The Music in My Heart
folder
-Multi-Age › Het - Male/Female
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
75
Views:
7,296
Reviews:
108
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Currently Reading:
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Category:
-Multi-Age › Het - Male/Female
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
75
Views:
7,296
Reviews:
108
Recommended:
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 21 Causes and Results
Title: The Music in My Heart, Chapter 21 (betaed)
Author: Sorsha
Fandom/Pairing: Elrond/OFC, Glorfindel/Haldir, Elladan/OFC, Elrohir/Legolas, others implied
Rating:.NC-17 for future chapters
Warning: AU (Story set 770 years after ROTK); Slash, but mostly het.
Feedback: This is my first fanfic, so constructive feedback appreciated.
Archive:
Acknowledgements: Many thanks to Alex Cat for her help in betaing this fic. Thanks also to Lady Victoria for her comments and support.
Disclaimer: Any of the residents of Middle-earth and Aman that you recognize belong to Prof. Tolkien’s estate. The same is true about Middle-earth and Aman. I’m only visiting and admiring the “views”.
Summary: Sauron may be gone, but his legacy of evil still lingers. As Middle-earth faces the threat of another dark lord, a party of elves departs Aman on a mission for the Valar, a mission of mercy long delayed.
Chapter 21 --- Causes and Results
“We cannot live for ourselves alone.
Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads,
and along these sympathetic fibers,
our actions run as causes and return to us as results.”
Herman Mellville
*****
Elrond felt warm and comfortable, more so than he had in a very long time. A pleasant weight was resting against his chest and his face was buried in a soft, silken mass. Feeling the warmth shift slightly against him, he instinctively tightened his grip on the form cuddled in his arms. Sighing with contentment, his mind began to drift, caught in the twilight between sleeping and waking in the quiet hour before dawn.
/Umm, this feels wonderful! I have not had so vivid a dream in many years. I almost believe there is a soft, warm body of a very shapely elleth sleeping in my arms./
His eyes shot open in shock! /This is not a dream! Ai! What have I done?/
Risking detection, he cautiously turned his head to study the face of his sleeping companion. Stifling a gasp, he stared into the lovely golden eyes of the slumbering elleth secretly disappointed by the telltale glaze of elven sleep that dimmed their luster. As if sensing his scrutiny, Seere snuggled into the curve of his neck with a contented sigh.
/I spent the night with Seere! How did this happen?/
Taking a deep breath, he began to replay the events of the proceeding night. The shock over Ermehtar’s betrayal came rushing back causing his chest to clinch. He remembered returning to his rooms after sitting with his heartbroken family in his study following the tragedies in the dungeons.
/I know I had no more than one glass of miruvor, so I was definitely unimpaired by drink. What then…? Ai! Her crying! I heard her crying and went to investigate. But how did I end up lying with her on this chaise, obviously having spent the night with her in my arms?/
/Not that she does not feel wonderful to wake up to, but… If she does not stop cuddling to me, I may not be able to resist kissing those ripe lips so close to mine. She is very beautiful and her scent is intoxicating… a clean, natural scent mixed with lavender and a hint of … humm, vanilla I think. Sweet! I wonder what her lips taste…/
/Ai! What am I thinking? This is Seere. My sons would have my head… at least if her father and Celeborn did not get to me first!/
Moving with great care, he shifted the sleeping elleth to his side. He paused for a moment to study her face. The tears from the night before had dried on her skin, leaving ghostly trails down her cheeks. They did nothing to diminish her beauty. Her right hand rested on his chest as she shifted to curl into his side, her breath teasing the exposed skin of his throat.
/How long has it been since I woke to the feel of another sharing my bed? Too long! Since long before Celebrian was attacked… long before she sailed to the West. The sweet torment of this moment has exposed for my marriage the empty shell it was. I had almost forgotten how good this feels, the warm weight of a female form molded to my side and draping softly over my chest. That she is also one with whom I share so many common interests and whose mind is endlessly engaging… this is getting out of hand. I need to leave. NOW!/
Regretting having to move, he gently untangled himself from Seere and rose from his position on the daybed. Seeing her shiver in the cool morning air now that his body no longer warmed her, he looked about for something to cover her. Finding a light blanket folded on a nearby chair, he shook it open and spread it over her sleeping form.
