Disclaimer: The Lord of the Rings and all its characters, races, and creatures, as well as our beloved Middle Earth, belongs to JRR Tolkien.
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"And exactly who came up with this brilliant idea?" Elrohir asked. His face was alight with anger, and Jeren, who'd just excitedly told her husband about Glorfindel's offer to teach the boys, was extremely puzzled.
Jeren had left Elladan with the children and had come up to her room to bathe and put on clean clothes after having sparred with Glorfindel earlier. She was just rebraiding her hair when Elrohir had come in, looking for something he'd needed.
"You don't think that teaching Andis the sword will in some way encourage his use of it on his sister, do you Elrohir?" She'd not meant to sound so utterly patronizing, but she was completely floored by his attitude.
"Then it was you who came up with this—plan?" he asked again. At the shake of her head, but before she could speak, he added, "Just answer the question, Jeren."
She all but rolled her eyes at his response to this wonderful news. She was very grateful she'd spoken to him first about this, without either Charlie or Andis in the room. They would have been very confused by Elrohir's reaction, even if the Elf didn't explode on them as he had on her.
"No, it wasn't me who thought to do this," Jeren said. "It was Glorfindel."
"Glorfindel?" Elrohir said, his tone incredulous. "He's done some things in the past that I have not agreed with, but I believe he has completely outdone himself this time."
Jeren went to him then, knowing this bout of temper was coming from his concern for the children, even though she completely disagreed with his stance.
"Elrohir," she said, placing a hand on his chest, "what is so ridiculous about Andis learning the sword? Surely you can't believe it would somehow promote violence in him?"
He looked at her pointedly, letting her know that was exactly his concern. "He's already shown his bent toward aggression in his dreaming, Jeren. I think that having him concentrate on the sword during his waking hours would be to completely disregard common sense."
"How about we let your father decide?" Jeren asked sensibly. "And we'll abide by his directive. If he thinks it is a horrible idea, then we can try to explain it to Andis somehow. And then what do we do about Charlie? Do we allow him to participate and leave Andis out? That would seem so unfair."
"I just wish that Glorfindel would keep his nose out of affairs that do not concern him," Elrohir said heatedly.
"Elrohir," Jeren scolded, "since when have you had issues with Glorfindel? He's been teaching youngsters since before you were one yourself!" She ran her hand down one of his arms, attempting to calm them both down. In a quieter voice, she added, "You always seemed to admire him, and I believed that you thought he was sensible as well. Surely you do not think he made his offer to Andis without thinking it through first, do you?"
Elrohir thought about that for a moment, and after a pause he seemed to finally stand down.
"It's just that—" he began.
When he didn't continue and seemed to be searching for words, Jeren supplied them. "It's just that you're thinking of the children; you care for them and don't want either of them hurt. But think of this Elrohir—mayhap being taught the sword in a responsible manner will have nothing but good effects on Andis. Especially if he's learning with Charlie. It hasn't happened yet, but I believe that they can be fast friends, given a little time. And how valuable would that be, when Andis ultimately goes to live with Timm and his family? He would already have someone at the settlement that he knew—someone of his own age. And that would tie him to Elen and James, and we'd both feel better knowing they had their eyes on him."
"Perhaps you have a point," he said cautiously, "but I still believe that Father should have the final say."
"And you are indeed right about that. But I certainly hope he doesn't deny his permission. Both boys were so excited by the idea."
Elrohir put his arms around her then, pulling her in for a kiss. "I am sorry I went off on you," he said, holding her closer so that her head rested against his chest. "Ever since Timm arrived I've been irritable. I think Jessa's pending departure has me on edge."
"I know how you feel," Jeren replied. "That's one of the reasons I wanted to spar today. I needed something to help keep my mind from the inevitable."
He pulled back a little to look into her eyes. "I just realized that we're completely alone—for the first time in a very long while." One of his finely arched brows lifted in question. "Where are the children?"
Jeren smiled. "Elladan has them. He took on Charlie's care when he promised Elen that nothing would happen to her son if he were allowed to come to Rivendell. And he is certainly enjoying getting to spend time with Jessa. He told me come seek you out, that you and I might have a little 'quiet' time together." She glanced at him from behind lowered lashes. "I'm not sure what he meant by that, but I know what I would like to do…"
Elrohir kissed her more deeply then, and Jeren's passionate response wasn't surprising. He squeezed both her arms as he pulled out of her embrace, intending to lead her to their bed.
"Ouch!" she gasped, when his fingers inadvertently closed too hard on her very sore right arm. He jerked his hand back as if she had burned him, his expression alarmed.
