Brother

For what felt like hours, I stood there thinking I was dreaming. I must have laid down and fallen asleep. The dream of the knocking on the door and my brother in front of me must have come on so quickly that I was now considering it reality. After all this time, why would Eloril be on my porch? Why wouldn't he have sent word before his arrival? Even as he pulled me into the tightest hug, I still could not grasp this was indeed happening. All I knew was that, dream or not, I didn't want to let him go. I'm sure he'll disappear if I do.

When the truth that Eloril really was there with me began to sink in, the two of us were able to have a bit of a proper talk. He certainly looks much different than what I remember. It's his hair I suppose- he's always changed it around. Sometimes I feel as if he's worse than a maiden. I thought he had finally found a style he liked, but I obviously was wrong. That's what the years show you. But, wait? Years? Can so many of them really have passed? It doesn't seem possible at all.

It was surprising to hear that Eloril has been searching for me all this time- ever since he returned to our parents' land and found out that I had been sent away on this task. He gathered up his things and left immediately. However, he had gotten no support from our parents or anyone else. There was no word from the Goddess saying he couldn't come join me, but ada and naneth feared he would interfere with the task. They tried their hardest to stop him.

He still departed though. Even if it meant angering them, having to do everything on his own, and not knowing where in the world I had been sent to, Eloril had left. He had to search town by town. Since he had no access to any money, and hates humans more than I ever did, he lived on the land as he was accustomed to doing. Eloril feared he would never find me.

Then he heard the Ithiennith name being used. Elves do not have last names, but the name Ithiennith has always been attached to our family. I have been using it as a temporary surname. Eloril was hearing of the works of my children- Elrunamir and Ureliel in particular. They are quite well known around here and elsewhere for their contributions. Eloril finally arrived at this town, and had just met a man that gave him directions to our house.

While it was quite clear that Eloril wanted to talk more, I told him it had been a long day. I offered him the upstairs room to spend the night. When I awoke the next morning, I admit I did brush our meeting off as a dream again. It still felt like such. Elerith, Nadrien, and I sat down for breakfast. When Eloril came downstairs, the dream illusion was shattered for good this time.

Unfortunately, my daughters and my brother did not start off with the best of meetings. Eloril looked absolutely stunned to see young children about. He didn't even move as Nadrien tugged on his arm sleeve curiously. Then Elerith and Nadrien asked him something I will never forget. They asked if he was another one of my "friends", and even worse, if he was going to be the father of their new sibling.

I was mortified, and Eloril was stunned even more speechless. We were both too eager to see them suddenly rush out the door as the school bus honked for them.

I can see why Eloril would be flustered after that. However, what he said next caught me off guard. He was shocked and upset that I actually had children. I didn't understand what he thought I would be doing after all this time. Had he expected that I would have been sitting around waiting for him to arrive and escort me back home? Apparently, that's exactly what he thought. He could not comprehend that I had stooped so low so easily.

That's where I made him stop. How could he possibly think anything I had gone through had been easy? How would I not be affected by having the task of rescuing an entire population shoved onto my shoulders? Eloril makes it seem so simple to ignore the repercussions of all of this by the way he speaks. He knows how absolute orders from the Goddess are, as well as the consequences of not seeing them through.

I told him that no matter what he thought or did, I was going to finish this task. I would not abandon my children now. He was free to stay, but if he was going to hate my children or think less of them in even the slightest way, then I would rather he leave instead.

Hurt quickly showed on Eloril's face after I said that. He would never dare to hate my children, or think less of them. Then he apologized. He's had such a hard time- trying to find me and accepting the fact that I had been forced into this task.

I let my anger leave. How awful it must have been to come home to find me gone. Not only wasn't I there, but I had been charged with such an awful fate. With Eloril always being so protective, I'm sure he felt like he failed me. He must think if he had been there when the order had been given that he could have changed it. Then who knows what challenges he faced in trying to find me. Since the only human interaction he had was asking people if they knew who I was, Eloril is nowhere near comfortable being on this side of the world. There has been no time for him to accept the reality of his surroundings.

I apologized as well. I told him I was glad he went through all the effort to come find me. Even if he couldn't stay forever, just seeing him for this little bit is all I need.

Of course, there was someone I needed to introduce him to. I called Elaril and told him I had a surprise for him. Both Eloril and Elaril weren't quite sure how to react to the other when they met. Eloril did what he was comfortable with and introduced himself properly. It is nice to see such pleasing formality after witnessing so much indecent informal actions amongst the humans. I certainly miss the refined ways of home.

After the two spent a bit more time with the other, they talked much more at ease. I could tell that Eloril was touched that I had named one of my sons after him. I wonder what he'll think when I tell him of Elrunamir, Ureliel, and Lothirien. Elaril was ecstatic as well. Neither of us either thought he would get to meet the person he was named after. They bonded quite well. It is only now that I see how alike the two actually are. Eloril also mentioned that Elaril does remind him of naneth a lot as well.

The excitement for the day wasn't over yet. It was also Elerith's birthday. To have my brother here to see an important moment in my child's life truly is a wonderful feeling. Eloril was shocked that I would let Elerith wear such revealing clothing. I did my best to explain that's just the way things are here. Letting her wear the styles of the humans here is less harmful than forcing her to wear clothes like I do. Eloril wasn't convinced, but he kept quiet after that. I can tell he's silently trying to find the same reasoning in his own mind.

Elaril had to leave after we had Elerith's birthday cake for dinner. Eloril and the girls spent the rest of the evening getting to know each other better. This day might have been a bit crazy and overwhelming, but as I head to bed this night, knowing my brother is right upstairs makes me feel the most comfortable I ever have since leaving home.....