AN: In this chapter, we will be spanning many years, so if I do not put a year up, it is not because I do not know, it is just the year is not too important in the happenings to me. 

Chapter 11

C.500 year of the Second Age

                  Ereinion was strangely subdued at dinner one evening.  He approached Elrond slowly, nodding to the Elf.  Elrond quickly ended his conversation seeing the grave seriousness in the king.

                  " We should talk."

Elrond joined him, both clad with the shining mark of Fingolfin for Amroth had come to visit again.

                  " A shadow grows in my mind.  What have you to say of this?  You were far too quiet at the council yesterday."

                  " Something is rising in Middle-Earth," Elrond looked up, his eyes well-guarded, " And it is far from good.  I see death and destruction as his hobbies.  He will come fair in face and we will all be deceived until the moment he draws a sword to smite us all into ruin."

Ereinion rubbed his jaw, his lips turning up just a bit.

                  " Hmm, a very cheery message from my always cheery advisor.  Just what I needed to brighten my day."

Elrond shook his head, a smile never gracing his lips.  Ereinion was instantly serious when Elrond sighed.

                  " What else?"

Elrond looked up with a slight shrug.

                  " There is a reason I have begun fortifying Lindon better."

Ereinion waited.

                  " Go on, Elrond."

                  " It has already begun."

~*~

                  "Mithril, Ereinion, Mithril.  Tis a beautiful metal.  Please, let us go there.  Become friends with the dwarves," Celebrimbor pleaded.

Ereinion rubbed his jaw wearily.

                  " Something is stirring.  Evil comes again.  I-"

                  " You would not let me go because you have a notion evil rises?"

                  " Hold your tongue.  Ereinion is king, not you," Celeborn challenged calmly from his seat, twirling a pencil between his fingers.

He looked up at Celebrimbor across from him, awaiting a snide remark.

                  " It should have been mine.  I would be king now, had not my uncle been a fool."

                  " Silence," Galadriel stood, finally irritated at their continuous squabble, " I am tired of hearing you two argue.  The crown is rightfully Ereinion's, Celebrimbor.  You know it.  Maedhros forfeited his right.  End of story.  Can we please stay on topic?"

                  " What do you think of letting the Elves leave?" a counselor asked suddenly.

                  Galadriel licked her lips.  She sighed, her expression that of one about to betray their best friend.

                  " I would wish to be in that group," her voice was unusually soft, before it increased as she retook her seat hastily, " But it is not my place to leave.  I am not the young warrioress I was when the world was new.  Things have changed."

                  " So you would not go because you do not wish to anger Celeborn?" Celebrimbor's smug smile infuriated her.

                  " There are other factors, such as the company," Galadriel shot back, turning so one hand rested in the crook of Celeborn's arm, " Leastways, you have never wed, Celebrimbor.  You would not know the reasons why I remain by my husband's side."

                  Ereinion put a hand to his head.  This was getting out of control.  He had already banned swords since Celebrimbor's fiery hair matched his temper at times.  He glanced at Elrond and then shook his head.  The half-elven was leaned forward, almost gleefully watching as he drummed his finger together.  Ereinion smacked his shoulder.  Elrond's head snapped up with an annoyed look.

*You look like a two year old on their begetting day.

Elrond shrugged.

*I want to see this.

                  During their conversation, Celebrimbor had mumbled something.  Galadriel stood, leaning over the table dangerously.

                  " What did you say?"

Celebrimbor stood also, leaning over so they were face to face, and yet his voice carried to all.

                  " You shared his bed before rings were even in the mold. You tell me why you stay, but I already figured it out; and it has nothing to do with love, and everything to do with the physical."

Celeborn jumped to his feet with a protest, though both his and Galadriel's faces had flushed.  No one noticed Ereinion.  He shook his head.  He had had enough.

                  Ereinion slammed his palms on the table, using them to help him stand.  The room had become dead silent.  His piercing and irritated gaze landed on the three standing, before going on to include every council member.

                  " I do not care how much any of you hate another.  This is my council.  I will not have my advisors behaving like children.  If you cannot put your differences aside one day a week, then I do not need you on this council.  There is the door.  That also goes for wanting to see blood spilt in a council, Elrond."

