Chapter 4
"We have but a fortnight ere we are to be sent out to clear the way to Lothlórien. I must seize every opportunity to tease you if I am to be content before we leave." Elladan says nudging me.
"I changed my mind. Go back out on patrol. You're entirely too touchy." I say putting Elrohir between us.
"Come now elegren gwinig, I've naught heard a human who doesn't desire physical closeness." Elladan follows me around to his brother's other side.
"Now you have. I know I'm irresistible, but try to control your desires. It's tiring fighting you off." I say dramatically. He laughs but keeps to himself as we walk.
The next morning the twins have to met with Lord Elrond to discuss their findings, or lack there of, of the Black Riders. In the meantime, I take the translation book out to a bench by the main house. I've written and translated a good portion of my explanation to Lady Galadriel, but I'm struggling to translate my request. I frown at my messy, choppy work.
I stand before you in hopes you have the power and will to send me home. Nin tar- no le mer- le sav- i polodh a innas menna- nin bardh.
"If you continue doing that with your face, I fear it will become permanent." Elladan goads. I sigh, frustrated, and shake my head. I'm in no mood to deal with his jokes. I ignore him and flip to the sentence structure section.
"Shall I assist you?" He says, his face lacking all taunts.
"I don't need your help." I whisper harshly. He sits next to me quietly and looks over my shoulder while I scan for combining actions and pronouns.
"Tarin no merel savel i polodh a innas mennin bardh."
"What?" I snap.
"Your last sentence." He nods to my notes. I tense realising he's just read my situation. He doesn't say anything about it though.
"Thank you." I say reluctantly, feeling stupid for missing something so easy, relatively speaking. He gives me a nod then reads my explanation paragraph. He corrects a few small things, but it seems like I've translated most of it correctly.
The next few days pass pretty uneventfully. I've gotten use to the twins dashing off while we walk the trails if they think they've heard something. Earlier this morning they left, and I haven't seen them since. The sound of grunting and smacks fill my ears as I come up on the training grounds.
"Elrohir, peace. They're dead now."
"I'm aware. Doesn't make me hate the vile creatures any less." Smack, smack.
"Abusing the training dummy will not change things."
"Perhaps if I will it enough the orc packs' leader will feel it from here."
The twins come into view. Elrohir repeatedly, and aggressively, punches a training dummy. I would hate to be on his bad side. Elladan stands beside him looking helpless.
"You seem very angry for someone who just killed an orc pack." I say. Elladan looks at me hopefully, but it's twinged with a hint of worry. Neither say anything to me though. "They're just lowly minions of Sauron. Why do you expend so much energy hating them?" Elrohir whirls on me and gets in my face. I nervously take a step back.
"They may be mere servants of the Dark Lord, but they are evil and vile and ruthless, nonetheless. They could destroy you in a moment, or worse." He spits out, venom coating his tone while he eyes me up and down. I shrink back and cross my arms in front of myself protectively.
"Elrohir. Enough!" Elladan barks out. "She was not offering insult. She does not know." He puts a hand on his brothers' chest and pushes him back, away from me.
"Our mother… she was attacked on her way to Lórien. A pack of orcs captured her and brought her back to their keep. They tortured her and… forced upon her unspeakable acts…" My eyes water at Elladan's insulation. "When Elrohir and I finally found her, a poisoned wound was claiming her body. We returned her to Rivendell where ada healed her hröa, but her fëa… we convinced her to sail across the sea."
"Elrohir, I didn't… I'm so sorry." I don't have the words to comfort him. I watch as he takes a deep breath and composes himself.
"I apologize as well. I was overcome with spite, and fear. The orcs' attacks are getting more frequent, and so close to Rivendell, so close…" to you hangs in the air unspoken. Elrohir reaches forward and pulls me into his chest. The gesture makes my skin itch, but I suck it up because it seems like he needs this.
After that incident is over, the twins go back to their teasing and carefree selves. We're walking by the training field the next day when battle cries fill the air. I move to the edge of the field and watch with a smile as the hobbits team up on Boromir and Aragorn. Sam and Frodo take Aragorn while Merry and Pippin tackle Boromir.
A thud echoes somewhere else and I scan the field looking for its source. Legolas stands off to the side, firing arrows at a target in the distance. He pulls an arrow from the quiver on his back and notches it. His movements are so sure and fluid. He pulls back with ease and lets it fly. He holds his position until the arrow lands dead center of the target.
