Disclaimer: I own nothing of Tolkien's works, however all original characters and story concepts solely belong to me.

Author's Note: The timeline of the glacial ages of earth is far too complicated to explain in a story. There were actually quite a few actual Ice Ages, but there was a very long one and this is the Ice Age described in the dialogue between Thranduil, Seth, Radagast and the others in this chapter. Obviously I have shortened the enormity of it to fit and I've tried not to bore anyone but it is quite long, but I could see no other way to explain this part. The explanation is necessary so that the Elves know why Seth and his colleagues are present on earth and it brings the tale up to the beginning of Biblical history as well as giving my explanation as to why nothing of Middle-earth as the Eldar knew it remained. Hopefully it also explains why the Valar were no longer involved in the affairs of Middle-earth.

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword "

- Bible quotation

Dark Power Arising

Chapter 37 – Meet the Relatives

A trailer outside the Moria Excavations

"So we just sit here and wait?" Glorfindel asked.

Radagast looked up and smiled at him. "Probably best to do that. These Ainur are not like the Maia you have been used to interacting with. No indeed, they are not a patient bunch at all, although Seth seems gentler than his brethren by far. I put that down to his youth"

The three Elves goggled at him. "Youth?" Thranduil's voice was filled with disbelief. "Exactly what age would you term 'young' for one of Eru's Host?"

"Well let me see. Contrary to what others on Valinor might imagine, Seth, Sariel and the others have existed before the Music, just like myself, the other Maia and the Valar. The Music, as you also know deals entirely with the nature of the beginning of the world. Seth is a second generation Ainur which would make him almost, but not quite as old as time. Once Eru made the music real, many of the most powerful and influential Ainur entered into Eä, but they entered on condition that the life of the Universe, which has a beginning, middle and end corresponding to the Great Music of the Ainu, will be binding on them, and will become their lives as well. The Valar entered into and became a part of the World at the very beginning of Time. But they were not the only Ainur within the music, there were others just as powerful who remained in the Timeless Halls to do Eru's bidding in other myriad tasks. Seth was one of those. So yes he is old, but quite young compared to Sariel, Joaquim and the others here on earth."

Elrond chewed thoughtfully on the end of the pen he was writing in his journal with. "You said they are not like our Maia. In what way are they not like them?"

Radagast sighed. "They are more austere and yet conversely, also much more dangerous. Not to say that there is no joy in the Timeless Halls, but those who were sent back to earth to take over stewardship of a world stripped of everything by an encroaching ice and seemingly never ending winter, had the more difficult task since their remit was one of observation and guidance only. They only interfered when the word of Eru was directly contravened."

"But we're really nice guys when you get to know us." Seth's amused voice interrupted Radagast's long explanations.

He carefully shut the door of the trailer behind him and nodded his thanks to Glorfindel who had immediately jumped up and offered him one of the only two chairs in the trailer. Everyone else apart from Elrond sat on the bunks.

"Cliff notes version." He smiled at them and they noticed that he had deep dimples on both cheeks which made his face look endearingly boyish. He pointed to himself. "I am of the second rank of the Ainur, which you would call the Maiar, but we are known as the Order of Kerubim, we are angelic warriors, when we're not earthbound. I've been around since the year dot, just like your own Maiar. I am subordinate to the Order Seraphim, who are like your Valar. Our group stayed on earth by choice at Father's request when the others were recalled. We are earthbound, much in the way that the Valar and Maia are. We're the good guys, but sometimes we have to be the bad guys. We observe and only call upon the Holy Hayyoth (1) for cleansing when one of our own transgresses. Then Raguel sends down Kerubim from the Halls to cleanse the transgressions lest they affect the development of mankind. However, this action is not to be taken lightly and is only done in extreme cases involving mortal man."

He noticed with amusement that the Elves looked rather bewildered. Finally Elrond put his hand up hesitantly.

"So...you are the successors to the Valar?"

Seth nodded. "In essence yes. It was thought by Father that Lord Manwe and the rest of the Valar had earned their rest after their long toils against Melkor and his agents. The Eldar had, for the most part..." He winked at Thranduil here who raised his eyebrows and laughed. "... sailed back to the place where Father ultimately wished them to be. The new Age of Man had begun."

