65: Going to Town

"Will not your families be worrying for you?" Arafinwë asked the six ellyn once the meal was over and they were all seated around the campfire, along with the two Valar. "It’s getting late."

Bronweg shook his head. "We were not intending to return until the morrow," he told them. "We six are in the habit of going hunting every once in a while and camping out. In fact, we left our gear elsewhere while we were out hunting."

"Why don’t one of you show us the way to your camp," Haldir said, "and we will help you to move. You might as well spend the night here as anywhere and this way we can accompany you back to Tavrobel in the morning."

"Haldir is correct," Olwë said. "Take some of our guards with you and bring your things here."

Bronweg looked at his brother and friends and one by one they all nodded. Balamir volunteered to show the Amaneldi the way. Haldir said he would accompany him and Celepharn and a Telerin guard named Eäralato were chosen to go, as well. Soon the four ellyn were on their way and the others settled back to enjoy the evening, speaking of many things, not all of them having to do with the Progress.

At one point Glorfindel turned to Oromë with a question. "Some of the Maiar told me that the Valar eventually plan to open the lands south of the Pelóri to us. Do you know when that will happen?"

"Not for some time yet," the Vala answered truthfully. "Those lands were a wasteland before the rising of Anar and many evil creatures still abide there. You know that."

Glorfindel nodded. "I was hoping that in all this time the danger would have lessened enough so some could begin colonizing the land."

"Would it not be better if we elves did the clearing out?" Gilvagor asked. "After all, if those lands are destined to become ours, we would have a vested interest in seeing the lands safe for our families."

Oromë did not answer immediately and some there wondered if he was not bespeaking to his fellow Valar at that moment, but before the silence became too long, he looked up and smiled. "It is something I have said to my brethren, especially since we opened Tol Eressëa to you, but Lord Manwë feels you need more time."

"Time? Time for what?" Damrod asked, giving the Vala a scowl.

"Time to heal," Vána answered gently.

"And you are not speaking solely of the Tol Eressëans, are you, lady?" Finrod asked, giving the Valar a shrewd look.

"No, child," Vána replied. "There must be healing on all sides before we Valar will allow any expansion of your territories here in Aman. We do not want another revolt on our hands."

There was an uncomfortable silence for a few moments as the elves all contemplated the Valië’s words, but finally, Arafinwë spoke. "Another revolt would not be a good thing," he said quietly, staring into the flames of the campfire.

"Now who’s stating the obvious?" Olwë couldn’t help saying, giving his son-in-law a wide grin. Arafinwë chuckled but did not offer any apology.

"Sometimes the obvious needs to be stated in order to be acknowledged," Oromë said, his expression one of amusement.

Just about then, Haldir, Balamir and the two guards returned, lugging camping gear and several people went and helped them with it. Oromë and Vána took their leave and shortly thereafter most of the elves were settling in for the night save for those on watch.

"Tomorrow we will go into Tavrobel and begin speaking with the people," Arafinwë said to the others before they all went to their beds, filling in Glorfindel and Sador as to what had been decided earlier while they were away from the encampment.

"Assuming any will speak to us," Sador retorted. "They were very reluctant to speak to me when I was here." He turned to Gilvagor with a scowl. "My warrior braids weren’t as good an introduction as you said they would be."

"And for that, I apologize," Gilvagor answered. "I was unaware of what was truly going on among these people at the time."

Sador nodded. "So I figured. Hopefully, we’ll have better luck this time."

There were nods all around.

****

The original plan of who would go into Tavrobel was altered slightly by the presence of the six ellyn. Together with Gilvagor and Haldir, they volunteered to ‘lead’ one of the groups, introducing the Amaneldi to their friends and family. "Perhaps in more intimate settings than the open market people will be more willing to talk to you," Bronweg suggested and the kings took up their offer with gratitude.

Thus, Bronweg and Handir took the three ellith to meet their sister and parents. Accompanying them were Eärnur and Eregil. Amlaith and Balamir, along with Mithlas agreed to take Olwë, Lindarion, Beleg and Elennen. Arafinwë and Ingwion, along with Pelendur, Calandil and Celepharn went with Gilvagor and Haldir, while Finrod, Glorfindel, Sador, Laurendil and Edrahil accompanied Damrod and Egalmoth.

"Do we dare let Finrod and Glorfindel be in the same group?" Olwë asked Arafinwë, giving him a wry look as they watched the ellyn setting out. It had been decided that the four groups would not leave all at once. The group with the ellith had left first, and now Finrod’s group was leaving. Olwë and Arafinwë would set out together, but their groups would separate when they reached the city as they would be heading in different directions.

