Chapter III: An Unexpected Homecoming
Elerrina began her search for her father's home the moment she entered Rivendell. She remembered him saying that it was near the bridge, yet she searched and searched and still could not find it. She glanced up and saw a lovely elleth nearing her. Perhaps, she will know where his home is.
"Pardon me, my lady," Elerrina began. The maiden stopped and smiled at her. Elerrina gave her a nervous smile and continued, "I am searching for the house of Gilorn. Do you know where it is?"
The elleth stared at her blankly for a moment before her eyes brightened in recognition. "Oh, yes. His home is the third one past the bridge."
Elerrina smiled at her. "Thank you, my lady."
The elleth smiled and gave a slight nod before departing. Elerrina walked toward the bridge, and stopped before the house that the elleth had mentioned. She studied the house with fascination. It was small, yet large enough to be comfortable. Elerrina grimaced at the condition of the garden. It appeared that it had not been tended in some years, for it was overgrown with weeds that had choked the life out of all the other living plants.
Elerrina sighed and walked up to the door. She raised a trembling hand to the door and knocked, but as she did, the front door opened with a loud creak. Elerrina frowned and stepped inside the house. She called out several times, but received no answer. She walked farther into the house and was shocked by what she saw. The entire house was in disarray. The furnishings were covered in dust, and the house itself was musty and smelled of disuse. Elerrina could feel her anger begin to rise as she continued to look around. No one had lived in this house for several years! She sank down into an old, wooden chair. Her father had left without so much as a word to her! She sighed angrily. Where had he gone? She glanced around the room, and her gaze rested upon a small desk. She frowned as she saw a piece of parchment lying on top. She walked over and picked up the parchment and was surprised to find her name written at the top in her father's familiar scrawl.
My dearest Elerrina,
If someday you read this, you must understand why I had to leave. I have departed for the Grey Havens and for Valinor. The grief over losing your mother has become so great that I feel I shall perish if I do not leave these shores. The house and all of its contents belong to you now. I love you so much, princess, and it breaks my heart to leave without saying farewell to you. I tried to send you a letter so many times explaining this to you, but I could not bring myself to hurt or disappoint you again. I only hope that one day you will understand why I had to leave, and that one day you will be able to forgive me. I love you, my Elerrina. Never forget that.
Elerrina clenched the parchment in her hand and began to weep. He said he loved me, yet he left me. Why did he not take me with him? She continued to cry, but a bitter anger soon replaced her tears. No! He left me as a child, and now he has left me again! I cannot forgive him now. She sighed heavily. Perhaps, I never shall.
She looked around the house in dismay. It would take days to clean. She sighed. Perhaps even longer, for she was not very skilled at cleaning. She grimaced at the dirt and grime that covered everything and shook her head. I have nowhere else to go, so I must stay here. Her mouth curved into a wry smile. Even though this place is not even fit for mice. She slowly began picking up furniture and cleaning the house as well as she was able to. She sighed heavily. This was not going to be easy.
Elerrina spent several days cleaning her father's home, until she deemed it presentable. To most Elves it would still be considered messy, but to her it was quite adequate. She smiled wryly. She had never been one to enjoy an immaculately clean house; rather, she preferred the house to be comfortable.
One morning, she went for a walk through the city, desperate to be away from that house for a while. She walked aimlessly, just reveling in the beauty of Rivendell. The trees and waterfalls were wondrous, and many exquisite statues and fountains were scattered throughout the city. One particular statue caught her eye. It was of a lovely elleth with sad, piercing eyes. Her hand was extended, reaching for some unknown soul, and a single tear lay upon her cheek. Elerrina was studying the statue so intently that she did not see the ellon heading straight for her. He jarred her and nearly knocked her from her feet, yet he did not stop his hurried pace. Elerrina regained her balance and glared after the ellon.
"Did you not see me standing here?" she called angrily.
The ellon froze and turned back to her. He stared at her for a moment before walking over to her.
"I apologize for my rudeness, my lady," he said hurriedly. "Are you all right?"
Elerrina looked at the ellon in surprise. He was continuously shifting his weight from side to side, seemingly unable to stand still. He kept glancing around, as if expecting someone to come and rebuke him for pausing in his errand for a moment. She shook her head slightly. He was the most harried Elf she had ever seen.
"I am uninjured," she said.
"Very good," he said, and continued walking.
Elerrina stared after him. He seemed so distressed and busy that she pitied him. Perhaps there is something I can do to help.
"Pardon me," she called after him. He stopped and turned to look at her with nervous annoyance. She walked over to him and smiled. "Is there something I can do to aid you?"
The ellon stared at her in surprise for a moment before answering. "Not unless you are a scribe," he said hopelessly.
Elerrina smiled at him. "I am a scribe."
The ellon reached out and caught her arm, startling her. "Truly?" he asked.
"Yes. How can I aid you?"
The ellon grinned at her. "Thank the Valar! Come with me, my lady."
He began pulling her along, and she followed quickly after him. "I am Elerrina," she told him.
"Celeblas. How long have you been a scribe?"
"Many years, Celeblas. I have just left a position with Lord Faervell of Mirkwood."
This seemed to please Celeblas even more. "There are several lords in need of a scribe. I am currently working as a scribe for all of them, but I have become unable to accomplish all of the tasks that they require." He stopped and studied her for a moment. "Lord Glorfindel is in need of a scribe, as is Lord Erestor."
"Which one needs the most assistance, Celeblas?"
Celeblas gave her an uneasy smile. "Lord Erestor. He is the most... difficult."
Elerrina frowned. Of course. She gave Celeblas a confident smile. "I would be most happy to assist him."
Celeblas grinned and began pulling her along with him. They entered the palace of Lord Elrond and walked down a long corridor. Celeblas stopped before a large door and knocked nervously.
"Enter," a cold voice called from inside.
Celeblas opened the door and pulled her inside with him. Elerrina found herself facing a handsome, yet very annoyed dark-haired Elf. Celeblas bowed before him.
"Lord Erestor, this is Lady Elerrina. She is interested in becoming a scribe for you."
Celeblas bowed again and walked towards the door. He gave her an appreciative, yet pitying smile and quickly left the room.
Elerrina watched him leave and returned her attention to Lord Erestor. She started slightly as she found his dark eyes boring into her own. She frowned. She knew that he was trying to intimidate her, but she was not going to let him.
"I would be most happy to assist you, my lord," she said, her voice calm.
Erestor stared at the elleth before him. She looked young and naive. What could she possibly know about being a scribe to a lord of Rivendell?
"Have you ever worked as a scribe before?"
The maiden nodded. "Yes, my lord. My most recent position was under Lord Faervell of Mirkwood. I served with him until I came to Rivendell."
Erestor stared at her in surprise for a moment, but quickly hid it behind a mask of arrogance. He glared at her again, trying to intimidate her, but she seemed unaffected.
"This will not be an easy position. If that is what you were expecting, I suggest you leave now." The maiden did not move. "I will expect you to be here at sunrise, and you will not leave until I release you. You will perform every task I require of you without question, and you will do it quickly."
Elerrina nodded. "Yes, my lord. I shall do all that you have asked."
"Very well then. The position is yours. I will expect you here tomorrow morning at sunrise."
"Yes, my lord." Elerrina nodded to him and left the room. She closed the door behind her and leaned heavily against it. What have I gotten myself into?
