SCENE XXV

[Scene: Orodreth sitting in his chambers behind his desk and ever-overflowing papers. Finduilas sits in her chamber next to it, with the door open, playing her harp. It is beautiful music, but Orodreth, looking at something with eyebrows lowered in confusion, interrupts her.]

Orodreth:

Finduilas, has Adanedhel spoken to you about the bridge, or anything concerning the armies of the North?

                [the music stops. Finduilas’ voices comes from the other room:]

Finduilas: [calm:]

                No, Father. He never speaks to me of battle or any such thing.

Orodreth:

I was not sure. You speak with him much more now than you did. I am glad you have overcome your grievance against him.

                [pause; no answer]

                Well I do need his advice on this. It is an important matter.

Finduilas: [voice coming suddenly from the other room]

                Do you ask his advice on all matters?

Orodreth: [one eyebrow raised]

                Yes. Why should I not? He is my best counselor.

Finduilas:

                Oh, no reason. I just wondered.

Orodreth:

He has so much more experience and skill, it seems, than my other counselors. I do not know who he is or where he has come from, or where he has learned so much.

Finduilas: [weakly:]

                Even more than Gwindor?

[At this, Orodreth face softens, and he gets up and goes to the open door, and sees Finduilas sitting by the harp, her arms hanging by her sides, her face wan.]

Orodreth: [softly:]

My dear … I understand your sorrow. Gwindor is – he was a valiant defence to Morgoth, before the War; but, not due to any fault or shame of his own, he can no longer be in that way – as once he was.

                [Finduilas nods, looking away, and says nothing.]

Now his … his strength is small, and he is no longer forward in arms. He – none in the Council agrees with him any longer.

Finduilas: [with tears in her eyes, looking away]

                He has fallen into dishonour.

Orodreth: [comes over to her]

                No, Finduilas, he is still –

Finduilas: [continuing:]

                And it is all my fault! Oh, why could I not be content!

                [She bursts into tears. Orodreth looks surprised by this sudden reaction.]

Orodreth: [trying to make her see reason:]

No, of course it is not your fault in the least that Gwindor is falling back into his darkness and sadness. It is the effects of – his captivity.

Finduilas: [through tears]

                But – it has been over four years since he returned!

Orodreth:

I think it is because he is over opposed to Adanedhel in the council,  and it disheartens him.

                [Finduilas shakes her head, but does not answer. Seeming to decide something:]

I know how to cheer you! I need to speak to Adanedhel; would you mind finding him for me and bringing him here?

                [she suddenly stops all movement; pause]

Finduilas:

                No, Father. Please, you go find him.

                [Orodreth shrugs and sighs, as if he doesn’t know what else to do.]

Orodreth:

                Very well.

[He sighs again, then turns away from her, still sitting at her harp, and leaves her, shutting the door softly behind him. She sits there for a moment, drying her tears, then begins to pluck erratically at the strings of her harp. After a moment, a tune begins to form, and she sings, making it up as she goes along. You can find the words of the song, by Thorsten Renk, here. If you would like to hear me singing it with harp, please email me. After the first two stanzas, there is a soft knock on the outer door, but Finduilas doesn’t hear it, and the door opens softly, revealing Celebrimbor. He stops, hearing the music, and listens, until the end of the song. As she begins to sing the last stanza again, he goes out again, shutting the door behind him. Then he knocks again, much louder this time. The music stops abruptly, and Finduilas lays aside her harp with a flush on her face.]

Finduilas:

                Who is it? Come in.

[Celebrimbor opens the door and reveals himself. She looks slightly relieved to see that it is he.]

Celebrimbor:

                Ah – hello, cousin. I had a question for your father.

Finduilas:

                Oh, he is not here now. I am sorry.

Celebrimbor:

                That is well. I will wait for him. Is that all right?

Finduilas:

                Oh yes, that is fine.

                [Celebrimbor sits down by her on an embroidered chair.]

                How was your class on mineralology today?

Celebrimbor: [frowns]

Well, although my students seem to be learning much, it takes so much of my time away from my own studies…

Finduilas:

                You should have fewer students, and spend more time on your theories.

Celebrimbor: [sighs]

                Perhaps; but I also need to learn from others, which is such an important factor.

Finduilas: [nods]

                Yes. I think you are right: I have learned so much – so much about …

                [she stops]

Celebrimbor: [nods]

                Yes, I have learned a lot from Adanedhel as well.

                [at her surprise:]

                That is who you were speaking of, is it not?

Finduilas: [confused:]

                It was – maybe – I thought – how did you – ?

                [shaking her head]

                I do not know. Perhaps.

Celebrimbor: [softly:]

                Finduilas, I think you and I might learn from each other.

Finduilas: [eyebrows lowered in thought / confusion]

                What do you mean?

Celebrimbor: [gentle:]

You know that … I long held … a regard for your kinswoman, although she … did not return that sentiment, and chose instead the Tree Lord.

                [Finduilas is silent, but he perceives that her lip trembles, and she does not look at him.]

Finduilas:

                I do love Gwindor. Very much.

Celebrimbor: [softly:]

                I know; and he loves you more than he could say.

                [tears spring to her eyes and she turns her face away from him, so he cannot see it]

Finduilas: [with a slight sob sticking in her throat:]

                I know.

                [Celebrimbor lays his hand softly on her shoulder]

Celebrimbor: [consoling:]

                But I was not speaking of Gwindor, as I think you know.

                [pause]

I know – you feel he can understand you, and you understand him; you are drawn to him somehow, perhaps because of his silence, and your nurturing nature.

                [her pale cheeks flush slightly, but she does  not look at him or answer]

You feel you have an affinity with him, and you admire him – for many reasons.

