Remember Me- Chapter Two

Oh boy, was it crazy editing this chapter! Well, I say 'editing', but I basically rewrote the whole thing. I wrote the original two chapters at a time where my style was centered more around telling what happened instead of showing what happened. As such, a lot of emotion and the very details that would have made the story interesting were left out. Hopefully, I've now remedied that. Here's the second chapter so you can decide for yourself! :D

            “Are you completely sure this is how it is, Moranuen?” Lord Elrond asked the dark-haired elf standing in front of him.

Moranuen had just returned from two weeks of searching the human towns and villages near Imladris for any news or information about the mysterious young child whom Lord Elrond’s sons had found injured in the forest.

Two weeks under Elrond’s expert care and the girl was making a turnabout recovery. Granted she was still weak and frail from her close brush with starvation and months of undernourishment, and everyone who was watching over her was instructed to make sure she did overexert herself, but she was proving quite resilient.

A quiet and reserved child the first week, the more she came to trust the elves looking after her the more outgoing she became. It didn’t seem to matter to her anymore that she couldn’t remember a thing about who she was or where she had come from. She was quickly growing on the hearts of every being she came in contact with, although she continued to have no proper name and everyone simply called her “child.”

Elrond had to admit he was growing fond of her as well. The girl absolutely loved physical affection. She would cuddle up to anyone who was willing, wouldn’t walk unless someone was holding her hand, and Elrond knew most nights she snuck off to Elrohir’s room as she had quickly become connected to him. All of Elrond’s sons enjoyed having a child in the house. Elladan and Elrohir missed having a young one running throughout the halls, and Estel was learning what it was like to be an older sibling figure.

However, Elrond knew they were all letting themselves get too attached. No matter how much they wanted it to be so, the child was not theirs. Somewhere, she had her own family. He hoped they cared deeply for her and were missing her greatly. It was a difficult task to imagine any parent mistreating a child as dear as the one he had come to know. Despite a growing reluctance in his heart, Elrond wanted nothing more at the moment than to find where the girl belonged. If one of his own children disappeared, he would pray everyday for them to be brought back home. In that situation, he wished if someone found his child that person would do everything they could to find him. That’s what he would want, so he was going to make sure he did everything within his power to find her true home.

This is why Mora’s news bothered him.

“Without any doubt, Lord Elrond. We searched through all nearby towns and villages twice to make sure there wasn’t a single person we didn’t question. We even spread the search to places further away, but we couldn’t turn up a single clue. We did find one girl resembling the description of our child, but her birthday was wrong. She was also with her family and definitely not missing.” Mora explained.

He had made sure he had been thorough in his search. Many of the human citizens tried to turn him and his companions away once they saw they were elves, but none of them had stopped until their questions were answered. Despite the effort, there was nothing to show for it.

“I find it hard to believe she came from a town farther away then the ones we searched, but I also find it hard to believe that there is not a single shred of information about this child nearby. There’s no way she ended up where she was by herself.” Mora spoke his thoughts.

“You just mirrored what is on my mind as well. There is something telling me the answers lie close, yet for some reason we can’t find them. It is as if the mystery doesn’t want to be solved.” Elrond said, drifting into his own thoughts as he spoke.

“What would you have us do then, my lord?” Mora asked, straightening up.

“Do? I would have you rest, Mora― both you and those who accompanied you. This search is not over, but it will do no good if we push ourselves to our limits.” Elrond placed a friendly hand on Mora’s shoulder. Mora smiled, but then it faded.

“Am I to understand that your sons’ search also turned up no results?” he asked.

Elrond had to nod. Elladan, Elrohir, and Estel had been scouring the woods daily until it grew dark for almost two weeks as well. Their search had turned up nothing either. They had tried to track the child’s trail to where she had first started out in the forest, but a rainfall that same day wiped out any chances they had of using it. Left on a wild goose chase where they weren’t even sure there was a goose to follow, it was a relatively hopeless task. It did good to restore the meat in the stores, for they came across many animals as they wandered out further, but it wasn’t the results anyone was looking for. Even Celboril was more interested in finding out more about the child than refilling the food pantry.

Mora sighed and shook his head. Elrond gave him a sympathetic smile and let him go on his way. He could see the weariness in his eyes. Elrond was upset they had moved no closer to solving anything than where they were two weeks ago, but he knew Mora and knew he had done everything that he had been able to do.

Elrond turned around and started the walk up to the highest balcony. It had been his wife’s favorite spot when she still lived on Middle Earth, as well as his own and Elrohir’s favorite place. When he didn’t want to stroll through the gardens or spend time in his study, he came here. It had a beautiful view of the grounds below, and there was nowhere else where the sunrises and sunsets were more vibrant. Elrond lowered himself into the cushioned bench placed for events such as those.

