The Most Beloved Elf-lords of the Blessed Realm
by Cirdan
It was another beautiful day in the Blessed Realm, and Glorfindel strolled along
slowly to meet with Ecthelion of the Fountain. The blending of the Light of the
Two Trees had already reached its midpoint, and now the golden light was fading,
but Glorfindel was confident that Ecthelion would not mind his tardiness. Why
should he? Neither of them was in a hurry. Thus, it was no surprise that
Glorfindel found Ecthelion playing on his silver flute in the Courtyard of Three
Gems in the gardens of the House of Fingolfin, which were open to all to enjoy.
He was arrayed as he ever was in silver and white and black, and his long silver
hair flowed in the wind and sparkled with diamonds. Glorfindel did not interrupt
the sweet music of the flute. He took a seat by his friend and enjoyed the
fluting and singing of birds that joined the Lord of the Fountains in harmony.
Once he understood the theme of Ecthelion's tune, he settled his golden harp in
his lap and added new wonder and joy to the ever changing music. Harps were not
flutes, and before long, Glorfindel joined his own voice to the air and let it
entwine itself in the music of the flute and the harp. The birds stopped their
singing to listen to the two Elves, for the song they had been creating with
Ecthelion was different from the one that Ecthelion and Glorfindel now created.
My heart, swimming
In the words the wind has borne
A voice, bouncing
On a tomorrow carried by clouds.
Huge wings
Unseen only by eyes
Held by undecorated hearts.
Spread your hands; while singing
Be embraced by eternal time
And connect with life.
The two Elf-lord stopped their song and began to laugh, filling the courtyard
with their merriment. Ecthelion stood and embraced his friend.
"That was most beautiful, Lord Glorfindel," said Ecthelion.
"Nay, the beauty came from you, dear Lord of the Fountains,"
Glorfindel said. "You created the tune; I merely supplied the lyrics."
"Ah, but what beautiful lyrics they are, more impressive than even your
last song, 'Isn't it Wonderful.' What will you call this one, Lord of Golden
Flowers?" asked Ecthelion.
"I am spent," Glorfindel said. "Is it not enough that I put words
to your song? I gift the song to you, friend, and so you must be the one to name
it."
Ecthelion bowed. "I am most honored." Ecthelion looked towards the
north, and his face was bathed in the faint shadows of the silver light with
just a hint of the waning golden light catching in his eyes and the diamonds of
hanging in his silver hair. "Very well, then, Glorfindel. I shall name it
'Pure Heart' and will teach it to my household."
Glorfindel laughed and skillfully ran his fingers over his harp strings in a
faint echo of the song that Ecthelion had created just a moment before.
"Indeed, 'Pure Heart.' If you do not come up with better song titles than
that, you will always be second to Rumil, my friend."
"And how can a mere flutist hope to match the Ainulindale, the Music of the
Ainur, composed by Great Rumil many years ago?" Ecthelion joined in
Glorfindel's laughter. They set out to the stables, for they planned to ride out
of Tirion and enjoy the blossoming cherry trees that were found in great number
just west of Tuna.
"A mere flutist!" Glorfindel tossed back his wealth of golden hair and
this time filled all of the gardens with his laughter. "A mere flutist
indeed!" At the stables, they found Galdor of the Tree and Duilin of the
Swallow. Galdor's hair was braided with gold and emeralds and was arrayed in
green. Duilin was arrayed in white, dark blue, purple, and black, as he ever
was. "Ho there, friends," Glorfindel called out.
"Glorfindel, Ecthelion," greeted Galdor and Duilin.
"Are you going abroad? For Glorfindel and I were also leaving Tuna in order
to view the cherry blossoms and would welcome your company," said
Ecthelion.
"The Cherry Blossom Festival is in two weeks, is it not? Why not wait until
then?" Duilin said.
"Nay, we cannot wait," said Glorfindel. "The pink petals are too
pretty to wait two weeks."
Galdor smiled. "Ah, the blossoms of trees. But we are going to see the
flowers north of that area. Duilin tells me that the rose bushes are in full
bloom, earlier than usual, and I do not wish to miss them, even for the pink
cherry blossoms."
"But my dear Lord of the Tree, why not see both?" said Ecthelion.
"Come with us to the groove of cherry trees and we will join you to view
the roses. What better treat can there be?"
"And if you see only the roses and not the cherry trees, we will have to
rename you as Lord of the Roses!" said Glorfindel. The four laughed, and
Galdor shook his head.
"You are hardly one to talk, Lord of the Golden Flower. But come if you
will to see the roses, and then we shall see if they are lovelier than the
elanors," said Galdor.
