It's all Fawkes' fault
Gilriant was walking towards the dining area when Fawkes arrived in a burst of flames. He frowned because he asked him to avoid doing that when Thranduil might be near. But before the young elf could scold him, the fire phoenix landed on his shoulders and teleported them both out in another burst of flames. When they reappeared he found himself in Imladris in front of Maglar. “Atar?” Maglor’s expression brightened and he moved to sweep his son up in a hug. “Oh good you are here, you are late for a family dinner. No matter, Fawkes helped.”
Of course he hugged the bard back. “Atar, I love you, but you can’t ask Fawkes to just teleport me out without checking to see if it's okay. I haven’t been gone even two full months.” At Fawkes cheerful trill he pulled back to give the bird a stern look. “And you, I am not happy with you. You did exactly what I told you not to do. Did you even check the area?” The fire phoenix drooped and gave an apologetic trill. “Don’t be too angry hinya, I was the one wishing out loud that you were here for dinner.”
The next moment Hedwig appeared with Haldir in a burst of snowflakes. He looked expectantly in Gilriant’s direction. “Not my fault! Apparently Fawkes was trying to cheer up Atar, and we are late for family dinner.” The marchwarden nodded, “Ah enough said. But you may want to send a note back. As we are likely to end up spending at least a couple of days as you wanted to check about the plants with Elrond.”
“Check what with me?” Gilriant swore his brother had to have some magic ability of knowing when he was being talked about. Which wasn’t entirely impossible with his gift of sight. Because at least eighty percent of the time he showed up right then. As he did right now in the doorway to their rooms. “Ah good, you are here in time to join us all for dinner.” Haldir’s lips twitched in a smile as Harry gave an exasperated sigh. “So Atar said. We can discuss that later as I really should send a note out before anyone gets too stressed about Fawkes birdnapping me.” With those words he moved to where he knew supplies would be for that. Pausing to transfer the fire phoenix to his father’s shoulder.
“Hedwig my love, would you be so kind? Fawkes is grounded until he comes up with a proper apology.” She gave a cheerful trill and hopped to his shoulder. Once there she looked at Fawkes and gave him a scolding trill. Maglor reached up and gave the bird on his shoulder a comforting stroke when he drooped again. Moving back to start writing the note he looked over. “Might as well make it a couple of days, which I am sure you are okay with?” He looked to his brother and father. Both of which smiled at him. “Of course.””You are always welcome to come home hinya.”
Finishing up the note he folded it up and held it up for Hedwig. “Make sure your friend is okay as well, keep him company a little bit before you come back to me please?” She crooned her agreement, preening his hair before taking up the letter and launching into the air. “Someone with fire related trauma?” Elrond asked. Gilriant nodded, thankful that his brother wasn’t the type to pry into who. “Possibly yes, which makes Hedwig a safe companion for them at times.”
*
Haldir’s calm reaction kept anyone from being too alarmed when the young elf disappeared in a ball of flames. They were decidedly startled. The marchwarden just lifted an eyebrow and called for Hedwig to please take him to Gilriant. The burst of snowflakes was expected at that point. Thankfully it only took a short time later for the ice phoenix to reappear, circling around and landing on Thranduil’s shoulder holding out a note. The king took it, opening it up to read. His friend on his shoulder started to preen his hair as his lips compressed into a thin line before his expression relaxed. “It appears that the Prince was late for a family dinner so Fawkes came to fetch him. He is going to take the opportunity to settle a few matters at home and return in a few days.”
“That’s strange, Gilriant didn’t mention anything planned.” Legolas frowned as Thranduil reached up to scratch the feathers around Hedwig’s neck. “No he did not.” Then the King gave a slow smile and looked at the ice phoenix. “That simply means I can return the favor sometime. Will you help me my dear?” At the affirmative trill he gave a nod of satisfaction. “Then that will do.” The prince’s expression had yet to smooth out. “Come, let us have dinner and we can take care of a few things while they are gone. I do believe you said you had something you wanted to discuss?”
