20: The End of the Tournament

The Elves’ recovery progressed quickly and two days later even Beleg and Finrod were back to normal, though both were quieter than was their wont. The other elves were unaware of what had happened to their two friends. When Námo tried to broach the subject, both ellyn became tight-lipped and Finrod was adamant that the issue was closed as far as he and Beleg were concerned.

"If you love us, lord, you will never ask us again about what happened," Finrod said, almost pleadingly.

"I only wished...."

"What part of ‘no’ did you not understand, my lord?" Finrod fairly shouted, stalking off without waiting for an answer. Beleg gave the Lord of Mandos an apologetic shrug before following his gwador. It was several hours before either was seen again.

"Are you two well?" Glorfindel asked them when they returned to the suite of rooms put aside for their use by Ingwë. He was sitting cross-legged on one of the cots polishing one of his knives. There was no one else there.

Finrod nodded. "Yes, gwador. We are well. Have no fear for us." He gave the younger ellon a bright smile which Beleg echoed.

"You’re sure?" Glorfindel asked doubtfully, giving them both a shrewd look.

"Yes, we are," Beleg answered decisively. "Now, what mischief have you gotten yourself into lately?"

"Me?" Glorfindel exclaimed, looking suddenly guilty, though he didn’t think he should be feeling guilty about anything. "I haven’t gotten into any mischief," he insisted, then gave them a wicked grin, "yet. Care to join me?"

The other two ellyn just laughed, willing to go along with whatever their gwador was planning.

****

‘Mischief’ took the form of raiding the royal kitchens for freshly baked cheese and current tarts. Sador, when they found him, elected to join them but Ingwion was with his parents and Laurendil insisted he was too old for such games.

"Are you accusing me of being childish?" Finrod asked him with an arched eyebrow and an amused smile.

Laurendil held up a hand in a conciliatory manner. "I’m not the one who died and spent nearly a yén playing with stuffed toys."

"He’s got you there," Glorfindel laughed, forestalling Finrod’s retort. "Come then. It’ll just be us Reborn."

With that, the four ellyn set off to raid the palace kitchens, using all their collective skills at hunting and stalking (Finrod, Glorfindel and Beleg), and pure deviousness at avoiding the ‘grown ups’ (Sador). They ran giggling like elflings with their prizes, hiding in a grove of trees in one of the gardens to enjoy their ill-gotten gains in peace.

"Now that’s what I call a hunt," Beleg exclaimed as he chomped on a still-warm tart.

Finrod nodded in agreement, handing round a skin of hard cider that he had managed to pilfer on their way out. "We have Sador to thank for getting us past the pastry cook and the scullery," he said after taking a swig of the cider.

Sador merely grinned as he chewed on his own tart.

"You’ll spoil your dinners."

The four ellyn looked up in guilty surprise to find Arafinwë staring down at them, his hands on his hips, giving them his best Atto glare, though there was a definite twinkle of amusement lurking in his eyes.

Finrod was the first to recover. Holding out one of the uneaten tarts, he gave his atar his most winning smile. "Want one?"

Arafinwë laughed as he settled himself down on the grass beside them. "Thought you’d never ask."

The four younger elves laughed and Glorfindel, who had been taking a drink from the skin and nearly choked when Arafinwë showed up, handed the cider to the Noldóran, who accepted it with a graceful nod of his head.

"Tarts always taste better stolen," he commented to no one in particular.

"How did you know we were here?" Finrod asked.

Arafinwë gave him a smirk. "You weren’t very quiet as you came into the garden. I was further along admiring one of the fountains when I heard you four giggling like a bunch of ellyn getting into trouble."

They all blushed at that and their sheepish looks set Arafinwë laughing. "Don’t worry," he assured them. "If the cooks start an inquisition, I will claim ignorance." He gave them a blank innocent look. "Thieves? Stealing tarts? Would that be two fair-haired and two silvery-haired Reborn ellyn you’re looking for? No, can’t say as I have. Sorry."

They were all laughing hysterically at Arafinwë’s performance. Beleg awarded him with another tart, which the king accepted with a gracious smile. "So what possessed you to do something so... elflingish?" he asked once he’d washed down the second tart with some more cider.

