Chapter 32
Elrond heard the command, but his eyes refused to comply. With a bit of a struggle, he slowly let his eyes flutter open. He blinked again, before pressing his eyes closed for a second before opening them. Like fog dispersing from the sun, the darkness diminished. A barely discernable gleam of silver and gold faded into the radience of womanhood. Elrond drank in the colors he had missed so. Sparkling sapphire blue, vivacious mint green, burnished gold and best of all, the image of Celebrían swam around him. Everything else faded into the background, but Celebrían was as clear in his vision as the diamond she wore.
" Well?" Galadriel asked, anxiety in her voice.
Elrond hesitantly reached out a hand to Celebrían. She took it, placing it against her cheek as tears cascaded down her face. Elrond could feel her sorrow. She was so afraid it had not worked. Elrond smiled slightly, using his other hand to tip of her chin. Her eyes widened slightly as she searched his eyes.
" Elrond?"
" You are truly the most beautiful thing in Arda," he whispered.
Celebrían promptly buried her face into his shoulder, happy tears cascading down her face. Elrond hugged her fiercely, trying to soothe her. He looked up at Nimrodel over Celebrían's head.
" Thank you."
Nimrodel just nodded. She laid a hand on Celebrían's head, causing the woman to look up with a puzzled expression.
" You have found a real gem among the Elves, child. Never take it for granted." She turned her eyes to Elrond. " And the same goes also for you. You never know when you may lose that someone."
Nimrodel glided from the room. Elrond laid his chin on Celebrían's head, sensing with a heavy heart that someday her words would ring oddly true.
~*~
Elrond sat upon the window seat, staring out across the still forest of Lórien. A soft body fell in beside him.
" You are not tired?"
Her hands gently brushed his hair behind his ears. Elrond looked back at her, allowing a soft kiss.
" There is so much to see," he whispered.
Celebrían smiled, watching his eyes turn back out the window. Elrond looked back up at her.
" I have been haunted with the thought of never being able to see you again."
Celebrían ran a soft hand down his face, the light of devotion in her eyes. Elrond let her snuggle close to him as they both watched the first rays of Anor creep through the trees.
~*~
" Must we return to Imladris?"
Elrond looked down at his inquiring fiancée. They walked among the golden boughs of the trees, enjoying the pleasure of just being alone.
" I must return, simply because I have put off my duties far too long and," he paused slightly, squeezing her hand, " I have only five months now to prepare Imladris to receive you."
Celebrían sighed, gazing around at Lórien's beauty.
" I love it here. Is it not beautiful, Elrond?"
Elrond nodded, though his heart did not feel the awe she did at the forest. He looked down at her hesitantly.
" Yet my heart longs for the Valley of Imladris. That is home to me."
Celebrían looked up at him with a sad smile.
" You do miss it dearly. Not even my company has cheered you in the months you have been away from it."
Elrond looked up and around before replying.
" Imladris holds dear memories and it is almost everything I have ever wanted."
" Almost?" Celebrían cocked an eyebrow with a teasing smile.
" My books and duties are second to you, but…" Elrond ran a frustrated hand over his chin. " I do not know why Imladris calls so strongly to me. It always has." He tugged her closer to him. " How time flies. It seems like yesterday, I was the healer at the birth of the first child of Imladris. Now I am marrying her."
Celebrían laughed, her hand sliding to rest in the small of his back.
" It is odd to think you were the one that birthed me."
Elrond cocked an eyebrow.
" I believe you have your mother and I mixed. I did not birth you."
Celebrían pushed him, seeing the familiar gleam in his gray eyes.
" You are such a child sometimes, Elrond Peredhil," she crossed her arms.
Elrond simply pushed his hands into his pockets.
" I believe no one has ever called me a child," he mused.
Celebrían's arm linked through one of his. Her hand crept down, pulling the hand from the pocket so her fingers could intertwine with it. She gave a small sigh.
" When do you leave?"
Elrond looked down.
" When you ask in that tone, I feel as if I am abandoning you here."
Celebrían smiled forlornly.
" When do you leave?"
Elrond sighed.
" Either tomorrow or the next day."
" So soon?"
Celebrían's spirits fell. Elrond kissed her hand. He sent her a small smile.
" We will not be parted for long." He turned her to face him, his forehead falling against hers. " You are free to come to Imladris whenever you please."
Celebrían lifted up her lips. Her lips touched his for a split second before the moment was broken by loud footsteps. The two looked up at Glorfindel slowly approaching.
" What is it, Glorfindel?" Elrond called.
Glorfindel's footsteps hastened.
" A message from Erestor came. A band of Elves seeking refuge in Imladris never made it to the gates. A band of orcs attacked them." Glorfindel handed Elrond the message. " He bids us back with the utmost haste. It seems Imladris is far more vulnerable than we believed."
Elrond looked down at Vilya around his finger. He nodded.
" We shall ride today."
~*~
Celebrían bore a disappointed look on her face as Elrond strode out dressed to travel. Elrond approached her.
" I know I promised one more day, but-"
Celebrían shook her head, putting a finger to his lips.
" I know. I understand, Elrond. Have a safe journey."
Elrond kept her from turning away.
" You know I would stay with you until the wedding, but I must worry about my people also."
Celebrían gave a small sigh. She looked up.
" I guess I will have to learn to live with you leaving a lot."
Elrond shook his head.
" Nay, you will not."
" Elrond," Glorfindel called.
Elrond gently kissed her hand.
*I shall see you soon.
Celebrían gave a small nod and wave.
*Ok.
Elrond mounted and he and Glorfindel galloped off.