A/N: Hi! I felt the need to do a fluffy Elven Christmas story. This is set roughly three days before the Fellowship's departure, and there's probably slight out-of-characterness, but hey, Elves can have fun too. Enjoy!
Arwen awoke to find that she had cocooned herself in the warm woollen blankets on her bed. It was unusually cold for this time of year, or so it seemed to her. It actually was not, the powers of Vilya holding back most of the ravages of the harsh Rivendell winters. Her dainty feet were numbed with cold. What in Eru's name is going on?
She opened her eyes. The light coming in from the window was grey, no blue sky to be seen. Truthfully she could not see much out of the window, the glass fogged with frost and condensation. Arwen was perplexed. It was only ever this cold during the Midwinter Festival, the Yuletide, and it was December, far too early for it. She sat up and recoiled when her feet touched the freezing tiled floor. She quickly pulled on her slippers and looked out the window. Her hands rubbed the moisture off the window. Arwen looked out and gasped. It was snowing.
How could it snow when it is not Midwinter?
That was the only time it snowed in Rivendell, during the Midwinter Festival. Elrond thought it added to the ambience of the celebrations. Arwen put on her woefully thin dressing-gown and walked to her father's chambers on the other side of the Last Homely House. As she passed the main hall, open to the elements, frosty snowflakes gathered in her dark hair and something caught her eye. She looked and was astounded.
A large pine tree stood in the hall, its needles falling to the ground in the slight wind. Parcels of gold, silver, pink and blue lay underneath it. She also saw ones that were red, black, and purple. Small fireflies hovered around the tree, making it glow and twinkle. Arwen looked around. She saw the mischievous grin of Gandalf in the shadows.
'Mithrandir,' she called, 'what is going on?'
'Ask your father, my dear Arwen. This was his doing.'
Gandalf disappeared with almost a giggle, it seemed to Arwen, even though his conjured fireflies remained. She resumed her march to her father's side of the house, where also her brothers slept. As she passed the kitchen, twin voices called, 'Arwen!'
Arwen stopped. Her brothers Elladan and Elrohir were behind her, holding a few sweets in their hands, looking every bit as puzzled as her.
'Do you know what's going on?' Elrohir asked, holding a sweet-filled hand out to her.
'No,' Arwen replied, taking a sweet, 'I was just on my way to ask Ada.'
'So were we,' replied Elladan. 'But we got, uh, sidetracked.'
Arwen smiled at her brothers and led the way while they stuffed themselves with sweets in the background. They may be nearly three thousand years old but they loved the special sticky buns, puddings and rock that the kitchens of Imladris made ever since before their birth. Elladan let out a small cry of pain when he took too big a bite of a piece of red rock. Elrohir sniggered.
'Serves you right for being greedy.'
'Shush,' Arwen said quietly. 'We're here.'
She knocked quietly on the study door. 'Ada? Are you in there?'
'Yes, my dearest,' he replied brightly. 'Are the twins with you?'
'Yes, Ada,' Arwen replied.
'Good, come in.'
Arwen opened the door to see a most unusual sight. Elrond was seated at his desk, wearing the usual white robes he wore for Yuletide. Aragorn, Glorfindel and Erestor stood by his side. Elrohir and Elladan entered behind their sister and were equally speechless. The whole study was covered with bright garlands of gold, silver and red. Bells and wreaths as well as winter blossoms decorated the desk and various bookshelves. White candles flickered everywhere. Elrond never, ever decorated his study.
'Ada...' Elrohir was lost for words. 'What in Arda is going on?'
Elrond looked to Glorfindel, then Aragorn. They both grinned. Elrond indicated the decorations.
'Why, my dear son, it is Yuletide.'
'But Ada,' Elladan protested, 'it's only December.'
'I care not, 'Dan,' Elrond replied. Sadness passed across his fair face. 'This is the last Midwinter we shall ever spend together with all of us, so what a Midwinter it shall be!'
Arwen was concerned. 'Ada, what have you seen?'
Elrond smiled at his daughter. 'Never mind, my beloved.' He reached under his desk and produced a red felt hat with a bell on the end. All four of Elrond's children gasped, squealed, laughed. It was the hat he used to wear every Yuletide when they were children, until he deemed them old enough to have outgrown it. He was very glad to be rid of it when Aragorn had grown old enough; it was utterly ridiculous.
Aragorn laughed loudest. 'Oh, Elrond, I never knew you still had that.'
Elrond smiled at his foster son. 'Of course I did, Estel. It is one of the precious memories I will take with me to Valinor. Now, come, my children, my loved ones. Now is the time for gift-giving.'
The people of Rivendell had been forewarned of the sudden occurrence, so they were already celebrating. The staff of the house had all been dismissed for the day, to both spend time with their families and give Elrond's household some time to themselves. A wonderful feast awaited the seven of them in the dining room, but it was not time yet. Elrond thrust the silly hat on his head and stood, the bell tinkling vigorously. Glorfindel was dressed in his best robes of gold, while Erestor wore red. Aragorn wore a cloak of midnight grey, much like his eyes, since he felt the cold much more than the Elves.
'I will get your presents sorted out,' Elrond said to his children, 'while you go and put some warm clothes on. Be quick! Master Glorfindel is a notorious present thief.'
Glorfindel chuckled. 'Oh, Elrond, you jest. Has he not told you all of the time he stole a very important present off the High King?'
'Oh, for Eru's sake, I was an Elfling!' Elladan was sure he saw his father blush.
Glorfindel smiled while Erestor tittered. 'Elrond, you stole Aeglos!'
Arwen was shocked. Her brothers and Aragorn burst out in laughter. Elrond shooed them out of the room, bell jingling, to change. Aragorn laughed loud still.
Elrond shot him a dark look. 'You're one to talk, Estel. Who was the small human I saw swinging Hadhafang around, I wonder?'
Aragorn immediately fell silent. Elrond smiled.
