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The Strong Heart
folder
-Multi-Age › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
14
Views:
3,448
Reviews:
1
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
-Multi-Age › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
14
Views:
3,448
Reviews:
1
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 4
Title: The Strong Heart (4/14)
Author: Aglarien
Rating: NC-17
Type: FPS
Pairing: Erestor/Glorfindel; Caladir/Gurvelon
Disclaimer: Alas, not mine. Except for the cats.
Warning: AU. Fluffy in part.
Summary: Erestor and Glorfindel are determined to find out what, or who, is hurting their friend.
Chapter 4
Erestor made his way to his office, where he found Amarion and the house servants waiting for him. All of the thirty or so servants were well known to him, and had worked in the Last Homely House for many centuries. These were elves he trusted implicitly.
Erestor stood in front of his desk. “Thank you all for coming. I hope I have not kept you waiting long.”
“No, my Lord,” said Amarion. We only just arrived.”
“Have you told them anything yet, Amarion?”
“No Lord Erestor. I thought you would want to do that.”
Erestor nodded and looked at the group. From chambermaids to laundresses, from serving elves to those who fixed whatever was needed in the house, all were there.
“Yesterday, a very horrible thing occurred. While Gurvelon was away from his office, someone placed a plate with a pastry on his desk. When he returned to his office, thinking Caladir had left it he ate it. The pastry was poisoned. If it had not been for the quick actions of Lord Elrond and Nestoron, I fear Gurvelon would no longer be with us.”
Murmurs and sharply indrawn breaths were heard.
“None of you are suspected of doing this,” Erestor continued. I trust you all, not only with my life, but Glorfindel’s as well. We ask your help to get to the bottom of this.”
All the elves nodded. “We will do anything we can to help. Tell us what we can do, Lord Erestor.” Amarion spoke for all of them.
“First, think back to yesterday. Who did you see in the house, other than those of us who live here and your fellow servants or kitchen staff?”
The elves thought for a moment, and then began to speak.
“Lord Elrond brought one of the human leaders to his office to speak to him, but that was in the morning, and I saw Lord Elrond escort him out again.”
“Conuion and Lathron were here to lunch with the Lords Elladan and Elrohir, but they are Captains of our Guards, and they all left on their patrol after lunch.”
“One of the weavers came in the afternoon to deliver some goods that had been ordered – Glossion, I think. And the seamstress Linnolwen was here as well.”
“Caevudor and his sons came to deliver vegetables to the kitchens around midday.”
One by one the servants named whom they had seen. No one was unknown. All were trusted, well-known elves, or were escorted by one. No one had seen anything that was out of the ordinary.
“Thank you,” Erestor said. “You have all done well.”
“My Lord Erestor?” A small voice came from the back. “There was one other I just remembered I saw. I passed one of the Galadhrim guards from Lorien in one of the halls in the afternoon. I was seeing to one of the guest rooms, so I thought he was probably there to see his captain in his guest room. I do not know his name, and they look so much alike, to describe one is to describe them all.”
Erestor thanked the little chambermaid, but thought it was strange. Wouldn’t their captain have been out in the training grounds? “Do you remember when in the afternoon it was?”
“It was late afternoon, I think. I am sorry, my Lord, I do not know exactly.”
Erestor nodded. So it could have been after Gurvelon had been poisoned and the guards had been dismissed. Or had they? Glorfindel would know how he could find out. Taking a quill and paper, he made himself a note to find out.
“The second thing I have to ask you to do is to continue to watch – everything. Pay attention to anyone you see, especially if it is someone who is not known to us or not normally here. If you see anyone or anything that is out of place, or if you remember anything more about yesterday, please some to Glorfindel or me. Do not worry about disturbing us; you may come to us any time of the day or night. Understood?”
The elves agreed. Erestor thanked them again and told them they could return to their duties.
Erestor next gathered all the scribes and librarians in his office, and the same process was repeated. The only thing unusual was a Galadhel that had been seen in the afternoon by one of the scribes, and was also seen passing through the library by a librarian.
