[Open: Galadriel] Nor shall anything of my realm endure that a son should inherit.

[lorien_gal]

Another one of hers has gone. Having returned, she found his room empty and devoid of activity. And she knew - it was only confirmation

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[ringsmith]

Their paths do not often cross, and when they do it is not always easy or comfortable, but when Celebrimbor sees Galadriel, perhaps by the lake, he pauses. His line does not possess the foresight found in the line of Finarfin, but as he looks at her he gets the feeling that something is wrong. After a moment he takes a breath and approaches. "Cousin? Are you well?"

[lorien_gal]

Her eyes were set on the other shore, as if it was too far and too close all at once. As if perhaps she might find someone there, waiting.

Galadriel turns, so very slowly, to look at him, eyes quiet.

"Tyelpe," she says softly. There is no harshness in her tone, only sadness.

[ringsmith]

So, not alright, then. Something has obviously gone very, very wrong, but it doesn't seem to be something dangerous... "What has happened?

[lorien_gal]

Her voice is very very quiet. It takes her a moment before she speaks.

Galadriel was never one to hide from the truth.

"He's gone," she says softly.

[ringsmith]

Cele needs no further explanation to understand who the 'he' is, and cold realization hits him like like a lead weight.

"I'm sorry."

It's not enough, but it's all he can say. Finrod was his friend too.

[lorien_gal]

"He went quietly," she says again, softly.

It's ironic that of all the people who will speak to her, Celebrimbor is the one who can best know how she feels - full circles are a surprise, sometimes.

"I'm sorry too."

[ringsmith]

"That is good," he says softly. He wouldn't like to think of his cousin in pain. And he feels only sympathy for Galadriel, who is now alone here with all of her family gone. He at least still has his grandfather and some of his uncles.

Somehow all their old differences feel unimportant, all of a sudden.

[lorien_gal]

She nods and is quiet a moment, eyes on the water.

"Tyelpe.... do you think....?"

She wants to know if he thinks Finrod atoned.

[ringsmith]

He looks toward her, waiting for a moment before gently prompting, "Do I think...?"

[lorien_gal]

"You know of the way he lived and fell in Arda," she says softly. "Do you believe he redeemed his oath, cousin?"

[ringsmith]

"I believe that he did," he says, equally soft. "No one could have done more."

[lorien_gal]

She nods, and turns away to shed a quiet tear. "I shall miss him," she says tenderly.

And then, as though she'd been inspired: "Tyelpe, will you look in the mirror with me?"

[ringsmith]

"So shall I," Cele agrees softly.

He looks startled by the question, but after a moment nods. "I will."

[lorien_gal]

Nodding her thanks, she speaks little as they walk to the place where she keeps it. She is in her thoughts and wishing she'd been kinder to him, in days gone by.

For all she knows, Celebrimbor is now the most functional of her family members, and the one she can trust the most.

Wisking the curtain away, she steps in, and fetches the beaker so she can fill it with water.

[ringsmith]

Celebrimbor is the most functional Finwean besides Galadriel. Who would have guessed that would happen. He follows her through the curtain, standing a respectful few steps back as he silently watches her fill the mirror.

Right now he's more inclined than ever to leave the past in the past.

[lorien_gal]

Ar might be in the sane category as well - having young children will do that to someone - but yes, indeed, who would have thunk.

She murmurs words in Quenya, for focus and for peace, as she fills the beaker, then pads to the dish and pours the water, slowly.

Feel free to participate in making that vision up, love <3 Also, hope the holidays went wonderful! I'm still at my mum's and stealing tag time between family stuff.