Live Journal Feed
::Mists of Valinor - Homecoming::
As soon as Celebrian crossed under the ivy covered trellises of Imladris she was swept from her horse by the blond blur of Glorfindel and spun around twice, letting out a yelp of surprise before she was deposited beside her laughing Lord. “Goodness!” she cried as the maroon robed arm of her husband wrapped around her shoulders to help keep her upright as the wave of dizziness crashed over her.
“It appears we may have been missed,” she laughed, falling into the warm embrace as she watched the seneschal do the same for her two children, lifting them from the saddles and spinning them around, one over each shoulder as they giggled and kicked. He set the twins on the ground after a moment and turned, holding out his arms and grinning as he offered Erestor the same treatment. The counselor just glared and dismounted on his own. Celebrian laughed at the mocking pout upon Glorfindel’s face as Erestor continued to glare.
“Drat! I should have liked seeing the chief counselor spun around by the balrog-slayer,” muttered someone as Nenwen’s clear laugh broke through the air in response.
Celebrian turned her head, noticing for the first time the many elves standing about the entrance to Imladris. A faint blush covered her face as she realized near half the valley had gathered in honor of her arrival. Besides Glorfindel and the stable hands that were tending to the exhausted horses, the majority of the counselors were present, as well as the librarians and most the lesser Lord and Ladies.
“I did not expect so many to be gathered,” she breathed softly as she caught sight of her guards being welcomed by their own families, embraces and greetings being exchanged as Galmir lifted his daughter into the air. Celebrian smiled gently as Eliean shyly presented his blushing bride with a gift from the Golden Wood and she placed a chaste kiss on his cheek.
“You are the Lady of Imladris,” Nenwen said, drawing Celebrian’s attention away from the guards as the counselor stepped up and bowed gracefully. “And your sons are the heirs to this place. ‘Tis only right that you should have as grand a homecoming as we might provide.”
“Indeed. You were deeply missed,” Elrond agreed, his voice brushing over Celebrian’s ear and making her blush a bright crimson as she realized she was still leaning heavily against her husband, wrapped in the warmth where the seneschal had placed her. “I know that I have counted the days until your return.”
The expression on her face was clearly quite comical because Nenwen grinned widely as she excused herself to speak with Erestor, already surrounded by his fellow counselors. Celebrian took a deep breath to control the color of her cheeks as she watched the elven woman walk away, passing Glorfindel as he sniggered at some story the twins were eagerly telling him. Nenwen reached out and ruffled Elrohir’s hair as she moved past to stand beside Erestor. And though the chief counselor did not so much as glance at her while he spoke to the elves gathered about him, his hand reached back and gently took hers. Celebrian pursed her lips as she wondered how she had not noticed their relationship before.
“My Lady? Is something the matter?” Elrond asked, breaking her from her contemplation as she pulled away from the comfort of his arm and turned to face him.
“Nay, nothing is amiss,” she smiled as she looked into his storm colored eyes.
She had missed becoming lost in those beautiful eyes, so full of every emotion and thought he possessed, as well as the undercurrent of sadness and loneliness that she so deeply feared and yet yearned to understand. “Nothing is amiss at all,” she said as she reached forward and stroked the side of his face, letting her fingers brush the soft locks of his dark hair. “I daresay that everything is quite right in this moment.”
Elrond laughed lightly as he took her hand and pressed a kiss to the palm. “I hope that you enjoyed your time in Lothlorien,” he said, his breath brushing over her wrist sending shivers through her form as he turned toward the gathered elves. “Come, let us adjourn, a feast has been prepared in honor of your arrival and the minstrels have been readied to sing sweet melodies into the night,” he smiled, indicating everyone could begin meandering toward the Hall of Fire. “I assume that is well with you, my Lady?”
“Of course,” Celebrian smiled, tightening her grip on his hand as a sudden possessiveness overcame her. It had been so long since she had the luxury of her husband’s company that she did not want to part with him and join those gathering in celebration of her return. In the Hall she would be expected to greet friends and tell stories of her time in Lorien – and while she longed to renew those friendships, she wished to spend her first moments in Imladris alone with her husband, as selfish as she knew the want to be.
