More of a gapfiller chapter as it were but who knows i'll post the next chapter sometime hopefully...


Chapter eighteen

Celeglin's slow walk led him away from the main buildings and he saw a small gap, partially covered by the wildly growing Holly trees. Carefully brushing the prickling branches back, Celeglin stared down the overgrown path. This was where they had escaped, where the women and children who had not already been killed had fled…where his mother had fled. It was where she had been standing when Celeglin had seen her for the first time in Galadriel's mirror. It was after, when he had realised that the solitary person standing there was also himself and he had known he must go to Eregion.

Sitting down upon the dusty ground, Celeglin let himself imagine what it would be like if the land had never fallen to Sauron. If still smoke rose from smithies and elves milled about talking and merrymaking. If his parents still lived, and himself and Tinwë still lived in the family home he had briefly been told about by his aunt and uncle.

A pleasant dream, yet all too quickly spoilt by harsh reality as Celeglin opened his eyes to the empty landscape.

As he walked back to find his horse, Celeglin pondered on why he had not come here already…he had often considered it in the past – but dismissed the idea thinking it would only bring more grief and no answers about his past. Now he was here, he regretted not having visited before. It had brought him some peace of mind and allowed him to think deeply about his parents.

Their faces were now in Celeglin's heart and although the images of his father's death, his mother's grief and of Elemiriel crying that had been revealed in the mirror were chilling, he was glad he had looked.


When sitting and conversing in the gardens after Celeglin's arrival home, he and Tinwë hurried to the main courtyard at the sound of approaching horses; the party were returning from Lorien. As Celeglin ran over to help, Tinwë greeted Elemiriel warmly. Smiling, as she noticed the necklace around Elemiriel's neck, Tinwë asked how her friends visit home had been.

"Do you know where he went?" Elemiriel asked after replying to Tinwë. Biting her lip uncertainly Tinwë thought on what she could say without telling of Celeglin's dead parents and miserable past. Taking a deep breath, she hoped Elemiriel would accept what she was about to say without asking further questions.

"I believe he went to what remains of Eregion for a while," she said quietly "Our family was from there,"

Elemiriel was silent and Tinwë took it that her friend understood. Swiftly changing the subject they walked towards Elrond and Celebrían so Tinwë could greet them. Celeglin was standing to one side, talking with the Lord Glorfindel but greeted Elemiriel when his conversation was over.

"I apologise for my impromptu departure. I hope I did not offend your parents in any way for it was not my intent to make them appear inhospitable."

"No, they understood that you had other matters that were obviously important to you. What if I took offence?" Elemiriel asked humorously

"Then I am indebted to you and will spend time we lost in Lorien with you in the next few months." Smiling brightly at his statement, Elemiriel could not wait for Celeglin's 'debt' to be paid. Tinwë caught her eye and she had to suppress laughter at her friends face. Although being at home in Lorien had been enjoyable, Elemiriel knew she preferred to be at Imladris amongst her friends.

"You must come eat with our family tonight," Tinwë announced, "it has been long since we have seen you and you both must tell us of your time in Lorien – as we have heard nothing from Celeglin over the noise of his hammer in the forge."

Elemiriel was shocked to hear Celeglin laugh at such a simple joke, shocked to hear him laugh at all. It was a wonderful sound she thought, rolling and merry... but she would not think too much of him, would not raise her hopes.