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It is the day before Elrond and Maglor are due to set sail for Numenor. Elrond is sitting in the council chamber with his younger gwador going over the duties of the high king’s herald for the fourteenth time since the letter arrived from Numenor. Thranduil knew the list forwards and backwards by now. The only reason he put up with it until now was that it helped keep Elrond’s mind off Elros’ situation.
“Elrond, I have been performing the duties of the high king’s herald for two weeks with out any trouble. You should be packing. Your ship leaves in the morning. Go, all will be well. Your brother needs you more than I do right now. You need to be with him more than I need you,” Thranduil gently told his elder gwador.
Elrond hugged his younger gwador and whispered, “I will see you when I return.”
The next day Elrond was aboard a ship sailing for Numenor. As he stood on the deck and looked out at the sea he began to think about the past. These first memories that came to him were of his childhood in Sirion with his parents. He remembered how his father loved the sea and was gone for weeks even months at a time. Earendil had been at sea when the sons of Feanor had attacked his home. He did not understand his father’s reasons for being away so often. Elrond resolved that someday he would ask him about them.
Elrond thought about the friends he had in Sirion, the games he and his twin played, the mischief they got into. Sirion was no more even before it sank beneath the water during the War of Wraith; it had already been sacked and burnt to the ground. He knew that the elflings had not been intentionally targeted, but children in a combat zone were the most vulnerable and the hardest to defend. Too many of his playmates lay dead that day. For a moment Elrond wondered how he had managed to forgive Maglor and Maedhros.
Then he remembered his life in Himring. The first two months there had not been easy for any of them. Both twins had been plagued by nightmares during the night. Then by day they had to live with the people who had killed friends and destroyed their home. Elrond and Elros refused to call them anything other than kinslayer. Then one night Elrond woke from a nightmare to the sound of harp music. He turned to see his twin’s sleep was also troubled, however Elros did not wake. After a couple of minutes Elros settled down and slept peacefully. Elrond got out of bed and went to find the source of the music. It was coming from Maedhros’s room which was strange since Maedhros did not play the harp. Shortly after he got there the music stopped and Maglor emerged from the room carrying a harp.
“Did my playing disturb you?” asked Maglor.
“It pulled me out of an unwanted dream,” Elrond replied. “It seemed to have calmed Elros down too. I cannot be sure. When I woke, he looked like he was in the middle of a bad dream then he settled down with out waking.”
“I see my brother was not the only one whose sleep was troubled tonight,” Maglor replied. “My brother was held captive by the enemy a long time ago.”
Maglor took Elrond to the kitchen, got him something to drink, settled him back into bed and helped him get back to sleep. After that night Elrond stopped calling him kinslayer. Two weeks later as Elrond and Elros were going to bed they found a pair of bunnies waiting for them. They were not the prettiest bunnies in all of arda, but they were soft and sturdy. More importantly they had been made with love, Elrond could feel that from the moment he first picked his up, and so could Elros. Elrond still had his bunny packed in the bottom of his undergarment drawer. He did not know if Elros’s bunny still survived. The last time he saw it, it was in the cradle of Elros’s granddaughter, Aulendil.
Elrond was stirred from his thoughts by a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Maglor standing next to him looking somewhat concerned.
“I am well or at least as well as can be expected,” he assured his foster father.
“What has you so deep in thought?” Maglor asked.
“The past and a pair of bunnies,” Elrond replied. “I still have the one you made for me. I was wondering what became of the one you made for Elros. The last time I saw it Aulendil had it in her cradle.”
“On our last visit I found out that Aulendil’s children finished the poor rabbit off,” Maglor stated. “After her last child it just fell apart, the cloth just couldn’t take anymore love. Carisse made new bunnies for the little ones while we were there. You still have yours.”
“It got me through many lonely nights after you left us,” Elrond stated. “Cirdan said I was too old for a bunny, but I didn’t care I still needed it.”
