Capítulo 240: The Half-Elf’s Secret Revealed
After hearing Wayne's request, the Elf King Elrond responded generously, offering to lend him some books. However, as their conversation continued, a subtle smile crept into Elrond's tone as he remarked:
"Mr. Wayne, I should remind you that all our books are written in Sindarin. Most outsiders cannot read our language."
"However, if you have the patience for it, I can arrange for one of my kin to teach you Sindarin during your stay."
"Of course, whether you can master the language before your departure depends entirely on your aptitude."
Wayne patted his head at the realization. Up until that moment, he had been communicating effortlessly with elves, dwarves, and hobbits, which made him forget that they all had their own languages and customs.
In Middle-earth, each race has its own language and script. While a Common Tongue exists for spoken communication between races, written language, art, literature, and religious customs differ greatly among them. For the most part, each race prefers to speak and interact among themselves, rarely venturing too close to other cultures.
Wayne shook his head with a helpless smile and said, "Then I would be grateful if Your Majesty could assign someone to teach me Sindarin. Learning the elven tongue during this journey would be a valuable experience."
"Who knows? I may find myself working alongside the elves in future battles against the forces of darkness. Being able to communicate fluently in Sindarin would be a great advantage."
As Wayne spoke, his thoughts wandered back to the beautiful elven maiden who had been his guide earlier that day. Though she had not dressed elaborately, her serene presence, graceful movements, and gentle demeanor had left a strong impression on him.
Their conversation had flowed smoothly, without the typical barriers of race, and a silent understanding seemed to pass between them. Casually, he suggested, "Perhaps the lady who guided me today could be my tutor in Sindarin?"
To Wayne's surprise, Elrond's previously calm and refined expression changed. A flicker of wariness entered his eyes, and his voice carried a faint note of warning as he replied:
"Mr. Wayne, that was my daughter, Arwen Undómiel. Even as a guest, you should refrain from making such presumptuous requests."
Hearing the slight anger in Elrond's tone, Wayne was momentarily startled. He hadn't realized that the graceful elf maiden was the daughter of the Elf King himself. Apologetically, he said:
"My deepest apologies, Your Majesty Elrond. I meant no offense. I was unaware of her identity."
Elrond's expression softened slightly upon hearing Wayne's apology. He regarded Wayne for a moment before regaining his usual composure and responding with the dignity of a king:
"It is alright. You were unaware, and I do not hold your words against you. I forgive your unintended rudeness, Mr. Wayne."
At that moment, Gandalf interjected with a curious smile.
"Wayne, I couldn't help but notice something about you since our first meeting. It seems you've cast some form of disguise spell over yourself. Though I refrained from commenting on it earlier, perhaps now you can tell us more?"
Wayne hadn't expected his magical disguise to be so easily detected by Gandalf, even though it was a simple spell. After a brief pause, he reached up and removed the contact lenses masking his eyes, revealing his amber, cat-like pupils and pointed elven ears.
Gandalf and Elrond exchanged looks, clearly surprised by the revelation. Wayne shrugged slightly and said:
"In truth, I am a half-elf. My heritage is... complicated, to say the least. To avoid unnecessary trouble, I've lived as a human adventurer, hiding my true identity."
Both Gandalf and Elrond regarded Wayne with newfound understanding. After a moment, they exchanged glances once more, their silent communication suggesting an unspoken agreement between them.
In Middle-earth, elves are considered the favored of the Creator, and in the eyes of both the wizard and the elf king, elves are inherently more trustworthy than other races such as men or dwarves. Wayne, who had once been a mysterious adventurer, now stood revealed as a half-elf, instantly earning him greater respect in their eyes.
Elves, known for their long lifespans and difficulty in reproducing, value every life within their clans. Their seclusion from the rest of the world is in part due to their need to protect their people from unnecessary conflicts and losses. Wayne's revelation as a half-elf made him not just an outsider, but one of their own.
Elrond, himself born of a half-elven lineage, now saw Wayne in a different light, one that would influence his decisions going forward.
The next day, to Wayne's surprise, Elrond granted his earlier request—asking none other than his daughter, Princess Arwen of Rivendell, to serve as Wayne's tutor in Sindarin.
The beautiful elf maiden remained as graceful and kind as she had been during their first meeting. Her presence was like a gentle spring breeze, and her conversations were warm and soothing. Her soft, expressive eyes radiated purity, reminding Wayne of a delicate white rabbit, always seeming to reflect innocence, whether intentional or not.
Despite being over two thousand years old, Arwen, the elf princess, had been well shielded from the harshness of the world, her curiosity for a life of adventure shining through. Although gentle and kind-hearted, she harbored a subtle rebellious streak and a longing for the world beyond Rivendell's borders.
Wayne, though he had a reputation as something of a rogue, couldn't bring himself to act improperly towards such a pure and innocent soul. He refrained from making any advances towards the Princess of Rivendell, well aware of the consequences—he had no intention of stirring Elrond's wrath.
Nevertheless, spending time with Arwen was a delight. As they studied Sindarin together, Wayne would occasionally share tales of his journeys through the Witcher world, recounting adventures with his companions and the creatures he had encountered. Arwen listened intently, her curiosity piqued by these stories of lands and lives beyond the peaceful valley of Rivendell.
In return, Arwen, being kind-hearted, would bring Wayne some of her own homemade Sindarin dishes and elven wine, offering him a taste of Rivendell's hospitality. To reciprocate, Wayne employed his most trusted strategy when dealing with women—delicious, irresistible sweets.
He conjured cakes, pastries, and ice cream using his magic, much to the delight of the elven princess. In any world, in any race, no one could resist the allure of sweets, and Arwen was no exception. The desserts were unlike anything she had ever tasted, and her radiant smile after each bite showcased her pure joy. Wayne had succeeded in his secret mission to impress her, all without crossing any lines.
Time passed swiftly, and three days flew by.
During this time, Thorin and his band of dwarves enjoyed Rivendell's hospitality, taking the opportunity to rest and recover from their long journey. Thanks to Wayne's efforts, none of the group's mounts were lost, and their journey had been far quicker than in the original tale. The presence of horses ensured that their pace was steady, and they were not under as much pressure.
As in the original story, Elrond aided Thorin by deciphering the Moon Runes hidden on the map left behind by the previous King Under the Mountain. However, unlike the strained relations in the original tale, Wayne had helped mediate between the dwarves and elves, ensuring a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere. There were no quarrels or insults exchanged between the two groups this time.
Wayne's progress in learning Sindarin was commendable. Perhaps it was because Elrond had quietly revealed to Arwen that Wayne was a half-elf, but the princess trusted him wholeheartedly and let down her guard around him. She even took him to Rivendell's vast library, assisting him in translating some of the elven history and lore he had wanted to study. This gave Wayne the chance to use his magical book to copy down some of the basic knowledge of the Sindarin elves, knowledge he could study during his future travels.
However, while Wayne and the company of dwarves remained unaware, a secret meeting took place one evening in Rivendell. Present were Gandalf the Grey, Radagast the Brown, Saruman the White, Elrond, and Galadriel.
These five, among the most powerful forces for good in Middle-earth, gathered to discuss pressing matters: the growing darkness in Dol Guldur and the mysterious newcomer—the half-elf Wayne.
As Gandalf recounted his experiences traveling with Wayne, the council members each voiced their own perspectives on this new figure. Some were cautious, others curious, as they weighed his character and intentions.
Opinions also varied regarding Wayne's bold ambition to defeat Smaug, the great dragon in the north.
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