugh while his friend answered, "I tapped into your power, Elrond. I joined my fëa to yours."
"How come I don't feel anything? Like being violated?" Elrond snapped in irritation.
"It's not an invasive merging. More like when I strengthen you. Did you not feel that?"
"I felt your presence when you laid your hand on me, like I always do. Can you read my thoughts when you do?"
"Naturally," Glorfindel joked and again Galadriel laughed.
"Celeborn can hear and see through our linked fëa when we are touching," Galadriel reminded him.
"I'm aware of that. I just didn't know this snoop was doing the same," Elrond grumbled.
"Enough posturing, Elrond," Glorfindel ordered. "It will be our little secret. You know I have powers beyond any elf, including Galadriel without her ring. Benefits of being twice born."
"You mean all reborn are like you?" Elrond's natural thirst for knowledge assuaged his annoyance.
"No, none actually. I was gifted with lesser Maia powers for volunteering to return to the front lines of the battle against Sauron. It was an easy decision and I gave it not one moment's pause. My place is beside you and your children."
Elrond nodded and asked, "Would you have protected Elros and his children also?"
"I do in my own way. Have I not led your army on more than one occasion to the aid of the offspring of Elros?"
Again, Elrond nodded. "Are we done, Galadriel?"
"I will let Arwen write of her adventure and not spoil it for her. There is nothing important in the waters and I'm missing my husband. He hasn't been gone more than a day and I feel his fëa growing in distance, like when he went to Erebor."
"Pamper yourself today." Elrond advised.
"Goodbye you two." Galadriel broke connection.
Elrond moved back to the fire as a chill settled into his fëa. Gilraen entered, her reddish auburn hair flowing freely to her waist. The combs to hold it off her face were gifts Elrond gave her for her begetting day. When she arrived, exhausted with only the clothes on her back and a child on the horse before her, he slowly replaced all she lost in the form of gifts, for her pride wouldn't allow her to accept charity.
"A moment, Elrond, if I may impose?" She looked uncomfortably at Glorfindel and he quickly took his cup of tea and went to the Hall of Fire, leaving them alone in Elrond's large office.
Elrond smiled warmly. "I trust Lindir is tutoring Estel this morning?"
She nodded and changed the subject. "How did Glorfindel know I wished a private word? I will never understand elves."
The smile remained and Elrond asked, "Tea?"
"No thank you. It's Estel that I wanted a word alone with you. Glorfindel has begun his training and I'm afraid he is being rude to Erak."
"Has Erak said anything to you?" Elrond wouldn't tolerate disrespect in his kingdom.
"No, but Estel has. He was supposed to visit Erak in his cottage and he told me this morning Erak could leave now and return to the Dúnedain because he was no longer needed here. I wanted to slap him."
"His height has him looking you in the eye. I will deal with it."
Relieved, she went to her rooms to sew yet another larger shirt for her son.
Elrond sipped his tea and thought how to punish and teach in one lesson. Arwen needed no instruction in politeness and readily picked up on her mother's subtle coaching. The twins couldn't take a hint or direct order, so he had plenty of experience with youths who thought they were in charge. Setting his empty cup on his desk, he went to the Hall of Tomes where he knew the boy was at this hour. He watched Lindir patiently instructing Estel how to divide numbers.
Lindir looked up when he felt Elrond's fëa.
"I will take over Estel's lessons today," Elrond explained.
With a bow of his head, Lindir went back to his substitution of Erestor's duties.
Elrond sat and looked at the table. On it was an apple cut in half. He took his knife and cut it into several more pieces. "What is the fraction for this many parts?"
Estel looked at him with his identical grey eyes and chewed his lower lip. "Ummm, I think a fourth."
"How about more."
"Sixth?"
"What is the difficulty, Estel?" Elrond looked at him with a level gaze, not angry or exasperated; just patience of an ages wise elf.
"I know what a half is or quarter, but these other numbers; I don't understand how to find them."
"I know someone who is good at them." Elrond waited for him to look expectant. "Erak knows fractions. Why don't you ask him for help?"
Estel lowered his head. "I want to be elven and not man."
"You will be a Dúnedain warrior someday. Starting this summer, you go into the wild with Erak. He will train you in the ways of the wild."
Estel protested, "Why can't I go with Glorfy? He took Elladan and Elrohir on trips when they were young. They tell me stories of him training them when they were my age."
