Chapter 3

"You truly have thought of everything," Ereiniel said as Asfaloth appeared around the kitchen gate, saddled and harnessed, after Glorfindel had whistled for him. They had already stopped by the kitchens to retrieve a picnic basket Glorfindel had put together earlier in the day, which Ereiniel held.

"How long have you been planning this?"

"Since I saw how utterly distraught you were this morning at breakfast," Glorfindel replied as he swung himself up into the saddle. "I may not have been able to save you from a day of stressful hearings, but I can make your night far more enjoyable."

Ereiniel grinned as Glorfindel held out his hand and helped her mount the horse with the heavy basket. She sat before him, the basket in her lap, and he was quite content to ride with his arms around her.

"What in all of creation did you put in here?" Ereiniel asked as she popped open the top to peer inside.

"A bit of everything actually," Glorfindel admitted as he urged Asfaloth into a brisk canter. "The cooks were preparing the feast when I came down and everything smelled so good."

Ereiniel laughed as Glorfindel guided Asfaloth away from Imladris and down the winding pathways that led deeper into the valley. The trees obscured the night sky above, but the light of a million fireflies lit their path towards a flowering woodland meadow.

A sea of bluebells surrounded them as Glorfindel reigned his horse and dismounted, taking the basket from Ereiniel so she could slide down from the saddle. He pulled a blanket from one of the saddlebags and tossed it over his shoulder as she stepped away to behold the beauty around them.

"I know you prefer to be beside the sea, but I thought you would enjoy this place," Glorfindel said.

"It's wonderful," she smiled as she cupped her hands to capture a firefly. "Everything you have done is wonderful."

The firefly flew from her hands, and she turned to him and smiled. Standing in the starlight, looking so soft and refined with her pale hair tumbling over her shoulder, Ereiniel was the most beautiful thing in the valley to him. Glorfindel felt his heart skip a beat.

"Tis only a token of my affection," he said as he put the basket down then spread the blanket on the ground.

"One which I greatly appreciate," Ereiniel said, kneeling and helping him smooth it out. "I would prefer this over a chest of mithril and diamonds!"

"I agree mithril and diamonds are a poor substitution for cheese pasties, wine, and blueberry tarts," he affirmed as he set their basket down on the blanket.

Yet it was not just the aforementioned delights that Glorfindel sat before them. He had also procured an herb encrusted partridge, a loaf of rosemary bread, butter, cheese, and an assortment of fruit and roasted vegetables.

"How did you manage to fit all of that in there?" Ereiniel asked as he at last withdrew their cutlery and began to make her plate, being generous with the portions.

"It took a few tries," Glorfindel said as he handed her the plate then opened the bottle of wine. "But I am quite certain stubbornness and determination had much to do with it."

Ereiniel took the glass he offered her and took a long sip from it. The taste of blackberries, figs, and a hint of plum rolled over her tongue before she swallowed, and didn't realize how much she needed a drink until she had drained her glass. Glorfindel immediately refilled it.

"Thank you," she said. "For everything you've done, I have no idea how you always seem to know just what I need."

"Though you are of the highest status and possess numerable talents milady, you are not difficult to understand," he said, waving a butter knife.

"Is that so?" she said, taking a bite of bread. "Should I be offended by this?"

"In your case, never. It makes you that much more approachable, for you prefer simplicity, and think more highly of thoughtfulness and consideration than elaborate displays of wealth," Glorfindel replied.

"And how did you come to discover this about me?" Ereiniel asked, intrigued.

"Why, because you came here with me for starters," he said with a smile. "You knew that Elrond's dining hall would be filled with all the fineries and extravagances only a ruling lord could provide, but you knew that by running off with me I could only provide you with something like this." Glorfindel gave a sweeping motion with his hand. "Not to mention you just said you would prefer this over mithril and diamonds."

"Perhaps it is due to the Shipwright's influence," Ereiniel consented with an amused grin. "Círdan was never one who thought much of riches or treasure."

"He is contented with building ships as you are making dresses," Glorfindel said. "While I do believe he is one of the least amiable people I have ever encountered, I do appreciate that he taught your father to value family and love. An obsessive love of jewels can only lead to senseless violence."

"I do not think it was all Círdan's doing," Ereiniel said. "Ada barely remembers a time when he had a proper family and always wanted one, more than anything. It's why he is so protective of us."

"I figured that out when he kept posting guards outside your doors to drive me away," he said, taking a sip of wine.

Ereiniel recalled those early days shortly after Glorfindel washed ashore in Lindon. There was an instant attraction between their fëar, and the golden Vanya was overly flirtatious and vigorously courted her, much to Gil-galad's displeasure. In the king's mind there was no Elf in Aman or Arda who was worthy of his only child, and did his best to dissuade Glorfindel.

Ereiniel recalled one such occurrence when she was sitting in her study, listening to the spring storm that raged outside, when Glorfindel burst through her balcony doors. He was panting, drenched from the heavy downpour, with rips in his tunic and bloody scratches from the thorny roses that grew along the cliffside. In his hand was a dozen lilacs.

He later told her he had been on a stroll through the gardens when he spotted the lilacs, and thought she might like to have them. Upon trying to deliver them, however, he found every corridor blocked by guards who dissuaded entry to the princess' study. The explanation given was that hobgoblins had infiltrated the palace and were hiding somewhere within the walls. Undeterred, Glorfindel had simply decided to scale the three story cliffside to deliver the lilacs to her through her window.

It was only after Sauron had been driven from Eregion, and upon seeing Glorfindel's tender care of her after she received several grievous wounds, the king conceded. Somewhat. Gil-galad had yet to relent his icy regard of the Balrog Slayer, and all but pushed him onto Elrond and out of Lindon.

"Regardless, I am grateful that you never wavered in your devotion, even now I appreciate you more than words can convey," Ereiniel said. "I don't know how I will ever be able to repay you."

"One day Meldanya, when this war is done and my task is completed, I will gladly consider your debt paid when you return with me to Aman as my wife," Glorfindel said with a softened expression as he took her hand in his.

Ereiniel suddenly tugged on his hand and pulled him closer to her, and pressed her lips against his. Glorfindel readily returned her kiss and threaded his slender fingers through her hair.

"When that day comes," she said after they broke their kiss, "I shall gladly pay it."