33: A Conspiracy Amongst Gwedyr

Glorfindel’s first act upon reaching Lórien was to hunt up Celepharn. "So how’s the flet coming along?" he asked, trying to sound diffident but not really succeeding.

Celepharn grinned. "Come and see. I didn’t complete it entirely because I knew you would want to put some finishing touches to it."

The two of them made their way to the malinornë where the ‘Treehouse’, as Irmo and the Lórien Maiar were calling it, had been built. Glorfindel could see that the flooring had been finished but not much else.

"Do you have any idea how elaborate flets are supposed to be?" he asked.

Celepharn shrugged. "I asked some of the Nandor here in Lórien and they said that what we have so far is just the basic design used for sentry posts and such. Homes are much more elaborate with walls and room dividers. Are you thinking of moving in?" This last was accompanied by a wide grin.

Glorfindel laughed. "Not really. I just wanted a place where I could sit and think without being disturbed."

"Well then, I think this should do well enough," Celepharn said. "Perhaps a decorative railing might be nice, just to make it look less... unfinished. We’re not sentries after all."

Glorfindel nodded. "I’ll think about it. Thanks for helping. I seem to be all thumbs when it comes to hammers and nails."

"It was my pleasure," Celepharn replied. "It rather reminded me of earlier times before... well before I left the first time." He paused, looking both abashed and puzzled as if the memory was more elusive than he wished. "I think I was apprenticing to a woodworker when... well, you know."

"Yes. I do," Glorfindel replied quietly, giving the other ellon a sympathetic look. "Do you think you’ll go back to that? I know of a fine woodworker in Eldamas who might be willing to take on an apprentice. Perhaps you should ask Lord Irmo about it."

Celepharn shrugged. "Perhaps," he said, unwilling to commit himself either way.

"Well, think about it," Glorfindel replied, "and if you need someone to put in a good word for you, you can count on me."

The other ellon smiled. "Thank you," he said.

"So, what should we do next?" Glorfindel asked, clapping his hands and giving Celepharn a decidedly wicked grin.

"Well... how about painting the flet?"

Glorfindel raised an eyebrow at that. "Any particular color?"

Now Celepharn’s expression turned slightly wicked. "I know where there’s a tub of bright blue paint just begging to be used."

For a moment the two ellyn stared at one another and then they were racing to be the first one down the rope ladder, laughing gleefully as they ran towards the painting grove.

"Bright blue?" Nornoros asked in disbelief as he, Manveru and Ingil watched the two ellyn race each other down the sward.

"Lord Irmo will not be pleased, I’m sure," Manveru replied with a laugh.

"Which is probably why Celepharn suggested it," Ingil added with a smile. He was there keeping an eye on Celepharn while the other two watched over Glorfindel.

Nornornos shook his head. "These Children are very...."

"Amusing?" Manveru supplied with a grin.

"More like confusing," Nornoros retorted with a grin of his own.

Ingil laughed. "They’re actually both at the same time, which is why I enjoy interacting with them so much, especially the Reborn who are struggling to reintegrate themselves in their new lives. It gives me great pleasure to see them overcome the obstacles that confront them and thrive."

"I haven’t had much to do with them myself until now," Nornoros said. "I think I have much to learn about them."

"And as much as you think you know, so much will you realize you do not know when dealing with them," Ingil commented. "They are continually surprising you."

"And no wonder," Manveru said with a nod as he and his fellow Maiar watched the two ellyn come racing back with paint tub and brushes in hand, "for we had nothing to do with their creation. They are indeed a mystery to us and to our masters." He flashed the others a grin. "I’ve long suspected that that was Atar’s intent all along."

The other two Maiar laughed as they continued to watch the two elves happily begin painting the flet a bright blue.

****

Finrod and Laurendil stopped by later to see how the flet was coming along. Glorfindel and Celepharn were sitting beneath the tree taking their ease. They were liberally daubed with paint but seemed in no hurry to wash it off.

"Bright blue?" Laurendil asked, shaking his head in disbelief. "I don’t remember any of the flets on Tol Galen painted that color. In fact, they weren’t painted at all!"

"Too bad," Glorfindel said with a grin. "I rather like it myself."

"It’s... bright, that’s for sure," Finrod commented. "I suspect it can be seen for several leagues in every direction."

"And at night as well," Laurendil added.

"So what’s your next project?" Finrod asked with a smile at the two ellyn.

"Their next project is to get that paint off them."

Glorfindel and Celepharn scrambled to their feet while Finrod and Laurendil turned to see Lord Irmo standing there looking amused. All four ellyn gave the Vala their obeisance. Irmo ignored them for the moment as he looked up at the flet "Now I would’ve gone for gold myself," he said with a straight face as he looked at the elves once again.

