They started off on the twenty-five minute walked down to the port. Thainren joined them and the dwarf, half-elf and ancient silver-haired mariner made quite an eye-turning trio. It was mid afternoon and the sun glistened brightly on the sparkling blue water of the bay. The sky was unusually clear and one could see for leagues. Six tall ships were anchored in the harbor as well as hundreds of smaller ships. There were fishing boats and sailboats bedecked with sails of many different colors and patterns. The effect was dazzling, and it made Elrond feel like a small boy again taking in the sights with awe and wonder. Tears threatened at Elrond's eyes but taking a deep breath, he willed them away.
"What are you thinking of little one?" Thainren asked, perceiving the melancholy in his companion.
"I saw my father sail from here long ago. My Mother, Elros and I waited until his ship disappeared beyond the horizon."
"I remember that day. You were so tiny perhaps just over two feet tall. Little cherubs chasing each other gleefully around on the sand." Cirdan smiled. "I think that was the last time I saw you."
"Do you think the Vingilot made it to Valinor? Do you think Ada succeeded in beseeching the Valar for aid?" Elrond voice was low and serious. "He who could speak on behalf of elves and men?
"If some tragedy befell them the sea would have told me and I have not heard any whispers or laments." Cirdan answered lightly. "The appearance of the bright new star Gil-Estel just a few years ago gives me hope that perhaps your father did reach Valinor. Time there somehow moves differently. If any could sway the hearts of the Valor to our cause it would be Eärendil. How your father managed to persuade your mother to allow him to sail, I will never know." He shook his head slightly and rested his hand on the shoulder of the young elf beside him. "I can not believe the sacrifices that your family has made for the good of Middle Earth would go unrewarded."
Elrond wished silently that somehow his family could be reunited again.
"Now that's a thing of beauty." Thainren said pointing. A boat with luminous white billowing sails glided into the bay. The sun glistened behind it making it look ethereal. The three of them stood in quiet admiration. A rustling sound behind them broke the spell. The King and his entourage approached.
"Elrond!" Came Ereinion's jubilant voice. "Do you remember this port?" Elrond nodded and smiled. "Merwen is drawing up a plan for your studies. We should meet with him tomorrow and decide if it is appropriate. Perhaps you will spend mornings with the tutors and then a few afternoons a week on the training fields. Noenri suggested that you might enjoy helping out at the House of Healing once a week."
"I would like that." Elrond said enthusiastically. Then he turned to watch the boat approach. The captain maneuvered the ship precisely into the one vacant space left on the dock in front of them. Several elves jumped off and tied the boat to the moorings. Then a plank was extended over the dock and a number of elves departed.
Gil-Galad stepped up to greet a stunning beauty with shimmering silver hair and azure eyes. She was clothes in a striking blue dress and wrapped in a navy cloak.
"Ereinion!" Came her melodic voice. "I missed you. Two months never passed by so slowly." They kissed and Gil-Galad drew her away from the boat. Their arms linked and dazzling smiles blessed the faces of two lovers.
"Indiriel, welcome back my love. I have someone I would like you to meet." She smiled at the dark haired elf before her, who stood admiring her with wide eyes.
"This is Elrond, Eärendil's son newly returned to us thanks to Master Thainren." Ereinion pointed at the Dwarf, who proceeded to bow. Elrond also bowed elegantly and politely accepted Indiriel's hand, bestowing a little kiss upon it, just as Laeste had coached him.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Lady Indiriel." He said shyly, a light blush coloring his cheeks. Indiriel knew how Ereinion had despaired when Eärendil's children were lost to him. This one must be barely older than twenty, yet already so tall, almost as tall as an adult, but still had those child-like eyes.
"The pleasure is mine, Elrond. You look much like your father." She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, delighting when the blush upon it deepened.
"Welcome to Mithlond, little one." She teased. The others chuckled at Elrond's reaction.
"How is your Naneth?" Cirdan asked, reaching over to embrace his great, great grandniece.
