Love Across the Ages

Translations of Sindarin:
Melathamin = "My Love"
Meleth - "Love"
Melethrilamin - "My Lover"
hervess nin - "My Wife"

Chapter 4

Glorfindel rubbed his hand across his brow wearily as he emerged from another conference with Elrond, and the elves that had come from both Mirkwood and Lothlorien.

He stopped, an unfamiliar surge of something akin to jealousy shocked its way through his system as he saw Joanna in conversation with the human from Gondor. He studied them, noting the way she smiled up at him, tilting her head, and from Boromir's posture, it was evident he found Joanna very attractive.

What troubled Glorfindel the most was the fact that he should feel such a strong emotion regarding her. He shook his head, yet found himself moving towards the couple.

"Jehanna, Boromir. I see you have made each others' acquaintance."

"We have Glorfindel." Boromir smiled warmly at the woman and Glorfindel had to again hide the sudden feeling that surged through him.

It was petty, and he was almost ashamed, but for the first time in his life, Glorfindel exaggerated the truth. "Jehanna, I must speak to you regarding our travels within the next few days. Your people will be worried about your absence."

Joanna looked at him startled, then gave an uncertain smile. "Very well Glorfindel." She stood up and then impulsively leaned forward to touch his arm. She smiled at him. "It was a pleasure to meet you Boromir. May you have all the luck of the Valar watching over you, and may your journey be blessed."

She almost choked on the last words, knowing that his journey would be far from such. She swallowed then, feeling a strong surge of emotion, which she subdued suddenly, in some way sensing the abrupt stiffening of Glorfindel's body in response to her thoughts.

"The pleasure was all mine milady." The man actually looked slightly pink and Joanna smiled, letting him see that she did consider him an attractive man and perhaps if circumstances had been different she would have gladly flirted further with him. His look was surprised, then turned regretful, and a wry smile graced his handsome features. He nodded to her and took the back of her hand, kissing it, as if she truly were a lady. She smiled again and murmured a soft farewell before turning and walking away from him, to fall in beside Glorfindel. She was conscious of the man's gaze on her back.

She gave the elf a puzzled frown. "Is something wrong Glorfindel?"

He was silent a moment, his face thoughtful in its repose. "Why were you suddenly so distressed when you said goodbye to him?"

Joanna stopped and looked at him, her eyes wide. "How did you know that?"

Glorfindel looked at her soberly. "I sensed it."

"But how could you do that?"

"I don’t know Jehanna."

Joanna looked away then and picked a flower from a nearby bush, fingering the soft petals absently and bringing the bloom to her nose, inhaling the sweet scent. "When do we go?"

"The sooner the better, events are moving fast, and we are all in danger."

Joanna nodded and then as suddenly rubbed her face, feeling her distress rise. Then she felt Glorfindel's arm on her elbow as he guided her to her room and sat her down upon the divan.

"What is it Jehanna?" His voice, soft, sympathetic and understanding, made her no longer able to hold back the sudden tears. So perhaps she was not so elf that she could not cry. She sucked in her breath as Glorfindel's hand reached out and he gently wiped away her tears with a thumb. "Jehanna?"

She rose her gaze to meet his; unable to bear the concern in them, that seemed to wash over her, along with another, gentler emotion that she was suddenly unable to face. "He is going to die! It is going to take him and he is going to die!" The words were wrenched from her. "Oh god, how can you stand it Glorfindel? Knowing what will happen, and yet having to say nothing, but let fate take its hand? It's not fair, why would I be here? If I could prevent it…" She covered her face with her hands.

"But you cannot. You can only prepare for it Jehanna. Every action has a consequence, and sometimes, things must happen in order for events to move forward. You were not sent here to right wrongs, or change fates. Only the Valar know why, or if that not be the case, it could perhaps be your fate, to learn about this, to bring back just a bit of our light to humanity."

"And god do we need it." She said bitterly. "Glorfindel, you cannot know just how bitter our history has been. There have been so many wars. There has been so much pain and suffering caused by the cruelty of men. Hell we have even created biological weapons to wipe out entire races. We have hunted species to extinction. We have logged our beautiful virgin forests that have been there ages, to build fires to fuel our engines in order to strip the land even further. It is Saruman only on a global scale. It is the orcs, ravaging the land..."

The words poured forth and she knew she was revealing too much. She met his gaze again, and his answering expression was agonised but tender.

"It is a lesson men must learn no matter how many eons it takes my Jehanna, and no matter how much the world may suffer."

"And I must return to that drab, dreary world when there is so much for me here, even the promise of perfection, and a chance to live forever. So many seek that elixir in my world, and here it is given me, on a platter, for me to choose."

"Thus it is your choice, it is who you are, you can no more fight that than the forces of nature."

"We seek to bend the forces of nature to our will and in the process destroy it."

"Nothing can destroy Nature, it always finds its way to rebirth Jehanna. Trust in that if nothing else. But everything must pass, including the elves. Thus we return west.

"At what cost?" Joanna wiped her eyes and then smiled tremulously. "I'm sorry Glorfindel. You don't need this, not with what is happening, and what will happen."

