My questions were answered sooner rather than later. Suddenly, a great wind
blew over us, halting the horse. In the sudden silence, it began to rain,
in torrents. A typical spring storm.
I knew we would go no further tonight, forestalling any visits with anyone.or thing.
Dalmiel cursed under his breath and pulled the laboring horse to a stop.
"What is the matter?" I whispered, exhausted.
"The rain is washing the track away and Angren can go no further. We will have to wait out the storm."
"Where?" Dalmiel was obviously not thinking too straight. The only place to go was back to Rivendell.
This was a good thing, as the rain was beginning to soak me through.
Dalmiel yanked Angren's head around and we began to slip and slide back down the way we had come, the rush of water and the wind through the scrub pines filling the air.
But high above the sounds of the storm, I could swear I had heard a high-pitched scream, which made me hunker down. And I could swear that Angren shivered at the sound.
Dalmiel went grimly on into the rain. Back to Rivendell.
Two hours later, we had finally reached level ground. And poor Angren, even though a stalwart elvish horse, was breathing noisily once we had reached the high pastures.
By the time we had reached the stables, I was numb with the now fading rain.
Dalmiel leapt from Angren, and then slapped him into the paddock before us. He did nothing to tend to the horse.
"Dalmiel, the-the horse needs care after such a ride."
"I have not the time now. The stable hands will see to Angren."
Shivering, I made no reply. I just wanted to get back to my room and a warm fire and dry clothes.
Dalmiel, the thoughtful elf that he was, made my evening more pleasant, when, once in the House, he set me down on a padded bench near the library. He said nothing further to me, but went briskly down the corridor and was soon out of sight.
Why do I get all the weirdo elves?
I levered myself up off the bench and tiredly made my way, with the help of the handy dandy wall, to my room. This had to be one of the most uncomfortable nights I had spent here. Brushing my wet hair out of my face, I stumbled on.
I reached my room with no mishap. I flopped on my bed and found I was ready to drop off. Getting up again, I dragged off the wet dress and flung it over the chair that Elrond usually sat in.
Then I crawled under my quilt and fell asleep.
I woke a few hours later (it was still dark) coughing, my head throbbing. I couldn't remember any specific dreams but whatever they had been, they gave me the creeps. Was I never going to be free of this? Here I am in my favorite place, and nothing but nightmares.
Arghhhhh!
I spent the rest of the night hot and uncomfortable. I slept only in bits and pieces.
When the sun finally came into the room, I winced and covered my head, coughing. I felt as if I was burning up. How could this be? Where in Iluvatar's name was I picking up all these germs? And then I realized, I had probably brought some of them back from my world.
Swell. Typhoid Marie. Lucky the elves didn't pick up on these things.
I decided then and there, the only answer to all this, was to not sleep. I mean, I wasn't really getting any and when I did, it was miserable and not very restful.
Aching, I got up slowly out of bed and got dressed. I wasn't stupid, I got my warmest shawl out of the wardrobe, and wrapped myself up in it. But where to go now? I had the attention span of a gnat at the moment so there was no way I could do any translating.
It was a beautiful day, the rain the night before had filled the air with fresh scents and the flowers that had bloomed sparkled with raindrops. Surely a walk in the garden would improve things.
Stumping along on my crutches, I managed to get down the stairs to the main rose garden. It was designed as sort of a pinwheel swirl of colors from white to deep red. It was gorgeous in full bloom.
At the moment there were only a few early flowers, most were just hard green buds.
I walked deeper into the garden where there was a beautiful stone gazebo made of intertwining stone vines, and covered with the canes of vine roses. It would be a fragrant bower in a month or so.
I sat down on the cool stone bench and stared off into the vista of new growth. It was heartening to look at all the plants and bushes beginning to flower with green leaves and small flowers. It made me feel renewed.
But why didn't it make me feel calm and rested? Why was I constantly struggling with horrors and wandering about and poking into Lord Elrond's affairs? It was not in my nature. And he is inherently an honest soul and would answer any question I'd ask. Usually. If I wasn't asking him something I shouldn't know.
I smiled out into the garden. Okay, so maybe I did have a large curiosity streak. (Duhhhh! Ya think? Maybe that's why I was constantly getting into trouble?)
I got up with a sigh, adjusting my crutches. I just could not reconcile my horrible nightmares and weird behavior with the peace and beauty of Rivendell. And the calming influence of the elf lord.
I wandered further off into the garden. There was a little pool at the end of a series of waterfalls where reeds and frogs grew thick and sometimes, a family of ducks nested there. I wanted to see if there were ducklings.
