See The Hobbit → old muses say hi → as if we don't know the drill by now /facedesk

[laurea]

Come, now. Let us put this foolishness behind us.

[ A patient smile touches the corners of Glorfindel's mouth. It's sweet with the warmth and wisdom if not a little condescending: he is a busy Elf, after all, and he has heard this all before. ]

Consider a private exploration of my character in place of what you have in mind. Your strength holds the hand of your weakness, hina— [ His smile grows firm in its fondness. ] —and you are not yet ready for my guidance.

[ Glorfindel places a hand upon his breast as the calm of his eyes shifts a little deeper; ]

Until then.

Comments

excuse me - i'm testing old muses too!

[undomiels]

You may find this route ... a worthy use of your time.

[ she's peaceful, resigned, with an air of sadness that seems to cling to her lingering about every word. ]

In lieu of other options, this cannot be wholly unreasonable.

We will undertake this adventure together! ♥

[laurea]

[ Even Glorfindel is not immune to the tragedy of the Evenstar. As seneschal to Elrond he has become a part of the fabric of Imladris, and Arwen, Elrond's noble daughter, holds a special place in his ancient heart. He tilts his head in polite acknowledgement as he lowers his hand from his chest. ]

I am pleased to find you in agreement, my Lady, although I cannot estimate how far 'reason' will stretch within this place.

♥ thank you for your patience!

[undomiels]

[ she inclines her head as well, clasping both of her hands before her and studying him. she cannot hope to speak to him with any wisdom that age has not already given him. ]

Would you not find it refreshing to wander here a while?

[laurea]

[ Glorfindel's expression takes on a melancholy hue of its own as a brief weariness flickers across his eyes. After having seen his beloved home razed to the ground; after having paced the Halls of Mandos once before ... ]

I have wandered enough in my time, I fear.

[ But he chases it away with a golden smile. ]

I've come to believe that it suits me ill.

[undomiels]

[ her eyes flicked to his and she took a step closer, reaching for him to take one of his hands in both of hers. ]

My spirit was never given to wander this world.

[ she could recognize a smile that was not truly given in earnest, or that was only half-meant.]

You will always have a home where I rest my head, Glorfindel Laurefindil. If two travel together, are they truly wandering?

[laurea]

[ With his free hand Glorfindel gently cups Arwen's face, admiring the pale glow of her beauty before brushing the pad of his thumb along her cheekbone. It's a fatherly gesture, in its own way, and he lets his hand drop atop hers shortly afterwards. ]

The breadth of your heart knows no limits, my Lady. [ He dips forwards to brush a chaste kiss to her hair. ] I am afraid that I do not know the answer to your question. It would, however, ease my mind somewhat to search for it with you.

[undomiels]

[ the gesture is comfortable and, more importantly, comforting. she won't express how shaken she is to find herself in this strange place, but after inhabiting a familiar world for so many decades .. it is disconcerting. at least with her own kind and kin, some things would remain unchanging. ]

It will be a merry search then, with the pair of us. It seems there are many here who seek some sort of wisdom and guidance - and there are also more friends to be sought.

[ but among those friends - lovers? mothers? fathers? her soul cried for her people, for home. they would miss her. she would miss them. ]

[therangerking]

Do you now withhold your guidance from those who need it?

[ The speaker is a hooded man, with a smoking pipe at his side. ]

[laurea]

[ But the speaker is much more than that, as Glorfindel well knows, but he'll play along for the time being. He greets Elessar with a vaguely amused little smile; ]

I have given what little guidance I can, for the time being.

[ The tail end of an eyebrow lifts a little way. ]

Should that not be enough?

[therangerking]

[ He knows that Glorfindel recognises him - he expects nothing less from the Balrog slayer, really - but Aragorn keeps his hood on, keeping the facade of the nameless Ranger. ]

That is for the receiver of such guidance to judge.

[laurea]

In which case, I would suggest that you refrain from it.

[ Judging, that is. Despite his gentle reprimand there's nothing sour to Glorfindel's tone—rather that same pleasant mildness that the Elves have made their own. The sparkle in his eyes belies him his passiveness, however; it is good to see Aragorn alive and well before him. ]

[therangerking]

[ Aragorn chuckles. He reaches up and tugs the hood off of his head. What use in there in hiding when his identity is already known, especially in the presence of an old friend? ]

Aye, there is that. [ He looks at Glorfindel for a long moment before he inclines his head. ]

I did not expect to see you here, old friend.

[laurea]

[ A radiant smile breaks over Glorfindel's features as Aragorn reveals himself. Again, a palm presses firmly to his breast, but this time he follows through by clasping Aragorn's upper arm in a close gesture of friendship. ]

Nor I you, although the girl seems to reckon otherwise. [ His chuckle is rich with music. Releasing him at last, Glorfindel takes a moment to simply enjoy the other's presence; ] It has been too long, Elessar, by the years of Men. Too long by far.

