Note: I've been away sunbathing on shores of Valinor (i wish haha) but am fully refreshed and full of ideas so look out for new fiction too! Please review, it makes me smile : )

Chapter twelve

The white buildings rose up in front of him, and Celeglin marvelled at their majesty. To think that Eregion had been a place of great craftsmen would mean that Eregion was twice as great as what was before him…and that would have been a sight Celeglin thought sadly.

Urging his horse on, they passed under a beautiful archway into a courtyard. The view that greeted him was of the sun setting on the horizon of water, and the water shining gold in its light. Celeglin could never have been prepared for it's majesty. Forgetting all about him, he simply gazed upon the vast expanse of water until a voice broke him from his reverie.

"What brings you to my domain, far from Imladris?" Celeglin looked down and saw an elf with straight and silver hair that moved fluidly in the breeze. Grey blue eyes instantly put him in mind of the sea as he looked at them and he knew whom it was who addressed him "Greetings Lord Cirdan, I bear a message from my Lord Elrond," Celeglin said bowing slightly after he had dismounted. Presenting the sealed letter to the Lord, Celeglin could not help his eyes straying back to the view of the sea.

Smiling, Cirdan watched the elf before him, "I can tell it is your first visit here, and that there is now much you have to think about," Celeglin nodded, amazed at how Cirdan could tell almost precisely what thoughts were running through his head at that moment "If you wish you may stay the night in my halls so you have time to think, I shall have a room prepared for you"

"Thank you my Lord," Celeglin said looking out beyond the ships at the docks to the sea.

"If you follow, Eärros, he shall show you where you can stable your horse and then to your own rooms." Cirdan said, whilst beckoning to an elf walking across the courtyard, who was presumably Eärros.


That night, Celeglin sat upon the docks, looking down into the water and thought back on all he had seen that day. His guide of sorts, Eärros, had been only too willing to show him the docks, the ships and the beautiful white buildings. The pride in the other elf's voice when he had talked of all the ships was noticeable and Celeglin didn't have to guess at what the elf's profession was. The sound of the small waves out in the sea was soothing, and with his bare feet resting in the cool water, Celeglin felt extremely comfortable.

Looking out across the sea, to where even his elven eyesight would not see, he wondered what the blessed realm was like. It seemed Cirdan had seen many hear the call of the sea and long to depart from the hither lands, Celeglin guessed that was how Cirdan had known what he had been thinking earlier. Many tales had he heard of Valinor, the great elven smiths that were there…kin of Celebrimbor…the list of wonder was endless. There was a small part of him that desired to leave, to find peace…

Celeglin sighed, it seemed there would never be a chance for him to know of his parents…to know that his grief could be healed or lessened once he was in Valinor was a great incentive to leave then and there…but what of all the things here he had? His aunt and uncle who had cared for him so strongly, his cousin, his friends and Elemiriel…there was a life he had here, thinking more about it, Celeglin realised that no matter how much the past grieved him, there was enough to keep him where he was. And finally realising, he knew that there was enough that could help him overcome the past.


The next morning the bright sunshine was reflecting off the sea and made the white of the buildings even brighter as Celeglin stood outside and smelt the salty air for the last time in a while…he had a reply from Cirdan to take to Elrond and sat ready upon his horse, lingering in the gateway for a last look at the beautiful sea view.

A group were gathering to board one of the ships, some standing sadly on the shore watching as others stood on deck. Celeglin smiled, glad with his decision made the previous night. The trip to the havens had done him more good than he had expected. Seeing Eärros working on a ship in the docks, Celeglin waved farewell and turned his horse for home.