2509 Of The Third Age Part Two Uploaded June 9, 2003

Elladan stood gazing over the valley as Elrond cried quietly. "Wait! There they are!"

Elrond ran over and looked to where his son indicated. "She's not going to make it."

Elrohir was accompanied by Glorfindel and Erestor, both of which were Elrond's advisors. With them they had a young horse.

They climbed up to where Elladan and Elrond stood and Erestor helped Elrond get Celebrian on the horse. Elrond mounted the horse behind her.

"Ride quickly." Elladan whispered.

The horse took off, bearing its passengers back home.

Elrond rode straight into the stable and he pulled Celebrian off and into his arms.

She still wasn't breathing and he was beginning to think it was over. However, he continued out of the stable and up the stairs to his bedroom.

Arwen was standing there and when she saw the condition her mother was in, she tried to hold back tears.

As Elrond layed his wife out on the bed, he asked Arwen to bring some warm water and some clean cloths.

She hurried to do what her father asked and soon came back. "Here," She managed to say. "Is she dead?"

"No!" Elrond snapped, though he wished he hadn't. When she started to cry, he quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, Arwen. You should leave."

She decided not to argue and quietly slipped out.

Moments later, Celebrian took a deep breath and began to violently cough. Elrond held a bitter herb just inside her mouth. As the juices dripped down her throat, it began to clear the blocked airways, allowing oxygen in.

He held the herb there a few minutes more and then pulled it out.

"Celebrian?"

She opened her eyes and stared up at him.

"You are very lucky to be here." Elrond swallowed hard.

Trying to smile, she placed her hand on her chest. "I know. . . It hurts, Elrond."

"You were stabbed with a poisened sword." He gently pulled her hands away.

All through the night, her body fought a high fever and she tossed and turned. Each time she moved, Elrond felt guilty for letting her go. He knew that his presence would not have made a difference, but somehow he thought he'd feel better if he'd have been there.

The next morning, Elrond woke to find that Celebrian was not beside him. He sat up and looked around the brightly sun lit room. He caught sight of her gown on the balcony and he climbed out of bed. He crept up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Good morning. Are you hungry?" He gazed into her eyes.

"Actually, I am. Will you and the children be joining me?"

"I made no plans for that, but if you'd like I could go and find them."

"That would be nice. Thank you."

He took her hand and led her along a hallway and down an ancient winding staircase. They went into the dining hall, and Elrond arranged for a large breakfast to be made. He then left her and set out to find his children.

He found the twins in the library. Elladan was reading and Elrohir was sitting on the balcony rail talking to him. They both stood when their father entered.

"How is she?" Elladan asked.

"She wants to have breakfast with us." He smiled at the shock that shone on their faces.

"She's doing that well?" They spoke together.

A soft smile lit Elrond's face. "Yes she is. Do either of you know where Arwen is?"

Shaking their heads they followed him out.

"Go and meet your mother, She's already in the dining hall. If she asks, tell her I went to find Arwen." He hurried off. When he got outside, he looked around. Away beyond the bridge stood Arwen. HE walked along the path and crossed the bridge.

"Are you going to have breakfast with us?"

"I don't feel like it." She kicked at a small stone with her bare toe.

"Your mother's eating too." Elrond lifted her chin with his finger and kissed her forehead. "She would love to see you."

Sighing, she looked into her father's eyes. "Alright, Father." She took his hand and he led her away.

When they entered the dining hall, the twins turned to their father.

"She hasn't told you yet, has she?" Elladan stood and walked towards him.

"Told me what?"

"Let her tell you." He stepped away from his father and took Arwen's hand. Leading her to a seat, he helped her sit then stood beside his brother.

"Tell me, Celebrian." Elrond knelt next to where his wife sat.

"Well," She began, laying her hand on his shoulder. "I made a decision I hope you will support. This thing I had to go through is going to affect me for my entire life. The memory of being held by a band of Orcs will huant my every waking moment. The only escape, I believe, would be going to Valinor. There I culd rest and find peace." She studied the features on his face, looking for any sign of rejecting the idea.

A while passed until he finally spoke. "It is your decision, and though I wish you wouldn't go, I do know that it would be better for you. If you'd like me to, I'll send word to your parents."

"Thank you." Was all she could say. She expected him to hate it and prevent her from going. But he didn't. He understood. Maybe that's why she married him in the first place.

Tears filled her eyes and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

He stood and pulled her up with him.

"Elrond?" She whispered.

"Yes, my love?"

"I'm so tired." She leaned against him and suddenly lost all the strength in her legs. She collapsed into his arms and he carried her back to their bedroom.

Weeks passed until Celebrian was healthy enough to travel. The children and Elrond accompanied her to the Grey Havens where Cirdan the shipwright and holder of one of the Elven rings of power, would prepare a ship thatwould carry her safely to Valinor.

"Master Cirdan!" Elrond called as he dismounted. He helped his wife and then hurried into the shipyards.

He found Cirdan busily drawing out plans for a new ship. He stood when Elrond walked in and just stared at him. "Elrond! What are you doing here?"

"I am in need of a ship, strong and fast, to carry my wife safely over the sea."

"What happened?" Picking up a damp cloth, he wiped the ink from his hands. "Messy job, this is, ink gets everywhere. How have you been?"

Sighing, Elrond smiled. "Which question would you like me to answer first?"

"Why would she need a ship?"

Elrond leaned against a shelf and told the whole story.

"My word, Elrond, is she alright?"

"For the most part. She just wants to get away and Valinor is the right place to do so."

"Truer words were never spoken. Come. A ship in the harbor is to set sail soon. Many of the Elves are leaving, weary of the hardships they must face. But alas, I'm stuck here until the remainder of Middle-Earth's Elves are prepared to leave."

"You have a while."

"Let's go."

They went back to where the horses were and together they walked to the ship.

As they drew closer the majesty of an Elven ship rose above and beyond the treetops. People were gathered everywhere, preparing to travel to the true home of the Elves.

"It leaves in twenty minutes." Cirdan whispered as he turned to go, leaving the five standing there.

Each said goodbye, promising to come when Elrond does. When she turned to her husband, the children wandered off to the docks.

"Will I ever see you again?" She took his hand and pressed it against her cheek.

"I will come before the last ship sets sail. That's my promise to you."

"Why won't you come with me now?"

"I fell there is something I have to do. Something unfinished. I don't know what it is, but I must stay until I'm sure."

"I love you." She hugged him and he wrapped his arms tightly around her.

"I . . ." He choked back tears. "I love you too, darling."

She let him go and took his arms. "Will you take me to the docks?"

"I certainly will."

They all bid her a final farewell as the ship slowly began to glide out of the harbor.

Elrond watched until it was barely a dot on the horizen.

"Let's go home." He said, smiling at his children. "We'll see her again. . . someday."

They rode back off to Rivendell as the sun slowly sank beyond the sea in the far west.

Thus ends the year of 2509 of the third age.