[therangerking]

[ Aragorn returns the grip. It has been long since he has left Imladris as a child, and though he has met Glorfindel during the Council, the months before the Fellowship had set out seems like a lifetime away.

He returns the smile, and chuckles quietly himself. ]

Surely it is but a blink of an eye to one of the First Born. [ He takes a step closer, and clasps his hand on Glorfindel's shoulder. ]

I am 'Aragorn' to friends, Glorfindel. It will please me greatly if you would use that name again. [ Or even 'Estel'- but Aragorn has long outgrown that name, save for Arwen's lips. ]

[laurea]

As you like. Forgive me: many would consider it a virtue, but we Elves are old creatures of habit.

[ Glorfindel's smile grow fond. Indeed, this is a man whose journey has been long and gruelling; a man who has grown into his mantle well. A fleeting life with the power to tip the balance of the land so easily ... ]

Aragorn.

[ The name rings pleasant under the faint lilt of his accent. Quenya is an ancient language, all but extinct, yet it lives on through Glorfindel's songs and subtle inflection. ]

I trust I find you well?

[therangerking]

[ He thinks if there is naught he misses more of Glorfindel, it is in the musicality of his speech, in the dance implied in his words. The language of Quenya is one that Aragorn himself has learned during his studies, and he learned it from Glorfindel himself. It brings to mind the sweetly innocent days where his greatest worries were not of a kingdom, but merely how to get his old friend to tell him the stories of the olden days. ]

Aye. [ He chuckles lowly. ] I am not sent unwilling to a place that I know not, though I have been before, many a times.

[laurea]

[ There's a curious tilt of the head, although for the time being Glorfindel is content to simply enjoy his presence. A drop of amusement flickers around the corners of his mouth: it draws out the youthfulness of his appearance, as laughter often does, despite the often startling truth of his age. ]

Is that so? [ A contemplative hum follows. ] I would ask where you find yourself now, then, that seems to please you so.

[therangerking]

In many places, [ Aragorn keeps his voice soft. ] Here, in this strange place where there is no time, no North or South. In a ship that sails upon the stars without cloth hanging from its masts. In a high tower, where I met old friends, but where I was taken from them after too short a time. I was brought back to Gondor, and I visit Arnor again and in Rivendell, where events take place where they have never happened before.

[ Aragorn smiles slightly, and tips his head to the side. ]

There seems little easy answers to such a question, Glorfindel.

[laurea]

[ Glorfindel sobers. Aragorn's descriptions are strange and unsettling; "a ship that sails upon the stars without cloth hanging from its masts"—more akin to the prophecies of Elves than the tales of a travelling man, yet he appears clear enough of mind and eye to relay what he has seen. As a youth Estel would not lie to him, and Glorfindel believes the same of the man he has become. ]

Little easy answers indeed ... [ He pauses for a moment. ] Although it seems as though an easy answer would be none at all.

[ A glassy veil settles over Glorfindel's features as he considers his words further. This directionless realm, he is crudely familiar with, yet within it there has been more to Aragorn's journey than his own—and beyond? ]

These riddles are troubling, Aragorn. [ Then, gently, more to himself than to his friend; ] I fear I still have much to learn before I can begin to understand.

[therangerking]

[ Aragorn cannot help it. He chuckles lightly, his eyes dancing as he looks at Glorfindel- though his grin fades quickly enough when he sees the sober look upon his old friend's face. ]

Those are not riddles. I understand these lands only through those words, for they are still strange to me. [ He shakes his head. ] There seems much to learn of these strange lands for both of us.

[ The thought disturbs him slightly, but a thought comes to his mind and Aragorn smiles again. ]

'Tis stranger still that a tutor of mine will now be less unlearned as I am.

[ Perhaps Glorfindel might find it strange, but Elessar is a far more confident Man than Estel had been. ]

[laurea]

[ A rueful smile turns the corners of Glorfindel's lips. ]

Perhaps, but do not presume that Estel is too far gone to yet benefit from my teachings.

[ He's teasing now, of course, and as much is evident in the way his smile breaks to something bright and kind. Those afternoons spent tutoring Estel seem like the events of yesterday to Glorfindel; back when the days weren't quite so dark and the prickle of threat wasn't quite so close. The memories make for a happy shaft of light within the heartache of past millennia; ]

Though you now possess much wisdom of your own, meldonya. [ He touches Aragorn's shoulder affectionately. ] I have faith in your survival, wherever you may be.

[therangerking]

[ Quenya is a strange word in his ears now, after so many years and so little chances to speak it or hear it. But it is a language not easily forgotten, and Aragorn's confusion fades after only a single heartbeat, and he smiles again. ]

Aye. Though I cannot vouch for my own wisdom, [ what Man can, after all? ] there is still too much to be done in Middle Earth for my life to end in these strange places.

[ He quirks a smile, because despite his solemn words, the thought does bring him comfort. ]