Child of the Stars

Gilriant smiled as the last pane of glass was set in place. They found a good spot for the greenhouse with plenty of light. Which meant at least in this structure light gathering properties wouldn’t need a great deal of power. So more strength could go into other things. Like the ones that made sure that any snow in the winter melted and slid off the roof. Collecting heat within to make sure the plants stayed the proper temperature. He studied the set up as Fawkes settled on his shoulder.

“Ready then?” At the firebird's trill he nodded and reached to place to touch his fingertips against the metal frame and focused. Fawkes spread his wings and sang a song of warmth and protection. The beautiful notes a cascade that somehow brought thoughts of a protective hearthfire and the warmth of friendship. It spoke of the light that shined even when the outside was cold and dark. Gilriant was the bridge, focusing on transferring the strength being broadcasted by the firebird into the runes. They flared and settled into a warm glow, the energy racing over and encompassing the structure. With a smile of satisfaction he stepped back and looked to those that tended the gardens.

“There, we can plant the trees and set the benches between them. It will stay as warm as a summer’s day inside.” The elves looked thoughtful and followed him in. While the fall had yet to turn cold, it was beginning to be cooler so there was a noticeable difference in the temperature. “Could we transfer one of the beehives in here?” The curious question came from one. “The ones in the elf havens should be fine. You are lucky in that, in the world of my birth honeybees can’t be kept in greenhouses.” There were shared smiles and then one ventured, “We may be better waiting off until spring, that’s the best time to split any hives anyways.”

“Now if it works out for you and you want others, if you supply the materials I’m happy to help you set up more.” There were murmurs of appreciation as they got to work. Everyone enjoyed the idea of more fresh vegetables in the middle of winter.

*

”ENOUGH! BACK OFF!!!” The power of his voice alone shoved Thranduil and anyone with range at least fifty feet away from him. Only Thraduil’s skill kept him on his feet when his back collided with the fence around the practice salle. Thankfully no one else was close enough to get the full brunt and was merely shoved, rather than thrown. Power crackled around Gilriant as his temper wanted to lash out. It swirled and settled around him like a drifting cloak of burnt silver.

”I respect,” And didn’t that word come out in a vicious bite of sarcasm, ”That many experienced terrible things at the hands of my Atar due to the actions that the hrice damned oath forced him into. But I will not tolerate insults to him.” Oh he knew what Thranduil was doing. It was entirely possible he just said those things to rile him and get him to loose his temper. The elven king had been pushing just for that. Yet he couldn’t stop the reaction and a part of him really didn’t want to try as the destructive energies coiled up and around him. ”He was the first living person to just accept me as I was.” Yes Kreacher had accepted him, eventually, not at their first meeting. Grandfather had instantly but he wasn’t exactly counted among the ‘living’ at the time. Everyone else had more or less not seen him, they had seen their perceptions or expectations of him.

”He dropped everything to help me when he didn’t have to. He chose to become my father. He helped me escape the cesspool of that world that would have just kept trying to take and take from me until nothing was left. I will not have it. Especially when I’m trying to -” Gilriant bit off the words as the power attempted to lash out and sucked in a breath, stepping back away from Thranduil. He was not in full Keeper mode, but the darker side of his gifts, oh yes, they were in danger of rampaging and he could not, would not allow that.

Due to their nature they did however need to go somewhere. Either used or drained away before they caused damage. Well if this went weird this was entirely Thranduil’s fault as he was the one that insisted this needed to be done away from Haldir. (He was probably correct that Gilriant needed to do this on his own but Harry wasn’t going to admit it.) Locking the pieces of his glaive together he used it to channel all the energy and then struck the ground with the butt of it. Letting the power be grounded into the earth, and taking some of the pressure off the young elf. With it gone, it took with it the more dangerous edge of his temper. Still he turned to stalk off away from the elven king until he got himself under better control. When Tranduil started to walk towards him he turned around to tell him to back off, again.

