148: Reunions (Part Two)

Arafinwë ordered a carriage for the ladies, while the ellyn elected to ride. More than once Sador, Glorfindel and Ingwion speculated amongst themselves as to the reason for the summons as they rode side by side, but no one could find an answer that made sense.

"Are you sure your summons came from your atar and not from Lord Manwë as ours did?" Sador asked Ingwion.

"Oh yes," Ingwion said. He pulled a piece of vellum from an inner pocket of his tunic and handed it to Sador. "You see? It’s from Atar. There’s no mistake."

Sador glanced at the missive and passed it on to Glorfindel who read it. He saw the seal of the Ingaran pressed into the vellum and Ingwë’s own unique signature that was impossible to forge.

"So, your atar sends you a message ordering you to meet him and your amillë in Valmar on a certain date, which, by the way, you will miss, and with no explanation as to why. Then, Netilmírë gets a summons from the Valar to come to Valmar and to bring along the Noldorin royal family. Can’t be a coincidence."

"No, but what it is remains a mystery," Ingwion replied.

"One that will no doubt be explained once we get to Valmar," Sador said.

"We can hope," Glorfindel retorted with a wry look. "Where the Valar are concerned, explanations might be forthcoming but they won’t necessarily make things any clearer."

"We’ll find out soon enough," Ingwion said and the matter was dropped.

****

They arrived in Valmar at noon on Elenya, two days later than Ingwion had originally planned to arrive, to find Ilmarë, Lady Varda’s Chief Maia, waiting for them as they passed through the city’s eastern gate of mithril and pearls. She gave them a smile in greeting.

"I have been asked to bring you to Lord Manwë," she said to Arafinwë.

"What about my parents?" Ingwion asked. "I was to meet them...."

"They are with Lord Manwë," Ilmarë replied. "Come. Rooms have been set aside where you may change out of your traveling clothes and wash off the dust of the road. Then I will take you to them."

She led them into the Elder King’s mansion and down a corridor to a suite of rooms where they could bathe and change their clothes. An hour later, Ilmarë returned to escort them to Lord Manwë. She brought them into one of the small audience chambers reserved for intimate meetings and they found, not only Manwë and Varda, but also Ingwë, Elindis, Indil, Lirulin and Alassiel. Sador’s eyes lit up at the sight of Alassiel and without even bothering to give his greeting to anyone, he went directly to her, took her in his arms, and kissed her. She was not shy in returning the kiss while everyone else stood looking on with indulgent smiles on their faces.

"We need to get them at least betrothed soon," Glorfindel whispered to Ingwion, "or there’s going to be trouble."

Ingwion nodded but did not comment. Lord Manwë finally cleared his throat and the two lovers broke apart, both looking a bit flustered. Manwë and Varda exchanged knowing smiles. "Another Aulë and Yavanna, I think," she said, giving him a wink, and Manwë laughed. Then he turned to the new arrivals and greeted them.

"Welcome, my children. I know you have many questions, but I promise you that soon your questions will be answered. Now that you are all here, we can continue."

"Continue where, lord?" Arafinwë asked. "Are you being mysterious on purpose?"

"Mysterious on purpose?" Manwë repeated, giving them a bland look. "Nay, we are never mysterious on purpose, we are simply mysterious." He laughed again and stood up, as did Varda. "Trust me, my children, we are not being mysterious on purpose, but we are indulging in a bit of, shall we say, fun? Yes, I believe that is the correct word."

"Fun or mischief?" Glorfindel asked with a lift of an eyebrow.

"But are they not the same thing?" Manwë asked, giving them an innocent look.

"Only if your name is Glorfindel," Ingwion retorted with a grin.

"Hey!" Glorfindel protested, giving Ingwion a punch in the arm.

