Halls of Comfort and Guidance

Elrohir's grey blue eyes followed the lines of the blade. The strange scroll of elvish he could not read. The hairs on his neck rose at the words. "It has little damage. For being what it is."

Fingon smiled pushing off the wall to walk toward the display. "Father keeps his most important posessions in proper standing."

Elrohir traced the sharp edge with his eyes. "Our histories claim it is strong enough to wound Morgoth Bauglir."

The temperature of the room lowered so swiftly Elrohir shivered. "Aye. Those claims are true."

Elrohir looked to Fingon. He was related to this elf. Distantly. He wasnt even sure what to call him. "They also say a vala's blood could melt steel."

Fingon frowned his eyes holding a light of sorrow and anger. "What does this line of thought do for you young one."

Elrohir turned ro the blade tilting his head as the signs of ice crystals now lined its edges. "Truthfully I do not know. I suppose-I am trying to understand my own nature. While trying to understand my history."

Stepping off the last stair his robes whispered quietly agaisnt the worm stonework as he met Glorfindel on dismount.

Chatter was low with the occassional chuckle or shouted exclamation. The two warriors simply atared at each other for some moments.

Glorfindel leaned forward bringing his hand ro the back of Erestor's neck. Erestor met him forhead to forhead. Lips brishing in a soft whisper of promise and fate.

Welcome home. Erestor whispered into the golden warrior's mind.

Rôg made a sound deep in his throat as he rolled his head towward the cool cloth movinf along his neck. He wanted to speak but his voice definitely had another opinion.

Maedhros placed the cooling cloth on his forhead and sat back in the chair. "The elfling is fine. He saved your half roasted backside."

Images flashed in Rôg's mind and he groaned as a spike of pain shot into his temple. *Smoke. Flames. Voices. A thunderous sound.* He gasped at the touch fingers on his cheek.

"Do not push. The memories will come. Whatever poisons they used still flow in your blood. Rest."

Maedhros watched as Rôg's confusion was blanketed by exhaustion. He checked the hour glass ensurinf the next does of medication wouldn't be for a while out. Standing as the smith's eyes dropped close he walked out into the living area once more.

His eyes found the half elf sitting on the couch. Hands wrapoed around a steaming cup of chaomile and honey tea. "Elrohir was it?" At the elfling's nod he grabbed his own cup of tea and sat in the overstuffed chair across from his unexpected guest.

“If ypu have refreshed yourself I would have you tell me how you came to be on my doorstep with a half dead bonded of mine.”

Elrohir’s head shot up and he looked hard at the other elf. “He never said anything about being bonded.”

Maedhros tilted his head. “Ours is not what one would consider a traditional bond. We do not speak of it to others.” His emerald green eyes watched the young one curiously.

The fog pools at his feet swirling up his torso as the thicker part of its morning trek grows around him.

She mved to stand beside him leaning lightly against his side seeking comfort and offering support. Spending several minutes in silence she noticed how his eyes strayed often to the Hobbit.

"You know that blade."

Glorfindel gave a sad smile. "Aye. I know it."

"Will you tell him its story?"

Glorfindel's lips pressed into a line as a wave of pain crinkled his eyes. "No. It has a new tale to weave."

Arwen took his hand in hers covering it with her other one. "If you wish to talk of it I will listen."

Bilbo walked off from the dwarves talking animately with Balin. Glorfindel's eyes remained on the small sheathe hiding a piece of his past.

"Let us have tea little star. Perhaps it will coax the story out."

"He is."

Thranduil's face remained impassive. Glorfindel did not bother hiding the challenge in his eyes when he turned to him.

"I imagined only the Peredhil would show such low born taste in companionship. You allow your warriors to much freedom."

Glorfindel looked Thranduil in the eye unsure if this was jest or insult. The King had never disparaged Elrond's line in such a manner. The glint catching the cloud blue eyes was his answer.

Glorfindel's voice held amusement and an undercurrent of warning. "The choice to follow the threads of our world's music is not challenged here. As for my warriors, they have yet to let our people feel the bite of shadow. I do not see it as a failing."

Thranduil let the corners of his mouth turn just a bit upwards. "I feel restless. What say you to a bout or two?"

Do not let fear take your hearts!

Rog's voice echoed in his memories. Glorfindel closed his eyes a small smile on his lips.

Who now will challenge this force! Come Gondolithrim! Stand! We will run from no evil!

Opening his eyes the returned vanya looked at the sunrise and smiled. "We stand. And defend."

