Jealousy In Silver

Part Five

Many more years passed; nearly twenty in all which is nothing but a mere blink of an eye by the reckoning of elves. It was now the end of winter, and a thick blanket of snow covered the land in a white shroud. A single black raven flew in from the north to perch upon the edge of the stone coffin, the top of which remained somehow clear of winter’s cold blanket.

The large bird hopped upon the crystalline surface, twisting its head this way and that as the sun created glinting rainbows within. A quick peck of its sharp beak against the stone brought no response from either the crystal or the body within. Again the bird jumped about, appearing to consider the seemingly solid box with intelligent eyes. It croaked loudly before once again pecking at the clear surface, yet as before no response was forthcoming.

Then the raven grew silent and motionless. Several clouds passed over the sun before the large bird suddenly rose with a loud cawing sound, its wings lifting it high into the air. It was then that the rumbling started, soft in the beginning but quickly growing louder. The whole mountainside began to shake with violent tremors causing more birds to lift from the trees and other animals to scatter for safety.

When the snow finally settled the stone tomb had slid down the hill and beneath the cover of the trees. It now lay captured within the embrace of a massive fir. The stone had cracked in several places, and many of the crystal panels had shattered with the impact. The body within lay carelessly tossed upon its side; however the bearskin had prevented any further harm.

The raven soared through the trees to land upon the coffin’s cracked edge. It cocked its head once, then twice, before hopping within, mindful of the sharp stone and crystal shards. The curious bird then began combing through the body’s long fall of silver hair with its beak, appearing for all intents that it would like to pluck the silky strands to provide substance for a nest. However not a strand did it take, and through the raven’s ministrations the elf’s pale neck was revealed. The bird’s beady black eye alighted upon a dark spot marring the smooth flesh. It was a tiny sliver of the poisoned thorn which had broken off in Lindir’s flesh all those years before. In a movement nearly too swift to follow, the raven reached out with its sharp beak and plucked the bit of thorn away. A single drop of crimson blood welled up at its removal.

The bird lifted back onto the coffin’s edge and dropped the piece of thorn onto the disturbed snow. There it waited, making not a sound. Even the trees seemed to hold their collective breaths and the small stream that trickled nearby sounded hushed.

Finally, after nearly an hour of waiting, movement came from within the stone confines. It started with a soft inhalation of breath, which turned into a whimper as hands clutched at the heavy bearskin. Sharp pieces of crystal sliced at his palms, the pain serving to awaken him further. Silver eyes flashed open, yet no clarity could be seen within the shining orbs. Only an undefined longing and a heart-wrenching sorrow were evident.

The raven cawed once, the sound frightening the reawakened elf. He jumped against the side of the broken coffin, hiding his face within the tangles of his long hair. Peeking though this silken shroud, he spied the black corvid peering down at him. Several moments passed before the elf struggled to rise with limbs long immobile. The raven flew up to watch from the one of the tree’s large branches as Lindir climbed unsteadily from his former tomb. One hand remained gripped within the thick fur of the bearskin, so when he finally managed to tumble from the coffin he pulled the hide with him. Breathing heavily with the exertion, he rose to his feet in the ankle-deep snow. The bearskin he wrapped around his thin frame as one might a cloak, for although elves tended not to feel the cold, it offered protection from more than just the elements.

The raven cawed again, catching the elf’s attention once more before jumping from the limb and disappearing into the trees. Lindir’s silent form followed, and any footprints he might have made were brushed away be the ends of the thick hide which trailed behind him.

~~~

Several weeks later Lindir came across a city tucked away in a valley formed by several great waterfalls. He managed to elude any sentries who happened to be guarding the borders, although not through any conscious will. In truth, since he had awoken within the forest he carried very few memories of his life prior. His name had come to him through the whispering of the trees, yet his purpose remained elusive. A strange yearning filled his heart, and that is what kept him following the raven through the mountains towards wherever it led.

Soon he found himself within a lovely garden full of tall trees covered with freshly budded leaves and tiny flowers peeking from the grasses. The winter snow had diminished as he traveled down the mountain, and here spring had returned in a vibrant green symphony. While he knew not where he was, something within told him that here was where he would find what he sought. Yet that feeling also came with a warning, for this was also the lair of his greatest enemy.

