Disclaimer: It all belongs to Tolkien and company.
Once I Was:
Story Six: Emerging
How the faces of love have changed turning the pages
And I have changed oh, but you...you remain ageless I turned around And the water was closing all around Like a glove Like the love that had finally, finally found me Then I knew In the crystalline knowledge of you
-Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac, Crystal
Imladris, TA 255
Dark hair was moved by a lazy breeze as a gathering of elves relaxed near the banks of the Bruinen. Elrond had given the staff the day off to enjoy such a nice summer day. The impending arrival of dignitaries from across Arda as the majority ceremony for Elladan and Elrohir drew near meant even Elrond need a day away from duties to let free his tension.
The elves of the upcoming hour, known to some as Elladan and Elrohir, know to others as the sons of Lord Elrond, and known to the kitchen staff as "those little brats," had made an escape from their lectures on the proper behavior for the ceremony, on the dances they would have to perform, on the rituals that must be done. Elven majority ceremonies ranged from the simple to the gaudy, but the ceremonies of the highest ranking among the elves were always more elaborate. Elladan and Elrohir's ceremony was not only an event for Imladris, but for their mother's realm of Lothlorien as well. For the past year the twins had faced lesson after lesson on the proper behavior for the upcoming night and when not listening to lectures they were watching their young sister. While Elladan and Elrohir would be the stars of the night, Lothlorien's first introduction to the Lady Arwen would also be quite the event.
The ceremony would be the most elaborate Imladris had experienced since Elrond had married Celebrian all those years ago; with every new day came something else.
The twins had seen their chance for escape and had gladly taken it and had taken all of their friends along with them.
The group laid out near the banks of the river on the many blankets Thalion had sequestered from the linen cabinets.
Both the twins laid bare chested in the sun; having promised their mother they would not find themselves with unsightly tans which would ruin the effect of their specially made ensembles for the night. The twins were considered slightly exotic by many of the members of Imladris for their ability to tan and their slightly broader bodies; though they were not quite so different from everyone else. All things considered, they both looked more elf than man.
All recent behavior ignored of course.
"What is with this sudden embracing of your Adain heritage?" Morwen asked, running a finger across the hair above Elladan's lip.
"I am merely letting it be known I am both elf and man." Elladan said as he rolled over on to his stomach and away from Morwen's prodding.
"He is hoping that if he continues on with his facial hair protest then Erestor will give up with trying to mold him into the perfect elf lord son." Elrohir said.
"Erestor, give up?" Rian asked.
"I freely admit," Elladan lazily said, "it was not one of my brighter ideas."
"When have you ever had a bright idea? Much less a brighter one?" Morwen asked.
Elladan raised his head and pretended to glare at her, "You call yourself my friend and this is how you treat me?"
"I do so with love." Morwen stated.
"As the old saying goes," Thalion spoke up from the corner where he and Arwen were running their fingers through the water, "I do believe we hurt the ones we love the most."
"As the other saying goes," Morwen said, "what is your excuse?" she asked Elrohir as she gestured to the every growing stubble on his face.
"I am supporting my brother in his cause." Elrohir answered.
"Your brother's cause," Elladan mumbled as he rolled again, this time on to his back, "is to get some rest."
"Agreed." Morwen said as she moved to make herself comfortable under the shade of a tree.
Elrohir nodded as he stretched out in the sun; they did need rest. Everyone had been overworked with the preparations for the coming ceremony and all the new arrivals and additional work it meant.
Elrohir was lulled to sleep by the warm sunshine, the sound of wind stirring the grass, and his sister's laughter as she played in the shallow water.
Elladan felt something tickling his face and batted the offending item away. He tried to turn away from it but was awoken when he felt the splash of water on his face. Elladan blinked a few times and looked around the field. Thalion and Arwen were nowhere to be seen; neither were Rian and Elrohir. Morwen was curled up in the shade of one of trees, the winds having clearly finished the job of unraveling her braids.
Elladan sat up and felt an odd sensation. His skin felt tightly stretched over his bones.
"Morwen?" he inquired softly.
The she-elf came awake at once; much to Elladan's envy.
Elladan watched in amusement me as she stood up on unsteady legs and made her way over to him; Elladan was not jealous of that, at least.
"Elladan," she began, "why did you…." Morwen's words stopped as her eyes went wide, "your mother is going to kill you." She said.
"Why would she…" Elladan said as he moved a hand to scratch at his chest. Elladan froze in his movements, feeling pain shoot throughout his body.
