Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search
swiss replica watches replica watches uk Replica Rolex DateJust Watches

Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux  by Fiondil

78: Consequences

Glorfindel and Sador joined Finrod in the antechamber with Ingwë and Arafinwë. Sador was subdued and pensive. Glorfindel, for once, did not try to lighten anyone’s mood with a silly antic. Instead he actually fell into Finrod’s arms sobbing.

"I’m sorry....Imsorryimsorry...." Finrod’s expression was one of surprise as he hugged him.

"What is this, gwador? Why the tears? You’ve done nothing to be sorry about." He gave Ingwë and Arafinwë a rather helpless look. The two kings returned his look with concerned expressions of their own. Sador stood next to Finrod, rubbing Glorfindel’s back to comfort him.

Glorfindel gave a sniff as he tried to get himself under control. "Y-you had to take Aldundil’s oath... be-because of me. It-it’s all my fault you’re so angry."

"Because of you?" Now Finrod was totally confused. "Glorfindel, how do you figure all this is your fault? You’re the victim here."

"B-but Vorondil hates me." Glorfindel tried to explain. "He...he did what he did because he...he hates me and... and now you’re stuck with him... and his atar!" He was practically wailing again and it proved too much for Finrod, who hugged him closer and laughed.

"Oh gwador, gwador, gwador," he said as he rocked Glorfindel in his arms. "No wonder Lord Námo finds you so delightful. I may be ‘stuck’ with Vorondil and his atar as you say but that’s by my own choice and has nothing to do with you. Hush now, best beloved. All is well, truly."

It took several minutes to convince Glorfindel of that and Ingwë and Arafinwë, once they understood the situation, took it upon themselves to offer the ellon comfort, taking Glorfindel in their arms and speaking softly to him until he was calmer. Finrod, meanwhile, turned to Sador, who had not spoken.

"And do I need to be concerned about you, gwador?" Finrod asked gently, running a hand through Sador’s hair. The Sinda shook his head.

"No, gwador," he said quietly. "I am fine. I... just... I am thinking about what Lord Oromë said... about why he had me join the Hunt. What do you suppose he meant?"

Finrod nodded, gathering Sador into his arms to offer him some comfort. "You must not fear Lord Oromë’s reasons even if he does not choose to reveal them to you at this time. The Lord of Forests does not often concern himself with the Eldar and when he does it is always to their benefit, though I admit, at times it does not seem so." He gave Sador a brief smile which the ellon wanly echoed. "That Lord Oromë has taken an interest in you is a great honor. Try not to be concerned by it. He has made you one of his own and will ever treat you gently." He kissed Sador on the forehead and released him, giving him an encouraging smile. Sador ducked his head in embarrassment but otherwise appeared to be less pensive and worried.

"That’s better," Finrod commented, then gave a sigh. "I don’t know about anyone else, but I feel exhausted and would like nothing better than to take a long hot soak and fall into bed."

Arafinwë gave his son an amused look. "It’s barely time for the evening meal, yonya."

"I know, Atar, but taking Aldundil’s oath has left me depleted. I fear I will sleep through most of tomorrow, perhaps even into the next day." He gave a weary sigh. "As it is, I need to check on both Aldundil and Laurendil. I’m afraid Laurendil may have suffered a backlash from my earlier anger."

"How so?" Ingwë asked.

"As one whose life is in my keeping, Laurendil would have been completely open to me at the time I took Aldundil’s oath."

Ingwë gave an involuntary shudder and Arafinwë paled at his son’s words. Ingwë then turned to Arafinwë with a puzzled look.

"You participated in the War of Wrath," he said. "Did you ever come across this ritual while you were there?"

Arafinwë shook his head. "No, I did not, nor was I really aware of the significance of the front braids at the time. I noticed some of our people sporting them, but not all, and assumed they were merely imitating the Sindar out of respect or envy. I did not know nor did I care, as long as they fought and survived the fighting. When we returned, no one wore them, and I forgot about them until Findaráto was returned to us. I never knew about this oath until Sador and Laurendil explained it to me."

"It troubles me that such an oath ever developed," Ingwë said with a sigh. "How many of the warriors now living on Tol Eressëa have taken this oath and to whom?"

Finrod nodded in understanding. "You fear that once the other kings of Beleriand are released from Mandos those oaths will be... revived to the possible detriment to the peace of Aman."

"It is exactly what I fear, Nephew." Ingwë acknowledged. "That oath is too dangerous for all of us."

"Perhaps," Finrod agreed, "but for one thing: those who were once kings of Beleriand will cleave to your authority without question. You need not fear that it will be otherwise."

