A/N: The thing about Elrond and Celebrían that I find particularly frustrating is that Tolkien decided that they married 109 years into the Third Age. Which begs the question, why oh why did they wait so long? As one who obsesses way too much over these characters I have considered it as my own personal mission to seek conclusion in this matter. I'm not gonna lie, it's not easy. This particular piece is just one fragment in my mission. It's my particular belief that Elrond was not very well versed in the love department, and really took his time to do things properly, which brings me to the story itself.

Usually the man asks the father, or the parents, for permission to marry their daughter, then comes marriage and the children follow soon after (at least as is considered proper in a conservative medieval based society such as the one Tolkien created). Well, since Elrond really had to take his time then he of course had to ask first for permission to court Celebrían before he could even think of a marriage proposal. He is a gentleman, after all (and very very very shy when it comes to love).

If you are by any means still reading this, and haven't already skipped to the story (not that I blame you for that), then I want to express my sincerest thanks to you for reading. It would be greatly appreciated if you told me what you thought. As lovely as it is to receive favorites and story alerts, it's always very nice to receive some word on what you truly think. A simple "good job" or "this sucks" is honestly very much appreciated, believe it or not.

Thank you for reading.

The Reluctant Sapling

"My Lord Celeborn. It would be my great honor to ask you for my humble permission to court your exceedingly graceful and beautiful daughter-"

Elrond paused, shook his head, and muttered to himself.

"No, that is not good enough…" He raised his head up and continued as if nothing had occurred.

"I ask humbly…I ask for…I beg? No…I ask for your permission to court Celebrían. Your daughter-" Elrond paused. Of course he knew who his own daughter was.

He gazed heavenward in despair.

"Ah, sod it."

Elrond exhaled heavily and frowned at his reflection from the gilded mirror above the washbasin. He looked down at the well crunched up parchment that lay on the table. The text was half obscured after its mistreated handling. The letters were barely comprehensible from smudging as Elrond, once again, ran a thumb over the ink.

"This will not do..." Elrond decided and self-consciously ran a hand through the unruly locks of hair that simply refused to stay put.

Typical.

He puffed his cheeks and counted to ten until he released the air with a suffering sigh. With a glance upwards he straightened himself and scowled at his reflective image.

"Certainly Elrond, it would be my delight and honor-" Elrond replied to himself, waving a lofty hand in the air as he made a rather unconvincing imitation of Celeborn. He dropped his hands over the edge of the table, lowering his head in the process.

"Fool." He muttered under his breath. One hand landed firmly on the table. "You are an utter fool and an imbecile of the highest caliber."

Swiftly he moved away and gathered himself. It was no use wallowing in self-pity. This would not do anymore.

Yes, he would simply walk over to Celeborn and ask. It was as simple as that. He had faced many foes in his life. Certainly he could handle Celeborn.

Elrond scowled.

A lie. A terrible lie it was. However after a week of mustering the courage to ask Celeborn permission to court his only child, and composing several well rehearsed speeches of his worth and utter devotion to Celebrían, he decided that in the worst case scenario Celeborn would refuse him and…and consequently crush his heart in the process. But that was a trivial matter.

With some force of his own will, and a determined shove from Glorfindel as well (who had caught him hovering in uncertainty and practically dragged him by the arm out of the house), he found himself walking towards the small woodland area behind the House where he was sure to find Celeborn. He had taken it upon himself to grow plants and trees near the settlement, stating that despite its beauty the valley was terribly lacking in that area. Truth to be told many had partaken in the project; the closeness of the trees renewed the spirit after too many years in the desert lands of Mordor, and gave many wounded a newfound purpose.

Elrond stopped a few paces away from the Elf lord who was bent over a small green sapling, his soft voice uttered encouraging words to it as he compressed the soil over the roots. Elrond observed the whole procedure with mild interest while he forced the raging sea of his emotions to calm, and for his quivering nerves to settle. Despite his uttermost efforts he was hard pressed to keep himself from pacing, as was his wont when he felt ill at ease or, in this case, on the brink of losing his nerve.