Opening the gate to this little retreat, I turned to close the gate and saw Dalmiel wandering through the garden behind me. I was pretty sure he hadn't seen me. Looking around quickly, I tried to find a place to hide. Aha! There was a large rock beyond the reed beds to my left. I could go out there and crouch down and Dalmiel would not see me. Luckily the grass was already thick so my crutches left no mark.
I hopped over to the rock and pushing through the thick reeds, I found my spot and hunkered down, clutching my crutches. Dalmiel was NOT going to haul me off to some bizarre rendezvous with someone. I did not want to meet his... friends!
I huddled in my shawl, which seemed like an hour, but was probably close to 20 minutes. I peered above the reed heads carefully and could not see any sign of Dalmiel.
Relieved, I stood and stretched, got my crutches and made my way carefully to the edge of the pool. I stood there swaying a moment, my head whirling. Darn...I must have a fever again, or something.
I slowly went back through the garden. As I got closer to the House, I heard singing. A pure, sweet tenor. The song was glorious and as I stumped closer, I found Glorfindel, sitting on a bench in a patch of sunlight, underneath a willow that was just coming into leaf. His head was thrown back, the beautiful sound of his voice filling the air as he accompanied himself on a small harp. Three Elvish maidens were sitting at his feet, mesmerized. I smiled to myself. Well, who wouldn't be?
About to go on by, I found I really wanted to sit and listen too. Awkwardly, I plopped on the grass and got comfortable.
The singing filled my head with light and I smiled. Ahh, this is just what I needed. I closed my eyes and leaned back against another willow opposite Glorfindel.
When I opened my eyes later, I found the elf lord gazing down at me with a slight frown. I looked around; Glorfindel had gone (along with his audience). Rubbing my face, I smiled. "Good afternoon, my lord. Is something the matter?"
"You have been sleeping beneath this tree for several hours. Would you not be more comfortable in your room?" He bent and picked me up. I yawned again, feeling content. "I am feeling all right now and I haven't in so long. I had a good nap."
"Well, that is encouraging."
My eyes were drooping when we got to my room and he laid me on my bed. I was about to rollover and return to sleep, when he stopped me to feel my forehead and around my jaw. "Your fever has gone down, Marie. But it would be best if you stayed in bed for the next two days."
I nodded and rolled over and closed my eyes. "It was the singing." I mumbled.
His chuckle was the last thing I heard.
Once again (is this getting repetitious?) I awoke in the middle of the night.
But it wasn't because of nightmares. I sat up, feeling a bit groggy. I felt the compulsion again to get up and go..somewhere. I dragged on my cloak and got my crutches and limped down the corridor.
I realized after several minutes (I am not a very fast limper, mind you) I was heading to the front porch. Now why was I going OUT at this hour? Hadn't Elrond told me to stay put for the next few days?
I saw there were several elves standing on the porch, holding bows and listening to Glorfindel. Lord Elrond stood to his left.
I left the pathway I was on and went down some stairs and stood near a hedge, trying to hear what was being said. No luck. The Elvish was soft and I could not determine the words. Shaking my head, I edged closer.
Finally, I heard Glorfindel and Elrond speaking as the armed elves moved off into the courtyard where several horses stood saddled and ready to go.
"We will find Dalmiel, my lord before he makes contact with the enemy. He cannot have gone far. Filorphin spoke with him less than an hour ago. And I see the weather is changing again."
"Ride swiftly my friend." Elrond put a hand on the other elf lord's shoulder. I could see his face was serious from the light of a nearby hanging lantern. Glorfindel, his blond hair covered by the hood of a cloak, bowed and ran down the steps. In moments he was astride Asfaloth. With a wave, the troop rode off and was soon out of sight.
Elrond watched them until the sound of the horses had faded away. With a sweep of his robe, he turned and hurried back into the House.
Dalmiel was in trouble? Riding to the enemy?
Clutching my cloak tighter, I did not hesitate, but went off to the stables. If I was lucky Carenloth had returned to Rivendell. If not, I would just get the nearest horse.
Luck was with me! There was my beautiful Carenloth, her head over the stall door. She nickered as she saw me. And boy, was I lucky: no stable hands or Master Cerwal! I only put a bridle on the mare and with the help of an overturned bucket, I got on Carenloth without falling off.
My ankle ached some but I gripped the mare tightly and rode off into the night.
Of course, I was not sure where I was going, but I just knew I could not let Dalmiel get to the enemy.
Or was I just going after him to meet his "friends?"
