Application : Elrond (Lord of the Rings)

[vaultofstars]

((Elrond apped with permission by the other LotR muns. He's got pretty mad powers, but, they're of a subtle nature. He's somewhere below Glorfindel in power, but above the average elf, and has one of the Three Rings of the Elves, Vilya, the Ring of Air. What Vilya specifically does isn't mentioned anywhere I'm aware of, but, it seems reasonable to

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[vaultofstars]

Despite the turmoil in his spirit, Elrond gave his friend a slight, but warm and understanding smile. He knew that Glorfindel could not have chosen to be here any more than he could have, and placed his hand on his friend's shoulder briefly, to reassure him. "There is no reason for you to grieve for this, for it is not any deliberate choice. It is better to have found you here than not. Even if you bear tidings that will bring sorrow, it is better to hear them from you than from another."

He listened quietly to Glorfindel's words, deeply grateful that it was him who brought this news. For it was difficult news indeed. It was not that he did not share Glorfindel's pride in Aragorn's accomplishment, for he did. It was something that he had long hoped for, and he had striven his best to shape young Estel for the task that would lie before him. But there was no doubting what that would mean, so confirmation of Arwen's choice was no surprise. But it lessened none of the sorrow. His hand went to Glorfindel's, and he said nothing as he clutched it in quiet grief, eyes downcast. So he would be sailing to the East without Arwen, and leaving some portion of his heart behind. But, there was a to be a child?

Children were valued by the Elves, being rare and precious amongst them. It was not enough to eclipse the sorrow he felt for the now-inevitable loss of his daughter, who had chosen the fate of Men, death. But, it was still joyous news, and it meant that the sacrifices would be worth it for the children of the future. Not just his. There had been so many over the ages of fighting Sauron and Morgoth before him. When he looked up at Glorfindel, his eyes shone with a glaze of tears, but, there was joy there too, and he quietly replied, "I am sorry that you had to tell me this, my friend. But, at least there will be good that comes of all this, in the end." Perhaps not happiness for himself, but, for others- and he hoped that it would be happiness enough for Arwen when she came to the final realization of what her choice meant. "And despite this news, I still am deeply grateful to find you here."

[bar_en_lothglor]

Arwen's sacrifice played its part in helping to secure lasting peace for the kingdoms of Men, who were to inherit Middle-earth as its most dominant and influential people with the passing of the Elves, and so Glorfindel found little cause to mourn Arwen's decision-only her fate. And yet while she would be one day sundered from her Elven kindred, she was also gaining another family. He hoped that, one day, Elrond could find a measure of peace in that knowledge.

"She is well loved, this I know," Glorfindel murmured, taking Elrond's hand and lightly running a thumb across his knuckles. That Elrond had not withdrawn from his touch was heartening. "By her father, her husband, her new people. And we have ensured their children will inherit a better world, free of the evil we'd lived in the shadow of for so long. Whatever remnants remain can be dealt with; many already have been." Some most recently by his own hand. Scattered bands of Orcs, Uruk-hai, and others of their ilk were easily dispatched even by a lone rider, when that rider was Glorfindel. A few strategically placed corpses would hopefully warn off others who might consider trespassing near Rivendell's lands.

Not to be left out, Asfaloth lightly bumped his nose against Elrond's shoulder and his exhalation sounded very much like a sigh. His master merely smiled, inclining his head slightly. "I do not think we're to be delayed here for very long, but if we are, I couldn't hope for better company."

[vaultofstars]

Elrond knew that Glorfindel was correct, and that his daughter was loved deeply, both by her father, and by her husband-to-be. Or husband. . . the slight disparity in time was disconcerting. But yet, it seemed only slight by Elven measures of time. The pain of loss was there, but he too knew that it would be important for the coming ages, and knew he had to accept it for that. He hoped that Arwen's line would carry some memory of their lineage, even when it was long forgotten, and would create a better world because of it.

