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Chapter Four:

The ones to sail

260 T.A

- Glorfindel

In the grand harbour of Mithlond, central city of Lindon in the region of Eriador, the sun shines gently while the elves are meticulously carving the final touches of a great ship that will bear twenty Ñoldor elves into the mystic lands of the Valinor, the land of the Valars in the continent of Aman also known in the legends of Men as the Undying Lands. It has been over two centuries since the defeat of Sauron the deceiver. Imladris, their elven realm ruled by Lord Elrond, has been peaceful enough that some of their kins decided to heed the calls of the sea and sail home to Valinor after witnessing and rejoicing the birth of the elfling that's been gifted to the Eldar race. Arwen Undomiel is indeed a descendant of Ëarendil. Like her grandfather, she shines like a new bright star in the lives of all the remaining Eldar in Arda, a sign of hope particularly to those who lost so much after the war.

The time is changing and Arda is now fading off it's remaining magic. The time of men is near and at last the west sea calls back it's children home whenever they are ready to go.

As much as he missed the tranquility and comfort the Valinor provides, Glorfindel knows he cannot sail yet for he is placed in Arda for a purpose. Knowing that there will be a place for them after all the hardships gave him strength and hope.

His eyes drinks the beauty of the clear blue waters as he stood on the low hill near the dock. He, with a small cavalry of Rivendel warriors travelled to the Grey Havens to escort the group of the elves that will sail west. They have been staying there for 30 days, finally Lord Cirdan the Shipwright has finished a beautiful ship after so many days of their dedicated hard work.

The said lord approached and stood beside him with kind eyes showing pride both to the beauty of his ship and the breathtaking sight of the Gulf of Lune."Our kin will be delighted to hear that they can finally sail in three days. The preparations were completed and we only need to arrange their final feast in Arda tomorrow evening." The Teleri elf informed.

"Hannon le, Lord Círdan." Glorfindel responded truly glad to hear the news. It has been, as always, a mix of emotions to those who will travel for there is no turning back now. But just as it was hard to leave family and friends behind, they also will be waiting for them on the other side of Aman.

As someone who came back from the Undying Lands, Glorfindel is just happy enough to once more defend his beloved world and equally beloved people. Eldar or Man alike. He realized it more after Lady Celebrian, Lord Elrond's wife, passed the newborn elfling in his arms. He gazed at the eyes of little Arwen. These delicate, innocent souls, were worth all the tears and blood they shed in the name of freedom and peace.

His musings were interrupted as an elleth came forward and gave Lord Cìrdan a message concerning the ship from Galdor, the Shipwright's advisor. The elder elf excused himself to attend the said concerns. Glorfindel gave a respectful nod.

"Lord Glorfindel." He turn around once more and a smile worked its way across his face at the sight of a friend. Lord Feredir, also a Teleri elf, head of Mithlond city's army and one of its finest warrior. He is dressed in navy blue tunic with silver embroidery of the city's insignia, paired with dark trousers and black elven boots, at his shoulders is a smooth cloak in the light shade of grey where his long, silver blonde hair flows like a waterfalls and intricately hold in a warrior's braid. At his back hangs a fine set of bow and arrows, and pair of short elven blade, a standard garb and weapons where Grey Havenwarriors are known to be masters at.

Feredir is one of Lord Cìrdan's most trusted men for as long as he can remember that he is even older than Glorfindel, given that he again began his counting of physical age after he was reborn. "Please, mellon nin, there needs to be no formalities between us. I thought I made that clear to you long ago."

Feredir looked more amused with his reaction. "My friend, if it irks you enough, I might be doing it for more decades to come." Glorfindel laughed. "But that aside, We will be patrolling the south-western forest this afternoon and might be harvesting wild berries at the same time for the feast tomorrow eve. Our cooks won't have us returning back without them. I invite you to come with us and if you would, also give some advices to the young warriors who has been dying to hear some lessons from one of the lords of great Gondolin."

