Sorry for taking so long to post chapter 19. As I said before, I am in college and will be half way finished come a week from today! Between that and having a 13 month old, life has been crazy. Please enjoy and drop any comments (or suggestions) in the reviews. I love hearing from everyone.

Elvish at the end.

Elrond worked quickly as he used all his knowledge to prepare the mother for delivery. When she was ready, Elrond instructed her to squat and push and she did as he was told. The daughter who had answered the door helped grab everything that Elrond needed as he kept his mind on the infant, praying to the Valar that they would allow this child to be delivered without issues. As soon as he could see the infant's head, he smiled.

"Come on. One more big push," he told the mother who nodded.

As she pushed, Elrond was able to cradle the infant's head as the head came out, followed by the body. Elrond lifted the infant and worked on clearing the airway, waiting on a cry from the child as the mother laid down.

"Come on little one," Elrond whispered just as the infant started to cry and Elrond thanked the Valar. "Congratulations, you have a baby girl."

"Thank you," the mother said reaching out and taking the infant in her arms.

Elrond smiled as he helped deliver the placenta before moving to clamp off the umbilical cord and tie off the end on the infant. He started cleaning everything up as a knock came on the door.

"That may be Andreth, my mentor," Elrond said as the daughter ran to the door and Elrond made the mother some tea.

Andreth came into the room before Elrond could give the mother the tea that was brewing. He came over and checked on the infant before whispering in that language that Elrond did not understand before coming over and grabbing the tea and bringing it to the mother. He gave her instructions while the daughter listened and left them enough herbs to make two more pots. He was getting ready to leave with Elrond when the daughter came running over.

"Please, allow us to pay you for your help," she said holding out a handful of coins.

"No need," Andreth said shaking his head. "Use that to get things for the baby."

"We really can not thank you enough for the help," she said almost in tears.

"Not a problem at all. We are here to help," he replied with a smile as he turned with Elrond to leave.

As soon as they got outside, Elrond looked over at Andreth.

"Please do not leave me in that situation again. I have never dealt with someone who has been laboring all day and I feared the baby was upside down."

"Elrond, I knew you could do it. That is why I let you."

"But Andreth…" Elrond started.

"No buts. You did it all by yourself and you did amazing. You need to stop doubting yourself, Elrond. You knew what to do and did it perfectly. Yes, she was a human and not an elf, but it does not make any difference when it comes to childbirth. Even dwarven women are no different, but they refuse to have help unless they realize they must."

Elrond nodded as he heard these words knowing that he doubted his abilities way more than he should.

"Now, I did find out where you need to bring the letter. We need to deliver it tomorrow due to the ship leaving the day after next. But for today, we enjoy the city and do what we like."

"Can we visit the herb shop that we passed on our way in?" Elrond asked.

"Of course we can. I can tell you that there is even a better one if you want."

"I would like that, thanks," Elrond smiled knowing he was going to need new herbs after delivering the baby.

Andreth smiled and directed Elrond towards the other herb shop as they walked silently. Along the way, many people offered goods they were selling, but none caught Elrond's interest. Andreth did stop at a shop along the way that sold books and searched through the shelves for any books on healing. He did find two which he flipped through before putting them back, knowing these were not going to be of use. Leaving that shop, Andreth directed Elrond down a few more roads before finally coming to a decent sized herb shop.

"This shop has more than you think and they also carry a lot of rare herbs," Andreth said smiling as they walked in.

Every inch of the store was covered in shelves and herbs. They were all the way up the walls, on shelves in the middle of the room, behind the counter, and even into a back room that did not seem open to the public. Athelas was the most common herb in the building and there was many jars of just that. There was also jars of tea herbs that filled almost an entire way, most of which Elrond knew what they were and what their were used for. There was also a lot of jars that Elrond had no clue what they were. Some of which looked very odd and old. Andreth did not spend long looking around before going to the shop owner and talking with him about a few things that he needed. Elrond walked up and Andreth smiled.

"Olor, this is my assistant, Elrond. He delivered a baby today and is in need of some supplies as well," Andreth said introducing Elrond.

"It's great to meet you," he said lowering his head slightly. "And what may I get you, Elrond?"

"I do need some athelas for sure. I am also interested in some of the tea herbs," he said turning to look back at the jars.

"Just get him some athelas and a variety of other herbs," Andreth said with a smile. "There is a lot here that we have not gone over or had a use for yet."

"Not a problem," he said, turning to start grabbing herbs for them.

As Olor gathered herbs, Elrond looked around and started to read some of the jars. Some of them were mixes of athelas with other ingredients for specific reasons. One caught his eye, but the name was not in the common language or Sindarin which confused him.

"That we will go over later," Andreth said seeing him eye a jar that was from the first age. "It is not a common herb to use anymore and if used incorrectly, it can cause more harm than good."

"Then why is it here?"

"Because when it is used correctly, then it can heal some of the rarest diseases. I pray to the Valar that you never see any of those diseases in your lifetime."

