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Chapter Fourteen: Vinyamar
Eglarest was just on the edge of the horizon as the riders heading for Nevrast crested a hill. Glorfindel looked back a moment as he waited on his steed for the others to pass by him. The Spring Festival had come and gone quickly for him and it was time to return home for the first time in over twenty years. Accompanying him was Idril, daughter of the prince ruling the land they were traveling to, and Elrilya, best friend and foster-sister of the fair-haired princess. A few dozen Sindar elves, also from Nevrast vacationing in Eglarest, joined them on the journey back.
Anar was high overhead and the day was warming up as the noontime pressed into the afternoon. They would continue riding through the night, making as much ground as they could to keep their days of traveling short. It was not safe as it once was to travel between the cities of elves because of the spies and workers of Morgoth traversed the lands, too. It would not be burdensome for the elves horses for they were born from the lineage of steeds from the Undying Lands that had crossed over with the Noldor many years before and could exceed the limits of their cousins of the East.
As the final rider passed him, Glorfindel took one last look to Eglarest and trotted down the crest of the hill. He did not know if he would ever find the chance to see the city again anytime soon, let alone visit with Cirdan once more but hopefully it would not be too long a time.
The land flattened out before them as the group came down the hill. The river Brithon, vast plains and a few forests awaited the rest of their trip north. Little lay between the cities in Beleriand and Nevrast so little distraction would hinder a fast paced return. Further ahead near the middle of the line of riders, Glorfindel could see Idril and Elrilya side by side talking together with a few of the other ellyth. He still thought of them as his young relatives but no more could he see them as just beyond elfling years. Many changes had happened while he was gone and he would have to get used to them.
*
Dusk was settling as the twinkling lights of Vinyamar became visible after they trekked through the mountain passes of the Ered Wethrin. The sea lay beyond, reflecting the glow of the Noldori city. Glorfindel spurred his horse on, the others following in suit as the thrill of nearly being home ran through their souls. Shouts and trumpets could be heard along the walls of Vinyamar as they approached and the gates were opened.
The horses were seen to by the guards and stable hands, leaving the riders to dismount and enter the inner squares of the city. Glorfindel espied Idril and Elrilya quickly hurrying up the steps to the palace, cloaks billowing behind them. He chuckled to himself as he followed them though not nearly as fast. The laughter and voices carrying through the corridors helped him discern where to find his kin.
Entering a room from under the archway, Glorfindel found Aredhel hugging Idril ecstatically as Turgon had Elrilya in a fatherly embrace. He waited for them to pass pleasantries before making his presence known.
"We have missed you two here," Turgon said taking the two ellyths' hands. "It is wonderful to have you back again.
"You will be pleased to see who else has traveled back with us," Idril said as she turned to see Glorfindel at the entrance of the room.
Turgon's eyes twinkled with happiness at seeing his friend again without a shred of doubt showing that he thought Glorfindel would never return. He approached and they clasped hands then patted each other on the back.
"I had not expected you to come with them but it is a great surprise that I welcome," Turgon exclaimed. "Has your thirst for adventure been sated?"
"Yes, it was time for me to come back to stand by your side," Glorfindel said warmly.
"Come, you must tell me of all the places you visited and what you have seen in these eastern lands," Turgon said, leading Glorfindel to a nearby sitting room, Aredhel and the two friends in tow.
*
Glorfindel was amazed by how much had been accomplished during his absence from Vinyamar. Not only was the city growing exponentially, it would soon surpass Eglarest and Brithombar in being the most visited port on the western coast. Turgon had successfully kept his people safe from any incursions the goblins of the north made wandering south at times.
The first few days back in Nevrast for Glorfindel consisted of catching up on decrees and proclamations concerning the lands of King Turgon son of the High King Fingolfin. Turgon had made Glorfindel his most trusted councilors and captains, while also being of kin and a trustworthy and loyal friend. He would be needed much by Turgon to run the great kingdom.
During this time he had kept to the libraries and his new study that Turgon had arranged to be made for Glorfindel. His study afforded a view of most of the city and the great walls rose up around the buildings and homes with the blue sea sparkling just beyond with Mount Taras towering high above into the heavens.
The study itself was grand in nature; reddish-brown hued woodcarvings and furniture decorated the room to match the dark stone colorings that made up the walls, ceiling, and floor of the room. Rugs designed by many Sindar who now resided in Vinyamar decorated the floors in tans and reds with paintings decorating the walls telling the tale of the Awakening and of the journeys the Firstborn had made in the beginning days of their awareness.
Sitting upon the cushions of the ledge of his window and looking out upon his view, Glorfindel noticed Turgon upon the balcony of his own study. The fair-haired elf watched his friend closely, concern marring his usually smooth features. Turgon had never been one to keep much to himself but it appeared to Glorfindel more had changed than he had expected. His ruling friend had become very reserved and oftentimes seemed deep in thought. Glorfindel had found him many times upon the nearby cliffs with a forlorn expression. Though he spoke of being happy in Nevrast, there dwelt something else in his mind that he missed.
Turning back to his work, Glorfindel set to finish his business of scheduling the leave of a enormous host of the people of Nevrast to travel soonest. The meeting and feast Fingolfin had called for was nearly upon them and a great many wanted to attend. Ecthelion was staying behind to tend to the safety of the city and those who remained. Glorfindel was to attend as part of Turgon's kin but also as a representative of his House.
Shaking his head with a short chuckle, Glorfindel wondered to himself about the thought. Though his father remained the head of the House of the Golden Flower in the Blessed Realm, Glorfindel was the first-born of his parents' children and thus led those of his House who had come with the Noldor to the east. To him it was strange to hold much say over his kin and those who sought to join his House but he was regarded with great respect nonetheless. With a contented sigh, Glorfindel went back to his work.
