Rescued Lord

Rescued Lord
Chapter three- Imladris

Glorfindel even dismounted when on the stairs to house appeared Lord Elrond. Impatiently he ran down the stairs with long violet robe flowing behind him. "I'm so glad you are at home," he welcomed his friend. "We must discuss some urgent matters. NOW!"

Worries written in Elrond's wise features disappeared for a while when an enthusiastic scream sounded. "Ada!" A moment later Elrond held his daughter in his arms and hugged her. "Welcome home, Arwen," he whispered touched.

"Arwen!" a double scream sounded when a couple of dark-haired elves ran down the stairs to hug their sister. It gave Elrond some time to turn to Glorfindel again who had patiently waited for the welcome to end. He took him by his arm and led him away.

"... and King Thranduil was hurt. I'm afraid that the defenses of Mirkwood will fail without him. Prince Legolas is an excellent warrior but very young. He knows nothing about strategies of battles, he has not the wisdom of his father or his experiences. The Woodland Realm is in danger. We must help them.

I would ride myself but I'm afraid that my absence would attract the orc's attention even here. That's why I wish you to go. I know you have just returned and certainly you are tired..."

Glorfindel's brow darkened. That was not good news. And he agreed with Elrond. He has to go to Mirkwood with as many men Imladris could spare. He approached the window and watched the valley bathing in sunshine. He was so happy to be at home...

Suddenly his eyes laid on the dark figure sitting on the stairs before the house. He cursed quietly and Elrond cleared his throat. In all that excitement he completely forgot about him. Again his heart constricted at the look at the poor figure who sat alone on the stairs under the pillar. On his lap three puppies rested, Arwen entrusted to him, but except for them he was alone, forgotten.

"Who is it?" Elrond interrupted his thoughts and approached the window too. His hand gently touched the golden-haired warrior's shoulder.

"I bought him at the market..." Glorfindel told him briefly the story. "I hoped that he would find his place in Imladris and that maybe his memories would return..."

"A sad story. We will look after him, don't worry. I promise," he ensured Glorfindel. "Come, you have to prepare for the journey as soon as possible. Our company is ready."

......

Thoughtlessly he caressed the soft furs of the little dogs which had fallen asleep on his lap. His dark eyes watched the beauties of the valley. Not even Arwen's melodious descriptions when she talked about her home could do justice to the real beauty of this place... But yet a shadow remained as he watched all those elves leaving and he stayed alone, only with those little animals archers entrusted him... What should he do? He will wait until Glorfindel will remember him.

Quiet steps forced him to turn around. The golden haired warrior strode impatiently to him. Under his gray cloak the armour shined, his hands carried weapons. In the courtyard, before the house, a numerous group of elves rode on horses. What did it mean?

Glorfindel halted and knelt next to him. The dark eyes watched him dully. "I'm sorry, but I must leave," he told him. "I know that I promised you that we would talk here in Imladris and I would everything explain to you. But I can't stay. Lord Elrond will look after you."

What did it mean? Where is Lord Glorfindel going? Why must he stay here? Did Glorfindel sell him to Lord Elrond? Confused, he watched the golden-haired elf mount and waved his hand in a departing gesture. Only when the last rider left did he noticed that somebody was standing behind him. He looked up in the thoughtful gray eyes of the elf who had led Lord Glorfindel away before. In his features the long years those he lived in Middle Earth were mirroring, even its fortunes and his own wounds. That face was wise and yet youthfully beautiful.

"I'm Elrond. Wee toe to Imladris and to my house. And please excuse that fuss."

He would like to answer him and he would like to ask so many questions... but he could not. So he tilted his head in salutation.

"I would be glad if you would find your home here for so long you would wish," Elrond continued. "Come, let's find you a room ... and some proper dress," he added when he realized that the new member of his household was dressed only in scraps full of holes. 'It seems that new clothes will not do enough job.'

The dark eyes watched, unbelievably, the ruler of Imladris. How was that possible that everybody was so friendly to him? Are the elves like that? Kind? No, certainly not all of them. Maybe he had a good luck... He tried to pick up the puppies to his arms so that he could follow him. But the three awakening hairy balls were difficult to hold. Before he could look up at Elrond the pale hands covered in violet silk reached for one animal.

"Arwen, right?" Elrond sighed. "She is so absent-minded. She should learn how to look after her things!"

The only answer was that the dark-haired elf shook his head but then he nodded. If only he could speak and tell him, explain to him everything.

"Are they yours?" Elrond arched his eyebrow.

