Chapter Seven

Elrond sat at his desk in his study, sifting through reports, letters, trade certificates and such paper work. Erestor sat at his desk to the right of Elrond, writing out reply's to letters from other realms. Melpomaen was currently sorting out the books in the library next door as they had been all over the floor when they got there this morning. Erestor went mad and Melpomaen nearly passed out.

"How does she fare my Lord?" the advisor asked without lifting his head from behind the stack in front of him. Elrond sighed and placed his quill back in it's box before slumping back into his chair. His shook his head.

"I do not know my friend. The last I saw of her was late last night, after we had put you to bed we had an emotional few mintues together. We cried and embraced but then she went to bed without another word. I have not seen her since," he said while pinching the bridge of his nose, "It seems as though, each year the anniversary arrives, it impact of it hits her harder. She doesn't show it but I know it's hurting her. I think I'll go and find her when this is done," he gestured to the pile of paper in front of him.

"Ai, the poor child. I do not know what we can do mellon-nin but be there for her. I cannot imagine what having a birthday and a anniversary of death on the same day is like. My heart bleeds for both of you," he said, this time he was looking at Elrond with soft, sympathetic eyes. Elrond smiled in appreciation before both elves went back to their work.

After what seemed like an hour or so, a soft rapping o nthe door brought Elrond back to reality.

"Enter," he called and the door opened slowly and Legolas walked in. He closed the door carefully and took three steps towards the desk before stopping. Elrond looked up and Legolas inclined his head, as did the Lord whose heart was pounding like Mordor drums at the sight of the soft, lose golden hair, bright blue eyes and those leggings...well!

"My Lord Elrond, I come to ask you about you daughter," he said softly and Elrond nodded slowly, "May I sit?" the prince asked and Elrond smiled softly. Legolas sat down in the chair before him and took a deep breath.

"What is it that you would like to ask Legolas? No, no Erestor you do not have to leave, please, sit back down," he said to the advisor who had been heading for the door. Erestor smiled and went back to his desk to start his work again. Legolas shifted nervously when the grey eyes settled on him.

"I, er, over heard her singing this morn, though I did not know it was her My Lord. The song had woken me and so, I went to see if I could find out where it had come from. I walked onto my balcony and looked about and after a while, I found her sitting in the tree underneath the balcony, then once she had finished, she jumped down and went to the stables. My Lord, I had no idea that she felt so much pain," he said sadly, "So I came to talk to you first, in case I upset her more by asking something too personal." he finished with a sad smile. Elrond sighed and looked out of the window to his right, behind Erestor.

"Legolas, you can only begin to understand how much pain she is going through. You see, tomorrow is her birthday and it is also the anniversary of her Ada's death," he turned back to the prince and saw the shock on his face and the tears in his eyes, "She does not let anyone see her pain, that is why she uses a mask of pranks, fun and laughter around everyone. At night, she hurts, cries and has waking nightmares that I and sometimes, Erestor, have to stop before they get too severe. We have to calm her down and console her until she sleeps once again. Legolas, there is such a depth to her pain that I can honestly say that you will never understand or want to for that matter. I am more surprised than anyone, that she has not faded yet. You see, her and her father's souls are connected so she can feel the pain he is in, in The Halls Of Waiting. She is always re-living the pain he felt when he died, she sees him in her dreams and sometimes, I am not even sure she knows exactly who is and where she is," he explain to the blone Elf before him who was now wide-eyed and silent. Elrond stoody and walked around his desk to kneel before Legolas who watched with curiosity.

"If you wish to help her Legolas, do nothing but pretend you do not know and leave her to be herself. Just be here for her, you can do this, can you not?" he asked softly and Legolas gave a single nod. Elrond smiled sweetly and got up. Legolas blushed, got up and went over to the door. He turned around and smiled before he left. Erestor smiled knowingly, behind his papers of course!

Neither knew what was going on on the other side of the house, in the main hall. Shortly, Erond would have one twin burst through the door. Eramellin was having a waking nightmare.