Maranwe peered around the corner and looked into the dining hall
where the royal family sat eating lunch. As she glanced around the table,
she could not help but smile when she noticed that Galadwen and Legolas
were not present. Galadwen had written to her while she was in Rivendell
telling her about her pregnancy, and Maranwe could not be happier for them.
Even when Galadwen was a little girl Maranwe had always noticed how she
cared for the blonde elf and was overjoyed when she found that Legolas
returned her love.
Looking at the other children she had watched grow up she could not believe how fast they all grew up. Only two decades ago, Eldarion had been just learning to ride a horse and now he was married with a child! He looked so much like Aragorn, and would be just a good a king as he when the time came.
She turned her gaze to Celebriel and smiled. Watching Celebriel become an adult made her feel like she was watching a younger version of herself sometimes. Climbing up a tree to save her when she was stuck and chasing her around for dinner had all been worth it to see her transform into such a beautiful young lady. Maranwe knew that her parents were sad when she left for Arnor, but she would be coming home soon and getting married there in Gondor.
Moreover, while Celebriel was like a younger version of herself in personality, Luthien was identical to her mother's image. When she first laid eyes on Luthien when she was only a few moments old she had opened her eyes and Maranwe felt she was looking at Arwen. She truly walked in her likeness.
Her eyes then turned to the youngest member of the royal family Silmai. She was only seven years old but she became much more mature then her other siblings. Perhaps that was because they were all so much older than she was. When she was back in Gondor her, Silmai had taken many walks through the gardens of the city, and Maranwe was looking forward to taking more when they returned.
Sitting next to, Luthien was her fiancé Astald, who had been adopted into the royal family a number of years ago. Maranwe felt a special connection with him, knowing that the both of them were not part of the family by blood, but they were by heart. That's the way that Aragorn and Arwen were, if someone needed help or was close to them, they would never leave them behind.
Maranwe sighed, knowing that she had left Arwen in the dark about her life in the past few months. She knew that she should tell her; after all, when they were younger in Imladris the two of them had stayed up all night just talking about their lives. Now Arwen still told her everything that was happening in her life, but Maranwe shared nothing with her.
The guilt that had grown inside her, knowing that her closest friend had the right to know everything that was going on with her, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She did not know how she would react. Pulling her riding gloves back on her hands Maranwe breathed deeply knowing the reason she had left Rivendell so soon was for her to clear her head, and more importantly to tell Arwen why she had been so distant lately.
She took one more deep breath, and stepped around the corner, masking her guilt with a huge smile on her face. Even though she was distressed about her life, did not mean that she should be in front of the people she loved. She would tell Arwen tonight.
"MARANWE!" Silmai, who spotted her first cried. The young half elf scrambled down from her mothers lap and jumped into her "aunts" arms, "You're back!" she cried happily, hugging her tightly.
Maranwe smiled, she missed this. Embracing the little girl in return, she said, "And it's good to be back! How have you been Silmai?"
She smiled, "Wonderful! I love Arnor and all of its people."
"Well that's good, because you are going to be related to one of them soon." Maranwe turned her gaze to Calen and Celebriel, "Only a few more months." She said with a grin, putting Silmai back on the ground.
The couple blushed and nodded shyly. Arwen then stood from her seat and embraced her friend, "You're back so soon! Is your father well?" Maranwe nodded, "Well then," she spoke happily, "I am so glad you are back earlier than expected, now you can stay here with us for a few weeks."
Maranwe nodded and then spoke so only Arwen could hear, "We need to talk."
Arwen nodded knowingly, "I was about to say the same thing." She then spoke in her normal voice, "Come join us for lunch. I'm sure that you are weary from your travels."
Aragorn smiled in agreement from his seat at the table, "Welcome back Maranwe. How are the twins back in Imladris?"
Maranwe blushed and then inwardly cursed herself for doing so, "Elladan and Elrohir and well Aragorn. Elrohir won't admit it but I believe he has been courting an elf maiden there in the city." She said.
Aragorn raised an eyebrow, "Really? I never would have thought of it from him, courting and all. Elladan was always the more romantic sort, how is his love life?"
Maranwe played with her hands nervously, "He is well, I am not sure if there is any elf lady with him at this time though."
Aragorn nodded, "Well sit and tell us of your journey there."
