In the Garden

Title: In the Garden, Chapter 32
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: AFF; FF
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 32 --- On the Dawn of a New Day

Shocked eyes turned toward the Handmaiden to see what would happen next. As they watched, a door under the Herald’s balcony opened. Two ellith emerged, closely swathed in cloaks of pale blue. One of the sentries from the entrance archway moved ahead of the pair, clearing a way for them to pass through the dense crowd.

It took many minutes for the pair to reach the summit. One of the ellith was clearly helping the other, as her companion leaned heavily into her support. As they reached the platform, the weaker of the two stumbled and only the tight grasp of the second kept her from falling. In the process, the hood covering the second elleth’s head fell back revealing the healer Lissë. The hiss of anger from her grandfather barely registered on the assembled. Slowly, the ellith awkwardly knelt before the throne of Manwë.

Lady Estë’s gentle voice soothed, “Celebrian… lift your hood away from your face so that we may see you, penneth. We have not asked you here to judge you. You have already asked our forgiveness and it is yours. We expect no more of any than to admit mistakes and seek to right what wrongs they can.” (young one)

A still too thin hand lifted to reveal the gaunt face of the Lady Celebrian. Elrond frowned to see the swollen red of her eyes, evidence she had been crying. Worried about her state of mind, Elrond took a step to move to her side to see if she was well.

Empty blue eyes lifted to meet his and her whispered, her words drifting softly across the Ring. “I am so sorry for all the shame and grief I have brought to you. You deserved so much better than I have given you.”

Forcing a reassuring smile to his face, Elrond offered, “As with the Valar, you have asked my forgiveness… given sincere apology for any hurts you caused to me. I expect no more, Celebrian, but that you heal and remake your life. You have promised me you would do this. Relax, Celebrian for the Valar love you as they do all of Eru’s children.”

Sadly, she shook her head. “I know this, but I have once again made you a spectacle before the eyes of Valimar. I regret that this was necessary. Perhaps it would have been best for all if I had simply faded and remained in Mandos. You would have been free without the need for this petition.”

Kneeling, Elrond gently took her hand. “Do you think I would want my freedom at such a price? Surely you do not think your life is worth no more than the cost of a little embarrassment do you? Your worth is far greater than you have yet realised. I have asked for both of our freedom. I would have you remake your life and seek to find happiness, Celebrian.”

A small spark of life flickered in her eyes before dying. “Lord Ingwë is right… I am a whore. I wish I had words to tell him that you are right though. No bond formed between us. Our marriage was devoid of love and companionship. I stayed true to you only as long as it took to have our children… then I betrayed you all.”

“Nay, you are not. You were confused and made bad decisions, but that is in the past. You do not need to continue to apologise, for you have done so to all our satisfaction.” Catching sight of the moon, he pointed it out to her. “Look there, Celebrian. Ithil has passed the midnight hour. A new day will soon dawn. Regardless of the outcome of my… our petition, it is time for you to move forward and start to rebuild your life. I will do the same.”

Studying the moon for a moment, she finally nodded her head. “Hannon le, hiren. I will try.” (Thank you, my lord)

Rising, Elrond stepped to one side. Inclining his head, he offered, “Forgive me, my lords and ladies. I did not mean to disrupt the flow of this proceeding.”

Smiling, Varda spoke. “Indeed you did not. We would have been exceedingly disappointed in you had you behaved otherwise.”

“Celebrian, are you strong enough to rise? If not, you may remain where you are. We only wish to ask you a few questions,” Manwë inserted, noting the tremor in her hands and the obvious weakness still gripping the elleth’s frail body.

“I would prefer to rise and face you as I should, my lord. Lady Lissë has been most gracious in helping me,” she added. Accepting Elrond’s hand, she let the two healers assist her back to her feet. “I am ready, my lord.”

“Your husband has told us you have agreed to his petition. Will you confirm this so there is no doubt in the minds of any present tonight?”

Nodding, she answered. “Yes, my lord. We spoke of this matter while at the Gardens at Lorien. I have agreed to this petition. I have belatedly realised my arrogance blinded me to what a fine person he is, but he is correct in saying no love or friendship exists between us, nor has a bond of marriage ever formed to sustain us.”

