*NOTE: Correct me if I'm wrong but I have yet to come across a name for Elros' queen, so I just came up with one of my own…

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The Choice of Elrond and Elros

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The elves of the lake directed Elrond to simply follow the river until he found what he sought. Soon he was out of sight and hearing of the gently splashing waves of the lake, and the singing of its upper stream as it tumbled and fell over rock and boulder to the broad lazy river to the south. It was quiet country up here, but it was summer at least, and the grasses were rich and green, and tall stalks with pale blue wildflowers adorned the hills, and doe with their fawns could be seen foraging the fields at dusk - cheerful sights that made the going less lonely.

He came to the great bend where the river turned south and grew wide and slow. He continued to follow this for a while, veering inland a good way at times when the river banks grew marshy. D After a few more days the clusters of huts and houses came into view down in the lowlands toward the great road cutting through the landscape in the distance.

As he grew closer Elrond saw that there was now wooden fencing and short watchtowers that had gone up around the settlements since the last time he was there. He wondered if that was his brother's influence. Once he judged that he was within range of an arrow shot, he held up his hands as he walked toward it. He could see archers in the little towers, but they had not any arrows drawn at least. Finally, a small door opened in the wall, from which emerged a pair of guards demanding his name and purpose.

"I am Elrond, son of Eärendil," he declared. "I have come seeking my brother, Elros."

The guards stared at him for a moment in surprise, and with some level of recognition – they now saw the resemblance between the visitor and their friend who lived within. Then one answered, "You must come before our lord, and first present your request to him."

They led him to the long house amid the northern settlement where the descendants of Bëor and Marach lived, long joined together since the ancient days when they migrated from the east. Inside the dim hall a large hearth fire burned in the center of the room, with the afternoon sun streaking through the ridge vents of the roof and giving the doorway an ethereal glow. Beyond the fire were a pair of handsomely carved tall-backed chairs set on a short dais, on which sat a man and a woman, who were presented to him as their lord Macor, and his new wife Cúlwen who hailed from the southern settlement. Elrond thought she looked familiar, but that would be expected since he had spent a good amount of time among her people last year. Elrond bowed and again gave his name and business. But Macor looked at him silently for several moments, and began questioning him on why he was alone and coming from the north instead of the road.

But Elrond was reluctant to say much on the elf lands north of here. "Your wariness is understandable, lord," he said, "but I have given you no cause for suspicion. Could I speak with Lady Baleth at least?"

At this they shifted, glancing at each other, and began to let down their guard somewhat. Suddenly Elrond remembered how he knew the lady sitting on the dais. "Cúlwen!" he exclaimed once the memory came to him. "You were part of the hunting party that first found us in the woods last year!"

A flash of surprise came to her face, as she had not thought of that day in a good while, and at last was assured that this visitor coming from such an unusual direction was who he claimed. Lord Macor looked over at her, and she nodded her approval. He then leaned to one of his men, who left the room. "Well, Elrond brother of Elros," he said, his expression softened now at least, "welcome then, and forgive us our hesitant hospitality. It is long since we had to worry about enemy attacks, but your search for news of them last year duly stirred our anxiety over the issue."

"The servants of Morgoth still remain in the world, after all," Lady Cúlwen added. "Did you not say so yourself?"

Elrond nodded and smiled as he recalled his words. "Indeed, I did, lady," he answered. Certainly, he could not pass any judgment, for he had recently oversaw the installation of similar measures for the lake elves. "May I bid you both congratulations," he said, changing the subject. "I wish you both long years of prosperous happiness."

At last Macor warmed and laughed. "Come, master Elrond!" he called, "and dine with us tonight. Then you may indeed speak with Lady Baleth, for she is due to visit."

Just then another entered the hall from outside, also recently arrived, though from not so far away. "Elrond! How are you here?" said the other visitor.

Elrond turned, and discovered that he had at last found his brother. Joyous was their reunion, and soon they were walking around outside catching up. And he told Elros all he had been up to since they parted a year ago. It so happened that his brother had been doing much the same, giving counsel and training on managing defenses. The brothers had just been called inside again to the table of Macor and Cúlwen for the evening meal when Baleth arrived. And following behind to everyone's surprise were two elves, whom she introduced as Sirilas and Mithaelin, hailing from the Gulf of Luhn. The brothers knew them well, and welcomed them.

