Halls of Comfort and Guidance

A Writing blog for Glorfindel, Fingolfin, Rog, and Egalmoth with various creatures at times. Always open to suggestions and ideas. Tiutalë I believe is comfort/consolation in Quenya. Couple notes: I take most asks. See pinned post. I will tag things that are triggering with tw abuse please feel free to let me know if you need another tag. I created this as a place to seek comfort. I have a blog for their animals (and my darling baby balrog) at boundbyeruslight main blog is aronoiiel

[tiutale]

Rog extends his hand into the cool fog swirling off the surface of the river. It curls around his wrist leaving water droplets on his fingertips. "Shadows attract demons. Demons attract chaos." He mutters. Fingers moving apart just slightly so the fog streams move through them like threads. "Something beautiful to one acts as a cover to the evils of the world." His voice is a soft whisper. Breath almost held as he speaks. "Which of these am I, that you come to me so willingly?"

The fog pools at his feet swirling up his torso as the thicker part of its morning trek grows around him.

"Would that you would hide my presence indeffinitely." He folds his legs and sits in the damp air allowing it to engulf the turmoil within him.

[tiutale]

Arwen's dress whispered againat the stone aa she came to stand beside the hero of their childhood tales. Glorfindel was watching the visiting party of dwarves his eyes lost in memories.

She mved to stand beside him leaning lightly against his side seeking comfort and offering support. Spending several minutes in silence she noticed how his eyes strayed often to the Hobbit.

"You know that blade."

Glorfindel gave a sad smile. "Aye. I know it."

"Will you tell him its story?"

Glorfindel's lips pressed into a line as a wave of pain crinkled his eyes. "No. It has a new tale to weave."

Arwen took his hand in hers covering it with her other one. "If you wish to talk of it I will listen."

Bilbo walked off from the dwarves talking animately with Balin. Glorfindel's eyes remained on the small sheathe hiding a piece of his past.

"Let us have tea little star. Perhaps it will coax the story out."

Arwen smiled linking her arm to his as they turned toward a priavte sitting room off the Hall of Fire.

[tiutale]

"Your Field Marshal is in love with a human."

"He is."

Thranduil's face remained impassive. Glorfindel did not bother hiding the challenge in his eyes when he turned to him.

"I imagined only the Peredhil would show such low born taste in companionship. You allow your warriors to much freedom."

Glorfindel looked Thranduil in the eye unsure if this was jest or insult. The King had never disparaged Elrond's line in such a manner. The glint catching the cloud blue eyes was his answer.

Glorfindel's voice held amusement and an undercurrent of warning. "The choice to follow the threads of our world's music is not challenged here. As for my warriors, they have yet to let our people feel the bite of shadow. I do not see it as a failing."

Thranduil let the corners of his mouth turn just a bit upwards. "I feel restless. What say you to a bout or two?"

Glorfindel smiled the look inviting the warmth of the sun to his eyes. "Always."

[tiutale]

Glorfindel looked out from their camp as fhe sun began to rise. Ost in Edhil lay before them. The world itself was quiet. Holding its breath before another age of death and chaos.

Do not let fear take your hearts!

Rog's voice echoed in his memories. Glorfindel closed his eyes a small smile on his lips.

Who now will challenge this force! Come Gondolithrim! Stand! We will run from no evil!

Opening his eyes the returned vanya looked at the sunrise and smiled. "We stand. And defend."

"Glorfindel! Stop trying to outshine Arien and come eat something!"

[aronoiiel]

Nolofinwë released his wriggling elfling as they approached the pond in their gardens. A small stream fed it fresh water trickling down from a wooded slope nearby. Rainbow fish and big eyed frogs called it home. Finno loved seeing the creatures. Sitting down beside his flapping child he smiled pulling out a quill and scroll. He needed to get this letter written.

Finno squealed as his little bare toes touched the cool water's edge. He was still quite small and could not swim. Hands flapping up and down he tried to calm himself with the feel of the water. The animals did not like loud elflings. Running to his ata he cudddled uo to him wanting a hug. Hugs helped.