"Come. We must go see Irmo," Manwë said and he and Varda made their way out of the chamber with the elves trailing behind, giving each other confused looks and shrugs, quietly speaking to one another as they took turns sharing their news. The Elder King and the Elentári ignored them, leading them out of the mansion and down the Landamallë, past the Tower of Bells, softly chiming in the afternoon breeze, and through the gates leading to Irmo and Estë’s estate. Much to the surprise of the elves the Valar did not enter the mansion but made their way through the gardens, across a stone bridge that spanned a small brook leading into a pool and finally through a grove of ancient oaks to find themselves in a clearing where they saw a maze. Manwë turned and smiled at the bemused expressions on the elves’ faces.

"I want you to hold hands," he instructed them. "It’s easy to get lost in this particular maze if you are not careful. Varda will bring up the rear to make sure no one gets left behind." He then held his hand out to Elindis who took it and gave her other hand to Ingwë. Soon they were all joined with Glorfindel at the end of the line between Sador and Varda. When everyone was ready, Manwë entered the maze. "Whatever you do, do not let go," he warned them.

He went left, never hesitating as he led them through the twisting path that seemed to shimmer in the afternoon sun, giving the illusion that it was shifting directions even as they were walking it...if illusion it was. In just a few turns the elves were completely confused as to their direction. Alassiel complained of feeling dizzy and Varda told her to keep her eyes half-closed. That seemed to help and others followed the Valië’s suggestion, so that all any of them could see was the back of the person before them.

How long they traversed the maze, none could afterward say, but finally they came into a large square area that they assumed was the center. It was empty. The elves stared about, wondering what was going on. Manwë simply smiled at them and told them to make a circle still holding hands. When they complied, he told them to close their eyes and to keep them closed until told otherwise.

"And no peeking, Glorfindel," Varda said, squeezing the ellon’s hand in hers.

Glorfindel nodded and dutifully closed his eyes tight and waited, wondering what was going on. He felt a sense of movement and there was a moment of vertigo even with his eyes shut and then he heard Manwë telling them they could open their eyes. When he did, he gasped along with the others, for they were no longer inside a maze but in a particular grove. There was something about the place that spoke of an ancientness that defied understanding. Glorfindel remembered being here once before and he could not suppress a shiver.

 "Wh-where are we?" Alassiel stammered, clinging tightly to Sador.

Manwë smiled at them. "Fear not! You are in Lórien. Come. Let us find Irmo and Estë. I’m rather surprised they were not here to greet us."

The Elder King made his way to the grove’s entrance and Varda made shooing motions with her hands to get the elves moving again. Outside the grove it seemed to Glorfindel as if he could suddenly breathe again and he noticed looks of relief on the faces of the other elves. He wanted to ask Varda, who was still behind him, about the grove but on further reflection he decided he really didn’t want to know the answer, assuming she deigned to give him one. Instead, he gathered his wits about him, and gave Sador and Alassiel an encouraging smile as they followed Lord Manwë. They continued down a sward and into an area of Lórien that seemed more familiar to him until they rounded a bend and saw Lórellin before them and Lord Irmo’s gaudily painted pavilion on its shore. Glorfindel could see the Lord of Lórien and Lady Estë seated within.

In spite of the fact that the pavilion didn’t look large enough to accommodate them all, at least on the outside, somehow they found the inside spacious enough with chairs for everyone. Estë poured some wine from a crystal decanter that never seemed to empty and Irmo handed the goblets out.

"Welcome to Lórien," Irmo said, raising his own goblet in salute.

"So is anyone going to explain why we are here, and how we got here?" Ingwë asked over the rim of his goblet, giving Manwë a significant look.

Manwë smiled. "As to how you got here, that’s a bit difficult to explain. You really do not have the necessary mathematics to understand about tesseracts and dimensional travel. Suffice to say that there are energy points throughout Arda that allow us to transport you from one location to another, much the way we Valar are able to think ourselves to where we wish to go."

"Convenient," Ingwë said somewhat sarcastically.

"Yes, it is," Manwë replied with a smile. "Now, as to why you are here, well that will become clear soon enough. In the meantime, I think Findaráto is expecting you in his grove. Why don’t you go to him? We will send for you when we are ready."

