Disclaimer: Still not mine, no matter who I bribe. Tolkien and company own it and I only own the original characters who, in fact, really own me.
Loss and Hope
Chapter Four: Shades of Grey
Some things were perfectly clear, seen with the vision of youth
No doubts and nothing to fear, I claimed the corner on truth
These days it's harder to say I know what I'm fighting for
My faith is falling away
I'm not that sure anymore
-Billy Joel, Shades of Grey
Imladris, TA 2937
"We need patients for Estel to practice on." Elrohir said as he barged into Morwen's office.
"I wish I could help you, Elrohir, but as you can see I am far from…OW!" Morwen exclaimed as Elrohir reached out and scratched Morwen's hand with a quill.
Elrohir shrugged, "Father said if we could not find patients, we could make them. Well, within reason." Elrohir grabbed Morwen's good hand and tugged her along.
"So much for the vow you took as a healer." Morwen grumbled as she held her sleeve over her hand, trying not to get blood on the floor.
"I never officially took that vow." Elrohir said.
"You have been vow less all these years?" Morwen asked.
Elrohir smirked as he opened the door to one of the healing rooms, "Quite." he said.
Morwen was hardly surprised to see the other line of elves bearing small and easily treatable injures as Elrohir led Morwen over to sit down between Elladan and Glorfindel before heading over to his father and Estel.
Morwen turned to Elladan, "What'd he do to you?"
Elladan narrowed his eyes, "He dropped a sack full of chain mail on my foot….dropped from a balcony. I think he honestly broke something."
Morwen grimaced and turned to Glorfindel, "And you?"
"Slammed me into a table side." Glorfindel muttered. His gaze fell to her hand, "Did he quill you?"
"He did indeed." Morwen said.
"That appears to be his preferred method in regards to the pages and the councilors." Glorfindel said as he gestured to a line of elves holding one uninjured hand over another injured one.
"Notice Erestor and his family are not among the injured." Elladan grumbled.
"Despite recent actions to the contrary," Morwen mumbled as she cradled her hand, "Elrohir does have some sense."
"Yes, well, get comfortable." Elladan said. "Elrohir placed us all at the end of the line."
Morwen narrowed her eyes and started to glare at Elrohir. "Oh, evil, evil, horrid elf. He knows we won't leave and disappoint Estel." Morwen said.
"I fear Erestor and I have taught him far too well." Glorfindel muttered.
The three very disgruntled elves waited for their turns and soon were the only three left in the room other than the two, clearly insane, healers and their newest minion.
Elrond turned to the young boy, "Now, Estel, Morwen has a cut on her hand by a quill which means…"
"We must first make sure no ink is in the wound." Estel said.
"Yes and then?" Elrohir asked.
"Check to see if it needs to be stitched up?" Estel asked, unsure if the answer was correct or not, understandable, since he was a mere six years on Arda.
"And if it does not?" Elrond asked.
"Clean the wound, apply a healing ointment and bandage it." Estel answered dutifully.
"Very good, Estel." Elrond said, a warm smile on his face.
Morwen turned to Glorfindel, "I am about to be diagnosed by a six-year-old, would it be so disrespectful if I ran out of the room screaming?"
Glorfindel smiled, "Not so much, though it would be cruel leaving poor one-footed Elladan here."
"Indeed." Elladan gritted out, "Can we please check my foot before possible stitching up Morwen or taping up Glorfindel's ribs?"
"Why would we need to tape up Glorfindel's ribs?" Elrond asked.
"Your Eru forsaken offspring shoved me into a table edge." Glorfindel said.
"Oh, that was a creative way to get a rib injury, Elrohir, good job." Elrond said.
Glorfindel just shook his head as Elrond and Estel moved to inspect Elladan's foot and Elrohir made to mend Morwen's wound. Glorfindel was beginning to wonder if they would all survive Estel's upbringing. So far, the future did not look so bright.
The first warm day of the winter had come, brining many out of their homes to enjoy the day out among the dry fields of Imladris, the crispy breeze being just right to enjoy.
The family and friends of Lord Elrond were gathered in the gardens, relating stories of their family and the House of Elrond to Gilraen, Estel, and even some new tales to Tirnion.
The day had gone well until one subject came to the forefront which few in the house talked about.
Gilraen was the unsuspecting person to bring it up, "You said you chose to cleave to elvenkind, Elrond. Was that just for you and your brother or…"
"The members of my line, many half-elvens among them, have all come to a point when they have made a choice." Elrond answered in a soft tone, not wishing for another argument about the subject to begin.
