117: All Elflings Great and Small

Finrod returned to his pavilion alone, leaving Sador and Glorfindel to deflect the ire of many, especially Almáriel. Amarië had also sneaked out and he had escorted her to her apartments in the wing set aside for the Noldóran and his family. They had exchanged passionate kisses, speaking few words between them, only promising to see one another later in the day.

Now Finrod stepped into his pavilion, having left orders with his guards not to let anyone into the compound except for his brothers. He peeked in on Vorondil and Veryandur before seeking his own rest and was surprised to see the cots empty. A slight stir from the space between the two cots alerted him and stepping softly, he peered down to find the two ellyn lying on a pile of blankets. Veryandur was clearly asleep, but Vorondil was awake. He saw his master and putting a finger to his lips, whispered. "We decided to go camping."

The words brought a smile to Finrod’s lips and he sat on the edge of the nearest cot and gently stroked the sleeping ellon’s head as Vorondil looked on. He watched his master with some concern.

"What are you going to do with them, Master?" he continued to whisper.

Finrod gave his thrall a considering look. "Are you jealous, child?"

Vorondil ducked his head slightly, reddening. "It’s just... everyone gets to be in your service for real. Alassiel’s your squire and now these... these elflings get to take an oath to you. I’m just your thrall." The last was said in a dejected tone and Vorondil refused to look up.

Finrod smiled fondly at him and leaned over to caress the ellon’s hair. "You are not just my thrall, Vorondil. That is a legal fiction, nothing more. You are as much in my service as Alassiel or Veryandur here. There is no need for oaths between us, child. Your atar gave me that oath for you both."

Vorondil shivered at that and he looked stricken as he gave Finrod a glance. "I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to be bad. Atar shouldn’t be punished because of me."

Finrod moved to sit on the ground so as to gather the now weeping child in his arms. "Your atar wasn’t punished, Vorondil," he said softly in the ellon’s ear so as not to disturb the still sleeping Veryandur. "It was his choice to do what he did. Your actions may have precipitated that choice but you are not ultimately responsible for your atar making it. That is your atar’s province alone." He gave Vorondil a kiss on the brow. "I think if you ask him he will tell you that he does not regret taking oath to me, nor should you."

Vorondil sniffed a bit and nodded. "I’m still just a thrall though," he muttered disconsolately.

Finrod gave him a slight shake. "No you are not, child. Do you forget that you are also an apprentice Lóriennildo? True, your apprenticeship will last as long as your thralldom, but you are a true apprentice. The oath you took before Lord Irmo and Lady Estë was not a sham, child. Never forget that."

Vorondil nodded, looking more appeased. Finrod gave him another kiss on the brow and stood. "I am going to get some sleep for a few hours," he told Vorondil. "At noon I will speak to the elflings and tell them what their fates will be. Ingwë and I have spoken to their parents and I am allowing them to see their children an hour past noon. When Veryandur awakes, you and he can put together breakfast for whoever wants it."

Vorondil nodded again. "Yes, Master."

Finrod smiled. "It will be well... for all of you, child, never fear. Now, I must rest. It’s been an eventful few hours and tomorrow is the tournament."

Vorondil smiled slyly. "Can you arrange to break something so I can get a chance to practice my healing skills, Master?"

"I’ll break something, you young scoundrel, if you’re not careful," he threatened though he was smiling. Vorondil chuckled and settled back down on the pile of blankets, careful not to disturb the younger ellon still sleeping. Finrod nodded his approval and left, going to his own cot to get what sleep he could, knowing that in a few short hours there would be no rest for him at all.

****

Noon found Finrod facing the five elflings again. He was dressed informally in a light blue tunic of worsted wool over a shirt of heavy muslin dyed a deeper blue. His head was bare of any kind of crown, but there was no doubt in the elflings’ eyes that this was the same dread Elf-lord of the night before.

While Finrod had slept, the elflings had been given various tasks. Veryandur had helped Vorondil with breakfast, though none of the elflings had much of an appetite. Laurendil had taken the other two ellyn to collect wood for the fire and draw water. Alassiel had taken the two ellith with her to do some shopping. With five extra mouths to feed, they would be running out of supplies soon.

Before meeting with the elflings Finrod sought out Laurendil, Manwen, Alassiel and even Vorondil, asking how each of the elflings had fared. Laurendil grimaced. "The ellyn have been surly and uncooperative all morning," he said, looking unamused. "Every order was followed by much whining and whimpering. Honestly, I didn’t realize how spoiled the children of artisans can be."

