"Adar," Celebrian turned from her seat beside Rúmil. Weariness flowed from her father like rain. "You deciphered the Ulairi's book."
"Elrond and Erestor did." Celeborn's face did not betray any emotions but Celebrian could clearly see that he was trembling. She did not want to contemplate what evil such a book contained that could unsettle her Adar so. She worried about her beloved and the others who were also exposed.
"But you helped to put an end to the Ulairi's conspiracy. You drove it from the estate. No longer will it plague Arnor."
"But the Dark Lord's servants aspire to seize dominion here. In time they will return."
"The descendants of Númenor will forever fight them." Celebrian reminded him. Celeborn bowed his head as the remnants of the black breath chilled him. His daughter swung an extra blanket around his shivering shoulders. "Sit Adar. Let me brew you some tea." She motioned to the seat next to Rúmil's bed. Once he was settled she went to fetch hot water and a healing draught. Her father looked pale and dazed.
"Saes (please), drink Adar." Her soft entreat drew him back from his dark dreams. She bruised and stirred the Athelas into the hot water. The spring scent chased the darkness from the room. She was pleased to watch color return to her father's face.
"How is he?" Celeborn was watching Rúmil closely. He seemed to be deeply comatose but at least there was a tinge of color shading his cheeks.
"We spoke for awhile. He managed to stay awake for nearly an hour."
"And?" Celeborn gently prompted as he recognized worry in his daughter's eyes.
"His speech is slurred and slightly slow - otherwise, mentally he seems to be himself."
"Elrond made similar observations. He said it was to be expected given the nature of the injury. It will take time for him to recover. But there should be no lasting effects."
Xxxxxxxxxxx
"My Lady Celebrian!" Cirulian turned in surprise. The Teleri's azure eyes were fill with turmoil.
"Its plot and purpose were that dark." She stated more than asked. He nodded affirmatively but did not speak. "How are Elrond and Erestor?"
"Erestor went with Glorfindel into the garden for some fresh air. Elrond is on the balcony, soaking up warmth from the sun."
"I will care for him. Give us some privacy."
"As you wish, my Lady." Cirulian bowed and moved towards the outer door. Celebrian turned and focused on the noble figure that stood to still at the rail.
"Eru, I could not help them. Please forgive me. Help me to do your will. I place trust in you."
She could hear that prayer in her mind. It was comforting to know such a great Lord, the High King's heir no less, prayed to Eru for strength and wisdom, even as it was unsettling to her that he thought it fell to him to care for as many as possible. She crossed the balcony to him.
"You wake each morning with such prayer." Celebrian could see slight tremors shake his warrior frame.
"It has kept the spark of life in my heart when I feared it would go out." Elrond whispered but did not turn. His head was bent. A loose curtain of hair obscured his face.
"You have experience too much grief and loss." She whispered as she slipped her arm around his waist and brushed her cheek against his moist one. His tears continued in silence.
"I failed so many." His eyes were tightly closed.
"You have done much more than any could ask." She comforted although she did not comprehend his grief.
"So many brave and noble elves and men lost. The dark Lord sought to …" But he could find the words to express the horrors of what the Ulairi's writing contained.
"Was not the writing from the Ulairi?" She could not comprehend the horror if the book also contained the thoughts of Sauron.
"It was of the Ulairi but it described some of the dark Lord's experiments. The dead marshes were an experiment that they thankfully can not yet reproduce."
"The marshes in Mordor? The ones that swallowed the bodies of so many of our kin?"
"Worse – far worse. Those whose faer had not escaped to Mandos may be forever trapped within the marshes – trapped with enemies in …." But words failed him and he bent, accepting Celebrian's comfort. They wept together for those lost.
"Dear Eru, please watch over their souls." They prayed together.
"We must trust in the One. Someday, a way will be found to release them." She whispered as they moved to sit on the settee and soak up the blessings of the sun.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"No need to get up." Valandil smiled as Erestor settled back into his chair where he had been basking in the sun's healing rays. "You prefer red wine as I remember." He handed a purple goblet over to Erestor, who was shivering.
"Thank you, Penneth." Erestor graciously accepted the glass.
