Disclaimer: All recognizable characters, places, events, and concepts are the property of the J.R.R. Tolkien estate.
Author's Notes: Hi, everyone! Wretched weather we're having here, a little too much like what that stuck-up Galdor experienced on his way back to Imladris!
This chapter is a little shorter than the last few. I am hoping to tie things up in a few more chapters…..I really don't want this fic to drag on forever. I have started the next one, so the next update could be anywhere from tomorrow to the middle of next week…..
Rated for angst.
Sindarin:
Quel du = Good Night
Notes to Reviewers!
*Dragon-of-the-north: I am always, always, always so excited to check my inbox the morning after updating, for I am usually blessed with one of your wonderful reviews!
Yes, Nim is the "supreme guardian of cleanliness", although this doesn't get in the way of his job ("Blood? Oh…..yes. Bring me some water!"). I'm glad he's starting to grow on you…..it's true that he's still got Imladris rooted deep in him, but a second home can be as nice as your first.
Yes, everyone's favorite twins are visiting! I'll make sure that we get to see at least a little of them…..And yes, poor Legolas…..no regular playmates. It's bad enough to be a royal child, but to be an overprotected royal child is even worse. Loving family is good…..but sometimes you need someone your own age around…..
Glad you liked the line with Thranduil and the wine! And yes, that was Galion. : )
No, I don't mind if you don't like Celebrían…..this fic is mainly focused from the Mirkwood side. You are certainly right about awful "do-gooders" and people who think they understand everything already. Perhaps having a very smart, mind-reading mother has something to do with Celebrían's personality….. So happy you liked Thilómë's (controlled) torrent. We couldn't have Legolas's Silvan parent making her people look bad.
Glad you caught the mother-of-pearl metaphor! I think of Legolas not as a pearl, but as a grain of sand that becomes a pearl….. (unfortunately, pearls are usually used in conjunction only with girls…..oh, well. Legolas can be a pearl if I want him to be…..). : )
Yikes! What a long response! You deserved it, mellon nin!
*PokethePenguin: Hey, you came back! I *love* people who come back! Very happy that you liked the chapter. Read on!
*fan81981: We are all giving Celebrían smug looks now. : )
I'm glad you liked the ash wood response. It just seemed to fit in so perfectly! And yes, Legolas must feel lonely. Adoring older brothers are wonderful, but happy playmates are just as fun most of the time!
Ah, I know the feeling of getting two chapters! Have I made your week, or am I too late? *crosses fingers*
*Iluvien: So you enjoyed the ash wood bit too? Excellent.
Aldandil didn't mention the twins being older because he didn't realize that Legolas thought that they were Elflings. Young children often drag out things for visitors to see.
And there ARE other children Legolas's age in Mirkwood…..he just doesn't get to see them very often. Consider living in a large cave palace, constantly watched by your mother, father, older brother, or healer…..they all love you, but they're all pretty darn overprotective too…..in other words, they aren't taking you over the stone bridge to play with kids your own age…..especially if they think you'll get your feelings hurt. Maybe….maybe….we can change that. : )
Oh, so you don't know whose side to take! A mediator type of person, hmm? Good for you!
*daw the minstrel: I'm very glad that you're enjoying yourself! May it stay that way!
You are quite right about Legolas being a typical kid underneath it all…..that is the wondrous thing about using an already existent character---they are judged by who they are, not what they are/go through.
Happy that you like Aldandil. : )
AND----I have heard many good things about your pieces----I must get a chance to check them out soon!
*Sperry Dee: How wonderful that you like little kids! And Legolas reminds you of one that you know? Cole must be quite the adorable darling, then (although I'm guessing he ends up in some trouble now and again….)!
Happy that you found something enjoyable about those older cousins…..hopefully Legolas will have the same luck with the twins.
*Galadriel Lorien: Ack! Sorry to hear that the site review wasn't working---email reviews are okay! Here is your happy response, as promised!
Celebrían had it coming. It's not a good thing to get on Thilómë's angry side. Don't worry about the twins, I've decided to let them remain "good guys". : )
Glad you liked Elrond. He and Thranduil are pretty much on level ground…..level ground that their wives happen to shake fairly often. : )
AND (To Everyone): Galadriel has started a "prequel" to "Light" called "Sparkles of Dusk". Her style is different from mine, but you might like to give it a look! Check under the penname "Lintasare".
