" … they came in time to waters that no vessels save those of the Teleri had known; and they came to the Enchanted Isles and escaped their enchantment; and they came into the Shadowy Seas and passed their shadows, and they looked upon Tol Eressea the Lonely Isle, but tarried not … "

Elros

The morning sun warmed Elros' eyelids, but he kept them shut. Mother would be along soon to wake him up anyway, so there was no need to lose any sleep before that happened. He tried to remember where Father was. Off at sea, probably, but perhaps he would get back today and let Elros out with him on the ship again; he was getting really good now at tying the ropes. He could hear Elrond's slow breathing in the bed across the room.

He couldn't smell anything from the kitchen below him, which was strange. Perhaps they were having a cold breakfast today; walnut loaf wrapped in cloth and given to Elros to eat as he walked down to the river. Elros kept his face buried against the pillow. Mother would come by any minute now.

And then Elrond's arm flopped against his neck, and Elros remembered.

Elros opened his eyes to the sun streaming in through the window. Elrond was still fast asleep. Past Elrond, Maglor's cot lay empty on the stone floor.

My mother is dead. My father is gone and hasn't found me yet. This is Maglor's home. Elros sat up.

Elrond whined into his pillow as Elros clambered out of the bed and put his day clothes on. "It's all right," Elros said, pulling on his boots. "I'm just going to look for some food."

Elrond's eyes flew open. "Wait a little, I'll come with you."

Elros sighed. "You don't have to. Look, you're still sleeping. Why don't you stay in here for a bit and I'll come back with something?"

Elrond winced as his feet touched the floor. "I can hurry. I just need to get dressed and then drink some water and then have a wee and … "

Elros, hovering at the door, shook his head. "That'll take too long. Look, I'm leaving. I'll be back soon with some – "

"Don't!"

The desperate tenor in that voice made Elros pause. Alone in the middle of the floor, Elrond was breathing hard.

Elrond smiled brightly with watery eyes. "I can help, if you let me. And it'll be more fun with the two of us."

Elrond's beam was still plastered on his face, but Elros noticed the way Elrond's hands twisted quietly. His irritation fought a battle against his guilt and lost harder than the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. "Maybe, if you don't take too long."

"I won't be more than a minute," Elrond promised.

._.

Ten minutes later Elros sat on the floor outside the door. "I can just come back, you know," he tried. "I won't be more than a few minutes. Then you won't have to hurry so much."

Elrond's voice echoed from inside the water closet. "You're still there, right, Elros? You're not leaving yet, are you?"

Elros held his feet up against the light. "Yes, I'm still here." He heard some water splash, and then Elrond opened the door.

"See?" he said proudly. "I told you I wouldn't be long!"

The corridor was bordered on one side by windows, whose panes of colored glass made colorful splotches on the stone floor. Elros' eyes were wide as they wandered towards the stairs.

Elrond held his hand. "What do they eat for breakfast, in the homes of high lords?"

Elros tried to think. "Don't know. Probably peacock's tongues or wild boar or … dragon's meat; something strange like that. I think Maglor is just feeding us normal food to make us feel comfortable."

"Where is Maglor?"

As it turned out, Maglor was in one of the other rooms along the hall, which he normally kept locked at all times. Elrond and Elros quietly peered around the corner.

Disappointment fell in Elros' stomach with a leaden thud. Just an old bedroom, it turned out; nothing scary or exciting at all. As the boys watched silently, Maglor stood in front of the bed holding an old tunic. He wasn't saying anything. Instead he remained frozen with his back to the boys, apparently just staring at the shirt.

It was cold this morning, and Maglor's shoulders shivered.

Elrond piped up. "Are you going to wear it for dinner tonight?"

Maglor jumped a little and saw the boys behind him.

"I think it looks quite fine," Elrond added. He elbowed Elros to say something as well.

"Yes." Elros fidgeted. "I like the … green."

Maglor turned away for a moment. His hand came up to fiddle with something on his face; perhaps fixing his hair. He turned back to Elrond and Elros. "Another night, perhaps. I wouldn't want to wear it out."

Maglor sniffed loudly.

"It is dusty in here," Elrond agreed.

"Is that why you always keep it locked?"

Maglor shepherded them all off down the corridor after he locked the door. "My goodness, all dressed, and all on your own, too! The maids made a new set of clothes for you two again. I'll have to show them to you. Come away now; let's get something to eat."