House of the Golden Flower

The next morning the camp was up early, well before dawn, making preparations for battle.
We were forbidden to light fires, eat heavily, or drink anything but water, as we had the entire journey, but it was especially important now. Many of us left our bedrolls down for the wounded, to give the healers we had brought with us greater ease in caring for them. The rest were stacked neatly according to camps, that we might reclaim them after, if possible.

Armor was brought out, but not put on yet; it would not be done so until daybreak, lest we be overwhelmed by heat. Last minute repairs and such were made to it, and our swords were tested. Many among us sought solace for prayers.

I knew Turgon would call council of all the Lords, so I made myself rest before then, laying flat on my back with my eyes shut. I would need the strength later, I knew. I found that nothing could quell a man's dread of his first battle in that hour be I e I was summoned, when I purposely lay dormant, my preparations done. As I had only had about an hour or so's worth of sleep all in all, this was wise.

Just before the summons came, I got up, washed my face and hands, and braided my hair, which had grown nearly to my knees again, tying the end tightly with a strip of silk. I tied on my sword, and laid out my armor to be ready for me, it was lovely, the work of Idril and my ladies; the mail cleverly inlaid with gold, and the breastplate other pieces forged steel with gold overlay, as gold alone was not strong enough for battle.

I was tying my sword at my side when the messenger came, and I followed him through the camps to Turgon's tent.

I was ushered in, and took my place in the circle around the bare floor. Turgon sat quietly, unspeaking. I knew he was waiting for others, and a moment later, Duilin appeared. The air was chill, and the first rays of light were breaking through the trees, I saw, as he entered.

"My Lords," Turgon said, and paused. He appeared as nervous as I - forgetting what he had planned to say. "Today we go into the Fifth Battle. Let us pray it be the last, and Angband be conquered this day. Fingon and his armies are already in place, so my scouts report. Meadhros has not yet shown, not for the whole of the night. It is good that we came, and we must be ready to move, as he needs. I have no plans other than to be flexible to the ones Fingon has laid out."

"I knew he was not to be trusted." Ecthelion murmured quietly beside me, his lips barely moving. I put the back of my hand against his thigh. "No one under speaks the King, not even you and I. Show an example, Ecthelion." I rebuked.

He eyed me darkly, but I ignored him. It was a common symptom of pre-battle nerves, to be faithless and moody. I did not blame him for anything he said at this time.

Whatever the rest of Turgon's short speech had been, I had missed it in our exchange. Several of the Lords were rising, Galdor had aly ley left.

When Egalmoth had gone, the last of them, and closed the tent flap behind him, Ecthelion and I were left with Turgon and Maeglin. "What was said between my captains?" Turgon asked mildly.

Seeing that Ecthelion was now being sullen and would not answer, I spoke instead. "Nothing of true consequence, my Lord. A few words between Captains without import behind them. I pray your forgiveneor tor the interruption."

He nodded to me. "You have it, Glorfindel."

Maeglin rolled his eyes behind Turgon, where he couldn't see. I looked away from him.

"Show me your swords." Turgon asked of us, and Ecthelion and I both handed them over, scabbards and all.

I knew my sheath was threadbare, and the handle loose on the blade - it had been Ecthelion's before mine. His was still relatively new, and Turgon seemed pleased with it when he handed it back to its owner. Mine however, he frowned upon. "I fear the handle would come loose from the blade in battle, Glorfindel." He took it and laid it aside, digging out his old one and handing it to me. "Bear this one, instead, it has many good years left in it."

I accepted it gratefully. "Thank you, Turgon."

He smiled at me.

"Now, go, and prepare for battle. As best I know, the challenge is set for dawn."

Ecthelion and I rose and went out. As I left, I heard Maeglin say 'Think you not we are being hasty, rushing into battles we know nothing of, simply because your brother is in them?"

Ecthelion and I were outside the tent by the time Turgon's angered answer c "Y "You know nothing of my purposes. Now get out, and do as I bade you."

Ecthelion and I looked at one another, I saw his jaw clench. Maeglin slunk out of the tent, leered at me, and swept off to his own camp.

I did not look at Ecthelion as I turned away, and went back to my own.