Disclaimer: Still not mine.. Oh wait! Yes Aerandir is!

Warning for mild cursing/language. Slash between elves. M/M relationships.

Peredhel – half-elf/ half-elven (title)

Crossing the Sea

Revelations

Elrond released a long sigh as he leaned back into his chair in his office. His silver-gray eyes stared at the carved ceiling as he wondered how he always managed to land himself in these kind of situations.

"Are you absolutely certain?" He asked the Noldor in front of him. The words the wandering elf told him through his own lips made his world turn over itself and left his mind buzzing with impossibilities battling reasonable thoughts. A war he did not yet know which side would win.

"I'm just restating the exact words I was told. Cirdan is the one who escorted Aerandir back across the sea himself. Unless you are doubting his sanity..?" Gildor said tiredly while rubbing the bridge of his nose. He had known that the meeting would not be an easy one. The peredhel (half-elf) was one of the most stubborn elves he knew, but Gildor knew that he had a rational mind that was ruled by logic. Although the truth was shocking, Elrond would quickly pick through the pieces he had to offer and come to the most reasonable explanation without Gildor saying it himself.

Elrond waved his words off. "I'm not doubting your words nor Cirdan's. I'm just trying to make sense of everything. Though, as most of us are familiar with, understanding Celebrian always has been tricky." He ran a hand through his hair, as if straightening it would do the same to his thoughts. "Perhaps, I just didn't think it would happen this soon. I certainly expected it to take longer than 500 years."

"Trust me," Gildor said darkly, eyes filled with cunning only an elf living off the wild for most of his long years could have, "I've known a lot of women and this is precisely the reason why I prefer men. They are as unpredictable as the sea itself. It takes an age or more to learn the intricate way their minds work."

Laughing sardonically, Elrond could do nothing but wonder why it had taken him so long to realise that himself. Celebrian had been as secretive and mysterious as her mother, and the gleam that overtook her eyes whenever she planned something or other was a look that sent shivers down his spine during the first years of their marriage. That someone so sweet and innocent looking could be so wily when she wished to had shocked the life out of him.

But then again, if he hadn't married her he wouldn't have his children. And just the thought of them not being in his life made his heart clench. No.. The past is the past. No matter how much it hurt things were too far gone to change now. Elrond moved to refill their glasses and watched with slight amusement as Gildor downed most of his glass in one sweep.

"I know it's a lot to take in," the silverblonde started. "Frankly, I think Aerandir is more shocked than we are. It's not really something an elfling would expect to find out on his own. And coming here, meeting all of you.. We discussed it frequently during our road here. He still has this uneasy feeling regarding it all."

"Understandably so. I certainly would," Elrond shot in as he sipped his glass. "He's still so young. It can't be easy on him. Celebrian and I are not exactly the norm of elven society." He didn't manage to hide his own bitterness at the statement. Many years had passed since his wife sailed, but the hurt still remained like a ghost he would never be rid of.

"Indeed. But it shouldn't matter that much in reality. Your actions were approved of, therefore it should be nobody's business what the both of you choose to do with your lives."

"Yes. One can only hope." Elrond leaned back into his chair, all of a sudden feeling all the long years weigh heavily on him. "Sadly, I think you will find elven society isn't always as forgiving as one like to think."

Gildor huffed, downing the rest of his wine. His eyes slightly glazed as he contemplated the situation. "Aerandir says he has a letter from Celebrian for you, probably containing the explanation he himself cannot give you. He is as confused as anyone in this mess. He is well aware of what is put at risk by him coming here. He doesn't mean to hurt anyone. It's just.. If you spend time around him, you can feel the loneliness in him Elrond. He wants family. From what Cirdan found out, the elfling has been ecstatic ever since he was first informed of having any siblings. He has been a single child for almost all of his life."

Elrond smiled sadly. Indeed, family was important to all elves and highly valued. The elf was barely more than a child, and already he was trying to find his place in the mess of social contexts surrounding him. For a moment, he thought back to a time when he himself stumbled into the unknown. But atleast he had his brother with him to lean on during those first frightful days. Aerandir was all on his own in this.. Putting his glass down he let the wine soothe his troubled mind, before saying:

"I don't doubt he will want to speak of this. I'm just worried."

