the trouble with love

Chapter thirty three Magic

They were all there: Elrond, Thranduil, Elladan, Elrohir and Galadriel and Celeborn. They had gathered in the parlour after they had received the messages from Thranduil and Elrond that their presence was required. And now they were anxiously waiting, most of them were nervously fidgeting their clothes.

The twins exchanged worried looks; they had no idea what was going on and it was hard on them to console Elvil, who clinging to Elladan and Elrohir in fright. Elrohir had asked Celeborn if he perhaps knew what was g ong on, but Celeborn wasn’t any wiser than they were. “How should I know?” he had said, “I was with you when they fetched us, remember.” He now smiled conspiracially. “It’s a good thing they don’t need Daiz. Now he can take care of things for us.”

The door opened and they saw how Melpomean meekly entered the parlour, where all chairs and tables had been moved to the sides. He shuffled inside, afraid to enter. When he had received Elrond’s request to come here, he had been shocked and feared an official discharge. No one had been able to kill that fear. Not even Elrond, no matter how hard the lord had tried.

At first Elrond had opposed the idea of Melpomean’s presence. The secretary was still too weak and Elrond preferred to tell Melpomean alone, afterwards, when, and if, Thranduil’s plan had worked. But Galadriel had insisted. She saw the opportunity to hit two with one blow. It would be perfect, she claimed, they would be able to heal both Elvil and Melpomean. And so Elrond had send for Melpomean and now the half-elf hurried over to the door. He didn’t like the way Melpomean looked. Too pale, almost haunted. And there was definitely fear in those orbs. Fear, Elrond would wish to fade away. He wrapped his arm around the slender figure and supported him as they slowly made their way to the couch.

Thranduil made sure to lock the door after them. He didn’t want any intruders. And they could do without prying eyes as well.

When Melpomean was rested a figure in the corner, hidden in the shade, slowly rose. Elladan and Melpomean had been unaware of it’s presence and were startled. Elrond immediately soothed his friend. “It’s ok, Melpomean. It’s only Mithrandir. Thranduil asked him to come here and now that you are here as well, we can start. You will understand shortly.”

Before any questions could be asked, the Istar spoke. “Good. We are all here. We should start.” He threw Thranduil a piece of chalk and the Mirkwood king kneeled on the floor and started drawing.

When the drawing was done Mithrandir put everyone in the desired position. “Galadriel and Thranduil, you two stand with me on those leafs and when we hold hands we form the inner circle. Elvil, come, you have to stay on this dot.” He dragged the scared elfling to where he wanted him. The others were instructed to form a circle around Galadriel, Thranduil and Mithrandir. They had to hold hands as well.

Elvil was really afraid and he sank down, clutching onto the only safety he knew: his medallion. He saw Elladan’s leg and with his free had he reached for it and grasped the trousers. He closed his eyes and focussed upon the feeling in his hands.

The Istar spoke again. “Come, we begin. Only the three of us will chant and the energy of us all will strengthen the magic.” And with everybody in their position, creating two circles around Elvil the chanting began. Mathrandir spoke in a language foreign to all. The words Thranduil uttered where similar to the ones he used to speak to the bird, Elladan noticed. But Galadriel spoke in Quenya:

Isty’ ar sairina i-yárao
Tápa sin sangwa tava úvanimapië
Handassë ar limoicëa epéva
Randary’ ar enyalië á attulcäelyë
Me amyálaressen ilqua mára ‘r moica
An úmëa yomissë sí hiruva qualmen

As the chant was repeated over and over, growing harder, the elves in the outer ring could feel how something tried to break their circle, something dark. They felt more than that they knew they could not let that happen and their hold tightened. Soon all eyes were closed in pconcconcentration as the incantation was repeated again and again

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A soft knock told the dozing elf someone wanted to enter his room. With a cracked voice Melpomean called out the words of permission. Sealbeth entered his room, but he seemed strangely shy. He came to a halt in front of the bed. Not really knowing what to say he started fidgeting with his robe. His behaviour was so uncharacteristic that it worried Melpomean. But the secretary did not voice his worry. He hated the other now and so he glared at him instead.

