Lynn's Adventure
By Amber

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Contact Email: lackam@aol.com

Beta Name: Angle

Rating: NC17

Main Characters: Erestor/Lynn

Written For: Lynn

Original Request: Erestor/Lynn; : A young lady is on her way to a business seminar in Los Angeles, instead of landing in Los Angeles California the airplane makes a detour and lands in the valley of Rivendell. Meanwhile Erestor needs a library assistant to help him maintain order during busy library hours. Lynn somehow stumbles upon the Homely House of Lord Elrond. She is left confused and asks for help. After Lynn tells her side of how she appeared in Rivendell, she is welcomed as a guest. A tour is given and Lynn spots a help wanted sign for assistant Librarian attached to the library window. She decides to take a chance in apply for the job. She meets Erestor and he sets up an interview with her and along with it, he takes an interest in Lynn.

Word Count: 9500

Notes: FPS: Mary Sue

Disclaimer: I am only borrowing Tolkein’s characters. I make no money off of them.

Summary: Lynn meets someone who changes her life forever.

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As the plane leveled out and drinks were served, Lynn settled back and tried to relax. She was on her way to a research seminar in Los Angeles that she hadn’t originally planned to attend. Her family had become so overbearing in their opinions about her job and her life that she had taken this trip to get away from them. Why could they not just be happy that she was successful in her chosen field of antiquities research instead of telling her that it was a white man’s job? Why did her family keep tying to push men on her that she didn’t like? That last thought made her shudder. Her family’s idea of a good man usually turned out to be someone who wanted to take advantage of her money or position. They had even tried to fix her up once with a politician who wanted to use her as an example of racism. Lynn was happy with her life as it was and she thoroughly believed in her grandmother’s saying that love comes to those who wait.

After the noon meal, Lynn laid back to take a short nap. Rough shaking several hours later awakened her. As she sat up and looked around she realized that the plane was in trouble. The plane had flown into some kind of storm and was having a tough time. Suddenly, there was a loud crack and the lights went out. Everybody started to scream as the plane turned into a steep dive. Lynn was shaken from her seat when her belt gave way and hit her head as she tumbled to the floor. The last thing she saw before blackness descended on her was the frightened face of the stewardess who had also been thrown to the floor.

When Lynn next became aware of her surroundings, she heard birds singing. Opening her eyes, she looked around her to see that she was in a small meadow of wild flowers with the sun shining down on her. There was no sign of the plane or of anyone else. Doing a self-assessment, she determined that she had large bumps on the back and side of her head that corresponded with where she remembered hitting her head on the plane. She tried to stand but became very dizzy and laid back into the grass again. After resting a while, she tried to stand again but went much slower this time. She became dizzy again but it was not as severe this time. Gaining her feet, she swayed for a few minutes before steadying herself. Taking another look around, she thought to herself that this couldn’t be right. She distinctly remembered being on the plane. If the plane had crashed, where was everybody else? Where was the plane for that matter?

Having learned to deal with what was in front of her instead of panicking, Lynn thought about her situation. Regardless of where she was and how she came to be here, she needed to find help. Seeing a path through the brush surrounding the meadow, she decided to follow it. If she were lucky it would lead her to help. Knowing a little about survival, which came in handy in her field, she also picked up a large stick to use for support. Lynn had been walking for about 30 minutes when she heard something behind her. Stopping and turning around, she was unprepared when the arrow that landed between her feet. Backing up in shock, she tripped over her own feet and fell hitting her head on the root of a tree. As she lost consciousness again she saw several strangely dressed men step from behind the trees.

Glorfindel leaned down and checked on the female lying in the path. Her clothing was strange and there was a different feel about her that unsettled him. Finding the large knots on the back and side of her head, he turned to his patrol and gave orders.

“Make a litter; we will carry her to the healing halls. She has head injuries that need to be treated. I will notify the Lord,” Glorfindel told his second-in-command. “Place her in one of the surgery rooms and put guards at the door. See that no one other than me, Lord Elrond, or the head healer enters the room.”

“As you wish, my lord,” came the reply.

It took his men an hour to reach the house with the injured lady. As they were taking her to the healing halls, Glorfindel noticed Elrond watching from his balcony. Choosing to use those stairs instead of going though the house, Glorfindel entered Lord Elrond’s private chambers. Stealing a kiss from his loved one before they entered the study together, Glorfindel was not ready to face Erestor’s ready tongue.

“You know, you really aught to wait until after working hours are over to engage in play. It is insulting to the rest of us to have to wait on you two,” Erestor said.

Lord Elrond just laughed at him while Glorfindel snarled.

“If you would get laid once in a while, I wouldn’t have to worry about insulting you because you would understand,” Glorfindel fired back.

“I am waiting for the right person to come along. Not all of us are so lucky as to have found our chosen one,” came Erestor’s reply.

“I’m sorry,” came the quiet apology. “I sometimes forget others in my own happiness. You will find the one for you have no doubts about that. Besides, Namo would not let such a good opportunity for torment go by,” Glorfindel said as he caught the ink well thrown at him.

