stormaktstiden | [meme] The everyone survived AU

[meme] The everyone survived AU

Due to recent events in the movie world, it seemed like we needed one of these again...

THE ARDA AU MEME

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All the AUs! With classics as the obligatory and all important

> EVERYONE LIVED AU. Maybe you're at Thorin's festive coronation or a drinking game between Boromir and Haldir after the end of the War, or Fëanor and Thingol finally talk to each other. Maybe Belladonna comes with her son on adventures, or Maedhros spends some very awkward hours at Elrond's wedding. U know the drill.
> but let's not forget the staple COFFEESHOP AU either
> or the no less important WHAT IF AU: What if the Silmarils were glowing bunnies? What if Bard hadn't managed to take down Smaug? What if Maeglin had not betrayed Gondolin, what if Galadriel had accepted the One Ring? What if Sam had a giant afro?
> and really any other AUs that you can think of.

As a note, since not everyone has seen BOFA yet and some people care about not being spoiled, please make a note in your top level comment/the subject line of a comment if you might bring up spoilers in threads or don't want to be spoiled, something like "bofa spoilers yes" or "bofa spoilers no".

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[ Erestor tips his head to eye Gabriel curiously ]

Aye, this is Imladris - the Last Homely House, as folk call it. How do you know it?

[ Because Glorfindel may call the valley home, but Erestor is certain that this lookalike has never been here before.

His study is only a short distance away, and he opens the door and beckons Gabriel in. As ever, it is scrupulously neat, piles of paperwork neatly stacked and ordered, ink pot capped and quill cleaned and set carefully aside. A small shelf with the ledgers arranged precisely, a vase of flowers and the windows wide open to let the light in, and a painting on the wall (also his secret bottle of apple wine in the hidden drawer of the desk shush). ]

I remember it.

[Gabriel walks over to the window and leans over, taking it in. it's familiar and unfamiliar at the same time, difficult to take in. He wants to explore, but first...

He drags himself away from the view and looks back at Erestor instead.]. You can speak Sindarin - if that's easier for you. I understand it, I just barely speak it. I have... Some of Glorfindel's memories and abilities. I'm from somewhere else somewhere else entirely. How I got here, or why, I don't know. I wish I could tell you. A lot of what's happened to me lately I don't understand.

[ A pause and then Erestor's eyes narrow, weighing Gabriel carefully ]

You... remember it? Or perhaps more accurately, you remember Glorfindel remembering it.

[ Erestor murmurs thoughtfully and taps his finger on the desk he stands beside thoughtfully ]

[ He waves off the offer ] No - if you are more comfortable with Quenya, I can oblige. Tis only that I have not used it for many a long year. It is the language of lore these days, not a cradle-tongue, and it was not mine, in any case. [ Although his mother spoke it to him, sung to him the melodies of her childhood ]

How came you by our Captain's memories, I wonder? [ Gabriel seems sincere enough in his confusion, Erestor decides and waves him to a seat. Perhaps he can break out his stash of wine, but tea first and he moves over to a small fireplace ]

Well. You do not seem a terrible sort, despite your strange manner. I am Erestor, Lord Elrond's Chief Counsellor - Lord Elrond being the Lord of this Valley. I apologise for detaining you thusly but one cannot be too careful in these days.

[Gabriel nods his agreement to the adjustment. Technically it's more accurate to say that he remember's Glorfindel's memories, but they feel so real to him that it's getting harder to tell the difference.

Chuckling dryly, he smiles at Erestor.] If you find my manner strange now, I hate to think what you'd have thought of me before I inherited so much of Glorfindel's self. Still, it's a pleasure to meet you, though I wish it could be under more normal circumstances. [Chief counsellor. That's got to be a fairly important role. And Erestor seems to know Glorfindel well. So why doesn't he have any memories of him yet?]

If I knew how we got the memories then we might be able to control them a little better. There's a lot of us with memories from all over the place. Although it seems a fair few of us come from here - not literally from Rivendell, but from this world.

[ A wry crook of an eyebrow ] Truly? You must come from far afield then. And I wonder where our Captain has gone - to your place in your stead? Or is he still in bed, the lazy layabout.

