A/N: Hello everyone! I want to apologize for the long wait between chapters, first I was delayed with my birthday and 4th of July celebrations, and then I had forgotten my flash drive at my grandmothers house and I almost died when I realized it haha.
I also want to thank everyone who has read, reviewed, and added this story to their alert lists! You are much appreciated!
Disclaimer: I own nothing from the Tolkien Estate, however I do own all OC's and deviations from the canon universe.
As the sun's rays peaked over the mountains, the city of Gondolin was bathed in sunlight, rousing sleeping citizens from their nightly slumber. Nariel was no exception, her body so accustomed to rising the same time as the sun. She dressed as the sun's rays began illuminate the floorboards of her small bed room.
As usual, her mother was already in the small kitchen, preparing the morning meal.
"Good morning Naneth," Nariel greeted her mother as she helped to slice bread.
"Good morning pen-neth," Tuarwen smiled as they both sat down at their small table.
"You came in early last night," her mother commented between bites of food.
"I'm sorry, I did not mean to wake you mother," Nariel said, trying to maneuver the conversation in a different direction.
"It's no matter; although what really surprised me was that you were not alone."
"Oh," Nariel began, slightly caught off guard, "that was Lord Glorfindel, he escorted me home from the city gates."
Tuarwen's eye brows shot up in surprise. "The Lord of the Golden Flower escorted you home last night? My, that certainly is a surprise. Did you manage to handle yourself with some shred of dignity I hope?" she asked smiling knowingly, having knowledge of her daughter's admiration of the golden lord.
Nariel couldn't help the color that rose to her cheeks at that comment. "Yes Naneth, I certainly did, you would have been proud of me."
"I'm sure I would have my daughter. Now, what time do you plan on going back down to the mines today?" she asked as they finished eating and began to clear away the dished and food.
"Around noon, do you need me to run any errands Naneth?"
"Actually yes, I need you to run to the market and pick up some more bread, as well as cheese and fruit."
"Certainly Naneth, I just need to visit the miner's guild first." She told her mother.
"Very well, there is no need to rush," she called to her daughter, who had run back up the stairs to grab her coin purse.
"I shouldn't be gone too long Naneth. Good bye." Nariel called as she reached the front door.
"Good bye pen-neth!" Tuarwen called as her daughter walked out the door.
The streets of Gondolin were becoming livelier by the minute as Nariel traversed her way through the streets and towards the miner's guild, the headquarters of the miners. As always, someone was always there as she arrived at the guild.
The guild was where the miners kept track of the findings in the caverns, as well as maps of the caverns and the rail system. Just like the caverns they worked in, the guild wasn't very well lit, and not very clean, making the city's miners feel very at home.
Hunched over one of the tables covered in scrolls and parchments sat a young ellon and one of Nariel's closest friends, Tegalad.
"Suilaid mellon nin." Nariel said smiling in greeting, causing Tegalad to look up at her.
"Mae govannen mellon," he returned, smiling as well. "Did you get a chance to explore that new mine shaft last night?" he inquired, gesturing to the parchment laid before him, which Nariel noticed was an incomplete map of the new mine shaft.
"I did in fact, but you know me, I got a bit lost in the caves." She said smiling sheepishly.
"Well, that doesn't help with the map much now does it?" he said, sitting back in his chair and chuckling.
"Oh hush you, I did pay attention a little bit," Nariel laughed, and helped him to add more onto the map.
After they were done, Tegalad left the map to dry on a windowsill, as Nariel pulled from a shelf a very large ledger, and proceeded to mark down her findings from the previous night.
"Only one sack of coal?" he asked, raising a brow, it was unlike Nariel to come back with so little.
"Yes, I was lucky to be able to find my way back to the rail system as it was." She said laughing as she replaced the ledger back into its spot on the shelf.
"Well my friend, I'm afraid that I must take my leave now, I need to go to the market for my Naneth, and then I'm heading to the mines around noon. I trust that I'll see you there?"
"You can count on it mellon, and this time I'll make sure that we get some more work done on that map." Tegalad laughed.
"If you say so, mellon! Farewell!" Nariel shouted as she exited the guild and was greeted by sunlight.
By then, the whole of the city was awake and about, crowding the streets as Nariel made her way towards the lesser market.
The venders at the market were just finishing setting up their wares for display, which meant that Nariel would get the first pick of the produce for sale. She knew most of the venders quite well, as she and her mother both frequented the lesser market due to its rather close proximity to their home.
As she was buying the cheese that her mother had requested, Nariel was surprised to see across the way Lord Glorfindel himself. He did not notice her, as she could tell from his quick stride that he was intent on a certain destination. Nariel thanked the vender and made her way back through the crowds towards her home, having bought everything on her list.
