Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended. Everything belongs to its respectable owners.
Timeline: The storyline mingles and crosses between the end of the third age when Elrond finally left Middle-earth in September 3021, and the occurrences of the year when Celebrían left Middle-earth in 2510. There is no date on when precisely she left, so I chose May.
A/N: Finally I have begun this journey on my first multi-chapter Lord of the Rings story. I expect it will be about five to six chapters.
If you haven't guessed already I'm not Tolkien, unless he's a twenty-something-year-old female university student. I don't write like Tolkien, and I'm not even going to attempt to write like Tolkien.
Instead of trying to imitate Tolkien's style I have decided to approach this with my own words. My approach will be from a more emotional point of view.
I realize that this has been done a few times, but I hope I'm bringing something new and original.
The flashbacks are a bit askew, that is, I tend to go back and forth a bit, but I put them were they're important for the main plot, so I hope that there won't be any confusion there. I will put dates on appropriate places.
The lyrics below belong to an amazing song by Paper Route. This song became one of my main inspirations for this story.
I hope that you will enjoy this story. I expect to update the next chapter very soon.
Thank you for reading.
Never Let Me Go
~IIXXII~
I hear something out there calling my name.
No matter where I turn it all looks the same.
I never sleep at night, I just stay up and wait.
But the burning in my blood never came.
Will I know it? Will I know it?
Will I know it when I see it?
Will I know it? Will I know it?
Will I know it when you're here?
I need you now, I need you more than ever before, before.
I need you now, I need you more than ever before, before.
I know that where I am is not who I should be.
The devil takes my hand and says child come with me.
My body shivers and aches. I can't break free.
Why do the things I hate come so naturally?
Will I know it?
Will I know it?
Will I know it when I see it?
Will I know it? Will I know it?
Will I know it when you're here?
I need you now, I need you more than ever before, before.
I need you now, I need you more than ever before, before.
I need you now, I need you more than ever before, before.
I need you now, I need you more than ever before.
When we see the light when we're going home.
We'll dance on our graves with our bodies below.
We'll sing glory and Hallelujah.
-Dance on Our Graves, by Paper Route
~IIXXII~
-Chapter One-
Ethereal
1. May, T.A. 2510.
The starless night was filled with silence, as if the entire inhabitants of the valley had fallen into an adjourned silence. Even the magnificent waterfalls seemed to fall silent, and the natural elements had frozen in place. The night itself seemed to stretch onwards on a slower speed, capturing the very last moment of the Lady's presence in the valley.
Not a single sound emerged from the Last Homely House. The halls were lit with occasional candle but otherwise everything was cast in darkness. The only light provided from the bright light of ithil.
A slither of light fell into the dark bedchamber. A shadow curved around two figures.
They lay together in their shared bed facing each other, their foreheads mere inches apart but never touching.
The night was still, the soft breeze slid through the window, stirring the silk curtains, carrying the scent of pine and roses into the dark bedroom.
Her silver hair cascaded down her back and on the soft mattress, the light from the moon bringing out the twinkling silver in her hair. It was the only light that radiated around the maiden, her former glow had faded, her creamy white skin had degraded to a dull grey sheen that showed the turmoil she had been through.
She was a withering flower still hanging on the stem but barely so, and the mere whisper of a breeze could sweep the petals away until there was nothing left.
The elven lord opposite her watched his beautiful wife somberly. He looked like her complete opposite. His dark hair framed strong features that showed the youth of a warrior in his prime and the torment of a man who had suffered too much pain in his life.
His breath felt warm against her cold skin. Blue eyes blinked slowly, every movement timid and slow as if the mere action took all of her strength. Soft fingertips brushed against her clenched knuckles, and slowly she relaxed into his touch.
"I remember when we first met." His soft voice whispered in the air, stirring the silence.
"You were the most beautiful creature I had ever beheld." Her blue eyes stared into his stormy grey; a single tear escaped the corner of her eye.
"Many years have passed since then, but as long as I live on this earth I will never forget that moment." His voice held the wonder of that moment.
