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Chapter Thirty-Three: Tarsa
"I will be sure to give her the letter," Ecthelion said with a smile. "No eyes shall see it but mine." The glare from Glorfindel showed that the golden lord did not even approve of his joke.
"No harm's done, mellon nin," he said with a chuckle. "She will be the only one to read it, on my word."
"I do not mind so much but Elrilya may think otherwise," he warned Ecthelion. "You know well she would not hold back from you if she discovered such an incursion of her privacy."
"No need to remind me," the dark-haired lord said as he slipped the folded and wax-sealed note into his pack. "It was good having your company here. I hope your lasting time is quick to pass."
"As do I," Glorfindel agreed. "Give the others my best as well, unless Aredhel gets a hold of you first."
The steward was surprised to see his friend turn a slight crimson and smile timidly at Glorfindel's teasing. Never fearful when facing death and danger or also to lash back with a matching, teasing jibe, Ecthelion could take it; however, once it involved him and his secret liaison, Ecthelion turned into a wreck.
"We shall see," was all he managed to muster.
"Journey well," Glorfindel said as they clasped hands.
"Farewell," Ecthelion said as he mounted his steed and made his way toward the waiting large group of Eldar waiting to return to Vinyamar.
Glorfindel watched them ride off through the city gates out toward the valley of Tumladen that would then take them on to the mountain border that protected the hidden city from the outside world. Several others stood nearby waving and seeing off the travelers as they began their way back to Vinyamar but turned back to their homes and business as the riders went further out of sight.
The golden lord, temporarily in charge of the hidden city, sighed and turned back toward the palace where he had been overseeing several of the murals and paintings the artists were working on to adorn the great halls. He bent his head into the slight, crisp breeze blew through the avenues and streets. Winter had finally ended and Spring was beginning, thus the timed departure of Ecthelion's troop so that they would not be trapped in any passes or bad weather on their way back to the city by the sea. Glorfindel liked the clean, fresh scent that came with every new Spring season since it was like a new beginning. It also reminded him he had to pass only one more coming of Spring until he returned to Vinyamar himself at the second coming.
Only the soldiers and warriors were allowed to go back and forth from Gondolin and Vinyamar while the city was still being built while the artists, architects, and healers remained. It was by Turgon's orders that it be that way unless a strange accident or problem should befall anyone. Glorfindel and Ecthelion knew their company of soldiers well and who could be trusted; however, the others creating the city were another issue. It was known and seen that Eldar could be twisted to Morgoth's will and do his bidding so it was in Turgon's best interest to keep those he did not know well close at hand. There had been attempts by a few to see the boundaries of how or when one could be given say to leave but none received that permission. Though, at times Glorfindel did wish he had given a few a forced leave of absence.
Few had attempted to gain his favors but one Noldori elleth in particular was quite forceful in getting what she wanted. Telrúnyë was her name and she was one of the artisans that had been in Gondolin since before Glorfindel had arrived. He had remembered her from Vinyamar but had rarely seen her outside of the galas and festivities often thrown in the city. He knew she had also come with the Noldor on their crossing to the eastern shores but he did not know her in those times nor remembered seeing her. On a few occasions she had tried to gain his notice or steal him away in conversations but Glorfindel's attention had been elsewhere or on someone else for that matter. His long-term relationship with Elrilya had not pleased the other elleth, Glorfindel was certain, since she avoided the both of them whenever Glorfindel had been with his love. As of recently in Gondolin, he had perceived Telrúnyë watching him more often than naught and he hoped she would not attempt to bring any suggestions to him to break his troth of fidelity, in her mind, with Elrilya. Little did she know of the truth.
As Glorfindel entered one of the main halls mostly finished, the warmth of the room greeted him and the glowing torchlights blazed strongly like the summer months under Anur. He smiled as several of his guards nodded with a smile as he came further into the room. Several grand paintings and tapestries were being hung on the white walls to decorate at least one of the grand buildings finished in the city. The designs and colors of the Sindar resonated in the room with a comforting touch of the Noldor influence. Glorfindel hardly noticed the presence behind him while gazing at the masterpieces until a tap on his shoulder turned him away.
"Mae Govannen, Telrúnyë," Glorfindel said with a small smile, trying to stay cordial without being rude.
"What do you think of it, my lord?" she asked with a glint in her eyes.