Nolo looked down as small feet pattered to his side. Ah. A hug. "You may always seek what you meed from me." He murmed offering his elfling a calm but tight embrace. Finno rubbed his face into the scent of his ata. He smelled of home. And ammë.

Clamer now the elfling moved to the ponds edge laying on his tummy he listened to the water. He loved the sound of water. Fish swam lazily under the surface eyeing the elfing watching them. Their rainbow scales reflected colors on anything with a solid surface. It made the water almost glow. Curling his toes Finno waited patiently moving his feet back and forth. Soon enough a fish swam closer mouth opening and closing.

Finno took a big breath and puffed his cheeks. The fish paused. Then blew several bubbles along the shore line coming out in an array of colors. Finno dissolved into a shriek and giggles. The fish swam away pleased to have amused the young one. "Bubb! Ata bubb!"

Nolo smiled looking to his shrieking happy child. "Bubbles! That was kind of your fish friend little one." Turming his gaze down. to his scroll he rsised an eyebrow. A frog had hopped up onto his work its big eyes glaring at him. Grinning he simply placed the scroll aside gently. Nature would win this day. Moving over to his elfling he to laid on his stomach, puffed his cheeks, and enjoyed the happy squeal of his elfling whennthe fish obliged amd blew more bubbles.

[tiutale]

"How did someone like him fall for someone like you? Lindir sniffed, grabbing a fresh quill to begin once again helping the Chief Councilor.

"He has terrible taste clearly." Erestor replied, the corners of his mouth twitching.

Lindir made a sound that was almost a laugh. "I can tell you he does based on his taste in horses."

Erestor let the smile grow to over a hint. "Asfaloth is a stallion, his behavior is no surprise."

"He ATE my Harp!"

Erestor looked at the minstrel. "He is a harsh critic then."

Lindir made a distressed sound scribbling on the scroll. "How that elf adores that horse and chooses you above all to keep his heart is beyond me."

Erestor finally smiled fully his eyes soft with care as he placed the seal on the scroll. "He is not one of much sense. But he is honest."

Lindir turned to Erestor his eyes amused bit his lips down turned in offense. "These are honest complaints Erestor. I would expect you to take them seriously."

Erestor gave a small snort but he smiled non the less. "I shall bring them to Elrond tomorrow then. Perhaps he can reign in his Seneschals cavalier nature."

"And his horse to!"

[tiutale]

Rog watched Maedhros move among the festivities. Sipping iccasionally from his goblet he let his mind wonder.

Glorfindel laughed at something Gildor whispered to him. The two of them were different as any vanya he had observed. Glirfindel shone brighter than even their lady sun. But with a quiet intense powet that dared the Darkness to challenge him.

Gildor was more subtle. As though he learned ro bundle his Light and set it among the shadows id the world stalking the Darkness with a deadly purpose. Both were beautiful and held promise of danger and love.

He looked ro Maedhros and his gaze softened to something akin to deep love. This elf was like no other Noldor. Indeed even unlike any of his family. He held a quiet power. Like an unassuming ember that would flare to a fierce wild fire with the winds of challenge.

But he was tempered with kindess and love and the joys of the world. Rog thought of him as a warm light in a world whose challenges could never dim it completely. He was resilient refusinf to quell to even the most violent waves.

He shifted as desire sparked in his chest.

"Stare any harder and he may just errupt into ash mellon nin."

Rog gave Finrod a roguish grin. "He would errupt into more than ash under my touch."

Finrod laughed shaking his head. "You, my friend, are completely at his mercy. All can see it in your eyes. And your heart."

Rog hummed his eues darkening just a touch. "Tell me how your family fairs."

The festitivies continied with soft songs and more food and drink than any in attendonf could wholey consume.

[tiutale]

Erestor moved aside without pulling his eyes from the scroll as several human children rushed by. He dis not miss their joyful noises as he continued along the path to the Main House. Well. The tents that made up where the Main House may be.

Sighing as he rolled the scroll up he sat on a set of building stones. Smoothed on their edges they formed near perfect blocks. So many had been brought in on the last excursion to meet the supply line. He had much reshuffling to do.