Her eyelids closed slowly as her mind carried her to a time long ago, to a time when the worries of the world did not heave her shoulders with the mighty burden it had bestowed upon her. She listened to the soft tenor of his voice as he told her their story. She ignored the voice in her head that told her that he was saying goodbye, and stepped back in time.
When she opened her eyes again a great light appeared before her vision, and the dark cold room disappeared into the woods of Rivendell in spring. She had never seen anything more beautiful in her life. In those times the world was much different. It was full of dangers and one couldn't be too sure of the future, but when she saw the beautiful valley she knew that there was still something untouched from the darkness. She knew that there was still hope.
That day she had seen her father for the first time in a long time and nothing seemed to taint her happiness. Her family was finally whole and that was something to celebrate. She felt a heavy burden lift off her shoulder when she saw the telltale silver hair of her father.
"Adar," Celebrían cried out. Her silver tresses flew back as she rode forward on her mare to greet her father. It was hard to miss his tall frame and the silver tresses that were unmistakably his. He cried out when he saw them and practically ran towards them.
Celebrían jumped off her horse and flew into her father's arms. She laughed and cried as he held her against him.
"Adar."
"My dearest Celebrían." He whispered into her ear. When they finally let go he held her at arms length and studied her proudly.
"How I've missed you." He murmured and kissed her cheek. His eyes finally turned to her mother who hadn't uttered a word during the reunion between father and daughter. Celebrían could see her father's eyes brighten when they settled on her mother. His love for her was obvious in the depth of his eyes.
"Galadriel." He addressed her and bowed his head.
Celebrían looked at her mother and father with a mixture of amusement and dread. She wasn't sure how her mother would welcome her father but every doubt was swept away when Galadriel finally stepped into her husband's arms and allowed him to hold her.
She knew that her mother was not fond of public display of affection, and it gladdened her heart to see that the love between her parents was stronger than propriety.
They finally released each other and gazed into each other's eyes. No words were needed for their understanding and love went deeper than the ocean.
Celebrían's eyes drifted from her parents, allowing them their moment and finally looked over the beautiful valley.
In wonder she looked at the tall building before her, and marveled at its beauty. Imladris turned out to be nothing what she expected. In the distance she could hear the roar of the waterfalls, and the soft chirp of birds in the trees above. The air seemed sweeter, cleaner and purer than anywhere else.
It was truly a wonder to behold.
She turned in a circle and stared at the curving architecture. Something caught her eye, a flash of maroon and silver. Stopping in her tracks she stared at the tall figure on the steps. The elf was mantled in a velvet tunic, embroidered with a fine silver thread. Over his shoulder he had, seemingly carelessly, thrown a cloak of fine velvet. His garb showed great status, but his demeanor was calm and approachable. Celebrían's eyes fixated on his chiseled features, and his eyes, which seemed to capture the light from the stars. Hair dark hair flowed down his back, even the smallest ghost of a breeze seemed to stir the fine strands.
It was unmistaken who the elf was, for there could be none other but the lord of the valley who could hold such effortless authority.
"Mae govannen." His voice was a rich tenor, powerful yet smooth. It carried over the entire yard easily.
He bowed before her mother and brushed his lips against her outstretched hand.
"I welcome you to Imladris my lady."
"Thank you for your hospitality. I see that your reputation has not excelled you."
Celebrían felt her father's hand on her arm, and gently tug her forward to greet the venerable lord of Imladris.
"Elrond, this is my daughter Celebrían."
He stepped forward, placed his hand on his heart and bowed before her.
"Tis a pleasure my lady. Welcome to Imladris."
Celebrían returned his greeting politely.
"The pleasure is mine, my lord." She said.
At that moment her eyes met his and suddenly time stood still. The air stilled around them and there was nothing but them. His grey eyes bore into her blue ones. A tingle ran from her neck and down her spine, and she felt as if she was aflame. Her stomach turned as if it were filled with tiny butterflies. Her breath caught in her throat and she felt as if she would become lost in that one moment.
A voice carried through the fog and suddenly the world started to turn again.
She blinked and tried to regain her composure.
"Celebrían."
"Yes." She whispered.
"Lord Elrond was just asking you a question."
She turned to look at her father who looked at her expectantly, though there was a trace of amusement in his eyes.
