Thorns by Elwen

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

B2MeM Challenge: Bingo card I28 Aeglos
Format: Scenelette
Genre: Angst
Rating: Gen
Warnings: N/A
Characters: Elrond
Pairings: N/A
Creators' Notes (optional): none
Summary: Elrond remembers



He set the bundle upon a table, only staring at it for a long time. When his hand reached out to lift the cloth he noted its tremor and paused to clench and unclench his fist until it stopped. Finally, as he had done every year upon this date, he lifted the blue cloth to display one of the few relics of his greatest friend that remained.

The shaft had long since rotted away. Orc blood could be corrosive over time and it had been soaked through in their black ichor when Elrond had retrieved it from the battle field, many days after he had buried its owner, his King. But Aeglos’ mithril blade was clean and bright, the engraving as crisp as the day it had been wrought. He had cleaned it himself, his tears anointing as he worked.

Elrond smiled, remembering how, Gil-galad had allowed him to heft it once. With the impetuosity of youth he had almost taken off his foot at his first swing. Gil-galad had laughed and sent him for lessons with the sword master, declaring that with a shorter weapon Elrond would be less likely to do harm to his friends or himself. Determined to prove himself, Elrond had become a master with the blade.

Years later, at the Siege of Barad-dur he drank his fill of fighting and death. Lance and sword were put away; replaced by lancet and scalpel. Now Elrond of Imladris wielded only healing in his strong hands.

He stared at those hands now, turning them this way and that, and moonlight glanced blue upon Gil-galad’s parting gift; both power and shackle. One day he hoped that it too would become some cloth wrapped relic; that he would hug his dearest friend close once more before the world drew its final breath.

END

Comments

[zdenka]

This is beautifully written. I especially like "Lance and sword were put away; replaced by lancet and scalpel." and "moonlight glanced blue upon Gil-galad’s parting gift; both power and shackle."

[kayleelupin.livejournal.com]

Ohh, beautiful, poignant and sad. It makes me want to hug Elrond so very much. lignota found my favorite lines, too, but I like the details of Elrond's care for this famous relic, Aeglos the Snow-thorn. (I've often wondered if Aeglos, then, would mean "Icicle", because the idea of orcs being stabbed with a giant icicle for some reason amuses me...well, anyway) And the mention of Vilya, unnamed but still there - I can see why Elrond would feel his lord, kinsman and friend's parting gift a burden.

Well done :)

Kaylee Arafinwiel

[shirebound]

Oh my, what a poignant scene.

Lance and sword were put away; replaced by lancet and scalpel. Now Elrond of Imladris wielded only healing in his strong hands.

Beautiful.

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Elrond saw too much fighting in his long, long life.

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

This is very moving. Elrond knew so many losses in his long life. I love the contrast you drew between the warrior he was and the healer he became.

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

I think having Vilya more or less forced him to stay put and re-evaluate.

[rhymer23.livejournal.com]

I really like this, especially the lines that others have already singled out, and the final sentence. In just a few words, this piece says a lot, not just about Elrond, but about the power of relics and memory.

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)

[blslarner.livejournal.com]

That spear point must have been gorgeous as well as deadly. I feel for Elrond's grief, and understand about the Ring proving both a source of power and a form of terrible constraint, almost imprisonment.

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I've always looked at the three as constraint as well as power. They cannot leave Me until the One is gone.

[nialoke]

This is so poignant and beautiful. I'm with lignota, kayleelupin and rhymer23, in choosing your description of Elrond's becoming a healer and the reference to Vilya as my favourite lines. I can see how the war and the death of his friend and mentor might have been a main influence in Elrond's decision to become a healer, and his wish for Vilya to become a relic - implying Sauron's defeat and the One's destruction - is all to understandable.

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed reading it.

[mysterious-jedi.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed this. I think it will be a joyous reunion when Elrond and Gil-galad meet again.

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :) I think they may just crack open a bottle of wine.

[mithrial.livejournal.com]

Lance and sword were put away; replaced by lancet and scalpel. Now Elrond of Imladris wielded only healing in his strong hands.

Beautiful writing. Lovely scene.
XX Tia

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm pleased you enjoyed it.