"What is it?" he asked, taking her arm into his two hands. And it didn't take him long to understand the problem. Her limb was already so swollen that he could barely close his hands around it. "Overuse again…" he said, answering his own question.
"Let's forgo the dining hall for our noon meal and ask Bellasiel for a little something that we can take on a picnic to that Valar-forsaken, ice cold pond you took me to before, when you wanted to use cold to take the swelling out of my arm." She looked at him with seductive eyes. "And after I've soaked it, who knows what mischief we might entertain?"
Elrohir smiled and kissed her again. "I like the direction your mind is taking us. That sounds like a very nice way to spend a quiet afternoon." He looked as though he were thinking about what he'd been doing before, but he quickly decided to forsake work in favor of spending time with his wife. They began gathering some towels from the bathing chamber, as well as a couple of blankets that were kept in one of the wardrobes against the wall.
As they left their room and headed for the kitchen, Elrohir said, "Remind me to thank my brother. I like the way he thinks as well."
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Elrond glanced up, his quill poised above the parchment he had been working on. He could hear someone—make that two someones—walking toward his closed study door. He lowered his pen, and as he listened, his lips curved slowly into a smile.
"Hold now, youngster," Elrond could hear. "One must always knock at a closed door, especially that of an important person such as Lord Elrond." The Elf lord could almost imagine Timm's large fingers closing around the Andis' upraised hand as it had made its way to the knob that would open the door. He then heard three knocks, obviously made by young, tender knuckles upon the wood, and not by the work-hardened hand of a grown man. He continued to listen as Timm added, "Do not forget a respectful greeting as well, young man."
"Enter," Elrond said, placing the quill aside and standing. He walked toward the door, ready to greet Andis and Timm as they came in.
Andis entered, practically dragging his uncle by the hand, but before he got too far into the room, he stopped and dipped his head, "G'mornin' Lord Elron'."
Elrond smiled again. This child was much different from the one who was brought here by his children a while back, sullen, sad and clinging to Elrohir. "Good morning, Andis." Then turning his gaze up to Timm, he wished him a good day as well.
"Andis insisted that I come to meet you," Timm supplied with a laugh, "even though I assured him that the two of us had already met."
Andis couldn't seem to contain his excitement anymore and suddenly said, "This is my Uncle Timm!"
Elrond laughed lightly, then said, "I understand that he is. I had wondered when you would get to meet him."
"I didn't even know he was here," Andis said logically, with his brows drawn together. "But while we were watchin' Jeren fight with her big knife—I mean sword—Elrohir brought him to us." Andis' eyes clouded for a moment. "I thought at first he was my Papa… but he wasn't. He just looks like him a lot."
He walked quietly toward Elrond's desk and stood there for a moment, apparently sidetracked by thoughts of his cherished Papa. He fingered the round stone paperweight on the corner that was atop some documents, staring at it and turning it over to see its flattened bottom. Elrond had shown it to him on one of his first visits to his study. The Elf lord had told him that the flat part was there to keep it from rolling away.
Andis suddenly looked up and said, "Another Elf told us he was going to teach us the sword!" While his words were quiet, Elrond could hear the excitement in the child's voice.
"Is that so?" Elrond asked as if completely amazed. "Which Elf was that? And who besides you will be learning it?" He'd looked at Timm as he'd asked the questions, but he believed he already knew the answers to them.
"Me 'n Charlie. And I don't know the Elf's name 'xactly," Andis said. "It sounds something like 'Glor-fedell'."
Elrond chuckled again. "You must mean Lord Glorfindel. Is that the Elf you are speaking of?"
Andis nodded excitedly. "He's the one. The big, scary Elf." His glance darted to Timm's, and then he added, "…My lord."
"I told Andis he should come and get your approval," Timm interjected, giving the Elf lord a look that bespoke of his apprehension. Elrond gave him a slight nod, acknowledging that he was aware of Timm's hesitation concerning this subject, assuring the man silently that he would give it his utmost attention.
He looked at Andis again, noting the wide eyes and parted lips that told him of the child's enthusiasm for learning the sword. "Well that sounds like it might be too big a challenge for children as young as you and Charlie are," he said, feeling his way in finding out just how important this might be to Andis. And he was quickly informed...
Andis shook his head, saying, "Oh no, it won't be too hard for us. We're big. Way big enough to learn this!"
Elrond walked back to his desk, first indicating to Timm to take a seat in one of the chairs in front of it. The Elf lord sat and looked at Andis long, considering what the child had said. He truly wondered at the wisdom of encouraging swordplay in Andis especially, given his dreaming of late.
"You would truly like to learn the sword?" Elrond asked him, when Andis had come around to stand beside his chair.
