Chapter 12
Galadriel paced, an anxious expression on her face. Ereinion stood, looking around.
" You still have not told him?" he hissed.
" No."
" I already told others in a letter, and Elrond knows, yet the own father does not?" Ereinion put his head in the palm of a hand.
Galadriel groaned, slumping into a chair.
" I cannot hide this much longer. It is almost been half a year."
" Hide what?"
Galadriel leapt up as Ereinion also jumped in surprise. Celeborn crossed his arms, standing in the doorway.
" Celeborn, you scared me," Galadriel put a hand to her throat with a forced smile.
Celeborn's expression did not change.
" I do not appreciate being talked of behind my back, Artanis."
Galadriel winced.
" Just call me Nerwen and chastise me."
Celeborn only turned away. Ereinion rubbed her shoulder, leaning to whisper in her ear.
" That would be getting you out of it too easily."
" Then help me."
Ereinion held up his hands.
" I have never and never will be in your situation," his lips quirked, " At least, I had bettered never be."
Galadriel pushed him. He pushed her back.
" Tell him."
Ereinion disappeared out the door.
Celeborn was in the kitchen, looking out across the treetops. He glanced back at her. Galadriel laid a hand on his shoulder. He flinched, but did not move from it.
" Celeborn."
" What are you hiding?"
" Just a tiny thing," Galadriel twirled a piece of his long hair, " Just a tiny unexpected thing."
" My day was perfect until I came home. Please tell me it is not bad news."
" It deals with us," Galadriel made it sound hopeful.
" Us? That does not sound like something I wish to hear," Celeborn moved away.
Galadriel crossed her arms.
" Fine. I'm pregnant. Are you happy?"
Celeborn froze. He looked back at her in surprise.
" I am sorry. I must have heard you wrong. What did you say? I thought I heard you say pregnant."
She looked down and then threw her hands up softly, approaching him.
" I did."
" Like baby pregnant?"
Galadriel chuckled, seeing his wide eyes. She pulled him closer.
" I have known for half a year."
Celeborn shook his head.
" I will never know how you hide these things from me."
She laid her head on his shoulder with a soft sigh. He gently brushed her hair.
" I am sorry for being cross with you."
She looked up at him.
" Were the places turned, I would have done the same."
He kissed the top of her head.
" What do you fear?" he whispered.
" Losing it."
~*~
The day was rainy and stormy on which the child was destined to be birthed. Elrond had been asked to deliver it for he was the only healer available other than Celeborn. No one wished Celeborn in there. Ereinion glanced every now and then at Celeborn sitting too calmly beside him. The two were surprised when Elrond exited. Celeborn quickly stood.
" Well?"
" Twas a boy."
Celeborn glanced at him oddly.
" You speak in past tense."
" He is dead. He died many months ago, but her body did not register it. I am sorry."
Celeborn brushed by them silently to his distraught wife. Elrond slowly pulled off the outer tunic he had been wearing backwards to deliver the child. He balled it up, hurling it at the wall, and then kicking it in a rare display of anger. Ereinion watched calmly.
" They deserve a child," Elrond looked up, " Why must they be cursed to never have one?"
Ereinion shook his head, offering the only hope he knew.
" We do not always see all ends."
~*~
350 years later
Ereinion used the large volume on the grammatical structure of a formal plea and/or any other political document to softly pound his already throbbing head. Elrond glanced up from his paper, looking at the king curiously and then at Glorfindel.
" What is it?" Elrond stood.
Glorfindel shrugged slightly.
" I went to Eregion and guess who I saw? Annatar, yet, I seem to remember him under a different name. It was Sauron. Is that name ringing any bells in your head?"
Elrond's shoulders slumped.
" So he is our faceless enemy?" he sighed, " We cannot warn the Elves of Eregion, telling them his identity, because they will counter that we simply dislike Annatar. What a bind that Maia has put us in."
Ereinion motioned to another large volume on his desk.
" Take one. It will help you clear your mind."
" Or give you a throbbing headache and have the healers fussing over you so that you cannot check this out," Elrond smoothly pried the book from Ereinion's grasp.
Ereinion sighed.
" Ok, ok," he rubbed his head, upsetting the crown so it lay askew upon his head.
Celeborn entered and a smile barely glimmered on his lips. Ereinion was a dead ringer for Fingolfin at times like this. He leaned against the doorway.
" Where are you headed?"
Ereinion looked up.
" To Eregion."
" Take Galadriel with you."
Elrond nodded.
" We shall."
Celeborn turned and continued away. Ereinion took off his crown, playing with it, before looking up.
" Do you think I could pass for just an escort?"
