The Mysteries Deepen

"It just doesn't make sense, Elrain. What is happening and what Yavanna told me are not matching up."

It was the day after Claire's meeting with the Owl and she and Elrain were currently sifting through the contents of the Rivendell library. In preparation for her journey, Claire remembered that Laemellon had promised to leave the calling stone for her in Rivendell. In the past, when Elrain had been in Rivendell after the war, Laemellon had shown the elf where she kept the stone. Yet when Elrain had taken Claire to the place where Laemellon had shown her, the calling stone was nowhere to be found.

Since Laemellon was the only one besides Elrain who knew where it was, they surmised she must have taken it. The vanaloke had spent most of her time in Rivendell in the library, so they thought that she might have left it there in the midst of her hasty exit from the valley. So far they hadn't had any luck finding it.

As Claire looked behind books on shelves and Elrain rummaged through desk drawers, the young human had been expressing the contradiction that was pressing on her mind.

"Well how do you know Prisca isn't powerful," Elrain asked. "She doesn't know her birth parents. Perhaps she is a long lost princess?"

Claire huffed indignantly. "Oh give me a break," she said. "That sounds too good to be true; exactly like something Prisca would have come up with."

"I seem to remember traveling with a young girl who said something very similar about her own story. She said things were too perfect and that it all had to be a dream."

Claire looked over at Elrain and made a face. The elf smirked. "Why can't Prisca have her own impossible story and be a Realm Jumper with powers of her own?" the elf mused. "Stranger things have happened. Granted she doesn't have a Realm Jumper ring, but it's not uncommon for Realm Jumpers to receive them later during their first mission."

"I suppose," Claire said. She paused. A thought occurred to her and she stood up straight. "Hold on a second…" The young girl slowly walked over to where Elrain was now sitting. As the elf leafed through the cluttered pages on one particularly disorganized desk, Claire sat down across from her.

"How can Prisca possibly be a Realm Jumper?"

"What do you mean," Elrain asked still leafing through the papers in front of her.

"I mean Prisca is from Middle-earth. She's a hobbit."

"So?"

"So…" Claire said. "Prisca has never been to the Wood Between the Worlds."

Elrain stopped. She looked up at Claire and at last seemed to understand what the girl was getting at. "Are you sure she hasn't?"

"Elrain, the hobbit told me she'd never been out of the Shire before now. I think she would remember going to the Wood Between the Worlds."

The elf rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "This is a mystery." After a moment of thinking she said, "Well that can only mean one thing."

"What's that?"

"Prisca entered or traveled through the Wood Between the Worlds when she was an infant."

Claire frowned. "What?"

Elrain stood and tapped a stack of papers on the table to straighten them. "If she can't remember going to the Wood Between the Worlds, she must have been exposed to it when she was a baby." The elf paused and looked back at Claire. "Though to my knowledge that is generally discouraged amongst Realm Jumpers."

"Why is that," Claire asked rising from her chair.

"Well, if you remember, I told you that Realm Jumpers get their abilities from exposure to the Wood."

"Yes, and they use the power of Eru to activate them."

Elrain nodded. "Well, it has been observed that the younger a person is, the greater their abilities will be. There are degrees of power that can depend on the amount of exposure to the Wood one receives. Such early exposure could have unpredictable results."

Claire's eyebrows lowered. Did this elf mean what she thought she meant?

"Are you telling me that Prisca could have really powerful Realm Jumper abilities because she went to the Wood as a baby?"

Elrain set down the stack of paper. She looked up at Claire with those hard green eyes of hers. "She wouldn't have just really powerful abilities. If she was taken to the Wood as an infant...her abilities would be...well, immense. Colossal. Unfathomable. Whatever word suits you. She would be one of the most powerful Realm Jumpers who has ever lived."

The elf strode over to Claire and patted her on the shoulder. Elrain smiled playfully and said, "And congratulations. You get to train her."

Claire stood stiffly as Elrain rummaged through another desk.

"Are you kidding me? How can you make light of this?"

"Oh I'm very serious," Elrain said. "But if there is one thing I've learned in all my years of Realm Jumping it's this: When faced with a seemingly impossible situation, the choice is yours whether to laugh or cry. And I must say that you of all people having to train potentially the most powerful Realm Jumper in history is quite amusing."

