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Chapter 13 -- Promises --
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It had been a very long time since they had last been in Rivendell. Legolas and Glorfindel had been in Mirkwood, and recently received a letter from Rivendell asking them to bring certain documents from Mirkwood and Lothlorien to Elrond.
They were riding hard as they usually did for Elves did not tire easily. Legolas had been very worried about his friend recently. He had become…rather morose and self-absorbed. Clearly nothing like the carefree Glorfindel he had know in the past. When they stopped at Lothlorien…he'd have a talk with him.
Glorfindel had tried to spend that time forgetting about Gailethil. But nothing seemed to work. He could not get her out of his mind. Glorfindel had other things going on in his head. Outside of Mirkwood…he had an encounter that deep within him he wished had never happened. But there was nothing that he could do about it now…and the more time went on…the more he thought about it…the more he wanted it to happen, despite the desperate plea in his heart that was trying to tell him to remain true and keep his honor. He looked back…again…on the encounter.
------Glorfindel's Corruption------
He had been restless all that day, and he walked…trying hard to avoid other elves as the thought about the only one that he truly wished to see…Gailethil. Soon…he would be back in Rivendell bearing the papers that Elrond had asked for. He walked far that day…farther than he really thought he had. Certainly out of Mirkwood itself.
Then there was a sound from behind and he whipped around, gazing into a shadowy cave.. A figure…that seemed to form from that shadow…emerged in darkness, a black hooded cloak pulled over him. He wore…full plate armor, and carried a long steel sword at his side. He hissed slightly, but did not make as if he was going to attack. Glorfindel drew his bow, for he could sense evil…and prepared to let fly the arrow.
"Stay thy hand…elf….for talk is all I wish…I am not here to fight you. I am here to help you." the caressing words flowed through the air…like a thousand needle pricks to the back of his neck.
Glorfindel shuddered but did not release the arrow. He kept it cocked however and backed away slightly. "Who are you…and what do you want from me?"
The black hooded creature lurched forward as it walked, sniffing a bit in the air. The walk was unreal…like the hobbling of an old old man. His elongated fingers flicked out and gestured towards the warrior. "I know what it is you want. Talk with me…and I can give her to you." Still Glorfindel could not see the creatures face beneath the hood, but he did not take action, twas not the elvin way to attack without being attacked.
"Speak your words than leave this place. There is nothing here for you." Glorfindel declared in a quiet yet deadly voice. His heart was failing a little, he sensed something about this creature that put every fiber of his being on alert.
"Is that anyway to speak to a friend?" The creature hissed a hollow laugh that echoed in its hood. "I know you want her. And I can give her to you…make her love you and not him. Otherwise…you will spend the rest of your days…in torment." he spent time on each and every word, emphasizing the last. "She will never love you." the words rang through Glorfindel's mind and he shuddered at their impact. "She loves him. But I…I can change all that. I can break their connection. Break it…into little pieces."
He could not believe himself…he was lowering his bow and seriously listening to the creature, he could not understand it but he could not bring himself to do otherwise. "How?"
"When you arrive at a place called Weathertop on the way back to Rivendell, you will find a bracelet. Simply give it to her…and she will be yours." the creature weaved a spell of deception as it was speaking, breaking through the hardened defenses of the lone elf and working their way into his heart.
"That's all?" Glorfindel blinked a little. "What does this do for you?"
"Everything." the creature turned and began to walk away, cackling. "Resist it…and you will never gain her love. Take it…and all that you want will be yours. This I promise you."
And then it vanished back into the shadows.
-----------------------------------------------------------end Glorfindel's corruption----
Legolas and Glorfindel finally arrived in Lorien. On their way to visit Galadriel to get the rest of the papers, Legolas put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "You have been very quiet. Is anything the matter?"
Everything was the matter, his heart ached as he looked at his friend, longing to tell him…but he feared to do so. He was struggling with something that had already taken root and was beginning to fester mercilessly in his soul. He shook his head, looking away, but the Prince knew that he was holding back.
Galadriel gave Legolas the second half of the documents they needed and while they both paid their respects she suddenly turned and looked at Glorfindel, her eyes wide and forbidding. Glofindel shuddered, knowing she was looking deep within him. He turned…and walked away, unable to do anything else.
"Legolas." Glorfindel looked to the Prince of Mirkwood. "Guide your friend carefully…for something stalks his heart with an invisible hand. Have care…have care on your journey back to Rivendell. Do not stop."
"Yes, Lady Galadriel." Legolas bowed, "I will take care. I promise."
