In the Garden
folder
-Multi-Age › Het - Male/Female
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
35
Views:
7,571
Reviews:
59
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Category:
-Multi-Age › Het - Male/Female
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
35
Views:
7,571
Reviews:
59
Recommended:
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 12 Where Do We Go from Here
Title: In the Garden, Chapter 12 (Betaed)
Author: Sorsha
Fandom/Pairing: Elrond/OFC, others implied
Rating: R
Warning: AU (Story set several hundred years after ROTK in Aman); Het.
Feedback: Constructive feedback appreciated.
Archive: Adult Fanfiction; fanfiction
Acknowledgements: Thanks to Lady Victoria for betaing this fic.
Disclaimer: Anything you recognize belongs to Prof. Tolkien. A quick check of my bank account should prove I’m not making anything off of writing my stories. Sigh!
Summary: Life in the Blessed Land has not been so blessed for Elrond. Can the happiness that has long eluded him be found in the words of a red-bound journal, the help of his scheming friends, and the granting of a wish that none thought possible?
Chapter 12 --- Where Do We Go from Here?
“I take it your meeting with Celebrian did not go well.”
Glancing over his shoulder at the elf standing in the doorway of his rooms, Elrond motioned for him to enter. Sighing, he looked back through the open window overlooking the gardens, watching as a steady rain drenched the landscape. “That, my old friend, is an understatement of colossal proportions. I very much doubt it could have gone worse.”
Lindir came to stand next to the peredhel and put a supportive hand on his shoulder. “She was unwilling to be reasonable in this matter?”
“She was incapable of being reasonable, meldir. She arrived under the delusion I had asked her there to try and convince her to return to me, telling me I would have to woo her while competing with Haldir for her favors,” he replied. Before he could continue, a snort of laughter from his companion drew his attention. (friend)
“Surely you jest! She must know you have never truly loved or desired her. After her conduct…” the minstrel began. Seeing the look on Elrond’s face, he stopped and stared at his friend in surprise. “She really… thought you sought to reclaim her?”
“Aye, she did. She arrived complete with a flirtatious attitude and bold attempts to capture my attention. She did not react well when I told her my true intentions and became hysterical, accusing me of trying to make her a laughingstock… if you can imagine that. We were forced to give her a sedative to get her to calm down.” Raking his hand through his unbound hair, he added, “Our friends are devastated by what happened. She reverted to a childlike state, becoming unresponsive once she fell asleep.”
“Dear Eru, have mercy! What will you do?”
“I need to return to Galadriel and Celeborn’s home this morning to see if her state has improved… or deteriorated. We agreed we would take her to the Gardens of Lorien for healing if she is no better,” Elrond replied. “I will need to talk to my sons…” his voice trailing off as he faced this sad duty.
“Indeed.” Noting the look on his friend’s face, Lindir insisted, “Elrond, do not blame yourself for this. There was no way for you to have foreseen this outcome. I see the guilt in your eyes, but you could not have known.”
“I saw she was… not reacting in a rational manner. I am a trained healer, but I let my own emotions blind me to her condition,” he exclaimed. “I let her goad me into responding in anger when she gave me her demands for this competition she had devised for Haldir and myself. Given our history, I should have seen…”
“Stop right there! You had no way of knowing she would react like she did… any of it. You expected her to make things difficult or for her to be unpleasant, but… you had no way of anticipating her responding in this manner.” Turning to face the peredhel, Lindir added, “The only one that could possibly have known her true state of mind was Haldir and I suspect he could not have foreseen this either.”
“All you can do is support her parents and your sons as she is taken to a place where she may be healed.” Catching Elrond’s gaze, he reminded his friend of his own words, spoken many times over the centuries. “As you often have said, Celebrian has spent her entire life letting others take responsibility and blame for her actions. She needs to honestly face and accept the consequences of her actions. Only then, can she hope to find her way to true healing.”
