First chap = disclaimers

Thanks for all of the reviews. In regards to it appearing hurried at the end, I was already planning this chapter, so I felt that putting in Celebrian's comment twice would have been redundant. (Not that I actually informed anyone about this)

Losse: Drug vs dragged. Technically in American English I have a choice. Drug is used in more casual writing while dragged is used in more classic writing. Plus I was feeling lazy when I wrote it. Secondly, my Angst bunny up and left me. I was hoping to torture Elrond a whole lot more, but I just couldn't do it.

WARNING: this chapter is sort of a catchall to get from Celebrian leaving to the place where Elrond meets her again. The scene where Elrond has that bitter parting will not be dealt with as I have a sequel started. (Now if I could only find where I put the stupid thing)

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(Many, many years later)

 Elrond was angry. He was angry and saddened beyond the depths of his soul. For months he had led his anger stew while he waited for the right moment. Now he had it.

"Greetings, Elrond. I hope that your journey was pleasant?"

"You knew. Somehow you knew all of those years ago that this would happen."

Galadriel looked at him and smiled thinly. "Of course I knew. You were not in the position to receive such information then. As time went on, I felt it best that you were allowed to live life without such a burden."

"Is this your way of getting even with me? Because, I must say that it is working very well. My daughter has entered onto a covenant to marry a mortal. Not just any mortal, mind you, but the one mortal to whom I can deny nothing."

"It is true that I fostered Arwen's choice by giving Estel the Elven cloak, but had I not interfered at all, the outcome would have been the same. You taught me that much."

Elrond shivered as he remembered the time when Celebrian had left. She had begged him not to hate her when she made her choice to leave. Somehow, she had felt that he would see her leaving as an act of a woman no longer in love. He had had to convince her to go.

He had said that he would rather have a live wife waiting for him than a dead one taking a trip through the halls of Mandos. Glorfindel had been more than happy to give nasty details on the experience of being rehoused. Elrond secretly believed half of those tales were fables, but he said nothing in order to support Celebrian's decision.

The one strange thing about Celebrian's departure was that that morning Galadriel had called Arwen to her and spoken to the younger Elf for an hour. The tearful goodbyes had been said. Final kisses and hugs had been given before Celebrian went aboard the ship, yet never once did Arwen swear to her mother that she would see her again.

"You knew since before Celebrian left that this would happen. You knew before Aragorn was even born?"

Galadriel nodded. "I had an insight into the matter. Arwen is too much her father's daughter. She would never choose a mate that did not bring her at least a little pain."

Elrond turned and gazed unseeing out into the forests of Lothlorien. "You have hurt me in this."

"I have hurt you, but it would have occurred whether I interfered or not. Arwen was destined to love a mortal man. I only wish her to have as much time as possible to love him."

"Alas, I cannot fault your logic there, but I will not allow them to marry until he has achieved his destiny. I of all people know the pain of not being able to marry, but it would not be fair to either of them that their marriage be based while Estel is rambling around in the wilderness."

Galadriel sighed. "Yet, you will allow them to marry eventually. You will not keep them apart while he wanders in his path. I believe this is the point where I concede that you are the stronger person. I was faced with my daughter's mortality once. I did not fare as well."

Elrond shook his head. "It is not something I am proud of. It is simply what I know to be true. Besides, had it been any other man, he would be floating down the Anduin by now."

Galadriel sighed. "Celebrian will mourn not being able to see the wedding."

"Celebrian will mourn not being able to see her daughter again."

"She will never see her grandchildren."

"Nor will I."

A golden eyebrow arched in question.

"Galadriel, I will allow Arwen to wed. I will bless the ceremony. But I will not stay to watch  my family wither away. Elros was enough. Each of his kin that followed simply burned a deeper hole in my heart. Aragorn would have been a terrible gouge just being the last of his line. It would have been even worse after he was raised in my house, but adding Arwen in there. It will be unbearable. Besides, I do not wish to be the bearer of Arwen's death. Let someone else bring the final word."