Or at least he would have if not before he could say anything, a long vine wrapped around his middle and yanked him back. He made a startled sound and dropped his glaive as he was dragged backwards. At least far enough for a long branch to swing down and scoop him up into the tree just beyond the salle, holding him in the heart of its branches. Around the base of the tree were rattling plants brandishing spikes and fanged ‘mouths’ that snapped as if daring anyone to get close. At the scattering and alarmed shouts of the elves below Gilriant realized he needed to calm down, so he could calm the plants before anyone got hurt. “BACK OFF. I’m fine. Let me calm them.”

Turning his attention to the tree and the plants below he realized he recognized them. It was a willow tree that held him, though it had been smaller before. While it did hold some intelligence, not as much as a ent was supposed to. More semi-sentient, and Gilriant could pick up on the same from the plants below. Which made this a Whomping Willow, and the ones below he recognized as a variant of Venomous Tentacula. The willow was swinging its branches through the air, helping to encourage the elves to stay back. Yes there was no mistaking this tree for anything but a Whomping Willow. At least this one seemed protective of him, rather than wanting to pummel him.

Exhaling he let go of his anger for now, he could always be pissed off again later if he wanted to be. “Easy, easy, calm. The elves are our friends.” Gilriant soothed the willow gently stroking the trunk and branch by him. “They are caretakers of the forest, you know them.” He wasn’t even going to try to get down until it had calmed some. The young bard started to softly sing a lullaby to the tree. While it wouldn’t necessarily understand his words, it should understand the projected meaning and music always worked as a vehicle for his gift.

He could feel Haldir rapidly getting closer so he mentally sent to him, You should be able to get close, especially if you are riding Hallows. You are mine and Hallows is my magic. But if they start shooting spikes at you, stay back. They are poisonous. At the marchwarden’s spike of concern he sent back reassurance. They are being protective of me, not threatening. I just have to teach them that elves are okay. Slowly the willow calmed, limbs slowing and stopping. There was a small quiver when Haldir approached on Hallows, but it quickly subsided at Gilriant’s calming touch.

Once he was sure the willow was, well not placid at least soothed enough he carefully climbed down to the rattling plants below. He ignored the anxious calls of the elves and just sat down among them. Letting their vines reach out touch them. “Oh yes, you did a great job keeping me safe.” He continued to extrude calm as the spikes in the plants relaxed. When Haldir got closer some of the ‘mouths’ snapped in his direction and once again the young elf soothed them. “No, that’s Haldir, he’s with my magic, you can feel that right?” The ‘mouths’ turned back towards the bard then closed allowing the marchwarden to get close.

Gilriant held out a hand to Haldir, and when the other elf took it, gently tugged him to join him sitting on the ground. The plants, while rooted, were not so closely placed to make it extremely difficult. Some of the vines reached out to touch the new elf. “See he’s a friend, and part of the forest. You can trust those that feel like part of the forest.” The marchwarden sat calmly despite the curious touch of the plants. “So, this is what happens when your anger combines with your ability to attract trouble?” “Not my fault, really not my fault this time. The King was working hard on making me angry and took it a step too far.”

The younger elf stroked a hand over the vine that settled on him. Most had retracted into the shrubbery, but a few still reached to touch him. “I didn’t want to hurt anyone so I took the dangerous energy and grounded it like you taught me if I got overwhelmed with things. I neither intended nor expected some of the local plants to absorb and evolve into this.” The magical shrubs ignored Hallows and Tindil who had moved closer to sniff at them. As pieces of his magic they would feel entirely familiar and acceptable.