Arwen guided Maranwe to her seat and smiled at her again, "I'm glad you're back mellon nin." She spoke quietly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Eldarion, after having escorted his sister back to her room, was lying down on the bed. He closed his eyes and shook his head at how changed everything was. He was married with a child, Galadwen, also married and a baby on the way and Celebriel and Luthien both to be wed this autumn.
He smiled as he thought of his childhood, the memory of himself and Galadwen hiding in the serving quarters, so they would not have to take baths. He chuckled to himself and decided he was going to spend more time with his closest sister. They had been best friends their whole lives, they should make more time for one another.
"What are you doing?" A familiar voice made him smile and sit up. His sister Silmai and his daughter Isilai were standing in the doorway, holding hands.
"I was thinking. Where have you two been?" He lifted Isilai on to the bed and held out his hand for Silmai.
"We have been walking in the gardens with Ithiliwen, she picked flowers with us." Silmai scratched her dark head and gazed at her big brother in confusion. "Eldarion, what does nuisance mean?"
Eldarion laughed and stood up. "It means trouble, a bother. Why where did you hear that?"
The 7 year old girl's, usually pretty, face was now set in a frown. "Ithiliwen said I was one."
Eldarion laughed even harder and picked the little girl up. "Everything is changing, all except for you little star." He twirled her round before standing her on the bed.
His daughter's eyes lit up and she held out her hands. "My turn Ada. My turn."
He picked Isilai up and held her close as he spun. Her little blond curls, so like her mothers, mixed with his dark locks, like day and night in perfect harmony.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Astald winced in pain as Luthien propped a pillow under his broken leg. Luthien looked down at him sympathetically. "I am sorry, I am being as gentle as I can." She sat beside him on the bed and held his hand in hers.
"It is my own fault, if I hadn't of been so keen to prove myself, with the sword, to your father, this would not have happened." Astald's eyes fell to the floor, making Luthien hurt with pity.
"Why do you do that? He is your father too, he loves you as if you were his own." She stroked his cheek and he turned his face away from her.
"I owe your father, I mean, Ada everything. He saved me in every possible way. I know he loves me as a son, and I am extremely grateful for everything he has given me!" he then paused and said, " Oh I do not expect you to understand." He pushed himself up against the pillows, using the strength in his arms.
Luthien looked hurt. "If you can not tell me then you can not tell anyone."
Astald smiled warmly at the lovely young woman before him. "No matter how a part of this family I am made to feel, I never truly will be, not by blood. I know it is stupid but a part of me still feels that I have to be perfect in order for him to love me. That if I make a mistake or do something wrong then-- I feel like no matter what I can not give him an excuse to not want me as his son anymore." He looked away sheepishly, knowing how ridicules he sounded.
Luthien brought his hand up to her mouth; she kissed and stroked him in an attempt to comfort him. "I do not think it is stupid. I think that when you finally found a family to love you, you began to get frightened of loosing them and people do and say rash things when they are frightened. You are a part of this family Astald." She smiled warmly and paused before saying, "Astald, Ada himself named you, he was overjoyed to have another son. Celebriel even got a little jealous at all the attention he gave you." They both laughed and locked eyes.
"You may not have been born in to our family but that just makes you even more special because we chose you. You are not of our family by blood but you are by heart." Luthien's words reached him and he looked upon her with all the love he had ever known.
"I suppose because I never knew my real father, I had all of these expectations and wishes about what he would be like. As a child, I would picture him, coming for me. When Ada found me in that cave it was like the man in my thoughts was nothing compared to him. I wanted to be just like him, so brave and strong. I was so frightened that he would stop wanting me, just like my real mother did, and send me away from you all."
Luthien truly felt for her betrothed, never could she imagine the pain of not being loved. Well he need never worry about that ever again, because she would never stop loving and needing him. She moved closer to him and stroked her fingers over his hand. "Do you remember the night we met?"
He smiled affectionately. "Vaguely, I remember drifting in and out of fevered dreams. I remember the pain, the fear and the demons in my head, and then a song, like angels sighing with pleasure. The song soothed all of the aching, like a river flowing over a burning bush. When I opened my eyes your face was the first thing I saw, tears in your eyes, tears for me. No one had ever cried for me before, I knew I loved you even then."