Ingwë gave his great-nephew a strange look. "How can you be so sure, child? Do you have such power of command over someone like Elwë?"

Finrod smiled with a shake of his head. "Nay, sire, but Anatar Olwë does... and Atar and I will see to Ñolofinwë, Findecáno, and Turucáno."

"Ñolofinwë may well dispute my right to be Noldóran," Arafinwë said ruefully, but again Finrod shook his head.

"Nay, Atar, do not be overly concerned. Ñolofinwë will be too unsure of himself as a Reborn to even think such a thing. He will be simply grateful that you have welcomed him back into your good graces and have forgiven him."

Arafinwë stared at Finrod in surprise. "But why should he look for forgiveness from me? If anything it is I who should ask for his forgiveness for deserting all of you, for turning back like a coward because..."

"Atar!" Finrod shouted in shock, taking Arafinwë by the shoulders and practically shaking him. "You are no coward! And you did not desert us. It was we who were the cowards, slinking away in the dark because we were too proud or too frightened to accept Mercy when offered to us. No. My uncle and all the others will be the ones looking for forgiveness."

For a long moment father and son stared at one another and then Arafinwë nodded once and Finrod gathered him into his arms and gave him a fierce hug, kissing him on the cheek before releasing him. Then he turned to Ingwë.

"The number of warriors who have taken that oath is probably less than you fear, Uncle, for many still reside in Mandos." He paused as if gathering his thoughts, but all noticed him swaying slightly with fatigue. Glorfindel held out a steadying hand and Finrod smiled gratefully. "When they are eventually released," he continued, "it may be some time before they even remember the oath or its consequences. I, for instance, had no memory of it until Laurendil appeared and spoke the words. Now, if you will excuse me, I must see to Aldundil."

"I will come with you, gwador," Glorfindel said in a tone that brooked no argument.

"And I will see that a bath and a light meal are waiting for you," Sador added.

Finrod nodded his thanks and with a bow to Ingwë and Arafinwë he and Glorfindel took their leave.

****

When they reached Aldundil’s apartments it was to find two guards standing before the door. Neither disputed Finrod’s right to enter but one of them spoke softly to him before opening the door.

"There was some trouble earlier, lord, but Lord Laurendil forbade us to interfere."

Finrod nodded and he and Glorfindel entered to find themselves in the midst of chaos, much to their dismay. Furniture was thrown all around and there was broken crockery scattered across the rugs along with what appeared to be locks of dark hair. Water dripped from overturned flower vases. In one corner Vorondil crouched with his hands over his head weeping while on the other side of the room Aldundil lay unconscious with an interesting bruise on his jaw beginning to form. Laurendil knelt over him, a look in his eyes that any orc would have recognized as dangerous. He had a knife in one hand.

"Laurendil!" Finrod called, putting forth all the power of his kingship into his voice.

Laurendil blinked, as if waking, and, looking up to see Finrod and Glorfindel, he dropped the knife with a sob but otherwise did not move. Glorfindel gave Finrod a wry look.

"He’s your vassal, you take care of him. I’ll see to Vorondil." Finrod chuckled and nodded.

Going over to Laurendil he crouched down and put a hand on the ellon’s shoulder. "What happened, otornya?"

Laurendil shook his head. "I don’t know. One minute all was quiet, the next.... When we got here Aldundil went directly to his room without speaking. Ten minutes later he came out with a knife in his hand and attacked Vorondil, attempting to cut off the ellon’s hair. I was so shocked I didn’t move fast enough but was able to prevent him from hacking off his own locks after he finished with his son’s. I’m afraid I had to be rather rough with him."

Finrod looked down at the still unconscious elf, a dark purple bruise on his jaw. "Where is Lady Calalindalë?" he finally asked.

"When Aldundil attacked his son I yelled at her to bar herself in her room. I feared in his state Aldundil might try to harm her as well."

Finrod nodded. "We will leave her there for now." Then he sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. "Lord Manwë warned me...." He shook his head and opened his eyes again and saw the confusion on Laurendil’s face. "Come. Let’s see if we can revive my newest vassal."

With that the two ellyn took Aldundil by the arms and hauled him up, laying him upon a couch that had not been turned over.

Meanwhile, Glorfindel knelt over the still weeping Vorondil. The younger ellon was a mess. His tunic was torn and there were shallow gashes on the back of his neck from the knife. His hair was even more ragged than before and Glorfindel could see that it would all have to be trimmed at the neckline. It would take some time for Vorondil’s hair to grow back.

