Author's Note: (in homage to Crimson Starlight)
Well, we'll see where this goes. I used to have an account but it got deleted somehow, soooo I'm starting over. This idea has been waving itself in my face forever. But this one (points to Glorfindel) finally sat my ass down at the computer and forced me to write it.
Glorfindel: (smug smile) It's true.
I did this over a weekend instead of study for a history final. So, my apologies if this really sucks...
Glorfindel: ...and it does.
Hey, I tried! Besides, you're lucky I even wrote about you in a story that didn't have you poncing around with Erestor or Haldir.
Glorfindel: (look of discontent)
Heh, that's what I thought. So, disclaimer. I'm not making any money off of this. The title I took form Yann Tiersen and the characters I took from Tolkien, except for Jane.
Glorfindel: Yeah, and what's with her name, anyway? Plain Jane?? This blows.
SHUT UP, I LOVE THAT NAME! It's simple and easy. Suck it.
Glorfindel: Whatever...
While I go to discipline an elf (not like that, you dirty girl!), enjoy the fic! Review, please. Flames will be used to burn Glorfindel's hair, so bring 'em in!
Glorfindel: Nooooooooo!
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Glorfindel had entered Elrond's study with great trepidation. Today had been one of the strangest the Balrog Slayer had seen in millennia. And as he approached the Lord of Rivendell, he saw the reason for all of his worry and anxiety over the past twelve hours.
A human girl, no more than nineteen was sitting in a chair. She was greatly altered in appearance since the last time he had seen her; the strange, wet garments she had been wearing when he found her at the bank of River Brunien were now gone and she was wearing a traditional elleth gown, though she looked very uncomfortable in it. The girl who introduced herself as "Jane" was also entertaining herself with a goblet of wine and a plate of food: fruit, bread, vegetables, and meat, an uncommon fare for Elves, but very customary amongst the race of Men. But the girl's demeanor had certainly changed. Instead of the terrifyingly silent and detached girl who clung to his robes from hours ago, Jane was now alert, vibrant, and despite her manner of distaste for her clothing, she seemed relatively content. When she saw Glorfindel approach, she smiled in her rescuer's direction. He returned it with a polite nod before addressing the somber elf next to her.
"You wished to speak with me, my lord?"
"Yes, Glorfindel," Elrond Half-Elven began, rising from his chair to offer his advisor his own goblet of wine. "Please sit, we have much to discuss."
The faithful servant obeyed and turned to the black-haired girl. "Are you well, lady?"
Jane finished swallowing the last of her wine and smiled. "Much better, thanks," she replied animatedly. "Everyone here has been so lovely. I met Lord Elrond's children when I was going to the seamstress."
Glorfindel hoped that the twins had not made a bad impression. While Elrond's youngest, Arwen, was polite and loved by all, her elder brothers, Elladen and Elrohir, were the proverbial pain in his side since they became adolescents. He and Erestor often fell to watching over the Terrible Two, but it was becoming a full-time job, for as they grew older, they grew wiser and more cunning, more able to avoid the two Elf lords' hawk-like gaze.
"I am glad to hear you are enjoying yourself," he said, making a mental note to warn the twins of any meddling in the young girl's life.
"But we have more pressing matters to discuss, my friend," Elrond interjected in a more serious tone. Jane and Glorfindel looked to him, pleasantries at an end. Elrond continued, "It appears that from what Lady Jane has told me, she does not know how she came to be here. She has never ventured near Rivendell; in fact, she has no knowledge of it or even Middle Earth. She is from a land called... what was it, my lady?"
"Vermont," she smiled proudly.
"Yes, Vermont," Elrond continued, the name sounding foreign on his tongue, "and does not remember how she arrived in Imladris. But some of the things she explained to me were beyond my knowledge. Perhaps you can offer your wisdom to help her."
Glorfindel nodded. "I will do my best," he promised, turning to Jane, who was now tugging on the sleeves of her gown, obviously feeling uneasy again. She bit her lip as she looked up at Glorfindel. Elrond stood up from his chair. "I will take my leave, so that you can have privacy. My lady," he turned to Jane, "I promise to you, we will do everything we can to help you."
She smiled. "Thank you, Lord Elrond."
