Woops! Forgot the disclaimer: I hearby solemly disclaim that i own nothing but the idea's behind these shots, I own none of the characters who as always belong to the inspirational J.R.R Tolkirn, and gain from my work no profit beyond my own enjoyment :)
Hope you enjoy.
Chapter Two: Valar Watch Over Them
Summary:
A Blessing Ceremony is performed to honor the newborn Elladan and Elohir.
Gently, Elrond lifted his tiny son out of the beautifully hand crafted crib. A most skillfully made and wondrous gift to behold, given by the mighty Lord Glorfindel to the newly born Peredhil twins.
"Elladan, Ion nin," he spoke softly to the boy nestled in the crook of his arm. His son stirred at the sound of his ada's voice, looking up at the mighty Lord of Rivendell with grey eyes. Elrond could feel his heart singing with joy, in all the thousands of years he had lived and all the wondrous beauty he had beheld, none was more so beloved to him than the vision of his two sons.
Celebrian, just as delicately, lifted Elrohir also from his crib, gently brushing her hand across the younger of the twins cheeks.
"Elrohir, awaken," she spoke tenderly to her son. He opened his eyes. So alike were the sons of Elrond and Celebrian that all who looked upon them thought that they were regarding a double image. Never before had there been two elves with such a striking similarity to each other, and never again would there be.
Elladan and Elrohir were swaddled in shawls of the purest white silk.
"It is time," said Elrond, gazing out of the window as the first mornings light began to slowly creep over the havens grounds. "The sun rises over Imladris this day, we must not tarry ere we'll miss it."
With a nod Celebrian, closely followed by Elrond exited the twins room. Cradling their sons, the two mighty elves took up their places at the head of the procession that awaited them.
Slowly they began to walk, each step that they took, purposeful; but not leaving any mark upon the earth. Elven minstrels at the back of the procession struck up a tune. Their instruments all in a united harmony while their voices; tenor, bass, alto, soprano, wove together to form a most beautiful melody.
Each elf in the procession wore garments of white and silver. A pure glow seemed to reflect, despite the fact that there was no discernible source of light. All those who dwelt in the haven of Imladris had come to witness the age old – though now very really preformed – blessing ceremony, and also to themselves lay eyes upon the newborn son's of Elrond and Celebrian. For many, it would be their first glimpse of the Peredhil twins. Elladan and Elrohir had been born late into the night, and only those of the greatest importance had been permitted to see them.
The procession wound it's way through the gardens of Imladris. Morning dew still clung to the leaves of the plants, and many of which still held their flowers tight in concealment. The morning air was cool, but not overly so. The world was just waking up.
The elven minstrels changed their song, now singing about the early springs blossom. As their chords grew more pronounced, and their voices grew stronger; a small breeze began to ripple gently around the procession. On which was carried the white blossom of which they sung.
The twins gazed wondrously as the white petals swirled and danced around them. Elladan gazed transfixed, while Elrohir reached out and tried to grab in his hand some of the delicate substance. Elrond and Celebrian looked down at their sons, smiling.
As the procession neared it's destination, all those who had gathered grew silent; looking to the head of the of the group where Elrond and Celebrian bore their sons. Galadriel and Celeborn stood a little way from the main crowd, the two Eldar elves exuding a bright glow and commanding a royal air.
The procession halted and only Elrond and Celebrian, holding their sons, still walked forward. The minstrels continued to play their music, but it seemed more so to fade into the background.
Glorfindel stood in the center of the crowd, next to the young sapling of a tree; under which lay two blankets of silk, each baring a decorative blue 'E'. This particular sapling had been planted at the precise moment of birth of Elladan and Elrohir.
"My lord and lady," greeted Glorfindel, bowing as the two elves drew level with him. Glorfindel, as one of the mighty first born, lords of the Eldar was hosting the blessing ceremony. He alone wore a robe of glittering gold. Turning, he addressed the crowd;
"Lords, Ladies, elves of Imladris, hear me! Today is a special day for us all. We are here to celebrate the birth of the two sons of Elrond and Celebrian; Elladan and Elrohir." He motioned to each of the twins in turn. "Here we offer them to the Valar and ask for blessing. May they ever smile down upon them both."
With the sun quickly rising from behind the hills in the East, Glorfindel laid the twins on each of the silken blankets beneath the sapling. Neither cried out. Galadriel and Celeborn each stepped forward, they kissed their grandsons on the head before laying a blue tear shaped gem upon their brows. They then went to stand proudly beside Elrond and Celebrian. The crowd waited silently in anticipation.
Elladan and Elrohir's hands were clasped together. They kicked and squirmed against their swaddles, feeling no longer the close presence of their parents. Elrohir cried out once, but made no further sound.
Finally, the sun rose fully over the hills. There was a moment of stillness, no one moved, not even daring to breath.
Then, suddenly, a dazzlingly bright light washed over the twins and the sapling. All those present were forced to shield their eyes against the brightness.
It lasted no longer than a minute, a very short amount of time by elvish reckoning, but that single instant had had an astounding effect.
As the light subsided and all those present were again able to look upon the scene before them; it was to find that the sapling now a fully grown tree. It's leaves of the purest shade of green. It bore only a single fruit of a deep red colour.
Glorfindel stepped forward and picked the fruit, breaking it open. He dipped his fingers into the juice that seeped out from the newly broken seeds within. He smeared the juice onto both of the twins lips so that they could taste it, sealing the blessing.
"The Valar indeed smiles down upon them this day!" he announced to the crowd.
Amid the cheers of the crowd, Glorfindel reached down and picked up both of the twins, cradling each in the crook of his arms. He handed them back to Elrond and Celebrian.
"May it always be that way."
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- One Wish Magic