Claire sat down at one the desks and put her head in her hands. "I can't do this Elrain. From day one, I've been dreading this. I can't teach her to be a Realm Jumper. I'm not responsible enough to teach anyone."

"But you're teaching her about things you know. You just have to teach her what I taught you. Feel free to steal from my lessons if you like."

"Yes, but you haven't traveled with this girl. She's all about the stories and poems in the Red book. She has a lot of book knowledge, but not a lot of practical sense. She doesn't take things seriously."

Elrain blinked at Claire with a deadpan expression. Claire looked up at her and her eyes grew wide.

"Oh my gosh. This was how you felt when you were teaching me wasn't it?" Claire put her face back in her hands regretfully as the irony sank in.

The elf came and sat down next to Claire. "Claeo my friend, this is something you cannot avoid. The older and more experienced you get, the more people will look to you for guidance. I said it in the past and I'll say it again: I have the utmost confidence in you. Trust in Eru and He will guide you just as He guided me."

"Thanks Elrain," Claire said.

"You're welcome. And look on the bright side: better to train someone you know rather than a stranger. You two seem to get along quite well."

Claire sat back in her chair and said, "Truthfully Elrain, she is just like me in more ways than I can count." She paused and said thoughtfully, "Back in my own world I've always longed for a best friend. A sister of sorts. After traveling with Prisca I started to wonder if she might be that person. Though I always imagined they would be older than me."

"Well she is older than you. She's 23."

"Yeah, but maturity-wise she's younger. You know how hobbit's age slower."

Elrain smiled. She walked over to Claire. Resting a hand on the girl's shoulder she said, "Well then just think of her as your younger/older sister."

The elf looked around the Library woefully. "It seems that the calling stone is nowhere to be found. Laemellon must have taken it with her when she left."

"But why would she do that," Claire questioned. "She said she would leave it here for me."

The elf shrugged. "Another mystery."

Prisca Baggins was in heaven. Not only did she now have a destiny just like Luke Skywalker, but she was also going to be a Realm Jumper just like Claeo. All her wildest dreams were coming true too quickly for her to fathom. All of the next day she had wanted to talk to Claeo about their journey, but the young human was busy "making preparations for the trip". Prisca surmised that Claeo needed a break from questions for a while so she didn't push the matter. There would be plenty of time for questions on their journey to Minas Tirith.

And speaking of Minas Tirith, my wouldn't Peregrin be surprised when they got there just after he did. All attempts to catch up to him were pointless now. Now she would be traveling there on assignment too. Prisca imagined herself sauntering through the gates, attendants parting before her as she entered the City of Kings. How gloriously epic it would all be.

That night Prica found that she couldn't sleep. She had hardly slept the night before after the meeting with the Owl and now she was wide awake with excitement again. But instead of tossing and turning, the hobbit decided to get up and walk around a bit. She had done enough sitting with her foot being hurt and she thought a short walk would do her good. No danger of drunk ruffians attacking her in Rivendell.

She took up the small crutch the elves had given to her and stepped out of the guest house. On the outer walkway of the main house, she found a place with a nice view of the valley. As she stood looking out on the moonlit scene, movement to her left caught her eye. Down a long pillared hallway she saw the Owl walking alone. Curious, the hobbit hobbled quietly behind a nearby pillar. She peered around the edge to get a better look at the tall figure. She found this woman very mysterious and intriguing.

"Having trouble sleeping?"

Prisca nearly jumped out of her skin. The Owl stopped walking and turned. Her metallic visage fixed upon Prisca. "I too have trouble sleeping. Walk with me dear one."

The hobbit came timidly forward and began hobbling along side the Owl.

"Where did you get that silver pin," the Owl asked.

"It was my mother's," Prisca said timidly. "It was on me when they found me as a baby."

"A clue to the past," the Owl muttered.

The Owl turned and entered a room off to their right. Prisca stood in the doorway, peering in cautiously, but then followed the Owl inside when she was bidden too. It looked like a private study. The room was small, cozy, and lined with shelves laden with books and manuscripts. At the far end of the room was a chair sitting next to a window. Beside that was an end table with a small box set on it. As the Owl bent to retrieve the box, Prisca noticed a curiously marked wooden staff leaning against the lone chair. The writing was foreign to her and she wondered what such an implement was used for.

