Chapter One
Dawn Rises
She was running, quickly and blindly, with nowhere to go. One moment she had been at the feast with her lord, and the next moment fleeing for her life. The darkness surrounded her, obscuring her vision. The forest itself seemed to rise up against her, the tree branches looming wickedly in front of her. Out of nowhere, they had appeared. They leered at her with their crude swords held aloft in the air, glimmering in the fell light. Celebrían shivered. Her gown was sheer for the weather had been hot at the feast.
Until she found herself in this forest. A swarm of orcs pursued her, eager for the spill of her blood. The nearest one, an orc chieftain with malevolent yellow eyes, reached out his grimy hands. The short stubby fingers grabbed hold of her filmy gown, ripping it. Celebrían paid no mind, and continued to run. But she had reached a cliff. Looking back, she saw that they were closing in. With a moment's hesitation, she turned to fling herself off the cliff. But they had reached her.
Celebrían tried to scream. The foul stench of the tortured creatures overwhelmed her, and she fell with a swoon. With the end of her dreams, Celebrían's eyes snapped open, startled out of her sleep. Panting heavily, she sat up. She was safe in the middle of Imladris, far away from any dark forest. The soft comforters of her bed were tangled around her, for she had tossed and turned in her sleep. Pushing them aside, she saw that Elrond had already risen.
"Elrond?" she asked quietly, looking around for her lord.
"Yes?" he replied.
Following his voice, she saw that he was standing by the balcony. The bright rays of dawn had broken, sending streaks of pink and gold across the sky. Elrond stood gazing into the sky. Celebrían wrapped her robe closer around her, shivering despite the warmth. Standing up, she padded over to where her husband stood. As his gaze shifted to her, his bemused expression immediately turned worried. "Celebrían, are you all right?" he asked, concern obvious in his voice. "Another nightmare?" The already sharp creases in his forehead deepened and he put his arm around her.
She shook her head quickly, her soft blond hair swishing around her head. She looked up at him and managed a tired grin. "I'm fine, dearest." She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to forget her nightmare.
In the distance, Celebrían could hear the gentle trickle of a river and the torrent of waterfalls. The birds of the morning chirped merrily, all blissfully unaware of her nightmare. Outside, she could hear some of the children playing, and the low susurrus of the grown elves that were sitting in the courtyard. It was just another day. She leaned against Elrond on a seat by the balcony, thinking about her dream. It had all seemed so real to her. Stop it. You might scare the children. She scolded herself. And just as she was thinking about them, two energetic young elf lads.
"Mother, mother!" One of them, a bright eyed, excited boy bounded through the door. "Elladan threatened to leave me at home the next time they went to the forest." Elrohir, the one who was slightly younger, was the more energetic son. He was constantly getting in trouble, and always reprimanded by his older brother. He ran straight into Celebrían's arms, his wide eyes searching for defense by his mother. He tugged on the golden hem of her robe, before emitting a squeak as he saw his brother and ducking behind her. Elrond stood besides her, watching this with interest.
Elladan, the older twin, stood by the door, his arms crossed. "Mother, Elrohir is making up stuff again. Why, he said that just last night you were screaming when you were asleep."
Celebrían, in the midst of comforting her younger son, froze. Elrond, noticing this, said, "Boys, please. Your mother is not feeling well. Take your play elsewhere." He ushered them out of the door, before approaching his wife.
Just as he reached her, the door opened again. This time tentatively, as if the one who opened it was unsure of herself. Indeed, their little daughter, Arwen entered the bedchambers. Behind her she dragged a small oliphaunt doll. Her brown hair covered the greater portion of her small face and she fingered the hem of her olive covered gown before she looked up shyly at her parents.
"Mother," she began, before looking down at her feet again, blushing.
"Yes, darling?" Celebrían asked absentmindedly.
"Mumy and I were wondering if we could go outside and play by the stream today. Glorfindel said he'd come and watch us."
Celebrían and Elrond exchanged glances. Rumors of a shadow arising were very distant. After a moment's thought, they both agreed.
"All right," Elrond said. "As long as Mumy takes care of you, and Glorfindel remembers lunch."
A bright smile lit across Arwen's face and she bounced out happily, Mumy springing uncomfortably behind her. On the way out she nearly tripped over her voluminous gown, and Celebrían added, "And change your dress."
She sighed as Arwen had passed long out of earshot, and turned her attention towards Elrond. He seemed to know what was troubling her. Running his long, tapered fingers through her hair, he murmured, "It's all right, Celebrían. Nothing will reach you here." She moved closer to him, feeling the warmth of his body against hers. She wanted to feel reassured. She knew Elrond would not lie to her. Nor would he let her be taken. But something in her warned her about danger forthcoming. She shook her head, ignoring the thoughts and looked outside. They stood there, watching the sunrise in silence. A red sun rose slowly in the east.