The Music in My Heart
folder
Lord of the Rings Movies › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
75
Views:
3,769
Reviews:
11
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Lord of the Rings Movies › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
75
Views:
3,769
Reviews:
11
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Lord of the Rings book series and movie series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 17 An Elven Family Reunion
Title: The Music in My Heart, Chapter 17
Author: Sorsha
Fandom/Pairing: Elrond/OFC, Glorfindel/Haldir, Elladan/OFC, Elrohir/Legolas, others implied
Rating:.NC-17 for future chapters
Warning: AU (Story set 770 years after ROTK); Slash and het.
Feedback: This is my first fanfic, so constructive feedback appreciated.
Archive:
Acknowledgements: Many thanks to Alex Cat for her help in betaing this fic.
Disclaimer: Any of the residents of Middle-earth and Aman that you recognize belong to Prof. Tolkien’s estate. The same is true about Middle-earth and Aman. I’m only visiting and admiring the “views”.
Summary: Sauron may be gone, but his legacy of evil still lingers. As Middle-earth faces the threat of another dark lord, a party of elves departs Aman on a mission for the Valar, a mission of mercy long delayed.
Chapter 17 --- An Elven Family Reunion
“Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family… in another city”.
George Burns
*****
Imladris’s welcoming delegation stood on the front steps of the Last Homely House trying not to fidget in the heat of the afternoon sun. Protocol demanded that formal robes be worn, but protocol had not taken into account the heat wave scorching the lands of Middle-earth. While the Valley had not faired as badly as other realms thanks to the natural advantages of its mountain location and to the lingering benefits of Vilya, the summer had been particularly hot and dry. The weight of formal robes huge heavily around those assembled smothering the faint breeze, trapping the heat. A few grumbles of irritation were audible… barely.
Seere stood to the side in a small strip of shade cast by the great house awaiting her great-grandsire Cirdan’s arrival. Glancing to her left, she was amused to note that her father seemed unfazed by the dusty, still air blanketing the courtyard. /Of course, looking uncomfortable would be undignified, so Ada would never allow himself to acknowledge the heat!/ she smirked. A quick review of the others showed that both Elrond and Celeborn looked equally unaffected by the wilting heat of Anor. /It must be a skill known only to revered elf lords!/
Feeling his daughter’s gaze, Erestor turned his head to study the amused elleth beside him. “And what, may I ask, do you find so funny, pen vuil? I did not realize there was anything comical about waiting in the hot sun to greet guests, but as you have obviously found something that I missed, please feel free to share it with us all.”
Adopting a look of mock contrition, she responded, “Forgive me, Ada. I forget myself. Please be assured I will do my best not to smile when our guests arrive. I would hate to give offense by any sign of apparent good spirits on my part.”
Erestor halted before responding, looking up to seek the source of a muffled snort of laughter. The twinkling eyes of the Lord of Imladris betrayed that he had been listening to the exchange. Following the path of Elrond’s eyes, he saw that they had locked with those of his daughter. Matching smirks appeared on their faces.
Dignity ruffled, Erestor gave a small huff and began to adjust his robes. Satisfied they draped properly, he returned his gaze to the study of the party of elves approaching along the high mountain path. Thus occupied, he failed to see the conspiratorial wink the elf lord directed at the grinning elleth. Two other sets of eyes, however, did not miss the exchange and made mental note of the easy, even flirtatious air evolving between the two.
*****
Cirdan’s party from the Havens was the first to arrive in advance of the Convocation. He brought with him the elves of three more ships that had arrived from Aman to join their brethren. They carried word of five more ships that were expected to arrive by the end of Yavannie. (September)
Over the next week, a delegation from Mirkwood joined Legolas and a two score of Celeborn’s Lorien elves were welcomed to the valley by their lord. The returned elves hailing from those realms were warmly embraced and long separated families and friends celebrated the reunion.
Interspersed with the arrivals of the representatives of the elven kingdoms, groups of elven wanderers began to turn up; some groups numbered but three or four while others were much larger, comprised of more than fifty. Many had been moving across the landscape of Middle-earth for centuries, if not millennia, their homes or families or both lost in the battles against the evils that had assaulted Arda. Weary, they came to the sanctuary seeking news of loved ones and the comfort of again being amongst their own. The lost ones had, at long last, found their way home.
All were welcomed with great joy as hasty preparations were made to ready rooms for the unexpected, but welcomed additions. The Last Homely House was alive with the sounds of hurrying feet, of laughter, of tears, and even a few spirited arguments. Sections of the sprawling complex that had been empty for hundreds upon hundreds of years hummed with conversation and activity. The house took on a glow, the gardens shimmered in the late summer heat, and the air was charged with new energy for Imladris herself felt the renewed presence of the Firstborn and rejoiced.
