Child of Stars

By Evenstar of Hogwarts-

Disclaimer: The name, Calaerneth is not mine. It belongs to LadyLindariel who has kindly let me use it for the story. Thanks to Raider K for pointing that out. Also, I have borrowed the name Hyrondal from Jaya Avendel.

Huge thanks to LadyLindariel for beta'ing this.

Chapter 4- Yule

The next morning, Elrohir and Elladan introduced Sarah to their wooden figurines, the ones Glorfindel had carved for them when they were but elflings. She was delighted with them, and was currently in her and Arwen's room, playing, enacting many a fairy tale from her own world. The three siblings however had gone to Elrond's office.

"Ada, do you think we can invite Daerada and Daernaneth for Yule this year? And we were also thinking of inviting Legolas and his family," Elrohir said.

Elrond contemplated this for a moment. "Don't you think this is a very abrupt decision, ion nin?" he asked.

It was Elladan who replied. "Ada, we thought Daerada and Daernaneth should know about Sarah. After all, she is our sister now. And we're sure she will find a great friend in Legolas."

"And I thought of inviting Cirdan as well," piped up Arwen.

"Ah, well, I did think of inviting Cirdan. Sarah, as you know is not from our world. I meant to discuss the possibilities of why she was sent here. Cirdan sees much deeper than any in Middle Earth and it is quite possible he has a logical answer," Elrond replied.

"Then it will be foolish to not invite Daernaneth. After all she is one of the Wise," Elladan said cheekily.

Elrond considered this for a moment. He couldn't deny that his sons and daughter were right. Celeborn and Galadriel did need to know about Sarah, and Galadriel would, of course throw a fit if she was left out of this.

At length, Elrond replied, "Well, there is merit in your suggestion. I'll dispatch a messenger to Lothlorien and Mirkwood today itself. "

"Thank you Ada," chorused the three.


Two weeks later, Sarah was settling well in Rivendell. She had started to confide in her new family about her life at the orphanage. None of them had been pleased to hear these memories and the many bitter tears it had cost the young girl.

Meanwhile, Elrond sent messengers to Lothlorien, Mirkwood and the Grey Havens to send the invitations. All of them had sent affirmative replies. Celeborn, Galadriel, Thranduil, Legolas and Cirdan were all going to arrive some days before Yule. Elrond and Celebrian had decided to keep this delightful information a surprise for their new daughter.

Elrond had conveniently neglected to inform of Sarah in any of the letters. He was planning to introduce her to her grandparents and hopefully friends the day they arrived.

Four days before Yule, Sarah was awakened to someone tenderly caressing her face. She sleepily opened her eyes to see Celebrian and Elrond sitting on her bed. "Good morning Dad and Mom," she wished.

"Good morning, darling. Did you sleep well?" Elrond questioned.

"Yes," Sarah replied.

"Come on now. You should get ready quickly," Celebrian said.

"Why Mom?" asked Sarah.

"Sarah, dear, your new grandparents are coming today, so is King Thranduil and his son Legolas," Celebrian answered.

Sarah's eyes grew wide. "Mother, you don't mean to tell me I have a grandfather and grandmother as well?" she asked, voice shaking.

Celebrian laughed softly. "Yes Sarah. Your grandparents are Celeborn and Galadriel. King Thranduil is the ruler of a great kingdom by the name of Mirkwood. His son, Legolas is around Arwen's age and I'm sure you'll like him."

"Oh, yes Mother," Sarah replied, sliding off the bed. After her bath, Celebrian dressed her in the white dress. She arranged Sarah's hair in the beautiful Elven braids, the ones she had admired so greatly on Celebrian and Arwen. She gave the young girl a pair of white sandals with a small bow. When Celebrian finished dressing her up, she looked like an angel.

"You look like a fairy," complimented Elrond.

"Thanks Daddy," replied Sarah.

"Now, shall we go to the courtyard and wait for our guests to arrive?" suggested Celebrian.

Sarah nodded, and her parents led her to the courtyard. They had to wait only for around twenty minutes, when horses began to appear. The riders all looked tall, beautiful, mysterious, and somehow older than all the ages of the world.

Sarah stared at the first two riders descending. The man grasped Elrond's arm and hugged Celebrian, while the woman followed his example. The two were very tall. The man's hair seemed to be of silver, just like Celebrian's. Kind blue eyes looked out of his face. He was clothed in a royal blue robe.

The lady was no less tall than the man. She was beautiful yet terrible, young but ancient. Her hair was of finely spun gold and silver down to her back. Her eyes glinted like twin sapphires. She wore a long white dress.

"Sarah, meet your grandparents, Celeborn and Galadriel," said Elrond. Sarah's mouth fell open. She hadn't imagined her grandparents to be so young. She had imagined a kindly, loving couple with white hair, wearing spectacles; her grandfather with a mustache and beard.

