A New Rival Part III
Lindriel was waiting by the door again.
She peered through the window that looked out into their courtyard, anxiously expecting someone to walk through the gate. Only this time, it was not a messenger that she was waiting for.
Erie's latest letter contained not only the latest events from court, but it included a message from Lord Celebrimbor himself. Lindriel remembered reading over the elegant script with a thudding heart, scarcely believing what he had written. It was an invitation, and she couldn't keep the smile from breaking out on her face after she read it. He said:
P.S. If the Lady Lindriel is not engaged on Tuesday the 24th, I would like to invite her on a playdate with Princess Ereiniel to the market square. There they might enjoy a theater performance and luncheon. Furthermore, Lady Lindriel and her family are hereby invited to dinner on the beach, to be hosted by Lord Celebrimbor himself. Swimwear is required, but all other expenses will be covered.
Yours truly,
Celebrimbor Fëanorion
She had run to her parents sitting in the parlor and showed them the letter. She then begged for permission to go before they had a chance to finish reading it. She had a chance to spend the day with Erie and she didn't want to pass it up. Thankfully, her parents permitted her to go, and they too would accept Lord Celebrimbor's dinner invitation. Lindriel immediately wrote and sent her reply, then she waited.
It was pure agony.
However, Tuesday finally rolled around and Lindriel was up before dawn waiting by the window. She sat looking out over the garden, watching the sun climb high in the sky before she caught sight of someone coming up to the gate.
She recognized Erie's enthusiastic form immediately. Her white hair and sea-green dress bounced and swished as she led Celebrimbor up to their house. Lindriel called to her naneth, who had chosen to remain close by the door herself, and opened it before Erie and Celebrimbor had a chance to knock.
"Good morning to you, it is a pleasure to finally meet you Lord Celebrimbor," Irien said as she curtsied. However, her words were drowned out by the two Elflings who squealed in delight and ran into each other's' arms.
"Lindriel! I missed you so much!" Erie said as she hugged her.
"Me too! I'm so glad to see you again!" Lindriel said, hugging her back.
"It seems this reunion is long overdue," Celebrimbor laughed when he observed the Elflings. "And the pleasure is all mine Lady Irien, I've heard much about you and your daughter," he said with a bow. "The King speaks highly of you and your lemon cake."
Irien chuckled before turning her attention to Lindriel. "Come, you must introduce yourself," she said.
Erie still held onto her hand as Lindriel curtsied to Celebrimbor, who looked far less formal than when she first saw him. He wore a simple, dark orange robe over a brown tunic and leggings, and his hair was pulled back in a simple braid. Upon his fingers and in his ears he wore jewelry made of gold and mithril, which was adorned with many colorful gems. She also noted that he had the same blue-grey eyes that Erie and Gil-galad possessed.
It must have been a common trait amongst the descendants of Finwё.
"It's nice to finally meet you Lord Celebrimbor," Lindriel said with sincerity. Her opinion of the Fëanorion had drastically changed in the last several weeks due to Erie's letters. Now she was anxious to spend time with him, just as Erie had been.
"And I you, Lady Lindriel," Celebrimbor responded with a smile. "Erie has spoken of very little of anything other than yourself these last few weeks, I have been quite anxious to meet someone who is so highly praised."
Lindriel smiled and glanced over at Erie, who giggled and smiled back.
"Celebrimbor is taking us to see a new play they started performing last week, it's supposed to be really funny," Erie said.
"Make sure to behave yourselves, and have lots of fun," Irien said as she bent to give Lindriel a kiss. "And I will see you later this evening."
"We will," Lindriel replied.
"And thank you for letting her come with us," Erie said.
"You are most welcome," Irien replied with a smile before they started off.
"I look forward to becoming better acquainted with you and your husband later this evening Lady Irien," Celebrimbor said. "Until then I will be sure to watch after Lady Lindriel with the same attentiveness as I do Erie."
"I have no concerns Lord Celebrimbor," Irien responded. "You do us a great honor by showing such generosity to Lindriel and ourselves."
"You are most kind Lady Irien, and until we meet again this evening, I bid you farewell," Celebrimbor said, bowing.
Irien returned the gesture and watched as Erie and Lindriel scampered ahead of the Fëanorion. They ventured down the same shaded paths they always took to the market square, passing many people who seemed pleasantly perplexed by the sight of Lord Celebrimbor in the company of two small Elflings.
