Amazed, Aragorn stared at Gandalf.
'Nearly died! How? Why?'Aragorn asked Elrond.
'Rory's mind was overset by what she was experiencing. Her emotional state was completely out of control, and the thing which Vilya revealed to her was too much for her to cope with. Her soul retreated in fear and confusion, that is she travelled part of the path to death. Both Vilya and I felt this happen, and we anchored her and pulled her back. Rory had travelled the dark path further than I thought and it required a greater effort than I imagined. Both Rory and myself very nearly finished up in the Halls of the Dead', said Elrond. His colour had come back, and he seemed fully recovered from the near death experience.
From the sofa on the other side of the room, Rory spoke 'Why the heck did you take such a chance, Elrond', she asked.
'Why do you ask that,' Gandalf spoke before Elrond could reply.
'Well, why? I'm no one special', she answered.
Elrond now spoke, 'But you are here for a special reason, Rory. Do you fully understand what has happened?'
'Nope', was Rory's answer.
Elrond looked at Gandalf, clearly asking an unspoken question. Gandalf spoke out loud in answer for the benefit of the two mortals. 'Rory knows, and Aragorn can cope with understanding the truth, Elrond, so do not fear speaking of matters not usually told to ordinary mortals.'
'When a mortal dies, the dead person's soul or spirit initially goes to the Halls of Mandos as does a dead elf. From there a mortal's soul goes to I know not where, but sometimes a person is reincarnated or reborn into a new life.' Elrond said quietly, his eyes fixed on Aragorn, to see how the Ranger was handling the truth.
'Like an elf can be brought back?' Aragorn asked after a moment to collect his thoughts.
'No, not quite. The mortal will have a different physical appearance, and may live in another culture and very rarely does a mortal remember details of his or her past life,' it was Gandalf who now answered.
Aragorn was silent, and shocked, so Rory decided to break the silence, 'What I got told by a great religious leader was we all come back, time and again till we learn whatever lesson the gods have for us. Then we don't come back again.' She sighed. 'And that same guy told me I had a great journey to take, and someone to protect. Still haven't figured that one" she finished.
'Have you not?' asked Gandalf. 'Twice you have made great journeys through time, the first time but for you Elrond would have died on Mt. Doom, now the One Ring is found, and we have to decide what to do with it. It is no wonder you are here'.
'Call me dumb, but I still don't get it', Rory grumbled.
'She is here to protect you?' Aragorn asked Elrond in shocked disbelief.
'So Vilya says', Elrond replied.
'From what', Aragorn asked.
'No one can answer that yet. I can only say I agree with Elrond's reading of Rory's purpose. This woman has many skills from the time she has come from, and clearly she is supposed to deal with something alien to our experiences, a thing only she will understand and be capable of stopping', Gandalf explained.
'Ok, so what next,' said Rory.
'What next indeed', said Gandalf with a smile. 'You must wish to know how you are connected to Vilya, and hence to Elrond.'
'Yes, please, someone explain this', Aragorn commented.
'Celebrimbor, as all know, made thethree Elven rings after learning many skills from Sauron, as he appeared in fair guise to the Elves of Middle Earth. What few knew was that Celebrimbor had many apprentices, Elf, Dwarf and mortal who assisted him in the early stages of ring making. You were then a mortal woman called Hestor, who had great skill in the final polishing of gemstones. You, as Hestor, finished the gem which adorns Vilya. Orcs captured Hestor several years later, and she like Celebrimbor died under torture as the Orcs tried to find the location of thethree from her. Hestor is regarded as a heroine by Elves for her strength, and her courage, qualities you have still, Rory', Elrond explained to her.
'Gods! It's all coming back to me now', Rory said, shivering as memories flooded her.
'That is not all, is it Rory?' the elf lord said to her. He walked to where she lay, and sat down on the edge of the sofa, 'What is it from your childhood that hurts you so much, little one, you can and should tell us, it does you no good keeping this experience to yourself.'
'No, NO, I can't tell you', Rory was yelling, hysterical.
Elrond grabbed her shoulders, and looked deeply into her eyes, 'you can, and you will. Aragorn and I are healers, both of the mind as well as the body. What has happened to you has distorted your life, and will continue to unless you speak, and get this out of your mind.' He shook Rory slightly, because she was clearly in shock.
She stared back at Elrond, feeling his concern for her. Finally she spoke, 'If you must know, Ok then.' Her eyes narrowed 'But don't you know?' she asked.
'Not clearly. I have some idea, but if you are to healed of this, you must speak', Elrond was all but pleading with Rory now.
'Ok, Ok, you win, only cos you won't let me be.' She grinned, 'But I'll need that brandy bottle.
Gandalf handed her the bottle, and all three settled down to hear Rory's tale.