High Princes of Tirion
by Nemis

A/N: I noticed I have never put down anywhere what “Aurehen” meant… Shame on me…

It would mean about the same in Sindarin as it would in Quenya; aur(e) meaning day, sunlight, morning, and “hen” eye, so would translate something like “day-eye”.

And before anyone kicks me for it, I still think Elves sleep with their eyes closed in a protected environment.

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Chapter Four     Expectations

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‘Ai! Bloody Mandos!’

Elrond looked up to see the other Elf leap up and wave his hand in the air frantically, before inserting the tip of the injured thumb into his mouth, his face winced in pain.

‘Are you all right?’ he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Ereinion groaned and closed his eyes for a moment.

‘I...’ He grimaced. ‘I am fine.’

Smirking, Elrond shook his head.

‘Perhaps we should not have allowed you to wield a hammer just yet.’

The High Prince scowled.

‘Do not mock me, Elrond, I was building houses before you were even born.’

‘Not in this life-time.’ Elrond returned, trying hard not to let his face crinkle into a smile. ‘And besides, I suspect you have not wielded a hammer ever since.’

It was untrue of course. He recalled the fervour Gil-galad had built Lindon with, making it home, a palace in which all the skill and expertise of the Noldor had been poured.

Taking his eyes off the other for a moment, he finished fastening the joist he had been working on himself.

‘Why are we working here, by the way, and not down at the waterway?’ Ereinion asked. He preferred the waterway, it brought back memories of old times. Good memories. That morning at breakfast, Elrond had simply announced they were to work here today, and he had not objected, but not enquired after the reason either.

Elrond smiled and hammered a final nail home.

‘Because, I cannot be there at the moment.’ He stepped back and admired his own work. Then he looked at Ereinion. ‘Do you wish to go home?’

It was late in the afternoon, the time everyone usually went back to the House to refresh themselves before dinner. Most had indeed already gone.

Slapping the sawdust off his trousers, the High Prince nodded, deciding not to ask further. Knowing Elrond, there was a good reason.

‘I suppose...’

After putting away his tools so they would be protected from unexpected nightly rain, Ereinion made his way to the other side of the floor, balancing across the support beams which had not yet been covered with heavy floorboards. Upon reaching the improvised stairway, he sat down, with the perfect view all around him, fields and hills for miles on end. Even some trees which, further south, would turn into woods.

How simple his life was now, he thought. Just this that mattered, working on the house, being near his friends. No wars, or planning, no councils or messengers arriving in the middle of the night… And he preferred it like that.

Elrond too had made his way over, and sat down a step lower. He squinted against the late afternoon rays of Anar that shone upon his face.

‘Can this replace home, you think?’

Resting his head on his hand, Ereinion smiled.

‘Has it not already?’

‘I do not know.’ the Elf-lord replied, a slight hesitance audible in his voice.

‘I think,’ the High Prince began, ‘I remember how you felt when Imladris was only a small settlement. You had lived less than a day from the sea, almost your entire life. You had grown up on beaches, and suddenly were thrown into a valley, where the water was on an ever-continuing journey away from you, instead of the comforting tide you knew so well.’

‘Sirion had waterfalls.’

Ereinion chuckled, imagining times when he had been debating with the small boy and his brother, whom had been placed in his care. Always waylaying answers, always trying to turn something around. How well could Elrond really remember Sirion’s waterfalls?

Then again, how well could he himself?

‘Do not tell me you felt Imladris to be home at first.’

Breathing in deeply, Elrond shook his head.

‘You are right... It did not feel like home initially.’

They were silent for a moment.

‘We could plant threes,’ Ereinion pointed. ‘And once the water runs there,’ another imaginary landmark was indicated, ‘you are coming close to Imladris.’

Elrond narrowed his eyes.

‘Perhaps you are right.’

‘Ah, well...’ Ereinion shrugged, as he scanned their surroundings. Elrond always needed to be gloomy of something, it was his way. In ten minutes time he would have shed it.

Suddenly discovering the reason for their absence from the waterway, the project Elrond was most enthusiastic about nowadays, Ereinion smiled.

‘Has she forgiven you yet for doing this to her again?’ the High Prince remarked, while almost at once receiving a retaliating blow against the shoulder.

‘I shall never cease my jesting if you ever find yourself in this situation.’ Elrond smiled.

Ereinion raised an amused eyebrow, but held his tongue.

Celebrían, belly very obvious, arm in arm with Aurehen, was making her way towards the building, and Ereinion could see her flushed face even from their high place.

‘Is it wise for her to come all the way here?’ he asked.

Elrond did not seem very concerned.

‘Very... It is good for her, it relieves present discomforts and makes her stronger.’

Ereinion looked sideways at him.

‘If you say so.’

