From the Ashes by Jessie Syring

Disclaimer: All characters belong to the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien. I hope I insult no one by playing with his characters.

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Chapter Six

Elrond looked up from his books as a horse galloped across the bridge and into the courtyard. The rider was one of the messengers he had sent out nearly three weeks ago. The Elf ran up the steps to the balcony and bowed to him, holding out a sealed envelope. Taking it, Elrond recognized the seal.

"I bring greetings from Lady Galadriel," the messenger said. "She asks that I deliver this to you and also tell you she and the Lord Celeborn are coming to Rivendell. They shall arrive by Mid-Summer Day."

Elrond raised one eyebrow. Two weeks to prepare for her arrival. Erestor would be in a dither trying to make everything perfect for such an important visitor. "Thank you, Ariendil. See to your horse and be fed."

As the messenger left, Elrond broke the seal and took the letter from the envelope. The missive was written in the lady's own delicate script and addressed the matter of Glorfindel. While none had heard of an Elf being sent back as an adult, and few even knew of instances where reborn Elves walked the world, the wise of Lothlorien agreed it was indeed possible. Galadriel was coming to assess the situation for herself, having met Glorfindel once when he was but a child in Valinor.

Elrond folded the letter again and tucked it inside his sleeve. He went into the Last Homely Home and walked past his office. He could see Erestor seated at a desk, his back to the door. A pen scratched quietly as he wrote in a ledger.

"Erestor," called Elrond, "Lady Galadriel and an entourage will be arriving here in a fortnight. I want the best accommodations made ready for her."

"Lady Galadriel!"

"Yes. Have you seen Glorfindel?"

"He was down at the training grounds this morning. He's probably still there."

Elrond nodded and left. At Erestor's advice, he had given the golden-haired Elf leave to wander Imladris as he wished. Glorfindel still spent most of his time with Erestor, exploring the area or discussing history. When duties took the older Elf away, he could be found watching the younger Elves learn the way of sword and bow. He had made fast friends the eldest of the upcoming warriors, especially Elrond's twin sons, as he gave them finer pointers to improve their skills.

Elrond left the home and walked down a well-worn path leading through the woods. The trail branched and he followed the left-hand fork that led farther from the homes of the valley. He could hear young voices and laughter in the distance. Focused on his destination, he failed to see movement in the woods.

Suddenly a heavy weight slammed into him from behind and knocked him to the ground with enough force to drive the breath from his lungs. Hot, foul breath blew across him and sharp teeth ripped at his robes. He struggled to throw off what he now recognized to be a wolf, but he was too dazed and could not get the leverage he needed. Long teeth sank into his shoulder and he cried out.

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Glorfindel's head whipped around at the cry of pain. The younger Elves and their teachers also stopped their activity. Before they could react, Glorfindel grabbed a sword from one of the instructors and ran back toward the settlement. About halfway, he came upon a gruesome scene.

A big wolf had Elrond on the ground and was savagely mauling him. There was much blood and Elrond's struggles were becoming weaker. Acting quickly, Glorfindel snatched a fist-sized rock from the trail and threw it.

The missile struck the wolf squarely in the ribs. With a yelp of pain, it leaped clear of its victim and swung toward Glorfindel. Blood and saliva dripped from its maw and its yellow eyes glowed with an evil malevolence. It charged. Glorfindel danced to one side at the last possible moment and slashed downward with the sword. The wolf howled in rage but turned back on itself and Glorfindel felt a flash of pain through the back of one leg.

The wolf jumped clear and circled, snarling. Glorfindel took a defensive stance, wincing at the throbbing in his leg. The creature did not seem badly injured and he had suspected as much---training swords had a dull edge. He risked a glance at Elrond but he had not moved. Glorfindel could not tell if Elrond had lost consciousness or just avoiding drawing the attention of the wolf again.

The wolf leaped at Glorfindel. He braced for the attack, but his injured leg buckled beneath him and he went down, losing his sword. He shoved one arm in the wolf's mouth, wincing as the teeth grabbed hold. Better my arm than my throat, he thought. The wolf rose up and shook its head violently from side to side. Glorfindel cried out, then managed to get one leg under the wolf and kick it hard.

The wolf flew clear. Glorfindel struggled to his hands and knees---where had the accursed beast gone? His borrowed sword lay nearby. He crawled toward it.

"Ada!"

The anguished cry brought him around. The youths and the instructors had arrived on the scene. One of Elrond's sons---he wasn't sure which---started toward his fallen father but froze as the wolf appeared again and stalked toward him. It was too close.

"Glorfindel! Knife!"

Twisting at the shout, Glorfindel saw something shiny flying toward him. He caught the blade and lunged toward the wolf. He managed to get an arm around the beast. It struggled fiercely, nearly squirming free immediately. The Elf warrior didn't need another opportunity. He drove the knife downward at the base of the wolf's neck.

Glorfindel sank to the ground beside the dead wolf, panting for breath. He closed his eyes against the dizziness caused by blood loss. He could hear Erestor giving orders but could not quite make them out against the sound of his blood pounding in his ears. He opened his eyes again and watched two Elves lifting Elrond and carrying him toward the Last Homely House, then turned as Erestor knelt beside him.

"Is he all right?"

"He is in better shape than you," Erestor said.

Glorfindel looked at his mangled arm and grimaced. "It looks worse than it is."

Erestor helped him to his feet and noticed the blood on his pant leg. "You cannot walk on that."

Glorfindel looked at him. "I fear you are right."

Erestor wrapped an arm around Glorfindel's waist, supporting him. Glorfindel nodded and closed his eyes against the sudden feeling that the world was tilting crazily. He took one cautious step…and passed out.

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