AN: Really sorry this took so long to post, i keep getting distracted. I shall attempt to post another one very soon to make up.

There will probably be two/three more chapters posted before i go on holiday (sans wifi) so for around the first week of july there will be no updates. Just a forwarning.

Anyway, Enjoy...

CHAPTER 26

The moment the darker haired ellon was in the private of the sitting-room, he found himself with arms full of young, female Maia. Eventually, Fëa let go of the High-King, smiling up at him and bouncing on the balls of her feet.

"I'll take that to mean you missed me, then?" Gil-galad commented lightly as the other three Elves in the room laughed. Fëa just grinned at him before burying herself in his arms again. With an indulgent smile, the Elf led her to a sofa and sat down, holding her beside him, as she was obviously not inclined to let him go any time soon. After a few moments of getting comfortable, Fëa stretched up and kissed his cheek.

"I really missed you, Ereinion," she whispered before snuggling back into his chest.

XXX

Galadriel snuggled deeply into her husband's arms, caressing his chest gently with one hand. She sighed deeply in contentment as he carded a hand through her hair and drew her closer, enjoying the warmth and affection, which had not grown old in the thousands of years since their marriage.

After a short while she noticed her husband was brooding again. He'd been doing that a fair amount since he had returned from Imladris, Lord Elrond's new realm. At first she had thought it was because Oropher was there, he (even in Doriath) had not stinted in letting them know what he thought of their marriage and once they had moved to Eregion, home of her cousin once removed (sort of, her father's half-brother's grandson, Galadriel liked to put as bigger distance between her and Feanor as possible), the frosty politeness they had up 'til then shared descended into cold hatred between the two Elves. Now, however, she was beginning to wonder.

Eventually, she sent her mind out to him curiously, not entirely wanting to break the companionable silence that surrounded them. It took some probing before Celeborn replied to the thought, sighing deeply.

"My trip to Imladris has set me thinking somewhat, and no it was not entirely Oropher that has been the problem, though he was responsible for me getting some of the information that made me think and ponder as such." The silver-haired Lord sighed again and went silent again for so long that Galadriel had to poke his mind to get him to carry on explaining.

"The Lady Fëa in particular said things that made me think. She referred to Meriliel, her cousin, as 'Arallë', and then, when she was telling me (quite sharply) that all the important people agreed to their union, she told me the names of her cousin's parents. Various little things that she said like that sent me off thinking. I know that Fëa and the others are different, and those three at least have some Maia-blood in them but still, these things seem strange and well, after the fall." At this point his voice broke slightly, the memories still too painful. "I have been wondering about Fëa especially. Some of the things she did when helping us… just… well..."

Galadriel rubbed her husband's chest soothingly; it was rare for him to be so inarticulate in expressing his thoughts. Even as he spoke he must have been contemplating what he was talking about.

"What were their names, Meriliel and Galadhion's parents?" Once again Celeborn was silent for a moment before answering.

"Daffyd and Tuimahen." He looked down at his wife as she physically started in shock.

"Daffyd? But..." at Celeborn's frown she took a breath before carrying on. "Do you remember those two humans that were picked up during the War of Wrath? The little boy was called Daffyd, his aunt was Riona, a stunning woman with dark, vibrant, red hair, very similar to Fëa's, actually, from what I hear."

"You think...?" Celeborn whispered.

"Well, Daffyd is hardly a name I have ever heard anywhere else so it is fairly likely. I remember Adar being very fond of both of them and them going to Valinor on Estë's orders because of some such reason." After a few moments of silence, she spoke again. "I remember when Adar and I were arguing over whether I would return to Valinor with him, Riona sitting in the background, smiling in amusement. She might not have understood a word, but I don't think it was that necessary. I also remember what stopped him going on more to me was when Daffyd went up to him and pulled at his leg to get him to pick him up. Considering no mortal feet tread in Valinor, yet the Valar ordered two mortals there, they were either not as mortal as we thought and couldn't communicate it, or the Valar gave them immortality of some kind."

