Chapter 20
Betrothed, worries, and the start of a life together
The morning after my betrothal party to Tauriel I woke up very early. Not even the wine could help me sleep as the excitement in my blood was to touch and the happiness felt from having the most beautiful elf I had ever seen sleep on my chest and do her cute twitch with the nose thing. She was truly stunning in both looks and most importantly personality and I could not wait to spend every millennium until the end of the world with her. For the next few hours, I only looked at my wife-to-be as she slept on me, my hands playing with her long red hair and time could not pass slowly enough for I truly enjoyed every single moment of it.
A while after the sun rose Estelwen entered the room, saw me awake, gave me a normal bow, and came over to me as silently as she could. I bid her good morning and asked her if she could ask the kitchen to make a basket of food for me and Tauriel as I wanted it to be a me and her day. Estelwen smiled at the idea and hurried out the door. If Tauriel noticed she did not let me know as she rubbed her head on my chest and let out a typical *Ahh I am home* sound.
Not long after, Estelwen returned with a huge basket of food, juice, and wine. She set it by the foot of the bed and went over to my dresser and found an outfit for me and one for Tauriel. The one for Tauriel was one of her typical green tunics, brown braces, brown leather corset, and brown boots and she was stunning in it.
For me, Estelwen found the same kind of outfit just in a blue-grey color.
The sun was starting to get high in the skies and I carefully started to wake up Tauriel.
"My love, you must wake up now," I said, kissing her forehead several times. "Come on now, I know you love to sleep on my chest, but the sun is high and we need to get out of bed," I said and started to tickle her ear.
"I am awake…" she groaned and looked up at me and the moment her eyes saw me she started to smile. "Please say last night was not a dream?" she said in a pleading tone. "Last night? What happened last night?" I started to tease her and never had I seen anyone check their finger for a ring as fast as she did at that moment. "Ohh you are such a mean elleth Elwen!" she gasped as she saw the ring and leaned up and gave me a proper good morning kiss that turned quickly to a make-out session in front of Estelwen.
By now Estelwen was used to our show of affection and did not mind the slightest. She was just happy I was happy and smiling again and even so for Tauriel. She had become very fond of my mate too and it showed. She had gotten all of her clothes into our room as it was now, rearranged the dresser, and added one more for Tauriel. She had added another hook for her bow, quiver, and knives beside mine and was in talks to get armor stands for us both even though we had no battle armor yet, but Ada had informed us it was being made. Just armor that could be used for ranger-type missions and scouting. But when all came to all she knew a lot more about what was to happen than any of us would dare to guess.
Tauriel though was not ready to get out of bed and as soon we stopped kissing laid down on my arm and smiled as she saw Estelwen prepare our clothes.
"Good morning Estelwen," She said and smiled at our handmaiden.
"Good morning my lady, slept well I see," Estelwen said with a grin on her face. "Very much so. Elwen is so comfortable to sleep on" Tauriel responded and kissed my shoulder. "And you are indeed so comfortable to have on top of me dear Tauriel," I said and smiled back at my wife-to-be.
She smiled at me before looking at Estelwen "How does our schedule look today Estelwen?" she said in a tired tone.
"It is empty my lady. Except for a newly planned breakfast outside with your mate" She said and showed Tauriel the basket of food. Tauriel turned to me and sent me a smile and never before have I seen her that quick to get out of bed.
We hurried up and got dressed before we grabbed the basket and a blanket to sit on and we hurried off out telling Estelwen to have a nice day and that we might not be back for a while.
In the weeks after I awoke in Imladris Ada and Nana showed me many gems to both hide at and enjoy in the valley. The hidden waters above the falls. The peak overlooks the valley and a green small field where none could see us from the paths around and that is where we headed. A small fountain had been made there to provide any that visited with water. Not that it was far from either the river or the kitchen, but it made us able to stay there all day if we liked.
"This is truly a remarkable place," Tauriel said as we came to the clearing and saw the fountain and the sun showering on the grass. "It is my love, it is one of the places Nana and ada showed me long ago when I arrived here." She smiled at me and we adjusted the blanket and sat down beside each other and found drink, cheese, bread, meats, and fruits.
"You told me you came back here from another world Elwen" Tauriel said, not in a question kinda way but as a statement. "Yes, my love?" I responded.
"What was that world like, except your abuse and hurts I mean… I am sorry it was stupid to bring it up during such a lovely morning and picnic breakfast" She shook her head and added onto her plate with more food.