"Elrond is meeting us down in the square," Erie said as she and Lindriel walked hand-in-hand. "He went ahead and got our tickets while Celebrimbor and I came to get you."
"Are your ada and naneth not coming?" Lindriel asked, now realizing how vague Celebrimbor's invitation was. She had initially thought it would just be the two of them and Celebrimbor.
"They will meet us on the beach later this evening," his wink made Lindriel smile. "This day is ours, to spend it however we see fit."
"Does that mean we can go get turnovers for our dessert this evening?" Erie asked with hopeful anticipation.
Celebrimbor laughed. "If that is your greatest desire today then we shall see to it."
Erie squealed in delight, and she spurred her pace when they reached the square and saw Elrond waiting by the fountain. She kept a firm grasp of Lindriel's hand as she brought her before him.
"We got her Elrond!" Erie exclaimed, presenting Lindriel as if she were some treasure that had been found.
"Most excellent!" Elrond responded before he greeted Lindriel. "I trust you've been well since your last letter Lady Lindriel; we have found them to be a most pleasant distraction from the tediousness of court life these last few weeks."
"Thank you Lord Elrond I am well," Lindriel responded, throwing herself into the hug he offered. "Though I admit that I have been anxiously awaiting today!"
"Well then, you shall not wait any longer," Celebrimbor responded. "Elrond and I have chosen a play that we think you shall enjoy immensely."
The Fëanorion took Erie's hand while Elrond took Lindriel's and led them to the famed Theater Alley. Each building was painted a different bright color, and many colorful banners crisscrossed overhead. Even the ground over which they walked was a rainbow of glass and stone.
Lindriel held tight onto Elrond's hand as they walked through the packed alleyway, where Elves walked shoulder to shoulder, coming and going from the many theaters, or stopping to watch performances that took place on the street or balconies above. Lindriel already been to several plays since she moved to Aearellond, but she always preferred the street. Even when her parents ventured to the market for necessities, she always like it when their trip took a detour through the alley. Here was the one place the city felt most joyous.
"Here we are," Elrond said as he directed them to a stone building painted orange with bold blue shutters and green window pots. Two large painted banners stood between the large entryway, proclaiming the name of the play they were about to see.
"The Starlight Thief?"
"It's supposed to be really funny," Erie said, responding to Lindriel. "Elrond said that it was originally written by Glorfindel the Balrog Slayer."
"I didn't know that he was a playwright," Lindriel said, looking to Elrond. He knew so much and always had the answers to everything it seemed.
"Oh yes," Elrond said, answering Lindriel's unspoken question. "None of his original scripts survived, but a member of his household later wrote down what he could remember of the play. This is only one of three that they were able to recall in its entirety. It's a shame really, I heard he wrote dozens of fantastic plays."
Lindriel was now more excited than ever. She would be seeing a rare play written by none other than Lord Glorfindel of Gondolin. It gave her a whole new perspective of the Elf, beyond his famed fighting skills. Being cooped up in a city where no one could come and go must have left him with plenty of spare time, and she could not help but wonder how the other famous Lords of Gondolin spent their free time.
They took their seats in the small gallery ―for each theater was only capable of seating about one hundred spectators― in the center aisle in the center seats. Lindriel found that she had a perfect view of the stage, and was extremely grateful when the gallery lights dimmed and the performance began.
She laughed throughout the entire story, which was about a pack of orcs that found one of Varda's stars that fell to earth. The shining star transformed them into beautiful Elves, and they decided to wreak havoc on the nearest human town.
Their pranks, incitements, and general stupidity made her laugh until her sides hurt. The poor villagers, who listened to their advice on everything from love, town management, and even brewing ale, met with comically disastrous results. However, things got bad for the orcs when a group of real Elves arrived, and an orc was spotted in the forest that surrounded the town.
Once the Elves started unraveling the orcs' efforts, they found the orc and asked him to join their little group. Unfortunately for them, the orc was really an Elf that belonged in the other group. They too had come across the crater where the star fell and found a fragment that transformed him into an orc. He agreed to their offer, but then told his friends all about them.
