AN: Thanks for the reviews.  I promise I will try to make this a little more forgiving for those who are not all up on this part of Tolkien history.  I'm going on what I'm reading in only one book, so this is not the most accurate, but I'll try to explain a little better.  A little note here, Beleriand is the land above Middle-Earth, also called the Northern Waste if you check a map in a LOTR book.  Enjoy!!

Chapter 6

Truth and choices

          Elrond stared at the bookbindings, not really reading, even was he pulled out a book to scan.

          " What troubles thee, Minë?"

Elrond looked up apprehensively.  The high king stood beside him, scanning a book also.

*Elros.

Ereinion closed the book.

*Do you wish to talk about it?

Elrond nodded slightly.  He replaced his book.  Ereinion walked beside him towards the king's own private gardens.

          " Majesty," a counselor stopped him.

Ereinion shook his head, holding up a hand.

          " It can wait."

The counselor scratched his head, watching the king walk off and then shrugged.

*If he believes he can wait to hear news of Beleriand's breaking, then so be it.

~*~

          Elrond plopped on the bench.

          " Ereinion, Elros is going to choose to be Edain, just for some maiden," Elrond looked up, " I do not understand what makes a maiden so desirable all the sudden.  Why could be not find a fair Elvin maiden?  Why-"

Ereinion held up a hand, causing Elrond to fall silent.

          " You and Elros are as different as night and day.  He has always lent towards the Edain.  You must let him go."

Elrond looked away.

          " He will be sundered from me forever.  I would never see him again until Arda's end," Elrond turned his head, " Ere-"

          " Elrond, I never said it would be easy to let him go."

          Elrond looked up with a groan.

          " I sense a story."

Ereinion sat beside him.

          " I trained with him.  He was my closest friend.  We were brothers in heart.  It was Glorfindel of Gondolin, if you wish a name," Ereinion looked up at the clear midday sky, " He wanted to stay in Gondolin.  I wanted to come back here. We parted ways and are sundered.  Now I know this is different, but I will not see him again until Aman," Ereinion sighed dramatically, " And I can bet, that will not be until Arda's end."

Elrond chuckled.  Footsteps came scrambling and a group of Elves appeared.

          " Majesty, Beleriand is breaking!"

~*~

          Elrond was busily helping the dwindling dozens, trying to pack the extensive library.  The water was up to their ankles.

          " Clear out," a yell came, " Everything is packed."

Elrond sighed in relief.  Ereinion shook his head at the bare haven where he had grown up in.

          " Come, let us go join the others."

          " Where is Elros?"

          " At the mortal village, warning them."

          " That was underwater minutes ago," Elrond's face showed his strain.

Cracking came.  Ereinion grabbed Elrond by the tunic collar, running.

          Everyone else had cleared out.  The water began to grow higher.  Galadriel scanned the Elves.

          " Where are Ereinion and Elrond?"

Celeborn turned.

          " Gil-galad?"

Elves glanced at him curiously.  Celeborn dismounted.

          " Elrond?  Ereinion?  Anyone, is the king or Peredhel beside you?"

Elros pushed his horse forward, Cienna riding behind him. 

          " There they are," came Galadriel's cry.

          The water was chasing the two Elves, who ran as swift as they could.  Their horses had flew up to the other Elves.

          " They are not going to make it," Galadriel whispered.

A sharp whistle came, followed by an even louder one.  The two riderless horses responded, galloping down to their masters.  Galadriel sighed in relief as the two mounted in mid-run.

          " Show offs," Elros grumbled softly.

          The two joined the other Elves.  Ereinion tried to slow his accelerated breathing, though a grin lit his flushed face.  He glanced at Elrond.

          " Well, that was an adventure," he said, eliciting a few chuckles.

          " Aye, a death defying one that is most stupid of the king," Galadriel rebuked.

          "Oh, Gaddy, you should not worry so.  I was only jogging so Elrond could keep up."

Elrond rolled his eyes.

          " Of course, Ereinion, but twas I who was jogging.  You are the one that is worn out.  I guess Elves do age in some ways."

Ereinion waved a hand dismissively.

          " Think what you may, Peredhil.  Now, let us fly before we are swimming to land."

~*~

          They galloped through woods, and then along the Ered Luin (Blue Mountains), outrunning the flood behind them.

          " Let us build a camp.  It should not go much further," Ereinion said.

The king pitched in to help release the horses from their heavy burdens.  Elrond found a rock nearby and in the dying light, watched the orange waves consume the land like liquid fire.

