In the Garden

Title: In the Garden, Chapter 34
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 34 --- A Kiss to Build a Dream On

As the heat of mid-afternoon settled over the coast, Elrond and his son rode into the paddock that served Cirdan and his people. Due to their unique natures, Elwing and Eärendil had no need for horses and had never added a stable to the grounds surrounding the White Tower*. The peredhil had, therefore, been invited to leave their mounts at the stable complex the elves from the Grey Havens had built under the watchful eye of the Lady Aerel. She has sailed to the Blessed Lands many years before her husband to prepare their home and to help their people settle in their new home.

Both father and son were quiet as they dismounted and began to tend to the needs of the two horses. Handing his father a brush to curry his stallion, the younger twin took up another and went to work on his mare, Tyelca. They worked in silence for several minutes before Elrohir broke the quiet. (Q – agile)

Glancing over at his father, he admitted, “I have to confess I am relieved that the Valar have recognised the need to address the problems growing between our people and the elves of Aman, but… I am not sure how I feel about their solution. If one of the principle concerns the Aman-born have is loss of power, will not establishing a Council of Valinor aggravate this fear?”

Sighing, Elrond looked over Ohtar’s back and met his son’s eyes. “I have been wondering the same thing, ion. Lord Ulmo’s news that the High King has been called before the Throne of Manwë is also disturbing. While I agree he needs to be held accountable for his behaviour, the timing of these two events may add to the tension rather than taming it. That it came on the heels of my petition…” (son)

“…which the High King likely views as a defeat,” Elrohir completed. “I assume you will accept a seat on this council. Lord Ulmo indicated you would be offered one.”

Nodding, Elrond went back to grooming the stallion. “I will have little choice. The outpouring of support I received at the Ring… the reports of abuse and discrimination we have received from our people has reminded me of my duty. I had thought those days behind me once I sailed to these lands. It would seem I am wrong.”

Smiling for the first time since their return from their outing, Elrohir observed, “You were born to lead, Ada. Our arrival in these lands has not changed who you are. In many ways, you have missed having such duties for they give you great satisfaction… a purpose that serves the One. It is who you are.”

A creak of the gate interrupted any reply Elrond might have made. Glancing over, the two smiled in greeting to Cirdan. “Suilad, meldir.” (Greetings, friend)

“Elrond… Elrohir. I thought I heard you return from your ride,” the ancient shipwright replied. “I was preparing to walk to your parents’ home to play my weekly game of chess with your father. Since the two of you have returned in time, I would join you for the walk. Let Dínenaer finish grooming your horses. He loves working with them and will take good care of them.” (Cirdan’s son)

Smiling at the elfling standing behind his father, Elrond nodded. “If he is agreeable, we would be grateful. We have combed the sand-spurs from their coat and given them a good brushing, but I am sure they would appreciate being washed down to remove the saltwater from their skin and being given a ration of oats. Are you willing to doing this, Dínenaer? Both Ohtar and Tyelca are of gentle disposition.”

A shy grin lit the child’s face, one that reminded the peredhil of the boy’s mother. “I would be happy to see to them for you, my lords. I love caring for horses.”

Trading a smile with Elrohir, he walked over to the elfling and laid his hand on his shoulder. “Hannon le, penneth. Do you like horses as much as sailing? Elrohir and I are looking forward to coming with you and your Adar for your first trip onto the open ocean.” (Thank you, young one.)

Accepting the brush from the elf lord, Dínenaer’s grin widened. “So am I, my lord. Ada says I am ready.”

Bending to kiss his son’s head, Cirdan instructed, “Get one of the hands to help you wash the horses for Lord Elrond’s stallion is far stronger than you. Do not frown so, ion. I would not see you hurt for your stubborn pride. I would hate to cancel our sail if I find that you did not do this.” (ion)

“I will, Ada.” Sighing in defeat, the child ran off calling to one of the hands working in a nearby barn to come and help him.

“He is a good boy, but he does keep me on my toes,” Cirdan confessed. “It was a shock for us to be gifted a child at this point in our lives, but I cannot imagine life without him. He makes things that I have long grown blind to seeing seem new and exciting… like sailing on the open ocean. I find I am quite excited to be teaching him these things.”

Clasping his friend on the back, Elrond teased, “It has been some years since you taught my children. Are you sure you remember how?”

Sending a glare at the laughing pair, Cirdan reminded them, “I would not laugh if I were you two. As it now seems the both of you have found your life mates, tis likely you both will be changing the diapers of your own small ones in the not too distant future.”

