Summary: A new father reflects on the past and the future.

A/N: For B2MEM 2011, March 10 "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times". Related to my story "Dear Naneth..." but the conversation's not quite the same. (The title comes from the Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth, "Finrod's Conversation with Andreth", so here it means "Celeborn's Conversation with Celebrimbor". Athrabeth is apparently also used to mean "Debate", and there's a debate involved of a sort...)

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It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.
"You have a daughter." Joyful tears pricked Lord Celeborn's eyes. It was the best of times indeed, for his family had grown.

It was the worst of times, for only a handful of yeni had passed since, on this very day, his family had fallen, cut down by the sharp blades of Kinslayers' swords.

He who was once Prince of Doriath now co-ruled with the heir of one of those Kinslayers. Who would have thought it?

It was the best of days; it was the worst of days. Which ought he to remember?

"Celeborn." He looked up sharply. "Oh...Celebrimbor." Pain twisted Celeborn's fair features, and he was surprised...but only for a moment...to see the same pain written on his co-ruler and erstwhile friend's face. Then he remembered.

"You grieve for your loss, too," Celeborn murmured. Celebrimbor's father had died in Doriath. Kinslayer or no, he had been a father, too. He had a son. Curufin's son stood in front of him now, looking into his eyes.

"I am sorry, Celeborn." Celebrimbor sighed. "But I wished to congratulate you on the birth."
"Thank you." A smile ghosted across Celeborn's face. "Today is not just a day for loss."

"May the Valar bless your family, even as they have cursed mine."

"They have blessed you," Celeborn corrected, "with a friend."
"Thank you, Celeborn." Celebrimbor sat beside Celeborn as the Sinda returned to the letter he'd been writing, and for once, on this day, the two were able to smile properly.