"She is well and sends some of your favorite fruit tarts. We should enjoy them tonight while they are fresh."
"Elrond." Cirdan ruffled the dark hair. "You are in for a treat tonight, elfling." Together the group began the return trip to the palace. The small smile gracing the young elf's face warmed all their hearts.
Xxxxxxx
The weeks passed joyously for Elrond who blossomed under the gentle love and care of his new friends and family. Beneath Laeste's watchful eyes he gradually regained weight and slowly began to sport the healthy glow that was natural for elves. Through daily exercise and time spent at the training fields Elrond progressively built his stamina. Morning lessons covered diverse topics and he had never felt so engaged and alive. He made friends with an elf who was apprenticing in the Kings service, a Noldo named Erestor, who had just reached his second century. Erestor and Elrond sometimes worked together on projects and recently had been paired for sparring sessions, though Elrond had much more experienced with the sword.
This morning Elrond was busy in the library. It was an impressive two-story structure whose main room was twice as large as the King's great hall. Elrond was scanning the primary literature for the origins of the three current Dwarven cities. He had already had the pleasure of visiting Belegost with Thainren. So he had first-hand knowledge of it. But he needed more information to complete the assignment Merwen had given him. Suddenly, Elrond felt a flood of overwhelming anxiety that was not his own. He sat down, closing his eyes and was immediately transported in thought to Elros, who was standing silently listening in horror to a scout report. Orc marauders had been spotted nearby the town and Edain leaders were grimly considering the size and strength of their foes. Elrond willed calm, strength, and courage towards his brother through their bond. Elros spoke, giving his opinion on strategies to engage the enemy away from the town's vulnerable inhabitants. Elrond felt pride swell through him at his brother's insights and abilities. The town leaders continued to argue over defensive strategies while Elros proceeded to gather a group for a surprise strike. The connection between the twins receded and Elrond trembled, fearing for his brother who was now so far beyond his aid. Elrond looked around the quiet stacks of books, knowing that he could not bear to stay here while his brother faced his first battle. He rose and his feet led him out of the building into the courtyard. He sought comfort in the majestic live Oak that thrived in the King's garden. He climbed the great tree and settled on a strong limb. The Oak responded to the boy's anxiety, nestling its leaves to hide him and singing a soothing lullaby to comfort him.
How long he secreted himself within the safety of the Oak, he couldn't say. Perhaps an hour had past when he felt again waves of emotion, the intensity of battle fury flowing from Elros. He willed all his strength towards his brother. In his mind, he saw his twin give the signal to attack. He saw the men descending on the orc horde. Arrows flew and swords crashed in deafening cacophony. He sent a prayer to Elbereth to protect his brother this day.
Xxxxxxx
Lady Indiriel spotted the elfling crouched in the Oak above her. Setting aside her cloak and slipping off her shoes, she proceeded to climb up to him. His eyes were closed and he was quaking with fear. Although she did not understand the reasons for his terror, she drew him into her arms. She held him in a gentle embrace as he weathered the vision that he was experiencing. Long minutes passed and still she held him soothingly. After a time, she felt relief sweep through him. He relaxed into her arms, slowly returning to himself. The shining silver eyes opened in confusion. An unnatural weariness characterized his speech and movement.
"My lady" he mumbled in embarrassment.
"Shhh Elrond, be at peace. You are safe here." Indiriel soothed, kissing him gently on the brow. "What did you see young one?"
His voice cracked and he brokenly stuttered. "Marauding orcs came upon the town where my brother is living. He organized a surprise attack... so many …. so much black blood." The elfling trembled again. "The Edain were victorious. But Elros grieves for a fallen friend."
"You can see so clearly through his eyes? You can talk to him over such a distance?" She studied the young one in her arms with wonder. Smiling at him reassuringly, she slowly stroked his dark hair.
"Only sometimes … when we both are open to it. Elros shielded his thoughts from me in Amon Ereb and blocked communication through our bond. Now it is generally only when we want to share great happiness. Perhaps this time it was because Elros was under such stress. Is having such an ability unusual? We did not dare describe it to Maglor or Maedhros."
