27: Onward Towards Judgment

Ingwion insisted that he be allowed to say goodbye to Finrod and Glorfindel before leaving. Finrod was easy enough to find. He was staying with Lady Indis and it seemed that the two of them had become friends again in the short time he was with her. Finrod told her something of his life in Beleriand, though he refused to speak of his death or what happened afterwards. Indis, for her part, did not press, claiming that she wasn’t interested anyway. Finrod wasn’t fooled but he did tell her something of his experiences while in Lórien. Since she was acquainted with some of the people about whom he spoke, she happily regaled him with additional details about them that set him laughing. All in all, it was a good time for them both as they became reacquainted.

He was permitted to visit the elflings for about an hour each day after the noon meal. Most of the time was spent listening to the children telling him about their own day, what they had learned, what games they played. Melian and Ingil were always present. When it was time to leave the children always asked him the same question: "When can we come live with you again?"

"Soon, I hope," he always answered, looking at the two Maiar for some kind of confirmation, but their expressions gave him no encouragement and he always left feeling even more of a failure than when he arrived.

It was when he was leaving on the third day since he and Glorfindel had been separated that he found Ingwion waiting for him outside Melian’s grove.

"I’m leaving," he said baldly as the two embraced.

"Leaving? Where?"

Ingwion gave his cousin a wry grin. "Lady Nienna’s, or have you forgotten?"

"No. No. I hadn’t... I just... I was hoping you could stay for a while longer."

"So did I but Lord Námo told me I was needed at his sister’s." Ingwion gave him a rueful grin. "Something about helping her with Vorondil and Aldundil."

"Vorondil! Is he well? I’ve been so caught up...."

"Peace, Cousin," Ingwion said, giving Finrod a hug. "As far as I know, both are doing well enough. Perhaps when all this is resolved you will be able to visit them."

Finrod shook his head. "I told myself that I would not until Lady Nienna released them from her care or if I were bidden to come. Best that I stay out of the way for a time."

Ingwion sighed. "Well, at any rate, I must be off. I was hoping to say farewell to Glorfindel but I can’t seem to find him."

"Can’t help you there," Finrod said with a diffident shrug. "I haven’t seen Glorfindel since... since the fight."

****

Glorfindel, in fact, was high in a tree busily cursing a hammer and his thumb in three languages while Celepharn was rolling on the ground in laughter. Manveru and his fellow warrior Nornoros watched in amusement as Eönwë appeared with his Book. All three Maiar raised eyebrows at a particularly colorful phrase that issued from Glorfindel’s mouth at that very moment.

"That’s a new one," Eönwë muttered as he continued writing and the other two Maiar attempted to smother their laughter without too much success.

"He’s getting inventive, that’s for sure," Nornoros said.

Manveru nodded, giving them a wide grin. "He can slay balrogs and do things with a sword that leave even some of us Maiar blinking in disbelief but he’s absolutely hopeless with a hammer."

"We all have our talents," Eönwë said with a straight face as he closed the Book, for Glorfindel had stopped screaming long enough to stick his injured thumb in his mouth, his legs hanging off the edge of the half-finished flet, looking for all the world like an overgrown elfling of three. Celepharn was still lying on the ground, though his laughter had died down, a silly smile on his face.

Manveru gave Eönwë a puzzled look. "Are you here for another reason, Captain? You usually don’t stick around after you finish recording an oath."

Eönwë nodded. "The Valar have called for Judgment. We need to get Glorfindel ready. I’ve come to formally command his appearance before the Valar on Valanya. You two will see that he’s properly attired and on time."

The two other Maiar gave him sober nods. "Where...?" Nornoros started to ask.

"The Máhanaxar," Eönwë answered, his expression becoming grim. Manveru and Nornoros both nodded in understanding. The Herald of Manwë then sighed as he thought the Book away. "Well, best get this over with. I have to also inform Findaráto."

All three Maiar then clothed themselves. Celepharn started to rise hastily to his feet, but a gesture from Nornoros stilled him. Glorfindel, too wrapped up in his own misery, apparently did not notice them, but when Eönwë called his name, his reaction took them by surprise.

The ellon leapt up and backed away, fear in his eyes. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. Please don’t hurt me. I’m sorry...."

The three Maiar grimaced and Eönwë started up the simple rope ladder. Celepharn stared upward in shock, then turned to the other two Maiar. "Wh-what’s wrong with Glorfindel?" he asked in obvious distress.