“Enough already you two, can not a day go by that you don’t torment each other?” Elrond called to them. “Glorfindel, bring over drinks before sitting and telling me of this lady you have found.”

Erestor looked up in interest as he took one of the seats before Elrond’s desk. Handing the others their drinks, Glorfindel took a sip of his before beginning.

“We found her in the forest to the east of the house. It looks like she came from the forbidden meadow. Her attire and looks are different enough that I suspect we have another time traveler on our hands,” he told them.

“I felt a strong disturbance from that area earlier this morning. I hoped it was nothing but I can see I was wrong,” Elrond said. “What does she look like?”

“The young lady has that dark skin of one from south of Gondorian lands. She has the black hair and dark brown eyes that seem to accompany that skin color. Though she was only conscious for a minute before falling and hitting her head again, here eyes say she is intelligent,” Glorfindel continued.

“I noticed that she was being taken to the healing wing on a stretcher, how badly injured is she?” Elrond wanted to know.

“She appears to have hit her head rather hard several times. There are large bumps on the back and side of her head. Then she fell when we startled her and hit the back of her head again,” Glorfindel said. “I had her taken to one of the surgeries and guard placed around the room. Only the head healer on duty will be allowed to enter,”

“It has been some time since we last had a time traveler. Hopefully this one will not cause as much trouble,” Erestor put in.

Elrond and Glorfindel both winched as they thought about the last time this had happened. The ladies had been very young and had caused all kinds of problems sneaking into different peoples beds uninvited. They had finally resorted to keeping them drugged most of the time until they just disappeared one day. Elrond had felt the disturbance from the meadow before being told the girls had disappeared so he knew that they had finally been sent home. Everyone had been so relieved that they had thrown a grand feast and partied until morning. That had been the night that he had finally drunk enough to tell Glorfindel his feeling for him and to find them returned.

“I will check on her this evening before mealtime. As soon as she is judged healed enough to talk to, I will tell her where she is and what type of conduct is expected of her. Maybe if we tell her this up front, we will all be better off,” Elrond said.

“Well I am off to clean up, I will see you both at dinner,” Glorfindel said as he strode from the room waving.

“You know he meant nothing by his remarks, Erestor,” Elrond told his chief councilor once Glorfindel was gone.

“I know, I don’t know why I let it bother me. I am really happy for the two of you unlike some others. It just bothers me being alone all of the time,” he responded.

“One day you will find your love Erestor, don’t give up hope. And you know you do not have to be alone while you wait,” Elrond told him.

“I know. I just don’t want to intrude with my needs while your relationship is still not on solid ground. If they found out, the twins would only be driven further away and I don’t want that,” Erestor said. “Let’s drop this and finish these letters before you need to go to the healing halls.”

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As Elrond entered the healing wing, his head healer came to great him.

“How is our special patient?” Elrond asked.

“She is sleeping now. She had several nasty hits to her head but there should be no lasting damage. The concussion she obtained is mild and she is recovering from it already. She was awake long enough to tell me that her name is Lynn,” the healer told him. “She should sleep until morning.”

“Watch over her tonight and send me a message in the morning when she wakes. After she is cleaned up and fed I will speak with her here,” Elrond told him before leaving to join his house for the evening meal.

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It was mid morning before Elrond received a message from the healing ward. Soon after, he went to talk to his valley’s newest temporary resident. Lynn was sitting in a chair beside a small window in the surgery when Elrond entered the room with Glorfindel behind him. She studied them but did not show any fear.

“Can you understand what I am saying?” Elrond asked her.

“Yes I can understand you,” she responded.

“I am here to talk to you about your situation. Do you have any idea of where you are?” he inquired.

“I have come to figure out that I am in what my people refer to as the fictional world of Middle-earth,” was all she said.

Nodding at her, Elrond pulled up a chair and sat down as Glorfindel stood against the wall next to the door.

“Do you know who I am?” he asked next.

“Are you Lord Elrond? And is this Imladris?” she asked.

“You are correct on both counts. This is Lord Glorfindel behind me. You seem to be very intelligent and level headed. Let me explain what we know about what has happened to you. There is a meadow just east of here in the forest that seems to be a place where time bends. On several occasions in the past, we have found people wondering in the forest near there. Upon questioning we have learned that they all seem to come from some time in the future. There seems to be no common factor in who we find, except that all have been female. We bring them here where they stay with us until they leave. All of these people are returned to their own time after stays of different lengths. Usually they feel an overwhelming urge to return to the meadow and soon after are gone.”

“We will provide you with suitable clothing so that you will fit in here easier. If you wish, you may pursue some occupation under the tutelage of one of the elves. You must make no effort to change anything here, or reveal any information that you may have about our time as it may change our world. This goes for you also. Your contact with humans will be very limited, if at all, to prevent possible interference with your own future. You must live by our laws and social rules of conduct; many here will help you to learn these. You must also be careful of your feelings. As elves, we know that once you have conquered any fear you have of us that it will be possible for you to fall easily in love with one of us. You must guard against this as it will cause you nothing but pain. If you cannot live within these rules and restrictions, I will drug you and have you restricted to this room until you leave. Unfortunately, I have had to do this in the past and will do it again to protect my people. Can you live by these rules?” Elrond asked.