Knowing in his heart that his mentor was right, Elrond slowly nodded his head in agreement. Seeing this, Lindir asked, “Do you want me to ask the twins to join you here, so that you may tell them what has happened? They were waiting for you in your study last evening, but decided to leave you alone when they heard you go directly to your rooms. I will stay with you for support if you will allow it.”
Taking a steadying breath, Elrond offered a faint smile of relief hearing his friend’s offer. “I… I would deeply appreciate the support… as I ever have.”
-----
As they walked down the path leading to the front entrance of Romen Kard, the peredhil’s attention was captured by a faint sound, barely audible above the steady drumming of the pouring rain. Trading uneasy looks with his father and brother, Elladan said, “Ada, I think someone is crying.” (Sunrise House)
Nodding his head in agreement, Elrond stepped to the edge of the path. Slowly, he lifted the branches of the low-hanging limbs of a massive oak that sheltered much of the walk. To his great surprise, he found Haldir huddled close to the truck of the tree, his head pillowed on his arms and raised knees. Glancing over at his sons to gauge their reaction to this unexpected turn, the elf lord crouched down in front of the elf and laid his hand on his arm.
“Haldir?” Empty, red-rimmed eyes lifted to meet his, as the Lorien elf sluggishly responded to his greeting.
“Haldir… how long have you been… sitting out here in the rain?” Elrond pressed.
“Rain?”
“Haldir… you are sitting in the rain. How long have you been sitting here?”
“I… do not know, my lord. It is raining?”
Looking over at his younger son, Elrond whispered, “Go and see if his family will come. He needs care and it would be best it he has his loved ones near. I do not want to risk driving him deeper into this state. They may be able to connect to him in a way we cannot.”
“Aye, Ada. I will go now.” Hesitating, Elrohir added, “If Nana is… tell her I will be back shortly.”
“I will, ion.” As his younger son hurried off, he looked at the elder twin. “Elladan, help me get Haldir to his feet and we will led him inside out of the rain. Perhaps, he will make more sense there,” Elrond proposed. (son)
Pulling the Silvan elf to his feet, he began, “Haldir, you must come with us. We will take you…”
“Lord Elrond? Aye… please leave me! I have greatly wronged you and your sons! Please…”
“Haldir… you must calm down and let us help you. Any wrongs you did us were in the past… we can discuss them later if you wish. For now, you need to come with us,” Elrond urged. “Your family still loves you. They will soon be here, for they have missed you.”
“My family? Nay, I wronged them as well!” Sobbing, the elf sank to the ground and again huddled against the base of the tree. “I did it for her and… she does not love me! She plans to return to you. How can I do anything to oppose such a thing? She is your wife, not mine!”
“Calm yourself, Haldir. Naneth is not coming back to Ada. She will need you to help care for her as she is… not herself,” Elladan soothed. Getting no reaction, he sighed and said, “Come, I will carry you.”
Leaning down, Elladan lifted the stricken elf into his arms and carried him toward his grandparents’ home. Elrond went ahead to alert his in-laws of this new problem, one that had literally shown up at their doorstep. /Just when I the resolve to try and end this tangled web that mars our lives, yet another problem presents itself! What are we to do?/
-----
It was a dejected group of elves that met in the main sitting room of the great house to discuss their ailing kin. The three younger Lorien siblings had quickly arrived, but they had, as yet, been unable to calm their brother. Elrond had been forced to give him a sleeping draught so that they could settle him long enough for decisions to be made as to his care.
Through it all, Celebrian had remained in the unnatural, fretful sleep she had fallen into the night before. To their cautious relief, her vital signs had remained strong despite her agitated state. Galadriel’s attendant stood watch on the pair while their families decided how to proceed.
Breaking the uneasy quiet of the room, Elrond began, “I see no other option but to take them to the Gardens of Lorien for healing. They suffer from no injury that my skills can cure for their wounds are to their spirits. Perhaps Lady Estë can help them find peace.”