                  Elrond held up his hands innocently as a soft chuckle swept around.

                  " Do not blame me.  You put me with Glorfindel to better my sword skills."

Ereinion shook his head, returning his attention to the three.

                  " Now, Celebrimbor, you owe Galadriel and Celeborn an apology."

Celebrimbor was taken aback.  Galadriel sent him a smug smile, sitting back down.  Ereinion's cold eyes turned to her.

                  " And you, Nerwen and Teleporno, you owe Celebrimbor apologies."

Her smile faded into distaste.

                  " Ereinion."

                  Ereinion help up his hands before pounding them at the flurry of words exiting three mouths simultaneously.  Elrond quietly moved his chair back from the trembling hands that pounded so harshly against the wood.  He was afraid his head might be next.

                  " Apologize."

Mumbles were heard from both sides.  Ereinion sat back down.

                  " Draw a chair back up, Elrond, so we can continue."

Ereinion leaned back, listening to the scraping of the chair for a moment.  He glanced back at Elrond.

                  " You decide.  My mind is too muddled."

Elrond rested his chin in his fists, nearly laying his head on the table.  He turned his gaze to Celebrimbor.

                  " Answer this hypothetical question for me please, Celebrimbor.  Suppose Ereinion allows this quest to befriend the dwarves and set up a fortress there.  Would you be willing to lead this band?"

~*~

                  Ereinion closed the door of his study with a relieved sigh.

                  " I cannot believe you just rid us of Celebrimbor."

Elrond bowed with a laugh.

                  " Tis a gift, though I guess I shall not see his head whacked off anytime soon."

                  " Maybe one day, if you are lucky," Ereinion chuckled.

                  A knock came.

                  " Yes?"

Galadriel entered, an apologetic smile upon her oval face.

                  " I am sorry, Ereinion, for getting out of hand.  That Elf infuriates me beyond belief.  Thank you for allowing him to leave."

Ereinion hugged her.

                  " He will never be free of his need for you."

Galadriel nodded.

                  " I know.  Celeborn knows it also and it pains him.  He does not speak it, but he fears I will turn from him."

Ereinion touched her shoulder.

                  " He lied when he spoke that slander of you and Celeborn before the rings, I believe.  I do want him to write a letter…"

Galadriel had raised a hand, shaking her head.

                  " He spoke no ill."

Both Ereinion and Elrond could do nothing but stare.  Galadriel played with the bottom of her sleeve.

                  " Well, if you will excuse me, I, um, I just must leave."

She brushed out.  Ereinion collapsed in his chair; jaw still agape, before rubbing his head in disbelief.

                  " Far too much information for my innocent mind.  Far, far too much."

~*~

                  Elrond watched the group of Noldor and few Sindar set out eastwards.  He sighed.

*All I see is death in that place, in Eregion; for that is what they shall name it.  So many shall lose their lives.

His gaze found the leader easily.

*You, son of Curufin, you shall plead for death before the end, but thankfully your heart shall remain loyal to the Elves you love.  I suspect you have a large part to play in what shall come about.  Fare thee well, for the power you shall find will consume every part of your being.

~*~

                  Elrond pulled out a map, bending over it.  Ereinion glanced at him oddly from his own desk.  Elrond closed his eyes, reliving the vision.  His finger moved south, following the Anduin and then over a mountain range.  Elrond opened his eyes, studying the place.

                  " This is his fortress," Elrond whispered, " Mordor."

                  Ereinion only shook his head.  Elrond had grown strange of late.  He did not sleep any more than he had to, spending all his time pouring over maps and books.

                  " Ereinion, what ever happened to Morgoth's lieutenant, Sauron?"

Ereinion shrugged.

                  " He probably went over the Sea to be judged."

~*~

                  " Ereinion, there is a Maia here that wishes to see you," Elrond said.

Ereinion glanced at Elrond.

                  " Why did you not permit him in?"

Elrond glanced around at the many Elves milling about.