Andis nodded enthusiastically and said, "I sure would. One day, when I'm big, I'm gonna kill every monster—I mean Orc—that I ever see. People would be better off without those dirty, ugly, mean and horrible—" He looked at Elrond and the Elf lord could see the hate and fear in the child's eyes, as he'd remembered the day most of his family had been slain. Even as Andis stood there staring into Elrond's eyes, the Lord of Imladris could see the child's attempts to calm himself. When Andis was more composed, he finished what he'd been about to say. "We'd be better off without 'em around. And I will need to know how to fight with one of those big knifes before I can do that." He paused for only a second before he added, "—Big sword, I mean…"
Elrond nodded, glancing at Timm before he spoke to Andis again. "What would you do if I told you that I did not approve of you learning the sword at this time?"
The look of pure horror on the child's face made Elrond want to smile, but he kept his expression as impassive as he could, under the circumstances. The Elf lord watched the child's eyes as Andis thought about what he should say, or what, more importantly, the lord of Imladris might want to hear. The boy's face was as easy to read as a book, at least today it was, during this conversation.
"I would be sad," Andis said gravely, "but if you say that I can't do it, then I can't. You are in charge of this place, and I would be showin' bad manners if I cried or carried on—if you told me no. My Papa always used a switch on us, if any of us children back-talked to anyone grown up, even if we sassed Gran."
"Did he now?" Elrond said, brows raised, trying not to laugh, even as he heard Timm stifle his own mirth. "Then it is good that you thought this through, before you might be tempted to react in, shall we say, a temper. That is very wise thinking, Andis. And I am glad that you remember your Papa's lessons. Those are very important for every boy to keep in mind at all times." He looked at the papers on his desk for a moment, then glanced back at Timm, before he continued speaking to Andis. "Well, I am not going to tell you no. I think if Lord Glorfindel offered to teach you the sword, then he had a very good reason for doing so. He is the Arms Master of Rivendell, did you know that?"
Again, Elrond fought laughter as he watched Andis try to contain his jubilance over this wonderful pronouncement. Andis' lips were clamped together, as if he were trying his best not to shout for joy, and the effort of doing so was making his eyes widen and his brows rise. He shook his head, not trusting himself yet to open his mouth at all.
"Well he is. And as such, he will demand your utmost respect and attention. Do you think you can give it to him? If you are old enough to learn the sword, you are old enough to behave accordingly, are you not?"
Andis nodded his head vigorously, and Elrond rose from his chair. "All right. Now where have the other children gotten to?" he asked, changing the subject.
"El'dan was takin' Charlie and Jessa to the stables to see the horses, an' I think he was gonna put Bunny's saddle on her and let us ride!" Andis finally allowed his smile to shine through.
"That sounds like a good thing to occupy your time. Run along to the stable then, and join the others. I wish to speak to your Uncle Timm for a few moments."
As soon as Andis was safely out of the room, but before Elrond had a chance to say anything, Timm declared, "I suppose you have good reason for allowing the boy free access to a sword and the means to learn how to use it?" His tone sounded accusatory, and Elrond was not amused.
The Elf lord sat back down in his chair and looked sharply at the man. "Andis will definitely have no 'free' access to any sword. He will only have access to the smaller wooden ones that are used in training, and they remain in the armory." It was obvious that Elrond had taken affront at Timm's question, but he hoped that it wasn't apparent that his temper was getting the best of him. "I can understand your concern in this matter, Timm, and I know it might not seem to be such a good idea to allow Andis access to a blade, but I can assure you that all weapons—indeed everything of any pointed nature—have been put up and out of Andis' reach here in the house, whether he is awake or asleep. No one here is in any danger from the child." He grimaced so slightly it was hardly noticeable, in an attempt to temper his pique, but wasn't successful. "I do not believe learning the sword will make Andis a blood-thirsty killer at four years, but if he becomes aggressive, you can be assured that we will take the proper measures and cease the sword training."
Timm had the grace to look somewhat abashed, but he said in spite of his slight embarrassment, "I was merely wondering at the wisdom of Lord Glorfindel in this case. That is why I insisted that Andis come right to you and tell you of this plan." He glanced out the window, as if needing time to consider his words, and when he looked back at Elrond, he said, "As long as you are aware of this—and I have Jessa safely away—I will bow to your better knowledge of minds, and of Andis' mind in particular. But I do feel a certain loyalty to James and Elen, and since Charlie is here…"
"I give you my sworn word that Charlie will be in no danger," Elrond said. He disliked not being in total control of his emotions, so to try and make some peace with the man, he added, "I am sure Glorfindel has a method to his supposed madness, and I for one have learned not to second-guess him."
