An- Happy holidays everyone! So this one actually takes (generally) far in the future, so we're going out of the normal order. There are also a few vague spoilers for things in the future, but it's no big deal. I've also introduced Tauriel to our story, because she's BAMF and she and Niori would get along fabulously (if they actually gave her a definitive ending in EE of BOTFA I don't know, since I haven't seen it yet, so ignore it if they did). I'd also like to thank Askmiddleearth on Tumblr, because they are amazing and wonderful for research (this time for winter holidays in Middle Earth). I also attempt to use Elvish, so hopefully that works out.
'Tis the Season
Yule- Rohan
Niori was tucked away, half asleep, half passed out, and unlikely to do anything stupid. Jane was fast asleep, or at least making a good impression of it. She didn't know exactly where the others were, but Carla wasn't all that troubled about it. She also wasn't quite ready for bed, and apparently the party was still pretty close to in full swing, so she went back to it.
Carla slipped along the edges, grabbing a mug of ale as she passed the keg where they were being handed out. She wasn't Niori, but she still liked a good drink. She had already drained a quarter of it when she spotted him sitting at a long table, laughing and drinking with others. In what was only a little alcohol fuelled boldness, Carla slipped into the space beside where Eomer sat.
He glanced over at her, and his face showed surprise, "I thought you'd left us for the night."
"I'm not much of a party person, but I'm not ready to turn in yet," she shrugged her shoulders and sipped her ale.
Eomer raised an eyebrow, "A fierce warrior such as yourself does not glory in victory celebrations?"
Carla laughed, "I haven't been a warrior all that long, and this is my first victory party. All my experience is the parties back home, which are spent helping Jane lighten up, stopping Erin from getting in a fight, or stopping Niori from doing something stupid. Especially Niori."
"I see that," Eomer chuckled, shaking his head, "she is equal to any woman of Rohan, so she showed tonight. Half the men who witnessed it are ready to pledge their undying love to her, if they did not fear a pair of Elvish blades in the back," the Lord of Rohan paused, "Why has the Elf not done anything?"
"Tell me about it!" Carla said in exasperation, "They sit there and throw moon eyes at each other, or worse, look like they're imagining the other one naked. If they'd just get it over with, they'd save us all the headache!" She'd tried to tell Niori that, but the other girl had cut her off with a scowl. If she thought it would work any better, she'd tell Legolas the same thing.
"It seems foolish, to ignore what is so obviously willingly ready to be given. I would not," it was said gruffly, almost awkwardly. Carla got it, since it was obvious Eomer wasn't exactly the romantic type. She still heard the half inquiry there, one that almost asked how she felt on the matter.
Carla wasn't a novice at flirting, no matter what her friends said, but she wasn't an expert either. She wasn't sure how to handle that, or the twist in her stomach, so instead she raised her mug in his direction, "That's a much better plan than theirs. I like it," Carla loved her cousin more than anyone else in the world, but had absolutely no desire to talk about her anymore, "So this is a victory party. Do you have any other grand ones?" It wasn't just a change in topic. She was genuinely curious.
"Aye, we have more. Many more," that really didn't surprise Carla. These people seemed likes ones who liked to party, "but our grandest is Yule."
Carla thought about Christmas and New Year's back in her world, "What's it like?"
"It is a feast, but that doesn't do it justice. It takes the whole hall, and spreads to the whole of Edoras. The people outside of this place celebrate it as well. People come from the farthest reaches of Rohan. There isn't a home that doesn't warm itself with a roaring hearth and sound of laughter. There is enough food to feed everyone ten times over, and the best ale is served."
Carla could picture it all, and if it was even half of what Eomer described, it sounded marvellous. It sounded fun and joyous, a Christmas family gathering on heavy steroids. For all her family had some serious issues, Carla loved Christmas with them.
"We don't only celebrate the new year, but midwinter as well. It is the longest night of the year, but it means the time when winter begins to end. We celebrate from the moment the sun sets and drink to it when it rises again."
