Passage of Time
by Bridget McKennitt
A/N: This is set decades before LOTR occurred.
Sunlight rose over the forest of Lothlorien, touching every leaf and branch.
Music drifted through the open windows of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn's room
as a new day began. The lady Elf rolled over on her side to glance lovingly at her
husband of many hundreds of years. It still amazed her that after all this time, he
was very much in love with her, as she was with him. They had been through rough
times in their relationship; her revealing the secret of the exile of the Noldor,
Doriath's ruin, their daughter Celebrian's kidnapping, lost of desire to stay in
Middle-earth, and sailing towards the Undying Lands. It was tough but their love
kept them together.
"Celeborn, wake up, my love," she whispered. She kissed his lips gently and
pushed aside his bangs from his face.
The Lord of Lorien's eyes fluttered open to see his beloved. "What a wonderful
sight to wake up to."
Though he said it every morning, Galadriel could not help but blush at his
words. No matter how long they had been married, he could still make her feel giddy
and young again.
"A new day awaits us, Celeborn. I believe our grandsons will be visiting today
from Imladris."
"Wonderful. It has been many months since Elladan and Elrohir stepped foot in
Lothlorien. We should prepare for their arrival."
Galadriel untangled herself from his embrace. "You go ahead and start on it. I
need to do something first."
"As you wish, but do not take long. I hate to be parted from you even only a
short time." Celeborn kissed his wife once more before she left the room.
She absentmindedly rubbed her Ring of Adamant and Water, Nenya, as she walked
through the gardens. As Melian of Doriath protected her kingdom with the Girdle,
Galadriel protected Lothlorien with Nenya. Lifting her hand, the Ring began to glow
and illuminated the woods.
"No evil may cross into Lothlorien. I hold you at bay. I hold you at bay!"
Galadriel cried out. Nenya listened to its bearer's command and let forth its magic
to surround the forest kingdom.
"I knew I would find you here," Celeborn said as he came down the stone stairs.
"Ever the Queen, working so diligently to protect her people and kingdom. The Enemy
was destroyed, you should not have to work so hard."
"He was defeated, not destroyed. I feel his power waxing and his Eye ever
searching. When he regains all that he lost, he will come after us Elves. But he
will never get Lothlorien, that I swear." Nenya flashed in agreement.
"He shall not, not with us as its rulers. My love, when the day that the Enemy
is truly gone from this world, we can finally enjoy this kingdom to the fullest with
no worries. This forest shall bloom as if it was within the Undying Lands." Celeborn
stopped as he saw his wife's saddened face. "What is it? Did I say something wrong?"
"Nothing intentional. The only way for the Enemy to be stopped is if his One
Ring was destroyed and I pray that is lost forever. Even then, if the Ring was
destroyed, the Three would lose their powers and fade. Celeborn, what I am trying
to say is that when this is done and the Age of Men begins, I will sail into the West.
Nenya reinforces my yearnings to return to the Blessed Realm. While there is still
a threat in Middle-earth, I will not go but I will someday."
To this he did not know what to say. He had lived in Middle-earth for all of
his long life and he truly loved the land. Whatever happened, he had hoped that he
and his wife would continue living in Lothlorien. But it was not to be. "It is as
you wish, I will not try and change your mind. I fervently hope though that day is
long in coming." He sighed. "We must go greet our grandsons. They have arrived and
are waiting for us."
"Yes, our grandsons." Galadriel grasped Celeborn's hand and they walked into
the passage of time.
Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings and its various characters are owned by J.R.R. Tolkien
and other companies. They are used here without permission, and for entertainment
purposes only. No challenge or infringement upon the copyright is intended, nor
should any be inferred.