          Elros sat beside him.

          " Are you still upset with me?"

Elrond shrugged.

          " Do not hide it, Elrond.  I know you are.  I sense it.  I am a part of you."

Elrond sighed, his eyes finding the Gil-Estel.

          " I am, but I have to get over it.  Ereinion sat me down and talked to me of it."

Elros chuckled.

          " I remember story time with the high king.  You hung onto his every word.  You still do."

          Elrond shrugged.  Elros sat, leaning against his back to also look up at the stars.  The wind ruffled their almost identical locks with a mournful sigh.  Elros finally sighed also.

          " Tomorrow Eönwë comes."

Elrond nodded.

          " I know.  I keep hoping I will wake up and find him just another nightmare."

          " I plan to tell him my choice, and then I will wed Cienna.  I was too late to the village.  They all died, except her."

Elros' voice choked.  Elrond dropped his head.  The village had been Elros' second home.  Elrond sat, turning to try and face his brother.

          " You love the Edain as I love the Elves.  We are different, and as much as I hate it, you will not be like me.  You never were."

          Elros grinned, throwing an arm around his brother's shoulders.

          " You will always be my brother.  No one can ever separate us truly," he shook his head, " Not even death.  We will meet again.  Death will try to tear us apart, but in vain.  The time may be long, but it gives us both something to look forward in this life."

          " Always optimistic, eh?" Elrond raised an eyebrow.

Elros nodded, with a mischievous smile.

          " Aye, I am not gloomy, like you."

Elrond pushed him with a laugh.

          Ereinion watched from afar, a piece of grass between his teeth.

*Good, they have made up.  They never could remain angered long at the other

Ereinion sighed.

*Eönwë arrives tomorrow.  Elrond shall remain with me, for I am the last relation; but Elros, I shall allow to live where he wishes.  I doubt it will be long before little Elros' are crawling around.

Ereinion's lips turned up at the mental picture.  His eyes darkened and his chest fell with a sad sigh.

          " How the years pass far too quickly."

~*~

          Elrond could see the standards and hear the hoof beats. Eönwë came into view. The Maia dismounted and the twins approached.

          " You have decided?"

They nodded.

          " Then go ahead.  Manwë, Mandos and Ilúvatar shall be your witnesses.  Elrond?"

          " Eldar."

          " Elros?"

Elros' lips faltered and trembled.  The words came out in a whisper.

          " Edain."

Eönwë looked up sharply.

          " Be you sure?"

Elros looked at Elrond.

*Tis your choice, Elros.  I will not hate you for it.  Follow your heart.

Elros smiled.

          " Yes, I will be Edain," his voice regained much of its strength.

Eönwë nodded.

          " So be it.  Tell your traveling party to ready themselves.  We are leading you."

          Elrond turned, beginning to speak to Ereinion.

          " Elros," Eönwë said softly.

Elros stayed.

          " Your decision was already known to us.  There is a settlement of men near where I will be leading the Elves.  I ask you to reside there, for you still have a part to play in Elvish history."

Elros shook his head.

          " Will Elrond take my death well?"

Eönwë's eyes darkened and he shook his head slightly.

          " You will live longer than any man, and he will believe maybe you are immortal.  You are not.  He will watch you fade from this land, and it will not be the last time he is left alone.  Tis his lot in life to not leave these shores until all he has gained is lost; and the thing most precious to him left behind here," Eönwë lowered his voice, " And you will never speak a word of this to him, henio (understand)?"

Elros nodded.

          " They are ready," Elrond rejoined them.

          " Then you two mount so we may be off.  Tis a long journey."

~*~

          They crossed a river called Lhûn four days later.  Ereinion surveyed the land on both sides with a nod.  It was beautiful here.

          " There is a mortal settlement at the end of these mountains.  There I will take you," Eönwë approached Elros and Cienna.

          " What?" Elrond's head darted up.

          " I must go reside with my own kind, Elrond."

          Elrond began to object.  Ereinion put a hand on his shoulder.  Elrond's shoulders slumped.

*Let him go, I know.

Ereinion could not muster a smile for the first time in his life.

          " May Varda bless you both," Ereinion said softly, " You are always welcome in my haven."

Elros smiled.

          " Thank you, Ereinion."

Elrond had crossed his arms.  He finally looked up at his brother with a nod.

          " Have a safe journey."

The two embraced.

          " Visit often."

          " Likewise to you."

          Elrond watched the small party move on.  He looked up at Ereinion.

          " You do not think we could arrange for Glorfindel to return so I could have Elros back, do you?"

