Title: The Long Way Home, Chapter 6

Author: Sorsha711
Fandom/Pairing: Erestor/OFC, others implied
Rating: R
Warning: AU (Story set in Imladris 133 years after ROTK); 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. Just because they come alive in my imagination doesn't make them mine. Sigh!
Summary: Erestor reflects on his life and loves as he completes his final duties as Imladris' Chief Counsellor --- a prequel to In the Garden

"His house was perfect, whether you liked food, or sleep, or work, or story-telling, or singing, or just sitting and thinking, best, or a pleasant mixture of them all."
J. R. R. Tolkien

Chapter 6 --- A Pleasant Mixture of Them All

"Ada?"

Looking up from the shipment manifests he and his scribes had been reviewing, Erestor smiled in greeting to his youngest child. "Aye Lathril? What can I do for you, penneth? (young one)

"We have run out of room in the wagons set aside for the plants you wish to take to Aman and you need to decide if another can be spared to carry the rest. Gli is arguing with Nárion about her demand for more wagons and nothing is being accomplished," she announced, grinning at the looks her comment had produced among the members of her father's staff assisting him with the final inventories.

The decision by Lord Elrond and her father to bring a vast number of plants with them to Aman had engendered a long raging debate amongst the peoples of Imladris. While most enthusiastically supported the plan, a vocal minority felt they were wasting valuable cargo space taking plants with them, plants they were sure already existed in the Blessed Lands. The refrain, "but, my lord, the Lady Yavanna has surely made more for our use in Aman," had become a running joke between her and her Uncle Mel.

Sending an irritated glare at his grinning assistants, Erestor rose and walked over to join his daughter. "Your sister and her betrothed are always arguing about something, my dear… this issue in one that they have debated for years. They are both too used to having their own way and too stubborn to compromise. If they did not love each other so passionately, they would never stop to do anything else. I do hope their marriage will finally calm these outbursts, for they seem to have grown more frequent since they announced their betrothal."

Casting a teasing grin over her father's shoulder at her husband, Lathril observed, "Nana says half the time they only argue so they can have an excuse to makeup. They have waited so long to marry that they do not know any other way. You need to have a long talk with them on the voyage, Ada, and suggest they find other, more discrete ways to express their passion for each other."

Giving her a mock glare, Erestor retorted, "Only if you and Gell are there as well. In fact, your brothers could benefit from such instruction as much as the four of you."

"Of course we could, Ada, but we only learned our conduct from you and Nana," the black-haired elleth responded. "At least none of us have become so… engrossed in the moment that we tumbled into the river and needed to be saved from going over the falls by Adar'ra and Lord Elrond."

Feeling his face flush a bright red at the reference to an incident that had occurred a month prior to his wedding, Erestor swiftly took his daughter's arm and led her from the room. They had barely cleared the door when those left behind began to laugh. Lathril joined them as she heard the faint, "I will yet strangle my brother for ever telling you that story!" muttered by the elf dragging her down the hall.

-----

Lathril was still giggling when they reached the courtyard. Sending her a quelling glare, Erestor stopped under the shade of a large tree that sheltered much of the cobbled expanse to assess the situation. Years of dealing with his daughter and her intended had taught him it was best to know the lay of the land before venturing into the midst of one of their arguments. As his youngest had warned, his oldest child and her betrothed were standing beside an empty wagon, Gli holding a large potted rose in front of her, completely oblivious to the crowd that had gathered to watch their latest argument.

"Ada has given me instructions that all of these plants are to go with us and I will see this done if it is the last thing I do in Middle-earth," Glivalen proclaimed. "You will simply need to find another wagon to carry whatever you had planned to transport in this one. I am taking it and that is that."

"So I am to understand that these plants have priority over the personal property of my warriors? You have lost all sense of reason if you think I will ask those that have long defended this realm to leave their property behind so that we can carry a bunch of plants to the Blessed Lands!" Nárion fumed. "This plan is ridiculous and a waste of valuable space. Now move aside so that we can begin to load this wagon."

"Your comments are what are ridiculous! I have never suggested your warriors should be asked to leave their property behind. I have clearly said that the other wagons need to be reorganised to a make room for the extra items," the elleth bit out, her golden-hair shivering in the dappled light as she took a step toward her love. "I watched the earlier wagons being loaded. You let people stow items willy-nilly without any thought to making the best use of the entire space."

A harsh bark of laughter greeted her words. "If you were so busy looking over my shoulder, it is entirely probable that your wagons are the ones in need of reorganisation! I have little doubt you can find room for all of these worthless plants in one of them if you think it so important! With the number of trunks and baskets that still need to be packed, it may be that I will need to re-task one of those for transport of personal property, so you might want to decide what you will leave behind while you repack your wagons!"

Knowing the situation was dangerously out of hand, Erestor took a deep breath and stepped forward. "I would suggest that both of you look to your own assignments and stop this foolish behaviour at once."

The ring of command in his voice had the desired effect. Both elves froze, turning guilty eyes to meet the narrowed gaze of the Valley's Chief Counsellor. "Ada… I can explain."

