Title: Mists of Valinor - The Twins - 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: Wow, I'm so sorry I haven't updated in like a month and a half. Wisdom teeth being pulled, proof reader with a broken computer, college starting up again, and some health concerns have made a mess of my life. But that's no excuse (it's actually a long litany of them), still sorry I haven't updated recently. This is a small bit, but I figure it's better than nothing. I have surgery and mid-terms coming up, but my proof reader is back online so hopefully I will be able to get some more up soon. But just so you all know, I'm not giving up on the fic and plan to see it finished, real life's just putting it on hold from time to time. :) Take care to all and thanks for reading!

::The Twins - Part 3::

Celebrian leaned over the railing and watched her sons play on the talan below with a tight smile on her face. In her youth she had never understood why parents always seemed so anxious when their children where playing about. But now that she watched her own sons running around, giggling, and tripping oh-so close to the edges of the high talan, she finally comprehended the cold fear that ran through a mother's veins.

Of course, Orophin was playing with them, some game where he ran and her sons were supposed to catch him. And Rumil was close, though writing his poetry once again. The twins were quite safe with her friends, and she couldn't help but worry.

"They are quite active, aren't they," a voice said from behind, and Celebrian turned with a smile as her father approached. "Something they inherited from their mother, no doubt."

"As much as I loathe to admit it, 'tis not from their father." Turning back to lean on the railing she winced as her two children tripped and piled on Orophin with too loud hoots and hollers. "Though I do blame their volume solely on Glorfindel."

Celeborn let out a light chuckle as he joined her in leaning upon the railing, watching as Orophin calmed the twins long enough to whisper something in their ears. From the glances they cast in Rumil's direction it wasn't hard to guess who their next target would be. "Yes, most definitely your playfulness," Celeborn nodded as the two elflings lunged at the unaware Rumil, nearly sending them all tumbling down the stairs, as Orophin laughed.

"I maintain that I was never that dreadful," Celebrian said stubbornly, smiling at her father as he gave her a knowing look. "But perhaps that is because there were never two of me," she conceded with a small laugh. "I am so delighted to see you again, Father. I have missed you and the talks we once had while I have been in Imladris."

"As have I," he nodded, taking her hand and patting it gently. "The songs of Caras Galadhon never ring as true when you are gone, as if the most important note has been cut from the music. But tell me, how are things in Imladris, my dear child?"

"Well as they would be in any elven refuge," she answered with an undignified shrug that made her wince in momentary embarrassment. "Elves still appear requesting shelter and sanctuary from time to time, but everyone is lively and kind and welcomes them freely. I've made many friends and acquaintances, especially among Elrond's advisors. And there is this one fellow named Lindir that occupies the Hall of Fire and sings the most lovely lays that I have ever heard. I have become quite fond of him. When Elrond is not available Lindir often accompanies me on my walks and we talk of childhood memories and of our favorite tales."

"It seems you have come to be quite comfortable in Imladris," Celeborn said, a smile on his face but a slight echo of regret in his tone. "Though, I will admit, I had secretly hoped you would never love a place more than Lorien." She opened her mouth to speak, but he held up a hand to stop her. "Do not try to rescind what you have said. I am glad you are happy in your new home, and I do know that Lorien, Caras Galadhon, your mother, and I shall always have a special place in your heart; but now is the time for you, your family, and the future." He gave a look at the twins wrestling with an uncooperative Orophin as Rumil grinned, apparently getting his revenge for earlier. Celeborn chuckled and looked back to his daughter. "Now, tell me how your husband fares. You have said little of him since you arrived and I begin to fear something is amiss."

"Oh, no, of course not," Celebrian said, shaking her head slightly in denial. "We are happy. He is as kind and gentle to me as he has always been, and a good father to our sons." She let out a slight sigh as her father silently prompted her to continue. "I worry for him at times. There are moments when he seems ancient… no, old and worn; as if the weight of all things rest upon him. But then he will smile, and again he is young." She smiled fondly as she stared off, imagining the way Elrond looked when he smiled a moment. "But, he is well. He wished to travel with us, but his duties would not allow it."