‘You know this, Ereinion. Do not act as if it is not so.’ Elrond feigned an exasperated sigh.

The High Prince rose with a smirk.

‘The last pregnancy I attended up close was my mother’s.’

‘There they are.’ Aurehen indicated to Celebrían.

Celebrían watched two Elves, one of them unmistakably her husband, descend from the highest floor of the structure. Ereinion had evidently just made a humorous remark, for the two were still laughing as they quickly neared. With steady pace they approached and Elrond stretched his arm to catch the hand she offered.

‘All right, love?’ he asked her, and she nodded, her hand over his as he placed it on her abdomen.

‘Just tired, nothing more.’

‘You wish to rest a while?’

Celebrían groaned exaggeratedly.

‘Stop fussing, Elrond. I have done this before.’

Ereinion smiled, as Elrond withdrew a little, pretending offence for a moment. Then he chuckled, and, pressing his lips against Celebrían’s, offered his arm. Accepting it with a broad smile, she began her usual questioning about the building in progress.

Ereinion had a very good idea of how much Elrond wanted to tell the Elf-lady about the goings-on two hours from here. He also realised his friend would not. Not at present. Offering an arm to Aurehen, they followed.

The waterway was necessary, everyone had agreed. There had to be another reliable water source near the house, preferably one finding its spring in close proximity. Upon a reconnaissance journey, Ereinion had found exactly that, flowing from a nearby mountain, but it had proven too small for their precise purposes.

After much deliberation, it had been decided to lead it towards their initial water supply, which had been led from the greater one flowing from Tirion, and, after enlarging the old one as well, let the two streams come together.

So, the major part of the workforce was now busying themselves with the preparation of the run of the initial water, and no doubt soon the day would arrive that the barriers would be punctured and the second stream would find its way here, joined with the other.

It was indeed alone the Tirion waterway that was worked on at present, that being the larger part of the venture. The smaller stream and its course were more private; a plaything for the Lord of the House and the youngest of the High Princes of the City.

Ereinion had taken Elernil there, after letting him explicitly promise not to speak of it to a soul. He had had little trust in it, but the boy had been exceptionally quiet, nevertheless delighting in the little secret nudges and winks they were now able to exchange when the subject was lightly touched upon.

As Elrond explained their construction plans to Celebrían, Ereinion did the same with Aurehen, but on an entirely different level.

‘So Elladan is helping at the waterway?’ she asked quietly, knowing it was a secret to be kept from the Lady of the House.

‘Aye,’ Ereinion answered, knowing Elladan and the lady holding his arm had rapidly gone from acquaintances to friends, and were now starting down the road beyond that. ‘They expect to be finished with the first stages within a month.’

Aurehen smiled.

‘Good news, I think. He will be near the House again, then?’

‘Most likely,’ Ereinion smiled. The entire household watched the two Elves circle around each other, and everyone seemed to be waiting for something to happen, but nothing had, up to now. Still, it wasn’t a secret.

Then again, nothing could stay a secret long around Glorfindel.

Elrond looked around.

‘We shall be returning to the House now, you will join us?’

‘Or course,’ Ereinion smiled. Aurehen, too, nodded. Elladan would be there already, she expected. With a happy sigh, she allowed the High Prince to lead her back, all the while not noticing his amusement.

—~~*~~—

His paces had turned from deliberate to rather cautious as Elladan neared the place he had planned to make his destination.

He knew she was there; she had returned with his parents and Ereinion, had sat at the table across from him during dinner, and where else would she retire after his mother, and with her his father, had decided to go to bed early?

Gathering all his courage, he softly knocked on the door.

‘Aurehen?’

Listening to movement within the rooms before the door was opened he couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.

‘Elladan...’ she smiled, resting her hand on the door handle on the outside.

‘I was wondering,’ he started, before realising he had to continue breathing if he wished to finish the sentence, ‘whether you would like to join me in taking a stroll in the gardens? I promise we shall remain near the House, in case my mother requires your assistance.’

He was treated on the most wonderful smile he had imagined possible, as she stepped out and closed the door behind her.

‘I would like that very much, my Lord.’

—~~*~~—

Ereinion sat on the balcony-railing of the library, eyes closed and enjoying the warm wind that swept against his face. He let his mind wander lightly over some things that had happened today, trying not to dwell on the dull ache in his thumb, but rather on the story he had told Elernil about an hour ago, before the boy had been sent to bed by his mother.

It was Glorfindel’s voice that brought him out of his reverie.

‘Aah, look at what I see here.’

Somewhat suspecting a book containing a quote of some sorts, he opened his eyes, only to find the golden-haired Elf-lord gazing down into the garden.

Doing so as well, he found Elladan and Aurehen quietly speaking, apparently caught up in each other’s presence.

