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Elf, Interrupted: Book Two: Glorfindel's Quest  by Fiondil

57: Objections Noted

The next morning, after breakfast, Arafinwë asked Finrod, Glorfindel, Sador and Beleg to join him in his study. The four younger ellyn found seats while Arafinwë went to a sideboard and poured some fresh juice into goblets, handing them to the others before taking his own seat at his desk.

"Very well, who wants to be the first to voice their objections?" the Noldóran asked without preamble, his eyes bright with wry amusement as the four ellyn all blushed and looked away.

"You already know our objections, or at least mine, Atar," Finrod said finally. "And I suspect that they are similar to the ones my otornor have."

"Possibly," Arafinwë conceded, "but I would still like to hear them. So, why don’t we begin with you, yonya."

Finrod nodded. "Very well," he said firmly, "my main objection is this: what do you hope to achieve by going to Tol Eressëa, other than making yourself a fine target for anyone with a grievance?"

Arafinwë pursed his lips, staring at nothing in particular as he seemed to gather his thoughts. "We all agree, I think, that the political uncertainties on Tol Eressëa need to be addressed. Laurendil said as much. There is no one person who has emerged to lead the disparate factions and give these people a purpose."

"Agreed," Finrod said. "So, what are you thinking to do about it?" There was almost a challenging tone to the question and the other three ellyn stared at him in amazement.

If Arafinwë was upset by his son’s tone, he gave no sign. "I want to see for myself just what is going on there. It isn’t enough to sit here reading reports by others." He turned to Sador with a brief smile. "Though Sador’s reports were far more illuminating than most others."

The young ellon gave them a bashful look. Finrod smiled at the Sinda. "What was your over-all impression of Tol Eressëa, Sador?"

The young apprentice potter and diplomatic-aide-in-training glanced up at Finrod and shrugged. "It’s a nice place. I wouldn’t mind living there, myself. It sort of reminds me of the Havens at Sirion, without the Mortals." He flashed them a teasing grin and they all laughed. Then he sobered. "There was a lot of dissatisfaction among many of the Tol Eressëans, especially among the Sindar."

"Why the Sindar?" Glorfindel asked. "I would think the Noldor would be more dissatisfied than the others."

Sador shook his head. "The Noldor with whom I spoke seemed... resigned to their fate."

"And what did they perceive as their fate?" Arafinwë asked quietly.

Sador gave the Noldóran a steady stare. "They believe that they deserve to be... um... contained on the island. I heard a number of them referring to themselves as the Dispossessed. They do not believe that the Valar will ever permit them to return to their former homes. Even those who were born in Beleriand think they will not be allowed to be reunited with their Amanian kin."

Finrod and Glorfindel nodded. "A similar sentiment among many of the Reborn Noldor," Glorfindel said.

"And among the Sindar," Beleg interjected. "Very few of us welcomed the idea of being reunited with our Telerin kin, if we even knew who they were. We knew we had... changed. We were no longer the same people as those who crossed to Valinor. Some in Doriath, I know, even spoke of us as a Fourth Clan."

"And the Nandor as a Fifth," Finrod added, nodding. "I well remember having similar discussions with the loremasters in Doriath."

"But we’re getting off topic, I fear," Arafinwë said, "interesting as this is."

But Sador shook his head. "Nay, Atar, I do not think so. It is all of a piece with what is happening on Tol Eressëa. I died before the War of Wrath, so I cannot speak from my own experience, but I spoke to those who survived the war and remember the summons from the Valar. The Noldor, almost to an elf, told me the same thing, that the summons felt just that, a summons, not an invitation, not a declaration of forgiveness, but a summons. They were being called for an accounting and some of them are still waiting for the verdict."

"What about the Sindar and Nandor?" Beleg asked. "Did they have the same experience?"

Sador shook his head. "What they told me was that it felt more like an invitation and there was no sense of condemnation. They felt welcomed, at first."

"At first," Arafinwë echoed. "What changed?"

"The fact that once they came here they realized they were as much prisoners of the island as the Noldor even though they could not be accused of rebellion against the Valar," Sador answered.

"And no one has seen fit to explain why," Arafinwë said.

"Certainly not the Valar, from what I can tell," Sador said with a nod.

"Do you know why, Atar?" Finrod asked.

"Not precisely, but I believe Ingwë does," the Noldóran replied. "I can tell you that there was much debate, some of it quite heated, against allowing any of the elves of Beleriand the right to return."

"Well, I suppose that the Vanyar and Teleri would be the ones to object the most," Glorfindel ventured.

"And you would be wrong in your assumption," Arafinwë said, grimacing. "The most vocal objections came from the Noldor."

Now Finrod and Glorfindel stared at him in shock while Sador and Beleg gave them sympathetic looks. "Our own people?" Finrod finally whispered.

Arafinwë nodded, looking decidedly unhappy and even embarrassed. "Those who turned back with me seemed to be the most vocal in their disagreement with the Valar’s plans."

"Makes a kind of twisted sense," Glorfindel said with a nod. "Guilt can drive one to extremes."