"I pray to the Valar that I do not see them either," Andreth said as Olor coming back in the room with three packages. "This one is for you, Elrond."

A same package of wrapped herbs was handed to him as he thanked him for the herbs. The other two packages were handed to Andreth.

"Here are you herbs and a package of herbs to teach to your apprentice," he smiled.

"I can not thank you enough Olor. How much do I owe you?"

At this point, Olor spoke a single word in another language that Elrond did not understand before bowing his head. Andreth returned to gesture before turning to Elrond.

"Anything else you want to do in the city?"

"After we pay, maybe a book store," he answered.

"I have paid him in advance," Andreth responded. "So we will find a bookstore. Thanks again Olor."

"Yes, thank you," Elrond said as they left the herb shop. "So what language were you speaking? This is the second time I have heard it."

"It's a very old language that is very rarely used anymore. A few people from early in the first age still know it and use it to communicate to those they know still speak it. If nothing more, it keeps the language alive. Maybe one day I will teach you. But I have to know that you won't misuse it first," Andreth explained. "I have seen many people misuse it, but not so much in recent years."

"How have they misused it?" Elrond asked as he followed Andreth threw the streets.

"Remind me later and I will talk to you in depth about it. It is too much to talk about here in the streets. Plus too many ears around," he answered him.

Elrond nodded knowing that this may be one of those mysteries about Andreth that he never got an answer about. The streets were starting to fill with more people with each turn they made. Each road a little busier than the last. When they reached the Main Street through town, Elrond could see a small group of musicians playing the harp softly near the market that was still being set up. The array of colors made him smile as he watched the people flood the streets from all directions. A lot of them came to the market while others walked past to visit other shops. A few shop owners could be seen reaching their shops and opening for business as well as setting out small stands with a display of goods. One elder shop owner was bringing out a small cart with some books on it as he talked with a local that stopped to help him. The elder man could be seen saying thank you as he adjusted a few books before taking a seat right inside the open shop.

"That is the shop that we are going to go to. Even though he looks like a small shop, he has a lot of books that he does not display. He is usually best shop in town," Andreth explained.

"How often do you come here?" Elrond questioned.

"A lot more than I would like to admit," he answered with a smile. "I come here often enough to know the good shop owners from the ones that are not worth going to. I know a lot of the shop owners by name as well. I know which of them speak the old language and which do not."

"Do you come here for you or for Gil-Galad?"

"For many reasons both personal and business, but that is all I will say about it."

Elrond nodded as they approached the elderly man's shop and he started to look around silently. He did not know what he was specifically looking for, but everything intrigued him. Some of the books were not written by elves and there were a few novels as well. Elrond knew that if he did not have so much to study, he would be interested in these. This got Elrond's mind wandering as to whether or not Elros had enough time to read anything these days. He also wondered if the Edain had books like this. Sighing softly, he shook those thoughts from his head as he kept looking through the books for anything that would draw his attention. He was so caught up looking that he did not even hear Andreth talking to the elderly shop owner behind him. It was not until Elrond heard his name called that he turned around to realize that the shop keeper was allowing them into a private collection of books that were not on display for the public.

"If you have any questions, please feel free to ask," the elderly man said softly.

Elrond said thank you as he started to look around the books in pure amazement. There were books that looked to be as old as The Years of the Trees. Reaching out, he touched one of these books that were written in an ancient language that Elrond knew had to be one of the first languages of elves. Andreth watched Elrond before pulling that book down and reading some of it out loud.

"What does that even say?"

"You found an ancient book on healing, written in one of the first languages. This one goes into a lot of good information," Andreth said closing it and looking over the cover. "We will definitely take this one with us."

Elrond nodded as he kept looking around the shelves before finding another book that called to him. Pulling it from the shelf, he opened it and started to flip through it. He stopped when his eyes caught sight of a Balrog drawing. He had heard of them, but did not know them to be more than legend. Glancing up at Andreth, he closed the book before handing it to him.

"Can I please get this one as well?" He asked.

"A book on the history of the first age?" Andreth asked looking at Elrond who simply nodded. "Sure, if you really want it."

"I do want it."

"Okay. Then we will get these and one other book I found and head out," he nodded as Elrond left the room and headed back to the shop keeper.

He stood silently as Andreth counted out money and was getting the books wrapped carefully for their travels back home. Everything was sounding pleasant and calm when Elrond heard his name called out from the street behind him. He turned around, but did not see anyone that he recognized. Looking back at Andreth, he wondered if his mentor heard it as well. Andreth did not seem phased at all and when he heard his name again, Elrond turned the other way. This time he saw the beautiful silver hair as he was knocked back and into Andreth who caught him from behind. Arms were tightly wrapped around his waist as he breathed in the scent of none other than Thranduil. His arms wrapped around him, his eyes closed, as he held back tears and regained his balance.

Olor - "To Dream" (Gender neutral name)