Title: Single Handedly

Genre: Romance, Angst

Rating: PG-13

Characters: Maedhros/OFC

Time: First Age 346 – Fourth Age

Chapter(s): 14/?

Chapter Summary: "Kalin… Mîr nin, we shall never part again, do you hear me?" His strength held her even closer and a beloved hand smoothed up her back and into the hair that glowed as bright as morning, mingling with the red strands of his own that burnt like a flame.

Author: Codi Lyn (a.k.a. i_luv_obiwan91)

Disclaimer: J.R.R. Tolkien and his family are the sole owners of his works including the Silmarillion and his Lord of the Rings series. I'm just inspired by his works and thought of different ways for different things to end as another option. It's his music; I'm just playing it on a ukulele, not a guitar. =]

Chapter Fourteen – Promises You Give

Bundled in furs and linked arm in arm, Kalin and Remethiel moved in slow circuits within the keep's protective walls. They sought to use the exercise to both coerce the child to come from one long dwelling and into another, and to take away the fever of keeping too long indoors against the north land's winter season. By the Sindar blood in her veins Mîrluiniel knew it to be only days until spring, but the skies of her new home seemed not to agree, and content instead to layer another blanket of white upon any tracks of life leading to and from the fortress.

Her friend had almost reached her year in the common pregnancy of an elleth and showed it through the healthy swell her body had made to accommodate the soon-coming child. Remethiel had done well over the months of waiting and only steadied her constant bustle of activity now for the sakes of her vigilant husband and friend.

The pair of women stopped under an awning to watch the snowfall for a moment and the dark-haired companion huffed a laugh with a hand firmly holding her belly. "You know, I have heard of mortal women who will labor in their fields and crops, suddenly bear the child right where they stand, and then get right back to work with the babe tied about them to nurse."

Kalin could not help but laugh and scoff at her sarcastic bemoaning of being forced into idleness at such an appropriate time. "They do not simply 'plop' it down and clean it off like any old mare, do they? I'm sure the women of Men are little different with their child-bearing than we are with ours, Remethiel."

"Certainly a useful ability, though, wouldn't you say?" Jibing her friend with a smirk that turned into joined giggling, the expecting woman began their walk again at an easy pace.

"Hardly anything to rejoice over! I would never dream of just casually giving birth and then going on with my life as if all I had done was sneeze. What a notion!"

"Well, what do you dream of, sweet lady?" Remethiel held both hands around Kalin's arm and gave a wink that caused the elleth to blush crimson compared with the white surroundings.

"I dream of giving Maedhros children, yes. The gravity is not lost on me, however, that my own mother was taken in giving birth to me… I feel I still must be guarded in my hopes of motherhood."

"You are a strong elf, my dear, as strong as any in Aman. If lady Nerdanel could bear seven such sons as the lord Fëanor's and be well, then I am sure you can survive it and more when the time comes." The elder woman comforted the maiden and made to say something else on the subject when her expression changed and the hold on her friend's arm tightened suddenly. "Kalin…"

"Remethiel? Are you—?"

"I need you to get Eäryendë. It's time." Tense with the pain of contraction, Remethiel tucked her head into Kalin's shoulder and the younger led them back into the halls so they could begin the birthing. On their way, she flagged down Mornefindon and he hurried to help his wife into their rooms, speaking soothing words against her hair and holding the hand that squeezed his urgently.

Eäryendë came quickly to nurse the laboring woman at Kalin's beckoning and they made her as comfortable as possible while Remethiel's pains came more frequently. At length, there was not much more Kalin could truly help with and so left to gather the two daughters who now awaited another sibling.

"Naneth's hurting." Pilindiel spoke solemnly as she nestled against the elleth's chest, holding her close.