It wasn’t long before he heard squeals of laughter echoing from below. A quick peak over the banister revealed the young girl splashing her hands in one of the fountains while the maiden looking after her strung together a crown of flowers. She was doing a remarkable job of ignoring the water getting onto her dress. The girl was getting wetter than Elrond liked, but he knew if he was the one watching her he wouldn’t stop her from doing a simple thing that enraptured her so. Instead, he just smiled and watched the sight below with a tender gaze.

The maiden finished the crown of flowers and placed it on the child’s head. The girl withdrew her arms from the water and touched the soft petals above her head. She practically threw herself into the maiden’s lap. She said something Elrond couldn’t hear, but it caused the maiden to laugh loudly. Something Elrond had noticed about the girl was that she loved flowers. Everyday she picked a new one from the gardens and put it in her hair. Three large vases stuffed full of them decorated the room she had been given.

Without warning a name flashed through his mind― a name he instantly associated with the child. He hadn’t meant to think of such a thing, but as Elrond continued to watch the toddler play around the fountain the only word he could connect to her was that name. Elrond shook his head as if to throw it out of his head.

No. He couldn’t give her a name. It truly had been firmly set in his mind that he would not become any more attached to the child than he already was. If he gave her a name, them growing closer could be the only result. Elrond would begin to think the child was all his. Then, just when he would become confident she would never leave, the truth would be discovered. The child would have to be given back to her family, and all he would be left with was unnecessary heartache and pain.

Elrond stood up and left the balcony. He would not let him and the child become connected. He had gone through enough in his life, and with Estel’s destiny slowly inching closer he knew there was to be more pain ahead. If he could avoid it, he was not going to bring it on himself intentionally.

It didn’t surprise Elrohir anymore when he heard those footsteps pattering down the hall and the sound of his door being opened and closed. It had become sort of a nightly ritual for the young girl to slip into his room and sleep with him. It comforted her, and Elrohir had found that it comforted him too. This night was no exception.

He rolled over onto his side and lifted up the sheets when the door opened. Within seconds, her small figure had bounded up into the bed. She cuddled herself against him, and Elrohir wrapped the covers around the two of them. Over the past couple weeks, the girl had gained a pound or two. Unfortunately, she remained unhealthily thin. She became cold and tired easily. An extra layer was a must for whatever outfit she wore. The girl claimed her room was too cold and that was why she made the nightly trip to Elrohir’s room despite Elladan’s and Estel’s rooms being much closer.

As the young girl snuggled into his arms, Elrohir could sense something had changed. Normally she would close her eyes and go right to sleep, or occasionally she would ask for a lullaby. Tonight was different. Her eyes were wide open, and she fiddled with the edge of his night shirt. Elrohir waited a couple minutes to see if she was going to say anything. She didn’t. He was going to have to take the initiative if he wanted to know what was wrong.

“Are you still cold?” he asked, brushing her hair out of her eyes and tucking it behind her ear. She shook her head.

“Aren’t you sleepy?”

To his slight surprise, she nodded yes to that. The girl did look exhausted even if that was nothing new. Elrohir had to wonder what it was that was keeping her awake when she was tired.

“What’s wrong?”

His question caused her to only bury herself closer against him. Elrohir softly ran his hand over her hair. After a bit she decided to answer.

“I…I want a name.” she admitted quietly.

“A name?” Elrohir repeated in great surprise. The girl nodded again.

“It bothers you a lot that you don’t have one, huh?” Elrohir then supposed correctly, which earned him yet another nod.

“I’m okay with not ‘membering, but with no name I feel like I’m nobody.”

“I see…” Elrohir responded uncertainly.

He hadn’t given the girl not having a name a single bit of thought before. He had half expected her to suddenly remember what her real name was or to make one up for herself on her own. To have her wanting someone else to think of something was throwing him for a loop. Elrohir wished he had thought about the matter more. It was only now that he was realizing how awful it had to be to not have what was a crucial aspect of one’s identity. Then with the girl having caught whispers of them suggesting that she was most likely abandoned, for them to only call her “child” must have been making her think they would toss her away as well. Elrohir wondered if that was the reason she sometimes appeared shifty around them. There were points where he felt she had something she wanted to shout out for everyone to hear, but her hesitations held her back.

