Kennet looked with great curiosity at the various shelves of books and scrolls found in the Scholar's Guild headquarters within the Last Homely House of Rivendell. There was more treasured knowledge there than in Three-Farrow, though a good deal of that knowledge was not accessible to him, for they were written in unknown languages. Some had letters in smooth, curved shapes, like ripples of water in a lake. While other languages had rigid writing with straight strokes, as if they were marks carved on rock with a chisel. Kennet was fascinated and had only been in the beautiful elven city for a day.
The elf Faeneth was the hostess of the dwelling where he and Meldanyel had been staying. The hospitable elf had been much more approachable than the elven scouts, but without losing that serenity and distance that Kennet had sensed before. He was beginning to understand a little of what Master Frimsi was referring to when he described the elves. Faeneth had been kind enough to guide him through the paths of Rivendell to the Last Homely House, bidding the human farewell once he entered the Scholar's Guild quarters.
These rooms were spacious, consisting of a large hall that connected to an adjoining office. This large room had several shelves with books, tables for studying documents, some boxes with goods and banners hanging on the walls. When Kennet entered there he noticed that there was a hobbit engrossed in reading a book, an elf woman perusing the books on a distant shelf and a couple of dwarves opening boxes and inspecting their contents, cataloging the objects inside. The human waved timidly and, in the absence of a response, turned to browsing the treasured knowledge on the shelves on his own.
The big doors to the room opened and through them entered a blonde woman, whose age might be twice Kennet's. She was dressed in clothes of good quality but nothing pompous or showy, without the usual frills and precious embroidery of Elvish attire that he had seen on almost every resident of Rivendell. As soon as the woman saw Kennet she turned to him and approached with a calm face.
-Mae Govannen. You must be Kennet, from Bree. My name is Ethel, leader of the Scholar's Guild based in Rivendell. On behalf of the guild and myself I welcome you -the woman said with a smile, but keeping a meter of distance between them.
Kennet was doubly surprised. On the one hand, the highest authority of the Scholar's Guild was a human, not an elf. That had confused him, for he had supposed that with their extended longevity elves were the ideal scholars to retain in their memory the greatest amount of knowledge. And, on the other hand, if he already found it somewhat odd to dress in ornate clothes of such quality, seeing that the person who was the highest authority in the guild looked more humble than he did made him feel insecure.
Not that he had had much choice in clothing either. When Faeneth received them at the magnificent dwelling where they were staying, one of his first actions after feeding and watering the pair of friends was to provide them with Rivendell-made robes in their size. Kennet thought it fitting to dress to match the magnificence of the place. He even gawked when Meldanyel appeared in a delicate gown of blue, similar to running water in a lake, replacing the image of a warrior with her axe with that of a lovely lady! But now that she stood before Ethel, and had to show what she could contribute in the way of intellect and knowledge, he felt out of place dressed so elegantly.
-Thank you very much, Ethel -said Kennet, spontaneously bowing his head a little. He had seen this deference done on other occasions, when merchants came to Bree and wanted to show respect for the Major or other authorities, so it seemed a good way to introduce himself. Although he tried to keep his voice calm and composed, he was deeply excited for the moment. I am very grateful to you for accepting my teacher Alice Pickthorn's request to invite me to the guild.
-In her letter Alice was generous in her positive descriptions of your abilities, but above all she emphasized your dedicated attitude to learning -said Ethel, who added: Bree is a modest meeting place for scholars because of its location, but it is not often that young people from the local population are eager to embark on the path of study.
Kennet was very flattered but also surprised by such words. He had not realized until that moment that of all the children he grew up with in the Homesteads in his generation, he was the only one who had gone on to further education after mastering reading, writing and basic mathematics.
-Your words are very kind, Mrs. Ethel. I will do my best to pass the guild entrance exams and not disappoint you -he said politely.
A spontaneous laugh with no malice rose from the woman's lips. Call me Ethel, let's leave the titles for the ceremonies. And it takes no challenge to prove your worth, Kennet. Your years of precocious apprenticeship and your decision to leave home behind is proof enough to open the doors of the guild to you. Come, follow me -she commented before turning in the direction of the adjoining office.
