"Do you think Mr. Frodo will be all right?" Sam asked, concerned for his friend.
It was daytime, and the company of friends moved through an evergreen forest, the winds were still and the only thing that could be heard was the crackling of foliage and dry twigs under feet, hooves and boots.
"Indeed, Master Gamgee, he will. Lord Elrond is a great healer." replied Strider from the front "I am confident that we have nothing to worry about."
"Let's hope so." said Sophia as she helped Merry over a small crevasse "There's been enough suffering."
"Thank you, my lady." he said smiling.
"You're welcome, Merry." she said kindly, while helping Sam lead Bill across.
"Somebody's blushing..." teased Pippin in a hushed voice as he waited for his friend, Merry's smile vanished and he looked absolutely embarrassed. Pippin's smile on the other hand only grew "You're such an easy hobbit to read, my dear friend."
"I am not! Why I'm one of the most mysterious hobbits west of Bree, I dare say!"
"Settle down, you two." said Sam as he led Bill behind them "You'll get us into trouble."
"Trouble?" Pippin almost laughed "More than we are already in?"
"Don't worry, guys. You're in safe hands." said the giant, plated warrior "Besides, we're not that far from Rivendell, are we, Strider?"
"Indeed." he replied "We will reach the Loudwater shortly." and just as Aragorn said, a little while later Sophia's sensitive and powerful hearing picked up the slight rushing of water.
The warrior felt a bit uneasy, something was wrong, something didn't fit, a moment later it all clicked. She picked up her pace and caught up to Aragorn and whispered "We are being watched. From all angles. At least a dozen individuals."
"They are friendly eyes, curious but friendly." Strider said "Guards of Rivendell, we have entered their lands a while ago."
"I can hear them, whispering to one another. Rushed and quick tones in their speech." she replied.
Aragorn just smiled "We have nothing to fear from them, Sophia. The elves are a calm people."
"This doesn't feel calm to me."
"Understandable, however." the Ranger drawled.
"What?"
"You." and he smiled.
"Oh." she felt a bit silly "Right."
"Are they going to introduce themselves?" she asked with a chuckle.
"They will not. They are tasked with watching over the borders of Rivendell, only to interfere if orcs or worse approach."
"Do you think Elrond will send anyone to meet us?"
"Highly likely, once we have crossed the Bruinen we will not be far from Rivendell."
As they moved through the thicket Bill was the next one to pick up the sound of water and he slightly neighed, then Aragorn and finally the hobbits. When they got closer they could hear the river rush almost violently. They cleared the treeline one by one, standing on the rocky shore of the river. Strider had a worried look on his face.
"What is it?" asked the warrior, glancing frequently upstream and downstream.
"The river. It is never this deep or fast. Not even during springtime. Especially not at the beginning of autumn. Something has happened. Come, we must hurry." and he started making his way towards the edge when he noticed something on the ground, hoof prints, many, the design of the horseshoe prints were not elvish, he scoured the area with his keen eyes.
"These prints..." he began.
"Horseshoe, but let me guess, not friendly?"
"Indeed. These were made by Morgul steeds. Nine in number. The Nazgul were here in force." Aragorn said standing up, dusting off his hands.
"Do you think Rivendell is under attack?" she asked as she reached for the weapon clamped to her back.
"No, the Guards of Rivendell would have warned us. It would seem the threat has passed."
"For how long I wonder..." then she looked back at the three hobbits still in their care. Cold, hungry and exhausted. "Let's go, Strider. The faster we get there the better."
"Agreed. Come hobbits!"
"We are going to cross... that?" Pippin asked as he nervously pointed at the river "In case you haven't noticed, that river is almost as tall as I am! And hobbits are not very good swimmers, in fact, we don't know how to swim at all!"
"That's all right, Pippin. Neither do I." said Sophia.
Pippin didn't feel reassured.
"Don't worry, I'll carry you across."
"Are you sure?" Aragorn asked "The river is very strong."
The hobbits, even Bill looked on with skepticism.
"A little positive energy wouldn't hurt, you know." then she sighed deeply "One day, my dear, dear friends, I'll show you just how strong I really am." The hobbits tentatively stepped forward, then without warning she hoisted Merry and Pippin up on her shoulders, they were sitting on her biceps, hanging on to her forearms for dear life as she practically jumped across the river in 2-3 small bounds.
Aragorn and Sam looked on wide-eyed from across the river.
"You can open your eyes and let go now, Pippin." Merry easily let go and jumped to the ground, happy to be alive, Pippin's death grip however was another matter entirely.
