The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings one shots and Imagines

Fountain of knowledge - Part 1 - Elrond x Reader

Elrond placed another book atop the already teetering pile of tomes that sat precariously on his desk. He had spent days searching through every book and manuscript that Rivendell housed. Every foxed and dog eared piece of vellum had been checked and double checked. Yet none of his vast collection had given him an answer.

He had found a tattered and torn manuscript, some time ago. A beautifully written and expertly illustrated manuscript, that he had never seen before. Within it was a legend, an ancient eleven legend that spoke of the sun and the moon. Of the stars and the black blanket of night. Yet when he had come to the end, the last page had been missing. Torn from its binding. The lost sheet denying the half-eleven lord, the answer to the true origins of the Valar. And since that moment, he had been searching for the missing leaf. Searching for anything that would give him the knowledge that he desired.

With a heavy sigh, Elrond leaned back into his chair. His eyes closing as he rubbed his temples, trying to soothe the dull ache in his head that had been growing all day. He had always prided himself on being intelligent. On having knowledge of a vast array of subjects. Yet he knew that he didn't know everything. He knew that there was only one creature in the whole of Middle earth that could claim that. And that being was the one that all called the 'Fountain of knowledge'. Though, those that knew her well enough, were permitted to call her (Y/n).

The Fountain was a secretive creature that lived in a small, yet impressive dwelling that was hidden behind one of the great waterfalls of Elrond's kingdom. No one could claim to know where she had come from. In truth, no one was old enough to remember that far back. And no one knew exactly what she was. To all, she seemed similar to the elves with whom she lived. Appearing as elegant and tall as any other elleth. Yet, she was different in other ways. Her ears were longer and more pointed. Her hearing and eyesight sharper than any other elf that Elrond had ever met. And her eyes appeared jet black, yet within them were a trillion lights, with a swirl of colour that spoke of something otherworldly. That spoke of the Aratar.

Over his long life, Elrond had been to consult the Fountain, many times. Her little home drawing him, as well as the many visitors that came to Rivendell from far and wide, to find out the answers to their questions. And each time that he had seen her, he was sure that she had grown more beautiful. More exquisite. As if time and the years meant nothing. The Fountain only becoming more perfect with every passing second. Recently, he had found himself calling on her more often. Not with any question. Not because he required knowledge that only she had. But because she had the ability to make him smile. The gift of making him laugh. The capability of making him feel less alone. Elrond always feeling as though he were young again, as soon as he set foot over her hearth.

Slowly, he opened his eyes. Turning his gaze to the sky that lay beyond the great windows. The sun was beginning to set, bathing his realm in a wonderful orange and red glow. If he was going to call on the Fountain, then there was no better time. She would have tea brewing. The pleasant smell of honey cakes would be filling the air. And he knew that she would always have a cup waiting, just in case he appeared for one of his impromptu visits.

Elrond rose from his chair, his hand reaching out for the manuscript that had caused his current state of confusion. He doubted that he needed it. The lord sure that as soon as he mentioned the tale, (Y/n) would instantly be able to give him the answers that he so craved. Yet he felt a need to show her it.

Quietly, Elrond made his way from his chambers. The lord nodding in greeting to the others that were making their way through the gardens, so that they could enjoy the last warm light of the day. He had always noticed that (Y/n) wasn't one for the sun. She seemed to prefer the night. The shimmer of the countless, diamond like stars. The glow of the great celestial night-time orb, seeming, if it were possible, to make the Fountain, all the more exquisite.

Making his way down the path that led behind the great waterfall and to (Y/n) humble dwelling, the half eleven lord couldn't help but feel the usual sense of, well, of excitement that he got when he was about to see her. On many occasions, he had thought about asking (Y/n) to be his. To do him the honour of being his bride and the lady of Rivendell. It had been so long since Celebrian had taken the ship to the Undying Lands. So long that he had only had his children for comfort. Yet there was always something that seemed to hold him back. Something that made him hesitate, despite himself and his feelings. Yet perhaps this evening would be different. Perhaps, this evening was the right time to ask her the question that he had always wanted to ask. The one that had always kept him going back to see the Fountain.

"Come in my dear Elrond. The door is open." A melodious voice called out, as Elrond raised his hand to knock on the elaborately carved wooden door that led to (Y/n)'s home. Elrond smiling and shaking his head as he reached for the handle and slowly pushed on the ingress.

He knew that he should know better by now. That not once had he ever been able to knock. She had always known that he was there. Always known that he was coming. Yet he always tried. The great lord making it a little game with himself to see if one day that he could catch (Y/n) off guard. But obviously that day, was not today.

"Make yourself comfortable. I have a fresh pot of night blooming jasmine tea brewing, and the honey cakes have just come out of the oven. I know that you like them warm." The voice called out again. Elrond's smile growing even broader, as he took his usual chair next to the softly crackling fire in the hearth. The scent of the hot cakes making him sigh happily. He would give anything for this scene to occur every night. To be able to return to his chambers after a long day and have (Y/n) waiting for him. To sit across from her and tell her of his work. Of how much he loved.........

"And to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Nin meld er?" (Y/n) enquired as she made her way into the room. Her hands filled with a tray of tea and cakes. Elrond sure that his heart would burst from his chest as he looked up at her. The Fountains eyes and smile appearing brighter than ever before.

He loved how she would refer to him as her dear one. The small shows of affection that there had always been between them. Affection, that he knew on his part at least, had grown stronger over their many years of friendship. That had grown stronger, more recently.

"I have a question, (Y/n). I........."

"Well, I wouldn't expect it to be anything else, lend er. Why else would you be here?" (Y/n) interrupted with a chuckle as she sat across from him and handed him a cup of the fragrant tea. Elrond feeling a little foolish for saying something so blatantly obvious.

"Yes, of course.........I have actually come to speak with you about this." Elrond agreed. Placing his cup on the small table, before pulling the ancient manuscript out from under his robes. The Lord of Rivendell's brows furrowing in confusion as (Y/n) grew wide eyed and gasped softly. Her hand shakily reaching out to take the battered and torn pages from his hand.

"Where did you find this? I have not seen this since before the First Age. I thought I would never see it again." (Y/n) said quietly. As she brushed her fingertips over the parchment.

"This is yours?"

"Yes. I thought that I had lost it forever." (Y/n) replied. Her long fingers delicately turning the pages.

"I'm sorry, I did not know, (Y/n). I found it some time ago in the library. I hope that you do not mind, but I read it. Yet the last page is missing. And that is what I have come to ask you about.........."

"The last page isn't missing, Elrond. I have it. It was the only piece of the story that I had left. The only piece of my life........."

"Your life?" Elrond interrupted. The lord moving closer and carefully taking (Y/n)'s hand.

"But this speaks of the sun and moon. Of the star and the night sky. The Valar. The..........."

"Yes, Elrond. I know. It is the story of my family." (Y/n) interjected. The Fountain rising to her feet and taking a deep breath as she prepared to answer the lords question.