Be careful I removed the announcement, so Chapter 9 is a real chapter now, in case you didn't notice. This is Chapter 10 now. So before you read this chapter make sure you read Chapter 9.
Last chapter! Yeah! So there are some notes at the end but after that there is the surprise scene I promised. So don't stop reading when you have reached the notes just read ahead. It is a scene after the credits so to say.^^
Thank you so much for reading my story and thank you for the support and all the kind words! It kept me going!
"Elrond!"
Elrond put his book down.
"Elrond!"
It was Celebrian calling for him from the corridor and only a few seconds later she burst through the door to his study, panting. He could clearly see her excitement. Her face was flushed and a smile appeared on her face.
"What is it?", he asked, relieved that obviously nothing grave had happened, rather something good judging by her looks.
"Elrond! A messenger from Tirion just arrived! They have sighted another ship on the horizon!"
He sighed, put the book aside and got to his feet. So many times he had allowed his hope to be raised only for it to be crushed again until he couldn't bear it any longer, it had just become too painful for him. He had to protect himself. So whenever he heard about another boat on the horizon he denied himself any hope of it carrying either his sons or Thranduil.
"You know my answer.", he thus told Celebrian.
"You know it might actually happen one day.", she said, looking disappointedly at him.
"Yes, it might… one day or another…"
###
Celebrian shielded her eyes with her hands against the bright sun to get a better view of the boat that was now quickly getting closer and closer. And then she saw the two heads crowned with the dark brown hair that was so similar to their father's and her heart leapt for joy.
"It's them!", she exclaimed and turned to her mother, who was standing right next to her, smiling, her gaze also directed to the boat. "It's Elladan and Elrohir."
"Yes, it is them and it is him.", her mother said without looking at her.
Instead her eyes were fixated on the boat and Celebrian could clearly hear the relief in her mother's voice. Celebrian looked again at the approaching boat and she saw that a third person now stood at the railing, the silver hair swaying in the wind.
"Father!"
She couldn't believe it. Finally after so long a time she would see her sons and her father again. Finally she would able to embrace them again, to feel them, to hold them. And then a fourth person appeared, the hair silver with a slight touch of gold. At first she was confused, because she couldn't recall any person she knew with such a hair color. Could she hope…? And when she heard her mother sigh and uttering a quiet 'finally', she knew she could.
"Father.", she heard Legolas whisper, who was standing behind her, astonishment evident in his voice.
And relief washed over her heart, because finally Elrond's wait would be over.
###
Thranduil leaned on the railing watching the crowd on the piers. Quite a few people were standing there, waiting for the boat to arrive, waiting for the passengers to finally set foot on the shores of Valinor. But he knew that nobody was waiting for him, except for Legolas maybe. But Legolas was most likely enjoying his newfound carefree life with his friend, the dwarf. And he most likely didn't expect him to arrive in Valinor, since he had assured him that he would never ever sail. So on this pier, he knew, no one was waiting for him. But he was certain that there were quite a few people waiting for his travel companions and maybe even Elrond would be on the pier desperately waiting for his sons. He swallowed hard. Maybe he would see Elrond in a few moments time and he was afraid. What if Elrond would ignore him? What if Elrond had only eyes for his sons? He knew that he had no claims, he knew there was nothing wrong with Elrond only having eyes for his sons but it would break his heart that he knew too. But now after five hundred years he was finally where his heart had wanted him to be all along.
"She is here.", he heard Celeborn whisper next to him, relief evident in his voice and Thranduil was sure he was referring to Galadriel whose unique silver-golden hair and her tall statue made it easy to identify her among all the other elves.
"Look, who is standing next to your grandmother.", he then told his grandsons and it took only the blink of a second before both of them shouted.
"Nana!"
Their posture had totally changed now that they definitely knew that they would see their mother again. He knew they both had tried to reign in their hope of seeing their mother again because there had always been this tiny bit of a doubt that their mother hadn't managed to recover. He was happy for them that this doubt had obviously been baseless because as far as he could see Lady Celebrian was smiling and nearly as radiant as her mother. She was a beauty. He swallowed hard. And she was Elrond's wife… And now that they had nearly reached the piers and he had examined the whole crowd his heart sank because the person that counted, the person he had come to see, the person his heart was yearning for wasn't here. Elrond hadn't come… He hadn't been waiting.
They finally docked and while Celeborn threw the end of the robe to a waiting elf, Elladan and Elrohir jumped of the boat and ran to their mother who met them halfway. They fell into each others' arms and Thranduil had to look away, his heart hurting. He watched Galadriel who was slowly coming towards the boat. Their eyes met and she smiled at him, he inclined his head in response. Then Celeborn jumped of the boat and the Lord and the Lady of the Galadhrim met again for the first time in five hundred years. They looked at each other before Celeborn finally embraced his wife. Galadriel put her hands around her husband and laughed. Thranduil could see that she was relieved beyond words now that she had her husband with her again. Celeborn released her and held her at arm's length, watching her intently. Then he reached out and laid his hand on her cheek, tenderly caressing her, before he leant in to kiss her.
"Father!"
Thranduil averted his eyes in surprise and let his eyes wander over the pier. He knew this voice too well but he hadn't believed in meeting Legolas right here, right now. He hadn't seen him among the ground. But there he was running towards him and it raised his spirits, because he now knew he wouldn't be alone in this foreign land. He let go of the railing and jumped off the boat, making his first steps in Valinor to meet his son. Legolas fell into his arms and it felt so good to have him back, seeing his son well and healthy and happy.
He took a look over his son's shoulder and saw his son's appendage… the dwarf, who was scowling and obviously felt very much out of place among the many elves. And even though all this years he had been reluctant to accept the dwarf he had to admit that right here on this pier he could relate. Like the dwarf he himself felt so very much out of place and seeing that he wasn't alone with his feelings, was very comforting. And when Gimli looked up and their gazes locked Thranduil knew that they understood each other. Both of them were foreigners in a foreign land. But suddenly Legolas released him and held him at arm's length.
"I knew you would come!", he said looking into his father's eyes. "I knew it!"
Thranduil smiled.
"Then you knew more than I did."
Suddenly there was a commotion among the crowd that stood on the pier. Thranduil turned and watched as the crowd parted revealing two tall figures. Thranduil easily recognized the figure standing slightly behind the first one even though he had slightly changed. It was Mithrandir. But the other person… A tall man clad in blue robes, with dark black hair that was crowned with a silver diadem adorned with blue gems… and his eyes… being the lightest blue… nearly white. And he wielded a scepter of sapphire.