For a minute Sealbeth had to force himself to stay put and not let his legs carry him away in fear and shame. When he could once again master himself he spoke up, saying what he came to say: “I came to apologize. I realise I’ve been a terrible friend and I’ve not visited you once. I wish to make amends, if you would let me. I will be you humble run-boy and when you can go back to work I will teach you all I know about being an advisor, though you might end up teaching me.” He had lowered his eyes.

The admission had shaken Melpomean. He had not expected it. He so wanted to accept it and be friends again but part of him was afraid to get hurt again. “Why?” was the only thing he could voice, using that one word to ask all questions.

The self-loathing was audible in Sealbeth’s answer. “As I said: I’ve been a lousy friend. I did not see your pain. I wish to make amends, though I know that will never be possible.”

“He will take you up on your offer” a voice from the door shocked them both. They had not seen or heard any other enter. Elrond, who had been standing in the doorway long enough to overhear their conversation, had interrupted them and made the decision for them. He now walked closer. “He will need some guidance to become my personal secretary” With his hand he silenced the other two before they could say a single word. “No, Melpomean, you -are- getting this promotion, and no, Sealbeth, not to advisor. Galadriel and I both think this is best for you, Melpomean. And I know it is best for Imladris.”

Melpomean was shaking. He could not believe Elrond was really saying this. Elrond saw this and steered the ersaersation into a different direction. “I came to bring you the apology of my children. They are sorry they cannot sit with you right now, but my eldest is reluctant to leave Elvil alone and Elrohir will need all his time for Elnihir. And he hasn’t woken yet, so there isn’t any news yet, I’m afraid.”

Sealbeth was quickly informed on what had happened earlier in the day. He was astonished to hear about the enchantment and he was worried when he learned Elvil had fallen asleep afterwards, but Elrond assured him Mithrandir had told them it was normal. “And it could be expected, it was draining on us all.”

But now Sealbeth became outraged and turned to Elrond. “How can you? How could you agree to such a thing?” Elrond’s anger rose as well and he glared at the advisor. “Did you not hear? Evil was under some sort of a spell and we needed to” “That’s no reason to subject Melpomean to it.” Sealbeth interrupted. “He’s healing! It was careless of you all.”

But Sealbeth became confused when Elrond started to laugh out loud. He shook his head and telling himself Elrond had just gone nuts he turned his attention to Melpomean. “Do you need anything?”

A nod. “An answer.”

“What’s the question?” Sealbeth asked, already knowing it was going to be personal. He knew this little trick. And it was. “Why are your eyes empty?”

Silence erupted in the room. Sealbeth had not expected this question and he had to force his tears back. His silence was emphasised by Elrond’s who had stopped laughing in shock. In his head the Lord of Imladris was quickly adding things up. He waited patiently for the answer to come. Normally he would have left, but he needed to hear this.

“Val has left.” was all Sealbeth could say before he plumped down to the floor and started crying. Melpomean made to get out of bed, but Elrond forced him to stay put and knelt down beside the crying elf himself. He could hear some swearwords emanating from the bed as he gently forced Sealbeth to stand and walk to the bed.

While he put the advisor in Melpomean’s arms he told him to hold Sealbeth here whilst he would get Thrandiul. The Mirkwood king might know what to do. Valthoman was one of his subjects. If he hadn’t been in such a hurry Elrond would have seen how a single eye followed him longingly, filled with pain.

End chapter 33
TBC

Translation of the chant:

Knowledge and magic of old
Stop this poison it’s ugly hold
Wisdom and kindness of before
His age and past (as in memory) you need restore
We call upon all good and kind
So evil within now death will find
Note to line 2:
In stead of tápa it could also be á tape.
Úvanimapië is a word made of two: úvanima mapië

Note:
Istar is the singular of Istari. And it is Quenya for wizard. It literally means wise one.