Maedhros and Maglor stayed at the manor through the worst of the winter. When it wasn't snowing heavily, they came to visit Geliriel at the cottage. She found out, through Amrod, that Celegorm, Caranthir, and Curufin had been slain in the battle and that they did not regain the Silmaril. As soon as the weather let up, they would have a proper memorial for their brothers.

Geliriel found that she rather like Maedhros, even though he rarely spoke and kept to himself. At first, she thought he mourned his brothers maybe more than the ones who were still alive. That wasn't the case. One night, after Maedhros and Maglor had gone back to the manor with Berior and Orainwen, Amrod told her what happened to his brother.

"We didn't realize that the men Celegorm brought were that ruthless. They caused more destruction than the battle itself. They looted, raped, burned, and killed those were could not defend themselves. They seemed bent on total annihilation."

"How terrible!"

"Very terrible. I think the worst part was when they took the children of Dior and cast them into the woods, running for their lives. When Maedhros found out, he went out looking for them. He searched high and low and everywhere in between. He came back empty handed and silent. More so than before."

Geliriel could not help the tears that began to well up in her eyes. 'How could anyone do such a thing to anyone's children?' she thought to herself. A bit of anger intermingled with her sadness. She had not liked Celegorm when he was alive, and she hated him more so for bringing those men. Even though he was dead, she hated him. She would go to the memorial, for Amrod's sake.

"Poor Maedhros," she said after her silence.

"If the weather hadn't been so awful, I think I would've had him stay anyway. He would not have been so depressed as to take his own life, but I worry all the same."

They sat on the floor in front of the fireplace. They had made a nest of pillows and blankets so that Geliriel would be comfortable. Perhaps through Geliriel's strong emotions, the baby started stirring, causing some discomfort. Geliriel gasped a little and winced. She laid her hands on her child and tried to soothe him, crooning and humming little bits of songs. Still he stirred. She looked at Amrod, who had a concerned expression on his face.

"Give me your hands, love," she suggested after a particularly strong reaction from the baby.

She wasn't sure if had kicked or punched, but it hurt. Amrod laid his hands on her belly, and began to join her singing with soothing words. They caressed the baby, hoping to calm him. Only a few more minutes went by before the baby settled down again.

"He knows his papa," Geliriel said after catching her breath. Amrod smiled, but looked a little confused.

"What caused him to react that way?"

"I was sad and angry at the news of Maedhros and the children."

"Angry? Why?"

"You know I never really cared for Celegorm. Well, my anger was directed at him and his men. I must've been a little angrier than I thought."

Amrod was silent as he thought this over. 'If her emotions make the baby react this way, what would the news of her mother's death cause? Not just to him, but to her? 'Should I keep Araseth's death secret until after the baby arrives?' he questioned himself. 'I have to tell her, but how much?' He moved to take her in his arms to hold her. They both kept one hand on the baby. They said no more that evening, and Amrod was grateful for it.

The memorial took place two weeks later. The snow was at least three feet deep, but they held it anyway. It was a clear, cold day and the four remaining sons of Feanor, along with Geliriel, Glinneth, Berior and Orainwen, gathered in the west garden. It was a solemn affair, and the two elder brothers conducted most of the rituals. At the end, everyone lit a candle in memory, and sent a prayer to Iluvatar and to Mandos. Geliriel only did so automatically, and for Amrod's comfort. They all filed silently out of the garden and back to the manor. A feast had been prepared, and they hadn't really eaten anything since breakfast.

Maglor, Amrod, and Amras all shared memories of their brothers at the table. They would answer questions from Glinneth, Orainwen, and even Berior. Only Geliriel and Maedhros remained silent. She had seated herself between Amrod and Maedhros, and during one of the happier tales being told; he leaned over to speak to her.

"I'm sorry we did not meet in happier times, my lady," he spoke softly.

"I'm glad to meet you all the same," she replied. "I've heard about you from your brothers and was looking forward to the day when we'd meet." She winced at herself inwardly. 'I sound so unfeeling,' she silently scolded herself.

"I've heard all about you," he said and smiled. "You've brought happiness into Amrod's life, as well as ours. Did you know that you're the best thing that's happened to him?"

Geliriel smiled, blushed, and looked down at her plate. She felt Amrod's hand clasp hers under the table. She looked at him and realized that he had heard what Maedhros had said. He leaned over to kiss her on the head, and then rejoined the conversation. He did not release her hand. For the remainder of the feast, Geliriel and Maedhros talked quietly. In just that short time, she came to adore him as she did Maglor and Amras.

After the feast, Maglor and Amras said their goodnights and went to their rooms. Berior led Orainwen to his room soon after. Maedhros went with Amrod and Geliriel to the cottage, but did not enter in. He kissed Geliriel on the cheek, shook his brother's hand, and said goodnight. They watched him as he slowly walked back to the manor. Glinneth would come later, as she had to ransack the manor's pantries for more teas and herbs.

They went up to her bedroom and there Amrod played the maidservant, helping Geliriel undress and get ready for bed. But at some point during the process, their play turned into passion, which overflowed into raw desire. His clothes joined hers on the floor and they made their way into the bed. His hands and mouth roamed her body, making her crazy and begging for more. She was not too far gone to return the favor for him. She found her way back to his mouth and kissed him fiercely. 'By the Valar, how I want him to make love to me. Tonight. Now.' she thought over and over again, until it became almost like a prayer. But, like the first time, he stopped and pulled away.

"We mustn't, Geliriel," he said through his heavy breathing.

"Why not?" she half asked, half demanded. They had come this far. She didn't want to stop now.

"The baby. It's too close to your time to deliver." He bent over to snatch up his pants from the floor.

"It's alright, dearest," she pleaded. He shook his head and began to pace. She tried to reason with him. "Can't you see? We need each other. You know I want you as badly as I know you want me. I've seen the lust in your eyes. The baby would come to no harm. It's really alright to make love."

"No!" he said a little louder than he intended. It startled her enough that she jumped. He came to the bed and sat in front of her, taking her face in his hands. "It's not that I don't want to. I do! Gods, how I do! But I want it to be just you and me."

"It is just you and me," she said, not fully understanding him.

"By the Valar! You must understand. I want to have you in so many ways, but only you. You must believe that the waiting is almost driving me mad with desire, but I am going to wait until after the baby is come. You do understand me, don't you?"

She reluctantly nodded her head. He kissed her, then got off the bed and put on the rest of his clothes. He helped her into her nightgown and then tucked her in. They both agreed that he should go back to the manor this night. They didn't want to take any chances. Amrod waited for Geliriel to fall asleep, and then he left quietly, cursing the pregnancy length of female Elves.