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Chapter Nineteen: Omentie

By the time Turgon had returned home to Vinyamar, many changes had been made to counter the troops of orcs traveling abroad. High King Fingolfin reacted as expected and sent out half a legion of his forces to sweep the mountainsides with four hundred of Vinyamar's own joining them led by Ecthelion. Any orcs and goblins were either killed on sight or swiftly dwelt with and driven out, back to the north of Angband. Fingolfin set several larger forces on his borders to stop any further similar attacks from happening.

The moves by the High King were well received in both his kingdom and in Vinyamar where the people felt safer to travel once the passages were cleared. Glorfindel set out to create a similar program as Fingolfin had enacted to further provide a sense of comfort and safety in Vinyamar. A regularly rotating patrolling schedule was created for the soldiers and guards on the outskirts of the valley along the foothills. A total of one hundred troops would be out at a time separated into pairs and groupings along the mountain borders.

The time of the shifts was three months out on the borders, back for a month, and then out again in another area of the kingdom for another three months. To accommodate the soldiers on patrol, stations and storehouses for goods were hidden in many different areas for their long tours. There was a break of four months for each group once they had done three patrols. They would then be on city guard on their four-month break. Glorfindel and Ecthelion had planned it out according to the number of soldiers and how no one was left out from patrol duty but also had the chance to remain a soldier to protect the city.

Turgon had been thoroughly surprised upon his return when he came across one of the patrols as he entered his lands. He had heard nothing of the events while he was gone and the soldiers did not give him too many details when they found him. It was not within their duties to apprise him of recent occurrences but was Glorfindel's obligation alone.

The Noldo king was not happy that dangers had encroached upon his realm but was gladdened that Glorfindel had taken the task seriously and implemented it swiftly. He approved the troop reassignments and patrols with a few minor changes but overall in agreement with all that was done. With Turgon back in Vinyamar, Glorfindel found his load of work back to the simpler levels it once was at but it left much more time for him to think to himself.

"Tell me of your thoughts," Elrilya said as she and Glorfindel wandered along the walkways above the outer wall of the city.

Glorfindel smiled to himself, his friend knew him too well when there was much on his mind. Winter was soon upon them and the crisp, cool air of autumn was slowly dissipating as the chillier air of the North already had begun to blow in from the sea. The two Eldar wore light cloaks to give some more warmth even if the temperature was still reasonably comfortable to an elf. Sudden storms and windy gales were not unheard of in their region. After a few moments of quiet, Glorfindel finally told her what he had brought her with him for.

"Now that Turgon has settled into his daily habit again, my priorities and efforts will be changing," he explained. "Turgon wishes me to be his head Captain."

"That is wonderful!" Elrilya responded happily.

"He was impressed with my structuring of our soldiers and thought it best I make a permanent position among them as a leader," he commented. "Much more than just the steward I was."

"Turgon was wise to put you in such a position," she responded. "Vinyamar will be better protected than ever with you leading our warriors."

"There is more, however," he said, his face remaining somewhat stoic and her features became curious at his words. "I will be spending time on the patrols as well. It is best I am oft among them and doing the same duties that they do alongside them."

"You will be gone at the same times as they?" she asked, knowing now that he would be away for months at a time.

"Yes, I will assign myself to one of the patrols while also checking on the others throughout my time away," he said and took her hands. "I enjoy our noonday time together and I wanted to let you know of these changes so you would not feel I am leaving you. We can still meet once I am back in Vinyamar between the patrols."

"Of course," she said with a nod, though he could see in her eyes that she was a little saddened to hear of his departure from their regular routine. "And my training? What will become of that?"

"Turgon has made Ecthelion the commander of the soldiers while they are in the city so he will remain here," Glorfindel responded. "He may teach you while I am away and we will continue your studies when I am here."

"That is a good plan," she said. "I see you have thought this out well."

"Yes, I would rather have this arrangement than one less structured," he said.

"It is the way you do things," she said, a small smile playing on her lips. "You would not have it any other way."

He matched her smile and cupped her face, his thumb slightly caressing her cheek. Elrilya had come to understand him so well over the years but especially during the time Turgon had been absent. Glorfindel wondered if it would have not been this way had things been different but it was of no consequence now.

"Come, we must be returning to the palace," he said leading her along. "It is nearly time for supper."

*
Elrilya stared out the nearby window as she fiddled with her needlework but not quite paying attention to it or putting nearly as much effort into the work as she usually did. Time had seemed to slow down for her when Glorfindel was out on his patrols and their usual meetings stopped. She still enjoyed her time with Idril and other friends but she missed the things she had become used to with the golden-haired Vanyar. He was already out on his second patrol halfway into its third month. His first had been in the midst of winter with thickly packed snow covering the mountains and further inland areas. Spring had begun to come forth earlier than usual and the snows were melting, leaving the land fresh and green.