Arafinwë shrugged. "Sador and Laurendil will make sure they stay out of trouble." Olwë gave a nod of acknowledgment. "I’m rather surprised that Beleg didn’t insist on joining them," the Noldóran continued, giving a knowing look at the former Marchwarden who was speaking with Lindarion and Mithlas.

Olwë gave him a wistful look. "I think he might be feeling... guilty." When Arafinwë raised an eyebrow in surprise, Olwë nodded. "We are kin, uncle and nephew, but while I have accepted him as such, he has had a harder time of it. I think he regrets his earlier snubbing of my attempts to welcome him as family."

"I see," Arafinwë said. "Let us hope that this time together proves fruitful for you both and for Lindarion as well. Beleg has no other family but you and your children."

"And you and yours," Olwë pointed out with a smile. "Finrod is his cousin also through Eärwen."

"Hmm.... all these family connections are becoming too confusing," Arafinwë quipped and the two kings laughed.

Finally, everyone was ready and they set out, leaving the rest of the guards at the camp along with the staff. The Tol Eressëans assured the kings that no one would molest the camp while they were away and they had to be content with that.

"But if anybody from the town approaches," Olwë told Eäralato, who was now in charge of the camp, since Elennen and Calandil were going with the kings, "greet them courteously and let them know why we are here."

"And here is a token," Gilvagor added, handing the Teler a seal ring made of gold. The seal showed a five-pointed star with an ‘E’ rune on one side and a ‘G’ rune on the other. "If you show them this and say that I, Lord Gilvagor, gave this to you, you should be fine."

Eäralato took the proffered ring and studied it carefully and with great curiosity. He looked up at the Noldo. "May I ask, lord, what significance this ring has and how will any elf of the island recognize it."

"The Cirth runes," Gilvagor stated, pointing to them. "They stand for ‘Ereinion Gil-galad’. This was given to me as a parting gift from the High King himself for friendship’s sake and for the many yéni of service I rendered him. Just about any elf of Tol Eressëa will recognize the seal as belonging to Gil-galad and my name is well known among the islanders even if my face is not."

Eäralato nodded and tucked the ring inside a pouch on his belt, then gave them all a bow before turning to his men to set the watch. The others made their way out of the camp towards the town.

"A princely gift," Lindarion stated as he walked beside Gilvagor. "You must have stood high in this Gil-galad’s regard."

Gilvagor nodded. "Yes. I did."

"May I ask then, what induced you to leave your king’s side to come here?" the Telerin prince asked, his tone politely curious.

"Like many elves I began to suffer the Sea-longing," Gilvagor answered readily enough. "Unlike many, though, I recognized the signs as did Gil-galad. He insisted I come before I was too overwhelmed to make a conscious decision. He did not want to force me onto a ship."

"This... Sea-longing. It appears to be a terrible malady," Lindarion opined.

"Only for the one suffering it," Gilvagor stated with a wistful smile. "I did not truly wish to leave Endórë or my king, yet I recognized the wisdom of his words and agreed to sail. That seal ring was Gil-galad’s parting gift to me so that no matter where I was I would always know that I was his liegeman still. That ring and what it means has given me great comfort. Someday it is my hope that I will be able to return it to the one to whom it belongs."

Lindarion and the others who heard Gilvagor’s words looked thoughtful as they reached the outskirts of the town. There the two groups separated. Olwë’s group would be heading towards the cove, for Balamir’s family lived nearer to the wharf district and the Teleri were naturally interested in seeing the ships. Gilvagor was planning to take Arafinwë and his group on a general tour of the town, planning to end up at the Blue Dolphin Inn where he, Netilmírë and Sador had stayed.

"It’s a good place for lunch and for meeting locals in an informal setting," Gilvagor told them when he explained where he meant to take them. "Also, I thought you would be interested in seeing where Lady Netilmírë and I had an interesting conversation with a certain Maia," he added with a wry smile.

Arafinwë nodded in agreement. "Yes. I would be most interested in seeing the inn and thanking the people there for the hospitality they showed towards Sador and Netilmírë. So, lead the way, Gilvagor. Today, I plan to be nothing more than a curious visitor gawking at the sights."

Gilvagor and Haldir laughed. "Not much in the way of sights, lord," Haldir said, "but I think you’ll enjoy your visit here nonetheless."

"Our first stop," Gilvagor then said as the group set off, "will be the central square. It’s where the town council meets on a regular basis. The council is comprised of sea captains, guildmasters and the more prosperous merchants. You will notice that the architecture of the buildings is a blend of Noldorin and Sindarin sensibilities, though Sindarin forms tend to dominate...."

****

Eärnur was feeling somewhat outnumbered. On the one hand were the three ellith who were speaking amongst themselves with Manwen pointing out certain landmarks to them, but most of their conversation seemed to center around Manwen’s baby. On the other hand Eregil was speaking to Bronweg and Handir in rapid Sindarin, far too quickly for him to make out more than a word or two, for his own knowledge of the language was still limited. It seemed the three ellyn were discussing who among the Tol Eressëans might remember Eregil, but that was as much of the conversation as he could figure out.

