Thanks for the reviews, everyone!
Special thanks to Nemis for naming 'her' progeny ;)
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Return toValinor
By DLR 2003
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Chapter Eight
Culurien stared at him in amazement. "How do you mean, settled?"
"Just that," responded Elrond. "It is done with, settled."
"Six thousand years of anguish, all reconciled in-" she looked at the sundial. "Four hours?"
Elrond nodded. "A short period of time, I grant you, but long enough to make clear my feelings to him."
Her eyes widened. "He is alive?"
"It was a shock to me as well, believe it. And also that he was so receptive."
Culurien snorted. "He must have been." She was quiet for a moment. "So . . . he apologized?"
"Yes indeed, and it was somewhat laughable, really. Apparently he thought he already had."
She was dumbfounded. "And you accepted it?"
"Well," Elrond paused. "Not in so many words, but yes, I think I have. I am tired of worrying for this; it is finally time to move on, to put it behind. I seek no enemies here."
Culurien shook her head. "I can hardly believe it." She gave him a serious look. "How do you feel?"
He reached over and caught her hand, pulling her into his lap. "Relieved certainly. There is a distinct lightening of spirit." He smiled. "Also very, very happy."
Their lips came together gently as he enclosed her in the embrace of his arms.
"Linariel," he whispered.
"Mmmm?"
"Im mel le."
"Mmmm," she repeated, running her fingers through his hair.
He alternated between words and kisses as he moved down her throat. "Can . . . you . . . see . . . the . . . baby?"
"Yes," she breathed, tilting her head back. "She is asleep."
His nimble fingers unbuttoned the front of her gown and his hand stole beneath the cloth, caressing her. He lifted a heavy breast to his lips and a shiver passed through her at the touch of his tongue, the pull of his mouth. How different from the children.
She kissed his forehead after a while. "Should you not leave some for your progeny?"
"Mmm, yes," he replied, running his tongue across her nipple. "There is just something so erotic, so stimulating about it."
"Yes, apparently," she murmured, feeling his hardness beneath her thigh. She shifted her position to straddle his lap and he gave his attention to her breasts once more.
She reached down to unfasten his breeches. "And just how stimulated are we?"
He drew his breath in sharply at her touch. "Very."
"So I see," she said as she stroked him into readiness. She lifted her hips and moved closer to him, both of them gasping as her heat engulfed his. Their range of movement was limited, but Culurien had the upper hand and made good use of it. His mouth opened in a silent moan as she rocked her pelvis against him. She set the pace and brought him to his pleasure with rapid abandon, swift and intense, as the fire in their blood flared up into an inferno.
They held each other close as the blaze subsided into glowing embers, moving together still, prolonging the sensations.
"Oh, Linariel," Elrond said softly. "You do know how to make your husband very happy."
"Master Elrond?"
Elrond and Culurien froze, staring at each other. "Button up quickly," he whispered, then louder, "Frodo Baggins?"
The hobbit came around the garden wall.
"Do not move," Elrond said quietly in her ear as his hands fumbled unseen beneath her skirts.
Frodo stopped and looked at them curiously. He abruptly reddened. "Am I interrupting anything?"
Culurien smiled brightly. "Indeed no," then in an undertone to Elrond, "ready?"
He grinned and poked her in the ribs as she slid off his lap.
Culurien held her hand out to the hobbit. "How lovely it is to see you again, Frodo, come and meet Elanna."
"Yes certainly," the hobbit replied as she guided him to the cradle where her daughter slept peacefully.
"Shh, this is a sight you will not see too often," she whispered, jesting. As if on cue, Elanna awoke with a wail.
Frodo was puzzled, he looked at Elrond. "I . . . um . . . understood you to have twins?"
Elrond nodded. "Indeed, this is the reason we return to Lórien, for Elethîr's sake, he was in need of assistance from Estë." Frodo raised his eyebrows questionably. "He will be fine," amended Elrond. "So, how goes it with you and Bilbo?"
Frodo pulled up a chair and sat down while Culurien did the same, a little apart from them and prepared to nurse the baby, singing softly to her.
"It goes well," he said. "We may leave here whenever we wish." He paused and looked uncomfortable.
Elrond tilted his head. "Surely you know that you are welcome in my home."
Frodo reddened slightly. "Well, yes, thank you, that is very kind of you."
Elrond studied him. "I am of the impression, Frodo, that you do not wish to stay with me, but you know not where else to go."
Frodo's eyes widened. "Nay, Master, nay, I meant no offense, I have no greater wish than to enjoy the hospitality of your house, but this is not Rivendell and the others there . . . those at your wedding . . ."
Elrond smiled with sudden understanding. "Ah, it appears you have not been apprized of all the latest news. Culurien and I are establishing a new residence just outside of Valimar. We will be leaving the house of Finwë as soon as possible."
Frodo sat up straight, interested. "A new house?"
Culurien snorted. "Not a house, exactly." She moved Elanna to her shoulder and patted her back in an attempt to coax a burp from her.
