To Travel With Wings

Deep in the mountains that surrounded Imladris there lived the Eldars' chief enemies. Rarely, however, did the Orcs leave the safety of their home these days. The dark evil slept and cast no pall over their hearts, so the once elves chose their raids at leisure. They multiplied slowly in these days of peace and their clans almost passed as a rustic civilization.

The largest band that had some semblance of order belonged to Gruz. He was King of Goblins, Slayer of Eldar and Edain, and the last of those that had once served in the Last Battle. His subjects were controlled by a great fear, for unnatural long life had been blessed, or cursed, upon Gruz. The crafty Orc had numerous heirs, but he refused to die. Some believed that the Great Lord had gifted him with power while others believed it was revenge that kept his body working. Whatever the reason, the usually querulous creatures were abnormally subservient.

For in the depths of his black soul, Gruz did nurse a great need for revenge, vengeance that had steeped for centuries upon centuries. Soon, however, Gruz would be avenged! Soon, his chief enemy would lie prostrate at his feet, begging for mercy. That.creature would cry for mercy before a most humiliating death. Smiling and laughing to himself, Gruz closed his eyes and dreamed of that day, a day that would happen all to soon.

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"Do you think he suspects?" Celebrían whispered as the two nissi hurried down the halls of Imladris.

Her companion shrugged, flicking a heavy lock of crimson hair behind her shoulder. She did, however, pick up her pace until they were fairly flying through the corridors. The halls twisted several times, but the two kept on, each breathing heavily, but trying to do so quietly.

"Halt for a moment, Celebrían," Silnar panted, leaning against the wall. "I have not run so in Ages."

The silver blond lady of Imladris paused next to her friend, her eyes searching the empty hall. "This is so exciting, Silnar! I wonder if he suspects?"

"Celebrían, you have me asked that a million times this day! There is no way that he would find out! We have never celebrated his Begetting Day."

Pursing her lips, Celebrían tapped a finger to her lips. "I wonder why?"

Rolling her eyes, Silnar straightened. "He does not like celebrations, Celebrían. I do agree your idea is a good one, but I do not think that he will be amused."

"He will just have to acquaint himself to the idea!" Celebrían returned with a firm tone. Smiling Silnar led her friend back onto their journey. Ever since the young Princess of Lórien had come to Imladris, the house had seemed brighter, happier, and much more fun. Silnar absolutely adored having the daughter of her best friend under her wing. The young nis was blossoming day by day and Silnar knew that Imladris would not have a thing to worry about so long as Celebrían was there.

Finally, the ladies reached their destination. Opening the doors, Silnar followed Celebrían into the kitchens where several nissi were preparing the food for Elrond's Begetting Day. A large cake of numerous layers sat in the middle of the room. Several more ladies were adding the final touches.

"Everything looks wonderful," Celebrían said, as Silnar handed her an apron. With the added help, the feast was soon prepared and set in the dining hall. The cake was held back for the end.

"There is no time to freshen up," Celebrían bemoaned as she hastily dusted flour from her face. Silnar laughed merrily as she shook her head.

"Unfortunate, you! I look like a ghost with this flour in my hair!"

Laughing, the two finished cleaning up and walked to the dining hall where most of Imladris was already sitting. Celebrían greeted her husband with a bright smile and clasped his hand as she sat. Silnar took her usual seat and was soundly bussed on the cheek by a merry Glorfindel.

Swatting him away, Silnar sent him a quick smile. Looking about her, Silnar decided that there had never been so much joy in one room. Although her days in Beleriand had been treasured, and Melian's Girdle had protected them, she had always worried about those outside.

Closing her eyes, Silnar whispered a small prayer to Manwë for such peace to last for a long time. At that moment Glorfindel looked over at his lover and widened his eyes. Silnar was encompassed in a glowing nimbus of white light and Glorfindel felt as though he was seeing her for the first time. He blinked his eyes, and the nimbus disappeared, as if it had never been. Rubbing his face, Glorfindel decided that he probably needed rest, badly.

Elrond did not suspect a thing. He did not question why the feast was slightly more extravagant, or why the rest of the room sometimes spoke in hushed tones. In fact, a band of Orcs could have trampled through the room and he would not have cared, for Celebrían was smiling at him.

Although they had been married for almost a century, Elrond found that her smile still had the power to immobilize his heart. He would lose all thoughts and words the moment she blessed him with that wide, slightly mischievous smile, as if she held the secrets of the world. Right now, she was talking to him, but he could not hear the words. He could not help but adore her. Throughout the 85 years of their marriage, Elrond had seen his wife in all forms of emotion. She was a spitfire in anger, an angel in her moments of sweetness, but she was the most beautiful when she was happy. Her laugh had the power to push away the darkness of his past and create a light in his future. Elrond knew, that his life would be lost without her.

Celebrían suddenly faltered in her speech and stared at her husband in bewilderment. "Do you truly mean it?"

"What?" Elrond asked, confused.

"Those words, do you mean them? Is that how you feel?"

Bewildered Elrond said, "I did not say anything Celebrían, what are you talking about?"

