Hello everyone! Here is the next chapter. I want to personally thank my sister for helping me calculate a few measurements to make sure some of the things I wrote were possible.

When morning came, Andreth picked up breakfast and brought it to Elrond's room only to find it empty. Smiling he made his way down to the library to find the younger male distracted by a book.

"It is good to see you in here," he said placing the tray down and pouring a cup of tea.

"Thanks."

"If you are busy, I will leave you be."

Elrond simply nodded as Andreth said nothing else and silently left. Making sure he was alone, Elrond started to eat as he continued reading a book he had found on the early elves that didn't make it to Aman. He had no clue what he was searching for in his studies, but that didn't stop him from reading.

He didn't stop reading all day, only taking a break to use the bathroom. When dinner was ready, Andreth returned to the library with a tray of food and tea. Elrond simply muttered another thanks without looking up from his book. Andreth didn't say a word as he left, but upon returning, decided to say something.

"Are you doing okay?"

"Yeah," Elrond said, again refusing to remove his eyes from the book. "Why?"

"I have never seen you so distracted."

"And that is a bad thing?"

"Not really. I am still worried about you, that is all."

"I promise you, I am fine," Elrond said lowering his book. "Why would I not... Do not answer that."

"Exactly my point," Andreth smiled.

"I figured I would read on the Sindar and Silvan elves."

"If you need help, let me know. I will leave you be till then."

"Thanks," Elrond said picking up the book again.

Andreth shook his head as he picked up the empty dishes and left silently. Elrond sighed softly before going back to the book silently and ignoring the world around him. Before he knew it, it was well past midnight. Knowing he should go to bed, he closed the book and picked up a second one as well. Leaving silently, he made his way to his room and changed out of his robes and into something to sleep in before placing the two books on the side table and laying down. This night, unlike the previous two, he lay awake. His thoughts kept drifting off to a certain blonde elf. This surprised him due to the fact he also missed his twin. Sighing softly, he got up and moved to the bathroom to find a note and six small bottles on the counter.

Elrond,

Let me know if you like any of these.

Andreth

Elrond smiled before opening the first one as the smell of fir and pine filled his nose. It was not bad, but not what he wanted. Closing it he moved to the next, opening it to smell a citrus, honey mead. The smell reminded him of Thranduil as he smiled and closed it as well. Opening the third, Elrond inhaled the spicy aroma of cinnamon and grinned. This was what he wanted. With a smile, he moved to the tub and started the process of filling it with warm water. As the water filled, he grabbed the two bottles of saigon cinnamon and set them beside the tub. Removing his clothes, Elrond slid into the warm bath, turning off the water, and relaxed. Leaning back, he closed his eyes as he allowed his mind to drift off once more.

His thoughts kept going between Elros and Thranduil as well as all the things that happened to him over the past years since the attack on the Havens of Sirion when he was six. His years with Maglor had really changed a lot for Elros and him. It had even affected the day they decided to leave. That had been a huge decision in their lives. That day Elrond was terrified to leave, but Elros kept insisting they had to leave. Even though that was only five years ago, it had to be the best decision in his life. It was only because he listened to Elros that they were free and only because he agreed with Elros that he met Thranduil.

Sitting up, he took the new shampoo in his hand and squeezed out a fair amount as he started to work it into his hair. The spicy aroma filled the air as his hair sudded up. Sliding back into the water, Elrond rinsed his hair before sitting up and grabbing the soap with the matching scent. Soaping up his body, Elrond smiled as he enjoyed the new scent. He made quick work before rinsing and getting out. He drained the tub while drying off and picking up his under robe that was laying on the floor. He dropped the under robe with the dirty clothes before picking up his brush and running it through his hair silently. Looking in the mirror for a moment, he could only see his twin with sad eyes. Not wanting to linger, he put down his brush and turned away. He went to a drawer and pulled out a clean under robe. Pulling it on his naked body, he made his way back to his bed before laying down and almost immediately falling asleep.