"Do you see something of interest elegren gwinig?" Elladan chuckles lowly in my ear. My face flushes and I look away.
"He's a brilliant archer. It's not often you see something like that, at least not where I'm from." I try to play it off. They both give me a raised eyebrow and a smirk. "You two are worse than if you were my actual sibling's, I swear. Poor Arwen." They laugh.
"Arwen is fortunate to have us as her brothers, as are you eilneth." Elrohir says to me.
"What does that mean?"
"Chosen sister." Elladan grins and throws an arm around me.
"You ruined it." I say dramatically removing his arm from my shoulders. He laughs and guides us away down the path. As we turn from the training grounds, I catch Legolas watching us.
Recently the later it gets, the edgier Elrohir seems to be on the trails, so I feign being a little cold and suggest we go to the Hall of Fire instead. It's empty when we get there and we move a few chairs closer to the big fire, creating a half circle.
For a while they tell me about the adventures they've had and the battles they've fought in. Then they move on to telling me of Lothlórien, and its history, and its beauty, and its people. When they're done Elladan gets a strange look in his eye, and I can tell he's itching to ask me something.
"Your translations stated you do not hail from Middle-Earth." He prompts. Elrohir looks to me curiously but stays quiet so as not to push me.
"I'm not." Something in Elrohir's expression gets to me, or maybe it was their vulnerability with me earlier and now I feel obligated, but I tell them the story of how I got here; leaving out the book of course. Elrohir looks like he's trying to decide if I'm pulling a joke on them, but Elladan looks like he believes me.
Elladan's belief in me must be enough to convince Elrohir and it starts a barrage of questions. I tell them about modes of travel there, about forms of entertainment, and about housing and plumbing and electricity. They ask about my family; I graze past my parents quickly to put most of the focus on my sister and her fiancé and the dogs.
It makes me homesick. Their wedding is supposed to be in the spring and I'm sure babies will come after that. My sister's my best friend. I wonder what's happening back there, are they searching for me? Was my body left there or did I disappear completely?
An elf plays a harp softly somewhere nearby and it's dark now. Just the light of the fire flickers across our faces. Between that and my thoughts, the room, or maybe just me, is surrounded by a feeling of melancholy. The twins sit quietly with me while I get lost in my thoughts.
"Alright, time for bed." I stand suddenly. I know I need to go somewhere else or do something else before the tendrils of sadness really set in, or that I need to at least be by myself somewhere when they do. The twins walk me back to my room and bid me goodnight.
I turn my phone on and quickly scroll to a picture of me and my sister sitting on her couch; she has her fiancé's Husky in her lap, and I have her Bernese Mountain dog in mine. We're both laughing as they lean back on us. My chest constricts and I wish I could be back home for another wine and game night with them. I hug my phone to my chest then turn my phone off and crawl into bed to sleep.
"Would you toss me one of those please?" Elrohir asks, motioning to the pile of whetstones I'm sat beside. I pick one up and underhand throw it to him. He catches it and starts sharpening his daggers.
Instead of walking the trails this morning, the twins said they needed to tend their weapons. We came to the small shelter by the training field and have been here for probably an hour so far. The room is kind of like a gazebo with more closed in walls, only open on two sides: one facing the forest and once facing the training field.
The hobbits and Boromir are missing today, but Legolas is practicing his archery again. Glorfindel is also here today practicing his swordplay. I switch between watching the blondes while the twins move about and talk to each other.
A crash of metal makes me jump and I look behind me just in time to see a wall full of swords fall as Elladan and Elrohir run toward the forest. I move to the archway and watch as they disappear into the treeline.
I look back toward the training field. Crap. Glorfindel is marching to the little weapon room and looking right at me. I look one last time to where the twins ran off to then stand as tall as I can and face Glorfindel.
"What is the meaning of this?" He asks sternly, looking at the mess behind me. He towers over me and I have to crane my neck up to look at him.
"I… I didn't… they were… it just…" I stammer. He's a lot more intimidating when he's not focused on saving mine or Frodo's life. I look over my shoulder to see if the twins are going to come save me but, they're nowhere in sight. I turn back and Glorfindel is scanning the trees behind me.
"Go. I will clean this up. Ensure it does not happen again." I nod quickly then turn tail and bolt after the twins, my heart pounding out of my chest. I peak through the trees and find the twins. They're curled over laughing hysterically. I glare at them.
