Dinner at last was finished, and the Hobbits left Rory to as they said take care of some business'.
As Rory left the Dining Hall, she was approached by Elrond. Rory', he said, I forgot to tell you, but all of your gear that was left behind in Mordor, I brought here and it is in storage.'
You brought my stuff here!' she exclaimed, surprised. Why did you do that?'
Elrond looked at Rory. Do you not know?' he asked.
Nope, sure don't', she replied, "though I do thank you, some of that stuff could be useful'.
I kept your things because I hoped to see you again one day', Elrond said quietly.
Why?' asked Rory in her blunt Aussie way.
You saved my life, my dear, I have been feeling a need to thank you forthree thousand years,' he spoke softly so as no one would hear, 'and it was not just helping me down Mt. Doom, but your chat to me later about 'what does not kill you makes you stronger', that helped so much. Elves have a great tendency to despair, and you pulled me up before I got so far down that I could not pull myself back up.'
Rory looked a bit embarrassed. 'You and I always got on well, once you realised I was not a threat, and I understood the world had not gone crazy. But, you know Elrond, there's no need to thank me, I was just looking out for a mate.' She was quiet for a few seconds, and then said 'I only wish I could've got to Gil-Galad quicker, I have been thinking forywo years that I could've saved him'.
'No, I do not think so, said Elrond. I think you too would have been killed, and then I too would have died,' and he lowered his voice still further, 'then the Elven ring Vilya would have fallen into shadow.'
Rory looked up at Elrond, stunned that he would make such an admission to her. 'See', he said, lifting his right hand a little, and she saw the ring on his finger like a star.
'You should not be telling ME this', she protested.
'Why not,' he said, you are magically connected to the One, and quite possibly to thethree as well. I know you will not speak of this, or betray me to anyone.'
'So Ok, that is what Gil-Galad gave you when he died. I always wondered', she said, 'what will happen when the One is destroyed?'
'How do you know we will destroy it?' he asked her in return.
'Got no choice but to try,' she buntly replied.
'We believe that the power of the threewill fade, and many beautiful things will fail and never be seen again. The elves will fade too, unless we leave Middle Earth forever', and a look of great sadness was on Elrond's face as he spoke.
'That's so sad', Rory said softly.
'But all the Elves are willing to see this happen, if we can destroy Sauron's power forever,' Elrond said. 'This is not what I wished to speak to you of,' he went on, changing the subject as only as elf can, 'I want to show you where you things are stored.'
Elrond lead Rory out of the Dining Hall, down corridors and around corners till her head hurt trying to keep up with all the twisting and turning. Finally they entered a small store room, and Rory noticed with delight all her things were there; her clothes, guns, even her CD player. She'd often wondered why her chain of command had issued her unit with CD players, and orders on CD, but she now had a feeling the device could be handy, and was grateful to have it.
'This is great, Elrond, your blood's worth bottling,' she said, and gave the surprised elf a brief hug.
She picked up most of the stuff, except the guns, which she announced she would leave until she could get out on to one of the Archery Ranges to check to see if they still worked OK and the ammunition was still good.
'Which I doubt,' she said out loud, 'but then again you never know, they seem to have been stored well.'
'I am pleased you approve,' said Elrond, and took some of the gear to help her carry it. 'I know, I know, you do not help to carry anything. You forget your recent injuries, so whether you like it or not, I will help you.'
The two left the storeroom and headed back to the residential area, talking softly as they walked. They parted at Rory's room, and Elrond made her promise to see him after she was dressed for the reception, and before attending, he said he had a surprise for her.
Curious, Rory proceeded to go through her things, looking for one particular piece of clothing.