[ Despite the harsh words, Erestor's tone is fond. He sets the small kettle boiling and puts the tea on to steep, settling into one of the other chairs and eyeing Gabriel thoughtfully ]

'From this world' you say. Thus implying you do not come from this world at all, and that is very interesting. As is the fact that, if I hear you correctly, there are many other worlds out there.

[ Tap tap tap goes a finger thoughtfully against the desk ]

That is... concerning, somewhat, considering that we are at present in a state of quiet siege.

I woke in someone's bed, so I suspect it may have been your friend's. [He hopes for Glorfindel's sake he hasn't ended up in his own bed at home. At least he'll be in the mountain and therefore have friends on hand, but it'll still be no small amount of culture shock, even within the sheltered enviroment of people who know at least something of the world he comes from.[]

But yes, from what we know it's certain that there are different worlds, although how we all ended up connected I have no idea. Until now, though, I have never heard of any of us affecting the worlds that we've gained memories from. [Aside from anything else, he remembers Glorfindel dying, so that must happen in the future, so things must return to normal... Surely?]

Hm. [ The smallest amount of worry, probably only obvious to his friends ] Well. Glorfindel can handle himself, so if he woke in your bed I am sure he will manage. [ Erestor hopes, and a small crease between his eyes testifies to his concern. Glorfindel my friend, you had better be alright ]

And that is comforting, although you will forgive me for not taking it on face value. Our Enemy is cunning, and the fact that you are here tells me that you may perhaps, affect the worlds your memories come from. Glorfindel missing will be a harsh blow to us, if the Enemy choses to strike now.

[Gabriel doesn't know Even well enough to recognise that worry, but he has concerns of his own. Erestor has no idea of the gulf between their worlds and cultures, and Gabriel only has the ability to deal with the changes because he's spent a year gaining knowledge of it. Glorfindel won't even know the language - he can only hope that Liam or Julien find him and help him.]

If there is a way to return us to our rightful places I'd take it. [Although that makes him feel like a coward because he knows what happens here (or believes he does).] But until then I can only offer my services, such as they are.

[ Erestor blinks and crooks the smallest of smiles at Gabriel ]

Somehow, I am sure you would. It cannot be easy to be suddenly in a strange place, even if you have memories of it. No matter.

[ He shakes his head, suddenly brisk ]

And I will not hear of it, and, I am sure, neither will my Lord Elrond. This is the Last Homely House, after all - and you are a guest here, no matter how unwilling. You can feel free to wander - although I would ask that you stay out of the armory and my Lord's council chambers - and avail yourself of our hospitality.

The Last Homely House? Is that what it's called? [Curiosity over comes all else for a moment and Gabriel leans in closer, eager to fill in some of the quite considerable gaps in his knowledge. But then he gets a hold of himself and sits back again, offering a slightly embarassed smile.] You'll have to bear with me, I know very little, and what I do know is very piecemeal. It's hard to tell what comes from where, which is what makes it hard to know what my appearance might influence. I didn't know you, after all, and you and Glorfindel clearly know each other well.

[Well enough to tell them apart, which leads Gabriel to another problem.] I appreciate your hospitality, but I wonder what rumour my appearance would cause.

Some call it that. [ Again that tiny quirk of a smile ] Well, if you have questions, you might as well ask them.

Yes - Glorfindel and I are... we are old friends. [ Erestor admits slowly ] Although he is far older and greater than I.

[ and sometimes I still wonder why he bothered to befriend one such as I ]

Hm, yes. Well, at need we can fit you into his robes, but fortunately we have very few visitors at present, and those who are here are well aware of the need for discretion. Most will not realise that you are not our Captain, and those who do you can simply say that you are a visitor who looks very similar. The main concern is our Lord's fosterling, who is... very fond of his 'Glory'.

You and I both know that Glorfindel is not the elf to let you get away with saying such things. Everyone has their own strengths. [Gabriel admonishes Erestor gently, with a soft smile, more Glorfindel than Gabriel for a moment. But then again sometimes it is getting harder to tell the difference. But then it is gone, and Gabriel chuckles.] Older I can believe, though. He saw the first rising of the moon, didn't he? [There can't be many who can say that.]

I'm afraid I don't remember anything about a fosterling. Tell me about them?