It was time to go and find Glorfindel and compare notes.
~~~*~~~
Glorfindel had headed out to the training grounds. Suithoron and Lathron had taken over the training for the day. Off to the side, Turidon, finally healed of his wound from the first Orc attack, was sparring with Glaurion. Torladen and Conuion were working with the Lothlorien guards. He called to all of his trusted captains as well as Turidon and Glaurion to join him.
“Glaurion, would you mind taking over the training of the Galadhrim for a while? I need to speak with the others.”
“It would be my honor, my Lord.” Glaurion answered, and bowing, left to do as Glorfindel ordered. Unless they were on patrol or in private, proprieties were always carefully maintained.
“Suithoron, pick one of your men to take over the training, then come join us in my office,” Glorfindel said.
On their way to his office, Glorfindel spotted Saercaeron, the brave little elfling who had killed the Orc attacking his father, Amarion. Saercaeron now held a special place in all of their hearts. Glorfindel and Erestor had even given the elfling his very own pony, Faerlan. He called to Saercaeron to join them.
By the time they reached Glorfindel’s office, Suithoron had caught up with them. Motioning them into his office, Glorfindel closed the door, then made sure the window was closed and latched. Seating himself at his desk, he picked up Saercaeron and placed the elfling on this lap.
“My friends, we will all speak very quietly. I do not want this conversation overheard by anyone.” Glorfindel then told them what had happened to Gurvelon the day before.
“Saercaeron, were you out by the yard yesterday afternoon?”
“Aye, Glorfindel. I was watching Caladir spar with the Lothlorien guards. I like to watch him.”
Smiling, Glorfindel said, “I thought you might have been there. Now, I want you to think really hard.” Saercaeron nodded. “Good, now close your eyes, and think back to yesterday right after Caladir left. What do you see?”
“All of the guards were staring at Caladir when he left. They all looked very surprised – except one. He just watched Caladir leave.”
“What happened then?”
“The captain told them it was getting late, and they may as well stop for the day. They all left toward the barracks.”
“Think real hard, little one. What do you see? How did they look?”
“Like they were still surprised. Except for the one that wasn’t – he smiled.”
“He smiled?” Glorfindel had understood what the elfling was trying to say.
Saercaeron nodded.
“Do you know who that elf is? Did you hear anyone call him by name?”
Saercaeron shook his head.
“Perhaps he was just glad that the training had ended early,” Suithoron said.
“Perhaps,” Glorfindel responded. “Saercaeron, will you do something for me, little one?”
“Of course, Glorfindel!”
“I want you to watch everything. You are small, and whoever the bad elf or person is that hurt Gurvelon will not pay any attention to you. Go everywhere and just watch for me. When Gurvelon goes back to work, I want you to help us watch him and make sure nothing bad happens to him. Can you do that for me?”
“Aye, Glorfindel, I can do that.”
“Good. If you see anything that looks funny to you, I want you to go find your father, Erestor, me, Lord Elrond, or any of these elves with us here. And go find someone right away; do not wait. All right?”
Saercaeron nodded. “I will do that, Glorfindel.”
“Thank you, little one. When we are done here, I want you to go back out with me and show me who the elf is that smiled. Now, the rest of you, what can you tell me?”
None of the other elves could add any information. They had not been out on the training grounds yesterday, and did not see anything or anyone that was out of place.
“Here is what I want you to do,” Glorfindel said, “Suithoron, Conuion, Lathron and Torladen, you four gather groups of our most trusted guards and talk to them privately. Find out if they saw anyone. Tell them not to speak of this to anyone other than Elrond, Erestor, or us. If anyone else asks them why you were talking to them, have them say you were reviewing the new patrol rotation with them. And tell them we want them to keep their eyes open – if someone tried to kill Gurvelon once and failed, we can expect them to try again. Let me know at once if you find out anything.”
“Turidon, you I want stationed somewhere. Only the Valar know what we can expect next. Pick a balcony, or even better, a tree or roof where you see the widest area below, while remaining unseen. If anyone sees you and asks, you are just building up your guarding strength again after being wounded.”
