The usual disclaimer of I don't own Middle-Earth just my characters.
No revisions. This just remains a stand alone chapter by itself.
A/N: Forgive me padre, these characters are running the show and I cannot reign them in. Please feel free to review and tell me what you think of my pathetic and first attempt at a fanfiction. Okay, technically not my first, my first was when I was 10, but that was on paper and I burned those papers when I was 17. Shhh. We will pretend this is my first.
** anything in italics is in English
Chapter 7 \\ Marriage
Spring of the Year 152 of the First Age
Upon hearing the betrothal of Glorfindel and Gaelanor, the whole of Gondolin went into an uproar in excitement. As Isilanna and Beriaron had once commented, the entire city already had considered Gaelanor, a golden flower among Thlim Losglóriol (1). Gaelanor was not the most beloved of the city, that went to others, but Glorfindel was well loved and well known.
The biggest part of the uproar is after the year of the betrothal, Glorfindel and Gaelanor chose to be married in the springtime when the flowers were blooming, more so, because the flowers of the Elanor (2) would be blooming. The Elanor originally had grown in Valinor, but seeds had been brought over and now grew all around Gondolin. It was also, partially, the name behind Glorfindel's house. No, that was not the cause truly, the true cause of the uproar was King Turgon demanding that the palace be turned out and decorated for the feast, along with the mutterings of how he did not trust his cousin to do it justice. He then badgered Glorfindel into letting him being in the stand in as the father of the Groom. Glorfindel all to readily agreed to get Turgon out of his hair. Laineth decided to be the stand in for the mother of the bride.
\\ Interlude
There was a knock on the door and Gaelanor looked up as Isilanna got up from the chair behind her. Isilanna opened the door.
"Good evening milord," Isilanna said, giving an elvish bow.
"Good evening to you Isilanna. Gaelanor is inside, I assume?"
"Yes she is."
"May I have a moment of her time, if she is presentable?"
"You may, milord," Isilanna said and stepped out of the room. King Turgon then stepped into the room and closed the door, he smiled at her. Gaelanor stood up to great the elven lord with a bow.
"You look radiant Gaelanor. I hope my daughter will look as beautiful when she weds one day," Turgon commented.
"I am sure she will look beautiful," Gaelanor agreed.
"Ah, you young people. You do my old heart good," Turgon teased.
"I endeavor to make all you ancients feel young at heart again," Gaelanor baited back.
"Tonight you certainly make me feel young again. Here, I have something for you. As you know, it is tradition for the father of the groom to present a jeweled necklace towards the bride, as you are already aware Glorfindel's parents reside still in Valinor. So I will do this wonderful duty. I cannot wait to see your expression," Turgon said, with a flourish he presented a small soft silky bag. Gaelanor took the bag from his hand and opened it and gasp. It was a beautiful metalwork, intertwined with a blue-hued and a white metal, wrapped around a beautiful blue gem that reminded her of Glorfindel's eyes, it seemed bright and aglow.
"Thank you," she stammered out. No words in elvish or human language could describe the delicate and beautiful work, one of the finest pieces of jewelry Gaelanor had ever seen.
"I am so glad I got to present this too. It was well worth it for your expression," Turgon laughed then turned serious. "May I put it on you?"
"Yes," Gaelanor agreed. Turgon took the necklace from her hands and gently clipped it around her neck. He smiled then and kissed her cheek.
"I hope this day is beautiful for you," Turgon said and then left. Isilanna entered the room and looked on curiously at the necklace, her eyes dancing.
"That is a beautiful necklace. Ah that gem reminds me of Glorfindel's," Isilanna commented.
"I thought the same thing!"
"Come sit, let me work on your hair," Isilanna said.
"Fine. Oh I am so nervous!"
"Do not be Gaelanor. Tonight is your night."
"Oh it is not that," Gaelanor sighed then.
"He will be gentle towards you. Isn't he already?" Isilanna stated guessing what was bothering Gaelanor. Gaelanor blushed at the comment but only briefly nodded as Isilanna brushed her hair into shining gold.
"You look beautiful," Isilanna said, trying to soothe Gaelanor's nerves as she brushed Gaelanor's hair. Gaelanor only grumbled about this and how she would end up naked anyways. Isilanna laughed at Gaelanor's honesty. She quickly finished styling Gaelanor's hair, twining the Elanor flowers that glows in her hair.
"True, Ellírë, you will end up naked before Glorfindel, but you will look beautiful, a radiant star. All of Gondolin will envy the star that Thlim Losglóriol gains tonight," Isilanna chuckled, putting the brush aside. Laineth walked into the room them and smiled seeing Gaelanor in the wedding dress.
"I am so glad I spent years on that dress, waiting for this moment. I feel so proud as if you were my own daughter," Laineth stated smugly, her dark eyes shining.
"You spent years on this dress?" Gaelanor looked at Laineth like she was crazy.
"Now, now, do not look at me like that. You have been the dearest of friends to me since I first met you all those years ago. When I saw Glorfindel give your your epessë, I just knew you two were going to get married. I just knew I had to find the right dress to make you look radiant, as radiant as a star. I am glad my efforts paid off, for getting the material special made and all," Laineth said, nodding matter of fact.
