Celebrian paused outside the bedroom she and Elrond shared. It was unlike him to linger so. He would miss breakfast if he did not hasten. She sighed, and putting her hand to the door, pushed it open on silent hinges. Looking in, she saw Elrond standing in front of the mirror looking closely at his reflection. From time to time, he would look down sternly at the lock of his hair he held in his hand. After a moment, Celebrian called his name to announce her presence to him. Elrond whipped around, dropping his hair so that it fell across his shoulder in a small black river. Upon seeing who it was his face went from a surprised and rather irritated expression, to rather sheepish. Celebrian looked at him askance.
“What are you doing, Elrond?” she asked.
“Nothing of importance, Celebrian.” Elrond replied stiffly, turning back to the mirror and tying his hair up with twine. Celebrian moved up to him and put a hand on his shoulder.
“This is not your usual conduct, husband.” She informed him. “Tell me what troubles you.” Elrond sighed and glanced at the mirror again.
“My hair is thinning.” came the strangled reply. Celebrian clapped a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing, but even so a gasp of merriment burst through her fingers. Elrond shot her a stern glance.
“I do not see anything entertaining in this, Celebrian.” He admonished.
“Of course not, Elrond.” She replied, still smiling widely. She stood on tiptoe and reached behind his head, loosing his hair from its bonds. She then stood back and looked at him critically. Elrond straightened self consciously. On the whole, Celebrian found the effect rather striking.
“I do not notice anything, Elrond.” She said still smiling. “At this rate you should go bald by the end of, say, the next ten thousand years.” Elrond’s shoulders relaxed a bit at that, though he still remained erect. Celebrian stepped up close to him again, and started toying with a stray piece of his hair. Elrond looked aggrievedly at the strand she held. She laughed and kissed him on the cheek. Turning, she said over her shoulder before passing through the doorway that his breakfast would be cold by now, and if he didn’t hurry he’d miss it entirely. Alone once again, Elrond sighed, tucking the stray hair behind his ear. Heading through the door he paused once more on the threshold, looking back at the mirror sternly.
“Ten thousand years,” he whispered. Then he grinned, and walking out of the room, shut the door firmly behind him.