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Chapter Sixteen: Almáre

Elrilya eyed Glorfindel steadily as he advanced at her, sword drawn. She dodged and blocked his blow with her own weapon, yet did not use too much force. She reminded herself that she should not slap away his sword but meet it equally with power and counter it quickly. Too much would give him the chance to use her inertia and knock her sword out of her hand. His gaze did not give away what he had planned or what his next move may be.

Quickly advancing to place a stab at his abdomen she took the opening he had afforded her. Instead of falling back he stepped to the side, catching her off-guard as he went to bring his sword down at her vulnerable and unprotected back. She saw it coming out of the corner of her eye and she moved to avoid it but not the way Glorfindel intended. A retreat from her position would have been expected but she as an alternative she rushed him, grabbing him by the stomach and knocking him off his feet.

To the ground they both fell, Elrilya quickly pressing a knee against the arm that held his sword, pinning it to the ground. Glorfindel found himself on his back and his other hand held down her opposite foot, a sword pointing at him. Elrilya grinned triumphantly down at him. The sound of nearby laughter echoed past them as Glorfindel looked to their companion.

"That was not very graceful, Glorfindel!" Ecthelion cackled on the sidelines of the circle.

"Of course it wasn't," he responded, slightly annoyed. "It is not a proper move."

"I still managed to knock you off your stance," Elrilya pointed out, putting her sword in her sheath.

"If it had been anyone else other than myself or Ecthelion, you would be dead," he explained from below and pushed at her legs to let him up. "We show restraint from making fatal blows as to not hurt you and that is what occurred. Had I been a goblin I would have stabbed you in the side once you rushed me. You left it open for an attack."

Elrilya put her hands on her hips, not yet moving from above him. To prove a point, Glorfindel suddenly shifted out from beneath her, throwing her backwards onto her back with a yelp. He now had her in the same position as she had him before. She sighed resignedly and showed she gave up.

"Glorfindel, it is not appropriate to sit atop a lady laying in the dirt," Turgon said as he approached the training field.

"And, my lord, what lady wears leggings and wields a sword?" Ecthelion asked with a chuckle, holding his stomach to hold off another bout of laughter.

"This one, Ontáro," Elrilya said, referring to the adoring title for Turgon, as she got up and brushed herself off.

"Very few besides you," Turgon said placing a hand on her shoulder and mock glaring at Ecthelion who looked ready to burst into a fit of laughter again. "Excelling at you studies of swordplay and other weaponry are admirable, Lintariel, even if I do wonder to this day why I gave you my agreement to do so."

Elrilya grinned at her surrogate father at the use of her nickname he had bestowed upon her when she began to be quicker on her feet during her training and sparring. It had been thirty years since Glorfindel had returned to Vinyamar and, as promised, he helped continue Elrilya's interest in the arts of arms. Ecthelion also remained a useful teacher but allowed Glorfindel to head up most of the lessons. Though both had their duties they had to attend to daily and depending on their availability was when Elrilya received her instruction from them. The speed at which she received her tutoring may have been slow compared to the ellyn warriors but she did not mind as long as time was afforded to her.

"It is time I left now as it is," Elrilya said as she gathered her equipment. "Aredhel has other plans for this lady this evening."

Ecthelion gathered his own belongings and followed her back to the walls of the city, giving her tips on her form as they went. Glorfindel stayed behind with Turgon, watching the other two go.

"You do realize she only does such things to you because you are her closest friend, do you not?" Turgon snickered at Glorfindel's predicament earlier.

"Yes, I am afraid that it my own fault but she knows when one must be serious when the occasion warrants it," he responded.

"Come, walk with me, Glorfindel," Turgon said, leading him toward the cliffs he frequented. "I have something of importance to discuss with you."

Glorfindel sheathed his sword and gathered his things before following Turgon out to the shoreline. They walked in silence for a time, gathering some distance between them and the grand city. Eventually they came to the place where Turgon spent much of his free time, a small stone bench overlooking the cliffs and the blue sea. They both took a seat upon it as Glorfindel waited what Turgon had to say.

"I am leaving," Turgon said with a long sigh. "Though I promise I will not be gone long but I feel a need I must go and travel just as you did, Glorfindel."