"It is fine my love. How can I explain this? Well. Travel was a lot easier and faster…" Tauriel looked at me and interrupted. "Faster than horses? How is that possible?" she asked. "that world has something called a car, train, and airplane. The slowest of them travels at least ten times the speed of even elven horses" Her eyes widened. "We had communication devices that made it possible to talk with someone in the woodland realm in mere moments" Her eyes again widened "And we had something called a tv, that made us see stories as images on a window screen, somewhat like many paintings but changing quickly as if they were moving." She shook her head and looked at me in disbelief. "It amazes me that any of this is possible. But you are here and lord Elrond confirms it that you are from another world…" She kept looking at me "But you are more at home here and I can see it, and for my own greedy part, I am so very happy you are here now and not in a world of wonders. But here now with me" She said and reached over to me kissing me on the mouth. Feeling her lips, I put my arm around her and held her there in place as the kisses kept coming and we did not stop until breathing with our noses was no longer sufficient.
Tauriel blushed and looked at me "What do you call that we do the numerous kisses, it is so full of passion, love, and care. But so much more than one simple kiss" she asked. "Where I am from we call it making out. It's what one does when one is truly in love." I said with a smile. "Or what this elf does when she is truly in love," I said. The humans in the world I come from did it a lot.
"What were the elves like in that world?" she asked with her general curiosity.
"I never saw any other one in that world as I do not think elves exist there. From what I understand that was a time far into the future where elves no longer exist."
"Will we fail in our task and darkness will swallow the world?" Tauriel asked,
"No my love I do not know how I ended up there nor does ada, but from what we saw we think it was the spells of Morgoth..." I responded. "But there will be darkness in our future, but in the end, everything that is good in the world will come out victorious. The last great evil of long-forgotten ages will be cast down and everything we know will diminish and the world will be new again. For a new age of this world will come and it will be for the dominion of men."
"What will happen to the elves?" Tauriel asked worriedly.
"We will help men in their dark hour, but after we will have a choice. To stay in middle earth and diminish, or we will take a ship into the West and there we will live until the ending of the world and the final battle between good and evil. For there is an evil left, not in middle earth, but in a void that will break out, and when he does we will all fight him and his reborn servants and we will win and the world will be set anew. Without evil war and death. But when or if that happens I truly do not know. But I do like the idea that we can help rid the great evils forever." I said and smiled at her. She seemed worried for a moment, but in the end, she took my hand and smiled.
"Whatever may come we will face it together my love. That is all I need to know" She said and we kissed once again. "And I will not tell a soul. For none will believe any of it anyway" she said with another of her cute smiles.
The sun reached its peak as we sat there resting and enjoying the fact we were now betrothed to be married in one year. It was a joy for us both and I could now put a lid on all my years of sorrow without the love of my life close to me, for no matter what I knew Tauriel. The redhead Silvan elf would be there. Ohh my sweet Tauriel.
"My love?" She then said and looked up at me.
"Yes, my love?" I responded holding her as she rested on me.
"You remember our trip to Khazad Dum?" she simply stated.
"I do my love, what of it?" I responded curiously.
"Well, we did talk about getting Estelwen a gift did we not? We forgot it utterly," she said looking up sadly.
"Ohh we did. We will need to get her something hmmm maybe Meachon can smith her a gift from us?" I said in thought.
"Ohh that is a grand idea, my love. Can we go and ask him now? We have been lazy enough today" She said looking up at me.
"Can it ever be a too-lazy day with you in my arms?" I teased and kissed her head.
"Ney I did not mean it so. My love I just got excited about the idea of a gift for our dear handmaiden."
Now at that, I could not disagree for I too got excited about such an idea.
"Yes let us go and see Meachon, my love. But we need to clean up first" I said and she nodded. It didn't take us long to get the plates and cups into the basket and we set off arms around each other as we enjoyed the day and listening to birds and greeting all the elves we met.
Not too far from the smithy, we saw an elfling we both knew after her nana had become the headmistress of the food hall.
"Lanneth" we both cried and smiled out.
"My ladies" she responded as she saw us and bowed her head.
"How are you sweet one, your nana still loves her new position?" Tauriel asked.
"Ohh yes, my lady. She does and Ada does too for Nana is so very happy. Ruineth can be a handful but she handles her easily enough. Can I do something for you my ladies? If not I need to hurry back and help Nana get lunch decorations ready." She said with a smile looking at us.
"Ohh yes, may you take this basket to your Nana and tell her it was a lovely breakfast she got ready for us? We should have done it ourselves, but we do need to talk to Meachon today. If you are not too busy?" Tauriel and I asked.
"Of course my ladies, it will be my pleasure and I am going there anyway. Please thank lord Elrond for what he did for my Nana and you lady Tauriel" she said bowed and rushed off with the basket.
It was good to see the little elfling happy and we waved her goodbye as we turned towards the smithy. It was not too far and the smoke was pouring out of the chimney of said smithy. Clearly, he was busy forging something grand in his smithy and we knocked on the door and waited a short moment before it opened.
"My ladies, welcome. Please enter" The master smith said as he opened the door.
"Thank you, we both said and smiled at him as we walked into the foreroom of the smithy.
"How may I be of service my ladies?" He asked and got a piece of paper.
