Defenders of Middle Earth: A Middle Earth Story(Book 3)

Chapter 6: Arriving at the House of Elrond

   The ride to the bottom of the ravine had been tense, and none of the companions spoke as they descended the rocky trail. The screeches of the Nazgul along with the shouts and cries of voices unfamiliar to the group echoed down into the valley, filling the group with fear. Gerithor urged them on at greater speed, for he was eager to reach Rivendell as quickly as possible.

Soon the gates of the hidden sanctuary came into view, along with the cascading waterfalls that emptied into the river in front of it. A great bridge arched over the river, right where the falls met the riverbed. Countless colorful trees adorned the banks, and the scent of pine resin filled the air, carried along by a gentle breeze that rustled the leafless branches.

As the small band approached the bridge, two elven sentinels halted them. They were dressed in the silver armor of Rivendell, and they wore flowing blue cloaks that were draped around their shoulders. Though they were but guards, they were prepared for war and they each carried a tall spear and a shield.

"Halt! State your business!" One of them called out in a clear voice. Gerithor raised his hand, signaling his companions to stop.

"Your warrior, Glorfindel, is in danger! He needs aid!" He exclaimed, motioning up the ravine to the forest that loomed there.

"We are aware that he went forth from here to battle the Ringwraiths, along with two other elves. We are also aware that they are more than capable of dealing with the wraiths," one of the guards said with an air of indifference. "But Lord Elrond indeed sent aid henceforth, whether it be needed or not."

"That is good," Gerithor said as he moved closer. Both guards moved their spears to block the passage ahead. 

"We wish only to enter Rivendell, we are friends of Lord Elrond," Gerithor said, surprised by the elves' behavior. 

"None enter except by direct permission from Lord Elrond Halfelven. Any who seek to pass without such permission will be prevented from doing so, by force if necessary," the guard replied in a voice that sounded as though he had repeated the same words many times that day.

At that moment Taliel rode ahead of Gerithor, until her steed was mere inches from the guard. The guard, though disciplined, was forced to take a step backward.

"We are here for the Council. If you do not let us through Lord Elrond will be displeased," She said menacingly.

The elf nodded disaffectedly, and pulled an elegantly decorated scroll from his belt. His eyes ran down it, and after a moment he looked up at Taliel.

"Your name?"

"Taliel. Though it is Edhael, my companion, who was invited to the council, not I."

The guard ran his finger down the list, and after a moment he nodded again.

"He is indeed on the list. You may go." He and his companion stepped aside, allowing the group to pass unhindered. The silent guard raised a horn decorated with silver runes to his lips, sounding a long clear note that echoed through the valley. The gates on the other side of the bridge opened slowly, and another sentinel that stood on the wall called out in Sindarin, heralding Edhael's arrival. Edhael took the lead, a smug but dashing smile on his face. The rest of the company followed behind, Taliel rolling her eyes and the other two silently taking in their surroundings.

They passed through the open gates into a beautiful courtyard. Statues of elven heroes stood silent watch over it, and the ground was paved with pure grey cobblestones. A fountain in the likeness of a beautiful elven maid stood in the middle of the courtyard, a gentle stream of water descending into a pond from a silver pitcher in the maiden's hands. Birds chirped happily from several white-flowered trees that stood around it, and the scent of the blossoms reached the traveler's noses.