Note: This chapter includes the appearance of Nariel, daughter of Radagast the Brown and granddaughter of Beorn the Bear man. Her story is told in 'Nariel the Red'
Athrana (Wandering Shadow)
Chapter 9- Glorfindel at the Ford
TA3018, October
Athrana sat watching the water flowing past. This was one of her favourite places to sit. By the ford just watching the water. She justified it to herself as it was the main road in and out of the valley but really she was here to watch the water. She felt guilty for knocking the twins out and leaving them to wake up confused in the cavern, but in a way it felt like old times. As the years went by she missed her old life more and more but it was also harder to go back. She couldn't just give in. She was doing this for them. All of them in Rivendell. It was better for them to think her dead than to know the truth. That was the thought she held on to when she felt her resolve slipping. It was better this way.
"Noro lim, noro lim Asfaloth!" She knew that voice. Athrana's head snapped up to see Glorfindel's horse Asfaloth rush towards the water with a small creature on its back. The great white horse galloped past her and over the water pursued by the Nazgul. But she didn't see this. All she could see was the hobbit on the horses back. For some reason she was drawn to him. He had something of great power with him. Before she could get to him however there was a rush of water. The black riders screeched as they turned to face a wall of fire.
Athrana watched in awe as a woman she had never seen stepped towards them engulfed in flames. The Nazgul panicked and charged into the rushing water. Estel and Glorfindel stood at the water's edge waiting for it to subside but Athrana was watching the woman. The fire had vanished now and she was swaying. She is going to collapse; she thought and jumped down just in time to catch her as she passed out.
"Athrana" She looked up to see Estel standing in front of her. Glorfindel turned around. Estel had kept his promise and used her new name, but the elf-lord was not fooled, even with her face hidden by her heavy cloak. How could he be? He had helped to raise her, first as her brothers friend and then as his mate. He had brought her to Rivendell when she was 4yrs old. He had been the one she would run to for protection when she had made Erestor angry. He would know her anywhere. "Athriel?"
TA138
Glorfindel looked up hearing a knock on his door. Who could it be at this time? He walked to the door and opened it a crack. Looking out he couldn't see anyone so he opened the door wider. "Glorfindel?"He looked down to see a small elfling rubbing her eyes. "Athriel?" He knelt down in front of her so they were eye to eye. "What did you do this time sweetheart?" she shook her head. "I didn't do anything Glorfindel honestly." He looked at her disbelieving. She huffed. "Alright, maybe I coloured in one of the boring old books on Erestor's desk" Glorfindel laughed and picked her up. "Alright, you can hide in here with me."
Athrana turned to Estel still holding the unconscious woman. "She is out cold. If we can get her to the other side there are border guards waiting." Coming out of his memories Glorfindel realised he was being ignored. "Athriel? Look at me" She continued forward with the intention of carrying the unconscious woman across the water but Glorfindel stood in front of her. He took Nariel away from her and handed her to Estel. "Estel get Nariel and the hobbits to safety. I'll see you in Rivendell." Then he turned back to her. "Athriel..." But she interrupted him. "My name is not Athriel, it is Athrana." She made to move past him but he wouldn't let her. "Look at me Athriel, you cannot fool me, you owe me that much."
She did, she owed him so much. He had always been there to fight her corner, to let Erestor know when he was being overprotective, to let her have her own life. "Athriel?" But she refused to look him in the eye. He grabbed her shoulders to hold her facing towards him. "I can't Glorfindel please." He let her go and she slumped to the ground. "We mourned you. He still mourns you" He could barely hear her when she spoke. "I know" He knelt down in front of her. "Why didn't you come home" She kept her head down. "I couldn't" She sounded so young. "He needs to see you" But that made her angry. She stood up quickly and pushed him away. "Does he? Does he really Glorfindel?" She pulled the hood back and away from her face. "Does he need to see me like this?"
Glorfindel stepped forward but she shied away from him. He wasn't surprised. He knew how she had gotten those scars; he could see the poison running through her veins. But underneath all that she was still Athriel. "How long did they have you?" She shrugged. "I'm not sure. It's all so blurred. The best guess I can make is about 5yrs" Glorfindel pulled him into a hug and held her head to his shoulder. "Oh Athriel." And she cried. For the first time in 80yrs she cried.
Finally she pulled back and Glorfindel wiped her face but she looked down at her feet. "You can't tell him Glorfindel please." He closed his eyes. "I have to Athriel" She moved away from him and started to pace. "Not yet... I... I couldn't... I'm not..." He stopped her. "Shh. It's alright. I won't say anything, ok. But you have to." She nodded. "I will, but not yet."