The Music in My Heart
folder
Lord of the Rings Movies › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
75
Views:
3,781
Reviews:
11
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Lord of the Rings Movies › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
75
Views:
3,781
Reviews:
11
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Lord of the Rings book series and movie series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 29 --- Déjà Vu All Over Again
Title: The Music in My Heart, Chapter 29 (betaed)
Author: Sorsha
Fandom/Pairing: Elrond/OFC, Glorfindel/Haldir, Elladan/OFC, Elrohir/Legolas, others implied
Rating:.NC-17 for future chapters
Warning: AU (Story set 770 years after ROTK); Slash and het.
Feedback: This is my first fanfic, so constructive feedback appreciated.
Archive:
Acknowledgements: Many thanks to Alex Cat for her help in betaing this fic. Thanks also to Lady Victoria for her comments and support.
Disclaimer: Any of the residents of Middle-earth and Aman that you recognize belong to Prof. Tolkien’s estate. The same is true about Middle-earth and Aman. I’m only visiting and admiring the “views”.
Summary: Sauron may be gone, but his legacy of evil still lingers. As Middle-earth faces the threat of another dark lord, a party of elves departs Aman on a mission for the Valar, a mission of mercy long delayed.
Chapter 29 --- Déjà Vu All Over Again
“It's like déjà vu all over again.”
Yogi Berra
*****
A man looking to be in his early middle years rode at the head of the column of delegates from Gondor. Elrond felt his breath catch in this throat as he looked upon his great-great-grandson*. /Erestor warned me he was the very image of my son, but I did not expect the likeness to be this complete. He could well be Estel returning from one of his patrols with his kin in the Dúnedain./
Feeling the weight of his long years settle about him, the memory of the last time he had seen Estel and Arwen flashed before his mind. /My son, I miss you and my dear daughter so deeply. Now, I greet your descendent arriving in Imladris in yet another time of peril. We thought we had left this land safe from the dark, did we not my dear ones?/
Lost in his memories of two he still mourned deeply, Elrond failed to notice the delegation had dismounted or that the man that had held his attention was approaching. A discrete nudge from his left pulled his attention back to the present. Summoning his emotional reserves, he greeted his kin. “Mae Govannen, Prince Aranuir. Welcome to Rivendell.” (Well met,…)
The Prince inclined his head and responded, “My Lord Elrond, it is indeed a pleasure to again visit the place that is a second home to my family. I bring the greetings of my mother, Queen Arinzil.” Lifting his gaze to meet his great-great-grandfather, he added, “Welcome home, Adar’ra. We, your family, have long missed your presence. Gondor rejoices with all of Imladris that the Valar have allowed you to return.”
Touched by the warmth of Aranuir’s greeting, Elrond reached out and clasped the right shoulder of this son of his daughter’s line. Crossing his other arm across his chest, he smiled. “I have been looking forward to this meeting, ion nin. I am eternally grateful to the Valar to be back amongst my kin and, at last, look upon your face. You are the very image of my beloved son, Estel.” (my son)
“So I have often been told, Adar’ra, by my Uncles Elladan and Elrohir. Tis good to see you both as well,” he greeted the twins, before turning to embrace Celeborn. “I have not had a good game of chess since I last saw you and Lord Erestor, Adar’ra. I hope you both might find the time for a game or two while I am here. I realize I am not likely to win even a single game, but I always learn from the effort.”
“I have no doubt we can arrange just that, Ara. I will look forward to it,” the Lorien elf responded.
“Lord Erestor, Lady Seere. As always, it is a pleasure to see you both.” Taking Seere’s hand, he pressed a kiss to the top before offering, “My lady, many lives in Gondor and Rohan have been saved by your willingness to share your gift. On behalf of my people and our Queen, I thank you.”
Looking back to Elrond, he added, “The same gratitude must be shared with you, Adar’ra. Your gift of foresight has long been legend in Gondor. That two seers of such ability work for the good of all free peoples is indeed a blessing to us all from Eru Ilúvatar.”
Elrond inclined his head toward the Gondorian Prince. “Thank you for your kind words Aranuir. While Eru’s gift was intended for the benefit of us all, it is indeed heartening to hear that our combined efforts have saved lives. The Valar and Eru Ilúvatar be praised!”
“Indeed yes, Adar’ra!”
