Twelve Songs In Rivendel.
An Elrond Romance
by The Fox.
Chapter Seven
Into The Misty Mountains
White Dove
The rain started to fall that afternoon like a curse, hard and cold, rivulets of silver crossing their path
through the high, dark green grass. They hurried, and rode till midnight, a silent caravan of wet
horses and riders, unstoppable, like a quick stream of silver in the night.
The moon, Isil, was in his zenith when they arrived to the lower feet of the Misty Mountains. The
vegetation was harder and rougher, but Glorfindel found a nice, cozy nearly dry clearing between the
pines where they could set scented, warm beds. They could heard the rain outside, splashing their
tents, but it was warm there, as they made fire and settled to rest after the wild ride.
Elrond left them, enveloped in a cloak no distinguishable from the one of an archer's, and walked
into the glistening rain. The Misty Mountains now truly deserved their name, even the dark green
roots covered in gray, the night so dark that even him didn't dare to go too far. But in the impending
rain, that soon became a waterfall, he found solace, and peace.
I must be losing my mind.
Even is not so far away a guess, it would be the same, even sadder to fail a second time.
I gave everything in my hand to make Celebrian happy: I denied every Human impulse, I lied
even myself through unaccountable long, gray days. But she saw through, and hated me for
the love I wasn't able to give.
What is in human beings that call so strongly to the Peredhil's heart? I used to tongue-lash
Arwen for her love for Estel, and now I'm fallen too. It is possible that third octaves of
Human Blood in me, that three accursed parts in sixteen parts in her stronger that the Elven
rest? We grew, and I raised her like an Elf, surrounded by elves, as I grew between Maglor's
people. But the smile of a human being is enough to make us fall. Do we really miss that so
much?
Elros, why did you leave me? Why aren't you here, with me, to share this with me? Is this your
perverse way to make understand I was the wrong one?
And they called me the wise.
I can't afford to hurt her.
I can't afford to get myself hurt again.
I simply can't fall in love with Saruman's messenger, if what I suspect about him is true.
I can't afford to fall in love. I can't loose control again, not now, not ever again.
The rain kept falling heavily, the scent of pines enveloping the lord, whom threw his hood back, and
let the teardrops of sky to pearl his dark hair with glistening jewels. The ring in his hand glistened,
and he concentrated, praying the clouds to go away. If they're going to escalate the Celebdil's
Sanctuary, the needed the blessing of Arien, Maia of sun…
He chuckled.
This is cruel. I can't escape from your orange-sunset locks, it seems, my cheerful messenger?
- I'm sorry. I didn't thought my father would do that to you.-
Arien sputtered, and then choked in her soup. Elrohir was patting her back, worry in his eyes.
- Are you well?-
- choke *wheeze * * cough *… yes…-
- I'm sorry my father was rude to you. I saw him apologizing, and for that he must have been
specially scalding. I'm so sorry, Arien.-
Arien breathed, finally.- Oh, no. The Lord just apologized for his… mood. I fear he's confronting
great turmoil.-
- Hm.- Elrohir sat by her, his soup plate in hand, the both enjoying the rain outside the tent roof, and
the nearness of a cozy fire the elves had made for them, spraying warm and soft shadows.
He took a sip, and then crossed his long legs, black braid falling over his shoulder.- What is it?-
Arien dropped her gaze, and saw she had left her pendant out her shirt again. Blushing, she lent it to
Elrohir, whom stared at it admiratively.
- A family relic. My one heritage, in fact.- she said, smiling.- It seems bit of an elvish work, isn't it?-
- Yes, but not Eregion or Lindon.- Elrohir smiled back.- It seems very antique. Did you ask father?
He is a sucker for old craftsmanship…-
- No, he said it was old and that was all. I often wondered where it comes from.-
- It must be a interesting story. It reminds me a bit of the craftsmanship of the Barahir's ring.- he
added pensively.
- The Beren family's ring?-
Elrohir laughed.- Father said you were proficient in elven history, but that was impressive.-
She blushed, and avoided his gaze, a gaze that was not gray and piercing as Elrond's stare, but
golden, coming in warm waves directly from Lorien.
- Do you know where it is? The ring, I mean. It was such a legendary treasure of Gondor, as must
be of your family, having passed from Beren to Lúthien and…-
- I've only saw drawings.- said Elrohir, quickly. Maybe a bit too quickly.
How much does she know about Estel?It would be right for her to know about Estel's
existence or lineage, being her a messenger from Gondor and Isengard?
He returned the ruby, to look out the roof in shock. It was no more rain drummies.
- It has stopped to rain.- she said, bewildered. Last time she looked, the sky was black as the devil,
starless, and moonless. But know the dawn was pink and golden and blue, making the mist around
the camp a poem of color. They peeked outside the covering of the pines, Elladan blinking as an owl
out of his tent at the same time, stern Glorfindel looking up from his perch in a rock where he did the
watching duties.