The valley was then filled with loud shouts of elven cursing loud enough to send the birds from the trees.
Glorfindel sat in his office willing the twitching behind his eye to subside as he went over the guest lists and the security procedures for the third time that day. Added to that were Erestor's concerns over the health of Elrohir and whether or not Elladan would show his maturity in the upcoming ceremony.
"You asked for me?" Came the soft voice from the door.
Glorfindel glanced up from his work at Morwen's words and found his breath briefly stolen.
Her hair was unbound, falling sporadically around her while her light shift hung loosely on her body and her plain skirt showed signs of grass stains and water spots. Her feet were bare though the cool stone floor did not appear to bother her. If Glorfindel had not known better, he would think a forest spirit was in front of him. He had said similar things when a young Morwen had appeared before him, all dirt on her face and leaves in her hair as wild and free as nature itself. It was not often these days when the present Morwen came so close to her past.
"Glorfindel?" She asked cautiously.
Glorfindel gestured for her to come inside and waited for her to approach his desk.
She settled in one of the chairs, her still growing stature somewhat dwindled by the overstated wooden strength of the massive chair. She pressed light fingertips against some of the knot work on his desk before her eyes rose to meet his.
"Elrohir seemed upset." Glorfindel said. "Erestor noticed he has been distracted in his lessons."
"Nithiel is being escorted by one of the archers to the feast; you know well his feelings for her." Morwen whispered, not wanting any eavesdroppers to know more of the situation than necessary.
Glorfindel softly nodded, aware of the time not so long ago when a lovesick Elrohir had sat where Morwen sat now as Glorfindel assured him a broken heart was not the worse thing in the world.
"What of Elladan's feelings for Aerlinn?" Glorfindel asked.
Morwen shrugged, "One day he praises her and the next day he curses her. I think we all know, Elladan included, it is a passing fancy."
"He will never admit that." Glorfindel said.
Morwen smiled, "Of course not; Elladan is never wrong."
Glorfindel nodded his agreement. He studied the elf before him as he asked, "And what of you and our young Thalion?"
Morwen's exasperated look said more than words ever could.
"Morwen, he is a perfectly fine elf." Glorfindel said.
"He is, indeed, but he is not the one for me." Morwen said.
"You cannot know that." Glorfindel sated with the conviction of the elderly.
"I do." Morwen insisted. "He is not the one I want nor the one I need."
Glorfindel shook his head, "You have not even reached your majority. How can you know what you need?"
"I know." Morwen stated with cool conviction.
Glorfindel met her strong gaze and could not find the words to dispute her. He dropped his head and let silence fill the room.
Elladan winced as his shirt brushed over his irritated skin. He was in desperate need of someone's help and as his brother was off moping Eru knew where over Nithiel and his father was locked in some meeting and his mother in some knitting circle, Elladan needed Morwen's help this instance. The blasted sunburn had been on his skin for two days and was somewhere stuck between stinging, burning, and itching. Elladan clutched a vial of ointment in his hand; he could only reach so many places and he only trusted a handful to help him. So far his attempts to locate Morwen had been unsuccessful.
"Lindir!" Elladan called to the head minstrel as he came into sight.
Lindir turned around quickly, "Elladan, what is wrong?"
"Sunburn." Elladan whimpered though he was concerned as he noted the dark circles under the minstrel's eyes.
"Sunburn….that does not happen to elv.." Lindir suddenly stopped as he realized the word he was about to speak, "..elv…elves of high rank all that often."
"Marvelous attempt to cover yourself there," Elladan said, "but I cannot be concerned with my bloodline and what it does and does not let me do. Do you know where Morwen has run off to?"
Lindir looked confused, "Was she not with you?"
"Lindir…." Elladan said patiently.
"Yes?"
"Do you see Morwen with me?" Elladan asked.
"No." Lindir answered.
"Then do you think we can safely assume she is not with me?"
"Yes." Lindir said.
"Lindir, are you feeling well?" Elladan finally asked.
Lindir's eyes trailed off into the distance, "I do not know. I have not had much sleep in many weeks. There are so many things to do, Elrohir, so many songs to.."
"Elladan." Said elf muttered through a clenched jaw.
"What?" Lindir asked.
"You just called me Elrohir, I am Elladan."
"Oh, sorry, Elrond." Lindir muttered.
Elladan pressed a hand to his brow, "Lindir."
"Yes?"
"Go rest, now."
"Rest." Lindir repeated.
"Now; that is an order." Elladan said.
"Oh, thank you, Elros." Lindir muttered as he walked off.