"Oh…" She muttered faintly.
"My lady, is everything all right?"
This time it was Elrond who addressed her. His voice was like music. Light and soft like the chiming of the wind, but strong and powerful enough to command whole troops of warriors.
"She's merely weary after our travels." Galadriel assured him.
"Of course. Allow me to show you to your rooms." He walked over to her and offered her his arm. Timidly she took it, and followed him into the house.
Dazedly she walked with him into the house, and listened as he told them of the house and its construction. Somehow she found everything he had to say immensely interesting, though when she tried to recall their conversation she didn't seem to remember a single word that had passed between them. His face, however, seemed to have engraved itself in her mind, refusing to let her be.
Few evenings later she sat in the bedroom she had been appointed too. She sat on a delicately carved stool and stared absentmindedly at the treetops as twilight settled over the valley.
Her thoughts were jumbled,
The problem was that she wasn't quite sure why she felt the way she did. She wasn't sure why she felt so confused, so happy, yet frustrated at the same time.
She kept thinking of him, his dark hair, those eyes that held such wisdom, and warmth. She felt as if she could drown in their depths never to return.
His face was fair. Strong jaw, narrow nose, high cheekbones, soft lips that seemed oddly endearing to her. She wanted to trace his features, to kiss those lips.
Celebrían froze in place when she realized what she had just thought of and turned her thoughts to something else.
She turned her eyes to the fair valley and started to think of its beauty but soon her thoughts returned to him again. There was something about him, something striking, different. He was elven fair but there were also traces of his edain heritage, the crease between his eyebrows, the lines on his forehead, a simple indication to his mixed blood. It was oddly intriguing. It made him mysterious, exotic, one of a kind.
Celebrían was brought from her thoughts when the door to her room opened. She looked up to see her mother's tall frame in the doorway. She smiled at her and indicated for her to enter the room. Her mother closed the door silently and moved over to her.
"You're mind is heavy tonight sell-nin."
Celebrían pursed her lips and turned from her mother. She picked up her brush and started to run it through her hair.
"How do you find Imladris?"
"It's beautiful. I like it very much."
"And its lord?"
Celebrían looked at her mother pointedly. She knew that her mother had seen where her mind had been occupied this night, and she didn't see the point in hiding it.
"He's different isn't he?" She mused as she dragged the brush through her long, silk tresses.
"Yes, he is." Her mother's voice came from behind her.
Celebrían ceased her movement and dropped her hand in her lap. She didn't understand these strange feelings. They weren't unpleasant, yet still agonizing at the same time. Maybe there was something wrong with her.
Her gaze turned to the mirror, and she stared at her reflection passively. She had always been considered lovely, beautiful even, and never had she even thought of her looks. Suddenly she saw every flaw. Her chin was a little bit too pointy, her nose too narrow, her cheeks too sunken. She tore her eyes from her reflection and fixed them on her lap where her brush lay limply in one hand.
A delicate hand touched hers and removed the brush. With swift and well-practiced movements her mother began to brush her hair.
She felt her fingers deftly twist and pull her hair. The smell of roses filled her senses, and she closed her eyes as her mother worked through her hair.
"All finished." Her mother murmured. Celebrían kept her gaze downwards.
"It's not like you to doubt yourself. Don't let anyone think that you aren't worthy." She felt her mother's presence close; a strand of her golden hair fell in her face.
"You, my daughter, are beautiful." Galadriel whispered into her ear.
A faint smile appeared on her full lips, and slowly she looked at the tall mirror in front of her.
Her mother had done a remarkable job on her hair. The silver tresses flowed down her shoulders. On the crown of her head her hair had been twisted and braided with tiny midnight blue flowers and white roses. The intricate style created a halo around her glowing face. Celebrían smiled at her mother and kissed her cheek.
"Thank you."
Her mother merely smiled that knowing smile of hers in response, and moved around the room. She returned with a pale blue dress and handed it to Celebrían.
"Perhaps a stroll through the gardens would do you good, my daughter."
Celebrían raised an eyebrow but didn't question her mother. It did seem a fine idea and she rarely went against her mother's advice.
