Title: Mists of Valinor - The Meeting - Part 3
Author: Genesis Grey (helfireclub@hotmail.com)
Disclaimer: Tolkien's estate owns everything. I own nothing. If I did it wouldn't be fanfiction.
Authors Notes: Well, it's technically still spring break. ^_~ I'm actually kind of amazed this got done so fast, but now I can finally move on with the story. Yay! Next chapter we get into married life. Oh, thank you so much to all you that have reviewed, especially P.G. for answering my question. Makes me sooo very, very happy. ^_^ So, if you read, please leave me a comment (anything is appreciated), it truly makes my day. Even if you don't, hope you enjoy the fic.

::The Meeting – Part 3::



"A fine day, isn't it?"

Celebrian looked up from lacing her boot as Glorfindel approached. She gave him a smile as she sat up straight and gestured for him to join her. "It is indeed," she said as the foreign blond sat down across from her with an amused look on his face. In the distance she could see one of Lorien's maidens blushing as she scampered away. "I take it you are enjoying your stay in Caras Galadhon?"

"Yes, I'm quite enjoying the natural sights of your fair home," he said with a twinkle in his eye and Celebrian couldn't help but laugh.

"That's good to hear," she said, leaning down and tying the last white lace of her boot as she let her dress fall down over her ankles once more. "I've not seen much of you or the advisor Erestor since the feast and I feared I was neglecting you."

"Erestor prefers to keep to himself, his scrolls and books. Even in Imladris he is like that, and I, well, I can keep myself entertained," he grinned jovially. "You do well enough to keep our Lord diverted." He gave a look at the high white boots Celebrian was wearing. "I did not think elves of the Golden Woods wore boots."

"Not usually. My ankle is still a bit weak and can use the added support, or so the healer tells me. I think it feels just fine though," she said, wiggling her foot to show Glorfindel it was alright. There was a slight dull pain as the leather of the boot pressed against her ankle, but it was nothing to worry about. "Has your Lord been enjoying himself? I have felt a bit embarrassed since hurting my ankle."

"Think nothing of it. Lord Elrond is a healer and I am sure he has seen elves hurt themselves in far more foolish ways," Glorfindel replied, standing up and holding out a hand that Celebrian gratefully took and got to her own feet. "And you are far to beautiful to hold anything against."

"You are a flatterer," Celebrian laughed as she moved across the talan. "I believe your Lord is in conversation with my mother, if that is why you sought me out."

"No, but it is good to know. I was wondering where he had disappeared to if he was not at your side," Glorfindel said as he followed her. "I actually wished to speak to you, my Lady. It seems as if you have taken a liking to Lord Elrond."

Celebrian sighed. "Why does everyone seem to think that?"

"Because it is obvious," Glorfindel answered with a smile as Celebrian turned to him with a raised eyebrow, demanding a further explanation. "You watch him when you think no one is looking. My guess is he has an exotic beauty in your eyes. Lothlorien is lovely, but there is little difference to the elves that dwell here, gold or silver hair with light eyes of blue. There is no darkness here, no night, and I think that is what intrigues you." He bowed his head. "But that is merely a theory, forgive me if you find it offensive."

"I'll not argue with you on that matter, you are more right than I like to admit," Celebrian frowned, tossing her long silver hair over her shoulder in a nervous action. "But I have found your Lord to be a very kind elf, caring. Yes, I have taken a liking to him, though I cannot figure out what he thinks of me. He shows little of what he thinks or feels."

"That point I will definitely concede," Glorfindel nodded as he came up beside her. "But I believe you are getting through to him."

"Tell me truthfully, Glorfindel. What does Lord Elrond think of me?" she asked.

"It is hard to say," the elf answered as Celebrian sighed. "But I will give you my observations and thoughts on the subject. I believe Lord Elrond likes you a great deal, Lady Celebrian. He is a quiet and thoughtful individual despite his position as the Lord of Imladris and rarely speaks of his own thoughts, preferring to hear that of others. He is wise in matters of lore and healing and an excellent host to those that come to the Last Homely House, but I believe he is lonely in spite of himself. I have not seen him smile so warmly since the death of Gil-galad. And I know he had not enjoyed himself as much as he has these past days in your company in too long a time." Glorfindel gave her a look and smiled at the contemplative expression on her face. "Now, where were you going, my Lady? Shall I escort you?"

