60: Finalizing Plans

With the arrival of Laurendil’s party the preparations for the Progress intensified. Along with discussions on logistics and what they hoped to achieve by going to Tol Eressëa, there were some heated discussions about who should actually be allowed to go. Laurendil, for instance, did not want Manwen to come, fearing for her safety and that of their unborn child.

"If anything were to happen...." he started to say when he first made his objections.

"I am going with you," Manwen said firmly. "I promise not to do anything stupid to jeopardize either me or the baby." She flashed him a wicked smile. "I leave that sort of thing to you."

Laurendil turned an interesting shade of red and Finrod, who happened to be in on the conversation, sniggered. Laurendil appealed to him. "Aranya, you have our lives...."

"Yes, I do," Finrod replied firmly, "but as I told you before, in some things Manwen ranks me. While I share your concerns, I can hardly order your wife to remain behind yet allow Amarië and Alassiel to come."

"At least Alassiel can defend herself," Laurendil muttered.

Manwen gave him a scathing look. "And so can I or have you conveniently forgotten that it was I who skewered that orc that almost got you?"

Finrod gave Laurendil a quizzical look. "You never did tell me how you two met."

Laurendil blushed and then sighed in defeat. "Fine. Have it your way," he huffed gracelessly. He gave Finrod a perfunctory bow and strode out of the room without another word.

Finrod went to Manwen, who stood there looking forlorn and wrapped his arms around her. "He’ll come around," he said softly.

Manwen nodded. "I had better go over the medical supplies again," was all she said and Finrod let her go.

****

Eärnur was another problem altogether. Even Arafinwë was in two minds about letting him come. The afternoon after Laurendil’s party came to Tirion, Arafinwë was discussing this very matter with Finrod and Glorfindel. "With Laurendil and Manwen in the party it doesn’t make sense for Eärnur to join us," he told them. "We don’t need three Lóriennildi looking after the Reborn or us."

"Yet, Eärnur is a journeyman while Laurendil and Manwen are still apprentices," Glorfindel pointed out.

"And Lord Irmo specifically ordered him here," Finrod added, "though I confess the reason for him doing so escapes me."

Arafinwë nodded. "It is something of a puzzle, but long experience tells me that asking for an explanation will be an exercise in futility." He gave them a wry grin and they both smiled, knowing the truth of his words. "If Lord Irmo wants him with us, then there must be a reason and we should respect that."

"The Teleri who will accompany us on the Progress might prefer one of their own as a healer if there is need," Glorfindel mused.

Arafinwë nodded. "I have done what I could to regain the trust of the Teleri on behalf of our people, but I know that there is still resentment against us in some quarters. Eärnur’s presence and the fact that he is your friend may help."

Both Reborn sighed. "This will never end, will it?" Glorfindel asked dispiritedly.

"Only if we believe that there is no hope," the Noldóran answered. "Only if we allow ourselves the self-indulgence of believing that Fëanáro was correct after all."

Silence stretched between them for a time and then Finrod uttered a brief sigh. "I sometimes wonder what would have happened if we all had turned back and left my uncle and his people to their madness and doom."

"Well, for one thing, you and I would never have become otornor," Glorfindel replied with a wry smile.

"So, you’re saying something good came out of all this?" Finrod asked with feigned disbelief.

Glorfindel’s only answer was a smirk while Arafinwë chuckled. "Regardless," he said, "we need to remain focused in our belief that our troubles will eventually resolve themselves. The presence of the Reborn and the Returnees have already changed perceptions among the Amaneldi. Your experiences have perforce opened up vistas of which we of Aman little dreamed. I know that it was not the Noldor who followed me to Beleriand during the War of Wrath who objected to the Valar allowing the Exiles to return, but those who remained behind."

"And they still resent the Returnees," Glorfindel pointed out.

"Perhaps," Arafinwë conceded, "but whether they like it or not, the Tol Eressëans are here to stay and Elves will continue to return from Endórë for some time to come. Eventually, I think, the Valar will begin allowing them to move to the mainland."

Glorfindel nodded. "When I was with the Maiar training in Lord Oromë’s Forest, they told me that it was the Valar’s intention to eventually open the lands south of the Pelóri to us."

"I wonder why they haven’t done so already?" Finrod mused. "It would solve much of the troubles plaguing us now."

"Except the lands are not yet suitable for habitation," Glorfindel replied. "Much evil still lurks there. Don’t forget, Ungoliant came from that region."

The other two ellyn nodded grimly.

"Well, something to think about later," Arafinwë said after a moment’s pause. "Let us return to the Progress and discuss how best to use the Reborn Lord Irmo has sent us."

Finrod and Glorfindel nodded and then they continued finalizing their plans.

****

Later that evening, Finrod and Glorfindel gathered with Sador, Beleg, Celepharn, Edrahil and Eregil in Finrod’s apartments. "Just us Reborn," Finrod said with a conspiratorial wink and they all laughed.

"Laurendil won’t be amused," Glorfindel pointed out.

"Nor Mithlas," Beleg added with a grin.

"Nor Eärnur," Sador added.

"Or anyone, for that matter," Edrahil said with a sigh. "They treat us like elflings." Celepharn and Eregil merely nodded in agreement.

"That’s because you are," Finrod replied with a grin, "at least emotionally speaking. I promise you that it will get better. Try not to give into your first impulses. Think about how it was when you were in Beleriand and you will find yourselves responding more maturely than others will be expecting. If you act mature, they’ll start treating you that way."

"I was told it will be at least a century before we reach full emotional maturity," Eregril said with a scowl. "Seems highly unfair."

"Perhaps," Finrod said with a smile, "but in your case, my friend, I doubt you will ever reach full maturity. I can remember some of the stunts you pulled...."

