Disclaimer: Me. Not. Tolkien.
AN: Before I introduce the Daughters of Celebhen to everybody…I want you all to know…They are not MARY-SUES, and LEGOLAS WILL NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH ONE OF THEM. The only reason there is four of them is that I intended for the story to go in another direction and that required having four daughters…it's really hard to explain, but anyway, I thought of something better and then just left the Daughters of Celebhen as they were. There is one of them Legolas gets to know better than others, but that's only because…just because. It's not romance-y. But there is a very mild romance between two characters, but they are both my creations and that's it. In fact, the romance is just implied, it's not actually written. I can't tell you without telling you the story. This is not a romance fic. I just wanted you to know that.
Also: Hah! I just got flamed for the first time! *dances* There's a first time for everything, I always say. It's kind of funny, cuz the flamer totally assumed what I just explained was not true (see above) and told me off about it. Well, he/she is missing out on a good, NONE-MARY-SUE, NONE LEGOMANCE story! So her loss! Hah ha!
Chapter Four
The servant Celebhen had addressed nodded and rushed out of sight, but it wasn't long before he returned, with four beautiful maidens following behind him.
Legolas gasped. They were all identical. Quadruplets. In the elven world, it was rare enough to have twins, and triplets were almost unheard of, but quadruplets were a miracle! Celebhen noticed his surprise.
"One soul split into four, I always used to say." He told the younger elf. "You can only tell them apart by the color of their eyes."
The four daughters of Celebhen stepped forward to their father, but they all paused when they saw the newcomers. Legolas glanced at each of them and indeed, the color of the maiden's eyes were different, but that was the farthest that the differences went.
One of the maidens had deep green eyes, another had silver eyes like Celebhen her father, the third had eyes in such a deep blue they seemed black and the last had the strangest eyes Legolas had seen yet. They were a golden hue, and they flashed a yellow as she regarded the strangers. Her eyes stood out from the rest of the elves, who merely had silver to blue eyes.
The daughter with deep blue eyes looked at her father in alarm and said something in the unknown language. Celebhen shook his head and answered the same, and then motioned for them to come forward to his side.
"My daughters, I present to you our guests. These are friends of our kind, and will stay with us for a short period of time." Celebhen turned to the Fellowship. "If I might ask of you to repeat your names one last time?"
The Fellowship nodded and repeated their names, but the four daughters of Celebhen said nothing to them. After they were finished, Celebhen stepped forward to introduce his offspring.
"Here is Nenielle, her name means Water, for her eyes are as dark as the deepest sea. This is Naurielle, whose name means Fire, for her eyes are golden as a flame. And Cefielle, named for the Earth, for her eyes are the color of the land in the springtime. And at last is Gwelwielle, and her name means Air, for her eyes are silver, like mine, the color of the sky where the air roams."
Celebhen turned back to the Fellowship. "You must excuse their silence, for they have never been permitted to see strangers from other lands before." He turned to his daughters and smiled, and they nervously smiled back.
Celebhen continued. "You will know more soon, but we must get you settled. Legolas, son of Thranduil, will you be so kind as to ask your party to join us for dinner tonight?"
Pippin and Merry jumped forward at the word 'dinner'. "Dinner? When is dinner?" Pippin asked. "We haven't had a decent meal for days!"
At this the daughters of Celebhen giggled, and Celebhen smiled. "You will be fed, Peregrin Took of the Shire. But it will not be soon." Merry and Pippin both groaned, and Celebhen continued. "My servants will have much food to prepare."
Very much, my Lord. Legolas cut in, speaking Sindarin so the hobbits couldn't understand. Halflings tend to eat more in one meal than a grown man could in an entire day.
Is that so? Celebhen replied with a laugh, then switched back to the Common tongue. "Then I must tell the servants to make haste. Celidur!" The elf lord called, and a servant rushed up to him. He looked to be about Legolas's age, though he was taller, and he stood proud as Celebhen addressed him.
"Take these travelers to our spare bedchambers. See to it that they are comfortable and then leave them to do what they wish." Celebhen ordered, and Celidur nodded and turned to the guests.
"Please, follow me." he said, and he began to lead the way into a large building that Legolas assumed to be the palace in which Celebhen and his kin lived. The inside was decorated with artifacts and objects that Legolas knew would be considered priceless in his land. There were swords and murals decorating the walls, and the ceiling was fixed with tiny lanterns that lit the way down the long marble halls. Celidur noticed his awe.
Are you impressed? the elf asked Legolas in Sindarin.
How could I say I wasn't? Legolas replied, before remembering that it was considered rude among elves to answer a question with another. Everything about this place is beautiful.
