Title: Of Boring Books and Shining Stars

Author: Calenlass Greenleaf

Disclaimer: Not mine, and never will be. I don’t make any money out of writing this. This was written for my pleasure and for the pleasure of my readers.

Spoilers: None, really. LOTR in general.

Warnings: None. Not beta-ed.

Genre: Family

Rating: PG

Summary: A quiet moment between a father and daughter. Written for OAA prompt 137—Book. Also written for Lady Roisin’s birthday. This is Option 1. 500 words.

A/N: Posting at a number of places. OAA, my LJ, FF-Net, SoA, and LOTRfanfiction.com for now.

“Ada?”

He looked up. A small, tousle-headed figure stood in the doorway, silhouetted by the lights in the hallway.

“Arwen?” he frowned. “It is late. You should be sleeping.”

“Can’t.” Large, pleading eyes looked up him. “There’s something in my closet.”

Elrond counted to five before speaking. “I’m sure it is nothing.”

“But there is! I opened it and something nearly fell on me! I told Dan but he just rolled over and said ‘Ro, go ’way,’ and Ro didn’t wake up, and Nana is—”

“Very well.” Of all the nights—why this one? He looked longingly at his book. “I will go with you.”

Arwen ran forward, grasping his hand and pulling him towards the door. He allowed himself to be lead through the hallway. She suddenly stopped in the doorway, making him stumble. “In there!” she whispered dramatically.

He sighed to himself, crossing over to the closet. The door was slightly ajar, and he flung it open, causing Arwen to squeak. Elrond saw a dress on the ground, and guessed it was the cause. “There is nothing inside.”

“Nuh-uh!” she insisted. “It just left because it knew you were coming, but when you leave it’s going to come back.” She burst into tears.

The elf hurried over, irritation forgotten the instant she began crying. “It won’t come back, Undómiel vuin.” He knelt and wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. “What if I stayed with you? Would you be able to sleep, then?”

Sniffling, she nodded.

“All right, then.” He picked her up and carried her over to the bed. “I am going to find a candle and I will be back very soon.” He brushed the side of her cheek gently. “I promise.”

She relented, curling up and giving him a forlorn and tearful look.

I wonder just where she learned that, he thought as he left the room, returning quickly with a candle and his book.

“I’m back,” he said, setting the candle down on the nightstand. He pulled a chair near Arwen’s bed and flipped to a page in his book. “Now go to sleep, Undómiel.”

“Ada?”

“Hmm?”

“What’s that about?”

“History.”

“Oh.” She sighed. “Looks boring.”

“It is not.” He turned a page. “I thought I told you to sleep.” He looked at her.

“Yes, Ada.”

The room was quiet for a few seconds.

“Ada?”

He gritted his teeth. “This is the last question, all right? Any more and you and I will have a long, long talk.”

“Sorry,” A pause. “Why do you call me Undómiel?”

Why indeed. “Because…” he thought for a moment. “You are the shining star in my life.” He chuckled, irritation gone. “And my dearest daughter.”

He was surprised when she flung her arms around his neck. “I’m your only daughter, Ada,” she snuggled against him, eyes closing. “G’night.”

“Iston. Now—” he realized she had fallen asleep. Smiling to himself, he cradled his sleeping child with one hand, the other holding his book.

Translations:

Ada – endearing form of “Adar,” meaning “father”

Undómiel vuin – “Beloved Evenstar”

Iston – I know