SA 15

Once settled in the Falas with Cirdan for a time, Earien, Luin, and Elrond set up their new home. Elrond was happy and felt at ease. He grew to be braver and learned to master his fighting technique. He also finished training to be a healer and established himself to be a successful member of their society. By this time Ereinion and the other elves had won the war, and made their way over the mountains to Middle Earth as well, and Beleriand was nearly entirely beneath the waves.

He received many letters from Elros, telling him he was alright, and that Eonwe was on his way to speak to him, for some reason. His writing was nervous, apologetic. It made Elrond anxious for Eonwe's arrival. He woke early one rainy morning with a feeling deep within him that Eonwe would be there that day. He went downstairs to Earien and Luin. Luin was absent, but Earien was reading on the sofa and Thranduil was sitting at the table in his uniform, pouring over maps. He didn't want to disturb them so he remained silent, but his pacing soon made Thranduil groan and glare up at him. Elrond flinched and sighed, and Earien laughed.

"What is the matter, Elrond? What is making you pace around so?"

He walked over to the couch, "Eonwe is arriving today to speak to me about something."

"Eonwe? Manwe's Herald?" Thranduil gaped at him.

"Yes, that is why I'm pacing," Elrond said impatiently.

"Elros did not tell you why he is coming?"

"No, just that he was, and that he was sorry," he said nervously.

Earien pursed her lips, "you cannot tell?"

He sighed. He'd been digging his mind for some explanation, but there was none. He shook his head.

"Your power will grow stronger. I am sure if it was something horrendous Elros would not make you wait weeks to hear the news." Elrond nodded. She was right, but he was still nervous. There was a knock at the door and Elrond jumped and looked to Earien, his eyes wide. Answer it. It is for you."

He nodded and Thranduil stood as he walked by. He pulled the door open, and surely, there was Eonwe. He was dressed similarly to the first time Elrond had seen him, many, many years ago, before the war. He was equal- if not more terrifying than before, but was wearing a different armor, and his hair was held back by a chain of gold and pearls. Beside him stood two golden-haired elves of exquisite stature and beauty, most likely Vanyarin princes. Elrond gulped nervously.

"Elrond, son of Earendil," Eonwe inquired. Elrond nodded. "I wish to speak to you, if I may." He nodded and followed Eonwe out of the house and toward the sea. There was a large golden tent with many guards, both elf and maia, standing outside of it. He followed Eonwe into the tent, and Eonwe sat on a throne of gold and gems and watched him with unblinking eyes. After a moment, he spoke, "Your father, Earendil, has done many perilous deeds during the course of his short life. He has put his life on the line for those of his kin time and time again, and for that reason the Valar have offered him and his bloodline a choice." Elrond's heart knocked against his ribcage. "The choice of lineage. You and your brother may both choose the path of the Edain or the path of the Eldar. Make your choice wisely, for it cannot be undone, and will affect those after you as well."

"I-I can choose to be a full-blooded Elf or Man?" Elrond sputtered incredulously.

"Indeed," Eonwe boomed.

"May I ask what Elros has chosen?"

"He has chosen the path of the Edain and has been chosen to be King of Numenor," Eonwe said. "He has not told you?"

Elrond shook his head, his mind whirring. "I also wished to ask you if you wished to know the fate of the two eldest sons of Feanor."

He took a step back, "I do not know, do I?"

"That is up to you, however, I feel as if you have an idea."

"I wish to know," he said nervously.

"They both stole the Silmarils from my tent, at my allowance. After which Maedhros leapt with one silmaril into a fiery chasm."

Elrond's stomach dropped, "what of Maglor?"

"Maglor threw the second silmaril into the sea. He now grieves his decisions in life and walks the shores. I do not know where he is now."

Elrond looked out to the two small islands that were the last remains of Beleriand and saw the very distant speck of what must have been Numenor. He felt lightheaded, and his vision was blurred. Elros, mortal?

