Post by Rhonda on May 22, 2014 21:37:00 GMT -5
Chapter 4 - Swords and Promises
Having finished his breakfast, Erestor made his way out of the dining hall. As he passed Timagol’s table the elf gave him an assessing look, then leaned over and whispered in the ear of his companion Ingorn. Erestor could not hear what was said, but whatever it was brought a boisterous laugh from the Lórien elf and Erestor felt his cheeks flush red. He climbed the stairs, and stood outside Elrohir’s door for several minutes before he knocked. He was trying to decide just how much he should say in order to garner the younger twins’ assistance. Deciding that honesty was always the best policy he steeled himself for the inevitable questions that would follow his request. When he finally heard the words “Come in” from the other side of the door, he almost turned and ran. Almost. But this issue was something he needed to address and it needed to be done now, there was nothing for it but to do it. Entering the room he stood there quietly, shoulders squared, head held high, while he waited for Elrohir’s head to emerge from the neck opening in his shirt.
“Hey Erestor, what brings you back, I hope you have not come back to lecture me about this morning, for I am adamant that none of that was my fault, and you should just take your lecture to Dan’s room for he is the one who started it all.”
Hearing his name used from the adjoining room, Elladan poked his head through the connecting door and began to plead his case. “T’was not my fault at all Restor, Elrohir simply has no sense of humor.” The brothers went back and forth in this manner each blaming the other for several more minutes before they realized that Erestor had not said a word. When it finally dawned on them that they were arguing with Erestor without Erestor’s input, their conversation stopped and they stood there staring at the silent seneschal. It was Elladan who spoke first.
“Restor, you have not said a word…is there something wrong?”
Elrohir dropped the boot he was attempting to put on over his chausses and queried, “Is it Adar…is something wrong with Estel?” he asked nervously. At last the staid counselor looked them in the eyes and spoke.
“I have a problem, a problem that tasks me greatly, and I have come to ask for your help.”
Elladan went instantly into protective mode as he dropped the tunic he was holding and moved to stand in front of his tutor. “What is this problem that tasks you Restor and what can I...we do to help?”
Erestor bit back the urge to flee and pulled his shoulders back and straightened his robes, an action that the twins had long ago noted as a defensive motion that was only displayed when the counselor was truly distressed.
“You can tell us Erestor, whatever you say will be kept in the strictest confidence…I give you my word.”
“No, we give you our word,” Elrohir added as he came to stand beside his brother. Buoyed by the twin’s obvious resolve, the counselor finally spoke.
“I have been having…some difficulty with a guest here in the house. Please, do not ask me his name, as I do not wish to go that far. I think I can ‘remedy’ this situation, but I need your assistance, but I need it without either of you casting threatening glances in his direction. This individual seems to think me weak…weak enough that he can take something from me that I value most highly. I wish to demonstrate to him that his perception is erroneous…that although it may have been some time since I have taken up a sword, that I am entirely capable of doing so if I wish.”
Elladan stepped closer to Erestor, a disbelieving look on his face. “There is someone visiting here who actually believes that you…you do not know how to use a sword?”
“Not so much that I do not know how, more like I am not capable of defending what is mine, that I am not a match for him when it comes to being a warrior.”
Elrohir had to cover his mouth to stop himself from laughing aloud. “You are joking with us now right? You expect us to believe that someone thinks that you…you are not a warrior? Why that would be like saying that Adar did not really fight in the Last Alliance, it is ludicrous.”
“He is not laughing Roh…” Elladan said as he took another step closer and peered deep into Erestor’s eyes. “Tell me who he is Erestor, I will teach this lesson to him myself.”
“No, that is exactly what I do not want; I do not want someone else to fight my battles for me. This is something I must do myself if I am to impress upon this individual that I am not someone with whom he can toy.”
The twins stood there silently for a moment then almost in unison replied, “What do you need us to do?”
“Haldir and I are going to take Estel to the practice field this morning to give him his first lessons with his new sword, maybe do a little sparing. Hal suggested that this might be a way to ‘enlighten’ our guest without it having to evolve into anything…physical.”
“You say the word Erestor and I will ‘evolve’ him into braised bull bullocks,” Elrohir offered as he retrieved his sword from the bed.
“No, melyanna, I appreciate you trying to defend my honor, but this is something I must do myself. He thinks me weak and I must be the one to show him differently. If the two of you would just come down to the field and act as sparring partners for me and Haldir, I believe that will be all that is needed. Will you do that for me?”
“Of course we will…that and anything else you need, we are family, we will always be there when you need us.”
Erestor bowed his head and placed his hand over his heart, “Hannon le maethor gwanún nín.” (thank you my warrior twins)
“Erestor…I know you said you do not wish to give this elf’s name, and we respect that, but if you do not mind us asking, what exactly is he trying to take from you?”