He and Glorfindel merely bowed slightly in parting. When the door closed, Jane sighed heavily and put her hands in her head. Glorfindel immediately turned to her. "Are you troubled?"
Jane was more relieved to be away from Elrond, from everyone else. The past day had been the longest of her life. The last thing she remembered was being at an apartment party in Harvard Yard with her best friend and the next thing she knew, she was sopping wet, being yanked onto a horse by some blonde man who turned out to be an Elf, and now found herself in a world she had always known to be completely and utterly fictional. That was more than one person could handle.
And it wasn't that she had been treated badly, quite the contrary. She really enjoyed Elladan and Elrohir; they seemed to be easy to get along with and fun, a nice change of pace from their austere and somber father and his stiff advisor, Erestor. Jane even liked Arwen for as little as she spoke. But being around Glorfindel, Jane just felt at ease, relaxed. Maybe because he was the one who found her, calmed her down, wrapped her in his cloak, and brought her back to Imladris that she found herself drawn to him. But hearing Elrond's footsteps fading into the distance, leaving her alone with the Elf Lord was enough relief for Jane to break the slightly uncomfortable and reserved posture she had kept with since she entered the study.
"I'm fine," she murmured, pouring herself more wine, "just overwhelmed."
"Yes," Glorfindel replied in his serene baritone. "If you would prefer to speak to me when you are more accustomed to your surroundings, I would understand."
Jane shook her head. "No, we can talk now. Just... can we go outside?" she asked, sounding a little self-conscious. "I've been so cooped up all day. I need somewhere to stretch my legs."
"If that is easier for you, of course," Glorfindel consented.
"Great."
They both stood, Glorfindel yielding his arm to Jane, which she accepted. They left Elrond's study, going down the elaborate staircase that was slightly attached to the tree. Jane was still in awe of the architecture of Rivendell, as an Art History major. There was hardly anything like it, she was sure, back home "on Earth." She breathed in the cool fall night air and felt slightly more calm as she and Glorfindel walked through the forest that was his home. Growing up in a small town in Vermont, she had always been a person who loved the outdoors and even after moving to Boston for college, she would drive outside of the city, into the more rural areas to take in the more rustic landscape.
"Jane is a very unusual name," Glorfindel commented. "I have never heard of it in all my travels."
She laughed. "It's the most average name. There's even a kind of nickname for it, 'Plain Jane.' But my full name is Elizabeth Jane Grey. I just like Jane better."
"Why?"
"I dunno," she shrugged. "I guess I like J's." Glorfindel smiled in reply. They continued to stroll through the
After walking in silence for a few minutes, Jane sighed. "It's beautiful here."
Glorfindel nodded and smiled. "All think the same when they first set eyes on Imladris. To be sure, it is one of the most magnificent places in Middle Earth. But I believe every realm has its charm."
"Do you like it here best?" she asked, looking at his pale face, shining in the moonlight.
"No," he replied. "Middle Earth is not my home, despite its beauty. My people were born in Valinor. Many who came here are leaving to go back; soon the Elvish race will be nothing but a memory."
Jane remembered that from watching the Peter Jackson movies. She had been wondering all that time if she should mention Frodo or the Fellowship or even the Ring; she was worried that the Elves would think she was some kind of enemy. So she decided she should find out as much as she could about vague things to discover her place in time. She had been told the year, which was beyond useless as she had no concept of time from watching the movies. If only Veronica were here, she had thought sadly. She knows everything about Middle Earth.
"Have any mortals gone there? To Valinor, I mean." Frodo went there, didn't he? she tried to recall.
"Not ever," Glorfindel said. "Our home is the Undying Lands. No mortals have ever set foot there."
Well, that means it's before the Frodo stuff. But that doesn't really help me, does it? Fuck!
"It's probably more beautiful there," she said lamely, trying to find a way to discover more.
"It is," Glorfindel said, but sensing a new anxiety in Jane. "Shall we stop here?" He gestured to a stone bench in a small clearing, where a small meadow of wild flowers rested.
Jane nodded. She could figure out her whereabouts later. They sat in silence, Jane unsure of how to begin her story, Glorfindel worried about upsetting the girl.
"You are not from this world, are you, Lady Jane?" Glorfindel asked as he stared into her eyes, sparkling in the moonlight.
