...well. I didn't expect it to turn out this way... Hmmm... Oh well, hope you like it! I have an announcement to make, please pay attention. Here in Nepal where I live, as I am sure you have heard, there was an earthquake. For a week or so I will be going out to the damaged areas and doing relief work there, so I won't have internet. As a result, it will take me at least two weeks to update, maybe one and a half. Thank you for understanding, and please pray! For all of you Star Wars fans... May the Fourth be with you!

Jesus' girl 4ever: yep! Thanks! He's so cute!

Horseyyay: *snicker* yep. You'll see... As for Maeglin...l stand in line. FandomFangirl100 wants him too. XD

FandomFangirl100: I would have no objections, but horseyyay might... Teehee. XD

WoodElfJedi: the bucket joke comes from Elf, Interrupted, but basically Nàmo wanted to carry the clam pail but Míleth won that particular battle. ;) oh, and TFBWY= the force be with you. XP and your idea rocks, so doing that, the next chapter will be Elilion and Maglir... ;D

Chapter 28

"Drago! Saphira!" I called, dragging Glorfindel into their dog house which was literally as big as the kitchen in the house. Drago retreated into a corner, tail tucked between his legs, making Glorfindel laugh. Saphira looked proud.

I gasped, my legs collapsing beside her as I looked at the four puppies that suckled from their mother. "Oh Force." I said weakly. They were so cute. My heart was literally melting, I could just feel it.

"Drago." I moaned weakly. There was a whimper from the corner. Glorfindel was going to kill himself laughing, I'm sure. I looked at Saphira, who wagged her tail once. I sighed.

"They're adorable, I'll give you that, Saph." I said with a wry grin. She barked happily. "Well, as long as you're happy that Drago is their father, I suppose I have no say in it. Come here, you." I crooked my finger at the corner with an arched eyebrow.

Drago slunk out and groveled at my knees. I sighed and shook my head. "Oh Drago. Be a good daddy, you hear me?" I asked, dragging him into a hug. He licked my ear in promise as I yelped. "Not the ear Drago not my ear!" I carefully wiped my ear as he barked happily.

I rolled my eyes. "I'll leave you and Celegorm to name them." I said dryly, and made my way back out.

"I was GOING to chew him out, but NOOOO, I just had to CONGRATULATE him." I said sarcastically as Glorfindel laughed heartily and wrapped an arm around my waist, leading me off.

"Oh Míleth, he deserves it. It's a perfect litter." He chuckled. I rolled my eyes to the heavens.

"Traitor, both of you." I said petulantly as he snickered.

"Absolutely not." He scoffed.

"Don't-" I started.

"Don't you dare." He mock-glared as I giggled.

"So other than to see Drago and get me away from Elilion did you have a reason to ask me for a walk?" I asked with a smile. We were in the gardens behind the house, rose bushes everywhere and a small maze in the center. He led me to the maze.

"Well not so much really, but now that we are on a walk I think I have a plan." He replied with a smile that made me feel uncomfortable. "Let's travel the maze." He suggested with a smile.

"Alright." I said, and we walked through. I stared at the walls that reached far over my head. "What was this built for? Any particular reason?" I suddenly asked, arm still tucked in his.

"It actually has several names. Some call it the Lòrien maze, others call it just 'the maze,' and again, others call it the lovers' maze." Glorfindel replied easily, walking smoothly through the pathways.

I glanced at him, but he only had a smile on his face, nothing more. I had a feeling it wasn't coincidental that he wanted to walk the maze with me. There was something about his mood that made me feel rather nervous and... shy.

After a while in silence, the sounds of birds and wind growing fainter the deeper we went into the maze, we finally arrived into the center. The sun shone at an angle so that it wasn't so hot but well lit and comfortably warm, splotches of shadow here and there. The center was decorated with an empty, stone pavilion in the center, and benches scattered by the bushy walls.

Glorfindel led me to the center of the pavilion where I stood for a moment, eyes closed and enjoying the coolness of the stone and peaceful solitude that was there. Without even realizing it, I shifted my fana from a Maia form to elven form, a pale blue dress covering me with sleeves that reached half-way to my elbows and a hem that showed my bare feet.

"It feels so soothing." I sighed happily, opening my eyes. And blinked. Glorfindel was standing in front of me, smiling softly as he held out his hand.

"May I have a dance, my lady?" He asked. I smiled hesitantly.