"And the Ice Age?" Glorfindel asked. "Was that caused by Eru and if so for what reason?"

Seth settled back in his seat and accepted a glass of wine from Radagast with a smile of thanks. "You must understand, that this is not the only world in the cosmos. Father has created many such worlds in his task as Creator and many, although not all, have life of some kind. Once created, those worlds are subject to the same laws as any other, things are constantly changing out there in the universe. Stars die, stars are born, worlds are born, all at Father's behest. He creates and then moves on, a dynamic creative force, such is the way of things. Each world that is born is subject to changes as the eons roll on, changes in position and changes in climate. They are also subject to other smaller objects in the universe coming within the sphere of their atmosphere which collide with them. It was such a collision that instigated a change of climate in Middle-earth; a natural change to some extent. If you have had access to the records of mankind towards the end of the Age of Middle-earth, you may have seen their wise men and star-gazers record perhaps a bright light in the sky. That may have been some of this matter that scientists now call asteroids colliding with Middle-earth. Indeed at least two such walk among you and are with us now in this trailer."

"The devastation was great." Thranduil said softly. "We saw the lights in the sky. At the time those of us who were left scoured the known world as far as we could to see who, if any, of the Eldar were left. The furthest patrols came across Secondborn fleeing the devastation. They told us that thousands had died instantly and that there was a large crater where many towns and villages had been before, however we saw no Eldar come with them. It was only later, when my own folk decided that it was time to leave that we saw other Elves."

Elrond stared at his friend aghast. "You said nothing of this to us Thranduil."

He shrugged. "What was there to say? I know not how many Elves died in that disaster, but we knew something was terribly wrong because the trees and animals told us of it. And then the weather began to change. The summers grew shorter and shorter, Anor no longer rode high in the sky for hours during the day and clouds often covered her face. It grew colder and darker until the people outside my stronghold could no longer withstand living outside. My stronghold was delved deeply by us with the help of he Naugrim and protected so we stated to gather stores and supplies. We dried venison and other meats, also fruit and vegetables. The vegetation began to die outside and the trees could not endure the extreme cold, they became dark and brittle and eventually died off. Some of my people decided to travel to the Grey Havens while they still could and it was not long after that time that a large number of Avari suddenly appeared at the gates asking for shelter. They had travelled ahead of the long winter and they brought more tales of devastation with them. The Secondborn were dying off from the extreme cold, they said. They had passed through village after village, town after town, all empty. The animals had all but disappeared, only those that could withstand much lower temperatures remained. What the cold did not kill, the wolves finished off." He broke off and cleared his throat; tears sparkled in his eyes. Elrond put a comforting hand on his friend's hand and all of them blinked their tears away.

"Do not continue if it gives you pain child." Seth said softly, but Thranduil shook his head.

"No, I will finish what I started." He said bleakly. "I offered what shelter I could to the Avari who were grateful and they joined with me and my remaining people to see the long winter out. Others gradually appeared at the gates, Celeborn, his grandsons and Haldir came with the remaining Elves of Imladris. Celeborn told me that Glorfindel had taken a group to the Havens and then been unable to return. He was forced to take the ship with them, but by then Glorfindel had already received word from other Elves seeking to sail that Celeborn and the twins were safe with me. Celeborn had also had word of Maglor roaming the shores not far from Belfalas so I decided that we would try to find him and offer shelter in Eryn Lasgalen. I left Celeborn in charge of my stronghold and a few of us, including the twins and Haldir travelled to the south towards Gondor. Mainly because the twins wished to check on Elessar and Arwen's line."

Elrond's interest sparked up a little there. "Did the White City still stand?"

