132: A Peaceful Interlude

Finrod led Glorfindel along the arcade to the room where Vondo had been put. The two were accompanied by Sador and Ingwion. Herendil and Aldundil were also with them. Finrod had been willing to excuse them from the morning’s Council meeting to sit with Vondo, but both declined, saying that Vondo had more than enough people watching over him and their presence would make for even more crowded conditions. So, they had been on hand when Eärendil had brought Vingilot to Valmar.

"How is Laurendil taking all this?" Glorfindel asked as they made their way around the cloister.

"Feeling guilty, of course," Finrod answered. "He blames himself for what happened. He thinks that he should have been more sympathetic and understanding of what Vondo was feeling. I told him that was nonsense. He’s actually not had as much experience dealing with newly released Reborn yet and wouldn’t have known Vondo would react as he did."

Glorfindel shrugged. "He wouldn’t be the first Lóriennildo to make that particular error of judgment. At least he doesn’t look down on us like many of them do."

"Did," Finrod corrected with a smile. "I’m working on it. As for Laurendil, I think it was professional pride that made him do what he did. He wanted to see Vondo brought down a peg or two. He was treating him more like a raw recruit for his rangers, one that he needed to put in his place, rather than a very emotionally fragile Reborn."

"Well, now he knows better," Glorfindel said somewhat unsympathetically.

Finrod shot him a surprised look but did not comment as they had arrived at the door. He gave a perfunctory knock and opened it and they went in, stopping in surprise at what they saw. The room was spacious but spartan in furnishings. Most of the room was taken up by three beds pushed together. In the middle bed was Vondo but the other two beds were occupied by the bodies of the five elflings huddled close to the patient, all six of them sleeping. Vorondil was sitting in a chair near the window that looked out onto the outer gardens surrounding the mansion and smiled up at them as they entered, putting a finger to his lips. Glorfindel saw Laurendil was also there, sitting in the shadows, his expression morose, even haggard, as he stared at the children and Vondo. Glorfindel doubted the ellon had eaten or slept in days, not since leaving Lórien. If Laurendil was aware of their entrance he gave no sign.

Finrod gave Glorfindel and the others an amused look and whispered to Herendil, "I’ll take Laurendil out so you can visit with your son."

"I don’t wish to wake him or the other children," Herendil whispered back. "I’m going to find Vandacalimë. We’ll come back later when it’s not so crowded." He nodded at Aldundil to include him in his statement. "Leave Vorondil here to watch over them. I don’t think he will want to leave anyway."

Finrod nodded. "Sador, Ingwion, there’s no need for you to hang around, or you either, Glorfindel. Why don’t you go have lunch and I’ll see you later. Laurendil and I need to talk."

"Perhaps I should help you with that talk," Glorfindel said, raising an eyebrow in a suggestive manner.

Finrod hesitated and then nodded. "Very well. I’ll just bring Laurendil along." He walked over to where Laurendil was sitting, still ignoring them. Vorondil started to rise but Finrod gestured for him to remain seated. Glorfindel nodded to the others and they silently went outside. A few minutes later, Finrod came out with Laurendil who was looking decidedly unhappy. He refused to look at Herendil and Aldundil, but stared at Glorfindel in surprise.

"How did you get here?" he said even as he and Glorfindel greeted one another.

"I flew," Glorfindel replied with a smile and the others chuckled at Laurendil’s disbelieving expression.

Herendil stepped forward, laying a hand on Laurendil’s shoulder. Laurendil gave him a guilty look. "Laurendil, I do not blame you for what happened with Vondo. It wasn’t your fault."

"If I hadn’t been so...."

"Perhaps," Herendil averred, "or perhaps not. My understanding of Reborn is minimal, but I get the impression that if not you then something else would have set Vondo off on this ill-fated adventure of his."

"Herendil is correct," Finrod said. "Vondo was feeling deserted by his family and was very unhappy about being left behind. I’m sure his flight from Lórien would have happened eventually."

"I should have gone after him when he first ran off," Laurendil said, "but Ingil and Manwen both said to leave him be. If I’d listened to my own heart in this matter...."