~~~

Lindir lay sleeping within a little hollow in the gardens, completely enshrouded within the bearskin, when he felt something poke at his back. Groaning a little, he shifted. The minor movement was met with two high-pitched squeals of fright, and Lindir lifted his head in surprise at the unexpected sound. As he watched two black-haired elflings raced away. Lindir felt his heart start to ache as he watched the fleeing figures, but rather then completely disappear the two slowed and turned back around to watch. One fiddled with a stick he held in one hand, while the other bit his thumb nervously.

They stared at each other, and the twin elflings’ fear was slowly replaced with wide-eyed curiosity. Lindir gazed back upon their sweet faces, and it was then that his memories came rushing back in a flood of emotion and color. It was nearly too painful to bear, yet he withstood the onslaught by keeping his gaze fixed upon the younglings. Could these possibly be the babes his cruel sister had stolen from him? Had so much time passed that they were no longer mere infants but half-grown children?

“Who are you,” one of the boys asked.

Lindir paused a moment before answering in a voice scratchy from disuse. “I am… Meglis,” he replied, for the name meant ‘bear’, and he was well aware of the nature of his appearance.

This answer caused the other twin to giggle, and the sound brought the beginnings of a smile to Lindir’s face.

“Elladan! Elrohir!” a voice suddenly called out. “Come along now!”

The twins turned to go, yet they couldn’t help but pause and look back at their strange new friend. The bearskin-clad elf held one finger to his lips, indicating silence. The elflings mimicked him with their eyes dancing in mirth before running off in answer to the call. They loved secrets and now had one of their own to keep.

~~~

Lindir remained hidden in the gardens, fearful of discovery by his sister, yet the twins came to visit him when they could. They thought him some mysterious elf cursed into the form of a bear when the stars shone, and considered it a thrilling magical tale. Lindir saw no reason to dissuade them of the matter; as long as they spoke of him to no one, he would let them believe whatever their young minds wished.

He found a small cave tucked away deep within the trees and dwelled within its cool confines while deciding upon his best course of action concerning his treacherous sister. He now realized that he would never truly be safe until she was gone; even now she might somehow have discovered that he dwelled within her territory with designs on retrieving what she had stolen from him. Yet he didn’t believe that he could dispose of her so easily. He was not like his sibling and could barely consider contemplating murder, even to one who likely deserved it.

He considered stealing his children away and disappearing into the west where none would ever find them; however, one evening he caught sight of Lord Elrond playing with the twins as he watched through the trees. They looked so happy and content that Lindir could not bear the thought of breaking them apart. It was obvious they loved their father dearly, as he did they. The young elf realized watching them together that the twins had no doubt lived a better life than they would have within the mountain cave. Perhaps it would be a better kindness to leave them here with the family they knew and cared for than to subject them to such an abrupt change in circumstance.

“I will sail to the undying lands alone,” he told himself as he entered the cave once more, for he knew that only there would he find peace. The raven hovering in the trees above cawed once in response to Lindir’s words before taking flight.

~~~

Lindir soon discovered that the realm was about to celebrate the coming of spring with a great feast and other revelry, including a masked dance. At first he had no intention of attending, but came to realize that he could use this opportunity to say one last goodbye to his children, and perhaps even to Lord Elrond. He had discovered while watching from a distance that his love for the healer lord had not waned in the least. That was another reason he could not bear to make Celebrian pay for her horrible deeds. He could see Lord Elrond’s apparent love for his wife as they walked the balconies at night and could not bear to make the one he also loved suffer so.

Perhaps Celebrian’s dark passions had tempered in the years since she had taken his children, he tried to convince himself. Maybe motherhood, however ill-conceived, had eased whatever hatred had afflicted her.

