Chapter 10: Kool Thing

Another important difference between Tirion and Alqualonde: In Tirion, we started celebrating Yule the day before it. In Alqualonde, people started celebrating the week before. This meant that Amlaith's house had even more people hanging out in it that usual, and there was a lot of alcohol going around. Ever live in a house full of drunk adults? It's pretty weird.

Us teenagers weren't exactly behaving ourselves either. When I wasn't busy being a delivery boy or learning to play the harp (yes, we'd moved past the fiddle now. I liked the harp okay, except I couldn't dance around while playing it which somewhat detracted from the fun), I was getting dragged around by Alcarine and Melania to various parties getting thrown by their friends. This meant the following things:

Dancing

Girls

Alcohol

Hangovers

The first three things were pretty enjoyable. The fourth? Not so much. I missed breakfast at least three times thanks to those.

"Good Gods, Maglor," said Amlaith when I stumbled downstairs at nine o' clock two days before Yule. "Are you turning into one of those insufferable party kids? Because I can't say I approve."

"Ah, lay off," I groaned, taking a swallow from my mug of coffee. "You were just as bad as me when you were my age."

"You kidding? I was worse. But I still can't say I approve, seeing as I'm in charge of your well-being and such. Now let's get to work."

"Will your friends mind?"

"I sent them all home. We need as few distractions as we can get. You're still too fidgety, and we've got to work on that."

"I know, I know," I said. "And I'm sorry. I just have too much nervous energy."

"Hey, don't worry about it. Energy is good. You just need to learn to control it a little."

I probably should have explained to him that control is not my strong suit.

After an exhausting morning, Amlaith finally let me leave to go to work. "We've made progress, but not enough quite yet. Make sure you keep practicing."

"Yeah, sure," I said, knowing that I'd probably forget to. My memory always seemed to get worse in winter. Besides, I couldn't change the amount of nervous energy I had. That was just how I was.

Melania smiled at me when I showed up at her aunt's place. "Hey, Hotshot. Tough morning?"

"You don't know the half of it, sister," I said. "My hangover is killing me, I didn't have any breakfast this morning, and apparently I have too much nervous energy to play the harp."

"Whatever, man. The fiddle's way cooler anyway," said Melania. "As for breakfast, I can get you some toast or whatever before my aunt makes you go deliver stuff. How's it going with Amlaith's rent, anyway?"

"He's got his debt about half paid. I think I'll be able to get enough money in, like, three weeks."

"I thought he only had a week left," Melania commented.

I groaned. "Damn it, you're right! I'm screwed."

"No, you're not. You'll figure something out. You're smart."

"Yeah," I said, snorting. "Good one."

"Dude, I'm not kidding. You may not be booksmart but you're smart in lots of other ways. Booksmarts aren't everything."

"Well, that's very inspiring, but I won't be able to think of anything smart at all until I have some breakfast in my system. Didn't you say you had some leftover toast?"

Melania rolled her eyes. "Yes, your majesty. Be right back."

What a loser I am, I thought as I waited for Melania to get back. I've got a boring job, I'm probably going to end up homeless, and I've got way too much nervous energy. Why does my life have to suck so much?

Then I realized that the reason I'd come to Alqualonde in the first place was to get my life to suck slightly less, so I'd better stop complaining and do something about it.

"Here's your toast," said Melania, re-entering the room and handing me my sort-of breakfast. She also handed me a package. "And here's your first delivery of the day."

"Thanks," I said. "Hey, do you think your aunt might give me a raise if I asked her?"

She shrugged. "I don't know, but probably not. She already told me she's paying you as much as she can."

"Crap," I muttered. "Well, see you later."

"Yeah, you too."

I took my sweet old time delivering the package. Partially because I was depressed, partially because I was still somewhat hungover. Seriously, man, alcohol has consequences. Not that it isn't worth it.

When I knocked on the door of the house, it was opened by none other than my girlfriend herself, Alcarine. Strange as it may seem, before this I'd never really been to her house before.

"Oh my gosh, Maglor!" she said. "Hi! I haven't seen you since, like, last night!"