"I understand," Glorfindel said. "I will make preparations for the some of the guard to come with you -"

"I wish to go alone," Turgon said cutting him off suddenly.

"Turgon, are you mad?" Glorfindel asked him, his mouth agape. "It is not safe for one to travel on one's own."

"I know that but I shall not be alone my entire journey," Turgon explained to his anxious friend. "I have corresponded with Finrod and he is to join me for he has had the same yearnings to travel."

"And he has received the same councils as I give to you," Glorfindel said knowingly.

Turgon nodded then spoke, "Glorfindel, there is something I need to find but I do not know what yet. Let me do this one journey and perhaps I can explain more to you in time."

"As you wish," Glorfindel said hesitantly. "When do you plan to leave?"

"In a week," Turgon explained. "It has been settled with Finrod and he will meet me soonest along the journey."

"Have you spoken to Aredhel or Idril about this?" Glorfindel asked.

"Nay, I have not," Turgon confessed. "Though that leads me to another matter and a favor I must ask of you."

"What might that be?" Glorfindel asked, suspicion and curiosity picking at his mind.

"Aredhel has no interests in the matters I handle with as ruler from day to day," he started. "Idril is young but is like Aredhel where she has no concern for the importance of managing this kingdom. You are my closest confidante and councilor whom I can trust."

"If that is what you desire then I will do it," Glorfindel said with a small smile though he was a little nervous about taking on more responsibilities that included that of a ruler.

"Thank you, nilmo," Turgon said with a little satisfaction and relief. "It is best to leave one of kin here in my stead."

"It is wise of you to consider these things before your journey," Glorfindel concluded. "Perhaps it is best we discuss it now with the others."

"Yes, of course," Turgon said as they headed back to Vinyamar.

*

The entire city had come out to see Turgon off on his journey when he set off a week later laden with supplies and other items needed for a trip he did not know the length of. Glorfindel had tried his best to prepare his friend by relating back to his previous travels across the eastern lands. Now, a couple weeks since the King's departure, Glorfindel found his study overflowing with correspondences, paperwork, orders, and proclamations to wade through. It seemed as soon as he would finish a pile, another thick booklet would arrive form the couriers. Glorfindel understood what Turgon went through before his return to Vinyamar for those twenty years. He must have taken quite a load of work off of the King's shoulders.

In the meantime, he was taking a break lounging on the cushions of the window seat behind his desk looking out upon the city. The weather was better than he had seen in a long time and Anar was warming the land with her rays of golden light. Glorfindel wished he could be out and enjoy it by taking a ride on his horse but the little time he could take from work only afforded him this chance to look out the open window. A knock at the door jarred him from his thoughts.

"Tól," he called out to his visitor.

The door opened and Glorfindel saw Elrilya entering his study. He mused inwardly to himself how she seemed so different when in her different elements. When out on the training field in her leggings and shirt she was much more verbal about her opinions and open to express herself. Now, in a light dress appropriate for the weather outside but still fitting of a lady of the court, she was more reserved and proper. Though, that seemed to only be when in public with others then when in private with him and Turgon's family she appeared more relaxed at a central point between her two sides. He had spent little time around her or any of the others as of late, including her usual lessons, due to his amount of work.

"You've locked yourself away much too long, Glorfindel," she said as she joined him at the window. "You need to get out of your study once in a while."

"I'm afraid I cannot," Glorfindel said with a smile. "There is too much to do and for me to finish."

"It may seem a great burden but Turgon always makes sure to take some time from his work," she informed him. "Even before you returned to us when he had more to do he always made time for himself."

"Perhaps I shall but it is already midday," Glorfindel said sadly. "There is not much time after my midday meal to continue working before I must meet with Ecthelion to discuss guard assignments and training preparations."

"Eating while working is not the best thing," Elrilya scolded him then took his hand. "Come with me."

"Elrilya, I cannot leave since I have dallied enough as it is," he said a little exasperated.

"Give me this one time and I will make it up to you," she said, pulling him from his seat toward the door.