*
There were plenty of happy voices when Gilriant went through the door for dinner. He found himself agreeing to check on a few things and of course their regular tea before he returned to Thranduil’s Halls. “Alright alright, I will be here for a few days, not weeks. I’m sure you don’t actually need me for everything,” he protested with a laugh. “I do live here, so it's not like I’m going to be gone forever.” There was some mock-pouting but mostly laughter as everyone got caught up.
Maglor insisted that he sit beside him, and it didn’t escape his notice that his Atar had tucked himself between his two sons. While not completely unusual, the determined cheerfulness was. Especially with Glorfindel sitting down at the end. Shiny’s normal happy appearance was in place, yet there was a faint melancholy air to the blonde. A quick mental check in with his brother assured Harry that he wasn’t imagining things. He waited until after dinner to seek out an answer. Haldir had gone off with his nephews on some sort of odd night archery competition when he guided his father away on a walk.
“Okay, what’s bothering you?” Gilriant decided to get right to the point. “Bothering me, why would anything be bothering me?” He leveled a look at Maglor. “Atar, you aren’t fooling me, or Elrond or anyone else.” When there was no immediate response, he added, “And Shiny is starting to look like a kicked puppy. What happened?” That finally garnered a response. His father wilted, “I knew it, I’m ruining everything for him.” Not the response Harry expected. “How are you ruining everything?”
“I found out he’s trying to court someone and it's obvious that I’m in the way.” Gilriant stared at his father, taking a moment to collect his thoughts. “How are you possibly in the way of that?” They had reached a fountain and Maglor took a seat on one of the benches, Harry settling next to him. “I can’t figure out who it is, so my presence is driving them away. I’ve looked at everyone around him and he just doesn’t respond to anyone that way. He spends all his time instead trying to make sure I’m okay.” This was obviously above his pay grade. It didn’t matter that elves didn’t have pay grades, it was still above whatever level he was at. “Atar, have you been trying to give him space then?” The bard glumly nodded. “Yes, but I don’t think it's helping.” Refraining the urge to facepalm, the young elf frantically tugged on the bond with his brother. “I’m not qualified to help with this.”
Thankfully Elrond popped up, “Help with what?” Gilriant pointed to the open space on Maglor’s other side. “You are going to want to sit down for this.” Once the other elf complied, he explained. “Apparently Atar thinks he’s getting in the way of Glorfindel trying to court someone, and he can’t figure out who it is. That’s why he’s depressed.” His brother blinked once and then calmly looked over to the distressed elf between them. “Atya, who is Glorfindel spending most of his time with?”
“Me, that’s why I am getting in the way. Whoever it is likely has a problem with me, but Glorfindel is too nice to tell me that.” How Elrond managed to remain utterly impassive at that, Gilriant had no idea. “Is he not your best friend? Why would he be interested in someone that doesn’t like you? Especially when he makes a point of showing you are a welcome part of the community and how much you have to contribute to it?” That at least gave Maglor a momentary pause, then his voice was quiet. “You can’t control who you are attracted to. There are many that have very good reasons to not react well to my presence.” Harry could already see the circular argument that could spring from that line of thought.
Elrond was quiet for a moment before he asked, “Atya, you said Glorfindel was spending most of his time with you, correct?” “Yes, which is why I am concerned.” “So you have said. I have another question, are there many or long periods of time you are not aware where he is or who he is spending time with?” That at least made Maglor think. “Well no, he tends to tell me everything he’s been up to.” Seeing where his brother might be going with this, Giliriant turned on the bench to better face his father. Just in case he started panicking. “So, if he is spending most of his time with you, and you are aware he’s not potentially spending time with someone you don’t know, would it not be possible that you are the one he’s trying to court?”
“I . . what?” Though the question was gentle, it still seemed to catch Maglor completely off guard. It was rather obvious now that their father either couldn’t, or wouldn’t consider that was a possibility. At least not without some outside intervention. This had been going on for decades at this point. It would be one thing if either were a young elf just figuring out the world and their place in it. That would be more understandable to take time to figure out what or who they wanted. No, this was something that heralded back to Maglor’s sense of self worth due to his actions due to the Oath of Feanor.