The four ellyn cast glances at one another before Finrod gave an answer. "We needed the release. We, Glorfindel and I especially, have been under much stress these last couple of weeks between the tournament and then our... disappearing." He gave his atar a lopsided grin. "It felt good to act irresponsibly, if only for a little while."

Arafinwë nodded his understanding. "It’s been stressful for us all and there are some who are still recovering from it, from what I understand."

"What do you mean?" Sador asked.

"The elflings you took into your service were greatly affected by what happened," Arafinwë answered, looking grave. "Lindorillë, especially, was devastated and apparently from the last missive I received from your ammë, she is fading, or trying to."

There were shocked expressions all around. Finrod started to rise. "I need to go to her...."

"Peace, hinya," Arafinwë said, pulling his son back down. "You will... we all will, but not this very minute. Lord Irmo assures me that she is in no danger of dying, but certainly it would be well if you go to Lórien as soon as can be arranged. I... we think you may be the only person to bring her back to herself."

Finrod nodded, his face still pale with shock. "She’s too young..."

"Yes, but you will reach her in time," Glorfindel assured him, then turned to Arafinwë. "When can we leave, Atar?"

"That is what I wish to discuss with you," the Noldóran said. "Technically, the tournament has not ended. We still need to determine the winner of the sword-and-shield event." He gave them a brief amused smile at the open mouths of Glorfindel and Findaráto.

"I don’t think anyone will allow us a rematch," Finrod said slowly.

"No more they will," Arafinwë replied with a nod. "We don’t want a repeat of that last match. Neither do we want to automatically disqualify you or declare one of you the winner."

"Who would you declare the winner?" Beleg asked curiously.

"Both of you lost one match," Arafinwë replied, "but as Glorfindel did not lose until the next to last match, then he would be declared the winner by default." He gave his son an apologetic shrug.

Finrod nodded. "We actually came to the same conclusion, and truly, I have no objections, though Glorfindel isn’t too happy about it."

"It just means I won by cheating," Glorfindel retorted.

"You didn’t cheat, gwador," Finrod explained.

Glorfindel shrugged. "It feels as if I had."

Finrod sighed and turned to his atar. "We’ve had this discussion off and on for the past week or so and I haven’t been able to convince him that he should be declared the winner."

"Why can you not both be the winners and the losers?" Sador asked reasonably. "Then you can share the prize between you."

"Or you could both forfeit and Mithlas, as third place holder, would be declared the winner," Arafinwë suggested.

"He would not accept it," Beleg said with deep assurance and no one disputed him, knowing full-well that the Sinda was correct. Mithlas was too honorable an elf to casually accept accolades he had not honestly won.

"Sador’s suggestion actually has merit," Finrod said after a moment’s reflection. "Glorfindel and I had already pledged that whichever of us won, we would share the prize with Sador and Alassiel for having to put up with those five elflings." He gave his atar a knowing smile.

Arafinwë laughed. "I’m sure Alassiel would appreciate the gesture."

"Why don’t we do that?" Glorfindel asked. Finrod gave him a puzzled look and Glorfindel nodded. "We both are declared the winners and the losers of the final match and we give the prize money to Sador and Alassiel. They earned it more than we did anyway."

"Would Ingwë accept such a solution?" Finrod asked Arafinwë.

"More importantly, will the other warriors who competed accept it?" Beleg asked.

For a moment they sat in silence, each with their own thoughts. Then, Arafinwë shrugged. "Only one way to find out... for both questions."

The four younger ellyn nodded. Finrod rose gracefully to his feet. "Let us go speak with Ingwë."

****

They stopped long enough to pick up Laurendil along the way, explaining what decisions had been made. Ingwë, they discovered, was relaxing in his study with Ingwion, Indil, Findis and Valandur. Olwë and Lirulin were there as well. They all looked up in surprise when Arafinwë strode in with the younger ellyn in tow. Valandur rose and quickly found additional seats for them all while Findis went and got more goblets so they could all enjoy the wine Ingwë and the others were drinking.

"Though why I should be giving you anything at all after you ran off with the tarts meant for tonight’s dinner I don’t know," Ingwë said with a wry grin as the four ‘thieves’ blushed.

"How did you....?" Glorfindel started to ask, then stopped when Ingwë simply gave him a look of disbelief.

"I was not involved," Laurendil said virtuously to no one in particular.

