Chapter Eighteen-Change Is In The Wind
I awoke in the early morning light, sensing a presence sitting near me. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and looked towards the presence. Glorfindel was sitting in an armchair, eyes glazed over in reverie. I couldn't believe he stayed all night. Why on earth did he stay all night? I sat up and swung my legs over the edge of my bed. That movement seemed to rouse Glorfindel as his eyes cleared and he looked over at me.
"How do you feel Lady Karyn? Is your head better?" he asked, concern showing in his eyes.
"I am well, thank you. My medication worked and I feel much better," I assured him.
Glorfindel relaxed and stood up, "I will then take my leave of you, so you may freshen up before morning meal. We will need to speak during the meal to discuss the introductions between the Mirkwood delegation and the dwarves." He walked over to the door, "I am glad you are feeling better. I was concerned for your well-being." With that he opened the door and walked out of my room.
I still wasn't sure why Glorfindel had stayed overnight in my room. I guessed he wasn't the type to encounter this kind of headache and was maybe a bit concerned. I mean, I get migraines all the time. Admittedly this was the first one since I had arrived in Arda, but at home I got 3-5 per week. Ergo my carrying meds everywhere with me. I was happy that my pattern had almost completely ceased, but wondered why I was just now getting one. From what I gathered, there weren't many people in Arda. When I mentioned seven billion on Earth, the Elves were pretty flabbergasted. I knew I reacted to large numbers of unhappy people, but for the most part Elves seemed to be content. Sure, there was this odd sadness that sat at the rear of their emotional makeup; but they didn't really live there, not like humans do anyway. I just couldn't finger what exactly was causing this episode.
I got up and changed out of yesterday's dress and into a fresh one. I needed a bath like nobody's business. Checking my watch, I saw I had about an hour to get a bath in before breakfast. I grabbed a comb out of my pack and slipped on my shoes before I ran out of my room to get to the baths.
The bathing area was deserted at this early hour, so I stripped and jumped into the pool. I quickly got myself scrubbed up and washed my hair, before I rinsed and then pulled myself out of the bathing pool. Just as I was running back into the women's changing area I heard a couple of voices. It was Elrond and Glorfindel. I slid through the door and grabbed a couple of towels, wrapping my wet hair in one. I dried myself off as quietly as I could, trying to listen to the conversation between the two Elves. I heard the slight splash of water as they entered the pool. Padding farther into the change room, so they couldn't see me, I patted my wet skin with the towel and craned my neck to hear what they said.
Glorfindel was speaking, "Mellon nîn, I was only in Lady Karyn's suite to ensure her well-being. She had come down with this migraine, as she calls it, quite suddenly."
"I understand, but there has been talk about what is going on between the two of you. You need to be careful should you decide to engage in behaviour like that of last night. I do not want your reputation to be sullied. Many believe your affection for the mortal is inappropriate," Elrond stated.
"Do you believe that is so?" Glorfindel questioned pointedly.
"No mellon nîn. I know you have not felt this way since you have come to Arda. I am just thankful you have found someone at all. Just be careful, that is all I am advising," Elrond explained.
"I am always careful. I cannot explain why I feel this connection to her, but I do. It is as if the missing piece that completes me has been found. I wish to explore this further, if Lady Karyn lets me," Glorfindel mused.
I held my breath. I couldn't believe what Glorfindel said. While their talk turned to that of the current affairs of Imladris, I quietly got dressed, slipped on my shoes and snuck out of the change room. Closing the door quietly behind me as I left the antechamber, I then fled down the halls, back to my room. Once I got back into my room, I let out a long breath. Pulling the comb out of my pocket, I sat down in the chair Glorfindel had occupied and began to comb out my hair as I thought about what I had overheard.
Glorfindel had admitted he felt a connection to me! My heart raced as I let the realization sink in. It wasn't just other people telling me that Glorfindel was awfully fond of me. It was Glorfindel himself. Of course he wasn't telling me personally, he told Elrond, but hearing it from his lips made a huge difference. Finishing up combing out my hair, I tidied up before I walked down to the meal hall.
There I met up with the hobbits, who gathered around me asking questions a mile a minute. Mostly from Pip and Merry, whose boundless energy seemed to never wane.