Lynn was quiet as she took in all that Elrond had told her. It boggled her mind to accept what she was being told but she could see the truth with her own eyes. If the truth were told, she would love to explore this world. She could live with limiting this exploration to the libraries if she must. She did not even want to consider the implications of what he was saying in consideration to the history of her own world. That was something she could do later after she had learned all that she could here. Realizing that they were waiting on her answer, she answered them.

“I will accept your rules and limitations if I may have access to your library. I have always heard that you have the premier library in Middle-earth and would love to spend time exploring it. I am an antiquities researcher and having access to your library would be a dream for me.” Lynn told them.

Nodding his head and looking back to Glorfindel, Elrond agreed.

“The healers would like you to spend another day here to ensure that there are no lingering effects from your head injuries. This afternoon, I will have some ladies come and take measurements for some cloths. You are tall and slim, so altering something already made would be easy enough. My chief counselor, Erestor, runs my library so you will have to gain his permission to study there, but I will let him know that you have my permission. He is short an assistant in the library itself. If you do not mind, I will tell him you are open to working with him. This will entail being interviewed by him but you shouldn’t have any problems if you do not let him intimidate you.” Elrond said. “Now I must go as I have work to do. And if I do not see you again, I hope you enjoy your stay.”

Elrond rose and left with Glorfindel following him. When Elrond looked over at him, he saw that Glorfindel was wearing a strange smile.

“What?” Elrond asked.

“Erestor is going to kill you,” he said.

“Erestor needs to relax and remember that it is my library, not his,” Elrond told him as he grabbed his hand and pulled him up the stairs.

The next day Lynn was led to a room of her own not to far from the healing wing. Upon entering and looking around she discovered that she had her own bathroom and a small patio she could sit on. Soon afterward, a maiden arrival at her door with a trunk of clothes. She showed Lynn how wear her clothes like they did and took her to be fitted for shoes. Upon finishing, she realized that it was lunchtime. Her escort led her to the dining hall for her first meal with the rest of the valley’s residents. They sat at a small table in the corner where she could watch everything that was going on around her. Lynn found the food very good. She did not normally eat many vegetables, but these were just delicious. She would have to spend some time in the kitchens learning how these were prepared for when she went home.

Near the end of the meal, as she was looking around, Lynn felt a shock run thru her body. Through the dining hall doors had walked the most handsome and intriguing male Lynn had ever seen. He was tall as were all of the elves, and slim. He had hair of such a dark black that it shown with blue highlights. When he turned in her direction, she was able to see that he had slightly slanted eyes that were a soft chocolate brown. His skin was so pale that it glowed against his dark blue robes. And oddly enough, she noticed that his hands were long and slim like a piano players. Turning to her escort, she asked who this elf was.

“Oh, that is Lord Erestor, the chief councilor and librarian. He is one of the best looking males in the valley but has the disposition of a stuck up shrew. He is highly intelligent and clever but does not interact with people too often outside of work. If he chances to sing while you are here, you will be in for a real treat. He is one of the best singers in Imladris behind our chief minstrel, and Lords Elrond and Glorfindel,” Lynn was told. “Come, I will give you a tour so you will not be as lost when you are on your own.”

The last place Lynn’s escort took her was the great library. The size of the library impressed her. To know that something like this had existed in what to her were ancient times excited her. Dismissing her escort with the explanation that she wanted to look around and could find her own way back to her rooms, Lynn started to wander in the library. She was amazed at the detail and organization she encountered. She found that the library also served as a display area for art and what she was sure were Elvin artifacts. Lynn realized that she could enter here and not come out for years if given the chance. She became more determined than ever to try for the assistant position that Lord Elrond had mentioned. Leaving the library reluctantly to ready herself for dinner, Lynn promised herself to come back later.

After dinner, Lynn returned to the library and wandered some more. She identified texts in 23 different languages and what appeared to be from four different ages. The library had texts for both children and adults. There were desks, worktables, and couches all around for the ease and comfort of users of all ages. There were small meeting and study rooms around the outer edges of the library, many of which were still in use. There were even several rooms devoted to just maps with different sized adjustable tables in them. The more she looked around, the more impressed she became. Finally she stumbled across what must be the library office area. There were two harried looking young elves trying to help people and retrieve information. In Lynn’s opinion, Lord Erestor needed more that one assistant if the library was always this busy. She waited her turn and when she approached one of the assistants, inquired as to when she could speak with Lord Erestor. Told that he would not be back until tomorrow morning, Lynn left the library to think of how to prepare for an in prompt interview the likes of which she would never have believed before now.

The next morning Lynn found her way to the dining hall without any problems. Eating at the same table, she looked around but did not see Lord Erestor. She headed to the library afterwards with the intent of gaining the library position. Finding different assistants at the office, she again waited her turn and then inquired about Lord Erestor. Asked her name and told to wait, Lynn stood where she could watch the assistants and learn what was required of the job so she could address these assets to Lord Erestor. She also reminded herself not to let his looks distract her, as this was business.