'I'm jesting, you silly man. Come, all. You can help me sort the presents.'
Arwen emerged wearing her lovely yet warm silver dress with matching cloak, which was thankfully quite thick. Her brothers donned matching forest green outfits with black cloaks as they met the four quite devious men sorting presents under the pine tree.
Elladan shook his head. 'Ada, I really don't know how you managed to do this without us finding out.'
'Since we normally find out about everything else,' finished Elrohir.
'Well, it finally seems I outsmarted you, my sons,' Elrond said with a smile. 'Of course, I had help off Glorfindel, Erestor and your brother.'
'Estel, your mother and I are disappointed in you,' Elrohir said mockingly. 'Getting into mischief without telling us! Did we not bring you up properly?'
Aragorn smiled. 'Well, you did bring me up to be sneaky and cheeky, so I put that into practice.'
'His moth-? Oh,' Elladan said, finally realising who Elrohir was referring to. 'Hey! I'm not his mother!'
Arwen watched this with a large smile on her face. She would have liked to see Aragorn growing up in the care of her father and her brothers, seeing him grow into the man he had become. But of course, that would mean that she could have never loved him in the way she did, him being brought up as her brother. Aragorn chuckled and looked at her, the adoring love evident in his eyes. She realised it was the first Midwinter they ever spent together in Rivendell, their home. Aragorn took her hand and kissed it as everyone sat down with the presents sorted at their feet.
There were large piles of presents - Pink for Arwen, gold for Elladan, silver for Elrohir and blue for Aragorn. Elrond pushed the piles towards his children, indicating that they would open the small silk pouches first.
The twins dove almost greedily into presents, pulling out beautiful brooches from their grandparents, who had been notified of the plan. Mostly their presents were given from beloved staff of the house. Elrohir laughed. Most of his parcels were filled with his favourite red rock, as were Elladan's. Arwen's parcels contained delicate chocolates mostly, but she received a beautiful star pendant from her grandparents. There was a bulkier sack she left till last. When she undid the delicate black ribbon tying the bag, she gasped.
'Oh, Ada... where did you find this?'
Arwen gingerly reached into the bag and pulled out a very old and threadbare, not to mention dirt-covered, toy faun she loved as a child. She held Mellon up in the bright white light of the reflected snow. Elrond smiled at his daughter.
'I received it in a parcel some time ago. I believe Marchwarden Haldir found it in Caras Galadhon.'
'Eru... I must have been about thirty-five when I lost her. I never thought I would see her again.' A tear sprung to Arwen's eye. Aragorn put an arm around her and squeezed her shoulder. She stood up, ran and embraced her father.
Elladan and Elrohir were also astounded. They had twin toy horses as children, Maethor and Alagos, also thought to be long-lost to the ravages of time. In truth, Elrond had been keeping them for a time such as this, as memories of Rivendell, their childhood in Endor, and most importantly, their mother, who had originally given them the toys. Aragorn could see that his love and his brothers were reminiscing on their childhood. It wasn't the first time he felt left out due to the sheer amount of history and memories they all shared. He never felt secure as a child, the justified overprotectiveness of his foster father and brothers coupled with the intense sadness and grief of his mother always undermining the chance of bliss. The first time he felt complete bliss was the time he spent with Arwen in Caras Galadhon and then plighting their troth on Cerin Amroth, but even that was mixed with sadness, Arwen forsaking the Twilight of Valinor to be with him. But he tried to smile as his family fussed over their childhood toys. Aragorn fully understood his foster father's intentions of bringing Midwinter forward. He held the small porcelain figurine of the warrior his mother gave him that was thought to be lost. He smiled gratefully at Elrond.
Aragorn looked to his father's advisors, who seemed as left out as he, even though they had been part of the family for all of Elrond's children's lives. Glorfindel and Erestor gestured to the red, purple and black parcels lying unopened.
'Elrond? Surely it is our turn now,' Glorfindel smiled.
Elrond grinned back at him. 'Of course, Glor. The children have had their moment of glory. Tuck in, Glorfindel and Erestor!'
Glorfindel and Erestor grabbed their respective purple and black parcels and unopened them. Erestor laughed. In nearly every single parcel there was a quill. He was forever complaining about how he was losing them or someone was stealing them. There were a few chocolates and bits of rock, but his main present was a beautifully decorated ink pot.
Glorfindel received chocolates and rock as well. One parcel revealed a rather large haul of beautiful golden feathers for his arrows. But his main present was the most beautiful pendant, forged by the great Noldorin smith Tholdain, a close friend of Elrond. It was the symbol of Glorfindel's house, the Golden House of Finarfin. As he saw the joy in Glorfindel's face, Aragorn fiddled nervously with the ring on his finger, bearing the same symbol.
Finally, it came Elrond's turn. The few red parcels there were filled to the brim, one with rock, one with chocolate. Another held quills and an inkpot, Erestor and Elrond thinking alike not for the first time. Glorfindel bit his lip nervously as Elrond opened the last package, unsure of his reaction to his gift.
As soon as Elrond looked inside the parcel, he was speechless. Words failed him. His heart was instantly filled with both sadness and joy. He extremely carefully reached inside and extracted the small, ratty, furry toy with three paws and one eye, a faded beige colour. Tears welled in his eyes as he regarded it with wonder. He turned to Glorfindel.
'It seems our minds are too alike for our own good, Master Elrond,' Glorfindel said softly.
'How...?' was all Elrond could say.
'I was given it many years ago by Círdan. I know not why, and I know I should have given it back sooner, but, this just seemed the perfect opportunity.'
Erestor and Elrond's children looked utterly perplexed. They had never seen Elrond so vulnerable, so raw, not even when Celebrían left. How was a ratty stuffed lion able to bring him to the verge of tears and re-open old wounds?
'Raw,' said Elrond. He looked up at his children. 'This was the last thing we ever received from my parents. He belonged to your uncle.'
