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

118: Uncle Vondo

"Uncle Vorondil, Uncle Vorondil! Please, please don’t cry. Please, Uncle. Veryandur, move! Eruanna where’s a... oh, thank you."

Vorondil Herendilion felt a hand pushing something into his face and it took him a second or two to realize it was a handkerchief. He looked up to see the concerned face of his nephew and the wide-eyed looks of the other two elflings. Taking the proffered piece of linen, he wiped his eyes.

"I... I have a brother?" he whispered, choking back his tears.

Young Vorondil did not answer immediately and the Reborn wondered at the guarded expression on his nephew’s face, but then it was replaced with open compassion, and the elfling wrapped his arms around him and gave him a fierce hug.

"Yes, Uncle, you have a brother, and an atto and an ammë and... and me." The last was said somewhat shyly and the elder Vorondil gave him a hug in return.

The two separated and the Reborn gazed in amazement at his nephew. "The moment I saw you," he said as he gently ran a hand through the elfling’s hair, "you seemed so familiar, but I knew I could not have known you, for you were too young. Now I know that you reminded me of my brother, whom I did not remember."

"Do you remember him now?" the younger ellon asked.

"Vaguely," the older ellon replied. "I know I have a brother, but that’s all. I can’t even recall what his name is."

Three sets of eyebrows rose in disbelief at that and the son of Herendil could not help but laugh. "It’s true. Of course, I know what he looks like, for I’ve met him and...." He paused, his expression one of wonder at the realization of his own words. "I met him and my atto and ammë and I didn’t even know them." He started weeping again and Veryandur pushed up against him.

"Don’t cry, Uncle Vorondil," the youngster said. "Here, you can have Narmollë." He thrust the stuffed toy at the Reborn who automatically held it close to him, rocking ever so slightly, still weeping. Young Vorondil gave his two friends a helpless look and then all three tried to hug the Reborn at the same time.

"It’s all right, Uncle Vorondil," Eruanna crooned as she patted his locks. "You go ahead and cry. It’ll be good for you."

"Reborn cry a lot," he heard Veryandur say in a knowing tone. "Sorondil and Oromendil are always coming back with wet tunics."

"I know," his nephew replied. "Master says they’re very much like little ones who have no emotional control yet. I guess because everything is sort of new again for them and they wear their hearts on their sleeves."

He felt Veryandur and Eruanna nodding. The absurdity of these three elflings comforting him and the matter-of-fact manner of their discussion was too much and Vorondil started laughing in spite of his tears.

"All right, all right, enough," he said, simultaneously giving them all a hug. "No more tears, I promise."

The three elflings smiled broadly and Eruanna fished about for another handkerchief, presenting it with a flourish and Vorondil smiled his thanks. The three elflings settled on the edge of the cot and stared at him, making him feel self-conscious. He held Veryandur’s stuffed toy a little closer to him.

"I... I know I met your atar, my brother," he said to his nephew, "but I don’t think I met your ammë. Is she not here with you?"

He saw the same guarded look cross the youngster’s face and wondered but before he could comment, someone entered the pavilion and spoke.

"His amillë is apprenticed with Lady Vairë at this time."

The elder Vorondil turned to see Prince Findaráto enter, the prince’s expression unreadable. "I see introductions have been made," he added and Vorondil detected a glint of mischief in the ellon’s eyes.

"Master, this is my Uncle Vorondil," his nephew said. "He doesn’t really remember Atto yet."

"I see," Finrod said as he went to where the plate of food and drinks were and poured a cup of juice into one of the goblets and handed it to the Reborn who looked at him in surprise. Finrod smiled. "I think you could use this. Sorry it’s nothing stronger, but this should help steady your nerves. You’ve had a bit of a shock."

Vorondil nodded and took a sip of the juice. Hawthorn. Not one of his favorites, but acceptable. Finrod, meanwhile, was pouring more juice into goblets and handing them to the elflings while he contented himself with a couple of grapes as he gave them considering looks. Vorondil felt awkward sitting while the prince stood and tried to offer his chair but Finrod just waved him back down.

"I cannot stay anyway," Finrod explained. "I only stopped by to see how you were getting on. Vorondil," and here he addressed the elfling, "you’re supposed to be lying down and resting."

"Yes, Master," the ellon said with a long-suffering sigh, dutifully climbing back into bed while Eruanna and Veryandur scooted off to give him room. Eruanna resumed her seat and Veryandur grabbed the pillow from the other cot and plopped down beside the elder Vorondil.