"How are you Lady Karyn?" Pip asked.
"We heard you weren't well!" Merry joined in.
"You aren't dying or something?" Pip wondered.
"No Pip, Lady Karyn's not dying, otherwise she wouldn't be standing in front of us," Frodo chided.
"I am fine Pip. As Frodo pointed out, I am here standing before you. I just had a migraine, which is a really bad headache. I took something for it and went to bed. I'm right as rain now, so you can put your pants back on," I advised.
"I'm already wearing pants," Pip said, a little confused.
"It's a figure of speech Pip," I admonished.
Pip looked sheepish as Merry laughed. The hobbits told me about what had happened at dinner with the dwarves. Apparently the dwarves ate as much as hobbits and could out drink Elves, or at least Merry swore by that. I told them I'd reserve judgement on drinking contests until I was present to mediate. I said I was sure the Elves were holding back to be good hosts to the dwarves. I personally had no idea of the drinking habits of Elves or dwarves, so I felt it reasonable to err on the side of caution.
Across the room I saw Glorfindel enter the hall and look for me. I waved my hand and he motioned for me to meet him. I made my apologies and went over to him. Glorfindel steered me to an almost empty table and sat down. Sitting across from him I looked into his eyes. They gave no clue as to the conversation I had overheard earlier, so I decided to play dumb. Glorfindel spoke first.
"Lady Karyn, the Mirkwood delegation should be arriving before mid-day, so I advise that we keep the dwarves in close proximity to the main building. You will need to be there to greet the Mirkwood delegation, so I think being in the area of the courtyard around an hour to noon should be sufficient. Should they arrive early, I will fetch you. I will have the dwarves brought to the southern veranda to greet the Mirkwood delegation, but you will need to ensure that peace is kept by the dwarves," Glorfindel articulated.
"Will you be keeping the Mirkwood delegation on their best behaviour?" I asked, somewhat tongue-in-cheek.
Glorfindel stifled a tiny smile, "They will behave as dignified elves. You have my word."
"I don't doubt the veracity of your claim Lord Glorfindel. I do, however doubt the ability of the Mirkwood delegation to maintain a professional demeanour in regards to our dwarvish friends. You painted quite a vivid image of their last meeting, so I believe my apprehension regarding their behaviour to be valid," I smiled at him.
Glorfindel laughed softly, "I apologize if I gave you any concerns about how the Mirkwood delegation may behave. I can assure you the young Prince of Mirkwood will be in attendance, and he will conduct himself with correct deportment. His entourage will follow his example."
"There will be a Prince in the delegation? May I ask what the protocol is regarding Elvish royalty? We have a monarchy in my country, so I am familiar with formal protocol, however this is a different plane, and the rules may vary," I asked.
Glorfindel advised me of protocol and we went over who should be in attendance of the Prince's party. I learned his name was Legolas, and he had been to Imladris before. Glorfindel informed me that the Prince was quite informal and I should follow Legolas' example as to how I should address him. We decided to show the dwarves around the grounds and then bring them to the southern veranda and have Bilbo and the other hobbits join them to share tales of their peoples. I felt that Pip and Merry were enthused enough to regale them with tales of hobbit townships and current events. We agreed to our plan of action and so we got up from the table to split off and put it into play.
I headed back to the hobbits to ask for their assistance with the dwarves, to which they readily agreed. Pip was excited that they would be spending time with the dwarves and Merry wondered aloud if beer was going to be served. I advised that beer is a beverage best served after twelve noon. Merry said it had to be noon somewhere in Arda, and I countered the argument was moot as beer was not being served until it was noon here. Merry grudgingly acquiesced and Bilbo asked if he should sing. Singing would be a good idea I advised, just let the dwarves have a turn if they so desired. Bilbo would take any opportunity to sing and would sing at a moments notice if he thought he could get away with it.
I left the hobbits with their instructions and went off to gather the dwarves and take them to meet up with Arwen, who had graciously agreed to show the dwarves around and give them a short history of Imladris. Glorfindel had arranged the tour with Arwen while I was asking the hobbits for help. Once the tour was underway, I hung back at the end of the group. I listened to Arwen's melodic voice describe how Imladris was founded and what it was like in the early days. The dwarves were entranced, mostly from Arwen's beauty and kindness. I think the history wasn't as big a pull as Arwen was.