"He’s too old for games," Finrod stated with a disdainful sniff at his vassal.

"And you’re not?" Findis asked her nephew, smiling indulgently.

"Not as long as I have Glorfindel around to keep me young," Finrod quipped, "and Sador, too," he added with a smile for the youngest among them. Sador just blushed and wouldn’t look anyone in the eye.

"You four will apologize to the cooks before dinner," Ingwë said in a no nonsense voice, "and afterwards you will help wash the dishes." The four ellyn nodded, willing enough to pay for their ‘crimes’.

"We actually came here for a different reason," Arafinwë said and proceeded to explain what had been decided about the tournament. Ingwë listened without interrupting.

"Elindis and the other ladies of the court who went to Lórien will be returning tomorrow," Ingwë told them after Arafinwë finished speaking. "I had planned to have the closing ceremony for the tournament the next day. Your suggestion has merit and I will think on it."

"When will I be able to leave for Lórien, Uncle?" Finrod asked. "I’ve been told that Lindorillë...."

"Yes," Ingwë said with a grave nod. "The healers say you are well enough to travel. You may leave three days from now, after the feast celebrating the end of the tournament, if you wish. I will see that a suitable escort is readied for you."

"Thank you," Finrod replied with a bow of his head. "I would appreciate it."

"So now all we have to do is plan the closing ceremony," Glorfindel said. "I for one will be glad when this is finally done and over with. I need a holiday."

"You’ve been gone for nearly two weeks," Valandur couldn’t help saying with a laugh. "What more do you need?"

"That wasn’t a holiday," retorted Glorfindel. "That was... well, I’m not sure what it was, but it was no holiday."

The others gave Finrod enquiring looks, as if to ask if he agreed with Glorfindel. Finrod merely smiled as he took a sip of his wine. "Except for the basket of food and wine we received every day, the sleeping tent and cots, the peace and quiet...."

Glorfindel rolled his eyes as the others laughed as Finrod continued to give them a catalogue of luxuries that had been bestowed upon them by the Valar while they were ‘not on holiday’ as Glorfindel continued to insist.

****

The ladies of the court arrived the next day in due time. Finrod was pleased to see both Amarië and Alassiel among them.

"Though I did not wish to leave the elflings," Alassiel told him. "Lord Irmo and Lady Estë insisted that I do so."

"I’m glad they did," Finrod said as he gave her a chaste kiss in greeting, "as you have an important role to play in the closing ceremony for the tournament."

What that part was though he refused to say, merely telling her to be patient for a little while longer.

Finrod’s greeting to Amarië was a little less chaste, but no one raised any objections as the ellon held the elleth tightly against him and kissed her fully and with much feeling.

"I missed you," he whispered when they finally broke apart.

"Not as much as I missed you," she said with a satisfied smile.

The two of them walked off hand-in-hand, oblivious to the smirks and winks among their family and friends.

****

The closing ceremony was simplicity itself, yet full of deep emotion and solemnity. It was held in the tournament field with gaily colored banners fluttering bravely in the zephyrean breeze. The stands were crowded with excited spectators and there was a festive air all round. All those who had participated in the tournament (with one or two exceptions), whether in the sword-and-shield competition or the archery competition, were ranged on either side of the royal platform, forming an aisle down which those who were the finalists in the competitions would walk to receive their prizes.

Ingwë and Elindis, together with the other kings and queens, mounted the platform that had been built before the royal viewing stand. It was the same platform constructed for Vorondil’s trial but without the thrones. The Valar were also there, though few marked them, for they remained in the background. Eönwë, however, had resumed his role as Herald. The first to be called before the High King and Queen were the six archers who had made it into the finals.

Beleg, Mithlas, Aldarion, Marilla, Gilvagor and Elemmirë all trooped out to the field and gave their obeisance to the royals. Ingwë stepped forward with Elindis. "We are pleased to award the prizes for the archery competition," Ingwë said, "even if a couple of weeks late." He smiled and allowed the laughter to rise and ebb among the crowd before continuing. "Although we initially were only going to give a prize to the actual winner of the competition, we have decided to gift all of you who made it to the final round."