He still squeezed the other Elf-Lord's hand tightly, taking comfort in the knowledge that at least not all was lost for himself, either. There were still dear friends, such as Glorfindel, who he had fought beside for thousands of years. They had faced so many threats, and fought the Dark Lord's minions over half the face of known Middle-Earth, and he could recall so many times that his comrade has saved him from an unfortunate incident involving orcish steel. There were so many times when things could have gone much worse, and Elrond recalled those rare, but chilling times when Glorfindel had been unusually unlucky, and the days and nights spent applying his healing skills in fear that it might be the time he failed. Reflecting on all that Middle-Earth had faced, and all that was yet to come, the details of which he presumed he'd hear from Glorfindel when the time was right, he felt grateful for each friend who survived. That Legolas was to live as well was deeply relieving, for it had not been easy for him to consent to Thranduil's son going on the Ringbearer's mission, even if it was willingly. And, there was Celebrian, when he did sail west. . . but whatever would he tell her? How could he bear the news of Arwen's choice to her?

"She is loved dearly, that I know. I have known for years now that this would be the way of things. I cannot help but grieve for Arwen's loss, but it is mostly for myself. I cannot begrudge her happiness in any way. I cannot force her to choose against her heart, and, it is the right thing for those generations to come. But what do I tell Celebrian when that day arrives?" She had never seen Arwen and Aragorn together, she could not know and realize that it was love, and could not be prevented. He found himself fleetingly thankful that it was Glorfindel he found here, and not his wife. His comrade would understand the necessity, and would not fault him for allowing it. He felt some shame at this thought, and cast his gaze to the ground, sighing his admission, "I could not hope for better company either, my friend. It is hard to believe things happen without reason, and perhaps it is better that I am here now. Perhaps it is an opportunity to strengthen my spirit for the days ahead." Grieving in advance was probably wise in light of the inevitable battles to come. It would keep the head clear for strategy.

[bar_en_lothglor]

If they both were fortunate, Elrond would never discover the truth about some of those 'unusually unlucky' incidents of Glorfindel's. That he had on a few rare occasions taken up Elrond's time and energy for purely selfish reasons was something Glorfindel still felt shame over. Not that he'd necessarily gotten injured on purpose, rather he'd tried to be everywhere at once during battles even knowing he was certain to suffer for it; he should have had more faith in his comrades, as they did in him.

"If Celebrían had been faced with the same decision, to have one mortal lifetime with you, or spend eternity without you..." Glorfindel took both Elrond's hands in his own, smiling. "I don't think her choice would have been so different from her daughter's, my dear friend. She will understand in time." Even if she would continue to mourn the loss of Arwen for the rest of her days. He hoped understanding might at least ease that grief in some small way, for both Celebrían and Elrond.

He wondered if he wasn't speaking for himself as well when assuming Celebrían would have made the same choice as Arwen. To possess such a truly selfless love for another was a staggering thought; was he even capable of it? His friendship with Elrond had long been accompanied by very complicated emotions on his part, and what he'd always thought of as wholly selfish desires, even if he'd never act on them. And, yet, giving up his immortality and thus his home in Valinor seemed a distressingly easy choice compared with choosing to live forever without his friend.

These were unfair thoughts. Thanks be to Elbereth that he would never be in Arwen's position, nor that of her parents... He only wished he could better comfort Elrond. Words would never be enough.

"Perhaps both of us are here for a purpose." He silently sighed as he glanced around the room for the first time since coming in. "I should like for you to walk with me, but you're to remain in this room until you're assigned a House," he said, looking back to Elrond. "Some manner of enchanted hat capable of speech is who makes this decision; it requested soap from me for its 'bribe'." He was still amused by this. "I have been told its decisions are almost completely arbitrary, however. I was assigned to Gryffindor, which is considered the House for those brave of heart-Legolas, too, was assigned this House. Ravenclaw for the wise and studious, Slytherin for the cunning and ambitious, and Hufflepuff for the loyal and hard-working. I would have you in Gryffindor with myself, and you may choose to stay anywhere you wish, regardless of your House assignment. Have you a preference?"