Instead of calling the orcs out, the Elves decided to play pranks of their own. They coerced them into doing good deeds and officiate a wedding, much to the orcs' displeasure. They used the events to look for the piece of broken star, and once it was found and put back together the Elf and orcs were transformed back. The villagers chased the orcs out of town and the Elves had a good laugh at the end.
Lindriel stood and clapped with everyone else after the curtains closed. Though she enjoyed the performance immensely, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness. Elrond had said that this was only one of three of Lord Glorfindel's plays that remained, so it made her think of what other stories could have been written.
Her mind swirled with possibilities and more and more questions formed in her mind. Did Glorfindel write others besides humor? Did he also create just as entertaining romances? Tragedies? Dramas? Not knowing made Lindriel realize what was lost. There could have been one that was wittier and would have made her laugh harder, and that made her sad.
"Come now, it's past midday and past time for luncheon," Celebrimbor said as he and Elrond began to herd the Elflings out of the theater.
"Can we go pick out our candy first? You said we could get some at breakfast." Erie said as they stepped back out into the daylight. The crowd was so packed in the alley that Celebrimbor and Elrond decided to carry the two Elflings so they would not get swept away.
"I am not so easily duped into such nonsense," Celebrimbor responded as he led them through the dense crowd and out into the common streets. "I know better than to take two hungry Elflings into a sweet shop. Besides, I have yet to have my fill of fried haddock and prawns. I've been looking forward to it since I got here."
Erie frowned and looked over at Lindriel with an expression that said I at least tried. Lindriel responded with a forgiving giggle, but didn't care either way. The play itself would have made her day, but she knew there was much more to come.
They ate at a table on the waterside boardwalk before they finally ventured to the sweet shop. Though Celebrimbor waved his hand dismissively and said, "Get what you want," Lindriel gazed over the assortment with trepidation. She didn't want to appear greedy or to be taking advantage of Celebrimbor's kindness, and eventually settled on a violet lolly. However, she couldn't help but let her eyes rove hungrily over the lemon fudge in a display case.
Celebrimbor noticed the lolly clenched in Lindriel's hand as she continued to gaze at the assortment of fudge, chocolates, and sugared treats with a sense of uncertainty. Sensing the Elfling's plight, he knelt down next to her.
"Don't tell me that's all you want," Celebrimbor said in a jovial tone. "You can get every flavor of lolly if you like, and much more."
Lindriel's eyes went wide in astonishment, then looked over at Erie and Elrond when Celebrimbor inclined his head towards them.
"Erie is picking out everything blueberry flavored while Elrond is getting as much taffy as he can possibly carry," he said. "I'd hate for you to leave here without everything you wanted."
Lindriel bit her lip and looked back at the lemon fudge.
"That looks really good," she said. "Is it alright if I have a little bit of that?"
"Why of course," Celebrimbor responded, taking her hand as he stood. "They also have raspberry and lavender; would you like any of those?"
While the raspberry appealed to her, the lavender did not. Celebrimbor kept hold of her hand as they circled the store, until finally Lindriel walked out with a large paper bag filled with every flavor lolly, lemon and raspberry fudge, orange water and lavender truffles, rose marshmallows, and so much more.
"Thank you so very much Celebrimbor!" Erie said with a rock candy stick in her mouth as she dragged her overloaded bag behind her. Lindriel's own bag was filled with enough candy to last a long while, yet Erie's looked to contain twice that amount.
Lindriel couldn't help but think of Celebrimbor's quip as he watched Erie and Elrond's gleeful shopping spree; "Though they say that Fingolfin's line is famous for their valor, strength, and steadfastness, they should also mention their enthusiasm for sweets. It is just as infamous."
Lindriel giggled then, and she did now when it came to mind.
"Yes, thank you very much Celebrimbor," Lindriel said.
"You are most welcome," he replied with a smile.
"Can we go get our turnovers now?" Erie asked, making the Fëanorion laugh.
"As long as you all promise not to buy them out. I fear we inflicted plenty of damage to the store behind us," Celebrimbor said.
"Nimriel does not mind," Elrond said, looking quite content with his two bags filled with taffy. "She looked positively gleeful when she saw how much we were buying."
"She's always like that though," Erie said, dismissing the white-haired shopkeeper's joy at the counter. "She's always laughing and smiling when ada and I come to get her sugar-coated blueberries. I always think that she'll be dreadfully sad when we buy them all, but she never seems to mind."