“Lynn, please follow me,” one of the assistants told her.

She was led around the corner into another series of offices that she had not noticed before. These offices were bigger and quieter. The people working in these offices also seemed more confident and efficient. She was led to the biggest office at the end of the hall and told to have a seat. Looking around, she noticed that the room was actually two offices with the wall torn out. The offices were set up so that they mirrored each other with the desks lined up back to back. One office looked neat and organized, set up for research and writing with many small bookcases spread about. The other side was somewhat of a mess. Instead of books, on most of the selves lay different types of weapons and gear.

While she was waiting, Lord Glorfindel came in and sat at the desk in the messy side of the room. After working on reports for a while, he moved to the shelves and took down several different sized bows to work on them. About this time, Lord Erestor came into the room and completely ignored her.

“Have you finished the budget yet Glorfindel?” he asked.

“Yes, I placed them in your basket this morning. The patrol rotation for next month is on my desk if you need it to order supplies,” Glorfindel responded.

“Thanks,” Erestor said as he sat down at his desk and went to work.

“Erestor,” Glorfindel called.

“I’m trying to work, leave me alone,” he to Glorfindel.

“Erestor, you interview is here waiting,” Glorfindel tried again.

“I know, but I must finish this first. Elrond needs to sign it so that it can start for the Havens this afternoon, she can wait,” Erestor said.

Lynn just shook her head no at Glorfindel when he started to say something again. Shrugging his shoulders, Glorfindel left the room with the bows.

Lynn sat for a while and watched Erestor as he worked. Then she turned her attention to what was going on around her out in the hallway. She had learned not to fidget as it made her seem immature. Now she realized that she would need all of her patience to wait while she was ignored. It slowly dawned on her that this could be a test in its self. Elves normally didn’t think much of humans from everything she had read and heard. They were said to believe humans were too impulsive and impatient. Lynn in many ways understood this sentiment. Working in colleges, libraries, and museums she had seen the way many young people acted. It disgusted her the way everyone wanted everything now and had no appreciation or respect of the past. Thinking about it, in many ways she agreed with the elves when it came to her own race.

“Your still here, good. I will have a page run these papers to Elrond then be right back,” Erestor said as he sailed out the door.

It was a good thing he didn’t look at her closely as he left for she had been so lost in thought that she had jumped when he spoke. She must pull her self together if she was going to pass this interview. Lynn watched as Erestor came back in and sat to watch her. After he let her sit under his gaze for a few more minutes, he finally addressed her.

“What makes you think that you could work here in my library?” he asked her.

“Normally I would just give you my resume and let it speak for itself but as I don’t have one with me I will tell you that in my world I am an antiquities researcher. As such, I spend lots of time in libraries and workrooms working with delicate materials, both written and otherwise,” Lynn responded.

“What is a resume?” he asked her.

“It is a written document we use for job interviews that tells of our education and experience. It is an abbreviated timeline of your history after you leave secondary school,” she explained.

“Secondary school?” he asked as his eyebrow rose.

“Where I lived a child is required to attend 12 years of schooling minimum. The last four years are known as secondary school and usually are used to prepare your self for further schooling or working in the trades. Further schooling would be something that is needed in more advanced than normal work, like healers,” Lynn said hoping he would understand her explanation.

“I don’t know about your schooling system but I can tell you that that most humans here don’t receive anywhere near that much education. I approve of that. The resume sounds interesting but is it really needed?” he inquired.

“Unlike elves who stay somewhere for a very long time, or the humans here, we change jobs quite often for a variety of reasons. Our society is not mostly agricultural so there is also the opportunity and ability for a person to change occupations if he wishes as often as he wishes,” Lynn tried to explained. “We don’t usually stay within close proximity of family and the home we grew up in. We travel and move around a lot. The resume makes it easier to check references to ensure that you are the right person for the job.”

Erestor still wasn’t sure about the resume but decided to let it go. Next he asked Lynn what he considered a valuable question when dealing with humans.

“Do you like your work and why?” he asked.

The question startled Lynn. It was not the type of question she would have expected. After thinking for a minute about how to answer she said,

“Yes I like my work. I like the research, looking into mysteries and finding out odd information about the past. I also find the repetitiveness of some of the tasks soothing,” she said. Then she decided to tell him a something she had never told anyone before. “I like the learning, the knowledge itself regardless of what field it is in. To me it is a pleasure just to learn.”

Erestor sat back and contemplated her answer. As he was doing this he realized that she interested him. She was different and that drew him but it was something else that drew him that he couldn’t identify at the time. He realized that he wanted her around so that he could know more about her. Erestor made his decision.

“Your outlook is more Elvin than human. Either the humans of your time have evolved some or you are different. I will give you a chance to prove yourself to me here in my library. You will be an assistant to Melpomean. He will teach you what you need to know. I think I will start you out on the night shift until you learn our systems and such. Is that agreeable with you?” he told her.

“Oh yes, thank you very much for this chance sir,” Lynn responded. He had just made her day. Working nights would give her some time to explore this great place.

