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The vanyar elf ran his hand through his silver blond hair and turned from his task.
Which was composing a song in Praise of Manwe.
And standing there was great uncle Quincy.
The old man was squinting in the bright holy light and he had taken off his old-timey, John Denver-type glasses to clean them.
The elf gasped in surprise. But he was kind so he walked up to the old man and said.
' you cannot be here! It is unsafe for a mortal!'
Uncle Quincy looked around, pointed at himself then said, 'who me?
I beg your pardon I am not Amoral. I belong to the church of Native America.'
The elf walked quickly over to the old man and put his arm around his shoulders and told him.' Quickly now we must go and get you help. I have no idea how you got here. Last time this happened there was a great war and the traveler was turned into a star.'
'Oh!' Said great uncle Quincy.
So Quincy went with him.
He could not adequately describe what he saw. The city he was led through was so bright that he shaded his eyes.
His guide noticed this and took off his cloak and threw it over Quincy's head and shoulders giving him a bit of shade from the burning brilliant light.
They climbed what seemed endless stairs and through vast cloud-filled courtyards with spraying fountains of light.
Finally, they came to a great circle of stone and two guards barred the way.
Quincy peeked at them. So bright and vast and fierce they looked. When they saw Quincy, they stared with wonder.
'The little traveler. They are expecting him.' One exclaimed.
Then they stood aside and the two walked through.
They entered a vast circular hall with no roof but it opened up to the Heavens and fields of stars.
In great thrones seated around the circle were vast figures.
Uncle Quincy whispered, ' uh oh.'
One great blond apparition Stood up. He had a wrestler's physique. He walked over, and squinted down at Quincy who put his hands over his eyes as the light was so bright.
The figure began to laugh.
'So Unlike the first who now wears a Silmaril on his brow. How came you here little second born?' He said.
Quincy stammered a bit. '…..actually, I was the youngest child of 4. And this was runner's fault.'
Another being stalked forward.
His brightness was shadowed by a cloak of woodland green and there was a great bow at his back. Hounds walked beside him and great spectral antlers hovered and shone over his head.
His voice was fierce but he noticed that Quincy flinched at the sound and it became the murmur of breeze in woodlands. The being crouched down.
'Who is runner?' He asked.
Uncle Quincy wondered if now he was going to doom his friend runner.
But he answered. 'He is my friend and he doesn't mean any harm but he keeps mixing the medicine and I did not dream it was wrong.'
'Dream?' And a ghostly figure approached as gentle and luminous as a new spring moon.
'What did you dream, child?'
'Oh, ' said Quincy. 'I dreamed the mushroom spoke and I was given permission for the taking.'
The shining figures exchanged glances.
The hunter said, 'they are very difficult to understand.'
The hunter then told him. 'You cannot be here. You are mortal.'
'I beg your pardon No I'm not.' Firmly answered uncle Quincy.
The tall hunter straightened up and looked at his companions.
'Of course you are mortal, ' said the gentle figure.
'No I am not.' answered uncle Quincy.
'You are second born and possess the gift of men.' He told Quincy.
Quincy looked down at himself.
'No, I don't think I got that gift.'
'You understand you will die?' Said the dreamy figure softly.
Uncle Quincy looked up at the bright figures and shaded his eyes.
'No, I wont.' He told them.
'Look at your braid, child.' said the gentle figure. ' It has grey in it. Signs of the approach of the gift so you may prepare.'
Quincy took his braid and looked at it. Then look up at the shining figure.
'Nope, that's not it.'
The gentle dreamy figure said to his companions.
'This one is confused. I am not sure why.' And he sat down.
The shining wrestler crouched down to be at eye level with Uncle Quincy and he then told his companions. ' I believe it is the affect of the Undying Lands on mortals.'
Quincy took off his glasses and cleaned them on his shirt tail. Then flipped his long braid back and looked at the shining wrestler and squinted his eyes at the brightness.
'I am not mortal I told you. I change form when I die.'
Out of the shadows a dark hooded figure appeared.
He glided over to Quincy.
'I am sorry, this one somehow got away. Has never happened before..' Then he told Uncle Quincy.
'You now must come back to the halls.'
' Nope. ' uncle Quincy told him.
The Valar stared at him, perplexed.
' you don't have a choice in this.' The hooded figure told him.
Quincy folded his arms across his chest.
'Yes I do.'
From between the hooded figures, dark legs ran a star-bright silver fox.
' dammit Quincy you stupid old man….don't come here ever again it is screwing up the storyline here….apologie