As winter relinquished its hold to the gentle embrace of spring, Elrond finally made his return to Imladris. After a prolonged absence, a throng of elves gathered to greet their beloved lord. Yet, amid the crowd of well-wishers, handshakes, and questions, his eyes sought only one—a spot of gold amidst the crowd. Though he acknowledged each greeting with grace, his gaze wandered incessantly. Time and distance had not healed him of the ailment that some called love.
He returned with a decision made in his heart, or rather a promise to himself — he would not pursue Celebrían. Never would he ever confess his feelings to her, to spare her the discomfort of having to turn him down. Yet, while she remains in his home, he will enjoy and cherish every moment of it, given him by the fate as a precious gift, until such time comes that she is taken from him forever. Then he will grieve.
But the one, who stole his heart, was nowhere to be seen among the crowd. Could it be that she did not wait for his return and left already? Or cared so little that hadn't even came down to greet him? As his shoulders slumped in disappointment, and his heart sunk, a familiar voice called out from behind, causing his heart to pace erratically. "Aiya, Heru Elrondo, tulyalyo tulë laurëa i lasessë Lairëo. Well met, Lord Elrond," the voice said. "Your arrival brings the warmth of spring with it."
Elrond turned, and his breath caught in his throat as he met the wide blue eyes he had longed for so desperately. In that moment, the crowd and all the noise around them faded into oblivion. He stared into her eyes, unable to look away, to breathe, or to utter a single word. The world around them seemed to pause as they stood there, their connection palpable, a silent acknowledgment of the bond that had formed despite his absence. Celebrían's eyes shone with a mixture of warmth and sadness, reflecting the depth of her own feelings. In that moment, they were lost in each other, the weight of their unspoken words hanging between them.
"Well met, Lady Celebrían," he finally managed, his voice husky with emotion.
Elrond's return to Imladris brought a profound sense of relief to Celebrían, who had endured her own struggles during his absence. The days had stretched endlessly without him, each one a painful reminder of the void his departure had left. In an effort to fill the emptiness, she had thrown herself into her studies, seeking solace among the ancient scrolls and dusty tomes of the Hall of Lore. Yet, no matter how deeply she immersed herself in her pursuits, the memory of Elrond lingered like a gentle whisper in the wind, an ever-present echo in the corridors of her mind.
Now, as she stood before him, a whirlwind of emotions churned within her, a blend of joy and uncertainty swirling like a tempest. She wanted to express the depth of her feelings, to tell him how his departure had affected her, how she longed and burned every day, every minute, for him. Yet, the words clung stubbornly to her throat, refusing to be set free. Instead, she met his gaze with unwavering intensity, her eyes a vivid tapestry of emotions, each thread woven with the love and longing she struggled to voice.
As the crowd gradually dispersed, Elrond and Celebrían found themselves walking together in the garden, the beauty of the blooming flowers a fitting backdrop to their reunion.
Elrond glanced at the vibrant blossoms, their colors echoing the warmth he felt within. "The garden has flourished in my absence," he remarked, his voice imbued with a gentle melody. "It seems the seasons have been kind."
Celebrían nodded, her gaze lingering on the flowers. "Indeed, it has. The splendor of spring graces us with its presence."
Elrond smiled softly. "The arrival of spring is a precious gift. I've longed for the... beauty of Imladris." The truth of what or who he had longed for almost slipped his tongue, but he schooled himself just in time. "It brings to mind our lessons. I have been wondering whether you, by any chance, might wish to resume them?"
A spark of excitement lit up Celebrían's eyes, though she maintained her composed elegance. "Resuming our studies? I would find great joy in that. The absence of our discussions has been… deeply felt." Of course, the absence of him was what felt even deeper, heavier, torturous even. But he didn't have to know that. She would never put him into a position of having to reject her, sparing his a discomfort of it. Because he surely would.
Elrond's heart lifted at her words. "Then it is decided. We shall continue our journey through the realms of lore and wisdom tomorrow. I have acquired new texts and scrolls that I believe will captivate your intellect."
Celebrían's smile widened, her joy evident despite her efforts to remain composed. "I eagerly await our next session."
Their gazes locked again, each trying to guess the other's unspoken sentiments, yet both miserably failing in their uncertainty and self-doubt.
Her dreams that night were a tumultuous blend of images and sensations, fueled by the emotions of the day. She saw herself wandering through the misty gardens of Imladris, searching for something just beyond her reach. Suddenly, Elrond appeared before her, his eyes gleaming with an intensity that made her breath catch. He reached for her, his fingers barely grazing her cheek as he leaned for a kiss, before the scene dissolved into swirling mist.
She awoke with a start, her heart racing and her skin flushed. The first light of dawn was barely visible through her window. Unable to return to sleep, Silmeriel rose and dressed, deciding an early morning walk might clear her head.
The gardens were quiet and still in the soft pre-dawn light. Dew glistened on every leaf and petal, and a gentle mist clung to the ground. Silmeriel wandered aimlessly, lost in thought, until she found herself in a secluded glade she had never visited before. A small stream bubbled nearby, and wildflowers dotted the fresh spring grass.
