Finding Hope

Note: Conversations indicated with a single ‘…..’ are Erestor and Glorfindel silently mind speaking to each other.

Chapter 14


Elrond decided he would like for them all to go to his favorite fishing hole, which was near the border of Imladris. It was an idyllic spot, even if it was a little far. The access to the river was good, and the river flowed gently there. There was a beautiful meadow full of grasses and wildflowers, and wonderful trees for climbing and sitting under. Deer and rabbits were always there to feed and drink, and the trees were full of squirrels and songbirds.

“It is early yet, and the children will love feeding the animals. We can catch fish and cook them over a fire. It will be perfect,” Erestor agreed. “The children need to get away from the house and out into the air and nature.”

“But I want us carrying weapons, then, Elrond,” Glorfindel said, “That spot is too close to the border and we have had much Orc activity lately. You do not think the sight of the weapons might distress the children?”

“Perhaps for a little while,” Elrond agreed. “But carrying weapons is a fact of life. Hopefully it will make them feel safe and protected instead of distressed.” The others agreed.

“Well, we need a few more things then. Gurvelon, will you get your kitten and Amarion’s and put them in our garden with the others? Tinnu and Glirien will take care of them until we get back so we will not have to worry about them. Glorfindel, you go to the stables and get the horses and a wagon for Saercaeron to ride in ready. We can put the rest of the things we are bringing in the cart as well. Lindir can watch the children for us until we are ready to go. Mel can go to the kitchens and get whatever we need to cook the fish, and extra milk for Faelion. The rest of us will get our weapons. And I, for one, am going to exchange these robes for a pair of leggings and tunic, and get some more toys for the children to play with, and a book or two. And more diapers, and a change of clothing for the children in case they need it, and towels in case anyone wants to swim, and their cloaks…… ” His voice trailed off down the hall as he hurried to their rooms.

Glorfindel chuckled. “Well, everyone, I believe we have our orders,” he said, handing Faelion to Lindir.

No more than twenty minutes later, they were all gathered in the courtyard, ready to leave. Erestor, in his dark blue leggings and tunic, knives strapped to his back, lifted Amdiriel onto his horse and mounted behind her. Saercaeron sat at the front of the wagon along with a guard who would drive it. Two sturdy horses would pull the wagon. Gurvelon, sword hanging from his waist, elected to ride in the cart along with the supplies and his little daughters, and held the happy Faelion. Glorfindel and Gailion rode on Asfaloth, and Lainon and Laerien rode with two of the guards who had cared for them on their journey to Imladris. Ten other guards, all equipped with weapons, accompanied them. Glorfindel was taking no chances with his Lord, Erestor, and the children with them.

The hour later they arrived. Elrond jumped down from his horse and called out “Who wants to go fishing with me? Find your fishing pole!” He picked up the laughing Saercaeron and their poles, and dashed with him to the river so they could get his favorite spot. Almost everyone decided to try their hand at fishing, with the exception of Erestor, Lindir, Gurvelon, Caladir, and the four little girls. The horses were allowed to roam, and the guards stationed themselves around the area.

“Would you like to help us set out the blankets and things, little ones?” Erestor asked. The girls were handed the toys to carry to the spot they had selected while the elders spread out the blankets and carried the food baskets.

Caladir and Gurvelon arranged stones and gathered twigs and fallen wood for the fires they would need, assuming anyone caught some fish. Finished with that task, Caladir leaned back against a tree, and pulled Gurvelon over. The smaller elf sat between his husband’s legs, leaning his back against the broad chest with strong arms wrapped around him. They talked softly, and smiled as they watched their Calariel and Glawen playing with the other girls.

A large comfortable area was soon laid out. The girls sat with their many dolls on a blanket and played contentedly. Lindir and Erestor sat with them and made up silly and funny stories about what the dolls were doing, while Faelion lay cooing along side of them. “Oh, look, sweetheart, your doll is having tea with Faelion’s bunny!” Erestor told Amdiriel.

