Settling In
Slowly, Gilriant started to get the confidence to explore Imladris. Sometimes with company, sometimes without. Though if he wandered off on his own the elves tended to make sure that the family knew where he was and what he was up to. No one in the valley would dream of offering the elfling harm, and every inhabitant would protect him. Of course with Hedwig as his constant companion he never was truly alone, or without protection.
It was strange, the completely positive attention and welcome. A part of him trusted it, while another side stayed wary. Sometimes he would find a place to just sit and watch. Observing how people interacted. It actually relaxed him some when he saw a few disagreements. Or at least the polite elven versions of them. It made the picture a bit less perfect. Thus more believable. Better to check the apple for the worm, less you bite into it and find half a worm.
He continued to explore finding all kinds of things. He found gardens and forges, weavers and the laundry. The kitchens were always happy to hand him a treat when he came through. The twins took him down to play on his boat. It had to be them as when Maglor went down he found himself quizzed by a number of the craftspeople in its making.
Then he found the library. Upon going through the doorway he stopped in place looking around with wide eyes. Book upon book lined the shelves. Not as big as the Hogwarts library but still more than large enough to be filled with wondrous delights of knowledge. Now there were a few small problems that he was still learning the finer points of language but that could be overcome with a bit of work. He tore out of the library running for their rooms and the primers contained there.
Towards the back of the library, Erestor had been putting some books away when he spotted the movement. Both the stock still stop and the dashing away. He was curious if the young one would return. While true there had been mention several times of him wanting to learn, that had yet to be followed up upon. Either by the elfling or the family. True they were giving him time to relax and become comfortable, but lessons could only help with that in his opinion. The Seneschal had a few ideas that he would be implementing sooner or later. Things that Gilriant needed to learn.
To his mild surprise the young one did return a short time later. The white bird on his shoulder. He had a number of books that he carried oh so carefully. Looking around he found a table and placed them upon them before going to the shelves. Curious Erestor paced him just out of line of sight to see what the elfling would do. Gilriant stuck to shelves he could easily reach. He moved along them looking at the books with a faint frown. Ever so carefully he pulled one out and gently opened it. Showing it to the white bird for her approval, studying it for a moment then putting it back. This action was repeated a few times before he finally seemed satisfied with his selection.
Carrying the book back to his table he set it down before pulling the chair close, standing on it so he could easily see the book once it was opened up. Hedwig hopping down onto the table to help him. With a look of intense concentration he started to read through the book. Only to pause with a look of puzzlement and then turn to the books he brought with him. Opening it up he went through the pages until he found what he wanted pausing on a section of the page. Studying it he then went back to the book he had chosen and the place where he stopped. Looking at it again the intense look faded from his face and with a nod he continued.
Erestor moved closer, pausing at a shelf he had already set aside and started stocking. Pulling a book off of it he walked towards the young one’s chosen table, looking curiously at the books he had brought. Much to his surprise he realized he could not, in fact, read most of it. Instead there were Sindrian words in elvish script, followed by more in a completely unknown language and script closer to that of the common tongue. The elfling was teaching himself how to read elvish.
Gently he placed a book down on the table within the young one’s line of sight. Such was Gilriant’s concentration he still startled in surprise. “Forgive me, I thought you may find this to be a good beginning point in your studies?” The elfling looked up at him and broke into a wide smile. “Thank you! The book I found, well I can read it mostly but is it a little confusing?”
The Seneschal inclined his head in acknowledgment of that. “It can be without the proper context. And those books you brought, language primers?” Gilriant nodded. “Yes, know lots words but not all. Still working on it.”
“Well to have gotten even a few pages into the book you found you are doing well.” He gestured to the table and chair. “May I? You may find a bit of a boost is easier on you to read, and I am happy to help clarify.” The hopeful look in the elflings face and the eager nod of agreement had him carefully picking up the young one and settling them both on the chair. “How is your writing then?”
Gilriant immediately pulled over a strange book with some sort of spiraling wire on one side. He flipped it open and there was paper with lines across it and examples of the elvish script. Albeit in a slightly shaky hand. “Was learning that too. But my hands, before, would start hurting. Couldn’t do it for long.” That certainly would limit the young one’s ability. He gave a thoughtful look at the primers. “Did you bring more books with you?” While the bags they did bring were rather small, it had been proven they held many many many items far exceeding what one would think them capable of.
“Many many books, from where I was born.” Gilriant nodded in affirmation. “In the language of the land of your birth then.” Again the elfling agreed. Erestor hummed and thought. “Would you be willing to teach me and let me read those books?” The young one blinked up at him in surprise. “You want to learn? Why?