I shook my head at my confusion. The compulsion was so strong this time, I did not question it further and ignored my illness. I rode off into the rising wind and the smell of rain.
I knew we would go no further tonight, forestalling any visits with anyone.or thing.
Dalmiel cursed under his breath and pulled the laboring horse to a stop.
"What is the matter?" I whispered, exhausted.
"The rain is washing the track away and Angren can go no further. We will have to wait out the storm."
"Where?" Dalmiel was obviously not thinking too straight. The only place to go was back to Rivendell.
This was a good thing, as the rain was beginning to soak me through.
Dalmiel yanked Angren's head around and we began to slip and slide back down the way we had come, the rush of water and the wind through the scrub pines filling the air.
But high above the sounds of the storm, I could swear I had heard a high-pitched scream, which made me hunker down. And I could swear that Angren shivered at the sound.
Dalmiel went grimly on into the rain. Back to Rivendell.
Two hours later, we had finally reached level ground. And poor Angren, even though a stalwart elvish horse, was breathing noisily once we had reached the high pastures.
By the time we had reached the stables, I was numb with the now fading rain.
Dalmiel leapt from Angren, and then slapped him into the paddock before us. He did nothing to tend to the horse.
"Dalmiel, the-the horse needs care after such a ride."
"I have not the time now. The stable hands will see to Angren."
Shivering, I made no reply. I just wanted to get back to my room and a warm fire and dry clothes.
Dalmiel, the thoughtful elf that he was, made my evening more pleasant, when, once in the House, he set me down on a padded bench near the library. He said nothing further to me, but went briskly down the corridor and was soon out of sight.
Why do I get all the weirdo elves?
I levered myself up off the bench and tiredly made my way, with the help of the handy dandy wall, to my room. This had to be one of the most uncomfortable nights I had spent here. Brushing my wet hair out of my face, I stumbled on.
I reached my room with no mishap. I flopped on my bed and found I was ready to drop off. Getting up again, I dragged off the wet dress and flung it over the chair that Elrond usually sat in.
Then I crawled under my quilt and fell asleep.
I woke a few hours later (it was still dark) coughing, my head throbbing. I couldn't remember any specific dreams but whatever they had been, they gave me the creeps. Was I never going to be free of this? Here I am in my favorite place, and nothing but nightmares.
Arghhhhh!
I spent the rest of the night hot and uncomfortable. I slept only in bits and pieces.
When the sun finally came into the room, I winced and covered my head, coughing. I felt as if I was burning up. How could this be? Where in Iluvatar's name was I picking up all these germs? And then I realized, I had probably brought some of them back from my world.
Swell. Typhoid Marie. Lucky the elves didn't pick up on these things.
I decided then and there, the only answer to all this, was to not sleep. I mean, I wasn't really getting any and when I did, it was miserable and not very restful.
Aching, I got up slowly out of bed and got dressed. I wasn't stupid, I got my warmest shawl out of the wardrobe, and wrapped myself up in it. But where to go now? I had the attention span of a gnat at the moment so there was no way I could do any translating.
It was a beautiful day, the rain the night before had filled the air with fresh scents and the flowers that had bloomed sparkled with raindrops. Surely a walk in the garden would improve things.
Stumping along on my crutches, I managed to get down the stairs to the main rose garden. It was designed as sort of a pinwheel swirl of colors from white to deep red. It was gorgeous in full bloom.
At the moment there were only a few early flowers, most were just hard green buds.
I walked deeper into the garden where there was a beautiful stone gazebo made of intertwining stone vines, and covered with the canes of vine roses. It would be a fragrant bower in a month or so.
I sat down on the cool stone bench and stared off into the vista of new growth. It was heartening to look at all the plants and bushes beginning to flower with green leaves and small flowers. It made me feel renewed.
But why didn't it make me feel calm and rested? Why was I constantly struggling with horrors and wandering about and poking into Lord Elrond's affairs? It was not in my nature. And he is inherently an honest soul and would answer any question I'd ask. Usually. If I wasn't asking him something I shouldn't know.
I smiled out into the garden. Okay, so maybe I did have a large curiosity streak. (Duhhhh! Ya think? Maybe that's why I was constantly getting into trouble?)
I got up with a sigh, adjusting my crutches. I just could not reconcile my horrible nightmares and weird behavior with the peace and beauty of Rivendell. And the calming influence of the elf lord.
I wandered further off into the garden. There was a little pool at the end of a series of waterfalls where reeds and frogs grew thick and sometimes, a family of ducks nested there. I wanted to see if there were ducklings.