Or, Lindir thought sadly, as long as she believed him dead, those he loved would be safe. He only hoped that were true. A caravan was leaving for the western shores the morning following the celebration, and Lindir intended to be with them when they departed.

~~~

It was the night of the celebration and Celebrian stood near one of the banquet tables looking quite pleased with herself. She had spent much of her time planning and preparing for this event, and things appeared to be running as smoothly as she could have ever hoped. Even the faint twinge of unease pulling at the base of her neck was not strong enough to dampen her spirits. She had sensed something was amiss for the past several weeks, but it was nothing that she could put a finger on. Even her attempts to discern the cause of her restlessness through the use of her mirror yielded nothing but visions of a headless bear ambling through the woods and a strange raven winging its way above. She had contemplated traveling back to Lorien where her mother’s scrying pool still lay, the power of which vastly outshone her own mirror no matter her skill. Yet with the spring festival approaching she could not leave the realm to do so without arousing suspicion.

Afterwards, she had told herself. She would make plans for the twins to visit their grandparents; a reason enough to make the journey. Then she hoped the source of her unease would then be made clear.

As she thought back on the twins sleeping in their beds a smile crossed her lips. She loved the elflings; although admittedly more for the opportunity they provided for her to be a mother and reap the attention such a position granted than for any true adoration. She had easily been able to fool everyone into thinking that the children were hers. As they grew they looked more and more like their father, and there was no question by any that the twins came from loins other than her own. The only ones who might suspect were the guard who had assisted her in killing the bear and Lord Elrond himself. The guard remained completely loyal to her – any hint that he was not and she wouldn’t hesitate to dispose of him. As far as her husband, a few well-placed spells and potions kept him as docile and tractable as a kitten.

However, it seemed to her that although the twins looked upon her with a certain fondness, they did not seem to hold the same affection for her that other elflings showed to their mothers. Sometimes she wondered if they somehow knew that she had not birthed them; that in fact their true mother lay dead by her hands.

It is impossible, she told herself firmly. They had barely opened their eyes before she had stolen them away. Yet the doubts remained, especially when they sometimes watched her with their silvery eyes and she thought she could see her brother staring back at her accusingly.

She shook her head of such thoughts and instead nodded at one of the ladies hovering nearby, setting her nearly empty goblet upon the table as she did so. The lady approached, commenting on the beauty of the new gown Celebrian had made for the occasion. The compliment was accepted demurely while inside Celebrian hummed in pleasure. She knew she was far lovelier than any other here, be it female or male, and she certainly didn’t need any accoutrements to enhance her beauty. Her pride swelled with the knowledge and as she mentally derided the other lady’s choice of garb, she considered her life perfect.

No one noticed the servant filling the empty goblet Celebrian had placed upon the table for that was a servant’s duty: to work unnoticed.

No one noticed the raven either as it swooped down amongst the dishes, dropped a single crushed berry from its beak into the waiting goblet of wine, and silently flew away.

An hour later, when Celebrian began to feel drowsy, she thought nothing of it. She decided to retire early to one of the quiet halls to rest, attributing her sudden exhaustion to all the work she had put into planning the festivities. Lord Elrond made to escort her from the gardens, an offer she graciously acquiesced to. He walked her to the Hall of Fountains where she settled upon a comfortable divan. In the distance she could hear a harp playing softly, and to that music she drifted off to sleep…

Deep within the gardens, beyond the reach of torchlight but not so far that the sounds of merriment didn’t echo through the trees, Lindir huddled in his cave beneath the bearskin. He wished to join the celebrants, but knew that he would look frightfully out of place in such company. His clothes were stained and tattered from his travels, and the bearskin did not make a decent cloak. He had known that this could be a problem, but had been unable to come up with suitable garb in the short time that he had. However, he knew that he didn’t need pretty clothes to visit his children one last time. The hour was late enough that the younglings were likely sleeping in their beds while the adults played through the night. And with all the elders in the gardens, the halls would be empty. Lindir would be able to sneak into their rooms without much trouble.

Wrapping the bearskin tightly about his slender form Lindir left the cave. On silent feet he moved away from the merriment and towards the silent buildings, taking care not to be discovered by the odd pair of lovers taking refuge in the darkness.

Suddenly he heard the harsh cry of the raven from above and looked up. The dark bird sat on the uppermost branch of a pear tree in full bloom. The white blossoms appeared to glow as the moonlight shone upon them. Without warning a sharp breeze blew through the heavily laden branches, causing the blossoms to tumble to the earth in a cascade of silvery-white. Lindir released the bearskin as they fell about him, and he couldn’t help but lift his face as the soft petals caressed his cheeks and lips.

