AN HEROIC LOVE
Chapter Three
Visit to Imlothien
So it was that four days after Celeborn's arrival, he and Galadriel set out on their trek. Each rode an ivory meara that were gifts of the King and they were accompanied by an escort of two and a wagon which carried their belongings. The small caravan then wended its way through the foothills of the Pelóri on the one day journey to Imlothien.
The ride was tranquil and little did Galadriel and Celeborn speak. Not for the last time did Celeborn marvel at the ability to travel unwary of orcs of other foul beasts. His mind turned to Haldir and Legolas and the other warriors who had come to this land and wondered how they would adjust to their more serene existence.
As they rounded a cliff face, Galadriel's voice broke into his thoughts.
"Look, herven-nin – my husband, for there lays Imlothien."
Gesturing in a wide arc, she drew his eyes to the great valley that lay just beyond. Trees and flowers abounded and just like Imladris waterfalls flowed here and there, making beautiful music to his ears. There were a few structures scattered throughout, but they were so well-built into the landscape even his elven eyesight could not see them all.
As they neared the gate they dismounted. Holding hands in shared encouragement, they led the horses the few remaining strides and were welcomed by Glorfindel.
"Mae Govannen – well met," hailed the golden-haired ellon. "It is good to see you again, mellon-nin – my friend," he said to Celeborn. And then, eyebrow raised, he added, "And in the company of an elleth of such incomparable beauty and wit, elegance and grace. Welcome, my Lady." He bowed low.
"Please Glorfindel, do get up. You have not changed, my fair cousin," she laughed.
"How are my daughter and Elrond?"
"They are subdued, but Celebrían has anxiously awaited your coming. Even the tidings she anticipates could not dull the shine in her eyes. It is true, then?"
"Aye, it is true, mellon-nin." replied Celeborn, "But it is not solely a tale of sorrow. In truth, it is the reverse and I hope that Celebrían and Elrond come to see it. Ah, but I tell too much. The story is for their ears, Glorfindel, and I am loathe to reveal more."
"Come then, I will take you to the house," said Glorfindel.
The horses were released to the stable hands and three walked the short pathway which lead to the main house.
Through the trees, Celeborn caught the first sight of his daughter. He could see her step up on her toes and back down, and stretch out her neck to get her first glimpse of him. Amused by her anticipation, Elrond stood near, and when the three came into sight, slipped his hand behind her waist.
Seeing her father, Celebrían broke the embrace, ran down the five steps and danced toward him, crying,
"Adar, Adar."
Then she was weeping and Celeborn took her in his arms for the first time in over 600 years. Overcome by his love, he sighed out his affection for her.
"Celeb-loth-nin – my silver flower."
Celeborn, wanting to show his esteem for his son-in-law, released Celebrían to her mother and climbed the steps to Elrond. Rather than the expected bow or salute, Celeborn gripped Elrond firmly and drew the Elf-lord close. Elrond, though slightly startled, returned the embrace, gratefully accepting his father-in-law's affection.
"Suilad – greetings. And welcome to Imlothien. We are glad you are here and hope you may stay a while."
'We will," replied Celeborn. "It has been too long that we have been apart."
'Come, Adar and Naneth," called Celebrían. "I will show you to your rooms where you can freshen and then we will drink the cup of welcome. Your trunks have already been taken there."
Celeborn and Galadriel entered the house and saw before them a long hallway and a great staircase made of marble. It was Gimli the dwarf, Elrond explained, who had overseen the granite and marble improvements in the house. Galadriel's eyes twinkled as she pictured the dwarf, issuing orders and directing the elves who had done the work.
The first floor contained many of the public rooms of the house – the communal dining area, the hall of meeting, the kitchens, the main library and Elrond's formal study.
Of a sudden, a tall raven-haired ellon, arms piled with books, crossed the main hallway. He nearly ran into Celeborn who stepped back to avoid the collision.
"Erestor." said Elrond. "Can you not put the books down for a moment and welcome our kin?"
Two dark eyes peered from between the stacked tomes. Then laughing, the elf placed the books on the stair steps and turned to welcome the pair.
"Mae Govannen, Celeborn. Galadriel. It seems I am ever immersed in my work."
"It was ever so, my dear scholar," replied Celeborn, "It is good to see you once more."
Erestor answered, "I have much I wish to ask you about of events in Arda. I have histories to update."
