House of the Golden Flower

I returned several times that week, to see my bidding done, that Maeglin might not go astray from the plans I had described. He never took action, despite his maliciousness and innuendoes, and I was above lowering myself to plead with him, or worse, to attract him purposely. It was all I could stomach to encourage him.

In two weeks, the bought time was up, and I took Idril with me to a second meeting at Rog's house. There it was decided that Ecthelion musturnturn to Turgon his daughter, and I must go back to Turgon and release my own opinion of matters before him, and be welcomed back as an errant lover, to see to Idril's security, as Maeglin's attention had not wavered from her to me, as had been hoped.

The following morning, Maeglin brought the swords, finished and wrapped in soft leather, to my home. I notified Ecthelion that tonight we would return to the palace.

I spent the day at rest in my study, with Idril reading at my knee, her favorite place as of late. I did not wish to admit Turgon that he was right, because in my mind he was very wrong, to place Maeglin in higher esteem than I. But as Galdor had said to me as we left the night before; "Who else can bend their knees if not the King's own?"

At midafternoon Idril and I each went to our rooms, and I bathed and dressed in my finest. The women of my house also dressed in their finest, and took up the banners they had made as gifts to our king, having thoughtfully noted that the ones tied to the tower pinnacles were grown threadbare. The men bore gifts of the cooking by their ladies and lamps to light the way, and when Idril appeared with an entourage of maidens to attend her, we left the house in regal grace for Ecthelion's by twilight.

He came to his door, also dressed finely, and we walked together to the palace at the center of the city.

The People came out to watch, and threw flowers in our path, and sang. Every event was a celebration, they were glad to have another occasion to do as they pleased. Amredeth, my steward, filled me in on the story passing among them, and I laughed to hear such foolishness being spread instead of our true purpose - to deceive the King into our control. They were saying that the King's lover and his daughter had fallen in love, and were cast out in the King's anger, but when his wrath had cooled they were invited to return to his grace, that their love might be sheltered and honored.

By the time we reached the palace, they had heard of it, for news traveled fast in our city, werewere in the gardens, waiting with Turgon at their head, Maeglin at his right hand.

"Turgon, my King." Ecthelion knelt, and Turgon laid a hand on his head. Ecthelion lifted up his face, and Turgon withdrew his hand.

"Why have you come?" He asked.

"I bring you thy daughter, see you that she is well and unharmed."

"I see her." Turgon said, and she stepped forward, hands extended in greeting. He took them, then embraced her.

"See also, your lover returns." Ecthelion said, rising to his feet and removing himself from between Turgon and I.

I did not take one knee before him, but two, and grasped his hand and held it to my face. "My Lord and King." I said, kissing his palm. I noticed Ecthelion was looking away, granting me honor despite my self-debasement. "I have brought you food and drink, that you may welcome your daughter home. I have also tapestries to adorn your house, and a gift to restore me to thy favor."

I gest to to the boy who held the swords, and he brought them to me, and laid them, wrapped, in my hands. I opened the leather, and revealed the shining metal, for once not hating Maeglin's utter existence, if he could create things of such beauty.

"This, my Lord," I said as I drew out his sword from its sheath and laid it in his open hands, "is Glamdring," Ignoring his awe for the present, as he probably itched to test it, he allowed me to tie the sheath to his belt, andandeanded the old sword and sheath to the boy behind me.nd hnd his brother, Orcrist." This one I tied to the belt of Maeglin as he held the second sword he had made. Maeglin smirked down at me kneeling at his feet; I did not look at him.

"And this," I said, presenting the third, hilt-first, to Idril, "is a my gift to your daughter, Hadhafang." She took it with a half-bow to me.

At this point, Turgon took my hands and pulled me up from my knees to my feet, and continued holding them in welcome. "Dine with me." He said, face shining with joy. I nodded to him in acceptance, and the people cheered as we went inside the King's halls.

After the meal, he drew me aside in the hall outside the dining room. "Has your return meant what I think it has?" He asked guardedly.

I bowed my head, not meeting his eyes, lest he see the lie in them. Let him think it shame. "I have spent time with Maeglin during the making of these swords," I touched the hilt of Glamdring, next to his hip. "And I have found that you were right, Turgon."

His hand came to rest against my cheek. "Then have no shame. Our fight is done, fights between us are only to be expected for staying together so long, or so Maeglin says." Whatever tenderness I'd felt building toward renewing our relationship was at this point chilled by that other's name. "Now Glorfindel," Turgon said, and kissed me. "Let us lie togethe we we have in the past, lovers only, with naught but trust between us."

I met his eyes and smiled, responding to his next kiss as he wrapped his arms around me. My heart felt coldened and empty, but I knew it would warm with our bond reaffirmed. "Yes, my love." I said quietly, enfolding him with my arms.

The sword Maeglin had made came between us, and we both pushed it away, him habitually, I fiercely.