Sighing, Celeborn nodded in agreement. “I too can offer them no relief from their suffering. I have asked that our carriage be readied for travel so that we can soon depart. There is no reason for us to delay this business, for we must get them to the Gardens as quickly as possible.”
“I will send word to Erestor to have our carriage readied, as well. I think, given their agitated state, it might be best to let them travel separately. This will allow the two of you to ride with Celebrian, accompanied by the twins. Haldir can go in our carriage with his siblings.” Looking around the room to see if the others were in agreement, he concluded, “I will follow on horseback, in case I am needed.”
“I appreciate your willingness to do this, ion, but it is not necessary. The weather is foul and… you do not owe anything to either of them,” Galadriel offered, the weight of her worry and grief making her gentle voice rough and broken. (son)
“Until and if the Valar grant my petition, Celebrian is still my wife. She is the mother of my children and the daughter of my dear friends. I will stand with my family in this… if I am welcome.” Guilt and worry clouded his eyes, leaving them a dull grey.
Rising to move to his side, Galadriel slipped a supportive arm around his waist, while accepting the comfort he quickly offered. “You are always welcome, pen vuil. Celebrian brought this state upon herself by her conduct. I will not see you take the guilt for something that is not your fault.” (dear one)
“I should have seen…”
“Nay, Elrond. Galadriel and I talked of this late into the night. None of us is to blame for this situation save the two that now need our help. We must all agree to this point.” Celeborn declared.
“Yes, they had become isolated and have been shunned by the rest of Valinor, but they willfully choose to break the laws and customs of our people. Their actions, not ours made them unwelcome in Aman.” Sighing, she lifted her hand to wipe a tear from her face. “Over the last centuries, they made no effort to seek our forgiveness, much less that of the Valar. We will help them because we love them, but they alone must answer for their transgressions. Are we agreed?”
Seeing the reluctant acceptance on the faces of the others, she added, “Pynneth, have no doubt that we will support you and your brother in this trying time. While Haldir has greatly disappointed us, we still hold great affection for you and for him. That will not be forgotten.” (young ones)
Trading a relieved look with his younger brother and sister, Orophin inclined his head in respect and gratitude. “We thank you, my lords and lady. Our father refuses to acknowledge Haldir as his son any longer and our mother is… unwilling to oppose him. Your support would be a great comfort to us. Anything we can do to aid in Lady Celebrian’s care, you have but to ask.”
Celeborn looked over at his son-in-law. “Perhaps, Lindir or one of his sons can accompany you, ion. I would feel better knowing you were not riding alone in such weather as this… and without a friendly presence for support.” (son)
“I have no doubt one of them will offer… or perhaps Glorfindel. Since we will be gone for several days… or longer, I believe I will return home and see to the arrangements. Walking over to clasp each of the twins by the shoulder, he added, “My sons, I will have necessary items packed for each of you and will send them in the carriage. I will follow shortly and will, in all likelihood, overtake your before nightfall.”
After hugging his sons and in-laws, Elrond gathered his cloak to return home. Looking over at the three siblings, he offered, “If you would like to return to your home to pack necessities for the trip, I can have the carriage call for you on its way here. Worry not about provisions, for I will see to that.”
“Thank you, my lord. We will go now so that we can be ready when the Lord and Lady wish to depart,” whispered Himiel. Rising, she accepted the embrace Elrohir offered, before taking Rúmil’s hand and walking to the door.
Catching Orophin’s eye, Celeborn instructed, “I would like to leave within two hours. The weather is going to hamper our travel and we had best begin while we have ample daylight to see us on our way. We will need to allow the horses to rest periodically, so it will be late tomorrow before we can hope to arrive at our destination.”
After the others had left, he turned to his eldest grandson. “Elladan, if you would like to send Maidhlos a message, I will have a servant deliver it. Elrohir can assist me in readying your mother and Haldir for the journey.”
