The Most Beloved Elf-lords of the Blessed Realm by Cirdan

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Chapter 1

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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. Egalmoth joined them.

"Dear Lord of the Heavenly Arch!" cried Legolas. He ran and hugged Egalmoth. "From whence did you come?"

"Tirion, of course," said Egalmoth. 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 Egalmoth 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." Egalmoth 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 Egalmoth. "You are, after all, of Telerin blood. Perhaps that is why Finarfin sought your friendship."

"He is friends to all, Egalmoth," 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," Egalmoth 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."

Egalmoth 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 Egalmoth'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. Egalmoth 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 Egalmoth for good measure. Again, Egalmoth 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 Egalmoth's hair. "There we go. Now may you put your past complaints behind you." Egalmoth smiled but the shadow did not wholly depart from him.

"Come, Egalmoth, 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 Egalmoth. 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 bushes 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.

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Chapter End Notes

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.