Celebrimbor
He ran and ran. He was screaming his lungs out as he called her name. He had to get there. If he could just get there, everything would be alright. He needed to hold her and tell her how much he loved her. He needed to save her, so she could raise her children and make it to Valinor. He needed her to be in his life forever.
He didn't make it.
A part of him died. He couldn't get to Kiera fast enough, and then she was gone. He felt her as she left this world, and his heart shattered into a million tiny pieces. The balrog she was fighting was still, but he raced towards them anyway. He swung his sword with a vengeance toward the orcs in his path. He could see Ecthelion battling against his balrog, but he lacked armor. Celebrimbor pushed through the sea of orcs trying to get to him, but it was too late.
The balrog swung down with his flaming blade, and Ecthelion blocked it with his sword. Yet, the weight of the blow was too much. Celebrimbor knew what he was going to do. He continued to stab and slice at the orcs, hoping to reach Ecthelion in time to help.
He didn't make it. He felt like time had frozen. Ecthelion let the balrog stab him so that he could drive his blade deep into the balrog's chest. Ecthelion was gone before his body hit the ground. He saw the other soldiers cry out in anguish, and he used the cries of help to pull him through his grief. The remaining guards created a circle and closed in around all the orcs. One by one, they took them down until the ground beneath their feet was littered with bodies and blood. A few guards chased after a couple of fleeing orcs, but Celebrimbor ran to Kiera.
She was lying on her side next to the balrog. Her arm was burned, so he cradled her gently in his lap as he cried. She looked so peaceful, but he knew she was gone forever. He would never see her smile again. He would never hear her laugh again. She would never see her children again. She was just gone. Here one moment and gone the next, in an instant. It was too much for him, and he sobbed for so long that the other guards gathered around him. He was so consumed with grief that he thought his soul would travel to Namo's halls. It took all of his strength not to fade away as he promised her to look after her children.
Someone spoke and said, "they should be buried together. They would both want that."
Celebrimbor looked up and saw the face of Langon. He was taking charge and giving out orders. Celebrimbor was in a daze as people worked around him. He didn't care anymore. He felt nothing, and his whole body was numb. Langon finished giving out duties and then crouched down to him.
"You have to let her go. She's gone. We must get the wounded to the rest of the survivors and bury the dead. Can you help, or do you need some time?"
He croaked out, "I can help."
Langon nodded and waited. Celebrimbor slid Kiera delicately onto the grass. Langon offers him a hand and helps pull him up. He sees a few people carrying Ecthelion over to the others, and Langon moves to help carry Kiera.
They set her next to Ecthelion and lay her over him, so it looks like they are sleeping peacefully together. He found her ring on her hand and he gently pulled it off. He would keep it for Ellie as he could still feel the magic in the ring and he knew Kiera would want her to have it.
He sees a few elves have already started digging shallow graves, and he moves to help. He let the tears flow as he used his hands to dig out the dirt. There were four bodies, and they all worked together to build one large shallow grave. They had to use knives in places to loosen up the dirt, but eventually, it was done.
He stood up and looked around. The bodies of the orcs were piled near the three balrogs. A few more soldiers and guards came as he was digging. He knew they couldn't linger, but he didn't want to say goodbye. The other guards started carrying the bodies into the graves, setting Ecthelion next to her.
"Their swords," he gasped.
Langon walked over to the balrog and pulled out the black blade Kiera used. He gasped as Langon brought it over and cleaned it before laying it next to her. Celebrimbor looked at him in astonishment, "how did she get Maeglin's sword? Where is hers?"
Langon's face hardens, and he stares at them in the graves. "I only want to share it once. Ask me when we get to camp. We all need to take count of who survived and what happened to everyone."
They all huddled around them, and nobody knew what to say. Langon spoke, "I will tell the world what has happened here. Comben and Glamoron of the house of the fountain died bravely fighting against orcs to save the survivors. May their names be remembered in our tales as they made their final stand against the enemy. May they both find peace and happiness in Valinor."
"Kiera and Ecthelion were heroes in every sense of the word. They both slew balrogs but lost their lives in the process. I wish it were me lying there instead of them, and I tried desperately to save them both. They left behind three incredible children who love them dearly and will remember what their parents gave their lives for. May their love be remembered in time as two people who sacrificed it all for the people and their children. I hope they find a way back to each other, as they deserve it the most."
He pauses and says,
In peace, may you leave this shore.
In love, may you find the next.