“Father!” twin voices cried as raven-haired blurs dove between her and Elrond, causing their hands to part as Celebrian stepped back to watch her sons wrap themselves about their father’s waist. “Did you miss us?” Elladan asked excitedly and Elrohir put in: “Glorfindel said that you did, but sometimes he is not truthful and makes up tales.”
Elrond laughed merrily, his eyes sparkling as his children began conferring in a near incomprehensible cacophony about the many times the seneschal had told such tales, such as the story of the bread-monster and the magic blanket. “Perhaps I should be upset with Lord Glorfindel for telling such fibs?” he chuckled, smiling down at his sons.
“Oh!” Elrohir gasped as Elladan shook his head. “No, don’t be angry. He means well!”
Elrohir waved for Elrond to kneel down beside them and Celebrian leaned forward to hear whatever he would say. “He thinks we’re children and still believe silly things like the story of the dancing squirrel. We don’t want to hurt his feelings.” Elladan nodded emphatically and Celebrian had to hold a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing out loud as she made a note to ask the seneschal about this amazing squirrel.
“Ah,” Elrond nodded, and Celebrian was unsure how he could manage not to snicker. “Very well. You are wise in your young age, my sons. We will let Lord Glorfindel believe that you are still children.” The twins nodded happily as Elrond pulled them into a hug. “But, for now, you must tell me of your time in Lothlorien. What thought you of your grandparents?”
Once again the two children began to talk over each other and Celebrian sighed. She would get no time to speak with Elrond alone until they had talked themselves out. Not that she would ever deny her children the attention of their father, not matter how much she wished that attention were lavished upon herself. She smiled as they began competing for his notice, the sounds of their voices rising as Elladan latched his arms around Elrond’s neck and Elrohir nuzzled his father’s shoulder.
“Well, time in Lothlorien certainly did nothing to teach either of you to manage the volume of your voices,” Nenwen said, coming to stand beside Celebrian. “The two of you still sound like very small, high-pitched Glorfindels.”
“What does that mean?” Elladan asked, furrowing his brow worriedly as both Celebrian and Elrond chuckled and Elrohir grinned, waving at the counselor. “Hello Nenwen!”
“Greetings my young Lord,” Nenwen smiled at Elrohir as Elladan pouted, releasing his father and crossing his arms over his chest. “Oh, do not give me that look Elladan. Imagine it to be a compliment – our golden-haired seneschal did slay a balrog after all.”
Celebrian watched Elladan perk at that and let out a breath of relief. The last thing anyone wanted was for her elder son to be in foul spirits this evening. “I am surprised the two of you are not utterly famished from your travels,” Nenwen continued as the Lady of Imladris glanced around and noticed that only her family, Nenwen, and scant other stragglers remained by the gates. “As your father said, there was a feast prepared, should you wish to partake.”
The twins exchanged looks and glanced down at their stomachs before grinning sheepishly. “Actually,” Elrohir began and Elladan finished, “we are a bit hungry.”
“Then we should follow the others to the Hall of Fire and see what the cooks have created. Though,” the counselor gave an exaggerated look around and pressed a hand to her cheek as if worried, “it appears Glorfindel may already be there eating it all!”
“Oh no!” the twins gasped wide-eyed as they turned toward their parents. “May we go?” Elrohir asked politely as Elladan added, “we are very hungry.”
“You may. I would not want your father’s seneschal to be the only elf to enjoy our homecoming banquet,” Celebrian said with a fond grin as her sons turned and ran full gait into the Last Homely House, shrieking and giggling all the way. They only paused briefly to call back a promise that they would entertain their father with tales of the Golden Wood once their stomachs were full. And then they were gone.
“If I did not know better I would think them starved,” Nenwen said to herself with a small chuckle as she stepped forward and turned toward Celebrian. “I will watch them. Take your reprieve as I doubt it will last long,” she whispered conspiratorially, giving Celebrian a small, knowing smile before following in the wake of the elflings.
Celebrian let out a thankful sigh as she watched the counselor walk away before turning to Elrond with a timid smile. “Your sons will tell you every moment of their time away from your care,” she assured her husband as he chuckled lightly and held out an arm, which she happily took.