Erestor nodded. “I would want to learn, all knowledge has some value. While you could, in time translate them for me. It is better that I learn to read them for myself, to get the most out of them.” Gilriant considered his words and offered. “I teach you and you teach me?”
With a smile the Seneschal explained. “I was already intending to teach you. I was just waiting for you to be ready.” Gilirant’s look of joy brought a gentle warmth to his heart. “How about we get started with this book here, and then I show you a place you can study with tables and such suited to your size?” The elfling blinked. “You already have a place ready?” Erestor nodded. “I started preparing it as soon as I knew you were coming. Granted some of the final pieces waited for you to get here to make sure I would have an appropriately sized table and seat for you.”
Suddenly the elfling had twisted around and up, throwing both arms around Erestor’s neck. “Thank you!” After a moment’s surprise, the older elf gently returned the embrace. The white bird gave a trill of approval. “You are very welcome.”
When the young one pulled back he smiled and then lightly tapped the book he had set down. “Shall we get started?”
***
The first real lesson with Haldir was, unsurprisingly, outside. While the healers were erring on the side of caution and encouraging no strenuous activity, they had released him from the halls. He was given a set of rooms near the family wing for understandable reasons. It wasn’t difficult to find a place to go from there. Imladris was built around and with the environment it sat within. The chosen spot easily allowed for all three deer and Hallows to be present. To his surprise Haldir was also barefoot, even though they both settled into cross-legged positions opposite each other on the ground. Hallows to one side and Tindil laying down on the other. Both phoenixes perched nearby, but not an active part of the lesson.
“Now, your difficulty is going to be different than most. You don’t need to reach to receive information from nature all around you. It's why going barefoot feels best to you. Having additional barriers can dull or even cut you off from one of your senses.” Gilriant nodded in understanding. “That being said, there are times you will want to wear shoes. To prevent getting too much information which can lead you to being overwhelmed or even sick.”
Thinking it over he made a face but nodded. “Like where there are too many people around. Or things that would feel bad.” Haldir inclined his head in agreement. “Though your feet are tough, there are a few environmental hazards that you will need to wear shoes, and sadly that is going to include much of winter. A requirement if you go outside when it's cold enough for there to be ice and snow. We are not hobbits.” That piqued his curiosity. “What’s a hobbit?”
Haldir just smiled. “Yavanna’s children. Most of them live a few days' ride from here. It would be beneficial for you to meet them eventually I think. They all have some low level ability not unlike ours. They instinctively tend to their land, and it flourishes around them. Some call them halflings, which they consider an insult so I would recommend not using that. They are quite short and have large hairy feet. They never wear shoes at all.” Well that just made them Gilriant’s kind of people. “Though we need to have your ability under your conscious control before it can be considered.” Well it gave him something to work towards then.
He took a moment to consider what the marchwarden had told him so far. “So the first step is just figuring out what I’m already being told. Is it because if I do that I might not need to reach?” Haldir inclined his head. “Exactly so. Reaching too much can do a number of things including tiring you out. It also makes it more difficult to separate what you want, from what the land around you might need. You are far more important than whatever power you have. So we must preserve you.”
Abruptly tears sprang to Harry’s eyes. How many times did he want to hear that before? That whatever power he had wasn’t the important part. Here was someone, not part of his family, who was telling him. Shit, he didn’t want to get all emotional but his control was wobbling all over the place. Bloody hell no. This was his teacher, he needed to not just break down over one comment.
Haldir had a moment of pure panic when Gilriant started to cry. He was not good with emotional people for the most part. He was not particularly good with close contact outside his family. Yet this was his student. Something he chose to embrace and knew would inevitably be a very close relationship, just due to the nature of things. Trust in each other was needed. And he knew what an upset elfling needed. Reaching out he gave the young one the chance to resist if he so wanted as he gathered him up and held him close.
“It is okay to cry young one. In fact most of us would be upset if you tried not to. For burying your emotions too deep especially when you are young, you risk cutting yourself off from them entirely.” Which was one of the reasons elflings were so guarded and cherished. Without the right support they just ended up turning into adults with something deeply wrong with them. Disconnected from everything around them.
Mentally he went over what he said, trying to figure out what exactly the trigger was. For whatever it was needed to be addressed. It was after his last statement so . . . “I mean it when I say you are the important one. Not your gift. I might be here because of your gift, but I stay because of you, not it. I could have easily found someone else to teach you.”
Which had the benefit of being entirely true. Almost any Silvan elf with any degree of ability would be thrilled to be asked. Haldir hadn’t considered it for a moment. It was the little one’s big heart that did it. Big and apparently fragile. He really wanted to find whoever made the elfling feel this way and have a discussion with them. At the end of his blade preferably.
