Adult-FanFiction.org : Lord of the Rings

Eternal	By : trekqueen Category: +First Age > Het - Male/Female Views: 7375 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 59
- 60
Disclaimer: I do not own anything but my own characters, everything belongs to Tolkien the genius. I make nothing financially from this written venture.

Author’s Notes: Slowly but surely I am bringing this story to the expected climax. I hope to get some more work done on the final chapters in the coming holiday months, as they are exhausting mentally and emotionally for me to come to this end after so many years of writing these wonderful characters. I have many more big life changes coming with the New Year that may make my writing halt for a time but I will see to it this story finishes. Do not worry, however, as we shall see what the future holds for these same characters in new stories.
Chapter Sixty: Doriath
One day Maeglin made a return to the city of Gondolin after his prolonged disappearance. Few others took note of his absence; however, the greatest interest came from the king and his fellow councilors. Such an affront was a direct insult to the High King and the new heir in Turgon’s family line: an egregious error in judgement for another member of the royal household to commit. Without much of an explanation to give, Maeglin gave a formal apology in Turgon’s hall in front of the gathered court while standing before the High King, Tuor, Idril, and newborn Eärendil. He acknowledged there was little he could do otherwise to regain their favor for having disappeared nigh a month.
In the following years, perhaps due to a desire to make amends, the sister-son of the king had a unexpected change of personality. Even Glorfindel could not deny that the demeanor of Aredhel’s son surprised him with a cordial temperament replacing their usual tense exchanges. It had also broadened to outside the king’s court that many maidens began to show interest in the available prince of the Noldor because of his newfound charisma.
Many other changes came for others in the following years, the young prince, Eärendil matured at an astonishing pace compared to the elflings of a similar age. It brought back the reminder of Huor and Hurin when they had resided but a year in the city, yet had grown with significant change in that short a time. Much like his sire, Eärendil gleaned knowledge from everything or whomever he encountered and everyone enjoyed taking part in cultivating his hungry curiosity. Many a day once he was old enough, he could be seen trailing after the older children, often with Túrelio and Híthtán, on various adventures. The elder elf-children did not mind their tag-along and welcomed him in many of their studies and play, too.
Such was the case this day as Elrilya fastened her cloak tightly around her while leaving the chambers of the healers. Her duties for the day were complete and she sought out to join Glorfindel and Túrelio beyond the city walls that afternoon before the early dark of the winter arrived. The yule season had fast approached with the winter weather and flakes of snow had descended upon the white city and green valley. With a great advent, the cold was ushered in by howling winds. After several days of the intense climate, it ceased to a calm and a blanket of fresh snow sparkled in the dim sunlight. The children wished to partake in sledding and games before the first snow was melted. Glorfindel acquiesced to their requests and had been gone the better part of the day. Tuor and Idril had planned to join as well due to Eärendil’s pleading.
Peering out at the snow-capped mountains, Elrilya wondered how Glorfindel’s companions on the border watch had fared with the storm. Before the winter, life had come back to a carefree time in the valley of Tumladen. The pain and grief of battles and lost loved ones had diminished a little with the joy of new life and hope. Even the threat by trespassing orc bands upon the borders had lessened so much that Turgon had his lords reevaluate their patrol deployments to similar levels of those prior to his orders to strengthen but a few years earlier. The hopeful belief was that Morgoth had focused his search elsewhere, thus sparing Gondolin for the time being.
Taking one of the stairways from the halls of healing that led behind the palace, Elrilya hoped to avoid most of the evening staff and courtiers who filled the hallways and corridors of the well-traveled paths. Not many would often take the passage as it was narrow and was remote in its access along the exterior walls of the palace. Thus, Elrilya was surprised to see a wooden door open at a landing ahead of her, the figure stepping out at a fast gait.
“Ecthelion!” Elrilya called out to her friend.
The dark-haired lord stopped mid-stride with a sudden halt, having also not expected to come across someone on the stairs. Elrilya regretted speaking to him at the moment she saw his distressed face and she paused in her descent a few steps away from him. Ecthelion awaited her, his back stiff and his hands clenched while he barely raised his eyes to her. Yet, her heart called out to him in wanting to help him. Would he accept it?