[vaultofstars]

Elrond was of course clueless that Glorfindel had any other motives than attempting to take care of his comrades, and that was something he could never fault him for. Those were always nerve-wracking incidents, though, and there was more than one occasion on which he'd felt rather guilty for finding himself far more afraid for Glorfindel's loss than that of other comrades. He'd never told him that of course, being ashamed of it, knowing that every loss was important- and it wasn't that he didn't find them important, just, he couldn't picture life with Glorfindel as a part of it.

He knew that Glorfindel could not possibly have meant to cause him any pain by his words about Celebrian, and managed to return a soft, but sorrowful smile, deeply grateful for his friend. As, he really wasn't so sure. After a tragic incident in which she was abducted by orcs, and rescued by their sons, Celebrian had decided that there was no joy in Middle-Earth any longer, and had went into the West. Without him. He had spent far longer without her, than with her, had heard nothing from her in thousands of years. It seemed to him as if she'd chosen the immortality- the fact that he would eventually go there was little comfort through thousands of years worth of lonely nights. He always tried to never fault for her for it, to be compassionate for her pain but, it was difficult sometimes- he had tried his best to heal her, both body and soul, but, apparently failed at the latter.

And so, looking at Glorfindel, he could not keep that cursed thought that sometimes would appear in his mind, that at least he wouldn't be abandoning him over some orcs. He tore his eyes from Glorfindel's and attempted to conceal the shame which inevitably accompanied it, feeling regret as soon as he did so, fearing that his friend might feel that his attempt to comfort him had been rejected. He'd of course never told him about this, as, surely even Glorfindel, despite their ages of friendship, would fault him for what had to be wrong in the eyes of the Valar. Because it was wrong, wasn't it?

Glorfindel was probably right- Elrond felt that most things did happen for a reason, and agreed that they were probably here for a purpose. Perhaps he had been gifted the chance to attempt to work out his uncomfortably chaotic tangle of thoughts before facing the final battles in the struggle against Sauron. The way it was personally affecting him, due to Arwen's inevitable choice, was a liability and he knew it. Even if he himself was not going to fight, he still had his part to play, and that part required a clear mind. And clarity was a challenge when caught up in emotions, which would have to be sorted either at home, or here. And it would seem easier here, without all the work to be done in the coming months. He could not be sure why Glorfindel was here, if the war was over for him, but, he was thankful for his presence.

"I think that you are probably right, my friend, and that there is a reason that we are here." He looked up at Glorfindel again, his sad smile remaining. "And I would like to walk with you as well, and learn more of this place, and to hear more those things which have come to pass in your time. This hat sounds strange, and I hope to be able to be done with it quickly, if that is what it will take to be able to leave this room." It was becoming stifling, as the castle was not so airy as Rivendell, and Elrond wished to spend some quiet time outside speaking with Glorfindel where they were not so likely to be disrupted. "I'd of course prefer to be assigned to this Gryffindor, if that is where you and Legolas are. But if this hat's decision is arbitrary, and it assigns me to another, I would still prefer to stay with you."

Vote: Gryffindor

[bar_en_lothglor]

Glorfindel had no way of knowing the truth behind Elrond's actions, and so naturally assumed he'd misspoke, as seemed to happen lamentably often with his old friend, regardless of how careful he was with his words. There would come these moments when Elrond would seem to withdraw into himself, as if troubled or pained in some way Glorfindel couldn't quite grasp.

Had speaking of Celebrían caused it? Perhaps Elrond was nursing old wounds caused by their parting, or by the knowledge of what Celebrían had endured. He'd never himself thought it unusual that Celebrían had struggled so with her recovery after the unfathomable horrors she'd suffered in those Orc dens, and it had never been his place to have an opinion about her reasons for departing Middle-earth. Her spirit must have been grievously hurt indeed if not even the presence of her husband and children could bring her joy any longer... And yet hers was one sad tale among many in the millennia long war against Morgoth. The Long Defeat, as Lady Galadriel had aptly deemed it. Their eventual victory had come at such a high cost that in many ways, for some of them, it was scarcely a victory at all.

"Please forgive me if I misspoke," he said softly. When Elrond looked back up, Glorfindel couldn't quite mask his stricken expression, nor his subtly sagging posture, as though the weight of those countless years of conflict and loss were suddenly accumulated upon his shoulders.

