Chapter 7
Galadriel poured the wine into a beautiful goblet.
" Saved them from my time in Doriath." Galadriel said, fingering them with eyes that spoke of memories.
" Where is Melian?" Nienna asked, taking a tentative sip of the fine brew.
Galadriel shook her head.
" At Thingol's death, the Maia went over the Sea."
Nienna nodded sadly, tears gathering in her eyes.
" His death was an unfortunate tragedy."
Celeborn cleared his throat gruffly.
" The hour is too bright for such talk." He smiled slightly, turning his eyes to Nienna. " We actually called you here to speak with you."
Nienna just nodded.
" I know. I am not that dense."
Galadriel sat beside her.
" We know that. Your healing powers supercede ours."
Nienna glanced up over her glass.
" I am an Elf, if that is what you ask."
Galadriel shook her head.
" It has already wound through the Elves that you will tutor Elrond. He mentioned the Aldudénië." Galadriel took a sip of wine. " That is a song known only to the Noldor that came from Valinor. Were you among Fëanor's people?"
Nienna rose, realizing she could not answer without lying.
*I refuse to trick them. They can think what they will, but I will not be put upon a pedestal.
" Thank you for your hospitality, but I fear I must retire."
Galadriel pursed her lips.
" You will tell the truth one day, Celebhiril."
Nienna shook her head.
" You should learn to respect others, daughter of Eärwen." Nienna leaned in. " Just as you learned respect for the Sindar."
Galadriel could only stare. Celeborn looked at her curiously.
" Are you Sindar?"
Nienna shook her head. She placed a hand on his shoulder.
" Be at peace, son of Galadhon, son of Elmo."
She left their tent, leaving the two in a stunned silence.
~*~
Ereinion walked along the shores barefoot. His aching feet were soothed in the cold surf. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, glancing back at the tent of Galadriel and Celeborn.
*Will their dinner ever end?
He had strangely missed Celebhiril's silent presence at dinner. Perhaps it was that he was alone on his walk because of the strange dinner request. He glanced back again, seeing a tall thin maiden exit the tent.
*Finally…
Glorfindel had gifted Celebhiril with a dress of deep green and gold some time ago. It seemed that Celebhiril had found it fitting to wear finally. Her black hair flowed loose, falling far past the swell of her hips; longer than even Galadriel's hair, but not more beautiful. Gossamer material fluttered from the dress, causing her to look like some forgotten Elvin princess. Ereinion smiled idiotically to himself.
*Perhaps even a queen.
" My lady?"
She looked up in surprise. Ereinion smiled warmly.
" Come to join me on my walk?"
Celebhiril eyes smiled slightly. She shook her head.
" I should go inside. Glorfindel will be worried if either of my dinner hosts tells him I left. Leastways, it is freezing out here, Ereinion." She poked his side, causing him to squirm. " You need to be in warmer clothes or you will be like Elrond with the sniffles."
Ereinion shook his head.
" Only Elrond gets the sniffles being half Edain."
" Still." She continued. " You should go in."
Ereinion put out his elbow.
" Shall I escort you back?"
She nodded her consent, glancing back as storm clouds attacked the night sky. Winter had come.
~*~
The rain came in sheets and thunder growled overhead; but the havens had been finished mostly; and other families welcomed those whose haven was not finished yet. Ereinion stared out at the rain. He sighed.
*Back to kingly duties now.
Elrond had found a book to busy himself with earlier, but had since then left it. Ereinion sighed.
*Might as well go see what he is up to.
Ereinion found Elrond in the middle of a tutoring session. Elrond's eyes were bright as he regarded Ereinion.
" I never knew your grandmother remained in Valinor when Fingolfin left."
Ereinion shrugged. He sat beside his young relation, putting his hands on the table.
" And how did you know that, Celebhiril?"
The black haired maiden only shrugged, her gray eyes remaining as vague as the clouds. Ereinion's face turned serious as he regarded Elrond.
" Has Celeborn finished the South wall?"
Elrond shook his head.
" They are still at work, even in this rain. No one can assail us from the North. It is the South we shall fear." Elrond glanced at Celebhiril with raised brows. " What says you, Celebhiril, to this?"
Nienna sent Elrond a veiled warning glance, before rising and packing her things.
" Why ask me? I am naught but a maiden."
Elrond leaned over.
" A very wise one."
Nienna could see he was not about to let her go.
" It will be years before I suspect the North shall become a problem."
~*~
It was on nights like this: beautiful, star lit skies that shone upon a land wreathed in white, when he wished he were not so alone. Even the foam of the waves was lined with beautiful silver. He sighed, pushing a curtain back in front of the spectacular view. He aimlessly walked around his bed, picking up a book and then putting it back down. He felt agitated, yet he did not know why.