"You do not have to choose now-"

"I wish to be of the Eldar," he said forcefully.

Eonwe did not move, "it would be wise to take time to consider. I will stay until tomorrow."

"I am sure of my decision. I cannot imagine a life with the Edain, even though that is the path my brother has chosen."

Eonwe nodded, "as you wish. Good luck, son of Earendil. I leave you with a friend of your father's, Glorfindel, to help you." He said, gesturing to the golden haired elf to his right. "May your days be blessed." He touched his shoulder and said a Valarin prayer before Elrond blacked out.

Sun streamed into his eyes, and Elrond groaned and rolled over. He opened his eyes slowly, and Erestor sat in his rocking chair by the window, book in hand. His long raven black hair was down and braided to frame his face. His light grey eyes looked up to meet Elrond's, and he smiled.

"Nice to see you conscious."

Elrond groaned and rolled to face him, "how long have I been out?"

"Four days. We were beginning to get worried."

He stared at the window, the Eonwe event refreshing its memory in his mind. "Glorfindel-"

"He is sitting by the sea. He has not spoken much since his arrival."

"I must speak with him, he is here for me." He said quietly, "Elros is King of Numenor."

"I know. Tar Minyatur, actually."

Elrond stared at him, "I mean to visit him soon."

"How is he?" Elrond asked curiously.

Erestor knew he meant Glorfindel. "He's interesting," He said quietly. "He seems as if he feels very uncomfortable here, and he is difficult to approach." Elrond swallowed nervously. What was he supposed to do with him? "Earien and Thranduil have spoken to him quite a bit. You could ask them." Elrond nodded and stood up. He was dizzy for a moment, but once his head cleared and he got his balance, he looked over at Erestor. He was shorter. His vision was also clearer. He could see Erestor's heartbeat and the beat of the wings of the fly on the opposite wall. "You're so, tall."

Elrond turned and looked in the mirror. His ears were more pointed, and his form was more athletic than before. "Earien!" He cried. Erestor sat down, mouth agape, and Earien ran up the stairs and into his room.

"What? What's the matter?" She took him in and smiled, "you've grown taller."

"I-" he stuttered, and her smile faded. It was all hitting him at once.

"Erestor, honey, it's about time for dinner is it not? Your mother will be looking for you."

He got the hint and nodded, "see you, Elrond." He said before leaving.

"Elros, and Maglor- poor Maedhros-" Elrond stuttered.

She embraced him, and he was trembling. "Elros chose his path, a path that will make him happy. Maglor and Maedhros chose a path they felt they had to, and I think eventually, we all knew that would be their end. But they are no longer seeking the silmarils, so that is a relief for them to a degree I'm sure."

"It's so much-"

"I know. I know. But you can visit Elros whenever you want to. In fact, you have quite a bit of mail waiting for you."

Elrond smiled sadly, "what about Glorfindel?"

"He's here to help you, not to make you worry about him."

"Why do I need help?" "I don't know, your father and the Valar must have foreseen you needing his help. That is not bad, and Glorfindel is very kind."

"Erestor said he's uncomfortable."

She sighed, "well he went from Gondolin, which was destroyed around him, to Mandos Halls, to Middle Earth. His life has been in the air for a long time, and now he is in a strange place with strange people he's never met. No one he knew from before is here, they are all dead and gone. You can imagine how scary it is for him." Elrond nodded, he hadn't thought of that. "To be honest-" she said quietly. "I believe it will be you helping him for a short while before he begins to help you."

Elrond nodded, and she left him to get dressed and to come down. Thranduil and Luin were at the table, and they looked up and smiled at him. He smiled back but made his way outside with Earien. Glorfindel had waited long enough. He was sitting by the ocean, throwing rocks into the water. He turned when he heard their approach, and stood. He looked nervous, and Elrond suddenly felt shy.

"Glorfindel, this is Elrond. Earendil and Elwing's son and Tuor and Idril's grandson."