Elrohir tensed when he realized he had let too much silence pass. Now the poor girl next to him was staring hard at the mattress trying her best not to show how disappointed she was. Here he was concerned that she thought she might be sent away, but instead of comforting her his badly timed pondering was confirming her fears. Silently chiding himself, Elrohir gently tipped her head up until she met his eyes. He gave her a comforting smile.

“Sorry. I was only thinking of what kind name might suit you,” he lied a little, “Nothing’s coming to me right now, but I’ll go have a talk with ada in the morning. You’re correct in that it hasn’t been right that we haven’t addressed you with something proper. He and I will discuss things, and we’ll come up with a great new name for you.”

“Really?” the girl’s eyes sparkled as she cheered up instantly.

“I promise it.” Elrohir spoke determinedly, “I want to ask you something though.”

“What?”

“Besides not having a name, is there anything else that’s bothering you?”

Judging from the look that suddenly spread across her face, it was safe to assume there was something else on her mind. However, it was even more obvious by her expression that it wasn’t something she wanted to discuss.

“You don’t have to tell me about it if you really don’t want to, but I want you to know if it you do ever want to tell me it then please go ahead. I’ll listen and help in whatever way I can.” Elrohir promised encouragingly.

The girl seemed a bit relieved, but didn’t say anything and only nodded one more time. She instead cuddled closer to him as she closed her eyes to finally fall asleep. Elrohir watched quietly as her breath slowed and her face relaxed. Doing so brought back memories of a tiny Estel who fell asleep in such a similar manner. It was hard to believe he was an adult now. Shaking his head, Elrohir pushed aside those thoughts. Thinking of how quickly his little brother had grown made him realize the little girl next to him would become an adult far too quickly as well. Elrohir understood he was probably going to watch her leave in the not so distant future, but that didn’t mean their paths had to separate completely. He hoped he would still get the opportunity to watch her grow no matter what happened.

Resting his head more properly against the pillow, the exhaustion from the past two weeks of fervent searching made his eyelids heavy as well. Without realizing he had dozed off, Elrohir was asleep not a minute later.

And within seconds, it felt as if he had woken.

Elrohir’s sleep had been deep and peaceful. It had worried him at first as he feared he slept through the shaking that signified the girl was having a nightmare. The terrors of the nights she had spent out in the woods had haunted her dreams most strongly in her first week with the elves. Whatever horrible visions she was seeing had been steadily slipping away, but the visions did remain. Elrohir was pleased to find though that the girl had slept peacefully through the night as well. He took it as a good sign that the rest of the day would continue to go smoothly.

The girl had rushed off to her room not long after the two of them had woken up to meet whichever maiden would be looking after her for most of the day. Elrohir planned on spending more time with her himself as searching the woods had now become pointless. He dressed quickly as he wanted to speak to Elrond as soon as possible. There was still plenty of time left before the morning meal, and Elrohir planned to present the girl’s new name to her then. As soon as he was ready, Elrohir began making his way down to his father’s study. Elrond always relaxed himself in the morning by doing some reading or writing letters before everyone convened for breakfast. It was a relatively fast walk over to the room given that Elrohir knew all the best shortcuts through the maze-like corridors that made up Imladris.

As always, the door to Elrond’s study was open. His father rarely sent away visitors or those seeking advice even when he was incredibly busy. Elrohir could sense a soft breeze wafting out from the room; the large, curved windows had been opened to let in the crisp autumn air. Elrohir rapped his knuckles against the wooden doorframe as he entered. He had to stop though when Elrond looked up from his book to give him the most puzzled kind of stare.

“Since when have you ever knocked before coming in to see me?” Elrond asked with great amusement.

Elrohir glanced at his hand. When had he ever knocked?

“You’re right,” he admitted with a laugh, “I have absolutely no idea why I did that.”

“Perhaps whatever you wish to talk to me about is of a more serious nature than usual?” Elrond supposed quizzically.

“You could say that, but at the same time it’s hardly an urgent or grave matter.” Elrohir explained, walking casually over to stand in front of his father’s desk.

“That’s good enough news to hear. Tell me about this matter then.”

“Well, last night I was talking to…” Elrohir started, but had to trail off. How was he supposed to continue that sentence? He ran his hand through his hair in frustration, and spoke in annoyance, “See? This is the problem.”

“I’m afraid I’m not following.” Elrond said in confusion.

“I was talking to the child last night.” Elrohir forced the words out.

“Alright. And?”

“The problem is ‘the child’. I hate having to call her by that, and she doesn’t like being addressed by it either. It makes her feel as if…she’s not even a person or something. I told her I would come speak to you this morning to address giving her a proper name.”

“No.” Elrond responded bluntly.

Elrohir blinked a few times. That certainly was not the response he had been expecting. It left his mind spinning.

