Elrond woke up, drenched in perspiration, his heart still pounding. Selig mewed worriedly and snuggled next to the distraught elf, whose trembling hands instinctively began to stroke her soft fur. Gradually, her pet elf calmed under her charms.
"Beautiful Selig." The elf's now calm voice praised. The elven cat stretched out, enjoying her charges warm body. The nightmares came less often now in the New Year. The cat was happy to have provided some comfort to this kindhearted elf.
"Why do I think you guard me in my sleep?" Elrond asked softly, while intently studying the animal. The cat purred and snuggled ever closer. Elrond yawned and turned over. The dawn light barely brightened his room. He was usually up exercising already but last night Elros and Mikeal, his brother's closest friend among the Edain, had dragged him off to a celebration in a small pub down in the Havens. Glorfindel had arrived some time after midnight to escort him back to the palace. Elrond grimaced at the remembered jokes from the men, who guffawed heartily at his 'wayward child' status. Valar only knew how long Elros remained afterwards.
Elrond's last few months were restful and without responsibilities. Ereinion insisted that Elrond take a year or two to focus on his own recovery. He spent most mornings training with Erestor or Glorfindel and many an afternoon volunteering at the Healing Halls, reading in the library, or working in the gardens. Gardening was the most relaxing task. He spirit soaked up the soothing melodies of the trees. Dinners were always spent with his family, with Ereinion, Indiriel and Elros when his duties permitted. Occasionally, Ereinion allowed Elrond to discreetly shadow him as he carried out his kingly duties. The concern and love showered upon him from his close circle of friends and family warmed his heart and made him feel a wholeness he had never thought possible.
Elrond sat up slowly, groaning slightly as the room slid out of focus and his head throbbed. The ale men favored always resulted in a headache the next morning. He wondered if it was the same for Elros. No, he decided, it could not be given the enthusiasm with which his brother celebrated at the pub. Selig purred contentedly, distracting him from his musing and the repetitive whoosh of her breathing lulled him back into a contented sleep.
Xxxxxxxxx
Across the courtyard in the library, Erestor was part of a group of eight apprentices who were poring over maps under Merwen's guidance. Erestor had returned to his duties with Gil-Galad's councilor after a month long respite. They were looking for safe sites situated on solid bedrock that might be most likely to survive a great upheaval. Eonwë had warned of earthquakes, floods, and tidal waves that would beset Beleriand as the war increased in ferocity. The King had charged them to identify a number of places to resettle the refugees. Nearly a hundred thousand remained exposed to danger at and around Mithlond and the Havens. It was possible that neither site would remain habitable after the war. Perhaps even a new Mithlond would need to be built. Teams were formed to assess the feasibility of moving cultural treasures and books to sites that would not be susceptible to flood or flame.
Erestor enjoyed being back among the aides and councilors. He never felt called to the life of a warrior, although warrior training was his duty as a Noldo. Usually now he would only see Elrond at the morning sparring sessions and occasionally at lunch as his duties permitted. He approved of the King's decision to enforce a long period of respite for Elrond. In fact, if Elrond were truly treated as if he were an elf, his age alone would prevent him from taking up any responsibilities. Elves did not reach their majority until they turned fifty.
Xxxxxxxx
A pounding knock tore Elrond abruptly from his sleep, although in reality it was only Laeste's light knocking on his door.
"Elrond?" Laeste called into the dimly lit room.
"Come in." Elrond responded hoarsely, letting out a groan when the nurse threw open the curtains to the bright sunlight.
"There, there, elfling, you should not imbibe ale if this is the standard return upon the morn." She helped him to sit up and gave him the liquid remedy that did not fail to settle both his stomach and head.
"Go bath and dress." She ordered. "The Queen wishes you to join her for the mid day meal."
"Midday?" Gaped Elrond stupidly. Laeste laughed and kissed him gently on the brow.
"Yes, midday dear one. But we were all forewarned by your golden guardian." She held back a smile pretending not to notice the elfling rolling his eyes. "Surely, they must serve wine at the pub. I know you do not, as a rule, drink to excess so it must be a strange effect of the beer upon you."
"I did not even finish the second glass. Do not think that I did not attempted to order wine. But Elros and his friends would make a man out of me. They dismiss wine as a women's drink or a drink of elves. Elros insists that once I get used to drinking beer I would not suffer these effects. "Elrond sighed in exasperation. "I would not be surprised to wake one morning and find my hair again shorn in the style of men."
"I believe Lord Glorfindel had similar worries when he left to fetch you. He said Elros had sharpened scissors at the smiths that morning."