Tears welled in Elrond's eyes. He couldn't even remember the last time he cried. Glorfindel held his arms out and embraced his friend. Elrond held him tightly and kissed him.
'Thank you,' he whispered.
'Not at all, my old friend,' Glorfindel replied. He drew back, hands still on Elrond's shoulders. 'I should thank you for saving my kin, for giving me a second chance, for giving me the blessing to live amongst you, to see your beautiful children grow, some hope among the darkness, the Evenstar shining bright as she always does.' Glorfindel's brilliant blue eyes were filled with light as he looked at Arwen; it was unspoken knowledge that she was the apple of his eye. 'It has been a privilege to be an advisor, a guardian, a teacher to both you and your children, my own inadequate way of giving back the gift that you have given me.'
Ever the sensitive one, Aragorn swore that Elrohir had tears in his eyes. He knew that he loved Glorfindel as his own father, another bit of unspoken knowledge. Aragorn again felt very much on the periphery.
'Estel, you look bored to tears,' Elladan joked. Elrond nodded.
'I am sorry, Estel,' he said. 'There must be much that you do not understand. Your time with us may have only been small in comparison to the history we share, but your impact will last forever. We love you as our own.'
Aragorn nodded. 'I know, Ada.' He hadn't called Elrond that for a very long time, not since he found out his true lineage, especially because of the conflict the two shared over Arwen. Elrond was vehemently reluctant to allow Arwen to marry him; he did not want to leave his daughter to die. But he still loved Elrond as a father, and to think of him as such gave him comfort.
'The gift-giving is over,' Arwen said. 'Let us eat, Ada.'
'Not yet, Undómiel,' Elrond replied. 'For the day is the twenty-second of December, and another celebration happens today.'
Arwen, Elladan and Elrohir's eyes all widened as they remembered what else happened on that day. 'Where is he, Ada?' Elrohir asked.
'I do not know, I saw him wandering about somewhere, maybe Mithrandir will know where he is.' Erestor turned to Elrond. 'Shall I get the parcels?'
Elrond nodded. 'If you would, Erestor.'
Heavy boots echoed down the hallway, and an aged voice said, 'Is this who you were looking for?'
Gandalf stood with Legolas by his side and a twinkle in his eye. Elrond smiled.
'Mithrandir, you truly are a marvel. If I did not know any better, I would say that your craft could also extend to the mind.'
'Master Elrond, you truly are a gracious host, putting up with my shorter charges and their eternal inquisitiveness. A wizard knows many things.' He gave Legolas a pat on the shoulder and a cheeky smile and then left as Erestor returned with many green satin parcels.
'Lord Elrond, surely these are not-'
'For you? Of course, Prince Legolas! Did you think that your friends would let you miss out on your begetting day? Come, child, come sit with us.'
Legolas sat with the group under the pine tree, nestled between the twins. Aragorn was thoroughly confused.
'It's his begetting day today,' Erestor whispered in his grateful ear. 'It is his two thousand, nine hundred and thirty-first year.'
Aragorn nodded and smiled at Legolas. He always felt guilty for not knowing his begetting day, even when they had been friends for many years. Elladan grabbed the whole green pile and pulled it over within Legolas' reach.
'We spoke to your father and your house, as well,' Elrond said. 'There are many gifts from home.'
'Lord Elrond, I know not what to say.' Legolas was visibly overwhelmed, in contrast to his usual cool demeanor.
Elrond smiled. 'Say nothing, ion nin. Open your parcels.'
As Legolas opened his various parcels, his face was a delight to watch, pulling out intricate and beautiful gifts from his household in Mirkwood. Aragorn watched the parcel from Elladan and Elrohir carefully. He wouldn't put it past them to put a dead mouse in there. He was immensely relieved when Legolas revealed a beautiful leaf-covered finger guard. Not that he really needed one, of course, but it was a nice thought.
Legolas looked ecstatic as he embraced his friends, thanking them for their gifts. As he hugged Aragorn, Aragorn's stomach rumbled loudly. Elrond smiled knowingly.
'Ah, the restraint and subtlety of the Edain.'
'I could not help it, Elrond.'
'I know. But anyway, Evenstar is right. We must eat. Come, to the feast hall! Our spread is laid out, let us dine!'
The twins' eyes lit up. 'What food shall be there, Ada? Wild boar on a spit? Quail's egg?' Elladan said.
'Eru, Elladan, that is quite a feast!' Elrohir replied. 'Leave our poor cooks alone, I am sure they worked very hard for today.'
'All right, all right.' Elladan grumbled as they filed into the feast hall. All were stopped in their tracks in wonder.
The feast hall was exquisitely decorated, fire roaring in the fireplace, making the space quite toasty in spite of its size. Garlands and buntings were hung from every corner, connected to the hanging chandelier in the middle, white candles blazing. There were shades of gold, red, pink, silver, blue, green, all the colours in existence. Festive hats sat at every placing on the table. The food was ready to serve. In the middle of the table lay a large piece of roast venison surrounded by various salads, nuts and fruits. There was also a large pot of vegetable broth and plates filled with bread and butter. There were beautiful tall silver goblets and flagons of the finest Dorwinion wine, a gift from King Thranduil of Mirkwood just for this feast. Elladan was practically salivating as they sat at the table. He immediately made a grab for the carving knife, but a hard slap from his sister stopped him. Elrond had risen to say a few words. He indicated for everyone to fill their goblets with wine before he spoke.
'Friends, comrades, loved ones, my sons, my daughter.' He smiled as he surveyed all that sat before him. 'Now, I understand that this celebration was certainly unlooked for, but I hope that all of you enjoyed it nonetheless. This is a time of both bliss, and grief. Bliss for we are together as a family, but grief as it shall be for the last time. Our people are leaving the shores of Endor, while some stay to go on to better and brighter fates.' He looked at Aragorn as he said this. 'Legolas Ernil, I can only hope that this small celebration in your honour will make you feel at home, as we have always counted you as family.' Legolas smiled and nodded. Elrond's expression grew a little graver.