Turidon nodded. “There is that flat part on the stable roof where the tree comes over the roof. Do you know where I mean?”
Glorfindel nodded. “It is a good spot. You can sit or stand on the roof, hidden by the tree, and watch everything but the stables. You would have a clear view of the house and the barracks there. Good.”
The four captains left to start talking with the guards, and Turidon left to gather his bow and arrows, as well as some small throwing knives and take up his position. He decided to take some food and flasks of water with him so he would not have to interrupt his watch, along with a bedroll. No sense coming down at night, either. It would be comfortable up there, and who knew what time of day or night something could happen.
Glorfindel and Saercaeron went to the training grounds. “Now, little one, we are just going to go along here like we are only taking a walk and talking about your pony. Do not stare or point; just tell me where the elf that did not look surprised is.”
Saercaeron smiled at Glorfindel. Raising his voice excitedly, he said, “And then Faerlan jumped really high over the log, and I wasn’t even afraid.” Glorfindel did a good imitation of enjoying Saercaeron’s story, and laughed. Then the elfling turned to Glorfindel and said very quietly, “He is the one in the back – standing by the tree. Do you see?”
“Aye little one, you did well, thank you.” Laughing again, he picked up Saercaeron and said loudly, “Well you had quite a day! Let’s go check on that pony of yours!”
The Galadhel’s name was Thalahir.
Tbc….
Names:
Lathron – Listener
Conuion - Commanding
Suithoron – Like an eagle
Torladen – Wood clearing
Glaurion - Son of the golden light
Thalahir – Steady River
Glossion – Snow white
Linnolwen – Singing maiden
Caevudor – Farmer
Saercaeron – Bitter Sea
Turidon – Umm… Was supposed to be man of victory, or victor, but I screwed up the ending. As this is the old wounded warrior that spotted the Orc from up on the balcony in Enough for Tonight, I wasn’t about to change his name to fix it. But considering the fact that Turidon is the oldest elf in Imladris, and the changes the Noldor made to their language, who’s to say Turidon wasn’t a good name at some point?
Author: Aglarien
Rating: NC-17
Type: FPS
Pairing: Erestor/Glorfindel; Caladir/Gurvelon
Disclaimer: Alas, not mine. Except for the cats.
Warning: AU. Fluffy in part.
Summary: Erestor and Glorfindel are determined to find out what, or who, is hurting their friend.
Chapter 4
Erestor made his way to his office, where he found Amarion and the house servants waiting for him. All of the thirty or so servants were well known to him, and had worked in the Last Homely House for many centuries. These were elves he trusted implicitly.
Erestor stood in front of his desk. “Thank you all for coming. I hope I have not kept you waiting long.”
“No, my Lord,” said Amarion. We only just arrived.”
“Have you told them anything yet, Amarion?”
“No Lord Erestor. I thought you would want to do that.”
Erestor nodded and looked at the group. From chambermaids to laundresses, from serving elves to those who fixed whatever was needed in the house, all were there.
“Yesterday, a very horrible thing occurred. While Gurvelon was away from his office, someone placed a plate with a pastry on his desk. When he returned to his office, thinking Caladir had left it he ate it. The pastry was poisoned. If it had not been for the quick actions of Lord Elrond and Nestoron, I fear Gurvelon would no longer be with us.”
Murmurs and sharply indrawn breaths were heard.
“None of you are suspected of doing this,” Erestor continued. I trust you all, not only with my life, but Glorfindel’s as well. We ask your help to get to the bottom of this.”
All the elves nodded. “We will do anything we can to help. Tell us what we can do, Lord Erestor.” Amarion spoke for all of them.
“First, think back to yesterday. Who did you see in the house, other than those of us who live here and your fellow servants or kitchen staff?”
The elves thought for a moment, and then began to speak.
“Lord Elrond brought one of the human leaders to his office to speak to him, but that was in the morning, and I saw Lord Elrond escort him out again.”