Glorfindel glanced up at one of the paintings being raised that she appeared to be speaking of to him. A depiction of Valinor's white shores met them with the ancient days of twilight and a heavenly glow of gold and silver drifting from between the slopes of the Pelóri. Atop the green, sweeping hillsides and foothills sat a magnificent city much like the one around them.
"It is a beautiful rendition," he replied. "Very much that of the true Blessed Realm."
"Many thanks for your kind words," she said. "It is the favorite I have of my collection but I do have a few more I would like you to see."
Not too comfortable with being led away from the commotion of the main room but not wanting to be discourteous, Glorfindel followed as Telrúnyë led him around a bend into a corridor. Eventually she turned and stopped him once they were well beyond hearing range of anyone and very much alone. Her proximity to Glorfindel made him even uneasier and the wicked gleam in her eyes betrayed the true intentions of her leading him away.
"I did not want the others to hear since this is a personal matter," she said under her hushed breath. "But it is best we speak without others overhearing us."
Glorfindel did not move nor speak as he carefully watched Telrúnyë before him. His silence showed he was not going to play any games she might be setting and he waited for her to show her cards. Without receiving any acknowledgement from him, Telrúnyë continued.
"I was hoping you would share your presence with me at the evening meal in my home," she said, her voice attempting to reveal her desires of him as her lips drew steadily closer to his lips. "Then, perhaps after we eat, we could relieve each other's loneliness and..."
Telrúnyë was not able to finish her sentence because as she spoke, her hand went to caress Glorfindel's chest but he cut her off in mid-sentence by grabbing her wrist before she had the chance to touch him.
"You dare be so bold to seduce me into breaking my troth with another?" he demanded, he was not angry but his tone was sharp with incredulity.
Her face twisted into annoyance and fury as she pulled her arm from his grasp.
"Is it not your way? Do you believe I would not have done so if you had not broken your pledge to another before?" she yelled at him. "Your word meant little to another then why should it still now?"
Glorfindel felt his throat tighten at the sound of her words. He had not expected her tirade and attack to mention memories of long ago. Glorfindel was going to deny it but already his prolonged silenced proved to Telrúnyë that it had been so. She went to speak but he finally found his voice.
"Hold your tongue, varlet," he said, his voice dry and tight. "Do not speak of what you do not know or understand."
"I am familiar enough of what I speak," she responded. "Valinor certainly had enough of a choice for you to keep your interest in each conquest to a short time."
"We knew each other not in those days," he said, trying to keep his temper. "Speaking falsely of me means little to me or anyone else."
"What of the words of Linwëlin? Did she speak falsely?" said Telrúnyë.
By the astonished look on Glorfindel's face that he was not able to hide quickly enough, Telrúnyë knew she had him. A devilish smile crossed her face as she moved closer to him again.
"What of Linwëlin?" Glorfindel said, trying to play his reaction off. "We were acquaintances, nothing more."
"That is not what she spoke of to me," Telrúnyë said. "Why would my kin not tell the truth to me?"
Glorfindel clenched his jaw as he mulled over what she had said. He had not known much of Linwëlin's extended family and he did not wish to call Telrúnyë's bluff if it were true.
"I would not expect you to understand what troubles she and I may have had," Glorfindel said carefully.
"Of course," she replied tartly as she suddenly pressed herself against him. "Though I could keep what I know to myself if you would indulge me..."
Her hand trailed up his side and his chest again but she found herself shoved aside roughly.
"Be gone, wench," he said with utter disgust as he turned his scorn on her finally. "I would not do such a thing against my beloved be it a beauty or a beast who attempts to seduce me."
Without another word, he turned on his heel and left her in the corridor.
*
Glorfindel lay alone in bed with the sheets pulled up under his arms as he stared at the ceiling. Turning on his side, he ruffled the pillow and nuzzled into its fluffiness that seemed to surround his face, which always seemed to help him fall asleep in difficult times when thoughts kept him from slumber. He shut his eyes tightly before opening them again, causing troubled furrows in his brow and creases across his face, in deep consternation at what racked his mind.