"He has terrible taste clearly." Erestor replied, the corners of his mouth twitching.

Lindir made a sound that was almost a laugh. "I can tell you he does based on his taste in horses."

Erestor let the smile grow to over a hint. "Asfaloth is a stallion, his behavior is no surprise."

"He ATE my Harp!"

Erestor looked at the minstrel. "He is a harsh critic then."

Lindir made a distressed sound scribbling on the scroll. "How that elf adores that horse and chooses you above all to keep his heart is beyond me."

Erestor finally smiled fully his eyes soft with care as he placed the seal on the scroll. "He is not one of much sense. But he is honest."

Lindir turned to Erestor his eyes amused bit his lips down turned in offense. "These are honest complaints Erestor. I would expect you to take them seriously."

Erestor gave a small snort but he smiled non the less. "I shall bring them to Elrond tomorrow then. Perhaps he can reign in his Seneschals cavalier nature."

Glorfindel laughed at something Gildor whispered to him. The two of them were different as any vanya he had observed. Glirfindel shone brighter than even their lady sun. But with a quiet intense powet that dared the Darkness to challenge him.

Gildor was more subtle. As though he learned ro bundle his Light and set it among the shadows id the world stalking the Darkness with a deadly purpose. Both were beautiful and held promise of danger and love.

He looked ro Maedhros and his gaze softened to something akin to deep love. This elf was like no other Noldor. Indeed even unlike any of his family. He held a quiet power. Like an unassuming ember that would flare to a fierce wild fire with the winds of challenge.

But he was tempered with kindess and love and the joys of the world. Rog thought of him as a warm light in a world whose challenges could never dim it completely. He was resilient refusinf to quell to even the most violent waves.

He shifted as desire sparked in his chest.

"Stare any harder and he may just errupt into ash mellon nin."

Rog gave Finrod a roguish grin. "He would errupt into more than ash under my touch."

Finrod laughed shaking his head. "You, my friend, are completely at his mercy. All can see it in your eyes. And your heart."

Rog hummed his eues darkening just a touch. "Tell me how your family fairs."

Sighing as he rolled the scroll up he sat on a set of building stones. Smoothed on their edges they formed near perfect blocks. So many had been brought in on the last excursion to meet the supply line. He had much reshuffling to do.

A flash of color drew his eyes to the trading carts across the soon to be court yard. Glorfindel walked beside his seconds in command.

An old elf with scars to show for his time in the First Age of their kin.

Haer had been a captain in the House of the Golden Flower.

The ancient warriors from Gondolin held an air about them of strength and hope as they moved among the growing refugees. A flash of gold drew Erestor's eyes set on the cloak clasp Haer continued to use. The symbol of the House of the Golden Flower. Glorfindel had not been to pleased to see his former House Captain holding onto their fallen house but he never rebuked him for it.

He watched as the two passed an area where many of the children played or sat being watched by some of the older ones. Erestor smiled as Glorfindel did not pause in his steps or his talk with Haer as a baby crawled to him demanding ups. With the fluid grace of their kin he scooped the young one and cuddled them safely to his chest without missing a beat. Glorfindel had always been good with the young.

He smiled in amusement as the little one toyed with the cloal clasp. A simple leaf design nothing remotely showing his station. Glorfindel dis not enjoy flaunting his position. Not pausing in their movement or discussion Glorfindel carfeully despoited the baby into the arms of the parent.

Again Erestor was amused and impressed. Glorfindel made it s point to know whose young belonged to who. Or. In the case of those now alone who was chosen to be the guardian of those alone.

Thranduil? 

Ah Elrond about time you got close enough to mind speak. 

Do not 'ah Elrond me' you have a very angry Chief Councilor demanding your blood. Where are you?.

Why did you not leave him at home. I am to tired to deal with his tantrum. We are sheltering in  an old dwarf hole. Took some time to get here. Many orc parties are moving about. Be cautious. 

Elrond let the images Thranduil transferred wash over him with a critical eye of a long time warrior. They appear organized.  This is deeply concerning. You have injured? 

Aye they have been growing more organized by the years. Something is afoot my friend. Several injured. Myself and your Captain among them. 

Elrond sighed outwardly, making Erestor look to him in concern. We are at least a week out. We will take shelter in Lothlorien once we retrieve you-

Leave me here. It would be better than listening to that stuffy old fool Celebor- 

Rog grabbed the stained cloth and began to clean the goose grease off his hands. Moving away from the work bench he tossed it to the table and took up the cool glass of water Ecthelion had brought.