Jane only shook her head. "Not at all. To be completely honest, I've heard of Middle Earth," she admitted. "But it's a fictional place. From tales and books." She dared not elaborate more, for fear that she would reveal something in the future that she was already aware of.
"What do you know of this place?"
She shrugged. "Not very much," she lied. "I'd heard of Rivendell and the Elves. And I only can remember one story about Beren and Luthien Tinuviel fairly well."
Glorfindel nodded. It is hardly any wonder that such a tale of star-crossed lovers would reach her world. And the Lady of Light is perhaps the most well known Elleth, it is no surprise that word of her beauty and kindness reached the ears of mortals a world away.
They sat in silence for a while longer, Jane worried that the golden-haired lord didn't believe her completely. She changed the subject. "So, I'm just supposed to tell you how I got here?"
"If that is all you wish to tell me. What can you recall of your home before you arrived?"
"Lots. But I can just tell you about the last thing I remember? I can't really go through my life's story or anything. Nineteen years is a lot for me."
Glorfindel smiled. "Whatever you feel is important."
"Well, here's the thing," she said, a blush rising into her cheeks. "I don't remember that much from my last night there. I was... er, well... do you know what happens to humans when we drink too much wine or mead or..." she trailed off, embarrassment getting the better of her. She smiled sheepishly, waiting for a response.
Glorfindel smiled encouragingly. "Yes, I have heard of those effects on your race. The results are most humorous."
Jane looked relieved and laughed. "Yeah, it's pretty funny. Anyways, I was completely gone, I'd had this thing called Everclear Punch, it's really potent. I was at a party with my friend in a place called Boston, it's where I live now for school. And the very last thing I remember was toasting with my friend and then everything from then on gets kind of fuzzy. This thing happens when you 'black out' when you're drunk," she explained, finding the entire concept of college parties a really funny topic to be explaining to two very intrigued Elf Lords. "So I blacked out and can't remember past that. It's the first time to ever happen to me; I can usually hold my drink," she defended herself. "And I could only see black. Then, suddenly, there were twinklings of stars. It started slowly at first, but soon there were millions and billions of stars around me, passing me, like I was flying past them. It was like I fell off the world into the realm of nothing. I couldn't feel my body, my mind, the ground, or anything. I wasn't hungry or thirsty. It was like I was nothing. And everything. Does that make sense?" she stopped and ran a hand through her hair, frustrated. She looked at the fair haired elf for reassurance in her sanity.
After laughing at her explanation of inebriated adventure, Glorfindel realized what had happened to Jane. The same thing had happened to him years ago, after his terrible battle with a Balrog. However Jane came to be in Middle Earth, she died in her own world. He had only heard of such an occurrence among beings like Elves and the Istari. Glorfindel only nodded for her to continue, wanting to be sure of Jane's rebirth.
"Well, it was like I was in space this entire time. And time just didn't seem to matter. It was the weirdest thing that's ever happened to me. I was there for what felt like centuries, millennia, the entire lifespan of the world. And then, I was awake. But I was wet and cold and I didn't know where I was. And then I realized I was in the river. I got out and I was so exhausted that I couldn't do anything but lie on the ground. I didn't even care where I was. I lay there for hours. I thought I was going to die." She paused and smiled. "That was when you found me."
Jane felt relieved to recount her entire "adventure" to Middle Earth. Though she didn't understand, it was nice to know there was someone she could ask who probably knew; Elves had such wisdom about them. It probably came with the immortality thing. She looked at Glorfindel, who still had yet to say anything. But he didn't have to. His furrowed brow and silence told her everything she needed to know.
"Did something bad happen to me?" she asked quietly, feeling a knot in her stomach and a lump in her throat.
Glorfindel looked at the young woman, the girl. Her eyes were sparkling in the moonlight and her mouth was open slightly. She looked more worried than he had seen her before.
"My lady, what happened to you is very uncommon, if not unheard of by anyone by the race of Man," he explained. "It was a rebirth."
Jane scrunched up her eyebrows in concern. "Which is what exactly?"