"Things may have been different, or they may not have," Aldundil interjected. "Beating yourself up is a waste of time, my friend. Take it from someone who knows." He gave the ellon a smile. "What happened was unfortunate, but Vondo is recovering and will soon be giving us all grief now that he’s been reunited with his co-conspirators." The others all chuckled knowingly at that and even Laurendil had a faint smile on his lips.

"Good," Herendil said, giving Laurendil’s shoulder a friendly squeeze. "Aldundil and I will be going now. Sador, Ingwion, will you join us for lunch?"

Sador gave Finrod and Glorfindel a hopeful glance, obviously wanting to stay with them, but Glorfindel gave him a slight shake of his head and he sighed. Finrod gave him a sympathetic smile and leaned over to whisper something in his ear. What was said, the others did not hear, but Sador’s expression lightened and he turned to Herendil and nodded. Ingwion gave them a shrug and accepted the invitation as well.

"We just need to find my wife and...." Herendil began but Laurendil cut him off.

"She said she was going to visit with the queens," he told Herendil. "I imagine they’re either at the townhouse or perhaps visiting the markets in Eldamas."

"Thank you," Herendil said, then gave Finrod a respectful bow which Aldundil echoed, taking their leave of their prince. Sador and Ingwion followed them and then it was just Finrod, Glorfindel and Laurendil.

"So, how is Manwen doing?" Glorfindel asked once they were alone. Finrod had started walking away from Vondo’s room and the three ambled along the arcade.

"She is doing well," Laurendil answered. "I really should be back in Lórien but I only arrived late last night."

"And you’ve been sitting in that corner ever since, I wager, castigating yourself," Glorfindel retorted, giving Laurendil a shrewd look.

The former ranger blushed. "Something like that."

"Stupid," Glorfindel said with a shake of his head. "You know better than that."

"What do you mean?" Laurendil demanded, giving his friend a sharp glare.

"I mean, you are going to be no good to Manwen unless you are completely rested," Glorfindel replied, not at all upset by Laurendil’s attitude. "I imagine you pushed yourself rather hard to try and catch up with Vondo and now you don’t even rest. What about the others who came with you?"

"They’re resting," Laurendil acknowledged.

"Which is what you should be doing," Finrod said gently. "Lord Irmo is not going to let you remain here for more than a day or so, just long enough for you and the horses to recover from your mad dash. I know you, Laurendil. You pushed yourself and the others to the limit, determined to catch Vondo. I saw the way the others were practically reeling from fatigue when you got here. Unlike you, they’re not used to such hard riding, but even you cannot go without sleep forever."

"And when was the last time you actually ate?" Glorfindel asked. "And I don’t mean trail-rations while on the road. I doubt you even bothered to stop except to allow the horses to rest and only minimally at that. Otherwise, I suspect you kept right on going. I’m sure your fellows really appreciated that."

His tone was laced with sarcasm which Laurendil could not ignore. The ellon blushed and would not look at them.

"If anyone is to be blamed for this, it should be me," Finrod said and Laurendil started to protest, but Finrod continued. "No. Let me finish. If I hadn’t asked you to work with Vondo in improving his tracking skills none of this would have happened."

"That’s ridiculous, aranya," Laurendil insisted.

"Perhaps," Finrod averred, "but no more ridiculous than you blaming yourself for what happened."

"I let my own personal pride get in the way," Laurendil said with a grimace.

"Happens to the best of us, my friend," Glorfindel said. "Now that you are aware of this particular fault of yours, you can take steps to avoid it in the future."

His expression was so bland and his tone so supercilious that it evoked a bark of laughter out of Laurendil while Finrod just grinned at the two of them.

"That’s better," the prince said. "Now, why don’t we find you something to eat and then I want you to rest." Laurendil let out a sigh but did not protest. "We’ll go to the Laughing Vala and have a late lunch," Finrod continued as he led them out of the cloister and towards the avenue fronting the mansion. "At this hour it won’t be crowded and we can probably get a private room. Afterwards, we’ll come back and retrieve the children and you can meet Vondo, Glorfindel."

The other two agreed. They made their way past Valmar’s northern gate into Eldamas and headed for their favorite inn while they caught up on one another’s news.

