Rating: PG
Pairing: Elrond/Gil-galad
Summary: My variation on the theme of Elrond and Gil-galad's relationship. Elrond is introduced to two new women.
Elrond lay flat on his back on the swath where he had been wrestling with his tutor. His breath had slowed, but he still glistened with sweat. "You did well today, Elrond. Your style is becoming more athletic, more relaxed, and you keep your breath longer. Remember to keep your mouth closed, though! You'll get dehydrated faster with it open. You are finally beginning to use what I have taught you about joint-locks. I am well pleased."
Elrond couldn't quit his smile as he felt a glow of pride in his chest. "Then can I began to use a sword soon, herdir?"(1) he asked, half jestingly, half earnestly.
Thelagon smiled, "I am afraid you will have to wait a while longer for that, Elrond. Your hands are still too soft and your strength will not increase for several years, if your past growth is anything to go by."
Elrond already knew the answer, but could not stop his disappointment. After a while he asked, "Why were the grounds so busy this morning?"
"The King is preparing to make war on Morgoth. He has called all who would fight to spend four mornings a week at martial exercises."
" How soon?" Elrond asked, stunned. "I did not hear of such an order."
"You are not of age. Perhaps in ten seasons, though.(2) But ask me no more of this. If the King, your guardian, has not told you yet, then there is good reason, and I am loth to inadvertently do harm by telling too much. Let us go bathe, we are both expected in court this afternoon."
Before court began, the King called his ward to his study to talk privately with him." You called for me, my lord?"
"Yes. Thank you for coming." He studied Elrond for a moment. "I hear that Thelagon has told you of my intentions to march in less than two growths(3) against Morgoth. I am sorry that you could not hear this from my own mouth, but what's done is done. I am sure you have questions."
"Will I go with you?"
"I thought that might be one of your questions. I shall give you the choice. You need not decide right now, but soon: Thelagon and I will have to help you to prepare if you decide to go."
"I wish to go, sir."
"I will not accept you decision for at least three days, Elrond. I want you to think on it. If you still wish to go in three days time, then it shall be so. But it is nearly time for court, and I have something to show you before it begins."
A few minutes later they walked out onto the polished stone floor of the dining hall, finding it crowded with Elves recently come in from the battle fields. They rose as the King entered with long strides, but with shake of his head a motion of his hands he told them to sit and go back to their meal. He turned back to his charge, which had fallen behind and grasped his wrist. "Elrond, do you see that fair lady over there? That is Meriliavas. She shall be your nurse."
"Nurse?" Elrond asked, the pitch of his voice shooting up with his eyebrows, as they neared her table for a better look.
"Come, child. I do not think you would want Thelagon and I to continue to bathe and dress you for the rest of your life?" The King's eyes glinted mischievously.
"A maid, then, but a nurse, sir?" Elrond frowned.
"I have learned from my father's mistake. A maid you would persuade to let you stay up to all hours of the night and smuggle you sweets from the kitchen. Impudent children like you and I--we need nurses."
"You have a nurse, my Lord?" asked Elrond, well aware that the King had not reached his centennial (4) yet.
The king's laughter was musical. "Círdan gave me Meriliavas when I came to stay with him. I have at last outgrown her. She even says so herself. Now I pass her on to you."
"But your stories--she was so strict!" Elrond whined, his eyes wide with fear.
"Precisely, my dear boy. Your childhood has been rough and inconstant so far, but now it is time for that degree of normalcy that only an overbearing female can provide. Stern Practice is the mistress you shall have!"
Elrond was silent in thought for a time. "Isn't Lady Artanis an 'overbearing female'?"
Gil-galad nearly doubled over in laughter. How perceptive for such a young child! "Yes, she is indeed, Elrond."
"Then why can she not come here? And why does she barely come to Balar?"
The young King's eyes widened with fear at the very thought of such an act. "Lady Artanis and I are too much alike; our humours clash. We try stay away from each other to minimise disharmony. I have not outgrown her!"
"Then what if I go there?"