"In order to be born again, you must die," he clarified. "And since this world, this Vermont and Boston you lived in, as you've told me, have no connection with Middle Earth, to have been reborn here, you had--"
Jane inhaled sharply and exhaled, her breathing shaky. "So, I'm dead?"
Glorfindel nodded somberly. "In your world, yes. And I cannot say that it is likely you will be able to return."
The news hit Jane in the chest like a bullet. She could never go home, see her friends, her family again. She would never see the familiar peaks of the mountains near her house, her pets, nothing and no one. Finishing college wasn't an option. There was no way to go back. She was dead, her body lying God-knows-where and she didn't even know what had caused it. She had no one with her in Middle Earth. She was completely alone.
Jane heard the sobs tumbling out of her mouth before she felt them racking her body. She felt hopeless, lost. She sunk to the ground onto her knees and held her sides tightly as she felt more and more full of anguish; each heart beat, each breath was another reminder that she was in another world, miles, light years, an infinity distance through space and time from her home. And there was no way of returning.
Suddenly, she felt arms around her, wrapping around her torso and pulling her against something solid and warm. Glorfindel, she suddenly remembered. Glorfindel was with her, kneeling with her, comforting her, holding her. He spoked to her in hushed tones, caressing her hair, cradling her head on his shoulder. Jane could only keep crying in acknowledging his presence. There was nothing else to do; she felt that her life was at an end. The idea that she was dead to everyone who knew and loved her was more than she could take.
Glorfindel continued to hold the sobbing girl, whispering to her in Quenyan and rocking her back and forth. He could only wait for her weeping to cease. He gripped her tightly as her cries of desperation, despair, and dolor continued, echoing through Imladris. He felt such great sorrow for her; he himself had gone through the process of rebirth, but there were very few consequences to his return, not like Jane. She was gone forever from all she knew, with no way he knew of to return. Finally, he felt her start to calm down. Her cries were more subdued and her breathing was becoming even again.
"My lady, I wish there was more joyous news that I could give you," he said dolefully as he held her. "But I swear to you, I will do as much as I can to help you."
Jane sighed shakily, feeling tears continue to fall down her face. "Thank you," was all she could say as he continued to hold her, "Thank you so much."
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Jane awoke to a warm sun caressing her eyes open. She yawned and sat up in bed, gaining consciousness of her surroundings. Quickly, the recent events came crashing back to her and she fell back onto her bed and groaned miserably. She had spent the entire day before in her room after her encounter with Glorfindel, sleeping and crying. She didn't leave her bed. She had been so overcome with grief and disbelief, she had hardly known what to do besides hide from the world she was now stuck in. But a new sense of hope swept over here. When she lay on her soft mattress, she decided she should join the world again, whether it's hers or not. She would adapt. Still, it hardly seemed fair that she had to completely reestablish herself in a new home, just after paying her housing fee for her dorm.
"This is bullshit," she whispered to the ceiling. She smirked at how ineloquent that was. Here she was in this Elf Haven, the most beautiful places she had ever seen and a place she had always thought was just in books and movies. She was surrounded by perfection in the nature of the trees and grass and flowers, as well as the beings around her. She had never seen so many breathtakingly gorgeous people in her life. And all she could do was curse in bed.
She couldn't help but laugh. In fact, a small snicker turned into a chuckle, which then became a giggle, and before she could realize, Jane was cackling in her bed, holding her side as it ached with her hysteria. She rolled from side to side under her covers with tears streaming down her eyes. And yet she continued. What a total change from two nights ago; she hardly remembered Glorfindel carrying her to her room, as she was so weak with grief. And now she was full of glee she could barely contain herself.
A knock on her door brought her laughing frenzy to an end. She wiped her eyes and kept giggling as she walked to the door to her room to see Glorfindel looking worried on the other side.
"My lady?" he asked anxiously. "Are you...?"
Jane began to laugh harder. "No... heehee! No more of this lady stuff!! HaHAAAAAHAHAHA, pleeeaaase!" she guffawed. "Just Jane!"
Glorfindel raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on his features. "As you wish. I only came to make sure you were well."
Jane grinned, her laughter finally stopping. "I mean, I'm as fine as I can be, considering. But, thanks." Her stomach also replied by roaring loudly to the Elf Lord. Jane giggled and tapped her stomach. "I guess I could use something to eat."
