‘Is she back yet?’ Tuor immediately asked Mithrandir. ‘We did everything as you said. The others will be here just after mid-afternoon. Are you sure? She will not…’ Mithrandir raised an imperious eyebrow and Tuor held back his comments and nodded unwillingly.
‘So, not just one Palantir but three,’ Mithrandir intoned impressed, ‘That was unexpected. One for each of the heirs of Alatar, in his honour.’ He looked faintly amused. ‘Shadowfax tells me that Éomer and Lothíriel will arrive before the others but only by an hour or so. We must prepare. Faramir is here to escort the two Palantíri you have on board to the Citadel, but you and I need to talk.’
The Amrothians were still deep in conversation with each other exchanging stories, clearly thankful for their survival. They looked up at Mithrandir when he pointedly cleared his throat.
‘Well done, you both played your parts well. No lasting damage I hope, Amrothos?’ he asked. Amrothos smiled and shook his head somewhat in wonder.
He had felt his body break on the impact against the cliff face, despite the protection of the mithril armour, which had not even been dented. He had felt the onset of death as he had slowly drowned until Erchirion pumped the water from his lungs, but he was dying nevertheless. He could not move, he could feel life slipping away from him until a light had coursed through his body and he had felt death retreat and life return, a feeling Mithrandir understood. Mithrandir wondered how much Lothíriel had knowingly been pleading for her brother’s life as much as Maglor’s. She was so exceedingly clever, he mused. He was not entirely sure he would be able to save her from the pain of loss she so patently feared once she returned.
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It was a decidedly more unusual welcome party waiting on the docks as Tuor’s second ship arrived at Harlond hours later. Genting found himself standing beside Lady Galadriel herself, somewhat overawed despite his usual ease with people from all walks of life. He drew closer to Gimli, who seemed to be as much in awe as himself, despite his far greater acquaintance with the Lady and Elves in general. Gimli, it seemed, became very different in her presence, much to his great friend Legolas’s clear amusement. The Lady was there, of course, to greet Radagast, who brought with him the third Palantir. He, himself, was waiting for Hadán, although he told everyone he was there to deliver a message to Gallend from their King.
Tuor had left Ottakar in charge in Sennebar after they had, with Assa’s immense contribution, fully secured the Fortress. They had worked within the Fortress through the night after Lothíriel had left and the next few days, giving Tuor time to observe the strange dynamics between his two old friends and his new friend from Rohan. What had surprised Tuor the most was how readily Assa had accepted Gallend’s presence. If Gallend was slow to trust, Assa was glacial and she only worked alone. Together with Gallend, Assa had determined which of the former Astari were to be trusted and which not. There had only been forty-seven remaining, but most were those she had convinced to betray the Grand Master in the two months she had survived within the Fortress. That she stayed close to Hadán, he understood, but Gallend? He was bemused.
Gallend for his part was similarly confused, though for very different reasons. He was worried about Hadán. It was not that he still did not trust him, he had seen him thrust his sword through the Grand Master and kill him, no, it was not that. He seemed withdrawn, as though being back in Sennebar was sapping his strength and will. And then there was Assa; she fascinated him. How she had survived this hellhole of a Fortress, hidden without access to food and fresh water he could not imagine, never mind having persuaded so many of the remaining men to abandon the fight. Hers was a mind he could not get the measure of. She was extraordinary, she fizzled with a rare intelligence that darted everywhere at the same time, lacking in all nuance and tact but somehow extremely kind in her blunt fashion. And most definitely not tactile, except with Hadán, a fact he was finding difficult to accept. But he could not deny the evidence in front of his eyes, Assa was besotted with Hadán, and worse, it seemed Hadán was as intensely interested in Assa.
