[ EU ] Middle Earth , 4000 years after the events of the Lord of the Rings trilogy .

`` They ca n't be sending me back, can they? My time is done, and Middle-Earth as I knew it is no more.'' Olórin leant on his staff as he walked, an old habit that had not managed to die in the millennia since he had last truly needed the support. 
 `` I am long-tired of the wars of men,'' he continued, `` and Morgoth is far from returning. The Walls of Night still hold fast.'' He glanced east as he said this last. 
 
 His companion shrugged, said, `` I can not assume to know the plans of the Valar, Mithrandir. Their ways and their wisdom are well above my ken, and I learnt long ago not to question them.'' 
 
 Hearing that old name brought a smile to Olórin's face. `` Mithrandir...'' he said, softly, then, `` do you know, you're possibly the only one left who still uses that name, my Lady? From another it might serve to remind me of the darkness of those times, but to hear you say it almost makes me *want* to go back...'' his volume dropped again, `` almost, mind you...'' 
 
 The pair arrived at the foot of a hill overlooking a lake just outside Valmar. `` I'm afraid you shall have to wait here, my Lady.'' 
 
 `` Of course, Mithrandir. I shall see you when you are done.'' She turned from the path, and made to enter a small grove of trees. 
 
 `` Galadriel...'' said Olórin, and she turned. `` Thank you for making this journey with me. I sorely needed the company.'' 
 
 She nodded, as beautiful as she had ever been. `` You are welcome, old friend. It was my pleasure.'' 
 
 * 
 
 Olórin stood before the Valar at the top of the hill, their fourteen diverse shapes towering over him. Even Ulmo had come, standing in the lake as a tower of roiling water. Olórin bowed. 
 
 `` My Lords,'' he said, `` and my Ladies. For what purpose have you summoned me here?'' 
 
 Manwë inhaled with a sound like a rushing wind. `` It has been a while since you trod these lands, Olórin.'' 
 
 `` It has, Lord Manwë.'' 
 
 `` You live amongst the Teleri, do you not?'' said Yavanna. 
 
 `` I do, my Lady. I have many friends among them.'' 
 
 `` It has been suggested, Olórin, that you no longer take pleasure in the company of your own kind. That the traitors have caused you to turn away from the Maiar entirely.'' This came from Tulkas, whose eyes flashed with fire at the mention of the fallen. 
 
 `` This is not the case, Lord. Sauron and his servants have not caused me to hate my own people - I see some of them, from time to time, and count many among them dear friends.'' 
 
 Varda leaned forward slightly, said, `` Yet you retain the form of a man, Olórin. For what purpose is this?'' 
 
 `` Begging your forgiveness, Lady Varda, but is this why you called me here? To question my choice of friends and to address my appearance? I would have hoped that you considered me more than a child.'' 
 
 Manwë held up a hand. `` Peace, Olórin, peace. This is not why we bid you come. We have a matter of high importance to discuss. 
 
 `` You are aware, I take it, that Eru Ilúvatar had begun to take a more direct approach to his involvement in the lives of mortals?'' 
 
 `` I am. He uses intermediaries less, and even speaks directly to the hearts of men.'' 
 
 `` Indeed. Are you also aware that it has been some time since he last spoke in such a way? Almost half a millennium, in fact.'' 
 
 `` I was not, My Lord. I have taken less and less interest in the world of Men as the years have gone by.'' 
 
 `` Well, he has decided to intervene once more, Olórin. In a significant manner.'' 
 
 He leaned forward, lowering his voice that it might not carry beyond the hilltop upon which they stood. `` He means to take the form of a man, Olorin, and live as one of them.'' 
 
 For the first time in thousands of years, the old man was stunned. He leant on his staff, and this time he was needful of the support. 
 
 `` Do not breath a word to this to anyone as of yet,'' Manwë continued. `` We have told you because we need your assistance - Eru is in need of a herald.'' 
 
 At this, Olórin's brows furrowed and his shock was replaced with annoyance. `` Do you mean to send me back? I shall do so if it is demanded of me, but I must press that I served my purpose long ago. I desire peace only, and distance from the world I left.'' 
 
 Varda smiled, and her teeth were as star-filled crystals, stark against her velvet skin. `` You have earned a long rest more than any other, Olórin. We seek only your advice.'' 
 
 The old man raised an eyebrow. `` Advice? On what matter could I possibly advise the great Valar?'' 
 
 Manwë spoke again. `` You are of the greatest heralds we have used, Olórin. We require one to announce the coming of Eru Ilúvatar into the world just as you proclaimed the imminence of Elessar Telconta. Tell, me, who would you choose to send?'' 
 
 The old man smiled. `` My prior heralding earned me the name Stormcrow, my Lord, among those I dare not repeat in these lands. But...'' he thought for a moment. `` I know of one with whom I would entrust such a task - Deránin, he is called. I believe Eru has used him before, in fact, and he is known to some among men. They call him Gabriel.'' 
 
 * 
 
 Galadriel was indeed waiting for him as he walked down the path. 
 
 `` I am not to return,'' he said. 
 
 `` I am very much pleased to hear that, Mithrandir. What, then, was the purpose of the summons?'' 
 
 `` I can not say,'' he said, `` but I tell you this - queer events are underway.'' His gaze darkened as he looked toward the east. `` Come,'' he said, shaking him self from the brief reverie, `` let us walk - the road awaits...'' 
 
 ***** 
 
 *Not strictly set in Middle-Earth, sorry, but set in the same world. I went for the `` mythical history'' view of Middle-Earth here, with the events of LOTR being set around six-thousand years ago. I also threw in a lot of Judeo-Christian mythology, given Tolkien's own beliefs and the basis of a lot of LOTR/The Silmarillion's imagery. This is my first response to a prompt, I hope yous like it: ) * 
 
 
 
 
 