Quickly, the elder came over to pat her sister's hair gently, reassuring with confidence. "Yes, a little, Pili. But she hurt when you came, too, and she's all right. It hurts some to have babies."Dessuithiel sat next to Kalin and began to tell stories to help the elfling think of better things. Mîrluiniel smiled and simply stroked the girls' hair as she watched the scene, praying silently for Elbereth to bless the child's birth.

Mornefindon came in the outer room where the children were with Kalin and seated himself anxiously. Dessui hopped down from the elleth's lap and trotted over to her atar's, wisely saying nothing as she placed a kiss and hugged his waist. The elf's look communicated his worry to Kalin and she hoped she returned it with one of assurance.

The children had long fallen asleep heaped together on a warm bed when the fragile wailing of a newborn roused them. Sweet exclamations heard from their parents and the nurse-women drew them into the hallway hand-in-hand and there they met Kalin who turned to them with a tired grin. "Come here, girls. Atar will call you in when your naneth is taken care of." They huddled close to the elleth as she sat at their level and gently instructed how to act around their weakened naneth and the new baby.

"Dessui, Pili, come meet your little brother." Mornefindon called his daughters into the chamber with them and Kalin watched the growing family draw close for the first time with its little addition.

"Such a beautiful little lad, aren't you, Herenon? Yes, yes, my love." Remethiel spoke sweetly to her son in the bath and smiled as his eyes watched her, attentive to his mother's voice. Mîrluiniel watched the scene while propping her chin on her elbow and having her hair meticulously braided by two little girls. Her friend's ease and joy in motherhood filled Kalin with calm and pleasant hope for her own future. The children weren't perfect, but nor were the parents, and she found that patience could take you a league upriver without oars.

"Naneth, look at how beautiful Kalin is!" Pilindiel abandoned her work as soon as she was satisfied and rushed to her mother's skirts. The elleth smiled on display with one half of her hair in exuberant knots while Dessuithiel still worked with concentration on her portion of hair that, though neater, was endearingly lop-sided.

Remethiel smirked in sympathy for her, and agreed with her youngest daughter. "She is beautiful, my love. You have done your best work, yet, and when Dessui has finished I'm sure it shall be perfectly lovely. Lady Kalin is a very good elleth to let you two practice your styles upon her." With a wink, the adults laughed good-naturedly and Pili hurried back to hug Kalin's neck and deposit a charming kiss.

Through all the movement and jostling Dessui was still determined to complete her part of Kalin's plaits, yet even she paused and perked up in silence so that they could all hear the elven horn sounding outside the gates. Mîrluiniel froze, certain of whose trumpet awakened the keep to their return. The elleth took her hair from the child's hand with a sweet kiss of apology and rushed outside to climb the southern barricade.

With the sun shining brightly against all the snow, Kalin focused hard against the glare to see movement among the trees to the south. The noise of horses soon came within hearing and blows between the inbound company and Himring's sentries signaled to open the gate. As they approached she made out that many of them wore hoods against the frosted wind, preventing her from finding her beloved's red hair flaming among them. Reaching over the great stones of the wall, Mîrluiniel waved eagerly and was met by one rider's answering wave. It was Maglor who smiled up at the maiden from his trotting mare.

Laughter bubbled lightly out of her chest, leaving a brief fog of breath before the elleth swiftly came down the steps to meet the brothers who would soon be her own. The great hound Huan trotted easily among the horses, nearly as tall, and panted almost with a smile as he looked about. As they entered the gate each elf lord removed the hoods that protected them, thus revealing Amrod, Amras, Caranthir, Celegorm, and Maglor… but the eldest was nowhere among the rest of their company.

With face fallen, Kalin came up to Maglor who quickly dismounted and perceived her distress as she queried him. "He is coming tomorrow? He is only following behind, yes?"

He held out his hands and took her forearms tenderly. "I am sorry, dear one, he comes perhaps in another month. We are instructed to make all the preparations for your marriage ceremony in anticipation of his arrival. Maedhros bade me swear to you—on his behalf— that the night of your wedding shall be that of his return, and not an hour past."