Safe passage on your travels,
On your final journey to the beyond.
May we meet again.
Celebrimbor choked up and sobbed hard. It was beautiful, and he had never heard it before. He was going to ask, but someone else said, "that was beautiful. Did you hear that somewhere, or did you just make that up?"
Langon shakes his head sadly. "Kiera said it to Maeglin when he died. It must be from her world, but I thought she might like it. It is very beautiful."
They all nodded as he choked down his sobs. They all took a moment before the guards started pushing the dirt over them. He helped, and together they buried them. He prayed to the Valar that they might find each other again someday. He didn't know if they were even listening, but he hoped they were. It was a cruel fate for Kiera and Ecthelion to give up everything and then be separated forever. One by one, the guards and soldiers left until he was alone. He brushed away the last of his tears and turned to follow the others.
As they walked to the camp, his heart stopped. He had no idea how he would tell the twins and Ellie. His heart clenched up, and he had to stop a moment to take a deep breath. Langon comes up to him and says, "we have to reach the camp soon. They will only stay for a little while longer before they move out. We must get as far away from the city as possible in case the surviving army follows us."
Langon's words help push him along until they start jogging. Langon says, "I have been told that many houses have already left together. We are all headed to Nargathrond. Some survivors planned on staying in Nevrast, while others stayed with the original plan. It was a bit of a mess from what the others had said."
Celebrimbor nodded at him, grateful for the information. He plans to follow Tuor and Idril. He knows they are planning on the mouths of Sirion and then the island. They jog through the plains, and he looks around constantly, but they are alone. They both catch up to the others, and then they all start to pick up the pace as they can see the camp up ahead. The vast number of survivors puts a huge target on their backs. Celebrmimbor sees another massive group moving far off in the distance as they get closer.
As they finally approach the camp, his heart breaks again. Standing together at the edge of the camp are people waiting to hear about their loved ones. Tuor is holding their son, as Idril holds Andir's hand. Voronwë has Eldir while Veriel is clutching onto Ellie for dear life. He could see the raw pain in all of their eyes. Harmon, Cadweth, Hanniel, and Elemmakil all stand with them, waiting. The twins and Ellie are sobbing, and he knows they felt their bonds shatter.
Idril begs, "Celebrimbor. Please tell me it isn't true."
He doesn't answer, and she breaks down immediately. The twins start screaming, and he kneels and pulls Andir and Eldir close to him. They both bury their heads into his shoulders as he hugs them tightly. Veriel is comforting a grieving Ellie and moves closer to be next to them.
"Your mother and father were fearless. They saved so many people during the fall. Your father fought while your mother helped get everyone to the tunnels. They made it over the mountains with the last group of survivors from the city. They came with a group of guards and soldiers as they made their way down the mountains into the plains. I was almost to them when I saw the balrogs approaching."
Everyone gasps, but the twins sob harder. They know what a balrog is.
"Your mother and father fought against them. There were three balrogs and a large group of orcs. They came from the direction of the gates. The balrogs were smaller but still fierce. They went right towards your mother and father. Ecthelion fought against two while Kiera fought against one. I ran as fast as possible but couldn't get there in time."
He hugged them both tighter and sobbed, "I am sorry. So, so sorry. I tried to get to them with everything I had, but it wasn't enough. Your mother made me promise that I would look after you if anything happened to her. I love you all and promise to take care of you."
He pulls them back and wipes the tears from each of their eyes. Ellie crawls down from Veriel's arms and joins in the hug. He could see the grief plaguing them, and he knew it would be a struggle for everyone. "You still have a family. Everyone here loves and cares about you. We will get through this together. Your mother and father wanted the best for you, and I promise to keep you safe. We all will."
None of them said anything, but Andir reached out for him. He hugged him close and picked him up. Voronwë did the same for Eldir while Veriel picked up Ellie again. He looked around at the others and saw people in similar stages of grief. Harmon stepped up and asked, "my brother?"
His heart clenches again, and he shakes his head sadly. Cadweth supports him as he sobs into her shoulder. Idril asks me softly, "my father? Maeglin?"
Celebrimbor shakes his head no again. She huddles closer to Tuor, squeezing together as a family as they cry. Nobody speaks, as each of them is lost in their grief. Langon comes up and says, "we are the last group. The majority of the survivors have packed up camp and started walking. I've spoken with some guards, and the other groups will not wait for us. They think it would be better to keep us all spread out."
