Tempting our Fate
Passages of Time
c.1320 TA- Greenwood
Years passed like this, with Glorfindel traveling in between sporadically. Although Elrond ended up usually sending Glorfindel to Greenwood for the winter since war was made in the spring and summer. Those were the times he was needed, but winter was usually somewhat peaceful and so Glorfindel usually spent most of the winter if not all with his wife and child.
About ten years after they had first arrived, Aranethon had caught Elenion flirting with a elf maiden. Elenion, however, had caught the child spying and had bribed his own nephew to keep quiet. Aranethon had decided to play along, it was beyond his understanding at the time. Therefore no one quite saw it coming. That coming spring, Aranethon had run with his grandmother. He and Alassiel had grown quite close over the last ten years, and as such it was a bonding time for them to run together. Lalaith was running with Gwirithiel per usual and poor Thranduil was left to remain in the palace as he did every year, fighting off the urge to join them.
At any rate, after a couple weeks Aranethon and Alassiel had returned. A month later Lalaith and Gwirithiel had stumbled inside giggling still with all the adrenaline in their veins. Elenion, of course, still remained outside. He was supposed to be outside to keep an eye on the forest, but apparently he had gotten side-tracked. A full three days after what was thought was the last elf in, Legolas came in the door dragging Elenion into the garden where the rest of the family waited.
Having keener senses, Thranduil and Lalaith both immediately knew what had happened. Lalaith's reaction was to laugh- also per usual- to which Elenion responded with a glare. This same glare, however, only made Lalaith laugh harder.
"I suppose it had to be one of them." Thranduil said dryly. "Where is she?"
Legolas glanced suspiciously at his brother. "She was not there when I found him."
"Ah. I suppose we should be glad you had an eye on the forest anyway." Thranduil said to Legolas which only made Elenion turn scarlet.
Aranethon was eyeing the situation curiously. "Who's she?"
"His new wife." Lalaith said, still giggling.
"You mean Mirima?"
Everyone looked at him in surprise. "What? I saw him with her last year." Aranethon said, still quite innocent.
"Traitor." Elenion muttered under his breath. Legolas popped him over the head.
"How long have you had your eye on her?" He asked.
"Four years." Elenion answered and Legolas popped him again. "Ow." Elenion said to his brother. "At least I have someone." He said accusingly making Lalaith start laughing all over again.
"Good job." She told her son. "Next time, tell me, so I can make his life miserable."
Elenion scowled at her. Thranduil sighed. "Will you, perhaps, bring her here? Since she is now family?"
Elenion nodded at him and yanked his arm from his brother who scowled at him. "I will return with her." Elenion said.
After a few minutes of Thranduil and Alassiel looking at each other and presumably speaking to each other silently, Aranethon glancing at everyone confused, and Lalaith teasing Legolas who looked quite exasperated with her, Elenion returned with a young elleth on his arm. She had long dark hair and grey eyes much like Alassiel. As she considered her name and youthful fëa, Lalaith remembered her name being on the list of children born just after Elenion was. Alassiel's smile widened when she realized that as well.
"See what you did?" She said to her husband, nudging him. Thranduil glanced at her amused.
"I do believe that was your idea." He said. Elenion was glancing at them confused.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing." Thranduil said a little too quickly because Lalaith raised a skeptical brow and almost started laughing again.
"This is why I did not bring you to them sooner." He muttered to his new wife who glanced at Elenion confused.
"We do tend to scare people away." Lalaith commented breezily.
"That's mostly you," Legolas said to her.
"They like to bicker," Elenion told Mirima.
At last Thranduil stood and walked over to the two of them. There was slight hesitation on Mirima's face. Thranduil read it easily enough and his eyes softened. "Have no fear. We were married in the same way," he said quietly.
Legolas coughed in the background and Alassiel swatted him this time. Mirima had reddened but she bowed her head. "Aran nin," she said quietly.
Thranduil snorted. "You are my daughter now," he said. "None of that. At least here. Some people might get angry if protocol is breached in public." He glanced at Lalaith who smiled guiltily.