"A curious day of chance meetings this is!" Macor exclaimed when he met them. "What now brings you to our humble little realm, good sirs?"

Lady Baleth laughed. "Chance meetings indeed!" she said, then nodded toward the brothers, "It so happens they arrived at the south gate earlier today looking for you two."

The brothers looked at them in wonder, and then worry. "Fear not!" said Sirilas, reading their faces. "We bring no news of woe. Quite the opposite. We were tasked to come find you, to issue a summons from the high king. There is an urgent matter for which you are needed."

"Well if not woe or danger, what then?" ask Elros.

"That we were not permitted to reveal," said Mithaelin. "But someone important has arrived to meet with you."

"Their business will not keep our Elros away long, I hope?" asked Macor. "He is much beloved by all who dwell here and will be missed."

Sirilas smiled. "That I cannot say. But you need not part, not all of you at least. For we were bidden to also invite the leaders of the houses of the mortal elf-friend."

The curiosity of all at the table was greatly stirred, but the elves would tell them no more. Then the guests were all hosted for the night, and the elves received a taste of mortal merrymaking. And during the festivities Elrond noticed his brother speaking much in quiet corners of the main hall Lady Baleth, and he wondered. In the morning the leaders and guests all headed down toward the south gate, and set out west along the road together on their horses. As they went Elrond asked a question that was now on his mind.

"You have been among these people for a year now, brother, and all seem to love you," he said. "The young leaders are grown now and getting married. Why have you not asked the Lady Baleth for her hand? One does not need the mind-reading powers of Galadriel to see that you desire to be joined with each other."

Elros flushed, and then he laughed. "She asked me the same not a week ago," he began. "But I feel as if something else is supposed to happen first. I could not say what. Some way, perhaps, that I could first lead them to a place of better safety for peace and joy, far from the hauntings of the enemy's servants. I have told her this, and her friends and kin who have asked the same."

Elrond wondered at his words. "I am not sure you could find such a place, not without leave to bring mortals to the Undying Lands," he answered. "I would counsel you not to tarry too long looking for such an event to occur or place to appear. Mortals have less time to wait for such things."

They continued westward, and after several days at last they arrived at the havens. The mortals in their company were in great wonder at both the elven cities and at the gulf, for none had yet been so far west and caught sight of any part of the great sea. And they were all escorted to the halls of Gil-galad, where the two brothers then stood alone before the king. The elves and their mortal companions went to the side of the room, where Lord Círdan was also in attendance.

"Welcome home, sons of Eärendil!" the king exclaimed. "Greatly have you both been missed. But we all must find our own destinies in this world, which brings me to why you are here, so I will not suspend your curiosity any longer. You have been summoned to receive a message from Eonwë, the angelic herald of Lord Manwë, king of the gods."

Gil-galad then turned and gestured to the side of the dais, and his other guest, who had also recently arrived, stepped forward to stand by the throne. To the marvel of the two brothers, and their companions, they saw one who looked elf-like but at the same time not quite elf. His long hair gleamed white but he did not look old like an aged mortal. Neither did he look young, yet his face was beautiful beyond description and shined with the light of the gods. His princely garments sparkled like glittering crystal, and on his head was a circlet of silver set with sapphires, and in his hand was a bright silver horn. He turned to them with an enchanting smile.

"Greetings, children of Eärendil and Elwing!" he began. "I have come from Valinor, sent here by the gods with two tasks. The first, to request from you both a decision. For the two unions of elf woman and mortal man from which you claim descent, and for your service and valor in the Great Battle, Manwë king of the gods has bid me present you the following choice: to count yourself with the race of the immortal Elves, your spirits bound to the world as long as it lasts. Or count yourself with the Mortals, who have a destiny apart, and go to a place of special keeping with the One when they die. Consider carefully, for your choices will affect not just your own destinies, but those of all the world."