Unable to move away despite knowing it was time for him to return to his own rooms, he could not resist letting his hand drift across the soft skin of her face, erasing the remnants of her tears, before moving to caress the tangled silk of her long auburn hair. He was not yet ready to acknowledge that he was in love, but his heart knew it had a new keeper even if his mind had yet to accept that fact.
/I could get used to this… waking in her arms. But she is Erestor’s innocent daughter. I doubt he would approve of one so ancient as myself taking an interest in her, much less taking her to his bed. Still.../
Stepping away from the chaise, he turned his head to watch the first light of the new day peek above the top of the valley. Down by the river, he saw the backs of two elves seated close together on a huge boulder. Smiling at the sight, he let his eyes wonder yet again to the sleeping elleth.
/I wonder, old friend, is there hope yet for both of us?/
Seere listened as Elrond slipped back across the balustrade onto his own balcony. Her hand lifted to touch where his fingers had lingered on her cheek. A soft smile played across her lips and she turned to face the rising sun.
*****
The twins stood side by side in front of the window watching the sunrise. Both had risen earlier to dress for the day. Not yet ready to face the ordeal this day was likely to become, they had lingered before the window sharing a cup of tea and savoring the comfort of being together and near their beloved mates who still slept in the nearby chairs.
The bond between the twins had always been strong and deep. It had come as no surprise to either that they felt a profound need to share the joy they each had found in their respective partner. The time to make public their respective bondings would come soon, but for now they were a cherished source of private strength.
Lost in contemplation of the sunrise, strong arms had slipped around Elrohir’s waist before he realized his lover was awake. With a gentle tug, he was pulled back into the warmth of a long, well-muscled body. A gentle, loving, “Quel amrun, melme,” was whispered in his ear. (Good morning, love)
Sighing with pleasure, he leaned back into the comforting circle of arms and body. “I do not know how I could face this day without you, Legolas. You are my strength.”
Neither noticed that Elladan had moved back to the chair where he had spent the long night. A small, warm hand was extended and he gladly took it, returning to the arms of the elleth he loved. “Bless the Valar for the gift of your love, ind nîn.” He felt Azeriel smile against his chest. (my heart)
*****
Elrond opened the door to his study and looked toward the voices of his three oldest surviving friends. Celeborn, Erestor, and Glorfindel were seated at the small round conference table next to a wall of bookcases sharing their morning tea. A delicate china teapot, faint wisps of steam curling from its spout, sat in the middle of the table next to a spare cup and pot of honey, obviously awaiting his arrival.
Erestor looked into the shadowed eyes of his friend. “Quel amrun, Elrond. Did you manage any sleep?”
Unable to meet his gaze, Elrond turned his attention to pouring himself a cup of tea and adding his required dollop of honey. “Some, mellon nin. What of you? Did you find any rest from thoughts of this tragedy?”
“Some,” he replied, his exhaustion evident in the flat tones of his voice.
Waiting until Elrond had taken his seat, Erestor asked the question they had all been dreading. “What are we to do with one who has committed murder… a kinslayer? In all our years in Imladris, we have never had to pass judgment for this crime?”
His voice became rough with unshed tears and barely controlled anger. “That it should be one we raised as a son of this house and who has served our realm as captain of its guard… ” He broke off and looked away as the full horror of their plight stole his voice.
Reaching over, Elrond laid his hand on his friend and advisor’s arm. The four remained silent as each was overtaken with their memories of a bright young elfling now lost to the dark. The same bitter thoughts, “Why? How could this happen?” repeated endlessly in their heads.
*****
A soft knock at the door pulled them away from their painful musings. Looking to see if the others were ready to face an outsider, Elrond saw their nods and called, “Come.”
Lindir quietly entered the room, pulling the door shut behind him; the pain in the eyes of yet another grieving member of his house tore at Elrond’s heart. “I regret needing to interrupt you my lord, but this matter is quite urgent.”
“I realize you are faced with a difficult task in deciding the fate of Ermehtar, but rumors have been running rampart since last night. Our guests are growing quite tense and the atmosphere of distrust in the refugee quarters may soon degenerate beyond our ability to control.” Pausing to give the elf lords a chance to focus their full attention on his report, Lindir reluctantly continued. “It is already common knowledge that something happened in the dungeons last night, but speculation is feeding the panic. The gossip is quite inflammatory.”
