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Imladris Revisited
By: DLR 2002
Disclaimer: Characters owned by JRR Tolkien
Elrond/OFC
Rated: PG13 for adult themes, language
Chapter 17
Spring became summer and summer became fall, much too quickly. Elrond and Culurien slept outside on the floor of his terrace most nights, gazing at the stars.
There was definitely a new chill in the air, she thought, pulling the blanket higher over her bare shoulders as she snuggled against Elrond's warm, sleeping body.
He stirred and rolled towards her, his arm going around her waist.
"Mmmph," he said, sleeping still. She touched his face, her fingers lightly caressing his smooth skin.
"I love you," Culurien whispered to him.
"Mmmm," he answered. She continued to trace the curves of his face with her forefinger, lingering over his lips and the dimple in his chin.
He slowly opened one eye and regarded her with it. "Morning, already?"
"Just barely dawn," she whispered, still touching him.
Elrond's arms tightened around her as he breathed a sigh of contentment. "Do you know how happy I am, Linariel?"
"Not as happy as I," she responded.
They lay silent as the sky behind the mountains began to glow, the snow capped peaks becoming golden ahead of the ascent of Anar.*
Elrond heard a noise from the bed chamber and saw Lindir, his back discreetly to the terrace, setting out hot tea and fresh bread. Lindir coughed pointedly and left the room.
"The morning breakfast signal," said Elrond, sitting up and pulling a robe over his head. Culurien caught the garment he tossed her.
Elrond poured out the tea. "What are your plans this day?"
"I know not," she said. "Come riding with me."
Elrond sighed. "Alas, I wish that I could, too many duties claim me."
Culurien smiled. "Tell me something I do not know. Perhaps I can persuade Arwen."
"There is a thought," said he, "for she needs to get out more."
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Culurien entered the main house, pulling off her riding gloves. Arwen had opted to stay outside, walking through the gardens.
She made her way to the door of Elrond's chamber and looked around. There was no one about. She opened the door without knocking and quickly entered the room. He did not seem to be there.
Then, something caught her eye on the terrace and she moved to get a clearer view. There he sat, with his back to her, she could see his long, black hair; his boots were up on the railing.
I will surprise him, she thought, smiling mischievously. She tiptoed up behind him, laid a hand on his shoulder and began to whisper hotly in his ear.
He looked at her, startled, his eyes wide. "You want to do what to me?"
All of the color drained out of Culurien's face. It was not Elrond. She froze and stood, stunned, unable to move.
"What is happening, who are you?" asked a voice off to the side. She saw another elf standing a ways to her right. She looked from one face to the other. They were twins and they looked remarkably like Elrond.
Culurien's hand went to her mouth as she stared at him, terrified, rooted to the spot.
The first twin rose and put his arm around her. "Perhaps I should know your name before we have such intimate relations," he smirked.
Culurien found her feet and fled, shaking free of his grasp.
"Who do you suppose that was?" Elladan asked his brother. "I have never received such a lewd proposition."
"Did you see the look on her face?" asked Elrohir. "She mistook you for someone else." The light dawned suddenly. "Adar," he said with wide eyes.
Elladan snorted. "You are speaking of our sire, Elrond, are you not? There is no one more proper than he. He would never . . ." Elladan stopped. "I would not have thought it possible," he added more quietly.
"Well," said Elrohir with a wink. "Shall we make some discreet inquiries?"
"After you," responded his brother.
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Culurien tried to fight down the panic that rose in her throat as she raced through the house. Where was Elrond? The council chamber was empty. The library, she thought, turning in that direction.
She opened the heavy door and walked into the dim, musty room.
"Elrond," she whispered loudly, wringing her hands.
"Here," said a voice far above her.
She looked up and searched for him, finally spotting him at the top of one of the ladders, open book in hand, reading intently.
Culurien looked at him with great anguish. "I must speak with you."
"What is troubling you?" he asked, his nose in the book still.
She practically wailed. "Right now, please."
He closed the volume and looked down at her. He then lightly descended the ladder, facing outwards. She ran into his arms, crying inconsolably.
"Hush now, whatever ails you?" he asked with great astonishment.
"I believe I just met your sons," she sobbed into his shoulder.
"Have you indeed?" he asked, surprised. "I was unaware they were here."
"They look very much like you," she said, still sobbing. "Especially from the back."
"This is true, but it is nothing to weep about."
Culurien looked up at him, her face wet. "I thought that he was you; I said things to him that I should not have."
Elrond raised his eyebrows. "What did you say?"
"I cannot tell you," she said, her eyes filling with pain. "It is too awful."
"You had no such problem the first time you uttered it."
"Whatever shall I do?" Culurien cried, extremely distressed. "I shall never be able to face them again."
"Oh, come, it cannot be as bad as all that," said Elrond. "I will speak with them, they will not dare to show you any disrespect."
"That merely throws a blanket over the problem, it does not dispel it," Culurien said, wiping her eyes.
"The memory will fade, eventually."
She looked as though the tears were returning. "That is not very encouraging."
Elrond sighed. "Where did you see them?"
"They were on your terrace."
"Come, then," he said, leading her.
"I cannot," she gasped, trying to free her wrist from his hand.
"We will do it together," he insisted firmly.
She had very little choice but to follow him.