Elrond came to an abrupt halt as this possibility occurred to him for the first time. “I had not… elflings!”

Frowning, Cirdan asked, “Does this mean you will not want another? I had assumed Meril would.”

Sending his friend an irritated look, the peredhel sulked, “I have not even had the chance to seek her agreement to my courtship. Gildor and Silael led her home before I had time to talk to her alone the day the Valar gave me my freedom. Elrohir and I left before I could find a chance. And no, I am not averse to another child… far from it. I merely had not allowed myself to think that far ahead. Besides, I am not that young any more. I may be too old to father a child.”

Cirdan winked at the amused Elrohir. “I am millennia older than you, penneth, and I managed it!” (young one)

With a wry smile, Elrond countered, “But you know what they say of sailors… the sea air keeps your viral!”

A shout of laughter erupted from the Teleri. “Hmmm… perhaps that is true. We must ask the Mariner to see what his experience has been.”

Faced with the thought of his parent’s love life, Elrond frowned slightly. “I do not think I want to be part of that discussion. I will leave that to you and Elrohir…”

“Nay, not me!” his son insisted, equally unwilling to consider this topic. Moving quickly to change it to one only marginally less embarrassing, he urged, “Ada, you do plan to discuss the issue of children with Meril, do you not?”

Refusing to look at either of his companions, Elrond focused on the one saving grace to this conversation… Lindir and Glorfindel were not part of it. Had they been, he would have been tempted to flee back into the barn. “Aye, I do… assuming I ever get the chance to talk to her alone again.”

Draping his arm over his friend’s shoulders, Cirdan smirked. “Then I am most pleased to inform you that you will soon have your chance. I received a letter from Gildor today. He and his family will soon be arriving for a visit. It seems you are once again the talk of Valimar and our dear friend thinks it best to retreat to the coast for several weeks while the gossip dies down. My daughter and her family and Lindir and all of his… Ereinion and perhaps a few others will join them. We should have quite a lively group to keep us company, meldir. We will even have the chance to teach my grandsons to sail.” (friend)

Elrond heard the conversation continue to flow around him. He caught periodic comments… “the little balrogs?!”… “my grandsons”… “If I was able to teach you and your twin to sail… not to mention your father and uncle…”, but the main conversation eluded him. /Meril is coming here! I will soon see her and can finally ask…/

He missed entirely the knowing smirks on the faces of the other two elves.

-----

“This news does indeed invite discussion, ion. Did Lord Ulmo give you any indication as to when the Valar planned to call this Council?” Eärendil asked, his eyes fixed on his hands as he filled his pipe with a mild, fragrant tobacco. (son)

Before answering, Elrond handed his father and mother a glass of miruvor poured from one of the bottles they had brought with them from Valimar. Now that their vines had been safely planted in Lady Yavanna’s garden, his sons had relaxed their stranglehold on their reserves enough to agree to his bringing several bottles with them as gifts. Erestor and Elladan had been given the task of overseeing the new vineyard. Elrond had no doubt some of the elves that had tended the vines in Imladris had gladly volunteered for the job of seeing to their day-to-day care.

Passing a glass to his son, Elrond poured two more as he answered, “He did not give us any dates, but I would imagine not before fall. From what Cirdan has told us of Gildor’s note, it seems the reaction to the Valar’s granting my petition has widened the gulf between the two groups. Am I right in this, meldir?” (friend)

Accepting his glass, Cirdan took an appreciative sip. “I will be glad when your new vines begin to produce and Elrohir stops hording this lovely treat quite so closely.”

Grinning at the happy look his comment brought to the younger elf’s face, he continued. “He did not say more than that in the outward text, but, there was more there. Here Elrond. You know Gildor better than any of us. Read it yourself and see what you can gleam from his choice of words. The messenger said the situation was tense in some quarters.”

Reaching over to take the folded paper, he asked, “Gildor sent a messenger to bring this rather than use a messenger bird? I had assumed… Ah, I see what you mean. The situation is indeed tense. He has used the code he employed while spying for us in Middle-earth.”

Handing the note to Elrohir, Elrond settled back in his chair and lifted his own glass to take a healthy sip. “It seems the High King has not taken the verdict well and has been heard attacking my character again. Erestor and Glorfindel have activated some of the Imladrian guard to keep an eye on our homes for fear of mischief, including Gildor’s house and Romen Kard [Celeborn and Galadriel’s home]. They are coming here to allow the situation to run its course without their presence being a source of new contention.”

