Disclaimer: I do not own anything but my own characters, everything belongs to Tolkien the genius.

Author's Note: Sorry this took a while but I did warn you the holidays can be hectic!

Chapter Thirty-Six: Ertatta

Vinyamar was in sight by midday and both the supply gatherers and Glorfindel's warriors were glad to nearly be home after both their long sojourns. Keeping to proper decorum, Glorfindel and Elrilya did not ride side by side in the last leg of the trip from the campsite to Vinyamar. They said little to nothing between each other vocally due to their distance but plenty passed between them through their bond, obviously more private than speaking aloud.

Glorfindel still kept a little of his mind hidden from her, hoping to keep his gift of a betrothal ring a surprise even if she possibly could be expecting it. First thing he would need to do is inform Turgon of his intent; thought, he was certain the king would not deny him permission. Especially since the bond had already occurred and that Turgon was incredibly accepting of their courting before so Glorfindel was not worried. The two of them would be meeting to go over Glorfindel's reports and the city's building status as soon as Glorfindel was settled after arriving.

"Will I see you when you are finished speaking with Turgon?" Elrilya asked him in his mind, knowing full well without reading his mind that was where he would be headed once they got to the seaside city.

"Of course," he replied in the same way with a mischievous flare. "I will meet you at your room."

"I shall look forward to that," she said as they rode through the gates of Vinyamar.

They parted with a short kiss and longing eyes as they passed their horses off to the stable hands, he on his way to see Turgon and she to see that the supplies gathered were delivered. Glorfindel felt into his inside pocket where he had slipped the rings, remembering how it felt to hold them and what they meant for him and Elrilya. After dropping his bags and items off in his room, Glorfindel headed for Turgon's study where he would likely be found. He was right in his assumption and smiled broadly as he knocked on the open door, causing the Noldo king to look up from his work.

"Welcome home, Glorfindel!" he bellowed and rose from his desk. "It is good to see you again after all this time."

"As it is to see you," he said as they clasped hand and arm. "How goes things?"

"Well enough," Turgon said with a sigh. "Though you did miss a rather interesting time this past year."

"So I heard," Glorfindel said with a chuckle, knowing full well as to what Turgon was referring. "We had the great fortune to come across Elrilya and the suppliers upon our return journey."

"I had hoped that would happen," Turgon said with a smile. "It was difficult to seek a punishment for her without seeming to take favor upon her because of her standing within my family."

"That is understandable," Glorfindel said with a nod. "It was fair and just. I am certain it will not happen again."

"I believe that too," Turgon agreed. "Now, tell me how my plans are developing?"

"Turgon, I have a matter of import I wish to discuss with you before my report," Glorfindel said.

"Is it about Elrilya?" Turgon asked knowingly, since they were just speaking of her. "About a betrothal perhaps?"

"How is it that you know my intentions each of the times I speak to you about us?" Glorfindel replied with a touch of exasperation at being found out once more.

Turgon stood from his chair and went to his window that overlooked the endless sea. He let a loud, tired sigh as he gazed.

"I know the look in her eyes she has had these years you have been gone," the king said still looking to the sea longingly. "It is not quite as strong as that of I am acquainted with but the same nonetheless."

"What is that?" Glorfindel asked.

Turgon turned back to face him, "The separation from a binding mate. She hid it well from everyone, even Idril, but not from me."

"I see," Glorfindel said. "I apologize for not telling you from the beginning."

"You both had your reasons that you keep," he said settling down in his chair again. "She did not wish to betray your promise of secrecy but could not deny it to me either."

"I understand," the golden lord said. "We wished to wait until we could celebrate with many of our loved ones in the city rather than away on duties and errands."

"Then what is to stop you now?" Turgon said, a mischievous smile upon his face. "Most of your troops are here while only a small fraction are gone. Ecthelion is still here for another three years until he returns to his posting."

Glorfindel realized it suddenly in alarming clarity, Turgon had purposely reorganized and manipulated the schedules and numbers to make the possibility be at Glorfindel's approval and needs for a ceremony.

"You know me too well," he said shaking his head.

"More than you realize," Turgon said reaching over to his desk where a small pouch lay.

Drawing open the pouch, Turgon took out its contents and held them out to Glorfindel on his open palm.