"After all the court had to deal with with me I doubt you have much to fear," Lalaith said. Mirima glanced at her warily.
"She's not wrong." Legolas pointed out.
"You were not innocent either." Alassiel warned him.
Legolas sighed. "Let us not forget who actually suggested-."
"This may not have been the wisest idea," Thranduil said to Elenion. "There is little chance for her to run away now."
Elenion looked vaguely amused. "She'll warm up once she gets used to it."
"Her name does mean free." Thranduil commented as Lalaith had taken over the situation and led Mirima over to her son.
"I understand you know each other already," Lalaith said to Mirima who looked amused now as well. "But as an official introduction this is my son, Aranethon. Mirima is now your aunt." She told Aranethon who smiled delightedly.
"I always wanted an aunt!" he said. "Legolas said he didn't think I would have one any time soon." At that Lalaith grinned at Legolas who reddened while Alassiel laughed.
"We didn't either," Thranduil said. "At least one son actually found someone to tolerate him."
Legolas scowled at his father. "No thanks to you."
"Me?"
"The only elleth I ever-."
"Oh yes. That was amusing. For me," Thranduil added at the end.
"What is this?" Lalaith asked and Legolas groaned. "You courted someone and never told me?"
"I would not say courted," Alassiel interrupted.
"More like I found him talking quite earnestly to another elleth," Thranduil said.
"And then chased her away," Legolas muttered.
"It was quite entertaining actually," Elenion input.
"Just how did he chase her away?" Lalaith asked.
"He looked at her," Legolas sighed. "That's all it took."
"I suppose it's a good thing I was not here then," Lalaith said grinning. "Then she would have had something to run away about."
"I am still marveling that you got married," Legolas said.
"It probably helped that I was less restless at the time," Lalaith agreed. "You were smart, getting her stuck with us before she had to actually deal with us."
"Hannon." Elenion bit back sarcastically. "Truly, you are all wonderful people."
"That's why you love us," Lalaith said in a sing-song tone.
"I'm questioning that."
"Don't worry, we all question it too."
To my love,
Greetings from Greenwood. I know you have barely returned to Imladris, but in the course of the Spring things have changed greatly. Elenion ended up married whilst running, and their feast is set for Midsummer. I find it quite amusing, really. Part of me regrets not doing such a surprise ourselves, if only to shake things up a bit. Either way, he is married. The elleth in question is a young Silvan, born shortly after he was, named Mirima. She seems shy now, but I have a feeling she can match him word for word and deed for deed when it comes down to it. We shall see once she warms up to our family- which I hear can be quite a challenge. At any rate I will write you again soon. For now I have a child to wake.
Le uivelin, Lalaith.
Glorfindel smiled at the ending and then glanced through the letter again. So Elenion was married. That was quite interesting in and of itself. Then he frowned as he thought about how old Elenion was. He could not consider it long, before he began to feel quite old himself.
He started to hum a Silvan song Lalaith had once taught him to himself. Often when he missed her he found himself humming that particular song, though he could not figure out why. Perhaps it simply reminded him of their time spent in Lórien.
Elrond glanced at him. "What is it?"
Glorfindel looked up at him. "Lalaith sent word."
"Truly? So soon?"
"Yes. Since I left it seems her brother has married."
"Ah, have you met her?"
"No it was quite a surprise." Glorfindel said. "He went out alone to run and came back with an elleth, although supposedly they had been meeting secretly before."
Elrond raised an eyebrow. "Does this happen often in Greenwood?"
"In the Spring? Yes. Once every few years." Glorfindel said. "It makes sense. A couple who has loved each other for a while begins to reach the forest and they become impassioned themselves."
"Yes. Truthfully I would have suspected it if you had been in Greenwood in the Spring."
"Apparently Lalaith regrets not having done it." Glorfindel said laughing. "But I am relieved. It keeps us from a few more whispers anyway."
"I am relieved. That would have turned into the scandal of a century."
