In the Garden

Title: In the Garden, Chapter 26
Author: Sorsha
Fandom/Pairing: Elrond/OFC, others implied
Rating: R
Warning: AU (Story set several hundred years after ROTK in Aman); Het.
Feedback: Constructive feedback appreciated.
Archive: AFF; FF
Acknowledgements: Thanks to Lady Victoria for betaing this fic.
Disclaimer: Anything you recognize belongs to Prof. Tolkien. A quick check of my bank account should prove I’m not making anything off of writing my stories. Sigh!
Summary: Life in the Blessed Land has not been so blessed for Elrond. Can the happiness that has long eluded him be found in the words of a red-bound journal, the help of his scheming friends, and the granting of a wish that none thought possible?

Chapter 26 --- Awakening

The silvery, grey mist that had blanketed her mind and heart for several days slowly began to recede. “Meril? Focus on my voice, my child, and it will guide you back to us.”

Unable to immediately recognize the gentle, soothing voice, Meril struggled to remember, even as a face of incomparable beauty began to shimmer into focus before her dazed eyes. Noting the confusion and uncertainty evident in the elleth’s eyes, the Vala smiled. “You are in Lorien, Meril. You are in my care. Your family and friends are here. We have all been worried about you, pen vuil. Wake so that we can again enjoy your company.” (dear one)

A movement to the Vala’s right drew her attention. The anxiety and stress on Elrond’s drawn face captured her gaze. In a voice raspy from disuse, Meril whispered, “Elrond… are you unwell?”

The innocent, caring question took him by surprise. “I am fine, Lirimaer. It is you we are worried about.” (lovely one)

“Why would… Ai! Min!” A gasp of pain accompanied the return of the memory of her conversation with Haldir. Tears began to flow down her pale cheeks as her heart and mind tried to make sense of what had happened. “Min… how could she… he was my betrothed… she is… my twin… my brother, he… how, my lady? How?”

“Let your tears come, child. You have suffered a cruel blow and need to grieve. We will help you come to terms with this so that you can move ahead with your life,” Lady Estë soothed, as she pulled her into a comforting embrace. “We are here and we shall talk when you are ready.”

-----

“Nana knew. She said she did not, but… she knew. It is now clear, all of it”

Lady Estë reached over to tuck a lock of pale gold-white hair behind her patient’s ear so that she could better see her expressive face. “Aye, she knew.”

Devastated eyes lifted to meet hers. “How could…? Why would she..?”

“She has yet to answer those questions to my satisfaction, penneth. My husband has shown her memories and dreams of all the harm she has done to you, but she refuses to accept responsibility for her actions. She still defends her treatment of you as loving and just.” Sighing, the Vala added, “Your sister and brother… your father feel most keenly their guilt, though they do not yet understand the full depth of the pain and injury they have inflicted on your spirit.” (young one)

“I trusted them, my lady. Who can I trust if not my kin?” she whispered.

“There are many you can trust, Meril… many that love you and would never cause you pain intentionally. Your Uncle Gildor and Aunt Silael have offered you a place in their home and will treat you as one of their own.” With a reassuring smile, she added, “I have no doubt you would be welcome in the homes of Galadriel and Celeborn, Cirdan and Aerel… Gwing and Glorfindel… your grandfather or great-grandfather. You are most assuredly welcome in the House of Elrond.”

A bright blush suffused her pale features in pink. “It would not be proper for me to go there.”

Smiling at the bent head, the Vala enjoyed the matching blush on the face of the peredhel hovering just beyond the door. “You have many options, Meril. You will not have to return to your parent’s talan unless it is your choice.”

“I do not think I could return there, knowing as I now do the depth of their betrayal.” Shimmering eyes lifted to meet the Vala’s briefly before dropping back to their study of the coverlet on her bed. “May I confess something, my lady?”

“Of course, penneth. What worries you?” (young one)

In a whisper so soft it could only be heard by one of the Valar, Meril admitted, “I sometimes think one of the reasons I let matters for as long as they did with Haldir and our wedding was… I wanted to marry him so I could be free of them. I do not remember a time when my home seemed a haven and a place of comfort. The thought of returning there depresses me.”