Glorfindel nodded. "Of course, I can have your handmaidens bring you breakfast. What would you like?"
"Anything. I'm starved."
"I will return," he said, nodding in departure, then walked away. Jane closed the door, still giggling.
"Oh, Glory," she sighed as she looked around her room. She found a small water basin with a pitcher next to it and she decided to wash her face before changing for the new day. Great, she thought as she splashed her face, more Elfy dresses. Soooo poncy.
Glorfindel returned within twenty minutes with one of the elleth from yesterday, who was wielding a plate with cheese, bread, fruit and a goblet on a tray. Jane had already brushed her hair (but not her teeth, that would take getting used to), changed into one of the gowns she had had made the day before, a light blue one.
"I guess I'll have to get used to no eggs and pancakes," she said quietly to herself, but smiled as she began tucking into her meal. She and Glorfindel sat at a small table with chairs in the "sitting room" of her "chambers."
"You seem to be fairing better, Jane," Glorfindel noticed, his blue eyes watching her as she ate.
She nodded. "I guess so," she decided. "It was the shock of the whole thing that really scared me. I'm not over it, but I'm adjusting."
"I am glad." He smiled and Jane returned it avidly.
"Thanks again," she said after a few moments of silence.
"I was only glad to help you two nights ago," Glorfindel replied.
Jane shook her head. "I meant for saving me. That was really weird for me, waking up suddenly in water."
"I can only imagine," Glorfindel laughed lightly.
"Can you show me around once I'm finished eating?" Jane asked. "I really want to see Rivendell."
"It would be my pleasure."
---------
Jane felt very inferior to the tall Elf as he escorted her around the forest. He was tall even by looking at the other Elves she had seen walking around. His long golden hair reached past his shoulders, with one braid in the front. His whole face demanded respect, with a knowledge beyond what Jane could imagine. His eyes that had been piercing in the moonlight, were a soft pale blue in the sun. He seemed more at ease than in Elrond's study, but she still felt that he held a certain countenance about him that was sightly intimidating. Yet, she felt safe as they walked through the vast forest.
Glorfindel asked her questions about her home, but she found it to be too difficult to explain more of her life because of all the different customs and technology, so she soon switched to asking about his life. He told her of his many travels, battles, and accomplishments. He told her of his rebirth after his slaying of the Balrog, which greatly piqued her interest. But at his mention of the Battle of Fornost against Angmar, Jane asked him about the Witch King.
"The name sounds familiar," she lied, again, remembering exactly who he was. She knew if he would explain more about the Witch King, she would be closer to finding out about the year and its relation to the Fellowship.
"He is a Nazgul," Glorfindel said darkly, "a servant of the Dark Lord, Sauron. In the Second Age, Sauron gave to the nine kings of Men nine rings. They were all great kings, but like many in the race of Men, they were blinded by greed and power. They took the rings without question from the Deceiver, each falling into darkness. They are now slaves to his will, always searching for the One so it can return to its master."
Yes, yesss! Here we go! So, we're in the Third Age and the Ring is still around! Jane cheered mentally. "The One?" she asked airily, pretending to be unaware of the darkness of which she asked.
"The One Ring," Glorfindel continued to explain. "It is the most evil object, created by Sauron in Mordor, the darkest realm of Middle Earth. He used it in an attempt to turn out world into his servants. In the Second Age, he almost succeeded. The Man, Isildur, King of Gondor, defeated him. But Isildur was a fool; instead of destroying the Ring, to rid the world of Evil, he kept it for himself," he said in disgust. "It only led to his death. And now, the Ring is nowhere to be found, still holding a new bearer after it abandoned the creature Gollum."
"So, now that Gollum doesn't have it, nobody knows who does?" Jane asked.
Glorfindel shook his head. "Not for years has anyone heard news of the Ring."
"This is Bad News Bears," she said. "Do you think there is going to be another war?"
Of course, Jane knew of this. But it was important for her to pretend. The Fellowship was yet to be created. And if Gollum did not have the Ring, then surely Bilbo did, which meant it could be like, forty years before Frodo would get it! No Tenth Walker for me! I won't be a Legolas Mary Sue! she exclaimed to herself. Her best friend from home, Veronica, had a mild obsession with Lord of the Rings and had explained the wonders of Fan Fiction.
