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Chapter 5
Lord of the Golden Flower
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Nell awoke slowly, from the most restful slumber that she could remember having in a long time. She breathed in deeply, her eyes still closed. The air was fresh, carrying a scent of moisture unlike the morning dew that she had grown accustomed to as of late. She turned over in her plush bed, beneath soft blankets, and remembered that she was no longer in a bedroll on the lumpy ground—she was in Rivendell. She opened her eyes and blinked against the ambient sunlight. The golden beams streamed through the arches, surrounding the bed, which was cast in shade. She smiled to herself, wishing that this serenity would never come to an end. She would not think about that inevitability. Not now.
Fortunately, a knock on the door took her mind off of it. She propped herself up on one elbow and squinted across the room, blinking back the grogginess and hoping that Erdion was not about to enter. "Yes . . . ?" she called out tentatively. She was relieved when the door cracked open and Yvonne peered in. She couldn't help but smile. "Come in," she said, sitting up and wondering how long she had been asleep if her companion from Earth was already up and around.
"Good morning," Yvonne said quietly as she entered. She spared a moment to look around curiously, taking her new surroundings before shutting the door behind. "Sorry if I woke you. An Elf lady woke me up when she brought me this dress, and by the time I had gotten ready for the day, it didn't occur to me that you might still be sleeping. I just . . ." She took a deep breath. "I think we should talk. About the Black Rider, and . . . anything else we haven't told each other." She hesitated and then lowered her voice. "I didn't tell Elrond, but I had a recurring dream about a volcano and a dark presence watching me. I was lost in a forest and . . ." She shook her head. "That's as far as it ever got, but it drove me crazy because I was having it almost every night. But I've barely thought about it since we came here. The dreams have stopped completely."
Nell took in Yvonne's words, feeling both a sense of foreboding and a touch of relief that she wasn't the only one who had been having strange and terrifying dreams. She gestured to the bed, and as Yvonne took a seat toward the foot of the mattress, Nell silently remarked to herself on the lovely Elven dress that she was wearing. The silvery-green color suited her well. She couldn't wait to see what she would get to wear. Even though she had never been much of one for dresses, it almost felt wrong not to wear one here.
Once Yvonne was settled, Nell spoke. "First of all, don't worry, I had just woken up when you knocked, so it was good timing. And about the dreams . . . what do you think they mean?" Here, she lowered her voice self-consciously, as Yvonne had done. "You've read the books and everything. Do they related to them at all? The black rider seems familiar, like I should know what it is, but . . . I guess I don't know as much as I thought . . . And," she added, only a little hesitantly, "you'll probably have to tell Elrond about your dreams. They're probably important . . . and he and that man he mentioned . . . it might help them to know what to do about all of this."
Yvonne seemed to tense, then bit her lip. "There are some things I don't want to tell Elrond. Or anyone from this world, for that matter. The volcano and the . . . the eye . . . if I told him about that, he would be more suspicious than he already is. And if I somehow let it slip that I know what it is—who it is—who was watching me in my dreams, he'll want to know how I know. And we can't tell him about the books, Nell. We can't tell anyone. We basically know the future of this universe, and if we change even the smallest thing, it could mess everything up. I . . . don't know what to do. I really thought he'd know how to send us home, but he doesn't. And from the sound of it, we're close to when the first book starts. The black rider you saw, it's called a Ringwraith, or a Nazgul. It's essentially the cursed spirit of a king who is bound to Sauron. He's . . ." She paused for a moment, thinking. "Sort of like an evil fallen angel, I guess. He's the main antagonist in the books, and has a ton of power. The rider you saw is a sign that he's stirring again."
Nell's blood ran cold. She had known that the dark foes in Tolkien's stories were bad, but she was mostly just familiar with the orcs. Sauron. Ringwraiths. Those names definitely rang a bell. And the magnitude of what she and Yvonne might be up against while here in this world was causing a sick panic to take root deep inside of her, despite their tranquil surroundings. What are we gonna do?
But through the panic and fear, her logical mind grabbed hold of her, redirecting her thoughts. "Okay . . ." she began, taking a deep, steadying breath. "If we can't tell anyone about those things, the only thing we can do is see what Elrond and that man—I'm sorry, I don't remember his name . . . We just have to see what they think about everything. I mean . . . Galadriel told Elrond about us, so they might end up having more information. We just have to wait and see, and go along with things. Right?"
"That man . . . Oh, you mean Mithrandir? That's Gandalf. It's just his Elvish name, I think. He has a few different ones."
"Oh, Gandalf!" Nell definitely knew his name, and it sent an inexplicable feeling of warmth through her.
"Yeah, he might know more about what happened. It sounds like Galadriel definitely does, but she lives pretty far away, I think. Definitely on the other side of the mountains. So, yeah. We'll just have to wait and see. I think it's probably fine to tell Elrond and the other Elves about our world, I just don't think we should mention the books or reveal that we know too much about their world. Things happen just so in the books; I'm worried that if we even change something small, it might make it so Frodo never makes it to Mount Doom and the ring is never destroyed. And . . . that would be bad."
