Title: Mists of Valinor - The Meeting - Part 1
Author: Genesis Grey (helfireclub@hotmail.com)
Rating: G
Summary: The meeting of Elrond and Celebrian.
Disclaimer: Tolkien's estate owns everything. I own nothing. If I did it wouldn't be fanfiction.
Warning: Not yet.
Authors Notes: Finally, the first chapter or at least the first half of the first chapter. I love and adore feedback. ^_^


::The Meeting – Part 1::


"Lady Celebrian?"

The elven woman turned her head, for the first time looking away from the east, as she bowed her head in cordial greeting to the young elf that approached her. "'Tis my name," she replied with a forced smile, "and who might you be?"

"Calen, daughter of Aramellon and Elmador of Lorien," she answered as she came closer and gave a small bow. Her long pale hair, lithe form, and light eyes did indeed mark her as a child of Lorien, and Celebrian smiled slightly at that. For good or bad there was little difference among the elves that dwelled under the great mallorn. "I was but a small child when you went to marry Lord Elrond and reside in Imladris," Calen continued.

"I remember your parents well," Celebrian nodded, a hint of confusion in her eyes as she again looked over the elven girl. "But I do not remember ever meeting you, even on my many visits to my parents." She sucked in a breath of air and closed her eyes for a moment as she recalled the ill-fated trip home that was the reason for her boarding of the ship.

"Yes, I fostered in Mirkwood for many long years," Calen responded, not wanting to bother Celebrian with questions about her health. The woman appeared very pale, even for an elf, but soon they would set foot upon Valinor and all would be well. Great healers of old dwelt there. Surely they would be able to cure any ill.

Celebiran opened her eyes and looked at the elf in front of her for a moment. It was strange for one of the Galadrim to be sent away for fostering, especially to the dark forests of Mirkwood, but not unheard of. The girl, for that was what she was being so young by her standards, not much older than her own twin sons, turned her head and looked out upon the mist.

"They say we will be able to walk upon the shores soon," Calen said as she stepped closer to the side, "after the mist abates." She gave Celebrian a smile over her shoulder as she leaned on the railing. "They say the mists of Valinor are the mists of memory." She turned back and looked out into the white nothingness the surrounded them. "I have noticed the dreamy countenance upon the face of many elves below," she said wistfully. "I wonder if the mists are the bringer of good memories or ill."

Celebrian said nothing as she stared at Calen's back and slowly looked out upon the mists as her mind began to wander…


***

There was the loud sound of crashing as Celebrian smirked and set down her book, walking gracefully (but quickly) from her talan to look at the mess of irresponsible elflings below. "Haldir, Rumil, what are you doing to your brother?" she asked sweetly as she descended the steps to the ground, watching in amusement as the two quickly leapt away from their brother, Orophin, whom they had grappled to the grassy floor.


"We were playing a game," Rumil smiled innocently, not that Celebrian believed it. The three bothers were the most playful and most brash elves she had ever met; and according to her father the most arrogant that had ever graced Middle-earth for as long as he could remember. But they were also kind and well liked, so their strange attitude did little to interrupt the comings and goings of Lorien, other than to bring a smile where there was one not before.

"Did not appear to be a game that poor Orophin could win. For he is out numbered," she said as the brother in question stood from the ground, dusting the dirt and leaves from his breeches. He gave her a brilliant smile and there was the hint of a blush on his cheeks. "Now, tell me more of this game you were playing," Celebrian smiled sweetly, knowing it was nothing more than petty retribution. She had overheard Rumil and Haldir planning it yesterday.

"You have caught us," Haldir said, sporting a broad grin and bowing in a way that was just short of mocking. "It was no game, but paltry revenge for the way Orophin defeated us during archery practice."

Celebrian raised a hand to hide the growing smile as she suppressed her laughter. She had heard from many elven maidens that Orophin had hit his mark every time while his brothers could hardly keep their bows strung. Later on she had heard one of the marchwardens having a laugh about the same incident, but only because neither Haldir nor Rumil had any idea their bows had been sabotaged.

Finally in control of her laughter and her smile Celebrian moved her hand. "I heard many an elven maid speak of the incident," she said as Rumil shot his brother a glare and Haldir let out a small laugh. It was well known that of the three Rumil was a lover of poetry and maidens, who wished nothing more than to be in love.

"Lady Celebrian."

