Chapter 26
One hundred and seven years have passed.
Celebrían paced Lindon. She finally gave an exasperated sigh, kicking a large glass vase sitting on the ground. She watched it shatter into a millions pieces. Rivulets of blood spilled from her lower leg and foot. She bit back a cry and limped back to her bed.
*Serves me right for kicking glass.
" Celebrían?"
Both Celeborn and Galadriel rushed in, pausing when they saw the shattered glass.
" Why did you kick it, Celebrían?" Galadriel asked, wetting a washcloth to tend to Celebrían's bleeding foot.
" I want to go to Imladris."
Her parents exchanged a silent glance. Galadriel finally spoke.
" Elrond will-"
Celebrían stilled her mother's motions.
" He is not going to send for me. We all know that."
" Then he does not deserve you," Celeborn replied from his gathering of the pieces.
" Would you wish Nana if you lost your closest friend? What did you do when Thingol died?"
The parents exchanged glances. Galadriel arched an eyebrow.
" Your daughter does make an excellent point."
Celeborn sighed.
" Point taken and won. Once that foot is wrapped, you may pack."
~*~
Elrond stared at the piece of parchment. Ataralasse had suggested he write it. She had seen him staring at the picture of Celebrían.
" Have you written it?"
Elrond's head jerked up, his face full of surprise before it turned back to his normal mask.
" Is it any of your business?"
Erestor just shrugged.
" Ataralasse told me you were writing to her."
Elrond sighed.
" Is it right, Erestor?"
Erestor glanced at him. It was a huge step just to have Elrond out of his room and speaking. Elrond had mourned far longer for his king than brother.
" Pardon?" Erestor wanted to make sure he fully understood Elrond.
" It is so soon after Ereinion's death. I thought I would mourn for longer, but it is as if I have a peace about it. That after all these years of trying to push him away, I still have peace."
Erestor motioned for Elrond to follow. They wandered down along unused hall pausing at a door.
" If you can enter this room, then your grief is gone."
Elrond stared at the mark upon the door. He closed his eyes, and then pushed the door open. Erestor followed him inside. Elrond looked around at it all. He pulled open the drapes and pressed his lips together seeing the dust gathering on all the relics and dancing in the sunbeams
" Tell the maids this room needs to be cleaned and the objects in it arranged so each is seen. Here, Ereinion Gil-Galad shall live on."
Erestor clasped Elrond's shoulder.
" I am glad you are finally back."
A light shone in Elrond's eyes.
" I am glad to be back."
~*~
Celebrían smiled as they entered the valley. Her eyes shone as the havens came into sight, and then Elrond. He stood, hands behind his back, awaiting them.
" I sent news of our presence ahead. I did not tell him you came though, Kel," Celeborn said softly.
" That is a change, Adar. I would think you would wish to give him time to hide so that you can keep me forever."
Celeborn's eyes turned sad.
" I wish I could, Celebrían, but you must live a life away from me."
They all turned their eyes ahead.
~*~
Elrond's heart jumped slightly, seeing Celebrían. Ataralasse smiled victoriously.
" Will she remain here, Adar?"
Erestor shrugged, leaning down.
" Elrond has just begun living again. Her visit may be premature."
~*~
Elrond took a breath as the family approached.
" Celeborn, Galadriel," he paused, " Celebrían."
Celebrían sent him a smile.
" May I request an audience with you, Master Elrond?"
The three were surprised to see a bit of a twinkle in his eyes as he tapped his lips.
" Let me ask Erestor-"
" By Eru, Elrond. Get out of here. I can take care of our guests," Erestor exclaimed.
Elrond turned back.
" I guess I am free then."
He extended his arm. Celebrían instead took his hand.
" Shall we walk beside the river?" she asked.
He steered towards it, ignoring the curious stares of the Elves.
" Are you happy to see me?" she asked
Elrond shrugged.
" I am glad you have come. You have saved me a sheet of parchment."
Celebrían's smile grew.
" You were about to send for me?"
Elrond nodded.
" I have the letter up in my study."
Celebrían looked up at him, her face radiant.
" Do you still love me?"
Elrond looked down.
" I do not think I can love anyone. I have just returned from my grieving. I would not seek to burden you with my memories and my tainted spirit."
Celebrían touched his chest, laying her hand over his heart.
" I ask only for your heart at this moment."
" Shall I give you a knife to cut it from me?"
Celebrían shook her head.
" I would rather its holder to be intact with it also."
Elrond nodded.
" If you give me time and you remain here, maybe we…" he looked away and then up, " Can have something."
