Chibi Legolas: Slash! You've been warned.
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The days seemed to pass quickly. Issues were brought up, the Elves discussing them with reasonable open-mindedness. Elrond smiled often. Things were moving, and peacefully too! There were few heated arguments. When there were arguments at all, they managed to talk through them with little or no hard feelings. Everything seemed to be running smoothly. Everyone, for the most part, was getting along. New friendships grew and flowered, and even some new romances! Elrond felt quite content with the proceedings.
One thing worried him, however. He and Legolas met secretly and often, talking late into the night. Always, these conversations were about the same thing... Dark Elves. Glorfindel sometimes joined them in these discussions. Even Elladan, who had come back from Gondor to visit and partake in the Gathering, joined in at times.
"Not much is known at all about them." Elrond brought a hand thoughtfully to his chin.
"No one I know has ever seen one." Added Elladan.
Glorfindel leaned forward in his cushioned chair, folding his hands in his lap. His wavy golden hair framed his youthful, troubled face. "They are said to be terribly old. They're from the lands where men first came, and were known both to men and Dwarves."
"From the time of the Gnomes... Beleriand..." Legolas continued softly. "Never had they much to do with other Elves."
"Yes, and that should be taken into consideration." Snapping out of his deep concentration, Elrond turned to study their faces. "And thoughts on what we should do?"
They solemnly shook their heads.
"Well, I suppose we should get some rest then." Elrond finished his glass of wine before rising from his seat.
"Father..." Elladan was staring thoughtfully at the thick woven rug beneath his feet. "I know that this has remained only among us up to this time, but... Suppose you brought this question to the Gathering? That way, we could all decide. As they say... Many heads are far better than few."
Elrond smiled at his dark-haired son, one of a set of twins. "Yes! Wonderfully good idea!" He exclaimed. "Tomorrow, we shall do just that."
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Nervousness poured through him. Speaking in front of great crowds had never disquieted him like this. It must be the weight of the thing, Elrond decided. Nonetheless, his heart pounded as he stood to address the group of Elves that had collected in the elegant pavilion.
"As you all well know," He began quietly, "all Elves were sent a summons to attend this Gathering." There were nods and murmurs of agreement. But the expressions of some had turned suspicious. Haldir was one among that number.
"On the contrary, it has been brought to my attention that I have forgotten a people... Another race of Elves.... the Dark Elves."
The whispers and gasps that resulted from his words hit a noisy crescendo as Elves turned to each other and chitter-chattered amongst themselves. Elrond raised his arms calmly to silence them. "Now, it is up to us to decide whether we should count them as a member of our confederacy, or to dismiss them as a separate entity." The hushed talk resumed. Elrond took his seat again, leaving the floor open to anyone who wished to speak on this.
"They have never taken part in the matters of Elves on this side of the mountains!" Cried Cerras of Mirkwood. "Why should we suddenly expect them to take an interest now?"
A green Elf stood. "Yes! And where were they during our wars? Certainly not beside us!" This caused a fiery raucous.
"We don't even know if their race still survives out there." Said a woman elf named Farieon.
Haldir had been sitting, silently thoughtful, through all of this; his chin resting in his hand and his eyes fixed on Elrond. 'Interesting twist, Elrond, you've gone mad!' He thought. Still, it was a fascinating proposition.... One which he would write to the Lady about...
"We will not decide today! It is too weighty a subject to be dealt hastily with." Came Elrond's voice over the frenzy. The voices quieted for him. "Let that be the end of it for today." Everyone was grateful. They now had something terribly important to think about.
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"Do the Grey Havens call to you?"
Elrond swung around with a start at the sound of the silky voice. "Ah, Haldir of Lorien... You startled me." He pressed a hand to his chest. Even through the thick folds of his robes, he fancied he could feel his own heart beating against his ribs. 'Odd,' he thought, 'there's no reason to be that unsettled.' He gave the March Warden a faltering smile.
He arched platinum white brows. "My apologies..." Then he tilted his pale head to the side. "Something bothers you." He moved across the room, a library lined with hundreds of volumes of books, parchment, and scrolls.