“No? I…you’ve completely lost me. Did I mess up my wording or have you misunderstood me?”

“You spoke clearly, and I have understood you clearly. My answer is that you are not to give that child a name.” Elrond clarified.

Not that the clarification helped Elrohir any. He continued to stand there and stare at Elrond with eyes slightly wide in shock. His father’s expression had become uncharacteristically cold. His response had been even more so.

“I truly don’t think you heard me properly,” Elrohir pressed onwards more firmly, “Not having a name makes that poor girl feel as if she’s absolutely worthless. She understands that she has been tossed away by whomever she was with, and I think us calling her ‘child’ makes her feel that she’s disposable to us as well.”

“We hardly know that she has been abandoned, and she does not know it either. It is unwise to jump to conclusions. It is also unwise to think it is right to give the child a name.”

“I did not come here to get your permission. I came here to get your input.” Elrohir’s voice grew angry.

“Well, you will not get any. I will repeat also that you will not get my permission either.” Elrond said with a finality that made Elrohir’s blood boil. His ire swelled further still when Elrond returned to his book as if the conversation was over.

“You’re going to be the one that will have to face that girl’s tears when she learns who is responsible from keeping her from feeling as if she holds any importance in this world. I promised her I would get her a name.” Elrohir smacked his palm against his father’s desk.

“It was a promise you were in no position to make. You cannot blame me for your own naïvety.” Elrond responded coolly, not taking his eyes away from his book.

However, that book was soon swiped away from him. Elrohir forcefully tore the book out from under his father’s nose, and scrapped it across the desk to make it land messily with a ‘thump’ onto the ground. Doing such a thing was more Elladan’s style, but Elrohir could be even fouler than his twin when the occasion called for it.

“What is wrong with you?!” he yelled with great rage.

Elrohir wanted to pick the book up and smack it across Elrond’s face when his father calmly folded his hands together on top of the desk and stared at him with mild disapproval.

“I am looking at the larger picture, Elrohir,” Elrond began in a scolding tone, “You are not. It hurts me to admit that for I know I have taught you better, but it is apparent from your childish anger and actions that you are not as much of a mature adult as you like to think you are. I am disappointed in you.”

Elrohir shook with fury as Elrond stood up and walked around the desk. He expected him to continue reprimanding him, but Elrond simply picked up his book, sat back down, and resumed reading. He said nothing further. Elrohir then had half a mind to grab the book and toss it in the fire instead. The idea was incredibly tempting, but he managed to control himself.

“You say you’re disappointed in me,” Elrohir spoke with a shaking voice, “But I don’t think you can be nearly as disappointed in me as I am in you. My real father would never be so heartless.”

At that, he hurriedly walked away. Elrohir slammed the study door loudly as he departed, leaving Elrond sitting in a tense silence before he failed to keep his composure. He hung his head in his hands, and closed his eyes tightly. Elrohir was right. The person he had just been wasn’t him at all. Somehow though, he had quickly undergone a horrible kind of transformation.

Elrond just wanted to protect his family from any more suffering. It had nearly destroyed them all when they had lost Celebrían. He had already been heartbroken enough, but then his precious Arwen had thought his comfort not enough and left him too to go live with her grandparents. Then he had been so distraught by it all that he hadn’t noticed how close he had come to losing Elladan and Elrohir as well. Elrond had been blind as to how strongly their hatred and revenge towards the orcs had consumed them. They would have been devoured entirely, but he had managed to reach out to them just in time.

To protect. He just wanted to protect them where he had been unable to protect his mother, brother, and then his wife. Elrond sighed loudly. He grimly realized that by attempting to fulfill that wish he was creating the pain he was trying so desperately to avoid.

Elladan and Estel had become very worried about Elrohir. Given that he was usually the calmest and most composed of the three of them, his sudden and unexplained anger was most peculiar. The two of them had tried to talk to him to discover the root of the issue, but they rapidly learned it was better for their safety to give him a wide berth that day. Just like they were avoiding him, Elrohir had done everything he could to avoid the girl. He had completely skipped breakfast, and when she tried calling for him afterwards he was nowhere to be found. She pouted most of the day because of this. It didn’t help that she wasn’t allowed to go speak to Elrond either. The maiden watching over her that day, Isebrilia, had told her the lord had shut himself up in his study. When the door was closed, no one was to enter.

The girl popped the bubbles of her evening bath dismally as Isebrilia scrubbed at her hair. Normally she enjoyed playing in the water, but her heart wasn’t in it at that moment. Her blue mood wasn’t lost on her companion.

