"Elrond" Someone called to him through the darkness. "Elrond!" The voice continued incessantly disturbing his dreams.
"Elros, let me sleep!' Elrond murmured sleepily and turned over.
"Elrond, I need your help, brother." Elrond woke and rubbed his eyes. In the moon's absence the night was pitch black. He crawled out of bed and fumbled around to light the candles. The night air was cool and he shivering slightly as he reached for his robe. He was alone in the room.
"What do you need, Elros?" Elrond replied in his mind.
"We are planning to abandon the village."
"Why?"
"The orcs increase in numbers. We cannot hold them back for long. We need to move the women, children and elderly to safety. They would like to join the Edain settlement of Baath on the secure western plains of Beleriand. Can you help me draw up an official letter to the High King? We would be moving through and into his territory. Do you think that he would approve?"
"I can't speak for Ereinion but he is wise and kind. There are several Edain settlements within his territory. I think that he would approve of your proposal."
"Ereinion?"
"Ereinion Gil-Galad the High King." Elrond explained.
"You know him so well?" Came Elros' astonished voice.
"He would like to meet you, Elros." Elrond said.
"Soon. They have elected me to the town leadership." Elros admitted. "I have responsibilities now to protect my people."
"Your people?" Elrond questioned.
"My heart belongs with them. Can you help?" Elros asked.
"Yes, I can help you draft the correspondence. How many people do you estimate?"
"Possibly five hundred will move with us." The twins proceeded to argue and debate the wording of the letter, furiously jotting down their ideas on paper. As the discussions continued, words were crossed out and more were suggested. It was nearly dawn when they had agreed on a complete draft.
"It would be easier if you were here, brother. I miss you." Yawned Elrond, thoroughly exhausted. He put down his pen and looked over the rough draft. Most likely Elros' draft was messier.
"I miss you too, big brother." Elros teased. "Thank you for your help."
"You are most welcome." Elrond said. "Now that I am healthy, I may catch you in height and truly be the big brother."
"You are healthy?"
"Yes, apparently I was poisoned in Amon Ereb. The healer here recognized the symptoms. All is well now." Elrond assured him. "I even sparred with Cirdan the ancient mariner. Will you send the letter today?"
"I have made contact with a green elf who scouts and gathers information for your King. He promised that he could deliver it later today using a messenger bird." Elros added
"My King?"
"Is he not? I can tell that you are happy, that he has already won your allegiance."
"I am happy here, happier than any time since we left Sirion." Elrond replied tiredly. "Though I miss you."
"I miss you too. It eases my heart to know you are healthy and well. We will see each other soon." Elros promised.
"Goodnight brother." Elrond yawned, his eyes closing in exhaustion. Outside the sun was just beginning to rise.
Xxxxxxx
Indiriel was sitting in the family dining room discussing the timing and logistics of guest arrivals with her ladies in waiting. Her Naneth would be arriving today. Ereinion peaked in and she paused, coming over to kiss him.
"Can I borrow Elrond and several of your pages? We will need additional people to coordinate all the arrivals. Elrond is so well organized."
"Yes of course. I was just looking for him to escape on an early morning ride. You can have him when we return. Has he come down for breakfast yet?"
"No, he has not yet appeared. It is late for him. He usually rises with the dawn." She waved as her betrothed departed. Then turned back to the last minute wedding details.
Ereinion knocked on the door to Elrond's chambers. When there was no response he opened the door and peered inside. He spied Elrond slumped in the chair with his head resting on the desk. The candles had burned down low as if the elf had worked through the night.
Ereinion smiled and snuck up behind the sleeping elf. "Elrond!" He said loudly, laughing as Elrond jumped.
"Ereinion! What?" Elrond shrieked in exasperation.
"What have you been up to? Surely Merwen does not require you to work through the night!" The King glanced at the papers on the desk and recognized his name at the top. He looked more closely at the letter. "You are writing to me?" Elrond glanced up at him, pausing for a moment.
"No, but Elros is and I was helping him." He admitted. "You are about to receive a strikingly similar letter in his handwriting." Elrond tried to stifle a yawn but was unsuccessful.
"Long distance letter drafting?" The King mused. " I am duly impressed. Come, you must tell me about it on our ride. I can not tackle the long day ahead without first feeling the open wind on my face."
Elrond quickly changed, grabbed two apples and accompanied Gil-Galad down to the stables. They discussed Elros and the request from his people while Elrond munched on an apple.
"He said one of the green elves would see to the letter's delivery." Gil-Galad laughed at that information.
"Your brother must be an excellent scout if he not only detected but cornered the Elf that I sent. Green elves are masters of disguise, and that one in particular can disappear in the forest."
"Then you already knew that Elros had accepted a leadership position?" Elrond said in astonishment.
"Being King has its advantages, though I can not claim to have your ability to far-speak."
"It is said that bonded couples often develop such abilities." Elrond smiled slyly. Ereinion laughed and pushed him.
"Insolent elfling." He teased. "Come, let us feel the wind on our backs." They had arrived at the stables and the Ereinion was eager to mount his favorite black stallion.
Elrond had ridden a chestnut mare several times before. He approached the mare and offered her an apple, stroking her head.
"Would you carry me today, beautiful one?" He requested softly. She neighed in consent and playfully sniffed at the young elf. Elrond mounted and at a slow cantor followed Gil-Galad out of the courtyard and through the city, down towards the grasslands that formed the floodplain. They picked up a small escort of the King's guard on their way, but the guard kept an amiable distance, not wanting to disturb their Lord's pleasure. Once on the open plain Gil-Galad gave a roar.
