div id="feedback" class="feedback" style="margin: 0px 0px auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif, 'GNU Unifont'; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color: #2a2a2a; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;" /div
div class="work" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif, 'GNU Unifont'; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color: #2a2a2a; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"
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div id="chapter-14" class="chapter" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none;"
div class="userstuff module" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; position: relative; width: 1088.62px; float: none; overflow-wrap: break-word;" role="article"
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Archer stabbed me./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Well, there was no way that Archer would take those words well. He was something of a hypocrite. It was acceptable for him to take insane risks, but not for others./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Saving the villain was the most optimal way of resolving the situation. And I mean saving, not just giving them what they want. That would only encourage behavior that created problems in the first place./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"But that were many problems with such a solution, without even counting situations where there was no clear villain. The ones already hurt would want vengeance. Forgiveness was admired for its rarity. It would take a large investment with a high risk of failure. Because by the time one became a villain ruinous habits were already set./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"In other words, it would not be worth it./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Choosing an option with an optimal solution that had a low probability of working was unworkable in the long run. Math was clear./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"I knew that. I taught that./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Economics of salvation. Part of my patented course on how to be an effective superhero. Well, I may have just one graduate, but he seemed to be doing well the last time I saw him. Even in a rather unforgiving World./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"So I could understand that Archer believed that I was compromised. The immediate and firm reaction was reasonable. Considering his specialized skill set, stabbing me was almost expected. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"But, still. I used stored magical energy in my pendant to cast healing spells. Usually, it would be harder to help from a weapon as significant as Noble Phantasm, but this sword was not made to cause physical wounds./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Why did you have to use that sword? For the record, if you have to stab me to break me from suspected mind control, please use Rule Breaker?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Being cut was so much worse than just holding that sword./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"I was assaulted by an unwelcome insight. True magic was a violation of reality. That made a sorcerer like a bleeding wound in the substance World. No better metaphor would be grit in a wound that prevents healing right. Something to be eliminated. To be expunged. I immediately stopped that train of thought./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"That sword!/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""If I stab you with Rule Breaker, all active spells you have on you would be terminated. That includes any bond with familiars."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""It would be worth it. Still, I need better containment for the ring. Obviously, it was much more insidious than I thought." I brought forth mercury and engulfed the ring in an egg-like shape. "Encase it in iron please."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"He did what I asked. I was now holding a black iron egg./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"He asked, "Do you think that is enough?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Of course not. I am going to use the Russian method. You are going to keep watch on me and stab me if I falter. Use the Rule Breaker this time." /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The next step of the process found me sitting in my workshop under my house making gem-based familiar./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Archer didn't want to leave me alone, fearing the influence of the ring. I could say that he was paranoid, but that piece of gold was insidious. And I seemed much more vulnerable to it than a hobbit./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"I disliked having him hover over me as I worked. So we compromised./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"And by that I mean I replaced my chair with him, on all fours, without a stitch of clothing./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"And besides, even if Archer was naked and I was sitting on him, I had no doubt that he was quite capable of stabbing me if needed./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Around the iron egg, I was shaping a bird made of amethyst. I was using a spell embedded in Magic Crest to alter both the shape and internal structure of several gems merging them into a bird-like shape./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"It was often that I used this branch of family arts to make familiars. The results were too static for my liking. It was a matter of preferences rather hen pure utility. But there were circumstances when it was useful to have a mobile tool with no life. It this case unchangeable nature would hopefully help resist corruption./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""It's done. I am going to need an apron for the next part."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Standing up Archer teased, "Naked apron time?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"I was surprised. I didn't know that he was interested in something like that. After all, he never allowed me to cook. Calling him territorial about a kitchen was a deep understatement. And housework. Not that I minded. Even if I did bit guilty about leaving it all to him. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Considering that I am about to be elbows deep into the guts of an undead giant spider… You have strange tastes."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I married you, after all."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Well, at least I won't get my clothes dirty." And then I started to strip./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I was joking."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Now, now, don't be ashamed of your kinks. Let the perversion flow tough you."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The work was grueling, but I was used to it. Perhaps I should have brought the spider out, rather than going into Otherworld, but Otherworld was easier to clean. Even if organs within the spider seemed alien and the crystal on my newly made bird familiar had strange angles and even stranger colors. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"After sewing it back up, I said, "Done. Now just one more thing. Central Intelligence, spider terminal is now assigned to Bone Tree. Bone Tree is to be permanently brought into the Otherworld." Constantly calling it Central Intelligence was getting to be annoying. "And from now on you respond to the name Cid."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I hear and obey, master." now named Cid said through the spider. And then left./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Why Cid?" Archer asked./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Because CI sounds stupid," I answered, then spoke about a more important topic, "The ring into an iron egg into a jeweled bird into a dead spider into a bone tree. Not an exact match, but good enough to work. I wish I had studied those Mysteries more but Curses in general are a bit outside my specialty." Perhaps It would be better to demon containment. After all, I knew it better. But that would require me to meddle with Dark Lord Names, and I deemed it too risky. Also, that would rely too much upon Mysteries encoded in the Abrahamic holy texts, which may not be wholly compatible. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""But still, I had to admit that I had made quite a mess. I thought for a moment, and then said, "You know where the cleaning supplies are. I trust that you can take care of this, Archer."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I hear and obey, Master." Could he have sounded less sarcastic? Perhaps. But I did find it attractive since it gave me an excuse to punish him. Probably the same reason he often used that tone of voice when talking to me. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""It is good you are still naked. After all this hard work I do deserve some reward."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Since he was putting on an erotic show at my request, I dd best to pay attention to every little detail. "Hard" work, but someone had to do it. I even provided helpful comments./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Put your back into it."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""You missed a spot."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Spread your legs more."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Shake that ass.":/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The nature of this place distorted the picture somewhat, but I was used to it by now. Enough that by the time he finished cleaning the floor, I was quite ready for the next part./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"A nice shower./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"One of the improvements Archer had installed in our home./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Sifting the exit gate to the bathroom we got together to shower. I could say it was to save water, but it would be completely untrue./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Once we were under hot water, I pushed him against the wall, and whispered in his ear, "At the camp, they taught us to shower together, so we would prevent each other from masturbating. How am I doing?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I certainly am not tempted to do that now," he said while grabbing my behind. "But I am quite certain they didn't mean it like that."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"I licked right behind his ear. Then I grabbed his hard cock and said, "I think my methods work better."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Then I captured his mouth and deep kiss. Our tongues dueled, while I caught both of our hard cocks into my fist. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"It didn't; takes us long to come together, but that was just the beginning./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"I fucked him in the shower, then he carried me to our bed and he fucked me there. And more…/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"There were some things that I found annoying about being an Elf, but I loved having a reduced need for sleep and great stamina. It made for fun nights. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"I know that Archer also had great fun because there were some delicious honey cakes with breakfast. Not many and I had to share them with boys. But still, it was nice to see my hard work properly rewarded. Not that work was not its own reward./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""We will be having an important guest at the forge. The White Wizard would be doing some rather historic smith work there. Be polite, be quiet, and above all things pay attention. To watch one of his kind, and especially this one, at work is both a rare and great opportunity for you so I want to observe very carefully."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""How long will he be there?" the older boy asked./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Until he finishes reforging em style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"Narsil/em," I answered, basking in the boys' amazement and awe./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"For seven days and seven nights, we did work, pausing only for the quick meal of waybread and sweet herbal teas that Archer brought. Curumo did most of the work, placing the broken blade into the fire, he did seem rather pleased with a tribute to Aule, merging the pieces into one, hammering away the imperfections of red hot blade, speaking the Words of power. I was mostly relegated to tasks usually assigned to apprentices, but I didn't mind much, for I have learned a great deal. The boys tried to help, but they were both young and being Men and could not keep up with the frantic pace of the endeavor./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The Elves can delay sleep but not indefinitely, so when we were finished Archer helped me to the bed at our home, and I fell asleep almost immediately. When I woke, the wizard had already left Imladris./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The new sword was named em style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"Anduril/em, the Flame of the West. I suppose some things were fated. Even if it was Curumo and not Estel who named it here. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The dreams I had during that time I forgot, save one. And that one was neither mine nor pleasant./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Ogre tyrant on a massive throne, wearing an iron crown with two shining jewels, and a great Warhammer in his lap. His court was less memorable, just the impression of monstrous shadows./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"It seemed that contracting Guardian Spirit, even a false one, was in some way like contracting a Servant. Interesting, but hardly a discovery that would lead to new magical theories./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"First I saw upon waking was a naked Elf by my bedside./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"It wasn't Archer./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"First, his hair was black, not red, and second, he was in astral form. Archer could no longer do that./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""At last it worked. Not that I had any expected time?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""What worked? Wait!? You can see me!?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Yes."