Elrond stood, suddenly nervous at the thought of leaving Thainren. He had felt safe and protected in the presence of the dwarf. The King and Cirdan seemed open and accepting, but Maglor had been nice to them too at times, teaching Elrond and his brother many things and instructing Elrond on the Harp. Yet, Maglor did not stop his brother Maehdros from being cruel to the half-elves. Many of the Feanorian house also took pleasure in ridiculing their half-elven prisoners. Unconsciously, the boy took a step back towards Thainren, fear passing briefly through him. Thainren walked up beside him and clasped his hand.

"Elrond, I'm staying close by. I will see you at dinner." Thainren said soothingly. Gil-Galad and Cirdan easily read the fear that passed over the boys' features and in a glance exchanged a promise to watch over the boy.

"Elrond, you are safe here. No one will harm you here in the palace." Gil-Galad said. "I give you my word that you are safe."

Elrond looked up at the King, slightly embarrassed by his fear. But both the noble elves smiled kindly. "Come, elfling. Let's get you settled and you can take a bath and change before dinner." Gil-Galad took the boy by the hand and led him out into the hall. Thainren gave Cirdan a knowing look and stayed to update him on the elfling's journey.

"You speak with great love for Eärendil's son." Cirdan addressed Thainren.

"It will not take you long to see how special he is. He is a bright, intelligent, and compassionate boy. He has suffered much hatred and prejudice in captivity. I have witnessed it disturbing his dreams. I have woken him from his night terrors and comforted him. Someone should be near should he suffer such terrors tonight. Yet his courage at leaving his brother and coming to explore a new place is admirable. He needs a safe and secure place to grow. I have watched over him on our journey from the Edain village. He will be a great ambassador, a voice for tolerance and understanding. His curiosity and appreciation for our culture touched many. He made many friends in our city and even helped heal one of our children. Iluvator has blessed him with unusual healing powers. My family would adopt the boy in a heartbeat and keep him safe. But perhaps, he should be with his own kind, if you can truly protect him. I take it that my father alerted you of our plans?"

"Yes, we received his message a week ago and sent out an escort to look for you."

"Your escort mistook him for an Edain and proceeded to threaten him with a sword."

"That was unfortunate, though I did not want to divulge the boy's identity until we had him safely in the palace. Did you meet his brother Elros?"

"Yes, I met him briefly among the Edain."

"What is he like?"

"He and Elrond are supposedly twins. But you can easily tell them apart. His brother keeps his hair shorter in the style of Men. He is taller and more muscular than Elrond and looks to be a few years older. Elros has formed close ties to their edain kin. Do not hold it against him. He is responding to the love and care he was given. It is not surprising given that the boys were orphaned." Cirdan nodded taking in the information provided.

"We are very grateful that you escorted Elrond safely to us. Come let me show you to a room near the elfling."

Xxxxxxx

Elrond was shocked when the High King himself led him to his room. He looked around nervously at first, but the grandeur of the palace was so impressive that he found he could not stop himself from staring in wonder. Gil-Galad suppressed the urge to chuckle. The elfling was a little over a head shorter than him yet seemed very young.

"I hope you will enjoy living in the palace. It is my wish that you stay as long as you desire. I have nearly no kin left here. Some of my kin reside in the west and many have died. The Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn are some of my other close kin. Both are distantly related to you as well." The elfling stole shy looks at the King.

"Elrond," The King addressed the elfling and led him into a magnificent bedroom with elaborate blue drapes hanging on both sides of floor to ceiling windows. "I am truly sorry that we could not free you and your brother from Amon Ereb. Their defenses were too great to risk a battle. We did have a spy inside their house who kept us informed of your treatment there, if you had been at great risk we would have attempted a rescue." The King paused, considering the elfling before him, whose eyes were dark as if he was experiencing some terror from memory. "How did you and your brother manage to escape?" He looked expectantly at the boy.

Maedhros enraged face and fiery red hair swam into view. "Peredhil!" The word slid like a curse off his tongue as he closed his grip around the small neck. "Even your mother despised you abandoning you for a stone." Elrond shook his head trying to clear away the memory.

