Testament- by Elwen of the Hidden Valley

[elwendell]

B2MeM Prompt:I16(settling the shire, house of lore),B10(four farthings), Cards:Hobbits(102),Rivendell(160),The Shire (169)
Format:vignette
Genre:gen
Rating:gen
Warnings:none
Characters:Elrond, Frodo
Pairings:none
Creator’s Notes (optional):none
Summary:Frodo and Elrond discuss geography, history and legacies.



TESTAMENT

Frodo set aside his quill and Elrond finished inscribing, “North Farthing”. Leaning in, Frodo shook sand upon the words, and the last few inches of the dotted red line he had just drawn, between Bindbole Wood and Needlehole. Both sat back to admire their labours.

“Now I understand why you have a Three Farthing Stone. It has always vexed me that the Shire had four farthings, but that the stone referred to only three.” Elrond leaned in to blow away the sand, revealing their finished map of the Shire.

Frodo grinned. “Bilbo will probably be able to tell you why the farthings are not distributed evenly. I'm afraid my own studies never delved that deeply. Our people settled the Shire in waves, so it could simply be that the area of the North Farthing was all that was available to latecomers.”

“Until I met your uncle I knew little of the Shire, beyond its name. Some of my people cross your land to reach the Havens but, of course, they rarely return to provide me with any details.” Elrond pursed his lips. “As Imladris has always been a house of lore, it has long been my wish to rectify that situation.”

“And now you have.” Frodo looked, with some degree of longing, about the huge library, and its' many shelves of books and scrolls. “Will you be carrying your library with you when you cross the sea?”

“No. I came here with nothing and I shall depart the same way. What use will I have in the West for histories, when all those who were present during its making, will be there to retell it with their own mouths? I shall bequeath this library for the use of any who seek it out. When I and my people depart this land, this will be all that remains.”

“No. Not all. Your people have created great beauty, and that will remain your testament for many generations.”

Elrond's smile was bitter-sweet, as he glanced aside at a portrait of his three children. “For many generations, indeed.”


END

Comments

[shirebound]

Our people settled the Shire in waves, so it could simply be that the area of the North Farthing was all that was available to latecomers.

I never even thought about why the Three Farthing Stone was only three! :)

[elwendell]

Thanks. I don't know whether Tolkien tells us, but that's my take on it. :)

[kayleearafinwiel]

The Three Farthing Stone being three always seemed weird to me but this is a great explanation, and I love this scene! <3 Elrond and Frodo are so real here :)

[elwendell]

Thanks. They're my two favourite characters, which I'm sure is quite obvious to anyone. :D

[senalishia]

It's so good! I love to see Elrond and Frodo working together!

[elwendell]

Tolkien never tells us how Frodo spent his last sojourn in Rivendell, on the way back to the Shire. I like to think of Elrond helping him rediscover himself.

[lindahoyland]

I like to think Elrond's library remained in M-e.

[elwendell]

Me too. :)