Chapter Nine: The Doomsman's Decision

The next two weeks passed in a similar manner; Elrond accompanied his father dutifully to the Isle of Balar, followed surreptitiously by Lórien, Elwing, and her young sons. The Vala showed himself every so often, primarily to remind Elrond not to reveal anything about the Fëanorians until further notice.

The elf was true to his word, and said nothing. But all the while a thought harried at him. His father was sailing to Valinor to ask help from the Valar; yet two of them were here in Sirion. Why not ask them, and spare himself the grief of leaving his wife and children behind?

There was nothing else for it, Elrond decided. He would have to confront either Mandos or Lórien, and get some answers. And he would do it tonight.

----

Eärendil was lost in thought as he aimlessly roamed his house. Lord Elrond was indeed a strange character. Just how had he managed to win the Valar's favor? What had occurred between them the first day Lord Lórien had appeared on the Isle of Balar?

And why did he have such nagging doubts about the whole thing?

Eärendil pondered his mission. Why was he sailing to Valinor in the first place? To bring a message to the Valar, and to seek their aid. But… were not two of the ones he sought right here, under his very nose?

Of course – it all became clear. Why cross the sea and leave his wife and children behind, when he could simply approach either Lord Lórien or Lord Mandos here, and ask counsel from them?

That was what he would do, Eärendil resolved. Now, he would only have to find them…

----

That evening two elves, father and son, both of them unaware of the other, crept through the house of Eärendil with a common goal. Both had seen Lord Mandos pass; neither saw the other.

Mandos saw them both.

He waited. The elves came nearer still, hastening toward him and each other… they both drew breath, preparing to shout…

"Lord Mandos!"

The cry was of two voices; each was shocked to hear the other, even as they came face-to-face, a few feet away from the patient Doomsman. A strange, concurrent conversation occurred as they both began speaking together.

"What are you doing here? Looking for Lord Mandos – I wanted to ask him about you!"

"Ask away," said Mandos calmly. There was a hint of amusement in his deep voice.

Both elves turned, bowing respectfully. Elrond was the first to address their companion.

"Lord Mandos," he began hesitantly, "I wonder whether I might have a word with you, in private…"

"Yet considering what I have just heard, you both seem to require knowledge about each other," he replied. "Come with me, both of you."

Eärendil and Elrond shared a quick glance, then shrugged and followed him back down the hall. Why bar the door when opportunity was knocking?

----

Mandos closed the door softly behind Elrond as he came into the room behind his father and the Doomsman. Both elves seated themselves at a desk, patiently waiting for the Vala to speak.

Mandos did not address them at once; he instead sent out a thought to Lórien, whom he sensed was nearby. I require your assistance, brother.

Yes? Lórien replied calmly, appearing in the room in a swirl of grey.

Mandos smiled and spoke aloud to his brother. "I wonder whether you might assist me."

"Of course," the Dream-lord said pleasantly. "How may I help?"

"It would be of great help to me," the Doomsman told him, "if you would give counsel to Eärendil regarding his inquiries about Elrond, while I do the same with Elrond."

Lórien nodded, smiling. "I would be glad to."

"Very well."

Mandos beckoned for Elrond to rise, starting toward the door. The elf silently followed him out, casting a glance back at his father as he did.

The Vala led Elrond to a vacant chamber, where the elf sat at a desk and tried to organize his thoughts while Mandos waited. He didn't want to say the wrong thing.

"My lord," he said at length, "I have been wondering lately about… about my father."

"And?" Mandos urged him to continue.

Elrond drew a deep breath. This was it… the moment of truth.

"I was thinking… Father is sailing to Valinor not only because he hears the call of the sea day and night, but also because he wishes to ask you for help concerning the Fëanorians. He doesn't know that they won't attack for four years.