Timm smiled, showing he appreciated Elrond's effort at peacemaking, and after several awkward moments of silence, he seemed to feel that a change of subject was needed, so he said, "Andis is indeed something, isn't he? Except for his light hair, he looks just as Anders did as a boy. It is as if my brother has been born again into another body. He even sounds like Anders used to sound—says some of the same phrases he favored."
Elrond cleared his throat before he spoke, glad that they were again at ease with each other. "I believe part of what you are hearing is from Andis being with Anders almost exclusively to anyone else. Andis has said repeatedly that he 'worked' with his Papa all the time, and since his siblings were both girls, I don't doubt his closeness to his father. I might even venture to say that they were probably inseparable, which is what made Anders' death so devastating to the child, causing Andis' mind to falter." Elrond made this speech calmly, with no hint of the irritation he'd been exhibiting just moments ago, accepting the change in subject as needed and appreciated.
Elrond shifted the documents around on his desk, apparently wanting to say something else, but feeling unsure as to how to say it. He finally replaced the paperweight on top of the stack of parchments he'd been riffling through and looked back at Timm.
"Has Halbarad concluded his business with Glorfindel?" he asked, as if he hadn't just been hedging for time.
Timm smiled somewhat grimly, knowing how fond the Elves and Jeren had become of little Jessa, and knowing full well that her imminent departure was what the Elf lord had on his mind.
"Yes, my lord," he answered softly. "We leave on the morrow, at the break of day." He looked out of the window behind Elrond's desk for a moment, his countenance darkening suddenly with what looked like regret. "It is with a heavy heart that I will leave the boy with you when I go. Now that I've met him, I'm loath to be parted from him." He leaned forward, resting one hand on his knee. "He and his sister are my last ties to my brother, and I would wish our lives together could start now rather than later. But since you have expressed the need to have more dealings with his mind, I do bow to your greater knowledge and expertise in this area. I would hate to take him from you prematurely, only for him to have greater problems when he is older."
"I think that is a wise decision. We are very fond of Andis here, as we are his sister, but you know I would not have said such, just to keep him here longer."
"I do know that, my lord," Timm said as he got up from his chair. "Now I will take my leave of you. I am going to find the children; spend some more time with them now. Once we are back at the settlement, I fear I will be busy with work, and soon I must be out on patrol again, and miss not only them, but my own two as well."
Elrond nodded, but said nothing further as Timm went out the door. He picked up the quill and bent his head to his parchment again, but his mind was not on his work.
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Jeren stretched her arms over her head, breathing deeply of the soft, humid air around the pool, where she and Elrohir lay on a blanket they'd brought with them. It was one of the last warm fall days, with winter rapidly approaching.
And how would one know that the old man of winter would be bearing down on them soon? There were Elves amongst those in Imladris who made a game of predicting the weather, making their judgments not only from the temperatures and precipitation from the year they were trying to do their predicting in, but also from prior weather over the centuries. The one who'd been teasingly named Anor by his fellows was in particular a weather scholar. For most of his life he'd kept meticulous records of the weather he'd witnessed. He was immensely interesting to speak with, recalling all sorts of terrible storms, from wind and rain to snow and sleet. Of course Rivendell wasn't usually plagued by dire weather, so his predictions were tame most days, but Imladris had its share of rain and snow during the different seasons, which he could predict to within hours of their occurrence. And he'd had dire predictions for the world this year, and for a cold, snowy winter, even in this valley…
But today was sunny, and a warm breeze caressed the lovers as they lay naked in the sun. Jeren felt better than she had in an age, every muscle relaxed. She let her arms fall back in place around Elrohir, and he responded by tightening his hold on her.
"I think I could lay here with you for the rest of my life," Jeren said, her voice languid.
Elrohir pulled her even closer in response and began kissing her shoulder, making his way up her neck.
When they'd first gotten to the icy pool, Jeren had, as planned, pulled off her tunic, but not her sleeveless training shirt, and had soaked her arm in the frigid water. When she could no longer even feel her limb, gone numb from the cold, Elrohir then claimed her time, slowly undressing the rest of her, with her weak protests muffled by his lips on hers.
She wasn't used to lying about naked, much less making love, in a place where others might intrude, but as soon as Elrohir reassured her that any Elves who were about would hear them long before they were visible to them, and would then not think to interrupt what they knew to be an intimate interlude, she relaxed and they'd had their way with each other—twice so far.
