PART 1: THE SEARCH FOR GILDOR INGLORIEN
~The Court of Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel~
'Neldordil, I have a task for you,' said Galadriel to her chief tracker.
'You need only ask, Lady,' he answered.
'I have received word from Imladris that a kinsman of mine has gone missing. I need you to find him,' Galadriel instructed. 'Círdan reports that Gildor has not come to Mithlond. Therefore, we suspect that he is somewhere in Eriador.'
'If Gildor Inglorion can be found, I will do it,' the tracker replied. He bowed and departed.
~The Search~
Neldordil took the mountain pass through the Misty Mountains to Imladris. There he gathered details of Gildor's last known whereabouts and the most likely places he may be found. If Gildor had encountered servants of the Enemy--the Úlairi were known to be abroad--he may prove very difficult if not impossible to find.
Neldordil's first lead was to find the small community of Lin Giliath. The High Elf was known to frequent its library. Finding it, however, proved to be difficult. Lin Giliath was said to be located in the lands once known as Rhudaur, the eastern portion of the North Kingdom of Arnor.
Neldordil followed the hills as far north as the southern border of the former kingdom of Angmar before circling the area west and then south. At last he found Lin Giliath, or what remained of it, a collection of ruins scattered amidst a swamp.
~Lin Giliath~
'We have not seen Gildor for many days,' replied Glambaen when asked of Gildor's last visit. 'On occasion he and his companions enjoy a bit of a walkabout. I suspect they are visiting some of their favorite places before they at last leave these shores.'
'Thank you, that is helpful information,' said Neldordil. 'Do you know where they were last headed?'
'Gildor is very fond of the Land of the Halflings, although I cannot imagine why,' answered Glambaen. 'The Halfings are a rustic folk, said to be superstitious and prone to wild imaginings. Gildor and his followers only travel in twilight, avoiding all contact with the Halflings.'
'That is curious,' said Neldordil. 'I shall seek there first. Can you tell me where this Land of the Halfings may be found?'
'It is west of the Baranduin,' Glambaen replied. 'There is a road that runs west from Imladris to the Gulf of Lhûn. That road passes through the land you seek.'
'My thanks to you, Glambaen,' said Neldordil. He bowed then turned to depart.
'Will you not stay with us awhile?' asked Glambaen. 'Surely you require nourishment to strengthen you on your long journey?"
'Nay,' replied Neldordil, 'I am in haste. Lady Galadriel has provided me with lembas. It is the only nourishment I require.'
'Very well,' said Glambaen. 'May the stars of Elbereth light your path!'
~The Land of the Halflings~
Neldordil found the Land of the Halflings west of the Baranduin with little difficulty. It resides not far from a town of Men called Bree, named for the hill upon which it resides. He soon came to a place the Halflings call the Woody End. There he found the party of Elves of which Glambaen spoke. Gildor was not among them.
'Can you tell me where Gildor has gone?' asked Neldordil.
'We cannot for he did not say,' said one Elf.
'He made very merry last night,' said another. 'When the filling of the cups was offered he never refused.'
'Unless I miss my guess he travelled west,' said a third. 'I recall him stating that he desired to see more of The Shire, as the Halflings call it. He likely followed the Water, that is, the river, in a westerly direction.'
'Given his state,' added a fourth, 'it is entirely possible that he became lost.'
'Were you not concerned for his welfare?' asked Neldordil with surprise.
'We were,' the fourth Elf replied, 'that is why we sent a messenger to Imladris.'
'Things are now becoming clear to me,' said Neldordil. 'Thank you for your assistance.'
Neldordil mounted then rode on. As he departed he could hear the Elves continue their singing and laughing.
~The Search Continues~
As he rode through The Shire Neldordil began to understand the appeal it might have for a Noldo such as Gildor Inglorion. He would greatly admire the orchards and cultivated fields set among the rolling hills. For a Silvan Elf such as Neldordil, however, the woods were The Shire's most attractive feature.
Neldordil travelled along the western road towards Lindon. He came to a heavily wooded area in the northwestern portion of The Shire. It was half by accident that he found Gildor, seemingly unaware of his location and how he arrived there.
'Lord Gildor,' Neldordil said when at last found the sodden Noldo, 'I have travelled a very great distance to find you.'
'Am I lost?' asked the Elf lord.
'It seems so,' answered the Silvan Elf, 'or at least you were until I found you.'
'Excellent work!' exclaimed Gildor. 'You would make a very fine tracker.'
'Lady Galadriel think so, too,' Neldordil wryly replied. 'Perhaps that is why she chose me to find you.'
'The Lady is very wise,' remarked Gildor, 'and you may tell her I said so when next you see her.'
'I shall,' Neldordil replied. 'May I help you find your way back to your travelling companions?'
'That will not be necessary,' answered Gildor. He attempted to stand but was unsuccessful. 'May I sit upon your horse?' he asked.
'Of course,' answered the tracker. He helped the Noldo to his feet then assisted him climb upon the horse's back.
'Thank you ever so much!' said a grateful Gildor. 'Pray lead the way to my friends.'
Neldordil travelled straightaway to the Woody End. Gildor had done quite enough sightseeing during his visit. The Elf lords's companions thanked Neldordil for returning their leader. They asked the tracker to stay for awhile and drink their wine. Neldordil politely refused.
Having completed his mission Neldordil returned to Lothlórien, stopping first in Imladris, informing both Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel that Gildor Inglorion had been found. They were grateful to have received this news, and much relieved that Gildor had not been taken by servants of the Enemy.
~End of Part One~