Yes, a stroll through the garden would be quite refreshing.
As night fell she walked into the gardens, and looked at the sky. The stars seemed brighter over the valley. She pondered why it was so when she felt a presence beside her. Quickly she turned and saw non other than the source of her troubles.
"Good evening, my lady." Elrond said pleasantly. Celebrían noted that he had changed his garb. This eve he wore a dark blue tunic embellished with tiny intricate patterns in silver on the hem and sleeves, and black trousers.
His hair was released from its braids and cascaded down his shoulders. It was dark as midnight, a complete contrast to her silvery locks.
He seemed more at ease now, as if the heavy robes of office he usually wore weighed him down.
"Celebrían." He looked at her curiously. "You can call me Celebrían, my lord."
"Then you can call me Elrond."
Celebrían smiled and turned her gaze to the stars, as if it would hide the faint blush on her cheeks.
"The stars look beautiful. They seem brighter here."
He looked at her with his deep eyes and breathed.
"That they are."
He walked over to her and stood a few feet away from her, careful of keeping an appropriate space between them. Despite the distance between them she could still feel his strong presence.
"We seem awfully small compared to them, do we not?" His voice was so soft, barely above a whisper.
"Yes, but they give me a strange sense of comfort. Their existence give me hope that there is something greater and better than us. They bring light to the darkness."
She fell silent and stared at the dome of stars above them. One was brighter than them all, gil-estel, the star of hope. She flushed when she realized that to him the stars might remind him of something else, a pain forgiven but never forgotten.
She looked at him then and saw the light of the moon reflect in his pale face. He seemed younger, vulnerable even.
"Do you remember him?"
His head snapped to his side, the question obviously catching him off guard. Somehow she was sure that it was a rare sight to behold.
"Why do you ask?"
She blushed and swallowed hard. How could she be such a fool? She barely knew him, and still she had allowed her forthrightness to get the better of her.
"Forgive me for being blunt. I didn't mean to offend you."
His face softened and he looked back up to the sky. She followed his gaze and looked at the bright star above. She berated herself for asking him such a personal question, but somehow she felt the need to know everything about that strange elf-lord.
"Sometimes I like to believe that I do."
He looked down at her, and she could see the pain edged in his eyes. She could see the sorrow of a child abandoned by his father.
"But I know that it is a mere figment of the imagination. A longing to hold on to something I never truly had."
She felt the need to hold him, to comfort him and tell him that everything would be all right. She wanted to tell him that he wasn't alone for in that moment he seemed lost, and alone. She realized that it must be difficult to be the last of his kind.
"It's awfully silly. I speak as if I haven't been loved in my life."
"Have you?" Celebrían bit her tongue. Why could she never just keep her mouth shut?
Elrond smiled and nodded his head.
"Yes, I've been very lucky."
"Lucky?"
"My youth has always been of great conflict by our people. It wasn't the most quintessential childhood, but I was raised with love, though at times it seemed timid. I think that in the end we could have counted ourselves blessed."
"We?"
"My brother and I." Elrond smiled wistfully.
"Elros." Celebrían muttered softly. She had of course heard of his story, but it was entirely different to hear it from him.
"I don't know why I'm sharing this with you." He admitted. "I don't know how to explain it, but it feels as if I know you." He shook his head in disbelief. "I haven't spoken to many people of these things. You see, I don't trust very easily."
Celebrían nodded her head knowingly. This was very strange indeed for she too felt the same familiarity with him. Being with him felt right, as if her soul had been missing something and finally found it.
"The feeling is mutual…" She looked away from his probing gaze and fixed on the stars above.
She took a voluntary step closer, her hand brushing accidentally against his.
Elrond looked down and smiled slightly. She returned his smile and boldly grasped his fingers in hers.
A chill ran through her limbs, bringing her back to the presence. Celebrían's eyes cleared, and the wonderful memory faded to the back of her mind. It took her a moment to realize that Elrond had stopped speaking.
Celebrían fixed her eyes on Elrond whose eyes were blissfully shut. A trace of a single tear streaked a chiseled cheek. She couldn't bear to see his pain, just like he couldn't bear hers. She turned around, unable to look at his pain, and looked at the open window.
