Where am I? Glorfindel rose from the ground with sword in hand to find himself completely lost. The song of the land was no longer a familiar harmony to his keen Elven ears; a new melody lay before him, one that told him he was not home. Was it Arda where he now stood or could it be…? He did not know nor could he say how or why he had come to this place. His dull blue eyes darted from one area to the next, searching for a familiarity, anything that would give him some indication of what had happened. He was standing in a meadow of tall unripe wheat and barley, surrounded on all sides by trees. At the very heart of the open grassland ran a medium sized river. Glorfindel found next to him both his wife and son, who had yet to awaken. He sensed their minds were at peace, no harm had come to them and he assumed, like him they would wake soon enough. In the meantime, Glorfindel decided to scout the area in hopes of finding more clues. The elf lord had only taken a few steps when he came upon his own belongings and that of his family. Their clothing, along with food and tools were lying in heaps on the ground and in the distance he could see the horses they owned grazing. It wasn’t everything they owned but enough to provide for their basic needs and keep them alive.

Glorfindel began to separate their supplies into more organized piles when a familiar voice called his attention away. He looked to see his son standing near where he had left him. Thalion had a puzzled look on his face, much the same as his father’s when he had awoken, but to Glorfindel’s relief the young elf did not seem frightened. The boy was still young, however old enough to be considered an adult. His courage, as many in the past had commented was equal to his father’s.

“Atar!” Thalion waved his hands in the air and once again announced his presence. “Atar! I’m coming!” The young elf ran straight to his father and upon arrival he bowed. Glorfindel chuckled at his son taking time to observe etiquette even in the middle of nowhere. He brought Thalion into his arms and after a kiss to the forehead hugged him for reassurance.

“Atar are you harmed?” asked Thalion with urgent concern. The young elf pulled away from his father and examined him.

“Thalion, my son I am well, if you do not take in account my confusion,” Glorfindel smiled. He placed his hand on his son’s shoulder. “Now, let us take up a seat next to your mother so that she may be comforted when she rouses from her sleep.”

The two of them fell in step together. “Atar where are we?” Thalion asked a bit worried. “I have no recollection of this place.”

“Nor do I, my son,” replied Glorfindel, “but this is obviously meant to be.” The elf lord placed his hands behind his back and looked to sky as if asking for an answer to the riddle. “What do you believe, Thalion? Why do you think we are here?”

Thalion was somewhat disconcerted his father had asked him such questions; he had always seemed to have the answer in the past. “I do not know father,” he paused, “but I will accept it as the will of the One.”

“I think that is very wise.” Glorfindel was proud of his son. They found a spot near their mother to rest and while they waited for her to awake they continued to make observations and hypothesize as to why they had been sent to this new world.

“What do you remember of yesterday?” asked Glorfindel. A sudden wind over the meadow swept the wheat and barley asunder bending it easily in its wake. Thalion watched as the grass rippled along with each pass of the wind. His mind drifted back to the final moment before he found himself lying in the field. “I was reading my grandsire’s notes regarding bowstring and how best to wax it.” Thalion brought his knees up to his chest as he continued with his account of events, “but after that I remember nothing, father.”

A distant smile played on Glorfindel’s lips while he too thought on his last moments before his arrival to the new world. “I was with your mother in the garden,” he sighed, “We were having mid-afternoon tea discussing what we would put in the bed next to the summerhouse.” He chuckled, “She wanted hollyhocks, whereas I had my eye set on Ingwe’s new breed of tea rose. The perfume on a warm summer’s day would have wafted into the summerhouse and set the senses ablaze, but your mother was adamant and who am I to argue?”

“You are the lord of the house, father,” said Thalion in a noble tone. “Do you not have the final say in all matters?” The young elf had only reached maturity five years ago and in that time he had shown little interest in the opposite sex. Glorfindel had the same reluctance at his age; his mind was always preoccupied with what he considered more important matters than love. Now he could see that innocence in his son and it warmed his heart.

“I have a say in a great many things, my child but where your mother is concerned I often find I cannot help but give her what she wants,” The elf lord’s smile broadened, “Nothing pleases me more when I can make her happy.”

Thalion frowned. “If I was married I would be the lord in all things,” he finished convinced of his own power and worth.

“One day Thalion, you will find being lord in all things is worth less than making those you love happy.”

“Indeed,” said a hushed voice.

Glorfindel and Thalion smiled at each other when they saw the other member of their family had finally opened her eyes. She looked at them both for an answer to the same question they had been asking all afternoon, but it became obvious to her they knew little.

She covered her mouth and yawned. “I am hungry,” she said without mirth. Glorfindel grinned at his wife. Her statement had lightened his mood and in some strange way made him feel everything would be fine as long as they were together. He moved from his spot on the ground and offered his hand to his lady.

“Nurial, my lady wife how do you feel?” She took his hand as she rose from the grass. Glorfindel kissed her once on the cheek, a simple sign of affection he thought appropriate in front of his son. Nurial was garbed in a gown of pure white. Golden braid was wound around each arm accentuating the gold trim on the hem of her dress. Her face was a picture of serenity, a vision of an otherworldly beauty known only to the elves. As usual the heady scent of violets, roses, lavender and musk followed wherever she walked. Glorfindel vowed, while intoxicated by the aroma to obtain those sweet scented plants used in her perfume and cultivate them.