Finrod gave him a sardonic smile. "We’re going to have to figure out how to tell you two apart."

"That’s easy, aranya," Eruanna said primly. "Vorondil will be Vorondil but his uncle will be Uncle Vorondil."

"My brother used to call me Vondo when he was an elfling," the Reborn said in a surprised voice. "How odd that I would remember that but I still can’t remember his name."

"Aldundil," Finrod supplied. "Your brother’s name is Aldundil."

Vorondil nodded. "Thank you."

"Where is Atto?" young Vorondil asked. "Shouldn’t he and anatto and anammë be here?"

"Aldundil is attending to some business on my behalf," Finrod answered, "and I think your grandparents are being entertained by Lady Estë. There will be time enough later for... um... proper introductions." He flashed them a knowing smile then turned his attention to the other two elflings. "In the meantime, Eruanna, Veryandur, you have your own duties to attend to, do you not?"

The two elflings stood and gave him their obeisance. "Yes, my lord," they said in unison.

"Not a word to anyone about this, my children," Finrod said and the two nodded. Vorondil handed the stuffed toy back to Veryandur who received it gravely and then the two elflings were gone. Finrod took the chair vacated by Eruanna, giving uncle and nephew a piercing look. "I know this is a lot to take in all at once," he said, "but this meeting has been inevitable since the day you were re-embodied, Vorondil."

"Perhaps you should call me Uncle Vorondil as Eruanna suggested to avoid confusion," the Reborn said with a wry look.

"But you’re not my Uncle Vorondil," Finrod quipped with a smile and the younger Vorondil snickered.

"Then call me Vondo," the ellon retorted.

"Vondo it is," Finrod agreed with a nod. "As I was saying, I know this has to be quite a shock for you both, but Vorondil," and here he addressed the younger ellon, "you knew someday your uncle would be Reborn, did you not?"

Vorondil nodded. "I just never thought... I mean, I didn’t think we would meet like this."

"May I ask a question?" Vondo interjected.

Finrod nodded.

"Why does he call you Master?"

"Well, he is an apprentice after all," Finrod replied with a smile.

"But you’re not a Master Healer," Vondo retorted. "At least, you don’t dress or act the part."

"I am a Loremaster, though," Finrod returned, then held up a hand to forestall the ellon’s next comment. "Vondo, my relationship with your nephew and indeed with your brother and your parents is somewhat complex. You only need to know that I hold your family in the highest regard. Your atar is one of my oldest friends since my own re-embodiment and Aldundil has become one of my liegemen. The whys and the wherefores of all this are not important at the moment. What is important is that you renew your own relationship with your family, starting with your nephew."

Vondo stared at the prince for a long moment, then glanced at his nephew, whom he suddenly noticed had gone stark white for some reason. "Nephew, are you well?" he asked in distress, leaning over to take one of the ellon’s hands, surprised at how cold it felt.

Vorondil nodded but Vondo had the feeling he was not being truthful. Finrod seemed to think so as well, for he rose and stood over the elfling, placed a hand gently on his forehead, and began to softly sing. Vondo was not sure what the song was about, but he felt his own fëa become more calm as he listened to the singing. His nephew’s eyes fluttered and it was obvious that the elfling was fighting to stay awake, a fight that he inevitably lost. Vondo even found himself yawning and had to shake himself to keep awake. Finrod finished singing and gave him a smile.

"He’ll sleep for now," he said quietly. "Let us leave him." He gestured for Vondo to join him as he left the pavilion, which he did with some reluctance. Finrod clasped his shoulder in a friendly manner. "Do not be dismayed," he said as he led him to the other small pavilion. "Vorondil is still recovering from his injury and tires easily. I fear this revelation was too much for him. He’ll be fine by tomorrow."

Vondo followed the prince into the pavilion and realized with a start that this must be Findaráto’s pavilion, for there was only the one cot and the rest of the place was taken up by a large desk strewn with papers. He began to see this ellon in a whole different light.

Finrod motioned for him to take a seat while he went to a sideboard and poured them some wine which he eagerly accepted. He felt he needed something a little stronger than hawthorn juice right about now.

"How are you feeling?" Finrod suddenly asked.

Vondo gulped the wine in his mouth at the unexpected question and coughed a couple of times before he was able to answer. "It’s going to take some getting used to," he finally answered. "I still have no memory of my family even though I know who they are now."

