Chapter 15: Awakenings
The uneasy silence lasted for quite some time, with each of us staring at the other. Trying to make accurate first impressions. Elrond spoke first "welcome to Ardamando" He paused briefly before adding with a comforting smile "my daughter".
After a quick smile, I stood there as still as a statue. I'd already learnt this but it still sounded strange. I didn't know what to say.
Elrond stood up and walked up to me. "Lets go into another room less intimidating" he said as he started to walk towards the door. I quickly followed him. We walked down the hallway into a room much smaller and homely.
"This room is my private study, we shan't be disturbed. The only others allowed in this room are Elladen, Elrohir and Celeborn. Celebrian and Galadriel care not for study and are seldom in here, although Galadriel has changed much since arriving in Valinor. She dwells much in the gardens of Lorien for healing, The gardens belong to one of the vala named Irmo. He is one of the great spirit masters, he is the brother to Mandos. Celeborn and Galadriel and their people reside here with us.
My sons have told me a great many things about you already. When Celebrian and I decided the time was right we were going to send them out to bring you back to us. However at the time, they were away on a hunting trip with Legolas and some of his companions. So we sent Haldir instead. Celeborn insisted that he would be the best elf for the task if the twins were not here. I was pleased that they managed to meet you on your journey."
"Why did you leave me?" I asked. "It's a long story, we have plenty of time to discuss such matters."
Elrond and I spent most of the day talking and trying to get to know each other.
"I think it is time you met the rest of your family. Your mother was preparing a surprise for you, hence why she was not here. We also have a feast planned to celebrate your returning to us"
We walked back down the hallway and into a courtyard where a group of elves were. Two I recognised as the twins, now officially my brothers. As we got closer they all turned around. "Let me introduce you to the family. This is my wife, your mother, Celebrian. Here is Celeborn, your grandfather, and Galadriel your grandmother. The twins you already know."
A little while later, It was time to get ready for the feast. Elrond and Celebrian then led me to my room. It was next to their own and overlooked a beautiful garden area, where a little stream trickled through. "We have another gift for you. I spent today making sure it was ready." said Celebrian. She then went over to the bed where there was another beautiful but more formal dress, shoes, and something wrapped in soft material. She then gave me what was wrapped, when I unwrapped it, it was a tiara. "It's beautiful, Thank you" I said. "You can wear it tonight if you wish" she said.
"Now would be a good time to address the issue of your name. Would you like to keep your current one or adopt a new elvish name? Elves tend to have many names, the individual chooses a name that they wish to be known as" asked Elrond. "What was the name you called me when I was born?" I asked. "Celësilmë" replied Elrond. "Well then let me be known as Celësilmë" I replied as Elrond and Celebrian smiled.
"Well we will leave you to get ready. We will come back shortly. We can then go to the feast together." Elrond said.
Some time later there was a knock on the door. Elrond and Celebrian entered the room. After some exchanging of pleasantries we left for the feast.
As we approached the area outside where the feast was being held, I could hear the noise of many elves in conversation, and the sound of music. I started to feel nervous again. It sounded as if there were many elves there, not just a few like I had hoped.
When we entered into the area for the feast there was a sudden silence. Everyone stared in my direction. "Greetings all residents of Ardamando" Elrond said cheerfully. "Friends of old we have gathered here to celebrate the return of my daughter Celësilmë. Elrond continued on.
After Elrond's speech all the guest took their assigned seats and the food began to be served and the wine was ever flowing. All the guest were enjoying the feast complementing Elrond and Celebrian about the great music, food and wine.
After the feast was over I quietly slipped away to sit beside the little creek below my room in the beautiful garden. As I sat there I reflected on the past and my life before meeting the elves and then my thoughts strayed to the future and my awakening.
The End.
The uneasy silence lasted for quite some time, with each of us staring at the other. Trying to make accurate first impressions. Elrond spoke first "welcome to Ardamando" He paused briefly before adding with a comforting smile "my daughter".
After a quick smile, I stood there as still as a statue. I'd already learnt this but it still sounded strange. I didn't know what to say.
Elrond stood up and walked up to me. "Lets go into another room less intimidating" he said as he started to walk towards the door. I quickly followed him. We walked down the hallway into a room much smaller and homely.
"This room is my private study, we shan't be disturbed. The only others allowed in this room are Elladen, Elrohir and Celeborn. Celebrian and Galadriel care not for study and are seldom in here, although Galadriel has changed much since arriving in Valinor. She dwells much in the gardens of Lorien for healing, The gardens belong to one of the vala named Irmo. He is one of the great spirit masters, he is the brother to Mandos. Celeborn and Galadriel and their people reside here with us.
My sons have told me a great many things about you already. When Celebrian and I decided the time was right we were going to send them out to bring you back to us. However at the time, they were away on a hunting trip with Legolas and some of his companions. So we sent Haldir instead. Celeborn insisted that he would be the best elf for the task if the twins were not here. I was pleased that they managed to meet you on your journey."
"Why did you leave me?" I asked. "It's a long story, we have plenty of time to discuss such matters."
Elrond and I spent most of the day talking and trying to get to know each other.
"I think it is time you met the rest of your family. Your mother was preparing a surprise for you, hence why she was not here. We also have a feast planned to celebrate your returning to us"
We walked back down the hallway and into a courtyard where a group of elves were. Two I recognised as the twins, now officially my brothers. As we got closer they all turned around. "Let me introduce you to the family. This is my wife, your mother, Celebrian. Here is Celeborn, your grandfather, and Galadriel your grandmother. The twins you already know."
A little while later, It was time to get ready for the feast. Elrond and Celebrian then led me to my room. It was next to their own and overlooked a beautiful garden area, where a little stream trickled through. "We have another gift for you. I spent today making sure it was ready." said Celebrian. She then went over to the bed where there was another beautiful but more formal dress, shoes, and something wrapped in soft material. She then gave me what was wrapped, when I unwrapped it, it was a tiara. "It's beautiful, Thank you" I said. "You can wear it tonight if you wish" she said.
"Now would be a good time to address the issue of your name. Would you like to keep your current one or adopt a new elvish name? Elves tend to have many names, the individual chooses a name that they wish to be known as" asked Elrond. "What was the name you called me when I was born?" I asked. "Celësilmë" replied Elrond. "Well then let me be known as Celësilmë" I replied as Elrond and Celebrian smiled.
"Well we will leave you to get ready. We will come back shortly. We can then go to the feast together." Elrond said.
Some time later there was a knock on the door. Elrond and Celebrian entered the room. After some exchanging of pleasantries we left for the feast.
As we approached the area outside where the feast was being held, I could hear the noise of many elves in conversation, and the sound of music. I started to feel nervous again. It sounded as if there were many elves there, not just a few like I had hoped.
When we entered into the area for the feast there was a sudden silence. Everyone stared in my direction. "Greetings all residents of Ardamando" Elrond said cheerfully. "Friends of old we have gathered here to celebrate the return of my daughter Celësilmë. Elrond continued on.
After Elrond's speech all the guest took their assigned seats and the food began to be served and the wine was ever flowing. All the guest were enjoying the feast complementing Elrond and Celebrian about the great music, food and wine.
After the feast was over I quietly slipped away to sit beside the little creek below my room in the beautiful garden. As I sat there I reflected on the past and my life before meeting the elves and then my thoughts strayed to the future and my awakening.
The End.