“Silly Ada, she’s not having tea with the bunny. She’s having tea with Faelion!”

“The bunny did not get invited to tea? Poor Bunny,” Erestor said.

“Here Bunny, you sit and have tea with Frog and Raven,” Lindir said, arranging the stuffed animals. Faelion screamed loudly.

“Lindir, Bunny may not have been invited, but Faelion definitely wants him for tea.” Erestor took the bunny and handed it back to Faelion, who promptly sucked on a long ear.

Lindir laughed and tickled the baby. “Oh, you want to eat Bunny, do you little one?” Faelion giggled around the bunny’s ear and grabbed Lindir’s hair.

“Careful,” Erestor chuckled. He likes hair for tea, too.” He unwound Lindir’s hair from the baby’s hand. “Lindir, would you mind watching Faelion for a few minutes? I need to talk with Caladir and Velon.”

Lindir shooed Erestor off, and continued playing with the baby and the girls.

Erestor sat with Velon and Caladir, and asked, “Did the girls sleep any better last night?”

Gurvelon shook his head. “You are looking at two very frustrated elves, my friend.”

“Oh, dear,” Erestor said. “At least Glorfindel and I get to spend some time together on our own, right after they go to sleep.”

“That time lasts about three minutes for us, Erestor,” Caladir said.

“Do you think the girls would be all right if the two of you went off for some private time now?” Erestor asked. “Would you let me try talking to them?”

“Well, I suppose you could try,” Gurvelon answered, “but would it not be better if we talked to them?”

“Something is telling me they might understand better if it came from someone else.”

Gurvelon and Caladir nodded for Erestor to go ahead, and he went back to the girls. He sat next to Calariel and Glawen and pulled them close to him. “Little ones, would it be all right with you if your Adas left for just a little while and you stayed with Lindir and me? They would not be gone long, there is just something they need to do.”

Calariel looked at Erestor, then at her Adas. “Are they going to try and make elflings, Restor? Ada and Nana always said that was what they were doing when they wanted to be alone for a while.”

Erestor and Lindir blushed a deep pink. Erestor was tempted to tell the elfling ‘aye’ and let Caladir and Velon explain it to her later, but did not think it was good to lie to an elfling. “Well, little one, two Adas cannot make elflings. That takes a Nana and an Ada. But your Adas are married, just like your Nana and Ada were. And married elves need to spend some time together alone. It keeps them happy together.”

“All right Restor, we will stay with you so Ada and Ada can be alone for a little while,” Glawen said. The two little girls got up and ran over to Caladir and Gurvelon and kissed them. “Bye Ada, bye Ada. We will stay with Erestor while you are alone.” Then they ran back to Erestor and their friends.

Erestor grinned, and threw a blanket that was still folded up at Caladir and Gurvelon. Gurvelon caught the blanket, and they ran off into the woods. “Now, what would all of you sweetlings like to play now?” Erestor asked.

Erestor and Lindir played with the girls, and read them a story or two. Squirrels and deer hovered around, and Erestor brought out pieces of bread and fruit, which the little elflings fed to the animals. Then Lindir played his harp and softly sang for them as Erestor changed and fed the baby. Before long, four little girls and one baby were sound asleep on the blanket. Lindir decided a little nap sounded good and made himself comfortable.

Erestor smiled, thinking of Caladir and Velon, and knowing they were enjoying their ‘alone’ time. He started gathering wildflowers and making little wreaths for the girls to wear. His fingers working with the flowers, he sent his thoughts out to Glorfindel.

‘Can you hear me, my love?’

‘Aye, beloved. Is everything all right?’

‘Aye, I just missed you. Will we have fish for lunch?’

‘Of course we will. How can you doubt all these intrepid fisherelves out here?’ Glorfindel heard Erestor chuckle in his mind. ‘Wait until you see, sweetheart. Your valiant husband and your Lord are catching more than everyone.’

‘Do not forget you will have to carry what you catch back here, my love.’

‘Nay, we will just call the horses and put the baskets on their back.’

