Chapter Text
“What is the letter about Adar?”
Elrond, with an expression of surprise, shifted his gaze towards Elladan, momentarily diverting his attention from the missive that had been dispatched to him by Manwe, the Eldar King, himself.
He had forgotten he wasn’t alone in the dining room.
“Erm… I… it´s… I need to talk with your Emel for a moment. Alone.”
Celebrian, feeling the sense of unease in Elrond asked, "what is the matter?" her concern heightened as Elrond passed her the letter, his hand trembling slightly.
After reading the letter, Celebrian's expression morphed into one of horror as she gazed up at him, "will you be going?" she asked softly with a shaking voice, her eyes locked onto his.
“The Valar are asking me to go…”
“But it isn´t an order.”
“No… let me think about it.”
"My lord and lady are happy you would come, it means a lot to them,” Eönwë warmly welcomed Elrond, expressing gratitude on behalf of the lord and lady for his presence. Leading Elrond on a tour of his supposed assigned living quarters within the palace, “you must understand they want the best for him. He is their brother after all,” Eönwë said, after finishing the tour.
"I understand completely, I'd act in a similar manner if the situation involved my own brother. Had he done something as horrendous too... which he wouldn´t have!" Elrond hurried to correct his try for utterly failed comforting words.
Subsequently, Eönwë gazed directly into Elrond's eyes with a grave expression, exuding an air of utmost seriousness. Employing gestures reminiscent of a bird's movements, he proceeded to speak, "it may interest you to learn that Melkor is presently bearing the guise of a child. This was deemed necessary as it was the sole means by which we could prevent him from wreaking havoc and bringing about widespread destruction."
Elrond's disbelief was evident as he halted and then finally questioned, "you turned HIM into a child? HE is really just a child now? And you expect me to be responsible for his well being?" the disbelief dripped from his voice.
"Yes, however, he keeps a small amount of power, although it is lacking enough to pose any threat to anyone. If that is the source of your concern," Eönwë reassured in a composed manner reminiscent of a casual conversation about the weather, "the remaining strength at his disposal is insignificant, leaving no cause for alarm regarding potential dangers or risks to others around."
"That is fine, I suppose. Could you let me know when I'll get the chance to meet him?"
“Tomorrow at dinner, with the lord and lady.”
Melkor made a deliberate effort to appear imposing by increasing his height by standing on tiptoes and crossing his arms in a confident stance as he fixed a piercing gaze upon Tulkas, as if intending to assert dominance. Like a cat.
Yet, it didn´t have much effective since the size gap turned out to be larger than usual, resulting in a poor attempt from the small Vala´s side.
"Melkor, get down from the table." Varda said, her voice firm yet composed, as she entered the room and immediately noticed Melkor standing defiantly on top of the table, engaging in a fierce stare-down with Tulkas, who returned the glare with equal intensity.
The previously magnificent room, which had cried majesty just five minutes ago, had swiftly transformed into a chaotic scene with shattered glass scattered across the floor and various pieces of furniture lying in ruins. The once elegant setting now bore the scars of destruction and disarray.
"Tulkas, I don´t even know what you are doing here! My instruction was to find a Maia to care for him, not to wreck the entire room!" she hissed at the blond Vala.
Tulkas looked at her a bit hurt, “he's the one who threw a vase at me!”
“And then you destroyed the room!” Melkor hissed.
“He hid under the table and laughed at me!”
“He tried to throw me against a wall!”
"Both of you are acting like children," she mumbled before whispering a small apology to Melkor, as she gestured with her hand, causing the room to autonomously tidy itself up.
Elrond gazed tenderly at the young child standing before him, displaying a gesture of defiance by crossing his arms and puffing out his chest. In an attempt to seem tough, he thought to himself.
The young boy sported a mop of untamed, curly black hair atop his head, complemented by striking icy blue eyes devoid of any visible pupil and black sclera.
“You´re ugly.”
Elrond's brows furrowed in confusion as he gazed down at the young boy, taken aback by his unexpected remark. "I-I'm sorry, what did you say?" he inquired gently, trying to make sense of the situation. The child's blunt words hit him by surprise, "has anyone ever told you it´s rude to say that kind of thing?”
"... As if I care! Most would just be happy about my honesty!" he exclaimed sharply as he sat off to dash around a close corner.
As he was on the verge of vanishing, a towering, well built man with sun kissed skin and shoulder length golden hair seized the young boy by his arms. Without any concern for the child's desperate struggles – his kicks and hits with all the force his tiny limbs could muster – he proceeded to march back toward Elrond.
"You shouldn´t let him speak like that to you," the man said in a firm tone as he released his grip on the boy, causing him to descend onto the ground with a heavy grunt as he landed on his bottom.
Elrond smiled hesitantly at the young boy with a warm smile, "it is fine, I assure you," he said as he introduced himself warmly, "I am Elrond, and it is nice to meet you."
The young boy, remaining seated on the ground with his gaze fixed to the white marble tiles, bluntly spoke, "I find no pleasure in meeting you, and I hold no interest in your presence. I. Don´t. Care."
“Melkor!” the other man said in a harsh tone.
Melkor muttered sneeringly, "I have no interest in an insignificant elf, and my indifference towards a stupid elf will never waver!"
Elrond intervened as the second man appeared inclined to address the young Vala - or old, Elrond wasn´t sure - by lifting his hand, “if you would not mind, I think I can handle this?”
"Remain vigilant, elf. he´s going to stab you in the back if you aren´t he will stab you in the back," he warned as he slowly moved away.
Melkor, after a brief pause, quietly murmured, "I have never stabbed anyone in the back... at least not through physical means."
Elrond sighed and sat down on the floor next to Melkor.
As Elrond gazed out through a hallway window, Melkor´s eyes met Elrond's as he questioned, "why would you even come here? It´s only boring things happening if there´s even anything happening!" he exclaimed, attempting to convey anger, yet a subtle twinkle of curiosity lingered within his to clever gaze, undisguised to Elrond's watchful eyes.
“Because I don’t believe in evil,” Elrond said with a smile and was answered with a small oh.
“I also believe in second chances.”
Melkor gazed deeply into Elrond's eyes, causing Elrond to shiver slightly upon meeting that penetrating gaze once more. It was said that some of those who looked into Morgoth´s eyes lost their mind, and now he wondered how much of that was true.
"You're utterly lost,” the small Vala muttered.