95: Apology and Punishment

Three hours later Glorfindel stood before Ingwë in the throne room tendering his apologies. They were alone. The High King had decided that as a punishment, Glorfindel would not be allowed to participate in the tournament. It was a measure of Glorfindel’s increasing maturity that not only did he not offer any protest when Ingwë informed him of his decision but actually agreed with the High King and even went so far as to suggest that he not be permitted to attend the tournament at all.

Ingwë shook his head with a slight smile. "I would not go that far, yonya. You are, after all, one of the administrators of the tourney and I will not punish Aldarion by denying him your expertise. When your duties do not require you to be elsewhere you will sit with me and tell me your thoughts about the way in which the participants fight. I would see their fighting skills improved. We have no way of knowing when the Final Battle will commence and so I would have my people better prepared. We lost too many ellyn in the opening maneuvers of the War of Wrath."

Glorfindel’s mien was sober at that and he gave Ingwë a bow. "It will be as my lord commands." He turned to go, but Ingwë stayed him.

"You will also explain to me before the entire court what happened last night. That explanation will be given before tonight’s feast."

Glorfindel paled and Ingwë noticed him twisting his ring, but the ellon merely nodded and gave the High King another bow before leaving to find Aldarion, departing by way of the main doors. Ingwë sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. It had been a harrowing night fraught with worry. When a riderless horse appeared before the southern gate in the middle of the night, Ingwë’s worst fears were realized and he would have ridden out right then and there in search of the missing ellon, but prudence dictated that he at least wait for dawn. Glorfindel appearing when he did had been a relief for all. Ingwë had not been the only one in the city who had not gotten any sleep that night.

He gave a sigh, then motioned to the lone guard standing by a side door leading to one of the antechambers to the throne room. "Send him in, Sérener."

The guard bowed and opened the door, motioning for the one waiting there to enter.

****

The tournament, which commenced at noon, proved quite successful and Ingwë was pleased with the outcome. Glorfindel spoke to Aldarion and offered the ellon an apology as well, explaining his punishment.

"The High King will not permit me to participate in the tourney," he said with equanimity, his eyes clear of any anger. "He wishes me to sit with him and evaluate the other fighters. I think it best that I turn my duties over to someone else."

Aldarion nodded. "Who do you suggest?"

Glorfindel thought for a moment, then offered a name and Aldarion nodded again. "Vëantur is a good choice. He already told me that he would be willing to forego competing and give me a hand if for any reason you were not available."

Glorfindel blushed at that. "He should not be denied the pleasure of competing. I will take over whenever he is in the lists, but Ingwë is correct in wanting my help in evaluating his warriors. Not even the Valar know when the Final Battle will occur. It is best we are all prepared for it."

So it was decided and when the tournament began all there saw Glorfindel sitting on Ingwë’s left in the royal box overlooking the tourney field. He was dressed formally in a new robe of dark green velvet that fell to mid-calf. It was brightly trimmed with gold-thread embroidery. The undertunic was a fine linen dyed bright yellow, its bloused sleeves showing through the slits of the outer tunic sleeves that were tight to the wrist. He wore the chaplet gifted to him by Ingwion and Indil. Around his neck, on a silver chain, was a tear-drop hawk eye and carnelian pendant.

It was a gift from Ingwë — "A very belated Begetting Day gift, yonya," the High King had said when he presented it to Glorfindel upon his return to Vanyamar after the pronouncement of the doom against Ingoldo and Tinwetariel at the Máhanaxar. Glorfindel would never know that Ingwë had commissioned its making during the time the ellon had been recovering from the series of psychic breaks he had experienced before his kidnapping. Ingwë, in turn, would never know that the míretanë who had come before him to receive the commission found herself before Lord Aulë shortly thereafter with specific instructions from the Vala as to how the pendant would be made and with what materials. Aulë then imbued the pendant with certain properties that he did not bother to explain to anyone.

All Glorfindel knew about it was that it was a gift from the High King, whom he loved, and that wearing it made him feel better about himself and his situation, though he didn’t know why.

The tournament was a resounding success, though there were a few mishaps. One of the competitors broke an arm and two others sustained head injuries, though Ingwë was assured by the healers that neither injury was life-threatening and both ellyn were expected to make full recoveries. During a recess between the sword fighting and the archery competition several elves approached the royal box to offer their congratulations to the High King, who graciously accepted them, pointing out that Lord Glorfindel and Lord Aldarion had done all the hard work.

"All I did was nod my head," Ingwë said with a laugh.

"Except, of course, when you were shaking it," quipped Glorfindel with a wicked gleam in his eyes and the High King laughed even harder.

