Racell woke about an hour later, the rising sun shining into their room. Shivering she remembered her uncle's death and buried her face in her sister's hair.
They were truly all alone now. There was no one else. She clutched Dinna's warm body to hers as Dinna clutched her dolly. Racell yawned and slowly lulled by her sister's even breathing, fell back asleep.
When she woke once more, the now late morning sun was shining on the table in the window nook where the twins were busily building with wooden blocks.
Racell sat up and in a minute so did Dinna who took a moment to rub her eyes. Seeing the twins she hopped out of bed and joined the boys helping to arrange the blocks.
Racell got out of bed more slowly and went into the bathing room to wash her face. She tiredly pulled on the gown she had worn yesterday and brushed back her hair.
Coming out, she watched the three younger ones playing. Moving to the window seat behind the table, she saw that the twins had set a breakfast tray there.
She poured herself some juice and picked up an apple. Sitting down, she pulled her knees up and methodically ate the fruit and stared sightlessly out the window.
Dinna's laugh at something one of the twins had done made her heart sink and she put her half-eaten apple on the tray. She was going to have to tell her.
She set down her mug and sighed deeply. Maybe it was best if Elladan and Elrohir were here when she told her the news.
"Dinna, come here and have some breakfast." The youngster turned to her and Racell smiled. "You can't play on an empty stomach."
The little one jumped off the chair and picked up a sticky muffin and ate it quickly, honey dripping off her chin (which Racell wiped up). She took a mug of juice and wrapping both hands about it she emptied it swiftly. Then picking up a hard-boiled egg, she peeled the shell off and ate it in three bites. She wiped her face and beamed at her sister. Then she rejoined the elflings.
It had taken her just over five minutes to eat her meal.
Racell bit her lower lip and then took a deep breath. "Elladan and Elrohir, could you please take this tray back to the kitchen for us while Dinna gets dressed?"
"All right Racell," Elladan said as he crawled out of his chair, Elrohir following. The two carried either side of the tray and left the room.
Dinna jumped on the bed and started humming an elvish song as Racell brought her a chemise and a gown.
Dressing quickly Dinna went to get her boots when Racell stopped her. "Dinna, oh Dinna," Racell blurted out hugging her hard. "Uncle Nagron died last night."
Dinna went still in her arms and then she looked up at Racell, swallowing hard. "He-he is gone?"
"Just like Mum and Daddy." Racell said, tears glistening in her eyes.
Dinna hugged Racell back hard. The two girls sat on the bed together, holding on to the other.
Dinna pulled away after a moment. "Can I see him?'
"I think Ada Elrond is taking care of him Dinna."
Nodding, the little girl stuck her thumb in her mouth. Racell just sat holding her.
So wrapped in their thoughts, the two did not notice when Celebrian came quietly in the room. As she stepped into their view, Racell looked up startled and then ducked her head.
Celebrian sat next to her and her soft floral scent enveloped Racell and she sighed as she leaned against the she-elf who put her arm around her shoulders. The elf remained quiet for a few minutes just letting the girls settle themselves. Finally she sat the older girl up and looked into both children's faces. "Racell, Dinna, do not be so sad. Your Uncle Nagron has gone on to join his ancestors. He is at peace and no longer in pain."
Dinna asked, "What are ancestors?"
"Those of your family who have gone on before you."
"So he has joined Mum and Daddy? They are having breakfast together?"
"Perhaps." Celebrian laughed hugging the little ones. "Come girls. Let us be about our work today. In work is solace, my doves."
"Solace?"
"Peace sweet one."
"All right." Dinna jumped off the bed and went and got her boots and put them on, Racell slowly following. As much as Celebrian was being kind to them, Racell still felt all out of sorts.
The two girls followed the she elf outside into the bright morning and the three went to the stables and the riding ring behind it.
Dinna excited at the sight of a pony waiting for her next to the twins, ran to the fence railing. One of the stable hands, Balasfinal, reached over and picked up the excited child and set her on her pony whose name was simply Loth.
Racell and Celebrian watched the first few circuits of the little ones who concentrated very hard on the instructions given them by Balasfinal.
After a half hour, Lord Elrond joined them. Glancing sharply at the quiet Racell, he looked to his wife who shook her head slightly saying softly in his mind. "Her spirit is unsettled my love. It is terrible for one so young to feel the fragility of mortality! I shall take her out to the garden and see if a little digging in the soil will help."
"As you will Cel. If you need my help, do not hesitate. I shall watch the little ones here."
Celebrian sent him a kiss, which brought a smile to the elf lord's face.
Celebrian tugged on Racell gently. "Shall we go to the garden now?"
The child nodded and followed her slowly.
Once in the confines of Celebrian's private garden, a wonderful selection of plants that produced purple blooms or whose leaves were tinged purple, the she-elf got busy. Handing the child a small trowel, she pointed to the iris bulbs that needed replanting and showing Racell once, the youngster got to work.
As she dug holes in the damp soil she thought about her family. Her Mum and Daddy and now Uncle Nagron. The assorted Rangers that had come to visit their farm, some with children. Her life had been quiet and focused on the few people in it.