Celebrian looked over her shoulder at the sound of her name. One of her mother's servants was walking down the steps toward her. "The Lady Galadriel, your mother, wishes a word with you," the elf said with a bow of her head as she halted at the bottom of the steps. "If you will please come with me."

"As she wishes," Celebrian nodded at the servant before looking at the three brothers and giving them a fond smile. "I must go now. But I wish you, Haldir and Rumil, luck in your paltry revenge. And I wish you, Orophin, swift feet to evade your brothers wrath."

"Thank you, Lady," the three said in unison as they bowed and waited until Celebrian had followed the servant up the steps before Orophin ran and Haldir and Rumil began their pursuit.

---

"You summoned me, mother?" Celebrian said as the servant ushered her into her parents room. Galadriel stood, drinking from a crystalline chalice, her long blond hair blowing in the scant wind that the season brought. Behind her Celeborn sat at his writing table with a thoughtful look on his face. Galadriel smiled at her daughter's arrival and nodded for the servant to leave.

"I did," the Lady of Light nodded, setting the chalice down. "I am sorry if I have taken you away from something pressing."

"As I am sure you know, mother, I was only teasing Haldir and his brothers. I shall have the rest of my days to do so. Moreover, while it is amusing and I do enjoy their company, I much prefer that of yours and father," Celebrian said as she walked fully into the room. "But what news has truly brought me here?"

"Elrond Peredhil travels from Imladris to meet with us," Galadriel said, her starry eyes looking over her daughter as if she knew some great secret. Which Celebrian had no doubts she did. But when she asked, her mother smiled faintly and turned her eyes away, replying a simple, 'nothing, dear child, nothing.'

Celebrian pursed her lips at the news. The name brought her a brief feeling of dread, though a look over at her father assuaged it quickly. She had never met and knew little of Lord Elrond other than the stories of his parentage and accounts of Gil-galad's herald, now a ruler in his own right. He was half human, and while that meant he was also half elven, it left a bad taste in her mouth to think of it.

"What do you say to this news, daughter?" Celeborn asked suddenly, speaking for the first time since she had arrived. Celebrian looked over at her father and felt a brief pang of guilt. She knew he was fond of the Lord of Imladris ever since the end of the Last Alliance.

"I know not what to say," Celebrian answered truthfully as she turned to look at her mother, "other than to wonder why you have called me."

"We wish you to be his guide through Lorien while he is here," Galadriel answered simply.

Celebrian looked at them both in confusion for a moment, thinking it would be a better job for a servant than her, but decided against voicing such thoughts. There was a reason her parents had chosen her and she would abide their choice. "I will do as you ask," she replied with a bow of her head, though she knew both her parents perceived her unspoken protest.

Galadriel smiled gently at her daughter before suddenly looking away and letting the smile fade. "One of the marchwardens returns with an injury," she said, and it was difficult to guess if she was speaking to herself or someone in the room. "I must go. The orcs arrows are often poisoned."

Celebrian bowed as her mother gave her another smile and gently stroked her pale cheek before departing to heal the wounded elf. Letting her shoulders slump Celebrian let out a small sigh. She did not wish to escort Lord Elrond about like a servant, but her parents had willed it so. There was the light scrape against the floor and she looked up to see her father rise from his chair. She blushed in embarrassment at having forgotten his presence.

"Walk with me, Celebrian?" Celeborn asked, holding out a hand to her.

"Of course, father," she said, taking his hand as he led from the room and down the stairs that wrapped around the mallorn trees. They walked in silence for a while, nodding to the elves that greeted them, but not stopping their decent. At last they came to the roots of the great trees and walked across the grassy dale a bit before Celebrian took her hand from her father's and sat on one of the great roots.

"What plagues your mind, daughter?" Celeborn asked, folding his hands behind his back.

"Nothing," Celebrian replied, trailing her fingers along the bark of the roots. "Why do you ask?"

"It is clear to me, as it is to your mother, that you hold some reservation about Lord Elrond and I would know what they are," he answered a gentle look as his eyes searched his daughter's face. "It is not like you to hold grievances, especially with those you have not yet met."

"I hold no grievance with Lord Elrond," she said, letting out a breath, "my only reservation is his… heritage."

"It is true the blood of Men runs though his veins," Celeborn nodded, "but he had the trust and friendship of Gil-galad, the last great elven king these shores shall see. Surely that speaks well for him."