The woman's words disturbed him for a few moments. Kennet had been excited and enthusiastic about joining the guild in Rivendell from the beginning, but he is becoming more and more aware of what he was giving up by making his decision. He had never considered moving away from Bree permanently, but it was becoming less and less clear to him whether he would be able to maintain that goal.
Ethel greeted the others in the room on her way to the adjoining office, receiving responses from all of them without abandoning their tasks. Kennet did not lag behind and followed in her footsteps, still with those thoughts in his head. The adjoining office was dominated by a large, beautifully carved table next to the far wall. The walls housed more shelves with documents and scrolls, as well as banners and pictures. Ethel took one of the chairs and placed it in front of another empty one, sitting down and inviting Kennet to do the same in front of her. When the young man sat down, the woman continued speaking.
-The Scholar's Guild is actually a network of scholarly contacts throughout Middle-earth. These contacts and these communications between us help us to maintain the largest society of scholars in existence, growing from individual efforts and supporting each other for a common good. Rivendell is home to one of the headquarters of the Scholar's Guild, but there are other great centers of knowledge in places like Rohan, Gondor or Rhovanion. Despite the remoteness, we are all in contact and, to the best of our ability, we help each other -assured Ethel, who with these explanations was capturing Kennet's full attention. The world was a vast and unfathomable place, but Ethel conveyed a sense of control and security that made it more manageable and familiar.
-The guild's objectives are transparent. In essence, we are dedicated to treasuring the knowledge of the past and present, and learning from it. And we make this knowledge available to those who use it for good. For a few moments, only subtly but perceptibly to Kennet, Ethel's tone of voice became a little more cautious. There are forces in Middle-earth whose actions are not benevolent and cause harm and pain for selfish ends. It is our job to help those who confront these malevolent forces or who are dedicated to protecting the Free Peoples.
The woman's words planted some doubt in Kennet's mind. Sure, the young man knew that you had to watch your purse on market days, that there were bandit camps in the forests and dangerous creatures in the wilderness. But to transit from casual dangerous encounters to considering that there are organized forces intent on causing evil, engaged in battle against others defending the Free Peoples, was a change of perspective that was darkening his mood by the minute.
However, Ethel did not let him get lost in his thoughts and kept talking. The guild has a few main locations, but it tries to spread its influence to as many places as possible in Middle-earth, something difficult and dangerous. In this way, we learn and teach, we make it easier for buried knowledge to surface and be useful to those who need it. From building a school to educate young people to creating a vault with copies of maps and documents important to the survival of the cities.
The Scholar's Stair Archives in Bree came to Kennet's mind, and it gradually became clear to him what discreet but important work was being done. The young man had come motivated to join the guild, but being aware of what this society was doing and fighting for began to forge an attachment and loyalty to the guild that he had not felt until now.
-I am the guild leader in Rivendell, the highest authority in all of Eriador. But my responsibility is carried out with the support of other masters, some of them living in Rivendell. We are in charge of watching over our objectives and supporting the scholars of the guild, as well as teaching novices like you, Kennet. The young man nodded his head, eager to know what he had to do. Your tutor in this apprenticeship will be the elven master Idhrenwë, whom you will meet this morning. And one of your first objectives will be to learn to read, write and speak Sindarin, the common language of the elves.
Kennet's face could not hide the mixture of surprise and excitement at the idea. At the High Moor camp he had heard for the first time elves speaking to each other in their own language. It was a beautiful, melodic language, soft and undulating like the wind whistling through the leaves of the trees. He never even thought at one point that he would have the chance to learn it, and it turned out that it was going to be one of the first things he would do in Rivendell. He couldn't believe it!
In the midst of his emotions, Kennet did not notice the woman who entered the adjoining office until she greeted him in a jovial voice. With her black hair tied back in thin silver ribbons and a discreet but impeccable dress, the woman advanced without hesitation to the back of the office. She carried several long rolls of parchment which she placed on the table, and which, when unfolded, were shown to be various maps drawn in different styles and colors.
-Kennet, this is my assistant Sue. She's been working for the guild in Rivendell for years and will help you with anything you might need -said Ethal after responding to the newcomer's greeting. Sue, this is Kennet, who arrived in Rivendell yesterday to join the guild.
