Finchley sighed and looked around for where she could get a snack, muttering to herself. “No..that wasn’t ominous at all….”
Their audience with the Lord Elrond concluded, the company followed Finchley, who was following her nose towards The Hall of Fire, Addie leaned close to Xanderian, her voice concerned. “What of our equipment..it makes me uneasy to think of Heartbreaker being seized.
Overhearing her, Selunae smiled and guided them to the doors..."Fear not, Addiela of Rohan, your arms are safe, as is Heartbreaker...I least of all would harm that bow, as the Monk of Osgiliath must know lest she gave it to me.” She opened the doors, where a light meal would already be arranged in one corner, well away from any curious passersby.
Beside them, Nethrida let out a little sigh of relief. She looked at the speaking Elf and bowed her head. "I thank you for keeping the blade of my forebearers safe."
Spying the laden table, Finchley would let out what seemed for all the world like a noise of triumph and skipped over to begin experimenting with Lembas sandwiches.
Calidis was close behind, and poured herself a glass of wine, relieved that the interview was over as she surveyed her friends trooping wearily behind her. Even if they had not just been grilled by Elrond, they still had all just arrived after a long journey, and the strain was clear.
Nethrida looked stoic and in control again as she led the deeply uncertain looking Ryn. They were followed by Eduwiges who seemed eager for something to hit or to eat, or both. Xandilif strode through the door, making her simple entrance to the Hall of Fire seem aggressive and defiant. Behind her, Xanderian and Addiela entered in tense conversation, with the scholar Selunae joining in, welcome or no.
Surveying the company, Calidis was struck by a feeling of belonging, of fellowship…and of unreality. Just a few months ago she would have been seated alone near the fire in this hall, reading in silence as others avoided her without even bothering to conceal that fact, whispering about the mad hermit from ruined Eregion. She had been without friends…without faith….without future. So much had changed. She met the eye of Xanderian, who smiled to her softly…and she found herself smiling back, remembering something her father once told her. “Merifindiel,” he had said, “In our craft, one must be able to see the exceptional that others mistake for commonplace, one must be able to fuse with the power that others would flee from or seek to control…in short, we must let the unexpected shape our very perceptions and thus our art in new directions.” The huntress, and all her new comrades, were certainly shaping her in a new direction.
As they came to the table, Addiela eyed the elf scholar and gave her a sickeningly sweet smile. "Your knowledge is great, Lady Selunae, and you are well informed of matters far and wide.. Do you travel yourself to seek out such?"
Xanderian glanced at the woman awkwardly and looked back to Addie..."Nay, the researcher travels little...she knows of Heartbreaker for she first studied the bow for my Lord Elrond after I claimed it from the dragon gold..and before that...she was my curse.”
Carneryn overheard that strange comment and ran her hand down the scabbard holding her blade, looking deeply uncomfortable. It was taking her effort to find her feet in this new world and that was distressing her. Nethrida patted her shoulder however, bringing her wine and bread, and she smiled, letting those thoughts go.
Addiela however was not so easily dissuaded, “Then, pray tell Lady Selunae, how do you come about your information?'
Selunae smiled, her voice low..."From the Lord Elrond, of course...Things are..restive in Imladris...not all is at it seems....the incident concerning the Morgul blade has exposed a fact very few know, and fewer still should be informed of. Many eyes were upon your arrival and this meeting and it will be reported to many ears, friend and foe alike.”
Calidis looked to Selunae questioningly, dark eyes suddenly both bottomless and piercing. In turn, Nethrida pursed her lips. She looked from Addie to Ryn, and then to the Elven Scholar, with a confused look on her face. She still found it hard to believe they had foes in Rivendell.
Addiela nodded, 'It is best to have everything placed before you before you made a judgment, is it not? Speak then and we can judge for ourselves for we already know that you know more than what you have spoken..'
Carneryn furrowed her brows and nodded in agreement with Addie before letting her gaze fall on Neth again.
Selurae went silent before looking at Xanderian, as if seeking permission…or forgiveness....and sighed. "Vilya has faded, or been weakened, by processes unknown....the Valley is, at least for the moment...somewhat vulnerable.'
Addiela raised her brow as Calidis closed her eyes momentarily and sighed quietly. It was as she feared but she could not find herself totally surprised either. Something had seemed wrong from the moment that package had arrived, bearing Elrond’s quest and a head wrapped in the banner of Rivendell.
'And who could walk about unnoticed then?” Addie was pressing her point. “Even without the ring's power, surely the Lord Elrond in all his wisdom could sense if something was amiss in his valley.'
