Thine Own Self

And since you know you cannot see yourself,
so well as by reflection, I, your glass,
will modestly discover to yourself,
that of yourself which you yet know not of.

William Shakespeare

Chapter 1

The setting sun cast its beautiful dying light across the elven house of Imladris. Trees swayed in the gentle breezes that took off their brown and dried leaves, scattering them upon the land below. As the elves became fewer, so did the leaves of the trees. Imladris was in the autumn of its existence, though those who remained still lived life as they always had.

In the open courts, elves began to gather for evening social activities. Dinner, music and stories would be indulged in through the night. All but one would be in attendance.

If someone had told him that with each promotion the workload increases Erestor might not have sought the highest position to Lord Elrond of Imladris. Especially late at night when the Chief Advisor could not see the wood that made his desk under all the paperwork to be completed. There were contracts to be officially drawn up, work from his staff to be proofread and approved and, worst of all, communications to be read. That was always the job he delayed doing. Lands, elven, mortal and even dwarves, would send and request information from the high elf Lord of Imladris.

'Would you be interested in buying?', 'My lovely daughter seeks to study with', 'The harvest has been slim, could you please?' more and more always piled up no matter how long Erestor would spend working on them. Elrond himself got sick of the endless banter and had the wonderful notion to give it to his Advisor to organize. Only that of most import went to Elrond, the rest received a courteous reply with Erestor's emblem in the bottom corner as small as possible in hopes to escape detection.

Erestor learned quickly that only those of military topics would go to Elrond and even then, they were quickly passed to his Chief Military Advisor Glorfindel.

The candles were burning low in the night without the dark haired elf even realizing it. His major fault was that once he got into his work, everything else would not be paid attention to. Even eating and sleeping were put on hold if Erestor were engrossed in a task at hand.

As he made his way through the communications and scrolls, one caught his eye. The only reason it did was because it did not contain on it the greeting: Lord Elrond of Imladris, but something else completely.

It contained his name.

It was quite odd. No one ever wrote to Elrond's advisor, though most knew that was who was going to be reading their words. Quite confused by this enigma, the dark haired elf read the words in flowing script. However, this did not alleviate any of his confusion. Staring down at the parchment, he hoped to see something he hadn't before, but the words did not change.

~Erestor,

I know who you really are.~

Nothing more. No clue as to the sender or the meaning.

"Erestor?"

Startled, the advisor looked up from the words to see Glorfindel standing in his doorway. He grew concerned when he saw the jumpy and upset look in Erestor's eye.

"Is there bad news, my friend?"

"No, Glorfindel. I guess I got so lost in my work I didn't hear your arrival." Those words were enough to satisfy the blond warrior, as it was often that Erestor would become lost in his many duties. "Was there something you wished of me?"

"No, Erestor, I've only come to tell you that dinner was served about an hour ago and if you do not come down fast you will go to bed hungry tonight. That is, if you can even tear yourself away from your desk to go to bed."

Erestor nodded remotely. It was clear to Glorfindel that the scribe was not even paying attention to him. "You know, Erestor, Elrond has decided it fitting that all dark haired elves dye their hair blond so they can somewhat compare to the truly fair elves of Imladris."

Again came a distant nod, "Really."

Glorfindel shook his head and decided this was a losing battle and took his leave. Erestor didn't even notice his going. All he could focus on were the words: I know who you really are.

His thoughts were of fear, but he couldn't help but feel some longing too.

'You say you know who I am,' Erestor thought, 'I can only hope it is true for I myself do not know that answer.'

*****

"Erestor's in one of his moods." Glorfindel said as he slid into the chair by the fireplace. Elrond currently occupied the other one as he gazed into the dancing flames.

"Oh yes?" Elrond replied, "That's not too uncommon. He gets very quiet and drawn in on himself every so often. It's all part of who he is." The Lord swirled the dark wine in his goblet in contemplation.

Glorfindel was not satisfied with the response. He had been friends with Erestor for a long time, but still felt that he really didn't know the elf. Every time he tried to find out some personal information about the advisor, he would come away with nothing. All he knew was that he worked himself to the bone, had about two centuries of vacation time built up, but seemed to enjoy his job all the same.

"How long has Erestor lived in Imladris?"

"Why not ask him yourself?" Came Elrond's reply.

"Because I wish to hear it from your point of view, Elrond."

Elrond raised his eyebrows, but gave in to his friend's inquiry. "He has been here since the beginning. It was a long time ago now that I decided to leave the Land of Lindon to establish Imladris."

~Flashback~

"Are you sure I cannot persuade you to stay?"

"Aye, Cirdan, I believe it is time for me to found my own land. I have felt the calling for a great numbers of years."

Elrond was finally leaving to forge a new elven haven and his friend could not stop his leaving for another age.

Gazing into his friend's eyes, Cirdan knew his mind was set. "I know never to challenge you once you've made a decision. Best of luck to you, Elrond of Imladris."

Elrond smiled, having been addressed in that manner for the very first time.

It was late morning when Elrond and his companions ventured out into the woods to discover a new land where all elves could learn and grow. A place of sanctuary and peace in an ever increasingly violent world.

'Imladris' Elrond thought to himself to eager anticipation, 'The Last Homely House.'

Already great sadness was to be found along the trail. They were told not to head down the main roads because a lost child had just been attacked and killed by creatures of the wood. Nodding quietly, Elrond and his group headed down a small path that was rarely used.

They were not far in their journey when Elrond heard a very odd sound for the middle of the woods. A quiet sobbing with vain attempts by the being to stifle them. However, the ears of an elf are too sensitive to miss a child's cry and soon Elrond was off his horse to investigate. It was not long before he located the source of the noise.

Among a thicket a leaves was a small elven child, very young indeed. Much too small to be alone in the wilderness with nothing but the thin clothes on his back.

Beneath an uncombed array of midnight black hair, two large equally deep eyes peered out. Apprehension was the main emotion here, this little elf had no idea what to expect from this strange visitor.

"What is your name?" Elrond asked.

Silence.

"How is it you're here alone?"

Silence.

Elrond sighed, the child was dirty and a little too thin that spoke of hunger, but not yet starvation. The child had been out alone in the woods for a few days, but not long enough to begin to die from lack of food.

"Come on." He extended his hand to the child. "I have just the place to take you. You can be the first wayward citizen of a new land." Their eyes locked and slowly, a tiny hand was placed in Elrond's own. For some reason, the youngling decided this elf was worth trusting, besides, what other option was there.

Standing together in the field, Elrond thought he heard a quiet word.

"What was that, little one?"

"You asked my name." The dark child said, "My name is Erestor."

~End Flashback~