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…..

Both Elladan and Elrohir had known that there was something their father wanted to tell them, some last piece of advice to help them get through their years in Middle Earth without him. That was the thing with their father though, he often had things he desired to tell people. That did not mean, however, that he actually told them. Especially where his visions were concerned.

Over the years they had learned that asking and probing would reveal nothing, you just had to wait to find out what he decided.

They had decided months ago that he would not, in fact it had slipped their minds entirely. Even as they road with their father, grandparents and Glorfindel to the Grey Havens where a ship awaited for those leaving. Not even when the harbor came into view for the first time as they crested the last hill.

They had all stopped their horses for a moment and Elladan thought about saying something, but everything had been said many times over already, and there was a good chance that he or Elrohir might lose their thin grasp on composure if he did. That was the thing about their father though, he sensed those kinds of things. And so they said nothing.

They did not speak about Arwen, pregnant and mortal in Gondor. They did not speak about Estel, and his upcoming birthday. They did not tell each other how much they would miss them, or about how scared and and his brother were. They did not thank Glorfindel, for staying behind with them until they left Middle Earth forever. Either by sailing or otherwise.

Sooner or later they had to begin their journey again, and too soon the reached the Havens. It was then that their father decided to tell them, standing on the shores near the boat. Their grandparents and Glorfindel had drifted away to give them privacy, as if they knew it would happen all along.

Elrond carefully took a hand from each of them, eyes serious and almost painfully sad, "I know you have not made your choice yet, and I do not intend for you to make it now. If you are able, make the same choice."

Contrary to popular belief the twins did not speak as one on purpose, but that was the thing with their father though, he knew that. Because he used to have a twin, before he choose a mortal life ages gone past. They had heard stories of their Uncle Elros, but not often.

But they understood why, for neither twin could imagine a life without the other, the concept so foreign it was hard to form. They did not want to think about their father experiencing that pain any more than he wanted to remember it.

Elladan and Elrohir spoke as one, "Ada-"

"No, no these thoughts are still for you to face later. You are not ready to choose yet, you will know when you are ready."

He was right, of course. It was hard to explain, but it was as if part of them wanted to be mortal. Expected it almost. Even while other parts wanted nothing more than to live forever. A 'Gift' from Eru, some called it.

Losing Arwen did not feel like a gift.

Slowly Galadriel drifted back over to them, smiling reassuringly at her grandsons, "It is time for us to go, Elrond."

Frodo, Bilbo and Gandalf were already on the boat waiting.

For a moment their grip on composure slipped, and both twin flung themselves into their fathers arms, one on each side just like when they were elflings. For a moment, Elrond lost his composure too. All three of them tried not to think about how he was sailing away from four children, perhaps all of which he would never see again.

The twins spoke as one, "Tell Nana I love her."

Somehow, impossibly, their father managed a watery laugh, "That will be the second thing I tell her, right after telling her how much I love her."

Elrohir stifled a small sob, and Elladan nearly began as well hearing the sound. Elrond hugged them tighter and kissed both on the head, whispering, "Ask me to stay and I will."

And they knew he would, if they asked. Elrond was tired beyond belief, his heart so filled with grief his son's were surprised it still beat, he was weary in every way one could be. But if they asked him to stay, he would.

Elladan spoke alone this time, as Elrohir was incapable, "Tell Nana we love her."

Eventually, somehow, they managed to pull themselves apart. Only to be quickly swept into the comforting embrace of their grandmother, as she promised "You will make the right choices."

But then she was pulling away too, leaving.

Neither twin believe they would be able to say goodbye to their grandfather, too. But then Celeborn was saying goodbye to Galadriel instead of yhem, promising to see her again soon, when he met her in Valinor.

"What?" Elladan asked, knowing Elrohir was waiting for him to.

Celeborn smiled, coming to stand between his grandsons as they watched Elrond and Glorfindel say their goodbyes, "I have not yet grown tired of Imladris, I think I would like to spend a few years there yet still. I am in no hurry."

He threw an arm around each of them, and they leaned into him gratefully, as their father and grandmother boarded the boat. At least somebody else would be here with them when Estel died, and then Arwen.

What was another hundred years with them, compared to an eternity of the heartbreak of missing them? They had not mean to love Estel as much as they did, but he had stolen their hearts totally and completely. And it seemed like he was going to take them to the grave with him. Elrohir stifled another sob just thinking about it.

The boat slowly began to sail from the dock, away. Impossibly far away.

Elrond stood on the back of the boat, watching his beloved sons get smaller and smaller. Glorfindel nearly crushing Elrohir in a tight embrace, rocking him back and forth very slightly, while Elladan still stood with Celeborns arm around him.

Elladan knew in that moment it was time to make his choice, and he knew with only half a glance at Elrohir that they had made the same one.

Elrohir ripped himself away from Glorfindel, and Elladan from Celebon as the both raced to the end of the dock. For a moment the older elves were left stunned, wondering perhapes of they panned to jump in the water and swim to the boat. But the twins stopped at the very edge of the dock, screaming across the water as loudly as they could, "Tell Nana we will soon be there to tell her we love her ourselves!"

The boat was getting to be so far away, they turned back to Glorfindel desperately, "Do you think he heard?"

Stepping up behind them, Glorfindel stared out across the water, "Yes. I think he heard you."

The boat was too far away from them to see their father nearly collapse on the ship deck in relief, unashamedly weeping into arms folded over his knees. He had heard, he had heard every single word.

Galadriel came and sat next to him, leaning her body against his and taking hold of one of his hands. They stayed like this for a while before Elrond gave a final sniff and turned his head to look at her, she smiled encouragingly, "I knew they would make the right choice."

Somehow, he managed another watery laugh.

…

For those who are unaware; contrary to the films Celeborn and Galadriel actually sailed at different times. Galadriel much sooner than him, and he did, in fact go live in Rivendell.

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