Luthien found it hard to speak for his words had pierced her heart, more sharply then any weapon could. "Sing to me again. Sing me in to slumber just as you did that night." His eyes were on hers and she felt him cares her very soul. She smiled and began to sing, whilst stroking his hand, as she had done the night they met.
TBC
Wasn't that cute?? There will be more soon.lots of a/a we promise!!!
Looking at the other children she had watched grow up she could not believe how fast they all grew up. Only two decades ago, Eldarion had been just learning to ride a horse and now he was married with a child! He looked so much like Aragorn, and would be just a good a king as he when the time came.
She turned her gaze to Celebriel and smiled. Watching Celebriel become an adult made her feel like she was watching a younger version of herself sometimes. Climbing up a tree to save her when she was stuck and chasing her around for dinner had all been worth it to see her transform into such a beautiful young lady. Maranwe knew that her parents were sad when she left for Arnor, but she would be coming home soon and getting married there in Gondor.
Moreover, while Celebriel was like a younger version of herself in personality, Luthien was identical to her mother's image. When she first laid eyes on Luthien when she was only a few moments old she had opened her eyes and Maranwe felt she was looking at Arwen. She truly walked in her likeness.
Her eyes then turned to the youngest member of the royal family Silmai. She was only seven years old but she became much more mature then her other siblings. Perhaps that was because they were all so much older than she was. When she was back in Gondor her, Silmai had taken many walks through the gardens of the city, and Maranwe was looking forward to taking more when they returned.
Sitting next to, Luthien was her fiancé Astald, who had been adopted into the royal family a number of years ago. Maranwe felt a special connection with him, knowing that the both of them were not part of the family by blood, but they were by heart. That's the way that Aragorn and Arwen were, if someone needed help or was close to them, they would never leave them behind.
Maranwe sighed, knowing that she had left Arwen in the dark about her life in the past few months. She knew that she should tell her; after all, when they were younger in Imladris the two of them had stayed up all night just talking about their lives. Now Arwen still told her everything that was happening in her life, but Maranwe shared nothing with her.
The guilt that had grown inside her, knowing that her closest friend had the right to know everything that was going on with her, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She did not know how she would react. Pulling her riding gloves back on her hands Maranwe breathed deeply knowing the reason she had left Rivendell so soon was for her to clear her head, and more importantly to tell Arwen why she had been so distant lately.
She took one more deep breath, and stepped around the corner, masking her guilt with a huge smile on her face. Even though she was distressed about her life, did not mean that she should be in front of the people she loved. She would tell Arwen tonight.
"MARANWE!" Silmai, who spotted her first cried. The young half elf scrambled down from her mothers lap and jumped into her "aunts" arms, "You're back!" she cried happily, hugging her tightly.
Maranwe smiled, she missed this. Embracing the little girl in return, she said, "And it's good to be back! How have you been Silmai?"
She smiled, "Wonderful! I love Arnor and all of its people."
"Well that's good, because you are going to be related to one of them soon." Maranwe turned her gaze to Calen and Celebriel, "Only a few more months." She said with a grin, putting Silmai back on the ground.
The couple blushed and nodded shyly. Arwen then stood from her seat and embraced her friend, "You're back so soon! Is your father well?" Maranwe nodded, "Well then," she spoke happily, "I am so glad you are back earlier than expected, now you can stay here with us for a few weeks."
Maranwe nodded and then spoke so only Arwen could hear, "We need to talk."
Arwen nodded knowingly, "I was about to say the same thing." She then spoke in her normal voice, "Come join us for lunch. I'm sure that you are weary from your travels."
Aragorn smiled in agreement from his seat at the table, "Welcome back Maranwe. How are the twins back in Imladris?"
Maranwe blushed and then inwardly cursed herself for doing so, "Elladan and Elrohir and well Aragorn. Elrohir won't admit it but I believe he has been courting an elf maiden there in the city." She said.
Aragorn raised an eyebrow, "Really? I never would have thought of it from him, courting and all. Elladan was always the more romantic sort, how is his love life?"
Maranwe played with her hands nervously, "He is well, I am not sure if there is any elf lady with him at this time though."
Aragorn nodded, "Well sit and tell us of your journey there."
Arwen guided Maranwe to her seat and smiled at her again, "I'm glad you're back mellon nin." She spoke quietly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Eldarion, after having escorted his sister back to her room, was lying down on the bed. He closed his eyes and shook his head at how changed everything was. He was married with a child, Galadwen, also married and a baby on the way and Celebriel and Luthien both to be wed this autumn.
