In the Garden

Title: In the Garden, Chapter 33
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 33 --- By the Sea

The breeze from the open ocean ruffled his hair, causing the long strands of black silk to whip in front of his eyes. Anor had not risen far into the morning sky and the day was already pleasantly warm. Smiling with genuine pleasure, Elrond nudged his horse down the path through the dunes onto the beach below.

He and Elrohir had arrived at the coast four days earlier having left Valimar shortly after the Valar had given him his freedom. /Freedom! What a glorious word! I am free of the vows that have long hung like a noose around my neck. I never thought to see this day!/

Glancing back at his younger son, he offered, “I know I have said this more than once, ion, but your support and that of your twin meant the world to me. I would not have had the will to try had you not supported me in my petition.” (son)

Smiling, the younger peredhel replied, “And, as I have said each time you have, it was our great pleasure to stand with you, Ada. We want to see you free to remake your life and we all know that was not possible had the Valar not freed you and Nana from those vows.”

Sighing, Elrond observed, “I wish Elladan had been able to come with us to meet Ada. I know he will follow in a few weeks, but I would have had us share that moment as a family.”

Nodding, Elrohir suggested, “That would have been our choice as well, but Nana needed one of us to be with her. Think of it this way… you will get the joy of sharing that moment a second time with him.”

“I know your mother needed one of you to travel with her back to Lorien. She was exhausted by her appearance,” he admitted. “I deeply appreciate her willingness to do what she did. It allowed us to end our marriage on a positive note. While I trust you know and accept we will never be friends, we will now be able to meet as the occasion demands in a civil and affable manner. Her courage gives me great hope she will finally recover, though I am still furious at Ingwë for his conduct! There was no excuse for such lack of restraint. He could still have made his opposition clear without the need for abusing your Nana’s reputation.”

“I too was outraged by what he said. While I cannot deny her conduct was wrong, he had no right to say what he did, especially as you were the wronged party and you had not. Still, I have renewed hope for her future after she showed the willingness to take responsibility for what she did,” he agreed. Casting a side-long look at his father, he noted the serious look on his father‘s face.

Deciding the time was not right for this conversation, he attempted to restore the earlier mood by teasing, “I also have renewed hope for you, Ada. How long before you plan to make your first move, assuming her guardians can be distracted long enough to give you a chance?”

A look of pure mischief banished the gloom from the peredhel’s face as he turned on his stallion Ohtar’s back to face his son. Struck by the changes that had occurred to his father’s entire being in so short a time, Elrohir found his attention was distracted by the sight. “Well, you have been courting your lovely Himiel for quite some time I seem to recall. I would not start asking about my plans for courtship unless you are ready to share yours with me.” (Q – Warrior)

Caught off guard by the remark, Elrohir sputtered, “I have plans to… When the right time comes, I will ask… Ada!”

Openly smirking, Elrond pushed, “You should know Lindir and I have a bet as to which of the three of us will win our love first. His money is on me!”

Shocked by the outrageous comment, Elrohir sat for several seconds after his father budged Ohtar into a canter down the beach. Shaking his head, the younger elf urged his own mount to follow, an amused chuckle slipping from his lips. /So, he and Lindir have been betting on our courtships have they? Well, we shall see who wins that contest! Elladan is too content to let his and Maidhlos’s relationship slowly develop. Ada will have to show some restraint with Meril and will be unable to quickly seek a betrothal, so… Betrothal???/ “Hey… I am on to you!”

A carefree laugh drifted back to him from the rider in front of him. Smiling in response to the joy it contained, Elrohir mused, / Tis a sight to behold, this change in his spirit. In some ways, he seems like a young elf just past his majority, full of a renewed passion for life. The resigned sadness that has long clung to his fëa has begun to fall away and he seems… remade. I think I am beginning to see the daring young elf Lindir and Glory have long missed. Indeed, he must have kept them on their toes in those long ago days before duty took its toll. I will relish this renewal of his spirit!/

With that, Elrohir pushed his mare to a burst of speed. They sailed past his father and swept down the beach, an unspoken challenge in the grin he directed over his shoulder. Laughing again, Elrond gave chase.

-----

They had stopped for a swim further down the beach, the landscape beyond the dunes raw and uninviting thus assuring them of privacy. The pair had then sought the comfort of the shade offered by those rounded peaks and had been dozing in the heat of a summer morning for the last hour. Their horses had found a small cove nearby where a delicate sea grass flourished sheltered from the surf. The grass was a favoured treat of horses of the Blessed Lands and they were content to graze while their elves slept.

