AN HEROIC LOVE
Author: Ennorwen
Time Period: Fourth Age, Year 127: Aman
Primary Characters: Celeborn, Galadriel, Elrond, Celebrian,
Summary: An arc that celebrates Elrond's great love for Arda through tales/gifts from Celeborn, Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen, help from Celebrian and Galadriel, and with back stories and offshoots of the twins, well-known Silvan, Sindar and Valinorean elves, and the Valar
Beta'd by: Becketeer, with much encouragement and inspiration from Rozzan. I thank them both.
Author's Notes: This is a story of Elrond, about how he came into his contentment after so many years of self-sacrifice. It includes much that takes place in Valinor after Celeborn arrives, and contains the stories of Elladan, Elrohir, some of Arwen, and others as told in journals and letters. It could be considered an Elladan/OFC, Elrohir/OFC romance in some parts. Chapter notes will advise when some entries become more highly rated or are posted elsewhere.
Chapter One
Celeborn Arrives in Aman
The quays of Alqualondë were busy with the coming and going of small skiffs and larger trading vessels. On a normal day, many sails could be seen through the swan-topped archway tacking back and forth – taken by the wind and then not, languidly plying the waters off the eastern shore of The Blessed Realm.
The Teleri oversaw the harbor and were charged with welcoming the ships of Cirdan which sailed from Mithlond and brought the Firstborn to Eldamar.
The last great migration had taken place soon after the return of Olórin and Galadriel to the Undying lands. That ship had also borne Elrond Peredhil, his seneschal, Glorfindel and Chief Advisor, Erestor, the meara; Shadowfax and the two hobbits, Bilbo and Frodo, the last, save one, of the Ring-Bearers. Many elves had made the journey over the next hundred years and there was a great influx of the few remaining Sindar and many Silvan elves among the new arrivals. Some sixty years later, Samwise Gamgee had made the journey, the last of the Ring-Bearers. Since the arrival of Legolas and Gimli seven years earlier, few ships had come, and then only sporadically.
It came to pass that in the year 127 of the Fourth Age, a great white ship, intricately carved with graceful swans and with billowing white sails was spotted on the horizon. It had been recognized as a ship of Cirdan's making and the harbor master quickly cleared a place for it to dock. Many elves of Alqualondëhad gathered in welcome.
The ship slowly passed through the archway and smoothly slipped into the berth that had been prepared.
Cirdan laid down the gangway as the travelers prepared to disembark. Nearly all were Silvan elves formerly of Eryn Lasgalen or Lothlorien and some few were those who had lived with Cirdan at Mithlond. Haldir and his brothers, Rúmil and Orophin were among the former and to the surprise of many, off strode the Elven-King, Thranduil, of Eryn Lasgalen. A tall, silver-haired ellon remained on the prow, hands firmly affixed to the gunwale, looking back through the archway to the great sea beyond. Cirdan went to him, spoke a few quiet words and after some time, Celeborn turned slowly and made his way down to the quay.
There was much excitement among the elves of Alqualondë for they now knew that these were probably the last that would come to Elvenhome. The harbor master had quickly sent word to Olwë, King of the Teleri and so it was the King himself who made his way to the harbor to welcome them. It was Olwë then who sent messengers bearing word to the newcomers' closest kin.
One he sent inland to the Woods of Oromë, where most Silvan elves had chosen to make their homes. There lived Laegelin, Thranduil's wife, their son Legolas and nearby, Gimli the dwarf. Another he sent to the House of Finarfin, King of the Noldor, in Tirion. There it was that Galadriel dwelt, in the house of her father. And a third he dispatched to Elrond Peredhil.
Now reunited with a fully restored Celebrían, the former Lord of Imladris had established his house slightly west of Tirion, hard by The Calacirya. It was situated in a valley, though neither as deep nor as hidden as had been Rivendell. Like The Last Homely House though, the home of Elrond Peredhil was known far and wide as a welcoming refuge and indeed many that wended their way through The Pass of Light on journeys elsewhere enjoyed his hospitality.
The Lord and the Lady had named their home Imlothien – flowering valley – an homage to both Imladris and Lothlorien, the land of Celebrían's birth. Ever the lore master, Elrond had established the most comprehensive library of the histories of Middle-earth to be found in the Blessed Realm. Some books and scrolls he brought with him and many more he received in shipments over the past hundred years. Some came from Imladris, and many, copied from the archives at Minas Tirith were sent by his daughter, Queen Arwen and Elessar, the King. A few were brought by the hobbit Samwise – a copy of the Red Book and Merry's tomes on herblore and language.
Erestor, having little family in Aman, had chosen to remain at Elrond's side and was given charge of overseeing the library. And though Glorfindel had many friends and family eager to house him, he too had decided to make his home there. Residing with them were necessary helpmates – cooks and scribes, musicians and household staff – and many were the temporary residents, either studying or visiting.
It was to Imlothien's gates the messenger came and once refreshed, shown to Elrond's study. The Elf-lord welcomed him and was told of the arrival of Celeborn and Thranduil. He waited to hear more, hoping beyond hope that the messenger would tell of the arrival of his sons, but this he did not hear. Masking his disappointment, Elrond thanked the messenger, saw to his comfort, and went to find Celebrían who was at work in the garden.
Walking without his usual confident stride, Elrond approached and then hesitated. She looked especially beautiful – sunlight played in her silver hair and she was singing to herself a song of Lothlorien, all the while her hands were busy – plucking a flower here, pruning there. Sensing her husband's presence, she turned to greet him but when she beheld his expression, halted.
"What is it, El-nin – my star?" she inquired as she walked toward him.
"A messenger has arrived," replied the Elf-lord, and said no more but looked into her eyes briefly and then let them drop away.
She stood before him and took his hands into her own, plying light pressure in reassurance.
"Well?" she asked.
"Cirdan has come to Alqualondë. He will not be returning to The Havens. The last ship has arrived, meleth-nin – my love."
"And?" she asked expectantly.
Moving to enfold her in his arms, he replied, "Your father has come. He will join your mother in Tirion and both will travel here five days hence. There was no word of Elladan or Elrohir."
It is said that the elves do not cry. That is Nienna, the Weeper, who lets tears fall unceasing, and who does the keening the Firstborn cannot. What is said it not true. For there stood Elrond and Celebrían his wife, their tears streaming down like quicksilver through glass.
Finally, Celebrían breathed deeply, took her head from Elrond's shoulder and gently placed her hands on his cheeks.
"It was not unexpected, melamin – my love," she said, voice breaking. "Once Sam and then Legolas had delivered their accounts, we knew the chance of their coming was improbably small. Still, it was not without hope that we waited."
Heart overflowing with gratitude for her strength, Elrond tenderly kissed her and turning slowly and in silence, led his wife back to the house.