Elrond had been standing at the tall window gazing out over his lush gardens with flowers bobbing gaily in the sunny breeze. Haldir came up beside him.
The lord of Rivendell had met few elves shorter than himself. Each of the representatives of Lothlorien, however, came up only just above his shoulders: something he found amusing. Now he chuckled absently. Haldir peered at him impassively, blinking his eyes.
"It's strange..." Elrond began suddenly.
"What is it?"
He turned to look at Haldir, and for some reason forgot. "Nothing." He muttered in answer finally. Then he blinked, snapping to. "Was there something you wanted to ask of me?"
"Yes. We've plowed over Dark Elves for the last four days, coming to no decision."
"Yes?" Elrond furrowed his brows.
A sudden mysterious smile came to Haldir's lips. He closed his eyes, moving into the slanted sunlight to look out the window. Elrond, who'd never seen him like this, nor actually had ever paid any attention to him really at all, stared as his hair turned into burning white gold in the sunbeams. They showed so brightly against those pale shining locks that it was almost blinding. Elrond closed his own eyes, feeling suddenly very dizzy. Celebrian had stood in the sun like that many times... And in the blindingness, he looked almost like her....
"It occurred to me," Haldir continued, in that silky voice of his, "that without representatives to speak for them, whatever decision we'd make would be an unfair one."
Elrond opened his eyes slowly. His throat felt dry. "What are you saying?"
He stepped out of the sunlight to stand before Elrond, leaning uncomfortably close: so close that Elrond could smell the scent of freshly carved wood and forest moss that emanated from his grey-green garments. His eyes bore deeply into Elrond's. "Send for their diplomats, Elrond lord of Imladris.... You know it is the only fair thing to do." Haldir whispered softly.
Skin bristling and heart pounding at his closeness, Elrond could only nod. "Consider...it done..." He stuttered feebly.
Haldir's eyes went cold and expressionless again. He narrowed them and drew away. "Good day, Elrond, good care. I shall see you at dinner." He called over his shoulder as he left the room.
When he had gone, Elrond fell back, leaning heavily against the wall. He let his breath out slowly. What had come over him? Those stirrings he'd felt had been dead in him for so long...
He blinked: shook his head trying to clear it of the spinning dizziness. That Elf made him nervous. And he didn't understand why.
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Legolas and Glorfindel jumped out of their chairs at the same time. "You did what?!" They gasped together.
"I sent for them." Elrond said quietly. He had a hand to his temple; a headache burned there.
"How could you do this, Father, without the consent of the whole?" Elladan's voice sounded so accusing!
His father sighed and lifted his weary head. He looked old and tired: surprisingly vulnerable. The others bit back their words. "I'm sorry, but in thinking about it... We would not have been in the right if we had decided for them. It is not our place. Please, try to understand..."
He felt a gentle hand close on his shoulder and looked up to find Glorfindel smiling softly down at him. "It's all right, then. We'll just have to face whatever obstacles that may arise when the time comes." His smile deepened and Elrond was glad for him, thankful for his friendship.
"Thank you..."
Glorfindel shooed the others out and then quietly closed the door behind them. Then he went and knelt before Elrond, taking his hand in his own. "What ails you, milord?" He asked, his voice full of concern. "I know that... That you do not love me anymore as you once did long ago... But as your loyal friend, I worry for you still...." His soulful blue eyes filled with crystalline tears. "You take so little care of yourself...."
Elrond swallowed and reached a slightly trembling hand up to the younger Elf's face where he gently brushed away a tear that had fallen. "You need not worry so much, my friend." He gave Glorfindel the warmest smile he could muster. "It's almost over now."
Glorfindel caught Elrond's hand and brought it to his lips. "I know." He whispered. "Are you sure you do not need me?"
"I am certain." He ran his hand down Glorfindel's cheek before drawing it away again. "Thank you."
Closing his eyes, Glorfindel rose. He bowed to his lord then took his leave, letting Elrond alone to his thoughts.
Try as he might, Elrond could not shake that image of the Lorien Elf in the sunlight from his mind.
