Elrond is leaving behind so many, but the head of the family must persevere.

Vilya is mine

Its power fades, the comforting warmth that has stood me throughout my days fades.

It is a ring of Power, though not The ring of Power.

It reminds me of my daughter.

Arwen Undomiel, the Evenstar. She is lost to us as Luthien was before her. What is about Men that makes them determined to take the best of our kind for them. Like my brother...

I have not thought of Elros for centuries, but now every time I see the ranger who stole my daughter I am reminded of him. Elros was like him, only more merry and musical. The thought of my daughter leaving me burns me deep inside, hurts me in that place that Elros occupies. His bones will be dust by now, his bright eyes closed.

I do not age, I do not sicken, but I hurt, deep down inside.

Elrond HalfElven stopped, and shut the book, laying down his quill.

His eyes were as bright and his hair as glossy as it had been on that day of the last alliance of men and elves. His face was not lined and aged with the passing of years. He stared down at his ring, at his last love.

"You and I alone go to meet my wife. I leave behind my daughter, my brother and so many friends."

Elrond wondered when he started talking to his ring.

The last ship to leave the Havens was waiting. Elrond waited till the last had boarded, desperately hoping his daughter would appear over the hilltop. The ship started to move.

Desperation came to the Elf's eyes and he cried out, using the last power from Vilya to send his cry ringing over the Havens.

"A im ú-'erin veleth lîn!"

"Ada." a voice nearby made Elrond start, but it was not the musical voice of his daughter. Elrohir stood at his side, his tall thin frame on par with his fathers. He touched him on the shoulder.

"Ada she will not come." Elrohir couldn't bear to see his father like this, and he felt a surge of fury at his sister, even though it took all his self-control not to cry.

"Ada, you will be at peace with Mama, we will be with you. Is that not enough?"

"Is it enough for you?" Elrond asked him musingly.

Elrohir lowered his head. "No, but I have Elladan, and…I fulfilled my vow to Mother."

Elrond shook his head and walked away.

I think you will find, my tall strong son(s)…that thoughts of how many orcs you have killed will not satisfy you as much as your sister would.

They do not even weep for Aragorn, who was their brother in their youth, and their brother-in-arms once grown to manhood.

Then, that is my job. I am the head of a family; technically I have just as much right to the throne of Gondor as my little Elessar does, the kingdom of Gondor…its been a long time since that was anything more than words. I am the brother of a King, I am the foster-father of a king, I am the father who is leaving his daughter to suffering and death, I am the elf who let his brother commit himself to death and pain. I could not save so many people…it is I who should weep.

Elrond HalfElven walked to the side of the ship, and plucked Vilya from his fingers. The last warmth was gone and it was little more than a pretty ring, inlaid with gems

"I give this to you, god of the seas. May it grace one of your creatures hands, may Vilya finally know what it is to be worn by a happy individual.

I cannot protect the Evenstar, and so I give my ring to you."

Elrond threw it high, and the sunlight caught on the gems and dazzled the elves, they shielded their faces. Mithrandir watched and said nothing.

And when it finally landed, with a slight plop and a ripple the elves looked around to see their Lord in tears.