"No, we owe much to you and Elrond for translating the enemies' words, despite the cost to yourselves." Valandil sat down next to the elf who had been one of his teachers. Glorfindel and King Meneldil joined them. Both were pale and showed the tell-tale signs that came with exposure to the black breath
"When the enemy strengthens and returns it will be Arnor that will bear the first attack." Valandil's firm voice caught the other's off-guard.
"You may have the foresight of your ancestors, Penneth. But I pray that the enemy's return will be long in coming." Glorfindel's earnest plea rang in all their hearts. "I am sure that I speak for Imladris, when I say we will stand by you."
"Gondor will ever be your ally as well." Meneldil pledged. "We should set down our findings in writing. If we are so blessed, many generations will live in peace before the allies must face evil again. Who knows what kind of men will rule when the time for payment comes upon them? Elves have the advantage in that their leaders have such long memories."
"It is not an advantage to face the same evil time and time again." The breathless voice startled them. "To be so wearied that one forsakes one's home and sails west."
"You will find the strength to go on, Erestor. We will stand together when the time comes." Glorfindel squeezed his friend's shoulder.
"It sought to breed enhanced orcs, to gift the dark lord more deadly warriors using captured enemies as a stock. Would that have been the fate of my brother-in-law had we not freed him? Will this watchful peace merely be time for the enemy to rebuild yet a more formidable force? How many more do we stand to lose to the darkness? Were not the lives of all the Kings of elves, men, and dwarves enough?" Innocent laughter behind them made them turn. King Meneldil had barely placed his goblet down before the whirlwind that was his son careened into him.
"Adar! Lady Celebrian taught me to listen to the trees. It worked! The great oak at the end spoke to me and showed me a surprise! Come and see!" The young prince shouted in his excitement.
"Cemendur, is that the way you greet your father and these noble Lords?" Meneldil chided, but the prince took no note.
"Chicks Adar! Newly hatched!" Cemendur continued excitedly. Queen Irviniel greeted her husband with a kiss as she whispered.
"He would love for you to come."
"You must excuse us." The King apologized quietly. Then he gestured dramatically to his son, which made the boy nearly shrieked in joy. "Lead the way, my fine scout!" The small family departed, leaving Glorfindel, Erestor and Valandil in the garden. Glorfindel raised his glass as he caught Erestor's eyes.
"It is for them – the children of all the kindreds that we brave the enemy and battle against the darkness."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Have you cut your hair before in the style of men?" She toyed with the short strands of his hair. It had taken a long while before he relaxed. Darkness, horror, and the black breath were closely entwined with the Nazgul's writing.
"Five times." Elrond paused. His lips curved into a wry smile. "Elros could be very persuasive. Some might even call such strategies blackmail. Glorfindel sometimes shadowed me, because he had observed Elros sharpening scissors."
"Your brother was less than angelic?"
"Angelic?" A short laugh escaped Elrond as he remembered their many antics together. "I doubt anyone would bestow that title on either of us."
"What was it like to stand before the Valar and make your choice?" She whispered and immediately regretted the question when Elrond tensed next to her. She could feel his inner turmoil, as if he had not broached this topic before. She feared her hard efforts over the last hour to calm him had been undone and gently caressed his hand with her thumb. The strong, long fingers were dry due to the constant scrubbing healers were predisposed to, yet they held calluses from long hours spent training with the sword.
"We had no idea there was to be a choice." He whispered finally. It was an event he had never shared with anyone. "We were summoned unexpectedly to the Maiar's compound by a pair of Ingwion's guards. My stomach churned in dread and I could tell Elros felt the same. I remember a flippant comment about the possibility of one of us asking about the fate of our parents. Elros laughed and punched me. We entered the tent together. It was as if we walked into a cloud, so thick and misty was the air inside the tent. The power that surrounded us made my spirit quail." A tremor passed through him. "Then this figure emerged from the vapor – a visage comely beyond word with thick, curly black hair. The Maia's powerful song radiated through us – it's connection awaking songs deep within our own spirits."
"Eonwë." She whispered at his pause. His silver eyes met hers, gaining strength through the love that shown between them.
