The Inn of Rivendell

[Ecthelion]

Ecthelion had known many women like that too, and he saw right through them, ' All this talk of love is making me edgy, ' he murmured, gleaming, his dazzling smile encompassing them all. ' I have loved many times, my King, my friends, never wholehearted love for one lady though, '

[Brünnehilde]

She turned to him and said "Yes, so have I. For it is normal to love those that are kind to you, for friends, family, but loving someone, as in a man for a woman, that is different from the rest." She then said "Is it that you like someone?"

[Ecthelion]

' Like? ' he questioned, teasingly,' or desire, lady? I do not easily ' like ' many people, first they must earn my respect, but of course it's easy to feel desire, even momentarily, for a beautiful woman, '

[Brünnehilde]

She nodded and said "And how is it a woman to gain your respect? I never thought of desire, maybe I have traveled so much, I have only looked for adventure. I just sometimes wanted to evade my past. It never works in the end, you must face it as it is."

[Glorfindel]

'If someday you feel the same desire for a man that you feel for battle, he would be very lucky,' Glorfindel toasted, very lucky indeed.

[Brünnehilde]

She blushed a bit and said "For a man to gain my love or desire he has to really impress me my Lord, I am not an easy woman and for what I have lived, I do ot know if a man would ever find me attractice nor an interesting conquest."

[Ecthelion]

Ecthelion smiled, agreeing with that, ' A woman would earn my respect... ' he paused and laughed, ' by not being easy with me, as so many have been, but then, I might become bored, ' he winked at Glorfindel, ' if they were too disinterested, ' he siped his wine ' a thorny issue, lady, '

[Brünnehilde]

She nodded and said "Well, I think that is the interesting part in wanting someone to like you, the woman being a difficult one and the man persisting."

[Ecthelion]

He leaned back,' Only the most special women are worth such a struggle, hiril nin, and there are not many, in these times, many think they are far better than they are others... as yourself, seem not to think enough of what they are, '

[Brünnehilde]

She looked at him a bit confused and then said "What do you mean by that my Lord?"

[Ecthelion]

' You said, ' he quoted ' I do not know if a man would ever find me attractice nor an interesting conquest , well personally a man who thinks of women only as a conquest, he tilted an amused glance at Glorfindel, ' ought to be slapped by the flat of a sword around his head, but you have lived a sheltered life indeed, I think. You are very attractive, why not have more confidence in yourself? '

[Glorfindel]

'..Ah, is that why you were forever smacking me over the head with the hilt of your blade, mellon?' Glorfindel laughed and leaned back in his chair. 'There are as many women who would have the same attitude towards men, and you youd be as much of a prize as anyone.'

[Brünnehilde]

She nodded "I have, sheltered indeed and it was a cage for my soul and goals." She then looked at the fire and said "I lived among men who would only like women they could take on the first blow, no magic, no perseverance, not even desire. They would see me as a traveler, a warrior, but not a woman." She then proceeded " But I also think not everyone is the same, that there must be someone that likes me the way I am, that I believe now, after my journey to Mirkwood." She saw the flames sparke as they grew from the bruning wood.

[Ecthelion]

Ecthelion shot an amused glance at Glorfindels remark, ' I wondered why my head was aching, ' he murmured, ' Lady, if you have met Eldalie, who have...presented themselves to you as people who care only that a woman be some sort of unpaid servant for them.. then those Elves born in Middle earth have indeed fallen from the glory of old, ' he said ' but Men, Mortals, well, that would not surprise me. ' he shrugged, ' I have seen many since returning to Middle Earth, but in the Eldar Days, I knew only three, closely, the brothers Hurin and Huor, and they were mighty men indeed, and Tuor, Huors son, who married King Turgons daughter, and who's grandson, is Elrond Half-Elven, ... they were great men, but these days.. are there any? I have seen none, so far, ' He turned the winecup in his slender, strong hands, ' And even the Elves.. that I have observed, for I rode from Mithlond, myself, lady, across Eriador, before coming here, I did not speak with many , but I stayed at inns, both lonely and busy, and I observed closely. I do not know what has happened here. '
He sat up and glanced at Glorfindel, ' I am going , to , for a moment, become as a teacher, so listen, and think on this, lady Brunnehilde, for this is written in the annals of Tirion, and is as true now as it was long ago, or it should be:

The World Elf has been used to translate both Quendi ' the speakers, the High Elven name of all their kind and Eldar, the name of the Three Kindreds that sought for the Undying Lands and came there at the beginning of days ( save the Sindar only). This old world was indeed the only one available, and was one fitted to apply to such memories of this people as Men preseved. But it has been diminished, and to many it may now suggest fancies either pretty, or silly, as unlike to the Quendi of old, as are butterflies, to the swift falcon. His rich voice took on the cadences of a bard as he spoke, firelight rippling over his long , dark hair

They were a race high and beautiful, the older children of the world, and among them the Eldar were as kings, who now are gone; the People of the Great Journey, the People of the Stars. They were tall, fair of skin and grey eyed, though their locks were dark, save in the golden house of Finarfin; and their voices had more melodies than any mortal voice that now is heard. They were valiant, but the history of those who returned to Middle Earth in exile was grevious; and though it was in far off days crossed by the fate of the Fathers (of men), their fate is not that of Men *

He sat back eyes burning suddenly silver as mithril,
' That is the Eldar, the Elves, people like Glorfindel here, yes, myself too, and yet I have seen few now who could begin even to match that description, and my heart is troubled, and I do not jest, where are we all, are there but a few here and all the others in Aman? Where is the glory and beauty gone to in these days, I remember the glory of Beleriand and the Great Elf Kings, and princes and captains, all so beautiful, so strong, as if Eru himself had gifted them with so much charisma that it dripped from them like rain, ' he turned and took Glorfindels chin in his hand, smiling, ' Of course,.. some still do have that, ' he murmured, and sat back, with a brief headshake, ' but so very few now. Coming to Middle earth from Aman has been like walking from blazing sunlight into a drab autumn mist, but.. some-one has to do something, '


( * LOTR Appendix X )

[Brünnehilde]

Brünnehilde heard silently, meditating every single word, it was indeed true, she knew it herself, and even if she had not experienced such loss, she would know by heart. Indeed, it is troublesome to think of the race of elves that way, but the world had changed, forseen by Galadriel, lady of the woods... much that once was is now lost, but still there are some that do remember that. She knew two of them now, and also accepted the fact that something had to be done... but... how to begin... All she could do is be herself and set the example. She thought for long all he had said watching their shadows move with the light of the flames and their hairs shine aswell. "It is sad indeed all that has happened in Middle Earth, for you could see it in it's slendour and see much more clearly the change tht has occured... The glory of old is only part of few now who can truthly value beauty and that which must be defended."