Jealousy In Silver

Title: Jealousy in Silver: A Fairy Tale (1/5)
Author: Nikkiling
Beta: Erviniae
Pairing: Lindir/OC, Celebrian/Elrond (Implied) Lindir/Elrond
Rating: R
Just your typical classic faerie tale warnings: angst, poison, drugs, non-con, curses, kidnapping, attempted cannibalism, adultery, maiming, character death, mpreg (I know, I know... but it wouldn’t work otherwise!), AU, and a raven in a pear tree. (Sorry, no partridges in this one)
Summary: A number of faerie tales all mashed together into a mess of not-so-epic proportions. If you don’t like Evil Celebrian, then I suggest you go elsewhere.
Disclaimer: The characters and places belong to Master Tolkien. I’m just borrowing them for a bit. And I make no claims as to Celebrian’s true character; I’m sure in reality she’s a sweet, kind, loving elf. However, for the purposes of this story, she’s a heinous bitch.
A/N: This story was inspired by LaurMelyanna. She was charged to rewrite a faerie tale using LOTR universe. I gave her some suggestions and plot ideas. She then said, “Okay, you write it.”
So I did.

Part One

One upon a time, in a small kingdom beneath the trees, lived a great lord and lady. They ruled their forest kingdom in a kind and just manner, and were well-regarded by their people. The lord and lady had all they could ever want except for one thing: a child.

Many years had passed by, and the lord and lady desperately wished for a child of their own. Their hearts grew envious when they looked upon those of their court blessed with children, but as they were wise and kind rulers, they kept their envy well in check. However, the Lady Galadriel would often be found sitting in her bower overlooking her private gardens, praying to the Valar to grant her and her husband a child of their own. She wished ardently for a child as strong as the stately mallorn trees which grew in their land, and as beautiful as the sunlit blossoms that drifted in the summer.

One evening, as the sun slowly sank in full glory beneath the summer sky and turned the pale lintel briefly crimson, the Lady said her usual prayer. The moment the sun touched the far horizon, she received a vision of a child as fair as mallorn blossoms and as pale as winter snow walking quietly though the wood. Yet the happy vision caught her off-guard, and as she leaned forward to catch herself, her hand slid across the lintel and a splinter embedded itself into her finger. She gasped at the sudden pain. Lifting her hand, she watched as a single drop of blood welled from the small wound to fall upon the white lintel, within the shadow caused by the setting sun. Her brow creased at the sight, and a moment later the sun disappeared completely from the world. Lady Galadriel quickly wiped away the crimson drop, and then raced to her husband to tell him of her vision. The blood itself was quickly forgotten in her joy.

A year later Lady Galadriel gave birth to an elfling of her own; a girl-child with pale golden hair that shone silver in the moonlight and silvery-blue eyes. The babe’s future beauty was already evident and likened to the mallorn trees on a summer day when the sun shone brightly through the boughs. They named her Celebrian, which meant ‘silver queen.’ The kingdom rejoiced in her birth, for all knew that their Lord and Lady had wished for a child for many long years.

The years passed, and the child grew. She was a precocious elfling, and quickly become spoiled by the well-meaning attentions of others. Her parents doted on her, giving her everything her heart desired. Everyone in the small kingdom loved her, although if many found her to be selfish and overindulgent, they kept it to themselves. After all, she was the only child of their beloved rulers, and a gift of the Valar. They were certain she would grow out of this vainglorious state; however, as she passed her majority and many elves sought her attentions, she kept herself aloof and scorned their advances as she felt they were beneath her.

One evening Celebrian wandered the gardens alone after attending a modest celebration concerning the change of season from spring to summer. This night she had discovered that if she did not reject the young male elves outright, but left them holding on to a shred of hope that her attentions might be returned, she could get them to do her bidding, even with things that would have made them hesitate before. She could also make them act silly and foolish before their comrades, all for the chance to be held in her regard, for such was her incredible beauty.

As she wandered she came across her mother’s scrying mirror; a silver bowl set into an altar of stone within a moonlit clearing. Within the silver bowl was a pool of water. Celebrian crossed the small clearing to lean against the altar and gaze upon her reflection within the bowl.

I am truly beautiful, she mused, taking in her pale, heart-shaped face; her large, nearly almond-shaped eyes; her full red lips; her cascade of silver and gold hair. All who see me want me, and all elleth are jealous of my beauty.

This thought made her smile.

“Oh scrying mirror,” she said softly. “Certainly there is none in this land – nay, the entirety of Middle Earth! - who can compare with me in beauty. Tell me if this is true. Who is the fairest of all?”

As she gazed into the mirror, the clear reflection did not waver. A small voice seemed to creep into her mind, telling her that indeed, she was truly the fairest creature that walked the shores of Middle Earth.

This answer pleased her, and with a self-indulgent smile, she left the clearing. However, this soon became a ritual, and once a week she crept to the mirror’s edge to ask the same question. Always she was given the same answer, and always she left the clearing with a growing sense of pride and arrogance.

Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn watched their daughter’s antics with growing concern, although they knew nothing of her weekly forays to the scrying pool. They soon realized that they were to blame for their child’s ill-manner, and their gift had been tainted by their own hands through over-indulgence. Lady Galadriel despaired, realizing that although Celebrian was as beautiful as winter snow, her heart was just as cold. She found herself wishing for another child that she might amend the wrongs she and her husband committed.

One sunrise found Lady Galadriel upon the same lintel that she had pricked her finger upon when longing for a child all those years before. The world was covered in mist and the gentle lull of a spring caressed her ears as she let her heart cry out to the Valar. “A child….a son,” she murmured. “As lovely as the Valar wills, only let him be as gentle and kind as the brook that flows beyond my window.”

The mist that wove through the trees shifted and swirled until she caught of glimpse of a child running amongst the trees. Her hand gripped the lintel tightly, and once more a sliver of dark wood gouged itself into her palm. With a sharp cry she lifted her palm to her lips. Upon the ledge a single drop of blood remained, and in her heart she knew her prayer had once more been answered.

On the other side of the room the door closed softly without disturbing the figure in the window.

~~~

Word spread that Lady Galadriel was expecting another child. Again the kingdom rejoiced at the news; yet not all were pleased by this announcement. Celebrian did not care to have a sibling, and a tendril of jealousy crept into her heart. She had overheard her mother’s plea for a son, a plea that had roused her anger. In the months that followed she began studying the dark arts in earnest, seeking a way to stop this child from coming; for in this male child she saw her own doom. He would steal her birthright and become more powerful than she.

Finally she was ready, and she cast her own spell that would deform the child. She wished her sibling’s body to be misshapen, frail, and ugly, and his mind to be weak and vulnerable. If nothing else, she could manipulate the child to yield to her desires; thus easing the threat he posed.

Several months later, as the first snow fell lightly amongst the great mallorn, the child was born: a male elfling with hair as white as autumn mist and eyes of burnt silver. It appeared that Celebrian’s spell could not break the will of the Valar. Upon entering the world he cried so sweetly that he was called Lindir, which meant ‘singer’. He was a beautiful babe, and some even said that he rivaled his sister in appearance. Celebrian was incensed, although she hid her feelings well, and appeared as doting and devoted a sister as one could ever wish. Perhaps, she considered, the spell only needed time.

~~~

Once more the years passed, and the child grew. None could but help notice that little Lindir grew more and more lovely with each passing year, yet his temperament remained sweet and caring. Often could his voice be heard singing through the wood; a happy sound that delighted all who paused to listen. Even the mighty mallorn trees seemed to whisper in cadence to the youngling’s lovely voice.

Celebrian took note of all this and privately cursed. The scrying mirror reassured her of her beauty, but that didn’t cease the whispering doubts plaguing her mind. Ellon still fell at her feet to please her, and elleth still whispered jealously behind her back, but for how much longer before their attentions turned to another? At least her rival was male, she attempted to reassure herself.

Lindir, however, remained completely oblivious to his elder sister’s thoughts. He loved his sibling and doted upon her, as outwardly she did to him. He followed her around whenever he could, and she would smile patiently at him, encouraging his curiosity and growth. So cunning was she in her deception, he didn’t seem to realize that his love wasn’t honestly returned. None saw through her carefully set demeanor. In fact, she would often attempt to get young Lindir in trouble, or put him in a bad light, with none the wiser. Yet such a task proved to be quite difficult given the youngling’s charming personality. She soon realized that this wouldn’t be enough. Besmirching his personality did nothing for his looks, which were growing more and more lovely as the years passed. She knew, deep down inside, that by the time he reached his majority he would be more beautiful than she; and the comforting thought of him being male no longer gave her solace.

One night her plotting mind came up with a plan. She was determined to make him somehow unattractive, and since her spells hadn’t seemed to work, more mundane means would be necessary. She began to creep into his room while he slept and, with a pair of sewing shears, she cut off several strands of his long silver hair. It was nothing immediately noticeable, but as time went on it appeared as though his beautiful hair was growing thin and ragged.

However, she was not content with that. Several years before, a wandering apothecary had passed through the realm and from him Celebrian had discovered a love of herbal potions and medicinals. Ever since then she had studied such things extensively. Outwardly she used this knowledge to help heal those in need; yet in private she studied the darker arts of poison. She had discovered one particular toxin created from a local plant that in small doses weakened the body. Once a month she would add it to Lindir’s food or drink, and then watch as he slowly became thinner and more frail. His pale eyes grew hollow with dark circles beneath from sleeplessness, and he soon became too weak to go out and play with the other elves.