It is no secret to Glorfindel that some of the people are curious to see the 'legendary balrog slayer' who rarely set feet in their lands. His deeds of throwing down a great demon of fire seems like an epic story to the ears of most people, but it will be like lying to himself if he say he was never afraid at that time. To him, it was even terrifying. Not because of the demon who stood against him but to the thoughts of him losing the battle. If so that happens, those who trust in his protection will be in more danger. Moreover, it will surely take more lives than he could imagine. Evil does not choose its victim and usually the innocents are the ones who always ended up suffering the most. Dying does not scare him even a slight.

Failing does.

Those thoughts drove his will to abandon himself, forget what would happen to him, ignore the pain and dove straight to the enemy. Striking as fiercely as ever. Fought harder for failure was not an option. To overcome evil, one has to believe in the power of hope.

And like what he saw in the eyes of a young child, Glorfindel believes in these young warriors for future lies right in their small hands. They will be strong and courageous when the time comes evil once again show itself.

Glorfindel gave his friend an assuring smile. "Give me some time and I will be with the patrol shortly." He will proudly share whatever guidance he could give them.

Feredir, as a fellow warrior who has seen all destructions and war that occured in this world, understood that no matter how many years has passed the bitter memories of those dark times will never fade in their heart. He gave his friend a proud smile for he remained as strong as before. Strong enough to share his wisdom to those who will inherit their legacy.

"We will be waiting at the city gates then." Feredir gave a respectful nod and go on his way.

Glorfindel headed to his assigned chamber and changed into attire fit for scouting. At the top of his light colored tunic, he donned a silver colored, light upper body armor with a crest of the House of Golden Flower imprinted near his heart level. His forearms bear a brown leather arm-guard with gold details. He wrapped a dark gray cloak with silver and gold patterns around him. Sword strapped at his side together with a pair of elven hunting knives crafted by the finest smiths of Imladris, at his back is a bow and a quiver of arrows. The warriors of Grey Havens isn't just scouting for a regular guard duty, the war of The Last Alliance might be over but foul creatures still roamed all over Arda. They can't be so assured at the peace they have. It is also the reason why a small troop of warriors led by Glorfindel himself are assigned to escort the ones who will sail into the Undying Lands.

After his preparations, he headed to the house's kitchen and kindly asked the attendants for a food and water supply. The elves gladly gave him enough to last for a day informing him also about the wild berries they asked to Feredir and his scouts. He thanked them before he goes to the stable. Rhosfein, a white colored elven steed trotted forward as soon as he saw his master enter the stable. The small bell in his neck tinkled as he move his head up and down. Glorfindel fondly smiled and greeted him in return. He prepares him with his leather headstall with silver conchos. He placed a soft white blanket at the horse's back before he strapped in the saddle and lead him out of the stable before mounting him. Glorfindel rides to the city gates. He found Feredir and nine of his scouts waiting for him in their own steeds just like what he said. They greeted each other once more before going on their way.

- Erika

Whoever said being transformed into a mythical creature is fun should be tied and duct taped upside-down in a tree with a bullet ant colony hive. You know, those cute little, tiny red creatures that looks like something that will give you nightmares and massive hallucinations just from the pain of its bite?

An hour might have passed already yet I'm still in the same spot where I woke up and found myself looking like a hybrid alien fish. Okay, I was being overdramatic but give me a break, my brain is shocked. I'm still trying to comprehend how is this possible. As far as I know being half fish half human is a mere fairytale. Others might consider it as a scientific theory but those theory says real merfolks looks like a humanoid whale with ugly head and absolutely no hair glands. Yet here I am, a complete opposite of those speculations.

My brain cells are starting to die one by one as all these thoughts flow. I plopped down into the waters and absentmindedly gaze up in the sky. I am not dreaming, I don't know how I know it but I am sure this is not a dream. What is happening to me? Am I like those clichè mermaid -fine I'll say it!- stories where if a drop of water touched my skin I'll be an instant fish out of water?