She agreed wholeheartedly with Yvonne's assessment of their situation and what was off limits. "Yeah, we want to avoid that . . ." A world in which Sauron won and Frodo's mission was in vain? She did not want to play a part in that.
Her brow furrowed in determination. "So . . . if we're going to be finding ourselves in really dangerous situations, I think that I should at least know some of what to expect. Unless you think that being unprepared might have some advantage. For instance, I would like to know when we're about to be attacked, or . . ." She was about to say 'when someone is going to die,' but she wasn't so sure about that.
"I'll tell you if I think we'll be in any danger at all," Yvonne promised. "The first thing that comes to mind is, if Frodo is due to make his way to Rivendell soon, then the black riders aren't far from us now . . ." She proceeded to explain all about the way that the Ringwraiths shadowed Frodo and the others from the Shire all the way to Rivendell's borders, and the wound that Frodo would receive from one of their blades. "He won't die from it, but I don't think it ever really fully heals. If I remember correctly, it was even still bothering him years later, at the end of the last book." She was silent for a few moments, as if troubled by his fate, and Nell couldn't help but wish to prevent such a wound, even if he would survive.
Despite her feelings about Frodo, the thought of the black riders being so close—this time physically, not just a haunting presence in her mind—was terrifying. If hearing them, feeling them, when they weren't there sent deep chills of fear through her veins, how horrible would they be in person? Though it was difficult, she tried not to worry too much, for if she were here in Rivendell, she would certainly be safe. Certainly . . .
Fortunately, she didn't have long to contemplate the possibility of the riders entering the Elven dwelling, for Yvonne sighed, then continued, "Do you want to know when someone is about to die? Very few people do, really; only two of the Fellowship, and one comes back, and a few people they meet on their journey. Well, a lot of people die in the wars and stuff, but not many named characters."
Named characters . . . Nell wondered whether Erdion had been named in the books. Or the guards stationed outside. If they died, it would be gut-wrenching. It was with both a thrill and sorrow that she realized just how real this world now was to her.
"Um . . ." she murmured, taking a few moments to consider the very question that had occurred to her not minutes before. Ultimately, the decision was easy. "I don't think I want to know specifics." It would feel wrong to know who would die, for these so-called characters were now as real as her roommates back on Earth, and knowing their fates would only tempt her to change the outcome of whatever was meant to happen here. She would prefer to experience events as she would back home, even if that meant being unprepared for a tragic loss. She hoped that Yvonne would understand. And she hoped that she herself would be able to handle it.
Yvonne nodded. Then, they both lapsed into silence. Yvonne cast her gaze around the room once again, and Nell stared down at the bedspread, tracing the the delicate, shimmering embroidery with her fingertips.
With another sigh, Yvonne stood up. "I don't know what to expect today, but I'd like to explore Rivendell in the daylight. Do you want to come with me? I can go back to my room while you get ready for the day; just come find me when you're done."
Yvonne looked slightly troubled, and Nell thought to ask what was bothering her, but before she could, Yvonne was standing and had gotten back to business, and Nell felt that the moment had passed.
At Yvonne's proposal to explore, both excitement and nerves blossomed in Nell's stomach. Perhaps she was also a touch hungry. No matter what, there was no way that she could pass up an opportunity to explore a place such as this. She only hoped that Elrond wouldn't mind. "Sure, I'd love to. I'll be in soon."
As soon as Yvonne had gone, Nell spent a few long seconds gazing out through the open arches, past the flowing curtains and out onto Rivendell's stunning surroundings. She didn't even want to think about leaving this place. She almost didn't want to get out of bed, for a more relaxing and luxurious room she had never experienced in her life.
But she didn't want to keep Yvonne waiting longer than necessary. She was sure that she was eager to get going, probably feeling even more strongly about this place because she was already so familiar with it.
Nell peeled back the covers and swung her legs out of bed. She felt like a princess in her nightgown, and, in a similar situation with the room, almost didn't want to take it off. Then, she spotted a dress folded on the bedside table. Normally, the thought of someone being in her room while she was asleep would have unnerved her, but she hardly gave it a thought. Instead, she felt a smile spread across her face. The dress was a darker shade of green than Yvonne's, like that of a rich moss, with even darker green and gold trim, delicately winding around the hems. She stood, retrieved the garment—along with some underthings that would come in handy—and went into the bathroom.
Minutes later, she reemerged, refreshed and looking much more presentable. The dress fit her snugly yet comfortably, and she liked the way that the color complemented her dark-brown hair. She felt rather Elf-like. She placed the now-folded nightdress on the bedside table, then ran the comb through her hair until she was as satisfied as she could be with its shape, then slid on the pair of thin slipper-like shoes that waited by the nightstand. Before leaving the room, she made a stop at the food platter—which she was pleased to see had not been cleared by whoever had delivered her dress—and helped herself to a couple of bites of fruit to sate her growing hunger. Then, she left the room, made her way the short distance to Yvonne's door, and knocked.
Yvonne opened it a few seconds later and took in Nell's new appearance. "You look great," she said. "No offense to the people of Bree, but the Elves' clothes are so much better."