The elleth made a valiant effort at seeming joyous again, but it was clear enough that she was bruised by such delay. Spring was stubbornly making its appearance by now, though not all the white had gone, but Mîrluiniel had dearly hoped it would not be so close to a year as was almost passed since her beloved would hold her again. More of her true smile came to light when a gentle kiss was laid upon her knuckles and Maglor's encouraging eyes met her own. Something in his gaze changed to amusement as he looked her over, and she tilted her head. "What is it?"

Carefully, he brought forward a tangled lock of her 'braided' blonde hair and fingered a few of the knots away with a smirk. "Nothing, only that I think your hair is lovely." Her laughter when she realized the mess she must look brought her color back and gave him great pleasure. "Whose little hands should I compliment for such pretty work?" A knowing smirk on his lips, the elf helped her to ease her curls out of bondage.

"Remethiel's daughters. And you will soon see their newest child. Mornefindon will be proud to show you his son."

"A son." Maglor's smile was thoughtful for a moment. "A blessing, indeed." His expression was noticed by the maiden, but not in time to ask of it before a welcome voice and tail-wagging duo approached her.

"I knew you would do well here, but I did not expect to find you even more beautiful than with us in Himlad!" Celegorm opened his arms and was met with a sweet embrace. "You are dearly missed among the encampment, but I think it may be some time before you visit again, aye? And a hard blow it will be for some of our men to find you taken in marriage! No matter that it be to our own princely brother." With a fond wink for her, Celegorm was the first Fëanorian to meet her and by no means the last to be proud to soon have her for a sister.

"They must hold back their tears for me, or I might cry along with them! It is so good to see you. And where are Curufin and Celeb? Why have they not come?" Kalin jested in turn as Huan received her attention affably.

"Celebrimbor has the supervision of your betrothed, currently, and they shall return all together for your nuptials."

"Maedhros is in Himlad?" Her eyes sought Maglor's to confirm it, and he answered with a nod. So close her beloved chose to be, yet still to remain parted for another month. Mîrluiniel could not suppress the worry that began knot itself within her.

"Come, lovely lady!" Ambarussa—Amrod, perhaps—called out to her and he with his brother gaily approached, each embracing her affectionately. "Inside we must go, for there are ship-loads of things to prepare for your wedding."

"And our journey has made us hunger for good food and better company than this hoard of dull brothers." Amras took her by the waist and hand to lead them back to the main hall, laughing lightly as he gestured to the rest of the Noldo lords following behind.

That evening, after a warm reception for the lords' return and some talk of general plotting for the wedding, Mîrluiniel dismissed herself and wrapped warmly to see the stars. Huan had left his master's fire to follow, and at her side they ascended the stairs upon the battlements. "I have missed you, my friend, you were always a comfort to me." Softly, she praised the dog and rubbed his neck and ears as he leaned against her. She remembered how Maedhros' hound Taurvantian had been good for her while he yet lived, and Kalin could not quell the guilt of his death while sought to protect her. The large canine pushed his head into her arms and the elleth smiled, knowing what feelings he could sense.

"Have you been quite well, my lady?" Turning, Kalin faced the speaker to find Caranthir in his dark robes drawing near. Amidst black hair and the moon-less night, he was sufficiently difficult to be seen, even for elven sight.

Huan's tail ceased its movement, but Kalin smiled politely at the warrior. "Well enough, I thank you."

"You do not worry for my brother, now that he delays?" The question took her off-guard, and the Noldo took a step closer.

"Of course I worry… though my concern may not be of the sort you're implying." She stood straighter now, feeling almost defensive.

"It hurts, does it not? Not knowing." His expression was not victorious, but nor was it genuine.

Kalin steeled herself, not wishing to exchange barbs of conflict. "I suppose it does. Those things of significance, however, I know very well." Their dialogue simmered for a moment. "How are your vassals in Thargelion? The lady Haleth keeps well her people, I hear, though she has chosen not to take part in your lands."