Erestor’s laugh woke Lindir. “What is it Erestor?”

“Nothing, my friend. I am just checking on Glorfindel.”

“Ask him how Taurfaeron is doing.”

‘My love, Lindir wants to know how Taurfaeron is doing.’

‘Tell him there are so many fish here, even our guard from the Golden Woods is managing to catch his share.’

‘When will you all be back, my love? The girls will be hungry when they wake from their nap, and the little ones with you must be getting hungry as well.’

‘Soon beloved. I do not think our baskets will hold much more.’

‘You had better not be joking, Glorfindel. Now I’m hungry.’

‘Just start the fires, sweetheart. We will be there soon. I love you, my beautiful councilor.’

‘I love you, my golden warrior.’

“Glorfindel says they are catching a lot of fish and to start the fires. Taurfaeron is quite the fisherelf as well, apparently,” Erestor told Lindir.

“Well, as long as they clean them.” Lindir grinned.

“You stay with the children and I will see to the fires.” Erestor said.

The fires were just beginning to burn perfectly when they heard the fisherelves returning, all singing merrily. They had indeed called the horses, and were walking along side them, holding the baskets on their backs. Elrond carried Saercaeron, who was smiling happily.

Gailion ran to Erestor. “Ada Restor! Ada Restor! I caught so many fish, Ada. It was fun!”

Erestor picked up Gailion, laughing. “I am glad you had fun, my love. Did your Ada Glor catch a lot of fish, too?”

“He caught the most of anyone!” Gailion answered. “And he showed me how to do it.”

The girls woke up just as Caladir and Gurvelon returned from the woods, arms wrapped around each other and looking at each other adoringly. Calariel and Glawen ran to them, and were picked up and swung around before being hugged and kissed. “Were you my good little elflings while we were gone?” Caladir asked.

“We were very good, Ada,” Glawen answered. “Were you and Ada good while you were gone?”

Gurvelon laughed at the innocence of elflings. “Oh, little one, your Ada was very, very, very good.” Caladir actually blushed, then laughed.

Enough fish for everyone was soon cleaned and cooking over the fires. The remainder of the fish was put in the wagon to be taken back to the kitchens. Bread, fruit, cheese, and skins of water and wine were brought out of baskets and set around the blankets. The children were fed first, and Melpomaen and Turidon carried food to the guards, then the rest of the elves sat down to enjoy their meal. Elladan and Elrohir rode out to join them for the meal, then returned to their duties.

There was much exclaiming on how good the fish was, and many tall fish tales were told about the ones that got away. The children played in the trees and ran and chased each other, and there was merry singing before they decided they should head back.

They were just beginning to pack everything up to put in the wagon, when one of the guards sounded the alarm, “ORCS!”

The children screamed, and Elrond and Glorfindel yelled to Gurvelon, Melpomaen and half of the guards to gather the children and keep them just inside the woods with them. Erestor thrust Faelion into Melpomaen’s arms. Velon and Mel were not the strongest warriors, but they and the guards would keep the children safe.

The others watched the Orcs quickly approaching the river. There were probably fifty of them, and Erestor, Glorfindel and Elrond quickly calculated the odds as everyone drew their weapons. “We will take out twenty or so with arrows when they cross. Leaves around three for each of us. Good odds,” Glorfindel said.

Twenty Orcs never made it across the river, as the guards with bows and arrows felled them. The elves ran closer to the river away from the children and met the remaining Orcs full on. Glorfindel glowed brightly as he quickly sliced his sword through five of them. Erestor and his knives began their dance of death and four more were down. Lindir’s knives easily slew another two, and Elrond’s sword ended the life of four more.
Caladir, Turidon, Taurfaeron and the remaining guards disposed of the rest.

If it were not for the continuing and growing threat of evil and the children’s fears, the Orcs and the small battle would have been more of a nuisance than anything else.

“Damn them,” Elrond said quietly. “They have dirtied my favorite fishing spot with their filth.”