Nethrida moved closer, shocked by the look of fear in Eduwiges eyes as much as she was Selunae’s words, forgetting her food for a moment, 'Vulnerable?...but…how?'
Selunae continued, pushing back her hood to reveal her short, reddish hair. "If Vilya were not weakened, then the works of the Ring of Artifice would never have held sway in Rivendell, the blade would never have been allowed to leave the care of Elrond and your foe would never have been released from death. However...there is...rebellion.”
Calidis stared…this she had not imagined even in her fears. She had lived here for thousands of years with no such strife. 'Rebellion... of what kind? Squabbles over the past or something else?'
Selunae sighed again.."This valley is preserved...protected, by the power of the ring of Gil-Galad alone...something has compromised this...and yes Calidis Merifindiel, rebellion is what I meant...not squabbles or unrest..a force rises in Imladris itself. The death of the minstrel was not just an attack upon your friends, but an attack upon Elrond himself. A flourish if you will…and statement that they are here and will not be easily denied.”
Carneryn placed a hand around the hilt of her sword and tightened her grip "Th-Then it is not safe?"
Selunae glanced up, her voice sharp."If you seek safety, daughter of Angmar, then I suggest you find different friends.'
Carneryn stiffened a moment before shaking her head "Y-You may be right... But it is what it is..." she looked at the others, visibly uncomfortable and fell silent.
Addiela couldn’t argue with Ryn’s statement and just sighed. "Even so.. it's utter madness to think that any would oppose Lord Elrond or that his protection or power would have faded….isn’t it?"
Calidis poured another glass of wine, hand shaking slightly. "If it is safety you seek, Mistress Ryn, you have only to remain within my home. I cannot ward the entire Valley. But what is mine I can.”
Carneryn shrugged a little "I-I accepted the peril of my own accord... "
Gritting her teeth and looking more than a little guilty over what was being said, Nethrida let her gaze linger on Ryn for a moment before glancing at Edu, who nodded back to her. They were both preparing themselves to defend what mattered to them, again, back to back.
Selunae looked at Addie, eyes growing more confidant..."These protections do not fade entirely, Daughter of Rohan but...cracks appear, both in protection and in the power of the Lord Elrond to see all that transpires in his kingdom...through those cracks, darkness has intruded...it is as if two realities vie with one another....as if something had suddenly changed in the natural way of things and the song of Eru. The Lord Elrond confers with the wise to remedy this..but for the moment, he must tread carefully lest the threat within grow unmanageable...hence your audience. But I have said too much here already....you will be safe in the Lady of Eregion's home...we will speak again soon.”
Flipping her hood back up, the scholar Selunae hurried away, leaving an awkward silence in her wake. Xandilif closed the door behind her, looking back at the others without speaking, she had remained silent through the discussion, listening gravely while Finchly sat at her feet, considering which cheese went best with Lembas, and if the spicy yellow condiment offered was in fact mustard.
Finally Ryn broke the silence while giving Neth a reassuring look "N-Not even death itself could stop me from helping...but h-how much can we trust all this?" Her eye flashed for a moment after saying that.
Xanderian sighed...watching the woman go...her eyes uncertain as Calidis moved closer, reaching out slowly to brush her fingers against Xanderian's.
The archer reached out and took Calidis' hand, looking at first Ryn, then all of them. 'I am not sure...I....I spent many long years hating that woman, so I may not be the best to judge.'
Calidis nodded, understanding, 'I find her... strange. Her overly easy manner towards us and when in the presence of Lord Elrond and her willingness to speak of such matters as Vilya to us freely...'
Rian took a bit of food and whispered absently. 'She is oft in Elrond's councils, this I know well...she is a historian, a scholar...and if she speaks so it is with his consent, even by his will.'
Nethrida nodded a bit "I trust you Xan, you know I do... and in the safety Calidis promised…but I trust not what is happening in this valley for now... Perhaps we should not so freely trust this Selunae’s word?"
Xanderian shrugged, 'I cannot say, things feel turbulent and complex....as is my relationship with Selunae, from when we were both young.'
Nethrida took a deep breath and nodded, letting the matter go for now, taking control of the situation. "We'll have to keep our eyes open and set watches... It grieves me, but I do not believe any one of us is safe here..."
A tense silence at Nethrida’s dark words would spread, until Finchley spoke, her voice filled with newfound certainty and relief.
“Not Mustard…definitely not…”
Everyone turned to look at her as she shoved the last bite into her mouth. “Vhat??” she asked with her mouth full, chewing.
