𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬

𝘌𝘭𝘧

Yesenia probably had not yet realized everything that was happening around her. It had happened so quickly that only a week after meeting the King did she come to terms with the reality she had been thrown into.

For centuries, she had learned to be indifferent to emotions, to life, to live apathetically, burying the joyful and engaging character she once had. Only now could she feel anger and relief in their fullness. Only now had she realized that she had been in the presence of Gil Galad, a powerful warrior admired by her parents, especially her father, who had chosen to stay with him in Middle-earth. That elf, with a supposedly wise soul, had helped and saved her, and yet a thin thread of anger still wouldn't leave.

Why had he been so ignorant about these bands of men? Had he convinced himself that after Morgoth's defeat, evil had been completely eradicated from the world? That didn't seem like the thought of a wise person, but after all, who was she to question his judgment?

Someone who had lost her family.

That was true. But the King's will to eliminate all remaining bands of men hiding in the shadows of his lands and save any elves who may have been taken hostage gave her a strength she had forgotten she could feel.

___________

"I do not understand how this was possible. How did I fail to notice?" The King was torturing himself over his mistake, over his failure. The thought that Yesenia was just one example of an elf in the hands of men led by evil made him feel as though he had personally condemned them to such a fate.

Elrond watched his cousin from one side of the hall. He understood his distress, a distress he shared, after all, he was still the King's Herald. It was a concern that Galadriel, as Lieutenant, shared as well. But everyone would place the true blame entirely on the King. It would have been different if others had noticed and the King had dismissed it as unimportant. But no one in that realm had realized anything, so the blame rested on all of them.

"We cannot have eyes everywhere. It was a terrible mistake, but one we will fix, and we will bring home any other elf that has been captured" said Elrond, stepping forward, trying to lift the King's spirits for the imminent mission.

"I've already begun the search. These men are not fools, and they do not choose famous elves as their prey. They prefer humble folk or elves who have left Lindon to travel to other Realms, whose fates we couldn't possibly have known. I learned this by investigating in the city about some disappearances: so far, I've only found one lead, another elf who disappeared around fifty years ago. But I believe they go far beyond the borders of the Grey Havens" the brown-haired elf concluded as the King wandered thoughtfully around the vast room.

"Very well. Let's begin the mission. Put Galadriel in command of the company, gather the most efficient elves you know. This requires immediate action."

"Shall I go as well, my King?"

"No. I need you here, Elrond" the King said, looking at him with eyes full of awareness of the elf's necessary presence at court. Elrond bowed his head in acknowledgment, taking his leave and heading for the door.

"I need your counsel, Elrond" the King declared, as if he were shedding his mantle of Regent to become an ordinary elf, weighed down by great sorrow.

"What can we do for the elf? She has nothing left. We've given her a new beginning, yet I feel as though it isn't enough." Elrond turned back, a slight smile on his face.

"I imagine the best thing is to give her the freedom to choose her own future, whatever she wishes to do. And in moments of confusion, perhaps... a guide." The father she had lost-perhaps that was something she needed, too. Although Gil Galad could never replace Yesenia's creator, he would do his utmost to guide her toward the light in her times of darkness.