"It sounds amazing," Carla was serious, not sarcastic in the least. She wouldn't mind being there, provided she wasn't dead by midwinter and was back in Rohan.
"What of your world?"
"We have a lot of winter holidays actually, and a bunch of ways to celebrate them," She smiled, remembering, "But for my family it was Christmas. We'd always get together for Christmas dinner. Not only my parents, brother and I, but all of the family was within driving distance. My grandmother made the best turkey and my aunt was amazing with desserts. We all had leftovers for days. We give each other presents, ones we can't open until Christmas Day. I always woke up before the sun was up when I was a kid, and just waited until my mom finally said I could come out from my room. We decorate everything with lights, and there are a million different songs," she looked at him, lowered her voice, and shared a secret, "don't tell anyone, but I really love Christmas carols."
Eomer was smiling, and it was almost soft. Carla grinned in return.
"Perhaps, once this war is over and the world free, you will return for our Yule, and you can teach us some of these songs," there was half an invitation there, and it thrilled her more than she wanted to admit.
"You know what? It's a date," it was a promise, a real one. She wanted to be there. She raised her cup, and Eomer tapped his against it.
l.l.l.l
The Winter Solstice- Mirkwood
"Mama! Please!"
Dominic's eyes were wide and pleading, his little mouth set in a pout. Niori found it adorable, even if she wasn't moved by it, "No. You are not staying out all night. Winter Solstice or not, you're still four and need lots of sleep."
Dominic's pout deepened, and he whirled around to face Legolas, "Ada!" he whined.
Niori raised an eyebrow, daring Legolas to contradict her. He didn't have a chance to, because another voice spoke.
"Come now Idithen, you know your father is not foolish enough to invite your mother's wrath."
Dominic's pout fell away and he grinned, whirling around to face the voice, "Aunt Tauriel!"
The Elf's face broke into a smile as she scooped the little boy into her arms when he ran to her. Dominic hugged her fiercely, and Niori laughed.
"Back just in time. They've been missing you something fierce." Tauriel had been gone for over a month, patrolling the farthest boarders of Mirkwood. Niori had been beginning to think she wouldn't make it back in time for the solstice.
"It's not only them who missed you," Legolas told their friend, "I'm glad you've returned in time. You're also right," he looked at his son in her arms, "as is your mother. The whole night is just too much for you," he paused and looked towards the inner door to their room, "you can come out Amowiel. The answer is the same for you."
After a brief hesitation, their daughter slipped into the room. She always sent Dom to ask, because he had the better puppy eyes. She was clever and manipulative, their daughter, especially for a four year old. Niori could never decide it she was worried, irritated, or proud about that fact.
She looked resigned, and it seemed that neither of them decided to argue any further. The little girl frowned in unhappiness, and Tauriel ruffled her hair, "Do not frown Idithen, there will be many others for you to attend. When you are old enough, you can stay all night to see the stars."
Amowiel wasn't pacified, but she signed dramatically, "Yes Aunt Tauriel."
(And oh the look on Thranduil's face when he first heard that term of endearment had kept Niori snickering for days. She and her Father-in-Law got along just fine, and even liked each other well enough, but that didn't mean he couldn't be a jerk at times. Niori didn't miss the occasional looks he sent her way, full of displeasure. The fact that he apparently used to be worse made her cringe at the thought. Niori didn't even really blame him, not when she knew what Legolas loving her could lead to, but she was unimpressed. When she was particularly unimpressed, she resisted the urge to inform him that his grandchildren also referred to a Dwarf as 'Uncle Gimli', just to see the look on Thranduil's face)
"Figures," Niori rolled her eyes, "we've been saying the same thing for a week, and they wouldn't buy it."
"Your little ones are already taken to rebellion," the Elf replied, "a good sign, I think. It took their father far too long to learn such a lesson."
That jab made Legolas shoot a look at her, "They take after their mother."
"Excuse me," Niori said in exasperation, "I'm standing right here...even if it's true."
"It is an argument for later, in any case," Legolas smirked at her, "it's time to go."
