This was inspired by the piece of art, "The Promise" by Adrian Kellard. A promise Elrond makes to Arwen when she is very young.

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Elrond was roused from his sleep by an uneasy feeling. He was unsure why, but he knew something was not right. Glancing to his side he saw that Celebrí an was sleeping peacefully. Careful not to disturb her he slipped quietly out of their bed, threw on a comfortable tunic, and crept out of their chambers.

Searching desperately for the source of the distress he felt, he turned towards the rooms of his children. First he checked on his twin sons, but found them both sleeping serenely. As he walked away, heading towards his daughter's room, he heard a soft whimpering, undetectable by human ears. Quickly he strode to her door and cracked the door open.

"Arwen," he spoke softly, entering the room. He received no reply, but could see the girl twisting in her bed. He crossed the room and sat beside her. She was sweating and shaking and seemed to be in great distress.

"Shh, melamí n*, shh," he whispered softly, gently rousing her from her dream.

"Ada*?" she asked in a sleepy voice, turning towards him as she woke.

"Yes, Arwen, Ada is here," he answered. The tiny elf-child climbed into his lap and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. Elrond rocked her back and forth and rubbed her back until the tears from her dream had stopped and her little body ceased its shaking.

"Now, meluihên*, tell Ada what dream has disturbed you so." She leaned back in his arms and looked into his eyes.

"I don't remember, Ada," she answered. "I was just all alone. First Nana* left, then you and Daernaneth*. Then Elladen and Elrohir left with Daeradar*. It was just me and I was so lonely." At this her chin began to tremble and the tears returned.

"Oh, melamí n," Elrond whispered, pressing her against his chest. "That is something you will never have to worry about. As long as I have power, we will never be separated. 'Til the end of Arda, no matter what will come, I will be with you. If I cannot be with you in body, my heart will always be with you. I promise you, child, you will never be alone. I will never leave you." The tears stopped their flow and Arwen looked up at her father, searching in his eyes to see if he spoke the truth. Satisfied, her tears turned into a smile as she climbed from his lap and back into her bed. Elrond wrapped the blankets tightly around her body and stood to leave. Arwen reached out to stop him, grabbing his hand.

"Don't go, Ada," she begged. "I want you to stay with me." Seeing the desperation in the elfling's eyes, Elrond could do nothing but consent.

"Alright, meluihên, but just until you are safely in the world of happy dreams." He sat back on her bed and she contentedly lay down and closed her eyes. Elrond sat and stroked her hair until her breathing slowed and he was certain that she slept. He gingerly rose from the bed and snuck out of the room. As he opened the door to leave he turned and looked back on his sleeping daughter.

"I will never leave you, sell-nî n*," he promised in a whisper. With that, he turned and left the room.

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melamí n - my love

Ada - daddy, shortened form of Adar (father)

meluihên - lovely child

Nana - mommy, shortened form of Naneth (mother)

Daernaneth - grandmother

Daeradar - grandfather

sell-nî n - my daughter

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Any mistakes in the Sindarian translations (and I'm sure there are many) are mine and mine alone (never mind that I stole most of these from others!)