Celebrimbor sighs. They are right, but he can't worry about anything at the moment except the twins and Ellie. Tuor takes charge, "I will lead this group. We have all lost people we care about, and I will not leave anyone behind. Celebrimbor and Harmon remember the way to Nagrothrond. We will just need some supplies, but we need some time to grieve. I think we will keep walking to put distance between us and the city, but then we will stop for the night. I need some guards to stay with us if there are any to spare."
Landon agrees and leaves to coordinate. Tuor heads towards the large group of elves, and Celebrimbor sees hundreds are here. Maybe close to 600 hundred, but he is not sure. These must be the wives and families of the guards and soldiers. He sees a few families reunited, but most are alone and struggling with losing their loved ones. Tuor clears his throat loudly, and the crowd silences to listen.
"I know this is a difficult time for everyone here. We have all lost people we loved and cared about. I have lost my dearest friends, and there are no words to say to lessen the pain and grief. I will not let their sacrifices be in vain. We are the last group, and we need to gather our supplies and begin to make our way to the other communities. I want nothing more than to grieve, but we need to come together and move quickly to put enough distance between us and the city. Gather your supplies and be ready to move in a few minutes. Any guards remaining, please step up and come speak with me."
The crowd continues to cry, but he sees most are moving to gather their things. They were not here long, so most of their belongings were still packed. A large group of women stands together, clutching their hearts and each other. They look like they are fading from grief, and he is unsure how long they will last. He wonders if Veriel is going to make it with her husband gone. He glanced back at her, but she seemed focused on comforting Ellie. That might be enough to keep her from fading, but he didn't know. Veriel felt his stares, and she gave him a determined nod.
Andir wiggles and asks to be put down. Celebrimbor set him down but grabbed onto his hand. Andir walks over to his pack and swings it on. Eldir follows suit, while Voronwë walks away to grab both of their packs. The twins both look up at him, and he is overcome with emotions. He doesn't say anything and just reaches out to pull them against him.
Eldir whispers, "is Ada going to come back. Don't elves get reborn in Valinor? Can't he sail back and meet us?"
He sank to his knees to look at them at eye level. They both look at him with longing and wait for the answer. Celebrimbor says sadly, "I don't know. Elves do get reborn, but everyone's time is different. I am not sure how long it is going to take your father. I know he will come back as soon as he can. I don't want you to linger on that, though. It might take him a hundred years or more before he is released."
The twins share a glance, and Andir sniffles, "mother told us something, but she says we are forbidden to say. There is a way for us to see him again, but we are scared and need help."
He frowned, unsure of what Kiera had said to them. He wonders if he can figure it out without them saying much. "Tell me what you need help with?"
Eldir answers quickly, "we need a boat."
He stared at them in shock. "We are nowhere near the ocean. What do you need a boat for?"
He thinks of what they could need a boat for, and he is a little puzzled. "Do you need a boat now or when we get to the ocean?"
Andir answers, "the ocean."
His mind is reeling, but he figures out what they want to do. "You can't sail to Valinor. It is fenced off against everyone. I know you miss your father, but Voronwë sailed for years looking and never found it. Even if you did, I am not sure whether you are allowed there."
Neither of them looks surprised or sad by the news. Celebrimbor falters. Eldir looks at his twin, "maybe we should ask Voronwë to help us build a boat."
Andir glances at Celebrimbor and replies, "we want to be with our dad. We know our mom is gone, but we still have a chance to see our dad again."
His heart clenches in his chest. "Look, I know you want to be with them. I do too, and I also want to go home. You are so young and don't know how much it takes to get there from here. It's not as simple as building a boat and sailing there. There are also very few half-elven children. We don't know if you are allowed there or not, and we need to make it to the safe haven first. You are still young, but I promise to help you build a ship when you are older. I am not sure if you will make it, but I promise to help you try."
They glance at each other, and both nod. Andir gives him a small smile, "I have had a dream of us reaching Valinor. A woman is waiting for us who looks like mom but is dressed in gray robes. I am not sure how old I am in the dream."
He sucked in his breath as his heart raced. He pulled them close and whispered, "who else have you told about your dream?"
"Just mom, dad, and Ellie. Now you, why?" Andir whispered.
Things start clicking into place, but he still feels like he is missing pieces. "How did your mother react? Was she surprised?"
They both shake their heads, "no. She was happy. Both of them were, and she said she was relieved. We cannot say what she told us after."
