Not bad. Seems like a very likely situation, to be King or not to be King. One thing though about Dol Amroth, it actually wasn't called that until he jumped off the boat that was supposed to take him and Nimrodel to Valinor. There was a storm and the boat blew far off shore before Nimrodel got there, so Amroth in his heart broken stupidity jumped off the boat. Idiot. Unfortunatly I can't remember what it was called before that. Also I could be wrong, don't kill me if I am.

Celeborn really is the Cassandra of the LOTR saga, isn't he? Poor man.

Late I am, but still got something to say.
It seems a bit strange that the news of Oropher's and Amdir's deaths have not reached Imladris. I have always understood that they died at the very beginning of the siege of Barad-Dur, and this siege lasted seven years, certainly long enough for news to spread and grief to settle.
Celeborn comes off strong and independent. Quite himself indeed. So he carried Vilya during the war? I wonder who carried Narya, if Cirdan could not take it to war with him.
No ruling queens for Elves, therefore no King Elrond. I am willing to second the explanation you give. Dior as simply Eluchil. Makes sense. Although I would argue that Oropher's line must be elder, for he calls himself King and Celeborn does not. Nothing to show as evidence, more is the pity.
For Tindomiel: Eldarion is a Man. There is no way he could be King of any Elves. They would laugh at the notion.

This story blends so effortlessly into Tolkien's world. It is exactly this kind of fanfic that does most justice to him. Thank you.

Nice to see someone stressing the fact that Elrond has been abandoned/orphaned several times; that's bound to have a huge effect on the character. As always, you do a great job with Celeborn. I've got some ideas of my own as to how Gil-galad ended up king of both the Noldor and most of the Sindar, but I have a story of my own I'd better finish!

That's it? You shoe, I hate you!

Ah - I liked this very much! The argument at the beginning was very good - I esp. liked the differences of importance Elrond and Celeborn place on Amdir and Oropher, and the effect realizations of differences have on Elrond.
Celeborn's point that Elrond is far more Noldo in mindset than Sinda was excellent...I love it that you allow that elf to say what he means, and quite eloquently at that.
And the bit with the birds preserved in the bog, and the comparison with the rings...loved that.
Enjoyed several other bits as well (actually, enjoyed most of it!), but should stop babbling now. It was *excellent*. Thank you for sharing it.

What a fascinating look at elvish politics and also the personalities of Elrond and Celeborn--very different but thrown together through many hardships. I assume that at this point Celeborn is not yet his father-in-law? My favorite image is easily, "The Sinda lowered ring and chain alike into the palm of his hand, and gazed on it for a moment, then he reached over and dumped the precious thing unceremoniously on the table in front of Elrond's plate. "Here." Prime Celeborn! I also liked the image toward the beginning of Elrond and Celeborn arguing in the middle of the hallway as the "bustle of the returning army broke about him like Anduin about Tol Brandir." Very vivid image. Wonderful, as always!

oh yes! Always knew the guilt Elrond had to feel about Isilduir, but very interesting to see this from Celeborn's POV...
"This time the Sindar will not suffer for Noldor jewels. We have learned our lesson."
I just wanted to say...No Kidding!

*standing ovations*
Marnie, this is a brilliant gem of a story - you did a wondrous job of showing all important aspects of the two main characters in these most intelligent, thoughtful, subtle conversations and of hinting at so many possible developments while still showing why this special way, leading to the situation we know from LOTR, was chosen.
Celeborn was glorious - it was wonderful to see both his private, emotional site, upset by the death of his kinsmen and the deeds of his people being undervalued and belittled, and his political thinking. And what a great job you do of showing that we are in a time so dependant on *personal* leadership and people rather than on an abstract position - there can be no Sindarin High King because Elu is no more, and matters of personal trust and distrust between the leaders of the elven peoples cause certain developments; Elrond's personality, being Noldorin despite his mixed origins, makes him an unfit leader for both peoples; and finally Elrond's beautifully shown personal wishes, the cravings of his fea indeed, cause him to keep Vilya and thereby make a political decision as well!
Celeborn's comparing Vilya to a bog body, a mummy, had me gasp at first, and then nod - the rings are like this indeed, preserving something, a power that should actually be bound to a living being, bringing an *unnatural* element in the world indeed by preserving something that should not exist on in this form... Dead indeed. I was also in awe of how you show that the Noldor bearers of the rings take a certain line - Círdan, the non-Noldorin bearer of one of the three, will be the only one to give *his* ring over to someone who can really be trusted with it (hmm... but why didn't Círdan unmake *his* ring, either...? I mean, he was up there...)...
" then he reached over and dumped the precious thing unceremoniously on the table in front of Elrond's plate." - I loved that moment most, perhaps - it shows so clearly that Celeborn, less refined than the Noldor perhaps, or refined in a different way (as shown by his appreciation for the carving rather than for the books), is wise in quite another, and in a much better and more natural way, than all those jewel-wielding Noldor! Hmpf, it is a great pity that he is also noble and trustworthy and really guarded Vilya well - he should have put Elrond to bed after his arrival and hurried off to Mount Doom to get rid of the silly ring. ;-) *g* That makes me wonder a bit if exactly that could have happened if Oropher "who can't take orders" would have been the one sitting around in Rivendell guarding the ring while everyone else was at war... Ack, pointless musings! I should not use review space for those! Absolutely WONDERFUL story, Marnie - I enjoyed this very, very much! :-)

Fascinating!
*smile* Celeborn: what can I say? Still wonderful! He's so exceptionally logical. It seems that he can out-think and out-talk (basically outsmart) anyone.
This is going to be continued? I hope so!
~Elanial

C'est tres bien!
It is very good!
J'ai adore!
I love it!

I love this! What a brilliant subject to write about. This is the reason Elrond isn't High King (though I think Eldarion technically is), and who better than to consult than Celeborn. The conversation was very cleverly done.
Continue? *puppy eyes*

Simply gorgeous, and complex. Your control over both dialogue and description, and of course your characters, meld to form a near-flawless picture of the scene, the dilemma, and the bitterness.

Only two little niggles:
In the infamous LACE Tolkien specifically states there is no difference in rights between Elven males and females - logically this would extend to the succession *but* LACE refers to customs among the Noldor. The rule among the Sindar could be different, indeed it is quite logical that they, like the later Dunedain, should prefer male heirs because of the constant state of war in ME. Nor is it impossible that the Exiles might also adopt this custom for the same reason.
However if female succession is allowed than Galadriel's claim is dynastically inferior to Elrond's. He is great-grandson of Turgon second son of the elder son of Finwe Noldoran by his second wife Indis. She is the daughter of Finwe and Indis' younger son Finarfin.
Which version of Gil-Galad's origins do you go with? Fingon's son or Orodreth's? If the former one has to explain why Turgon rather than Gil-Galad succeeded Fingon.
Now one possible explanation is the succession is not only by descent but by generation; that is brother succeeds brother rather than father son. Maedhros' giving up the kingship to the senior of the House of Finwe might have set a precedent.
In that case, as Galadriel is of a senior generation, (a granddaughter of Finwe while Elrond is his great-great-great grandson) she would indeed have the better claim.
Looks like I just took care of both my niggles ;)

Oh! I'm hooked already, on the first chapter! Celeborn vs Elrond, with Vilya in a supporting role.
And these two sentences are absolutely chilling: "He reached over and patted the hand which all this time had remained closed about Vilya's splendour. Unconsciously, Elrond tightened his grip."