"It is commonplace in Greenwood." Glorfindel shrugged.
"Yes, but not here. Here I would have had an uproar. Does Lalaith like the elleth?"
"I think so. She thinks she will live up to her name."
"What is it?"
"Mirima."
"Ah. Let's hope they get along."
Glorfindel laughed. "I am sure they will. Free-spirits both."
As it turns out, Mirima and Lalaith became quite close in the following months. Even, sometimes, to such an extent that Elenion became slightly envious and had to find his sister to find his wife. "My sister spends more time with my wife than I do," Elenion muttered to his father one day.
Thranduil glanced at him, one eyebrow raised in skepticism. "Well I think, in this matter, you deserve nothing less. After all, you had her completely to yourself for four years. It's only fair that we get to share her now."
Elenion glared at his father before spinning on his heel and marching out the door, muttering under his breath. Thranduil grinned to himself, more than amused with how this was turning out. Mirima had noticed Elenion's envy more than once, and knew that her spending time with Lalaith was probably not high on his list for things she could do. That did not seem to stop her, however, and it had grown to such an extent that she seemed to purposely be teasing him about it.
Aranethon was not bothered by it at all. In fact, her spending time with Lalaith seemed to also mean spending time with him. So he was completely at peace with the situation. Only Elenion seemed to suffer.
Glorfindel arrived near October and Mirima shyly introduced herself.
"Lord Glorfindel," she had murmured. "I am Mirima," she said curtseying.
Glorfindel tried to suppress an amused smile. "Well met," he said quietly.
"He's not scary," Lalaith said flippantly before hugging him tightly.
"I'm not?" His voice sounded hurt.
"No." Lalaith answered without much thought.
Thranduil had rolled his eyes. "That's because she's used to me," he said and Mirima looked like she did not know whether to laugh or not. She had gotten used to being in the family over the past few months, but sometimes still had trouble discerning whether it was okay to laugh when Thranduil made fun of himself.
"It is not," Lalaith muttered into Glorfindel's chest and he laughed lightly as he kissed the top of her head.
"I am sure," he murmured as she finally drew away.
Aranethon then hugged his father. "Naneth is scarier than you," he said and Glorfindel sighed.
"Hannon, son. I feel very appreciated."
Lalaith laughed, "He's very wise."
"Of course he is," Thranduil said. "You've taught him well."
Alassiel smiled wryly, "Learn well, Mirima."
Glorfindel shrugged, "I suppose that's alright. That's why we have to be intimidating to everyone else."
"Is anyone really scared of you?" Lalaith asked him.
"Mirima was for five seconds," Glorfindel said.
"She learned better," Lalaith said and Glorfindel only sighed.
It was later that year that Aranethon, as he was watching Legolas spar with Elenion, asked his mother if he could learn. Ice cold fear penetrated Lalaith's heart the moment he asked, and she must have paled because Aranethon frowned. "Naneth?"
Lalaith took a deep steadying breath. What would happen if they kept him from learning? Would he grow bitter that he could not learn and thus try to prove himself? Was that was led him to such a fate? Or was it learning the sword itself that did? Or was it either?
"I have no answer at the moment." Lalaith admitted. "Give me time, and then I will answer your query."
Aranethon still trusted her. Sons were generally closer to their mothers than fathers, and Aranethon was no exception. Aranethon might even be closer to her than most, as they had yet to be truly separated. "Of course," he had answered quietly and Lalaith had breathed a small sigh of relief.
That night, reaching deep into her bond, she sent a questioning thread to her husband.
Meleth? Came Glorfindel's answer.
Hello. She answered with a slight smile.
She felt part amusement and part exasperation from her husband. Is this all you questioned me for?
Should I have other reason to call you?
Perhaps not, but I felt your worry well enough earlier.
Of course you did. Lalaith muttered, more to herself than to him but he heard it nonetheless. When he spoke again his voice sounded less amused and concerned instead.
We agreed to stay close in spirit unless otherwise necessary. He pointed out.
