Note:

Introducing the second point of view character for the story.


A loud, dull thud invaded the silence of the library.

From her perch curled up on the windowsill, Nelwen idly cast a glance towards the courtyard stretched beneath her. The windowsill was a favoured spot for Nel; from her seat she could see most of the city as it meandered its way down to the river, and this corner of the library was rarely visited, meaning that she could read with little fear of interruption. Looking at the view before her, the streets were relatively empty, most elves having retired to their homes for evening meals and music. Aside from the singing of nightjars and corncrakes, the city was quiet and the origin of the thud eluded her. Nelwen was about to return her attention to the book haphazardly balanced on her lap when she caught sight of the bedraggled stranger standing at the far side of the square below with a pack dumped unceremoniously at their feet.

Nel couldn't make out the newcomer's appearance, obscured as they were by the branches of the Glandagol tree, but she could tell by their hunched posture and the noise of their footfalls that they were human. Surely not another one? Far from either the Great East Road or the High Pass, Rivendell saw few visitors. And yet the last few months had witnessed a seemingly endless parade of peculiar figures. Rumours were rife: some said that dragons were heading south from the Withered Heath towards the elven kingdoms; others claimed that one of the lost rings of power had been found. Nelwen put little stock in rumours, preferring instead to rely on the steady knowledge she found in her books, but she couldn't deny that she was curious.

From her vantage point, Nelwen watched as the stranger was approached by the Wizard, Gandalf, before greeting him with a hearty embrace. She should have bloody known. The Wizard was a reasonably regular presence in the Kingdom of Elrond, occasionally accompanied by unusual companions and always accompanied by trouble. If something was truly afoot, it made sense that he was the one behind it. As she watched them gesticulate in animated discussion, Nelwen suddenly became very aware that she had been staring at them for some time and was struck with a flush of guilt for her nosiness. Surely she had better things to do than pry on a reunion among friends.

Oh bugger.

With a start she tumbled from the windowsill with uncharacteristic gracelessness. Elrond had asked her to attend a meeting in his private study that evening and she had lost track of time while spying on the unexpected human. Nelwen was always, always punctual. An elven life may be long but that didn't mean that time should be wasted in idle waiting. The book that had been resting on her lap went skittering across the floor and she swore under her breath as it disappeared under a reclining couch. She would have to remember to recover that later.