Forgotten Refugee

For one so small, you seem so strong.

My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm.

This bond between us cannot be broken.

I will be here don’t you cry.





The rider was shown into a side room within the guild’s meeting place, a small sparsely furnished room which contained a couple of chairs and a log fire which filled the room with a pleasant wood smell and provided much needed warmth.



After sitting himself down on one of the available chairs he undid the fastenings on his cloak to reveal the small elfling cradled within.



At the movement the babe started to mew in protest and thrash its tiny hands in the air. “Shhh, tithen mir*” I am here with you.



At the sound of his protector’s voice the babe quietened and settled down in the rider’s arms.



The elf grinned and leaned down closer to the babe in his arms. Seeing its chance the child reached upwards with its tiny hands and managed to capture the end of one of the elf’s long braids which had fallen forwards.



The elf let him and continued to murmur endearments to the babe. The young elfling had dark blue eyes and a tuft of dark hair and all the charm and innocence of a child. He is an angel the elf thought, I shall miss you when I have to leave.



The thought saddened the elder elf but there was one thing left to console him, and that was that he would see the child again sometime in the future. This is not forever. After all, you will not always be a fragile, powerless elfling, vulnerable to attack. One day when you have grown up we shall see each other again, of that I am certain.



He awoke from his pondering to find that the elfling had stopped playing with his braids and was gazing into his eyes. Blue/grey eyes met dark blue and it was at that moment he knew that a bond had been created between them, they would always be connected.



A soft noise alerted him to another’s presence in the room and looking up he met the light blue eyes of a tall Telerin elf with blonde hair who was wearing a smithies apron over his working clothes.



“Mae Govannen! You are Sadron?” the rider enquired of the blonde.



“I go by that name.” Sadron smiled.



“Pray, what is your name mellon?”



“My name is Elrond, I have brought the babe as was arranged.”



Sadron walked over to Elrond’s side and smiled down at the child who was cradled in the Noldorin elf’s arms. “He is beautiful although there is not a lot of his mother in his appearance, he favours his father.”



Sadron broke off and peered at Elrond a strange untrusting look came into his eyes mixed with fear. “Where is Celebrin?”



Elrond looked down at the babe in his arms, unwilling to answer.



“She’s dead isn’t she?” Sadron stated a look of complete and utter loss in his eyes.



“I am afraid so. She died on the road, she was too frail and there was nothing I could do for her.”



There was a long uncomfortable silence in which neither of them said anything.



“My wife and I will take in my sister’s son as was arranged, he is all we have left of her and similarly we are all he has left. Have no fear he shall be well cared for and when he is older he may decide to apprentice as a jewel smith or a lore master.”



Elrond nodded “I am grateful to your for your kindness…I regret”



Sadron interrupted this line of conversation “It has been decided.”



Elrond looked down at the babe in his arms “She named him Erestor.” He whispered in a sad voice. “It is such a tragic start to a new life, for a child to never know its mother.”



“Something tells me that this child will know much tragedy and sadness in his life but he has a spirit that will endure all hardships.” Sadron added.



“Can we offer you lodgings?” Sadron asked.



“Only for tonight, for I must depart with the sun on the morrow.” Elrond answered.



Standing he offered the child in his arms to Sadron, who willingly excepted the small burden. The babe was now fast asleep and only stirred slightly at the movement.



“I will get a member of our guild to show you to some lodgings” Sadron said.



Elrond looking one last time upon the elfling whispered “Maer manadh Erestor**, we shall meet again. May the lady protect and guide you. Namarie!”







You’ll be in my heart.

Yes you’ll be in my heart.

Now and forever more.





Lyrics by Phil Collins.





*Little Treasure.



**Good Fortune.



Thank you to everyone who reviewed it is much appreciated.



Papilio.