"First of all," I said looking at him. "The rings look amazing, you are truly a Master of your craft. Not that I had any doubt I just want to praise you for it.
"My thanks my lady," he said and bowed as Tauriel added to it and agreed wholeheartedly.
"Now we wish to make a gift for dear Estelwen. We wanted to get her something from the dwarves. But in all that happened, we could not find any that spoke of her to us. So we turn yet again to our own Masters of their craft starting with you." Tauriel said. I could not stop and smile as she was getting out of her shell and acting more and more like a lady and taking charge.
"Indeed" I added. "So we are thinking either a neckless, a ring, a wristband, or maybe all three," I said.
"Yes, please do not hold back on any expense. We truly care for her and want her to be happy with it." Tauriel added yet again shocking me.
Meachon sat for a moment in deep thought before he started to draw and not long after he had all three pieces laid out in three different versions on the paper. The first one was a little overboard and the last was too little. But the one in the middle seemed perfect to me.
All three of the middle lines of drawings were in silver and what seemed like small gems to form a star of Imladris with leaves of Mirkwood in it.
It was elegant and simple, yet it seemed to fit very well.
"That is it." I cried out looking at them both. "Oh sorry, I just found the perfect symbol for a matter Ada has talked to me about. I said looking at them both.
"Doesn't it look perfect my love?" I said looking at Tauriel.
She took a long look at it and smiled.
"It does. It has both of us in it" She said and we asked Meachon to make another drawing of that symbol for us to take with us as he did. Yet again we said goodbye to him and we rushed down the road to Geleth and her seamstresses. Knocked on her door and waited. After a bit, the door opened.
"Hello, my ladies. How can I be of service today?" she said with a wondering look on her face as we seemed rushed.
"Dear Geleth, we need a few dresses and travel clothes made for Estelwen," I said and the Head Seamstress looked at us,
"For Estelwen?" She asked.
"Yes for our dear maid. She takes so good care of us and comes with us on travels and everything we can think of she does it without a fuss so we are putting together a gift for her." Tauriel said excitedly.
"Ohh, I understand. What do my ladies think of her?"
"You know this better than us, but we wish to have at least eight or ten dresses for her and six or eight everyday clothes and four travel clothes of sturdy material. Nothing that needs to go under armor, just some protection and keeps her comfortable. I know we elves don't feel cold and such, but I want her to feel well in it." I said and Tauriel nodded in agreement.
"Núriel, can you please go and find my size book? I am sure I have Estelwen's size there as she is staff for the lord and ladies." Geleth said and Núriel nodded and hurried off.
She then showed us some typical dresses, even some of the fashion we had and we agreed on it and showed her the symbol we wanted in it to show her station and place with us. Geleth took a quick drawing of it as I needed to show it to Ada as well and Núriel came back with the book.
"Here Mistress is the book, is there anything else?" The assistant asked.
"No thank you Núriel" She responded with a smile and she bowed and went back to her workstation.
"Let me see, what if we sew it between the bust of the dress so it is clearly in view and yet not too dominating?" Geleth proposed.
It was something like that we had thought of, but it was a nice idea.
"I do like it, the dress is not too low cut so it will seem as a place to look at her Brest's either," Tauriel said
"It is tasteful and well done as we know you do it, dear Geleth," I said and smiled at her.
"I thank you, my lady. Shall we go for this design then my ladies?" she asked us and would do it to the other clothes as well.
"I think so, what you say, my love?" I asked Tauriel.
"Yes, do so. Will it take you long for it to be finished?" we asked her.
"Ney I would not say so. Give me two weeks and it will all be finished.
"Thank you, sweet Geleth," I said taking her hands
"Yes thank you," Tauriel said and took her hands after I let go and we bid her farewell.
I only waited for Tauriel to come out and shut the door before I was off again towards the house and she came up after me.
"You are in a rush today my love," She said as she came up beside me and took hold of my hand.
I looked at her and smiled.
"Well so many pieces of things we should have done ages ago are falling into place for me and I think we need to do them now"
"Of what are you speaking? I knew not you had much on your mind or that we should get what this is done." She said wondering.
"Well, it is something Ada has asked me after we started to court and again after you asked me to be your wife. It is weird that he has not spoken to you about this, but it is no secret. He wondered what our heraldry would look like." I spoke as we went and Tauriel got an oh yes moment.
"Now it makes sense... even if I never believed I would have banners with my or our heraldry on it," she said keeping up with me.
"Nor did I my love. But as Ada spoke of it to me it makes sense to me. We are to travel the world in years to come with guards and for campaigns against evil" I said lowly. "For us to be known by friends as we fight with them is a great honor and necessity of battles we will fight," I said as she kept up with me and nodded in agreement.
"How my life has changed," she said then simply and held my hand even firmer. "Had any said to me when I was an elfling that I would be the wife of the first child of the lord and lady of Imladris? I would have thought them mad." She added as we bowed and moved past many of the elves of the valley.