Legolas took hold of Amowiel's hand, Tauriel kept Dominic in her arms, and the five of them headed for the upper halls. They made it there, and already the feast was in full swing. Tauriel transferred Dominic into Niori's arms. Damn he was almost too heavy for her, especially with her bad shoulder twingeing anytime she tried to pick one of them up. It wouldn't be too long before she wasn't able to at all.
"I shall see you later mellon nin," She told them both before slipping away.
Niori looked at Tauriel's retreating back wistfully, wishing she could follow her friend to wherever part of the hall she ended up in during feasts. It had been more fun than where Niori always ended up. The high table - because apparently some of them felt the need to remind everyone that they were upper class or whatever, and did so by acting aloof and better-than-you-so-don't-forget-it was boring and stoic, and if she so much as raised her voice, people stared at her. The further you got away from it, the more fun it seemed to be.
"Do I have to?" She whined, looking at her husband and pleading.
Legolas laughed and brushed a kiss across her cheek, "Yes."
She pouted, adjusted Dominic in her arms, and then followed her husband to the high table. She settled her son in his chair and took her seat at the very end of the table. She had no idea if it was because she was -technically royalty or not- the lowest social status person here (try as she might, Niori still didn't understand Elvin politics here, beyond the Sindar/Silvan thing, though she'd be trying for five years) or because it kept her as far away as possible from the parts of her family that loved their wine (no one ever thought to offer her any either, which always made her wonder what exactly everyone knew). It kept her, for the most part, out of the limelight...unless something happened, at which point everyone automatically looked to her anyways, regardless if it was her or not.
Her children always looked as bored as she did, they were just more obvious. The time Dominic had asked loudly if they could go play with the ones who were laughing, had even Legolas snickering. He was the same (and damn that overjoyed her, seeing how much he liked a good party, back on his own turf), he just had a couple thousand years hiding it.
They feasted in near silence (even her chatterbox son managed to stay mostly silent, though her always-tries-to-be-as-dignified-as-a-four-year-old-can daughter fidgeted something fierce), while the party seemed to get louder in other parts of the hall. She shot Legolas a glance, who just shrugged. He'd been trying to get out of this years before he ever met her.
"I'll see what I can do for next time," he murmured to her.
"I'll believe it when I see it," she muttered, and she noticed eyes turned her way. Damn Elvish hearing.
Niori didn't belong here, not really. She knew it, they knew it, and even Legolas blissfully ignored it. Oh, she was liked well enough (more by the common folk, for the most part. She tended to get along famously with them), but she wasn't ever going to be enough for them. She had stopped caring about that a few years ago, when she realized it was a pointless endeavour.
Finally, finally, the boring part was over, and Niori grinned. She practically skipped as she walked with her husband and children up along the great roots that made up the Elvin King's halls. When they reached the doors that led out to the woods about, Niori laughed and raced out into the cool night air. She spun for a moment, her children joining her with giggles. When she stopped, Legolas was giving them a wide smile. They were all out, under the trees and under the stars, and the real party began.
During her second Solstice (she hadn't really known about the first one, not when she was still weak and frail after giving birth), Niori had been surprised that Elves would celebrate the longest night of the year. It wasn't until Tauriel mentioned that it was also the time when the stars were out the longest that she had gotten it. There was far more partying and a lot less carolling than she was used to in her winter celebrations, but she wouldn't have it any other way (except maybe inside. She was the only one who needed a winter jacket. Even the twins got off with just heavy sweaters). The Elves of Mirkwood knew how to let loose, and Niori wished she had gotten here back when she could party to the fullest (so much better than Lothlorien, honestly. Thank God she had fallen for one of the Party Elves).
There was music, dancing, and so much more wine that Niori couldn't help but wonder if they had brought out the entire stock. Niori wished she could try it, for semi-innocent motives. The stuff managed to make Thranduil lighten up (she learned what the term dumbstruck really, truly meant the first time she had seen him tipsy. Her brain just blanked out and she couldn't begin to find words), so it had to be spectacular.
