It was the morning after Telpenaro's return to Nargothrond, and he was back at his home. Though he had slept well, he was not well rested yet after the journey. He eventually rose up from his bed and went to look for some breakfast. He took some honey roasted fruits and fried a few slices of meat to enjoy it on some bread, washing them down with some hot tea.
He took a bath and felt slightly more refreshed, but in his mind he was trying to think a way to get his mind off Celuwen. He had hardly gotten himself dry when there was a knock on the door, as if it was an answer. ”Telpe, it is me”, the voice of Erendo told him. It had been a while since Telpenaro had heard the voice of either of his parents. He opened the door after wearing his bathrobe. ”Hello, ada. Thank you for sending me all your letters to Dorthonion”.
His father greeted him with an embrace and sat down to also have something to eat. ”Son, the time is soon. You would meet the leaders of the royal guard, as well as the King himself soon. But I have told you about the responsibility before. I need not to explain it to a grown Elf such as yourself, I am sure of it”, Erendo said. Telpenaro nodded. ”How soon?”, he asked. ”In about a week, so you can arrange things at home ready”.
”Sounds good to me”, Telpenaro said. They talked a while more, and soon they departed to take care of more trivial things. He met his mother in the same day and Gillaswen was delighted to see her son again. Telpenaro reunited with his old friends, and he felt more like home once again. He was only expecting to meet the King Finrod, as he was told.
When the day came, he remembered being more nervous than ever before, and yet he would hide it under his calm facade. He was wearing some more formal clothing that day, and Erendo promised to accompany and guide him. At first they approached a solemn looking Elf on the way to the King's throne through the richly decorated hallways. The Elf nodded at Erendo. ”Telpenaro, this is Edrahil”, Erendo told him. ”He is a dedicated servant of Finrod. Chances are that you will work with him quite often, such as I have”.
”Greetings, Telpenaro. Your father has told a lot about you”, Edrahil said to Telpenaro. Telpenaro found no words, but bowed at him. ”If you are heading to the King, I will not keep you”, Edrahil continued, and so they departed again.
Finally they arrived to the grand hall where King Finrod was seated. He nodded, knowing Erendo as a familiar face. ”So this is your son Telpenaro, replacing you in the guard. I have received a letter from Aegnor my brother. He has also seen Telpenaro improving his skills in battle, as well as displaying admirable traits”, Finrod said, and Telpenaro kneeled at him with a deep respect. He saw the King as fair and wise. He had authority, but not the kind of authority that was to be feared, but the kind that was to be respected. Telpenaro now understood why many races had allied with him, now that he had seen him with his own eyes.
Finrod continued: ”There is only one thing that I yet wish to know. Is this truly a decision that you two have made in common?” Erendo looked at his son, wishing him to speak. ”Yes we have, your majesty”, Telpenaro said. The King had an insight to the other people's minds, similar to those of the other children of Finarfin. Telpenaro's voice revealed that he now felt more relaxed, and King thought of his words as true.
”Then so be it...”, Finrod said, and as Erendo retired from King's personal guard, Telpenaro was taken in his position. A small ceremony and feast was arranged soon, where both Erendo and Telpenaro were present. It was arranged so the guard would be able to say farewell to an old friend, and to welcome a new one.
As the time passed, Erendo spent a lot more time with Gillaswen once more, and the garden of Gillaswen bloomed lush along with their love. As Telpenaro looked at his parents, he thought to himself: ”I think I understand now. It was a good thing that I could let go when I left Dorthonion. But I cannot say that I do not miss her”.
Telpenaro learned many other names within the King's court, such as Gwindor and Gildor Inglorion. Most closely he worked with Edrahil as Erendo had predicted, and he was trusted with more work, such as travelling with the King just like Erendo had done. He now felt like he was in the right path, and he witnessed many things, both fair and bitter.