"So we have resentment from the Amaneldi for the presence of the Tol Eressëan elves," Finrod said, "and we have the Tol Eressëans feeling as if they are being treated like second-class citizens, tolerated but not accepted." He gave his atar a hard stare. "And you want to go there under those conditions?"

"Is there any other choice, yonya?" Arafinwë fired back with a grimace of his own. "The people of Tol Eressëa, whatever anyone says to the contrary, are our people. We should not be thinking in terms of clanship. That is an outdated and outmoded way of thinking. I know that there was much intermarrying between Noldor and Sindar both in Nargothrond and Gondolin and elsewhere." He cast a warm smile at Sador, who blushed for no particular reason. Both Finrod and Glorfindel nodded and Arafinwë continued. "So, to which clan do these children belong? How were they judged?"

"Those of Nargothrond were judged as Noldor," Finrod said, "but I made no distinction between my subjects. All were considered equal under the crown and I was careful not to play favorites even with my brothers or their children. You can ask Laurendil about it."

"In Gondolin there was little distinction after a while among the common people," Glorfindel then said. "Among the nobles there was an actual class distinction. None of the Sindar ever rose to lordships among the Twelve Houses, though Tuor took over the House of the White Wing and Maeglin," — Glorfindel had to visibly force himself not to spit — "took over the House of the Mole, but as he was Turgon’s nephew he was counted among the Noldor and not the Sindar."

"There was no resentment among the Sindar in Gondolin that the Twelve Houses, or at least the others besides the House of the King, were ruled by Noldor?" Arafinwë asked.

Glorfindel shook his head. "The Houses were created by the Noldor before we even went to Gondolin. In fact, they have their origins even before we reached the shores of Beleriand."

"Truly?" Finrod asked in surprise. "I wasn’t aware of that."

Glorfindel nodded. "Turgon divided his people into twelve groups under the leadership of his stoutest captains," he explained. "It was his way of making sure that loss of life would be minimal while crossing the ice if people only had to look out for a small number of companions. Not all the captains survived the crossing, so there were replacements, but always these were voted upon by the group as a whole. Turgon left it to each group to govern themselves. Our groups were not known by the House names that were adopted in Gondolin, of course. We usually referred to ourselves as belonging to this captain’s group or that one. It wasn’t until we reached Beleriand and were building Vinyamar that people began to give their groups actual names. It was just natural I guess for everyone to stay with their original group, both for safety and for comfort. So, by the time we removed to Gondolin most of the Houses were well established and their lords were all Noldor, becoming by default Turgon’s Inner Council. The Sindar who joined with us usually entered a House through marriage or by the fact that if one was an archer, for instance, or a craftsman, then it made sense to attach oneself to the House of the Swallow or the House of the Hammer of Wrath, respectively."

"So, in a way, some of the Houses became equivalent to guildhalls," Finrod said.

Glorfindel nodded. "I suppose you could say that."

"So what exactly was the purpose of your House?" Sador asked with a sly grin.

Glorfindel gave the ellon an imperious sniff. "We were always the best dressed."

Everyone laughed at that and there was some further teasing from Beleg and Finrod before they calmed down and Arafinwë reminded them that they were again getting off topic.

"Do you think that there are any survivors of those Houses among the Tol Eressëans?" he asked Glorfindel.

The ellon gave him a considering look. "You’re thinking that perhaps if there are then the Houses can be revived and their leaders can act as a governing council of a sort."

"Something like that," Arafinwë replied. "Or new Houses could be created using those of Gondolin as models. At any rate, it’s an option that we can explore and present to the Tol Eressëans. I have no desire to impose someone upon them. I don’t think that will work."

"Yet, that may, in the end, be the only solution, at least in the short term," Finrod said. "There needs to be a definite presence of one person leading them, someone they can all look to for guidance, someone they can all agree to lead them."

"But finding that someone will be the trick," Beleg said, "and then we have to get the Tol Eressëans to agree to it."

"That is why I think it is important for Olwë and me to go there, to speak to the people and learn what their desires are," Arafinwë said. "The delegation that came here last year with Laurendil was a first step, but only a step and nothing conclusive came from it except to inflame resentment in certain quarters, resulting in Sador’s kidnapping."

"And you don’t think resentment will flare when two Amanian kings show up on their doorstep, so to speak?" Glorfindel asked. "You may claim that you are only seeking to help, Atar, but I think many of the Tol Eressëans will see it as interference."

"Yet, why did Laurendil and the others come here seeking a solution if most of the inhabitants of the island do not want us to interfere?" Sador asked.

"I wish Laurendil were here so we can ask," Finrod said with a sigh. "When I asked him if he and Manwen would join me he requested to be excused. I think they are trying to put the past behind them and look to the future as Lóriennildi. I did not feel right invoking oaths to compel either of them to come with me."

"Your relationship with them is... delicate," Arafinwë said, giving his son a sympathetic smile. "You did well not to force them to come and unfortunately it is too late to send an enquiry."

"What about Gilvagor?" Sador asked. "He was a part of the delegation and Laurendil’s second."