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Arwen was coming back from her walk when she saw her brothers. She embraced them both happily. "Where is Estel?"
"I believe he is in Bree," said Elladan.
"You left him alone?" she asked, distressed.
"He is not alone," said Elrohir. "He is with other Dúnedain, his kin."
"Oh," she said, only a little less worried. "How is he?"
"He is fine," said Elladan, a little bit puzzled. "I was unaware you knew him well."
"I do not," said Arwen quickly. "I am merely making a polite inquiry."
"I see," said Elrohir, raising an eyebrow and winking at his brother.
"What are you both up to?" she asked, changing the subject quickly. "You look rather smug."
The twins exchanged glances. "Well," said Elrohir quietly, "we are gathering all the gossip about Adar."
Arwen was puzzled. "What about him?"
Elladan looked around and lowered his voice. "It appears to be a poorly kept secret that he has taken up with some cute doxy. I am surprised that you have not heard anything."
"Doxy?" gasped Arwen. "Who is it and what do you know of it?"
"I know not her name," said Elladan. "We were waiting for him in his chamber, when she came up behind me and made some very suggestive remarks."
"She obviously thought our brother was Adar," said Elrohir.
"You met her, then?" asked Arwen. "What did she look like?"
"Very pretty," said Elladan, "with golden red hair and beautiful green eyes."
Arwen felt herself go into shock, her face paling.
"What is wrong?" asked Elladan, concerned.
Arwen stared straight ahead, saying nothing. Suddenly she turned and ran from the room.
"She appears to be an acquaintance of our sister's," surmised Elrohir.
"Presumably so," agreed his brother.
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Arwen was out of breath when she reached Elrond's chamber. She opened the door to his study with a great yank. Elrond and Culurien turned to face her as she stood there, open mouthed. Culurien's eyes were red and swollen from crying.
"I do not believe it!" Arwen cried angrily. "How could you?!" They all stared at each other for a long moment.
There was a soft knock and Elladan's head appeared around the door.
"Adar, I need to . . . uh, oh, too late," he said, seeing Arwen.
"How could you?!" Arwen repeated with some heat. "How dare you do such a thing?!"
Elrond had been holding Culurien's arm and she began to struggle, trying to twist out of his grasp. "Please," she whispered, nearly hysterical, "let me go."
"Culurien," Elrond began, and then, "Culurien!" as she broke free and ran.
Elrond looked at his daughter darkly. "Kindly remember to whom you speak."
"Come in here," he commanded Elladan, who obeyed, followed by Elrohir, who closed the door behind them.
Elrond folded his arms and stared grimly at his offspring. "You may as well know the truth," he said, finally. "Culurien and I are lovers."
"Adar," said Arwen with great anguish. "How could you do this to her, to her self respect? I brought her here for healing and you take her as your mistress?"
"I have done no such thing," snapped Elrond.
"There are no pretty words for it, Adar," cried Arwen. "I know Culurien and she would never enter into this type of sordid relationship unless coerced."
Elladan and Elrohir exchanged looks, but said nothing.
Elrond took a deep breath and walked a step closer to his daughter, his eyes flashing. "You seem to have missed something, Arwen, I said she was my lover, not my whore."
"Why then, are you sneaking around? How long has this been going on?"
"Since springtime," answered Elrond, "and we are not 'sneaking,' we are merely being discreet."
"Why even do that?" asked Elladan. "Why not get married?"
"I cannot marry," said Elrond with some exasperation. "Why does everybody not see this?"
"You do not seriously consider yourself still married to Naneth?" Elrohir asked, surprised.
"Of course I am," said Elrond. His children exchanged looks.
"If you say so, Adar," said Elladan, "but it does not seem so to me."
"There has been no annulment," said Elrond. "Separation does not constitute divorce."
"It is not as though she is living in the next village," said Elrohir.
Elrond sighed. "One is not at liberty to pick and choose which laws to obey and which ones to ignore."
Elladan looked as though he wanted to roll his eyes, but did not dare. "Well, why not at least have an engagement of sorts? It will not be breaking any law and will not look nearly as bad as this 'discretion' as you call it."
"How do you mean 'look bad?'" asked Elrond, scowling at him. "People are talking?"
"Honestly, Adar," said Elrohir, "I think it is the worst kept secret in Imladris."
"Did you not just arrive?" asked Elrond. "And you know of this already?"
Elladan looked uncomfortable. "Well, after our um . . . earlier encounter, we made an effort to find out a few things."
Elrond grunted. "Well, the gossips are not too well informed, for we are already engaged."
Arwen looked at him in surprise. "Culurien does not wear a ring."
"Not on her finger, no," said Elrond, "but I have given her one."
Arwen raised an eyebrow. "The entire point of being engaged is to make your feelings public."
"It is also the symbol of a promise between two people," said Elrond, "publicly stated or not."
"I think you should insist she wear the ring, Adar," said Arwen, "or soon she will have no reputation left."
"Humph," snorted Elrond. "Perhaps you could help me talk to her." He paused and turned to Elladan. "By the way, what did Culurien say to you?"
Elladan became pink. "I do not think I could repeat it, Adar."
"I would really like to know," insisted Elrond. "Whisper it."
Elladan put his mouth next to his father's ear. He grew even pinker and Elrond's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "No wonder she was so upset," he murmured with a small smile.
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*The Sun