Identical grey gazes turned on him, the desire to believe warring with the fear that this was yet another peculiar parental belief, like the idea that one must bathe everyday, or that rabbits were best left outdoors.
�Truly, Ada?�
�Truly,� Elrond affirmed, lifting first Elladan, then Elrohir, to sit on the wide stone balustrade. ��Tis your Iauradar, my Ada, sailing the skies in his ship, Vingilot.�
��Tis a powerful bright lantern he carries,� Elrohir said, his eyes wide with wonder.
�Not a lantern, �Rohir,� Elrond chuckled, ruffling his son�s bath-damp hair. ��Tis a Silmaril bound to his brow that lights his path.�
The star twinkled gaily, as though perhaps the Mariner himself was laughing, and Elladan�s eyes grew perfectly round. �Can he hear us? Does he know my name?�
�I talk with him near every night,� the Elf-lord answered, his gaze fixed on the distant glow. �Aye, he can hear us, �Adan. And he knows your names well, for I have oft spoken of you.�
As if guided by one mind, two small hands lifted in waves of welcome, two lilting voices sounded in unison. �Good evening, Iauradar!�
For a moment all was still, then E�rendil flared brightly, glittering like crystal-studded mithril in the velvety sky, his silvery glow touching the upturned faces of the astounded elflings below.
�What did he say, Ada?� Elrohir asked in awe, his hand closing firmly on Elladan�s fingers.
Elrond tightened his arms around his sons. �He said �Mae govannen, pin nith.��
The star danced joyfully, the light becoming warmer, softer as it caressed baby-fine ebony hair and reflected in wide grey eyes.
Elladan looked at his father expectantly. �What else, Ada? What else did he say?�
Elrond pressed a kiss to the crown of each dark head.
�He said �I love you.��