Elandili's Story

by: Kristall

Author's Note: I wrote this about five years ago, after the first LOTR movie came out. This was written as a prequel to another fanfic I wrote, but I have chosen to post the fics in storyline chronological order. UPDATE: Six years after writing this, I decided to repost it as a new story. I am not changing any plot lines, it is simply that it has been long enough I'd rather repost the whole thing, rather than force everyone to reread and catch up.

Disclaimer: Ok, I don't own anything that J.R.R. Tolkien came up with. I have only borrowed them to tell this story, but Elandili and Miriel are mine. This story starts in the spring, 1508 years before the Fellowship set out from Rivendell. (I'm a perfectionist when it comes to dates for this kinda thing.) Hope y'all enjoy the story.

Chapter 1: The Half-Elf

Elrohir was looking out the window. He could hear the cries of his child, and wondered how he had gotten into this mess. He had only stopped by the mother's house a year ago, and then he had gotten a message begging him to come. He had come, just in time to witness the birth of his child. He sighed, and turning from the window, got his first good look at the child.

Elrohir smiled. She was such a tiny thing, only a few hours old, but she was already trying to crawl around, and crying because she couldn't. He went over and stroked her head. The crying stopped instantly, and he let her grip his finger. She was content to do that for a while, and then she wriggled back to her mother and started feeding.

"I am sorry if I called you away at a bad time, but I wanted you to be here, Elrohir.", said Miriel. She had been named after the daughter of Palantir, the second to last king of the Numenoreans. In fact, Miriel was of the race of Numenor, but her blood was so mingled that it was hard to tell that she had come from a proud line before its fall. Still, she had the strength, but it had been sadly taxed by the birth.

Elrohir shook his head and smiled, reassuring Miriel. "No, it was not an awkward summons. I was mostly wandering around, and I greeted this as a chance to get out on my own. What will we call her?", he added, gesturing to the child who was still suckling.

"Elandili. That is what she is anyway, a half-Elf."

"That's a good name." Elrohir looked out of the window again, and grimaced. "I have something I need to take care of real quick. I'll be back in a few minutes." Miriel nodded, and felt Elandili stop feeding. She looked down and smiled at her daughter. She then slid out of bed and pulled on a soft robe, suppressing a cough as she did so.

Elrohir went to greet his brother and father, grinning. They could tell that something was up, and he was going to enjoy this. It was about time that they met Miriel, who also knew some Elvish. He stood in the courtyard, and waited for them to dismount. "All right, Elrohir, what are you grinning about this time? Last time it was a joke you played on me, and I am hoping that it's not the same this time." Elladan was annoyed that Elrohir was in such a good mood, especially since he had left during the middle of an important meeting, just to come to Gondor. Elrohir had better have a good excuse this time.

Elrohir ignored his brother and bowed to his father. "I am sorry if my sudden departure caused any trouble, but there are two people I need to introduce you to. Elladan, you might as well come along. Follow me." He led the two into the house, to find that Miriel had gotten dressed and was now sitting in a chair. She looked up in fright as the two others came in. She looked at them and shifted her gaze to Elrohir who looked at her.

"Miriel, I would like to introduce you to Elrond, my father, and Elladan, my twin brother. My lords, I'd like you to meet Miriel, daughter of the Numenoreans, and the mother of Elandili, who was just born today."

"I am pleased to meet you, Miriel.", said Elrond. "We come from Rivendell, that is Imladris in your tongue. Elrohir, you haven't mentioned the child's father. Where is he?"

"You're looking at him.", said Miriel in a dry voice before Elrohir could say anything. Elrohir shot her a look of false fury and she smiled at him. Elrond and Elladan were laughing, and they congratulated the two on the birth.

"Miriel, I want you to know that you will always be welcome in Rivendell. You may come and go as you please, and so may your daughter." Miriel smiled at him and thanked him in the elvish tongue, which brought smiles to all of the elves. At that moment, Elandili sneezed and opened her eyes. She looked at the newcomers, and held her hands out to them. They played with the baby a while, and then they had to go. Elrohir said goodbye to Miriel, and watched her as she stood in the doorway, waving.

Elandili was now three years old, and yet she spoke as if she were in her teens. Elrohir had visited as often as he could, and Elandili liked it when he came. He was riding in now, and Elandili had spotted him before her mother, proving that she had elvish sight. Elandili's hair was dark brown, almost black. Her ears were pointed a little, but they would get even more pointed as she grew. She was also very tall for her age, and could now ride a pony at a gallop without falling off, showing that she had the same way with animals as her father. But she didn't know a word of Elvish, save for "hello", "goodbye", and "friend".

Elrohir had asked if they could all go to Minas Anor, and Miriel had agreed to come along, bringing Elandili. It was about time that Elandili learned about the world, and she would love Minas Anor. It took them a few days to get there, and Elandili had insisted on riding her own pony without help. Elrohir said that she would make a fine rider when she grew up.

They got to Minas Anor on the fifth day, and at that time, there were no people about. They were all eating the noon meal. Elrohir took them to the biggest house, which would be replaced by the White Tower eventually. Elandili was allowed to wander around, and she enchanted the older children of the house. They were soon playing, and Elandili learned a new game, hoop ball (kinda like basketball). She had a pretty good time, and the others admired her pointed ears. Elandili wondered at that, until the others explained that they didn't have them. Then all of them shrugged and dashed out to play hide and seek.

It was the next morning when Elandili left with her parents. She promised that she would come back sometime, and her mother laughed. Then, they went back to Gondor. Miriel was quiet most of the way back, and she coughed every now and then. Her cough had come back when Elandili had turned three, six weeks ago, and it was only now fading. Miriel knew that she had to take her daughter to Rivendell soon, for it would not be long until her death. The birth had been difficult, and she had never really recovered. She just didn't have her old strength anymore.