Post by Rhonda on May 22, 2014 21:46:22 GMT -5
Chapter 9 – And We Begin Again
Elrond knocked softly on the door to Haldir and Rúmil’s sammoth; it opened to reveal the Marchwarden with a finger pressed to his lips to ensure that the quiet in the room would continue. “He has just fallen off to sleep,” he said as the elf lord entered the room. With his eyes on Estel, Elrond patted Haldir on the arm and whispered “hannon le” to the obviously worried guardian.
“Has he said anything?” Elrond questioned.
“No” Rúmil answered, “not since you left. It is a blessing that he finally dosed off, for he has been shaking without respite since we brought him back to our rooms.”
“With everything he has seen and heard today I doubt it not. I have dealt with Glorfindel and Erestor. You may as well know now, I have forbidden either of them to speak to Estel or to approach him in any way without my approval. I have also separated them; they are to have no contact with each other until this animosity between them is resolved. I will expect the two of you as Estel’s tirn to make sure that my wishes are carried out.”
“Of course my lord. As you will.”
“Normally I would not involve anyone else in this situation, but the two of you know them better than anyone. I would ask that you inform me if you see the two of them together. I cannot allow a repeat of today’s behavior in my home.”
“We understand milord.”
“Glorfindel has been relocated here to the guest wing, and here he will stay while he contemplates his part in this debacle .”
“I understand that this is probably for the best,” Haldir said, “but I know this will be particularly hard on Erestor.” “He loves Estel dearly, thinks of him as his own, he must be devastated by your edict.”
“All that you say is true Haldir, but Estel must be my first priority. I cannot concern myself with the feelings of adults when the welfare of my child hangs in the balance. Estel has to know that his father will do whatever is necessary to protect him, including removing anyone from his life who presents a danger to him. He has to know that when all else fails I will be there.”
Haldir nodded his understanding as the great elf lord leaned down and took Estel from Rúmil’s arms. Holding the baby close and stroking his back he continued…
”I want to thank you and Rúmil for taking such good care of my boy. It speaks volumes to your character, that when he was in trouble and could not find me, he came straight to you. That you confronted both Glorfindel and Erestor without reservation, despite your longtime friendship, speaks to the level of devotion you have for my son. I want you both to know that I will always remember this day, for once again you have proved to me that my decision to appoint the two of you as his tirn was the right one.”
Haldir bowed his head and crossed his heart with his hand in acknowledgement of Elrond’s declaration of faith. “It is our honor to serve Milord, Estel has become dear to our hearts.”
“At least it is over now,” Rúmil added.
“Unfortunately Rúmil I believe this to be just the beginning of the storm. I do not know if the twins are yet aware of what has happened.”
Haldir closed his eyes and shook his head. “Oh…sweet Elbereth, it will be as if the hounds of Mordor have been unleashed when they find out what has happened to their brother.”
“I fear that your assessment is true Haldir, and not only the twins, there will be many more confrontations once this becomes common knowledge to those closest to Estel. I fear that there will be many fires that will need to be put out before things get back to any semblance of normalcy. In the coming days I will need to rely on the two of you quite heavily. Fear has claimed my son’s confidence and it may be slow going helping him to find himself again.”
Rúmil’s eyes filled with tears as he spoke, “He is only four summers old, and already he has seen more devastation and heartache in his life than anyone should ever have to endure.” As he looked at the sleeping child Rúmil could not help but think back to the time when he and his brothers lost their parents. Feelings of how afraid they were resurfaced, how terrified that they too would be found by the orcs and butchered as their traveling party had been. As he tried to rid himself of the memories, his brother stood behind him rubbing his shoulder, instinctively knowing his thoughts, for they were his thoughts as well.
“But Estel is not alone brother, we are here to help and protect him. All will be well, do not fret. And remember,” he said as he tried to lighten the moment, “we have a secret weapon with us.”
Rúmil smiled and quickly wiped the tears from his eyes. “Yes, of course you are right brother, we have Orophin, there is no counselor better than Phin, if anyone can restore Estel’s faith it is our brother.”
“Our ‘liddle brudder’,” Haldir corrected in Estel speak.