Afterwards, when all the competitors had had an opportunity to change into court garb, they met in the throne room so that Queen Elindis could present the prizes to the two winners. Like all Vanyar, she was tall and comely, her hair a rich summer gold, her eyes a sparkling green with flecks of gold. She was somewhat shy but the people loved her, for she was ever about the city seeing to their needs. Nor was she so haughty that she disdained an honest offer to sit in some elleth’s garden dandling a sleepy elfling on her knee, talking of child-rearing and husband-caring while said elleth hung out the laundry.

Now, she stood beside her beloved lord and husband in regal splendour, with her daughter and son-in-law and their four children ranged around the dais. She gestured to her two youngest grandchildren, Ingaranel and Ingalaurë, who were twins, to stand next to her. They were elflings, about thirty-five years old, and wore court livery. Later, they would be serving the high table, but for now they were acting as their grandmother’s pages. Each held a satin pillow upon which sat a silver circlet. Ingaranel’s circlet was fashioned with a single beryl cabochon while her brother’s circlet was fashioned with a sapphire. The chamberlain called for the two winners of the tournament to come forward.

Glorfindel, standing to one side of the throne dais with Aldarion and Alassiel, watched with interest as an ellon and an elleth approached their Majesties, giving them their obeisance. Both Ingwë and Elindis smiled upon them.

"Ninquelótë Manwendiliel," Ingwë said, "you have shown yourself a true Child of the Vanyar in your puissance and courtesy upon the field of chivalry. Your abilities with the sword We have seen and have delighted in this day and so We gift you with this token of Our esteem that all may know that you have Our benevolence."

Elindis then took the sapphire circlet from Ingalaurë’s pillow and placed it on Ninquelótë’s head. "Know ye that Ninquelótë Manwendiliel has this day proved victorious upon the field of battle against all comers and this is Our token unto you that she is Our Beloved Macilarátë." Elendis then gave the elleth a kiss upon her brow, stepping back to allow Ingwë to do the same. Ninquelótë was blushing prettily as everyone cheered.

When the acclamations had died down, Ingwë turned to the ellon. "Elessoron Aranwion, you have shown yourself a true Child of the Vanyar in your puissance and courtesy upon the field of chivalry. Your abilities with the bow We have seen and have delighted in this day and so We gift you with this token of Our esteem that all may know that you have Our benevolence."

Elendis then took the emerald circlet from Ingaranel, who gave the Champion a saucy grin, making the ellon blush. Everyone around the thrones laughed good-naturedly, though Ingwë was seen to roll his eyes and give his beloved granddaughter his best grandfatherly glare. She was too busy flirting with Elessoron to notice.

"Know ye that Elessoron Aranwion has this day proved victorious upon the archers’ field against all comers," Elindis said with an indulgent smile for her granddaughter as she placed the circlet upon the ellon’s head, "and this is Our token unto you that he is Our Beloved Quingaráto." She gave him a kiss on the brow and everyone cheered. Ingwë stepped forward and offered the ellon a warrior’s embrace, bending down to say something that only Elessoron heard. The ellon was seen to blush even more than before but the smiles the two exchanged between them were full of genuine warmth and camaraderie.

The two Champions then bowed to their Majesties and stood to one side of the dais at Ingwë’s behest. Silence then reigned in the court as they waited expectantly for the words of dismissal, for there was, as far as any knew, no other business. Ingwë gave Elindis a wry glance and the queen smiled. Then he turned to the court.

"There is one other piece of business before Us that must be addressed," he said, turning to look at Glorfindel, who stood pale but composed beside Aldarion. He saw Alassiel squeeze the ellon’s arm in encouragement. "Come here, Glorfindel."

There was a murmur of surprise that was quickly quieted as the Noldo stepped forward and gave Ingwë and his queen his obeisance. For a moment High King and Reborn stared at one another, though there was no sense of animosity between them. Glorfindel stood straight, his hands clasped behind him, fingering his ring. Ingwë nodded.

"When you are ready, son," he said softly though all there heard him.

When Glorfindel spoke it was barely above a whisper at first, though his voice gained in strength as he went on. "When Lord Valandur mentioned that the Winter Solstice was nigh and you wished to hold a tournament, I was suddenly reminded of two things." He paused for a moment and everyone saw him swallow nervously before he continued. Ingwë never moved but kept his eyes on Glorfindel. "I was reminded of the last day of my... my life, though then it was the Summer Solstice. Turucáno had declared a tournament on that day. It... it was never held...."

Silence reigned throughout the throne room at the implications of the ellon’s words. Glorfindel continued, speaking a little more quickly. "The second thing of which I was reminded was the fact that it was on the night of the Winter Solstice that I... that I gave my oath to my king."

