*runs in and collapses, waving chapter* I *huff* made it. *puff* I'm sorry it's late! I promise I'll be more prompt next time... Here you go!
DeLacus: thaaaanks! Yeah, he might smack you... Oh well. XP
FandomFangirl100: and I'm avoiding you in this chapter too,... But you won't have to wait for long! Squeeeee!
Horseyay: yep. Maeglin. Should t laugh but we did. Oh well. XP
WoodElfJedi: yap. Glad you grin. *wink* oh and by the way, asking you a question here... I want another ship but I don't really have anyone... But you. Can I use you in here? Please? And if you like that idea, can you give me the name you want me to use and who you want to be shipped with? There's Celegorm, Caranthir, Maglor, Maedhros, or Maeglin... I doubt you'll want the last elf, but whatever... Waiting your reply-!
Chapter 20
"Mairon, get over here now!" I hollered, clattering down the stairs even as I yanked on my Obi with the Sun-in-Eclipse on it.
I staggered into the living room, gasping for air as I fumbled with the sash to loosen it. "Aargh! Too tight!" I wheezed, finally managing to get in on right. Everyone was staring.
I sighed. "Yeah. I know. Mairon did it." I grumbled, running fingers through my hair.
"It actually looks good." Caranthir spoke up, studying me critically. I raised an eyebrow.
"Well thank the Valar that I have your approval." I said sarcastically, sweeping into the kitchen with a sniff and leaving the others to laugh themselves silly.
The Troublesome Trio was there, looking up at the counter wistfully. "Get out there, you three, and I will have breakfast ready in a few moments." I scolded, shaking a finger at them. They whipped around and gave me a sheepish grin, and tried to edge past.
"Ah ah ah, I believe you're forgetting something." I said with faint amusement, raising an eyebrow at them. They exchanged worried glances. I knelt and held out my arms in reply, and they grinned.
All four of us tumbled out of the doorway into the sight of the others, me on my back, laughing. Amrod and Amras squeezed me and then hopped off, running for Elíl and tackling her. Mairon decided that he was glued to me as I stood.
"Oomph!" Elíl cried.
"You know we love you, right Elíl?" Amrod asked seriously. She grumbled.
"You're not making it very clear." She growled, making everyone else laugh for the sake of her blue hands. They hugged her.
"But we do." Amras insisted. I shook my head.
"Choose one already, Elíl, and come and help me." I scoffed, heading back into the kitchen.
"Choose?" Her voice wafted to me.
"Which ones going to be glued to your hip, of course. Mairon is always on mine." I replied dryly, to which she snickered and Mairon sniffed.
"Of course I am. You said I'm your precious." He whined.
"Take my example and don't whine." I retorted, to the laughter of the others.
"Ah, there you are Padawan. I need your help today. I lost a bet to Irmo and now I must go serve his elven apprentice." Nàmo appeared, muttering.
"Elven apprentice? And I need to make this first, master. Would you like some?" I asked, unimpressed, as Elíl and I began our work.
"Finrod." Elíl answered. "We kinda work together a little sometimes." She added.
"Correct. And I must do his biddings today. I am- volunteering- you into his service for a while." Nàmo added. I glared.
"Well thank you, dear master!" I said loudly, making everyone crowd into the kitchen with grins in anticipation of the inevitable battle of words.
"Ah, here is your- mollification, Míleth." My master added, four pies appearing on the counter. I grinned at him and winked at the others.
"Ah. Thank you, master... I still feel cheated, though." I sniffed.
"Tease Findárato about his everlasting betrothal with Amarië." Nàmo offered.
I stood there, mouth open. "Master? Giving me blackmail?" I asked. As the other sniggered wildly.
Then I caught sight of Mairon's glance. We locked eyes and my eyes sparkled. I picked up one pie. "Well, since there's four... Sorry Ammë!"
And I chucked it into Nàmo, the judge of the dead's face. There was a silence in the kitchen. The pan clattered to the floor. I brushed off my hands and nodded, satisfied.
"NOW I feel much better." I said, turning back to the kitchen.
Elíl started laughing, sitting down on the floor with tears running down her cheeks. Nàmo's face was priceless. It was far from angry. Rather, it actually looked like it was frozen in shocked amusement.
"...I was wondering when anyone was ever going to do that." Tulkas spoke up from where he suddenly appeared. The rest of those in the kitchen began to kill themselves laughing.
"What a sight! I really need to see it for myself." Manwë said gleefully, stopping by before disappearing with a laughing Tulkas.
"Congratulations, Míleth. Wonderfully done. It's a work of art." Oromë said, patting my shoulder before fading away as well.