'As I said, this shall be the last time that we shall dine together. Legolas and Aragorn will leave tomorrow on a task fraught with danger and for how long they may be away, I cannot say. The people of my realm are ready to leave for the Undying Lands, to leave our home and refuge of Imladris, for the Elven-home. So, I would like to say that, maybe we shall meet again before our final departure, but if we do not, we shall part with much love and many memories, and you will never be forgotten.' Elrond raised his goblet and drank, and the others did the same.
Erestor smiled. 'Brilliantly said, my lord.'
'Hush and eat, Erestor, dear lad,' Glorfindel said. 'You'd better go for the venison before the boys eat it all.'
Glorfindel was right - Elladan and Elrohir were fighting over the first (and biggest) piece. While they argued, Arwen calmly and subtly picked up the knife and cut the first piece for herself. Aragorn bit his lip and tried not to laugh as his brothers did not even notice their sister beat them to it. Arwen smiled, eyes lit up, and handed the knife to Erestor, who nodded his thanks. The mischievous smile she bore reminded Elrond so much of her mother, Celebrían. She wore that smile many times, when she conspired with Glorfindel and Erestor and later her sons to play a trick on Elrond, which she did with annoying frequency. It was part of her nature. In defiance of her stern and royal upbringing, she couldn't stand seeing her husband serious for too long. Elrond had always suspected her father had a hand in her rebellious streak. And it seems she passed it to Arwen, who were so close Elrond almost thought they had their own secret conspirital language. He knew she missed Celebrían terribly. Even though he knew Arwen would be in bliss living with Aragorn, never seeing her mother again would still devastate her. Elrond shook his head to clear his mind of these sad thoughts; this was a day of happiness, and he was determined to make it that way. He zoned back into the conversations. It seemed Elladan and Elrohir were having another fight as the last of the small amount of food, just right for Elves, was consumed and the party got stuck into the wine.
'Elladan!'
'What?'
'You drank all the wine!'
'So?'
'I never got a drop!'
'Lies! You have a half goblet full!'
'Elladan! Elrohir! Stop this instant!' Elrond thundered, trying to look as stern as he could. 'You're disturbing the feast!'
Elrond was actually lying. The rest of the gathered party were on the verge of laughter, not anger. Elrohir and Elladan's fights were stuff of legends; many an elf would clutch their bellies in laughter, begging them to be quiet so they could breathe again. Glorfindel and Legolas both were sniggering behind their hands, Glorfindel breaking first in a massive belly laugh when Elrohir violently accused Elladan of being a toss-pot, a choice phrase picked up from the Mirkwood Elves. Legolas snapped not very far behind Glorfindel, hearing the phrase in a foreign dialect for the first time. Another touch of home, a reminder of the chaos of Thranduil's kitchens. The resounding laughter from the blonde Elves started everyone off, even Elladan and Elrohir laughing in spite of themselves. Eventually Elrond couldn't stop a smile appearing, and then small bubbles of giggles escaping. Soon he was laughing heartily with the rest of them, a sight welcoming to Arwen. She hadn't seen her father laugh, even smile, for a very long time. He had a massive weight on his shoulders that could not be lifted and the seriousness that came with it. She wished her mother was there to make him laugh more often. But she was not.
The Dorwinion wine was potent stuff, and very soon the Elves were very calm, giddy, giggly (even Elrond), relaxed, even silly. Aragorn was wise enough to take very few sips of it as he knew its effect on him would be significantly increased and he had to keep his head cleared for the next day. Elladan and Elrohir were giggling inanely and Elrohir shoved his goblet under Aragorn's nose.
'Come on, little brother, have a drink, why so tense?'
'I cannot, brother, its effect on me would be extreme.'
'Oh, I keep forgetting, the whole Edain thing. Oh well, more for me!' He turned to Elladan and clinked their goblets. 'Bottoms up, brother!' They drained their goblets and burst out laughing, wrapping their arms around each other. Aragorn looked past them to Arwen on Elladan's side, who sat there laughing silently, shaking her head, as if she had no explanation or excuse for her brothers, but was enjoying the sight of them on the way to drunkenness, but she would stop them before they got there.
Arwen's attention turned to her father. She gasped, and buried her head in her hands. Aragorn was concerned for a second, but then saw Arwen's body racked with silent, suppressed laughter, a talent she learned for occasions such as these. He looked at her quizzically, and she indicated her father. Aragorn looked over, and then immediately stifled a giggle with his hand.
Elrond sat with one arm around Glorfindel's shoulder, and the other hand holding his empty goblet, gesticulating wildly as he rambled in Glorfindel's ear. Glorfindel did his best to support Elrond as he leaned his whole body weight against him. He nodded sympathetically as Elrond rambled in an almost indecipherable language of slurred words.
'You know, Glorfy,' Aragorn could make out some low, mumbled words, 'you're my best friend. You were there when I founded this place, and you were always by my side, every step of the way. You've been like an Ada to me, Glorfy, and I love you, you know that? I love you, Glorfy.'
Erestor and Legolas, sat on Glorfindel's opposite side, were collapsed with laughter, leaning against each other for support. Arwen was slumped on the table, her laughter too much for her to bear as she struggled to breathe. Aragorn permitted himself a few giggles as he kept exchanging looks with Erestor and Legolas, seated across from him, who kept sending each other into fits of laughter. The laughter and drunken ramblings drowned out the footsteps of an approaching person drawn by the wild sounds of merriment.
Gandalf stood by the door, shaking his head. 'Who let Elrond near the Dorwinion? Glorfindel, you should have known better, you know how he gets. Come on, help me move him.'
Gandalf helped Elrond to his feet with Glorfindel supporting his other side. ''Thrandir?' Elrond asked. 'Where are you taking me?'
'To the Hall of Fire, Master Elrond. Everyone else, come, I will clear this as soon as we are done.'