"Yes, Eonwë, the Herald of the Valar. He greeted us with a reminder that as kin we were servants of the Valar. I will forever admire the way Elros summoned the courage to ask about our parents, for we had heard that they had been barred from Aman."
"Quite laughter radiated from above and someone announced that they were well-pleased with Eärendil and Elwing and that our tasks still lay before us. We became aware of the presence of Valar above us and bowed deeply, pledging to serve them." A tear slipped down Elrond's cheek. "Eonwë turned to Elros and announced that one of us was needed to serve the Edain."
"It was not a choice?" She asked in a hushed whisper before kissing away the tear.
"It was a choice. We could accept what was asked of us or not. My spirit sang that this was what Eru asked of us. The request merely expressed the true calling of each of our hearts and lifted the burden of blame from us. For neither of us could not ever accuse the other of abandonment. Elros had always felt more akin to men."
"What did Elros say?"
"He humbly accepted. Yet, we had never before thought to live our days apart and that was what was asked of us. For the first time, I knew that Elros' days would number much fewer than mine." His voice was barely audible and Celebrian leaned closer. "I questioned why men should be separated from elves."
"Questioned the Valar?" She repeated in surprise.
"Elros reiterated the question. We stood waiting for their wrath but it never came. Instead they spoke of Númenor as a gift from Eru. It was to be a place for men to develop their own culture. Elros accomplished all that the Valar asked of him." The awe and reverence in Elrond's voice made Celebrian shiver. "Númenor was an amazing land that blossomed for many generations until Sauron stepped ashore."
"What did they ask of you?"
"I was asked to serve and council the Eldar and the peoples of Middle Earth. So many dead." Elrond bowed his head. She could feel him tense against what must be a shooting pain. His lonely lament for so many loved ones lost. "Unlike Elros, I have been woefully deficient at my task."
"You could not have prevented." She paused as cold swept over them. It was as if they had left the porch.
"Half-breed Noldo, you are a curse to all you touch. You are an abomination in which the weak blood of men dominates. You do not deserve life." A cold cruel voice mocked. She suddenly recognized this cold weapon of the enemy.
"Elrond, come back to me. It is but a trick of the enemy. You are the shining servant of the Valar."
"I am no valorous servant. I could not protect Ereinion. What use was my council to Elendil and his sons? They are all dead now, as are so many in Eregion. How I have failed in my tasks."
"You take too much upon yourself. Your tasks were to serve and council. Have you not done that? Have you not established a haven of tolerance where all the peoples of Middle Earth can come to seek aid?" She whispered against his ear and then lovingly kissed and caressed it.
"I hesitate to think what others will say when they hear of my audacity in courting an elleth of such exalted status. I hope their careless words will not hurt you. Perhaps, it is the suspicion and jealousy of others that evokes the danger your Mother fears."
"We can not let fear rule our lives. I will forever give thanks to Eru, who blessed you with the life of the Eldar. And to think others have called you arrogant for daring to choose the way of the Eldar."
"I have been called far worse than that." He admitted as their lips met and they hungrily explored each other.
"Sometimes words can wound far worse than a sword." She whispered.
"Only if the one who wields them holds one's heart."
"I will endeavor never to wield words in that way." She kissed him.
"As will I." He promised.
"You will soon have a partner in your toils for all the long years that stretch out before us." Joy lit up her eyes.
"How is it that I am so fortunate? What can you be, but a blessing from the One?" Elrond reverently beheld her.
"I am equally blessed by your love."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The guards bowed at Celeborn's approach.
"Is my daughter here?"
"The Lady Celebrian is out on the balcony." Cirulian reported in official tones as he opened the chamber door. Lord Celeborn nodded curtly and crossed over to the balcony. There on the settee, his daughter was curled comfortably against Imladris' Lord. The formidable peredhel looked peaceful in slumber.
"He truly loves her. Will it be enough to last the ages?"
"The depth of his love for her is boundless as hers is for him - as mine is for you." Galadriel's voice startled him as it had been days since he had been concentrated enough to speak with her. "You have accepted it?"