And now all that was gone. She stole a glance at Celebrian who was kneeling on a cloth and planting. She was completely different from her mother. Racell's mother had brown skin and fine wrinkles around her eyes. Even a few gray hairs. Her hands were tough from working around the farm. But just like Nana Celebrian she could be soft and understanding. She had been good at soothing hurts and frights too.
But Nana Celebrian and Ada Elrond were elves. Elves. So different from her parents. Always beautiful and pleasant, rarely angry or frustrated. Their clothes never got worn or dirty (except when they fell in the river or played!). Their meals were large and various. And Rivendell! So big and orderly and lovely. The gardens and the buildings. Well, neither she nor Dinna had ever imagined anything like this.
And now for better or worse, it was their home.
She sighed heavily, wondering if she would ever see Rangers again. Or any humans at all.
"Are you thinking of your uncle Racell?"
"Yes Nana." Racell unconsciously dropping the "Celebrian" sat back on her knees and looked at the smiling she-elf. "I was thinking how Dinna and I have no family but you now." She lowered her head and her lip quivered. "I-I love it here and so does Dinna, but I feel so –so...alone!" Racell put her trowel down and got up and went to the opposite corner of the garden under the swaying branches of a willow with slightly purple leaves.
Celebrian got up wiping her hands and went over to the girl who was huddled on a stone bench beneath the tree.
"Oh my little sparrow." She wrapped her arms around her and rocked her gently. Racell relaxed into her embrace and the tears came freely until she was sobbing. The she-elf rubbed the child's back slowly, letting her get it all out.
After a few minutes, Racell looked up into the warm eyes of Celebrian and said. "You are not mad I said I am lonely here?"
"No child. I can completely understand. And it may not help to know this but the simple truth is we are all, each of us alone. The others around us give us love and companionship, but at the end of the day, we are alone."
"Well, I do have Dinna and she and I are together." Racell looked up wiping her eyes, "And you have Ada Elrond, and the twins."
"Yes, but it is only me sitting here. Only my thoughts and dreams, which I share sometimes. But," she tapped Racell gently on the forehead. "But in here. We are ever alone my sparrow." She hugged her close. "Outside, we have all this life and I tell you truly, you and Dinna DO have our love. And Rivendell is your home now."
Racell nodded against the she-elf-s shoulder, suddenly yawning. Why did crying always make you tired?
Celebrian gathered Racell into her lap more comfortably and began to sing softly and rock the child again.
With a deep sigh, Racell slid into sleep.
An hour later, the child opened her eyes and found she was lying on a blanket under the willow tree. Yawning she rubbed her eyes and saw that Celebrian was sitting at a table set for tea at the other end of the garden on a small terrace. She sat up slowly bringing a hand to her head because it ached slightly. Careful of her gown, she got up and went to the she-elf, who looked up with a smile. "Do you feel a little better Racell?"
"My head hurts." Racell pulled out a chair and looked hungrily at the food and drink laid out there.
"Have some tea and eat something. You'll feel better in a little while."
Nodding Racell reached for the bread and jam, while Celebrian poured her some tea and added honey to it.
Racell ate in silence.
Once finished, she rolled a few bread crumbs under her fingers on the snowy linen. Celebrian worked quietly at some embroidery in her lap.
Racell, feeling much better with the food in her tummy, leaned back
in her chair and stared at the sky overhead, watching a few clouds sail by.
So. Uncle Nagron and her Mum and Daddy were dead. And she was now head of their house. She picked up the ring on her chest. The Ring of Barahir. This made her special Ada Elrond had said. Well, if she was special (and Dinna too) it made sense to be special here in Rivendell, which was most certainly out of the ordinary.
And here she could learn things. Had already begun to.
She reached for her tea and took a big gulp, wiping her hand across her mouth when she had finished.
Celebrian laughed and said, "Young ladies do not wipe their mouths with their hands Racell. Use your napkin."
Grinning, Racell picked up the cloth and wiped her face carefully.
As she set the napkin down, Elrond and the three smaller ones came out on the terrace from the house. The children ran up to the table and sat expectantly. Elrond came over to Celebrian and kissed her. The twins both went "Ewww!" And the girls laughed.
Dinna sitting next to Racell said excitedly as her sister tucked a napkin under her chin and as Elrond did the same across from her, "We rode really good today Racell! Balasfinal was very pleased and so was Ada! I got to give Loth a piece of apple and helped put her away in her stall. I am good
with horses!"
"Racell laughed. "Of course you are. You and Whin are great friends. Maybe I can ride with you tomorrow?" She looked over at the two adults who were smiling. Elrond and Celebrian nodded, the she-elf adding, "As soon as your lessons with Manarenil are finished."
"Yes Nana." Both girls chorused automatically and then began to eat.
Racell looked up from her second slice of bread and watched the family talking and laughing.
Dinna was kneeling on her chair and helping Elrohir spread butter on his bread.
Racell sat back in her chair and her heart lifted suddenly. No matter what, this WAS her family now. And even though she and Dinna were human, she realized with a great rush of warmth that they were loved.
And they were home.
It was Uncle Nagron's finest gift.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~THE END~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~