"How could you two, I thought I was going to die. Glorfindel could crush me like a bug. Or snap me like a twig."
"He has the ability, but he would not." Elrohir says through his laughter.
My heartbeat starts returning to a normal rate and I roll my eyes at them. They laugh harder for a good 30 seconds before I turn and stomp off. The leaves rustle behind me and then Elladan's annoying arm lands on my shoulder. I shrug him off.
"Glorfindel would not hurt you. He's become fond of you for some reason." Elladan says.
"At the very lease, curious about you." Elrohir adds from my other side when I go to protest.
"Whatever you say, you traitors." I say and that starts their rounds of laughter all over again. I roll my eyes, not really annoyed anymore, and continue walking the path.
They follow me all the way to the study and the corner table I've basically claimed as my own. I lay the Sindarin book on the table and flip to the translations section. The twins each grab a book as well, but they mostly ignore them in favour of quietly talking to each other or watching me. I can feel their eyes on me as I read.
"What?" I ask, looking at them without lifting my head.
"You make strange faces while you read." Elladan says. I sit up straight and Elrohir tries to hold back a grin. My cheeks heat and I release my top lip from my teeth.
"Why do you continue to study if you have translated your request?" Elrohir asks, saving me further embarrassment.
"Lothlórien. If it's all elves, I want to make sure I can communicate my needs or questions, or just communicate in general really." I say shrugging.
"Do not stress overly. Lady Galadriel is fluent in Common, and I am sure Legolas can translate as needed." Elrohir says genuinely, no hint of teasing. It brings me some comfort.
"I wouldn't want to trouble him. It's better if I can do it myself anyways, they won't be staying in Lothlórien." I say looking down at the book again. The twins stay quiet and I try to stay conscious of what my face is doing while I read.
The next few days pass rather peacefully. I spend one day watching Boromir and the hobbits playfully spar. It's nice to see them all so carefree, especially knowing the journey they're about to embark on. Another day, Bilbo joins me, and we spend more time sharing fairytales than we do actually watching the hobbits. The twins spend my hours between dinner and bedtime asking me questions about my home.
The common dining hall is busier than usual today. The hobbits and Bilbo fill one table, some elves I don't know fill another few tables, and Gimli sits to the side by himself. He looks lost, like he feels out of place, so I go to him.
"Is this spot taken?" I ask.
"Nay lassie, why don't you join me?" He offers. I smile and sit.
"So how are you liking Rivendell so far?" I ask.
"Aye, it's just as well, alas I'm ready to go. We're delaying to long I fear."
"I know what you mean, I'd like to get to Lothlórien but I'm sure everything will work out fine in the end." There's an awkward pause. "And besides, I don't want to face anymore Nazgûl anytime soon, so if they need time to clear the way, I'll wait patiently."
"Aye, the hobbits told me of your battle, what was it like?" Gimli asks with something akin to wonder in his eyes.
"Terrifying, they have this presence about them that's just… evil, fills your heart with piercing dread." I shiver.
"You showed courage." He says complimentarily.
"Frodo was in trouble. I guess adrenaline and the fight response kicked in."
"A true warrior!" He cheers.
"Oh no!" I stop him. "I'm the furthest thing from a warrior, but I couldn't just stand by while those things went after Frodo. Anyways, enough about me. Tell me about the Lonely Mountain. That's where you and Glóin hail from right?"
Before he can start to answer me, footsteps approach us. The twins come to our table with a plate of food. I smile and wave at them. When they reach my side, they both say a quick 'greetings Master Dwarf' to Gimli then turn back to me. Elladan places the plate down in front of me.
"We noticed you didn't have any food." Elrohir says. I look down at the plate which contains a few pinecones and twigs placed on a few colourful leaves. My brow furrows in confusion and I look up at Elladan, he's holding back a laugh.
"You eat like a bird, and you seemed to enjoy the cones the day we returned so we thought these might be more befitting of your tastes." Elrohir jokes. I look down at the plate again.
"Alas, the luxuries of Rivendell have spoiled her." I hear Elladan say, I think to Elrohir. "We wouldn't want to have to remove gwinig from your pet name, would we elegren gwinig?" He continues.
I nod absentmindedly. Suddenly I'm 13 again and my father's telling me I need to stop eating so much ice cream or chicken nuggets because I'm getting a belly on me. I'm 8 again and my cousins are telling me to stop eating so much buttery popcorn. Nausea rolls in my stomach.