"Pip?" he was having none of it "Pip!" she said a bit louder and that startled him enough to let go of her arm.
"Let's not do that again, shall we?" he said as he fell on his backside.
Sophia laughed loudly "We'll see." then she turned and swiftly crossed the river for the rest of their company.
"By the Valar..." said an elf from his perch, with him stood four more of his comrades in arms, they all stared in disbelief at the giant and apparently female warrior. Her size, her strength, the armor she wore. Her voice and the manner in which she spoke was very strange indeed, the fact alone that she was a she was a very new concept to them, but they trusted the Dunadan's judgment. They knew he would never bring a foe to their home.
"Candar, go and inform Lord Elrond at once, the rest of Mithrandir's company have arrived. Aragorn, with him travel three more hobbits and a strange woman of great size and unknown armor and allegiance. Move swiftly."
"At once. Shall I send for Glorfindel as well?"
"Lord Elrond will do that."
The younger elf bowed his head and then moved swiftly between the trees before mounting his horse and galloping off to Imladris.
Aragorn and his company moved along a narrow path in the forest, they weren't far now.
"Strider, someone's coming. Directly in front of us. One individual." Sophia warned in a hushed voice.
Then they all heard it, laughter, the voice danced as it moved through the forest "Welcome home, baby brother" a strong and melodic voice said "Keeping strange company once again I see."
Then Strider said something in elvish in a humorous tone, more laughter echoed through the forest. Then an elf stepped out from behind a tree, he was tall and strong, beautiful and intricate silver armor with flowing snow white robes. His face was strong and perfectly symmetrical as probably all eves' were. His hair, long and golden, he carried a beautiful sword in his hand.
"Greetings, friends and welcome, I am Glorfindel of Rivendell." he said with a deep and serious tone, but with a light smile.
"It is good to see you once more, brother." said Aragorn with a big smile as he bear hugged the elf, Sophia saw that his expression revealed that elves probably weren't familiar or used to such open affection, but he returned the hug of his friend none the less.
He then turned his attention to the hobbits "Greetings, master hobbits." and he bowed respectfully "I hope your stay in our home will be a pleasant one, worthy of remembrance."
"This moment already is." replied Sam as he stared at the elven lord in awe.
Glorfindel smiled "You do me great honor, master..."
"Gamgee, Samwise Gamgee, at your service." then Sam took a deep and respectful bow, all his hunger and exhaustion washed away by the joy he was feeling.
Glorfindel then looked to the other two "I'm Peregrin Took and this is my closest friend, Meriadoc Brandybuck."
"Everyone just calls us Pippin and Merry." the one identified as Merry said "We are very happy to have finally reached Rivendell."
Glorfindel bowed once more to the two, then the 'accidental' snapping of a twig made him finally notice the 5th member of Aragorn's party, one who so far surprisingly managed to conceal himself. What he saw next would be a sight that would permanently etch itself into his memory.
Out from behind a thick tree stepped a massive, plated being, almost two heads taller than he or Aragorn, his entire body covered in armor, strange armor. Glorfindel's expression grew suddenly very serious and he pulled himself to his full height "It is an honor to finally meet the one who protected these hobbits..." then he looked to Strider "...and my young brother from certain torture and death at the hands of the foul dogs or Mordor." he bowed once again "I must admit however, the daughter of Elrond did not say anything else beyond said fact. Judging those things were not for her to divulge, but I must ask none the less, who are you, stranger?"
Then the strange warrior turned his head slightly to Aragorn.
"Those whose identities are not known are not permitted to enter Imladris." the Ranger chieftain clarified.
Then a deep and long sigh that followed only made the hobbits laugh.
"And here I was hoping to forego formalities and just stay out of the spotlight..."
The surprise on Glorfindel's face was, as a former colleague of Sophia would have put it: Priceless.
"Apologies, my lady. Forgive my ignorance. I did not consider the possibility." Glorfindel said "Please, allow me to take the bag from your back."
"I'm wearing half a ton of armor." she chuckled, he went a shade paler "A small bag is really not that heavy."
"I understand. However I still ask for your forgiveness, I meant no insult."
"You people concern yourselves way too much with politeness and apologies." the massive warrior said.
"It is a part of who we are as a people and as a society. However, I must ask, why is a lady such as yourself in armor, such strange armor?" Glorfindel asked.
"Answers will be provided in due time, brother." Aragorn said "We should go on."
After a moment Glorfindel nodded "Agreed. However, I still do not know your identity, or what you look like. My brother vouches for you, but a name, I must have."