When the breeze ceased and the last blossom drifted from the dark branches Lindir dropped his head, only to step back in surprise. His clothing had been transformed into those fit for a prince. He was now clad in a soft shirt that felt like silk against his skin, supple suede breeches, and a long over-vest that brushed his boot-clad ankles. Even his hair was now brushed so it fell down his back in a silver cascade and small white blossoms were braided into its length. He looked like a snow prince in clothing that was the purest white with blue and silver to accent.

He bent to retrieve the bearskin and discovered that it too had been transformed into a white fur cloak. Within its folds lay a simple half-mask of silver which would keep his identity safe from any who might see him. With a whisper of thanks to whichever of the Valar seemed to be guiding and protecting him he swung the magnificent fur over his shoulders and donned the mask. Now that he was appropriately attired and disguised he realized that he didn’t have to hide. A burst of longing to see Lord Elrond swept over him; even to merely catch a glimpse of his form would be satisfying enough; as long as Celebrian did not discover his presence…

He turned and walked carefully back towards the festivities. Soon he passed other elves conversing amongst the trees, and if they gave him more than a passing glance it was to admire the beauty of his form rather than question his purpose. Lindir paid them no mind, concentrating instead upon finding the one who had captured his heart so long ago while at the same time staying alert for the presence his sibling.

Through the flickering torchlight he walked until he came upon the main courtyard where tables were laid out along the edges full of small foods and heady drinks. The torches had been replaced by bright paper lanterns. A harpist sat on a cushion on the edge of the clearing and played a gentle tune to which many elves were dancing. Lindir’s silver gaze swept over those present, looking for one elf in particular. Despite the masks many wore, he was certain he would have no trouble distinguishing Lord Elrond; however, he couldn’t see him amongst the revelers.

He stepped further into the clearing, completely ignoring the curious and admiring looks of those around him. Perhaps the healer had retired for the night. He couldn’t detect any sign of Celebrian either, so the possibility seemed likely. Yet as he turned he caught sight of the stairs leading up to the vast house and the handsome figure descending them. Lord Elrond looked resplendent in black and burgundy. His multi-layered robes flowed about him as he walked, and a slight breeze caught his hair which fell loosely down his back. Lindir couldn’t tear his eyes away from the striking figure.

And nor could Elrond draw his gaze from the figure clad in white and silver that appeared to be watching him from the courtyard below. He did not recognize the mysterious elf; although considering that elves from all over the realm had come to attend the spring celebration, he wasn’t concerned. Yet even with the mask disguising his features the healer doubted he had ever seen one so fair except in his dreams.

Lord Elrond reached the bottom of the stair and continued forward until he stood before the pale elf. Lindir’s heart missed a beat as he stared dumbly at the one he had loved for so long. Surely he would be recognized; yet he quashed down his sudden alarm as he recalled the mask disguising his features and saw no answering recognition in the healer’s grey eyes.

“Have we met before?” Elrond asked softly. Something deep within felt connected to this creature in some way that he couldn’t define. He longed to tear the mask from the elf’s face but refrained from doing so lest he scare him away. “I feel as though I should know you.”

“I… I don’t believe so, my Lord.” Lindir replied, finding the lie difficult.

“You look to be of my wife’s kin.” Elrond commented after a few more silent moments. “Are you from Lorien?”

Lindir nodded. “I once hailed from there.”

“That must be it then.” The darker elf smiled, and then offered an arm. “Would you care to dance?”

Lindir nodded once more before allowing himself to be led towards where the other elves were dancing. The music that played was soft and sweet, and once they found themselves within each other’s arms it was as though nothing else existed. They continued to dance through one song and into the next, each reluctant to part. Lindir didn’t want this night to ever end, and at one point he even found himself resting his silver-clad cheek upon Elrond’s sturdy shoulder. The other elves watched them dance with mingled curiosity. They could not help but admire the two figures and their strange intimacy. If any considered Lady Celebrian it was only a passing thought.

Finally Lindir glanced up at the night sky to see the moon beginning to set behind the distant mountains. It was then he realized how late it had become, and that thought sent a trill of panic to settle within him. He still hadn’t seen his sons, and the caravan bound for the west would leave at first light.

Reluctantly he pulled away from Elrond. “It is late and I must depart.”

“Will you at least tell me who you are?” Elrond asked, not wishing to let the mysterious elf leave him. His heart ached at the thought; a feeling which he thought strange considering he was already wed to one of the most beautiful elves in Arda.

Lindir shook his head as he backed away towards the trees, fighting to keep the tears from falling from his eyes.

“Please,” the elven lord begged with one hand held out in supplication. He felt as though some veil had been placed over his mind, and only now was it beginning to part.

“I am merely a spirit,” the pale elf whispered, and then swiftly turned and disappeared into the trees. Elrond felt the words strike at his soul, and he was suddenly flooded with the memory of a starlit night below a waterfall and the beautiful youth he had discovered there.

He turned and spotted one of Celebrian’s guards standing nearby watching him with interest. “Do you know who that elf was?” Elrond asked sternly.

“No sir,” the guard responded.

“I need you to find him. Do not let him leave Imladris.”

The guard nodded once and left in pursuit of the mysterious elf.

