Surprises and Truths
The dwarven brothers had been making a point of including Hobbiton on their regular route as traders. Not only was it a great source to get foodstuffs but also the surprising contact made with the elves had slowly bloomed into another regular trading partner. To the point messages flew back and forth with requests for specific trade goods. Mutually beneficial for both parties, as the best trades were. They may even choose to stop directly in Rivendell one of these days.
They’d gotten to know that interesting elf child fairly well over the years. He always dropped in with thoughtful questions and cheerful conversations. His father traded various metals and items. Surprisingly he provided trade goods in the form of well forged items. Mostly daggers and swords of interesting make that had become fairly well prized goods back home. Especially after Maglor explained it was a unique forging technique that was only known to him and anyone he chose to teach in Middle Earth. As the pair and their accompanying guards seemed to be well liked by the locals, it gave them increased respect with the hobbits.
To the point they had been invited to the party that was being held this evening. Part of the local harvest festivals and hosted by the Boffin family this time round. They happened to be rather good friends with the elves. So of course they were invited too. Talin had to admit he was a bit curious as to how elves would handle the party. Hobbits seemed to be more down to earth types and wouldn’t have the more supposedly refined tastes of the elves. It should be interesting at least to see how they fared. They did not expect what they found.
In the center of the party was their young elven friend playing an instrument that looked similar to a little fiddle, but sounded so very different. Larger and tucked under the lad’s chin the song both soared and invigorated. The flow of the notes was fast paced and almost vibrated the air around it. Crabandil was not only playing the music, but dancing too. Barefoot as always, and while he had the coltish look about him of an adolescent, he did not lack the smooth movements of his kin. Smiling and playful, the hobbits were clearly enjoying the tune.
Talin looked at his brother. “Perhaps, when the lad is a bit older we could invite him to the Mountain sometime?” Falin nodded slowly. “Aye that. Be a touch difficult to get our kin to come see elves, but Crabandil’s been itching to see where we live.” In agreement, they settled in to listen. Drifting near the contingent of elves it would be a good spot to enjoy the music and learn more. The elves weren’t mingling with the hobbits as much as the hobbits were mingling with them. Most of the guards were still standoffish with them, so the buffer was helpful.
They had chosen to use the nickname when they found out it meant raven-friend in elvish. Dwarves could respect the ravens. The young one typically had one of two about him. Or one of those fancy birds that showed up. Either way, ravens were often friends to dwarves. So if the ravens liked this elf, well he might make a good friend to dwarves as well.
***
Erestor had taken his time on the accounting of the Fall of Gondolin. Actual witnesses he could consult were few, and reluctant to speak too much on it. Well except Glorfindel. Apparently he could appropriately terrorize the elf enough. Combine that with their close friendship and that had the captain dredging through every memory and trying to be as fair as possible. To make a clear distinction between what was factual, and what was only opinion or what people perceived at the time. The scholar also went through every written account and compared them to see what matched and what did not. Though the accounts were in various places in the stupid bookcase now.
Now to see that it would get where it was needed to do the most good.
Gilriant stood before Namo regarding the Valar steadily. “I would like permission to have Hedwig bring several copies of a new accounting of Gondolin here.” He could feel the stir of interest from some of the ainur that were in the halls as well as the elves that were healing here. “I want my cousin to heal, not only do I think this will help him now, but also in the future.” Namo motioned for him to continue.
“He’s never going to heal if he feels like only a select few people don’t think that he’s this terrible monster. Rumor, people making assumptions, and blaming an elf that lived for less than 200 years for things an aged and experienced elf would struggle with is the cause of that.” There was a stir in the elves around him as if they had never truly taken that little fact into account. “I have an accounting where the facts are listed out. I believe it would be beneficial for it to be circulated for everyone to read. It acknowledges rumor and speculation but only as that. It does not make it seem like opinion is fact.”
Gilirant gave Namo a pointed look. “I know you placed Maeglin not in confinement, but in a protected place. That tells me that you don’t agree with the common opinion.” Plus the factor he was allowed near Maeglin when he first arrived. They wouldn’t have risked an elfling like that. “If there is nothing out there to counter the biased account, there would be no point in ever releasing him from the halls. There would be no safe place for him to go.”