Celidur glanced back but continued to lead the way. You are very lucky. In the past we had been forced to destroy any strangers who entered our home. This is the first time anyone has stayed in the spare bedchambers inside the palace.
Legolas nodded and was silent for a bit before he spoke up again. Why were you forced to destroy the strangers?
Celidur stopped walking and turned to the elf prince. We could not trust them to keep our home a secret. It is our only wish to live undisturbed in peace. We wish not to get involved in the affairs of others.
Legolas nodded and motioned for Celidur to continue walking. But then why have you helped us? We bring affairs of others to you.
Celidur smiled. The Lord Celebhen is wise. In all the time I have known him, which is since I was born, he has never made a mistake in his rule. All the Nimar trust him with their lives. He knows that the One Ring is treacherous, and that if your Fellowship does not complete the task all the world will fall into darkness, including our home. He will not let it happen again.
Legolas's eyebrows knotted. What do you mean again?
Celidur paused. I have already told you too much. Legolas caught a hint of nervousness in his voice. I apologize.
Legolas narrowed his eyes as the other elf turned back and continued walking. He wanted to ask about what Celidur had slipped up about and told him, but it was not polite to push others to answer questions. Legolas slowly turned his head and looked back to Aragorn, who had the same look upon his face. He had been listening as well.
In a small length of time Celidur led the Fellowship through the huge white palace and to their chambers. Legolas was relieved to learn that they would each be able to have a room to themselves. He had discovered in the previous nights that Gimli and several of the other members of the Fellowship snored, and very loudly at that. Hopefully now he would be able to get some sleep without interruptions.
If you wish, I can arrange to have a bath prepared for you or your friends, Celidur offered kindly.
Legolas nodded his head. That would be wonderful.
Celidur shot Legolas a look and then looked at the hobbits, who were busy staring at the exquisitely painted ceilings. He wrinkled his nose. It would, for the halflings need them desperately.
Legolas laughed, a reaction which Celidur hadn't really been expecting. But he soon lightened up and laughed as well.
Believe me, I know. Legolas replied, chuckling. He glanced over at Aragorn, who was trying to hide a smile with his hand. Thank you. You have been most kind.
Celidur bowed and was about to leave, but Legolas stopped him. Just out of curiosity, is Sindarin the only language you know?
Celidur looked towards the ground. I understand most of Westron and Common Speech, but I was never taught to speak it fluidly. None of the elves that were born after we settled here do. I can only say a few phrases, such as "Please, follow me," as I did earlier.
Legolas cocked his head to one side. Is there a reason for that?
Celidur shrugged. It's just the way it is. The younger elves like me only speak in Sindarin and the Nimar's own branch of Sindarin that was created after we settled here. That is the language that Celebhen spoke to his daughters to just before. Only Celebhen, his family, and some of the older elves like my father know how to speak in different languages. I don't know why.
Legolas nodded. I see. How old are you, by the way?
Celidur looked up. I am one thousand nine hundred and forty-eight years old."
Legolas blinked. You cannot be! he exclaimed. Why, you look as old as I!
Celidur smiled a little at the other elf's confusion. How old are you?
I am two thousand nine hundred and one and thirty years old. Almost one millennia older than you. Legolas replied. But you seem much older.
Celidur smiled. I am glad to hear that. I should have to tell my father. He always says I act immature.
Legolas nodded, for he knew enough about dealing with difficult fathers. As does my father. Or at least he did, until a few years ago, when I started to go on quests such as this one.
Celidur seemed to understand. Do you miss your home?
Legolas looked at the younger elf and then around him. Being here, that was a difficult question to answer. I do. But the pain from being away is dulled much by being here.
I have never been outside the borders of these woods. No elves except the guards and warriors are allowed to do so, and even they do not journey far. Celidur said in return. If I was gone from here I would miss it greatly.
Legolas nodded. Yes. I suppose I should prepare myself for the dinner. Thank you again for your kindness, Celidur. Legolas said, saying the young elf's name for the first time.
Celidur stood a little higher in height, because his name had been addressed and he being a servant was supposed to act like that, but mostly because it was considered an honor when an elder said their name. I was glad to help, my friend. I will come by to tell you when your bath is ready.
The younger elf bowed low and then took off, walking fast down the hall. Legolas looked back toward him one last time before heading into his chamber, where he didn't even bother to undress before flopping his body upon the bed. He was, although he hated to admit it, exhausted from the climb up the mountain to the valley. But he was glad that he had done it, or else he and the Fellowship would probably still be picking their ways through the rock fields of Gondlad. He very much preferred Nimeryn. It was a wonderland, Legolas decided. He fell asleep thinking of the white trees and leafs, and what he would say to Celebhen at the dinner tonight.