“Do you know why a bond never formed?” Manwë pressed.

Before she could answer, Elrond asked, “Is this necessary, my lord? Lady Celebrian is still weak…:

Reaching over to pat his arm, Celebrian broke into his defence. “Aye, I am weak, but I have none but myself to blame for this condition. And, yes, I must answer this question… for the sake of our fëar as much as for the sake of this petition.” (spirits)

Looking back to the Vala, she replied, “I took my vows with a false heart, my lord, for I resented having to marry for reasons of duty. I gave my husband no chance to prove himself and behaved in a wilful, spoiled manner thinking only of myself. As my vows were spoken without truth, no bond could form based on a lie.”

Continuing, she added, “Lord Elrond accepted his duty and took his vows with a true heart. He has kept faith with those vows even when I did not. He had never betrayed them and is an honourable elf of the highest moral character.”

“Yet, you allowed such rumours to be spread saying he had. Why was that, penneth?” Lady Yavanna inquired. (young one)

Taking a deep breath, Celebrian began. “I had corrupted my spirit by taking vows with a false heart. I damaged it further by years of lying, deceit, and infidelity. The poisoned arrow that brought me to these shores did not pollute my blood as badly as did my own behaviour. I betrayed my family, interfered with the sanctity of a betrothal, hurting my own cousin in the bargain. She and my husband bore the lash of the unfair accusations I spread to make my own conduct less reprehensible. I owe public apologies to Elrond, my sons and parents, and to my cousin Meril. She is an honourable maiden and deserves to have her reputation restored.”

“And this is what brought you all to the Gardens of Lorien is it not, child?” Lord Irmo prompted.

“Haldir and I had become outcasts in Aman for our scandalous conduct. We were near to fading from the grief we had brought to our spirits. Our families carried us to the Gardens and stayed to help us begin to heal.” Looking over at the Lord and Lady, she confessed, “We had no right to expect such care and I doubt many would have gone to the effort to help us as they did. My gratitude for their care is difficult to express for it overwhelms me.”

“You asked my lady and me if you could come here today did you not? Why was that, penneth?” Irmo asked. (young one)

“My actions humiliated Lord Elrond before the eyes of Aman. I could offer no less than an apology before the same audience if I am to begin to atone for my conduct,” she answered, the effort to continue clearly draining her fragile body.

Worried, Elrond stepped to her side so that he could offer her healing pulses of energy through his grip on her arm. “My lords and ladies, the Lady Celebrian has expended her energy and is near to collapse.”

“Indeed she is.” Smiling gently, Manwë instructed, “Celebrian let your healers help you to sit. You have answered our questions and have bravely faced your past with an honest desire to take responsibility for your conduct. That gives us great hope for your future penneth. We are proud of the way both of you have conducted yourselves this night.” (young one)

Looking about, he observed, “I believe all of my questions have been answered by the testimony given here tonight. Are there any questions others of my kindred would offer?”

Seeing none, he instructed, “Lord Elrond, I will ask you to restate your petition before we retire to deliberate?”

Bowing, Elrond replied, “On behalf of the Lady Celebrian and myself, I ask that we be freed of the vows of marriage we took in order to unite our peoples and bring stability to the elven realms of Middle-earth. As no bond of marriage exists, there is none to end.”

“We stand in recess to begin our deliberations.” Looking at the elleth weakly leaning against the Vanyar healer, he added, “Celebrian I would ask that you allow my sentry to carry you back to the couch that has been provided for you in the Herald’s Tower. I fear you have expended your entire reserve of energy and would be hard pressed to walk that distance. The rest of you may wait here or return to your family and friends until we return.”

-----

Settling back into his throne, Ulmo grumbled, “If we had any doubts as to how serious the divisions between the Eldar of Middle-earth and those of these lands have become, tonight put those to rest. Clearly, a wide gulf separates the two groups. We cannot leave this matter any longer. It requires immediate attention unless we want to invite tragedy.”

Varda sighed. “I agree. This problem must be our priority after we conclude our deliberations this night. The riff worsens each day and we have done nothing to heal it.”

Looking over at Manwë, she added, “Ingwë must be taken to task for his behavior tonight, my husband. Ulmo is correct. We could have another tragedy on our hands if this situation is not addressed quickly. I fear our verdict will only make things worse, for he seems unwilling to accept the testimony he heard as valid and the reasons for an annulment of those vows necessary and just.”