"Please. I was just going to find myself something to eat if you would like to join me," she offered, holding out her hand as her mind absorbed the information. She was still uncertain if Elrond truly liked her. But she was slowly becoming fairly certain that she liked him.

---

Celebrian couldn't help but be nervous as she sat next to Lord Elrond on the couch in the vast library of Lorien. The foreign Lord was reading over some ancient scrolls of lore involving… actually, she wasn't quite sure what Elrond was reading. Her mind was still considering what Glorfindel had told earlier, about Elrond being lonely. He certainly did not seem so, though his eyes did often seemed haunted with things she could not fathom.

Then again, she was not altogether sure that she would be able to identify loneliness even if she saw it. In her long life she had never felt truly lonely. Her parents had always been close and there had always been someone willing to listen to her or even play or laugh with her. Sometimes when the three brothers were not about she felt a bit lonely, but she always knew they would return and that thought banished the sorrowful feeling.

"Lady Celebrian?"

She nearly jumped at the sound of her name and turned to Lord Elrond. His gray eyes were looking directly at her, as if staring into her very soul. "You do not need to keep me company if this bores you," he said, laying the scroll on his lap. "I believe I would be able to find the way back to my talan without a guide."

"Oh! I am not bored. I was merely contemplating things," Celebrian said, waving her hand as if to brush the thought from his mind. He cocked his head to the side thoughtfully, waiting for her to elaborate. "I was thinking that I do not know what loneliness feels like…"

"You are fortunate," Elrond interrupted briefly before she continued.

"Yes, but I was wondering what it feels like to be lonely," she finished, looking down at her hands clasped in her lap. She could feel the flush of embarrassment on her face and she wished that the elven lord did not always make her feel like so much of a child. He was not that much older than her.

"Loneliness is a painful thing," Elrond said, laying the scroll aside on a nearby table. "It is a pain of the heart that has no cure, save the fulfillment of what it desires. Though the hurt can be dimmed with company or distraction." He looked away from her at the shelves of books. "But at times one can be lonely even in a crowded room." He let out a sigh as he drummed his long fingers on the arm of the couch. There was a distant look in his eyes that made Celebrian's heart hurt just to see.

She reached over and put her hand on his knee, perhaps too forward a gesture, but she thought it appropriate. He turned and looked at her in surprise. "Are you lonely?" she asked quietly.

He looked at her hand on his knee for a time and Celebrian winced as she pulled away, but he grabbed her hand and held it there. "I believe that all things must feel loneliness, some more than others, but at this moment," he met her eyes, "at this moment, no, I do not feel lonely."

Celebrian wanted to ask him what he felt, but the words were stuck in her throat as she stared into his gray eyes, swirling like a gathering storm. His hand brushed her cheek, his thumb caressing her cheekbone as he leaned close. She could feel his breath on her face as her stomach was filled with the fluttering of a thousand butterflies freed from their cocoons. Suddenly lips were on hers. Strong, yet gentle. Firm pressure, but not bruising. She closed her eyes and parted her lips slightly, but almost as quickly as the lips had touched hers they were gone.

Her eyes fluttered open and she watched as Elrond stood up from the couch, turning his back to her. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out and she realized she did not know what to say. "My apologies," he said, his voice shaking slightly. "I should not have done that. It was improper."

He paused as if waiting for her to speak, when she made no reply he let out a sigh, looking over his shoulder. The sad look was in his eyes again. "I am sorry. I will leave you. Since I do not expect you shall wish to share my company any longer I will thank you now for your hospitality. I have truly enjoyed it." He hesitantly waited another moment before bowing and taking his leave.

Celebrian blinked as she watched him leave, not entirely sure what had just occurred. He had kissed her. She had felt lightening strike as his lips touched hers. Her entire body had begun to tingle and then he had pulled away, mumbling apologies and leaving her. She trembled. What had she done wrong? Was she not supposed to open her lips and close her eyes? But it had felt so right. She whimpered as she wrapped her arms around her torso and fell to the couch.

