A.N/ Merry Christmas everyone! As a present we decided to upload two chapters today!

Chapter Fourteen – 1.21 Terawatts

Di's POV

We arrived in Elrond's study fifteen minutes later, still sodden from our adventure in the lake. Our clothes reflected our mood – damp and slightly uncomfortable. I had tried to make myself presentable during our short journey from the forest to Rivendell, but the setting sun did no wonders for the drying of my hair. Finna was worried about our impending meeting, and she was uncharacteristically quiet.

Looking up at Elrond seated in his magnificent chair, I could tell by the way he was wringing his hands that he was agitated. The multiple lines of boot marks on the soft carpeted floor showed that he had been pacing the spacious room, and I guessed that he was about to impart some grave news.

"I have summoned you here in order to impart some grave news," he began in his deep voice. "I have found a way in which you can return home to your world."

Beside me, I could sense Finna's confusion. Lord Elrond could too, and so he proceeded quickly to explain: "Crossing the dimensions requires a vast amount of power, 1.21 terawatts to be precise, which was available only by coincidence when you made the journey from Earth to Middle Earth, due to the crossing of ley lines over an interdimensional rift. However it is physically impossible to generate that power using the technologies available on Middle Earth, without taking drastic measures." His face fell. "Therefore, the only way it is possible to cross the dimensions into the universe in which you are accustomed to live is to eradicate the universe we are currently in. The power emitted from destroying Middle Earth should hypothetically be sufficient to send you home. For obvious reasons, that is not an option worth considering."

I was stunned. We were never going to go back home. However little knowledge I had about Middle Earth (after all my reading, I had only learnt all the languages and their respective histories, but very little of what everyday life was like here), I knew that obliterating the whole world and killing all the beautiful flora and fauna I had seen here just for our own gain was incredibly selfish. Finna, whose understanding of Elrond's speech had undoubtedly only just stretched to the observation that we were to stay in Middle Earth forever, rushed out of the room sobbing, and I was tempted to follow suit. Instead, keeping my face void of emotion, I took the opportunity to ask Elrond about our formal education.

" My Lord, seeing as we will be residing in Middle Earth indefinitely, and seeing as we are young and have much to learn about this world..." I hesitated. I was surprised at how much my voice betrayed feelings I did not know I was harbouring.

"You wish to continue your schooling, I understand,"

"Y-Yes"

"Well then, I will see that it is done! Do not despair - you two may turn out to be promising young elves here in Middle Earth. Goodbye for now."

Entering the hall, I joined Finna, who was standing with Glorfindel, Elrohir and Elladan. The older elves looked at me questioningly as I neared their little huddle; Finna had obviously not explained the situation to them. She was still very upset and was wiping her tears with a handkerchief Glorfindel had given her (judging by the monogram). Without waiting for them to ask, I narrated what Elrond had told us in his office. They seemed as surprised as we had been, but I could also detect some relief on their elven features.

"So you're both stuck here with us forever? That doesn't sound too bad, does it Dan?" Elrohir was trying to cheer us up, and Finna was visibly happier.

"I'd hate to have to spend the rest of my life with only you three as company," said Finna with a smile. They all began to laugh together and joke around as if nothing had happened. I needed time to think though, so I slipped away into my room.

I realised that I would have to mentally prepare myself for a life in Middle Earth. I pushed away my memories and longings from my old life into the mental Vanishing Cabinet I had always imagined to be in the recesses of my mind. Its pair was far away, hidden from plain sight, so that I would not be tempted to go searching for it. I found this method useful in focusing my mind and controlling my emotions, like a form of meditation but without all the eye-closing and humming.

After half an hour, I heard Finna's footsteps padding into the room next door, and then a squeal of glee. I wandered into her chamber, and saw her clutching a piece of parchment and reading it intently. She had evidently just received a letter, as I noticed an envelope flung onto the bed. Glancing up, she acknowledged my arrival with a shriek and a hug. I was baffled as to why she was acting in this way when she said,

"Look, Di! They've sent us a timetable for our school. I thought it would be really dull, but look: we've got subjects like archery and fencing! And guess who's teaching us: it's Roh and Dan. Oh my God this is going to be so much fun! I can't wait to start. When are we starting? Let's see – it's tomorrow! And combat training is our first lesson! Yay! I'm excited Di, are you excited? Di?"

Finna had been talking at top speed in a high pitched voice, without pausing for breath during her monologue. I had tuned out, and had begun to read the letter which she was showing me. Looking down the list of subjects, my eyes caught on the academic ones, and I secretly grinned at the sheer number of interesting topics we were to learn about. Then I glanced at the teachers, and saw, to my delight, that, along with Elladan and Elrohir, someone called Erestor, and occasionally Glorfindel, I was to be personally taught by Lord Elrond. Granted, it was only for one lesson per fortnight, but I was still eager to gain some of the wisdom of the great elf.

"Di, are you okay? You look a bit vacant." Finna was watching me worriedly.

"Yes, yes I'm fine," I answered automatically. "Actually, I was wondering about something. Are you sure we should not reply to Seph's message and tell them that we are to stay in Middle Earth?"

"Of course we can't reply! They are the ones who ditched us, so why should we help them? Anyway, they might as well assume that we have gone back to Earth, 'cause it's not like we're ever going to see them again is it? If we tell them, they'll just come over here and start living with us and ruin everything all over again."

I could tell that she was still bitter about Seph and Kelly leaving us, so I decided not to push the topic any further. Instead I suggested that we retire for the night, as we had had an exhausting and eventful day. Finna, having calmed down considerably, accepted this offer readily, and we parted into our respective bedrooms.
I knew that Fin at least partially blamed herself for the petty dispute we had had in the forest, I was certain that Persephone felt the same. Fin may be bitter about the incident but she still loved them.
We will reunite again someday.
I vowed as I blew out the candle on my bedside table and closed my eyes, willing sleep to come.

Kels' POV

I stared out of the rounded window at the dark night sky, Seph's gentle singing a perfume in the air.
"Kels." I turned to look at Frodo. He stared up at me and we shared a small smile.
"Is Seph well?" he asked, concern written on his face. "She is hardly eating and she spends most of her time singing..."
"She blames herself Frodo." A look of confusion passed over the small hobbits features.
"What for?" I turned my head to look at Seph. She was staring out of the open, round window and a small breeze caused tendrils of her hair to whip around her face. A deep, aching sadness shone in her eyes. She would calm down eventually, I knew from experience, but for now I would let her have her peace.
"Everything."

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