Niori spent the night laughing and dancing. She twirled around the dance floor -with her children, her husband, her friends, her brother-in-law, and even once with her chuckling father-in-law, and broke off into off key, squeaky Christmas pop songs that made everyone laugh. She played tag with the twins, dashing around everyone else and letting them catch her. She slipped into a shadowed corner and made out with her husband for a few minutes while Dom and Am were being entertained. She snarked and told stories -most of them funny-. and knew that in these moments, Niori did belong here.
Eventually, all Niori could do was throw herself into a chair in exhaustion. Legolas joined her later, smiling and carefree in a way that always made Niori's breath catch in her throat. For all they protested, the twins had fallen asleep not even two hours after the party moved outside. Amowiel had gone first, leaning against Niori, and though he had fought it, Dominic had eventually fallen asleep in Legolas's lap. It was perfect and beautiful. It was everything Niori had ever wanted. It was pure happiness, and she wished to hold onto it forever. Someone reached out and took her hand. She looked over and saw Legolas smiling at her. She smiled back, and then he looked back to the stars. Niori looked up as well. She would never truly understand the love these Elves had for the stars, just like she'd never truly understand the way the sea had called Legolas. She didn't try to, not when she knew it was something beyond her. Niori would find them beautiful in her own way.
They sat like that for a long time, until the cold began to seep through her heavy coat and into her bones. She began to shiver, and Legolas turned to her, "Are you cold?"
"I just need to move for awhile," she replied, "then I'll be fine."
As though they'd been waiting for such a statement, both Tauriel and Aldor appeared.
"We'll take the little ones back to their rooms," her brother-in-law promised. Beside him, Tauriel nodded. Legolas looked surprised as Dominic was scooped out of his lap by his brother. Niori helped Tauriel with Amowiel.
"Enjoy yourselves," Tauriel said, and then she sent Niori a quick smile, to which Niori winked back. Then they were both gone, leaving Legolas blinking.
"What..."
"Sorry," Niori replied with a grin, "they're involved with my grand scheme to lure you away."
"You need a scheme to lure me away?" He asked in amusement.
"Shut up and follow," she replied, grabbing his hand and leading him away.
They left the celebration area, and Niori took him through the trees. They kept going until the sound of the party was far away in the distance. They came to the base of a tree, and without hesitation, Niori hiked up her long skirt and began to climb. Niori had pulled herself up a few branches, when she paused and looked over her shoulder, "Are you coming?"
Legolas could have easily passed her, but stayed below anyway, probably to stop her from falling to her death if she lost her footing. Finally, Niori reached the top and pulled herself up closest to the trunk, where there was more than enough room for them to sit without fear of falling off.
Legolas sat beside her and picked at her newly torn dress, "And this is why the royal tailors always send a delegate to complain about you."
"They're the ones who keep insisting that I need to wear fancy dresses. I love beautiful clothes, but we both know I shouldn't be in them for more than a few hours. Now shut it and look up."
He did, and his breath caught in his throat. They were so high, in a perfect spot clear of everything, that the night sky stretched out as far as you could see. It seemed to hang low enough, that you that you could reach out and touch the closest stars...and there were thousands more lights that dotted the sky.
"Happy Solstice Legolas," she whispered, overjoyed to see his awed face glowing silver in the starlight.
Niori had brought over a few Christmas traditions from her world, the main one being gift giving. It wasn't as crazy as back home, but she still exchanged gifts with the people she loved most. Her children would open small, matching bows tomorrow (Niori was still dubious at the suggestion, but Legolas assured her they were no more than toys, and they'd be nowhere near anything sharp). She wanted something special for Legolas, and she had run out of ideas. Aldor had given her ideas, and Tauriel had shown her this place...and Niori knew Legolas would love it.
"Niori," he turned to her and asked in wonder, "have you given me the stars as your gift?"
She actually blushed, "You're not the only one who can use grand gestures and metaphors to be romantic."
He kissed her, long and deep, and she melted under his love. When Legolas broke away again, she was half breathless, "It's only part one. Part two requires a warmer place where I won't get frostbite."