Those dark eyes looked at the dogs and then the elf raised one of the animals.

"So now it's clear. Arwen gave you this one... But it does not cha any anything. She should look after those two..." his brow darkened. "I think that at the end all of them will be yours... Should we go?"

'Such a beauty!' He halted in wonder immediately when they entered the house. The large hall with arched ceiling, many pillars and colorful mural paintings took his breath away. And in such a palace his new home will be? The merchant, Daren, and his family would burst in envy if they knew where they had sold him. This place was something different than their cottage full of kitchen's smoke, smell of the animals and the gloom because of the small windows. But here, in this place everything was spacious, fair, and full of fresh air of the woods... Here the elves lived and he will live with them. Maybe he is in the place where he belongs to.

He realized that he was watched by the piercing, but kind, gray eyes of the ruler of Imladris who waited for him patiently. Even Lord Elrond smiled at him as if he knew what he was thinking about. Quickly he followed him. The ruler had to have many more important things to do than to look after him. He only detained him from them. They passed a few corridors until Elrond halted and turn to him.

"Actually I even don't know whether you want to stay in Imladris..."

Before he could continue in his speech the dark-haired elf nodded. Oh yes, he wished to stay there. Where else should he go? Though Lord Glorfinreperepeated that he could go wherever he wished to go, he knew it was not possible. Glorfindel bought him, he owns him...

"Glorfindel even didn't mention your name..." Elrond sighed. Or he might miss it with all those worries about Mirkwood. "Very well then, this is your chamber," he smiled and opened both wings of the door they stood next to. He stepped aside so that the dark elf could come in.

"I hope that you like it and that you will feel comfortable here. Now if you'll excuse me I have a lot of work to do. I'll send Lindir to you. He will show you around the house and of course he will help you to ... adjust your dress after your journey. Whatever you will need, tell him or me."

He saluted him with a nod and then the door shut behind his flowing violet robe.

Carefully he put the puppies on the marble floor. Everything seemed so unbelievable. Was this beautiful room really his? Again he looked around at the white walls. Oh, the white... how long he had not seen it! In merchants house everything was dark and smoggy. But here, here the light was. He approached the big window. The sun was already setting. He leaned against the carved frame and looked out. He saw part of the valley with waterfalls splitting on the rock walls, he saw the forest and the gardens and the brooks emptied into the river. To his window the breeze brought the exotic scent of the summer flowers and the forest. He could hear the merry chirping of the birds in the crown of the apple tree below his window...

A quiet clearing of somebody's throat brought him back from his thoughts. Surprised he turned around. In the middle of the chamber the fair-haired elf stood. He was dressed in the robe of cream color. He tilted his head in greeting and then again his green eyes watched him carefully. "I'm Lindir."

The dark-haired elf bowed. Until he could straighten up again properly the elf stood in front of him. Lindir's pale fingers shifted his matted dark tresses aside of his face and looked in his dark eyes in surprise. But then he withdrew his hand.

"Lord Elrond asked me to... take care of you. He mentioned that you will stay with us. Because you traveled a long journey I think that you need to rest first. All the other can wait. I brought you some refreshment... and a basket for the dogs."

Really there were trays with fruit, bread cheecheeses, a plate with biscuits, a saucer with cream, a mug with water and a goblet lay on the table. Next to the chair the puppies were trying to get away from the large basket.

"I will come for you tomorrow morning and show you around the house... and we will try to change you into an elf again." He smiled at the surprised dark eyes. "Good night."

He watched Lindir leaving. What did he mean: We will try to change into an elf? His eyes laid on the mirror in the side little room. That difference was more than clear. He did not look like an elf except those strange ears. Why even human did not recognize it. He looked like a ragged servant of the provincial merchant. But the elves in Imladris were different than anybody he had ever met... maybe before... They were beautiful, elegant, and noble and first ... clean. He rubbed the dirty and greasy tunic he wore for so long time that it started to crumble. He took a place at the table and lost in his thoughts he started to eat.

'Change into the elf again!' Lindir's words repeated in his mind. There was something about that sentence. But now fed he started to feel tired. He looked longingly at the bed with white pillows and blankets. He had never slept in such a beautiful bed, so white, so clean...

No, he can't sleep there. He would smudge it. He looked around the room. 'It could serve.' He approached the writing table where the hide lay. He moved it in front of the fire place and laid on it. Immediately he fell asleep.

But he was not supposed to rest. Regulary he waked up gasping in unknown fear which came to him every night. Only when the sun was rising and the sky above Imladris lightened, he could fall asleep.