Finrod raised an eyebrow at that but said nothing, merely turning to Vorondil, giving the ellon a fond smile and drawing the younger elf into his embrace. "How did Veryandur fare?"

Vorondil gave him a brilliant smile. "He’s a worse cook than I am, Master," he exclaimed and everyone chuckled, "but he did his best to help me, even if he wasn’t very good at it." He leaned closer to Finrod, his demeanor more sober.

"He only cried once," he whispered, "wanting his ammë. I... I tried to comfort him but I don’t think I did any good."

Finrod drew the ellon closer and kissed him on the brow. "I’m sure he appreciated you trying, child. Fear not, he will be reunited with his ammë in a few months. In the meantime, you and I must treat him kindly and with much patience."

Vorondil nodded. "I like him. I always wanted a younger brother."

"And now you have one, for a time," Finrod said gently. He released Vorondil and turned to Alassiel. "And the ellith?"

"Eruanna was very helpful and kept asking questions," Alassiel said. Then, with a sly smile, she pitched her voice to sound very much like a young elleth. "‘Is Lord Findaráto married? Does he have any ellith to play with? Can I wear armor some day?’"

Finrod threw back his head and laughed and the others joined him.

"And Lindorillë?" he asked once the laughter died down.

Alassiel shook her head. "She was not uncooperative, but more than once she snarled at Eruanna and said some things meant to frighten the child."

"Such as?" Finrod asked with a frown.

Alassiel shrugged. "The only thing I heard plainly intimated that you would most likely treat her as a... a plaything."

Finrod felt the blood rush from his head and he became suddenly angry. He had to force himself to take deep breaths to stop himself from going to the elleth and shaking her... or worse. Laurendil and Manwen both hissed in shock at Alassiel’s words. Vorondil simply went white and Finrod had to grab him to steady him as he stood there swaying.

Alassiel herself looked grim. "Eruanna is just young enough and innocent enough that she didn’t understand Lindorillë’s insinuations. She merely wondered what sort of games you liked to play."

That last was said without any expression and it was a moment before Finrod responded with a grim smile. "Well, as to that... these elflings are about to find out."

So now Finrod sat in a camp chair with Glorfindel and Sador on either side of him. The two ellyn had returned to the encampment some time before and Finrod had asked them to join him while he spoke to the elflings. He stole a glance at his two brothers, but they merely smiled back at him. He sighed and gave his attention to the elflings. Laurendil, Manwen and Alassiel stood behind them while Vorondil stood behind Finrod’s chair ready to provide whatever service his master required.

"I spoke to your parents last night," Finrod said without preamble. "You will be permitted to see them in an hour’s time."

The five children looked both terrified and relieved. Finrod hid a smile as he continued. "As for what I will do with you..." he paused for a moment, thinking. Then, coming to a decision he nodded to himself and turned to Sador. "Will you take Eruanna and Veryandur to the tailor’s and have them measured for tabards? Bring them back in an hour so they can see their parents."

Sador raised an eyebrow but otherwise made no comment except to say, "As you wish, brother," before standing up and giving Finrod a short bow. He turned to the two younger children and smiled at them, holding out his hands. "Let’s go, hínyar, and maybe on the way back we’ll stop at the baker’s and buy some sticky buns." He gave Finrod a wink as he said this and Finrod hid a smile, merely nodding his approval. The two younger children glanced nervously at Finrod, not sure what was going on.

"Go with Sador, children," Finrod said gently. "If you are going to be in my service you need to be properly attired. When you come back your parents will be here to greet you."

That seemed to mollify them and Eruanna even smiled. They took Sador’s hands and soon were away, leaving the three older children still facing their new lord. Finrod turned to Glorfindel and smiled.

Glorfindel took one look at his brother and scowled. "Whatever it is, the answer is no."

Finrod laughed. "What makes you think I was going to ask anything of you, gwador?" he asked, speaking Sindarin.

Replying in the same language, Glorfindel said, "I know that look too well, brother."

Finrod nodded, giving Glorfindel a fond smile. When he spoke again it was in Quenya. "Still, I would ask that you and Laurendil take Sorondil and Oromendil to the lists with our armor. They can carry most of it I think. We’ll want to put in some practice before tomorrow."

Glorfindel stared at Finrod for a moment, then smiled. "Ah, well, in that case, I have no objections." He stood up and gave an imperious gesture to the two ellyn. "Up you get, younglings. Sorondil, you may carry Lord Findaráto’s armor and Oromendil, you may carry mine. Laurendil and I will take the weapons. Neither of you is strong enough to be able to carry any of our swords."

