Disclaimer: I do not own anything remotely belonging to Tolkien, so no disrespect is intended toward his wonderful work by the short vignette I have written.
Summary: Just a brief, attempted look into the minds of Elrond, Elladan, Elrohir, Arwen, and Glorfindel of Imladris as the Fellowship leaves for Mordor. Based loosely on the loving relationship between the Elven Lord and his foster son featured so prominently in the 'Mellon Chronicles' by Cassia and Siobhan.
By Ivy Tante
Part Two: Elladan
Grief roared through Elladan Elrondion as he watched Aragorn disappear into the ravine. Grief, resentment, and anger. Aragorn was more than just a foster brother to him; he was a ray of light and hope that brightened his days and reminded the Elf of the world outside the secure borders of Rivendell. Thus his leaving drove pain and fear deep within Elladan.
The grief was the simple parting of brothers, but the resentment directed toward his father held far deeper meaning. To his thinking, Elrond should never have allowed the mortal upon the quest to destroy the One Ring. Aragorn's fate was too uncertain as it stood to add such a dangerous endeavor. And so the anger festered, driving a deep wedge of disagreement between father and son that had never existed before.
Ignoring the almost blinding light of the new day, Elladan considered the wisdom of taking off pell-mell after the Ranger. In complete disregard to his bleak mood, the image of the Lord of Imladris staring in stunned disbelief as his eldest twin son calmly strolled back into the Last Homely House bearing upon his back the struggling, cursing Aragorn assaulted him. A smile tugged at his lips, bringing light into his gray eyes -- light only his mortal brother could kindle to flaming life.
The thought made those eyes close in resigned pain. The proud head dropped, spilling chestnut brown hair across his shoulders and down his arms. Fire seemed to erupt as the early morning sun blazed upon him, igniting highlights buried within every strand. Unbidden came his father's voice: "Aragorn, son of Arathorn, heir of Isildur -- he is the only hope left to the race of Men. To deny him the chance, however fleeting it might be, of uniting the scattered factions of Men will mean the end of the world."
"I know, Ada. But it hurts so to release him." The words hung in the crisp autumn air for long moments as the Elf struggled to contain himself. Well he remembered Elrond's tortured question of, "Why this pain?" No answers had come forth during the late night 'discussion', but the bright light of day forced the truth into almost brutal clarity.
Long had Elladan known and wondered at the joy the human brought into his life. Now that joy was needed elsewhere, and he was not willing to sever his connection to it for the sake of a world that had done little to deserve it. To release Aragorn to his destiny meant loosing part of himself, and Elladan was afraid he might never regain that part should his mortal brother die upon the quest to destroy the One Ring.
Slowly the slumped shoulders straightened. Elrond had found the strength to let Aragorn go, and so would he, though it felt like a dagger in his heart. Whatever the outcome, the bright memories would always be there to comfort him. Aragorn's laughter would always resound in the corridors of Imladris, just as his love would always reside in his Elven family's heart.
Then 'Why this pain?'
Because you are Estel, Aragorn. You bring to life an emotion we thought long extinct, and give it to the world while keeping none for yourself.