AN: Just reading some reviews and I had to laugh. Thanks to Hathor for brightening my day with the review. It made me smile. Now, on to the story and y'all keep reviewing. It brightens my day!!
Chapter 21
Elrond awoke, his mind foggy. He beheld an angel lying beside him. He knew without doubt it was Celebrían. The sunlight filtered in, lighting her hair and body alluringly. Elrond moved closer to her.
*I can blame this on my mindlessness later.
His hands twirled her hair absently as he stared down at her lovingly.
*What I would give to see her lie beside me forever; o wake to her beautiful face.
He sighed, leaning over and kissing her forehead. Her eyelashes fluttered open.
~*~
Celebrían awoke, finding him already awake, even if it was only slightly. His fingers twirled her hair absently. She ran a hand over his soft chin, finding a bit of stubble of hair. She withdrew her hand surprised before reason kicked in.
*He is half-Elven and Edain have hair upon their faces. Tis only logical.
His eyes closed a bit more and she took in his celestial figure. The sunlight filtered in behind him, lighting one side of him with a line of light ending with a halo above his dark head. The shadows accented his powerful arms and sculpted shoulders. It was clear he was not just a healer and ruler, but a powerful warrior to be feared in battle. She touched his cheek again.
*I was right. I would give all the ages to do this again and you know I am here.
She snuggled back into his arms.
*Someone to keep me safe and warm, like he does, is my only desire.
~*~
Erestor caught eyes with Glorfindel as the king approached with an Edain beside him.
"Where is Elrond?" Ereinion tried to keep his tone light.
"He is not well," Glorfindel answered.
Ereinion's face immediately became worried.
"Is it a cold?"
Erestor shook his head.
"He has been out since last night. He should be up by dinner."
"I will go see what ails him, but first, my guest, Elendil, the Faithful of the line of Elros."
Glorfindel began a cheerful conversation with the man as Ereinion moved off. Erestor and Glorfindel exchanged helpless glances. There was no way to stop him.
~*~
Celebrían vaguely heard a knocking as she caressed his hair.
"Yes?" she called softly, thinking it to be either Erestor or Glorfindel.
She suddenly wished she could hide her head beneath the covers when the high king came around the corner. His eyebrows arched, seeing the two snuggled together and Celebrían smiled at his surprised expression.
"There is a good explanation for this," she said softly.
"By all means then, go ahead," Ereinion crossed his arms expectantly.
Celebrían took a deep breath.
"A day ago, orcs penetrated Imladris. Had it not been for Glorfindel and the other guards' arrows, they would have taken me. Elrond put me to sleep, but I could not escape the nightmares. He pulled me from them, and I guess it is a great strain on him since he is not a full-blooded Elf. Erestor and Glorfindel are too busy to watch him."
"So you decided to watch him closely?"
Celebrían flushed. She met Ereinion's eyes after a moment of his searching.
*I know you love him, Celebrían. It shows as clear as the blush upon your cheeks.
Her cheeks only flushed even more. She ran a hand down Elrond's face lovingly, finding the gentle bristles against her hand fascinating.
*Were I only older and wiser. I am but a child to him.
Ereinion shrugged.
*Maybe not. He has never allowed a woman into his chambers before.
*He had no choice. He could barely stay awake himself.
Suddenly Elrond stretched, his long body arching under the covers as his eyes opened slowly.
"What hit me?" he rubbed his head and then glanced down at her, " I am glad to see you not screaming."
"I am glad to find you awake, though I believe her company is preferred over mine at the moment."
Elrond looked up with a smile, betraying his knowledge of Ereinion's presence the whole time.
"Just at this moment?"
Ereinion shook his head.
"I have traveled a great distance for your wisdom and this is what I get?"
Elrond was immediately serious seeing through the light-hearted joke. Celebrían watched his whole face shift into the face of the lord of Imladris. He swung his feet from under the covers and rose so hastily, Ereinion had to steady him. Elrond put a hand to his head, blinking past the dizziness.
"What happened?" Ereinion asked, studying Elrond with a careful eye, "If you are unwell-"
Elrond shook his head immediately.
"I am not," he interjected, "Twas a simple act of healing that strained my mind. I will be fine."
Ereinion only blinked, not accepting Elrond's brisk assessment.
"What do you think, Celebrían? You are learning all the trades like your mother. You understand these healing procedures. Tell me what he refuses to." Ereinion replied, crossing his arms and ignoring Elrond's sharp gaze.
Elrond turned a set of pleading gray eyes at her. Celebrían smiled innocently, rising and unable to conceal the mischief in her eyes. She drummed a finger on her lips, mimicking a habit Elrond did many times when making a diagnosis. Ereinion hid a chuckle behind a cough.
"Well," she began.
