The Last Riding of the Firstborn came ever closer to the Grey Havens. In it rode Galadriel, Lady of Imladris; Elrond Half-elven, Lord of Imladris; Glorfendil, the Balrog-slayer; and many other princes and ladies of the houses and realms of the Firstborn in Middle Earth. Many were singing. Others were relishing the beauty of nature on this their last journey through these lands. But not all were rejoicing or even at peace. The most notable being the Lord of Imladris himself.

Ever since his daughter Arwen had wed Aragorn-and thus had forsaken her immortality for mortal love, Elrond had become increasingly quiet and more withdrawn. On the day the group left Imladris, headed west, he had hesitated at the bridge, turning to look southward to the city were she and Aragorn now reigned as King and Queen over the world of men. Elrond knew that she was now forbidden to journey west, and once he took ship for Valinor, he would be parted from her forever.

Galadriel, who was becoming increasingly worried about his unease, silently asked, ‘What is wrong my son.” Her empathic ability had told her the true answer long ago. She asked in hopes of drawing him out and getting him to talk about his grief-thus easing its burden.

‘What do I tell her mother? Arwen was her joy as much as mine. Why? Why? I loved Celebrian and have lived this last age without her at my side. Why has the Valar forbidden my daughter to come to Valinor even after Aragorn’s death? I know the pain she will have to endure. Why? How will I ever explain it to Celebrian?’ First Elros and now my daughter…’

“In time you will understand why. Then you will know what to tell her mother.” Galadriel said.

Suddenly a voice, ahead on the trail, called out. “My lord, my lady, wait a moment, please my lord. I have a message for you.’

Elrond looked, wondering who would dare to stop the Firstborn on their journey toward the Grey Havens. He looked and stared in awe, for there in the rode stood……Elros. Shaking his head to clear his mind, Elrond asked, “What is thy message and who is it from?”

“From thy brother, my lord.” The man’s voice tone was even similar to Elros’.

Startled and angry, Elrond got down off his horse, and forcefully said, “My brother is dead as you well know.”

“Thy brother lives in his descendants, my lord. I am called Elrodain, the youngest child of the youngest child on back through the generations of men to Elros Minyatur himself.

Though not of the royal line, I am Numenorean and have ridden with Lord Aragorn. My forefathers always remained true to the Valar. When the King of Numenor took upon himself the title that belonged only to Manwe, my ancestor took ship away from Numenor towards the eastern lands. He knew that the patience and protection of Manwe was not to be trifled with and Numenor was swiftly sealing its own doom.

Thy brother gave his youngest child a great gift and a commission, he and his heirs after him. I am here to fulfill it.”

“What commission?” Elrond asked.

“The commission to ever be watchful over the Lord Elrond and to stop the Lord of Imladris when he took his final journey into the west, to give him this gift, and to tell him it is from his brother.”

Elrodain then presented Elrond with a beautiful sealed white-wooden box.

“It is said in my family that the box was made from the fallen limbs of Nimloth, the great tree of Numenor. Elros charged the caretakers of the tree that if they ever found a twig or limb of the tree upon the ground, they were to bring it straightway to the king. What became of the wood, no one knew. But upon his death he charged his youngest child with an oath and then presented him with this box. He stated that he had sealed it himself and no one but you, my lord were to open it – and not until you made your final journey.”

Elrond took the box and gently broke the seal. Cautiously he opened it. There on a bed of satin lay a beautiful clasp and an ancient parchment – sealed with Elros’ seal.

Elrond took the parchment and unrolled it with great care.

Tears formed in Elrond’s eyes as he read a final letter from Elros to himself. It said:

My beloved brother,

Soon I will take the long journey of all mortals.

I told you that, even though each of us chose a different path, we would never be parted. I have never broken that pledge to you and I do not intend to start now.

You will have my children about you after my passing and while you are in the Sundered Lands. As you can tell by just looking at the messenger who presented this gift to you, the acorn did not fall far from the oak.

It is part of my commission to them that the youngest male child of each generation would be the one the commission was to be passed on to.

Do you remember the day I sailed to the Isle of Elenna? I asked for a lock of your hair to keep with me always. That part of you I placed in a clasp and I wear it every day upon my breast. I have made you an identical one and placed a lock of my hair in it. It is now before you. My children cannot watch over you now nor follow you to Aman, so take the clasp, my brother, in fulfillment of my promise to never leave you and to always be with you.

Take it as a gift from the youngest to the eldest, from the younger brother to the elder brother, from the Younger Children to the Firstborn.

Namarie my beloved brother,
Elros

Lovingly, Elrond placed the parchment back in the box. The clasp was beautiful, two Elven Es entwined around a star and a seabird. He reached and clutched it to his heart. In doing so the tears of grief and longing stifled for more than two ages of man broke forth.

Elrodain, filled with compassion and familial love, places his arms around Elrond’s shoulders and drew him close. Gently stroking Elrond’s back as the tears flowed and then gradually subsided.

Raising his head, Elrond looked into the gray eyes of Elrodain. Reaching out Elrond touched the face of his brother’s likeness. “So like Elros, you are indeed my brother’s child. For he too, used to comfort me when I wept.”

“Weep no more, my uncle. For in the Choice of the Brothers both kindreds have been blessed and strengthened. Thus the real reason for Manwe’s decree of the half-elven was given.

Elrond looked startled and listened as Elrodain continued. “The Younger Children lived longest in the shadow of the accursed one and will always need the added strength and courage of the Elder Children. But Manwe knew the Eldar would not always be here in the Sundered Lands. So some of the Firstborn must have needs to become members of the race of the Edain. That is why, at key times in our joint histories, the blood of the Younger Children has been strengthened by the genes of the Firstborn, and the Firstborn encouraged by the indomitable spirit of the Followers.

And in joining the two bloodlines, an unbreakable bond of brotherhood has been forged. Many times it has been tested with strife, but never broken-just as it always has been between brothers down through the ages of time.”

Elrond felt a great weight lift from him and peace entered his being at last.

Elrodain sensing the change released his arms and placed a hand upon Elrond. “Namarie, my uncle. Safe journey to a swift and glorious sunrise.”

Elrond grasped Elrodain to prevent him from leaving. He then removed his own cloak clasp and replaced it with his brother’s gift. He then took his clasp and placed it upon Elrodain. Seeing the tears in his nephew’s eyes, Elrond gently kissed his forehead and stepped back.

Elrodain bowed and mounted a horse that has been quietly grazing by a tree. With one last look at Elrond, he sped down the road the elves have just traveled on.

Smiling, Elrond remounted and pressed his horse forward.

Elrond closed his eyes, and taking a deep cleansing breath, silently said, ‘Thank you, my brother. Now I understand not only thy choice, but also my daughter’s. Now I know what to tell Celebrian. ”

Finis.