How it All Began
Authors Note: This idea randomly came to me instead of moving the timeline forward, I went back.
"Slain, or sailed," I look up at the voice across from me at the study table. Her arms are crossed as she leans on them with an open book under her. Her face is tilted to the side as she thinks, her silver crown of wavy locks falls down to the left where her head is tilted.
I stop what I am doing and look at her. It takes a moment but she looks up and meets my puzzled face, then her eyes drift to the book in front of her.
"Nana's families; if they are not alive, then they were slain; if they are alive then they are in the Undying Lands."
"She had a really big family, and now…" She looks back at me searching my face for some sort of answer.
"They are no longer here," she draws back from the table and leans back in the chair. I wish I could say something but I could not muster any advice or comfort.
Celebrían has always been a curious child, now that she is close to her majority she is wants to know about her family. There is only so much her mother and I can tell her. Galadriel and I have grown up around many cousins, uncles, and aunts. A large family from the start and is now so very little. Besides Celebrimbor, there are not many family members that she has been surrounded by.
I watch her face a moment as different emotions play in her head. When I see the familiar spark in her eyes and a sharp look in my direction, I have the feeling she has an idea.
"What about your family ada?" Her bright face was full of hope as her eyes sparkled in excitement.
"I am sorry child, but I do not know where they are." My eyes drift away from her face and onto the table. I don't have to look to see disappointment cross her face.
"There is no one." She says slowly. "I do not have any uncles, aunts or cousins."
"I'm sorry my dear," I look up with sympathy in my eyes, but instead of sadness I see determination looking back at me.
"Is there really no one else ada," she presses. This time I am the one to lean heavily back in my seat with a finger under my chin.
"There is one I know of."
"Who," her immediate reply came. I put down my arms and lean forward.
"His name is Oropher. We grew up together. We were very fond of each other." I feel a smile tug at my lips as memories of old returned to me.
"Where is he?" I could hear her bubble of excitement as she was on pins and needles for whatever information I would give.
"I do not believe he is far from here, a few days ride or so."
"Does that mean I can meet him?"
Is that where she was getting at, I thought to myself. She was eager on the edge of her seat leaning closer to me, her eyes still shinning.
"No," Her face falters.
"No…" She echoes me, as if she is trying to understand.
"Why not," the whine in her voice is evidence enough that she is more than upset.
I take a deep breath, "I'm sorry Celebrían." I tell her with as much compassion as I can.
She is still too young, too young to understand how Oropher distaste her mother, and is one of the reasons why our relationship suffered. Though for a short while, his animosity was not that bad, during the times we lived in Doriath where Oropher would carry around his pride and joy. I loved little Thranduil, and I think Galadriel did as well, but Oropher didn't mind Thranduil with her unless I was there.
When we moved, we were not far from each other, but then I received word that Oropher moved his kingdom further north. It tears at my heart that our relationship has come to this.
If he treats my wife in such a manner without being in the same room, how would I know how he would treat our half Noldo daughter? It would break my heart if Oropher would do anything that would hurt sweet Celebrian just because of her parentage. I do not wish for her to know this. I would rather have her disappointment then the hurt that she may suffer from someone on my side of the family.
"Ada," her sweet innocent voice calls me back to reality, and I look up at my daughter confusion written all over her face.
"I am sorry Celebrian," I tell her once more. This is the only way for me to protect you, I want to say.
"It is late, and you need your rest." I changed the topic quickly and get up from my chair and walk to where she is. I can already see her face fall to a pout in protest.
"But ada, I'm not tired yet, and I'm not so young anymore to have a bedtime" I pull the chair out for her and she gets up. "Once you get settled in to that big bed, I'm sure you will feel sleepy." I walk with her out of the study room and direct her to her room. As we walked I didn't want to tell Celebrian about Oropher anymore but my mind was still persistent to not drop it.
I watch with the door cracked as Celebrian is snuggled in the blankets of her bed, Galadriel, gently caress her cheek as they whisper. When it seems like they finished their conversation her mother presses a kiss on her forehead and silently walks to the door. She gently opens the door, and before closing it looks one more time at our daughter before finally shutting it.
I hold my hand out for her, and she takes it as we stride down to our room. We do not speak, and enjoy the comfortable silence between us.
When the door closes from our room and after I have changed and finished my nightly routine, and have wrapped the blankets around me. My wife starts speaking.
