Not All Who Wonder Or Wander Are Lost by LadySternchen  

What Will Be Will Be

"See, it was not so bad this time, was it?"

From the look on Elmo's face, Elwë is quite surprised nothing comes flying in his direction. Not that what he said is untrue, not strictly speaking, for climbing the slopes of the Blue Mountains is indeed much easier than crossing the Misty Mountains, with their treacherous ascents and deep ravines, but it has still been exhausting for everyone.

Elwë feels nothing of that exhaustion, though. He feels, for the first time since the begin of their journey, completely elated. Not even his mingled pity and impatience for Olwë and his host will dim his good spirits tonight, nor the fact that he has not seen Finwë in almost a full circle of the stars. Aye, not even the fact that his entire host is angry with him for urging them up the mountains until they refused -point-blank and in unity- to walk another step.

Be it. It is not far now. Soon, soon he will be able to show them.

And suddenly, he cannot bear to wait even a moment longer. He may not be able to do as his heart commands and simply wander on, but he can show Elmo at least. If he can get his brother to move another muscle today.

"I know you are angry with me..."

"I'm not angry, Elwë, I am dead on my feet, like the rest of the host. Just let me sleep, I promise I will be back in good spirits and ready to help you tomorrow."

"Alright, then go to sleep. I will just go a little further. It is only a few more steps before we reach the peak, and oh Elmo, you cannot imagine... will you not come with me? I promise, nay, I swear it will be worth it."

The look Elmo throws him is probably the dirtiest he has ever received, but that does not prevent a guilty grin from spreading over his face. He knows by Elmo's expression that his curiosity is roused, and thus the argument won.

It really is only a few more steps, and Elwë is glad of it, too, for Elmo in truth stumbles more than he walks. His brother might have grown into a young man during the long years of their march, but Elwë stills sees the little boy in him, and for a moment laments the fact that he cannot carry Elmo on his back again like he has done back then. Exhausting though it was to walk at the head of his host with a sleeping elfling on his back, he still misses it, misses the soft snuffling in his ear, and the way Elmo snuggled against him trustingly.

Elmo's gasp when they finally reach the ridge is reward enough, and confirmation that Elwë has done the right thing in urging him to come with him.

"Is that..."

"Yes. It is distant still, too distant for you to hear it, but this silver glint on the horizon, little brother, is the sea. Ah Elmo, I cannot tell you how much it calls to my heart, how much I long to hear it again. 'Tis a music I cannot even describe."

Elmo does not answer but just gazes ahead, mesmerised. Elwë smiles to himself, the look on his little brother's face almost as rewarding as his first sight of the sea in long, long years.

After a while, Elmo gently puts his head on Elwë's shoulder, and Elwë puts an arm around his waist.

Soon, their journey will end, and his task be finished. And then? Will they stand like that by the shores of Valinor, or will Elmo do as is their custom and marry, have children? Finwë surely will, seeing how he and Míriel are never ever parted.

And he himself? His own future seems shrouded in mist, hidden from his sight just like the woods that lie between the mountains and the sea are.

He sighs, and fastens his hold on Elmo.

What will be will be.