It was clearly a dismissal. Ingwë rose and gave the Valar his obeisance with the other elves following suit and they all filed out of the pavilion. The two kings exchanged wordless looks and Arafinwë shrugged and set off down the sward with the others behind him. It was only a matter of minutes before they were entering the Ampano Arano, the King’s Grove, which was Finrod’s home in Lórien. Glorfindel was surprised to see several pavilions set up, for on his last visit to Lórien, there had been only two — Finrod’s personal pavilion and a larger one for gatherings. Aldundil and Vorondil now had their own grove nearby, leaving Finrod his privacy. He saw Finrod sitting outside his pavilion before a small campfire, sipping tea and reading. He looked up and smiled when he saw them.

"I was wondering when you were going to get here," he said as he went to greet everyone. "I expected you a couple of days ago, but Lord Irmo said there had been a slight delay."

"The delay was Glorfindel," Arafinwë said with a wink. "The Maia Olórin waited until your háno reached Tirion before giving us Lord Manwë’s message. Your ammë was most upset to learn that she would have to pack all in a day."

"I was not upset," Eärwen said with a sniff as she hugged her son. "I was merely frustrated. Do you know how difficult it is to pack for a trip when you don’t know how long it will take or where you are actually going?"

Finrod exchanged a knowing look with his atar as he answered his amillë. "Two tunics and three changes of underclothing. That’s all that’s necessary. In fact, that’s all I packed when we left for Endórë."

Eärwen rolled her eyes and gave her eldest child a disgusted look while Arafinwë tried not to laugh. While Finrod greeted the rest of their party, others entered the grove, though no one noticed. The first that Glorfindel knew of it was someone wrapping his arms around him in a bear hug.

"You are a sight for sore eyes, my friend."

"Laurendil!" Glorfindel cried with a laugh. "Let go of me, you orc."

Laurendil released him and Glorfindel turned around to see Laurendil and Manwen, both dressed in their apprentice tunics. He gave them glad greetings, which they returned. With them was their elfling, an ellon they had named Irmondil, who had Laurendil’s dark hair and Manwen’s chin but his blue-green eyes were his alone. The elfling, not quite four, was holding onto his ammë’s hand, a stuffed toy clutched close to him, staring in wonder at all the strange people in Unca’ Finwod’s grove. Glorfindel smiled at the bemused look on the child’s face and crouched down to his level.

"Do you remember me, Irmondil?" he asked quietly, speaking Sindarin.

The elfling looked up at Manwen for reassurance before gazing at Glorfindel. "Unca’ Gwofi," he lisped shyly, hiding his face in his nana’s skirts. Manwen smiled indulgently at her son and Glorfindel chuckled. "I see you still have the toy I gave you two years ago. What did you name him?"

Manwen bent down and whispered into her son’s ear. Irmondil pushed his head out of her skirts to face Glorfindel, holding out the green velvet dragon that was a bit ragged looking. It was obvious that the toy was much loved. "His name is Calennor," Irmondil said.

"A good name," Glorfindel said, giving the elfling a warm smile.

Then, Finrod was standing next to Glorfindel and holding out his arms to the elfling, who gladly went into them and snuggled into Finrod’s shoulder. Finrod gave Glorfindel a smile as the ellon stood up. "It’s good to see you again, hanno," he said.

"And you," Glorfindel said. "Do you know what this is all about?"

Finrod shook his head. "I have not been told. In fact, lately there has been less communication between me and certain Valar than is usual, but whenever I ask about it, I’m given vague answers and told to be patient. Something is up. That’s obvious. In fact, seeing you all here, I am inclined to think... well, I think I’ll let the Valar handle this. It’s obviously their surprise and I will not spoil it for them."

"I hate surprises," Glorfindel muttered and Finrod smiled, turning to address everyone. "I have no idea what is going on or why you are here, but I was told that all will be revealed soon. In the meantime, as you can see, I’ve had these pavilions placed here for your convenience. All that you need is here and if there is anything lacking, just let me know and I will see that you have it. I’ve arranged to have dinner served here so we will have more privacy."

