Categories > Books > Lord of the Rings > Eternal
Disclaimer: I do not own anything but my own characters, everything belongs to Tolkien the genius.
Chapter Twenty-One: Rúcina
Glorfindel stared up at the stars above him as he tried to rest. The soft breathing of his soldiers was hardly audible over the sounds of the nearby stream just beyond the line of trees at the clearing they were camping in. The need to sleep was not strong within him, yet he needed to rest well between his travels for the patrols. It was not the distraction of thinking that kept him awake this night but his thoughts about wanting to be back home.
Being away from Vinyamar on such long sojourns had changed how Glorfindel sought ways for keeping company. It had been a long time since he had sensed the need to be in the presence of certain friend and it was strange for him to suddenly feel it after being away from Vinyamar. Though, the need to do so had come upon him the last couple months he was on patrol and it had become more difficult as time wore on.
His primary reasons for joining his soldiers out in the wilds for the patrols was because he wanted to be well acquainted with the warriors as comrades and friends, not just a superior that ordered them to their duties. Glorfindel had done so but now it appeared he had neglected his own needs while focusing himself on the protection of his home and being with his forces.
This night's mind wanderings were more potent than any he had during his last patrol. The spring weather had become warmer than usual and the wool clothing they had for the cooler nights at the start of their patrol was hampering them at times and Glorfindel longed for being in his thinner and lighter material clothes. The wool he wore this night was uncomfortable to say the least and did little to help his trying to sleep.
Standing and walking away from the camp, Glorfindel felt his way through the trees to the nearby stream. Their camp was among the low foothills of the Ered Wethrin and several small tributaries flowed through the area leading in various directions and also afforded him some privacy with the forests on the ridges of the mountains. He walked a great distance down the banks as to make sure he was out of hearing range of his soldiers. Modesty was common among the Eldar and he did not wish to disturb them while he bathed himself in the waters.
Glorfindel stripped himself of his clothing and placed them carefully away from the splashing stream but still within reach. He eased himself into the cool water, the calm current washing over his tired and warm body. Glorfindel wadded out a ways to an outcropping of rocks where a small waterfall cascaded. He let the water flow over him, easing away the itchy feeling of the wool and let the refreshing sensation rinse his sweaty and travel-worn body. After a few minutes he sat himself upon a rock near to the falling water, staring up at the sky above him.
The stars twinkled brightly in the darkness and Isil was high above. Glorfindel smiled as a memory pervaded his mind. Elrilya had been so elated and surprised when she first set her eyes on Isil upon his first rising. He remembered how her skin and hair glowed in the silver rays shining upon them both and a strange thought came into his mind, which he had never expected to pass through his thoughts.
Taking his gaze away from the stars he turned to his inner feelings. He could not remember having felt such reactions in his mind when thinking about someone. He had immediately sensed a wanting to be close to Elrilya once more. It was much stronger than the loneliness he had been feeling but yet it was not quite the same as wanting to be with one's family or friends. This was different in some strange way and after a moment, Glorfindel realized he had felt the same on one occasion many years ago in Eglarest when he and Elrilya had danced. Somehow things had changed but he did not know what yet and it confused him greatly.
Slipping back into the watery pools, the golden-warrior wadded back to the banks of the stream where his clothes were still sitting. Pulling his clothing back on without a noise or word he thought to himself, his mind unsettled. Glorfindel slowly walked back toward camp, still contemplating when he finally reached it. Slipping into his bedroll, Glorfindel suddenly found himself chilled to the core but still confused at the reaction his mind had. He knew then he would not be getting any sleep that night but due to another matter.
*
Elrilya looked up from her book from where she was sitting under a tree, her eyes gazing at the nearby training field. Taurnil was in the midst of an archery competition with many of the local youths and was in the midst of concentrating on a difficult shot. She watched as the muscles of his arms twitched slightly as he held his stance, readying himself for letting go of the string.
It had been over three weeks since she had met the Sindar from Doriath and they had spent many days together and had come to know each other much more. It was more than friends between them already and she realized this but she kept finding herself comparing Taurnil to the closest ellon in her life.
He was different from Glorfindel in many ways she realized. Glorfindel's build was stronger and more defined while Taurnil had the usual lithe frame of the tree-climbing elves of the forests. His hair was fairer than Glorfindel's whose tresses gleamed like Anar's golden rays. And their eyes were the most telling difference. Glorfindel's green irises extended a warm comfort but were strong and powerful when his moods changed while Taurnil's remained the sharp, icy blue that either took one's breath away or withered an opponent under his stare when he was angered.
Elrilya tore herself away from her thoughts as she noticed Taurnil approaching the bed, a winning grin spread across his face.
"I did not realize how late the competition has gone but I must be going, Cirdan is expecting me at his noontime meal," he said as sat kneeled next to her. "I do hope to see you again tonight if you permit me."
His hand drifted up to her face, tracing her cheek.
