Imladris Revisited

By: DLR 2002

Disclaimer: Why do I even bother to type it at this point?

Elrond/OFC

Rated: PG

Chapter 34

"Are you going to be able to do this?" Culurien asked, touching his face.

"I am fine," said Elrond, not looking at her.

"That is not really what I asked you."

"I am fine," Elrond repeated.

She turned his head towards her to look into his eyes. He gazed back at her vacantly.

Culurien sighed and sat on the bed.  "You look very handsome."

Elrond did not respond. He was dressed and Lindir was finishing his hair. Culurien was dressed as well, her toilette completed.

She studied his face for a minute, and then exchanged glances with Lindir. She could see that he was as worried as she.

"You are ready, Lord," said Lindir. Elrond rose without a word. He offered his elbow to Culurien and she slipped her arm through it. They walked in silence through the hallways until they reached a courtyard.

There in the sunshine stood Galadriel and Celeborn and with them were all the lords and ladies of Lothlórien and Imladris.

"I will be back shortly," said Culurien as she gathered up her skirts and climbed a small stairway. She stopped before a door and entered without knocking.

Arwen turned to her as she approached, a radiant smile brightening her face. They embraced.

"Look at you," whispered Culurien, for Arwen was indeed a vision of loveliness.

Arwen eyes were shining.  "You as well."

"Are you ready?"

"I believe so," Arwen replied as her maids hovered around, making adjustments. "How is Adar?"

"He is fine," Culurien replied, lying.

Arwen looked troubled for a moment. "I doubt that."

"You are right," Culurien admitted. "But do not worry, he will find strength for your sake."

Arwen hugged her again. "I love you."

"And I, you."  Culurien's eyes filled with tears. "Come, they are waiting."

She opened the door and motioned for Arwen to precede her. They walked down the stairs to join the group waiting in the courtyard. All eyes were on Arwen as she approached Elrond.

She looked at his face, and then glanced over at Culurien, who was failing to conceal her own concern. "Adar."

Elrond turned towards her. His face was a mask, his eyes unreadable.

"Adar, please."

"I am fine."  Elrond's voice was devoid of all expression.

Celeborn and Galadriel exchanged uneasy glances. Arwen turned to her grandparents, kissing them and also her brothers.

"We must start," said Celeborn, gesturing to everyone.

The processional formed and proceeded up the hill to the Citadel of the White City.

All the folk of Minas Tirith turned out to watch the wedding parade. They marveled at the sight of the bridal party, for the Eldar seldom visited Gondor.

They entered the Citadel and the procession parted, the leading elves turning to the sides, allowing Celeborn and Galadriel to walk up the center aisle first, followed by the bride's attendants, Culurien, then Arwen and Elrond.

At the end of the aisle there was a high altar. Elladan and Elrohir came up and stood with Aragorn, who waited there.

Elrond paused until all the attendants had walked the length of the aisle, then he and Arwen proceeded slowly.

Arwen stole a glance at him. His face was like marble, his eyes stared straight ahead.

This last walk seemed to take forever.

Arwen wondered if she was going to faint, then she focused her eyes on Aragorn, his serious figure giving her strength.

Finally, they were there.

Aragorn held out his hand. Elrond seemed to freeze for several seconds. Slowly he took Arwen's hand off his arm and placed it in the hand of the king.

The bride and groom walked the remaining steps to the altar alone.

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"An i dineth a daer," Celeborn said, raising his glass. Elrond raised his glass as well. Culurien could see his hand trembling.

"An i dineth a daer."*

Elrond's grip tightened and the glass shattered. He stared at the broken glass in his hand as all eyes turned toward him.

"Adar," Arwen whispered as Elrond stood mesmerized, watching the drops of blood trickle down his palm.

He slowly raised his anguished eyes to meet his daughter's.  "Undómiel."

She looked back at him, her own eyes pleading.

Their gaze remained locked together for several seconds.

The mask came down into place once more and Elrond turned away from her.

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Culurien and Elrond left the reception as soon as it was polite to do so, returning to their rooms.

They undressed and Elrond lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. She had made several attempts to talk to him, but had received no response.

She curled up in a chair by the window and watched him, waiting.

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Arwen sighed with pleasure. Culurien had certainly left out all of the best parts. She would not have worried at all, if she had known it would be like this.

Aragorn was kissing her, touching her and a wonderful feeling of bliss and desire overwhelmed them both. Arwen gave a thought to her father and she offered up a prayer for him.  "Please, Manwë, let him be all right."

Aragorn smiled and gave her reassurance. "Culurien will make sure of that."  She flashed him a grateful smile.

They returned their attention to where it belonged.

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It had been hours and still Elrond lay unblinking, unaware. Finally, Culurien stood up from the chair and got into the bed beside him.

"Mellhîr," she whispered. Nothing, no response. "Mellhîr," she repeated with more intensity, shaking him.

He sat up and looked at her. "I am fine."

"No, Mellhîr, you are not," Culurien said sharply, her hands on his face. Then she laid his head on her shoulder as he began to cry.

She stroked his hair and held him tightly as he wept.

She sang softly to him and held him close to her as he cried through the night

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*To the bride and groom