Chapter 6
The twins soon learned what Aragorn already knew—that, when properly prompted, Sa't's tales were not all of despair and death.
There were lighter stories as well, from memorized 'fairy tales' to remembered happenings. It was not a full day before Sa't's foul mood had dissipated, and she exchanged legend and lore of her own world with her travelling companions' tales from the world she was now a part of.
Time passed much more quickly with the lightened mood, and Sa't was surprised to find they were nearing their destination.
By the next morning, they were crossing the last river between them and the place her companions had called 'Imladris' or 'Rivendell'.
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Her first sight was being (not at all) subtly observed by the three males, and Sa't didn't give nearly so much reaction as she knew they were hoping for.
She knew, after all, that she was being watched—and she had seen much in her time. This was no great shock, though it was beautiful. She allowed herself a small smile as she observed the way white stone mingled with green leaves and showering waterfalls—truly beautiful.
She glanced at the slightly disappointed boys and her smile broadened, "It's beautiful."
Aragorn smiled in return and the twins offered something like smirks.
Sa't shook her head, "Take me to your foster-father, oh Fearless Leader."
Aragorn did a slight double-take at the form of address and decided not to ask, urging Ronan ahead down the trail.
Sa't and the twins followed.
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As the small group passed the gate's arch, one of the Elves who had been standing guard turned and ran for the main complex and the other greeted them with something between surprise and… happiness? mingled with light confusion for Sa't herself.
Aragorn and the twins dismounted as two Elves came towards them from a building that looked like a very nice stable, so Sa't followed suit, bowing slightly to the one who took Mithril's reins in thanks.
And someone came sweeping down the staircase of the apparent main building, not running but clearly in something like haste, mingled joy and trepidation in his eyes upon sighting the group before him.
The twins were the first to move after the one who was clearly their father hesitated at the base of the stairs, taking a couple hesitant steps closer.
And the Elf-Lord spread his arms slightly, inviting them in.
Sa't smiled as the twins went to hug their father, remembering a quiet conversation that the two had carried in a language very similar to a combination of Finnish and Old Welsh. They had been uncertain as to how welcoming said father would be after their sneaking out without telling anyone.
A few quick words were exchanged in that light, flowing language and Sa't's smile turned into a light smirk—they hadn't gotten out of a tongue-lashing, it was just going to come later, from what she had understood.
Aragorn was next, taking a step forward while Sa't hung back. He bowed slightly, greeting his foster-father in that half-understood language.
He was greeted in return, the warmth underlined with concern and slight wariness.
Sa't almost shook her head at how obviously these Elves broadcast their emotions. Immortals in her world learned quickly not to do that.
Then he turned to her, "And who is this?" he asked, curiosity in voice and eyes.
Aragorn turned to introduce her, but Sa't forestalled him by taking a single step forward and bowing the way she would have to the Priestesses in her Mother's temple—formal, but as to an equal. "Sa't Mertseger, Daughter of She Who Loves Silence, Goddess of the Mountain."
An eyebrow raised questioningly and the Elf-Lord's head turned to glance at those with whom she had arrived.
Aragorn stepped in smoothly, "It is a tale best told in private."
Sa't gave a short nod, grateful that he only intended his family to find out, for now. "Domo arigatō," she said quietly.
Puzzlement flashed through grey eyes, but Aragorn remembered having heard that before and nodded.
Deciding that was a question for later, the Elf-Lord finally introduced himself properly before turning to lead the way into the building.
They encountered a golden-harried Elf on the way to wherever they were going, and that Elf's eyes widened at the sight of their group and he took a quick step in their direction before hesitating, glancing questioningly at Lord Elrond.
Elrond turned towards Aragorn, quirking an eyebrow, and Aragorn, in turn, glanced to Sa't.
Sat closed her eyes briefly, but she could see that Aragorn trusted the stranger and nodded.
"I see," Elrond murmured quietly before turning to the golden-haired stranger. "This is Sa't Mertseger," he stumbled slightly over the strange pronunciation. "Sa't, this is Lord Glorfindel of Gondolin."
Sa't turned and offered the equal-bow, "A pleasure, I'm sure."
"Come, I am curious as to your tale, young one."
Sa't repressed the urge to snort and saw those who had traveled with her were having similar responses, but followed as he led the way into what was quite possibly the nicest office Sa't had ever seen.
Elrond gestured for them to take seats, but Sa't remained standing as the others settled.
Elrond did not comment on that choice, "Why is it that you are here, child?"
Sa't took the opening. "I am older than I appear, much the way your people are. I am from another world, and my people are called Immortals…"
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Sa't told them her childhood and her First Death, her training, her people. Her Goddess, her Mother. She glossed over some of the horrors she had lived through, told of what it meant to live a life, unaging, amongst Mortals.
She told of watching the world around her change, and knowing that any of her own people were more likely to try and kill her than befriend her.
The Elves were clearly horrified at the description of The Game that ruled her people and equally horrified that she had lived completely amongst mortals for the majority of her four-thousand-plus years, watching friends age and die while she remained unchanging.
She told of finding Karen, confused after she had been killed in a hit-and-run accident, taking her in and teaching her, of the ten years her student, the closest thing she would ever have to a child, had spent with her.
Of her last day in her own dimension, of Karen's death and her subsequent challenge of her daughter's killer. She didn't bother to hide her tears at the thought of her child, and finished with meeting Aragorn before gesturing to him to take over, mentally exhausted.
Aragorn gave a quick recap as to what had happened since meeting her, perhaps emphasizing her skill with her blades and her saving his life, but not exaggerating.
At the end of it, there was a long silence.
They believed her, that much was clear, but there was great sadness for her—and pity.
Sa't felt the stirrings of anger at the pity.
"How could you live such a life?" Glorfindel asked after the silence had stretched.
Sa't smirked, a trace of bitterness in the expression, "What choice did I have? Immortal I may be, but I am still of what you call the Race of Men. To live alone is to invite madness. I have seen those who tried to avoid mortals to avoid the pain of loss. I refused to become that. Better grief than that. As for the other…
"Again, what choice? To allow my memories, my skills to fall into the hands of one who would use them only to kill? No. I fight with all I have, if only to avoid that."
When put that way…
"I see."
"But I am not the true reason that we came."
Concern returned to grey eyes.
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Hey all—this is not, in fact, the only story that was close to an update. I'm hoping to have the rest of the chapter for 'The Price of the Future' finished soon, as well as the next chapter in 'Shifting Times'. If any of you have read 'Better off Forgotten' I could use reading suggestions for both its fandoms, as I'm trying to get the third chapter properly started.
'Pending' and 'A Taste of the Supernatural' are undergoing revision, but will also be updated when I finish revising. 'Starlight in Shadows' I don't really know what to do with at the moment, so it is on hold, possibly to be either seriously revised or discontinued. I have yet to decide.
All my HP stories are still in-progress, two of the three nearing updates. 'Silver Drake' has the next chapter about halfway finished, although I am struggling with that one, as my main source of inspiration for it were my puppy and my horse. The puppy is still missing and my horse died relatively recently.
'X-Over' will be updated within two weeks.
That's all I can think of for the moment—oh. 'Crash Consequences' next chapter has been written for a while, but neither Tume or I actually like what we've got and we're seriously considering scrapping it and starting over. Any input on any/all stories is welcome.
