Erestor sat at the main table in the library pouring over an ancient text. On any normal day his concentration on the text in front of him would have been unbreakable, but on this day his mind wandered. He wondered if Fin's boat had docked and what kind of mood he was in. He wondered whether he was hurt, though he knew he was not seriously injured that did not mean he was entirely well. He also wondered if the rift he had caused with his lying could be mended; it was this thought more than any other that occupied his mind. He was just about to abandon his futile attempts at distracting his thoughts when Gil-Galad entered.

"Erestor," the High King said with a smile, "you have guests."

Erestor looked at Gil-Galad quizzically as he rose from his seat and took a few steps towards him. Seeing the two fair haired elves enter he stopped dead, the blood draining from his face. Recovering quickly he bowed low, "My Lord, My Lady."

All was silent for a long moment, the tension in the air palpable and briefly Gil-Galad wondered if he should intercede, knowing that nothing could have prepared them for such a meeting after so many years and so much grief.

"Such formality!" Galadriel scoffed in a rather un-lady-like fashion breaking the tension instantly, "Is there a need for such between kin? Let me look at you?" She moved to one side of Erestor who was looking uniquely uncomfortable under his Uncle's scrutinizing gaze. With a hand beneath his chin she moved his head, thus breaking the spell between the two. "You look so like your father, handsome and hale." She smiled at the blush that crept over his features at her compliment and embraced him soundly, emotions causing tears to spill from her eyes.

Turning towards Celeborn, who still stood upon the threshold of the room, she smiled. He walked swiftly forward then to embrace the younger elf who moved into the proffered arms uneasily. "Elurín." Celeborn sighed, he felt the younger elf stiffen slightly at his word and pulled back to look at him, "I think we need to talk."

Breaking apart Erestor gestured towards the seating area in an alcove towards the back of the library where they would not be disturbed. And as Celeborn and Galadriel moved to sit Erestor looked towards Gil-Galad who shook his head slightly signifying that he had no place in this reunion. With a last reassuring smile Gil-Galad slipped out of the door.

Celeborn sighed heavily as Erestor took a seat, "So many years and so much to talk of, I scarcely know where to start." Looking every inch the powerful Elven Lord, he continued, "We are glad to see you well, but I have to say that your deception was incredibly selfish Elurín, you do know that don't you?"

Galadriel opened her mouth to speak but Celeborn halted her, "This needs to be said! There has been too much deceit here already and I will not tolerate its continuation. I propose that we each say exactly what it is that we think and feel and so break this chain of lies."

Erestor sat unmoving, his face expressionless. When Celeborn's eyes turned to him once more he took a deep breath. "What you say is fair, I will not deny it but please understand that I did the best that I could, and if my decisions seem childish 'tis only because they were the decisions of a child and I had no counsel. It was many years after I reached this place that I came to learn that you had made it to the sea, before that time I thought myself utterly alone." Tears welled up in the dark eyes, but they did not spill.

Celeborn gulped, any desire he may have had to chastise dissipating instantly; Galadriel's hand reached out to take hold of Erestor's squeezing it gently in silent support.

"Oh Elurín," Celeborn sighed, "I do understand this, and while King Gil-Galad has given us some indication of what you have endured there is still much we do not know. I still see too easily the grief that beset Elwing when we thought you lost to us." Celeborn shook his head absently, "we will talk of this no longer at present, I think that this is a discussion for another day."

"Uncle, I would ask you to call me Erestor, it is odd to hear you call me by that name."

Celeborn looked stern, "indeed? I am told you will not suffer to be named Elurín, it saddens me that you would forsake your given name so readily."

"I have not forsaken my name, rather I hold it deep inside of me, it is who I am, but Erestor is also who I am, indeed I cannot remember a single occasion when Ada or Nana ever referred to me by that name. Elurín is forever twinned with Eluréd. Erestor is a new name for a new life that is all."

Celeborn smiled and nodded once in answer to his words, "Certainly it seems that King Gil-Galad has you well placed, as advisor and statesman, I warrant you could talk a dwarf out of his jewels! Those skills will suit well when you take up your father's title."

Erestor's eyes snapped up to meet Celeborn's in shock.

"You seem surprised? Long has your father's people waited for leadership, and now you are of age, there is no hindrance to that course."

Intense concentration showed on Erestor's face as if he were thinking very hard to find the solution to a particularly difficult problem.

"You must not fight this, my nephew, you are your father's son it is your duty to bring cohesion, hope and leadership to those elves that survived Doriath." Dropping his eyes to the floor he added, "And Arvernien."

"Who has led our people, since Doriath?"

Celeborn sat back in his chair the younger elf's words giving him pause for thought, "Things have been arranged differently since the flight from Doriath, with no rightful male heir, the governing of the lands upon which we settled was entrusted into the care of a council, and with the addition of the refugees from Gondolin, the council was expanded to include the Lords of that realm too."

Erestor looked thoughtful, "I see, and you believe this council is not acting in the best interest of our people?"

"I would not say that, the council has been effective in governing a diverse population from different Realms, though oftentimes the decision-making process is slow and heated."

Erestor nodded once, "And with the sack of Arvernien, the cities must be rebuilt." He said thoughtfully.

"Arvernien was raised to the ground and the elves there are disheartened. The news of your existence has travelled fast." At Erestor's startled look Celeborn raised a hand. "Do not look so, would you deny them hope in a time of great need? There is much talk of removing to Balar, and Gil-Galad and Círdan have given their assent to a settlement on this land."

Erestor's face showed a resolve of steel as he stated, "I will join the council but I will not take on my Father's title."

Celeborn looked at him stony faced. "That is not acceptable."

"Uncle, if the people of Doriath remove to Balar as you say, they put themselves under the lordship of King Gil-Galad and Lord Círdan. I would be a King without a land; there is no sense in that! A council will likely work much better. A council that can be expanded to include members of the Royal court will give us standing in the affairs of this land and give our people a voice where they would have none. And with all the changes that have been suffered, I believe that some continuation in leadership approach would be wise. I will take a place on the council, but I need no title."

Celeborn shook his head the corners of his mouth turning up in a slight smile. "I did not think to hear such wisdom from one so young, I will think on all you have said.

"Thank you uncle, now I must know, what news of my sister's sons?"

The slight droop in Celeborn's shoulders gave Erestor his answer, "there is no news, a force has been sent to scour the lands for any sign. They had not returned when we left, I daresay we should expect the worst." Both blonde elves looked thoroughly dejected and Erestor felt grief settle into his heart for the elflings he had never met.

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A/N

Faby – Thank you, I'm glad you liked the appearance of baby Lindir, this chapter should help to answer your question about Erestor's future.

Nessa Ar-Feiniel – thanks for your comments

RMC – RL is busy for me at the moment but I will be updating when I can

CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur – Please, no apology is necessary, I totally understand!