A murmur went through the crowd and when everyone around him bowed to the two figures Thranduil knew who he was facing. It was Manwë, King of Arda, the Elder King, the reason for his suffering, the person he hated most. And so he was standing here before Manwë, being the only one who didn't bow to the Lord of the Breath of Arda.
"Father.", he heard Legolas whisper but it was in vain.
It had been on the battlefield of Dagorlad that he had sworn that he would never bow to any Vala and he wouldn't falter. Manwë met his gaze and Thranduil nearly lost himself in the depth of his irides, which were so unbelievingly light blue. And it felt like Manwë was looking directly into his very soul, where darkness reigned. Because the darkness might have left Middle-earth but it hadn't left his heart.
And just when he thought he couldn't stand the piercing glance any longer and was about to avert his eyes it was Manwë who broke the contact. Thranduil felt his heart racing and noticed that he was panting. With a single wave of his hand Manwë allowed the crowd to rise again.
"I am glad that I am finally able to welcome the last of the great Elven rulers of Middle-earth here in Valinor.", he said, looking at him and Celeborn.
"The Era of the Elves might have come to an end in Middle-earth but so has your suffering."
The suffering caused by you and the likes of you, Thranduil added in his mind.
Manwë turned his face to look at Thranduil as though he had heard Thranduil's very thought. And then he slowly came over to him stopping only when he stood directly in front of Thranduil. He reached out and when Thranduil saw, where Manwë's hand was headed he felt rage rising in his chest.
How dare he!
And before Manwë could reach his cheek Thranduil grabbed him by his wrist.
"Don't you dare touching me, Vala!"
He looked Manwë dead in the eyes and surprise was what he saw in them.
"You didn't help us when we fought the evil that came from your own ranks. You didn't help us when help was dearly needed. You rather watched from afar, while elf after elf was slaughtered. You didn't deem it necessary to help then. Now we… I don't need your help anymore. I don't need anything from you. I didn't come to find peace. I came for someone. So go back to your palaces and festivities and leave me alone."
Thranduil shook his head and then he let go of the illusion that covered the left side of his face. Sounds of astonishment erupted around him but he kept his eyes fixated on the Vala in front of him, who hadn't blinked an eye. Thranduil pointed to his disfigured cheek.
"This is what was left for us when you decided to leave Middle-earth on its own! I hereby pass on Melkor's and Sauron's regards to you."
And with that he turned away from the Vala walking over to his son and the dwarf.
"Please, take me away from here for I am very tired.", he said while recreating the illusion to cover his face.
Legolas nodded, looking rather worried at him. But then he turned around and let him through the crowd, while Thranduil barely heard Mithrandir utter a hushed 'I told you so' to Manwë.
"King Thranduil!"
He stopped. He hadn't heard that voice for quite a while. He turned around although he had a bad feeling, which only intensified when he saw her running towards him. He swallowed hard, when she had finally reached him. He didn't show it but he was afraid of what was to come, of what she had to say to him. Maybe Elrond had shown her his letter. Maybe she knew of what he felt for her husband. And yet she smiled at him, a genuine smile, which irritated him.
"King Thranduil.", she said again and bowed slightly. "You might not remember me but –"
"Lady Celebrian.", he interrupted her and acknowledged her with a slight bow of his head. "I see you have fully recovered."
He might have met her only a few times but he would never forget her, Celeborn and Galadriel's pride and joy. Nobody who had ever met her would ever forget her beauty and joyful spirit. And before he could prepare himself she threw her arms around him and embraced him. He was too confused to move, to reciprocate the embrace, an embrace he was sure he didn't deserve.
"I am so glad that you decided to sail! Thank you so much!", she said before ending the embrace and averting her eyes in slight embarrassment as though she had just noticed that her action had been kind of inappropriate between a king and a lady who hardly knew each other.
"Please excuse my behavior, King Thranduil. I got carried away."
He was still too confused to articulate an appropriate reply so instead he corrected her.
"I am no king anymore. I abdicated." … because I wanted to see Elrond again.
"I see.", she said and then she nodded. "Let me invite you to Elrond's house. Come with me and my parents to his house."
Even though his heart was yearning to see Elrond as soon as possible, Thranduil knew he couldn't accept this offer. He couldn't go to Elrond when his family was present, when his long lost sons returned, when Elrond most likely just wanted to enjoy his now nearly complete family. So he shook his head.
"Thank you for your kind offer but I was just leaving with my son."
She kept smiling.
"So we would meet each other tonight anyway since he is living in Elrond's house."
What?! Thranduil looked at her dumfounded before turning to his son who was still waiting nearby. Legolas just smiled at him and shrugged his shoulders.
"We had nowhere to go. Grandfather refused to leave the Halls of Mandos. Lord Elrond offered us to stay in his house."
Thranduil sighed. Of course, Oropher had refused. He had told him he would do so a long time ago. He turned back to Celebrian.
"I am afraid I still have to decline."
She looked him dead in the eyes.
"Why?"
Because he has a family, because I am afraid of his reaction, of his rejection.
"I just can't."
She didn't reply but just as he was ready to turn and walk away, she again opened her mouth to speak.
"Please, I beg you. He hasn't been the same since he came from Middle-earth. He misses you."
Thranduil let his gaze drop to the ground. It pained him to hear that Elrond wasn't doing well but at the same time it gave him reason to hope that Elrond had kept his promise and had indeed waited for him all these years.
"So please, Thranduil, come with me to Elrond's house. He has been waiting for your arrival for five hundred years. And the only reason why he isn't here today is because after a while he simply couldn't bear to see more and more boats arriving without you and his sons."
###
Thranduil looked at the large house in front of him in utter disbelieve. Although the difference between this house and Imladris could be easily perceived they looked remarkably alike.
"I let it be built for him.", Celebrian said.
He hadn't noticed her coming to his side. His mind had been too occupied with the impending reunion with Elrond. He was afraid, he couldn't deny that much. Not even Celebrian telling him that Elrond had indeed been waiting for him had eased his mind. It meant nothing. Maybe she had misinterpreted Elrond's behavior. And yet he felt his heart racing in his chest out of anticipation. After so long a time he would finally see Elrond again, finally after five hundred years of loneliness.