Glorfindel gave in and let her lead him out into the corridor and down the halls to the courtyard below. To Glorfindel's surprise, outside waiting for them was Elrilya's brown mare and Glorfindel's gray stallion packed with several items. A stableman stood by with them holding a basket. Elrilya thanked him and took the basket from his hand then turned to Glorfindel.

"What have you devised here, Elrilya?" he said with a laugh.

"I helped with the kitchen staff prepare and pack us food for a picnic," she said, flashing a smile as she strapped the small basket to her other parcels. "Come now, we only have the entire afternoon."

With a shake of his head he helped her mount her horse and then hopped upon his own. Leading them through the city gates, Elrilya took him along the tops of the cliffs that Vinyamar sat upon then followed them to lower ground as they met the level of the shoreline. After riding for another half hour they arrived at the spot she determined was right for their picnic.

Above the gulls cawed and cried as they soared over the blue waters looking for fish. The ocean sparkled like a sapphire and the green hillsides that met the white, sandy beaches with a calm, soft ocean breeze provided a wonderful setting for their meal. Letting the horses munch on the grasses nearby, Elrilya unloaded the items and set them on the ground as Glorfindel joined her. Sandwiches, mead, cheese, bread, and meats that were packed carefully away were brought out by Elrilya for them to eat.

Glorfindel, not realizing how hungry he was, found his mouth watering a little at the scrumptious treats she had laid out. Taking his time though he munched on the given meal gratefully.

"It was very kind of you to plan this for me but why?" Glorfindel asked curiously.

"You've done much for me before and I thought it would be polite to do so for you once," Elrilya explained. "You are my friend, I hate to see you locked in your study with nay a word to anyone unless to order your meals up from the kitchens."

"Have I been that neglectful to notice my own behaviors and how others perceive them?" he said after taking a draught of his mead.

"Not neglectful, perhaps too engrossed in the tasks at hand," she said. "Turgon was like that at first but Idril and I set out to help him manage better."

"I have been too absorbed though to tutor you, however," he said after a moment.

"There is no need to apologize," she said. "I understand your responsibilities and my studies are not a high priority. I have managed to find time with Ecthelion on some occasions as to not let my abilities be forgotten."

"Good," Glorfindel said as he bit into another sandwich. "I knew you would remain diligent in your studies even if your instructors are too busy to notice their lack of attention."

"You should not dwell on the problems," Elrilya said. "Is that not what you have told me before?"

"Yes, then I should heed my own advice as not to embarrass myself?" he questioned jokingly.

"It would be unseemly for a leader not to remain steadfast in what he says and believes," she pointed out.

"I am hardly a leader to these people, simply a steward in place until their King has finished his journeying," he said.

"I do not know whether to think you modest or naïve of the fondness the people of Vinyamar have for you," she mocked him in a light-humored manner.

"Oh? And what do the people think of me? I must say I am the latter for I have heard little about this," he commented.

"You are the right-hand of Turgon and a committed servant to their protection," she said. "When they look to the King, they see those who are around him: his councilors and the close company of kin and friends. They approve of what they find here and thus a great part of the reasons Vinyamar is growing so steadily as of late."

"That is true, I must agree," he stated thinking about her words.

"Though, I do believe therein lies more interest among the people toward you of a different nature," she said slyly. "Particularly the ellyth."

"And how would one such as yourself know these things?" Glorfindel laughed.

"I visit many of the shops and establishments in the city. It is not hard to overhear the opinions of the masses," she said. "Especially the gossip that continues nonstop."

"Mayhap I shall travel the city streets more often if I am liked by as many as you say," he said embellished.

"If you wish to be mobbed in the streets, perhaps," she countered, meeting his level of exaggeration.

"Traveling with an entourage to keep my pathway clear is not my preferred means of visiting the city," he continued.

"Then we must contrive a better approach for you," she said thoughtfully.

"You are too much, Elrilya," he chuckled.

"Though it is better than sitting in your study alone and hungry?" she asked. "It has put you in better spirits."

"Yes," he concluded. "It has."


Glossary
Almáre: good fortune
Lintariel: swift maiden
Nilmo: (male) friend
Ontáro: father (less formal)
Tól: come
Elleth: elf female(s)