Celebrimbor and Elrond couldn't help but chuckle at Erie's childish thinking and how perfect it was that she placed more value on coated blueberries than coin. In all likelihood, she had no idea that her family could easily buy her every sweet in Arda.
They wandered the shops to whittle away the time before their dinner date, and by the time they walked to the beach Lindriel and Erie carried matching stuffed dolphins under their arms, along with another paper bag filled with every flavor of turnover Melwen had in her shop.
A canopy had already been placed on the beach, along with a table laden with food and drink when they arrived. Also waiting for them were their parents, enjoying a conversation as they sat waiting for them. Erie broke out into a run when she saw Gil-galad, who stood and held out his arms when he saw her approach.
"Goodness! What all do you have there? Those bags are bigger than you are!" Gil-galad exclaimed as he watched her drag her load behind her.
"Ada! Ada!" she cried as the King swept her up. "Celebrimbor took us to get candy and turnovers! I got as many blueberry chocolates, truffles, and jellies as I could get us!" Erie proudly handed over her prize to Gil-galad before turning to Sílaedhel. "I even got your favorite sugared orange slices and strawberry tarts naneth!"
"That's wonderful Erie, and so very thoughtful," Sílaedhel said, then scowled when the King set the bag on the table and withdrew a handful of the chocolate blueberries. "You can eat those after dinner."
"Erie bore a heavy burden all this way for us, it would be most impolite to not sample them," Gil-galad playfully retorted while Sílaedhel huffed, though the corner of her lip was now up in a half smile.
Lindriel suddenly felt guilty when she realized she had neglected to get anything for her parents. Celebrimbor had encouraged her to get whatever she wanted, and that was exactly what she did. Still, she should have thought to get something for them.
"What all did you get Tithenaew?" her mother asked as she knelt to give her a hug.
"Lots of stuff," Lindriel answered as she pushed her bag into her mother's hands. "You can have whatever you like."
"Perhaps after supper," she responded with a smile.
She led Lindriel to the table and helped her into a chair next to Erie. Their seating arrangement was very informal, neither the King nor Celebrimbor sat at the head of the table. The conversational topics were light, and Celebrimbor told them stories about his travels. He spoke more about the Dwarves, and also about the Elves east beyond the Hithaeglir.
Lindriel sat enraptured by the descriptions of the cavernous halls of the Dwarves, where the roofs were inlaid with gold and the walls glittered due to the multitude of gems. He also told them about the Nandor and how they built their cities in the trees to better see the stars. She could have listened to Celebrimbor all night.
"The day has flown by," Elrond noted when they sky grew dark.
"They're getting shorter," Gil-galad said as he reclined in his seat, nursing his third glass of wine. "Autumn is upon us."
"It's not over yet," Celebrimbor said. "I have one last gift, but we must go down to the tide pools."
Erie was the first to push herself away from the table and start towards the shore, though Lindriel wasn't too far behind her.
"He's saved this one for last, which means it's going to be better than all the rest!" Erie cried as she and Lindriel raced towards the water.
"I don't see how it could be!" Lindriel replied. "How could it be better than everything else today?"
Celebrimbor laughed when he overheard them, and followed the two Elflings down to the rocky pools. They stood by one, bouncing with excitement until Celebrimbor pointed to another larger, deeper one some feet away.
"That one I think, will be perfect," he said while Erie and Lindriel looked over their shoulders, then ran to the one he indicated.
When all three had gathered round, Celebrimbor knelt by the water and pulled a heavy pouch from his tunic. He then withdrew a palm-sized stone and tossed it in the water. Erie and Lindriel gasped with delight when a bright green light burst from it when it hit the water. Celebrimbor withrew more of the stones, and in no time the tidepool was also colored with blue, red, pink, purple, and yellow lights.
"It's so pretty!" Erie cried, her eyes wide with wonderment. "Did you make those?"
"I did," Celebrimbor replied. "For you and your friends to use when you swim in the evenings. Do you think they will like them?"
"Oh yes!" Lindriel answered first, her eyes never left the water.
"Well go on then, jump in!" Celebrimbor urged. "I told you to bring swimming clothes, did I not?"
"Yes!" They both cried in unison before slipping off their dresses. Lindriel had learned soon after she arrived in Lindon that almost all Elflings always wore swimwear under their clothes. She had instantly taken up the habit herself.