A flash of color drew his eyes to the trading carts across the soon to be court yard. Glorfindel walked beside his seconds in command.

An old elf with scars to show for his time in the First Age of their kin.

Haer had been a captain in the House of the Golden Flower.

The ancient warriors from Gondolin held an air about them of strength and hope as they moved among the growing refugees. A flash of gold drew Erestor's eyes set on the cloak clasp Haer continued to use. The symbol of the House of the Golden Flower. Glorfindel had not been to pleased to see his former House Captain holding onto their fallen house but he never rebuked him for it.

He watched as the two passed an area where many of the children played or sat being watched by some of the older ones. Erestor smiled as Glorfindel did not pause in his steps or his talk with Haer as a baby crawled to him demanding ups. With the fluid grace of their kin he scooped the young one and cuddled them safely to his chest without missing a beat. Glorfindel had always been good with the young.

He smiled in amusement as the little one toyed with the cloal clasp. A simple leaf design nothing remotely showing his station. Glorfindel dis not enjoy flaunting his position. Not pausing in their movement or discussion Glorfindel carfeully despoited the baby into the arms of the parent.

Again Erestor was amused and impressed. Glorfindel made it s point to know whose young belonged to who. Or. In the case of those now alone who was chosen to be the guardian of those alone.

Erestor stood stretching tired muscles and turned his eyes to the sky. As their experts in weather predicted the rain was going to begin. Deciding it best to get his scrolls to a dry place and rewdy to help the cooks pass out the dinner esrly for the night he hirried off to the temperorary library.

[tiutale]

"Are we close?" Erestor asked his entire essence thrumming with restrained energy. 

Thranduil? 

Ah Elrond about time you got close enough to mind speak. 

Do not 'ah Elrond me' you have a very angry Chief Councilor demanding your blood. Where are you?.

Why did you not leave him at home. I am to tired to deal with his tantrum. We are sheltering in  an old dwarf hole. Took some time to get here. Many orc parties are moving about. Be cautious. 

Elrond let the images Thranduil transferred wash over him with a critical eye of a long time warrior. They appear organized.  This is deeply concerning. You have injured? 

Aye they have been growing more organized by the years. Something is afoot my friend. Several injured. Myself and your Captain among them. 

Elrond sighed outwardly, making Erestor look to him in concern. We are at least a week out. We will take shelter in Lothlorien once we retrieve you-

Leave me here. It would be better than listening to that stuffy old fool Celebor- 

Thranduil-this is not up for debate. Closing the connection on a sputtering woodland king he turned to Erestor and relayed the information he had gotten.

[tiutale]

"You do not hide your scars yet you will not talk about them."

Rog grabbed the stained cloth and began to clean the goose grease off his hands. Moving away from the work bench he tossed it to the table and took up the cool glass of water Ecthelion had brought.

"What is in this?" He lightly smacked his lios at the unexpected sweetness.

Ecthelion beamed his chest puffing lightly as he responded. "Glorfindel's gardens have been over productive of late. We decided to help with the probelm and experiment with the additions of fruits to one of our water sources."

Rog took another sip. "It is refreshing."

Ecthelion pulled a chair out flipping it backward and sitting. "I appreciate the praise but you are deflecting."

Rog grinned tossing him a roguish look. "So I am." Setting the glass down he caught Ecthelion's storm grey eyes. "What do you truly ask for."

"I know what those marks on your back mean. They are not simply scars of your past. Forgive the boldness but I want to know. Are you a danger to our people if the enemy attacks."

Rog's hands tightened around the glass. No. The marks on his back were not simple scars of torture and suffering. They were far more insidious. "Truthfully. I do not know. Egalmoth and I have a plan in place if they serve to be a hinderance in anyway to the protection of our city."

Ecthelion's eyes softened. "I do not envy his place then." He knew exactly what that plan would consist of. But he had a responsibility to their people. To his own House. But the answer would suffice. For now. "I consider you a dear friend Rôg. Do not mistake my probing for anything malicious."

