Thank you to isaacsalan, MOStar598, nathalieAlice, Tiemna, and  fateclaws for commenting and voting on the previous chapter! 

Thank you to ayeshasyed088 and monkeyfly123 for adding this story to their reading lists! 

Galion ushered an elf woman to the throne. She stopped before Thranduil, followed by a grumbling dwarf of unusual heights and three curious children.

Thranduil stared at her, the woman's hazel eyes and red hair sparking an old memory in him.

"Jade," he said slowly. "What in Middle Earth are you doing here?"

Jade grinned and held out her arms as Thranduil descended the throne to hug her. "Gwador nin, I wondered if you would remember me. The years have stretched out long since I left for the Iron Hills. We followed ada after he received your letter but he went ahead on the fastest horse. I thought it was time our children were connected with their elven heritage. Where is ada?"

"He is with Landion," Thranduil answered.

Jade gestured to the dwarf. "This is my husband, Mervyn."

"I do not suppose he will be bowing," Thranduil said and extended his hand, wincing at the tight grip he received around his fingers.

"Our children," Jade said, swinging her hand toward the children who were standing on the edge of the throne platform, looking down. "Svain, Helena, and Rocky."

"Galion will take your luggage to your rooms," Thranduil said. "Jade, if you would like to see Harune, I will see if he can be disturbed."

"When do we eat?" Svain demanded.

"Galion will escort you to the table," Thranduil answered.

Jade waved to her husband as Thranduil led her away. "Take care of the children. This palace is full of priceless things; better not break too many of them. Galion rather has a heap on his shoulders."

"Had you come a few days earlier, it would have been true," Thranduil answered. "After having been king for a week or so, Galion says he has more than enough time on his hands."

Healer Jailil met Thranduil in the hallway, casting a curious look at Jade. He answered the King's query, "Harune is awake and Landion is dozing. You may have a few minutes with him."

"I must see the elfling our father is so wrapped up in he forgot to mention to you our coming," Jade teased as Thranduil opened the door to Landion's room.

Harune had a pen between his teeth over Landion's head as he looked over a scroll of parchment. He spat out the pen at the sight of Jade and hissed, "Gracious valar, Thranduil, I omitted to mention—"

Thranduil held up a hand. "There is no need. The dwarves of the Iron Hills have allowed you to invade their tunnels; it is only fair we return the gesture. You ought to be resting."

Harune looked offended as he let the paper drift to the blanket. "I am reviewing Galion's paper. Jade, anel nin, this is Landion. Your brother."

Jade stepped silently to the edge of the bed to peek down at Landion with her head tilted to one side. "Another brother. Do not worry, ada, Onyx and I will not greet him with the same attitude with which we treated our first one." She looked at Thranduil.

"Where is Onyx?" Jade continued.

"I sent a letter to him," Harune answered. "I was concerned with Landion. I knew you would be here to meet Jade regardless, Thranduil, but Onyx lives miles into Mirkwood and, unless someone told him, he would miss his sister's visit."

Landion stirred and Healer Jailil gestured from the door. Thranduil and Jade retreated.

"I will send for you when Landion is awake," Healer Jailil said. "Right now he needs his rest."

OoOoO

"How is Landion?" Vandril asked.

"He is recovering swiftly," Healer Jailil answered.

"When will I be able to take him home?"

Healer Jailil looked to Harune. Harune asked, "Do you want the best for your son?"

"Every father wants the best for his child."

"Then I ask you to accept what is best for you may not be best for Landion."

Vandril raised his chin. "Landion is all I have left of—in the world. He belongs with me."

"Many are blinded by what they want," Harune said softly. "Please do not compromise Landion's life and happiness without due thought."

Vandril watched Harune enter Landion's room. He heard his son cry out and imagined him stretching out his arms for a hug. "Ada!"

"Ada is here," Harune said. The bed creaked. "Hannon le for sitting with him, Jade."

