The summer had passed thankfully with no open warfare, though orc and wolf sightings had increased. There were two small skirmishes outside one of the outer settlement of Beleriand. The High King had decreed that all Elves no matter what their trade or gender should be trained in the use of weapons. There was no guarantee that the war would not come to Mithlond itself, and the King wanted all his subjects to be able to defend themselves. This of course meant that the healers experienced a dramatic increase in the treatment of minor injuries. Noenri had been busy training healers and gathering surgical equipment and stocking battlefield healing kits for the war that was inevitably coming. Elves of all heritages and Edain from the three houses of Men were equally worried. Refuges kept flooding into the many settlements in Beleriand including here in Mithlond as Morgoth forces drove them from their homes in the outer forests. No one knew when the host of Morgoth would descend on Beleriand's vast coastal plains or if Eärendil had been successful in beseeching the Valar for aid.
Noenri sat down at his desk for a moment and peered out the window towards the herb garden. Silsilalda and Elrond were tending and gathering medicinal plants. The young elf, he reflected, looked truly healthy now. Elrond's hair was shiny, and he had a healthy glow about him. While still thin, one could no longer see the outline of the elf's bones, rather his arms sported the defined muscles of a warrior. Noenri was sure that Elrond had also grown over three inches in the past six months. It was an incredible growth spurt for an elf, and Noenri could not help but wonder how tall his twin was. Elrond spent much of his free time learning the healing arts. Noenri found that the boy's enthusiasm was contagious. Most of his junior healers looked forward to the young elf's evening visits. Noenri found himself venturing outside to check on the herb gathering. He noted with satisfaction that the two had already gathered the rhizomes of the Barberry bushes an extract of which had strong antiseptic properties.
"Master Noenri." Elrond and Silsil greeted him. Elrond was harvesting Marigold flowers while Silsi was gathering willow leaves to make a powder for controlling fever.
"Good afternoon." He returned. "Elrond, I have heard that you are going to Balar tomorrow. Can you deliver some letters for me to the healers there?"
"Of course, Master Noenri." Elrond agreed.
"They will be sending back salves and other healing supplies." Noenri paused. "Will you be helping to make the antiseptic salve this evening?"
"Yes, I still have some time." Elrond nodded enthusiastically.
"Come by once you are done and pick up the letters." Noenri smiled. "Enjoy your trip to Balar. It is quite beautiful."
Xxxxxxx
Elrond sat on the beach softly playing his harp. It was dusk. The painted sky was fading to a dark navy. They had enjoyed a picnic on the beach and watched the sunset. This week spent with Erestor and his family on Balar had been wonderfully restful and rejuvenating. Erestor's Naneth treated Elrond like one of the family. By appearances, she was a slender elf with beautiful dark hair, yet she was feisty and had a wicked sense of humor, which was apparently inherited by Erestor. It was only in this relaxed setting that Elrond had glimpsed this side of his new friend. Erestor's younger sister had not yet reached her majority. She was initially shy but her curiosity was boundless. She had only ever been around elves before. Elrond as a peredhel was exotic. She had already embarrassed him by inspecting the points and curves of his ears. She endlessly begged him for stories of men and dwarves. Elrond was delighted to comply, describing the dwarven City with unusual flare and telling stories about his friend Thainren that kept them in stitches with laughter.
"How long do dwarves live?" She asked curiously.
"Several hundred years, I believe." Elrond replied.
"How about men?
"Less than a hundred." Erestor supplied.
"That seems far too short." She lamented.
"Yes, it does in a way." Elrond said thoughtfully. "But I am only twenty three and I can't imagine what it would be like to reach one hundred. How does it feel to be so old Erestor?" He joked. Erestor gave Elrond a playful shove causing him to spill his watered wine.
"Well elfling, it appears you are not old enough to drink."
"In your twenties only. You are but a baby!" Calimdriel exclaimed crossing nearer to pat him on the head. She was delighted at notion of being older than someone. "Thainren called you an elfling too! He is but a few years older than me. Can I meet him?"
"Thainren is young for his kind but loved to tease me since I am even younger. He and the dwarven stoneworkers will return to Mithlond in the fall to continue work on the palace. You should come to meet them." Calimdriel's eyes lit up at the prospect, and she sent pleading looks towards her Mother.