"A good point," the Noldóran replied. "He is on Tol Eressëa coordinating the Progress from there, arranging for lodgings and such in Kortirion, though I assured him that we would be camping most of the time as we make our way from Tavrobel to Avallónë."

"And again there is no time to send a message," Finrod said with a frustrated sigh. "I suppose we will have to wait until we get there to find our answers."

"Then you are letting me go after all?" Arafinwë asked with a teasing smile.

"Not that you would listen to me if I forbade you," Finrod retorted with a wry smile.

"I always listen to you, yonya," Arafinwë said sincerely, leaning over and placing a hand on Finrod’s knee and patting it, "but in the end the decision is mine and mine alone to make."

"I know, Atar," Finrod said, "and I respect that. Having been a king myself I know that such decisions are not easily made and ultimately, it comes down to trust, trust in oneself and trust in one’s councillors. We’ve given you our objections, though I think you had already made up your mind before hearing them, but I promise that if anything goes wrong, I won’t be the one to say ‘I told you so’. I leave that to Glorfindel."

"Hey! Not fair!" Glorfindel protested, giving Finrod a smack on his arm while the others laughed.

When they calmed down, though, Glorfindel spoke, his expression grave. "My biggest concern is security. The number of people comprising the Progress cannot be too large or you overwhelm the island’s economy, yet it has to be large enough to provide adequate protection for two kings. I don’t know enough about the martial abilities of the Amanians, whether Noldor or Teleri, to feel confident that they will be able to address any situation that might arise." He grimaced, running his hands through his hair. "I would love to have a contingent of Maiar visibly present, but I know that is not going to happen. I very much doubt Lord Manwë will send any unclad, even if you request it."

"True," Arafinwë said, "which is why I have not done so. If the Valar plan to send any of their People it will be without our knowing."

"And since we do not know, we cannot rely on that hope," Glorfindel said. "We must rely solely on ourselves."

"And that is as it should be, I think," Beleg said. "We of Doriath had no one but ourselves to rely on. Melian rarely used her powers except to maintain her Girdle. The rest was up to us."

"For better or for worse," Arafinwë said with a nod, "the Valar have made it clear, at least to the kings, that our internal affairs are our own. They will only directly interfere when their own Peace is disturbed."

"But where does their Peace end and our responsibilities begin?" Sador asked.

"That is a good question, yonya," Arafinwë replied, "but I have no easy answer to it. I can only say that we must do what we can and let the Valar worry about the rest."

"Well, I think then we should concentrate our efforts in keeping our people as safe as possible while they are on the Progress," Glorfindel said. "So my idea is this: there are a number of Reborn, here in Tirion and in Lórien, who are experienced warriors. I think we should use them as guards. I will trust one of them before ever I trust the braidless ellyn of Tirion or Alqualondë." He lifted one of his own warrior braids as if to emphasize the point.

"Would they want to do it?" Finrod asked. "And more to the point, would Lord Irmo allow them to leave Lórien before they are ready?"

Glorfindel shrugged. "Why don’t we ask?"

"Even if Lord Irmo agrees," Arafinwë pointed out, "there isn’t enough time. We are due to leave for Tol Eressëa by week’s end."

"Postpone the departure," Sador suggested, "at least for another week. That will give us a chance to get everything ready to our satisfaction before we let you go, Atar." He smiled as he said this, letting Arafinwë know that he was merely teasing, though his eyes showed no amusement.

Arafinwë thought for a moment or two, casting his gaze upon the four ellyn sitting expectantly before him. Three of them were proven warriors, and Sador was wise beyond his years with a wisdom born of pain and loss and ultimately of death. He had been ready to dismiss their concerns as a case of over-reacting, but in the end he realized that perhaps they might have a point. Finally, he nodded. "I will send word to Olwë that we will wait until you are satisfied with the security arrangements. Gilvagor will need to be told as well."

There was a collective sigh of relief from the four ellyn. "So now all we need to do is ask Lord Irmo for the loan of his Reborn," Finrod said with an amused laugh.

"We can request that he send Laurendil with them to keep them in line," Glorfindel retorted with a teasing smile.

"Oh, I can just imagine what he would say to that," Finrod rejoined, rolling his eyes.

"So, how do we go about contacting Lord Irmo and who will ask him?" Beleg enquired.

"Since it was my idea," Glorfindel replied, "I will do it."

"Yes, but how?" Beleg insisted.

Glorfindel shrugged, his expression one of secret amusement. "Like this." He stood up and went towards one of the embrasures that looked out upon the city. He leaned out and called out in a clear loud voice that carried across nearby courtyards and streets, startling passers-by. "Any Maia hanging about, will you kindly inform Lord Irmo that the Noldóran wishes to speak with him? Thank you."

He ducked his head back into the room and gave them a cheeky grin. Finrod, Sador and Beleg stared at him with various expressions ranging from disbelief (Beleg) to wry amusement (Finrod). Arafinwë gave him a disdainful sniff. "I could have done that," he said dismissively.

Sador sniggered and then they were all laughing.





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