He waited to continue as the twins, Legolas, Gimli, Haldir, Seere, and Azeriel entered the study. Turning back to his lord, he asked, “What would you have us do or say to calm their fears before the situation gets further out of hand?”
Until now, Elrond had thought the situation was known to only his extended family and the eleven guards that had witnessed Ermehtar’s actions and subsequent arrest. Elladan had assigned the eleven to guard the dungeons and their former commander until he relieved them this morning. He had also asked for a pledge of silence concerning the events from the badly shaken warriors. The pledges had been willingly given as each understood the danger this betrayal could pose.
Elrond had hoped these actions would be enough to contain the damage, giving them time to learn the full extend of Ermehtar’s treason. In retrospect, his grief had kept him from anticipating the reaction his and Seere’s frantic flight through the sitting room would produce. Too many had seen them and the absence of the ruling family from the evening meal had only acerbated the problem. The unavoidable necessity of doubling the guards had only intensified the seriousness of the situation.
Sighing heavily, he acknowledged to himself that they would be granted no grace period. Events had begun to spiral out of control and the tragedy could no longer be viewed as a family crisis alone. It was now one that threatened to divide Middle-earth and undermine their efforts to unify the free peoples against the threat of the new dark lord. Swift action was needed to regain control of events. This thought galvanized the Lord of Imladris and freed him from his personal pain for a least the time it would take to see to his duties.
*****
With renewed focus, Elrond took charge. “Lindir, is the first breakfast still in the dining hall? Yes? Fine… I will follow you to the dining hall to make an announcement that we are investigating an incident involving an argument between several men that turned violent last evening. Pending the results of my investigation, it appears to be the result of a combination of too much drink and a disagreement over… what would be best? A fight over a female or over some long standing family feud? Maybe a personal issue?”
“A fight over a woman or a family feud would be open to for too much speculation. Better to keep it simple… say no more than an argument between the five appears to be what caused the fight and that we are looking into the facts,” commented Celeborn, millennia of experience in crisis management coming to the fore.
“Good point… I shall announce the fight broke out between several men who had apparently been drinking and I personally will be investigating the matter. If asked, I will admit there we suffered casualties in the incident, one man and two elven guards that were trying to break up the fight. I will also announce we will arrange a meeting with their leaders later today, Erestor, to update them on the matter. Is there anything else you think I should mention?”
“Two elves, Ada?” Elladan asked.
Elrond’s features hardened into a stone mask. “Aye, the captain of our guard died in the attack last night, even though the elf we thought we knew still lives in a cell below.”
“Understood. The truth even if not the literal one,” replied the elder twin. “Will you cite him by name as one of the casualties?”
“Yes. It will also explain why we were absent from dinner last evening, as all know his relationship to our family.” Hardening his heart against his pain, he asked, “Anything else?”
“Ada, I have not had a chance yet to give you a report of the events prior to the attack,” Elrohir inserted. “Three of our five created a scene in the dining hall as it was beginning to clear from the last seating. They were laughing and talking too loudly and appeared quite drunk. One of them even tried to hug and fondle several of the younger females present; he drew the protective ire of several males, mostly likely fathers or brothers of the girls.”
“The guardians with me used this behavior as the excuse to escort these three from the hall.” Elrohir reported. “You might want to allude to that, as it would likely sway those that witnessed the incident and add credibility to your comments by saying the fight involved ones that had caused trouble earlier.”
“Excellent idea, Elrohir. Are there other facts I need to know? … No? Fine. Celeborn, would you mind delivering the same message to our elven guests, perhaps in the second floor sitting room while I see to this?”
Turning to Elladan and Glorfindel, he instructed, “We must make sure the actual events of last night stay close and do not undermine the resolve of our guardians. I would like one of you to meet immediately with the guards present last night and remind them of the gravity of the situation. Explain the need to identify Ermehtar as one of the dead and obtain their oath to keep all matters secret. Let them know we will need their help in watching for other spies in our midst and that I will meet with them later to answer any questions they might have.”
“The other needs to address the rest of the guard and tell them the entire family will join them later as we share their grief over Ermehtar and Roitar’s deaths. Tell them I wish to express my gratitude for their service and I share the pain of their loss. No one that does not already know what happened is to be told without my prior authorization.”