"We are prepared as much as we can be Jehanna. Do not fear for us, or for me."

She dropped her gaze from his then, but sucked in her breath as he tilted her chin upwards with one finger. "You ARE concerned about what happens to me." His voice was full of wonder.

She could not lie, but nodded. "Yes." Her voice came cracked.

"Don't be."

"I can't help it."

Glorfindel sighed and then his voice was soft. "Perhaps it is the way of the Valar." He spoke almost to himself, then looked at the woman beside him. He could not fully give his heart, for he knew he would lose her to her world, and he could not tie himself again, for this time, he would have nothing to bind him to life, for his duty would have ended, with the elves' retreat from Middle Earth. "But who am I to turn the tides of fate." He murmured then, for he knew that as inexorable as the tides, was his growing feeling for this woman, though the future of them together was unclear.

His hand moved to cup her cheek and Joanna raised her eyes to his. Glorfindel leaned in and without conscious thought placed his lips gently upon hers. He pulled away and then looked at her with a troubled gaze. "I have no foresight of this."

Joanna closed her eyes, feeling her body thrum at the touch of his lips on hers, a feather light caress, but there was nothing subtle about the sensations that coursed through her at his touch. She sighed and opened her eyes to meet his. And then infinite sadness filled her and she swallowed against a thick throat as she saw the answer in his eyes.

"I must return." She said it softly.

"And I must help you." His voice was calm, but she would never forget the brief flash of pain and grief within his gaze.

*******************************

Joanna could not describe her feelings, they had all gathered to see the companions off on their quest, and looking at them all, Joanna had felt a sense of wonder and dread, knowing what they would encounter. And yet, seeing them was surreal. She met Boromir’s gaze and smiled warmly as he looked at her with an almost wistful look. But, she could only meet his eyes for so long before she had to look away as a terrible sadness filled her.

Finally the company left and she was alone with the elves and giving a silent farewell. She turned to Glorfindel and knew that the goodbyes weren't over. The last few weeks had been remarkable and though she had only known him less than a week, for he had been absent for a lot of the time, the thought of returning without seeing his beautiful face ever again, tore at her.

She could not understand how something like this could happen so quickly. Surely, it was all just part of the glamour of being here, in an unusual place. Dare she trust her feelings?

Elrond approached them and his face was regretful. "Jehanna, you and Glorfindel must set out as soon as possible, for it will no longer be safe for you here. The ring is abroad and the dark forces will be moving throughout Middle Earth. Even Rivendell will not be completely safe."

Joanna nodded, her eyes moving instinctively to Glorfindel, but his face was calm, showing no expression aside from the slightest tightness of his jaw, so infinitesimal that many would miss it. Not Joanna however.

"I think perhaps it is best if just I and Joanna continue back to where we met. The smaller group we are, the least likely we are to attract attention."

"But also an easier target." Elrond said sternly. "I do not wish to lose a granddaughter, no matter how distant."

That raised a lump in Joanna's throat and she had to look away, swallowing the sudden tears.

"I will let no harm come to Jehanna."

Glorfindel's quiet words were full of conviction and they made Joanna's heart leap into her throat as her eyes flew to his face. However, he was not looking at her, but rather, with a steady gaze, at Elrond. Something seemed to pass between them, too quick for Joanna to catch, but Elrond nodded, though his gaze was thoughtful and worried.

"So be it Glorfindel."

The blond elf nodded and turned to Joanna. "We leave tomorrow morning Jehanna."

She was not sure whether she heard pain in his voice, or whether it was her imagination. But she nodded, feeling her heart grow heavy.


The next morning dawned clear; the morning sun cast its golden rays across the still and hushed landscape, bathing the buildings and vegetation of Rivendell in gilded, autumn splendour. Light heralded the early song of the birds as they stretched their wings from their slumber and lifted their heads to thrum their throats in an ode to another day. The crisp morning air filled Joanna as she rose, yawning and stretched, her mind alert.

Then she remembered, and the beauty of the morning paled against the sudden darkness and sadness that welled up within her. Today was the day she was going back. She swallowed then, feeling tears prick the back of her eyes.

Glorfindel, this was the last time she would see that golden elf, the being that caused her whole body to thrum to its own internal rhythm. The being whose lips she could still feel pressed against hers in tentative passion, but which promised so much more, if only the tresses would be unleashed.

She shivered. If only… she stopped that thought. She knew in her heart of hearts where her choice lay. She did not belong here, no matter how much she wished it, and she could only bring danger to those she was beginning to care for.

Beginning? No, she was kidding herself. She already cared for them, more than she had ever thought possible. Which was why she had to leave them, leave Glorfindel. Her heart caught. It was impossible that in such a short time she had grown to love him. She could admit that now, she did love him, but it could not happen. It was impossible.