"Celebrían," Elrond warned.
Celebrían smiled at Ereinion, coming to the king's side.
"What he says is true. Twas a simple healing act. It is no strain upon the Elves, but he is-pardon the phrase Elrond-mixed blood. The Edain blood complicates it."
Ereinion nodded, now fully convinced that his herald was of good health.
"Come then, Elrond. Put on your outer robe. Bare feet do not matter."
Ereinion began away, turning at the doorway. He smiled, seeing Elrond kiss Celebrían's cheek.
*Love in such times?
Ereinion shook his head, watching Celebrían quickly help Elrond with the heavy tunic.
*The young year-old saplings are torn up by the first great wind. Only those that take root survive and become the strongest. War is coming. I only hope this can survive that.
Ereinion glanced down at Elrond as they began down the hallway.
"Allowing maidens in your bed now?"
Elrond flushed, looking up sharply.
"Do not speak of it like that. You make it sound as if I soiled her honor. Leastways, had I been conscious, I would not have let her stay."
Ereinion chuckled.
"I believe she is enamored with you."
Elrond laughed, shaking his head.
"I beg to differ, sire. She has her choosing of any Elf. She will set her eye to one much younger."
"Really?"
Elrond glanced at Ereinion curiously. Ereinion had never spoken in this all-knowing tone before. Elrond's curiosity was piqued.
"What do you know?"
Ereinion shrugged, a hint of a smile on his lips.
"More than you for once."
Elrond rolled his eyes.
"And the only time," he muttered.
Ereinion cuffed his head softly. Elrond laughed. Ereinion had never been one to deal out physical punishment. Ereinion stopped Elrond outside the council room.
"Celebrían has chosen you. She loves you."
~*~
Elrond could barely concentrate as Ereinion and Elendil debated back and forth. Twas only the three of them in there deciding whether or not it was necessary to call in the other leaders. Elrond twirled his stylus aimlessly, staring off into space.
*Fixed her eye upon me? She is the child of beauty and could choose any Elf. Why me? I am old and boring and-
"Elrond Peredhil, will you return to this council instead of sailing the heavens with your father?" Ereinion's amused voice broke through his thoughts.
Elrond looked up coolly, though he knew Ereinion was well aware of what he had been thinking.
"I have heard every word, majesty. You need not worry."
"Then what have you to say?" Ereinion responded, just as coolly.
Elrond glanced at Elendil and then Ereinion with a sigh.
"I believe we cannot escape another confrontation with Sauron. We should hold a council."
~*~
The two walked in Elrond's haven towards the back where no one ever came save Elrond himself. Ereinion was again strangely quiet, meaning his thoughts were consumed by the thought of war, and the deaths that would have to come. Elrond glanced at him, both Elves clasping their hands behind their backs.
"Maybe if you spoke your heavy thoughts aloud, they would not burden you so."
Ereinion sighed.
"I am just thinking of all that must be done before I can even begin a war," he shook his head, " I will be at war with a quill before I am with Aeglos."
"What all must you do?" Elrond asked, " This is something I am not familiar with."
Ereinion rubbed his chin, pausing to gaze out the window.
"I must have at least three-fourths of my council approve it, though I expect a unanimous vote there. The leaders of the independent kingdoms must also agree to it," Ereinion rubbed his hands, " And I must conceive a son in a year."
Elrond laughed at the last phrase.
"You will survive this."
Ereinion shook his head.
"It does not matter. Círdan has been pushing me to name an heir, for I have never done so in all my reign."
"Why?"
They began walking again. Ereinion shrugged.
"I guess I always thought I would be married by now. That I would not have to worry of being the last in the direct line of high-kings, but some things just catch you off guard and time has flown away from you before you even know it."
There was a longing in Ereinion's tone that Elrond had never heard before.
"I am glad it is not my burden," Elrond said.
Ereinion glanced at him.
"But it shall be, should I perish."
"What?"
"You are not my son, but you are the last in the line of Fingolfin and Thingol. It is in your blood to rule. Tis a reason I gave you Imladris."
Elrond shook his head.
"I could never rule like you do."
Ereinion shrugged.
"I thought the same thing, but you learn to do what you have to. When destiny throws something your way, you just have to go with it."
Elrond shook his head.
"I suggest you wed and work on a son."
Ereinion laughed a bit before clasping his shoulder. They arrived at the high king's private room.
"If it means anything to you, if I had a son, I would wish him to be like you."
Ereinion disappeared inside, leaving Elrond stunned. Elrond smiled to himself a little, shaking his head, before turning off for his own room.
*I think Ereinion had one too many glasses of wine at dinner tonight. I will make sure they keep the wine bottle from him.
But in his heart, Elrond knew Ereinion had not touched the wine glass before him once that night.