He turned to Elindis who smiled as she addressed the competitors. "To Marilla, Gilvagor and Elemmirë we give each of you these tokens of our appreciation." She gestured to one of the pages who came forward carrying a pillow upon which were three mithril cloak pins in the shape of a bow with an arrow as the pin. Each shaft of the bow was inlaid with semi-precious jewels — yellow topaz and green tourmaline being prevalent. The three elves received their gifts with thanks. Then Elindis addressed Mithlas and Aldarion.

"You two came very close to winning and so we would gift you with these." She gestured and another page came forward with two quivers, each crafted of finely tooled leather. The one given to Aldarion depicted a hunting scene that clearly showed Oromë with a recognizable Aldarion next to him. Mithlas’ quiver had a similar scene, but it was done in the style of the wood-elves of Beleriand rather than that usually favored by the Amaneldi. The Sinda had tears in his eyes when he was presented with his gift and Beleg ended up embracing him and speaking quietly to him until the ellon was calmer. Everyone waited patiently until he was able to get himself under control. He tried to apologize for breaking down but Ingwë waved the apology away.

"We quite understand your emotions, youngster," the High King said gently. "We are pleased that our small gift pleases you."

"It is no small gift, my lord," Mithlas said quietly. "It is an affirmation of the worth of my people. I fear many of the Noldor and Vanyar of Aman look down on those of us who never crossed the Sea but remained in Beleriand."

Ingwë nodded, well aware of some of the animosity the Sindar and Nandor faced from the Amaneldi. "Let us hope this is a sign that such disparaging of those who chose a different path is at an end. Whatever our origins, all are now of Aman and, in the end, that is all that should matter."

Mithlas nodded and stepped back to allow Beleg center stage. Ingwë smiled fondly at the newly Reborn ellon and then looked behind him, giving someone a nod, before returning his attention to the winner of the archery competition.

"Beleg Cúthalion, le beren a maecheneb. iPhilinn lîn ribir tîr a lint. Annam le daerpheng hen. No celil hen mae."

There was almost absolute silence as all listened in wonder as the High King of the Elves of Aman spoke in flawless if somewhat stilted Sindarin. Only the whispering of some of the Tol Eressëan Noldor translating Ingwë’s speech into Quenya for the benefit of the Amaneldi broke the silence which pervaded the field. Even as Ingwë was speaking, Olwë of Alqualondë came forward carrying a great war-bow made from precious nessamelda wood. It was exquisitely crafted. Along with the bow was a quiver, similar to those gifted to Mithlas and Aldarion, but this had a depiction of Beleg standing beside Oromë. Along with the quiver were arrows fletched in the Nandorin style.

As Ingwë finished his speech and Beleg stepped forward in a rather dazed manner to accept his prize, there was a sudden ovation from the stands as elves, whatever their origin, stood, shouting, "Beleg! Beleg for Ingwë!" The ovation went on for some time, but Beleg at least did not mind. He simply stood there holding the bow in one hand and the quiver in the other with tears streaming down his face as he stared into Olwë’s eyes. Then the King of Alqualondë took his nephew into his embrace and none heard the words spoken between them.

Finally, the applause quieted and the six archers gave the royals a final obeisance before stepping to one side, while Eönwë announced the finalists of the sword-and-shield competition. Finrod and Glorfindel came with Ingwion while Mithlas and Aldarion handed their quivers to Elemmirë and Marilla and stepped forward to join them.

Again, Ingwë spoke first, addressing the five warriors standing before him. "You and the other competitors to this tourney gave us many hours of enjoyment... and a few heart-stopping moments, as well." He cast them a wry grin as laughter sprinkled through the stands. "You, Prince Findaráto, and you, Lord Glorfindel, especially, have given us much pleasure in your performance, even though we did not see the full extent of your abilities until the very end."

Both Finrod and Glorfindel grinned somewhat sheepishly. "A good thing, too," Glorfindel muttered, though most of them standing nearby heard and laughed.

"But where did you go and how did you return?" Haldir asked. He was standing near the platform with some of the other warriors who had competed. There were many nods among the other competitors as well as among the spectators.

"And who won?" Gilvagor asked almost at the same time.

Finrod gave Ingwë an enquiring look and the king nodded, stepping back to allow Finrod to climb onto the platform so he could better address the crowd. Silence reigned as he turned to face the people after giving Ingwë and Elindis a short bow.