The object of her thoughts approached, once more dressed in hunting garb, and looking as magnificent dressed in the humble gear as he did in his lordly robes. Joanna herself had dressed with a now practised ease, whilst lost in her thoughts, and she too was attired against the early morning in typical elvish hunting garb, a cloak over her shoulder and her own clothing in a pack upon her back. She carried by her side an elvish blade; given the choice of such a blade to her cheaply brought katana, it had not taken a genius to work out which blade she should take. Needless to say, her other blade was tucked away along her back and the new sword belted with pride at her waist.

Two horses were led forward as Glorfindel approached, his face sober as he looked at her. “And so now we begin to say our farewells Jehanna.” He hesitated on her name and she wondered what he had been about to say before he had corrected himself.

“Yes.”

They looked at each other silently, then Glorfindel said softly. "The day continues its pace in time Jehanna, we must mount." He looked away and mounted his mare gracefully. Joanna followed suit and they rode out the gates. Joanna could not resist turning in her saddle for one last look at Rivendell, feeling regret and pain rise. "Goodbye Grandfather. I shall never forget you." She gasped as both Elrond and Elladan responded in her mind with regret and sadness, and an abiding love. Tears welled up in her throat and she could not stop them trickling down her face. She turned back to look ahead into the wood before them, conscious of Glorfindel's sympathetic gaze. She flinched slightly and then relaxed meeting his eyes with her own anguished ones as he lay a hand lightly on her arm.

She nodded and smiled tremulously. "I will be fine l… Glorfindel."

"I know." He said with a peculiar certainty and they continued forward in comfortable silence.

For the next day and a half, they encountered no trouble, and together, alone, they talked about any and all things. With every hour Joanna felt herself fall hopelessly for the elf she rode with and the glances he gave her, the way their eyes locked, and the deep grief that she sensed when they talked of her return told him he too felt the same. It was bittersweet; it was heartbreaking, yet uplifting and joyful that they finally acknowledged what lay between them. Then, the night before the day whereby they knew they would reach the place of their beginning, they held each other tightly, no longer able to deny the tie between them. Together they breathed of each other, shared each other's bodies, joined their souls into one and wept that they should be parted so soon, and so hard. But then there was hope, that perhaps in the far distant future, they would meet. For he would not die, though he would go west. He talked of it to her; the possibilities that he would live forever and he knew when she lived. He could return for her, bring her home with him. Perhaps they were not completely lost. They talked of their wishes, their hopes, but as morning dawned, the reality of their parting grew darker and again they wept, desperately joining, consummating and melding their love with the desperation of lovers soon to be torn apart for eons.

Thus they rode to their point of meeting, and a deep silence was between them, the shoulders of their horses touched, and their calves rubbed together as they rode close. They were approaching the campsite. Glorfindel looked at Joanna as the signs of tread indicated the presence of the orcs, their footprints stayed long upon the earth, as their very presence befouled it.

"And so the moment approaches melathamin."

"Yes." Joanna's voice was husky, and barely intelligible as it thrust past her closed throat. "Glorfindel." She said then, and her voice was filled with pain as she looked at him, their horses halting in the clearing. "This is it." Her voice hitched and she felt great tears flow down her face.

"My Jehanna." He brought his horse close to her, and leaned forward to trace her face with a light, loving finger. Joanna closed her eyes; her lips parted with the surge of love and desire that rushed through her. She felt his lips touch hers and she groaned, half sobbing as she let drop the reins and coiled her arms around his neck, parting her lips, and desiring more. The elf deepened the kiss; she could feel the heat of their love wrapping around them.

"Glorfindel... oh god my love, I can… I cannot… I have made my choice, I must…"

And it was then that they heart the harsh grunts of beasts in the foliage, the roar of attack and suddenly their horses were dancing in fear, and they were torn apart. Joanna gasped, and screamed as she felt cruel hands pull her from the saddle. She fell, crying out Glorfindel's name as her hands groped for her sword. She did not know, could never say how she drew it, but her sword was in her hand and she hewed at her attacker, almost sobbing with fear at the foul breath as it flowed into her face, and the hot splash of blood as it fell across her hand. She staggered back, aghast at the hideous being before her, her sword was black with orc blood, and the beast's head was tilted impossible back, his head half severed.

She glanced around and saw Glorfindel besieged; they had gone for him, drawn to his light, to his heritage, their hatred strong and their fear deep. They sought to slay the one of whom they knew, to their deepest being, was their epitome, and thus they hated to see what they once were. In their minds was destruction of such knowledge and memory.

"Glorfindel!" She screamed his name, feeling panic and fear explode within her as she leapt forward, her mind a haze, wanting to move to his defence but then she felt a surge rush through her, and a shot of power that made her stagger. With horror she realised just what had happened, what was happening. She had created a portal.

She could not move as the vortex that swelled around her gained momentum and force, the gravity pulling her back away from her love. She reached forward vainly, struggling, but her body was immobilised by time. The last thing she saw was Glorfindel's anguished face as his gaze turned to her, one hand reached out towards her, utter grief in his eyes as he realised what was happening, and the raised, ugly sword above him as the orcs took advantage of his distraction.

"Behind... GLORFINDEL!" But she was unable to see, did not know if he even heard her, for the vortex sucked her into its maelstrom of force and she was helpless against its tide.