Child of the Stars

“So when am I going to get to meet Feanor?” Gilriant sat on the arm of Namo’s chair, one leg tucked under the other so as to better face him. “I’ve met my uncles, and you said I helped them. They are doing better. So why not my grandfather?” The vala studied the elfling in front of him. While he knew this would come sooner or later, it didn’t exactly please him to be proven right.

“Feanor is much more difficult than any of your uncles. We put a tapestry in his room thinking it might help. He started disassembling it. As the threads have to deal with space and time he was trying to invent some sort of travel to escape.” Namo replied dryly. Gilriant blinked. Well that was different.

“I know you said you didn’t want to give him more reasons to try and escape, what about giving him more reasons to cooperate?” Namo gave him a skeptical look and replied. “The Oath still binds him and he is driven to try and get the Similaris.” While Gilriant had an obvious solution for that, he knew now was probably not the best of times to try and bring it up. Instead he tried something else.

“His sons were just as bound and they are more focused now on being able to see each other than getting out. I want to at least try to see if I can’t get him more focused on family. If I can do that, he becomes far less of a threat.” The stories he heard from his Atar and Uncles made that perfectly clear. Gilriant held no illusions as to what his Grandfather could be. Though he hoped that with the right focus the obsession could at least be calmed. “I’m far more likely to be able to do that than any of the ainur.”

At Namo’s contemplative look, he pressed the point. “I have been practicing my quenya, I even have a feanorian accent thanks to my Atar and brother.” And hadn’t that been the very admusing argument between a number of people. Harry solved it by agreeing to learn all the different dialects of quenya. “Just let me try, please?” This was not the begging please. While there was a time and place to try and use it, this was not it. Gilirant needed to be taken seriously to even have a chance of succeeding.

“Very well, but I will be staying with you the entire time. If this visit goes well I will consider repeating it. However I will be supervising them until I am satisfied, understood?” Gilriant beamed a bright smile at Namo. “Thank you!” The vala picked up the elfling. “Do not thank me yet. Wait until after you see him for yourself.”

This time Namo took him an entirely new route. Which gave Gilriant the impression that Feanor was kept away from his family which really did not make a lot of sense from his perspective. Family was a really big deal to elves. Isolation was going to make them worse, not better. He’d been making progress convincing them of it, but not completely yet. The ainur just thought differently than elves did.

Finally they reached a room which actually looked fairly decent. So they had at least been paying attention to that and making changes. There was some comfortable looking furniture, even a desk which a raven-haired elf was bent over working on something. Likely would keep focusing on and ignoring the vala that had entered the room if his concentration wasn’t broken. So Gilriant started speaking in quenya. “Hi!” He chirped cheerfully.

Well that worked because the elf sat straight up and turned around to look with disbelieving eyes. “Am I hallucinating? I must be because there is no way Mandos would bring an elfling down here.” Ignoring the comment Namo patiently started. “Against my better judgment, I let your grandson Elenrieano convince me to bring him to meet you.”

It was fascinating, Gilriant could actually see Feanor thinking it over, rejecting ideas and considering others. “My Kano has a child? But how? I felt his bond disappear a long time ago and reappear a short time ago. At least I think it was not long enough for there to be a child this old. It can’t be any of the rest they are all here in the Halls.” Well, that was a positive sign, he was at least aware of his sons.

“That, a long story. I am still learning quenya. Other family had me first. Atar teaching me now.” All true, so when fleshing out explanations later he wouldn’t be accused of any lying. “Why aren’t you still with your other family?” Feanor asked with an air of suspicion. “They not like me, so I find new family that help me find Atar.” The elfling explained.

“Why would they not like you? You are an elfling. Elflings are to be protected.” That was said rather firmly. Well more hope for his grandfather then. “I am different. They not like different.” The thought still made him sad and apparently Feanor made a move towards them only to stop at Namo’s flat look. When he took a step back, the vala relented some. “Since Elenrieano’s quenya is still limited, and he may only be here for a limited time, I will have someone explain more of his story to you later. Provided you behave.”