"I- I'm not sure I know how.. Oh who am I kidding, if I can do salsa I can do a waltz." I muttered to myself, and took his hand with a brief curtesy.

"Thank you, my lord." I replied, and he stepped closer, placing a hand on my waist. Nervously, I placed mine on his shoulder as our hands clasped. He began to hum a popular waltz tune among the elves, stepping left. I quickly caught the rhythm and soon was doing just fine. I closed my eyes, feeling relaxed.

And nervous. Glorfindel was warm. I could feel his heat as he twirled me and then pulled me back close. In fact, I'm pretty sure we were closer than we had been in the beginning. And soon the waltz came to a close. Glorfindel just swayed softly, humming the last bar.

I opened my eyes as he finished and smiled. "That was fun." I said happily, and then forgot how to breathe. Glorfindel's sapphire eyes were dark as he stared down at my face. I swallowed, mouth suddenly dry. O-kay.

His hand on my waist tightened, and his arm jerked, yanking me closer. He looked like he wasn't even aware of what he was doing. I nearly tripped and had to place my hands on his chest to regain my stability.

Both hands circled my waist. "Míleth." He murmured dreamily. I gaped up at him for a moment and then closed my mouth.

"G-Glorfindel?" I stammered. He seemed to snap out of his daze, and then smiled down at me softly, eyes clear and bright. He took a step forwards, forcing me to take one back to keep from being shoved backwards. Another step forwards, another step back. Until I felt my back press against one of the stone pillars.

"Glorfindel?" I queried, voice a whisper.

He leaned forwards until his nose nearly touched mine. "Míleth. Amin mela lle." He murmured. Heat stained my cheeks.

"I love you, Glorfindel." I admitted shyly. He sighed, breath puffing against my mouth. He was hugging me tightly, my face on his shoulder. He turned so that his back was pressed against the pillar and I had to lean on him to keep from sliding to the floor.

His head turned into the crook of my neck, taking a deep breath. I squirmed. "G-Glorfindel... D-don't sniff me." I protested. "It's... Strange." I concluded lamely.

His amused hum vibrated against my throat, causing me to yelp. His mouth opened on my neck and hot breath puffed against it. My knees were threatening to give out again.

"But why?" He breathed. "You smell of rosemary and lemon." He observed. His mouth moved farther down, pressing against a spot that had me gasping and trying to break free.

"N-no- G-Glorfindel-" I couldn't speak. He pulled back up to study his handiwork. I was a mess, knees weak and gasping, using him as support to keep myself from collapsing. He smiled.

When I could finally breathe, I glared up at him. "You planned it." I accused. His smile was smug as he buried fingers into my hair.

"Absolutely not. But Elíl's plea and Maglor gave me an excuse." He smirked infuriatingly. "As I believe I already told you. Besides, last time I didn't quite get what I wanted." He added lazily.

I swallowed. "Do I want to know?" I asked warily. His smirk turned into a loving smile as he gazed down at my face. I looked away defiantly, refusing to forgive him.

"Míleth." He pleaded. I wavered. His face was closer. "Please, look at me." He begged, "do not look away." His nose pressed into my neck. I clutched his tunic in my hands.

"Meldanya." He whispered, mouth against my cheek. I gave in, turning to peer up into his face from under my lashes.

"Meldanya." He murmured, and his hands in my hair tilted my face up slightly. And then I couldn't breathe. I saw nothing but stars.

His lips had pressed against mine, and it made me almost dizzy, the feeling of soaring high into the sky. I think I whimpered, but I can't tell. His lips were warm and soft, moving gently. My mind blanked out and everything went fuzzy. I couldn't think coherently. The world tilted.

Everything finally righted and I gasped for air as he pulled away. My legs buckled and Glorfindel held me up, more than happy to press me against him.

He chuckled huskily. "I believe you drank Hawthorne juice, didn't you?" He asked into my ear.

"Glorfindel... I can't breathe." I said, voice barely a whisper. He laughed into my hair.

"I forget that elven kisses can do that. You'll get used to it in time, meldanya." He replied, sounding entirely too self-satisfied. Annoyance sparked in me.

Oh no, he wasn't getting away with that victory. As soon as I was sure my legs would hold me, I pulled myself away.

"You, mister, are far too smug about it." I half-growled. I turned and flounced away. "No, no more until I decide I've forgiven you for being so devious." I declared. I heard him moan behind me.

