Elrond and the elves deal with the aftermath of the breaking of the Arda and the sinking of Numenor.
The Downfall
S.A. 3319, Lindon
Dear Elros
You do realise I really did not mean all I said about Numenor better off being sunk beneath the sea and stuff, do you? I was just venting my frustrations. But as Cirdan always said, they had it coming (unfortunately). I was roused from a nap in my study in Imladris by an earth-shake. And then news started trickling into Imladris of the sea drowning much of the coast and the earth splitting open. It was enough to send Lord Celeborn and Celebrian packing for a journey back over the mountains to Lothlorien. Thankfully, they were out in the garden when it happened and unhurt. For my part, I hastened to Lindon to find it mostly in ruins. And where did all the water in the harbour go? Oh, Imladris received a few new rapids in the stream and a new waterfall, so we were lucky.
Glorfindel, my erstwhile companion, is in a near-frantic state. He keeps murmuring something about Aman being lost from Arda. I brought him along as he insisted, but I really think he should be abed after that curtain-rod whacked him on the head during the shaking, which might explain his incoherent jabbering about Aman. I shudder to think that we will never be able to sail there and be reunited with my biological parents, someday. Well, there is the other alternative, but I am not keen on a stay in Mandos.
Met up with Gildor, who explained that Gil-galad had ridden on to Mithlond to inspect the damage there. There has also been rumours of the arrival of refugees from Numenor there who said Eru sank the island for all their sins. Gildor and his men have been tasked with visiting nearby settlements along the coast to report on the damage and any changes to the coastline. I must admit there should be some changes. En route to Lindon, we found a river where it should not be and a new valley. It was only thanks to Ada Maglor's uncanny skill of navigating by the stars that we did not end up hopelessly lost. Maglor decided to continue on to the coast alone instead of lingering in Lindon.
I think I should head for Mithlond. I might be able to help any refugees there. Wait, dare we hope that the drowning of Numenor is the end of Sauron. Somehow I do not feel that optimistic…
Your brother
Elrond
P.S. I wonder if Aunt Galadriel is doing alright in Lothlorien. Hopefully they are far away from the coast and Numenor enough for the earth-shake not to affect them too much.
S.A. 3319, Mithlond
Dear Elros
Starting to think Lord Cirdan has Lord Ulmo's special favour. Mithlond seems to have escaped the worst of the earth-shake and flooding thanks to their sturdy seawall. Damage is minimal. A few casualties though. Would you believe Cirdan was out fishing in that flimsy coracle of his when the waves struck? That little boat is now atop someone's roof. Our hardy shipwright was none the worse for it. He even caught a huge halibut for dinner amidst the chaos and barely noticed the storm.
Three ships of refugees from Numenor are anchored in the harbour, led by a man who identified himself as Elendil, Lord of Andunie. Thankfully, the lot of them are of the Faithful or I think Osse might not have treated them so kindly. Elendil is seeking news of six other ships, carrying his sons and their families, who have become separated from him. I do believe that particular lineage was descended from you, I best get reacquainted with them. We are kin, after all.
Gil-galad is acting the gracious host to our kinsman. So Cirdan advised me to hasten to the citadel and have a look-see instead of gawking at his catch. He will save me some of the salted fish once it is ready. Is it the norm to hang your sliced fish from a ship's mast for salting and drying? Or is this a makeshift thing as the wave took out the smokehouse?
Elrond
S.A. 3319, Mithlond
Dear Elros
Gil-galad seems to be getting along with Elendil very well. Perhaps a bit too well, or I have been away from Lindon for too long. He gets to sit at the High-King's right hand and Gil-galad is fascinated by whatever he has to say about Numenor (that place that no longer exists). Gil-galad's chamberlain added a chair at the far end of the table for me. No, I am not jealous. I am interested in Numenorean life prior to the Downfall too, as a template of what not to do to rile Eru.
Elros, your royal descendant and his subjects are idiots. What made them think human sacrifices to Morgoth will give them immortality? And that sailing to Aman thing… I think Amandil was pushing his luck in his attempt to sail west to warn the Valar (like they would need that) and seek forgiveness (I think most aren't inclined to that). When he sailed west, Earendil had a Silmaril to bribe the Valar with (and he was part-elf). Well, Glorfindel told me Grandfather Tuor was granted honorary elf-hood by Eru but he has to remain by the sea or on it as Lord Ulmo's servant. I strongly suspect Elendil's sire is no more. I hope he has better luck with his sons or your bloodline might end here unless Elendil gets about to siring more children. Does he have a wife of child-bearing age about?
Aunt Galadriel's falcon just arrived with news from Lothlorien. King Amdir is in a tizzy as six entire shiploads of stinking Secondborn just sailed up his river and set up camp on its banks. Perhaps Elendil's boys are among them. They should not expect a warm welcome from King Amdir as his orders to his people are to avoid the newcomers as much as possible. Not a huge departure from his policy to date where the other races are concerned. It's probably a holdover from Elu Thingol's time.
Gil-galad just pledged his friendship to the death to Elendil. Has he forgotten how badly a certain oath sworn to a Man turned out for our kinsman Finrod Felagund? At least I have that darned ring of his in my pocket. Wait, is that the Ring of Barahir on Elendil's finger? I am getting a sinking feeling about the entire pledge thing. Tempted to toss our High King on the next ship out to Aman, if it is still possible to sail there.
About sailing to Aman, Lord Cirdan informed us he has word from Lord Ulmo through his Maiar. The servants put him with me at the far end of the table as he still reeks of fish. The Straight Road still lies open for us Eldar, so he and the lads at the shipyard are not out of a job yet. Also, the ships in harbour and the shipyard were quite smashed up by the storm, so no ships will sailing for the next year or so.
Elrond
Author's Notes:
When Eru broke the World, I imagined massive earthquakes, tsunamis, and seismic activity from the sinking of Numenor, the removal of Aman from the Circles of Arda, and the raising of new lands in the West.
Elendil landed in Lindon after being separated from his sons by the storm that followed the Downfall. Isildur and Anarion landed up on the banks of the Anduin.