A/N: Sorry about the slow start to this story. I said I'd update daily, and for the most part it has been every other day. I was going to post this yesterday, but my internet was down. Thanks for the reviews so far. I always enjoy the feedback. Please continue. Thanks especially to Tolkein Freak for your very detailed review. Greywind Elf, I've updated chapter 7 to include your suggestion (stating that Eru is also called Ilúvatar).
Tolkein Fan: Goodness, no, you haven't offended me. Unqualified or unexplained criticism is unpleasant, but not constructive criticism/advice that's aimed in drawing out the best in me as a writer. Reviews such as yours are some of the most rewarding to me. To specifically address some of the questions you asked, yes, the AU element with Celbrían having died is significant (see the summary for the character pairings). You raise a good point about the memories, one that I had missed initially. To address it, I will say that Amy's memories have faded more significantly than the humans' (see comment in this chapter*). I didn't intend Amy's age for shock value, but simply to place her in the timeline. As far as her difference in age from Galadriel, I left it ambiguous precisely because time wasn't counted much at all in those first days; she is only slightly older than Galadriel. The significance of her age is that she is someone who has lived through the ages and both seen and lived the history of Middle Earth. The explanation comes in conversation with the humans, who are accustomed to counting years precisely, and I envision an Elf who has lived in our world for so many years would adjust her explanation to that mindset. More of Amy's personal history will come out in later chapters. Let me know if you have more questions or I haven't explained anything sufficiently. Thanks a lot for taking the time to really examine this and review!

Ch. 8

Later that day, Amy showed the "youngsters" around Rivendell a bit more. She also began to fill them in on some of the history all save Mark had missed, as well as a little even he hadn't read before (or had forgotten). Even though all of them had read about Rivendell and the Elves, they were awed by the reality of it. Glorfindel caught up with them later in the gardens, and he and Amy spent much of the afternoon chatting while the others wandered on their own. Predictably, they paired up in their explorations. Mark and Pete, dragging Mattie and Elizabeth with them, soon found the armory. They got some of the Elves to let them in and show them around. Kim and Randy spent most of their time wandering aimlessly and chatting.

Glorfindel and Amy sat on a bench in the garden. "Other than accosting innocent travelers, how have you been, Glorfindel?"

"About the same as always. The world of Men always seems to change so quickly, yet we remain constant, yet waning."

"And what of Elrond?"

"I assume Mithrandir told you of Celebrían's death in your little conference earlier?" After she nodded, he continued. "It has been difficult for him. He won't share the pain with any of us. The discovery of the Ruling Ring has given him a purpose again, but I worry for him. Arwen will soon marry Aragorn—I feel that this will happen—and I fear it will remove his remaining purpose for living, and he will fade. Anyway, he fears to burden us with his pains, yet I do the same to you. I apologize."

"You needn't apologize. I wanted to know. Mithrandir told me most of this, but it's good to hear it from another. I had some knowledge of events of this age before I returned, but the memories have faded. My companions remember most of it, but my own memories have faded back to the point when I left*. How has Galadriel been?" Amy purposely changed the subject.

"You'd do better asking Arwen than me, but as far as I know, she is well. The loss of her daughter hurt her, but she continues to be strong."

Amy nodded. That was the Galadriel she knew—ever strong. "After everything she's lived through, I'd be surprised at less."

Glorfindel nodded. "I suppose you're right about that. You were her maid in the Elder days, were you not?"

"For a while. I followed her to Middle Earth, but stood apart during the Kinslaying. I saw it all happen, and I will always remember it, but at least I have the consolation of not having participated. My passage into the West is assured when I choose to take it. I do not think I will go for a while yet, though. I have only just returned to Middle Earth, and I would like to spend some time here before I leave. I also have the young ones to think of. I brought them here, and I could not simply leave them. I did not realize things had progressed quite this far. If I had, I'm not sure I would have brought them at all."**

"How is it that you came to bring them in the first place? Didn't they have families that they left behind?"

"Not really. A few did have living families, but they were not close. The seven of us had become a closer family than any they had known before. I love them like children and siblings. It has been so long since I've had that kind of a relationship, and they needed it, too. They had no one. The six of them weren't even friends save for two before we all met."

