Books for Combeferre - and an EP

[starrydome]

 Elrond has brought books with him this time. An assortment of beautifully bound times, smaller sewn manuscripts, and in one case a neat stack of loose papers.

They cover a wide range of topics, from treating wounds on the battlefield to how to handle excessive hemorrhage during childbirth. All empahisze the holistic nature of healing and the need for cleanliness.
Some are in Westron, but most are written in Quenya or Sindarin. He is rather hoping that the magic of Bar will make sure the texts are readable.
One, small book concerns the difficulties in treating emotional trauma. Some of the examples concern a lady. His wife. There is a lot of sorrow and pain in the fairly detailed description of tried and failed attempts at overcoming the pain.

He leaves the stack with Bar and gets a mug of tea that he brings to a nearby chair.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan watches the books disappear into Bar's surface, a little longingly, then gives their owner a quick smile as he catches his eye in looking away.

[starrydome]

Elrond returns the smile, recognizing a fellow book lover.

[athelstanthescribe]

And especially a lover of handwritten and beautifully bound books.

"Hello", he says, encouraged. "Were those a gift for someone?"

[starrydome]

"They were supposed to be a loan," Elrond replies, "but it might end up being permanent. I think the young man will put them to good use."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I don't imagine you'd have let him have them, thinking he wouldn't", Athelstan agrees with a smile. "They were lovely work, from the outside."

[starrydome]

"You have an interest in the art of making books?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"There was a time it was my main occupation, aside from prayer."

And he does miss it so much.

[starrydome]

You can hear it in his voice.

"Would you like to see them? Combeferre is not here right now, and we can always hail him if he comes by."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan blinks fleetingly, then beams. "I'd love to see them, and of course if he comes along, he must have them. Thank you."

[starrydome]

Elrond gets up and fetches the books from Bar.
He moves gracefully, his robes swishing around his ankles.

He returns with the stack of books and puts them down on the table.

[athelstanthescribe]

And Athelstan, with a glance for permission, reaches for them with tender care.

"They come from your own library?"

[starrydome]

"They do. Some I have written or copied myself. Others have come to me over the years."

The top volume is bound in leather. It's clearly a medical tome, with sketches interspersing the text. Everything is well balanced and very pleasing to the eye.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Then you must be a great scholar of your world", he says with respect, carefully turning the pages.

[starrydome]

"I am a loremaster," Elrond replies.
"I am called Elrond of Imladris . Or Elrond of Rivendell in the tongue of Men."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Athelstan", he answers. "Of... Kattegat, I suppose, but once of Lindisfarne - and both names will likely mean as little to you as Imladris and Rivendell do to me. I'm very pleased to meet you."

[starrydome]

Elrond smiles.
"That is the way it often is, here," he replies. "And well met, Athelstan of Kattegat. May the stars shine upon this hour of our meeting."

[athelstanthescribe]

"May the stars shine", he echoes. "You're a lord of your people, I would guess?"

[starrydome]

"These days I am simply Master Elrond," Elrond replies.
Which is a yes. In a way.

[athelstanthescribe]

It is, and it tells a lot more than that as well.

"These days", Athelstan says with a nod. "Still, you seem content enough with it, Master Elrond?"

There's a sadness to him, yes, but he doesn't think it's from loss of status.

[starrydome]

"I have gone where my path has taken me and done what needed doing," Elrond replies. "But titles have always held little interest."

Plural.

[penderwydd]

Tegid was sitting nearby with a bowl of thin gruel and a cup of tea. His beard was long, and he was much thinner than the last time he saw Elrond. He is in modern clothes today, his ash staff rested next to him leaning on his chair. He had replenished many of the things he needed here, and he was getting ready to go back.

"Hello, Elrond," he said at the sight of the Elf Lord.

[athelstanthescribe]

"As it should be, I think. Titles can be given, but they should never be the goal in itself."

[starrydome]

"And they carry a burden with them."

A burden he has not escaped, despite his lack of interest in titles.

[starrydome]

"Hello, Tegid," Elrond replies with a smile.

[penderwydd]

"How are you doing, lord?" asked Tegid.