Ch 16: Birthday Surprise
Stephanie walked with Courtney and Elrohir to their horses. "Remember, no pink."
"Yeah yeah yeah! I know. How do you feel about blue?" Courtney put her small purse of money in her horses saddle bags and turned back to face Stephanie once more.
"I don't really care as long as pink is non existent!" Stephanie heard Elrohir laugh and turned to him. "What's so funny?"
He automatically stopped laughing, but his smile still lingered. "I just find it funny that a few dresses are so much trouble."
Courtney smiled at him. "You try being a bride and having all this stuff to do. Steph and I both still have to write out formal invitations to your friends as well as Elladans friends in Mirkwood and Lothlorien. we have to make up a menu for both receptions after the ceremonies and we both have yet to find our wedding dresses!"
"Court, relax. I'll help you. I've told you that a million times. As for you Steph, we'll be back before dinner okay? Go read a book or do something to soothe your nerves."
Courtney mounted her horse and winked at Stephanie. "I have the brides' maids' dresses under control okay?"
"Alright. Be careful," She watched them ride off towards the large market a few miles from the palace. It was good to know that she had Courtney around to keep somewhat sane.
"Steph! There you are!"
Stephanie looked up to see Allison running right at her. "Hey Ali. What's up?"
Allison stopped to catch her breath. "Erestor's cat had her kittens! Come see!"
"Marla had her kittens? Lead the way!"
They took off and weaved in and out of the corridors and hallways until they finally reached Erestor's bedroom. Erestor was sitting on his bed watching the mama cat clean and feed her newborn kittens. He looked up as they walked in. "I see you found Steph but where is Courtney?"
Stephanie kneeled down to look at the small kittens. "She and Elrohir went to the market looking for fabric. I think she said something about lunch with him at a café in town too."
"We'll just have to show her when she gets back then," He stood up and kneeled down across from Stephanie. "Aren't they special? So tiny and completely unaware of the world around them."
"They remind me of my cat Seby back in my world. I love cats," Stephanie gently stroked the mother cat's head. Marla purred at the friendly gesture, then laid her head down to sleep.
Allison knelt next to Stephanie. "Erestor has agreed to give us each a kitten of our own. You, me, and Courtney only."
Stephanie looked up at Erestor. His eyes were shining. "Really?"
"Of course. Allison has told me that you and Courtney adore cats. I offered for her to take one too, but she said she's allergic and that you and Courtney could take care of hers," He smiled as Stephanie's face brightened.
"When can they leave their mama?"
Erestor thought for a minute. "About seven weeks, I would think. You three can come and pick out your kittens then. That would leave me two kittens once you girls have taken the ones you want."
Just then a thought came to Allison. "I have an idea."
"What?" Stephanie looked at Erestor who shrugged his shoulders.
"Courtney's birthday is coming up in about a month, whenever the 18th is."
Stephanie sat back against the bed, her knees hurting her from kneeling for so long. "Yeah, but what does that have to do with anything?"
Allison smiled. "Don't tell her about these kittens. She doesn't even know that Marla was expecting them. Have Elrohir give her one for her birthday. She'll love it!"
Erestor laughed. "That is some idea, but I like it. How will we keep them from her though?"
"Keep them in here. She never comes in here does she?" Allison looked down at the feel of a soft paw on her thigh. She kissed Marla's head and looked back up at Erestor.
Stephanie watched the small kittens drink milk from their mother. "No, she doesn't. How will we get to Elrohir though. She's with him all the time and he never wants to leave her side. For goodness' sake, they even take naps together!"
They all laughed, enjoying the joke at Courtney's expense. Erestor stood up, as did the girls. He smiled at them and lead them out of the room. "There is only one time in the day when they aren't together."
Allison and Stephanie looked at each other. "When?"
"Elrohir has sword practice with Elladan every morning before any one else is up. I'll just head down there tomorrow morning and tell him about it. Sound good?"
The girls nodded their heads. They kissed Erestor's cheek and said goodbye. They had a birthday party to plan. It wasn't every day that someone turned eighteen.