“And you think that this would aid in that.” Gilriant inclined his head to Namo. “It would be a start. I would need an ally in Valinor to help.” The vala cocked his head to the side. “I suppose you have one in mind?” The young one smiled. “Yes, Fingon, from all accounts values family and would fight for them. I’d like to leave one of the copies with Maedhros for the next time he visits. Then later I can visit Fingon myself and further work on solutions.”
“Of course you would want Fingon.” Namo had a resigned expression. “Very well. I agree with your points. I admit the, persistence, of your choice is likely to work with your cause.” Gilriant smiled. “So I have permission for Hedwig to come back and forth and deliver items?” The vala gave him a look. “Yes, she may deliver these books. However this is not a general permission for her to come and go with deliveries.”
“And why not? I know you want elves to come to Valinor. I believe in allowing some communication back and forth will help encourage that. You also want elves to heal. I’ve already proven that allowing them to connect with their family and friends assists with that.” Gilriant stood firm under Namo’s steady regard. “I’ll consider it.” It wasn’t a no, so a very encouraging sign. He gave the vala a bright smile. “That is all I ask.” The young one would follow the decree handed down with no issue.
“Hedwig!” At his call the ice phoenix appeared in a swirl of sparkling snowflakes, three books bound together in twine. Gilirant took the package and she settled on his shoulder. Untying the bundle he moved to place one of them on the arm of Namo’s throne-like chair. “I’d like to leave one copy here for anyone in the halls to read. I’ll take Maeglin’s copy to him and one to Maedhros for Fingon. Based on what I know he’s a fairly frequent visitor.” Namo waved a hand. “Easier and less annoying to just give him permission to come and go.”
With a grin Gilirant inclined his head and then headed in the direction Maeglin would be in. He paused and then dashed back to give Namo a hug. “Thank you.” The vala relaxed and hugged him back. “You are welcome. You are doing good work Elenrieano, I am proud of you.” When the young one went to duck his head at the praise, Mandos reached to put a hand under his chin and directed him to pick his head back up. “You are worthy, do not doubt that.” Inhaling Harry nodded. “Working on it.”
“Good, now go see your cousin, deliver his copy and everything in it.” Namo smiled and Gilriant had to laugh. Apparently the vala was well aware of the potential loophole and was letting him exploit it anyways. He dashed off into the halls. This was a calculated risk, as Maeglin never really wanted to talk about it. But, he meant what he said about wanting his cousin to heal. If he didn’t deal with his past, he never would. He would never force it, but would give him opportunities.
Finally he reached the courtyard that was Maeglin’s refuge. It pleased him to see his cousin was no longer the shadow self he was at the beginning of his first visits. Instead he was a solid form who looked over and smiled as he entered. “Hello cousin, oh you brought your bird with you, I remember her.”
Hedwig trilled her own greeting as Gilriant smiled warmly and moved to sit on the bench. “Yup, she helped with a special delivery I got Namo’s permission for.” The dark eyed elf’s eyes flicked to the book and back to Harry. “Books?” The elfling nodded. “Yes, a very special book. I told you about my teacher, Erestor, right?” Maeglin nodded, giving him a curious look.
“Well Erestor really doesn’t like biased accounts. Ones that report rumors as fact. He actually has a whole bookcase that he keeps all the books written by idiots on. He even has the shelves graded by levels of stupidity.” Maeglin managed a wan smile, even as he started to look faintly apprehensive. “I have something to confess.” Gilriant looked down at the books, hands tightening on them even as Hedwig gave a comforting trill. “Some years ago I sort of had a meltdown because of what I picked up from both what you said and didn’t say about what you went through. It reminded me of how people treated me in the past. Erestor helped me through it along with my brother.” Inhaling the young one released it looking back up at his cousin.
“Then he got mad when he looked at the accounts of Gondolin. I didn’t ask it of him, but he decided to gather up accounts and interview who he could to write a more factual history. That’s what this is.” Maeglin’s gaze dropped to the books in Gilriant’s hands, eyes widening when the elfling opened one up. Tucked inside the front were also sealed letters. “This copy is for you, and these letters too. Now it's up to you if you read any of it. One of these letters is from my teacher. One is from my brother, and one is an apology letter from Glorfindel.”