‘Are we not ever the bachelors, our only pleasure coming from seeing another being caught up in the strings of matrimony?’ Glorfindel smiled.

Skipping off the railing, Ereinion went to stand next to the other for a moment.

‘Speak for yourself, mellon; if I were to find someone I cared for, I would not mind entangling myself.’

Glorfindel laughed amusedly.

‘But you were always so good at untangling yourself afterwards, my Lord.’

‘Ah, ever the gossiper, my Lord Glorfindel,’ Ereinion smirked.

They both turned serious after a few moments of hilarity.

‘Still, we might have missed something,’ Glorfindel contemplated.

Ereinion smiled.

‘You are right, methinks.’

Resting his back against the railing the High Prince looked at the other Elf. Glorfindel nodded.

‘Do you never have the feeling it would be nice to have a son? I see how you treat Elernil.’

Narrowing his eyes, Ereinion stared down at Elladan and Aurehen.

‘I have brought up sons before, Glorfindel,’ he said with a dry smile. ‘Though they always seemed to belong to other people.’

Raindrops began falling, and they watched Elladan and Aurehen flee into the direction of shelter; one of the many hidden away in the gardens. Chuckling, Glorfindel stepped away from the railing and strolled back inside, Ereinion, hands behind his back, following.

‘I have always believed Elrond imitated you in that asset, fostering the orphans of Middle-earth… But I mean a son, of your own flesh.’

Ereinion seemed to consider it.

‘It might still come of that one day... We’ll have the house filled with golden-haired Elf-children.’

Glorfindel looked slightly aghast.

‘I meant you.’

‘Of course you did.’

—~~*~~—

Celebrían watched the rain start outside, the raindrops falling a little way onto the side of the balcony before the roof shielded the rest of it from them.

Lying behind her, Elrond carefully stroked her abdomen, knowing she was not asleep, not worried, because she was not.

As outside the rain continued to fall unremittingly, Elrond was content.

Softly he began humming a lullaby he had often sung for his children when they had only been infants and felt Celebrían place her hand over his, guiding him to where soft kicking could be felt.

‘So amazing,’ he whispered.

‘Growing so fast,’ Celebrían returned.

Elrond smiled.

‘The difference between Middle-earth and Valinor...’

‘I do not think it will be long, El-nîn.’

Carefully moving his fingers over her belly, both examining and massaging, he kissed her hair.

‘We shall see, meleth-nîn.’

Elrond woke abruptly of a sudden roar of nearby thunder. He waited silently for a continuation, but it did not come... A hand moved over his arm and clasped it, slightly pressurizing.

‘El-nîn...’

He looked at Celebrían and saw she was wide awake, her other hand pressed against her all-too-prominent belly.

‘I did not wish to wake you...’ she whispered with a smile.

Even before placing his hands on her, he knew.

‘My foolish girl,’ he whispered with a smile, and pressed his lips against hers, then leaving the bed and almost running towards the door.

She was early, he would not have expected this for at least a week to four weeks hence, but she was ready, and he did not truly worry, as he darted through the hallway and rapped his knuckles against the door to Aurehen’s rooms.

‘Aurehen, we require your assistance... As soon as you can, please,’ he called, before turning and swiftly returning to the room he had just departed.

There, he started lighting lamps and eventually returned to Celebrían, who clasped his hand and looked up at him with a fragile smile. Elrond could not refrain from a soft chuckle as he took her in his arms, caressing her hair and pressing his lips against her skin.

‘Does it hurt?’ he asked, a small but audible amount of concern in his voice.

‘Not as much...’ she shortly shook her head, and raised a hand to touch his face, as he began his short examination, a little surprised when he looked back at her.

‘And you didn’t wake me?’

Celebrían attempted to laugh, but was cut short by an uncontrolled breath.

‘It goes much faster here, it seems...’ She whispered, clasping his hand with hers.

Elrond smiled broadly.

‘If I had not woken, I would have nearly missed it.’

‘Trust me, I would have woken you in due time,’ Celebrían groaned.

Outside, both could hear Aurehen’s voice, and Elrond thought to distinguish Celeborn’s too.

‘Was my father outside?’ Celebrían asked.

‘Not just now,’ Elrond replied, offering her a wet towel. ‘But he could have been hiding.’

He smiled when she laughed and stroked her hair.

A short knock on the already open door had Aurehen entering and Elrond moved aside a little. While examining she looked first at him, then at Celebrían.

‘It is not abnormal for a birth to go faster here, but this surprises even me.’

Elrond nodded.

‘Apparently...’ he started.

‘... tis a Half-elven thing.’ Celebrían breathed the next part of the sentence.

Aurehen frowned as the Lord and Lady threw each other an amused look.

‘This happened before?’

‘Not with Elladan and Elrohir,’ Elrond smiled. ‘They were perfectly on time.’