The Owl held the the small box in her gloved hands and opened it. Reaching inside, she produced a small green stone. It shimmered in the dim moonlight from the window. The Owl offered the stone to Prisca and the hobbit took it.

"This you must keep near to you, but once you leave Rivendell, do not let it touch your skin." The Owl bent close to Prisca and whispered, "They can hear you."

"I don't understand," the hobbit said nervously.

"You must not tell Claeo that you have this stone. Even if she asks for it. When you meet the one who has its counterpart, you may present it to her."

Prisca examined the stone in her hand. It wasn't very impressive. She wanted a better explanation, but looking up at the expressionless mask of the Owl, she didn't think she would get one.

"You must be brave, Prisca," the Owl said. "Do not let your past harden your heart to what you know to be true."

With that word, the Owl led Prisca out of the study. The woman nodded to her and the hobbit took it as a sign that it was time for her to move on. As Prisca stepped gingerly back to her room, she couldn't help feeling confused by what had just happened. Perhaps this was a sort of test? Her first real assignment as a Realm Jumper?

When she returned to her room, Prisca deposited the green gemstone into her pouch of money. She didn't plan on spending any more of it so the stone would be safe with the rest of the gold coins until she found its "counterpart". Whatever that meant.

As the Owl and the hobbit had talked, Elrain stood hiding in the shadow of a nearby hallway. The woman and the hobbit had gone out of the elf's sight when they had entered the small study. Elrain strained to hear what they were saying, but to no avail. When Prisca and the Owl came out of the study and the hobbit left, the Owl stood watching her walk down the hall and out of sight. When the hobbit was gone, Elrain stepped out of her hiding place and the tall woman turned.

"I suppose I can't sneak up on you can I?" Elrain said lightly.

The Owl acknowledged her coldly. "You were told to come speak to me before you pursue the Abberator." Her words were in the form of a statement rather than a question. "I cannot tell you anything you do not already know. That is the way of things. But Eru has bid me remind you that victory does not come without sacrifice."

"Noted," the elf said flatly. Elrain had been quite annoyed when she had been told to speak to this woman. She had personal reasons to avoid the Owl.

After a long pause Elrain asked, "You know who Prisca Baggins really is don't you?"

The Owl nodded. Elrain crossed her arms and sighed frustratedly. "I don't see the point of us talking. I've never been comfortable speaking with you since the day we first interacted."

Again the Owl nodded. "It goes without saying, but I feel the same."

Elrain laughed. "Look at us. You and your fancy put on act." The elf waved her hands in a mocking manner and said "'Oooohhh you can call me the Owl'. Where did you get an idea like that?"

"Where do you think?"

Elrain's jaw dropped. "No!" she said taking a step back. "You know that won't work…"

"Oh but it did," the woman said drawing close to Elrain. "You should be more careful. Do not forget who you are speaking to."

After a moment of silence, Elrain said, "How did you get like this? What happened to you?"

The Owl turned away from Elrain. "Consequences for going against the law of Eru."

Elrain backed away. Her eyes were wide with concern. "No, you...why are you telling me this?"

"Because Elrain," the Owl said softly. "Victory does not come without sacrifice."

The Owl turned away from the elf. Yet before she walked away, her back now to Elrain, she said, "Remind me Elrain. Remind an older woman why you never asked Claeo why her home world was sanctioned against Realm Jumpers?"

"You're telling me you don't remember," Elrain asked indignantly.

The Owl's back was still to the elf. "Indulge me," she said in a monotone voice.

Elrain sighed with frustration. "I never asked her because Eru told me that she didn't know the answer. Asking her would only cause confusion."

"And this still frustrates you?"

"Of course it does."

"That is correct," the Owl said. "Claeo does not know why her world is silent." The woman slowly turned, her metal gaze resting on the elf before her. "But someday you shall."

Elrain stared at the Owl with wide eyes. She knew that what the Owl said was true, but if she read her right, the implications were dire. Elrain's knees felt weak and she leaned on a nearby pillar. "I wish we had never met," she said.

"As do I."

With that final word, the Owl turned, walked down the hall, and was gone from Elrain's sight.