Tilting his head in silent admonishment, Námo asked, “Do we not first discuss this petition and then vote before we render a decision, pen vuil? Or did I miss that?” (dear one)

Grinning for the first time since they withdrew from the sight of those below, Manwë teased, “You do know my wife do you not? She and Yavanna have been conspiring with Estë and Irmo to make sure the votes were here before Elrond was allowed to make his petition! Why complicate this proceeding with protocol?”

Chuckling, an act that seemed wholly at odds with his serious persona, the Doomsman bowed in the Lady of the Stars’ direction. “Forgive me… I forgot.”

Sobering, Manwë observed, “All levity aside, I must ask for each of your thoughts on this matter. We are once again making a ruling that owes as much to our regard and affection for the petitioner as it does to merit. As Varda and Ulmo were the witnesses to the wedding of Elrond and Celebrian, perhaps it is wise to start with them.”

The two traded a serious look before Varda extended her hand to the King of the Sea. “My lord.”

Taking a deep breath, Ulmo cast his mind back to the night in question. “I knew without doubt Celebrian did not take her vows in truth. I worried then what this act would do to her spirit. She was a willful, head-strong sprite and resented being told who she must marry. In her vanity, she had assumed she would marry the High King after the war. While that would never have happened, it galled her to marry one that could not claim that throne. That he was a stranger, one by nature more serious and bound by duty than she, only made him seem all the more foreign to her. All of this was clear in her thoughts that night.”

Pausing, he considered, “We had discussed the need for their marriage in council before it happened. The arguments we heard this night echoed the very ones we made prior to our being sent to witness the event. We had no choice but to let the marriage proceed and the union be consummated, though neither went to their marriage bed with an eager heart.”

Seeing him turn to her, Varda continued their account. “I can offer little more of what we saw… what we know other than to say we felt no bond form. We left there much depressed by the necessity of our actions. I fear none but those that have made such decisions will understand how we felt.”

Ulmo nodded in agreement. “I have often lamented the needs of Middle-earth gave us no choice. To his credit, Elrond ever understood this. Celebrian is but coming to this knowledge and it adds to her regrets. Tis sad that much of her later behavior is indeed a result of the damage her lies brought to her heart.”

Seeing they had said all they wished to offer, Manwë looked next to Yavanna and Aulë. “Your thoughts?”

The Lady of the Earth smiled. “I came here tonight with my decision made. Nothing that has been said changes that. While Ingwë is correct in what the laws say, the law does not apply in this case. No bond formed because one of the two did not speak the vows with a true heart and we allowed them to consummate the union despite this. This makes our decision an easy one. It also limits the precedent we set by granting this petition. I hope we have no other occasion to allow a marriage to be consummated under similar conditions, but if we do, then so be it.”

Aulë smiled at his wife. “My lady and I have discussed this matter at length… as you might have already suspected.” Pausing to let the amusement his words inspired die away, he simply added, “I find no reason to deny this petition. His arguments are valid and his service to the One has been commendable. Námo?”

Námo was silent for a moment before speaking as was his wont. “I agree with all that has been said. The rest of us knew, even if we did not witness the wedding, that the bond did not form. We chose not to discuss this fact… ignored it in truth, but again, we had no choice. The marriage was needed… and the heirs of the House of Elrond were vital to the future of Middle-earth. His sons fought bravely at their foster brother’s side and helped greatly in their success. The blood of Arwen Undómiel has enriched the line of men as did her uncle’s. Their conception was necessary and part of the Song.”

Pausing, he added, “Then too, I would be inclined to gift this boon solely on the basis of his lifetime of service. He has suffered greatly as my dear sister Nienna will attest. He kept many from my halls through his gifts as a healer and a teacher. Despite my earlier attempt to tease Varda, I too came prepared to support his petition and have heard no argument to change my mind. Indeed, what I heard only strengthened my support.”

Nienna slowly lifted her head to meet Manwë’s gaze. “I cannot count the number of tears I have shed on behalf of Elrond Peredhel. He has suffered more than any I can name… and, yet he has never rebelled against the will of the One. I have long heard his prayers and the prayers of those that hold him dear. It is time something was returned to him… his freedom. The reasons we had for allowing the marriage to proceed no longer exist and it would be wrong to force him to continue to bare this burden.”