"I would not put it past him." Elrond grinned, beginning to feel better. After washing and dressing he met Indiriel and many of her handmaidens for the midday meal. Indiriel was planning for the arrival of the High King Finarfin, father to Lady Galadriel. She made good use of Elrond's organizational abilities. The unspoken reason for Elrond's inclusion in these tasks was to shield him from both the ongoing war and from the eyes of the arriving elves from the west. They had joined the war after the persuasive entreat from Eärendil and would most certainly gawk at the sons of the famous peredhel mariner. Elros was shielded from their attention due to his tasks among the Edain. Word reached Gil-Galad that there had been much speculation among the elves from the west as to whether or not the Valar would allow the peredhil to pass into Valinor. Up until now Tuor was the only mortal to bypass the ban of the Valar and be counted among Elves. Many of the arriving Eldar were of the opinion that Eärendil and Elwing should be restricted to the isle of Tol Eressëa. The Valar postponed their decision and appointed Eärendil to captain the Vingilot through the sky. Elwing remained in a secluded area near the sea on Tol Eressëa.
Xxxxxxxxx
The year ripened into summer, mellowed into fall, then cooled into winter. On one brisk morning Glorfindel was instructing Elrond on some new countermoves to ward off frontal assaults from more than one opponent.
"Our scouting mission was overrun." Elrond spoke suddenly. "I lost sight of my fellow warriors as we hastily retreated." The youth paused again drawing a deep breath as the memory flooded over him. He described the positions of the two orcs that confronted him and his decision to focus on one. "I was lucky that help arrived at that exact moment." He neglected to mention that it was Maedhros who had saved him.
"Erestor did not relay that incident." Glorfindel said in astonishment, although in truth no adventures of these peredhil should shock him any more.
"Erestor had fallen under the onslaught. I located his unconscious form only because I spotted his hair. He lay underneath an orc corpse. Eru only knows how he survived." Elrond shuddered. Glorfindel met the young ones eyes firmly but supportively.
"Even the most experienced warrior can be overwhelmed by sheer numbers. You did your best at the time. We will focus on sharpening your reflexes and will work on strategies for blocking multiple opponents. Perhaps we can arrange for Erestor to join us regularly for sparring sessions as well."
True to his word Glorfindel worked with both Erestor and Elrond for much of the next year. Sometimes warriors from Aman joined their practices, although Glorfindel simply introduced his charges by first name. The elves from Aman paid little attention to their elven kin born in these dark lands, believing themselves much above them. Glorfindel realized that the interactions between the free peoples of middle earth and the elves of the western lands could be mutually beneficial. It might instill a tolerance in the west for their kin in middle earth and would build respect. The ringing of swords called Glorfindel from his musings, and he focused again on the matches in progress. He could hardly hold back his own smile when both Elrond and Erestor were able to derobe their Aman born opponents.
"Excellent match young ones." Glorfindel praised. He ordered them all to the showers and moved among the other trainees, assessing their skills.
Xxxxxxxx
Another year passed before Finarfin's ship docked in the Havens. Finarfin, third son of Finwë and High King of the Noldor in the West was welcomed by his daughter, his only child who remained among the living. Three sons had he and Eärwen lost to this land.
"Artanis" Finarfin embraced his child, ignoring all others present. "How I have missed you, dear daughter." Any words Galadriel may have uttered were muffled by her Atar's thick cloak as he held her tightly. Her great power had ensured that she felt the passing and loss as the spirits of her beloved brothers left this world. It seemed like an eternity since she had last embraced one of her family. Yet, here against all odds, was her father. The world around her faded away as close her eyes and she hugged him, inhaling deeply of his comforting scent.
"Artanis, come let us retreat to a more private space." Finarfin softly entreated. He was surprised to feel his damp tunic, wet from the tears of his beautiful, headstrong daughter. Galadriel shook her head slowly, her eyes glistening. Words were stuck on her lips. But with one hand securely holding her father's hand she turned and grasped her husband's hand pulling him closer.
"Atar." She whispered. For one of the few times in her life, she was at loss for words. It was Celeborn who spoke in her stead.
"Aran Finarfin, it is my honor to meet you." The silver Lord bowed low before his father-in-law. It was the first time they had met. "I am Celeborn, formerly of Doriath. It is my joy to love, honor, and respect your daughter as my life's partner." Indeed, Finarfin was momentarily speechless at the depth of love easily readable in the Sinda's eyes.
"As her partner and husband." The King added. "Well said and well met, Celeborn, keeper of my daughter's heart. Come let us find a more fitting place for this reunion."
"This way, Aran Finarfin." Ereinion Gil-Galad pointed in the direction of the palace. He and Indiriel had stood quietly aside during the father daughter reunion.