*****
Elrohir dropped down wearily into his chair at the conference table in his father’s study. Surveying the faces gathered there, he saw that the added demands and challenges of the last two weeks were beginning to take their toll. Several had developed a heretofore unknown appreciation of coffee, a staple in most human communities over the soothing herbal tea long preferred by elves. Even unflappable Erestor and sedate Celeborn were showing the strain.
One hundred and twelve delegates had been expected to attend the Convocation in addition to the resident elves of the valley and the over 1700 returned Aman elves of Elrond’s party living in Imladris. The unexpected arrival of 450 new elves from Aman, a few last minute additions to the visiting delegations, and the almost 300 wanderers had shattered their carefully planned arrangements for hosting the event.
Suitable accommodations had to be readied immediately with little advance notice. Supplies necessary to feed, support, and even pamper the anticipated one hundred and twelve guests was vastly inadequate to meet the needs of 881 elves … a number that seemed to grow daily, that had actually arrived.
This problem had only been exacerbated by the continued influx of the displaced inhabitants of small villages and hamlets fleeing attacks from the Hordes. In the past month alone, over 400 refugees had arrived seeking the safety of the valley and the protection of the Imladrian guard. More than twenty-five hundred humans, 650 hobbits, and 200 dwarves now called Rivendell their temporary home, in addition to the almost three thousand elves. And these numbers grew almost daily.
*****
With the arrival their official guests, the daily council meeting had to be rescheduled to allow the Lords of Imladris and Lorien to fulfill their duties as hosts. The casual meals of the spring and early summer had been replaced by long, tedious formal dinners with appropriate attire expected. Polite, often superficial conversation replaced the spirited debates and playful banter of the family table.
Old grievances and alliances were never far from the surface. Elrond, Celeborn, and Erestor walked a diplomatic tightrope smoothing over tense moments, redirecting volatile conversations, and choreographing the delicate business of keeping hostile camps at bay until the Convocation could begin.
As the daughter of Erestor and the only elleth of noble birth currently living in Imladris, Seere had been assigned the duties of hostess. Many of their guests were more at ease in seeking her assistance, as they had no prior history to overcome in their dealings with her. Her unique linage gave her kinship to all of the elven peoples and the Maia blood of her grandfather lent her a certain mystic. Rumors of her abilities as a seer and herbalist gave her stature, but many came to study the startling beauty of her unusual golden eyes and rich auburn hair. Any elf foolish enough to be seen lingering in her company too long or too often quickly drew the notice of her protective family, including a scowling Lord Elrond.
Despite her protectors, word of her patient counsel quickly spread. Soon it had grown to include not only their elven guests, but also the refugees staying within the valley defenses. The small study located beside her father’s was given over to her use and she was often found there struggling to complete her other duties between visits from those seeking the assistance of their hostess.
*****
The Imladrian guard had doubled in size over the course of the summer and would soon double again as new recruits were trained. Ermehtar had been successful in recruiting guardians from the ranks of the returned elves, as well as, from among their human guests. The demands of policing within the realm, coupled with the security issues associated with the Convocation and later Council, had grown dramatically in recent weeks. Tempers were frayed in many quarters as space became tight and the weary Imladrian Council struggled to keep the peace.
While some of these recruits had prior military training, most had little or none. Glorfindel and Haldir had established an aggressive training schedule and spend most of their time on the training grounds. The frequent sidelong glances and smiles passing between the two warriors had not gone unnoticed; unnoticed that is except by the two themselves. Watching the developing attraction had become a daily distraction for the Imladrian population. Bets were being made across the realm as to which of the two would eventually make the first move and when.
Elladan and Ermehtar had retooled the daily patrols and frequently broadened their range in an attempt to disrupt the attacks from the Hordes on parties traveling to the valley. Their efforts had had some success, but the sudden arrival of wounded from one skirmish or another had become a weekly, if not daily, event.
Elrond, Elrohir, Celeborn, and Seere had spent many long hours working in the Healing House. Elrond had been quick to note Elladan’s uncharacteristic interest in healing and had soon determined what… or who was motivating his new involvement. The time spent working with the healers had given the elf lord the opportunity to get to know the lovely young healer and he was pleased with his son’s interest in Azeriel. He knew her parents, both healers from the Havens that had trained in Imladris long ago, and hoped a match between the two was in the offing. Seeing his son’s obvious happiness had been one of the bright spots in this trying period.
The issues of internal security had not been resolved to their satisfaction. The unexpected arrival of the 300 wanderer elves had been one more group to be watched for possible spies. Elrohir had been urging the detention of the three suspicious men for many weeks, but Ermehtar had argued it was too soon to tip their hand and lose the potential of perhaps learning if more spies were present among latter arrivals. So far they had agreed to wait, but Elrohir’s concern was beginning to sway the rest.