Ch 17: The Market
"I don't think i've ever seen so many different colors of fabric. This is amazing!" She walked around the many aisles of fabric, touching each one, feeling it. She stopped at a bluish-purple color and held it out so that she could see it in the light. Courtney ran her fingers up and down the fabric. It was softer than silk.
Elrohir smiled at her and kissed her cheek. "This is the best fabric store in all of Rivendell. Name the color and I bet they have it."
Courtney continued to walk along the fabrics, stopping here and there to look at a blue or purple color that caught her eye. "This is hard. I can't make a decision."
The owner of the shop walked over to them and smiled. "May I offer my assistance?"
"I would be glad to have it. I can't seem to pick a color that I like. There are so many beautiful colors," She smiled at the owner and looked back at the fabric in her hands. It was dark blue and shimmered from dark blue to silver.
"My name is Izalia. I'll help you as best I can," she walked Courtney and Elrohir down a long aisle until they reached a rack of fabric that ranged from very dark blue to the palest blue that could exist. Courtney stared down the long row of fabrics, mouth hung open.
Elrohir laughed at her expression. "I have something that I have to go do real quick meleth. You pick something out and I'll be back before you can miss me."
Courtney nodded her head. "Don't be too long. I'm determined to get this done and over with." She kissed his lips and watched him go out the door and down the street, not giving a thought to where he might be going.
"Well now, I suspect that blue is the color you're looking for?" Izalia walked down the row of blue and stopped at a deep bluish-green color. "How about this? It would make your eyes stand out."
"I like that a lot but there are six other girls that are going to be wearing the same color and I want it to look good on them as well," she watched Izalia walk a little further down and she stopped again at a cornflower blue fabric.
Izalia took it off the rack and held it up to Courtney. "This is a popular color with brides' maids' dresses. Do you like this one?"
Courtney didn't like it at all. It was too plain, but she couldn't say that to Izalia and hurt her feelings. "I need something a little bit more like spring. You know what I mean? Something that fits the season."
The shop owner smiled at her brightly. "I have just the thing you're looking for. Hold on one moment while I go get it out of the back. I only sell it on special occasions. I'll be right back."
"Alright, I'll just look around until you return," she watched Izalia hurry off. She made her way to the rack of purple colors and walked among them, pulling out a certain color here and there while waiting for Izalia to get back.
In just a few short moments, Izalia appeared from the back of the store with an armful of fabric. Not just any fabric, it was the perfect color blue. It shimmered from blue to silver to a light purple color. It was softer than silk and it caught the sunlight just right.
Courtney looked up at Izalia in wonder. "This is perfect. Oh wow! Steph isn't going to believe this!"
"I am glad that it is to your liking. Shall I sell it to you?" Izalia watched the young girl hold the fabric in her hands. It almost ran through her hands like water.
"Yes, I'll take it. I'll need enough for seven girls please," She followed Izalia to a small table where the fabric was gut to just the right amount. Courtney paid the kind lady elf. "You've been such a big help today. Hanon lle Izalia."
Izalia simply smiled at her and waved goodbye as the young human ran out of her shop, the fabric under her arm, and a smile on her face.
Ch 18: Café Lunch
Elrohir ushered Courtney into the small café and they took a seat at a small table for two in front of a large window that overlooked the Bruinen River.
He smiled at her and held her hand. "It's a beautiful view isn't it?"
Courtney smiled and nodded her head. "Yes, but I like the view of it from your room better."
"You do? How come?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. I guess it's because I can see the entire river, not just a small part of it. I like seeing the whole thing. It has a more lasting effect of wonder for me."
Elrohir chuckled and nodded in agreement with her. "You are right meleth-nin. But I wanted to ask you how things went at the fabric shop. Did Izalia help you to find anything interesting?"
"She was wonderful. She brought out this beautiful fabric from the back of the store that she doesn't usually sell to her customers unless it's a special occasion," She brought a corner of the material out of the small bag that it had been placed in to show Elrohir. "I think it's perfect."
He ran his finger over the fabric, surprised at its satin texture. "This is one of a kind material. I'm sure it will look beautiful on you."