The four set off atop their horses and rode to view the loveliness of the
Blessed Realms. Even before the arrived at the groove of cherry trees, there was
much to see and enjoy. The streams were clear and beautiful, and even the stones
at the bottom of the streams were marvelous to behold. Besides the rose bushes,
many other flowers were in bloom, setting the land in their brilliant reds and
yellows and blues and purples. Duilin pointed out a ruby-throated hummingbird,
and they watched in delight as the quick, iridescent bird hovered from flower to
flower in its search for nectar. At the cherry trees, they found Penlod of the
Pillar and Legolas of the Tree.
"Greetings friends," said Ecthelion. "We seem to be having great
fortune today. Already our numbers have doubled, and here now are two more that
can join us in our hedonism."
Penlod looked at Ecthelion gravely. "Has the Lord of the Fountains been
drinking wine instead of water?"
"Why say you that? Is our merriment somehow not to your liking?" asked
Galdor.
"Indeed it is, my Lord of the Tree," said Legolas, who bowed to
Galdor. "The Lord of the Pillar and I were on a tryst, and we did not wish
to be interrupted." The others oo-ed.
Penlod's face softened at the teasing. He smiled and laughed lightly. "Nay,
great Elf-lords, do not believe the fantasies of this child. I do not doubt that
he'd wish a tryst under a roof of pink petals, but that is not the case. Young
Legolas and I were following the antics of a chipmunk and his lady friend when
we came to this groove. I began to reminisce about the cherry trees that had
grown to the south of the Sea of Rhun, where we stopped only briefly before
continuing on our Journey to the West."
"Aye, I understand you," said Glorfindel. "The Light of Aman is
beautiful, but so was the land of our birth under the clear starlit skies. It is
for this very reason that Ecthelion and I have come to see the cherry trees in
blossom."
"That's enough from both of you," said Duilin. "Among each other,
we may speak thus, but if others hear us, they may misunderstand and think that
we support the dreams of the Outer Lands."
"Yes, indeed, and Legolas is still young," said Galdor. "Let us
not confuse him with talk of beauty beyond the Blessed Realm."
"I am not so young that I would be so foolish!" Legolas said
indignantly.
"Indeed, but even those who are older are becoming addled by rumors,"
said Ecthelion. "Come. We came hither to see the cherry trees, not to
discuss politics."
"Look there," said Legolas. His sharp eyes had caught movement in the
trees. He sprang lightly onto a rock to his right and pointed. "That is the
little chipmunk that we had been watching."
"It seems the chase is not yet over," said Duilin.
The chipmunk continued to court his lady friend, oblivious to the Elves. All
around them, the groove was bathed in soft, pastel pink cherry blossom petals,
and the silver light of Telperion cast a soft glow around the trees. The Elves
took their time strolling through the groove of cherry trees before leaving for
the rose bushes in the north. There were many other plants in bloom to see along
their route, snapdragons and lilies and wisteria. But the rose bushes were truly
impressive, for there were all kinds and all different colors. Ecthelion picked
a bright red rose, still not fully opened, carefully removed the thorns, and
placed the rose in Glorfindel's golden hair. Glorfindel laughed and played
several strings of 'Pure Heart' on his harp in answer. He chose a large yellow
rose and braided its petals into Ecthelion's hair. The others laughed, and
Penlod undid Glorfindel's work, claiming it in bad taste, a clash with the
diamonds in Ecthelion's hair. Penlod wove a wreath of blue and white roses and
placed that atop Ecthelion's head.
"Yes, that is much better," Duilin said. "Lord Glorfindel, you
must realize that yellow is not everyone's color, only yours." They laughed
and teased Glorfindel even as Ecthelion played on his flute. The sweet music
attracted the attention of yet another. Eglamoth joined them.
"Dear Lord of the Heavenly Arch!" cried Legolas. He ran and hugged
Eglamoth. "From whence did you come?"
"Tirion, of course," said Eglamoth. He looked critically at Ecthelion
and nodded in approval at the wreath of blue and white. "I intended to ask
you to join me, Lord of the Fountains, but you were nowhere to be seen."
"I had already stolen him," laughed Glorfindel. "He is the most
beloved of the Elf-lords. I knew I had to act quickly. Are you going to a
festival, Lord of the Heavenly Arch?" For Eglamoth was not dressed in
casual raiment but in the blues of the sky with crystals of all colors- rubies,
amber, topaz, chrysopraseand, emeralds, sapphires, and amethysts- embroidered in
the fine weave, and feathers of iridescent reds and blues decorated his hair. A
metal emblem with the device of Fingolfin was strapped to his left arm.