“Now, I believe it is time for lunch, would you care to join me?” Erestor asked Lynn.

“I would be honored,” she said looking into his eyes. She felt a strange fluttering in her stomach as she took his hand. She knew she would have to watch herself.

Lynn returned to the library after an entertaining lunch of listening as Erestor told embarrassing stories of Glorfindel. She spent the afternoon getting to know where everything was and meeting some of the other staff. Erestor had told her to take the rest of the day off and that she could begin the following day after evening meal. After several hours of wandering she retired to her rooms. She wanted to be rested so that she could stay up as late as she could. She did not think to ask how late the library was open and wanted to ensure that she slept in enough to allow her to stay up however late.

After eating the evening meal, she followed the others into the in Hall of Fire. She was impressed by the acoustic of the room. While allowing everyone in the hall to hear a performance made from the main music platform, the room enabled smaller groups to perform for smaller crowds in different areas without interfering with each other. She was able to move from group to group and sample the different entertainments at her leisure. As she came to a corner of the room opposite the main platform, she was surprised to find a group being entertained with what could only be love songs. Looking closer, she was surprised to see that Erestor was the singer. He was strumming a lute in time with his verses as the crowd of mainly females, including her earlier escort, sighed. Lynn had to laugh as she took in the expressions on the faces of many in the crowd. Were these the same ladies who considered him to be a stuck up shrew? There was no other way to put it; they ladies were smitten with him. As Lynn joined the group to listen to Erestor sing, she tried to recall all that she has read about him. He was supposed to be distant and anti-social. This was a very different person from the one she had heard about. She could not wait to get to know him better and learn what he was really like.

Lynn settled down in a seat and decided to stay and listen. As the night wore on she realized that many of the residents had retired for the night or to other activities. Many of those who were left gravitated to where Erestor was playing. Several other minstrels joined him and soon they were playing other kinds of music. At one point she found herself looking into Erestor’s eyes as they sang a rather explicit song. This was definitely not the type of music she would have expected from elves. She found herself blushing as she became hot and bothered. Pulling her eyes from his, she had to remind herself of Elrond’s warning about interfering in lives.

Lynn began her work the next night. It took her little time to learn the workings of the library and she was even able to put some ideas forth that increased the efficiency there. She was soon learning the different languages available and began studying the histories on her time off. Most of the elves were friendly but Lynn found that the human men were the ones who refused to accept her. She learned to let the elves see to them while she waited on others. As the months passed, Lynn found herself doing research for the various councilors. She had a quick mind that was appreciated and the elves had no qualms about using her intelligence to their advantage.

As the weeks passed, Lynn found herself spending increasing amounts of time with Erestor. Some of the time she was actually working for him but he also took over her history lesson when he saw how apt of a pupil she was. The more time they spent together the more comfortable they became around each other. Soon Lynn found that he had become her close friend and that she respected him above all others. She had always thought that he was very handsome and as they spent more time together her feelings began to change. She knew she was treading on dangerous ground because she was breaking Lord Elrond’s rules. She also recognized the dangers to herself. Lynn knew that she was falling in love and would jump at the chance for a relationship should it present its self.

Erestor found himself making excuses to spend more time with Lynn. At first their relationship was that of boss and worker but as he recognized her intelligence he felt a pull upon his fëa that demanded more time with her. He took over her lessons and soon was spending his free time with her. He recognized the attraction and realized where he would like to take the relationship. He knew he was trespassing on dangerous ground but could not deny himself. Finally he decided that the only way to determine if this was love or just an infatuation that would pass would be to take their relationship to the next level.

That night after lessons Erestor asked Lynn to walk in the gardens with him. As he led her along the banks of the river he slowly reached for her hand and clasped it. When she squeezed his hand instead of pulling away he pulled her to a stop. Turning her and looking into her eyes, he read the conflicts within her.

“Tell me if you wish me to stop, I will honor your request. I have come to care for you too much to hurt you,” he told her.

Lynn’s emotions where fighting within her. She decided that the only thing she could do was to take a chance. She leaned forward and gently brushed her lips against his quickly. She was unprepared for his response.

Erestor pulled her against him and kissed her with all his might. Breathless and shaking with desire he was slow to part from her lips. Holding her and pressing their foreheads together, he admitted to himself what he had been denying. He was in love and from the look in her eyes she felt the same. This went against all of the rules but neither of them cared. Overwhelmed, they found a secluded spot and sat holding one another until dawn when they reluctantly parted.

Lynn was happy as she prepared for bed. She had taken a chance and found her love returned. What the future held could be dealt with as it came; all that mattered now was that Erestor loved her. She fell asleep with pictures of Erestor floating through her mind. As she headed into deep sleep her dreams changed. She saw the small meadow she had woken up in and felt a pull to return there.

Erestor and Lynn spent all of their spare time together over the next several weeks. Their feelings were growing deeper but neither would talk about it. Lynn also did not tell Erestor about the dreams of the meadow. These dreams were a nightly occurrence now and sometimes repeated them selves several times a night. Lynn had also had a dream of her initial meeting with Lord Elrond where he told her about the pull to return to the meadow when it was her time to return. She had finally admitted to herself that she was being told to return to the meadow but she also knew that she did not want to heed the summons.