And there he was in the middle of the group ignored by all. He was now wishing he were with one of the others. Ostensibly, he had agreed to accompany the ellith because they were still insisting on helping him find a suitable begetting gift for his sister, but now....

He shook his head, wondering, not for the first time, just what he was doing there and why Lord Irmo insisted he come. He’d been all set to go to Alqualondë and had been looking forward to visiting his family again. Glancing about as they wandered along a particular street he could see well-kept houses, mostly made of wood, and gardens. The architecture was a little off, to his way of thinking, but not unduly so and he admired the splashes of color on doors and window frames, though the houses themselves were left untouched.

"Why are all the buildings made of wood?" he asked suddenly, breaking into the other conversations, startling them. He noticed with grim satisfaction the guilty looks on some of their faces, as if they only just realized that he was with them.

"There is little in the way of stone for building in this part of the island and importing them from elsewhere is too prohibitive," Bronweg finally answered. "That’s how the town got it’s name."

Eärnur gave him a puzzled look but it was Manwen who answered him.

"Tavrobel," she said, "means ‘Wood-home’."

"Ah... thank you," Eärnur replied.

"Here we are," Bronweg then said, pointing to a house trimmed in turquoise paint. "This is our home."

"It’s lovely," Amarië said with a smile and the others nodded. Bronweg and Handir looked both pleased and embarrassed at the same time.

"Come," Bronweg said. "Our parents and sister are probably in the workshop behind the house." He led them along a path that wended its way to the right through a small garden full of summer flowers. As they came around to the back, Eärnur could hear the steady pounding of a hammer and the clacking of a loom. He saw a large wooden structure open along one side, neatly divided into two rooms by a low wall. On the right was a carpenter’s workshop where an ellon was industriously nailing together pieces of what appeared to be a clothespress. On the left were two looms and they were both in use.

The three in the workshop looked up as they approached, their eyes widening. The ellon stood up, hammer in hand. "You’re back earlier than expected," he said, speaking Sindarin.

"We met some people, visitors from the mainland," Bronweg answered.

By now the two ellith at the looms had risen and had come to stand at the front, their gazes more curious than anything.

"From the mainland, you say?" the older of the two ellith said, speaking Sindarin as well. "Why would anyone from the mainland be wandering around Tavrobel unless it is to cause trouble?"

Manwen stepped forward just then. "No trouble, I assure you," she said in the same language.

Now there were looks of surprise on the faces of the ellon and ellith. "You speak our language!" the ellon said almost accusingly.

Manwen raised a delicate eyebrow. "And why should I not, for I, too, come from Beleriand, though I now make my home in Lórien."

Now Bronweg stepped in and this time spoke in halting Quenya. "Let me make the introductions," he said. "Atar, Ammë, this is Lady Manwen, Lord Laurendil’s wife, and these are Lady Alassiel, Lady Amarië, Eärnur and Eregil. This is our atar, Boromir, our ammë, Morwen, and our sister, Nimbrethil."

"Lord Laurendil!" Boromir exclaimed, speaking Quenya now. "You are his wife?" Manwen nodded.

"We heard rumors that you and he were taken prisoners by the Amaneldi," Morwen ventured, giving their group a dark look mixed with uncertainty.

There were exclamations of dismay from said Amaneldi and Manwen shook her head. "Prisoners! Whyever would anyone think such a thing?"

"You did not return with Lord Gilvagor and the others," Boromir stated, "though rumor had it that your husband was seen on the island for a short time."

"Indeed," Manwen said. "He came to rescue a friend who was being held prisoner here. But neither Laurendil nor I have been kept from returning to Tol Eressëa against our wills. In fact, we now reside in Lórien, for when we were in Tirion, the Noldóran, knowing of my interest in the healing arts, suggested I go to Lórien and ask Lord Irmo for permission to become one of his apprentices, which permission he granted. In that time, Laurendil, too, found a new calling as a healer and is now an apprentice to Lord Irmo, as well."

"Why then are you here, and with these others?" Morwen asked.

It was Bronweg, though, who answered. "We met these people and others yesterday while hunting. They have come to Tol Eressëa in response to that embassy that Lords Laurendil and Gilvagor headed last year. These people have come to see for themselves how we live in the hopes that there will be closer communion between our two peoples. Not all Amaneldi are like those who visited us when we first came here, telling us we were unwanted."

"Indeed, your son speaks truly," Amarië said. "When my betrothed and his family heard of it, it sorely grieved them and so they decided to come and assure the good people of Tol Eressëa that you are welcome."