Looking around him he asked, “Are we all clear on that point?”
Receiving nods of acknowledgement from all present, Elrond next turned to Seere. “My Lady, would you please see to the preparation of the lambe en' i'-dhaeraow potion. You will find a recipe for it in the large green bound book on the second shelf of that bookcase,” he said, pointing to indicate the location of the required text. “We will have need of it later this morning, so advise me immediately if you have questions or encounter difficulties.” (tongue of the traitor)
“Haldir, Legolas, Gimli --- may I impose on your friendship and ask you to see to the training schedule for today?” In response to their nods of agreement, he smiled and added, “Diola lle, mellonrim nin. It is vital that we do not let that important task falter. It will also serve to add a small amount of normalcy to the day for our newest recruits and maintain order in the realm even in the midst of tragedy.” (Thank you, my friends)
“We will need to plan a memorial for Roitar. His service to this realm has been long and honored. He was one of my captains when I marched for Eregion and helped found this realm… the Imladrian guard. He was a valued friend and I will mourn his passing.” His face again hardened as he added, “Much as it will grieve us, we will need to do the same for Ermehtar. Please give some thought to an appropriate tribute to support our public position.”
“If you are agreeable, I will ask that breakfast for us all be served in the conference room in half an hour. We will discuss all of these matters and several others that must wait until these first tasks are done.”
Turning to Erestor, he asked, “Would you please accompany Lindir and me to the dining hall, mellon nin? I think it is important that you join us given your relationships with the refugees. Upon our return, we will have much to do this day. I will depend on you as I always have to advise me during this difficult time.” (my friend)
“Take heart, my family… for each of you is that whether blood kin or no. As bad as this day will be, none of us is alone in its pain for we have been blessed by the Valar with each other. As bad as this day will be, it could have been much worse. We must not forget the gift the Valar has given us --- that our dear Elrohir was spared and stands here with us this morning. My gratitude for this gift is without bounds!”
“Better days will come again, my dear ones, if we keep faith with the Valar and Eru Ilevatar. May Elbereth guide us all!”
*****
A/N: Roitar (the guard killed by Ermehtar) means hunter.
MarzBar --- Thanks for reading and reviewing! Hang in there; I can’t promise you’ll have all your questions answered immediately, but they are coming!
Author: Sorsha
Fandom/Pairing: Elrond/OFC, Glorfindel/Haldir, Elladan/OFC, Elrohir/Legolas, others implied
Rating:.NC-17 for future chapters
Warning: AU (Story set 770 years after ROTK); Slash, but mostly het.
Feedback: This is my first fanfic, so constructive feedback appreciated.
Archive:
Acknowledgements: Many thanks to Alex Cat for her help in betaing this fic. Thanks also to Lady Victoria for her comments and support.
Disclaimer: Any of the residents of Middle-earth and Aman that you recognize belong to Prof. Tolkien’s estate. The same is true about Middle-earth and Aman. I’m only visiting and admiring the “views”.
Summary: Sauron may be gone, but his legacy of evil still lingers. As Middle-earth faces the threat of another dark lord, a party of elves departs Aman on a mission for the Valar, a mission of mercy long delayed.
Chapter 21 --- Causes and Results
“We cannot live for ourselves alone.
Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads,
and along these sympathetic fibers,
our actions run as causes and return to us as results.”
Herman Mellville
*****
Elrond felt warm and comfortable, more so than he had in a very long time. A pleasant weight was resting against his chest and his face was buried in a soft, silken mass. Feeling the warmth shift slightly against him, he instinctively tightened his grip on the form cuddled in his arms. Sighing with contentment, his mind began to drift, caught in the twilight between sleeping and waking in the quiet hour before dawn.
/Umm, this feels wonderful! I have not had so vivid a dream in many years. I almost believe there is a soft, warm body of a very shapely elleth sleeping in my arms./
His eyes shot open in shock! /This is not a dream! Ai! What have I done?/
Risking detection, he cautiously turned his head to study the face of his sleeping companion. Stifling a gasp, he stared into the lovely golden eyes of the slumbering elleth secretly disappointed by the telltale glaze of elven sleep that dimmed their luster. As if sensing his scrutiny, Seere snuggled into the curve of his neck with a contented sigh.
