House of the Golden Flower

The men of my House were so used to not seeing me, that when I was among them and not with Turgon, they were wary and hesitant. Turgon had been right, I had neglecteem bem badly, and they had suffered for it. I took a meal with them and went to great lengths to earn back thier unfailing trust.
I marveled at thier independency, and was kind to them, staying up late and forsaking my bed for their company. Several of the younger men worked up the nerve and asked me if they might take wives, and I not only allowed it, but encouraged it. My House was a large one, many men had sought me out to pledge themselves to my service, knowing my tale and that I had the favor of the King.

All worked out well, and by the time I had gone to bed I had appointed a regent, in case any harm should befall me, for it was hardly likely that I would ever have sons or daughters. I was woken not an hour later by my steward Amredeth, informing me that Galdor had come to see me.

I was not familiar with the head of the House of the Tree, and wondered at his prescence. I said for him to be let in, and given refreshment if he so desired. I dressed again, and stumbled down to my Hall where he waited.

"Glorfindel." He said after he had greeted me. "I know you are great in the favor of the King and City, and your bonds with him are tight. Great sorrow has befallen him in these last days, and I have heard that he was deeply agrieved. I would speak to you of his sudden guests, Men from the outside, and of his state. Is our King well and hale, fit to deal with these events, or is his Regent given too much lieniency?"

So he too knew the malice of Meaglin, and not just Idril and I. Perhaps Meaglin was not quite as discreet as he ought to be. I suspected at his designs in letting his darker nature be seen, but alas, who was to know the mind of Meaglin; lest it be Idril, and she did not speak of what she saw in her cousin's heart.

I spoke. "I believe he will do well enough, for he is stronger than he seems. The worst danger to his state is past, and he desires to continue in his position; whether to avoid much wieght falling upon his regent I do not know, and cannot guess. He does not see clearly where Meaglin is concerned, but despite his blindness to his sister-son, I feel he has clarity of sight regarding his guests. I trust them, for he has forseen them in dreams sent by Ulmo, and so he has told me in times past. Who else has seen what our King has not?"

Galdor answered "The Lords of other Houses besides you and I have seen him revealed, Rog of the folk of the Hammer of Wrath and Duilin of the Swallow and Ecthelion of the Fountain, and by wise stealth is was done; or he has a greater plot we have yet to see in him."

"It may be he has grown lax in vigilance to decive, or he has developed a plot I have yet to guess. It may be that he is merely grown more clever and stealthy in other ways, and trusts this one to heedlessness to aid his plans. I will watch him, and what I see, you will know."

He nodded, and laid and hand on my shoulder. "You are wiser than you are often given credit, for you hide your brilliance twice as cleverly as Meaglin his hate, and it is always calculated when you show it or show it not."

I smiled a bit then, for I could not resist his charming smile, and the compliment pleased me. "He may yet be wiser than me, and who can tell until the end? I will watch him as I can, and as I have promised, I will do. If I see his devisions I shall reveal them, that they may not succeed, for Meaglin must not prevail; while Turgon lives or after."

"You are truly an asset to him, I see why he keeps you at hand. For one who lacks the benefit of being raised among a people, and only learned to speak after you came here not so long ago, you are quick of wit and keen of mind in ways that one could never expect. Should you ever turn against him, pray that it not be so, I would fear that all would fall before your mighty hand."

"I shall never turn against him, for I take no pleasure in either leadership or royalty, aiding where I can and when I can, and hoping that my efforts be timely."

"For one who has never tasted battle Glorfindel, I think I would be honored to stand beside you in a fight." It was high praise, indeed, especially from him; for the House of the Tree wagreagreat house, and it's leader perhaps second only in heart to Turgon himself.

"And I would be glad to stand with thee, that your valor might overcome my fear, Galdor, but let there be peace all there can and will be, and let us talk no more of war and battles this day, for I think that they will come all to soon." Given the events of the world outside, it was the truth.

"Then I will say farewell, and keep you from your bed no longer, for we both have the business of the city come morning." He rose, and I rose with him, taking his forearm in farewell.

"May your House prosper and be blessed, Galdor."

"May all greatness come to the sons of your line, Glorfindel."

I released him, and he left.

I found Amredeth asleep by the stair as I made my way from the firelit Hall in the dark by stumbling over him. I excused him from my service this night, for the man was tired and only too glad to go to his bed. When my eyes adjusted to the dark in the corridor, I went up the stairs and fell into my bed, still dressed.