And then finally they led their horses into the yard and Thranduil noticed Lindir coming towards him. His face lit up when he saw Elladan and Elrohir and then Celeborn but his smile faltered for the blink of a second when Lindir eventually discovered him. But Thranduil wasn't offended for he knew Lindir's reaction was owed to the fact that he had quite enjoyed to put Lindir in unease during his stays in Imladris. But there was no bad blood between them.
"Lindir, please tell me, where is Elrond?", he heard Celebrian say.
"He is in the gardens, my Lady."
"Well then…" She turned to him. "Thranduil, why don't you go around the house and tell Lord Elrond that his sons have finally arrived?"
He looked at her unable to say anything while she again only smiled at him. And for a second he wondered if she actually knew how much she resembled her mother. But then he nodded and dismounted handing the reins to Lindir, who bowed to him. But Thranduil didn't bother, his mind already being elsewhere. And without taking another look back he ventured of to the left of the building. Left was as good as any direction.
###
When Thranduil turned another corner, he stopped dead in his tracks because he finally beheld what he had missed so dearly for the past five hundred years and his heart leaped for joy in his chest. Elrond was kneeling on the grass in front of a flower bed, having his back to him and just refilled a hole, in which he had planted a small flower, with soil. Thranduil watched him using a gardening trowel to compact the soil slightly. And then he couldn't contain himself any longer.
"You know, Peredhel, you have proven me wrong quite a few times in the past and you keep doing so."
The gardening trowel fell to the ground and the Peredhel jerked around. And while Thranduil could only smirk, he saw the surprise and utter disbelieve in the storm grey eyes of the Peredhel.
"Thranduil…" Elrond sprang to his feet. "You said you would never set one foot on the shores of Valinor!"
"And yet I am here now, as you said I would."
A mere second later he found himself wrapped in the Peredhel's arms, who embraced him with all the strength he could muster. But since it had been such an unforeseen action it took Thranduil a few seconds to realize what was happening until he relaxed into the embrace, until he could succumb to the feeling of warmth that was seeping into his heart slowly filling the emptiness that had reigned there so long. Slowly he put his arms around the Peredhel and lay his head on his shoulder, listening to the Peredhel's breathing and feeling the rise and fall of his chest, which was soothing his agitated mind. It felt like coming home. Then suddenly Elrond put him at arm's length looking him all over and Thranduil felt disappointment rise in his chest upon the sudden loss of contact.
"You are here.", Elrond said quietly and Thranduil just nodded. "How?"
"I abdicated, so I was free to leave Middle-earth."
Elrond looked at him in astonishment but then he shook his head, never letting go of Thranduil's arms.
"That wasn't what I meant."
"I asked your father-in-law and your sons to help me."
"My sons?! Celeborn?! They are here?"
Thranduil fully expected Elrond to walk away to welcome his long awaited sons, but instead Elrond stayed exactly where he was. And then he started to laugh. A sound that Thranduil had never heard before and loved right from the spot.
"I didn't mean that either."
"Then I don't know what you mean."
Elrond shook his head. He was still smiling and his eyes shone. And all the while he held onto Thranduil.
"Maybe I don't know myself what I meant." He laughed again and now Thranduil had to smile, too. "But you can't imagine how glad I am that you are finally here!"
With that he pulled Thranduil again into his arms. And Thranduil didn't say, that this time Elrond was wrong for he could indeed imagine how glad Elrond was, maybe just as glad as he was about being able to be near Elrond again. He closed his eyes and just allowed himself to enjoy Elrond's closeness and his body to relax against Elrond's strong body. He couldn't deny the fact that the journey and the emotional stress of the last years had tired his body and mind and he was glad that he had finally arrived in the safe haven that were Elrond's arms. And only after a while did Elrond end the embrace.
"Maybe I should welcome my sons and Celeborn.", Elrond said and Thranduil nodded.
"Maybe you should do so."
Even though he enjoyed the togetherness with Elrond he knew he had no right to keep the Peredhel away from his family longer than absolutely necessary. And right now it wasn't necessary at all. He didn't even know if Elrond wanted to talk about that letter he had sent to him the day Elrond had sailed. So he would leave that decision to Elrond. If Elrond wanted to talk then he would talk else he would keep silent and his feelings to himself. He could keep silent.
"Are you coming?", Elrond suddenly asked and startled him out of his thoughts. Elrond had already walked a few steps towards the house and was now waiting for him.
"Of course. Excuse me."
And so he followed Elrond into the house.
###
They had assembled in a comfortable living room. Thranduil retreated to one of the corners, where a carafe of wine was standing on a sideboard and where he was out of earshot. He needed some time alone. Being in constant company was tiring even if it had been agreeable company. But the many sleepless nights and the constant worries were finally catching up with him. He was tired…
He took the carafe and filled himself a glass of wine and watched Elrond embracing his two sons for the first time after being separated for five hundred years and he watched Elrond embracing his father-in-law. He felt so out of place. This was Elrond's family and Legolas, the dwarf and he himself were just intruders. And even though it was breaking his heart he had to admit that this was a happy family and he and his son and his son's friend didn't belong here. It was for the best to leave this house as soon as possible, he decided and took a gulp of wine. It tasted awful. He looked at the glass in his hand with disgust. Obviously the Valar didn't even know how to make decent wine.
And while he was still thinking about how bad this wine actually was another person entered the room and let him forget everything about the wine. He had returned from the Halls of Mandos… Thranduil nearly broke the glass in his hand and watched as Elrond introduced his sons to Ereinion and then led Ereinion to Celeborn. Both of them knew each other already and Celeborn greeted Ereinion with a bow of his head. They exchanged a few words and then Elrond pointed towards him. Ereinion turned and their eyes met for the first time in nearly four millennia and Thranduil tried to control the rage that rose in his chest upon seeing one of the persons he hated most. First Ereinion seemed to be surprised to see him here but then he came over to him. All eyes were fixed on them and Thranduil saw the apprehension in Elrond's eyes. And it broke his heart: He didn't want to cause Elrond any discomfort. He wanted Elrond not to have to worry. So for Elrond's sake he would try to reign in his temper like he had done before.
"King Thranduil. Standing close to the wine, I see.", Ereinion said and pointed to the carafe.
Thranduil didn't acknowledge him with a bow. He would never bow to this person! He rather fought the urge to throw the contents of his wine glass in his face.
"I think you will be glad to hear that you don't have to call me king anymore. I abdicated. And even though this wine is disgusting it would be a waste to throw it in your face, Ereinion."