Mimicking Estel brought the smile back to Rúmil’s face, “He is quite taken with Phin, and how someone we call ‘little’ can be so big. Yes…Phin will bring him back to us.”
Elrond nodded his agreement and slowly moved towards the door. “I will keep Estel with me today in my room he needs quiet right now.” As he made to leave he stopped halfway through the portal and turned back to the two wardens. With his son safe in his arms his heart once again softened. “Haldir will you do me a favor?”
“Of course milord, anything.”
“Look in on Erestor for me. I was very harsh with him earlier, I know that he loves Estel but my anger will not allow me to treat with him right now. With Glorfindel, Estel and me gone...there is really no one he can turn to for comfort. Take care of him.”
“I will” Haldir nodded.
Elrond then headed to his bedchamber to lie down with his sleeping son. Haldir closed the door and as he turned back into the room he was not surprised when Rúmil flung himself into his arms. Embracing his brother tightly he tried to quell the memories he knew were flooding Rúmil’s mind. “Let it go. let it rest brother, do not let the fear claim your heart….it is not like it was for us…Estel is not alone.”
~~~~~
Word of the fight between Glorfindel and Erestor spread through the Last Homely House like wildfire, and it was not long before news of Estel’s injury reached the ears of his brothers Elladan and Elrohir. The twins were in the dining room when Adril exited the kitchen red-eyed and sniffling. It took only a few moments for her to tell Elrohir the little that she knew; that Glorfindel and Erestor had fought and Estel had been cut. As he passed the dining table where Elladan sat, he called out to his brother to follow him. The grim and determined look on his face cut short the flirtatious conversation Dan had been having with Perwaen and he quickly followed his brother from the hall.
“Roh, what is going on?” he questioned.
“Estel has been injured,” he said as he hurried down the corridor heading towards the stairs and their father’s bedchamber.
The elder twin grabbed his arm and stopped him before he could take another step. “What are you talking about, what has happened to our brother?”
Elrohir related the little he was able to get out of Adril before she dissolved into tears for the second time.
“Where is he now?”
“Upstairs with Adar,” he said taking the stairs two at a time.
“How did this happen? Elladan queried.
“All I know is there was some kind of fight and…”
“Fight between whom?”
“Glorfindel and Erestor.”
Again Elladan stopped his brother’s steps. “What are you talking about…a fight... a physical fight between those two? That is absurd! They would never lay hands on each other in anger.”
“Well apparently they did, not only that but they threw things at each other and our brother wound up with glass in his leg!”
Elladan was flabbergasted. “They fought with Estel in the room?”
“Yes and according to Adril, Estel was so frightened he has gone mute…he is not speaking, not to anyone.”
Just then they reached their father’s door, Elladan knocked gently then opened it and entered with his brother right behind him. At first it was difficult to see as the drapes were drawn and the lanterns had been turned down low. Gradually their eyes adjusted to the soft, dim lamplight and Elladan could see his father’s head rise up from the pillow, followed by Elrond pressing a finger to his lips to quiet them. The brothers made their way to the side of the bed and looked down to find Estel lying in Elrond’s arms, sleeping soundly but still sucking his thumb.
The child clutched his tattered white rabbit Niphredil tight to his chest and his bandaged leg just peeked out from under his sunshine blankey. Elrond slowly extricated himself from the embrace and motioned his sons away from the bed. Elrohir followed his father to the other side of the room, but Elladan stood transfixed, staring at Estel’s bandaged leg. Sitting on the side of the bed the distraught elf gently tucked his brother’s leg under the blanket as he searched Estel’s tear-streaked face for any signs of waking. Tenderly he kissed his brother’s cheek as he marveled at how truly small he was.
When Estel was up and running from pillar to post, getting into mischief and being underfoot as only a four-year-old can, it was sometimes difficult to remember how fragile humans were. However, lying there so still and silent, his vulnerability was brought home all the more. While Elrond explained the events of the morning to his middle son, Elladan sat contemplating how something like this could have happened to his baby brother, and what he was going to do the one responsible.
