*Note 1: Another correct me if I'm wrong but I have yet to come across the name of a ruler for Edhellond during this period in Middle-earth history so I came up with a non-canon one of my own…

*Note 2: Also, I know the UT mentions Lorien's original name having something to do with singers, but I decided to keep the autumn leaf inspiration for the name, both cause I like it and to keep things simpler.

.

.

.

The Journey of Elrond

.

The new white ship Wingloth cut through the choppy waters of the open sea. These elf boats were thoughtfully carved, and for the most part made easy work of rough waves on windy days. The crew kept the ship well in sight of the shore, for they were tasked to survey the new coastline and keep alert for friendly folk (or unfriendly folk).

"I see mortals along the shore, sir," said Dúrlos, the farsighted elf who had remained at the havens when Celebrimbor left again. "Should we stop?"

Elrond held his hand over his eyes and peered toward the shore. "Nay," he replied. "They are simple gatherers and fisherfolk. Círdan tells me they are warier of strangers than the dark elves who live alone in remote woods and never come out by day. They are unlikely to ally with either Shadow or Light. Let us continue on."

The captain of the ship, Eäriel, was standing nearby looking out at the shore also. She nodded at them, and wandered back to the steering oar at the stern. Elrond went to the bow, and gazed wistfully at the open water ahead. He had been living by the gulf for a while after his brother left, but eventually grew restless again. Círdan the shipwright perceived that he was melancholy over the departure of the last of his immediate family, and that he also desired to pursue more learning of experience beyond the boundaries of the king's realm by the bay. So, he persuaded King Gil-galad to appoint Elrond his new ambassador, and task him to seek out lands of other elves, and other peoples, as he could, to bring greetings of the king's friendship and establish helpful ties.

For weeks they sailed, skirting along the coastline, when at last they spied a high cliff of dark rock jutting out into the water. "Master Elrond, look!" called Dúrlos. "There is a tower at the top there."

Elrond and several of the crew gathered around their lookout. "What sort of tower?" he replied.

Dúrlos peered intently up at the cliff top for a few moments, and the land around it. "There is an inlet down by the shore over there," he said, pointing to the left of the headland. "I see small boats moving to and fro. It must be a lamp tower for the guidance of the sailors."

"Curious," Elrond replied. He called out to Captain Eäriel to steer closer for a better look. After a half hour at last Dúrlos smiled. "They are elves, sir," he said. "There is hope."

Elrond directed a small plain white flag to be raised over the banner of Gil-galad - three large silver stars set on a field of gray, one for each of the heirs left in the house of his grandfather: Gil-galad, Galadriel, and Elrond - set with small diamonds so that it caught the eye shimmering bright from afar. Finally, as they approached the shore, they found behind the headland cliff a sizable lagoon. Tucked into the shelter of the cliff wall were many small docks, and beyond those were many small homes set into the steep hillsides, with ribbons of wooden stairs climbing to the top. Elrond and his companions waved in greeting to the inhabitants watching them in their curiosity, and they seemed friendly enough – gesturing toward an open space along the docks set aside for larger ships. Eäriel pulled the boat up to the jetty, and tossed a rope to the shoremen. At last the travelers disembarked, and were welcomed by the villagers, who said the rugged coastal region was called the Falas, and they named their little harbor Edhellond. The shorement told Elrond that the sea elves here were mostly fishers and divers and climbers who foraged the rugged cliffs nearby. They did not keep any grand ships, for they had little desire to sail very far from the shore. The larger docks were built for the elves who had desired to go to Valinor after the Great Battle, but they had not been used in several years.

Elrond declared his mission, and asked for their leader. One elf, the lead shoreman, led them up the stairs to where the rest of their folk lived in the shelter of a patch of woods a short way inland. There they came to the fair wooden halls of the elves who lived behind the top of the cliffs, and they met the current leader of that small realm, the elven Queen Ereloth. Her father had been kin to the elf king of the Forest Kingdom where he had lived before that kingdom was destroyed, after which he made his way here, and the people were content to take him as their leader. He had perished in the final battle, and his wife had left for Valinor in her grief, and the lady was his only heir.

Ereloth saw that the visitors were kindred to her people, the mixed elves of the woodlands and of the sea, and welcomed them kindly. She had no news of relevance to give them, for her people had lived here peacefully for many years, and all assumed the Shadow had left with Morgoth when he was captured and banished from the world.

"There will indeed be peace for a long while," Elrond said to her. "So prophesies Círdan, lord of the sea elves in the north. But it is certain that servants of Morgoth remain in Middle-earth, and may grow to trouble the world again. When that day comes, know that you have the friendship and alliance of Gil-galad the High King." As a token gift from the king, Elrond chose to give several realms of the sturdy sail fabric that Eäriel was willing to part with. This was well received, for the elves here were a more humble and practical sort, more likely to adorn their beaches with bright gems rather than wear them.

Elrond then asked the lady about other realms he might be able to visit, discovering that several among her people had family and friends in places far to the north, and were willing to guide them there. And so, after several days Elrond and his company took ship again with a few extra passengers. Captain Eäriel turned eastward according to their host's guidance, until they found the outlet of the great river Anduin. They sailed northward upstream for several days, passing the fair White Mountains on their left and the wall of Shadow Mountains on their right - the ancient kingdom of Morgoth's lieutenant, but which by all accounts had long lay quiet and abandoned, until at last they had reached the massive wall of roaring falls pouring down in an enormous curtain of water from cliff tops high above. There was enough room for Eäriel to turn the ship about, but no suitable landing place. So they went back southward a short ways, until they reached a spot from where they could ferry ashore and travel northward easily. At last Elrond parted with the crew, bringing along only Dúrlos, and off they went on foot.