House of the Golden Flower

When I woke, he spoke to me without opening his eyes, which were closed in grief. "Hold me. Just hold me." He said. I could do no less.eld eld him.

We spent the day in bed, for he had no desire to move, and I had no desire to leave him. Another night passed, and it's morning brought hunger to me with it. I rose, and sent for food, and coaxed Turgon to eat. I had begun to itch from the remmants of our last breakfast in bed, and I bathed and took him with me.

He had very little desire to move or act, and none whatsoever to speak, but he trusted me and did whatever I bade him. I told him to get into the tub, and he did so. I washed him, and then told him to get out of the tub, which he also did. I dried and dressed him, and taking him into his room brushed his hair and laid his crown upon his brow, that he might draw strength from it.

Whether he did or not, I could not tell. I then took his hand and walked him to Aredhel's gardens, and sat with him there. Idril joined us, and held him. I was at a loss of what to do for him. I sought out Meaglin, to be sure that all matters of state were carried out appropriately.

There was innuendo and malice in every word he spoke, but I left his counsel knowing two things. One, that Gondolin was in capable, if dark, hands. Two, was that Meaglin hated me.

In the evening light, as I came out to the garden to take Turgon inside, I saw two eagles overhead, bearing riders. I closed my eyes, pausing in the doorway, praying to the Valar for mercy. Idril looked up then, and understood my action. "Take him and set him on his throne, and I will see to what must be done." I instructed her, then looked into Turgon's pain-filled gray eyes. "I cannot shield you from your duty; you must recieve the riders of these eagles." I said to him regretfully. He nodded, and I was moved by his tenacity.

I went down to see to them.
And I met Hurin and Huor.

When I reached the plain, the eagles were already flying away, having had nothing to say to anyone. Two Men stood together, watching me approach. Men! I had never seen or met a Man before them, besides the Easterlings that had passed by my valley now and then in ages long past, and these were not of that people. Both were shorter than I, although one was smaller than the other.

They spoke Sindarin, and I understood them. Hurin was older than Huor, twenty-one, a man among Men according to age; although he later assured me he was not of full stature of most Men, falling on the shorter side. Huor was not grown, and referred to as a boy by his older brother, being only thirteen.

I introduced myself as Glorfindel of the House of the Golden Flower, and bade them to follow me to be presented before the King. They kept thier own counsel, and followed the path I led them along up to the city. The Gondolindrim were defensive of thier city, protective of thier King, but seeing I trusted them and that they held no malice, the people were content to accompany us to Turgon's throne room.

Turgon recieved them well, although Men had never set foot in Gondolin before. I remembered several dreams he had had of Men, and when Hurin said that he was of the House of Hador, I was relieved; for Ulmo had warned nothing but good of them to Turgon. Turgon welcomed them, and gave them quarters in his own house. Hurin recounted to Turgon in detail Dagor Bragollach and his part in it, and soon we knew all of it, from Angfauglith to Ulmo's part in rescuing him along the Sirion.

I was bidden to lead them to thier rooms, and I came to like Hurin's honest assesing glances about himself, and his few practical questions about the nature of things here where they would stay. I told him that he could call for food if he wished, for the hour of the evening meal was past. I did not mention our King's sorrow, but he had known it. I told him of our schedule here, and warned him to be ready in the morn if Turgon should desire to speak with him at greater length.

I had the stewards bring for them clothes, and offered Huor mine and Idril's any any for the morrow, if he was not welcome to stay along his brother in the king's counsels. I lthemthem to themselves, and went back for Turgon.

He was with Idril, going up to his chambers, when I met them on the stair. I would have relieved Idril the burden of caring for him, but Turgon laid his palm against my face to stay me. I met his eyes. "You should go and see to your House." He said.

I refused. "My loyalty is greater with you than with them."
"It should not be so. They love you, and are sorrowed and they feel greater sadness in the wake of your neglect. They need your leadership more than I need your strength." He gently put me in my place, reminding me of my responsibilties.

I did not will to leave him, and opened my mouth to argue. Idril lay her fingers on my lips. "Go and do as he bids you, and I will see to him. But come again tomorrow, for the guests Ulmo has sent to comfort my father will need guidance themselves." I nodded, and with a kiss to the brow of she who was as a sister to me, and an embrace for my beloved, I went.