"Thanks," Nell replied with a small smile. "So do you. These colors are really nice. And I think I'd have to agree." Dresses might not have been her thing, but she very much enjoyed the way that this one made her feel. It was an unburdensome garment, and gave her a sensation of grace and elegance. Quite the change after so long on the road.
Yvonne then glanced both ways down the hallway, seeming a touch undecided. "Should we go this way?" She gesturing in the direction they had come from the night before.
Nell followed her gaze, and, having no basis upon which to make a better decision, said, "Sure. I don't see why not." She stepped back, and as soon as Yvonne had closed her door, they were off at a leisurely pace. Quite suddenly, Nell began to feel overwhelmed, by both the magnitude of where they were and self-consciousness about what they were doing. She always played by the rules back at home, never being too noisy, never straying where she shouldn't, stepping on as few toes as humanly possible. Now, in this Elven dwelling of immeasurable grandeur, she felt a kind of reverence that made her even more anxious to avoid causing offense.
As they walked, strains of music, then laughter, reached them from somewhere nearby. They followed the hall, and it opened onto a terrace that looked out over more buildings. Beneath them, a pair of Elves was walking, their heads bowed in conversation. In the distance, beyond the faint music, a horse neighed. Yvonne turned to Nell abruptly, pulling her attention from the festive and enchanting medley of Elven music and voices. "How would you feel about trying to find the stables with me? I think the horses were led in the opposite direction we went last night, so we'll probably get to see quite a bit of Rivendell on our way. Plus, it would give us a purpose beyond just being tourists."
While Nell was tempted to find the source of the merriment, she thought Yvonne's idea a very good one—and much less intrusive at that.
She readily agreed, and as they moved on, she recalled the path down which the horses had been led, wondering whether it would be faster to return to the entrance or whether the stables could be easily accessed another way.
As they walked, Nell had the desire to look over her shoulder, feeling conspicuous as a human in this place. She wished that Erdion were with them, for not only would it legitimize their walking about, but it would also prevent her from feeling as if they might get lost. Aside from that, she felt entirely comfortable. Rivendell was the most relaxing place that she had ever experienced. An atmosphere of tranquility blanketed the valley: waterfalls misting, catching the morning sunlight, birdsong carried through the air on a light breeze. It was paradise. She felt as though she might cry.
As they rounded a gentle curve in the path, they came face to face with an Elf woman carrying a basket of laundry. Even in the midst of such an ordinary task, she looked ethereal. Her face was filled with kindness as she took them in.
"Oh! I had heard we had guests from the race of Man. Two women who came in with the Rangers. My name is Falthel. I hope you have found rest and peace in the halls of Imladris." She bowed her head slightly, her long, dark hair held back by delicate braids.
As she straightened, Nell felt compelled to speak, to assure her that indeed she and Yvonne were being well taken care of. The words came almost without her realizing. "Oh, yes—thank you! It's so beautiful here, it's been wonderful, and—" She felt more than a little clumsy and thought it best to stop before she made herself out to be a fool. Taking a moment to compose herself, she added, "My name is Nell."
"Nell." Falthel smiled. "That is a beautiful name."
Nell smiled and thanked her shyly for the compliment.
Yvonne then added, "I'm Yvonne. I'm sorry if we disturbed you."
"You have not. Quite the opposite, in fact. It's so rare that we have guests, especially women. My tasks are not urgent, and I find myself curious about the world beyond Imladris. It has been long since we mingled freely with the race of Men. Would I be imposing upon you if I walked with you for a bit? I would love to hear more of the world."
Nell listened not without a touch of wonder as the Elf spoke of her experiences in her lovely, soothing voice.
"You're more than welcome to join us," said Yvonne. "We were actually on our way to the stables. Would you mind showing us the way?"
"It would be my pleasure. Come, we will talk whilst we walk." Falthel guided them down a fork in the path. "It's a beautiful day, is it not? Tell me, is it true you are from Bree? I have not been that far for centuries, not since I went to the Grey Havens to bid my sister farewell when she sailed West."
Nell's mind was still caught on the concept of being in the presence of someone who had been alive for centuries—and how peaceful a place the Grey Havens sounded—when she realized that a question had been posed to them. Waiting for an answer, Falthel had stopped speaking, and since Yvonne seemed a tad lost in thought, Nell mustered her confidence and replied, remembering to keep information limited, "Um, we were traveling, and briefly stayed in Bree before coming here. That's where we met the Rangers."
"Were you traveling alone?" Falthel's eyes rounded slightly. "I hope no ill befell the rest of your party."
"We were alone," Yvonne assured her, having returned from her thoughts. The Elf seemed sad at the thought that the remainder of their party had died, and Nell's heart clenched. She was relieved when Yvonne added, "We got lost; both of us are far from home. The Rangers saved us. And now we have the Elves of Imladris to thank for further hospitality. Neither of us are overly used to being on the road, so being here is a great relief."
"I am glad we are able to offer you some peace," Falthel said. "We near the stables; am I right that you seek the horses who bore you here?"