“You haven’t been very cheerful today.” Isebrilia noted as she ran a cup of water over her sudsy hair.

“Do you know where ‘Ro’s at?”

“Um, no,” Isebrilia stumbled due to the random question, “I have not seen him at all, come to think of it.”

“He said he would get me a name.”

 “Did he now? I think that’s a wonderful idea. I would love to call you by something proper.” Isebrilia smiled.

“But he said he would get it for me this morning, and now he’s nowhere.” the girl revealed sadly.

“I see. That’s why you’ve been so down?”

She nodded.

“I’m sure he has a beautiful name for you,” Isebrilia encouraged, “Lord Elrohir and his brothers sometimes have to be very busy, so he probably did not mean to keep out of contact.”

The girl only nodded again. Isebrilia poured another cup of water over her hair, and was silent for a minute before picking up the conversation.

“Hey, I have an idea. Whatever work has kept him busy should be finished by now. If we get you ready for bed quickly tonight, I’ll do what I can to go find him and see what name he has for you.” she offered.

Isebrilia instantly wished she had waited a bit longer before making the proposal. The girl quickly leaped out of the tub, haphazardly wrapped the large towel on the floor around her, and dashed to the door only to turn back to see what was taking her so long. Isebrilia laughed.

 “Now hold on just a moment, we haven’t even fully washed the soap out of your hair yet.” Isebrilia pointed out.

The girl stared at her for a second and then turned the door handle to leave the bathing room. What did she care if she had soap in her hair?

“Come on now.”

Isebrilia caught her before she could escape the room, and placed her back into the tub. The last several minutes of the bath were chaotic as the girl kept trying to get out. However, she impatiently accepted that she had to be patient, and let herself be washed properly. She was then dried and dressed before her hair was combed and braided for the night. At long last, Isebrilia tucked her under her covers.

“Go!” she demanded with a smile, pointing at the door.

“Alright. Wait right here, and I will return soon.” Isebrilia said with a small smile as she left.

The girl turned on her side so she could watch the door; she barely blinked as the minutes rolled on by. Her high amount of anticipation kept her patient, but after fifteen minutes she began to fidget. She knew very well it didn’t take so long to reach ‘Ro’s room, but her young mind didn’t understand not everyone went to bed at the same time as her. It never crossed her mind that Elrohir might not be in his room. Five more minutes passed. It had been twenty minutes since Isebrilia had left. The girl sat up and pulled the covers off as she couldn’t wait any longer.

It was right at that exact moment when Isebrilia made her reappearance. She smiled, but the smile was forced. Slowly, Isebrilia walked over and sat on the edge of the bed to take the girl’s little hands in her own.

“I am sorry,” she started, “I looked everywhere and asked everyone I saw, but I couldn’t find him. Apparently, he has wanted to make himself scarce today. I don’t think anyone knows save for Lord Elrond and his brothers where he is.”

“So he didn’t get me my name?” the girl asked with a heavy heart.

“I do not know seeing as I wasn’t able to talk to him. Oh, but just because I don’t know doesn’t mean he hasn’t thought of one yet! Like I mentioned before, he might have simply not had the chance to tell you because he’s been so busy!” Isebrilia added the last two sentences when she saw the girl’s face fall further.

However, the girl pulled the covers over her head and tightened them around her. Isebrilia placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Are you alright?”

A weak, muffled ‘yes’ was her answer.

“Just disappointed.” Isebrilia noted before sighing, “The two of us will have to hope for the best tomorrow then. Don’t worry. Your name will come when the time is right. Now, though, it is time for bed.”

Isebrilia gently yanked the covers off the girl’s head and properly tucked her into them.

“Sleep tight.”

With a gentle kiss on the forehead, Isebrilia moved to leave the room for good. She made sure to leave the door ajar to let the soft light from the corridor reach inside. Like most young children, the girl was afraid of the dark. Her fear was further increased due to her ordeals in the forest.

However, this night the darkness was not a concern to the girl. Most of her thoughts were centered on ‘Ro and why he had broken his promise. He had promised he would get a name for her. Now he was nowhere to be found. It didn’t sit right with her at all. After ten more minutes of doing nothing but thinking furiously, the girl decided she wasn’t going to stand the silence. She was going to find ‘Ro whether he wanted to be found or not.

So she silently slipped out of her bed and into the hall. Though most of the older residents of Imladris were still awake, the halls were empty. The girl was thankful for that. Her feet padded quietly against the cold stone of the floor as she swiftly walked towards Elrohir’s room. Not too surprisingly, she discovered that it was empty. She jumped on the bed, looked under it, opened the closet, peered out the window, and checked every other placed in the room where it was possible for a person to hide. Elrohir still wasn’t there. Worse yet, there were signs which showed that the room hadn’t been touched since that morning.

