Athrana (Wandering Shadow)
Chapter 36- Like old times
TA3019, February
Athriel sat stiffly on the edge of the long chair. She had made the decision to come in, to try and get back to her old life, to try and get back the relationship she used to have with her friends. But now she was here she didn't know what to do. How should she start? What should she say? How much should she tell them? She had no idea.
The tension could be felt throughout the room, but the twins weren't going to let it remain. Leaning over Elladan poured wine into three glasses and handed them out. "I think we have reason to celebrate" Elrohir nodded. "I agree" They raised their glasses. ""To renewed friendships"" Athriel laughed. They had always been able to do that. For some reason they always knew exactly what to say to make her feel better. She relaxed back into the chair and took a sip of her wine.
Elrond walked slowly down the door towards his rooms. It was late and he was exhausted, but he knew he wouldn't get much sleep. He was too worried. It seemed like everything was going wrong. Estel was gone, off with the Fellowship on an impossible quest. And even if they triumphed and the world was made safe again he would not return to Rivendell. He would become the king of Gondor and Elrond's only daughter would go with him. Dear Arwen, she had such faith. She truly believed that all of her dreams were going to come true. He had lost her the day they met, he knew that now. If Estel reclaimed the throne she would become a part of the world of men. She would give up everything to be with the man she loved. And that wasn't even the worst of it. If they failed... Elrond stopped himself before his thoughts continued. He did not want to go down that road, not until he had to.
As Elrond passed further down the corridor he heard the sound of laughter. He stopped. That sound, he had not heard that sound in a very long time. He had cursed it once, that sound keeping him up all night. Almost every night for centuries he had heard it, he grinned. It was as if a huge weight had been lifted. With that sound he remembered hundreds of similar nights. Nights when he had gone storming into his son's rooms, telling them to be quiet, that it was too late to be up drinking and laughing.
TA231
After taking the time to escort Athriel back to her room in an attempt to prevent her inevitable return to his son's rooms, Elrond finally made it back to his bed. He shouldn't have been surprised, not really. Tomorrow was Athriel's Birthday, and not just any birthday, she was going to be 100, an adult. Of course they would plan something like this. Any excuse for the three of them. Elrond groaned as he sat down to remove his slippers. Celebrian laughed. "They are young, it is in their nature" She could always do that; she always knew exactly what he was thinking. "They are supposed to be adults. I shouldn't have to run around after them all the time."He felt the bed move as she sat up to lean over his shoulder. "They aren't hurting anyone." He huffed. "I'm sure Erestor would disagree with you, he's been planning this party for weeks and somehow they managed to get away with an entire case" As if on cue the laughter started up again. He knew he should have woken Erestor instead of just letting Athriel go back into her room. He stood up again. "I just wish they would hurry up and grow out of it." Celebrian shook her head. "I hope they don't. You'll really miss that sound when it's gone"
She had been right, she usually was. That was what had been missing all these years. As if for the first time he realised that he had not heard his sons laugh since Athriel had been gone, not like this anyway. He pushed open the door and peered around the door frame. He couldn't see anyone but the bedroom door was open. Pushing that open he smiled. The three of them were standing on the balcony a single pipe passing between them as they talked. He felt like he had been transported back in time. Maybe there was hope left. Athriel had been through so much and yet here she was as if she had never left. Was it really so unreasonable to believe that Estel would triumph and that he and Arwen would be happy.
Usually by now he would have made his presence known, told them to quieten down and go to bed. This time however he crept out closing the door quietly behind himself. Feeling happier than he had in a while he continued on to his room. Maybe tonight he would be able to sleep.