"I fear I can only answer the last question, for I have no answers for the first." He held up a hand as murmurs rolled across the field. It took a moment for him to regain the people’s attention. "To be honest, neither Lord Glorfindel nor I know where we have been. The powers we both were invoking at the end were too much even for the Valar to contain and so it seems Ilúvatar Himself took a direct interest in us and removed us to a place where we could not bring harm either to ourselves or to others."

"Why did it take you so long to return?" Ingwë asked, knowing that question was on everyone’s lips.

Finrod turned to speak directly to the High King, though all heard his answer. "The Valar were at a loss as to how to return us to Aman safely and frankly neither Glorfindel nor I wanted them to do everything for us. Let us just say that through the help of our otornor, we were able to find our way back. I’m afraid that is all either of us can tell you. For reasons we feel are justified, Glorfindel and I have given our oaths to Lord Manwë not to discuss our experiences beyond the merest generalities."

Ingwë nodded. "And I ratify your oaths. Let all hear me. Prince Findaráto and Lord Glorfindel have sworn oaths of silence unto the Elder King. Let none seek to undermine these oaths on pain of our royal displeasure and the displeasure of our royal cousins."

"Not to mention the displeasure of the Valar," Glorfindel whispered to Ingwion who struggled not to laugh.

Eönwë, having overheard, simply smiled and gave the ellyn a wink. Then, he turned his attention to Finrod, his demeanor sober once again. "Thine oath and Lord Glorfindel’s oath have been recorded, Prince Findaráto. Valar valuvar."

Finrod gave Eönwë a bow, then addressed the crowd again. "As for who won...." Here he gave them all a huge grin. "Let us first award the three other finalists before we tell you our solution."

Ingwë stepped forward with a grin. "An excellent idea, Nephew. Elindis will do the honors as usual."

The Queen of the Vanyar stepped forward and looked at Mithlas, Aldarion and Ingwion, her gaze lingering fondly on her son for a moment longer than she had done with the other two ellyn. "You all fought well and valiantly, with great skill and honor. We are proud of all of you and thank you for giving yourself so graciously to the tournament. We would therefore like to gift you with these." She turned to the page who was already by her side, holding a pillow on which lay three sword pendants. These were suspended on mithril chains. In the center of the pommel of each sword was a gemstone — mahogany obsidian, amber or turquoise — and the warrior’s name was inscribed along the blade itself.

Elindis called out Aldarion’s name and placed the pendant with the mahogany obsidian gemstone around his neck. Then Ingwion was called forward and Elindis gave him the amber pendant. Finally, Mithlas stepped forward to be presented with the pendant set with the turquoise stone. Ingwë then offered them his own congratulations before they bowed and stepped aside to allow Glorfindel and Finrod center stage.

"And so it comes down to this," Ingwë said, "which one of you won and which one lost? We have already agreed that a rematch is out of the question." There were knowing snickers all round and someone from the stands was heard to groan aloud as someone else laughed and they knew that bets had been made even on that question. Finrod rolled his eyes in disbelief and Glorfindel grinned, mouthing the words "Told you so".

"Yes, well...." Ingwë continued, trying to look stern but the twinkle in his eyes gave him away. "At any rate, I have considered your own suggestion and hereby agree to it. Therefore, we declare that Prince Findaráto and Lord Glorfindel are both the winners and losers of the tournament. I believe that they have already decided how the prize money should be distributed."

Finrod nodded and addressed the spectators. "Before the final match, Lord Glorfindel and I both agreed that whoever won would split the prize money with Lord Sador and Lady Alassiel, for reasons that are personal to us. Since we are both the winners and losers of the tournament the money will be given to them outright." He paused and gestured for Sador and Alassiel, who had been standing on the platform with the kings and queens, to step forward to receive their prizes. Each was given a bag full of gemstones and coins. Sador grinned and Alassiel gave everyone a flustered curtsey.

"Though it seems rather unfair that you and Glorfindel receive nothing for all the hard work you put into the tournament," she said as she accepted the bag from Finrod.

"Well, that’s not strictly true," Ingwë interjected with a smile. The High King gestured and Arafinwë and Olwë stepped forward, each carrying a sword in a leather scabbard. Finrod and Glorfindel exchanged surprised looks. "Your own swords were destroyed by the forces generated by your Songs of Power," Ingwë continued, "so we thought you might like to have these replacements."