He laughed in delight, and she was glad to see him so happy, "I fear my gift will pale in comparison," he pulled a box out of his tunic and handed it to her, "I know you dislike it, but if you're going to represent the Woodland Realm, you must look like royalty. Which you are," he added when she wrinkled her nose, "the race of Men or not."
She opened the box and took the contents into her hand. It was a circlet crown, like the one Legolas and his brother wore when they needed to look official. It was completely different in design. It was gold, not silver. Instead of gentle curves, uneven lines came out of a disk in the middle and would wrap around her head.
"We love the stars," he whispered in her ear, "but you're not the stars, nor will you ever be. You're the sun Niori, who burns bright. You light the world, and bring joy and warmth. You shine, bigger and brighter than any smaller star could ever hope to. You're my sun Niori, and I wish all of Arda to know it."
It was the sun, Niori realized abruptly. The disc in the middle was the sun itself, and the lines that connect the circle were its rays. Legolas had given her the sun to wear as a crown.
"It doesn't pale," she replied, "not at all. I'll wear this one with pride," this time she kissed him.
When they stopped, he gently settled it on her head, "I love you."
"I love you, too."
Then Legolas pulled her to him, and Niori settled against him. Silently, the two of them watched the stars.
l.l.
Yuletide- The Shire
"Mama! Papa! It's snowing!"
Jane looked up from the bathtub, where her daughter flailed her arms in the soapy water. She leaned back, far enough to get a glance out the window. There were indeed big, fat snowflakes falling out of the sky. A smile graced her face when she saw it. It didn't snow much in The Shire, and the Canadian in Jane missed it come winter. The fact that it decided to snow on the first day of Yuletide made Jane's smile grow.
She turned back to the water and scooped Primula out of it. The baby squawked and squirmed as Jane dried her off with a towel, but didn't start to cry, "Let's go see what the fuss is about, hmm?" Jane said to her daughter as they left the bathroom.
When she entered the main room of the smial, Lily and Merry were bouncing up and down on the balls of their feet, chattering excitedly (Lily the most, with Merry adding a word or sentence here or there) and gesturing towards the front of the house. Elijah -covered with soot and home from work- looked at them going on just smiled.
"So it is," Elijah agreed once they paused to take a breath, "it seems you might be able to have a snowball fight at the party tonight!"
Jane groaned, "Really Elijah? Remember the last time the monsters did that? Most of Hobbiton wouldn't talk to us for a month!"
Elijah smirked, "You can't blame me for that. It was Carla who devised the idea with a snow war against the parents, and Ruby who devised the battle plans."
Jane practically shuddered. She couldn't remember being that cold and snow covered before that day, and she grew up in Eastern Canada. There were so many of them that it had been an army! It was like Carla and Sam's Ruby had managed to recruit every child within ten kilometres to pelt their parents with snow the last time it had snowed. Elijah found the whole thing hilarious, but the other parents did not. And of course it was all the 'strange' children that got blamed.
Lily was beginning to look far too eager at the prospect, so Jane decided to crush her four year old's dreams, "You're sticking to snow angels and snowmen."
Lily looked ready to protest, so Jane stopped her in her tracks, "Final word. No."
Lily scowled, and Merry caught onto his sister's face and mirrored it, though he probably wasn't completely sure why his sister was unhappy. He followed her everywhere, stumbling after Lily on unsteady toddler legs. There was some serious hero worship developing there, and thankfully Lily soaked it up as only a four year old could. Jane dreaded the time when that changed and the fights came.
"They're not fun," Lily grumbled, "They're boring. Carla says so."
If Merry worshiped Lily, then Lily worshiped her aunt Carla, and that little girl took after her namesake far too much. Carla took after their Carla, and good God could she cause a lot of trouble for a six year old. Carla had to be in the afterlife somewhere laughing her ass of.
"You do not listen to Carla," Jane said firmly, glaring at how absolutely amused Elijah looked, "you listen to your parents."
"Go get ready," Elijah finally got into the conversation, "we'll be leaving for your grandparent's soon."