She felt tears well in her eyes as she curled her knees against her chest and rocked gently. Idly she wondered if this was what loneliness felt like.

---

"Celebrian?"

She sighed at the sound of her father's voice, wrapping the blankets tighter around her body rather than answering. She could hear him cross the floor of her room and felt the bed shift slightly as he sat down. "What is wrong, my child?" he asked, pulling the covers away from her face, though she tried to tug them back. "Will you not speak to me?"

"I do not feel like talking, father," she said, even as he uncovered her face and brushed the tears away from her high cheekbones. "I wish to be alone."

"Do you really?" Celeborn asked patiently.

There was a moment of silence before Celebrian answered in a meek tone: "No."

"Then tell me your troubles, daughter," he said in a soft and reassuring voice. "It does you no good to suffer alone. Is this about Lord Elrond?" She groaned and buried her face in the pillow. "I will take that as a yes," her father said, gently stroking her hair. "Come now, I have guessed the subject, tell me what has happened."

Celebrian sighed as she rolled her face out of her pillow, still not looking at her father. "We were in the library because you asked me to show Lord Elrond the scrolls… oh, I don't remember what scrolls!" she said in an annoyed tone, venting at the inanimate objects. "It doesn't even matter, the scrolls don't account for any part of this!"

She moaned at the memory of what had occurred, rolling onto her stomach as her father waited quietly for her to continue. Finally she did. "We got to speaking of loneliness and… I do not even know how it occurred, but Lord Elrond kissed me… and I liked it."

Celeborn frowned momentarily before he spoke. "If you liked it, what is the trouble?"

"He, apparently, did not," Celebrian said in an almost bitter tone before she regained control of her emotions. "He pulled away and began to apologize and then left, while I was too surprised to respond." She shook her head and rolled over to look at Celeborn. "What do I do, father? I cannot go near him now. He does not think I wish his presence any longer and even if I went to him I would not know what to say."

"I understand how you are feeling far better than you know, child," Celeborn said as Celebrian brushed the last of the tears out of her eyes. "It is not a pleasant state of being."

"How could you know?" she asked with a sigh, brushing her hair behind her ear.

"Your mother is a very difficult elf to be near, let alone charm," Celeborn answered, raising an eyebrow.

Celebrian smiled and let out a small laugh in spite of herself. "I would imagine so," she said, sitting up, clutching the blanket to her chest. "Tell me of yours and mother's courtship."

"Ah, how long ago that was," Celeborn said, looking up as he thought back. "We met in the halls of Thingol, even then she was the loveliest of all creatures that dwell in Middle-earth. She was called Nerwen, sometimes Artanis, in those times and soon she would choose Galadriel," he smiled at the memory. "As you can imagine your mother was never a meek elven maiden of any sort. She was the youngest of five children, unheard of in these times, and the only daughter; so she was plenty spoiled, perhaps even more than you," he said and Celebrian grinned, knowing as the only child of the Lord and Lady she was pampered.

"But Galadriel was always a Lady, upright, proper, and cold as crystal. I had no idea of how to approach her. For your sake it is fortunate she approached me," he said as Celebrian raised an eyebrow. "We met in the gardens. I was admiring the young birch trees and blooming irises when she came up beside me, asking me what the flowers were called. Apparently they do not have the iris in Valinor. That was how we came to speak with one another.

"Many centuries later, after we came to the Golden Woods, Galadriel told me something of a secret," he looked at Celebrian conspiratorially and she couldn't help but grin like a child and lean close. It had been many centuries since her father had sat on her bed and told stories; she often missed those simple times. "She said that she was nervous to speak to me, all those many years ago, and it had taken all her will not to thank me and leave once I told her the name of the blossom."

Celebrian laughed at the thought of her mother needing courage to do anything, especially something as simple as speaking with her father. "Thank you, you've made me feel much better," she said, taking her father's hand and holding it for a moment.

