Celebrian kissed Elrond on the cheek and released his hand, "I'll be right back."

He smiled at her knowingly, probably already guessing exactly where she was going to go and for what reason. Because of Elrond understood her, her personality, her large heart, and her thought processes. It was nice to be known like that. "He's been there for several hours, hasn't said a word to anyone. Not even if they say something directly to him."

She kissed his cheek again because she loved him and she felt like it, "Luckily, I'm not just anyone. He could never ignore me," She paused before correcting herself, because if there was anything she had learned from him or about him, was that he could do whatever he liked, "He would never ignore me."

With that she stood and practically skipped across the hall of fire, coming to stand next to Ferdan who lingered by the window, bumping her hip gently against his in a playful manner when he didn't smile at her or say hello.

"Can I help you?" He asked her mildly, moving his attention from where it had been trained outside the window.

"Yes, you can tell me why you're sitting here and brooding all alone when everybody else is having fun."

Not missing a beat he replied, "I find brooding to be a more solo activity."

"So why don't you stop brooding and join a group activity?"

"I'm pretty committed to this window for now. Before you came, that raven and I were having a staring contest. I kept winning but it always wanted a rematch."

"A noble pursuit of your time."

"I'm glad you agree."

She bumped her hip against his again, smiling widely when he did it back. Ignoring the not so secretive stares from some of those in attendance within the hall of fire; at least Elrond had always gifted with subtle people-watching skills. But that didn't mean Celebrian didn't know he was watching just as closely as half of the room.

The dragon fire burns which Ferdan had always put less effort into hiding than Thranduil cast a few small flickering shadows across his face and neck in the firelight. Making them all the more noticeable. It made him look even meaner and more fierce than he had before.

And she had been informed that most people had already found him to be downright terrifying at the best of times. But then, they also told her that Thranduil was terrifying. They tended to stare whenever she talked happily with him, too.

Ferdan growled, sending a few scalding glares to the more obvious onlookers. He wasn't one for crowds to begin with, but especially not crowds he was more than aware were judging him and his friends closely.

Celebrian tucked her arm into his, in an effort to placate him before he said something but also to help make him feel like he wasn't so alone in this room full of people, "This is the first time I've seen you in here since you arrived near three weeks ago, I assume that it's not because the urge finally struck you to be social?"

"What gave it away?"

"Then why are you here? Why have you been leaning against this window for the last three hours in complete misery?"

"Is there any other way to stare out a window?" He answered his own question before she had the chance, "Longing perhaps. Mournfully. Wistfully - Even though I'm fairly certain that only happens in books."

"Can you please answer my question?"

"Can I? Yes, absolutely. Will I, however, is another question entirely," Celebrian rolled her eyes and groaned at him, and he bumped his hip against hers, "I'm just teasing. I'm here because Legolas wanted to come to listen to the stories."

She briefly searched the room until she found where Legolas still sat next to Arwen, both snuggled happily under a blanket. Glorfindel, who had long ago stolen the elfing's attention away from the drawn-out ballads and into far more lively stories continued to weave a vivid verbal tapestry for them. The three seemed largely unaware there was a room of other people around them.

She knew and understood why Thranduil was so protective of his son, but he had left him in the care of (very specific) Imladris residents for short periods of time before. Legolas being still, calm, and unmoving seemed the best time as any for others to be in charge of his care. And yet, it seemed Thranduil and Ferdan did not agree with that sentiment.

"And you need to be standing here the entire time?"

He nodded, once. "In case he needs me."

"Needs you for what? I'm sure any of us here could help him get what he needs, and if not, we can fetch you or Thranduil. You can go relax somewhere that doesn't make you want to pull your hair out."

Ferdan shook his head firmly, his voice managed to be even firmer, "No. I stay here."

It was a firmer tone than he had ever used on her before, and Celebrian almost visibly recoiled from it. He must have sensed this and found some regrets for it because Ferdan continued in a softer voice, "Legolas doesn't like fire."

Celebrian laid her head against his shoulder in silent sympathy at his heartbroken tone, "Sometimes his love for stories will outweigh the dislike, doesn't mean that'll last the night. I'm here in case he needs me to protect him. I'll always be here in case he needs me to protect him."

.0.0..0.

(Many, many years later.)

There were a few loud pops accompanied bursts towering flames to add drama to the story being told, and Celebrian noticed Legolas jump, just a little bit. Subtle enough most of those around him didn't notice. But she did.

And she wasn't the only one.

There was a small whistle, low and soft enough to not disturb the performance or distract the audience but loud enough that Legolas would hear it.

Celebrian watched as Legolas discretely excused himself, weaving through the crowd with more stealth than a shadow and taking the path strategically farthest away from most of the fires. He slid across the far wall until he stood next to Ferdan, nearly as tall as him now.

Subtly, Legolas leaned his entire left side into the older elf. Even more subtly Ferdan repositioned an arm so that it came around the younger's shoulder idly rubbing a hand up and down in comfort.

Ferdan asked him something, accompanied by a slight gesture towards the door with his chin but Legolas just shook his head, eyes still on the storyteller. A ghost of a smile touched the older elfs lips and he rested his head lightly against Legolas' own.

The two remained that way until the end of the story, and then Celebrian watched at the two of them carefully wound their way towards the doorway back into the hall. She didn't miss the incredibly strategic maneuvering on Ferdan's behalf to ensure he was always between the plethora of fireplaces and Legolas on their way out.

..0.

Thank you so much for reading! I can't wait to hear your thoughts!

And thank you for all your thoughts and votes and what you might like the celebratory 100th chapter to look like!