"Gold?" Finrod asked in disbelief. "You would have painted that gold?" He pointed at the flet.

Irmo nodded. "I like gold. It’s bright and cheerful. Now, you two. Off you go and wash off that paint and don’t forget to clean the brushes. Celepharn, you had an appointment with Laurendil, did you not?"

The ellon nodded, looking miserable. "I guess I forgot," he said apologetically.

Laurendil nodded. "It happens, but let’s not make it a habit, shall we? Come along. I’ll help clean the brushes."

With that he left with Celepharn after they both bowed to Irmo. Glorfindel was about to follow them when Irmo stayed him. "Before you go, Glorfindel, I wished to let you know that Námo forwarded your request to go to our sister’s to meet with Ingwion. I’m sorry to tell you that Nienna will not allow it at this time."

"Can Ingwion come here then?" Glorfindel asked, trying to hide his disappointment.

"No. I’m afraid he’s not being allowed to travel right now. Perhaps in a few weeks...."

"A few weeks? A few years? Maybe never?" Glorfindel growled. "Why are you trying to keep us apart?" He didn’t wait for an answer, assuming there was one to give, but stalked away in high dudgeon, refusing to stop even when Finrod called to him.

"No, let him go," Irmo commanded softly. "I feared this would be his reaction. Námo warned Nienna that he would take her refusal badly."

"I do not see why you are keeping them apart either," Finrod stated. "Glorfindel feels that he and Ingwion need to share something that happened to them both."

"I know, and that’s what we fear the most."

Finrod could only stare at the Vala in consternation as Irmo continued to watch Glorfindel proceed down the sward, unaware of the two Maiar trailing him.

****

Glorfindel was in a foul mood and remained that way for some time. He barely spoke to anyone and once the paint dried he spent much of his time sitting on the flet, refusing all contact with his friends. Not even Finrod could tease him out of his mood, though he did issue a warning to his gwador when he came to visit Glorfindel in his treehouse a few days later.

"Remember the last time you did something precipitous, gwador," the elven prince reminded him. "You ended up a thrall. Disobey the Valar and you may end up as something much worse."

"What could be worse than being a thrall?" Glorfindel deigned to ask, intrigued in spite of himself.

"I hope you never find out," was Finrod’s only reply. He said no more but the thoughtful look that he saw on Glorfindel’s face as the prince made his way down the rope ladder gave him hope that he had gotten through to his impetuous friend.

Glorfindel mulled over Finrod’s words for some time but came to no ready conclusions. He had found his time as a thrall quite humiliating and had been glad that Ecthelion had not been there to see it. His closest friend in Gondolin would have teased him mercilessly even as he would have tried to share Glorfindel’s punishment. That had ever been the way between them — teasing one another relentlessly for one foolishness or another yet always ready to defend the other’s back against all comers. He sighed. He missed Ecthelion and wondered just when he would see his dear friend again. He had no memory of him in Mandos and could only conclude that either he was still in healing sleep or Lord Námo had purposely made sure they never met while within his Halls. Either way, it came down to one unalterable fact — the one person whom he trusted more than any other, even Finrod, was not there to offer him advice or at least a willing ear.

Things would have continued as they were with Glorfindel moping and his friends (and half the Maiar of Lórien) keeping close watch on him, if something unexpected had not happened: Sador showed up, along with Beleg, without escort.

"What are you two doing here?" Finrod demanded when the two were brought before him. He was no longer staying with Indis, but had returned to his own grove. Even the elflings had been permitted to return, much to their and Finrod’s delight, though Finrod noticed that there was always one Maia visible at all times whenever he and the elflings were together.

Sador and Beleg had identical unrepentant grins on their fair faces. "We decided to see what you and Glorfindel were up to," Sador replied. "Where is he, by the way?"

"Not here, obviously," Finrod answered with some exasperation. "Do Atar and Anatar know you are here?"

"They probably do by now," Beleg answered. "We left them letters telling them of our intention."

Finrod rolled his eyes. "Great." Then he pinned them with a glare. "Beleg, even though you’ve only been recently Reborn you’re still older and presumably wiser than Sador."

"And being older and wiser," the Sinda said with a sniff, "I deemed the journey safe enough. This isn’t the borders of Doriath you know, Finrod. There are no orcs trying their level best to kill us."

"No, just disgruntled elves who would like to," Finrod retorted.

Beleg shrugged but Sador suddenly went still, fingering his single front braid. The other two noticed the gesture and grimaced. Beleg was the first to speak. "I’m sorry gwador, I wasn’t thinking."

Finrod nodded. "Until all this is resolved, we need to be vigilant. Sador was attacked once, there is no guarantee it won’t happen again."