~*~
Celebrimbor just stared. She was here, without Celeborn. The icy she-Elf dismounted, her skin glowing alluringly with Aman's light against the dark blue riding clothes, upon which the mark of Fingolfin gleamed. Her beautiful hair was pulled back and then covered, as if in mourning. Uncried tears lay close in her eyes. Her four escorts, unknown to him being Ereinion, Elrond, Glorfindel and a young counselors son named Erestor, stood behind her, faces covered by hoods.
" My lady Galadriel, why, I am honored," Celebrimbor kissed her hand, " Was Celeborn delayed?"
" He is not coming," came the short and clipped reply.
" So he remains with your child?"
Galadriel jutted her chin out slightly, her mouth tightening.
" There is no child."
Celebrimbor looked down, not quite understanding. It was uncommon to lose an Elf-child.
" Perhaps you would like a tour? Or to see your room? You must be weary. I can have rooms ready for your escorts also."
" I will keep two escorts with me at all times. There are surely couches in the outer chamber?"
Celebrimbor nodded. Galadriel made eye contact with Ereinion and then Elrond.
*Come
The two trailed the couple inside.
~*~
Galadriel motioned for her escorts to stay outside while she entered Celebrimbor's workshop. Her eyes fell over the well-crafted jewelry that outdid what she had seen of his last thrice fold. No other craftsman other than his grandfather could match it or outdo the intricate designs.
" Why are you so sad?" Celebrimbor asked, careful not to come close to her, afraid to infringe upon her personal space.
" I am grieved for this land, for the leaves fall and flowers fade that I have loved," she fingered an intricate broach," So that the land of my dwelling is filled with," she turned to face him, eyes wrought with deep sorrow, " Regret that no Spring can redress."
His heart grieved to see her proud spirit so broken.
" How otherwise can it be for the Eldar if they cling to Middle-Earth?" said Celebrimbor, " Will you then pass over the Sea?"
Galadriel's head shot up, her chin lifting high.
" Nay," said she, " My brothers are gone and Finrod's realm no more. Of Finarfin's children, I am the last. But my heart is still proud," Galadriel faced his again, inspecting a beautiful necklace in the light, causing tiny prisms to dance over her face, " What wrong did the golden house of Finarfin do that I should ask the pardon of the Valar or be content here with the decaying realms, whose native realm was Aman the Blessed? Here I am mightier."
*And much lovelier. Why did your heart change and stray, my dearest Artanis? I could have dressed thee in jewels unimaginable. Your beauty would have rivaled Lady Varda's.
He wished he could touch her mithril-gold mixed hair and gather her in his arms to hold close. He gazed longingly at her, yet kept his actions in check.
" What is it you wish from me?"
~*~
Elrond tapped his foot impatiently. He finally sat beside Ereinion.
" What are they doing in there?" he hissed.
Ereinion chuckled.
" She most likely wished to speak to him alone. I am sure she can take care of herself."
~*~
Galadriel's eyes lit up, becoming like the pure aquamarines that lay on his workbench. Celebrimbor could only marvel at her beauty.
" I would have trees and grass about me that do not die here in the land that is mine," she answered, " What has become of the skill of the Eldar that all things fade around us while we are yet young? All fair things have passed over the sea. But must then Middle-Earth fade and perish forever?"
Celebrimbor lifted a large chunk of silver onto his bench.
" Then is its fate, I deem. It will all come to ruin," remarked Celebrimbor.
Her face fell and he dared to lift it up with a finger.
" But you know that I love you, though you turned to Celeborn of the Trees," Celebrimbor searched deep in her eyes, " And for that love, I will do what I can, if haply by my art your grief can be lessened."
Galadriel smiled sadly, her hand brushing his cheek.
" Thank you."
He caught that hand, kissing it.
" Twill be delivered to you ere you leave."
She smiled again, before gliding out of the door. Celebrimbor sighed.
" The day she forsakes this land shall be the day all things fair have left it for none can ever match her in beauty."
~*~
The two escorts jumped up seeing Galadriel.
" I am glad you two are here, but you need not worry. Celebrimbor would risk his life before any harm came to me."
Her words were directed at Elrond. He ducked his head noticeably under the hood.
" Come then, I am exhausted."
" Galadriel, I need to visit the workshops of the Gwaith-I-Mírdain. I wish to truly confirm Annatar is Sauron," Ereinion said softly.
Galadriel nodded.
" Let me ask Celebrimbor."
~*~
" Annatar, you have guests," Celebrimbor announced cheerfully.
The familiar fair Elf looked up with a fake cheery smile.
" Suliad, I am Annatar."
Galadriel nodded.
" Aye, I was glad to hear of another Maia here. I knew Melian quite well, so I knew you must bring great knowledge," Galadriel said cordially.
Annatar's eyes turned to the two hooded.
" Please cast aside your hoods. There is no need for secrecy."
Galadriel waved a hand dismissively.
