The same day that Lómëmir, Vaneldur, Legolas, and Morion arrived in the city, so too did a plethora of Elves from Lorien and Imladris. After the welcome feast, at which Lómëmir was not present though she was welcome to join them, Gandalf took Elrond aside briefly to tell him of who was in the city. Elrond looked very interested and followed Gandalf's directions immediately. It had been many years since Elrond had seen or heard from his cousin.

When Lómëmir answered his knock, Elrond almost did not recognize her. She invited him into her suite where she finally lit the candles, lighting the room that was dark since the sun had fallen. The Half-elf tried not to show his concern for his dear cousin immediately, choosing to rather talk about the days since she had departed Rivendell. With small talk spent, Elrond had assessed a great deal of pain residing in his cousin's heart. She was certainly nothing like the strong (and often head-strong) yet cheerfully spirited Elf who had been like a sister to Elrond, especially through their correspondences after Celebrian sailed West.

"What is it that gives you such anguish, my cousin?" Elrond asked her concernedly.

Lómëmir turned her gaze away. "Can nothing be hidden from your eyes?"

"Very few things can for any length of time, but most especially not in my own kin. How comes it that you are in Minas Tirith in the first place?" he asked, trying to let her work up to what really troubled her.

"I was in Ithilien when i met your foster son," she said, purposely leaving out the part about being found unconscious to keep Elrond from panic. "I had his welcome to come to the city in my search for... my love," she finished in a whisper. It hurt to think of what she knew Vaneldur would have to go through soon.

Elrond's eyes brightened at this prospect. "A love have you? Well, who is he? Any Elf i know?"

"Did i say he was an Elf?" she said, almost annoyed at her cousin's assumption.

Elrond sighed. "Not you too? Must i lose all of my family to mortal Men?"

'No, Elrond, i would be lost without him,' she silently thought, forgetting that Elrond had the ability to communicate through thought.

"Fair enough. Who is he, pen-neth?" he asked teasingly.

"Saes, Elrond," she said rolling her eyes. "Have you met the Captain of Ithilien?"

Elrond looked either shocked, confused, or both. "You speak of Faramir?" he asked before realizing that she meant the new Captain. "No, what was that lad's name? He is from Dol Amroth, correct?"

"Yes, Dol Amroth," she replied. "His name is Vaneldur, as you would know, had you paid any attention."

Elrond frowned slightly. "Well, i suppose i can not disapprove of that, but all the same.... Surely he is not the source of your sorrow? If he is, i did bring Hadafang."

Lómëmir's stare told him that she did not appreciate his dry humor. "He is not anything of the sort, Elrond," she said firmly. Slowly her firmness faded though. There was far too much for her to speak of, especially with her cousin's daughter being married on the morrow. But she assuaged Elrond by telling him that it was simply that the years had begun to weary her, knowing that her cousin could relate well enough to that sentiment.

For the next week, Lómëmir was able to hide all sign of sorrow as all of Gondor rejoiced of their new King and Queen. Lómëmir found herself somewhat jealous of Arwen's ability to choose between mortality and immortality. Lómëmir certainly knew what her choice would have been with each glance at Vaneldur, but then she realized that it was likely best that she was not given that choice, for she would surely not have lived even this long if hers had been a mortal life. She knew she was fading fast as it was and that the choice she faced was either to sail West much sooner than she had planned, or to be taken to the Halls of Mandos. Either way, Middle-earth had not the resources to support her Elven life for any more then maybe another several decades.

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pen-neth - little one

saes - please

Yes, short, fluffy, hardly counts for a chapter at all, i know. But seeing as next chapter comes right along with it....