~~~~~
Erestor sat motionless on the side of the big four-poster bed. Dried tears staining his cheeks, he could not believe how the events of the day had unfolded and how out of control he had allowed himself to become. All he’d really wanted was to make his mate understand that he would not be treated like an afterthought, that he counted in this relationship every bit as much as Glorfindel. He had not intended to fight, had not even intended to argue, but the slayer’s dismissive attitude had awakened something inside him that he’d thought long gone, or at least under tight control… temper – raging temper. He’d not felt that kind of anger since his days on the battlefield, not since the last alliance when rage and anger were doled out in equal measure against the enemy.
Yet Glorfindel was not his enemy; still, he’d unleashed his fury against him with no remorse and no compassion. And what of Estel, the wee one who had done wrong to no one? He’d fought with Glorfindel but t’was the babe, his little love, who bore the brunt of his anger.
‘How ever am I to make this right?’ he pondered, now that Elrond had separated him from his beloved and forbade him to go near the child. These were the thoughts that consumed him as he sat in quiet contemplation of his acts. He knew that nothing he could say would get Elrond to rescind his edict regarding Glorfindel, but perhaps, just perhaps his friend would have mercy where Estel was concerned. He loved Estel, Elrond knew this, and he could not possibly believe that Erestor would ever intentionally harm the boy. There it was then, there was nothing to do but to throw himself on Elrond’s mercy, beg forgiveness for his foolishness and pray to the Valar that his unfaltering devotion to the House of Elrond would count him in good stead.
The soft knock on the door roused him from his reverie and as he crossed the room to the door he swiped at his eyes with his sleeve. He knew that Elrond’s anger would not be the end of it; there would be others that he would have to face and he steeled himself for the inevitable. Opening the door he found Cilinwë standing on the other side. So shamed was he by the day’s events he could not look the Master of Swords in the eye. He stood there with his head hung in shame waiting for what he suspected would be a thorough lecture on decorum and responsibility, he was prepared for that, but what he got shocked him.
“May I come in?” the stern-faced sword master inquired.
“Of course,” he answered, his voice just above a whisper as he stepped to the side inviting his old friend inside. Closing the door he turned to face the music.
“I should be very angry with you right now,” Cilinwë offered, “But my sense is that right now you could probably use a friend.” Erestor looked up with tear-filled eyes and walked into Cilinwë’s arms. The diminutive seneschal broke down into full-fledged sobs. “I did not mean it…I would never hurt the baby, you know that…I would die before I let him come to harm.”
“I know…I know, it was an accident,” he said as he held Erestor tighter, “Elrond will come to see that in time.”
“Have you seen him yet Linwë? Is he all right? Elrond said that his leg was cut and now he will not let me see him and I am going mad with worry. Is it bad?”
“Calm yourself Erestor, from what I understand it was three cuts on his leg, they were not deep or long, just frightening and painful for one so young. Try not to worry, everything will be all right. Come, sit over here by the fire and I will get someone to bring us some tea.” Crossing the room Cilinwë tugged on the tapestry bell pull to summon a servant. Within a few minutes Golros’ wife Adril appeared at the door; when it opened, she was surprised to find Cilinwë standing there instead of Erestor.
“Oh…Master Cilinwë, was it you who rang for service?”
“Yes Adril, Lord Erestor is not feeling well. Could you bring us a pot of tea please? And perhaps a couple of Lady Nilya’s buttered rolls, if there are any, I do not believe that he has eaten anything since break of fast.”
“Of course Master Cilinwë, I will bring it right away.” Turning from the door to leave, she stopped and inquired, “Is he going to be all right? We are all quite worried about him.”
“He is understandably upset and quite shaken right now, but I think he will be all right.”
“Good, good, everyone is so worried. No one has ever seen the Lords Glorfindel and Erestor at odds this way…this morning has been quite a shock to us all.”
“Well perhaps with our support they can get things back to the way they were before. We must all do what we can to help them through this.”
“Of course, of course, Lady Nilya has said the same thing, I know that she plans to talk to Glorfindel as soon as things calm down a bit, and we have all sent our prayers to the Valar that things are resolved quickly.”
“Yes we all hope that.”
“Well, I see he is in good hands, so let me go and get the tea, I will be back as soon as I can.” Adril turned and hurried away down the corridor, hope in her heart that her words would ring true, that Erestor and Glorfindel would make peace and that calm and serenity would return to the Last Homely House once again.