"But, your children, their mother is a full blooded elf so does that not…" Gilraen tried to understand the intricacies of the half-elven bloodline.
Elrond smiled sadly, "I am sad to say they still must make a choice."
"It is not a thing to worry about at this time." Elladan stated. "We still have a long time to make such a decision."
"Or so we believe." Elrohir said. "One never knows how quickly things may change."
"Yes, Elrohir is different." Elladan said with a cold tone, "For he often finds himself fancying those of mortal kind."
Many chose to look in the other direction as the verbal gauntlet was thrown down. As the years had progressed and Rian and Elladan's relationship also began the path towards a deeper intimacy, the subject of Elrohir's choice had become quite a touchy one between the brothers.
"You do not know of what you speak." Elrohir hissed, his tone clearly telling his twin to hush.
"I can see it, Elrohir, we all can." Elladan stated, taking no heed of his brother's words.
"You cannot see what is not there." Elrohir insisted, his voice tired after having made this same argument many times.
"But it is, Elrohir, even if you refuse to acknowledge it, it is there." Elladan insisted.
"What is there?" Gilraen asked, clearly confused about the dispute between the twins.
"Nothing." Elrohir said. "Nothing at all." He gave a nod to Gilraen and patted Estel on the head, "If you will excuse me, I must go." Elrohir gave his brother a cold glare as he walked off, an equally cold one matching it from Elladan's eyes. Rian shook her head and pulled Elladan up by the hand, taking him away from the scene of the argument.
"I do not understand." Gilraen said.
Elrond held up a hand, "It is nothing to worry about. Elladan simply believes Elrohir is currently in love with a mortal woman here in Imladris and that such a love will influence Elrohir's decision and therefore sunder the two forever. Elladan has been adamant that he will cleave to elvenkind."
"You do not sound so certain." Gilraen said.
Elrond stood up, "Things change and the reasons we once had for making a decision seem pointless after said decision is made. Pardon me." Elrond said as he walked off.
Erestor sighed, standing up to follow his friend as Glorfindel did as well, "Our fear it is time we all went off. I will see you all at the evening meal."
Glorfindel silently followed behind, both ascending the stairs to Elrond's office. Faeleth walked over to Gilraen, "Do not fear, it was nothing you said, just the stubbornness of males and brothers who think they know what is best for each other. Let us go down to the orchards and see if we can find any new life."
Morwen moved to exchange a glance with Eluialeth and Tirnion but the two were already walking off discussing something about acorns and nests and cats. Finding herself alone, she pushed off of the stone bench and made her way inside. She walked the halls, finding few people to talk to and even less duties to perform. With a sigh, she ascended the staircase leading to the personal chambers.
Morwen came to a sudden halt as she walked into her bedroom, surprised at seeing the elf who was laying across her bed in a posture clearly displaying both frustration and depression. She silently waked over to the bed, running a comfort hand through the dark hair.
"Elrohir?" she asked softly.
Elrohir looked up at her, his eyes worried, "I do not like to argue with Elladan."
Morwen sat down and clasped Elrohir's right hand, "He does tend to let his mouth run wild when he is hurt or worried."
"He has already made his decision, did you know that?" Elrohir asked.
Morwen nodded, "Yes, Rian told me. She needed someone to discuss it with."
"I cannot decide now, nowhere near making such a decision and he just assumes he knows what I will choose, what is in my mind." Elrohir said, his tone at one both full of sadness and anger.
"Despite what many others claims to the contrary, you and Elladan are different people. He is simply worried that you will not choose as he does." Morwen said.
"Even if I did, chose mortality, he could survive it. Father did." Elrohir said.
Morwen found herself at a loss for words. She continued to caress his hair as she asked, "Elrohir, are you….."
"More often than not, I feel as if when the time comes I will choose the elf in me but there are other times when I just feel as if going to live in the Blessed Realm would have nothing to offer me, as if my time is here and there is no time for me there." Elrohir whispered.
Morwen traced Elrohir's brow with a fingertip, "Elrohir, do you love her? Do you love Gilraen in a way other than sibling or friendly affection?"
Elrohir sighed as he stared up at the ceiling, "I do not know. I….I do not know what I feel for her. Even if I did love her…."
"She will not let the memory of Arathorn be laid to rest within her own being." Morwen said, still seeing that Gilraen cared deeply for her deceased husband. As young as she may have been when she married, Gilraen had truly loved Arathorn.
