Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any characters and/or places thereof.
Author's Note: I think I might continue this, but I'm not really sure. Please review, in especial if you want it continued. Oh, and I know that Tolkien described Elrond as being "as kind as summer", and in most cases I try to keep to that, in fact I quite liked Elrond, but in the appendices he talks to Aragorn about Arwen in a way that really annoyed me, pretty much saying that Arwen would be his child for ever unless Aragorn came between them. Maybe she's just his weak point.
*****
"It is such a peaceful place…" said Peregrin Took, looking wistfully at his surroundings. The Elven haven of Imladris was indeed peaceful, a place where beings of true goodness could breathe freely.
"It sure is, Pippin," agreed Samwise Gamgee. "I always wanted to see the Elves."
"I know, Sam," replied Pippin with an amused sort of grin. "Half the Shire knows."
"Say, isn't that Mister Strider over there?" asked Sam suddenly, motioning.
"I think you're right." The two Halflings approached, somewhat worried. The door had been left open just a bit, and, peering in, they could see a shadowy figure, unmistakably Strider. He was perched on a stool, his hands resting limply against his legs, palm-up. A curtain of hair covered his face. What was going on? Strider looked so defeated, so weak. What had happened?
Just as Pippin and Sam were about to investigate, they heard a voice, and froze. "Estel, I am not asking you, I am telling you."
"Well, that's Master Elrond!" whispered Samwise, then remembered the hearing of the Elves and bit his tongue. 'But what's that he's calling Mister Strider? And why does he sound so angry with him?'
"I know," Strider replied, as though some response was expected of him and he knew not which to give but this. His voice sounded tired and worn, somehow less gruff than usual and more like a child's.
"And yet you do not obey."
'Obey what? This is all so muddling!'
Strider mumbled something that Sam did not catch.
"Estel…" in a warning tone.
"I'm sorry."
"I did not summon you here for this pointlessness, not to command you to do anything," Elrond said. At this Strider raised his head almost hopefully. "This is about her, of course, for we speak of very little else these days, is it not so?"
"Aye, it is so." as though some duty called for an answer.
"Her kin has long sailed to the Undying Lands, where they belong--where she and I belong. You, on the other hand…Estel, you know you are not Elven. We have spoken of this often enough. Arwen belongs in the Undying Lands with her family. You belong--"
"Nowhere."
"Don't be pert."
"Sorry."
'What's he talking about? Who is Arwen, and why does Mister Strider not think he belongs anywhere? Sure everyone's got a home. And why does he say sorry so much? What has he got to be sorry for?
"A word I hear often from you," Elrond stated. "And you do belong somewhere, Estel." This last sentence was said with a certain tenderness and love Sam had never heard before in Elrond's voice. Elrond stepped forward and moved as if to caress Strider's cheek. Strider sat, motionless, and allowed this, but clearly kept his eyes on his boots, blinking profusely. Elrond's eyes flickered again, and the softness left them, and he said, drawing back his hand, "But that is not the place my daughter belongs."
'His daughter?'
"I…"
"Yes?"
Meekly, "I love her."
For a moment it looked as though Elrond might slap Strider, and Sam felt anger rising. 'What are you up to, treating him like that? He's got feelings as well, and you've no right to toy with him like that! Stop lettin' him, Mister Strider, say something back!' Sam mentally urged him. Later Sam would wonder if, had Elrond actually slapped Strider, he would have reacted, and how. As it was Elrond did not, and so Sam would never know. "You do not know love, Estel," Elrond said. "I tolerated this nonsense, at first, but I will tolerate it no longer. If I must, to keep you from her, I will exile you hence from all the Elven realms."
'Now, that's just a bit severe!'
When next Strider spoke, it was in a very tiny voice, sounding desperate. "Ada..."
"I am not your father."
"Ada, I--"
"Get out of my sight," said Elrond, sounding angry and disgusted.
He doesn't have to listen to you! thought Sam. But, to his surprise and near disappointment, Strider stood. Head bent, the Ranger trudged to the door and out into the hall. For one moment his eyes met Sam's, and the two seemed frozen. Sam saw for the first time that Strider was crying, a single tear running slowly down his cheek.
"Samwise," Strider croaked. "I…If you will excuse me, I…" He did not finish, but turned and walked slowly away. Sam did not follow. For the first time he realized that Pippin was no longer beside him. What had happened? Sam did not understand, but he knew he was angry. At first so distrustful of Strider, he now felt offended by offense to the Ranger.
"Why does he take it?" Sam wondered aloud. Then he turned, and ambled away, in the opposite direction of Strider. Sam came out into the gardens, seeing fireflies alight as dusk fell. Everything was so perfect, so beautiful, so serene--and one hobbit could find no peace.
*****
'Ada' is an Elven term of endearment for one's father, similar to 'daddy'