"Had any told me I was to marry the most beautiful elleth in Middle Earth and be the daughter of the wisest of elven lords I would have thought them equally mad" spoke back to her and smiled as both her cheeks and ears turned red by my comment of her.
Our small talk continued as we entered the house and saw none, but servants in the living area, kitchen, and library of study. Everyone seemed to be out as Lindir caught our eyes.
"Lindir, may I ask where my Ada is?" I asked looking curious about our steward.
"My ladies." He responded with a bow. "I do not know. My lady Celebrian is out with the ladies of the valley except the two of you of course. But Lord Elrond did not speak to me where he was off to. I would go to the bottom of the falls. He sometimes goes there to clear his mind" At this we looked curious at each other.
"I cannot remember a time were Ada has gone there?" I responded curiously and Lindir smiled.
"Ney my lady you would not. My Lord goes there when he needs his mind cleared and to think of matters of importance. He has after all a big event coming up in a year's time. Now if my ladies will excuse me" He said and bowed.
"Of course and thank you," We said and bowed back at him and set out for the falls. It took some time to walk there as even if Imladris looks small compared to the big cities of Middle Earth it is still quite large and goes far down the valley and river. Farther than most would think and the amount of elves living here was much greater than one would guess.
Many said hi on our way and many did not dare but only bowed and we returned it, but as we came closer to the bottom of the falls fewer and fewer we saw and there he stood. Ada and Lord in what seemed as in deep thought and meditation.
"Elwen, Tauriel." He said without turning. Clearly feeling our fea's
"Ada," I said and Tauriel went all out. "My Lord" and he turned towards us and slowly opened his eyes.
"Is there anything wrong my dears?" he asked.
"Well Ada, you asked me of what heraldry I thought fitting for me and Tauriel," I said as I reached for the drawing Meachon had made. "I think this would be fitting" I then said and handed it to him.
"Indeed?" He responded and took it and studied it.
"It is your banner and star just with leaves of the woodland realm on it. and two knives crossing at the top of it" I said excitedly.
"Indeed it is. Do you not want something more fully of yours? I would not demand it to be so much of mine in it" He then asked us.
"Ney" Tauriel responded quickly. "If you allow it Lord I would be honored to do as little to change yours as possible and only add the simple changes to our banner. if that is allowed"
"I agree with her Ada. I am proud to be your daughter and that of Nana. To change more would not make me happy. Only displeased as I am proud of who my family is." I finished saying and Tauriel yet again took over.
"As am I, my lord. You have given me many great honors. please accept this as my way of honoring you back" She said proudly and bowed her head.
"It is not for me you do this, but I am happy you both want to honor me. If this is your wish I will ask to get banners made and to have it made official." He said and took our hands before he hugged us both.
Who could have known finding gifts for Estelwen would lead us to find our heraldry as we did? The world works in mysterious ways. Weeks passed as we waited for the gifts to be made. Both of us were giddy about the thought of her reaction. It would be worth it for sure.
Ada still had his tutor classes with Tauriel. Nana made me spend time with the ladies of the valley trying to make me a part of that side of elven society as well. Not that it truly worked.
"Do not frown my daughter. It is your duty to be a part of such gatherings as well. You are our first child and such you simply must deal with other duties but that of the sword" Nana said as we walked down the hall. I did envy Tauriel and her lessons with Ada at that moment.
"But Nana. Is it not more fitting that Elladan or Elrohir comes with as they are..." Before I could say my peace she stopped and turned towards me.
"They are what my daughter?" It felt like a dare and I disliked it.
"I mean Nana... They are your birth children..." I then said lowly so none but she could hear.
At this Nana's face got sad and took my arm into a side room before shutting the door.
"How can you say such a thing Elwen? Have we not treated you as our own? Have we not always been equal to you as to them?" I could see her face saddened by the comment I simply made to get out of such a meeting with the ladies of the valley.
"I did not mean it so Nana... I just... I see you and Ada as my parents. I just thought it would seem off now that you have two sons and a daughter in Arwen that is your blood..." At this, she grabbed my hands and squeezed them somewhat hard.
"Elwen you are as much our child as they, I see no difference in them to you and or in any other way. I know I did not carry you within me, but it matters not. You are our daughter and our first child. We would never see you as less than that nor does any in the valley. Do not let dark thoughts say otherwise nor doubt your place ever again. Still, after over a hundred years with us, you doubt yourself. Please do not do so for no matter what you are ours and of our line" she said with a smile that was both warm and comforting.
My eyes watered up as I knew that they felt this way and always had since they took me in. But to still have her say so made my heart feel even warmer than it had just a moment before.
"Nana..." I could not speak as she pulled me in for a hug and kissed my cheek and ear.
"Shhh my daughter. It is just what we feel and what you are to us and that will never change. But why do you doubt your place so?" she asked as she held me.