Turning to wave forward several younger members of his party that had been waiting behind him, he began the formal introduction of his party. “My lords and lady, I have the honor of introducing my youngest daughter, Anna, and great-nephew, Elenduir. They will be staying here in Imladris when we leave, to begin their education along with their cousins from Rohan and the Dúnedain… as is the tradition of all of the descendents of Queen Arwen. And this is Fíriel… second daughter of the Prince of Ithilien and my sister, Niphredil. She is returning to Rivendell to study to become a healer, adar’ra.”
Looking into the lovely faces of his distant grandchildren, Elrond felt a bittersweet ache in his heart. /Arwen! Estel! I can see your legacy in the faces of these children of your children! I will love and eventually lose them as I did you, but your love for each other still lives./
“Mae govannen, Pynneth. You honor us with your presence.” A single tear slid down his face. (Well met, young ones.)
*****
Hearing his name called, Elrond paused in the doorway of the library and turned to greet Erestor and Seere. “Good morning. I see you both are already hard at work even before breakfast. What has you so harried this early in the day, mellon nin?” (my friend)
“Good morning to you as well, Elrond.” Erestor began. “Seere and I have been meeting with some of the farmers about the state of the crops in the western terrace and are running late for our next appointments. Seere is scheduled to meet with Fíriel and Azeriel to discuss possible readings she can undertake until her classes begin this fall, while I must meet with my clerks to discuss shipment schedules for our wares. It would be to our advantage to send what we can back with the delegations and avoid the need for arranging separate deliveries later.”
“That seems a logical option. How may I be of assistance to you in this matter?” Elrond asked, pleased to see Seere had returned to her duties.
“Would you mind keeping an eye out for Fíriel’s arrival? Seere needs to talk to Órecalo about the herb gardens and then must find Azeriel for their meeting. She may not return before your granddaughter arrives at the library,” Erestor explained.
Knowing the hectic schedule was only going to get worse as the Council was set to begin in two days, a teasing grin lit the elf lord’s face as he sought to lighten the mood. “Indeed, yes. I will gladly keep Fíriel company while Seere finds my future daughter-in-law. Might I suggest you try looking for Elladan… he is louder and easier to find; you will likely find Azeriel nearby.”
Seeing the two surprised looks his comments produced, Elrond gave Seere a conspiratorial wink. “I am not as blind as my sons seem to think… or my counsellors too, it would seem. Or is it they think I am too old to know love when I see it!” /Seere’s blush is an interesting reaction to my joke! Humm?/ “But, say nothing as I want them to have the joy of their announcement when they are ready.”
“Nothing gets by you does it, mellon nin? Tis good to have that reminder,” Erestor noted, the first smile of the day brightening his face. (my friend)
“Oh… by that, do you by chance mean Elrohir’s relationship with Legolas?”
Laughing at the genuine shock on his friend’s face, he let a smirk settle on his features. “My time in Aman did not render me addle-brained, Erestor. My sons are quite obvious in their feelings. In case you were wondering, I approve of both of their choices.”
“Still, it is fun to watch them try to hide their lovers from me until they deem me ready to be told! I will enjoy baiting them for as long as they let me!” The wicked grin on the half-elf’s face drew a laugh from his Chief Counsellor and soft giggles from the elleth at his side.
“I am glad you approve. They have been worrying over how to tell you, especially Elrohir,” Erestor confided, his expression sobering.
Seeing Elrond’s puzzled expression, he cautiously added. “Your son is concerned you might have issue with his love for another ellon… though we have all assured him this will not be the case.”
Puzzled, Elrond dropped his voice to a whisper to ask, “Why would he worry about my objecting to such a thing? He loves Legolas and the Prince is a very worthy mate for my son.”
“Celeborn and I have both assured him this will be the case, but… he has heard you object to comments about your… rumored relationship with Ereinion. It has left him uncertain of your reaction to his match.” Erestor leaned a little closer and suggested, “Perhaps… when he is ready to announce his betrothal, you can explain why those comments are so hurtful.”
A faint blush stained the peredhel’s cheeks as he tried to refrain from looking to see Seere’s reaction to her father’s comment. /I guess I have been less than forthcoming with my sons on the matter of the rumors that always swirled around Ereinion and me. I never meant for him to misunderstand or worry about my reaction to his loving another ellon./ “I will do just that, meldir. Thank you for this insight.”