The next four days was the exact same for Elrond. He would get up and dressed before spending all day in the library reading anything he could get his hands on. Andreth brought food, tea, and water up at different times. Every time Andreth would try to talk to him, Elrond would give one or two word answers. At the end of the fourth day of this, Andreth was so frustrated he knew he had to step in. After putting Elrond's dirty dinner dishes in the kitchen, he went straight to Gil-Galad's study to find him sipping tea.

"Aran nîn," he said lowering his head feeling Gil-Galad's eyes burn into his head.

"How many times, over thirty years, do I need to tell you to drop the formalities?" he asked watching Andreth rise. "How is he?"

"The same... I feel as if we need to step in and do something or nothing will change."

"What do you have in mind?"

"I do not know. Something to get him out of the library, something to show him that there is more to life than what he is doing."

"There was a small orc pack reported about a half day ride east of the city."

"That would work. I am taking him tomorrow," Andreth smiled. "Thank you."

"Not a problem. Just do not let him get killed."

"I will not allow that," Andreth smiled dismissing himself as he made his way to the library.

Entering he made his way to Elrond's favorite table and sat down silently in front of him.

"Elrond, tomorrow we are going out," he said waiting a moment.

Elrond paused from his reading before placing the book down. Looking at Andreth for the first time in days, he didn't know how to process what was being said to him.

"What?"

"Gil-Galad gave me permission to take you out to handle a situation."

"And what may that be?"

"There was a report of an orc pack close by. We are to travel out and take care of the situation," Andreth explained.

"When are we leaving?"

"Early morning. Put on your training clothes for this. I have already talked to a tailor in town whom will see you soon and make you an appropriate outfit for the future."

"Okay," Elrond nodded knowing he did not have a choice in this. "May I read till bedtime?"

"You may. I will see you early in the morning."

Elrond nodded as he picked back up his book and Andreth left the library just as silently as he came in. Elrond sat confused as he thought over what had just happened. Why would Gil-Galad want him to go out on this with Andreth? It didn't make sense to him unless there was a plan to send him somewhere else later and this started to bother him. Was he sending him away because he did not want to take the title of the next High King of the Noldor? Did he find out he liked Thranduil, or even ellons in general? Closing the book, he gathered his stuff and headed back to his room quickly. Dropping his stuff on the table, he went straight to the bathroom and splashed water on his face as he did his best to calm down. Doing this again, he moved to dry off his face. Telling himself to calm down, he finally decided to call it an early night and went back to his room where he went to bed, forgetting to change out of his robes.

Andreth entered Elrond's room early in the morning to find him awake and almost dressed.

"Good to see you up."

"Thank you," he said softly.

"I will advise you to pull your hair back. It is never a god idea to go into battle with loose hair."

"Not today," he said just as soft.

"If you are sure," he said shaking his head, but not saying another word as Elrond finished getting ready.

"Ready," Elrond said standing up as he grabbed his sword and hooked it to his belt.

"Come," he said walking out of the room.

Elrond followed Andreth threw the palace and to the stable where two horses were prepared for them. One was Andreth's bay colored horse while the other one was the one he was allowed to use whenever. This horse was a dun color and very calm compared to the others in the stable.

"Suil, mellon nîn," Elrond greeted the horse with a smile as it pushed his forhead to Elrond's. Gwannas lû and."

Andreth could not help but smile at the exchange between the two. Elrond had always seemed to have a special connection to this horse. Andreth took his horses reins as he readied to walk through town and Elrond did the same. They did not exchange a word as they moved silently through the city. The streets were almost empty as they made their way through. Thankfully, they were able to get out of the city quickly. At that point, they mounted their horses and headed out.

Their travels, at this point were quick as they enjoyed the rising sun, Elrond kept looking back as well as around as he watched the pinks and oranges spread. This reminded him of the first morning away from Maglor. That was the day that Elros had first kissed him and awakened feelings in him that he did not know about.

"Make sure you watch where you are going. There may be things that you see that others in your party do not see," Andreth said as Elrond turned around.

"I understand," he replied. "Because what one may see, another may not. What is not caught could put your entire party at risk."

"Exactly."

"My question is when will I ever be in a party where it will matter?"