"We have been living here for quite some time, but only now do you come to welcome us?" Boromir demanded with a scowl.

"What is it they say, better late than never?" Eregil piped up with a smile. "I know little of what has happened here or elsewhere, for I am newly released from Mandos and am not even sure where I will be welcomed."

Boromir, Morwen and Nimbrethil gave him surprised looks and then Nimbrethil turned to Amarië with a shy smile. "Who is your betrothed?"

Amarië smiled at the ellith. "You would know him as Finrod Felagund," she answered and there were gasps from Morwen and Nimbrethil, while Boromir merely raised an eyebrow.

"Do we really need to be standing around staring at one another?" Handir suddenly asked, looking rather disgusted. "We promised these good people a warm welcome, but so far all you’ve done is interrogate them."

Morwen was the first to recover, blushing slightly. "My son is correct," she said. "Please accept our apologies. I’m afraid we’ve had little to do with the Amaneldi and our encounters have not been happy ones."

"We are aware of this," Amarië said, "and when the kings learned of it they were dismayed. The truth is, not all were happy with the Valar’s decision to open up Tol Eressëa to you. It was only when Lord Laurendil and his embassy came to speak with the Noldóran that we came to the realization that we could no longer ignore you and your problems were our problems. Atar Arafinwë is constantly telling us that we are all of Aman now and can no longer pretend otherwise."

Boromir nodded. "I remember Finarfin in the War of Wrath," he said. "But come, you are all welcome here. Let us sit and you may tell us about yourselves and I would be interested in knowing how my sons met you."

"Why don’t you take our guests to the upper garden, then?" Morwen said with a smile to her children. "Your atar and I will be along with refreshments."

Bronweg, Handir and Nimbrethil all nodded and soon the Amaneldi were following them along the path to a terraced garden which looked towards the harbor. Bronweg gave them a sheepish look. "I’m sorry about that," he said. "I didn’t think they would act that way."

"Do not concern yourself, Bronweg," Manwen said with a smile. "I think though you should heed Lord Oromë’s advice and tell your parents what happened to the three of you when you were elflings. It’s high time they learned of it."

Bronweg and Handir nodded, while Nimbrethil stood by with eyes wide with surprise. The brothers than drew their sister aside to fill her in on what had happened while the others admired the view. Eärnur stood next to Manwen and spoke quietly to her, though the others in their group could hear what was being said. "These rumors that you and Laurendil are being held prisoners by Amaneldi are troubling. Who would say such things?"

Manwen shook her head. "I do not know, and I wonder why none who met us at the tournament spoke up against these rumors when they returned here."

"Perhaps they are unaware of them," Alassiel suggested, speaking for the first time.

The others shrugged, and then Amarië sighed. "I just hope that these rumors are all we have to contend with while we are here. We can easily counter them simply by your and Laurendil’s presence." Manwen nodded, though her expression remained doubtful.

"I wonder how the others are faring?" Alassiel asked no one in particular.

They had no answer to that, but all were wondering the same as Boromir and Morwen came with food and drink. They gathered around a garden table while Bronweg and Handir took turns describing the hunt and what came of it to their parents and Nimbrethil, who responded with gasps of surprise and even laughter at the recital, especially when they spoke of the appearance of the Valar and the discussion about wild berry pies. Then they began describing their encounter as elflings with the Maiar and Boromir and Morwen sat there in speechless wonder. When the brothers, with Nimbrethil adding her own observations, finished their narrative, there was silence that stretched for some time before Boromir turned to their guests.

"It seems Morwen and I have been... misinformed about a good many things," he said, looking chagrined. Morwen nodded.

"Ask what you will of us," Amarië said, "and we will do our best to answer."

Before anyone else could say anything, Nimbrethil spoke up, her eyes shining with curiosity. "Tell us about Finrod Felagund," she said. "Is he really as handsome and noble as all the ballads say?"

The older elves looked upon the young elleth with various degrees of bemusement, while her brothers groaned and covered their faces with their hands in obvious embarrassment. Amarië caught Alassiel’s eye just then and the two of them started giggling. Soon, all the Amaneldi, as well as Manwen, began laughing and it was some time before any of them calmed down long enough to give an answer.

****

Tavrobel: This is given in G[nomish] L[exicon] with the translation ‘wood-home’.... The element pel is said to be ‘usual only in such place-names as Tavrobel’, and means ‘village, hamlet, -ham’. In a separate note elsewhere an additional Gnomish name Tavrost is given, and Qenya names Tavaros(se), Taurosse. [from Book of Lost Tales 1, ‘Appendix: Names in the Lost Tales - Part I’] — Gnomish or Goldogrin was the ancestor of Noldorin, which eventually became known as Sindarin. Qenya is the earliest form of what we now call Quenya (pronounced the same).