"Well met, Ereinion Gil-Galad, the son of Orodreth." Finarfin boomed authoritatively. "You look much like my son Angrod, your grandfather." Ereinion bowed in acknowledgment of his great grandfather and introduced Indiriel. Finarfin kissed her hand in greeting.
"Come Finarfin" Cirdan interrupted brusquely. "Daylight is waning. Let us retire to more comfortable surroundings and give you a proper welcome." The group meandered up to the palace, taking up rooms in the family wing. Finarfin's trusted advisors were housed close by. Several trunks were brought up and Finarfin pulled his daughter and son-in-law aside.
"Your Naneth sends her love as well as letters and gifts." Finarfin sighed. "She misses you greatly and can not wait to hear news of your husband. I think there are some wedding gifts in there as well."
"Wedding gifts?" Galadriel managed to mumble in astonishment. A visit from her father and gifts and news from her Mother were beyond what she had dared to hope for.
"They were not forthcoming as to whether or not the exiled would be allowed to sail home after the war." Finarfin paused, taking a deep breath.
"This is our home, Atar." Galadriel said.
"I know that, dearest daughter." Finarfin said. "Your mother and I hope you will someday return to us. But we do not expect you and your husband to come any time soon." He met the eyes of her silvered haired husband steadily. "I pressed the Valar for information as far as I dared. They seemed to indicate that you, Artanis, would be forbidden to sail, that your strength and will would be required here for ages hence." His heart quailed at the thought of his daughter being required to fight alone and far from his aid, somewhere in the distant future.
"I will stand by her and protect her to the best of my ability." Celeborn promised solemnly, although he was not surprised when Galadriel bristled at his words.
"A cage is yet a cage no matter how gilded." Galadriel stated forcefully, hiding her dismay at the word 'forbidden'. It was one thing to choose to stay, quite another to be forbidden to return. "I much prefer the freedoms this world affords versus the strict Noldor codes of conduct of Tirion. Here for most endeavors elves are not confined by their gender. There are many ellith among the Sindar warriors. I can wield a sword well, Atar. I wish not to stay behind any longer. I do not want to sense another of my family's spirits fleeing this world yet again. Not when I might aid in any capacity." Celeborn alone knew the grief she had suffered. He comforted her when she endured the death of her last remaining brother. Affirmation in the form of a letter arrived weeks later.
"It is not the way of the Noldor to have our ellith be soldiers." Finarfin could see defiance flash in his daughter's eyes. He chose his next words carefully. "My dearest Nerwen, warrior maiden. You alone are the only one of my four children who does not lurk in Mandos' Halls. My grandson, who I have not had the pleasure of meeting, has also passed from this world! I pray that you remain out of harms way." The High King's eyes met those of Lord Celeborn. He knew immediately that they shared this sentiment.
"Come, my Lord. Let us join the other's for the evening meal." Celeborn said, deflecting the conversation to lighter tones.
"Yes am I to meet the Peredhel's sons? I was surprised that they did accompany your party to the beach." Finarfin questioned.
"Gil-Galad seeks to keep them out of the limelight. Both due to their age as well as the controversy they may stir among the Eldar from the west. Elrond has begun training as a healer. His studies will all but guarantee that he is kept from combat for several years. Many of the Edain look to his brother Elros for guidance, effectively keeping him in Mithlond for the time being as well." Celeborn said.
"They are much to young to fight. Even Gil-Galad is to young." Finarfin said adamantly.
"They have already fought in many skirmishes. We live in desperate times." Celeborn noted.
"They are also my kin. I would see them all kept from harms way. To me there is no controversy. My house would be honored to receive them. Eärendil was brave to seek Valinor despite the sentence of death promised for any mortal. He was unselfish, willing to sacrifice himself to plead for help on behalf of others." The High King grip on his daughter's hand tightened slightly.
"But to have left helpless babes to their fates." His voice broke slightly as he paused. "Your Naneth and I prayed nightly to Elbereth for our children's protection. You were all strong and full-grown when you made your decisions to leave. Still we…" He shook his head as if to rid himself of the memories.
"Their sons are well loved now." Celeborn said quietly. He would rather not relay the fates that had befallen them in the intervening years. This measured, sensitive elf was different than anything he had expected.
"You will only understand when you become parents yourselves. I pray you will never feel such fear and helplessness when it comes to your own elflings." Finarfin pulled his Artanis into a gentle hug and kissed her on the forehead. "May Elbereth bless your union with healthy, wonderful little ones. Your Naneth and I wish to spoil some grandellith and ellyn."