In Defense of Rivendell

            It was too much, the pain was quickly becoming unbearable. I covered my ears and sank to my knees, but still it overwhelmed me. It is everywhere! I was breathing in short gasps now, it had to stop it! It had to! I thought of my lord, his people, and the newcomers, all ensnared in this deviltry, the fate of Arda was at stake! They could not see it and they could do nothing! I moaned. The foe I had thought worse than any other paled in comparison. Fire was deadly, yes, but this evil voice, that sang in a strange language and layered in this song was the promise of ever more and more of its kind! They would defeat me. My strength was fast failing. All would be lost. The others were too deeply ensorcelled for me to warn, they could do nothing. We were doomed.

            And then, it was as if Varda herself allowed me but a few moments to think clearly. There was a weight at my side. Of course there was. I had gone armed since I was a child… The sword. I found I could concentrate on it, my sword Telgil. My mithril sword Telgil. Here was a way to stop my foe. I still heard the evil, pulsing through the air, almost tangible, but it no longer troubled me. I drew Telgil and I attacked. The evil sound ceased as my foe looked up in shock that I would dare attack. I saw the malice in those strange eyes, first violet, then green and then I swung. My stroke connected and severed its head cleanly. For a moment, silence reigned, then everyone began talking at once.

            "Glorfindel, it appears we are once again in your debt," Lord Elrond said, looking at the carcass in disgust.

            "I am glad that is dead!" Legolas fairly shouted, and then he shuddered. "I…I feel unwell. It…" he shook his head in disbelief. "Very timely, my lord," he said, changing the subject quickly. "And if you will all excuse me, I believe I owe both Aragorn and Arwen an apology."

            "Arwen!" Aragorn was out the door before Legolas finished his sentence.

            "Well done, Master Elf," Mithrandir said, standing up and leaning on his staff.

            "Thank you, Mithrandir," I said. I wondered if he had been the one to give me the time to think and realize that I could attack my foe. But a troubling thought came to mind. "What evil was that?" I asked gesturing to the body. "I had thought that I knew the kind of most creatures, but…"

            Mithrandir sighed deeply. "That, Glorfindel, was a Mary Sue. And I fear there are many more."

            "More?" If I had been mortal, my knees would be knocking. The Halflings looked terrified. "Who…whom do they serve? No, a foolish question, they must serve-"

            "They serve their Authors."

            "Authors?!"

            Mithrandir sighed again. "Glorfindel, Elrond, we need to take council to defend ourselves from these evils, elsewise we may not be so fortunate next time. There will be a next time."

            I felt a chill go up my spine. Perhaps Sauron was not the greatest evil. He at least could not attack Rivendell and the Fellowship as that had.