"Yeah, that was a long time ago," I laughed. "Pretty wild party, that was."

"It would have been cooler if you'd sang," Alcarine said as we went inside. "Why are you so afraid to sing in public?"

"That's just how I am, I'm afraid. Someday maybe I'll get over it, but until then you'll just have to deal."

"Ah well," said Alcarine. "So what's up with you? You look down."

"Well, if I don't come up with enough money to pay off Amlaith's debts within a week, we're getting evicted," I explained. "Also, I apparently have too much nervous energy to play the harp."

"Aw, poor baby," said Alcarine, kissing me on the cheek. "Cheer up! Remember, Yule is tomorrow. And we're having another party."

"Cool," I said. "But remind me not to drink as much as I did last night. I'm still getting over that."

"Actually, there won't be any alcohol," said Alcarine. "It's at Kitty's house, and her parents will be home, so we'll have to make do with cider."

"Sounds good," I said. "Speaking of which, are your parents home?"

"Yes," said Alcarine, smiling wickedly, "but they're not paying attention."

We made out for a few minutes before I realized that I had to get back to work.

"I gotta go, Alcarine," I said. "But I'll see you tomorrow night."

"Right," she said. "Good luck with the rent and junk. Don't worry, you'll figure something out."

"Everyone keeps saying that!" I said. "Is there a single person in this city that doesn't believe in me?"

"Doubt it," said Alcarine. "We all know you won't let us down." She kissed me on the cheek again. "Get out of my house."

Out I got, and went on my merry way, briefly wishing that people didn't expect quite so much of me.

I was woken up the next morning by Amlaith's girlfriend Elien, who looked very excited. "Wake up, sweetie! It's Yule morning!"

"I'm aware of that," I muttered. "I'm just not prepared to acknowledge it yet."

"Come on, get up. Amlaith made pancakes."

"I'm so there," I said, jumping out of bed. "Can I have five minutes to get dressed?"

"Of course you can. See you downstairs!"

I'd spent enough time around Elien to know that she was that most rare of creatures: a morning person. While it could be a bit annoying at times, it could also be useful, especially when I needed to get up early.

Amlaith and his friends were already downstairs when I got there, sitting on the floor in the main room. For once, none of them appeared to be drunk.

"Happy Yule, kid!" said Amlaith. "We're having a luxurious breakfast today."

"Damn right," said one of Amlaith's friends—Earenar, that was his name. "We're feasting like kings."

"I could tell," I said. "Make some room for me, guys, I'm starving."

"By the way, Maglor, you got something from your family," said Amlaith as I chowed down my breakfast. "But you're not allowed to open it until after breakfast."

"You sound like my mother," I said. "By the way, did you get me anything?"

"Of course I did. And you'll like it."

"Oh, you totally will, sweetie," said Elien. "It's great."

"Man, now I have to eat fast," I said. "Give me thirty seconds and we can get this party started."

After we'd eaten and most of Amlaith's friends had drifted off, presumably to go spend the day with their own families, Amlaith handed me the package my family had sent me. There was a letter from Maedhros in it, which I read first.

Dear Maglor,

Happy Yule and junk. I hear things get pretty wild around there during this season. Write back with details.

It's, like, freezing cold around here, but at least we've got snow, which means we can throw it at each other. Me and Fingon had an epic snow fight yesterday (I won). What have you got down there? Frozen fish fights? (Ha. I made a funny).

I'm going to end my bit of the letter now, since the others want to have a say. Mom and Dad want to say stuff too.

CELEGORM: Ha, you don't have snow. You suck. And Alqualonde girls must have really weird taste in guys.

CARANTHIR: I never thought I'd see the day when you actually worked. Always thought you were too dumb for that. Though I guess being a delivery boy doesn't require a lot of intelligence.

CURUFIN: Have a nice Yule. Is it true that it's warm in Alqualonde during the winter? That must be weird. And cool. It's painful up here, that's how cold it is.

