Chapter Sixteen
Elrond took a deep breath as he strode down the corridor, trying hard to keep calm. He could see Celebrían standing with her mother and father, wringing her hands despite the calm expression on her face. He tried to concentrate on her beautiful face, tried to get his mind off of his apprehension. Stay calm, he told himself. They're not going to kill you…
…Or will they?
And then he was there.
Celeborn gazed steadily at the Lord of Imladris, the casual cover of his stare slightly put off by the underlying current of suspicion. Galadriel looked cool and composed, as she always was, her hands clasped tightly in front of her and her stance straight and tall. Celebrían looked a little hesitant and was trying to lighten the mood by smiling.
Elrond gave a little laugh and broke the invading silence. "It's nice to see you again, my lord," he said, bowing to Celeborn. "And you, my lady," he added, bowing again and kissing Galadriel's hand.
Galadriel looked at Celeborn while Elrond's head was down, raising her eyebrows.
Celeborn turned his head and glared into the distance determinedly.
"It's nice to see you again, as well, Lord Elrond," Galadriel said, nodding her head. "But you don't need to be so formal, my dear son-in-law. Call me Galadriel, or even Mother, if you like."
Elrond sighed with relief and smiled. At least the mother was all right with him. He turned to Celeborn, groping for something to say to the silver-haired Elf. Finally, he settled on, "My lord, I hope you're enjoying your stay here."
Celeborn looked at him, but the look was nearly a glare. "Imladris is a fine dwelling."
"I hope so," said Elrond, trying not to sound haughty. Celeborn didn't reply. Celebrían looked a little worried. She nudged Elrond. "Have you told Ada how much you like chess?" she asked, trying to make conversation.
"Oh, yes! Thank you, meleth. Do you enjoy chess, Lord Celeborn?" Elrond asked, on the verge of desperation.
Celeborn seemed to scrutinize him. "Don't try so hard, Elrond. Just tell me straight out – do you love my daughter?"
"I do, my lord," Elrond said, grasping Celebrían's hand.
"And you truly love her, not only for her beauty?"
"My lord, I love Celebrían with every ounce of my being. She is an incredible person, and I've never known anyone more wonderful in this whole world."
Celeborn nodded. "I believe you." He held his arms out. "Come, my son."
Elrond was overwhelmed with a feeling of surprise and pleasant shock as he received a strong, welcoming hug from Celeborn.
"You chose well, Celebrían," Celeborn said as he released Elrond. He turned to his son-in-law. "So, about chess…" he began as he led him down the hall.
"How touching," said a voice from behind Galadriel.
She and her daughter turned to see Haldir, smiling fondly after the two Elf-Lords. Galadriel and Celebrían walked down the hall toward him, and as they passed him, they both smacked him on the back of the head.
"Ow!" he cried. "Why is everyone doing that?"
Celebrían laughed. "I suppose this 'smack-him-if-he-eavesdrops' plan may work!" she whispered.
"Don't all my plans work?" asked her mother.
"Hurry, we're going to be late!" giggled a couple of Elflings, hurrying past Celebrían as they sprinted off to the main path. There was going to be a large horse race between some of the more prominent Elves, one of the foremost activities during the annual festival. Celebrían hurried to the line of riders, and ran out onto the path just before the race started.
"What are you doing, my lady?" asked one of the guards who'd accompanied her parents.
"I have an announcement!" said Celebrían. "Lord Glorfindel will not be participating in this race."
Glorfindel sat up straight on his horse's back. "I won't?"
"You won't."
Glorfindel, looking startled, shrugged and dismounted. Celebrían went to the crowd and pulled Erestor out onto the road.
"Lady Celebrían, what are you doing?" hissed the advisor.
"You wanted a chance? Here's your chance!" Celebrían murmured. To the crowd, she said, "In his stead, Lord Erestor will ride."
"I will?" Erestor asked.
"He will?" Glorfindel echoed.
"He will," Celebrían nodded.
"All right," Glorfindel said, stepping away from the horse. He went to Celebrían's side as Erestor climbed onto the horse.
"Good luck," she mouthed to Erestor.
Erestor looked terrified.
"You may continue," said Celebrían, taking Glorfindel's arm and leading him into the audience. She looked at him. "I'm sorry I kept you from the race, Glorfindel."
"No, it's all right," he said. "But what's going on?"
"Well, Erestor wants to impress Nathariel somehow, and your horse is the favorite to win, so I didn't think you'd mind to let him take your place."
Glorfindel laughed. "You're so sneaky, Lady Celebrían!"
She grinned. "I know."
Haldir, who had been listening to their conversation, felt someone tug on his trouser. He looked down at an Elfling. "Can I help you?" he asked, kneeling down.
The Elfling smacked him over the head and ran off giggling.
Haldir groaned and grabbed his head. "Someone has a conspiracy going on against me," he muttered, "and I'm going to find out who it is."
Glorfindel and Celebrían, witnessing the child's actions, burst into hysterical laughter.
Erestor shifted uncomfortably on the horse's back, gripping its mane tightly. He was anxious to start.
"Go!"
He leaned over the horse's neck, whispered a command, and felt its muscles shift under him as it sprang into a gallop. He could hear the cries of the other riders around him, the clopping of the horses' hooves resounding. His dark hair flew back from his face, his robes swept back in the wind. He could feel the powerful, fluid strides of Glorfindel's horse as it shot down the path.
Suddenly, another Elf appeared at his side, keeping stride, equaling his speed step for step. He looked over to see the captain of the Lothlórien guard bent over his horse's neck, intent on the path. A sudden rush of doubt washed over Erestor, and he started to fall back. The captain passed him – and then he saw Nathariel in his mind's eye. With a burst of resolution, he urged the horse forward. It galloped harder, faster – the guard was falling back – he was catching up – the guard's astonished expression crossed his line of vision as he sped forward – and then, he was passing the tree that marked the finish line.
An explosion of applause and shouts emitted from the crowd.
Beaming, Erestor slid off the horse's back. His friends immediately assailed him with hugs and congratulations.
"I knew you could do it, Erestor! I knew you could!" cried Celebrían, hugging him.
"A little self-esteem can go a long way," laughed Glorfindel, clapping his shoulder.
Elrond hugged him and told him he'd done well, and there were other Elves gathered around him, laughing and patting his back.
And then he saw Nathariel.
She forced herself through the crowd, trying to make her way toward him. He broke away from the others and pushed past people. When he reached her, she seized his hands. "You were wonderful, Erestor!" she cried, squeezing them. "I'm so proud of you!"
Erestor felt himself blush. It had worked. "Thank you," he said.
"Congratulations, my friend," she smiled. They were surrounded by the Elves of Imladris, but at that moment, Erestor would have been happy to be in the middle of a desert, as long as Nathariel were there, proud of him, smiling for him, thinking only of him.
Reviewer Responses:
matrixelf: Hello, Chip! And I'm glad you like Morwen! She was fun to write. I hope you liked this chapter!
Kalayna: Glad you liked it. There was more smacking! (points up)
Miss Piratess: Poor thing. I don't like being hungry. And yeah, I know I lied about no NatharielXErestor. I didn't plan for any. It kind of...happened.
anticipationnation: Thank you! Yes, Erestor can pretend, but we know the truth! Was this chapter amusing?
Neige: I really appreciate it! Well, she was the first to administer the smackings. (giggles) I like the word "smacking". I also like "thwack". I'm so weird... Hope you liked this!
