DISCLAIMER: see chapters one through three…aka, only Silruin and Aldaya are mine. ALL HAIL TOLKIEN! Sorry. Had to say that.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story may become a little darker, and it will certainly be more depressing than any of my other stories. I won't be raising the rating, but it will be a darker story than my other ones. If it feels like I'm repeating a certain line of a certain poem *coughcough* a bit too much, it's because its REALLY important later on in the story. Actually, the plot completely revolves around it. So it's probably annoying but it's pivotal. So don't forget it. :)

Chapter Four

Unyielding Secrets

Elrond sat at his desk, staring at the papers in front of him, and yet not truly seeing them. The poem still rang in his mind.

There is a first time for everything and a last time for all

For even the elves from grace can they fall.

For even the elves from grace can they fall.

"It can't be," Elrond murmured. "It can't be."

Luthien's line will never fail…

"It can't be what, father?"

Elrond turned and smiled wanly at his son Elrohir. "Oh, it's nothing, my son."

Like a bad song coming back to haunt him, the words repeated in Lord Elrond's mind. Luthien's line will never fail…Luthien's line will never fail…even the elves from grace can they fall…fall…can fall…a first time for everything…

Elrond's eyes glazed over, and he locked down his mind, shielding so tightly Elrohir couldn't catch any of his thoughts. Always the intuitive one, Elrohir frowned slightly. "Father…"

Elrond shook his head slowly, and hesitated. "Elrohir, please, listen to me. I can't tell you what it is. I have some very good reasons for that. I will explain someday, I promise. But for now, please, just keep your distance from Aldaya."

"Aldaya?" Elrohir said, surprised. "But why?"

"Trust me, Elrohir. Try not to become too…close with her."

Elrohir's face darkened. "I will not have you dictating to me who and who not shall be my friends!"

"Elrohir." Elrond stood up and stepped forward until he was eye-to-eye with his son. "Elrohir, listen to me. Long ago there was secret that the elves have hidden in the depths of time. We have greatly wished to forget it. Please do not drag up ancient pain we have put behind us."

"But why can't you tell me?"

Elrond turned away and walked to the edge of the balcony. "My son, some things are better left unsaid."

"This is from the father who always told me there was no secrets between family?" Elrohir asked bitterly. By the time Elrond turned he was gone.

*^*^*^*^*

Elrond walked back to his study, running his fingers gently over familiar pieces of furniture, feeling the apolstry on the chair, the grain of the wood on his hand, the dust under his nails. He circled the room several times, and always ended up at his desk, with the poem lying there.

Even the elves from grace can they fall.

A shudder ran down his arms when he thought of Gil-Galad's words to him so long ago. "We have passed this on down through the generations, father to son, kinsman to kinsman. Now you must know the secret, Elrond, the secret we have hidden for so many years…it is locked in this poem. I am not permitted to tell you what it is. You must take this only copy and keep it, and decipher it for yourself."

Even the elves from grace can they fall.

"No one must know of this, Elrond! Tell only your oldest child, and none other. Lock it deep in your thoughts and keep it there! Keep it far away from where anyone could find it! You must even keep it from Celebrian."

"But, my lord, I cannot! And what of the Lady Galadriel? Does she know of this secret?"

"No one knows, my friend, but you and me. All others who knew it are dead."

So he had researched and looked for many long years, down unto the ages, until he discovered the truth.

Even the elves from grace can they fall.

Elrond buried his head in his hands and wept.