~~~

Lindir raced through the trees, finally letting the tears flow as they would. Yet he didn’t let his grief overwhelm his senses. He still had one last purpose, and as he ran through the gardens he sought out the balcony belonging to his twin sons. He barely noticed the moon disappear completely behind the mountains, and as they did so his fine clothing transformed back into his old, travel-worn garb. The change of his white fur cloak back into the simple, heavier bearskin made him stumble slightly as the weight over his back increased, but he didn’t let it deter him. He didn’t know if he might be followed and dared not slow his steps. Only the silver mask he wore remained untouched and he lifted it from his face as he ran, keeping it clutched tightly in one hand.

Finally he caught sight of his goal and raced through the cleared lawn to the steps that led to his sons’ rooms. The balcony doors were thankfully unlocked. Lindir carefully opened them, breathing a sigh of relief when they made no noise. He slipped inside and as his eyes grew used to the new darkness his could see two beds nearby and upon them his twins in careless slumber. Lindir’s heart settled in his throat and for a moment he couldn’t breathe. This would be his last farewell. His heart, already breaking from leaving his one-time lover, now felt as though it would shatter.

He moved to stand between the beds before crouching down. Tenderly, he placed a kiss upon each of their heads and with shaking hands he smoothed their sleep-tousled hair. A lullaby came unbidden to his lips; the same he had sung to them upon their birth. It poured achingly from his throat and he used the song to express all the love he felt for those he would never see again.

When he finished he realized twins sets of eyes now blinked up at him. “Naneth?” one asked, only to be admonished by the other.

“No, silly,” Elladan said while yawning sleepily. “It’s Meglis.”

“Why are you crying?”

Lindir couldn’t help but smile at the question despite the tears that slipped down his cheeks. He was about to respond but the sound of the bedroom door opening caught his attention. He bolted to his feet, and then froze as he recognized his sister standing in the doorway, illuminated by the light in the hall behind her.

For a long moment Celebrian merely stared in shock at the figure standing between her children. She had woken from her sleep with the feeling of unease increasing in her belly. It was still nothing she could pinpoint, but after grabbing a small dagger from her rooms she decided to check on the twins. Whatever she had been expecting, it hadn’t been her brother. Yet despite her shock she couldn’t help but take a tiny measure of satisfaction at his bedraggled appearance. While still fair, to Celebrian’s eye he had lost some of his physical beauty through whatever stresses time had inflicted upon his body, and the vain elleth was reassured that she was indeed still the most beautiful elf in the land.

However that reassurance didn’t stop the fear and rage from building within her. Three times now she had orchestrated his demise, and each time he had somehow survived. Now he stood over her children and she felt fear touch her heart. That he would steal the twins away from her she was certain, and she couldn’t allow that, even though they were not hers in the first place. In her mind they were hers by right, if not by actual birth. Her brother had stolen them from her by his very existence.