-------------------------------------------------
Ion nin - My son
Legolas Ernil - Prince Legolas
Arwen awoke to find that she had cocooned herself in the warm woollen blankets on her bed. It was unusually cold for this time of year, or so it seemed to her. It actually was not, the powers of Vilya holding back most of the ravages of the harsh Rivendell winters. Her dainty feet were numbed with cold. What in Eru's name is going on?
She opened her eyes. The light coming in from the window was grey, no blue sky to be seen. Truthfully she could not see much out of the window, the glass fogged with frost and condensation. Arwen was perplexed. It was only ever this cold during the Midwinter Festival, the Yuletide, and it was December, far too early for it. She sat up and recoiled when her feet touched the freezing tiled floor. She quickly pulled on her slippers and looked out the window. Her hands rubbed the moisture off the window. Arwen looked out and gasped. It was snowing.
How could it snow when it is not Midwinter?
That was the only time it snowed in Rivendell, during the Midwinter Festival. Elrond thought it added to the ambience of the celebrations. Arwen put on her woefully thin dressing-gown and walked to her father's chambers on the other side of the Last Homely House. As she passed the main hall, open to the elements, frosty snowflakes gathered in her dark hair and something caught her eye. She looked and was astounded.
A large pine tree stood in the hall, its needles falling to the ground in the slight wind. Parcels of gold, silver, pink and blue lay underneath it. She also saw ones that were red, black, and purple. Small fireflies hovered around the tree, making it glow and twinkle. Arwen looked around. She saw the mischievous grin of Gandalf in the shadows.
'Mithrandir,' she called, 'what is going on?'
'Ask your father, my dear Arwen. This was his doing.'
Gandalf disappeared with almost a giggle, it seemed to Arwen, even though his conjured fireflies remained. She resumed her march to her father's side of the house, where also her brothers slept. As she passed the kitchen, twin voices called, 'Arwen!'
Arwen stopped. Her brothers Elladan and Elrohir were behind her, holding a few sweets in their hands, looking every bit as puzzled as her.
'Do you know what's going on?' Elrohir asked, holding a sweet-filled hand out to her.
'No,' Arwen replied, taking a sweet, 'I was just on my way to ask Ada.'
'So were we,' replied Elladan. 'But we got, uh, sidetracked.'
Arwen smiled at her brothers and led the way while they stuffed themselves with sweets in the background. They may be nearly three thousand years old but they loved the special sticky buns, puddings and rock that the kitchens of Imladris made ever since before their birth. Elladan let out a small cry of pain when he took too big a bite of a piece of red rock. Elrohir sniggered.
'Serves you right for being greedy.'
'Shush,' Arwen said quietly. 'We're here.'
She knocked quietly on the study door. 'Ada? Are you in there?'
'Yes, my dearest,' he replied brightly. 'Are the twins with you?'
'Yes, Ada,' Arwen replied.
'Good, come in.'
Arwen opened the door to see a most unusual sight. Elrond was seated at his desk, wearing the usual white robes he wore for Yuletide. Aragorn, Glorfindel and Erestor stood by his side. Elrohir and Elladan entered behind their sister and were equally speechless. The whole study was covered with bright garlands of gold, silver and red. Bells and wreaths as well as winter blossoms decorated the desk and various bookshelves. White candles flickered everywhere. Elrond never, ever decorated his study.
'Ada...' Elrohir was lost for words. 'What in Arda is going on?'
Elrond looked to Glorfindel, then Aragorn. They both grinned. Elrond indicated the decorations.
'Why, my dear son, it is Yuletide.'
'But Ada,' Elladan protested, 'it's only December.'
'I care not, 'Dan,' Elrond replied. Sadness passed across his fair face. 'This is the last Midwinter we shall ever spend together with all of us, so what a Midwinter it shall be!'
Arwen was concerned. 'Ada, what have you seen?'
Elrond smiled at his daughter. 'Never mind, my beloved.' He reached under his desk and produced a red felt hat with a bell on the end. All four of Elrond's children gasped, squealed, laughed. It was the hat he used to wear every Yuletide when they were children, until he deemed them old enough to have outgrown it. He was very glad to be rid of it when Aragorn had grown old enough; it was utterly ridiculous.
Aragorn laughed loudest. 'Oh, Elrond, I never knew you still had that.'
Elrond smiled at his foster son. 'Of course I did, Estel. It is one of the precious memories I will take with me to Valinor. Now, come, my children, my loved ones. Now is the time for gift-giving.'
The people of Rivendell had been forewarned of the sudden occurrence, so they were already celebrating. The staff of the house had all been dismissed for the day, to both spend time with their families and give Elrond's household some time to themselves. A wonderful feast awaited the seven of them in the dining room, but it was not time yet. Elrond thrust the silly hat on his head and stood, the bell tinkling vigorously. Glorfindel was dressed in his best robes of gold, while Erestor wore red. Aragorn wore a cloak of midnight grey, much like his eyes, since he felt the cold much more than the Elves.
'I will get your presents sorted out,' Elrond said to his children, 'while you go and put some warm clothes on. Be quick! Master Glorfindel is a notorious present thief.'
Glorfindel chuckled. 'Oh, Elrond, you jest. Has he not told you all of the time he stole a very important present off the High King?'
'Oh, for Eru's sake, I was an Elfling!' Elladan was sure he saw his father blush.
Glorfindel smiled while Erestor tittered. 'Elrond, you stole Aeglos!'
Arwen was shocked. Her brothers and Aragorn burst out in laughter. Elrond shooed them out of the room, bell jingling, to change. Aragorn laughed loud still.
Elrond shot him a dark look. 'You're one to talk, Estel. Who was the small human I saw swinging Hadhafang around, I wonder?'
Aragorn immediately fell silent. Elrond smiled.
'I'm jesting, you silly man. Come, all. You can help me sort the presents.'