*Karri: Hope you were able to track this review down! I'm so happy that you found "Light" enjoyable to read. And yes----I shall have to make sure that Legolas gets to grow into a warrior sooner or later----it would be a little difficult to be in the Fellowship if he couldn't handle a bow…..(although I've noticed several things in the books that indicate that he is not as strong as Aragorn or Boromir…..hmm…..*has sneaky, plotting look on face…..not a good thing*).
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Everyone else: No special individual response for you. Poor things. Hope you're enjoying yourselves. (From personal experience, I will tell you that getting nice author responses is nearly as nice as getting reviews! So…..if you like nice things being said about you, click the review button.)
Sweetness Note: Little Legolas has been nearly smothered in hugs from all of you…..I believe he got more for being disappointed over the twins/the ash wood answer than for anything else! (Mental picture of rather embarrassed, but very pleased blond-haired Elfling.)
Anyways…..Comments and questions are always welcome!
---Aranel
aranels@hotmail.com
***Yippee! I get to thank another couple people for adding me to their favorite's lists! *hugs self yet again, everyone else sighs heavily* Thank-you! Come and review when you get a chance!***
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Chapter 11~*~The Pits
"I don't know where it is!" Elladan held up his hands, glancing around, "I must have swallowed it!"
"Swallowed it?" Aldandil looked at him, mockingly aghast, "You aren't supposed to swallow plum pits! Now a plum tree will start growing inside of you!"
"Oh….." Elladan groaned, flopping dramatically forward on the table, "I think it's started already."
"Already?!" his twin rushed to him, dove gray formal robes flying as he ran. He turned to Legolas, who was sitting on top of the table, looking slightly concerned, "Don't worry, maybe we can get it out." At this, Elrohir pushed up his sleeves, moving behind his brother's chair. He wet his lips, "Ready?"
"Yes! Hurry!" Elladan moaned, forehead on the table, "I think it has started to put down roots already!"
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"No! Stop!" Elladan writhed on the floor, light woad blue robes tangled, alternately protesting and laughing helplessly. He opened his eyes long enough to look at the pale Elfling sitting on his stomach, "You can stop now; there's no plum pit inside of me!"
"But it hasn't come out with your laughter yet," Elrohir responded, digging his fingers into his brother's ribs, causing the older twin to convulse in involuntary mirth once again. He looked at Legolas, "Keep tickling him; we need to get it out."
"Stop it, 'Ro!" Elladan flailed, and would have scrambled away if there hadn't been a child sitting on him. Legolas's pokes at his stomach were easy to ignore, but Elrohir knew exactly where to prod to get the desired state of hysteria. He composed himself enough to pick up Legolas and spring to his feet in one smooth motion. "Whew!" he managed a tired laugh, turning to look at Aldandil and Nimaron, "You two are no help at all."
Aldandil shrugged, smiling, "You seemed to be enjoying yourself."
"And you," Elladan looked at the child he was currently holding, raising an eyebrow, "I believe I saw you eating a plum at the same time I was enjoying mine. Where did the pit go?"
"It….." Legolas started, but had no time to finish before he found himself on the floor, being suddenly tickled.
"It got swallowed!" Elrohir exclaimed, rushing over.
Aldandil knelt to the floor, "We'll get it out, Legolas, don't worry!"
Nimaron shook his head, laughing already. He only hoped that no one accused him of swallowing a plum kernel while Elladan and Elrohir were around.
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"Quel du," Thilómë pulled the thin Spring blankets over her younger son, tucking him in, "You had a nice time with the twins today, didn't you?" How Celebrían could be so condescending, while her own sons were simply delightful, was beyond her.
"Yes," Legolas nodded, stretching out under the covers. For grown-ups, they were a lot of fun, but they were still grown-ups. Why should he have to play with adults if there were children living right past Ada's gardens? He pushed his hands towards the headboard, looking at his mother, "Nana?"
"Yes?" Thilómë poured him a glass of water, leaving it on the table near the bed in case he wanted it later.