"Yes," Glorfindel's dark tone returned. "To save Middle Earth and the good here, we must defend it from Sauron. His spirit endured his physical death by Isildur. He rose again, at first in a stronghold called Dol Guldur, the Hill of Sorcery, in southern Mirkwood, another Elvish realm. There he was disguised as a dark sorcerer called the Necromancer. The Elves did not realize that he was the Deceiver returned. One of the Istari, Gandalf the Grey, stole into Dol Guldur and discovered the truth; eventually the White Council of Wizards and Elves put forth their might and drove Sauron out. But he simply moved back to Mordor and raised himself again in Barad-dur. And there he lingers, as an ever watchful eye on the Tower of Barad-dur."
Jane felt goosebumps as Glorfindel explained new information of the Dark Lord. She never had understood his transition between man and flaming eye.
"I feel kind of bummed out now," she said, trying to lighten the mood.
Glorfindel raised a delicate eyebrow. "Bummed?"
She laughed. "I forgot, you don't know my slang. I just mean that we were talking a nice walk around and now it's all Sauron, Evil, Nazgul. Let's talk about something else. Tell me more about these... hoppits?"
This time, Glorfindel laughed as she placed her arm in his. "Hobbits. I will tell you of a very interesting hobbit, called Bilbo Baggins..."
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"Wait, what?" I shouted after choking down my wine at the news.
Glorfindel and I were sitting in his study, me stuffing my face with food and drink, him delicately indulging in a goblet of wine. He had brought me there later that night to show me maps and old history texts. Needless to say, I geeked out big time. But then he decided to spring some news on me! And we all know how I loved news from the Lord of the House of the Golden Flower. Apparently, Elrond thought it would be in my best interests if I spent my time being tutored. Not just in academics, but in combat. So, needless to say, I was more than pissed.
"Lord Elrond sees it as imperative for you to be trained in combat," Glorfindel said, slightly confused by my outburst.
"Nooo no no," I laughed. "I don't fight. Physically, I mean. And I don't wanna learn MORE! Today was plenty informative."
"Jane, I promise it will not be a terrible experience. Erestor is a very good teacher and--"
"HIM???" I shrieked. I had met him when I arrived. I can sum in up in one word: whatadick! He was such a wet blanket.
"A what?" Glorfindel asked as I voiced my thoughts.
"You know, like a party pooper, lame brain, jerk burger! He just seems like a stiff, like no fun and all work."
"I assure you, you will learn as much as you can from him," Glorfindel promised. "And I will be training you in sword combat, archery, and knives."
"Cut me some slack, mahdude!" I begged. "Knives? When would I ever use knives??"
Despite my love of the outdoors, I was clumsy. Not overly so, the way Stephanie Meyers wrote about Bella to make her more "relatable" to the hordes of pathetic teenaged girls who can't grasp the complete destruction of vampiric literature as we know it. I'm just a little klutzy, with the occasional stumble on the stairs, dropping papers, not that bad. But I never was one to test my equilibrium with knives. That seemed like I was just asking for trouble. Even if Glorfindel was helping me, I knew I would make a total fool of myself. It wasn't worth it.
"Maybe you should try these studies to see if you enjoy them," the Elf Lord offered. "And then you can decide whether to continue them."
I huffed. Arguing with a powerful Elf Lord almost seemed futile. "Well, fine. But don't expect me to come skipping through the forest to meet you to play with knives."
----------------------STOPHERESTOPHERE---------
Phew! That's over! Sorry, I didn't really have a better cut-off point. I just started writing and didn't want the first chapter to be too long. Can't have y'all getting your hopes up about long ones!
Glorfindel: Unless we're referring to my long one.
Wow, inappropriate! Let's keep those comments to ourselves, ey?
Haldir: Oy, missus!
Uggghh, what now?? You're not even supposed to be here! Get outta here!
Haldir: What and leave you with the guy who wasn't even in the movie?
Glorfindel: Like it's my fault that fat Kiwi replaced me with a chick!
'Scuse me?
Glorfindel: Oops...
Haldir: ooOOOohhh, you're in trouble now!
Well, guys, while I punish two v. bad Elves, review! Please?