Celebrian shook her head. "I do not doubt Gil-galad's choice in friend or herald, but… a Man took the one ring of Sauron," she reminded her father bitterly as she fixed him with a look, reminding him of all the grief she had suffered, worrying for his safe return from war, "a Man of his own brother's lineage."

"And for that he suffers far more than you know," Celeborn answered gravely and let out a sigh. "If it is such a hardship we will not ask you to undertake the task. Another can escort the Lord of Imladris while he is visiting our realm."

"No, father," Celebrian said, standing up and walking toward Celeborn, taking his hand. "It is unfair that I should shun my duty because I do not approve of his blood. He has proven himself in battle and you have always spoken highly of him. I will escort him and give him all the dues that his position deserves."

Celeborn smiled, gently squeezing his daughter's hand and pressing a kiss to her cheek. "You are a good child and I thank you for your sacrifice. Though I believe you will find Lord Elrond's company no where near as offensive as you think."

Celebrian smiled gently, unwilling to argue with her father. She would give Elrond a chance. A sudden sound of crashing caught her attention and she jumped slightly and turned just in time to see Haldir, Rumil, and Orophin come tumbling down the stairs. She smiled and her father laughed as the three hit the ground, Rumil and Haldir gasping for breath as Orophin got free again, laughing at his siblings and running back up the stairs.

---

Elrond was far handsomer than she had expected.

Celebrian stood beside her parents as they greeted their visitors and she took in her first glimpse of the Lord of Imlardis. His dark hair was a fascination to her. Never before had she met an elf whose hair was not golden or silver. It was long and silky with two small braids framing his face while the rest hung freely down his back; and it was dark like the cliffs of a mountain at dusk. A beautiful color and she had the strangest urge to run her fingers though his long locks.

She barely controlled the blush in her cheeks as she banished the thought and continued to look him over. His face itself had the strange quality of being old and young at the same time, his mouth seemed to be set in a permanent frown. He looked over at her and for the first time she got a good look at his eyes, they were gray like distant storm clouds. She shook herself mentally as she realized the reason he had turned to her was she was being introduced.

"… and Celebrian will be your guide during your stay in Lorien," Celeborn said as Celebrian noticed for the first time the way her mother's eyes bore into Elrond, as if examining his very soul. Surprisingly the half-elf did not seem bothered by the gaze.

"Well met, Lady Celebrian," Elrond said, with a bow of his head, "a star shines on the hour of our meeting."

Galadriel took her eyes off Elrond, apparently content with what she saw, and turned a smile to the two elves that stood behind him. A blond elf named Glorfindel at his right and a dark haired elf named Erestor at his left.

"Our daughter will show you to the talans that have been prepared for your stay," Galadriel said, her soft voice seeming to float about them. "Go and rest. 'Tis a long journey from Imlardis and while not fraught with peril, neither is it safe," for a moment her eyes seemed to dim, but she continued with nothing more than a slight pause. "We will feast tonight in your honor."

"We thank you for your hospitality, Lady Galadriel, Lord Celeborn," Elrond said with a bow as he patiently waited for them to ascend the stairs out of sight before he turned to look at Celebrian. He gave her a small smile and she found it surprisingly looked good upon his features.

"This way, if you please," she said, stepping down the two steps she had over them and holding out her hand to Elrond. As a Lady it was custom to give a male escort her hand, though as a guide it was not required. But she found herself filled with the irrational wish to feel Elrond's skin upon her own.

He took her hand and she found his fingers were soft, yet they held the roughness that only frequent use of a blade could create. His hand was warm and he gripped her hand with surety that was strong and yet she felt as if she could pull away at any moment if she wanted.

She led him down a set of stairs, with his two companions following close behind, and found herself engaging in small talk. Pointing out the various designs or passing elves of interest. She was soon explaining the duty of the marchwardens, much to her surprise, when a yelp was heard and she was nearly pushed from the stairs.

An arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her close to keep her from falling. She found herself tightly clutching the front of Elrond's traveling clothes and marveling at the press of his body. Glorfindel had jumped forward and held his Lord's other arm to steady him while Erestor gave the cause of the near calamity an angry glare.

Rumil lay on his back where he fell with a horrified look on his face. His eyes darted from Celebrian to Elrond and his entourage and back to Celebrian as he silently pleaded for some assistance. Above them on a second set of stairs that connected at the very point Rumil rest, Haldir and Orophin were standing, all color drained from their faces.

