Title: The Long Way Home, Chapter 2 (betaed)
Author: Sorsha711
Fandom/Pairing: Erestor/OFC, others implied
Rating: R
Warning: AU (Story set in Imladris 133 years after ROTK); Het.
Feedback: Constructive feedback appreciated.
Archive: AFF; FF
Acknowledgements: Thanks to Lady Victoria for betaing this fic.
Disclaimer: Anything you recognize belongs to Prof. Tolkien. Just because they come alive in my imagination doesn't make them mine. Sigh!
Summary: Erestor reflects on his life and loves as he completes his final duties as Imladris' Chief Counsellor --- a prequel to In the Garden
Chapter 2 – Tell Me a Story, Pez
Having finished his inspection of the offices that had served his many junior advisors, Erestor moved slowly down the hall to the door of the main library. He and Melpomaen had spent most of the preceding millennia preparing for the relocation of the great Library of Imladris to Aman. The brothers had despaired the possibility of completing this task. As Elrond's chief librarian, Melpomaen had overseen most of this work.
At their lord's direction, the rare and often-times only copies of the ancient history and lore sheltered there had been copied in exacting detail, so that they could leave behind a complete copy for the next inhabitants of the valley. The same had been done for the unparalleled medical collections housed in a smaller library near the Healing House and in the Music Library adjacent to the Hall of Fire. The hold of two of the ships that had sailed with Elrond had groaned under the burden of the items already ready for transport under his watchful eye. These massive collections had been Elrond's personal obsession for most of his life and he often felt they would be his only lasting legacy to Middle-earth… and perhaps, in Aman.
Still pondering this thought, Erestor stepped into the familiar peace of the library, the soaring ceilings seemingly held aloft by the endless rows of crowded shelves and cabinets. /He never realized how much he gave to this land… how much it owes to his many sacrifices. Mel and I have made it our personal mission to make sure the records are here that document that fact along with all the other sacrifices of our people. Elion understands and cherishes the importance of what we are leaving to his care. He takes great pride in the accomplishments of his great-grandfather and his eldar ancestors… a fitting heir to gwador nin, and to the line of the peredhil./ (my sworn brother)
Moving to stand behind his younger brother, he noted that Melpomaen was in the process of comparing the final inventory of the reshelved manuscripts, scrolls, and books that had been completed within the last few months. "Did we finish them all, muindor? There were so many to complete and I have been greatly worried we would not finish our task." (brother)
Nodding absently, Melpomaen held up his hand requesting a moment to complete his work before answering. Smiling at the familiar mannerism, one the younger elf had acquired millennia ago trailing around after his older brother, Erestor stepped away from the table and began to peruse the shelves that faced the main reading area. Spying a book of tales Elrond had written for children, he reached to pull it out for review.
/I thought this was one Naneth copied. Her script puts all of our efforts to shame for it is so fine… and her drawings have such life! I remember when Elrond first wrote this… Mel was but a tiny elfling and he wanted to use the stories he had told me when I was that age to help teach Mel… Mel and Glaurlas to read. That was so long ago…/
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Imladris, TA 3417
"Nay little one… do not lift your hand when you try to form the letter. You will blotch the ink and your script will be hard to read. See how Elrond has formed it in the book he wrote for you? Let me show you the motion one more time…" Erestor began, looking up from the parchment as he heard someone enter the library.
"Naneth? Did you need one of us?" Erestor inquired, noting the lines of worry and distress on her ageless face. Concerned, he quickly rose to hurry to her side. "Nana?"
Forcing a smile to her lips so as not to worry the young elfling labouring over his lettering, she whispered, "Aye, I need to speak with you ion, but this is not news Melpomaen needs to hear immediately." (son)
Nodding, he looked back at his brother. "Mel… Nana needs to speak to me in my study. I will return shortly. Please practice writing your name for me while I am away."
"Nana, will you came and see it when I am done? I am getting very good at writing, am I not, Wester?" the young one asked, his pride evident in his expressive face.
"Indeed, penneth. I am sure Nana and Ada will want to see how good you have become. Take your time and use your best hand, Mel. I will be back in a few minutes," Erestor instructed, laying a loving hand on the small head of the child.
Taking his mother's arm, the pair moved across the room to the doorway of his office. Once inside, he asked, "What has grieved you so, Nana? Is everything alright?"
Wiping a tear from her eye before she could begin to cry, she met her son's gaze. "Nay, it is not. I know of no other way to say this than to bluntly state what has happened. Glorfindel's sister, her husband, and their son were killed in an Orc raid. As you well know, they were on their way here to make their home with us. Only their daughter survived the attack, along with a several adults. Lord Gildor's company of travellers came upon the attack in time to save her and the others, but Lady Meluind and the others were already lost."
Deeply shocked by this news, he whispered a prayer for the departed fëar of his mentor and friend's family. "How is Glorfindel? This news will devastate him for he has been waiting with such joy for their arrival. His sister's family is all that is left of his immediate kin."(spirits)
Pulling her son into a fierce hug, Taerad replied, "He is as you would expect. After all, Glorfindel and Melu were the only members of their family to survive the crossing of the Helcaraxë. Lady Indril had to pull her to safety in the tunnel under Gondolin to stop her from going back to fight with him against the Balrog. Now to die… within little more than a day's ride of our sanctuary. Elrond and your father are with him, but he is inconsolable."
