bold is used for emphasis
Chapter 13:
Ethuil, Imladris, 2818 T.A.
As Anor rose over the Misty Mountains, Gildor awoke from his reverie. He looked at the sleeping child and prayed that she would not lose her Ada now that she had one. The warriors in camp were already stirring. The wounded were being readied to ride back to Imladris while the rest were planning to finish their circuit on the border.
Gildor roused Sídhiel and bid her to hurry so they could travel with the returning party. She stretched and looked at him questioningly through bleary eyes. “My head hurts. Don’t wanna wake up yet,” she mumbled as she turned back onto her side.
“Come, sleepy head. We must leave. You want to know how your Ada is doing, do you not?”
That was the proper incentive to wake the slumbering child. She slipped on her boots and stood, stretching as she did. “Let’s go then. I’m ready.”
Gildor chuckled. “Do you not desire breakfast first?”
Sídhiel tilted her head, considering her answer before she said, “A little bit of something would be nice, but I really want to leave. Now.”
Gildor had anticipated her need to hurry and already had some fruit and water ready, which he handed to her. “Will this suffice?”
Sídhiel looked up at him and smiled. “Hannon le, Gildor. Do you know why I’m in such a hurry?”
He shook his head, so she answered, “I’ve never had an Ada before. I’ve never really had anyone but Gran. Er-es-tor is special. I don’t want to lose him before I even had a chance to spend much time with him.”
Replying as he mounted, “Your Ada is in good hands. Fear not, pen dithen.”
As she was pulled onto Naurion, Sídhiel asked, “Where is Húron? Where’s Eyra? Why are we both riding Ada’s mount?”
Gildor closed his eyes and replied sadly, “The yrch got both of our mounts, pen dithen. Your Ada was carried to Imladris on Asfaloth, Glorfindel’s horse. Naurion has agreed to carry us both home to Imladris. The others are waiting for us. Let us be off.”
Sídhiel bowed her head and said a prayer for Eyra and Húron, her tears falling freely onto Gildor’s arm, which held her close. When he realized she was crying, he tightened his hold on her and began singing an Elven lament for the fallen. The song was mournful but soothing; and the child, who had been through so much, was soon fast asleep.
Elrond, Elladan and Nestoron all worked for many hours repairing the damage done to Erestor. The spear wound was the most serious, as from it he had lost far too much blood, but it was a clean wound and the weapon had somehow avoided piercing any internal organs. To repair the extensive damage required many tiny stitches. The wound that took the longest to repair and was the most exhausting for the healers was the one on his thigh. The cut was jagged, and almost sheared the bone in twain. After setting the bone and binding small metal rods to it to insure the bone would heal straight, the rest of the flesh was painstakingly knitted back together. The only fortunate circumstance for the darkling elf was that neither of the weapons that cleaved his flesh was poisoned. If either had been, his fëa would already reside in the Halls of Mandos. The many surgeries were finally finished as Anor lit the valley.
The exhausted healers straightened, as assistants took their tools to be cleansed and moved their patient from the table where he lay to a private room. Erestor was in a deep healing sleep, placed there through Elrond’s efforts. As Elrond shifted from the bedside, he swayed, his exhaustion evident. Elladan steadied his father and helped him to a chair. He chided, “Adar, you will do Erestor no good if you overtax yourself. Nestoron and I will stay at his side. You need to rest.”
Glorfindel had pulled a chair close to the bed. He rubbed his knuckles against a pale cheek as he spoke without taking his eyes from the face before him. “Elrond, you know he speaks truthfully. Take your rest for now. It will be best if you regain your strength so that you can share it with him when needed.”
Elrond’s shoulders drooped. They were right. He had overdone it and depleted his energy stores, yet he was afraid he would not awaken if he went to sleep. He softly uttered, “I will rest, but you must come and get me in a few hours. I will need to see if infection is setting in.” He slowly began moving to the door.
“Rest, Adar. If anything changes we will inform you.”