"Yes," Yvonne confirmed. "I'd just like to make sure they're doing all right. It was a long few days of hard riding for all of us."
"They will have been well taken care of, but it is kind of you to check," Falthel said, smiling. "I will tarry if you will not be too long; I can take you to the gardens after this, if you would like."
Nell and Yvonne eagerly—yet not too eagerly, on Nell's part, for she was wary of appearing uncouth—agreed to visit the gardens. Nell couldn't wait to see what an Elven garden would be like, especially in Rivendell. She and Yvonne said their temporary goodbyes to Falthel, then moved on to the stables, which were situated just ahead.
The structure was just as lovely as the others, not anything near as rustic as the stables in Bree, and yet it had its own kind of homeliness that suited the care of horses perfectly. A chestnut-haired Elf man near the entrance noticed the young women as they approached, and smiled kindly. Nell recognized him as one of the two who had secured their horses the night before.
"Greetings, ladies," he said. "I supposed that you have come to inquire about the well-being of your horses."
"I'm sure you've treated them wonderfully," Yvonne said. "I just felt bad not seeing Lux. She's a palomino—"
"I know who you're here to see," he said, giving her a kind yet amused smile. "We get few visitors, and the horses the four of you arrived on last night are the only ones in our stables besides those kept by Elves. They are fine horses, and I can see they have been treated well despite being ridden hard." As he spoke, he walked, leading them farther into the stables. Most of the stalls were empty, but a few had horses in them—and what horses they were. Each one of them was gorgeous, with proud, arched necks and manes nearly as fine as the Elves' hair. They watched the two humans with uncanny intelligence as they walked down the center aisle. Finally, the Elf stopped, and one of the less majestic horses, poking its nose out over one of the stall doors, gave a quiet snort. When Yvonne hurried toward it, Nell recognized the horse as Lux.
Then, Nell spotted her own horse in an adjacent stall. She approached rather slowly, taking in the magnificent sight of the Elves' steeds as she went. She wondered what their names were, and she wished that she could call hers by name. He seemed to not mind, however, that all she said was "Hi, boy," as she laid a hand carefully on his soft nose. She was deeply grateful that he had received such good treatment after having worked so hard on her behalf. And she hoped to not put him through such a thing again—at least not for a while.
Suddenly, the soft whinny of a horse startled her, and she turned. A dark-haired Elf strode into the stables. Erdion.
At first, his familiar face set her at ease, but she quickly realized that he looked troubled, agitated. He seemed to relax a bit when he laid eyes on Nell and Yvonne. "The only two women in Imladris shouldn't be so hard to track down," he grumbled, as if to himself. A pit of guilt formed in Nell's stomach. Should they not have left their rooms after all? Then, louder, he said, "Falthel said you were in here. I sent her on with a promise that you would be available later. Lord Elrond wishes to speak to the two of you this morning."
"Of course," Yvonne replied immediately, withdrawing from Lux.
Nell left her own horse and glanced at Yvonne, who was already giving her a look of her own, then the two followed Erdion out into the sunshine. She tried to quell the nerves kicked up in her stomach. At least they may be about to get some answers. She just wished that this calm morning could have continued a bit longer.
Elrond's study felt lighter, more airy, in the glow of the morning sun, though the expression on the lord's face was heavy. It did nothing to help Nell's anxiety. Erdion left the young women at the door, bowing as he shut it behind them.
"Please, be seated." Elrond gestured to a small, round table a short distance in front of his desk. "I've had some refreshments brought up; I'm unsure if you've eaten yet. I hope you've found Imladris to your liking?"
Nell and Yvonne took a seat. A platter with fruits and light pastry-like rolls waited for them. Tempted as she was by the offering, she didn't think that she would be able to enjoy it until she knew what Elrond wanted to speak to them about. Considering his apparent mood, there must be something wrong.
"It's beautiful," Yvonne said. "And it was wonderful to be able to rest in an actual bed, and take a warm bath. Thank you, so much, for arranging all of that."
He smiled, though there was something almost . . . sad about it. "I am glad to have given you respite for one night, at least. I've thought long about your situation, and have pondered over the missive Galadriel sent me prior to your arrival, and I fear I have arrived at a conclusion that you will not like. I must ask you to return to Bree."
For a moment, Nell couldn't breathe. She stared at Elrond, stunned. They were to go back? All the way back to Bree? After they had only just come here? She didn't even know if she was physically capable of it so soon—though even as the thought crossed her mind, some part of her knew that she was stronger than she was giving herself credit for. All consideration for trying one of the pastries was now gone, her stomach in such turmoil that she feared being sick right away. And yet . . . when would she get the chance to eat something so wonderful again?
Instead of looking at the table, she looked at Yvonne, and saw the devastation in her face.
"Back to . . . why?" Yvonne choked out. The pity on Elrond's face was terrible.