                  " He," Elrond lowered his voice, " His eyes unsettle me.  He is fair and looks plenty like the pictures of Melian, but his eyes are cold and do not look the same as Eönwë's."

Ereinion rubbed his chin.

                  " Where is he?"

                  " I met him on my way back from the mouth of the river at Círdan's haven.  He wishes entrance here, but I said to wait."

Ereinion was busily tying his hair back.

                  " I needed to get out today leastways.  Let us go meet this visitor."

~*~

                  " Hail, my lord, Ereinion Gil-galad, high king of the Elves."

Ereinion was immediately on guard.

*Why is a Maia treating me as if I am higher than he?

                  " Master Elf," Ereinion nodded cordially, before bidding the Maia to enter a tent with him. 

                  Elrond stood with his back at the door, almost like a guard.  Ereinion sat, once again bidding the Maia to do the same.

                  " What is your name and why have you come?"

                  " I am Annatar.  Lord Manwë sent me to further the Elves' with their knowledge."

Ereinion poured his guest a glass of wine and then himself, taking the time to think over those words.  Elrond had even glanced back with a confused look.

                  " I thought it was Manwë's wish to see his people back in Aman, not to have us linger here where things decay and die."

Annatar took a sip of wine.

                  " If you are to linger here, then he wishes it to at least be pleasant.  I have heard much of your jewel smiths.  I wish to be admitted into Lindon to see the crafts there."

                  Ereinion's eyes met Annatar's.  As Elrond had said, something lurked in them, something that unsettled Ereinion also.  Ereinion leaned over the table.

                  " No."

Annatar was clearly taken back.  At that moment, Ereinion felt the onset of some form of Elvin magic.  He shook his head, clearing it.

                  " Why not?" the voice was like honey.

Ereinion was trying to fight the urge to say yes; to invite the Maia into his home.  Ereinion stood up, upsetting his glass and the small table.  Elrond spun around, thinking ill had been done.  Ereinion put up a hand, before rubbing his head.  He turned two fiery eyes to Annatar.

                  " Take yourself and leave this area.  If I hear of you in this area, I will personally imprison you myself."

                  " But why?"

Ereinion leaned over.

                  " I do not know why you have really come, but it is not why you say."

                  " You are calling me a liar?"

                  Elrond's hand went to his sword.  The Maia looked as if he was ready to pull out his sword also.  In a flash, Elrond parried the Annatar's sword.  Elrond held his sword steady at Annatar's neck.

                  " The king is weary of your presence.  I ask that you leave."

Annatar resheathed his sword, scowling a bit before leaving.  Ereinion rubbed his throat with a sigh.  He clutched Elrond's shoulder harshly before shaking his head.

                  " Remind me to thank Glorfindel for teaching you and quickening your reflexes.  I saw my long life flash before my eyes."

~*~

                  Celebrimbor greeted the fair Elf.

                  " Welcome to Eregion.  I am Celebrimbor, lord of this."

                  " Maybe I will find a more friendly audience with you than your king.  He ordered me from Lindon at sword point.  He fears evil so much, the city is walled."

Celebrimbor nodded sympathetically.

                  " I know what you are saying.  Please…"

                  " Annatar," the Maia supplied.

                  " Annatar, then, please, come, let me hear why you have come from Aman."

                  " I am indebted to you."

~*~

                  Ereinion pulled out a sheaf of paper and slammed it on Elrond's desk.  The half-elven jumped in surprise, but quickly picked up a quill.

                  " Transcribe a letter for me, Elrond," Ereinion began to pace, " To the Elves of Eregion from Ereinion Gil-galad, son of Fingon and high king of the Elves.  Greetings," he paused, taking a deep breath, " I hope this letter finds you well, for the news I have received of your city leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.  With all formalities aside, I come to you, asking you to be wary of the one called Annatar.  Yes, as he has probably spoken, I refused him here personally.  I urge you to simply beware, and to also return to Lindon.  Thank you."

Elrond looked up when the pause was not filled with more words.

                  " Is that all?"

A smile formed on Ereinion's lips.

                  " Post Script for Celebrimbor's ears and eyes only: Galadriel and Celeborn expect their first child later this year."