Lorinand Memoirs: The Bough Breaks

Chapter - 05

"I miss you already." Húriön said quietly as he hugged his friend tightly, blinking back the tears that threatened.

"I will not be gone forever." Galion said softly as he hugged him back. "The king is stubborn but he will not abandon his son."

"I still don't understand..."

"That child is the future of this realm." Galion interrupted him sternly, pulling away slightly as he took his face in his hands. "This world is changing, we may not be a part of it but we cannot ignore it."

"Do not be sad." Galion continued softly, smiling at his friend. "Now I must go, I have things to do before I return to him. He tries so hard to be strong but his heart has been sorely wounded. Today will be difficult for him."

Nodding in agreement, Húriön could do nothing but watch as his friend quickly departed from him. The hour was still far too early for him to concern himself with attending to the king yet too late to return to the comfort of his bed.

Moving silently but quickly through the halls, Galion made his way to the back entrance to the kitchen. Waving his normal morning greetings to the few elves that had gathered to begin their preparations for the morning meal, his eyes scanned quickly for Alythiyiá.

"I packed all of his favorites." She said quietly, her voice cracking slightly as she greeted him.

"Oh don't you start too! Everything is going to be fine." He told her, hugging her tightly. "We will be back before you know it." He added quickly, kissing her cheek.

"Be safe." She whispered as she gave him a tight squeeze, a worried frown marking her brow as she watched him hurriedly disappear out the back entrance.

"Faÿláën!" Galion called out as he entered the kings' stables.

"Ayë!" (Yes) He answered back as he popped his head out of Maeglirs' (Thranduils' steed) stall. "Back here!"

"Everything ready?" Galion asked, hurrying toward him.

"The rumors were true, the king has ordered the carriage be readied. He will have it sent to the back entrance when you are ready to leave." Faÿláën said quietly as Galion reached the stall. "The others are grooming the coach horses now. But I did as you asked." He added with a big smile.

"Good! Put this in Maeglirs' bags." Galion stated as he handed him the bundle from Alythiyiá. "Everything has been loaded in the buck wagon. We will not need the carriage, the prince will refuse to even get in it anyway. You just make sure that wagon and these mounts are at the front to greet him. Now I must be off to see to the Prince."

While he personally had no desire to deal with the king this morning, in his heart Galion hoped and prayed that he would at least put in an appearance for the sake of his son. It had been so long with not a word from his father as they waited for Thranduils' bruises to heal. There had been no way to conceal the young prince's absence. The tension within the halls had been palpable yet Galion found it remarkable the gossips had stayed their tongues during his absence. Galion knew it was wrong to change the kings' orders, yet he knew Thranduil would not stand for it.

"The king?" Galion asked the guard as he entered the antechamber that divided the two royal chambers.

"He has already sent for his morning meal." Rûingäraf answered quietly, his expression full of concern. "He also sent word that he would not be needing Húriön this morning."

"I see." Galion sighed deeply. "This is not a good sign."

"In time he will come to regret his anger." Rûingäraf said reassuringly, reaching out to gasp Galions' shoulder. "There is still love in him for his son." The guards' eyes filled with sorrow.