Just out the canopy of trees, Elrond was standing over a rock, leather cloak discarded, moist with
dew, his arms raised to hail the new sun. The wind was blowing, taking the clouds far away into the
south, revealing a wonderful, clear dawn, over their land covered with mist, patches of snow
becoming melted gold. There was silence in the camp as Vilya shone blue, and Elrond, his hair wild
in the wind, his red mantle whirling savagely, finally turned to them, and smiled, his gaze kind. The
wind still flew, and the sun shone over his shoulder as he stepped down from the rock and put his
wild hair behind a pointed ear.
He smiled, and Arien felt his knees went to water.
And the clouds relented finally his claw in the silver Celebdil, leaving him naked, glistening at the
brilliant and cold dawn, waiting, half behind his brother, cruel Caradhras.
- Yes! Let's go!- Elladan cheered, looking the sky turn blue over him with a grin, and then smile to
Arien.- I'll race you, messenger!-
- Elladan! Your thigh!- Elrohir said, smiling back to his fiery twin.
The ride was easy till the very feet of the mountains, where the patches of white snow in dark green
leaves became a white mantle over slippery rocks. They settled the camp there again, and prepared
to stay the night: next day, the Mid-Winter day, Elrond would climb till the Celebdil's sanctuary over
the snow, a half-day long climb.
Glorfindel was looking with distaste the white mantle of snow under the blue sky.
- It's will not an easy climb, my Lord.-
- I know.- Elrond sighed. In this age nothing is ever easy.
They were having a late lunch at middle afternoon, sat in a table the Rivendel' servants had set,
between four gleaming charcoal braziers. Elrond was in an end, Glorfindel in the other, and Elladan
sat munching his bread smugly as Elrohir and Arien sat at the opposite side, listening intently to the
conversation.
- I don't like to split our forces. We don't know if kobolds or any other dark creature can attack.-
- With this weather? They would be mad to try to climb over that snow.-
- That, my Lord, it's precisely my point.-
- Glorfindel, I have to do this and that's the end of the discussion. You will stay here with the people:
I'll go up, alone.-
- No way in hell.- Elladan piped in, as he ate wholeheartedly.- Dad, you aren't going up there alone.
We, your mighty sons, would go with you, to protect you!- he finished, with a healthy swing of his
glass.
- Elladan…-
- Isn't so, Elrohir?.-
- * sigh * I supposse…-
- That's the spirit!- Elladan refilled his glass.
- Elladan you… at this pace, you aren't going to be * sober * enough to go.-
- Elrohir! How you dare!-
- Don't shout at me!-
- ELROHIR!-
- ELLADAN!-
- BOYS!-
- DON'T * BOYS !* US, GLORFINDEL!-
Elrond groaned and risked a glance to Arien, who was doing her best to hold back her grin as she
sipped her soup.
- I will climb tomorrow at morning. I need to be there at sunset, at the Solstice itself.-
- Is that the moment the Lady and Mithrandir will act?- Glorfindel tone was one of distrust.
- And Saruman too, I hope.- Elrond looked at Arien again, but she had her gaze now lost in the close
heights of the Mountains.
- Arien?-
- I'm sure he would do his part admirably, my Lord.- she said, but her voice was devoid of
warmness.
- Arien?-
- Yes, my Lord?-
-… your glass has tipped.- Elrond said, gently. Just then Arien realized the large, wet red stain in her
white sleeve, and Elladan looked down to the glass he had knocked down.
- Oops.-
* laughter*
- So, no chance of song tonight?- Elladan looked contrite.
She smiled, and her spirit came back from the mountains.- Of course, my Lord.-
Deals of passions come to deliver us
Even the sorrow runs to silver dust
I can recall the falls of the lonely hearts
Betraying love and walls of fear
When you cry all tears are stolen
As I whisper golden omens
When the world is so far apart
We listen for voices in our hearts and touch
If we know love will show
How I care
Why we love, be loved
Elrond didn't join them by the fire that night. But he could clearly hear the song, and that kept him
sleepless for more than what he needed.
Elbereth.
Help me.
- What in MID EARTH do you think you're going?!-
Arien blinked. Elrond was walking, as lightly as any elf, over the snow, as Elladan with a headache
and Elrohir full of mirth about that strode behind, their feet just barely gracing the snow too. And
Elrond, in the brisk, shining morning had turned, to see Arien strolling behind them with quick steps,
cheerfully carrying a little bag and a cloak, jumping agile form rock to rock.
- Well… I am supposed to be by your side, my Lord.- she said, a smirk in her face.
- You didn't ask.- he growled, almost knocking over his sons in his haste to get to her level, mantle
weaving in his quick strode. They had to shout, not by fury, but because the wind was still strong in
the morning.
- I didn't think it was to be discussed!- she whined, but there was a smile in her eyes.- Saruman the
White asked me to do it, my Lord: I can't disobey him!-
- But you'll have harder time than us climbing, and I can get late.- Elrond said, not caring he was
being very little gentle. But she smirked, and confronted his dark stare with a movement of her
shoulders, to accommodate her bag.
