Categories > TV > Star Trek: The Next Generation > Sons of the Stars

Truth

by TrekQueen

Elrond and Picard come to a point when all questions must be answered.

Category: Star Trek: The Next Generation - Rating: NC-17 - Genres: Action/Adventure, Angst, Crossover, Drama, Erotica, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-fi - Warnings: [?] - Published: 2006-09-06 - Updated: 2006-09-06 - 1673 words

?Blocked
Disclaimer: I own nothing and make nothing financially off of my writings. I owe everything to the Great Bird of the Galaxy and Great Wizard of the Universe.

Author's Note: Being that I'm going on vacation until the 15th, I thought that I'd bestow two chapters this week to make up for my absence. Enjoy!

Chapter Three: Truth

"I believe you enchanted the entire vale with your serenade this morning," Elrond said as he tenderly touched Picard's stomach wound. "You had quite the audience beneath your window by midday."

"It was only little medleys I have been working on," Picard said.

"Ah, but they were much more, especially to those of us who have not heard your type of flute before," Elrond said. "One of these nights perhaps you could play for us all or play in a quartet."

"I will think about it," Picard answered. "I do not do recitals."

"That may be a disappointment to many," Elrond replied. "Including myself."

Picard held his tongue as Elrond continued his ministrations. Being a Starfleet officer, he sought throughout the universe to discover new life and civilizations. However, he would disappear from these people soon, once he was able to find his yacht and its transmitter. The growing sick feeling in the pit of his stomach was not from his wound but the guilt he had for already bonding with the friendly inhabitants of Imladris.

"You are healing well and quicker than I expected," Elrond said as he wrapped a clean dressing around Picard.

"Good," Picard smiled. "Hopefully my mind will come along soon."

"It may take time," Elrond said. "I know of some who block memories because of traumatic events, do you think this happened to you?"

"Of that... I am uncertain," Picard said.

"If so, it could explain much," the elf said as he sat on his bedside chair. "The fever-dreams you had certainly had to do with captivity. Your reactions to our restraining you spoke that much."

"I apologize if I injured anyone," Picard said softly.

"Nay, you did not," Elrond assured. "Once I was able to calm you, all was peaceful."

Picard remained quiet as Elrond cleaned up his materials, watching him as he went about his duties while still trying to be a friend.

"What was it that you said to me those nights?" he asked. "I remember hearing your voice but not much else. Only... serenity."

"It is a way to reach out to another to bring calm," Elrond said. "To find a path through the fear and stay with my voice."

"I see," Picard answered.

"Is there anything I can get for you?" Elrond asked.

"Tea would be wonderful," Picard said. "I have not had any for a while."

"We have many kinds," Elrond said.

"Anything black and strong, possibly with a blend of citrus," he described, trying to get something close to his Earl Grey tea.

"Citrus! Perhaps not so much in this climate and region; though, I shall see what I can do."

"Thank you," Picard answered. "Anything close to it would be fine. It is my favorite."

"Is that a memory returning?" Elrond asked, curious but teasing.

"No, I remember it very well," the captain said. "I could never forget that."

"I will place it with the cooks," the elf said. "If they find a blend soonest then you may have it by evening."

"That would be enjoyable," Picard smiled.

*
Night fell and, as they did the night before, the elves came to the fire to tell stories of days of old and sing songs of ancient battles. While they passed time together, however, a dark shadow quietly climbed out a window of the healing chambers and cautiously slinked down from the highest level to the ground. Without hesitation, Picard slipped away into the darkness of the trees.

Picard snuck through the underbrush trying to move slow enough to not make noise but also keep up a good pace despite his injury. After finding a long branch on the forest floor, he moved quickly with his walking stick. He had no idea where the crash site was but Picard's plan for the meantime was to get to high ground. From a higher elevation, he hoped he would be able to see the yacht or the path of destruction it left.

For an hour Picard traveled, feeling the ground steadily head uphill. Once he reached the top of the bluffs, he would rest for the last hours of the night until morning came. However, Picard got the distinct impression he was being followed. Finally, after another half-hour his tracker made his presence known with a sharp crack of twigs. Picard stopped and turned in the direction of the noise.

