Rivendell part 2:
You look at the golden lord wishing you could remember where you saw him. You remember dimly a Glorfindel in the hosts of the Hidden City at the battle of Unumbered Tears but the details are hazy. You are sure you were in the army that devastated Gondolin. Morgoth's hate for Turgon demanded the slaughter and defilement of this reflection of Tirion upon Tuna would be overseen by his closest guard. It was the only time your entire host was ever deployed in the field since the first days of the world where Morgoth led you and fought by your side. Not for the first time you regret the insularity of the Dwarves. Elves would have sung to you all the history of the First Age, shame and pleasure mingled. Durin's people could simply confirm some of your memories while the Orcs of the depths did know nothing. You decide to hold to your pledge of truth.
"Hail, Glorfindel, Lord of the Noldori Elves. I feel the stirrings of familiarity when I behold the light of Aman shining from you in the Unseen World, but I recognize you not. I would that this should change, even should I learn that you are yet another one of many whom I wronged in the far past. I am Morianor who the dwarves once called Durin's Bane before my errors were laid bare and my shame kindled into hope by Nienna's tears. I come to Lord Elrond of Rivendell with tidings of Cassarondo that is now known as Moria."
For a moment, he doesn't speak but lock eyes with you. You do not tremble even if the light of the Blessed Realm still evokes conflicted feelings in you. You sense his thoughts turn both to you and to the paths of memory. Briefly under the eyes of your mind you see scenes of a life not your own. You feel the chill of the Grinding Ice and hear the cries of those who thought themselves beyond death as the ice craked and the abyss claimed so many. You see the towers and spires of Gondolin and you weep because you admire such beauty and understand why Turgon was loath to leave the works of his hand and earth. You see the sack of the city when you brought dragons and trolls and orcs there. And you see… And you see.
You see through his eyes how a Child of Eru can battle against one of your former order. Bright sword against blade of fire, centuries of training against an eternity of rage. Even as you see only half of the battle you find it beautiful. In the mountains, the eagles cry and those who fled from the burning city passed unhindered. Yet Glorfindel of the Golden Flowers did not survive the duel he fought with the Balrog above the mountain' passes and both fell to their death, smiting the rock in their flight. Your brother never returned to Morgoth's side for such was the rage of the Valaraukar than when one of you died you could not reconstitute a vestment of flesh. Only Gothmog was coherent enough to be rehoused in the greatest of dragons to have ever flown and even he was dreadfully weakened by the process.
Yet Glorfindel the Fair does not look at you with hate but with a smile and before guiding you with Mithrandir on the river, he answers your silent question.
"When my spirit was undergoing penance in the Halls of Mandos, I saw a bright lady so fair I begged her to command me. Nienna who mourns for everything in the world told me my penance would be short for I helped the design of the Powers and gave my life for others. When I was given flesh anew I came to abide with her for half an age. In her household serve many who left the service of the Discord. I would be foolish indeed to gainsay a Vaïle."
He pauses and smiles before continuing.
"Besides even if Mithrandir and Curunir and Aïwendil welcomed you as kin, we can be sure you are to be trusted. When the White Chief of the Wise and the Grey Pilgrim agree on something, you now it is the truth."
"Even the Wise cannot see all ends, Glorfindel" interjects Gandalf, as you are guided through Rivendell. "Yet in this case we received words from on high. Even if we hadn't it is better to err by too much mercy than by too much rigor."
Rivendell is not like Lorien. In Lorien you felt the song of nature at its peak, carefully controlled by Galadriel but still potent. Lothlorien is a realm of Sylvan Elves despite her Noldorin lady and it shows in the smells and the sights. Here you see buildings not wed to trees, you see statues and arches and monuments of stone. The song you hear is the quiet rushing of the pages, the smell of ink and fire slowly burning. Lorien is a mighty kingdom standing secure in its might, here is a refuge for students of lore. Even the slight touch of Discord confirming the lord of the house wears a Ring is more subdued than in the golden woods. This place has true life, not maintained by magic. Outsiders find it and are not enchanted. Men's lives would not burn at the contact of its light. You understand why when you meet Elrond.
Wearing the simple unadorned robes of a master of lore, the Half-Elf is not, at first sight, an impressive figure. His mixed heritage show in that he seems older than Glorfindel or Galadriel, his elders by millennia. Indeed, from what you remember of the ages of the Children of Eru, he would seem a man in his forties, wise but not entering old age yet, vigorous but past the prime of youth. He wears on black hair a simple circlet of silver instead of the crown of the High Kings. On his finger sits a circle of gold with a pearl of blue, burning softly like fire. While Galadriel's presence was imposing as the light of the Blessed Realm, his feels like a homecoming after a long journey.
Meeting his grey eyes, you understand why the Dwarves spoke so highly of him. He raises his arms to welcome you to the Last Homely House.
"Welcome and well met, Istar of Nienna. Rumors have travelled even here about your intervention in the battle of the East-Gate; And my kin in Lorien have sent messages. The Valar are merciful indeed, if even the Valaraukar can return to their splendid beginnings."
You answer to the greetings in kind but are soon at a loss with what subject to begin with. Will you speak first? You will be able to abord two subjects in this meeting.
[] Of the Orcs under your care?
[] Of the danger of the Rings?
[] Of the doings of the Shadow and the actions of the White Council?
[] Of the People of Durin?
[] Of the lands, you traversed and their deserted state?
[] Of the defeat of Sauron in the War of the Last Alliance?
[] Of the might of the Elves?
