Night-time Arrivals
**Crunch, Snap, CREAK, ** the sounds echoed through the forest. Elrond was at the front door in a minute, and without a sound. He had awoken at the first sound of a footstep "crunching" on the dirt; elven ears have that amazing ability to hear even the minutest sounds. What he beheld as he reached the entry hall was Gloin the dwarf being as quiet as was possible to those not light-footed as the elves. He had prided himself on only stepping on one stick as he entered the woods in Rivendell and the door only had creaked a little as he opened it.
"Ah, my dear Gloin, I was hoping that would be you. I was expecting you to arrive earlier, though you are still in time for the council." Elrond said in a friendly though quiet voice. Though it was almost silent it startled the dwarf who was not expecting any welcome as he had arrived a few hours before dawn.
"I am terribly sorry for not being more punctual, but I had been suffering chest pains and was not up to the journey with my sons. I did leave as soon as I could, though I am still in some minor pain. If it is no inconvenience I was wondering if you could possibly help me." Gloin replied answering all that Elrond could have asked of him. "I can wait until morning as I am sure you a tired and would like to return to your bed."
"Thank you Gloin, and I will show you to your room, and then will do what I can for you as soon as we are both rested." Elrond said as he began the ascent into the sleeping quarters of the beautiful house. Gloin followed and seemed relieved that he had completed his journey finally. He settled into bed in the room between Gimli and Groin, though he didn't know this until morning. As he sank into the soft bed he decided that it was much more comfortable than trekking across the countryside and as soon as he placed his head on the down pillows he found out just how tired he really was.
Gloin slept soundly until morning, but Elrond was up again in a matter of thirty minutes. The next arrival was not as careful as Gloin had been in coming. And much quicker in leaving, but at the departure Elrond had more information, and found a greater urgency to the council than he had predicted. Radagast, of the Istari, had come to say that the Enemy had released his spies in all forms to watch for Gandalf, as Saruman had informed him that Gandalf played a role in the travel of The Ring. Elrond slept fitfully after that, and was up at the first sign of dawn to prepare for the day's task.
**Crunch, Snap, CREAK, ** the sounds echoed through the forest. Elrond was at the front door in a minute, and without a sound. He had awoken at the first sound of a footstep "crunching" on the dirt; elven ears have that amazing ability to hear even the minutest sounds. What he beheld as he reached the entry hall was Gloin the dwarf being as quiet as was possible to those not light-footed as the elves. He had prided himself on only stepping on one stick as he entered the woods in Rivendell and the door only had creaked a little as he opened it.
"Ah, my dear Gloin, I was hoping that would be you. I was expecting you to arrive earlier, though you are still in time for the council." Elrond said in a friendly though quiet voice. Though it was almost silent it startled the dwarf who was not expecting any welcome as he had arrived a few hours before dawn.
"I am terribly sorry for not being more punctual, but I had been suffering chest pains and was not up to the journey with my sons. I did leave as soon as I could, though I am still in some minor pain. If it is no inconvenience I was wondering if you could possibly help me." Gloin replied answering all that Elrond could have asked of him. "I can wait until morning as I am sure you a tired and would like to return to your bed."
"Thank you Gloin, and I will show you to your room, and then will do what I can for you as soon as we are both rested." Elrond said as he began the ascent into the sleeping quarters of the beautiful house. Gloin followed and seemed relieved that he had completed his journey finally. He settled into bed in the room between Gimli and Groin, though he didn't know this until morning. As he sank into the soft bed he decided that it was much more comfortable than trekking across the countryside and as soon as he placed his head on the down pillows he found out just how tired he really was.
Gloin slept soundly until morning, but Elrond was up again in a matter of thirty minutes. The next arrival was not as careful as Gloin had been in coming. And much quicker in leaving, but at the departure Elrond had more information, and found a greater urgency to the council than he had predicted. Radagast, of the Istari, had come to say that the Enemy had released his spies in all forms to watch for Gandalf, as Saruman had informed him that Gandalf played a role in the travel of The Ring. Elrond slept fitfully after that, and was up at the first sign of dawn to prepare for the day's task.
