@tolkiengenweek Days 1 & 2 - Family & Friends
A snippet from my fic of Gil-galad rebirth in Valinor/malicious compliance with son-of-plothole that is still a WIP, but this flashback in the War of the Last Alliance stands alone nicely. Amathorn is my OC chief of Gil-galad's guard, and their relationship is some blurry line between that of family and friends.
"You are not coming."
Amathorn scoffed and continued buckling his armour.
"I am quite serious."
"I am your guard."
"Not this time."
"Ereinion, if you think I am letting you go up against a Maia by yourself-"
"This fight is for Elendil and I alone. We have designated our survivors. For him, it is Isildur and Elendur. I have chosen you, and Elrond."
"Sauron is going to kill you."
"If that is so, then why would I bring you with me?"
Amathorn shot him a cold look.
"Death marked me the moment I accepted this crown. The fact that I have lived thirty five hundred years is a testament to the fact that you have done your duty well. I will not have you die needlessly for a sense of duty to me."
"I swore to protect you."
"I can order you away from me."
Amathorn muttered something under his breath that Gil-galad did not quite catch, but it made him smile. He stepped towards his eternally loyal guard, and took his hands. Kissed his forehead before angling his neck down to rest his own forehead against Amathorn's.
"Watch over Elrond for me, please. Especially if Elendil and I fail."
"Taking Elrond and I with you would lower your chance of failure," Amathorn grumbled.
"I want you both to live. If we succeed this will bring us a new era of peace. The Noldor will need Elrond to lead. And I want you to have a life that doesn't centre on protecting me. You deserve to live for yourself."
"Protecting you has never been a burden. It has brought me great joy watching you grow. And I could say the same for you, I wish for you to have a life that is not centred on leading the Noldor."
"You would have to take that up with my father, whoever he is. Perhaps I will know soon."
Tears leaked from the corners of Amathorn's eyes.
"I do not want you to die."
"I do not wish to die. Least of all do I wish for you to witness my death. But Sauron must be defeated. There is no other hope for Middle Earth." Gil-galad pulled away, and squeezed Amathorn's hands. "Let us not part in sorrow. I will see you again someday."
They stood for a moment, both unwilling to be the first to let go.
"Have you told Elrond this yet?" Amathorn asked, a hint of a smile in his eyes.
"I have not. I expect that conversation will go poorly compared to this one."
"I will watch over him for you."
"Thank you," Gil-galad murmured. "Please remember to live for yourself as well."
"Same to you. If you die," Amathorn's breath hitched. "When you are reembodied, I hope that you can live for yourself. I know you cannot say no to duty but-"
"I hope that in Valinor there will be no shortage of kings and I can retire somewhere for other pursuits."
What other pursuits he may find, he did not know. He had never had time to develop a craft of his own. He enjoyed many things, astronomy, music, reading, but never quite found time for them.
This was not the place for those thoughts. Whatever regrets he had in his life… they were personal. He was proud of what he had done leading the Noldor. If he were to die today, he could do so with confidence he had done all he could. He was leaving Elrond with a bit of a mess regarding succession, but it could not be helped. Elrond would figure it out.
He would see them again someday, and that was a comfort. He could not imagine the conversation that Elendil must be having with Isildur and Elendur. Leaving his child and grandchild to go beyond the world to Eru and the unknown was very different than Gil-galad leaving the Elves he loved behind. He loved them no less, but there was certainty in his future if he died today. Gil-galad hoped the Gift of Men was as much of a comfort to Elendil as the knowledge that this was not his end was to him.
He kissed the top of Amathorn's head again.
"Thank you," he said softly. "For everything. I will see you again in the West."
Amathorn opened his mouth to speak, but the sound he could make was not words. He just shook his head, eyes full of tears.
Gil-galad wiped his eyes gently.
"Do not cry for me. I go willingly to one last act for these lands, and then my rest. And hopefully answers. My fear will be brief, and my sorrow will pass knowing I will see you, Elrond, and Círdan again eventually. There are many I love who are there already, and I can hold this parting with their reunions."
Amathorn nodded, and found his voice.
"I know you will find your parents there, at long last-"
"They will never replace the love I have for you, and for Círdan."
Amathorn took his hands again and squeezed them. "Nevertheless I believe you have outgrown me calling you my little star for millennia now."
"Perhaps in stature, but it will always bring warmth to my heart. Live well until we see each other again."
With that, he tore himself away and left the tent. He had to, if he were to have time to speak with Elrond and Círdan before the battle and then settle himself for what was coming. He truly went willingly for all Middle Earth, but for those he loved personally it made the path towards death easier. He was doing this for them, and he would see them again.
If you would like more with these two, there is another fic here, and if you are interested in the rebirth/fun with who's his father concept, the series is here if you want to subscribe for when I really start posting it!