The mention obviously held its sting, and a brief flash of pain—perhaps wounding pride more than heart—showed in his countenance before bitterness revealed itself. "Well enough. I suppose the wench has settled by now, off to your dark woods in Doriath." Caranthir's off-handed insult made the elleth pale, fearing what he had heard, and what he might do. "Thingol granted the squatters a deal to the west, in Brethil, and so they watch over Teiglin's waters." The elf's face darkened as he brooded, almost giving Kalin pause for pity that perhaps his offer which the mortal woman had refused might have been genuine.

Kalin's thoughts hovered on whether he truly knew her identity, or if the mere mention of geography was all the jab he had meant to inflict by knowing her lack of Noldor blood. Glancing sidelong at her now, Caranthir quirked his lips in a smile, giving her discomfit. "Maedhros may be delaying your blessed union to determine where your loyalties lie. Perhaps the thought of a Sindar warming his bed has turned his stomach." As he spoke Huan took a step toward him and lowered his head in unheeded warning. His words were like droplets of poison flung at her belly, slowly eating into her with the guile in them.

"Caranthir." Maglor's strong voice came from behind her and Kalin immediately turned away, allowing the noble elf to defend her. "You offend a lady soon to hold higher status than your own—though by her conduct she has already surpassed you. Take your drunkenness away from here, and your dishonor with you!" Standing firmly between his brother and the maiden, Maglor's authority gave his warning a solid foundation worthy of fear. The younger son sniffed with an ill-formed pride and turned away as commanded, striking out angrily at a torch that clattered against the gravel courtyard in his wake.

Unmoving until he was certain of his brother's direction, Maglor then turned with protective concern upon the elleth and reached out to hold her hand. "Mîrluiniel, forgive me. Are you all right? He has given you great distress."

Feeling the comfort of his touch, she went willingly to his embrace and took a rattled breath. "Thank you, Maglor."

"Of course… of course. I am sorry you will have such a cur for a brother." Maglor stroked her arms through the furs she wrapped in and held her close against him. Her warmth was perhaps too great a pleasure for the elf, and in resignation he pulled away so that he might see her face. Tears had not fallen, but from brushing aside wind-tossed curls Maglor could perceive the glisten in her eyes that belied her upset. "Tell me you do not believe his words, dear one?"

"No."

Maglor sighed. "I fear I must warn you, that this bitter taste may come again—and more violently—to taint yours and Maedhros' love. Our father's house is not kindly looked upon, even with Maedhros' efforts at reconciliation. Your sweet Sindar blood could be soured by mixing with ours, and it is very likely you will have to defend your decision to wed my brother."

Obediently silent as he spoke, Kalin nodded at his pause. "I know, and I have not neglected to think of this."

"You have an earnest husband who will always consider you too good for him. Indeed, you are certainly too good for the lot of us." Affectionately, he kissed her cheek and pressed a hand to the small of her back to lead them back to the keep.

Before they had come half way down the stairs Mîrluiniel pressed the hand that held hers and stopped them beside a torch, letting Huan trot off and back to his master. She said nothing for a moment, but Maglor was patient and waited for her time. When she spoke, it was so softly that he was glad for the small fire's light to know it was her lips and not the wind that whispered. "Maglor, why does he wait?"

He felt a physical pain at seeing her so disappointed, wishing for her sake that Maedhros had just come with them so that she might have all her joy. This distress he sensed in her made him ill. "He delays for your honor, Mîrluiniel. A year's engagement is proper, and already you will be wed before that time has fully come to pass." Her white hair blew as the maiden shook her head. It was not merely that, and she knew it. Willing to do anything to console her, Maglor moved to touch her face and bring those eyes back to him. "If you could have seen the longing on your beloved's face at every moment for you… Mîrluiniel, he desires you to be his wife more righteously than I have ever seen him want anything."

