Married To An Elf 24

Married To An Elf

Part 24

Posted: November 16, 2007
Title: Married To An Elf
Author: Inwë Sáralondë

Summary: Galadriel surprises Elrond.

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The betrothal ceremony between Lindir and Legolas had proved to be an exuberant affair, with the celebration going well into the early hours of the morning. Elrond yawned as he went out into the courtyard to farewell Galadriel and her escort. He knew that he was not the only elf in Imladris to be suffering from the after-affects, and hoped that he still had enough powders and herbs for those who had over-indulged. They had been depleted considerably courtesy of the celebration after Erestor and Glorfindel’s binding, and Elrond had not had the chance to restock.

His eyes lit upon Lothvaen standing next to Haldir. When the scribe had approached him with his request to accompany the Marchwarden back to Lothlórien, Elrond had not known what to reply at first. The request was sudden, to say the least, but in the end the elf-lord could not find it in his heart to refuse. Lothvaen’s smile at Elrond’s agreement had been brighter than any star, and he nearly tripped over his robe in his haste to leave the room. The elf-lord shook his head at the memory, and then winced slightly. Shaking his head, at least for now, was not a good idea.

Seeing Galadriel beckon him, Elrond walked towards her. “I trust you are well rested?” she asked, her eyes dancing with merriment, knowing full well that Elrond had celebrated as much as the next elf.

Elrond smiled ruefully. “I know I indulged a little last night,” he said honestly. “But it has been an age since we have had such celebrations.”

Galadriel smiled. “Lindir appears to be meek and mild, but he is not. You need not worry about him, for he will hold his own. And, when the time comes, he will show that he is a great source of strength,” she said enigmatically. Elrond looked at her, inwardly sighing. True, her foresight was greater than his, but it was frustrating nevertheless when she made comments such as these, leaving those around her wondering what she meant.

“Lothvaen is a surprise, I must admit,” the lady of the Golden Wood continued. “I would not have expected Haldir to find his soul-mate here in Imladris. But then,” she said, her gaze twinkling, “there are some things that even I do not know. Yet life should still hold some surprises, should it not?”

“Indeed,” Elrond replied. “’Tis just for some that surprises come more often.” Galadriel laughed, a light, carefree sound that had all the elves in the courtyard looking at her. Then her smile became enigmatic once more.

“Your sons have taken that final step.” Her remark was short, but to the point.

“They have.”

“Then all is well,” Galadriel said with some satisfaction.

“Aye.” Elrond watched as Haldir helped Lothvaen to mount his horse before the Marchwarden mounted his. “I am relieved, more than anything. While on the one hand I had not anticipated them taking that step so soon, on the other there really could not have been any other way.”

“Elladan and Elrohir do not waste time, that is true,” Galadriel conceded. “But they do come after their parents in that respect.”

Elrond stopped short and then smiled. What Galadriel said was true. When he had first met Celebrían, he had made his interest in her known from the very beginning, taking every opportunity to spend as much time as he could with her, especially alone. Mind you, it had helped that she had been of the same mind as him, and it had not taken long for the two of them to progress further than what common dictates had allowed. Elrond, in the end, had plucked up the courage to approach Galadriel and Celeborn to ask for the hand of their daughter in marriage a mere five weeks after meeting her, so sure was he that Celebrían was meant for him. Her parents had given their approval with no hesitation, Elrond recalled.

“Except neither mother nor experienced the anxieties our sons have gone through,” Elrond said finally.

“Your sons’ situation is unique,” Galadriel said. “However, there were many who objected to our daughter marrying one who was a Peredhel. But Celeborn and I knew your true worth, knew who you would become. You were not Gil-galad’s Herald by accident, Elrond. He recognised your potential, saw your shrewd political mind, not to mention your loyalty and your desire to protect. We could not have asked for a better son-in-law and Celebrían a better mate.”

Elrond felt a little embarrassed, and knew it showed, for Galadriel gave a gentle smile. “You flatter me too much,” he murmured. “Yet I was unable to help Celebrían when she needed me most.”

“It was meant to happen, Elrond.” Galadriel’s voice was heavy. “Even I was not fully cognizant. As much as we felt guilt over what happened, we would not have been able to have done anything.”

Elrond looked at her in surprise. “You felt guilt?” he asked.

“I did, Elrond. I felt guilt because I was not able to protect my daughter, just as you felt guilt because you were unable to heal her.” They were standing next to Galadriel’s horse, and Elrond helped the Lady of the Golden Wood to mount. “Farewell, Elrond,” Galadriel said. “You need not fear for Lothvaen; he will be more than safe with Haldir.” Both she and Elrond looked at the two elves in question, and they both smiled when they saw Haldir and Lothvaen sharing a loving look between them.

“I am sorry to lose Lothvaen. However, I am sure Saelbeth will fill his shoes comfortably enough, providing Erestor is prepared to be a little patient,” Elrond remarked.

Galadriel smiled. “That might be a difficult task; your advisor has returned to his usual self, I hear.”

Elrond chuckled. “He has indeed and I, for one, am most glad to see him back.”

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Elvish translations:

Peredhel – half elf

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