Chapter 16:
Ethuil, Imladris, 2818 T.A.
Elrond’s heart clenched at the love and hope shining from the eyes staring up at him. Knowing that emotions had a strong influence on healing, he mentally gathered his strength and strode confidently into Erestor’s room. After a thorough examination of his wounds, the healer was confident that the advisor would recover. There was very little sign of infection in both injuries and the spear wound seemed to be healing quite well. The gash on the dark elf’s thigh was still cause for concern and, at Elrond’s frown while examining that injury, Glorfindel asked, “Will he regain use of his leg, Elrond?”
Startled, Sídhiel looked up at the Elda. She had seen Gran amputate a leg before. It was a horrifying memory that she did not want to relive, especially not with her Ada. “No! Please say that he won’t lose his leg!”
The child’s reaction surprised all in the room, and Elladan quickly hugged her and tried to comfort her. “Ada, could you please explain the concern to us?”
For some reason, this child picked up on emotional undercurrents and tensions that no elf child, and especially not a Peredhel child, should be aware of. This was unnerving to Elrond, but he tried to be soothing in his response. “Pen neth, do not worry, your ada will not lose his leg. I am yet uncertain whether he will walk completely unaided again, but that is a long time down the road. Erestor is resting normally now, just keep taking such good care of him and he will be back to his full strength soonest.”
At Elrond’s reassurances, the tension fled Sídhiel and she snuggled into Elladan’s embrace. “Would you read me a story, ‘Dan?” He agreed, and the pair nestled into the large chair next to Erestor’s bed while Glorfindel and Elrond conversed quietly on the balcony.
“Glorfindel, have you noticed the child’s behavior as being odd or out of the ordinary?”
“I should think there is nothing ordinary about the child’s life at the moment, Elrond. What are you asking?”
“It is just… Aí, she is very perceptive, and it just seems unusual to me, especially in one so young.”
“I have noticed that she is keenly attuned to emotional responses, but are not most children creatures who live by the vagaries and whims of emotion? How else would they survive before they learn to speak? Mayhap, she has just been more isolated than most, and has not lost touch with that early skill.”
“Perhaps. It may be nothing more than an overtired elf’s imagination getting carried away. Either way, I do believe we both should rest. You look awful, meldir.”
Chuckling as they turned back to the room, the Elda retorted, “As do you, mellon nín.” Glorfindel watched as Elladan tucked the child into bed next to Erestor. She had fallen asleep in his arms as he read to her. “I had no idea you were so skilled with little ones, Elladan. You seem quite taken with Sídhiel.”
“She has wormed her way into my heart, almost from the very first.” Shaking his head, he lightly kissed her brow. “Ada, Fin is right. You are over tired and need to rest. And Ada is right as well, Glorfindel. You do look awful. Go to your rooms and refresh yourself. I will stay with these two.” With that, he settled into the large chair, leaned back, and stretched his legs out.
Glorfindel stretched his stiff neck and agreed that a bath and nap in his own rooms sounded delightful. Before he walked from the room with Elrond, he turned back to take one last look at his darkling love, his heart warmed by the assurance that Erestor would recover, thus gifting him with the opportunity to win his love back. He and Elrond walked out of the now quiet room in companionable silence.
As Elrond took his leave of Glorfindel at the Elda’s door, he began to contemplate all that had occurred in the past week while walking slowly toward his study. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t see Gelirion until he had already run into the young minstrel.
Sheets of parchment went flying, but the minstrel was a consummate performer and caught himself before he said anything foolish to the lord of the house. “Híren, my pardon. I did not see you turn the corner.”
The collision pulled Elrond from his musing and he immediately began to help Gelirion pick up the scattered papers. “Nay, it is I that was at fault, pen neth. Please forgive my carelessness.” He shook his head at how distracted he was. Elladan is right. I do need to rest and regain strength and energy. “I know that I practically strode right over you and have made a complete mess of your papers, but would you aid me all the same?”
Gelirion was nervous being so close to the powerful Lord of Imladris, but he nodded, hoping the needed aid could be quickly accomplished.
“Ah, good. Do you know where Saelbeth’s rooms are located?” Elrond was becoming increasingly enamored of the idea of taking a break from the planning and Council activities.
Gelirion was familiar with Saelbeth’s rooms for he often went there to give lessons to Melpomaen. Relieved, he nodded.
“Would you please go there and tell Saelbeth to come to my office immediately? Inform him that I need but half an hour of his time and then he will be free of me for the rest of the evening and all of tomorrow.”
“Certainly, Híren, it would be my pleasure.” Gelirion nodded and, giving a slight bow, hurried away.
At the soft knock on the door, Saelbeth groaned. He had so hoped to be left alone with his family for the short time he had been given. Silamothien smiled and rose gracefully from her chair before saying, “I will take care of this. Elrond gave you a brief respite and you shall have it.”
Melpomaen looked up from studying the board in front of him, welcoming the distraction, for he was certain that there was nothing he could do to win this round of checkers. When he heard the melodic voice, he quickly leapt up and hurried to the foyer. “Master Gelirion! Is it time for another lesson?”
“Mel, Gelirion has other duties besides tutoring you. He needs to speak with your father for a moment.” Silamothien gently chided her son, but smiled brightly. Mel was such a reserved child that it was good to see him so enthused about his music lessons.
“Oh, I am sorry, Master Gelirion, I just wanted to show you how much I’ve been practicing.” Mel cast his eyes downward to try to hide his disappointment.
As his chin was tilted up, Mel looked into kind, smiling eyes. “Maybe you still can, pen dithen. I would be delighted to hear your song once I have delivered a message to your father.” Turning to Silamothien, he asked, “If that meets your approval, my Lady?”
