Months passed, and Fae found herself visiting Bard and Laketown as often as possible. Ainur often accompanied her, he'd become just as fond of the Bardlings as she had. Sigrid was tall for her age, and beautiful. She was inquisitive, and smart, and she often sat and had long conversations with Fae while they played with young Tilda's hair. She taught the curious youngest one to braid hair, and she liked to practice on her Da, to his embarrassment, and their amusement. He often walked her around town with a head full of different sized braids sticking out haphazardly in every direction. She looped her arm with his whereever they went. Bain was a sweet, soft spoken boy, and he was shy with his questions for her but open with Ainur, who played with him often.
She enjoyed her time in Laketown, except when the Master's rat, Alfrid, seemed to be leering at her from every corner, and she couldn't even count the times Ainur had hissed at him, chasing him off. But he never gave up. It sickened her. And she was sure he was the cause of the rumors that began to spread: Bard was finally courting again.
When she was home, she either spent time with Nel and their large cats, riding them and talking, or she spent her time with Thranduil in a companionable silence as he handled business, always dropping hints of Nel's affections towards him, mentioning how lovely she looked and things, but even still, he was completely oblivious. She wasn't sure rather he denied it or really just didn't know. So she teased him endlessly, and he was none the wiser.
It was on a day like this that she sat with Nel on the banks of the river. They'd brought an array of meats and fruits with them, conversating as they lounged with Ainur and Mistamor, who seemed to be enjoying their naps in the sun. Her only warning that something was about to go wrong was Ainur and Mistamor's alert lift of their head and ears, turning in a certain direction.
"Faeilân? What are you doing here?" she dropped the piece of fruit in her hand as she heard her dear Bard's voice. Oh. Shit.
Nel was up in an instant, blade to his throat and Mistamor at her side, growling, ears back flat against her head.
"State your business, mortal." Iythrinel's voice was quite cold. Quite scary, in fact.
"Nel no! He's my friend!"
Bard's hands were up in the air, and his confusion showed as he looked at Fae with a bewildered expression.
"Nel? Your friend that is so sweet, Nel? What happened to her being so kind?"
Nel raised a brow and lowered her blade just a bit, "You know this mortal, Fae? It would seem he also knows me?" She studied the male closer and deemed him of no threat whatsoever, if he tried, he was to be easily dealt with, and she sheathed her blade. "I'm sure introductions are in order then."
Fae smiled triumphantly, "See, she is very kind. Iythrinel, this is Bard of Laketown. Bard, my dear friend Iythrinel, and her companion Mistamor."
Bard gave a nervous half laugh and a respectful bow towards the pair, but gave them a wide berth as he came around to place a kiss on Fae's forehead. "A pleasure." he said, straightening his back. "I am only passing through. Chasing a loose barrel." He gestured behind him with a jab of his thumb. Honestly, he'd been looking for Fae, and the doubt that showed on both of the female's faces let him know that they were onto him. Even the felines looked at him like he was less than stupid. Well then. He cleared his throat uncomfortably.
"I must say, I was under the impression that dwarves and elves hated each other. Yet here you sit with one."
They both frowned, a look passing between the women, "Dwarf?" Now he was confused, and he gestured to Nel. Her face instantly turned red with anger, and Fae feared she would explode.
"I AM NO DWARF!" her foot let loose, and connected with his shin. Bard hissed and went down, clutching his leg.
"What!? I'm sorry, I thought-"
Fae sighed, covering her face with her hand, "I assure you, Bard, that she is an elf, and the King's personal guard." She looked at him with a raised brow, and he gaped, looking back at the small elf.
"But she's so small…" He cut off as Nel came at him again, holding his free hand out and leaping backwards away from her. "I'm sorry! Forgive me, it was rude for me to assume. All other elves I've come across were…." he trailed off, clearing his throat, his other hand still rubbing his soon to be bruised shin bone.
"Yes, this has been very entertaining and all, but didn't you have a loose barrel to chase?" Fae offered, trying to bail him out of the situation. He grabbed hold of his chance and ran with it, placing a chaste kiss on Fae's forehead, giving another nod in Iythrinel's direction and limped away.
That was most entertaining. Ainur snuggled next to Fae, laughing. she even heard the distant giggle of Mistamor. She rubbed a hand over her face again and gave an apologetic smile to Nel.
"Men. I know not what to tell you. But I apologize for him. He's usually well mannered."
"Imbecilic, you mean." she huffed. Her eyes were glaring in the direction he left.
Fae chuckled and nodded, "We can go with that."
Nel was troubled. She made her way to Thrans room, knocked and entered without giving him time to respond. He stood there, hair a knotted mess from just having washed it. "Sit." She ordered him and with a raised brow he did. She grabbed his brush and began to slowly brush his hair, "I was out with Fae by the river today." She started.
Thranduil hummed in answer for her to continue. "A mortal man came across us, they know each other as friends but..." She paused staring at his damp locks, "I believe he harbors feelings for her." There was silence, and she began brushing his hair again.
"I see. Let her have her friend in that mortal, I doubt anymore will come of it." Nel rolled her eyes and stepped back, admiring her work.
"If you say so." She grinned at the small braid she'd snuck into his hair.