Elrond then interjected, "First, they must refresh themselves and see to their things. We all will share the evening meal, Erestor. Perhaps even then you can begin your inquires."
Erestor gathered the books and moved off to the library. As the four made their way up the stairs, Elrond told Celeborn of the school he had established, supervised by Erestor, for the learning of language and study of history.
Celebrían let her parents to their rooms – a suite consisting of a sitting room, bed chambers, a private bathing area, and best of all to Celeborn's sight, a large balcony overlooking the surrounding forest.
"Oh Ada," Celebrían said, her voice breaking. "I have been both elated and fearful at your coming. Forgive me. I know that news you bear and will not relish its hearing, but I am so glad you are here now and will be the one to tell me of the fate of our sons."
Celeborn took her into his arms and said, "Sell-nin – my daughter, I will tell you all, but please know first that your sons, as well as your daughter, were very happy ere the end. Truly, this news is hard for you to hear, but for them all it was a choice well-made and they were content."
Then, gesturing to a nearby trunk, he added, "And I bear letters and gifts from all three of your children and from some of your nine grandchildren as well."
"Nine grandchildren!" she exclaimed. "Elrond, we have nine grandchildren!"
Elrond smiled slightly and said, "Aye. We have nine grandchildren, Cel-nin, but alas we shall never see them."
Taking Elrond's head between her hands, Galadriel replied,
"That is true, Elrond, at least for a long while, but what we have brought and Celeborn's telling of their story may offer some comfort."
Celebrían composed herself and said to her parents,
"We have all of the time in Aman to hear your telling adar-nin - my father. And I look forward to hearing of our grandchildren. Come, Elrond, let us leave them to refresh themselves. We will see you in one hour on the south portico, naneth – mother."
"Very well, sell-nin – my daughter." answered Galadriel, and then the Lord and Lady of Imlothien left their parents to unpack.
Celeborn moved to the trunk he brought over sea and carefully sorted through the items therein. He had thought first to bring out the letters, but came to believe Elrohir's package should come first. He laid it on the bed, along with a missive from Elladan. Both then washed and changed from their traveling clothes.
Some time after, Galadriel led the way to the south portico where Elrond and Celebrían sat, and on the table before them was an open bottle of wine and four glasses. Celeborn placed what he had brought on the table as Celebrían eyed it anxiously.
Elrond poured each a glass of wine as Celeborn spoke.
"I thought to bring the whole trunk and show you all I have brought, but your mother convinced me that these should come first."
He carefully opened the package and laid its contents in three separate piles.
On the top of each stack was a portrait of one of their children. Celebrían drew a long breath which turned into a sigh. She had not seen her children for 638 long years, but she had known right away which was Elladan and which was Elrohir. She gently took up the likeness of Arwen and held it to her heart.
"Undomiel-nin – my Evenstar." She said.
"Aye, she was beautiful, was she not hervess-nin – my wife?" said her husband.
Celeborn answered, "Elrohir is quite talented, sell-nin – my daughter, for it is he who did most of these portraits. He has captured Arwen's beauty surely, but he has also portrayed her happiness. Look at her eyes, my daughter and be comforted. For many years she knew joy."
"And, this is Elessar," she spoke as she marked the next portrait.
"It is, meleth-nin – my love," replied Elrond, as he considered his foster-son.
"Of all of my brother's heirs, Elros' blood ran most truly in him. He was a skilled warrior and a great leader of men, but he was also wise, kind and most learned. Though I blamed him for taking Arwen from us, I cannot think of any mortal more worthy. And yes, Celeborn, Elrohir has indeed captured her in her bliss."
Celebrían placed the two portraits side-by-side and gathered the next four in her hands. She laid them out under those of Elessar and Arwen as Celeborn spoke.
"And these are children of the King and Queen – your grandchildren. Eldarion is their son, who reigns even now as a fair and just King. And these are their three daughters. All are bound now and have between them eleven children."
Elrond chose the next group and held up the portrait.
"This is Elladan, is it not El-nin?" Celebrían asked. "I can tell by the intensity in his eyes. He was ever the more gregarious of the two. His natural exuberance is well-portrayed. His brother knew him well."
"Aye it is so," answered Celeborn, "and this is his wife, Gilwen of the Northern Dunedain and their children, Elbaranor his son, and his daughter, Giliath. They too are both bound and have given you five great- grandchildren.