Seeing Fíriel enter the hallway leading to the library, he pushed the lingering ache the memory of his relationship with the king always caused aside for the moment and forced a smile to his lips. “Good morning, Fíriel. Come and join me in the library. We can talk while Seere goes to find Azeriel. I am interested to hear…”
*****
Celeborn took a small sip of his wine and studied the company assembled for the evening’s entertainment in the Hall of Fire. The relaxed and relieved faces of many attested to the fact that the last three weeks had been exhausting and at times frustrating, but eventually productive. The final agreement had been approved by all of the delegations to the Council earlier that day.
The assembled dwarves, elves, ents, hobbits, and men had agreed to field expeditions in the coming spring to investigate seventeen sites and seek answers to the unexplained activities associated with these locations, hoping this information would aid their efforts to defeat Lhach’s plans. The seventeen sites had been selected based on collective intelligence, historical records, and the visions of the two seers.
Each of the free peoples, with the exception of the ents, had pledged troops to the expeditionary force. The ents had agreed to talk to the trees and seek any information they might offer to aid their cause. Objectives for the remainder of the fall and the winter were outlined. This included preparation of the necessary troops and more aggressive intelligence efforts to better prepare their strategy. The force was to assemble in Gondor in the spring.
/I am glad it is over, but I wish a clearer resolution had been possible to the question of command of the expedition. Elrond was the obvious choice, but old fears die hard and men still feel the need for power. So, we are left with an expedition, not an army, and it shall be lead not by a commander, but a committee. We are sending this force into the wilds of Middle-earth to seek information on this latest threat and we do it by tying one hand behind their back and giving our creation no head to think or react. A committee?! What madness!/
Glancing to his left, he found no indication of either disappointment or ill mood in the outward expression of the face of the Lord of Imladris. Elrond’s placid features betrayed no clue of his personal thoughts on the final agreement they had approved. He was serenely listening to the music as if he had not a care in the world!
/He must be angry that this Council did not place him at the head of the force. Elrond is the only logical choice! The Valar sent him for Eru’s sake! He lead armies millennia before any of them were born and was instrumental in helping form or protect the realms these fools represent!/
/Yet, there he sits as if the final agreement was not a testament to the old adage about committees not being able to find their collective backsides even with a map, an experienced tracker, and a torch! Of course, if they do manage to locate one backside off by itself rather than safely amongst the crowd, well… that backside is in for a long night!/
Sighing, he turned his attention back to the performance. /How ironic! Here I sit… an elf most revered for my patience and self-control, next to an elf long known for his explosive temper and lack of patience, and I am the one fuming over this decision, not Elrond! I know him too well to believe he could completely hide his temper from me; our guests that have not known him for millennia, maybe, but not me! How infuriating this is! No wonder Elrond has long complained about such behavior from me!/
Elrond kept his eyes trained on the stage struggling to keep his laughter in check. /If Celeborn does not stop sighing and huffing about, I will end up biting completely through my lower lip in my effort to keep from laughing! Of course I am not completely satisfied with this agreement, old friend. We have made the path we must follow much more difficult than it need have been, but such is the risk one takes when consensus rather than dominance is required./
Cutting his eyes to study his companions, he fought to contain another laugh. /At least I have the consolation of a wonderful evening’s entertainment --- the performance of Lindir’s excellent company and the rare treat of the ‘Silver Tree’ having a temper tantrum! No wonder he smirks so when I have one! And, Erestor’s is almost as amusing!/
*****
The rays of Ithil glittered off the flowing waters of the Bruinen and shivered down the sides of the cliff walls in the tumble of the waterfall. It was a scene he had watched for thousands of years and it still had the power to soothe his heart. It reminded him that life was often simply a series of events that repeated themselves in an endless cycle, be it daily, monthly, or once every thousand years. The rivers continued to flow, children were born, trees dropped their leaves in the fall, and the moon shone at night. And, as the wild, reckless energy of the mighty river has long surged through the landscape, the moon has ever shone upon it and, where they met, a magically beauty was created.
And when the free peoples of Middle-earth meet there has ever been distrust, even in the face of mutual peril. He had seen it before and would likely see it again should he live into the next millennia. Ithil had not rewritten the history of Arda during the years he had been away. Silvery rays of moonlight had not undone old wrongs, healed old hurts, or united long divided peoples. And yet, he still had hope, the essence of magic. Yes, he had seen this before and still he believed.
*****
* A/N ---I have assumed the descendents of Estel and Arwen would live longer than Estel, especially with Arwen’s blood reinforcing the elven legacy of the Dúnedain. As Estel lived to be 225 and Elros was given 500 years, I assumed Eldarion and his children would live to 340 to 400 years… maybe even longer, thus Elrond’s great granddaughter would be on the throne at his return.