At first, I did not want to say it, but I had at times when I could not sleep thought of what my line truly was. For I knew it not and when Ada had looked into my past after I came here he had only seen my old world. None of where I came from in Middle Earth or from what time. I had tried for it to not worry me, but the truth was it did worry me as I lived as a lady in what was more or less a royal household and I felt like a commoner, no matter how much my wife to be called me a lady of the Noldor it made me feel as an imposter.
"At times I think of so when I cannot sleep, it is not of me being ungrateful Nana. But you, Ada, and Tauriel all know of where you came from and all the titles and gifts I have been granted by you, and Ada feels like I am not deserving of any. What if I am just of a lowborn line and here I pretend to be of the lord and lady of Imladris..." Nana just held me harder as I spoke and before her hands loosened up and moved cupping my face.
"Why have you not spoken to us about these things? I knew not you felt like so... We will speak with Ada after we have met with the ladies. This cannot go on my daughter!" She said firmly and smiled at me. "I feel so sad you have felt so undeserving of your place and role with us, but you have earned it all I promise you. You are our pride and joy and for you to be the elleth you have become gladdens my heart ever so!" she said and gave me a kiss.
"Nana... please do not think of me ungrateful... I just feel I am not worth of it all." I tried to explain.
"And that is why we will talk to Ada when we can. Now come, we are late for tea with the ladies." She said firmly and led me on.
It was not far to the pavilion where we were to meet Lostiel, the wife of Lindir. Halves wife of Gildor and Taen, wife of Erestor. Except for me, Nana, Arwen, and Tauriel they were the highest ranking elleths of the valley and as we walked in they all bowed to us and smiled.
"My ladies," Nana said and smiled at them.
"My lady Celebrain, My lady Elwen," they all said back.
"My ladies," I said just as Nana did.
"Please do excuse us for being late. Something very important came up that we had to deal with quickly." She said to them
"Think none of it my ladies" Taen responded quickly. "We were just chatting ideally until you would arrive," Lostiel added. "Indeed so, please sit my ladies" Halves added.
We bowed to them and sat down and the chat went idly of sewing, dresses, and gossip. At least the last I knew some off and we had a laugh, but it was not my scene and I guess it was clear as I knew little of dresses and sewing. Politics on the other hand I knew much of. Elflings and such I only knew how to aid Nana and not the in-depth workings or how it was to carry one to term, nor would I know, but I was fine with it and Lostiel looked at me and said.
"So my lady, how is it to be betrothed? I must say you and Lady Tauriel make a sweet couple and you both seem so happy" she said as she took a sip of tea.
"Thank you lady Lostiel, we are very happy indeed. I am lucky she wanted me in return as I know our love is rare" I said and tried to smile.
"Rare yes, but not unheard of." Lady Taen said. "My husband did tell me of a few cases from long ago yet sadly those elves have now passed in war as far as I know..." she stopped herself. "but from what my husband said they lived happy lives and I am sure will do so again in the blessed realm. Hopefully, you will come with us when we go and meet them my lady" she said and smiled.
"Ohh yes, I am sure the lord and lady will make their children come. I would dread the thought of my young to stay in Middle Earth when I sail." Halves added.
"I too would not love it, but I cannot and will not dictate my children's lives. I swore to that when Elwen was blessed to come to us" Nana said and put her arm around me.
"My lady you are truly blessed" Lostiel then said and Taen and Halves agreed.
"Indeed she is. four beautiful children and a worthy heir in Elwen" Taen said. To the witch, I wanted to correct her, but Nana pulled me tight as she knew I wanted to object.
"Elwen is indeed worthy," Halves said and smiled at me. "To think she is such a fine elleth at such a young age. A captain, a leader, a warrior, and a protector. I feel so safe knowing we have such elves on our borders" Halves then added and bowed her head to me. I knew not how to respond other than to bow to her and Nana thanked her.
"Ohh and the lady Tauriel. She is a fierce warrior too. I have seen them spar in the training yard when my husband took me for a walk." Lostiel said.
"She is so, she and my daughter is a fitting pairing and I could not be happier with my daughter's choice. Tauriel is doing very well with her lessons too" Nana praised my love and I could not help but smile.
"I heard so from my servant Eldur, you may know her daughter lady Elwen. She is Idril," Taen asked me.
"Ohh Idril, I know her well. She has acted as our second in command." I responded with a smile. "She is indeed skillful".
"It pleases me to hear so my lady, may I tell her Nana you said so? She is worried for her elleth every time she goes out of the valley," she commented.
"Of course, Idril is a friend and I am very happy to serve with her. She is a very capable warrior and leader for her young age and we have become good friends with her" I responded and thought to myself that maybe her position should be made permanent.
"I thank you, my lady," Taen said. "Eldur will be so happy to know it." and I smiled back at her comment. "I wish my son, Elanorher had less of his Ada's love for books and would be of the woods and live life himself and not just read of it. It dreads me that he might one day feel as if he has wasted his life for lore and not seen the world." She added.