/I spent the night with Seere! How did this happen?/
Taking a deep breath, he began to replay the events of the proceeding night. The shock over Ermehtar’s betrayal came rushing back causing his chest to clinch. He remembered returning to his rooms after sitting with his heartbroken family in his study following the tragedies in the dungeons.
/I know I had no more than one glass of miruvor, so I was definitely unimpaired by drink. What then…? Ai! Her crying! I heard her crying and went to investigate. But how did I end up lying with her on this chaise, obviously having spent the night with her in my arms?/
/Not that she does not feel wonderful to wake up to, but… If she does not stop cuddling to me, I may not be able to resist kissing those ripe lips so close to mine. She is very beautiful and her scent is intoxicating… a clean, natural scent mixed with lavender and a hint of … humm, vanilla I think. Sweet! I wonder what her lips taste…/
/Ai! What am I thinking? This is Seere. My sons would have my head… at least if her father and Celeborn did not get to me first!/
Moving with great care, he shifted the sleeping elleth to his side. He paused for a moment to study her face. The tears from the night before had dried on her skin, leaving ghostly trails down her cheeks. They did nothing to diminish her beauty. Her right hand rested on his chest as she shifted to curl into his side, her breath teasing the exposed skin of his throat.
/How long has it been since I woke to the feel of another sharing my bed? Too long! Since long before Celebrian was attacked… long before she sailed to the West. The sweet torment of this moment has exposed for my marriage the empty shell it was. I had almost forgotten how good this feels, the warm weight of a female form molded to my side and draping softly over my chest. That she is also one with whom I share so many common interests and whose mind is endlessly engaging… this is getting out of hand. I need to leave. NOW!/
Regretting having to move, he gently untangled himself from Seere and rose from his position on the daybed. Seeing her shiver in the cool morning air now that his body no longer warmed her, he looked about for something to cover her. Finding a light blanket folded on a nearby chair, he shook it open and spread it over her sleeping form.
Unable to move away despite knowing it was time for him to return to his own rooms, he could not resist letting his hand drift across the soft skin of her face, erasing the remnants of her tears, before moving to caress the tangled silk of her long auburn hair. He was not yet ready to acknowledge that he was in love, but his heart knew it had a new keeper even if his mind had yet to accept that fact.
/I could get used to this… waking in her arms. But she is Erestor’s innocent daughter. I doubt he would approve of one so ancient as myself taking an interest in her, much less taking her to his bed. Still.../
Stepping away from the chaise, he turned his head to watch the first light of the new day peek above the top of the valley. Down by the river, he saw the backs of two elves seated close together on a huge boulder. Smiling at the sight, he let his eyes wonder yet again to the sleeping elleth.
/I wonder, old friend, is there hope yet for both of us?/
Seere listened as Elrond slipped back across the balustrade onto his own balcony. Her hand lifted to touch where his fingers had lingered on her cheek. A soft smile played across her lips and she turned to face the rising sun.
*****
The twins stood side by side in front of the window watching the sunrise. Both had risen earlier to dress for the day. Not yet ready to face the ordeal this day was likely to become, they had lingered before the window sharing a cup of tea and savoring the comfort of being together and near their beloved mates who still slept in the nearby chairs.
The bond between the twins had always been strong and deep. It had come as no surprise to either that they felt a profound need to share the joy they each had found in their respective partner. The time to make public their respective bondings would come soon, but for now they were a cherished source of private strength.
Lost in contemplation of the sunrise, strong arms had slipped around Elrohir’s waist before he realized his lover was awake. With a gentle tug, he was pulled back into the warmth of a long, well-muscled body. A gentle, loving, “Quel amrun, melme,” was whispered in his ear. (Good morning, love)
Sighing with pleasure, he leaned back into the comforting circle of arms and body. “I do not know how I could face this day without you, Legolas. You are my strength.”
Neither noticed that Elladan had moved back to the chair where he had spent the long night. A small, warm hand was extended and he gladly took it, returning to the arms of the elleth he loved. “Bless the Valar for the gift of your love, ind nîn.” He felt Azeriel smile against his chest. (my heart)
*****
Elrond opened the door to his study and looked toward the voices of his three oldest surviving friends. Celeborn, Erestor, and Glorfindel were seated at the small round conference table next to a wall of bookcases sharing their morning tea. A delicate china teapot, faint wisps of steam curling from its spout, sat in the middle of the table next to a spare cup and pot of honey, obviously awaiting his arrival.