"I am glad," he smiled, squeezing her hand gently. "Do you understand the purpose of the story? Lord Elrond should not have walked away from you, and I am a bit disappointed that he did so, but he almost certainly took your silence for rejection. He seems a fragile sort in matters of the heart, not sturdy as you are."

She looked away. "I understand what you are saying, but I still do not know what I should say to him," she said as darker thoughts crossed her mind and she frowned, clutching her father's hand tight. "And there are other things that worry me. What… what if I went to Imladris?"

"Then you would go to Imladris," Celeborn stated simply.

"I would miss you and mother," Celebrian frowned as she turned and looked back at her father.

"Perhaps it is time for you to spread your wings and fly from the safety of Lorien, daughter. You have always been a free spirit that has wished to go beyond Caras Galadhon. Haldir, Orophin, and Rumil will go to do their duty on the outskirts of our land soon and you will feel a great emptiness without them to occupy your time. Perchance it would be wise for you to visit Imladris," he said, though she could hear a great weariness at the thought. He smiled as he saw the look on her face. "I would miss you greatly, but I think it is time for you to see more of Middle-earth than the Golden Woods."

She smiled gently. "It was only a question, father. It is not as if I will go to Imladris."

"We will see," Celeborn responded with a shrug of his elegant shoulders. "As for your earlier question of what you should say to Lord Elrond, perhaps your could ask Rumil what excuses he makes to his many maidens."

Celebrian laughed and leaned on her father's shoulder, drying the last of her tears on his robe. Though many of Lorien's maidens adored him, Rumil appeared to have worse luck in matters of the heart than she did.

---

"Rumil, do be careful. You do not want to snap your arm if you string it too taut."

Celebrian shook her head as she walked toward the blond elf that sat beside the stairway stringing his bow. He looked up and gave her a smile. "I did not realize you were an expert in matters of this nature, my Lady. Been struck by the string of many poorly strung bows, have you?"

"In fact I have, and if elves scarred readily I would show you, but since we do not you will have to trust me on the facts of the matter," she smirked as she came up beside him. "Just please be careful. The healer said he did not wish to see you or your brothers for at least a change of the moon."

"I will try," Rumil said as he set the bow aside momentarily.

"Where are your brothers anyway?" Celebrian asked, looking around as if she expected them to appear out of nowhere at any moment. She did not delight in the thought of being bowled over again. Elrond was not here to save her this time.

"In trouble, I'm sure," Rumil sighed as he rolled his eyes. "I have not seen Haldir or Orophin for a while. Did you wish to speak with one of them?"

"No, I was just curious," she said with a shake of her head, glad her father had helped her braided her long hair. It had been a mess, but she did not relish the thought of having to brush it out so early in the day. "I was actually looking for Lord Elrond. He was not in his talan and neither were his companions. I did not think my mother had summoned them."

"The one… Erestor, I saw walking toward the library," Rumil said, creasing his brow in thought, "and I saw Lord Elrond and Lord Glorfindel speaking earlier, I believe that was this day. They were walking below among the roots of the trees."

"You are a wealth of knowledge, my friend," Celebrian laughed, though she felt an uneasiness in her stomach. Her father had said she should speak with Elrond, but she was still unsure of what she would say. "I will go and see if I can find our guests below, thank you for your help." She moved to walk away, but before she did she turned back. "And do be careful. I do not like the looks of that string."

"Yes, yes," Rumil said dismissively as he picked up the bow again.

Celebrian shook her head again and walked away. She was not more than five steps away when there was a loud snap and a yelp of pain. She let out a sigh as she turned back. Lord Elrond could wait while she took Rumil to a mildly annoyed healer.

---

Celebrian frowned as she walked around the roots of the mallorn. Never before had she ever appreciated how vast the grounds of Caras Galadhon were. Closing her eyes she listened for any sound, voice talking, but is all she could hear was the sound of singing and chatter coming from above. She wished they would all be quiet for a moment. With a sigh of disappointment she sat down in an elf sized niche of the roots, leaning her head on the rough bark.