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Chibi Legolas: *sigh* Do you think less of me now, dear readers? This fic is for the website. It's a nice little place. ^_^
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The days seemed to pass quickly. Issues were brought up, the Elves discussing them with reasonable open-mindedness. Elrond smiled often. Things were moving, and peacefully too! There were few heated arguments. When there were arguments at all, they managed to talk through them with little or no hard feelings. Everything seemed to be running smoothly. Everyone, for the most part, was getting along. New friendships grew and flowered, and even some new romances! Elrond felt quite content with the proceedings.
One thing worried him, however. He and Legolas met secretly and often, talking late into the night. Always, these conversations were about the same thing... Dark Elves. Glorfindel sometimes joined them in these discussions. Even Elladan, who had come back from Gondor to visit and partake in the Gathering, joined in at times.
"Not much is known at all about them." Elrond brought a hand thoughtfully to his chin.
"No one I know has ever seen one." Added Elladan.
Glorfindel leaned forward in his cushioned chair, folding his hands in his lap. His wavy golden hair framed his youthful, troubled face. "They are said to be terribly old. They're from the lands where men first came, and were known both to men and Dwarves."
"From the time of the Gnomes... Beleriand..." Legolas continued softly. "Never had they much to do with other Elves."
"Yes, and that should be taken into consideration." Snapping out of his deep concentration, Elrond turned to study their faces. "And thoughts on what we should do?"
They solemnly shook their heads.
"Well, I suppose we should get some rest then." Elrond finished his glass of wine before rising from his seat.
"Father..." Elladan was staring thoughtfully at the thick woven rug beneath his feet. "I know that this has remained only among us up to this time, but... Suppose you brought this question to the Gathering? That way, we could all decide. As they say... Many heads are far better than few."
Elrond smiled at his dark-haired son, one of a set of twins. "Yes! Wonderfully good idea!" He exclaimed. "Tomorrow, we shall do just that."
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Nervousness poured through him. Speaking in front of great crowds had never disquieted him like this. It must be the weight of the thing, Elrond decided. Nonetheless, his heart pounded as he stood to address the group of Elves that had collected in the elegant pavilion.
"As you all well know," He began quietly, "all Elves were sent a summons to attend this Gathering." There were nods and murmurs of agreement. But the expressions of some had turned suspicious. Haldir was one among that number.
"On the contrary, it has been brought to my attention that I have forgotten a people... Another race of Elves.... the Dark Elves."
The whispers and gasps that resulted from his words hit a noisy crescendo as Elves turned to each other and chitter-chattered amongst themselves. Elrond raised his arms calmly to silence them. "Now, it is up to us to decide whether we should count them as a member of our confederacy, or to dismiss them as a separate entity." The hushed talk resumed. Elrond took his seat again, leaving the floor open to anyone who wished to speak on this.
"They have never taken part in the matters of Elves on this side of the mountains!" Cried Cerras of Mirkwood. "Why should we suddenly expect them to take an interest now?"
A green Elf stood. "Yes! And where were they during our wars? Certainly not beside us!" This caused a fiery raucous.
"We don't even know if their race still survives out there." Said a woman elf named Farieon.
Haldir had been sitting, silently thoughtful, through all of this; his chin resting in his hand and his eyes fixed on Elrond. 'Interesting twist, Elrond, you've gone mad!' He thought. Still, it was a fascinating proposition.... One which he would write to the Lady about...
"We will not decide today! It is too weighty a subject to be dealt hastily with." Came Elrond's voice over the frenzy. The voices quieted for him. "Let that be the end of it for today." Everyone was grateful. They now had something terribly important to think about.
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"Do the Grey Havens call to you?"
Elrond swung around with a start at the sound of the silky voice. "Ah, Haldir of Lorien... You startled me." He pressed a hand to his chest. Even through the thick folds of his robes, he fancied he could feel his own heart beating against his ribs. 'Odd,' he thought, 'there's no reason to be that unsettled.' He gave the March Warden a faltering smile.
He arched platinum white brows. "My apologies..." Then he tilted his pale head to the side. "Something bothers you." He moved across the room, a library lined with hundreds of volumes of books, parchment, and scrolls.
