AUTHOR'S NOTE Hehe. Poor Obi-Wan. I like torturing him.

For those of you who have not read the books, Erestor is an advisor of Elrond's in Rivendell. This story takes place before Fellowship of the Ring, so before the Council of Elrond.

DISCLAIMER I don't own anyone in this story.

…

Elrond surveyed the assembly in his hall. He was pleased. Glorfindel stood proudly to his right, with Erestor at his left. Also assembled were Arwen and Estel and the visiting wizard Gandalf the Grey. Elrond's brow knitted slightly when he noticed the empty stations of his mischievous twin sons and Hyarion, the guest of honor. Their absence was not yet an affront to the assembly, as the feast had not started. The Lord of Imladris was far more worried about what Elladan and Elrohir might be putting poor Hyarion through.

Indeed, just as the shadow of the dial inched toward the banquet hour, the door to the hall creaked open. The muted babble of conversation ceased. Elrond paused in his speaking with Erestor to see his sons in the doorway. By the looks on their faces, he knew that he had been right to be worried. "We apologize for our tardiness, Ada," Elladan said.

Elrond nodded. "You are not yet late."

"We had to prepare the guest of honor," Elrohir added, grinning.

Elrond stifled a groan. "Well where is Hyarion?"

The twins stepped each to the side and it took all of Elrond's self-control not to lose his composure. Elladan and Elrohir seemed to have raided their wardrobe for their ceremonial finery and forced Obi-Wan into it. Elrond recognized Elladan's Lórien tunic and robes and Elrohir's Imladris family mantle. Obi-Wan looked uncomfortable, but very much the honored guest.

Regally, the twins led the Jedi to his seat, then took their own. Aragorn leaned over once Obi-Wan had sat down beside him and whispered, "I'm so sorry. Next time I'll try to head them off."

Obi-Wan smiled. "It's not what I'm used to. Jedi usually dress very simply."

Aragorn frowned. "Jedi?"

Obi-Wan was about to explain, but just then Lord Elrond stood at the head of the table. "Friends and visitors, we gather in feast this evening to welcome a traveler into the Last Homely House, Hyarion of Coruscant." Obi-Wan smiled and nodded as Elrond acknowledged him. "May he be welcome here whenever his travels lead him this way."

Obi-Wan stood and bowed. "Thank you, Lord Elrond. Your hospitality is most appreciated."

Low babble erupted in the hall as the dinner was served. Aragorn turned back to Obi-Wan. "I have never heard of Jedi. What does that word mean?"

"It is the name of my order," Obi-Wan replied. "The Jedi Knights are the guardians of peace and justice in the gal – in the land."

In the time that he had spent recovering in Rivendell, Obi-Wan had learned that his initial impressions of Arda were correct. The planet had very little technology and no knowledge of the existence and government of anything in the rest of the galaxy. He was worried that such knowledge would frighten the people with whom he found himself and had decided that for the time being, it was best not to say anything.

He hoped Artoo could get the comm unit in his ship working again soon. As grateful as he was to Lord Elrond for his hospitality, he was anxious to be back in contact with the Jedi. On Arda, the Force was so raw that it made it impossible for him to reach out to anyone.

"Hyarion?"

Obi-Wan turned back to Aragorn, who seemed to be waiting for something. "What?"

"You did not answer my question."

Obi-Wan felt his cheeks flush. "I'm sorry, Aragorn. My mind was somewhere else. What was it you asked?"

"I was just curious as to your customs in Coruscant. Are they similar to ours?"

Obi-Wan nodded, still distracted. "In parts of the city, yes."

Aragorn frowned. "You are troubled, my friend. What is on your mind?"

"I am needed at home, Aragorn," Obi-Wan said. "My order needs me. My apprentice needs me. Well, he has recently taken the trials and is no longer under my teaching, but Anakin is hotheaded. Knowing him, it will not be long before he finds himself in some kind of trouble." He sighed. "I have to go home, but I have no idea of how to get back."

"Well how did you get here?" Aragorn asked.

Obi-Wan paused, unsure of how he wanted to answer. "It was…an accident."

Aragorn laughed. "Well we all assumed that. After all, my brothers did find you lying unconscious in the forest."

"Yes," Obi-Wan said, chuckling nervously.

"If only you could tell us more about your home," Aragorn said. "Gandalf had traveled all regions of Middle Earth. I'm sure that he could help you get home."

'I'm not so sure about that,' Obi-Wan thought. 'My home is not part of your home, Aragorn.'

Suddenly, Obi-Wan met the eyes of an old man in gray robes with a long gray beard. "Aragorn, who is that speaking with Glorfindel?" he asked quietly.

"That is Gandalf," Aragorn replied. "The one I was just telling you about. He is one of the Istari."

Obi-Wan frowned, but did not break Gandalf's gaze. "I've never heard of the Istari," he said.

Aragorn looked surprised. "The Istari are the five great wizards of our time. Gandalf is one, along with Saruman the White, Radagast the Brown, and the two Blue wizards, Alatar and Pallando, who were lost many ages ago."

"Wizards," Obi-Wan repeated. "And are they to be trusted?"

"I know nothing of Saruman or Radagast, but I would trust Gandalf with my life," Aragorn said solemnly.

Obi-Wan merely nodded. For the remainder of the feast, he spent time listening to Elladan and Elrohir tease Aragorn and their sister Arwen about amusing stories of their long-ago childhoods. All the while, he kept half an eye and mind on Gandalf.

The celebration lasted long into the evening. Aragorn endured the twins' ribbing, for Obi-Wan seemed to be enjoying the tales. As the guests began to drift away one by one, Aragorn noticed Obi-Wan scanning the crowd. "Are you looking for someone?" he asked.

"I was hoping to speak with Gandalf," Obi-Wan said. "Like you suggested."

Aragorn fought the urge to grin. "I'm sure that he's still talking with Glorfindel or Lord Elrond. You may try looking in Lord Elrond's study."

Obi-Wan stood up. "Thank you." He left the hall and made his way through Rivendell's open corridors. It was not hard to find Gandalf, for he was leaning on the railing of a nearby balcony, smoking a long pipe.

He looked up as Obi-Wan approached. "Ah! Good evening, Hyarion."

"Good evening," Obi-Wan said. "Aragorn tells me that you are a great sorcerer."

Gandalf chuckled. "Aragorn exaggerates a great deal."

"But you are a wizard," Obi-Wan pressed. "You are not a mortal and not an Elf."

Gandalf raised an eyebrow. "So many questions, Hyarion. What is it that you're really after?"

With a deep breath, Obi-Wan said, "My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi. Gandalf, I need your help."

Meanwhile, Elladan and Elrohir were prowling the balconies looking for their sister, who had hastily retreated from the hall. They found her on one of the highest floors gazing at the stars. "Sister, we've been looking everywhere for you," Elladan said. "You left so fast."

"The stars are quiet tonight," Arwen replied. "They do not have much to say."

Then Elrohir noticed a tear sparkling in her eye. "Arwen, what's wrong?" he asked.

"Aragorn has changed," she said.

The twins moved to either side of her. Elladan took her hand. "What are you talking about?"

Arwen looked from the sky down into the valley of the Bruinen. "Since the stranger came," she said sadly, "he no longer looks at me." Then she pulled her hand away and disappeared inside.