"It will be fine," Gildor tried to appease him. "Just.. wait until they've eaten. I'll take him here afterwards."

Elrond smiled in gratitude. "Thank you my friend."

.oOo.

A large, warm hand on his head stopped him mid-bite as he felt the warm presence of Gildor's form behind him. The taller elf always had this strange way of soothing him with his presence, almost like a mother's embrace. Something Aerandir found strange since he had never found it pleasing being trapped in his mother's overzealous embrace.

"Eat your fill, we don't want to stunt your growth now, do we?" Gildor said with his eyes dancing at him.

Glaring at the words, Aerandir shoved the rest of the roll into his mouth. Why, oh why did people always find reason to comment on his height?

Gildor's deep chuckle only made him even more irritated as the other elf sat down in the chair beside him. Lavender eyes studied him as he took in the elder elf's graceful movements while gathering food on his breakfast plate. The sight of those long, pale fingers sent a shudder down his spine.

"So.. have you been having fun or have my friends here corrupted you beyond repair already?"

Elrohir, who had joined them for breakfast spluttered at the words. "Wha..?"

"Elrohir, your mouth." Elladan reprimanded.

Elrohir snapped his gaping mouth shut, glowering at his twin. Aerandir wiped his hands on his napkin, being careful of the crumbs.

"Oh! Learnt some manners, have we?" Gildor taunted as he faked astonishment. This in turn got both twins glaring daggers at him instead.

"Gildor..! Read the cues. Please." Aerandir grumbled silently, hoping that the three of them didn't make a fuss. The hall was already staring at the commotion at their table. Trying to avoid causing a scene Aerandir lifted the pitcher of water on the table and poured Gildor a glass.

"Thank you," Gildor drawled.

"You smell like alcohol," Aerandir said pointedly to Gildor, nose wrinkling at the scent. "Since when do you drink in the morning?"

"Since I miss breakfast with my favorite little friend," The elder elf started, his eyes roaming Aerandir's face. The younger elf blushed furiously, turning his face towards his nearly finished plate. It didn't help in the least as he could still feel Gildor's heavy gaze on him.

A huff came from the other side of the table. "You really are low, Gildor. Since when do you rob cradles?" Elladan did not sound pleased.

The elder elf moved in closer to Aerandir and leaned suspiciously close to the blushing tips of his ears. "Since I find it amusing," he chuckled before pulling back, putting his hand on Aerandir's shoulder. "Lord Elrond has asked for your presence at noon, little one. I shall take you there after breakfast."

Aerandir paled at the words. Elrond wanted to see him. That meant he knew. Wringing his hands underneath the table, he tried to lay reins on his nervousness. His mind already swam with thoughts of how the elflord reacted to the news.

"Aerandir?"

"Yes." His big lavender eyes rushed back at Gildor. His lost expression struck a chord in the elder elf.

Gildor gave him a reassuring smile before he ruffled his dark hair, much to the younger elf's dismay. "It will be alright."

It didn't take Gildor more than an hour or so to break his fast. Though, most of that time was spent flirting shamelessly or teasing the other elves seated with them. Needless to say Aerandir spent most of the time looking like a tomato while he tried to block out the numerous pointed innuendos and plain out harassments thrown at various elven individuals. How the other elves could manage a straight face was unknown to him.

Walking down the corridor towards the office wing Aerandir felt the days events weighing down upon him. Even Gildor had gone silent and that never was a good sign.

"Gildor?"

"Hmm?"

"Will you stay with me?" He watched the other elf avoid his gaze and Aerandir scolded himself inwardly. Aerandir knew the other elf was incapable of chaperoning him all day. Gildor's duty was to escort him here, nothing more. He was in no way obliged to serve as his babysitter. He knew that, but still.. Aerandir couldn't help feeling a little unsettled by the fact that Gildor was sure to head off again on his travels as soon as Aerandir settled in properly at the Last Homely House.

"Aerandir.. I.." Gildor began slowly but didn't get time to finish.

"No. Please, don't bother apologizing," Aerandir started. "I know I'm inconveniencing you. It is childish of me..." He turned to Gildor with a shy smile on his face, trying to seem braver than he really felt at that moment. "I'm already 300 years old. I should be able to hold one adult conversation by myself."