They jumped in, giggling and splashing while Celebrimbor laughed. Their parents came over when they heard their excited squeals, and marveled at the lights in the water.
"What is that you got there?" Gil-galad smiled as he sat down by the pool.
"Look ada!" Erie said, holding the blue one just beneath the water's surface. "It only lights up when it's in water, isn't it amazing?"
"Indeed so!" the King laughed as he watched Erie lift it out, showing him the dull stone before placing it back under the water.
"Thank you for everything, Celebrimbor," Sílaedhel said, smiling. Lindhren and Irien also earnestly expressed their thanks to the Fëanorion.
"It was nothing at all," he replied. "I'm just glad everyone had a good time."
They were still playing when the sun sank and the moon rose high, and Celebrimbor and Elrond remained to watch Erie and Lindriel while their parents went on a walk. The Fëanorian stretched out his legs and leaned back on his hands as Elrond sat cross-legged beside him, swirling what was left in his wine glass.
"They'll never forget this," Elrond said, inclining his head towards the Elflings.
"That's the point," Celebrimbor said as he watched them swim. "I don't have many good memories from my childhood, but those I do have I will always treasure. Being able to reflect on them has gotten me through many trials in my life, and I know that one day those girls will be able to look back upon today and know —without a doubt— that they were greatly loved by all those around them."
Elrond looked over and saw a far off look on the Fëanorion's face. He heard stories about Celebrimbor's father, and the only good thing said about him was that he was one of the greatest smiths to ever live. Most recalled he was a treacherous, callous, and ill-tempered Elf who was extraordinarily difficult to get along with.
Celebrimbor never spoke of his father, but Elrond heard that Curufin was overbearing and expected his son to be exemplary in all his studies. There were rumors that punishments were frequent while praise was nonexistent, but Elrond didn't dare pry. There was no doubt though, that Celebrimbor received little affection during his early years. He always seemed too eager to please and never recognized his talents.
Elrond sometimes wondered if the reason Celebrimbor doted on Erie so was because he craved unbridled love and affection, and she was nothing but pure love. He certainly didn't bring anyone else the kind of presents he brought her, especially those music boxes. Her new bird cage alone would buy a king's ransom.
"The same goes for you too," Celebrimbor said after a while, turning to Elrond. "I at least had a parent, and then some compassionate uncles whom I could turn to, but you were raised by far distant relatives and strangers."
As much as he didn't want to admit it, Celebrimbor was right. He had far clearer memories of Maglor and Maedhros than his own parents when he was very young. While he was grateful for the Fëanorions, and ended up loving them dearly, he would have preferred it was his mother, instead of Maglor, who read him stories and taught him simple chords on a harp. He would also have liked to recall it was his father who held him against his chest and paced the floor, trying to lull him back to sleep after he was awoken by a particularly nasty thunderstorm one night, instead of Maedhros.
Even afterwards, it was Gil-galad and Sílaedhel who filled the role of caregivers and tended to him and Elros as best they could. They hadn't the experience with Elflings like the Fëanorions, and Gil-galad was often busy in meetings while Sílaedhel was away in the infirmaries. But, Gil-galad would play with them when he got the chance, and Elrond liked to toddle after Sílaedhel because she would let him help mix poultices and salves, and taught him how to identify different herbs.
"I invited you because you need good memories too," Celebrimbor said. "We're both orphans Elrond, though I doubt you were glad to cut ties with your parents like I was, but we managed to gain a family again. A really good one. We have no idea what the future may hold, so we should enjoy these times we are all together."
Elrond looked back over at the Elflings as he contemplated what Celebrimbor said. He was right of course, and Elrond knew he'd likely treasure this day just as much as Erie and Lindriel. The cost of a few tickets, trinkets, and an afternoon spent in a borrowed forge were well spent.
"Elrond!" Erie called, waving at him from the pool. "Come swim with us!"
The half-Elf chuckled as he rose, and shed his outer robe. He wouldn't get he chance to play in the water with them for much longer, for soon it would be too cold. Besides, why should the fun stop now?
"You coming?" Elrond asked, looking down at the Fëanorion. Celebrimbor quietly contemplated the question for a few moments.
"You know, I couldn't think of anything else I'd rather do right now."