"Are you alright lassie?" Gimli asks. My face flushes and I look up at him.
"Hm? Oh, yeah. I just haven't felt well today. I think I'm going to go lay down for a bit." I say standing. "Excuse me." I say to the three men.
Dejection and embarrassment flood me and tears prickle at my eyes. I leave as quickly as I can and once I'm far enough away, I sprint to my room. On the safety of my bed, I let the tears for my younger self fall. Those memories don't usually affect me to much anymore but it's been so long since I've thought about them that the twins caught me off guard.
Sometime later there's a knock on my door. I wipe at my eyes to dry them and sniffle a few times, then I get up to answer whoever is waiting for me. I pull it open and Lord Elrond is waiting patiently for me on the other side.
"Lord Elrond, was there something you needed?" I try to give him a convincing smile.
"My sons informed me you left dinner feeling unwell." He studies my face which I'm sure is still red and puffy. He frowns. "What troubles you?"
"It's nothing really, I'm just being emotional." I say trying to brush it off even though my eyes brim with tears again. I don't know why being asked if your okay is always an instant restart button for tears.
"I do have a daughter if you recall." He says with a small smile. I give a small watery smile and laugh. "Come. Sit and talk with me." He steps in and closes the door then guides me to the edge of the bed.
"The twins were just trying to tease me. It's nothing, no big deal." A few traitorous tears slip out. Lord Elrond wipes them gently from my face.
"My sons have clearly done something to upset you. I have wiped these same tears from Arwen's eyes."
I give in and tell him of my memories from childhood. He listens quietly as I tell him how my body's appearance has been the center of conversations many a times and how I use to struggle with it.
"It really was unintentional on their part. We're always teasing each other; they couldn't have known." I say finally, still defending them.
"Elladan and Elrohir are 2,988." He says seriously. "They have the years, they should have the sense to match. I will speak with them. Your body is just as it should be. Know this, regardless of their ill delivered teasing."
"I know." I say looking down, my brow furrowing. "Just caught me off guard."
"You are welcome to eat as much as you wish. I'm afraid we've missed the evening meal, however, we can fetch something from the kitchens if you are hungry." He offers.
"Okay." I smile softly at him and agree. We make our way to the kitchens, and he stays with me, chatting, until I feel better.
I have no motivation to get up, so I snuggle deeper into my blankets. The breeze from my window is cool and refreshing against my cheeks, and the sun pokes through my sheer curtains. The beautiful hand carved wooden clock in my room tells me I've missed breakfast but that's fine since I'm not very hungry anyway.
There's a knock on my door and I debate feigning sleep. I decide against the idea in case whoever it is needs something. I push myself up, straighten the top of my nightdress, and try to smooth down my hair, so I look presentable.
"Come in!" I call. My door opens and the twins step in. The moment they notice I'm still in bed, their gazes drop and they turn around.
"Our apologies. We did not realise you were still in bed." Elrohir says sounding almost embarrassed.
"Nonsense, I'm dressed." I say but neither of them turn around. "Plus, you've changed me before, remember?" I tease them.
"This is true." Elladan says and turns around. Elrohir mimics him and they come to stand side by side by my bed.
"Did you guys need something?" I ask when neither of them speak. They stand awkwardly and it's strange. Normally they're so sure of themselves and carefree.
"You were absent from the morning meal. We came to ensure your well being." Elladan says.
"And to apologise for our inappropriate behaviour yesterday." Elrohir says nudging his brother. "We realise we still do not know you well, and do not know what subjects are acceptable or not."
"Oh, you don't need to know me or worry about that. It was a misunderstanding, a me issue. I'm over it now." I wave my hand around dismissively. "I was probably just tired and extra emotional from the stress of trying to go home." The twins share a dubious look.
"We apologize." Elladan steps forward and kneels by my bed. The move surprises me. He grabs my hand and continues. "Our actions were inappropriate, and we meant to offence. You are truly beautiful as you are and should disregard the words of those who say otherwise." Elladan's words make me uncomfortable, and I blush. I've never had anyone apologize to me like this and the attention is overwhelming.
"Stop being so touchy feely." I poke Elladan with my other hand. "It doesn't suit you, being kind is more of Elrohir's thing." I tease. Elladan feigns hurt at my words.
"Hear that brother, she likes me better." Elrohir jumps in.
