Disclaimer: It all belongs to Tolkien.
Written for the 30 kisses LJ community.
The Other Side
Elrond looked out over the side of the white ship. Tol Eressëa would soon be in sight. He could see Celebrindal again, and maybe his parents or Elrénion. Yet a feeling of unrest still stirred within him. The journey had been uneventful so far, his thought occupied with his travelling companions rather than their safe passage through the Straight Road. Bilbo's health was failing. Ill and elderly when they left, the ceaseless passage of time did not care to acknowledge that the world seemed always the same amid the lapping waves. Frodo was also ill, unused to the slight rocking of the boat over the waves and worried for the health of his long-lived uncle. But they were almost there, almost safe in the land of healing. So why did Elrond's heart still beg to turn back?
There was another. A new lover after Gilgalad fell, after Celebrian sailed these same waters to a new life. An elf as wise and playful as the both of them together. Glorfindel. Who was left behind, content in the failing halls of Imladris. He promised to stay and watch over Arwen until she succumbed to the mortal weakness of time. He promised to stay until his son's choices were made. He promised to stay until Elrond had met his past again. Until he made his choice.
Elrond did not want that. But it was too late. The waves washed against the shores of Valinor in pure plumes of spray. Too late now. Too late.