"Today you are in a party. Maybe one day you will travel with me on trades. What if one day you get the opportunity to travel and see Thranduil again."

"You are going to make me leave."

Andreth stopped his horse to look at the boy who had his head hung.

"Why would you think we want you gone?"

"I just find it very ironic that I tell you about Thranduil and now Gil-Galad sends us out to kill these orcs. He has never sent us out before. Not even when Elros was here."

"I asked if I could take you so you could enjoy being outside and if you wanted to talk, you could. It was my idea, not Gil-Galad's. It has nothing to do with our earlier conversation, Elrond. I promised to not tell and I will hold true to my promise."

"Okay," Elrond nodded, still visibly upset and almost not believing what Andreth said.

"I will never lie to you. Just as I will never lie to Gil-Galad," Andreth said. "My..."

Andreth paused and looked out to the north as Elrond's attention turned as well. They both stayed still, listening for a few minutes.

"The orcs are much closer than I was told," he informed Elrond. "There are a few things you need to know. First, it would be best to do this on foot and not on horseback. Maybe after a few times, we will attempt a horseback attack. Second, orcs will not hesitate to kill you without second thoughts. They are so corrupted by now there is nothing stopping them. Third, make sure you kill them. If they are not dead, they will get back up and try again."

Elrond nodded as they rode up the road just enough to see the orcs before dismounting and handing the horses reins to Andreth.

"Are you going to fight with me?"

"I am not. This is going to be a test for you. Gil-Galad and I want to see where you are. And remember..."

Elrond nodded as he turned and walked away slowly towards the orc pack. He half listened as yet again, Andreth told him that orcs will not hesitate to kill him. Elrond simply nodded as he counted and recounted the ten orcs moving towards him quickly. Stopping, he took a deep breath as his right hand moved to his sword. He drew his sword as the orcs noticed him and let out a cry, drawing their own weapons. Andreth dismounted from his own horse as he stayed back, but ready to interfere if needed. Standing his ground, Elrond stayed ready as the orcs got closer.

When the first orc reached him, Elrond quickly put his sword through its chest before pulling back and watching it fall to the ground. His heart beat loudly in his ears as he realized Elros and Andreth were right about him needing to know how to fight. The second orc approached and sung at Elrond causing him to step back before swinging back and cutting deep into this ones abdomen. It cried out as his organs spilled out and he fell to the ground. Elrond remembered Andreth's words and stabbed this orc into he chest to finalize the kill before looking out at the rest of the approaching orcs.

Orc three moved past Elrond, making him turn around and swing at his back. His sword hit the orc in the neck as he fell, blood spraying onto Elrond. Seeing Andreth nod, Elrond turned around quickly. Elrond's hair whipped around as he countered the attack of the fourth orc, watching the fifth move to be behind him. Elrond waited for the fifth to raise his sword and begin its swing before dropping down. The sword of the fifth came around and beheaded the fourth orc. Elrond took this opportunity to turn around and stab the orc orc through the side, into its stomach, and through the heart. When his sword came out his pectoral muscle, he pulled out and watched the orc fall to the ground. Panting hard, Elrond stood up and looked at the remaining five orcs.

Something about them made Elrond realize that they would not be as easy. The sixth approached slower than the previous ones with a much longer sword. Not getting too close, he swung as Elrond stepped back, avoiding the sword. Elrond kept calm as the orc took another step forward and sung again. Elrond stepped back once more as orc seven rushed up to his side. Elrond countered the attack of orc seven as he kept an eye on the sixth. As the seventh pulled back, Elrond sung through the attack, slashing open his chest and heart as blood sprayed him again. Not stopping, Elrond turned his attention back to orc six as he readied himself to fight. With a cry, orc six swung again as Elrond stepped back, but not far enough. The orc sword cut into Elrond's right shoulder as he groaned and swung back. Elrond could feel blood fall down his arm, but refused to back down as he watched his sword cut through the orcs throat. As he fell, orc eight came up and Elrond made quick work to stab through his heart. The last two silently debated their actions as Elrond picked up an unused orc bow and the only arrow around. Nocking the arrow, he pulled back on the bow feeling his arm shake in pain. Aiming quickly, he released as orc nine moved forward two stopes before the arrow went through his eye and he fell to the ground.