After about an hour and a bit a page came up to me and asked me to meet Glorfindel in the courtyard. I motioned to Arwen and she began to lead the dwarves to the southern veranda. Walking quickly into the courtyard, I spotted Glorfindel standing by some steps and I strode over to him.
"The Mirkwood delegation has entered Imladris and is just riding up the road now. They should be coming to the courtyard any time now," he said, looking down the road.
I stood and watched with him, until I heard the hoof beats on the dirt road. Glorfindel was already moving towards the centre of the courtyard and motioning the stable hands to be ready. I followed him and watched as the Elves from Mirkwood came riding into the courtyard. There were eight of them, all blond and lithe. The horses were unloaded and then taken away by the stable hands, and other Elves from Imladris came and took away all the packs that had been unloaded. Glorfindel nodded to one of the Elves who was a bit taller than the rest, and that elf moved towards us.
"That is Prince Legolas," Glorfindel whispered.
I moved towards the elf, "Mae govannen hir nîn. It is a pleasure to meet you your Highness. My name is Karyn and I will be your liaison while you are in Imladris," I said smoothly while I did a small curtsey. Yes, I can curtsey. I had to learn when I was fourteen and met the Queen when she came to New Westminster. It's not all that tricky; you just need to keep your core balance in the centre.
Legolas nodded at me, "Please, do not be so formal with me. I prefer to be called Legolas. No formal title if you please. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Lady Karyn." Legolas clasped my hand and brought it to his lips, brushing the skin lightly.
"Oh, well. If you desire to be called Legolas, then let's not have you calling me 'Lady'. It's kind of incongruous," I smiled at him, "So, shall we proceed? I am going to take you to meet the Dwarf delegation on the south veranda. I think it is time both parties met under better circumstances, don't you?"
Legolas smiled, his eyes twinkling, "Of course Karyn, please lead the way. Mae govannen hir Glorfindel," he clasped Glorfindel's hand in a strong handshake.
Glorfindel smiled and patted Legolas hard on the back, "No rest for the weary, I am afraid. Come, let us meet the dwarves!"
I led the way to the southern veranda and formally introduced the Mirkwood Elves to the dwarves from the House of Durin. It went more smoothly that I thought it would. Glóin and Gimli were gracious, which I think was due to Arwen speaking to them about the meeting. Bless her soul. That woman could sell snow to the Inuit. The other dwarves followed Glóin and Gimli's example. Trying to 'out-courteous' each other. I found it quite amusing. Legolas was gracious, and gave no sign of the bitterness that Glorfindel had told me about. I guessed it was probably his father, the King, who would be more likely to be bitter. After the short meeting, I led Legolas and the Mirkwood Elves into the building and let the staff waiting for them to lead them away to their rooms, to get cleaned up and rest before lunch.
My initial impression of Legolas was favourable. He was a very polite elf and seemed quite young, even though Glorfindel told me he was over two-thousand years old. I likened him to a Southern gentleman, all manners and gentility. I went back to see to the dwarves and let them know mid-day meal would be called in a little less than an hour. The dwarves were content to sit on the veranda and enjoy the autumn sunshine, chatting amicably with the hobbits.
Glorfindel told me they were going to have the Council meeting in a few days, once they determined if any human delegations were coming, and they still waited on a delegation from Mithlond. Lórien had sent its apologies, but could not spare anyone for the Council. They had said they trusted Elrond's decision and would abide with whatever he decided. I settled into the routine of liaising with the dwarves and the Mirkwood elves, juggling tea with the hobbits; and waiting and wondering about this Council that was to take place soon. Glorfindel wasn't telling me what the subject was, but from the serious mood pervading Imladris, it was big. My heart had a niggly feeling it was bad too, and I really wanted to know what was going on.
I didn't have long to wait.
mellon nîn-my friend
Mae govannen hir nîn-Well met my lord
Mae govannen hir Glorfindel-Well met Lord Glorfindel