[ Maybe it doesn't matter why she's crying, only that she is, and releasing tension that would otherwise fester. Sometimes there is no single reason to break into tears - you just do so and end up feeling a little better afterward. Besides, Elrond stopped caring about the state of his clothing long ago. There are better things to worry about, and if visitors can't understand that he has a family and often gets dirty, that's their problem.

Even here, it's their problem. He's not going to treat borrowed clothing with kid gloves.

Just the woman sobbing against him. ]

Always, always I will. Never doubt that.

[ He stares down at her, expression level, and lets his gaze travel across her face, taking in the state of her hair and dress, and finally cracks the smallest of smiles. ]

You will never be unpresentable to me, love. Banish the thought from your head, it is an untruth.