On the deck of the ship Maglor is lost in his own thoughts. He thinks back to his first voyage to Numenor the one he took to introduce his new bride to his foster son. When he arrived he was greeted by Elros, his children and grandchildren. Elros’ wife had passed away twenty years earlier. Elros was happy to see him. Once they had unpacked and rested from the journey they caught up on events.
“Cirdan came for a visit last month and he told me everything about your return, but I would like to hear your side of it,” Elros informed him.
“How much of everything?” asked Maglor?
“Enough to be very disappointed in your behavior, Father,” Elros replied.
“Elros, if you are referring to my stubbornness issues, I have three things to say to you; pot, kettle, black,” Maglor retorted. After Maglor recounted his return from exile he asked Elros if there was anything else he would like to know.
“Has my brother asked Celebrian for her hand in marriage yet? I would like to see at least one of my nieces or nephews before I die,” Elros replied.
“He has only just begun to court her. I do not think he would be this far along, but for the encouragement and down right prodding of his younger gwador,” Maglor replied.
“That would be Oropher’s son. Is he not still an elfling?” asked Elros.
“He is, but he is also very clever and resourceful. He managed to sneak a stuffed bunny into our marriage bed,” Carisse informed him. “To this day he refused to tell anyone how he managed to do it. The only thing he said was to keep it for our elfling.”
“I bet he keeps Uncle Elrond busy,” said Vardamir. “I would like to meet him.”
“Elrond plans on bringing him as soon as he can get Oropher’s permission,” Maglor replied.
“I will write Oropher and request that his son be allowed to visit,” Elros said. “I think my request may carry a little more weight. When you have your first child would you bring him or her, I would like to meet at least one of my younger siblings.”
Maglor was pulled out of his thoughts by a gentle hand on his. He looked over to see Carisse beside him. His wife was pregnant and due in two months.
“You should be below deck resting,” he informed her.
“I needed to get some fresh air and throw the contents of my stomach overboard. I fear I would not have made it to the deck in time if Nerdanel had not helped me.” she told him.
Nerdanel had come on this voyage as well not wanting to miss the birth of her grandchildren. She was certain Carisse was carrying twins.
“I thought you were passed the morning sickness phase of your pregnancy,” Maglor replied.
“I was until I got on this boat,” Carisse told him just before throwing up again.
When she was done Maglor left her with his mother and went to find Elrond to see if he could do anything to ease his wife’s stomach. When he found him Elrond was staring out into the ocean apparently lost in his own thoughts. Maglor placed his hand on Elrond’s shoulder and the young ellon turned to greet him.
“I am well or at least as well as can be expected,” he assured his foster father.
“What has you so deep in thought?” Maglor asked.
“The past and a pair of bunnies,” Elrond replied. “I still have the one you made for me. I was wondering what became of the one you made for Elros. The last time I saw it Aulendil had it in her cradle.”
“On our last visit I found out that Aulendil’s children finished the poor rabbit off,” Maglor stated. “After her last child it just fell apart, the cloth just couldn’t take anymore love. Carisse made new bunnies for the little ones while we were there. You still have yours.”
“It got me through many lonely nights after you left us,” Elrond stated. “Cirdan said I was too old for a bunny, but I didn’t care I still needed it.”
“Carisse is not feeling well. Her stomach is troubling her. Is there anything you can do?” Maglor asked.
“I have some herbs packed away that will help. I was concerned this might happen and so was Sérevarno. He wrapped them up in little packets in the exact dose she will need. I will go retrieve one,” Elrond replied.
“I am thankful you were able to complete your training on child delivery before we left. Until now it seemed strange that Galadriel would insist you start your training as a healer with child delivery. That is usually one of the last things you are instructed in,” Maglor said.
“Thankfully I had been trained as a healer’s assistant and a field medic so it did not take too long to learn midwifery,” Elrond replied.
After he retrieved the herbs he made his way to Maglor and Carisse’s room where he found Carisse and Legolas laying on the bed.
“How did that bunny get here?” Elrond asked in surprise.
“I am not certain,” Maglor replied. “Neither Carisse nor I packed it. I am going to have a talk with a certain elfling when we return.”