Rog grinned finishing the water in one drink. He set the glass gently on the table. "Fear not Thel. I know you speak from a place of concern. When I feel ready I will soeak more on it." He placed a comforting hand on the other Lord's shoulder squeezing lightly. "I know you will do what is necessary to keep our kin safe. For that is what our hearts guide us to. For that I am greatful to have you as a friend."

[tiutale]

"Why do your bandages have-is that a turtle?"

Glorfindel grinned setting the small bowl of stew aside. "The young ones needed distracting. If I am to stare at these wrappings they might as well look appealing."

Erestor smiled setting down on the chair next to the bed. "Do they tell a story?"

Glorfindel gave a small nod so as not to upset his already angry skull. "The turtle is looking for a quiet place to build a nest. The-that-yes the otter is gathering the sea vines to keep the nest warm."

Erestor watched Glorfindel pointed to each little drawing explaining the triala the two sea critters were having. "Quite the tale."

Hissing as he turned to face the Chief Councilor Glorfindel released a small laugh. "They promised to finish the tale tomorrow along my back. I do not know how my ribs will manage that."

Ereator reached forward moving a thick bundle of golden hair behind an ear. "Perhaps they can wait until you sleep. And can relay me the continuation of the tale."

"That sounda appealing." He yawned settling back against rhe pillows as the hot stew did its job in relaxing his injured body.

[tiutale]

"The first time we met you shot me."

Galdor grinned taking another bite of the meal. "It was a warning."

Rog scowled. "A warning is firing an arrow over someone's shoulder. Not aiming for their vital organs."

"You do make a fairly open target Rôg." Duilin laughed.

Ecthelion rolled his eyes. "If you three do not get along tonight-"

Glorfindel plopped down next to Galdor. "Threats already? Little early for that isnt it."

Egalmoth rolled his eyes and debated just leaving now. Grabbing a chair he went against his better judgement and sat beside Rôg. "Why do we not table this debate. I have more information that may interest you about the fortifications of the East Wall."

[tiutale]

"Welcome lads!" Duilin held his arms wide as the smile on his face as the other House Lords entered the establishement. Denizens from all over rhe upper castes of Gondolin sat around the new tavern. Games were being played in the large loynge off the main room. The sounds of loss and wins occassionally being heard over the conversations in the main room.

"Come! The best seat for my friends!" Excitedly his shoeter legs moved at double pace as he led them tothe far side of large hearth in the center of the room. A quaint little corner near the bar. "Sit sit! The best we have will be brought."

Rog grinned as Ecthelion examined the works of the walls. Various arts hand drawn from all walks of trade directly on the walls. Unique pieces that would go with the building should it ever find its demise. A unique thing among elves who treasure their possetions above much else.

Glorfindel sipped his drink when it arrived his naturally relaxed aura spreadinf among the small group. "It is not as loud as I had anticipated."

Galdor nodded. "We spent much time redisgning and trying setups that would allow for noise absorbtion without making the rooms feel uninviting."

Egalmoth watched the servers move flawlessly through the crowds to find the tables they sought. "It is impressively inviting."

Duilin flipped a chair backwards and collpased on it his smile still pastered on his flushed face. "Aye! Tis my hopes it becomes a place of more than drink and eating. I have wanted a place where one could feel welcomed but not pressured to continue reliving their daily troubles."

All of the elves lifted their glasses agreeing to their desire for a place to dump their responsibilites for a time.

[tiutale]

"You are worried."

Thranduil took up the goblet and swirled the liquid within. To the outside observer he was non chalant about the situation.

To Glorfindel he was visibly worried.

"Your ability to state the obvious has not waned." Thranduil said smoothly. He looked over to his old friend and dropped all pretense of his King persona. "I always worry for him."

Glorfindel hummed at the admission.

"I have done all I can to prepare him for our world. As my father tried to do for me."

Glorfindel knew where this was going. "Yet there are things even our experience cannot forsee."

Thranduil finished his drink and threw the goblet across the room. "I will not see the Shadows of HIS make take my child! Nor would I have it corrupt my home. Not again!"

