To Travel With Wings

Celebrían was not sure if she liked Imladris. While the land was beautiful, she decided she found it far too green. Her heart ached for the golden boughs of Lórien and her maiden friends who awaited her return. The daughter of Galadriel paused in her stroll, staring into the rushing waters of the stream. Silver darts of fish swept by, known only by glints from the sun.

Casting her eyes around, Celebrían could not help but slightly appreciate the emerald beauty of the forest. It was serene and calming to her nerves. Deep in her heart, Celebrían knew that her dislike of Imladris stemmed not from its appearance but that of its host.

Galadriel, her mother, was of a great lineage, certainly greater then that of Elrond Peredhil. Yet, the half elf could barely stand her presence, was not even polite to her. To make matters worse, not even her father, Celeborn, seemed perturbed by his less then exemplary behavior! Only Silnar gave to Galadriel the deference her position demanded, and only because they were such old friends.

Celebrían had suspicions that there was more to this Silnar then her mother led her to believe. Throughout the long journey, Galadriel had merely mentioned that Silnar was an old friend and nothing more. And why had the lady elf given her such an appraising look when they had been introduced? Celebrían had felt as if she were about to be auctioned to the highest bidder, as if she were some mere woman!

Sourly, Celebrían nosed a pebble with her toe. Every hour spent in this haven was wearing her nerves. She wanted to go home, to Lórien. Haldir awaited her there, and Celebrían had high hopes of enticing him back to his courtship.

Curse her father! If he had not adopted such a stern and commanding attitude, she would have married Haldir before the summer was out. While there was no wild passion between the two, Celebrían did feel passing affection for the rigid March Warden. They could be happy together and in these wild days, that was all Celebrían wished for. Arda groaned beneath the weight of evil that walked. It moved in shadows, but the malevolence remained. Long her mother spoke of those who were leaving for Aman. Celebrían herself had been tempted to go, more than once, but something always held her back.

A rustle in the trees behind her alerted Celebrían; she was no longer alone. Turning, the young lady was greeted with the stern visage of Elrond.

"Mae Govannen," Celebrían greeted him, bending her head slightly.

"Why are you out here alone? Imladris is safe, but only for those who heed the dangers that surround it."

Celebrían clenched her teeth and refused to lose her temper. She was technically a Princess and her mother had schooled her to behave better then the callous lord before her.

"Forgive me, my lord. I am used to wandering the woods of Lórien on my own."

Elrond snorted rudely. "You may believe yourself to be alone, lady, but you do not see the hidden archers that watch your every move."

"You are rather crude for an Elf-lord," Celebrían snapped, unable to bear his insensitive attitude any longer. "Ever since our arrival you have treated my family as if we were peasants, barely acknowledging our presence!"

The Lord of Imladris had been slightly surprised by the heretofore- composed nis' outburst, but his shock quickly gave way to peevishness.

"If you wish the truth of the matter, my lady," he growled, "I did not invite your family, Silnar did. It is only my manners that keep me from sending you home to Lórien."

Celebrían clamped her mouth shut, unsure of how to respond. The thought had never occurred to her that Elrond was an unadvised host.

"Forgive my harsh words," Celebrían said sincerely. "To tell the truth, my lord, I wish nothing more than to return to Lórien."

This confession gave Elrond pause and he asked slowly, "Do you find Imladris not to your liking?"

"No, Imladris is beautiful, but I really had no wish to leave my home. Lórien is my sanctuary and she calls to me. I am sure you feel this for Imladris."

Elrond silently agreed as he laid a palm against the rough bark of a tree. "I have never been to Lórien. Are the woods as golden as they say?"

"More so," Celebrían murmured, moving closer to him. "No words or song can do them justice. However, the same can be said of Imladris."

"I suppose."

The two were silent and a comfortable peace flowed between them. So peaceful in fact, that when Celebrían began to walk the stream once more, Elrond accompanied her.

"Why do you dislike my family so much?"

"I do not dislike your family, my lady. I dislike having my orderly life turned around, which the lady Silnar delights in doing."

"Yes, I can see that she does find some joy in mischief. What is her and my mother's relationship? Is she someone important?"

Elrond raised one eyebrow as he glanced at Celebrían. "You truly do not know who she is?"

"If I knew," Celebrían retorted, "I would not ask."

"I suppose I can see why, the blasted nis has so many names it's difficult to keep up with them all. In this age, she is known as Silnar, the Lady of Lindon. In Beleriand, in your Mother's time, she was known as Cuivië, Lover of Maedhros. She was, according to the Lord Celeborn, Galadriel's best friend. At the end of the First Age, she disappeared. Silnar was not found again until the Second Age, before the war."

"I see she has led an eventful life."

Elrond shrugged. "No more eventful then any other of the Eldar. We have all faced our wars and terror."

A bright smile broke free on Celebrían's face, lighting her eyes and stunning Elrond. "How philosophical, my Lord."

It was a full minute before Elrond was able to respond. Why had he not seen this beauty before? She and her family had been here for at least a week now and he saw Celebrían all time.ime.

Slowly, Elrond responded, "You may address me as Elrond, my lady. I do not stand on formality in Imladris."