Glorfindel sighed and reached over to take the ellon into his arms. Vorondil opened his eyes to see who was there and screamed.

"No! Nooooo!" He tried to get away but there was no place for him to go and Glorfindel’s hold on him was too strong.

"Hush now, child," he chided the ellon softly. "No one’s going to hurt you, least of all me." He continued holding Vorondil tightly, rocking him gently and began singing Námo’s lullaby. Eventually, almost against his will, Vorondil fell asleep.

Finrod came over then to see how Vorondil was doing and shook his head in dismay at the ellon’s state. "I’ll have Laurendil find some water and a clean cloth. We need to tend to those gashes before they fester."

"See if he can find some shears as well," Glorfindel said. "I’ll trim Vorondil’s hair while he’s asleep. I think it will be less of a shock for him if he sees it neatly trimmed instead of the rat’s nest it is now."

Finrod nodded and in short order Laurendil came back with a bowl of tepid water, clean cloths, some unguent smelling of lemon and a small pair of clippers. He and Glorfindel tended to Vorondil while Finrod sat next to Aldundil, waiting for the elf to waken, which he did about ten minutes later. By then, Laurendil and Glorfindel had finished treating Vorondil and were taking him to one of the bedrooms. Laurendil volunteered to check on Lady Calalindalë.

"Assure the lady that both husband and son are well," Finrod ordered, "but ask her to remain in her room until I send for her. I need to speak with Aldundil alone, so when you’ve seen to the lady stay with Glorfindel."

Both ellyn nodded as they left. Finrod turned back to Aldundil to see the older elf staring blankly up at him in confusion.

"Hello, Aldundil," Finrod said conversationally. "Do you know, I take a rather dim view of people attacking my property."

"P-property?" Aldundil’s confusion merely deepened as Finrod nodded.

"Yes. Vorondil is my property, or didn’t you know that is what ‘bondsman’ means?"

"M-my son... my son..." but he couldn’t complete his thoughts as he fell to weeping. Finrod sighed and gathered him into his arms and rocked him.

"Your son belongs to me as surely as you do, Aldundil, though the manner in which he does is different. Nonetheless, you had no right to do what you did."

"He dishonored you... me.... all of us!" Aldundil protested hotly through his tears.

"Yes, but it was not your place to punish him. That is my prerogative and mine alone."

Aldundil’s weeping abated and now he was beginning to feel embarrassed. "Forgive me, ar-aranya. I meant no disrespect."

Finrod released him from his embrace and looked at him with a mixture of exasperation and love. "I know you didn’t. Nonetheless, I’m afraid I will have to punish you for what you’ve done to my property."

Aldundil shivered at that, his expression bleak. "W-what..."

Finrod took a hank of Aldundil’s hair and held it up for the ellon to see. "You will resume wearing warrior braids. I trust you remember the pattern. I’ll see that the appropriate gemstones and beads are given to you if you tell me what they are. I expect to see you wearing them before we leave for Lórien."

"Th-that’s my punishment?" Aldundil asked, still feeling confused.

Finrod gave him a gentle smile, leaned over and kissed him on the forehead. "For now," he whispered. "Now go clean yourself up and then see to your wife and apologize to her. Remain with her until I send for you."

Aldundil nodded as he struggled to rise from the couch, now subdued and embarrassed by all that had happened. He eyed the mess around him. "What about..."

"I’ll have my uncle’s people come and clean this up," Finrod said. "Go now. I needs must look in on Vorondil."

"My son..."

"Beyond having a very short hairstyle, thanks to your expert barbering," Finrod said with a wry twist to his lips, "he appears to be well physically, though I have yet to ascertain the state of his mind." Then his tone darkened and Aldundil nearly quailed at his lord’s expression. "He is no longer your concern, Aldundil. With your oath you gave him to me and I will see to his well-being from now on."

Aldundil closed his eyes for a brief moment and the grief that was etched on his face was almost more than Finrod could bear but then he opened his eyes, which were now clear of any confusion, gave Finrod a bow and without another word left to do the prince’s bidding. Finrod stood there for a moment in contemplation, then went to the door and, opening it, gave his orders to the guards before returning to see how Vorondil was doing. He found that Laurendil and Glorfindel had removed the ellon’s outer tunic and boots and had tucked him into bed. Glorfindel had done a decent job of trimming the ellon’s hair. It was short but neat and did not look too bad. More like one of the Edain, Finrod thought to himself with a fond smile at the memory.

"How is he doing?" he asked softly as he entered the room.