Gallend had been a strange boy, with no friends of his own rank and age until he was sent to Edoras, and to his cousin, Théodred. Then Éomer had joined them and the three of them had become the brothers they had never had. Over the many years that followed as Genting had proved his worth and risen in rank, and into Théodred’s affections, Genting had become the closest Gallend had had to having a friend. Maglor had been a mentor, almost a father figure, a friend yes, but not just a friend. Genting was different. Even before he had understood the nature and depth of Genting’s relationship with Théodred, he had trusted Genting and respected him. Gallend was now outraged on Genting’s behalf. He had been so sure that Hadán had loved Genting as much as Éomer loved Lothíriel. He was struggling with Hadán’s sudden attraction to women, but Hadán was such a contradiction - who knew what his real instincts were? Gallend had begun to wonder if Hadán even knew that himself.
One thing was clear though, the two were more than just sleeping together. Tuor’s two ships had followed the Amrothian vessel to the quayside of the Fortress soon after the battle had been won. When Assa had insisted on her sharing the master cabin of the second ship with Hadán, Tuor had agreed without any hesitation, which left Gallend the sleeping cabin on the other side of the captain’s quarters. Exhausted as they all most undoubtedly were, it had been somewhat shocking to hear so much groaning and general thrashing about coming from the opposite side through much of the subsequent nights. Gallend was uncharacteristically upset. If he was honest to himself, which he was in no mood to be, he might have admitted that he was not so sure on whose behalf he was most disappointed, his or Genting’s… Therefore, it was a somewhat grumpy, sleep deprived and hurt Gallend who stepped off the ship after Radagast.
Of all the people he had hoped would be there, Genting was not among them. Gallend went straight to him to ask if Éomer and Lothíriel were already back. He registered the confusion on Genting’s face, which had followed his first look of joy at seeing the man he loved alive. Confusion changed to hidden pain as Hadán did not even look at him and he had his arm folded around the woman from Lothíriel’s drawing. Galadriel was addressing them both and asking them to journey into the city with her and her guards.
‘We have much to discuss, Genting,’ Gallend said heavily, laying a sympathetic hand on his friend’s shoulder. ‘Come, I’m assuming you brought my horse with you, let’s leave them. Éomer is at the Citadel, yes?’ Genting nodded, still in shock. ‘I must speak with him urgently. I have learned much from Amrothos and Erchirion while we have been together, and this business is not over, not by any means.’ Genting stopped him as Gallend tried to move him away from the scene.
‘Are they lovers, Gallend?’ he asked bluntly. Gallend did not want to answer him honestly but was in no mood to lie to his friend.
‘It seems that way,’ he said trying to hide his own reservations. Genting remained impassive and just turned away to fetch their two horses, leaving Hadán’s horse for him to find.
They both galloped into the stables on the outside of the city walls where Lothíriel had had her first riding lesson with Éomer almost a year before. They had not expected anyone of importance to be there, so they were surprised and grateful to see both Éomer and Lothíriel waiting for them. Gallend noticed a great change in them both and smiled a sad nostalgic smile in homage to his late wife. He knew well that sense of trust that he saw now existed between them.
Éomer went straight to Gallend and enveloped him in a heartfelt embrace. ‘Thank you for preventing her from diving in after Maglor. I’m pleased to see you can still ride without too much discomfort,’ Éomer half joked to Gallend.
Lothíriel launched herself on Genting, who held her to him especially closely. Concerned she looked up intently into his face and understood that something was very wrong. Lothíriel still in Genting’s arms said urgently to him, ‘It’s not what it seems, Genting. I need you to stay close to us. Do not leave here, but also whatever you see, do not interfere.’
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Both Éomer and Lothíriel were suddenly serious as they heard the clattering hooves of the others joining them. Radagast and Galadriel both seated on superb horses such as the Elves rode, with Gimli seated behind Legolas on his faithful Arod, and Assa riding behind Hadán. Hadán gave Genting a foul look of disgust as he released Lothíriel from his embrace on their arrival. Lothíriel bowed to Galadriel and Radagast and went straight to Assa and Hadán.