The diminutive counselor momentarily turned his head, trying to conceal the tears that were forming behind his lashes. When he turned back he looked Elladan in the eye and gave his answer just as one tear fell to his cheek.
“Glorfindel…he is trying to take Glorfindel.”
~~~~~~
Haldir and Estel finished breakfast and the warden wiped Estel’s mouth and took him by the hand to lead him from the hall. As they walked out he stopped at Tima’s table and bid good morning to the elves seated beside him. With pleasantries accomplished the Marchwarden put on a stern face and issued his instructions for his guardians.
“I will be going to the practice field in about a half an hour, my arm needs the exercise and I have promised Estel that I will help him with his sword. I will need a sparring partner so I want the two of you to gather Malrin and Rúmil and meet me on the field.”
“Of course Haldir, as you will, we will meet you in half an hour.”
“Very good, I will see you there, be prepared for a good work out, I need to get my arm back in shape.” With that he scooped up Estel and strode out of the room.
Timagol turned to his dining companion and asked, “Did the Marchwarden seem a little tense to you Ingorn?”
“No more than usual Tima, more determined I guess, but that is to be expected I think, he is probably worried about his arm.”
“Yes, you are probably right,” Timagol said as he watched Haldir leave, “he is probably just thinking about his arm.”
~~~~~~~~
Erestor had been gone for about fifteen minutes and as the twins continued to dress they pondered Erestor’s dilemma.
“So who do you think it is? Elrohir asked.”
“Well luckily there are not that many of them to consider, a simple process of elimination should allow us to figure it out.”
“Well,” Elrohir replied, “we have Malrin, Ingorn, Andras, Elwaith, Timagol, Rúmil, Orophin and Haldir.”
“Well, we can rule out Haldir, Orophin and Rúmil, they have known Erestor for millennia and they would never disrespect him.”
“True, besides they know of Erestor’s skill with a sword and none of them are interested in Glorfy.”
“We can rule out Andras, he has been too sick to even know Glorfindel exists,” Dan said convincingly.
“Right. What about Malrin?”
“No,” Elladan said, “it cannot be him, I saw him on the training field last week, he tried to use a move on me that he learned from Haldir. When I countered it he wanted to know how I knew the move. I told him then that Haldir got that move from Erestor, that Erestor invented it, so he knows of Restor’s skill…it cannot be him.”
“What about Elwaith?” Elrohir queried.
“No, I do not believe that Elwaith has ever hefted a sword in his life. If anyone can be said not to be a warrior it is Elwaith, he would be no match for Erestor, with a sword or with Glorfindel. Besides, I think he might actually be a little smitten with our Restor, he rather idolizes him.”
“Well that only leaves Ingorn and Timagol. Ingorn would not have the nerve to pursue Glorfindel, have you not noticed how he tries to become invisible whenever Erestor is around? Erestor makes him shake in his boots.”
“So, we have identified our infiltrator.”
“Yes we have, and may the Valar have mercy upon him, for if this comes to a fight, Timagol is definitely out of his league...both intellectually and physically, Erestor will serve him up like so much minced meat.”
“Yes, and knowing our snarky friend he will have fun doing it.”
“Come brother, let us go and retrieve him, give him an escort to the fields.”
“A show of solidarity Roh?”
“Indeed. Come on, you know he must be nervous, I do not want him to walk onto that field alone.”
Two minutes later the twins were knocking on Erestor’s chamber door. “Enter.”
Obeying the command, the brothers entered the room and were stunned by the view in front of them. Erestor Núrilion stood in the center of the room facing away from the door. His jet-black hair was held back away from his face by a set of six intricately twined warrior’s braids, secured at the back of his head by a Mithril clasp that bore the insignia of the House of Elrond. The rest of his near waist length hair hung loosely down his back. He wore a pair of handsomely fitted black leather leggings topped by a black linen shirt that was loosely laced open across his chest. On his feet were a pair of knee-high black boots and at his waist hung the scabbard of his father Núril. On his forearms, he wore a set of custom-made braces that matched the hand tooled leather baldric on his back. The baldric carried two matched ivory and Mithril handled short swords that the twins had gifted him on his last begetting day. Adjusting the baldric he turned to face the twins as he picked up his sword from the bed.
“Are you ready?” he asked calmly.
The twins were almost speechless. “Erestor” Elladan said, “I do not believe I have ever seen you look this way.”
“And just what way is that Elladan?” he asked with just a touch of acid in his voice.
“I believe the word my brother is looking for is…”Magnificent, you look magnificent.”
“And deadly” Dan said with a satisfied smirk.
“Good,” Erestor replied, “because that is just the way I feel,” he replied as he forcefully slid his sword into the scabbard. “Let’s go,” he said as he breezed past the twins and out the door. As they strode down the corridor members of the household staff stopped in their tracks to look…and admire the sight. The vision of three dark-haired lethal warriors leaving The Last Homely House to settle a score.