He smiled and bowed his head. "Your father and your grandparents are close friends of mine. It is nice to meet you finally."

Elrond smiled shyly, and nodded, "you as well." He was intimidating, like Thranduil's father.

"Your father has sent me here to serve you how I can. I had always served your grandparents, and I am happy to help you how I can."

"Thank you," Elrond said and felt pressured to say more. "I appreciate your assistance, however currently it is unclear to me how I need it."

"For me as well. But they know more than we ever shall." Elrond smiled shyly at him and Earien smiled to them both.

Elrond went to bed early that night, and he could hear Glorfindel's footsteps late into the night. He rose and went out to the hall. Glorfindel stood facing Earien's door and looked over at Elrond. "You ok?" Elrond asked quietly.

"Um, yeah, I just- I- I couldn't sleep." He whispered.

Elrond beckoned him and he approached him hesitantly. "You can wake me, Glorfindel, if you wish," Elrond said, closing the door.

"I did not wish to disturb you. You have been ill."

"I am alright. What ails you?"

Glorfindel looked out the window to the sea, "I am homesick. That is all."

"How long were you in Valinor for before you were sent here?"

"A century or so. I have just become a creature of comfort since Gondolin. Change makes me nervous."

"That is the same for everyone, especially me. I will not steer you wrong."

"I do not doubt that, but it steals my sleep nonetheless."

Elrond sighed "if you wish to return-"

"No, no. I will not leave a task set before me. I am just having a moment of weakness."

"We can go for a walk if you wish."

Glorfindel nodded.

After a few days, Elrond felt more comfortable with Glorfindel, and he grew to trust him more and more. When he returned home from a walk one day with Erestor, he found several letters waiting for him.

He hadn't heard much from Ereinion or how he was, except that he was establishing a kingdom of his own now that he held the position of King of the Noldor. He'd figured he had forgotten him and had quite gotten over it with time.

Until Elrond saw his letter.

Dear Elrond,

I have heard you have established yourself a successful life as a healer, and Cirdan tells me you have become quite skilled as a warrior and that you are a high ranking member of the guard. I knew from when you were a child that you would grow to be strong. Powerful. For that reason and because Cirdan speaks so highly of you I wish to place you in my council, which I am sure you will continue to move up in over time. Think about it for a time, and respond to me when you are ready. I hope all is well with you and give Earien and Luin my best.

-Ereinion Gil Galad

Elrond stared at the letter for an unmeasured amount of time before rising and seeking out Earien. She was having wine with Thranduil, and they were laughing about something when he went out on the patio. She looked up at him, "Elrond, come and join us."

"I would like to, but, I need to speak with you."

Her smile faded, and Thranduil rose and nodded to them both before leaving quietly. "What is it? You look upset." She said quietly.

"I received this letter today," he said quietly and handed it to her. She read it and looked up at him, her face entirely unreadable.

"This is good news. Why are you upset?" She asked, standing.

He stared at her, "I do not wish to be parted from you, or to move again."

She smiled softly and set her wine glass down. "What do you wish to do? Do you want to work for Ereinion?"

He nodded, "yes, but I am reluctant."

"Changes are scary. There is no other way to put it. Soon I will leave to join Oropher in Greenwood the great with Thranduil, and I am reluctant myself."

"I wish to go with you, but I also wish to go to Lindon. Come with me-" he said quietly and she shook her head.

"I must go to Greenwood. Luin is there now, and I have a position there. My people are there. I wish to be with you as well, but there is nothing for me in Lindon."

He stared at her, "I am sorry."

"Do not be!" She said quickly. "Circumstances will bring us apart through life and bring us back together. But I will always be there for you whenever you need. We're family, and no distance can take that from us."

Elrond nodded, and she gripped his shoulders, "you will excel in Lindon, Elrond. It is your path."

Thanks for reading! We're very near the end now, I hope you enjoy the final chapters! Please let me know what you think.