[ There is a moment where Erestor blinks, because it is his old friend looking out from Gabriel's eyes, and then the moment is gone and he shakes it away ]

Yes. Well. He always had a golden tongue. [ gruffly ]

But aye, he did. He is, I think, one of the oldest of the Elves in Middle-earth, and certainly there are... perhaps a scant handful of the Amanyar left who can claim to be older than he.

Ah well. The young one is only newly come to this household. His father was killed by orcs, and Lord Elrond decided that for safety it would be better if he and his mother were sequestered here. You may encounter her, if you wander - a tall, sad, strong-willed lady, is the Lady Gilraen. But young Estel is a bright young soul. He deals well with his upheaval, in truth, I am not sure how much he remembers, for he was very young when he came to us, and he has been here for over two years now, and started to call Lord Elrond "Ada" just the last winter.

[That is news and Gabriel takes a moment to digest it. He knew that Glorfindel was fairly old simply because of the wealth of memories presented to him and the time that they cover, but that he might be that old...] Proof that dignity doesn't come with age, then. [He chuckles, half to himself.]

A human child? [Gabriel guesses, though he sounds hesitant, unsure.] He sounds sweet enough, and a fair amount of my friends back home have children - and grandchildren - of their own. Still, perhaps it would be best to tell him something to start with, as children often don't understand the need to stay quiet about things.

[ A snort ] That idiot wouldn't know dignity if it walked up to him and danced naked before him, as my lord's sons would say. [ but said fondly for all the harsh words ]

Yes. A young lad... I believe he will be five this year. Very intelligent for his age, and with a kindly heart. [ High praise from Erestor ]

I think it best if you told him who you were from the beginning. Estel is very perceptive, but he understands that he cannot always tell people what he sees and hears. If you told him to keep it a secret, I am sure he would.

[Noticing that fond tone, Gabriel cocks an eyebrow but says nothing. No point in making it more obvious that Erestor's been rumbled. Besides, it was already clear that he cares for Glorfindel. Which makes it more surprising that he hasn't echoed any thing of him back. Perhaps there's been nothing to trigger it? After all, while Gabriel has many friends, Thorir is his closest and Thorin is making everything related to Thorir difficult.]

If you think it would be best to tell him, then I trust you on that. You know him better than I do, after all. He sounds like a good lad, though. I'm glad he came into the care of the elves here.

[ Hush let Erestor keep his illusions ]

Hmph. I think that would be the easiest, yes. My lord will decide who else to tell, but I suppose for now the immediate family will do - Lords Elladan and Elrohir dote upon the boy, and Glorfindel is their Captain, and helped to raise them - they would know in an instant, and will need to be told. The Lady Arwen is away, and so that is one less concern. [ Tap tap tap goes his finger as he works it out aloud, before he gets up to pour them both the tea ]

The only question is if the Lady Gilraen needs to know. I suppose we might get away without telling her for now.

[ He smiles fondly - barely the smallest uptick of his mouth, but his eyes gentle ]

Aye he is. He has brought much joy to the Valley.

Children have a way of doing that. [Gabriel agrees, fondly, if a little sadly. He's long since come to terms with the idea that he'll never have children of his own, being entirely uninterested in sex of any kind, and a long established bachelor, but that doesn't mean that he can't every now and again be a little wistful about it, especially when so many of his friends are already grandparents.

He takes his tea with a grateful nod, drawing it close to himself and warming his hands around the cup. At least somethings seem to be universal.] Is it fair to tell the child and not the mother? [He asks, thoughtfully.]

Would you show me around the place? If you have time, that is. I have very few of Glorfindel's memories of this place, and I'm not sure I could even find my way back to where I woke.

Yes. And this one seems especially good at doing so. [ Erestor nods. He has no time nor interest to seek a wife, and is happy enough to live vicariously through others (besides, after the trauma of the Twins he's not sure that he WANTS kids of his own) ]

That is a good point. [ He nods thoughtfully ] And tis not as if the Lady Gilraen is unfamiliar with keeping secrets. I suppose we shall have to see what Lord Elrond thinks.

[ He blinks and then nods ] Certainly! I am, for once, mostly free at the moment, with no pressing work. A short tour will be of no difficulty.

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[meme] The everyone survived AU

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