Courtney kissed his cheek and wiped the small amount of lip gloss from it that her lips had left behind. The waiter walked up to them and flashed Courtney a charming smile.
"May I start you off with some drinks my lady?"
"I just want a glass of water with lemon please," she smiled back and folded the fabric back into the bag and put it beside her chair out of the way.
The waiter wrote down her drink order and asked Elrohir the same question.
Elrohir didn't like how that waiter was looking at Courtney but decided to ignore it for the time being. "I'll have iced tea with lemon." The waiter looked at Elrohir coolly and nodded his head, then turned away and went to fetch their drinks.
"Meleth? Are you alright?" Courtney stared into his grey eyes that suddenly seemed so angry. "What's wrong?"
"I didn't like how he looked at you," he returned her gaze and leaned in close to her.
Courtney blushed, but kept her eyes locked with his. "There's no need to be jealous. He can look all he wants but I'm already taken."
He smiled at this. "I don't want to lose you. You're mine and I don't plan on sharing you with the rest of the male population."
"I know that 'Ro. But you have got to learn that there is no one else around that could possibly take me from you," she looked down at his lips then back to his eyes.
Elrohir noticed that the waiter was headed for their table, drinks in hand. He smiled wickedly. "Want to mess with this guy?"
Courtney smiled. "You have but to ask."
He kissed her then, deeply, exploring her mouth and making sure that it was a noticeable make-out for the waiter to see. Courtney had never been kissed like this before by Elrohir. His kisses were usually slow and relaxing. This one was heated and fierce. They finally broke apart at the sound of the waiter clearing his throat. He had an annoyed look on his face when they looked up at them.
He sat their drinks on the table. "Would you be requiring something to eat as well?"
Elrohir looked at Courtney who could barely contain her laughter. "No, this will be fine for now."
The waiter nodded and stalked off, obviously annoyed.
"That was fun. Did you see his face?" Courtney took a long gulp of the crystal clear liquid.
"That should teach him a lesson or two," Elrohir smiled at her and drank his iced tea. He sat his glass down and with a trembling hand, fumbled in his pocket for a small velvet box. "Courtney? I have something for you."
"You do? What is it?" Courtney looked at him, curious. "You didn't have to buy me anything you know."
He smiled at her and kissed her mouth. "That's what I love about you. You don't place a lot of faith in finery. You like the simple things and that's a good trait to have."
She watched as he pulled a small box out of his pocket and sit it in front of her. "What is it?"
"Well you have to open it to find out. That's the whole point of boxes you know," He laughed at her playful glare. "Go on, open it now."
"Alright," Courtney gingerly picked up the box, feeling the soft texture with her fingertips. Her heart was beating so fast she thought it would rip right out of her chest. She took a deep breath and opened the box slowly, though the anticipation was killing her. She gasped at what was inside. A small necklace lay nestled in a bed of velvet. Courtney pulled it out of the slot carefully to get a better look at it. The charm was a butterfly made of small pink and white diamonds and the chain was of the finest mithril metal. It was light and delicate. She'd never seen anything like it. "Oh wow Elrohir."
He smiled nervously. "Do you like it?"
Courtney could barely talk she was so enthralled with it. "It's gorgeous. What for?"
"To show you how much I love you. I picked the butterfly because that's what I think of when I think of you. You're always wanting to go to new places and try new things. You have your own wings and you use them quite often. Here, let me help you put it on," He gently took the gift out of her hands and clasped it around her neck. It came down just to the curve of her chest. It glistened in the sunlight and sparkled like magic.
"I don't know what to say. Thank you so much. I'll wear it always," She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him close.
He held her there, breathing in her scent of strawberries and vanilla. "I love you Courtney. Forever."
She felt a small tear roll down her cheek and she brushed it away before it could be noticed. "I love you too. Always."
"Amin," He pulled away just enough to look at her face. He leaned in close, smiling adoringly.
"Lle," She smiled back and leaned forward to kiss him, only this time it wasn't rushed or hurried. It was calm and filled with everlasting love.