Manveru held the ellon close and gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "Nothing is wrong with him, Celepharn. He’s just been under a lot of stress lately. All is well. Now, why don’t you go with Nornoros. We’ll take care of your friend."

Celepharn looked at the Maiar uncertainly, but when they both smiled encouragingly he allowed himself to be drawn away. Meanwhile, Eönwë had reached the flet and was attempting to calm a still hysterical Glorfindel.

"It’s all right, Glorfindel," the Maia said soothingly, not attempting to go to the ellon for fear he would do something precipitous. "No one is going to punish you. Calm down."

But Glorfindel did not seem to believe him and was now crouched against the bole of the tree which whispered soothingly to him though he was in too much distress to hear it. Just then, Irmo appeared on the flet, looking concerned.

"Glorfindel, it’s all right," the Vala said, crouching down before the ellon, who had wrapped his arms about his head. Irmo reached out and gently disentangled the arms so he could see the tear-streaked face beneath them and smiled. "You see. There is nothing to fear. We’re not here to punish you. Come now, let’s get you down from here."

He stood and gently but insistently took hold of Glorfindel’s arms and hauled him up, giving him a hug. All the while, he whispered encouragements and shortly thereafter they were all back on the ground, Glorfindel now calmer and looking chagrined.

"I’m sorry," he whispered. "I don’t know what came over me."

Irmo gave him another hug. "That’s all right, child. You’ve been under much stress of late. Now, dry those tears. All is well. Eönwë is here to let you know that we Valar have called for a Judgment and you and Findaráto have been summoned as witnesses."

Glorfindel looked at the Vala with puzzlement in his eyes. "We-we’re not going to be punished?"

"Oh, I didn’t say that," Irmo replied with a chuckle, "but you and Findaráto are not the focus of this particular Judgment. Both of you have to come to terms with what you did, but we will leave the two of you to sort it out between you. Now, Manveru will help you get ready. You need to be in Valmar by Valanya. You'll need to leave today if you are to be there in time."

"Will Finrod be traveling with us?"

"Yes, he will, and perhaps during that time you two can come to an understanding." The Vala gave Glorfindel a searching look and the ellon nodded, albeit reluctantly. "Good. Now, off you go."

"What about Celepharn?" Glorfindel asked, looking around and not seeing his friend. "And the flet? We’re still working on it."

"Oh I think Celepharn can finish the job well enough," Irmo replied with an ironic smile. "He doesn’t seem to have any problem with hammers."

Glorfindel blushed and allowed Manveru to lead him away. Irmo and Eönwë remained behind. "Well, that’s one down," the Lord of Lórien muttered to himself. Eönwë just nodded, refraining from making any comment.

****

The journey to Valmar was done mostly in strained silence. For the first few hours, Finrod and Glorfindel did not speak to one another. In fact, they studiously avoided one another with Glorfindel keeping two of their Maiar escort between them, much to the amusement of said Maiar. Irmo had provided them with an escort led by Manveru and Ingil. That did not sit well with either ellon but they wisely limited their displeasure to a few groans and grimaces as they mounted their horses.

During a stop to rest the horses and allow the elves to have something to eat, the two of them sat in stony silence on opposite sides of the small fire. Finally, Finrod sighed. "This is ridiculous," he muttered.

Glorfindel raised an eyebrow but did not speak.

"I never meant to send that letter," Finrod said. "In fact I was about to destroy it when I was... conveniently called away."

"Oh? What do you mean by that?" Glorfindel asked, intrigued in spite of himself.

"Just what I said. Lindorillë was meant to find the letter, but not by me."

Now Glorfindel’s expression became thoughtful and a silence stretched between them, though it was less strained than before. Finally, he gave Finrod a shrewd look. "Lisselindë," he said and Finrod nodded.

"Apparently, though I don’t know why."

"Do you think this... Judgment we’re supposed to go to is about that? Lord Irmo said we’re not the focus of the Judgment, but now I wonder."

Finrod shrugged. "As to that, I cannot say. All I can say is that I’m sorry. I should never have written the stupid letter, but at the time...."

Glorfindel nodded, giving Finrod a sheepish look. "And I’m sorry I didn’t let you explain. I read the letter and something inside me seemed to... to snap. I don’t even remember what I said that set you off."