Finrod nodded. "That’s not unusual. It was months after I returned to Tirion before I actually had clear memories of my parents and knew them to be my parents rather than two half-remembered strangers whom I called Atto and Ammë. My advice to you is not to try to force the memories to come. Let them come on their own. The harder you try the harder it will be to recall them."

Vondo nodded. "I know," he replied. "I learned not to force them even before I came to Lórien."

"Good," Finrod said with a smile. "I want you to know that if at any time you start to feel overwhelmed, you may come to me. I’ve been where you are now."

Vondo gave him a considering look. "Is that why you are here in Lórien, to help other Reborn?"

"Partly," Finrod answered. "It is certainly true that Lord Irmo took me on as an apprentice of a sort for that very purpose. When I was re-embodied, I fear that the Lóriennildi were not very sympathetic to the plight of the Reborn in their midst." He gave him a rueful chuckle. "Not that any of us made it easy for them to feel sympathetic, you understand."

Vondo chuckled in return, well aware of what the prince was saying.

"At any rate," Finrod continued, "over the last hundred years there have been some changes, but more needs to be done and that is one reason why I am here, to help implement those needed changes so that future Reborn will not suffer the way we have at the hands of those who should have had compassion for us, given their unique calling as healers."

"They’re not too bad," Vondo ventured. "At least, when they’re not chasing after me."

Finrod laughed. "I’ve heard of some of your exploits. You seem intent on exploring every inch of Lórien."

Vondo shrugged. "I do not know why I have this itch to explore but I would much rather do that than sit around. I guess everything is so new to me still I can’t get away from the wonder of it all."

"Nor should you," Finrod said emphatically. "We will need explorers someday."

Vondo gave him a quizzical look and Finrod smiled. "The Valar will be opening up the southern reaches of the continent to the Eldar someday, recognizing our need to expand our frontiers during the long ages before us. We’ll need those willing to be the vanguard in mapping out the new territories before settlers move in. I suspect you might be one such explorer."

Vondo felt his pulse quickening at the thought and nodded vigorously. "I would like that."

"Then it behooves you to learn all you must know about tracking and survival in the wilderness, as well as familiarizing yourself with the kelvar and olvar of this continent," Finrod said. "I will speak to Lord Irmo about this and see about designing a training regimen. Laurendil will be ideal in helping and Mithlas if he is willing. Lasgalad and his friend Iorlas might want to help as well, for they were Rangers in Endórë."

Vondo gave him a puzzled look, clearly not recognizing the names. Finrod just smiled. "Friends of mine who are very good at surviving in the wilderness. They can teach you much, if you are willing."

"Yes, I am."

"Good. Then, why don’t you finish your wine. Do you have any classes scheduled for now?"

Vondo shook his head. "Master Meneldil said I was excused from classes this afternoon."

"Then why don’t you and I go exploring? You can show me what you know of woodcraft so I have a better idea what more you need to learn."

"What about Vorondil?" the younger Reborn asked. "I don’t like the idea of leaving him alone and I thought you said you couldn't stay."

"I've changed my mind," Finrod replied as he stepped outside his pavilion. "And don't worry about Vorondil. Ingil," he called out and in seconds the Maia stood before them, giving them a look of polite interest.

"Do you require something, Findaráto?" the Maia asked.

"Yes, please. Vondo and I are going to go exploring," the prince answered, ignoring the Maia’s raised eyebrow. "Could one of your fellows watch over Vorondil for us? Neither Aldundil nor his parents are here, you see, and I don’t want to leave him alone."

"Do not concern yourselves, children," the Maia said with a faint smile. "Vorondil is never alone. The Maiar will watch over him for you."

"Thank you," Finrod said with a bow, which Vondo echoed, his expression one of bemusement. "Also, would you please find Eärnur and tender my apologies? Tell him that something's come up and I'll see him later this evening after dinner."

The Maia nodded. "I will let him know, never fear."

"Good," Finrod said with a satisfied nod, then turned to the younger Reborn. "Come along, Vondo. We’ll do a bit of exploring and when we get back we’ll find your parents and Aldundil."

Vondo dutifully followed the prince from the grove but they did not go far. Finrod stopped after a few feet and gave the other ellon a swift smile. "Show me what you can do."

Vondo stared at Finrod for a moment or two in puzzlement and then realizing what the ellon wanted, nodded, giving him his own smile. "Follow me," he said and the two were soon away.

****

Hours later, as he and Finrod were making their way back to the prince’s pavilion, Vondo’s thoughts were in a jumble. He thought he was pretty good at woodcraft, though he was at a loss to understand how he knew it so well, but Prince Findaráto’s knowledge was... well it was nothing short of incredible! That a prince of the realm could melt away so quietly into the woods as if he were a... a Nando! It defied description and Vondo, who had been rather proud of his abilities, felt humbled.