“I have little fear in that respect, my Lady,” Elrond said as he led them toward the Last Homely House. “But, tell me, is there something you wish us to discuss in private? You have been strange since Glorfindel settled you in my arms.”
“I am just happy to have returned to you,” Celebrian admitted honestly as she pressed close to her husband and rested her head on his shoulder. “And I am not entirely looking forward to arriving in the Hall of Fire.”
“I thought a celebration would please you,” Elrond said as they stepped over the threshold of the House. “You have always seemed to enjoy them before.”
“Aye, and I appreciate that you have done this for me,” Celebrian said quickly, not wishing Elrond to think her ungrateful for all he had done. “I simply wish to spend time with you and…” she trailed off.
“But, alas, all of Imladris will wish to have their Lady’s time so soon after her return,” Elrond finished and Celebrian could hear the smile in his voice. “Yes, I had similar thoughts. There are times when it is most unfortunate to be the Lord and Lady of Imladris. Fortunately our rooms are adjoined and there is little need for my attention this time of the season.”
“Why, my good Lord,” Celebrian said with a little laugh as she raised her head and smiled brilliantly at her husband. “If I did not know better I would think you had been anticipating my return.”
“Perhaps a touch,” he smiled back, halting their strides as he leaned down and kissed her forehead, brushing a hand over her hair, her cheek, and down her neck. “Welcome home my love.”
“It is good to be home,” she whispered, closing her eyes and relishing the warmth of her husband’s touch as she bowed forward and pressed her face into his chest, wrapping her arms about his torso. “This is where I long to be,” she said, more to herself than Elrond as his arms folded around her.
They stood holding each other in silence until the sound of laugher reached their ears and Elrond shifted. “They will wonder if we do not arrive soon,” he said softly.
Celebrian sighed and pulled away, offering her husband a smile as she took his arm and they began to walk again. Elrond was right, there were moments when status was most unfortunate. A cheer rose up as they entered the Hall of Fire, and even though Celebrian knew she would likely lose her husband’s company for a while, she could not help but return the many happy smiles directed towards her.
She nodded gratefully and waved for everyone to continue what they were doing as Elrond led her across the room, the elves parting before them, and to the grand chairs dedicated to the Lord and Lady of Imladris. Letting go of Elrond’s arm she took her seat and nodded thankfully as she accepted the goblet of wine that was offered to her. Elrond sat beside her, though he was immediately engaged in a conversation with Melpomaen, who seemed to be asking for leave to visit his family in Greenwood.
Celebrian turned away, feeling the lazy smile form upon her face as she looked around the Hall. As much as she adored her parents’ realm, the whole of it would never be as lively as this one Hall in Imladris. The librarians and the scribes were hidden away in the corner, deep in conversation over some trivial matter as the counselors hovered nearby, smirking knowingly and mingling with the lesser Lords and Ladies. A group of elves had surrounded Elladan, laughing happily as the twin proudly stood on a bench and animatedly told some story, snacking on the bowl of strawberries he had filched from the banquet.
She could hear the excited lilt Elrohir’s voice and turned to find him near the farthest wall telling Glorfindel about the marchwardens and Eliria’s garden from where he was happily hanging from Nenwen’s neck like a cloak. The counselor shifted the elfling’s arms in an attempt to keep the little limbs from strangling her and only managed to make it worse, earning a laugh from Glorfindel and causing Elrohir to tell his story more animatedly, thinking the seneschal was amused by his account.
Erestor was notably missing, presumably fixing all the mischief he believed the seneschal and counselors had perpetuated in his absence. And Lindir… she paused and gave the Hall another sweeping gaze, frowning when she did not see her minstrel friend. But before she could turn and ask Elrond where Lindir was she felt a hand brush against her shoulder.
“Is that concerned look for me, my dear Lady of Imladris,” a cheerful voice asked and Celebrian turned to find the cheeky grinning minstrel beside her. “I was searching the banquet for berries, but it appears your son has absconded with the lot of them.”
Celebrian chuckled as she twisted to look at the happy elf. “I am sorry. Though I am certain he would share if you wished to ask,” she said pleasantly, leaning over the arm of her chair. “But tell me, did you miss me, my friend?”