"What is in this?" He lightly smacked his lios at the unexpected sweetness.

Ecthelion beamed his chest puffing lightly as he responded. "Glorfindel's gardens have been over productive of late. We decided to help with the probelm and experiment with the additions of fruits to one of our water sources."

Rog took another sip. "It is refreshing."

Ecthelion pulled a chair out flipping it backward and sitting. "I appreciate the praise but you are deflecting."

Rog grinned tossing him a roguish look. "So I am." Setting the glass down he caught Ecthelion's storm grey eyes. "What do you truly ask for."

"I know what those marks on your back mean. They are not simply scars of your past. Forgive the boldness but I want to know. Are you a danger to our people if the enemy attacks."

Rog's hands tightened around the glass. No. The marks on his back were not simple scars of torture and suffering. They were far more insidious. "Truthfully. I do not know. Egalmoth and I have a plan in place if they serve to be a hinderance in anyway to the protection of our city."

Ecthelion's eyes softened. "I do not envy his place then." He knew exactly what that plan would consist of. But he had a responsibility to their people. To his own House. But the answer would suffice. For now. "I consider you a dear friend Rôg. Do not mistake my probing for anything malicious."

Glorfindel grinned setting the small bowl of stew aside. "The young ones needed distracting. If I am to stare at these wrappings they might as well look appealing."

Erestor smiled setting down on the chair next to the bed. "Do they tell a story?"

Glorfindel gave a small nod so as not to upset his already angry skull. "The turtle is looking for a quiet place to build a nest. The-that-yes the otter is gathering the sea vines to keep the nest warm."

Erestor watched Glorfindel pointed to each little drawing explaining the triala the two sea critters were having. "Quite the tale."

Hissing as he turned to face the Chief Councilor Glorfindel released a small laugh. "They promised to finish the tale tomorrow along my back. I do not know how my ribs will manage that."

Ereator reached forward moving a thick bundle of golden hair behind an ear. "Perhaps they can wait until you sleep. And can relay me the continuation of the tale."

Galdor grinned taking another bite of the meal. "It was a warning."

Rog scowled. "A warning is firing an arrow over someone's shoulder. Not aiming for their vital organs."

"You do make a fairly open target Rôg." Duilin laughed.

Ecthelion rolled his eyes. "If you three do not get along tonight-"

Glorfindel plopped down next to Galdor. "Threats already? Little early for that isnt it."

"Come! The best seat for my friends!" Excitedly his shoeter legs moved at double pace as he led them tothe far side of large hearth in the center of the room. A quaint little corner near the bar. "Sit sit! The best we have will be brought."

Rog grinned as Ecthelion examined the works of the walls. Various arts hand drawn from all walks of trade directly on the walls. Unique pieces that would go with the building should it ever find its demise. A unique thing among elves who treasure their possetions above much else.

Glorfindel sipped his drink when it arrived his naturally relaxed aura spreadinf among the small group. "It is not as loud as I had anticipated."

Galdor nodded. "We spent much time redisgning and trying setups that would allow for noise absorbtion without making the rooms feel uninviting."

Egalmoth watched the servers move flawlessly through the crowds to find the tables they sought. "It is impressively inviting."

Duilin flipped a chair backwards and collpased on it his smile still pastered on his flushed face. "Aye! Tis my hopes it becomes a place of more than drink and eating. I have wanted a place where one could feel welcomed but not pressured to continue reliving their daily troubles."

Thranduil took up the goblet and swirled the liquid within. To the outside observer he was non chalant about the situation.

To Glorfindel he was visibly worried.

"Your ability to state the obvious has not waned." Thranduil said smoothly. He looked over to his old friend and dropped all pretense of his King persona. "I always worry for him."

Glorfindel hummed at the admission.

"I have done all I can to prepare him for our world. As my father tried to do for me."

Glorfindel knew where this was going. "Yet there are things even our experience cannot forsee."

Thranduil finished his drink and threw the goblet across the room. "I will not see the Shadows of HIS make take my child! Nor would I have it corrupt my home. Not again!"

Glorfindel sat back in his chair holding his own cup ans warched as Thranduil stood to pace. "Nor would I prefer to see my nephews fall into the same Darkness I died fighting." He smiled tilting his head as his friend slowed and turned to him a snarky comment just dancing on his lips. "Tis good then that they are binded to each other. With your better judgment and my fighting skills they may survive to see the next age."

Thranduil stood staring at the Vanya as Glorfindel began to laugh. Several moments passed before the dark jovality spread to the King's own voice.