Lalaith smiled to herself, glad that they had remained close. She might have gone insane otherwise. True enough. I did question you for a reason. Without prodding she slowly explained Aranethon's inquiry and her own thoughts on the matter. Glorfindel was silent for a few moments afterword, and she could feel him trying to process the information himself.
When does he expect an answer?
I told him to give me time.
Ah. Glorfindel went silent for another long moment. Very well. We should consider it a little longer. Too many paths intersect in different ways.
So I thought. Lalaith said quietly.
We are trying to work through this. He is not lost yet, even if he is taught the sword. He would have learned if I was not given a vision.
He would?
You know your own bloodline well enough, as I do mine. Part of me feels it inevitable, and perhaps your father teaching him might relieve some of the tension. In the vision I had, I taught him.
Will you not?
Later, perhaps. I will think on it a few days longer, but I think that is the best answer.
Lalaith hummed in partial agreement. She paused and then spoke once more. Where are you now?
Tracking a party of men. We will not attack.
I suppose that's good news.
You are at home?
Where else would I be?
I know a few places.
Do you? Nay, my father would have my head if I tried to go too far. He thinks I am a good target for enemies or something liken.
You are. Especially if they equate you to me and your father. Either one could get you killed.
You both think uncannily alike.
It is why we became friends. Now go to sleep.
Sleep?
You heard me right.
I don't know, it's an awful far distance.
Lalaith, you need sleep.
You do as well.
I am on guard.
So am I distracting you?
Not well enough.
I could do better.
Glorfindel chuckled. No, not tonight. There is much to think on. Go to sleep. We will talk soon.
Le melin.
The next day Lalaith found herself alone with her father. He was reading over reports in the family quarters to escape the nobles who had sought his attention for the past week, and she was at least trying to write her own. Instead her mind kept straying to the problem at hand, and so far all the song had to it was a few scattered words that did not connect to each other at all.
Thranduil finally glanced up at her, inspecting her as she continued to brush the quill back and forth across her cheek, obviously lost in thought instead of actually writing. "What is it?" He asked.
Lalaith glanced at him surprised from her stupor. "What do you mean?"
"You are deep in thought about something."
"Just the song." Lalaith said shrugging, her eyes looking at the paper in her lap. She frowned when she realized she hardly had a line written.
"Do not try to fool me." Thranduil said, setting the latest report aside and walking over to her. He sat next to her and grabbed the mostly blank page from her. "This is not how you usually write." He pointed out.
"Really?" Lalaith asked dryly.
Thranduil smiled, but did not respond to her comment. Instead his forehead creased slightly. "Something does bother you. What is it?"
Lalaith sighed and reexplained the situation. "We spoke about it last night, but we are mulling it over before coming to a decision."
"Is that all he said?"
"He did say that it would probably be best to let him learn as he wants."
"Really?"
"Yes. Apparently there would have been little problem with the concept if it were not for the vision, so in this we should act as if we had never seen an unfavorable future." Her voice was calm, but her eyes and nervous habit of rubbing the feather across her cheek told Thranduil otherwise.
"He is wise," Thranduil said quietly.
"Do you agree?"
"In as much as I can. Never being gifted with foresight I cannot answer with certainty."
"You get warnings." Lalaith pointed out.
"Warnings, shadows, bad feelings, nothing substantial. A few dreams of blood before a war. Nothing that couldn't be expected without. It was nothing that I could prevent, nothing for me to see to warn others. They were too vague in circumstance and too specific to myself. But I agree that not knowing the decisions leading to the vision it would be best to act as if you did not."
Lalaith said nothing merely sat there, staring into the distance. After a long moment Thranduil leaned in and kissed her forehead. "All will be well, in the end."
Lalaith glanced at him. "Would you teach him?"
"Me?"
"You are the best warrior I know."
"I am?" Thranduil asked amused. "Better than your dearest love?"
"It has not been proven either way yet." Lalaith said.
"That is true." Thranduil cocked his head. "If you agree that he should learn I will teach him."
"Maer."