"Well no," said Elrond. "In truth it is a castle."
"Castle," repeated Frodo. "A large castle?"
Elrond smiled. "If by large you mean large enough for you and Bilbo too, then yes it is quite large and you are more than welcome."
Frodo breathed a sigh of relief. "That sounds wonderful, I thank you."
"I would not offer thanks just yet." Culurien looked with dismay at her shoulder where Elanna had just produced a rather messy expulsion of air. "You have not seen it."
Elrond found a rag and handed it to her. "It is in need of repairs, yes, which are progressing as we speak. There are several areas that are livable and with the warm weather, I see no reason not to reside there forthwith."
Culurien offered Elanna to Frodo, who accepted the elfling with some trepidation. She looked at Elrond skeptically. "Bedchambers enough for everyone?"
"Well no," Elrond confessed. "The public areas are making progress; but most would have to live communally for a while."
Culurien studied him. "Admit it; you are all itchy to get back there and oversee this work, are you not?"
His eyes met her gaze steadily. "Yes, I find that it interests me after all. I have returned once briefly without you, but I will not do so again, I wish you and the children to be at my side. Lindir has been supervising the purchase of wares as you know, so we will not be destitute."
Frodo looked up from playing with Elanna, who gurgled happily in the crook of his arm. "Bilbo and I will not mind any discomforts, in fact I am glad there is work to be done, I ache to be useful. Does this castle have a name?"
"Indeed," said Elrond. "It is called Ondomar."
Culurien frowned. "House of stone? How very apt."
Elrond smiled at her. "Not very imaginative, I grant you." He raised his eyebrows. "Have you no interest in the ordering of your new household?"
She returned his gaze with a lift of her own eyebrow. "Indeed I do, but I prefer to do it when there is no chance of falling through one floor to land on a lower one."
Elrond chuckled. "Have no fear on that account, Lady. Your house is structurally sound once more. That was the first priority when the renovations commenced." His grey eyes held her green ones for a moment and her face flushed as she relived the recent connection of their hearts and feär beating together as one.
A satisfied smile dimpled her cheeks as she relieved Frodo of his charge. Elanna closed her eyes and buried her face in her mother's shoulder, ready for sleep once more, content from sustenance and playtime.
Culurien stood. "I go now to see Elethîr and attend to his needs. May I leave this one with you? She will sleep soundly I deem."
"Yes, certainly." Elrond watched his wife depart with affection and more in his eyes. He turned to Frodo. "A game from you, perhaps, Master Baggins?"
Frodo's eyes twinkled. "Thank you, but nay. I am eager to see Bilbo and apprize him of our new plans. Shall I seek out Olórin for you? He is always up for a game."
"Now, now," Elrond chided him. "That is really quite wicked of you." He paused and a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes. He shook his head and grinned. "Nay, I will behave." He dismissed the hobbit with a wave. "Be off with you, young Baggins. Pack up and prepare to join us when we leave this place a day or so hence."
Elrond rocked his daughter's cradle gently with his toes as he stroked her soft dark curls. He leaned closer to her and whispered in her ear. "Your Ada loves you, Tithen-sell, did you know that?"
She seemed to smile in her sleep and he smiled as well, never taking his eyes from her.
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Elrond hugged his little son, rubbing his back soothingly. "He is ready to leave then?"
Estë smiled. "Do you doubt the evidence your own eyes show you?"
"Indeed, he certainly seems more . . . energetic." Elrond frowned and became thoughtful. "I wonder why it was that I could not heal this malady if it was not too serious as you said."
"It was not too serious for my skills and power," Estë explained. "And you did help him with the abilities you possess. The Maiar blood is strong within you, Elrond Peredhil, if not for your efforts in early days; his situation may have been much graver."
Elrond looked up. "Maiar blood," he repeated. "I speculated always why it was that I should be a more powerful healer than others who studied more extensively than I."
Estë nodded. "Do not forget the Ring of the Air, which would have been an influence as well, enhancing your natural abilities."
Elrond grimaced. "A useless trinket now, though." He paused. "If Maiar blood gives one curative power, why could Gandalf have not healed the hobbit Frodo after his injury from the Morgul sword?"
"It is not only blood, but skill and knowledge as well. Olórin could have helped him yes, to some extent, but you were better equipped to do so." Estë looked at him kindly and raised an eyebrow. "Have I answered all of your questions?"
Elrond smiled. "For today."
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Culurien tilted her face back, enjoying the warmth of Anar as she waited for Elrond to return with Elethîr. Elanna lay on her stomach on top of a blanket spread on the grass and Culurien watched with amusement as she struggled to lift her head and look around, only to collapse back to the blanket weakly every few seconds. She gave up and whimpered for a moment until her fist found its way to her mouth and she quieted, sucking enthusiastically on it.
Culurien closed her eyes and relaxed, listening to the happy hum of children playing nearby, drifting, almost dozing, until a small sound caused her eyelids to flutter open.