“You do realize that Thranduil is no longer an elfling,” Elrond asked him.
“Tell him that, he continues to act like one,” Maglor retorted.
“I think it’s sweet. He wants to make sure our baby has a bunny and you know I have not had time to make one myself,” Carisse stated.
“You will have plenty of time while we sail and when we reach Numenor. I packed the needed material,” Maglor said. “Besides that bunny is a bit too big for an infant, we will put it away until our child is a little older.”
“I wish we could present our child to his or her guardian and mentor on the day of his or her birth,” Carisse said.
“I know and I am certain that Oropher would be here if he were able. He and Celeborn said their goodbye’s to Elros three months ago and they are both needed in Lindon,” Maglor reminded her.
While they conversed Elrond prepared the herbs in a tea and Carisse drank it. When she finished her stomach settled and she went to sleep.
After a long voyage they reached Numenor. Vardamir greeted them on the dock once they were able to disembark. Elrond could tell that his nephew was not in much better health than his brother was reported to be, nor did he expect him to survive Elros by many years.
“You should have let your son come greet us,” Maglor chided gently.
“My children are at the end of the dock waiting for us,” Vardamir replied. “You know I could not have stayed away anymore than you could have left your pregnant wife in Lindon. Thranduil delivered your letter about the impending birth to Father in person. He would not let go of it until he was able to put it directly in Father’s hands.”
“He was much the same with your letter about Elros. Once it was delivered he left to allow him to read it in privacy,” Maglor replied. “Even though we have been expecting this letter for some time now, it still came as a bit of a shock.”
“Father has been holding on in hopes of seeing his twin one last time and perhaps his little brother or sister,” Vardamir explained to them.
“My brother will not have long to wait, the child is expected with in a month perhaps a little less,” Elrond informed his nephew.
Vardamir escorted them to a waiting carriage that took them to the palace. Vardamir’s eldest son helped Carisse and Nerdanel inside.
“We came here to greet you as soon as news of your arrival reached us. Father is waiting for us in his day room,” Vardamir informed them on the way there. “He does not get around very much these days.”
“You should have stayed with grandfather,” Amandil gently chided his father.
“Amandil, I know you mean well. I know I am not a young man, but if I stayed with your grandfather you would return to find one of us dead. He is fraying my last nerves. I do not know how either your wife or mine tolerates him,” Vardamir stated. Then he turned to Maglor and said. “Father will be much easier to get along with now that you are here. He has been impatient for your arrival ever since we received news of your coming and the impending birth.”
“How did he take Thranduil’s visit earlier this year?” asked Elrond as the last of them entered the carriage and it drove off toward the palace.
“Fairly well actually,” said Vardamir. “Your brother and your gwador were plotting on how to get you to propose to Celebrían.”
“Please tell me you jest,” Elrond stated.
“I wish I could, however I know how you feel about lying, Uncle” replied Vardamir. “I remember Thranduil’s first visit here. He was a good playmate for my children. Now he is a conspirator for my father and a true friend of mine. I will not be long in following my father, I fear. I would like to see him again before I do.”
“I will see to it he visits you again,” said Elrond. “I do not know how soon though. He has taken over my duties as Harold to the High King so I can finish my training as a healer.”
Soon they arrived at the palace where they were greeted by Vardamir’s younger son Nolondil. Nolondil said something to a servant then approached them.
“Care to tell me what that was about?” asked Vardamir.
“I sent him to see if Grandfather was awake yet. Shortly after you left Mother convinced him to take a nap,” explained Nolondil
“I see, and then I think we should let our guests get settled in and cleaned up before disturbing Father,” suggested Vardamir.
“As you wish, Father,” replied Nolondil. “I will see to their accommodations.”
By the time Elros woke up, Maglor, Carisse, Nerdanel and Elrond had been able to unpack, get cleaned up and into a change of clean clothes. When they reached Elros’s day room, the first thing Elrond noticed was how thin and frail his brother looked. He knew that Elros would not live much longer. Then he took a closer look at the room itself. The windows were designed to make the most of the incoming sunlight through out the day. Eight comfortable chairs were arranged around a small table. On the table was a variety of fruit, bread, vegetables and cheeses. There was also a small assortment of wine bottles and wine glasses.