"Míleth, love, please don't-" he started.

"Don't 'Míleth' me!" I retorted, turning back to face him. "I mean it, Glorfy!" And I turned and sashayed off back out of the maze, making sure that my hip swung a little more than necessary to emphasize my point. The groan behind me made me smile triumphantly.

Ha ha! I shifted back to Maia form and thought myself to the front door of the house, coming in and slamming the door in a fit of pique. That scheming...

"Míleth? Something wrong?" Mairon asked as I stormed into the living room and headed for the stairs. I paused as I took in the scene. Elíl was at the banisters, glaring at Ecthelion. Lir was also looking put out. We three rolled our eyes.

"Not you too!" We exclaimed. And then growled.

"Why don't you ask Glorfindel?" I snarled, and stomped off up the stairs. Elíl and Lir followed until we were all in one room.

We didn't know that when Glorfindel came in, Ecthelion and Maglor had given him mournful looks, and that our brothers had told them they deserved it.

"That..." I flopped on the bed. Then I sighed. "I can't even think when he does that." I groaned. Lir giggled hysterically. Elíl growled.

"He so DIDNT." She seethed. "He just so didn't take advantage of me while I was trying to scold him not to distract me when I was busy looking at my timetable."

We turned to Lir who huffed. "He pinned me to the floor. And then he apologized by trying to to mark me." She whined, rubbing her neck.

"I'm too young for this." Elíl whimpered, sitting on the bed. "I don't know what to do. I can't breathe when he does that." She pressed a finger to her mouth, and I rolled my eyes.

"We can't even be angry at them when we think about it." I reminded them dryly. "So we need a plan of revenge." I grinned.

Lir and Elíl sat up. "Oh Valar yes." Elíl said vehemently.

"From your lips to the Valar's ears." Lir said slyly, and I laughed my head off.

"Did you need some help, dearies?" Vairë's voice asked sweetly.

"Yes!" We chimed.

"Ammë!" I hugged Vairë who laughed and hugged me back. Elíl hugged Estë, and Lir hugged Nienna.

*You might want to watch out. Vairë tends to be rather devious.* Nàmo warned me in a conspiratorial whisper.

*Hush, love, or else I shall think up a punishment for you too when I get home.* Vairë threatened.

*Meep!*

I came very close to dying of laughter along with the rest of them. Vairë's smug smile didn't help things any.

"So... Let's see... You could tease them mercilessly. You could ignore them. You could make them jealous. You could... I know! You could be friendly with another Maia!" Vairë beamed.

"Oh I like that one." Elíl declared. I hummed.

"I think I'll keep Glorfindel sufficiently annoyed by repetitive 'accidents'." I said sweetly with an evil smile.

"And me?" Lir asked, sounding lost.

"Drive the poor ellon crazy by not allowing him to touch you." The three Valiër chimed in tandem.

Elíl and Lir and I grinned at each other. "Hey oh yeah, here we come!"

...

Next morning saw me thinking myself away to the halls of Mandos, generally in a slightly pensive mood. Maranwë met me in the halls.

"Good mor- is something wrong?" He cut himself off abruptly. I looked at him thoughtfully, musing.

"Hmmm. Hmm? Oh yes, hello Maranwë. I was thinking, forgive me. I'm planning to go see Maeglin, by the way." I added, and meandered down the hall, leaving a rather nonplussed Maranwë behind.

*Míleth, need help. I can't figure out which Maia to choose...* Elíl said through ósanwe.

*I would personally suggest Erunàro, Manveru, or Fionwë.* I replied absently, still thinking.

*Thanks!* and she disappeared from the wavelength on which we communicated.

I opened the door to Maeglin's room, shaking myself from thought.

"Hanno?" I called softly, closing the door and making my way to the bed. Maeglin was still in bed asleep, curled up tightly in a ball. He didn't seem to be very happy, though, a frown puckering his features, so I sat myself in a chair and stroked a hand across his hair.

He pushed himself unconsciously into my touch, face smoothing out. I pulled my hand away, but he began to whimper and stir, so I stroked his hair again. His hand reached out and latched onto my sleeve and I sighed, shaking my head fondly.

I gathered him into my arms, tucking a blanket around him as he sighed contentedly and snuggled into me, clutching my tabard. I absently hummed a lullaby that Atto had sung to me, rocking gently and willing to wait as long as it took for him to wake up.

