Chapter 11
Mandos sighed tiredly, finding his wife already busy weaving. He yawned, his soul heavy. Lórien had paid him a visit the night before; a quite nasty visit to be exact as they again discussed their older sister. Vairë turned, sensing her husband's discord.
" Lórien has always been rash for his soft spoken ways."
Mandos sent her a rare smile.
" He is the youngest, the most brash. I will speak with Manwë about it."
Vairë nodded.
" It will do you some good to speak with him. Mayhap he will say something to ease your disquiet as of late."
Mandos shook his head, staring towards the East.
" Until I see Nienna again and know she is safe, my heart will continue to be ill at ease."
Vairë eyed her webs.
" How long has it been since she left, Mandos?"
Mandos sighed, a weary tired exhale of breath.
" Forty long years."
~*~
The halls were now richly decorated in preparation for the winter feasts. A light sheet of snow hung over the trees and dark clouds promised more to fall. Ereinion blew his hot breath into a cavern his freezing fingers created before violently pulling his warm gloves back over them.
*Who knew that here, at the base of the mountains and by the Sea, it could get so cold. I have never felt such a chill in all our years here.
" Cold, majesty?"
Ereinion turned, a smile crossing his face at her voice. He stared at her for a moment before closing his gaping mouth. She was dressed in the rich burgundy dress he had given her decades ago. It enhanced her beauty as she glowed with an inner radiance. Nienna smoothed the material nervously, seeing his surprised gaze.
" I figured I may as well wear it once."
Ereinion looped his arm through hers.
" You look lovely." He replied.
Her teeth shone like pearls in a glimmer of a real smile.
The two walked along silently, enduring the knowing glances from other Elves. Over the years, the rumor mill had found a steady source in their relationship causing many maidens to be jealous. The King's attention was a high honor, as was his hand. It seemed to them Celebhiril had a monopoly on both.
" Have you ever seen such a beautiful sight?" Ereinion asked.
Nienna shrugged, her gaze fixed on his profile.
" Last winter."
Ereinion rolled his eyes with a chuckle.
" It is not the same. My mother said…" He trailed off, his words ending in grief.
Nienna's eyes caressed his profile.
" You miss her."
Ereinion nodded.
" I always hoped she would stay, but." He shook his head, refusing to finish.
Nienna did not push it further, her hand sliding to take his. Ereinion winced when he noted how cold her uncovered hands were. He shook his head, beginning to peel off his gloves.
*She will get frostbite without even realizing it.
The frigidness of her hands seeped into his skin as he began to pull the gloves over her hands.
" Ereinion." She began to protest. " I am not cold."
He stubbornly continued to pull the too-large gloves over her petite fingers.
" You may not feel it, my love, but your hands are cold." He stuffed his hands into his pockets. " Leastways, at least I have pockets to put my hands into. You." He coughed into his hand, flushing a bit. " You simply look like a Valië in that dress."
A beautiful sound, like a joyful creek bubbling over rocks flew from her mouth. She put a hand to her throat in surprise. Ereinion too stared.
" What was that?"
Ereinion took her hand.
" You laughed."
Nienna's lips curved into a smile. She leaned a hand over gently caressing his cheek.
" Alassenya (My joy)."
Ereinion was speechless. He cupped her face gently, well aware they were in a public place with Elves passing by.
" I am honored to be called so."
Tentatively, he ducked his head down, gently touching his lips to hers. Nienna was lost in a swirling vortex of emotions. Out of some repressed Elvin instinct, she found herself responding. Ereinion moved a bit closer, claiming her lips a bit hungrier before drawing back. He placed one other, chaste kiss on her lips, sending staring Elves piercing glares. Nienna slowly opened her eyes, staring up at him. Her lips turned up only slightly. Ereinion bit the inside of his lip nervously.
*How will she react?
" Celebhiril?" He asked softly when she remained silent.
*She means to refuse me.
Throwing caution to the wind, Nienna tugged down his chin, placing another kiss on his equally ravished lips. Ereinion pressed his forehead against hers gently, opening his mouth to say something.
" Ereinion Gil-galad, I am going to skin you."
The two glanced back at a grinning Glorfindel.
" Sot off, Glorfindel." Ereinion muttered.
Glorfindel only grinned even more, resembling a Cheshire cat.
" What fun would that be? I have just caught his majesty in the hallway in a deliciously dangerous pose. What will Galadriel say?"
Nienna stepped forward.
" What would a certain Valië tell you to do?"
Glorfindel's grin faded a bit before he shrugged.
" You can do me no harm."
Nienna huffed, her cheeks flushed a rosy color.
" I should have never promised Mandos that."
Ereinion tapped his lips.
" But a certain king can."
Glorfindel's grin faded.
" You two stole my thunder, by thunder."
Ereinion laughed, shaking his head.
" What do you need, Glorfindel?" He asked, clasping his friend's shoulder.
Glorfindel looked down shifting from one foot to another. He looked up fleetingly.
" Círdan and Celebrimbor have sent letters revealing they will be here tomorrow for the feast of the coming year."
Ereinion closed his eyes worry suddenly evading his being. Nienna took his hand.
" You need not worry."
Glorfindel raised his eyebrows.
" I believe I have something I need to do somewhere else."
Ereinion nodded.
" Thank you."
Ereinion's attention fell back on the angel in his arms.
" Are you saying something?"
Nienna bit her lip, looking down as her cheeks flushed further. She finally tossed her head back, looking up at him.
" I have been seeing this Elf."
Ereinion quickly fell into playing her game.
" What is this Elf like?"
Nienna swung his hand playfully as they continued down the hall. She glanced up at him.
" He is a well-respected Elf." A dimple creased her cheek. " He is kind and just. He has been in love with me since he first saw me."
Ereinion flushed, running his free hand over his neck.
" How do you know this?"
Nienna smiled up at nothing.
" A little birdie told me so."
Ereinion's eyes narrowed, seeing both Glorfindel and Elrond at the end of the hallway.
" Is it a dark or gold colored bird?"
Nienna put a hand on his chest. Ereinion gazed down at her, his anger forgotten.
" Twas my heart that told me so, Alassenya."
Ereinion cupped her face gently. She ran her hands up to his shoulders, twining them in his dark hair.
" Ereinion Gil-galad and lady Celebhiril!"
The two turned guiltily. Galadriel crossed her arms.
" Two feet is proper in public."
Ereinion sighed mournfully as they moved away from each other. Galadriel sent them both piercing glares before moving past them. Ereinion swooped down, capturing Nienna's lips quickly. Galadriel shook her head, her sharp eyes seeing all. She pinched Ereinion by his ear, leading the howling Elf-king off to the music of Nienna's giggles.