- I can manage.-
Elrond, very un-elfishly, snorted.
It wasn't an easy climb, even for the elves's light feet. They walked over the Silver Celebdil, the sun
getting up, over their eyes, as the sky blue and white blurred the white horizon. Elladan went up with
unbreakable will, but there was sweat in his brow: Elrond, his robe taut with the wind, making
rivulets of red where the snow became lighter, walked silently by them, leading the way. Elrohir
followed them, visibly tired, but standing tall, and Arien hurried behind them, with surprising
efficiency. They finally found an ice field, and carefully threaded his way over them to two pillars
embroidered with silver, gleaming in the sun just past noon.
- Have we arrived?- Elrohir coughed, dusted with snow from head to toe after a fall.
- We are in The Pillars now.- Elrond's voice was tinged with faint sadness.
- Really.- Elladan seemed very unimpressed.- Fancy name. Wouldn't I guess why.-
- Elladan.- Elrond lifted a hand, and mouthed something at the pillars covered with snow and ice,
blocking the path. immediately water started to flow, slightly steaming in the cold, and the ice
between the silver pillars melted. Elrond, seemingly unaware of the water wetting his robe's hem,
passed the pillars, and began to ascend between the steam into a now revealed long, spiral staircase
caved in the very same rock.
- Father!- the twins had trouble to follow the quick steps of his father. Arien followed them, into
stairs that seemed to have no end. They walked up and upper, in the middle of the caved rocks,
seeing how the stairs, even dusted with snow, where everywhere clean and complete. They
followed for what looked like hours, and suddenly, they lost the red-clad figure of Elrond from view.
The three found strength in fear, and hurried through the stairs, to suddenly…
They where in a open platform in the very top of the mountain. The sky was open over them, blue
and immense, darker than in the feet of mountains. And at their feet the MidEarth shone like a
multicolored dream, the dark blue see in the far west, the golden horizon in the west a promise, a
dark horizon in the South East like a large stain, a wave of black. Elrond was there, standing in a tall
pillar that had, too, tiny stairs around encircling it, and he looked with sad eyes into the open, empty
sea of the West.
In the pillar it was carved a symbol: the star of Earendil, at the right a wave, at the east a half moon.
No, thought Arien suddenly. A canopy, The star and the sprinkle.
Elrond and Elros, the Star Canopy, the Star Sprinkle. Brothers now apart for a destiny wider
than the world.
- Welcome to the Sanctuary of Celebdil.- Elrond's voice seemed too faraway, in the wild wind at
that heights. Too close, too real for confort it was the Red Caradhras, as the clouds of the mountains
covered their vision of anything close. They only can look into the far, and they could see like a
sparkling jewel at the west, a emerald set in diamonds and sapphires, Rivendel, the valley circled by
the brilliant Bruinen and the white hills. And at the east, a shining golden ring that sparkled like a
golden leave in dark water, Lorien, where a light like a beacon surrendered the land nearby.
It was no snow in the Sanctuary, even if there's plenty around. The carving looked so old, the rocks
smoothed by the elements, but it was younger that Elrond, and he stood alone, eyes lost in the west
for a while, apart from them. And he looked apart from them, even from their sons, from Arien. As
the wind enveloped him, they had fear from him, for the sadness in his eyes.
- Elros. Meldir…Im mîl le…Namarie…- (Elros, brother, I love thee…Goodbye…)
Elrond dried a tear, and suddenly, found Arien in his side, as he heard the chatter of his sons,
discussing if they could or not see Arwen's red dress in the valley from there.
- Arien?-
She looked intently to the west horizon, golden line over the immense sea.
- Can we see Valinor from here, my Lord? Tol Eressea, maybe?- Elrond chuckled.
- No, my dear. Not even with a tower ten times higher. The Valar had put a veil between them and
the world: no new Earendil will find them again.- he said, a hand mindlessly in her back to stead her.
The height was frightening, but the clouds around made the illusion to be safe.
- Oh.- her voice was that of a reprimanded child.
Elrond smiled, seeing her hair whirl in the wind, the curls in the end like a web of brass hooks.
I want to reach of and touch them, here. She wasn't looking, and Elrond's hand moved like if its
own accord. But then a sunray shone in Vilya, and Elrond remembered.
Far, in the South, they could see the white tower of Isengard, where a wizard was staring.
Elrond went to the very border of the Sanctuary, and looked to the East, where, deep in the green of
the unending forest of Mirkwood, a stain grew.
His gray eyes steeled, and he frowned.
It is time. NOW.
Sun was setting, red and angry, in the sea horizon, casting the long shadows over the land at
Elrond's feet, where he faced East valiantly. he Shadows of Mirkwood grew, evil, but alone, as a
beacon of light grew in Lorien, shining over the whole forest like a candle in a golden-colored lamp,
till finally the shades of the tree didn't were able to contain it, and it flew to the sky, a golden and
blue spark, powerful, blinding and gentle. Like lighting in the South, the White tower of Isengard
glowed in the far, a thin and powerful white line right into the sky.
