Chapter Eight: An Unexpected Visitor
I spent close to five hundred years of men in Lothlórien, learning to control my powers and the power of Arawing. I learned that Arawing could not only shield the more powerful rings from the careful eyes of Sauron but it allowed me to reveal the emotions of others to those who could not feel them. These abilities were easy to master and I learned quickly.
The third power of Arawing that the Ladies of Lothlórien taught me to wield was that of Truth. This often left me fatigued and overwhelmed as I learned to use Arawing to discover lies from truth.
There came a time when I felt I had learned all that I would from the people of Lothlórien. I had remained there for too long and my companions had all long departed. I missed the Sea and decided I would return to my home in Mithlond.
Three months after I had decided to make the journey to Lindon, I was walking along the banks of the Anduin with Enhith, who was no longer a child, flying overhead when I sensed the emotions of one who was coming close after me. This was not a Silvan elf of Lothlórien and I ducked quickly behind a large stone jutting partially from the Great River. Enhith high above, saw what I had done and quickly swerved of to the forest.
It wasn't long before the Elf came level with my hiding place. I felt him before I saw him and recognized the feelings in his heart. I waited until he had passed me by before I spoke.
"What brings a Lord of Rivendell wandering East of the Mountains?" I asked slyly, causing Glorfindel to spin round to face me, sitting calmly with my back to the rock.
"Fair morning my Lady." He laughed "I may ask the same thing of you."
"I am no Lord of Rivendell!" I responded, standing and walking to my friend.
"Your face is brighter since we last parted." He smiled, looking me up and down, "the Lady Galadriel was right."
"About what?" I asked suspiciously, "why have you come to Lórien?
"Your Control has come." Glorfindel said simply, "I was sent for. The Lady knew of your plan to return to the Havens and she wished you to have escort."
"And you are to be as such?" I raised one slender eyebrow at this proposal.
"So I am told." He said, leading me back towards the Golden Wood.
"When are we to leave?" I asked
"As soon as you are able." Was the response. I looked down at my dusty green tunic and the knives strapped around my waist. My two daggers were attached around my calves and the loaded quiver on my back.
I looked Glorfindel in the eye and said, "I am ready."
"Good." ***
With that, my friend and I left Lothlórien, destined for Mithlond. We crossed the Misty Mountains without trouble but in response to my pleas, we did not go to Rivendell. I was not yet ready to face Gil-galad and after my plight was explained to Glorfindel, he consented and led us the long way round. I sent Enhith to Elrond Half-Elven in Imladris to inform him of our change in plans. At long last I sensed the coming of the Sea.
We were still a long days march from Lindon when Enhith returned at sunset. We decided to make camp for the night to discuss the somewhat alarming news from Elrond.
"Sauron the Deciever has disappeared." The letter read, "I fear he has been taken by the Númenóreans to Elenna. Things have turned darker in the darkness of the world. If you will not return Lhunrothien to Rivendell, Glorfindel, I bid thee stay and protect her in the years to come against the gathering storm."
I realized at that point to which point Elrond trusted Enhith to allow her to bring such news to us in the wilderness, and how much he feared for my safety.
"Two choices face us, Lhunrothien." Glorfindel said after he threw the letter into the fire, "We can continue on our way to Mithlond and I will stay there and protect thee at thy bidding, or I will take you back to Rivendell at Elrond's inclination."
I thought of the options for quite some time before I replied, "Though Imladris will give me the protection of Vilya and Elrond, I will not face Gil-galad, nor will I tarry from returning to my home any longer." I said.
"Very well." He smiled, "Will the fair lady be taking first watch?"
"Yes, and for the final time, I'm anything but the fair lady." I responded.
"Of course my lady." He retorted, winking.
With that, Glorfindel lay back onto a heavy cloak beside the fire. He looked across the flickering flames to where I sat cross-legged staring absent-mindedly into the fire. I glanced up and caught his eye; he smiled and looked up at the star filled sky, humming lightly to himself. I looked and saw, on a branch high above us, the faint outline of a sleeping Enhith.
"Good night Glorfindel." I said returning my gaze to the Elf that had just become my protector.
"Good night Lhunrothien." He said, and for a moment, I saw past the quick Elven Lord and saw my friend.
