A/N I have always been intrigued by the family of Lord Elrond and saddened by the terrible fate which fell upon his family when orcs waylaid his wife. The Breaking is my attempt at recreating that event and what happened afterward. Slight AU

Thank you to MistressOfImladris who has agreed to beta this story for me.


It was a bright, crisp fall day in the secret valley of Imladris. The leaves on the trees were slowly turning color, decorating the valley in a sea of vibrant red, yellow and orange. The Elves who dwelt in the valley were preparing for the coming winter, which promised to be a cold one. Inside the Last Homely House, Lady Celebrían – the wife of the Lord of Imladris – was occupied packing many items to make the long journey to Lothlórien. Many long years passed since Celebrían had seen her parents, the lord and lady of that realm, and her daughter, Arwen.

Excitement flooded around Celebrían as she stood in her bed chamber, a light blue dress in hand, gazing out at the beauty of the valley below. She eagerly wanted to make this trip before the weather would prevent her from traveling. She originally planned the journey in the summer months, but one thing on top of another piled up and the warmer months quickly slipped past.

"Mother, how many items of clothing do you think you will be needing?" A voice filled with amusement and laughter asked from behind her, breaking her from her deep thoughts. Turning, she saw her eldest son, Elladan, watching her with a raised brow much like his father, as he surveyed the room he just entered.

An identical Elf to Elladan came to stand beside her. Stifling a laugh, he continued to help his mother pack for her journey. "You never know, brother, Lothlórien might have run out of clothing. Tis better to be safe than sorry," Elrohir replied with as much seriousness as he could muster. "It would be a dismal thing indeed if mother ran out of clothing."

Celebrían smirked, grabbing the pale violet dress from her youngest son before putting it with the rest of her belongings. "I am not bringing too much, just enough to last me while I am gone. Besides, an elleth can never have too many dresses in her wardrobe. But I don't expect you two to understand that sort of thing."

Elrohir laughed as he handed his mother another article of clothing, "No, I can't say we would understand." When all laughter died down, Elrohir became serious. "Have you spoken to father yet?"

At the mention of her husband, Celebrían stiffened momentarily before resuming her packing. Elrond was not happy she was going. There had been an unusual increase in Orc activity lately, and he didn't relish the idea of sending his wife amid danger. Celebrían shook her head softly, glancing up at her son. "Not since this morning."

Elladan glanced at his twin, perturbed, before speaking. "He is just worried about you, that is all. You know Orcs have been increasing as of late, and he is just afraid for your safety. We all are. The roads are becoming increasingly dangerous to travel on, even with an escort."

Celebrían sighed softly, "I know, but I will be well protected, and I am quite capable of taking care of myself. I have been delaying visiting my parents for far too long, and I promised your sister I would come this time," she said slightly exasperated, turning to grab a few more gowns from her wardrobe.

Before her son could form an answer, the wide oak doors swung open, and Elrond came striding into the room, his dark blue robes flapping around his calves in an agitated manner. His face was pale, and he appeared visibly shaken. "Celebrían, I know I gave you permission to go, but I just had a premonition if you leave, something terrible will happen to change our lives forever. I do not know what it is, but I cannot in good conscience allow you to leave. I am sorry, love, but you do not have permission to leave."

Raising her eyes towards the ceiling, Celebrían huffed in annoyance. "Elrond, we have been through this several times already. Unless you had a clear vision something will happen, I am going first thing tomorrow." Crossing her arms in front of her with determination, she added, "I will not stay home just because you have a bad feeling about something. You worry too much, love, that is all."

Feeling a headache coming on, Elrond put a hand to his head in frustration. "Cele-," he began to retort when suddenly, Lindir burst into the room, breathing hard.

"My… Lord… Elrond!" he gasped in between breaths. "Please forgive the intrusion, but I received news there was an Orc raid in the northern borders. Two patrollers have scarcely returned with the news. Somehow they managed to escape but are severely wounded and in need of your aid."

Elrond paled and turned to his sons. "Elladan, Elrohir, I want you to take a group of your best fighters and leave immediately. You are to scout the area for any possible survivors and kill any Orcs you come across."

The twins rose, all cheerfulness now gone from their faces. Kissing their mother, they bowed to their father before leaving. When the door clicked shut behind them, Elrond turned to his wife; his mind made up. "Celebrían, is this not enough to convince you? I'm sorry, but you are not going. It is not safe. If I were to let you go and anything ever happen to you, I would never forgive myself. Please understand this. I love you." Kissing his wife's brow, Elrond left the room leaving a very upset and frustrated Celebrían.


An hour later, the courtyard bustled with activity as Elladan, Elrohir, along with several other Elven warriors made the final preparations to depart. Many of the horses stood impatiently, waiting for their riders as the Elves hurried between them, strapping supplies, weapons and other required items to their saddles.

As the twins got ready to mount their horses, they looked up to see their mother walking solemnly down the steps towards them. The usual sparkle in her eyes was now downcast; her hands clasped together in front of her. Elladan shared a knowing glance with his brother. They knew she was very upset at not being able to see her parents and Arwen, but they also knew it was for her best interest she remained here.

"My sons, please be careful out there and come back as soon as you can," she whispered, reaching up to place a gentle kiss on each of their brows. Casting a faint smile on her lips, she whispered, "Stay safe for me."

"We will," Elladan said as he swung himself up into the saddle.

Elrohir nodded in agreement. "We promise to come back as soon as we can."

Turing their horses towards the gates, they led the company of Elves out of the courtyard into the forest, intent on tracking down and destroying the Orcs.

As soon as they were no longer in sight, Celebrían turned to her husband who had come up quietly behind her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she pleaded with her husband to let her go. Elrond, however, would not relent. He was not about to let his wife go out in the wild when the Orc attacks were getting more deadly and numerous every passing hour.

As the two of them stood there on the steps of the Last Homely House, arguing about why she should be able to go and why she shouldn't, a messenger from the Lothlórien guard arrived, bearing a message from Arwen asking when her mother was going to arrive.

After reading the missive, Celebrían turned to her husband, frustration, and annoyance visible on her face. "Elrond, I promised her I would come. If I don't go, this will be the third time I have gone back on my word. Please, do not be the one to disappoint our daughter again," she beseeched as she held the parchment out towards him.

Oh, how Elrond wanted to shout, stamp his feet and tell her there was no way in Middle Earth he was going to allow her to go on such a journey with such a high risk of danger. But upon seeing the look of hope in her eyes and knowing their daughter would be heartbroken if her mother didn't come again, he finally gave in and told her she could go.

Overjoyed, Celebrían threw herself into Elrond's arms. "Thank you, Elrond! I promise everything will turn out just fine." Kissing him tenderly, she went to go finish packing her belongings, a slight spring in her step which had not been present mere moments ago.

Elrond still did not have a good feeling about letting her leave, but if she insisted on going, he would make sure his best soldiers escorted her. Elrond sighed heavily following Celebrían inside moments later. As he entered under the arches, he frowned. That ill feeling was still nagging at the back of his mind. What was it?