"I didn't say that." I say, monotone. "I don't like either of you."
"You spend a lot of time with us for someone who claims not to like us." Elladan says and grins at me.
"You don't give me much of a choice." I jest back causing Elladan to chuckle; just like that everything is fixed between us.
After I'm properly dressed, we head back to the training grounds. It seems to be the place to kill time. I wish TV or internet existed here. There's not much to do besides sit in nature or watch everyone train. Today the twins take to the field while I find some shade and a tree to sit against. I take turns watching the twins spar, Legolas with the bow, or Aragorn and Boromir try out different weapons with the hobbits.
Movement to my left catches my attention and I stiffen as Glorfindel comes into focus. He's headed my way. He stops beside me and towers over my spot on the ground. He extends a hand to help me stand and I hesitantly take it. He pulls me up with ease. He starts walking to my right and I follow him; he's headed toward the weapon area.
"There's nothing messed up in there, I promise! We haven't even been in there since last time." I say nervously.
"I am aware. I ensure the stock each evening." He says calmly. I'm confused. If he's not bringing me over there for a mess, why bring me? Realization dawns on me. "Oh no, I'm okay. I don't need to practice anything, I'm content just watching." I say quickly. He stops at the open arches of the shelter and faces me.
"I am training you at Elrond's request. He feels an activity away from the twins may be good for you. It is also preferable you have some means of defense on the road to Lothlórien." He says kindly. I have no good argument, so I stay quiet. "We shall train for an hour or so in the afternoons." He continues and I nod numbly.
I follow him inside and watch as he pulls a few swords from the wall. Subconsciously I take a few steps back. He turns and brings the three swords he's chosen over to me.
"This is a Short sword." He says holding up the shortest of the three. "It is not my recommendation for you as you are quite short and it will enhance that slight disadvantage, however, sword play is individual and comfort with your sword is crucial." He switches to hold up the skinniest sword next.
"This is a Rapier. It gives you length, but it is designed for thrusting attacks." He switches to the last, and heaviest, looking sword. "This is the Longsword. It provides you length as well but is designed for cutting or slashing attacks. Do you have a preference which you would like to try first?"
I consider the three choices. The short one is tempting but he doesn't recommend it, and he's more versed in swords than I am. I look at the two longer ones. The Rapier looks lighter, so I point to that one. He nods and puts the other two aside.
He comes to my side and hands me the Rapier. I take it in my right hand and test the weight; it's about what I expected. I grip it tightly and awkwardly thrust it forward. The movement feels so unnatural and I look to Glorfindel. His face gives nothing away.
"Maybe I should try the Longsword." I say uncertainly. He nods and switches the swords for me.
"This one is two handed." He instructs and I grip it with 2 hands.
"It's so light." I say in surprise.
"They normally are not; however elven swords are forged to be light."
I nod and swing the sword in front of me. I feel much more in control and the motions come much more naturally. I look to Glorfindel and he looks pleased.
"I think I found my sword." I announce.
"This was my choice for you as well." He says then puts the two rejected swords back in their places. He returns to me and holds out his hand for the sword. "May I?" I hand it over carefully. Today's lesson is spent learning about my sword.
"There are three main components. The hilt, the portion you hold." He says pointing it out to me. "The blade." He says gingerly caressing the shiny metal. "And the scabbard. When travelling this, or a version of it, is secured to the body for holding." I nod in acknowledgement.
"On the end of the hilt is the pommel." He says pointing to a rounded end opposite the blade. "It keeps your grip from slipping, as well as acting as a counterbalance while you fight."
"This is the grip." He points to the long part of the hilt next to it. "This is where you'll hold, thought I'm sure you know that as you gripped there when testing the sword." He points to two pieces of metal sticking out. "This is the Quillon, the cross-guard. It protects your hands from sliding to far forward and from an opponent's blade." He pauses and I nod to confirm I understand.
"This ridge down the blade is the fuller. It lightens the blade, however, it is the part that will fail first should damage occur. Check is regularly to keep the blades integrity." He instructs.
"The sharp edges of the blade you will use to cut, and the point you will use to thrust or stab." He finishes his instruction.
The days blend together. Some mornings I spend with the twins, and some I spend with Bilbo trading stories. The afternoons I spend with Glorfindel. Our whole second lesson he goes over my stance. He made me repeatedly get in and out of it, move around in it, and stand in it while he critiqued and made sure it was perfect.