Arwen emerged wearing her lovely yet warm silver dress with matching cloak, which was thankfully quite thick. Her brothers donned matching forest green outfits with black cloaks as they met the four quite devious men sorting presents under the pine tree.
Elladan shook his head. 'Ada, I really don't know how you managed to do this without us finding out.'
'Since we normally find out about everything else,' finished Elrohir.
'Well, it finally seems I outsmarted you, my sons,' Elrond said with a smile. 'Of course, I had help off Glorfindel, Erestor and your brother.'
'Estel, your mother and I are disappointed in you,' Elrohir said mockingly. 'Getting into mischief without telling us! Did we not bring you up properly?'
Aragorn smiled. 'Well, you did bring me up to be sneaky and cheeky, so I put that into practice.'
'His moth-? Oh,' Elladan said, finally realising who Elrohir was referring to. 'Hey! I'm not his mother!'
Arwen watched this with a large smile on her face. She would have liked to see Aragorn growing up in the care of her father and her brothers, seeing him grow into the man he had become. But of course, that would mean that she could have never loved him in the way she did, him being brought up as her brother. Aragorn chuckled and looked at her, the adoring love evident in his eyes. She realised it was the first Midwinter they ever spent together in Rivendell, their home. Aragorn took her hand and kissed it as everyone sat down with the presents sorted at their feet.
There were large piles of presents - Pink for Arwen, gold for Elladan, silver for Elrohir and blue for Aragorn. Elrond pushed the piles towards his children, indicating that they would open the small silk pouches first.
The twins dove almost greedily into presents, pulling out beautiful brooches from their grandparents, who had been notified of the plan. Mostly their presents were given from beloved staff of the house. Elrohir laughed. Most of his parcels were filled with his favourite red rock, as were Elladan's. Arwen's parcels contained delicate chocolates mostly, but she received a beautiful star pendant from her grandparents. There was a bulkier sack she left till last. When she undid the delicate black ribbon tying the bag, she gasped.
'Oh, Ada... where did you find this?'
Arwen gingerly reached into the bag and pulled out a very old and threadbare, not to mention dirt-covered, toy faun she loved as a child. She held Mellon up in the bright white light of the reflected snow. Elrond smiled at his daughter.
'I received it in a parcel some time ago. I believe Marchwarden Haldir found it in Caras Galadhon.'
'Eru... I must have been about thirty-five when I lost her. I never thought I would see her again.' A tear sprung to Arwen's eye. Aragorn put an arm around her and squeezed her shoulder. She stood up, ran and embraced her father.
Elladan and Elrohir were also astounded. They had twin toy horses as children, Maethor and Alagos, also thought to be long-lost to the ravages of time. In truth, Elrond had been keeping them for a time such as this, as memories of Rivendell, their childhood in Endor, and most importantly, their mother, who had originally given them the toys. Aragorn could see that his love and his brothers were reminiscing on their childhood. It wasn't the first time he felt left out due to the sheer amount of history and memories they all shared. He never felt secure as a child, the justified overprotectiveness of his foster father and brothers coupled with the intense sadness and grief of his mother always undermining the chance of bliss. The first time he felt complete bliss was the time he spent with Arwen in Caras Galadhon and then plighting their troth on Cerin Amroth, but even that was mixed with sadness, Arwen forsaking the Twilight of Valinor to be with him. But he tried to smile as his family fussed over their childhood toys. Aragorn fully understood his foster father's intentions of bringing Midwinter forward. He held the small porcelain figurine of the warrior his mother gave him that was thought to be lost. He smiled gratefully at Elrond.
Aragorn looked to his father's advisors, who seemed as left out as he, even though they had been part of the family for all of Elrond's children's lives. Glorfindel and Erestor gestured to the red, purple and black parcels lying unopened.
'Elrond? Surely it is our turn now,' Glorfindel smiled.
Elrond grinned back at him. 'Of course, Glor. The children have had their moment of glory. Tuck in, Glorfindel and Erestor!'
Glorfindel and Erestor grabbed their respective purple and black parcels and unopened them. Erestor laughed. In nearly every single parcel there was a quill. He was forever complaining about how he was losing them or someone was stealing them. There were a few chocolates and bits of rock, but his main present was a beautifully decorated ink pot.
Glorfindel received chocolates and rock as well. One parcel revealed a rather large haul of beautiful golden feathers for his arrows. But his main present was the most beautiful pendant, forged by the great Noldorin smith Tholdain, a close friend of Elrond. It was the symbol of Glorfindel's house, the Golden House of Finarfin. As he saw the joy in Glorfindel's face, Aragorn fiddled nervously with the ring on his finger, bearing the same symbol.
Finally, it came Elrond's turn. The few red parcels there were filled to the brim, one with rock, one with chocolate. Another held quills and an inkpot, Erestor and Elrond thinking alike not for the first time. Glorfindel bit his lip nervously as Elrond opened the last package, unsure of his reaction to his gift.
As soon as Elrond looked inside the parcel, he was speechless. Words failed him. His heart was instantly filled with both sadness and joy. He extremely carefully reached inside and extracted the small, ratty, furry toy with three paws and one eye, a faded beige colour. Tears welled in his eyes as he regarded it with wonder. He turned to Glorfindel.
'It seems our minds are too alike for our own good, Master Elrond,' Glorfindel said softly.
'How...?' was all Elrond could say.
'I was given it many years ago by Círdan. I know not why, and I know I should have given it back sooner, but, this just seemed the perfect opportunity.'
Erestor and Elrond's children looked utterly perplexed. They had never seen Elrond so vulnerable, so raw, not even when Celebrían left. How was a ratty stuffed lion able to bring him to the verge of tears and re-open old wounds?
'Raw,' said Elrond. He looked up at his children. 'This was the last thing we ever received from my parents. He belonged to your uncle.'
Tears welled in Elrond's eyes. He couldn't even remember the last time he cried. Glorfindel held his arms out and embraced his friend. Elrond held him tightly and kissed him.