Maeglin started at that, not moving to take any of it yet from him. “You don’t have to decide now. I’m going to leave it for you. Even if you never read any of it, that's okay. I just wanted to let you know that other people care about what you went through, and want to do what they can to make it right.” He offered his blank faced cousin a small smile and Hedwig fluttered down to the bench to hop towards the dark eyed elf. The smith did finally reach out and tentatively scratched her crest. “I can’t change the past, but I can try to work on the present and future.”
It was obvious Maeglin didn’t know what to say about it. His gaze flicked between the book and Hedwig. Eventually she pulled back and started to sing. A song that was full of comfort and acceptance. Though she was an ice phoenix, her song still held warmth. When she was done, she cuddled up to the dark-eyed elf. He started to slowly stroke her feathers with a light hand.
“He doesn’t even know me, why would your teacher do that?” Maeglin asked softly. Gilirant smiled. “He’s a scholar. He hates it when people represent rumor and conjecture as fact. I’ll admit it started because I was upset. But it continued because when he took a close look at the histories as they were written he was outraged.” The dark-eyed elf’s gaze flicked to the second book.
“I’m going to drop this book off on my way off with my uncle, for your uncle to read. Fingon. People should know the truth, not rumors.” Maeglin’s head slowly dipped in acknowledgement. Finally he reached out and picked up one of the letters. “Will you stay with me while I read?” Gilriant smiled, “I’ll stay as long as I can. If you want to read the book with me sitting with you, it may take me a few visits but I’m okay with coming just to do that with you.”
***
Gilriant gave Fingon more than enough time to have received, read, and potentially stewed about the book. While he had run into his cousin visiting Maedhros several times since the first visit, he had yet to come to him directly. So this would be a first. He was a little bit nervous, but he really needed the older elf’s help with his plans. There was only so much he could do on his own.
Irmo aided him in knowing when his cousin was resting, and Harry slipped into his own dream state focusing on Fingon. It was a little amusing how his cousin was peering outside his door at the empty state of the rest of the building. “Hello!” Gilriant called out cheerfully. Okay he did that a little bit deliberately to see the elf jump.
“Gilriant!” His cousin immediately moved to sweep him up in a hug. ” You finally came to visit me.” With a smile the young one returned the hug. “Unfortunately there are limits to what I can do dreamwalking. I needed a bit of extra permission for this.” Fingon pulled back from the hug to study him. “This is about the book.” Harry nodded. “I did leave it for you. Speaking of that, what did you think about it?”
Anger twisted on Fingon’s expression. “I think that my so-called brother and his offspring need a lesson on how you should treat family. What they did is absolutely abhorrent.” Gilriant patted his cousin on the arm. Looking about he found a chair in the room and settled on it. “I think that spreading the truth as far and as wide as you can will help.” His cousin’s expression lit up with a pleased if savage expression. “I’m allowed to share it?”
“I’m encouraging it and I have another little project that I’m hoping you want to help with.” Fingon sat on another chair and gave Gilriant his full attention. “Name it and I will make sure it happens.” The fiercely determined look in his expression reminded the young one why his cousin was called The Valiant. “Maeglin isn’t the only elf that is going to have a difficult time in Valinor. I’m sure there are those already out there that don’t feel welcome or like they fit in anywhere.”
His cousin sat back with a pensive expression on his face. “I’d like to say you are wrong, but you are not. I’d like to say all elves are fair minded and accepting, but the book you gave me proves they are not. What do you have in mind?” Gilriant smiled. “A refuge where any elf that needs a home can find one there. I know you would open your home cousin, but what is really needed is a whole community. Grandfather and my Uncles are interested in helping but it’s going to take time for them to finish their healing in Mandos halls and this needs to be started now. It's going to take time to do.”
Fingon nodded. “Yes, I can see why you would want it started right away. I’ll do it.” That took a large weight off Gilriant’s shoulders. “If you come across any healers that were trained by my brother, they likely would have the right skills to work with any as needed.” His cousin nodded, “Elrond, is your brother correct? Yes I think I can find them. It's likely once word spreads of what I intend that there are those that will just show up to help. Worry not young one, you can leave this in my hands.”
