Chapter 30
Celebrían rode in front of Elrond. She glanced back at him, glad he had regained his superior balance during the journey. His slim hands rested on the saddle as he idly traced the design carved into the leather. Celebrían slowed the horse, squinting into the sun.
" I wish to ride behind. The sun is in my eyes."
Celeborn and Galadriel paused also, glancing back at her. Celebrían swung down and then back up, this time behind Elrond. Her hands covered his and she rested her chin on his shoulder, her eyes now shielded from the sun. Elrond closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth and then the gentle breeze wafting up from the Sea.
" We will arrive in Belfalas later this week," she whispered in his ear.
Elrond smiled, but it never reached his eyes. She saw the tired expression he wore.
*This journey depresses him with every step. Outside of Imladris, he is like a fish out of water; especially when he is not in control.
Her eyes drifted over the landscape.
" We passed Osgilith an hour ago. You can see the silver spike of Minas Tirith glimmering on the horizon." She looked down at the river rushing beside them. " The Anduin looks especially cool today. Its color is a clear sapphire blue, growing clearer as it slams into tiny rocks. The sky is just as clear. There is not a cloud in the sky."
Elrond turned his head towards his shoulder.
" Thank you, Bree."
Celebrían hugged his waist gently hearing him gently suck in a breath. His ribs were still sore from his last fall from a horse.
" I love thee."
Elrond's heart leapt at her words. He smiled slightly.
" It is torture to be blind of your image."
Her eyes misted. She pressed her lips against his for a moment, before pulling back. Elrond felt her frown and then apprehension.
" What is it?" he asked softly.
A horse rode up beside theirs.
" There is a camp ahead," Glorfindel answered before his horse moved towards Celeborn's.
Elrond's brow furrowed. He could hear the hushed whispers of Celeborn, Glorfindel and the three other guards. The three guards were Celeborn's own private guard, made up of three brothers: Haldir, Rumil and Orophin. All four of their guards were highly trusted and knew better than to speak of their errand. Footsteps crunched towards Elrond. He turned his head in that direction.
" There is a band of men ahead that bear the King of Gondor's insignia. I am lax to ride by them though, for their gaze is not like the Númenoreans," Celeborn whispered, " And also because my daughter rides with us."
Glorfindel joined them then. Elrond had learned to recognize his seneschal's steps for it was usually he that trailed Elrond.
" I do not like their look. I believe that it is utterly impossible that they are men of the king." He shifted on his feet. " I suggest we wait until dark and then pass them."
" Do as you see fit. I am not in charge here," Elrond replied.
Celeborn looked up at Elrond.
" Tell them what you think they should do. I know you know."
Elrond sighed.
" I suggest, and this is from a blind man, that we simply go by them. Why awake suspicions by remaining away from them? Leastways, we are the Eldar. We can take what they deal."
Celeborn looked over his shoulder at the encampment before nodding.
" I agree." He lifted a hand to his daughter. " If it goes ill, I want you to turn and head for Lórien."
~*~
Apprehension was palpable between the Elves. The men were overly strong. The Elves could see it in the straining material that crossed their chest and arms. All the Elves wore hoods. Celebrían leaned her face into Elrond's back. His hands tightened over hers.
*Just breathe, Bree. Soon it will be over.
She laid a gentle kiss on his neck.
*I know but I can still fear.
~*~
Celeborn raised his hand in a greeting, allowing his hood to fall down.
" Greetings."
The 5 or 6 men exchanged unreadable glances. Celeborn reined his horse to a stop, his eyes running over them warily as they stood. Glorfindel's eyes darted around as the men seemed to come closer. One came to Celeborn's side. He put a hand on the horse's neck, trying to peer past hoods to see faces.
" A good day to you, Master Elf and to your esteemed company."
~*~
Galadriel put a hand on Celeborn's arm, drawing her horse beside his.
*They are spies of Sauron. They seek to find the Ringbearers.
Celeborn shook his head.
*Sauron, while he is not dead, does not move.
Galadriel merely raised an eyebrow under her hood.
*You would throw aside my warning, Herven?
Celeborn gave a small sigh.
*Do as you wish, Artanis.
Galadriel pushed back her hood, raising a hand.
~*~
As she and Celeborn conversed, they had missed the movement of the men. Elrond cold hear their footsteps drawing closer.
*Where are they?
Celebrían's head moved slightly.
*Too close for comfort. There are two on the right and two on the left.
Elrond could feel Vilya's heavy weight on his right hand. It seemed to burn the closer the men came. Galadriel's voice pierced his mind.
*Sauron has sent them for the Rings…
Elrond swung down before anyone could react. He put forth his right Vilya-holding hand and a musical and yet terrible voice echoed in his ears. Everything froze all about him and he could hear another frightening voice, Galadriel's voice. Strength flowed from him and he felt his knees buckle under his weight. Celebrían gave a semi-loud shriek as he hit the dust.
~*~
Celebrían swung down, instantly on her knees beside Elrond. Her father was also bent beside her mother. The threatening men lay on their backs. Glorfindel bent over them, sword drawn, checking for a pulse.
" They are dead," he said after a moment.
There was silence for a moment.
" Galadriel will awake shortly." Celeborn replied, crawling to his daughter. " Elrond should also, but I suggest we wait until they wake to move on. We shall take the fast route back to Lórien. I should have known the roads past Gondor and Mordor would be treacherous."
~*~
They decided to stay the night at that place sensing that no evil would find them. Elrond had moved off by himself to sit beside the Anduin. He glanced around, tears biting at his eyes. He shook his head, glancing back, thankful that only a guard was up still.
*They mean to torment me with this…
His eyes tried to squint beyond the blurred dark colors.
*I have not the heart to tell them that for a few minutes my vision returned.
Elrond looked down at his hands.
*It means that the condition is…permenant…
A body fell beside him. A blanket was pulled around his shoulders. His eyes darted up towards the figure. Celebrían watched him in surprise, seeing his eyes find her without help.
" Elrond?" she whispered.
Elrond turned his head down with a head shake. He then looked up again, raising a hand to her hazy cheek. She put a hand over it.
" How…"
Elrond shook his head.
" It fades again."
Celebrían shook her head this time.
" But, but if you can see now, why does it fade?"
Elrond looked down, biting his lip.
" It means it will be permanent."
Celebrían's bottom lip trembled, but he could barely discern it. She pounded a fist on the ground, but he only heard it.
" Tis just not fair," she whispered fiercely.
She buried her face into Elrond's shoulder beginning to cry softly. Elrond's spirits drooped further. He pulled her close, caressing her silver hair hesitantly and watching it as everything faded again into impenetrable darkness.
~*~
The Elves turned back for Lórien, sure that the rest of the way could be just as treacherous. The golden wood glimmered before them after a day or so of traveling. Celebrían smiled as they entered the Golden Wood.
" Lórien is a fair rival to Imaldris," she whispered. " But Imladris' beauty is in the starlight; Lórien beauty is under the tree boughs."
Galadriel looked back at her blithe daughter with a semi-stern gaze.
" Shh, child. There is Amroth."
Celebrían dropped her head, a blush lighting her cheeks at the reprimand. Elrond leaned forward, kissing her cheek softly.
*Tell me of Lórien's beauty later?
Celebrían glanced back at him as she dismounted. She sent him a small nod, even though she knew he could not see it.
*How can I say no?