Now Ingwë closed his eyes, understanding fully what Glorfindel meant and sighed. He opened his eyes. "Go on," he commanded quietly.

"The closer it came to the Solstice the... the more restless I began to feel. I do not know how to explain it, Sire. I just know that I could no longer remain in the city. I had to get away, so I... I stole a horse." There was a murmur of surprise at that but it was quickly suppressed by Ingwë’s glare. Glorfindel had hesitated between ‘stole’ and ‘borrowed’ and elected at the last moment to use the latter word as being the more truthful (to his mind). Ingwë did not bother to dispute him.

"I stole a horse," Glorfindel reiterated, "and rode to Valmar. I made my way to the Ezellohar and kneeling in the snow before the Trees I... I renewed my oath."

He then went on to describe the appearance of Eönwë and the Book of Oaths. All there stared in amazement at the ellon’s words, but when he spoke of the shimmering lights in the sky several people, including Valandur disputed him.

"There were no lights in the sky last night, Glorfindel," Valandur said gently. "I should know. I spent most of last night in my garden."

"Besides which," one of the other loremasters interjected somewhat testily, "we are too far south to see the formenyára. It is impossible for it to be seen from Valmar."

Glorfindel stared at Ingwë with some confusion. "I do not lie, my lord," he protested. "The lights were there. I know what I saw. I’ve seen them before, while crossing the Helcaraxë. They were ever around us, shimmering with implacable, watchful silence. Indeed, many of us thought that they might actually be... be Maiar making sure we did not turn back."

Ingwë raised a hand to still any further protests from anyone. "We do not doubt you, my son," he said gently. "We do not doubt that Eru Ilúvatar did indeed grant you a sign of his acceptance of your oath. Do not be dismayed. That none other saw the lights merely means that to you alone was granted the vision and that is all that matters."

He paused for a moment before continuing. "Nevertheless, you left without Our permission and you deprived one of Our faithful subjects of his property, though the horse has since returned to its owner safely. The next time you feel a need to leave the city, you will come to Us first." Then he turned to an older elf who stood in the front row of spectators and motioned him forward. The elf was plainly dressed and Glorfindel assumed he was an artisan of some sort. "This is Master Martandur," Ingwë said by way of introduction. "It was his horse that you stole. We have decided that for your punishment you will go with Master Martandur as his bondsman."

Glorfindel went stark white at that as he turned disbelieving eyes upon the High King. Ingwë nodded, though his expression was compassionate. "Between now and New Year’s you will do as Master Martandur bids, though he has been warned by Us not to command from you anything shameful or illicit. You will begin your indenture this night and you will begin by apologizing to Master Martandur here and now."

Glorfindel stared at the High King for a moment before turning to the waiting elf, who looked somewhat nervous and obviously feeling out of place. He bowed to the artisan and uttered as sincere an apology as he knew how. Martandur accepted the apology as graciously as he could. He was at a loss as to what he was supposed to do with this highborn ellon for the next three months. Ingwë appeared satisfied and nodded.

"You have Our leave to go and pack what you will," he said to Glorfindel. "My guards will escort you and Master Martandur back to his home when you are ready."

Glorfindel nodded mutely. So, he was not even being allowed to attend the tourney feast. So be it. He bowed deeply to Ingwë, then without a further glance at anyone, turned and walked out of the room, acutely aware of all eyes on him and the two guards who now flanked him.

Master Martandur followed, looking decidedly unhappy about the entire business. He had been happy enough to have his horse returned to him little worse for wear and cared not for punishing wayward ellyn, but the High King had spoken to him earlier and at length and he had reluctantly agreed to Ingwë’s plan. It didn’t mean he had to like it.

A half an hour later, when he and Glorfindel left the palace under guard, Master Martandur still didn’t know what he was supposed to do with his new thrall or how he was supposed to explain him to his wife.

****

Hawk eye: Also known as Tiger eye or Cat’s eye. A honey-brown striped gemstone. It promotes clear thinking and insight. It also heals self-criticism and self-worth problems and is considered a grounding stone.

Carnelian: Besides easing fears about rebirth in the Eldar, it also protects against negative energies and promotes a sense of humor in the wearer, calming the temper.

Míretanë: (Female) Jewel-smith. The masculine counterpart would be Míretano. This is the Quenya equivalent of the Sindarin Mírdan.

Macilarátë: (Female) Champion of the Sword. The masculine counterpart would be Macilaráto.

Quingaráto: (Male) Champion of the Bow. The feminine counterpart would be Quingarátë.

Formenyára: The Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights [formenya "northern" + ára "dawn", the literal meaning of the Latin].