" My escorts are to remain faceless. They are the personal guards of his majesty himself."
" I knew not that Elrond Peredhil had been demoted to simply a guard," Annatar replied.
Galadriel's eyes met his like unbreakable steel.
*I see your mind. You will trick them all.
*I have repented, lady. I do not seek any evil for these peoples. I am unlocking the gifts inside of them.
*For your own good. Morgoth's evil lies upon you heavily.
Annatar's lips lifted in a slight smile.
*You fear for Celebrimbor.
*I will not condone any actions against him
Celebrimbor had crossed his arms as guards threw in the other two escorts.
" What is this Galadriel? You have come to spy on me? Glorfindel, Erestor, Elrond. Who is this one? Celeborn? Or better yet, Ereinion himself?"
Celebrimbor angrily crossed his arms. Annatar sent Galadriel another smile.
*I have increased his power thrice fold. He is mine.
A sigh came from the last hooded escort. Ereinion let down his hood.
" This is a low hit, majesty."
Ereinion nodded.
" But I ask no forgiveness for it either. It gave me a chance to see this as any other Elf would."
" To be a king is to rule," Annatar said, " Not to hide in the shadows like a coward."
Ereinion's eyes burned so brightly, many feared his gaze would sear a hole through the Maia.
*And what would you know of that? You were only a lieutenant, Sauron.
Annatar visibly clenched his jaw.
" I have need to be elsewhere."
He paused before Ereinion, giving an almost mocking bow.
Annatar clenched his fists so hard that he left nail prints from where black blood dripped. He stalked into his haven.
*Curse you, race of the Eldar. I will see to it that you fall.
His eyes narrowed.
*Especially you, son of Fingon. Too long did your forefathers bother me. This time you will pay, and it will not be as short as you think. You shall beg for death, but none shall you find, none until I have twisted you into an orc. Just another meaningless minion that hates me and what they have become.
His mind turned to the beautiful she-Elf.
*Your pride shall cause you to fall into my trap. Beware, lady of light, for your days here are numbered. I shall soon rule this land with the iron fist of death.
~*~
Days turned into weeks, and the day finally came for them to depart. A knock came at Galadriel's door. She turned from her packing.
" Come in."
Elrond entered along with Celebrimbor. Galadriel's eyes lit up with anticipation.
" I have finished it."
A smiled graced her face. She took the bundle, beginning to unwrap it. Celebrimbor watched anxiously. The last piece of cloth was pulled away and Galadriel just stared.
" Tis the greatest of all your works, Celebrimbor," she finally breathed.
The green gem was a beautiful transparent color lit with the light of Ithil. Galadriel ran her fingers over the engravings. A great eagle rising up on outspread wings clutched the gem. She looked up at Celebrimbor, seeing the pain and love shining in his eyes.
" Thank you."
Before them, she pinned it at the throat of her traveling clothes, replacing the broach of Finarfin's mark. And it seemed in Elrond's opinion that the room was suddenly filled with light and life.
" I must give you a warning, Celebrimbor. Be careful of whom you trust," her eyes bore into his, " Not all who help, help without the thought of their own gain."
" What-"
Galadriel shook her head. She took his hand, placing it fisted upon his heart. Celebrimbor seemed to understand what it meant, but Elrond was clueless.
" Keep this close to you, lest any perceive its mysteries," Galadriel's eyes tinted with sorrow, like a curtain dropping behind her eyes, " Namarië, lond-nin ú-athradan le ad, Celebrimbor, ceredir ned I Elessar (My path will not cross yours again, Celebrimbor, maker of the Elessar)."
She shook her head, turning, but Celebrimbor caught sight of the silvery tears.
" Why do you weep?" Celebrimbor asked.
Galadriel motioned for Elrond to leave. She looked up at Celebrimbor once the door was shut.
" Im cenn gwanath a dúath an Ost-in-Edhil (I see death and darkness for Ost-in-Edhil {main city of Eregion})."
Celebrimbor fingered the Elessar.
" I made you something else."
She took the other package, hesitantly opening it. She ran gentle fingers along the lineaments upon the silver that matched hers. Aquamarines had been set as her eyes, and diamond and sapphires adorned her hair. Celebrimbor touched her hand.
" Stay here. The Elessar, as you call it, can ward off this pain and death. Just remain here with me."
Galadriel shook her head, severing all physical contact.
" All of Middle-Earth will come to ruin. Nothing can stop that," she pressed her lips together, " And my heart and soul is bonded to Celeborn's. You cannot change that and neither can I. The dreaming of the old days will not bring it about."
Celebrimbor offered his elbow, trying to hide his dismay.
" Shall I escort you out?"
AN: Exerts taken from the Unfinished Tales by Tolkien. About the kid of Celeborn and Galadriel, obviously, it was not Celebrían; I am just building up something here.