Then the girl remembered what Isebrilia had said. There were three certain people who would know where her quarry was. Despite her limited knowledge of the residents of Imladris’ schedules, she felt safe in betting that Elrond would be in his study. He had been in there all day, after all. Why wouldn’t that be where he still was? A quick glimpse of the corridor showed her no one was in sight. The girl was off once again. It took a long time and many wrong turns, but the familiar sight of the lord’s office came into view. The door was partway open, which was a good thing to see. The girl had no idea what she would have done next if it had still been closed. Though she approached it with eagerness, she froze just before she reached it.

An awful thought had entered her mind. Elrohir had asked her the previous night if something was wrong. He had been suspicious that there was something she was hiding― and there was indeed something that she was hiding. She had been doing something wrong on purpose ever since she had woken up in this place, and had been content in keeping her secret for about a week. Then the guilt had set in. The girl so desperately wanted to say something, but she was afraid. What she knew hurt her, and what the reactions of the elves around her would be if they uncovered her secret scared her. It was occurring to her that Elrohir must have realized what she had been trying so hard to hide. He surely would have gotten angry. That had to be it. He was avoiding her because he was upset with her.

Her heart pounding wildly, the girl stood frozen outside of Elrond’s study. Now what was she supposed to do?

Before him on the desk was the same book from that morning. Elrond’s eyes scanned dully over the words until both pages were looked at. However, he noticed when he went to turn the page that he hadn’t actually read the words at all. His eyes had been seeing the print, but his mind hadn’t absorbed their meaning. For the thousandth time that day, he went back to the top and started again. This predicament of his had been going on all day. It had bothered him greatly at first until he grew to accept that having such terrible concentration was just how his reading was going to go. It wasn’t as if anything else he had tried to accomplish had gone any better either.

Elrond was on the second page again, still not truly absorbing the words, when he heard someone approach his door. He had opened it not too long ago so as to not entirely alarm everyone. He was sure he had prompted many to worry with his sudden and unexplained withdrawal. The footsteps he had heard had been quiet but definite. His strong hearing had easily detected the sounds amongst the silence of the night world. Elrond had assumed the person would simply pass on by. He grew greatly confused though when the person stopped and moved no further. He stared at the door with curiosity.

“Yes? Who is it? You can come in.” he called to his visitor.

He had no idea it was the young girl, who only became more frozen when Elrond called.  Needless to say, she didn’t accept Elrond’s invitation. She kept her feet firmly rooted to the stone floor of the corridor.

“Who is out there? I know you are still there. If you would like to talk to me then you just need to come in.” Elrond tried again.

For a moment, he considered that it might be Elrohir who stood outside. He quickly realized that was a foolish idea. Estel had relayed to him earlier, as only his human son would dare to enter his study when the door was shut, that Elrohir had calmed down enough to gather Elladan and Mora for an impromptu camping trip out in the woods surrounding Imladris. Estel had stayed behind due to his preference to remain where it was warm. Elrond highly doubted Elrohir would have come all the way to speak with him that this particular moment.

 Elrond gave the person a few seconds more. He was about to stand up and go to them since they wouldn’t come to him when a small head slid into his sight. It surprised him when the rest of the girl’s body entered the room. She was certainly the last person he expected to be there. And heavens, did his heart then sink when he spotted her stunningly crestfallen expression. Elrond had gathered from what Estel had said that Elrohir had told no one the details of their morning conversation. He had been expected his middle son to go against his orders instantly and give the girl a name himself, but it seemed he had been far too angry to think of the idea. Elrond couldn’t help but to fear the girl had somehow found out about his cold stance behind her namelessness though. He couldn’t think of anything else that would cause her to look as she did.

“Come over here, child.” he said gently.

He wasn’t thinking when he said that. His chest surged with guilt when the girl twitched at the word ‘child.’ Elrond had been ignoring and feigning ignorance over what Elrohir had revealed to him of her dislike towards being addressed with it. It was true he didn’t want to become overly attached to the little one in front of him, but by no means did he want her to hurt with the intensity that she was hurting then. He was at a loss for what to do. Elrond wished there would be something that could tip him one way or the other so that the indecisiveness he was battling with would disappear.

Despite her twitch, the girl did choose to walk over to him. She let him place her on his lap, but she wouldn’t look up to meet his eye. Her hands were rubbed together in hesitation. Elrond placed his hand over hers, and that was when she did glance up at him.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Am I in trouble?”

