Title: In Memory: Celebrían 2/3

Author: Sivan Shemesh

Beta:Michelle

Rating: T

Summary: A ceremony of remembrance for Celebrían causes a lot of changes in the Peredhil's house. Elrond faces his pain, Estel is being lonely. Need I add more?

Spoiler: AU.

Disclaimer: Not mine.

Warning: Mention of sailor character. OOC in case. Angst. Prepare the tissues.

Note: Estel's age is 8.

Princeling Legolas's age is 10.

Visitors from Lothlórien and Mirkwood appear in the story.

In Memory: Celebrían

2.

"Could we go with them, too?" Estel asked.

"I do not know if they permit us to join them, though I wish to go," Legolas answered with a sparkle in his eyes.

"We could secretly follow them," Estel suggested smiling.

Legolas noticed the smile and turned to his father with pleading eyes, wanting to join the memory journey that they would go on.

Thranduil noticed the pleading look that his elfling gave him and walked over to his friend, taking him aside.

"I am taking my son with me," Thranduil said.

"Do what you want," Elrond replied, seemingly not caring either way.

"Do you even care for the boy you are fostering?" Thranduil asked with a bit of anger, for he himself cared deeply for the human.

"I do care for him," Elrond said irately, but was cut off by Thranduil.

"Then show it… you have to show him! Let him know of your family, as he is part of your family. You have to let him know that," Thranduil pointed out to his friend.

"He is part of my family. Hannon-le for showing me, mellon-nin. But…" Elrond thanked Thranduil, but he still had doubts.

"But?" Thranduil asked, waiting for his friend to continue.

"But, I am afraid," Elrond answered and then stopped.

Noticing his friend's lowered head, Thranduil squeezed Elrond's shoulder gently, saying: "Do not be afraid, speaking of the past might ease your own pain. Believe me, your wife healed my grief after my wife had been murdered by Sauron's orcs. You should be proud of your wife, she saved my life and that of my son. She gave us hope."

Elrond looked into his friend's eyes and asked without emotion in his voice: "Should I lay my trust in the boy? Why should I tell him what is in my heart?"

Thranduil clasped Elrond's shoulders and raising his voice, said: "He is your son and you should trust him the way he trusts you. You are family, and I think that you should thank the Valar for this blessing. He needs to know your pain, as your sons and Arwen know and share it."

Thranduil was searching for the spark of hope in Elrond's eyes but found nothing but doubts.

"Look at me!" Thranduil ordered, still clasping Elrond's shoulders.

Elrond looked at him and said nothing.

He missed his wife, wishing she had not given up and sailed to Valinor.

"Give the boy, give Estel a chance to know you better. Look," Thranduil said softly, smiling at Elrond, "all the elves here know that he is a boy, a human boy. We all know that he is mortal, but what does he know about us? Does he know that we are immortal? Have you taught him anything?" Thranduil asked.

"I taught him some elvish words, does that count?" Elrond asked.

"No," Thranduil answered.

Estel noticed the conversation between Legolas's father and his.

"What is going on?" Estel asked Legolas, who seemed completely focused on the conversation.

"They are talking about you, Estel," Legolas answered, without looking at him.

"What?" Estel asked curiously.

"My father wants that you join the journey," Legolas answered and turned to Estel.

"I love your father," Estel confessed and Legolas could see the blush on his friend's face.

"I love him too. He is the best father I could I ask for," Legolas claimed proudly.

"I wish my father would be like yours," Estel whispered and hung his head.

A finger under Estel's chin, Legolas lifted his friend's face. "Give him time, to lose someone is very hard, but let him know that you are here too. You are family, Estel."

"Hannon le, mellon-nin," Estel said, a smile lighting up his face.

"Do not thank me or my father, you need to thank your father, when he permits you to come, too," Legolas said modestly.

"How do I know if I am coming too?" Estel asked, as his smile vanished.

"We have to wait and see, mellon-nin," Legolas answered, and concentrated again on the conversation between Elrond and his father.

"Have you ever told him a bed-time story? Been with him when he called you?" Thranduil asked, seeing his friend was about to break apart in front of his eyes.

"One time, I think… though Arwen and the twins took that into their own hands," Elrond answered, and turned his face away

"Elrond, you are my best friend. You fought with my father and I honor you for that, but this is the time, when you need to look over your shoulders, to see what is beyond. You need to give your sons hope," Thranduil said and continued with a smile. "That is why I believe you called the boy 'Estel', because he is the one that gives you hope after Celebrían sailed to Valinor."

Elrond nodded when he heard Thranduil's words, he knew that his friend had been right all along. He might have needed a little nudge in the right direction.

"What should I do to make this right?" Elrond asked anxiously.

"Firstly, I believe you should walk over to him and tell him the news, mellon-nin," Thranduil answered and then whispered. "He is the 'Hope' that you have been seeking, remember that."

Elrond nodded, and walked over to his son.

Estel saw his father come over and asked Legolas. "What is going on?"

"Talk to him," Legolas suggested and left to join his father.

Elrond knelt by Estel's side, as he cried.

"Father why are you crying?" Estel asked.

"I hope that you can forgive me, for acting this way towards you," Elrond asked for forgiveness.

"You are my father and I know your pain. I also lost my parents," Estel said softly to his father, with forgiveness in his voice.

"Ride with me, my son, on Celebrían's last journey," Elrond rose to his feet and stood, waiting for Estel's reaction.

Estel moved closer to his father and hugged him.

"Thank you father," Estel thanked him, keeping his hands tight over his father's as he hugged him.

"Thank you," Elrond replied and thought to himself. 'Thranduil had been right all along.'

End of Chapter 2.