"Yes." Elrohir said. "And I would never want Arathorn forgotten." Elrohir let out a breath slowly, "Morwen, I do not know what to do."
Morwen caressed his hair, releasing some tendrils from their braids. She smiled down on him, "Talk to your father." she said.
"Morwen…." Elrohir started.
Morwen looked down on him, her dark eyes alight with some hidden knowledge, "Glorfindel, in his less guarded moments, will sometimes share with me memories of his past, often memories of his past with your father, before there was even an Imladris to speak of. Your father, you should talk to him." Morwen urged.
Elrohir sat up, "Are you saying…."
"I am not saying anything. I simply think it would be better for you to speak of this matter with your father. He would certainly understand better than any other in this realm."
Elrohir nodded and whispered a thank you to Morwen before walking out the room. Morwen watched him go, hoping that at least for Elrohir's sake he would find his way to a possible answer in his father's words. Unable to let herself be idle, she walked to her vanity and pulled out the latest book for Celebrian.
Having been dismissed immediately from Elrond's study at the appearance of Elrohir, Glorfindel made his way to Morwen's room having been told she had walked in this direction. He silently walked inside, smiling as he saw her propped on her bed, writing to Celebrian as an ink well balanced precariously on the bed.
Glorfindel hugged Morwen from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Another entry to Celebrian?"
Morwen nodded, "I figure even she has to know about the latest tiff between the twins. I am sure it will become a thing of legend."
"Infamy is more like it." Glorfindel said as he settled himself behind Morwen. "All those cold words and harsh glares are more painful than if they actually came to blows." He read some of the entry, "Your code name for Estel is quite fitting."
"I had to find something to call him, Gailgraban fit."
"He does have bright eyes and dark hair." Glorfindel agreed.
"Yes. As do many elves in this realm and some humans." Morwen said.
"I wonder if she enjoys reading the chronicle of Estel's life." Glorfindel said.
"I would think so, Elrond says it is much like seeing the twins be raised again. I hope the accounts of Estel's childhood bring her good memories of the twins." Morwen finished her page and placed a cap on the ink well. "He will not be a child for much longer and then the accounts will change."
"Perhaps we should just send Estel to you when it is his time to remind Celebrian of…"
Glorfindel laughed as Morwen threw one of the pillows at him.
Morwen sighed, "Honestly, first kisses are rarely memorable for the right reasons. They are awkward and unsure and you honestly do not want to embarrass yourself in front of the person you really wish to share a kiss with so you go to someone you feel comfortable with. It is Elladan and Elrohir, it was similar to kissing someone I am related to, there was nothing but friendship within them. Please, let it go." Morwen sat back, a slight pout on your face, "I am certain your first kiss was with a friend."
"First time around, yes, second time…" Glorfindel smiled, "no, not at all." Glorfindel cleared his throat as he saw the look on Morwen's face, "Right, what were we speaking of?"
"Your inability to let innocent incidents of my past go." Morwen said,
Glorfindel laughed, "I would not call it innocent."
"You cannot call it anything for you were not there." Morwen said.
"Sometimes I despise the fact you are a councilor and know how to analyze arguments so quickly." Glorfindel muttered, the smile taking the sting out of the words.
Morwen returned his phrase with a similar one, "It all works out then, sometimes I despise the fact you are a warrior and so often gone from this realm."
Glorfindel gave her a dry look, "I will not be leaving for another five years."
Morwen sighed, "Many things can happen in five minutes much less five years."
Glorfindel shook his head, "I am not going anywhere, not in spirit."
Morwen reached up to kiss him, "Let us hope not for I fear many will be leaving us soon."
Glorfindel laughed as he leaned down into the kiss, "Elrohir?"
Morwen nodded silently uniting their lips and for just a moment all the other worries of Imladris and the future were forgotten.
Elrond pulled out a piece of paper and began writing as Elrohir silently regarded him.
"Father?" he asked, switching from one foot to the other as he contemplated what his father had just told him, of his own experience of possibly loving a mortal woman.
Elrond gave his son a warm smile, "I am sending you to be with your sister, Elrohir. You need time to think, alone. Away from Elladan and Estel and Gilraen. As much as it pains me to give two of my children to the Golden Wood, for now you must go." Elrond smiled sadly, "I fear you will find little peace in this sanctuary, perhaps under the golden leaves you shall."
