Sorry for the time it took to update. Things have been crazy recently. I am in college full time, work part time, and have a toddler. Please let me know what you think of this chapter and I will try to get chapter 19 out faster.

Riding that day and the day that followed was as uneventful as the day they left. Absolutely nothing happened other than the wind blowing just enough that the leaves on the ground made noise that caused them to stop and look. What they did not expect was the condition of Forlond when they arrived. It was thriving more than Andreth expected and Elrond was wide eyed at the city. It was not the same as Lindon, but it was another large city and this time, right on the edge of the ocean. This brought back memories of his youth and living in the Havens of Sirion. Staying silent for a good moment, Andreth stopped to check on the young heir before saying anything.

"Are you feeling alright?" Andreth asked softly as Elrond turned his attention to him.

"I am," he lied not wanting to admit the truth even though he knew deep down that Andreth was already aware.

"I am here if you want to talk about anything," Andreth said dropping the subject as he dismounted and motioned for Elrond to do the same.

"Thanks," he muttered, getting down as he moved to follow Andreth as they moved towards the stables.

They moved silently through the streets as the horses neighed softly as people moved to get out of their way. They had barely reached the stables when a young adult, female elf came up and hugged Andreth which caused Elrond to stop and look at this in shock. She pulled back and started to say something in a hushed voice that was not in a language that he understood. He tried hard to pick up what she was saying, but the more she talked, the more it confirmed his thoughts that it was a very old language that was not used anymore. Elrond had to admit that she was beautiful for an elleth, but certainly not his type. She was also short in statue with golden blonde hair that fell to her hips. If he had to guess, she could not be more than fifty years of age. She also was very light in her step as she almost glided around, talking to Andreth in a cheerful tone. Andreth on the other hand had a smile on his face as he watched her with a smile.

"Elrond," Andreth said turning towards him. "This is my aunt, Aldien."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Aldien," Elrond said lowering his head in respect.

"Oh Andreth, he is so polite," she giggled before taking a step towards him, making Elrond realize that there is no way that she was even five and a half feet tall with grey-blue eyes.

"Did you really expect him not to be polite?" Andreth asked while almost rolling his eyes at her.

"You never know," she said before speaking once again in the language she had been using earlier as her eyes never left Elrond.

Andreth responded to her this time in the same language causing Elrond to feel a little uneasy before Aldien turned and spoke to Andreth some more. It only took a few more minutes before she turned back to Elrond and spoke to him again.

"You are never alone, young one. If you ever need anything, tell Andreth," she smiled. "I best be off. You take care, Andreth. That goes for yourself and him."

"You too. Tell your husband I said hello," Andreth said with a smile.

"I will," she said before walking off quickly.

"She is very energetic," Elrond said turning to his mentor.

"That she is," Andreth said shaking his head before turning to Elrond.

"How old is she compared to your amille… atar?" Elrond questioned, never having mentioned Andreth's family before.

"About fifty years difference and my amille's sister," he admitted as he started to walk towards the stables again.

"How is she about fifty years younger than your amille. I only expected her to be about fifty years old."

"Try fifty years older than my amille," he said turning to him.

"She is older than your amille? There is no way. Is your amille shorter as well?"

"My amille is a very tall elleth. When you see my amille and aunt together, you would not believe that they are related. My amille is always called beautiful and very tall with long, dark brown, wavy hair. I always get compared to her in the sense that I am opposite of her. I have light hair and hers is dark. She has blue eyes and mine are grey."

"I do not think there is anything wrong with this, Andreth."

"She can also be a bitch at times," he sighed softly. "She expects so much of my family and everyone around her that she is overbearing as well. That is the main reason that I said that I can not be around her and moved away to work."

"I wish I could say that I understand, but I can not. I really hope that people do not feel the same about me," Elrond said softly.

"I do not think that you are that way. You are young and still learning, but in no way are you overbearing. I promise to let you know if you ever get to be," Andreth replied as they reached the stables. "We are leaving our horses here before we go into the city to complete a few things. My aunt told me of a family in need of medical attention and asked that we go by and help them."

"Not a problem at all. I am pleased to offer any help I can," Elrond said softly as he led his horse into the stables where an attendant greeted Andreth.

Andreth talked with the attendant offering payment for the care of their horses while they were in town while the attendant felt obliged to decline the payment due to Andreth's status. Andreth kept insisting on payment as Elrond started to get his bags off the horse before turning towards Andreth and grabbing one of his bags. Andreth turned and took the rest of his bags before Elrond could grab another one.

"We are good to go if you have everything," he said looking at the young elf in front of him.

"I am good," Elrond said before watching Andreth turn and start to leave the stables.

Elrond followed Andreth out into the street as the city seemed to come alive in the early morning hours. Elves started to travel throughout and go about their business as shops started to open. Elrond watched with curiosity as many more shops than he had expected started to set up and some even had early sales. Each shop seemed to be different and offer different items while others had similar items. One shop caught Elrond's attention due to having healing herbs and Elrond made a mental note that he would have to come by later to check out what they had available. Andreth did not slow down as he quickly moved down the street on his way towards the bay. Upon reaching it, he looked around for a moment before turning back to Elrond.

"I am going to lead you to the family that is in need of medical attention while I talk to some of the locals and find out which ship is heading back to your brother," he explained as he started through the streets again and stopped in front of a small house. "Go ahead and help them and I will be back shortly."

"Yes sir," Elrond said respectfully as Andreth left.

He gently knocked on the door and it did not take long before a young lady opened the door.

"I was told someone here was in need of medical help," Elrond said as the young lady nodded and allowed him to enter the house.

"Yes, my mother is in labor and all of the healers refuse to come. They say that she has labored too long and it should be left up to the valar," she explained before closing the door and rushing down the hall.

Elrond followed, cursing Andreth in his head for leaving him to deal with this one alone. He knew that he was good, but he did not think he was good enough to take on this one without help. As soon as they entered the room, Elrond moved the the laboring mother before kneeling beside her.

"My name is Elrond and I am a healer from Lindon. I have come to help you deliver this child," he explained as the mother nodded. "I am going to make you some tea that I need you to drink. It will help."

Elrond turned to the young lady who seemed to immediately know that hot water was needed as well as a cup because she had both ready for him. He nodded as he pulled out a variety of herbs and started to mix them in the water, letting them seep for a moment before pouring a cup of tea for the mother. Handing it to her, she drank it quickly as another wave of pain came over her. The mother's hand gripped onto Elrond's arm as she cried out. Elrond put his free hand onto her lower belly as he felt for the child. His eyes closed as he thought about the process in which to take before opening them again and waiting for the mother to relax. As soon as she did, Elrond explained that he was going to need to check how dilated she was and the mother nodded. This was the part that Elrond disliked the most, but he knew it needed to be done.

On the other side of town, Andreth found a ship with human men on it and approached one of the men that was on the dock.

"Is this ship heading back with the Druedair?" He asked.

"It is. How may we help you?" The man responded.

"A pupil of mine is the brother of the one you call Tar-Minyatur. I told him I would find which ship is heading to him so that my pupil may send a letter with the ship," he explained.

"Of course. We would be happy to deliver a letter to our king," the man smiled. "We leave in two days time. I hope that is enough time for your pupil to get his letter to us."

"It will be. I must head out now, but we will see you again before you depart," Andreth smiled.

"Till we meet again," the man said before turning and heading back to the ship.

Elleth - Female elf

Aldien - (feminine name meaning tree)

Amille - mother