"Elrond" Gil-Galad called soothingly. "You must talk with me and others about your experiences in Amon Ereb. Only then can you overcome them." Elrond took a deep breath as he tried to banish the dreadful memories of the Feanorians.

"We were almost twenty when Maglor and Maedhros said that they would allow us to leave. They believe war is coming. They foresee a great war against Morgoth. Maedhros said that we should find out where …" Elrond paused trying to think of better words to substitute for Maedhros' slurs. Gil-Galad noticed the tremors that shook the slight frame. "Find out where ones such as us belonged. He thought that we deserved the right to choose what house we would die for. They arranged for us to meet some Edain travelers and we left shortly afterwards." Elrond paused as the feelings of elation at finally gaining freedom swept through him. "Elros remains with the Edain. He said that he would be proud to fight beside them."

Gil-Galad observed the strong emotions run through the elfling. This one was so young and already touched by such loss and such torment. He felt an overwhelming urge to protect the boy. "I promise that here in Lindon you be loved and cared for. There is no longer a reason to fear." He pulled the astonished young one into his arms. They were interrupted by a knock and a tall Elleth with light brown hair walked in.

"Excuse me, my Lord." Laeste interrupted, smiling as she looked at the thin, reedy elfling. "You must be one of the sons of Elwing and Eärendil! You have your mother's hair and stature and yet your facial features resemble Eärendil." Laeste eyes sparkled kindly. "I am Laeste, I will be happy to care for you and guide you in the ways of our people."

"Laeste, this is Elrond Eärendilion. Elrond, Laeste took care of me when I was young." Gil-Galad explained. "The war had separated my family, and my parents sent me here to Mithlond to stay with Cirdan for safety." He led the youth over to the elleth. Elrond bowed in greeting. "I will see you soon Elrond." The King embraced the young elf, who stammered his thanks.

"It is nice to meet you." Elrond turned and shyly addressed Laeste. The elleth held back her urge to likewise embrace the youth, for his eyes were wide as if he might bolt from fright. Instead, she sought to put him at ease.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, young Elrond. I watched over Ereinion and Elwing for a time, long ago. Your Mother was very dear to us. We were all grieved when we heard about Sirion." She saw tears threaten the boy's eyes and decided to change the subject. "Now, we must get you cleaned up and dressed properly so you can appear at dinner. Let me show you where you can bathe." She smiled and walked past him into the bathroom. Elrond heard the sound of running water.

"Come Elrond, give me those filthy clothes and wash up." She prompted gently. When the boy made no move to undress, she crossed over to him and began to unbutton his tunic. His face turned bright red as he pulled away, but Laeste was not to be dissuaded.

"Child, was there no nursemaid at Amon Ereb to care for you?"

"Only Uncle Maglor cared for us there." Elrond mumbled in a wavering voice.

"Surely, you remember some of the ladies at Sirion who cared for you?" Laeste kept her gaze steady as she helped the boy out of his clothing and led him to the bath, which was sunken cleverly into the stone floor. He would need time to grow accustomed to this new environment. "This is sandalwood soap to wash your body with. There is shampoo for your hair in the white bottle." She handed him a washcloth and towels. I will go see if I can round up some clothing in your size. I'll be back to fix your hair." Without further ado, Laeste left.

Elrond sank into the soothing warm water momentarily overcome by the comforts of his surrounding. Some of the carvings were obviously of dwarven origins but the design of the room, which seemed to flow seamlessly into the outdoors, was unmistakably elven. Elrond washed slowly and was just rinsing his hair when he heard Laeste's cheerful voice.

"It is time to get out, child." Elrond stepped out of the bath and dried himself with the most luxurious towel he had ever felt, finally wrapping the towel around his waist before stepping out into the bedroom. Laeste greeted him and then set about taking his measurements. She handed him some dark leggings, which he pulled on quickly and tied about his waist. The she gave him a simple white silken shirt before handing him a beautiful blue tunic embroidered with a delicate leaf pattern.

