~I hope you don't mind, I feel the need to switch into 3rd person, as my 1st person character is currently… rather out of it. ~

"A guardian, you say?" Elrond glanced around, "I think there is more for us to know."

Karisha nodded, "Is it safe to speak here? This is not something all should know."

"Indeed?" Gandalf pulled Elrond to the side, leaning down to whisper, "They are not to be left alone. We cannot trust their word to be true."

Aragorn moved nearer to Karisha, taking her arm. He gestured for her to accompany him.

"Not without –" Glorfindel interrupted her.

"I will carry her. To the study, child," He said to Aragorn.

The two warriors moved away and Lord Elrond bowed to the council, "I deeply apologies. We will sort out this confusing turn of events. I ask that you all are patient."

Gandalf then lead the way down the hall and through many rooms, at last entering the study of Lord Elrond. Glorfindel had laid Tyla's body across the soft silk of a day bed. Karisha was murmuring softly to her as she knelt on the ground.

Aragorn looked around as his foster father closed the doors, "Ada, what—"

Elrond held up his hand, "I know no more than you do, Estel. Gandalf," he turned to his old friend, "have you any knowledge of this power?" He gestured to the two girls.

"I have never heard of such a thing, though it may be possible, as Sauron himself is currently no more than spirit in form."

"You know," Karisha spoke suddenly, "If you just asked, I would be delighted to explain." Still kneeling beside her love, she spoke, "In my world… our world, your life is no more than a story. Middle Earth exists within the pages of books and the imagination of children. There are some, however, such as Tyla and me, whose job it is to make sure the stories go as they are supposed to; time and time again. There are people who want to change them: so the evil wins, the hero never makes it home, the princess remains cursed and so on.

"Each of these stories, anything that is ever written from beginning to end, is made to be in a new world. You were created," Karisha pointed to the men around the room, "by a man called Tolkien. Your actions, thoughts, even your memories, are from his hand. They are also your own, for once he wrote the tale… it came to life."

She turned to Elrond, "You remember with joy, your daughter dancing at her first ball because that is how you were written. But, you remember her in a blue dress because that is the dress she chose to wear." She stopped, "Are you following what I'm saying?"

"It is illogical, but… yes" Gandalf answered for everyone.

Karisha shrugged, "Just bear with me. Anyway, there are many people, like I said who want to change the outcome. Tyla and I are Guardians of the Stories. Our job is to follow each tale and make sure they are going the way they should. Not all of them, mind you. That would be preposterous; no we follow the older fantasy, war tales. There are others who follow the histories, and still others who monitor the children's book."

Elrond looked to Gandalf then back, "Why are you in this tale, if it is as you say? And why did you… do what you did to her?"

"Ah, yes, well I can only answer part of that." Standing, Karisha touched Tyla's face gently, "The Ring is a tool of absolute evil. Our power is that of Balance. If the ring were able to gather even a drop of it, it would have enough influence on the tale and the will of those who record it to turn the fates into darkness. Tyla could feel it drawing from her, so she had me remove the powers from her physical state."

"Her soul?" Glorfindel asked.

"Yes. Though, it is dangerous. I will not be able to return it for some time. Natural instinct is to flee once taken from a physical anchor. Heaven, the Undying Lands, the Halls of Manos… a soul wishes to go where it may find peace. Glorfindel, your soul was able to return because it is with Lord Elrond that you are most at peace."

"But you will be able to return it?" Aragorn confirmed.

"It will take some time, but I hope it will go back." Karisha laid the bottle with Tyla's light beside her empty form, "Many times a soul may not return, but Tyla is, I think, more resilient than that; for she holds much value in her work."

Elrond allowed her ten seconds before prompting, "Why are you here? Is the tale out of balance?"

"I don't know. We have never been called into a story in this way, though younger, inexperienced Guardians have fallen into their stories. That is usually a result of too little practice or an unobservant teacher." Karisha shook her head, "We were not particularly concerned with your story. It isn't normally a problem, too many hard headed good-guys for the tale to fall too far off track."

"What happens?" Gandalf questioned.

She turned to him, eyebrow raised, "Goodness Gandalf, I should think you would have enough experience with fate to know that I cannot possibly tell you what is to come."

The wizard appeared suitably abashed, "I was merely attempting to inquire as to a possible outcome. Your appearance implies that the story is not as it should be."

"Hmm," Karisha's brow furrowed with concentration, "that is true." She glanced at Elrond, "Was it your daughter or the Lord Glorfindel who did fetch Frodo from Aragorn and the other Hobbits?"

Though taken aback at what she knew, Elrond answered her, "Glorfindel."

"Then the tale is proceeding as it should." She stopped, "Oh, I wish Tyla wasn't as she is…"

Aragorn placed him hand comfortingly on her shoulder, "She'll be fine."

Karisha laughed, "This coming from the person who was happy to be the one to decapitate her just a short while ago."

"You appeared in the middle of a Secret Council that was to decide the fate of all Middle Earth. What else was I to do?" Aragorn shot back.

"Quite." Karisha laughed again. "As to that, I believe your guest may be feeling brushed aside. Especially the Dwarfs. You may want to send out an explanation."

Elrond nodded his agreement, "I shall, though there is still the matter of what you are to do. You are here, seemingly because something is going to set our journey off course."

Gandalf leaned of his staff, deep in thought, "I think it may be wise for you to join the White Council when we begin again tomorrow."

"Perhaps," Karisha brushed of Aragorn's hand, kneeling beside Tyla once more. "Though I doubt I shall by trusted by any of the members."

"That is not for them to decide. You are now a guest in my house." Elrond said firmly.

He was about to continue when there was sudden hurried knock on the door.