Elrond stood alone, in the Sanctuary. Elladan and Elrohir prayed, arms up, silent in the sudden wind,
together, just behind their parent. And Arien, half forgotten waited in the stairs, half -hidden for a
pillar, her eyes glowing when Isengard's white power shot in the sky.
Elrond, very slowly, lifted his hand, and suddenly the wind went mad around them, snow taking fly
and dancing like silver tiny swans in air so violent and thick like water. Elladan's mane and Elrohir's
black braids shook crazily, as Elrond's hair whirled, her robe strongly pulled, as Vilya's power
condensed in a beam of pure blue, crossing the air up, up, till the first star of night, the mighty
Vingilot.
- Father...- Elrond pleaded, softly, in Elvish.- Give me strength. Elbereth...- he added, eyes closing.-
Lend me power.-
The wind made the snow fall, letting the Sanctuary a snaked as a silver blade. And Arien, trying to
apart her hair from her eyes, eyes widened, saw the blue light enveloping Elrond, a shining that can
and wouldn't be denied, as the white and golden beacons seemed to mix in the sky, lightening the
falling night into a gold and silver day.
The sun died in blood and fire.
And in the same moment, a flame exploded in the deep middle of the dark stain of Mirkwood.
Powerful and strong, it grew, and clean and red as the first, pre fire of the world, suddenly filled the
night with brilliance.
Elrond bit his lip and Vilya answered.
In Lorien, Galadriel closed her eyes, safe and supported by the arms of the powerful, loving
Celeborn, and Narya filled Lorien with his white-golden power, like the sun itself.
In Far Isengard, a wizard, white clothes bellowing around him, lifted his staff in his nest of black
stone, and white light erupted like a waterfall.
And in the same doors of Dol Guldor, an older, haggard wizard, lifted his own poor, harsh-wood
staff, and as red light oozed wildly from his hand, cried loudly against the enormous shadow looming
over him, taller than trees, taller that anything .
- Back to the Darkness, Shadow! THE MORNING HAS COME!-
The Darkness shrunk, and growled, and tentacles of darkness moved, trying to hide from the
enraged Istari in his flew.
He tested the West: but there was Galadriel and Celeborn and the magical barrier of water that
Narya erected, whiteness blinding and hurtful.
He tested the South, but Saruman, staff in hand, white enveloping cold, fought back.
He tested north, though the Misty Mountains, and there Elrond let out a cry and fell in his knees.
- Father!-
The shadow loomed, and Elrond clenched his teeth, hand into a fist, trembling, and keeping Vilya,
blue barrier of wind, protecting the North and the lands behind him: The Shire, Bree, Fornost, Emyn
Muil, Mithlond…
And when doves fly I think of love
As in this world I've learned to see
Can you believe the sight
Like doves clear and white
In full flower
And we learn to love and be loved
Molding for one and all for none
Women who share and men with the care for one world
Where the white doves can fly
You will not pass there, Sauron. Go Back to the Darkness!
I don't think so, little Peredhil. Istaris can try to stop me, a Noldor that had seen the Trees
maybe, but you, weak half-blood?
Elrond' chin was draw with a drop of blood, his eyes clenched, as he voiced every name in his
memory, calling each power he possessed, to resist, as the Silver Celebdil's Sanctuary was
enveloped in the darkness, the stars but for one covered in black clouds.
Earendil, father of mine, light my way… Elwing my mother, gave me the faith… the blood of
Beren and Luthien whom met the shadow face to face and won… Idril and Tuor, whom
crossed the fire and destruction and lived… for the star of my father… for Melian's Circle…
for the Scarlet Heart of Turgon…
Red in the night, red at his side, and a surge of power, to revenge.
Elrond stood, and the wind flapped her hair and mantle. And the shadow recoiled, hurt, scared from
the hate and power burning in the deepness of those silver eyes.
- Back to the darkness, shadow of Sauron!- he yelled, Vilya bathing the Mountains in its azure fire.-
GO BACK!-
The shadow vanished at the same time Elrond fell, unconscious, in the arms of his sons, like any life
had vanished in him. Vilya's light faded, and his hand fell in the ground, empty and naked, and where
the Noldor's spirit had flared, where a High King has been now only remained a tired, spent half-
elven of sweat soaked black hair, eyes closed, all the pain in the world in his features.
- Father!-
- Father!-
- My Lord!-
Elrond barely could open his eyes. And he saw Elladan's and Elrohir's scared, tired, gray faces, and
Arien's, pale with fright, her hands warmly taking his.
And he saw, through her heavy clothes, a red shining in her bosom, slowly fading, scarlet and heated
like a living, naked heart.
The Scarlet Heart heard my praying.
But how…?
Elrond closed his eyes, and an incongruent thought came into his mind, before to lose consciousness.
She didn't leave any mark in the snow.
Oh, Elbereth, how stupid I've been.