"We shall see," she said, standing up and closing her book. "I may decide to seek out another's favors tonight."
Taurnil narrowed his eyes in mock annoyance at her teasing words before he pounced upon her. Elrilya giggled as he nuzzled his face against her own and wrapped his arms around her.
"For that I will have to stay with you so that I may change your decision to be certain you will spend the evening with me," he drawled before bestowing a short kiss.
"I would not mind that," she said as he led her back inside the walls of the city to be in each other's company while leaving Lord Cirdan with a once warm meal that had become cool upon the waiting of his delayed kinsman.
*
As Taurnil went about his duties and obligations for the day, Elrilya returned to her room. She found it empty as usual but it had a strange air about it this day. To her bathing chamber she went and drew her own bath to cleanse herself for the day to come. Relaxing herself, Elrilya leaned on the edge of the basin as she breathed in the aromas of herbs and oils she had placed in the water.
Her gaze alighted upon her jewelry box next to her mirror. Her silver-chained sapphire pendant was neatly placed upon it. Elrilya sighed to herself thinking how long Glorfindel had been away. The first few times he had been gone she had been a little lonely though this time she was comforted by another source. Despite Taurnil's appearance in her life, she still wondered as to how her good friend fared. It also reminded her she had neglected her studies with Ecthelion during the time she had become involved with the elf of Doriath.
The thought of his proposition to her the night before came back into her mind. Taurnil had asked her to join him upon his return to Eglarest so that they may continue their growing relationship and see where it may take them. Elrilya had told him she would have to think about it as well as seek Turgon's approval since his opinion mattered deeply to her. Even though she was well past her majority, she felt it was her duty to be an honorable daughter since Turgon had taken her as his responsibility. Cirdan would be more than happy to act as a guardian during her stay in Eglarest.
It was an important decision since it would influence how her life would change and how she would spend it with whom. Though, taking the advice of Idril would be the best instead of never seeking out any of the possibilities she was handed. A sheltered and uneventful life was not one she wished to lead but Elrilya also felt a need and obligation to remain in Vinyamar though she assumed it had to be out of habit.
More so, she realized she needed to find herself. Elrilya was unsure of where her life was leading or what she expected of herself. Turgon would be incredibly understanding of her reasons since he had also sought solace for his adventuring and tumultuous heart. If her decision were to end up as a mistake, it would be a lesson she would learn but she had to do it on her own without Turgon, Aredhel, or even Idril watching over her. She told Taurnil she would have an answer for him before the time came for him to depart.
Glossary
Rúcina: confused
Chapter Twenty-One: Rúcina
Glorfindel stared up at the stars above him as he tried to rest. The soft breathing of his soldiers was hardly audible over the sounds of the nearby stream just beyond the line of trees at the clearing they were camping in. The need to sleep was not strong within him, yet he needed to rest well between his travels for the patrols. It was not the distraction of thinking that kept him awake this night but his thoughts about wanting to be back home.
Being away from Vinyamar on such long sojourns had changed how Glorfindel sought ways for keeping company. It had been a long time since he had sensed the need to be in the presence of certain friend and it was strange for him to suddenly feel it after being away from Vinyamar. Though, the need to do so had come upon him the last couple months he was on patrol and it had become more difficult as time wore on.
His primary reasons for joining his soldiers out in the wilds for the patrols was because he wanted to be well acquainted with the warriors as comrades and friends, not just a superior that ordered them to their duties. Glorfindel had done so but now it appeared he had neglected his own needs while focusing himself on the protection of his home and being with his forces.
This night's mind wanderings were more potent than any he had during his last patrol. The spring weather had become warmer than usual and the wool clothing they had for the cooler nights at the start of their patrol was hampering them at times and Glorfindel longed for being in his thinner and lighter material clothes. The wool he wore this night was uncomfortable to say the least and did little to help his trying to sleep.
Standing and walking away from the camp, Glorfindel felt his way through the trees to the nearby stream. Their camp was among the low foothills of the Ered Wethrin and several small tributaries flowed through the area leading in various directions and also afforded him some privacy with the forests on the ridges of the mountains. He walked a great distance down the banks as to make sure he was out of hearing range of his soldiers. Modesty was common among the Eldar and he did not wish to disturb them while he bathed himself in the waters.
Glorfindel stripped himself of his clothing and placed them carefully away from the splashing stream but still within reach. He eased himself into the cool water, the calm current washing over his tired and warm body. Glorfindel wadded out a ways to an outcropping of rocks where a small waterfall cascaded. He let the water flow over him, easing away the itchy feeling of the wool and let the refreshing sensation rinse his sweaty and travel-worn body. After a few minutes he sat himself upon a rock near to the falling water, staring up at the sky above him.
The stars twinkled brightly in the darkness and Isil was high above. Glorfindel smiled as a memory pervaded his mind. Elrilya had been so elated and surprised when she first set her eyes on Isil upon his first rising. He remembered how her skin and hair glowed in the silver rays shining upon them both and a strange thought came into his mind, which he had never expected to pass through his thoughts.
