15: An Unexpected Meeting

Sador woke that morning to the realization that Glorfindel had never returned, but was not upset. He accepted that his two friends had a special relationship and he was happy enough to be able to share in it in whatever way they were willing to let him. He made his way to the dining hall to break his fast to find that only Amarië was there to greet him. Where the King and Queen were, none could or would say. Amarië looked put out and barely spoke to him. He ate quickly and made his way out to wander through the gardens until such time as Glorfindel and Finrod found him.

He was curious as to why guards stood at watch around a particular garden but was disinclined to ask, shy and uncertain of his status in the King’s household. The one guard he spoke to, asking directions to a particular fountain he remembered seeing but could no longer recall where, had spoken to him courteously enough and had even offered to show him the most direct path.

"Thank you," Sador said with a short bow. "I think I remember the way now." The guard nodded and Sador continued on his way, moving quietly along the path to the fountain. It was neither the largest nor even the loveliest fountain he had seen here, but it was his favorite — a pair of elflings frolicking with dolphins whose blow holes were the fountain itself. For some reason it reminded him of the Havens at Sirion. He remembered watching his sister play on the beach with the other elflings....

It was not until a handkerchief was thrust under his nose that Sador was even aware that he was crying. He looked up to see Glorfindel and Finrod standing there. They both looked sympathetic and when they sat down on either side of him he blurted out, "I miss my sister," and began crying all over again, much to his disgust and dismay.

Finrod put an arm around the younger ellon and held him close. He whispered, "I miss my sister, too," and Sador felt a little better, knowing that there was one who understood what he was feeling.

He pulled himself out of Finrod’s embrace, wiping his nose. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean..."

Finrod placed a finger on the ellon’s lips. "No apology is necessary, my friend, to us least of all."

"Finrod is correct, Sador," Glorfindel said softly, stroking the ellon’s hair. "Apologies are not needed between us. We’ve all been through much and know better than others what each is feeling and experiencing as we try to reclaim our lives. Lord Irmo told me that not all tears were an evil and often they offer renewal to our spirits. Weep if you must, and know that your tears are safe with us."

And with that Sador allowed himself to let go and to mourn for all that he had lost. How long he sat there between his two friends weeping he could not say, though the sun was barely halfway up the sky when he began to take notice of his surroundings again, so it could not have been all that long. Glorfindel and Finrod had taken turns holding him in their arms, murmuring softly words of comfort that only his fëa heard.

"Why don’t you wash your face and then we will go somewhere less public and talk," Finrod said when the tears finally began to slow and Sador complied, stooping down to splash some water from the fountain. He was feeling less melancholy, but he was still somewhat subdued and he was disinclined to engage in the easy banter that he enjoyed between his friends and the other two ellyn respected him enough not to try to cajole him into a lighter mood.

They made their way to Finrod’s own study where cool fruit drinks awaited them. Finrod motioned for his two friends to make themselves comfortable and they complied. For a while, none spoke, simply sipping their drinks and relaxing in each other’s company. It was Sador who finally broke the silence, looking at Glorfindel, but pointing at Finrod with his glass.

"Where did you find him?"

Glorfindel smiled. "In a tree, of course."

Sador raised an eyebrow. "Naked?" he asked, for he knew that Finrod had shared Glorfindel’s proclivity for removing all clothing when first re-embodied.

"Of course not!" Finrod protested. "What do you take me for?"

Sador shrugged. "Well one golden-haired Noldo is much like another..." He leapt out of his chair even as the other two converged on him, for he had half expected the attack. Laughing, he deftly avoided capture and ran to the door, throwing it open. "Catch me!" he cried as he ran down the hall past startled servants and guards with Glorfindel and Finrod running after him shouting imprecations and laughing at the same time. Sador rounded a corner and slowed as he realized that he had reached a dead end. He was in a short corridor with only a single door at the other end.

By now the other two ellyn had caught up and were nearly upon him so he ran down the corridor and threw open the door just as Finrod and Glorfindel gave shouts of triumph and tackled him. All three fell into the room in a laughing heap to find several swords pointed at them. Finrod was the first to realize just where they had landed.