Soon Bilbo's birthday was upon them. After the great feast, Prisca and what elves were left in Rivendell gathered in the Hall of Fire. Prisca stood before them and recited the poem "Earendil was a Mariner" in its entirety. Claire smiled as the hobbit girl recited the verses word for word. She was impressed. Claire hadn't even tried to memorize that one. In her copy of The Lord of the Rings the poem was nearly 3 pages long.

Yet as the hobbit girl went on and on about Earendil and his boat of timber with sails of silver fair, Claire couldn't help notice the stark difference from the last time she had heard this poem. She had been there all those years ago when Bilbo had recited this to the elves. She smiled when she remembered how Lindir had given him such a hard time about it. There were more elves in Rivendell back then. Indeed, Claire had noticed that the fair valley lacked a bit of its previous charm and that realization made her sad. The elves were leaving Middle-earth. Soon Rivendell would be one of the last elvish settlements. After that Elladan and Elrohir would leave. A tear dropped from Claire's eye when she realized that this night in Rivendell might be one of the last great feasts she would witness.

A few days later, the bandage was taken off of Prisca's ankle and she was able to walk without the use of a crutch. The two friends began spending more time together after that. Claire also included Prisca in her plans for the trip. A party of armed elves would ride out of the valley with them to ensure that the creatures would not attack. Then they would take the same path through the Gap of Rohan that Claire and Elrain had taken years before. Isengard was a safer place than it had been during the war so hopefully they wouldn't encounter anything too dangerous. Then they would stop in Edoras and purchase a horse; Claire had her own money for travel needs this time. And after that it was straight on to Minas Tirith.

At last the morning of their departure came. It was the beginning of October and the chill of autumn hung heavily in the air. As they made ready to depart, the elves of Rivendell presented Prisca with a short sword made specially for her. The hobbit was also presented with a new coat made from Matthias's oversized waistcoat. She would have a lot of explaining to do if he ever needed that coat again. They also gave her a cloak and thus her adventurous look was complete.

Elrain came out to bid them farewell. She embraced Claire and said, "Pray for me as I seek the Abberator. I fear that it will be a long pursuit."

"I will," Claire said. "When it's all over I'm sure it will make an amazing tale."

Elrain chuckled regretfully. "Oh it will. I'm sure of that. Farewell."

As Claire and Prisca strode out of Rivendell with elves on horses at their sides, Claire took a moment to look back. She remembered the last time she did this, when she and Elrain had left and then fast-forwarded to the Grey Havens. Glancing at an upper balcony, she caught the familiar shape of the Owl observing their departure. That woman may have spoken rightly of her task, but she still gave Claire the creeps. What was she hiding under that mask? And what was her connection to Elrain? Pushing the thought aside, Claire hoped that she would never cross paths with the strange woman ever again. She seemed to only make things more complicated.

Shortly after Claire and Prisca left Rivendell, Elrain returned to the Library. She couldn't accept that the calling stone had been misplaced. Looking at the disorganized mess, she thought it wouldn't hurt to look again.

Sitting down at one of the desks, she now noticed Laemellon's long sharp hand writing on one of the loose pages. She had been so busy looking for the calling stone that she hadn't thought to actually read the papers she was sifting through.

After leafing through a few pages, the elf realized that Laemellon had been conducting research on the strange creatures seen outside of Rivendell. One page in particular caught her eye because it contained the words "calling stone." Her eyes drifted to the top and she began reading:

"Day 15: Upon venturing to the ford, I discovered a terrible thing. My attempt to communicate with the beasts ended in utter failure. As I drew near, I could hear their foul voices in my head and then I realized that they could hear my thoughts as well. But it was more than just hearing. They bored their way into my mind, viewing memories and gathering information that I did not want known. It was appalling. I came to understand that it was my calling stone fixed within my silver headpiece that was allowing them to do this at a distance. I removed the gem and stowed it on my person, but not touching my skin. It is paramount that calling stones must not be used until these creatures are utterly eradicated."

Elrain breathed for the first time since she had begun reading. She chuckled to herself. Thank goodness they hadn't found the stone! Indeed, now Elrain was confident that Laemellon either took it with her when she left or hid it. The Vanaloke knew Claire would look for it if she came back. How terribly dangerous it would have been for the young girl to have it with her on a journey across Middle-earth.