"But you're so young!" she exclaimed.

The woman laughed softly, kneeling gracefully. "Hello Sarah. I am Galadriel. I am your new grandmother. As for being young, I just look to be in the prime of my youth. In reality, I am extremely old," she said.

"Hello," replied Sarah shyly.

The man had knelt too. "Now dear, there is no need to be shy. I am Celeborn. I am your grandfather," he said.

"Hi," said Sarah.

Celeborn and Galadriel both kissed her on the cheek. Sarah blushed softly. "Thank you," she said.

"What is there to thank?" asked a surprised Galadriel.

"Well, I never got kissed at the orphanage," said Sarah.

Galadriel's eyes flashed in a fury.

"Shall I introduce you to the others?" asked Celebrian, deciding it was time to steer the conversation out of such melancholy waters.

Sarah nodded. Celebrian took her hand and led her out. Outside, there were more majestic horses. Their riders were standing next to them; all fair and kingly.

"This is Haldir," said Galadriel, indicating a burly, blonde Elf next to Celeborn. "He is the Marchwarden of Lothlorien." Haldir smiled down at Sarah.

"This is King Thranduil," said Elrond, grasping another Elf's arm. Thranduil was tall and blonde with storm grey eyes. He wore a long silver-grey tunic with black leggings and a long, wine robe. He looked intimidating.

"He is the ruler of Mirkwood," explained Elrond.

"Oh, hi," said Sarah.

Thranduil laughed as he ruffled her hair. "Nice to meet you, pen neth,"

Celebrian indicated another Elf at Thranduil's side. He looked a lot like Thranduil with shoulder length blonde hair and blue-grey eyes. He looked a lot younger than Thranduil.

"This is Prince Legolas. He is King Thranduil's son and the prince of Mirkwood," introduced Celebrian.

Sarah's eyes grew wide. "Hello," she said, shyly staring up at Legolas.

"Hello, Sarah. It's nice to meet you. I'm sure we'll be very good friends," said Legolas. Sarah nodded, dumbstruck.

Elrond indicated another Elf with a long, white beard and twinkling blue eyes. "Sarah, this is Lord Cirdan. He lives in the Grey Havens,"

"Hello," Sarah greeted.

"It's really nice to meet you, Sarah," said Cirdan kindly staring down at the girl.

"Now, I'm sure all of you are very tired after the journey," said Elrond. "I will have your luggage brought up to your rooms. Hot water is also ready for your baths."

"Thank you, Elrond," said Thranduil. "Legolas, will you like your bed in Elladan and Elrohir's chambers or mine?" he inquired.

"Elladan and Elrohir's chambers, please," replied Legolas.

"That's settled then. Please regret my inability to be at your service. I have to oversee the Yule preparations with Erestor," said Elrond.

"There's no inconvenience caused, Elrond," said Celeborn.

"Please, come inside there's such a chill to the air," said Celebrian earnestly, ushering the guests inside.

Galadriel laughed. "Iell nin, would you escort us to our chambers?"

"Certainly," responded Celebrian. "Caladwen," she said, beckoning to a young elleth, "would you escort Lord Cirdan to his rooms? And Habristiel, would you please escort King Thranduil to his rooms? Elladan, Elrohir, take Legolas to your rooms. Arwen, Sarah, you may go to your brothers' rooms if you like,'' she said, shooing the children off.

"Thanks, Nana!" Arwen yelled, pulling Sarah by the hand as they raced down the hallways to the twins' rooms.

"Legolas!" yelled Thranduil. "No running in the halls!" But Legolas had already disappeared.

Celeborn laughed. "They are elflings, Thranduil. Let them play to their hearts content." A crash resonated throughout the room. Thranduil turned to give Celeborn a look.

"What did you break?" called Celebrian.

"Nothing, Nana," called one of the twins.

"Please excuse their behavior. They need a lecture about this," Celebrian said ruefully, shaking her head. She led her guests up the stairs into their allotted chambers.

In the twins' rooms, the elflings were chatting.

"So, how was Mirkwood, Las?" asked Elladan.

"The usual," shrugged Legolas. "I was grounded for a week before coming here though. I quarreled with Hyrondal and we broke the old antique plates between us."

"That reminds me, why aren't the rest of you here?" asked Arwen.

"Oh, Hyrondal has been injured in a patrol and the others stayed at home with him," he replied.

"Others? How many brothers and sisters do you have?" asked Sarah, eyes shining.

Legolas laughed. "My oldest brother is Hyrondal. Then Lirimaer. I'm the next. I have two younger siblings: Calanon and Calaerneth

"You have a big family," said Sarah, impressed.

"Let's talk about family later. I feel like I could play a prank," said Elrohir, eyes shining with anticipation.

"Not so fast," said Legolas. "If I play a prank on my first day here, Ada shall take me straight back!"