"How did you meet?"

"I was their teacher. The people there claim to value learning, but few of them take the time or effort to learn much of their own history, and I learned it quickly and took to teaching it. I suppose it's difficult when you live a hundred years at best."

"A hundred years? I've never seen any of them live that long save the Edain, and they live far longer."

"I know. In that world, they have found ways to prolong their natural spans, much as the Númenoreans did in their waning days. They lose their minds and their bodies are so frail they break at a simple fall, yet they strive to continue even then. It's another thing I will probably never understand about them. Oh, well."*** The two sat in companionable silence for a couple minutes, then Pete and Mark walked up. Arwen came from another direction, accompanied by Beth and Mattie.

Amy called out to them. "Did you guys enjoy the armory?"

"It's amazing!" Mark's eyes were blazing.

"It would take you to get that worked up over weapons, Mark. I suppose Pete's interest vindicates you a bit. And what about you two?" Amy looked over at the women.

"Lady Arwen showed us some of the musical instruments they use here." Beth looked excited.

"Can you play any of them?" She looked at the other Elves, then said, "Beth was a musician in the world she came from."

"I think I could learn without too much trouble. I got Mattie to admit she sings, so the two of us may be able to attempt something. I know we won't be able to hold a candle to the Elves, but it might be fun to try, anyway."

"I'd love to hear it. Don't sell yourselves short. Perhaps one of these days, we'll gather in the Hall of Fire and you'll be able to hear some of the Elvish poetry and music. And one of these days, we'll also have to get you guys out training with some of the Elves here. Would you care to work with them, Glorfindel? Mark is quite good with a sword. I have no idea about Pete. The weapons here are not what he's accustomed to using."

"I think I might be willing to give it a try. You might also talk to Elladan and Elrohir while they're actually here. Prince Legolas of Mirkwood has just arrived. We haven't heard much from Estel, but I hope he'll get back shortly. We're worried about him." Glorfindel glanced up at Arwen as he spoke. "He went after the Hobbits who have the Ring, and we haven't heard from him in a few days. Mithrandir was detained, so he was unable to go after them, and Aragorn went in his stead."

Glorfindel trailed off, but Arwen spoke. "We have heard that the Nazgûl ride, so there is danger for both Aragorn and the Hobbits. Have you met Bilbo yet?"

Glad for the change of subject, Amy shook her head. "No. I know who he is, but I haven't met him. Hobbits must be amazing for one of them to have willingly surrendered the Ring."

"They would not think so, but you are correct. For the most part, they do not enjoy adventure, but Mithrandir seems to think the day is coming when all of Middle Earth will rest in their small hands. Bilbo sleeps a lot, like your young friends, but I would suggest you find time to speak to him. His story is fascinating."

"I'll have to do that. Thank you, Arwen. I suppose we all ought to get ready for supper."

"Yes, Prince Legolas has arrived from Mirkwood, and the meal tonight will be a welcome banquet for him." Arwen said, and they all got up and went inside.

** The Kinslaying at Alqualondë was one of the most tragic events of the First Age. Endeavoring to return to Middle Earth from Valinor to regain the Silmarils, precious jewels stolen by Morgoth and Ungoliant, the forces of Fëanor killed other Elves in order to get ships so they could return to Middle Earth. Because of her participation in the Kinslaying, Galadriel was banned from returning to Valinor for many years. She was allowed to return because of her work guarding against Sauron and because she resisted the temptation to take the Ring when Frodo offered it to her.

*** The Númenoreans were descended from Elros, the twin brother of Elrond. The twins were called Peredhil, or half-elven because they were descended from both Men and Elves, as well as Melian, one of the Maia. When given the choice at the dawn of the Second Age, Elrond chose to be an immortal Elf, but Elros chose to be a Man. The Númenoreans ruled a continent that was lost at the end of the Second Age. Their life spans were much longer than lesser men, owing to their ancestry. At first, when they died, they accepted death gracefully without descending into old age, but as the Second Age progressed, they sought to extend their lives artificially, growing old and senile before death finally claimed them.