I am sorry to say several weeks have gone by. It is late winter. But even so, I can smell the turn of the seasons on the wind as it shakes snow down from the high places.

My sons have come back to let me know that the Fellowship had attempted to ascend Caradhras, but it seems unusual weather created by the traitorous Saruman forced them off the mountain. It worries me that he is already harrying their footstep.

They are going to go through the mines of Moria, based on a conversation Elladan heard between Estel and Mithrandir, but Elrohir says Boromir was urging them to go to Minas Tirith.

So I will still hope to hear from Mithrandir at some point, but I know, the further South the Fellowship goes, the more dangerous communication becomes.

The twins also brought a few other surprises when they returned late two nights ago.

Elladan had a nasty orc slash to his upper arm (luckily not poisoned) and Elrohir's mount was limping from a bad scrape on its left forward hock.

But the biggest surprise was the little bundle that Elladan held before him---a small boy of about six years old. Apparently the only survivor of the orc attack that injured Elladan and Elrohir's horse.

The little one is not injured save for a few cuts and bruises. He had received a hard knock on the head and been hidden under his family's over turned cart.

Elladan said they were refugees fleeing north from some Southern village and were beset by a small band of orcs.

The child's name is Banlus. He has sandy brown hair and enormous blue eyes. He has much of the look of Rohan about him.

Elladan only needed a few stitches and some rest, which I insisted on. I actually made him drink a soporific. At least I shall be assured he will get several hours of sleep. He was not happy about it, but complied. It is good to know he still respects his father's wishes on occasion!

Once I had seen to Elladan, I went and found our guest eating soup and bread with Elrohir in my study.

Elrohir smiled around his mug of winter ale and nudged his small companion.

"My father Banlus."

The little one, obviously tired, crawled out of his seat and made a very credible attempt at a bow. "Good evening, Lord Elrond."

Thanking him for his courtesy, I welcomed him to Rivendell and went and got a glass of wine and drank it slowly standing by the fire watching the two finish eating.

Elrohir finishing first pushed back from the table and looked at me with a smile.

"I shall leave you two then. Banlus be a good boy for my father. He just needs to tend to your scrapes and bruises. I need to see Elladan."

Banlus nodded, head down, watching his feet slowly kick back and forth.

But just as Elrohir turned to leave, the young one jumped down from the table and hugged my son tightly.

Elrohir ruffled his hair and picking him up, brought him over to me.

I took the painfully thin boy and held him carefully as he reared back in my arms uncertain.

"Ada won't bite Banlus. He'll be very gentle."

"'kay." Banlus looked down at the small piece of roll in his hand and then stuffed it into his mouth with a smile.

I took the child into my surgery and sat him on the table.

So quiet a mouse! He let me undress him and lay him down on the table, though he was understandably nervous while I examined him.

I told him everything I was doing and was very careful to cause as little pain as possible while cleaning his injuries.

The only injury of any note was the lump (already fading) on the back of his head. I sent a strong surge of energy into his small skull to speed the healing further.

When I was finished I used the hot water that is always in the surgery and gently bathed him.

He helped me by doing his face and hands. Since I had no fresh tunic for him, I wrapped him in a clean towel and took him down the hall.

He yawned as I held him and suddenly relaxed, half-asleep.

It has been so long since I have held such a little one.

I took him to a spare room near the twin's suites and told him where we were if he should waken in the night.

Laying him under the quilt, his enormous eyes blinked sleepily at me and he yawned again. I put a hand to his head and he returned to his slumbers.

I admit, I lingered, lighting a slow burning candle so he would not be afraid

if he should awaken. I also left him a glass of water in case he should be thirsty.

Just as I was leaving, I paused again.

Banlus was so small in the bed.

The next night, Elrohir and I sat in the main dining hall. Elladan, who was more tired than he thought, had taken a meal in his room. I would check on him later.

Banlus had joined us and was sitting on a chair with a pile of pillows on it between Elrohir and I. He was attacking his food with good appetite. Laughing, I had to slow him down a few times to keep him from choking.

A glance around the room made me sigh deeply.

So few elves! Perhaps less than a hundred now. I shall have to check my list of those who have left. I have not had the heart to count the numbers leaving recently.

It is like bleeding.

What will become of Imladris if my sons do not wish to take on its stewardship?

What purpose would Imladris serve once all the elves have gone?

My sons insist not all will leave. Even now, not all are ready for the glories of Valinor. But I cannot imagine them lingering for long. We are a race that has served its purpose here in Middle Earth.

But Elladan told me he felt the elves declined like an old tree, losing leaves and limbs, but remaining alive nevertheless, the roots deep into the soil.....

We shall see who is right sooner rather than later.

Reading what I have just written, I shake my head at such melancholy. There is still much to do.

I watch Banlus who at the moment is playing with some old wooden soldiers of the twins on the rug before the fire here in the study.

I will need to come up with a solution for him.

But more importantly, the Ring has not reached its goal and been destroyed nor has it been taken by the Dark Lord.

All hangs by a thread: one small hobbit---made of steel.

If anyone can do this, he will.

I can only hope the Dark Lord cannot expect such a frontal assault from someone whom he would undoubtedly see as insignificant under normal circumstances.

And this is what I and other members of the White Council hope for. That Sauron's overweening pride will blind him to the ones making their way to his heart.

I know Estel will do all he can, and Legolas and Gimli—brave hearts all. Boromir's strength and purpose are unsettled in my mind. But one hopes he will come around.

And Meriadoc and Pippin. There are a couple of unlikely heroes as well. They will undoubtedly help Frodo and Sam just by their sheer exuberance and energy.

Which Iluvatar knows they will need before this journey is finished.

So here I sit in my study, candlelight dancing over the cream colored parchment, shining on the edge of the wet ink until it dries.

Banlus is making small voices for his soldiers and I occasionally hear the clink of one falling to the rug.

We have a little one in Imladris once more.

What will I do with such a one at this point in time? The world is all unsettled and the Light and the Dark stand on a knife edge, balancing. And he plays with toys, all unaware. As it should be.

And I myself am not long for Imladris! Once the fate of the Ring is settled, I shall leave. Mayhap in a year or two.

Perhaps when the Light has triumphed as I know in my heart it will, relatives of Banlus can be discovered.

In the meantime, I shall see if there are anymore of the twins small clothes in storage.

And I am not sure, but there may still be some ponies in the high paddocks.

I will finish here for now, as Arwen has come in to call us to the midday meal. I had not realized it was so late.

Banlus quickly jumped up and came over to me, eyes shining, anxious to go.

He is a hungry little bear!

And I find I am too.