Chapter 15

Glorfindel stood quietly in the center of the courtyard, his towering, pine-like figure outlined in the golden light of dawn. He wore no ceremonial attire, but rather a hunting coat for ease of movement. His golden hair was tied back, revealing a stern profile. His eyes, as blue as a clear summer sky, fixed their gaze on Meereen. Their piercing gaze, like a knife, pierced his clothes, stained with night dew and dust, his forced composure, reaching deep within his soul to conceal the weariness and grief he had tried so hard to conceal, and the lingering silver glow that had not yet fully dissipated, the purging darkness.

He didn't question or rebuke. He simply stood there silently, like a silent mountain, blocking Meereen's path to the stone chamber. The morning breeze blew, picking up a few withered silver star petals, which landed silently on the grass between them. The vibrant life in the garden formed a startling contrast with the lingering chill of death that enveloped Meereen.

"Follow me," Glorfindel finally spoke, his voice low and emotionless. He turned, not glancing at Meereen, and headed straight for the inner corridor leading to the core area of ​​the Tower. Meereen's heart sank, and he followed silently. Heavy footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, each step a step towards an unknown judgment.

The atmosphere in Turgon's court was heavy with gloom. High King Fingolfin had returned to Hithlum after the celebrations, and now only Turgon sat upon the throne. Aretil and Finrod were also present, evidently having been informed of this by Glorfindel. Aretil's eyes were filled with worry, while Finrod's brow was furrowed, his eyes deep in thought beneath his golden hair.

Glorfindel spoke concisely, reporting the secret operation in Meereen the previous night, the rescue and purification of refugees affected by the "Sudden Flame Shadow" at Eagle's Weep Pass, and what he had witnessed with his own eyes. He did not add any personal judgment, but simply stated the facts.

Turgon listened, his majestic face covered with a layer of frost. He slowly stood up, his tall figure casting a long shadow in the morning light, and a sense of oppression instantly filled the entire hall. His gaze was like a cold probe, falling on Meereen, who stood in the hall with his head bowed.

"Meereen Loriandil," Turgon's voice was low, with the weight of a mountain and a hint of suppressed anger, "Do you know how reckless and dangerous it is to leave the protection range of Gondolin without permission, pass through the guards, and contact refugees of unknown origin? Although Eagle's Pass is secretive, it is by no means absolutely safe! The patrols of Orcs and the minions of Sauron may discover your whereabouts! Once exposed, not only will you be in danger, but you may also lead the dark eyes to the only entrance to Gondolin! You are gambling with the secrets of the entire city and the safety of thousands of people!" His words were like a hammer, knocking in the silent air.

Meereen raised his head. Although his face was pale, his eyes were extremely firm, with no intention of backing down. "I am well aware of the risks and mistakes of acting without authorization, and I am willing to accept any punishment. But I cannot sit idly by and watch what happened last night!" His voice was clear and powerful, with a kind of penetrating power. "When the sudden fire ignited in the north, when the desperate wail penetrated the mountains and reached the depths of my soul, my garden and my peace became the heaviest shackles! Those creatures struggling in Eagle Pass, they are not symbols of 'unknown origin'! They are the remnants of Haladin, the sentinels on the front line, and the Noldor warriors who escaped from hell after a bloody battle! The cursed fire of Morgoth is burning on them, devouring their lives and sanity!"

He took a step forward, meeting Turgon's cold gaze with a burning gaze: "You guard Gondolin as if you were guarding the last spark of fire. And I, my power may be weak, but it is a handful of clear spring beside the fire! I can extinguish the cursed fire attached to the wound, and I can sew up the wound torn by darkness! Every purified shadow in Eagle's Pass, every life that is able to breathe because of my hands, is weakening the power of Morgoth's minions, and is relieving a little pressure on the northern front! Isn't this another form of protection? Can the walls of Gondolin only be used to isolate suffering, but not lend a helping hand? " His words were full of sincere pain and unquestionable sense of responsibility.

At that moment, a fleeting, yet remarkably clear, fragment of a vision suddenly pierced Meereen's mind, like lightning tearing through darkness! It was no longer the forests or battlefields of Beleriand, but a cold metal tunnel, shrill alarms, twisted purple-black energy cracks spreading like living things, and a despairing moment as a blurry figure was instantly reduced to ash in the energy torrent! Those cold fragments of memory from the destruction of another world, carrying the same extreme hatred for the darkness devouring life, overlapped with the tragic moment of the northern battlefield before them! A torrent of grief and anger, originating from the deepest part of the soul and spanning time and space, swept away all caution and restraint.