The rest of the day had been troubling him since his run-in with Telrúnyë and her knowledge of his past. He was well aware that over the years Elrilya had sensed his hesitation and that he still held a small shadow of his mind from her knowing bond with him. The block in his thoughts and mind was to keep her from that what was causing him a sleepless night since it could cause her distress of her own. Glorfindel feared that he would tarnish the person Elrilya saw him as and he had hoped to leave some of his early years in the deep recesses of his mind never to resurface again. He hardly thought of the memories as it was almost to the point they would nearly disappear from existence. However, there was always a reminded that came at some point in time to bring it all back to the forefront.
The soft tracing of an almost ghostly presence touched his arm then his face, causing Glorfindel to look up to find Elrilya before him. He realized he must have fallen asleep during his thoughts and, due to their bond, he had connected with Elrilya in her own slumber as they did occasionally when their link was strong. Glorfindel looked with sad eyes upon her feeling as if he already had disappointed her from not telling her everything sooner. A touch of concern passed over her features as she saw that he was troubled but as he pulled her close to his body she seemed to relax in his arms.
"I wish to only hold you tonight, melanin," he whispered into her ear as he felt her soul flow through his. "I shall tell you all you wish to know when I return."
She did not speak a word as she drew away from him and let her fingers drift over his worried face. Her spirit-like lips wafted over his before she settled into his embrace again.
*
The bustle and anxious shouts filled the hallways as Glorfindel rushed toward the halls of healing, following the courier who led him there. He had been told an emergency situation had developed and the head healer requested his presence immediately. As soon as he entered the room, the healer came toward him. Glancing behind her, Glorfindel noticed Telrúnyë on a bed and her skin was visibly blanched as she moved restlessly in a sleep induced by the healer.
"She has accidentally ingested some sort of poisonous berries this past morning in her meal," the healer informed him. "I do not have all that I need to help her. She must be taken back to Vinyamar as soon as possible."
Glorfindel sighed deeply as he realized his predicament but he also knew that Telrúnyë's condition was no accident. She knew he would not condemn someone to death for what all others saw as a misfortune.
"Arrange it then," he said to the healer before turning and heading to his study to quickly pen a letter before the travelers left with Telrúnyë and he only hoped what little he could put in his missive would stave off anything Telrúnyë may say to ruin his reputation.
Glossary
Tarsa: trouble
Varlet: deceitful scoundrel or knave
Chapter Thirty-Three: Tarsa
"I will be sure to give her the letter," Ecthelion said with a smile. "No eyes shall see it but mine." The glare from Glorfindel showed that the golden lord did not even approve of his joke.
"No harm's done, mellon nin," he said with a chuckle. "She will be the only one to read it, on my word."
"I do not mind so much but Elrilya may think otherwise," he warned Ecthelion. "You know well she would not hold back from you if she discovered such an incursion of her privacy."
"No need to remind me," the dark-haired lord said as he slipped the folded and wax-sealed note into his pack. "It was good having your company here. I hope your lasting time is quick to pass."
"As do I," Glorfindel agreed. "Give the others my best as well, unless Aredhel gets a hold of you first."
The steward was surprised to see his friend turn a slight crimson and smile timidly at Glorfindel's teasing. Never fearful when facing death and danger or also to lash back with a matching, teasing jibe, Ecthelion could take it; however, once it involved him and his secret liaison, Ecthelion turned into a wreck.
"We shall see," was all he managed to muster.
"Journey well," Glorfindel said as they clasped hands.
"Farewell," Ecthelion said as he mounted his steed and made his way toward the waiting large group of Eldar waiting to return to Vinyamar.
Glorfindel watched them ride off through the city gates out toward the valley of Tumladen that would then take them on to the mountain border that protected the hidden city from the outside world. Several others stood nearby waving and seeing off the travelers as they began their way back to Vinyamar but turned back to their homes and business as the riders went further out of sight.
The golden lord, temporarily in charge of the hidden city, sighed and turned back toward the palace where he had been overseeing several of the murals and paintings the artists were working on to adorn the great halls. He bent his head into the slight, crisp breeze blew through the avenues and streets. Winter had finally ended and Spring was beginning, thus the timed departure of Ecthelion's troop so that they would not be trapped in any passes or bad weather on their way back to the city by the sea. Glorfindel liked the clean, fresh scent that came with every new Spring season since it was like a new beginning. It also reminded him he had to pass only one more coming of Spring until he returned to Vinyamar himself at the second coming.
