Chapter 4
Elrond could walk by himself two days later. A long jagged scar was all that remained, slicing his abdomen in half. Elros had become his constant shadow, letting his older twin out of his sight long enough only to relieve himself, if that. Elrond plopped down beside Glorfindel, not caring whom the Elf was.
" Can someone occupy my brother so I may have some peace?" Elrond grumbled glumly.
Glorfindel chuckled, glancing at the other twin standing behind Elrond. Glorfindel stood.
" Elros Peredhil, I have been delegated to lead a hunting and reconnaissance of this area. You, my young friend, are coming with me."
Elrond sent the stranger a thankful smile. Glorfindel just sent him a nod before ushering Elros off. Elrond's eyes turned to the black haired she-Elf sitting silently across from him.
*I have never seen her before.
He caught her eyes.
" I am Elrond, son of Eärendil."
She nodded.
" You are known to me. I am Celebhiril. How are you feeling?"
Elrond ran a sheepish hand over the back of his neck.
" Like an orc trampled on me."
Celebhiril did not smile nor laugh at his jest like any other maiden. Elrond was a bit offended. He sat in a pouting silence just as Eönwë came and sat beside Celebhiril, almost reverently.
" My lady, will you be joining the Elves that leave these shores?"
Celebhiril (aka Nienna) shook her head.
" Nay good Herald. This is where I belong."
Eönwë nodded, bowing reverently before turning on his heel. Elrond glanced at her cautiously.
" He respects you far more than any Elf, even Ereinion or Galadriel."
Celebhiril shrugged as if that detail was of no consequence.
" Who can understand the ways of a Maia?"
Elrond rose, sending her a curt nod. Nienna watched him go with a crease lining her perfect brow.
*He suspects something. He is the one that will blow my cover.
~*~
When Ereinion awoke again, he heard his mother's gentle humming. He turned his head, watching her embroider one of his royal blue tunics with his silver mark.
" You have always loved stars, Ereinion."
Melaurë smiled at him, seeing his surprise. Her sharp eyes had not missed a single breath since her watch had begun.
" You love stars, Nana." Ereinion's face darkened and he sighed. "Will you be leaving these shores, Nana?"
Melaurë sighed, her cheeriness falling away. She looked at him.
" I had hoped you would be in good health before we spoke of this." She sighed and then nodded. " My heart no longer loves this wild, untamed land like it did when your father was here." She brushed his hair with gentle fingertips. " Galadriel and Glorfindel will look out for you. They always have." She then smiled slightly. " And now I do not worry about you too dying for Celebhiril is a master of comfort and peace."
Ereinion raised an eyebrow teasingly.
" You have not yet begun how you would like to see me wed and content before you left."
Melaurë sent him a scorching smile.
" My response is still young. I was about to comment on it, but many young women have joined us. Perchance one will catch your eye."
Ereinion shook his head, turning it away to look at the tent wall.
*One already has.
Melaurë watched him for a moment before returning to her embroidering.
" I will know who she is before I leave, Ereinion."
Ereinion just rolled his eyes.
" Let me be, Nana."
~*~
The day was cheerless. Dark and rain promising clouds hung like drab curtains amidst a stark black sky. A soft rain pattered in patches, coming and going as it pleased. Nienna watched from beside Glorfindel. Her eyes looked up to the heavens.
*The rain should leave for this time.
The clouds gently parted, letting through one ray of sunshine to light upon the twins. Nienna pretended she could see that beautiful home she had left to come to Arda.
" Elros chose to be mortal." Glorfindel murmured sadly.
Nienna nodded.
" Tis necessary, I am told."
She found herself alone. She wandered towards the sound of shattering metal. She found a dark haired Elf working hotly upon a sword.
" Good day, sir."
He looked up and she drew in a soft breath.
*Fëanor?
The Elf pushed aside his hammer and wiped his hands off.
" I beg your pardon, my lady. I did not know I had such company or I would have been waiting for you."
She extended her hand, allowing him to press his lips to it.
" I am Celebhiril. May I inquire your name and lineage?"
He looked down, wiping his hands.
" I am Celebrimbor, son of Curufin, son of Fëanor." A harsh light came to his eyes. " I have cast aside my father's curse though, lady."
Nienna just nodded.
" You are a fine craftsman. Your work nearly outdoes that of your grandfather's."
Celebrimbor was about to answer, but crunching footsteps cut him off. He instantly became somber and unresponsive. Nienna turned her head. It was Celeborn.
" Lady Celebhiril, Lady Melaurë wishes to see you."
Nienna nodded. She inclined her head to Celebrimbor.
" I hope this meeting was not our last."
Celebrimbor returned her gesture with a smile.
" So do I."
Nienna turned towards Celeborn. Celeborn and Celebrimbor were busily eyeing each other warily. Celebrimbor watched them go, a vexed expression on his face as he turned back to beating the metal.
~*~
Ereinion caught sight of that beautiful she-Elf entering his mother's tent. Immediately, alarm bells went off in his head.
*She never calls a maiden to her, except….
He groaned, rocking back in the grass.
*She is matchmaking.
A smile then crossed his face.
*I shall not mind it much though.
A foot nudged his.
" You look like a fool, lying here in the grass."
Ereinion opened one eye.
" Let me be, Elrond."
Elrond plopped down beside him.
" You have been quite a hard Elf to find, Ereinion, given that you are a public figure and such." Elrond's knowing eyebrow quirk made Ereinion roll his eyes. " Do you seek to escape an overhanging shadow as I do?"
Ereinion shook his head.
" I am merely looking over this land. It is home now."
Elrond looked down.
" I miss Sirion and Balar."
Ereinion nodded, a heavy sigh retreating from his chest.
" So do I."