Chapter Two
Changes
The years passed quickly, as it was wont to do for the Eldar. Though they all appeared the same to Celebrían, suddenly Elladan and Elrohir had grown to full stature. Arwen, as well, had grown. Celebrían lay against the recliner, pondering. She had long since passed her prime, and though she was not yet weary of the world the years seemed to get longer. No longer had she the energy to take her stroll along the rivers of Imladris with her beloved Elrond.
No longer would she laugh as he pointed out the comic movements that the animals seemed to do. No longer would she rest with him, sitting silently by the streams, glad to be outside and together. She sighed, wistful for the days when he was courting her. Running her fingers along the carefully stitched golden embroidery. Pushing back the lavish, hanging sleeves of her burgundy gown, she adjusted the heavy locket that Elrond had given her as their betrothal gift.
The golden necklace had a light chain that made Celebrían wonder how it supported the locket. Inside was drawn a portrait of herself with her beloved Elrond on the day of their wedding. Happy they were, eager for the days they would enjoy together, his arm wrapped around her comfortingly. But now he was always busy, busy with counsel, busy with the warriors, busy with the children, busy with everything. He no longer had time to take her for walks, to show her all the sights of Imladris.
Eventually, Celebrían had lost interest in seeing her land. Life still held interest for her, but not as much as it did when she had just reached her prime. Sighing once again, Celebrían got up from her seat and walked down the stairs to the feasting hall. The noontime meal had arrived; most of the elves of Rivendell were seated around the grand table, chatting with each other merrily.
A hush fell upon the room when she entered. The elves all averted their glances. Celebrían raised her eyebrow, locking gazes with Elrond. He too, looked aside quickly, but beckoned for her to sit. After she took a seat besides her husband, she looked at him curiously. He refused to meet her glance, instead saying, "You may all resume eating," and bent over, eating his bread quietly. Besides him, Elladan and Elrohir sat, staring straight ahead, neither of them addressing their mother either.
Celebrían turned to her daughter almost pleadingly; hoping that Arwen would acknowledge her. But all she caught was her deep grey eyes, which immediately turned the other way. Celebrían felt hurt rise up in her throat, threatening to overwhelm her. Tears began to fill in Celebrían's dark blue eyes, glistening in the bright light of the feast hall. Turning her head aside, she took a deep breath and willed away the tears. When she turned to face the others in the hall, no longer were her eyes soft. They had hardened into stormy sapphires, though dull without sheen.
"My lords and ladies," she began with a slight bow. "I have come to you today not as Celebrían, the lady of your people. I came today as another one of your people. I am no different than anyone else. Please, resume your speech. Do not stop talking just because Celebrían has entered." With this speech she sat down, but not besides Elrond on her own seat. Nay, the embellished throne-like chair she normally sat in could go to one more worthy for her husband and children. Today she would sit on the lower tables like the rest of their people.
Taking in a deep breath, she smiled at the elf lass that sat besides her. The lass emitted a squeak and looked down at her food. "Tell me, lass, what is your name?" she asked kindly.
"I'm Súlanna, milady Celebrían." The girl ducked her head again.
Celebrían placed her hand on the shoulder of Súlanna. "A gift of the wind you are, my dear," she said quietly, looking at the girl's slight figure and delicate face.
The girl looked up, surprised. Celebrían chuckled lightly. "It is not a name I've heard before, but it is quite beautiful. I imagine your parents had made it up, is that not true?" she asked.
"Yes milady," Súlanna replied, looking a bit less shy.
Celebrían looked up, remembering when she herself first visited Imladris. It was much more grand and overwhelming than Laurelindorenan. She felt more at home in the beautiful golden woods, playing in the forest amongst the other Galadhrim. And spending time with her father and her beautiful lady mother, dwelling amongst the trees. The sorrow they both felt, lingering from the ages before those of the sun, had affected Celebrían more than she realized. For she too yearned to see the light of Aman, to feel the power of the Valar. She too wanted to sail across the seas and to see the beauty that she had missed.
But it was not yet her time. Every time she stepped onto the white shores of the water, something inside her would not let her sail. Though she yearned to see the beautiful swan ships of her kin the Teleri, she knew that it would still be many more years before she set sail. Sighing, Celebrían remembered that Súlanna was still sitting patiently besides her. Turning to the young elf, she said ruefully, "I'm sorry dear, I just got so caught up in my own life."
Súlanna smiled, meekly at first, but upon seeing the kindly look on her lady's face grew bold enough to ask a question. "Milady, I'm sorry if it appears brash of me to ask, but what made you come here to Imladris? I mean, I've heard from my mother and father that you were born of the great Lady Galadriel, and the lord Celeborn." The lass paused for a moment, afraid that she had angered Celebrían.
Celebrían turned around, her sea blue eyes piercing. Súlanna trembled, bracing herself for the worst. "It was a fateful day," Celebrían began, preparing herself for the story. "My father and mother had told me that an important guest, one of the sons of the great mariner Eärendil was going to visit one day. I was young then, barely the age of maturity. I had not really paid much attention to what they were saying, and shrugged it off as another elf prince coming to visit, perhaps to talk about my betrothal." She paused to allow a slight grin. "So that day, I had been playing on the trees with some of the other elves around my age. It was late in the evening when I returned to Caras Galadhon. To top it off, my dress was torn and there were leaves, twigs and whatnot in my hair.
Needless to say, my mother was very irritated. She hid her irritation, however, since she and my father were talking to a stately elf who sat strong and upright besides him. I couldn't help but to giggle for he looked so stiff. However, I realized it was a mistake, for as soon as the laugh escaped my mouth he turned his steely gaze to me. I paused, for the first time conscious of my horrible appearance. Instead of scoffing in disdain, however, he began to laugh. It started off as a polite and discreet smile, but it turned to outright laughter. Fairly soon, I was also laughing, though I did not know why." Celebrían smiled, remembering the day fondly. "After that, the elf-lord introduced himself as Elrond Half-elven and bade me take a seat besides him. Within the week, I had fallen in love." She cut off abruptly when she saw that silence had once again spread throughout the hall. Everyone, including her lord, was staring at her. Celebrían glanced around nervously, before fleeing the room. The door shut behind her with a loud clang.