Celebrian felt the color in her own face rise momentarily as she realized Elrond's arm was still locked about her waist and her hands still clutched tightly at his chest. She let go. Disentangling herself from his arm as she took a step toward Rumil.

"You and your brothers have been told time and time again to keep your rough play on the grounds below where it will bring no harm," she said in a sharp tone. She truly had no wish to reprimand any of the brothers, the terror that quickened the pace of their hearts was more than enough punishment. But she feared if she did nothing Lord Elrond would take it upon himself to discipline such impetuous youngsters. It was his right as an elven lord.

"You are fortunate that no one was harmed by your foolishness," Celebrian continued, feeling terrible when Rumil physically winced away from her. She did not look up she heard the light sound of Haldir and Orophin moving down the steps toward their brother's side. "If not for Lord Elrond," she dropped the name so they would understand, if they did not already, that it was not simply some stranger they had nearly toppled off the stairways, "then I would have fallen down to the very roots of the mallorn!"

"… I am sorry," Rumil said in a meek voice and Celebrian felt her heart break. He was young and she doubted anyone had ever spoken to him so harshly. Haldir and Orophin came to the bottom of the stairs and knelt beside Rumil, their heads bowed submissively. "It was an accident," Haldir said, not raising his head to meet her eyes, "but we have been forewarned not to play so."

"Indeed you have," Celebrian said, wishing to leave further rebuke to her parents discretion, but she could not allow herself to seem weak in the eyes of Lord Elrond. It would reflect badly on her family and her upbringing. "Imagine if your play had caused someone to fall," she said, "and they were hurt beyond the ability to heal. You know the laws against killing our own kind in Lorien, you would have been exiled…"

"No one was harmed," a voice cut her off and Celebrian turned to find Elrond was holding a hand up to stop her, "there is no need to speak of exile. They are young and have made a mistake. If it is the way of Lorien to punish such things, then do so. But do not terrify them with words of exile."

Celebrian blinked. Shocked at being reprimanded and for a moment unable to speak. She quickly composed herself, straightening her posture as she turned to look at the three brothers again. "I will speak to you more of this later," she said, giving them a gentle smile to convey an apology, though her voice remained cool and hard. "Be off with you."

"Yes, Lady Celebrian," the three said in unison. Haldir and Orophin quickly pulled Rumil to his feet and they all ran up the stairs and out of sight.

"They meant no harm," Elrond said as Celebrian gestured for them to follow her. She did not know if the Half-Elven offered his hand, for she was too embarrassed to turn and meet his gaze, instead she forced herself to look forward.

"No, they did not," she responded after a moment, wondering if the hostile glare she felt upon her back was from Elrond or one of his companions. "But they have been told many times not to play so roughly."

Silence fell between them as Celebrian blushed, immensely glad the three elves behind her could not see her face. She was acting obstinate, which was unbecoming in itself, but she did not even agree with what she was saying. The three were known for their playful attitudes and none adored them for their carefree nature more than she.

She let out a light sigh as they arrived at the talans used to house travelers. Forcing the embarrassment from her face she turned and adopted a mask of indifference. "Here is your talan, Lord Elrond," she said politely, "your companions will be but a little ways away," she gestured over her shoulder at two other talans in close proximity, "and if there is anything you need a servant will be close to aid you. Do not hesitate to ask for anything that will make your stay more comfortable. Someone will come and summon you when it is time for dinner."

"Thank you for your hospitality," Elrond nodded cordially, though there was a look in his eyes that said he was still highly disappointed in her earlier display, and internally Celebrian winced.

"As I said," Celebrian bowed slightly, "if there is anything you need, do not hesitate to call. I will now show your companions to their talans so they might rest."

Elrond nodded and, with more grace than Celebrian had expected, climbed up into his talan. With a slight smile she turned toward Erestor and Glorfindel. "If you will come this way." Glorfindel gave her a smile back, but Erestor did nothing but scowl. At least now she could guess who had been glaring so vehemently at her back.

They walked down another bit of the stairway before they came to the next talen and Celebrian bid Erestor to take it. He nodded and exchanged a nicety or two before he nearly leapt into the tree, obviously eager to be away from the elf woman that had deeply offended him.