The brothers stood grave and quiet for a long moment. The finality of such a decision weighed heavy on their minds, even though in each heart the choice was already made. Still they knew it would mean their final parting in the end, and they felt a sudden reluctance to declare their hearts aloud.

"And the second task?" asked Elrond softly, to stall their response.

The herald turned to Gil-galad, who in turn gestured to the two elf escorts of their mortal guests. Sirilas and Mithaelin then led Baleth, Macor, and Cúlwen to the center of the room, and left them standing next to the two brothers.

"The second," Eonwë continued, "is to make an announcement to the faithful elf-friends among the Mortals." He turned toward the guests. "For you, the gods have created a special gift: an island set amid the sea, where you may dwell long in peace with healthful lives much longer than that of other mortals, in honor of the valiance and sacrifice of your forefathers to the elves and the gods. If you choose to accept, I have also been instructed to teach you what I can in all manner of lore and arts and wisdom. I shall leave you all to think on it," he concluded, "and will call on you tomorrow."

There was much to discuss. And yet at the same time there was little to discuss. The folk of the mortal elf-friends were certainly allured by the promise of such gifts of strength and wisdom and long life, in a fair and peaceful place far from the troubles of Middle-earth. They were quite ready to accept, and have their friend Elros lead them there. For his part Elros took this as the event or sign he sought, and later that evening finally proposed to Baleth, who happily accepted. Then the next day they all declared their decisions to Eonwë: Elrond would remain with the elves, and Elros would go with the mortals, who would take him as their lord in this fabled new land, and Baleth as their queen.

But the mortals were not to part right away. Now Eonwë went with them back to their settlements, to help them make the announcement to the rest of their people, and begin teaching them. With them went Elrond, both to learn from Eonwë what he could, and also because he knew that the time would come soon when he and his brother would be parted forever. And in late summer on the open fields by the settlements, elves and mortals from around the region gathered in witness to the wedding of Elros and Baleth, after which there were several days of celebration. But following this at last all made ready to depart – the elves to their homes, and the mortals to the Havens, and the day of departure was drawing near.

*.*.*

Gil-galad came to a room in his mansion where his sewers were busy at work. They paused and stood to greet him. He nodded to them, and they got back to their project. "Is it ready?" he asked them.

"Nearly, sire," said Dúrilis, one of the seamstresses. "I am finishing the edges now. But completion waits on Serlindil." She turned to her colleague, who sat bent over a great sheet of fabric draped over his lap, his face hovering close over the hoop he held in one hand, with a fine thin needle in the other.

"You cannot hurry perfection!" he replied. "I will not curse this voyage with rushed work."

The king laughed. "Indeed, my friend!" he said. "You still have time. But nor would we wish to spoil their journey with delay over the artwork of sails and flags."

"Fear not, lord!" said Serlindil. "It will be ready."

At last it was ready indeed, and on the eve of spring there was a great feast to celebrate the departure. In the morning the king stood on the docks with the shipwright and their other leaders and friends standing nearby. Galadriel was present, and gifted to the young queen a wreath of evergreen, which she hung from the bow of the flag ship. "May the favor of Uinen goddess of the seas go with you," Galadriel said to them.

Then Gil-galad turned to Serlindil, who handed him the final gift. "May this bless and guide your journey," said one king to the other. "And serve as a reminder of the enduring friendship between true hearts among elves and mortals."

Elros received it, and turned to Elrond. "Will you help me do the honors, brother?" he asked. Together they went up onto the ship, and unfolded the banner, and raised it up above the main sail. All gathered there saw the image of a white ship on the waves, with a swan flying overhead bearing a bright diamond on its breast, in honor of their parents Eärendil and Elwing. This scene was encircled by a wreath of golden flowers woven through with silver emerald-eyed snakes, in honor of the elven king Finrod and his mortal friend Barahir, modeled after the ring which that king gave to his friend in token of their friendship - which Elros now wore on his finger. At last the brothers returned to the pier, and farewells and embraces were given. Finally the mortal host boarded the elven ships, to be guided by their elf captains, and set sail toward the west out of the gulf.