Exploring Westernesse [ Lord of the Rings x Silmarillion ]

An Homage

Glorfindel shook his head. "They help him turn."

"Mostly the second; perhaps a bit of the first," said Ilmarë. "I fear I must leave you as well, my friends. King Finarfin is expecting me."

As Ilmarë walked quickly off in the direction of Finarfin's palace, Fingon and Maglor hurried up to them, finally locating the group from where they'd been seated.

"The play was wonderous, no?" Fingon's grin spread all across his face. "The actor who plays my brother, he really captured Turgon's essence. Mighty and proud."

"You might also like his speech?" Maglor smirked with an eye roll. "'A shining light amid shadow and flame' he called you. The playwright outdid himself this time. Though I did miss the helmet kill this time around."

Ecthelion chuckled, and shook his head. He turned to the twins and Míril. "I do not believe we have been introduced. My comrades here were remiss in their duties as usual." He bowed to them. "I am Ecthelion."

They each introduced themselves to him quickly and eagerly.

Elladan hesitated, but eventually ventured a question. "How accurate was the play?"

Glorfindel and Ecthelion exchanged glances. The former shrugged and responded to them. "Accurate enough. You have seen battle. Even here in the Blessed Realm, where much is at our disposal, one cannot replicate the panic and horror of war."

"Yet the actors do an admirable job, and the speeches are well crafted." Ecthelion smirked. "And they know when to leave out the parts not worthy of song."

"Like the fact that Ecthelion killed Gothmog by impaling him with his helmet," Carmegil chipped in helpfully.

Both Glorfindel and Ecthelion stared at him in irritation. They had hoped to avoid calling it exactly as it had been.

"Oh come now, Ecthelion. These young ones deserve to know, do they not?" Carmegil snickered.

Ecthelion rolled his eyes with a laugh. "Careful, Carmegil. You may end up at the Ice Bay if you keep up."

The other saw real fear pass over Carmegil's face for a split second. There was silence before he and Ecthelion both started laughing raucously. Fingon and Maglor shook their heads.

"Fortunately that is not something we need to worry about," Fingon smiled. He turned to the twins and Míril. "Before you ask, the Ice Bay is in the far north, at the edge of the Helcaraxë. Eonwë keeps a guard post up there."

"Eonwë keeps a guard post up there, yes," Glorfindel nodded. "A guard post filled with those who have spoken… let's say… with open disdain for certain things Eonwë holds close."

"Anyone who annoys him, really," Carmegil clarified cheekily.

Míril laughed and turned to the twins. "I bet Aragorn wishes he had somewhere like that to send the unruly soldiers."

"Fëalas and Círeth have their own places to send their rangers," Elladan reminded her. "Círeth particularly enjoys sending those who disrespect her womanhood to the farthest reaches of Gondor."

The whole company laughed at that. Soon enough, Miril and the twins found themselves yawning in exhaustion. Several nights had passed since their last good sleep.

"We will bid you goodnight and goodbye for now," Glorfindel said with a smile. "I trust that Maglor and Fingon can escort you home?"

"We could find our way on our own," Míril protested.

Fingon chuckled. "There is no need. For I believe, if we want to follow… the plan?" He looked over at Maglor in question.

"Indeed." Maglor nodded. "If you don't mind staying up another few hours? There are two who wish to see you back on Tol Eressëa. And as we must return there anyways?"

"Of course," Elrohir instantly nodded to him. "We trust your judgement."

"Speak for yourself, my love," Míril whispered with a smirk.

"I do believe we were just insulted," Fingon muttered, raising an eyebrow. "She just insulted the once High King of the Noldor, and his friend."

Maglor glared at Fingon good-naturedly. "Did you just insult me?"

As they bickered, the twins and Míril bid Glorfindel, Carmegil, and Ecthelion goodnight. The three warriors of Eonwë's Eagle Guard walked into the night, exchanging pleasant conversation.