For Rhapsody and Peredhellover for their birthdays. Beta by RiverOtter.
Glorfindel greeted the sons of Elrond and Celebrían at the front door to the Last Homely House as the late twilight faded. “Your parents cannot greet you right now--they are out on the porch where the two of you were born.”
“And why cannot they come to greet us?” demanded Elrohir.
His brother added, “We came ahead that we might have a short time alone with them before Daeradar and Daernaneth arrive.”
The guardian Elf smiled. “It would appear that someone else is arriving also, and they are busy welcoming the newcomer. I fear your arrival would only serve as a distraction at the moment.”
The two youthful Elves shared a look, then pushed by the warrior, intent on solving the mystery involved. They had spent two years in Lothlórien with their mother’s parents; it seemed impossible to imagine at their own father and mother should prefer to welcome a different guest before greeting their return.
“They have placed a bed here on the porch?” Elladan asked his brother as they came to the doorway.
“Oh!” Elrohir breathed, realizing the nature of the situation.
Their father sat with one hip supported by the bed, and their mother lay back, bolstered by pillows while ellith came and went with what appeared to be piles of linens and toweling and basins of water.
The Lady Celebrían, her face alight with joy, looked up to meet her sons’ eyes. “Ah--good--you have arrived in good time. Come, and greet your sister.”
The light of the Evening Star shone brightly on the small form that lay cradled in their mother’s arms.
“She shines as brightly as does the Gil-estel itself!” Elladan murmured as he sat himself by his father and reached out a tentative finger to stroke the infant’s cheek.
“Our own star-child,” agreed their mother.
Elrohir stood, awed, over the forms of father and brother, “A sister? She is already a queen of beauty, and not yet more than a few hours old!”
“Arwen Undómiel,” pronounced their father, reaching to take his daughter into his own arms. “Our own Evenstar.”
And so Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel found them when they finally arrived and were led through the house to join the family that had grown once again under the light of the stars.