Thranduil noticed that the other residents of the room had started another conversation but some of them were still in high alert, those who knew about the hatred between them. And he was sure they were ready to intervene as soon as it was necessary.
"So you are calling me Ereinion now?"
Thranduil focused again at the abhorred person in front of him.
"Yes, because I don't acknowledge you as my king and you certainly are no star of high radiance to me. But the spawn of kings you might be."
"So must I call you 'the King who was unfit to wear a crown'? I heard that you lost your crown again, during the Battle of Five Armies. Wasn't it also you who lost the crown of the Woodland Realm during the Last Alliance?"
"They took my father's head.", Thranduil forced out between gritted teeth, the glass in his hand shacking.
Another word and he wouldn't just throw the contents of that glass into Ereinion's face. Ereinion sighed.
"Look.", he said, his voice now soft. "We can go on like this, trying to hurt each other, trying to disgrace each other or you could just listen to me for a moment… for Elrond's sake."
Thranduil looked at the Noldo in front of him in surprise, wondering what he was up to but slowly nodded… for Elrond's sake.
"Go ahead then. I am listening."
"All I know about you Elrond told me, not because he wanted to ridicule you, but because he wanted me to see you, the person behind the King of the Woodland Realm, the person he considered a friend, a person he loved dearly. Because he knew I only ever knew the cold and distant king you were, that king that opposed everything I said, that king that shattered my nerve. There were times I just wanted to…" Ereinion let the sentence unfinished but Thranduil knew perfectly well what Ereinion had wanted to do to him, most likely the very same he had wanted to do to the Noldo.
"But I want you to know, that I am sorry for what happened to you and your father during the Last Alliance as I am sorry for what happened to all the elves that went to war against Sauron. I, you and your father, we all made decisions on this battlefield we later regretted."
Thranduil wasn't able to say anything. Ereinion had caught him totally off guard. So Ereinion continued.
"And I have to apologize especially to you because I simply didn't know how to handle you and your unique character. That character of yours Elrond cherishes so much. I had never been confronted with someone in my own ranks speaking his mind so frankly without paying any attention to courtesy. But now I know I should have looked deeper. Elrond told me about what happened to you and I have to admit that first I didn't believe him for I have seen you fight. And now that I know of your injury and I see you standing here, having survived the Last Alliance and the War of the Ring, having successfully led an Elven kingdom through the Third Age without a Ring of Power I can only say, I am deeply impressed."
Thranduil couldn't believe his ears and just starred at Ereinion with utter disbelieve.
"And since Elrond is my closest friend and you are very dear to him I am willing to try and make amends." And suddenly Ereinion laughed. "Actually I even have to thank you. It is because of you that I have a chance at happiness, now that Celebrian is free."
Celebrian was free?! That was the moment when Thranduil finally found his voice again.
"What do you mean with 'Celebrian is free'?"
Suddenly Ereinion's face fell.
"You don't know? I thought you already talked to Elrond."
"What do you mean with 'Celebrian is free'?", Thranduil repeated this time more forcefully but Ereinion averted his eyes and suddenly he was eager to leave.
"You better ignore what I just said.", he whispered and then he was off, seeking the company of Celeborn.
Thranduil averted his eyes and let them wander to Elrond, who was standing next to his twin sons and Celebrian. But now that he took a closer look and observed them for a while he couldn't detect any closeness between Elrond and Celebrian. They were standing next to each other but not like a loving couple. It is because of you that I have a chance at happiness, now that Celebrian is free. He dared not to hope, but maybe… just maybe…
###
It was later that evening that he found himself and Elrond alone on the balcony. Legolas and Gimli had wandered off with Elrond's twins and Celebrian had accompanied her parents to the library. And he found that he couldn't wait any longer. He had to know for sure.
"So, you and your wife…"
Elrond sighed.
"We found that the time we spent apart, has altered our hearts as well. There is still love between us. I still care for her deeply but not like I should as her husband. I knew it the moment I stepped on these shores. Her mother had warned her that this might happen, if she sailed. She sailed nonetheless."
"She was scarred mentally and physically."
He didn't know why he defended Elrond's wife.
"As were you and still are, but you stayed, for your son's and your kin's sake."
"Because I had no other option! Where was I to go? To Valinor were there would be nothing for me but the very same beings that were responsible for what happened to me? My father told me while he was dying in my arms that he would never leave the Halls of Mandos even if he would be allowed to do so."
"Then tell me, Thranduil, why did you come now?"
Thranduil sighed, looking over the gardens and the forest that lay before him.
"There was nothing left to do for me in Middle-earth."
"Thranduil…"
Thranduil turned his head slightly so Elrond could see his profile.
"No further lies between us. Why did you come to Valinor, when you wouldn't tire of telling me that you would never consider sailing?"
He saw Thranduil closing his eyes for a second and taking in a deep breath, before opening them again.
"I had to see you! My heart and my mind were aching for you. I had this emptiness in my heart, which wouldn't go away. I couldn't bear it any longer. Even though I had to assume that you would be happy with your wife. Even though I had to assume that there would be no place for me here. But you told me, you would be waiting for me, so I risked everything, just to see you again, to be close to you again, to get this emptiness, which was eating my heart alive, filled again."
"You gave up your rank and title for me even though you had to assume that it might be in vain?"
"Of what help is a kingdom to you, when your heart is slowly dying? Deep in my heart I trusted you and your words, for you have never let me down in the past."
Elrond swallowed hard. Here he was, Thranduil, former proud Elvenking, standing in front of him, having made the ultimate sacrifice, so now it was up to him to make the ultimate leap of faith.
"So you felt it too? You felt it too, that there was something between us, something more than just friendship?"
Thranduil turned away again, looking out again over the vast forest.
"Tell me, Thranduil! Tell me that giving up your kingdom, giving up your resolution to never sail to Valinor, against all odds, means that you too felt it!"
For a few seconds Elrond waited in vain. Thranduil didn't say anything, but then he turned around, facing the Peredhel.
"I felt it too, but I don't know where it is headed."
"But it was enough to make you abdicate the throne and to leave Middle-earth?"
"Yes."
Elrond let go of the breath he didn't know he had been holding in. He walked over to Thranduil, leaning on the balustrade next to the former King of the Woodland Realm.
"I too do not know where it is headed, but having you here with me, close to me, makes my heart leap for joy."
