Chapter 25: Aftermath

"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening, and this wasn't it."

-Groucho Marx

Tuor and I came back into the ballroom some minutes later, trying to make it look like we'd been just talking and not making out. It was hard for me, since I was just so happy! Finally I'd really let down my guard and showed that I had feelings, and it had turned out pretty well, I must say. Why hadn't I done this years ago?

"I have to go meet up with Dad and my friends real quick, but then you have to dance with me, okay?" I said to Tuor. "I'm not taking no for an answer this time."

He bowed. "You got it, Your Majesty."

"Shut up. Remember, I fell in love with you because you treated me like an equal." I smiled at him quickly and then ran off, knowing Dad was going to be furious at me. Every year at midnight we did this thing where we'd toast to the prosperity of Gondolin or whatever, and I was supposed to be there for it, but I'd missed it this year. Oh, well. What I had been doing was much more important.

Dad frowned when I ran up to his chair on the dais. "So you've finally seen fit to join us, Idril. Where were you?"

"Oh, yeah, sorry. I was talking to Tuor out on the balcony, and kind of lost track of time," I explained, hoping he wouldn't get suspicious. I mean, I didn't want to tell my dad about this!

"Well, happy New Year, anyway," said Dad. "Another good year in Gondolin, eh?"

"Yep. Have you seen my friends?"

"We're here, we're here!" said Dinniel, appearing next to me with Meleth. "Where were you? You missed the toast!"

"I was talking to Tuor outside," I said again.

"Uh-huh," said Dinniel, raising one eyebrow. "Come on, let's go get some food and talk." She grabbed Meleth's and my arms and pulled us in the direction of the food table.

"Dinniel!" whined Meleth. "Do you have to drag us everywhere? We'll come with you even if you don't pull us, you know."

Dinniel let go and grinned apologetically. "Sorry. I can be kind of forceful sometimes."

"That's okay, we love you anyway," I said. "But please, enough with the dragging."

Finally we reached our destination, where we got some cake and wine, and from there went to a corner of the room to gossip.

"So you'll never guess who I danced with," said Meleth, eyes sparkling.

"Who?" I asked eagerly.

"Glorfindel."

"Oh, big deal," said Dinniel dismissively. "I danced with him too. He dances with everyone."

"Well, he's neverdanced with me before, and I go to a ton of parties that he's at," said Meleth. "I always figured he thought I was kind of boring. But he was really, really nice! And he said I was pretty!"

"It's the dress," I said. "You look great in that thing."

"In your old clothes you just kind of blended in with the scenery," said Dinniel. "Almost as bad as Idril."

"Hey, that's not nice," I protested.

"I know, you're right," said Meleth. "It wasn't fair to me. Anyway, Idril, did you know that your lip rouge is kind of smeared?"

"Yeah." Dinniel smirked. "Are you sure that you were just talking to Tuor out on the balcony?"

"Um…" I said, smiling guiltily. "Not really."

They both quiet-screamed and started asking me what had happened, what I'd said, what he'd said, were we planning on getting married, what would Maeglin's reaction to this be?

"Hold it, hold it!" I said. "One question at a time, people. No, I don't plan on getting married any time soon, and I hope that Maeglin won't find out about this for a while at least because if he founds out that I kissed a guy who wasn't him there'll be trouble. As for everything else, I promise I'll give you details after the party, okay?"

"Well, that works for me, but Dinniel doesn't live with us anymore," said Meleth. "Doesn't she have to go home after this?"

"No problem," said Dinniel. "I'll just tell Enerdhil I'm going over to you guys' house after the party. He won't mind."

"I think you're starting to neglect him," Meleth teased.

"I am not. Do you guys think I'm going to completely drop you guys just because I'm married? Seriously, I love, love, love Enerdhil, but I love you guys almost as much."

"Aw, you're sweet," I said. "And I love you almost as much as I love Tuor."

"And I love you guys more than anyone, because I'm not in love with any guys!" said Meleth.

"Don't worry, you will be," I assured her. "But a word of advice: Do not, under any circumstances, imitate my approach to it. I admit it; I suck at being in love."

"No offense, Idril, but that last sentence was kind of a dumb thing to say," said Dinniel. "You suck at being in love? I don't think that being in love is the kind of thing you're good at or bad it."

"Yeah, I thought that too, until I realized that I sucked at being in love," I said. "But enough of this. I made Tuor promise he'd dance with me, and I have to go find him.""You convinced Tuor to dance at a party?" said Meleth. "Wow, he must really be in love with you."

"He is," I said. "Bye!"

I met up with Tuor just as the musicians started playing one of my favorite slow songs. Now that is destiny. Or a very funny coincidence, or possibly nothing; you decide.

"Okay, you've got to promise not to make fun of me if I suck," said Tuor, putting one hand on my waist.

"I'm not going to promise any such thing," I said. "However, seeing as I'm sure you won't suck, you don't have anything to worry about."

"Your confidence is inspiring, and also unjustified."

"Now, how did an uneducated mortal outlaw raised by peasants and forced to work for Easterlings learn words like that?"

"Hey, I never said I was uneducated," objected Tuor. "Uncle Annael and Loswen were smart people. Just because I never had a ton of fancy-pants tutors like you doesn't mean I couldn't have an education.""Actually, Dad never bothered much about my learning," I said glumly. "He made sure I knew everything a proper, aristocratic girl was supposed to know—which isn't much—and left it there. It's only thanks to my wonderful Aunt Aredhel and our extremely large library that I'm the smart girl I am today."

"Your dad doesn't really think much of you, does he."

"Well, I don't doubt that he loves me, but he's always underestimated me somewhat." I sighed and shook my head. "Let's talk about something else. I've always wondered—what did you used to doon New Year's Eve? I don't know anyone else who doesn't go to some kind of party."

"Usually I just hang out with Voronwe and get drunk and play cards. Never figured I was missing much by not going anywhere." He smiled. "So much for that theory."

"Amen. Oh, and guess what?"

"What?"

"The song's over. You didn't suck."

"Wow."

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The party finally ended around three o'clock in the morning, and as promised, Dinniel and Meleth and I all went back to my room and talked the events of the night over in vivid detail. I was so happy that it was hard to be tired, even after my friends had fallen asleep and I had no one to talk to, so instead of lying down I picked up a piece of paper and started writing.

Dear Aunt Aredhel,

Usually, you'll have noticed, I write to you to complain. My cousin is in love with me. My dad ignores me. I'm in love with my best friend. The city is doomed. Dinniel got married and I don't see her as often anymore. Blah, blah, blah.

But guess what? This time I'm not writing to complain. Actually, I have some very exciting news.

I FINALLY TOLD TUOR THAT I LOVE HIM!

Aren't you proud of me? It was a total impulse thing. He asked me if I had any New Year's resolutions and I told him I did, and he asked what they were and I just kissed him. Totally let down my guard. After all, I know that's what you'd want.

You know, I used to think love sucked, but I guess that isn't really true. It only sucks when it's unrequited. Or when you're married to a jerk like you were (no offense, but it's true).

This has been the best night of my life!

Well, say hi to everyone, and tell Mom that her daughter's finally being less of a prude. She'll like that.

Happy New Year!

Love,

Idril

PS: Oh, I think Meleth might like Glorfindel. Wouldn't they be a cute couple? But is she really his type?