"Thank you for the invitation, Lord Elrond." Her Naneth smiled. "Perhaps I have kept my daughter too sheltered here on Balar. Her curiosity grows exponentially."
"Lord?" She quipped. "I thought one had to reach their majority before claiming that title. So elfling, when is your begetting day?" Elrond shrugged enigmatically and pointedly ignored the question.
"Now let's not go insulting guest elf Lords." Erestor chided.
"Naneth promises that we will have a party once I reach my majority. You must come too, Elrond!"
"Yes Elrond, if I survive Calimdriel reaching her majority." Her Mother paused in exasperation. "You must help me celebrate."
"When do peredhil reach their majority?" Calimdriel laughed.
"I don't know. But Cirdan said my parents married when they were in their thirties." Elrond reflected. "Elros is of the opinion that we are already full grown. He was already chosen to be a leader in his town and is evacuating the people to Baath."
"I beg to disagree with your brother. Perhaps he has reached his full height but you, Elrond, are definitely still growing!" Erestor declared. "You were noticeably shorter than me when you arrive in Mithlond nine months ago and now we are nearly equal in height."
"You are still a few inches taller." Elrond shook his head.
"Something to aim for." Erestor cheekily replied.
"Your brother has chosen to live among the Edain?" Calimdriel asked in astonishment. "You must miss him! I miss Erestor terribly when he is off in Mithlond." Elrond's eyes displayed how deeply he missed his twin.
"Elros stays with remnants of the house of Bëor and some descendents of the house of Hador. They are good and honorable people. In many ways, I think they are similar to Elves and even speak Sindarin. Men reach their majority at twenty. " Elrond said.
"I have not yet met any men." Erestor said. "Usually the kindred keep their separate ways. Mithlond is the exception."
"It is true that men and dwarves have shorter lifespans, but just because they are different does not mean that we can't forge friendships." Elrond said. "We do not shun the butterfly even if its life is short. I believe that Ilúvatar loves all his children, first born and after-comers.
"I met Beren, your ancestor in Doriath." Erestor's Naneth supplied. "A more honorable man you could not hope to meet. I also enjoyed meeting your father, Elrond. You look much like him."
"But did not Eru make separate places for the kindreds?" Calimdriel asked.
"Supposedly he did. But then where do half-elves fit? It would be awfully lonely if we had a place to ourselves as there have only been a handful of peredhil."
"But you are an elf!" Calimdriel stated firmly. "Surely, you belong with the elves." Elrond gave her a genuine smile.
"I'm glad you think so. The Fëanorians thought differently." Elrond said simply, although Erestor could see him struggling with his emotions. "The Feanorians thought that even among elves their clan was better. My watered down Noldo blood was unacceptable." He glossed over Maedhros' other prejudices.
"We can not know what Ilúvatar's plan is but I think that all of his creatures contribute to the music of Arda." Elrond paused. "My life wouldn't be as enriched if I hadn't come to Mithlond and learned that not all elves are like the Feanorians or if I hadn't had the pleasure to travel with the dwarves or to live in the Edain village. I hope someday to meet ents and entwives and green elves. Maybe I will travel and seek out adventures in the vast forests where the wood elves roam or seek the wild horses on the Great Plains." Elrond's eyes burned with the desire.
"Ents and entwives!" This time, it was Erestor's interest that was peaked. "Now there are some of Eru's creations that I long to encounter."
After much laughter, the four cleaned up the remains from their picnic and headed back to the family cottage. One more glorious week remained before they had to return to work and training in Mithlond. Elrond intended to make the most of it. Erestor planned to teach him how to fish tomorrow.
Xxxxxx One week later xxxxxxX
Erestor and Elrond walked through the town to the port to meet Cirdan. They were burdened with packages and their own small travel bags. Elrond had stopped at the house of healing to retrieve some supplies. Apparently, the healers had already sent boxes of salves, bandages and herbs to be loaded on the ship, but they had some last minute additions, which they entrusted to the pair of young elves.
