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

79: Reaction

Dinner was waiting for them when they returned to the villa and everyone sat down to eat while exchanging tales. Olwë told them about how they had come to be at the iaun rather than going to the harbor as they had originally planned.

“So you can blame Beleg for our little adventure, since he was the one who chose the direction,” the Telerin king said with a sly grin and a wink for his nephew.

“Hey!” Beleg protested as the rest of the group chuckled. “If we’re going to blame anyone it’s Lord Oromë. Did he not say that he enticed us to swim?”

“I don’t think you needed any enticing, Beleg,” Lindarion said with a laugh. “You would have swum in that pool regardless.”

“Well, perhaps,” Beleg averred with a blush, “but I still think we should blame Lord Oromë for getting us into trouble.”

Now there was laughter all around. Olwë smiled indulgently at Beleg. “Regardless, hinya,” he said, “I am impressed by the way you handled the situation, even going so far as to leave a clue for others to find. I confess, I was too angry and embarrassed to think that far ahead.”

Now Beleg was blushing for a different reason. “I guess my former training took over,” he said. “I didn’t even think about it; I just did it.”

Finrod nodded. “That often happens,” he said. “A situation arises and our instincts, or rather, our previous training and experience, take over without us consciously thinking about it. It can be a bit unnerving, to suddenly have this knowledge we were unaware that we had. It’s not even really a memory surfacing, it’s just an automatic reaction. It happened to me once or twice and afterwards I was left wondering how I even knew how to do what I had done because there was no actual memory attached to the action. It was just there.”

Brethorn nodded. “I think every Reborn has similar experiences,” he said, then turned to the younger Reborn. “So just don’t be surprised if it happens to any of you, because it will.”

“At any rate, Beleg,” Olwë stated, “I was pleased that you were able to keep your emotions under control. I worried that any impulsive behavior on your part might make things worse.”

“I’m not that impulsive, am I?” Beleg pleaded.

“Well, let’s see,” Arafinwë said with a knowing smile, one hand raised as he used the index finger of the other to count off, “running off to Lórien without a by-your-leave, jumping out of a tree screaming ‘Orcs! Run for your lives!’, thereby scaring a group of elflings who were sitting under said tree enjoying a picnic....”

People burst out laughing as Beleg turned bright red. “I wanted one of the tarts they were eating,” he muttered, not looking at anyone, “and it was the only thing I could think of to get one.”

“Um... so you said,” Arafinwë stated, his tone one of disbelief at the ellon’s explanation though his eyes twinkled with humor. “What else? Oh, yes, strolling naked through the gardens past Eärwen and her ladies-in-waiting as they were sitting there doing embroidery.”

“Hey! That was Sador’s idea,” Beleg protested.

“But you’re the one who actually did it,” Sador said, trying to sound virtuous and failing utterly. Beleg stuck his tongue out at him.

“You have to watch out for the quiet ones,” Glorfindel said confidentially in a loud whisper to Finrod, “they’re very dangerous.”

“So I’ve noticed,” Finrod said, giving Sador a knowing smile. The ellon blushed while everyone else laughed.

“And then,” Olwë said, “you should have been there the first time he saw the ocean. We took him to Ollo Solosimpion. For those who have never been there, it’s a rockfall north of Alqualondë that is a favorite lookout point and it is where I often go to converse with Lord Ulmo or his Maiar. Anyway, it’s high tide, made even higher because of a storm that had swept through earlier, so the water is very deep and there’s a fierce undertow. No one goes swimming there. Lindarion and I take him out to the point. I was about to call to Lord Ossë and Lady Uinen to introduce them to Beleg when all of a sudden he gives this yell....”

“More like a scream,” Lindarion interjected with a grin.

Olwë nodded while Beleg just sat there turning more and more red. “...and the next thing we know, he’s jumping off the rocks into the water.”

Everyone stared at Beleg in surprise. “But, gwador,” Finrod said in disbelief, “you don’t know how to swim.”

Beleg gave them a shrug. “It was so overwhelming,” he explained. “I had never known such wildness before and it... it called to me and I just had to... I mean...

Olwë gave him a fond smile. “Luckily, Lady Uinen showed up just then and rescued him. I can tell you that for a brief moment my heart failed me when he leapt.”

“Impulsive, indeed.”

Everyone looked to see Ingil standing there, the Maia’s face wreathed with a wide grin. “As long as we’re telling tales, should I tell you about some of Beleg’s more memorable escapades in Lórien?”

The ellon groaned and there were snickers all around. Arafinwë gave the Maia a grin. “I doubt that that is the purpose of your visit, though,” he said.

Ingil shook his head, still looking amused. “No, it is not, but once I’ve concluded my business, I would be happy to regale you with a tale or two.”