White Dove
© Tenkuu no Escaflowne
An Elrond Romance
by The Fox.
Chapter Seven
Into The Misty Mountains
White Dove
The rain started to fall that afternoon like a curse, hard and cold, rivulets of silver crossing their path
through the high, dark green grass. They hurried, and rode till midnight, a silent caravan of wet
horses and riders, unstoppable, like a quick stream of silver in the night.
The moon, Isil, was in his zenith when they arrived to the lower feet of the Misty Mountains. The
vegetation was harder and rougher, but Glorfindel found a nice, cozy nearly dry clearing between the
pines where they could set scented, warm beds. They could heard the rain outside, splashing their
tents, but it was warm there, as they made fire and settled to rest after the wild ride.
Elrond left them, enveloped in a cloak no distinguishable from the one of an archer's, and walked
into the glistening rain. The Misty Mountains now truly deserved their name, even the dark green
roots covered in gray, the night so dark that even him didn't dare to go too far. But in the impending
rain, that soon became a waterfall, he found solace, and peace.
I must be losing my mind.
Even is not so far away a guess, it would be the same, even sadder to fail a second time.
I gave everything in my hand to make Celebrian happy: I denied every Human impulse, I lied
even myself through unaccountable long, gray days. But she saw through, and hated me for
the love I wasn't able to give.
What is in human beings that call so strongly to the Peredhil's heart? I used to tongue-lash
Arwen for her love for Estel, and now I'm fallen too. It is possible that third octaves of
Human Blood in me, that three accursed parts in sixteen parts in her stronger that the Elven
rest? We grew, and I raised her like an Elf, surrounded by elves, as I grew between Maglor's
people. But the smile of a human being is enough to make us fall. Do we really miss that so
much?
Elros, why did you leave me? Why aren't you here, with me, to share this with me? Is this your
perverse way to make understand I was the wrong one?
And they called me the wise.
I can't afford to hurt her.
I can't afford to get myself hurt again.
I simply can't fall in love with Saruman's messenger, if what I suspect about him is true.
I can't afford to fall in love. I can't loose control again, not now, not ever again.
The rain kept falling heavily, the scent of pines enveloping the lord, whom threw his hood back, and
let the teardrops of sky to pearl his dark hair with glistening jewels. The ring in his hand glistened,
and he concentrated, praying the clouds to go away. If they're going to escalate the Celebdil's
Sanctuary, the needed the blessing of Arien, Maia of sun…
He chuckled.
This is cruel. I can't escape from your orange-sunset locks, it seems, my cheerful messenger?
- I'm sorry. I didn't thought my father would do that to you.-
Arien sputtered, and then choked in her soup. Elrohir was patting her back, worry in his eyes.
- Are you well?-
- choke *wheeze * * cough *… yes…-
- I'm sorry my father was rude to you. I saw him apologizing, and for that he must have been
specially scalding. I'm so sorry, Arien.-
Arien breathed, finally.- Oh, no. The Lord just apologized for his… mood. I fear he's confronting
great turmoil.-
- Hm.- Elrohir sat by her, his soup plate in hand, the both enjoying the rain outside the tent roof, and
the nearness of a cozy fire the elves had made for them, spraying warm and soft shadows.
He took a sip, and then crossed his long legs, black braid falling over his shoulder.- What is it?-
Arien dropped her gaze, and saw she had left her pendant out her shirt again. Blushing, she lent it to
Elrohir, whom stared at it admiratively.
- A family relic. My one heritage, in fact.- she said, smiling.- It seems bit of an elvish work, isn't it?-
- Yes, but not Eregion or Lindon.- Elrohir smiled back.- It seems very antique. Did you ask father?
He is a sucker for old craftsmanship…-
- No, he said it was old and that was all. I often wondered where it comes from.-
- It must be a interesting story. It reminds me a bit of the craftsmanship of the Barahir's ring.- he
added pensively.
- The Beren family's ring?-
Elrohir laughed.- Father said you were proficient in elven history, but that was impressive.-
She blushed, and avoided his gaze, a gaze that was not gray and piercing as Elrond's stare, but
golden, coming in warm waves directly from Lorien.
- Do you know where it is? The ring, I mean. It was such a legendary treasure of Gondor, as must
be of your family, having passed from Beren to Lúthien and…-
- I've only saw drawings.- said Elrohir, quickly. Maybe a bit too quickly.
How much does she know about Estel?It would be right for her to know about Estel's
existence or lineage, being her a messenger from Gondor and Isengard?
He returned the ruby, to look out the roof in shock. It was no more rain drummies.
- It has stopped to rain.- she said, bewildered. Last time she looked, the sky was black as the devil,
starless, and moonless. But know the dawn was pink and golden and blue, making the mist around
the camp a poem of color. They peeked outside the covering of the pines, Elladan blinking as an owl
out of his tent at the same time, stern Glorfindel looking up from his perch in a rock where he did the
watching duties.