He wondered if this was how Elrond normally spent his days, suffocating beneath a landslide of grief and anxiety. Certainly some days had seemed better than others for the Lord of Imladris, but those might have simply been an act, for the benefit of others.

"This process was completed relatively quickly for myself, and I do hope yours passes in like manner. There's much to tell you. Some of my tidings, at least, are happy." That nearly all of the Fellowship had survived, for one. The Ents joining against Saruman for another. Legolas and Gimli's doings, Sam's marriage, Éowyn and Faramir's... There were numerous smaller, joyous events happening in the wake of the destruction of the One, and Glorfindel had often been riding abroad to gather such news for his Lord, as well as helping with the Mordor 'clean up', prior to being brought to Hogwarts. Locating the two Blue Wizards had also been an underlying task.

He managed a smile, gently squeezing Elrond's hands before finally releasing them because holding someone's hands that long was bound to look odd. "I will show you to Gryffindor later, after our walk. There are a multitude of empty rooms, or you may share my own if you prefer it. It seems to have been meant to house four people; spacious enough for two, certainly, though it would entail forgoing an amount of privacy, as it is merely an open space with beds." How much privacy Elrond would lack there was debatable, since Glorfindel wasn't often in his room. The longest he'd spent in it was to oversee the house-elves' modification that extended a section of the room a good ways, which had then been turned into a comfortable stall for Asfaloth. There was no chance of Glorfindel ever trusting the care of his horse to another at Hogwarts, unless it was Legolas or Elrond, and so it seemed best to keep Asfaloth with him.

Re: Vote: Gryffindor

[vaultofstars]

Elrond was deeply saddened that he'd caused Glorfindel to think he'd made a misstep. It was not his friend's fault, but his own that it brought him pain, and he knew very well that Glorfindel only wished to try and relieve it some. His failure to fully cure Celebrian, so that she could remain with him and her children, was his own. "No, you did not misspeak, my friend. I am sorry that my mind is far too prone to melancholy of late. It has been hard to maintain clarity lately, and, I regret that my failure to do so would cause you think you had erred." He looked seriously at his friend, hoping he would realize his sincerity. It pained him further to see Glorfindel's usually bright spirit afflicted by the burden of what Elrond felt was very selfish melancholy.

For Glorfindel's sake, he strove to push it away for now. The news of happy tidings was welcome, and a smile returned to his lips. These topics would be good to hear, and help to remind him what he already knew well. The sacrifices of the past and in the coming days were all for a reason, one that was far more important than his own comfort. "I too hope this rite shall pass swiftly, as happy news will be welcome. It shall be something to look forward to while waiting out this strange process." A process that he wasn't finding so bad in itself- he'd found exactly who he was looking for, just not where.

His hands tightened around Glorfindel's briefly as he pulled his away. He was thankful that Glorfindel was so forgiving of his regrettable moods, and as he often did, found himself wishing he could confess some of the cause, so that his friend would realize that he was faultless. But he feared that it would be the mistake that would cost him this tolerance, and the thought of losing his dearest friend was not one he was willing to dwell on. His mood was already dismal enough without his selfish lingering on these subjects. Surely, if Legolas had found himself here some time before, he was surely just as pleased and relieved to see a friend as Elrond was, and Elrond owed him a happy reunion, and not what it was shaping up to be.

"I'd far prefer to stay with you, if I would not be a burden on you. It is not as if there is any more privacy on the battlefield, and we've spent many long nights there. The nights here seems as if they are likely to be far more peaceful, unless what seems to be relative tranquility is an illusion. And I hope it is not." Again he felt slightly shamed that he welcomed this relief from facing matters at home, but, it was not as if he'd had a choice in it, and so it was an easy guilt to shake off. "With the times ahead, the unexpected peace is a welcome comfort, especially shared with dear friends." The size or luxury of the lodgings mattered not to him, it was the company that was far more important.