Sighing, Elrohir noted, “It seems the High King did not take his audience with Lord Manwë as the Valar hoped. I recently read in a history of Aman Melpomaen acquired that one of his sons died during the early years of the War of Wraith. That may be part of the reason for his anger.”

Puffing on his pipe, his grandfather nodded. “His youngest son, Ororon died in a skirmish with orcs in the early years of the war. He apparently died bravely defending his troops. The High King took the news badly, as is to be expected, but has never moved beyond his grief and anger. He had opposed his son’s plans to join the Host, feeling only the Noldor should be expected to send their numbers to ‘rescue the Kinslayers’. His son’s death only added to his hatred of the Exiles… Middle-earth as a whole. To a lesser extent, he blamed your mother and me for his death. Given where we live, you and your household are a more convenient target for his rage.” (Q – High Mountain)

Lost in memory, Elrond admitted, “I had not heard this, but Elros and I were not called to join the Host till near the end… the last eleven years of the campaign. This does explain the contempt with which the Vanyar treated us. They shared their leader’s view of the Peredhil. Ororon… that name sounds familiar. I assume he has been rehoused by this time. Have I met him by chance?”

Shrugging his shoulders, Cirdan replied, “This I cannot say, but you have met his daughter. She is Lady Lissë.”

“Humm,” Elrond mused. “That makes what happened on the platform make more sense. He must have been incensed to hear of a budding relationship between her and Ada… err, Ereinion.”

“It does not bother me to hear you call him Ada, ion.” Sighing, the Mariner admitted, “While I deeply mourn that I was not able to be there for you and your twin when you needed a father’s support, I rejoice that the High King took you both into his heart and gave you that support in my stead. I am forever in his and Lindir’s debt for all they did for my sons. It would be a grave injustice for you to stop treating his as you ever have. He has earned your love and loyalty by giving his.” (son)

Rising, Elrond walked over to stand next to his father’s chair. Resting his hand on the older peredhel’s shoulder, he offered, “He never took your place in my heart or life, Ada. He found his own and I do love him for that. Having you back in my life will not change that, it only gives me back what I have long missed.”

The Mariner simply reached up to cover his son’s hand. Nothing more was required.

-----

The familiar sounds of elves at work, setting up tables on a nearby patio for a welcoming banquet Aerel had arranged for their visitors from Valimar, was soothing in its normalcy. A Teleri sentry had alerted them that the travellers had entered the outer rim of the sprawling complex of houses and other buildings that had grown up around Cirdan’s home, a community now called Ostovinya. The bitter legacy of the kinslayings had made the Teleri leery of being caught unawares again and they had long guarded their homes from outsiders. (Q - New Town)

Gazing out over the approach to the central square, Elrond felt his heart skip a beat as he saw the first riders come into view. Riding beside her cousin Gwing, Meril was among the first to enter the courtyard. Her eyes swept the circle, then lifted to meet his as she felt the pull of his hungry stare. A small, delicate hand shyly acknowledged his welcoming wave.

Forcing himself to contain his enthusiasm, he walked over to offer his mother his arm. “They have arrived, Nana. Would you like to walk with me to greet them?”

Pleased by obvious joy lighting in her son’s spirit, she patted his hand. “I will wait here, ion. Do not wait for me… go. You have kept Meril waiting long enough.” (son)

Laughing, he dropped a kiss to the top of her head before quickly descending the stairs. Spotting Meril preparing to dismount, he hurried forward. “Welcome to Ostavinya, my lady. Let me help you.”

Bright blue eyes lit with pleasure as his hands settled on her waist. “Mae govannen, my lord. I am most pleased to be here.” (Well met…)

Settling her on her feet before him, Elrond hungrily studied her face for signs of distress. “I trust the journey was without incident and that the last week has not been too difficult, Meril.”

A brief flutter of distress darkened her eye before her radiant smile overcame it. “Nothing that needs to be discussed now. I am very glad to see you looking so relaxed and renewed.”

Slipping her hand into the crook of his arm, he led her away from the courtyard. “I am. Seeing my parents… being reunited with my father has been a dream of my heart since I was an elfling. I look forward to introducing you to him. Nana is waiting to greet you on the patio.”

As the two mounted the stairs, Melpomaen called after them, “Yes, my dear brother. We are all well. Thank you for asking.”

Elrond raised his free hand to wave a greeting over his shoulder as he and Meril disappeared from view. Both chose to ignore the amused laughter that trailed after them.

----

“Lovely view is it not?”