Thranduil nodded. "It still stood. Minas Tirith was built strongly out of a mountain, a city to last the ages and it took many centuries to finally crumble under the impact of the ice but their great gates, those recommissioned after the War of the Ring by Elessar were shut fast against us and when we tried to raise the guard, they showed great hostility. Elladan and Elrohir identified themselves as the brothers of Queen Evenstar, but not even that softened their attitude to us, much to the twin's great distress. We stayed there outside the city gates and tried to gain entry, offering what help we could, but it was refused and eventually they no longer spoke to us, although we knew that there were people there still. We reluctantly left for Belfalas and did manage to speak to the descendants of Prince Imrahil in Dol Amroth. They told us that they were taking ship with their people to the far south where they had received reports that the temperatures were still warm and the ice had not reached there. It was they who pointed us towards where Maglor sat on the shores still. We persuaded him to come back with us and we heard nothing more of any other survivors after that. We did not know that Radagast was still here or that he had managed to seek shelter. As far as we knew only ourselves deep underground in Eryn Lasgalen and possibly the Naugrim in their mountain, survived and possibly those who fled south from Dol Amroth."

"By that time the eyes of the Valar had turned inwards to Valinor." Glorfindel took up the tale. "When I arrived back I was able to reassure Elrond and Celebrian and also Galadriel that their loved ones were safe and well. I then spoke to the Valar of the ice beginning to spread from the north. There was little the Valar could do against the might of the glacier, to do that they would have had to ask Eru to intervene so they made their decision to look after what they could realistically look after in Valinor. It was only when the ice melted later that thought was given to Middle-earth, but that Ice Age was only the first of many and it was then assumed that all life had been extinguished."

Elrond had gone pale. "How is it that we were not told of this?" He whispered. "There were those of us who still had family there. We assumed they were alive and well, but it is clear to me that the Valar did not think they still lived. Why did they not tell us?"

"It didn't matter Elrond." Thranduil soothed his friend. "They could not have been sure. Perhaps they still had hope even though they knew the chances of any of us surviving were slim to none. It was only once the final Ice Age, which only lasted some five hundred mortal years, began to recede that the way became clear for us to leave our protection. The forests had begun to spring up again, although the trees were strange in form. Beasts and birds had begun to appear. The Avari left us as suddenly as they appeared and what has become of them I know not. It was then that your sons and Celeborn travelled back to Imladris, but what remained was not what they remembered and loved and so they went to the Havens and found that although Cirdan was no longer there, he had left the frame of a Swan Ship and materials to finish her. They completed the ship and they and the rest of the household sailed West, leaving Celeborn who felt his presence was still needed here. He came back to Eryn Lasgalen, but left soon after to travel. He said he wanted to see what had happened to Middle-earth. The rest you know."

"In the meantime." Seth interjected smoothly. "Father, he who you call Eru, had decided that the humans that had survived who were few but beginning to breed larger and larger groups, needed to be observed. Six hundred of us were chosen from the ranks of the Ainur to come down to earth. We were told that we would be living in a hostile environment and so most chosen were warriors, but among them were also a few scholars trained in the various arts; agronomy, astrology, mathematics, writing, reading and medicine. We were told to trade with the men of the plains once we had established our stronghold and guide when we could. Kharsag, or Eden in the common tongue of the kind was built for us as a stronghold on many terraces with beautiful gardens and from there, the Watchers as the plains folk named us or Grigori as the Greeks later called us, we went down among the people." He sighed deeply at that point. "At this juncture the story becomes complicated, but suffice to say that we were not distant guardians like your Valar. We were there living in the midst of mortals and even though we tried to remain aloof and not get involved in their wars and battles, it was difficult and our aloofness only led them to attribute us with greater powers than we wished or, indeed, had, although our powers given to us by Father must seemed godlike to them. And so they called us Gods, although we were not. Only one has the right to that name."

"How many of you still remain?" Elrond asked quietly.

"Of the six hundred, two hundred decided that our involvement with mortal man was not enough. Against the will of our leader they left and went down to the plains, there to teach the people things they needed to know, but also things they should never have known. They took mates from among the mortal women and children were born to them, a mixture of Ainur and mortal, large powerful creatures called the Nephilim. They grew in power and greed and their armies were led by those Ainur who had fathered them. It was then that Father decided to recall the group back to the Timeless Halls. Mortal man would develop on their own, only with the briefest of overseeing. A small group were chosen to remain behind. I was one of those. In the meantime it was decided that the two hundred who transgressed were to be found and punished. Seraphim and Kerubim, angelic warriors all, were sent to find them and so those who fell were brought back and punished. Their leader, Semjaza, was given the worst punishment. After he had witnessed the execution of his children, his soul was severed from his body and hung upside down in the star system called Orion, that which the Eldar call Menelmacar, his mouth was sewn shut so that he could never again utter the true name of God. One eye was shut and the other open so that he was always falling and could always see his plight. He hung there for an eternity as a warning to others."