Opening the gate to this little retreat, I turned to close the gate and saw Dalmiel wandering through the garden behind me. I was pretty sure he hadn't seen me. Looking around quickly, I tried to find a place to hide. Aha! There was a large rock beyond the reed beds to my left. I could go out there and crouch down and Dalmiel would not see me. Luckily the grass was already thick so my crutches left no mark.
I hopped over to the rock and pushing through the thick reeds, I found my spot and hunkered down, clutching my crutches. Dalmiel was NOT going to haul me off to some bizarre rendezvous with someone. I did not want to meet his... friends!
I huddled in my shawl, which seemed like an hour, but was probably close to 20 minutes. I peered above the reed heads carefully and could not see any sign of Dalmiel.
Relieved, I stood and stretched, got my crutches and made my way carefully to the edge of the pool. I stood there swaying a moment, my head whirling. Darn...I must have a fever again, or something.
I slowly went back through the garden. As I got closer to the House, I heard singing. A pure, sweet tenor. The song was glorious and as I stumped closer, I found Glorfindel, sitting on a bench in a patch of sunlight, underneath a willow that was just coming into leaf. His head was thrown back, the beautiful sound of his voice filling the air as he accompanied himself on a small harp. Three Elvish maidens were sitting at his feet, mesmerized. I smiled to myself. Well, who wouldn't be?
About to go on by, I found I really wanted to sit and listen too. Awkwardly, I plopped on the grass and got comfortable.
The singing filled my head with light and I smiled. Ahh, this is just what I needed. I closed my eyes and leaned back against another willow opposite Glorfindel.
When I opened my eyes later, I found the elf lord gazing down at me with a slight frown. I looked around; Glorfindel had gone (along with his audience). Rubbing my face, I smiled. "Good afternoon, my lord. Is something the matter?"
"You have been sleeping beneath this tree for several hours. Would you not be more comfortable in your room?" He bent and picked me up. I yawned again, feeling content. "I am feeling all right now and I haven't in so long. I had a good nap."
"Well, that is encouraging."
My eyes were drooping when we got to my room and he laid me on my bed. I was about to rollover and return to sleep, when he stopped me to feel my forehead and around my jaw. "Your fever has gone down, Marie. But it would be best if you stayed in bed for the next two days."
I nodded and rolled over and closed my eyes. "It was the singing." I mumbled.
His chuckle was the last thing I heard.
Once again (is this getting repetitious?) I awoke in the middle of the night.
But it wasn't because of nightmares. I sat up, feeling a bit groggy. I felt the compulsion again to get up and go..somewhere. I dragged on my cloak and got my crutches and limped down the corridor.
I realized after several minutes (I am not a very fast limper, mind you) I was heading to the front porch. Now why was I going OUT at this hour? Hadn't Elrond told me to stay put for the next few days?
I saw there were several elves standing on the porch, holding bows and listening to Glorfindel. Lord Elrond stood to his left.
I left the pathway I was on and went down some stairs and stood near a hedge, trying to hear what was being said. No luck. The Elvish was soft and I could not determine the words. Shaking my head, I edged closer.
Finally, I heard Glorfindel and Elrond speaking as the armed elves moved off into the courtyard where several horses stood saddled and ready to go.
"We will find Dalmiel, my lord before he makes contact with the enemy. He cannot have gone far. Filorphin spoke with him less than an hour ago. And I see the weather is changing again."
"Ride swiftly my friend." Elrond put a hand on the other elf lord's shoulder. I could see his face was serious from the light of a nearby hanging lantern. Glorfindel, his blond hair covered by the hood of a cloak, bowed and ran down the steps. In moments he was astride Asfaloth. With a wave, the troop rode off and was soon out of sight.
Elrond watched them until the sound of the horses had faded away. With a sweep of his robe, he turned and hurried back into the House.
Dalmiel was in trouble? Riding to the enemy?
Clutching my cloak tighter, I did not hesitate, but went off to the stables. If I was lucky Carenloth had returned to Rivendell. If not, I would just get the nearest horse.
Luck was with me! There was my beautiful Carenloth, her head over the stall door. She nickered as she saw me. And boy, was I lucky: no stable hands or Master Cerwal! I only put a bridle on the mare and with the help of an overturned bucket, I got on Carenloth without falling off.
My ankle ached some but I gripped the mare tightly and rode off into the night.
Of course, I was not sure where I was going, but I just knew I could not let Dalmiel get to the enemy.
Or was I just going after him to meet his "friends?"
I shook my head at my confusion. The compulsion was so strong this time, I did not question it further and ignored my illness. I rode off into the rising wind and the smell of rain.