"Hey!" Eregil shouted and suddenly leapt on Finrod and began tickling him.

"Is this how you treat your king?" Finrod laughed as he tried to push the ellon off him.

"But you’re no longer king, so there!" Eregil shouted, still tickling him.

Finrod glared up at the others. "A little help here," he said.

"Of course," Glorfindel responded. Then he calmly picked Eregil off Finrod and handed him to Edrahil before straddling Finrod, beginning to tickle him as well.

"That’s not what I meant," Finrod yelled all the while laughing as he tried to push Glorfindel off him.

"Payback for last time," Glorfindel answered, but he relented and, rising, gave Finrod a hand up. The others were all grinning.

"So what were you saying about acting maturely?" Beleg asked with a smirk.

They all laughed. When they were calmer Finrod spoke. "At any rate, I asked you here because as Reborn we’re constantly under scrutiny and I want to be sure you can handle it."

"Well, Sador and I have been out for almost a year now," Glorfindel pointed out. "I think we’ll be able to hold our own."

Sador nodded. "And, unlike any of you, I’ve been to Tol Eressëa, though admittedly I did not see all of the island."

"Still, it’s more than any of us have done, so we’ll rely on you to tell us what we need to know," Finrod said, then he turned to the other ellyn. "I’m more concerned for you four. Beleg has been out for a while but he’s still feeling his way and you three...." He stared intently at Celepharn, Edrahil and Eregil, none of them able to maintain his gaze for long.

"We’ll be fine, aranya," Edrahil said softly and both Eregil and Celepharn nodded briskly.

"Perhaps," Finrod averred with some reluctance, "but the fact remains that none of you have had a chance to get used to your new situation and now we’re asking you to act in ways you may not be ready for."

"And there is this," Glorfindel interjected solemnly. "There is no telling when or if a memory will resurface. We all have had times when such memories have overwhelmed us, especially when we’ve made an emotional connection, as Lord Námo calls it."

Edrahil nodded. "Like Gwindor. He told me later that intellectually he remembered how he had died but it was as if it had happened to someone else. Only this time he said it was as if he were experiencing his death all over again." He shook his head. "You could hear his screams from the lake."

There were grimaces all around. Finrod nodded. "What Glorfindel says goes for all of us, except perhaps for me. I’ve been out for over a hundred years already."

"So what are you saying, aranya?" Eregil asked.

"If at any time things begin to be overwhelming for you, tell us," Finrod answered. "Tell me or Glorfindel or even my atar or any of the Lóriennildi." Finrod gave them a wry grin. "The good thing is that the Tol Eressëans are used to dealing with the Reborn more than the Amaneldi and they are more accepting of us, knowing what some of us suffered. They generally have more respect, especially for the warriors. Which reminds me... why do none of you wear warrior braids?" This last was addressed to Celepharn, Edrahil and Eregil.

The ellyn exchanged uneasy looks, then Edrahil answered. "We were told not to make ourselves obvious."

"By whom?" Glorfindel asked with a frown.

"Lord Irmo," Edrahil replied softly.

There was a brief pause as they all contemplated the ellon’s words. Then Beleg spoke. "Makes sense," he said. "If our guards are all braidless...."

"There may well be resentment in some quarters," Sador interjected.

"Yet, at the same time it means that some people will underestimate us," Glorfindel pointed out. "If they see guards with warrior braids they’ll be recognized for who they are, but without braids...."

Finrod nodded. "Exactly. So for now, do as Lord Irmo suggested. We will hide you in plain sight." He smiled and gave them a wink and the others chuckled.

"I was actually surprised that Lord Irmo even allowed me to come," Celepharn said, looking somewhat dismayed.

"Why is that?" Beleg asked.

Celepharn blushed and refused to look at any of them. "I’m a... a kinslayer twice over," he whispered.

Finrod reached over and put a hand under his chin, forcing him to look up. "You were a kinslayer," he said, "but that is not what you are now. Now you are Reborn and that is all that matters."

"Tell that to those who survived Doriath and perhaps wait for us on Tol Eressëa," Celepharn said glumly.

"Are you even sure anyone would recognize you?" Sador asked in a reasonable tone. "I didn’t and I was there when Doriath was sacked."

"If Lord Irmo felt you should join us then there is a reason," Glorfindel said. "I’ve been around long enough to know that the Valar do nothing without reason even if we cannot see it. I would not worry too much about it. Remain braidless. You will be just another Noldorin guard."

"What about Mithlas, though?" Eregil asked. "He continues to wear warrior braids."

"Well, he is not a Reborn and he is well known among the Tol Eressëans," Glorfindel answered.

"And he is our friend," Beleg added.

Finrod, Glorfindel and Sador all nodded. "If you have any trouble and cannot find any of us," Finrod said, "go to Mithlas. There are a few others on the island you can trust," he added. "When we get there I will introduce you to them."

"So our main task is to protect the ellith and the two kings?" Edrahil asked.

"And their heirs," Glorfindel replied firmly, casting a stern glance at Finrod.

"I can protect myself," Finrod fired back.

"I’m sure," Glorfindel responded smugly, "but the point is you and Lindarion are going to be targets along with Atar and Olwë. We’ll watch your backs."

"Lindarion needs watching more than I," Finrod protested.

"Well, we’ll just make sure everyone is watched, won’t we, Eregil?" Edrahil said with a wink and the other ellon nodded, giving them all a wicked grin.

"And who watches the watchers?" he asked ingenuously.

There was a brief moment of silence and then Sador spoke. "Why am I suddenly afraid?"

For no particular reason they all started laughing and it was some time before they calmed down.