Music drifted in from a few of the open windows and into the hall of fire, faintly heard over the music being played within the hall, but Celebrain whipped around and out of her husband's arms to lean towards the windows at the faint hint of the first note. Thranduil and his Silvan elves had vanished into gardens far below the main house, as they usually did when they visited, once they had gotten too restless among their hosts.
She turned to Elrond with a delighted smile, "I love this song." A moment later she looked across the table from where Lord Celeborn seemed to also take note of the song outside, "Ada, do you remember Thranduil and Oropher teaching us the dance in the glade? When all the fireflies were about?"
Celeborn laughed and rubbed at his head, "I remember the headache the next day."
"I want to go to dance." She kissed Elrond briefly on the lips and then dashed for the door, throwing it open with a near bang in her haste. Elrond threw his father in a law a confused glance and then rushed out the same doors after his wife.
The music grew louder with each step, and his ears peaked with intent interest. It had been a long while since had heard any music that seemed to lift his heart as such. By the time he reached the bottom steps, Celebriann had already reached the cluster of Silvan elves.
There were already several pairs of Silvan elves dancing around the four performing in the center, Legolas and Avaleina had just stood to join them. Their movements practically mesmerizingly in union with one another, and the others around them.
Celebriann came to a near skidding stop in front of Thranduil who sat in the grass among his warriors, she reached her hands down expectantly, "Dance with me?"
He took her hand without hesitation, and allowed her to help haul him to his feet, "Of course."
Thranduil twirled her a few times until she laughed with glee, "Do you remember all of the steps?"
Elrond leaned against a tree to watch. Often Celebrain vanished to enjoy the company of Thranduil in solitude whenever he visited. He had heard stories of childhood comradery and many shared adventures and secrets but it seemed very seldom did Elrond ever get to witness it.
"I think so."
Thranduil bowed deeply, courteously extending an exaggerated hand. Celebriann curtsied with equal drama, and took it. He spun her a few more times before they stepped in line with the other four couples twirling under the stars.
Elrond had never seen Celebrain dance like that, had never known she even knew how. But she could, and it was beautiful and wonderful in ways he probably wouldn't be able to explain later. Like a water lily drifting down a stream, twirling and free.
The song continued and the beauty only grew, the beat quickened and so did the dance until everyone involved was partially a blur of perfect feet and hand movements. He glanced up briefly to where the windows of the hall of fire were, unsurprised to find many faces peering out to watch their Lady dance with the King of Greenwood.
Seemingly too soon for Celebrians taste, the song came to an end. A new one began to play, and Thranduil gently escorted her to the side and away from the dancers, Elrond found himself gravitating there automatically.
"Do you remember the first night I showed you that dance?" Thranduil asked.
Celebrian laughed and flashed a very brief and guilty look to where Celeborn watched from inside, "The first two times? No. The second time? No. The wine got the best of me. The third time, however, that one I remember."
Thranduil laughed, the kind Elrond did not often hear from him. True and genuine. "Was that the time with the fireflies? When your Ada was sick in a bush?"
She laughed again, "Yes. That's the time."
"If I recall correctly, that is not the only visitor who got sick that night."
Celebrian just straightened her skirts and looked more proud than ever, "You're the one who gave me all of the wine, so you are legally not allowed to complain about me getting sick."
This time it was Thranduil who laughed, in an open and bellowing kind of way that startled Elrond but apparently nobody else, and then he scoffed "Legally not allowed?"
She nodded firmly, "Yes. In case you've forgotten, I'm Lady of this valley."
As if noticing Elrond for the first time, Thranduil finally turned his attention to him. "If the opportunity ever comes up, I would strongly advise against a drinking competition with Ferdan."
There was a chorus of enthusiastic agreement from every single one of the visiting Silvan elves.
It was not often he was allowed to see this side of Thranduil. Or perhaps it was not often Thranduil removed his mask to allow him to see the face beneath it. The one that his friends and his people saw.
The one who rescued tiny frogs for his son, and taught Celebrain to shoot a bow without her father permission and gifted her the best summers of her young life. The one who had gained the undying love and loyalty from not only the tree's in his own forest, but most of all the ones who met him.
Elrond still didn't know what to say to Thranduil, though he wished he did.
Another song ended, and one faded in. Thranduil took Celebrains hand like it was an old habit, and she, in turn, took Elrond's. The King spoke to Elrond directly, though, "Come. Even a Noldor Lord can learn this dance."
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I just love Thranduil and Celebrians best friend relationship headcanons I have so much.
Can't wait to hear your thoughts!