“Why is everyone picking on me?” Beleg moaned and Sador, who was sitting next to him, put an arm around the ellon’s shoulders and gave him a hug.

“Because we love you,” he said quietly and there were murmurs of assent from the others.

“And what business would that be, lord?” Olwë asked Ingil.

“I have been sent by my Lord Irmo to inform you that Laurendil and Manwen are needed back in Lórien.”

Both Laurendil and Manwen frowned. “Why?” Laurendil asked. “I thought Lord Irmo wanted us to be a part of the Progress.”

Ingil gave a shrug. “I am merely the messenger, Laurendil,” he said.

“But now?” Manwen demanded. “There are all these rumors about the two of us and we mean to put an end to them and find out who is spreading such lies about us.”

“As I said....” Ingil began but Laurendil cut him off with an abrupt gesture.

“We’re not leaving,” he exclaimed. “I don’t know what game the Valar are playing but....”

“We do not play games, Laurendil,” Ingil said coldly. “If Lord Irmo requests that you return to Lórien, then it would be wise to obey him.”

“I’m tired of the capriciousness of the Valar,” Laurendil said hotly, rising from his seat. “Tell Lord Irmo that he’ll have to look for new apprentices. We’re not leaving, and that’s final.” He glared at the Maia for a second or two before turning and stalking out of the room with Manwen quickly following him.

A tense silence filled the room, no one willing to move or speak. Ingil merely stood there, as patient as stone. Finally, Arafinwë stirred. “I almost have to agree with Laurendil,” he said quietly. “However, I know the Valar do not do anything without purpose. I will see that they are on the next ship....”

“Nay, Arafinwë,” Ingil said. “They must come of their own free will or not at all.”

“And if I order them?” Finrod asked. “I have their lives. For them to defy me would bring grave consequences upon them.”

The Maia shook his head. “I am afraid that would not work either. The command has come from Lord Irmo, who holds their oaths as apprentice Lóriennildi,” he explained.

“Well, I’m with Laurendil,” Sador said suddenly, his tone one of rising anger. “There has been too much interference by the Valar lately. First, that business with Glorfindel and then Lord Oromë and the Nandor and now Lord Irmo. When will it end? Will it ever end? Now that I think about it, the Valar have been manipulating us right and left. I’m surprised, given how they won’t tell me about my family, that they didn’t send an army of Maiar to block the entrance to the Archives so I wouldn’t be able to make any enquiries there. Laurendil’s right. The Valar do nothing but play games at our expense and we’re supposed to just sit there and take it.”

The others sat there stunned at the ellon’s outburst. Ingil’s expression was unreadable. “Yonya,” Arafinwë said soothingly, “don’t....”

“No!” Sador exclaimed, jumping to his feet. “Did you know I wasn’t even supposed to be Reborn yet? Lord Manwë told me. I should still be in Mandos, but they released me. Why? Why release me now when I shouldn’t have been?”

“You’re not the only one to be released early,” Glorfindel said. “Beleg and I....”

“I don’t care about you or Beleg,” Sador fairly screamed, becoming hysterical. “I’m only interested in me. Why me? Why now? What do they want from me? What!?”

Both Arafinwë and Finrod rose to go to the ellon who was backing away, tears streaming down his face, when there was a shimmer of lights and the smell of roses in the air and then a Maia wearing the Sun-in-Eclipse emblem of Lord Námo on her surcoat was there, putting her arms around Sador.

“NO!!!” Sador screamed and struggled in the Maia’s embrace while everyone else looked on, their expressions one of concern and deep distress.

“Hush, now,” the Maia said, rocking Sador gently. “Hush, child. You’re only going to make yourself ill.” Sador continued to struggle for another minute or two, mouthing invectives in Sindarin, and then suddenly he collapsed into tears, his sobs heartbreaking to hear. The Maia crooned softly to him and continued rocking him until after about five minutes the ellon stilled and drifted into sleep. Only then did the Maia address the other elves, still holding the slumbering Sador in her embrace. “Greetings. I am Vanimeldë of the People of Námo. My lord assigned me to watch over this one, fearing that he might suffer an emotional backlash.”

“But why?” Beleg asked in obvious distress. “And why now?”

“Much has happened to him since he left Lórien,” Arafinwë answered. “I do not think he has quite recovered from his kidnapping and then there was the Tournament and all that happened afterwards.” He gave a shrug. “I don’t think it’s any one thing that’s set him off.”

Vanimeldë shook her head. “No. It has been a series of events culminating with what happened today.”

“What about today?” Finrod asked, clearly puzzled. “Beside the fact that Anatar and Uncle Lindarion and Beleg and Elennen went missing for a few hours....”