The question came out instantly. Elrond stared at the girl in shock and confusion. Always full of surprises, she once again took the conversation in a direction he would have never imagined.

“No, of course you’re not in trouble.” Elrond responded, but then he paused before asking, “Wait, what do you think you’re in trouble for?”

Elrond had assumed she believed she was the cause for the rift between him and Elrohir. He was doing what he had chided Elrohir for doing though― jumping to a conclusion. There was a very strong possibility the girl had done something else she thought was wrong, and felt she had to confess.

“I’ve been lying.” the girl mumbled to her chest a few seconds later.

“What about?” Elrond predictably asked back.

“I ‘member things.”

“You have your memory?!” Elrond asked in disbelief.

“I ‘member just a little, little bit.”

“Oh,” Elrond felt strangely relieved. “Well, what do you remember?”

He wanted to also ask as to why she hadn’t said anything about this extra information she could recall, but he was smart enough to recognize that asking that question would put her off telling him anything. She had already thought he would reprimand her. To get upset at her for not sharing the information sooner would do no good. Besides, Elrond was confident the answer as to why would become apparent by the explanation anyway.

To be honest though, Elrond was afraid of that explanation. He had wanted something to tip the balance of the girl’s fate. Would she be leaving? Would she be staying? The girl might not have all the answers, but Elrond knew what she did know would force him to make the decision. It was why her taking her time to answer was driving him crazy. His heart had already been racing. Having her answer drawn out forced it to beat faster still.

“I see a face.” the girl eventually mumbled.

“A face? What does this face look like?”

“I dunno. I just see this part.”

The girl stretched up her hand and traced along the edge of his head.

“So you only can see the outline?” Elrond asked.

“Mm-hmm. The inside of it is all dark. I can tell it’s a boy though.”

“A boy as in someone your age or someone who is older?”

“A bit younger than ‘Stel, I think?”

“Alright. What else?”

The girl’s silence returned. When her expression fell again, Elrond understood it was the last of her memories causing her woes. It pained him to notice these memories were ones she didn’t want to recall.

“I know everyone is being nice,” she began mumbling again, “They say I’m not abandoned to make me feel better.”

“Do you know otherwise?” Elrond questioned, his voice catching slightly. That was not what he wanted to hear.

Suddenly, the girl’s eyes filled with tears. She rubbed at them with the back of her hands. Elrond shifted her so he could hold her more tightly. He expected that she would be too upset to continue, but she did continue.

“They hate me.” she sniffled.

“Who hates you?”

There was another pause before the girl answered with her voice quieter than ever.

“They’re my family.”

“Are you sure?” Elrond asked firmly. If this was leading to where he thought it was leading, then he could not allow there to be any doubt in the girl’s mind.

“They’re family,” the girl repeated, “There wasn’t any food. I was hungry a lot. They didn’t want to hafta feed me.”

Her sentences were short, her words strained. Her hand moved up to rub at the scar of her head injury. There was a look on her face as if trying to remember was creating physical pain.

“If it hurts to remember, then don’t strain yourself.” Elrond comforted.

She let out a shaky breath of air. Her tears intensified.

“There’s more, isn’t there?” Elrond supposed correctly.

“There is a voice too.”

“You remember what he said?”

“Yeah,” the girl looked down at the floor, “I don’t ‘member him hurting me, but he hurt my head. Then we was in the woods. He told me I would only be useful if I got eated by the wolves in the forest.”

Elrond inhaled sharply, and closed his eyes. There had been no doubt in the girl’s voice, but he wished there had been. It was too painful to think how a young child still so innocent could be hurt in both body and spirit so cruelly. It made his blood boil. This was hardly the first time he had seen a little one be tossed aside by those who were supposed to love and protect them the most, but the sadness of seeing such a thing only increased with each instance. If he hadn’t had the girl on his lap, who he was now rocking gently to reassure her as she cried, he might have had to copy Elrohir in slamming his book to the ground.

He kept on rocking the girl until her sobs turned back into sniffles and her soft shaking stilled. He used his thumb to wipe the tears clinging to her face. The girl stared into his eyes with more confidence than before.

“Ada?” she asked.

Elrond froze.

“What?” he responded in great confusion.

His ‘what’ had not been an answer to her question, but a statement of unbelief. Had she truly just called him ada of all things?

“What?”

Her ‘what’ was the exactly same as his.

“You…just called me ada, didn’t you?” he questioned.

“Uh-huh. ‘Ro, ‘Dan, and ‘Stel call you that. It’s your name.” the girl pointed out in her simple, childlike manner.

He smiled when he realized the error in her understanding.