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Frodo was as happy as he could be, Bag end was indeed the wonderful place that Uncle Bilbo had promised. He was thriving there, away from Brandy Hall. His relatives were not exactly happy about it, but he didn't care anymore. He was. There was only one thing that could make things perfect, but he daren't talk to anyone about it. Gailethil. He sighed a little. He knew…she was more than just a dream…and still did not know what to make of it all. He kept close to his heart the small pendant that she had given him and looked at it almost every day. Still…he had not seen her in more than two years. Then again…he had not been sick, and he was beginning to wonder if that was the only time he'd ever get to see her…and if there would ever be a time that he could really sit and talk to her.
Someone was ringing the bells …he sighed and put down his book. Not in any hurry he walked over to the door and opened it. A peddler…haunched over…and wearing a black cloak. He was an ancient looking hobbit and behind him was a large waggon with many things.in it. "Good day to you, Mr. Baggins. I was told you might have an interest in some of my wares." he spoke in a hissing voice, and Frodo did not immediately take to him, glancing about nervously for a moment.
"Well…I…I'm not really interested in buying anything today." he always hated to be rude, and did his best to maintain a polite demeanor.
"Ah…but I'm sure that what I have will interest you. Special wares from as far away as Gondor…and Rivendell…" the last word was spoken in a hushed tone. "Spices from the Elvin Lands…Very expensive…" His words were quite hypnotic as he spoke them each very clearly. "They go well with vegetables, especially things like Mushroom Pie…and Potatoes. Aye, many a man has called be back for more, mark my words, laddie. They won't disappoint, I promise you."
"Spices?" Frodo's curiosity got the better of him, and if it was to do with Rivendell he was interested. She lived there. "Show me what you have."
The peddler lay out on a the porch a variety of elvish items Spices, Silk, jewelry. There was no end to the trinkets that he pulled out and claimed to be of elvish nature. Frodo had to smile at some of the things, but there were a few books…and the spices looked interesting. He'd have Sam use them with potatoes laer and see what they turned out like. He picked out a few things, feeling in a good mood as he always felt when he had someone to talk about Rivendell with.
The spices and books purchased, the happy peddler packed up his wares and was on his way. The peddler made his way to the great east rode…and when the sun began to set on the land…he changed form…became larger…and darker…a hissing sound that seemed like laughter caused the pony to start a little and a glint of metal revealed the true nature of the peddler.
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Chapter 13 -- Promises --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It had been a very long time since they had last been in Rivendell. Legolas and Glorfindel had been in Mirkwood, and recently received a letter from Rivendell asking them to bring certain documents from Mirkwood and Lothlorien to Elrond.
They were riding hard as they usually did for Elves did not tire easily. Legolas had been very worried about his friend recently. He had become…rather morose and self-absorbed. Clearly nothing like the carefree Glorfindel he had know in the past. When they stopped at Lothlorien…he'd have a talk with him.
Glorfindel had tried to spend that time forgetting about Gailethil. But nothing seemed to work. He could not get her out of his mind. Glorfindel had other things going on in his head. Outside of Mirkwood…he had an encounter that deep within him he wished had never happened. But there was nothing that he could do about it now…and the more time went on…the more he thought about it…the more he wanted it to happen, despite the desperate plea in his heart that was trying to tell him to remain true and keep his honor. He looked back…again…on the encounter.
------Glorfindel's Corruption------
He had been restless all that day, and he walked…trying hard to avoid other elves as the thought about the only one that he truly wished to see…Gailethil. Soon…he would be back in Rivendell bearing the papers that Elrond had asked for. He walked far that day…farther than he really thought he had. Certainly out of Mirkwood itself.
Then there was a sound from behind and he whipped around, gazing into a shadowy cave.. A figure…that seemed to form from that shadow…emerged in darkness, a black hooded cloak pulled over him. He wore…full plate armor, and carried a long steel sword at his side. He hissed slightly, but did not make as if he was going to attack. Glorfindel drew his bow, for he could sense evil…and prepared to let fly the arrow.
"Stay thy hand…elf….for talk is all I wish…I am not here to fight you. I am here to help you." the caressing words flowed through the air…like a thousand needle pricks to the back of his neck.
Glorfindel shuddered but did not release the arrow. He kept it cocked however and backed away slightly. "Who are you…and what do you want from me?"
The black hooded creature lurched forward as it walked, sniffing a bit in the air. The walk was unreal…like the hobbling of an old old man. His elongated fingers flicked out and gestured towards the warrior. "I know what it is you want. Talk with me…and I can give her to you." Still Glorfindel could not see the creatures face beneath the hood, but he did not take action, twas not the elvin way to attack without being attacked.
