Sorry for this taking so long to post. Incase you didn't know already, I have a 7 month old son who is taking up a ton of my time as well as college starting back up soon and working. I am starting to set aside some time daily to work on this story. As always, I love to hear your feedback.

Elrond,

I promised to tell you what we find. It is an island. There is a mountain we can see. I am sending one man back while the rest of us stay. We named the island Elena. Our plan is to stay here. The Edain keep telling me they want me to rule. The Druedair keep insisting on it as well. They gave me the title Tar-Minyatur. The man I am sending back is going to send word to the rest of the Edain to follow us here. I wish I could tell you more about the island, but I can not till we land and explore. By that time, the ship will have already left. I will make sure to write to you. Be safe.

Elros Tar-Minyatur

Elrond read over the letter two more times before handing it to Andreth who read over it in silence. It had been over two years without a single letter from Elros or Thranduil. In that time, so much had changed. Elrond was working as a basic healer in town, he also went out on more orc hunts with Andreth. He was being trained to lead a small group of Gil-Galad's army, but he had still not traveled to do trades. Today Andreth had planned a new lesson on healing when the letter had come.

"I will be right back," Andreth said leaving the room after handing the letter back to Elrond.

Elrond simply sat where he was and reread the letter again. If the Edain were leaving, then there was a chance to get another letter to Elros, but he had to figure out where to send the letter to get it on a ship. Debating this, Andreth entered the room.

"How about we take a small trip to Forlond?"

"Seriously?" Elrond almost jumped out of his seat.

"Well, you did say you wanted to travel and see the world as well as do trades. This will also give you a chance to get another letter sent to your brother."

"When do we leave?"

"As soon as you pack," Andreth said as Elrond smiled. "Go get packed."

Elrond nodded before quickly moving out of the room and through the palace. He went and changed into the traveling clothes that were made for him, making sure they were in good shape. The brown with red accents made this one of his favorite outfits to wear. Packing one of the outfits he normally wears in town, he made sure that it lay flat before adding his journal to the bag. Grabbing his bag of healing herbs, he checked the contents to make sure everything was well stocked as well as some extra containers for herbs he may pick up while out. He was closing the bag when a knock came.

"Enter," he called out not even looking up as he closed the bag and put it into his bigger bag.

"Did you make sure to pack at least one outfit for when you are in town?" Andreth asked.

"I did," Elrond said grabbing a pouch for a small bottle of ink and a quill. "Is there anything else I will specifically need?"

"Your travel bottles of bath products. I got a few bottles I will pick up today for Elros."

"Thank you," Elrond smiled making sure to pack parchment for letters as he put the newest letter in a drawer with all the other letters.

"I will see you at the stables in about ten minutes," Andreth said before leaving Elrond alone in the room.

Elrond touched the letter from Thranduil as he held back tears praying to the Valar to keep him safe before closing the drawer and turning back to packing. He moved to the bathroom and grabbed the travel size bottles of his bath products before grabbing a towel and going to pack them as well. He made sure to pack the towel as flat as possible before thinking over all he needed and going to put on his boots. As soon as his boots were on, he grabbed his belt and sword and put them on as he picked up his bag. Heading down to the stables, he found Andreth and the horses ready to go.

"Ready?" Andreth asked as Elrond nodded and took his horse.

Andreth smiled before heading out, staying silent as they made their way through the streets in silence. They had made it a habit of not speaking till outside the city. Thankfully they were able to make it out without being stopped as they started to head west. They stayed silent for a few hours as they headed out. Elrond had not said a single word as he thought over the letter. Andreth stayed silent knowing Elrond needed this time. It wasn't until sunset that Elrond even decided to speak up.

"Is the trip a long one?"

"Longer than any trip we have taken. Probably not as far as you and Elros traveled to get to Mithlond."

"Okay," he nodded as Andreth stopped.

"We will set up camp here for the night. Tomorrow will be an early day," he explained as he got off his horse and began to set up camp.