Reaching over to pull his wife to his side, he concluded, “Come, my love. We have much to do and a long, difficult time ahead of us.”
-----
Thanks MarzBar! Hope you continue to enjoy my story!
Feedback appreciated!
Author: Sorsha
Fandom/Pairing: Elrond/OFC, others implied
Rating: R
Warning: AU (Story set several hundred years after ROTK in Aman); Het.
Feedback: Constructive feedback appreciated.
Archive: Adult Fanfiction; fanfiction
Acknowledgements: Thanks to Lady Victoria for betaing this fic.
Disclaimer: Anything you recognize belongs to Prof. Tolkien. A quick check of my bank account should prove I’m not making anything off of writing my stories. Sigh!
Summary: Life in the Blessed Land has not been so blessed for Elrond. Can the happiness that has long eluded him be found in the words of a red-bound journal, the help of his scheming friends, and the granting of a wish that none thought possible?
Chapter 12 --- Where Do We Go from Here?
“I take it your meeting with Celebrian did not go well.”
Glancing over his shoulder at the elf standing in the doorway of his rooms, Elrond motioned for him to enter. Sighing, he looked back through the open window overlooking the gardens, watching as a steady rain drenched the landscape. “That, my old friend, is an understatement of colossal proportions. I very much doubt it could have gone worse.”
Lindir came to stand next to the peredhel and put a supportive hand on his shoulder. “She was unwilling to be reasonable in this matter?”
“She was incapable of being reasonable, meldir. She arrived under the delusion I had asked her there to try and convince her to return to me, telling me I would have to woo her while competing with Haldir for her favors,” he replied. Before he could continue, a snort of laughter from his companion drew his attention. (friend)
“Surely you jest! She must know you have never truly loved or desired her. After her conduct…” the minstrel began. Seeing the look on Elrond’s face, he stopped and stared at his friend in surprise. “She really… thought you sought to reclaim her?”
“Aye, she did. She arrived complete with a flirtatious attitude and bold attempts to capture my attention. She did not react well when I told her my true intentions and became hysterical, accusing me of trying to make her a laughingstock… if you can imagine that. We were forced to give her a sedative to get her to calm down.” Raking his hand through his unbound hair, he added, “Our friends are devastated by what happened. She reverted to a childlike state, becoming unresponsive once she fell asleep.”
“Dear Eru, have mercy! What will you do?”
“I need to return to Galadriel and Celeborn’s home this morning to see if her state has improved… or deteriorated. We agreed we would take her to the Gardens of Lorien for healing if she is no better,” Elrond replied. “I will need to talk to my sons…” his voice trailing off as he faced this sad duty.
“Indeed.” Noting the look on his friend’s face, Lindir insisted, “Elrond, do not blame yourself for this. There was no way for you to have foreseen this outcome. I see the guilt in your eyes, but you could not have known.”
“I saw she was… not reacting in a rational manner. I am a trained healer, but I let my own emotions blind me to her condition,” he exclaimed. “I let her goad me into responding in anger when she gave me her demands for this competition she had devised for Haldir and myself. Given our history, I should have seen…”
“Stop right there! You had no way of knowing she would react like she did… any of it. You expected her to make things difficult or for her to be unpleasant, but… you had no way of anticipating her responding in this manner.” Turning to face the peredhel, Lindir added, “The only one that could possibly have known her true state of mind was Haldir and I suspect he could not have foreseen this either.”
“All you can do is support her parents and your sons as she is taken to a place where she may be healed.” Catching Elrond’s gaze, he reminded his friend of his own words, spoken many times over the centuries. “As you often have said, Celebrian has spent her entire life letting others take responsibility and blame for her actions. She needs to honestly face and accept the consequences of her actions. Only then, can she hope to find her way to true healing.”
Knowing in his heart that his mentor was right, Elrond slowly nodded his head in agreement. Seeing this, Lindir asked, “Do you want me to ask the twins to join you here, so that you may tell them what has happened? They were waiting for you in your study last evening, but decided to leave you alone when they heard you go directly to your rooms. I will stay with you for support if you will allow it.”