"Grandmother will not let me have a moment of peace with my troubled mind." Elrohir protested, both wanting to go and yet not wishing to leave.
"Which is why I am writing your grandfather and asking him to keep you under his wing. Galadriel will respect that. She spends much of her time with Arwen, your sister will keep her preoccupied." Elrond stood up to embrace his son, "Enjoy this time of peace while you are able for I fear it will not hold for very long and we cannot do without you for many years." Elrond placed a fatherly kiss on Elrohir's brow, "Be safe." he murmured.
Estel sat on Elrohir's bed, watching the elf pack his bags. "Are you going to leave and never come back like my father did?" he asked.
Elrohir stopped his packing and spun around, "Estel?"
"Mother said my father rode out one day and never returned, that he was killed. Will that happen to you as well?" Estel asked, his tone full of worry.
Elrohir rushed over to him, "Estel, your father was the victim of an unfortunate accident. Very unfortunate and while I can never promise you I will not ride out one day never to return, I will promise you this, I will fight as hard as I can to cling to life if I am ever so deadly injured." Elrohir placed a soft kiss upon his brow, "You will one day ride out Estel and will understand that danger comes with it, injury is almost certain."
"But you still like to ride out?" Estel asked.
"All the time. I love it." Elrohir patted Estel's face, "One day you will understand and you will feel the need to wander, to sleep out under the stars rather than within stone walls such as these." Elrohir smiled, "But that will be in the future and you should not feel the need to rush it. Now, be thankful that you do not have to do adult things."
"Like what?" Estel asked as Elrohir stood up to go back to his packing.
"Oh, like……" Elrohir tried to think of something particularly horrid, "cleaning out the stables."
At the silence Elrohir turned and laughed at Estel's clearly disgusted face, "Yes, that is about how I feel about it. Alas, it is a necessary action."
"Aren't the stable hands supposed to do that?"
Elrohir laughed, having asked Glorfindel a similar question all those years ago. He patted Estel's head, "Well, it is part of their duty but when you are out traveling you have no stable hands and as Glorfindel and father see it, everyone should do the task of everyone else at least once to understand and appreciate their duty. No one elf is better than the other when it comes down to the very essence of it all." He held Estel to his side, "Now, would you please help me pack my bag, you can learn the proper way."
Estel nodded, always eager to learn something new.
The ride to the Golden Wood had not been so tiring as it was full of thoughts. Elrohir sighed as he remembered his sudden departure. His father had urged him to leave immediately, but there was always the need to say farewell to all before he headed out. It was a habit of Elladan's that Elrohir had come to acquire. His twin had hugged him fiercely before he left and had honestly wished him a happy journey.
Now though, now he was in the Golden Wood, where he could just be Elrohir, not a warrior of the real or the son of Elrond, simply Elrohir. His horse had been taken to the stables and his pack taken to the royal talan. Now he walked among the leaves but at the familiar presence of his sister he stopped. He did not know if he ran to her or her to him but soon they were in a tight embrace. Elrohir clung to his sister, breathing in that familiar scent of family. For a moment he could feel his mother there, as if acting through his sister's care. Elrohir pulled back to look at Arwen, giving her a kiss on the forehead.
"You look so beautiful." Elrohir said.
"Grandfather says something about the moonlight becoming me or some other thing. Grandmother laughed when she heard it." Arwen hugged him again, "I have missed you, big brother."
"You would not have to if you would just come home." Elrohir said.
"Where is home?" Arwen asked. "Mother divided her time between here and Imladris where was her home?"
Elrohir laughed, "Oh, you have been here far too long if you are pondering semantics."
"Words mean little when you have so many other greater things to think about." Arwen said.
"Father would be so proud." Elrohir murmured.
Arwen's eyes darkened a trifle, "How is he?"
Elrohir answered honestly, "He misses you, dearly. He wishes you would come home, as we all wish you would do. Imladris is not the same without you."
"I am sure you are doing fine. Is it true Arathorn's widow is in residence?" Arwen asked.
Elrohir swallowed, "Yes and their son."
Arwen placed a hand on his face, "Elrohir what is it?"
Elrohir looked around, noticing the curious glances of the other elves, "Not here, not anywhere that is not secure. We will speak of it later."
Arwen nodded and continued to walk under the trees with Elrohir.
Tirnion stared blankly at Glorfindel. "You want me to do what?"
"Teach Estel how to use a bow and arrow. You are a woodland elf, it is your specialty, and I happen to know you are quite proficient with said bow." Glorfindel answered.
