Ecthelion

Ecthelion started to respond as his blood boiled under his skin. Glorfindel continued to yell, "you cannot love her. Do not put yourself through that again. I won't let you. I will keep you two apart if I have to."

Ecthelion stood, ready to get into his friend's face when Glorfindel rounded on Kiera. "YOU CANNOT LOVE HIM. HE IS MY BEST FRIEND, AND IT WOULD DESTROY HIM TO LOVE YOU. YOU ARE MORTAL AND NOTHING WILL CHANGE THAT. MARRY SOME OTHER ELF IN THIS CITY, I CARE NOT. NOT ECTHELION, NOT MY BEST FRIEND."

He was still in a state of shock as Glorfindel continued to scream and yell at them both. Finally, something snapped in him as he yelled, "THAT'S ENOUGH." Ecthelion rolled out of bed quickly and was right in front of Glorfindel's face.

His heart was pounding in his chest as Glorfindel's words echoed in his ears. The room seemed to close in around him, the air thick with tension. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, but his anger still burned hot within him.

"Glorfindel," Ecthelion said, his voice low and controlled, "I appreciate your concern for me, but you have no right to dictate who I can or cannot love. Kiera is a dear friend and we are not together in that way."

Glorfindel's eyes narrowed, his face etched with anger. "She is mortal, Ecthelion. You know the consequences of such a union. It will only end in heartache and despair. You continue to claim that there is nothing between you, yet I find her here curled up in your bed. This is not proper and you are letting your heart led you down a dark path."

Without another word, Glorfindel stormed over to the side of the bed where Kiera was sitting. He grabbed the underside of her chin and stared deep into her eyes as he said, "do not enter his bed again. Do not lead him on and do not spend any more private time together. You may dance with him at parties and festivals, but nothing more. Heed my words or suffer my wrath. Do I make myself clear?"

"That's enough," he cried out in a rage. "I don't want to hear anymore. Kiera, will you please leave us, Glorfindel and I need to speak privately."

Glorfindel scoffed, "Kiera isn't leaving until I know she understands what I said."

Kiera rose, wide-eyed and caught between the two of them. Ecthelion could tell that his friend's words affected her deeply and he wanted nothing more than to tell her that everything would be alright. However, he needed to sort this out with Glorfindel, but he planned to find her later. "Please leave us Kiera, Glofrindel and I need to speak."

Without a word from her, she slipped out into the hall. Ecthelion felt a mix of anger, frustration, and confusion swirling inside him as he locked eyes with Glorfindel. The tension in the room was unbearable, as he clenched his jaw tight. Ecthelion took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to say.

"Glorfindel," he began, his voice calm but firm, "I understand your concern for me. But you cannot dictate who I can or cannot love. Kiera is a dear friend, and there is nothing more between us. I assure you."

Glorfindel's eyes narrowed, his face etched with stubbornness. "She is mortal, Ecthelion," he retorted, his voice tinged with frustration. "You know the consequences of such a union. It will only lead to heartache and despair. I am trying to protect you from that pain. I know you are lying as well. You have feelings for her, I know you well."

Ecthelion felt a surge of anger rising within him, but he pushed it down, determined to maintain control. "I appreciate your concern, Glorfindel," he replied evenly, "but it is my heart and my choice. I am capable of making my own decisions."

"She is mortal," Glorfindel spat at him. "Do you not understand that? She will grow old and die. In a blink of our lifetime, she will be gone. You will end up in Mandos's halls. You'll never love another and she will be gone. Do you not understand this?"

Ecthelion felt his anger rising as Glorfindel's words echoed in his ears. He knew his friend meant well, but he could not abide Glorfindel's stubborn insistence on controlling his heart.

"I understand your concerns, my friend," Ecthelion said evenly. "But you go too far. My feelings are my own. I know you only wish to spare me pain, but you cannot dictate matters of the heart."

Glorfindel's eyes flashed. "You are blinded by your feelings for this mortal! I am trying to protect you! And what of our friendship? Have you forgotten about that so easily? Do you not value our bond? What of your family and your friends? Do they mean nothing to you now? Does nothing else matter to you anymore?"

Ecthelion's heart ached at Glorfindel's words. He cherished their friendship above all else, but he couldn't ignore the feelings he felt towards Kiera. "Our friendship will always be important to me, Glorfindel," he said softly. "But I cannot deny my feelings for Kiera. She is a dear friend to me and I have grown to care for her. Should I come to love her someday, the choice will be my own. True love knows no boundaries, Glorfindel."

Ecthelion felt the tension in the room reaching a boiling point as he locked eyes with Glorfindel. His oldest friend was trying to protect him and while he loved him dearly, this was going too far.

