Arya hated it in Rivendell.
Usually, when she was in a town or city of any kind, she would slip among the common people and hide, unnoticed and inconspicuous. She liked it that way. But here, there was nowhere to hide in the open courtyards and balconies. Wherever she went, she stood out like a sore thumb, a young woman in a place full of elves and men. She couldn't go anywhere without being spotted. There were eyes on her at all times.
They had ridden down into the valley the day before. Frodo had been taken to Elrond immediately, and she and her companions had been taken to separate rooms, where they had been given a chance to wash and eat before nightfall. An elf named Lindir had roused them in the morning and brought them to a small stone terrace overlooking a magnificent pond, where they had eaten a light breakfast. After they had eaten, he had informed them that the Lord Elrond was busy tending to Frodo, and they would have to wait to speak with him. They were all offered new clothes, but Arya had declined. All the garments in Rivendell, she discovered, were either long flowing robes or soft silk dresses.
With nothing else to occupy her time, Arya had decided to explore. Laeric and Colden had offered to accompany her, but she had wanted to be alone. As she soon found out, however, being alone was a much more difficult task than it first seemed. She went into various buildings, climbed random stairways, even left the paths and walked over the rocky valley floor to get closer to the lakes and pools. But there was always someone there, some elf who would smile and nod and greet her warmly. She just wanted to get away for a bit. To spend some time with her thoughts.
Just as she was beginning to consider looking for a suitable cave in the surrounding cliffside, she stumbled upon a small, hidden stairway that wound away into a crevice in the rocks. It had been hidden by a strategically placed statue, depicting a tall man seated atop a horse. Arya didn't even hesitate; she started climbing the stairs immediately. They were smooth and polished, with unique engravings on each step. But what she found at the top was far more wondrous.
The stairway led to a small, intricate garden. Flowers of all shapes and colors were planted all around, and a great, leafy tree with golden leaves sat in the center. Birds chirped in it's branches. Going to the edge, Arya saw that the garden looked out over the valley a short distance below, but was hidden by an outcropping of rock.
She sucked in a deep breath. While the beauty of this newfound paradise was not lost on her, she was more relieved at the peace and quiet. Here, she could sit and think, watching everyone come and go below, and remain anonymous. And so she did.
For the remainder of the day, Arya sat beneath the shade of the tree, relishing the cool breeze rustling through the leaves. Somehow, she was never bored, though she sat for hours. It seemed that one could sit forever and not grow weary of that garden.
When at last she came down for supper, she said little to any of her companions, only inquiring whether Elrond would meet with them yet. Lindir told her that Elrond would see her the following day. Satisfied with his answer, Arya went to sleep peacefully.
The next day after breakfast, she immediately went back to the garden. She knew people would start to wonder where she was if she stayed too long, but she couldn't help herself. It was so relaxing, so freeing, to sit in the shade and think. She watched the birds flitting back and forth, building a nest high in the branches above her. Suddenly, a soft, barely perceptible footstep sounded from behind her.
Arya whirled around, jumping to her feet. At the top of the stairs, watching her keenly, was Glorfindel. She hadn't seen him since they'd arrived. He looked much the same as he had on the road, except now his robe was gilded with golden flowers, and his hair shown even more brightly. A sword Arya had not previously noticed was sheathed at his side in an elaborate sheath.
"Lady Arya." He gave a small bow.
"What are you doing here?" She snapped, a bit flustered by his sudden appearance.
He smiled slightly. "The very thing that you were doing, I imagine. Thinking, pondering, relaxing. Truly, I am surprised that you found my garden, my lady. There are few who know of its existence."
"I don't-" Arya began. Then she stopped abruptly. "Wait. Your garden?"
His smile persisted, much to Arya's annoyance. "I enjoy believing as much. For I did not by my own labors construct it, nor did I breathe life into its vegetation. But I have never until now seen another up here among the blossoms."
"I'm… Sorry for intruding, then." Arya said with a frown. "I just-"
"You misunderstand, my lady." Glorfindel cut her off. "I only meant that it is a curious thing, finding you here. You have done me no wrong."
Arya nodded, then slid back down to sit at the base of the tree. Glorfindel walked past her and looked out over the edge at the valley below. He stood perfectly still, hands clasped confidently behind his back, hair blowing slightly in the breeze.
"I've never been one to sit and think." Arya said, breaking the silence. "I've always needed some adventure and excitement in my life. But this garden… It's soothing."
"You are perceptive indeed, to notice such a thing." Glorfindel said. "And not in the wrong. For that is the very reason I come here. Taking time to do nothing, I have found, often brings everything into perspective."
"Do you come here often?" Arya asked.
"Some would say so." Glorfindel responded. "Though time is short nowadays, and often I am hard pressed to run one errand or another."
He turned then, and Arya saw that his smile had vanished.
"But I am forgetting myself." He said. "I did not come here simply to enjoy the pleasantries of life. Rather, I was sent to find you. Lord Elrond is ready to meet with you and your companions. I would guess that most of them are with him already."
"Will you take me to him?" Arya asked, standing and brushing herself off. She was eager to meet the Lord of Rivendell, whom she had heard so much about.