With that Laurendil unceremoniously hauled the two ellyn up by the scruff of their tunics and with a brief bow to Finrod marched them away. In a few moments the others saw the two ellyn staggering out of the compound laden with hauberks and helms, greaves and vambraces, while Glorfindel and Laurendil happily compared notes on the number of orcs they had killed while in Endórë.

And that left Lindorillë. Finrod stared at the elleth for some time before speaking. "Vorondil," he said without taking his eyes off Lindorillë who was now visibly squirming under Finrod’s regard. "I would have some refreshments for our guests readied for when they arrive. Would you see to it?"

"Yes, Master," Vorondil said without protest. "Should I make mulled wine?"

Finrod turned his head to look at the ellon and smile. "Best to make it cider so the younglings can have some."

"As you wish, Master," Vorondil said and soon only Alassiel and Manwen, both flanking Lindorillë, were left. Finrod returned his attention to the elleth kneeling before him. "Alassiel told me something of what you said to young Eruanna. I am curious to know why you think I would act in such a manner as you suggested."

Lindorillë went white and started to stammer something of an apology, but Finrod raised a hand to forestall her. "Come, come, child, let’s have a little honesty here. Tell me why you said what you said to Eruanna."

Now the elleth was weeping even as she made her confession. "A-atto says..."

Finrod’s expression darkened but his voice was gentle. "What does your atto say, child?"

"He... he says we c-can’t trust the Noldor be-because they did un-unspeakable things and th-that you were all still tainted w-with evil."

"And do you know what these unspeakable things were?" Finrod asked softly, suddenly understanding where the child was coming from and wondering when the hate and distrust would end.

Lindorillë shook her head, not taking her eyes off the ground.

"Then neither will I tell you," Finrod replied. "for you are too young to be burdened with such knowledge." He stood up and reached down, bringing Lindorillë to her feet, gazing at her intently. She found that she was unable to take her eyes off his and trembled even more. He rubbed her back to calm her and spoke in gentle tones. "Your atto is wrong to say such things, child, especially in your hearing. Much evil was done, it is true, but we have paid for it in ways you will never comprehend. For now, know this: I will never do anything to you or any of the others that will bring you shame or that will go against your deepest will. Nor will I allow anyone else to do such things to you. While you are in my service you and the other elflings will be treated with respect and even with love, much as your own parents treat you. Have no fear for yourself or for any of the others. Do you believe me?"

Lindorillë blushed and nodded but otherwise did not speak. Finrod took her in his embrace and gave her a brief hug and kissed the top of her head.

"Good. Now, your parents will be here in a short while. Why don’t you and Manwen set the table and help Vorondil with preparing refreshments?"

Manwen gently took the young elleth by the arm and giving Finrod a curtsey, which Lindorillë echoed somewhat clumsily, led her away towards the cooking tent. Finrod turned to Alassiel and gave a sigh, rubbing the space between his brows. "I fear the hatred will never end, Cousin," he said somewhat dejectedly.

Alassiel gave him a brief hug to comfort him. "But that’s not to say we should not try to end it," she replied and Finrod returned her hug with one of his own.

"You are correct, of course," he said, giving her a smile. "Come, let me see how you are faring." He gently took hold of the sprained wrist and after a thorough examination declared that it was healed but cautioned her not to put too much strain on it for another day or two.

Sador returned shortly thereafter with Eruanna and Veryandur, the elflings covered with baker’s sugar and huge smiles. Finrod took one look at them and silently pointed to the washtub by the cooking tent. Sador grinned and led them away while Finrod and Alassiel exchanged smiles. Glorfindel and Laurendil returned not long afterwards with the two ellyn, who looked somewhat subdued as they rubbed their arms. Glorfindel gave Finrod a nod and Laurendil merely shrugged.

"Why don’t you go clean up," Finrod told the ellyn, pointing to where Sador and the younger elflings were happily splashing each other. The two ellyn nodded and, with a gentle reminder from Laurendil, gave Finrod their bows before joining the others around the washtub. Laurendil followed them to give Sador a hand and in short order they managed to clean the children up and make them more presentable. On Finrod’s orders they were herded into Laurendil and Manwen’s tent to wait for their parents.

When the parents finally arrived it was in the company of Arafinwë and Valandur. Finrod raised an eyebrow at the sight of his atar, but Arafinwë merely smiled as he gave his firstborn a hug in greeting.

"I was coming to see you when I came upon Valandur escorting these good people to you," Arafinwë explained.