“Do not feel guilty for that. You have every right to feel as you do, penneth. It will take time for you to sort through your memories so that you can remember what was good and right in your family. Those memories are there, but they have become lost in the pain you are now feeling,” the Vala promised. (young one)

Turning her head to look out of the window into the gardens beyond, Meril asked, “Why… why does my naneth hate me, my lady? Is it something I did? Something missing in my character?”

“Ai! These tragic events are not of your making, Meril. My dear child, how long have you felt this way?” the Vala demanded, pulling the slumped form back into her arms.

A muffled whisper responded, “Since I was a small elfling. She never seemed to love me like she did Min and Sael… and Ada ever took her side. If she said I must be punished, he never opposed her… seemed to agree with her reasons. Min and Sael seldom were disciplined or told they were a disappointment. I was… on a near daily basis.”

“Your spirit is nearly broken, but you will recover and feel whole again, Meril. This I promise. As for your Naneth, she does love you, Meril, but she does not understand you. Your twin and younger brother are very like her and she finds them easy to control. You are quite different. You remind me of your Uncle Gildor and your Aunt Galadriel… your grandfather Finrod. Your personality never bent easily to her will and I believe she became determined to remake you like the others,” she offered.

Pondering this fact, she noted, “I believe strong and adventurous personalities intimidate her… perhaps, even frighten her. For all that, she envies those traits for she knows she lacks them. In many ways, you remind her of what she thinks is lacking in her own spirit. Your musical gifts are a good example. She has talent, but it is a pale reflection of the gift Eru gave to you. Similar comparisons can be made between her and her twin.”

“Why would my reminding her of kin she loves be the cause of her attitude toward me? I do not understand,” she murmured.

“Much of her behavior stems from her desire to control you and keep you from leaving her as she feels her father and brother did. Given the dangers they often encountered, she convinced herself she was protecting you from following their example.” Stroking the hair back from the elleth’s pale face, she added, “I do not say this to indicate I agree with such thoughts, only as a partial explanation for her actions.”

“Carrying this further, you know your mother has an obsession with control and with avoiding any unwanted attention coming to her family. She has never been able to accept she is the illegitimate daughter of Lord Finrod.” Holding the elleth’s gaze, she observed, “Her anger with her father is great, though she does not blame her mother. I find that odd, as the decision to become pregnant in hopes of marrying the king was a calculated one on her naneth’s part. Faced with the reality and the shame her actions brought her, Orithil faded rather than live for her children’s sake. From all accounts, Finrod did well by his twins under very difficult circumstances. That she should forgive the one that left them and blame the one that was there for them is illogical, to say the least.”

“Nana loves Adar’ra greatly, but you are right… she does blame him and not her mother. I never understood that either. Tis sad, for he welcomed us with great joy when we arrived to these shores. Naneth’ra waited until we had settled into our talan to pay us a visit, not wanting to call too much attention to her illegitimate children and remind people of the scandal that followed her marriage to Tologind.” Sighing, the elleth commented, “This hurt Nana deeply, but she always claimed to understand and approve of her reasons. In truth, I have never felt much affection for Naneth’ra for she is rather shallow and… cold. I have come to love Adar’ra dearly.”

The pair sat in silence for a time as Meril gathered her scattered thoughts before asking the question that weighted most heavily on her spirit. “You said Nana has not yet accepted responsibility for her actions and that Ada, Min, and Sael have not yet come to fully understand what happened. Does this mean… no healing is possible for my family?”

Tilting the elleth’s chin so that their eyes met, the Vala gently warned, “Meril, you must not get your hopes up of a quick, easy solution to these problems. Your mother has many wounds of her own that have never healed. In many ways, she still views the world though the eyes of an elfling, a scared and lonely elfling. Until she comes to terms with her past, I do not hold much hope she will be able to understand and take responsibility for the harm she has done to your family. It will take the others some time, as well, to find true understanding. Their grief and guilt are too intense at this time for them to have the clarity of thought required to see beyond the few specific incidents they have acknowledged and accept the full weight of your shared history.”

Still dazed from her sleep and her own grief, Meril frowned in confusion as she asked, “My family? What has happened to them?”

“Your siblings have long borne the guilt of their betrayal of your trust. Your Ada has had to confront the facts of how thoroughly he failed all three of his children, you most especially. He now sees past the blinders he has worn since he met and fell in love with your mother. He is devastated and has moved into a separate talan from your mother, no longer able to be near to her,” she answered, all too aware that this information would be another blow to the elleth’s fragile emotions.