"Do you not think he is just slightly too young?" Tirnion asked.
"He is a human six-year-old with the mind of an elven six-year-old. I would have started him last year but decided to hold off at Morwen's urging." Glorfindel said.
Tirnion raised a brow, "She did not urge again this time?"
"I did not inform her this time." Glorfindel shook his head at Tirnion, "Do not look at me like that. She dislikes the bow for personal reasons and therefore her judgment in regard to its teaching is horribly flawed. Gilraen aggress with me, even the Dunedain children learn such skills at a young age."
Tirnion sighed, "I see your point but do you even have…." Tirnion stopped his question as Glorfindel pulled out a chest and opened it, revealing many small bows and arrows, some of his own realm's make, some of the Golden Wood.
"Are these the twins' bows?" Tirnion asked.
Glorfindel nodded and said, "And those given to Arwen, Morwen, Rian, and Erestor's daughters. Thalion took his own when he left for the Havens."
Tirnion looked up at Glorfindel, "Do you still communicate with him?"
Glorfindel smiled, "Oh, yes, often. I dare say we communicate more with the Havens than any other realm. Thalion, more than the others, has always been a sort of timid son of mine. The twins they were always more my nephews or younger cousins since they were Elrond's children, same with Erestor's daughters."
"The orphans are different." Tirnion noted.
"Yes, much. I sometimes feel as if we tried to overcompensate a bit, as if to make them feel more welcomed." Glorfindel said.
"If Thalion is like a son to you, what of the other two?" Tirnion could not help but ask.
Glorfindel propped himself on the desk, "Rian was older in age than the others when she came to us. She already knew her family and as I am sure you know, she saw them taken away. It took her long to speak, to come out of whatever mental hell she had been stuck in. Rian….there is always the feeling of needing to protect her and yet the knowledge she can and will take care of herself if she has to do such a thing. I do not believe I can place Rian in a simple category."
"And Morwen how was she placed?" Tirnion asked, always wanting to know the answer to such a question.
Glorfindel turned his head to stare out of the window. "Has Morwen told you much of her past?" Glorfindel asked.
"As much as she knows." Tirnion said.
"Then that is very little." Glorfindel sighed, "She refuses to learn more about her family."
"She cast them off as they cast her off." Tirnion stated/
"And yet she still desires to know of them." Glorfindel said in a soft voice.
"Do you know of them?" Tirnion asked.
"Yes." Glorfindel stated. "She is of Erestor's family house, it was the main reason her parents brought her here of all places, to place her within a home where her blood kin lived. They are cousins somewhere along the line."
"Where did the family house originate?" Tirnion asked.
"Gondolin." Glorfindel stated. "The House of the Pillar and the Tower of Snow. Some of the best lore masters came from that house."
"How……fitting." Tirnion said.
"Indeed." Glorfindel agreed.
Tirnion followed Glorfindel's gaze to the storm raging outside, "And she wishes to ignore this all?"
"Such ponderings cause her to raise questions she does not want answered. Perhaps one day." Glorfindel said. "Now, back to Estel's lessons."
"I will start to discuss it with you when you answer what a young Morwen was to you." Tirnion said, noting how Glorfindel had not answered the original question.
Glorfindel smiled, "Different. She spent some time around me, yes, but Erestor was by far her favorite. She would share secrets with me and would come to me for some comfort, but I do not think she ever saw me as a true figure of authority and I learned very early on all her time with Erestor had given her a mind much to advanced for her age." Glorfindel shrugged, "Like Rian, she was always different. They are not like you."
"Me?" Tirnion asked.
"Yes, you. My troublesome and annoying younger brother who I at once both wish to hug and strangle." Glorfindel said.
"I assure you, the feeling is often mutual." Tirnion muttered as he sat back, "Now, about those archery lessons…."
"Is it true Eregeth is asking Thalion to sail?" Eluialeth asked Morwen as they went through the library, the half-century cleaning was being done a few years early due to the preparation of Estel's education.
Morwen pulled the cloth covering her mouth from the dust down, "I am not sure. You were in the Havens more recently than I. Did she seem to be urging Thalion to go?"
"It was subtle, I think. Small comments and prods but Thalion, and his son, they seem so content to be there in the Havens. Neither are in a hurry to sail." Eluialeth said.
Morwen nodded, and passed one of the smaller books to Estel, "Estel, will you put this over on the table for me?"
Estel nodded, delighting in this game as he played messenger.