The Elves were filled with horror at the intransigence of the punishment. So much so that it was some minutes before any of them spoke. Finally Elrond found his voice.

"And the others? Those who were punished with him."

"They were handed over to the Seraphim Michael who caused them to witness the death of their children in bloody combat with each other, and then he bound them and pinned them under the hills of the earth, where they were meant to remain for seventy generations or until the day of judgment whichever was to come first. Only two escaped that punishment, Sariel and Asradel, and both live here still. Some of their offspring escaped their fates, however, and fled into the deep deserts and there they still remain. They are called the Anakim and they content themselves with recording and studying the deep esoteric knowledge and lore of the Annunaki. We meet with them occasionally to seek counsel over matters concerning us all."

The Elves and Radagast has recoiled in horror by this time, but still Elrond persisted.

"You said 'meant' to remain for seventy generations. Surely they were dead when they were entombed?"

Seth shook his head. "Not dead, still living, for such was their punishment and they required no such things as sustenance to keep them alive. But Michael had not taken into account the ingenuity and curiosity of modern man. Gradually as interest in things buried and ancient grew greater because of man's desire to know where and who they came from, sites of interest were excavated and slowly but surely, those pinned beneath them were accidentally released back into the world. A world that had much changed in the interim."

"Buried alive?" Elrond simply could not keep the horror out of his voice now.

Seth nodded. "Such was considered the seriousness of their crimes. They incited bloody wars among mankind and stopped any kind of notion of peaceful development among mortals. Father was furious that the children had been so interfered with, even if the intentions at first had been good. When they were finally released many were crazed and didn't know where they were going, but some deep instinct took them to the desert and the Anakim who gave them shelter, but gradually as they grew strong and well, they sought the group who had been left behind to observe and now they are part of us. They are, however, forbidden to walk the Paths of the Moon (2) to communicate directly with the Father and their judgment will come in time."

Radagast was having an increasingly hard time visualising the Valar or any of his fellow Maiar doing anything like this. He had heard some of these stories before but never couched in these matter of fact terms or in such detail. On the surface it seemed that these Grigori were more like Melkor and his people in the harshness and apparent cruelty of their actions than they were the Valar or Maiar. Their only mitigating factor was the fact that Eru himself had ordered the punishments, but his face must have said it all for all of them. Seth saw it too and decided to address the issue.

"You must understand that those were harsh times, in fact, they were apocalyptic times. Mankind was in its infancy and they suffered terribly under the regimes of the Nephilim. Great ill was done to them by our kind and therefore only a harsh punishment was possible for the wrongdoers." He said quietly. "And now you know what the major difference between your Valar and Maiar and the Grigori are. However The Valar also made many erroneous judgments and many of those also resulted in the people of Middle-earth suffering. Yet because they had stewardship of the world as it was then, Father did not interfere with their rulings unless they specifically asked him to, in the case of Numenor for example. The example of Middle-earth was endured and no punishments were offered for a failure to perform, but the second time, failure could not be excused, and the Ainur remaining on earth and in the Halls now live and operate in a different, harsher atmosphere, whereas the Valar and Maiar still live in the peace and beauty of Valinor. Do not judge us too harshly, we, the Grigori who remain, have tried to benefit mortal man and guide by example. We live as they do and our powers are only executed in the company of our own kind and rarely openly upon mankind."

There was a long silence while the Elves and Radagast internalised everything they had been told. Seth remained quiet. He had told them much and they had much to consider. He finally rose to his feet and went to the door.

"You have much to think on, perhaps we should leave it there for tonight."

Thranduil jumped to his feet. "This current darkness...this Herumor...where do you stand where he is concerned?"

Seth stopped in the doorway. "Herumor is not of our doing. He is a throwback from the time of the Valar. Your time. My brother, the Maia Eönwë, was brought back into the world in the form of a mortal, the better to help him understand and deal with the world of Men. Our instructions with regard to him were clear. We were to observe his development and offer assistance only when he had come fully into his own and then only if he needed it. Once he was fully developed and ensconced within the world of men, only then would he be allowed to remember his true nature."