“Ai! Nana needs Ada. He is the center of her world and she his. I do not want to be the cause of this!” she cried.

“Calm down, penneth. You are not to blame for any of this. They will find their way back to each other in time, but they must do this for themselves. Their marriage has never been the partnership our maker intended. They must rebuild its foundation on firmer ground if they are to find true harmony in their union. Have faith; their love is true, so they will yet find their way with our help,” she offered in a soothing voice. (young one)

After a moment, Lady Estë commented, “We have spoken of your mother, but have had little to say of the others. Have you no thoughts you wish to share about what your sister did? Your brother? Have you no anger with your father’s blindness and insensitivity towards you all these years?”

Unable to meet the knowing eyes of the Vala, Meril focused her eyes on her hands and began to worry the skin around her nails. Gentle fingers wrapped around hers as the nervous habit of a lifetime began to draw blood as the elleth tore the delicate skin, blind to what she was doing. “Meril… talk to me. What are you feeling? You cannot hope to heal if you do not admit what hurts you so.”

“What is there for me to say, my lady? I have long known Sael knew of Haldir’s conduct, but chose not to warn me. As for my twin, I have known in my heart for many centuries what she did, even if I was not yet ready to voice it.” Wounded eyes at last lifted to meet the Vala’s. “My father has always let his love for Nana guide him… blind him to all else. I love him, but… I have never felt I could depend upon him. He always turned his back on my pleas for his support, so I see little reason for me to expect more at this late date.”

“You have every reason to expect more, penneth… much more, but I am very much afraid that the time for that has not yet arrived.” Trading a guarded look with Elrond, she asked, “The choice is yours… would you prefer to confront them now or do you need time to gain some perspective on what you have learned?” (young one)

The first spark of life to brighten her features since they had begun their talk flared to life in her eyes as she finally noticed the elf near the door. “Perspective, my lady? Do you mean I do not have to face them yet?” she asked, her eyes focused toward the door.

Watching the silent exchange between the other two, the Lady Estë waited a moment before answering. “We will give you a few days to sort through your thoughts and decide what you wish to do before you must face them. But Meril, you must face them before you leave our gardens. Even if the situation cannot now be resolved, you must face them so that you have the confidence to leave here and rebuild you life.”

Tearing her eyes away from the warm silver gaze that soothed her spirit even as it quickened her heart, she again faced the Vala. “Must I, my lady? I do not see any hope for a resolution to our problems.”

“Aye, you must, penneth. If you leave here without facing them, you will carry your worry and anger with you. That will rob you of the ability to start anew with confidence in your own worth and abilities.” Leaning over to press a gentle kiss to the top of her head, Lady Estë rose to leave. “We still have much we must discuss… your conversation with Haldir and your plans for your future, but that can wait for a little while. You must eat and allow your body to recover from the injuries you suffered.” (young one)

Looking to the door, she asked, a smile clear in her voice, “Elrond, would you mind sitting with Meril while she eats a light meal? Perhaps, you can play your harp for her and help sooth her spirit.”

Bowing his head, the peredhel advanced quickly into the room. “Gladly, my lady.”

“Good. I will ask an attendant to bring a meal for you both, for you have neglected your own care these last days,” the Vala teased, pleased to see the instant concern for him enter Meril’s eyes.

“Why have you neglected your own care? You must eat, Elrond! You look pale and tired,” she fused, relieved to have someone else to worry about.

“I am fine, Lirimaer, just worried about you. Now that you are awake, I can relax,” he soothed, touched by her obvious concern for his welfare. (lovely one)

Shaking her head at the pair, Lady Estë patted Meril’s hand before leaving. “Do not allow him to deny he is exhausted. He used his healing powers to help mend your broken ankle and arm. He has slept and eaten little in the days you were in a healing sleep. And, yes, you have slept for six days while your injuries healed and we attempted to sort through the problems of your family. You were never alone, for Elrond, his family, your uncles and aunts, and your friends have kept watch over you. As I told you, you are not alone, penneth, now or in the days to come.” (young one)

-----

“Meril?”

Lost in thought as the attendant cleared away the remnants of their meal, the elleth looked up in surprise. “I am sorry, Elrond. I was… thinking about all that has happened since we arrived in Lorien and became lost in the questions that assail my mind and heart.”