Sador went white and Finrod had to take him in his arms and hold him until the shaking ceased. "You didn’t think about that, did you?" he asked quietly.

The younger ellon shook his head. "No," he whispered. "All I thought about was seeing you and Glorfindel again."

Finrod patted him on the back. "Well, now that you’re here perhaps you two can help me with Glorfindel. He’s been sulking of late and no one can bring him out of it."

Sador and Beleg exchanged surprised looks before turning their attention back to Finrod. "Perhaps you should tell us everything," Beleg said, sounding more like the Marchwarden of Doriath he had once been.

Finrod nodded and, gesturing for them to take seats while he poured them some wine, he proceeded to do just that.

****

Glorfindel showed up at the grove some time later as Finrod and the others were about to sit down for dinner and there was a joyful reunion between him and his friends. Finrod had asked Indis and Melian to take the elflings for the night so the four ellyn could have some time together.

"So how long are you staying?" Glorfindel asked them as he took his usual seat at the table.

"They’re not," Finrod answered for them, casting the two visitors a dark glare. "They will be returning to Tirion soon. I have no doubt Atar has already sent an escort for you. When they come you’ll both be going back with them."

Sador and Beleg both scowled. "We’re both of age, Finrod," Sador protested. "I’m tired of being treated no differently than you treat the elflings or Vorondil."

"And I am even older," Beleg added, looking defiant. "No one should be telling me what to do, including you."

"You’re newly released from Mandos and Lórien, Beleg," Glorfindel said. "You little realize just how emotionally vulnerable you are. How much of your previous life do you remember?"

Beleg stared at Glorfindel for a moment, his expression still defiant. "Enough," he replied.

"Meaning you don’t remember much at all yet," Finrod retorted. "Glorfindel is correct, gwador. Take it from one who’s been there. It was decades after my release before I started to act less like an elfling and more like an adult. Unfortunately, it’s the way it is for all of us Reborn."

"Why then are we released in such a state?" Beleg asked. "Why can we not be released when we are fully mature emotionally?"

Finrod shrugged. "I do not know. I suspect though that only in interacting with others who are not Reborn can we mature."

"It doesn’t seem fair," Sador said with a grimace. "It’s almost as if we’re being punished all over again for dying."

No one had an answer to that so Finrod turned the conversation to another topic, namely, Glorfindel’s flet. "You’ll have to go and see it," he said with a laugh. "Bright blue it is. The Nandor who are here have made a point of refusing to go near it."

"It’s not that bad," Glorfindel protested. "Lord Irmo would have painted it gold. Gold! Can you believe that? Blue is much better."

"But it’s not just blue, it’s bright blue," Finrod pointed out with a laugh. "There’s a big difference."

Glorfindel just shrugged. "Well, anyway, I still like it."

"You’ll have to show us tomorrow, then," Sador said and Glorfindel agreed.

****

Morning came and Finrod had to leave on business of his own but Glorfindel led Beleg and Sador to the malinornë and the flet. Beleg’s demeanor changed the further into the woods they went and there was a contented grin on his face before they even reached the flet. "The trees like me. I don’t recall being here before."

"It’s not an area we Reborn normally go, I think," Glorfindel said. "Celepharn said he discovered these woods by accident."

"Accident?" Sador questioned. "I doubt that. One thing I’ve learned since my release from Mandos is that there are no accidents, not where the Valar are concerned."

Glorfindel shrugged. "I suspect you are right, Sador. Well, here we are. What do you think?" He pointed upwards to the flet and for a moment no one spoke. Then Sador looked at Glorfindel with a grin.

"Finrod was right. It is very bright," he said.

"And blue," Beleg added with a grin of his own. "I see why the Nandor would avoid this place. If I didn’t know better I’d say you painted it that color on purpose."

"It was Celepharn’s idea, not mine," Glorfindel said with a sniff.

"Celepharn!" Sador exclaimed. "Not the same...."

Glorfindel nodded. "He’s changed. We’re friends now."

Sador gave him a strange look but said nothing further. Instead he started climbing the rope ladder. Beleg, not really understanding what the other two were talking about and not really caring, decided to tackle another subject. "Finrod said you’ve been sulking," he said to Glorfindel as he started up the ladder.

"Not sulking, thinking," Glorfindel answered somewhat testily as he followed.

"About what?" Sador asked as they came to the flet.

"I need to speak to Ingwion but the Valar refuse to let us meet. I’ve been trying to think of how I can...." he stopped and looked warily around, though there was no one else in sight and only the sound of birds and squirrels going about their own business could be heard. He turned back to the other ellyn and motioning them towards him he whispered, "I need to leave Lórien without being seen."