Re: Vote: Gryffindor

[bar_en_lothglor]

"Very melancholic indeed if you think I would ever view your company as a burden, Elrond," Glorfindel said in a grave tone, though he was still smiling. "I'm quite pleased you're willing to share a room with me. This will give me a reason to always return from the forest whenever I go wandering; someone has to make sure you're not staying up for days endlessly brooding." He invariably returned to and stayed in Imladris for similar reasons, no matter how far he'd wander, and despite also being welcome at the other, likewise dwindling Elvish havens. None could ever be home in quite the same way that Imladris was, and it would be a sad day when finally they left it forever. Perhaps some of Arwen's and Aragorn's descendants would settle there.

Mention of the battlefield made him a little nostalgic. For such a long time he'd been so perfectly at ease in full armor and in the thick of things, truly enjoying battle in a way Elves weren't really meant to-but his love of it had blessedly never become perverted, as some of his Noldorin kindred's unfortunately had. All of which had likely been a key factor in the Valar's decision to allow him to return to Middle-earth. Who better than someone of his unique personality to do the dirty work directly so their Istari wouldn't have to? And acting under Gil-galad's command and then continuing to serve the fallen King's herald had at the time simply been the logical choice, but he did sometimes wonder now if there was something more than that involved. Perhaps he'd always been meant to safeguard Elrond's family, from their shared relative of Turgon onward, though he was fairly sure the tangled feelings he'd developed for Turgon's great-grandson hadn't been part of the Valar's designs.

"The tranquility is real enough, provided you..." He paused to think of a way to put it delicately. "Avoid certain beings at Hogwarts," he finished. "For the most part, though, I have found others are happy to let me be if I extend the same courtesy to them." It might have also had something to do with the fact he was at all times fully armed. "Legolas also warned me against any food or drink left out in the Great Hall, it seems it's often enchanted in strange ways. I confess I'm a little curious to see what he means."

Re: Vote: Gryffindor

[vaultofstars]

Elrond could not help but smile at Glorfindel's light chiding, and felt deeply thankful to have a friend such as him, who was so tolerant of his too-frequent habit of brooding. Although he liked to wander into the forests near Imladris on occasion, he rarely traveled so far as Glorfindel, as he felt it his duty to remain close to the city. He enjoyed leafing through old records and texts and deciphering ancient runes nearly as much as Glorfindel enjoyed the battlefield, despite their often tragic contents. Elvish history had not been terribly pleasant, and Elrond had a compassionate nature. Most major stirrings in the world would put him in one of his melancholy phases, simply due to introspection, comparing present events with the past, and seeing all the potentially dire consequences.

Glorfindel had always helped him to pull out of these introspective moods- it was difficult to remain fully enclosed in a shell of his own turbulent thoughts when whe was there. Elrond had always been able to find everything more enjoyable in his company, just because Glorfindel seemed to find a genuine joy in existence. It was why he could never try and demand that Glorfindel stay at Imladris rather than going off on his adventures- although Elrond could not help but be concerned that his trusted friend and councillor might meet a stroke of ill fortune, neither could he hold back his spirit. But, he was relieved and grateful each time he returned safely- the most difficult factor in the whole incident at the Ford was, for Elrond, having to perform a rather serious feat of magic while worrying about Glorfindel facing down not just one Nazgul, but all of them. He also knew that Glorfindel was the only one who could have accomplished what needed to be done.

"I would be happy to stay with you, Glorfindel, but, I might want to accompany you on your wanderings here sometimes. If we're to be caught in this strange realm, I'd like to see some of it." He smiled at his friend- really, there could be no one better to be stuck with. "And I have been told by others there are some dangerous beings here, even a demon. Although it doesn't seem the sort of place for balrogs, I should probably keep an eye on you too. Especially if you're of a mind to go playing with enchantments." He said this lightly, and with affection for his friend- Glorfindel's sometimes over-adventurous personality was just part of his nature. But, he did genuinely hope that Glorfindel would not go running off after any potential balrogs, even if death was supposedly impossible here. He didn't want to put it to the test.

Re: Vote: Gryffindor

[bar_en_lothglor]

((...It just now came to me that I kept referring to Maedhros as Maglor, in my emails about that one picture. Oops. XD Maedhros was supposed to be (I assume) the batshit redhead, and Maglor the less insane looking one. Guess I had Elf dyslexia.

