Halt crept through the forest with ease. His eyes piercing through the darkness of the night, stalking beneath the moon that was hidden by darkening clouds that had formed during the afternoon.
It's going to rain soon. The grim ranger thought to himself, pulling his cowl up as the wind began to pick up.
He made his way back to his cabin that was located not too far away from his current location. After an unsuccessful hunting trip that lasted for an hour, his mood was rather dark and impatient.
Gradually becoming closer to home, Halt wondered if Will was up to something disruptive or idiotic in the kitchen. If so, Halt would think again before leaving his apprentice alone for a long period of time.
A branch suddenly snapped behind him, and the professional ranger swiftly turned around, hand automatically resting on his saxe knife. He gazed through the darkness to see the silhouettes of the trees swaying against the heavy wind, showers of rain drops falling down … and the shadow shape of a tall, well-muscled horse.
Halt raised an eyebrow and walked towards the beast with interest. His eyes grew wide as he got a better look at it.
It was white. His coat seeming delicate and fair – almost gleaming. It was handsome looking as well, with eyes as dark as the night sky. It gazed keenly at the ranger.
"Now, what would a horse like you be doing in this sort of weather, or even in this forest for that matter?"
The horse simply looked at him.
Funny, Halt thought. This horse has no saddle.
A suspicious feeling crept into the back of Halt's mind. Did this horse come from Castle Redmont? If so, where was it's rider? And why would it be out here at such an hour?
"Where's your rider?" Halt wondered, and the horse simply turned around behind him. But there was no one to be seen. Just the ever swaying trees.
Halt wasn't sure what to do. To leave the horse alone in the woods to go as he pleased, or to turn him into the Horse School to see if it was one of theirs.
Before he could come to a decision, the horse shook his mane in a negative gesture before turning away. He ran off in a lightning bolt pace into the depths of the forest.
"Hm. Suit yourself." Halt muttered and continued home.
When he finally arrived at the cabin, he was already soaked to the bone. The rain had become heavier as the night dragged on.
He hastily tore of his cloak and threw it on the kitchen table, placed his bow and quiver away, and wondered what Will was up to.
"Will?" he called as he sat down.
"Halt?" the boy walked in, glancing at the bow. "You didn't catch anything?" he asked.
Halt shook his head. "It's raining anyway. No point really. What have you been up to?"
Will sat down beside him and shrugged. "I fed Tug, and then groomed him for a bit."
Halt rolled his eyes. "You spoil him too much." he stated, lazily placing his feet on the table.
Will frowned slightly. "I do not."
"Yes you do."
"No, I don't!"
Halt chuckled. "Yes, you do."
"I don't!" Will snapped.
"You do."
"No I -"
A sudden lighting bolt cracked, interrupting their little bicker. From the stormy atmosphere outside, more lightning followed, causing strange shadows to dance.
Watching it all through the window, Halt's eyes swore they saw a slim figure leaning against a tree.
As it darkened again, he never tore his gaze from outside. Who was out there?
Will cast his mentor a worried glance. "Is everything … alright?"
"Funny." Halt replied. "On my way here, I saw an abandoned horse with no saddle and no rider, either. I have my bets it's not from the Horse School."
"What would make it -"
Will was unexpectedly cut off by a knocking at the door.
Halt gave it an uncertain look, his legs refusing to rise and open it.
His apprentice merely sighed. Will they ever be left in peace?
Halt and Horace had saved he and the princess Cassandra in Skandia not too long ago, and then the four helped the Skandians win a war against the furious, horse-riding Temujai.
"I wonder what this person wants." Will wondered, as Halt hesitated to stand and open the door.
As he did so, he saw a drenched man with long, golden hair. His face was pale, and his eyes were a deep shade of blue. Strikingly handsome, his ears were … pointed.
He gave the unamused Halt a dazzle of a smile. "May I come in?"
Halt gave him a cold stare. "Castle Redmont isn't too far away from here. You could find much better accommodation there."
The man continued to smile. "I'd prefer to pass by without many people noticing me, and this seems like a private place."
"It is indeed." Halt sighed. At least I thought it was, anyway ...
"Besides, my steed wandered off somewhere around here, and I've decided to call him tomorrow at dawn. It's too wild a weather to do so now."
"Call him?"
