Sunrise, Sunset Author: The Phantom HappyAnny@aol.com G - Angst Disclaimer: I own neither the characters nor the song. Author's Notes: I have always loved Elrond, as he is such a tragic character and yet so strong. This fic centers around the Lord of Imladris, and what I think is one of the most difficult moments in his life. Sunrise, Sunset The cool, whispering breeze drifted through the land, breathing refreshment and relief from the Realm of Darkness so soon after the Ring had been destroyed. The gentle wind danced, snaking in and out of the many gathered on that evening to witness one of the grandest weddings in many years... Aragorn and Arwen, King of Gondor and Lady of Imladris and Lorien, wed to each other in the ultimate passing of the test of true love, for Arwen had forsaken her immortality and passage into the Undying Lands to stay till she died with this Man. The Evenstar was beautiful that night, her dark hair flowing behind her like a train of velvet, and her fine white dress fairly glowing in the light shed by stars, candles, and the moon. Lingering in the twilight of the affair, guests wandered in the peaceful courtyard and listened to the song of the night, crickets chirping softly and the birds giving their last cries before settling to their nests. It was here, drifting like a ghost, that the Lord of Imladris was, his gaze haunted and his shoulders bowed under an invisible and immeasurable burden. Lost, he was, lost in thought and lost in this enchanted garden that would have ordinarily brought him such peace. But not now. Sunrise, sunset Sunrise, sunset Swiftly flow the days Seedlings turn overnight to flowers Blossoming even as we gaze Elrond made not a sound as he walked, his hands hanging uselessly at his sides, instead of their usual position held behind his back. Eyes almost closed, his breathing was slow and almost nonexistent as he slowed to a halt and put a hand out for support against the nearest tree, leaning against it as though he might collapse at any moment. "I would not expect the Lord of Imladris to wander alone on this night." Lifting his weary head, Elrond spied Gandalf nearby, the white robes shining with a light of their own in the waning light, distant as they were from the majority of candles. With a sigh, Elrond was on his feet and all business again, his hands instinctively clasping behind his back as his face became a stony mask. "Gandalf." he said levelly. "One could ask why you wandered yourself." "I was looking for you." Glancing away from the probing gaze of the wizard, Elrond walked a few paces in the opposite direction so that his back faced his longtime friend. "I don't understand what you could possibly mean." Sunrise, sunset Sunrise, sunset Swiftly fly the years One season following another Laden with happiness and tears "You understand perfectly." Walking towards the Half-elven, Gandalf placed a strong hand on his shoulder. "Are you all right, my friend?" Freeing his shoulder from the comforting grasp, Elrond continued to evade the questions and walked a bit further, coming abruptly to the opening of a glade. There he stood, rooted to the spot, his hands falling limply back to his sides. Moving up to stand beside him, Gandalf saw what he did. Aragorn and Arwen, walking side by side, their hands entwined, love's glow fresh about their faces and sweet nothings falling from their lips. A shudder passed through Elrond, and again he leaned his unsteady weight against a nearby tree, counting on the mighty trunk for the support he lacked. Is this the little girl I carried? Is this the little boy at play? I don't remember growing older When did they? "Look at her, Gandalf." Elrond choked out. "Look how beautiful my little girl has become." Tearing his agonized gaze from the two lovers, Elrond crossed his arms and wandered back into the trees, away from the sight of happiness. Gandalf followed, offering his silent support. "You know she looks just like her mother..." the Half-elven murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "Darker hair, yes, but the same eyes... those lovely eyes..." Now he stopped again, lost in his thoughts and clearly unsure of his path, and his long, slender fingers absently traced a swirling pattern on the bark of tree, his touch delicate and uncertain. "And Aragorn..." he continued. "That boy was so handsome tonight... he's been like a son to me, you know... and now he's so strong... grown to be a Man... a King..." "It was his destiny." Gandalf agreed solemnly, watching carefully to gauge his friend's reaction. "It always has been. And it was you who raised him for greatness." After a moment, he added softly. "You should be proud." The response was so strangled, so muted, that even the Wizard almost missed it as the breeze snatched at the words. "I am." When did she get to be a beauty? When did he grow to be so tall? Wasn't it yesterday when they were small? "Did you see her, Gandalf?" Elrond turned his piercing grey eyes to his companion. "So radiant! So beautiful! If Celebrian could have seen her... I hardly recognized my own daughter, she looked so heavenly..." Suddenly the hand that had been gently stroking the tree balled into a fist and slammed against the bark in an uncharacteristic display of violence. "And now I've lost her." he ground out hoarsely. Before Gandalf could think of a response, a soft voice spoke for him. "As long as she lives in your heart, she can never be truly lost to you." The Lady Galadriel had silently appeared with them, unnoticed by the agitated Lord of Imladris and the distracted Wizard. Smoothly she walked over to her son-in-law, touching his shoulder briefly. "Do not be troubled." she comforted. "Arwen is where she wants to be, and will remain with the one she loves with all her heart." "Yes, and she will die a mortal death, but she will be happy. I have heard these condolences a thousand times, and they do little to ease the grief of a father's heart. What of my loss?" Elrond mourned, pressing his forehead against the tree he had struck moments before. "I am doomed to sail on without my Evenstar, and face eternity knowing I will not see her ever again!" "Losing a daughter cannot be an easy thing. I know that well, Peredhil." "Your daughter waits for you." Elrond moaned. "She waits for you on the other side of the Sea, where you will soon be reunited. That daughter to which I must carry the news that her beloved child will never come to her embrace again." Turning to face the two wise ones that stood before him, Elrond lamented the knowledge that so many had discovered before him. "Time has flown too swiftly!" Sunrise, sunset Sunrise, sunset Swiftly flow the days Seedlings turns overnight to flowers Blossoming even as we gaze The White and the Lady of Lorien exchanged glances, each individually troubled by the sorrow that clouded the mind of the Half-elven. He stood there, anguish written on his features and his body swaying slightly under the terrible grief. Walking towards him slowly, Galadriel opened her arms and offered a gentle embrace. Elrond took it, burying his face in her silken hair as he wept, the tears bitter and the sadness deep. Smoothing his hair as though he were but a child, the Lady simply held him in arms that promised comfort and relief. "I will miss her." Elrond said softly, his wet eyes looking up at the stars, head still resting on Galadriel's shoulder. Gandalf spoke the peaceful words of comfort that lingered on the night air. "Carry her memory in your heart, and you will always have your daughter with you. No amount of time, no matter how vast, can ever take that away from you." Sunrise, sunset Sunrise, sunset Swiftly fly the years One season following another Laden with happiness And tears... ~ The End