"And Melkor interfered with that." Elrond said softly.

Seth nodded. "Yes and we did not realise what he had done until the rift in time occurred, brought on by the upheaval in Middle-earth during the time of the War of Wrath. Grigori were sent to the place where the rift had opened, but Eönwë, in the form of the mortal Gary Matthews had already unwittingly passed through it with three others. We prepared to follow, but then things came through the rift from that time and we were ordered to deal with the worst of that before it affected earth. Yet something still escaped us. We knew it had and we pursued it, but it was clever and eluded us and went to ground for a while. We decided to observe events as they happened and keep watch for that which had escaped through the rift in time. We believe that this piece of the darkness of spirit that was the fallen Vala Melkor was not able to take physical form, but did manage to resurrect someone to serve him and this servant is Herumor. He is working to prepare the world for the return of his Master. To build up armies with which he will do battle at the End Time. This cannot be permitted and so we are ordered to give Eönwë and his people such help as they may need."

"And Moria?" Thranduil demanded. "Something is still here is it not? Is it that piece of dark spirit? Has it gone to ground in Moria?"

Seth gave a thin smile. "Well that, my friends, is what we are all here to find out, under the auspices of an archaeological dig. You should be made aware that the contract from the dig was applied for by two companies, Grigori Enterprises and Angband Enterprises..." He saw the others start at the mention of Angband Enterprises. "Yes, I see you know the name. Grigori Enterprises is running the dig, but only because our leader Joaquim pulled in some considerable favours from the Swiss government. Otherwise Herumor and his lackeys would have free run of the place and believe me, he was desperate to obtain the contract. But that is not to say that some of his people are not already there. I believe it was one of those that we heard earlier on during the recce."

"Orcs?" Glorfindel was immediately on alert.

"Possibly, but others who work to evil ends also live in perpetual darkness and my intelligence from my headquarters at Vevey say that the mines are already being worked once again. How true this is I do not know. The actual mines themselves lie deep within Moria. We will have to explore extensively and descend deeply to see for ourselves. And that, gentlemen, is our task and since the survival of the world and mankind is at stake here, we have no choice but to accept the challenge." Seth opened the trailer door and then turned on the top step. The Elves and the Maia were quite still with expressions of trepidation on their faces. The Grigori saw that and his tone was soft. "Get some rest gentlemen. Tomorrow is another day and I believe that we have two more of your company joining us late tomorrow...another Eldar named Celebrimbor and an American former serviceman, Hal Kenwood."

He did not wait to hear any replies, but immediately headed off to his own trailer to catch up on paperwork and make his report to his superiors.

Everyone remaining in the trailer was quiet for a moment, each deep in their own thoughts. Elrond could not help but think about those last remaining members of his daughters and Estel's line. Had they frozen or starved to death in that mighty city with the huge doors barred against an enemy they could never have fought off and denying all efforts from friends? Had they spent their last hours comforting each other? How would they have chosen to die, by their own hands or a death by succumbing to the extreme cold? He had heard many a story that dying from the cold was a kind, peaceful death. At first one tried to keep warm but then as the body shut down, a deep sleep would come and a false sensation of warmth. A tear stole from the corner of his eye and trickled down his cheeks and he wiped it away with his sleeve. Surely his and Celebrian's search for any kind of descendant could not end painfully and pointlessly like this?

Thranduil was thinking about his wife and wondering whether her spirit was at peace. Tales spoke of houseless spirits being taken by the darkness and it was always at the back of his mind that his wife's spirit had been sucked up by Sauron. And if she had survived Sauron's fall at the destruction of the Ring, would her spirit have then gone free again only to be taken up by Herumor, that black servant of an even blacker master? Perhaps Legolas had the right of it, leaving as he did when the golden Age of Men was at its height and hopes were high. By doing so, he had missed the worst of it all, as had Elrond. His memory of his mother was still bright and un-tarnished and it was clear from the letters that Elrond had brought that he still believed her fea to be in the Halls of Waiting. But Elrond's sons had witnessed much of the depredation in Middle-earth as had Celeborn. Obviously none of them had spoken of it to those in Valinor.