Galadriel once again buried her head in her husband's shoulder as he rubbed circles on her back with his thumb.

"But if their parents are Valinorian in some way and thus they were born in Valinor how are they here? How did they appear so mysteriously, especially as it is obvious that they still have frequent contact with their parents?" Galadriel smiled up at her husband mischievously.

"We'll just have to corner them and ask, won't we?"

XXX

Oropher smiled at Meriliel as she walked beside him. She had been absently humming the same tune all day and had seemed particularly cheerful. Eventually, she deigned to tell him the source of her good mood.

"In last night's dream, instead of the usual 'useful' stuff' we're told, Papa told us stories about his homeland, apparently in honour of a 'Saint's Day', whatever that may be and he sung that song to us. He's sung it before over the years, but he just reminded me of it and I've had it a bit stuck in my head. It's a nice tune." Oropher smiled softly at her. It was indeed a nice tune.

"When we are married, you will have to explain more of these dreams to me, though I fervently hope your parents cut down on them a little. I am certain there are times when we will not want them encroaching on your mind while you sleep." He smiled slightly; think of on what occasions those could be. He then noticed that Meriliel was looking up at him with a raised eyebrow.

"When we are married? That statement sort of implies that you had already asked me for my hand, and earned parental permission." Oropher stopped, realising exactly what he had just said and went pinker than the Elf-king had been since adolescence.

"Erm, yes, well, I meant to ask soon, I was just trying to think of a suitably romantic way of asking," he stuttered, uncharacteristically inarticulate. He hadn't been anything like this nervous with Faelwen, though that lady not meant anything like as much as Meriliel did to him and the previous time had been more of an obligation than anything else. He almost sighed in relief at the serene smile he saw on the young Maia's face.

"Did you just assume, or hope, that I would say yes? You seem to be implying the former with your words." If possible, Oropher went pinker.

"I dreamed, beloved, sometimes I look too far into the future and I forgot that I had not actually reached the point I dreamt of." Meriliel laughed lightly.

"You are smooth, I'll give you that." She reached up and kissed his cheek. "By the way, if it'll spur on your romantic planning, the answer is 'yes'." She directed another serene smile at the blond King and waltzed off, a definite bounce in her step.

XXX

Riona was bouncing around energetically as her nephew and his wife stared blankly at the overly happy Maia. Eventually she stopped and looked at them, hands on hips.

"How come you two are such party-poopers? Aren't you pleased your daughter is all but engaged?" she asked, far too happily. Daffyd glared at his aunt.

"We are such 'party-poopers' because our daughter is marrying an already married Elf, who neither of us like!" he snapped, glaring hard at the wall. After a few moments, he began muttering darkly under his breath. "Bloody lucky I can't tell him all a father should tell his baby girl's suitor, I'd give him such a scare to make sure he never even thought of hurting my baby..."

Riona snorted in amusement at her nephew and raised an eyebrow at him.

"Dream visions? Manwë wouldn't like it, but since when has that mattered?" The red-head was suddenly on the receiving end of an evil grin. "You look far too delighted there, nephy-poo. May I remind you that Arallë will never forgive you if you make Oropher be the first Elf to die from either fear or a heart attack."

Daffyd's grin dimmed for about a second, but soon returned as an unholy expression of glee crossed his face as it was clear the Welsh Maia was planning what the 'conversation' would be like. Riona almost regretted telling him that he could in fact contact Oropher, Daffyd was taking far too much joy in the Elf's soon-to-be awkward conversation. At least he couldn't physically harm Oropher. That would be bad.

Absently, Riona shook her head as her mind wandered to what her own dear husband would be like when Fëa got engaged.

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AN: Quick note, this chapter was written on St David's day (yes i do write ahead quite a bit) so the tune Meriliel is humming is Men of Harlech, though, if you wish, feel free to imagine any welsh hymn appropriate to the day.