When the two of them were gone, Jane said, "Seriously, why are you the one spoiling them and I'm the bad guy. Not fair."
Elijah snorted, "Claims the woman who was more than willing to indulge the children with too many sweets and I was the one who made them cry by saying no."
"It wasn't too much!" She protested.
"Yes it was."
Jane ignored him and looked at Primula, "You're not allowed to go through this phase. You need to be well behaved forever," It wasn't likely, but Jane could hope.
"Mother and Father will be expecting us soon," Elijah continued, "I was not just distracting with that."
"Go wash up. I'll get Prim dressed and make sure the other two put on warm clothes."
They went about their tasks, and Jane found herself singing Christmas carols. She was quiet at first, but when her daughter started to giggle, she began to belt out Silent Night. Eventually Merry and Lily came to investigate, and tried to sing along. They had heard it before, but didn't have to words down yet. By the time the song was finished, they were all laughing and dancing, and any irritation was gone. They didn't call it Christmas here and the traditions were different, but it filled her with the Christmas spirit all the same. For all intents and purposes, the first day of the Hobbits' Yuletide was a mix of Christmas Eve and Day in Jane's mind. How could someone keep being unhappy with those facts?
Jane sang another song while she put the children in their best winter clothes. No matter the type of party, proper Hobbits dressed in their best. The idea of any of them being proper Hobbits in any shape or form was hilarious, but there were some parts that could be appealing. She much preferred the parties here than the ones back home. The aftermath was easier to deal with, to be honest, and the lack of terrible music was much nicer.
When everyone was bundled up, they headed out to Erin and Frodo's. It wouldn't be a pseudo- Christmas without a family dinner or unwrapping presents around a Christmas tree. Bag End was bigger, even with the four people who lived there. There was enough room for an eight person meal and an improvised decorated tree. Jane's family brought dessert and Erin's did dinner, and it was a tradition that they wouldn't trade for the world.
When they knocked on the green door, Frodo opened it with a grin on his face. The children launched themselves at him with shrieks of 'Grandpa!' and nearly bowed him over. He hugged them as he laughed, "Hello young ones."
There was a cry from behind them as Carla and little Bilbo rushed into the room. Frodo forgotten, the children all came together and yelled in excitement, each one trying to be heard over the others. Jane winced at the sound, and winced again when the baby in her arms started to cry.
"Go into the den and play," Frodo told the children, "but stay where we can see you!" The four of them did it, still talking at the top of their lungs as they went.
Primula was still crying, so Elijah gestured to pass her over. As much as it pained her to admit, Elijah was much better at getting babies to settle than she was. They traded off the baby for a basket of fresh cookies.
"Is Erin in the kitchen?" She asked, and headed that way when she got a confirmation.
Erin was humming Jingle Bells while she stood over the stove stirring a pot of something. It smelled delicious. There was also clearly some sort of meat cooking, and that made Jane hesitant.
"You didn't cook that did you?" She asked wearily.
Erin glanced back over her shoulder and glared, "It was one time! I've gotten better!"
"Erin, the last time you cooked a meat product you gave us all food poisoning."
Erin huffed but didn't deny it, "Frodo made it. I'm only in charge of the stew. Happy?"
She was, but Jane wasn't stupid enough to say that out loud.
"Need help?"
"Everything is fine. They just need to be kept at a simmer for an hour or so."
"Presents, food, party?" Jane suggested the order of the events, and Erin grinned.
"My thoughts exactly," Erin put down her cooking utensils and called out, "present time!"
There were excited cries from the den where the children were playing. Jane smiled, remembering her childhood and the excitement of Christmas morning. It was funny that it could seem like a thousand years ago and just like yesterday all at once. There were so many times she missed her world, and not only for modern conveniences. This was one of those times that nostalgia threatened to bring tears to her eyes, even if she never regretted staying in Middle Earth. There was a Christmas-ish tree in the corner, filled with home made ornaments, old and new. It wasn't shiny or bright, but it was perfect in Jane's mind. It was their families' after all, and that was what mattered. Plus the holidays had always brought out Jane's sappy side.