For Glorfindel, twice born warrior, his thoughts were much more straightforward. He had looked straight past the explanations given by Seth and seen that the Grigori's fea blazed pure and clean within, just as Eönwë's did and Radagast's. He had already decided that Seth at least was worthy of his trust and he would wait and see whether the others were. Glorfindel could be a very complicated person on the surface, but at his heart he was not a mystery. He was a kind, good-hearted, loyal and very perceptive Elf.

Radagast had known the Grigori long enough and heard their story often enough to be reasonably un-fazed by it. He could overlook the apparent cruelty and harshness of his Ainur brethren, he just wanted to see Arda at peace so that he could eventually return to his Lord and Lady and any help was welcome to him to that end.

"It will be nice to see Celebrimbor again." Elrond had wiped his tears, but his voice was still suspiciously hoarse.

"I never really knew him." Said Thranduil, getting up to pour four glasses of wine which he immediately distributed among them all.

Glorfindel frowned. "Surely you must have met him at the Mouths of the Sirion? I distinctly remember your mother and father being there."

Thranduil frowned. "Of course I knew of him. After Maglor and Maedhros made their attack, all the talk was of them and many thought that Celebrimbor should have been punished which always seemed damned silly and very unworthy of those Eldar since he was not involved in the attack. Yet still, even knowing that, many held it against him because it was his uncles who perpetrated the second Kinslaying and therefore he was just as guilty by dint of blood. Oropher always thought it was unfair and he did offer for him to come with us further into Middle-earth, but he refused and of course we know what eventually happened to him. I don't recall actually meeting him face to face myself though. I was with one of the rear parties during the War of Wrath, I did not ride with Gil-galad when he and Cirdan got involved with that business over the Herald and the mortals from modern times. My father considered me to be too young and inexperienced a warrior still and my mother was greatly relieved by that decision."

Glorfindel turned to Radagast. "Changing the subject, what can you tell us of this Hal Kenwood, the American who is coming with Celebrimbor? I understand you know him very well."

A bright smile beamed across Radagast's face. "He is one of the greatest mortals I have ever met, his fea is bright and fearless and better than that he is a loyal friend and a good man to have at your back in trouble. There was a time when he and I were in Vietnam..."

Thranduil smiled to himself as the Maia launched into yet another "Pull up a slit trench and let me tell you about when we were in the real war' tales. He lay back on his bunk and allowed himself to be pulled into the tale, but his eyes were on what he could see of the stars in the sky above the mountains. They seemed to shine more brightly than usual and for the first time in many a year Thranduil Oropherian, King of Mirkwood and latterly Eryn Lasgalen felt that he wasn't alone.

ooOoo

London Heathrow Airport

Celebrimbor's eyes were like saucers as he followed Hal Kenwood through the airport and up a moving staircase to an upper level. The American had watched patiently and with amusement crinkling the corners of his grey eyes as the Elf had stood at the top of the escalator while the cogs in his brain turned as they tried to figure out how it worked.

He looked at his watch for the third time. "If we hurry up we can get a beer or a coffee before we board the Bern flight."

Celebrimbor looked up at him from his position on the floor where he had been trying to work out how the walkway disappeared. "It is a constantly revolving belt on a sort of series of tracks, but what moves it, I cannot tell." He said finally, getting to his feet, much to Hal's relief since the police on airport duty had already walked past twice and looked askance at the figure kneeling down by the escalators.

"That it is." Hal agreed. "If you like I can look it up on my laptop so you can read how they work. But let's get that coffee first."

Celebrimbor picked up the rucksack Chief had loaned him and slung it over his shoulder. "Lead on, good Dunedain. Is this coffee the same as Erestor gave me last night after dinner?"

Hal grinned. "The stuff they serve in airports probably isn't as good as the coffee Erestor serves, but it'll do. If you don't like it we can get you a beer."

Celebrimbor wrinkled his nose. "And this beer is like the ale the Dwarves drank, only not as dark or strong. Lord Eönwë explained it to me. Is it true that we will travel in a metal casing like a tube through the skies to our destination? Haldir says it is most unpleasant, but Master Elladan said quite the opposite and Lady Kim said I should see for myself."

