A young man stands in front of a mirror. He is dressed for dinner in his best clothes which have been carefully chosen for him by his mother. His dark hair is washed and brushed over his ears to frame his face. He studies his reflection.

"Estel, son of Elrond," he says, for that is his identity.

For his whole life - all twenty years of it - this is who he has believed he is. He knows this dinner is important although not the reason why. But it will not change the truth - he is not an elf.