Music, melancholic and lamenting, called him to wakefulness. The air was cool but a warm body pressed against his and a precious head perched against his chest.
"Dear Ilúvatar, thank you for my Celebrian and for the gift of our precious children. Please watch over and protect us. Bless and care for those we have lost including Ereinion, Indiriel, Oropher and so many friends and loved ones. Keep Elros and his descendants in your love. May all find peace and rebirth in the west or in the place you have prepared for mortals. Guide me, so I may faithfully serve you and your children. Dear Eru, I place my trust in you." His morning prayer rang silently in his thoughts.
"Meleth nin," the sultry voice sounded near his shoulder. Then the soft strands slid over as a wicked tongue and lips nibbled at his bare skin, sending shivers through him. "Chilly are we?" The breathtaking azure eyes crinkled in amusement. They had talked late into the night, reminiscing on wonderful times shared with Ereinion. Yesterday and today were Remembrance Days. It was always a difficult time of year especially for Elrond. Talk had given way to more pleasurable activities. Their lips met again in shared joy.
"The door?" He gasped in worry.
"It is closed, but I would hear Arwen's knock." Their four year old had only recently moved to her own bed, a process done with much fanfare after her birthday celebration a few weeks ago. She had not been very eager to leave the comfort of her parent's bed. The innocent and engaging toddler had panache for stumbling into harrowing situations. Such young elflings were always oblivious to obvious dangers, but this seemed to be even more the case for the little elleth. They had deemed it prudent to keep her in their room for an extra year.
"It is not that early. How much time do you think we have?" He traced the outer form of her ear, a move that sent shivers through her. In response, she pushed him backwards onto the pillow and kissed him ardently. She was a bit breathless by the time they broke the kiss.
"You are right, it is late for Arwen. Perhaps I should check." She breathed in his scent. It was of Sandalwood and a hint of chocolate and was utterly intoxicating. Elrond closed his eyes and focused on the bond with their daughter.
"She is awake. I sense frustration." He sank wearily back into the pillow as Celebrian rose from the bed. He was thankful for any stolen moment. Life had been overwhelming of late.
"Rest a little longer. I will check on our wayward toddler."
"Too quiet. That always means trouble." Elrond sighed and pulled the blanket up over his chest. He had pulled on sleep pants when he had risen during the night to clean up but had left his shirt off to indulge in the heavenly feel of his beloved's touch upon his skin. He quashed that blissful line of thinking for fear that he might not make it out of bed. When he opened his eyes, Celebrian was dressed in her nightgown and was pulling on a robe. She smiled brightly at him, a smile that renewed his earlier thought. Then she walked out of their bedroom and through their sitting room. He heard the door open. A crash and a moment of silence followed before Arwen's wails filled the air.
"It is not nice to listen at key holes." Celebrian scooped the child up in her arms and the cries grew louder as they approached. Elrond gasped slightly as he felt the power that the child drew from her Naneth. It was said that elven couples gave much of themselves to their children. Elrond did not recall it being so draining with the twins, but perhaps in the sleep deprived blur that was the twin's first ten years, he had forgotten. Neither of them knew how much time had passed before Celebrian gratefully lay the sobbing child on her husband's chest.
"You are cold my little Gwilwileth (butterfly)." Elrond soothed in his melodic tenor as the sobbing child clamored beneath the covers. Cold hands chilled his warm chest. He focused his soothing healing song towards the child. Arwen was comforted and strengthened by the combined song and power of her parents. Before long, the three of them were lost in an exhausted doze.
"Master Elrond?" When Elrond next opened his eyes he was surprised to see the Mistress Silsilalda assessing him. The chief healer and administrator of the healing school of Imladris was a long time colleague of his. A blush spread over his cheeks as he noted that Arwen was still perched on his bare chest. "No need for that." Silsi teased. "The elfling is in a growth spurt and needs you both in ways that while unusual are not unheard of among our people."
"Celebrian?"
"She has yet to awaken, but I have already checked her and she is well." Silsi's eyes were piercing in their assessment. After an awkward pause, Silsi continued. "You are both exhausted. Perhaps it would be wise to have someone else lead the remembrance ceremony this afternoon."
"How did you know to check on us? What time is it?"
"Erestor noticed your absence and came by to check on you. I saw the stool at the door and the bruise near Arwen's left eye. What has your little one gotten herself into this time?"
"And I thought the twins were a handful." Erestor's amused voice sounded from somewhere across the room, but Elrond did not want to risk waking his daughter. "The trade delegation from Bree left this morning as planned. I trust you will now take it easy for the next few months. Arwen is obviously not ready to relinquish her hold over her parents."
"Is Arwen well? I sense turmoil and confusion." Elrond trusted Silsi to give him a true assessment.
"An insatiable curiosity as well as a headstrong nature to do everything for herself." Celebrian said quietly as she knew that Elrond worried that their treasured little daughter had inherited less than stellar attributes of his mixed heritage. "My Naneth laughed and said I drove them to exhaustion in my childhood."
"Perhaps we can ask her for more details as well as for their advice as to how to keep this inquisitive child safe without stifling her creativity." Elrond suggested as ran his hand over the beautiful dark curls and sent a silent prayer to Elbereth.
"Each child is a new puzzle and challenge for the parents. Nature and nurture both hold sway." Silsilalda soothed as she ran her hands over Arwen's small figure. "I sense confusion as well, which might have something to do with getting used to her new sleeping arrangements or might stem from something else. She shows an unusual perceptiveness of people's feelings, much like I remember from Elwing. Perhaps she senses the sadness of these days of remembrance and it makes her fearful."