"My lord, this is…"

"Silence! I will hear no further arguments on this issue," Erestor commanded. "The decision to bring the plants was made by Lord Elrond before he sailed and he left it to us to see it done. Your opinion of this endeavour is irrelevant. None will be left. You are to see that they are all made ready for safe transport to Mithlond and nothing more."

Sending the errant pair a stern glare, he continued. "Of the highest priority are the belongings of our warriors and their families. Our Lord holds them in the greatest love and esteem, as do I. Their interests are our interests. Their belongings will be handled with the utmost care! I personally saw to it that adequate space was allocated for the transport of all of their property in addition to the plants. Your only task this day is to see to the packing of the wagons assigned for these items… which includes seeing that the wagons are efficiently loaded to make the best use of their space. I will accept no excuses or delays. I suggest you concentrate on seeing this is done and leave your bickering for another time and place."

Satisfied by the contrite nods he received from the lovers, he turned to go back to his own work. Spotting a young mother struggling to close the lid of a basket of personal items, a squirming baby on her hip making the simple task all but impossible, Erestor moved in her direction. "Allow me, Sídhwen."

Glancing up, the maid gave a relieved sigh and promptly handed him her son. "Hannon le, my lord. Doronorn is cutting his first tooth and has been fussy all day. I have not been able to finish packing for he insists on being held. Can I impose on you to hold him for me while I run back to our chambers to make sure I did not miss anything? My husband is still on guard duty until the new Lord's men take the watch and I am left alone to see to our belongings." (Thank you)

Taking his agreement for granted, the elleth turned and hurried back into the rambling house. Surprised brown eyes stared after the harried elleth for a moment before the loud squall of the elfling drew his attention to his charge. Sighing, he began to gently bounce the baby in hopes of soothing his distress. "Ah… Doronorn, your Nana will return shortly. There is no need to cry."

Bright blue eyes studied the elf that held him before settling on the waves of blue-black hair that fell around the elf's shoulders. Chubby fingers reached out to grasp a handful of the thick hair, quickly tangling his fingers in the simple braids Erestor had elected to use that morning. With a chortle of pure glee, the elfling stuffed the captured plaits into his mouth and began to chew, his fist keeping a firm hold on the strands.

Groaning, Erestor moved to sit on a nearby bench and began the delicate business of extracting his hair from the infant's drooling mouth. "Nay, Doronorn. My hair is hardly a suitable treat. Come now, release my braids and I will take you to find something far tastier."

"You must tell me what fascination your hair holds for elflings, mellon nin. I seem to remember my grandchildren, as well as, your own children found it impossible to resist its allure." (my friend)

Sending an irritated frown in Celeborn's direction, Erestor agreed, "I have never understood the attraction my hair holds for babies either. I think your granddaughter was the worst, but she had me wrapped around her little finger from the day she was born, so I took no notice of the inconvenience."

A sad smile accompanied the elf lord's nod. "Arwen had us all wrapped around her finger, Estel most securely of all. I keep looking about expecting them to join us and add their belongings to the wagons. It seems so… wrong to be leaving them behind."

Noting the lost, uncertain look in his old friend's eyes, Erestor shifted to make room for the Sindar on the bench. "Come and sit for a minute, mellon nin. You look tired." (my friend)

Sighing, Celeborn dropped down beside the other elf. "I am tired. I miss my wife and… I have not told you…"

"Told me what, Celeborn?" Seeing the grief in the pale blue eyes of his companion, Erestor abandoned his efforts to free his hair and gently laid his hand on the other's arm. "Come… tell me. This news weighs heavy upon your heart. You need not bear its pain alone. We are your family and will ever support you."

Reaching up to absently pat Erestor's hand, Celeborn stared out across the courtyard. "My daughter has caused a scandal. She has asked Elrond to leave the house they were to share and… spread rumours he has been unfaithful to her. He has withdrawn, stung by the vicious gossip that resulted. He found a large house in the garden district of Valimar and your parents share it with him. Other than a few close family and friends, he sees no one... seldom leaves the house. Celebrian holds court at her house, feeding the flames of gossip. Galadriel has been unable to curb her wild behaviour."

"Ai! Eru have mercy!" Erestor murmured. "How long has this been the case?"

"For many a year, I regret to say. I did not want to burden you and the twins with this news, but I will need to tell them and the rest of our family once we have begun the voyage," the Sindar replied, the dejected slump to his shoulders at odds with the usual grace of his demeanour. "We will all need to be ready to come to Elrond's aid. Galadriel is devastated by Celebrian's behaviour and I can only hope that…"

"She and Haldir do not renew their affair."

Stunned, Celeborn stared at the dark-haired elf. "How…?"

Tightening his hold on his friend's shoulder, Erestor confessed, "Mel and I heard the rumours and we resolved to discover the truth. On one of his visits to Lorien, Mel found a stairway that afforded him a view of Haldir's quarters. He saw an elleth enter wearing a brown cloak that he knew to be Celebrian's. They did not pull the shades as quickly as one would expect and he saw more than enough to confirm the rumours."