"Uh-oh, we are so dead," he said in a strained voice.

"Again?" Glorfindel asked from the bottom of the heap, for somehow Sador had managed to get on top of him. He could see enough of the room and its occupants to have a fair idea just where they were and knew they were in deep trouble.

Sador’s eyes had gone very wide and he went very still. The sight of all those swords and the grim looks on the faces of the guards nearly unnerved him as flashes of the last time a sword had been pointed his way crossed his mind and he gave a slight whimper and hid his face in Glorfindel’s chest. Finrod patted him on the back.

"It’s all right, Sador," he said soothingly. "They won’t hurt you. Come now, I think it best if we get off the floor."

The swords never wavered as the three ellyn attempted to untangle themselves and climb to their feet. Beyond the ring of swords they saw Arafinwë standing with several other elves, most of them Teleri by their looks. The King had a resigned look on his face; most of the others were trying to hide smiles. The Telerin lord standing next to Arafinwë with an amused expression on his face was silver-haired and Finrod felt a chill run down his spine at the sight of this particular elf. He bowed and the other two ellyn copied him.

"My apologies, Atar," Finrod said as he straightened. "Glorfindel and I were chasing Sador and we...er...well we..."

"I see," came the quiet reply from the King. "And may one enquire as to why my firstborn son and a lord of the Noldor are running down the halls of my palace chasing after my ward?"

Sador gave a startled gasp. Ward? He was a royal ward? He felt the blood drain from his face, unsure how he should react to the King’s words.

Glorfindel came to his rescue by reaching up and slapping the back of Finrod’s head.

"Ouch! What did you do that for? Sador’s the one who started it."

"But you’re the oldest and should’ve known better," Glorfindel retorted smugly and many there chuckled, for the tone was just like any adult reprimanding a child, one some of them had used on their own elflings.

Sador completed the tableau by sticking out his tongue at Finrod and the silver-haired Telerin lord burst out laughing, soon joined by the others. Arafinwë gave an unspoken signal and the swords were put away and the guards moved back to their original positions against the walls. The King beckoned for the three ellyn to approach.

"Findaráto will you not offer your grandfather a kinsman’s greeting?"

Finrod hesitated for only a moment before turning to the Telerin lord, "Welcome, Anatar," he said softly and allowed his grandfather to take him into his embrace. They gave each other the kiss of close kin and Olwë of Alqualondë smiled at his inyo, stroking his hair.

"I am glad to see you again, hinya. These eyes have longed to look upon my daughter’s children and now my prayers have been granted, at least in part."

"And these two are in my keeping as well," Arafinwë said as he beckoned for Glorfindel and Sador to step forward. "This is Laurefindil, who prefers to be called Glorfindel, and who was a lord of Ondolindë, which was ruled by my nephew, Turucáno. And this is Sador, once of Lestanórë, ruled by your own brother, Elwë. Glorfindel, Sador, this is Olwë of Alqualondë, King of the Teleri of Aman and Atar to my beloved Eärwen."

Olwë of Alqualondë nodded in greeting as the two ellyn bowed again even more deeply than before. He raised an eyebrow at Arafinwë, "Your keeping?"

Arafinwë gave his guest a wry look. "Yes. Lord Námo apparently has decided it would do me good to care for elflings once again." He gave a long-suffering sigh and a pointed look at the three ellyn standing there, but Olwë wasn’t fooled.

He had seen how saddened Arafinwë had been upon returning to Tirion without his children and even more so when he returned after the War of Wrath having learned that all but one of his children were dead and his one surviving child denied the right to return with the other Exiles.

He, himself, had been reeling still from his own grief at the death and destruction caused by Fëanáro and his following, but he never blamed Arafinwë for his half-brother’s madness. The two had ended up helping one another through their grief. Now Olwë saw that his son-in-law and fellow ruler looked happier than he had seen him in too long. The look of exasperated love on Arafinwë’s face as the Noldorin king spoke to Findaráto and his friends was plain to see and Olwë rejoiced that his son-in-law was at last finding healing for himself.