"Where’s Vorondil?" Sador asked.

"And Aldundil and Vondo?" Amarië added. "I half expected to see them here as well."

"Vorondil is at his studies," Finrod replied. "Aldundil and Vondo are around here somewhere. Aldundil has been learning the fine art of bookbinding now that he has become a Master Illuminator. He’s taking lessons along with a couple of Reborn who show an inclination for the work. Vondo, I suspect, is making some Maia’s life miserable." He gave them a wry smile and there were chuckles all around.

"And we must get back to our own duties," Laurendil said. "We just stopped by to drop Irmondil off and to say hello. We’ll see you at dinner."

With that he and Manwen gave their elfling sloppy kisses which he returned before snuggling back into Finrod’s arms and then they left. Finrod motioned with a hand towards the pavilions. "Make yourselves at home while I put this one down for his nap." He then went inside the smaller pavilion and a few minutes later they all heard him playing the harp and singing a lullaby, one known to every Reborn, and becoming familiar to many of the Once-born. A few minutes later Finrod came outside and invited everyone to join him in the larger pavilion for some wine and conversation.

Everyone avoided the topic of why they were in Lórien, but Glorfindel couldn’t help noticing how often the conversation faltered at odd moments. Ingwion barely spoke a dozen words all afternoon. Netilmírë’s expression would grow wistful whenever she looked at Sador. He and Alassiel pretty much ignored everyone else as they spent most of the time staring into each other’s eyes. Arafinwë, Eärwen, Finrod and Amarië gamely kept the conversation going between them, but Glorfindel could tell that the others just were not in the mood for talk. It was almost a relief when little Irmondil woke from his nap about an hour later. Finrod sat him on his knees and sang songs and told tales of adventures in Beleriand to entertain the elfling, thus giving everyone else an excuse not to engage in conversation.

****

Laurendil and Manwen returned just before the dinner hour, no longer wearing their apprentice tabards, eagerly reclaiming their elfling. Eärnur was with them and Aldundil and Vorondil showed up with Vondo soon afterwards. Vondo was all excited to show Glorfindel what he knew about scouting and would have hauled the ellon off right then and there if Finrod hadn’t laughingly told him that it was too late and there would be plenty of time later. Aldundil smiled at his brother’s crestfallen look and Vorondil rolled his eyes.

"I’m younger than he is but I’m older than he is," he said quietly to Finrod as Glorfindel took Vondo in hand and began quizzing him on his knowledge, which mollified the younger ellon as he excitedly began relating all that he knew of woodlore.

Finrod clapped Vorondil on the shoulder and gave him a smile. "Don’t worry. He’ll catch up soon enough. In time he will indeed be your uncle and not your playmate."

Vorondil gave Finrod a disgusted look. "He is not my playmate."

"Which is why you play hide-and-find with him only every other day," Eärnur quipped with a laugh. Vorondil stuck his tongue out at the Teler and then grinned, recognizing the truth of his and Finrod’s words.

Then dinner was called and everyone went to the main pavilion where Maiar were placing dishes on the table. Once everyone was served, Finrod thanked the Maiar who bowed and disappeared, leaving the elves to themselves. Those who had been visiting with Finrod in the afternoon were sharing their news with the ones who’d just arrived. When Manwen, sitting across from Ingwion, asked him something about his upcoming nuptials, the ellon suddenly threw his knife down and glared at everyone. "Why are we here?" he demanded. "What is going on? Why all the secrecy? Why are we pretending that all this is normal?" He waved an arm around, encompassing the pavilion.

"Ingwion...." Finrod started to say but Ingwion was not listening. He turned to his parents.

