Disclaimer: This story is intended for entertainment only, I make no money from it, all characters belong to the Tolkien estate.

A/N: This story takes place after the War of the Ring, when Elrond sails with the rest of the Ring-bearers to Valinor. He is to be reunited with his wife Celebrian, daughter of Celeborn and Galadriel, who was captured by orcs centuries earlier and injured. When Elrond could not heal her, she was sent to Valinor in the hope that those fabled lands could bring her comfort.

One Last Vow

Chapter One: Ever Nearer

Elrond shifted his body with a grunt, trying to get comfortable on the hard wooden planks of the ship's deck. He could stand the stuffy confines below deck no longer, and wished to sleep under the stars, to have his father's light shine upon him as he dreamed. But, his dreams were little different than his waking thoughts, all spun and swirled and circled back to one image, one word, like a whirlpool feeding into itself. Celebrían.

Every wave the small ship skimmed over brought him closer, and his faded memories of her brightened, new life poured into them like vivid paint stroked onto a canvas. He rose suddenly, walking to the bow in the silence of the night. It was foolish, but somehow even that small distance closer to her comforted him. He closed his eyes, inhaling the seaspray deeply. He had never imagined he would be here. Always something held him to the eastern lands, always someone needed his aid, needed his guidance. But ever he waited for the time to be right, for his obligations to be filled and his debts paid and his chance to bolt to present itself. He had sworn to her that they would see each other again. That was the only vow he had left to keep.

Elrond's face clouded, his eyes opening to squint into the inky darkness. But, what would he find on those shores? He gritted his teeth as he was assaulted by the memory of the last time he had seen her. Even now, the thought of that time pained him, the wound still felt raw.

She had been so frighteningly thin as he helped her off of her horse, felt the way she leaned into him, barely able to stand. He didn't want to let her go, no matter how much she needed to leave, even if it meant her life, he selfishly wanted her to stay. But, as she looked up at him, her deep blue eyes luminous with tears, he saw there what she would not express aloud. Relief.

She had been relieved to be leaving behind this land that had so abused her. It was a comfort that Elrond, despite all he had tried and all the ancient wisdom he had drawn from, could not offer her. Only the pure air of Valinor could save her. Elrond had sighed, lifted her small body in his arms, and carried her to the ship. He had not shed a tear, instead gave her the warmest smile he could muster, then turned her over to the sailors to bear her from him. It had not been until he was on the road, high in the hills above the Havens, where only the sparrows and deer could see, that he had wept.

Would he find her now little improved, still clinging to life with reluctant fingers, still a faded shell of the woman he loved? Would he find she now loved another? Would she ever forgive him for how long he had tarried in Middle Earth?

Elrond spun, feeling eyes upon him. Standing beside the door to the lower deck was Galadriel. Her piercing blue gaze, so much like her daughter's had once been, lay heavily upon him. Elrond turned back to the sea, waiting for her to speak. For he sensed she had not just come above deck for some air.

"Elrond," she said quietly, stepping nearer to him, "Are we such terrible company that you must sleep in the elements?"

"No, my Lady," he said, his voice thick as he wished she would leave. He could not possibly explain to her how he was feeling this night.

"I am excited to see her again too." Elrond glanced back, seeing the smile that softened Galadriel's features. But, the joy faded from her eyes like the wilting of a flower as she continued, "We were always close, my daughter and I. I always blamed myself for what happened to her, blamed myself for her capture. I know that if I had not guilted her into visiting me so often she would have remained safely in Rivendell...where she belonged."

"No, no it was not your fault," Elrond insisted, turning fully to her. But, that very thought had crossed his mind before, and the smallest seed of resentment had been planted in his mind all those long years ago. Galadriel cocked her head at him, smiling knowingly. She was inside his mind, she knew he had blamed her too. Elrond glanced away in shame, as if by avoiding her gaze he could gate off his mind. But, he knew it would not work.

"But, blame matters little now, doesn't it Elrond? All will soon be set right."

"Yes, it will."

She did not even need to read his mind to sense the tension in his voice. "You fear what may have changed in all these years, don't you?"

Elrond nodded, bowing his head to hide the vulnerability in his eyes. Suddenly, he felt a gentle hand on his arm. "My gift of foresight is not always perfect, but I can tell you this. Her love for you burns as bright as ever. You will be happy again."

Finally, Elrond looked up, his gray eyes stormy. "If only I could see her one more time, see her smile and laugh and live just for a moment, that would be enough for me, that would make me happy. That is all I ask."

"I think you will get even more than that," Galadriel said, a fond smile lighting her face.

Elrond tried to smile back, but the expression was forced as doubts still clouded his mind. With a tiny nod of farewell, Galadriel went below deck again, her steps careful so as not to disturb the hobbits or Gandalf.

Elrond watched her back and realized what a selfish fool he was. He fretted over seeing his love again, when only days earlier, Galadriel had left her love behind, possibly forever. With a shameful sigh, Elrond turned again to the sea, his gray eyes scanning over the darkened waves. Where was his legendary strength and wisdom now, where was the hardened leader he used to be? He smiled ruefully, finally a true expression, as he realized that elf dissolved around Celebrían. That was why he loved her so. She was the only person in all of Arda with whom he dared to be weak.