'Thank you,' he whispered.
'Not at all, my old friend,' Glorfindel replied. He drew back, hands still on Elrond's shoulders. 'I should thank you for saving my kin, for giving me a second chance, for giving me the blessing to live amongst you, to see your beautiful children grow, some hope among the darkness, the Evenstar shining bright as she always does.' Glorfindel's brilliant blue eyes were filled with light as he looked at Arwen; it was unspoken knowledge that she was the apple of his eye. 'It has been a privilege to be an advisor, a guardian, a teacher to both you and your children, my own inadequate way of giving back the gift that you have given me.'
Ever the sensitive one, Aragorn swore that Elrohir had tears in his eyes. He knew that he loved Glorfindel as his own father, another bit of unspoken knowledge. Aragorn again felt very much on the periphery.
'Estel, you look bored to tears,' Elladan joked. Elrond nodded.
'I am sorry, Estel,' he said. 'There must be much that you do not understand. Your time with us may have only been small in comparison to the history we share, but your impact will last forever. We love you as our own.'
Aragorn nodded. 'I know, Ada.' He hadn't called Elrond that for a very long time, not since he found out his true lineage, especially because of the conflict the two shared over Arwen. Elrond was vehemently reluctant to allow Arwen to marry him; he did not want to leave his daughter to die. But he still loved Elrond as a father, and to think of him as such gave him comfort.
'The gift-giving is over,' Arwen said. 'Let us eat, Ada.'
'Not yet, Undómiel,' Elrond replied. 'For the day is the twenty-second of December, and another celebration happens today.'
Arwen, Elladan and Elrohir's eyes all widened as they remembered what else happened on that day. 'Where is he, Ada?' Elrohir asked.
'I do not know, I saw him wandering about somewhere, maybe Mithrandir will know where he is.' Erestor turned to Elrond. 'Shall I get the parcels?'
Elrond nodded. 'If you would, Erestor.'
Heavy boots echoed down the hallway, and an aged voice said, 'Is this who you were looking for?'
Gandalf stood with Legolas by his side and a twinkle in his eye. Elrond smiled.
'Mithrandir, you truly are a marvel. If I did not know any better, I would say that your craft could also extend to the mind.'
'Master Elrond, you truly are a gracious host, putting up with my shorter charges and their eternal inquisitiveness. A wizard knows many things.' He gave Legolas a pat on the shoulder and a cheeky smile and then left as Erestor returned with many green satin parcels.
'Lord Elrond, surely these are not-'
'For you? Of course, Prince Legolas! Did you think that your friends would let you miss out on your begetting day? Come, child, come sit with us.'
Legolas sat with the group under the pine tree, nestled between the twins. Aragorn was thoroughly confused.
'It's his begetting day today,' Erestor whispered in his grateful ear. 'It is his two thousand, nine hundred and thirty-first year.'
Aragorn nodded and smiled at Legolas. He always felt guilty for not knowing his begetting day, even when they had been friends for many years. Elladan grabbed the whole green pile and pulled it over within Legolas' reach.
'We spoke to your father and your house, as well,' Elrond said. 'There are many gifts from home.'
'Lord Elrond, I know not what to say.' Legolas was visibly overwhelmed, in contrast to his usual cool demeanor.
Elrond smiled. 'Say nothing, ion nin. Open your parcels.'
As Legolas opened his various parcels, his face was a delight to watch, pulling out intricate and beautiful gifts from his household in Mirkwood. Aragorn watched the parcel from Elladan and Elrohir carefully. He wouldn't put it past them to put a dead mouse in there. He was immensely relieved when Legolas revealed a beautiful leaf-covered finger guard. Not that he really needed one, of course, but it was a nice thought.
Legolas looked ecstatic as he embraced his friends, thanking them for their gifts. As he hugged Aragorn, Aragorn's stomach rumbled loudly. Elrond smiled knowingly.
'Ah, the restraint and subtlety of the Edain.'
'I could not help it, Elrond.'
'I know. But anyway, Evenstar is right. We must eat. Come, to the feast hall! Our spread is laid out, let us dine!'
The twins' eyes lit up. 'What food shall be there, Ada? Wild boar on a spit? Quail's egg?' Elladan said.
'Eru, Elladan, that is quite a feast!' Elrohir replied. 'Leave our poor cooks alone, I am sure they worked very hard for today.'
'All right, all right.' Elladan grumbled as they filed into the feast hall. All were stopped in their tracks in wonder.
The feast hall was exquisitely decorated, fire roaring in the fireplace, making the space quite toasty in spite of its size. Garlands and buntings were hung from every corner, connected to the hanging chandelier in the middle, white candles blazing. There were shades of gold, red, pink, silver, blue, green, all the colours in existence. Festive hats sat at every placing on the table. The food was ready to serve. In the middle of the table lay a large piece of roast venison surrounded by various salads, nuts and fruits. There was also a large pot of vegetable broth and plates filled with bread and butter. There were beautiful tall silver goblets and flagons of the finest Dorwinion wine, a gift from King Thranduil of Mirkwood just for this feast. Elladan was practically salivating as they sat at the table. He immediately made a grab for the carving knife, but a hard slap from his sister stopped him. Elrond had risen to say a few words. He indicated for everyone to fill their goblets with wine before he spoke.
'Friends, comrades, loved ones, my sons, my daughter.' He smiled as he surveyed all that sat before him. 'Now, I understand that this celebration was certainly unlooked for, but I hope that all of you enjoyed it nonetheless. This is a time of both bliss, and grief. Bliss for we are together as a family, but grief as it shall be for the last time. Our people are leaving the shores of Endor, while some stay to go on to better and brighter fates.' He looked at Aragorn as he said this. 'Legolas Ernil, I can only hope that this small celebration in your honour will make you feel at home, as we have always counted you as family.' Legolas smiled and nodded. Elrond's expression grew a little graver.