Elrond dropped the bow as he felt tears fall from the sheer amount of pain he was in. His eyes stayed on the last orc as he waited to see its plans. This one took out his sword as he moved towards him slowly. Standing upright, Elrond raised his sword, ready for this one to be taken down as well. As it approached, Elrond felt his arm shaking. The first swing Elrond avoided, as well as the second and third. Hearing the frustration in the orcs cry, he finally swung and made a shallow cut. Knowing he was in no shape to drag this on, Elrond took a deep breath and swung again. This time he cut the orcs sword arm at the elbow. Watching the orc struggle, Elrond cut the orc at the knees, watching him fall to the ground screaming. Elrond took this moment to raise his sword and decapitate the orc. As the headless orc fell, Elrond fell to his own knees, dropping his sword beside him. Tears fell as he gripped his injured shoulder with his left hand. He was completely unaware of Andreth coming up to him as he felt a touch and tried to reach for his sword in self-defense.

"It is just me. Let me see the wound," Andreth said calmly as Elrond nodded and released his shoulder seeing the flood fall once again. "It could be worse."

Andreth pulled out a waterskin and pouted water slowly over Elrond's arm as he felt the sting. Elrond turned away from Andreth only to see his blood covered hand and started to feel lightheaded. It was just starting to sink in that he had killed not one, but ten orcs. His heart kept pounding in his ears as he zoned out, not even hearing Andreth talk to him before the pain pulled him back to reality. Looking, Elrond realized that the pain was due to Andreth cleaning the cur as Andreth touched the skin and Elrond watched the servant heal the gash before his own eyes.

'You can heal?"

"I can," Andreth replied as he inspected the skin.

"For how long?"

"Since before you were born," he smiled.

"Please teach me," Elrond simply said.

"As long as you promise to stop ignoring everyone and return to how you were before Elros and Thranduil left."

"Okay," Elrond nodded with a smile on his face.

"We will start that tomorrow then," Andreth said standing and walking back towards the horses.

Elrond could not help, but smile as he stood. That smiled soon faded when he saw the ten fallen figures around him. Looking at Andreth, he watched his mentor returning.

"We will pile the bodies and burn them. That is the least we can do."

Elrond understood as he pulled one orc towards the pile of four that were almost on top of each other already. As he let go, he moved to grab another as Andreth dropped one himself. Piling the ten together took very little time as Andreth lit them on fire and stayed only long enough to watch them start burning. Nodding at Elrond, the two silently made their way back to their horses before mounting them and turning to head home. The ride back was quick and silent as neither had any words to speak. Upon arriving, they walked the horses back to the stables where Andreth handed them over to two of the stable boys. Telling Elrond to clean up, he went off in a different direction as Elrond went straight up to his room and dropped his bloody clothes in a single pile before rinsing off quickly. Once the blood was off him, he filled the tub and scrubbed down with the cinnamon bath products. As soon as he was clean, Elrond drained the tub and stepped out to dry off. Only upon leaving the bathroom did he realize that someone had already come by and picked up his bloody training clothes.

Not thinking anymore about it, he went and grabbed a clean outfit and put it on before brushing his hair. Leaving it down, he put down his brush and moved to his bed to read a few minutes before dinner. Little did he know that Andreth had went to Gil-Galad and let him know exactly how well Elrond had done. Pleased that their plan had worked, they talked over the training that would come.

NOTES::::

Saigon cinnamon is a real thing. It has a strong sweet and spicy flavor and aroma.

Aran nîn - my king
Ellons - male elves
Suil, mellon nîn - Greetings, my friend.
Gwannas lû and - It has been too long.

Special thanks to my sister who helped me calculate if Elrond could stick an orc through the side, into the stomach, and through the heart. She spent some time researching average length of a torso, average length of a man's arm, how long a long sword is, etc. Based on all of that and the average height of an orc, it is possible.