"Than neither shall I. You may know me as Celebrían, Elrond."

Elrond decided he like the way she spoke his name, her slight accent rolled the letters and there was a sultry tint that struck a blow in his stomach. This Celebrían was doing strange things to his heart and Elrond found he rather liked it.

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"Oh, where is he," Silnar muttered, unaware that the object of her search was far away. "I thought I just saw him turn this-OH!"

Silnar slammed into a warm body and teetered ungracefully before steady hands reached out to steady her.

"Do be careful, my lady, I would not like for you to injure yourself."

"Oh, Suilad, Erestor, forgive me, I did not realize you were there."

"You did seem deep in thought, my lady."

"Hum, yes, I suppose I was. You wouldn't happen to know where Lord Elrond is, would you?"

"I am afraid he has disappeared, my lady; I search for him myself. There are several reports that need to be signed immediately."

"Oh, may I see them?"

Erestor frowned, but handed them over. "They are merely farm reports and such, I don't know how much you will understand."

Silnar sent Erestor a chilled look. "I shall have you know, Erestor, that I was my lord Maedhros' Chief of House. As a ward of Gil-galad himself, I have some authority over these matters."

"Er.Gil-galad's ward? What do you speak of, my lady?"

"His ward, an heir," Silnar waved her hands wildly in the air nearly hitting Erestor's face. "Like Lord Elrond!"

Silnar turned on her heel and marched towards one of the libraries. She could hear Erestor following all the while muttering obscenities to himself. Smiling slightly, Silnar decided this would be retribution enough for Elrond for hiding from her.

With some flourish and pomp, Silnar signed her name on the reports and handed them back to a weary Erestor. "Whatever is the matter, dear Erestor?" Silnar questioned slyly.

"Nothing, my lady," Erestor said on a sigh. "I do not wish to burden your soul with my weary problems. Good day."

Silnar giggled to herself as Erestor left. She knew she was terrible to him, but Erestor did make it rather easy. Ah well, she would make it up to him, somehow.

"That was not at all becoming of you, my dear," a warm voice sounded.

Silnar turned swiftly and her face brightened. "Suilad, Celeborn, how goes this fine day?"

"I am well, and you seem very joyous this afternoon."

A sigh floated on the air. "I suppose I am, all things considered."

Celeborn frowned slightly. "I do not know exactly what you and my lady wife have working, but I find I do not want to know. Therefore, I should seek her out for any advice you are looking for."

Laughing merrily, Silnar placed a gentle kiss on Celeborn's cheek. "Dear Celeborn, all will finish well in the end, it always does."

Nodding, Celeborn smiled until the fair nis disappeared. Slowly, his smile disappeared. Oh, if it were only true.

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Glorfindel was beginning to believe that his plan was not working. In fact, his plan to merely, 'be Silnar's friend,' was backfirbadlbadly. The nis seemed to be enjoying their new relationship while he was dieing inside, literally dieing.

The elf paused; he was being melodramatic again, or at least, that was what Galadriel believed. His distant cousin had always been rather pragmatic when counseling him. Glorfindel wasn't entirely sure what to do with her advice.

Pushing away his thoughts, Glorfindel spied Elrond coming up the walk and he went to meet him. Hopefully his friend would find some way to cheer up Glorfindel's sour mood. A glint of silver blonde, however, stayed Glorfindel's actions. Who was that walking with Elrond? Glorfindel swiftly climbed a nearby tree and inched out on the upper limbs. He felt like an elf child again, with Ingrel* as they spied on Ingil and his wife in the gardens of Taniquetil.

The couple paused underneath his tree and Glorfindel had no difficulty understanding their conversation.

"I did enjoy our walk, Elrond," Celebrían murmured a light small teasing her lips.

"As did I," Elrond returned, bowing in a courtly manner. "Perhaps it shall happen again?"

"Perhaps," Celebrían said coyly, slowly walking back to her rooms. Elrond stood still for a moment gazing at her retreating figure before sighing.

"Mellon, it is no longer necessary to hide. I know you are there."

Glorfindel rolled his eyes and leapt from the branch landing gracefully on his feet. "It is this new scent I have used in my bath, a human could smell it for miles away."

"Of course," Elrond murmured. "What do you think of her?"

"Who? Celebrían?" Glorfindel said, craning his head to watch her turn the corner. "She is fine I suppose. I see quite a bit of my cousin in her."

"Celebrían is nothing like her mother," Elrond said quickly, his nostrils flaring slightly.

"As you say, Peredhil, calm yourself."

"Forgive me, Glorfindel, my comment was uncalled for. I think I shall retire early this evening. Give my apologies tonight."

The golden haired elf nodded as he watched his friend's abrupt retreat into the depths of his home. Celebrían was unintentionally working magic on Elrond and Glorfindel knew exactly who was behind this mess. When he finally found her, he would give her a great piece of his thoughts.

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Ingrel is a character that I created for my universe. She is the daughter of Ingwë and his wife Eldatári who is also my own. Ingrel lives in Aman and is Glorfindel's best friend. Ingil is her brother and is actually a canon character. He can be found in The Book of Lost Tales 1 and 2.