Gildor got a sudden sad look on his face. "You'll do fine." He patted his dark head before knocking on the great mahogany door. There was a distant 'Enter' called from the other side and Gildor nodded towards Aerandir.

Nodding and swallowing once, Aerandir straightened and grasped the handle, hesitating for a moment before entering. The office was large but dark in a warm, cozy kind of way. There was a fireplace on the far off side. A large desk and bookcase on the wall to his left led him to where Elrond sat, working over some document.

The half-elf looked up from his writing. "Ah.. Good. Take a seat. I'll be with you in a minute."

Aerandir shifted nervously before walking towards the small group of armchairs placed in front of the roaring fireplace. The chair was plush and warm, a quilt draped over one arm. The fabric itself was old, but well-tended, leading one to think the lord has had it for a very long time. Suddenly, Aerandir felt incredibly out-of-place. He didn't fit in here. In this large but cozy corner where several of Elrond's children had probably fallen asleep nestled in this very armchair.

He turned his gaze in front of him. His mother had always spoken so fondly of the two-seater across from him, it had been one of her favourite lounging places. His eyes dimmed and glazed over with a thin haze. If he stared at the settee long enough, Aerandir could almost envision her sitting there, a book in hand, tucked snuggly beneath a quilt as she waited for Elrond to finish for the day. The firelight flickering over her silver blond hair, making her more alive than he'd ever seen her.

"Are you alright?"

Elrond's deep voice shook him out of his thoughts. He registered his hands gripping the arms of the chair unconsciously, his knuckles bleached white from the tension. Loosening them and folding his hands in his lap, he settled back into the chair more relaxed than before. It wouldn't do to show bad manners after all.

"Yes. Thank you." He felt his soft voice strain a little against the roar of the fire.

The elflord lowered himself down into the side seat of the settee. His form seemingly relaxed but Aerandir could feel an underlying tension in his royal bearing. His gray eyes raked his features and Aerandir was sure he was trying to sort out which features were his mother's and which belonged to his father. He felt like a specimen under that gaze. Something to be studied. It made him uncomfortable, to say the least.

"I have spoken with Gildor." Elrond initiated, although Aerandir knew he was in actuality asking Aerandir to start some kind of explanation for his presence in his house.

Aerandir lowered his gaze away from that wise, penetrating silver one. "I.. I always wondered. My mother, she spoke of this place often. Of.. you." Aerandir trailed off for a moment, trying to put his feelings into thought. "I know she said all elves would sail home eventually but..."

Elrond frowned. The way the youth had phrased his sentence made him uneasy. Elrond knew better than to suspect the impossible, but he also knew for a fact that the youngling's grandmother was Galadriel. The half-elf had danced with fate long enough to know that there was always some realism behind instincts and right now his gut instinct told him that the boy had meant something more than he wanted to let show.

Trying to approach the matter from another angle, Elrond started: "How is your mother?"

The sentence made the youth jerk in his chair. "My Lord..?"

"We have been married a long time, child. Although we did not end under the best of circumstances, I wish to think we parted on somewhat good terms," Elrond explained. "I think I'm entitled to ask of your mother's wellbeing without being frowned at."

Aerandir blushed. He felt like such a child. "She was in good health when last I saw her, My Lord." His voice shook slightly but he soon calmed. "She has been in better spirits lately. Spring always seems to cheer her up."

"Ah, yes. Your mother loves spring. It means she can start digging her fingers into the dirt of her garden again. Never seen an elleth so fascinated with gardening before," Elrond said with some amusement.

The comment brought a smile to Aerandir's lips. So his mother is still the same in that aspect at least. Allowing his hand to land on the side of his tunic, he patted the fabric for a moment before searching his tunic's pocket for something. After a short time of searching he produced a nicely folded paper, sealed with a seal of blood-red wax. The familiar signet of his house, a sea eagle battling a frothing wave, pressed into it. Upon the front of the letter was a delicately written name in fluent tengwar; Elrond.

Aerandir stilled for a moment mid motion, just staring at it before handing it out towards Elrond.

"She wanted me to give you this." He said calmly. He had no idea what his mother had written, but he doubted it was something insulting. Aerandir had felt no sign of resentment for him in his mother, more like resignation. Like speaking of an old friend of the past. A very good friend.