"Let us get going to the feast. Do not run away now," Laineth chided seeing Gaelanor's face. She looked like a deer caught in a headlight. The three ellyth left the room and Gaelanor was greeted by Nólanan and Cian. They both each pulled Gaelanor into a tight embrace. Gaelanor noted that her brothers' clothing was very similar to hers. All three outfits were made of a dark blue material, that seemed to shimmer with a thousand lights, embroidered with silver stars. She looked up at Laineth and Laineth just smiled.
"Tonight you three represent Thlim Mánilmo (3). I thought it would be best to give you three some unification in the sea of color," Laineth answered Gaelanor's look.
"Come now, let us to go the feast," Isilanna urged. The group left but did not rush. Isilanna talked most of all to Gaelanor's brothers, explaining the very brief ceremony involved. Laineth would make a comment here and there, but soon talked more once Beriaron joined the group as they made their way to the Great Hall of the palace. The group entered and were intercepted by King Turgon, asking Glorfindel and Gaelanor to wait for a bit while the last of the guests arrived.
It was then that Gaelanor glanced around to see the lavish decorations. She was in awe. King Turgon had outdone himself, the place was decorated in Elanor and they were all aglow in the evening. Her mouth was agape as it seemed like the place was lit up with many stars. Gaelanor noted Glorfindel's banner and to her surprise and delight she saw a banner that represented Thlim Mánilmo. It was a star, set against a light blue background, with a smaller one next to it.
"I am glad you like it," King Turgon said seeing her expression.
"Like it? No, I love it. It is so beautiful," Gaelanor said in awe.
"My father has truly outdone himself, I hope when I marry one day, my feast will be as beautiful this one," Idril said smiling.
"I am sure it will be, milday. I think your father well seek to outdo this in every way and I will be glad to see it," Gaelanor said, smiling. Gaelanor looked around, treasuring it all. She knew it was best not to grasp in attachment, but this she wanted to grasp onto.
"Wish that I could have this moment for life, for life, for life, Cause in this moment I just feel so, alive, alive, alive. This is my moment, I waited all my life, I can tell it's time. Drifting away, I'm One with the sunsets, I have become alive. Wish that I could have this moment, For life, for life, for live. Cause in this moment I just feel so, alive, alive, alive," (4) she sang under her breath, grasping at the lyrics of a song she heard forever ago. Gaelanor sighed then, relaxing and twined her fingers with Glorfindel's. He smiled at her then.
"Happy?" Glorfindel asked in English. Gaelanor thought it was crap that Glorfindel learned English so well but she had struggle with Quenya and then Sindarin.
"I am, incredibly so," Gaelanor spoke smiling, looking around one last time and turning her smile upon Glorfindel. Finally the last of the guests arrived, with everyone seated, except for Turgon, Laineth, Glorfindel, and Gaelanor. They then walked together with Turgon and Laineth walking behind them, her heart pounding in her throat, trying to force calm into her views. She already knew what was going to happen, being to Beriaron's and Laineth's wedding. Gaelanor, normally not caring about eyes on her, wanted to shrink and disappear but she stayed steadfast by Glorfindel's side as all eyes looked upon the couple. Laineth took Gaelanor's hand and Turgon took Glorfindel's and joined their hands together as looked on.
"May Varda, Star-Kindler hear Gaelanor and Glorfindel's call and may Eru Ilúvatar the Father of All bless them, as they join their lives together," Laineth said and she let go of the couple's hands.
Turgon spoke then, "May Manwë, Lord of Wind, watch over over Gaelanor and Glorfindel and may Eru bless them, as their lives merge." (5)
Glorfindel and Gaelanor took off the silver rings that they had worn for a year and half and gave them back to each other. Then they presented each other with the gold rings, slipping them on in place of the silver rings. Glorfindel grinned cheekily then, picked up Gaelanor and gave her a long, lingering kiss, before laughing and setting her down on the ground.
The feast began after that and they tucked into the food weight delight. Gaelanor thought the food was even better than the surroundings and certainly better than their normal fare. She enjoyed the meal, occasionally laughing and trading jokes with her friends and often talking to Aredhel, rekindling a budding friendship they had started (6) before her coming of age. They had not seen each other much then, Aredhel preferring to ride out a lot and Gaelanor had her studies between healing, fighting, culture, lore, archery, learning to ride, and her occasional music lessons. The feast winded to a close as everyone was stuffed, music began to play. Glorfindel and Gaelanor slipped away from the rest of the festivities, into the guest room that Turgon had prepared for them.
Notes \\
1 Thlim Losglóriol, the elvish version of House of the Golden Flower. Both are a pain to write.
2 I'm taking a route here, I'm not sure is canon? I'm just rolling with it.
3 Thlim Mánilmo, means House of the Blessed Star.
4 One of the few songs that I adore by Nicki Minaj.
5 I found these vows through the Merin Essi ar Quenteli site. I like them as they are similar sounding to what the Law & Custom of the elves makes it seem like.
6 This is a story that has yet to be added, but Aredhel and Gaelanor meet one day, when Turgon asks for Gaelanor to visit. Turgon is making sure that Gaelanor is growing well under Glorfindel's tutelage and making adjustments into elvish society. They meet a second time when they have a coming age ceremony.
Also, I am not sorry for writing a sex scene. I am sure everyone can imagine their own things.