He stared at them in shock. Kiera wasn't surprised, just relieved. Why, though? Did she already know they would make it to Valinor someday? His stomach plummets as he looks at them. Kiera knew. Oh, gods, she must have known. He thinks back to their conversations. She was told something during her meeting with Thorondor, he remembered. It was about her family, and she couldn't say. Does she have family in Valinor? Curious, he asks, "did your father know?"
They nod eagerly. Celebrimbor is too tired to think this through, but his brain is reeling from the information. Questions he needs to ask them questions and work it out on his own. "Do you know the women in the gray robes in your dream?"
They glance at each other again and then say, "sort of."
"Did Ecthelion know her?" They shake their heads no.
"Did Kiera know her?" They shake their heads yes.
He fumbled and landed on his ass in front of them. Kiera knows a maia in Valinor. He tries to work it out, yet he wonders, "did Kiera meet this woman in this world?"
They shake their heads no. Fuck. Someone else came over from her world, but that can't be right. "You said she had gray robes. What did she look like?"
Andir smiles, "she had the same eyes as mother. Her hair was gray, which matched her robes. She was shining, but I don't know if everyone does that in Valinor. She had a happy and warm smile. I could even feel her warmth radiating to me in my dream. She never spoke in my dreams, and there have only been short glimpses."
Fuck, he thought. By the Valar, Kiera told him she got her eyes from her mother. But they all came originally from her grandmother. He smacked himself in the forehead. Her grandmother died shortly before Kiera came to this world. Is this why she was brought here? Is her grandmother a maia from Nienna's halls? He has never heard of maiar leaving this world, but he supposed they would have kept that a secret. He thinks back to everything he knows about her grandmother, and some pieces start to click into place.
His knees gave out as the pieces started to fall into place. Voronwë returns and sees Celebrimbor sitting in the grass, looking dumbstruck at the twins.
"Is everyone alright? I have your bag, Celebrimbor. We are all leaving shortly."
Celebrimbor stares up at him and scurries to his feet. He takes the bag, and Andir grabs his hand while Eldir takes Voronwë's hand. The twins are both watching him and waiting. He looks at Voronwë and asks, "what did Ulmo say to Kiera when she first arrived in this world?"
His face shows deep surprise at the question. Voronwë sinks away from him and frowns. "I am still dealing with her loss. Why do you want to know that?"
Celebrimbor grabbed Voronwë's arm tightly, "I need to know. What did he say to her? Do you remember?"
Voronwë gives him a curious and hard look. "Yes, I remember it all. Why are you asking? I think there are more important things to worry about now. We should be focusing on the twins right now. We need to make sure Veriel and Ellie are going to be ok as well."
Celebrimbor screeches, "this is about them. I need to know. I will tell you everything, but first, I need to hear everything you remember."
He stares at the twins, who look up at him, waiting. He sighs, "alright." He tells them the whole speech as he dug into his memories to pull it out. The blood drains from Celebrimbor's face as he talks about the part of being from both worlds. Voronwë finishes and hugs Eldir closer to him. "Are you alright? What is bothering you about his words to her? They were so long ago, and they don't matter now."
Celebrimbor kneels down in front of the twins again. It's true; he figured it out. He whispered just enough, so they could hear, "your grandmother is a maia, isn't she?"
They don't respond, but he sees the flashes in their eyes. It is enough for him, and he knows it is true. "Your secret is safe with me. Why is that a big secret, though?"
They don't respond, and he keeps thinking. Tuor calls for everyone to begin walking, and they all follow. They catch up to Idril and Vierel. Ellie's eyes are red, but she is watching her brothers from Vierel's arms. He gives her a small smile while she buries her face into Vierel's shoulder. He looks around everyone and sees the guards flanking on either side of the group while Tuor is bringing up the rear with Elemmakil.
They march through the plains together, and it is mostly silent. Everyone in this group is still grieving, and there isn't much to say. Celebrimbor squeezed Andir's hand periodically to reassure him. His brain is still processing all the information he has gathered. The twins and Ellie are part human, part maia, part elf. Only Dior's family is similar. Why is that a big secret? It is helpful information, and he can see the twins were comforted knowing that if they reach Valinor someday, they will have family there. That can't be the only thing. There has to be something more. The Valar wouldn't care that their grandmother is a maia. Melian came to Middle Earth and married an elf.
The hours tick on as they walk. He feels guilty and looks down at Andir, "are you doing ok? Do you need anything?"
Andir looks down sadly, "my feet hurt, and I am tired."
