sorry guys! My internet went on the fritz and I couldn't update yesterday, but I'm baaaack! Did ya miss me? ;) anyways, Review! Enjoy! Please!

LittleGin (Guest): glad you enjoy, here's more!

FandomFangirl100: patience, young Padawan, yeesh! It's coming up soon, I promise! In, say, the next two chapters or so? Yes, WoodElfJedi is cool. XD

Hbest: thanks! XD

horseyay: well... I think I was kinda like that in this chapter... *muses* oh well. *shrugs*

WoodElfJedi: are you serious!? Really!? Cool! I just made it up, but I'm glad it came close! Yep, I used you reaction. Teehee. And now that I come to think of it, I'm starting to ship you two so bad I start unconsciously grinning and inwardly squealing every time I think of it. XD by the way, Nimrodel626 tells me to tell you that she connected with you on DocX.

Chapter 22

"THIS IS AWESOME!"

I nearly leaped out of my socks, but as it was I just fell off of my bed with a 'thump' right next to Drago. I groggily made my way downstairs, eyes half-open. I miss the perks of being a Maia.

"What's goin' on, Lyric?" I mumbled, rubbing my eyes as I staggered into the living room and dropped on the couch.

"Errm, nothing much, sorry if I woke you up. I got a message that I get a break for a week." She grinned wildly and I perked up.

"Really? I'm so happy for you!" I kinda had the inkling that my presence had something to do with it.

"Do you have any plans today?" She bubbled.

"No. Actually I don't." I replied, as Drago leaped up and laid his head on my lap.

"You know, Drago reminds me of Huan. He seems to be around the size in my mind, and his fur too." Lyric sat down and began to pat Drago's fur.

"You're special, Lyric." I suddenly said. "Drago rarely ever allows someone to touch him." I gave her a keen look.

She grinned. "What can I say? Clearly I'm swag." She winked. Drago snorted, and his ear flicked.

*Yeah right.* But his voice was amused.

"I know, right? He is large. Ce- well my brother takes care of him for me at times." I stumbled. She ignored it.

"Cool. If you could live with any of the characters of the Silmarillion who would you choose?" She asked.

I exchanged glances with Drago. "Weeeell, you tell me first. Who's your fave elves from the Silmarillion?" I replied enigmatically.

"Hmm. Not too sure, although I'll probably say- let's see-" she pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Maglor,"

I slapped my hand over my mouth, nearly crying with the strain not to laugh. Drago was sneezing to cover up his snorts. She gave us a funny look.

"Legolas of Mirkwood, excuse me Smirkwood." She grinned at us as we burst into laughter. "Thranduil, and Maedhros, and Finrod Felagund, and that's just a few."

I suddenly sobered. "Lyric, I'm going to tell you a story. One that you might not believe. Our meeting was not chance." I said gravely. She blinked.

"Oh. O-Kay?" She asked.

"First of all, read Drago's collar." I said. She lifted it up and read it.

"Drago, descendant of Huan, companion of ElfSky." She read. She stared at me. "What!?"

So I began my story from the beginning, coming up to recent events- but excluding why I was here. "So I don't know if you will choose to believe me, but you also have a purpose in Aman, just as I and Elíl do. I told you before that I was sent to find someone, and I have. It is you." I stopped there and looked at her keenly.

She stared at me for a moment, and I could just hear the gears turning in her head. It was a long moment, and I could hear the clock ticking.

"I- is there any proof? Besides Drago?" Her voice wavered. I smiled and pulled out my coronet from my pack, handing it to her.

"Be careful, please, that's Mithril and those are real gems. It was made by my little brother Mairon, actually." I winked at her and handed it over. She gave me a weak grin and took it, hands visibly shaking. Then she handed it back after a moment.

"And I'm assuming your shirt- that's the sign of Lord-" she couldn't finish but swallowed.

"Yes, it is." I murmured. "It most certainly is." I said thoughtfully, and then stirred myself.

"You have a choice, and it is entirely up to your decision. I will not influence you one way or another, but I will patiently wait your answer. You have as much time as you need." I said calmly, petting Drago's head. He swiped my hand with his pink tongue and made me smile at him.

She took a deep breath. "All my life I've wanted something like this to happen. It's not really much of a choice. Live my boring life here, or fulfill a destiny in the one world I dream of every day? No, it's not a choice at all. Just... How long before we should leave? And what exactly is my purpose?" She asked, looking at me hesitantly.

I broke into a grin. "Wise choice, Lyric. We shall spend a well before leaving, and I will help you get accustomed to living among elves and Maiar and Valar. Trust me, you'll be just like me when we finally get there." I snickered. "As for your purpose... Well, I'll tell you that just before we leave." I winked at Drago, who burst into a barrage of bark-laughs that had me howling with laughter.