"And what of your oath? His desire for me is stronger than that of three jewels?" The question was not intended to bite, but struck him hard as he empathized most deeply with his brother's position on that account.

"The Silmarilli he longs for, yes. He wants to claim them, as is right… But he does not love them, Mîrluiniel. He may even hate them. Indeed, what have they brought but wrath and evil, even though they be made with the light of the Trees?" His face darkened further, even in the relief of the torch, but then he turned to her once more and Kalin saw the stars reflect in his eyes. "And you, born of the trees and made of gentle flesh… You have brought only love and light forth from your tender heart." Lithe fingers wiped away the tear that had fallen upon her blessed cheek, but stilled when she came close to the elf and pressed an earnest kiss to his cheek before hugging him once more.

"I wish you were my brother." Murmured against his cloak, her words were muffled, but they seemed spoken straight to his heart so that it trembled under the weight of them.

"I will be, dear one. I will."

"Maedhros… It is yet night, where do you go?" Her voice was soft with sleep and his wife's eyes peered at him, enlarged by the darkness of their rooms.

The elf leaned over to press his hand lovingly at her waist and kiss those tired eyes. "Only to check on her." His answer calmed her and she laid back her head to wait for him. Maedhros' feet padded without sound to the crib by their west-facing window. There, with gentle curves and snowflake lashes, lay his daughter sleeping peacefully unaware of her father's protective gaze. The child was perfect because she belonged to Kalin, and he was blessed for she would soon call him Atar.

"Our little one is well, it is your wife who needs you, Maedhros." The beauty there waiting for him beckoned tenderly and he turned from their baby to attend the sweet needs of his beloved.

His first waking moments felt as though he were already with her, his betrothed. The sounds of elves packing belongings and moving about soon reminded him that it was yet to be… but would be. Maedhros smiled. Today, he left for home and the beautiful elleth who waited to be his wife. Celebrimbor had indeed grown in stature and skill and, though nervous, had wrought the mithril perfectly with his Uncle's contribution for Kalin's wedding gift. The Fëanorian reached over and took the talisman that would soon lay about his wife's neck, caressing the smooth metal that bore the emblem of his house on one side, and tracing the engraved wood upon the other which read their names together in Quenyan. It rested on a fine-woven chain of mithril that he had taught Celeb to forge and piece together, long enough to rest its pendant upon the wearer's heart, and Maedhros lifted the necklace to put over his head. Before Laurelin's setting tomorrow, he would have his jewel in his arms again.

Rúnyadal pranced as Maedhros held him back at the gates of Himring, allowing his company to pass them by and enter while Ambarussa rushed out to meet him. "Maitimo! You're late, we expected you days ago." There was a jovial reproach from Amras, while his brother came to hold the stallion's bridle.

"True, we expected you. But your poor bride has been in torment waiting much longer." Amrod's jibe stung a little more.

"Where is she?" Maedhros looked over the heads of the elves riding inside but could find no bright curls to greet him.

"With the snow melt your precious wood elf has taken to the forests again."

"She went on her own west of the keep this morning and is not yet returned." The twins informed him and Amrod released Rúnya's head, grinning as their brother's charge galloped off into the woods west of his home. "Be back by nightfall, or you'll miss your own wedding!" With a laugh they called after him before the trees obscured him from view.

Winter's quiet siege had defeated the green of last year's growth and gave Maedhros clear sight through the forest, granting him view of all but what a few evergreens could conceal. The great horse's motion was straight and swift, giving leave for his master to turn about and around them in search for the maiden he sought. At length the clouds parted and the sun's descent painted more beautiful and varied colors through the sky and on earth. It was this light that enhanced a golden-white head gleaming on a body dressed in grey and furs. Maedhros dismounted when the steed was still at a trot and came to her through long strides, her name spoken breathlessly on his lips.