Jeren propped her head up on one elbow, looking at Elrohir—disbelieving her life as it was now. She was wed—bonded—to an Elf. ...And such an Elf... The most handsome she'd ever seen. Sometimes she wondered about her life—how it had started out being hard, although it hadn't seemed so at the time. Growing up with only her mother around—and sometimes her father, even though he was mostly absent. How her mother had become ill and how Jeren had had to nurse her through such a long illness, only to have her die in the end. Burying her by herself. And then being set upon by Orcs when she was sixteen. She thought then that her life had been truly over. She remembered being surprised when she woke up from that ordeal. And when she'd awoken, it had been to Elves, and the one lying next to her now had been there, had seen her through her recovery and everything since.
She bent down and kissed his cheek.
"What was that for?" he asked, looking amused. His eyes had been closed, but now they were open just a crack.
Just for being you, Elrohir," she said, as if that explained everything that she'd just been thinking about.
Elrohir closed his eyes again, and it was then that she realized he didn't look very happy. She'd been so caught up in being alone with him, in making love with him, that she hadn't bothered to check their bond. Yes, their connection enhanced their lovemaking, but she had unconsciously learned when to open it up and when to let it be, only faintly reminding her of its presence from time to time. It was usually very subtle, and she'd gotten so used to it being there, that she found she mostly ignored it. She bit her lip, now understanding that she needed to pay more attention—not constant attention, just enough so that she wasn't neglectful of her husband. She closed her eyes, delving into her heart and opening the bond she shared with him, and as she did so, she could feel Elrohir's pain—pain that she couldn't interpret.
"What is it, Elrohir?" she asked, her voice filled with unease.
He looked puzzled as he opened his eyes again. "What is what?"
"What has you so sad?" she asked. "I am sorry I didn't feel it sooner, but I guess I was just over involved in the moment…"
"It truly is nothing, Jeren," he said quietly.
She cocked her head to the side and frowned, telling him without words that she didn't believe him. If it hadn't mattered, it wouldn't be bothering him.
He sighed, knowing she wasn't going to let this lie. He wished he would have kept a tighter hold on their bond. He didn't want to bring her spirits as low as his seemed to be.
"As I was bringing Timm out to meet Andis," he said, "he told me that Halbarad had concluded his business with Glorfindel, and that they would be leaving in the morning." He'd been playing with her hair with one hand, twining a strand around two of his fingers, but as he went on, he found her eyes. "Jessa will be gone tomorrow."
Jeren let her head fall forward, breaking her gaze from his. But he lifted her chin. "I am sorry to be bringing this news to you now. I wanted to wait until we were back before I shared it with you. But I suppose I grew careless…"
"No, Elrohir," Jeren said with a slight shake of her head, "I don't ever want you to try and spare me—especially not when you are hurting. That is why we bonded—to share everything in our lives. Please don't shut me out, especially if it is because you feel it is 'for my own good'.
Determined not to have their afternoon spoiled by his bad mood, he pulled her to him again, biting her neck playfully until she squealed and laughed like a small girl. As they relaxed again, their bodies melded together as if they were one. Jeren pressed her hips even closer against his, drawing a sudden sigh from him.
"So, you want to go again?" he asked her huskily.
"If you do," she said smiling slowly, her ever-present need to answer a challenge drawing her in, even though she was truly spent.
"I do," he said, "but I think to wait a while longer. While we're talking, there's something I'd like to speak to you about first, while you're in a good mood."
Jeren went rigid in his arms, and he shook her slightly. "None of that, now. It isn't something vile, you know."
"Then why must I be in a good mood before you will even discuss it with me?"
"A good mood isn't mandatory," he insisted, and she smiled, when she saw that she'd succeeded in making him just a little bit testy. He laughed then and tickled her slightly, and he hugged her to him again.
As soon as they'd settled once more, he said, all levity gone from his voice, "I've been thinking a lot about this lately. We've barely ever discussed it, and never seriously."
"Tell me, Elrohir," Jeren said, smoothing one of his braids behind his ear. "Don't make me hurt you to get it out of you."
He smiled again in response to that, but when he thought about it, he was unsure as to whether he should have brought this subject up at all. It was as if he'd already decided that Jeren would be against it, even before he'd put it into words. And having just mentioned Jessa's leaving…
"I was wondering…" he said, trailing a finger down her neck, which seemed to be a ploy that would keep him from looking into her eyes. "Would you ever consider the two of us begetting a child together?"
Had it not been for the heart-felt and completely serious tone of his voice, Jeren might have laughed, since the idea of her being a mother was all but absurd, but she could see the sadness in his eyes, as if he had already decided that she wouldn't discuss it and would reject even the mere suggestion of it out of hand.
But it was a serious question, asked with complete humbleness and not even a hint of coercion, so Jeren tried to answer him, without seeming to be negative, even though that is what her answer would entail, because they both knew deep down that she was no mother. At least she knew it...