"That is unfortunate," her father nodded understandingly. "Then all is well between the two of you?"

"Of course," she said, her voice faltering slightly. "We are a good match."

"I sense some hesitation," Celeborn said, raising an eyebrow.

"'Tis nothing," she sighed, resting her head on her father's shoulder. "It is just…" she trailed off, unsure if she should continue. She did not wish to worry her father over what she considered a trivial matter, but she also wished to hear his counsel on the subject.

"You said you missed our talks," he reminded her. Galadriel may have been able to read the hearts and minds of elves, but Celeborn read expressions and tones of voice easily well. "Come, you have always been able to confide in me."

Celebrian twined her fingers in the folds of her skirt and watched her children play a moment before she spoke. "There are times when I feel Elrond does not tell me things for fear of how I will react to them. And I, for my part, fear how I would react to them as well. Yet, I wish to understand the haunted pain I see in his eyes so often. It pains me every time I see the hurt flitter through his stormy eyes."

For a moment Celeborn said nothing. "Are you certain you wish to know his hidden pain," at last he asked, his voice void of emotional judgment.

"Yes," Celebrian said with a conviction that surprised even her. "I am his wife. Though it may not be my right to know… how else will we ever be bonded as elves should?" she asked, turning her head to look in her father's eyes.

"Have you spoken to Elrond about this?" he asked, meeting her eyes and not flinching away.

"Well, no…"

He smiled slightly. "Mayhap, my child, that is where you should begin this venture. If you are truly certain you wish to do so. Remember how you felt about him before you met, your distaste for his mortal blood. You must be ready to deal with all that he says, no matter how strange you find the things he will speak of. His life and past have been different from yours in a great many ways." He paused a moment. "You must come to accept that there are things he has loved, even if you do not understand."

Celebrian stared at her father in confusion as he smiled. "You are an intelligent elf, Celebrian. You will know what to do when the time comes. You always have. Now, come, while you are thinking on my words, let us rescue Orophin and Rumil from your children."

---

Celebrian sighed as she mended Elrohir's tunic, ripped after a small tumble from a willow tree, all the while frowning at the work she was doing. One of her mother's maidens had offered to sew it for her, but she had stubbornly refused in an attempt to prove she was no longer the Lord and Lady's spoiled only child. Of course, once they saw her pitiful attempts at being a seamstress it would be quite obvious that being the Lady of Imladris hadn't changed her that much.

With a breath of annoyance she set the tunic aside and stood, stretching the stiffness from her limbs. The twins had gone off to walk with Celeborn, who gladly welcomed their company on his daily sojourn through the gardens. After only a couple weeks of being in Lorien her sons had already become quite fond of her father, as well as her mother. But there was a touch of wariness around the Lady of the Galadhrim. Not that she blamed them, even she was a little bit anxious around her all-seeing mother.

Gracefully walking across the room she shook her head at the books that were strewn across the floor. Her children had gone to their own talan a number of days ago, but still preferred to spend the majority of their time in hers. Bending down to pick up the books she smiled ruefully, sooner or later Elrohir was going to have brought the entirety of Lorien's library to her talan.

Setting the books on a side table she came to Elladan's little corner and began to pick up the discarded arrow makings and the bow one of the marchwardens had lent her son. When he came back she would have to talk to him about taking better care of a bow, even if he was more inclined to use a sword. Carefully she unstrung the bow and placed it next to a row of shelves before turning and nearly crying out in surprise as she came face to face with a pale apparition of elven beauty.

"Mother!" she said, pressing a hand to her chest, feeling the rapid beat of her heart as she caught her breath and attempted to reclaim her dignity. "I did not hear you approach."

Galadriel smiled gently and chuckled slightly, a light sound that seemed to echo in Celebrian's mind. "My apologizes," she said, holding out her hand until her daughter took it. "It was never my intent to frighten you."

