Dreaming of Home - by Aeärwen

[aearwen2.livejournal.com]

B2MeM Challenge: prompt from dreamflower02 - the water is wide--gen
Whether the breaking of the World, the making of the Straight Road or the ships sailing from the Grey Havens, the Sundering Sea is a powerful image throughout the Legendarium.
Format: Double Drabble
Genre: Character Study
Rating: G
Warnings: N/A
Characters: Celeborn
Pairings: N/A
Creators' Notes (optional): I never believed that all the Elves would be contented in Aman after the lives they led in Middle-earth. Part of my IDD!verse head!canon.
Summary: Celeborn at the edge of the ocean, looking East.



The Belegaer washed the sparkling sands of Alqualondë, and flashes of white on vivid blue showed where the ocean frothed. Celeborn took a deep breath and gazed longingly towards where the blue of sky and blue of ocean met. Somewhere out of sight, beyond the edge of the bent world, lay Ennor.

Galadriel didn't understand. Her father wanted his wisdom, she wanted him on her arm, taking their rightful place in court. She didn't understand his need for trees, or how much he detested the political posturing that was court life everywhere. The flush of relief and joy that had imbued their reunion hadn't lasted long. Already Celeborn noticed sideways glances evidencing her growing dismay with him.

No, he didn't really want to fit in. Tirion, a huge city of stone, felt more like a prison than a place he wanted to spend eternity. He was Sindar after all. He'd tried to do as she asked, but the first chance he got, he'd fled on a fast horse.

He instead sought refuge in Celebrían's home, where he could walk to the edge of the ocean, to hear the waves' soothing song, to gaze across uncrossable waters and dream of home.

Comments

[kayleelupin.livejournal.com]

Poor Celeborn. I can definitely see this as his reaction. *hugs him*

[aearwen2.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

This is lovely. I especially love the sea imagery.

[shirebound]

This is wonderful, and so poignant. 'Sea longing' runs both ways, and no mistake.

[aearwen2.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Even though they've crossed, I always thought the Sea would continue to be a huge influence on life in Aman.

Glad you liked it.

[aearwen2.livejournal.com]

Most definitely the "sea longing" runs in both directions, especially with Celeborn.

Glad you liked my little vignette.

[starbrow.livejournal.com]

Poor Celeborn! I'm reminded of Haldir's words "If there are mallorn trees across the Sea, none have reported it." How sad to go to a place that should be home and it turns out home was the one you left behind.

[tanis2014.livejournal.com]

So few words and yet the word picture you paint is absolutely complete and beautifully rendered. The brush strokes you chose were perfect.

[elliska.livejournal.com]

I definitely cannot see the Sindar being at home with the political machinations within a stone city! Poor Celeborn!

[dreamflower]

This is just the kind of thing that the song seems to paint--what a lovely and melancholy response!

There are reasons it is called the Sundering Sea.

[huinare.livejournal.com]

That's lovely, and it very aptly addresses the issue (which I've long found troubling, myself) stated in your authorial notes.

[periantari.livejournal.com]

Very thoughtful and insightful-- i liked how you pieced this together and thought of this.

[rakshathedemon.livejournal.com]

So sad, but every word rings true. Celeborn would not be happy spending all his time as a courtier in a stone city, not even a safe and beautiful stone city. Nicely done.

[ladyelleth.livejournal.com]

What a heart-wrenching little ficlet. It makes a lot of sense for Celeborn to feel out of place, I think - almost a repeat of Aldarion and Erendis, though in a much more sympathetic way.

[maglor-20.livejournal.com]

Loved this. "She didn't understand his need for trees, or how much he detested the political posturing that was court life everywhere." This line was especially poignant.

[the-wavesinger.livejournal.com]

Beautiful and poignant. You’ve done this so beautifully in so few words, and there’s a massive lump sitting in my throat.