Mandos's Embrace

A/N: Durin's Song is the property of J.R.R. Tolkien, and I only use it in my deep respect for his writing. It can be found in The Fellowship of the Ring, pgs 411-412. At least in my copy. I take no credit for it, it is his, not mine. There, I think I covered all the bases for that one.

Chapter Two

Azalea's keen violet eyes gazed out across the grassy plain leading up to the mountains. From her position she could see Caradhras clearly. It was the third day of her watch, fourth since she had arrived at the border. There were rumors of a possible orc attack in the next two or three days. She hoped it would come to fruition, a battle would calm her nerves considerably. At least a dozen times a day her thoughts seemed drawn to Glorfindel. She had lingered in the trees for a moment, long enough to see him approach Haldir, with that she had turned and walked away. This was crazy! She needed to stop thinking about some elf and focus on her duty! Returning her gaze to Caradhras she felt her thoughts slipping in another direction, one she really didn't want to follow. Sighing in resignment, she turned to climb down from her post, only to run right into Rumil.

"Now just where are you going?" His eyes sparkled with amusement.

She sputtered. "Blasted elf! How dare ye startle me like that!" Then her lips pressed together in amusement and she began to giggle. Rumil soon joined her in a full-on fit of laughter. Tears were streaming down their faces before they finally composed themselves. "What are you doing here?" She gasped, trying to reclaim her breath.

He smiled at her. "Just came to see what was wrong. Several of the other wardens said you seemed distracted." His face became serious. "You do indeed seem not quite yourself. Normally I couldn't slip up on you so easily." He slid an arm around her shoulders. "Come on what is it? You can tell good ol' Rumil." He said with a chuckle.

She snorted. "Since when are you 'good'?" He merely winked at her. Shaking her head she replied. "You are incorrigible. As to my distraction it is nothing, merely my curiosity has been piqued."

"Oh is that so? Hmm. Anything I can help you with?"

She paused for a moment. Could she really ask Rumil? Of course she could. They were best friends after all. "The other day, when the group from Imladris arrived, Haldir addressed one of them as Lord Glorfindel. Is he..?" She left the rest off, hoping he knew what she was talking about. To her suprise his eyes widened.

"Oh yes indeed. He is the one you are thinking about. I wonder why he came to Lorien with the others. Perhaps Celeborn or Galadriel bade him." He caught her open-mouthed look and chuckled. "Now I see what has you so interested. It is no wonder you have been distracted. Although with an Orc attack due at any time you should try a little harder to keep focused." He stepped closer to the edge of the branch. "There will be plenty of time to speak with him once our rotation is over."

She nodded. "You are right as usual Rumil. Now that my question has been answered I should be able to rest easier."

He turned. "Rest, on the Fences? Ha! I know better than that, as would any other warden." He winked at her again.

"Can't let the poor ellyn suffer now, can I?" She folded her arms across her chest.

"No, I guess not. Are you going to come sing for us later?" She smiled at him and nodded. "Alright, I'll see you then." He gave her a peck on the cheek and slid down the hithlain rope to the ground.

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Glorfindel wandered one of the many gardens of the city, his thoughts swirling. Haldir had refused to elaborate more on the elleth he had called Azalea. Why was that? Was there some secret about her? He had mulled over this many times in his mind already. Finding a bench in a fragantly flowering aclove, he sat down for awhile. With a sigh he curled his legs up under him. He must speak with her! That violet gaze, those golden braids. By the Valar! He was acting like an elfling with a crush, not a cool warrior. Soft footsteps brought him out of his thoughts. Elrohir peeked around the shrub and grinned at him. "Someone said they thought you came in here." He seated himself on the bench next to Glorfindel. "You're thinking about that female warden again aren't you?"

He looked up and frowned at Elrohir. "How do you know all this?" he demanded.

Elrohir merely chuckled. "I've seen many an elf swoon. Myself included." He leaned back comfortably. "I must admit, she seems quite unique. Also very beautiful." He added with a look at Glorfindel, who frowned again. "Oh don't worry, I'll stay back, unless of course you need a few tips on wooing an elleth." He grinned.

"I'll keep that in mind." he replied with a chuckle. "So was that the only reason you were chasing me down, or did you actually need something?"

"Ah yes, the matter at hand." His face became serious. "Ada wants to speak with you. He said it's not important, so if you were busy not to worry too much about it." He stood up. "Since you're not, though, I can take you to him." Glorfindel nodded and stood up. They exited the garden and headed towards the guest talans where they were all staying.