A woman came out of the room, closing the door behind her.

A harassed servant appeared in the hall, "Lady Jade, your children are wreaking havoc through the palace and I cannot rein them in."

Jade leveled an uncalled for glare at Vandril as she swept past him, took the arm of the servant, and left the healing ward, throwing her head back to chuckle with the elf as he said something to her. Healer Jailil departed as Pine came running to inform him another patient needed his attention.

Vandril secured his cloak around him and left the palace, hoping the cold, crisp air would clear his mind. He passed Thranduil and Legolas wrestling in the snow. He passed Elrohir sitting on the ground with blood streaming from his nose while Celebrian scolded Elladan and Arwen inspected the red splotches of blood on the snow with interest. He passed Elrond and Glorfindel standing under a tree while Elrond drew in the snow with a stick not intended to spank Elladan.

Vandril held his arms over his face as he crossed snowball fight territory and dozens of elflings plastered him from both sides of the path. He headed for a glade where the yells of winter enjoyed would not reach him.

OoOoO

Landion rolled over to snuggle against his father and awoke with a jerk as his injury inflamed. He sat up rubbing his eyes and reached for Harune, grasping at the empty blankets. He squinted at the elf bending over the fire.

"Ada?" he said,

Vandril straightened up from the blazing hearth and came to the edge of the bed.

"Where is ada?" Landion quavered.

Vandril sat down beside him. "Harune left to have dinner with the king and his family."

"I-I will scream if you try and take me," Landion warned.

Vandril reached for his hand. "I do not wish to take you, Landion. I want you to be where you are happy. I want you to be with people you love and people who love you."

Landion could not bring himself to meet Vandril's eyes.

"I thought about it today," Vandril continued. "I do love you. But I do not think you have loved me back in a long while."

"I thought you were dead," Landion whispered.

"I still love you. But I realize now it is more of a love for a friend then a son," Vandril admitted. "I saw how Thranduil sat with you while you were ill. I saw how worried Legolas and the twins are about you and how gentle Harune is with you. I see how much you two care for each other and I do not wish to take you away from your family."

Landion's hand clutched the blankets. Vandril touched his cheek. "Harune will be back soon and I will go. I am glad you have found someone who is everything I wanted to be for you. I am glad you have found someone who does not mind you are not his son."

A confused look crossed Landion's face. He tried to speak but Vandril was gone.

OoOoO

Glorfindel found Elrond romping with Arwen in the warm living room. At his serious expression, Elrond put her down and rose to his feet, brushing himself off.

"This may not be the best of times," Glorfindel said, "But I am returning to Rivendell on the morrow."

Elrond took a step back. "Why?"

"I miss Erestor. I want to meet Ariel and Nightwing and, quite frankly, I am not needed here. I stayed before for your sake, to help you love the twins."

Elrond looked down as Arwen put her arms around his leg. "I understand your reasoning. I miss home as well. I will not keep you here, mellon nin."

Glorfindel nodded. "The weather is nearing spring and the snows will not come again this year. I will take four guards with me."

Elrond patted Arwen's head. "I will join you when Elladan and Elrohir are ready. I do not wish to force them."

"I will, of course, say goodbye."

Elrond scooped Arwen into his arms. "I know you will."

"Before I leave, you must promise me one thing," Glorfindel continued. "Promise me you will not spank Elladan and Elrohir."

Elrond put out a hand to clasp his shoulder. "I give you my word. You will not receive horror letters from the twins detailing spankings. I will not hurt my sons or daughter. Go in peace, Glorfindel."

Glorfindel has made his choice. He will have a pleasant reunion with Erestor and his growing family! What of Vandril's mysterious words? Is his choice a good one?

This is Chapter 100! Thank you for reading My Word and for sharing your precious thoughts to help this story grow. You are part of Nin Chronicles as much as I am and the characters to whom this story belongs. 

Next Chapter: Landion meets his growing family.