Author: Sorsha
Fandom/Pairing: Elrond/OFC, Glorfindel/Haldir, Elladan/OFC, Elrohir/Legolas, others implied
Rating:.NC-17 for future chapters
Warning: AU (Story set 770 years after ROTK); Slash and het.
Feedback: This is my first fanfic, so constructive feedback appreciated.
Archive:
Acknowledgements: Many thanks to Alex Cat for her help in betaing this fic. Thanks also to Lady Victoria for her comments and support.
Disclaimer: Any of the residents of Middle-earth and Aman that you recognize belong to Prof. Tolkien’s estate. The same is true about Middle-earth and Aman. I’m only visiting and admiring the “views”.
Summary: Sauron may be gone, but his legacy of evil still lingers. As Middle-earth faces the threat of another dark lord, a party of elves departs Aman on a mission for the Valar, a mission of mercy long delayed.
Chapter 29 --- Déjà Vu All Over Again
“It's like déjà vu all over again.”
Yogi Berra
*****
A man looking to be in his early middle years rode at the head of the column of delegates from Gondor. Elrond felt his breath catch in this throat as he looked upon his great-great-grandson*. /Erestor warned me he was the very image of my son, but I did not expect the likeness to be this complete. He could well be Estel returning from one of his patrols with his kin in the Dúnedain./
Feeling the weight of his long years settle about him, the memory of the last time he had seen Estel and Arwen flashed before his mind. /My son, I miss you and my dear daughter so deeply. Now, I greet your descendent arriving in Imladris in yet another time of peril. We thought we had left this land safe from the dark, did we not my dear ones?/
Lost in his memories of two he still mourned deeply, Elrond failed to notice the delegation had dismounted or that the man that had held his attention was approaching. A discrete nudge from his left pulled his attention back to the present. Summoning his emotional reserves, he greeted his kin. “Mae Govannen, Prince Aranuir. Welcome to Rivendell.” (Well met,…)
The Prince inclined his head and responded, “My Lord Elrond, it is indeed a pleasure to again visit the place that is a second home to my family. I bring the greetings of my mother, Queen Arinzil.” Lifting his gaze to meet his great-great-grandfather, he added, “Welcome home, Adar’ra. We, your family, have long missed your presence. Gondor rejoices with all of Imladris that the Valar have allowed you to return.”
Touched by the warmth of Aranuir’s greeting, Elrond reached out and clasped the right shoulder of this son of his daughter’s line. Crossing his other arm across his chest, he smiled. “I have been looking forward to this meeting, ion nin. I am eternally grateful to the Valar to be back amongst my kin and, at last, look upon your face. You are the very image of my beloved son, Estel.” (my son)
“So I have often been told, Adar’ra, by my Uncles Elladan and Elrohir. Tis good to see you both as well,” he greeted the twins, before turning to embrace Celeborn. “I have not had a good game of chess since I last saw you and Lord Erestor, Adar’ra. I hope you both might find the time for a game or two while I am here. I realize I am not likely to win even a single game, but I always learn from the effort.”
“I have no doubt we can arrange just that, Ara. I will look forward to it,” the Lorien elf responded.
“Lord Erestor, Lady Seere. As always, it is a pleasure to see you both.” Taking Seere’s hand, he pressed a kiss to the top before offering, “My lady, many lives in Gondor and Rohan have been saved by your willingness to share your gift. On behalf of my people and our Queen, I thank you.”
Looking back to Elrond, he added, “The same gratitude must be shared with you, Adar’ra. Your gift of foresight has long been legend in Gondor. That two seers of such ability work for the good of all free peoples is indeed a blessing to us all from Eru Ilúvatar.”
Elrond inclined his head toward the Gondorian Prince. “Thank you for your kind words Aranuir. While Eru’s gift was intended for the benefit of us all, it is indeed heartening to hear that our combined efforts have saved lives. The Valar and Eru Ilúvatar be praised!”
“Indeed yes, Adar’ra!”
Turning to wave forward several younger members of his party that had been waiting behind him, he began the formal introduction of his party. “My lords and lady, I have the honor of introducing my youngest daughter, Anna, and great-nephew, Elenduir. They will be staying here in Imladris when we leave, to begin their education along with their cousins from Rohan and the Dúnedain… as is the tradition of all of the descendents of Queen Arwen. And this is Fíriel… second daughter of the Prince of Ithilien and my sister, Niphredil. She is returning to Rivendell to study to become a healer, adar’ra.”