"You sent me that message telling me to meet you in Valmar. Why?" He did not let them answer, but continued his tirade, his voice becoming louder with rising anger. "I get to Tirion and a Maia shows up telling Netilmírë and Sador that they are to come to Valmar as well. And, oh yes, by all means bring the entire Noldorin royal family with you when you do. Only when we get to Valmar there is still no explanation, only a very strange journey that somehow gets us to Lórien in a matter of minutes instead of the three days it normally takes to get here. And when we do arrive, we’re told to go play." This last was said with an air of disgust. He glared around the table. "Does no one else think this is strange? Are you all blind? Or are you just refusing to acknowledge the truth of the matter. There is usually only one reason why people are called to Lórien, to meet with their loved ones who... who have died and are now... now...." He broke down at that point, sitting there weeping, his head in his hands.

No one moved or spoke at first, too stunned by Ingwion’s outburst. Then Elindis went to comfort her son. Netilmírë, her face white, her expression one of deep pain, turned to Finrod. "Is it true then? Is that why we’re here? I... all this time I wondered why I was here but... but I didn’t want... I didn’t want to believe...." She started weeping and Sador got up and went to her and held her.

"I think that is why you are here," Finrod said quietly. "At least, why some of you are here. But I do not know for sure. I only know that the Valar and Maiar with whom I’ve spoken lately have seemed unusually excited about something, but beyond that...." He shrugged.

There was a shimmer in the air outside the pavilion and then Lord Irmo was stepping inside. Everyone started to rise but the Vala waved them back down. "I know you are all wondering what this is about, and some of you have guessed the truth." He looked at Ingwion. "And some of you have refused to hope." He now looked at Netilmírë and smiled. "The truth is, that you are all here for more than one reason and one of those reasons is sitting here in your midst." He walked over to stand behind Eärnur’s chair, placing his hands on the stunned ellon’s shoulders.

"Tonight will be Eärnur’s last night as a journeyman Lóriennildo," Irmo said, his expression joyous, "for I now promote him to Master." Even as he spoke, Ingil appeared carrying a tabard. It was white with the rainbow emblem of the Lord of Lórien embroidered upon it. "Stand up, Eärnur," the Vala commanded, pulling the ellon’s chair out. Eärnur stood somewhat shakily, staring wide-eyed at the tabard in the Maia’s arms. Irmo began speaking again.

"We will have another more formal and public ceremony later when your family arrives next week, but I thought tonight we would have this little ceremony for your friends." He then took Eärnur by the hand and led him outside with Ingil walking behind them and the others all filing out. By now it was night and the stars shone brightly above them. They gathered around Irmo and Eärnur in a circle. Irmo smiled at the ellon. "I know you did not think this day would come, Eärnur, and in truth, it is a bit later than either of us thought, but I think you will agree that the wait has been well worth it."

"Yes, Master," Eärnur said quietly. "Looking back, I realize that you were waiting for Findaráto to join us here in Lórien and teach me what I needed to know about ministering to the Reborn."

"And that is true," Irmo said. "Your friendship with Findaráto, which I fostered, has born great fruit. You are the first of the younger generation of elves to be trained by a Reborn in ministering to the Reborn. You will be, in fact, the Master Healer in charge of overseeing the Reborn who come to Lórien. I know you have some ideas about how to improve the training of those ministering to the Reborn, as well as how the Reborn will be ministered to."

Eärnur nodded but did not speak. "Well, now you will be able to put your ideas to the test," Irmo said with a smile. Then there was another shimmer in the air and Lady Estë was there beside her spouse, smiling at the bemused Teler. Irmo began speaking again. "And so, Eärnur Falasturion, I ask thee: art thou ready to accept the mantle of Master Healer and all that goes with it?"

"I am," Eärnur replied, his voice firm.

Irmo gestured to Ingil, who held out the tabard to the Vala. Irmo took it and helped Eärnur into it. When he was properly attired, Eärnur knelt before the two Valar. "Though you are a Master Healer in service to me," Irmo said, "you are also in service to my lady and you will speak your oath to us both."