Even though the beauty of the hidden valley was not completely lost on the child, she was unable to appreciate or remark on it. She was still in shock from all that had occurred in her life in the past week, with the culmination being her injury, as well as the fear that she could lose her just acquired Ada. The ride passed by swiftly, for she slept through most of it. Gildor was glad to be lost in his own thoughts and not needed to entertain her.
He roused her as the Last Homely House came into view, wanting the child to be alert when they arrived. Sídhiel stretched and blinked her eyes. There were elves everywhere. Even though she was still foggy from sleep, she was stunned at the sheer beauty of the House, its environs, and its inhabitants. With Anor at its zenith, the entire valley seemed to shimmer. The child had thought Erestor and Gildor were the most stunning creatures she had ever seen, but here was amazing beauty for the eye to feast on at every turn.
When they reached the courtyard, Saelbeth and some healers met their party. They dismounted and a stable hand took Naurion from Gildor. As Saelbeth bowed, Gildor said, “Mae govannen, Saelbeth. Is Erestor...” He let the question hang in the air, unfinished.
“Master Erestor is in the House of Healing. Lords Elrond and Elladan themselves have been caring for him, and Lord Glorfindel is still at his side. Come. I will take you to him.” As Saelbeth was about to turn around, it finally registered with him that there was a child with Gildor. “Híren? And who might this be?”
“She has a long tale to accompany her. Her name is Sídhiel. Suffice it to say, she must come with me to see Erestor.”
“Very good. Right this way then,” Saelbeth said, and he led them to the Healing House.
Saelbeth ushered Gildor and Sídhiel into a private room in the healing house. As they arrived, Elrond and Elladan were re-bandaging Erestor’s side, while Glorfindel sat in a chair beside the bed. Gildor took in Glorfindel’s state and realized that the seneschal must not have moved from Erestor’s side, as he was still filthy, and covered in dried black and red blood. His tunic was torn and dusty, and he was completely haggard. Then Gildor’s eyes moved to Erestor. He looked so small and frail in the large white bed and room. Gildor took in dark hair, fanned out on the pillows; alabaster skin, wan and lifeless, with large purple bruises visible around the white bandages circling his torso; and deep smudges under his closed eyes. Gildor’s heart dropped at that sight.
Sídhiel could not restrain herself, and ran to Erestor’s side, pushing past the healers and Glorfindel to reach her Ada. Once at his side, she threw her arms around his neck, and sobbed, “Ada, don’t die on me. Please wake up.”
Glorfindel gave the child a disapproving glance and was about to remove her when Gildor spoke up, “Nay, stay your hand. The child deserves to be at his side as much as any of us, Fin.” At hearing that name, Sídhiel’s head shot up and her eyes narrowed. She began to look at the three unknown Elves, and especially the large blond one, with suspicion.
“Gildor, please explain,” Elrond said in a heavy voice, motioning to the child.
Before Gildor could answer, Sídhiel spoke up. “My name is Sídhiel. Er-es-tor is my Ada. He said so in the cave when we were in the mountains. I rode in with Gildor. Now who are you?”
Elladan grinned at the little one’s pluck, but Elrond raised an eyebrow and glared at the child, who barely managed not to cower under his intense gaze. “I did not speak to you, pen neth. Do not interrupt. It is rude to speak when you were not spoken to. Gildor, explain this. Now.”
Gildor had the good sense to know that Elrond was clearly tired and not in the mood for cheek, so he motioned for Sídhiel to come to him, hoping that he could corral her while explanations were given. Unfortunately, the child had been pushed to her limits by all that had occurred and she snapped when she was dismissed. Ignoring Gildor, she stood, crossing her arms across her chest, “I answered your questions fully. It is rude not to answer my questions. Who are you and how do I know you are taking good care of my ada?”
“Fin, please escort this child from these chambers,” Elrond said as he began rubbing his temples. “Take her to Silamothien. She will know how to handle a recalcitrant elfling.”
As Glorfindel stood, the child whirled. “You are Fin? No! Keep him away from my Ada!” She began crying. “Please, Gildor, he hurt Ada. He shouldn’t be here. He will hurt Ada more. Please? Don’t let him take me away.” The child was quickly turning hysterical as Glorfindel approached.