“I am sorry, Lirimaer. I did not mean to startle you,” he soothed as he moved his chair closer to the bed. “Are you… all right? Do you need me to ask an attendant for a sleeping draught so that you can rest? Or… if you prefer, we can talk. I am a very good listener.” (lovely one)

“Do you think the Lady would allow me to sit in the garden for a little while? I feel the need to be outside, close to nature. My spirit knows I have been inside for too long,” she asked, a hopeful plea in her eyes.

“It seems my timing is excellent. My Lady has sent me to suggest just such an outing for she feels it would benefit you both.”

Looking to the door, Meril smiled at her visitor. “Lady Melian, it is good to see you. I may take a walk and enjoy the gardens?”

“Since you ate a reasonable amount of your dinner, my lady will allow it… with several conditions. One you are not to venture too far from the pavilion. Further, you are to allow my grandson to escort you. And lastly, you are to see he relaxes and does not tire himself.” Smiling at the irritation her last comment brought to the peredhel’s face, she gave Elrond a quick kiss on his cheek before motioning an attendant to assist Meril in rising and slipping on a robe and slippers. “Now, go and enjoy the evening in the peace of the gardens.”

-----

Taking a deep breath of the cool, fresh air drifting from the lake, Meril felt some of the tension that had gripped her heart since her talk with Haldir begin to ease. Taking the arm Elrond offered, she let him lead her away from the healing pavilion, accepting the slow pace as a necessity to her still weak ankle. The moon was in full-face and Ithil’s light cast a bright glow over the landscape. They walked in silence for several minutes as Meril considered his questions from earlier. “My talk with Haldir went better than I expected. His genuine contrition defeated my anger. He apologized and I think he meant it.”

Keeping his eyes fixed on the moonlit path, he prompted, “Will it be enough to allow you to move on with your life?”

“It will have to be will it not… for us both? What more can he do at this late date? Nothing can change what happened, nor can he undo the hurt he caused all of us. I still have some questions to resolve in my mind, but… it is behind me now.” Turning her head to judge his reaction to her comments, she admired his handsome features brilliantly lit by the moonlight. “To expect more would be… unrealistic.”

Feeling her gaze, he turned his head to study her expressive face, catching her gaze before she could turn away. “Aye, you are right. Still, you have had two hundred years to plan what you would say to him if you had the opportunity… and that opportunity has come and gone without, I suspect, giving you the chance to voice them. Do you regret that?”

Her sad smile did little to brighten her eyes. “They seemed… unnecessary under the circumstances, but, aye, I had it all planned… every word, each cutting phrase I was sure would wound him as badly as he wounded me… or at least in my mind they would. He made them superfluous by admitting to all his crimes and offenses without giving me the chance to demand he own up to them. Besides, he looked so… broken, I had not the heart. Like Celebrian, he has damaged himself far more completely than I had realized.”

“Indeed. But you have not answered my question. Do you regret not being able to confront him and vent your anger?”

Falling silent, she pondered his question for a long time. Guiding her to a bench beneath a towering tree, Elrond took a seat at her side, giving her time to consider her answer. He knew she needed to be completely honest with herself in this answer.

After several minutes, she sighed and looked up to meet his gaze. “Nay… I do not think I do. Had I given into my anger, I would have lived to regret my words as I did that day in the park. Now that it is done, I feel relieved it behind me, just as it happened… save for my injuries, of course. I do not think I am much given to confrontations in any event. They usually accomplish little beyond leaving new scars to join the old.”

Smiling, he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a soft kiss to the tips of her fingers. “Do not say that as if it is a bad thing, Lirimaer. Too many are quick to say what they will, thinking only of their own feelings. I find your kind heart to be one of your great strengths. It is also why so many seek to protect you, for they hold you dear.” (lovely one)

Luminous blue eyes held his, touched and comforted by his words. “Hannon le, Elrond. If you feel that way, it is enough for me.” (Thank you, Elrond.)

Nodding, he turned back to his study of the moonlit lake knowing they did not need to linger in this moment lest they tempt their own self control. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms so that he could sooth away her grief. “Did you get the answers you needed from your talk, Meril? You said you still had questions in your mind to resolve.”

Blushing slightly, she stared straight ahead as she hedged her answer. “He answered my questions. I need time to… put this all into perspective.”