Eärnur nodded, licked his lips and placed his hands in Irmo’s with Estë putting a hand over her spouse’s. "I, Eärnur Falasturion, do pledge myself to you, my Lord Irmo and my Lady Estë. I offer my knowledge and skills in healing for the benefit of all, to do no harm in the administering of my duties, to turn none away who come to me for healing and to expect no other recompense than the satisfaction that I have done all in my power to bring healing to another, respecting the mystery of life and acknowledging my own limitations, placing all in Eru Ilúvatar’s hands. Valar valuvar."

"And I, Irmo, Lord of Lórien, have heard thine oath and accept it. Mayest thou continue to grow in wisdom and degree, my son." He bent down and lifted Eärnur and gave him a kiss as between liege and vassal. Estë then gave him her own kiss and smiled. "Well done, child. Well done, indeed." She turned him around. "Here is Master Healer Eärnur Falasturion."

Everyone started to cheer. Finrod and Glorfindel were the first to reach Eärnur and offer him their congratulations. Others did the same. After a few moments, though, Irmo spoke. "And that is one reason for some of you being here, but here is the other reason." He gestured towards the grove’s entrance and everyone stopped and stared.

Entering the grove, accompanied by Maiar, were several people, all of them looking bemused, even a little fearful. No one spoke but then Netilmírë gave a small gasp. "Voronwë!" she cried out and began running towards one of the ellyn standing at the entrance.

"Daernana!" Sador suddenly shouted, running after Netilmírë, flinging himself into an elleth’s arms. "Oh, Daernana, I’ve missed you so much." Then he turned to the ellon standing next to them and hugged him as well. "Daerada, Daerada. You are here, too."

Netilmírë then realized that not only her husband but her daughter was there as well. "Ezelmiril! Oh, Valar! You’re alive! You’re both alive." She hugged them both.

"And my anatar Mallor as well," Sador said bringing the ellon over, speaking in Quenya and then switching to Sindarin. "Daerada, this is your Naneth Netilmírë."

"I... I am pleased to meet you... Amillë," the Sinda said in halting Quenya, looking shy and uncertain.

"And I am pleased to meet you, iôn nîn," Netilmírë returned in passable Sindarin, which brought surprised looks to everyone’s faces.

Sador grinned."I’ve been teaching her," he said smugly.

But they were not the only Reborn who were being greeted. Even as Netilmírë shouted her husband’s name, Ingwion also cried out. "Ingil! Ingil!" He started running and his parents and Indil were right behind him.

"Look, Alassiel!" Lirulin also shouted, pointing. "There’s your atar. Intarion! The Valar be praised! Intarion, my love." She started running.

"Atto?" Alassiel said in a stunned voice and then she was running as well.

Ingwion reached an ellon and wrapped his arms around him. "Oh Ingil, my brother, I never thought I would see you again," he exclaimed through his tears.

"My... my name is... Ingalaurë," the ellon said in a bemused tone. "I... do I know you?"

"I’m Ingwion, your brother, your twin," Ingwion replied. "And look! Here are Atto and Ammë and our sister, Indil." He turned to face his family. "He’s come back," he said. "He’s come back."

Ingwë held out his arms to his other son and Ingalaurë went to him, allowing himself to be hugged. "Oh my son, my son," Ingwë whispered, tears streaming down his face, rocking the ellon. "Oh my son."

"I... I don’t remember," Ingalaurë said in a strained voice, panic beginning to seep in.

Elindis took him in her arms. "That’s all right, child. There’s no hurry. You take all the time you need to remember us. Just know this: you have a family who loves you and we will be here whenever you are ready to join us."

Lirulin and Alassiel were also greeting a bemused Intarion, introducing themselves to him. He smiled fondly at Alassiel, running a hand through her hair "You’re all grown up," he said.

"That’s what happens when you go away, dear," Lirulin replied, wrapping her arms around her husband and smiling at him wistfully. "Promise me you won’t do that again."

"I promise," Intarion said simply and then Lirulin and Alassiel were bringing him over to where Ingwë and his family were and more introductions were made.