So absorbed she had been in her thoughts that she didn't notice the figure approaching, until a familiar voice spoke her name.
"Lady Celebrían?"
She whirled around to find Elrond standing just a few paces away, looking as surprised to see her as she was to see him. Her heart leapt into her throat.
"My lord Elrond," she managed to say, bowing her head with respect. "I... I didn't expect to encounter anyone at this hour."
"Nor did I," he replied, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I often walk here when sleep eludes me. The tranquility helps to calm my thoughts."
Silmeriel nodded, acutely aware of how alone they were. The silence stretched between them, filled with unspoken words and hidden longings.
Finally, Elrond spoke again. "Since we are both here, perhaps you would allow me to show you something. There is a viewpoint nearby that offers a spectacular sight of the sunrise over the valley."
Silmeriel found herself unable to speak, so she just nodded. Elrond extended his hand instead of his arm this time. After a brief moment of hesitation, she accepted it, resting her palm in his. The proximity of his warmth caused a shiver to run down her spine.
They walked in silence through the misty garden, the only sound the soft crunch of their footsteps on the dewy grass. Silmeriel was hyperaware of every point of contact between them, her skin tingling where his arm brushed against hers, and his fingers wrapping around hers, gentle, yet firm.
At last, they emerged onto a small cliff overlooking the valley.
"Are you cold, my lady?" Elrond noticed her shivering, not so much from a cold breeze as from the nearness of him. Without waiting for her response, he removed his outer robe and draped it gently over her shoulders. The fabric was still warm from his body, and Silmeriel inhaled deeply, breathing in his scent of pine and parchment.
"Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
The mists were beginning to lift, revealing glimpses of the landscape below. As they watched, the first rays of the sun peeked over the distant mountains, painting the sky in brilliant hues of pink and gold.
"It's beautiful," Silmeriel breathed, momentarily forgetting her nervousness in the face of such splendor.
"Yes," Elrond agreed, but when she glanced at him, she found his eyes were fixed on her rather than the sunrise. Her breath caught in her throat at the intensity of his gaze, and she looked away. Without thinking, Elrond's hand rose, almost of its own accord, to brush a stray lock of hair from her face.
Celebrían looked up, startled by the touch. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the air between them seemed to crackle with unspoken emotion. Elrond quickly withdrew his hand, cursing himself for the mistake silently.
"Forgive me," he stuttered. "I was..."
Celebrían's cheeks flushed pink, her heart was pounding in her chest, and yet, she could not avert her gaze from his. Her recent dream came to mind, causing her face to burn even brighter. The tension between them grew, thick and heady. Elrond found himself leaning closer, drawn by an invisible force. Celebrían's breath hitched, her eyes wide and expectant. Just as their lips were about to meet, a sound of approaching footsteps jolted them apart.
"Lord Elrond?" his attendant found them immediately after. "A message has arrived from King Gil-galad."
Elrond closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to compose himself. "I will be there shortly," he called back. Turning to Celebrían, he saw a mix of disappointment and understanding in her eyes.
"Duty calls, my lady" he said softly, his voice tinged with regret. "I shall see you in the afternoon."
Celebrían nodded, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "Until then, lord Elrond."
As Elrond left with an elf, his heart raced with the realization of how close he had come to breaking his own vow. He had promised himself he would not pursue Celebrían, yet in that moment, all his resolve had crumbled. All the time and distance he placed between them, did not help. It made things worse, it made him lose his head when he finally returned to her. He knew he must be more careful, lest he risk everything.
Ithriel approached the stone bench just as Ariel instructed. The garden was empty and silent, not even the night birds were heard. Eerie feeling sent shivers down her spine, yet she attributed it to the excitement she had felt. She turned to her guard. "Stay there. I need to think, in silence."
She sat by the water, her gaze darting from tree to tree. She wondered, how would Ariel ever hoped to meet, with Mairon's spy drilling holes in her back with her ever watchful gaze.
Ithriel closed her eyes, focusing on the gentle sound of the water. She tried to clear her mind, waiting for any sign of Ariel's presence. Minutes passed, and nothing happened. Just as she was beginning to doubt, a soft rustle caught her attention. Suddenly, as if emerging from the very mists of the garden, Ariel appeared before her. Ithriel's eyes widened in surprise, her heart racing at the unexpected sight. She glanced back at her guard, but the woman remained motionless, her gaze fixed on some distant point as if in a trance.
"Do not fear," Ariel's melodious voice soothed. "She sees only what I wish her to see - an illusion of you sitting peacefully."
She marveled at the Maia's power. "How long will this last?" she whispered.
Ariel's golden eyes twinkled with something akin to satisfaction. "Long enough for our purposes. Now, let us begin your training in earnest."
Ithriel nodded, her heart racing. "What do you need me to do?"
Ariel's eyes gleamed with an otherworldly light. "Listen carefully. There is a power within you, dormant but strong. You must learn to harness it." She took Ithriel's hands in her own. A tingling sensation spread through Ithriel's body, like lightning dancing beneath her skin.