Celebrían watched the earliest light of dawn rose by the horizon. Soon the sky would be bathed in magnificent colors of burning yellow and bronze. A hand found hers and she turned around to face her much loved husband. Elrond opened his eyes and looked searchingly into hers.
"Quel amrun." She whispered realizing that this would be the last time she would utter those words to her husband.
"Quel amrun." He murmured sadly. He brought their joined hands to his heart and closed his eyes relishing the feeling of her beside him.
How many days and nights would he have to endure without her by his side? How many years would pass until she would be in his arms again?
A dread darkened his heart and for a moment he felt the need to go with her. He should go with her. He was her husband, and they were bound forever. He would strip away from all duties and honor he held just to be there with her.
She seemed to feel his restlessness and whispered in a painful voice.
"Your time has not come. Please don't relinquish to your guilt."
He nodded his head, unable to find his voice. Celebrían brought his hand to her lips and kissed his knuckles. She resisted the dark memories in the back of her mind, and focused on the soft skin on her husband's hands.
Despairingly he tightened his grip slightly and etched closer to her. This would be their last chance to share such a moment, and he was willing to risk everything to have this moment with her, this one last chance to show his love for her.
"I love you." She whispered. "You do know that, don't you?"
Elrond nodded his head numbly, his head still cast downwards. Celebrían felt her heart sink as she observed her broken husband. Resisting a sob, she touched his forehead with a trembling hand, tracing the lines of his face, eventually finding his lips. He pressed his lips to the silken skin on her hand, the tremor of his lips hard to ignore.
"Elrond." She sobbed. "Please look at me."
Elrond's dark head moved back and forth in a soundless denial.
"Please." She whispered. The simple plea seemed to break something within him and slowly his head rose up. Silent tears ran down his pale cheeks, the grey of his eyes lacking their usual brightness. Celebrían's voice hitched in her throat at the sight. Her lip trembled, then her shoulders heaved as she sobbed. She sobbed for the cruelty of the world, and for her treacherous act of leaving her husband alone.
Elrond moved towards her so his body was now pressed against her. His hands cradled around her shaking frame.
For eternity they seemed to lie there. Tears were shared as they both grieved for their upcoming loss. None of them spoke anything, both devoid of anything to say.
Elrond was the first one to ease out of their embrace, his hand cupped her cheek, their eyes met and for that moment they relinquished to their love for one another, and forgot the horrible memories of the past year.
"I love you until the end of Arda and beyond."
Celebrían smiled at his words, the same words she had spoken when she had declared her love for him. She leaned towards him, their heads inches apart. Her lips hovered right by his; timidly she captured his lips in a light kiss.
It was the first they shared since the capture. Elrond responded slowly in fear of scaring her. Celebrían felt the spark of his fëa against hers, his love for her soothing her hurts. Slowly she deepened the kiss, and twisted her hands through his hair. When they finally parted she leaned her forehead up against his and sighed. Elrond's voice drifted through her ears, the whisper of her name echoing through the room.
"Celebrían…."
~IIXXII~
1. September, T.A. 3021.
"Celebrían."
Elrond's voice drifted through the empty room, the whispering of her name reaching every corner. Every single piece of furniture had been packed or moved to storage for none would inhabit the master bedroom.
Everything was set and prepared. They would set on the journey around noon, and the time for the last goodbye had finally come. After years of knowing that this day would come it still felt surreal to know that he would never return.
He stood in the middle of the room, his eyes closed tightly. The soft wind ruffled the curtains, the warm light flickering through the sheer fabric. His eyes fluttered open, the silver grey irises showed the depth of his pain. Old memories haunted him to this very day. This day in particular seem to weigh down on him, and he could feel the very long years of his life gain up on him.
He drew in a ragged breath, but it hitched in his throat, as he perceived something on the balcony, a shadow, or an apparition.
"Elrond." A chiming voice brushed through his mind. The scent of roses engulfed his senses, their scent bringing forth the image of her in his mind.