The man's eyes sparkled. "Yes, call him. He's very obedient to me. He has been with me for as long as I can remember."
Halt's suspicions began to rise. "Is your runaway steed … white?"
The man grinned. "Yes. Have you seen him?"
"Yes, but he's gone now." There was something about him that Halt found mysterious. He found he couldn't trust this man … not many men had pointed ears these days.
"Halt, who are you talking to?" Will asked, rising from his seat.
"No one that concerns you, that's for sure." Halt gave the man an inspection.
His clothes were covered by a long, blue and silver cloak with elegant embroidery, and his boots looked light and polished despite the rain drops on them.
"Are you going to let me in, or would you rather I freeze to death out here?" he wondered.
Halt glared at him. "I'm actually very fond of suggestion number two ..."
"Halt, who's there?" Will stood by his mentor's side and looked at the stranger. "Who are you?"
"My name is Glorfindel," the man beamed. "I am from Imladris, known to your kind as Rivendell."
Halt let out a short bark of laughter. "Glorfindel? Seriously? What type of a name is that?"
Glorfindel appeared taken aback.
The bearded ranger gave him a serious look. "You are clearly out of your mind, 'Glorfindel'. And Rivendell? To our kind? Never even heard of it, and I know my fair share of country. Enjoy your stay at Araluen." Halt shut the door and scowled.
"What did he mean by, 'our kind'?" Will wondered.
"Glorfindel … what kind of a name is that?" Halt mumbled and sat down.
Will thought for a moment. "It sounds … foreign."
"It sounds like a name I'd give to an impulsive prince. Not to mention the name 'Rivendell' … or, what was it he called it at first?" Halt rubbed his chin.
"Imladris, mellon nin. The Homely House of Lord Elrond." a voice answered.
Will jumped to see the strange man mimicking Halt's lazy position by the table.
"How in Gorlog's teeth did you get in!?" Halt demanded, rising cautiously to his feet.
Only a master thief could break into a house unheard …
Glorfindel shrugged. "I have my ways – but you should really keep your windows shut. Who knows what could creep in here in the night?" he smiled smugly.
Halt cursed at his reply. "Thanks for the tip."
"You're welcome!"
"Now, get out."
Glorfindel's face fell. "Why? Have I done you wrong?"
"Not yet, but I'm not going to wait to find out ..."
"Does it look like I would do anything to harm you?" Glorfindel innocently wondered.
Halt's sharp eyes located a blade sheathed at the man's side. "Yes."
"What about you, boy?" Glorfindel caught Will of guard.
Will was quietly trying to sneak back into his room, hoping to avoid all this.
"Um … pardon?"
"Do you think I would cause you any harm?" there was a shining in Glorfindel's eyes.
Will shuffled his feet nervously, refusing to meet his mentor's glare and the man's eager look.
"No?"
"Exactly!" Glorfindel jumped to his feet. "I promise not to hurt anyone within this household, unless he be with evil intentions!" he brightly looked at Halt.
Halt groaned as Glorfindel threw his cloak next to his camouflaged one. The strange man's clothes appeared to be of a light blue and a glowing silver – a very rich color combination. He noted Glorfindel's golden hair flowed down his back … and those pointed ears disturbed him. It was like he stepped out of a fairy tale.
His appearance told he was only in his early twenties, as there were no signs of there ever being a beard. But his voice seemed ancient, if not also excitable and jubilant.
"Would you like some coffee?" Will wondered.
Glorfindel shook his head at the kind offer and leaned back comfortably on the armchair. He gave Halt an impressed look.
"You have a polite son here."
Halt shook his head. "He's my apprentice."
And I'm going to drag you out of here by force if you try anything …
"What are your names, kind men?"
"I'm Will Treaty – my mentor's name is Halt." Will informed.
"Ah, and no doubt you are rangers!" Glorfindel grinned. "Your clothes and choice of weapon gave it away – although, I am surprised to see one so young of age."
Halt raised a brow. "You've met rangers?"
"Oh yes. Where I am from, they wander in the woods of the North, protecting their borders. I have also heard of the rangers of Ithilien."
"And … where are you from?" Will frowned. He had never heard of those places before …
Glorfindel cleared his throat.
Oh no … Halt mentally groaned.
"I come from a place know as many names. Commonly known now as Middle-earth ..."
