There was something in the wind that day that made me feel alive. My
parents and I were vacationing in Yosemite, as we do every spring. While
they trekked up the steep mountainsides and hiking trails, I had decided to
satisfy myself with a brisk walk through the woods along the river.
As I've said, there was something in the air that day. I felt inspired. I felt as one with my surroundings. The peacefulness was going to my brain. No small wonder, therefore, that my imagination started running away with me. I could have sworn I just heard something large rustling in the bushes just off the path. "Must be a squirrel, or at most, a deer," I thought to myself. I continued my stroll, but soon stopped as I heard the sound again. It was louder this time, and coming from the exact same direction as before. It was as if whatever was lurking in the bushes was trailing me.
As I rounded a bend in the path, the sound of the nearby river became a roar...and I found myself very near the end of a long arrow, which was pointed straight at my nose! Lifting my hands in the air, I froze in my tracks, astonished to see a tall figure standing before me, poised to shoot. Could it be? This was not a furry woodland creature at all. It wasn't even human. It was an elf! Now, mind you, I am a huge fan of fantasy stories, namely Lord of the Rings by the late great JRR Tolkein. This is why I figured the "something" in the wind was making my mind play tricks on me.
This assumption was soon dissuaded, however, as a second tall figure- this time, really a man-came striding out of the woods to my left to stand beside the elf. As the man put his hand on the elf's shoulder, the elf lowered his weapon, much to my relief. "Westu hal," he said to me, as I stood in awe of what was taking place. "Uh-huh..." I gulped, knowing full well he had just said "Be thou well." This could not be happening! Was I indeed in the presence of Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and Legolas, prince of Mirkwood? If so, I figured I really needed to lay off the Pepsi before breakfast.
I could do nothing but stand perfectly still, my mouth agape, while Aragorn and Legolas eyed me suspiciously. I was certain they were noting my "strange" manner of dress. I wore a sky-blue ski jacket over jeans and stylish hiking boots, while they were dressed in soft fabrics, layers of cloaks, and belts holding any and all manner of weaponry. Had I known I was going to come across two prominent figures in the history of Middle Earth that day, I would have better dressed for the occasion!
As I've said, there was something in the air that day. I felt inspired. I felt as one with my surroundings. The peacefulness was going to my brain. No small wonder, therefore, that my imagination started running away with me. I could have sworn I just heard something large rustling in the bushes just off the path. "Must be a squirrel, or at most, a deer," I thought to myself. I continued my stroll, but soon stopped as I heard the sound again. It was louder this time, and coming from the exact same direction as before. It was as if whatever was lurking in the bushes was trailing me.
As I rounded a bend in the path, the sound of the nearby river became a roar...and I found myself very near the end of a long arrow, which was pointed straight at my nose! Lifting my hands in the air, I froze in my tracks, astonished to see a tall figure standing before me, poised to shoot. Could it be? This was not a furry woodland creature at all. It wasn't even human. It was an elf! Now, mind you, I am a huge fan of fantasy stories, namely Lord of the Rings by the late great JRR Tolkein. This is why I figured the "something" in the wind was making my mind play tricks on me.
This assumption was soon dissuaded, however, as a second tall figure- this time, really a man-came striding out of the woods to my left to stand beside the elf. As the man put his hand on the elf's shoulder, the elf lowered his weapon, much to my relief. "Westu hal," he said to me, as I stood in awe of what was taking place. "Uh-huh..." I gulped, knowing full well he had just said "Be thou well." This could not be happening! Was I indeed in the presence of Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and Legolas, prince of Mirkwood? If so, I figured I really needed to lay off the Pepsi before breakfast.
I could do nothing but stand perfectly still, my mouth agape, while Aragorn and Legolas eyed me suspiciously. I was certain they were noting my "strange" manner of dress. I wore a sky-blue ski jacket over jeans and stylish hiking boots, while they were dressed in soft fabrics, layers of cloaks, and belts holding any and all manner of weaponry. Had I known I was going to come across two prominent figures in the history of Middle Earth that day, I would have better dressed for the occasion!