It was the day before Amrod and his brothers, along with their army, were to leave. Geliriel was up earlier than usual that morning. She took her time getting dressed, and once done, she went downstairs to the kitchen. The cook, Noreg, was busily preparing breakfast. He had just brought out rolls from the oven, and Geliriel took a few for herself. Noreg grinned at her and went back to work. She quickly cut open the rolls, spead some butter in them, and grabbed a mug of water as she left the kitchen.
She went to her customary window seat and ate her rolls as she watched the sun rise. It had been long since she had done so. She smiled a little as she remembered her breakfasts shared with Amrod in the east garden. 'If only it weren't so cold outside, and that his brothers weren't here,' she thought wistfully. 'I wish he would come.'
She sat quietly, admiring how the colors of the sunrise reflected in the new-fallen snow. 'Snow!' she thought as she looked with wonder out onto the ground. She got up and went as fast as she could to the door, grabbed her cloak, and went outside. She had no memory of snow. She went to the nearest windowsill and touched the cold, white powder. Laughing, she scooped some in her hands and tossed it in the air. It was as if she were a child seeing snow for the first time. She did her best to remain standing, even as she danced around making footprints. She was so swept up in her giddyness, that she did not hear the approach of footsteps. Amrod had finally come, and he watched his love dancing and laughing. A slight smile graced his face.
She gathered up more snow and tossed it, as she did, she spun around and saw him standing there. She was instantly calm, but kept smiling. She made the effort to straighten her hair and cloak, but it was rather hopeless. It didn't really matter. He had started walking toward her, and soon she was wrapped up in his arms. They held on to each other for a long while. Amrod was the first to pull away, and he took her hand and led her back inside the cottage.
Breakfast had just been served and they were joined by Glinneth and Orainwen. Berior had not come from the manor yet, according to Orainwen, and would be by later. Amrod told them that Berior would be helping out with the mobilization of the army. Orainwen was strangely quiet after that, though she kept smiling. Geliriel noticed the girl's silence and made a note to ask her about it later.
After breakfast, the girls cleaned up, shooing both Amrod and Geliriel away. They took the hint, and once again, Amrod led Geliriel away. This time, they went back outside, taking with them a couple warm blankets. They walked a little while, making small talk and holding hands. Once again, Geliriel waited for Amrod to say what it was he needed to say. Amrod had a destination in mind, and soon they were in the west garden. He picked out a bench that was under a tree, cleared the snow from it, and placed a blanket over it. Then he sat down and Geliriel joined him. He wrapped them both in the second blanket and they held each other. After another long while, he kissed the top of her head and then spoke.
"I had to see you before we left. I needed to know something."
"What did you need to know, my love?"
"That you still loved me. That everything that's happened in the last three weeks didn't change your feelings for me."
Geliriel moved so that she could face him and look directly into his eyes.
"Amrod, I love you. I always will. I may have been a little angry at you, but I got over it. When you didn't come, I thought you'd leave without saying goodbye. And for a while, I kept asking myself if you'd ever return."
"I couldn't leave without seeing your face, your smile, and feeling your arms around me." He kissed her then. Long, slow and passionate, which she returned. They let their love and desire for each other come over them. Before it could go any further, they broke it off. 'The time for anymore will have to wait until after the child is born,' thought Amrod as he gathered her up in his arms once again. 'But, oh, how much I need her.'
They went back to the cottage and spent the rest of the day alone in front of the fireplace. Glinneth had left them lunch, and had gone with Orainwen to the manor. Geliriel took out the things she made for the baby and showed them to Amrod. There was quite the assortment of baby garments as well as toys. She kept her embroidery a secret. She'd present it to him after the baby was born.
"Geliriel, you've outdone yourself!"
"I've had nothing else to do with my time while the weather's been cold. I can only read so long before I get tired of it. I can only sleep for so long before I have to get up and do something."
"Do you know when the baby's due?"
"Glinneth and Orainwen are convinced I'll deliver in early spring. That reminds, me. I need to have Orainwen order some fabric to make the diapers."
Amrod laughed. He watched her as she folded up the baby clothes and put them aside with the toys. They were silent for a while before he spoke again.
"Have you decided on a name?"
"Honestly, I haven't thought of a name at all. I was going to wait until after the baby came."
"I have a name in mind. For your son."
"What is it?" she asked. He was silent for a moment, hoping her reaction wouldn't be one of sorrow.
"You once told me how you wanted to honor the memory of your first husband. You said you didn't know how you'd go about doing so."
"Yes." she said as she started to fidget.
"Do you still wish to? Do you still wish to honor his memory?"
"You know I do, Amrod."
He took a deep breath and exhaled. "Then let him be called Melannen."
He looked at her face and watched the tide of emotions. His heart skipped a beat. She had yet to respond, and with each passing moment, he thought she'd surely reject the idea. He took one of her hands in his and held it. She opened her mouth to say something, but no sound came. He watched the tears well up in her eyes. He was about to take back the name when she finally spoke.
"Melannen. My son will be called Melannen, after his father."
"Yes. Is that alright, or should we find another name?"
"No. No, my love. Melannen is the perfect name."
This time, she kissed him with every ounce of love in her heart. She placed his hand that was holding hers on her belly. Breaking the kiss, she smiled at him. They spent the rest of the evening making plans to have a cradle made and more fabric to make clothes as well as diapers. As evening came about, the smell of dinner wafted into the room. They ate their dinner with each other. Glinneth had sent word that she and Orainwen were eating and staying the night in the manor. After dinner, they went to her room and went to bed, sharing the last night together in each other's arms.
"You may not be a son of my blood, but you will be my son."
He kissed her belly, then looked up at her. Tears were in her eyes as she looked back at him. He stood up and kissed her again. He pulled away from her, and remounted his horse. They looked at each other for a long while before he turned and rode back to his brothers. She held up her hand in a parting wave, and though Amrod didn't see it, Amras, Maglor, and even Maedhros raised their hands in return. She watched them until they were gone from sight before Glinneth and Orainwen helped her back into the cottage.