Elrond smiled at the memories of his sons and their excitement whenever anyone mentioned exploring outside. They were still tiny when their grandfather started taking them along the bluff away from the water and the treasures their tiny hands returned with to proudly show everyone. He returned to the lad sitting at the table. "I want to be a Maia, but am only an elf," he reasoned and saw defeat by the slump of Estel's shoulders. "The Dúnedain are superior to men because they came from Númenor, an island that sank a long time ago. Has Erestor or Lindir told you about that place?"
Estel shook his head. "I thought they came from the north and a place called Arnor. That's all I've been told."
"It's time to further your history." Elrond now knew that afternoon he would revisit Númenor; a place he hadn't seen visited since attending the funeral of Elros and staying for the coronation of Tar-Amandil. "First you must learn a simple trick to learning fractions. The larger the number, the smaller the piece. They are just numbers in reverse. Whereas four is larger than two; in fractions two is larger than four."
Estel looked at the slices of apples. He reached out and took six out of the eight with a smirk. "I claim six eighths and you can have two eights."
Elrond laughed. "Now we will learn about something called the lowest common denominator."
Estel looked confused. "What does what Erestor calls Glorfy have to do with our lesson?"
Again Elrond laughed and proceeded to explain math of fractions until he was sure Estel had a basic grasp of them.
Elrond decided to instruct Estel on the Númenóreans to insure nothing was slipped to tie the boy to his heritage. To his satisfaction, Estel eagerly absorbed the lessons and they poured over maps and Elrond told of great battles and showed how Gondor was built by them.
"I guess it's not so bad being a Dúnedain after you showed me why," Estel admitted.
"My goal is to turn you into the greatest of them, Estel," Elrond declared seriously.
Estel absorbed what he said and responded with, "Well I have the best teachers in Middle Earth. You told me Erak is also one of the best Dúnedain warriors for my time. I think I would also like to resume lessons with him."
"And you shall."
Quietly eavesdropping from a hidden doorway, Gilraen silently thanked Elrond for his patience and time invested in her son. A hand settled softly on her shoulder, startling her and she looked up to a smiling Glorfindel.
"If we don't want Estel running all over the house tonight to burn off his energy, I best rescue him from Elrond's boring lectures."
"I don't know how Elrond did it, but Estel's attitude has improved greatly."
"For Elrond it was simple. He has raised many of his brother's heirs."
Two ravens cawed loudly as they settled on the balustrade of stone outside Elrond's office. It was a cold morning and frost coated the stone, making little clawed feet slide as they tried to take steps.
"Ah, that would be Erestor's messengers," Elrond stated as he and Glorfindel hurried to the glass doors. Elrond grabbed a bowl of raw meat and berries he ordered the kitchen to prepare for when the famished birds arrived. While they hungrily scarfed the offerings, Elrond carefully untied thin twine on each leg and took the four scraps into the warmth of his office. He laid them on the table and arranged them in numerical order the ever methodical Erestor provided.
Elrond read aloud, "Greetings, all is well here, although I have lost most of my class to duties. I am tutoring Ori and young Thorin; Ori to take over my lessons and Thorin because he is as hopeless in a classroom as the twins were.
Thráin is recovering his injuries and Dáin takes his right and Balin his left when he leaves the protection of his chamber walls. The Durin's are heavily armed at all times and even young Thorin spends hours daily in combat training with the best soldiers here.
No flying or ground foul creatures have attacked or been seen close to the mountain, though a group of woodcutting dwarves was attacked and killed by a roving band of orcs. I rode with a few warriors and we chased them into Mirkwood where Thranduil's archers disposed all.
I am requesting a copy of the book, 'From Elflings To Warriors' for King Thráin. He greatly enjoyed the first one. Right now he is indulging himself with the company of the dwarrowlasses and a group of prospects for Durin's have arrived from the Iron Hills. Erestor"
"What!" Glorfindel exclaimed indignantly, achieving his desired result when Elrond raised his eyebrows. "He could have described the wine. That paragraph about orcs was unnecessary. Of course any orc near Thranduil is dead."
In response Elrond mentally shouted for Lindir and soon the elf hurried in. "Read this and find the book and bring it to me, please."
Lindir read and just as fast quietly hurried away while Elrond sat at his desk and grabbed a sheet of paper. Erestor, Glorfindel sends greetings, to the wine he covets of course. He is miffed at you for excluding a report. I am sure that fact has not escaped your attention. What you requested will be sent. Salute King Thráin and our dwarven friends, Elrond.