There are so many things to consider and- "Aaah! Screw you, Amandaaaaaaa!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Right now, I don't care anymore who can hear me screech like a banshee but I am mad as fuck. I'm going to release this anger. Anger is not healthy! "How your brain work is beyond me! Your freaking Jerry isn't even my type! What, do you think I'm that kind of girl? HUH?! You think I'm going to flirt over a fish?! Do you think I'm planning to live my whole life in your witch infested, god-forsaken town?! Hell, no! You and your voodoo tricks! This is all your fault! Get a priest and let a shrink check your brain because YOU ARE DELUSIONAL!" I added lots of profanities for dramatic use of course with some arm flailing and tail splashing in the water looking like a child having tantrums and convulsions at the same time. I screamed all those shock, fear and anger inside me. My throat felt a little pain with the force of my outburst but as soon as those frustrations are released, It felt freeing.

As if venting them out will solve my problems even though it won't.

Agonizing myself won't help me either. So after a few minutes with just me feeling the beats of my heart, I took deep breaths before I straightened up. If that deranged lunatic thought I will be defeated by her party tricks then she got another thing coming. Let me just find my way back into that island and I'm gonna hit her so hard she would forget even her skills of breathing! Thinking about her reasons why she did this to me makes me want to go ballistic.

The anger and frustrations I feel inside me turned as a motivation. This won't stop me.

I have to do something.

What do I do?

Okay, first things first. I need to know where I am. Then I can start making my game plans. My eyes caught the very first thing it landed upon. In front of me is a vast, clear blue ocean. So big, i can't even see the end of it.

Maybe the land I'm in now is some sort of island in the middle of pacific ocean. Makes sense since Batanes City's right next to pacific ocean. Maybe the big storm and the waves pushed me far and ended up beached on this island.

I stored the idea at the back of my mind. I turned around to observe my surroundings. The shore has white sand and meters away from a forest with tall and big trees. Though strange looking, those trees don't have any sinister aura. You know the kind where they set up Blair Witch Project and Wrong Turn movies? I don't know but the forest itself feels so full of life. The leaves sways gently like it's giving a wave but maybe I'm just seeing things. I need to get up and go to dry land. God knows how many hours I've been soaking in the water.

Oh, yes, I can't stand. So let's settle on crawling.

I move as far away as possible from the water by dragging myself on the sandy ground. After a few yards of struggle, my arms are starting to tire out so I stopped and heaved miserably. My goodness this body is heavy! I tried to move my lower body but it's not helping at all in my situation. Well, at least I managed to get myself out of the water.

Once more I sit up and look at my body. How strange it is to find this body parts instead of the ones I'm used on seeing. Now I appreciate my legs better than before. Sorry, Lord God for complaining about how I wasn't blessed with long and sexy legs like those Victoria's Secret supermodels

I smiled dryly. I'm still not absorbing all of this to reality, in fact a part of me's still denying it. But this tail is getting more real the more I look at it. The scales in my body can feel like a regular human skin, I can feel it just like how I can feel a touch in my skin. Moving the tail is just like moving a feet or a toe. My ears, as weird as they look, can hear just fine.

I took a deep breath and unconsciously comb my hair with my fingertips so the wind can dry them. At least, the hair covered my bareness, thankful that I found one positive thing out of this wreck.

I didn't notice a thin film of steam coming out of my tail and just continued what I am doing until my hair is completely dry. I placed most of my hair in front of me so it could cover my chest, nobody's around but I'm doing it out of habit.

What happens next freaked me out because the unnoticeably trail of steam coming from the tip of my tail became a full blown strings of clouds. Panic gasp escaped my lips. All of me are covered in thick smoke and I panicked so much that I touched my skin and my tail to check what is wrong. I rolled to the ground as if I'm on fire. Thankfully the wind blew it all away and just in time for me to see the marks of blue evaporates away from my skin.

What the hell is happening?

My eyes couldn't get any more bigger as the mermaid tail slowly evaporated away and in its place are my legs.

AN: Sorry for late updates. I was planning on updating monthly but I was so busy at work. Can't find a time to really focus on the story. Thanks you all for reading this.