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Chapter 12

A Father's Heart

Some time later, Elrond stood on the balcony overlooking the courtyard. Still lost in thought, he tried once more to understand the sense of foreboding he could not rid himself of. Gazing up at the stars, and in particular his father's star, always did much to soothe his troubled heart and though the light of Eärendil shone as brightly as ever he still could not rid himself of the feeling that some evil drew ever closer to the ones he held dearest. He heard footsteps behind him and smiled, for only an adan would make so much noise when they walked.

"Lord Èomer. Please, come join me."

"I did not mean to intrude on your solitude, my Lord."

"Be at ease, young one for you do not intrude on my solitude, as I often come here at this hour to gaze at the stars." He pointed a long slender finger at a particular star. "That, my friend, is my father's star."

"Eärendil, the Mariner. Yes, I have heard the story. I am honored to be in the company of the son of such a noble being."

He turned and, for a moment, looked at the young horse Lord and was pleased that races other than the elves of old were still remembering the lore. Elrond had a flash of insight and for a brief moment saw the future and what it held for the young man as he would one day be, King and leader of the proud and fierce people of Rohan.

The two stood in silence for a time, each with his own thoughts and worries, both seeking solace from the stars. When that silence was broken by the sound of a galloping horse and both elf and man turned towards the sound, it was only Elrond that sighed. It seemed that his niece would be going out tonight as well and that meant one more child to worry about.

Horse and rider slowed as the identity of the two Lords standing on the balcony became known. Black on black was how the two appeared to the Lords and as Èomer would remark later, if he had not recognized the rider, he would have been terrified by the sight of the two.

Both horse and rider saluted the Lord of Imladris and his guest. The stallion rose high into the air, screaming a warrior's farewell as his rider touched her heart. Moments later the two rode through the gate of the courtyard where they seemed to disappear into the darkness beyond.

Again Lord Elrond sighed as the dark feeling he had been having suddenly regained its strength.

Hearing the elf standing at his side sigh once more, Èomer, for the first time almost understood the reason for his melancholy.

"I think I begin to understand your worry, my Lord, at least in part. The Lady is like my own sister, Èowyn. Èowyn is both independent and capable in both domestic and martial skills and her heart yearns to use those skills, her strengths, for the good of her people. I do not think that either my sister or your foster daughter realizes just how much those strengths terrify those who love them and who only wish for them to be safe. My Lord, it takes a very wise person to see beyond gender to what the character is truly capable of and while my Èowyn and your Anayah both know what their duties and responsibilities are, in the end, we must have faith that they will always do what is right. I hope these words help, in some small way, to ease a father's heart."

The two remained on the balcony for some time, each with his own thoughts and concerns until one, succumbing to the frailties of his race, bid good night to the other and left to seek the peace of his dreams.

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It was some time later, when the moon had started to wane, that Lord Elrond felt the mental touch of his long time friend and confidant, Glorfindel. For a time, the Gondolin elf just stood at his friend's side, offering whatever emotional support he thought he needed, and when Elrond still did not speak, Glorfindel decided that prolonging such silence would do neither of them any good.

"What troubles you old friend?"

"Children, Glorfindel - my children trouble me, for I know that evil is coming here, and because it remains both faceless and nameless, for the first time in millennia I feel helpless, almost old - I have no idea what to do."

"Perhaps nothing is exactly what you should do, what you were meant to do."

Elrond look sharply at the elf standing beside him. The Valar had blessed Glorfindel with a perpetually cheerful disposition and no bad mood, despair or even melancholy could live in the same room with the elf that now stood at his side. Yet, this night, Elrond sensed something different about his friend.

"What do you mean by that?" Elrond inquired quietly.

"What I mean, brother-of-my-heart, is that your children, and this includes your foster children as well, have all passed the age of their majority and can well take care of themselves. You have been a stellar example to all your young ones and have made a tremendous impact on their lives that will not soon be forgotten. Look at how Anayah has changed since you came into her life. That child was starved to death for lack of family and unconditional love and she had totally shut down her mind and heart to any possibility that peace, security and love would ever be a part of her life. Now look at her - she laughs more and smiles, and I do not think you know this, and please promise me you will never tell your youngest son, but the bucket of water that fell on Estel from Elladan's balcony ..."

"No!" Lord Elrond was astounded at the news.

"Yes, my friend. Only a sister with a devious mind would think of pulling such a prank then find a way to blame someone else without so much as a single word being spoken! I know this is hard for you to think of, Elrond, but you have to let your children go. A father's heart has a difficult time grasping this concept but it has to be done and if you do not find a way to learn this lesson, you will end up fading from the misery, and I could never allow you to do that alone! You will always worry and you will always get these warnings, these feelings, but you have to learn that you cannot let these demons run your life - and by demons, I do not necessarily mean any of your sons and daughters."

He couldn't help it and soon found himself laughing so hard that he had to put a hand on the railing of the balcony to hold himself upright. In truth, Glorfindel had spoken great wisdom to him, for he had been neglecting himself and he had been letting the foreboding he had been sensing lately to rob him of every joy in his life.

TBC