“Aye. Imladris has become dark, bereft of your light, and there has been a severe lack in those to converse with as I walk the garden paths,” Lindir smiled as he knelt beside Celebrian’s chair. “More importantly, did you enjoy your return to your parents?”
“It was most pleasant. My children wreaked a merry havoc there as well. It is a wonder Lorien is in one piece. Be sure to ask my sons about the incident in the garden,” she smiled, leaning forward conspiratorially. “You know, I do not believe Erestor left my parents’ library, save for the evening meal, the entire time we abided in the Golden Wood.”
“That does not surprise me a bit,” Lindir laughed, turning his head and grinning. “Greetings my adorable little Lords,” he said and Celebrian sat up and turned to see the twins barreling towards them.
“Hello Lindir!” Elrohir said cheerfully as he climbed into his mother’s lap.
“Want some strawberries?” Elladan asked, holding out the fruit to the minstrel.
“I would, thank you,” Lindir said, taking the bowl as he and Celebrian chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” Elladan asked, crinkling his nose.
“Nothing,” Celebrian assured him, reaching forward and smoothing back Elladan’s dark locks. “Merely something Lindir and I were speaking of before you arrived. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes, my Lady,” Lindir grinned. “Now, I believe I will see if Nenwen or Glorfindel would like some strawberries. If that is well with you, Lord Elladan?” Lindir asked, waiting for the twin’s nod of approval before he bowed and rose to his feet. Celebrian cast a look over to where Nenwen was sitting on a bench, her cheeks flushed as she rubbed her neck. Glorfindel sat beside her, smothering his amusement behind a hand as the counselor glared daggers at him.
“You need to play nice with Nenwen,” Celebrian laughed lightly as she nodded a farewell to Lindir and looked back at her son.
“What do you mean?” Elrohir asked with a curious look.
“Father.”
Elladan’s whisper distracted them before Celebrian had to answer, and they turned to see the elder of the twins pressing his hands on Elrond’s knees and balancing on his toes in a bid for attention. The Lord of Imladris smiled and waved Melpomaen away. “We will discuss this later,” Elrond assured the scribe.
“Of course,” Melpomaen nodded, offering the twins and Celebrian a smile before he backed away. “Welcome back, my Lady, my Lords.”
“Thank you,” Celebrian nodded as Elrohir climbed away from her and over to his father’s chair, Elladan already dragging himself up onto Elrond’s knees. Celebrian watched as the twins began to climb all over their father, Elrohir latching around his neck and Elladan sprawling across his father’s lap, as they both clambered for attention. Elrond laughed and adjusted them to sit on each arm of his chair and listened intently as they began their rendition of arriving in Lorien. She smiled, a little sad at the thought they would soon be too grown to play so with Elrond.
“I believe Nenwen will survive,” Lindir whispered as he returned to her side and offered her the strawberries, “though Glorfindel may not if he continues with his commentary.”
“It is good to be home,” Celebrian giggled, relaxing into her chair as the warmth of the Hall washed over her, the chattering voices of her children and her friends, the warm glow of love. Everything was perfect “It is very good to be home.”
---
Celebrian undid the last of her hair ornaments and set it on the vanity as she picked up the silver hairbrush. Idly running it through her hair she began to pace her room, relearning the well-worn paths. The celebration in the Hall had gone on longer than she had expected, elves milling away until only her family and random other elves remained. The twins had finally begun to run out of energy not long after that and Elrond had gladly offered to take them to bed.
The Lady of Imladris let out a contented sigh as she stepped out onto her balcony and breathed in the sweet night, listening to the far off burble of the Brunien. She had considered going with her husband to settle the children, but after a season of doing so she decided Elrond could go it alone. Closing her eyes Celebrian let the chilly air wash over her, fluttering the fabric of her skirt against her legs. Opening her eyes again she smiled and walked back into the room, setting the brush aside as she began to undress.
Slipping off the outside shell of her dress she tossed it over a chair and began undoing her dress, eyeing her bed. It would be nice to have a bed all to herself, she thought as she stripped off the last of her garments and pulled on the loose white night shift she had set out. Pulling her hair back into a ponytail she cast a look toward the door that led to her husband’s rooms.
