Chapter 4- But I am Glorfindel!
I had to think about one thing that would prove me as being Glorfindel. "Well, Lord Elrond, sir, I have a wonderful wife named Nithiel and she is currently bearing my child."
"That is not going to prove that you are Glorfindel." Elrond spoke coldly.
"Well… there is another thing… I have a scar just above my flank… but I do not really want to show you with Elrohir standing here…"
"I do not want to see it anyway." Elrohir turned his back towards us.
I shyly lowered my loose leggings and showed him the three-inch long scar.
Elrond's lips quirked back into one of his uncommon smiles, "My friend, what have you done to yourself this time?"
I smiled the biggest smile that I could muster. Quickly, I hugged his leg and started to weep. I wept like a little elfling who has only just been reunited with his father. "I am so glad that you see me as who I really am now!" I pulled my leggings back up and looked to my lord, "Is there anything that you can do to turn me back into an elf?"
Drawing his slender hand up to his chin in thought, Elrond spoke quietly, almost lost in his own thoughts, "There is this herb… it can cure almost any ailment… But, the only place that it can be found is up in the snowy mountains in the dense wilderness… There is also rumor of a fell dragon that lay, guarding the herb…" His gray eyes lowered to meet mine, "I do not wish for you to lose your head over such a diminutive matter."
"I do not care. I… I just want to be normal again…" I could feel my ribs begin to tense as the thought of what was to come hit me like a rock. "Where are these mountains?"
"North of here, in the most remote place of Middle-Earth." Elrond spoke quietly, not truly wanting to bestow the information upon me, "And if you truly must go, take another elf with you."
I nodded quickly before speaking my gratitude towards the lord of Imladris. I left in a heartbeat to find another elf to accompany me on this suicidal trip.
Just as I had anticipated, no one would attend with me on this journey. Well, all but one. Elrohir, the son of Elrond seemed more than ecstatic to come with me.
"Glorfindel," He smiled, looking down upon me with his steel gray eyes, "when we leave, can you teach me some of those sword techniques that you promised?"
"That is the reason that you want to accompany me, is it not?" I could feel a slight smile spread across my lips as I realized that the full-grown elf standing in front of me still only carried elfling thoughts.
He shifted his tanned leather boot in the dirt awkwardly, "Possibly." He whispered, staring up at some unseen object.
"Pack your belongings, then. We will leave at first light tomorrow morning." I watched as Elrohir darted off, racing the fading sun. I, too, turned and was about to retire to my home. That was until I remembered that I was no longer an elf… "I hope Nithiel will still recognize me." I whispered as I walked the familiar stone path back to my home.
As I neared the gold trimmed door, a fleeting thought crossed my mind. What if she does not recognize me? What if she does not even love me any more…? I cursed myself quietly for even thinking such appalling thoughts.
I opened the large door and stepped cautiously inside. Everything was just as I left it countless days ago. The kitchen was still a mess with pots and pans sitting patiently in the sink, waiting to be washed. I peered around the arch into the living room. Again, nothing was changed.
Quite sobs flittered to my ear. Faintly, I could make out that Nithiel was crying. I flew up the spiraling stairs as fast as my fat, stubby legs could carry me. "Nithiel!" I cried, "Nithiel, do not cry!"
Opening the large door to the bedroom, I could clearly see my beloved wife on the bed, sobbing with her head buried in her long elegant hands. "Nithiel…" I crooned, "Please, I am here now…"
"Glorfindel?" She looked over to me, her smile quickly fading to disgust; "You are not Glorfindel! Get out of my home!" She picked up a book and cast it at me, barely skimming the top of my golden head.
"Please, Nithiel!" I could feel myself begin to plead, "It is I, Glorfindel!"
"Prove yourself!"
Once again, I lowered my leggings to reveal the three-inch white scar sitting just above my flank.
"… It is you…" overwhelmed with joy, she wept. "I cannot believe it… you have returned. But… why are you so short?"
"I will explain later, my love." And I kept true to my word. After a short rest, I explained all that had befallen me in the few short days.
Once my story had been told, Nithiel's lips pulled back into a very amused smile. "As long as you are still my Glorfindel, I do not care what you become."
"Oh, there is one more part that I left out…" My gaze slowly dropped to the oaken floor.
"And what is that, my love?"
"I fear I must leave you again for awhile. I must find an herb that can cure me of this horrible predicament."
"Will you be back soon? The baby is due in only a few short months." Her slender hand dropped to caress her bulging belly.
"I hope so," was all I could manage to murmur under my breath. I still kept my azure eyes gazing to the ground, not wanting to see her expression.
"Do not feel guilty. You do what you feel you need to." Nithiel's soft, flute-like voice spoke kindly without even the slightest hint of irritation. "And when you return, I will be awaiting you with open, loving arms."
"Thank you, Nithiel, for always being there for me." I bent over to give her a kiss, but only to find my lips press against her forearm. I could hear her giggle softly before bending over and kissing me with her soft, silky lips.
I smiled and pulled the blankets up over my head before swiftly falling into a comfortable, dream filled sleep.
Tbc…