Chapter 17: A Haven

"Are you sure you have to go?"

"I am. I've stayed here too long. It is time for me to return home."

"And I cannot convince you otherwise? No promotion or new residence will induce you to stay?"

Ontamo laughed lightly and clapped Galadriel on the shoulder. "No, my lady. With Elendil and Anárion starting a new city with what remains of my countrymen, I believe this is the time for me to return to my roots. The band of farmers you gave me to train has blossomed into a true army. You will find someone among them to take my position."

Galadriel sighed. "I worry not about the army. You have trained them well and I will not let them forget their lessons. No, you were one of my first friends among this people and I shall miss your company."

"My lady, you're too kind." Ontamo's smile seemed to flex as his eyes glinted wetly. "I'm quite certain Elendil will grant you equal position as ambassador in the new nation of Númenor, so perhaps you'll find yourself splitting your time between the cities."

She laughed brightly. "I do not know if that will be possible, but I will gladly visit when I can to see you all."

Ontamo smirked at her. "It won't be possible? Is that because of a certain king who likes to keep you unusually close to him for an ambassador?"

Surprise and embarrassment flooded through Galadriel. She stared aghast at Ontamo's smug expression. After opening and closing her mouth a few times, she said tersely, "I cannot say I understand your meaning."

He chuckled. "If you say so, my lady. Others may not have noticed, but Tindómëon and I certainly have. We've been in too many councils where you offered to travel and Halbrand either demanded that you stay or offered to accompany you."

Galadriel scowled. "I have little choice but to accept the decree of the king I serve under."

This only served to make Ontamo laugh harder. "You expect me to believe that? You're the only one that can make that man do anything." His humor faded a little and he looked uncomfortable for a moment, eyes fixed on the ground as though searching for words. "We've actually debated for a while whether to talk to you about this. Tindómëon said not to, but I wanted to before leaving."

He paused in his packing for a moment and breathed deeply, leaving Galadriel confused. Surely they hadn't noticed anything suspicious about Halbrand? The last thing she needed was to fend off Elendil if he suspected his neighbor was Sauron in hiding.

"Lady Galadriel, forgive me if this is impertinent, but Halbrand is just a man. You must find a way to turn down his attentions. He may have some blood of Númenor in him, but he remains mortal. He must find a queen of his race, and Tindómëon suspects he does not try due to a fascination with you."

Galadriel stared at him silently. She was reasonably confident her face was blank, but she had to fight back both her laughter and the urge to groan. Once she was sure she could speak evenly, she replied, "I appreciate your candor, Ontamo. I will see what can be done about this situation."

His face lost its tension, and he offered a small, relieved smile. "Thank you, my lady. That is all we can ask of you."

"Of course. Now, I believe it is past time you met with Elendil and the rest of your company. You have everything you require for the journey west?"

Ontamo stood from his low chair and stretched. "I do. Thank you for your help packing. I did not realize how settled I'd become here."

Galadriel smiled as she, too, stood. "The years have that effect, even on those of us with a larger share than most."

Ontamo gathered his few bags and followed Galadriel to the training fields on the western edge of the city where Elendil and the other Númenórean refugees had gathered. After a season living under Halbrand's leadership, they were ready to put down the roots of their new city at the foot of the White Mountains. Ontamo was one of a few long-time residents of the city that would be accompanying the refugees and building a new home alongside them.

When they arrived, Galadriel found the rest already assembled. The men before her were a combination of those traveling and those bidding farewell. Isildur and Cerys stood huddled together with his family, having traveled from the east for a few final days of their company. As Galadriel approached the knot of men, she smiled at the conversation which mirrored her own with Ontamo.

"Father, I will visit as often as I may, but this is my home now. King Halbrand saved my life and showed more faith in me than any man of Númenor did. Also, this is Cerys's people. I will not ask her to give up her homeland, especially since we wed with no intention of returning west."

