In a Time of Sorrow
Chapter Five
Thanks to Nemis for betaing this and to all my reviewers.
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In the darkened corridor, Celebrían related to her children the bitter truth she had just discovered. Elladan and Elrohir hugged each other close, retreating into their childhood bond and Arwen wept openly, pausing only to wipe her eyes with one bedraggled lace cuff.
"What should we do?" they spoke in unison.
"I know not," Celebrían sighed, looking more child-like even than the three young elves who stood before her. "I know not."
Without a word, not needing to voice their mutual thoughts, they kissed her on the cheek and made their way to the shrine to Elbereth in the depths of the gardens.
They sank to their knees before the impassive stone figure, pressing their fingertips to first their lips then their foreheads.
"O Elbereth, Lady of the Stars," Arwen began uncertainly, feeling nausea overcome her. But her brothers' voices joined her faltering one, melding into a seamless harmony. "Do not let this fate take our father. We who cannot know your designs nevertheless implore your mercy and your blessing upon him, setting aside all thought even for ourselves."
They fell into a deep silence before continuing desperately, "Mandos, do not take Elrond Half-elven to your Halls, for merciful was the mission which has brought him to your doors, and great have his deeds been. We ask your grace, Doomsman of the Valar, for we know not where else to turn…"
They halted, unable to voice the grievous despair which was in their hearts. Out of the gloom behind them, they heard a melancholy voice raised in song, "O Elbereth Githoniel…"
They saw a tall, slender shadow emerge from the shadow of the densely growing trees, the glint of moonlight on raven hair resolving itself into Gelmir, the elf from the Havens. As he finished his lament, they whispered with him, "…Thy starlight on the western seas."
Gelmir bowed gracefully to the Peredhil.
"I am sorry to have disturbed you so," he murmured, "but I have heard the rumours which spread through Imladris, telling that the illness of its Master is even more serious than I had thought. As I wandered through the gardens, your voices came to me and I wished to add my entreaties to yours."
Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen embraced him as a brother of their hearts.
"Fear not Gelmir Halmirion of the Havens. We do not take your prayers ill, and we are glad that the folk of the coast share our sorrow."
"'Tis merely Gelmir this night," he said shyly.
"Well then, Gelmir," Arwen responded with a small smile. "Will you join your voice to ours?"
Together, the young elves turned their attention back to the Valar.
"Nienna, who weeps for all…"
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Celebrían's silent prayers, as she watched her ailing husband helplessly cough blood onto an already scarlet handkerchief, were far more direct.
"Ilúvatar, I beg you, do not let my beloved die. He has done you great service, and will always do so. He has suffered much and known much and preserved Arda faithfully. He should not die because of his human heritage which gives him such strength. He bears the burdens placed upon him unswervingly … I cannot live without him…"
"What do you think of?" Elrond asked between paroxysms.
"Only how much I love you," Celebrían soothed him.
"Liar," he laughed weakly, dissolving into a grating fit of hideous coughing.
When the spasms had passed, Celebrían joked, "But of course I lie to you! If one cannot lie to one's husband, who else is there?" But her eyes swam with tears, no matter how much she tried to hide them from her husband.
He touched one hand to her sodden cheek.
"Do not fear, celeb loth-nin," he murmured. "I have made peace with this."
"But I do fear," she cried, hunting for a spare handkerchief.
"But we shall meet again, melethril-nîn, beyond the Sundering Seas and beyond the Halls of Awaiting."
"I cannot live that long without you. I would follow you to Mandos' care." She blew her nose defiantly.
"Do not. Promise me you will not." He clutched at her hand. "I feel it … my heart slowing … stumbling … and I could not bear for yours to do the same."
He caressed her face, bent close to the bed.
"I know this disease. I know that the end is near. The only thing that I ask is that you do not fade away."
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The cold light of dawn broke on Imladris, and never had the brilliant colours of the valley seemed duller. As its lord hovered between life and death, the very air seemed to respond, growing chill and laden with care.
The faces of the inhabitants of the haven were grim with foreboding, their voices hushed as the corridors darkened under the onslaught of a bitter rainstorm. Almost no face was unmarked by the shadow of doom which lay over the Lord of Imladris.
Only Halmir seemed unaware.
"But this…" He gesticulated wildly. "This is entirely unreasonable."
Both Glorfindel and Erestor exclaimed in exasperation.
"It is a perfectly normal clause in a treaty of this kind," the seneschal explained, wishing that he could be anywhere else.
"I shall not accept it, for Círdan would not," Halmir resolved stubbornly. "I shall not accept it unless Elrond himself demonstrates its necessity."
The lords of Imladris exchanged a look of pure irritation.
"As you know…"
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Having finally rid himself of the persistent Sindar lord, Glorfindel found Erestor in his study, tears running down his cheeks and dripping onto a ledger-book. Perching on the corner of the desk, he closed the volume firmly. The advisor looked up at him blearily.
"He has been like a brother to me. When my parents were killed…"
"Aye, I know."
Glorfindel remembered a certain elfling who had befriended him as he wandered, dazed, on the seashore. To return to Middle-earth had been a wondrous yet confusing thing, but this young orphan had not hesitated to approach the mysterious stranger who had arrived at the court of Gil-galad. Elrond had taken the bewildered elf's hand in his and led him through the city, explaining in a grave voice the history of the years which had passed. He had found himself admitted to the Peredhel's secret heart, later comforting the young warrior as his brother sailed away to Númenor. Later still, he had watched Elrond's tentative courtship of Celeborn's daughter with amusement, and rejoiced in the birth of their children. And now … and now his dearest friend was slipping into the darkness which he himself had experienced…
Glorfindel shook himself from his sorrowful reflections.
"I know," he repeated, unable to say more.
Together, they worked in companionable silence on the treaty, mourning their friend without speech.
TBC
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