As if he could read Vondo’s thoughts, Finrod gave him a smile and a pat on his shoulder. "You did very well," he said. "I know much of what you did was instinctual rather than from true knowledge, but that will come in time. Your brother never told me that you were a scout during the War."

"Was I?" Vondo asked in surprise. "I honestly don’t remember."

"Well, if you weren’t, your talents were wasted," Finrod retorted with a laugh. "At any rate, once Laurendil gets his hands on you...."

"But he’s a Lóriennildo, isn’t he?"

Finrod nodded. "Indeed, as is his wife, Manwen, but long before either of them came here, Laurendil was one of my captains who patrolled the region of Dorthonion when it was part of my demesne before Melkor overran it. Lasgalad was a member of his company."

They entered the grove and Vondo stopped in consternation. He could see a great deal of activity around the place. He saw Veryandur and Eruanna and three other elflings rushing about apparently preparing food under the supervision of an ellon and an elleth who were both wearing apprentices’ tabards. In his nephew’s pavilion he could hear several voices and assumed that his brother and his parents were there visiting the elfling. And surprisingly, or on reflection perhaps not, there were even a couple of Maiar hanging about, holding a conversation with the ellon and elleth supervising the elflings.

Vondo gave Finrod a nervous look. "Is... is it always this... er... busy around here?"

Finrod smiled. "You’ll get used to it," was his only reply which, frankly, did not comfort the younger Reborn. Finrod’s expression became more sympathetic. "You have to meet them sooner or later, you know."

"I’ve already met them," Vondo protested.

"But not as your brother or your parents," Finrod pointed out.

Vondo was about to comment on this when there was a stir from the pavilion where his nephew resided and an ellon whom Vondo now knew was his brother stepped out, probably in search of something or someone, but when he spied Finrod and Vondo he stopped and stared. Vondo could only stand there, not sure what he should do. Then the ellon — Aldundil, Vondo reminded himself. My brother’s name is Aldundil — turned to say something to those within the pavilion and in seconds Herendil and Vandacalimë, with their grandson between them, came out and stared across the grove at the two ellyn.

By now, the others there were aware of the drama that was unfolding. The elflings noticed Finrod and Vondo and were about to go to them, but Laurendil and Manwen shooed them back, speaking quietly to them and they stood still, their expressions ranging from troubled to expectant. The two Maiar simply watched with detached amusement.

No one moved or spoke for the longest time, and then young Vorondil stepped away from his grandparents and came towards them. He smiled at his uncle and held out his hand. Vondo glanced at Finrod, as if looking for permission or assurance, and the prince nodded encouragingly. Vondo took the elfling’s hand, feeling suddenly shy, but allowed Vorondil to lead him back to their family. He could not interpret the expressions on their faces and wondered if he would be accepted as their son and brother after all. He’d heard how some Reborn were rejected by their families for having died. He swallowed nervously, his innards all aflutter and he had the urge to simply flee but before he could do so, his nephew was making introductions.

"Atto, Anatto, Anammë, this is Uncle Vondo," Vorondil said. "He doesn’t really remember you, but he knows you’re his family."

For a long pregnant moment, no one moved and then Herendil opened his arms and before Vondo knew it, he was being warmly embraced. "Welcome home, child," he heard his atar say. "Your ammë and your brother and I have been waiting a long time for this moment."

And then he found himself being embraced by the rest of his family all at the same time and it didn’t seem to matter to anyone that they were all crying. How long they remained that way, no one was ever sure but when they finally broke apart with Vondo in the middle, they stared at one another with shy smiles, not quite sure what to do next. Finrod saved them the trouble by coming up and clasping Vondo’s shoulder in a friendly manner, giving them all a fond smile, his eyes twinkling with merriment and mischief.

"Well, now that that’s out of the way, let’s eat," he said ingenuously.

Just at that moment Vorondil’s stomach made a rumbling noise. The ellon gave them a mortified look that set them all laughing. Soon everyone was gathered around the dining table in the middle pavilion, which Vondo learned was where the five elflings slept, enjoying the meal, which the two Maiar insisted on serving. Vondo found himself seated between his brother and nephew with his parents across from them and as the meal progressed and tales were exchanged, along with laughter and tears, the ellon felt something open up inside him, something warm and familiar, and he had the sudden realization that he was indeed finally home.





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