"Speak your words than leave this place. There is nothing here for you." Glorfindel declared in a quiet yet deadly voice. His heart was failing a little, he sensed something about this creature that put every fiber of his being on alert.
"Is that anyway to speak to a friend?" The creature hissed a hollow laugh that echoed in its hood. "I know you want her. And I can give her to you…make her love you and not him. Otherwise…you will spend the rest of your days…in torment." he spent time on each and every word, emphasizing the last. "She will never love you." the words rang through Glorfindel's mind and he shuddered at their impact. "She loves him. But I…I can change all that. I can break their connection. Break it…into little pieces."
He could not believe himself…he was lowering his bow and seriously listening to the creature, he could not understand it but he could not bring himself to do otherwise. "How?"
"When you arrive at a place called Weathertop on the way back to Rivendell, you will find a bracelet. Simply give it to her…and she will be yours." the creature weaved a spell of deception as it was speaking, breaking through the hardened defenses of the lone elf and working their way into his heart.
"That's all?" Glorfindel blinked a little. "What does this do for you?"
"Everything." the creature turned and began to walk away, cackling. "Resist it…and you will never gain her love. Take it…and all that you want will be yours. This I promise you."
And then it vanished back into the shadows.
-----------------------------------------------------------end Glorfindel's corruption----
Legolas and Glorfindel finally arrived in Lorien. On their way to visit Galadriel to get the rest of the papers, Legolas put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "You have been very quiet. Is anything the matter?"
Everything was the matter, his heart ached as he looked at his friend, longing to tell him…but he feared to do so. He was struggling with something that had already taken root and was beginning to fester mercilessly in his soul. He shook his head, looking away, but the Prince knew that he was holding back.
Galadriel gave Legolas the second half of the documents they needed and while they both paid their respects she suddenly turned and looked at Glorfindel, her eyes wide and forbidding. Glofindel shuddered, knowing she was looking deep within him. He turned…and walked away, unable to do anything else.
"Legolas." Glorfindel looked to the Prince of Mirkwood. "Guide your friend carefully…for something stalks his heart with an invisible hand. Have care…have care on your journey back to Rivendell. Do not stop."
"Yes, Lady Galadriel." Legolas bowed, "I will take care. I promise."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Frodo was as happy as he could be, Bag end was indeed the wonderful place that Uncle Bilbo had promised. He was thriving there, away from Brandy Hall. His relatives were not exactly happy about it, but he didn't care anymore. He was. There was only one thing that could make things perfect, but he daren't talk to anyone about it. Gailethil. He sighed a little. He knew…she was more than just a dream…and still did not know what to make of it all. He kept close to his heart the small pendant that she had given him and looked at it almost every day. Still…he had not seen her in more than two years. Then again…he had not been sick, and he was beginning to wonder if that was the only time he'd ever get to see her…and if there would ever be a time that he could really sit and talk to her.
Someone was ringing the bells …he sighed and put down his book. Not in any hurry he walked over to the door and opened it. A peddler…haunched over…and wearing a black cloak. He was an ancient looking hobbit and behind him was a large waggon with many things.in it. "Good day to you, Mr. Baggins. I was told you might have an interest in some of my wares." he spoke in a hissing voice, and Frodo did not immediately take to him, glancing about nervously for a moment.
"Well…I…I'm not really interested in buying anything today." he always hated to be rude, and did his best to maintain a polite demeanor.
"Ah…but I'm sure that what I have will interest you. Special wares from as far away as Gondor…and Rivendell…" the last word was spoken in a hushed tone. "Spices from the Elvin Lands…Very expensive…" His words were quite hypnotic as he spoke them each very clearly. "They go well with vegetables, especially things like Mushroom Pie…and Potatoes. Aye, many a man has called be back for more, mark my words, laddie. They won't disappoint, I promise you."
"Spices?" Frodo's curiosity got the better of him, and if it was to do with Rivendell he was interested. She lived there. "Show me what you have."
The peddler lay out on a the porch a variety of elvish items Spices, Silk, jewelry. There was no end to the trinkets that he pulled out and claimed to be of elvish nature. Frodo had to smile at some of the things, but there were a few books…and the spices looked interesting. He'd have Sam use them with potatoes laer and see what they turned out like. He picked out a few things, feeling in a good mood as he always felt when he had someone to talk about Rivendell with.
The spices and books purchased, the happy peddler packed up his wares and was on his way. The peddler made his way to the great east rode…and when the sun began to set on the land…he changed form…became larger…and darker…a hissing sound that seemed like laughter caused the pony to start a little and a glint of metal revealed the true nature of the peddler.
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