Celebrian let out an audible sigh and shut her eyes for a moment, vowing she would ask her father to remove her from this duty as she was entirely unsuitable for it. In a matter of moments she had managed to alienate the Lord of Imladris and his companion and… there was a soft clearing of the throat and she opened her eyes to look at Glorfindel… and managed to forget his other companion.

"My apologies," she said with an embarrassed laugh. "I have now offended all three of my parent's guests." She gestured for Glorfindel to follow her.

"'Tis alright, I find I am a most forgettable elf," Glorfindel replied cheerfully, stepping up to walk beside Celebrian. It was uncommon for a foreign elf to do such a thing, but she had heard he was not a normal elf by any means. Supposedly the reincarnation of Glorfindel of Gondolin. "And you have not offended any of us."

She raised an eyebrow and cast a look back at the talan that Erestor had climbed into. "Have I not?" she asked, giving him a sardonic look.

"Erestor is a bit…" Glorfindel trailed off for a moment as he searched for the right term, "…highly strung. Do not take it to heart."

"Perhaps, but I have offended your Lord for sure," Celebrian sighed, wishing to keep up her proper demeanor, but not having the strength to do so. Glorfindel was a comforting presence at her side. He had an aura of calm about him.

"What little do you know of Imladris?" Glorfindel asked.

"That is resides in a valley on the other side of the Misty Mountains," Celebrian answered, feeling a blush of embarrassment as the elven lord let out a laugh.

"That is little indeed," he said, chuckling as Celebrian threw a glare over her shoulder. "Pardon, I do not mean to laugh so." He controlled himself and continued to speak. "Imladris was built as a refuge for those that fled the war, mostly of the Noldor, and those that had no other place to call home. It was a place of rest and comfort hidden in Eriador when the madness of Sauron seemed to have no end. It is a place where many exiles dwell."

Celebrian took in a deep breath and wished she could take back her earlier words. "I see now why the Lord of Imladris would dislike the threat of exile that I held over the young ones. He has lived among exiles and refugees a long time."

"Erestor is one such exile. Though I know not from where or why," Glorfindel explained and there was a hidden tone in his voice that said he wanted to know. "Besides that, it was clear to us all that you would not have spoken to them so if we had not been there."

"Am I so bad in the act of scolding?" Celebrian asked as she tried to muster what was left of her pride. She thought she had done a good job in hiding her true feelings on the matter. It was rare any elf spoke to her in such a playfully conversational way. She was the daughter of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn after all.

"Nay, your act was magnificent. It was the look upon the faces of the young ones that gave the game away," Glorfindel said. "It was clear that such words from you were uncommon to their ears."

"I see," Celebrian nodded and again let out a sigh, then another sigh at how much she was sighing. She hoped it was not becoming a dreadful habit. "I must apologize to your Lord. If he will accept it."

"He will," Glorfindel assured her with a smile and there was a playful light in his eyes. "How could any elf deny one so lovely as you?" Celebrian felt herself blush as Glorfindel stopped and gestured upwards. "Is this not the talan you referred to earlier?"

"It is," she nodded as she stopped a step below him, forcing the blush from her face, "it appears I cannot be an effective guide even in my own home."

"I am a distraction," Glorfindel said with a light laugh and bowed. "My thanks for your company and do not fear Lord Elrond. He is actually a friendly sort of creature once you get to know him." He tilted his head and added with a smirk: "though I am afraid that Erestor will ever remain thorny as a rose."

"I will speak to your Lord this evening," Celebrian said with a smile. It was hard not to smile at the blond elf. "And I shall see you at the evening meal as well."

"Until then, my Lady," he gave a grin and a bow and moved up to his talan.

Celebrian waited until Glorfindel had fully disappeared from her sight. She let out a heavy sigh and frowned as she thought of her earlier actions. Turning on her heels she ran down the stairway, ignoring the disapproving looks the elves gave her as she passed. She felt a hot pang of guilt growing in her stomach as she reached the bottom of the stairs and found the three brothers huddled together a worried look in their eyes as they saw her approach.

"You did not mean it, did you?" Haldir asked, ever the spokesmen of his family.

"Of course not and I am sorry I said such things to you. But you remember how King Oropher reacted to your antics when he visited our realm," Celebrian said as she walked toward the three with an apologetic look on her face. They let out a collective sigh of relief. "I feared Lord Elrond would be as uptight about etiquette and rules." She let out a sigh as she ran her fingers through her silver hair. "Though it appears I was quite mistaken."


TBC…