“You are supposed to be dead,” she finally said, and then realized the twins were watching her with curious expressions so she softened her tone. “Elladan. Elrohir. Come to me.”

“Naneth!” Elrohir spoke as he sat up. “This is Meglis. He is our friend.”

“He is dangerous, my children. Come here now.” Reluctantly the elflings crawled out of their beds and went to their false mother.

“I am of no danger to them,” Lindir murmured. “I only wished to say farewell…” He trailed off as he noted the gleam of rage and madness flash in Celebrian’s eye, and it was then that he knew the twins would never be safe with her. Certainly they were well-cared for now, but what would happen as they grew older? Would she grow to hate them as she had him? Would his prayers that they remain safe be enough? He watched as she shooed them off down the corridor towards her rooms, and he knew he couldn’t leave them until he was certain they would be safe from Celebrian’s insanity.

“I killed you,” she said bluntly when the children were gone and they were alone. “Three times I thought you dead, and each time you return to haunt me. I want to know how.”

“The Valar are merciful,” Lindir replied, albeit sardonically. He had often wondered if it would have been better off if he had died. Then he wouldn’t have had to suffer such grief and loss as he now felt.

The glint of madness appeared to burn brighter. “You seek to steal what is mine! I will not let you have my children, nor my husband!”

“I steal nothing,” the pale elf spat, his voice a cold fury. “They were never yours to begin with!” Then his tone turned sad. “I never understood what caused you to hate me so much. I loved you once, and thought you loved me as well.”

“I never loved you,” Celebrian sniffed. “From the moment I learned that you had been conceived I hated you. I saw in mother’s scrying pool that you would surpass me in beauty, and that you would steal all that I wanted. I tried so hard to be rid of you-”

“Then you brought all this upon yourself,” Lindir replied with an aching heart, and he didn’t notice Celebrian reaching into her pocket.

Suddenly she sprang forward, knife poised to kill the one who had tormented her for so long. Lindir jumped back towards the balcony, but before he could do much more than that a black shape winged through the parted doors and launched itself at the attacking elleth.

Celebrian screamed as sharp talons raked over her scalp and the knife dropped from her grip. She knelt down to retrieve it while beating the air above with her fist to fend herself from her winged attacker; yet the raven ceased its assault and flew over to land upon the headboard of one of the beds. She had no chance to react further as the balcony doors opened wider and in stepped Lord Elrond.

He had been searching the garden when he had seen the balcony doors to his sons’ rooms slightly ajar and the shape of someone hovering within. With a sudden fear for the safety of his children he had climbed the stone steps, only to pause when he heard the voices within. He recognized the voice of his wife, and after only a moment he realized the other was the stranger he had danced with for much of the night. It was in that way that he heard the conversation between the two elves and only when the dark raven flew past and into the room to attack did he finally enter himself.

He saw his wife crouched on the floor with blood slowly dripping down her face and a murderous glint in her eye. Yet when she saw her husband her face crumpled into a look of fear. “My lord!” she wailed piteously. “He has tried to steal the children away, and when I sought to protect them he tried to kill me!”

Elrond turned to look at the stranger who stood defiantly against Celebrian’s accusations, and it was then that the veil over his heart and mind was lifted. He recognized this brave elf as the shy elfling he had known once before and granted his heart to, as well as the beguiling youth in the forest who had let him lay claim to his body.

“Lindir?” the elven lord asked hesitantly, reaching out one hand to caress the pale cheek.

“Yes, it is I,” Lindir replied with hope rising in his eyes. He did not flinch or turn away from Elrond’s brief touch, but neither did he dare to lean into the caress.

Then the healer swung away to face the fallen elleth. “I heard you speak through the balcony doors,” he said in a voice filled with growing anger. “You attempted to slay your own brother, and it seems only though the intervention of the Valar have your attempts been foiled. If you were not the mother of my children I would see you banished to the west for kinslaying.”

Celebrian looked aghast, and then indignant when Lindir spoke.

“She is not their mother.”