Elrond was cuddling on the divan on his balcony with the one he had come to realize was his soul mate. Only when his children were gone from the valley, as they were now, could he take the risk of being with Glorfindel somewhat openly. Elrond knew that it was only his people’s respect for Glorfindel and himself that had kept his children from finding out the truth. His wife Celebrían had agreed to a political marriage with him only because she believed that she had the power to make him claim the Kingship. When that belief had been proven wrong, she had turned their children against him. Most days, if they bothered to come to the valley, they treated him with the barest amount of civility and contempt. His children even blamed him for their mother’s sailing to Valinor. Despite how they treated him, Elrond loved his children too much to ever disrespect their mother in front of them even if this meant that they would not find out the truth from him. There were some in the valley who were still loyal to his wife so he found that it was easier to keep his relationship with Glorfindel quiet by staying in the shadows. He would never have the one he loved hurt on his account.

As he lay in his love’s arms relaxing, Elrond felt the tickle in the back of his mind that signaled the coming of a vision. Glorfindel had become attuned to this feeling in Elrond and positioned him so that his airway was clear and he could keep him from falling when he went into the trance. Then he waited as Elrond fazed out. He would have to ensure Elrond’s well being afterwards for he was always drained and cold upon coming to reawareness. Looking into the bedroom to the fireplace, Glorfindel checked that the kettle was over the coals warming for tea. He also checked the amount of the miruvor in the decanter on the mantle. Elrond would need at least one goblet full to help revive himself afterwards. He pulled the blanket off of the back of the divan and wrapped it around Elrond, then settled back to wait.

Elrond was in the vision for around 15 minutes before he came too with a quiet groan. Glorfindel lifted Elrond, carried him into the room and placed him on the bed. He poured a goblet of miruvor and slowly fed it to Elrond in small sips. Then he made a mug of sweetened tea, which he fed to Elrond as he slipped behind him and held him to his chest. As the tremors passed and after Elrond had taken a small nap, Glorfindel asked him if he wanted to talk about the vision. Elrond turned in Glorfindel’s arms and snuggled into his chest while he contemplated how to tell what he had seen.

“The vision was actually two separate visions,” he started. “The first has to do with my children. I have always known that Arwen would choose to be mortal, I saw that at her birth, but the twin’s fate has always remained hidden from me. Tonight I learned that my sons are perhaps not as close as they seem. They will choose as my brother and I chose. I did not learn which would ultimately join me in Valinor but I have the promise that one will.”

“That is more than I ever hoped for with the way their hatred consumes them. I am happy for you. I know how much you wanted at least one of your children to choose the path of the Eldar,” Glorfindel said. “What was the second vision about?”

Elrond was slow to answer. Erestor was his and Glorfindel’s best friend. He was one of the few who had stood by Elrond’s side from the beginning. Now what the vision had shown him left him conflicted.

“The second vision was about Erestor. He has fallen in love with Lynn. It is time for her to go back to her people but she refuses the summons because of her love for Erestor. He must make a decision that will affect both of them for all eternity. More importantly, he cannot tell Lynn of his choice. I fear that he will be hurt and left lonely however he chooses. All we will be able to do is lend our support,” Elrond told his love.

As Glorfindel digested this information, he wondered why some were chosen to suffer and live lonely lives while others were so blessed. He hugged Elrond to him as he thought about what he had observed of Lynn and Erestor lately. He realized that their love was true and only pain awaited them both. Pulling Elrond close, he thanked the Valar that he and Elrond’s choices were still ahead of them.

“Sleep my love; you can talk to Erestor in the morning. Bad news like this should wait until the break of day,” Glorfindel said as he looked out the balcony doors to the West.

Elrond called Erestor into his office the next day.

“Close and lock the door, Erestor, we need to talk,” Elrond told him.

Erestor looked at Elrond then did as he was told. He suspected that this talk had to do with Lynn and that it would not be pleasant. Seeing Glorfindel sitting on the balcony did not ease his mind. He was usually around when Elrond had to relay unpleasant news.

“Don’t sugar coat anything Elrond. I am not a child. Just say what you have to say,” Erestor told him.

“I had a vision last night, Erestor. It confirmed my suspicions about you and Lynn,” he said as he watched his friend. “You must make a decision that you will not like and whichever outcome you choose will be painful for you.”

Erestor closed his eyes and grimaced. He had suspected that it was not good when Elrond had mentioned Lynn.

“Just tell me,” he said quietly.

“Lynn is refusing the call to return to her own time. She will die if she refuses the call much longer. Your choices are to let her continue resisting and watch her die, make her return to the circle and her own time alone, or to join her as she travels through the circle and stay with her in a mortal life. Also, you cannot tell her of these choices. They are yours to choose, not hers,” Elrond told him.

“How much time do we have?” Erestor asked.

“You must convince her to return to the meadow by the end of the week or she will die on the first day of the following week,” he answered. “Remember Erestor, you cannot tell her at all. This decision is yours alone to make.”