Hugging her in return, he vowed, "He has us and we will help him with the care of his niece. Is she unharmed?"
"The scout Gildor sent ahead says she is deeply in shock having seen… what happened to her mother and brother. Her father died trying to defend her, using his body to shield her to his death," his mother informed him. "They should arrive later today. She is but two years younger than Melpomaen, so it will comfort her to have someone her own age to befriend her."
"I had so hoped he would have his childhood free of the need to comfort another's grief. He is so young." Sighing, he glanced through the door at his young brother. "What is her name?"
"Glaurlas… her name is Glaurlas," she replied.
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"We did it, tôr!" Turning, he found Melpomaen had completed his review of the lists and had risen to join him by the shelves. "I have been through the list of materials to be copied and it seems all have been completed! I too had worried we would not finish in time." (brother)
Smiling, he replaced the book on the shelf before clasping the younger elf's shoulder. "Well done! Your scribes have worked hard to complete this task. Elion will be pleased to know he will have a complete copy of his great-grandfather's libraries. He has brought us copies of documents we lacked to take with us. I have the list of these items his chief advisor gave me upon his arrival. We will need to resist the temptation to open the crates bearing them until we reach Aman! Elrond will quite pleased to see what we bring."
"Then it would be a good idea if we ask Cirdan to have them placed on one of the other ships than the one in which we will sail! Neither of us could resist their lure otherwise." Laughing, Melpomaen throw his arm over Erestor's shoulders and led him toward the door. "Come, Lord Counsellor. The day wanes and we have much yet to do… like join our family for a final picnic by the river before we sail!"
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Settling against the broad truck of a tree, Erestor watched a tiny, golden-haired elleth sitting by the river playing with her dolls. The beauty of her features was a pleasing blend of several members of her family, but reminded him most keenly of her great-great-uncle, Glorfindel. Feeling his eyes upon her, she looked up and smiled… a smile that melted hearts and brightened the dreariest of days. With the awkward grace of a toddler, she pushed herself to her feet and tottered to his side.
"Tell me a story, pez."
Grinning, he lifted her to sit in his lap. "A story? Humm… let me think. What story should I tell…"
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Imladris, SA 3420
He felt a small hand tap his shoulder and he looked over to find he had been joined by his newest pupil. "Suilad, Glaurlas. How may I help you?" (Greetings)
The second book of stories for elfling Elrond had written appeared from behind her back. "Would you read me a story, pez Wester?"
Noting the lingering shadows that darkened her sky-blue eyes, he set his own book to the side and accepted the large volume. Shifting to make room for her in his lap, he smiled as he offered, "I think I can manage that. Come and sit with me so that we can read one together."
Grinning, the tiny elleth clamoured into his lap. "I cannot read, Wester. Mel calls me a baby because I cannot read as much as he can."
"Does he now? Well, remember Mel is two years older and he can only read a little more than you, so fret not, penneth." Giving her a quick hug, he continued. "You will soon surpass him if you continue to progress as you have in the last year. I am very proud of you, for you are a very good student." (young one)
A beaming smile turned in his direction, causing the corners of his mouth to lift of their own accord. "I am going to learn all there is and be as wise you and Elrond. Do you think he will let me be his advisor too?"
"Ah, so you plan to be an advisor like my Naneth. That is a worthy goal, Glaurlas. Do I need to worry you will replace me as Chief Counsellor?" he asked, careful to keep his amusement from showing.
Giggling, the elfling shook her head. "You are so silly, Wester! Nobody could take your place! Elrond needs you. Besides, I will be too busy to be chief counsellor, so I will be a regular advisor."
Grinning now that she had, he asked, "While I am relieved to know my position is not in jeopardy, what other tasks will you have that will take so much of your time?"
"Taking care of our elflings, of course! We will have five elflings… or maybe more, so I will be very busy taking care of them," she replied, turning to settle into his lap. "I want to read the story about the elleth with golden-hair that lived in the woods and took care of the baby rabbits. Can we read that one, Wester?"
Chuckling, he gave her another hug. "Aye we can, but is not five elflings rather a large number for us to have?"
Shaking her head firmly, Glaurlas replied. "Nay. Five is just right. You will be a very good adar."
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A small hand tugged at his tunic. "Are you not going to tell me a story, Adar'ra?" (Grandfather)
Startled back to the present, he bent to press a kiss to the top of her golden head. "Indeed, I will, Collant. Let me see. How about one your Naneth'ra liked… the story of the elleth that lived in the woods and…" (Grandmother)
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New cast members:
Elion (star son) – the new Lord of Rivendell, the second son of Eldarion and great-grandson of Elrond
Meluind (lovely heart) –Glorfindel's sister
Glaurlas (Golden leaf) – Glorfindel's niece
Collant (Golden gift) – Erestor's granddaughter