"My gift to you for your binding," he said.

Glorfindel's eyes were wide with astonishment as he picked up the two gold-wrought rings from Turgon's hand. They were thin bands polished with care and shone with a grand brilliance. A small marking on the band showed Glorfindel's customized crest of his family's house for the eastern lands: an icon of Anur with rays stretching outward.

"Words cannot convey my thanks enough to you," he said quietly as he inspected the bands.

"Your loyalty to my family and city as well as our friendship is more than enough to me," Turgon said. "All I ask is take care of her as I have or her own kin would have."

"Always," Glorfindel replied with all seriousness. "When do you suggest we have the ceremony?"

"That is up to you and Elrilya but I believe a summer day would fit best," the king suggested.

"Indeed," Glorfindel approved. "Perhaps as soon as possible would be best."

"That would be best since it is terrible to keep a binding apart just for modesty's sake," Turgon said.

"Then it will be so," Glorfindel smiled.

Glorfindel came to Elrilya's door two hours after they had last seen each other. He raised his hand to knock but stayed his hand when he realized there truly was no need to knock on his mate's door. Slipping through the unlocked door and shutting it quietly behind him, Glorfindel latched the door as soon as he was inside. It was then that he heard the sound of running water from another room nearby. Elrilya's shadow played on a nearby wall from a light in her bathing chamber so Glorfindel crept up to the doorway to see her lowering herself into a warm bath.

Glorfindel smiled devilishly for a moment as he pondered his next action. The water was still filling the tub basin and hid the noises of Glorfindel doffing his clothing and silently entering the chamber. He could sense her mind was not aware of his nearby presence and her eyes were closed as she relaxed in the refreshing water. They snapped open quite suddenly as Glorfindel slid into the basin on the opposite side of her.

"Glorfindel! Don't surprise me so!" she exclaimed. "I did not even hear you."

"That is what I hoped," he said as he stretched out. "I decided it would be good to join you since we both are in need of a bath."

She raised a curious eyebrow, "Or perhaps you were wishing for something similar to our night at the stream?"

"Perhaps," he repeated with a husky tone.

With a short giggle, Elrilya moved toward him and placed her back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist as they settled together. However, Glorfindel kept one hand clasped away secretively.

"It is good to be home with you finally," he spoke into her ear. "I never thought ten years would seem so intolerably long."

"Neither did I," she said, feeling his cheek nuzzling against the side of her head.

"Though, I suppose that is why you deserve this," Glorfindel said as he took her hand and passed a silver ring over her forefinger. "I know you are already mine but now you may show it for all to see our love."

Elrilya watched as his hand with a matching ring held hers tightly. She pulled his arms tighter around her body as she embraces his folded limbs around her with her own.

"I love you," she said, turning to face him and placed a kiss upon his lips. "You are too kind to me."

"As I shall be to you in all that comes," he said, letting his knuckles lightly rub against her cheek.

News spread quickly through the city at the impending ceremony of the nuptials and not too few listeners were disappointed at the gossip of the two Eldari's unavailability. The masses were overwhelmingly joyous at the happy couple, especially the popular captain and steward of the king who had been so devoted to the people of the city who adored him in return. The celebration to follow the ceremony would be grand indeed as the citizens gave back to he who had given them much.

It was less than a month to the day and Glorfindel found himself busy with preparations. Idril had attempted to take a portion of the workload so that Glorfindel and Elrilya would not be overwhelmed but as the list of guests coming from greater distances increased, more planning was needed. The menu had to be discussed for the feast with the chefs and kitchen staff, accommodation had to be reserved for the visiting guests, Glorfindel's robes and tunic needed to still be tailored, Elrilya's dress was underway, the music for the celebration had to be chosen, the florist needed to collect flowers for the ceremony site and much more.

Glorfindel felt more overwhelmed with the preparations for the binding ceremony than he ever did with his usual duties over the years. He never felt that the effort was not worth it but the more he did and thought about the coming day, the more he realized how happy it made him. No longer were he and Elrilya forced to live their separate ways or sneak around to be with one another but they would finally be able to be one fully and completely with the blessing of the Valar powers. That was all that mattered to him and soon it would be so.

Glossary

Ertatta: two united