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.”