‘I’m sorry I left you so abruptly, Assa. It is a pleasure to meet you again after so many years, and I must thank you for saving me when you did. Éomer’s sister and my cousin Faramir will be married tomorrow and they have asked if I could persuade both you and Hadán to come as guests of honour. Tuor is with King Elessar and Mithrandir in the Citadel and has requested your immediate presence. It seems they have captured the Condir and they have great need of you. I must speak privately with Hadán if you don’t mind leaving him with me for a while and we will come straight up to join you. Lady Galadriel and Radagast will accompany you to the King. Legolas and Gimli also,’ she said gently but firmly.
Assa looked from Galadriel to Lothíriel and back to Galadriel who waited expectantly for her.
She hesitated. ‘I would rather stay with Hadán. I’m not comfortable meeting these new people without him.’
Galadriel came to take her by the hand and said in her soft melodic voice, ‘You will have nothing to fear, I will stay by your side, come with us.’ As one enchanted, Assa let her hand drop from Hadán’s grasp and she joined Galadriel and the others out of the stables to walk towards the archway leading to the city.
‘Éomer, my love,’ she called over to him where he was standing with Gallend and Genting, ‘Will you boys wait here, while I quickly take Hadán to see the horses in the paddock? I know you all have much to discuss. Come, Hadán, walk with me. Geldsheen and Maela wish to honour you with their news. Maela is with foal.’
Hadán had been reluctant to let Assa go but it had been impossible to refuse Lady Galadriel. Although his face was composed in a neutral expression, Lothíriel could see the strain of emotions he was feeling deep within his eyes. Lothíriel calmly turned her back on the stables and walked with Hadán into the middle of the paddock while she spoke. There were horses milling all around them.
‘This is the last time we will be able to be alone for a long time, Hadán. I will leave for the North the day after the wedding and Aragorn will not let me out of the sight of the Elves. It was only because I said I would make sure that Legolas remained with me that he allowed me to come down to the stables with Éomer, but I needed to speak with you in private. We have to tell them, Hadán, about you and Assa.’
Hadán looked at her suspiciously. His face was beginning to show signs of immense stress, she backed away from him as he began to struggle, his hand on the hilt of his sword. He seemed to be fighting an internal battle against the urge to unsheathe it. Lothíriel began to glow and a voice which had not been heard on Middle-earth for over a thousand years spoke to him.
‘Pallando. You cannot control him. He loves her. You never understood love, you never understood its power. You never loved me, not even in Aman. You were obsessed with controlling me, becoming me, being me. Come with me now, brother, let us leave these mortals.’
Hadán was caught in a whirlwind of an unseen power, it was twisting inside him. Suddenly the horses which surrounded them turned as one and cantered away, leaving Mithrandir, Galadriel and Radagast striding towards the pair in the middle of the paddock. Assa too was running from the stables with Éomer and Gallend.
Pallando screamed, ‘You cannot take me from him. He is mine. If you take me, he dies. I will take him with me.’
‘Be gone,’ commanded Mithrandir, striking Hadán on his forehead with his staff as Alatar’s spirit left Lothíriel and passed through Hadán taking Pallando with him to whatever destiny awaited, although Mithrandir doubted not that he would meet Alatar once more.
Alatar had left Lothíriel so lightly she was still standing when Éomer took her in his arms. Assa, however, was holding Hadán’s crumpled body scooped up in hers.
‘No, no, no, you cannot leave me, no, no.’ Assa cried out.
Lothíriel left Éomer to kneel beside her beloved friend.
‘Mithrandir, please. Galadriel said we could do this without killing him. I don’t feel him with us,’ she said panicked.
Mithrandir came to kneel down with the women and placed his hand on Hadán’s forehead and focused hard. They had been joined by many of the others, including Aragorn, who ordered Hadán to be taken to the main House of Healing as soon as Mithrandir had released him.
‘He is still there, but he is undecided as to whether to come back and I lack the power to make him.’ Lothíriel and Assa looked in disbelief at each other. They both held a hand on either side of him as he was taken into the same room Faramir had stayed in a year before.
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There were so many concerned people milling around, Lothíriel could not see Genting, nor Gallend. Calling Éomer to her she asked him to go and find Genting urgently and bring him back with him. He came back without him almost half an hour later looking grave. He took her outside the room to explain.