"I cannot believe you told him he is playing a messenger." Eluialeth said as she watched him go.
"It is training of some kind. And look how careful he is being with the books." Morwen defended her actions.
"You have no shame." Eluialeth said.
"He is enjoying himself, which is good." Morwen said as she glanced out on the dark and wet world, springtime showers clearly making themselves known, "I would rather have him play at being a messenger in the house than complain about being forced inside because of the rain. Think, Eluialeth, with both Elrohir and Elladan out of the realm and our elders in meetings all day, just who do you think would be required to play with him outside?"
Eluialeth nodded, "Gilraen needs the rest as well. Horrible sickness she has."
"I am sure it will pass. She just wanted to protect Estel from such a thing." Morwen laughed, "You must admit, it was quite amusing to see Elrond sneezed on."
Eluialeth snickered, "He was trying so hard to be polite about it as well. I do not think he could handle seeing Estel laid in bed with an illness."
"No, he has not had much experience with such a thing here in Imladris. Few of the human children become so ill they need his skills."
Morwen gestured for Eluialeth to be silent as Estel came back to them. She was about to ask Estel if he wanted to go to the kitchens when one of the pages came running into the library.
"Councilor Morwen, Gildor Inglorion's party approaches as does a small escort containing the crown prince of Mirkwood."
"Why are you telling me this?" Morwen asked.
"They will not let me in the meeting room and Balanauth and Lady Faeleth are also in there as are all the senior councilors and I cannot find Lindir." the page stated.
Morwen sighed and turned to Eluialeth, "Well, this will certainly be a memorable greeting." she attempted to brush some of the dust off her dress as Eluialeth did the same. Gathering up a protesting Estel Morwen turned to the page, "Let the wing for Gildor's people be prepared and let the cooks know we have a very large party in attendance. Also inform them of the presence of the escort from Mirkwood and that Berenon is among them. Order the fire started in the Hall and find some of the minstrels to provide entertainment, it is the best we can do until the elders come out of the council meeting and wherever Rian has taken herself off to, find her as well."
Morwen began the descent down to the entrance way, grabbing one of Estel's small cloaks.
"I do not want the cloak." Estel said.
"Whether you want the cloak or not it is going on you. Elrond will punish us both if you go out there with no cloak on and become soaked through." Morwen said.
"I will wear a cloak if you wear one." Estel said.
Morwen glanced down at her clothing, covered in dust and oil for the books' leather covers. She shrugged, "Fine by me." and pulled a cloak around her shoulders as Eluialeth quickly garbed Estel in his own. Morwen nodded in approval, "Let us go and get this over with. The sooner we greet them the sooner we can get on with things."
"I know of Gildor's people." Estel said, "But who is Berenon?"
"He is the eldest son of King Thranduil of Mirkwood. He is quite older than either I or Eluialeth and he has his own family. I am sure he is here for Tirnion."
"Does Tirnion have to go home now?" Estel asked.
"Most likely." Morwen said as she shared a silent look with Eluialeth.
"Does he have to go home because he has been bad here in Imladris?" Estel asked.
Morwen's eyes widened as she purposely bit her lip to hold back her laughter while Eluialeth snorted for a moment before taking a deep breath to send her own chuckles away.
"Um..no, Estel. If Tirnion is being told to go back to his home then it is because they need him there, more than we need him here." Eluialeth said.
"But who will teach me archery if he goes?" Estel asked.
Morwen smiled down at the young boy, "I am certain Glorfindel will take over the task, as will Erestor, at least until Elladan and Elrohir return. No need to worry about it now, Berenon could be arriving for any number of reasons."
Estel did not seem pleased with the answer to his questions but any further words were swallowed up as he watched the very large party of bedraggled elves arrive.
"Estel," Eluialeth whispered, "meet the Wandering Party led by Gildor Inglorion."
Thanks:
Renna, thank you for the review! I am big on the showing, rather than the telling (though I do both) largely due to the fact a creative writing friend drilled said words into my head. Estel is, indeed, fun to play around with as are the reactions of the others in regards to him. Glad to know you are still enjoying it!
Sielge, thank you for the review! I'm trying to update as often as I can.
Nima, thank you for the reviews both on this story and on Once I Was (I left a reply to that review on my lj). It's always good to know my chapter brightens your grim Monday's. I do try to bring a smile to the face, and yes, I don't care how old Elrond, Erestor, and Glorfindel can be, even they can take part in a game of tag. It's good for the spirit.