~~~~~
Serenity and calm, two things that were not on Elladan’s mind as he made his way through the guest quarters heading for Glorfindel’s new accommodations. As he approached the door he could see Haldir and Rúmil exiting their sammoth from the opposite end of the hall. Rúmil called out to him but Elladan was focused on one thing and one thing only, getting to Glorfindel. The brothers walked quickly and then began to run towards him as they watched Elladan pound on the door screaming Glorfindel’s name.
“Glorfindel! Glorfindel open this door! Open it now or I will kick it in!” Elladan’s declaration of intent happened just as Elrohir reached the bottom of the stairs. Roh too called out to the irate elf, but there was no stopping him. Haldir had almost reached him when he put his boot to the door for the first time.
“OPEN (boom) THIS (boom) DOOR (boom) NOW!” The door flew open and an enraged Elladan bounded through it. Glorfindel stood from his chair and turned to face the door just as Elladan threw a debilitating left cross that landed firmly on the right side of Glorfindel’s jaw. The balrog slayer made no attempt to defend himself and landed with a resounding thud on the floor in front of the fireplace, knocking over a small table and a decanter of sherry as he fell. As Elladan advanced on Glorfindel, Haldir ultimately reached the room and threw both arms around the twin preventing him from taking another swing. At long last Rúmil and Elrohir reached the room and it took all three elves to hold Dan back from his onslaught.
“What were you thinking!” he bellowed as his brother and friends restrained him. “Your mayhem could have killed him!”
The golden one laid on the floor adjusting his jawbone as Elladan was pulled further away from him.
“Stop it Dan, leave him be!” Roh shouted. “It was an accident, stop this, let it go!” While the three elves struggled to get Elladan under control Glorfindel regained his feet and stood before them rubbing his jaw.
“I deserved that,” he said sincerely, “I had that coming to me, what happened to Estel was my fault, but it was an accident, one that I shall regret for many moons to come. But let this be the end of it Elladan, let this be your last time to seek revenge against me. I love you and your brothers…but as much as I love you I will not let this happen again.” Glorfindel then picked up his scabbard, bow and quiver and his travel bag and exited the room leaving the still struggling elf in his wake.
Elrond knocked softly on the door to Haldir and Rúmil’s sammoth; it opened to reveal the Marchwarden with a finger pressed to his lips to ensure that the quiet in the room would continue. “He has just fallen off to sleep,” he said as the elf lord entered the room. With his eyes on Estel, Elrond patted Haldir on the arm and whispered “hannon le” to the obviously worried guardian.
“Has he said anything?” Elrond questioned.
“No” Rúmil answered, “not since you left. It is a blessing that he finally dosed off, for he has been shaking without respite since we brought him back to our rooms.”
“With everything he has seen and heard today I doubt it not. I have dealt with Glorfindel and Erestor. You may as well know now, I have forbidden either of them to speak to Estel or to approach him in any way without my approval. I have also separated them; they are to have no contact with each other until this animosity between them is resolved. I will expect the two of you as Estel’s tirn to make sure that my wishes are carried out.”
“Of course my lord. As you will.”
“Normally I would not involve anyone else in this situation, but the two of you know them better than anyone. I would ask that you inform me if you see the two of them together. I cannot allow a repeat of today’s behavior in my home.”
“We understand milord.”
“Glorfindel has been relocated here to the guest wing, and here he will stay while he contemplates his part in this debacle .”
“I understand that this is probably for the best,” Haldir said, “but I know this will be particularly hard on Erestor.” “He loves Estel dearly, thinks of him as his own, he must be devastated by your edict.”
“All that you say is true Haldir, but Estel must be my first priority. I cannot concern myself with the feelings of adults when the welfare of my child hangs in the balance. Estel has to know that his father will do whatever is necessary to protect him, including removing anyone from his life who presents a danger to him. He has to know that when all else fails I will be there.”
Haldir nodded his understanding as the great elf lord leaned down and took Estel from Rúmil’s arms. Holding the baby close and stroking his back he continued…
”I want to thank you and Rúmil for taking such good care of my boy. It speaks volumes to your character, that when he was in trouble and could not find me, he came straight to you. That you confronted both Glorfindel and Erestor without reservation, despite your longtime friendship, speaks to the level of devotion you have for my son. I want you both to know that I will always remember this day, for once again you have proved to me that my decision to appoint the two of you as his tirn was the right one.”