'As I said, this shall be the last time that we shall dine together. Legolas and Aragorn will leave tomorrow on a task fraught with danger and for how long they may be away, I cannot say. The people of my realm are ready to leave for the Undying Lands, to leave our home and refuge of Imladris, for the Elven-home. So, I would like to say that, maybe we shall meet again before our final departure, but if we do not, we shall part with much love and many memories, and you will never be forgotten.' Elrond raised his goblet and drank, and the others did the same.
Erestor smiled. 'Brilliantly said, my lord.'
'Hush and eat, Erestor, dear lad,' Glorfindel said. 'You'd better go for the venison before the boys eat it all.'
Glorfindel was right - Elladan and Elrohir were fighting over the first (and biggest) piece. While they argued, Arwen calmly and subtly picked up the knife and cut the first piece for herself. Aragorn bit his lip and tried not to laugh as his brothers did not even notice their sister beat them to it. Arwen smiled, eyes lit up, and handed the knife to Erestor, who nodded his thanks. The mischievous smile she bore reminded Elrond so much of her mother, Celebrían. She wore that smile many times, when she conspired with Glorfindel and Erestor and later her sons to play a trick on Elrond, which she did with annoying frequency. It was part of her nature. In defiance of her stern and royal upbringing, she couldn't stand seeing her husband serious for too long. Elrond had always suspected her father had a hand in her rebellious streak. And it seems she passed it to Arwen, who were so close Elrond almost thought they had their own secret conspirital language. He knew she missed Celebrían terribly. Even though he knew Arwen would be in bliss living with Aragorn, never seeing her mother again would still devastate her. Elrond shook his head to clear his mind of these sad thoughts; this was a day of happiness, and he was determined to make it that way. He zoned back into the conversations. It seemed Elladan and Elrohir were having another fight as the last of the small amount of food, just right for Elves, was consumed and the party got stuck into the wine.
'Elladan!'
'What?'
'You drank all the wine!'
'So?'
'I never got a drop!'
'Lies! You have a half goblet full!'
'Elladan! Elrohir! Stop this instant!' Elrond thundered, trying to look as stern as he could. 'You're disturbing the feast!'
Elrond was actually lying. The rest of the gathered party were on the verge of laughter, not anger. Elrohir and Elladan's fights were stuff of legends; many an elf would clutch their bellies in laughter, begging them to be quiet so they could breathe again. Glorfindel and Legolas both were sniggering behind their hands, Glorfindel breaking first in a massive belly laugh when Elrohir violently accused Elladan of being a toss-pot, a choice phrase picked up from the Mirkwood Elves. Legolas snapped not very far behind Glorfindel, hearing the phrase in a foreign dialect for the first time. Another touch of home, a reminder of the chaos of Thranduil's kitchens. The resounding laughter from the blonde Elves started everyone off, even Elladan and Elrohir laughing in spite of themselves. Eventually Elrond couldn't stop a smile appearing, and then small bubbles of giggles escaping. Soon he was laughing heartily with the rest of them, a sight welcoming to Arwen. She hadn't seen her father laugh, even smile, for a very long time. He had a massive weight on his shoulders that could not be lifted and the seriousness that came with it. She wished her mother was there to make him laugh more often. But she was not.
The Dorwinion wine was potent stuff, and very soon the Elves were very calm, giddy, giggly (even Elrond), relaxed, even silly. Aragorn was wise enough to take very few sips of it as he knew its effect on him would be significantly increased and he had to keep his head cleared for the next day. Elladan and Elrohir were giggling inanely and Elrohir shoved his goblet under Aragorn's nose.
'Come on, little brother, have a drink, why so tense?'
'I cannot, brother, its effect on me would be extreme.'
'Oh, I keep forgetting, the whole Edain thing. Oh well, more for me!' He turned to Elladan and clinked their goblets. 'Bottoms up, brother!' They drained their goblets and burst out laughing, wrapping their arms around each other. Aragorn looked past them to Arwen on Elladan's side, who sat there laughing silently, shaking her head, as if she had no explanation or excuse for her brothers, but was enjoying the sight of them on the way to drunkenness, but she would stop them before they got there.
Arwen's attention turned to her father. She gasped, and buried her head in her hands. Aragorn was concerned for a second, but then saw Arwen's body racked with silent, suppressed laughter, a talent she learned for occasions such as these. He looked at her quizzically, and she indicated her father. Aragorn looked over, and then immediately stifled a giggle with his hand.
Elrond sat with one arm around Glorfindel's shoulder, and the other hand holding his empty goblet, gesticulating wildly as he rambled in Glorfindel's ear. Glorfindel did his best to support Elrond as he leaned his whole body weight against him. He nodded sympathetically as Elrond rambled in an almost indecipherable language of slurred words.
'You know, Glorfy,' Aragorn could make out some low, mumbled words, 'you're my best friend. You were there when I founded this place, and you were always by my side, every step of the way. You've been like an Ada to me, Glorfy, and I love you, you know that? I love you, Glorfy.'
Erestor and Legolas, sat on Glorfindel's opposite side, were collapsed with laughter, leaning against each other for support. Arwen was slumped on the table, her laughter too much for her to bear as she struggled to breathe. Aragorn permitted himself a few giggles as he kept exchanging looks with Erestor and Legolas, seated across from him, who kept sending each other into fits of laughter. The laughter and drunken ramblings drowned out the footsteps of an approaching person drawn by the wild sounds of merriment.
Gandalf stood by the door, shaking his head. 'Who let Elrond near the Dorwinion? Glorfindel, you should have known better, you know how he gets. Come on, help me move him.'
Gandalf helped Elrond to his feet with Glorfindel supporting his other side. ''Thrandir?' Elrond asked. 'Where are you taking me?'
'To the Hall of Fire, Master Elrond. Everyone else, come, I will clear this as soon as we are done.'
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Ion nin - My son
Legolas Ernil - Prince Legolas