Chapter Fourteen: Vinyamar
Eglarest was just on the edge of the horizon as the riders heading for Nevrast crested a hill. Glorfindel looked back a moment as he waited on his steed for the others to pass by him. The Spring Festival had come and gone quickly for him and it was time to return home for the first time in over twenty years. Accompanying him was Idril, daughter of the prince ruling the land they were traveling to, and Elrilya, best friend and foster-sister of the fair-haired princess. A few dozen Sindar elves, also from Nevrast vacationing in Eglarest, joined them on the journey back.
Anar was high overhead and the day was warming up as the noontime pressed into the afternoon. They would continue riding through the night, making as much ground as they could to keep their days of traveling short. It was not safe as it once was to travel between the cities of elves because of the spies and workers of Morgoth traversed the lands, too. It would not be burdensome for the elves horses for they were born from the lineage of steeds from the Undying Lands that had crossed over with the Noldor many years before and could exceed the limits of their cousins of the East.
As the final rider passed him, Glorfindel took one last look to Eglarest and trotted down the crest of the hill. He did not know if he would ever find the chance to see the city again anytime soon, let alone visit with Cirdan once more but hopefully it would not be too long a time.
The land flattened out before them as the group came down the hill. The river Brithon, vast plains and a few forests awaited the rest of their trip north. Little lay between the cities in Beleriand and Nevrast so little distraction would hinder a fast paced return. Further ahead near the middle of the line of riders, Glorfindel could see Idril and Elrilya side by side talking together with a few of the other ellyth. He still thought of them as his young relatives but no more could he see them as just beyond elfling years. Many changes had happened while he was gone and he would have to get used to them.
*
Dusk was settling as the twinkling lights of Vinyamar became visible after they trekked through the mountain passes of the Ered Wethrin. The sea lay beyond, reflecting the glow of the Noldori city. Glorfindel spurred his horse on, the others following in suit as the thrill of nearly being home ran through their souls. Shouts and trumpets could be heard along the walls of Vinyamar as they approached and the gates were opened.
The horses were seen to by the guards and stable hands, leaving the riders to dismount and enter the inner squares of the city. Glorfindel espied Idril and Elrilya quickly hurrying up the steps to the palace, cloaks billowing behind them. He chuckled to himself as he followed them though not nearly as fast. The laughter and voices carrying through the corridors helped him discern where to find his kin.
Entering a room from under the archway, Glorfindel found Aredhel hugging Idril ecstatically as Turgon had Elrilya in a fatherly embrace. He waited for them to pass pleasantries before making his presence known.
"We have missed you two here," Turgon said taking the two ellyths' hands. "It is wonderful to have you back again.
"You will be pleased to see who else has traveled back with us," Idril said as she turned to see Glorfindel at the entrance of the room.
Turgon's eyes twinkled with happiness at seeing his friend again without a shred of doubt showing that he thought Glorfindel would never return. He approached and they clasped hands then patted each other on the back.
"I had not expected you to come with them but it is a great surprise that I welcome," Turgon exclaimed. "Has your thirst for adventure been sated?"
"Yes, it was time for me to come back to stand by your side," Glorfindel said warmly.
"Come, you must tell me of all the places you visited and what you have seen in these eastern lands," Turgon said, leading Glorfindel to a nearby sitting room, Aredhel and the two friends in tow.
*
Glorfindel was amazed by how much had been accomplished during his absence from Vinyamar. Not only was the city growing exponentially, it would soon surpass Eglarest and Brithombar in being the most visited port on the western coast. Turgon had successfully kept his people safe from any incursions the goblins of the north made wandering south at times.
The first few days back in Nevrast for Glorfindel consisted of catching up on decrees and proclamations concerning the lands of King Turgon son of the High King Fingolfin. Turgon had made Glorfindel his most trusted councilors and captains, while also being of kin and a trustworthy and loyal friend. He would be needed much by Turgon to run the great kingdom.
During this time he had kept to the libraries and his new study that Turgon had arranged to be made for Glorfindel. His study afforded a view of most of the city and the great walls rose up around the buildings and homes with the blue sea sparkling just beyond with Mount Taras towering high above into the heavens.
The study itself was grand in nature; reddish-brown hued woodcarvings and furniture decorated the room to match the dark stone colorings that made up the walls, ceiling, and floor of the room. Rugs designed by many Sindar who now resided in Vinyamar decorated the floors in tans and reds with paintings decorating the walls telling the tale of the Awakening and of the journeys the Firstborn had made in the beginning days of their awareness.
Sitting upon the cushions of the ledge of his window and looking out upon his view, Glorfindel noticed Turgon upon the balcony of his own study. The fair-haired elf watched his friend closely, concern marring his usually smooth features. Turgon had never been one to keep much to himself but it appeared to Glorfindel more had changed than he had expected. His ruling friend had become very reserved and oftentimes seemed deep in thought. Glorfindel had found him many times upon the nearby cliffs with a forlorn expression. Though he spoke of being happy in Nevrast, there dwelt something else in his mind that he missed.
Turning back to his work, Glorfindel set to finish his business of scheduling the leave of a enormous host of the people of Nevrast to travel soonest. The meeting and feast Fingolfin had called for was nearly upon them and a great many wanted to attend. Ecthelion was staying behind to tend to the safety of the city and those who remained. Glorfindel was to attend as part of Turgon's kin but also as a representative of his House.
Shaking his head with a short chuckle, Glorfindel wondered to himself about the thought. Though his father remained the head of the House of the Golden Flower in the Blessed Realm, Glorfindel was the first-born of his parents' children and thus led those of his House who had come with the Noldor to the east. To him it was strange to hold much say over his kin and those who sought to join his House but he was regarded with great respect nonetheless. With a contented sigh, Glorfindel went back to his work.
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