Lorinand Memoirs: The Bough Breaks

Chapter - 10

"Please, make yourself comfortable." Elrond said quietly, waving his hand toward the large open sitting area as he pulled the door closed behind them. "You have only just arrived and have not yet had the chance to see how things work here. King Amdír does not follow the customary formalities of most nobles or palace courts."

"As I'm sure Galion has already explained, Lórinand is different, rather unique actually." Elrond continued as he went into the small kitchen area to collect their cups. "The Nandor were the first inhabitants of the vales while the Wood elves occupied the surrounding forests. Lórinand as a city came to be only because of the number of both Sindar and Noldor who sought refuge after the second Kinslaying near the end of the First Age." He said as he returned to the sitting area, pouring him a cup of the herbal tea and a cup of the regular tea for himself.

"My father has told me of the Kinslaying and the Noldor." Thranduil commented, watching him intently as the older elf seated himself in a chair opposite him.

"It is no secret, I am aware that Oropher holds a high degree of disdain for them." Elrond stated, returning the same guarded but observant gaze. "In truth I myself am of Noldor heritage yet I am only half elven. My mother fell in love with a man, they eventually married and she bore him twins, myself and my brother Elros. Here in Lórinand one is not judged by the past acts of their forbearers or by their heritage. We are all the children of Eru (God) and we acknowledge that we have all been blessed with free will to choose the paths we will follow."

Studying him, Elrond saw for the first time the storm that erupted within the depths of those beautiful eyes that stared back at him. Smiling to himself as he noted the complete change in the young princes' expression, only the slightest narrowing of his eyes and the subtle shift in his jaw spoke volumes of distrust yet his eyes seemed filled with unanswered questions.

"At least now I know how to get under your skin." Elrond told him silently, smiling to himself as he recalled the meeting in the vale the previous evening. Unaware that his comment regarding the right of free will had renewed his anger toward his father as the young prince recalled his conversation with Galion not that long ago.

"It is that right of free will that brings many here to experience the Solitara." Elrond continued, choosing to change the subject.

"The Solitara?" Thranduil asked, a slight frown creasing his brow as he studied the older elf from over the rim of his teacup.

"It is the elven ritual of self-seeking." Elrond stated, smiling as he met the princes' gaze evenly. "It normally occurs the first time when an elf reaches adulthood. It is only then that one can truly look within oneself and be objective in self-criticism."

"The first time?" Thranduil asked curiously, his interest was fully peaked. This was something he had never heard of or read about in any of the books in his fathers' library.

"There are different things that happen in our lives that cause us to question ourselves, who we are, even the world around us." Elrond began as he rose to refill their cups. "These questions are the result of how we understand and feel about those things. Like yourself for example, you are out of sorts as you put it because you do not see structure here. I find it more than interesting that you spoke of this feeling as neither good nor bad instead of right or wrong. It demonstrates an insightfully reasoned approach to something new rather than an impulsive rejection of something simply because it is different."

"I do not..." Thranduil paused, struggling as much for the right words as for how much he was willing to reveal about himself. "I cannot judge what is right or wrong for others." He stated after long moments.

"You have an interesting grasp on the right of free will." Elrond commented, smiling warmly at him. "As with all things there must be balance. Free will must be tempered with the rule that it harm none."