“Thank you,” Gilriant gave his cousin a warm smile. “I knew you were the right person for this.” He paused and then continued. “If it's not too much to ask, if you could try to visit Maeglin too? Just be careful he’s still fairly fragile.” Fingon brightened at the request. “Of course!I had hoped I would be allowed to. In return, since you are here, you are going to tell me all about what’s going on with you.”
That made Gilriant laugh. “I will cousin, and as this is a dream I could even play on my violin for you.” Fingon tilted his head, “what’s a violin?” Harry grinned in response
***
Erestor flowed into Elrond’s office with a bottle of wine and two glasses. “They’re idiots.” The lord of Imladris looked over with a raised eyebrow. “Which idiots are we talking about today?” His Senenschal leveled a look in his direction. “Your father and our captain of course.” A faint smile settled in place on the other elf’s face. “Ah, thus the need for wine, understandable.”
Setting the glasses down, Erestor opened up the bottle and poured the wine in both. “There is a fine line between encouraging and meddling and I don’t intend to cross it but they are both frustrating.” Taking his glass Elrond gave his friend an inquiring look. “I gave Maglor a book on courting customs and he thanked me as he should probably review the current practices as it won’t be long before Gilriant will be old enough. Regardless of the fact that’s over fifty years from now before anyone should even think of trying to court him.”
“I’d prefer a couple of centuries before anyone thought of doing that with my brother.” Elrond murmured as he picked up his glass. Erestor gave a hum of agreement. “Yes, but we still should be prepared for it as soon as he is of age. With his talents and who he is, there are some that are bound to try as soon as they can.” The seneschal waved a hand in the air. “Our current issue is those two.”
“So what did Glorfindel do? Since you are speaking of both of them.” Taking a sip of his wine Erestor sighed. “The idiot actually thought he was being subtle. So he was rather shocked when I dropped similar books in his lap when he was daydreaming. When he finally stopped blustering about it, he started rambling some drivel I think was meant to be love poetry. I think.” Elrond thought about it, and took a healthy sip of his wine.
“Well at least one of them is acknowledging it.” He finally commented. That got Erestor’s interest. “So you do think it's on both sides?” Elrond studied the wine in his glass before answering. “It's a possibility, considering I’ve never seen Atya act quite that way around someone before. Though considering how difficult it's been to just get him to accept that he deserves to just live his life without hiding, this would take time.”
A sigh escaped Erestor. “And the person that’s been able to have the most success with that is Glorfindel. Mostly because he kept at it with his cheerful persistence.” He took a moment to think it over. “Well for now it may be best to just leave them be for now.” Elrond nodded, then gave Erestor an amused look. “I do believe Arwen is the one holding the betting pool on that one. Anything under a century is considered a long shot.” The scholar huffed, “She started that one without me? I’m going to have to have a word with her.”
***
Haldir settled on the bench next to Gilirant. Hedwing was preening the young one’s hair as he sat lost in thought. He remained silent, patiently waiting. Eventually Harry broke the silence. “Elrond wants to make a fuss about my 50th begetting day. Asked me if I wanted to invite anyone to come.” The marchwarden inclined his head in acknowledgement. “Is there?”
That triggered a long sigh from Giliriant. “Your brothers obviously, if they both can come. I was also thinking, I might be ready to see Lady Galadriel again.” Which might surprise some. Haldir was aware of the exchange of letters that had been flowing between the two. A non-threatening way for the two to open dialog between them. One that Harry initiated when he was ready and that the marchwarden was proud of him for. “No one would blame you if you were not.”
A frown crossed Gilriant’s face. “I know, but if I’m really supposed to be this keeper of balances, I need to settle this thing between us. I want to. She’s Celebrian’s mother. She’s also sort of family. I want to be on good terms with what family I have.” All good points, and things he knew were important to his student.
“The important question is, are you ready for it?” Haldir asked quietly. While he certainly could check for himself, that was not the point of this. The point was to allow Gilriant to examine his own feelings while being supportive. So the marchwardened asked, and let him take his time in replying. “Yes. I am.” He smiled.
***
Glorfindel and Maglor stood on the outside of the fence watching as Gilriant danced with the practice spear. Well some called it a spear, others referred to it as a glaive. Either way it wasn’t a weapon many elves took up. Gil-Galad had, and it appeared that the facility with the weapon had been passed along to his grandson. He had of course had trained with it, it wasn’t as if he just picked it up and was instantly an expert. However he did catch on to it quite quickly and improved each time he diligently practiced with it. Elrond stepped up to the fence next to him. “Well, that’s not exactly going to discourage those that would try to crown him high king.” He commented softly.