I much prefer sparring. It's a lot of fun, even thought I'm not very good at it; not that I'm trying all that hard. He expertly avoids all my wild swings and rarely lets any frustration at my smiles and laughter show.
I scan the dining room for the twins so I can sit with them for breakfast but they're nowhere to be found. I set aside my empty plate and go to check the training field; they've been spending a lot of time there recently.
"Hey, aren't you guys going to eat breakfast first?" I ask from the doorway of the weapons room.
"Not this morning elegren gwinig." Elladan comes to me and ruffles the hair on the top of my head. I bat his hand away and try to right my hair while he goes back to the sword wall chuckling. I look at Elrohir in question.
"We depart today to clear the path to Lothlórien." He explains.
"It's the 10th of November already?" I say to no one in particular while I try to recall where the time went. Elrohir gives me an apologetic smile and I snap up my nonchalant front.
"Well, I'm sure you guys will have fun. Don't let the beasts rough you up too much." I joke. I'm worried and going to miss them and I hate that I let them worm their way into my heart, but I won't show that. I'm the one who said no touchy-feely emotions. Elladan stops what he's doing to shoot me a 'you know who we are right?' look then swings the sword in his hand around impressively, expertly.
"Yeah, yeah." I say rolling my eyes. "Don't let your cockiness be your downfall." I grin and raise a brow at him.
"If I did not know better, I'd say you care about our well being." Elrohir hedges.
"Only because I want a clear path to Lothlórien, so I don't have to use that." I nod at the sword Glorfindel makes me practice with and then smile sweetly at Elrohir. He grins back at me then throws an arm around my shoulders. He's picked up his brothers' bad habit of wanting to touch me. I dislodge myself from his arms and end up right in Elladan's. I huff annoyed and try to push him away.
"Enough of that, come farewell us." Elladan steers us toward the Bridge leading into Rivendell.
This time Aragorn is waiting with a few other elves instead of Glorfindel. I wish them all good luck then watch as they leave for their approximately three week long mission. It doesn't take long before their retreating forms fade from my view.
I sigh and turn back to Rivendell. What do I do now? The only other person I've gotten semi close to, Bilbo, was with the other four hobbits when I saw them in the dining room and I don't want to ruin the short amount of time Frodo has left with him.
I make my way back to my room and lounge on my bed. November 10th already. At home I'd be well into preparing for Christmas by now. My tree would be up November 1st and I'd be gathering gifts next. An image of the tree all lit up, piled with presents, flits across my mind. I wonder if they have Christmas here?
I should plan some gifts for everyone. I dig out my phone, turn it on, and open my notes app. I start with a list of all the names I'll get for and jot down ideas beside them. I have no money though, so I'll have to talk to Lord Elrond.
By the 4th day the twin's absence is palpable. I spend most of my mornings alone, just sitting and thinking, or watching. I don't even find joy in sparring anymore; it's just a sour reminder I'm going to be expected to use that thing, the Longsword.
The sword slips from my hand, and I sigh. That's the 5th time this afternoon that Glorfindel has knocked it to the ground. I can feel him study me as I bend down to retrieve it.
"That is enough for today." He says. "Are you well?" He asks taking the sword from my hands.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I wave him off. He doesn't look like he believes me.
"Come sit." He says sternly. I follow him to the bench in the weapons room. "Apprise me of your troubles." He sits beside me.
I consider him for a moment. It would be nice to just vent. I look around checking to see if we're alone, when I'm satisfied no one will hear I turn back to him. He watches me with mind confusion and curiosity.
He stays quiet while I tell him of my predicament and my home. Uncharacteristically, I also tell him about feeling lonely and that the twins leaving just made that worse. Glorfindel almost gives off the impression that he can relate.
His expression softens and he tells me of his own history. He died at the Fall of Gondolin, then was sent back to Middle-Earth. To his knowledge he is the only elf to be sent back. He describes feeling so out of place and disconnected upon returning to a familiar place that had been so changed, and as bad as I feel for him, its comforting to have someone to somewhat relate to. We spend the afternoon talking. The talk makes him seem so much more accessible, he's still God-like and intimidating, but he's not so untouchable anymore.
"I will do all I can to ease your time here." He assures me. His tone is so kind and genuine I'm worried he'll sneak his way into my heart just like the twins did.
Notes:
Ada - father
Hröa – body
Fëa – soul
Eilnoth – chosen sister