He turned to Thranduil.
"Stay with me, here in this house! Let us see where these feelings lead us!"
Thranduil turned towards him, facing him.
"I crossed the Misty Mountains, half of Middle-earth and the Sundering Seas to see you again, because of this nagging feeling in my heart. What makes you think I would leave this house, now that I am finally standing here in front of you, exactly where my journey should have ended?", Thranduil asked flippantly. "Even though this house already seems to be awfully crowded with former rulers of Elven Realms."
Elrond smiled ignoring the last statement for he was certain this house could take in another former ruler. And with the former Lord and Lady of Lothlórien, the former Lady of Imladris, his sons and himself as former Lords of Imladris, Legolas as former Prince of the Woodland Realm and Ereinion, High King of the Noldor as a frequent guest, a former King was exactly what was still missing to complete the set.
"There has been a time when you hated every second you had to spend in my company."
"Indeed? I think this land has had a bad influence on your memory, Peredhel, for I don't recall any such moment.", Thranduil answered in jest.
Elrond's smile turned into a smirk.
"On the contrary, I still remember the look in your eyes. There were times when I was sure you would have strangled me if given the chance."
Thranduil pretended to think about it.
"Maybe you are right. I can recall one or two such occasions, when –"
"One or two?!", Elrond interjected. "That is barely enough to account for one day, Elvenking."
It had slipped his mouth before he even knew it. His heart sank as Thranduil turned away, pain evident in his eyes.
"I am sorry, Thranduil."
"Don't be. It was my decision, now I have to live with it."
Elrond swallowed hard. What if he had pressed Thranduil into coming to Valinor? What if Thranduil would hold him accountable? Then there wouldn't be any hope for them. Their relationship would be tainted from the beginning.
"If I pressed you into –"
"No! This I know, I came because I wanted to not because you wanted me to. That is why it took me so long to follow you. I had to make sure it was what I wanted, not what everyone wanted me to do. I just need some time to adjust."
"I am going to help you."
But Thranduil just shook his head and turned his head to face Elrond again.
"Your companionship is all I need."
"And I am going to give it to you wholeheartedly."
###
Elrond entered the hall that was reserved for taking meals. His family, now complete save for his daughter, was already assembled and had started to eat, but they stopped when he entered, most of them looking at him expectantly. He sighed and thanked Eru that Thranduil had fallen asleep and thus would be spared the inquisition that was likely to ensue. He smiled, when it occurred to him that most likely nobody would dare to do what they were doing right now, if Thranduil had also been present. Having the reputation of being cold, distant and unforgiving obviously had its advantages.
"Where is my father?"
Legolas sounded worried and Elrond assumed that he feared he had rejected Thranduil and thus Thranduil had fled.
"He fell asleep. He was quite exhausted after the tiring journey."
"Obviously not enough. The way he opposed Manwë…", Celeborn stated.
Elrond took a seat.
"He mentioned something like that. But he didn't tell me what he did exactly."
Elrohir volunteered and recounted the meeting between Manwë and Thranduil.
"They won't exile him, will they?", Legolas asked now deeply worried for his father. But Elrond shook his head.
"They won't. They know what he went through, what horrors he had to witness like so many others and why he feels what he feels. They will not deny him the chance to heal."
Legolas obviously was satisfied with this answer for he started to eat again and Elrond followed his example as did Galadriel, who was smiling knowingly. He knew that she already knew what had happened between him and Thranduil.
"Is he going to stay with us?", Elladan asked innocently, but Elrond knew his twins well enough to know what the actual question was behind that innocent one and yet it surprised him that they knew. Obviously everyone had known Thranduil's and his own feelings before they had known them themselves. And suddenly he was so very proud of his sons because even though they had obviously known that something had occurred between Thranduil and him before he had left for Valinor they had accompanied Thranduil to Valinor, even though they might have realized that this could mean the end of their parents' relationship. And now that this was the case they weren't angry but sympathetic. They had put his happiness above their own, above their wish of having a family with the bond between Celebrian and him intact. He hadn't realized that they had grown so much. And all the people now sitting with him here at this table would support his relationship with Thranduil that he knew and he loved them all the more.
"He will stay and he will be at my side."
"So you tamed the King of the Woodland Realm."
"I did no such thing. This side of his has been there all along. You simply didn't notice it. You just saw the arrogance for what it was and not as a partial result of the pain and horror he had experienced in his past."
###
Elrond stood there for a few moments, watching Thranduil sleep peacefully, his silver-blond hair cascading down over his shoulders. Thranduil was beautiful. Elrond bent over and carefully he took one strand of the silver-golden hair that was so different from his own in his hand. It was soft to the touch like silk and he let it run through his fingers, enjoying the peaceful moment. Suddenly a hand was placed on his. It was Thranduil's. And for the blink of a second Elrond feared he had gone too far too quickly and that Thranduil would slap his hand away but to his surprise and his heart's joy, Thranduil tenderly intertwined his fingers with Elrond's. Then he opened his pale blue eyes, focusing on Elrond.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you…"
"Don't worry. I guess I am going to have enough time to sleep now that I am here."
Elrond smiled.
"Yes, I guess so. And enough time to heal and to read, if you wish so."
Thranduil's gaze dropped to Elrond's hand he was still holding.
"You got rid of it."
Erlond knew perfectly well to what Thranduil was referring.
"Partially. It is still in this house. I couldn't throw it away. It is a remainder of all that I went through, of the good things I was able to do, of all the people I was able to help and to heal. But now that it has lost its power it is nothing more than a mere ring and I am glad that I can leave it unattended in a normal box in my chambers."
Neither of them said anything for a short while but then it was Thranduil who revived the conversation.
"So I do have enough time to read now."
"Yes, plenty."
Thranduil looked up again.
"Is this how you have spent your days here?"
"Yes, mostly. Reading and writing." … and waiting for you. But he would say the last one out loud for he didn't want to hurt Thranduil.
"Writing?"
Elrond swallowed.
"Yes, writing… I wrote some letters to you. Every time I so desperately wanted to talk to you, I wrote down what I wanted to tell you for you to read it in the future."
"Even though it told you I wouldn't come."
"Yes, I did it nonetheless…"
"Why?"
"I felt closer to you in doing so."
"No, why did you believe in me coming, even though I told you otherwise?"
Elrond smiled a sad smile.
"Because I had to believe that you would come eventually. I had to believe that I would see you again otherwise my heart would have broken."