Haldir bowed his head and crossed his heart with his hand in acknowledgement of Elrond’s declaration of faith. “It is our honor to serve Milord, Estel has become dear to our hearts.”
“At least it is over now,” Rúmil added.
“Unfortunately Rúmil I believe this to be just the beginning of the storm. I do not know if the twins are yet aware of what has happened.”
Haldir closed his eyes and shook his head. “Oh…sweet Elbereth, it will be as if the hounds of Mordor have been unleashed when they find out what has happened to their brother.”
“I fear that your assessment is true Haldir, and not only the twins, there will be many more confrontations once this becomes common knowledge to those closest to Estel. I fear that there will be many fires that will need to be put out before things get back to any semblance of normalcy. In the coming days I will need to rely on the two of you quite heavily. Fear has claimed my son’s confidence and it may be slow going helping him to find himself again.”
Rúmil’s eyes filled with tears as he spoke, “He is only four summers old, and already he has seen more devastation and heartache in his life than anyone should ever have to endure.” As he looked at the sleeping child Rúmil could not help but think back to the time when he and his brothers lost their parents. Feelings of how afraid they were resurfaced, how terrified that they too would be found by the orcs and butchered as their traveling party had been. As he tried to rid himself of the memories, his brother stood behind him rubbing his shoulder, instinctively knowing his thoughts, for they were his thoughts as well.
“But Estel is not alone brother, we are here to help and protect him. All will be well, do not fret. And remember,” he said as he tried to lighten the moment, “we have a secret weapon with us.”
Rúmil smiled and quickly wiped the tears from his eyes. “Yes, of course you are right brother, we have Orophin, there is no counselor better than Phin, if anyone can restore Estel’s faith it is our brother.”
“Our ‘liddle brudder’,” Haldir corrected in Estel speak.
Mimicking Estel brought the smile back to Rúmil’s face, “He is quite taken with Phin, and how someone we call ‘little’ can be so big. Yes…Phin will bring him back to us.”
Elrond nodded his agreement and slowly moved towards the door. “I will keep Estel with me today in my room he needs quiet right now.” As he made to leave he stopped halfway through the portal and turned back to the two wardens. With his son safe in his arms his heart once again softened. “Haldir will you do me a favor?”
“Of course milord, anything.”
“Look in on Erestor for me. I was very harsh with him earlier, I know that he loves Estel but my anger will not allow me to treat with him right now. With Glorfindel, Estel and me gone...there is really no one he can turn to for comfort. Take care of him.”
“I will” Haldir nodded.
Elrond then headed to his bedchamber to lie down with his sleeping son. Haldir closed the door and as he turned back into the room he was not surprised when Rúmil flung himself into his arms. Embracing his brother tightly he tried to quell the memories he knew were flooding Rúmil’s mind. “Let it go. let it rest brother, do not let the fear claim your heart….it is not like it was for us…Estel is not alone.”
~~~~~
Word of the fight between Glorfindel and Erestor spread through the Last Homely House like wildfire, and it was not long before news of Estel’s injury reached the ears of his brothers Elladan and Elrohir. The twins were in the dining room when Adril exited the kitchen red-eyed and sniffling. It took only a few moments for her to tell Elrohir the little that she knew; that Glorfindel and Erestor had fought and Estel had been cut. As he passed the dining table where Elladan sat, he called out to his brother to follow him. The grim and determined look on his face cut short the flirtatious conversation Dan had been having with Perwaen and he quickly followed his brother from the hall.
“Roh, what is going on?” he questioned.
“Estel has been injured,” he said as he hurried down the corridor heading towards the stairs and their father’s bedchamber.
The elder twin grabbed his arm and stopped him before he could take another step. “What are you talking about, what has happened to our brother?”
Elrohir related the little he was able to get out of Adril before she dissolved into tears for the second time.
“Where is he now?”
“Upstairs with Adar,” he said taking the stairs two at a time.
“How did this happen? Elladan queried.
“All I know is there was some kind of fight and…”
“Fight between whom?”