"How about we play in the snow?" suggested Arwen.

"Great idea!" shouted Elrohir.

"The last one out is a spider!" Sarah yelled gleefully zooming past the others. Laughing and screaming they followed her.

"I win!" cried Sarah triumphantly as she tumbled into the snow five minutes later.

"Yes, you do Sarah," said Arwen mischievously. "And, as a prize, you get tickled!" Sarah shrieked as long fingers began to tickle her, falling into the snow, laughing.

"Watch out Las!" screamed Elrohir. Legolas whirled around only to get a face full of snow. He wiped it away to see a smirking Elrohir.

"Oh, its on," cried Legolas, packing his own snowball and flinging it at Elrohir.

This soon erupted into a full-fledged snowball fight and the Valley was filled with the delightful laughter of five young elflings.

"Children!" screamed Elrond, sticking his head out of the door. "Lunch is ready!"

"Aw, five more minutes please!" whined Elladan.

"Don't you aw me!" exclaimed Elrond. "Come to lunch right now! In case you forgot, we have company."

"Oh yes Ada," said Elrohir. Sarah ran to her father. Elrond caught her up and tossed her onto his shoulders.

Fifteen minutes later, in the lunch hall, it was five hungry elflings who took their seats, clamoring loudly for food.

As soon as the food was served, the elflings dived right into the meal.

Celebrian arched an eyebrow at Elladan as her oldest dived for a bowl of split pea soup.

"Sorry," muttered Elladan, quelling under his mother's stare. "Daerada, please pass the soup."

"Thith thtuff is delibcuious," Legolas said through a mouthful of mashed potatoes.

"Legolas, ion nin, don't talk with your mouth full," chided Thranduil gently.

"Sorry, Ada," apologized Legolas after an enormous swallow.

"Nana, I want the salad," requested Arwen. Celebrian passed her the platter. Arwen took a massive helping on her plate and in doing so spilt some on her tunic.

"Oops, sorry Nana," she said sheepishly. Sarah giggled. Celebrian rolled her eyes heavenward.

"Don't worry. We'll wash it and the stains will get off in no time," assured Elrond. Celebrian stared skeptically at her husband, and Elrond fidgeted uncomfortably. The two of them could never agree on the perfect care of clothes.

"So, how do you fare in Rivendell, Elrond?" asked Galadriel hurriedly, before Celebrian and Elrond could start arguing.

"Very well, thank you. I trust things are going very well in Lothlorien and Mirkwood as well?" he inquired politely.

"Mirkwood fares extremely well, Elrond," answered Thranduil. "Legolas!" he exclaimed as the elfling removed a strand of cabbage from his mouth with his hands. "You forget your manners. You had better leave the table if you can't behave properly."

"I'm really sorry Ada," apologized the Prince, turning red with embarrassment and sinking in his chair. Elrohir snickered but immediately quietened at a quelling stare from his father.

"Lindir, I'd suggest playing a more jolly and upbeat tune," called Cirdan.

"Yes, of course, Lord Cirdan," said Lindir immediately directing his musicians to play more peppy notes.

The lunch hall was filled with loud, merry music and the delightful chatter of Elves.


"So, what are we going to do?" asked Elladan. It was evening and the five elflings were in Sarah and Arwen's chambers, chatting amicably.

"Dan?" said Legolas.

"Huh?" asked Elladan turning lazily only to get hit in the face by a fluffy pillow.

Soon, five feather covered elflings were screaming and laughing on the bed.


Elrond had discussed the possibilities of Sarah being an enemy. Cirdan and Galadriel had both said that it was almost impossible and he was right in adopting her. Elrond sighed. He reflected that even if Galadriel and Cirdan had been against him, he would have adopted her and cared for her. She had an irreplaceable place in his heart.


"Miriel, I must say, the turkey is delicious," complimented Glorfindel, after a huge mouthful of turkey.

"Thank you, milord," Miriel said, blushing.

"Come on, we made you presents!" cried Elrohir, dragging his parents to a huge Christmas tree adorned with candles and a lovely star.

"Yes, yes, ion nin," laughed Celebrian, allowing the younger twin pull her over.

The gifts were quickly opened. All elflings got toys. Elrond, Glorfindel, Celeborn, Thranduil and Haldir got new scabbards. Erestor got new books. Lindir got a new flute. Celebrian and Galadriel got two new ceremonial robes.

As the merry crowd of Elves retired for the night, Elrond discovered a small note in childish letters:

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

Sugar is sweet,

And so are you!

I love you Mommy and Daddy!

Elrond felt his heart swell with affection for his youngest child.

Please tell me what you think of it guys!

Translations:

Ion nin- my son

Iell nin- my daughter

Daerada- Grandfather

Daernaneth- Grandmother

Ada- Father

Nana- Mother

Pen neth- Little one