Poor Lyric was left to sit there and stare, wondering if either she had gone completely insane or we were just plain nutty. Poor, hapless Lyric.

...

It had been a week. I had taught Lyric all I knew, from simple protocol to family trees and people she would be likely to meet. She had adapted rather well, and Drago and I had been subjected to helpless laughter at times when she would make a seemingly innocent remark, such as 'I do like harp music.'

It was really almost too much handle. To think that bubbly, insane Lyric, my new sister, was soulmate for calm, quiet, collected, sweet Maglor. The pairing made me want to squeal and fangirl so badly Drago had to chide me rather sharply at times to get me to calm down.

But finally, she was ready, with proper clothes and everything, courtesy of my backpack. Really, I need to keep that thing forever. It has become an amity in my life.

"Okay, so when we get there, it will be the day before Valentine's day, and Elíl and I will be making chocolate for quite a few people. Don't act like a stranger, you are a family member now, act like one. Trust me, it won't be too hard." I winked as she giggled.

"Oh, and-" I explained to her lovers day and what we would be doing on that day, what with the party and all.

"Okay, I can do that. But, what exactly is my purpose, then?" She asked nervously. Drago and I snorted back our laughter.

"S-sorry." I choked. "You are a soulmate to an elf, that is your purpose. It's important that soulmates be united." I giggled wildly.

She stared at me. "Oh my Kriffing, karking Valar. Are you SERIOUS!?" She sat down hard. Drago and I were literally rolling on the floor, unable to stop ourselves.

"Oh Valar, that was hilarious!" I gasped, recovering. She glared at me.

"Hush up, Míleth, that's not funny!" She wailed, sending me off again into another fit.

"If it helps any, Elíl is soulmate to Ecthelion, you remember." I sniggered, making her laugh weakly. I had told her everything, down to the last detail. With a smirk, I leaned against the wall, arms and ankles crossed with hair falling over my face and dual-colored eyes sparkling in amusement.

"Yes. I know... Wow. That's just... I'm not ready for romance." She whined. "It's so cliche!"

I burst out into laughter. "Touché!" I choked. "But imagine Elíl and I, fourteen and Elíl is a soulmate... At least now we're of age." I winked. She shook her head.

"Yeah yeah... When are we leaving? Do you think I'll be apprenticed to a Vala?" She asked. I shook my head.

"Who knows? As for when, we leave now. You don't need anything, unless there's something of sentimental value you really want." I raised an eyebrow.

She paused in thought. "Nope. Not that I can think of... Wait. One small thing." She ran upstairs, and after five minutes we were walking down the street, Drago on a leash and Lyric with one simple thing- a beautiful hair tie. It was golden and had a ruby clasp. She told me that it had been a family heirloom, and I smirked.

"Well then you can give it to either your beloved or children." I had earned a glare and a new bruise on my arm for that one. Pity. It had been such a sincere joke, too.

...

I groaned. To say the least, using ElfSky and Drago to get back was excruciating. At the moment I was lying on the floor of the Mahanaxàr, feeling bruised and worn out.

"Kriff it. Orc spit. Orc slime. Spider sacks. Morgoth's moles. Elrond's eyebrows. Balrog's breath. Dragon's daggers. OH KRIFFFING SITH-SPIT CHIZZK NINE CORELLIAN KARKING SITH-SPAWNED HELLS! Master, I hurt." I finally whimpered, shaking.

There had been laughter at my spiel, but now I felt gentle hands helping me up. "Now then, Padawan, take it easy. Be careful. There now." Nàmo's voice soothed my aches and pains.

"I was afraid that would happen. Forgive me, Míleth. We should have warned you." Manwë said gently.

"It's fine, my lord." I said groggily. "Just forgive me for my outburst." I slurred.

"Are you alright, Míleth?" A slightly meek voice asked me quietly.

I turned and grinned weakly at Lyric. "I'm fine, Lyric, honestly. Just feel a little battered from the strain. But nonetheless, it would be nice to relax in the arms of my brothers, and receive a nice head-petting." I sighed, causing some of the Valar to chuckle at me.

"Now, Lyric, we are glad to see that you have made the right choice." Manwë declared.

Lyric stood at attention as I had taught her and bowed. "Thank you, my lords. I am happy to be here." She replied.

Manwë smiled approvingly. "Good. From now on you shall be Maia, and your new name shall be Aegliriel." He said.

In a moment Lyric was a Maia and decided to choose an elven form as Elíl and I had. "I ask to claim her as my own." Lady Nienna stepped forwards. "I see in her potential for setting errant children astray and yet compassion and love to temper correction." She said, studying Aegliriel keenly. She blushed.

"Does anyone dispute this claim, along with the claimed?" Manwë asked.

There was no answer. "Very well, then. You are tired, child. Go rest, both of you. Míleth, you are released from duties until after lovers day." Manwë nodded to me.

