The Hunter

EPILOGUE
    

The golden rays of morning reflected off the clear surface of the sea, making it look like glass.  Elrond clasped his hands behind his back, his expression calm.  Behind him, his twins bantered quietly trying to disguise their nervousness.  They did not know if their father was truly as calm as he appeared.  He had been unusually quiet ever since returning from Gondor after the war.  They weren't sure what to make of it.

On the other side of the ship, Glorfindel and Erestor watched the three half-elves with amusement.  Galadriel and Círdan spoke quietly at the helm, while Frodo worried over a sleeping Bilbo.  Mithrandir quietly smoked near the stern, Ronyo sleeping near his feet.  Oromë had left his hunting dog for Elrond's protection as the half-elves couldn't seem to keep themselves out of trouble.

The trip had been remarkably uneventful; the weather had been calm with a steady breeze and they had met with no other travelers.  To the twins, who had spent most of their lives in dangerous situations, this did not seem right.  Journeys were supposed to be perilous and in need of warriors for protection.  It would take them a long time to get used to Valinor.

The lights of Tol Eressëa could be seen in the distance, welcoming them home.  A great sense of peace descended upon their spirits, soothing restlessness within them that they had not known was there.  All save Elrond, who had long ago calmed this part of himself.

It seemed like no time had passed before they could make out the island clearly.  On the shore a small group had gathered to welcome them.  Elrond scanned the faces, but did not see whom he wanted.  But he had not expected to.

Círdan steered the ship into the shallow waters, letting her beach on the white sands.  She had a shallow draft made for such a purpose.  Some of the elves on the beach came forward, helping to settle the plank so that the new arrivals could depart with ease.

Already there were familiar shouts.  Elladan and Elrohir jumped overboard, disregarding the plank altogether so they could meet with old friends.  Their reunions were especially loud, as many of their friends had not thought to ever see them again.  Glorfindel followed their example, seeing friends from Gondolin among the faces.

Elrond helped the hobbits depart, sensing their unease among all these foreign elves who spoke in tongues neither had yet learned.  When he set foot upon the white sands, the crowd hushed immediately.  As one they bowed or curtseyed.  The half-elf nodded back, as if expecting such a reaction.

'I have come to tell you that your father has given to you the place of honor afforded to him in Valinor by his deeds.' Elrond remembered his husband's voice.  He had often wondered what this meant.  Now he supposed he would find out.

The crowd suddenly parted, bowing again.  Elrond did not need to look to know who it was.

"Mother!" two identical shouts rang and the half-elf turned in time to see Elladan catch Celebrían around the waist and spin her in the air.  She smiled politely at their affection, and Elrond's heart clenched.  She had still not healed.  He saw her stiffen slightly when Elrohir embraced her.  Fortunately neither twin noticed.  Elrond could see she was trying her best, but she was still not ready for this.  She may never be again.

Celebrían kissed her sons on the cheek and whispered something in their ear.  They nodded and withdrew, allowing her to approach her husband.

"My Lord Elrond," she said formally, bowing her head to him.

"My Lady," he responded, nodding in turn.  He had always known this day would come, but it did not feel as awkward as he had anticipated.  Rather, he felt very tired and sad.

"I wish to beg a moment of your time," she said, a shadow of uncertainty crossing her eyes.

"You may always have that, my lady.  I am ever your servant.  But perhaps you may wish to meet with your mother first."  Elrond nodded in the direction of Galadriel, who watched them from a few feet away.

Celebrían tensed, but nodded.  "You are most kind, my lord, to remember my obligations for me."

Elrond frowned at that, watching his wife curtsey to him and then walk to the White Lady.  They regarded each other for a moment, neither saying a word.  Elrond could only sigh.  Galadriel's ambition had brought her pain, as he had foreseen from the first.  She had gently pushed her daughter in Elrond's direction, though Celebrían fell in love on her own.

But this gentle manipulation had driven a wedge between them.  Elrond did not know the particulars, but he knew that Celebrían suspected Galadriel had seen that her marriage would fail.  He did not know if Galadriel merely did not mention it or had spoken falsely that Celebrían would be able to turn his heart.  From his wife's reaction, he feared it was the latter.  But he couldn't help wonder if Galadriel had not deluded herself as well.

Regardless, Galadriel had not foreseen Celebrían's abduction and torture.  As with all things, the White Lady did not realize the value of her daughter until she was gone.  The loss had tempered her, but it was not enough.  Elrond knew that though it seemed that the Valar had pardoned her, letting her come home, in truth they had merely made her fate worse.

For Celeborn would never travel to these shores.  He would fade to a spirit watching over the forests he so loved.  Elrond grieved of this, for he had always loved Celeborn as a dear friend, but he knew that this was best for his father-in-law.  He wondered if Galadriel had foreseen this fate, and if she had, had she again deluded herself into thinking that her love would be enough to call him to this foreign land?  Elrond could only shake his head.

He turned from the tense meeting of mother and daughter, moving to greet old friends.  Elrond introduced his twins to elves that he had known in Lindon and Sirion.  Mithrandir had taken charge of the hobbits, taking them to lodgings in the city.

It was an hour later that Elrond saw Celebrían waiting patiently on the edge of the crowd.  Knowing he could not put off the conversation, he made his way to her.  She curtseyed again and he returned the salute.  Offering his arm, they slowly walked away from the crowd.

"It is . . . good to see you again, my lord," she began, not looking at him.

"As it is to see you.  I have missed you."

"Have you?" she asked, and there was a hint of bitterness in her voice.