Ereinion chuckled.

          " I do not think so, my friend.  I have let him go.  You must do the same."

Elrond sighed irritably, the words hitting a nerve.

          " I have let him go.  Now will you let me be about it?"

Elrond began to walk away.

          " Elrond Peredhil, turn around and come back here."

          Many heads turned at the king's commanding tone.  Elrond went on walking.

*Peredhil, you cannot escape me.  I will find you.

*Let me be.  I have no place to clear my mind and you certainly are not helping.

Ereinion clenched his jaw angrily.  He glanced at Círdan.

          " Send Elrond to me when he returns.  And make sure he comes straight to me."

~*~

          Elrond sat by the Sea.  He sniffed, letting the wind dry his eyes.  He had not cried since he had been shot in the shoulder, dislocating the joint.  There had been a good reason then, but now?  He shook his head.

          " I am to bloody emotional."

          " You have just let your brother leave you. You two have never been apart like this.  Tis understandable.  I felt the same way when I left my father and I still feel the same way when I leave Celeborn for a day.  You love him.  He is your twin.  There is something between you two no one else can have or understand."

          " I do not need a lecture, teacher."

          Galadriel tipped up his chin.

          " You need to stop acting like a child, Elrond Peredhil.  More Elves join us tomorrow.  I expect the king's shadow to be in his rightful place.  You hurt him.  You can be so much like Glorfindel at times, it pains him to be around you."
Elrond sighed, slowly coming back to his rational mindset.

          " I should not have snapped at him.  He bears with me."

          " He is your closest friend and you are the advisor he listens to the most.  Needless to say, not too many enjoy being outdone by you."

Elrond chuckled at the lunacy of his thought.

          " Elrond Peredhil the wise. Come to me and I will show you your future.  Gaze into my eyes and your secrets will be revealed."

Galadriel shook her head with an amused smile.  He stood, brushing the sand off his robes. 

          " Get you to Ereinion, boy."

Elrond sent her a rare real smile, dimples and all, on his way off.  Galadriel shook her head, standing herself.

*I will never understand why that boy does not have a legion of female followers.

~*~

          Elrond hesitantly entered the tent Gil-galad had hastily set up for himself.  The king never looked up as usual.

          " I do not condone childish behavior from my advisors," the cold tone made Elrond cringe.

          " I am sorry."

          Ereinion turned.

          " Elrond, understand this.  I know I am old to you, but I am trying to be your friend.  Have you noticed that all my other advisors outdo my age at least thrice fold, if not more?  There are none that now live that are near my or your age.  They have all passed over the Sea.  We are almost the same, yet, I doubt you really wish me as a friend."

Elrond quickly shook his head, noting the strain in Ereinion's voice.

          " Nay, twas I who was out of line. I did not mean to hurt you."

          Ereinion sighed.

*He is so much like-

          " I know.  Galadriel told me I am like him sometimes."

          " The pain never goes away," Ereinion abruptly turned back to the haven plans he was drawing, " Take a seat and help me with these."

          Elrond's lips turned up as he sat beside the king on the grassy floor, putting an arm around him.

          " I do not think someone has let go."

          " Elrond," Ereinion shrugged off his arm, sensing where this was going.

          " I do not believe you.  Now, Ereinion, you must-"

          " Ai, infuriating son of Eärendil," Ereinion pushed the Elf.

          " Me?"

          Ereinion rolled his eyes at the innocent look.

          " Innocent?  Do not even try to play that with me."

Elrond chuckled, glancing over at the plans.  His grin widened a little.

          " Is this to be two floors high?"

Ereinion nodded, a little confused as to why Elrond was asking.

          " They always are, Elrond."

          " Then I believe you are in need of a staircase.  Those are always nice when you have two stories."

Ereinion put a hand to his head, trying to shrug it off, while his cheeks began to burn at the stupid mistake.

          " I am the king of Arda, not a builder."

          " You forgot a staircase."

Ereinion waved a hand.

          " Just a small thing."

          " Until you try to get upstairs."

          " Would you let me be?"

Elrond chuckled.  Ereinion shook his head.

          " Sometimes I cannot believe I listen to your wisdom."

          Galadriel smiled, watching the two.  She had known all would be well with them after a quick apology.  They were the only family each other had, at least in the Elves.  She turned over, pressing herself closer to Celeborn.  Elves would be arriving soon.  She would need to be awake and able to greet them.  Who knew what surprises awaited in the morning?  They had no idea who would be arriving.