"I.you.I heard you say it, Elrond, all those words.how you felt about me? How I make you happy!"

Elrond's eyebrows drew together in thought. "I was not speaking those words aloud, but those are my thoughts."

"I wonder."

Celebrían faltered as Elrond fingered the ring of Glorfindel that rested on her hand. "I believe that I have discovered the power of this ring, my love."

"I can hear your thoughts?"

"I suppose so," Elrond said. "I wonder if I could hear yours?"

Smiling softly, Celebrían murmured, "I suppose we'll find out in time." She sighed happily, "This is the second greatest gift I have ever received."

"What would be the first?" Elrond queried. Celebrían smiled sweetly at his innocent face.

"You, my love, always you."

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Much to Silnar's surprise, Elrond's Begetting Day was a successful launch. Elrond had been amazingly pleased with all of the trouble that Celebrían had gone to. He had even deigned to smile at Silnar, though she wasn't sure if it was by accident. Although it seemed the two were slowly mending their relationship, the road was yet hard. Celebrían was their bridge and Silnar sometimes wondered if it was she who had a mission and not Silnar.

The soft glow of the mollumlluminated Glorfindel's bedroom as Silnar entered. Her lover was right behind her; Erestor had stopped him in the halls for a quick moment. Quietly she lit candles until the room was clearly seen. Throughout the years, Silnar had slipped her personal touch in with his, but she could not think of the room as theirs. For some reason, Silnar still felt out of place, even though she had never been happier. The strange emotion suddenly cast a pall over the beautiful evening.

A soft click announced Glorfindelentrentrance. Silnar smiled at him over her shoulder as she began to brush her waves of hair. There was a quiet peace to their nightly rituals despite the tension that filled Silnar. A wave dread washed over her and she knew that he would once more broach the subject.

Glorfindel set down his own comb, his thick strands of golden hair hanging over his shoulders. Sitting next to Silnar on her couch he gently took her hands. For a few, quiet moments, his strong fingerbbedbbed circles in her palms as he worked through what he wished to say.

"I know, Silnar, that you are not ready. I can feel it in your heart. I love you, Silnar, but I can't help but think that our lives are diverging. For many centuries, I lived alone. In Gondolin and Imladris I was without a companion for I had not met anyone who could fill my soul.

"You do, Silnar. You fill my soul completely, and no matter what the morning brings, no one shall ever take your place."

Confused, Silnar asked, "Glorfindel, what are you talking about? What do you mean?"

"Tomorrow, I go with Elrond to hunt Yrch. There have been signs and an ill feeling is growing amongst nature. Though the Yrch are not powerful as they once were, nothing in this life is guaranteed. You know that more then anyone."

"Yes," Silnar whispered, knowing where his words would lead, "I do."

"Then you understand why I say these words," he took a deep breath. "I release you, Silnar, from any bond we have made, any promise we have uttered. I wish not for the curse of Finwë to descend on whatever House I create. Will you accept my wishes?"

Swallowing hard to halt her tears, Silnar said, "Yes, Glorfindel. Though it pains my heart, I understand."

Gently, almost reverently, Silnar kissed Glorfindel and left. She wandered the halls for hours, not knowing or caring where her feet led her. When she stopped, she found herself in front of a large mural to Gil- galad. This had always been her favorite, because the power of the Noldor King was fully revealed. He shined, brighter then Eärendil as he waved Aeglos aloft and challenged the Dark Lord. Beside him, stood Elendil, his own powerful weapon cleaving the air. Thinking of her foster-father brought a sad smile to her face. Of all the deeds in her life, this one most confused the Eldar.

Not even Silnar understood why she allowed Elendil to foster her. Perhaps it had been her curiosity of Edain. Other then a brief meeting with Tuor, she had not suffered their presence. The prejudices of Maedhros' brothers had influenced her behavior.

Elendil was different. In him, Silnar saw a chance for Edain to regain the same pride and justice that Tuor wielded. To cement relationships with Edain and Eldar, Silnar had fostered with Elendil, to prove that a relationship would work. It was there she had found a good home and made wonderful memories. But like all her memories, it was short. War had come and Silnar returned to Gil-galad, who looked on her as he did Elrond. Lindon was thought to be the safest of Havens, before Imladris.

Fate, however, had chosen once more to be cruel, ripping away those she loved. Bowing her head, Silnar could not help but thank Glorfindel for releasing her. Even if he did return safely, the separation would have happened. No one had spoken truer words then he, when he said their paths were diverging. Silnar knew that Glorfindel wanted a family, wanted children. He believed that there might still be hope for the waning Eldar, and Silnar knew that Elrond was also latching on to such hope.

Life had made a cynic of her, or maybe she had let life. All Silnar knew and understood was that happiness was brief and to savor it for as long as possible. With these kinds of feelings, Silnar could never bring life into the world. It would not do to raise her children on such ideals. Perhaps Glorfindel finally understood now.

Tears began to well and Silnar let them fall. Life had been too good for too long. Lifting her face to greet the light of the moon, Silnar gave herself over to whatever the morning would bring. Whatever heartbreak, whatever sadness, would be weathered with dignity and grace.