“Why? What are you not telling me Elrond? I have a right to know,” he said as pain assailed his heart.

“Do you trust me Erestor?” Elrond asked. At the affirmative nod from his friend he continued, “I cannot tell you more but know that Glorfindel and I will be there for you in this. I know the pain you face, it won’t be easy but you can survive this. I know not why you are being subjected to this but you must trust in Ilúvator and his song.”

“Can I go now? I need to think,” Erestor said while refusing to look at Elrond.

“I have reassigned your duties to others for the next several weeks. Take what time you need but remember that you are not alone. We are here to help; and remember Erestor, you cannot step into the meadow without being transported through time yourself,” Elrond told him as Erestor walked to the door. Stopping at the door, Erestor looked back at his friends. The look of utter desolation on his face tore at their hearts. Then he nodded and was gone.

Erestor escaped to the gardens were he could be alone and think. There was little choice to be made where Lynn was concerned. He loved Lynn to much to let her die and therefore he would take her to the meadow, but would he join her? He had sworn an oath to the Vala saying that he would stay beside Elrond until he the end, or he was dismissed as having completed his duties. He knew himself well enough to know that he could not take a week of saying goodbye. It would tear his very fëa apart. The sooner he did this the better for them both. Now the only decision to make was on how to do this and whether he would break his oath. He knew that Elrond and Glorfindel would help him in any way he asked and he was going to use that to his best advantage. He would make his final decision when he was at the meadow.

Erestor sent a message to Lynn’s room asking her to meet him at their favorite spot by the river. He told her that he had arraigned for someone to cover her shift in the library so that they could have a quiet dinner. Glorfindel had arraigned the meal and Elrond their favorite spot. Now all he had to do was await her arrival. He prayed to Ilúvator for strength as he heard her approach.

He stood and reached for her as she entered the clearing. Pulling her close he kissed her deeply. Reluctantly breaking the kiss, he led her over to the cloth where their dinner was spread. After seating her, he took a plate and prepared her some food and a glass of wine. Slowly he fed her in between kisses. When he saw that she had had enough to eat he set aside the food and pulled her close. After holding her for a while as they watched the stars come out, he began to kiss her. Rolling himself above her, he looked into her eye. The love and trust he saw there eased his troubled fëa and decided his next move.

As he began to kiss her again he slowly divested them both of their cloths. As hands and mouths began to taste and explore they became lost in an explosion of feeling. When Erestor moved his hands between her legs and spread her, she did not resist. When he ran his tongue up her to play with her clit she convulsed and came. Realizing that she was as ready as he could make her, Erestor rose above her and slowly began to enter her. When he nudged her barrier he stopped and looked into her eyes. When she gave her consent, he pulled back and plunged in this time not stopping until he was buried to the hilt. Giving her a moment to relax and adjust to his size, Erestor marveled at the feel of her fëa. Slowly he began to move within her. Soon he was driving into her hard as she rose to meet him. Feeling that they were both near their peak, he looked into her eyes and melded their fëa together. Crying each other’s names as they climaxed Erestor fought the darkness that rushed him and watched as Lynn passed out from the overwhelming emotions.

Erestor rested for a few minutes holding Lynn close. He knew that she was deeply asleep and would not awaken for some time to come. Elrond had placed a slow acting sleep powder in the food that only affected humans at his request. Erestor knew it was time. He slowly disentangled himself from Lynn and rose. After cleaning and redressing himself he did the same to Lynn without waking her. Then he gently lifted her and carried her through the woods to the edge of the meadow. As he stood there undecided, he felt the light touch of Vilya as Elrond scanned the valley as he did every evening. Looking down into Lynn’s face Erestor knew what he had to do. Gently laying Lynn on the ground without stepping into the clearing him self, Erestor kissed her one last time and withdrew several feet into the woods. He stood and watched as the air shimmered and then she was gone. The keening cry he let loose was the last thing he remembered as the darkness overtook him. Glorfindel, who had discreetly followed him, lifted Erestor and carried him back to the house.

Erestor awoke several days later and returned to his duties but he was not the same elf as before. He stayed in the background and to himself. No longer did he retire to the Hall of Fire with everyone else after dinner to sing and dance. Little was seen of him outside of his normal duties. Only with Lords Elrond and Glorfindel was he seen to smile. Time passed and eventually he passed over the seas with Lord Elrond’s house. In Valinor he stayed to himself and continued his duties in the House of Elrond.

-----

When Lynn came to she found herself in a hospital in her own time. She was told of the airplane crash and began to believe it was all a dream. Only when the doctor came to tell her that she was pregnant did she again begin to believe that it might have been real. The ache in her heart proved t her that her memories and feelings had happened. When she was released and returned home, she returned to work and prepared for her baby’s arrival. Her family gave her a hard time about her pregnancy (she had claimed that she would never bear a child out of wedlock) and demanded that she leave her job and return to live with them. She ignored them, never would she subject Erestor’s child to their kind of lifestyle. She may have lost him to the fates of time but she had their child to remember him by and she would raise that child in a manner he would approve of.

