Introduction: * G A Mercy enters small office room and seats herself at large wooden desk before focusing on readers* Hello, all. Let me take a moment to thank you for coming to look at my story, I hope you will find that it meets any expectations you might already have for it once you are done reading this prologue. Also, allow me apologize in advance for posting this story in such a way that the prologue is little more than a brief teaser to the story itself. I myself do not enjoy beginning a story that has such little substance to it at its start, but I do have my reasons for posting this way, so I might also hope that you will bear with me.
This is my first work of fiction in the LOTR category, and I should like to inform my readers that while I am new to writing for the LOTR fandom I am not new to Tolkien's wonderful creation of Middle-Earth. I have been a fan of his writing since before the movie Fellowship of the Rings was created, and while I might at some point write a story in movie-verse (merely owing to the fact that the movie-verse gives me less restrictions when twisting the subject matter to my particular liking) it is not the only one that I know. When it is my intent to do so I will remain as loyal as possible to the Middle-Earth that all fans know and love. Please do pardon me if I make mistakes here and there, for I do not claim to be the most knowledgeable Tolkien scholar (especially when it comes to the languages of the inhabitants of Middle-Earth, the elven language in particular).
Story Overview: My own story of the coming of the Eldar Glorfindel of Gondolin to Imladris and the house of Elrond. I realize that many people debate over whether or not Glorfindel of Gondolin the balrog slayer and Glorfindel of Rivendell are the same character, but it is my belief that they are indeed one in the same and therefore it shall be so in my story. Apologies if this is not your particular view on the issue, and you might feel free email me at any time and debate it with me to your heart's content if you so choose, but be aware that it will most likely have no effect on this tale.
Warnings: Yes, I will have original characters in this story almost from its very start, and I assure you that it is not my intention to turn them into horrendous Mary Sue types. This is NOT in any way a self-insertion story; I see -- and have intentionally put -- nothing of myself into any of these original characters.
Pairings: Elrond/Glorfindel. Yes, you read that correctly. I am a fan of numerous slash and het pairings for LOTR. I respect each and every one of Tolkien's characters, and I in no way think that presenting them in such a way or situation as this one is defiling his work. Again, you may debate this with me until the cows come home, but on this I will not change my views. So, if you are not a fan of slash within Tolkien's work, or if you are but hold no respect for this particular pairing and find it offending, I might suggest that you turn back now. I would ask you to please not flame, for it is an incredibly childish action and does nothing to increase my opinion of you, only going to show me that you are an individual lacking in maturity.
Disclaimer: I am not under the impression that I own the rights to any of Tolkien's characters or settings, though I might secretly envy the literary genius of his work and long to take it for my own. It is not mine. This story is purely out of the depths of my own imagination and is not intended as an infringement of copyright and no profit is being made from it. The Lord of the Rings and all other Tolkien works are the soul property of the Tolkien Estate.
*coughs politely to draw the reader's attention and smiles* Well now, all of that being said, I would encourage those of you still interested and remaining to enjoy this story. Thank you for your time and attention.
Prologue:
The night was one of inky black darkness, in which the light of Ithil was lost, the stars of Varda appeared not, and even the glow of Eärendil was extinguished by the thick mass of clouds above. Rain poured down from the sky in heavy, unforgiving torrents of numbing cold water, and the waters of the realm of Ulmo churned themselves into a fury of frothing, white-capped waves. With the booming of thunder and flashes of lightning from overhead, the storm was indeed violent and terrible to behold; on this night Ossë was enraged.
In the midst of the turmoil of the enormous rolling waves the smallest of ships was being buffeted back and forth by the crashing of the water and the tremendous strength of the wind. The vessel was a crudely constructed craft, built with the intent of being manned by merely a single individual on a calm, fair day. The weather, however, was anything but calm and fair, and it had taken its toll upon the pitiful little ship.
The wood of the vessel creaked and groaned in vehement protest under the elemental assault it was receiving, and the helm of the ship had been splintered by one of the numerous waves that had broken upon its deck. The once full sail now hung limp and useless, torn to shreds by ravaging winds, and the main mast on which it hung was little more than half there as well.
To the remainder of the mast there also clung the ship's soul passenger, who had long ago given up his vain attempts and all hope of being able to steer the ship in any direction, for fear that he would lose his life if he did not remain where he was. His golden blonde hair was drenched with both rain and sea water, as were his clothes, and his hands grasped feebly at the rope which had at one time been part of his ship's rigging, but was now wound round the base of the thick wooden mast to give him something on which to keep a hold. His entire body ached and trembled with exhaustion from having to maintain his hold in order to keep himself from being washed over the side of the boat. All he desired and longed for was rest from his weariness.
He flung his head up to stare into the sky, squinting his eyes against the falling rain, his long hair plastered to his fair, wet face. "Elbereth!" he cried to the night. "Elbereth, spare me!" he begged, wept openly in exhausted desperation.
In his heart he knew that his prayer, his plea, would go unanswered. If the Valar had desired this to be a journey of ease for him, then it would have been so. The storm with which he struggled was their doing and theirs alone, a cruel reminder that his life was always in their hands. He could do little more than surrender himself to the fate that they had planned for him.
Even as his body went lax against the saturated wood of the ship deck beneath him a last great wave arose from the sea and swept his body overboard into the cold embrace of the waters below. The blonde being comprehended nothing more as his mind lapsed into blissful, dark unawareness.
G A Mercy: *looks up from her writing* Yes the prologue was indeed brief, I did warn you, however.
Glorfindel: Yes, she did.
G A Mercy: *notices reader's confused stares* Oh yes, this is my personal LOTR muse, Glorfindel, whom you all of course should know if you've become interested enough to read this story. If it has not yet become apparent to you, Glorfindel is my all time favorite Tolkien elf. Although, I also rather like Beleg Strongbow and Voronwë out of The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales if anyone reading this has knowledge of Tolkien works beyond Lord of the Rings. No, when I began Lord of the Rings I was not an immediate, die-hard Legolas fan, a thousand gasps, yes, I know.
Glorfindel: Mercy would be rather indebted to you if you would take the time to review the brief prologue which you have just finished reading. In case of confusion you should be able to locate and select the 'Submit Review' option in the bottom left hand corner of your fanfiction.net window right below the ending of this rant. Clicking on the small blue "Go" button should bring up a convenient review box, which will allow you to voice your comments and opinions on Mercy's story.
G A Mercy: Yes, nice comments please, or CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, if you would. Of course, reviews containing lavish praise of the author's story are also warmly accepted and those particular reviewers doted upon above all others. *winks teasingly*
Glorfindel: *shakes head despairingly*
G A Mercy: Seriously though, if anyone ever sees something that you take to be a mistake in my writing, please let me know and I'll see what can be done about changing it. I'm always looking for advice on improving my writing. This prologue was rather what I myself imagined Voronwë's sea journey (spoken of in Unfinished Tales) to be like, though Voronwë was not attempting to sail the sea on his own.