Only the soldiers and warriors were allowed to go back and forth from Gondolin and Vinyamar while the city was still being built while the artists, architects, and healers remained. It was by Turgon's orders that it be that way unless a strange accident or problem should befall anyone. Glorfindel and Ecthelion knew their company of soldiers well and who could be trusted; however, the others creating the city were another issue. It was known and seen that Eldar could be twisted to Morgoth's will and do his bidding so it was in Turgon's best interest to keep those he did not know well close at hand. There had been attempts by a few to see the boundaries of how or when one could be given say to leave but none received that permission. Though, at times Glorfindel did wish he had given a few a forced leave of absence.
Few had attempted to gain his favors but one Noldori elleth in particular was quite forceful in getting what she wanted. Telrúnyë was her name and she was one of the artisans that had been in Gondolin since before Glorfindel had arrived. He had remembered her from Vinyamar but had rarely seen her outside of the galas and festivities often thrown in the city. He knew she had also come with the Noldor on their crossing to the eastern shores but he did not know her in those times nor remembered seeing her. On a few occasions she had tried to gain his notice or steal him away in conversations but Glorfindel's attention had been elsewhere or on someone else for that matter. His long-term relationship with Elrilya had not pleased the other elleth, Glorfindel was certain, since she avoided the both of them whenever Glorfindel had been with his love. As of recently in Gondolin, he had perceived Telrúnyë watching him more often than naught and he hoped she would not attempt to bring any suggestions to him to break his troth of fidelity, in her mind, with Elrilya. Little did she know of the truth.
As Glorfindel entered one of the main halls mostly finished, the warmth of the room greeted him and the glowing torchlights blazed strongly like the summer months under Anur. He smiled as several of his guards nodded with a smile as he came further into the room. Several grand paintings and tapestries were being hung on the white walls to decorate at least one of the grand buildings finished in the city. The designs and colors of the Sindar resonated in the room with a comforting touch of the Noldor influence. Glorfindel hardly noticed the presence behind him while gazing at the masterpieces until a tap on his shoulder turned him away.
"Mae Govannen, Telrúnyë," Glorfindel said with a small smile, trying to stay cordial without being rude.
"What do you think of it, my lord?" she asked with a glint in her eyes.
Glorfindel glanced up at one of the paintings being raised that she appeared to be speaking of to him. A depiction of Valinor's white shores met them with the ancient days of twilight and a heavenly glow of gold and silver drifting from between the slopes of the Pelóri. Atop the green, sweeping hillsides and foothills sat a magnificent city much like the one around them.
"It is a beautiful rendition," he replied. "Very much that of the true Blessed Realm."
"Many thanks for your kind words," she said. "It is the favorite I have of my collection but I do have a few more I would like you to see."
Not too comfortable with being led away from the commotion of the main room but not wanting to be discourteous, Glorfindel followed as Telrúnyë led him around a bend into a corridor. Eventually she turned and stopped him once they were well beyond hearing range of anyone and very much alone. Her proximity to Glorfindel made him even uneasier and the wicked gleam in her eyes betrayed the true intentions of her leading him away.
"I did not want the others to hear since this is a personal matter," she said under her hushed breath. "But it is best we speak without others overhearing us."
Glorfindel did not move nor speak as he carefully watched Telrúnyë before him. His silence showed he was not going to play any games she might be setting and he waited for her to show her cards. Without receiving any acknowledgement from him, Telrúnyë continued.
"I was hoping you would share your presence with me at the evening meal in my home," she said, her voice attempting to reveal her desires of him as her lips drew steadily closer to his lips. "Then, perhaps after we eat, we could relieve each other's loneliness and..."
Telrúnyë was not able to finish her sentence because as she spoke, her hand went to caress Glorfindel's chest but he cut her off in mid-sentence by grabbing her wrist before she had the chance to touch him.
"You dare be so bold to seduce me into breaking my troth with another?" he demanded, he was not angry but his tone was sharp with incredulity.
Her face twisted into annoyance and fury as she pulled her arm from his grasp.
"Is it not your way? Do you believe I would not have done so if you had not broken your pledge to another before?" she yelled at him. "Your word meant little to another then why should it still now?"
Glorfindel felt his throat tighten at the sound of her words. He had not expected her tirade and attack to mention memories of long ago. Glorfindel was going to deny it but already his prolonged silenced proved to Telrúnyë that it had been so. She went to speak but he finally found his voice.