Finrod nodded. "I’m glad you are here, Atar. I would ask of you a favor, if I might."

"You need not ask, hinya," Arafinwë replied. "I will do whatever you wish if it is within my power to do so." He gave his son a shrewd look. "Does it have to do with these children and their parents?"

"Yes," Finrod answered. "But wait and all will become clear in a short while."

Arafinwë smiled and nodded. "I’ll just take my ease by the fire then until you have need of me." With that he sat down on one of the camp chairs by the fire and accepted a mug of mulled cider from Vorondil.

In the meantime, the parents were herded into the pavilion and were asked to sit at the table. Extra chairs were brought in to accommodate not only the parents, but Finrod, Glorfindel and Sador. Vorondil and Alassiel placed mugs of mulled cider before everyone and Manwen came in with a couple of platters of sliced fruits and cheese. Finrod noticed with approval that Eruanna and Veryandur’s amilli each clutched a toy, obviously belonging to their children. The other parents did not seem to have brought anything of their children’s with them and Finrod sighed to himself.

When all were seated, he spoke. "I will reiterate and expand on what was said last night so all will know what has been decided concerning your children. Afterwards, you will be permitted to see them one at a time and in full view of myself and my people."

Sorondil’s atar looked as if he might protest, but one look at Finrod’s expression and he subsided. The other parents looked anxious and Veryandur’s amillë clutched the stuffed toy to her, looking bereft.

Finrod decided to address Veryandur and Eruanna’s parents first. "I will take your two children with me to Lórien after the tournament," he said. "Now that Vorondil is a full-fledged Lóriennildo apprentice, much of his time will be taken up with his studies. With that in mind, I am making Veryandur and Eruanna my pages. Veryandur will stay with me and Eruanna will stay with Alassiel, or if you wish, I will put her in the care of Lord Laurendil and his wife, Manwen, both of whom are apprentice Lóriennildi."

The two sets of parents nodded and Finrod smiled at them gently. "You need have no fear for them. They will be closely guarded. Lórien is a place of peace and I have no doubt that Lord Irmo will have his own people keep an eye out for your children and assure that no harm comes to them. As I said before, you will be permitted to visit them once a month and if their begetting days occur before Midsummer you may visit them then. At Midsummer I will bring them back to Vanyamar."

Eruanna’s atar whispered a thank you that was echoed by the other parents and Finrod nodded. Then he turned his attention to the other two sets of parents and his expression hardened somewhat. "Your children, however, will not be accompanying me to Lórien. I have found their attitudes somewhat... disturbing, especially Lindorillë’s." He glanced at her atar but otherwise did not elaborate. "I have decided your children will return to Tirion under the care of my own atar and amillë."

As if on cue, Arafinwë chose at that time to enter the pavilion, having heard much of what had already been said. All looked up when the Noldóran entered. Some of the parents made to rise but Arafinwë motioned for them to remain seated. He smiled at Finrod. "I take it that is the favor you wished to ask me, hinya."

Finrod nodded. "Yes, Atar. I would ask that you take Lindorillë, her brother Sorondil and their friend Oromendil to Tirion and keep them in your safekeeping. I will come to Tirion on occasion to check on their progress."

"What exactly do you wish for me to do with them, Findaráto?"

"I leave that to your discretion, my lord, yours and ammë’s."

Arafinwë glanced at the parents of the children who would now be under his care and addressed them directly. "Then I will take them with me to Tirion where they will be a part of my personal household. Now that our other children are grown and flown," he smiled at the three ellyn who smiled back, "it will be a pleasure to have younglings making a mess again."

"We never made a mess, did we?" Glorfindel whispered loudly to Finrod and Sador. Finrod merely rolled his eyes and Sador snickered.

"There was the time when Finrod dumped cold water over you when you were sleeping," he said with a broad smile, "and then there was the other time when you and Finrod put frogs in Amarië’s bed and...."

"All right, all right," Glorfindel said, raising his hands in surrender. "You’ve made your point, but I beg to differ about the frogs. They were your idea, if I recall."

"But you’re the one who put them in her bed," Sador retorted with a laugh.

Arafinwë rolled his eyes and several of the parents started snickering when they saw that and there was a more relaxed air about them. Finrod merely smiled. He gestured to Veryandur’s parents. "You may visit with your son now. Go over to the fire and I will have him brought to you. I’m afraid the visit has to be short, but you will be able to see him again before we leave for Lórien later in the week. That holds true for all of you."

