Oh, what a delicious mystery Galion is! He hints at so much, and coyly skirts pigeonholing, but he is formidable indeed. I can see why Galadriel seeks his help. It still makes me wonder what he sees in Thranduil.
I adore these snippets, really. They are all such tantalizing glimpses into the various elves, and make the story all the richer, but they raise questions of their own, which is even better, somehow. :)
Oh, my goodness, how I love this one! The echoes of the past, indeed, and Thranduil does push. He always pushes. Elrond will always have his hands full with Oropherion.
But this: "If it did, he would beg for a bottle to take home with him, he knew. When you lived so long, you became dependent on more visceral things to remind you of times long past. The taste of a particular wine, the scent of a perfume or a melody. They were like keys that opened up the centuries and the ages like keepsake boxes. Just the idea of that wine had made him remember those nights with Oropher. He did not know what wonders the taste of it would have him recall."
That is simply the most evocative and sublime phrasing. Honestly, it paints so vivid a picture in my mind that I'm breathless. Elrond has made me quite wistful, just there.
Absolutely wonderful, as always!
For Gold and Green:
The Lord of the Golden Wood and the King of Eryn Galen are extraordinarily wonderful together, even better than my imaginings when you told me you were writing this chapter. From Thraduil's pique at Celeborn's greater height, to his frustration at Celeborn's seemingly aimless patience, every word was a delight to read. Even the distraction of Galion, ever willing to humor Thranduil's desires, did not soothe Thranduil for long.
And Thranduil does not want to surrender, in any way, stubborn elf. I will say I adored when he told Celeborn that Celebron was the most frustrating elf. It's not as though Thranduil was so sweet or compliant himself, but Celeborn's response was glorious.
The lovemaking, that was both beautiful and somewhat bittersweet, with Thranduil's memories of Elrond, and all the love he has for the Lord of Imladris. Celeborn's gentle understanding and tender love was exactly what the stubborn Thranduil needs, though, and it ended so wonderfully, with new love to bolster the fragile King. (I know, he would hate that I think him fragile, but in his grief and lonelieness, he is often just that.)
Just lovely, my dear, as ever. I'm in awe of your writing, and your glorious elves.
Galion is beyond intriguing. I wonder... is he one of the Ainur, existing long before the elves were awoken by the Valar? He certainly makes me think ot them, so ancient he must be to ponder turning to stone.
I can almost pity Legolas, having gained Galion's attentions. Legolas can provide the spice Galion needs, indeed, but I'm not sure Legolas is ready to play with so ancient a manipulator as the lovely Galion. And yes, this could have gotten quite dark, as you said. That would have been a pity. On the other hand, Galion cares for Thranduil so much, and so well. I'm glad he's there to watch over Orophorion as tenerly as he does.
I love when I'm left with as many questions as answers, and I'll hope that the Galion muse deigns to visit again. Just superbly done, as always!