Erestor looked into the shadowed eyes of his friend. “Quel amrun, Elrond. Did you manage any sleep?”
Unable to meet his gaze, Elrond turned his attention to pouring himself a cup of tea and adding his required dollop of honey. “Some, mellon nin. What of you? Did you find any rest from thoughts of this tragedy?”
“Some,” he replied, his exhaustion evident in the flat tones of his voice.
Waiting until Elrond had taken his seat, Erestor asked the question they had all been dreading. “What are we to do with one who has committed murder… a kinslayer? In all our years in Imladris, we have never had to pass judgment for this crime?”
His voice became rough with unshed tears and barely controlled anger. “That it should be one we raised as a son of this house and who has served our realm as captain of its guard… ” He broke off and looked away as the full horror of their plight stole his voice.
Reaching over, Elrond laid his hand on his friend and advisor’s arm. The four remained silent as each was overtaken with their memories of a bright young elfling now lost to the dark. The same bitter thoughts, “Why? How could this happen?” repeated endlessly in their heads.
*****
A soft knock at the door pulled them away from their painful musings. Looking to see if the others were ready to face an outsider, Elrond saw their nods and called, “Come.”
Lindir quietly entered the room, pulling the door shut behind him; the pain in the eyes of yet another grieving member of his house tore at Elrond’s heart. “I regret needing to interrupt you my lord, but this matter is quite urgent.”
“I realize you are faced with a difficult task in deciding the fate of Ermehtar, but rumors have been running rampart since last night. Our guests are growing quite tense and the atmosphere of distrust in the refugee quarters may soon degenerate beyond our ability to control.” Pausing to give the elf lords a chance to focus their full attention on his report, Lindir reluctantly continued. “It is already common knowledge that something happened in the dungeons last night, but speculation is feeding the panic. The gossip is quite inflammatory.”
He waited to continue as the twins, Legolas, Gimli, Haldir, Seere, and Azeriel entered the study. Turning back to his lord, he asked, “What would you have us do or say to calm their fears before the situation gets further out of hand?”
Until now, Elrond had thought the situation was known to only his extended family and the eleven guards that had witnessed Ermehtar’s actions and subsequent arrest. Elladan had assigned the eleven to guard the dungeons and their former commander until he relieved them this morning. He had also asked for a pledge of silence concerning the events from the badly shaken warriors. The pledges had been willingly given as each understood the danger this betrayal could pose.
Elrond had hoped these actions would be enough to contain the damage, giving them time to learn the full extend of Ermehtar’s treason. In retrospect, his grief had kept him from anticipating the reaction his and Seere’s frantic flight through the sitting room would produce. Too many had seen them and the absence of the ruling family from the evening meal had only acerbated the problem. The unavoidable necessity of doubling the guards had only intensified the seriousness of the situation.
Sighing heavily, he acknowledged to himself that they would be granted no grace period. Events had begun to spiral out of control and the tragedy could no longer be viewed as a family crisis alone. It was now one that threatened to divide Middle-earth and undermine their efforts to unify the free peoples against the threat of the new dark lord. Swift action was needed to regain control of events. This thought galvanized the Lord of Imladris and freed him from his personal pain for a least the time it would take to see to his duties.
*****
With renewed focus, Elrond took charge. “Lindir, is the first breakfast still in the dining hall? Yes? Fine… I will follow you to the dining hall to make an announcement that we are investigating an incident involving an argument between several men that turned violent last evening. Pending the results of my investigation, it appears to be the result of a combination of too much drink and a disagreement over… what would be best? A fight over a female or over some long standing family feud? Maybe a personal issue?”
“A fight over a woman or a family feud would be open to for too much speculation. Better to keep it simple… say no more than an argument between the five appears to be what caused the fight and that we are looking into the facts,” commented Celeborn, millennia of experience in crisis management coming to the fore.
“Good point… I shall announce the fight broke out between several men who had apparently been drinking and I personally will be investigating the matter. If asked, I will admit there we suffered casualties in the incident, one man and two elven guards that were trying to break up the fight. I will also announce we will arrange a meeting with their leaders later today, Erestor, to update them on the matter. Is there anything else you think I should mention?”