"There are two reasons. First, that is where Gandalf is supposed to be. I have not heard from him recently, but I know he planned on meeting an important friend there soon. If you wish to speak with him with all haste, then that is where you need to go." He hesitated. "My second reason is less based in fact, and more in feeling. Some great power brought you to this land, and I do not doubt that it would put you where you were meant to be. If you have some purpose here, it is not in Rivendell. It is where you first came into this world. There may be something you missed, some task or message, and it would do you well to return. If I could help you, I would not send you away so quickly, but there is nothing I can do. I'm sorry."
"But . . . I just . . . I can't . . ." Yvonne fought for words before trailing off. She seemed as though she were about to cry.
Nell's heart ached—not just for herself and the thought of their impending long journey, but for Yvonne and how badly she was taking the news. Without even thinking about it, she reached out and laid a hand on Yvonne's back, trying to give her what little comfort she could and bolster her just a bit. Then, she addressed the Elf lord, trying not to let the tightness in her chest effect her voice. "We understand. Thank you for everything, and for your advice." She gave him her best attempt at a smile, fighting the urge to cry herself. She could tell that he felt for them, and she wanted to appear brave, for his sake as well as Yvonne's—and her own.
Yvonne took a deep breath. "Thanks," she managed, echoing Nell. "How are we going to get there? I don't think we could find it on our own. Even with a map—well, I never really learned how to use one back home."
A faint expression of surprise crossed Elrond's face. "On your own? I wouldn't send you out alone."
"We can't ask Boren and Lorthon to help us again," Yvonne said. "They've already done so much for us, and gone out of their way. It wouldn't be fair." Nell couldn't help but silently agree, and she hoped that Elrond would understand.
"I was not planning on asking them for their aid either," Elrond replied, looking amused now. "Do you think the Rangers are the only ones who know these lands? No, I had another in mind, one who will get you safely to—" He broke off as a knock sounded on the door. "Ah, that must be him now. I had asked him to meet me here this morning after he broke his fast." Raising his voice slightly, he called, "Enter, Glorfindel."
The door opened.
Again, Nell found it difficult to breathe. She had been stunned by Erdion's beauty, but this Elf was something else entirely. Everything about him shone, but the light came from within. His hair seemed to be made of fine threads of gold, catching the light as he strode into the room. She was barely aware of it when she rose to her feet, as if instinctively giving him the respect that he deserved. This man was to escort them all the way back to Bree? That entire filthy, wearying journey that would end in grubby, backwater Bree, a town that seemed so unworthy of the presence of such a being as the one before them now? Nell did not even want to think about how humiliating it would be for her appearance to slowly deteriorate in his presence over the following days . . . and nights. Sleeping in this Elf's presence . . .
Nell found herself burning to look away from such magnificence, but unable, as he strode across the room, bowed slightly to Elrond, then turned to look at the two young women curiously.
"Glorfindel, have you thought on the request I made of you?" Elrond asked.
Glorfindel nodded once, still eyeing them. When he spoke, his voice felt like warm sunshine. "I'll escort the two women to Bree. Though I cannot deny that I am curious as to who they are."
"They can tell you if they wish." Elrond focused on Yvonne. "It's their secret to share. Though Nell, Yvonne, rest assured that Glorfindel has my full trust. He is one of the greatest of us, and will do you no wrong."
"Right," Yvonne uttered, barely audible. She took a deep breath before trying again. "Hi, Glorfindel. Thank you for escorting us. When do we leave?"
Glorfindel focused on Yvonne, more with curious interest, it seemed, than intense scrutiny. "You are most welcome. I believe that it would prove wise to depart as soon as possible. From what Lord Elrond has told me, you should be in Bree, and given that you have already been away for many days, there seems to be no time to squander." He gave both girls a regretful look. "I am sorry that your time here was so brief."
Nell's heart dropped fully into her stomach, all hope in the possibility of another night in her wonderful bed now dashed. Now she only hoped for one last chance to partake in the Elves' food before once again resigning herself to what could be hunted and gathered on the road. Almost absentmindedly, her eyes fell to the spread of refreshments on the table before her.
"Today, then." Yvonne said, almost solemnly, as if a verdict had been reached, and Nell felt it in her gut. "Our clothes," Yvonne continued, "I don't know if they've been washed. And we don't have any supplies. Or money. If we're leaving today—"
"Your supplies will be delivered to your rooms," Elrond assured them. "Worry not, all will be provided. You are here at the behest of something greater than all the Elves of Arda, and so long as your path does not lead you to darkness, you will have my aid." He glanced out the window. "You can tarry until shortly after midday. That will give you time to eat and to prepare for your journey before departing."
"I must prepare for this journey as well," Glorfindel said. "We will make all haste, but you may find the ways of Elves easier than the ways of Men. Even the Rangers do not know all paths to Bree." He moved toward the door, but paused as he passed them. His eyes landed first on Yvonne, then on Nell. "If we are to be companions, I would be remiss if I did not ask your names."
"I'm Yvonne Linden," Yvonne responded hastily, if not a little flustered, holding out her hand to shake. Nell's eyes widened. Was such a thing appropriate in this situation?
Shockingly, he clasped it. "I look forward to our journey, Yvonne Linden."