"I understand you are trying to protect me," Ecthelion said, keeping his voice steady. "But you cannot make these choices for me. My feelings are my own."

Glorfindel scoffed, his eyes flashing with anger. "You are blinded by your affection for her. I am trying to spare you future pain and heartbreak. Why can you not see reason? What am I supposed to tell your family someday? That you will never be re-embodied because you fell in love with a mortal. That they will have to wait until the unmaking of this world to see you again? And what of children of your own? Do you not wish for a family someday? How will you live with yourself when your children pass? Have you thought of nothing of your future except for your feelings for her?"

Ecthelion could feel his anger rising as Glorfindel's words continued to echo in his ears. The weight of their friendship, the concern for his family, and the fear of a future filled with heartache weighed heavily on his heart. But deep down, he knew that his feelings for Kiera were true, and he couldn't deny them any longer.

Taking a deep breath, Ecthelion steadied himself and looked Glorfindel in the eye. "I appreciate your concern, Glorfindel," he said firmly. "But I cannot ignore what I feel in my heart. Kiera is not just a mortal to me; she is someone who has brought joy and light into my life. I cannot turn my back on that."

Glorfindel's face contorted with frustration and disbelief. "You are willing to risk everything for this? For a fleeting moment of happiness that will ultimately lead to sorrow?" he exclaimed.

Ecthelion felt a surge of determination welling up within him. He had spent so long doubting himself and his abilities, but this was one thing he knew without a doubt. "Glorfindel, I have spent my life striving to be the best fighter, the strongest leader. But what good is all that if I deny myself the chance to love? Our lives may be long, but life is too short to live in fear of what might happen. Kiera has helped me realize this."

Glorfindel shook his head in disbelief, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "You will come to regret this, Ecthelion," he said quietly.

Ecthelion sighed, feeling the weight of their conversation settling upon him. He knew there would be consequences, but he couldn't let fear dictate his choices any longer. "Perhaps," he replied softly. "But I would rather live with regret than spend the rest of my days wondering."

As Glorfindel opened his mouth to respond, the door to the room swung open, revealing Inthel standing there, her eyes filled with concern. "Is everything alright?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Ecthelion's sighed at the sight of his handmaiden. "Everything is fine," he reassured her, his voice filled with determination. "Glorfindel and I were just speaking."

"Arguing more like it," Inthel huffed at the both of them. "I've been listening in the hall. I escorted Kiera out, but she was greatly shaken. Regardless of what was said before, here is what I know."

Inthel stared long and hard at Glorfindel. "You love Ecthelion. He is your best friend and you cherish your friendship above all else. It would destroy you to lose him, but you cannot control his life. He is his own person, and he can make his own decisions."

Glorfindel opened his mouth to speak, but Inthel cut him off. "Don't argue with me. You won't win."

Ecthelion felt a little better as his handmaiden words left no room for argument. However, she turned to look at him.

"As for you," Inthel said with a firm look in her eyes. "Glorfindel makes some good points. Kiera is mortal. There is no changing that and she will die someday. Sooner than you wish. Loving her is not the same as loving an elf. There are consequences to the union and you need to spend some time thinking about everything. I don't doubt that the love you two could share someday would be nothing short of magical and incredible. Glorfindel is right though. You must think about yourself and your heart. Could you live after she is gone? Could you live if the children you have are gone? Would you give up your entire future for a short amount of happiness? You must think about these things and really give yourself time to understand. Whatever your decision might be, I would be happy for you regardless. You must protect your heart and do what is right for you."

His handmaiden finished her speech and the words started to sink in. He and Glorfindel were quiet for a moment and she nodded at the both of them.

"I have duties to attend to," Inthel said quietly. "However, should you choose to pursue Kiera, you need to go with a formal courtship. You are a lord of a great house and an honorable elf. No more of this unproper business of having Kiera stay in your private chambers."

Ecthelion felt his face flush in embarrassment. Though he and Inthel were around the same age, he felt like he was being chastised by his mother. Just thinking that thought made him realize that he was not doing right by Kiera. She deserved to be courted and while he did not know if he wanted to pursue her, it wasn't proper for him to be acting in that manner. He nodded at Inthel and then hung his head low, in shame.

The door closed with a click and they were alone again. He felt a hand on his shoulder and he looked up to see Glorfindel's sorry face. "Forgive me," he started. "It was wrong of me to have yelled. Inthel is right and I am just concerned for you. A part of me is also fearful of losing you. I do not want you to rush into this without understanding everything. It is the same thing I fear for Idril and I have spoken to her as well. Protect your heart as it is a precious thing."