Smiling over her shoulder, Meril agreed. “I love the sea. I always enjoyed visiting my uncle and aunt at the Havens. The view never stays the same.”

Moving to her side at the railing, he took a deep breath of the fresh ocean air. “It reminds me of my childhood. I do not feel the call to sail as my Ada does, but I do enjoy walking on the beach, watching the surf and hearing the sounds of the sea.”

Turning slightly to watch the late day sunlight strike red-fire in his dark hair, she asked, “Do you like to sail? I loved learning from Uncle Cirdan. I have no desire to go to sea, but I so love those brief day trips he used to arrange for us.”

Chuckling, Elrond turned so he was facing her. “He has been arranging such trips for millennia. He taught Elros and me to sail, as well as my father and my children. We will be taking Dínenaer out for his first time sailing on the open sea later this week. Since he was born here, he has never been beyond the cove. Perhaps, you would like to join us?”

Grinning, she nodded. “I would very much enjoy that.”

Determined to have a moment alone with her without the audience he could feel watching them from the patio, he asked, “Would you care to take a walk on the beach? There is still some time before the sun sets.”

A shy, yet pleased smile lit her face. “I would enjoy that as well.”

-----

They had been walking for several minutes, their shoes left at the foot of the path that led down to the private beach below the sprawling home Cirdan and Aerel had built. “Meril, will you tell me what caused you to look so distressed when I asked about your journey here?”

“It is nothing. In fact the trip was without any incident. We travelled in peace and in very good spirits,” she hedged.

“Humm? Then tell me what happened before you left. Tis obvious you are trying to avoid answering me, so I know something happened to distress you,” Elrond pressed.

Sighing, she looked out to sea. “The gossips are having a field day with their rumours since the Valar granted your petition. It makes me angry that they should malign your character so.”

Touched, he whispered, “If you think well of me, I am content. The good opinion of those that share my life is all I seek or need. I long ago accepted many will hate me for who and what I am.”

Outraged, she stopped and turned to glare at him. Small hands curled into fists and rested on her hips. “Who and what you are? What does this mean? You are a great and noble elf processed of a keen intellect and a good and generous heart! Those that would say otherwise do not know you and are likely jealous.”

Chuckling, he reached out to tuck a strand of wind-swept hair behind her ear. “Is that how you see me, Lirimaer? If it is, then I am well content with my lot in life.” (Lovely one)

Irritated that he was not as angry about the gossip as she was, she huffed, “Of course that is how I see you! Anyone that knows you sees you like that.”

“If you say so, Meril nin. You have a kind heart to see me so,” he suggested, fighting the urge to pull her into his arms.

“Ai! You are indeed stubborn!” With that, she launches herself into his arms, pulling his head down to hers.

The feel of her soft lips covering his robbed him of breath… of the ability to think. Feeling his body go rigid in her arms, the reality of what she was doing washed over her and Meril started to pull away, intent upon running back to the house in shame. “Ai! Elrond, I…”

She did not get to finish her apology as powerful arms pulled her fully against him and the elf lord bent to claim her lips in a hungry, needy kiss. Sagging in relief, Meril twined her arms around his neck and lost herself in his embrace. Pulling back briefly, he whispered, “I want to court you. Can I assume you are agreeable to this?”

Dazed blue-eyes slowly focused on his. Amazed by the heat she found in his silver gaze, she could only nod. Satisfied, he reclaimed her lips, content for the moment to leave further discussion for later.

-----

Overhead, a white seabird soared out over the open waters to join the path of the gleaming ship of the heavens. *Husband… do you remember?*

*Aye, beloved. I will always remember. How could I forget such a beautiful young maiden who kissed me just so, long ago on another beach… one that no longer exists except in our memories?*

*He is very like his father. She is a lucky elleth, indeed.*

A loving chuckle greeted her comment, warming her spirit as it ever had… ever would.

-----

A/N --- Tolkien spoke of Elwing living in a white tower, flying out to meet her husband whenever he came close to Aman. I admit I have taken license with their tale by having him live within the tower during the day… still not able to walk about the Blessed Lands, and leaving as evening approached to sail the skies to bring hope with the light of the Silmaril that he bore on his forehead. I hated to think of them denied any life as husband and wife, so… Professor Tolkien, please forgive me, but I had to make this modest modification.

A/N --- *Bold* denotes farspeak.

A/N --- Thanks EC! Sadly, things may continue to get worse before they get better. At least, Elrond and Meril are officially courting! I wonder what her family will say?? lol