I grinned slyly. "Oh yes, thank you, my lords." I said, nodding sagely. "I am sure that Ammë and Atto will make very good use of that free time away from me..." I snickered loudly along with the rest of the Valar as Nàmo and Vairë rolled their eyes.

"And you have the nerve to wonder why I have to suffer having an apprentice?" Nàmo asked the rest of his brethren pettishly, making them roar in laughter.

"Of course master. You know I love you very much, you and Ammë." I winked at them. "And now, if you don't mind, I had better go introduce out new member to the family. The sooner the better, since you-know-who needs to ask her our for lovers day." I snorted. Aegliriel was blushing furiously.

"The sooner they fall for each other the sooner Maglor can serenade her and play her his harp... And they can sing and make music together." I smiled, sending the Valar into howls. I blinked, and then reassessed my statement and blushed.

"That was unintended." I said dryly, and even Manwë had tears pouring down his cheeks. Aegliriel smacked me. I sighed. "You're rubbing off on me, Ammë." I grumbled. Vairë decided that she was much too engrossed in laughter to answer.

"Come on, Lir, we'd better leave before they decide to take any advice from that unintended pun..." I hustled her off, leaving the Valar breathless and reeling in our wake.

...

"You're back!" Mairon tackled me at the door, and I let out a cry of pain that had everyone come running, Elíl included.

"What happened?" She demanded as Mairon climbed off, looking worried. I moaned.

"ElfSky. Strain." I rasped, and they all suddenly understood. Elíl helped me up, and Glorfindel let me lean against him. "Thank you. Family, welcome our newest member, Aegliriel, Maia of Nienna. She is from Earth too." I said, and stumbled.

Maedhros scooped me up and I groaned, head spinning. "Welcome to the family, Aegliriel!" Elíl exclaimed, hugging her. "We'll be awesome sisters, I just know it!"

Lir laughed softly, and through my slightly hazed vision I could see Maglor's face. It had a slightly stricken look on it, and made me suddenly giggle for apparently no reason. Elíl glanced to me, and my eyes flicked to Maglor. She grinned conspiratorially, making me go into laughter that turned into a coughing fit.

Maedhros hurried me off to the living room where he set me down on the couch, pillowing my head on his lap and stroking my hair. "Are you alright, seler?" He asked concernedly. I coughed once more.

"I'm fine, Muindor, don't worry about me. I just need some rest and I'll be back to my usual insane self, no need to fear." I smiled weakly as he rolled his eyes with a sigh.

Mairon climbed on me again, curling up next to me as I cuddled him tightly. "Is Lir gonna live with us now?" Amras asked curiously as everyone gathered in the room. Obviously they had all been introduced.

"Yes." I replied. "She will be."

"I hope that we will become good friends." Lir smiled at them all, who returned it heartily.

Amras decided to plonk himself in her lap. "Mairon and Amrod have their own Maia, so you're mine now." He declared, and Lir laughed along with everyone else, cuddling the elfling.

"You're soooo cute! Yes, you will be my elfling and I will be your Maia." She giggled.

I started to feel a lot better. "Tyelko, where's Drago?" I asked. He smirked at me, scooting over to the couch and fingering a lock of my hair.

"Out in the yard with Saphira. If I'm not wrong I think we might have a litter of puppies at this rate." He snickered. Elíl and I yelped.

"What!?"

"Noooo! Drago you double-crossing little traitor!" I yelled. "I hate that wolf." I muttered darkly, glaring at the door. Elíl said pretty much the same thing about Saphira.

"They are not allowed in this house." She declared as the rest sniggered.

I sighed. "Thank you, Maedhros, I feel a lot better. I heard it said once that big brothers are the only boys who are supposed to be in their sister's lives, if only for the simple reason that they know them best." I grinned at him and he rolled his eyes.

"So that's all we are, eh?" He grumbled. Lir giggled.

"Yes. Boys are like springs; completely useless, but fun to watch fall down the stairs..." She grinned deviously and the three of us females burst into crazed laughter as the males face palmed.

"Oh yes, by the way, you three, you are absolutely not allowed in the kitchen for the rest of the day. Elíl and I have things to do, as does Lyric." I added.

"Yes ma'am." Caranthir muttered sarcastically. I swung up to my feet and glared at him, marching over to his chair.

"And for that, dear brother, you will get a kiss." And so saying, I planted a hearty smack on his cheek and marched into the kitchen, leaving Caranthir's scandalized splutters and my family roaring in my wake.

Elíl and Lir came into the kitchen laughing riotously. I grinned at them with a wink. "Do you think he'll ever get used to it?" I speculated.

"MÍLETH, YOU PUI-EN-YRCH!"

"Maybe not." I said dryly. Elíl and Lir decided that that was worth falling to the floor over.