"I can carry you for a while." Celebrimbor smiles at him and lifts him into his arms. He stops for a moment so Andir can find a comfortable spot. He doesn't weigh much, it is just awkward, but he'll manage. Eldir pouts, and eventually, Voronwë picks him up as well. They have been walking for hours, and the sun has finally started to set. Tuor jogs up every so often to tell them that they haven't seen anything. They keep walking as the sun dips low behind the horizon. The stars start to come out, and Andir falls asleep in his arms.
After about another hour, Idril says she sees the camp up ahead. Celebrimbor peeks beyond the people and sees a large group camped in the plains. They are out in the open, but a few guards are stationed on a high hill. As they approach, the camp gets larger, and he sees the group is arranged around a center person. Lord Galdor is standing in the center, speaking to everyone. He strained his ears to listen, but they were too far away.
It looks like a mix of Ecthelion's house, Galdor's house, and Tuor's house. He sees some people from the golden flower, but not many. Galdor welcomes their group, and he scans the crowd as they approach. Galdor's face plummets as he looks at Idril, "Ecthelion, Turgon, Maeglin?"
Idril shakes her head sadly. Galdor's face falls again, and he looks at the group, finding Celebrimbor, the twins, and Veriel holding Ellie. "Kiera?" he asked shakily. Idril shakes her head again. He chokes out a sob while his wife walks over and covers her mouth with her hand. Tuor enters the circle and gives Galdor a hug. Everyone starts to sit in the grass, and he sets Andir down. He pulled a blanket out of his pack and laid it on the ground. He put Andir on it as Voronwë laid Eldir. Veriel laid Ellie next to them while he threw a blanket over them all.
Celebrimbor moves their packs under their heads to give them a makeshift pillow. The twins snuggle next to each other and fall into a deep sleep. Idril comes over and lays Eärendil down next to Ellie but gives him his own blanket and bag. He looks over and sees Tuor, Galdor, and Langon speaking in loud voices. Langon is talking, but he grimaces as he does. They speak for a long time until Tuor comes back to the group.
His face is ashen and stricken with horror. He waves for them to follow him, but Celebrimbor doesn't want to leave the twins.
To his surprise, Inthel is walking with Veriel. Her face is stricken as well, and she speaks softly, "Langon needs to speak to you all about the fall. We will watch over the children until you come back."
He sighs, relieved at the familiar sight. Inthel gives his shoulder a gentle squeeze as they trade places. He walked over to Galdor and Langon. They all form a circle around Langon. He hesitates and looks at Idril with sadness. "I was there in the square at the end. I saw everything that happened. I am not sure if I should tell you this or not, but Galdor says we must share the knowledge. The deeds must be spoken of, both good and bad."
They all nod solemnly. Langon says, "Kiera wasn't supposed to be there. Ecthelion had tasked me with keeping her and their children safe. We were standing guard and fighting off orcs near Tuor's house. The plan was working, and we were only killing the stray orcs. We were helping the people get out when people came running from Glofindel's house. Their tunnel had collapsed, and they needed to get out. The guards all stayed to make sure they all made it out."
"It took longer than planned, and then we heard the bang as the main door fell. I knew it wouldn't be long before we would have to leave into the tunnel. The guards and I were fighting off a group of orcs when I heard Kiera scream and cry out behind me. I thought she was hurt, but to my horror, the king had her on the ground and was dragging her towards the square by her hair."
He stops to look at Idril, who is clutching Tuor and sobbing uncontrollably into his chest. Tuor's face is expressionless, and Celebrimbor feels his own anger bubbling up. Langon says, "we tried to get to her. We fought off the orcs, but there were too many. We got pushed down the road to the square of the king, and I ran after her. She was fighting against the king every step of the way, but it wasn't enough. He pulled her closer to the main fountain and offered her to Gothmog. Ecthelion had begun to face off against Gothmog, and I saw his face drain of color when he turned around and saw her with the king. Turgon had a knife to her throat and was deranged. I was on the edge of the square, and I couldn't get there in time."
"The next thing I knew, Maeglin had plowed into both of them, knocking them to the ground. Maeglin and the king began to fight as Ecthelion fought against Gothmog. Kiera was free, and we all watched in horror as Ecthelion fought against Gothmog. I couldn't watch the whole match as I was fighting my own orcs, but I heard Kiera scream. I turned in time to see Ecthelion dive into Gothmog with the spike of his helmet. I felt like time stood still as we all watched him fall into the fountain. The next second, Kiera dove in after him. I watched the fountain along with everyone else, including Maeglin. That was when the king stabbed him in the throat and cut him down. The king fled into the palace after Maeglin fell."