Without letting Glorfindel see it, he folded a couple of times until making a crease and then ripped the strip off. He went to the patio where the ravens had finished their fare and cawed loudly at him. "You're welcome," Elrond responded as he motioned for a leg. Trustingly the raven allowed Glorfindel to carefully pick it up while Elrond rolled the scrap around one. Taking a twine he removed, he tied it on. "Do you wish to pen a note for the other leg?" Elrond inquired.
"No, I am punishing Erestor."
Elrond motioned for the birds to leave and watched then fly across the Bruinen and angle upwards to clear the cliff and disappear from view.
"Hold still, ye little bugger," Dori carped as he undid another knot on the twine over a note. Five ravens were squawking and crying for food. One by one, Dori removed paper from legs and they hopped to the food; a treat of stale grains consisting of corn, wheat and barley from the storeroom.
Taking a handful of messages, Dori hurried to the king's office where Thráin was working this sunny afternoon. Entering when Thráin summonsed at his knock, he set the scraps on the desk and started sorting them. While he worked, he commented, "Piqu says the winter is mild and all but over in the White Mountains. They flew back up the east side of the Misty Mountains and over a hunting party of elves on their return trip. The elves were closing on a raven eater. They flew low and called warning to the golden haired leader. He looked closely at them and nodded and pointed to the spot they saw the killer." He motioned to Thráin that they were ready for reading and stepped back to let the king lean over the desk.
Thráin read quietly and chuckled. "Good, they think Thorin is in charge. They are heading for Erebor within the month. Our plans are falling into place." He looked at Dori. "Make sure all the ravens are fed and thank them for their service."
Dori smiled in delight and hurried away to do the king's bidding, passing Balin entering.
Balin read the message for himself. Sitting across from Thráin, he adjusted his sword out of the way. "Should we send a raven to the Blue Mountains for an update?"
"Nay, they don't need us demanding ah progress report."
They talked about the business of ruling Erebor for about an hour when a knock sounded and Thráin yelled, "Come in."
Erestor entered and sat when Thráin motioned to a chair beside Balin. Balin greeted him with a wide smile, which he returned. "Lord Dori just delivered a note from Elrond that the ravens brought. He was disappointed he couldn't read it. Elrond wrote it in Quenya, the language spoken in Aman. Dori's main concern was did he have to learn another language."
"Anything important?" Thráin asked after chuckling at Dori's fear.
"I was remiss in detailing how I enjoyed the wine. Can you imagine most of the message your brave ravens delivered was a chastisement over wine?"
"Did I mention a few barrels of wine were brought here by Thráin I still exist?" Thráin watched Erestor's face and wasn't disappointed as a cross between reverence and disbelief flashed. "For your effort in trying ta educate ah pack of stubborn dwarves who ran away from ye at first opportunity; for the rest of yer stay, I will provide in your chambers wine that makes what ye've been drinking seem like something we soaked our dirty socks in."
Erestor was slow to respond. "Do you have any in here for me to test?"
A grin split Thráin's face and he stood. Going to a cupboard, he pulled a bottle. "I may keep ah drop for my personal consumption." He poured three long stemmed wine glasses located in a neat row inside the cupboard out of harm's way.
Erestor waited for him to sit behind his desk and speak, for the king looked like he had something on his mind.
"I hereby title you dwarf-friend, Lord Erestor. After watching you interact with my people, I don't believe you would intentionally hurt one."
Erestor straightened in his chair and cast a glance to his right, for he knew Thráin used formal speech when issuing a decree. Balin was smiling and nodding.
"Lord Erestor was always asking after our comfort when we were at his home," Balin added. "If he had bias, he hid it well."
"We have had the pleasure of hosting many dwarves at Imladris," Erestor protested lightly. "It had been over a hundred years since any graced our halls. I hope those long absences are gone for good and trade flows over High Pass as in days of old." He didn't mean to talk so much, especially with Thráin giving a diktat. He was glad Glorfindel and his wicked humor wasn't witness.
Thráin raised his glass, "To you giving freely of your time. I thank you." He took a sip and watched as the elf did likewise.
Erestor knew nothing so smooth or devious ever touched his tongue. "Taking a page out of Glorfindel's repertoire of quotes; I may move to Erebor until all barrels of wine are depleted."
Thráin and Balin laughed.