At the increased rattling Gilriant looked up to see one of the shrubs shoot off a volley of spikes that landed in the dirt right in front of Thranduil. The elven king had approached, only to stop short at the aggressive reaction. His hand rested on Legolas’ shoulder to prevent his son from getting closer. The young elf’s lips twitched into a small smile. “Well, I’m not sure if they will ever accept him because he’s the one that made me mad. But I will hopefully be able to get them to accept other elves.” Harry spent a short time just sitting there with Haldir and soothing the plants. Eventually he looked back to the shrubs and patted the vine draped over his shoulder. “Okay I’m going to go now, you can just relax. I’m safe, everything is okay. I’ll come back to check on you.” They likely understood the intent more than the actual words but those vines slowly withdrew as well.

The two elves carefully got up and made their way out of the patch of dangerous plants. While the rattle of the leaves did not cease, it was much softer now. Calmly they paced towards the royal pair. “So apparently I should be really careful about getting too angry if there aren't any readily available targets for me to take that out on.” Gilriant’s words had just a hint of bite to them. “The ent?” Thranduil asked quietly. “Not quite that, only semi-sentient. Somewhere between a typical tree in the elf havens and an actual ent. Their name roughly translates to Fighting Willow. They can be very aggressive but are also known to recognize and be gentle with their caregivers. I can likely introduce it to a few. It may even enjoy helping with agility training.” Thanduil inclined his head in understanding. “The other plants?”

“A variety whose name translates roughly to Venomous Vine-Shrub. They like live prey and are known to use their vines to catch insects but I do believe small animals and birds would be caught as well. They are also aggressive and will use their vines to grab larger prey. The bites from their mouths are highly venomous and have been known to stun or kill edain. I am unsure what they would do to elves. There are likely some differences, I wouldn’t be surprised considering they came from my magic that they were lethal to orcs.” He glanced down at the spikes in the dirt. “Those are poisonous as well, they reproduce by a spikey spore ball they can shoot from their mouths. Those I may be able to convince to let me transplant to say the south where they certainly would be a nasty surprise for anything hostile.” Thranduil looked thoughtful at that.

“I can teach the scouts how to handle them, it would be safest for anyone with a strong connection to plants. I do remember that their various parts have uses. Though for what I will have to check with my brother, I sent those books to his keeping.” Tilting his head to the side as if in thought he continued. “While I should be able to teach either type of plant to allow others to approach, it would take a very long time for either to accept you. Not with the fact that power that created came from my being angry with you.”

Now he took a step closer which made it very evident that he was in fact taller than the King. “Let me make one thing perfectly clear.” Gilriant’s voice was calm and even, his gaze devoid of emotion. “While I understand and appreciate what you were and are trying to do for me, disparaging comments about any of my family are off limits. I don’t care what people think, I know the reasons people have not to like certain individuals. I do care what is said to me. If you do it again I will not disrespect you, but I will walk away, and not come back.” Inclining his head and using a perfectly respectable half bow before turning on his heel and striding away.

Thranduil watched him go, Halding mirroring the respectful half bow before flanking his partner. There was only a small pause when one of the fighters offered up the weapon Gilriant dropped when he had been snatched up by the vine. “Ada, what did you say to him?" The King didn’t respond right away. Instead he was giving a narrow eyed glare to the crowd around them. Which had the immediate effect of them choosing to disperse and go about their duties lest they inspire his wrath to settle on them. Then his gaze dropped down to meet Legolas’.

“While I still do not like his father, I can respect the son that he raised to be so strong.” A ghost of a smile curved on his lips as he looked at Legolas. “If you do get out of that awkward stage of realizing you might be attracted to your friend and decide to court him, I find this acceptable.” A flush spread across Legolas’ cheeks and the tips of his ears as he gaped at his father. “Ada! I can’t believe you said that.” Thranduil raised his eyebrows. “Why not? I’ve seen your responses to him and he is a strong individual in many ways. I’m hardly an idiot.”

When Legolas continued to sputter Thranduil put an arm around his son to guide him away. “Come, you can check on your friend after he has had time to calm down. I’ll tell you some stories about my courtship with your mother.”