Having finished his breakfast, Erestor made his way out of the dining hall. As he passed Timagol’s table the elf gave him an assessing look, then leaned over and whispered in the ear of his companion Ingorn. Erestor could not hear what was said, but whatever it was brought a boisterous laugh from the Lórien elf and Erestor felt his cheeks flush red. He climbed the stairs, and stood outside Elrohir’s door for several minutes before he knocked. He was trying to decide just how much he should say in order to garner the younger twins’ assistance. Deciding that honesty was always the best policy he steeled himself for the inevitable questions that would follow his request. When he finally heard the words “Come in” from the other side of the door, he almost turned and ran. Almost. But this issue was something he needed to address and it needed to be done now, there was nothing for it but to do it. Entering the room he stood there quietly, shoulders squared, head held high, while he waited for Elrohir’s head to emerge from the neck opening in his shirt.
“Hey Erestor, what brings you back, I hope you have not come back to lecture me about this morning, for I am adamant that none of that was my fault, and you should just take your lecture to Dan’s room for he is the one who started it all.”
Hearing his name used from the adjoining room, Elladan poked his head through the connecting door and began to plead his case. “T’was not my fault at all Restor, Elrohir simply has no sense of humor.” The brothers went back and forth in this manner each blaming the other for several more minutes before they realized that Erestor had not said a word. When it finally dawned on them that they were arguing with Erestor without Erestor’s input, their conversation stopped and they stood there staring at the silent seneschal. It was Elladan who spoke first.
“Restor, you have not said a word…is there something wrong?”
Elrohir dropped the boot he was attempting to put on over his chausses and queried, “Is it Adar…is something wrong with Estel?” he asked nervously. At last the staid counselor looked them in the eyes and spoke.
“I have a problem, a problem that tasks me greatly, and I have come to ask for your help.”
Elladan went instantly into protective mode as he dropped the tunic he was holding and moved to stand in front of his tutor. “What is this problem that tasks you Restor and what can I...we do to help?”
Erestor bit back the urge to flee and pulled his shoulders back and straightened his robes, an action that the twins had long ago noted as a defensive motion that was only displayed when the counselor was truly distressed.
“You can tell us Erestor, whatever you say will be kept in the strictest confidence…I give you my word.”
“No, we give you our word,” Elrohir added as he came to stand beside his brother. Buoyed by the twin’s obvious resolve, the counselor finally spoke.
“I have been having…some difficulty with a guest here in the house. Please, do not ask me his name, as I do not wish to go that far. I think I can ‘remedy’ this situation, but I need your assistance, but I need it without either of you casting threatening glances in his direction. This individual seems to think me weak…weak enough that he can take something from me that I value most highly. I wish to demonstrate to him that his perception is erroneous…that although it may have been some time since I have taken up a sword, that I am entirely capable of doing so if I wish.”
Elladan stepped closer to Erestor, a disbelieving look on his face. “There is someone visiting here who actually believes that you…you do not know how to use a sword?”
“Not so much that I do not know how, more like I am not capable of defending what is mine, that I am not a match for him when it comes to being a warrior.”
Elrohir had to cover his mouth to stop himself from laughing aloud. “You are joking with us now right? You expect us to believe that someone thinks that you…you are not a warrior? Why that would be like saying that Adar did not really fight in the Last Alliance, it is ludicrous.”
“He is not laughing Roh…” Elladan said as he took another step closer and peered deep into Erestor’s eyes. “Tell me who he is Erestor, I will teach this lesson to him myself.”
“No, that is exactly what I do not want; I do not want someone else to fight my battles for me. This is something I must do myself if I am to impress upon this individual that I am not someone with whom he can toy.”
The twins stood there silently for a moment then almost in unison replied, “What do you need us to do?”
“Haldir and I are going to take Estel to the practice field this morning to give him his first lessons with his new sword, maybe do a little sparing. Hal suggested that this might be a way to ‘enlighten’ our guest without it having to evolve into anything…physical.”
“You say the word Erestor and I will ‘evolve’ him into braised bull bullocks,” Elrohir offered as he retrieved his sword from the bed.
“No, melyanna, I appreciate you trying to defend my honor, but this is something I must do myself. He thinks me weak and I must be the one to show him differently. If the two of you would just come down to the field and act as sparring partners for me and Haldir, I believe that will be all that is needed. Will you do that for me?”
“Of course we will…that and anything else you need, we are family, we will always be there when you need us.”
Erestor bowed his head and placed his hand over his heart, “Hannon le maethor gwanún nín.” (thank you my warrior twins)
“Erestor…I know you said you do not wish to give this elf’s name, and we respect that, but if you do not mind us asking, what exactly is he trying to take from you?”