Elrond repeated in that same gentle tone, “Is it not a possibility he’s trying to court you?” Maglor just stared at his oldest son. Almost as if the words had been spoken in a language completely unknown to him. They waited patiently for him to process the words. “What? No, no he can’t.” The older elf started to shake his head. “Why not?” Gilriant was the one to ask this time. “And before you say something bad about yourself, Glorfindel already knows all of it. You haven’t hidden anything from him. Eru himself forgave you. So why can’t Shiny want to court you?” It was Harry’s turn to be stared at. Then his father let out a shaky breath. ‘He deserves better than to have to deal with everything that would come from courting me.”
“I disagree, but beyond that, isn’t that Glorfindel’s decision to make?” Elrond interjected. “Do you have the right to take that decision away from him?” “Well no, of course not. I just don’t see why -” Gilriant broke in before he could go off on a self-depreciating statement, “Isn’t the decision who he wants to court about what Glorfindel feels and wants? You won’t know his reasons unless you ask him.” That seemed to stump Maglor. “Atya, this is also about what you want. Not what you think you deserve, but what you want. It's okay to want something for yourself. You shouldn’t be with anyone because you think it's what they want.” Elrond cautioned, “Only if it's something you both want.”
“I . . . I don’t know.” The bard finally managed. As it looked like he wasn’t about to bolt, Gilriant shifted to press against his father’s side as Elrond responded. “So think about it. Really think about what you want. When you are ready, ask Glorfindel about what he wants. Then make a decision, not before.” There was another stretch of quiet before Maglor responded. “Okay.” A pause and then, “You really think he’s trying to court me?”
“Atar, I’m pretty sure there is a betting pool about the two of you getting together,” Gilriant responded dryly. “What?!” Elrond sighed, “That might not have been helpful knowledge.” The younger elf shrugged, “It's true though.” They continued to sit with him, as Maglor attempted to sort through his thoughts.
Celebrian was the one to find them. She studied the trio before stating, “I think perhaps it's time we all rest. It may help you organize your thoughts to be surrounded by those that love you.” She reached and offered both her hands to Maglor. Quietly he took them and let her lead him back to the family rooms. Elrond gave his wife a somewhat besotted smile. Gilriant shoulder bumped his brother. “I never did ask you how you managed to get her interest, with how much you focus on everyone else instead of your own desires.” “I’m not entirely sure, but I am very glad that I did.” “He’s lucky that’s how,” she responded cheerfully.
He couldn’t tell exactly how she arranged it, but soon enough everyone was piled into the bed with Maglor in the center. It was a good thing it was a rather large bed considering the twins and Arwen found spots to curl up, around the foot and head of the bed. Even Haldir slipped in to settle behind Gilriant. While that may not have been the original intent, there was no way Maglor was going to be able to take off in the middle of the night without disturbing someone. Either he just wasn’t considering it, or being surrounded by family relaxed him enough that the oldest of them managed to rest.
The next day the family enjoyed a light-hearted breakfast. Friendly banter going around the table and as they got ready for the day. Continuing the spirit of reconnecting, even Haldir got roped into helping with braids. While he preferred to just keep to his archer’s braids, he had learned others used in the family and had a deft hand with them. Part of showing that he was completely a part of their family. For formal occasions, he would have a set of braids representing this that Gilriant would fix for him. Of course the youngest of them was the most fussed over that morning, along with Maglor. Arwen, being the sneakiest, managed to take command of the former, while the second sneakiest, Celebrian, managed the latter. Elrond sat back watching the happy commotion with a smile on his face.
“Alright, who has plans and who wants to come with me to search the area. We found medicinal plants in the Greenwood that had started absorbing the energy of the land, making them more potent.” Elrond’s eyes lit up with interest and the twins looked curious. Celebrian offered, “That is not an area I know much about, but is looking to be a good day for a ride.” Arwen’s eyes lit up at that. “Yes, if nothing else to keep the rest of you out of trouble.” Gilriant huffed, “I have Haldir for that.” The marchwarden replied, “Yes and sometimes I need all the help I can get.” The young elf’s look of mock betrayal was met with laughter from the group.“Family trip it looks like then.” Maglor offered with a smile. Harry smiled back, looking at the group. “So it is.”