"Feel the energy around you," Ariel instructed. "The water, the earth, the very air - they all hold power. Reach out with your mind. Let it flow through you."
Ithriel closed her eyes, concentrating. At first, she felt nothing. Then, slowly, she became aware of a subtle vibration, a hum of energy that pulsed through everything around her.
"I can feel it," she breathed, her eyes still closed.
"Good," Ariel said. "Now, focus on your hröa. Imagine it shed as the leaves from the autumn trees, leaving only your fëa floating in the air. Once done, it won't be hröa any longer, but fana, the one you can rebuild to your liking."
Ithriel furrowed her brow, picturing the tree shading leaves. Yet, nothing happened. She concentrated harder, picturing her body dissolving away like mist, leaving only her essence behind. Still, she felt firmly rooted in her physical form. Frustration began to creep in.
"I can't do it," she said, opening her eyes with a sigh. "I'm trying, but nothing's happening."
Ariel's expression remained calm. "Do not be discouraged. This is merely the beginning. Your power is there, but it requires practice to unlock." She placed a cool hand on Ithriel's forehead. "Perhaps I can help you with that. Let me look into your mind, to see what's missing. Close your eyes once more."
Ithriel obeyed, her eyelids fluttering shut.
She felt a presence in her mind, burning and intrusive, swiping through her memories and feelings. The sensation was overwhelming, unpleasant, frightening even. Suddenly, a sharp pain lanced through Ithriel's head. She cried out, pushing Ariel forcefully from her mind and from the bench to the ground. In an instant, she opened her eyes, gasping for air.
"What did you do?" she asked, her voice shaky.
"I just searched for you powers, girl," maia's lips curled into a cold smile, as she got back on her feet. "I am impressed, you are strong. Much stronger than I was led to believe. But should you resist me like that, I afraid our training will not work. Salmar would be very disappointed to find out…"
"No, wait!" Ithriel panicked, grabbing Ariel's arm. "Please. I won't resist."
Ariel looked around, as if sensing something. "Fine. But we are out of time. Come back tomorrow, we shall try again. And remember, do not tell anyone of what have happened. Not even your little sister. Mairon might read your letters."
Left alone, Ithriel approached her guard, who just now seemed to be back into consciousness. "I wish to go now," her voice sounded shaky. She was weary of the experience, and her head ached terribly.
As Ithriel and her guard made their way back to the castle, a wave of dizziness washed over her. She stumbled, barely catching herself against a nearby tree.
"My lady, are you unwell?" The guard's voice was laced with concern.
Ithriel shook her head, trying to clear the fog from her mind. "I'm fine," she insisted, though her voice wavered. "Just... tired. It's been a long day."
The guard looked unconvinced but said nothing more as they continued their journey. Ithriel's thoughts whirled, replaying the strange encounter with Ariel. The Maia's intrusion into her mind had left her feeling violated, exposed. Yet beneath the discomfort, a part of her thrilled at the promise of unlocking her hidden powers.
As they neared the castle, Ithriel spotted a familiar figure pacing near the entrance. Mairon's face was etched with worry, his usual composure noticeably absent. Galadriel was there too, giving orders to the guards. When he caught sight of her, relief flooded his features.
"Ithriel!" he called out, rushing to meet her. "Where have you been?"
Guilt gnawed at her as she remembered Ariel's warning. She couldn't tell him the truth, not without risking everything. But then again, it was all his fault, so she would lie if she had to. "I was in the garden," she said. "I needed some time alone to think."
Mairon's brow furrowed as he studied her face. "Alone?"
"No, with my prison warden, of course. Can't take a step without her, just as you wanted."
He turned to the soldier. "Were you alone? Have you seen anyone there? Anything unusual?"
"No, my king," she answered. "Princess was all alone, just sitting in solitude this whole time. Nothing unusual have transpired."
Mairon and Galadriel exchanged glances. They were worried about something, something important, yet spoke nothing of it. He finally turned to Ithriel. "Please go to your room, daughter. Do not leave the house for now, stay inside."
"Fine," Ithriel conceded. She had no energy to argue, her head still throbbed. "Anyway, I am tired."
Mairon nodded, seeing his daughter walking away. As she was out of their sight, Galadriel placed her hand on his arm, "Are you sure?"
"As sure as can be. It was her. She's here."
Once in the safety of her room, Ithriel collapsed onto her bed, exhaustion overtaking her. As she drifted off to sleep, her dreams were filled with the flashes of strange images that flickered through her mind - places she'd never seen, faces she didn't recognize. It was terrifying. She felt the coldness of winter winds, she saw a figure before her. Tall and terrible he was. She could not recognize his face, but his eyes… she had seen them. Fully black, with no whites in them, and the red flames were burning inside, as if desired to consume everything they could reach.
With the scream she jumped in her bed, drenched in sweat. This nightmare was unlike anything she could ever experienced. Yet, the feeling of deja vu settled upon her mind. She had seen it all before… Long ago… before she was even born.