The children were all sitting around the tree, vibrating with excitement but not actually touching the presents underneath. They all looked like they were ten seconds from cracking and doing it, however. Erin took a seat on the arm chair beside Frodo's and Jane sat on the floor beside Elijah, who threw an arm around her shoulder. Prim was back asleep in his other arm, tucked into the crook of his arm. Seeing that all the parents were accounted for, the children began to rip into their presents. No amount of telling them to slow down or take turns could stop them. At least they weren't screaming. Paper flew everywhere and boxes were tossed at the recipient, and Jane really hoped there was nothing breakable inside them. It was only after the kids were done (most of it was toys -from intricately crafted ones sent from Niori, Legolas, and the twins, to the much simpler ones from her and Elijah-, and beautifully knitted winter gear from Erin, Frodo, and their children) that they were able to get to their own presents.
Jane got flower shaped hairpins from Niori and her favourite preserves from Erin. Elijah gave her a necklace that would go perfectly with the hairpins and her children gave her self-made decorations that looked like they would fall apart if you breathed on them, but she'd treasure them forever. On the other side of the room, Carla was explaining what the decoration she and Bilbo had made for Erin was. Erin smiled gently, stroking Bilbo's hair when he climbed up into her lap and nodding while Carla explained what the squiggly lines were. Lily and Merry came over, not to explain their decoration, but to show off their new toys.
"Mama! Look!" Lily shoved her new toy in Jane's face. It was a raven, one that moved by clockwork and was definitely made by Dwarves. Merry's was a horse made the same way, and Jane almost rolled her eyes. Of course Niori would buy nice things that were probably too expensive for children. Her son and daughter loved them though, so Jane was very happy for Niori's ridiculous shopping habits. Jane looked up and saw Erin grinning at her. Jane smiled back, because she felt as happy as she ever could be. Then she looked around, and she couldn't help but chuckle.
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight."
Mettare- Gondor
Vacations weren't the same in Middle Earth, and really should have been considered too much of a pain in the ass to take, but Erin would be damned if she wasn't going to take them. It wasn't as easy as getting on a plane and jetting down to Cuba, but riding for a couple weeks there and back wasn't an impediment that would stop her. It also wouldn't stop Jane from coming or Niori from meeting them in the middle for a girls only trip. Minas Tirith wasn't Cuba, but it would have to do.
Then again, they'd never be treated as respected guests of honour in Cuba either, so there was that.
Erin was dancing, moving around with some lord of another. She didn't know his name, but he was funny and didn't mind the fact that she was terrible at dancing.
"Do they not do much formal dancing in the Shire, my lady?"
Erin could have been vaguely offended, but instead just laughed, "Not this formal no. Thanks for being patient with me."
The song ended and Erin took a step back. He inclined his head and grinned, "It was a pleasure my lady."
Erin said her thanks and went over to where Jane was sitting, chatting with some ladies, discussing travel from the North to South, and how Jane thought it might be fun to go up the coast as much as possible on the way back. Erin liked that plan. Then it could be a semi-legitimate beach vacation. Too bad it would be too out of the way for Niori to follow along."
Erin sat next to Jane, grabbed her abandoned goblet, and took a sip. The wine was delicious. She nodded at the other women and let her attention wander over the crowd. Eldarion was sitting on his throne, watching everything with a smile with his youngest daughter sitting on his lap. His wife was dancing with their daughter. Silmarwen was being spun around by Niori, both women laughing as they twirled. There were at least a hundred people milling about the hall, some Erin had a passing familiarity with but most of them she didn't know.
Another song ended, and this time Niori relinquished Sil to the younger woman's husband. She came back to them and threw herself in a chair beside Erin. She was still laughing, and she started to talk, "I am so happy that I got this invitation. So much better than spending a few weeks in Ithilien."
"I thought you married into the Party Elves?" Erin teased.
"Honestly, I think all the boring ones moved to Ithilien, and I really don't thing they like me all that much. Plus it's not New Year's for them, thus no party."
