for elwenlj...a tiny birthday pressie

[febobe]

Be warned. My first real attempt at elvish h/c. A ficlet.



"How is the headache now?"

"Better. A little."

"Try a little more candied ginger."

Elrond obeyed as his marriage-mother brushed a snippet of the sweet against his lips, parting them to accept the medicinal treat. His arm he kept over his eyes, still afraid that some light might somehow creep into the darkened chamber.

Me, seeking the darkness. Who would have thought. . .

"She gave me something for you. As she got onto the boat."

His breath caught. "Why did she not give it me? Was something - the matter?"

He heard the rustle of Galadriel's gown, felt her brush lightly against him as she came to sit at his side. "Nay. She only wished for you to have it at the right time. It is a letter for you. In it she has poured out all that remains of her heart, for that, she told me, she would rather leave behind with you than take with her."

Elrond suddenly felt his throat thicken and tighten. Turning his face to the pillow, he let hot tears fall into the cloth. He felt Galadriel's hand upon his hair.

"Elrond. . .you could not have done more for her."

"But I should have."

"Sometimes, tithen min, we cannot."

And he heard then the tremor in her voice, felt salt water mingling with that already streaming down his face.

Together they wept.