He watched as the other elf took the letter from him, hands handling it carefully. Those were the hands of a scholar but also a warrior's, he could tell that much from the old calluses on his skin. His mother always said Elrond preferred fighting with words instead of a sword. But the elf must have kept up practicing to have hands like those.

Elrond sat the letter aside. It could wait. Instead he chose to focus on the youth before him. "What do you intend to accomplish with this visit?" His voice was unthreatening, but the calculating eyes told otherwise. Elrond would always protect his family, even if it meant against someone like Aerandir.

Lavender eyes flashed for a moment. "Accomplish?" It was a whisper, but he knew the lord had heard it. "I do not aim to accomplish anything, My Lord.. I wanted to meet them. The twins.. Arwen."

The elf-lord narrowed his eyes. The faint sorrow laced into the whisper of her name raised those sensitive hairs at the back of his neck. His voice turned guarded."What do you know of Arwen?"

Instantly, Aerandir knew he'd blurted out too much. "Nothing. It's just.. I always asked mother to tell me about them. Somehow, seeing others with their siblings, I knew it did not feel the same. Hearing of your siblings is not the same as knowing them." The youth paused, eyes pleading with the lord. He needed for Elrond to understand. "I'm young, unexperienced and sheltered. I know that it may come off as a childish impulse to come here without warning but-"

Elrond raised his hand and stopped him mid sentence. "I know, you don't have to explain yourself to me. We are both elves. We both know the importance of family and as such I cannot, against my good conscience, keep you from them." He looked down at his hands. Long fingers picking on the embroidery on his sleeve for a moment before raising his eyes again. "I do not want to hurt my children. Your presence here.. I just ask of you to let me explain it to them properly."

"Eh?" Aerandir felt his eyes widen with surprise.

"My sons.. They still think Celebrian and I are married."

Aerandir gaped slightly, stunned by this information. His mother was married to his father when she had him, and by then they had been married for years already. That was three hundred years ago..

"I thought.." Aerandir trailed off searching Elrond's eyes for any sliver of a lie.

Elrond sighed, steepling his fingers before him. "We petitioned for an absolution of our marriage when she sailed. We both knew it was best to free each other from our bond." He met Aerandir's eyes, an mixture of hurt and guilt in his silver orbs. "I could not heal her. Our bond was not strong enough. It was not good enough. I.." he searched those lavender pools for some kind of understanding. "There are certain parts of yourself that are essential for your fëa to heal. Celebrian's attack made it clear to us that she and I.. We were not meant for each other."

Understanding finally reached Aerandir's young mind. He lowered his gaze. Somehow feeling disappointed at his mother's lack of commitment. Though, admittedly, Aerandir most probably wouldn't exist had she remained with Elrond in Middle Earth.

"You don't blame her for it? For leaving you, I mean?" Aerandir asked tentatively.

Elrond closed his eyes for a moment. "It was hard in the beginning. I won't lie to you. At one time I did recent her a bit for leaving us behind." He shifted in his seat, suddenly unnerved by the familiar eyes that stared at him. "But time heals all things. The heart, though painful, will scar but still keep beating."

Aerandir felt the weight of his parents actions upon his shoulders ease a little. His mother had loved Elrond at a time, but he is also certain that his father made her happy upon marrying in Aman. They are happy, his mind reminded him. Even if his mother despaired regularly that she missed her other children. Even if she still sometimes fell back into the darkness of her capture. Aerandir knew that they could pull her up again. Most of all, now he knew that they were both alright, Celebrian and Elrond. They had managed without each other. They had moved on.

"I'm sorry." Aerandir said softly. "But I'm also glad for what you and mother once had."

Elrond's head jerked to attention. Silver eyes boring into Aerandir's own. A strange mixture of confusion and gentleness on Elrond's face.

"I'm glad you and mother met. That you had your children together." Aerandir smiled to himself. "That I'm able to meet you."

Stunned, Elrond didn't know what to say to that. Silver eyes misting over before he blinked it away. A true smile, even if it was weak and still carried some sadness, grew on his face.

"Thank you."

.oOo.

Elrond took a few moments to collect himself after sending the youth on his way with Gildor in tow. Their discussion had not taken more than two hours during which they had each in turn asked and answered questions. Elrond himself had enquired of the happenings in the undying lands and been assured that most elves, friends of old now prospered in the peace the land had to offer.