He turned his attention to Nell. Under the magnificent Elf's gaze, as he stood so near to her, Nell felt as if her voice would refuse to function, but she managed the words. Albeit rather ineloquently. "I'm Nell—Carter." She hesitated to offer her hand, but seeing as Yvonne had done so, and the gesture had been accepted, she feared being seen as rude if she did not do the same. When Glorfindel took it in his, it felt both extremely comfortable and profoundly wrong, as if her hand was unworthy of touching his in such a familiar manner, and it did something to the pit of her stomach.
"It is a pleasure, both of you." He released Nell as easily as he had touched her, and both relief and disappointment came over her. How was someone like him real? Like any of the Elves, for that matter, for Nell knew that shaking any of their hands would have given her very similar sensations.
Glorfindel then departed, leaving the girls alone with Elrond, who suggested that they take what they wished of the refreshments back to their rooms. Nell was immensely grateful and tried not to take too many, so as not to appear greedy, as she filled a small platter with the luscious fruits and golden pastries.
Erdion was waiting to escort her and Nell back to their rooms, and the entire way there, whilst mindful of the tray, Nell was overcoming with contradictory sensations. Anxiety was roiling in the pit of her stomach, but she also felt light, almost numb, one due to their impending departure, the other to the glorious golden-haired Elf.
When they reached their corridor, Erdion left them. Nell continued on past Yvonne's door, but then the latter spoke, and Nell turned around. "I know we're supposed to be preparing or whatever, but would it be all right if we ate together? I just feel . . ." She trailed off, looking extraordinarily troubled and in need of a friend. And it was beyond Nell's power to deny her that, even if she had wanted to.
"Yeah, of course," she agreed, not feeling much like being alone at the moment either. She didn't want to give melancholy and dread a chance to fester and grow.
With a grateful smile, Yvonne opened the door to her room, and Nell followed her inside.
The room was much like Nell's, but the design of the bedframe was different—an intertwining of ivy and flowers that was so intricate that Nell wanted to stare at it for ages—and there were even unique aspects to the small tables. It made her wonder how many Elves in Rivendell made furniture and how often they crafted such beautiful pieces. She was sure that something like these would cost quite a lot back home.
She and Yvonne sat on the bed, their platters of food nestled on the smooth ochre bedspread, and ate for a while in silence. Nell began to feel a bit better as her stomach was sated, and she felt as though, perhaps, the journey back to Bree might be more doable than she had initially thought.
Her mind wandered, and she tried not to think too hard about how wonderful this place was and how much she would miss it. Maybe they would get the chance to return before they went back to their world. She dearly hoped so. She would love to see more of it. After all, they had only—
Her head snapped up suddenly with alarm. "We forgot to see the garden!" She thought of Falthel and how eager the Elf had seemed to show it to them. "Do you think we could, before we leave?"
"Elrond did say our supplies would be delivered to our rooms, and no one's delivered anything yet," Yvonne said, finishing a last bit of bread and cheese. "I really would like to see the gardens too. Maybe we could see if we can find Falthel? We can tell her we're leaving shortly, and see if she has time for us. She did seem interested in talking with us, and I'd feel bad leaving without saying anything to her anyway."
Hope bloomed within Nell. If they could at least have one more memory of this place to bring with them, she would feel better about the long journey back to Bree. "I think we should try. It would make leaving easier . . ." She smiled sadly, then brightened a little, her mood lifted considerably. "Let's hurry and finish eating."
Yvonne quickly finished the rest of her food, and once done, she put her platter on the table and took one last look around the room. Nell savored another bite of her last pastry and did the same, imprinting as many details as she could in her mind.
Suddenly, Yvonne turned to Nell, excitement written all over her face. "I just realized—Bilbo is probably here! We have to find him before we leave. I loved The Hobbit, I've read it even more than The Lord of the Rings. If we find Falthel, we should ask about him in addition to the garden. He's supposed to be very popular with the Elves, so she might know where he likes to spend his time."
Nell had definitely heard of Bilbo, and excitement grew inside of her as soon as recognition struck. Then Yvonne's face fell, and Nell immediately understood why, her own heart sinking. "But it would be best not to, right?" Nell confirmed. "Because we're not supposed to know that he's here?" Yvonne gave a regretful nod, and Nell offered a sympathetic smile. "Well, the garden will be great, I'm sure."
Nell popped the last piece of fruit into her mouth, then got up, her platter joining Yvonne's. Clinging to every positive notion that she could, and trying to not dwell on the fact that she would be missing out on meeting Bilbo, Nell left the room with her friend, in search of their garden guide.
They didn't find Falthel right away, but they did find another Elf—a very handsome one, too. Nell noticed Yvonne brighten a little when he introduced himself as Lindir, and she wondered if she recognized him. She was dying to ask her, and made a mental note to do so as soon as she got the chance. Yvonne asked him where Falthel was, and he led them to an open room by the river with various clothing and linens hanging up to dry, and wash basins lined up neatly by the water. Falthel was wringing out a dress, but set her work aside when she saw them, a smile on her face.
"Ah, has Lord Elrond released you already? Good, it is a lovely day, and it should be enjoyed."