Elrond was waiting on his terrace, a book across his lap. He looked up as Glorfindel and Elrohir joined him. "Ah I see you found him. Thank you." He motioned for Glorfindel to sit before turning back to his son with a wry grin. "I suggest you go find your brother, ion nin. My foresight tells me that if he's not in trouble already, he will be soon." With a grin Elrohir exited, leaving the two longtime friends sitting together in a comfortable silence.

Finally Glorfindel spoke up. "What is it you wished to speak with me about?"

"I am thinking to extend our stay. Arwen is rather enjoyng her time with her grandmother, and I must say, spring in Lorien is truly beautiful." He leaned back comfortably, kicking his feet up on an adjacent chair. "It is quite relaxing, and I really needed a vacation." Elrond looked over to Glorfindel. "I was hoping to stay until summer's wane. About six months. Only if this meets with your approval of course, but you are by no means held here against your will. If at any time you wish to leave, you may."

Glorfindel nodded. "That is quite fine. What is five more months to an immortal?" He shared a chuckle with Elrond. "I most heartily agree with your decision."

"Especially since it will give you a chance with Azalea..." Elrond turned a knowing eye to his longtime friend.

The elf's eyes widened. "Wha...? How..?" He stuttered. Elrond just grinned and turned his book back over, signaling that no answer was forthcoming. Glorfindel sighed in exasperation. "You and your foresight." He muttered as he stood up and exited the terrace. A widening grin spread across Elrond's face as he heard his door snap shut.

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A dozen or so wardens were gathered around a tiny campfire, eating and drinking when Azalea arrived from her shift. She sat down on the soft grass near Orophin with a sigh of contentment. He turned with a grin. "Evening Azalea. I trust your watch went uneventfully." He picked up a bowl near him and handed it to her. It contained a mixture of dried berries, fruits, and other edible plantlife, a favorite of the wardens. It was easy to carry, kept for a long time, and offered a variety of flavors. Lembas and wine were also passed to her from an elf on her right. She picked through the bowl, pulling out a few of her favorite berries, and the sweet tasting leaves of a indiginous grass. Rumil finally joined them. He took a seat on the other side of his brother.

"Hey there Zal. Stuffing your face I see."

She shook her head and took a drink of wine to wash down her bite of lembas. "Oh please, you've probably already cleaned two bowls."

He shrugged. "So what if I have. What song are you going to grace us with tonight?" The other wardens looked on with anticipation. She paused, taking another bite of lembas. Finally the song came to her. She had learned it from a party of Dwarves nearly three centuries ago. Her voice came out soft and haunting.


The world was young, the mountains green,
No stain yet on the Moon was seen,
No words were laid on stream of stone,
When Durin woke and walked alone.
He named the nameless hills and dells;
He stooped and looked in Mirrormere,
And saw a crown of stars appear,
As gems upon a silver thread,
Above the shadow of his head.

The world was fair, the mountains tall,
In Elder Days before the fall,
Of mighty kings in Nargothrond,
And Gondolin, who now beyond,
The Western Seas have passed away:
The world was fair in Durin's Day.

A king he was on carven throne
In many-pillared halls of stone
With golden roof and silver floor,
And runes of power upon the door.
The light of sun and star and moon
In shining lamps of crystal hewn
Undimmed by cloud or shade of night
There shone for ever fair and bright.

Ther hammer on the anvil smote,
There chisel clove, and graver wrote;
There forged was blade, and bound was hilt;
The delver mined, the mason biult.
There beryl, pearl, and opal pale,
And metal wrought like fishes' mail,
Buckler and corslet, axe and sword,
And shining spears were laid in hoard.

Unwearied then were Durin's folk;
Beneath the mountains music woke:
The harpers harped, the minstrels sang,
And at the gates the trumpets rang.

The world is grey, the mountains old,
The forge's fire is ashen-cold;
No harp is wrung, no hammer falls:
The darkness dwells in Durin's halls;
The shadow lies upon his tomb
In Moria, in Khazad-dum.
But still the sunken stars appear
In dark and windless Mirrormere;
There lies his crown in water deep,
Till Durin wakes again from sleep.

Azalea finished and remained still, staring into the crackling flames of the fire. The dwarves hadn't known who she was or how much that song had affected her, but the elves seated around her understood all too well. Several had been on watch when she was brought in, bloodied and screaming in agony. When she finally looked up, she saw that many had tears in their eyes. She nodded to each in turn and stood up. "I take my leave. I have an early watch." With that she turned and headed to her flet. It took her many minutes of tossing and turning to finally fall into a light reverie.