The Lady Nurial kissed and hugged her son Thalion before answering the question. “I am well, my love,” she replied. “Uncertain of what has happened, but my health has not been affected and what of my son? How has he fared through all of this?”

“There is no need to worry, mother.” Thalion had put on a brave face. “I am fine as is father, but we know not where we have arrived.” The young elf took the other arm of his mother and together the three of them walked to inspect their belongings.

Nurial freed herself from the clutches of her family. She wanted to get a close look at what had arrived with them, in hopes it may offer up some more information and also to take stock of what had been brought. It disconcerted her that they had been thrust into this new world without any knowledge of what was to take place. As she thumbed through her things, Nurial realised only the essentials were present. “Not all of my things are here,” she said in a flat tone. Glorfindel gave his son a look that told him to go occupy his time elsewhere while he talked privately with his mother. Thalion obliged without comment, he knew what was expected all too well.

The elf lord knelt beside his wife and took her hand into his own. “I knew this would be hardest for you,” he whispered. “But trinkets can be replaced. We should be thankful for what has been provided, my love.” He felt her hand slip away and knew it had been the wrong thing to say.

“Have you not noticed?” she asked alarmed. Her eyes could have burned holes through him. His raised eyebrows told her he had no idea what she meant. Nurial held up her index finger for him to see. Glorfindel immediately did the same and noticed there was no small band where there should be one. Both fingers contained only an indentation, a rapidly fading reminder of their bond.

Nurial laid her hand on his knee. “Do you not feel it?” she asked. “There is no bond between us any longer.”

Glorfindel searched his soul for that special connection he held with only his wife. Her presence no longer lingered where it should and at once he felt alone, lonelier than he had in an age. She is right! What is this madness? After the initial shock, Glorfindel took his wife into his arms and they hugged each other for support. He could sense Nurial was near tears, an emotion she had not had in many years. His mellow voiced soothed her fear. “We will make sense of this, my love. But for now we must concentrate on our survival.”

His hands cupped her face and lifted it to him. “We must think of Thalion.”

She nodded in agreement, her emotions were held back for the time being. “I can do this for him,” she said.

A sudden noise in the distance brought Glorfindel quickly to his feet. His hand played over the hilt of his sword until he was certain the newcomer was harmless. It appeared to be a man about the age of fifty. He had a long white beard with an odd mustache that curved at the ends. It reminded Glorfindel of vines for a reason he could not fathom. As the man neared his family, the elf lord took up a defensive position in front of them just to be cautious. The man came straight to Glorfindel and with relief he bowed to the lord.

“I am Mr. Applewood, inventor and mapmaker”, he said. “I apologise for the inconvenience of my bringing you here but I shall get us back to our respective homes in due course although it may… take a while.”

He actually believes he has brought us here? Glorfindel studied him for a short time, but not long enough to appear rude. There was something about this human that made him wonder. His mind was a jumble of thoughts and calculation, that much he could discern. There is something else though. It will have to wait for another day.

Without further delay, Glorfindel greeted Mr. Applewood. “I am Lord Glorfindel, and I do not believe you brought us here, unless you have a power beyond this world.” He saw the look of astonishment on the man’s face, but ignored it and introduced the rest of his family. “This is Lady Nurial, and our son, Thalion.”

Glorfindel motioned for his family to join them and having never seen a human before, Nurial and Thalion were extremely curious. Thalion nodded to the old man, but never took his eyes off of his beard. He wanted to touch it maybe even pull it to feel the texture and density. It was such an oddity to him, even though Cirdan, the shipwright had one. But the Teleri’s beard paled in comparison to this Mr. Applewood’s. It was simply the most magnificent chin of hair he had ever laid eyes on. Nurial on the other hand found it grotesque and unsightly. This was the first human she had ever seen. There were so many questions she wanted to ask him, but she could sense he was not the type to dally in small talk. The lady gave a small curtsey and giggled when she saw the old man’s cheeks flush.

The group stood staring at each other, no one certain what to say. The uncomfortable silence was finally interrupted when Mr. Applewood spoke up about his recent find.

“There are some fruit trees that way,” said Mr Applewood, waving his arms only barely in the right direction, “although I do not recognize the fruit. I ate a small amount and found it to be quite agreeable.”

“Thank you,” said Glorfindel. He gave a sideways glance to his son. “Thalion, will you gather enough for us?” Thalion nodded and walked off in the direction of the orchard. Glorfindel was annoyed he had forgotten his manners, especially after Mr. Applewood told them of the fruit. This is most unlike me, but I suppose it is to be expected after the excitement of today. “Tell me,” Glorfindel continued, “do you have shelter for tonight? You may rest with us if you do not.”

The suspicious look that crept across Mr. Applewood’s face caught Glorfindel by surprise. He had been sincere in his offer, but he could sense the man did not trust his good intentions.

“Thank you, but I have shelter sufficient at least for this weather,” said Mr. Applewood.