*****
Elrohir saw all of this as he waited for their daily meeting to begin… and felt guilty that he was about to add to their burden with the information he would impart. But, his initiate had paid off and the news he had to share would make a serious situation critical.
*****
Author: Sorsha
Fandom/Pairing: Elrond/OFC, Glorfindel/Haldir, Elladan/OFC, Elrohir/Legolas, others implied
Rating:.NC-17 for future chapters
Warning: AU (Story set 770 years after ROTK); Slash and het.
Feedback: This is my first fanfic, so constructive feedback appreciated.
Archive:
Acknowledgements: Many thanks to Alex Cat for her help in betaing this fic.
Disclaimer: Any of the residents of Middle-earth and Aman that you recognize belong to Prof. Tolkien’s estate. The same is true about Middle-earth and Aman. I’m only visiting and admiring the “views”.
Summary: Sauron may be gone, but his legacy of evil still lingers. As Middle-earth faces the threat of another dark lord, a party of elves departs Aman on a mission for the Valar, a mission of mercy long delayed.
Chapter 17 --- An Elven Family Reunion
“Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family… in another city”.
George Burns
*****
Imladris’s welcoming delegation stood on the front steps of the Last Homely House trying not to fidget in the heat of the afternoon sun. Protocol demanded that formal robes be worn, but protocol had not taken into account the heat wave scorching the lands of Middle-earth. While the Valley had not faired as badly as other realms thanks to the natural advantages of its mountain location and to the lingering benefits of Vilya, the summer had been particularly hot and dry. The weight of formal robes huge heavily around those assembled smothering the faint breeze, trapping the heat. A few grumbles of irritation were audible… barely.
Seere stood to the side in a small strip of shade cast by the great house awaiting her great-grandsire Cirdan’s arrival. Glancing to her left, she was amused to note that her father seemed unfazed by the dusty, still air blanketing the courtyard. /Of course, looking uncomfortable would be undignified, so Ada would never allow himself to acknowledge the heat!/ she smirked. A quick review of the others showed that both Elrond and Celeborn looked equally unaffected by the wilting heat of Anor. /It must be a skill known only to revered elf lords!/
Feeling his daughter’s gaze, Erestor turned his head to study the amused elleth beside him. “And what, may I ask, do you find so funny, pen vuil? I did not realize there was anything comical about waiting in the hot sun to greet guests, but as you have obviously found something that I missed, please feel free to share it with us all.”
Adopting a look of mock contrition, she responded, “Forgive me, Ada. I forget myself. Please be assured I will do my best not to smile when our guests arrive. I would hate to give offense by any sign of apparent good spirits on my part.”
Erestor halted before responding, looking up to seek the source of a muffled snort of laughter. The twinkling eyes of the Lord of Imladris betrayed that he had been listening to the exchange. Following the path of Elrond’s eyes, he saw that they had locked with those of his daughter. Matching smirks appeared on their faces.
Dignity ruffled, Erestor gave a small huff and began to adjust his robes. Satisfied they draped properly, he returned his gaze to the study of the party of elves approaching along the high mountain path. Thus occupied, he failed to see the conspiratorial wink the elf lord directed at the grinning elleth. Two other sets of eyes, however, did not miss the exchange and made mental note of the easy, even flirtatious air evolving between the two.
*****
Cirdan’s party from the Havens was the first to arrive in advance of the Convocation. He brought with him the elves of three more ships that had arrived from Aman to join their brethren. They carried word of five more ships that were expected to arrive by the end of Yavannie. (September)
Over the next week, a delegation from Mirkwood joined Legolas and a two score of Celeborn’s Lorien elves were welcomed to the valley by their lord. The returned elves hailing from those realms were warmly embraced and long separated families and friends celebrated the reunion.
Interspersed with the arrivals of the representatives of the elven kingdoms, groups of elven wanderers began to turn up; some groups numbered but three or four while others were much larger, comprised of more than fifty. Many had been moving across the landscape of Middle-earth for centuries, if not millennia, their homes or families or both lost in the battles against the evils that had assaulted Arda. Weary, they came to the sanctuary seeking news of loved ones and the comfort of again being amongst their own. The lost ones had, at long last, found their way home.
All were welcomed with great joy as hasty preparations were made to ready rooms for the unexpected, but welcomed additions. The Last Homely House was alive with the sounds of hurrying feet, of laughter, of tears, and even a few spirited arguments. Sections of the sprawling complex that had been empty for hundreds upon hundreds of years hummed with conversation and activity. The house took on a glow, the gardens shimmered in the late summer heat, and the air was charged with new energy for Imladris herself felt the renewed presence of the Firstborn and rejoiced.
*****
Elrohir dropped down wearily into his chair at the conference table in his father’s study. Surveying the faces gathered there, he saw that the added demands and challenges of the last two weeks were beginning to take their toll. Several had developed a heretofore unknown appreciation of coffee, a staple in most human communities over the soothing herbal tea long preferred by elves. Even unflappable Erestor and sedate Celeborn were showing the strain.
