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Chapter nine

It was roughly a month after the wedding when Celeglin paid Elemiriel a short visit to inform her he would be leaving Imladris to escort the Lord and Lady home and to explore.

There was a crisp knock on her door and Elemiriel set her book down and as she turned, was mildly surprised to see Celeglin standing in her doorway. "Good day," he said politely as Elemiriel hurried over to him. "I just came to let you know I will not be in Imladris for a while…I cannot say how long for definite but I will return by winter."

"Oh," Elemiriel could find nothing else to say in reply and looked down at the floor. Feeling a touch upon her arm, she looked up again, heart beating strangely faster. "I am sure you will not miss me," Celeglin said in jest, and having got her attention, moving his hand from her arm. Managing a small smile Elemiriel joked back "Do not take your time," he laughed and then she was serious again, "I will see you again then." Nodding Celeglin left her room and Elemiriel felt a desperate need to talk with Celebrían.


As she walked down the corridor towards Celebrían and her new husband's rooms, Elemiriel met Elrond walking the other way. "You look in high spirits today my Lord," she said, noticing the broad smile upon his face.

"Indeed…" it seemed to Elemiriel he was in a mental struggle to carry on and explain or keep silent. Eventually he shook his head, still smiling with a happily dazed look upon his face "Celebrían will tell you…" Turning to watch her Lord as he walked down the corridor humming a small tune Elemiriel shook her head in amusement; she had never seen the Lord so since they had been in Imladris. Wandering what could have put him in such a joyous mood, she hurried on to see her friend.

The door was opened to reveal the equally joyful face of Celebrían, before Elemiriel could ask what was going on she was pulled into the room. "I have great news my friend! I am going to be a mother!" Elemiriel's eyes widened and she finally knew why the Lord and Lady were so happy that morning.

"That is great news!" she replied but as Celebrían began to talk on about names and plans, she felt a sinking feeling that she would not be able to discuss her situation with Celeglin. Suppressing a sigh she tried to keep her mind from the way her heart had started to race for no real reason and Celeglin's eyes… concentrate on what Celebrían is saying.

Eventually she managed to dispel all thoughts of Celeglin from her mind and they were happily discussing where in Imladris they could take the child for adventures and what mischief the child may get into and how it would be so exciting to watch it grow and… they had almost exhausted all conversation of children when Elrond returned to the room. Standing, Elemiriel excused herself and went for a walk in the gardens to try and think about why she had felt such strange feelings for Celeglin.


Deep in her thoughts, Elemiriel did not notice the other maiden walking along the path until she accidentally walked across the other's path. "I am sorry!" Elemiriel exclaimed as the other maid had to swiftly move out of the way, the other maiden, thankfully, seemed to find the situation amusing.

"It is no bother, there was no harm done" she said with a smile and then a brief look of recognition crossed her face "Are you not the companion of the Lady Celebrían?"

"I am she, my name is Elemiriel" there was a knowing look on the face of the other maid, but Elemiriel did not notice, or thought nothing of it.

"So what occupies your mind so much that you do not notice another in your path?" Elemiriel sighed as she answered

"A certain elf, by name of Celeglin," the other maids face broke into a slight smile

"Ah, well before we start a conversation let me introduce myself; I am Tinwë…"