"He is a scholar like his Ada, my friend." Halves said and jumped in. "Elwen is a warrior and leader of our people. He is of lore and books. We need to let them be as they are. For we cannot force our wishes to be their life" She said putting her hand on her friend's shoulder. "As with my daughter Aerel. She has taken up sides from both me and my husband. She is happy to see the world and yet come home to sew with me and drink tea. I only hope she will come back from Lindon soon. Her Ada sent her there to prepare for a future task, but of what I know not." she said sad and was comforted by us all.
"They are their own elves and we need to let them be so," Lostiel added. "That being said I am happy my elleth Lenthel takes after her Ada mostly and stays here and helps Lindir with his tasks." As she said so I remembered the young elf I had started to see dart around the house and act very like Lindir. Still young, but as devoted to serving as her Ada is.
"They are so and all we can do is to love and support them as they grow into what they are meant to be," Nana said smiling at me as the chatting continued I drifted off some and thought of what they all had said and responded when they talked to me. Not long after we all bid goodbye for now and we set our way back to the house and down at the training yard Tauriel was so busy with her command lessons that she did not even notice us. I loved seeing her so dedicated and Glorfindel was clearly a good teacher.
We then entered the house and walked arm in arm towards Ada's office and Nana knocked and we waited for him to bid us enter which came not long after. "Enter," he said firmly.
"My love, my daughter. What have I done to deserve such visitors during the day?" He said and smiled.
"Sadly it is not such a visit my love," Nana said. "Elwen has had a tough time of things and has not wanted to tell us so we would worry," she said as he got up and kissed and hugged her before he hugged me.
"What is the matter daughter?" he said and made a move for me to sit between them on the sofa.
"I have at times questioned myself, Ada..." I said cutting myself off and took a breath and he just waited for me to be ready to say more. "I sometimes when I cannot sleep think of my role and place here. That I am unfit for it. You and Nana are more or less royalty and I know not even what I am. For all we know I am but a commoner or less so and I feel as if I taint the family... It has none to do with you or Nana or how you have treated me vs the twins or Arwen. I just feel out of place as I know nothing of my long ago past before the dark and evil world I lived in." I said ashamed of my feelings and could not look at them and only looked down into my folded hands.
"Ohh Elwen..." Ada said looking at me. "Tell me, do you have trouble sleeping because of it?" He asked. "Yes Ada... and sometimes due to nightmares of a dark time... of war... but I am so little I can do nothing and I am so scared..." I said as a tear came down my cheek.
"Does Tauriel know?" He asked. "Ney Ada she does not. I always collect myself before she wakes and her sleep is deep and well." I felt Nana's hand around me and her head on my shoulder as I spoke.
He then nodded and took a deep breath. "We need to look into those dreams and see if there are clues to what makes you have them. Now lay down and close your eyes" He said and Nana got up and sat in a chair near to me if she was needed and Ada got on his knees and put his hands on my head after I laid down.
"Take deep breaths and relax as much as you can Elwen. If you are too scared or worried say stop and I will. Understood?"
"Yes Ada" I responded and closed my eyes and my breaths deep.
First, there was nothing. Only darkness, then a forest. Dark it was, full of trees yet no light. Then a small hut I saw as images flashed before me. Of another young elfling sitting beside me as I'm held by a woman. My first thought was Brother and yet I felt such hate for him I could not understand why. Next, I saw the female elf before me better and she was dressed in white. Her hair is long and dark and her eyes are grey. She looked at me and smiled playing with me as she held me in her arms. I knew it was me, even if I was so small. Yet again the images shift and I see the male elf dressed in black begging us to stay and not leave for the woman in white's home. Next, I saw myself in her arms as I was still very small and young as she left with me and the one I would feel was my brother. Darkness followed us, yet we did not seem to know. Again it jumped to us all standing in a courtyard of a large white city. Several new figures were around me. Someone I did not know was holding me and there was an argument... Out of nowhere came a javelin and hit the woman in white in the chest. She fell down and guards grabbed the dark-clothed elf and he was ordered onto the ramparts and thrown off it. I cried so hard seeing the beautiful woman in white lay there, Javelin in her chest crying as she could feel it was poisoned and she died not long after. I could feel tears on my cheek, but I did not ask Ada to stop as he also saw what I saw.
Then a few new pictures came of me growing up there and getting tutored in several things from blade handling to spells and elven skills. The last that came before me was that of the white city burning. Chaos was all about and those who had cared for me were in shock and disbelief as the streets were filled with death and dark creatures. Demon's all around us and an elf charged one of the lead Demon and in that moment all was black again... I found myself in a forest yet again. Lights that I had never seen before and someone talking to me in a language I knew not. The hell world it was it. "No no no no" I started to say before I got up out of Ada's grip and cried hard "NOOOOOO" I screamed so hard servants came to the door asking if all was well and Ada hurried over and said yes and sent them away. As he turned I was in Nana's arms crying hard.