Elladan shook his head and decided to just head down to Glorfindel's office.
"Elladan, what's wrong?" Thandrog asked as he exited the armory.
"I am merely looking for Morwen, do you know where she is?"
Thandrog nodded as he moved a quiver from one arm to the other, "I think she's with Glorfindel; he sent me to find her, so I'd check there first."
"Thanks, Thandrog." Elladan said, ignoring the mouse he saw peaking out of Thandrog's pocket.
Thandrog slapped Elladan on the shoulder, "No problem." The warrior said as he walked away.
Elladan froze in pain for a moment as he bit back a yell and ran to the office of the captain.
"It burns!" Elladan's voice yelled as he threw open the doors to Glorfindel's office.
Morwen, who had been rising out of her seat when the doors opened, would have fallen to the floor in shock if it wasn't for Glorfindel catching her first.
Elladan flinched at the dark glare Glorfindel sent him; the last time Elladan had seen Glorfindel that angry, Elladan had just thrown a bucket of water on Glorfindel and one of the seamstresses. The thought of that memory made Elladan's face turn as red as his chest. Somehow, he knew that was not the way his father and mother had intended for him to learn about life.
On second thought, Erestor seemed quite happy to not have to give them that lesson.
"What burns?" Morwen asked
"Pardon?" Elladan asked, pulled from his memories.
Glorfindel gave him a very annoyed look, "You came running into my office but a moment ago, throwing open my doors and proclaiming something burns."
"Yes." Elladan said, eyes wide. "It burns. Chest. Pain. Ouch…Morwen, help."
Morwen sighed, "I thought Elrohir found some ointment for you."
"He did but I need help." Elladan said as he held out the jar with the soothing ointment.
Morwen walked over to him and palmed the jar and proceeded to leave the office without saying anything to Glorfindel.
Elladan turned a confused head to the captain of the guard and the seneschal of the realm, "What…"
Glorfindel held up a hand, "None of your worry."
"But…"
"Do you not have a sunburn to handle?"
Elladan whimpered as he again felt the sting of Thandrog's slap on his already abused skin, "Yes."
Elladan followed after Morwen, thankful his skin would soon feel relief.
Celebrian studied her sons in their official dress outfits for tonight. She had to admit, her sons cut quite a handsome figure. Their hair had been plaited by their father and Erestor in exquisite designs. The mithril crowns contrasted perfectly with their dark hair where the rested on the twins' brows.
Indeed, her sons were quite a sight.
Celebrian held out a hand to smooth Elladan's tunic down before she remembered her son was using all of his willpower to keep from scratching.
"It itches." Elladan murmured.
"I know, my Elladan." Celebrian whispered as she pressed a kiss to her son's brow. "Your father promises it will be over soon."
"At least the stinging stopped." Elrohir said.
"Easy for you to say; it's not your skin trying to peel itself off." Elladan said.
"I was not the one who feel asleep bare chested and in the sun." Elrohir argued.
Elladan glared at his brother, "You could have woken me up."
"I did not know you were asleep." Elrohir protested.
Elladan began to respond but was stopped by the sound of his mother's laughter.
Celebrian was laughing deeply shaking her head as she watched her sons bicker.
"Over one hundred years and still nothing changes." Celebrian said as she placed a loving hand on each twin's face.
"They will be bickering until the end of days." Elrond said as he walked into the room. Arwen was resting against his side, smiling at her elder brothers.
"Arwen," Elrohir said, "you look like a perfect lady."
Arwen was dressed in a pale cream colored dress to match her mother; a small and dark headed copy of the Lady of Imladris.
Arwen leaned over her father and gave both of her brother's tight hugs before jumping down from her father's arms.
Celebrian took Arwen's hand and led her outside.
"We will be waiting for you." The Lady of Imladris said.
Elrond studied both of his sons, smiling at the picture they made of elves coming into their own. Elladan was slightly fidgeting and Elrohir had a sadness in his eyes but for both, these imperfections could only be noticed by someone who knew them very well.
Elrond knew both sons would make him proud tonight.
Feeling a sudden surge of emotion as Elrond remembered his own majority ceremony and what it had cost him, of his choice, of his brother's, Elrond embraced both of his sons tightly.
"Whatever you will decide in the future will be in the future; whatever may happen down the road will happen; for now, my sons, embrace what lies ahead of you in all its uncertainty and mystery. Wherever it may lead you, I know it is where you are meant to be. "
They stood tall and proud; the wisdom of their father and the beauty of their mother clear in their presence.