Easy to see the light gleam in Feanor’s eyes. Apparently any kind of mystery was something to be unraveled. Gilriant brightened at that and threw his arms around Namo’s neck in a hug. “Thank you!” The vala softened enough to give the elfing a hug back before returning his focus on the elf in front of him.

“Why did you want to meet me child?” The question surprised Harry some and he tilted his head to the side. “You family. Family is important. Want you all happy. Hard to do when all are . . “ He searched for the word spreading his hands apart. “Seperated?” Feanor suggested. “Yes that. Family needs other family.”

Feanor stared at him. “Have you seen my other sons then?” Gilriant nodded with a smile. “Yes! Meet them all. They miss each other. They miss you. Help them get better so they can see each other.” He accepted that while clearly thinking it over. “So I’m the last.”

“They were less obsessive and more repentant than you.” Namo interjected. Which apparently was not quite the right thing to say because Feanor instantly puffed up. “If my property hadn’t been stolen from me, if my Father hadn’t been killed because you all coveted my creations and- ”

“Grandfather!” Feanor stopped at the sharp sounding voice from the elfling. “You want see me? You want see sons? What more important, argue about shiny stones or family?” Slowly the elf started to back down. “Hah, spirit, definitely of my house then.” At the elfling’s reproachful stare he realized he hadn’t answered the question yet. “Family of course." Gilriant nodded and then looked at Namo.

“Why say things you know make him mad? Not helpful.” Now both the vala and Feanor gave him an incredulous look. Gilriant refused to back down though. Suddenly Feanor burst out laughing. “You are both right grandson.” A hint of pride gleamed in his eyes as he looked at the elfling. Harry couldn’t be sure if that was an entirely good or bad thing but he headed off his grandfather going into a rage so he’d take it.

The quick mood changes were not a fabulous sign. He was going to have to talk to Elrond. Who . . . may not be thrilled either that he was taking this on. Still he needed his brother’s advice. There was one thing he was certain of. “You need more people, less time alone,” He decided with a nod.

Feanor gave him a look and settled in his chair. “Good luck with that one child. I very much doubt you would find someone wanting to visit me.” Gilriant just gave him a look. “I do.” Feanor waved a hand. “Other than you and my children.” Well now that just sounded like a challenge. While he would concede the point that it might not be easy. He’d have to think about that one. Not voice it quite yet.

“Maybe try not chase all away that come here?” Gilriant knew that more of the maia had been doing their best to tend to the elves. Yes, even the feanorian bunch. He’d had some following him lately with his visits. To see what he was doing, how it helped. Though he did tend to shoo them away from some of his visits. “The nosey maia? Most of them spout nonsense, why would I want to visit with them?”

“So you can tell them what they say wrong?” Hey if they were doing the wrong approach, better to tell them and get some interaction than none. “Which is everything.” His grandfather went off on a long rambling rant that Gilirant just listened to. Every now and then interjecting a question when he didn’t understand the vocabulary enough. Not that he agreed with everything Feanor said. That wasn’t the point really. Sometimes people just needed someone, anyone, to listen. As long as he wasn’t raging, he’d listen. To be honest he would listen to the raging too, just not right now. Namo would shut down the visit if that happened.

It actually ended up being pretty interesting once it veered away from what was wrong with the ainur. It was very likely it had been a long time since anyone wanted to listen to him talk. It wasn’t surprising when the topic shifted to other ideas and thoughts. While he wanted to let his grandfather continue, he could feel the faint tug that meant he needed to actually rest soon.

“Grandfather?” He interrupted gently, and when the elf looked at him Gilriant smiled. “Thank you for talking with me. I need go rest now.” A little of the light that had brightened in Feanor’s eyes dimmed at that. “Yes, yes of course.” He paused and then continued, “This wasn’t too terrible. If you wanted to come back I suppose that would be okay.” The elfling beamed a smile at him. “Will try!” Namo eyed the pair and added. “As long as there aren’t any disruptions in my Halls, which would include to my maia, I may permit it again in time.”

