After Olórin was sent to Arda the first time he began spending more of his time there, his curiosity led him to watching the races of Arda. He never spent much time in any one form more often formless than any other, this allowed him to watch and learn without anyone knowing.
He was soaring with the Great Eagles when he saw a large contingent of Hobbits approaching Lindon, he was surprised when three of the Hobbits looked directly at him. Olórin gently banked away from the Great Eagles he had been flying with and descended, once he was low enough he shifted his form and landed gently in front of the group of Hobbits. "Alexander, didn't you agree to stay on Nomanisan Island?"
"Not quite Olórin, I agreed to stay out of the affairs of the mortal races of Arda. We have traveled here by invitation of Gil-galad, to see his newly built city and discuss an alliance." I could see that Olórin was contemplating what I said, and thinking about our previous meeting.
"Walk with us Olórin, I haven't broken my word nor do I plan to." Olórin grinned and joined us, his form shifting smaller to match us. "I distinctly remember saying you were welcome in my Kingdom, why not return with us once this meeting is over?"
"I don't see why not, I haven't even flown over your Island since that day." Olórin seemed to relax as he realized we hadn't broken faith with the Valar. "I think I'll take you up on your offer."
Ginning I slapped Olórin on the back as we continued to our destination. "It will be good to have you with us cousin. The Kingdom has greatly changed and flourished since you last visited our shores."
After regaining his balance Olórin glared at me in jest, before smiling I still felt as though his youthful face was an odd sight to see. 'He must not adopt the guise of an old man until he becomes a wizard.'
"Why did you call me cousin Alexander?" The caravan stopped as I did, before answering I looked Olórin in the eyes.
"Are we not both Maiar? At the very least that makes us cousins, especially since you are one of the few of us that deign to travel Arda." I continue with a grin when I see the comprehension in his eyes. "Why cousin, one day I may even call you brother."
We spent the rest of the journey making small talk, enjoying the company and the scenery. Our unseen, yet not I sensed Elven escorts revealed themselves and surrounded our caravan the closer we got to the capital.
***TESTING BUILDING***
After years of hard work and improvements the building was nearing completion, once I realized I had the perfect person to work on the final missing pieces I brought him into the Jump. "I do appreciate the large leap you have taken in technology Alexander, but I do question why it took you so long to utilize me for this project."
"I wanted to wait until we were far enough along to properly utilize your talents Lewis, we've brought our magic and technology up to a high enough level to warrant your inclusion." The robotic doppelgänger of Dr. Lewis Zimmerman nodded in response as he poured over our notes taken over the course of the project.
"I'll need to take the time to get more familiar with the computer systems, in terms of capabilities these systems seem the equivalent of the mid twenty-third century."
"That's one of the reasons I brought you here Lewis, how adept are you with computer hardware." After a few moments of silence he responded with a dismissive wave before commenting.
"My expertise extends to everything computer related, not only because of who you chose to copy but also due to my nature. I estimate that by upgrading to a Isolinear circuitry system will far exceed the computer used by the federation in the late twenty-fourth century."
I walk over and look at the design Lewis was working on, mixing the magitech we had created with the circuitry used by the federation for most of the twenty-fourth century. "Before finishing the design you should become more familiar with the developments we've made in material science Lewis."
For the first time since activation the robot seemed intrigued. "Very Well Alexander, who will be working with me on this."
"You'll be in charge of a small team only Athena and Alastair at first, more can be added as necessary though. Let me know if you need anything, for now though I will let you get started." After leaving the building the clone dismissed itself so that the duplicate that had made him would be aware of everything that happened.
***LINDON***
It took hours for the first meeting with the High King to finish, most of that was spent in rigid formality. "Thank you Olórin, I think I would have fallen asleep if you weren't at my side."
Olórin and I laughed for a moment before he responded. "I assume you're not a fan of the formality the High King insists upon?"
"I chose this form for that exact reason, Hobbits aren't exactly known for their formality." Olórin smirked for a moment.
"Well, you only have yourself to blame for inviting them to visit Nomanisan Island." I groan in annoyance at the reminder.
"At least the High King has declined the invitation, I can only hope the rest will be easier to deal with." I almost groan again when Olórin chuckles.
"Perhaps my friend, if you spent more time in Valinor you would know the elves better." I playfully push Olórin as we walk together before responding.
"I prefer to keep the company of Hobbits, thank you very much. Since I was told to stay out of the affairs of mortals I have no desire to visit Valinor." Olórin abruptly stops, so I turn to face him.
"Sauron is an immortal who will be given free reign over the lives of immortals and mortals alike. Yet I am the one being put on a leash, I don't see the sense in this."
"The mortal races must be left to make their own way…" I interrupt before he could finish.
"Which is exactly what I would be doing by ending the threat of Sauron, in any case I will abide by the rules given to me. I have no desire to be at odds with Eru Ilúvatar." Seemingly satisfied Olórin begins walking once more.
"That still leaves the Elves for me to visit and I don't yet regret giving them an invitation to my Island. I feel as though this will help us all,"
'Especially since I've been handing out 'Young and Full of Flame', hopefully enough to make a difference.' We walk in silence for a while, as I pass Elves I hadn't seen yet I gave them a seed of 'Young and Full of Flame'.