*

Erestor was right, he was an idiot. Glorfindel knew he took entirely too long to speak plainly to Maglor about his intentions. Going slow was not a bad idea. Especially when he knew how he had worked to get the bard to see he deserved to be out in the sun of everyday life in Imladris as much as any other elf. However there was a large difference between going slow and how he had been going about courting the other elf.

Part of the problem was that he really wasn’t used to feeling so inadequate. The Noldor were craftspeople. Most had skills in various types of crafting, and many had a very specific area of specialty. Yet, whatever Glorfindel could do, it seemed the bard could do better. Nor was it like his skills as a warrior could be made into a gift of some sort. The only area he might have an edge over Maglor was leatherworking and even there it wasn’t like he was highly skilled at it. Adequate for functional and useful things yes, but that did not a master make. So how could he start a proper courtship if he didn’t have anything worthy?

Well, he had arranged for a gift that he was fairly certain the bard would love. Yet it wasn’t made by his own hands, he had not the skill for it. Glorfindel did make a cover for it once it arrived but that was just the wrapping so to speak. Then Maglor turned the entire thing around him by being the one to initiate the conversation. It also didn’t help that the kiss had wiped his brain clean of any thought.

Erestor’s opinion on his brain being wiped clean was not worth repeating. He was a very good friend, and Glorfindel never minded the sharp barbs when they came, as he saw the care and concern behind them. When he had explained his little dilemma about what had taken him so long to talk about things, he did get that look. Well the look and the words that said he needed to stop and just show Maglor what he had been doing. Heeding his friend’s words he had gathered the best of his work and arranged for the gift that he knew the bard would like to be brought to his favorite corner in the Halls of Fire. Then waited.

“I did not think to look for you here.” The bard’s voice brought Glorfindel out of the brooding he had fallen into while he waited. Looking up he saw Maglor’s gaze looking around at the large covered item, and the pile of leather next to him on the bench. “It seemed appropriate.” The golden haired ellon offered a soft smile. “You asked me a question, and while I did not struggle with the answer, I did think you deserved to know what took so long that you had to ask about it.” The bard slowly sat down on the bench next to him and waited.

“I was trying to court you properly.” He offered the Maglor a small smile and saw it returned. “Part of the issue of why I did not speak of it was I did not think I had a gift made from my hands of enough worth to present to you. Anything I could make, you could do for yourself, and far better than the skills of mine.” Glorfindel could clearly read the surprise on the bard’s face at the admission. “Before you admonish me about that, Erestor already has. So I took the best of the leatherwork I had done with you in mind and brought it here as the larger gift which I had commissioned for you was. I did make the cover, but it is hardly the work of a master.” Carefully he picked up the pile of leather goods next to him and gently placed them on Maglor’s lap as he spoke.

Accepting the pile he started looking through it carefully. Belts, pouches, a new apron for the forge, a case for his lap harp, each item was made well with a few simple but elegant embellishments carved into them. “How much exactly have you made for me?” Glorfindel folded his hands together. “The horse tack you weren't sure where it came from, that was me. Some weapons sheaths were left by the forge you favor, and some more items back in my rooms that I did not think were worthy but couldn’t bring myself to discard.” Maglor looked up at him. “These are well made, I do not understand why you think they are not worthy.”

“They are not a master’s work.” Glorfindel demurred. “I wanted to show you that I wanted to be a part of your life and how much I valued you. The gift I did think may be worthy of you as I said is not of my hands, only the cover is. And if you try to tell me that you don’t think you are worth the very best, I would ask that you say the same to your sons or Erestor and see how they react to such words.” That earned him a faint laugh. “No need to threaten me with them, I see your point.” Maglor settled the leather into a pile on the bench carefully, running a hand over the top piece. Then he stood up and moved over to admire the cover on what was obviously a large harp.

“You sell yourself far too short. Something well made is far more valuable than something with frills to hide the poorly done work. You should not be so dismissive of your skill.” Standing as well, Glorfindel moved over to the covered harp. “And yet, they are but faint shadows compared to this, if I may?” Maglor stepped back with a nod and the blond ellon carefully took the cover off.