Thranduil let go of his hand and for the blink of a second Elrond's heart stopped. Had he gone too far? Had he conveyed too much? But he noticed soon enough that Thranduil was looking for something hidden in his tunic. When he found it he presented it to Elrond.
"I think you should add that to your collection."
Elrond took the letter from Thranduil looking at Thranduil in utter disbelief. He knew what it was. He knew it perfectly well.
"You kept it all this time?"
"These two words were two of the very few things that reminded me of you. Of course I kept them."
Elrond got to his feet and went over to his desk, feeling Thranduil's eyes on his back. He opened one of the drawers of his desk and took a thick leather wrapper out of it. He put it on the desk, opened it and tenderly added the letter Thranduil had just given to him. Then he put the wrapper back and when he looked up again his eyes met Thranduil's ice-blue eyes. They told him how tired Thranduil really was.
"Were these the letters you have written to me?"
Elrond nodded.
"So many?"
Again Elrond nodded.
"And more. This was just the first pile… spanning the first fifty years. So you have plenty to read."
"Did you miss me that much?"
Elrond averted his eyes and thus told Thranduil everything he needed to know.
"Elrond."
Elrond went back to Thranduil, who hadn't moved an inch during the whole conversation. Thranduil reached out for Elrond and Elrond took Thranduil's hand.
"Do you remember what you told me, the last time we talked in Middle-earth?", Thranduil asked.
Elrond nodded his head. How could he ever forget? It was burnt into his memory forever.
"It was my heart that wept until today.", Thranduil said quietly.
Elrond squeezed his hand.
"We will never part again."
"Promise me. I don't want to feel like this ever again."
Elrond bent further down, laying his forehead onto Thranduil's.
"I promise. And now sleep, Vigorous Spring. Your journey has finally come to an end."
###
Now some notes, but don't forget the after-the-credits-scene!^^
Notes
I think Ereinion making the first step was only logical since I think Thranduil would have never ever made the first step being the stubborn elf he is.^^
The Manwë scene. I don't know how plausible it is for Manwe to welcome the Wise of Middle-earth but I really wanted Thranduil to meet Manwe so I decided to put it in here. I wasn't sure which hair color Manwe should have. I mean really white hair looks awesome and would go better with him being Lord of the Breath of Arda but I like the idea of him having black hair better so I went with it. And I really needed this "I told you so" from Olórin.^^
Why is Gimli still here but there is no sign of Frodo and the others. Okay, here's the thing. I am sorry if I offend anyone. I hate Frodo. I don't remember how he was in the books but in the movies… oh my god, how I hated all the Master Frodo… Sam… Master Frodo… Sam… scenes… arg… On the other hand I really liked the dynamic between Legolas and Gimli… I only have to say: the box scene at the beginning of the battle in Helm's Deep! I like Gimli and that's why I couldn't kill him off.^^
And now have fun with the last scene of this story!
###
~ Five years later ~
The sun was shining brightly and Elrond had decided to use this warm and sunny day to reply to the letters he had received from Círdan and Olórin with whom he corresponded frequently. So he had asked Lindir to help him carry a table onto the balcony and had just begun to write to Olórin when Thranduil had found him on the balcony. And after asking for permission to keep him company Thranduil had brought another chair and now sat next to the table and was reading a book.
Every once in a while Elrond would risk a quick glance at Thranduil, who had turned his chair slightly away from the table in order to have enough room to cross his long legs. The sun was bathing Thranduil in its golden light giving his silver-golden hair a beautiful gleam. And Elrond had to admit, even though he had never thought it possible, that in those past five years since his arrival Thranduil had become even more beautiful. Now that his mental scars had begun to heal. And he wasn't the only one who had noticed.
When they had been to Tirion it hadn't escaped Elrond's notice that Thranduil had attracted the attention of numerous female and male elves. It had disturbed Elrond to a great extent and yet he didn't want to call it jealousy… even though he knew it was. But his worries had been baseless. Thranduil might have opened up to him and to a limited number of elves he knew very well, elves that were living with him in this house but beyond that he had never shown any interest in other elves. To them he still was the cold and distant elf he had been for many millennia and so he drove these elves away with a single look of his ice-blue eyes openly conveying utter disinterest without any care about false politeness. And Elrond's heart leaped for joy because he was the only one Thranduil had ever shown his true self.
He risked another glance at Thranduil and let his eyes linger just for a second on Thranduil's noble and elegant profile. Then Thranduil raised his hand to put a stray strand of his hair back behind his ear. He still wore his hair loose without any braids and now after his abdication without any diadem but Elrond knew that the one diadem he had given to Thranduil after Thranduil had lost his own one during the Battle of Five Armies was here in Valinor. Thranduil had brought it with him as one of the few belongings he had brought to Valinor. And Elrond had been truly honored by this gesture. To know that something he had given to Thranduil was cherished by that very person… Suddenly Thranduil closed the book rather forcefully and Elrond quickly looked back down at the letter he had been writing. Thranduil sighed.
"I have read this book three times already and it has only been five years."
Elrond smiled and raised his head. Thranduil was looking at him.
"By now I know the books in your library by heart."
He dropped the book unceremoniously on the table and got to his feet, walking over to the balustrade.
"How did you survive five hundred years in this forsaken land, where nothing ever happens and nothing will ever happen for all eternity."
Thranduil leaned on the balustrade for a few seconds before turning around.
"This land is driving me crazy!"
Their gazes locked and Elrond saw the desperation in Thranduil's eyes, the same desperation he had felt at the beginning after realizing that there was nothing to do here in Valinor, nothing similar to what he had done in Middle-earth day by day. Among those who had come from Middle-earth this desperation was well known, well known before they had finally settled it, before they had relearned how to just live and enjoy the simple live. At the beginning they had all clung to the habits they had had in Middle-earth where every minute had counted, where every minute had been spent fighting Sauron or worrying for those they loved. In Middle-earth resting just for one minute too long could have resulted in the downfall of a whole realm.
But here in Valinor things were different. There was no evil lurking in the shadows. There was no ever present danger. And thus there was no need to plan, to arm, to strategize, to ally, to protect, to be aware of what happened round you every second of the day. But he also knew that relearning what would have meant one's imminent death in Middle-earth was hard and yet he knew that Thranduil would eventually come around.
"I am surprised that you lasted that long. I only lasted three years.", he said with a smile. "But since I have been expecting this I already made some plans."