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""How can you see me?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""It is the consequences of what we had done."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I don't remember it."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""It is to be expected. I had warned you that it would be a price to pay, and you agreed. But, your memories will return in time."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""How long until they return?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I don't know. Even if I had records of similar cases, what we did was unprecedented."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Is it the reason why no one can see, except you?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""No, and yes. It would be best if you abandon those questions until your memories return. It's too complicated to explain what happened without them... Knowing nothing, you can understand nothing." I paused there for a moment then I had a stray thought. If he had forgotten everything, that probably included my name. "If you don't remember, I am called Rin."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Rin? I can almost remember it. I think."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Don't force it. It will come to you in your own time."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I would introduce myself, but my name is also something I had lost. I suppose you could tell me?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""No, I can not When you knew your name you were unwilling to share it, now that you are willing you no longer recall it. Choose something for now. It would be convenient. When you remember your name you always change it. Or not."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"He thought for a minute or two, then simply said, "Mel. It seems right."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The love of a friend in Quenya. "It is a pretty name. I have work to do. Follow me or not as you please. Just don't talk to me when there are others around. There are enough rumors about madness in my bloodline without me adding to it."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"He did choose to follow me. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The first thing I did was to check on my apprentices and had a lively discussion with them about what they observed and learned during the reforging of em style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"Narsil/em. I had to explain some things and correct some misunderstandings. But generally, I was pleased. And proud of them. They were advancing fast. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"To better internalize the lessons, I left them with the task of writing an essay about what they had seen. It would not only help them in the future, but also serve as a record of this historic occasion./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Next, I went in search of Elrond. I was curious, now that the sword was reforged, how did he plan to get to its intended wielder? And there was also a nagging feeling that it was important for me to do so./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"I found the Elf-lord in his library. He was sitting on a table on the first floor that was well-lit from sunlight streaming from windows. There were several scrolls and maps on the table that he was looking over./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"He seemed busy, so I was about to go back when noticed me and motioned me to approach./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"After greeting him and some small talk I asked about the plan for the sword. If I was allowed to know it./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The answer turned out to be neither secret nor overly complicated. He planned to send some Elves with Rohirim, since they were going back to Rohan, and then to Minas Tirith from there. Once they arrive at the fortress, curriers should be able to find Elstel's whereabouts./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""We do have a faster way to get there. I believe I demonstrated it. Just one wouldn't work for a lot of people, or much weight, but for a sword and a messenger it should be enough," I said, referring to my glider./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""That device can reach Gondor?" Elrond asked, astonished./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""In summer?" I posed a rhetorical question. Then I went over quick calculations in my head. I need to approximate a lot, but from the measures, we had taken, "Yes."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Why summer?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"From the corner of my eye, I saw for a moment a flash from Elrond's right hand, like something small and metallic reflecting sunlight. But when I looked at it, it was bare. Must have been mistaken then./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""For longer reach, the glider needs updrafts." I knew no word for thermals in any of the Elvish languages. "Those are made when the sun heats the ground."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""The word you seeking is em style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"rúcina/em." The literal translation of that would be rising warmth. It did fit." You should study Lore of the Wind. I could give you some instructions. And for the embassy to Gondor, they will travel by your device. I had a promotion that will be needed soon. Ascarnil had been diligently practicing with it. He alone should be enough."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"It was easier to convince him than I thought it would be. He was wise enough to recognize an excellent idea when he heard it. But still, this was the opportunity I should not miss. "I would like to go with him. The glider can carry a passenger. And if something happens I am the only one who knows how to repair it."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""You are free to go. Although be swift to return, if this device can carry messenger at those distances, I would like you to make more of them."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"We talked some more, mostly another lecture on the Lore of Wind. He deemed it prudent for me to know more about it for the mission. Lore of the Wind, as he taught it to me, consisted of both scientific explanations of how air naturally moved, as well as Wards that would allow me to perceive and command it. He also recommended a book. One written by him on that topic. Later, from it, I would learn the origin of the word for thermals in Elvish. Elrond. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"I was still reading that book when Archer returned home. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Finally awake. I was close to considering a radical solution," he said./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Oh. A kiss perhaps."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""No. Ice cubes."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"That made me chuckle./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I have something I could use your help with."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Sure. I don't have anything else planned."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""But not here." And then I used a key to open a path to the Otherworld. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;" "I don't want to go there," Mel suddenly said, "Sorry. You said not to talk when others are present."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Perhaps it was for the better./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Fano here is an exception. If it's just the two of us, it is not a problem. But you can wait here if you want. It won't take long."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Is it safe? It doesn't feel safe."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""It is for Fano and me. Mostly. But I am beginning to suspect that it is not so for anyone else. If only there was an ethical way to test." And with those words, I went through the door and Archer followed. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The entrance hall seemed bare. I guess I got used to having a giant spider sentinel./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Here is good. So, just to confirm you can trace weapons just from memory?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""As long as it is a memory of directly seeing a weapon. And the weapon is sufficiently conceptually similar to a sword. If you have a memory of a sniper rifle…" /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""No, a Warhammer."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""It should be possible. Why?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I have something to confirm." And then I transferred the memory of the dream to him. Much of it had faded, but the image of the tyrant on the throne and his weapon were fresh. I couldn't forget them if I tried. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"He released a massive amount of magical energy./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Archer looked almost comical holding onto a hammer that was several times his size. But there was nothing humorous about it. It was not just a tool of murder, any weapon was that in the end. It was a symbol of oppression, of unrelenting force that crushed everything, until the only thing that was left was under the will of its wilder./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Even if this was a poor facsimile there was no mistaking it./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""That is em style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"Grond/em, is it?" I asked./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Forged in an unknown time and place, em style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"Grond/em was mentioned in stories told by Man and Elves but once, as the weapon of Morgoth in his single combat with Fingolfin, High King of the Ñoldor. If Orcs told more tales about it, I didn't know. But there was no story of it being lost, so first Dark Lord probably continued using it until his defeat./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Yes, it is. And I thought wraith blades were bad. But from where did you get that memory?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Have you noticed me speaking to empty air? The experiment with em style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"Endelómeríe/em was a success. I have managed to create something similar to Guardian Spirit. He calls himself Mel for now. And it seems that since he is bound to the item I am wearing, I have captured some of his dreams."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""That memory came from him, then."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Yes. And that means that our new friend is either more wicked or less fortunate than we thought. Or both."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"After three days of rigorous instruction in the Lore of the Wind, Elrond was satisfied with my skill and declared that I was ready to depart/p
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div id="chapters" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none;"
div id="chapter-14" class="chapter" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none;"
div class="userstuff module" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; position: relative; width: 1088.62px; float: none; overflow-wrap: break-word;" role="article"
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Archer stabbed me./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Well, there was no way that Archer would take those words well. He was something of a hypocrite. It was acceptable for him to take insane risks, but not for others./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Saving the villain was the most optimal way of resolving the situation. And I mean saving, not just giving them what they want. That would only encourage behavior that created problems in the first place./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"But that were many problems with such a solution, without even counting situations where there was no clear villain. The ones already hurt would want vengeance. Forgiveness was admired for its rarity. It would take a large investment with a high risk of failure. Because by the time one became a villain ruinous habits were already set./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"In other words, it would not be worth it./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Choosing an option with an optimal solution that had a low probability of working was unworkable in the long run. Math was clear./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"I knew that. I taught that./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Economics of salvation. Part of my patented course on how to be an effective superhero. Well, I may have just one graduate, but he seemed to be doing well the last time I saw him. Even in a rather unforgiving World./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"So I could understand that Archer believed that I was compromised. The immediate and firm reaction was reasonable. Considering his specialized skill set, stabbing me was almost expected. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"But, still. I used stored magical energy in my pendant to cast healing spells. Usually, it would be harder to help from a weapon as significant as Noble Phantasm, but this sword was not made to cause physical wounds./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Why did you have to use that sword? For the record, if you have to stab me to break me from suspected mind control, please use Rule Breaker?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Being cut was so much worse than just holding that sword./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"I was assaulted by an unwelcome insight. True magic was a violation of reality. That made a sorcerer like a bleeding wound in the substance World. No better metaphor would be grit in a wound that prevents healing right. Something to be eliminated. To be expunged. I immediately stopped that train of thought./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"That sword!/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""If I stab you with Rule Breaker, all active spells you have on you would be terminated. That includes any bond with familiars."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""It would be worth it. Still, I need better containment for the ring. Obviously, it was much more insidious than I thought." I brought forth mercury and engulfed the ring in an egg-like shape. "Encase it in iron please."