"Nay, Lord of Golden Flower. I am merely celebrating the colors of the
roses which I wished to visit." Eglamoth looked to Ecthelion. "Lord of
the Fountain, what is this device that you wear on your shoulder?"
"It is the symbol devised for the House of Finarfin," Ecthelion said
evenly. "You should know. You bear the symbol of Fingolfin at your
arm."
"Your allegiance is to Finarfin now?" Egalmoth asked.
"Nay, Lord of the Heavenly Arch. Finarfin simply gifted this fine shirt to
me, and I chose to wear it today. The emblem that decorates it is a mere
ornament, no different from Duilin's bracelets."
"So you are still loyal to the House of Fingolfin, are you not?" asked
Eglamoth. "You are, after all, of Telerin blood. Perhaps that is why
Finarfin sought your friendship."
"He is friends to all, Eglamoth," Glorfindel said with a hint of
hardness in his voice. "Why do you allow yourself to be caught up in this
silliness? The Elves of the House of Golden Flower are loyal to me above all
others, before even Finwe, Feanor, Fingolfin, or Finarfin. But as for our
allegiance, it is to Turgon, is it not?" Glorfindel looked to the Elf-
lords around him. Legolas looked confused but made a face of great concentration
to pretend he understood these matters. Galdor put an arm around his shoulders.
"Of course it is, Glorfindel," Ecthelion said smoothly. "After
all, he is housed nearest to us. If I want to change my allegiance to the House
of Finarfin, I'd have to move to Alqualonde! Or at least to the southwest of the
city."
"Allegiance is not such a simple matter," Eglamoth said.
"It is," Glorfindel said. "Now that Feanor has moved to the
outskirts of Tirion, Rog will undoubtedly follow the rule of Turgon. Is that not
simple? We follow the prince closest to our own house."
"You shouldn't use that name," Penlod chided. "It sounds
undignified. Even if Enerdhil prefers Rog, we should call him by his right
name."
Eglamoth was not done though. He addressed Ecthelion again. "Do you
honestly think that Enerdhil of the Hammer will so easily turn from the House of
Feanor?"
"We follow who we follow, Lord of the Heavenly Arch. And I choose Turgon,
but that does not mean I feel any less friendship towards Finarfin. If you don't
like it, why don't you use your wealth to build a house apart from others?"
Ecthelion returned Eglamoth's gaze coolly. Though Telerin in origin, Ecthelion
never doubted his right to be Lord of the Fountain among the Noldor, for his
people loved him and followed him with fervent devotion. Glorfindel drew out a
cherry from his knapsack and tossed it at Egalmoth. Eglamoth used the metal
device at his arm to block it.
"We have come to view the roses, not to talk of the rumors of Tirion. If
you do not wish to delight in the roses, you are free to go elsewhere."
Glorfindel chucked another cherry at Eglamoth for good measure. Again, Eglamoth
blocked it.
"My, that device at your arm is most useful, is it not?" Galdor noted.
"Let us not call it a device henceforth. It shields well, and so we will
call it a shield." He chose a pale white rose and placed it in Eglamoth's
hair. "There we go. Now may you put your past complaints behind you."
Eglamoth smiled but the shadow did not wholly depart from him.
"Come, Eglamoth, this is not like you. I will have peace between us. It's
not like us to be at odds," Ecthelion said. He put his silver flute to his
lips and played a sweet tune to the roses and for his fellow Elf- lords.
Glorfindel waited a few moments, catching the tune of his good friend, and then
joined in song.
The hot emotions that have begun to disappear
Glitter and wave once more
Within my heart.
The Lord of the Heavenly Arch relaxed and smiled sincerely. He settled with his
friends and listened to Ecthelion and Glorfindel as they performed in harmony.
Glorfindel was heartened to see the shadow driven from Eglamoth. He took up his
harp and moved the music of Ecthelion towards a light and lofty tune. He took up
voice again and sang for the glory of the Blessed Realms.
From far and silent starry skies,
Echoes a song full of life.
Crossing a darkness of thousands of light years,
It finally arrives on a single earth.
Gently close your eyes
As in deep prayer
So that one day
Our dreams will come true.
The Elf-lords reveled in the many rose buses and returned back to Tirion slowly.
The silver light faded, and the Elf-lords changed the flowers in their hair for
something more suitable to the golden light. They laughed and sang together, and
for a while, it seemed as if there was no shadow in the Blessed Realm.
---
Note: I'm not a poet. The song is a mix of Final Fantasy song lyrics, from Isn't
it Wonderful, Pure Heart, and Pray.