****

When they returned to Nienna’s mansion a couple of hours later they found Vondo and the elflings awake, but Vorondil was now asleep, curled up beside his uncle who was sitting up, an arm around his nephew, while listening to the other children quietly telling him about the blizzard and the treasure hunt and the snowball fights and anything else they could think of to entertain him. One of the beds had been pushed back so they could sit facing Vondo. When Finrod opened the door, the five elflings stood and bowed. Finrod motioned them to resume their seats as he moved to the foot of Vondo’s bed while Laurendil went to the other side and checked the ellon’s vitals. Glorfindel stood beside Finrod, giving Vondo a curious but friendly look.

"Vondo, how are you feeling today?" Finrod asked solicitously.

"Better," Vondo answered with a smile as he allowed Laurendil to check him over. "I woke up from my nap and could wiggle my toes."

There were looks of relief on the older ellyn’s faces. "That is good news," Laurendil said. "Lady Estë said you could get up starting tomorrow but you’ll need to take it easy until you’re completely healed."

Vondo nodded. "So she told me, for she was here when I woke up." He frowned slightly. "What happened to... to Selmacas? Why did he attack me? He seemed so surprised to see me and it wasn’t a pleasant surprise either."

Finrod sighed and both Laurendil and Glorfindel shook their heads. The elflings listened with undisguised interest. "It hasn’t been decided yet," Finrod answered. "And your questions deserve an answer but not right now."

Oromendil turned to Sorondur and whispered loudly, "That means they’re going to wait until we leave to talk about it."

The older elfling nodded sagely. "They think we’re too young to understand," he replied and the other elflings nodded in agreement.

The grown ups, including Vondo, exchanged amused looks. "Well, since you know this to be so, then you may leave," Finrod said. "You missed all the excitement earlier when Lord Eärendil brought Vingilot in for a landing. If you would like, I’ll have one of Lady Nienna’s Maiar take you to where the ship is docked so you can see it."

That perked the children up and in minutes, Tiutalion was escorting them away. Vorondil was still sleeping and Vondo suggested leaving him be. "He’s exhausted," the Reborn said, brushing the hair out of his nephew’s eyes which were half closed. "He forced himself to stay awake while I and the elflings took our naps."

Laurendil opened a clothespress and pulled out a light blanket, placing it over Vorondil who never moved. Then he stared down at Vondo, who now started to fidget under the apprentice healer’s regard. "I’m sorry," Laurendil said quietly.

"So am I," Vondo responded. "It was stupid of me to take offense and stupider of me to run away. All it got me in the end was trouble."

The three older ellyn glanced at one another, their expressions revealing their surprise, obviously not expecting this sudden display of maturity on Vondo’s part. "I’m glad you understand that, Vondo," Finrod said. "Both you and Laurendil learned valuable lessons, I think. Now, let me make you known to my otorno. This is Glorfindel. Glorfindel, this is Aldundil’s older brother, Vorondil, though for clarity’s sake we call him Vondo instead."

"Greetings, Vondo," Glorfindel said with a smile. "I hear you’ve been giving your minders as much grief as I used to, if not more so."

"I don’t need minders," Vondo said with a frown, but then he grinned. "Though it’s fun eluding them and letting them chase me."

The other three laughed softly so as not to disturb the still sleeping Vorondil. Glorfindel and Finrod sat on the bed the elflings had vacated while Laurendil drew up a chair on the other side. Vondo shifted his position slightly, tightening his hold on his nephew who snuggled a little closer to him but did not wake.

"So are you going to tell me why Selmacas called me a traitor and oathbreaker?" Vondo asked.

There were uneasy looks between the older three ellyn. It was Finrod who answered him. "You are neither a traitor nor an oathbreaker, Vondo. I’m afraid Selmacas allowed his anger to blind him and he spoke without thought."

"Yet he seemed stunned by the fact that I was alive," Vondo insisted. "I may be emotionally young but I’m not stupid. He thought me safely dead and I suspect that he would have been happy if I’d never been reborn. Does it have something to do with his daughter?"

"Why do you say that?" Glorfindel asked. "Do you remember her?"

Vondo gave a slight shrug. "Not really. I’m not even sure what her name is. It keeps escaping me."

"Yet you knew Selmacas," Finrod said.