"My love," She whispers as she lays a hand on my shoulder. My wife has the talent to know how someone is feeling, and knows their inner thoughts. I knew this conversation was going to come up sooner or later. No doubt it came up when she was putting Celebrian to bed.
I feel the back of her smooth hand run down the side of my face, and when I do not say anything I feel her lips press against my cheek.
"Something is bothering you." From the sound of her voice I know she is not asking. I turn my head in her direction. She was propped up by her elbow her head inches above mine. I gave her the most reassuring smile I could muster, "I'm fine."
Her hand brushes against my eyebrows. "Celebrian told me what she learned today."
With a silent groan I grit my teeth, anticipating what my wife as to say.
"Hmm," I bid her to continue, but prayed that she would drop it.
"She spoke to me about Oropher. She said she wanted to meet him, but you told her no."
"I have my reasons." I mumbled looking away from her hoping this would end the conversation. I didn't want to think about him anymore. Oropher and I haven't spoken in a long time, and when we parted it wasn't in best terms, I rather leave it in the past.
"I think you should write to him." She spoke after a moment of silence, her voice soft.
I turned back to her and open my mouth to protest, but she continued. "It's about time for you to build your relationship again." I tried hard not to glare at her and cross my arms, like a tiny child throwing a tantrum. I couldn't understand why she would want this. Instead of looking directly at her, I decided to stare ahead.
"It would be nice if you could visit. I have a feeling Oropher feels the same."
"Knowing his stubbornness and pride, I doubt it."
"Is pride really such a horrible thing," her voice was light, and I could hear traces of humor in it. I felt my lips quirk at her statement.
"Promise me you will contact him."
When I didn't say anything more, she snuggled next to me, "if not for me, do it for Celebrian." She turned over and blew out the last candle and all was silent.
My mind stayed awake for some time, I was debating with myself what I should do. I love Oropher, and I want to reconnect with him, but I am also afraid of his rejection. Rejection of the choices that I made, that caused most of our falling out. As the light rays of the sun peaked over, I allowed myself to relax and decided to give in to Galadriel's advice.
It was a brief and silly letter that I wrote too many times and had more in the bin then I did on the table, but in the end I sent the letter. My wife smiled at me approvingly and now all there was to do was wait. I did not tell Celebrian I made contact with Oropher, just in case she got her hopes up if he did not respond, or wrote back that he did not wish to speak to me.
In the early hours I would stand outside waiting for a messenger, or a note carried by bird that would send me word from Oropher. I tried not to give myself too much hope, but I couldn't help the growing disappointment in the pit of my stomach.
After weeks, I had given up on a reply, but as I reclined in one of my favorite chairs watching Celebrian working on her studies, Galadriel approached me. Her hands were behind her as she glided from the entrance to the chair a hidden smile playing at her lips.
She gracefully sat down on the arm of the chair and produced a letter. My eyes widen, and I looked up at her to confirm that this was the letter I have been hoping for. Her smiled widen that this was indeed the letter, and I sat up straighter and like a child receiving a present tore at the envelope. My hands were shaking, whether from excitement, nervousness, or both I do not know.
I unfolded the piece of parchment and scanned over the words. Oropher was glad that I contacted him, saying that it has been far too long, and welcomed the idea to continue our communication.
We wrote back and forth, retelling stories of old and writing about our children, and other matters. My heart was over joyed that I finally reconnected with Oropher, and although we have been writing to each other for months, I felt that it wasn't enough.
"You should ask to visit," My wife suggested one night as she sat and brushed her hair eyeing me in the mirror.
I was leaning over a small table that we had in our room rereading the last letter I received. I would have gladly accepted Galadriels advice, but I felt a little uneasy. I wanted to visit, more than anything, and if at all possible I wanted him to visit us. Not even months of communication would convince him to come this way.
If I brought my family to visit his kindgom, I would have to leave Galadriel behind. It is the only way Oropher would see me. Even if he didn't state in the letter, I had a feeling that bringing her along would not help. I felt my brow furrow in thought.
"Do not be troubled," Galadriel silently approached me and whispered, tickling my ear. I turn to her and wrapped my hands around her waist, as her hands held my face.
"You and Celebrian should go."
"I would not leave you-"Galadriel brought a delicate finger on my lips to silence me.
