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Elrond laid in the tub for longer than he knew he should, but he did not care. The warm water was warming to his soul and relaxing his sore muscles from the long day. Personally he did not want to get out of the warm water, but knew at some point he would have to. Allowing himself some more time, he told himself that he would soon have to wash his hair and get out. Taking a deep breath, he sank back down into the warm water as his eyes closed slightly. His thoughts kept drifting back to his last night with Thranduil and just how right everything seemed. Everything in the world seemed to fit together that night and for once, Elrond felt like he belonged where he was, but he also knew that in their current situation it would not work. That was something that he was going to have to figure out, possibly with the help of Thranduil.

A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts as he called out for whomever it was to enter. The soft footsteps moved across the room and to the bathroom where Elrond opened his eyes and looked up at Andreth.

"I am taking your wet clothes to be cleaned and leaving dinner on the table. Do not waste too much time or your tea will be cold," he said softly before leaving the bathroom and heading out.

"Thank you, Andreth," Elrond called out hearing a you are welcome before the door shut behind him.

Deciding he much rather have hot food than a warm bath, he quickly shampooed his hair and washed his body before draining the water and getting out of the tub. Grabbing the towel, he dried off and ran a brush through his hair pretty quick before grabbing a robe and sitting at the table to find vegetable soup, a piece of bread, and a small pot of hot tea waiting for him. It was as if Andreth had worked a miracle and got all the good hot foods that Elrond loved in one meal. The miracle was, how did Andreth get vegetable soup made when they had not been home that long and this vegetable soup takes all day to make. Elrond decided not to question the soup as he started to slowly eat it, enjoying the warmth that spread through him. As he enjoyed another bite of soup, he poured a cup of tea, enjoying the aroma that seemed to calm and warm his soul all at once. Andreth had brought one of his favorites which was a cinnamon black tea that seemed to fight the cold around him. Grinning, he brought the cup to his face and inhaled deeply before taking a sip of the tea. A smile crossed his face while he enjoyed the tea before taking another bite of soup.

The soup lasted longer than usual due to Elrond savoring every bite. It warmed him as he sat calmly and decided to pull out a book to study while he enjoyed it. He did not stop reading after he finished the soup either. He sat in his chair and sipped his tea while pouring two more cups with his book in his hand. He was so caught up in his book that he never heard Andreth knock on the door or enter the room to collect his dishes until he realized the tray in front of him was moving and he looked up from his book.

"You did not respond so I entered to get your dishes. Would you like another pot of tea?"

"Yes please," Elrond answered looking back down at his book. "Thank you very much."

Andreth simply nodded while picking up the dishes and making his way out of the room. Elrond did not seem to care as he continued the book without looking up. He was absorbing every bit of information this book had about different herbs for healing that he was not use to. Some of them were herbs that he did not even know about. Some of these herbs he had heard about and knew that they were no longer available unless by some chance a shop, like the one he had recently visited, had them availble. Even though he knew there was little chance of getting those, he still made sure to read over them carefully just in case he could get his hands on them.

When Andreth came back in with the tea pot, he poured Elrond a cup of tea before placing the tea pot down carefully and sitting across from him. He did not say a word but stayed silent until Elrond lowered his book and looked at him.

"I figured you were at a point where you could not stop," he commented.

"Thanks," Elrond smiled.

"So, may I ask you a few questions?"

"Sure, but know that I can choose not to answer if I want."

"That is always the case, Elrond," Andreth smiled. "What do you see yourself doing in the future?"

"I personally do not know. I know that I want to learn as much as I can on healing. Other than that, I am not too sure," Elrond answered.

"You do not want to be here. I can tell from your attitude."

"It is not that I do not want to be here, but more of the fact that I do not want to rule after Gil-Galad. I do not want to be in his position of power. I have no desire to, but I feel as if everyone expects me to even if I do not want it."

"I understand," Andreth said softly. "I know it is not the ideal situation that you want and you may not understand why Gil-Galad wants you to succeed him. I am not going to stop your studies just in case you change your mind, but I will not push you to become the next High King of the Nõldor."

"Thank you Andreth, but I doubt I will ever change my mind."

"I still have to teach you," Andreth said making Elrond laugh softly. "You have got to learn to balance books, Elrond."

"Do not remind me," Elrond muttered hating this one concept.

"Well, I will talk to you tomorrow after breakfast. I would rest up because you have a busy day ahead of you," Andreth said standing up to leave. "Rest well."

"Thank you, you too," Elrond said with a smile as he watched Andreth leave and the door close behind him.

He sighed softly as he thought about what had just happened. Maybe he would not have to succeed Gil-Galad. If that was the case, then he had a better chance at making things work with Thranduil even if that meant he had to move. He knew deep down that would mean he would have to move, but he was okay with that. He just knew he would want to travel to a few different places and find that perfect place to settle down after he knew where Thranduil would be. That was just going to be a matter of time and he knew that.

Looking back down at his book, he continued reading his book on healing herbs, but getting distracted every so often. Putting the book down, he grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and started to write.

Thranduil,

We are back home in Lindon. The last night on the road, there was cave trolls that came right by us. Andreth said this is a growing threat with them moving and something I know you can warn your Ada about. We were lucky that it was raining and we did not have a fire going that night, but with the amount of people you will be traveling with, I am not sure if you will be able to hide as we did. I am worried about you with the knowledge that cave trolls are traveling more.

On the other end of things, by the time we made it home, we were soaking wet. It has been raining for a whole day straight. I am sure that if it has been raining this hard here, you probably have been experiencing rain as well. I hope you have been able to stay dry in this weather and that when you do move, it has stopped.

Please be safe and I will keep writing. Write as you can,

Elrond

Reading over it one more time, he stood up and moved to the door. Pausing, he thought for one more moment before deciding to go through with getting Andreth to send the letter. Opening his door, he moved down the hallway to a very familiar door and knocked lightly.

"Come on in, Elrond," Andreth's voice came which made Elrond smile and open the door.

"How did you know it was me?"

"I can tell from just the way you knock. What do you need?"

"I need you to read this letter and get it sent if you think it is okay," Elrond said handing him the letter he just wrote.

"Okay," Andreth read over it before nodding. "I think this is fine. I can get it sent in the morning if you are okay with that."

"I am completely okay with that. I would also be safest for the messenger. Please make sure the messenger knows about the cave trolls. I do not want to put anyone else at risk if I can help it."

"Of course," Andreth smiled. "You do think like a leader in that sense."

"That does not surprise me at all," he smiled. "Thank you."

"Not a problem," Andreth said as Elrond turned and left the room.

Heading back to his room, he felt better knowing that his letter would soon be in the hands of Thranduil along with his warning of what was happening on the road. Reaching his room, he entered before moving to his bed and ignoring his book as he laid down, ready to get some much needed rest in his own bed.