If there was one thing he had realised during their little meeting, it was that Aerandir was, in a strange way, far too mature for his own age. Scarily so in some areas as he remembered well that the twins were much more childish at his age. Of course, that could be because of the fact that Elladan and Elrohir were somewhat spoiled during their growth. A habit he had found out Celebrian still kept up with during Aerandir's childhood. Elrond assumed the youngling's father must have been the counter weight then, for the child to be this well-mannered. Elrond had, after all, always struggled with saying no to Celebrian and her whims.

The child had been consciously correcting his behavior and mannerisms during their extended talk and Elrond had found it particularly amusing to watch the boy realise he had made a faux pas or when he actively adjusted his posture whenever he slumped a little too much in his posture.

A knock on his door informed him of his regular midday visit.

"Elrond?"

"Come in Erestor."

The advisor walked in carrying a tray with some light food on it. "I saw you missed lunch."

Elrond smiled softly. "Observant, as always."

"I try." He poured a heavily amount of wine in Elrond's cup. "I saw something cute crawl out of your office on my way here."

Elrond felt his good mood lessen at the underlying smile hidden in that voice. That smile could only spell trouble.

"Erestor!" Elrond groaned, hoping his friend wouldn't start with the usual discussion.

"I'm just saying." The advisor pulled back his ebony hair before retying his hair-tie. "Aren't you happy I reassigned Glorfindel to border duty yesterday?"

There was a clear smugness in his tone that made Elrond shudder. Yes, it was lucky indeed that they had avoided that possible disaster. His seneschal was a famous flirt that would try to lure any unassuming elf into his own bed as long as the elf in question was appealing, willing and of age to participate in such obscene activities.

"I'm doomed," Elrond drawled, a hand dragging over his face. How could he possibly face his former wife in Valinor if he let her son get eaten by his resident balrog slayer? Hopefully, Glorfindel would overlook Aerandir in favor of Gildor. Elrond was well aware that the seneschal had been trying to bed that particular elf for years without success.

"So.. who is it?" Erestor asked.

"Hmm?"

Erestor sat down on the corner of his desk. With his arms folded across his chest, he gave Elrond the most insistent visage he could master. Dark brow raised as if daring him to refuse him. Elrond swallowed the piece of fruit he was chewing as a distraction, hoping the elf would drop the subject.

"The cute elf," Erestor mused slowly, his voice feather light as if wondering, "I first thought Arwen had returned until I realised she would have had lost her mind to flatten down her chest that much willingly."

Elrond grimaced at the mention of his daughters assets.

"Can we not talk about my daughter as if she was any other elleth?" The realisation he had made years ago that his daughter was indeed a sexual being was disturbing enough. Now, as she had bloomed into her full beauty he couldn't find enough time to beat off all the elves vying for her attentions. Sometimes he was glad that the twins were, in fact, boys. He could only imagine the agony if he had sired all girls.

Erestor twitched his dark brow making Elrond sigh in response, caving under the stern gaze of his advisor. "The elf is Celebrian's youngest."

Erestor choked on the wine he had been sipping, inelegantly spitting it back into the cup. "What?"

"Yes," Elrond said with his eyes rolling in their sockets at the disbelief on Erestor's face. "Consequently, that makes him my children's half-brother."

"You are jesting," Erestor said disbelievingly, before thinking back at how much the youngling had resembled Arwen. The likeness was too pronounced to be a simple coincidence.

The Lord of Rivendell raised a challenging eyebrow of his own. His hands stapled together before him as he watched his advisor and longtime friend with amusement.

"Shit."

"Is that the best response you could come up with?" Elrond asked teasing, unimpressed by the choice word.

"So what? It seemed appropriate considering the situation," Erestor said as he snagged one of the grapes and plopped it into his mouth.

Elrond sighed while shaking his head slowly. "And I trust you with the most important matters of realm.."

Glaring back at him, Erestor threatened with a look of seriousness on his fine features, a calculating glint in his eye that said more than a thousand words could. "You wouldn't have me any other way."

The room fell into silence for a moment as they stared at each other, before both elves burst into laughter and the tension of the recent events was aired out of their system.

#To be continued.