Just out the canopy of trees, Elrond was standing over a rock, leather cloak discarded, moist with
dew, his arms raised to hail the new sun. The wind was blowing, taking the clouds far away into the
south, revealing a wonderful, clear dawn, over their land covered with mist, patches of snow
becoming melted gold. There was silence in the camp as Vilya shone blue, and Elrond, his hair wild
in the wind, his red mantle whirling savagely, finally turned to them, and smiled, his gaze kind. The
wind still flew, and the sun shone over his shoulder as he stepped down from the rock and put his
wild hair behind a pointed ear.
He smiled, and Arien felt his knees went to water.
And the clouds relented finally his claw in the silver Celebdil, leaving him naked, glistening at the
brilliant and cold dawn, waiting, half behind his brother, cruel Caradhras.
- Yes! Let's go!- Elladan cheered, looking the sky turn blue over him with a grin, and then smile to
Arien.- I'll race you, messenger!-
- Elladan! Your thigh!- Elrohir said, smiling back to his fiery twin.
The ride was easy till the very feet of the mountains, where the patches of white snow in dark green
leaves became a white mantle over slippery rocks. They settled the camp there again, and prepared
to stay the night: next day, the Mid-Winter day, Elrond would climb till the Celebdil's sanctuary over
the snow, a half-day long climb.
Glorfindel was looking with distaste the white mantle of snow under the blue sky.
- It's will not an easy climb, my Lord.-
- I know.- Elrond sighed. In this age nothing is ever easy.
They were having a late lunch at middle afternoon, sat in a table the Rivendel' servants had set,
between four gleaming charcoal braziers. Elrond was in an end, Glorfindel in the other, and Elladan
sat munching his bread smugly as Elrohir and Arien sat at the opposite side, listening intently to the
conversation.
- I don't like to split our forces. We don't know if kobolds or any other dark creature can attack.-
- With this weather? They would be mad to try to climb over that snow.-
- That, my Lord, it's precisely my point.-
- Glorfindel, I have to do this and that's the end of the discussion. You will stay here with the people:
I'll go up, alone.-
- No way in hell.- Elladan piped in, as he ate wholeheartedly.- Dad, you aren't going up there alone.
We, your mighty sons, would go with you, to protect you!- he finished, with a healthy swing of his
glass.
- Elladan…-
- Isn't so, Elrohir?.-
- * sigh * I supposse…-
- That's the spirit!- Elladan refilled his glass.
- Elladan you… at this pace, you aren't going to be * sober * enough to go.-
- Elrohir! How you dare!-
- Don't shout at me!-
- ELROHIR!-
- ELLADAN!-
- BOYS!-
- DON'T * BOYS !* US, GLORFINDEL!-
Elrond groaned and risked a glance to Arien, who was doing her best to hold back her grin as she
sipped her soup.
- I will climb tomorrow at morning. I need to be there at sunset, at the Solstice itself.-
- Is that the moment the Lady and Mithrandir will act?- Glorfindel tone was one of distrust.
- And Saruman too, I hope.- Elrond looked at Arien again, but she had her gaze now lost in the close
heights of the Mountains.
- Arien?-
- I'm sure he would do his part admirably, my Lord.- she said, but her voice was devoid of
warmness.
- Arien?-
- Yes, my Lord?-
-… your glass has tipped.- Elrond said, gently. Just then Arien realized the large, wet red stain in her
white sleeve, and Elladan looked down to the glass he had knocked down.
- Oops.-
* laughter*
- So, no chance of song tonight?- Elladan looked contrite.
She smiled, and her spirit came back from the mountains.- Of course, my Lord.-
Deals of passions come to deliver us
Even the sorrow runs to silver dust
I can recall the falls of the lonely hearts
Betraying love and walls of fear
When you cry all tears are stolen
As I whisper golden omens
When the world is so far apart
We listen for voices in our hearts and touch
If we know love will show
How I care
Why we love, be loved
Elrond didn't join them by the fire that night. But he could clearly hear the song, and that kept him
sleepless for more than what he needed.
Elbereth.
Help me.
- What in MID EARTH do you think you're going?!-
Arien blinked. Elrond was walking, as lightly as any elf, over the snow, as Elladan with a headache
and Elrohir full of mirth about that strode behind, their feet just barely gracing the snow too. And
Elrond, in the brisk, shining morning had turned, to see Arien strolling behind them with quick steps,
cheerfully carrying a little bag and a cloak, jumping agile form rock to rock.
- Well… I am supposed to be by your side, my Lord.- she said, a smirk in her face.
- You didn't ask.- he growled, almost knocking over his sons in his haste to get to her level, mantle
weaving in his quick strode. They had to shout, not by fury, but because the wind was still strong in
the morning.
- I didn't think it was to be discussed!- she whined, but there was a smile in her eyes.- Saruman the
White asked me to do it, my Lord: I can't disobey him!-
- But you'll have harder time than us climbing, and I can get late.- Elrond said, not caring he was
being very little gentle. But she smirked, and confronted his dark stare with a movement of her
shoulders, to accommodate her bag.