"I am needed here, besides it would be good for Celebrian." My eyes faltered at the thought of being separated from her. With a heavy heart I agreed and began my letter that night.
"Who knows, Thranduil may be in need of a playmate." Galadriel lips quirked and I could see the laughter in her eyes, as I settled in bed next to her.
"He was quite the active child, I wonder what he is like now." Galadriel murmured as she laid her head on my chest, the same thought crossed my mind. I do hope that when they meet they will get along, and that Thranduil did not adopt his father's dislike of the Noldor as well.
When the letter came back that Oropher would be delighted to receive us, I wrote back immediately to determine the best time to travel. This was when I broke to news to Celebrian, who was more than thrilled to see Oropher and Thranduil, as she constantly asked questions about our travel plans.
That morning when he departed, she radiated energy I had not seen in a long time, we bid farewell to Galadriel, as she saw us off.
The road was not hard, and with Celebrian riding and chatting next to me, created the distraction as we traveled. Her energy never faded, and I had high hopes that this will indeed be a memorable trip.
When we arrived at the gates I sighed in relief, relaxation was not too far away. I was anxious for a soothing bath and comfortable bed. Looking around me, I noticed those that accompanied me felt the same way. With the exception of Celebrian who marveled at her surroundings of the beauty of the greenery. She was as pristine as she was when he left home, even her white dress was still smooth and clear of any debris the trees dropped.
As I looked forward again I saw two stair rails, one on the right the other the left. There in the center, on top of the platform I recognized Oropher, and to his left I assumed was little Thranduil. Although looking at his stature and his head held high, he wasn't the little child I last saw.
Oropher stood proud dressed in light blue coat, with a silver robe. A crown of flowers adorned his head, and his face seemed almost expressionless. Except for the glimmer I caught in his eye when we made eye contact. As we got closer I could see the slight turn of his lips as we stopped our horses. Oropher and Thranduil regally descended the stairs Oropher taking the right, while Thranduil went down the left, and finally met in the middle where I got off my horse. I walked over to Celebrian to help her get down, but as I reached her, she gracefully slid off the horse, and we approached the royal pair.
"Nathlo!" Oropher spoke his voice loud and welcoming as he addressed us.
I dipped my head and put my head over my heart and saluted him, while Celebrian bowed next to me.
"Celeborn, my kin," Oropher stepped closer to me. We stared at each other for a moment, his features were bright and his eyes shined and after a moment he embraced me.
"It has been far too long, dear cousin." He whispered in my ear. It has been too long, and I missed him. I wanted to voice my thoughts, but not trusting my voice I tightened my grasp. It was a brief hug, but in that moment, it seemed that all was forgotten, and it was like old times. He stepped away and looked at Celebrian, his smile never leaving his face.
"This must be your daughter," He stretched out his hand and Celebrian placed hers in his.
"I eneth nin Celebrian, hir nin."
Oropher brought Celebrian's hand to his lips and gently placed a kiss on it.
"I am Oropher, it is pleasure to meet you, my Lady."
I smiled at their greeting, relieved that everything was going very well. I glanced at Thranduil who was watching his father curiously. When he noticed me starring he smiled and greeted me. Afterwards he greeted Celebrian in a similar fashion like his father. When introductions were over we walked into the palace as Oropher directed where our sleeping chambers would be. I was more than ready to settle down, but Celebrian said that she was not weary from travel.
At that announcement Oropher turned to Thranduil and ordered him to show Celebrian around. Thranduil was silent for a moment has he regarded his father, but soon bowed his head. "If you wish it my Lord," Oropher smiled approvingly. I bid Celebrian farewell, and walked over to Oropher.
After walking a few paces and leaving the children behind, he looked back and chuckled.
"What?" I suddenly felt as though I was left out of an inside joke.
Oropher looked back again as Thranduil and Celebrian went in the opposite direction.
"It is a good excuse for them to get to know each other. Don't you think?" His eyes twinkled in mirth.
I couldn't have agreed more as I found myself chuckling as well. It is a perfect opportunity for them to bond, just like Oropher and I have. It is a special bond that we share almost like brothers. I would hope that after spending as much time as Oropher and I have, that our children will feel the same.
Translations
Nathlo- Welcome
I eneth nin- My name is
Hir nin- My lord
Grandparent's day is September 13, I may or may not get around to writing a story, but I do plan on it. I'm still working on the Uncle one.
Thanks for reading :)