"Where do you mean to go?" Beleg whispered as well. Indeed, the three of them were now sitting side-by-side with their backs to the tree. Glorfindel was in the middle with Beleg on his right and Sador on his left, both leaning toward Glorfindel.

"Lady Nienna’s," came the reply. "That is where Ingwion is. If the Valar won’t let him come to me...." He left the rest unsaid but it was obvious to the other two what he meant.

Silence stretched between them for a space while they all thought. Finally, Beleg grinned. "I’ve never been to Lady Nienna’s. I wonder what it looks like."

Glorfindel and Sador both looked at him askance, not sure what he was driving at. Then Sador suddenly grinned. "I’m not ready to go back to Tirion either whatever Finrod says."

Now Glorfindel looked at both of them with an unreadable expression. "I appreciate the offers but what I’m planning will only get me into trouble. You two should stay out of it."

"We’re your gwedyr, Glorfindel," Beleg said. "We want to help and if you get into trouble then it’s only right that you have company."

"Not like the last time," Sador added. "You should never have been treated that way anyway."

Glorfindel shrugged. "It was what it was and nothing we can do about it, but if it is to happen again I would prefer not to drag you into it. You don’t deserve such punishment."

"And you do?" Sador countered. "They don’t want you and Ingwion to meet. There must be a reason but what if they are wrong? What if you and Ingwion need to speak?"

"It is how I feel as well," Glorfindel said. "I cannot explain it but in my heart I know that there is something Ingwion and I must share between us. I do not know why we are being prevented from doing so but I’ve already decided I’m not going to let the Valar or anyone else stop me from going to Ingwion. The problem is that I think I’m under surveillance by the Maiar."

The other two ellyn glanced nervously about. "Do you think they’re listening to us even now?" Beleg asked.

Glorfindel shrugged. "As to that I cannot say. I would hope we would be accorded some privacy but it seems that we Reborn aren’t given that courtesy."

"Again because we are Reborn," Beleg said with disgust. "For that very reason I would help you in leaving here."

"Do you think they have Beleg and me under watch as well?" Sador asked, looking troubled. "If so, does that mean we weren’t as clever as we thought in our escaping from Tirion?"

"How did you get away?" Glorfindel asked.

"We said we were going hunting," Beleg answered.

"And we wanted to go alone," Sador chimed in. "Atar wouldn’t allow it unless we agreed to hunt in the royal preserve rather than further afield."

"So we actually did as we were told," Beleg continued, "but only for one night, then we made our way out of the preserve from a different direction and continued on to Lórien. We told everyone we would only be away for three days. We left letters with some of our camping gear that we left behind explaining where we had gone."

"I suspect Atar will be furious and will punish us or at least me," Sador said with an unrepentant grin.

"Why didn’t you just ask to come here?" Glorfindel enquired. "Surely Atar would have been happy to let you come."

Sador shook his head. "On the contrary. Both he and Lord Olwë spoke against our coming here when we asked. That’s when Beleg and I decided to come anyway, so you see, we know how you feel about being denied being allowed to see Ingwion and we want to help."

"But how?" Glorfindel asked. "Finrod warned me that going against the wishes of the Valar in this would be not only foolhardy but dangerous."

"What’s the worst they can do to you, gwador?" Beleg asked with a smug look. "If they kill you, you will simply end up back in Mandos."

"Where no doubt Lord Námo will be so overjoyed to see me that he will make sure I never leave again," Glorfindel retorted with a sour grin.

"Ah... I didn’t think about that," Beleg allowed, looking less smug.

Then Sador spoke. "What if... what if Glorfindel comes with us back to Tirion?"

"Huh?" Glorfindel replied in confusion. "I thought you just said you didn’t want to go back to Tirion just yet."

"No more do I," Sador agreed, "but what if we pretend we are going back voluntarily, not waiting for the escort Finrod is sure is following us. You could announce you are going to return with us."

"Do you think we can leave without Finrod at least demanding an escort just to make sure we actually do what we say we’re going to do?" Beleg asked skeptically.

"If I am with you, I’ll be escort enough as far as Finrod is concerned." Glorfindel replied confidently and the other two nodded in agreement.

"So now the only thing we need to figure out is how to get rid of the Maiar you say are keeping watch on you," Beleg said.

All three ellyn looked warily about, unaware that for once there were no Maiar on watch, for Lord Irmo had called them away on purpose, though not even the Maiar knew this. Then Glorfindel gave them a grin. "I think I know how we can manage it," he said and then he proceeded to tell them his idea. Before he was halfway through, the other two were grinning and nodding in agreement.

****

Note: Glorfindel’s ‘treehouse’ is courtesy of Beruthiel’s Cat with my thanks for the idea.