It must have been the right thing to say, in one sense, because the elfling just clung to him and cried. “That’s it, let it out. We have all the time we need.” Even if Gilriant was too tired to continue the lesson after, there was always tomorrow. And the next day. They had time. If progress was measured in fractions of inches it would not matter. They would get there however long it took. Haldir knew how to be patient.
***
He was delighted to find himself sitting in front of Maglor with the bard showing him how to play the small harp in front of him. While he might be a bit small yet to really do anything with that instrument, he still could watch and listen. Surrounded by song and love. He could feel both resonate deep inside him. Right now in that moment there was nowhere else he would rather be.
“Did you bring a violin?” There was an almost echo he heard. A song beyond the song that was just played and it was like the violin would be a better choice of instrument for it. Gilriant was finding Haldir’s lessons actually applied far more than just sensing nature. He was already using music as a guide to do things. What if he could also use it as a way to get more information? It would be less power intensive than actively reaching as the marchwarden called it.
“That and many others. Do you want to learn then?” Harry nodded firmly. “Yes. Want to try all of them, but I think really good to learn the violin.”
“Oh?” Maglor asked in an interested tone.
“Yes.” He took his time thinking over what he wanted to say. Gilriant tapped his chest. “You can feel it, in here. But also feel it in the air. I think it could tell me things.” The bard inclined his head. “Then I shall teach you. Whatever you want to try your hand at.” The elfling beamed a smile at him. “Thank you Atar!”
***
Harry wasn’t entirely surprised when it took two full weeks before he dream walked again. They did after all want him to settle in. He also, at a minimum, bent the rules handed down to him. So it also wasn’t a shock to appear directly in front of Namo, in his halls. The doomsman looked decidedly unimpressed. “In my defense, I could not let my sister-by-marriage die now could I?” Somehow that did not seem to mollify the vala at all.
“Elenrieano, I gave you rules for a reason. Not to curtail your fun, but to make sure you grow properly with them.” The elfling deflated. “I know. And I really am trying to follow them. The wolves are so I have an active agent and the world and so I don’t feel like I need to go do it myself.” Namo pinched the bridge of his nose. Somehow this made him happier that the maia all came as fully grown adults. Far less headaches.
“At least out of this you have acquired someone with good sense to be a teacher and some anchors on what you can do.” With a sigh he dropped his hand away from his face. “Do not force me to put drastic curtails on your abilities. They are difficult to take off again.” Gilriant looked up at him, widening his eyes deliberately. “I promise to try my best. I really don’t mean to cause trouble.”
Namo’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t try the innocent look with me. It doesn’t work.” His expression smoothed out. “I know you are not trying to do anything. Just your overblown sense of responsibility kicking in.” He sat back in his chair and waved a hand. “Go visit your relatives. Just remember to spend some time with the impatient one as well.”
“Thank you Namo!” He dashed up first to give the vala a hug. He had the feeling not many of those he worked with would ever consider it. That got a small smile and a return hug from the doomsman.
“Gilriant,” the soft call came and he looked to see a familiar face. “Nienna! You need to come with and hear about everything.” He all but skipped over to her with the bubbling energy he felt, reaching to take her hand. “I’m learning all sorts of things, I have stories for Maeglin too!” The elfling happily told her all Imladris all the way down to the area his cousin inhabited.
When he stepped inside the courtyard the shadow elf in the far corner immediately turned solid. Gilriant dropped the valari’s hand to dash over to him. “Cousin! I have so much to tell you.” Maeglin smiled and led him over to a bench. “I am happy to see you, and hear what you have to say.” Beaming a smile, Harry immediately hopped up and shared.
The next person they visited immediately snatched him up in a twirling hug. Gilriant bubbled over with laughter. “Tyelpe!” The smith grinned and then slowed down. “Thank you Crabandil. Narvi told me it was you that asked Aule to let him visit. I didn’t realize how much I missed my friend until he was here.”
“Oh!” Gilriant grinned, happy at what he was seeing. “I’m glad he agreed. I thought, I thought maybe it would help.” Looking over the tall jewel-smith the elfling could see all the improvements. Quite a few in such a short time that solidified the thought in his mind one of the big problems here was the isolation that could occur. Sometimes it was for a really good reason. Yet, look how much people improved with others.
Settling his young cousin down on his feet, Celebrimbor led him over to a forge that had appeared in one corner. “Come, let me show you some of the things we talked about.” Thus an hour was spent over sketches by a forge and a few small items that had been made. Far too short of a time for either of them, but both understood the limitations in place to make sure the visits could continue.
It was a quiet walk up from his cousins to go see his Grandfather, Uncles, and of course the impatient one. Finally Gilriant broke the silence. “Lady Nienna?” When she looked at him he tentatively asked. “Do you think, maybe eventually, sometime I could introduce Tyelpe and Maeglin? I know they didn’t have the same experience but, I think it might also do them some good.”
