Title: The Music in My Heart, Chapter 1
Author:
Fandom/Pairing: Elrond/OFC, Glorfindel/Haldir, Elladan/OFC, Elrohir/Legolas, others implied
Rating:.PG13 for now; ratings will increase in later chapters
Warning: AU --- Story set 770 years after ROTK; Some slash but, mostly het.
Feedback: This is my first fanfic, so constructive feedback appreciated.
Acknowledgements: Many thanks to Alex Cat for her help in betaing this fic.

Disclaimer: Any of the residents of Middle-earth and Aman that you recognize belong to Prof. Tolkien's estate. The same is true about Middle-earth and Aman. I'm only visiting and admiring the "views". Summary: Sauron may be gone, but his legacy of evil still lingers. As Middle-earth faces the threat of another dark lord, a party of elves departs Aman on a mission for the Valar, a mission of mercy long delayed.

Chapter 1 --- Prologue, Beginning in the Middle

"You're searching, Joe, for things that don't exist; I mean beginnings. Ends and beginnings -- there are no such things. There are only middles."

Robert Frost

Imladris, Fourth Age, Year 773

Ada likes to tease me that my fëa cannot decide whether it I should be a warrior or a scholar. He likes to joke that it is a good thing I was born after the defeat of Sauron or I would have tried to march into battle with a book in one hand and a sword in the other. Dear Ada! As if he would have willingly countenanced the thought of his daughter fighting along side him in Gil-Galad's army of the Last Alliance or joining my grandfather in the battles of the Ring War. (father)

But these are not times that allow any to be pampered. As we all must be, I was trained to be deadly with both sword and bow. The threat of attacks from the remnants of Sauron's army grows worse each year. They still roam the woods and dark places of Middle-earth casting a pall over the Age of Men. The Dark Lord may have been defeated over seven hundred and fifty years ago, but his shadow still hangs heavy over us all.

There are only a few of us left here to share our beautiful valley. Far too few to need this sprawling house with all its rooms and gardens nestled into the side of the valley walls like ornate outcroppings of the mountains themselves. The rest have left --- some for the West, but others...

Naneth's specter haunts us. The pain of those first hours, days, years is imprinted on the very fabric of this place. My parents courted here, married here, had a child here, and made here home. Those memories live in Ada's eyes for all to see, a double-edged sword of joy and pain. Still, this is their home and I am happy that we remain. This is the only home I've ever known. (mother)

Despite the relative security of our sanctuary, my sense of foreboding increases daily. I woke this morning shaking and sick at heart from dreams that, when shared, will spread fear through this peaceful valley.

Yet, I am comforted by a vision that came to me on rising from my bed. Aye! I see! The Valar be praised!

Lindon, Second Age, Year 3431

It seems rest is beyond my grasp for this night. Maybe that is best as the dreams I would likely have would give no comfort. Today, we march for Imladris to join with Elrond and the other elven kingdoms of Middle-earth. Elendil and I will stand at the head of the army we have mustered and begin the campaign to put an end to the threat of Sauron. After years of negotiating and planning, the Alliance is finally a reality and these last three years have seen an army of the free peoples of Middle-earth come to reality. Long days of training, forging arms, massing provisions, and plotting strategy are now behind us.

I am ready to begin this ending. The fate of Middle-earth hangs heavy on my shoulders. I wonder if all warriors feel this sense of dread in the final hours before the march or is it the burden of those that dare to be king?

Sleep is now beyond me though Anorwill not appear for many hours yet. I have no doubt that there are reports to review, final orders to approve, and countless other matters awaiting me in my study. When is there not! For once, they seem a preferable

occupation to the torture of my thoughts… the scenes of violence and death that taunt me. (the sun)

Save, that is, for the one sweet image that would consume me if I let it --- the most fervent desire of my heart! STOP! There is nothing but despair to be had in letting myself idle on that foolish, vain hope. I have too much to lose in its pursuit should it

fail and that I can not lose.

With that thought, images, memories flood my mind and my heart breaks for the wanting. The sigh on my lips becomes a name… Elrond!

Aman, Present (Fourth Age of Middle-earth, Year 773)

I have healed as much as I expect I shall. The wounds of 6500 years of life, of struggle, of duty were choking my fëa by the time I sailed. My strength has returned, but like Frodo, I will carry some scars for the rest of time. They have not healed cleanly; nay cannot heal, because the wounds were too deep. Still, I feel near whole again and I seek a purpose, a reason to wake each morning… an outlet for my energies. (spirit)

I have become a leader with nowhere to lead, a teacher with few to teach, a healer with no patients, and a warrior with no battles to fight. I can read, study, debate to my heart's content, but I am used to doing… to mattering, thus my heart is not content.

My hopes for a new life shared with departed loved ones have not materialized. I am growing restless and I am weary of my solitude. I am lonely and alone. Mine has become a barren existence.

I had not the words left to pray, but my sighs…. my sighs have been heard. I am set a task. I will have purpose again! Galu am i Elbereth! (Blessings upon the Star-lady!)

A.N. --- The title comes from a poem by William Wordsworth --- "The music in my heart I bore, long after it was heard no more". In the last section, you probably recognize an homage to the conversation between Gandalf and Elrond as they discuss Frodo's recovery in the movie of Fellowship of the Ring. The last bit paraphrases a line from the Bible found in St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans (8-26).