Interlude (Missing Persons)
A white form, with no definite shape, appeared on the outskirts of the travelers' ring of light. As the sound of bells grew louder the hobbits glanced worriedly at the approaching form. They reached for their swords as their instincts told them to get off the road and hide.
"Stay your movements, my companions, a friend approaches", Strider said as he awaited, on the road, for the arrival of what the hobbits knew not.
It quickly became apparent, to the hobbits, that the bulk of the form was in fact a snow white horse, and it was from this source that the sound of bells could be heard. However, there was something strange about the rider, though none of them could place it right away.
"He's glowing", Pippin whispered in awe.
"Well I'll be, it's another elf", Sam muttered, almost to himself.
"Estel, you have managed to get lost once again, I see", a clear and crisp voice sang out into the night.
"Glorifindel", Strider embraced the elf as he dismounted, "You are well met my friend".
The hobbits stood rooted to the ground, shoulder to shoulder with one another, openly staring at the new arrival. As the elf and Strider disengaged, the elf turned his eye on the hobbits, looking them each over in turn, "Which one of you is the Ringbearer?" His gaze stopped on Merry, yet he seemed unsure that this was the proper choice.
"You will have to excuse Glorifindel", Strider addressed the hobbits, "he has little use for manners.", Strider turned to the elf, "None of these fine adventurers is the Ringbearer. He has been taken on ahead by Arwen, one night ago", an edge of worry colored the man's voice, "I had hoped you had seen traces of them further on the road".
"I have not, though I would not be surprised if we had missed each other on the road", Glorifindel said, "I have taken many side trips through the surrounding wilderness in my search for you. I had hoped our paths would meet here as you are almost impossible to find when you journey in the wild.
"Almost?", Strider said as he raised his eyebrows.
"You tend to leave your campsites quite a mess", the elf said with a sniff.
Ignoring the gentle jest, Strider took a step closer to the elf, making it clear to the hobbits that what was said was for Glorifindel's benefit only. "The Ringbearer was attacked at Weathertop", Glorifindel cast Strider a startled look as the man continued on, "The Witch-King".
"The Ringbearer is still alive after this encounter?", Glorifindel asked in amazement.
"Yes, these halflings are made of tougher stuff then they would have you believe. But I do not know if he had strength in him to make it to Rivendell. We must get there as quickly as possible.
"I did not journey out alone", Glorifindel stated thoughtfully, "Your brothers also traveled with me, though I went on ahead to check the bridge while they did a more extensive search of the surrounding wilderness. We were to meet at a point beyond here in the morning. If the halflings are as determined as you say they are we should continue on and ride from there.
"These are glad tidings", Strider said as he turned back to the hobbits, "Friends, we must continue our march, but come morning we shall be able to speed up our chase.
"Come morning I shall wish to sleep and not be woken until supper," Pippin complained. Yet even as he spoke he lifted his pack, along with the others, and journeyed on into the night as heavy raindrops finally began to fall.
A white form, with no definite shape, appeared on the outskirts of the travelers' ring of light. As the sound of bells grew louder the hobbits glanced worriedly at the approaching form. They reached for their swords as their instincts told them to get off the road and hide.
"Stay your movements, my companions, a friend approaches", Strider said as he awaited, on the road, for the arrival of what the hobbits knew not.
It quickly became apparent, to the hobbits, that the bulk of the form was in fact a snow white horse, and it was from this source that the sound of bells could be heard. However, there was something strange about the rider, though none of them could place it right away.
"He's glowing", Pippin whispered in awe.
"Well I'll be, it's another elf", Sam muttered, almost to himself.
"Estel, you have managed to get lost once again, I see", a clear and crisp voice sang out into the night.
"Glorifindel", Strider embraced the elf as he dismounted, "You are well met my friend".
The hobbits stood rooted to the ground, shoulder to shoulder with one another, openly staring at the new arrival. As the elf and Strider disengaged, the elf turned his eye on the hobbits, looking them each over in turn, "Which one of you is the Ringbearer?" His gaze stopped on Merry, yet he seemed unsure that this was the proper choice.
"You will have to excuse Glorifindel", Strider addressed the hobbits, "he has little use for manners.", Strider turned to the elf, "None of these fine adventurers is the Ringbearer. He has been taken on ahead by Arwen, one night ago", an edge of worry colored the man's voice, "I had hoped you had seen traces of them further on the road".
"I have not, though I would not be surprised if we had missed each other on the road", Glorifindel said, "I have taken many side trips through the surrounding wilderness in my search for you. I had hoped our paths would meet here as you are almost impossible to find when you journey in the wild.
"Almost?", Strider said as he raised his eyebrows.
"You tend to leave your campsites quite a mess", the elf said with a sniff.
Ignoring the gentle jest, Strider took a step closer to the elf, making it clear to the hobbits that what was said was for Glorifindel's benefit only. "The Ringbearer was attacked at Weathertop", Glorifindel cast Strider a startled look as the man continued on, "The Witch-King".
"The Ringbearer is still alive after this encounter?", Glorifindel asked in amazement.
"Yes, these halflings are made of tougher stuff then they would have you believe. But I do not know if he had strength in him to make it to Rivendell. We must get there as quickly as possible.
"I did not journey out alone", Glorifindel stated thoughtfully, "Your brothers also traveled with me, though I went on ahead to check the bridge while they did a more extensive search of the surrounding wilderness. We were to meet at a point beyond here in the morning. If the halflings are as determined as you say they are we should continue on and ride from there.
"These are glad tidings", Strider said as he turned back to the hobbits, "Friends, we must continue our march, but come morning we shall be able to speed up our chase.
"Come morning I shall wish to sleep and not be woken until supper," Pippin complained. Yet even as he spoke he lifted his pack, along with the others, and journeyed on into the night as heavy raindrops finally began to fall.