"Yes and no," Vondo answered. "When I saw him a name popped into my head and I knew the name went with him, but that’s all I know. I have no actual memory of him or his daughter, whoever she is."

"Her name is Calalindalë and she is my ammë."

All four adults looked in amazement at Vorondil, who was the one who had spoken. He was blinking, and stretching. Vondo gave him a rueful look. "Sorry, Nephew. We didn’t mean to disturb your rest."

Vorondil shook his head, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "No. That’s all right, Uncle. I’ve had enough rest." He yawned and struggled off the bed, straightening his tunic and reaching for his houseboots which he had removed before curling up. When he finished putting his boots on he looked up at Finrod, his expression determined. "I think Uncle Vondo needs to know the truth, Master."

Finrod shook his head. "It’s too soon, child. He’s not ready to hear the truth, not yet."

"Don’t I have a say in this?" Vondo asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Not really," Glorfindel said with a smirk. "Reborn have no rights."

Finrod cast him a dark look. "You’re not helping, gwador," he said in Sindarin.

"Hey! I know that language," Vondo exclaimed. "Wait, don’t tell me...um... Sindarin, right? And... and you said something about not helping and gwador... that’s the same as otorno, isn’t it?"

The others stared at him in surprise. "Yes, that’s correct," Finrod finally said, his expression wry. "Well, I guess we’re not going to be able to keep any secrets from you, are we?"

But Vondo’s attention had been diverted and he wasn’t listening, all excited by his discovery. "Say something else in Sindarin. No, wait... let me see if I can remember how to speak it. Ah...um... i-eneth nîn Vondo...Im magor... no, that’s not right." He frowned in concentration and then his expression cleared. "Im adonnen!" he said triumphantly, giving them a brilliant smile.

"You are indeed," Finrod said with a smile, shaking his head in amusement.

"This is fun," Vondo proclaimed. "Let’s speak Sindarin."

"I’m surprised you even know it," Glorfindel said.

"Oh, I’ve always had an interest in languages," Vondo said somewhat breezily. "I’m pretty sure I was studying to be a lambengolmo before I went to war. I must have picked up Sindarin rather quickly while I was in Beleriand."

"Apparently," Finrod said with a smile.

"You didn’t seem to notice it when people were speaking it in Lórien," Laurendil commented.

Vondo shrugged. "Most everyone speaks Quenya and I never really thought about it. The two ellyn with whom I share a pavilion are Noldor so we just speak Quenya to one another. So everyone speak some Sindarin to me and let me see if I can figure it out," he demanded, and it was obvious to the others that he had just discovered a new game.

"What about me?" Vorondil asked, feeling left out. "I’m still learning and I don’t know very much."

"You can help me," Vondo said, patting the space next to him, inviting Vorondil to join him on the bed. "We’ll be a team, them against us."

Vorondil gave Finrod a questioning look and the prince nodded. Anything to distract Vondo from the subject of Calalindalë, if only temporarily. Vorondil made himself comfortable beside his uncle.

"So, who wants to start?" Vondo asked expectantly.

Finrod, Glorfindel and Laurendil exchanged measuring looks and shrugged at one another. "I’ll go first," Glorfindel said and the other two nodded. He thought for a moment and then began speaking. "Mi ’Ondolin ennas cuias aran estannen Turgon...."

****

Words are Sindarin unless otherwise noted.

iEneth nîn...: ‘My name is...’, literally ‘the name of mine is....’.

Im magor: ‘I am a swordfighter’.

Im adonnen: ‘I am a Reborn’.

Lambengolmo: (Quenya) Linguistic loremaster, literally ‘loremaster of tongues’ [lambë ‘tongue, language’ + ingolmo ‘loremaster’; the initial vowel in ingolmo disappears in compounds when the first element of the compound ends in a vowel.] This is an attested word. The Lambengolmor (plural) was a school founded by Fëanor (see War of the Jewels).

Mi ’Ondolin ennas cuias aran estannen Turgon....: ‘In Gondolin there lived a king named Turgon....’. Cuias is the third person singular past tense form of the verb cuia- which is an intransitive verb, i.e. it cannot take a direct object. Intransitive verbs in Sindarin form their past tense with the ending -s or -st while transitive verbs form their past tense with the ending -nt.