The captain inclined his head in acknowledgement. “Perhaps not, but we both know he would fight such a thing, or try his best to convince people to crown you instead. So perhaps it's in your best interest not to encourage that line of thinking.” Amusement threaded his tone as he continued to watch his student move through the practice forms. This particular weapon didn’t lend well to one on one sparring. While there was some that he could spar against with it, it was more of a melee weapon and a distance weapon.
Soon enough Gilriant would switch back to swordplay for practice. None of them wanted to see him in battle. There would be enough difficulty when Gilriant joined patrols. While everyone understood the adolescent's desire and need for a well rounded education including the possibility of engaging orcs. Both knew bone deep that the young one would not be content to stay forever in Imladris. They both feared that the specter of Sauron would once more stretch its reach across Middle Earth.
First though, they needed to focus on his practice and the twins entered the salle. If Gilriant was going to use the glaive in a fight, he would need to know how to both engage, and keep someone from closing on him. Which was a difficult task. Especially against highly skilled fighters. His nephews were easily winning the bouts. At least until someone else decided to change things up. Haldir easily made his way over the fence and settled into a defensive position by Harry’s side, practice blade in hand. The adolescent had a crooked grin on his face though he never looked in the other elf’s direction. It seemed he didn’t need to. As soon as their opponents moved in to resume the attack the pair fluidly worked together. Instinctively shifting to cover each other as needed and to take out their opponents.
Even as there was a whistle and two Gilriant’s guards joined the twins in the salle, Elrond, Glorfindel and Maglor stiffened. The way the adolescent and marchwarden moved together was the same one would expect of a bonded pair. The only thing that could have matched it were a pair of fighters that had been working together for decades, if not centuries. While they knew Haldir was Harry’s teacher, this was different. The fact that the two of them were winning against their opponents just underscored it. It was more than just working together, it was also almost enhancing the other’s skill. It was only when two more of the guards that they started to struggle. Apparently six on two was a bit more than they could handle together at the moment.
Maethel joined the trio leaning on the fence. “Add in Hallows and Tindil and there’s a pair that will be difficult to take down by anything short of a battalion in a few decades, let alone centuries.” The pride in her voice was evident when she spoke.” When she found herself the focus of the ellon’s intense gaze she just raised an eyebrow. “Did you not ask them? We figured out from working with the two that there are some things they understand instinctively but don’t know to explain. So we asked.” She tilted her head to the side.
“So you know what is going on here?” Elrond’s voice was deceptively calm. The captain of Gilriant’s guard was no fool. “Yes my lord.” She answered respectfully. After moment to pick her words she continued. “I do believe Prince Gilriant was under the impression that others would understand what it meant that Hallows laid claim to Haldir.” While two still looked confused, Maglor’s expression cleared, his gaze moving back to rest on his youngest, his voice was even. “I see.” Now the other two looked at him. “No, I did not take that into account. I take it that the teacher and student connection is enhancing things?” When Maethel agreed, the tension flowed out from the bard.
“I would appreciate a clarification.” Elrond’s voice still held the deceptive calm, and he had not lost the tension. “Hallows is part of Gilriant’s magic.” Maglor stated slowly. “Essentially his magic bonded the two together and Haldir became an anchor. An outside force that could guide and if necessary, contain his magic. Combine that with the teacher and student connection, you have a very strong bond.” Maethel agreed, “Yes, the prince said he has a built-in best friend forever.” That released some of the tension in the other two ellons.
“Prince Gilriant has two companions that formed that night,” Glorfindel observed. “Does that mean he will have a second anchor?” A muscle flexed in Elrond’s jaw as Maglor considered it. “Very likely, but not until both he and Tindil are fully mature. We’ll know who by watching how the deer interact with them.” As they all turned to watch Gilriant and Haldir fight together, Maethel added, “Think of it this way my lords. You want him to be able to defend himself? Look how well they are doing as a pair, without Prince Gilriant being fully trained. Now imagine what will happen when he is skilled and they find his other anchor.”