Rory knocked on Elrond's door, his voice called 'Come in', and she opened the door, entering the room. Gandalf and Elrond were seated at a round table, covered with books, scrolls and empty teacups. Aragorn followed her, causing the two at the table to give him a questioning glance.
'You are late', said Elrond sternly, 'there is much to be done today, and I do not need to waste time waiting for you, Rory.'
'Yep, know that. But it ain't my fault I'm late', she replied
'Not your fault? How is that?' said Elrond.
'Blame Glorfindel', was all Rory said.
'Glorfindel? How is he to blame?' Elrond glared at Rory. 'Next you will be saying that he kidnapped you!'
'Well, he did, aahh, kinda" she said.
'What!' exclaimed Elrond. He leaned back in his chair, and his grey eyes where sparkling. 'I think you had better tell us what has been happening'.
All three looked hard at Rory. Feeling a little silly and embarrassed she explained, 'I found Glorfindel in the gardens this morning when I went for a walk just on dawn. He didn't look to good, obviously had far too much wine last night, and I stupidly took pity on him and helped him indoors. Then when I finally got him to his room, he passed out on his bed, so I thought I better do the right thing and I chucked a blanket over him, and he somehow for a reason I don't know grabbed my wrist and I couldn't make him let go. Had to wait till he woke up'.
Gandalf burst into laughter, followed a second later by both Elrond and Aragorn. When they finally stopped, all three were out of breath, and red faced. Rory just sat and watched them, 'Yeah, real funny if it didn't happen to you'; she said when she could make herself heard. 'Look,' she said exhibiting her wrist, 'that idiot even managed to bruise me! Now I owe him for that, and two dunkings!'
This caused even more laughter. 'Maybe I should send poor Glorfindel away for a while so he can avoid your revenge', laughed Elrond.
'No, it'll be right. I have another plan for him', remarked Rory after a moment's thought.
'I hope so, I can not have one of my best warriors injured when a war is impending.' Elrond replied.
Rory gave an unladylike snort. 'Reckon he's capable of injuring himself without my help'.
She then became aware that Gandalf was holding a teacup out to her. 'Thanks', she said, grateful for the warm drink as it was a cold morning. At least to her, recently living in Africa, born in the Australian Outback. She was not used to cold, and didn't like it.
Aragorn spoke then, 'I am sorry for drawing conclusions this morning, Rory', he said rather stiffly.
'That's Ok, you can't help your dirty mind', she answered him, a bit rudely.
Shocked by her reply, Aragorn decided discretion was the better part of valour and remained quiet.
'So anyway, you pair have been here reading up on my problem, I'm curious to know if you have a solution', asked Rory.
'Not as such', Gandalf spoke.' We still believe that you are connected to the Rings of Power. However, it is also clear that someone is playing with time, and has sent you here for a purpose unknown to any of us.'
'It is also clear that your purpose in the Last Alliance was a helpful one', Elrond now spoke. 'So we have come to conclusion that whoever sent you is a person or power working for the good of Middle Earth, possibly one of the Valar'.
Rory nodded 'I had thought something like that myself', was all she said.
'But we now think that you not are not connected to one, but more than likely to one of the three', continued Elrond.
Gandalf then fixed both Rory and Aragorn with a chilling glare, 'What happens next is Aragorn's right to know, as soon he will undertake a quest of great importance, and Rory is directly involved and we cannot leave her out of this, but I will make this perfectly clear, anything that occurs in this room is not to be told to anyone, not even', and here his glare seemed to pierce Aragorn, 'Not even the Lady Arwen. You must both take an oath to this'.
A bit frightened, although she would rather have died than admit this to anyone, Rory agreed, as did Aragorn, and both were stunned that they were required to swear to Illuvator on their souls. Clearly this was more important than either had believed.
Elrond's next action really put the wind up Rory. Any place else she would have bolted but had no choice here but to go along with him. He took off his ring Vilya and laid it in the palm of his left hand. Then he reached over to Rory, who was sitting on the other side of the small table, and took her right hand in his. Too scared now to too even think of hiding it, she locked her shoulder and elbow and refused to let him pull her hand across the table. Panic stricken, she spoke, 'Whoa, what is going on here?'
'Be easy, Rory, trust me as you used to', Elrond's voice was very soft. She looked into his eyes, and felt the strength of his will. 'Vilya wishes to speak to you, but I cannot let you touch her by yourself, the great Rings of Power are very dangerous for a mortal.'
Trembling now, Rory allowed Elrond to place her hand between his. Immediately she heard the voice of the Ring, and was aware on the edges of her mind Vilya had not taken over that Elrond was controlling the conversation between her and his ring. Time seemed to stand still, as Vilya spoke and Rory answered.