Elrond stood at the stern of the gray ship bearing him, Galadriel and
the other Ring Bearers to a much- deserved rest in the Blessed Realm.
He watched as the land they had just left receded until it was just
a tiny speck on the horizon that only Elven eyes could see.
He was ready to leave, start his life anew, see his wife again and
heal. Life here had been hard, full of responsibilities and
heartache, not the least of which was leaving his children behind.
True, the twins would follow with Celeborn, in time, but he would
never see Arwen again and it was up to him to bear this news to
Celebrian.
Indeed, life had been hard. His shoulders surely would have bowed
under the immense pressure and obligation he had borne if he were not
so proud . . . if he did not come from so noble a line . . . if he
were not so stubborn.
That land growing more and more distant was home to him, though. He
had left his mark, although he knew few would ever realize it. Epic
events had occurred in Elrond's lifetime, events he had influenced a
bit, but the life of Men was too short to carry such stories as more
than legend. Generations from now, folk would forget even the
old stories and his name would be lost to history completely, along
with that of every other Elf.
Soon, the idea that Elves walked the land of Men at all would
be considered naught but a flight of fancy, or tales to tell children
to entertain them.
How bleak those shores seemed to him now. Was it the season that made
it so? Was his heart just too heavy with loss to see its raw
beauty?
Nay, it was more terrible than that.
Without Elves, Middle-earth was a lonely
place. Men would make their own marks; children would be borne, live
and eventually die. The Second Born would play and sing and, yes,
the world would be wonderful . . . but there would always be
something missing for them. They would be alone. There would be none
to stand and watch the march of time for them and guard their
fleeting lives. For Elrond saw now that one of the joys Elves had
been given in their difficult time in Middle-earth had been the gift
of sharing Eru's creation with those so beloved by the Creator. They
were Second Born, but not second loved by Him.
Yes, Middle-earth would be lonely
. . . until the First Born and the Second
Born were reunited -- in time.
~fin~