"This will be a little big but it will serve for tonight." She smiled at the youth's astonished expression.

"You wear a golden flower pendant?" She asked studying the simple yellow pendant that hung from a ragged dark string around his neck.

"My father gave it to me to remind me of brave and loyal friends." The boy told her softly.

"I will get you a chain for it tomorrow." She said kindly. "It is too precious to trust to a worn string." Her heart went out to the elfling. He had nearly nothing in his bag, just a few worn tunics, several pair of leggings, two small books and a harp. She was sure that these were the sum of all his possessions. From his emaciated frame, it looked as if he was on the edge of starvation. "Could the dwarves not provide proper food for him or was he ill?" She wondered to herself.

"Why did you cut your hair, young one?" She asked curiously.

"Elros and I got our haircut the first week that we arrived at the Edain village. We were so happy to be free from those elves." His voice wavered, and he was suddenly fearful that he might have offended Laeste. The thrill of finally having his freedom rushed through him again. "The Edain welcomed us and treated us as Kin as equals." He tried to explain. "Elros was overjoyed at looking like the others at the idea of belonging. So we cut our hair to match the Edain our age." But Elrond felt wistful as if he had somehow betrayed his true nature. Laeste massaged the youth's head and slowly brushed his silken locks. The silver eyes were closed to avoid looking at her directly.

"Do not worry, your hair will grow quickly once you are taking in the proper nourishment. You are very thin. Tomorrow I will make you a special elixir with herbs and vitamins to help you regain your strength." A knock on the door was followed by Thainren's cheerful voice.

"Are you well, little one?" Elrond grimaced at the endearment but smiled as the dwarf entered.

"Yes, thank you Thainren." The dwarf had also bathed and changed into a magnificent shirt and embroidered vest, typical of dwarven royalty.

"Tis not often that we dine with an Elven King. I've been assured that he has some fine ales." Thainren paused, taking in the sight of his young charge. "You look almost like a grown Elven Lord." Thainren laughed and squeezed the boy's hand. "We just must put a little meat on those bones of yours." Laeste found herself in the unlikely position of agreeing with a dwarf. She led her unusual guests out of the royal wing and down to the formal dining chambers.

Dinner was an elaborate affair with the King's councilors, several of the Dwarves, Laeste, and Cirdan. Elrond sat on the family side of the table, to the right of Gil-Galad. Laeste and Cirdan were close by and Thainren and the other dwarves were seated across from them. Much to Elrond's shock, the King began the meal by leading them in a prayer to Eru.

"I thank Thainren of the Dwarves and the One for bringing Elrond safely back to us. May Eru watch over and protect Elros and lead him back to us as well." The King then raised his glass and gave a toast. "To the sons of Eärendil!" They all repeated his toast and drank.

"Elrond, you spent a year with the Edain and three months traveling with dwarves," noted Cirdan "tell us about your experiences." Soon Elrond was relaying descriptions of life in the Edain village adding funny stories about his mishaps there. Then he described the dwarven caves and the amazing artistry and metallurgy he had seen. All the descriptions were colored by the excitement and enthusiasm of this unusual youth.

"Are you going to teach me more about carving? Maybe tomorrow!" Elrond begged Thainren. Thainren smiled, obviously enchanted by the boy.

"If your Lord permits." He motioned to the King with a nod of his head. Elrond looked at Gil-Galad. The silver eyes were pleading, but the boy was suddenly too shy to ask directly. Gil-Galad smiled indulgently.

"Of course you may after you join Laeste at the House of Healing. We would like to be sure that you are well before deciding on a schedule for your studies and training." The King said.

"Healers?" Elrond's curiosity overcame his worry. "Can I study with elven healers? I spent some time learning from an Edain healer and even a little with the Dwarven healers."

"Is there anything you are not interested in?" Cirdan teased, happy to see that this elfling, who had experienced such trauma was still filled with such curiosity and wonder at the world around him.