“He lies!” Celebrian shouted as she struggled to her feet. “His mouth is full of lies! He would seduce you with his unnatural lusts! Do you not recall his addiction to heartblood root? He is mad and he desires to steal you from me!”

Lindir looked shocked at this outburst, although some small part of him was unsurprised at her mendacity. He looked to Elrond, and was saddened to see the glimmer of doubt within his grey eyes.

“That still does not change the fact that you sought to kill your own sibling.” Elrond countered despite his sudden uncertainty. “No matter what wrongs he may have committed, there is no reason for such treachery.”

“I do not know what she might have said concerning my life,” Lindir said softly, clutching the silver mask to his chest, “but know that I have loved you since I first laid eyes on you as a child. However, I did not come here to steal you away. I only wished to find my children, and see them safe.”

“Your children?” Confusion crossed the elven lord’s features.

Lindir nodded. “I have been given an unnatural ability; one I once thought of as a curse, and then as a blessing. I gave birth to twin sons nearly twenty years ago, and they were stolen from me shortly after by my malicious sister.”

Elrond’s brow furrowed further, for he had never heard of such a thing. He wished to object merely from the idea that the dear elflings might not be his own, but was saved from making a reply by another figure that entered through the balcony doors.

“What he says is true,” the guard said, and Celebrian gasped in anger. “I was there that night and am ashamed to say that I killed the bear that acted as this elf’s protector. I have been haunted by this knowledge for years; only my fear of Lady Celebrian has stayed my tongue.”

“You wretched elf!” Celebrian spat. “You had every right to fear me!”

She might have continued but at that moment the raven, who had until now been sitting quietly upon the headboard of one of the beds, launched itself towards Celebrian in a flurry of wing strokes. Before any could move, the huge black bird viciously dove for the frenzied elleth’s face and proceeded to peck out both her eyes.

The others watch aghast, although none sought to cover their ears from her piercing screams. She, who had ever considered herself the most beautiful elf in Middle Earth, would never be called such again, and would never be able to gaze upon any mirror in treachery. When the raven finished its mutilation it rose with a harsh caw of warning and flew from the room. It was never seen from again.

More guards quickly came and when they discovered what had happened, they escorted the disfigured elleth away. In the morning she would be taken by caravan to the western shore and then over the sea. There the Valar would deal with her as they would. Of the guard who had assisted with Celebrian’s treachery, he would also travel west but of his own accord. The shame of what he had done had become too much of a burden for him to bear.

“What becomes of us now?” Elrond asked Lindir after the guards left. “Please, I beg of you, do not take the children away.”

Lindir looked at the elven lord with a sad smile on his face. “Do you not remember that night in the forest by the waterfall? You gave me a gift. The children may have been birthed from my body, but they are yours as well. I could never take them from you. I only wished to see them safe before I depart.”

Elrond reached out to caress the pale elf’s cheek, and this time Lindir leaned into the gentle touch. “You cannot leave. Not now. The children need a new mother.”

“And what of you?” Lindir asked, for while he would stay for the sake of the twins, he didn’t know if he could bear doing so without Lord Elrond’s love as well.

“I feel as though a veil has been lifted from my mind.” Elrond said hesitantly. “When I thought you had died I was filled with such grief. Then Celebrian came… she was adept and thorough in her lies. I believed what she told me, but don’t think my heart ever ceased pining for you. I loved you then, as I still love you. I need you here with me.”

Lindir laid his hand upon the elven lord’s. “Then I will stay,” he whispered as the sadness lifted from his face. “For I have ever loved you, even when my heart was uncertain as to what love was.”

Joy filled Elrond’s eyes, and he bent down to kiss his newly found beloved. Lindir reached around to embrace Elrond, ardently returning the kiss as the last vestiges of grief lifted from his heart. At last he was free of his sister’s treachery. His children were now safe, and he was finally with the one who held his heart in his keeping.

And together they lived happily ever after…


….Until one day little Elrohir and Elladan in their new red riding hoods decide to visit their grandfather, and on the way they are met with a big bad elf in a house made of gingerbread… but you will just have to beg LaurMelyanna for that one because I’M NOT WRITING THAT ONE TOO!
:D