“It is good to see you all again one last time. Carisse you look positively radiant,” Elros said greeting them.
“I feel like I am carrying twins,” she said.
“Please sit down,” said Elros. “The others will come shortly. They wanted to give me some time to spend with you in relative privacy. So you are finally finishing your training as a healer. I know you have probably been told this at least a hundred times, but you did the right thing.”
“Feels more like a thousand times,” said Elrond. “My only regret is introducing my younger gwador to your corrupting influence.”
“My corrupting influence,” Elros stated in mock offence. “Has my son been telling tales?”
“There is telling tales and there is giving someone a much-needed warning,” replied Elrond. “And don’t start in on me about asking Celebrían for her hand in marriage. All I have to say is: pot, kettle, black. I know you and Moira loved each other, but if your advisors had not threatened you with an arranged marriage, you would never have proposed to her.”
This sent everyone in the room into a fit of laughter that lasted for a few minutes.
“You have me there,” replied Elros after finally catching his breath. “Celebrian loves you, but even an immortal elf will not wait forever. If you wait too long, brother, you may lose her.”
“I know, just as soon as I have finished my training and am able to devote time to a wife and family,” Elrond told his brother.
“I know you will be a good father someday. You did a good job in helping to raise Thranduil,” Elros assured him. “Your hand in his raising shows, he does a better job of keeping his temper than Oropher when he fully matures. So, what news do you bring from Lindon and when is the baby due.”
They had been in Neumenor for about a month when Carisse woke in the middle of the night to find that her water had broken. Maglor got out of bed and immediately went to rouse Elrond then get the help of the attending midwife. Elrond arrived with a small box of stuff. While the midwife attended Carisse he opened the box and began pulling out a mortar and pestel, some herbs, vials of strange liquids and other items and an instruction sheet given to him by Sérevarno.
“Are you sure you should be the one mixing this?” asked the midwife. “I have been told you are still a healer in training.”
“I know what I am doing,” he nearly snapped. “Before beginning my training as a healer I trained as a medic, a healer’s assistant and I took a course in midwifery. “
“Do all elven healers have to do that before starting their training?” she asked while Elrond prepared the herbs to help with Carisse’s pain.
“No, I trained as a healer’s assistant because by the time I was old enough to begin training as a healer the War of Wraith was almost upon us and there was not time for anything else. I picked up training as a field medic during the war because we were running short of people willing and able to go into the field and retrieve the wounded,” replied Elrond. “The midwife training I started when Carisse got pregnant. Lady Galadriel insisted, even though at the time I thought Sérevarno or someone else more experienced and whom Carisse was more familiar with should be available. Then we found out about my brother dying.”
“Let me help you with that, your hands are shaking,” she gently told Elrond as she took the finished mixture from him to give to Carisse. “You need to steady yourself. Concentrate on the task at hand and put everything else out of your mind until the children are born.”
“Children?” asked Elrond. “Are you sure?
“Yes, I felt two in there,” she answered as she took his hands and showed him where they were both kicking.
The midwife finished the mixture and gave it to Carisse. After only half an hour the pain of the contractions began to lessen, though it felt like an eternity to Carisse. Even though the pains of the contractions were dulled, the contractions themselves remained just as strong. It was a rather odd sensation, but at least she was no longer in excruciating pain. The pain however was still there, but it was manageable.
Carisse looked at her husband and spoke as calmly as she could manage. “Maglor Feanorion you are never doing this to me again.”
“As you wish,” he told his wife.
As labor progressed, the herbs were only able to hold back the worst of the pain. As minutes turned into hours Maglor began to pace nervously. Nerdanel sent him out of the room to collect his wits at least twice. As the first rays of the sun rose in the east the cries of a new born babe could be heard. A baby girl had come into this world, but there was not time to rest she had a younger sibling on the way. A few hours later another daughter was born. Both of them had green eyes and no hair. They were named Linde and Tauriel.