He smiled as he thought of his childhood, the memory of himself and Galadwen hiding in the serving quarters, so they would not have to take baths. He chuckled to himself and decided he was going to spend more time with his closest sister. They had been best friends their whole lives, they should make more time for one another.
"What are you doing?" A familiar voice made him smile and sit up. His sister Silmai and his daughter Isilai were standing in the doorway, holding hands.
"I was thinking. Where have you two been?" He lifted Isilai on to the bed and held out his hand for Silmai.
"We have been walking in the gardens with Ithiliwen, she picked flowers with us." Silmai scratched her dark head and gazed at her big brother in confusion. "Eldarion, what does nuisance mean?"
Eldarion laughed and stood up. "It means trouble, a bother. Why where did you hear that?"
The 7 year old girl's, usually pretty, face was now set in a frown. "Ithiliwen said I was one."
Eldarion laughed even harder and picked the little girl up. "Everything is changing, all except for you little star." He twirled her round before standing her on the bed.
His daughter's eyes lit up and she held out her hands. "My turn Ada. My turn."
He picked Isilai up and held her close as he spun. Her little blond curls, so like her mothers, mixed with his dark locks, like day and night in perfect harmony.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Astald winced in pain as Luthien propped a pillow under his broken leg. Luthien looked down at him sympathetically. "I am sorry, I am being as gentle as I can." She sat beside him on the bed and held his hand in hers.
"It is my own fault, if I hadn't of been so keen to prove myself, with the sword, to your father, this would not have happened." Astald's eyes fell to the floor, making Luthien hurt with pity.
"Why do you do that? He is your father too, he loves you as if you were his own." She stroked his cheek and he turned his face away from her.
"I owe your father, I mean, Ada everything. He saved me in every possible way. I know he loves me as a son, and I am extremely grateful for everything he has given me!" he then paused and said, " Oh I do not expect you to understand." He pushed himself up against the pillows, using the strength in his arms.
Luthien looked hurt. "If you can not tell me then you can not tell anyone."
Astald smiled warmly at the lovely young woman before him. "No matter how a part of this family I am made to feel, I never truly will be, not by blood. I know it is stupid but a part of me still feels that I have to be perfect in order for him to love me. That if I make a mistake or do something wrong then-- I feel like no matter what I can not give him an excuse to not want me as his son anymore." He looked away sheepishly, knowing how ridicules he sounded.
Luthien brought his hand up to her mouth; she kissed and stroked him in an attempt to comfort him. "I do not think it is stupid. I think that when you finally found a family to love you, you began to get frightened of loosing them and people do and say rash things when they are frightened. You are a part of this family Astald." She smiled warmly and paused before saying, "Astald, Ada himself named you, he was overjoyed to have another son. Celebriel even got a little jealous at all the attention he gave you." They both laughed and locked eyes.
"You may not have been born in to our family but that just makes you even more special because we chose you. You are not of our family by blood but you are by heart." Luthien's words reached him and he looked upon her with all the love he had ever known.
"I suppose because I never knew my real father, I had all of these expectations and wishes about what he would be like. As a child, I would picture him, coming for me. When Ada found me in that cave it was like the man in my thoughts was nothing compared to him. I wanted to be just like him, so brave and strong. I was so frightened that he would stop wanting me, just like my real mother did, and send me away from you all."
Luthien truly felt for her betrothed, never could she imagine the pain of not being loved. Well he need never worry about that ever again, because she would never stop loving and needing him. She moved closer to him and stroked her fingers over his hand. "Do you remember the night we met?"
He smiled affectionately. "Vaguely, I remember drifting in and out of fevered dreams. I remember the pain, the fear and the demons in my head, and then a song, like angels sighing with pleasure. The song soothed all of the aching, like a river flowing over a burning bush. When I opened my eyes your face was the first thing I saw, tears in your eyes, tears for me. No one had ever cried for me before, I knew I loved you even then."
Luthien found it hard to speak for his words had pierced her heart, more sharply then any weapon could. "Sing to me again. Sing me in to slumber just as you did that night." His eyes were on hers and she felt him cares her very soul. She smiled and began to sing, whilst stroking his hand, as she had done the night they met.
TBC
Wasn't that cute?? There will be more soon.lots of a/a we promise!!!