Looking into the lovely faces of his distant grandchildren, Elrond felt a bittersweet ache in his heart. /Arwen! Estel! I can see your legacy in the faces of these children of your children! I will love and eventually lose them as I did you, but your love for each other still lives./
“Mae govannen, Pynneth. You honor us with your presence.” A single tear slid down his face. (Well met, young ones.)
*****
Hearing his name called, Elrond paused in the doorway of the library and turned to greet Erestor and Seere. “Good morning. I see you both are already hard at work even before breakfast. What has you so harried this early in the day, mellon nin?” (my friend)
“Good morning to you as well, Elrond.” Erestor began. “Seere and I have been meeting with some of the farmers about the state of the crops in the western terrace and are running late for our next appointments. Seere is scheduled to meet with Fíriel and Azeriel to discuss possible readings she can undertake until her classes begin this fall, while I must meet with my clerks to discuss shipment schedules for our wares. It would be to our advantage to send what we can back with the delegations and avoid the need for arranging separate deliveries later.”
“That seems a logical option. How may I be of assistance to you in this matter?” Elrond asked, pleased to see Seere had returned to her duties.
“Would you mind keeping an eye out for Fíriel’s arrival? Seere needs to talk to Órecalo about the herb gardens and then must find Azeriel for their meeting. She may not return before your granddaughter arrives at the library,” Erestor explained.
Knowing the hectic schedule was only going to get worse as the Council was set to begin in two days, a teasing grin lit the elf lord’s face as he sought to lighten the mood. “Indeed, yes. I will gladly keep Fíriel company while Seere finds my future daughter-in-law. Might I suggest you try looking for Elladan… he is louder and easier to find; you will likely find Azeriel nearby.”
Seeing the two surprised looks his comments produced, Elrond gave Seere a conspiratorial wink. “I am not as blind as my sons seem to think… or my counsellors too, it would seem. Or is it they think I am too old to know love when I see it!” /Seere’s blush is an interesting reaction to my joke! Humm?/ “But, say nothing as I want them to have the joy of their announcement when they are ready.”
“Nothing gets by you does it, mellon nin? Tis good to have that reminder,” Erestor noted, the first smile of the day brightening his face. (my friend)
“Oh… by that, do you by chance mean Elrohir’s relationship with Legolas?”
Laughing at the genuine shock on his friend’s face, he let a smirk settle on his features. “My time in Aman did not render me addle-brained, Erestor. My sons are quite obvious in their feelings. In case you were wondering, I approve of both of their choices.”
“Still, it is fun to watch them try to hide their lovers from me until they deem me ready to be told! I will enjoy baiting them for as long as they let me!” The wicked grin on the half-elf’s face drew a laugh from his Chief Counsellor and soft giggles from the elleth at his side.
“I am glad you approve. They have been worrying over how to tell you, especially Elrohir,” Erestor confided, his expression sobering.
Seeing Elrond’s puzzled expression, he cautiously added. “Your son is concerned you might have issue with his love for another ellon… though we have all assured him this will not be the case.”
Puzzled, Elrond dropped his voice to a whisper to ask, “Why would he worry about my objecting to such a thing? He loves Legolas and the Prince is a very worthy mate for my son.”
“Celeborn and I have both assured him this will be the case, but… he has heard you object to comments about your… rumored relationship with Ereinion. It has left him uncertain of your reaction to his match.” Erestor leaned a little closer and suggested, “Perhaps… when he is ready to announce his betrothal, you can explain why those comments are so hurtful.”
A faint blush stained the peredhel’s cheeks as he tried to refrain from looking to see Seere’s reaction to her father’s comment. /I guess I have been less than forthcoming with my sons on the matter of the rumors that always swirled around Ereinion and me. I never meant for him to misunderstand or worry about my reaction to his loving another ellon./ “I will do just that, meldir. Thank you for this insight.”
Seeing Fíriel enter the hallway leading to the library, he pushed the lingering ache the memory of his relationship with the king always caused aside for the moment and forced a smile to his lips. “Good morning, Fíriel. Come and join me in the library. We can talk while Seere goes to find Azeriel. I am interested to hear…”
*****
Celeborn took a small sip of his wine and studied the company assembled for the evening’s entertainment in the Hall of Fire. The relaxed and relieved faces of many attested to the fact that the last three weeks had been exhausting and at times frustrating, but eventually productive. The final agreement had been approved by all of the delegations to the Council earlier that day.