"Wandering in the forest at night is not the safest place to be," Elrond's voice filtered through the trees.

Picard watched as the elf-lord moved out of the shadows on horseback.

"How did you know I left?" Picard asked.

"I was taking a walk with Lord Glorfindel when we saw you pass into the woods," Elrond said as he dismounted. "I thought it would be interesting to see where you were heading."

"I thought you would be at the festival," Picard replied.

"Not tonight," Elrond said. "I realized after speaking with Glorfindel that I am not the only one who believes you are not telling us everything."

"There are things you cannot understand that bind me; however, I want to be truthful with you," Picard said.

"Then tell me why you are here," Elrond said, as he dismounted and stepped up face-to-face to Picard. "Give me the same respect I have you."

Pausing, Picard held his breath as he contemplated his situation. Elrond was right and was challenging his honesty and integrity. Yet, Picard held the rules and standards of Starfleet and the Federation strongly in his mind and heart, most important of those was the Prime Directive. It was meant to protect less advanced civilizations and those who were not prepared for the truth about extraterrestrial beings. Although, Picard reminded himself, he and his crew decided to break that regulation all too recently in Earth's past when they followed the Borg there. Elrond had already built a trust with him, either he would believe Picard or think him a lunatic. There was no going back now.

"I am willing to be straightforward from this point onward," Picard said. "Ask me what you want to know."

"Where are you going?" Elrond asked.

"To my vessel, it is how I arrived here," Picard answered. "I need to find something in it or try to repair it myself since it was damaged in the crash when I came here."

"What kind of vessel is this that you speak of?" Elrond queried, his eyes narrowed in thought.

"A ship... that can travel the stars," Picard said simply. "I don't know yet why, but my ship was in trouble and I fell to the surface here in your world."

Elrond stared at him silently as he let the new information flow through his head.

"This information explains a lot," he said finally.

"Why is that?" Picard asked.

"When I first examined you, I noticed something strange about you," Elrond said. "Your heart... it sounded mechanical, like metal and other materials."

"Yes, my heart was replaced many years ago after an unfortunate accident," the captain explained.

"Yet you have no scar?" Elrond asked. "Even a new heart?"

"Where I come from, we have advanced technology that allows us to do these things," Picard said.

"Amazing," Elrond whispered before turning his view to the sky. "My sire, he has a ship like that of which you speak. Long ago he took to the stars."

Picard looked up as he pointed to the sky, marking the brightest star shining above.

"We may not have the same capabilities or level of technology as your do," Elrond said, turning back to Picard. "Yet, we understand you."

"I would have been more forthcoming if I had known," Picard replied.

"We were not certain at first with you," Elrond explained. "The Men of this world have no knowledge of what lies beyond their world."

"Then we both made the mistake of following precaution and precedent too closely," Picard smiled. "Will you then help me?"

"It can wait until morning when Glorfindel can lead us to where he found you," Elrond said. "Then we can bring what you need. Besides, I know for certain you were walking in the wrong direction."

Picard grumbled as he followed Elrond to his horse where the elf gave a helping hand. Elrond mounted in back of him and placed a stabilizing arm across Picard's torso so that he would not fall.

"To home," the elf spoke to his steed and the horse began a slow trot through the forest.

"I wish I had a horse listen to me as yours just did," Picard laughed. "However, some of the fun of riding would be lost."

"You have similar creatures on your world?" Elrond asked.

"It appears our two planets are not all that dissimilar," Picard said. "Riding is one of my favorite excursions."

"As it is mine," Elrond smiled. "We will have a ride tomorrow and you shall be able to see much more of what we have here."

"I look forward to it," Picard answered.

Below them their steed made a short hop over a downed branch causing both Picard and Elrond to jostle. Picard felt Elrond tighten his hold around him and once more he was brought back to the moments of startling clarity in his mind when Elrond had comforted and helped him. His warm breath played across the back of Picard's neck, sending goose bumps over his skin. Confusion swept into his mind as Picard struggled with the strange reactions his body was having to Elrond. He shook his head to clear his mind.

"Are you feeling well?" Elrond asked.

"I was feeling a little dizzy," Picard said.

"We will be back soon," the elf said. "Do not worry."
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