Butterfly- Chrysalis

A/N This is posted without betaing. I am waiting for it to be finished. Please bear that in mind as you read. If you come across anything of concern, then I would appreciate a head's up. Thank you.





Ela came out on the terrace. As it was still early, with light just colouring the eastern sky, she was still wearing her dressing gown. Her loose hair was combed and hung to her waist, the waves covering her back. She walked to the railing and stood looking out over the valley. The wind picked up her loose hair causing it to dance about her face. It was so beautiful here, so open and airy. She could almost imagine she had never left.

The slight breeze moulded the gown to her body, allowing a hint of what lay beneath. It attested that no longer was Ela a girl; no edhel would mistake her for an ellon. She gathered her robe against the slight chill of the early morning breeze. The rising sun shining behind the mountain turned her pale copper hair a burnished gold.
She turned to return to the hall and saw the man sitting in the corner regarding her.

“Haldir,” she whispered.

Ela stood still for several moments, taking in the sight of him. She suddenly felt like a desert wanderer who had
come upon a fountain in the midst of a parched land. She had not realized just how much she had missed him
until that moment. All her fears for the future fled, just looking at him.

He, in turn, could not take his eyes from her. He had not really looked at Ela as more than what he had always
seen: a girl, a daughter to Gariel and Orophin. Now he looked at her with new eyes. He saw the woman to
whom he had promised himself. His dream forgotten, his fears dissipated as the mist in the lower valley was
quickly fading. No longer did he doubt his decision. He saw her not as the granddaughter of one of the great
Noldor, nor as the runaway heir to an unwanted throne, but rather as the object his subconscious had desired
far longer than he had been aware. He waited, still as marble.

Ela shuddered and broke the spell. Moving slowly at first, she finished crossing the terrace in a rush,
into his open arms. His strong embrace held her captive. Through the heavy clothing, she could feel his heart
beat, and with it came the knowledge that things were not the same as when he left. The feelings emanating
were much more. She realized now that she had taken a great chance by pushing him, as she had done.
However, knowing his fears, she had known he would never take the first step. Once forced into examining his
own thoughts and feelings, he had seen what almost everyone else had discovered long ago: He was Ela’s
choice, and she was his.

Breaking away from him, Ela drew her robe tighter against the breeze. Taking his hand, she led him towards the
house.

“How was your journey?” she asked.

“It was fair, and lonely.” His soft words were for her ears only. “And I hope it will be more enjoyable on the
return trip.”

She laughed at him. Leading him to a small room off the entrance, she closed the door behind them. Turning,
she gazed up into his eyes, looking for something. Seeing only pleasure and relief, she took his hands in hers.

“I must talk to you. Now, before Ada finds you are here.” Her sober tone set an alarm off in his thoughts. Sitting
down on the settee by the window, he took a deep breath. The dream came rushing back with a force that
closed his eyes.

“What is it? You seem troubled by something.”

“I have seen something in our future. It is so devastating, that I cannot keep it from you. It may cause you to
change your mind. Ada cautioned me to let it lie, but I cannot.” Her voice was quiet and fearful.

“What could be so bad that you think I would back out of my promise?” He was suddenly terrified that he would
lose her.

“I saw you holding a child: a dead child.” She hesitated. “Our child.” She was silent, letting the words sink in.
She studied his face for any sign of rejection. When it did not come, she felt a glimmer of hope.

“Ela, I have heard you say, many times, that not all visions are true. You have said this of Elrond, and even
hinted it of the Lady.” He paused. Choosing his words carefully, he continued, “And, should yours be accurate,
do you think that is enough to frighten me? We are not given knowledge of the future lightly. If you have seen
it, and it is true, so be it. If it is not true, we will look back on this moment in our old age and laugh at our fears,
together. Now, I hold fast to my promise to you. And, I hold you to yours, and your promise that you will never
leave me, no matter what happens. Is that enough reassurance for you?” He smiled at the look of relief on her
face.

“Oh, you will never know. I could not go through with all of this and not let you know. It would not be fair.”

“Never, ever be afraid to come to me with your fears. Together, we can deal with them.” He gently caressed her
cheek. “Now, I broke camp this morning without breakfast. Do you think I might find something here to eat?”

Laughing, she jumped up. “You go to the dining room. I will join you there. While this gown is fine for meeting
you on the terrace, I do not think it will suit for dining. I will return quickly.” She dashed out the door before he
could answer. Well, he thought, some things do not change.



~*~



Elrond’s attention was drawn to his bedroom door by a soft knock. Glancing about his well-kept room, he called
out an answer to enter. Surprised, he saw Ela fairly dancing at the door. She was wearing a soft grey dress and
slippers. Her hair was pulled back into a single braid and looped back up onto her head. Her face shined with a
radiance that could only come from one source. So, he had arrived.

“Ada! He has come. And I talked to him and everything is all right about my dream and he does not care and
everything is alright.” The words came in such a rush, Elrond was hard pressed to pick out what she was saying.

Laughing, he said, “Slow down, sell. I cannot understand you. Who has come?” he teased.

“Haldir. He is here. And, he is not concerned for the dream. He says we will look back and laugh at my silly fears.
And, everything is fine. And, I wish I did not have to wait a year.” Realizing what had slipped out in the last
comment, Ela slapped her hand to her mouth. “Oh, Ada. I did not mean to say that. You must think me horrible.”