"Elrond!" Cirdan waved them over. "Erestor! Welcome back. Did you have a good visit?" Both Elves smiled in answer. He could see they were both happy and relaxed and was glad that they had been able to escape the worries and fears that plagued elves if only for a short while. Upon their return to Mithlond, Elrond would be thrust into a more prominent role. Ereinion had decided to take advantage of Elrond's heritage and bring the young elf along as they appealed to the human and elven settlements in Beleriand to each establish their own regiments, which might fight if necessary under the High King's command. Advanced scouts were already trying to locate and count Morgoth's forces. If the worst should come, the Elves of Beleriand would need as many allies as they could find. The elves were barred from Valinor. So there could be no retreat from Mithlond.
Once all the healing supplies were loaded and the other passengers had boarded. Cirdan gave the signal to sail. He walked over to bow of the boat where Erestor and Elrond were standing watching their departure. Erestor turned to greet him but Elrond stood still, his eyes fixed on Balar.
"Elrond should not become a fisherman." Erestor joked. "I do not think he has the temperament for it." Cirdan laughed.
"There must be quite a story behind that." Cirdan looked at Elrond, whose fists, now white, clenched the rail in quiet desperation. "Elrond?" He walked over to him. Elrond's face was white with fear. His eyes were dilated and unfocused. "Elrond!" He touched the youth's face. It was strangely cold. He shook the elf and gently rubbed at his shoulders.
"Elrond, if it is a vision, let it go." He said in a loud commanding voice. The youth shook violently then proceeded to vomit over the side of the boat. Cirdan held him and as Erestor hurried to bring some water and towels. Elrond's gasps slowly subsided. Erestor had returned and handed him a towel, while Cirdan maneuvered the youth into his cabin. He gave the boy some water, which Elrond thankfully drank.
"Balar," Stuttered the young elf. "Balar will be lost under a great wave." He shook violently at the memory of the vision, the screams of the dying elves echoed in his mind.
"Could you tell when?" Cirdan asked gently. He knew that Ereinion had similar premonitions. But visions were no guide to actions. "Was it soon?"
"I can not be sure, though the guards wore the same style of uniforms as now." He closed his eyes and focused on the vision again. "A huge wall of water, maybe six times my height, swept over the island surprising its inhabitants." Elrond saw houses smashed, trees pulled up by their roots, bodies floated by as well as … decorations. All were pulled silently back out into the depths of the sea. "Midwinter. It was near the midwinter festival. There is no way of knowing if it is this year. But Balar will eventually be destroyed." He shivered again. The Mariner handed him a small glass.
"Drink this." He ordered. "Let the vision fade. Remember it may or may not come to pass. We can take precautions. We can prepare Balar and station a ship out at sea to detect such a disturbance and give the people time to prepare." Elrond obeyed and drank. Slowly the shaking subsided and he slid into an uneasy sleep. The Mariner watched him in silence. He had already given the same comfort to another elf who had the same vision. Then Cirdan turned to a white-faced Erestor.
"He is gifted with foresight?" Erestor asked incredulously.
"Gifted or cursed with foresight, yes. It is not easy to endure." Cirdan said.
"Should we return to Balar?" Erestor asked. He was obviously worried about his family.
"Elrond was sure it was midwinter. We will talk with the High King. We have some time. I would not create a panic."
Upon their arrival at the Havens, Erestor and Elrond helped move the healing supplies up to Mithlond and into the palace house of healing. The sun was already halfway across the sky when Elrond headed back to his room to drop off his bag and take a quick bath. He was just pulling on fresh clothes when he heard a knock.
"Come in." He said, buttoning up his tunic. It was Merwen who entered.
"Good to see you back, Elrond. King Gil-Galad requests that you join the council this afternoon."
"Council?" Elrond said in surprise. Merwen nodded and smiled.
"Do not worry. Officially, you will be introduced to the council as my apprentice. It is your experience with the Edain and your heritage that the King believes will aid us in the establishing stronger ties with our allies." Merwen explained. "Come, the council already convenes. We should not be too late in arriving."
Elrond instinctively reached to braid his hair, but Merwen stopped him. "Leave it unbraided as a sign of your youth." He pulled the young elf out of the room, and they headed towards the council room.