“Do you wish to be alone?” she asked.
Elrilya eased closer to him when Ecthelion did not answer right away and she took his hand in hers. What was it that disturbed him so? He had been in better spirits the last few years and it pained her to see him thusly. He did not make to leave her as she searched his eyes for any response, he cared too much for their close friendship to upset her with a brusque response. Elrilya could see the turmoil behind his eyes, she had known that same haunted look many years ago in her past and he had been there for her during those days. Without a word, Ecthelion buried his face in Elrilya's cloak hood and her hair upon her shoulder. She wove her arms around him as he took several shuddering breaths, this time she knew it was not about Aredhel.
How many times had he given her succor during painful times and uncertainties? Ecthelion rarely showed this vulnerable side of himself as he kept it hidden well behind his warm words and beautiful music. He needed Elrilya now and nothing else was important while she focused solely on giving comfort the way a friend could. He stepped away after a moment and she motioned for him to sit upon the steps with her. He gradually eased himself to the stone stairs, his eyes searching the sky and the mountains but not quite looking for anything in particular. She ran her hand over his back and shoulders, waiting for him to make the choice to say what was on his mind.
“The great eagle visited Turgon this morning,” Ecthelion finally found his voice. “He brought word of a terrible thing that has happened… another kinslaying.”
Elrilya tightened her hold on him as memories of the day on the beach in Alqualondë flashed before her eyes.
“Where?”
“Doriath,” he answered. “Again, it was at my cousins’ hands. I could not forgive them for the first, and now, more have died because of that cursed oath of theirs.”
“Do not blame yourself, you are not them and they never heeded your words of caution since Valinor,” she assured him.
“I do not,” he said. “I hated what they did and now some of them are dead because of their damned pride. Yet, I could never hate them.”
“Perhaps they shall see their folly in losing their brothers in this venture and leave it be,” Elrilya said.
“Nay,” Ecthelion shook his head. “You were there and saw their anger when the oath was made. It will never die until they all have perished. Until then, more shall die… men, soldiers, women, and children...”
“Even children?” Elrilya exclaimed in shock.
“They have become even more ruthless in this madness,” Ecthelion said. “The news that reached the eagles was that they left two of Thingol’s heirs to die alone in the woods. Who would do such a thing to two elflings barely out of swaddling clothes? Not the cousins I once knew, just the evil that took root inside of them.”
Shaking her head, Elrilya took a deep breath as her thoughts fell to the horror of what the elves of Menegroth and the outlying lands must have encountered at the swords of the Sons of Fëanor. She shivered, thinking of her own family in such a situation.
“What of the others of the royal household?” she asked.
“King Dior was killed but his daughter escaped, as did the Lady Artanis and her husband. I hope for their sakes that they are able to escape the reach of those kinsmen of mine who still live,” Ecthelion said then paused as he seemed in thought.
They remained sitting in the silence that reigned afterward, hearts heavy with the terrors of days past. Elrilya knew Ecthelion carried a heavy burden because of his personal guilt and she hoped that these atrocities did not add to his troubles.
“Are you thinking of him?” Ecthelion asked suddenly.
“Whom?” she queried.
“Taurnil,” Ecthelion answered. “Are you thinking of how he fared?”
The mentioning of the Sindarin elf from long ago with whom she had a relationship caught Elrilya off-guard. She found no words for a moment as new thoughts ran through her head.
“To be honest, no… I have not thought of him for a long time,” she confessed. “We did not part on the best of terms, but I wish him no ill-will. For his sake, I hope he was not slain.”
“Aye, as do I,” Ecthelion agreed then stared out at the peaks of the cold mountains reaching towards the ghostly sky. “My thanks, Elrilya. I forget once in a while that in the absence of my corrupted kin, I do have others around me who are more a family than they ever were.”
Elrilya smiled and leaned her head on Ecthelion’s shoulder as he took her hand and squeezed it.
* * * * * *
After a long reprieve together, Ecthelion felt his troubled heart warmed and had followed Elrilya out to the valley. He had no joyful mien, but did take comfort in being surrounded by those who had become his family over the centuries. He even assisted the young boys in climbing one of the difficult hills to then sled down the steep incline of the slope. Glorfindel and Tuor knew something was amiss with their friend but did not press him, not to mention Glorfindel had an inkling of what was the matter through his bond with Elrilya. They understood she had been his listening ear for now and if he sought more from them, they would be there when he was ready.