Elendil sighed heavily. "You serve at the whim of a man from the fallen. I believe Halbrand is as good a man as any, but he did not receive the law of the Valar and does not follow it."

"Father, you followed Pharazôn as king of Númenor despite his false claim of the title, and look where he brought our kinsmen. No, I must judge my fellow man by his actions, not his birthright. There are good men of all races and those who have strayed into darkness."

Galadriel smiled as she clapped a hand on Elendil's shoulder, causing him to start. "I must agree with Isildur. Although you proved yourself both elf-friend and a man of character, many of your kin were not so honorable. Besides, you already steal Ontamo away from us. We would mourn the loss of Isildur as well."

Ontamo, who had followed Galadriel, laughed brightly. "I'm moving a few days' ride away, not dying."

Isildur grabbed his friend, attempting to wrestle him into a headlock. Galadriel smiled at their antics as they began to grapple.

Elendil sighed then turned to Cerys, who watched her husband with ill-concealed amusement. "My dear, thank you for caring for him."

Cerys startled then bowed to Elendil. "I would do nothing else. He is a good man, and I'm honored by his favor."

Anárion snorted from where he stood nearby. Elendil glared at him then turned back to Cerys. "Your willingness to bind yourselves to one another is as much to his honor as yours. Your care and support will aid Isildur in all his aims. In particular," he reached out for her hands and grasped them gently, turning them so her palms faced up. "You bring the hands of a healer to a line of sailors and soldiers. I cannot overstate what a gift that is to our family."

Cerys blushed but thanked Elendil warmly. Isildur, noticing his father and wife conversing, quickly disentangled himself from Ontamo and settled back beside Cerys. Elendil laid a hand on each of their shoulders in blessing, then stepped back to allow Isildur time to say farewell to his siblings.

He stood next to Galadriel, watching his children laugh. "You will continue to watch out for him?"

She turned to Elendil and patted his shoulder. "You need not fear for him. He has done well here and will continue to flourish under his responsibilities and Cerys's care."

Elendil nodded slowly, still watching his younger son with a melancholy air. "I had hoped he would join us, and I would live under the same roof as my sons once more, but I suppose that was the dream of a foolish father. I know you will do your best to protect him, but please bring news when you can."

Galadriel smiled, pressing gently on his shoulder before stepping back. "I plan to visit often, both as representative of the elves of Lindon and on behalf of Halbrand. You will not lack news of your son."

"Father, it is time."

At Anárion's words, Elendil turned away from Galadriel. Halbrand stood at the eastern edge of the field with Tindómëon at his side. Embracing Elendil and Ontamo in quick succession, Galadriel stepped away from them and took up her place opposite Tindómëon.

Halbrand smiled at her before turning back to the assembled refugees. "My friends, I am gladdened this day to bid you safety and fortune as you depart for your new home. Although you have lost the land of your birth, you stand together to build a new nation supported by righteousness and compassion for your fellow man. We men of the South will do everything in our power to aid that quest.

"Elendil, you are a good man and an honorable leader. I have no doubt of your ability to lead these men, and I trust to you the wellbeing of those of my own citizens who have chosen to accompany you."

Elendil stepped forward with a small smile as he inclined his head to Halbrand. "I will protect them as my own family. In return I ask the same for those of my kin who continue to dwell in your lands. Let these common bonds tie our nations and our peoples close as allies in the light of the Valar."

"So may it be." Halbrand nodded and stepped back, allowing Elendil to gather his people. All those of able body were accompanying the initial party to begin the settlement. The few remaining with the Southlanders would follow as the building progressed. Galadriel suspected that many of those who currently remained in Pelargir would also follow at that time.

Halbrand did not move from his position until the party departed, watching as the line of refugees began the long walk into the shadow of the White Mountains. Galadriel stayed at his side, gaze traveling from him to the refugees and to those left behind. Isildur's back was straight, but his eyes were bright and the arm he kept around Cerys was strained, like a lifeline in a storm.