While it was unlikely that not one of them already had a plan for the day, spending time together seemed to be the priority. So they left as a group, headed towards the stables. As this was the ruling family of Imladris, of course they attracted some guards that decided to tag along, as well as a certain blonde captain. Gilriant followed Maglor as he moved to saddle a horse, with Haldir going to ‘aid’ Glorfindel in that task. Or at least unobtrusively distract the elf.
As Hallows and Tindil were pieces of Gilriant’s magic given a physical shape, they had far fewer limitations on travel. While it had yet to be extensively tested, they could, would, and did show up quickly no matter what separated them from him, or his bonded. So neither needed to worry about saddling up a horse for this little excursion. Giving Harry the opportunity to check on his father.
“Atar, do you want me to run interference between you and Glorfindel?” Gilriant stood at the head of the bard’s horse, absently petting its head. “No, but thank you for the thought hinya. I need to see for myself how he is behaving.” The young elf inclined his head in understanding. “I would say this, if he truly wishes to court you, which I think he does, he needs to use his words as well as actions. You have every right to ask, or ask for them.” Maglor paused to reach for Harry and lean up to kiss him on the forehead, the young elf bending his head to aid with that. “You are a good son.” While Maglor may have doubts about his own worth, it was clear to him that his sons did not.
Sweeping out of the stables, the group gathered around Gilriant as he climbed up on Tindil’s back, Haldir likewise on Hallows next to him. “Alright, I know what specifically I am looking for, as does Haldir. If you spot any unusual herbs please let us know. Elrond, you may be able to pick up on any plant infused with extra power as this is your land. Any questions?” There was a general murmur of understanding from the group. “Alright let’s go.”
They rode out, pausing at times to inspect plants or if anyone found anything interesting. That actually necessitated many stops along the way. Including some discussions of herbs and healing properties between Elrond and his brother, with Haldir and the twins contributing from time to time. Occasionally others drew their attention to a particular patch, which was quickly identified by one of the quartet.
While all of them had the skills necessary to defend themselves, the extra guards kept themselves positioned to defend the family. It wasn’t lost on Maglor that he had his own sunny-haired shadow riding by him. “You look better,” a relieved Glorfindel commented to him. “I noticed you have felt a bit out of sorts lately. I’m glad Gilriant could visit for a few days.” His sons had noticed it, so it did not shock him that his friend did as well. “That was part of it, yes.”
“But not all of it?” A trace of worry crept into the captain’s voice. “No, not all of it,” Maglor conceded. After a beat of quiet, “Is there anything I can do to help?” Turning towards the blonde, the bard studied him. The silence dragged on enough that he could see the signs of anxious discomfort in the other. “Likely,” he finally replied. “That is something we will have to discuss later.” Glorfindel brightened, “Anything you need, you have but to ask.” That may be a more loaded statement than the captain intended.
As Glorfindel started regaling his Atar with whatever gossip he had missed, Gilriant looked at his brother. “Think they are going to get it together?” Elrond lifted an eyebrow. “We will have to wait and see. Obviously Atya wants to wait until we are out of earshot to talk to him.” The younger elf gave a mock sigh. “Well fine, be boring about it. I guess you have a point.”
Turning his attention back to their surroundings Harry frowned. “It's odd, with the amount of energy here and how I can feel it flowing I’m surprised to not have picked up on something yet.” Haldir pointed out, “We have found some healing herbs.” Gilriant waved a hand, “Yes, but they have all been the non-magical variety. With how much I’ve worked with the energies in Imladris, now that I am looking for it, I can see the benefit to the land.” “It is possible we simply haven’t found it yet.” Elrond soothed.
“Regardless, we should go through the books Atar and I brought. Make copies of any herbologies so we can both be on the lookout for plants. You’ll want to get me a list of any you think I should especially watch for.” Gilriant replied as he scanned the land around them. “I think leave the potion books in your hands, as you would know how to use them best. It’s likely we won’t be able to make all of them, or even have all of the ingredients so there may be some experimentation.” Considering that Elrond offered, “Perhaps Erestor can use copying them in your native tongue as a disciplinary action for those he has trouble with. They won’t be able to read it and get themselves in trouble, and will have to work extra hard to copy it correctly.” That made Harry laugh. “Perfect.”