Groggy and relaxed from their morning’s activities, Elrond let his mind drift back to consider the last week. It had taken him some time to fully accept the reality of the Herald’s pronouncement that he was free. The moment was forever locked inside his heart, the moment his life was returned to him.

-----

“Elrond… Elrond, did you not hear us, mellon nin? Elrond, say something!”(my friend)

The concern in the tone of the familiar voice was what finally got through to him. Focusing on the elf before him, he could only stare into the gleaming blue eyes of his oldest friend. “Lindir… did I hear… He did say…?”

Pulling him into a quick hug, the Teleri laughed with pure joy. “I have waited almost seven thousand years to see this sight, Elrond Peredhel speechless! That it should happen on the morn he regained his freedom makes it all the sweeter.”

Still unsure, Elrond asked again, the break in his voice conveying his emotions. “He… the Herald did say the Valar… granted my petition? I… am free?”

His mother, seeing his dazed expression, had pulled him into a comforting embrace. “Indeed, ion, he did. You can now remake your life, as can Celebrian. A new future is possible for all of us. This day dawns on a note of great joy! You are free, my son!”(son)

Over his mother’s shoulder, the bright, smiling face of his love shifted into view as their friends manoeuvred her into his line of sight. /A new day dawns! I am free to admit my love and seek to build a new life with her at my side. Meril!/

“Meril,” softly whispered from his lips. He had been oblivious to the knowing grins that his friends and family had traded around him. He had only been aware of her, the bright light of dawn casting a dazzling golden glow to her white-gold mane.

Relief, joy, and a giddy hope overwhelmed his senses and he had laughed. “Lindir, did I not once tell you that sunrise was an overrated time of day? If I did, I was clearly wrong. There has never been a morn as lovely as this one!”

“Speechless and willing to admit I was right and he wrong! What a truly miraculous day this is!” Lindir joked, Taerad tucked tightly to his side. “But you are right, meldir, there has never been one more fair.” (friend)

-----

Smiling, Elrond attempted to sort through the tangle of emotions and images that still swirled together in his mind as that morning replayed behind his closed eyes. The press of well-wishers had become a blur as the elves of the land of his birth all pressed forward wanting to congratulate him… thank him. He had reached out to shake hands, clasp shoulders, accept hugs, determined to convey his gratitude at this unexpected, but deeply appreciated support. It had been late in the morning before he had greeted the last of his supporters.

Through it all, his sons had stood at his side to add their thanks and accept the gratitude heaped upon their House. Their tireless acceptance of duty had long been a source of pride for the elf lord, both true princes of their storied linage. As the last well-wisher walked away, he and the twins had turned to see his mother and closest friends waiting to accompany them back to his house for a celebration feast.

In truth, he had not been hungry for food. His eyes had fallen on Meril and had seldom moved away… the need to stake his claim a barely contained desire. Once assured that Celebrian and her parents had been seen safely home, and that his former wife was sleeping peacefully, he had gratefully allowed them to led him home.

Sighing, he recalled his disappointment when Gildor and Silael had lead Meril out of his garden as night had fallen over Aman with orders that he get some rest. He had hoped for a private moment with her to assure himself that she returned his feelings with love of her own. He had hoped for their first kiss to seal the wonder of that day.

The knowing smirk on Gildor’s face had been irritating, more so as it was accompanied by a whispered, “Not tonight I think, my friend. You and my niece have had your reputations returned to you. Let us not tempt fate by rushing something that you are now free to approach as it should be done… with propriety and discretion.”

“He was right, Ada.”

Scowling over at his son, he muttered, “I do not know what you mean.”

Laughing, Elrohir sat up and studied his father. “Of course you do. You were clearly thinking about Meril and you are still irritated with Gildor and Silael for preventing your making a move that very night.”

Frowning, he commented, “I did not know you read minds, ion. When did you acquire this skill?” (son)

Plastering a serious look on his face, a look spoiled by the twinkle in his grey eyes, Elrohir replied, “Ada… I have long had such talents! My skills at mind reading are legend… aided greatly by the fact you were muttering to yourself about overprotective uncles and not needing instruction on how to conduct yourself. I amaze even myself that I was able to divine your thoughts with so little to guide me.”