Oromë spoke next, the last of Aratar, the Eight. “When I look upon Elrond, I still see the gangly young warrior, an elf lost among the Edain fighting in the War of Wraith. He had already lost so much… endured so much, but there he was, fighting with great valor and skill as he was called. Those events marked his life and set him on a course from which he never wavered. I too think it is time we returned to him the one gift we have to offer… his freedom.”

Irmo and Este shared a relieved smile. In unison, they spoke. “You know our hearts. We support this petition and attest to the fact no bond formed.”

Vairë quietly added, “The tapestry of his life has begun to flow in a new direction. I feel the One directing him to a new path. If this is true, then the One ordains this boon.”

Nessa spoke next, breaking in front of her husband to express her joyous observations. “We have made no mention of Lindir’s song! The One spoke to us all by having him play a piece of the Song that speaks to Elrond’s new path… his intended mate. They share the gift of the One’s music and have been chosen to keep their people connected to the song by their gifts. This music also told us of his plans for Celebrian, her new destiny. It is a clear message of His plans for them both.”

“And, let us not forget that the One chose to come tonight, his thoughts whispered on the wind. His told us of his desire to relieve some of the grief that has long clung to Elrond’s heart.” Looking around the circle, she concluded, “His will is clear. “

Smiling at his wife’s eager interruption of the order of rank, Tulkas nodded in agreement. “Like Oromë, I can still see him as he was during those dark days… though I see him standing with his twin on a rise near Angband, staring lost to the world at the star ship of his father. Tis a haunting image. While the need of this marriage made us accept it without regard to the law, that need is gone and the law does not apply. It never did.”

Vána laughed. “What is there left for me to add? I too cast my support to the petition. Now what must we do to settle the divisions among the Eldar?”

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Elrond sat in the midst of his family fighting the desire to jump to his feet and pace. The night had nearly passed and still the Valar had not returned. /This cannot bode well. If we failed to justify my case, then tis likely my champions are left to fight for me./

Looking to his left, he let his gaze rest with utter longing upon the maiden that held his heart. Sighing, he admitted that Celebrian had sacrificed much to help reinstate their reputations. Regardless of the outcome of the Valar’s debate, he knew he would have to tread with care to avoid damaging it once again.

As if feeling his gaze, Meril looked up to meet the intent silver glow of his eyes with the soft shine of her deep blue gaze. Sensing his building anxiety, she offered a gentle smile that whispered to his heart. /Why do I feel such hope when she looks at me that way? Tis not logical, but it is a comfort./

Jostled back to awareness as his sons dropped to the ground on either side of him, he asked, “How is your mother? I am worried she over extended herself in making that climb.”

Elladan spoke for them. “She is exhausted, but seems more at peace with herself. She had to make that climb, Ada. We both feel she will now be able to begin to rebuild her life now that she has stood before the Valar and told the truth.”

Nodding in understanding, Elrond asked, “Does she not need you two to keep her company? I am fine if…”

Smiling, Elrohir gripped his father’s shoulder in a show of support. “She is asleep, but bid us return to support you while she slept. Lissë and our grandparents are sitting with her.”

Elrond’s next words were interrupted by a blast from the sentries’ trumpets. Rising quickly to his feet, Elrond felt those around him do likewise. A second blast announced the return of the Herald and the Handmaiden to the balcony. The first rays of Anor’s light slipped over the top of the outer wall of the Ring, lighting their faces in a golden glow. Feeling his sons protectively flank him, Elrond took a deep breath and awaited his fate as a new day dawned.

The voice of the Herald filled the Ring. “All shall hearken to the ruling of the Valar. As to the petition of Lord Elrond, the Valar find that no bond of marriage exists… nor ever did, between Lord Elrond and the Lady Celebrian. By unanimous decree, they grant his request and free them both from the vows they took for the good of their people. The Valar wish both all the joys of this life as they seek to remake their lives. So have the Valar spoken, so shall it be.”

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A/N--- Thanks MarzBar! *hands over box of tissues!* Hope this was quick enough! More soon.