                [Finduilas leans down and puts her face in her hands, her shoulders hunched wearily]

Finduilas: [brokenly:]

He can understand me. He – he is the only one I could, can talk to about Gwindor; no one else truly comprehends how he has changed. They all still recall how he was – but Adanedhel has only known him as he is … He – he knows.

Celebrimbor:

I see you hold a regard for him, as do many in this city; and rightly so, for he is noble, valiant, high-hearted, and … well, has the skill of leadership. That was born in him, as I see.

Finduilas: [nearly a whisper:]

                I know.

                [then, turning to him, earnestly:]

You see into my heart, cousin; you know my thoughts. Tell me now how faithless and cruel I have been!

Celebrimbor: [looking at her gravely:]

                I can place no such judgment on you. What does your heart say to you?

[she looks down at her hands, thinking, for several moments, then her gaze goes back to him again]

Finduilas:

                I know it is wrong of me, and I am miserable, for I cannot help it!

                [she looks into his eyes; earnestly:]

I love him, Celebrimbor! I love him more and more as each day passes and I cannot help him. I have tried to squash it; I have tried to crush those feelings since they first began. I determined not to see him. But then … I would come across him someplace, and I could not forbear to stop and speak with him, seeing the sorrow in his face, or the shadow of some memory from long ago. I long to know what he is thinking, what goes on within his mind. What could such a skilled and intelligent mind dwell on for so long?

Celebrimbor:

                There is some shadow in his past of sorrow.

Finduilas:

Yes, and he told me, just a few days past, for the first time, somewhat his childhood and this father’s house in his growing years. And I – I do not even know his name!

Celebrimbor:

It seems he enjoys your company as well: he will seek you out at time, and speak with you. Perhaps you comfort him.

                [she turns away, shutting her eyes from the eats that come to them]

Finduilas:

I would it were not so! I would that I had never seen him. Then I should be content. I shall never be content now. And I have deeply hurt one that I love.

Celebrimbor:

                Does Gwindor know of this?

Finduilas:

That is my misery, that I should betray him! He is so sad and silent now, and I think he – has seen something, that others have not. He has lost the joy that he once had again gained here.

Celebrimbor:

                His eyes are sharp, and full of wisdom. He knows possibly more than you think.

Finduilas: [anguished:]

But why do I tremble when he enters a room, and my heart flutter when he speaks to me softly in his deep, flowing voice? And why does my heart melt when he smiles – one of his rare, beautiful smiles? Why is his face so fair?

                [she stops and puts her head in her hands. After a moment she looks up at him again]

Against my will, I keep thinking of Beren, and Lúthien. But he is not like Beren! He does not scorn me, and is glad in my company.

Celebrimbor: [hesitant:]

                And – does he love you, as well?

Finduilas: [looks away]

Not, I do not think – he has not love of the kind that I wish.

                [she sighs; sadly:]

                His mind and heart are elsewhere, by rivers in springs long past.

                [there is a long pause; Celebrimbor looks grave and pensive]

Celebrimbor:

That I see. But, my dear cousin, I fell that you must speak to Gwindor concerning this, hard as it may seem. You cannot hide this form him.

Finduilas: [anguished:]

                Shall I pain him more?

Celebrimbor: [regretfully:]

                He sees much already, and your honesty would aid him more than silence.

                [pause]

Finduilas:

                I can think of no such thing now – perhaps later I may. I – I will try, Celebrimbor.

[He smiles at her sadly. Just then the door to the apartments opens, and Orodreth comes in, with Túrin behind him. The King sees them sitting there.]

Orodreth:

                Ah, greetings, Celebrimbor. Were you waiting for me?

Celebrimbor:

                I was. I have a question to ask you, if you have a moment.

Orodreth:

                Yes, just bring it over here.

[He goes over by his desk. Celebrimbor stands up, laying his hand in one more consoling gesture on Finduilas’ shoulder, gets up and goes over with him. As soon as Túrin entered the room, and Finduilas saw him, a red blush flushed her cheek. She gets up after Celebrimbor leaves her, and Túrin seems to notice her. He turns to look at her.]

Túrin:

                My lady.

                [her face turns pale, and she tries to walk around him to exit]

Finduilas:

                Adanedhel – excuse me, please – I must leave.

[she skirts past him, and goes out the door in an agitated flurry, shutting it behind her, and leaving Túrin looking slightly confused. After a moment he goes over to where Celebrimbor and Orodreth are talking.]

Celebrimbor:

                So then I do not need to take charge of the problem on the South bank.

Orodreth: [shaking his head]

                No. I will have – Adanedhel take care of that.

Celebrimbor: [looking relieved]

                Oh good. Thank you, Orodreth. My eternal thanks to you.

Orodreth: [with one eyebrow raised]

                Flattery will do you no good, Master Smith.

Celebrimbor: [with a hopeful smile]

                No, but it could make you not assign me to the Balar project.

                [Orodreth smiles at this]

Orodreth:

                Perhaps.

Celebrimbor:

                Well, I had best go: theories to work on, you know.

Túrin: [interrupts him before he can leave:]

Celebrimbor, do you know by chance why Lady Finduilas seemed so agitated? She looked troubled.

Orodreth:

                I have noticed it as well, but I am not sure why.

Túrin:

                I have tried to assure her of the safety of Nargothrond, that she does not worry.

                [Celebrimbor looks thoughtful for a moment.]

Celebrimbor:

                Well, I had best go. I shall see you soon.

Orodreth:

                Farewell, Celebrimbor.

[Túrin nods to him. Celebrimbor leaves the room, looking troubled at his thoughts and shuts the door behind him. Scene fades.]