Tossing his sand-encrusted tunic at his son’s head, he rolled his eyes. “Some days you remind me far too much of your tutors! Perhaps it was a mistake to let Glorfindel and Lindir… his sons have such influence on you and your siblings.”

Jumping to his feet, the younger of his twin sons teased, “Of course you must blame E’dan and myself on those two. From all I have heard these last days, there can be no possibility our natures are a family trait.”

“Still, Gildor was right to remind you to move with care. Meril loves you as you do her. Take your time and enjoy courting her. You are free and there is time enough! Now, I am hungry,” he offered, before bounding off. “I will retrieve our packs from the horses so that we can have our lunch. Wait here and I will return shortly

Amused by how much like elflings his sons could still behave, Elrond settled back to return to his musings. /Aye, he is right… as is Gildor, though I will not admit it to either! Still, a kiss would have been nice!/

Sighing, he made a conscious effort to not dwell on fantasies of Meril in his arms and let his thoughts turn to his long-anticipated meeting with his father. /It was all I had hoped it would be and more! I was too young to appreciate his deep intellect and wry sense of humour when we lost them. He reminds me so very much of my sons! Nana insists I am very like him as well. What a thought! I never knew, though I have been told this by many over the years that knew him well./

Shifting to grab his tunic so that he could again use it as his pillow, his mind settled on the moment of their reunion. /The smile on Nana’s face when she opened the door to greet us rivalled the light of his star! I was home again in that instant… my home lost so long ago. Their house is very like the one we had in the Havens…

-----

“Ion! I have lived for this day for so very long! Elrohir! Come in… come in,” Elwing had cried, her face streaked with tears of joy. Wrapping them both in a crushing hug, she had clung to them for a moment before pulling them into the tower house. “Come in, come in! Ion, your Ada has just risen from his rest and he is waiting for you both in the sitting room at the top of the stairs.” (son)

His heart had been pounding with barely suppressed emotions… joy, fear… love, as the door she had pointed to opened, and the figure of his father had emerged onto the landing. “Elrond, my son! Welcome home, ion! I have missed you!” (son)

Feeling like a clumsy elfling, he had found himself sprinting up the stairs into the embrace that opened to receive him. “Ada! I had despaired of this day ever coming!”

The smell of the sun and sea, the scent of pipe tobacco… a habit his father had acquired from his human relations, had released long-buried memories of his earliest years; they had quickly swamped his senses. It was the scent of his father, unique to the Mariner. The deep rumbling voice he had heard only in his dreams murmured in his ear. “I have too, ion, but you are home now and that is in the past! Welcome home!”

-----

Dropping back onto the blanket next to his father, Elrohir studied the play of emotions on his face. Satisfied they were happy thoughts, he asked, “Are you hungry, Ada? Naneth’ra had their servant pack us a huge lunch. There are sandwiches and a honeyed-fruitcake… grapes and several peaches. Ummm… lemonade!”

Forcing open one eye, Elrond smirked. “It seems I had better be hungry if I am to rescue any of that for myself!”

Grabbing a sandwich from the pile Elrohir was building on their blanket, he took a big bite. A murmur of contentment slipped from his lips as he observed, “Food always tastes so good after a day of riding out in the fresh air. I have not had a picnic by the sea since I was an elfling. Ereinion often took us riding in the late morning. He made a point of setting aside such times to be with us; times we did not have to share him with his court. He always had the kitchens pack us a lunch and we would often ride by the sea. He would tell us stories or teach us about the things we encountered on our rides.”

Pausing to take another bite of his sandwich, he added, “I always tried to make such times for us when you and your siblings were small, hoping they would mean as much to you as they did to me. My memories of those outings, both from my childhood and with the three of you, are among the dearest I have.”

“They are among mine as well, Ada,” his son responded. “We loved having you all to ourselves during those outings. Not even Erestor dared to interrupt us!”

Noting the pleased smile his words evoked, Elrohir selected a sandwich and settled back to enjoy his time with his father. It had been many years since they had enjoyed such a carefree day. /His duties to Middle-earth often limited Ada’s free time. It still amazes me how much time he found to spend with us. It would have been so easy for him to leave our care to servants… our education to tutors, but he did not. He taught us to read and to write… read to us each night… played with us in the gardens. He would halt meetings if one of us needed him for anything… a scraped knee or a hug. The bond between us is unusually strong. Tis a blessing I often take for granted./

Pouring them both a mug of lemonade, Elrohir let his thoughts drift to the night of his father’s petition. Curious, he asked, “What do you suppose has been the reaction to the verdict? The High King was furious when he left. I was returning from checking on Nana when he pushed past me on his way out of the Ring. He could have avoided me, but seemed to want to force a confrontation. I was hard pressed to not give him a response.”