Didn't she?
"Yes, Elrohir, I have thought about it. Quite a lot, actually. Especially since we found the children and have had them in our care. Honestly, I had thought about children even before I knew you were in love with me; not the two of us having a child together, but of me being a mother at all.
"I think it was when Elen had Charlie, and I watched her care for him when he was just a tiny infant. And when I held him, saw his small fingers and toes... The wonder of it all hit me hard…"
Elrohir smiled and kissed Jeren on the forehead. "I was always ambivalent about having children of my own," he said. "But being in charge of Andis and Jessa made me realize how wonderful being a parent can be—difficult at times, but wonderful on the whole. I only bring this up now because I want you to give it serious thought. As an Elf, I have all the time there is to have, but your time is limited, and I would hate for us to miss the chance, if it is something we would both wish to pursue."
He shifted her in his arms, so that he was on his back and her head was resting on his chest. "I fear that, even would we both want a child, the times are only growing harder and the world more dark. While there is even the chance that either of us will be needed in battle, I could not consent to bringing a child into this world; not as it is now, and definitely not if it were to grow worse."
"Well then let's hope—if we decide it is something we both might want—that the times we are living in do improve. As you said, there is hardly any point in discussing it at all right now, since it looks as if we both will be needed in battle for some time to come." She sat up then, resting on one hand, so that she could look into his eyes. "But I do promise to give your question serious thought. I always thought I knew the answer, but now… I'm not so sure anymore."
He pulled her back down to him and kissed her soundly. "That is all I can ask, Jeren," he said, kissing the tip of her nose. He quirked one brow and added, "Now, where were we? ...Ah yes, I believe we were about to go again…"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
"Hurry Andis," Jeren urged distractedly, as she finished braiding her hair. "We must get downstairs right away."
The sleepy boy sat up and rubbed his eyes, then threw the covers aside and got out of bed. He looked around for a minute, then said, "Where's El-ro-heer?"
"He's already downstairs, and we must meet him there very soon." She had retrieved some clothes for him, before he was even awake, and she hurriedly ushered him into the bathing chamber. In a very few minutes they emerged again with Andis refreshed and dressed for the day. Charlie was still gently snoring in the bed beside the one that Andis had just vacated.
"Why don't Charlie have to come?" he asked, as close to being cross as he ever got.
"Because Timm isn't Charlie's uncle," Jeren answered sensibly, not really taking the time to realize that her answer didn't mean very much to the small boy. She'd squatted in front of him, and ran her fingers through his hair. She'd forgotten to comb it when she was helping him dress.
Unbeknownst to Andis, they were about to say goodbye to Jessa and Timm, and Jeren, being distracted because she was late, was also not at her best, already mournful over Jessa's being gone permanently from Imladris. She had grown somewhat accustomed to not taking total care of the baby, with Elladan's return and Charlie taking the little girl's bed, but that still didn't take the sting out the child's departure.
It was very early and still mostly dark outside in the paddock, where the rangers had gathered before leaving to go to the settlement. Torches and lamps had been lit, so that the rangers could see to their horses and gear once outside the stable. Elladan was already there, holding Jessa and whispering promises into her tiny ear, kissing her cheek and cuddling her against his chest all the while. Jeren stopped and steeled her spine, feeling tears stinging her eyelids as she watched the two together.
She couldn't believe that Jessa was no longer going to be here, with her ready smile and toddling walk. She did take comfort in the fact that the baby would be just a few hours' ride from Imladris, at the settlement, and she could visit her whenever the longing to feel those little arms around her neck might get too great. She amended that thought, remembering that as soon as both of the children were gone, she would be back to scouting, and her time would not be her own to use—Glorfindel would be in charge of it. But even still, she would be able to see the children more often than she would otherwise, if their relatives had lived at a greater distance.
She made her way over to her brother-in-law, still holding Andis' hand, and when she reached Elladan she looked pleadingly at him, asking without words to hold the baby one more time before she was finally gone. He smiled weakly at her and relinquished his hold on Jessa, allowing the baby to lean into Jeren's arms for a more feminine cuddle.
"Jeren," Andis whined, pulling on her tunic to get her attention. "Why do we have to be out here? The sun ain't even up yet."
She either didn't hear him or had decided to ignore him, because she didn't answer, speaking nonsensically to the baby girl in her arms. Andis gave up with one last hard tug, and was suddenly whisked up from behind into two strong arms.
"Good morning, nephew," Timm said as he gave the boy a hug. "I am glad to have you come to see me off this morning."
"See you off?" Andis asked, confused, rubbing one eye and yawning deeply. "Are you goin' somewhere?"