“That’s just it,” Vanimeldë interjected. “Sador and Beleg have become very close while you and Glorfindel have been elsewhere. I think Sador had a very real fear that something terrible might happen to Beleg, who has come to be more than just a brother to him, but is, to his mind, the one link to his own family and all that they lost when Doriath fell. The thought that he might lose Beleg and, therefore, his family all over again, and all because Lord Oromë had a hand in today’s events....” She gave them a shrug.

“And then, I come along with Lord Irmo’s message to Laurendil and Manwen,” Ingil said, “and perhaps that simply was too much for him. Hence, the outburst.”

“So what now?” Glorfindel asked. “Laurendil and Manwen are victims of vicious rumors and are in a snit over Lord Irmo. Sador is suffering from an emotional backlash that apparently the Valar were anticipating otherwise you wouldn’t be here. We have Lasgalad recovering from a serious wound gotten in Middle-earth and his friend, Iorlas, who’s given up everything, including his beloved, to be here for him and thinks his world has come to an end because of it. And on top of all that, we still have to get through this blasted Progress. Should we be worried?”

Ingil and Vanimeldë exchanged amused glances, though the elves were taking Glorfindel’s question seriously. “My thoughts exactly,” Olwë said with a frown. “This Progress is not going as I had thought it would.”

“How did you think it would go?” Arafinwë asked him.

“I don’t know,” Olwë answered honestly enough. “I guess I just didn’t anticipate all the problems we would encounter and I certainly did not think that the Valar would manipulate events to suit their own purposes. Lessons, indeed!” He gave a snort of disgust.

“We have no advice to give you,” Ingil said, “except to continue as you have. Now, what should we do for young Sador?”

“Put him to bed for now,” Arafinwë ordered. “We’ll deal with it in the morning. It grows late and this first day in Avallónë has been very full for all of us.”

Vanimeldë nodded her head as she easily lifted Sador into her arms. “If you will show me his room I will take him there.”

“Will you stay with him?” Beleg asked.

“Yes,” the Maia answered. “My Lord Námo has not released me from my duty to watch over Sador and so I will be around even if you do not see me.”

“I’m not sure if that’s a comforting thought or not,” Glorfindel said, “but I’m glad you were here to help.”

“I live to serve,” Vanimeldë said.

“Don’t we all?” Finrod replied. “Sador and Beleg are sharing a room. He can show you where.”

Vanimeldë smiled at the former Marchwarden of Doriath whose expression was one of concern. “Is he going to be all right?” he asked as he led the way out of the room.

“He will be with your help,” they heard Vanimeldë say as she followed the ellon out.

Then Finrod turned to Ingil, his expression sober. “I little like that Lord Irmo has called for Laurendil and Manwen at this critical time, but as Atar said, I know the Valar do nothing without purpose. I will endeavor to convince them to return to Lórien, but I make no promises. You had best inform Lord Irmo to expect the possible loss of two apprentices just in case.”

“Laurendil may think that in defying Lord Irmo’s command that he will no longer be an apprentice Lóriennildo, but that does not necessarily follow,” Ingil said. “Laurendil doesn’t realize it yet, but his own desire to be a Lóriennildo will not let him be in defiance for long. He has finally found his calling; it will not abandon him now.”

“We’ll see,” Arafinwë said. “As my son said, we make no promises, but we will speak to Laurendil and Manwen tomorrow. Perhaps in the clear light of day when tempers are calmer they will decide on their own to obey the Lord of Lórien’s summons. How soon are they expected to be in Lórien?”

“My Lord anticipated the possibility that they might object to the summons at first,” Ingil said, “so he commanded me to tell them that they have two weeks to make their way to Lórien. If they are not at the gates of Lórien by then, only then will they be considered in defiance.”

“Two weeks,” Finrod said with a nod. “Even if it takes a couple of days to convince them, that should be enough time.”

“We’ll talk about it some more in the morning,” Arafinwë said firmly. Then he gave Ingil a bow. “My lord, I fear we will have to postpone the sharing of tales about Beleg for another time.”

“I quite understand,” the Maia said equably. “Please accept my apologies for causing such upset among you, especially young Sador.”

“It is not your fault, my lord,” Arafinwë said. “I have the feeling that Sador was due to explode sooner or later.”

“Then I will leave you,” Ingil said with a bow and he was gone.

For a moment there was silence and then Finrod stirred. “I better go see how Laurendil and Manwen are,” he said with a sigh.

“Your atar and I will check on Sador and Beleg before we retire for the night,” Olwë assured his grandson. Finrod nodded and left. Soon after, the others made their way to their own beds.

****

Ollo Solosimpion: (Quenya) Shoreland-pipers’ Cliff.





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