Glorfindel looked upon Mr. Applewood and saw a man for whom social interaction was clearly a considerable effort. “You are welcome to whatever supplies and help we can spare. We are making a basic camp for now, but we will have to consider a more permanent settlement.”

“I agree,” replied Mr. Applewood, relieved that the elves were respecting that a man of his abounding intellect required time and space to think. “Please excuse me, Mr. Glorfindel, I must set camp myself.”

Giving a slight nod toward Glorfindel, he turned and walked the wrong way down the river.

Glorfindel gifted his wife with a humoured smile once Mr. Applewood was out of sight. “What do you make of him, my lady?”

A few giggles later and Glorfindel had his answer. “He is,” Nurial paused, “unique. Are all humans so eccentric?”

The elf lord gathered his wife’s hands into his own. “No, my lady not all,” he answered. “Some are worse.” The incredible look on her face told him his wife was now very uncertain about humans. He too had been the same way when he had met his first one, but over time they had become easier to understand. Through the ages, Glorfindel had missed the company of his human companions. They had always given him a sense of freedom he could not obtain while in the company of his own people. He wondered what Thalion had made of the meeting as well, but would have to wait to ask until his son returned.

As if she knew where his thoughts lay, Nurial’s face grew concerned. “Do you think Thalion is safe?”

“He is only a short distance from here just behind those bushes,” replied Glorfindel. “Do not worry yourself, my lady. Now we should prepare camp for the night and tomorrow we will begin to build proper housing,” Glorfindel chuckled. “I will offer my services to Mr. Applewood, but I think I will have to convince him it is his idea.”

“I am glad you understand humans far better than us,” replied Nurial. “I have no clue what to say to them.” Her wrinkled brow was smoothed by a soft kiss from Glorfindel.

Once Thalion returned with a pack full of strange fruit, the family began to set up camp and sort their supplies. Glorfindel assigned everyone a job. He asked Thalion to take stock of their tools, raw materials, weapons and dry goods. Nurial was in charge of organising the food and storing it as best she could especially the perishables. She also went through their clothing, any plants and seeds that had been given and wrote down every item in camp on a list. This would be invaluable in determining what they needed most.

Glorfindel had set himself the task of providing shelter, gathering wood for the fire, filling their vessels with water, feeding the horses and cooking the evening meal. He would have Thalion help him once he had finished with his chores, but for now the elf lord began the construction of their tents. There were plenty of furs and skins at their disposal to cover the poles he had erected. After the construction of the first tent, Glorfindel heard a sound in the distance that immediately made him unsheathe his sword. The long blade caught the light of the fire and also the attention of the rest of the family. The elf lord ordered his wife inside the tent. Thalion had already armed himself with his bow once he saw the defensive position of his father. They looked out into the darkness for the source of the noise. It could not be Mr. Applewood as they could see him sitting near his fire at the far end of the field. What they heard came from someone else.

A voice rang out and alerted them someone was coming from behind. They seemed to be muttering. Glorfindel moved in front of his son and awaited the arrival of the new person.

“Father are they likely to be aggressive?” asked Thalion.

The elf lord lowered his sword a little as he considered the question. “Probably not, my son, but should we take the chance and be caught off guard?”

Thalion gave Glorfindel a cocky smirk appreciating his father had not lost his nerve even after all the ages spent in Aman. As the figure came into their sight, they lowered their weapons and laughed. It was a large plump man a little younger than Mr. Applewood, who was obviously no threat to anyone other than himself. Glorfindel and his family gathered around the fire and waited for him to arrive. They tried to hold back their amusement once he sauntered in unannounced and completely oblivious to the fact they could have been dangerous.

Glorfindel rose to greet him. The man eyed them all up and down looking more confused than anyone who had awoken so far. “I am Lord Glorfindel,” he said in a warm tone. “My family and I have little knowledge of why or how we are here too, so if you were looking for an explanation I am afraid we have none to give.”

The man looked at them once again. His eye came to rest on the wine glass in Nurial’s hand. “Your Elven folk eh?” He asked rhetorically. “Well I am Barliman Butterbur, previous owner of the Prancing Pony Inn and I don’t quite know how I got here,” He scratched his head. “I reckon this is some evil doing I do, although I know Elves and their magic to be quite powerful too.”

Glorfindel laughed at the man completely amused he could possibly think they had somehow brought him and themselves to this place. He gestured for him to take a seat next to Thalion and join them for dinner. “Our fare is light tonight Mr. Butterbur, but there is plenty if you wish to join us.”

Barliman licked his lips at the generous portions of boar, peas, bread and potatoes and of course the skin of wine next to the lady interested him greatly. ‘Don’t mind if I do,” he replied in a thick dialect. The man seated himself on the makeshift seating next to Thalion, who had already fixed him a plate and without another word he began to eat. The four of them chatted through the night trying in some way to understand how they had come to be in this new place. Thalion decided after everyone was finished to give Mr. Applewood a plate of food. The man had sniffed at it and was about to turn his nose up, when Thalion laid it on the ground and walked back to his camp. He had to admit the food looked much better than the strange fruit he was currently roasting over an open flame.

Edited by: Aldien at: 5/24/04 1:40 pm