"We'll be taking my boat back to Nomanisan Island and you're more than welcome to join us."
***NOMANISAN ISLAND***
Adding a mountain range to Nomanisan Island doubled the size of the Island.
For the past few days I had been spending time walking through the dense jungles surrounding the mountains. I paused for a moment to integrate the new memories from my clone dismissing itself. 'Good, another job I don't need to worry about.'
It was approaching the end of the first century in Arda, with roughly thirty more to go. I was just getting to the entrance of the vale that contained my Hidden Kingdom when I felt a presence. "I've been looking for you, will you listen?"
After waiting for a few minutes for a response I continued. "I suppose that's good enough, I wanted to let you know you're welcome anywhere on the Island. I've given you a portion of my power to shapeshift, it should be at full power for you in a matter of days."
Another long wait before I continue. "All I ask is that if you visit the Kingdom in the middle of the Island you take the form of a Hobbit. Otherwise you are welcome to do as you please, if you choose to stay here in this place I ask only that you defend the Island should we be attacked."
I didn't get a response, but at that point it was expected. Turning back I continued my journey around Nomanisan Island.
***ONE WEEK SKIP***
A small group of elves were traveling with my group to the EverJust, Galadriel and Celeborn were in deep discussion with Olórin. While the two of them had an air of regality, they didn't seem as obsessed with formality as the High King.
We hadn't done much more than exchange a polite greeting until the EverJust came into view. When I heard a gasp of surprise I proudly commented. "That's The EverJust, she's just under seventy meters its the fastest ship you will ever see with a cruising speed of fifty knots."
"How do you build such a grand ship as this?" I turn and bow before responding.
"My apologies Lady Galadriel, but I'm afraid that must be kept a secret. Using the EverJust we will arrive at our destination in approximately three hours. I hope you find the journey comfortable." Galadriel returned my bow.
"I'm sure we will, Your Highness." The three went back to their discussion that lasted until we were all boarded. I heard another gasp of surprise when I created shadow clones to help everyone get settled, and make sure nobody went into private areas.
A shadow clone dismissing itself let me know everyone was ready and moments later the EverJust was heading out of the harbour heading towards Nomanisan Island.
I steadily increased the speed of the EverJust, the shakedown cruise had gone well so I wasn't afraid of going over half speed. I made a group of Shadow Clones to help me and monster how the ship was handling the speeds. I was so engrossed I didn't pay attention to time passing.
Eventually I could here someone walking towards the bridge,almost silent footsteps I could only hear because of my enhanced senses. When the door opened I welcomed the visitor. "Hello Your Majesty, might I ask how your ship is able to move so fast? The entire ship seems to almost float above the water."
"Lady Galadriel, I would prefer if we could dispense with the formality." After making a clone to keep watch and steer the ship I turned to face her. "Without going into too much detail, it's magic."
"If you want me to be less formal, start calling me Galadriel." Nodding my head I continue the conversation.
Since you asked so nicely Galadriel, The EverJust is made of metal because wood wouldn't be able to hold up under the stress created by the speeds we can maintain. The EverJust is unlike any boat on Arda."
Galadriel raised an eyebrow and I just smirked in response, after a few minutes she couldn't hold herself back and asked. "Will you tell me more about The EverJust? I've never seen a ship that could move without sails or oars."
"My apologies Galadriel, but that must remain a secret. One that I may be willing to talk about once we get to Nomanisan Island, but definitely not before then. For the same reason I wouldn't explain much about my Island or where it is located."
"Very well then Alexander, you're entitled to keep your secrets. Would you mind telling me why Gil-galad is so interested in a trade agreement with your Island?"
I laugh for a moment before winking and telling her.
"I think it's because of my willingness to help the Elves should they need an ally, he also seemed to enjoy the wine I sent him with my original message. It could also be curiosity about my friend Phoenix." The moment I said her name Phoenix flamed into the bridge, as she started singing Galadriel looked at her in silent awe.
"Galadriel, this is an old friend and companion of mine Phoenix. Phoenix, this is Lady Galadriel, she will be visiting us on Nomanisan Island for a little while." As Phoenix landed on my shoulder I pulled out some fruit from my Mokeskin Pouch and gave it to Galadriel.
"Go ahead and feed Phoenix, she loves dried fruit. I also suggest scratching between her wings, she enjoys the attention." With a silent nod Galadriel does like I suggested and not long after Phoenix hopped over to sit on her shoulder.
"Phoenix is a being of light and purity, you don't need to worry about her attacking you." A moment later we passed through the wards of the Island, and Galadriel's eyes widened in shock.
"I sense a great deal of malice, backed by an almost equal amount of power."
"Try not to worry about it Galadriel, the source has been sorely used for a long time and she is just coming to understand we have no intention of using her. In time she will let go of her anger and heal."
Galadriel looked like she wanted to argue, so I continued. "For years she was treated as a mindless beast at best, a weapon to be used and discarded at worst. I don't blame her for her anger, I praise her for not acting upon it."
"I will trust you on this Alexander, I just hope this being of power doesn't take advantage of your trust."
"She won't, she just needs to be left alone and given time to heal from what has happened to her. I know she will come to terms with her past and become stronger for it." With that I lead Galadriel back to the others and let my clones take care of bringing us to the docks.