Elrond pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply. “Hush, child. Please hold, Fin.” He nodded to Elladan who knelt in front of the sobbing child and hugged her. “We will not take you away from here. Glorfindel, you have been here for over twelve hours and have not even taken time to clean up. Go. Refresh yourself and take some rest. We will have this sorted out by the time you return.”
Glorfindel protested, but at looks from both Elrond and Gildor, he decided he did need to bathe and eat. He was loathe to leave Erestor, but the child was obviously upset by his mere presence. Her words rang in his head: “He hurt Ada. He shouldn’t be here. He will hurt Ada more”. How does she know of me and what has transpired between I and Erestor? He sighed and left the chamber.
Once the seneschal left, there was room for Gildor to come to Sídhiel’s side. Elladan released the still shaking child to Gildor, who sat her on his lap in the recently vacated chair. As he stroked her head he explained somewhat about the child. When she was calm again, she asked in a polite, sweet voice, “My lords, may I ask your names now that you know all about me?” She cocked her head and looked up with large blue eyes.
Elladan found the child endearing so he answered first. “My lady, I am Elladan Elrondion,” he said as he made a sweeping bow. “I am a healer and heir to the Lord of Imladris. It is indeed a pleasure to meet you.”
Elrond rolled his eyes at his elder son and answered, “And I am Elrond, Lord of Imladris, as well as your ada’s healer. Erestor is one of my dearest friends, so you can be assured that I am doing everything in my power to insure he recovers, pen neth.”
“Oh, my lord, I am sorry. I didn’t know.. It’s just that... Ada has nightmares. Do you see?”
None understood her, but all smiled gently, hoping to reassure the child. “It is forgotten,” Elrond began, “would you like Gildor or Elladan to take you to Silamothien?”
“Please, neither. I must stay here. My Ada needs me. Please don’t make me leave. Please.” She began to cry again.
Elrond relented, realizing that at this moment the child needed to be here, and she did not seem to be making things worse.
“My Lord, are you and Lord Elladan the only ones that are caring for my Ada?” she asked, her eyes glinting.
“Nay, Glorfindel aids us as well. Why do you ask? Do you have concerns about our care?”
“Oh, no. I was just wondering if my Ada would want all three of you taking care of him,” she replied, smiling sweetly.
Elrond had a feeling that he was not going to be happy with where this conversation was leading, “Of course he would. I and Elladan are both very skilled healers.”
“He would allow you two to be at his side, but what about that Fin... uh... I mean Lord Glorfindel? Would my Ada want him near if he had a say?”
Elladan’s eyes widened as he realized what admission this little one was about to wring from his Adar.
“Aíya, Gildor, I now have no doubt she belongs to Erestor.” He kept himself from smiling. “Pen dithen, I will be honest with you, I believe that Erestor would say that he did not desire that Glorfindel attend to him, but in his heart, Erestor would indeed be gladdened that our seneschal cared enough to stay here with him. Of this, you can be sure. Gildor, please come with me to my office and explain what has occurred in the months since you left here. Elladan, please stay with Erestor and Sídhiel.”
With that, he turned and strode out of the room at such a pace that Gildor had to rush to keep up.
Elladan smiled at the child who was sitting on the bed next to Erestor as she began to yawn. “Pen neth, I can well imagine that you have had a long and trying day. If I make you a safe spot next to your Ada, would you rest?” He rushed on when it appeared she was not going to agree. “You will be comfortable and your Ada will know that you are here and caring for him. Come.”
Sídhiel was exhausted and her head throbbed. The bed looked soft and she would be able to snuggle up to her Ada, so she agreed. She rapidly fell asleep, so Elladan took the time to check her injury to see how it was mending. He found himself enamored of this child, and hoped that all would turn out well for her.
TBC
Translations:
Ethuil – late spring
Ada – daddy
pen dithen – little one
yrch – orc or orcs
Anor – sun
Adar – father
mae govannen – well met