“Conuion and Lathron were here to lunch with the Lords Elladan and Elrohir, but they are Captains of our Guards, and they all left on their patrol after lunch.”
“One of the weavers came in the afternoon to deliver some goods that had been ordered – Glossion, I think. And the seamstress Linnolwen was here as well.”
“Caevudor and his sons came to deliver vegetables to the kitchens around midday.”
One by one the servants named whom they had seen. No one was unknown. All were trusted, well-known elves, or were escorted by one. No one had seen anything that was out of the ordinary.
“Thank you,” Erestor said. “You have all done well.”
“My Lord Erestor?” A small voice came from the back. “There was one other I just remembered I saw. I passed one of the Galadhrim guards from Lorien in one of the halls in the afternoon. I was seeing to one of the guest rooms, so I thought he was probably there to see his captain in his guest room. I do not know his name, and they look so much alike, to describe one is to describe them all.”
Erestor thanked the little chambermaid, but thought it was strange. Wouldn’t their captain have been out in the training grounds? “Do you remember when in the afternoon it was?”
“It was late afternoon, I think. I am sorry, my Lord, I do not know exactly.”
Erestor nodded. So it could have been after Gurvelon had been poisoned and the guards had been dismissed. Or had they? Glorfindel would know how he could find out. Taking a quill and paper, he made himself a note to find out.
“The second thing I have to ask you to do is to continue to watch – everything. Pay attention to anyone you see, especially if it is someone who is not known to us or not normally here. If you see anyone or anything that is out of place, or if you remember anything more about yesterday, please some to Glorfindel or me. Do not worry about disturbing us; you may come to us any time of the day or night. Understood?”
The elves agreed. Erestor thanked them again and told them they could return to their duties.
Erestor next gathered all the scribes and librarians in his office, and the same process was repeated. The only thing unusual was a Galadhel that had been seen in the afternoon by one of the scribes, and was also seen passing through the library by a librarian.
It was time to go and find Glorfindel and compare notes.
~~~*~~~
Glorfindel had headed out to the training grounds. Suithoron and Lathron had taken over the training for the day. Off to the side, Turidon, finally healed of his wound from the first Orc attack, was sparring with Glaurion. Torladen and Conuion were working with the Lothlorien guards. He called to all of his trusted captains as well as Turidon and Glaurion to join him.
“Glaurion, would you mind taking over the training of the Galadhrim for a while? I need to speak with the others.”
“It would be my honor, my Lord.” Glaurion answered, and bowing, left to do as Glorfindel ordered. Unless they were on patrol or in private, proprieties were always carefully maintained.
“Suithoron, pick one of your men to take over the training, then come join us in my office,” Glorfindel said.
On their way to his office, Glorfindel spotted Saercaeron, the brave little elfling who had killed the Orc attacking his father, Amarion. Saercaeron now held a special place in all of their hearts. Glorfindel and Erestor had even given the elfling his very own pony, Faerlan. He called to Saercaeron to join them.
By the time they reached Glorfindel’s office, Suithoron had caught up with them. Motioning them into his office, Glorfindel closed the door, then made sure the window was closed and latched. Seating himself at his desk, he picked up Saercaeron and placed the elfling on this lap.
“My friends, we will all speak very quietly. I do not want this conversation overheard by anyone.” Glorfindel then told them what had happened to Gurvelon the day before.
“Saercaeron, were you out by the yard yesterday afternoon?”
“Aye, Glorfindel. I was watching Caladir spar with the Lothlorien guards. I like to watch him.”
Smiling, Glorfindel said, “I thought you might have been there. Now, I want you to think really hard.” Saercaeron nodded. “Good, now close your eyes, and think back to yesterday right after Caladir left. What do you see?”
“All of the guards were staring at Caladir when he left. They all looked very surprised – except one. He just watched Caladir leave.”
“What happened then?”
“The captain told them it was getting late, and they may as well stop for the day. They all left toward the barracks.”
“Think real hard, little one. What do you see? How did they look?”
“Like they were still surprised. Except for the one that wasn’t – he smiled.”