The man immediately stood up to pay his respects to Sue, and the first impression he got of the woman struck him. Though no longer a young girl, her skin was delicate and her features beautiful, with a look that showed determination but not hostility.
-Good morning, Kennet. Nice to meet you -Sue greeted with a discreet smile and a particular accent that left Kennet wondering where the woman was from. She gave a small but well-rehearsed curtsy and displayed a politeness and bearing that somehow made clear a high family background, perhaps of wealthy merchants or aristocrats. The young man was somewhat intimidated by the woman, as he was with Ginny in the Homesteads, and noticed the colors rise in his face.
-Pleased to meet you, Sue... uh... A pleasure for me too -he managed to say with some nervousness, which caused Sue's smile to widen.
-What a nice young man! -replied the woman. I hope you will soon adapt to life in Rivendell. I will help you in any way I can, you can count on me for anything you need -she said sympathetically with a charming smile.
To Kennet's good fortune, who was a bit overwhelmed, Ethel took the floor and asked her assistant: Sue, Master Idhrenwë is in Elrond's library. Guide Kennet there and introduce them. The leader then looked at the neophyte and said: Kennet, from now on you are an honored guest in Rivendell. Its doors will always be open to you and you will be well received. Place yourself at the disposal of Master Idhrenwë and agree with him on your tasks.
-Yes, Ethel, of course, thank you! -Kennet replied with a quick bow to the woman and turned to Sue, who was looking at him with satisfaction.
-Follow me, Kennet -the woman commanded courteously, stepping forward toward the exit of the chambers. The man marched behind her, watching her walk with a dignified and elegant demeanor. And only after leaving the rooms and entering the common corridors of the Last Homely House, Sue turned to Kennet and waited for him to walk side by side.
-I understand you come from Bree, don't you? It must be quite an experience for you to know Rivendell and the beauty of the elves… -the woman commented in a friendly tone.
-That's right, yes… -Kennet answered, not taking his eyes off the innumerable details with which the majestic building was decorated. The delicately wrought railings, the plants that accompany all the rooms, the beautifully carved fountains, the masterfully decorated walls... All this is a dreamlike place. It's like... it's like stories told to children come true!
Sue smiled naturally at Kennet's words, and as they ascended the wide corridors to the upper floor, she answered him: Rivendell's architecture is not the only beautiful thing about this valley. Despite being a hidden and protected enclave, it is a place where numerous guests of all races come and go. Sometimes in search of knowledge or trade, sometimes to cross to the other side of the Misty Mountains.
As they approached some large gates, similar to those of the Scholar's Guild, Sue added: But, perhaps, there is something else that captivates you much more than the city and its inhabitants. What to me is the most valuable thing about this place. The woman paused for a moment before the doors, looking at Kennet with a certain complicity, creating expectation in the young man.
-The extensive and legendary library of the half-Elf Elrond, lord of Rivendell. The illusion with which she said these words betrayed the woman's pleasure and appreciation of the place. And, immediately, she opened the wide doors behind them, stepping aside to let Kennet enter the place first.
A shiver ran up and down the man's body as he saw what was displayed before his eyes. A large room beautifully constructed of marble, gold, jade and other precious materials, in a sight that even makes the rest of the building pale. The silence and solemnity that emanated from the place, in contrast to the hospitality shown by the rest of Last Homely House, made him enter with careful steps. But instead of feeling fear or respect, Kennet experienced a strange mix of emotions. For the young man's gaze had quickly wandered from the beauty of the place to all the walls where countless scrolls, books, documents and other valuable pieces of knowledge were available. Kennet had never imagined that such a large library as the one he was in existed. There must be real treasures there, which the young man never even thought he could hold in his hands. He felt very small, as if all the knowledge of the different ages was looking at him, in his tiny mortality. But, at the same time, he felt very fortunate to be able to access this unparalleled wonder, this sanctuary of knowledge far from the outside world.
Kennet took a couple of steps forward, looking around, mouth agape, not knowing what to do or where to go. He turned to Sue, who was looking at him from the entrance with some pleasure. In a sincere and determined voice, she said: Welcome to the most valuable place in all of Middle-earth.