She wasn't even sure that she wanted to find Lord Elrond, but now that she couldn't it was beginning to vex her. She wrapped her arms around her knees and pulled them close as she imagined the kiss. It hadn't been her first; but it had been the first time she had ever felt so nervous and new. His lips were soft. She hadn't thought they would be, and she wanted to feel them pressed against hers again. And maybe again after that.

"… being as it may, perhaps we should cut our stay short," a voice said and Celebrian jerked as she realized it was Elrond.

"We were not planning to stay much longer, my Lord," Glorfindel replied, and it sounded as if they had come to a stop on the other side of the roots. "I see no reason why we should leave any earlier than that. You have long needed a rest from the day to day duties of ruling Imladris, and did not the Lady Galadriel allude that she wished to speak with you again?"

"The Lady Galadriel is wise beyond all things, but speaks in riddles that even the wisest of elves would find confusing," Elrond said and Celebrian nodded in agreement from her hiding place, ashamed at herself for eavesdropping, but unable to stop. She did not think there was a proper way to leap from her spot without giving the two elves a fright and making herself look like a fool. "I think the Lady Celebrian would wish my early departure," he said with a sigh, even as Celebrian shook her head. "I apologized for my actions, but she said nothing, only stared at me with contempt. I do not wish to brew ill will between Lothlorien and Imladris."

"I was not present, but I would disagree with your assessment of the Lady's reaction. You are known for your ability to peer into the hearts of men and elves alike, but it appears, to me at least, that you are blind in this matter, my friend," Glorfindel said and Celebrian nodded, letting out a slight sound as she bumped her head against the hard root. Silence filled the air before an amused voice said: "Wouldn't you agree, Lady Celebrian?"

Celebrian groaned, cursing Glorfindel's elven ears. "I was not eavesdropping," she said as she stood up tall and moved around the roots into clear sight, squaring her shoulders and trying to look as regal as she could. She gave Glorfindel a slight glare for exposing her. "I was merely sitting here when you came upon me and I thought if I suddenly popped up it would startle you," she said defensively, wishing she had a better excuse than the truth.

Elrond let out a laugh and both she and Glorfindel jerked, looking at him with identical surprised and bemused expressions. The elven lord shook his head as he looked at Glorfindel, gesturing for the elf to leave. "If you would please give us a moment, my friend?"

"Of course," the blond elf nodded, giving them both nods of his head. "I shall go enjoy more of the scenery." He gave Celebrian and sly smile that Elrond either did not notice or chose to ignore, but the silver-haired maiden let out a chuckle as he walked away.

Her smile faded as she looked at Elrond and clutched her hands in front of her stomach. "Is there something you would like to say or shall I speak first?" she asked in the proper, emotionless tone of her breeding. He gave a slow nod that she could speak first.

"I thought it was quite impolite of you to leave me alone like that in the library," she said, holding up a hand when he tried to speak. "You gave me leave to speak first," she reminded him before continuing as she let her hand drop. "I was hurt by your actions. Your leaving, not the fact you kissed me. Though I have come to realize that you may have taken my silence as a form of rejection. It was not contempt I stared at you with, but surprise that you did kiss me and then pulled away; as well as an inability to speak at that time." She raised an eyebrow and looked at him a moment before looking away again. "What I would ask of you now… and, you should know, that your answer will not force you to leave a head of schedule and will bring no ill will between our two realms. This is between you and I, not Lorien and Imladris.

"I would know," she took a deep breath. "I would know if you have a liking for me? I will tell you that I have come to like you a great deal during the time we have spent together, though I do admit that I did not think I would. Yet I truly have come to enjoy your company and it saddens me a great deal that it will soon come to an end. But do you feel the same for me? Did you kiss me in the library just to see if it could be done," she paused and bit the corner of her lip, "or did you want me to kiss back?"

An unnatural silence filled the air as Celebrian stared off into the trees, wondering where all the singing and chatter had gone as she waited for an answer. The slight twist of her finger was the only outward sign of nervousness as she schooled her face into an impassive mask. Had waiting ever felt so tedious before?