"I've seen how darkness devours everything!" Meereen's voice suddenly rose, carrying a piercing power that was almost a roar, and his eyes flashed with deep pain and determination that did not belong to this world. "I've felt that in the face of absolute destruction, any glimmer of struggle means hope! I can't! And I never will! When I have this power, I will imprison myself in a safe cage and watch the world outside the wall sink in wailing! If I shrink back in fear, what's the difference between that and waiting to die? The secrecy of Gondolin should not be an excuse for indifference!"

These vehement words, especially the despair and rage they contained, far beyond his age and experience, as if they came from the depths of another world, shocked the elven lords present. Finrod and Aridil looked at him in shock, and a subtle shock flashed in Turgon's cold eyes.

A dead silence fell over the hall. Turgon's knuckles tapped slowly on the throne's armrests, a dull thump like the throbbing of his own heart. Meereen's motives were pure and brave, and the effectiveness of his power was undeniable. But the risks he took, and the potential threat to Gondolin, were also real.

"Your Majesty," Glorfindel stepped forward, breaking the silence. His voice was steady and forceful, his gaze sweeping across Meereen before settling firmly on Turgon. "Meereen's actions last night were presumptuous, but his heart is worthy of respect and his actions are compassionate. Those he saved were our kin and kind people fighting against darkness. I have personally surveyed the location of Eagle's Pass and reinforced the perimeter with outposts. It is sufficiently discreet to serve as a temporary refuge. With careful planning, it could become an invisible line of defense, not a breach." He paused, his eyes sharp and sincere beneath his golden hair. "Meereen's power is a treasure never before imagined by Gondolin and the entire Alliance. Confining it to the gardens is a colossal waste. Allow me to oversee its movement, establishing a strict route, timetable, and escort plan. I will personally accompany it when necessary, allowing its abilities to be used where they are most needed, lighting the light of salvation in the shadows of the front lines. I swear on the honor of the Golden Flower to do everything in my power to ensure its safety and put Gondolin at no risk!"

Glorfindel's words were powerful, full of the responsibility of a lord and a deep recognition of Meereen's abilities. His stance shifted clearly and firmly, from his initial silent observation to his current full support and willingness to take on the responsibility of protection.

Turgon's eyes wandered between Glorfindel's determined face and Meereen's eyes, which were still stubborn but with a hint of hope. After a long moment, he exhaled heavily, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from him.

"Glorfindel," Turgon's voice returned to its usual calmness, but with a more compromised solemnity, "I have never doubted your judgment and responsibility. Since you are willing to guarantee it with the honor of your family..." He turned his gaze to Meereen, still majestic, but less cold than before, "Meereen Lóriandil, considering your eagerness to save people and your ability is indeed effective, I will not investigate your absence this time, but there will definitely be no next time!"

He stood up, like a king who made the final decision: "From now on, you will be incorporated into Lord Glorfindel's direct team. Your scope of action, time of going out, and contact targets must strictly follow Glorfindel's instructions! Without his permission, you are not allowed to step out of the Gondolin security zone! Your power is only allowed to be used in the safe area designated by Glorfindel to treat the wounded who are confirmed to be harmless. If your recklessness puts yourself or Gondolin in danger, no matter what your original intention is, you will be severely punished! Do you understand?" This is the biggest concession Turgon can make between the iron law of protecting the city and the heart of saving Meereen, a kind of freedom in shackles under the protection of Glorfindel's powerful wings.

The tension in Meereen's heart finally loosened, a sense of immense exhaustion washed over him, along with a glimmer of victory. He knelt on one knee, his right hand resting on his chest. His voice, hoarse and solemn, a voice reeling from the aftermath of a catastrophe, said: "Meereen Lóriandil, I obey the king's command. By the grace of King Turgon, and the trust and protection of Lord Glorfindel." He knew this wasn't complete freedom, but it was the first step toward the front lines, toward facing the darkness.

Glorfindel nodded slightly, a flicker of relief and new responsibility in his eyes. Aretil and Finrod also breathed a sigh of relief, looking towards Meereen with mixed feelings of relief.

The brief peace in Gondolin did not last long. The embers of war had not yet cooled, and a new shadow had already spread quietly like a cancer.