“Carisse I know we have discussed possibly naming Oropher or Cirdan as the mentor or guardian of our child. However, that was before we knew we were going to have two daughters,” Maglor began. “I was thinking perhaps my cousin Galadriel would make the best choice.”
“I think you are correct,” replied Carisse. “I think we should focus on getting them back to Lindon safely. The open sea is no place for an infant. We may be here for a while.”
“Elrond, I know this is a lot to ask of you, but would you be willing to fill the position of guardian until we could get Galadriel to formally accept it?” asked Maglor. “Just in case something happened before we could reach home.”
“Of course, I will,” Elrond replied picking up Linde “They are my little sisters after all”
The new family was able to enjoy an hour of peace before the visitors started arriving. They were allowed in only a few at a time. Elros used, and some would say abused, royal prerogative to be able to see the infant twins first. Then after Elros his children, grand children and great-grandchildren came to see the infant twins.
“No hair yet,” Elros said holding Tauriel. “I wonder if you will have dark hair like your father, blonde like your mother or perhaps you will be lucky and have bright red hair like your grandmother.”
“We won’t know for a while. Boys get hair before girls do,” said Nerdanel. “Both Anaire and Earwen were impatient for their daughter’s hair to grow out.”
Finally, Elrond had to call on healers’ prerogatives and chase everyone out so the mother and her two children could get some rest. Then Elrond went to spend some time with his twin. He knew their time together was quickly coming to an end. Elrond walked into the day room where his brother was and dismissed the servants so they could speak privately.
“I know you have been holding on so you could see the twins,” said Elrond. “I do not want to loose you, but I do not want to waste any of the time we have left together in regret.”
“Nor do I, which is why I have not brought up the subject of Celebrian.” Elros replied softly.
“As soon as I am able to finish my training and settle down I will ask Celebrian for her hand in marriage,” Elrond assured his twin. “I will miss you dearly brother, but I will not miss your conspiring with Thranduil to interfere in my love life.”
“What are brothers for if not to annoy one another?” asked Elros. The question was rhetorical and did not require an answer.
The two brothers spent the rest of the afternoon together. Not much was said, not much needed to be said. They played a few games of chess before supper. After supper Elros spent some time with Maglor before going to bed.
Over the next week as friends and family celebrated the birth of the elven twins, Elros steadily grew weaker. Elrond spent as much time as he could with his brother with out monopolizing it. He understood there were others who wanted to spend time with him. This included Nerdanel who over the last two hundred years had come to regard Elrond and Elros as her grandsons. Elros had gotten to the point he could no longer get out of bed.
Elrond was deep in thought sitting by his brother’s bedside when Elros awoke and asked to their parents.
“Our parents are in Valinor and can never return,” replied Elrond thinking that his brother was loosing his mind.
“I know that is why I did not think I had to specify foster parents,” replied Elros in a rather irritated tone.
Elrond went at once to find Maglor and Carisse. They were in the private royal gardens talking with Nerdanel. He approached the three of them quietly and respectfully.
“Adar, Elros wants to see you and,” Elrond paused for a minute as if contemplating what he was about to say “Naneth.”
“Elrond, Earendil and Elwing are your Adar and Naneth,” Maglor said gently.
“I know, but you and Carisse are here, they are not. I know it is not their fault, but it does not make their absence any less painful,” Elrond replied.
“Maglor, go. Elrond and I will be well,” said Nerdanel. After Maglor and Carisse left Nerdanel turned to the young ellon before her and said. “The birth of the new elflings does not change how my son feels about you or your place in his life.”
“There is one thing that has changed,” commented Elrond.
“What is that?” Nerdanel asked him.
“Until this passed week, I have not had to change soiled clothes since Thranduil started walking,” Elrond commented dryly.
“Consider it practice for when you become a parent,” Nerdanel retorted.