"It wasn’t polite, that’s for sure," Finrod said with a thin smile and Glorfindel snorted. Finrod reached towards the fire and poured himself another cup of tea. "By the way," he added, "Ingwion wanted to say goodbye before leaving for Lady Nienna’s but he couldn’t find you."

Glorfindel looked at him in surprise. "I didn’t know. I wondered why he wasn’t with us."

Finrod nodded, taking a sip of tea before speaking. "Seems he’s needed to help Lady Nienna with Vorondil and Aldundil."

"Oh?"

Now Finrod gave his gwador a genuine smile. "I have the impression those two are in deep trouble and Ingwion is there to see to it that they get into even deeper trouble."

"Eru help us!" Glorfindel exclaimed with a laugh and soon Finrod was joining him.

The Maiar, who had remained out of sight, if not out of hearing, smiled at one another, pleased that these two seemed well on the way towards reconciliation. When they resumed their journey, the two ellyn rode side-by-side, sometimes talking, sometimes not, but the atmosphere between them was less strained. By the time they reached Valmar and were making their way towards the Laughing Vala they were even singing a little ditty that Sorondil and Oromendil had learned from one of the Reborn which had them and their Maiar escort laughing.

Reaching the courtyard of the Laughing Vala, however, they found all was in chaos, with much commotion of people and horses.

"What’s going on?" Glorfindel asked an ostler who was looking a bit harried.

"Kings," the elf said. "Lots of them." Then he hurried off to attend to the horses.

Finrod and Glorfindel exchanged glances. "You don’t think...?" Finrod started to say, when the door of the inn blew open and Arafinwë came out, grinning widely.

"Ah, there you are at last," he exclaimed as he grabbed them both in a bear hug, planting a kiss on their foreheads.

"Atar!" Finrod cried. "What are you doing here?"

"Probably the same as you," the Noldóran said, sobering slightly. "Come, let’s go inside. Ingwë has gotten us a private room."

Both Finrod and Glorfindel looked around the courtyard to find that their Maiar escort had conveniently disappeared, taking their horses with them. They glanced at each other and shrugged before following Arafinwë into the inn. The Noldóran led them down a back corridor, ignoring everyone in the common room, mostly guards from the three realms, opening a door onto a small private room. Inside they found not only Ingwë but also Olwë as well as the three queens. Elindis smiled at them both and Eärwen came and gave them hugs. Olwë’s queen, Lirillë, was also there, her silvery-white hair shining in the glow of the lamps, her eyes a startling shade of aquamarine. She looked upon the two ellyn with great interest, giving her grandson a warm hug and kiss.

"I am so glad that you are back with us, indyo," she whispered to him. Then she turned to Glorfindel with a smile.  "And you as well, Glorfindel."

"Thank you, my lady," Glorfindel said as he bowed over her hand.

"So where are Sador and Beleg?" Finrod asked.

"Sador and Beleg are in Tirion," Arafinwë answered with a chuckle, "no doubt plotting how to take over my kingdom."

"And mine," Olwë said with an ironic grin. There were sniggers all around.

"Knowing those two, I wouldn’t be surprised if they actually succeeded," Glorfindel said with a straight face, though his eyes were twinkling with mirth.

As they continued laughing Ingwë then gestured for everyone to be seated. Once they found their seats, however, the mood shifted. "Why are you all here?" Finrod asked, giving them a quizzical look. "No one told us you were coming."

It was Ingwë who answered. "Lord Manwë summoned all of us to this Judgment, though we have been given no details." He gave the two younger ellyn a searching look and noticed how they both winced slightly under his regard. Their reactions did not go unnoticed by the others.

"We’re not the ones being called to Judgment, if that’s what you’re worried about," Finrod answered their unspoken question.

"We’re actually witnesses," Glorfindel added somewhat primly.

"Oh? Witnesses to what?" Ingwë asked, looking disbelievingly at them both.

The two ellyn exchanged glances and then Finrod answered, his tone hesitant. "We’re not entirely sure, but we think it has to do with a Maia, one of Lord Irmo’s People."

"A Maia on trial?" Lirillë asked in surprise, her shocked expression mirrored in the faces of the other royals. "Is such a thing possible?"

However, none of them had an answer to that as they sat in grim silence trying to imagine the unimaginable.

****

Nornoros: (Quenya) ‘Messenger, Runner’.

Indyo: (Telerin Quenya) Grandson. The Noldorin Quenya version would be inyo.