“Glorfindel and Erestor.”
Again Elladan stopped his brother’s steps. “What are you talking about…a fight... a physical fight between those two? That is absurd! They would never lay hands on each other in anger.”
“Well apparently they did, not only that but they threw things at each other and our brother wound up with glass in his leg!”
Elladan was flabbergasted. “They fought with Estel in the room?”
“Yes and according to Adril, Estel was so frightened he has gone mute…he is not speaking, not to anyone.”
Just then they reached their father’s door, Elladan knocked gently then opened it and entered with his brother right behind him. At first it was difficult to see as the drapes were drawn and the lanterns had been turned down low. Gradually their eyes adjusted to the soft, dim lamplight and Elladan could see his father’s head rise up from the pillow, followed by Elrond pressing a finger to his lips to quiet them. The brothers made their way to the side of the bed and looked down to find Estel lying in Elrond’s arms, sleeping soundly but still sucking his thumb.
The child clutched his tattered white rabbit Niphredil tight to his chest and his bandaged leg just peeked out from under his sunshine blankey. Elrond slowly extricated himself from the embrace and motioned his sons away from the bed. Elrohir followed his father to the other side of the room, but Elladan stood transfixed, staring at Estel’s bandaged leg. Sitting on the side of the bed the distraught elf gently tucked his brother’s leg under the blanket as he searched Estel’s tear-streaked face for any signs of waking. Tenderly he kissed his brother’s cheek as he marveled at how truly small he was.
When Estel was up and running from pillar to post, getting into mischief and being underfoot as only a four-year-old can, it was sometimes difficult to remember how fragile humans were. However, lying there so still and silent, his vulnerability was brought home all the more. While Elrond explained the events of the morning to his middle son, Elladan sat contemplating how something like this could have happened to his baby brother, and what he was going to do the one responsible.
~~~~~
Erestor sat motionless on the side of the big four-poster bed. Dried tears staining his cheeks, he could not believe how the events of the day had unfolded and how out of control he had allowed himself to become. All he’d really wanted was to make his mate understand that he would not be treated like an afterthought, that he counted in this relationship every bit as much as Glorfindel. He had not intended to fight, had not even intended to argue, but the slayer’s dismissive attitude had awakened something inside him that he’d thought long gone, or at least under tight control… temper – raging temper. He’d not felt that kind of anger since his days on the battlefield, not since the last alliance when rage and anger were doled out in equal measure against the enemy.
Yet Glorfindel was not his enemy; still, he’d unleashed his fury against him with no remorse and no compassion. And what of Estel, the wee one who had done wrong to no one? He’d fought with Glorfindel but t’was the babe, his little love, who bore the brunt of his anger.
‘How ever am I to make this right?’ he pondered, now that Elrond had separated him from his beloved and forbade him to go near the child. These were the thoughts that consumed him as he sat in quiet contemplation of his acts. He knew that nothing he could say would get Elrond to rescind his edict regarding Glorfindel, but perhaps, just perhaps his friend would have mercy where Estel was concerned. He loved Estel, Elrond knew this, and he could not possibly believe that Erestor would ever intentionally harm the boy. There it was then, there was nothing to do but to throw himself on Elrond’s mercy, beg forgiveness for his foolishness and pray to the Valar that his unfaltering devotion to the House of Elrond would count him in good stead.
The soft knock on the door roused him from his reverie and as he crossed the room to the door he swiped at his eyes with his sleeve. He knew that Elrond’s anger would not be the end of it; there would be others that he would have to face and he steeled himself for the inevitable. Opening the door he found Cilinwë standing on the other side. So shamed was he by the day’s events he could not look the Master of Swords in the eye. He stood there with his head hung in shame waiting for what he suspected would be a thorough lecture on decorum and responsibility, he was prepared for that, but what he got shocked him.
“May I come in?” the stern-faced sword master inquired.
“Of course,” he answered, his voice just above a whisper as he stepped to the side inviting his old friend inside. Closing the door he turned to face the music.
“I should be very angry with you right now,” Cilinwë offered, “But my sense is that right now you could probably use a friend.” Erestor looked up with tear-filled eyes and walked into Cilinwë’s arms. The diminutive seneschal broke down into full-fledged sobs. “I did not mean it…I would never hurt the baby, you know that…I would die before I let him come to harm.”