Glorfindel looked up with a grin. "Still sleeping like an elfling. I ought to run and get my stuffed toy for him."

Finrod raised an eyebrow at that. "Stuffed toy? You brought your stuffed toy to Ingwë’s court?"

Glorfindel laughed. "Nay, but Lord Námo did."

Finrod shook his head in disbelief. "You’ll have to tell me all about it later. For now, I need this particular elfling awake." He reached over and began gently stroking Vorondil’s cheek and calling him with voice and mind until the ellon began to stir, opening his eyes blearily. It took him a few seconds to recognize Finrod and when he did he tried to scramble out of his reach. Finrod sat down on the edge of the bed and took the ellon by the shoulders.

"Nay, Vorondil," Finrod said soothingly. "There’s nowhere for you to go. Settle down. No one will harm you. How do you feel, hinya?"

"M-my neck hurts," he said, looking somewhat lost and forlorn. The three older ellyn looked upon the younger elf with pity rather than with scorn, recognizing how very young he truly was for all that he had tried to act older.

"It will heal," Finrod said, "and your hair will grow back." They almost smiled when Vorondil threw his hands over his head in a vain attempt to hide his shorn locks. "For now, I want you to go and gather your belongings. Laurendil will go with you to help. Then I want you to bring them to my apartments. You’ll be staying with me until we leave for Lórien."

"Wh-why?" Vorondil asked, clearly confused and feeling somewhat fearful.

"I think your atar and ammë could use some privacy, don’t you?" Finrod asked gently with a small smile. "And this way, you will have time to get used to the idea of being my bondsman."

Vorondil gave a stifled sob at that and Finrod gathered him into his arms and hugged him. "There’s nothing to fear, child," he said as gently as he could. Whatever anger he had felt towards this ellon was long gone, replaced by an almost fatherly concern that he recognized as a concomitant consequence of taking Aldundil’s oath the way that he had. "You will find that I’m not an ogre and I will never command from you anything shameful or against your deepest will. Perhaps, in time, we will even find ourselves friends, though Glorfindel might have a thing or two to say about that."

Glorfindel snorted good-naturedly and stuck his tongue out at Finrod who smiled. Vorondil gave them both dubious looks but seemed calmer and more accepting of the situation. Finrod gave him another hug for good measure and smiled at him. "Good. Now, go with Laurendil and I’ll see you later." He turned to Laurendil with a rueful look. "Tell Sador I may be a while."

"The bath will be hot and the meal cold... or should that be the other way around?" Laurendil joked and he, Finrod and Glorfindel laughed. Even Vorondil was seen to giggle a little at the levity being displayed, which heartened Finrod and gave him hope that the ellon was not irredeemable.

When Laurendil and Vorondil, who had to borrow one of his atar’s tunics, left, Finrod and Glorfindel went to see Aldundil and Calalindalë. They did not stay long. Finrod told them what he had decided about their son and they were both resigned to it, though Calalindalë looked fearful until Finrod assured her he would never do anything to her son that would bring shame to him.

"I give you my word as King of Nargothrond, my lady, that your son’s well-being will always be of concern to me and I will do nothing to endanger it or bring him shame. He is my thrall, true, but he is still a scion of a noble family and will be treated as such by me in all things."

With that both Aldundil and Calalindalë were mollified. Finrod suggested they remain in their apartments for the rest of their stay until it was time to leave for Lórien. "For I think, lady, you will benefit by coming with us. Lord Irmo and Lady Estë will welcome you and this way you will not be separated from your loved ones."

Calalindalë thanked Finrod, as did Aldundil, and after a few more minutes of discussing details, he and Glorfindel left, encountering a team of servants busily cleaning the mess in the front room as they did.

"Now, I want that bath," Finrod said with much feeling as they walked down the corridor to his apartments. "And then I want to sleep for a very long time."

"Which means I finally have my chance at revenge."

Finrod stopped in amazement. "Whatever do you mean, gwador?"

Glorfindel gave him his most wicked grin. "Not telling, but don’t be surprised if you wake up feeling slightly cold... and wet."

Finrod narrowed his eyes and a dangerous gleam shone through them. "You wouldn’t dare."

For an answer Glorfindel stuck out his tongue and made a very rude noise, then stepped nimbly out of Finrod’s reach and ran down the corridor with his gwador running after him shouting threats and laughing at the same time.

****

Elwë: Elu Thingol.

Ñolofinwë: Fingolfin.

Findecáno: Fingon.

Turucáno: Turgon.





<< Back

Next >>

Leave Review
Home     Search     Chapter List