Hearing the hesitation in her answer, he asked, “If I can be of help, please tell me. I do not mean to intrude into a private matter, but, perhaps, a male perspective would help you do this. In any case, I will be there for you, Meril. If not me, your uncles or my sons would gladly help you.”

Feeling her blush intensify, she whispered, “I know you would help, but… I do not know if I could discuss this matter with anyone. It would be too embarrassing. Still, I do not know how to believe what he told me. I wonder if he said it to make me feel better for it… defies my understanding.”

“You know my Naneth’ra and the Lady… listened to your conversation in case they needed to intervene. Then too, they needed to hear it so that they could help you sort it all out. I confess I asked what was said, for I was sure he had done something to harm you, but Naneth’ra told me no more than that he had been truthful in his answers to you. Does that help relieve your mind on that count?” he offered.

Sighing, she bowed her head and studied the ground at their feet. “Aye… and no. I do not understand the feelings he described or his… solution to the problem they presented. If you love someone… I do not understand how he could have the affairs, especially those beyond Celebrian.”

“I understand what you mean, Meril, for I too have pondered that very question. If it had been a single elf that she had loved, perhaps I could have understood Celebrian’s infidelity. It would have still been wrong and would have hurt, but I would have a frame of reference for understanding such behavior. That was not the case. Celebrian took many lovers over the years of our marriage. As you now know, she even attempted to seduce my closest friends and family.” Tensing as he prepared to expose his own deep-seeded insecurities, he concluded, “It left me feeling… inadequate, as though I was found lacking and had been cast aside. That I did not desire her… company did not make it hurt less.”

“Ai! Elrond! She was a fool to have turned from you! Any elleth would be lucky to have you as her husband!” Embarrassed by her outburst, Meril again ducked her head.

Relieved by her heartfelt reaction, he felt his breathing ease. “While I do not know the particulars of what Haldir told you, I would hazard a guess that you feel much as I did. Perhaps, it is the matter of the right elf and elleth for you as well for me.”

Noting his use of the present tense, she felt a surge of pleasure that her words had obviously affected him, she nodded. “Perhaps it is. I will think about what he said. May I reserve the right to ask for your insight at a later time?”

“Indeed you may… on this or any other matter,” he promised.

Hesitating for a moment, she finally asked, “Have you found what you needed to begin to heal, Elrond?”

“Celebrian and I have spoken. I have ended matters with her once and for all in a far more civil manner than I would have expected. To the good, I have found my mother and my grandparents… and will soon visit my father. I have formed deeper ties to those that have long held my love and friendship. I have come to know others on a deeper level that was possible before… and I have come to know you.” Looking up to find his father’s star, he felt the first true sense of hope he had known in millennia settle into his spirit. “In answer to your question, I believe I have.”

“I am very glad of that.” Following his line of sight, she asked one last question. “Do you know when the Lady will allow us to return to Valimar? I miss working on the plans for the school and am looking forward to returning. I feel the need to take control of my life and stop drifting from day-to-day.”

Smiling down at her, he nodded. “I feel the same. I still have much to resolve… but I finally feel equal to the task. Our time here has been good for us both.”

“Aye, it has. I too will have issues to address, but my aunt and uncle have promised me a place in their home, so I know I will be able to face them. I need to confront my family as the Lady said, especially my naneth. I will not hide any longer, not will I let her fears control my life,” she concluded, a resolute look settling on her fair face.

“If I can be of help…” he began, his concern for her clear in his voice.

Squeezing his arm, she smiled. “This is something I must face for myself, but it is nice to know I will not be alone in this… any more than you will be alone in what you must face.”

“That is indeed a comforting thought, Lirimaer.” (lovely one)

-----

The words of the Vala Irmo replayed themselves in her head as she studied her family. An attendant had guided her to their promised meeting several hours earlier, but little had been accomplished. The look of bitterness and anger on her Naneth’s face tore at her heart for she knew there would be no reconciliation between them for a long time, if ever. Her father was unable to meet her gaze and both of her siblings sat with their heads bowed, huddled together across from her. Despite the best efforts of the two Maiar and the Lady, the walls of grief, distrust, and anger still kept them apart.