“I know…I know, it was an accident,” he said as he held Erestor tighter, “Elrond will come to see that in time.”
“Have you seen him yet Linwë? Is he all right? Elrond said that his leg was cut and now he will not let me see him and I am going mad with worry. Is it bad?”
“Calm yourself Erestor, from what I understand it was three cuts on his leg, they were not deep or long, just frightening and painful for one so young. Try not to worry, everything will be all right. Come, sit over here by the fire and I will get someone to bring us some tea.” Crossing the room Cilinwë tugged on the tapestry bell pull to summon a servant. Within a few minutes Golros’ wife Adril appeared at the door; when it opened, she was surprised to find Cilinwë standing there instead of Erestor.
“Oh…Master Cilinwë, was it you who rang for service?”
“Yes Adril, Lord Erestor is not feeling well. Could you bring us a pot of tea please? And perhaps a couple of Lady Nilya’s buttered rolls, if there are any, I do not believe that he has eaten anything since break of fast.”
“Of course Master Cilinwë, I will bring it right away.” Turning from the door to leave, she stopped and inquired, “Is he going to be all right? We are all quite worried about him.”
“He is understandably upset and quite shaken right now, but I think he will be all right.”
“Good, good, everyone is so worried. No one has ever seen the Lords Glorfindel and Erestor at odds this way…this morning has been quite a shock to us all.”
“Well perhaps with our support they can get things back to the way they were before. We must all do what we can to help them through this.”
“Of course, of course, Lady Nilya has said the same thing, I know that she plans to talk to Glorfindel as soon as things calm down a bit, and we have all sent our prayers to the Valar that things are resolved quickly.”
“Yes we all hope that.”
“Well, I see he is in good hands, so let me go and get the tea, I will be back as soon as I can.” Adril turned and hurried away down the corridor, hope in her heart that her words would ring true, that Erestor and Glorfindel would make peace and that calm and serenity would return to the Last Homely House once again.
~~~~~
Serenity and calm, two things that were not on Elladan’s mind as he made his way through the guest quarters heading for Glorfindel’s new accommodations. As he approached the door he could see Haldir and Rúmil exiting their sammoth from the opposite end of the hall. Rúmil called out to him but Elladan was focused on one thing and one thing only, getting to Glorfindel. The brothers walked quickly and then began to run towards him as they watched Elladan pound on the door screaming Glorfindel’s name.
“Glorfindel! Glorfindel open this door! Open it now or I will kick it in!” Elladan’s declaration of intent happened just as Elrohir reached the bottom of the stairs. Roh too called out to the irate elf, but there was no stopping him. Haldir had almost reached him when he put his boot to the door for the first time.
“OPEN (boom) THIS (boom) DOOR (boom) NOW!” The door flew open and an enraged Elladan bounded through it. Glorfindel stood from his chair and turned to face the door just as Elladan threw a debilitating left cross that landed firmly on the right side of Glorfindel’s jaw. The balrog slayer made no attempt to defend himself and landed with a resounding thud on the floor in front of the fireplace, knocking over a small table and a decanter of sherry as he fell. As Elladan advanced on Glorfindel, Haldir ultimately reached the room and threw both arms around the twin preventing him from taking another swing. At long last Rúmil and Elrohir reached the room and it took all three elves to hold Dan back from his onslaught.
“What were you thinking!” he bellowed as his brother and friends restrained him. “Your mayhem could have killed him!”
The golden one laid on the floor adjusting his jawbone as Elladan was pulled further away from him.
“Stop it Dan, leave him be!” Roh shouted. “It was an accident, stop this, let it go!” While the three elves struggled to get Elladan under control Glorfindel regained his feet and stood before them rubbing his jaw.
“I deserved that,” he said sincerely, “I had that coming to me, what happened to Estel was my fault, but it was an accident, one that I shall regret for many moons to come. But let this be the end of it Elladan, let this be your last time to seek revenge against me. I love you and your brothers…but as much as I love you I will not let this happen again.” Glorfindel then picked up his scabbard, bow and quiver and his travel bag and exited the room leaving the still struggling elf in his wake.