“No, my name is Elrond. Surely you know that.”

“Yeah. Ada Elrond. Your name.”

He couldn’t help but to laugh. The girl had no idea she was essentially calling him ‘Daddy Elrond.’

“It’s just Elrond. ‘Ada’ is one of the elvish words for father. Elladan, Elrohir, and Estel call me that because, of course, they are my sons.” Elrond clarified.

“Ohhhh…”

“But your name…” Elrond started.

The girl’s attention instantly snapped fully to him. Elrond smiled. Those green, jewel-like eyes of hers glittered at him with excitement and hope. Looking into them, he was swept away. The almost frighteningly strong affection he felt towards her couldn’t be held back any longer. It would be useless to continue denying the truth. She had him caught, and if there would be any pain brought on by what he was about to do then he would face the issue head on when the time came. However, for now, Elrond was going to do what his heart told him was correct.

“I talked to ‘Ro, and he said he would get me a name. He was ‘pposed come to you, but I dunno what happened. I can’t even find him.” the girl revealed dejectedly.

“I’m not surprised that you couldn’t. He has been out in the woods camping most of the day with Elladan and Mora. They are spending the night out there as well. However, Elrohir did come to talk to me about giving you a name. We ran into a bit of an issue when debating it.” Elrond began explaining.

He stopped for a brief second to gauge the girl’s reaction. She was frowning, and he held back a grin.

“The truth is that…I have a name for you.”

If the girl’s beautiful eyes hadn’t charmed his heart, the impossibly large smile radiating the purest kind of happiness that spread across her lips would have done just the trick.

“Whasit!?” she squealed in excitement.

“I don’t think you’ll be surprised to learn the name is of elvish origin,” Elrond started with a chuckle, “It actually came to me on a previous date when I was watching on the balcony you playing in the fountain. I was reminded of your strong love for flowers, but I also was thinking about how you as a human so quickly adapted to living amongst us elves. The name I have for you combines the flowers you love and something precious to us, the stars. I feel that such a combination creates a strong connection to…”

He trailed off when he noticed the pouting frown that had rapidly appeared on the girl’s face.

“You don’t want to listen to any of that, do you?”

“Nope!”

Elrond had a lot of difficulty holding back his laughter. He shook his head at himself. Of course she wouldn’t want to listen to his long-winded explanation at this point in time.

“Alright, then, how does ‘Ellothiel’ sound to you?”

“Eh-lo-what?”

“Ellothiel.” Elrond repeated the word slower.

“Ellothiel?”

“Very good.”

“I like it! And it’s all mine?”

“It’s all yours.”

The newly named Ellothiel was so ecstatic to finally have a name. Her sad manner disappeared entirely as she was bursting with energy. As if the barriers holding a raging river back had been broken, she started telling him about anything and everything. Elrond heard about what Ellothiel liked, what she didn’t like, what she wanted to do, what she found odd about the elves, what she did understand, what she didn’t understand, and so on. He was content to let her ramble. He agreed, disagreed, or gave answers at the appropriate moments. On the conversation went until Ellothiel managed to ask the question that had been the topic which had been floating in the back of Elrond’s thoughts the entire time.

“Are you going to keep searching for my family?”

“No,” Elrond’s answer was immediate, “I would like to know more about your circumstances before you came to us, but that is simply my curiosity. It will be far better to keep you away from your ‘family.’ They don’t deserve you, and you deserve much better. In fact…you know― Elladan, Elrohir, and Estel have grown so fond of you. I have grown fond of you as well. I had made a promise to myself when I first saw you that I would keep you safe. That promise hasn’t faded now. If you want, you can stay here and belong with us.”

“Really?” Ellothiel asked in cheerful surprise.

Elrond nodded.

“I want to stay!”

“Then welcome, Ellothiel.” Elrond said kindly as he gave her another tight hug, which made Ellothiel giggle.

Elrond never would have imagined that in less than an hour things could have changed so drastically. All his fears, concerns, and stress had vanished completely. Elrohir was going to be in quite the state of shock when he returned the following morning. Not only had Ellothiel received a name, but he would be able to dote on her all he wanted as she was remaining in Imladris for good.

“So, do I call you ada too?” Ellothiel asked.

Elrond pondered the matter. He had offered for her to belong with them, but was it right to fully take on the position of her father? Doing so would lead without a doubt to complications in the future. Elrond had to shake his head at himself again though; this time doing it mentally. Why was he hesitating? He had already plunged into the depths of the situation. All he could do was accept the inevitable. Ellothiel had now broken away from whatever fate to which she had been previously bound. It was time for her to start anew.

“You can.”