"Findaráto," Arafinwë said, holding out the sword in his hands, "I wore this sword when I followed Fëanáro, though it never saw battle, for I returned to Aman and never had the occasion to unsheath it. Later, I wore it again during the War of Wrath and named it ‘Noldorunando’. It served me well during those long years. May it serve you equally as well, my son."

Finrod gazed into his atar’s eyes and saw the utter sincerity and love in them and could only nod, going to his knees to receive the sword. Then, Arafinwë reached down and lifted him up to embrace him. Eärwen came forward then and gave him a motherly kiss, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the tears from his face.

Meanwhile, Olwë stepped forward and addressed Glorfindel who all the while had stood stock still, his expression unreadable. "Glorfindel, I have not known you for very long," the King of the Teleri said, "but what I have seen I approve. You are courageous, yet gentle, bold yet not foolhardy... well, not always." There was gentle laughter at that and Glorfindel actually relaxed somewhat. Olwë nodded and continued, his voice somewhat quieter as he stared down at the sword. "This sword I found lying on the bloodstained sands of Alqualondë." There was an audible gasp from the crowd and Glorfindel went white. "I know not whose it was, and it does not matter. I took it as a reminder of what we elves are capable of when driven by evil. I cleaned it and had a new sheath made for it. Then, I took it to Lord Manwë, who blessed it, assuring me that no evil stained it, that the one who wielded it was once again an innocent. It has hung in my hall these many yéni but I always thought that I was merely its caretaker, that someday someone would claim it." He paused and stared directly at the former Lord of the House of the Golden Flower with a wistful smile. "I deem that day has come, child, and so I gift this sword to you in hopes that you will wield it for a better cause than its former owner did."

For a long moment Glorfindel could only stand there in mute shock but a gentle nudge from Beleg who had come up behind him to lend him support, thinking his gwador might faint at any moment, was enough to bring him to his senses and without a word he went to his knees, allowing Olwë to place the sword in his hands. Then he was lifted up and embraced. "I’m afraid it has no name," the Telerin king said quietly. "Perhaps you can give it one."

Glorfindel stared at the sword, vainly trying to swipe the tears from his face with little success. Eärwen fished out another handkerchief and handed it to him amidst much gentle laughter. When he got himself under control Glorfindel looked at Olwë. "It... I thank you, my lord, for such a gift and because a king has gifted it to me I shall call it ‘Aranna’."

There were satisfied nods all around. Olwë smiled, giving Glorfindel another hug. "That is a good name. May you always wield it justly and never in anger." He gave the ellon a kiss in benediction and then Glorfindel stepped to the side while Ingwë nodded to Eönwë who came forward to address the spectators.

"This tournament is ended. Let all depart in the Valar’s Peace and in good fellowship." Then he gestured for all the winners to follow the royals from the platform, for they would be the guests of honor at the feast that evening. Finrod and Glorfindel were in the middle of the procession with the other winners, everyone showing off their respective prizes as they made their way back to the city.

****

Beleg Cúthalion, le beren a maecheneb. iPhilinn lîn ribir tîr a lint. Annam le daerpheng hen. No celil hen mae: (Sindarin) ‘Beleg Strongbow, thou art bold and sharp-eyed. Thy arrows fly straight and swift. We give to thee this great-bow. Mayest thou bear it well.’ Daerpheng is the equivalent of the Quenya Altaquinga.

Valar valuvar: (Quenya) ‘The will of the Valar be done’; an attested phrase.

Noldorunando: (Quenya) Redeemer of the Noldor.

Aranna: (Quenya) Noble or Kingly Gift [ar-anna].

Yellow Topaz: Symbolic of friendship and it strengthens one's capacity to give and receive love.

Green Tourmaline: Brings a joy for life. It promotes an appreciation for the many wonders that life has to offer. It encourages patience and openness, as well as sincere interest in one's fellows. The magical uses of this stone include the stimulation of creativity.

Mahogany obsidian: Has a gentle energy that will ground and protect its owner. It gives strength in times of need.

Amber: A symbol of courage. In ancient times, amber was carried by travelers for protection. It also signifies the presence of Eru.

Turquoise: Considered by ancients to be a sacred stone, protective against all manners of evil and ill health.