Galadriel nodded. "Celebrian's heart will no doubt soar when she sees you again. You have enough bad news to bring. Arwen's final end should not be brought by you."

"I was thinking that I would perhaps leave Glorfindel here."

"Glorfindel? He will go stir crazy without you to torture. Perhaps, you could leave the twins behind. They seem to enjoy hunting Orc."

"Perhaps, their choice may be delayed when I leave... Look at me. I am envisioning the future when Arwen has not even had a wedding cloak sewn."

"Yes, perhaps we should not look so far into the future. There is still a great evil to be faced. We have no assurance of our victory."

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Elrond stared as Arwen swore her oath of love to the new King. Every word made him happy for his two children. Every word drove a dagger through his heart. When the ceremony came to an end, he did not know whether to be joyous or to curse the day he was ever born.

Elrond's face glowered. Perhaps he should curse whatever fate had given him a heart. The pain of Celebrian would never had happened. Thus, the pain of Arwen would not have. Aragorn would never have hurt either.

True, Elrond probably would be known as Elrond the Evil, but the painful feeling in his heart at the moment made him think it might have been worthwhile.

The reception hall was filled with all manner of folk as they toasted the newly married King of Gondor. Some, such as Gimli, toasted them several times. Elrond's eyes swept unthinkingly from Gimli to Legolas.

Thranduil was going to have a heart attack when he found out how close his son was to a Dwarf. He pondered if he should tarry a bit longer just to see his old adversary's reaction when Legolas introduced his new friend.

Glorfindel had been there when Legolas had informed his father about his friendship with a common man. Thranduil had been livid. The King of Mirkwood had become even more enraged when he found out who that 'common man' was.

Glorfindel had been so inspired that he had painted an entire series of paintings on the subject.

Speaking of Glorfindel… Elrond's eyes caught Glorfindel as he spirited Arwen away. Unbidden, memories of Elrond's own wedding night came to mind. He swallowed convulsively. He had his suspicions about what Glorfindel was doing at the moment.

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Arwen's eyes were alight as Glorfindel guided her behind a small tree.

"I do hope that you are not attempting anything. This tree will hide little from those who wish to see."

"Well, this is much easier with the trees in Lothlorien."

"What does Lothlorien have to do with anything?"

"Never mind, Arwen, I have a gift I need to give to you."

"You have already given us a gift."

Glorfindel shoved off the feeling of déjà vu that swept over him. Impatiently, he pulled a golden flower from his hair. Arwen recognized it immediately.

"This was my mother's. She did not often wear it."

Glorfindel nodded. "It was mine, I gave it to Elros. He gave it to your mother as her wedding present. Celebrian asked me to give it to you."

"How would she have known? Had I married an Elf, I would have waited until we were in the blessed realm."

"It was a question she would not answer. She told me to tell you that your uncle has received his wish." Glorfindel gently clipped the flower into Arwen's hair.

"He was right; it does look beautiful in your color of hair."

Arwen touched the clip gently. "Glorfindel, tell my mother that I love her. Tell her that I understand now how her entire world revolved around my father."

Glorfindel smiled sadly. "I think she would tell you that it was the other way around, and that she loves you too." His blue eyes flickered over to where Aragorn stood. "She would also tell you to take care of him. Though a warrior, his heart is as fragile as your father's ever was."

"It is a trait that will serve him well as a ruler."

"It is a trait that will serve him even more as a husband." Elrond's voice cut in.

"Ada." Glorfindel backed quietly away as Elrond neared.

"You are a wonder, Arwen. Luthien is jealous tonight. Yet, I think that you lack something." Elrond pulled a small pouch from his tunic. Gently, he poured the contents out into his hand revealing a small silver object. "I was going to give this to your mother. Obviously, things happened. What is a flower without its adoring follower?"

Arwen took the tiny object. In her palm lay an intricate bee made from silver.

"It was made to be attached to that clip. When I saw Glorfindel wearing that clip earlier today, I had this removed from my belongings."

"I shall always treasure this, Ada. You will never be far from my heart."

"Nor shall you be far from mine. Now, go and find your husband."