- I can manage.-
Elrond, very un-elfishly, snorted.
It wasn't an easy climb, even for the elves's light feet. They walked over the Silver Celebdil, the sun
getting up, over their eyes, as the sky blue and white blurred the white horizon. Elladan went up with
unbreakable will, but there was sweat in his brow: Elrond, his robe taut with the wind, making
rivulets of red where the snow became lighter, walked silently by them, leading the way. Elrohir
followed them, visibly tired, but standing tall, and Arien hurried behind them, with surprising
efficiency. They finally found an ice field, and carefully threaded his way over them to two pillars
embroidered with silver, gleaming in the sun just past noon.
- Have we arrived?- Elrohir coughed, dusted with snow from head to toe after a fall.
- We are in The Pillars now.- Elrond's voice was tinged with faint sadness.
- Really.- Elladan seemed very unimpressed.- Fancy name. Wouldn't I guess why.-
- Elladan.- Elrond lifted a hand, and mouthed something at the pillars covered with snow and ice,
blocking the path. immediately water started to flow, slightly steaming in the cold, and the ice
between the silver pillars melted. Elrond, seemingly unaware of the water wetting his robe's hem,
passed the pillars, and began to ascend between the steam into a now revealed long, spiral staircase
caved in the very same rock.
- Father!- the twins had trouble to follow the quick steps of his father. Arien followed them, into
stairs that seemed to have no end. They walked up and upper, in the middle of the caved rocks,
seeing how the stairs, even dusted with snow, where everywhere clean and complete. They
followed for what looked like hours, and suddenly, they lost the red-clad figure of Elrond from view.
The three found strength in fear, and hurried through the stairs, to suddenly…
They where in a open platform in the very top of the mountain. The sky was open over them, blue
and immense, darker than in the feet of mountains. And at their feet the MidEarth shone like a
multicolored dream, the dark blue see in the far west, the golden horizon in the west a promise, a
dark horizon in the South East like a large stain, a wave of black. Elrond was there, standing in a tall
pillar that had, too, tiny stairs around encircling it, and he looked with sad eyes into the open, empty
sea of the West.
In the pillar it was carved a symbol: the star of Earendil, at the right a wave, at the east a half moon.
No, thought Arien suddenly. A canopy, The star and the sprinkle.
Elrond and Elros, the Star Canopy, the Star Sprinkle. Brothers now apart for a destiny wider
than the world.
- Welcome to the Sanctuary of Celebdil.- Elrond's voice seemed too faraway, in the wild wind at
that heights. Too close, too real for confort it was the Red Caradhras, as the clouds of the mountains
covered their vision of anything close. They only can look into the far, and they could see like a
sparkling jewel at the west, a emerald set in diamonds and sapphires, Rivendel, the valley circled by
the brilliant Bruinen and the white hills. And at the east, a shining golden ring that sparkled like a
golden leave in dark water, Lorien, where a light like a beacon surrendered the land nearby.
It was no snow in the Sanctuary, even if there's plenty around. The carving looked so old, the rocks
smoothed by the elements, but it was younger that Elrond, and he stood alone, eyes lost in the west
for a while, apart from them. And he looked apart from them, even from their sons, from Arien. As
the wind enveloped him, they had fear from him, for the sadness in his eyes.
- Elros. Meldir…Im mîl le…Namarie…- (Elros, brother, I love thee…Goodbye…)
Elrond dried a tear, and suddenly, found Arien in his side, as he heard the chatter of his sons,
discussing if they could or not see Arwen's red dress in the valley from there.
- Arien?-
She looked intently to the west horizon, golden line over the immense sea.
- Can we see Valinor from here, my Lord? Tol Eressea, maybe?- Elrond chuckled.
- No, my dear. Not even with a tower ten times higher. The Valar had put a veil between them and
the world: no new Earendil will find them again.- he said, a hand mindlessly in her back to stead her.
The height was frightening, but the clouds around made the illusion to be safe.
- Oh.- her voice was that of a reprimanded child.
Elrond smiled, seeing her hair whirl in the wind, the curls in the end like a web of brass hooks.
I want to reach of and touch them, here. She wasn't looking, and Elrond's hand moved like if its
own accord. But then a sunray shone in Vilya, and Elrond remembered.
Far, in the South, they could see the white tower of Isengard, where a wizard was staring.
Elrond went to the very border of the Sanctuary, and looked to the East, where, deep in the green of
the unending forest of Mirkwood, a stain grew.
His gray eyes steeled, and he frowned.
It is time. NOW.
Sun was setting, red and angry, in the sea horizon, casting the long shadows over the land at
Elrond's feet, where he faced East valiantly. he Shadows of Mirkwood grew, evil, but alone, as a
beacon of light grew in Lorien, shining over the whole forest like a candle in a golden-colored lamp,
till finally the shades of the tree didn't were able to contain it, and it flew to the sky, a golden and
blue spark, powerful, blinding and gentle. Like lighting in the South, the White tower of Isengard
glowed in the far, a thin and powerful white line right into the sky.