One hundred and twelve delegates had been expected to attend the Convocation in addition to the resident elves of the valley and the over 1700 returned Aman elves of Elrond’s party living in Imladris. The unexpected arrival of 450 new elves from Aman, a few last minute additions to the visiting delegations, and the almost 300 wanderers had shattered their carefully planned arrangements for hosting the event.
Suitable accommodations had to be readied immediately with little advance notice. Supplies necessary to feed, support, and even pamper the anticipated one hundred and twelve guests was vastly inadequate to meet the needs of 881 elves … a number that seemed to grow daily, that had actually arrived.
This problem had only been exacerbated by the continued influx of the displaced inhabitants of small villages and hamlets fleeing attacks from the Hordes. In the past month alone, over 400 refugees had arrived seeking the safety of the valley and the protection of the Imladrian guard. More than twenty-five hundred humans, 650 hobbits, and 200 dwarves now called Rivendell their temporary home, in addition to the almost three thousand elves. And these numbers grew almost daily.
*****
With the arrival their official guests, the daily council meeting had to be rescheduled to allow the Lords of Imladris and Lorien to fulfill their duties as hosts. The casual meals of the spring and early summer had been replaced by long, tedious formal dinners with appropriate attire expected. Polite, often superficial conversation replaced the spirited debates and playful banter of the family table.
Old grievances and alliances were never far from the surface. Elrond, Celeborn, and Erestor walked a diplomatic tightrope smoothing over tense moments, redirecting volatile conversations, and choreographing the delicate business of keeping hostile camps at bay until the Convocation could begin.
As the daughter of Erestor and the only elleth of noble birth currently living in Imladris, Seere had been assigned the duties of hostess. Many of their guests were more at ease in seeking her assistance, as they had no prior history to overcome in their dealings with her. Her unique linage gave her kinship to all of the elven peoples and the Maia blood of her grandfather lent her a certain mystic. Rumors of her abilities as a seer and herbalist gave her stature, but many came to study the startling beauty of her unusual golden eyes and rich auburn hair. Any elf foolish enough to be seen lingering in her company too long or too often quickly drew the notice of her protective family, including a scowling Lord Elrond.
Despite her protectors, word of her patient counsel quickly spread. Soon it had grown to include not only their elven guests, but also the refugees staying within the valley defenses. The small study located beside her father’s was given over to her use and she was often found there struggling to complete her other duties between visits from those seeking the assistance of their hostess.
*****
The Imladrian guard had doubled in size over the course of the summer and would soon double again as new recruits were trained. Ermehtar had been successful in recruiting guardians from the ranks of the returned elves, as well as, from among their human guests. The demands of policing within the realm, coupled with the security issues associated with the Convocation and later Council, had grown dramatically in recent weeks. Tempers were frayed in many quarters as space became tight and the weary Imladrian Council struggled to keep the peace.
While some of these recruits had prior military training, most had little or none. Glorfindel and Haldir had established an aggressive training schedule and spend most of their time on the training grounds. The frequent sidelong glances and smiles passing between the two warriors had not gone unnoticed; unnoticed that is except by the two themselves. Watching the developing attraction had become a daily distraction for the Imladrian population. Bets were being made across the realm as to which of the two would eventually make the first move and when.
Elladan and Ermehtar had retooled the daily patrols and frequently broadened their range in an attempt to disrupt the attacks from the Hordes on parties traveling to the valley. Their efforts had had some success, but the sudden arrival of wounded from one skirmish or another had become a weekly, if not daily, event.
Elrond, Elrohir, Celeborn, and Seere had spent many long hours working in the Healing House. Elrond had been quick to note Elladan’s uncharacteristic interest in healing and had soon determined what… or who was motivating his new involvement. The time spent working with the healers had given the elf lord the opportunity to get to know the lovely young healer and he was pleased with his son’s interest in Azeriel. He knew her parents, both healers from the Havens that had trained in Imladris long ago, and hoped a match between the two was in the offing. Seeing his son’s obvious happiness had been one of the bright spots in this trying period.
The issues of internal security had not been resolved to their satisfaction. The unexpected arrival of the 300 wanderer elves had been one more group to be watched for possible spies. Elrohir had been urging the detention of the three suspicious men for many weeks, but Ermehtar had argued it was too soon to tip their hand and lose the potential of perhaps learning if more spies were present among latter arrivals. So far they had agreed to wait, but Elrohir’s concern was beginning to sway the rest.
*****
Elrohir saw all of this as he waited for their daily meeting to begin… and felt guilty that he was about to add to their burden with the information he would impart. But, his initiate had paid off and the news he had to share would make a serious situation critical.
*****