“He smiled?” Glorfindel had understood what the elfling was trying to say.
Saercaeron nodded.
“Do you know who that elf is? Did you hear anyone call him by name?”
Saercaeron shook his head.
“Perhaps he was just glad that the training had ended early,” Suithoron said.
“Perhaps,” Glorfindel responded. “Saercaeron, will you do something for me, little one?”
“Of course, Glorfindel!”
“I want you to watch everything. You are small, and whoever the bad elf or person is that hurt Gurvelon will not pay any attention to you. Go everywhere and just watch for me. When Gurvelon goes back to work, I want you to help us watch him and make sure nothing bad happens to him. Can you do that for me?”
“Aye, Glorfindel, I can do that.”
“Good. If you see anything that looks funny to you, I want you to go find your father, Erestor, me, Lord Elrond, or any of these elves with us here. And go find someone right away; do not wait. All right?”
Saercaeron nodded. “I will do that, Glorfindel.”
“Thank you, little one. When we are done here, I want you to go back out with me and show me who the elf is that smiled. Now, the rest of you, what can you tell me?”
None of the other elves could add any information. They had not been out on the training grounds yesterday, and did not see anything or anyone that was out of place.
“Here is what I want you to do,” Glorfindel said, “Suithoron, Conuion, Lathron and Torladen, you four gather groups of our most trusted guards and talk to them privately. Find out if they saw anyone. Tell them not to speak of this to anyone other than Elrond, Erestor, or us. If anyone else asks them why you were talking to them, have them say you were reviewing the new patrol rotation with them. And tell them we want them to keep their eyes open – if someone tried to kill Gurvelon once and failed, we can expect them to try again. Let me know at once if you find out anything.”
“Turidon, you I want stationed somewhere. Only the Valar know what we can expect next. Pick a balcony, or even better, a tree or roof where you see the widest area below, while remaining unseen. If anyone sees you and asks, you are just building up your guarding strength again after being wounded.”
Turidon nodded. “There is that flat part on the stable roof where the tree comes over the roof. Do you know where I mean?”
Glorfindel nodded. “It is a good spot. You can sit or stand on the roof, hidden by the tree, and watch everything but the stables. You would have a clear view of the house and the barracks there. Good.”
The four captains left to start talking with the guards, and Turidon left to gather his bow and arrows, as well as some small throwing knives and take up his position. He decided to take some food and flasks of water with him so he would not have to interrupt his watch, along with a bedroll. No sense coming down at night, either. It would be comfortable up there, and who knew what time of day or night something could happen.
Glorfindel and Saercaeron went to the training grounds. “Now, little one, we are just going to go along here like we are only taking a walk and talking about your pony. Do not stare or point; just tell me where the elf that did not look surprised is.”
Saercaeron smiled at Glorfindel. Raising his voice excitedly, he said, “And then Faerlan jumped really high over the log, and I wasn’t even afraid.” Glorfindel did a good imitation of enjoying Saercaeron’s story, and laughed. Then the elfling turned to Glorfindel and said very quietly, “He is the one in the back – standing by the tree. Do you see?”
“Aye little one, you did well, thank you.” Laughing again, he picked up Saercaeron and said loudly, “Well you had quite a day! Let’s go check on that pony of yours!”
The Galadhel’s name was Thalahir.
Tbc….
Names:
Lathron – Listener
Conuion - Commanding
Suithoron – Like an eagle
Torladen – Wood clearing
Glaurion - Son of the golden light
Thalahir – Steady River
Glossion – Snow white
Linnolwen – Singing maiden
Caevudor – Farmer
Saercaeron – Bitter Sea
Turidon – Umm… Was supposed to be man of victory, or victor, but I screwed up the ending. As this is the old wounded warrior that spotted the Orc from up on the balcony in Enough for Tonight, I wasn’t about to change his name to fix it. But considering the fact that Turidon is the oldest elf in Imladris, and the changes the Noldor made to their language, who’s to say Turidon wasn’t a good name at some point?