Day 22: Something about your favorite place
Imladris
TA: 115
From the Lord and Lady's chambers, in the most secluded and elegant part of the House, it was possible, whether from the gardens at the back or the large balcony at the front, to view all of the Valley of Imladris, especially on a clear day. Celebrían now wandered from the gardens over to the balcony now, watching the evening sun shower everything with deep shades of gold and orange.
When she had first come here with her mother all those years ago, before the end of the Second Age, Imladris had been a refuge more than anything else. It surely had natural beauty, plentifully. The waterfalls were as stunning as any, the cliffs and river were always beautiful, and it had certainly looked a place worthy of a dwelling for elves. It hadn't had any of the homeliness it had now though, back then. The House was built to be a shelter that would last; the men and families who lived there were there to fight or to survive, not to thrive, as they would in later days.
When the war ended and Elrond returned to Imladris with his host, they had begun building more. The project to rebuild the Valley into a truly wonderful dwelling became a helpful way for everyone to recover from the war in other ways too, to move on. The Valley became rich and homely. The House was now decorated with statues and elegant architecture, and fountains were added all around, highlighting the natural water flowing through the Valley. The trees and gardens grew faster and more lush than ever, and the elves living there became truly joyful again. There was always song, mirrored in the flowing of the rivers and waterfalls, and the Valley became everything the other elven dwellings throughout the ages had been, and more.
The elves living in Imladris had come from all over, and many brought different bits to it. There were bits of forests, of cities, and of the sea. The House's alliance with men and other races brought pieces of their history and culture in, as well.
Recently, when Celebrían married Elrond, she had set to work bringing pieces of the Golden Wood. With the help of the Elessar she had inherited from her mother, combined with Elrond's power of Vilya, during her first spring there, life in the Valley flourished more than ever before, and the trees grew even taller, the gardens ever lusher. Vines intertwined with architecture and the fountains that punctuated the House, and birds and butterflies were more abundant than ever, even in the winter months.
"Everything looks perfect." Elrond said behind her, and they watched a group of elflings playing joyfully below.
"Everything is perfect." Celebrían answered and wrapped her arms around him.
"You know, I only married you so I could live in Imladris." She told him seriously.
"Is that so?" Elrond laughed. "I would believe it. I suppose it is lucky I was available, then."
"It is true!" Celebrían smiled. "My father may never have approved of another match with someone within the Valley."
"That I believe." Elrond told her, and she laughed. "However, your mother never would have allowed him to approve of a marriage with someone you did not truly love, so I can't believe your claim."
"I suppose you are right, there may have been other motives involved." She sighed, and he grinned.
"Melon le, Celebrían."
"Melon le." She murmured, as the sun finished sinking below the horizon and they turned back inside from the darkened Valley.
Sorry for the super delay! I had spinal surgery (doing well, btw :) ) and had queued all the rest on tumblr, but I forgot about . I've got everything written except one day, so I'll post all the rest now :) and get to answering reviews, eventually, thank you all for responses! I've been appreciating them, so much :)