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Tending Elrond's Heart	By : kathmco Category: -Multi-Age > Het - Male/Female Views: 3677 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 7
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Title: Tending Elrond's Heart

Author: Emmess

Rated: NC17

Genre: Fluffy romance

Tending Elrond's Heart

Chapter Eight

Solstice

By the time the end of the spring rains had coaxed the plantings from the fertile ground, and the summer sun bathed the tall stalks with warmth, Merenant had fully recovered from her attack, and had become quite comfortable in her new home.

Arwen became like a sister to her, always ready to offer advice, or company. Elladan and Elrohir found that she had a wonderful sense of humor, very much like their own, and that she was a worth adversary for their pranks, at times, to their chagrin, often managing to turn the tables on them.

Elrond, busy with the usual business of Springtime in Imladris - bartering, importing from other realms, and hosting dignitaries - rarely had time to spend with his ward, but his eyes often spied her down in the gardens or out and about in the halls, and he found himself hoping for a glimpse of her, and was surprisingly disappointed if she did not appear.

Merenant could not recall ever being as happy as she was now, except for the brief time she had had with her parents before they sailed. She spent vast amounts of time with Erestor and Glorfindel, learning as much about history from the Slayer's own personal experience as she did from any of the books Erestor gave her. She looked upon the two as she would have two favorite uncles, and they treated her with all the affection of such.

The only thing that would have made Merenant any happier was if Lord Elrond had more time to spare for her. She understood that his duties took nearly all of his time, and settled for stolen glimpses of him as she walked past the open door to his study, or when he happened to pass by the window that overlooked the garden as she sat down below among the flowers.

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"Merenant, look! Isn't this perfect? You will look stunning at the Celebration in this!" Arwen called, as she entered Merenant's room, yards of fabric draped over her arms.

"Oh, Arwen…no! I couldn't…that gown should be for you…" Merenant breathed, eyeing the elegant, silver filigree of the fabric. It was as lacy and delicate as a spiderweb, and glittered like the precious metal in the sunlight.

"Oh, no…this is definitely for you, Merenant, and I don't want any arguments. I already have a gown for the Festival, and this is your year to participate in the Celebration. Every Elf's eye will be on you when you walk in the room."

Merenant blushed furiously, making Arwen giggle. "Surely you wouldn't mind that, would you? Come on, tell me…who do you have your eye on? By now, you must have someone in mind…I know when it was my year at the Celebration I knew months ahead of time who it was going to be…" Arwen teased, sitting on the bed and patting the mattress beside her.

"There is no one, Arwen," Merenant said softly, shaking her head at Elrond's daughter.

"No one? Well, I'm sure that will change at the Celebration…" Arwen said, surprised, but smiling at the young ward. "I've heard Elladan and Elrohir discussing which one would beat the other to be your first dance…I think my brothers may be hoping for your flower…at any rate, let's try this gown on so that I can see what needs to be altered."

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Elrond's Hall and the Hall of Fire had been transformed for the festival, festooned in swatches of royal purple fabric and bedecked with bouquets of fragrant roses. Soft torchlight lit the room, as the whole of the city mingled, overflowing into the gardens that surrounded Elrond's House.

Elrond stood at the dais in the Hall of Fire, his deep blue formal robes, etched with silver embroidery, hanging in elegant folds from his broad shoulders, his mithril crown gleaming across his forehead. His long silken jet hair had been bound in intricate braids, and he looked every bit the Lord of the realm of Imladris as he officially opened the Summer Solstice Celebration.

At the sound of trumpets, the Elflings who had reached their Majority solemnly filed into the Hall of Fire, ellith who had participated in the Celebration the year before strewing rose petals before them.

As Merenant entered the room, a hush fell over the crowd, followed swiftly by murmurings of approval of Elrond's ward. She felt a blush crawling up her neck, yet managed to hold her high, since she was fully aware that she represented Elrond's House in this Celebration.