" I will remain here until the end of Arda," Celebrían replied, " If that is what it takes to have you."
Elrond kissed her hand.
" Thank you."
She brushed her lips against his.
" I love you."
Elrond simply began to escort her back towards the havens.
~*~
Glorfindel leaned down to Erestor.
" Well they are both smiling. That can only mean good."
Erestor merely arched his eyebrow.
" Celebrían is smiling," he corrected.
Glorfindel shook his head.
" Look again, old Elf. There is a smile on Elrond's face."
Erestor shook his head.
" Calling me an old Elf. You are nearly three times my age."
Glorfindel just shrugged.
" At least I have better eyesight."
~*~
Elrond sat alone in his study, pipe in his mouth as he scanned a book. His bare feet were placed upon a mountain of papers on his desk.
" Is this how the lord of Imladris lives now?"
Elrond shot up from his chair in surprise.
" I thought…thought…everyone…asleep."
Celebrían laughed slightly.
" I could not sleep. I am too restless. Where is that letter you wrote? I wish to read it."
Elrond shrugged.
" You are here now. Why wish to…"
Celebrían was pouting. Elrond gave a long sigh.
" Okay, let me find it."
Celebrían took a seat beside the roaring fireplace. She pulled a worn blanket from a nearby chair. Her fingers ran over the faded mark of Idril before she pulled it around her shoulders securely.
" Here it is," Elrond did not meet her eyes when he handed it to her.
Celebrían patted the ground beside her. Elrond settled beside her after a moment's hesitation. She turned so he too could read the writing, so beautifully scrawled upon the parchment. Celebrían had also been in awe of his calligraphic style of writing. No other male had such beautiful writing, yet it became Elrond. She sent him a mirthful smile.
" Read it to me."
Elrond's face burned even in the dim firelight.
" It is legible for your own eyes, Bree."
Celebrían nonetheless put it in his hands.
" I have missed the sound of your voice. Please. Read it."
He took it hesitantly. Celebrían curled up against him so she could see it also.
" My dearest Celebrían."
Celebrían smiled up at him.
" I like it when you address your letters like that."
" Need I go on?" Elrond began to fold the letter closed.
" Desist and read," Celebrían exclaimed softly, pulling the letter from him.
She unfolded it; carefully holding it out so they could both read it. She looked up at him and he dropped his chin onto her shoulder to read it.
" My dearest Celebrían," Elrond cleared his throat, lifting his head from her shoulder, " I pray this letter is not a century and seven years too late. Truth be known, until a few days ago, I had no intention of sending for you and that was simply a foolish idea. I ask for you to come to Imladris. Be you upset, I shall understand. If you do not come for you have found another, then I send my blessings. Imladris and its lord shall await your answer. If in a year you have not come, then the matter shall never be spoken of again and I shall know your answer. Until that day, I shall await your letter or presence." Elrond paused.
" Finish it," Celebrían urged.
" Yours, Elrond," he finished in a whisper.
He nervously cleared his throat folding the letter and placing it on the ground. It was then Celebrían noted that his long dark locks lay undone.
Celebrían took the letter, watching him fidget. She ran a soft hand through his velvet hair.
" I guess you have your answer."
He looked up in surprise, his eyes swiftly searching hers.
*What does she mean? Does she mean to say she leaves in the morning? Or she wishes to wed Sauron over I?
Celebrían tilted her head proudly and then smiled demurely. She ran a hand over his cheek.
*He fears my words.
Elrond lifted his eyes apprehensively.
" Did you truly think I would find another?"
A loud sigh was released from his lips. Celebrían watched his shoulders seem to droop in relief. He ran a gentle finger along her jaw, ending it at the point of her ear and watching her shiver.
" In my heart I hoped you would not, but you are far from unattractive, Bree. You could have any male your heart desired."
She poked a finger into his chest, smiling at his slightly shocked expression as he glanced down at her finger and then up at her.
" And that includes you, Peredhil; and you are my only choice."
His eyes darkened so dramatically that the tiny speckles of light cast from the fire sparkled like stars amidst the darkness. She tipped her face up, hoping he would understand her body language. His lips curled up slightly before he claimed her lips possessively. She smiled against his lips.
*He still chews on his lips.
Elrond's gentle fingers twisted themselves in her glimmering mane.
*I have waited far too long for this.
Celebrían's eyes watched him carefully as he fumbled around in his robes for something. Her eyes widened and then a smile overcame her angelic features.
*If he is looking for what I think he is, I swear my life to this Elf.