Story Downloaded from Open Scrolls Archive (https://www.openscrolls.net)

Title: Bitter Lesson (#2309)
Author: isilelensar
Chapters: 2

Archive: Tolkien
Category: Lord of the Rings
Description: A young Estel reads the lore about his own kind, what can Elrond teach him?
Written for OSA Drabble Challenge #31: Men
Published: 17 Oct 2005
Updated: 17 Oct 2005
Warnings: none
Type: Drama
Characters: Estel, Elrond


Chapter 1 - Bitter Lesson

“Edain, second born,” Estel drank in the new words. Unaware of Elrond entering the room, he continued mumbling the lines “They are called ‘Men’, or ‘Aftercomers’. Given the gift of freedom upon Arda, but they only dwell here for a short period of time.”

Elrond smiled gently and continued to cite the lore in which he tried to find comfort often: “But ‘Men’, unlike Elves, die. ‘Men’ are not bound to the Earth as the Elves are, for death is their fate. Ah Estel,” Elrond met the young man’s surprised gaze. “It is such a cruel gift and yet not.”


Chapter 2 - Author's Notes

All my thanks go to Rhapsody, who helped me muddle through this one.

*hugs*
------------------------------------------------------------------

Downloaded from Open Scrolls Archive (https://www.openscrolls.net) on Sun Nov 15, 2026 2:08 am