Timm's face fell as he looked at Jeren askance. "You didn't tell him I was leaving today?"
Jeren looked ashamed as she gave Jessa back to Elladan. "I am sorry, Timm," she said, and then she ran a hand over Andis' cheek. "I didn't mean to neglect him, it's just that my mind was elsewhere." She glanced meaningfully back at Jessa, who was cooing in Elladan's arms as he held her head against his shoulder. "I never got the chance to tell him, and I don't think that Elrohir did, either."
Andis' shoulders fell as he realized what this meant. "I only just saw you—and now you already have to go away?" he complained to Timm. The boy was still tired, since he and Charlie had spent quite a bit of time the previous night roughhousing before bed, and then laughing and giggling, unable to sleep. Everything and nothing had been funny to them, and they'd stayed awake much longer than either of them was used to.
"I am sorry, son," Timm said, obviously miserable at unintentionally making Andis sad. "Do not worry—I will be back for you in a months' time—or someone will bring you to me and my wife. You will like your Aunt Jean and your cousins, when you finally get to meet them." Andis was looking down at his hands, so Timm guided the boy's chin up so that he could look at him. "I promise. It will not be long until we see each other again." Andis threw his arms around Timm's neck and hugged him. Jeren peeked around to look at the boy's face, to see if he had been moved to weeping. She was glad that, while he looked sad, there were no tears on his cheeks.
It was apparent that Timm was very good with children—he obviously loved them and they loved him in return. That he looked and sounded like his brother Anders was a definite plus as far as Andis was concerned.
"Good morning, all," Elrohir said when he walked up. He patted Andis on the back. "And how is our little man this morning?"
"He's not so happy," Timm said, "And I hope he knows that I'm not happy either, having to leave him here now. But I've told him I will be back soon, and that he will be joining my family in a very short while."
"That is true, Andis," Elrohir echoed. "You will get to live with your Uncle Timm."
"But I want him to stay here!" Andis said, sniffing as his eyes teared up.
"I know you do," Elrohir soothed, "but he must leave for now, and you would be doing us a great favor, if you stayed. Charlie is here, and he will be lonely without another little boy to play with." Andis rubbed one eye as his lower lip quivered. "Just stay a little while longer here in Rivendell. Just long enough to begin learning the sword with Charlie." Elrohir knew how little boys' minds worked, and if Andis could be distracted at all, this subject would do the distracting.
And Elrohir's strategy was successful, because Andis smiled wanly. He turned to Timm, saying, "When I come to the place where you live, can I still learn about big knifes?"
Timm hugged the child closer and said, "We'll see about that."
Halbarad called the rangers to order just as Elladan walked up, pulling something out of his pocket. "Turn around," he directed at Timm, as he handed Jessa to Jeren again. The man looked at him skeptically, but did as the Elf had instructed, first setting Andis on the ground beside him. Elladan then proceeded to tie a cloth contrivance around Timm, with straps going around his middle and over his shoulders. It looked for all the world like Elladan was tying an apron on him.
"What's this?" Timm asked skeptically, looking as if he would rip the thing off before he even knew what it was about. Elladan stayed the man's hands.
"It's a cloth harness to carry Jessa in. When we brought her here to Rivendell, I carried her, and even as strong you are, holding one's arms in one position for any length of time is tiring, believe me. I started with a sling, in which she could lay, but she grew tired of that very quickly, so I devised a harness somewhat like this, but far inferior. I've been working with the seamstress to come up with this one, and I believe it will hold her easily—and more importantly, happily—for your entire trip."
It was at this moment that Elrond joined them, and taking the baby from Jeren, he held her close for a few seconds. "I hope that you have a wonderful life, sweet girl," he said into her ear, and then he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. He then put Jessa into the harness resting against Timm's chest.
"Now let's see if I can mount with this extra weight on me," Timm said doubtfully, but he accomplished the task competently, if not smoothly.
It was then that Andis spoke out: "What is Jessa doing?" He frowned as he looked from one adult to another. "She ain't goin' too, is she?"
Elrohir squatted down to Andis' level. "Yes, she's going now to live with your aunt and uncle."
"But that's not fair!" Andis wailed. "All she does is cause trouble, and I'm as good as I can be, but I have to stay behind?"
"It's just for a little while—" Elrohir began.
A couple of things happened simultaneously then, with Halbarad giving the word for the rangers to ride, and Andis pulling out of Elrohir's hands and running toward the stable.
Timm started to ignore Halbarad's order and dismount to go after the boy, but Elrohir said, "Please, let me. You go on, now. All will be well." At Timm's doubtful look, he added, "If he will not settle, I will bring him to you myself. But I know he will be fine. He's just tired and cranky, and finding out that Jessa was going with you was really the final straw for him. But I will be able to make him see reason. I know that I can."