"You're a terrible princess, you know that right?" Erin laughed, and Niori looked affronted.
"Excuse me? I'm here as a diplomat for the Woodland Realm at the invitation of the King of Gondor. You're here because you needed a break from your daughter's teenage angst phase."
Erin cringed at the reminder of her daughter's current attitude, "Argh. Please don't remind me. I'm trying to forget that while I'm away."
Erin had gone through an angsty teenage phase. She had gone all mopey, listened to brooding music in her room and wrote terrible poetry about how unfair the world was. It was the standard for the teenagers in her world. Carla's own 'no one understands me' phase made Erin's look like a fluffy good time. It was horrific. Erin shouldn't have been surprised, not when she had been the target of Elijah's angsty phase (and that still made her grimace). That said, when Niori's invitation to join in, she had jumped at it, if only to save her sanity.
"It is bad," Jane jumped into the conversation, "though you're going to owe Frodo big time for leaving him to deal with it all."
"Says the woman who left her husband to take care of six kids for nearly two months."
"Oh no, no, no, no, no," Niori interrupted, "we're not doing this. We're not being those women. We are on vacation, we are going to enjoy the hell out of it. No worried allowed."
Which was the whole point, so Erin agreed wholeheartedly, "Yes please."
"Cheers to that," Jane echoed, tipping her glass in her direction.
Erin drank again, finishing it much more quickly now that Niori was there.
"I wish there were fireworks," Niori said, "why is Gandalf the only one who ever made fireworks?"
A memory assailed Erin, and it made her grin, "Remember the New Year's when Delaney's older sister bought fireworks and everyone got together to set them off?"
"And someone almost set the storage shed in their backyard on fire," Jane snorted, "and Niori was the first one to proclaim 'it wasn't us' when the grownups got there."
"Excuse me, but the birthday cake incident at Carla's birthday party was only a month old. I didn't need anyone thinking we were fire bugs."
"We were ten!"
"Which made us the perfect patsies!"
They were all laughing, Jane so hard that she was basically doubled over. Erin remembered being terrified at the time, but it was funny looking back. It was certainly a memorable one.
"Not as good as the New Year's where what's-his-name threw a party in his parent's cabin," Jane added her own, and Erin remembered it.
Erin figured that Jane liked it because she destroyed everyone there in every single drinking game.
"I don't even remember that party," Niori, who lost all those drinking games, groaned.
"It's really better that you don't," Erin snickered, remembering Niori's table dancing and little over half dressed snow angels, "what's your one then?"
Niori's smile was softer than the previous grins, "The year before the Fellowship came. I was sick and couldn't go out, and was really pissed. Carla bullied the two of you to give up concert tickets and come spend New Year's with me. You brought me soup and we watched Lord of the Rings."
They had curled up together on Niori's bed. Niori had eaten her soup and they had popcorn. Niori had fallen asleep before the movie was over, her head resting on Carla's shoulder. The three of them had stayed until the next morning anyway.
"Carla didn't bully us!" Jane protested.
"Yes she did," Erin admitted, the memory making tears sting her eyes a little. It was a memory so much more cherished now that Carla was gone, "she was pretty damn insistent that you missing a party was worse than us missing whatever concert it was."
Niori shrugged, "I'm pretty sure she knew whatever his name was would hook up with someone else if I wasn't there and I'd be all heartbroken," she made a face, "I had terrible taste."
"That got depressing really fast," Jane commented, "so that's enough of that. No more past. Let's focus on the present, where this really cool party is going on and we shouldn't be starting to brood."
"This calls for dancing!" Niori pulled the two of them up with her, and they were all laughing again.
Minutes later, when she had one arm around Niori's shoulders and the other around Jane's, she took a moment to look at her best friends and wish them all the happiness, "Here's to another great year."
The girls hugged her at once, and Erin decided this was her new favourite New Year's memory.
.l.l.l
I hope you enjoyed our little slice of holiday life story! Everyone have a wonder holiday and happy New Year's!
Love,
Niori, Erin, Jane, Carla.