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"He did what I asked. I was now holding a black iron egg./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"He asked, "Do you think that is enough?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Of course not. I am going to use the Russian method. You are going to keep watch on me and stab me if I falter. Use the Rule Breaker this time." /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The next step of the process found me sitting in my workshop under my house making gem-based familiar./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Archer didn't want to leave me alone, fearing the influence of the ring. I could say that he was paranoid, but that piece of gold was insidious. And I seemed much more vulnerable to it than a hobbit./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"I disliked having him hover over me as I worked. So we compromised./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"And by that I mean I replaced my chair with him, on all fours, without a stitch of clothing./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"And besides, even if Archer was naked and I was sitting on him, I had no doubt that he was quite capable of stabbing me if needed./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Around the iron egg, I was shaping a bird made of amethyst. I was using a spell embedded in Magic Crest to alter both the shape and internal structure of several gems merging them into a bird-like shape./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"It was often that I used this branch of family arts to make familiars. The results were too static for my liking. It was a matter of preferences rather hen pure utility. But there were circumstances when it was useful to have a mobile tool with no life. It this case unchangeable nature would hopefully help resist corruption./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""It's done. I am going to need an apron for the next part."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Standing up Archer teased, "Naked apron time?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"I was surprised. I didn't know that he was interested in something like that. After all, he never allowed me to cook. Calling him territorial about a kitchen was a deep understatement. And housework. Not that I minded. Even if I did bit guilty about leaving it all to him. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Considering that I am about to be elbows deep into the guts of an undead giant spider… You have strange tastes."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I married you, after all."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Well, at least I won't get my clothes dirty." And then I started to strip./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I was joking."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Now, now, don't be ashamed of your kinks. Let the perversion flow tough you."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The work was grueling, but I was used to it. Perhaps I should have brought the spider out, rather than going into Otherworld, but Otherworld was easier to clean. Even if organs within the spider seemed alien and the crystal on my newly made bird familiar had strange angles and even stranger colors. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"After sewing it back up, I said, "Done. Now just one more thing. Central Intelligence, spider terminal is now assigned to Bone Tree. Bone Tree is to be permanently brought into the Otherworld." Constantly calling it Central Intelligence was getting to be annoying. "And from now on you respond to the name Cid."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I hear and obey, master." now named Cid said through the spider. And then left./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Why Cid?" Archer asked./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Because CI sounds stupid," I answered, then spoke about a more important topic, "The ring into an iron egg into a jeweled bird into a dead spider into a bone tree. Not an exact match, but good enough to work. I wish I had studied those Mysteries more but Curses in general are a bit outside my specialty." Perhaps It would be better to demon containment. After all, I knew it better. But that would require me to meddle with Dark Lord Names, and I deemed it too risky. Also, that would rely too much upon Mysteries encoded in the Abrahamic holy texts, which may not be wholly compatible. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""But still, I had to admit that I had made quite a mess. I thought for a moment, and then said, "You know where the cleaning supplies are. I trust that you can take care of this, Archer."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I hear and obey, Master." Could he have sounded less sarcastic? Perhaps. But I did find it attractive since it gave me an excuse to punish him. Probably the same reason he often used that tone of voice when talking to me. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""It is good you are still naked. After all this hard work I do deserve some reward."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Since he was putting on an erotic show at my request, I dd best to pay attention to every little detail. "Hard" work, but someone had to do it. I even provided helpful comments./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Put your back into it."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""You missed a spot."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Spread your legs more."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Shake that ass.":/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The nature of this place distorted the picture somewhat, but I was used to it by now. Enough that by the time he finished cleaning the floor, I was quite ready for the next part./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"A nice shower./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"One of the improvements Archer had installed in our home./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Sifting the exit gate to the bathroom we got together to shower. I could say it was to save water, but it would be completely untrue./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Once we were under hot water, I pushed him against the wall, and whispered in his ear, "At the camp, they taught us to shower together, so we would prevent each other from masturbating. How am I doing?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I certainly am not tempted to do that now," he said while grabbing my behind. "But I am quite certain they didn't mean it like that."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"I licked right behind his ear. Then I grabbed his hard cock and said, "I think my methods work better."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Then I captured his mouth and deep kiss. Our tongues dueled, while I caught both of our hard cocks into my fist. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"It didn't; takes us long to come together, but that was just the beginning./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"I fucked him in the shower, then he carried me to our bed and he fucked me there. And more…/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"There were some things that I found annoying about being an Elf, but I loved having a reduced need for sleep and great stamina. It made for fun nights. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"I know that Archer also had great fun because there were some delicious honey cakes with breakfast. Not many and I had to share them with boys. But still, it was nice to see my hard work properly rewarded. Not that work was not its own reward./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""We will be having an important guest at the forge. The White Wizard would be doing some rather historic smith work there. Be polite, be quiet, and above all things pay attention. To watch one of his kind, and especially this one, at work is both a rare and great opportunity for you so I want to observe very carefully."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""How long will he be there?" the older boy asked./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Until he finishes reforging em style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"Narsil/em," I answered, basking in the boys' amazement and awe./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"For seven days and seven nights, we did work, pausing only for the quick meal of waybread and sweet herbal teas that Archer brought. Curumo did most of the work, placing the broken blade into the fire, he did seem rather pleased with a tribute to Aule, merging the pieces into one, hammering away the imperfections of red hot blade, speaking the Words of power. I was mostly relegated to tasks usually assigned to apprentices, but I didn't mind much, for I have learned a great deal. The boys tried to help, but they were both young and being Men and could not keep up with the frantic pace of the endeavor./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The Elves can delay sleep but not indefinitely, so when we were finished Archer helped me to the bed at our home, and I fell asleep almost immediately. When I woke, the wizard had already left Imladris./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The new sword was named em style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"Anduril/em, the Flame of the West. I suppose some things were fated. Even if it was Curumo and not Estel who named it here. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The dreams I had during that time I forgot, save one. And that one was neither mine nor pleasant./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Ogre tyrant on a massive throne, wearing an iron crown with two shining jewels, and a great Warhammer in his lap. His court was less memorable, just the impression of monstrous shadows./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"It seemed that contracting Guardian Spirit, even a false one, was in some way like contracting a Servant. Interesting, but hardly a discovery that would lead to new magical theories./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"First I saw upon waking was a naked Elf by my bedside./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"It wasn't Archer./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"First, his hair was black, not red, and second, he was in astral form. Archer could no longer do that./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""At last it worked. Not that I had any expected time?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""What worked? Wait!? You can see me!?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Yes."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""How can you see me?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""It is the consequences of what we had done."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I don't remember it."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""It is to be expected. I had warned you that it would be a price to pay, and you agreed. But, your memories will return in time."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""How long until they return?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I don't know. Even if I had records of similar cases, what we did was unprecedented."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Is it the reason why no one can see, except you?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""No, and yes. It would be best if you abandon those questions until your memories return. It's too complicated to explain what happened without them... Knowing nothing, you can understand nothing." I paused there for a moment then I had a stray thought. If he had forgotten everything, that probably included my name. "If you don't remember, I am called Rin."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Rin? I can almost remember it. I think."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Don't force it. It will come to you in your own time."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I would introduce myself, but my name is also something I had lost. I suppose you could tell me?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""No, I can not When you knew your name you were unwilling to share it, now that you are willing you no longer recall it. Choose something for now. It would be convenient. When you remember your name you always change it. Or not."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"He thought for a minute or two, then simply said, "Mel. It seems right."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The love of a friend in Quenya. "It is a pretty name. I have work to do. Follow me or not as you please. Just don't talk to me when there are others around. There are enough rumors about madness in my bloodline without me adding to it."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"He did choose to follow me. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The first thing I did was to check on my apprentices and had a lively discussion with them about what they observed and learned during the reforging of em style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"Narsil/em. I had to explain some things and correct some misunderstandings. But generally, I was pleased. And proud of them. They were advancing fast. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"To better internalize the lessons, I left them with the task of writing an essay about what they had seen. It would not only help them in the future, but also serve as a record of this historic occasion./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Next, I went in search of Elrond. I was curious, now that the sword was reforged, how did he plan to get to its intended wielder? And there was also a nagging feeling that it was important for me to do so./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"I found the Elf-lord in his library. He was sitting on a table on the first floor that was well-lit from sunlight streaming from windows. There were several scrolls and maps on the table that he was looking over./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"He seemed busy, so I was about to go back when noticed me and motioned me to approach./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"After greeting him and some small talk I asked about the plan for the sword. If I was allowed to know it./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The answer turned out to be neither secret nor overly complicated. He planned to send some Elves with Rohirim, since they were going back to Rohan, and then to Minas Tirith from there. Once they arrive at the fortress, curriers should be able to find Elstel's whereabouts./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""We do have a faster way to get there. I believe I demonstrated it. Just one wouldn't work for a lot of people, or much weight, but for a sword and a messenger it should be enough," I said, referring to my glider./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""That device can reach Gondor?" Elrond asked, astonished./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""In summer?" I posed a rhetorical question. Then I went over quick calculations in my head. I need to approximate a lot, but from the measures, we had taken, "Yes."