𝒊𝒎𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒚, 𝒂 𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒋𝒐𝒚 and song. oft has she danced in master elrond’s halls, no less often than she dances among the mallorn trees, though it is entirely different to do so beneath his roof and in the company of his people rather than her own. she becomes more conscious of her movements, of her expression, when the elves of imladris are the ones watching her. never has she been more conscious of herself than now.
the elven lord’s grip on her back is strong, and his fingers are tenderly wrapped round hers. in spite of the distance between them, she is wholly ‘neath his spell, and it entrances her as much as it flusters her. they are enveloped by the gentle notes of the lay of nimrodel, not only a song familiar to her but an homage that does not go unnoticed. a light was on her hair, as sun upon the golden boughs in lórien the fair. she smiles at the lyrics, and elrond smiles back, doubtless having noticed as well. her heart skips a beat.
the song is played slower than is the custom, more tenderly, and celebrían thinks that is as intentional as its lyrics. her partner moves with all the grace of a gentle breeze, holding the sky in his eyes. she matches him with the fluidity of water, and her own eyes hold the depths of the sea. they are as one, harmony made flesh, ‘til he pulls her to him and she misses a step. his hold on her saves her from a fall and he goes beyond by turning her stumble into a dip, so well-executed that their spectators will surely believe it intentional. laughter catches in her throat, and when he pulls her up again she draws closer still.
“ thank you, ” she whispers close to his ear, entwining their fingers. time seems to have stopped for them. the song has faded away. she hears nothing but his breath and the beat of her own heart. “ lord elrond, i … ” she begins, then trails off and kisses him with her eyes wide open, smiling against him. ‘tis a brief kiss, no more than a brushing of lips. ( it is nonetheless enough to have their company cheering and laughing, though celebrían heeds them not. ) yet brief as it was, he is clearly starstruck, and she is pleased by it.
“ forgive me the untoward display in public, ” she whispers for courtesy’s sake, not at all repentant. “ perhaps we could go … elsewhere … after another song or two? ”
plotted starter / @lionhaerted
DID SHE KNOW SHE HELD HIS ADORATION IN HER HANDS? once he found himself catching the mere glimpse of her, beautiful and warm. captivated by her presence, constantly wishing to bask in it. though, he too would come to understand that her physical beauty held no flame to the radiance of the soul within.
and perhaps, he had planned this so. a slower tune, one that held meaning with every syllable that slipped through elven lips. never had he held one so gently, and boldness was what caused him to pull her closer, if only for a brief moment.
he would catch her as she stumbled, gracefully playing it off as an intentional act. her thanks only caused a smile to tug at his lips, fingers intertwining with hers once more. his intentions were to listen to her words, yet the feeling of lips brushed against his could have caused his heart to stop in his chest.
a touch of shock graced his face, yet his hold against her did not waver, did not loosen. it took him a moment to find his voice again, but he shook his head at her apology.
‘ there is no harm done. ’ the laughter and the cheering of those around him were deaf in that moment. his attention was placed upon her, and her alone. ‘ i would like that. ’
