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Journey’s end...
Posted June
12, 2008 by galatia9 and beamlette
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*After a long, hot day, Inigo sits in the cooling
dusk air, reading...*
*He hears a soft, barely perceptible sound...*
Inigo: Glorfindel!
Glorfindel: Inigo...
forgive me for intruding, and for not making my visit known to you beforehand.
I've... I've come a long way, and...
Inigo: Please, don't trouble yourself
with explanations now. Come with me, Glorfindel, and
take some rest. You must be very weary after such a long journey... for I know
how far you've come.
*the next morning...*
Inigo: You look much better today!
Glorfindel: Yes, I'm very well. I... Inigo... thank you. I didn't realize how tired I was.
Inigo: Please, sit down. Unless you're
in a hurry to rush off again. *smiles*
Glorfindel: *rueful smile* Believe me,
I'm not.
Glorfindel: I'm sure you must be
wondering why I've come so far. And you might be surprised to hear that... you
are the one I wish to see. I waited for some time to find you alone.
Inigo: Indeed? Why me?
Glorfindel: Because I... You realize
it's not easy for me to tell you this... but I am seeking your help.
Inigo: Glorfindel,
I told you before... I'm not certain I can do anything for you. You may have
wasted your trip.
Glorfindel: I have nowhere else to
turn. My resources have run dry... *wryly* unless I wish to travel even further.
Inigo: *sigh* I will do what I can, but
I can't promise you anything.
Glorfindel: I understand.
Inigo: Very well.
Glorfindel: Inigo...
first of all, you know I haven't been here very long. Less
than a year. My previous memories of my father were from my childhood,
when we lived with our people. I remember him, and our family, and our
beautiful home, but no more. I don't know the true name of our people, or the
true name of the hidden place where we lived. But I recently found out that
after my childhood, but before my adolescence... my father had put a charm on
me to put me to sleep. He wrote about it in his papers, which I found after I
awakened. And now... he is gone. It's as if he never existed. I want to find
him.
Inigo: What is his name?
Glorfindel: Gwindor.
Gwindor Rowantree. I have
no knowledge of his fate. And since I have access to his documents now, I'm
trying to discover the true name of our people and their home... and I want to
go back there. I don't feel I belong here. I tried to adapt, and tried to make
connections with others of Elvenkind, as you know,
hoping that would suffice, but I was unsuccessful. Mere connections are not
enough. And I no longer have the heart to persevere in that direction, since I
know now that such an endeavour is doomed to failure.
Glorfindel: But... I don't know the way
home. Father didn't include any contemporary maps among his papers, so I can't
compare them to the ancient ones he left me. I tried, but even after extensive
research, I can't find a suitable match, in topography, geography or climate. I
guess... the world has changed too much since then. I think I was asleep a long
time. A VERY long time.
Inigo: Glorfindel,
I'm sorry, but I don't know of him by his name. I'm willing to look at your
maps and your documents, if you wish.
Glorfindel: *sigh* I thought it was at
least worth a try to ask you. Perhaps you'll recognize my people after reading
about them?
Inigo: Perhaps. If I do, I'll tell you
all I can. But... there are others I know who are far more
well-travelled than
Glorfindel: *coldly* I won't speak with
Sanar, if he is your suggestion. I will ask no favors
of him.
Inigo: No... I thought not. But there
is another. I will see what I can do.
Glorfindel: Thank you. *hesitates* Inigo...
Inigo: Yes?
Glorfindel: I know it must be difficult
for you to talk about, but I feel I have to ask... I don't understand why you
would want to leave your home and your people... when returning to them is the
only thing I can think of. It's not only finding the whereabouts of my father
that drives me back. The desire to return runs deeper than that.
Inigo: Perhaps the difference is that I
have been conscious -- for far too long – of my circumstances. Not to
make light of yours, no… mine has been a slow-growing feeling of unease, of
dissatisfaction with some of the ways of my people.
Inigo: My older brother Sanar was the shining star of our family, and I was content
to be subordinate, as he had the gifts, and the force of character to find a
high position suited for him. I know you are at odds with him, for just those
traits – but he never forgets we are kin, and he has always looked out for me –
even now. He hides my defection from the Alar, at
some risk to me and him. For this I am grateful… however… I feel guilt, as he
could do this for me, but would not stand up for his wife’s sister against the
council. She should’ve mattered as much as me. And coward I was, to not speak
out in her behalf. This, as well as the arrogance of the Alar
as to their superiority, has long chafed at me. So, this is how I find myself
here in the mortal world, to see if I can find a place among them.
Glorfindel: I don't wish to make it
sound petty, for I know the separation must have been traumatic, however slowly
your unhappiness festered...but I would pay nearly any price for opportunities
such as you had. You took your existence there for granted, and even considered
it a burden, when for me, staying there would have been a treasure. And now I
see it's impossible for you to go back. I can't imagine a situation such as
yours. And I... I guess I didn't think if my people
would even be accepting of me if I DID return. I remember a feeling of
acceptance and belonging in my youth. I... would hope that hasn't changed.
Inigo: And I would hope that for you,
too. I know of someone who is well-suited to assist you in your quest, someone
who is skilled at finding what may seem forever lost – my cousin Junco –
Glorfindel: I... I don't want you to
think me ungrateful, Inigo, after your willingness to
help me... but I am wary about accepting HER help. Im
fact, my first inclination is to refuse it. I know how close she is to Sanar.
Inigo: If I were in your position, I
would likely feel the same; trust is a difficult matter. However, I know she
has aided many and diverse folk in the past, and continues to do so now. This
is the best advice I can give, Glorfindel -- I'm
sorry that it is of so little help.
Glorfindel: You have been a great help.
I... just don't think I am ready to accept HER help. More than anything else,
though... I am grateful to have someone I may count as a friend. I assure you,
your willingness and kindness make up for any lack. *sincerely*
Thank you.
Inigo: You are most welcome, Glorfindel -- and I am honored to be counted as your
friend. *bows head*
Junco: Yes, Master Glorfindel -- you ARE most
welcome...
If Glorfindel only knew that
Junco was nearby -- !
A sunny day on the patio finds Zimta
taking in a little fresh air, and more –
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