"But he still needs to deliver the message, and since you're here, I was thinking that perhaps he could just give you the message, and you could pass it on to the other Valar, instead of having Father cross Belegaer and leave Mother, and my – my brother and I, behind…"

Elrond faltered. Mandos' expression hadn't changed in the least. Those dark eyes seemed to be boring into him, seeing what was in his mind and heart as well as on his tongue. He squirmed inwardly, waiting for the Doomsman to say something, anything.

"And what would you suggest?" Mandos asked him.

Elrond swallowed the lump in his throat. He had had this all figured out, but where were the words to say?

"Well," he began hesitantly, feeling extremely ill at ease, "my point is…"

"Yes?"

Elrond forced himself to meet the Vala's calm eyes. "If… if my father must cross the sea and become a star, then couldn't he spend a little more time here in Sirion? Not with me specifically," he added quickly. "This is as much for my mother and brother as it is for me. Couldn't he stay for, maybe… two years?"

There. He'd said it. Now for judgment.

Mandos' face remained impassive for a moment, and then he spoke.

"Two years," he repeated. "With four years until the Fëanorians will attack."

"Yes," Elrond affirmed. His voice came out in nearly a whisper, completely lacking any semblance of conviction.

"And would you be willing to part with him after that time? You know full well that there will be no change of mind."

"I have counted the cost," Elrond replied. "I am willing."

Mandos nodded. "I must first discuss this with my brother. There are other queries to be answered."

"I can wait," Elrond replied.

----

"What is it you wish to know?" Lórien inquired.

Eärendil sighed. "There is a fair amount."

"Go on."

Eärendil nodded. "First things first… I wish to know about Valinor. I know that I must deliver a message to your kin, the Valar, but must I leave my wife and sons to do it? I came looking for you tonight because I thought I might be able to pass on my message to you, and then have you relay it to your kindred. With that I would be able to stay with my family, and have my duty done. Would that be possible?"

"I know of your plight," Lórien said calmly. "I will relay the message."

"Thank you, sire," Eärendil replied gratefully. "And now for my other question… what is it about Lord Elrond that causes you to hold him in such high esteem? That you would follow his simplest whims and requests? Who is he?"

Lórien was silent. Dare he reveal this now? Mandos would not be pleased. There was still so much hindering them…

No. He didn't dare risk it. It was too soon, far too soon.

"I am afraid," he replied softly, "that some questions cannot be answered as soon as they are asked. In time you may discover the truth. That is all I can tell you at this time."

Eärendil nodded. It was a minor setback. "I understand."

Lórien smiled, just as his brother's voice entered his head. Are you finished?

Yes, he replied.

Good. What have you learned?

Eärendil has told me of his reluctance to leave his family and cross the Sea, reported Lórien. He is also beginning to wonder about Elrond.

Did you reveal him? asked the Doomsman.

No. I thought it too perilous.

Very well. Elrond has asked me whether his father might be able to remain in Arda for longer than he had intended, after delivering his message to us.

Eärendil told me something of the like, said Lórien. How long did Elrond desire?

Two years.

Lórien nodded slowly. Two years out of four seems a just amount. What do you think?

The same. I shall let Elrond know of this immediately.

----

Elrond gazed curiously at Mandos as the Vala stood in silence before him, a calm look on his pale face. What were those dark eyes hiding?

Mandos gave a nod, seemingly to no-one, and smiled slightly. Eyes glimmering, he spoke pleasantly to the elf.

"It has been decided," he said. "Eärendil may stay here for two years. And may that time be blessed."

Elrond stared at Mandos in silent elation, fighting all of his instincts to keep from flinging his arms about the Doomsman and embracing him. He dared not, for the sake of respect.

"Thank you," he finally managed. "Thank you so much!"

Mandos smiled. "Go in peace."

Elrond bowed, his heart bouncing joyfully around in his ribcage, and practically floated out the door and down the hall. He bade goodnight to his father and Lórien, and returned to his bedroom as if on wings.

Mandos watched him go, a silent smile on his face. Lórien murmured in his brother's ear, "Whatever you told him must have lifted his spirits. For a moment it seemed that his feet were not touching the floor."