"So, I have 16 great-grandchildren? And we have not yet heard of Elrohir's family."
As she laid down the pictures of Elbaranor and Giliath under their parents, Galadriel reached for the top portrait on the remaining stack. She handed it to her daughter and Celebrían drew a deep breath.
"And this is Elrohir. He was more contemplative than his brother and I can see that here. For in his eyes the light shines inwardly, but they sparkle in happiness nonetheless. Is this a self-portrait?"
"Nay," answered Celeborn, as he reached for the pictures from Elrohir's pile. "This is Elrohir's wife, Morfael of the Rohirrim, and his children." His eyes twinkled as he laid out the next two portraits.
"These are Elrohir's twin sons, Elfalawe and Elfadre. It was Elfalawe who created the picture of his adar. And this is their daughter Elveyen. They too are bound and have between them eight children – a pair of twins among them."
"So my fair daughter," added Galadriel, "You have 24 great-grandchildren."
Celebrían laughed and then paused and she and Elrond both lingered over the portraits.
"This is a magnificent gift, my dear father and I thank you most heartily. To know that Elrohir touched these parchments…" and her voice trailed off as she fingered them lightly.
"And this is for when you are alone together later, "said Celeborn handing Elrond a large envelope. "I have others to give you, but this should come first."
Elrond took the packet and recognized Elladan's handwriting on the outside of the folio.
"For Adar and Naneth."
Setting it aside, Elrond refilled their glasses and the four lapsed into companionable conversation.
An hour or so later, they were called to dinner. Elrond and Celeborn led the way and before she left, Celebrían gathered the portraits and carried them with her to the dining area.
As the four came into the room they found Glorfindel and Erestor already there. Greetings were exchanged and hardly a minute more had passed when Celebrían held out the packet she carried.
"Look, Erestor and Glorfindel. Look at what father has brought."
She handed the folio to Erestor who opened it carefully, looked at each portrait, and then passed it to Glorfindel. Celeborn named the ones the Elf-lords did not know and Celebrían broke in excitedly.
"We have 24 great-grandchildren! And a pair of them twins! That makes four generations of twins in our family."
Elrond sat quietly. While not uninterested in the proceedings and while adding a polite comment here and there, his thoughts were elsewhere. He absently fingered the package he held on his lap. "For Adar and Naneth."
Dinner was served and the six chatted amiably. Celeborn talked of the happenings in Endor and Glorfindel and Erestor told of Valinorean events. The pair spoke of their travels and the work they had done since their arrival. The hour grew late and after small glasses of Murivor, which outdid even the Imladrian vintage, the six retired for the night.
Galadriel and Celeborn were pleased at Celebrían's acceptance of her children's fate. They were concerned about Elrond, for he was overly quiet throughout the evening, but both were convinced that he would eventually come to terms with the twins' choice. Tired from their journey and drained by the day's events, the pair easily slipped into reverie.
Celebrían had taken the portraits with her to their rooms and once there spread them out, this time across the bed. She considered them again, slowly moving her hands from one of her children to their spouse to their children, tracing the families as if to better know them. After placing Elladan's package on the side table, Elrond watched from across the room. He had poured himself a glass of fortified wine, which tended to calm him in turbulent times.
Finally, he walked toward the bed and took Celebrían's hands in his own.
"They will still be here on the morrow, meleth-nin – my love. Please get some rest."
"You are right, herven-nin – my husband. It is just…"
"I know, amaelamin – my beloved." And with her, looked one more time and then helped her to gather them up and put them in the portfolio. He placed it on the table next to his wife and drew down the covers to help her get in.
He covered her gently and bent down to kiss her.
"Amin mela lle – I love you. Sleep well." He said.
"Amin mela lle – I love you, El-nin." She responded in kind. Elrond sat with her a while, stroking her head.
Elrond got up from the bed. He noticed Elladan's packet on the table and turned to share it with Celebrían, but she was deep into reverie. He took his glass and moved out to the balcony where Ithil shone brightly that night. Eärendil also watched over his son and between them gave off enough light to illuminate the package Elrond held in his hands.
"To Adar and Naneth."
He smoothed over the writing with his hands and with trembling fingers began to unwind the string that held it together. Laying the folio open, he found a letter in his son's hand and a small book.
Taking another sip from his glass, he placed the package on the nearby table and took the letter into his hands. He began to read…
To Adar and Naneth does Elladan of Imladris send greetings:
tbc