Despite the arrival of the evening when the sun disappeared behind the mountains, the children still pleaded to continue. However, when Idril and Elrilya promised warm drinks and dinner, Túrelio and Eärendil’s rumbling stomachs quickly won them over. Everyone retired to the home of Glorfindel and Elrilya and while the boys busied themselves with reminiscing about their day while sitting by the fire in the parlor with Váremo, Idril and Elrilya prepared a thick stew that was perfectly suited to counter the climate outside. Ecthelion, Tuor, and Glorfindel quietly took to the rear of the parlor nursing warm mugs of mead while they discussed the other tidings that had come from the eagles about Morgoth. Nothing was spoken about Doriath just yet.
The good company had lasted well long past the evening hours that the children, fattened to contentment with the meal and exhausted from the day’s fun, had fallen asleep in front of the hearth while using the hound as a pillow. Ecthelion gave his leave soon after as well as his gratitude for the invitation that day. He whispered a personal thank you to Elrilya after he bid her and Glorfindel good night. Yet, Idril and Tuor showed no sign of departure after the door shut behind the dark-haired elf.
“I have something I wish to discuss with you both before we leave this night,” Idril said as they settled together with cups of hot mulled wine.
Tuor looked to his wife with a little trepidation, the happy ambience of the day turning to a more serious note. He said nothing, allowing her to broach the subject with their friends that they obviously had discussed at length together already.
“What is the matter?” Glorfindel asked. “Is it about Ecthelion?”
“Nay, it is not,” Idril shook her head. “Much has been on our minds as of late… especially so since we were blessed with Eärendil.”
“I worry about our tarrying here,” Tuor finally spoke up, his voice heavy with his concerns. “Do not think me ungrateful for being welcomed to this great city and finding more joy in these last several years than I could ever have hoped to have. However, I did come here with a purpose and I fear that its importance has been lost.”
Taking her mate’s hand in hers, Idril squeezed it reassuringly, “It is through no fault of your own, as I have failed also in turning my sire towards reason. That is why we have done this.”
“I know you have tried to discuss Ulmo’s warning with Turgon since your arrival,” Glorfindel said. “We all know that he has misgivings keeping him from leaving Gondolin.”
“And whisperings spoken by a forked tongue have persuaded him as well,” Idril sighed but continued once she saw the startled expressions upon her hosts’ faces. “You both know as well as I that my cousin has always voiced opposition to Tuor’s encouragement of Ulmo’s rede. His happier change after his long disappearance has left a dark uneasiness within me.”
Elrilya saw the shadow pass over her friend’s eyes at the confession but Idril spoke no more of what she knew about Maeglin.
Tuor took over for his beloved, “We fear that this protected place will be found sooner rather than later and have taken measures to ensure our safe passage if ever our good fortunes fail. When Idril came with child, she bade me to delve a hidden escape beneath the city and the valley. It is nigh complete, but we must halt during the cold as the ground has become too hard with the freeze.”
“Why are you telling us?” Elrilya asked.
“You are our closest friends and family, if anything were to befall this city then we know you will help bring the good people of Gondolin to safety,” Idril said. “Do not think we mistrust Ecthelion or my father, but we cannot risk Maeglin finding what we have prepared.”
“If that is your wish, then we will keep this to ourselves,” Elrilya confirmed.
Glorfindel remained silent in contemplation and sighed, “I understand your need for secrecy in this matter and I will speak of it to no one; though, it troubles me to keep two of my sworn brothers unaware. I also cannot argue that Ecthelion is very blind to the faults of Maeglin due to his love for Aredhel… in a way, it is the same with Turgon. I only hope your doubts about him are unfounded, as I hold some of the same about your cousin as well.”
Idil left her chair and kneeled in front of Glorfindel, enclosing her hands around his, “If not for ourselves, we must do it for the sake of our children. That they may have a chance if we should fall from grace by not heeding Ulmo’s warning.”
“Aye, that is enough for me,” Glorfindel agreed.
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Eternal