AMROD AND AMRAS: Happy Yule and enjoy the present we sent! (We're not saying what it is, though)

MOM: Maglor, I miss you so much. Are you behaving yourself? Please tell me you're not getting drunk and things like that all the time. Maedhros has been going to parties at friends' houses all the time these days, and I must say that I don't really approve of what goes on at those. Anyway, I'm so pleased to hear you have friends, and Alcarine seems like a lovely girl. I'd like to meet her very much. Remember, we all love you.

DAD: Well, as your mother said, I certainly hope you're behaving yourself and that you're working hard. Good to hear that you've got a job—maybe it'll teach you a bit more responsibility. Iluvatar knows you're not the only one of your brothers that needs it. We all miss you around here, but I hope you enjoy your stay there.

Love and happy Yule,

Your Family

PS: Enjoy your present. We're sure Amlaith will appreciate it too.

I picked up the rather large cloth bag they'd sent and opened it. And gasped.

"What is it?" asked Amlaith.

In answer, I poured a pile of gold coins on the floor.

"Holy crap," said Earenar, sounding awed. "That's all of your rent and more."

"In that case," I declared, "Amlaith, my present to you is all of this that you need to pay off your debts, and also enough to buy yourself a couple of freaking chairs already. Seriously, man, I like your house, but sitting on the floor all the time gets kind of uncomfortable."

"Darn, I got him the same thing," said Elien, handing Amlaith another bag. "Ah well. Maybe you can use this to buy a table."

"I'm rich!" cried Amlaith. "Thank you both. I couldn't ask for a better apprentice or girlfriend."

"What did you get me?" demanded Elien teasingly. "Jewelry?"

"Better than that, my dear," said Amlaith. "I'm finally going to agree to having dinner with your parents."

Elien squealed and threw her arms around his neck. "Oh my gods! Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!"

"Hold it," Earenar said. "You haven't given the boy his gift yet."

"Ah, yes, I'd forgotten about that," said Amlaith. "A moment, please." He went upstairs and came back down holding a familiar object, which he handed to me.

"Dude," I said. "You're giving me your fiddle?"

"Why not?" said Amlaith. "You're better at it than I'll ever be. Besides, with the money I've gotten today, I can buy a new one easy. Take it, use it well, and don't protest."

"I wouldn't dream of it," I said. "This rocks."

"As do you," said Amlaith. "Happy Yule."

"Happy Yule, Hotshot!" declared Street Rat at Kitty's party that night. "Since we're all a bunch of dead-broke losers, we all had to chip in to get you this. So be grateful, you jerk."

"I'll do my best," I said. "What is it?"

Melania handed me a box. "Deep Lake coffee. The one good thing to ever come out of my hometown. It's expensive as hell, but whatever, you're our buddy and we love you."

"Dude," I said. "This smells awesome. Thanks a billion."

"You're welcome, et cetera," said Smoke. "Now, what are you giving us?"

"Well," I said, "I didn't really buy you guys anything, since I'm also broke…"

"What kind of friend are you?" said Skunk jokingly.

"A good one," I said. "Because for you guys, I'm going to break my vow to never sing in public."

"Oh, man, seriously?" said Serpentine (I had to call her Serpentine now, since we were around our friends). "Finally! It's totally lame that I've never heard my boyfriend sing."

"Yep, lucky you, all that," I said. "Amlaith just gave me his fiddle today, so I figured that was kind of a sign. Don't make fun of me if I screw up."

And with that, I pulled out Amlaith's fiddle (sorry, MY fiddle) and ripped into my new song, which was called "Forever Eighteen" and which I'd never showed to anyone, ever.

I got no useful skills

Got no redeeming qualities

Don't do what I'm supposed to do

Hey, man, I'm a novelty

Life ends at adulthood

I don't wanna die

I'm happy with who I am

Won't leave my youth behind

As usual, while I was playing, I completely zoned out and forgot where I was or who I was with or how freaking hungry I was. It was like this whole alternate universe.

And then the song was over and I woke back up.

"Ladies and gentlemen," declared Serpentine, "my boyfriend is a genius." She then proceeded to kiss me right in front of everyone.

Happy Yule, people.