It was a warm afternoon and Turgon had settled with his family in one of the parlors discussing recent letters from Turgon's father. King Fingolfin had sent word to them of orcs now intruding nearby to the homes of Fëanor's sons by coming out of the north across the plains of Lothlann. Something seemed to be brewing and High King Fingolfin wanted his kin to be aware that the battle they had left for another day may be closer than they thought.

Turgon had planned to tell another story of his travels he had not spoken of yet when one of the palace servants came in.

"Sir, Lord Cirdan's ship from Eglarest is to arrive soon," he informed the King. "It was seen along the coast further south. They should be arriving within the hour."

"I shall meet him at the dock," Turgon informed him as he stood to go welcome the lord.

The messenger had hardly left when Idril turned to her father with an annoyed look.

"Why did you not tell us Lord Cirdan is to visit here?" she asked.

"I must have forgotten," Turgon said with a laugh, not meaning it one bit. "Come, join me in welcoming him."

The three ellyth joined King Turgon down at the pier after they had attired themselves appropriately for meeting the lord and his contingent. Turgon had also adorned formal robes for the occasion and stood in front of them as the ship docked. The vessel was one that Cirdan enjoyed taking when he traveled by sea and one could not deny he was a great shipwright. The gangplank had been lowered and the nimble figure of Lord Cirdan effortlessly descended it with a great smile on his face.

"King Turgon, a pleasure seeing you again," he said as they clasped arms. "Thank you for welcoming us to your city for our visit. It has been some time since we last spoke."

"Yes, it has, it was at the great feast," Turgon reminded. "Hopefully here we shall have more time to converse on many matters."

"Indeed," Cirdan nodded.

Turgon had informed his kin while they had awaited the ship that Cirdan's visit was primarily business but typically the lord made all of his visits into some form of amusement and pleasure. While the two leaders had been speaking, several other elves approached and remained behind Cirdan until the conversation had ended. Most of them appeared to be servants but a couple seemed to be of higher status.

"I've brought some of my councilors and kin with me this time," he informed them. "I believe you know Lord Istadan whom you met at the feast. Here is my sister-son, Taurnil, who is on a visit from Doriath."

The pale-blond lord smiled warmly as he was introduced, also clasping hands with Turgon in friendly welcoming. Cirdan's kinsman stepped forward then and bowed to Turgon before also clasping hands. The young ellon was average height for an elf but seemed taller because of his self-confidant stance. His hair was silver in the bright sunlight and his eyes a brilliant light blue.

"My kin has also accompanied me this afternoon," Turgon said stepping aside to introduce his family. "My sister, Aredhel; my daughter, Idril; and our close friend, Elrilya."

Each of them curtsied as their name was given. Lord Istadan, whom they all had met as well at the feast, bowed politely in their direction. Taurnil smiled charmingly in their direction as he looked at each of them. His gaze, however, settled on Elrilya and he held it quite steadily upon her. She found him watching her and after a few seconds of the gaze making her nervous she turned her eyes to the pleasantries still taking place between Cirdan and Turgon. Even without looking at him, she could sense he still had her trained in his sight but she fought the uneasy urge to look or leave. Turgon eventually motioned for them to follow him back to the city and the awkward place she was in was lessened.

"I had hoped to see Lord Glorfindel while also on my visit," Cirdan was heard saying. "I hope he has not gone on more travels leaving you here."

"Nay," Turgon chuckled. "He has made quite a place for himself here and is currently off on patrol in the foothills. He should be returning in less than a month."

Idril and Elrilya fell back as the main host followed the king. Aredhel remained further ahead speaking light-heartedly with Lord Istadan. Idril pulled her friend close, linking arms so that they could speak quietly without being overheard.

"Is there something you have not told me?" Idril whispered. "Do you know this kinsman of Cirdan's? I do not recall meeting him when we visited."

"I have never met him," Elrilya responded.

"Then why was he staring at you so?" Idril asked.

"I do not know," Elrilya said, unsure at what the Sindar ellon's intentions were.

"I think you have an admirer, Elrilya," she snickered.

"He did not seem the least bit afraid to make his interest so evident," she said.

"You rarely take any suitors seriously, Elrilya," Idril commented. "Perhaps you should see where this one goes for once."

Elrilya remained silent since she had noticed that Taurnil had turned to glance back at them. He eventually turned to look forward again and both the ellyth remained quiet as they went on their way.

Glossary
Omentie: hour of meeting