His parents worried over his sudden ill-health since elves were seldom stricken so. None suspected poison for whom would do such a thing to an innocent within the boundaries of their kingdom? The healer thought that he might be suffering from something akin to grief, yet there was no despair to be found within Lindir’s bright gaze, only a dreamy lassitude. Lady Galadriel attempted to discern the problem using her scrying mirror, but other than dark portents of the future, she received no help from that source. So Celebrian’s devious work went undetected, and she was content to play the caring, sympathetic sister while secretly rejoicing in her success.

Lindir began to spend much of his days sitting in the gardens with a blanket wrapped around his body to ward off the chill. He could often be found with his eyes closed, listening to the music of the world around him. His health may have been dimmed, but it did nothing to harm his spirit and that beauty shone through despite his diminished appearance.

~~~

Finally the Lord and Lady called for aid from outside their realm, and it was answered by Lord Elrond, Ruler of Imladris, Lore Master, and Master Healer. He arrived on a quiet night when the mallorn blossoms hung low as though bent in sorrow for the ill health of the young son of Lorien. He came with a small entourage of elves, and was greeted by the Lord and Lady directly upon entering the wood. Celebrian waited with them, and she was immediately enchanted by this noble half-elf. He seemed strong, dignified, handsome, and wise; not to mention that she felt that his high status was a perfect complement to her own noble blood.

Celebrian immediately began devising ways that she could ensnare this half-elf; and in fact, with her attentions suddenly focused elsewhere, young Lindir began to bloom once more. Most thought it something Lord Elrond had done; though he admitted to not being able to discover the cause of his strange illness, and thus never affecting a cure. Nonetheless, all were pleased by Lindir’s gradual recovery.

When the time came for Lord Elrond to return to his own land, it was with much sorrow. He promised to write to Celebrian as often as he was able, and would visit again soon. Although she hadn’t been able to pull a declaration of love from his lips, she felt it would be soon in coming. Young Lindir he embraced fondly. They had become quite friendly during his stay, much to the Lord and Lady’s obvious amusement. Elrond promised to send the youngling music from his own library, while Lindir promised to write the Imladrin Lord a song of his own.

After that, time seemed to pass as that of a lazy, idyllic summer. No longer did Celebrian make weekly visits to the scrying mirror, although she didn’t give up her obsession completely. She still occasionally sought to reassure herself with the mirror’s comforting words. Now, her beauty and desirability to the general public was a secondary fancy while retaining her attractiveness to Lord Elrond occupied her mind.

Lindir, in turn, blossomed like a white rose in the sun now that his sibling was distracted by her own love. He had many potential suitors, both ellon and elleth vying for his attentions, but as he had yet to reach his majority, he politely refused their advances. So sweetly did he refuse them, however, that none could dare take offense, and most offered him friendship instead.

Concerning Lord Elrond, Lindir wrote him often and was pleased to receive letters in response. They were innocent enough, speaking of lessons to be learned and sights seen. Accompanying the letters were often gifts of music, along with copies of history and lore between the various realms of elves and men. The elfling’s thirst for knowledge delighted the older healer, as well as his way of turning dry history into poetry and song.

Yet every summer has an end, and winter can often strike sudden and harsh. As it happened, Lord Elrond returned to Lorien as Lindir’s majority grew nigh. Both siblings went to meet him as he approached. Celebrian, acting the proper, well-bred lady, bowed her head demurely and gave the Lord her hand, to which he bent his head over her down-turned palm in the suitable courtly manner.

Lindir, however, had no such compunction, and ran straight into Lord Elrond’s arms to embrace him as any innocent would to a favored adult. Celebrian noticed shrewdly that they seemed to hold each other overly long, and when they pulled away, Lord Elrond’s eyes shone with a deeper affection than she had noticed before. This only fanned the embers of her jealousy anew, and she quickly pulled the healer lord away to converse with him about his journey.

That evening Celebrian went once more to her mother’s scrying mirror and asked her usual question.

“Oh silver pool, show me who is the fairest in the land?”

After a moment’s pause the water swirled and shifted. When it finally settled, it was her brother’s face which came into view instead of her own, and beside him, her Lord Elrond with a devoted look in his eye.

“While you are certainly fair,” a voice whispered in her mind, “Lindir is fairer than you.”

This revelation incensed her greatly, and she made to slap at the image to break it. However, the vision shifted before she could do so, and she paused before she could complete her action. The mirror now showed an elf heavy with child. Celebrian imagined it was herself, for she could not see the down-turned face. Suddenly the object of her affection stepped into view, moving to embrace the fecund elf, and the creature lifted its head. It was her dear brother with an expression of devotion upon his gentle face. Celebrian remained fixated upon the image as the picture of her sweet brother rippled and faded, leaving her to gaze upon her own reflection once more. Rage burned within her, but rather than succumb to the base emotion, she turned contemplative. It seemed her brother had indeed become deformed through the spell she had cast prior to his birth, yet not in a way she could have foreseen. Perhaps she could turn this to her own advantage, and end up victorious in her own pursuit of the elf lord’s hand.