"Maedhros?" That beautiful head turned to him and Mîrluiniel hastened to his arms without a thought to temperance or tradition. He was home. She felt like she wanted to cry, but laughter fled from her throat and brightened their eyes as they neared.

The elleth was pulled into him at once, her neck a tender resting place for his head to fall in relief, breathing her in like a healing vapor. "Kalin… Mîr nin, we shall never part again, do you hear me?" His strength held her even closer and a beloved hand smoothed up her back and into the hair that glowed as bright as morning, mingling with the red strands of his own that burnt like a flame. With desperation and resolve he begged of her, feeling that now nothing could part them but that their spirits would always be one.

"I hear you." She gasped through the emotions coursing through her and clung to him, stroking his hair and letting her doubts recede to allay her. "Maedhros do not torture me with your absence again. When you lingered, I… my thoughts flew to every worry." Her tears came quietly as now he spoke low and lovingly to her in Quenyan, soothing his beloved and assuring her of his devotion.

At last he pulled away from her to look long upon the precious elleth whom he loved. 'What a queen she would have made.' The Noldo could not help but think as he admired her, this woman could fill any role, so full of grace and humility was she. Maedhros allowed her arms to bring him to her in their gentle strength and laid his lips upon hers, worshipping and adoring his bride. "I have something for you." He murmured and smiled at her calm, seeing that she was just as content to have him, alone. Loosing his hand from her hair, Maedhros reached down his shirt and pulled a glistening strand over his head to present to her. "It is a promise kept, and another I would make to you." As his hand opened, he explained, revealing the mithril and wooden pendant that represented their union.

"'Maedhros Nelyafinwë, husband to Kalin, his wife and Jewel.' You inscribed it in Sindarin?" Reading the engraving so beautifully detailed in the wood, Kalin looked up at him and beamed.

"I commissioned Celebrimbor to help me. And yes, I thought to honor you with the tongue of your people, though now you become a princess among Noldor." The smile that blossomed upon her face took hold of his heart, and he watched as she caressed the metal in his palm and studied it.

"Will you put it on me?" Her request was sweet and, parting the soft fur from about her shoulders, Maedhros lovingly laid the delicate chain about her neck and grazed with his fingers the soft flesh that it touched. Upon such a long chain, the token rested beneath the neckline of her dress and was cool against the warmth of her skin, an intimate gift that would always remind her of his touch.

"Kalin, I swear to you that no other love shall possess me as that of my love for you—yours has taken hold and will not let me go. I belong to you, and soon you shall belong to me… mîr nin, my wife."

When sunset's beams began to fall lower, the couple mounted Rúnyadal's willing back and made for the fortress. In cheers and laughter were they welcomed within, but soon taken apart to ready themselves for the ceremony and feasting. Friends surrounded Mîrluiniel and dressed her in maiden's white, beautiful shifts and flowing gowns tied with silk ribbons at her waist, a silver circlet was laid upon her curls and then a crown of young branches all budded with spring's first leaves. Maglor, fitting him in well-suited black garments and mithril chains of nobility, helped Maedhros to dress formally as would befit a lord of Noldor.

Out upon the great courtyard fires had been lit and flags of the house of Fëanor hung high with banners of white all around in the evening's breeze. In the midst of his people Maedhros stood waiting for his bride, seeing the elves part as gracefully the elleth made her way towards him. Kalin glowed. A smile as bright as day shone on her face and her kind eyes landed sweetly upon all present until she came within sight of the bridegroom. Though that smile faltered, it was to awe and love that sobered it, her eyes still keen and joyful as they came closer. Maedhros looked every bit the king he was born to be. No circlet graced his brow, but with gleaming medallions chained over his chest and shoulders, a detailed belt across his waist and his powerful sword on his hip, there was no doubting this noble lord to be descended from Finwë. Every move she made was observed through his eyes like a bird of prey, firelight making the emeralds sparkle with their flickers.