"Remember the rules of order that we discussed." Merwen said quickly. "It would also be wise to only speak when you are addressed directly. Use this time to gather information and to learn how the council members interact." They turned the corner and walked into the elegant reception room that Elrond had first met Ereinion in. This time almost all the chairs surrounding the large conference table were occupied by elves dressed in regal court attire. Elrond in comparison felt incredibly underdressed. At the head of the table sat King Gil-Galad wearing his robes of state and his mithril crown.
"Pardon our late arrival, my Lord." Merwen bowed and Elrond followed suit. "I request permission for my apprentice Elrond Eärendilion to enter." He motioned for Elrond to step forward. Elrond bowed and perfectly recited the promise in Quenyan to serve his King with loyalty.
"Thank you Eärendilion." Gil-Galad said then turned to the rest of the council. "Are there any objections to Eärendil's son serving Merwen and this council?" He asked.
"How old are you Eärendilion?" One of the councilors asked.
"I am twenty-three, my Lord." Elrond politely answered.
"Have you even reached your majority?" The same councilor asked rhetorically.
"I do not know the age at which a peredhel reaches their majority." Elrond answered truthfully. "My twin Elros is considered an adult by the Edain and already has taken up a leadership position." Elrond fell silent, remembering Merwen's advice and stepped back into his Mentor's shadow.
Gil-Galad motioned for them to sit as the discussion over Elrond's fitness for duty continued. Merwen and his apprentice took the empty two chairs on the far side of the table. Elrond spent the next two hours listening to the council's reports and debates. He was never addressed directly and so simply observed the dynamics of the council and learned much about the challenges Mithlond was facing. The maps of Morgoth's forces and updates on the refuge situation were very disturbing. The free peoples of Middle Earth were at a grave disadvantage. Only now could Elrond fully appreciate why his Adar had risked so much to sail to the Valar. The loose alliance of free people could not hope to stand long against the mighty forces that Morgoth was now assembling.
Towards the end of the council session, Lord Cirdan entered. He gave Elrond an appraising look and casually sat down in the empty chair next to Ereinion. Not long afterwards the King closed the council session and officially dismissed its members.
"Merwen" The King said quietly. "Please remain here for a moment." The King and Merwen exchanged glances and Merwen motioned for Elrond to remain as well. Soon only the four of them remained at the table.
"Ereinion" Cirdan broke the silence. The mariner was not one to mince words. "Elrond had a vision, portending the distruction of Balar." Both Ereinion and Merwen turned to Elrond with shocked eyes. Elrond related his vision with as much detail as he could recall.
"Midwinter." The King repeated. "I have had similar dreams about Balar but never caught that detail."
"It may be possible to station a ship far enough from Balar so that it could spot the danger and perhaps signal Balar."
"How would such a wave look like in the open water?" Ereinion responded.
Cirdan considered this question carefully.
"I think in the open water, the ship would rise and fall more gently over the wave, but the depth would change dramatically as it enters shallow water." Cirdan said.
"There would have to be a way of measuring the water level for comparison. I do not know if it is even possible." Elrond said softly. Ereinion considered this for a moment.
"We can not be certain that it is coming this midwinter. But two of us have been gifted similar visions. I would not risk the lives of those on Balar." The King paused. "How many currently reside there?"
"Approximately ten thousand elves." Merwen informed him.
"Evacuation of such large numbers would take some time." Cirdan said.
"You are currently building more ships. Can you estimate how many ships would be required for such an evacuation? Also is there any way to gage how long such an evacuation would take?" He appointed Cirdan to this task.
"Elrond, can you and Erestor investigate methods for measuring the height or depth of the sea?" Elrond nodded in acceptance of this assignment. "Would it be even feasible to set up a system to warn Balar? To give the people time to flee?"
"Merwen, please study the feasibility of housing the refuges from Balar in and around Mithlond and the Havens. How might we lure people from the Isle without causing widespread panic?" Ereinion sighed. "Unfortunately, the coming days are bound to get darker." They all rose, recognizing the dismissal. Merwen bowed and departed as did Elrond, who walked slowly towards the family wing. A voice from behind made him turn.
"Elfling!" The King called. "Come to dinner, you must tell Indiriel and I about your trip to Balar." The young elf smiled.
"It would be my pleasure." Elrond said. Then Ereinion, Cirdan and Elrond walked off together.