#and Celebrian doesn’t seem the type to rush into these things without considering all angles

[inthehouseoffinwe]

Hc that Celebrian knew from before they were born which of her children would choose mortality.

From what I remember, Elven mothers have insight to their child’s life pre birth. Thing Miriel telling Finwë not to blame her for the deeds Fëanor will go on to commit. Think even the names that are chosen, and how the mother names seem to hold a certain weight about them.

Celebrian knew from the moment she chose to marry Elrond exactly what she was risking. But I think having heard and potentially seen Elros, this was something she was willing to take. It wasn’t a case of hoping her children would be immortal and find their way back to her. It was ‘I know they’ll choose what’s right for them, and I’ll be happy either way.”

Also remember Celebrian was born as part of a family who had been dealt fates worse than death before, and others to whom immortality would become a curse because they were the only ones left. Galadriel was still in exile, and had lost all her brothers and cousins. As far as they were concerned, this was it for her until she became a shade on Arda.

All that to say, she saw mortality and death not as a curse or sundering - she knew you didn’t have to die for that to happen. But as the gift as Eru intended it.

So yes. When Arwen was born, she grieved. But she also smiled. There’d come a point where her daughter would leave her forever, but she had an Uncle on the other side waiting for her. And Celebrian knew whoever had Arwen’s heart would be a noble and kind man indeed.

And based on conversations I’ve had with people talking of their married children? There will always be a sense of grief. But every parent, especially someone like Celebrian who had such a wonderful life with Elrond, wants their child to experience what they have.

Wherever it takes them.

(Celebrian receives letters from Arwen and Aragorn when Legolas comes. She holds them close and weeps, but smiles and laughs as she reads them. And her heart eases. Just as she thought, Arwen was happier in her short time on Arda than she ever would’ve been as an immortal in the Undying Lands.)