‘But Arwen was early,’ Celebrían added. ‘Five weeks early.’

Aurehen smiled now too.

‘Then I suppose this is not entirely strange.’

‘Indeed it is not,’ Elrond replied, ‘but we should have cautioned you to expect the unexpected. especially when it concerns...’

Celebrían squeezed his arm.

‘If you continue your small-talk any longer, herven, you will have missed the birth.’

With a playful grimace, Elrond moved aside and behind Celebrían.

‘Now how did this work again?’ he chuckled, earning himself a poke in the ribs.

‘I can still hit you between contractions, El-nîn,’ she warned, with an unmistakable glimmer in her eyes.

—~~*~~—

Elernil was not quite certain what the commotion was all about.

He had expected his grandmother to give birth months ago, but when it did not happen he had quickly lost interest.

He watched his parents talk to his uncle, and it was evident even to him that they were amused about something. He found his great-grandmother near the bedroom door, where he was not allowed to come right now, and his great-grandfather talking to Glorfindel and Erestor. Then his eye fell on Ereinion, and he hopped over to his cousin.

‘Elernil, no messages?’ the High Prince enquired as he opened his arms for the Elf-child and lifted him onto his lap, sitting back comfortably.

‘Not yet,’ the boy tried hopefully, but Ereinion shook his head. ‘None here either.’

‘Ah shucks... And the baby probably isn’t coming anyway,’ he pouted, folding his arms. ‘Just like before.’

‘I am quite certain it will come this time,’ Ereinion smiled. ‘You’ll see.’

‘At least I get to stay up.’ Elernil yawned.

‘Ah yes,’ Ereinion chuckled. ‘If you can stay awake.’

Sighing, Elernil rested his head against the adult’s shoulder.

‘That happens when I don’t have anything to do,’ he mumbled. ‘I fall asleep.’

And indeed, after a while, Ereinion could see the small chest rise and fall slowly, knowing eyes were closed and sleep had set in. Mîrlinde walked over and offered to take him, but the High Prince smiled.

‘Tis no bother, better leave him, or he’ll wake again.’

It was some time later, that, unmistakably, crying could be distinguished. Entering for a moment, Galadriel swiftly returned.

‘All is well.’

Ereinion watched Celeborn smile broadly and receive quick congratulations from the Elf-lords standing beside him.

The next moment Elrond was standing in the room, face flushed and radiant.

‘Ten fingers, ten toes, good heartbeat, everything is well.’ He made to turn when Elladan sniggered and called over.

‘And?’

Elrond frowned.

‘And what?’ realisation flooded into his face the next moment. ‘Girl,’ he stammered, even redder than before. ‘A silver-haired girl.’

Then he disappeared again, too fast for anyone to congratulate him.

Elrohir walked over to Ereinion and sat down beside him.

‘He’s asleep?’ he asked.

‘I believe so,’ the High Prince answered.

There was a silence between the two. As Elladan joined them as well, Ereinion chuckled.

‘How does one get paid this, well, what did you call it? Everlasting something?’

‘Respect,’ Elladan mumbled, before he couldn’t help grinning. ‘We were never really sure.’

‘Ah,’ Ereinion replied, trying to keep from bursting out into laughter due to the expression the twins had on their faces. ‘Well, do let me know when you find out.’

Elrohir took over Elernil, who didn’t wake, and gave the High Prince a questioning look.

‘How did you know?’

Sitting back, hands behind his head, Ereinion smiled.

‘I did not know exactly, I merely guessed. But something told me it would be a girl.’

‘But how did you guess the hair?’ Elladan persisted.

‘Something just told me there was more silver in this child.’

Leaving the sons of Elrond with the cryptic reply, Ereinion rose with a smile and walked over to stand beside Galadriel and Celeborn, both of whom now stood in the doorway. The child had indeed been blessed with Celebrían’s silver tresses.

‘You saw, did you not?’ Galadriel asked him softly.

‘Hmm,’ Ereinion replied. ‘Very strange, but I did, I cannot explain how though. Or when, for that.’

Placing a hand on his shoulder, the Elf-lady smiled.

‘Even you cannot see everything yet.’

—~~*~~—

Elrond rested his head on Celebrían’s shoulder as he watched her feed the child, both of them lying in his arms, and he marvelled as he had before, about small fingers and limbs, carefully touching the delicate slant of the small ear, tracing his fingers over the soft skin.

The little girl lifted a small hand and wrapped it around his finger as it came into her reach, and Celebrían smiled.

‘She found her Ada already.’

Grinning broadly, he moved his finger to and fro slightly, but the child’s tiny digits kept it tightly in their grasp

‘She is beautiful, Celebrían.’

‘Yes,’ the proud mother whispered, stroking the silver downy hair. ‘She is absolutely stunning.’

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herven: husband

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