Glorfindel sat back in his chair holding his own cup ans warched as Thranduil stood to pace. "Nor would I prefer to see my nephews fall into the same Darkness I died fighting." He smiled tilting his head as his friend slowed and turned to him a snarky comment just dancing on his lips. "Tis good then that they are binded to each other. With your better judgment and my fighting skills they may survive to see the next age."

Thranduil stood staring at the Vanya as Glorfindel began to laugh. Several moments passed before the dark jovality spread to the King's own voice.

"You, my friend, havw changed little." Thranduil said once their laughter eased. "For that I am greatful."

[tiutale]

"Where did that elf you call Bond Mate put the nursery this week."

Glorfindel's ears heard the words but hia mind would not hold them. Galdoe atood before him child on one hip. His face covered in the muck of battle. His armor splashed with ichor. Bemused smile that his memory blurred and replaced with grim determination.

The human child on his hip changing to a tearful elfling asking for their parent. The smoke of Imladris' hastily made fortress camp replaced by the rancid smells of Gondolin's last moments. Of the final Lords' stand at the Tower of their King. Galdor rushing in with civilians and straggling warriors. An elfling covered in ash in his arms.

Of Egalmoth barreling into their defensive ring commanding those that followed to shore up the sides form ranks and be ready. Two elfings in his arms and one older one clinging to his back.

*Breathe Glorfindel. We are aware and prepared for our enemy. This is not the same.*

Erestor's gentle touch to his mind made him draw a deep breath through his teeth. His memories faded back to the crevices of his mind. He sent back a gentle caress of gratitude to Erestor. *Aye. It is not.*

He forced a smile as Galdor stared at him with concern. "If you were to visit more instead of running around the country side you would know our layout better."

Galdor scowled shifting the child just a little so theu were more comfortable. "I would visit more if your new home were more accesable. That river is down right mean."

Glorfindel laughed mvoing aside with a bow and indicating Galdor to walk before him. "Eleond certainly has a way with the waters here. Come. The nursery is in the same place old one. Your memory needs improving."

Erestor's amusement danced along Glorfindel's mind as the two Gondolin elves teased one another along the journey into the make shift House of Elrond.

[tiutale]

"Being beaten and starved helps."

Silence settled on the small group. Rog took a bite of his stew unbothered by the shock he had created with his statement.

Ecthelion took a drink from his tankyard his ire risen by the blatant stares.

"What-you folk thought the Iron Hell was a walk in the fields?" Galdor said his voice dripping with both sarcasm and accusation.

Egalmoth watched the crowded tavern with calm. "It is different to hear it out loud than to read it in the scrolls. Isnt it."

Glorfindel's eyes stayed on Rog. He knew speaking of his past was becoming easier. He still did not wish it known though.

The one who had made the brash statement prompting Rog's response apologized and went back to her table. The raucous humor dying while conversation slowly began again around the tavern.

[tiutale]

“Your home has an air of discord about it.” Thranduil spoke with a mix of his usual haughty air but with an undercurrent of concern. One would miss it if they did not know him well.

Elrond gave a half hearted nod but his smile was a genuine welcoming sign as he held an arm out to clasp Thranduil’s in a warrior greeting. “It would seem some of my House are-out of sorts of late.”

Thranduil gave him an exasperated look. “They are fighting again?”

Elrond sighed. “Aye they are. Though this one seems to be far more than a mere disagreement.”

Thranduil fell in step beside Elrond as they made their way down the hall. Sunlight danced along their robe’s broken only by the frames that held the storm doors. “That seems evident. Your valley has been speaking of its worries since our arrival.”

Elrond looked out to one of the bubbling streams. “Even the waters seem to be quieter.”

Thranduil shook his head. “Leave it to those two to clash in such a way even the world bends away in discomfort.”

Elrond kept his peace as they continued to the council chamber. He had hoped they would have this sorted by the meetings. He did not wish to intervene if they refused to come to him.

Yet.

Their home was one of healing and peace. Both of which could not be found when even their natural world was in a state of unrest from their problems.