First chap = disclaimers.

As this is my last chapter, I would like to sincerely thank all of my reviewers for their patience and comments. I do have a sequel planned, but it may take me a while to get it going.

Thank you again for your perseverance.

Escapistone

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Rushing wind swept past Elrond's face as he stood on the deck of the ship. It seemed an eternity ago that he had bid farewell to his children and set sail to once again set eyes upon his beloved Celebrian. It hardly seemed real that he would see her in just a matter of days.

They had been apart for ages. Had he been fully human, he doubted he could ever have withstood the strain of those years. Then again, as Glorfindel would have pointed out, were he fully human, he would already be dead. A soft smirk crossed his lips as he stared at the small slip of shoreline that his elven eyes could perceive.

"Ah, you are thinking of Celebrian again." Glorfindel spoke beside him.

"What makes you say that?"

"There is a flame that only she could ever put in you. I see the embers begin to glow now. By the time you reach her, it will most likely be a raging inferno of a forest fire."

Elrond looked skeptically at his friend. "Have you been seducing young maidens again? You are talking like a bad piece of love poetry."

Glorfindel looked sheepish. "I suspect it has much more to do with drinking nasty herbal concoctions."

"Really?"

"Some of us have problems with water and boats and rolling waves."

"You suffer from sea sickness?"

"Well, it isn't really a sickness you know."

"Yes, let it never be insinuated you  are less than totally and completely Elvish with a pedigree that would choke a horse."

"Have pity on an ailing Elf, Elrond."

"You cannot ail. You are an Elf."

"Bloody Bastard, you know what I meant."

"Alright, I relent, but I do not recall you mentioning this before."

"I did not develop it until after I returned to Middle Earth. It has slowly built up each time I mounted a boat on the sea. Galadriel thinks that it is merely a trick of my mind."

"Knowing your mind, I can see where sickness would come into play."

"You annoy me, my friend."

"And you task me."

"Elrond?"

"Yes?"

"What will happen when we reach the blessed realm?"

"You ask me this? You know far more about the place than I do."

"That is not what I meant. Will you rebuild your house? Or will you join with another?"

Elrond smiled. "I had not thought it over, but I suppose that I will rebuild. I have become accustomed to being my own Lord. I do not think that I could be under another."

"I do not suppose that you would need me?"

"Need, no. You give too much aggravation. But, want my friend. You have been a member of my house for ages. You are most welcome to continue to annoy me and Celebrian. Provided, you leave us alone for the first few weeks that we are reunited."

Glorfindel grinned. "I believe that I can arrange that."

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Elrond tapped his foot in impatience. If he had to meet one more dignitary and explain his presence to one more being, he was going to scream. It did not help matters that Galadriel was calmly conversing with people she had known long ago. Glorfindel did not seem to be annoyed at the process either.

Elrond felt his personal storm cloud being to thunder. He hated being reminded that he was the youngest Elf among his friends. He felt like he was a young elf again listening as Gil-Galad introduced him to yet another important Elf.

All he wanted to do was see Celebrian. Was that such a horrible thing to ask?

But nooooo, he was stuck being Elf of the hour to a bunch of inquisitives.

Glorfindel brushed past his shoulder. Elrond glanced down at his hand to find a note saying to meet Glorfindel at the stables. He somehow managed to beg his leave and went to see his friend.

"Glorfindel?" he asked as he entered the stables.

"Ah, Elrond, they have much to ask us and I fear that we will be stuck here for some time. Given your impatience to see your beloved wife, I have ascertained her whereabouts. If you ride quickly enough, you will beat the messenger sent to tell her of your arrival."

Elrond looked at his friend for a second before launching onto the horse prepared for him. Glorfindel handed him a travel bag and a map.

"Enjoy yourself while you are gone, and try to be back as quickly as possible. They will no doubt miss your presence, but my charm should suffice."

Elrond nodded his thanks and took off.

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Celebrian twisted a single lock of hair around her finger. She missed Elrond. They had gone through so much to be together only to be parted. She supposed it was fate. They had always found a way to skirt around the obstacles and be together.

Now she was left to sit and wait until her family returned to her. Only, Arwen would not be coming. At least, Celebrian was fairly certain that Arwen would not be coming. She had felt it in her bones the week before she sailed west. Arwen would stay with men.

She had seen the man's face who would dare to steal Arwen's heart. It was a kind face, full of love. It held enough love for Arwen to give up her entire life for him.

She had gone with her premonition and gave the flower clip to Glorfindel.

Lost in her thoughts, she did not sense the room disturb behind her. The footfalls were light. Consequently, she screamed when a hand rested on her shoulder.

"I do not believe I have ever heard that reaction before, my love."

"Elrond?"

"In the flesh."

She did not reply sensibly. She only made a few incoherent sounds before launching herself against him devouring his lips.

A flash of light burned behind both of their eyes as their souls reconnected.

"I will not be parted from you again my love." Celebrian swore as she clung to her husband.

"Never." Elrond agreed. "We have always been one; we will always be one, and nothing will ever break us."

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The End