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Even if they do nothing but hurt?

I do not flee from them, but rather, I embrace them. There is pain there, but also so much joy!

Especially then. You can learn from them.

Grandmother?

My dear one.

*And she's going to hug you, because you are her only grandson and she absolutely adores you.*

Does something trouble you?

(He can never turn away from one of her embraces. He tucks his head against her shoulder, relaxing.)

Memories. I do not know when I shall heal from them. But I know they do me some good.

If they do you some good, then perhaps that is a way of healing.

*She soothingly stroked his hair. It didn't matter how old her sons and grandson were, or how long it had been, or what things befell them, they were always boys to her. Boys who needed comfort.*

Do you learn from those memories, my grandson?

But what if you did learn from them and… The lesson was to run and never look back?

It's not always wise to stand your ground, in my experience. Noble? Yes. Wise? Not particularly. Especially if you'd like to stay unharmed.

Do you think me a dream, old friend? I assure you, I am flesh and blood- and I will not flee.

You must be. (He cannot believe she is here. His hands shake as he fights his desire to touch her.) I fear to touch you lest you disappear.

[She reaches out and takes his hand in her own- her own very soft, very warm, very solid hands.] You see? I am no mere phantom.

(Eru help him, his heart does a somersault and he bows his head over their linked hands.)

And I still am not worthy of you.

[She shakes her head.] And is it not still my choice who to count among my friends? If I find you worthy, that is enough.

[She's not oblivious to the effect she's had on him. Of course she isn't- Galadriel is rarely oblivious to anything. But it might be kindest, she thinks, to pretend that she is.]

(She inspires a helpless smile from him.) Then I will happily spend the rest of my days at your side if your husband does not object.

(He would never interfere in a marriage - such would be a beastly act - yet he is happiest when he is near her. She brings him peace and stability; two things his Fëanorian family severely lacks.)

He would not object to any companion of my choice; he knows well that he has no cause for jealousy. [Which is mostly true. Celeborn may grump a little here and there, but ultimately, he knows better than to seriously think she'd stray.]

And he would not begrudge me any happiness. I have missed you, you know. ['Mourned you,' more like, but she can't quite bring herself to say that.]

He is stronger than I or perhaps it is because he does not possess my family's infamous temper. (He brings her hands to his cheeks, closing his eyes.)

Thank you. (There is light in her missing him. She is a ray that pierces through his shadow. If she thinks of him occasionally, he is the better for it.) Though I am sorry I have caused you grief.

[She gives a little laugh.] He has temper enough, but of the two of us, I fear that I am by far the worst in that regard.

Grief is always a risk when we open our hearts, is it not? I have no regrets, save that I would have spared you such pain, had it been in my power.

I would not cross you. (Yet there is no wariness in his voice - only a deep affection.)

It was not your duty to spare me pain or to save me. I am glad you lived; the light you have brought into the world cannot be taken for granted. I refuse to take it for granted.

Not my duty, perhaps, but my wish all the same; I care for you too much to have felt otherwise. [But she knew, even at the time, that it was impossible.]

And I do not wish you to think I take for granted the gifts you have given me. Thank you for your trust. [And for Nenya.]

(He lifts her hand to examine Nenya, smiling softly.) I made it with you in mind. May it protect you and the land you tread.

(Celebrimbor has never desired his own creations. It brings him joy to see his Rings in good hands - or on good hands.)

[That is new information, or at least newly confirmed, and for a moment, she is slightly taken aback.]

I did not realize you had thought of me from the first. [It is an immense compliment, beautiful and powerful as Nenya is. And, in a way, it explains much. She is particularly well suited to it- and the only one of the original three to still have their Ring. Perhaps that is more than coincidence.

She turns her hand a little, letting Nenya sparkle in the light.] I am honored.

(He had never had the chance to tell her and even if he had been given the opportunity, he might have been too shy to say.)

The Lady of Light deserves a fitting Ring. (A necklace had been his first thought - or a circlet - but with the other Rings being forged by lesser craftsmen, his choice had almost been decided for him. His Rings would surpass the others and one would go to her.)

I thought, near the end, that it was good you had Nenya. She will keep you company when I could not.

(He kneels before her and rests his head on her lap, closing his eyes under the her touch.)

I have learned that which I should have known from the beginning.

Then you should heed the lesson and begin your life anew. (He tilts his head, his various silver hair ornaments clinking together softly.) If your goal is self-preservation, perhaps. However there are more important aspects to life.

*She continued to stroke his hair, as though he were still a small child who had skinned his knee and come crying to her for comfort.*

And what lessons are those, dearest one?

(He has skinned far more than his knee thanks to Sauron, but he craves time with her. She is his grandmother and he loves her.)

I should never take family or friends for granted. I should heed their advice and act.

*She would offer whatever support she could, and would give him her love, no matter what. Her love for her sons and grandson was unconditional.*

Wise words. Though not always easy to abide by, methinks.

(Especially considering the line from which he came. His grandfather and father were not known for their willingness to heed sound advice.*

(Celebrimbor leans his head back to peer up at her with silver eyes.)

Therein lies the problem, Grandmother. I should have listened to the Lady Galadriel. I believed her - I felt how wrong Annatar was - but he manipulated me and so many others anyway.

Hindsight is always so much clearer than our thoughts at the moment. I do not think it was your fault he clouded your vision.

*She was aware of what had befallen her grandson, and her heart aches for him. She wanted nothing more than to comfort him as though he were a list child, for in some ways, that is what he was.*

He was Sauron. I should have attacked him outright. (He brings her hand to his cheek, settling his anger over the memories.) Can you forgive me?

[She gives a little bow of her head in acknowledgement. There's no other way to properly respond to a statement like that, so complimentary and yet oddly humbling at the same time.]

She has done more than keep me company; she has kept me safe.

Then I do not regret forging her. (He smiles at her posture and bends at the waist to kiss the back of her hand.) I was, at least, able to keep her location safe from the Enemy.

[She swallows hard, pushing down whatever emotion threatens to well up.] I likely owe my life to your silence. I know it cost you dear.

I forgive you.

*She gently smiled at him, embracing her grandson again as though he were a small child once more.*

Though I do not think it is my forgiveness you require. You have not wronged me, my grandson. You never did.

(It feels good to be forgiven; to be held. She is a warm, inviting flame and he wishes he could stay near her and feel calm. Life used to be easier when she held his hand; he misses being a child.)

I wronged our family. I meant to do better; I meant to live and have children of my own that -

(His voice catches.)

...lived.