*Yes you do, Ereinion. You know exactly why.
Ereinion looked up at the ceiling, stretching his neck to each side. He shivered slightly, rubbing an arm aimlessly. He had seen Celebrimbor escort Celebhiril in at dinner.
*This should not bother me as much.
He rubbed his face, shaking his head.
" Tis only a brotherly protectiveness."
His innermost thoughts laughed at his deceiving proclamation.
*Brotherly? Come now, Ereinion. Your thoughts of her are anything but brotherly.
Ereinion flushed slightly, his thoughts unwittingly turning to her. He sighed dejectedly, running a hand through his long, unbound hair.
*Who am I kidding?
He plopped down on the bed, staring at his hands before glancing at the barely visible stars through the thin cloth over the windows.
" And what am I to do?"
~*~
Nienna's eyes shot up to Glorfindel's serious face.
" I cannot wear that."
Glorfindel just shrugged.
" It is a gift. I was only to deliver it."
Nienna fingered the beautiful dress, far too opulent in a rich gold and burgundy for her to wear; not while death still prevailed.
*So beautiful though…
She pushed away her vain thoughts, thoughts that came with this Elvin body now. She sighed.
*I will be glad when I am rid of this body and all its fallibilities.
Glorfindel waved a hand in front of her face, grabbing her attention.
" The festival begins in an hour. I will leave you to make your decision."
Nienna watched him go. She stared at the beautiful dress. She knew Ereinion had sent it, though Glorfindel would not tell her a name. She sighed, fingering the soft material again.
*It is wrong to encourage him.
With an iron resolve, she pulled the dress into her arms and marched out of her room.
~*~
Ereinion was busily staring over a map of what had been Beleriand. He traced his finger downwards.
*All of this lies under water now. The shoreline begins here…
A flash of red caught his eyes. Celebhiril bore the beautiful dress in her arms.
" My lord, this is far too rich a gift."
Ereinion was taken aback a moment as she laid it carefully across the back of a chair.
" Is it not to your liking?"
The black haired maiden paused, turning with a slightly pained look.
" Nay, Ereinion. It is a beautiful dress."
Ereinion rose, taking her hand.
" Then, by all means, please, take it. It is yours." He searched her eyes. " What do you fear?"
The maiden recoiled, as if burnt by a flame. Nienna was surprised. No one had ever perceived her feelings before. She turned her eyes down.
" I do not deserve such a gift."
Ereinion crossed his arms.
" You did not answer my question. What do you fear?"
Nienna just shook her head.
" I cannot allow this to go any further, my lord."
Ereinion's face hardened.
" Celebhiril, what is so wrong about me giving you a dress? Many maidens would die to have one like this."
Nienna shook her head.
" I do not return the dress because it is not to my liking, Ereinion." She took a step towards him, placing her hands on his crossed arms. "I return it because I fear that my time in this Middle-Earth will be short. I would not lead you on, only to leave you."
Ereinion's eyes softened and glimmered slightly like stars. Nienna gazed up into his eyes for a moment, mesmerized by the tiny sparkles. Ereinion lifted one of her hands to his lips.
" I thank you for your concern, Celebhiril, but I still ask that you take the dress." He raised a finger, silencing her protest. " As a gift from a friend."
Nienna smiled slightly, unable to stop it.
" You are a wise and just lord, Ereinion. Whomever receives your love shall be lucky indeed."
She had gathered the dress back up in her arms before he could say anything. Ereinion watched her go with a slack jaw.
" I think someone has a bit of a crush."
Ereinion spun around, staring at Elrond.
" What are you doing here? How long have you been there?" Ereinion demanded.
Elrond just chuckled, coming around the desk. His face then changed into a solid mask.
" Long enough, Ereinion. I think you should listen to Celebhiril and not pursue such a relationship."
Ereinion eyed his young advisor warily.
" Both you and Glorfindel have said the same thing. I am beginning to suspect you two know something I do not."
Elrond shook his head.
" I just think that someone else would be more suitable. I mean," Elrond searched his mind. " What about Sulramadan's daughter or-"
Ereinion was trying not to laugh.
" Elrond, listen to yourself. You sound like my mother."
Elrond grimaced slightly. He finally shrugged.
" When are you heading to the feast of hrivë*?"
Ereinion noted the subject change but did not say anything.
" As soon as I get ready for it."
*Hrivë means winter in Quenya. The Feast of Hrivë is a subject of my imagination. I have not read about it anywhere in Tolkien's literature. Consider this feast equivalent to our Christmas.