I spent close to five hundred years of men in Lothlórien, learning to control my powers and the power of Arawing. I learned that Arawing could not only shield the more powerful rings from the careful eyes of Sauron but it allowed me to reveal the emotions of others to those who could not feel them. These abilities were easy to master and I learned quickly.
The third power of Arawing that the Ladies of Lothlórien taught me to wield was that of Truth. This often left me fatigued and overwhelmed as I learned to use Arawing to discover lies from truth.
There came a time when I felt I had learned all that I would from the people of Lothlórien. I had remained there for too long and my companions had all long departed. I missed the Sea and decided I would return to my home in Mithlond.
Three months after I had decided to make the journey to Lindon, I was walking along the banks of the Anduin with Enhith, who was no longer a child, flying overhead when I sensed the emotions of one who was coming close after me. This was not a Silvan elf of Lothlórien and I ducked quickly behind a large stone jutting partially from the Great River. Enhith high above, saw what I had done and quickly swerved of to the forest.
It wasn't long before the Elf came level with my hiding place. I felt him before I saw him and recognized the feelings in his heart. I waited until he had passed me by before I spoke.
"What brings a Lord of Rivendell wandering East of the Mountains?" I asked slyly, causing Glorfindel to spin round to face me, sitting calmly with my back to the rock.
"Fair morning my Lady." He laughed "I may ask the same thing of you."
"I am no Lord of Rivendell!" I responded, standing and walking to my friend.
"Your face is brighter since we last parted." He smiled, looking me up and down, "the Lady Galadriel was right."
"About what?" I asked suspiciously, "why have you come to Lórien?
"Your Control has come." Glorfindel said simply, "I was sent for. The Lady knew of your plan to return to the Havens and she wished you to have escort."
"And you are to be as such?" I raised one slender eyebrow at this proposal.
"So I am told." He said, leading me back towards the Golden Wood.
"When are we to leave?" I asked
"As soon as you are able." Was the response. I looked down at my dusty green tunic and the knives strapped around my waist. My two daggers were attached around my calves and the loaded quiver on my back.
I looked Glorfindel in the eye and said, "I am ready."
"Good." ***
With that, my friend and I left Lothlórien, destined for Mithlond. We crossed the Misty Mountains without trouble but in response to my pleas, we did not go to Rivendell. I was not yet ready to face Gil-galad and after my plight was explained to Glorfindel, he consented and led us the long way round. I sent Enhith to Elrond Half-Elven in Imladris to inform him of our change in plans. At long last I sensed the coming of the Sea.
We were still a long days march from Lindon when Enhith returned at sunset. We decided to make camp for the night to discuss the somewhat alarming news from Elrond.
"Sauron the Deciever has disappeared." The letter read, "I fear he has been taken by the Númenóreans to Elenna. Things have turned darker in the darkness of the world. If you will not return Lhunrothien to Rivendell, Glorfindel, I bid thee stay and protect her in the years to come against the gathering storm."
I realized at that point to which point Elrond trusted Enhith to allow her to bring such news to us in the wilderness, and how much he feared for my safety.
"Two choices face us, Lhunrothien." Glorfindel said after he threw the letter into the fire, "We can continue on our way to Mithlond and I will stay there and protect thee at thy bidding, or I will take you back to Rivendell at Elrond's inclination."
I thought of the options for quite some time before I replied, "Though Imladris will give me the protection of Vilya and Elrond, I will not face Gil-galad, nor will I tarry from returning to my home any longer." I said.
"Very well." He smiled, "Will the fair lady be taking first watch?"
"Yes, and for the final time, I'm anything but the fair lady." I responded.
"Of course my lady." He retorted, winking.
With that, Glorfindel lay back onto a heavy cloak beside the fire. He looked across the flickering flames to where I sat cross-legged staring absent-mindedly into the fire. I glanced up and caught his eye; he smiled and looked up at the star filled sky, humming lightly to himself. I looked and saw, on a branch high above us, the faint outline of a sleeping Enhith.
"Good night Glorfindel." I said returning my gaze to the Elf that had just become my protector.
"Good night Lhunrothien." He said, and for a moment, I saw past the quick Elven Lord and saw my friend.