Finally, Halbrand turned and began his departure, breaking the stillness and releasing the others from their watch. Falling into step beside him, Galadriel did not speak as they returned to the heart of the city. For a long while, her companions were silent as well.

"Tindómëon, I suppose it is late to ask, but are you sure you wish to stay with me rather than return to your countrymen?"

The captain startled at the question and took a few long steps so that he strode beside Halbrand rather than behind him as customary. He hummed in thought for a moment, gaze fixed on the sky. "My lord, I have not lived in Armenolos for a long time. I was stationed in this land, hearing tales of the base cruelty of the men that dwelt in this part of the world. Nothing had prepared me for the kindness and acceptance I found among your people. I may have been born of Númenor, but I am just a man, as are you. This is the home I have built and the one I choose to reside in."

Halbrand chuckled, but the sound was strained to Galadriel. "We are, all of us, refugees of a sort. We built this city by our own hands and of our own choices. I am relieved to hear you have found comfort within its walls."

Tindómëon nodded solemnly. "I believe even those who followed Captain Elendil will agree that this city has been a good home. It is a safe harbor for all who have need of it."

Galadriel smiled as Halbrand fidgeted with his hands. She leaned forward so that she could see Tindómëon. "Your praise renders him speechless. But recall, Halbrand was himself a wanderer when I met him, as was I. This city welcomes all because it was built by those who sought refuge. You must endeavor to remind your children and their children what it meant to find a home and a haven when you had none. Only then can the city retain its character."

The three walked in silence for a moment before Tindómëon fidgeted slightly. Halbrand looked at him curiously and gestured for him to speak.

"My lord, on the subject of children—" He was cut off by Halbrand's beleaguered groan. Galadriel laughed.

xXxXx

That night found Galadriel sitting on the small wooden stool within Halbrand's quarters, a seat she found herself occupying more frequently as the weeks passed. She watched his face carefully as she recounted her conversation with Ontamo that afternoon.

Halbrand had remained broadly impassive throughout her tale, but he sighed in the end, rubbing a hand over his face. "I cannot say that I ever cared to hide my intentions toward you, especially as you were aware of them yourself, but I had not expected us to remain in this dance quite so long."

A wave of irritation swept over her. "You supposed I would go against my principles and succumb to your wishes?"

Halbrand raised his hand in a soothing motion. "Hardly. I expected you would have left by now, aggravated by my persistence. I never supposed I could talk you into anything you did not wish for."

Galadriel stared at him. "Then why have you kept asking?"

"I am not so impatient as you seem to believe. I saw the first sunrise over Middle Earth. A few years, especially with the toils we have undertaken, is not so long in comparison. I have patience enough to wait in case you ever change your mind. You are worth the wait, even if it stretches for an age."

Galadriel felt her face warm but could not look away from the softened planes of his face. A small, gentle smile stole across his countenance, trapping the breath in her lungs.

Tearing her eyes from him, she choked out, "Your patience is commendable, but I fear it will ultimately be in vain."

Halbrand hummed softly and continued to watch her. Galadriel could see his tender expression from the corner of her eye. She took a deep breath and fixed her gaze on him again. "Perhaps you can afford whatever patience is required in this matter, but you cannot put off Tindómëon forever. What will you do?"

Groaning, Halbrand dropped his head into his hands, breaking their eye contact. "I don't know what I can do, but I cannot take a mortal wife. It would not be fair to her nor Isildur, who you know I plan to make my heir."

Her hand moved toward him, almost of its own accord, before Galadriel froze. She glanced once between her own raised hand and the bowed head of her companion, then slowly reached forward to lay it upon his shoulder. She felt the muscles tense beneath her hand. "They do not know the truth, so they cannot understand your choices. However, I believe you make the right one. Such a union would cause only pain to you and your chosen. I know not how we shall assuage Tindómëon, but I will be beside you though it."

Halbrand did not respond, but Galadriel felt the tension drain from his shoulders.