Chapter 47
Celebrían tossed and turned in the empty bed. She finally propped herself up with one arm.
Where is Elrond?
She sat up, grabbing her robe and pulling it on before exiting the chambers.
Elrond was pulled wide awake, feeling someone else lying in his arms. He carefully turned his head, not wanting to wake up Arwen. He glanced down to see Celebrían burying her face in his shoulder. Silver tears cascaded down her face. Elrond turned his head back, laying it on Arwen's head.
She belongs in Lórien.
Celebrían found Elrond gone when she awoke. She was back in their chambers by some strange coincidence. She slowly began to sit up, hearing Elrond's familiar voice waft out with a song from the bathing area. The words were indiscernible, but the tone was mournful. Celebrían rose, opening her armoire. She tugged a chest by the wardrobe, beginning to fill the chest with the remaining dresses.
" So I take it you will not be returning to Imladris anymore?"
Celebrían spun around, finding Elrond wearing naught but a dangerously low towel. She tilted her head proudly.
" I will not stay where I am not wanted."
Elrond shrugged.
" Imladris will always welcome you back."
The two stared at each other for a moment. Elrond was the first to turn, opening up the doors to his wardrobe to find an outfit for the day. Celebrían moved towards him, her hands falling on his shoulders.
" Why will you not just say that you hate me?"
Elrond glanced at her with a degree of pity.
" Because then you would have just reason to leave me." He shook his head. " I have never struck you, nor done anything purposely harmful to you. I will never understand why you left and why Lórien calls to you." He sighed. " Maybe it is best this way. Maybe this is what was destined. That I lose everything I hold dear."
Celebrían kept a strong face up.
" Not even the tears of Nienna would soften your cold heart." She turned back to her packing. " I will return in the Spring each year." She glanced back. " Arwen will need some ladylike upbringing and I cannot entrust it to anyone else."
Elrond nodded.
" You will have to ask Arwen about the lessons. I make no decisions without her approval."
Celebrían shook her head.
" She is my daughter. When I am here in Imladris, I will see as fit for her."
Elrond moved towards her with such a ferocious face, she shied away. Elrond lifted a finger into her face.
" You forget your place, lady. You are her mother, not the lord of Imladris. Arwen shall do as she sees fit."
Celebrían shook her head with a sigh.
" I should not even bother. You have probably poisoned her mind with lies."
Elrond just shook his head.
" Celebrían, you are her mother. Why-"
Celebrían just stamped out. Elrond watched her go before pulling on a pair of leggings. He sighed.
She left Imladris with far less burdens than she bears now.
Elrond stood at the steps, holding Arwen. Arwen politely hugged her mother, before retreating back to her father. Elladan paused beside his father.
" Nana has asked that I escort her to and from Lórien. I pray you do not mind my absence."
Elrond clasped his shoulder.
" You are an adult, Elladan. You are free to do as you see fit. That is, as long as Glorfindel has covered your posts."
Elladan shifted on his feet.
" I am no longer on the posts."
Elrond raised a brow.
" Ada, I joined the ranks to be a ranger." Elladan finished.
Elrond nodded.
" They need a good archer and fighter. My blessings go with you where ever you go."
Elladan clasped arms with his father before tugging on one of Arwen's curls. The little girl giggled, covering her mouth. Elladan mounted beside his mother. Elrond raised a farewell hand, Vilya glowing bright to his eyes.
My protection goes with you…
Only Elladan returned the gesture.
43 years later
Arwen hurriedly tried to straighten her tangled curls. She heard an amused chuckle in the doorway.
" Ada." She wailed. " Nana is to be here any moment. You know she will chastise me like usual."
Elrond took the brush, easily untangling the knots. Arwen sent him a smile as she tied it away from her face.
" Do I have to go to lessons with Nana, Ada?"
Elrond shook his head.
" Not if you do not want to."
" I knew you always undermined my influence," came a sharp voice.
The two turned to see Celebrían in the doorway, riding gloves in hand. She moved forward with a stony face. With an abrupt yank, she pulled Arwen's hand from the girl's side.
" Look at this. What have you done to your hands?"
Arwen pulled her hand back.
" They are only blisters, Nana."
Celebrían shook her head.
" No doubt from riding?"
Arwen nodded.
" When I am not reading, I am riding."
Celebrían just lifted her chin.
" We will see to changing that."
Elrond crossed his arms, obviously displeased with his wife.
" It is nice to see you too, Celebrían."
Celebrían just assessed him with cold eyes.
" Hello, Elrond."
Arwen came to her father's side.
" Help me." She whispered.
Celebrían only shook her head. Elrond moved forward. Celebrían put up a hand.
" Leave me be, Elrond. I do not consider you among my priorities."
Elrond just nodded.
" That ring says otherwise."
Celebrían pried it off and hurled it at him.
" And what did that say?"
Arwen went to her mother.
" You have hurt him enough. May we go and get lessons over with? All I have to say is that you are a cold old woman."
Arwen spun on her heel. Elrond shook his head.
Cold old woman. Never in all my days has anyone called Celebrían that.