ask-elrond:
ask-oropher:
ask-elrond:
ask-oropher:
I will miss you too, very much. We have much in common, you and I. Ah, me and your son… how do I put this delicately? I think we have a clash of personality. Though I’d love to be your guest, I wouldn’t want to get in his way.
It appears we do, for which I am glad. I feel like I could simply sit and talk with you until the end of time. Ah, well, as I said, if Thranduil complains I will take away the things he loves and send him to his room, if I must. He may be the king now, but I am still his father and he will listen to me. Any guest of mine will not be getting in his way.
Mmhmm, I have that same feeling. Oh, now that is an amusing picture! Well, perhaps I shall take you up on your offer after all, but only after I’ve spoken with Thranduil about it personally. Really, I see no reason why we cannot get along. I know that he has good reasons for disliking the Noldor and I also know what a struggle it must have been for him to defend his realm against Dol Guldur without a ring of power to aid him. I wish that there was something I might do or say that could build a bridge between us. For one thing, I’ve yet to see Celeborn since they became lovers and as he’s one of my closest friends it isn’t as though I can avoid his company forever.
Alas, Elrond, my son has always been stubborn. Perhaps I should talk with him myself, and find out the root of his dislike for you. Since we are all family now, it feels wrong to have such hostility between you (and it worries me, for I am nervous enough as it is about him meeting Elros…). I am afraid it may be partially my fault, since he has grown up despising the Noldor (and Dwarves, though that appears to be resolving itself thanks to Legolas), for that was my view on them during his early development. However, I have moved past that and I hope he can do the same. Do not worry, Elrond, I am sure he will come to like you once he tries to see past your heritage.
Then you must certainly visit! Celeborn is as good as I am at convincing Thranduil to do things, if not better (which I assume is down to the nature of their relationship. Celeborn can withhold certain things I cannot, after all.)
I don’t blame you for despising the Noldor after what happened in Doriath. You shouldn’t think of it as being your fault; Thranduil is an adult now, capable of forming his own opinions. However, I understand that stubbornness and a certain wariness of outsiders were necessities for a long time and old habits die hard.
This may surprise you but I’ve always admired him, actually. Your entire family has such strength, I can’t imagine how proud you must be of them.
If you could talk to him for me then perhaps that would be best, though I’d also like to talk to him myself. As for him meeting Elros, well, I can understand if he can’t bring himself to befriend me, but my brother is practically impossible to dislike (I may be a little biased but I think we both agree that he is a truly wonderful person).
I don’t think that Thranduil would like me any better if he suspected Celeborn of ‘withholding certain things’ for my sake!
The Noldor cannot be held responsible for the actions of only a few, as someone very wise and dear to me said not too long ago. I have seen past the actions of others, and I only hope my son can do the same.
Oh, really? Well, I am certainly surprised but… you are right, of course. We were born strong, I suppose - and yes, I am incredibly proud of them. My boy has come so far, and he has raised a truly incredibly son of his own.
I shall, then. I cannot have him disliking you, Elrond. He must at least try to see how wonderful you are. Ah, yes, he is truly amazing, and yet… it is Thranduil’s nature to be protective where I am concerned, and though Elros has done nothing in the way of hurting me, I worry that Thranduil will not welcome him into the family like I want him to (and let us not think about what might happen if he DOES hurt me, unintentionally or not. Thranduil has a habit of playing with large swords when he is angry).
Ah, yes, a good point…
Of course, you are strong as well, Oropher. You have endured so much and yet are one of the most kind and good natured people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. Ah, yes, Legolas is an exceptional Elf. I had once hoped for a match between him and one of my sons to work out, but alas…
I can understand protectiveness over one’s parents, of course. I’d probably feel the same way if say, Maglor took a new lover. Due to the circumstances of you raising him alone, the two of you clearly developed a very close bond and he may feel that Elros is a potential threat to that. He will come around, I’m certain, once he sees how happy you are.
If Elros ever hurt you it wouldn’t only be Thranduil he’d have to worry about. I’d certainly be having some very stern words with him myself. He would be a fool if he were to ever spurn your love.