The rest of the Valar were roaring as well. Nàmo sighed and shook his head, sending pie everywhere.
"Master! Not the kitchen, it's already a mess!" I said in a scandalized tone.
Maglor was leaned against the doorway in stitches. Caranthir was snickering madly on the other side of the doorframe. Celegorm was doubled over laughing. Maedhros was grinning widely, leaning against the wall. Amrod and Amras were rolling on the floor, laughing their heads off with Mairon. Elíl was sitting down, leaned against the counter for support. Ecthelion was against the wall, doubled over. Glorfindel had joined the twins and Mairon on the floor.
Vairë suddenly appeared. "Actually thank YOU, my dear. I believe he needed that... Besides, I've been feeling rather lonely lately, and it's a good excuse..."
And she gave Nàmo a less-than-chaste-kiss that had us shrieking in protest. "EWWW! Ammë, Atto, take it elsewhere! We don't need to know that!" I shrieked at the top of my lungs. The others high-tailed out of the kitchen, other than Elíl and Mairon and Amras.
Nàmo chuckled at our red cheeks as we pointedly looked in the other direction and squirmed. "As you wish. And Padawan, here." And they were gone, leaving the kitchen clean and the table full in their wake. Elíl looked at me.
"You should do something like that more often." She commented.
"ELÍL, YOU PUI-EN-YRCH, YOU HAD BETTER RUN!"
Need I mention that the others were laughing their heads off again as I chased after Elíl around the house, shouting?
Maeglin was stirring by the time the dishes were done. "Oi! No wait- oh kriff it!" I shoved the rag in my hand at Elíl and fled wildly.
"Sorry, Maeglin wakes so the earth shakes!" I yelled behind me, thinking myself away.
When I arrived, I sat next to his bedside, humming quietly and stroking his hair. His eyes slowly opened and he stared at me, eyes clearing and focusing. As soon as he recognized me, he groaned.
"No. Go away." He moaned, turning over. I sighed.
"Look at me, Maeglin." I said softly. He refused. I placed a hand on his shoulder and turned him over. He stared at me with a resigned expression.
"Why do you hate me so much that you do not want to look at me?" I asked softly, brushing his cheek with my fingers. "Am I truly so despicable for wanting to love you as a sister should?" I murmured.
His eyes closed as he rolled to face the ceiling. "No one likes me. I'm just a mistake born to a princess who was taken against her will by a dark elf." He replied blankly.
I placed my head in my hands. What a ridiculously hard case he was. Sigh. "Maeglin, no one who is born is a mistake. Eru has allowed them to be born, he has allowed them to come into existence, and they have a purpose in the end, each and every one of them." I said firmly, brushing his hair with my fingers.
"What purpose did I serve?" He asked flatly.
"You made Gondolin as impenetrable as possible, and you still have a purpose in front of you if you would choose to face it- to be reborn and learn to fight in the Last Battle." I answered curtly before he could say anything.
"Maeglin, you made a mistake, yes. So have I. But no life is irreparable. You have a choice to either face your past and move on, or either wallow in it and act like a cowering babe for the rest of eternity. It's your choice. What will you choose? Forgiveness and love, or guilt for the rest of time?" I asked rhetorically, and then stood, going to the window to give him some space.
I suddenly wondered if I should move my things to my room at 'our' house, and then decided to leave it be for now.
*you almost done? I'm gonna need your help in a couple minutes here.* Elíl chipped in.
*yeah, give me another ten minutes* I replied.
*alright*
I turned to see that Maeglin had fallen back into an exhausted sleep. Tucking the covers around him gently but firmly, I leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I love you, brother." I whispered in his ear. He stirred slightly and turned over, face smoothing out.
With a nod, I thought myself away to Lòrien. "Did the earth shake?" Finrod sounded amused.
I bowed to him. "No, it did not- I'm afraid that he was a little too worn out from our last- bout- for that." I replied wryly, making him laugh.
"I see. Well, it seems as though we have a special one to care for today, do we?" He asked.
"Yes, we do." Elíl replied, coming up to us. She grinned at me evilly. "Míleth's son, in fact." She snickered.
I turned red. "I'm not married, Elíl, he's not my son. Just my ward." I replied hotly.
"But he calls you Nana!" She teased.
"Care to fill me in?" Finrod asked dryly. So Elíl did as I huffed and stalked off to the grove where Beleg was staying.
"Therefore Míleth is a Na-"
"So are you, Elíl, I'll have you know!"
Finrod laughed and she sighed. "Speaking of which, Finrod, did Elíl tell you what lord Nàmo did this morning?" I asked. Elíl started laughing her head off as Finrod demanded to know. By the time we got to Beleg's grove, Finrod was staggering and supporting himself against Elíl as tears poured down his cheeks from laughter.