Taking his gaze away from the stars he turned to his inner feelings. He could not remember having felt such reactions in his mind when thinking about someone. He had immediately sensed a wanting to be close to Elrilya once more. It was much stronger than the loneliness he had been feeling but yet it was not quite the same as wanting to be with one's family or friends. This was different in some strange way and after a moment, Glorfindel realized he had felt the same on one occasion many years ago in Eglarest when he and Elrilya had danced. Somehow things had changed but he did not know what yet and it confused him greatly.
Slipping back into the watery pools, the golden-warrior wadded back to the banks of the stream where his clothes were still sitting. Pulling his clothing back on without a noise or word he thought to himself, his mind unsettled. Glorfindel slowly walked back toward camp, still contemplating when he finally reached it. Slipping into his bedroll, Glorfindel suddenly found himself chilled to the core but still confused at the reaction his mind had. He knew then he would not be getting any sleep that night but due to another matter.
*
Elrilya looked up from her book from where she was sitting under a tree, her eyes gazing at the nearby training field. Taurnil was in the midst of an archery competition with many of the local youths and was in the midst of concentrating on a difficult shot. She watched as the muscles of his arms twitched slightly as he held his stance, readying himself for letting go of the string.
It had been over three weeks since she had met the Sindar from Doriath and they had spent many days together and had come to know each other much more. It was more than friends between them already and she realized this but she kept finding herself comparing Taurnil to the closest ellon in her life.
He was different from Glorfindel in many ways she realized. Glorfindel's build was stronger and more defined while Taurnil had the usual lithe frame of the tree-climbing elves of the forests. His hair was fairer than Glorfindel's whose tresses gleamed like Anar's golden rays. And their eyes were the most telling difference. Glorfindel's green irises extended a warm comfort but were strong and powerful when his moods changed while Taurnil's remained the sharp, icy blue that either took one's breath away or withered an opponent under his stare when he was angered.
Elrilya tore herself away from her thoughts as she noticed Taurnil approaching the bed, a winning grin spread across his face.
"I did not realize how late the competition has gone but I must be going, Cirdan is expecting me at his noontime meal," he said as sat kneeled next to her. "I do hope to see you again tonight if you permit me."
His hand drifted up to her face, tracing her cheek.
"We shall see," she said, standing up and closing her book. "I may decide to seek out another's favors tonight."
Taurnil narrowed his eyes in mock annoyance at her teasing words before he pounced upon her. Elrilya giggled as he nuzzled his face against her own and wrapped his arms around her.
"For that I will have to stay with you so that I may change your decision to be certain you will spend the evening with me," he drawled before bestowing a short kiss.
"I would not mind that," she said as he led her back inside the walls of the city to be in each other's company while leaving Lord Cirdan with a once warm meal that had become cool upon the waiting of his delayed kinsman.
*
As Taurnil went about his duties and obligations for the day, Elrilya returned to her room. She found it empty as usual but it had a strange air about it this day. To her bathing chamber she went and drew her own bath to cleanse herself for the day to come. Relaxing herself, Elrilya leaned on the edge of the basin as she breathed in the aromas of herbs and oils she had placed in the water.
Her gaze alighted upon her jewelry box next to her mirror. Her silver-chained sapphire pendant was neatly placed upon it. Elrilya sighed to herself thinking how long Glorfindel had been away. The first few times he had been gone she had been a little lonely though this time she was comforted by another source. Despite Taurnil's appearance in her life, she still wondered as to how her good friend fared. It also reminded her she had neglected her studies with Ecthelion during the time she had become involved with the elf of Doriath.
The thought of his proposition to her the night before came back into her mind. Taurnil had asked her to join him upon his return to Eglarest so that they may continue their growing relationship and see where it may take them. Elrilya had told him she would have to think about it as well as seek Turgon's approval since his opinion mattered deeply to her. Even though she was well past her majority, she felt it was her duty to be an honorable daughter since Turgon had taken her as his responsibility. Cirdan would be more than happy to act as a guardian during her stay in Eglarest.
It was an important decision since it would influence how her life would change and how she would spend it with whom. Though, taking the advice of Idril would be the best instead of never seeking out any of the possibilities she was handed. A sheltered and uneventful life was not one she wished to lead but Elrilya also felt a need and obligation to remain in Vinyamar though she assumed it had to be out of habit.
More so, she realized she needed to find herself. Elrilya was unsure of where her life was leading or what she expected of herself. Turgon would be incredibly understanding of her reasons since he had also sought solace for his adventuring and tumultuous heart. If her decision were to end up as a mistake, it would be a lesson she would learn but she had to do it on her own without Turgon, Aredhel, or even Idril watching over her. She told Taurnil she would have an answer for him before the time came for him to depart.
Glossary
Rúcina: confused
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