Scouting Ahead, Part 6: The Road to Rivendell

[Varda]

Fainan:

Another day's travel passed mostly in oppressive silence, and Fainan's concern grew. As they stopped to water the horses, Fainan quietly moved her mare to one side with Auros and Meren's and said, "I need to speak with you masters of lore to hear your comments, as all I have is observation and the lessons that Meren has attempted to bestow on this young Silvan."

As the two great elves kindly gave her their attention, Fainan continued. "I fear that this sword has something to do with the strange new enemy that we will be seeking after we leave Rivendell, as it seems to have an effect on our party members as no other captured orcish weapon has had. It seems to find the wielder's racial fault and build on it. Perhaps in an orc officer that improves the fighting qualities desired of a driving cruelty, giving an advantage."

Fainan patted Hithceleb's shoulder, taking comfort in the horse's simple interest in water and clover-bedecked grass. How was she going to say this without upsetting anyone? Still, a scout must report her findings and conclusions, so she continued. "In an elf, however, I fear that this spell preys on the tendency to depression due to the feeling of many that we are being driven from our beloved Arda. I say this because when the sword seemed to be coming to me, the cheery way I've learned to deal with problems and to fight the mirk seemed to wipe away. Also, Lady Meren has always been dignified and solemn, but since the sword came to her, her feelings seem to have become strongly depressed. I fear for her or any elf carrying this thing, and doubt that I would have done so well as she. I do not wish to touch this thing, let alone pass it around between us at every stop even to lessen the effects on any one elf."

Fainan paused, then took a deep breath and continued, "I submit for your consideration that the one actual racial problem that evil can wedge into for a dwarf is greed. Frali, although becoming possessed by a feeling of greed to the point of addiction would not kill himself. I suggest that we let our dwarven companion carry it at least until Lord Elrond examines it and makes a decision."

[arienv]

Frali:

The night had passed and no chance had opened for the young dwarf to re-acquire *his* sword although had tried to watch Meren in case she fell asleep or lost her concentration. But finally his body had given in to exhaustion after the exertions of the day and Frali had fallen asleep.

Come the morning Meren was careful to keep the weapon out of his sight and reach as she brought him his pony which the warrior accepted with a polite bow and mounted silently. Strangely enough Frali's thoughts wandered away from the sword as the ride continued through deep gorges and majestic mountain landscape. Here and there a lively stream came down the mountainside and the young dwarf smiled at the sight of two hares that hid in an unseen den as the party passed by. Frali relaxed visibly and absent minded he patted Chomper's neck and wanted to make a casual remark to Meren as he noticed the unusual silence of the Elves.

It didnt take the dwarf too long to make the connection between the orc sword, his own emotions for it and the gloominess that seem to surround the Elves since they had charge of it. "This thing never should have come to us, little friend", he murmured under his breath to the pony and patted his neck again.

[Varda]

Fainan:

Seeing how well Frali recovered overnight away from the sword, Fainan felt glad that the lore-masters, Meren and Auros, had persuaded her that the young dwarf should not carry it after all. Meren was an elf with a powerful fea and great knowledge, well able to handle the mental tricks that such a weapon might attempt.

Relieved from that worry, Fainan kept watch for any foolish goblin or orc that might poke its head out watching their well-armed war party, preferably running an arrow through its throat in warning to any others that might consider attacking them. Often enough she found no need to loose an arrow, as a well-aimed blade or throwing axe found the mark.

The breeze coming to them through the woods ahead held a cleanliness that seemed to be the way air must have been in the beginning of the world. Around them fell a feeling of safety, of woods comfortable and well-watered, of cheerful, spring-fed streams and small waterfalls. Even the path was better-kept, gentle on hooves. They were coming into the area of Rivendell at last, the site of the famed Last Homely House, a place of welcome and learning.

Perhaps it would even be a place with answers about the ruins, staff, and evil being that they were planning to confront, answers that might let them leave alive from the ruins of ancient Angmar.

[Indis]

Meren:

The oppressive feelings the orc-sword had induced in Meren seemed to abate as they drew nearer to Rivendell, and her sense of hope and eager anticipation grew with each step nearer their goal. She was also pleased to see the relief from the burden of desire that brought more cheer and life to Frali, so that he was much more like the young dwarf she had come to know in Mirkwood, before his obsession with the sword. Nevertheless, she kept it well protected and hidden, in case he should have a relapse, and left part of herself alert during her elven reveries. From time to time, she brought Duroch near to him as they traveled and exchanged a few friendly words with him.

On one of these occasions, she brought up the subject of Rivendell with him. Neither of them had been there, and she thought he might fear an unfriendly reception, so she told him something of the history of the enclave: how it was founded by Noldor who had been friendly with the dwarves of Moria until Sauron destroyed Ost-in-Edhel, and how it was now considered the most cosmopolitan of the elven settlements east of the Sea. She emphasized its reputation for hospitality to seekers of knowledge. She gladly answered what questions she could.

As for Calion's brother, she had searched through everything she had brought with her for any reference to sorcerous possession, especially of an elf, and she had scoured her memory for any references to such matters. She was also concerned about the effect on Calion himself. Unfortunately, she came up with almost nothing of any apparent help, and so she looked forward all the more for a chance to pursue that and the other arcane matters that concerned their party amid the resources of Imladris.