Maedhros reached for her hand reverently as she came to him, her bracelet of woven red buds brushing against his cheek when he laid a kiss upon her trembling fingers. Beneath Elbereth's stars, those beloved lights of the Sindar, they bound their fëar in solemn oaths before the Valar and Illúvatar himself. As Mîrluiniel kissed her husband for the first time the elves of Himring burst into clapping, laughter, and song, keeping the music ongoing even as morning approached. The feast was heightened even from that of the festivals before, every elf and his lady happier than dancing and song could express for the union of their lord and new bride.

Maedhros took the first dance and led her perfectly, kissing her when they drew close and holding her firmly, different than their dance at the spring festival before. She belonged to him now, and there was no hesitance. The next was all ladies, women gathering Kalin to them and circling about her as they sang a song of love. Their tenderness endeared the elleth more to them greatly, and it was from here that Celebrimbor came to claim his dance with the woman, laughing, skipping and weaving with other couples. The growing young elf was now to her shoulders in height and becoming a very handsome boy, though Kalin could never see him beyond the little elfling who hid under her blankets.

The couple sat at the banquet table to rest and partake a very little of the quite large meal set out before them. Maedhros kept her close against his side, his right arm ever about her waist while he sipped on wine and watched her enjoy herself. A gaze was never shared but that they claimed a kiss along with it, delighting in each other and the fact that all was well, that this was right. As Kalin watched the dances and accepted the jovial well wishes of loyal elves, Maedhros would nuzzle her hair and whisper Quenyan into her ear, bringing color to her cheeks until she felt she must look painted with rouge.

At the height of the celebration Kalin spied Maglor making his way to their table, a calm, satisfied smile upon his face. "Brother, would you do me the honor of relinquishing your wife for one dance before I advise you to discreetly steal her away?" With a chuckle, the eldest kissed her and let loose his hold so that the elleth might rise to take Maglor's hand. Pulling her fittingly close, the warrior looked kindly upon his new sister and held her hand delicately. "I have met no queen of Arda who could match your beauty tonight, Mîrluiniel. You deserve all this happiness and more."

"Thank you, Maglor. Your praise is too high…"

"Not high enough, but I do what I can to please you, dear Princess." Her eyes lowered modestly but with a stern brow, Maglor lifted her chin. "No. No more of that, my lady. You bear a different title now—one of honor, though you will have to defend it—and you do not bow your head in deference unless you are before the Valar themselves. No matter what your husband or brothers have done, you will always be worthy of respect and distinction." His eyes were earnest and truthful, not letting sweet words belie the reality of his advice, and it was appreciated.

Mîrluiniel's back straightened with poise and she addressed him gratefully. "You are good for me, Maglor. I will always listen to your counsel."

She was happy to see his fond expression return and her new brother leaned in to press a warm kiss against her cheek. "I hope it will always be worth the listening." The second-born prince took her by the hand and led her off the dance floor though the song had not finished, passing through the couples with little fuss until Kalin laughed in soft surprise to see Maedhros waiting in the dark outside the celebrations. Her husband smiled at her and shared a look of understanding with his brother before the young elleth was brought inside the keep and led for the first time to a chamber she would now share.

"No long goodnights to your people?" Kalin teased him as he shut and locked their great door and she meandered toward the well-tended fire.

"I have only one long goodnight I wish to make." He answered simply and stared at her admiringly from his slow approach, unfastening his shoulder cloak with practiced fingers before laying it over a chair. "Come to me, mîr nin." Maedhros beckoned quietly and watched beguiled as she obeyed to stand before him. The crown of leaflets was carefully removed and the circlet soon followed it to release her hair, allowing his long fingers to play in those curls affectionately. "I do not deserve you." This murmur held no self-loathing, instead only adoration for his new bride.

"Nor I, you." Kalin's feminine hand spread over the chains he wore and then moved to his neck where she could touch that strong jaw. "I love you, Maedhros." The response she received from those lips was unutterable and would remain unmatched.