"First one to that distant tree wins. Noro lim (run fast) wild stallion!" The black horse bolted lightning fast along the open plain.
Xxxxxxx
Laeste smiled as Elrond's flushed face passed the window. Moments later he entered the house. "Indiriel has many tasks for you and you missed breakfast." Elrond nodded in greeting and in response to Laeste's raised brow gave a full bow followed by a polite greeting.
"That will due nicely, young elf. You will be meeting Indiriel's Naneth this morning as well as the Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. Now come eat quickly and then you will need to wash and change." Elrond did as instructed. The palace was a whirlwind of activity. Thainren's group had finished work on the Great Hall and it was undergoing a transformation into a reception room for the ceremony that was only three days away. The Dwarves had taken their leave several days ago to make room for all the extra wedding guests. Elrond was sad at their departure for Thainren had become a dear friend; however, the Dwarves were due back in Mithlond in a year's time to work on the last wing of the palace.
Xxxxxxx
Indiriel and her Ladies hurried down to the docks. Elrond kept pace, staying slightly behind the ellyth. The ship had already arrived from the Isle of Balar and its' deck was lit by a sea of bright elves. Fair silver, golden and brown heads lined up to get off the boat. Indiriel broke away from the others and ran to embrace her mother. Greetings flowed around the docks like water over a falls as many Elves rejoiced upon reunions.
Elrond straightened automatically when he saw a beautiful and tall golden-haired Lady glide majestically down the platform. She was wrapped in a pale blue dress and looked as if she had descended from Aman, so bright was her glow. Next to her, equal in stature was a silver Lord. "They are well matched, silver and gold, and remind me of the light of Telperion and Laurelin, the two trees of Valinor" came Maglor's description of the couple to his mind. This was Nerwen, the Lady who spurned Fëanor's requests for a strand of her hair, a proud and regal being who would not be caged.
"I prefer Galadriel." The Lady smiled radiantly and extended her hand to the youth. Elrond bowed low before her and politely kissed the offered hand.
"You have the eyes of Luthien, Eärendil's son." She said melodically.
"I am Elrond, my Lady." He felt her reach out to probe his mind and drew his guard up, halting her probe while he met her eyes squarely to discern if she was a friend or foe. She paused, surprised by the young one's mental strength. Her surprise immediately drew Lord Celeborn's attention and he turned to study the boy before them.
"My Lord Celeborn." Elrond bowed politely. "It is an honor to meet you."
"Greetings Elrond, you look much like your father." Celeborn said kindly.
Deciding these were friends, Elrond lowered his guard and felt Galadriel sift through his thoughts. He schooled himself not to react to the searing pain the probe of his mind caused. Somehow she touched the wounds of his spirit, wounds that lay deep within him. They pained him as if they had opened and began to bleed anew.
Galadriel paused, sensing the depth of the damage to the Peredhel's spirit. She was impressed by his quiet strength and his determination to endure. One could easily recognize that these wounds to his Fëa were such that they could not be fully healed on this side of the sea. These were emotional wounds from the loss of his parents, from the onslaught at Sirion, from the abuse of Amon Ereb, and the separation from his twin. These were wounds that must be treated with gentle but insistent probing to reopen and reexamine them, to allow them to bleed and to scab over. This simple repetition would slowly allow them to close and heal to more manageable hurts. If he were just an elf, he would have already faded from such wounds. But his mixed heritage from three races somehow imbued this one with greater resilience. She knew that this child of Elwing was destined for yet greater challenges, and she could perceive that Elrond's heart had a great capacity to love. Mentally, she drew back from him and gently grasped his arm gifting him strength.
"I will help you, young one. I will train you as Melian trained me." She spoke directly into his mind.
"Thank you, Lady." He intoned wordlessly, holding back a groan of pain. Both Galadriel and Celeborn were surprised by his ability for mind-speak.
Elrond felt strangely dazed and drained from the Ladies presence, but he kept his composure enough to graciously greet Indiriel's mother. The experiences of the previous night coupled with this busy morning though were taking their toll and Elrond did not notice Cirdan's arrival. He did not catch the disapproving glare that the Mariner sent Galadriel.
"He needs to rest." Was all the explanation that the Lady gave Cirdan. The Mariner nodded and guided Elrond to his house a block away. He led the boy into a quiet, private living room. Elrond settled onto a cushioned chair and sank immediately into sleep.
It was several hours later when Elrond stirred and stretched, taking in his unfamiliar surroundings. Pictures lined one wall of the room. He recognized his parents and stood to get a closer look, studying the figures in the other pictures as well. The oldest portrait, slightly faded and obviously retouched, was of a happy couple. The elf had Cirdan's features but no beard.
"Good to see you awake." The Mariner said upon entering the room. "Yes, that is my wife and I. She has already crossed the sea and I will join her when I can. You, lad were always curious about what lay beneath this beard. You used to constantly ask me when you were little, just moments before you would attempt to grab it." Cirdan handed Elrond a small glass.
"Drink this, it is a restorative." He looked discerningly at Elrond as if deciding upon a course of action. "Let's keep you away from Galadriel at least until after the festivities. Ereinion cares a great deal for you. I know that both he and Indiriel would be disappointed if you were not well enough to attend the ceremony."