There was one ellon, however, whom no one greeted. He was standing next to one of the Maiar, staring about, looking somewhat bereft. The Maia took his hand and led him to where everyone else was standing watching the reunions. Irmo clapped Eärnur on the shoulder to get his attention and smiled. "There’s someone I would like you to meet," he said. "Eärnur, this is your uncle for whom you were named," the Vala said gently and then turned to the Reborn. "And this is your brother Falastur’s youngest child, born after you died and named for you."

"You’re my uncle?" Eärnur asked in a disbelieving whisper.

"I guess," the Reborn said with a shy shrug.

"Oh. Won’t Atto be surprised when he comes," Eärnur said faintly.

His uncle canted his head to the right, giving his nephew a considering look, and then a slow smile crossed his face. "I like being a surprise," he said.

Eärnur raised an eyebrow and then started laughing. "We’ll have to plan how to surprise everyone." Then he hugged his uncle. "Welcome to Life, Uncle Eärnur. I’m so glad you’re here."

Just then, Ingwion came, dragging his twin brother with him. "Look, Findaráto! Ingalaurë has returned to us."

"So I see," Finrod said with an indulgent smile. He gave Ingalaurë a hug. "You probably don’t remember me...."

"Do you still tell people you’ll stay as long as they feed you?" Ingalaurë asked.

Finrod gave him a startled look and then was laughing, hugging the ellon tightly. "Indeed I do! Funny you should remember that. Come. Let me introduce you to other family members and our friends."

Netilmírë and Sador also brought their family with them and soon everyone was being introduced to everyone else. The Reborn seemed overwhelmed, but no one pressured them to remember more than they were able.

"This definitely calls for a celebration," Finrod exclaimed loudly. "Not only do we have a new Master Healer in our midst but families have been reunited. This is a most joyous occasion."

"You will find refreshments in the pavilion," Irmo announced. "Enjoy yourselves, my children." Then he and Estë and all the Maiar were gone. Finrod led the way into the pavilion where drinks and dainties were laid out on the dining table.

Glorfindel held back, watching everyone, seeing both the joy and the bemusement on people’s faces. Aldundil stood next to him.

"A happy moment," Aldundil said.

Glorfindel nodded. "A happy moment for them all."

Aldundil gave him an appraising look. "You don’t seem too enthused about it."

Glorfindel shrugged. "I was thinking...."

"Ah... thinking... always a dangerous occupation where you’re concerned," Aldundil quipped.

Glorfindel smirked. "I was thinking how I will react when my parents are finally released from Mandos, given what... well what happened between us."

"I will not ask what that was," Aldundil said, "but, you know, at the moment, I don’t think it matters. You cannot know how you will react until the moment arrives. It’s all theoretical for you now. I would not concern myself with it yet. Rejoice in today. Rejoice that your friends have been united with their own families. Leave the rest in Eru’s hands."

Glorfindel looked at the ellon and nodded. "You’re right, of course. This is a happy occasion, and I will not let my own dark brooding spoil it for them. Come. Let us join the celebration."

He clapped Aldundil on the shoulder and together they entered the pavilion in time to hear Finrod’s toast in honor of Eärnur’s promotion. The celebration continued far into the night while Maiar stood guard before the grove’s entrance to keep the curious away.

****

Deep in the heart of Lórien, in a grove that few elves had ever visited, the Valar gathered for their own celebration.

"I just love happy endings," Námo said to his brother as they stood sipping miruvórë. "I have waited a long time for this day to come, when I can finally begin releasing the Vanyar from my care."

"We all have," Irmo said.

"Hopefully, this will be the beginning of a new chapter in the story of Aman and we who live here, Ainur and Eldar alike," Námo opined.

"Násië," came the fervent reply from more than one Vala’s lips.

"So, what is next on our agenda?" Aulë asked Manwë.

The Elder King shrugged. "Nothing too important at the moment. All is well. All manner of things are well."

"From your lips to Atar’s ears, Manwë," Námo said with a smirk and the others laughed, knowing full well that even in the Blessed Realm nothing was perfect and anything could happen to make their lives interesting.

****

Calennor: (Sindarin) Green-Fire.