Judging by the suns position in the sky, she judged the time to be around nine or ten in the morning, leaving her ample time to assist her mother more if she needed. Her mother was a seamstress, one of the most respected in the city, and she had taught her daughter the trade as soon as she could safely hold a needle, that was why Tuarwen was so chagrin when her daughter chose not to follow in her footsteps.
Nariel was not surprised when she walked in the door to hear the voice of an ellon, conversing with her mother, commissioning some piece of clothing she was sure. She was however surprised to see that the ellon in question was Glorfindel.
Managing to grab a hold of her dignity once again, she put on a small smile and greeted the lord with a curtsey.
"My Lord," she said respectfully. Once again, the golden haired ellon stole her breath away by capturing her hand and feathering a kiss to it, much like he had done the night before.
"Mistress Nariel, it is good to see you again." He said with a smile, inclining his head in greeting.
Smiling wider she managed to answer him "it is good to see you again as well my Lord."
"I just had to come and commission a new cloak from your mother, her work is the finest in all of Gondolin." Glorfindel said, turning his smile toward Tuarwen.
"You flatter me my Lord," her mother said, color rising to her cheeks.
"Ah, but the praise is very well earned Mistress Tuarwen, your work is some of the finest that I have ever seen."
"Thank you my Lord," her mother said, beaming with praise. "Now, let us show you some swatches so we can get you the right color."
After Glorfindel had picked out the fabrics that her desired and Tuarwen was waken his measurements, Nariel had to excuse herself to change into her work attire, for the sun was climbing in the sky and the time was approaching noon.
Once she returned down stairs, Nariel was surprised to see the Lord of the Golden Flower waiting by the front door.
"Mistress, please allow me to escort you to the city gates." He asked his charming smile on his face.
Nariel could barely keep the color rising to her cheeks at his offer. Escorting her through the city during the dead of the night was one thing, but through the city during the morning, with all the elves milling about was something different entirely!
"Oh, that is not necessary my Lord, I don't need to inconvenience you like that." She said, still finding it hard to believe that he was taking this much interest in her.
"Nonsense, you are no burden. I insist, besides I must have a word with Lord Ecthelion at the gate." Unbeknownst to Nariel, he was making that up, trying to get her to agree to his offer.
"Very well, if you insist my Lord," she said, smiling, taking the arm that he offered to her.
"Farewell Mistress Tuarwen, it's a pleasure doing business with you as always."
"Farwell my Lord Glorfindel" her mother said curtseying respectfully. "And farewell pen-neth, do not stay in the mines too long." The slightly chiding tone returning to her voice as she addressed her young daughter.
This time Nariel couldn't help the color that rose to her cheeks when her mother addressed her as 'little one' in front of Lord Glorfindel.
"Yes Naneth, I won't stay too long, I should be back before mid night." Nariel said to her mother before the pair left the house and entered the crowded streets.
The journey through the city was made mostly in a comfortable silence, save when Glorfindel addressed elves who greeted him along the way.
"Tell me," he started breaking the silence as they leisurely walked toward the gate, "your family are members of the House of the Fountain are you not?" he asked, looking down to her.
"Indeed we are my Lord, Lord Ecthelion is a very good lord too, and he often inquires to my mother and me about our well being." Nariel responded, speaking highly of her Lord.
"Indeed he is, he and I are close," he said, as they reached the gate of the city.
"Well, this is where we must take our leave, Mistress Nariel. It has been a pleasure" he said, once again gracing her hand with a kiss.
"You are most kind my lord," she smiled, curtseying to him, her hand still in his. "Until next time my Lord."
He let go of her hand finally, as he inclined his head in farewell. The guards on duty in the morning knew Nariel well, and they greeted each other in kind, as they let her pass through the gates without asking for her credentials. Though she did not look back, she could feel Glorfindel's eyes upon her for several moments until she began to descend down towards the plains.
During the daytime the mine's were usually more crowded, and that day was no exception. Several miners were in the cavern on the surface, going to and fro, some taking mine carts down to the caves, and some returning, others cataloging tools and materials. Nariel greeted several other miners as she went and collected her pick, and other mining supplies that she would need before she took a cart down into the depths of the caverns.
The journey went quickly, and she soon arrived at the mine shaft, and noted a couple other carts at the end of the tracks, as well as several lit torches, indicating that others were mining. She decided to follow the lit path, taking greater care this time to pay closer attention to the lay of the cave. After several hundred paces, she heard the familiar sound of an elf picking away at rock.
As she rounded the next bend, she spotted an ellon, and she could tell right away that the ellon in question was in fact Tegalad.
"How goes the mining, mellon nin?" she shouted to him, catching his attention over the noise.
Tegalad stopped his work, and wiped the sweat from his brow as she approached.
"Very well indeed my friend, look what I stumbled upon not long ago!" he said excitedly as he dug into his pocket, and pulled out something that glistened in the torch light. Nariel held her torch closer in order to get a better look at his finding, and saw that it was a rather large sapphire.