Taking a steadying breath, Elrond offered a faint smile of relief hearing his friend’s offer. “I… I would deeply appreciate the support… as I ever have.”
-----
As they walked down the path leading to the front entrance of Romen Kard, the peredhil’s attention was captured by a faint sound, barely audible above the steady drumming of the pouring rain. Trading uneasy looks with his father and brother, Elladan said, “Ada, I think someone is crying.” (Sunrise House)
Nodding his head in agreement, Elrond stepped to the edge of the path. Slowly, he lifted the branches of the low-hanging limbs of a massive oak that sheltered much of the walk. To his great surprise, he found Haldir huddled close to the truck of the tree, his head pillowed on his arms and raised knees. Glancing over at his sons to gauge their reaction to this unexpected turn, the elf lord crouched down in front of the elf and laid his hand on his arm.
“Haldir?” Empty, red-rimmed eyes lifted to meet his, as the Lorien elf sluggishly responded to his greeting.
“Haldir… how long have you been… sitting out here in the rain?” Elrond pressed.
“Rain?”
“Haldir… you are sitting in the rain. How long have you been sitting here?”
“I… do not know, my lord. It is raining?”
Looking over at his younger son, Elrond whispered, “Go and see if his family will come. He needs care and it would be best it he has his loved ones near. I do not want to risk driving him deeper into this state. They may be able to connect to him in a way we cannot.”
“Aye, Ada. I will go now.” Hesitating, Elrohir added, “If Nana is… tell her I will be back shortly.”
“I will, ion.” As his younger son hurried off, he looked at the elder twin. “Elladan, help me get Haldir to his feet and we will led him inside out of the rain. Perhaps, he will make more sense there,” Elrond proposed. (son)
Pulling the Silvan elf to his feet, he began, “Haldir, you must come with us. We will take you…”
“Lord Elrond? Aye… please leave me! I have greatly wronged you and your sons! Please…”
“Haldir… you must calm down and let us help you. Any wrongs you did us were in the past… we can discuss them later if you wish. For now, you need to come with us,” Elrond urged. “Your family still loves you. They will soon be here, for they have missed you.”
“My family? Nay, I wronged them as well!” Sobbing, the elf sank to the ground and again huddled against the base of the tree. “I did it for her and… she does not love me! She plans to return to you. How can I do anything to oppose such a thing? She is your wife, not mine!”
“Calm yourself, Haldir. Naneth is not coming back to Ada. She will need you to help care for her as she is… not herself,” Elladan soothed. Getting no reaction, he sighed and said, “Come, I will carry you.”
Leaning down, Elladan lifted the stricken elf into his arms and carried him toward his grandparents’ home. Elrond went ahead to alert his in-laws of this new problem, one that had literally shown up at their doorstep. /Just when I the resolve to try and end this tangled web that mars our lives, yet another problem presents itself! What are we to do?/
-----
It was a dejected group of elves that met in the main sitting room of the great house to discuss their ailing kin. The three younger Lorien siblings had quickly arrived, but they had, as yet, been unable to calm their brother. Elrond had been forced to give him a sleeping draught so that they could settle him long enough for decisions to be made as to his care.
Through it all, Celebrian had remained in the unnatural, fretful sleep she had fallen into the night before. To their cautious relief, her vital signs had remained strong despite her agitated state. Galadriel’s attendant stood watch on the pair while their families decided how to proceed.
Breaking the uneasy quiet of the room, Elrond began, “I see no other option but to take them to the Gardens of Lorien for healing. They suffer from no injury that my skills can cure for their wounds are to their spirits. Perhaps Lady Estë can help them find peace.”
Sighing, Celeborn nodded in agreement. “I too can offer them no relief from their suffering. I have asked that our carriage be readied for travel so that we can soon depart. There is no reason for us to delay this business, for we must get them to the Gardens as quickly as possible.”