Watching the older elf’s hands twitch some, Gilriant leaned into Namo and whispered to the vala. He frowned as the elfling’s expression turned pleading. Turning to eye Feanor, he finally said, “Your grandson would like a hug. I am willing to permit this if you agree. Then we will go.” The elf gave the pair a long look, then got up and moved over carefully. After a brief hesitation he reached his hands out towards Harry.

Keeping a sharp watch, Namo somewhat reluctantly handed over the elfling, who was reaching back to his grandfather. Handling Gilriant as if he were made of something delicate and precious he carefully hugged his grandson. Feeling the small arms wrap around his neck, Feanor felt his eyes slide shut.

“It’s time to go Elenrieano,” Namo called softly. With some reluctance Feanor handed the elfling back to the vala. He opened his mouth, and eventually said. “Thank you.” Then turned to go back to his desk as Gilriant was carried away.

***

Trying not to laugh, Gilriant dragged Mithrandir’s hat behind him. Typically it wasn’t so heavy that he couldn’t carry it. But he had borrowed the hat for a bit of a surprise. When he got to one of the tree, he eyed it. Now how to get both him and then hat up there. “Need a hand?” The cheerful voice behind him made the elfling start and he slowly turned around. Celebrian was watching him with an amused smile. “Oh, I, um, was . . . “

“Going to climb up the tree with this supply of snowballs to throw at people?” She asked with a smile. “Mithrandir’s hat does seem to be able to hold quite a few. Clever use and a bit of a surprise for him if you leave some loose snow in it outside for him to find.” Gilriant then grinned at her. “Would like help, yes please.”

“Of course.” She boosted him up into the tree and then handed up the hat. “As long as I can help too.” He laughed as she climbed up in the tree with him. Sure they would be pretty obvious but that wasn’t the point. The point was to get a good vantage point. It was also hilarious when the twins realized it was their mother helping him throw snowballs at them.

***

Gilriant trailed after Erestor in the Library holding a couple of books. Apparently heathens had been putting books back in random places. Which disrupted the careful order of the library. It might have been accidental, or a poorly done prank. If it was a prank Harry was going to pay attention to who did it and find a good way to pay them back.

“This is the self for books written by idiots.” Gilriant cocked his head to the side looking to the place Erestor indicated. “Why do you keep them if they are written by idiots?” The seneschal waved a hand at the books. “For a few reasons, one they are books and while I dislike them you can find a few seeds of truth if you know what is true and what is just opinion. Another reason to show others how bias can distort a truth, or what poor research looks like. Also to show how dangerous bias or failure to do proper research can do.”

Well that all made sense. “Also to punish idiots by forcing them to read this drivel and then write essays on what makes them wrong.” That made the elfling giggle. “There are varying degrees of idiocy which is why there are multiple shelves. Just make sure if you take anything off this bookcase you talk to me about it, alright.” Gilriant nodded. “Yes teacher, I will.”

Shifting his weight back and forth Gilriant weighed the question he wanted to ask. Apparently he was being obvious because Erestor stopped and sat down giving the elfling his full attention. “What is it?” He hesitated a moment longer and then plowed ahead. “How do you know who is telling the truth, or at least what account is the most factual?”

“One of the best ways is to get multiple accounts from different viewpoints. It’s almost impossible to read anything that is completely without bias I’m afraid. So typically it's best to take more than one account if there is one and see what they have in common and where they differ.” Erestor explained patiently. “Sometimes you have to read carefully and try to determine what is fact and what is opinion. Which isn’t always easy. Being open-minded is important.”

Erestor watched the elfling in front of him with a faint frown. “Gilriant, is there a particular reason you are asking me?” Harry opened his mouth and shut it a few times while he sorted out his thoughts. The Seneschal waited patiently. “You know about my dream-walking, right?” At the nod the young one continued. “I am helping a cousin of mine. He doesn’t like talking about what happened to him. So I only know bits and pieces, but what he has told me, makes me think anything I read about it is going to make me angry.”

This was very concerning, Erestor shifted his weight forward. “What makes you think its going to make you angry?” Gilriant blinked back tears. “Because no one stopped to ask him his side. Because everyone listened to rumors and decided he was the bad guy. It hurts him, Teacher. So much. It’s like . . . what happened to me. And he wasn’t even an adult when his parents were killed too. He just wanted family.” When the elfling started to lose his fight against tears the seneschal leaned forward reaching towards him. The moment the young one reached back he scooped him up.