Then again, sharing a bed really wasn’t that bad.
With a smile to herself she walked over and rapped gently on the door, pushing it open when there was no response. The room was empty. Her husband was likely still trying to get the children to sleep. They were most trying when it came to being put to bed, especially now that they were excited to be home. During the journey home they had been impossible.
Entering the room Celebrian looked around. Everything was as it always had been, except for a few books and papers. Even the brushes at the vanity were arranged the way she remembered, earning a laugh as she picked up the oak backed brush and undid her hair, brushing it distractedly as she walked around the room. It amused her how much a creature of habit her husband was. His robes always tossed over the back of the same chair, books stacked to the right, never the left, of the couch, and all but one of his pillows always piled beside the bed.
With an amused chuckle she tossed the brush on the bed and picked up the pillows, tossing them to the side of the bed she had claimed as her own. Unlike her Lord she liked to be surrounded in fluffy bedding. She flopped on the bed, rolling to the middle and laughing at how comfortable it was before burying her face in the lone pillow of her husband, the brush forgotten beside her as she inhaled the musky scent of her Lord.
The door opened and an amused voice spoke. “Well, this is a sight I shall never grow tired of.”
Celebrian blushed as she raised her head and looked back at her husband. “Are the children asleep?” she asked shyly, rolling to the side and letting out a yelp as her hip ground into the bristles of the brush.
Elrond chuckled as he shut the door and walked toward the bed, removing his outer robe as he went and tossing it over the back of the usual chair. “After a time I was able to get them to sleep. Have they gotten worse or did I simply not remember how trying they could be?” he asked, sitting on the side of the bed.
“Worse, I believe. Something to do with the lack of darkness in Lorien I am certain,” Celebrian smiled as she held the brush toward him, eying the tousled locks with a commiserating glance. The twins had been heinous hair pullers since they were born, always snagging long elven locks when they wanted attention. Slowly they had begun to grow out of it, save when it came to their parents. “It looks as if they were pulling your hair rather viciously. Would you like me to brush it out?”
“If you would,” Elrond smiled as Celebrian crawled forward and began undoing the messy braids of dark hair until it was a curtain over the maroon clothed back. She had missed the touch of her husband’s hair, she mused as she began brushing, drawing her fingers through before the oak backed brush. The strokes were a charming monotony, just her and her husband, as a thought returned to her mind. “Did you know Erestor and Nenwen were married?” she asked innocently, fussing with a particularly stubborn knot that she was certain Elrohir was to thank for.
“Of course,” Elrond answered dismissively. “Glorfindel and I were witnesses at their wedding.”
“When did this happen?” Celebrian balked, her hand jerking the brush and pulling the dark hair. “Sorry!” she apologized, smoothing her hand over his head. She was amazed that two elves so close to her could were bound in wedlock without her knowledge. Tomorrow she would have Lindir tell her of every marriage in the valley.
“Not long after the founding of Imladris,” Elrond answered as he turned toward his wife. “Why the sudden curiosity about the marital state of my counselors?”
“I did not know. Erestor only informed me when we were in Lorien,” she said, smiling regretfully about the yank on his hair. “They certainly do not act married.”
“And how would you have them act?” Elrond asked, amusement clear on his face.
“I know not,” Celebrian said, setting the brush aside. “I just never would have imagined they were married. They bicker constantly and Nenwen seems to take great joy in tormenting Erestor, especially when she manages to get him to blush… oh!”
Elrond let out a bark of laughter as Celebrian flushed a deep red and straightened her shoulders, mustering her dignity as she moved to lean against the headboard. She scowled at her husband to hide the embarrassment even as he edged toward her, pressing a kiss to her forehead as he smiled apologetically for laughing.
“I am sorry,” he said, mirth sparkling in his gray eyes. “I simply did not realize Erestor was a rival for your affections, else I would have mentioned his marital status earlier and often.” Celebrian crossed her arms over her chest and laughed a little to herself, the embarrassment slowly fading as Elrond spoke again. “They have a child as well. Which I suppose you could not have known about either.”