Thranduil crossed his arms.
"I am listening."
Elrond took the book.
"We could go to Tirion and restock the library."
Thranduil's face fell and Elrond really had to fight the laughter that was threatening to erupt from within him.
"Or…"
He let the book fall on the table.
"You are taxing my patience, Peredhel."
"We could take the horses and some supplies and leave the house for a few days or weeks, even months, if you like. No responsibilities, no haste."
Just like when we were young, free and uncommitted. He was sure Thranduil hadn't done anything like that for quite a few millennia… camping in the forest without being afraid to be killed by a horde of orcs, staying away as long as one wished, no realm waiting for one to return as soon as possible. He looked at Thranduil.
"When can we leave?"
Elrond put his quill down.
"Immediately."
Another advantage of not being responsible of a whole kingdom anymore.
###
Elrond led his horse out of the stables, where he had saddled it and where Celeborn and Galadriel were still saddling their horses. In the end everyone except for Celebrian and Ereinion had decided to join them, something he was very happy about for he couldn't remember a time when most of the people he loved and considered his family had undertaken anything together besides going to war. But half of the party was still missing. He sighed and tied the reins to a post.
Elrond looked over to Thranduil who was already on his horse and right now tried to arrange the sleeping bag that was fastened to the saddle. Elrond just wanted to go over to him and assist but Lindir was already by Thranduil's side before Elrond had taken the first step. And with Lindir's help the problem was solved very quickly. But then out of the corner of his eyes he saw something or so he thought.
"Thranduil, wait!", he called and Thranduil who had been just about to lead his horse away from the stables, halted his horse.
He turned to Elrond, while Elrond was already walking over to him.
"What is it?", Thranduil asked, when Elrond took the reins of the horse to hold it in place.
The horse seemed to be a little nervous and was prancing slightly. The horse had always been a very unstable one and because of that it had ultimately become Thranduil's horse. Thranduil was a very good horseman and his mostly calm and composed demeanor had a calming influence on the fidgety horse so that he had no problem controlling the horse.
"I don't know. I thought I saw something."
He took a closer look at the saddle girth but he couldn't detect anything wrong. Obviously he had just imagined things.
"Elrond!"
Elrond straightened and turned his head towards the main entrance, from where his name had been called. Celebrian was standing on the stairs.
"Yes?"
He couldn't simultaneously concentrate on his wife and the horse, which was still prancing at his side, so he put his right hand on its side to prevent it from stepping on his feet.
"Elladan wanted me to tell you that he will be ready as soon as he has found his bow."
"He has lost his bow?! In his chamber?!" Elrond sighed. "Is this his way of telling me that he wants a smaller chamber?"
Celebrian smiled.
"I rather think Elrohir played a trick on his brother and hid the bow somewhere in the house but since they haven't needed their bows for quite a while he totally forgot about it."
Elrond frowned.
"Is that so?" He sighed again. "Tell them we are waiting. We are saddling their horses already. But they better hurry!"
Celebrian nodded.
"I will tell them. At least Legolas and Gimli are helping them."
She disappeared into the house and Elrond turned back to Thranduil shaking his head in disbelieve.
"Sometimes I really wonder…"
He looked up at Thranduil who was looking at him and smiling.
"Your sons are quite a handful."
"Yes, they are. But I am glad that they haven't lost their good spirit during the War of the Ring."
Only then did he notice that he wasn't feeling any fur beneath his right hand, but smooth fabric. He let his gaze drop to where his hand lay. It lay on Thranduil's thigh and had obviously lain there for the whole time. He let it drop to his side immediately.
"I should go and saddle their horses."
With that he turned away.
"I will help.", he heard Thranduil say, while he walked over to the stables looking at his right hand.
He knew that the desire to be near Thranduil had increased during the last few years and yet he hadn't know that it had already slipped his control. He had to be careful! What if he was to fast? He couldn't risk driving Thranduil away, because he had no control over his hands.
###
Elrond was riding a few meters behind Celeborn and Thranduil. After riding next to Thranduil and Celeborn for quite a while and talking with them he had slowed down his horse in order to drop back. He was relieved about how well Thranduil had blended in with the rest of the residents of his house. His calm demeanor, although in high contrast to Elladan's, Elrohir's, Legolas' and Gimli's demeanor, went very well with the rest of the household, especially with Celeborn and Galadriel. And it was with Celeborn that Thranduil had developed a rather deep friendship, united by their love for Middle-earth and their feeling of being strangers in this foreign land. And it was nice to have another calming influence in a house were three young elves and one young-at-heart dwarf resided.
And even the everlasting quarrel between Thranduil and Ereinion had obviously been somewhat settled. He knew that after their first contact after nearly four millennia they had gone from simple sufferance to civil togetherness and Elrond was sure that with time they might even become friends. He had been rather relieved when their first meeting had been so civil. He still remembered very well how anxious he had been on the day of Thranduil's arrival for he had known that their first meeting had been imminent, since Ereinion had been staying in the house. Deep down in his heart he had feared that upon their first meeting they might draw their swords and settle it there and then. And yet to his surprise nothing like that had happened and he was still thanking Eru for this every time he thought about it again.
He watched Thranduil's back, which was mostly covered by his silky hair. And one could easily see by his posture that Thranduil was an excellent horseman as well as an excellent warrior. He had also brought his twin swords to Valinor and one of these two swords was now fastened to the saddle, ready to be drawn at any moment, although Elrond knew this moment would never come, not here in Valinor. But he knew old habits die hard and Thranduil wasn't ready yet to fully believe in the peaceful land that was Valinor. There was no use for swords her in Valinor. The only weapons that were of any use here were bow and arrow in order to hunt for what was needed. But he also knew that Thranduil wasn't alone. He knew that Celeborn was also carrying some throwing knives although not as openly as Thranduil. And yet they had already come a long way in such a short time. Just today when he had watched Thranduil saddling Gimli's pony he had tried to imagine Thranduil's reaction if he had told him back then in Middle-earth that in a few centuries he would be saddling a dwarf's pony in Valinor. Thranduil would have tried to kill him or at least would have ignored him for a few centuries. Elrond smiled. Yes indeed, he could imagine that.
The forest suddenly ended and gave way to a vast field of high grass. He heard sudden cries of joy and excitement before he saw three young elves breaking out of the forest in full gallop followed by an eager pony to which a dwarf was desperately clinging to.