"I very much wished for you to kiss back, but I was caught off guard when you did," Elrond finally answered and Celebrian turned to look at him, unable to disguise the look of relief on her face. "I am sorry that I so incorrectly read your expression, perhaps I only saw what I expected. I have greatly come to enjoy your company, more than I have any companionship in a very long time. You are intelligent and beautiful and have a lovely spirit." He sighed an frowned to Celebrian's dismay. "I have rarely acted so impulsively as I did in the library, but I could not control myself. Still, I should not have acted so."

"Lord Elrond," Celebrian interrupted. "I very much enjoyed the kiss we shared. There is no need for further apologies. I have no regrets that it happened. I simply wish the aftermath had not occurred, that you had stayed and I had possessed the ability to speak." She smiled coyly as she decided to tease the elven lord a bit. "That must please you, that a single kiss from your lips can leave an elven lady speechless."

Elrond coughed and turned away, though Celebrian saw the faint pink color rise in his pale cheeks. She smiled innocently as she toyed with her braid. It was about time he blushed a little. She let him have a moment to control the flush of his cheeks before she spoke again. "The real question is what do we do now?" she asked as she looked at him. He had turned back toward her with a pleasant expression on his face.

"A good question," he nodded. "I suppose the proper thing would be for me to begin courting you," he suggested and then frowned. "But I cannot remain in Lothlorien much longer. We must leave for Imladris in the next few days."

"That is unfortunate," Celebrian sighed as a thought crossed her mind and she remembered her father's words. "Perhaps I will court you instead." Elrond raised an eyebrow curiously and she laughed. "Do not be afraid, I would not make a maiden of you," she smiled, though she felt a bit queasy at the thought of leaving her parents. "But maybe I will come and visit your Imladris. I have never left Lorien, though I have often wished to see what is beyond the borders. It is safer now that the war is over and I believe my parents will allow me to travel."

"There will be many matters for me to attend to once I return to Imladris," Elrond said, clearly surprised by her suggestion.

"You do not wish me to visit?" she asked with a touch of hurt in her voice.

"I did not say that, my Lady," he said quickly. "I would be overjoyed to have you in my House. Though I imagine Lothlorien would miss its shining star. I merely meant that I would not have as much time as I wished to show you about, as you have so kindly done for me." He gave her a half-smile. "And if you are to court me, as you say, it would be difficult. I would not have you waste your precious time on one so unworthy."

"You must eat and I do not imagine your entire evenings are filled with affairs of state," she replied, suddenly realizing that the foreign lord had no concept of the prize he was. "We could eat together and what little time you do have perhaps you could tell me of the lore you know and we could get to better know one another. Also," she added before Elrond could speak again, "it would not be a waste of my time, I would be wasting your time, and you are quite worthy."

"If you are certain you would wish to leave Lothlorien for a time, Imladris will be truly blessed and I would be glad to have your company," Elrond said, bowing his head, though there was a smile on his face.

"I would like to get to know you better," Celebrian responded as she gave him a demure smile, "perhaps you will have a moment and we can retry that kiss. But for now I will speak to my parents. I do not know when precisely they will allow my visit, so I think we should enjoy the rest of your time here. There are still a few places that I have not had a chance to show you since I am your guide," she said. "And if you would like, we could have dinner tonight?"

"I would very much like that, my Lady," he said with a smile. She loved the way he smiled.

"Very well," she nodded with a smile of her own. "I will let you finish your conversation with your seneschal, Glorfindel, he walked in the direction of the pool of contemplation. I will go and speak with my parents and I will meet you later."

"As you like it, my Lady," he smirked, "this is your courtship."

"Good to know you have a sense of humor. I do like that in an elf," she smiled as she began to walk away.

"Why are you doing this Celebrian?" Elrond called and she turned to look at him.

"Do you remember the question I asked you in the library?" she asked, cocking her head to the side as he nodded that he did. "If you will allow it, I intend to make it so that you will never again have to answer 'yes' to it." She smiled as she walked forward and placing a kiss on his cheek, watching as he touched the place her lips had brushed, before continuing on to tell her parents she would be visiting their kindred in Imladris very soon.

TBC...