Elrond got down before stretching, feeling horrible for Thranduil having to travel this way for many years now. He had to fight back tears as he thought of Thranduil hoping he was safe. Ignoring those thoughts, he began to gather firewood making sure not to drop his guard. Once he had his arms full, he headed back to see a single tent set up.

"I got us firewood," he said placing it down near the tent.

"Thank you. Tonight we will take turns keeping watch. I know this will be your first time on watch, but know if you need help or anything, you can always wake me up."

"I should not need you unless we have issues arise," Elrond smiled. "Are you taking first or second watch?"

"I figured I would take second that way I can get you up to leave on time. Plus if things arise, it is usually on the second watch," Andreth explained.

"No problem," Elrond said as Andreth pulled out some dried foods and handed them to Elrond before starting to eat a piece himself.

Elrond muttered a thank you in which Andreth nodded before he started to eat the dried food as well. He knew nothing needed to be said as he watched Andreth move to start building a fire. That still was one skill he had not managed to pick up on. Thankfully Andreth was calm when he took the time to try to teach Elrond, but this was not one of those times. Andreth worked quickly, trying to build the fire as to allow them the most amount of sleep tonight. When the small fire started to grow, Elrond grinned as Andreth sat back and ate another piece of food.

"I am going to give the fire a moment to make sure it doesn't need anything else before I head to bed," he explained.

"Not a problem," he said as he moved to get comfortable for his watch. "How many days travel will it be to reach Forlond?"

"If you do not mind riding long, hard days, it should not take us more than a day and a half. If you need to take it slower, then no more than three days."

"I think I would prefer to get there so we are able to take those few extra days in town."

"I would plan to eat while we ride then," Andreth said adding one more piece of wood to the fire. "I will see you in a bit. Feel free to wake me up if you are in need of any assistance."

"I will be fine, Andreth. Sleep well and I will see you when the time comes," he replied watching Andreth retire to the tent for the time being.

The slight crackle of the fire was all that Elrond could hear as he sat and enjoyed the silent night. The sky was clear of all clouds in the sky as he looked up, spotting the star of Earendil sitting on the horizon. He watched the star for a moment before sighing softly, wishing he could be able to speak to his parents, but knowing that he was not anywhere close to being ready to see them again. He did know that when he did get the chance to talk to them again, there were so many questions he had for them. Starting with asking his father why he decided to sail and leave his family behind. This question seemed to always be on his mind.

The wind blowing some nearby leaves snapped Elrond out of his thoughts as he turned to watch the leaves blow before relaxing ever so slightly. This was a new experience for him and he appreciated that Andreth trusted him enough to keep watch. Elrond knew this was a skill that he needed, but did not think that he would just be trusted to take over a watch without staying watch with someone first.

The hours passed uneventful except for the wind blowing the leaves around. When Andreth came out, Elrond went into the tent and laid down without saying a word. It was long past the time he usually went to bed and he needed to rest if he wanted to ride later. What he did not expect was that Andreth had the bedroll already ready for him and all he needed to do was crawl into it. Elrond crawled in and fell asleep quickly as he dreamed of his brother for the first time in a long time.

Sleep did not last long as Andreth came in early and woke Elrond. Stirring, he opened his eyes to see Andreth waiting for him. He knew it was an earlier morning than most, but said nothing as he sat up stretching and waking up enough to ride. It took him a moment before he came out of the tent and into the crisp morning air. Andreth had already started to pack what he could while he waited for Elrond to come out before moving to start taking down the tent. Elrond moved to help Andreth with the tent as they stayed silent. This was the first time that Elrond had the opportunity to help with taking down the tent and even though he did not know what to do, he watched Andreth and started to copy what he was doing. It was easy for him to figure out what he was supposed to do and as soon as the tent was taken apart, he started to pack the parts as Andreth folded the tent to get it ready as well. Things were moving smoothly as they finished packing and mounted their horses for another long days ride.

Chapter 18 is already in the works.