The harp that was revealed was indeed a work of art. Deep rich stained wood inlaid with shining designs of silver stars along the top of the column, along the harmonic neck and the top of the body. Specifically the eight rayed silver star of the House of Feanor. Climbing up from the base of the harp along the column and the body were golden flowers. Maglor reached to carefully tighten one of the strings before plucking it. A bell-like tone shimmered in the air causing him to inhale. “These are mithril strings!” Calmly folding the cover for the harp over his arm, Glorfindel smiled. “Of course. As I said, I wanted to show you what you are worth to me.”

Wide-eyed Maglor stared at him. “It appears I have made a bard speechless, truly an accomplishment. I take it, you like it?” The bard finally exhaled, “Do I like it? Of course I like it. I’m just having trouble understanding why you think I am worthy of this.” Taking a step closer he reached to lightly run his hand over the cover on Glorfindel’s arm. “Or all this. In truth though yes I do like the harp, that you were willing to make so much for me means even more.”

The captain just smiled. “And how is that different from the weapons you have made me? Or all the time you have spent teaching me fighting techniques that only you know?” Maglor did his best not to look exasperated. “I did those things because you are my friend and I wanted to share them with you.” Glorfindel’s smile widened, “Just so, as I did for you.”

“Even if all you wanted was friendship I would want you to keep every gift I have for you.” Glorfindel took a step into Maglor’s space. “Even if you never choose to wear my symbol in your braids, these are still freely given for you to enjoy.” He tilted his head down to rest his forehead against the bard’s. “You are kind, gentle and fierce at the same time. You are intelligent, and have a heart that is both fragile and strong. I would do my best to keep it safe if you allowed me.”

Angling his body towards the side not holding the cover, Maglor reached to twine his fingers with Glorfindel’s. “Are we just going to take turns finding things to make the other speechless now? For while I have plenty of arguments against how you see me, you and others have words that counter those thoughts.” A soft chuckle escaped the captain. “Perhaps. There is certainly the potential for a great many enjoyable moments that way.” They fell quiet after that, just enjoying the moment.

Finally it was broken when Maglor asked, “Are you aware there is a betting pool on us?” With a blink, Glorfindel moved back enough to fully look at the bard’s face. “Truly? I had not realized I was that obvious.” The bard’s voice was dry, “Gilriant commented that I was busy causing you to bump into things.” With a sigh the captain replied, “I’m never going to be allowed to forget that one am I?” “Likely not.” After the soft amused huff from Glorfindel, the Maglor continued. “I am of the mind to leave them in uncertainty of our state. If they are going to bet on us, they should be prepared to deal with the consequences.”

Glorfindel outright laughed at that, “Yet another reason to love you.” The words caused a light blush to spread across Maglor’s face. “While I am still sorting out exactly what I feel, I know I love you as a friend. I know that what matters most in all this is that you remain a part of my life. I also know that I am willing to see exactly how much and how far you do.” A quick grin quirked on his lips. “And I know from the kiss before you can make me feel even more things.”

“Is that so?” Glorfindel couldn’t quite hide the smile as he attempted to look thoughtful. “Well you may have done the same for me. Perhaps we should try again to see exactly what it makes us feel?” He used their entwined hands to pull the bard against him before tilting his head to gently kiss Maglor. The bard reaching up put his hand on the back of the taller ellon’s neck. His fingers brushing against the other’s hair.

That evening there was plenty of speculation about the covered harp that was spotted in the corner Maglor liked to frequent. While curious, none were so gauche to actually take the cover off to inspect it. The rumor mill buzzed with the added information. The next day when people followed the ringing notes, the bard was spotted playing it. The rumors gained more speed as people discussed the designed inlaid in the harp. When the behavior of the pair was noted to be typical for them, the betting got even more intense.