My heart sank when the little hunter told me in no uncertain terms that I must travel to this place called Rivendell if I wished to truly honour my ancestors, the Bardings. I had been as far as Ost Guruth but had not crossed the river that lay beyond even though the woodlands there seem fair and full of game. There is something in the air there that smelled of elves. (Mirkwood is like that as well, though I have only ventured to the edge of that evil place.) Stowing the three books I had been given into a satchel, I set out to find this "Legolas". I am told he is a Mirkwood elf - one of "Those who did not help" - and even though I am from that part of the world, I did not relish the prospect of dealing with him. Not that the elves of Mirkwood did not fight bravely in the Battle of the Five Armies...they did, and died alongside my forefathers in that fight. But I have also heard the tales of the Dragon, and there was a wrong done there -or at best a terrible unkindness.
Crossing the Last Bridge, I steeled myself and sharpened my gaze to see what mischief might be laying in wait. One of the first things I saw was an elf standing by the side of the road. She hailed me pleasantly enough and told me of a few encampments along the road where I could take rest. I had half expected her to tell me to turn around and head about my business, but her welcome left me wondering. The trollshaws are a fair wood...rich though not without some dread. I have not dealt with many trolls, nor do I wish to...but should I hunt these lands I ween I shall become expert at bringing them down!
It was not long 'til I came to an even wider river...though there was a gentle enough ford to make my way through....and then up into the moors. There are many beasts there, and traces of small dragon, though I did not follow the tracks to see. There are also many high rocks for fell things to hide behind, and I made my way cautiously. It was not long before I spied two elves, heavily armed, who stood sentry beside a wide gash in the stony hillside. This, I assumed was Rivendell.
The guards hailed me in some kind of gibberish tongue I did not understand, but then spoke to me properly in the Common Speech. I stated my business and mentioned the name of "Legolas". They nodded and let me pass, but told me I should pay my respects to this lord Elrond, whoever he may be when he's at home...
I passed through the two cloven rocks and down a very narrow and winding path; I went slowly and let my pony find his own footing. It is a beautiful place, this Rivendell, I'll give it that...and the elves have built a small city here. After crossing two or three bridges I pulled up in front of the largest of the buildings that I could see and dismounted. There were many elves about the place, and while they nodded in greeting I could still see that distant look in their gaze. I asked for this lord Elrond, and was told to go into the house and that I would likely find him in his library. This was a huge place! I would far rather track a squirrel in an oak forest than find this "library", but eventually I did lay my hand on the doors and enter in. There were a fair few people there, but, after asking, I made my way to the lowest level of the place and found this fellow looking through an old volume of some sort of lore. I did not wish to interrupt, so I stood a little away from him and waited. Eventually he put the book down, turned to me and smiled.
At that moment the knot in my stomach fled and did not return. This man...elf...truly saw me without looking past or seeming to pry at something inside me. And there was true kindness there, it was a bit like looking into Dwimmer's eyes...if this fellow is a father, he must be a very nice one. I gave him my name, and he paused a moment as though considering the sound of it. Speaking words of welcome, he said that I may wander where I will within his house and the places around and directed me to where I could find this elf, Legolas. I wished to speak with him more, but I did not want to be a bother and I still had a task to complete. I bowed as well as I could and thanked him and went on my way.
I spoke with the Mirkwood elf and, to his credit, he was both gracious and helpful. I was very surprised to see him in the company of a very brave dwarf. This Rivendell holds some suprises, I think, and while I did not linger there I think I will return...some day.
