The Gravewalker

Between the years I might've come to know you

Narrator's point of view

Silence. Talion - I guess it's Talianna now - stared slack jawed at Glorfindel.

Silence. Glorfindel rubbed his neck nervously. Celebrimbor came out of Talianna's body, also staring incredulously.

Silence. Talianna closed her slightly opened mouth. She opened it again and closed it, unable to formulate any understandable sentence. The wind picked up, ruffling Talianna's and Glorfindel's hair gently.

Finally, after five minutes of awkward silence, the ranger spoke, "I honestly don't know what to say my lord. That came from left field. Mind explaining your thought process? Might help me make sense of your 'request'."

'Please, by all means explain why.' The ring-forger said, forgetting that he can't be heard.

"I don't know how to say it. I don't - ah, to hell with it. I feel a connection with you. I believe you might be the one person that understands me the most. My instincts and intuition never failed me before so I won't ignore them now. My request is ludicrous, I admit, however I trust you. That's why I asked." He answered while clasping his hands nervously. Celebrimbor shifted his position, covering Talianna's right flank. She briefly glanced at him, before returning her gaze on the blonde elf.

"I... Ah, I guess I understand your reasoning. Instincts are what kept me alive after the fall of the Black Gate. So I probably can relate." She paused and unconsciously seeked out Celebrimbor's hand. The wraith rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand whilst holding her palm lightly with his other hand. "I accept."

"You do? Truly?" He exclaimed excitedly. "Wonderful! From now on, you can call me brother." He grabbed her left hand and pulled gently. Her elf frowned. "Lets go! I can't wait to introduce you to the council."

"Please, wait!" The Gravewalker shouted from behind the elf's back. "I don't feel comfortable talking to new people. I don't know how to interact with them. Help me!"

"You're an introvert? I wouldn't have guessed. You looked in your element talking to me." He said raising an eyebrow. "Don't worry, I'll be there with you." He ended with a comforting voice.

"Truth is, I also felt comfortable with you. I'm at ease when talking to you." She blurted out, "Anyway, I appreciate your help. Thank you brother." His face turned red from holding in his laughter, before he just turned stony-faced

His façade cracked not soon after, "Aww, that was adorable. I'm touched." Glorfindel said to the ranger. Her wraith put his hand on her shoulder, gently reminding her not to lunge at the blonde.

'Don't. Save it for later. Maybe a stealth attack at the homestead?' He suggested.

"Brother!" He just laughed, while Talianna pouted. Oh right, sorry, she 'scowled'. My bad.

'You're right. How about an attack from above?' She replied nonchalantly.

'Sounds good. I can show you where later.' He confirmed, a smirk forming on his face. 'He'll be in for one hell of a surprise.' Talianna laughed mentally.

Glorfindel led her through the forest, heading towards the homestead. They chatted idly and played around a bit, playfully shoving each other (Celebrimbor just shook his head at their antics). Within minutes they began to resemble real siblings.

Guard P.O.V

I was just walking there, during one boring, mundane patrol, when I heard laughter. I thought about dismissing it altogether, but then I remembered one thing. Elves didn't stray into the forest. The only people that came there were patrolling. So, what was happening? Unable to contain my curiosity, I strayed from my usual path, heading towards the direction I heard the sounds.

I walked carefully through the foliage, taking care not to make a single sound. Sidestepping a twig and ducking under a branch, I caught a glimpse of blonde hair. Lord Glorfindel? What was he doing there? Another flash of color. Black hair? Who was the lord with?

I leapt into a tree and perched on a branch, using the leaves to hide behind. Moving slightly to the right, I found the optimal vantage point. Crouching, I waited for my lord to enter the clearing. Once he did, my eyes widened.

Lord Glorfindel was dressed in his casual clothing - meaning, he was dressed in a brilliantly green tunic with blue and gold accents and brown leather trousers - and accompanying him was a woman of about thirty? Forty? I never can tell the age of mortals. The woman had short black hair, at least for elven standards, and was tall. I mean, towering-over-most-mortal-men tall. She had broad shoulders and wide hips without a narrow waist to even out the proportions. Yet, somehow, she looked better than most women with narrow waists. Her face wasn't elf perfect, but it had a certain charm to it, despite its imperfections. Both of them were laughing, talking and I think I saw lord Glorfindel wrap an arm around her playfully once.

What struck me however, was the way she was dressed. It took one look in her direction to tell that she was a ranger from the Black Gate. And captain to boot. Thing is, if why was she here if the reports stated that there were no survivors? A nice conundrum to be sure. She couldn't be a deserter, no sane creature would dress in clothes indicating the allegiance they belonged to. A survivor then?

She was dressed in leather. And a cloak. Seriously stop asking me for descriptions. I'm not good at those. No, stop it. Fine~~~, I'll do it. From what I could see, she was dressed in a leather shirt - or was that a vest? - with multiple designs forming words and ithildin. She had grey-ish green arm braces and knee height leather boots that were usually used by hunters, both human and elf. She had a grey shirt that was longer than the leather shirt-or-vest, reaching mid thigh. She had skin-tight trousers that looked like they were made from leather, but probably weren't. The ex-ranger had a black, ripped and worn cloak with the symbol of Gondor. More specifically, of the gondorian dunedain. That cloak automatically signified a high rank. Those with pitch black cloaks were usually captains or even commanders, but that was rare. Oh, and she had a leather belt going over her right shoulder to connect with her actual belt on the waist. That belt had several daggers attached to it. Yes, I know that my description was terrible and not impressive at all, but you had to see her to see what I saw. I saw an awe-inspiring figure that could lead armies. Next to lord Glorfindel she looked equal, like they were warlords fighting side-by-side, like brothers-in-arms, like generals leading the charge that would end in a clash of epic proportions.

I leaned forward, intent on hearing at least a snippet of their conversation. What I heard was...

Nothing of importance. No really, they were talking about their likes and dislikes.

Seeing that there wasn't anything I could find out about the human, I leapt of the tree and ran to the homestead to inform lord Elrond of our new... Guest.