"I trust I can leave them in your care, Falthel?" Lindir asked. He seemed more reserved than the female Elf, and had kept a closer eye on them as they walked, though he had been unfailingly polite.
"I've promised them a tour of the garden," she said. "Thank you for escorting them to me, Lindir."
Lindir accepted the dismissal without protest and gave them a short nod before leaving. Falthel left the clothing where it was and walked with them away from the washroom pavilion.
"I hope we aren't interrupting," Yvonne said.
"Oh, the wash isn't going anywhere," Falthel replied. "It's much more exciting to show others the home that I love, don't you agree? There are so few Elves now, and the number keeps dwindling, and we no longer welcome as many visitors of other races as we once did. Elves tend not to bore easily, but I am one of the younger Elves, and perhaps it is my age, or simply who I am, but sometimes I wish I was able to experience more interesting times. Tales from the rest of the world and a meeting with unexpected guests will have to suffice."
As Falthel led them away, Nell soaked in her words. How fascinating—and complex—the lives of Elves seemed, she thought. To have such incredibly long lives and yet not be bored would be an amazing thing. She herself rarely got bored at home, since she had so many books to read in her free time, but to be completely content here, in this kind of world, was an astonishing thing. Though, she supposed, the Elves were on another level than humans, and they did have this place in which to spend their lives.
The trio walked in relative silence, Nell and Yvonne once again taking in the utter beauty surrounding them.
Nell had been pondering things with which the Elves might occupy themselves when Falthel said, "We have arrived."
They rounded a bend in another path and found themselves standing at the entrance to another circular pavilion, this one unlike any other that they had seen. There was no ceiling, and almost the entirety of the room's continuous wall was comprised of arches, through which sunlight streamed in golden beams, illuminating countless varieties of flowers, some low-lying in small patches, some in the form of neatly trimmed bushes, and others climbing the pale stone walls in elegant patterns that reminded Nell of Yvonne's bed. It was the most breathtaking sight yet.
Falthel led the awe-struck girls down one of the stone pathways that wove through garden, cheerfully pointing out her favorite flowers along the way.
As their tour was drawing to a close, Yvonne spoke softly, "I wish we could stay in Rivendell longer. It's so beautiful here. I don't know if I'll ever see anything like it again."
"Surely you aren't leaving for a while yet?" Falthel asked, clearly both taken aback and disappointed. "I had assumed you would stay and rest a while. Even the Rangers tarry for days or weeks when they come."
"We're leaving today," Yvonne told her. "Soon. In fact, we should probably get back to our rooms now—Elrond said supplies would be delivered, and we have to get ready. As much as I don't want to leave, I don't want to keep Glorfindel waiting."
"Glorfindel?" Falthel's eyes widened. "Is he accompanying you, when you depart? You must face grave danger if Lord Elrond requested he escort you. He is a great warrior, feared by the dark and evil things, and a legend even among our kind."
Though not entirely surprised, Nell was a bit taken aback. Was Glorfindel really so impressive? His demeanor would suggest that he was, but hearing one of his own kind speak of him in such a way sent a thrill through the pit of Nell's stomach. What an honor to have such a being as an escort. But she dearly hoped that Falthel's concern about danger was unfounded, despite the threat of the Black Riders.
Feeling obliged to set Falthel's mind at ease, she said, "I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. We just—have somewhere to be, and need to get there as quickly as possible. Lord Elrond just wants to be sure that the journey goes well—and," she paused, then continued a little sheepishly, "we all thought it would be best to not impose on the Rangers again so soon."
"I am sure your kindness is much appreciated," Falthel said, but the worry was still apparent in her eyes. "Come, I will walk with you to your rooms and bid you farewell there."
Nell and Yvonne followed her out of the marvelous garden and through Rivendell. Nell's heart ached with every step. She didn't know how she would weather the coming journey, nor how she would fare throughout the rest of her life, knowing that a place like this existed and that she was unable to visit whenever she wanted. But she couldn't think like that. She and Yvonne were apparently in this world—in Middle Earth—for a reason, and they had to find out why. If the answers weren't in Rivendell, then they must not linger, and that was something that she needed to accept so that she could focus on what they needed to do. Still, she hoped that their supplies had not yet been delivered to their rooms.
But alas, after she and Yvonne said their goodbyes to Falthel in the corridor and proceeded into their respective quarters, Nell found her travel garb from Bree laid out on her bed, seemingly in an even better state than it was when it had first been given to her, along with a leather bag that had clearly been crafted by Elven hands. She opened the bag, reached inside, and her eyes widened as she withdrew a small dagger. It was rather heavy, a substantial tool—or weapon—and yet there was a delicateness to it, exemplified by the beautiful etching in the leather sheath and the sculpting of the hilt. She pulled the blade free. It shone, even without direct sunlight, and appeared to be so sharp that it would probably cut with hardly any effort. She felt unworthy of such a gift, and could only assume that Lord Elrond had deemed it necessary. Though such a beautiful piece of craftsmanship deserved to be put to use, she hoped that she wouldn't need it. She slid it carefully back into its sheath, and laid it on the bed next to the bag, then stared down at the clothing for a few long seconds. Resigned, she gathered it up and retreated into the washroom.