These were not the pranksters of youth nor the fumbling adolescents of so many years ago. These were not the twins who switched places to perform the other's duty nor the twins who were more often found napping under trees than huddled in the corner of the library.
In this moment it was easy to see the great elves who were emerging from their shells of youth.
The blue and white of their tunics, colors of both their mother and father's realms, the bands on their brows, the sureness in their statue; all these things showed more of the elf lord's sons they were than any lesson or dance or ritual could.
It was instinctual, this elven grace, as instinctual as the need to fight and survive on the battlefield.
Within the grace and the wisdom of the twins; their family felt reassurance and their people felt hope.
The future, whatever it wrought, would be fine.
The feast had been served, the dances had been danced, and now everyone was letting go the tight strings of proper behavior.
The valley was full of singing and laughter; some elves far more sober than the others.
Elrohir smiled as he watched his grandparents coo over his sleeping sister. Once grandmother had gotten her hands on Arwen she had not let go. Arwen was asleep now, curled into Galadriel's side.
Elrohir matched gazes with his father and smiled.
It had been a good night; no diplomatic blunders, moments of embarrassment or anything in general associated with the words "Elladan" and "official" and "feast."
Giving a last smile to his father, Elrohir followed the sound of familiar voices into the garden. Elladan was stretched out on one of the benches, his head in Morwen's lap, and complaining over how much his chest itched.
"I suppose you have learned your lesson?" Morwen asked as she again stopped Elladan from scratching.
"Yes," Elladan replied, "no more falling asleep bare chested in the sun. Also, no more trusting any of you to wake me up."
"I was ordered to library to locate some book for Elrond." Rian said.
Thalion shrugged, "Glorfindel asked me to help re-string bows in preparation for the archery competitions all this week."
Elrohir lifted his brother's feet up before sitting down.
"I, unlike you dear brother, was resuming my lessons on proper dancing etiquette for an audience of two or more realms." Elrohir said.
Morwen shook her head, "And I was asleep right next to you; I merely had the good grace to fall asleep well covered and in the shade."
"You could have warned me." Elladan muttered.
"I was asleep before you were." Morwen said.
"Then you should have told Lorien to warn me." Elladan argued.
Morwen just laughed, "Such an argument from a grown elf."
Elladan nodded, "That is correct; I am a grown elf now, you mere elfling, you best listen to me."
"I will help push him to the ground for you." Elrohir offered.
"I would not dare to dirty such lovely garments." Morwen said.
"Elladan, grown elf, saved by his clothing and the good grace of his friend." Rian said with amusement.
"I think the epithet is quite fitting." Thalion said.
"Agreed." Elrohir said as his eyes drifted to the skyline.
"Grandfather is watching over us." Elladan said, guessing his twin's thoughts.
"We should say hello then." Elrohir said, waving to the bright star.
Morwen released one of Elladan's hands to let him mimic the action though she quickly grabbed it back to stop him from scratching.
Elladan laughed as he settled back down, "This is where we are meant to be." He whispered to the wind.
Yes, it is.
Elrohir swore he heard the wind whisper back.
On one of the many balconies which overlooked the gardens, a guardian sat on the ground watching with alert eyes for any elf which might interrupt the gathering below.
"Are they well?" Erestor asked his friend.
"Laughing and jesting; we cannot ask for more." Glorfindel said.
"I will be happy when this ceremony is over." Erestor said.
"That will make two of us; there are far too many unknown elves wandering about our home." Glorfindel agreed.
Erestor nodded, "Arwen's will be the only one to rival such a ceremony, that is a blessing."
"Thank the Valar." Glorfindel muttered.
Erestor placed a hand on his friend's shoulder "Come, let us leave our ever growing pupils to their own devices."
"What if someone…"
"Between the skills of Thalion, Elladan, and Elrohir and the tempers of Rian and Morwen, I assure you, they will be fine." Erestor said. "Trust them, Glorfindel, to take care of themselves."
Glorfindel spared one last look to the group of elves below, making a wish for a safe and pleasant night before he followed Erestor back into the house.
End, story six.
A/N 1: On Elladan and Elrohir and their "mortal" traits see Once I Was: Story Four: Tales of Ale.
A/N 2: Thanks:
Renna, while there might be an..er..issue with Morwen/Glorfindel centered chapters in this story set (since, you know, this generally takes place before "Lullaby"), I do promise more in the next "A Journey Begins" chapter (which is up next in my writing schedule). Thanks, as always, for your reviews and letting me know what you think.