Lynn was alone when she gave birth to their child. At first sight of her newborn son she no longer questioned her memories. While he had the bronzed skin caused by their mixed heritages, he had Erestor’s face. His hair was silky and straight and his eyes carried the slight slant of his fathers. His ears also carried the slightly rounded point that she had noticed on Lord Elrond’s ears; the ears of a peredhil. She cried that he would never see his father but she promised herself that when he was old enough to understand and believe she would tell him of Erestor.

She took the typical six weeks of maternity leave then placed her child in a day care near her work. The two of them settled into a quiet routine that revolved around little Erril. Life was quiet and uneventful for the two of them and continued this was for several years. Then one night as she was cleaning away the remains of dinner while Erril played at her feet the doorbell rang. Looking thru the peephole, she could see nothing. She could afford to live in good neighborhood so she took a chance and open the door. Erestor caught her as fainted.

When Lynn came to, she was laying on the couch. Before her on the floor Erril was playing blocks with Erestor without a care in the world.

“Why is he not afraid of you?” she asked. “He is normally afraid and distrustful of those he does not know.”

“Elvin children inherently know who their parents are. While he is Peredhel, he retains this ability. Are you finding that his development is a little slower than what is considered normal here?” Erestor asked.

When she nodded affirmative he explained, “Peredhel children develop faster than Elvin children but not as fast as a normal human child would. I have been testing him and find that his development is the same as what I remember Elrond’s to be. If anything, I expect him to develop faster because he does not have the traumatic childhood Elrond suffered through.”

When she did not speak again for some time he gave her the answers he knew she was afraid to request.

“I dressed you and took you to the meadow after you fell asleep. You would have died by the end of the week if you had not been returned. I could not follow you for I had sworn an oath before the Vala to stay by Elrond’s side until he no longer needed me. It broke my heart to let you go and I have not been the same since but I had no choice. Had I broken my oath I would have been sentenced to Mando’s Halls for all eternity. It took me many years to realize I was being tested and that I had passed. It was not until recently that I have been given my reward,” he told her.

“You could have told me, I should have been given the chance to make a choice,” she accused.

“I was warned that I could not tell you. It was part of the test,” he answered as he looked at the floor. “Do you hate me now?”

“Never,” she said to him as she launched herself from the couch into his arms. They kissed until Erril’s screams for attention became too loud to be ignored. Laughing they proceeded to play with him until he fell asleep in Erestor’s arms.

After putting their son to bed they sat at the table drinking tea.

“What are you not telling me Erestor?” Lynn quietly asked for she had felt his disquiet as the night grew. She had also noticed him checking the clock on the wall when he thought she was not looking.

“I cannot stay here. This world is too different and would not accept me. You know this as well as I do. I have to leave before sunrise and make my way to the park where I will return to my own place. My reward for having faith in the Vala and keeping my oath was to return here and make you an offer. I will take Erril with me for he will run into problems as he grows here and will ultimately be an outcast. I will not let this happen to my son. The choice that has to be made is whether you will come with me,” Erestor told her.

Lynn sat staring at the table for several minutes before she answered.

“I always understood it that mortals were not allowed into Valinor with the exceptions of the hobbits and Gimli. How can I go there if this is so?” she asked.

“I was given knowledge of things that others do not know before coming here. It will be hard for you to understand and accept what I am going to say but draw on what you know of ancient history to help you. You are not of the second born. They were all destroyed some time in what we know as the fifth age. Ilúvator created you and you people afterward. The ban does not apply to you. If you remember your bible history then you know that Adam was created as an immoral. It was only after he disobeyed that his immortality was taken away as punishment. Your people have the ability to regain that immortality through certain steps. Your strong belief in God has allowed you to take those steps. You will be given your immortality in a different way than normal and be limited to the firstborn’s fate if you choose to go with me. While not all in Valinor will accept your present and treat you accordingly, we will live with Lords Elrond and Glorfindel and their people, many of who will remember and accept you. Only while traveling will you encounter any resistance to your presence there. Lord Elrond still receives sneers and is unaccepted by some so you will be in good company. Besides, I was shown enough about your world before coming here to know that you know how to live with racism,” Erestor told her. “Please come with me, let us be a family?” he pleaded. “I love you Lynn and now that I have you again I do not want to lose you.”

“I need time to think,” Lynn said as she got up and walked away from the table. What he was asking was too much, she said to herself.

“I only have until an hour before sunrise, and then I must leave,” he told her. He left her alone to think as he silently began packing some of his son’s things to take back with him. He prayed to Ilúvator that Lynn would join them.

-----

It was an hour before sunrise when Erestor came to her in the bedroom.

“I must leave soon, what have you decided?” he asked with hope in his heart.

“You are asking me to leave all I know behind for an unsure life,” she said as she looked at him in fear.

As the tears began to fall from his eyes he asked on final time, “Please?”

“I love you Erestor with all that I am. I am placing my and our son’s lives in your hands, do not disappoint me,” she said quietly as she pulled a packed bag from behind the bed where he could not see it.

“Come, I am ready to begin this new adventure,” she said as he crushed her in his arms.

Finis