The Reborn Beleg was sitting on his bed, and he looked up at us with startled looks as we came in, Finrod still grinning and Elíl smiling softly. I walked over to the bed and knelt.
"Mae Govannen, Beleg. Do you know me?" I asked softly, placing a gentle hand on his leg. He stared at me for a moment, green eyes staring into mine. I smiled.
"You're- you were... There." He went pale at the last word. I stood and hugged his gently, rocking him gently as he cried into my tabard.
"Do not cry, best beloved. All is well, and you are safe and loved." I murmured. He sniffled.
"I- I think I called you Nana." He finally whispered, and I could see that he was blushing despite that his face was still firmly planted into my side. I grinned at Elíl and Finrod despite myself and giggled.
"Oh Beleg, there's no need to be ashamed. You were the most endearing elfling I had ever seen." I pulled away and kissed his cheek reassuringly. "And if you need a Naneth, Elíl and I will be more then happy to fill that role for you." I winked.
He gave me a hesitant smile. "Th-thank you." He said a bit uncomfortably, shifting.
"Well enough of that. I heard that you've been learning how to string beads. Is it true?" I asked, bustling about the room and fixing some things as Elíl did the same and Finrod sat with his harp, strumming it quietly.
"Yes." Beleg replied hesitantly. Then he paused. "Are- your tabard- that emblem-" he stammered. I turned back to him and smiled gently.
"There is no need to fear, Beleg. Yes, I am a Maia under Lord Nàmo." I said soothingly, though he still paled at the name. I sat next to him, rubbing his back. Finrod handed me a cup of water as I nodded my head at him.
"Drink." I said quietly, holding it to Beleg's lips. He drank gratefully, color coming back into his cheeks.
"He only wants the best for you, as do I. You have no need to fear me, dear one. Perhaps you should sleep. You look tired." I suggested softly. He gave me a wearied look and I laid him down gently. Finrod's harp played him to sleep, and Elíl kept guard.
I frowned and opened my mouth, but Finrod beat me to it. "I remember when I was reborn. I was like this too." He murmured to himself.
"Tch, shoulda named it mount Nàmo." Elíl grumbled to herself, obviously lost in memory. I snickered at her.
"Hush up, Caranthir." I sniggered. Her attention snapped to me as she rolled her eyes.
"Your brother, not mine." She reminded as Finrod chuckled.
"Oh well then- oh Valar KRIFF it!" I snarled as Maeglin stirred. "That's it, you're coming with me this time, I can't handle it alone- Eonwë, put an egg in your shoe and BEAT it!" I growled, making Finrod shake his head and Elíl sigh. Eonwë stuck out his tongue and disappeared as I thought Elíl and myself away.
I shoved her next to the bed as Maeglin's eyes opened. He stared at her for a moment as Elíl stared down at him dispassionately.
"I didn't really appreciate not getting a reply to my greetings, so I decided to see you for myself." She said dryly. "And such a mess you've gotten yourself into." She tsked, shaking her head.
"Now, sit up and eat." She sat him up and handed him a bowl. He stared at it blankly, and then mechanically shoved it down. I stood by the window, staring out and listening to what went on behind me.
"There. See now, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Elíl asked more softly this time, and Maeglin sighed.
"Why do you insist on doing this?" His voice was weak and there was no attempt to hide his emotions.
"Because we care. If we didn't, do you think we would try to care for you? Because we love you, dear brother." Elíl replied matter-of-factly, and there was a silence.
"I- I think-" Maeglin paused. "I think I believe you." He addressed me, I knew that because his head had turned towards me.
I turned and walked over, sitting on the edge of his bed. I drew him into a hug and smiled. "Good. Good. It's about time you listened for a change. Do you believe Elíl too?" I asked.
He looked at her and she smiled patiently, offering her arms for a hug. He stared at us for a minute, and then reached back out slowly and wrapping all three of us in a group hug.
"Aww. Don't you just love group hugs? They're nice and warm and cozy." Elíl bubbled happily. I rolled my eyes and leaned towards his ear.
"Just because Lord Irmo hugs her a lot..." I whispered conspiratorially.
Despite himself he began to snicker as Elíl glared at me. "I heard that, you-!" She growled playfully. "You're the one who is always getting hugged by Lord Nàmo." She protested with a huff.
I sniffed. "No. I hug HIM, not vice versa... Unfortunately. Pity I love my master so much." I mourned. Maeglin was sniggering as Elíl laughed.
*I heard that, Padawan.* Nàmo's voice made me flinch.
*Errm, I love you master...?*
The Valar's laughter told me that they had heard as I sulked and Maeglin outright laughed for the first time that I can remember.
