Chapter 3

It had been days since they had seen Elrond. He had not left their mother's side. Galadriel had arrived the day before and asked them to pack a few belongings as they would depart soon. The four of them were now standing in the great hall of their city, waiting for the lady of the light. Emdiril looked around her. Arwen's eyes were cast on the floor beneath her, it was clear that what had transpired massively impacted the beautiful elleth and it tore at Emdiril's heart. Emdiril had seen Arwen and the twins as her siblings. It was clear that their hearts were heavy. Her eyes shifted to Elladan and Elrohir. The two of them were inseparable, even during dark times. They had blamed themselves for what happened to their mother as they had ventured ahead of their mother.

"Do not blame yourselves." Emdiril's voice echoed through the halls. She tilted her head to the side, observing the siblings and forced a small smile. Even though Celebrian was not her birth mother, she cared deeply for the elleth who took her in and raised her. Her thoughts wandered to her home and the people there.

She snapped out of it immediately as none other than Elrond entered the hall and all eyes fell on him. He lowered his head in shame.

"Goheno nin" he said, his voice low. He couldn't even bear to look at his children, feeling like he had let them down as a father. He felt like a disappointment.

Arwen's eyes shimmered with tears as she approached her father with quick steps. She opened up her arms, wrapping them around the elf lord in a tight embrace. Emdiril could not help the small smile that crossed her features. Despite everything, they would always be there for each other.

Elrond returned Arwen's embrace and let a heavy sigh escaped his lips. He was grateful for his daughter's acceptance. The twins however hadn't moved.

"No. It is us who should apologise." Elladan started from a few feet away.

"We ventured ahead. We were so excited to-"

Elrohir was going to say more but was silenced by Elrond, who held up a hand. Arwen had since loosened her grip on him and stepped back in order for Elrond to approach her siblings.

"This was not your doing. It was the orcs who did this. The way I spoke was harsh. I have not been a good father these last few days…" Elrond sighed softly, his eyes holding sincerity in them.

Elrohir was the first to step forward and embrace his father. He had been very emotional after the incident. Elladan followed his twin's movements and the three of them shared a quick hug.

Elrond smiled for the first time in a long time. He beckoned Arwen and Emdiril to join the embrace and so they did. Though rough times were ahead, the five of them knew they could rely on each other. They were family after all. Emdiril closed her eyes as she smiled, a content smile on her lips. She enjoyed moments such as these, she truly felt like she was a part of this family.

Galadriel stood still as she watched the scenery unfold. She was glad that Elrond had gotten her hint when she had said that his children were also struggling. Elrond broke free from the embrace and the others followed suit, all eyes landing on the lady of light. They all knew that this was the time to say their farewells.

"I will miss you, Ada." Arwen said, a frown on her face. She wasn't very fond of the idea of leaving the male elf behind during times of need for he could use all the help he could get. However Galadriel had reassured her that everything would fall into place. She swung her arms around her father once more before she stood with the blonde, wise elleth.

"As will we." Elladan voiced, placing a firm hand on his father's shoulder. He nodded at his father and so did Elrohir before taking swift steps towards Galadriel, their sacks of spare clothes in hand.

Elrond turned to face Emdiril who forced a smile at him – she had not left Rivendell and the separation from her the elf lord hit her harder than she had expected.

"Emdiril. I wish to speak with you before you depart." Elrond said. His eyes looked towards Galadriel, asking permission.

The elleth nodded, beckoning the others to follow her. "Come my children. Let's give them some time."

Once Elrond felt like his family was a fair distance away, he reached inside his cloak and brought forward two pendants, adorned with crystals. Emdiril's eyebrows raised as he showed her – they were beautiful and she felt as though she had seen them before. Her emerald eyes met his and she opened her mouth to question, but Elrond's voice came first.

"These belonged to your parents." He explained, his eyes scanning her face for any reaction. It was her eyes that gave away her surprise. "Your ancestors found these crystals by a river many years ago. It is the reason for your family name-"

"Riverstone." Emdiril brought out.

"Aye." Elrond nodded. "A visual sign of love between two beings. A token of love you may say. They were passed on during the generations. Your grandfather and grandmother gave them to their son, Aaric. Aaric gave one of them to your mother, Abryanna as she was the one his heart chose. They have asked me to give these to you when you were ready, and I feel like you are."

Emdiril gulped. It had been a long time since someone had spoken to her about her family, let alone spoke their names. Tears were starting to form in her eyes as Elrond reached out and placed the pendants around her neck. She nodded her head once at him, holding back her tears.

"They wish for you to keep this going and to give one of them to your future husband." Elrond carried on. He could feel her emotions and understood where they were coming from. The elf grasped the redhead's hands and squeezed them lightly. He did not wish for her to be upset. Emdiril smiled at him in appreciation – although she knew he was not her real father, she had grown very fond of him and her love for him had grown very deep. She let go of his hands and instead wrapped her arms tightly around the taller elf, embracing him.

"Thank you, Ada." She whispered as Elrond wrapped his arms around the younger woman. He could not help the small smile that crept onto his face for she had never called him that before. After a brief moment the two of them broke away from their meaningful embrace, saying their farewells. Emdiril turned on her heel to catch up with the others, her hand grasping the two pendants in her hands. The present meant a lot to her and she hoped that one day, she could give one of these to a man, or an elf or anyone her heart desired.

Goheno nin – "Forgive me."