It broke Erestor’s heart, how the little one instantly buried his face against his shoulder. Whatever this was, it was bad, and if the injustice truly ran deep, the scholar wanted to find the truth of it as well. “Would you like to see if your brother is free to talk to us? Maybe he can help.” After a moment Gilriant nodded, his hands gripping his teacher’s shift tightly. “You’ll help too?” Swiftly he stood up, “Of course I will.”

Later that day Glorfindel was startled when the door to the room he was in was nearly slammed open. An irate looking Erestor stormed in, books and other supplies in hand. He placed them on the table near the Captain. “You are going to help me try to determine an unbiased as possible account of the fall of Gondolin.” The look on the scholar’s face made it clear this was not a request.

“Unbiased, is there a problem with the histories already written?” While he hadn’t really spent time reading those accounts, as he lived or rather died through it, they seemed accurate enough. At least from what others recounted to him. “Yes,” Erestor bit out. It seemed his bewildered expression was sinking in because the scholar took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly.

“Apologies, I just sat through Gilriant being very upset and trying to help our Lord sort through the issue with him. He saw far too many parallels between how he was treated and how another was treated by history.” Which didn’t exactly clear things up for Glorfindel yet, but he had a feeling he was going to find out quickly.

The scholar gave him a stern look. “And for your sake, I hope you think hard about the questions I’m going to ask you and answer with only facts. Not opinions, not second-hand knowledge but facts. Otherwise it's not an upset elfling you are going to have to face, but an angry one.”

After the interrogation, er, interview, at Erestor’s hands Glorfindel was restless. His thoughts refused to stop spinning in his head. While normally he would seek out his lord to help settle them, tonight would not be the best to do so. Even if he was no longer occupied with Gilriant he might be due for some more pointed questions. Or worse, disappointment. Yet his mind would not settle so he stepped out of his room and headed towards the practice salle. If nothing else he could work his way through forms or against practice dummies.

It was rather late by the time Erestor had finished with him so he was unsurprised to find his path mostly empty. What did surprise him was to find the salle occupied by a single fighter. As he slowed his steps he recognized Maglor was the one present, dancing with a blade. Glorfindel continued to slow his steps until he came to a stop at the edge. One did not startle old warriors, and despite being a bard that was what the feanorian was.

In truth, while he had worked on re-evaluating what happened in the past, Glorfindel had yet to spend time alone with Maglor. There were always other buffers around. He held no ill-will now, it just wasn’t something he had sought out. In truth, depending on the flow of time from the bard’s experiences and the time the captain spent in Mandos’ Halls put them close to the same age. Was it that his own hoarded bias held on by his subconscious that prevented more association? Yes Erestor did get his mind whirling tonight and a sigh escaped him.

That sound is what finally alerted Maglor to his presence and the bard interrupted his practice to see he now had an audience. “My pardon, I did not think any would want to practice now. I can leave the field to you.” That surprised Glorfindel and he lifted his eyebrows. “You need not do that. I don’t typically practice at this time, my thoughts were a bit full and I thought perhaps exercising the body would help calm my mind. Though I admit I did not think to find any down here at this time.”

Sheathing his practice sword Maglor replied, “As my youngest is safely with his brother I thought now would be a good time to keep my skills sharp.” A faint grimace crept up on his expression. “I would not distress someone with my swordplay. Yes I do know I would not be turned away and there are others like me here. Still I know how rather, infamous, I can be considered. It is simply easier this way.” It wasn’t lost on Glorfindel that there was a time he would have agreed with what the bard chose to do, even lauded him for doing it but now . . .

“Just because it is easiest, does not make it right. You have just as much right as any to practice at a time that suits you.” If Glorfindel was going to make things right perhaps this was a place to start. Erestor was right that he had influence enough to help shape things for the better. He had not thought to discover the truth of things for himself before. While he did not directly do any harm, his indifference to the potential plight of another was just as terrible. The situations were not at all the same. Maglor had support and help here. But he needed to start somewhere.