"Laes."
Culurien came to full wakefulness in an instant. There was a very small elfling seated on the grass next to Elanna. "Laes," she repeated.
Culurien smiled. "Yes, baby. Her name is Elanna, what is your name?"
The elf-child contemplated her with wide blue eyes. "Emmelin."
"It is nice to meet you, Emmelin, is your naneth nearby?" Culurien looked up to see two more children running to join them.
"Emmelin!" the large one admonished. "You cannot just wander off like this!"
The other one chastised her as well. "Naneth says for you to come back at once."
Culurien regarded all of them with interest and she opened her mouth to speak as an elf-lady with a baby in her arms came hurrying to them.
"Girls," she said brusquely. "Sit for a moment please." She turned to Culurien. "I apologize for the invasion of my family into your peaceful afternoon."
Culurien smiled. "Not at all, please sit and be welcome. I am new to Aman; I would enjoy making your acquaintance."
"Ah," the lady said, "you come here from Middle-earth?"
Culurien nodded. "Yes, along with my husband and our household. My name is Culurien."
"I am Iswende and these are . . ." She grimaced slightly. "My children. All of them."
"A large brood," Culurien observed.
Iswende chuckled. "Indeed. Allow me to introduce them." She nodded towards the eldest. "This is Nínim. Then Eirien and Emmelin. This wee little one is the only boy, Herenion."
Culurien smiled at Emmelin, who had curled up in her older sister's lap, asleep at once, with her thumb firmly tucked into her mouth. She turned back to Iswende. "It seems unusual that he should be so dark haired when you and the girls are so blonde. Does he resemble his father?"
"Very much so." Iswende indicated Elanna. "Your own child is quite unlike you as well."
"I believe she and her brother will have my eyes, but in hair color they follow their father."
"You have two, then?"
Culurien nodded. "Twins. This one is Elanna."
Herenion began to cry and Iswende shifted his position, opening her bodice to allow him to nurse. "Are you enjoying your stay in Lórien?"
"It is a lovely place, yes. We . . . ah . . . are here on account of my son's health; he had need of intervention from Estë. And you? Are you on a sabbatical?"
Iswende was vague. "Nay, not exactly. My husband . . . received a summons here."
How familiar that sounds, Culurien thought. "Ah, here is my husband now."
"Suilad, Herynath," said Elrond, coming up to the gathering with Elethîr in his arms.
Culurien stood. "May I present my new friend and her family? This is Iswende."
That lady had discontinued feeding her baby and rose as well.
"My husband, Elrond," Culurien added. All the color drained out of Iswende's face and she stood frozen.
Elrond held out his hand. "Mae govannen."
Iswende blinked and her own hand came up very slowly to touch his as she continued to stare at him.
"These are her children," Culurien continued.
Elrond turned to them and a flicker of recognition passed over his face, especially when his gaze settled on the baby boy.
"Ah, there you are, Hervess," a voice spoke suddenly nearby.
Elrond looked up and understood all as his movement came to a complete halt. Ereinion noticed Elrond and froze as well.
Culurien looked at the three of them as they stood staring at each other. "What is it, what is wrong?"
Elrond collected himself. "Apparently your new friend Iswende has neglected to tell you that her husband is my cousin, Ereinion Gil-galad."
It was Culurien's turn to pale. "Gil-galad?"
That elf promptly stepped forward with his hand out. "I am pleased to make the acquaintance of Elrond's new bride."
Culurien opened her mouth to reply, and then closed it again when no words were forthcoming.
A smile twitched at the corner of Elrond's lips. "Mark this point in time, Ereinion; we shall most likely never see both of our ladies speechless at the same instant ever again." They all relaxed a little, chuckling.
"Laes," said Emmelin suddenly, pointing at Elethîr. Her father picked her up and held her so she could look at the infant sleeping on Elrond's shoulder. "Meet your cousin, Emmelin; he is smaller than Herenion, is he not? What is his name?"
"This is Elethîr," said Elrond. "His sister is called Elanna."
"Lannie," Emmelin repeated, her fingers in her mouth. She pointed a moist digit at Elethîr again. "Feer," she proclaimed.
Ereinion smiled at her while Elrond nodded his head gravely. "Indeed."
Culurien stood a little ways apart, thoughtful with quiet wonder as she watched her husband converse jokingly with his cousin, each proudly showing off his children. "This has been a strange chance, this meeting today."
Iswende placed an arm around her shoulder and gave it a brief squeeze. "Indeed it has."
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A/N: The healing capabilities mentioned of Maiar/Valar blood have no basis in canonical fact.
Im mel le . .. I love you. S
Iswende . . . snow maiden. Q
Emmelin . . . yellow bird. S
Eirien . . . . . .day maiden. S
Nínim . . . . . .snowdrop. S
Herenion . . . blessed son.
S
Suilad Herynath . .Greetings Ladies S