"Yes, now undo that silly braid you put in my hair, Nel."
She pouted but did so, "You allow me no humor."
Quickly approaching was the year's end, and her marriage. She hadn't heard from her family, nor had she heard from Mithrandir. Ainur insisted that that was a good thing, but she was not so sure. She still visited Bard, and he too was anxious for the end of the year, and she knew in her heart that, though her friendship with Nel stayed, Nel was also anxious.
What scared her most, was not the marriage itself, but her giving herself entirely to another person. Especially one she didn't love.
In the days that followed, she went about preparing for her doom. As she was trying dresses, Thranduil passed by her door with curious eyes, their eyes met, a silent communication passed between them before he wandered off. He was going to have as much a hard time with this as she was. But mostly, again, she was worried about Nel. Fae told herself that she was going to put off the consummation for as long as possible. But unless a miracle happened and their marriage was stopped just in time, it was inevitable.
Bard, she knew, didn't like it at all. No one was happy about any of this. But it was something the Valar had left no arguments on. She reflected on what had brought her here, and already a year had flashed by. Though a year was nothing to the elves and the Valar, Bard had grown a year older, which she'd learned was something to celebrate, not just the coming of age, but every year that was added to the mortal life. It was sweet, celebrate your life while it was there. It troubled her that in the blink of an eye, this entire little family could be lost while herself and the rest of the immortals took their every breath for granted. She'd spent that entire day with Bard and his children, celebrating his very existence.
But now, as she watched everyone bustle around busily, barrels being rolled into, the palace, she wished she could take a moment and visit Bard, sure he was down there, on the river. But she was, once again, at Thranduil's side, their hand holding much easier now, though still not natural, greeting their guests.
Both Thranduil and Faeilân deflated when Elrond waltzed through the gates, his twin sons and daughter Arwen in tow. Fae was shocked to see that his children were all beautiful. They must get it from their mother.
"Beautiful as ever, my Lady Faeilân. A pleasure to see you again." he spoke loudly, his children rolling their eyes as he stepped forward and placed a kiss on Fae's cheek.
"I am honored you could make it, Lord Elrond. And to bring such beautiful companions. Introductions, I insist." She forced the eye to his children, and she smiled brightly at them. Arwen was most definitely the most beautiful, her hair long and dark as a raven's wing. She stepped forward first, and Arwen gave Fae a shy smile as she curtsied.
"I am Arwen, my lady. It is an honor to meet you." her voice was soft and melodic, her eyes sparkling.
"The honor is mine, young one. I look forward to speaking with your further." Faeilân was being honest, the girl was charming, and adorable. She smiled brightly and stepped back.
Next came forward his twins, Elladan and Elrohir, and they both bowed to Fae at the same time.
"My lady, I am Elladan."
"And I am Elrohir. 'Tis an honor." They seemed charming enough, and Fae allowed them both to take her hands and kiss her knuckles, smiling at them sweetly. Thranduil lifted a brow and soon took her hand back.
Fae expected them to move on afterwards, but Elrond placed himself in front of her again. Thranduil gave her another one of his conspiratorial sideways glances, rolling his eyes, dramatically, but stepped aside as Elrond took Fae's hand, as if he would walk away with her at any moment.
"Are you certain this is what you want?" he asked, his eyes boring down into hers. She frowned, not sure how to answer.
"I am not sure what it is you mean, my Lord?" she was hesitant, and Thranduil looked away from the guests he was greeting to peer over at them with ice cold eyes.
"Thranduil, though unmatched in his kingly abilities, is not known for his kindness...I only wonder if you are sure this is the future you've chosen. Your set path. Surely there are others who would be more kind?"
She didn't know who was more offended, her, or Thranduil. Judging by his face, probably Thranduil. She stood there, her mouth opening and closing as she searched for a coherent reply, looking much like a fish. Thranduil saved her, however, by stepping forward with a cold smile in Elrond's direction, forcefully putting himself between them.
"I am sure this is our fate, no matter how sorrowful it may be for others, friend." he spoke loudly, and Fae dipped her head nervously.
He had no idea how close he was to the truth. Nor had he any idea how truly sorrowful it was for all involved. She lifted her chin, smiling up at Thranduil, and his surprise showed in his eyes, but he quickly recovered and lay a chaste kiss on her forehead, so fast she wasn't even sure it had happened. A dejected Elrond moved away after giving them a nod.
Galadriel was the next to show up, and as always, she was curious, prodding, and all smiles on the surface. The woman was a mystery herself, Fae had no idea why she was so interested in her. Perhaps the competition of the most mysterious had started, and Fae simply had no idea. Celeborn, she liked though, and he was always sweet to her. Haldir greeted them, and then quickly went off, she was sure to find Iythrinel. A smile teased itself onto her face as she thought of Nel's embarrassment when she'd realized that Haldir had taken an interest in her.
Last to arrive was her parents, and she clung to them almost desperately. Thranduil kindly gave them privacy. Gandalf was with them, and she even gave him a hug, closing her eyes as he placed a kiss on her forehead, the action meaning so much more from even even though countless others had done so before.
And before she knew it, they were standing in the dining hall again, all eyes on her and Thranduil as they faced the crowd and prepared to exchange rings for the second time. Permanent ones.
It was time.