Celebrian stared dumbfounded. “If you tell me their child is Lindir I will be most upset,” she said slowly, hoping she was making a joke. The idea of Lindir being Erestor and Nenwen’s child was too much to handle.
“No, not Lindir,” her husband said with a shake of his head as he moved to sit beside her. “You have never met Rhinwe, but he was a bright and gentle child, much like his father, though he shared his mother’s unique humor. His parents thought it best that he be sent to Mithlond before the Last Alliance, so that he would be safe. He liked the Havens so much that he choose to stay there, and I believe he is the head librarian now.”
Erestor’s comment about being on good terms with the head of Mithlond’s library repeated in Celebrian’s head and she laughed. “Oh, how is it that I could not have known these things,” she sighed, resting her head on Elrond’s shoulder. “To think I am the Lady of this realm.”
“And a fine Lady of Imladris you are,” Elrond said, kissing the top of her head. “Are there any other elves you wish to know more about?”
“Truth be told, there is only one elf that I am interested in this eve,” she grinned raising her head as her arms wrapped around Elrond’s waist. “Can you guess which of the many residents of the valley that could be?”
“Glorfindel?” Elrond guessed with a sly grin as his arm wrapped around Celebrian and he leaned down and kissed her, pulling her close against him. “He has never been married and has no children. None that I am aware of at least.”
“Good to know, but it is not him,” Celebrian giggled as Elrond began kissing her neck. “He is a Lord in this land though.”
“Gildor Inglorien?” her husband offered as he pulled Celebrian away from the headboard and fell back onto the bed, dragging her down atop of him. “He, I grieve to inform you, is married . Though his wife is in Valinor.”
“Mm, not him either,” Celebrian sighed, leaning down and kissing her husband as she shifted and straddled his waist, pinning him against the bed. “And he is hardly a fair guess. He is not really a Lord here.”
“My Lady said a Lord of this land,” Elrond chuckled, running his hands up his wife’s thighs and over her hips. “But if you mean within Imladris,” he paused as if in thought while Celebrian kissed him gently, teasingly. “Have I met this elf?”
“Oh, indeed,” Celebrian replied, nipping at his nose. “You could hardly forget this noble and wondrous Lord. I have not been able to drive him from my mind since we first met.”
Elrond smiled and laughed as he reached a hand behind Celebrian’s neck and pulled her down, kissing her lightly. “You are too charming for words, love. How in the name of the Valar did I come to deserve someone as magnificent as you?”
“Manwe smiles upon you,” she answered, deepening the kiss and holding Elrond in place with her thighs as her hands moved over his fabric covered chest playfully before moving to pull off her shift.
She froze as the door clicked open.
“Mother, Father,” a sleepy voice called out as another finished, “can we sleep in here?”
Celebrian let out a barely audible squeak as Elrond shifted beneath her, turning so that he could see his twin sons enter the room and shut the door, rubbing their eyes. “Are you wrestling?” Elrohir asked after a moment.
“Can we play!” Elladan yelled, suddenly awake as he jumped on the bed.
Celebrian moaned as her eldest son wrapped his arms around her neck and announced he was on his father’s side and Elrohir clapped to be teamed up with his mother. Elrond was laughing behind his hand as Celebrian shot him an annoyed look, he shrugged and mouthed that they would finish this later, patting her thigh reassuringly as Elrohir pulled himself on the bed. Celebrian let out a sigh, realizing it was three to one, before grinning wickedly at the elf pinned beneath her.
“Everyone pile atop your father!”
Elrond barely managed an – Oof! – as the small bodies jumped upon him, giggling madly as three sets of hands attempted to find his ticklish spots. Spots one pair of hands knew quite well.
By the time Glorfindel arrived to see what all the ruckus was about he found the Lord of Imladris ruffled and unceremoniously dumped on the floor, one foot still on the bed, and the youngest of his sons draped over his chest victoriously. The Lady of Imladris sat against the headboard, struggling to breathe through bouts of laughter, her eldest child happily curled on her lap and giggling madly.
The seneschal blinked at the scene for a moment before shaking his head and shutting the door.
TBC...
