A Breath of Fate

A/N: I am sooo sorry for the lack of update. I did not even realize that it had been over a month since my last update. For those who followed this series from the beginning, you know that my Grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. I just found out recently that the cancer has spread throughout his whole body and the doctors gave him a month. Everything’s kind of emotional around here. Anyway, the reason I’m informing my readers is that if the updates become even more sporadic, I am so sorry, but things are going to get heavy around here. Thank you so much for your patience.

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It had only been several weeks since Elladan’s departure, but to Ingrel the days were like years, the weeks, centuries. It had not occurred to her how much she depended on the eldest son of Elrond’s presence. Now that he was no longer in her sight, she felt the loneliness keenly. Glorfindel and Arwen were doing their best to entertain her, but as the days rolled by, Ingrel found herself becoming more and more melancholy. Lately she had taken to hiding away in the gazebo where she could sigh in peace.

Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined love could ever be so painful. In Valinor, love was never so hard, so precarious. She understood, now, why her father had been so reluctant to allow her passage to this wild place. Her life had been so sheltered. Here, her eyes were open to real life, and Ingrel loved it. Or at one time she loved it. Without Elladan, everything surrounding her had lost its luster.

“Elladan will be safe,” a soft voice said from behind Ingrel. The blonde turned to see Lalaith, a smile on his face.

“What are you doing back so soon?” Ingrel asked, a smile suddenly forming on her face. “I did not think the Golden Lady would allow you to leave.”

“The Lady Galadriel sensed I was needed here and once more she was correct. Why such a sad face, Ingrel? What has happened since I departed?”

Taking a deep breath, Ingrel exploded with the amazing tale. Lalaith took a seat and Ingrel followed him, her steady flow of words never ceasing. Throughout the involved story Lalaith’s expressions shifted from laughter to worry and finally to perplexing. As Ingrel finished summing up events, Lalaith scratched his chin in thought.

“I must say, I never imagined that Elladan would fall again.”

“What do you mean again?” Ingrel said, somewhat breathlessly.

Lalaith gave her a sharp look, but relaxed when he saw genuine curiosity. “I assume Elladan has not related the tale. I know that he is very private, but I believe that you must know and understand what happened to him so long ago.”

Ingrel nodded her voice firm. “I promise to keep this conversation between us Lalaith.”

He gave her a quick grin as he began the tale. “When Elladan was young he fell in love with an elleth who was younger then him. She was rather flighty, but extremely beautiful. Elladan spent all summer wooing her and they had begun to plan the wedding ceremony when he came upon her locked in a passionate embrace with a close friend. Needless to say the wedding was canceled and Elladan escaped to his Grandmother’s while the unlucky elleth was forced to wed the friend and then sent to Mirkwood.”

“Oh dear,” Ingrel murmured. “Whatever happened to the elleth?”

“According to sources she’s happily married with a brood of children. Of course, that news did not make Elladan happy. He’s been miserable ever since the episode. Until you came along, that is.”

“Elladan’s pride was hurt more than his heart,” Ingrel replied with womanly intuition.

“Perhaps,” Lalaith said with a shrug. “Now you know, and I hope that everything will turn out right between you two. I would rather not witness another episode like last time.”

“I can assure you, Lalaith, I would never do anything so dishonorable.”

The tall Noldo smiled and squeezed her hand. “I know, Ingrel.”

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It was not long after that conversation that Elladan and his company returned. Their hunt had been successful with minimal casualties on their side. Ingrel was just happy to see Elladan alive and unharmed. He met her at the steps with Elrohir and she hugged them both in turn. Later they adjourned to Elrond’s study where they sat with Arwen, Glorfindel, and their father.

While the other fdiscdiscussed the comings and goings of others, Elladan tugged on Ingrel’s hand, gesturing to the balcony. Ingrel smiled impishly and followed. Underneath the twilight, Elladan took Ingrel’s hands in his and kissed her gently.

“Vanyalen, I am not free with words, nor do I have power over them. I have always ever been succinct. In you, I have found my equal, and I never thought that possible. I know that in terms of our people, our courtship has been short and fraught with trouble, but I love you. I did not know the name of this feeling until I left for the Hunt. Through those rainy weeks I realized how much I missed seeing your face, feeling your hand in mine. I love you, Ingrel, and I wish to join with you until this world ceases to exist, and ever after.”

Ingrel’s eyes were awash with emotions she could find no words to, so she leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Elladan’s lips. “If that was not answer enough, my lord, I say yes! Yes, forever yes!”

With a joyful cry, Elladan swung Ingrel into his arms and spun in circles. The commotion brought the rest of the family outside and they too were overjoyed to hear the good news. Arwen in particular, embraced Ingrel and whispered, “I always wanted to make you a part of our family, my friend and sister.”

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Elladan wasted no time in preparing for the ceremony. He was perturbed, but understood that Ingrel wished to wait for Galadriel and Celeborn. Glorfindel had laughed when Elladan made his complaint and said all elleths made a fuss over this ceremony. For marital bliss, it was best to go along with whatever they said.

Ingrel anticipated the arrival of her friend. It had been many years since she had seen the daughter of Finarfin and they had much to talk about. She had long ago left her anger at Galadriel’s departure behind and wanted only to be friends again.

Autumn was beginning to touch the land when Galadriel and her entourage arrived. Ingrel waited somewhat nervously, unsure of Galadriel’s feelings toward her. According to Arwen, the Lady of the Golden Wood was overjoyed, but one never knew.

With her stood Elladan, his hand clasped in hers. He gave her strength and Ingrel felt her heart soar when she imagined the happiness their joined lives would soon make. Galadriel came into view and the joy on her face eroded any of Ingrel’s worries. The Lady of Lothlórien dismounted and rushed forward to embrace her old friend.

“Ingrel, it has been far too long!”

“Ah, my old friend, how long I know! It does my heart glad to see you once more.”

Galadriel laughed and then looked into Ingrel’s eyes. “You have made my grandson happy Ingrel, and for that I owe you greatly.”

“Oh, Galadriel, for that is what you are named here,” Ingrel said impishly. “He has made me happy as well.”

“Well let us get ourselves inside so that we may relax and here all about our home.”

Galadriel paused to say hello to her grandsons and Elrond before collecting Arwen and escaping to her rooms. Arwen listened with rapt attention as Ingrel regaled them with stories of home. It was only after her grand daughter departed that Galadriel asked a question that had been plaguing her for some time.

“Has Silnar found her way to your shores?”

Ingrel looked at her friend warily, but nodded. “You need not keep secrets from me, Ingrel. I know that Silnar was no Elda.”

“How?” Ingrel asked.

“She cried, and as you know, we cannot do so.”

Ingrel nodded. “If you promise,” she said after some thought, “Not to tell Glorfindel, I will explain everything. I have told Glorfindel that she is safe, but he does not know the whole truth.”

“What is the whole truth?” Galadriel asked, eager for news of her friend.

“She is the daughter of Manwë and Varda. At this mo she she resides in the new founded city of Hópacala with the Avari. It was her destiny to lead them to Valinor.”

Galadriel felt saddened for Glorfindel. “Then their love was doomed, and they will never be together. For what Elda, one even as powerful as Glorfindel, could match the power of an Elda?”

“We shall see,” Ingrel said mysteriously, but would comment no more on the subject.