Legolas pressed his fingers against the headboard, trying to decide how to ask his question. He watched as his mother set the glass of water down, "Nana…..I want….."
"You want what?" Thilómë gave Legolas her full attention. What would it be this time? An innocent request for a last minute look at the stars, or a plea for the as of yet not allowed bow or boat paddle?
"Can…..May I….." Legolas stared at his mother. What could Nana do about it? He sighed slightly, lowering his hands, "Would you sing to me?"
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Thilómë sat in front of her mirror, pulling carefully placed blossoms and gems out of her intricately arranged braids. The reflection looking back at her was cross and rather sour, and she did her best to avoid it, looking instead at the crown of the head. If looking tired and faint had been difficult, looking like this was even worse.
Who did Celebrían think she was, prodding into matters she did not understand? Thilómë let out an exasperated sigh, dropping another jeweled hairpin into the shallow bowl on the dressing table before her. They had once been good acquaintances, friends even. Once.
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It was summer in Imladris; a summer of humid honeysuckle and foxgloves, sunlit porticos and tinkling waterfalls. Thranduil had convinced her to come, had assured her that his Silvan queen could contend with a city of Noldor Elves. The city itself was so different from Greenland, so wide and open, and she felt so…..exposed, so unprotected.
Introductions and civilities over with, Celebrían had come to her, her twin sons, then so small, trailing her. What a relief to get away from the bustling city, to enjoy the lavish gardens skirting the porches of the Last Homely House. What joy to watch as Celebrían's boys plucked flowers from their stalks, rushing to bring them to their mother. Perhaps best of all, though, was to speak freely and comfortably. They had shared so much, both raised under bough and branch, both being the late married wives of the new rulers of Elvish realms, both having lessened a little the sorrow of a man returning from grievous war. Back then, Celebrían had understood…..
They had come back, every now and again, enjoying the beauty of Imladris. Thilómë had seen the tiny Arwen, Celebrían's pride and joy, had smiled at the lovely child, blessed her with the blessing of a queen. She had brought her own son there, letting Aldandil soak up Quenyan songs in the Hall of Fire, splash about in the crystal pools near the falls. During her last visit, Celebrían and she sat on one of the porches, watching their sons playing some sort of game. Arwen had been there, beautiful and sweet, and there had been pleasant talk and light laughter.
"It is good to have such friends," Celebrían had mentioned, turning from the game to Thilómë, "Who can understand what being in such positions is like."
She had smiled, nodding, "Yes." It was so good to have someone who could understand, who did not need explanations, who already knew what something was like.
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And then there was Linnin.
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Celebrían had come, had walked with her to the place in the woods, had placed her hand lightly on the funerary statue. Her careful fingers had traced the rendered features of the infant face, barely grazed the piles of wilting flowers. And then she had spoken, so softly. "It is beautiful," Celebrían said, almost in awe.
Beautiful.
"Beautiful?" she had responded, pangs starting.
"Yes," Celebrían's fingers lingered on a chain of simple daisies, "A beautiful statue."
A beautiful statue.
Her child was dead…..dead, not as a warrior, but an infant, and Celebrían could only say that his funerary statue was beautiful. How could such a thing be beautiful, when such grief came with it? How many of her tears had rolled off of the smooth, white marble, staining the ground? How many times had she stared at the representation, her heart and arms longing for a warm infant, and not cold stone?
Celebrían had placed more flowers around the monument, caressing the curling letters of the infant's engraved name with her fingers. One by one she laid the pale blooms, all fragile, delicate, and white, on the stone. Then she had stood, seeming a little touched, "You need not fear for him. Mandos holds him now."
Mandos holds him! Ai…..if only she could grab him back, hold him alive for even a moment! She had lost him, lost him to the waiting hands and arms of the Vala, lost him with so much light. Who was to say that the embrace of Mandos was better than her own? Celebrían had three children, and much light…..who was she to place Linnin in the arms of the Vala? Had she considered giving her dear Elladan or Elrohir, her precious Arwen, over to his care with never the chance to touch them while their eyes still shone?
Celebrían did not understand this.
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And now she did not understand Legolas.
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Thilómë buried her head in her hands, fingers in her unwoven hair. Could Celebrían ever understand again?