/random))

"I would be honoured and grateful for your company, as often as you care to come with me," Glorfindel replied with a bright smile, clearly approving of the idea, and already imagining all the trouble they could get up to. Possibly with a certain Mirkwood Prince on occasion. Nothing too serious, of course. Just enough to keep them on their toes every so often (and distract Elrond from his oppressive thoughts), but not so much that Elrond would become averse to accompanying him. There was a delicate balance he'd have to achieve. The Balrog remark earned Elrond a curious look, then Glorfindel started laughing. "Maybe I shall let you save me from any such beasts, should we ever run into any. I do appreciate that you've your sword with you. Perhaps I can convince you to spar with me at some point, just for pleasure. I do not anticipate any other purpose for weaponry in this land, but we shall see."

Glorfindel might have been amused by the Hogwarts idea of what constitutes a demon if he'd known of it. Beings that looked mostly human or that had cute fuzzy tails may certainly be formidable in their own realms, but would never inspire in the Elf-Lord the same kind of awe and thrill of fear that the massive Maiar beings of living shadow and flame could, or even the dragons of old that had razed Gondolin to the ground. The Nazgûl were closer to the average Hogwarts resident's idea of demonkind, and Glorfindel had certainly never feared them, not even their leader the Witch-king of Angmar, who'd been in the habit of fleeing from Glorfindel's mere presence. Fear was how they gained power; the same seemed true of most malevolent beings, and so Glorfindel had simply worked to master his fear long ago.

Much to Elrond's exasperation, no doubt. Glorfindel still largely preferred to think on his feet and quickly dive headlong into desperate situations, while Elrond could always be relied on to be the strategist. With a fair amount of help from Elrond's stuffy counsellors such as Erestor, they all somehow managed to function incredibly efficiently as a whole and maintain Rivendell's reputation for being a safe haven for all wayward travelers.

Re: Vote: Gryffindor

[vaultofstars]

((It's easy to have Elf-dyslexia with all those brothers, I didn't catch the mixup. XD))

Glorfindel's remark about saving him from balrogs managed to inspire a laugh from Elrond, who smiled fondly at his friend. Glorfindel had that unique talent of being able to raise his spirits. He had to admit that he did look forward to what appeared the promise of at least a temporary time of peace, and spending it with his dearest old friend. "With any luck, my friend, we'll not have to deal with any balrogs or their ilk, and we'll not have to find out if I could save you from one." He chuckled lightly, obviously presuming he had little to no chance at managing that. "If you find your sword growing restless, I'd be pleased to spar with you, of course- and I'd surely be reminded just why I shouldn't be chasing after balrogs either." On those occasions when he had sparred with Glorfindel, the older, Valar-blessed Elf was always the winner, but, he still enjoyed them, and couldn't ever mind the losses. He did usually learn a thing or two, but mainly it was a good excuse to spend time with his friend.

Had Elrond realized that by 'demon', what was usually being referred to at Hogwarts were things that looked human or had cute, fuzzy parts, and for the same reasons as Glorfindel. These just weren't the sort of shape to inspire terror in a denizen of Middle-Earth, which had dragons, balrogs, and Nazgul, which Elrond was likewise not terrified of. He was certainly concerned when Glorfindel rode off to assist the Ringbearer at the Ford, as all nine of them had been there, but, he knew his friend's skills too well to worry if he'd met only a couple. Now, for the Ringbearer, he had been afraid, for a halfling was not really prepared to handle one or two Nazgul, let alone nine.

Despite his worries about the events at home, Elrond found himself relaxing somewhat, due to the company of good friends, and that prospect of a time of tranquility. He smiled, reaching out to squeeze Glorfindel's shoulder briefly. "I am very grateful to have found you here, my friend. I hope that it will not count as being shamefully irresponsible to attempt to find some happiness in what would seem to be a peaceful place while I remain- with you here, I may be able to." Without Glorfindel, Elrond was sure he'd be in a much more dour mood, and much more desparate to return as quickly as possible. The presence of his friends helped to assure thim that this absence would probably not be a disruption of his work in Middle-Earth, which he could return to whenever he did end up back there.