"You are among good friends here." Aragorn said to her "You don't need to hold on to your secrets here. You can place your trust in the elves, it will never be betrayed."
"I understand. Rank and name, Staff Sergeant Sophia Flowers."
Glorfindel processed the information for a moment, a type of rank he never heard of with a type of name he never heard of either, he was intrigued. "You're a soldier, my lady? My brother does indeed keep unusual company." Glorfindel smiled "Then..." he started walking and motioning with his hand for them to follow him, and after the next turn, beyond a beautifully carved archway, there it was, the home of Lord Elrond, the Last Homely House East of the Sea "...welcome to Rivendell." he said with pride.
"Holy sh- smokes."
They walked along a narrow causeway and arrived at a small area near a cliff, a beautiful statue of an elven soldier stood watch over those that came and went along this path. At its end, before a grand stairway stood two elven guards, when they saw the company their grip on their spears and shields tightened, especially when they noticed the giant, however the sight of Aragorn and Glorfindel relaxed them.
Just before they reached the stairs, a young elf in dark blue robes came flowing down the stairs "Mae govannen, friends! Welcome to Rivendell!" the smile and cheer on his face vanished the moment he saw Sophia.
"Peace, Lindir. I come with friends and allies." said Glorfindel raising his hand in greeting.
Lindir returned the greeting "Allies indeed, my lord." the elf said "Lord Elrond has been expecting you, come, you must be tired and famished." he motioned with his hand and they followed him up the stairs which opened up to a grand courtyard with beautiful gardens and ancient buildings of wondrous construction, all decorated in a highly tasteful manner. Statues and paintings adorned the walls, large open windows and long silken curtains, numerous book cases. A place of beauty and learning.
The square was busy and teeming with elves conducting their duties and chores. Men, women, children, all smiling, talking and behaving in a highly regal manner. Slowly they all noticed the new arrivals. First through the archway was Glorfindel, some bowed in respect, some offered greetings. Then came Aragorn, their expressions of joy, that of seeing a dear brother who has been gone for far too long. Aragorn instantly recognized a few of them, he waved and smiled. Rivendell after all being the place he grew up in, this was his home. Then came the hobbits, Pippin, Merry and Sam with Bill. They all stared with their mouths open and eyes wide, pointing things out to one another. The elves whispered to one another and smiled, they all knew of hobbits, of their kind and peaceful ways, a simple folk that all elves cherished dearly. That was the moment when Sophia appeared under the arch, long strides, the silence that was her reception made her armored boots echo on the stone steps under her feet. At that point every pair of eyes, dozens of pairs were on Sophia. No one moved. No one spoke a single word.
Then out of the crowd of elves appeared the oldest looking elf, his gaze was deep and full of wisdom, he wore a beautiful robe and an intricately decorated but simple crown on his head. At his side stood a man, an old man, probably human, long grey hair and beard, grey robes and a wooden staff in his hands, he was smiling dearly at the hobbits. Next to him was none other than Arwen with a small smile on her face and on the other side of the wise elf, stood two young elves, both with bows and in armor, twins apparently.
Sophia could hear Merry whisper to his friends "Look, it's Gandalf!"
Everyone looked to this elf, waiting for him to speak, he then simply smiled.
"You would all be happy to hear that Mr. Baggins..." he then looked especially to the hobbits "...is going to make a full recovery." he then looked to Aragorn and spoke in elvish with his right hand over his heart.
Aragorn replied and bowed his head in respect. Arwen's cheeks turned slightly redder, Sophia smiled under her helmet.
Lord Elrond then looked at the giant.
"Greetings, I am Lord Elrond. Welcome to Rivendell, warrior." he then nodded to Lindir and turned and vanished in the crowd.
Lindir came with several elves in tow "Please, follow us." and with that he lead them to another section of Rivendell, there, the company's packs were taken from them "Your belongings will be taken to your rooms and..." he then nodded to an elf who untied Bill "...your pony will be taken to the stables."
"Could we see Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked.
Lindir smiled "Of course, however young Frodo needs his rest for now. Lord Elrond asks that you all join him this evening for supper. His guests will start arriving the day after tomorrow, I am sure there will be much to talk about." he emphasized the last part by glancing at the strange and massive warrior. "Young master hobbits, I am sure you would all like a nice hot bath." The hobbits eagerly nodded and followed a lovely young elf maiden as she lead them away.
He then turned to the Ranger and the warrior "Gentlemen. Follow me, please."
Aragorn and Sophia just looked at one another, Aragorn smiled, he was sure Sophia was doing the same thing under her helmet.