Timm didn't say anything, but he nodded grimly and spurred his horse, holding Jessa steady with one of his hands and riding quickly to catch up with the others.
Elrond was already on his way to the stables to talk to Andis, but Elrohir caught up to him, placing his hand on his arm to stop him. "Let me, Father. Please. I want to."
Elrond nodded and added, "If you have any trouble, call me. He truly needs additional mind healing, Elrohir. Convince him, please, that he must stay here for now."
"I will, Father. Have no fear."
So Elrohir headed to the stable while the others went back into the house. Jeren hesitated for a moment, but Elrohir just smiled and nodded, affirming that he had this situation with Andis well in hand.
Once inside the barn, Elrohir approached Andis cautiously, not wanting to startle the boy, who had drawn a stool up beside Bunny and now had his face buried in the pony's mane. Elrohir walked on silent feet, but he made enough noise so that Andis would know that he was no longer alone.
"Andis…" Elrohir said, just wanting the child to look at him, but Andis stubbornly kept his face hidden.
"Andis, I am sorry for the way things turned out, but it isn't really so bad. Just think—you won't have to deal with your little sister for awhile; at least not until you go to live with your uncle and aunt." He smiled, but Andis still didn't move. "And you will get to begin the sword training lessons today…" There was still no response, so he added, "Besides, I would miss you greatly if you left now. I am going to be very unhappy when it is time for you to leave Rivendell."
Andis lifted his eyes away from the pony, his lashes spiky with tears. "I just don't see why Jessa gets to do something good, but I don't get to, even though I don't cause no trouble or nothin'," Andis said with a pout. Elrohir wanted to smile at the precious picture Andis made, but he knew that the boy certainly wouldn't appreciate it.
"It isn't that she gets to do something good, Andis," Elrohir said, as he tried to patiently explain the situation. "Don't you think she might be scared, going someplace new, not seeing any familiar faces? Her bed will not be the same, the food won't be the same, and while your aunt and uncle will love her and treat her kindly, do you not think she might miss the people here, people like Jeren and Elladan, who she's grown to love? She's only a little baby, and she doesn't understand yet what is happening around her. Yes, she will soon grow familiar with the new place and new people, but it wouldn't surprise me if at first she isn't at all happy about being there and not here. You remember how you felt, when you came to Rivendell for the first time. You held onto me and were afraid to let me go, because you knew no one here and nothing was familiar to you."
Andis had started stroking Bunny's nose as Elrohir spoke, and he placed a kiss on the horse's jaw as Elrohir finished speaking.
"Do I get to take Bunny with me when I go away, El-ro-heer?"
Elrohir stood right behind Andis now, and he placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "I think that can probably be arranged," he replied.
"You know I will be sad to leave you, when I go live with my Uncle Timm, don't you El-ro-heer?" Andis asked. He'd turned around on the stool so that he was facing the Elf. His large, blue eyes looked up into Elrohir's gray ones, and Elrohir couldn't help the pang in his heart at the thought of having both children gone so soon.
"I was unsure as to whether you ever forgave me for breaking your Papa's sword," he said. "Have you? Forgiven me, I mean?"
Andis leaned against Elrohir, his arms instinctively encircling Elrohir's neck. "I forgave you a long time ago," he said, sounding like a child well beyond his tender four years. "You didn't mean it. You were just scared."
"Yes I was," he said, pulling back slightly to look at the boy. He rested his forehead against Andis'. "I want you to know that I think you are a very special little boy, and I'll remember you for as long as I live."
"I love you, El-ro-heer," he said, and he lay his head against Elrohir's chest while the Elf's slender fingers stroked the child's hair.
Elrohir picked Andis up from the stool and started carrying him out the stable door. "I love you, too, Andis," he said. "And I am going to miss you sorely when you go to your Uncle's house to live."
He walked across the courtyard to the back steps of the house. "Now, what do you say we go to the dining hall? I believe that our meal will be there waiting for us."
"Will there be sausage?" Andis asked hopefully.
"If there isn't sausage on the table, we will go ask Bellasiel to fix some for us!" Elrohir replied, ruffling the boy's hair with his free hand. He then lifted the child easily, placing him atop his shoulders, and together they went inside.
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A/N: Sorry for the delay in my writing of this chapter. Real life slapped me hard a little over a month ago, but things seem to be back on an even keel, so I was finally able to write again. I hope you're still with me... As usual, I appreciate any and all comments, good or bad, to keep me on track.
A/N2: Saw The Hobbit today! It was great!