Sitting up, Elrond demanded, “What did he do? Why have you not said anything of this before?”

Shaking his head, Elrohir reminded his father, “I am not an elfling, Ada! Besides, I did not wish to diminish the joy of the day. We had waited for so long for your freedom, I would never have done anything to mar the day with so petty a matter.”

Reaching over to clasp his son’s shoulder, he admonished, “You well-being is always more important to me than my own. When you have your own children, you will understand this. Now what did he do… and say?”

Recognising the fierce glint in his father’s eyes, he knew his Adar would not let the matter pass without an answer. With a deep sigh, he relented. “He shoved my out of the path and shouted, ‘Out of my way, peredhel. It is time someone taught you how to behave in the company of your betters.’ In truth, I was so stunned by his behaviour he had already moved on before the anger hit me. Else I might not have been able to prevent a biting retort.”

Gritting his teeth, the elf lord muttered, “That fool will go too far one day and incite another altercation at the wrong time. He seems oblivious to his duty to set a good example to his people. I fear Adar’ra Elwë is right. Another kinslaying could occur if something is not done to dispel the growing tension.”

Frowning, the younger elf asked, “When did you discuss this with Adar’ra?”

Sighing, Elrond admitted, “I am surprised you did not see what happened on top of the Pillar of the Two Trees after the Valar released us so they might begin their deliberations. You may have been focused on your Nana and not seen….”

-----

Offering his arm to the Lady Lissë to escort her back to the ground, Elrond stumbled to the side as an infuriated Ingwë pushed past him. His grandfather’s quick response was all that kept him from falling to the platform, dangerously close to the edge. “Keep away from my granddaughter, Peredhel. You and your kin are not welcome in my house.”

A flash of anger darken her sky blue eyes as Lissë pulled away from the bruising grip her grandfather had taken on her arm. After assuring herself Elrond was unharmed, she faced the High King. “Have you forgotten, Adar’ra? Lord Elrond and his kin are our kin, as well. Lady Indis is you cousin. They are not of the line of the Kinslayers. Indeed, Lord Elrond suffered greatly at their hands when they massacred those at his family’s home at the Havens of Sirion. That night robbed him of both parents and left him at the mercy of those that killed many he loved. I would say he has suffered far more at the hands of the kinslayers than you!”

Turning, she slipped her hand back into the curve of Elrond’s arm. “Thank you, hiren. Let us return to those below. I need to see to my patient. Tonight has taken much from her.” (my lord)

Unused to being chastised by his family, Ingwë snarled, “The peredhel does not deserve such regard. Step away from him at once, Lissë, or I will have no choice but to disown you for willingly consorting with this refuse of the shores of Middle-earth. How you can lower yourself to care for that whore…”

Clamping her hand tightly on Elrond’s arm to prevent his confronting the irate Vanyar, the healer admonished, “Sadly, Adar’ra, it says more of your heart and character that you would call an elleth by such a foul name than it does of hers. If you wish to disown me for having the willingness to judge others based on their own character rather than on an ancient anger that has little or nothing to do with them, then so be it.”

Outraged, he bit out, “Then so be it. You will never again find welcome in my house. Do not think I did not hear that you spent the Midwinter Celebration at his house or that you have been seen in the company of his foster father! If you think I will accept him as your suitor, you are…”

Turning her back on him, Lissë urged the other two elves to begin the climb back to the ground. “I alone will decide whom I accept as my suitor. If Lord Gil-Galad were to honour me thusly, I would count myself a fortunate elleth.”

Seeing the High King again reach out to tear his granddaughter away from Elrond’s side, Elwë stepped forward to place his body between them. In a low voice that would not carry to those below, he growled, “I would remind you, my lord king that we are atop the Pillar of the Two Trees in full view of all of Aman. Beyond the obvious danger in choosing such a place to have a physical altercation, it is unseemly for us to discuss family business in this manner. I would remind you of the duties of your office.”