"Hold your tongue, varlet," he said, his voice dry and tight. "Do not speak of what you do not know or understand."
"I am familiar enough of what I speak," she responded. "Valinor certainly had enough of a choice for you to keep your interest in each conquest to a short time."
"We knew each other not in those days," he said, trying to keep his temper. "Speaking falsely of me means little to me or anyone else."
"What of the words of Linwëlin? Did she speak falsely?" said Telrúnyë.
By the astonished look on Glorfindel's face that he was not able to hide quickly enough, Telrúnyë knew she had him. A devilish smile crossed her face as she moved closer to him again.
"What of Linwëlin?" Glorfindel said, trying to play his reaction off. "We were acquaintances, nothing more."
"That is not what she spoke of to me," Telrúnyë said. "Why would my kin not tell the truth to me?"
Glorfindel clenched his jaw as he mulled over what she had said. He had not known much of Linwëlin's extended family and he did not wish to call Telrúnyë's bluff if it were true.
"I would not expect you to understand what troubles she and I may have had," Glorfindel said carefully.
"Of course," she replied tartly as she suddenly pressed herself against him. "Though I could keep what I know to myself if you would indulge me..."
Her hand trailed up his side and his chest again but she found herself shoved aside roughly.
"Be gone, wench," he said with utter disgust as he turned his scorn on her finally. "I would not do such a thing against my beloved be it a beauty or a beast who attempts to seduce me."
Without another word, he turned on his heel and left her in the corridor.
*
Glorfindel lay alone in bed with the sheets pulled up under his arms as he stared at the ceiling. Turning on his side, he ruffled the pillow and nuzzled into its fluffiness that seemed to surround his face, which always seemed to help him fall asleep in difficult times when thoughts kept him from slumber. He shut his eyes tightly before opening them again, causing troubled furrows in his brow and creases across his face, in deep consternation at what racked his mind.
The rest of the day had been troubling him since his run-in with Telrúnyë and her knowledge of his past. He was well aware that over the years Elrilya had sensed his hesitation and that he still held a small shadow of his mind from her knowing bond with him. The block in his thoughts and mind was to keep her from that what was causing him a sleepless night since it could cause her distress of her own. Glorfindel feared that he would tarnish the person Elrilya saw him as and he had hoped to leave some of his early years in the deep recesses of his mind never to resurface again. He hardly thought of the memories as it was almost to the point they would nearly disappear from existence. However, there was always a reminded that came at some point in time to bring it all back to the forefront.
The soft tracing of an almost ghostly presence touched his arm then his face, causing Glorfindel to look up to find Elrilya before him. He realized he must have fallen asleep during his thoughts and, due to their bond, he had connected with Elrilya in her own slumber as they did occasionally when their link was strong. Glorfindel looked with sad eyes upon her feeling as if he already had disappointed her from not telling her everything sooner. A touch of concern passed over her features as she saw that he was troubled but as he pulled her close to his body she seemed to relax in his arms.
"I wish to only hold you tonight, melanin," he whispered into her ear as he felt her soul flow through his. "I shall tell you all you wish to know when I return."
She did not speak a word as she drew away from him and let her fingers drift over his worried face. Her spirit-like lips wafted over his before she settled into his embrace again.
*
The bustle and anxious shouts filled the hallways as Glorfindel rushed toward the halls of healing, following the courier who led him there. He had been told an emergency situation had developed and the head healer requested his presence immediately. As soon as he entered the room, the healer came toward him. Glancing behind her, Glorfindel noticed Telrúnyë on a bed and her skin was visibly blanched as she moved restlessly in a sleep induced by the healer.
"She has accidentally ingested some sort of poisonous berries this past morning in her meal," the healer informed him. "I do not have all that I need to help her. She must be taken back to Vinyamar as soon as possible."
Glorfindel sighed deeply as he realized his predicament but he also knew that Telrúnyë's condition was no accident. She knew he would not condemn someone to death for what all others saw as a misfortune.
"Arrange it then," he said to the healer before turning and heading to his study to quickly pen a letter before the travelers left with Telrúnyë and he only hoped what little he could put in his missive would stave off anything Telrúnyë may say to ruin his reputation.
Glossary
Tarsa: trouble
Varlet: deceitful scoundrel or knave
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