"So Elros preferred to live among the Edain?" Asked one of the councilors incredulously. The Noldo's intense eyes reminded Elrond momentarily of Maedhros making him unconsciously shiver. Elrond paused in thought. In the moment of silence, Gil-Galad could see the youth thinking through possible answers to try to craft a diplomatic response.

"Well," he said simply, "the elves at Amon Ereb, with the exception of Maglor, were not kind."

"We are glad that you are free from the Kinslayers." The councilor said. The honesty in the voice put Elrond more at ease.

The dinner passed most enjoyably and soon Laeste led the very weary elfling back to his room. The boy sank down on the bed. His eyes were already closing. She smiled at the sight, for the boy certainly would have fallen asleep in the dress cloths. Laeste took out some sleepwear and proceeded to coax the youth out of his clothes and into the pajamas of softest fabric Elrond had ever touched.

"What is it?" Elrond asked though a huge yawn.

"I'll tell you tomorrow little one. Now, though, you must rest." She gave the sleepy elfling an affectionate hug and tucked the blankets around his slight figure. Then she wished him pleasant dreams.

Xxxxx

Cries woke Ereinion in the night and he ran to the boy's room. Elrond was thrashing in his sleep, calling out wildly. Laeste appeared behind the King and lit the candles in the room. She opened the glass doors to the balcony to let in the cool night air.

"It is a night terror. You had them as well when you first arrived here, my Lord. Try to wake him. I will go brew a calming tea."

Gil-Galad shook the boy, calling steadily to him. Elrond's bloodless fingers were clasped desperately around the blankets.

"Elrond. Child. Come back to us. You are safe in Mithlond. Elrond!" He called more forcefully, focusing all his energy on reaching the boy. The elfling opened his eyes and stared at the King in shock and confusion.

"It is I, Ereinion Gil-Galad." The King reminded him. "Leave these dreams behind and awake, young one." The light of recognition slowly kindled in Elrond's eyes and he relaxed back against the pillow.

"My Lord?" He said slowly, shame suddenly flooding him. But the High King gently lifted the boy's chin and guided him into a comforting embrace. "There is no shame in this Elrond. Even I suffered such nightmares in my younger days. Tell me what you recall from your dreams. Do not hold it inside else it will eat at your soul." The boy trembled violently and Ereinion rubbed soothing circles on the boy's back. Tears streamed from Elrond's cheeks down onto the King's robe. The boy cried for a while and only regained his composure when Laeste returned with the tea. The King motioned for the elleth to stay, and she sat herself unobtrusively in the chair by the window as Ereinion lead Elrond to the table.

"Drink the tea, little one. It will calm you and send you into a dreamless sleep." The elfling slowly sipped at the steaming cup. "Tell us about your dreams." Elrond looked up with those disarmingly intense silver eyes, obviously startled by the request.

"Have you ever told them to anyone?"

"I told Elros a little." The boy shivered.

"Share them with me. It will help to banish them."

Elrond told him about his nightmares, about reliving the horror at Sirion and how Maedhros filled with battle-fury had come upon them. Maedhros had nearly choked the young boy to death, before Maglor and Elros intervened. Ereinion noted how the boy before him clutched at his neck as he relayed his tale.

"Then I saw a great battle." Elrond's eyes flashed differently. "Thousands of men and elves on an open field stained red with blood were fighting orcs, wolves, dwarves and dragons. You were there. I fought near you. Great winged creatures, dragons flew above us spewing flames that scorched the land. A great ship sailed through the air engaging the dragons. Ada was steering the ship. I saw him. He was bathed in a bright light. He did not see me." The boy trailed off as he finished the tea. His eyes were beginning to glaze over.

"Let these dreams and visions trouble you no more this night." Ereinion said while lifting the boy and carrying him back to the bed. "You are strong and brave, little one. You have survived much hardship already. Rest here, safe among kin and friends." He laid the boy back on the bed while Laeste brought a warmer blanket.

"The weight and warmth is often comforting. I will stay with him tonight, my Lord." Laeste's concern filled her voice as she smoothed down the blankets around the young prince. Ereinion expressed his thanks with a small smile.