"Celebrían." He murmured hoarsely, scantly believing his own senses. Perhaps he was simply losing his mind, but he felt as if Celebrían stood there with him, clad in white. He could see her thin frame stand on the arched balcony, pretending not to notice his presence. He could see the sly smile form on her full lips, a sparkle of light in her blue eyes. Her presence was so tangible that he physically ached to touch her, but she couldn't be there. She couldn't be real.
He took a careful step forward, his hand stretched out before him.
Celebrían turned around and smiled at him warmly, her silver blonde hair framing the delicate features.
"Elrond." She beckoned him with her voice. Almost blinded with tears he stepped on the balcony.
"Celebrían…my Celebrían," he breathed.
Her pale hand stretched out towards him. He was so close to her, yet so far away. Their hands were inches apart, their fingertips almost brushing when a voice drifted from the doorway.
"Adar?"
Elrond blinked, and watched Celebrían's image fade away. His hand grasped the thin air in the hope to clasp her fading hand. Bewildered he stared at the empty balcony before him.
Elrond closed his eyes and drew in a shaky breath. Was he losing his mind? Had his grief finally taken his mind away?
"Ada?"
A feather light touch on his arm drew him out of his reverie. Elrond looked into his son's worried face, and tried in vain to regain his composure.
"Elrohir." His voice was uncharacteristically shaky.
"Is everything all right?"
Elrond smiled in reassurance, and grasped his son's shoulder.
"I am fine."
Elrohir frowned, his eyes drifting to the spot where Celebrían stood earlier. He opened his mouth but closed it again. He gave his father a long lasting look of concern, his eyes almost pleading with him to tell him what plagued his mind.
"I assure you Elrohir. I am merely tired."
"If you say so adar."
A gust of wind rushed through the air, a familiar voice hovering in the air.
"Come back to me, my love."
Elrond rushed on to the balcony and directed his gaze to the west.
"I'm coming…Celebrían, I'm coming to you."
"Ada! What is the matter?"
Elrohir's hand touched his arm in alarm, his voice shaking with fear.
"Celebrían." He murmured in awe. "Celebrían calls to me."
"Naneth…" Elrohir's eyes, so much like his father's, shone with realization.
"They are calling to you. The sea calls for you." His voice was tinged with sadness.
"I wish I could see her."
Elrond looked at him then, and smiled sadly.
"That choice is yet before you."
Elrohir bit his lip and looked away from his father.
"I…I don't know what to do." He admitted carefully. Elrond grasped his arm tighter in reassurance. The younger, more sensible twin had ever sought the truth in life. Rarely one to act on great impulse the choice was indeed heavy for him. Elladan, the rational, more spontaneous twin, would find and accept his choice readily. In that aspect Elladan reminded him of Elros and Elrohir of him. He prayed that their choices would not create a wedge between them.
"You will. In time you will know."
"You seem so sure."
Elrond laughed and shook his head in denial.
"On the contrary. I don't know what the future beholds for you ion-nín, but know that I am immensely proud of you. I could not ask for a better gift than you and your siblings."
Elrohir's eyes shone with unshed tears and he grasped his father's shoulders.
"Your counsel will be sorely missed."
"Oh, you were never very fond of my counsel in your younger days." Elrond said carefully, with a trace of humor, remembering two rascals who always went their own ways. His comment seemed to conjure a different memory for Elrohir. He looked down in shame.
"We were fools."
Elrond sobered, his eyes betraying his grief of the past.
"You were grieving." He amended.
"It doesn't matter. We were ruthless, cruel…we blamed the wrong people for our grief, and forever I will be ashamed of our actions."
"Don't be. We cannot live our lives without making mistakes. It's a part of being a living being."
Elrohir sighed and leaned against the railing, his hair falling in his face as he bowed his head.
"I wish to amend for the past, but don't know how. I wish to rid this earth of the foul beasts that sundered our family. I wish to return to naneth with peace in my heart."
"You will find your peace, ion-nín."
Elrohir looked up and smiled sadly.
"I will miss you ada. So very much."
"I will miss you too." Elrond grasped Elrohir's shoulders and embraced him tightly. They were almost the same height, Elrohir merely an inch taller than his father.
"Am I allowed to join you?"