Olwë laughed. "Ah, yes. I recall that when some of my own people were released there were a number of so-called adults running around playing games. We weren’t sure what to think of it at first, but eventually we decided to accept the inevitable and enjoy it while it lasted."

"The inevitable?" Arafinwë asked with a raised eyebrow.

Olwë nodded and winked at Arafinwë. "Demands for bedtime stories and drinks of water, not to mention a refusal to eat anything green."

Arafinwë practically sniggered. "Removing all items of clothing without a by-your-leave and climbing trees naked," he rejoined and watched in parental delight as both Finrod and Glorfindel turned interesting shades of red.

Olwë, when he noticed that Sador did not react with embarrassment at Arafinwë’s words, gave the Sinda a questioning look. Sador returned the Telerin king’s look with a virtuous smile of his own. "I know how to keep my clothes on." The tone was that of a very smug elfling.

The two kings glanced at each other at that and burst out laughing and the others joined them, except, Arafinwë noticed, his son and Sador. Both were looking a bit pale, though he suspected for different reasons. Deciding to tackle the easier of the two, he turned to the young Sinda.

"What is wrong, yonya? Are you well?"

Sador looked at Arafinwë and swallowed nervously. He felt Glorfindel put a hand on his shoulder and give him a comforting squeeze. "It...it’s just that...I’m your ward?" he ended, the sense of confusion evident in his face and voice.

Arafinwë sighed and beckoned Sador closer. "You are past your majority, Sador, at least if we consider chronological reckoning, but do you really think you are ready to take on adult responsibilities, yet? You have been returned to innocence, an innocence not yet tempered with experience, and therefore with wisdom."

Sador still felt confused. "You mean... I’m...you think... I’m too stupid?" his tone was one of hurt and anguish and Sador suddenly felt the need to run away and climb his own tree, but Arafinwë held him close to him.

"Stupid? Not in the least. You’re very intelligent, but you’re not very wise, not yet, and there’s a difference between the two. I think Lord Námo released you into my care because he knew you would have no one to look after you otherwise."

"But I don’t need looking after," Sador protested and Glorfindel suddenly laughed.

"If anyone needs looking after, it’s you my young friend."

Now Sador turned to Glorfindel, his eyes brimming with tears and there was anger in his voice, anger that made him sound very young indeed, though he did not realize it. "How can you say that? I’m not the one climbing trees in the middle of the night and... and hiding!"

"No you’re not, but listen to you," Glorfindel admonished. "You sound like a fifteen year old."

That was the last straw and with a wordless cry Sador flung himself at Glorfindel only to be stopped by Arafinwë pulling him back into his embrace and holding him tightly, allowing the ellon to vent his anger and frustration on him. Sador was crying now, though the tears were those of embarrassment rather than anger. Arafinwë glanced at Olwë and rolled his eyes.

"And you thought this was going to be a peaceful visit with family."

Olwë laughed. "If I wanted peace, I would have stayed home." He nodded at Sador. "You have him in hand? Good. Now it’s your turn," and he glanced piercingly at Finrod who stared back at his grandfather with a sick expression on his face. Olwë noticed Glorfindel gazing at his friend with concern. "Do you want to tell me about it?" he asked gently, for Olwë of Alqualondë had noticed Findaráto’s reaction on seeing him. It was the first time they had laid eyes on one another since before the Kinslaying, and Olwë suspected a residual sense of guilt for what happened during the Rebellion lay on his grandson’s shoulders and needed to be addressed. He was surprised therefore at Findaráto’s words when he finally spoke.

"You look just like him!"

"Like whom, inyo?"

"Ce-Celeborn. You look like Celeborn."

Now it was Olwë’s turn to look puzzled but he noticed that young Sador had ceased his tears and turned in Arafinwë’s embrace to look at him more closely.

"Does he?" he asked curiously, his previous temper nearly forgotten. "I never saw Lord Celeborn or his lady. Do they truly look alike?"

"And just who is this Celeborn?" Olwë asked, but it was Arafinwë who answered, suddenly divining his son’s distress. Of course, knowing Finrod’s history with the court of Doriath....