“The Bruinen will quickly clean itself, Elrond,” Erestor said. “Let us dispose of this filth.”

The elves piled the Orc bodies near the shore, as far downstream as they dared to go, and set them ablaze. Then they cleaned as much Orc blood from their clothing and skin and hair as they could before returning to the children.

Gailion and Amdiriel threw themselves at Glorfindel and Erestor. The elflings sobbed and clung to their Adas.

“It is all right now, my precious,” Erestor told Amdiriel, as he held her tightly and stroked her head. Your Ada Glor and I are safe. We all are. Did we not tell you that we would always protect you? Do not cry, my darling. You are safe with us.”

Glorfindel held Gailion and comforted him with much the same words. Gailion finally stopped sobbing, and said, “Ada, you glowed.”

“Ada Glor glows because he was reborn and lived in Valinor with the Valar, sweetheart,” Erestor answered.

“Oh.” Gailion said. “You were pretty when you killed the Orcs, Ada Restor.”

Erestor smiled. “Thank you. Amdiriel, do you think Ada was pretty when he killed the Orcs?”

Amdiriel sniffled and nodded. “Aye, Ada. You were dancing. And Ada Glor was pretty when he glowed, too.”

The elves gathered everyone and headed back to the house. They stopped at the cottage to deliver Saercaeron, Lainon and Laerien to their parents, and wanted to make sure Amarion and Diwen got the story about the Orcs from them instead of just their children. The guards returned to the barracks, and all but Erestor, Glorfindel, their elflings and Elrond returned to the Last Homely House. Elrond took a small basket of fish from the wagon to leave for Amarion and Diwen as well.

The cottage was a beautiful, spacious home, located near the Last Homely House, and designed in the same style. There was a large sitting room, kitchen, and three bedrooms, as well as a spacious bathroom. Diwen had fallen in love with it the minute she walked in. The kitchen was already stocked with all the wares she would need for cooking and serving meals, and linen cupboards held towels, sheets, and other necessities.

A hoard of servants had arrived and began moving their furnishings, while others helped Diwen pack and move their clothing and other belongings. By midday, you would have thought the family had lived there for ages. Clothing was neatly put away in wardrobes, and cupboards held the children’s toys. The kitchen held a good supply of vegetables, fruits, cheese, milk, eggs, flour, sugar, spices and everything else needed to supply a family, all generously sent over on the orders of Lord Elrond. They had even been sent some special baked goods and wine as a cottage-warming gift.

Diwen made tea, and everyone gathered in the sitting room. Erestor held Amdiriel, and Glorfindel sat with Gailion as Elrond held Faelion and explained what had happened.

“I am most grateful to all of you for taking such good care of our children, my Lords, and very thankful that none of you were hurt. We will have to continue to be cautious with all this Orc activity.” Amarion shook his head. “Orcs again, on Imladris’ border.”

“We will be cautious, we have much to protect here,” Glorfindel said. “It is good to see you settled in your new home, my friends.”

“And the cottage is lovely,” Erestor added. “Oh, we put your kitten with Tinnu and Glirien for the day so she would be safe and fed. We will bring her to you tomorrow.”

“We hoped you had done something like that when we could not find her! The cottage is wonderful,” Diwen said. “Lord Elrond, we cannot thank you enough for it, and for everything in it. You are most generous.”

“As are you and your husband, Diwen. You both contribute much to Imladris. I am happy I had the small opportunity to repay you,” Elrond answered. “We will not stay. As you can imagine, Glorfindel and Erestor are anxious to get their family back to their rooms. We have had a long day indeed.”

They said their goodbyes and walked back to the Last Homely House.

“I cannot wait to bathe,” Glorfindel said.

“Aye, that will be lovely. What do you say to that, little ones? Does a nice bubble bath sound good?” Erestor asked.

“Aye, Ada,” Amdiriel answered. “We would like that. Will you let us wash your hair tonight? And Ada Glor’s?”

Erestor chuckled. “Of course we will, sweetling.”


Tbc….