Moving face-to-face with the Sindar, he matched his tone and ferocity. “I do not need lessons in the conduct of my duties from one who failed to bring his people to these shores so long ago! You doomed them to the horrors that followed.”

Between clinched teeth, the mighty Elu Thingol gritted out, “Has it never entered your closed mind that my meeting one of the holy ones as I did, hints that what happened was as it was meant to be? We each had our part to play in the Song and that was mine! I will not defend my love or my life to one that has spent these many ages at the foot of Manwë’s throne, jealously guarding his place and power. I have my family that needs me and they will ever be more important to me than either of those petty concerns.”

Joining the other two at the head of the stairs, Elwë motioned for them to precede him. “I believe our family is waiting for us below and the dear Lissë has a patient to tend.”

Sputtering was heard behind them. “How dare you speak to me in such a manner?”

Without glancing over his shoulder, the tall Sindar concluded, “Your conduct hardly inspires my respect or deference. The time is rapidly coming when your attitude toward the elves of Middle-earth must be addressed. The divisions between Aman-born and those arrived from the east grow wider each day. Tis time this changed… or you may well find that your rule fosters the rise of new kinslayers from among those you have long governed. Think on that, my king.”

-----

Elrohir sat in silence for a long moment, deeply troubled by this news. “I did not notice this for I was indeed focused on Nana. He might have caused you to fall from the Pillar!”

Sighing, Elrond rubbed his eyes. “Indeed. The High King is out of control. I am truly worried, ion. Adar’ra raised a valid concern. I feel the situation slipping closer to the flashpoint and it concerns me greatly.” (son)

“There is more, is there not, Ada? What else was said?”

-----

The three elves slowly wound their way down the stairs that twined around the pillar. Unable to ignore the dire predictions she had just heard… and seeking to keep her own grief at bay, Lissë asked, “Do you think this is likely, Lord Elwë? Do you truly fear another kinslaying?”

Mulling her question over in his mind for several minutes, the Sindar finally nodded his head. “I do. The divisions between the two groups are deepening. Your grandfather has made no effort to bridge this gulf. Indeed, he ferments the unrest by freely giving voice to his own prejudices. There are many hot-headed youth among the Aman-born that have never suffered the horrors of war… seen another elf die on the point of a sword, whether wielded by friend or foe.”

Continuing he mused, “Those that came to these lands from Middle-earth have seen such things far too often to take violent action lightly. While they may vent their anger… for they are angry, by throwing a punch or offering a bitter retort, they are not as likely to reach for a weapon as one that has never seen what damage a sword can truly do. They have nothing to prove to anyone for there are few that have not wielded a weapon in self-defense if not battle. That is not to say it could not happen, but our leaders have taken to whispering warning to exercise control, especially to our youth. The Aman-born are getting no such instruction from their elders.”

Uneasy that the situation was this bad, she looked back and forth between the two elf lords as they reached the bottom of the stairs. Pausing at the top of the path leading down the slopes of the Mound, she pressed, “Has the situation truly become that dire?”

With a tired sigh, the Sindar offered, “Not yet, my dear, but it will if steps are not taken soon to change the course of events. The periodic arrival of rehoused elves from the distant lands was unsettling enough to those of Aman. After the War of Wraith, many were allowed to return and the tensions have been building ever since.”

Falling into step beside the pair, he continued, “Eldar like your grandfather resent our return for they fear us for many reasons, most petty. The most serious of their complaints is their belief that the elves of the east forfeited their rights to come here. With the final sailings, the number of elves from Middle-earth now greatly exceeds the number of elves that are Aman-born. This will shift power over time and that, in my opinion, is the real basis of their fear.”

Elrond spoke for the first time. “We founded our school, Lissë to give our people a choice of where to send their children to be educated. The established schools have long had a practice of rewriting and distorting the history of Middle-earth… either by willful act or simple ignorance. We had come to fear that our own children would soon not know the truth. My family and I have heard many stories from our people of discrimination and prejudice against them since we opened our doors. Adar’ra is, sadly, justified to have this concern.”

-----

“What must we do, Ada?”

Elrond was silent for a moment. “I wish I had an answer, ion. I fear this situation will require the direct intervention of the Valar if we are to find a solution.” (son)

“We agree, penneth.” (young one)

Startled that they had not heard another approach, the peredhil leapt to their feet. Seeing who stood before them at the edge of the surf, they fell back to their knees.

“Lord Ulmo!”

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