Day 23: Something about the time after the story ends
Galadriel finally gets to go home.
Valinor even without the light of the Two Trees, was as beautiful as any memory Galadriel had of it, even before the mist around the ship cleared.
There was a sort of peace that washed over her as she felt the last of her sea longing die away and she felt, at last, home. But it was dimmed by the sorrow at the separation from Celeborn, and though she stood as silent as the still air around them, tears streamed down her face.
Perhaps her real separation from Celeborn had come when she bid farewell to Lórien and he remained, but unless it was simply her imagination, leaving the circles of that world her mind felt more empty of his presence than it had then.
A few feet away from her she saw Elrond in his opposite emotions, searching desperately for Celebrían again. She heard his cry of relief when he, it would seem, found her. Elrond turned to her, 'She is well' he whispered, before noticing her tears and stopping. Hesitantly he embraced her.
"You are not alone without him." He said softly, so only she among the crowded deck could hear. "If you think she will leave your side for a moment then you have forgotten her."
Galadriel forced a grateful smile. Her son-in-law was right; she had Celebrían back now.
At length the two of them moved closer to the rail to watch for her. She didn't come in to sight until the ship had docked and they reached the sand of the shores, and then it was all Galadriel could do to hold back and let Elrond and Celebrían have their reunion as her daughter ran in to Elrond's arms and the rest of the world was lost to them. But she did, standing a small distance away and waiting.
"Galadriel." A soft voice said at her shoulder, a familiar voice.
"Melian!" She turned and embraced the Maia fiercely."Oh, it is good to see you."
"And you." Melian pulled back and smiled, but Galadriel knew her well enough to see the lines of sorrow across Melian's fair face that had not been there at their last meeting.
"How are you, are you well?" She asked.
"Well enough." Melian laughed softly. "And you, Celeborn?"
"Well enough." Galadriel told her. "Celeborn remains in Middle-earth for a time, with our grandsons."
Melian nodded. "I want you to know I am proud of everything you did in Middle-earth. With Nenya, with Lórien, against Sauron, with the Ring. You did well." Melian told her, and Galadriel could only smile her thanks at her old mentor. "And do not worry, Celebrían is doing well. She found help and healing here from those around her."
"You?" Galadriel looked into her eyes again, recognizing what Melian meant from the way she spoke.
"Yes, I helped her. She found me easier to talk to than your kin, when she first arrived."
"Thank you…" Galadriel hardly knew what to say, and glanced back at her daughter. "Thank you."
"I know the pain of losing a daughter. I would not let that happen to you."
When Galadriel looked back at Melian she saw that there were tears in the Maia's eyes. She opened her mouth to try to explain her thanks, to tell Melian she was sorry for how things worked out in the First Age, to express everything Melian had done for her then and now, but before she could speak Melian shook her head.
"Go to her." She turned Galadriel around, and Galadriel saw Celebrían heading to them now.
"Celebrían…" Galadriel flew to her and embraced her like she would never let go.
"It is good to see you well." She whispered through her tears.
"I missed you, Naneth." Celebrían answered, her tears of joy mirroring Galadriel's.
"And we you." Galadriel brushed back Celebrían's silver hair, shining as brightly as it ever had.
"Adar?" Celebrían asked.
"He is well." She smiled. "You know he will not leave Middle-earth easily, and certainly not without your sons."
Celebrían grinned and embraced her again, and then Galadriel turned back to Melian, but she was gone without a trace.
"We will see her again, soon I expect." Celebrían told her, taking her arm. "She is not one for attending Elven feasts these days, though. Come, there are many more greetings left!"
Galadriel smiled and allowed Celebrían to lead her and Elrond off the shores.
"Finrod is waiting anxiously, but he did not end up able to come down to greet the ship."
"Finrod is here?"
"Yes." Celebrín smiled, knowing what the news meant to her.
She began telling Elrond of those he would meet tonight, how Eärendil and Elwing would not be there, would let him come on his own terms, and then Galadriel stopped listening.
She realized Elrond was right. Celebrían would be with her frequently, she would have Melian to visit, she would see her parents soon, and Finrod! Finrod was here, too. One day in the not too distant future Celeborn would join her here, and she was not alone, she could still find peace here until then.