Disclaimer: Characters and locations are Tolkien's, events are my own.

Silver Dreams

Elrond awoke with a start. The room was dark, the stars still shone outside, and his wife . . .

Where was she? He looked in increasing alarm at the spot where she normally lay, and then around the room to see if she had gotten up for some reason. Eventually his mind woke fully, and he relaxed. She was on her way to Lothlórien, visiting her parents, as she did every twelve years or so. He had no need to panic.

But try as he might, he could not return to sleep. He knew she was safe, just as he knew their twin sons - currently on a camping trip with Glorfindel – and their young daughter, Arwen, were safe. But the knowledge was not enough – he longed for her presence, much as he had yearned to be with his brother, back at the beginning of the Second Age.

Slipping silently from his sleeping chamber, Elrond wandered the halls of his house. It was the depth of night, and none remained awake. Even Erestor, who could often be found outside, singing softly to the stars, was resting now. For a moment he considered waking Arwen, knowing that the girl – barely past her twentieth year – would be pleasant company, but he knew that she would not appreciate it.

After a time, the Lord of Imladris found himself at the foot of the stairway leading into the bell tower. Struck by a sudden impulse, he ascended, stepping out into the chill night air at the top.

Gazing eastwards, he looked upon the black shadows of the Hithaeglir, the Misty Mountains that his home stood at the feet of. Turning to the south, he peered into the darkness, hoping to catch a glimpse of high Caradhras, the Redhorn Gate over which his wife would cross. But even Elven sight has its limits, and in the darkness he could discern nothing.

Nevertheless, he remained, facing in the direction he knew Celebrían must be. After a moment, he began to speak, softly at first, but slowly increasing volume as he went on. He spoke of the days that had passed since she had left, of Arwen's questions, Elladan and Elrohir's trip, and always of his love for her, and his desire to see her again. Long he stood there, speaking into the darkness, until at last he fell silent, realising only then that he had been shouting. Elrond smiled to himself, and wondered if, perhaps, his voice might reach his dear wife, wherever she might be at that time.

This story is set around the year 261 of the Third Age. It is also a companion piece to Chapter VI of Darkness Falling, but may be read as a standalone.

Cloaked Eagle