Ecthelion met his friend's concerned gaze. "I understand and I appreciate your concern. I realize my shortcomings now and I promise I will think deeply about it before I make my decision. There is more on the line besides love and I did not think about my future at all. I was not rushing into it, but I did not think about everything as I should have. Kiera is mortal, that is true, but some candles burn brighter than others. Their light is worth cherishing, however brief."

Glorfindel studied him a moment, then nodded. "Very well. But know that I am here for you, whatever you need me."

Relief swept through Ecthelion. "Your support means everything to me."

Glorfindel gave his shoulder a final squeeze, then made for the door. "I will leave you in peace as I need to get to the training grounds."

With a last searching glance, Glorfindel departed, leaving Ecthelion alone with his thoughts. He sank onto his bed, emotionally drained. Glorfindel's and Inthel's words echoed in his mind, as a constant reminder, playing on a loop. Ecthelion buried his face in his hands. Could they be right? Was he a fool for nurturing this tender feeling for Kiera? She would age and die so quickly, her life a mere blink against the endless stretch of his own.

But when Ecthelion pictured her; those warm blue eyes that crinkled when she smiled, her musical laugh that filled his heart with a deep ache, her gentle words and unmatched kindness that she always had for him. When they spoke, he felt seen and known, understood in a way he never had before. She was intelligent, compassionate, so full of joy and wonder. Her spirit shone brightly, a light in his lonely existence.

Ecthelion shook his head ruefully as he flopped back onto his bed. He had not planned for these feelings, but now they were rooted deeply in his fëa. He could no more rip them out than he could change the circles of the world. Yet, there was hesitation now, that wasn't there before.

His heart ached as he thought about children. Could he bring children into this world, love them unconditionally, and then in a mere blink, be separated for eternity? The feeling ripped across his chest, making him gasp for breath. Sitting up in bed, he clenched at the deep ache in his chest. The mere thought of losing his future children was hard to shake. Rising, he began to pace. What was he to do? He could avoid Kiera, and pull back from their friendship before things went further. But the thought of losing her companionship, that bright spirit in his life, filled him with profound sadness.

And yet...when he was with her, he felt truly alive for the first time in over a century. Her vibrancy and joy were like a breath of fresh air in his weary soul. No, he could not do that either. He would continue as they were, close friends but he needed more time before he could let the feeling develop into something more. Ecthelion paced back and forth in his chambers, his mind swirling with conflicting thoughts and emotions. Kiera deserved to be loved wholly and without reservation. Ecthelion owed it to her to be certain of the path before embarking upon it.

For now, the wisest course seemed to be proceeding slowly, nurturing their friendship but refraining from declaring any deeper feelings. There would be time enough for that later after his own heart and mind were settled.

Ecthelion sighed deeply as he stared out his window, watching the rays of sunlight appear over the horizon. His mind was still churning with the events of the day - Glorfindel's angry words, Inthel's stern counsel, and his own conflicted feelings towards Kiera.

He knew he should try to be productive today, but his mind was already in shambles. Instead, he figured a good spar would help clear his mind. It wasn't long before he was dressed in his sparing gear and heading out the door for the training grounds. He needed to speak with Kiera later, but first, he needed a clear head.

When he arrived, Glorfindel was busy training a few new recruits, so he offered to spar with a few from his house. Match after match, he went, driving out all of his previous thoughts and fears from his mind. He threw his entire being into the matches, beating most of the opponents quickly, though losing a handful himself. It was mid-afternoon before the grounds cleared out as people began to get on with their day.

Ecthelion took a seat on the bench next to Glorfindel who was watching him with a curious expression. He arched his brow at his friend and asked, "yes?"

"Do you plan to train all afternoon?

Ecthelion wiped the sweat from his brow as he looked at Glorfindel. "I suppose I have been at it awhile," he admitted. "My mind has been rather chaotic today and I hoped sparring would help clear it."

Glorfindel studied him for a moment before replying. "Did it help?"

Ecthelion considered the question. The intense exercise had temporarily pushed aside his swirling thoughts and emotions, but now in the quiet aftermath, they were starting to creep back in.

"Somewhat," he finally said. "Though I suspect the reprieve will be short-lived. My mind is not easily settled these days."

Glorfindel nodded knowingly. "I guessed as much. I have a feeling you haven't heard yet either."

Ecthelion shot his friend a look. He had been in the training grounds most of the day. While he didn't care much for the gossip around the city, Glorfindel always informed him of the things he missed.

"Is it important," he asked. "Some idle gossip or actual information?"

Glorfindel bit his lip in hesitation before he blurted out, "Kiera left for the mines."

"What," he inhaled sharply. "When did this happen?"

