Journeys

[Varnafindë]

Glorfindel

Swinging down from the roof, Glorfindel dropped the last few feet, and dusted himself off, shaking his head. “I’ve been testing the holes in our watch over the Valley since the two of you left to hunt this morning,� he said, nodding at Rameldir and Ainon. “There are more than I’d like. It turns out the north face of the valley wall is not impassable to a sufficiently determined climber.�

He left the rebuke to the sentries for inattention unsaid. They were all experienced scouts and warriors. The message would be understood from his unexpected presence alone. Besides, there were Haledhel and Thôndir’s lost elves to consider.

“I find I’m not in the mood for architecture just yet,� Glorfindel announced, “Which of the false paths was the one fellow following?�

“It’s…� Haledhel stopped, obviously searching for a specific enough description, “one of the ones that branches off of a game trail that starts near the camp we spotted. That trail goes south-west for a bit before hitting a dead end, but that end crosses a ravine that starts off very shallow and gets deeper going north…? But there are quite a few of those.�

“It’s the ravine with a beryl marking the entrance,� Thôndir put in, “Figured we’d never find the exact one again otherwise. Not till we weren’t looking for it anyway.�

Glorfindel laughed, “Well said! And well done. Between the beryl and the description I think I’ll find it well enough.� Having settled that, Glorfindel didn’t go on, allowing Caranlas to reassert his command after a moment’s pause.

“Kemmótar, Haledhel, go with Ainon and Lord Rameldir to escort the four travelers. I will go with Glorfindel – Thôndir, I want you here to tell others where to start looking if we should all manage to get lost…� Caranlas rolled his eyes as he finished, and Glorfindel could tell he felt that last possibility was a bit ridiculous.
Nevertheless, it was a good precaution. The day was going by fast, and it might be dusk by the time they started back. It happened less often the longer they dwelt here, but it wasn’t just strangers who had trouble finding Imladris. By this point every warrior and hunter in the valley must have gotten turned around and forced to wait for their companions to find them at least once, Glorfindel himself included.

“Rendezvous at the Old Pine outside this entrance?� Glorfindel suggested when everyone was sorted.

This was met with nods of agreement.

“If you’re going unarmed,� Rameldir said a little later as he and Caranlas split off, “Think before you test your stealth on a stranger, cousin!�


Rameldir

Kemmótar had taken over carrying the deer for a while. Rameldir had suggested that they leave it by the Old Pine and pick it up later, but the two sentries had protested – no reason to leave good food lying around in the forest where wolves might run away with it. Rameldir agreed that they had a point.

He asked Haledhel to lead the way, since he had seen the camp. Haledhel nodded and started to thread his way through the forest.

They hadn't gone far before Haledhel raised his hand.

“Listen,� he said quietly. “She's still at it ...�

They all heard it. Harp music.

“I don't know whether she's just passing the time,� Haledhel said, “or whether she's trying to make sure that her companion will be able to find his way back. It might be a wise move, if he's really one of theirs.�

They could find the camp by the sound of music alone now, and Haledhel took a turn with the deer to allow Rameldir to lead the rest of the way. Soon they arrived at a small clearing. On a wind-fallen tree two Elf-women were sitting, one of them was playing her harp, the other one listening. Close to the root of the tree, on a rock covered in moss, an Elf was sitting, rapt with the music. Another Elf stood next to him, absentmindedly kicking at some branches in an unlit fire with his foot while also looking at the harp player.

Now there was a vaguely familiar face. Where had Rameldir seen him before? Not recently. Possibly at Lindon – or even further back? It was such a vague memory - could it possibly be because he had been quite young then? No matter, it would be possible to work it out later. He had other responsibilities first.

“Elen sÃ*la lúmenn’ omentielvo,â€� Rameldir greeted them. The woman stopped playing, and they all turned their heads to stare at him.

“I am Rameldir, son of Erufailon,� he went on, “formerly Captain of the archers of Gil-galad's army, High King of the Noldor, currently Captain of the archers of Elrond's army, Lord of Rivendell.
“What is your business here? If you are looking for Rivendell, we'll be happy to show you the way. If not, Lord Elrond will still wish to meet you and to learn on what business you are travelling.