"Celeborn is your brother Elmo’s grandson and my son-in-law."

Olwë stared at the King of the Noldor in shock. "My... great-nephew?"

"Last time I looked that was the proper designation," Arafinwë said with amusement. It was rare that anyone flummoxed the Telerin king and he was enjoying the sight.

Finrod nodded. "He was like a brother to me, though many among the Exiles resented him for ‘stealing’ Artanis away, as they thought. But frankly, if anyone was doing the stealing it was my sister. One only had to look at Celeborn to know that she had stolen his heart and put it in safe keeping for herself."

Olwë nodded, looking thoughtful. "That sounds like my inyë. So, I look like this great-nephew I have never seen?"

Finrod nodded but said nothing. Olwë gave the younger elf a wry smile. "Then I forgive you for your less than enthusiastic welcome, inyonya. I am sorry if I am the cause of any distress on your part."

"Nay, anatar, it is I who should apologize. It’s just... seeing you... it brought back memories."

"Bad memories?"

Finrod looked at his grandfather in surprise. "Oh no, good ones. Very good ones."

Olwë smiled and beckoned Finrod into his embrace into which the ellon went willingly. "Then perhaps you would care to share those memories with me during my visit." He then looked up at Sador, still in Arafinwë’s arms. "And perhaps, young Sador, you would share some memories of Lestanórë. I would like to hear of the kingdom my brother Elwë carved for himself."

Sador looked doubtful. "I... I was only an elfling when we were forced to flee Doriath. I don’t have very good memories of that time."

"But you have good memories of Doriath from before that don’t you?" Arafinwë asked gently.

Sador looked at the King, his eyes wide, for he had not thought of that. So many of his memories had centered around pain, horror and terror, he had almost forgotten that there had been love and laughter, as well. "Oh yes," he said simply.

Olwë nodded. "Then it’s settled. Why don’t we dispense with all this formality, my son, and go somewhere where we can share memories with these youngsters."

"Sounds good to me, and I know Eärwen would enjoy hearing about her kinsmen, as well."

"Hey! What about me?" Glorfindel asked, beginning to feel left out. "Doesn’t anyone want to hear about my memories, too?"

Finrod and Sador exchanged brief glances, then identical smiles wreathed their faces as they turned back to their friend.

"Don’t whine!" they said almost simultaneously.

"I never whine!" Glorfindel yelled and stamped his foot in frustration.

Arafinwë laughed and, keeping Sador in his embrace with one arm, drew the golden-haired elf into his embrace with the other. Olwë continued to hold Findaráto. One thing was for sure, Arafinwë thought with a smile as he rocked the two ellyn in his arms, life had just gotten a bit more interesting with these two now part of his household.

****

Manwë shared a smile with Námo and Varda as they stood on the balcony of the main audience chamber of the Valar on Taniquetil.

"I see everything’s going as planned," he said, looking at Námo.

"Yes," the Lord of Mandos said. "The healing has begun... for all of them."

Varda looked pensive. "Will it be enough, though?"

Námo shrugged. "It’s a start. Before Aman can be healed, its rulers must be healed first. Finrod, Glorfindel and Sador will lead the way. The rest is up to them."

Manwë nodded and then smirked. "Now, if they can just teach Glorfindel not to whine."

All three of them laughed and the sound of it pierced the circles of Arda and echoed in the Timeless Halls where Ilúvatar joined them in their laughter. For a moment that seemed eternal, all of Arda brightened and hearts everywhere were eased of worry and care, though they knew not the source of their sudden joy.

For a moment....

****

Lestanórë: The Quenya name for Doriath.

Anatar: Grandfather.

Inyo: Grandchild, grandson. The form indyo appears to be Vanyarin rather than Noldorin.

Inyë: Granddaughter.

inyonya: My grandson.

A note on family relationships: Celeborn’s history is unclear and he is known only as Elu Thingol’s kinsman in the received texts. For purposes of this story, I have made him the grandson of Elu’s and Olwë’s brother, Elmo, whose fate is presently unknown, though more than likely he died early in the wars against Morgoth.