“Two elves, Ada?” Elladan asked.
Elrond’s features hardened into a stone mask. “Aye, the captain of our guard died in the attack last night, even though the elf we thought we knew still lives in a cell below.”
“Understood. The truth even if not the literal one,” replied the elder twin. “Will you cite him by name as one of the casualties?”
“Yes. It will also explain why we were absent from dinner last evening, as all know his relationship to our family.” Hardening his heart against his pain, he asked, “Anything else?”
“Ada, I have not had a chance yet to give you a report of the events prior to the attack,” Elrohir inserted. “Three of our five created a scene in the dining hall as it was beginning to clear from the last seating. They were laughing and talking too loudly and appeared quite drunk. One of them even tried to hug and fondle several of the younger females present; he drew the protective ire of several males, mostly likely fathers or brothers of the girls.”
“The guardians with me used this behavior as the excuse to escort these three from the hall.” Elrohir reported. “You might want to allude to that, as it would likely sway those that witnessed the incident and add credibility to your comments by saying the fight involved ones that had caused trouble earlier.”
“Excellent idea, Elrohir. Are there other facts I need to know? … No? Fine. Celeborn, would you mind delivering the same message to our elven guests, perhaps in the second floor sitting room while I see to this?”
Turning to Elladan and Glorfindel, he instructed, “We must make sure the actual events of last night stay close and do not undermine the resolve of our guardians. I would like one of you to meet immediately with the guards present last night and remind them of the gravity of the situation. Explain the need to identify Ermehtar as one of the dead and obtain their oath to keep all matters secret. Let them know we will need their help in watching for other spies in our midst and that I will meet with them later to answer any questions they might have.”
“The other needs to address the rest of the guard and tell them the entire family will join them later as we share their grief over Ermehtar and Roitar’s deaths. Tell them I wish to express my gratitude for their service and I share the pain of their loss. No one that does not already know what happened is to be told without my prior authorization.”
Looking around him he asked, “Are we all clear on that point?”
Receiving nods of acknowledgement from all present, Elrond next turned to Seere. “My Lady, would you please see to the preparation of the lambe en' i'-dhaeraow potion. You will find a recipe for it in the large green bound book on the second shelf of that bookcase,” he said, pointing to indicate the location of the required text. “We will have need of it later this morning, so advise me immediately if you have questions or encounter difficulties.” (tongue of the traitor)
“Haldir, Legolas, Gimli --- may I impose on your friendship and ask you to see to the training schedule for today?” In response to their nods of agreement, he smiled and added, “Diola lle, mellonrim nin. It is vital that we do not let that important task falter. It will also serve to add a small amount of normalcy to the day for our newest recruits and maintain order in the realm even in the midst of tragedy.” (Thank you, my friends)
“We will need to plan a memorial for Roitar. His service to this realm has been long and honored. He was one of my captains when I marched for Eregion and helped found this realm… the Imladrian guard. He was a valued friend and I will mourn his passing.” His face again hardened as he added, “Much as it will grieve us, we will need to do the same for Ermehtar. Please give some thought to an appropriate tribute to support our public position.”
“If you are agreeable, I will ask that breakfast for us all be served in the conference room in half an hour. We will discuss all of these matters and several others that must wait until these first tasks are done.”
Turning to Erestor, he asked, “Would you please accompany Lindir and me to the dining hall, mellon nin? I think it is important that you join us given your relationships with the refugees. Upon our return, we will have much to do this day. I will depend on you as I always have to advise me during this difficult time.” (my friend)
“Take heart, my family… for each of you is that whether blood kin or no. As bad as this day will be, none of us is alone in its pain for we have been blessed by the Valar with each other. As bad as this day will be, it could have been much worse. We must not forget the gift the Valar has given us --- that our dear Elrohir was spared and stands here with us this morning. My gratitude for this gift is without bounds!”
“Better days will come again, my dear ones, if we keep faith with the Valar and Eru Ilevatar. May Elbereth guide us all!”
*****
A/N: Roitar (the guard killed by Ermehtar) means hunter.
MarzBar --- Thanks for reading and reviewing! Hang in there; I can’t promise you’ll have all your questions answered immediately, but they are coming!