The sudden arrival of the Fellowship in front of Theoden's keep had meant no time had been possible for the Enemy's remaining agents to mount opposition or sway the will-whittled humans against the new arrivals. Doyle quickly ferreted out the Third Eye and burnt to crisps the agents seeking to make off with it, their leader having been destroyed by it a few days before. Gandalf and Alexander performed cleansing of the throne room, and a clearing of the mind of the King, who was actually grateful to be himself again.
"So you are my liege, the Returned King of Gondor?" he asked Aragorn, who nodded. Theoden paused, accepted the proof and the power in the room as sufficient. He turned to the assembled leaders still around him, going down to one knee, "Kneel before the King of Gondor, our liege and our hope."
"All hail the King of Gondor, our liege and our Hope."
Anti-climactic was one way to describe the last three weeks, but hardly boring. Those from another world worked hard to provide information on government, basic technology, germ theory and magic. It was a busy time, and they'd been flown back to Gondor early on to advise Aragorn and the others on their Federation of Peoples, less than a government but more than an alliance, one that included the numerically-few Eagles as equal partners given the importance they'd played in the quick destruction of the Ancient Enemy. Aeries were to be set aside in each major concentration, and they would provide vital and speedy communication links to others, while Eyes would be maintained in Rivendell, Gondor and the main Aerie of Eagles up in the North, to ensure regular contacts between the farthest points of the Federation.In turn, the Sliders had had time discuss magic and Nature in detail with those of great experience, and even with memories, context and perspective have importance in achieving proper appreciation and skill.
The previous contact by Alexander with the Valar had been of amazing interest to the Early People, the Elves, and in the last week before the departure of the Sliders to the next realm, the Fellowship had gathered once more in Rivendell to share what would probably be their last time together. A time of peaceful discourse and bittersweet friendship.
Master Elrond and the Elders of both Elven Kingdoms had asked Alexander to speak privately with them just before a Departure Feast preceding the morning of the Slide.
"You asked to see me, Lord Elrond?" the large man asked as he respectfully made his way into the room, "How can I be of assistance?"
"Lord Alexander, we were wondering if you knew how to contact the Valar?"
"I haven't given it any thought, but if I might ask why?"
"To know if our new path is in keeping with the intent of the Valar; before we would have slowly departed over the Western Sea. We've chosen this place because this is where we feel Nature at its strongest in this demesne."
"You'd like me to try reaching them for you?"
"If you can…"
Alexander lost himself in meditative thought for a while, then gathered The Force, as rusty as he was, then drew on the Will, and as Words spoke aloud, "Contact Valar."
A moment later, two beings recognizable to him, but favoring Elven looks a bit more, came into focus out of a white light.
"Greetings, Alexander," Freya smiled, "We are surprised but gladdened to meet you again…"
"…Especially in this Place," Frey finished with a glad smile, which increased as he noticed the Elders, "And greetings to all of you, Children, and Blessings to your People."
The Elders were in pleasant shock, not realizing how easy it would be for actual contact.
"Only in this Place, by One Who Has Been Our Avatar, are We able to broach the veils between Worlds," Frey continued as he easily picked up on their emotions and thoughts, "and yes, this New Path is pleasing to us, We wish you to teach Man as much as possible of how to make the best of Nature, and to beautify their communities with the Natural. Should by the end of the Third Age this not work out, or you too greatly feel the pressures, then go West, Children, and know that We will guide you to new places then."
"Thank you, Great Ones," Galadriel whispered but was heard, "Your guidance gives us a security of the heart."
"Our pleasure, Child," Freya nodded, then summoned one of the Eyes, then made it and the others glow white as they were Blessed by the Valar. She handed it to Alexander, "Take this with you Alexander, and keep it safe in your travels."
"What should I do with it?" he asked respectfully of two gods that had shown themselves to be not too bad. The globe glowed blue.
"You can talk to me, Belalexander," Aldur gently offered as his voice and visage came through clear, "Frey, Freya, my greetings and love to you."
"And to you Aldur," the two spoke as one, "Give our love to Eriond and your siblings when you see them."
Freya continued, "Especially Ul, tell him I miss our talks of millennia ago. And Flute if she visits your realm any time soon"
"I'll tell him, Freya," the god smiled, "And I believe Flute and Eriond are starting to see one another, it's rather…cute."
The old fatherly god turned back after a moment of pleasant gossip to look at Xander, "And my son, I'll leave the Orb with your god-family, they'll have it in the Vale or in Riva. Speak to them often. Family is important. As Polgara's favorite people say, 'fare thee well.'"
"T-that was great, thank you, Valar," Alexander smiled and gave a slight bow to the neck in their direction. Freya smiled and joked to Xander.
"I told him the only way for a god to get you to bend your neck in genuine recognition, would be to show you genuine appreciation, young man. With the Eye, you can also communicate with the three Eyes in this realm."
The mortals looked at each other as they counted, until Frey seemed to separate the single Eye into a twinning. Then they nodded as Xander kept one and the other was given to Elrond. The Valar faded from the World of Middle-Earth.
"Wow," Xander said in English, and despite the language difference, all in the room nodded in understanding.
The Feast had been truly a happy occasion, the Elves in particular 'letting their hair down' in appreciation for the contact with their Mentors and the love felt in that Place. Music played, gifts exchanged, and the vehicles loaded up with as many seeds, bulbs, seedlings, plantings and other treasures as could be imagined, along with armor and clothing of high consideration.
Hugs and handshakes were heart-felt, and both Doyle and Gimli felt they were losing not just drinking buddies, but almost brothers after weeks of jointly jibing the serious Elves and broody others in amusing manners.
But the time had drawn near, and the Sliding Vortex activated.