"Well done Tegalad! That is an impressive find indeed!" she exclaimed. "This is a bountiful mine shaft indeed!"
Tegalad laughed as he placed the jewel back into his pocket. "It sure is proving so mellon. Thirty paces ahead is another branch, you can start on that one."
"Sounds like a plan to me," Nariel said as she re shouldered her pick axe.
"Oh and Nariel," he called to her as she began to walk away, "Try and keep your bearings this time around." He teased her, mirth dancing in his eyes.
"You bet I will!" she shouted back, a smile on her face.
Nariel made sure to leave torches all along the way as she scanned the walls and floor and ceiling of the cave, on the lookout for ores. Not long into her search she came across a seam of iron, which she was easily able to fill two sacks full. Gloatingly, she heaved them both over her shoulders, boasting of her find to Tegalad. The iron was a good find, as it could be made to make several different types of useful tools.
After a couple of hours, her stomach began to rumble, so she collected her most recent findings of coal and sought out to find Tegalad. The young ellon was further down his branch of the cave, picking away at coal.
"Tegalad, I think it's about time we head back up to the surface, you can show off your sapphire to the others, I'm famished."
"Very well mellon, I am in need sustenance as well." He agreed as he heaved the half full sack over his shoulder as made their way back towards the rail system.
Nariel's cart was nearly full, only leaving room for herself and her pick; it had been a bountiful start to the day indeed. She checked across the way to see if Tegalad was ready as well, which he signaled he was, before she sent her cart off on its way.
Once at the surface, they cataloged their findings in the ledger before they sat down to eat bread and dried meat. Nariel could only shake her head as Tegalad held his sapphire up to the light, turning it this way and that, letting all see how it caught the light.
Once they had returned down to the mine shaft, things went slower for Nariel than they had been earlier. She was about to turn back and head down another branch when something caught her eye. She gasped out loud when the torchlight revealed to her a very large diamond, the largest she had ever seen in her life. She couldn't hold back a squeal as she carefully extracted the precious jewel. This was a once in a lifetime find indeed!
She clutched the jewel tightly to her chest as she began to call out for Tegalad. She ran back to the junction where they had gone separate ways, and almost crashed into him, almost losing her balance she clutched the jewel tighter.
"Nariel, what is it?" he asked, out of breath, likely he had thought that something was wrong.
"Look, look what I've found, can you believe it!" she shouted with glee as she held it up to him.
"Sweet Eru!" he exclaimed as he grabbed her wrists to get a closer look. "Nariel, you have surely out done me this time!" he said smiling.
"Come, we must get back to the surface! And this time I even know the way!" she said with glee, taking his hand and leading them back to the carts. She didn't even wait for him as she jumped into her cart and sent it on its way.
Once they were at the surface, the others all looked in her direction as she jumped out of her cart, exclaiming about her find. All the miners gathered around and congratulated her on the lucky find as they all examined it in the torch light.
"Come Nariel, we should take our jewels to the jewelers and get them appraised." Tegalad said behind her once the crowd had begun to dissipate.
"Yes, let us! Oh my Naneth will be glad I became a miner tonight!" she squealed with delight as Tegalad chuckled beside her.
The guards on duty were the new recruits from the previous night, and Nariel had to hide her displeasure from being stopped and asked to show her credentials. Once through however, they resumed their journey, hoping to make it to the jewelers building before the shop was closed, as the sun had set a half hour before. Much to their relief, the jewelers were still open.
"Ah, greetings young Tegalad and Mistress Nariel, do you have any good finds more me this night?" the jeweler Eglerion asked them.
"A great find indeed Master Eglerion!" Nariel exclaimed as she held out the diamond to him.
"Velar behold!" he exclaimed as he examined the jewel. "You have a small fortune here Mistress Nariel!" he said, and once he told her the price he would offer her, she felt her knees go weak.
After the jeweler had paid her the large sum of money, as well as the amount Tegalad had gotten for his sapphire, the two departed for Nariel's house. They bid each other farewell when their paths homes split.
"Naneth! You won't believe the luck I had today!" Nariel yelled to her mother once she had closed the door.
"What did you find pen-neth?" Tuarwen asked, looking up from her needle work. She gasped and dropped it on the table once she saw the money Nariel had. "Sweet Eru, what did you find?"
"The biggest diamond that I have ever seen Naneth, this is seriously the luckiest bounty that we can come across!" Nariel said as they both headed upstairs to lock the money away in their strongbox.
"Well pen-neth, tomorrow we will certainly have to celebrate. Now it is time for us to retire, wash yourself then go to bed." Tuarwen said, kissing her daughters brow.
"Good night Naneth." Nariel said, still beaming as she bathed herself of the dirt and grime of the mines. That night Nariel certainly slept well, and once again she found that her dreams were full of happy memories, some of her father, others with Tegalad, and others were of dreams of Lord Glorfindel.
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