"Race to the oak!", he heard Elrohir shout and then he saw Celeborn uttering something to Thranduil before urging his horse into a full gallop.
Although he was already far behind Elrond knew better than to underestimate Celeborn. He was a splendid horseman. It didn't take long for him to pass Gimli and then Galadriel who had been riding up front. Elrond saw him turning his body around in full gallop and calling something to his wife. He knew what it was… a challenge and he also knew that the woman, who had not been called Nerwen for nothing by her own mother, would not back down from such a challenge. And Celeborn of course knew it, too. So it didn't surprise him when Galadriel's horse was soon galloping over the grass as well. Since Celeborn's arrival Galadriel had changed so very much. Freed from the Doom of Mandos and from the responsibility of bearing Nenya and home again with her husband and her daughter at her side she had regained much of the lightheartedness he was certain she had lost before and during the crossing of the Helcaraxë and never regained till now.
He urged his horse into a fast trot to catch up with Thranduil and slowed it down again when he had reached him. Thranduil was watching the race and Elrond followed his gaze. While it was not surprising that Gimli was last, it was surprising to see that Elladan was already second to last and that Galadriel had already passed Celeborn. Celeborn hadn't done himself any favors challenging his wife. But Elrond knew that Elladan had never been such a good horseman. Even though they might appear to outsiders like two of a kind he knew them too well. In some areas they were very different from each other. And Elrohir was a very good horseman and right now he was up front neck and neck with Legolas.
"This trip already paid off. Now I can tease Elladan about losing to his grandfather and to his grandmother."
"But Elrohir is a very good horseman. In some areas their abilities differ very much."
Elrond looked at Thranduil in surprise.
"You noticed?"
Thranduil turned his head to look at him.
"Of course. I still have one good eye I am willing to use. I like to observe people in order to read them. It makes your life a lot easier especially so if you are a king. If you know how people tick, what they desire it is easy to manipulate them into doing what you want without openly saying so, without straining political relations. And even though I have no use for manipulation anymore, reading others still is very useful."
Elrond had to avert his eyes, the piercing glance of Thranduil's ice-blue eyes was just too much for him right now. He looked over to the old oak, which was still in the distance. Everyone except for Gimli had already finished the race. But the dwarf sat proudly on his small pony and was welcomed with open arms when he finally reached the oak. Everyone had dismounted and obviously they had decided to rest for a while, because some of the horses were already grazing without their saddles. Elrohir was waving and Legolas and Celeborn were watching them. He was just about to urge his horse on, when suddenly Thranduil's hand grabbed his arm. It took Elrond by surprise because he hadn't noticed that Thranduil had come so close.
"Elrond."
He looked at Thranduil who met his gaze and simultaneously slowed his horse. Elrond followed his lead simply because he had to because Thranduil was still grabbing his arm. Their horses came to a halt next to each other, his leg nearly touching Thranduil's. He swallowed hard.
"I am sorry that I have kept you waiting."
And with that Thranduil leant over to him, tilting his head a little to the side and finally Thranduil's lips met his and Elrond's heart skipped a beat. He forgot everything around him, the nearby forest, the field they were standing on, the old oak in the distance, the others standing around that very same oak and his horse. There were only he and Thranduil who grounded him with the grip on his arm. Nothing mattered anymore, nothing except for Thranduil, the center of his thoughts and feelings. So he closed his eyes, shutting out the world around him and just felt Thranduil, his lips that were so much softer than Elrond had anticipated and his strong hand, a hand that had fought so many battles, holding his arm in a tender way.
Thranduil's smell filled his nose, this scent he loved so much. The rich earthy scent of a thick forest after the first rain, the pleasant fresh scent of a blossoming forest in spring, scents he had always associated with Greenwood the Great, Thranduil's Realm, the Realm Thranduil would always carry in his heart. This very Realm Thranduil had left for him, to be at his side. He took a deep breath out of relief, relief he still felt every time when he remembered how uncertain Thranduil's coming to Valinor had been, when he remembered what it had cost Thranduil to come to the Undying Lands, a land that hadn't called to him, a land he had no ties to. But he had come nonetheless. He felt the pounding of his heart quicken. Thranduil was here and they had all the time they might need, but Elrond was tired of waiting. One hundred years might be a mere blink in the life of an elf but even a blink was too long after waiting desperately for a loved one. He loved Thranduil. He wanted to be close to Thranduil, wanted to be able to touch him without fear of driving him away, wanted to touch Thranduil's soft skin, wanted to taste him.
He parted his lips and to his surprise Thranduil took the bait and their tongues met. Elrond let go of the reins, he had been holding with his left hand and put it on Thranduil's side, desperately clinging to Thranduil's tunic. He felt Thranduil's grip on his arm tightening so much that nearly hurt, but he couldn't care less. And suddenly he felt Thranduil's right hand on his left cheek, a soft touch, like a tender caress but then Thranduil let it slide to the back of his head, pulling them closer together. And so they stayed until Thranduil slowly released Elrond's head and slowly ended the kiss only to put his head on Elrond's shoulder, resting his cheek on Elrond's, skin on skin. Elrond put his hand tenderly on Thranduil's back, bringing them closer together, feeling the shallow but quick breaths Thranduil was taking, as was he himself. And for another while they stayed exactly like this, Elrond holding Thranduil and Thranduil holding onto Elrond's arm. Until Thranduil's horse nickered, throwing his head in the air and slightly reared.
Thranduil quickly let go of Elrond's arm and took the reins, whispering words of comfort to the agitated horse. And as soon as the horse was calm again Thranduil turned to him again. They looked at each other. Their breathing still going a little faster than usual. And when Elrond saw the smile on Thranduil's lips he laughed. It was a liberating laughter because his heart was leaping for joy, because he felt so happy, because he was utterly and perfectly happy. He pulled Thranduil into his arms, hugging him, feeling him, smelling him, sensing him and when he felt Thranduil's arms around him, holding him, he felt complete… finally.
~ The End ~
Thank you so much for reading this story! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
And for those who might wonder: I think for their first time (which still is some time ahead) Elrond would be on top considering this story, but they would alternate afterwards. ;-)
I am going to move the story to the LotR section in a week or so, because it now does not only span the time of the Hobbit. And who the heck is actively looking for Elvenking of Mirkwood fanfiction when actually looking for Thranduil fanfics… (I know his name is never mentioned in the book… but come on…). So it will be easier for others to find it.