“You are right to assume a confrontation is loaming with your naneth, but do not let your hurt drive you to say things you cannot take back. Let your heart guide you, but let your reason help you balance desire to logic. Your Uncle Gildor and Aunt Silael will open their hearts and home to you, so you need only have the courage and the self-control to know when you must walk away. Let others help you and do not think it a weakness to rely on their counsel…”

Sighing, Meril rose to her feet and faced them. “I do not see any reason to prolong this meeting. While I love you all, it is clear none of us is ready to face our past and attempt to make a new start together. I will pray to the Valar for the day to come when we can make that beginning, but… until then, I cannot continue as we have for the last two centuries. I want to rebuild my life and start again.”

Facing her mother, she announced, “Uncle Gildor and Aunt Silael have offered me a place in their home. I have accepted and will move there upon my return to Valimar. I will continue to study my music with Master Lindir and Lord Elrond. I will teach music at their new school. I need to find myself… perhaps for the first time in my life. Our creator has a plan for me and I am ready to try and live it. I wish you all well and hope for the day we can be together as a family is meant to be.”

-----

Gildor offered his niece his arm and let her set the pace for their return to the glade. “I am sorry, Meril. I had hoped my twin would be ready to accept responsibility for her actions to you and your family. This would have aided the rest in facing theirs. How are you, pen vuil? I know this must hurt and be a bitter disappointment.” (dear one)

A sad smile lifted in his direction. “It is. I am… sad, yet strangely relieved. I faced them and did not give into my anger. I feel stronger for that. I can leave here with hope, Uncle. We will return here one day when they are ready… when I am ready. Until then, I am ready to go on with my life on my own.”

“Not on you own, Meril. You have many to support and help you find your way.” Seeing the others in the glade awaiting their return, he watched Galadriel rise to greet her niece. “You do know you must now face those waiting under the trees worried about you?”

A sudden bright smile lit her face. “I have a better idea.”

Breaking into a run, she quickly found Lissë seated by the fire at Ereinion’s side. “Would your Lady allow me to take a swim in the lake? I feel… called to this!”

Hearing her question, the other elves waiting in the glade smiled and nodded their heads, suddenly understanding the urge they had to do that as well. “Indeed, mellon nin. She has been waiting for your spirits to hear the call to be healed in its waters. Go all of you! The waters wait!” (my friend)
-----

*When will you allow them to return to their homes, beloved?*

Standing beneath the trees of the island in the middle of the lake, the Vala watched the group of elves splashing and playing in the water like elflings. It was both amusing and a relief to see these dignified leaders of their people cast aside the burdens of their past and accept the healing of their gardens. A soft laugh left her as she watched the High King of the Noldor dunk his older brother with the aid of his nephew, Turgon. The twins were attempting to circle behind their Adar with the same intent only to have their grandmothers beat them to it. Dripping and sputtering, Fingolfin and Elrond began to plot their ‘revenge’.

*I think they will be ready to leave within the next few days. We must make sure they know they are always welcome here whenever their spirits need to be refreshed,* she replied. *Both Meril and Elrond need to know we will be here for them whenever they are ready to face her family. I have faith they will find a future together and will find their way back to us.*

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Orithil (Day moon) --- Gildor and Elulos’s naneth, former mistress of Finrod, and wife of Tologind.

Tologind (loyal heart) --- The former Seneschal to Finrod, Tologind loved Orithil (Gildor and Elulos’s mother). He died in battle attempting to aid his king and was rehoused in Aman. Upon his second majority, he went in search of Orithil and pledged his devotion. Finrod had since married Amarië and Orithil gladly accepted his proposal for she had always secretly loved him too. Their marriage renewed the scandal that had resulted from the birth of the twins in Middle-earth.

A/N --- I am not abandoning the storyline involving Meril’s family. I have big plans for them in the sequel. Besides, its time for our heroes to move on with their lives and start living again! Stick with me! I promise my decisions will make sense! Thanks for reading!

A/N --- Hi Anne! Thanks for understanding the demands RL has been making on my writing time lately. I wish I could say the worst is behind me, but work is insane lately and doesn’t appear to be settling down any. Sigh! Hope you enjoyed this chapter. More soon!

A/N --- Thanks EC! Sadly, the revelation about Min’s conduct has exposed a lot of problems in Meril’s family. Most of those will be dealt with in the sequel. Now on the Valimar! I think Elrond has something he’s supposed to do! Now what was it??? *GRIN!*

A/N --- Don’t worry MarzBar! I won’t abandon this story or the other two! I having too much fun writing them to leave them behind! Thanks for all your support!