...
"You know, is it just me or is this house so... Quiet?" Elíl asked as we entered our home. Drago and Saphira were prowling around our feet, but otherwise the house was almost suspiciously quiet.
"Hello? Did we forget that everyone is going out or something?" I wondered aloud.
"No. Come into the kitchen." Maedhros suddenly popped his head out of the dining room and motioned us in. When we got there, everyone was crowded around the calendar that was on the wall and talking.
"But today is the twelfth. We don't have that much time." Celegorm shook his head.
"Oh please Tyelko, you know that you don't need to worry. You always managed to get whatever elleth you wanted whenever." Caranthir scoffed. Elíl and I exchanged confused glances.
"Yeeeeaaaaah, let's not get into an argument about that, shall we?" Maedhros said hastily. "We really need to think about who we're going to ask. It's not like we have that many choices. They won't be forgetting our past." He added.
"You don't have to worry about that." Glorfindel frowned. "All of the Valar made the announcement already that you have been released, and that all has been rendered null and void. Of course there will be those that oppose you, but most have already been exposed to the Reborn and will understand." He pointed out encouragingly.
"Hmmm. And besides, just the fact that the Valar have said such a thing eases them." Ecthelion agreed. "No, I wouldn't have any fears in that regard."
"What about us?" Amrod asked, sounding a bit bored.
"Don't worry little brothers, you don't have to worry about that. You'll get in without a partner since you're under aged." Maglor stopped down and ruffled their heads fondly with a smile.
"Oh good." Mairon, Amrod and Amras chimed, and promptly lost interest.
"You don't sound too worried. Already have someone in mind?" Maedhros asked Maglor dryly.
"No. But then, there's always someone out there." Maglor replied calmly.
"Ehhhh? I'm SO confused right now." Elíl said blankly from the doorway. I made no comment since I was already preparing dinner and listening at the same time.
"Elíl! Míleth!" Several of them sounded both panicked and relieved. My lips twitched at Ecthelion's voice. Riiiight. I have an inkling of what's going on.
"Yes, we're back, if you haven't already noticed." I said wryly, reaching up on my tiptoes to grab the bag of flour from the cupboard. "So what's going on?" I asked, turning back to the counter.
"Well, it's the twelfth day of the second month, and in two days it will be lover's day." Maglor offered softly when everyone else was busy shuffling or looking at nothing in particular. I smiled secretly.
"Oh. Valentine's day! That's what we called it in our world." Elíl said with a smile. "Míleth, just think, this year we can actually celebrate it! Not that we have anyone to celebrate it with, but still it's a new thought to know that we're of age to." She laughed.
I turned with a smile. "Yep! It is an interesting thought- although I'm looking forwards to seeing who our brothers invite. I do so want to know." I grinned, smudging my cheek with flour as I tapped it and winked.
Several of them blushed. "There's going to be a celebration at the great square with all the royals as well. You have to bring a partner to be admitted." Maedhros explained.
"Oh, so that's why you're agonizing. I'm assuming none of you have chosen anyone yet?" Elíl asked, coming to help me while rolling up her sleeves.
"Well, some of us have, and some of us haven't..." Was Caranthir's vague answer accompanied by a smirk. I raised an eyebrow in their direction.
"If Ecthelion fails my expectations I will be most disappointed." I sniffed, causing all but Elíl to snicker at his red face.
"I- I- I don't- what do you- what are you trying to imply-" he stuttered.
"Oh hush, Thel, you're already making a bumbling pae-channas out of yourself." I sighed, shaking my head.
"Humph." Elíl suddenly said. "I know who likes you, Míleth, and I will be expecting you to tell me if you get a partner." She informed me.
I stopped abruptly, eyes widening and flames erupting in my face. "Eh- d-don't- what-? No, I wasn't planning to go- I don't have anyone-" I stopped myself and turned back to the sink. She giggled.
"Finrod is going with Amarië as always." Glorfindel interrupted. "Do you think any of the Valar will appear?"
I stopped my work altogether, breath coming out in heated puffs and hair covering my face. "I hope not." I breathed, and everyone started laughing, remembering the morning's events. Elíl giggled.
"Well. You had better get to finding someone then, hadn't you?" She addressed them teasingly.
I suddenly grinned. "I remember promising to pair you with someone, Caranthir. I think I'll try that, now." I said, making him leap up.
"Absolutely not, Míleth, or so help me-"
"You'll pummel me again? Hmmm, I don't mind, as long as I get another one of those adorable apologies..." I poked out my tongue with a wink as they all began to roar at his incoherent spluttering. Oh, if only I knew, though, how right I was to be...