Elrond swallowed thickly as he, once again, ran over his well-rehearsed speech. As he was contemplating the right choice of words he realized that he had ran into a certain dilemma. How on earth should he approach the Elf lord? It was such a simple matter, but suddenly he found his every movement awkward and out of place. Should he approach him as he would on an unofficial business, or did this occasion require more formal approach?

Perhaps he should have asked some of the married ellon he knew before he decided to speak with Celeborn.

Well, it was too late now.

Before he could even contemplate moving an inch Celeborn decided to give him his undivided attention as he glanced at his direction with that observantly piercing gaze of his, and raised a pale eyebrow. His facial expression revealed none of his emotions though a slight twitch of thin lips indicated his notice of Elrond's unease.

Celeborn rose and gestured for him to come closer. With palms sweaty, heart racing, and knees quaking, Elrond approached Celeborn with as much grace as he could muster at that moment, realizing all too late that there was no turning back now.

As Eldar custom dictated it was the father who had the right to decline or accept an offer of courtship, and Elrond was careful to respect that custom. As it was Elrond held Celeborn and Galadriel both in highest esteem and wished for both of their blessings, therefore he would also speak with her, once Celeborn gave his permission of course.

The sensible part of him scolded him for speaking to them separately, but the coward in him told him that he would never have gathered the courage to speak to them both at once. It had taken him long enough to even express his interest in Celebrían let alone speak of his feelings.

As he stood before the scrutiny of Lord Celeborn he began to doubt his decision. Despite the fact that Elrond was a good hand taller than him Celeborn's posture and poise made up for the lack in height. There was little that indicated his true status for his green and grey garb was modest and stained with mud, as were his hands which had mere minutes before handled the earth with practiced ease of one well attuned to nature. His silver hair lay loose over his shoulders, though few strands were tied in casual braids that had loosened throughout the day. There was therefore little in his appearance that spoke of his true status.

Celeborn was an Elf of great practicality who cared little for lofty titles and things of material worth. His being lay within the fabric of the earth. The trees, the earth, the rivers and all things that lived spoke to him, and his mind found solace within everything that grew. Despite his caring nature and careful approach to the matters of the world he was still a father, and a very protective father at that.

"Ah, Elrond to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

The words were softly spoken though Elrond sensed the undercurrents of curiosity despite the knowing look that gleamed in his eyes.

Elrond swallowed thickly, and clasped his hands tightly behind his back in an attempt to still his nerves.

"I fear that I am not here to discuss the growth of the trees, though surely you have outdone yourself. Imladris will forever be grateful for your help."

Celeborn inclined his head.

"Tis my pleasure, though I must say that I am curious for your visit, occupied as you are these days."

"My business is that of a great personal matter, one that concerns you and your family."

Celeborn tilted his head to the side, a strange twinkle in his eyes.

"Well then, you have caught me at the right moment." He leaned against the trunk of a tree and crossed his arms over his chest.

"The trees have been whispering tidings in my ear, revealing their secrets to me. Most concern you…and my daughter."

Elrond opened his mouth to speak but found that his usually quick-witted mind failed him. Typical that such a thing occurred at such an inopportune moment.

This conversation was not going in the direction he had intended. As one well versed in steering conversations towards topics of his will he suddenly found that he was fast losing control of the situation. Celeborn looked at him meaningfully, but gave him a little chance to find his words.

"You have been seeking each others company lately, have you not?"

Elrond's jaw worked as he felt the knot in his throat tightening.

"Yes."

"That is well. You enjoy her company, I assume."

"Immensely."

Celeborn nodded contemplatively. "Good, good." He pursed his lips and Elrond found himself at the receiving end of a piercing stare. Elrond knew that under the usually calm surface lay a raging storm that could be unleashed at any given moment.

"You realize that Celebrían is my greatest treasure. No gold, no trinket in this world can come in her place. As her father, it is my purpose to watch over her safekeeping for there is none on this earth kinder of heart than she and fairest she is above any other." He paused, and allowed the meaning of those words to sink in before he continued.

"If anyone so much as hurts a hair on her head then they must answer to me." There was no mistaking the threat. Elrond understood that he had not chosen the easiest prospect of potential future in-laws.

Yet, there was one thing that Elrond was absolutely certain of, and that was that he cared for Celebrían above any other. From the very first moment he met Celebrían he loved her. Though many long years had passed since that day he still felt his heart beat faster by the mere thought of her.