"I would say the same as Lady Kim. See for yourself. Some folk love air travel, some are scared of it. It's just a way of travelling to me and I done so much of it, I don't pay it no mind any more." Came Hal's laconic reply. "Just try to keep your questions about how it works to a minimum. I daresay the stewardesses don't know all that much about theory of aerodynamics and the pilot's too busy flying the plane."

Celebrimbor grinned at him. "I will try not to be a nuisance. But this travelling over great distances only takes a short while?"

Hal led him into one of the terminal's bars and sat them both down at a table. He smiled at one of the young waitresses who came over to take their order. He ordered two coffees and then turned to Celebrimbor who was seated but craning his neck this way and that. His eyes were still huge as they took in the hustle and the bustle. He caught the eye of two young women travellers who leered at him and giggled when he gave them a friendly smile in greeting.

"About an hour. They're about one hour ahead of us in time zones though." Hal said, and then immediately wished he hadn't mentioned time zones.

"How will we know when this metal tube will be ready to leave?" The Elf's bright eyes regarded Hal over the table as they waited for their coffee, but to Hal's great relief he didn't fire another barrage of questions about how could the same place on earth be in a different time, although the American could see the questions already milling around behind his eyes and threatening to overflow.

Hal pointed at the screens overhead. "Our flight is listed there with the flight number. When the gate opens, it'll show on the screen next to our flight and there'll be a gate number. We start heading along to the gate then."

The waitress came over with the coffee and set it out on the table. Hal smiled his thanks and she blinked a little when Celebrimbor added his beautiful smile to the mix. When she had gone back to serve someone else Celebrimbor leaned over the table as Hal liberally sugared his coffee.

"Are all of these people travelling in the metal tube?" He asked in a conversational tone that was overheard by an elderly couple who turned around to look at him with eyebrows raised. Hal rolled his eyes slightly, they obviously thought that the Elf was probably mentally disabled to the point of being childlike. He shrugged at them and the elderly women gave an understanding nod of her head.

"Nope. Some of them work at the airport, some are here seeing other people off. There will be a lot of people in the Arrivals side who have flown from somewhere and are returning. A lot of these..." He waved his spoon around at the bustle of humankind. "...will be flying today, but not in the same plane as us or to the same place. They could be travelling anywhere in the world, or at least Europe."

"These tubes fly down south where the Southrons live?" The Elf persisted.

Hal took a sip of his coffee and then choked slightly at the blunt question. "They do that, but the people who live there aren't called Southrons these days my friend. Africa is where they live, but not everyone in Africa has a dark skin. Black Americans are called African American, but we need to be careful when we use terms to describe someone's race these days, because some of them can seem very insulting to them."

Celebrimbor's brow creased in confusion. "So black is no longer considered polite to describe someone of darker colour?"

"The way I do it buddy, is to just treat everyone the same, regardless of their colour, race or religion. I put people into two categories, they're either good people who do nice things or they're bad people and you can get both in whatever race they're from. Generally I'm just polite to everyone unless they try to kill me. My Ma always used to say 'handsome is as handsome does'. "

The Elf regarded him seriously. "I think your 'Ma' was a very wise woman."

Hal took a slug of his coffee and looked up at the screen. A gate number was now flashing by their flight. He gestured at the coffee. "She was indeed. Better drink up, our gate is ready."

An hour and a half later Hal was nearly wetting himself with laughter at the look of utter delight on Celebrimbor's face as the plane took off into the air. He pressed his nose against the cold oval of the window and goggled at the land far below them.

"The sea!" He crowed. "We are flying over the sea. Just wait until I tell Cirdan about this."

Hal chuckled to himself. This trip was going to be a blast...a potentially dangerous blast, but fun nevertheless.

ooOoo

(1) Hayyoth, Holy living creatures; Qabbalistic term for the four creatures of Ezekiel's vision, generally referred to as the Kerubim. These holy living creatures are the four symbolic beasts which in the zodiac are called Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius.

(2) The Paths of the Moon, is the method Shaman's use to connect themselves to the world of spirit. In the sense used by the Grigori it's the way they are allowed to communicate with God in the Timeless Halls. Only those who did not fall from grace can use this form of communication.