Hallows suddenly pricked her ears forward and let off a soft whine. The group immediately looked at her. Haldir leaned forward to stroke her neck. “What is it? What do you sense?” She turned to look at Gilriant and the part of him that was magic reached back towards this oldest and most mature part of himself. The information he sought flowed to him and his eyes widened. Tindil and Hallows put on a burst of speed, with surprised shouts the rest of the party moved swiftly to follow. They stopped short of their goal, Harry sliding off Tindil’s back striding quickly. He noted that they were actually not too far from the city proper, just on the opposite side that they had started out from. When he reached his goal the young elf carefully went to his knees, studying the small sapling in front of him.
“Is that a variety of a Rowen tree?” Haldir had one hand on his shoulder as he peered at it. “Yes, a rather remarkable magical variety.” The rest of the group had caught up, stopping their horses where Tindil and Hallows had before joining them on foot. Without looking up, Gilriant addressed them. “Please look to see if you find any more saplings like this one. I’m going to see if it’s willing to be transplanted so we can cultivate it.” Most followed his instructions, fanning out in the area. While it didn’t feel like anything else was there it couldn’t hurt to check. Elrond crouched down next to him as Harry placed his hands on the ground around the tree and focused.
“This is a Wiggentree, the bark is used in healing and strengthening potions but even more importantly, the corrupt cannot tolerate it.” His brother’s eyes widened as Gilriant continued to speak, already starting to gently work his hands in the soil. “It is a protective force and if I am not wrong, this one is already growing at an accelerated rate. Highly beneficial if we take its berries when it produces them and use them to grow more trees. Thankfully this one is agreeable to us moving it and helping it do that.”
He didn’t need to explain about the tree having some sort of will of its own. All elves knew that trees could communicate things and had varying degrees of awareness. Elves, after all, were the first to wake the trees. The fact that they did, however, lent to some questions about this particular one. “A guardian tree growing at an accelerated rate? One wonders why,” Elrond observed. He pulled some fabric out of the pouch at his side and when Gilriant carefully worked the roots free, wrapped them up in a ball to protect them.
Not especially surprised when the group came back, they found a few rowan trees including saplings but Haldir had verified none of them were of a magical variety. Now that he knew what to look for from the other magical plants, it was easy enough for the marchwarden to check. Almost all the ‘extra’ energy in the land seemed centered around Imladris. Which just added to the mystery that was unfolding.
On the ride back they debated where exactly to plant it. Gilriant argued successfully that a space should be found for it as close to the center of the city as possible. It would both be very protected and able to spread its protection from there. Lunch was brought out to the group as no one wanted to leave in the middle of the project. For all that decisions were often made carefully and time, elves could also move very swiftly when it was called for.
Afterwards the group slowly scattered in different directions. Haldir went with the twins to make sure no one was slipping in archery practice while he was gone. In other words another one of their odd shooting competitions. Maglor was steering Glorfindel somewhere for a ‘talk’ which everyone was very curious to know the end result of. Elrond was going to go check their collection of books from the world of Harry’s birth. He was quite eager to learn about other healing methods. Arwen and Celebrian went to clean up before their tea party. Gilriant would do the same but first he wanted to study the sapling just a bit longer.
Already he had infused more energy into it, triggering another growth spurt. While they wouldn’t be able to get any berries from it until next fall, it was good to have it as strong as possible. It also wasn’t behaving exactly like any Wiggentree he remembered. Granted his experience was limited. However it also made sense that there would be some differences in an entirely new world. This was more the magical equivalent of a Wiggentree in Ea than a direct transplant after all. Somethings would likely be the same while others, very different.
The tree seemed to be responding to the energy influx by infusing protective energy of its own into the ground. Gilriant could literally trace it flowing and spreading. If they could successfully plant new trees from the berries around the borders of the Greenwood, or other forest it would be quite the triumph. They could be more or less natural deterrents to anything corrupted. They wouldn’t even necessarily know it was the trees doing it. Yet the first tree showed up here.
Gilriant was still studying the tree and pondering the mystery when he heard a voice behind him. “You are going to be late!” When he turned to look at the speaker he started in surprise. Blinking he dialed back his extra senses to determine what it was he just saw.
“Oh . . . that’s why.”