Nana did all she could to comfort me and hold me. Yet she knew not what we had seen.
"What happened? Elwen, husband. What did you see." She sounded distressed as I cried and he was shocked. None of us could speak at first before he came to me and held me too.
"I know where she is from," he said simply and held me and Nana hard, but comforting. "But I know not how she can be here or how she was sent to the other world." We then just sat there quietly for a while and then Ada told Nana what he had seen in my locked away memory.
"Can either of you please tell me what you saw?" Nana then said and i looked up at her and cried more.
Ada then collected himself looked at her and laid his hand on hers as she held me.
"We saw what I think is her birth, Nana and Ada," he said taking a breath.
"You did? Where are they? can we contact them?" She asked him.
"Ney...ney..." he responded. "They are long dead and all she knew is too except one," He said.
"ELROND HALFELVEN TELL ME WHAT YOU SAW" she demanded angrily as I cried in her arms.
He then took a deep breath and slowly started to speak.
"From what we saw I will say Elwen is the daughter of Aredhel and Eõl," he said simply and held me firmly.
Nana gasped and her one hand held me firmer and the other held my hair.
"My Nana's cousin's daughter?" She then said with disbelief.
"Yes," Ada simply responded. "She is A..." At this, I stopped him.
"Ney I am Elwen," I said simply. "I am Elwen... please tell none of this, please," I said beginning them.
Ada held me tight and looked at me. "Elwen this is not something to take easy on. You are the daughter of a princess of Gondolin"
I looked at him with sadness. "And if this is right the daughter of a dark elf. Whose son destroyed Gondolin? What am I then? What if I ever do so as my brother did? But to Imladris?" I asked scared as I was for it.
"You are not your brother," Ada said firmly. "You are kind. caring. Loving. You care for your brothers and sister. For me and Nana. Ney you are not like him. He was darkness and you are light. Nor do I know what happened to you. But I swear you are my daughter and that will never change!"
We then sat talking and I cried more. I knew not what this meant for me except that if a title that had no worth. Gondolin was long gone and if what we saw was right I knew who my birth Nana and Ada was. Not that it mattered as both were dead and had not returned to Middle Earth and my Nana Celebrian and Ada Elrond meant the world to me.
What had seemed so important seemed less so now after our long talk and the revelation I might not wish I had known after all.
Night was falling over the Valley and a knock we heard on the door. Ada got up and opened the door to see Tauriel standing there in her ranger outfit as it had been such a training day for her.
"My lord," she said seeing Ada open for her yet the moment she saw me and that I had cried she rushed past him and dropped to her knees grabbing my hands. He had no time to invite her in for she only cared for me.
"My love what is wrong, why have you been crying?" she asked worriedly.
I knew not what to say as I looked at her and just hugged her. I simply needed to hold her.
"What has happened? My lord? My lady?" she begged them to speak.
"Elwen wanted to see if we could find a memory of her young life before the dark world she lived for a time. If there was any clue of who she is or belongs to. From before I knew she had Noldor's blood, but I did not want to push her to see images I knew not what would be" Ada said to her.
"What did you see?" Tauriel asked as I held her hard, not wanting to speak.
"We saw what she wanted to know and we saw the fall of a great city of the Noldor... Dark arts that sent her to the world she was taken back from and much death... Death of her birth Nana and Ada and the betrayal of her brother..." He said.
"Of what city do you speak" She asked him and looked at Nana who now was holding us both.
"Gondolin" He responded simply. "From what we saw I believe Elwen is the long-believed dead daughter of Aredhel," He said and looked at her.
"I know not the story, but is it not good that she now knows?" and to that, I shook my head on her shoulder as Ada explained the story to Tauriel.
As the story came to an end and I could feel her worry for me she only pulled off to kiss my cheek.
"It matters not what your brother did. You are the complete opposite of him. Ohh my love, do not worry or feel ashamed, you are not like him. He was darkness and evil you are goodness and light. Daughter of the Noldor" she said so we all could hear. "You are the daughter of a princess and now is a princess herself of Imladris. I do not care of who bore you or of what name you come from. To me, you are Elwen of Imladris and I am lucky you would have a silvan elf for a wife." Tauriel said and kissed my cheek
"She is to us as well, she has traveled long in time and space to be here, and if she still wants us to be her Ada.."
"Do not say such foolishness, Ada! I looked up at him from Tauriel's safe shoulder. You are my Ada and will forever be so and so will you be my Nana. Nana. I said looking at her. I feel so foolish for wanting to know more about who I was or who my birth givers were. All I need is you all, the twins and Arwen!"