She gave him a thoughtful look before responding. “We may be able to arrange that. I am not sure Maeglin is ready for it yet. You will need to gently introduce the idea to him over time.” Which made perfect sense to Gilriant considering how badly scarred the young elf was from his interactions with other elves. So he nodded in understanding. “Yes, I think you are right. Will maybe start by talking about smith type stuff.” Not like it was a hardship to try and get his Atar to take him to the forge to have more to share with either of his cousins.
He was pleasantly surprised when he saw his relatives waiting for him. Even more solid than the last time he saw them. It pleased Gilriant to see that they were staying together. Though he supposed all the time together before led to them having developed a strong tie. He raced forward to reach them, thankful that Nienna didn’t seem to mind his enthusiasm in greeting relatives. Their touch wasn’t quite solid yet, but the beginnings of it being stronger than they had been, as was their voices.
Happily, he spent time with them sharing his adventures. Gilriant also knew he was rapidly running out of time so when he felt the impatient one approaching he turned to look at her. Yes, the vibrant green with streaks and brown, but also the faintest of outlines. Perhaps he could help move that along. So he turned to his relatives. “Would it be alright if she joined us?”
Watching them exchange looks he decided to sweeten the deal. “If she does, I can stay longer with you. I need to spend some time with her too.” That decided them and they agreed. Gilriant beckoned her closer and cautiously she drifted to join their group. While he was well aware that there were plenty of reasons that they might not necessarily get along, he was hoping there was enough for them to choose to do so.
So he laughed, shared, and spent time listening to all of them. Helping bridge the gap. His relatives picked up on the fact she was important to Gilriant in some fashion so did their best to include her, for which he was thankful. Elves, he was finding, needed those connections between them. Lacking them, they had a hard time healing. Considering how connected their fea and hroa were, he could see that applying not just to emotional wounds. A conversation to have with his brother later. When he finally faded to his true rest, the quartet were still gathered together.
The next morning he struggled to fully wake up. Maglor, his pillow of choice last night just looked him over and nodded. Then went about getting ready for the day one handed. The other supported the elfling that was still dozing on his shoulder. Having started taking meals in the main dining room he carried Gilriant in there, making his way to join the rest of the family.
With a faint frown Elrond inquired, “Nightmares last night?” Normally the young one was up and full of energy first thing. Even to the point he may even wake up first and go run and jump on someone not yet fully awake for the fun of it. None of them minded that kind of wake up call. Most found it endearing. All the family’s doors were open to him.
A slight shake of the head and Maglor answered. “Dream-walking I believe.” At Elrond’s surprised look he continued. “He has those that he visits in Mandos’ halls.” As the bard settled into a seat Elladan grabbed a plate to fill with breakfast favorites of both the tall elf and his son. “Thank you.”
Celebrian leaned in to peer at the elfling. “Is he okay?” Maglor nodded. “Yes, he just may need to nap more today and take it easy. He was gone longer than typical so likely catching up.” With that being said he picked up Gilriant’s favorite pastry and waved it near his nose. “Time to eat little raven.” The elfling cracked an eye open, considering the offering. Then with a wiggle slid down to sit in his father’s lap before reaching for the pastry. “Tyelpe calls me Crabandil,” the young one muttered before taking a bite of his food.”
Maglor had learned by now that there might be odd comments out of the young one after a dream-walk and stayed relaxed. Those that had not and recognized the nickname froze for a moment while others looked on curiously. “Does he now? Well it fits I suppose. How is he doing?” Gilriant blinked, slowly chewing his food. He swallowed before answering. “Better, especially now that Aule let Narvi visit him.” Waking up more, the elfling reached for something to drink. “Hey can we go visit the forges later? He showed me some stuff.”
With an absentminded hum Maglor agreed. “Yes, but you are going to follow everyone’s directions. Forges can be dangerous places.” With an eye-roll Gilriant agreed. “Yes Atar.” While it was clear a few were still processing this conversation the twins seemed to have bounced back at least some. Elrohir quipped, “That is why the forges are off-limits for pranks.” There was a hint of mischief in Harry’s eyes. “Good to know.”
That had more than a few elves within earshot pausing to peer at the little one. Arwen outright laughed. “Well this is going to make things interesting.” Elrond pretended to sigh, but there was a hint of amusement on his face.
Fully expecting mischief, Maglor shared the amusement and then asked. “Anything else interesting we should know.” Glancing down to where the marchwarden was seated, Gilriant cheerfully announced. “Yes, Namo approves of Haldir. Said he has good sense.” This caused the aforementioned elf to only pause for a moment before commenting. “Someone needs to around here.”
Harry laughed. Yes, this was his family, and his home. He belonged