Elrond and Elrohir released each other, their heads turning to the doorway where Elladan stood uncomfortably. Elrond raised his hand up and gestured him to come join them. Elladan came timidly towards them, and allowed the strong arms of his brother and father engulf around him.
The three of them stood together like that for a moment. His sons would not join them on the road to the havens. Their new role's as the Lords of Imladris had been established, and it had been a mutual decision to say their goodbyes in Imladris rather than the havens where bittersweet memories followed them.
"I don't want to say goodbye ada. I wish I could tell you with certainty that we will see each other again." Elladan began, his usually strong voice devoid of the usual boisterous agility.
"I don't want you to make empty promises."
"We do not wish to hurt you."
"I know." He said gravely. "I also know the reasons for you staying, and it gives me a certain comfort that you will have each other." He put a hand on each of their cheeks, so alike.
"I have only one advice to give you. Whichever choice you will make, be sure to choose for your own sakes. You will know it when you do. Perhaps you already know your choice but fear to voice it to your grieving father."
Elladan's eyes hardened and he shook his head vehemently.
"I assure you that we haven't."
"Just promise me to listen to your hearts, and choose wisely." He kissed each brow and stroked each cheek in remembrance.
"Come now. Let us go to meet your grandparents. They wished to speak with you."
He led his sons out of the balcony and watched them march ahead.
Elrond stopped when he reached the door, and took a one last glance of the room.
"I'm coming to you Celebrían." He whispered once more before he closed the door shut.
~IIXXII~
On the shore she watched the sun rise over the horizon. Her silver locks whipping in the boisterous wind. The air smelled of salt and seaweed. In the distance a white bird flew over the sea, her wings spread wide. Celebrían shielded her eyes from the sun and watched the bird fly out of her sight.
If only she could fly back to her beloved, if only Eru would lend her wings and allow her to fly back into his arms.
She cradled her arms around her thin frame, and continued her walk on the white shore. Her toes touched the fine grain of the unnaturally white sands, her white dress caressing her calves as the wind caught in the fabric.
Suddenly something seemed to change in the air, a sudden feeling of peace surrounded her. The horizon faded into mist and for a moment it seemed that the forests of Imladris appeared right before her eyes. She could see the tall trees in her garden, the fading leaves on the rosebushes rumbling with the soft breeze. Underneath her feet she could feel the cold tiles, and the smooth railing under her fingertips.
She could scarcely breathe in fear of losing the sight before her. In the periphery of her vision was a familiar shape. A small, secretive smile tugged on her lips.
Elrond.
Swiftly she turned around and almost cried out in joy when she saw her beloved husband before her. His grey eyes were fixated on her form, his expression showing his disbelief and utter joy of seeing her. His lips moved but she couldn't hear what he said.
He looked so very tired, almost frail, his lithe body donned thick robes as if the early autumn chill affected him. He hadn't lost his charming looks, but there were lines there that had not been there before. A dark shadow hung over him like a cloak, and she wished to brush it off, and help him find his healing.
She saw him raise his hand up, his body responding impulsively.
Her heart hammered in her chest as she raised her hand up in turn, her fingers tingling with expectation. He approached her as if in a dream. Their hands were almost touching when she saw a shadow in the doorway, another much beloved face.
Elrohir.
Elrond seemed to tense up and for a split second their connection broke and she was once again standing on the shore, the vast sands continuing into the distance. There was no forest, no sign of her love.
Her hand hovered in the air for a while longer, holding on to the hope of feeling his touch once more. Tears welled in her eyes.
"Come back to me, my love." She whispered into the wind. "Come back to me."
Her voice drowned in the sound of the tide breaking on the shore, the ocean spray tingeing the air with salt. Tears ran down her cheeks, the saltiness of her tears mingling with the ocean spray. She ran into the sea, and stopped stock still where the water reached her knees.
"Come back to me." Her voice broke.
"I'm coming…Celebrían, I'm coming to you." The soft tenor echoed in her mind.
Tears slid down her cheeks as she looked at the rising sun, the rising of hope.
Elrond was coming. Her beloved was returning to her.
Ethereal. adj. means extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world. Heavenly or spiritual.