Little more was said that day of what we had learned except Nana told Galadriel during their talks and she was happy I had been found and not dead as the stories said and her own feeling confirmed. She had for a moment just believed our familiar connection was due to me being adopted by her daughter, now we knew different and that we were indeed kin of more than just adoption, but of family bonds. To think that if I had stayed in Middle Earth and not been sent away by dark magic I would have been older than Ada and Nana was strange. But it mattered not. For time had passed differently or I had been sent to different places in time so I was still a young elf.
It was decided not to tell others about it, but we all wanted to hear what Glorfindel had to say as he lived in that city when I did and should have remembered me. Shouldn't he? I knew I wanted to ask him at some point, but for now, I did not want or need to know. I just wanted life to be normal again.
We did tell the twins and were shocked as they were deemed not to treat me differently or care much. I was still their sister and that was all they cared about, when I told them my fears of what my brother had done and what I could do they shook it off as Tauriel had. It was not me and they had known me longer. I was their big loving sister who would do anything for them to protect them and the people. if anything I was light and goodness, he was only darkness and a servant of evil.
It made me so happy that they felt so and they teased me as ever when I cried hugging them and thanking them.
"Think nothing of it o princess of Gondolin," Elladan said with Elrohir adding "We know you outrank us for being our big sister, but does this mean you double outrank us?" he teased.
I had to smile at them being them and Tauriel teased me about it and said it in no unclear terms.
"I knew you were a lady of the Noldor and now I know you are a princess of both Gondolin and Imladris." She said with a huge smile. "I love being right," she said with a smile and gave me kisses after I shook my head at her. "But it matters not, I do not love you for titles or rank. I love you for you my love Elwen of Imladris. Daughter of Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian. What else you are it matters not to me as long as you can still marry a lowly silvan elf" she again teased.
"I can marry no other elf but this redhead silvan elf in my arms," I said and smiled at her and kissed her back.
It took me some time to get over the shock, but when I did a delivery came to our door before bed. Estelwen opened the door and received it from one of the elf curriers.
"My ladies," she said and got our attention.
"Yes?" We responded and saw the package from Geleth and Meachon. It seemed they had sent it together as we told them of our plan.
"Ohh my is it ready" I said and Tauriel hurried over to the table and wrote a note quickly.
"I knew not my ladies had ordered new clothes, let me put them away," she said as the ever-dutiful servant she was.
"NEY" I cried out and she got suspicious of me. "I mean no please don't uhm..." and then my love came to my rescue.
"Here Estelwen read this," she said and put her arm around me and kissed my cheek.
She then started to read it out loud.
"To Estelwen. Ever are you the dutiful servant and friend we do not deserve. All the time you show great patience with us and go far beyond your duty to be there for us. Please accept this as a small thank you for everything you do"
She then looked up confused as the big package was on the table.
"Is this all for me my ladies?" she then asked and looked confused, to say the least.
"It is. now please open it" we said almost more eager than her as she was still in a shocked mode.
"But my ladies I only do my..." at this we had to stop her.
"Ney Estelwen you go beyond from the moment Nana made you come and serve me," I said and smiled.
"And accepting to serve me too, now I know I have infuriated you many times so please accept it!" Tauriel said.
Estelwen then shook her head and smiled and nodded. "I just hope it is not too much," She said and started to undo the knots and packaging around it.
We both waited in excitement as she undid it and her face when she saw the dresses on dresses and travel clothes and box on top. She was speechless and slowly opened the wooden box we bet was made by Meachon for the neckless.
She did not seem able to speak as she looked into the box, her jaw dropped and her eyes were like the stars in the heavens"
"My ladies..." she gasped and put her free hand in front of her mouth "This is far too much I cannot accept it..." Her shock was what we aimed for and smiled as we walked over I lifted her long hair and Tauriel took the necklace out of its box and put it around her neck.
She tried to decline, but we did not let her.
As it was now in place we took her in front of the mirror and there it was, perfect around our servant and friend's neck. The star of Imladris with woodland leaves and long knives.
"We hope you like it dear friend." we both said and smiled at her as her eyes sparkled.
"It is beautiful my ladies. But it is all too much. I cannot accept it!" She said excusing herself.
"You can, it is a gift and we would feel so bad if you declined it. We care for you deeply" I said.
"If I can accept all the love and gifts Elwen and her family have given me so can you with a few pieces of clothes and a neckless Estelwen" Tauriel added.
At this, she could not disagree as she had told Tauriel to accept much of it and to accept her role and now she had to take her own advice from her ladies.
"Then I must say my thanks my ladies for this is all too much... I don't know how... I just ohh" she said and hugged us both and kissed our cheeks as she got ever so giddily and smiled. Looking it all over.
"We are happy you like it so very happy," I said and smiled.
"Tauriel then explained our heraldry to Estelwen and she got ever more prideful of what it meant.
That night I was simply exhausted of how our betrothed life had begun. I was very happy, very shocked, but knew I had the best family an elleth could have in Middle Earth.