“Celedulan said the exact same thing,” Elrond said as a tear rolled down his cheek. “I am going to lose my brother tonight. I could see it in his eyes, he will be dead before day break tomorrow.”
Nerdanel pulled the young ellon close to her and simply held him.
That evening Elros spoke with his family one last time before falling asleep. Sometime during the night he died. The funeral was held two days later. After the funeral Maglor made arrangements to take his family back to Lindon. The night before their departure Elrond and Vardamir spoke privately.
“This is going to be your last visit to Numenor isn’t it?” asked Vardamir.
“Most likely it is,” Elrond replied. “You plan on abdicating soon I suppose.”
“I plan on staying on the throne long enough to help my son transition into the role of king,” Vardamir replied. “When do you leave?”
“Our ship sails with the morning tide,” said Elrond.
“Then you should try to get some sleep. Maglor and Carisse have already turned in for the night,” commented Vardamir.
“That is because Linde and Tauriel kept them up all night last night. I do need to double check make sure everything is packed for the trip home,” Elrond replied excusing himself.
Elrond double checked to make sure everything, even Legolas who was much too big a bunny for an infant, was packed. Elrond wondered what Thranduil was thinking sending him along. His sisters would one day be big enough to hold the bunny, but it would not be for another year or two. Surely Thranduil had not expected them to be gone that long.
“So why did my gwador send you?” Elrond asked the bunny.
“I think he sent the bunny, because he could not be here in person to comfort you,” said Nerdanel. Elrond looked up to see her standing in the doorway.
“I think you are right,” said Elrond. “The first thing I did to comfort him after the death of Celedulan was I fixed; I mean I tried to fix his bunny.”
“I know, Maglor told me about Nipherdil,” said Nerdanel. “Get some rest we have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow.
Thranduil stood on the pier in the King’s Harbor. Galadriel, Oropher, Celeborn, Celebrían and Gil-Galad were also there. This group of elda was waiting on the arrival of a ship and it was obvious that one of their number was not waiting as patiently as the rest. It had been nearly six months since Thranduil had seen his Gwador and to a young ellon six months was a long time.
“Are you sure their ship will arrive today?” asked Thranduil.
“I am certain,” replied Galadriel. “Thranduil please cease your fidgeting. Elrond is coping with the death of his twin as well as can be expected. I encourage you to be there for your Gwador, but do not try to bare his grief as if it were your own. You are far too young to endure. Such an attempt would only drag you down with him.”
“I am the same age Elrond was when I lost my Naneth,” Thranduil argued.
“You were only a child,” Celeborn explained gently. “The grief of an adult is much heavier than that of a child. Besides you have enough to do filling in for Elrond as Gil-Galad’s Harold until Elrond can finish his training as a healer.”
“I know. I do not know how Elrond managed to find time to help look after me and keep up with his duties,” Thranduil conceded.
“One I stopped trying to bar you from council meetings, you kept sneaking in anyway,” Gil-Galad remarked. “The barely legible transcripts from when I first had you start taking notes are still on file in my office.”
“You still have them?” Thranduil asked.
“They may have been barely legible, but they were very accurate once properly deciphered. I think some of them gave Melpomaen eyestrain,” Gil-Galad commented dryly. “Thankfully your handwriting has vastly improved since then pen neth.”
“It should, I’ve had a lot of practice,” Thranduil replied as the top sail of a ship appeared over the horizon. “Is that his ship?”
“Yes, they are home,” replied Galadriel.
For what seemed like an eternity later the ship finally docked and the passengers disembarked. Maglor helped Carisse get to shore and Elrond aided Nerdanal. Both elleths were carrying a tiny bundle. As Maglor introduced his daughter’s to the rest of his family and friends Thranduil approached Elrond.
“Welcome home, Gwador.” This was all that was said and all that needed to be said.
Thranduil pulled Elrond into a brother’s embrace. As he did so, Elrond realized that just as Maglor would never truly take the place of Earendil, Thranduil would never take the place of Elros. They both had their own special place in his life and in his heart and because of it, he would never truly be alone.