#The deep breath before the plunge full#

HeвЂ™d been happy enough to make a sword for her when she asked, but given how little practice she had with it, he wasnвЂ™t about to let her appoint herself her fatherвЂ™s standard-bearer.

There had been no logical reason for Turukano to assign him that responsibility instead of her.Д«esides, one of them had to come to make sure the king returned from this battle, and ItarillГ« did not belong on a battlefield. She deserved the honor of being her fatherвЂ™s regent, and the credit for how smoothly all would run in his absence. She was more than half the reason the city functioned as well as it did. But it would have been too much of a slight to ItarillГ« to be so overlooked. He almost wished heвЂ™d obeyed his uncleвЂ™s command and remained in OndolindГ«. He didnвЂ™t credit what theyвЂ™d been told about another army further east. So this вЂgrand allianceвЂ™ King Turukano spoke so eloquently of was less grand than theyвЂ™d been told, and its total strength left much to be desired. He really didnвЂ™t think this was a good idea.ДЄctually, it was the absolute opposite of a good idea. вЂњBut I think you will want to see him all the same.вЂќ Maitimo entered the tent, a look of amusement on his face. вЂњWhatever it is, unless itвЂ™s Morgoth himself come forth, it can wait.вЂќ Whatever minor snarl had occurred could surely be sorted out by someone else. The breathless messenger hadnвЂ™t waited to be granted permission to enter, and even the stern glare Findekano was giving him made no impression.

#The deep breath before the plunge full#

If only the full strength of Nargothrond had come forth.ДЄs long as he was making ridiculous wishes, he might as well wish for Turgon to show up. If only they hadnвЂ™t sent Finderato to his death. He would have happily let Tyelko and Curvo mind the eastern frontier, but they insisted on being part of the battle, and with Maitimo not about to tell them no, he was stuck with them. It was utterly ridiculous that he still had to worry about fallout from his idiot cousins. It shouldnвЂ™t be a problem, not when the battle plan kept the FГ«anorions and his own army largely separate, but with the commanders all gathered to dine together this evening and confirm their battle plan, heвЂ™d had to be sure that no one would encounter the objects of their ire. The handful who had stolen away from Doriath had joined that company, so at least that meant he had all his headaches in one place. The small contingent from Nargothrond refused to have anything to do with Celegorm or Curufin on the grounds that they were not only kinslayers twice over, they could not be trusted. And, of course, because this was the House of FinwГ«, keeping their own internal fights from breaking out afresh. Making sure his captains all knew where they were meant to be. Making sure everyone had their proper supplies. Let's drink and be merry, all grief to refrainДЇor we may or might never all meet here againДЇor all everyone spoke of nerves before a battle, no one had ever warned him of the sheer tedium commanders had to deal with before a major battle.