“No, Ela, just anxious. And, I understand. It will get harder once you go back to Lórien. You could move the
wedding up, if you like.”

“No!” she said adamantly. Sighing, she finished, “No, I could not do that. Things are already being planned. I
would not like to disappoint anyone. It is just wishful thinking on my part.”

Crossing the room to where she stood, Elrond bent down and kissed the top of her head. “It will pass quickly.
You will find that you do not have enough time.”

“Do you think so? I was so afraid he would change his mind. Now I know he will not.”

“I told you to have faith. Now, are going to keep him waiting for his breakfast?”

Grinning, she nodded and turned. He could hear the light patter of her footsteps as she ran down the
back stairs. When finished with dressing, he followed at a sedate pace.



~*~*~*~*~



With her things packed, there was no need to delay their departure. Ela took one last ride up to the higher
reaches, but did not find what she sought. Disappointed, she tarried to visit with Cabel one last time. Looking
around her home, she realized that already it belonged to her cousin and his family. There were no regrets, just
the happy memories of over twenty-five years.

The talk with Cabel had not gone well. At first, he had been shocked to find out that his “younger” cousin was in
fact much older than was he. Then had settled in the fact that this was the reluctant heir his mother’s people
had been trying to reclaim. Angry that she had not told him earlier, it had taken a talk from Elrond to sort out the
history and the reasons Ela chose to turn her back on her mother’s people. Finally accepting the fact of her
parentage and position, Cabel was still uneasy with their casual relationship.

Ela’s goodbyes did not take as long as Haldir had feared. She had settled accounts with those she owed
favours, given away many of her possessions to cherished friends and gave assurances that she would return
in eight months. She saved a special goodbye for Dorga. Their weekly “tea” parties had grown into quite a
tradition, with a favoured few outsiders invited occasionally. An early wedding present, he had finally given her
the recipe for his ingredient. Promising never to give it to anyone else, Ela had shed tears for his trust and
friendship. She had also entrusted him with the making of her wedding bands, with Haldir’s consent. To date,
Dorga was the only dwarf towards whom the Elf had shown even remote feelings of civility. This was due solely
to his respect for his future wife.

At last, the day for them to leave arrived. Dinner the night before had been an affair celebrated by close friends
and family. Dorga had been there, along with Cabel and Lutheliel. Erestor and Seldala, with Ethien also came.
The only Edain invited were Mares and Melkin.

Cabel never ceased to be amazed at the luxury that surrounded those of his cousin’s other people, the quiet
grace that followed their every move. He could see it in Ela and Lutheliel. Moreover, he had seen the passion for
justice in the Elves that had fought with his father in the north. And, from Ela’s description of her life in Lórien,
he learned of their love for the land. From Lutheliel he was learning the history of her people.

Two days after his arrival, Haldir was waiting by his horse. He watched patiently as she said her farewells to
Elrond and Erestor. Dorga could not resist one last chance to see her before she left. As she bent and embraced
him, he pressed a small package into her hand. Telling her to wait until later to open the gift, he stepped back, a
sad smile on his face. Turning to Elrond, Ela was struck by a yearning to stay.

“I am torn,” she whispered in his ear. “I want to remain, and yet, I feel drawn away.”

“You are feeling only what everyone feels when embarking upon a change in their life. You will do fine. Go, now,
and show Lórien the true grace of the Elves.”

“I fear there are many there who already possess that grace. They would argue that outside of Lórien and
Mirkwood, the Elves are too soft.” Her teasing tone carried to her eyes.

“The day may come when we will show them that we still carry a fire equal to theirs.” Elrond’s tone matched
hers, then, he sobered. “That day is not long in coming.”

“I would see it never come. The loss will be horrific.”

Changing directions, Elrond glanced at Haldir. “You had best say goodbye. Patience is not a strong trait in him.”

Ela looked over to the man she was to wed. “He will learn it.”

“Yes, I am afraid he will. You were never one to be pushed. Now,” he said, giving her and embrace, “You will
return in eight months, and all will be ready.”

She returned the hug and, standing on her toes, kissed him gently on the cheek. “I have been blessed to have
known you. I will never forget what you did.” Stepping back, she turned to Erestor.

“And you, I hope you are up to teaching another child. Cabel and Lutheliel’s son is quite precocious. And you
know how stubborn we Indrel can be.”

Laughing at her, he opened his arms for a last embrace. “And send your son, when it is time. I feel that any child of yours will be a challenge.”

Taking in the view of the house where she spent so many happy years, Ela turned towards the stable where
Haldir waited with their horses. Walking over to her mount, she grabbed the reins and placing her foot in the
stirrup, pulled herself up into the saddle. Accepting the lead for the packhorse, she waited until Haldir was
mounted.

She looked back only once: when they were at the edge of the woods east of the valley. With a small sigh, she
turned and glanced into the face of her companion, the man with which she intended to spend the rest of her
life. At the slightly concerned expression in his eyes, she smiled. Nudging Sadron gently with her knees, she
laughed as they pulled ahead.

“Come on,” she cried to the wind. “I want to go home.” He returned the laugh and followed, quickly taking the
lead, all concerns laid aside for the present.





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