As her spirits lifted, she could see that those of her companions were rising as well. It was in part the increasing natural beauty that was reaching all her senses, but also it was a general sense of deep well-being that she had never felt before, even in the most protected portions of Thranduil's domain. How wonderful it must be for Auros to be returning to such a home!

[Shelob]

Estarion:

It had been since the fight in the trees above the road in Mirkwood that Estarion had felt an oppressive gloom. The evil he had encountered there and the way it had presented itself weighed heavily upon his mind.
He mulled things over in his thoughts, but no matter how he varied the circumstances, no matter what he thought he might have done differently, the result itself was always the same. He would have to kill a kinsman if it came to it. He would do it without remorse, other than a feeling of shame for what evil the other had wrought, knowing that in war, sacrifices must be made. It irritated him no end that he could not find the source for his gloom.

He followed the directions that Auros laid out, did as he was commanded, practiced his sword every night after making camp and kept watch when it was his turn, but he found no glee in it. Even ever cheerful Fainan seemed to share in his gloom.
After having traveled in the mountains for a few days though, his gloom seemed to lift, warmth creeping back into his heart and limbs, as if a ray of dawn had just penetrated heavy canopy to shine upon him.
As he looked up, he noticed that they had broken the mountain pass a while ago, and before him lay the grandest of views he could have imagined. For miles and miles he could see, but down below, seemingly straight at the end of their mountain path, a large grove seemed to be, well tended, and with light seeming to emanate from within.

Almost out of breath due to the beauty of the scene, he called to his companions; "Is that what I think it is? It is beautiful beyond my words to describe!"

[ArPharazon]

Calion:

Looking on the vale of Imladris, Calion could not help but let happiness fill his heart, drowning out the sorrow and worry that had plagued him since the events in Mirkwood, even if just for a little while.

A smile crept on his face as he watched the surroundings of the House of Lord Elrond. Calion had never seen it before; while he had heard many stories about Rivendell from travelling diplomats or the Sindarin nobles ruling Mirkwood, who still remembered it from their own journeys, his Silvan people seldom went far from the great forests, and to see the wonders on the other side of the Misty Mountains was a rare experience.

The stories did not do it much justice, as he would find out on closer inspection. Coming from a realm of caves and tree-dwellings, with the only stone buildings he had known being of human make, he was baffled by the grand structures of the Noldor: truly the great artists and architects of Elvenkind, for all their faults.

He felt keen on exploring the place as well as the surrounding groves, but that would have to wait until after more urgent business. Pulling himself together, he turned to Estarion and answered: "Yes, it is. We have reached our current destination."

[arienv]

Frali:

As the journey continued through the impressive mountain landscape the gloominess that seemed tho have consumed the group since the sword came into their posession receded and the mood beacame noticeably lighter. Even Estarion broke out of of silence and broodiness, so the dwarf gave him an encouraging nod.

"It seems so , Master Elf .. This must be the place they call Imladris and from what i see it is going to be as impressive as rumors say."

With that Frali followed Auros's and and Fainan's lead down into the valley and for once the young warrior was not troubled about how he would be welcomed or valued.

[Indis]

Meren:

Her heart lightened at every step toward Imladris, and her anticipation grew. She smiled at the thought of experiences to come. No need to worry about hostile enchantments or ambushes to require constant alertness, at least for a time. Such things would become distant, subjects of research, and she would be able to resume the ever-comfortable scholarly detachment that was normally a valued part of her life.

It was not that in her love of solitary study she undervalued the opportunity to interact and learn from other folk. For example, though she knew the history of the Noldor and deplored much of it, unlike many of her kin she did not hold individuals of that kindred responsible for the actions of a few, most of whom had left Endor for the halls of Mandos. Thus, she anticipated an opportunity to become acquainted with Noldor who were perhaps more approachable than Auros, upon whom she had been imposed at Thranduil's request. Perhaps she could improve her knowledge of Quenya, which up to now was an object of study for her but not a vehicle of person-to-person communication.

She might even catch sight of some of the fabled denizens of Imladris, at least in passing: Glorfindel, Erestor, and of course Master Elrond himself. That would be a privilege indeed.

So it was that Meren looked forward joyfully to both an expanded world and a deepened one. As they passed through increasingly varied and healthy olvar and kelvar and approached the skillfully built and ornamented gates to the domain, her heart sang, "I'm coming home!"

[Eonwë]

Auros:

Anar was still high in the sky as they approached a land full of valleys. Auros took the lead to guide them along the right path. The land itself protected the secret of Imladris. An unwary traveller could find himself stuck in a crown of trees leagues below where he once was, or deep in a bog with a wrong turn. Most dangerous was that it could happen almost before he was aware.

The Noldo guided them on, betraying neither his own eagerness to arrive at journey's end, nor the locations of the sentinels guarding the paths thereto. He paused only for a moment as he came to an outcrop overlooking the valley. There below amidst the trees hid his goal.

Auros whispered softly to Sulenar, and the horse picked up the pace. Down into the valley he led the company, until at the bottom of the path two guards came to greet them. Auros hailed them, and after exchanging a few words, the company was allowed to continue. The Noldo led them along a well-kept path through the trees until they came to a large dwelling set by itself.

Auros sat taller on his horse. He had arrived home, and his mission was complete. Trotting Sulenar to the side, he announced in a loud voice, "I present to you the Last Homely House, abode of Elrond, Master of Imladris."