The assembled dwarves, elves, ents, hobbits, and men had agreed to field expeditions in the coming spring to investigate seventeen sites and seek answers to the unexplained activities associated with these locations, hoping this information would aid their efforts to defeat Lhach’s plans. The seventeen sites had been selected based on collective intelligence, historical records, and the visions of the two seers.
Each of the free peoples, with the exception of the ents, had pledged troops to the expeditionary force. The ents had agreed to talk to the trees and seek any information they might offer to aid their cause. Objectives for the remainder of the fall and the winter were outlined. This included preparation of the necessary troops and more aggressive intelligence efforts to better prepare their strategy. The force was to assemble in Gondor in the spring.
/I am glad it is over, but I wish a clearer resolution had been possible to the question of command of the expedition. Elrond was the obvious choice, but old fears die hard and men still feel the need for power. So, we are left with an expedition, not an army, and it shall be lead not by a commander, but a committee. We are sending this force into the wilds of Middle-earth to seek information on this latest threat and we do it by tying one hand behind their back and giving our creation no head to think or react. A committee?! What madness!/
Glancing to his left, he found no indication of either disappointment or ill mood in the outward expression of the face of the Lord of Imladris. Elrond’s placid features betrayed no clue of his personal thoughts on the final agreement they had approved. He was serenely listening to the music as if he had not a care in the world!
/He must be angry that this Council did not place him at the head of the force. Elrond is the only logical choice! The Valar sent him for Eru’s sake! He lead armies millennia before any of them were born and was instrumental in helping form or protect the realms these fools represent!/
/Yet, there he sits as if the final agreement was not a testament to the old adage about committees not being able to find their collective backsides even with a map, an experienced tracker, and a torch! Of course, if they do manage to locate one backside off by itself rather than safely amongst the crowd, well… that backside is in for a long night!/
Sighing, he turned his attention back to the performance. /How ironic! Here I sit… an elf most revered for my patience and self-control, next to an elf long known for his explosive temper and lack of patience, and I am the one fuming over this decision, not Elrond! I know him too well to believe he could completely hide his temper from me; our guests that have not known him for millennia, maybe, but not me! How infuriating this is! No wonder Elrond has long complained about such behavior from me!/
Elrond kept his eyes trained on the stage struggling to keep his laughter in check. /If Celeborn does not stop sighing and huffing about, I will end up biting completely through my lower lip in my effort to keep from laughing! Of course I am not completely satisfied with this agreement, old friend. We have made the path we must follow much more difficult than it need have been, but such is the risk one takes when consensus rather than dominance is required./
Cutting his eyes to study his companions, he fought to contain another laugh. /At least I have the consolation of a wonderful evening’s entertainment --- the performance of Lindir’s excellent company and the rare treat of the ‘Silver Tree’ having a temper tantrum! No wonder he smirks so when I have one! And, Erestor’s is almost as amusing!/
*****
The rays of Ithil glittered off the flowing waters of the Bruinen and shivered down the sides of the cliff walls in the tumble of the waterfall. It was a scene he had watched for thousands of years and it still had the power to soothe his heart. It reminded him that life was often simply a series of events that repeated themselves in an endless cycle, be it daily, monthly, or once every thousand years. The rivers continued to flow, children were born, trees dropped their leaves in the fall, and the moon shone at night. And, as the wild, reckless energy of the mighty river has long surged through the landscape, the moon has ever shone upon it and, where they met, a magically beauty was created.
And when the free peoples of Middle-earth meet there has ever been distrust, even in the face of mutual peril. He had seen it before and would likely see it again should he live into the next millennia. Ithil had not rewritten the history of Arda during the years he had been away. Silvery rays of moonlight had not undone old wrongs, healed old hurts, or united long divided peoples. And yet, he still had hope, the essence of magic. Yes, he had seen this before and still he believed.
*****
* A/N ---I have assumed the descendents of Estel and Arwen would live longer than Estel, especially with Arwen’s blood reinforcing the elven legacy of the Dúnedain. As Estel lived to be 225 and Elros was given 500 years, I assumed Eldarion and his children would live to 340 to 400 years… maybe even longer, thus Elrond’s great granddaughter would be on the throne at his return.