Sagging, the silver-haired elf seemed to age before his eyes. "I can offer no excuse for her conduct. It defies all of our laws and customs. Had we known, we would not have allowed them to behave so… at least not in Lorien."

"If it gives you any comfort, Elrond knows this. He never questioned yours and your lady's conduct."

Nodding faintly, Celeborn admitted, "It does. I hold him in great love and esteem. It has pained me to know what he is enduring in Aman. He deserves so much better."

Hesitating, Erestor finally asked, "His parents… Lady Elwing has not welcomed him home?"

"Nay. From what Galadriel knows, she sent him a letter bidding him wait to visit on the day he arrived and has not written since." Lifting his head to meet the worried brown gaze of his friend, he added, "He was devastated. He nearly faded when he felt Arwen and Estel pass from us. Your father told Galadriel that he withdrew into himself as he did when Elros died. As Lindir understands it, Elrond met their spirits in Mandos as they healed before passing beyond the circles of the world and would have stayed there had Arwen not begged him to live."

Stunned, Erestor stared at the other elf. "Why did you not tell me this earlier? We should have left…"

"No, we could not," Celeborn interrupted. "We had work still to do and Elrond of all people would not want us to abandon our duties to the One. It would have made a mockery of his own life had we betrayed our duty for him. We can now leave knowing we have left our descendants a secure legacy, our work done. Imladris, like Lorien, will now pass to the care of Arwen and Estel's children, but we needed to be here to help them prepare. It is time and Eru calls us home."

Before Erestor could reply, the elfling in his lap gave his braids a sharp tug to regain the elf's attention. Brightening at the grin on the child's face, Celeborn asked, "This little one is but a few months older than your grandson is he not? If I recall correctly, Nólehirno will be the last elf born in Imladris. Tis fitting. You were the first and your grandson will be the last."

Nodding, Erestor began to pry the soaked braids from elfling's mouth. "Imladris is my home… my family's home. It is the only one I have ever known. It seems wrong that we are leaving, though our conversation has given it a new urgency and purpose. How do I face this, my friend? You have had many homes in these lands. How did you reconcile yourself to the need to leave them?"

"Indeed I have lived in many places, but… until I came to Lorien, I always thought of myself as an elf of Doriath. That was my birthplace and where I met my lady. When it fell, a part of me grieved the loss of an old friend and I still miss it," he confessed.

Reaching over to help distract the determined little elfling, he continued. "When we came to Lorien, we found our place again and we lived many contented years in those woods. I now consider myself a Lorien elf. Yet once my wife and friends left for the West, I grew lonely and chose to come to Imladris to be with my kith and kin."

Sighing, Celeborn admitted, "There is no easy way to leave a place that you love, a place that holds a piece of your heart, but never confuse a place with home, my dear friend. Home is where we dwell among those we love and who share our lives… the good and the bad, the sadness and joy. Home is family and friends, not the buildings that house them."

"I hear what you are saying, but… this hurts to face. I know Elrond expects me to settle the affairs of his realm and turn its running over to his heirs, but…"

Reaching over to pat the younger elf's shoulder, Celeborn interjected, "Have you not yet realized the full measure of what Elrond entrusted to you? He left you with the most important task yet remaining. He trusted the brother of his heart to see the rest of his family, those of us that could make the voyage, home. Our home waits for us across the sea in the hearts of our family and friends. It is time, my lord counselor, for you to accept this duty. The sea calls. It is time."

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Cast of new characters:

Lathril (S fem – Listener) is Erestor and Glaurlas youngest child. Prior to the sailing of so many of the Eldar from Imladris, she was a teacher in the school the realm sponsored. Her talent as a singer was renowned throughout Middle-earth.

Glivalen (S – honey-yellow shade) is the oldest of their four children. The most like her father, Gli is forceful and confident, yet gifted a warm and loving spirit. She and her betrothed provided the valley with endless hours of entertainment during the years of their courtship. Glaurlas finally locked the pair in the wine cellar with instructions that they would not be let out until they had either announced their engagement or decided which of them was sailing the next spring. They choose the former and married one year after arriving in Aman.

Nárion (Q - fire son) is Gilivalen's betrothed and Glorfindel's second in command.

Gelladar (S – Joy of the father) is Lathril's husband. He is Erestor's chief of staff.

Dúros (S masc – night rain) is the second of Erestor and Glaurlas's children, their oldest son. He is a warrior and fought at his adopted cousins' side during the War of the Ring. He received a serious wound at the final battle before the Black Gates and was saved by Estel and Elrohir's prompt attention after Barad-Dûr fell.

Nimdoron (White Oak) is their third child and second son. He is a librarian and works with his Uncle. His true passion is music and, like his grandfather, he 'hears' music. Since the time Lindir sailed, he has begun to compose his own compositions.

Nólehirno (Q - knowledge-finder) is the son of Lathril and Gelladar, the last elf born in Imladris.