Burden by Independence1776

Chapter 1

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Elrond rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed. He had eaten a light breakfast of toast with jam, not exactly hungry. Celebrían hadn’t needed to ask why his usually hearty appetite had vanished. He should not-- could not-- put off his task for any longer than had he already. It was now a decent hour of the morning; Thranduil would be prepared for the day.

Elrond leaned back in his seat and dropped his hand to his lap. He reached out with his mind. Thranduil?

A faint grumbling and then a snappish, What? This had better be important, Elrond.

Did I wake you? It would have been strange if he had; last night should have been ordinary for the Mirkwood Elves.

Hardly, Thranduil’s mental voice drawled. Merely interrupted the one quiet morning I’ve had all year.

Then he certainly wasn’t going to be in the mood to hear anything of what Elrond had to tell him. Thranduil, it’s of the uttermost importance.

Thranduil’s mental voice sharpened. Did the Dark Lord return?

Not as far as I am aware.

Then what happened?

Elrond swallowed. Celebrían was attacked by orcs in the Redhorn Pass. She was rescued almost immediately, but there is no doubt she was deliberately targeted.

Thranduil’s momentary silence definitely held several curse words. Is she injured?

She had a broken arm and has made a full recovery. Elrond paused and “said” somewhat softer. Maglor rescued her before the guards with her had hardly noticed she was taken.

The Kinslayer? Are you sure?

Elrond held back the words he wanted to fling across their mental conversation, but Thranduil did not need to hear them for the hundredth time as he would never understand why Elrond cared so much for Maglor. He killed the orcs taking her away from the battle and returned to Imladris with the remaining guards and Celeborn’s force.

So he’s there?

He is.

You did not contact me simply to inform me your so-called father is residing with you. What else?

The official invitation will be sent out shortly, but we are holding a council here at midsummer, given the seriousness of the situation.

The pause was more thoughtful this time. I shall attend. Will the Kinslayer have left by then?

Elrond winced, but kept that reaction from Thranduil. Celebrían and I extended the invitation for him to reside here. He accepted.

The shout Elrond had expected never came. Instead, Thranduil’s mental voice had a distinct tone of resignation. Keep him away from my people and me. He was Exiled for a reason, Elrond. I will wait to… express my displeasure in person.

Elrond nodded. That could be either better-- Thranduil might calm down-- or it could be worse due to him dwelling on it. I understand.

Good. Thranduil’s voice softened. Give my regards to Celebrían. I am glad to hear she escaped almost unscathed.

Before Elrond could respond, Thranduil firmly shut Elrond out of his mind. Elrond straightened up in his chair and sighed. That was likely the best that conversation could have gone. He’d expected it to end with a mental argument and a migraine that would last the remainder of the day and it thankfully hadn’t. But he had done as he’d promised. His stomach grumbled, interrupting his thoughts. Maybe there was a scone or other pastry leftover from breakfast still available in the kitchens.