Elrond stood alone, in the Sanctuary. Elladan and Elrohir prayed, arms up, silent in the sudden wind,
together, just behind their parent. And Arien, half forgotten waited in the stairs, half -hidden for a
pillar, her eyes glowing when Isengard's white power shot in the sky.
Elrond, very slowly, lifted his hand, and suddenly the wind went mad around them, snow taking fly
and dancing like silver tiny swans in air so violent and thick like water. Elladan's mane and Elrohir's
black braids shook crazily, as Elrond's hair whirled, her robe strongly pulled, as Vilya's power
condensed in a beam of pure blue, crossing the air up, up, till the first star of night, the mighty
Vingilot.
- Father...- Elrond pleaded, softly, in Elvish.- Give me strength. Elbereth...- he added, eyes closing.-
Lend me power.-
The wind made the snow fall, letting the Sanctuary a snaked as a silver blade. And Arien, trying to
apart her hair from her eyes, eyes widened, saw the blue light enveloping Elrond, a shining that can
and wouldn't be denied, as the white and golden beacons seemed to mix in the sky, lightening the
falling night into a gold and silver day.
The sun died in blood and fire.
And in the same moment, a flame exploded in the deep middle of the dark stain of Mirkwood.
Powerful and strong, it grew, and clean and red as the first, pre fire of the world, suddenly filled the
night with brilliance.
Elrond bit his lip and Vilya answered.
In Lorien, Galadriel closed her eyes, safe and supported by the arms of the powerful, loving
Celeborn, and Narya filled Lorien with his white-golden power, like the sun itself.
In Far Isengard, a wizard, white clothes bellowing around him, lifted his staff in his nest of black
stone, and white light erupted like a waterfall.
And in the same doors of Dol Guldor, an older, haggard wizard, lifted his own poor, harsh-wood
staff, and as red light oozed wildly from his hand, cried loudly against the enormous shadow looming
over him, taller than trees, taller that anything .
- Back to the Darkness, Shadow! THE MORNING HAS COME!-
The Darkness shrunk, and growled, and tentacles of darkness moved, trying to hide from the
enraged Istari in his flew.
He tested the West: but there was Galadriel and Celeborn and the magical barrier of water that
Narya erected, whiteness blinding and hurtful.
He tested the South, but Saruman, staff in hand, white enveloping cold, fought back.
He tested north, though the Misty Mountains, and there Elrond let out a cry and fell in his knees.
- Father!-
The shadow loomed, and Elrond clenched his teeth, hand into a fist, trembling, and keeping Vilya,
blue barrier of wind, protecting the North and the lands behind him: The Shire, Bree, Fornost, Emyn
Muil, Mithlond…
And when doves fly I think of love
As in this world I've learned to see
Can you believe the sight
Like doves clear and white
In full flower
And we learn to love and be loved
Molding for one and all for none
Women who share and men with the care for one world
Where the white doves can fly
You will not pass there, Sauron. Go Back to the Darkness!
I don't think so, little Peredhil. Istaris can try to stop me, a Noldor that had seen the Trees
maybe, but you, weak half-blood?
Elrond' chin was draw with a drop of blood, his eyes clenched, as he voiced every name in his
memory, calling each power he possessed, to resist, as the Silver Celebdil's Sanctuary was
enveloped in the darkness, the stars but for one covered in black clouds.
Earendil, father of mine, light my way… Elwing my mother, gave me the faith… the blood of
Beren and Luthien whom met the shadow face to face and won… Idril and Tuor, whom
crossed the fire and destruction and lived… for the star of my father… for Melian's Circle…
for the Scarlet Heart of Turgon…
Red in the night, red at his side, and a surge of power, to revenge.
Elrond stood, and the wind flapped her hair and mantle. And the shadow recoiled, hurt, scared from
the hate and power burning in the deepness of those silver eyes.
- Back to the darkness, shadow of Sauron!- he yelled, Vilya bathing the Mountains in its azure fire.-
GO BACK!-
The shadow vanished at the same time Elrond fell, unconscious, in the arms of his sons, like any life
had vanished in him. Vilya's light faded, and his hand fell in the ground, empty and naked, and where
the Noldor's spirit had flared, where a High King has been now only remained a tired, spent half-
elven of sweat soaked black hair, eyes closed, all the pain in the world in his features.
- Father!-
- Father!-
- My Lord!-
Elrond barely could open his eyes. And he saw Elladan's and Elrohir's scared, tired, gray faces, and
Arien's, pale with fright, her hands warmly taking his.
And he saw, through her heavy clothes, a red shining in her bosom, slowly fading, scarlet and heated
like a living, naked heart.
The Scarlet Heart heard my praying.
But how…?
Elrond closed his eyes, and an incongruent thought came into his mind, before to lose consciousness.
She didn't leave any mark in the snow.
Oh, Elbereth, how stupid I've been.
White Dove
© Tenkuu no Escaflowne