The Great Sacrifice

An Uncomfortable Conversation

Two weeks had passed before Lord Elrond arrived in the Elvenking's halls. Now they were in the middle of a lengthy conversation.

"If your bond had been completed, yes. But it is not yet complete. At this stage, your bond should be, at a small extend, strengthened because you see each other daily. That she was able to see in her dreams through your eyes while you were in Dale is highly unusual. I myself have never heard of anything like that before. When that happened it was just at the very beginning of your bond, am I right?" Elrond looked at Thranduil questioningly.

"Yes," replied Thranduil.

Elrond continued to question the king. "Tell me, how many times had you actually spoken to her until that day?"

"I had met her thrice and had spoken to her twice."

"Hmmm..." Elrond glanced at the king thoughtfully.

"But on the very evening when it happened, your bonding energy was all over the room," added Galion, who was standing besides the king.

Elrond was curious. "Was it?" he asked with raised eyebrows.

Galion nodded. "I felt it. It was very powerful but calm at the same time. The atmosphere of the room had changed dramatically."

Upset by Galion's words, Thranduil protested. "There was no drama. It was just a little moment we shared. That is all."

Elrond raised his eyebrows even higher at Thranduil's remark. "Just a little moment you shared? My dear friend, even if you do not like the idea of it, bonding sometimes occurs under the most unlikely circumstances. And there is no way you can control that. It will eventually take place if it is meant to. Just think of our history. This is not the first time something like this has happened among the elves.

"You don't have to give me lessons on our history or bonds. I'm no elfling anymore," retorted Thranduil angrily.

"No, of course you are not, but I bonded with my wife thousands of years ago. And you? You bonded with the girl a few weeks back. That makes me wiser on this matter. Don't you agree?"

Thranduil gave Elrond an annoyed look.

Elrond continued, "Well, as I perceive it, your bond will be an exceptionally strong one. There is no doubt about it. You have to accept it and, in the long run, you will see it will set in motion many good things in your life and in your kingdom. It will be a change for the better. It will bring something into your life and your realm which has been absent for far too long."

Thranduil looked at Elrond, his voice cold as ice now. "And what will that be?"

Elrond smiled at the king. "Happiness."

"I have checked the astrological constellations upon her arrival in your realm. She arrived here on the eleventh day of the new moon, didn't she? This is the day of changes for elves. Do not tell me that you did not notice it. I have double checked it astrologically and there can be no mistake. And she returned to you on the day of Varda. The day of Light. This day bears only auspicious qualities. What more does it have to transpire for you to understand that this is a good thing? It is good and it will bring you peace. An inner peace which you, more than anyone else, deserve my friend. Jump over your shadow and have faith in the will of the Valar, which is, in my opinion, definitely at work here."

Thranduil looked at Elrond doubtfully. "Is it?"

Elrond nodded. "Yes. I am sure of that. After all the signs that I have seen and from what I have heard from all of you so far, I am certain. Cast your doubt aside, my friend. As I said, prepare yourself and your kingdom for the changes that are about to take place."