The Journey Chapter One Setting Out "No." "Come now, Father, why can't we go. I mean what's the worst that could happen?" "Do you really need to ask?" Elrond asked while he watched his two sons try to think of an answer. While they were preoccupied, Elrond took another glance around the room he was in. Standing in front of him were his two sons, behind him he knew his daughter stood, off to the side was Glorfindol, and in the far corner stood another elf lady, Luinel. "Okay, maybe, that wasn't the best argument, but Father, look who's going, we honestly can't get in that much trouble." "Yes, look who's going." Elrohir put his two cents in. "Refresh my memory, who's going again?" Elrond asked even through he knew the answer already. "Well, there's Legolas and Rengold of Mirkwood; Celebel, Haldir, Rumil, and Orophin of Lothlorien; Aragorn and Halbarad of the Dunedain; and Luinel, Elladan and myself from here in Rivendell." "So let's see you have two sets of twins, one set of three brothers, one set of two brothers, and two men. Does this sound like a bad combination to anyone else?" Glorfindol and Arwen both quickly raised their hands. "Well as we can see, I'm not the only one who thinks this is a bad idea." "All who thinks that this is a good combination." Elladan quickly replied. Elrohir and Luinel both raised their hands. "There, Father, I'm not the only one who thinks this is good idea." "Fine, fine, you may go but please behave. Don't begin a war." "Thank you, Father, thank you!" Elladan and Elrohir exclaimed as they rushed out of the room, with Luinel at their heels. "May the Valar be with Middle Earth." "Glorfindol, you're not making me feel any better." "Sorry, Milord." ************************************ "I can't believe I'm letting them do this." Elrond was standing at a window overlooking the main courtyard where his sons and an elf lady were preparing their horses. "You're braver than I am, sir" Glorfindol answered as he moved away from the bookshelf and over to the window. "You know my old friend, what would make me feel better." "What." "If some sort of authority figure was going with them." "Who, in their right mind, would want to go with them?" "We would need someone who is brave with a certain level of tolerance." "But definitely not too lenient or strict, else he might find himself in a slight predicament." Glorfindol added. "Glorfindol, my old friend and confident, I know who to send." "Who?" "You." "Uh, um, yes, I'm afraid milord that I must decline your request. I'm-" "That's an order." Forgetting all dignity, Glorfindol began pleading, "Please, milord, have I not served you well. Why do you punish me in this matter. Don't send me with the children." "Glorfindol, it's your loyal service that nominates you. You are the only person I trust with this task. Please, my dear friend, go and keep my children and their friends safe. Watching the proud and great elf slink out of the room like a kicked puppy, Elrond couldn't help but laughingly add, "Oh and Glorfindol, I know it's impossible to ask that you bring everyone back in piece, but could you at least bring everyone back alive." "I'd rather take on the balrog again." ************************************ "Are you both ready to go." Luinel asked as she mounted her horse. "Yes, we just have to wait for Father to wish us off." Elladan answered as he swung onto his horse. "Hold on, I don't have my rope, have either of you seen it?" Elrohir asked "It's there on that bench, Elladan." "Oh, I'm ready now." "Good, here comes Father." "I see you are all ready to leave. You set out on this journey in the best of health. May the Valar bring you back to us in such condition." "May the Valar be with you that you're health keep you while distance is 'twixt us." Three voices echoed back the traditional words of parting. "Ah, Glorfindol, you're here. Are you ready?" "Aye, My lord." "It has been decided that Glorfindol go with you." "Father, wh-" "He's going Elladan." Elrond declared in a voice that brooked no argument. "Very well." "Come let us begin." Elrohir said as he turned his horse and started to leave. "Farewell, Father." Elladan took off after his brother. "Never fear for us, Lord Elrond." Luinel said, with a smirk those watching didn't quite trust, before she too left. "Elrond, please." "My, my, whining does not become you, dear friend, might I suggest you refrain from doing so." Elrond was trying his absolute hardest not to laugh. Glorfindol heard the laughter in his voice though and first harrumphed and then spun his horse around, took off at a gallop to catch up with the others. When Elrond turned around he was met with the questioning eyes of his only daughter. "Do you think that they will be okay, Father?" "Yes; you needn't worry yourself, they will be just fine, I think." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~