Glorfindel nodded, and without a word, strode softly over to the stairway and began to descend. Arya hurried to follow. She marveled at the speed he was walking. His steps were so graceful and flowing, he seemed to be floating sometimes. Her own sturdy footfalls looked like the stumblings of a baby deer compared to his.
After leaving the garden behind, they passed through a large grassy courtyard, then into an open pathway crossed by swooping arches that wound along the side of a small pond. Arya could see fish darting about in the water, the sunlight reflecting off of their shining scales.
Finally they arrived at a large, ornate building, with a heavy wooden door. Glorfindel opened it and ushered her inside.
The single room Arya found herself in was no larger than the armory back in Winterfell, and dominated by a massive table in the center, around which many people were gathered. She saw Colden and Laeric there, standing silently. Barroth was talking with an elf Arya had never seen before, and Teidrin was situated by his side. There was no sign of Strider or the Hobbits. Glorfindel had just closed the door behind her when Arya's eyes settled on a piece of parchment splayed out on the table.
She rushed over and looked down at it, heedless of her friend's greetings, letting out a breath as her hopes were confirmed. It was a map, complete with rivers, mountain ranges, and cities. Arya tried and failed to soak it all in instantly.
"Where are we?" She demanded.
The elf silently pointed to a spot on the map not far from the central mountain range.
"So then the Grey Havens…" Arya muttered to herself, finding the location on the map. "And we went…"
She traced her finger along the path from the Grey Havens to Rivendell, noting familiar landmarks like Bree along the way. After checking the scale to make sure the distance seemed right, she leaned back, satisfied. Only then did she notice everyone else staring at her.
"Sorry." She apologized. "I've been curious."
She turned to the elf, looking at him closely for the first time. His hair was dark as shadow, and upon his head was set a circlet of silver; his eyes were grey, and in them was a light like the light of stars. Arya immediately felt foolish for acting so rashly in front of him.
"Er… Lord Elrond?"
He gave a small nod of affirmation. Arya noticed how quiet and inconspicuous he was at first glance, but when a more watchful eye was turned to him, there was no mistaking his lordly bearing. Gentler and more humble than Círdan, and more reserved than Glorfindel. It was amazing, Arya thought to herself, that all of the elves were so similar and yet so different at the same time.
Colden cleared his throat. "The Lord Elrond was just explaining to us where we are. We seem to have landed on the Western shores of a land called 'Ennor,' or 'Middle Earth.' At least, that's what I've gathered."
"That is correct." Elrond spoke. His voice was smooth and melodical. "By some fortune, you passed from the Great Sea into the Gulf of Lune unknowingly."
"And…" Arya hesitated. "Do you know about Westeros at all? Have you been across the sea?"
"My Lady," Elrond said apologetically. "I fear that many of our kindred have passed that way in years of late, and it is said that Elves first came to the shores of this land from across the sea."
Arya frowned. If they had already been across the sea to Westeros, she would have known about it. There definitely weren't any elves in Westeros. "Well, that combined with the stars… I'd say there was some magic or sorcery involved."
Barroth barked out a laugh. "Sorry, m'lady, but there's no such thing. Just stories for the children, and all that."
"I've seen a man rise from the ground after taking a sword through the heart." Arya turned to look at the larger man. "I've heard prophecies about my fate that came true. You may not have been there, but both Laeric and Colden saw the Night King raise an army of dead men. Is it too much to believe that we were… Taken… Somewhere else?"
Barroth lowered his head, though he still didn't look convinced. "Of course not, m'lady. I meant no offence."
Elrond had been watching the exchange silently. He glanced back and forth between the two of them for a moment before sighing and rolling up the map.
"There is likely nothing else we may learn, at the moment." He said. "Our knowledge is limited, and there is doubtless some other power at work here, likely one greater than all of us."
"So that's it then?" Colden asked incredulously. "You're just going to give up and leave us? We came all this way for answers !"
"And you will receive them, in due time." Elrond responded calmly. "There are other pressing matters that must be discussed also. I have called here a number of peoples from across the lands. Most have already arrived, while some are near at hand. In two days time, I would hold council here, and there we may all find answers."
"Two days?" Colden said angrily. "We're not here to stay! Our crew is waiting for us back in the Havens-"
"And they can wait a little longer." Arya cut him off. "It's alright, Colden. There's more to this than meets the eye. We can afford a delay."
Colden looked like he was about to argue, but forced a stiff nod. After shooting one last reproachful glance at Elrond, he walked briskly from the room. Arya watched him go.
"I apologize for his behavior." She said to Elrond. "He has a bit of a temper."
Elrond smiled. "He is within his right to be angry, as are you. But come, let us go sup together. Before the day is spent, I believe some old friends will find their way here."
"You mean Galdor and Círdan?"
"Perhaps." He said cryptically as he turned to leave. "Perhaps."
After he left, Arya stood there for a moment, staring at the empty table, trying to decipher his words. She turned to look at Glorfindel, who was still standing quietly by the door, and amused expression resting on his face.
"Do you have any idea what he meant by that?" She asked.
Glorfindel grinned at her and raised his eyebrows. "Perhaps."
Arya scowled after him as he left the room.