"I stared at the scene in shock as Maeglin cried out in pain, but he managed to roll over to watch the fountain. He was desperately looking for Kiera to emerge. The seconds felt like hours, but they both broke the surface. Glorfindel was at the edge and helped them out. Ecthelion was alright, but then Kiera saw Maeglin lying in the square in a pool of his blood. While Glorfindel helped Ecthelion, Kiera ran to Maeglin to help him. She tried, but it was too late. The king had stabbed him in the neck, and he was bleeding out. The other guards held off the remaining orcs, but they were beginning to flee back to the remaining dragons after the fall of Gothmog."
"Maeglin choked out for Kiera to take his sword, and then he called her his friend. As he lay dying, she said her blessing to him."
In peace, may you leave this shore.
In love, may you find the next.
Safe passage on your travels,
On your final journey to the beyond.
May we meet again.
Idril sobs loudly, and they all look down in thought at the words. Langon gives them a moment to mourn Maeglin's loss. He may have given up the city's location, but he died a hero for saving the city and his friend. Celebrimbor hopes he finds peace in Valinor.
Langon wipes some tears, "we didn't stay long after. The king began to shout from his tower. The remaining orcs and dragons were coming up the main path. We ran for Tuor's house and called for any remaining guards to fall back. There weren't many of us, and the road was mostly empty. We made it to Tuor's house, and then a few of us barricaded the doors while the others went to the tunnel. I was one of the last in the house and sealed the doors behind me. Our group ran together in the tunnel, and we stopped at the intersections for the other tunnels. We heard no one else, and we hoped everyone had escaped and sealed the doors. Glorfindel led us, and we ran as fast as we could. There were no signs of fighting, and eventually, we made it out to the mountains."
"The smoke was thick when we exited, and I prayed to Manwe for the winds to cover our escape. There were less than 30 of us, and Glorfindel took the lead to catch up with the others. The rest of us hung back with Ecthelion and Kiera. We gave them some private moments together, and one of the healers bandaged up his arms. He had one arm broken completely from the shoulder, while the other was broken in his forearm. Kiera was uninjured, but Ecthelion was lacking armor and a sword."
"We made our way up the mountain, and I looked back at the city, which was in flames. The king's tower had fallen, and dragons roamed the tops of houses. They must not have seen us, as none pursued us. It was slow for our group as we were all exhausted, and a few others were injured. We had to stop and take breaks on the mountainside, but eventually, we reached the top. Once we reached the other side, I could see we were far behind everyone. The first groups were already across the mountains, and I could see them going down the other side. I saw groups of people scattered across the mountain tops, but I was overjoyed seeing so many survivors."
"We had rested for a moment, as we all needed it. The closest group to us was still at least half a day's walk away. Glorfindel was making his way towards them, but Ecthelion called for us to rest. He assigned a few guards to watch the passage, and then we all took a long rest. I woke a few hours later to cries, and I thought the enemy had found us. Everyone was standing and watching across the mountainside at Glorfindel battling a balrog. It was too far away to see details, but we all knew it was him. He fought it, and then we saw it fall off the cliff and him with it. The eagles came after and killed off the other orcs and cleared a path for us."
"Ecthelion called for us to move, and we began walking. We were all still tired, but we kept up a good pace. We spent the early morning walking, and we arrived at the fight area when the sun rose. I saw the signs of battle and the grave they had made for him. Ecthelion struggled, but I am glad Kiera was there for him."
"We all started jogging, hoping to catch up with the other group before the end of the day. We reached the other edge of the mountains by nightfall. We saw the group down below, but we all needed a break. Ecthelion called for us all to rest, and he took watch with Kiera sleeping next to him. He woke me after a few hours, and I took the guard post. I saw down below that the other group had begun to move on. I knew Ecthelion needed to rest, so I let everyone sleep more."
"The next morning, everyone was well-rested, and one of Ecthelion's arms had healed while the other was sore. The healers did all they could, but he needed time to heal. We all began our trek down the mountain, and I saw all the other groups far off in the distance."
Celebrimbor turned away now, as he knew how the tale ended. He didn't need to relive that so soon. He returned to the twins and lay in the grass next to them. He needed a rest, and he cried softly as he entered into a deep sleep.