Veryandur’s parents rose and gave Finrod their obeisance and went out to the firepit along with Sador, who acted as chaperone. He went to Laurendil’s tent and shortly thereafter Veryandur came out. As soon as he saw his parents he gave a squeal and ran into his ammë’s arms, weeping. Sador stood nearby but did not interfere, allowing the little family some semblance of privacy as Veryandur’s parents hugged him and made sure that he was well. When his ammë handed him the stuffed toy the ellon clutched it and wept even harder. Sador came then and with gentle words led the child away. The parents stood there looking lost and with a word from Finrod, Alassiel went to them and led them to her own tent where they could compose themselves in private.

After that it was Eruanna’s turn. Unlike Veryandur, however, she did not weep, but talked excitedly about all the things she’d done that morning and told her parents how much fun she was having. Finrod hid a smile as he watched from the pavilion as the elleth’s parents tried to get a word in edgewise. Finally, her ammë held out the doll she’d been carrying and Eruanna gave a cry of delight and hugged it to her gladly. Then it was time for them to part and only then did the elleth start to cry. Manwen, acting as chaperone, led her gently back to the tent while her parents struggled to compose themselves.

By now, Veryandur’s parents had rejoined them around the dining table and Alassiel offered her tent to Eruanna’s parents but they thanked her and with great dignity returned to the table. Eruanna’s atar gave Finrod a rueful look. "I hope she doesn’t drive you to distraction between now and Midsummer, my lord."

Finrod smiled. "Not at all. I’m rather used to overly enthusiastic elflings by now. Your daughter is a delight and has been very brave through all this."

Oromendil’s parents were next and the meeting between them and their son was just as tearful but there was a sense of restraint on the part of the parents that worried Finrod. He gave his atar a glance and saw that Arafinwë was frowning. No toy was offered to the child and this, more than anything, grieved Finrod. Oromendil’s parents hugged their son and then simply turned away and returned to the table, leaving the child standing there looking hurt and confused. Sador came to him and placed an arm around the ellon’s shoulders and gently led him away. The look on the child’s face was heartbreaking to behold.

Lindorillë and Sorondil’s parents were nearly as cold to their children as Oromendil’s parents, but the two elflings seemed to take it in stride. Finrod was sure that it wasn’t a case of there not being any love between parents and children but rather that the parents had decided to divorce themselves emotionally from the trauma of separation and their children, taking their cue from the parents, were attempting to do the same.

Finrod sighed and motioned for Arafinwë to lean closer to him. He whispered something in his atar’s ear that none heard. Arafinwë nodded. "Do not concern yourself, hinya," he said aloud, "I will take care of it."

The former king of Nargothrond nodded and relaxed somewhat, satisfied that his atar would do what was necessary for the children in his care. When the last interview ended Finrod spoke to the parents again. "I think it best if you all leave now. Rest assured that your children are well, if not happy. The Noldóran and I will do all we can for your children and I have no doubt that Lord Valandur as the High King’s emissary will keep you abreast of all that happens to them."

Valandur, who had remained silent during all this, acting merely as a witness to what was happening, nodded and gave them a bow of his head. "The High King has asked me to check on your children from time to time and I believe that both their Majesties," he nodded to Arafinwë and Finrod, "will send me written reports as well."

Both Finrod and Arafinwë nodded at that, then Finrod stood and the parents rose as well, giving them their obeisance. Valandur then escorted the parents out of the compound. When they were gone, Finrod sank back into his chair with a sigh. Arafinwë gave him a wry glance. "You handled that very well, hinya. I can see why you want me to take charge of the older three elflings. Rest assured that your amillë and I will treat them as if they were our own."

"That is what I am hoping," Finrod said.

Arafinwë nodded. "But on one condition."

Finrod raised an eyebrow. "That being?"

"At Midsummer, when you release the two younger ones from your service, you take these three back with you to Lórien," Arafinwë said. "They did, after all, take oath to you, not to me."

"I had planned to," Finrod said with a smile.

Arafinwë nodded. "Then I will leave you to your little entourage. Will we see the three of you at dinner?" He looked at Glorfindel and Sador as he spoke.

Finrod nodded. "We’ll be there." The other two nodded as well.

Arafinwë smiled and giving them a salute, left. Finrod stood then and looked at Glorfindel. "Let’s go to the lists and see if there is anyone there with whom we can spar. I need to burn off some of my frustration."

Glorfindel simply grinned and in a short while the two were on their way to the lists followed by Laurendil and Vorondil, leaving Sador, Alassiel and Manwen to deal with five bereft elflings.

****

Hínyar: Contracted from híninyar, plural of hinya: my child.