“I will send word to Erestor to have our carriage readied, as well. I think, given their agitated state, it might be best to let them travel separately. This will allow the two of you to ride with Celebrian, accompanied by the twins. Haldir can go in our carriage with his siblings.” Looking around the room to see if the others were in agreement, he concluded, “I will follow on horseback, in case I am needed.”
“I appreciate your willingness to do this, ion, but it is not necessary. The weather is foul and… you do not owe anything to either of them,” Galadriel offered, the weight of her worry and grief making her gentle voice rough and broken. (son)
“Until and if the Valar grant my petition, Celebrian is still my wife. She is the mother of my children and the daughter of my dear friends. I will stand with my family in this… if I am welcome.” Guilt and worry clouded his eyes, leaving them a dull grey.
Rising to move to his side, Galadriel slipped a supportive arm around his waist, while accepting the comfort he quickly offered. “You are always welcome, pen vuil. Celebrian brought this state upon herself by her conduct. I will not see you take the guilt for something that is not your fault.” (dear one)
“I should have seen…”
“Nay, Elrond. Galadriel and I talked of this late into the night. None of us is to blame for this situation save the two that now need our help. We must all agree to this point.” Celeborn declared.
“Yes, they had become isolated and have been shunned by the rest of Valinor, but they willfully choose to break the laws and customs of our people. Their actions, not ours made them unwelcome in Aman.” Sighing, she lifted her hand to wipe a tear from her face. “Over the last centuries, they made no effort to seek our forgiveness, much less that of the Valar. We will help them because we love them, but they alone must answer for their transgressions. Are we agreed?”
Seeing the reluctant acceptance on the faces of the others, she added, “Pynneth, have no doubt that we will support you and your brother in this trying time. While Haldir has greatly disappointed us, we still hold great affection for you and for him. That will not be forgotten.” (young ones)
Trading a relieved look with his younger brother and sister, Orophin inclined his head in respect and gratitude. “We thank you, my lords and lady. Our father refuses to acknowledge Haldir as his son any longer and our mother is… unwilling to oppose him. Your support would be a great comfort to us. Anything we can do to aid in Lady Celebrian’s care, you have but to ask.”
Celeborn looked over at his son-in-law. “Perhaps, Lindir or one of his sons can accompany you, ion. I would feel better knowing you were not riding alone in such weather as this… and without a friendly presence for support.” (son)
“I have no doubt one of them will offer… or perhaps Glorfindel. Since we will be gone for several days… or longer, I believe I will return home and see to the arrangements. Walking over to clasp each of the twins by the shoulder, he added, “My sons, I will have necessary items packed for each of you and will send them in the carriage. I will follow shortly and will, in all likelihood, overtake your before nightfall.”
After hugging his sons and in-laws, Elrond gathered his cloak to return home. Looking over at the three siblings, he offered, “If you would like to return to your home to pack necessities for the trip, I can have the carriage call for you on its way here. Worry not about provisions, for I will see to that.”
“Thank you, my lord. We will go now so that we can be ready when the Lord and Lady wish to depart,” whispered Himiel. Rising, she accepted the embrace Elrohir offered, before taking Rúmil’s hand and walking to the door.
Catching Orophin’s eye, Celeborn instructed, “I would like to leave within two hours. The weather is going to hamper our travel and we had best begin while we have ample daylight to see us on our way. We will need to allow the horses to rest periodically, so it will be late tomorrow before we can hope to arrive at our destination.”
After the others had left, he turned to his eldest grandson. “Elladan, if you would like to send Maidhlos a message, I will have a servant deliver it. Elrohir can assist me in readying your mother and Haldir for the journey.”
Reaching over to pull his wife to his side, he concluded, “Come, my love. We have much to do and a long, difficult time ahead of us.”
-----
Thanks MarzBar! Hope you continue to enjoy my story!
Feedback appreciated!