"Lady Artanis is not a nurse, Elrond, nor would she consent to be yours! You need a mistress that rules with meal times and bedtimes, not one who marshals thousands of elves to seek a kingdom of her own or to usurp me. Besides, she might use you against me." Gil-galad answered, ignoring the fact that Elrond was still bound to his side by the two-year punishment he had imposed only two seasons (5) ago.
"Lady Artanis is not like Maitimo."(6)
"You are correct; she most certainly is not."
"But you said that she would usurp you."
"Only in jest, Elrond. 'Tis a game we play." He paused and saw that the child was distressed. He let out a sigh, "I am sorry, Elrond. I should not joke about such things. Lady Artanis understands better than anyone yet hear the error of the House of Feanor, and underneath her mask of wilfulness she is very loyal to me."
Elrond nodded in acceptance as they walked away. Eregrîn, one of Gil-galad's squires, approached them. Gil-galad addressed him, "Eregrîn, I need you to keep Elrond at your side today. He has not been in my court before, and Thelagon will be busy with his own business, so make sure he is aware of propriety." The squire nodded, and Gil-galad continued, addressing Elrond. "Go with Eregrîn, Elrond. You are in good hands with him."
The Court of Gil-galad was a large circle with a polished stone floor. There were grand cushioned high-backed chairs, and these were arranged around the perimeter of the area. But it was the floor that held Elrond's gaze, which was engraved in many detailed pictures of scenes from the webs of both Varda and Vaire.
Eregrîn ushered Elrond to a seat near his tutor. Soon he saw that Elrond was staring wide-eyed at the glowing Lady that was sitting next to Gil-galad in the first ring. "Who is that Lady, Eregrîn? I have not seen her before." he whispered.
"That is Lady Irímë, youngest daughter of Finwë. She has only just returned from a journey in the North." (7) Just then, Elrond saw the radiant Lady's focus directed at him as she whispered into Gil-galad's ear. He replied in like manner and then beckoned Elrond forward. Elrond looked at Eregrîn, unsure. But with a discreet, but none-too-gentle, push, the squire bade him to obey.
"Lady Irímë, may I present Elrond one of the twin sons of Eärendil? Elrond, this is Lady Irímë, daughter of Finwë." Gil-galad smiled his approval as Elrond bowed deeply and greeted her, taking her proffered hand to kiss, in awkward but earnest imitation of other introductions he had seen.
"How dost thou fare, son of Eärendil?"
"I am well, Lady," he breathed.
"Artanaro has told me much about you, and I am very pleased that we are at last met. A light shines in thine eyes that speaks of thy foremother, Melian, and you have the chin and cheeks of my father" she said, touching his cheek. He promptly blushed and she smiled radiantly. I hear you have been much help to King Gil-galad since you came to stay with him, and I am glad of that." She gently probed his mind. "I see in you a greatness, not the resplendent, marshalling greatness of your King, but the gentler greatness of the Wise, of a counsellor, a talented envoy, and a Healer." She paused for a moment to whisper something into Gil-galad's ear. "I am the head of the Halls of Healing here, and I would put you to work in my Halls if you will."
Elrond was astounded. "That would be a great honour, Lady, but I must ask the permission of my guardian."
"You have my permission, Elrond. Truly, I am overcome with joy to learn that you have found one who is akin to you in spirit, or nearly so, and who can teach you according to the gifts that the One has given you. From this day forth you shall spend a little of your time with the healers in the Healing Halls each day, or performing tasks for them elsewhere." He glanced around the room. "Take your seat, Elrond. I must begin Court."
Notes:
[1] Master, male teacher
[2] By season I mean the periods of the Elvish month that lasts for about two months, thus ten seasons would be equivalent to about a year and eight months.
[3] "Growth" is the Elvish rendering for the solar year, since their "year" (yen) is actually 144 solar years.
[4] According to some sources, Elves come of age somewhere in between their 50th and 100th year.
[5] I.e., four months.
[6] Maedhros
[7] There is no evidence that suggests that Lady Irímë was even in Middle Earth at this time. (But then, there also none, to my knowledge, that says she was not.)
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