‘I found them both in the tavern,’ he told her, trying desperately to avoid the oncoming storm he felt was about to break over him.
‘Well, you go back and order him to come here, now, Éomer,’ she rasped out through gritted teeth and trying to keep her growing anger under control.
‘Lothíriel, don’t be unreasonable,’ he started. She glared at him with such violence he took a step back. ‘He is confused, and he doesn’t know if he can love Hadán.’ He took another step back as she curled her hands into fists. ‘Hadán is too complex for him. He is truly both a man and a woman and it seems he, unlike Genting, can love both. I know Genting well, he is not a jealous man but nor do I think he would be willing to share Hadán with a woman, especially one he is so clearly in love with.’
‘Do you mean Assa?’ she said in a frustrated whisper. ‘Assa is his sister, you dolt. You’re all idiots! Hadán has been in love with Genting, and only Genting, since he first laid eyes on him. How can any of you doubt his love for him?’ She was beginning to work herself up into a fury. ‘Go and get him now! Hadán won’t come back to us, Assa and me. We are not enough. Hurry! Aragorn can’t keep him with us for much longer. I don’t care if you have to drag him here under armed guard, you get him here now!’ she ordered, trying hard to keep control of herself. Éomer ran.
Not too long afterwards, puffing very badly, both Genting and Gallend burst through the door followed by a strained Éomer.
‘His sister? But that’s not possible.’ Gallend started.
‘It is but it is too long a story. She is his half-sister. There is no time to tell it now.’ She turned to Genting, laying a calmer hand than she was feeling on his arm and looked deep into his eyes. ‘It is over, this nightmare is over for him, but he is exhausted. He has suffered so much pain, you cannot imagine the horrors he has been through. Assa and I are not enough for him to come back for. Only you can give him the future he has always dreamed of. He wants love, the love of a family. It’s all he has ever wanted, and he is as much in love with you as I am with Éomer. Please Genting, if you don’t love him, then I will not ask this of you and I will accept losing him, but if you do love him, please save him.’
Genting breathed deeply and shuddered with emotion. He strode into the room where Hadán lay, attended by Aragorn himself with Assa beside him. She moved aside for him reluctantly. Gallend went to stand next to her, Lothíriel noted.
Aragorn looked frankly at Genting. ‘Call to him, ignore who is here,’ he told Genting, ‘none among us judge the love of others.’ Genting nodded respectfully and knelt down beside the bed.
‘Hadán,’ Genting said softly into his ear, taking his hand ‘I’m here.’ Genting was sure he felt a slight squeeze of his hand. ‘Don’t leave me. I cannot go through this again. When I saw you with Assa I thought I had lost you. I went straight to the tavern… as usual….’ Genting heaved a sigh of regret. ‘You saved me. You saved me then. I never thought I would ever be able to love anyone after Théodred. No one could ever be so special. But you are, you are that special, and not just to me, to everyone here. By Béma, even Gallend will miss you. He’s only just started to trust you,’ he tried to laugh. He stroked Hadán’s face. ‘We are your family, Hadán, all of us. My mother loves you very much. She is so excited about having another man in the house. Come back to me. Please.’ His voice was beginning to crack, and his face crumpled as he lent down to kiss him on the lips.
Aragorn took his hands away from Hadán’s head and nodded to the others smiling gently in relief. They all took their cue and began to leave the room. All except Assa, who found her hand taken by Gallend to nudge her away. She looked quizzically at him, her eyebrows snapping together, not used to such proximity, and backed away from him as he moved her towards the door. He closed the door behind them leaving Genting alone with Hadán, who had just opened his eyes.
‘Who is he?’ Gallend challenged Lothíriel. ‘And who are you, really?’ he asked Assa more gently than anyone who knew him would have expected.
‘I think you do owe us, all of us, an explanation, Lothíriel. The others are waiting in the Citadel, may I suggest we join them there?’ Aragorn said gesturing to those present to go ahead of him.