"She was so cold." Celebrian worried and was always watchful. She had seen tiny mortal children succumb to childhood illnesses despite the best efforts of her husband and Mistress Silsilalda. Dangers were much greater for tiny bodies. The twins had never acquired any colds or mortal illnesses during their young childhood. The lung fever that had sickened Elrohir would have been a danger to any elf that had breathed in similar amount of river water and he had recovered as quickly as any elf. "I try to check on her several times each night but I think the child kicks off all her blankets the moment that I leave the room."
"She is healthy and well loved. Do not create things to worry about." Silsilalda smiled for there were likely to be more than enough real adventures with these peredhil.
"Will you bring Arwen with you to the ceremony?" Erestor asked. "It is short notice to ask someone to take your places. You will need to be ready in two hours."
"I think it would be best for Arwen to remain inside." Celebrian did not want her daughter to venture outside on this brisk fall day. "Anhen and Bredeli will be watching a handful of children during the ceremony. Several of Arwen's friends will be there."
"If she has sensed the sadness of this occasion, it would be best to talk with her about it right after the ceremony." Elrond stroked the precious little head gently. "But if she has not sensed anything, certainly going to the ceremony would stir such thoughts."
"Then I will let Anhen know that Arwen is coming." Erestor repeated. "Would you like a nursemaid to come and watch her while you get ready?"
"No, we will take turns." Celebrian decided. She was ever watchful of their daughter as if she had foreseen something. "If you would excuse us?"
"I am glad you are both well my Lord and Lady." Silsilalda smiled at Master Elrond's grimace and took her leave with Erestor following close behind.
"They need more help." Silsi whispered. "That child is a handful."
"Every child is a handful." Erestor smiled as he remembered how he and his wife struggled with their own.
"Yes, but Celebrian confided that she dreamed of Arwen in danger."
"What?" Erestor gasped in surprise. It was clear how much his friends loved their child. "Now I am even more surprised that she suggested to leave Arwen in the care of others during the ceremony."
"They are exhausted. The diplomatic meetings were ill timed."
"Mortals believe treaties should be revisited every ten years."
"Such a short time to us." Silsi shook her head in disbelief. "Our Lord looks nearly at the end of his rope. This happened much later with the twins." Silsi commented as they both laughed.
"They accepted more help in the twin's case. But do not worry, the calvary is on its way from Lothlórien."
Xxxxxxxxxxx
"Welcome Arwen." Anhen smiled at her charge and noted how weary Lady Celebrian appeared. She squatted down to get closer to eye level with the child. Anhen could see Arwen's bright silver eyes assessing this new situation. "My name is Anhen. You remember Bredeli. She helped your Adar with the bubbles on the playground last month."
"I like bubbles." A smile lit the child's whole face.
"We were going to make leaf prints to decorate the windows today. Would you like to help us?" She watched the silver eyes look toward the table where elflings and a few children of men were already playing. The smile faded. Arwen turned back to her Naneth.
"Nana, I want to go with you."
"I will only be a few hours." Celebrian leaned down to kiss the crown of her daughter's head. "Can you make a leaf print for the window in Ada's study? He always treasures your creations. I know it will make him smile."
"No, I want to go with you."
"It is cold outside and we will be standing for most of the long ceremony. It is not a place for elflings." Celebrian picked her daughter up and gave her a hug and kiss. "I will be back soon and you can help me learn how to make such prints." The dark head nodded ever so slightly in agreement.
"Come Arwen, you can pick the leaves you want to use. Bredeli and I gathered leaves of all colors, shapes, and sizes." Anhen gently grasped the small fingers and led the elleth away from her Naneth. Celebrian smiled and waved goodbye. "What is your favorite color?"
"Where are the leaves?" Arwen's voice was small as if now resigned to her fate. Bredeli placed a caring hand on Arwen's shoulder. Separation was always difficult for young elfings to deal with.
"We have them in a bin by the window. My favorites are the yellow leaves of the tulip tree and the reds of maples. These orange and green oval leaves are from either the pecan or the butternut tree." Several of the other children came over to greet Arwen. They knew each other from the playground. Anhen watched the small child look over the leaves and shake her head.
"The ovals are from the elm in Nana's garden." Arwen stated authoritatively although something outside seemed to catch the child's attention.
"You think so?" Anhen returned. "Perhaps you want to chose some of the elm leaves for your picture?" Silver eyes turned their full attention towards her. The caregiver shivered slightly at that probing look. No, she must be imagining it. This was just a small child, barely two and a half feet tall. Arwen turned back to the bin and picked out several leaves, each of a different size and shape but all in the deep reds and rich oranges of the season. "Next we will chose crayon colors and paper." She motioned towards the tables but the child remained as if frozen by the window.
"Arwen is something wrong?" Bredeli crossed over to the child and motioned for Anhen to continue to the table. She kept her voice low and soothing. She had cared for the child several times before when the Lord and Lady needed to attend adult functions. Wide, fearful eyes met hers. "What is wrong dear?" She pulled the little one into a hug.
"Why are all those warriors out there? Why do they carry swords and bows?" The child whispered fearfully and accepted the hug. Bredeli looked out the window at the garden, which while painted in the golds and oranges of autumn and was only occupied by the gardener.
"There is no one there, Arwen. Look it is just Lotlien the gardener."