The silver filigree gown caressed her every curve, glittering in the torchlight. A sweet princess neckline accentuated the swell of her busom, fitted to her narrow waist, skimming past her softly rounded hips, to drape in graceful folds to the floor, a short train following in her wake. Her hands peeked out from the long fitted sleeves that ended in flares nearly reaching the ground. In one hand, she clutched a tiny, beautifully sculpted mithril rose.

Elrond welcomed the Celebrants, making a short traditional speech reminding them that this was the final step toward their taking their places as fully functioning adults in the community. He raised a glass to them, the entire Hall joining him in a toast to the Celebrants. Upon the end of the toast, the musicians took up their instruments, and the Celebrants began to choose their first partners for the evening.

Merenant's eyes followed Elrond as he slipped silently from the Hall. She was surprised and saddened that he had chosen not to stay for the Celebration, and found herself wandering to a darker corner of the room, looking down at the rose in her hand.

Hiding in a corner didn't work for long, for Elladan spotted her standing alone, and quickly whisked her off to the dance floor. The rest of the evening was spent in a whirl of different partners, each vying for her attention, each trying to top the other with their wit, or their charm, hoping to gain her favor and her rose.

Toward the end of the night, couples began to quietly disappear from the Hall, even Elladan and Elrohir finally spiriting off a couple of lovely Ellith. Merenant sighed and walked toward the door that led to the garden, her favorite spot in the whole of Imladris, and the one she often went to when feeling low.

Erestor stopped her at the door, concern evident in his eyes. "Merenant…the hour grows late. I thought you understood what it was you needed to do…"

"Aye, Lord Erestor, I understand…but…" her voice trailed off as tears filled her eyes.

Erestor understood at once what the trouble was, and sighed. "Merenant…is it true that the bee always go to the flower, but, perhaps tonight, it is fitting if the flower goes to the bee."

She looked confused for a moment, then a slow smile of comprehension crossed her face. Kissing the Advisor on the cheek as a way of thanks, she picked up the hem of her gown, and dashed for the stairs that led to the upper levels of Elrond's House.

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Elrond sat at his desk, a candle burning close by illuminating his workspace. He tried to concentrate on the figures before him, trying to keep himself occupied, but failing miserably. He had far too much work to do to indulge in the luxury of staying for the Celebration - or at least, that was what he told himself - and had slipped away at the first opportunity. Coming here, to his study, he had been staring at the same column of numbers nearly all night.

A soft rap at the door to the study brought his head up from the numbers. "Come in," he called, thinking that it was perhaps Erestor or Glorfindel.

Merenant entered the study, closing the door softly behind her. Elrond stood, stunned into silence by her beauty. "You look…enchanting, Merenant," he said, when he finally found his voice. He gave his head a small shake, as if to clear it before speaking again. "Why are you here…is something wrong? Have you not given your flower away yet? Why are you not with him? Has he done something…inappropriate?" Elrond was rambling, but couldn't seem to help himself.

"No my Lord, I have not given away my flower yet," Merenant replied in a whisper, walking to stand before Elrond, her eyes downcast.

"Why not, Pen neth? Did Erestor not explain everything to you?"

"Aye, he did, Lord Elrond."

"Then why have you not given your rose to your chosen one?"

"Because my chosen one was not there…" she answered, her emerald eyes glistening as they looked up into his. Elrond's brows arched as his eyes slid down to her outstretched hand. Her fingers slowly opened to reveal the delicate, mithril rose that lay upon her palm.

"Merenant…" he began, his heart, once withering and barren, now thundering within his chest, "…are you certain this is what you wish?" His own voice was barely a whisper as his eyes rose to meet hers once again.

"It is all I ever wished…" she answered, her lips curving into a small smile.

"I…am honored, my Lady…" he replied, swallowing hard to keep his own eyes from watering as he slowly took the rose from her hand.
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Tending Elrond's Heart