Maglor gave him a wry smile. “I doubt any would find comfort practicing around me.” Glorfindel gave him a narrowed eyed look and started striding towards where the arms and gear were kept. “I would. In fact if you are not too tired out, I could use someone to spar with.” Now it was the bard’s turn to raise his eyebrows. “You want to spar with me.” The captain didn’t even pause as he gathered up what he needed.”Yes.”

“Are you sure that is wise?” Glorfindel’s response was dry. “I have been reliably informed that I am far from the wisest around. I might as well put that to good use. Unless of course you are too intimidated by me to spar?” Now Maglor knew very well when he was being baited. While he was no elfling to fall for it, the fact that the captain was trying it at all put a small smile on his face. He moved to get the proper gear on as well. “On your head be it.”

They likely could have gotten away without any type of armor. Both were experienced warriors and neither would be going full out. That was reserved for actual battle. The point though was to practice and keep skills sharp. So the feel and weight of even practice armor would help. Once ready they stood across from each other in the salle. Maglor seemed amused when Glorfindel went for a flourish of his sword and both set themselves in a ready stance.

For a long moment neither moved until suddenly it was a blur of action. Almost impossible to say who moved first. Just that when one did the other so swiftly followed it was like they planned the moment together. At first, Glorfindel thought he had the advantage and pressed it. Then there was a subtle shift in the way that Maglor was engaging him and it became more than even. Forcing the captain to increase the skill he was using against the bard.

One minute stretched into five, then fifteen, and the bout kept going. Glorfindel started to become hard pressed to keep up. Maglor was using moves he had never seen before, and could barely counter. Up until the point there was one he could not, and his sword went flying from his hand. Before the captain could recover it, there was a blade lightly resting against his throat. “I do believe this match is mine.” The bard stated mildly. “That it is,” came the cheerful reply. “I yield.”

Once the sword was lowered Glorfindel went to fetch his blade and get set in the ready position. Maglor just looked at him. “You want to go again?” The captain grinned at him. “But of course, there are few that can evenly match me. Plus I need to see if that was a fluke on your part or if you truly have the skill.” Again, the bard knew he was being baited, so he just lifted one eyebrow and settled into a ready stance.

This time Glorfindel only lasted five minutes.

After he yielded and picked up his practice weapon he gave the bard a suspicious look. “Are you actually trying to go easy on me?” At that Maglor outright grinned. “I may have picked up some new techniques from the other world. Apparently they are surprisingly effective against blonde elves.” Glorfindel pointed his practice blade at the other elf. “I’m not done with you yet, I’ll make you regret those words.” Giving a mocking bow Maglor settled into a ready stance. “You can try.”

Unfortunately for Glorfindel, Maglor did not end up regretting his words. Fortunately he did get the good workout he was seeking. When they finally came to a halt his mind had returned to its calm. He fetched them both some water from the nearby source and they sat sipping it. “You need to repeat that during the day, and teach me those moves. I claim that as forfeit.”

Looking sideways at him Maglor replied, “I thought the winner picked the prize, which clearly was not you. Though you did come close to disarming me a few times.” Glorfindel snorted, “You do not need to try and make me feel better. I know when I have been beaten. There are those even here that can do so from time to time.” He took a sip of water, then continued. “I was serious that I would appreciate you repeating this during the day. And teach me those moves.” Looking the captain over, the bard took a moment to consider it. “Why?”

“Several reasons. For one, if someone truly is going to be distressed to see you fight, they need to talk to the healers to make sure they are okay. Better to know now than find out in a real fight. Secondly, you are proof that no matter how skilled you are, there are those that know things you do not, and can use them to best you. Thirdly, I think it would amuse both your sons to see you chase me around the salle.” The last Glorfindel said with a touch of dry humor.

The captain hesitated and then continued on. “If you need another reason I think it would be good for me.” At Maglor’s questioning look. “I sometimes need a reminder that I have not always been right, and can do better. I would appreciate the help.”

Elrond and Gilriant did indeed enjoy watching Maglor chase Glorfindel around the salle.