"I have not heard of many who are capable of such far-speak, though it is not unheard of." Indiriel said thoughtfully. "The most skilled are kin of yours. It is said that the Lady Artanis, who is also known as Galadriel, and her husband Celeborn can speak over great distances." She eyed the boy's pale features. It was as if his own strength had somehow flowed out of him. Could he send his strength to his brother as well? Fine lines of exhaustion played around the silver eyes.
"You also shared his emotions." He nodded weakly acknowledging the truth of her words. "That I think you can learn to shield yourself from and limit the communication to speaking to each other. Handling one's own emotions is surely difficult enough. I am certain that the Lady Galadriel can help you. She will visit next month for the wedding." The traumatized youth did not reply.
"Come Elrond, let us brew some soothing tea." She helped him down from the Oak and led him back towards his room.
Xxxxxxx
The King approached Merwen after the council session was finished. "That was an excellent treaty, well written and extremely insightful."
"Thank you" Merwen said. The counselor held his ground, withstanding the piercing glare of his King.
"It did not have your usual stylistic marks." The King noted wryly.
"No, it did not. The boy is very advanced. There is no reason that his homework can't be topical." Merwen sighed slightly. "Although he is too young to attend council."
"Yes, he is." The King agreed. "But you may continue to use him in the capacity as long as he and others are kept unaware. It would not be wise for the court to learn of his abilities yet." Merwen nodded in understanding.
Gil-Galad sighed. "I promised to take care of Eärendil's sons, yet I foresee that they will both do much more for me than I will ever be able to do for them. Good night Merwen."
"Goodnight, my King." Merwen bowed and took his leave. Gil-Galad exited the council room and headed down the long corridor towards the family quarter. A soft sigh rose within him as he spotted his silver Queen.
"My love, I count the days now until our bonding." He held her hand and kissed her gently drinking in the love held in her azure eyes.
"Tis less than a month." She smiled, delighting in his presence. "Come let's share dinner together. They talked about the wedding preparations and the imminent arrival of Indiriel's Naneth.
"The Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn will accompany my Mother. They plan to arrive in three weeks." Indiriel then relayed all that had happened to Elrond earlier that day. Ereinion was silent in surprise. " I gave him a potent sleeping draught. He should have a long and dreamless rest."
"That was wise." Ereinion observed. "Thank you for caring for him." Indiriel leaned over and squeezed his hand in support.
"You care a great deal for the young one. I can already see why. He is quite charming."
"He and Elros are truly capable of such far-speak?" Gil-Galad said in astonishment. "Cirdan had mentioned an incident in the house of healing but he was quite skeptical. They are young to show such gifts."
"I have no doubts. You would not doubt it either if you had observed him. I only hope that the Lady Galadriel can teach him to control this ability and to block the emotions from his brother." Indiriel said compassionately. "Twenty-three is very young for an elf but a half-elf develops more quickly. How old was Eärendil when he set sail?"
"I do not know exactly, though surely he was less than forty. He and Elwing had just celebrated their six anniversary."
"So physically, Elrond grows more slowly than his father did?"
"That could be due to his years in captivity and the starvation that he endured." Gil-Galad paused assessing his young charge. "But also when I look at Elrond, I see one whose dreams and goals are kin with the Elves, although entwined in his spirit are also the inventive drive of the Edain and the gentle wisdom of the Maiar. Eärendil had these components as well but I always felt that the overarching melody of his soul was tied to the Edain."
"Have you heard any descriptions of Elros?" Indiriel asked curiously. " Elrond predicts that Elros will come to Mithlond in another year or two."
"That gives us time to sway the young one's heart. From what I glean from the Edain village, Elros has already chosen his path. I have so little family left. I would like to win Elrond for the Elves. I wish him to remain with us." He saw Indiriel's smile and leaned over to kiss her.
"I wish that as well." She purred enjoying another stolen kiss. "You will have more family in another month. Just a few more weeks, my love."