this chapter goes to the following:

beginning: Erestor, Haldir, Glorfindel, and Lindir

ending: Celeborn and Melpomaen (mentions of Elrond)

CHAPTER 11

Lindir watched as his husband and Erestor paced the room. Erestor had just revealed to them that even though he now had his amtes of soul, Elrond was still marked by his depression. Glorfindel stopped pacing for a moment, turning to Erestor who had stopped pacing as well.

" How is it possible? Once you have your mate of soul, all depression should fade away."

Erestor shrugged.

" I am not certain. Perhaps Elrond is letting his depression have him."

Haldir leaned against a nearby wall.

" Or one of them is not his true mate of soul."

Lindir's eyes widened.

"Is that possible?"

Haldir nodded.

" There are many elves who court other elves who are not their mate of soul."

Erestor shook his head.

" They are mates of soul."

Glorfindel let out a sigh.

" The we must aid them in anyway we can."

XXXXXXXX

Celeborn watched as Melpomaen ran into the sitting room. He had gone back to his rooms for some items to stay the night in Elrond's rooms with Celeborn. There were tears streaming down Mel's face. Celeborn stood and pulled Mel into his arms.

" What is wrong meleth?"

Mel looked up into Celeborn's eyes.

" I overheard a conversation with Erestor, Haldir, Glorfindel, and Lindir. Haldir seems to think that once of us is not Elrond's mate of soul, but Erestor believes we both are."

Celeborn shook his head.

"You know we are both his mate of soul."

Mel shook his head.

" He was fine before I came along."

Celeborn held Mel tighter, knowing what was coming next.

" Celeborn, I must break from both of you."

Celeborn felt his eyes begin to water, listening to Mel continue on.

" You and Elrond will find your other true mate of soul and Elrond will be free of his depressive state."

Celeborn felt Mel pull away from him.

" I will tell Elrond myself when he wakes. Until then, goodbye Celeborn."

Celeborn watched sadly as Melpomaen walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

TBC...