The diminutive counselor momentarily turned his head, trying to conceal the tears that were forming behind his lashes. When he turned back he looked Elladan in the eye and gave his answer just as one tear fell to his cheek.
“Glorfindel…he is trying to take Glorfindel.”
~~~~~~
Haldir and Estel finished breakfast and the warden wiped Estel’s mouth and took him by the hand to lead him from the hall. As they walked out he stopped at Tima’s table and bid good morning to the elves seated beside him. With pleasantries accomplished the Marchwarden put on a stern face and issued his instructions for his guardians.
“I will be going to the practice field in about a half an hour, my arm needs the exercise and I have promised Estel that I will help him with his sword. I will need a sparring partner so I want the two of you to gather Malrin and Rúmil and meet me on the field.”
“Of course Haldir, as you will, we will meet you in half an hour.”
“Very good, I will see you there, be prepared for a good work out, I need to get my arm back in shape.” With that he scooped up Estel and strode out of the room.
Timagol turned to his dining companion and asked, “Did the Marchwarden seem a little tense to you Ingorn?”
“No more than usual Tima, more determined I guess, but that is to be expected I think, he is probably worried about his arm.”
“Yes, you are probably right,” Timagol said as he watched Haldir leave, “he is probably just thinking about his arm.”
~~~~~~~~
Erestor had been gone for about fifteen minutes and as the twins continued to dress they pondered Erestor’s dilemma.
“So who do you think it is? Elrohir asked.”
“Well luckily there are not that many of them to consider, a simple process of elimination should allow us to figure it out.”
“Well,” Elrohir replied, “we have Malrin, Ingorn, Andras, Elwaith, Timagol, Rúmil, Orophin and Haldir.”
“Well, we can rule out Haldir, Orophin and Rúmil, they have known Erestor for millennia and they would never disrespect him.”
“True, besides they know of Erestor’s skill with a sword and none of them are interested in Glorfy.”
“We can rule out Andras, he has been too sick to even know Glorfindel exists,” Dan said convincingly.
“Right. What about Malrin?”
“No,” Elladan said, “it cannot be him, I saw him on the training field last week, he tried to use a move on me that he learned from Haldir. When I countered it he wanted to know how I knew the move. I told him then that Haldir got that move from Erestor, that Erestor invented it, so he knows of Restor’s skill…it cannot be him.”
“What about Elwaith?” Elrohir queried.
“No, I do not believe that Elwaith has ever hefted a sword in his life. If anyone can be said not to be a warrior it is Elwaith, he would be no match for Erestor, with a sword or with Glorfindel. Besides, I think he might actually be a little smitten with our Restor, he rather idolizes him.”
“Well that only leaves Ingorn and Timagol. Ingorn would not have the nerve to pursue Glorfindel, have you not noticed how he tries to become invisible whenever Erestor is around? Erestor makes him shake in his boots.”
“So, we have identified our infiltrator.”
“Yes we have, and may the Valar have mercy upon him, for if this comes to a fight, Timagol is definitely out of his league...both intellectually and physically, Erestor will serve him up like so much minced meat.”
“Yes, and knowing our snarky friend he will have fun doing it.”
“Come brother, let us go and retrieve him, give him an escort to the fields.”
“A show of solidarity Roh?”
“Indeed. Come on, you know he must be nervous, I do not want him to walk onto that field alone.”
Two minutes later the twins were knocking on Erestor’s chamber door. “Enter.”
Obeying the command, the brothers entered the room and were stunned by the view in front of them. Erestor Núrilion stood in the center of the room facing away from the door. His jet-black hair was held back away from his face by a set of six intricately twined warrior’s braids, secured at the back of his head by a Mithril clasp that bore the insignia of the House of Elrond. The rest of his near waist length hair hung loosely down his back. He wore a pair of handsomely fitted black leather leggings topped by a black linen shirt that was loosely laced open across his chest. On his feet were a pair of knee-high black boots and at his waist hung the scabbard of his father Núril. On his forearms, he wore a set of custom-made braces that matched the hand tooled leather baldric on his back. The baldric carried two matched ivory and Mithril handled short swords that the twins had gifted him on his last begetting day. Adjusting the baldric he turned to face the twins as he picked up his sword from the bed.
“Are you ready?” he asked calmly.
The twins were almost speechless. “Erestor” Elladan said, “I do not believe I have ever seen you look this way.”
“And just what way is that Elladan?” he asked with just a touch of acid in his voice.
“I believe the word my brother is looking for is…”Magnificent, you look magnificent.”
“And deadly” Dan said with a satisfied smirk.
“Good,” Erestor replied, “because that is just the way I feel,” he replied as he forcefully slid his sword into the scabbard. “Let’s go,” he said as he breezed past the twins and out the door. As they strode down the corridor members of the household staff stopped in their tracks to look…and admire the sight. The vision of three dark-haired lethal warriors leaving The Last Homely House to settle a score.