"Midmorning," Glorfindel replied quickly. "Maeglin went to the king to get permission. He agreed and Kiera left around midday. I am sorry for not telling you sooner. I did not want to interrupt, but Idril came by a few hours ago and told me. She wanted to speak with me as Kiera told her that she was leaving due to what I said." Glorfindel winced. "I feel awful. It was not my intention to make her leave the city."

Ecthelion felt his heart drop into his stomach. Kiera had left Gondolin because of him. Because of the cruel words he had exchanged with Glorfindel. Shame and regret coursed through him. He should have been more careful, more considerate of her feelings.

"This is my fault," Ecthelion said heavily. "I never meant to drive her away."

Glorfindel clasped his shoulder. "Do not blame yourself alone. We both played a part in this."

Ecthelion buried his face in his hands. How could he have been so thoughtless? So blind to how his conflicted feelings might impact Kiera? She had come to mean so much to him in the short time they'd known one another. The thought of losing her friendship was too much to bear.

"I must go after her," Ecthelion said, rising swiftly to his feet.

Glorfindel's eyes widened in surprise. "Slow down. She clearly needs some time and space. We should speak with Tuor and Idril first. Perhaps, we should visit the mines tomorrow. Let us speak to our friends and her friends first. I wish to apologize, but if we leave now, we will not reach the mines until after nightfall."

As much as it pained him to admit it, Glorfindel was right. Even if they rode hard for the rest of the afternoon, they still would reach the mines after nightfall. Sighing, he relaxed once more and said, "tomorrow then. I need to speak with her and make sure she understands that she is welcome in the city." Ecthelion looked up sharply at his friend, "you will do the same also."

Glorfindel's face flushed, but he nodded all the same. "Idril wished to speak with me over dinner. I fear I may get a tongue lashing from her."

The corners of his lips turned up as he tried hard to bite down a smile. He could not stop it as the loud laughter escaped his lips. Glorfindel chuckled with him and he felt better than he had all day. Finally, the two friends made their way out of the grounds with plans to meet at Tuor's home for dinner.

After arriving at his home, Ecthelion stripped off his gear and sweaty clothes and opted for a cold bath. After a good scrub, he got out to get dressed. Picking out a more casual outfit for dinner, he dressed and left the house just as the sun was beginning to set at the top of the mountains. He took the long way to Tuor's house, opting to walk through the fountains of the south to hear the nightly music.

When he eventually arrived at the front door, it was cracked, and he could hear Idril's voice chastising Glorfindel from inside. Not bothering to knock, he stepped inside and made his way into Tuor's dining room.

It was an odd sight as Tuor was sitting at the head of the table with Idril on one side of him and Voronwë on the other. Glorfindel was slouched in a chair next to Idril as she continued to berate him. Ecthelion entered the room, feeling a mixture of curiosity and concern as he observed the tense atmosphere. Tuor smiled at him and waved for him to take the seat next to Voronwë.

Idril's voice was filled with frustration as she scolded Glorfindel, "Honestly, Glorfindel, you need to think before you speak. It's not appropriate to scream in someone's face first thing in the morning. Regardless of how it may look, you should not have yelled."

Glorfindel leaned back in his chair, looking somewhat sheepish. "You're right, Idril. I intend to apologize to Kiera for my words. It's just that I worry about Ecthelion. I don't want to see him hurt."

Ecthelion felt a pang of gratitude for Glorfindel's concern but also a sense of frustration. He could make his own decisions. Clearing his throat, he spoke up, his voice steady yet tinged with vulnerability. "Thank you, Glorfindel, but I can handle my own emotions. Kiera means a great deal to me, and she is my friend. I will speak more to her tomorrow."

Tuor clapped his hands, "I am glad to hear it. Kiera was very distraught this morning and while I agree that she needs some space, I think she was very upset. Kiera is like a sister to me and I will not stand for anyone treating her poorly. She has come so far since she came into this world, but I know she still struggles. Be kind to her, as I know she cherishes your friendship."

Ecthelion nodded as he fought the tears that stung the corner of his eyes. This small group of friends were the only people Kiera had in her life. He counted himself as well, but the thought of hurting her caused him a lot of grief. That was not his intention and he would never let their friendship fade. He was sure of it.

"Thank you," Ecthelion replied. "I understand. Truly."

Tuor nodded at him while Voronwë offered him a slight tilt of his head. They were protective of her and that made him smile with happiness on the inside. She was not alone, as she would always have them.

The rest of the dinner passed by in a tense affair. Tuor and Idril spoke of the upcoming events in the summer around the city. Glorfindel chimed in every so often, but Ecthelion felt uneasy as if a part of him were missing. By the end of dinner, he realized that the missing piece was Kiera. He felt the loss of her presence and he knew then that when he spoke to her tomorrow, it would be challenging. He did not know how he was really feeling, but he knew there was a spark of something there.