Nell supposed that it felt more natural to be wearing pants again, but it hadn't taken her any effort to get used to the Elven gown. She hoped that it wouldn't be the only time that she would wear one, and she was already wondering how she might incorporate something like it into her wardrobe back home. Of course, nothing that she could afford—or even be able to find—would be of such a high quality. As she folded the dress as neatly as possible and laid it on the bed, she considered asking to take it with her, but such a requests seemed unreasonable, for when would she have occasion to wear it on the road? Besides, such a garment would be spoiled in Bree—and wherever else they might find themselves.
To steer her mind from depressing thoughts, she investigated the rest of the contents of the bag. There was a rolled blanket, lightweight but probably quite warm, and several wrapped packets of dried meat, cheese, and a dense flatbread with seeds in it. Her spirits lifted a bit. At least there would be some more variety to their diet while on the road, and seeing as it was made my Elves, it must taste wonderful.
She did a final mental check of everything, and, again remembering that she would be traveling with an Elf and not the Rangers, she grabbed the comb and tamed her hair, wishing that it would stay that way. But there was no helping it. She considered finding something with which to tie it back, like Yvonne had done before, but she was more comfortable with it down, and so would suffer the consequences.
With everything in order, she took a few long seconds to just breathe in Rivendell air as a breeze stirred the curtains. She closed her eyes. Birds sang in the distance, alongside the ever-present roar of the waterfalls. She was once again standing in the garden, surrounded by the multitude of colors and scents.
She didn't want to open her eyes.
After what could have been minutes, she was once again gazing across the room, through the arches, and she knew that it was time. She slung the bag over her shoulder and strode purposefully to the door, her heart clenching tightly. She and Yvonne had a duty here, and though they might not understand it yet, it was time to focus on what they could gain, not what they must leave behind.
As Nell closed her door, she found Erdion standing in the corridor with Yvonne. She thanked him for something, and Erdion gave her a kind smile. Then: "That is not all." He glanced at Nell, including her in what he was about to say. "He has also asked me to tell you that, if you do not find the answers you seek elsewhere, you will be welcome here."
It was the best news that Nell could have hoped for. What a tremendous comfort to know that, no matter where they were, she and Yvonne would have Lord Elrond's support.
"Thank you very much," she wholeheartedly said to Erdion, wishing that she could thank Elrond himself.
The Elf's eyes were full of warmth as he led the two travelers through Rivendell, until they were descending the great stone steps to the entrance, where they had first met him. Their horses had been readied for them and were waiting on the plateau, alongside . . . Boren and Lorthon.
Nell felt a pang at the sight of them. The Rangers' time in Rivendell thus far had treated them well. They had washed, and their clothes were those of Elf men. They looked refreshed and impeccably handsome, and Nell felt horribly guilty for the long journey that they had had to endure on the girls' behalf. She wondered how they must feel about Yvonne and herself departing so soon, only to return to the same town from which they had just come. But the men did not seem upset as the girls approached. They only smiled amiably, Boren patting the neck of Nell's horse.
"We regret that it has turned out this way," said Lorthon, "and we would return with you, but it seems that you have been assigned a new escort."
Nell shook her head, smiling to reassure him. "No, you have both done more than enough. We would hate to have you leave this place so soon."
Yvonne then added, "Really, we appreciate everything you've done for us. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't stumbled across us and helped us."
"We could do no less," Boren replied. "Perhaps we will meet again one day. Until then, I wish you both easy travels. I have no doubt you will be safe on the road back to Bree."
Suddenly, movement from the left caught Nell's eye, and she looked to see the brilliant golden figure of Glorfindel leading his own mount onto the plateau to join them. His travel garb was similar to what he had been wearing before, but somehow seemed more practical—though what exactly constituted practical for the Elves she couldn't say, and he looked just as magnificent. His horse was pure white, and practically shone in the sun.
Not wanting to seem incompetent in front of Glorfindel, Nell mustered the strength that she had practiced on the journey, and managed to haul herself into the saddle on her own horse. The Elf, meanwhile, leaped into his so effortlessly that it seemed as though he weighed almost nothing. She only stared in awe for a moment before directing her gaze elsewhere: up at Elrond's dwelling. She tried to cling to an inkling of hope that this would not be the last that she would see of it.
Glorfindel led the young women across the bridge (this time, Nell crossed it much more easily), then up the rocky winding path, until at last, they reached the pass out of the valley. Both girls looked back for one last breathtaking view of Rivendell, its waterfalls roaring peacefully, and its elegant architecture bathed in warm sunlight. Like a fairy-tale. Then, they faced forward, following their new guide back the way that they had come.
Note: To be honest, Glorfindel was my first choice for Nell, but since he was also Sundayraven's first choice, I chose Legolas (which I was totally fine with, since Legolas has always been my favorite). ^^ Also, describing Rivendell and the Elves is my favorite part of this story so far. :')
P.S. Erdion and Falthel are two more of our original characters~