"I would not have thought so; however, you succeeded quite marvelously," Celebrian said, her heart beginning to beat at its normal pace as her mother led across the room to sit on the bed. She watched as the Lady of Lorien picked up the poorly sewn tunic and arched an eyebrow before folding it into her lap. "I'm working on mending that," she blushed as her mother laughed.

"I can see that, my darling child," Galadriel replied in a musical voice, "and you've done a fine job for someone who has never had formal training. But won't you let my maidens do this for you? It is tasks like this that they have been trained for."

Celebrian frowned, looking at the floor as she kicked her feet slightly. At least she could figure out where her children had picked up that habit. "I wanted to prove that I had grown in my time away from Lorien," she admitted in a mumble. "I don't have any maidens as the Lady of Imladris and I wished to show that I had grown."

"But surely there are tailors and seamstresses to help you with such things. I cannot imagine Elrond would leave you to sew and mend your own clothes," her mother said, and Celebrian wondered where she had picked up her fidgeting from. She couldn't imagine her mother ever making a movement that wasn't perfectly choreographed, nor her father for that matter. Perhaps when they were younger, but she doubted it.

"Of course," she finally nodded, wanting to say more before her mother cut her off with a slight twitch of her head.

"There is no need to prove yourself to any here, Celebrian," the Lady said. "There never has been. All that is ever asked of an elf is that they be true to themselves. Your talents have always been somewhat apart from that of the average maiden." She held up the tunic again and Celebrian winced as one of the stitches fell apart. "You have always been better at stringing a bow than sewing, true?"

"Clearly," Celebrian grimaced.

For a moment they sat in silence, Celebrian unsure of what else to say as Galadriel looked at her with starlit eyes. "No doubt you question why I am here," her mother finally said, once again folding the tunic and setting it aside. "Twas not to mock your attempts at mending, to be certain."

Celebrian actually smiled at that. "I would not have thought so, mother," she said. "We've had little chance to speak since I arrived, other than the celebration you threw. Which I do not believe I have properly thank you for," she mused. "It truly was lovely and both the twins enjoyed it immensely, especially Elladan once he overcame a bit of shyness."

"Yes, they are lovely children," Galadriel said with a distant smile. "They will become strong, honorable, kind elves one day. Though I fear there will be much heartache and grief for them in days to come. The ladies they love will be taken from them one after the other, and there will be little they can do to prevent it." Her face darkened slightly and Celebrian felt a shiver of fear. Usually her mother was far more cryptic with her fortunes.

"Is there anything I can do for them?" she asked, momentarily toying with the thought of chasing away any maiden that caught her sons' eyes; but it would be unfair to deny them loves, even if it was destined to be fleeting.

"Love them well, my daughter, and do what you have to do," the Lady of the Galadhrim said softly, her face brightening again as she looked toward her child. "But this news is not the reason I have come today. In fact, I had not thought to speak such chilling words to you so soon after your arrival. My visit is for a far more pleasant cause."

Celebrian cocked an eyebrow as her mother held out a beautiful broach. She gasped as she saw the green stone, Elessar, the Elfstone. "I had thought to give it to you on your wedding day, but the proper moment never seemed to present itself. I give it to you now, to do with as you please, be it kept in your personal collection or gifted to another."

"Oh, mother," Celebrian said as she gingerly took the broach from her mother's hand. "It is beautiful. I shall treasure it." Her fingers stroked over the smooth stone and the wondrous craftsmanship, but as she touched it a strange feeling of melancholy overcame her.

Celebrian's brow furrowed as she looked at the broach. "I… I feel as though…" she trailed off for a moment. "It is as though this will someday be gifted to one that will bring me much pain and joy." Her eyes became momentarily distant. "A thief that will take something I adore, yet will cherish and love it better than I ever could." She shook her head and blinked, shunning the strange feelings and visions. "Though I do not know why I feel that."

Galadriel raised a hand and stroked back a strand of her daughter's hair, tucking it behind a pointed ear. "You are my child," she answered, and no matter what Celebrian asked, she would say no more of the Elfstone.

TBC...