"Yes," Elrond said firmly.  He stopped so that she was forced to look him in the eye and see the truth.  Unwillingly, she did.  Celebrían sighed, putting her arm on his.  They continued their walk.

"Forgive me, my lord.  That was inappropriate.  I have never doubted your loyalty."

"But you doubt my love," he responded, reaching up to pluck an autumn blossom from a tree.  Absently he placed the pink flower in his wife's silver hair.  She made no comment on the gesture.

"Your heart belongs to another," she finally said, her voice quiet and sure.  He was unsure of her feelings, though he sensed some resignation.  Doubtless Oromë had spoken to her and she had used their time apart to grow accustomed to the change in their relationship.  "That is what we really must speak of."

"Tauron may be the keeper of my heart, but that does not mean I bore no love for you.  Nor does it mean I do not love you now."

"My lord," she said, a great weariness in her voice.  Celebrían stopped walking, finally turning to look him in the eye.  "It hardly matters now.  I have come to grant you a divorce so that you may live in peace with your husband, as it should be, as is your destiny.  I should never have interfered."

Elrond shook his head.  "It does matter.  We may divorce now, but that does not mean I will simply let you go.  You are the mother of my children, and I would not have the twins separated by this action."

Her shoulders stiffened.  "I would never come between you and the . . . twins."  Elrond heard her hesitation, knew she was thinking of Arwen.  He knew she blamed herself for their daughter's choice.  One day he would address that, but now was not the time.  "The twins will see us as they please.  They will think that I am healed and pleased that you are happy with your husband."

"And are you?" Elrond asked skeptically.  Her mouth thinned to a hard line.  "You are not.  The memory of your attack is still fresh and you have yet to let me go."

"It does not matter!" she said, her hands becoming fists at her side.  Elrond could see he had ventured a little too close to her wounds.  "Even if I had you, I could not be your wife anymore.  I am . . ." her voice faltered and she turned her head away.

Gently Elrond reached out and tugged affectionately on one of her braids.  The action startled her into looking at him.  He cocked his head to the side.  "Broken?" he asked.  Celebrían closed her eyes, willing her tears away.  Tenderly Elrond took her chin in his hand.  He waited until she opened her sea blue eyes.

"Your heart does matter, very much.  You matter.  Once, long ago, I sat dejected on the banks of the Bruinen, my heart heavy with longing for my beloved husband and with sorrow for my dearly departed king.  But it was neither of them who came to me, who lifted my grief and loneliness.  Do you know who came to me, my lady?"

"A poacher who would presume to take you from your rightful spouse," she said bitterly.  Celebrían tried to turn away, but Elrond's hold on her chin remained firm.  He waited until he had her undivided attention.  His eyes were soft as he continued.

"No, my lady.  It was my dearest friend who came to me that day.  It was my dearest friend who upheld me through all those lonely years without my husband; it was my dearest friend who gave to me three beautiful children.  It was she that helped me create the sanctuary I had always wanted to make, who listened to me groan after trade councils, who sang with me when I was merry, who pulled me from my office when I had worked too long.  She did not interfere with anything, but rather, she stood by me when I needed her the most.  And it is she that I long to see again.  I have missed you, Celebrían," Elrond said softly.

Silver tears spilled down Celebrían's porcelain cheeks, but he could see a new spark of life in her eyes.  Sniffing, she gently tugged on his ceremonially braids.  "And I have missed you, Elrond."

Smiling sadly, Elrond pulled her into his embrace.  She wept openly, as she had probably not done since her attack.  It was the true start of healing.

Elrond held her until she quieted and a while after that.  She simply leaned against him, soaking up his strength and affection.  Finally he leaned back to look her in the face.

"Will you live with us?" he asked.  Her eyes widened.

"Do you mean that?  Do you really want me with you even after all that I have done?"

"And what have you done?  You have loved me; that is all.  If anything, I have wronged you.  But yes, I want my friend with me, so long as it does no harm to you."

Celebrían was silent for a long moment before smiling brilliantly.  Elrond was heartened to see it.

"I would come with you, my lord.  Someone will have to keep an eye on you."

Elrond smiled, briefly tightening his embrace before letting her go.  Her smile grew soft.  "Go, my lord.  I believe your husband awaits you."

"I believe he does too.  I shall speak with you tomorrow?" he asked.  She smiled and nodded.  Standing on her toes, she gently kissed his cheek and then turned back.

Elrond watched her walk slowly down the path.  A warm breeze blew suddenly as a pair of strong arms encircled him from behind.  The half-elf leaned back into the embrace gratefully.

"Are you content now?" Oromë's deep voice rumbled in Elrond's ear.

"Mmm, and you?"

"I have you in my arms.  I could want for nothing else."  The Vala gently nipped Elrond's ear.  The half-elf wrapped his arms over his husband's.

"Good, for I do not intend to let you out of my sight ever again," he said.  Oromë chuckled, his hold tightening possessively.

"I will hold you to that, my love.  Forever."

Elrond smiled at this, turning in the embrace to look his lover in the eye.

"Forever," he repeated.  Cupping his husband's cheek, he gently kissed the Vala.  It was their first free kiss, unfettered by destiny or secrecy.

They broke apart.  Oromë stepped back, simply gazing at his lover.  Suddenly a roguish grin broke out on his face and Elrond grew wary.

"We'd best get started then," the Hunter said, before grabbing Elrond and slinging him over his shoulder.  The woods echoed with the half-elf's laughter.

 

THE END

    
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