“That would be lovely. Hannon le, Gelirion.” Silamothien was pleased that Gelirion is so patient and kind to her son.
“Did I hear something about a message?” Saelbeth had walked into the foyer and put his arm casually about his wife’s waist. “You can just return to whoever sent you, Gelirion, and inform him that I am indisposed at the moment. I should think I have earned a few hours of leisure with my family.”
Gelirion’s eyes widened at the thought. He couldn’t return to Lord Elrond with that message!
Silamothien turned to her husband. “Shhh. Do not chide the messenger. Just listen, meleth nín.”
Gelirion cleared his throat and began, “Lord Elrond bids you to come to his office soonest. He said that if you would give him but half an hour of your time, you could be free of him for the rest of this evening and all of tomorrow.”
Upon hearing that he would have a much needed break, Saelbeth was most eager to go attend to Elrond. Lightly kissing his wife and tousling his son’s hair, he quickly departed, saying, “I will return soon and we shall celebrate by not leaving our rooms.”
Laughing, Silamothien motioned the minstrel toward the sitting area and said to Mel, “Well, run and get set up. We can not take all of Master Gelirion’s evening.”
When Aurvellas opened his door at the insistent knock, he found Elladan standing outside in the corridor.
“May I come in?” Elladan had always liked Aurvellas even though they did not often have the chance to spend time together unless they were on the practice fields.
“Of course. My humble home is always open to you.” He motioned Elladan to the sitting area in his cozy quarters. “What brings you here, this early evening?”
“I bring good news. Adar has cancelled your meeting for tonight and the Council meetings for tomorrow. I think he was finally convinced that a break was in order.” At seeing Aurvellas’ entire countenance light up, Elladan was indeed glad that Elrond had finally consented to the time off. “And, since you will have free time, I was hoping to talk to you about this warrior exchange proposal of yours.” Elladan did not fail to notice that the light recently kindled in the light grey eyes was quickly extinguished at his words, so he hastily continued, “Oh, I did not mean for it to be a formal discussion. I was thinking we could chat in the Hall of Fire over a glass of wine while listening to the minstrels.”
“That does sound enjoyable. I have been looking forward to spending some time in the Hall again, but despaired of ever being able to while these Council meetings are ongoing. Lord Elrond is most insistent that the day’s discussions be thoroughly analyzed and annotated that same evening, and the next day’s meetings be carefully plotted out, thus leaving me no time. This past week has made me ever grateful that I am a warrior, and insured that I will never doubt my career choice.” He laughed easily and smiled brightly.
Elladan joined him in the laughter for he well understood what Aurvellas meant, but being the heir of Imladris, Elladan would not always be able to forego such things. Clasping Aurvellas shoulder, the Peredhel said, “We shall meet up after dinner, then?”
“Yes, you can count on it.” Aurvellas showed Elladan out, and then eagerly set about preparing himself for the evening. He had not planned on changing before, but now, thinking on who might be in the Hall of Fire, the warrior wanted to look his best, so he bathed with scented oils and put on a light grey tunic over dark grey shirt and leggings, with ankle high black suede boots. The contrast suited his complexion and highlighted his eyes. Once his warrior braids were complete, Aurvellas was pleased at the figure smiling at him in the mirror.
Elladan’s eyes wandered around the small white room, taking in the darkling elf’s sleeping form and the little auburn haired body snuggled next to him. Once his eyes left the bed, they moved to the balcony where Glorfindel was standing, obviously tired by the slump of his shoulders. “Glorfindel? Should you not be asleep yourself? It is not necessary for you to be here every moment.”
The Elda turned, his exhaustion evident. “I cannot leave these two. Erestor might prefer that I would, but I promised Sídhiel that she and I would care for Erestor together. I cannot leave her here alone.” He slumped into the overstuffed chair next to the bed and tried to make himself comfortable, but obviously failing.
“It has been long enough, Glorfindel. The child needs a more permanent place to stay. She really should not reside here, if for no other reason than she is increasingly driving the healers to distraction. It is not natural for a child to be cooped up, and it can be especially difficult for such a spirited one.”
“What do you suggest? Neither Erestor’s nor my rooms are appropriate. I know that Gildor would care for the child if he were but here.” Glorfindel looked at Elladan expectantly.
“I believe you have overlooked Saelbeth and Silamothien. They already have Melpomaen to deal with, so would be well able to handle our little Sídhiel until Erestor is fit enough to do so himself.” Elladan was quite confident that the advisor and tutor would readily volunteer if the dilemma ever came up in their presence, but Glorfindel was not so sure.
“How can you be so certain? Sídhiel is my responsibility while Erestor and Gildor cannot care for her. I would not wish for them to agree to this simply because they would never refuse a request from any of us.”
“Sídhiel is more than just your responsibility, she is one of us, and we will see to it that she is cared for. But, have no fear, I am certain that they will simply volunteer, especially if Silamothien ever learns that she has been staying here. You know how she looks after all of her students.”
“Are you suggesting that Sídhiel begin attending school as well? Do you not fear that it will be too many disruptions in the poor child’s life?”
Elladan looked back at the bed and thought on all he had learned of the child sleeping there. “I think that child is more resilient than any of us imagine. She will benefit from a ‘home’ to stay in and school will be a good experience for her.” Glorfindel still looked doubtful, but he ceased arguing, and Elladan continued. “It is late. I will take my leave of you for tonight. Please try to rest. If you will not return to your own room, at least sleep on the bed. It is large enough for the three of you.” With a knowing smirk, Elladan left the healing wing.
TBC
Translations:
Ethuil – late spring
pen neth – young one
meldir – my friend (male)
mellon nín – my friend
Adar/Ada – father/daddy
híren – my lord
pen dithen – little one
meleth nín – my love