He realized that he would fight for her with every might of his being, and as he realized that he felt his nerves ease and a sense of calm wash over him.

She was worth fighting for.

"I have greatest respect for your daughter. In fact, I care for her very much, and her well being is ever on my mind." He straightened to his full considerable and impressive height, and swallowed his apprehension.

"I have cared for your daughter long, and watched her grow into the graceful lady she has become." He paused and looked at Celeborn earnestly, exposing a part of his soul he rarely revealed.

"I love her, and I ask for your permission to court her."

Celeborn stood motionless for a moment, his face set in an unreadable mask, though his eyes widened slightly by Elrond's admission.

Elrond allowed the shadow of a doubt cross his thoughts. Briefly he wondered what he would do should he decline.

Could he let go of Celebrían? He felt lost without her. For so long he had lived in darkness and despair, sick with grief and loss. She had dragged him out of the depths of his depression like a drowning man in need of air. He needed her more than she would ever need him.

When he thought he could not stand Celeborn's silence any longer he watched, with great apprehension, as he moved and sat down by the sapling, gesturing for Elrond to join him.

With some hesitation Elrond moved to Celeborn, and obediently sat down when Celeborn patted the ground beside him, gesturing for him to sit.

Wordlessly Elrond sat himself on the ground and observed as Celeborn's hands hovered above the sapling, its green leaves seemed to stretch upwards under the gentle touch.

"I have always been fond of trees. They are far better listeners than any Elf could be." He divulged almost conspiratorially. "To watch them grow is a joy to behold, though some take my encouragement with some reluctance." He gestured towards the sapling with an expression of parental reprimand on his face.

Out of any reaction Elrond had imagined by his request, this was one he had not anticipated. The reaction threw him off balance and he barely noticed that Celeborn had continued speaking.

"Take for example this one. He has been reluctant to grow; no matter what care and encouragement it is given. The soil here is rich, you see."

Unexpectedly he grabbed Elrond's hand and shoved it into the cool earth.

"Feel how it nurtures and supports it, and yet it has refused to grow." He raised a finger upwards and smiled smugly.

"That is until a few weeks ago it decided to stretch its leaves, and look how it has grown." Celeborn chuckled and shook his head in wonder. "Remarkable, is it not? Sometimes it seems that we must grow at our own pace."

Elrond frowned and wondered whether he should feel offended by his words, but the gentle smile on Celeborn's lips softened the cut of his words. He patted the soil and whispered to the tree before he glanced sideways.

"Does she approve?"

Elrond blinked by the sudden change in topic and glanced at Celeborn questioningly.

"Pardon?"

"Despite my attempts to protect my daughter I deem that she is old and wise enough to make her own decisions. Does she express her wish to court you?"

Elrond's cheeks reddened as he considered Celeborn's words. They had not spoken of their courtship openly, though Celebrían's open feelings towards him indicated her mutual interest in him.

Celeborn inclined his head knowingly, eyes twinkling with barely contained mirth.

"Wise as you are in all lore master Elrond, though you seem to be somewhat lacking in the love department." He stood up and dusted the earth from his hands, and Elrond mirrored his actions, awaiting his answers.

"I suggest you speak with her for I believe she has her own opinions of the matter, whether I agree or not."

Elrond stiffened when he felt a fatherly hand land on his shoulder and met Celeborn's fatherly smile with one of hesitancy.

"For what it's worth, there is none more worthy of her." With a gentle squeeze Celeborn dropped his hand and walked into the direction of the House, hands behind his back as he whistled softly to himself.

Elrond stood still, heart pounding in his ears as Celeborn's words slowly sunk in.

At last he shook out of his stupor and walked to the house, considerably lighter of feet than he had been when walking here and followed Celeborn's steps. He turned towards the gardens with one purpose on his mind.

He had to seek Celebrían.

And there she was, standing among white blossoms, silver hair cascading over her shoulder, an affectionate smile on her face as she spotted him cross the field. Raising her skirts she ran to him. Caught firmly in his embrace he whispered the long awaited question into her ear, the one that he had longed to ask for many years.

She answered yes.