silwritersguild | Ficlet - Vignettes of the Blessed Realm

Title: VIGNETTES OF THE BLESSED REALM - OF MUSHROOMS AND CELEBRIMBOR
Author

anna_wing
Rating: GEN
Warnings: NONE
Summary: In which we find out some of what Frodo did after leaving Middle-earth.

"Such an excellent notion," Este said to Nienna, as They strolled by the lake enjoying the evening air and the starlight on the waters. "Vaire was so very worried when he finally left the Halls, poor dear. And justifiably so, from the things She was telling Irmo and Me. I'm so glad that You found a way to sort things out. And Aule and Yavanna are grateful too, for the four-twelves and eight years of peace and quiet since the project began."

"It wasn't so difficult," her sister-in-law said calmly, as always. "Unlike his grandfather, Celebrimbor has always been very open to collaboration in his research. That was what got him into trouble in the first place, if you recall."

"But still, the subject wasn't one that I would ever have thought of."

Nienna smiled, Her dark eyes happy for once. "Oh, the credit for that is all Olorin's. He suggested that the Eldar, especially those who have never known Middle-earth, could benefit from contact, even mediated contact, with a wise and well-intentioned mortal. And Master Frodo was very pleased with the idea too."

There was a little shift in the world, and the Maia formerly known as Gandalf stepped through thin air onto the path before them. He still wore that shape, and would while both Frodo Baggins and Gimli Gloin's-son lived, but the light-heartedness in his face and bearing now, Middle-earth had never seen. In his arms he bore two large and impressive tomes, each bearing on its cover a handsome likeness of Master Frodo's kindly, wrinkled countenance, and the sigil of the Avallone Publishing Association.

"Here we are, Holy Ones! Straight off the imprinter in Avallone!"

The three Ainur sat Themselves down in a convenient patch of soft grass.

"Look," Olorin said. "We have the hand-copy, for the people who like physical books,"

"Mmm," said Nienna, who had taken a volume and was already deep in it. The illustrations were charming, She decided. Stylised, in the mortal fashion, but absolutely clear, the identifications impossible to mistake. Yavanna would like them too, focussed on function as She was.

"... and here, Holy Ones," Olorin continued firmly, "Is the mind's-ear version, cleverly forming part of the back cover of each volume, but also available as a separate sheet, convenient for consultation in the field."

"Ah," said Este. "The new substance. Aule and Irmo were discussing it the other evening. Fascinating."

"Yes," Olorin said. "The Engineers' Society in Tirion is publishing the details as a joint paper between Celebrimbor and his mother. It's something like silima, but stores thoughts instead of light."

"I read the first draft," Nienna said absently, not looking up from the page. "Celebrimbor sent me a copy of the final version, I'll pass it to You in a moment."

Este turned the book over and placed Her palm flat against its back cover. In Her mind the words sounded, as if the speaker were in Her presence, or sending his thoughts in the Elven manner.

Hello, said the voice of Master Frodo, gentle and friendly, Welcome to Taxonomy and Gastronomy of the Mushrooms of Aman, in two volumes...