Elrond had been standing at the tall window gazing out over his lush gardens with flowers bobbing gaily in the sunny breeze. Haldir came up beside him.
The lord of Rivendell had met few elves shorter than himself. Each of the representatives of Lothlorien, however, came up only just above his shoulders: something he found amusing. Now he chuckled absently. Haldir peered at him impassively, blinking his eyes.
"It's strange..." Elrond began suddenly.
"What is it?"
He turned to look at Haldir, and for some reason forgot. "Nothing." He muttered in answer finally. Then he blinked, snapping to. "Was there something you wanted to ask of me?"
"Yes. We've plowed over Dark Elves for the last four days, coming to no decision."
"Yes?" Elrond furrowed his brows.
A sudden mysterious smile came to Haldir's lips. He closed his eyes, moving into the slanted sunlight to look out the window. Elrond, who'd never seen him like this, nor actually had ever paid any attention to him really at all, stared as his hair turned into burning white gold in the sunbeams. They showed so brightly against those pale shining locks that it was almost blinding. Elrond closed his own eyes, feeling suddenly very dizzy. Celebrian had stood in the sun like that many times... And in the blindingness, he looked almost like her....
"It occurred to me," Haldir continued, in that silky voice of his, "that without representatives to speak for them, whatever decision we'd make would be an unfair one."
Elrond opened his eyes slowly. His throat felt dry. "What are you saying?"
He stepped out of the sunlight to stand before Elrond, leaning uncomfortably close: so close that Elrond could smell the scent of freshly carved wood and forest moss that emanated from his grey-green garments. His eyes bore deeply into Elrond's. "Send for their diplomats, Elrond lord of Imladris.... You know it is the only fair thing to do." Haldir whispered softly.
Skin bristling and heart pounding at his closeness, Elrond could only nod. "Consider...it done..." He stuttered feebly.
Haldir's eyes went cold and expressionless again. He narrowed them and drew away. "Good day, Elrond, good care. I shall see you at dinner." He called over his shoulder as he left the room.
When he had gone, Elrond fell back, leaning heavily against the wall. He let his breath out slowly. What had come over him? Those stirrings he'd felt had been dead in him for so long...
He blinked: shook his head trying to clear it of the spinning dizziness. That Elf made him nervous. And he didn't understand why.
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Legolas and Glorfindel jumped out of their chairs at the same time. "You did what?!" They gasped together.
"I sent for them." Elrond said quietly. He had a hand to his temple; a headache burned there.
"How could you do this, Father, without the consent of the whole?" Elladan's voice sounded so accusing!
His father sighed and lifted his weary head. He looked old and tired: surprisingly vulnerable. The others bit back their words. "I'm sorry, but in thinking about it... We would not have been in the right if we had decided for them. It is not our place. Please, try to understand..."
He felt a gentle hand close on his shoulder and looked up to find Glorfindel smiling softly down at him. "It's all right, then. We'll just have to face whatever obstacles that may arise when the time comes." His smile deepened and Elrond was glad for him, thankful for his friendship.
"Thank you..."
Glorfindel shooed the others out and then quietly closed the door behind them. Then he went and knelt before Elrond, taking his hand in his own. "What ails you, milord?" He asked, his voice full of concern. "I know that... That you do not love me anymore as you once did long ago... But as your loyal friend, I worry for you still...." His soulful blue eyes filled with crystalline tears. "You take so little care of yourself...."
Elrond swallowed and reached a slightly trembling hand up to the younger Elf's face where he gently brushed away a tear that had fallen. "You need not worry so much, my friend." He gave Glorfindel the warmest smile he could muster. "It's almost over now."
Glorfindel caught Elrond's hand and brought it to his lips. "I know." He whispered. "Are you sure you do not need me?"
"I am certain." He ran his hand down Glorfindel's cheek before drawing it away again. "Thank you."
Closing his eyes, Glorfindel rose. He bowed to his lord then took his leave, letting Elrond alone to his thoughts.
Try as he might, Elrond could not shake that image of the Lorien Elf in the sunlight from his mind.
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Chibi Legolas: *sigh* Do you think less of me now, dear readers? This fic is for the website. It's a nice little place. ^_^