The young Elves had hardly returned to Rivendell from their extended patrol into Dunland when they found themselves staring with dismay at the retreating back of the messenger who had stiffly informed them that they were summoned—at once and without delay—to Elrond's chamber.
"'At once and without delay?' That doesn't sound good," exclaimed Elladan. He looked accusingly at Elrohir. "What have you done?"
"I haven't done anything!" protested Elrohir. "I haven't been back in Rivendell long enough to have done anything."
"Elrohir is right," said Thoron, coming to his defense. "And your father has summoned all of us, not just Elrohir."
"Of course," grinned Anomen, "Elrohir could have done something—but before we departed on patrol."
"Yes," crowed Elladan, "and Ada wants to see all of us because he can't prove which of us it was so he wishes to question us all!" He glanced triumphantly at his brother, who was trying to look offended. In fact, Elrohir was wracking his brains as he attempted to recall all he had done before departing Rivendell. Much as he would have hated to admit it, Anomen and Elladan's reasoning was all too plausible.
Thoron interrupted his musings. "Whilst we stand here teasing Elrohir, we are not hastening to Elrond's chamber 'at once and without delay'. I vote that we continue this inquest after we see your father—by which time it may no longer be necessary."
The others nodded in agreement and hurried through the Hall. When they arrived at Elrond's sanctum, they were dismayed to see that Glorfindel was sitting by his side. No, this was not good at all.
Much to their surprise, however, they were invited to sit down, and Elrond himself poured each of them a glass of wine. "Of course," Elladan thought to himself, "Ada could just be trying to put us off our guard." It would not have been the first time that their father had adopted such a strategy—usually with great success.
"I am glad that you have returned safely from the patrol," Elrond began. "And Glorfindel here tells me that Taurmeldir has much to say in praise of all of you."
The young Elves looked at each other. Should they feel relieved or apprehensive at Elrond's welcoming words?
Elrond well knew the effect he could have on his offspring and their friends, and he could not resist teasing them a little just now. Besides, he thought regretfully, it might be long before he again had the opportunity.
"You are waiting for the other boot to drop, are you not?" he asked with a smile.
Nervously, the four young Elves nodded.
Elrond arose and circled around them until he stood behind Anomen.
"Anomen, your hair has grown out completely. I see that you have rebraided it."
"Yes, Ada."
"Are you glad to have recovered your former hair color? Or mayhap you preferred the darker shade?"
"Oh, no," cried Anomen. "I like my own hair color. And it is so good not to be subject to the teasing of everyone."
"You were teased?" said Elrond gravely.
"Yes—even by my friends," said Anomen, looking accusingly at Elrohir in particular.
"Ah, a pity then, that you cannot keep your hair."
"What!?"
"Yes, I must insist that you once again dye it the darker color."
"But, Ada, why!?"
"You ninny!" interrupted Elrohir excitedly. "Don't you see? You're going back to Mirkwood. And that can only mean," he added, turning to his father, "that Anomen is to join the warriors in their assault on Dol Guldur."
Elrond nodded.
"But you have called us all here," Elrohir continued, his eyes gleaming, "and that can only mean—"
Elrond raised his hand to silence him. "Elrohir, you strike me as somewhat impetuous—not a quality we are looking for on this mission."
Embarrassed, Elrohir looked down at the floor.
"But, yes, you are all going—unless something happens over the next few weeks to cause me to change my mind!" He turned to Glorfindel. "My friend, they are all yours."
Glorfindel arose. "You will come with me to the armory. You must be fitted for armor, and I want to see if you are capable of wielding weapons that are heavier than the ones you have been accustomed to. From there it is off to the training fields with you. You may plan on all but sleeping there until it comes time for the army to depart."
Glorfindel began to walk toward the door, the awed young Elves in tow, when Elrond called out, "Glorfindel, if I may have a word with Elladan and Elrohir."
Glorfindel nodded permission at Elrohir and Elladan, who realized from the gesture that they were no longer altogether the sons of Elrond. They were also the warriors of Glorfindel, in all matters subject to the decisions of the balrog-slayer.
After Glorfindel, Thoron, and Anomen had left, Elrond resumed his seat and invited Elladan and Elrohir to do likewise.
"We have not talked of your mother in a long time."
"No," said Elladan softly, "we have not."
"It is needful to talk of her now." Elrond took a deep breath. "Elladan, Elrohir, I know that one reason you were so eager to go on patrol is that you hoped to encounter Orcs."
"Yes," agreed Elrohir, a glint in his eye. Elrond noticed that he was tightly clutching the arms of his chair. "Yes, and had we done so, we could have begun to wreak our vengeance. But we have been forced to wait."
"You must continue to wait."
Startled, Elrohir cried out, "No! We are going into battle! May we not slay Orcs!? If not, then why are you sending us!?"
"I did not say that you may not slay Orcs, and no doubt you shall. But you must not be thinking of your mother as you do so.
"I think I know why," said Elladan, even more softly than before. "Passion may be a distraction when it is necessary to make rapid decisions. If we are thinking of our mother, we may not be noticing the Orcs that are outflanking us."
"Yes, Elladan." Elrond turned to his other son. "Elrohir, do you understand?"
Elrohir was trembling. His voice shook as he answered, "But, Ada, when shall we be permitted our vengeance?"
"Never doubt that you shall avenge your mother. When the battle is over, you will look about and see the bodies of the Orcs you have slain. You must simply remember that you only achieve this vengeance if you are not thinking of it whilst you are in fact in the midst of accomplishing it."
"So," said Elladan, a little louder this time, "we will avenge our mother if we concentrate on the task at hand, without thought of vengeance, but if we do strive for vengeance, we are likely to fall short."
Elrond spoke bluntly. "Yes, and you are likely to die, or to cause the deaths of your comrades whose welfare you neglect even as you seek justice for your mother."
Elrond turned again to Elrohir. "My son, I lost your mother and my wife to Orcs. I do not want to lose you. Go into battle calmly, with your mind focused on winning the battle at minimal cost to our forces. Have no other goal."
Numbly, Elrohir nodded. Elrond looked long and hard at him. At last he arose.
"Glorfindel awaits you at the armory. Go now. We will speak more of this ere the army departs."
Elladan and Elrohir arose and bowed to their father. Shortly after they left, Elrond heard a knock on the door.
"Enter."
Mithrandir walked quietly into the room and, without being invited, settled into a chair. Elrond handed him a glass of wine. For several minutes they sat silently together. At last, Elrond cleared his throat.
"You are right, Mithrandir. Elrohir is much too intent on avenging his mother."
"Yet he must still ride with the others."
"You think so?"
"Elrond, if you try to restrain him, his desire for vengeance will only grow until no amount of counsel will prompt him to act with discretion. Talk with him often in the days to come. Encourage him to vent some of his rage in words. And pray to the Valar that when the time comes his ultimate good sense will master his fury. In this you are lucky that he goes into battle with his brother. His love for one member of his family may save him from risking destruction over the memory of another."
Elrond nodded, and he and Mithrandir raised their glasses in a silent toast to the memory of Celebrían.