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Why summer?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"From the corner of my eye, I saw for a moment a flash from Elrond's right hand, like something small and metallic reflecting sunlight. But when I looked at it, it was bare. Must have been mistaken then./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""For longer reach, the glider needs updrafts." I knew no word for thermals in any of the Elvish languages. "Those are made when the sun heats the ground."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""The word you seeking is em style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"rúcina/em." The literal translation of that would be rising warmth. It did fit." You should study Lore of the Wind. I could give you some instructions. And for the embassy to Gondor, they will travel by your device. I had a promotion that will be needed soon. Ascarnil had been diligently practicing with it. He alone should be enough."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"It was easier to convince him than I thought it would be. He was wise enough to recognize an excellent idea when he heard it. But still, this was the opportunity I should not miss. "I would like to go with him. The glider can carry a passenger. And if something happens I am the only one who knows how to repair it."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""You are free to go. Although be swift to return, if this device can carry messenger at those distances, I would like you to make more of them."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"We talked some more, mostly another lecture on the Lore of Wind. He deemed it prudent for me to know more about it for the mission. Lore of the Wind, as he taught it to me, consisted of both scientific explanations of how air naturally moved, as well as Wards that would allow me to perceive and command it. He also recommended a book. One written by him on that topic. Later, from it, I would learn the origin of the word for thermals in Elvish. Elrond. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"I was still reading that book when Archer returned home. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Finally awake. I was close to considering a radical solution," he said./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Oh. A kiss perhaps."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""No. Ice cubes."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"That made me chuckle./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I have something I could use your help with."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Sure. I don't have anything else planned."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""But not here." And then I used a key to open a path to the Otherworld. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;" "I don't want to go there," Mel suddenly said, "Sorry. You said not to talk when others are present."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Perhaps it was for the better./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Fano here is an exception. If it's just the two of us, it is not a problem. But you can wait here if you want. It won't take long."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Is it safe? It doesn't feel safe."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""It is for Fano and me. Mostly. But I am beginning to suspect that it is not so for anyone else. If only there was an ethical way to test." And with those words, I went through the door and Archer followed. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"The entrance hall seemed bare. I guess I got used to having a giant spider sentinel./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Here is good. So, just to confirm you can trace weapons just from memory?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""As long as it is a memory of directly seeing a weapon. And the weapon is sufficiently conceptually similar to a sword. If you have a memory of a sniper rifle…" /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""No, a Warhammer."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""It should be possible. Why?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""I have something to confirm." And then I transferred the memory of the dream to him. Much of it had faded, but the image of the tyrant on the throne and his weapon were fresh. I couldn't forget them if I tried. /p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"He released a massive amount of magical energy./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Archer looked almost comical holding onto a hammer that was several times his size. But there was nothing humorous about it. It was not just a tool of murder, any weapon was that in the end. It was a symbol of oppression, of unrelenting force that crushed everything, until the only thing that was left was under the will of its wilder./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Even if this was a poor facsimile there was no mistaking it./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""That is em style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"Grond/em, is it?" I asked./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"Forged in an unknown time and place, em style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"Grond/em was mentioned in stories told by Man and Elves but once, as the weapon of Morgoth in his single combat with Fingolfin, High King of the Ñoldor. If Orcs told more tales about it, I didn't know. But there was no story of it being lost, so first Dark Lord probably continued using it until his defeat./p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Yes, it is. And I thought wraith blades were bad. But from where did you get that memory?"/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Have you noticed me speaking to empty air? The experiment with em style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"Endelómeríe/em was a success. I have managed to create something similar to Guardian Spirit. He calls himself Mel for now. And it seems that since he is bound to the item I am wearing, I have captured some of his dreams."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""That memory came from him, then."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;""Yes. And that means that our new friend is either more wicked or less fortunate than we thought. Or both."/p
p style="margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; line-height: 1.5;"After three days of rigorous instruction in the Lore of the Wind, Elrond was satisfied with my skill and declared that I was ready to depart/p
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