I plotted my revenge against Glorfindel to pass the time, smiling at points.

Until Maeglin began to stir, yawning widely. I laughed quietly to myself, smiling fondly at the ellon that was curled up in my arms. He opened his eyes slowly, focusing, and then suddenly seemed to register my face.

"M-muinthel?" He stammered, beginning to look embarrassed. "D-did I do something bad?" He asked hesitantly, as though racking his brains. I laughed.

"No, hanno, I only wanted to check on you, but you decided that I wasn't going anywhere, so..." I trailed off, eyes sparkling in amusement as his face turned red.

"S-sorry." He stuttered, and I merely laughed, kissing his brow.

"Hanno, hanno, it is alright. I would have waited as long as it took for you to wake up." I replied, shushing him gently as I set him down. He yawned again.

"Okay." He murmured, rubbing his eyes. I smiled fondly and thought a brush into my hands, beginning to care for his hair. He relaxed into me, sighing in comfort as I brushed out the long locks of raven hair until they were smooth once more. His pale skin was sheet white against his dark hair and eyebrows, eyelashes a study in contrast as they swept against his creamy cheeks and hid his obsidian eyes.

My heart melted right then. Literally. I could feel it pooling. "Aww hanno, you're so cute." I cuddled him to myself, kissing his cheek. He blushed so red I could feel his cheeks burning. I laughed.

*Speaking if which, it's high time he be reborn. Will you take him to Lòrien, my dear?* Nàmo sounded a little distracted.

*yes master* I replied, and picked him up.

"Well Maeglin, looks like we are going to Lòrien now. Time for you to be reborn." I smiled, heading for the door. He suddenly stiffened, and I paused, frowning. "What's the matter, dear?" I asked, raking fingers through his hair.

"But- but- where will I go? There's no one..." He trailed off.

"Oh hanno, after staying in Lòrien a while, you will come home with me of course! Do you think I'm letting my baby brother go? Absolutely not!" I scoffed, stalking off. He relaxed and snuggled into my farther.

"Okay, muinthel." He whispered, and promptly fell asleep. I smiled as I took him to the gardens of the reborn.

...

"Is he gonna be okay, nana?" Beleg asked, peering around behind me to look at Maeglin lying in bed. I smiled.

"He'll be just fine, yonya." I answered, kissing his light platinum hair. "You'll be kind to your new roommate, won't you?" I asked. He nodded firmly.

"I will Naneth, I promise." He declared solemnly. I smiled.

"Good. Thank you, Beleg. Now, I'm afraid I must go, but I will return when he awakes, alright?" I asked. He nodded and reached up shyly to kiss my cheek.

"Thank you, yonya." I winked, and thought myself away to Elíl. I need to see who she chose.

...

"Thanks, Fionwë! I appreciate it." Elíl smiled at the Maia, who was grinning.

"Oh it's a favor for me too, since I have my own score to settle with Ecthelion... He once decided to punch me just to see if he could when he was newly reborn." He snickered.

Elíl and I burst into laughter as I incarnated. Elíl and Fionwë turned to me, grinning. "I agree." I winked, and they laughed.

"Good choice, Elíl." I approved with a goofy grin. "Fionwë is pretty awesome." I hugged the Maia who laughed and hugged me back.

"Why, thank you, dear sister." He chuckled. "Now, time for me to get back to duty, although I will gladly accept your dinner invitation tonight." And with a wink, he thought himself away as Elíl and I laughed and went to find Lir.

...

"Liiiiir!" Elíl called annoyingly as we wandered the halls of lady Nienna's mansion.

*Aunt, may we see our sis?* I called through ósanwe.

*Of course, dear, look in the library, she's there with one of the firstborn.* Nienna answered, sending us the feeling of a knowing smile as we snickered.

*And good choice, Elíl.* she added as Elíl just rolled her eyes.

"Pah. The Valar spend way too much time interfering in our love affairs." She sniffed, although her eyes betrayed her scowl.

"Yes, they're all rather nosy." I snickered.

*Is that so?* Tulkas asked amusedly.

"Unca Tulkie! So good to hear from you!" Elíl yelled. Tulkas let out a mock-enraged shout as the rest of the Valar decided to make their amusement known. I sniffed.

*And where have the rest of our oh-so-dear uncles and aunties been?* I queried suspiciously.

*Oh, you know... Around.* Aulë replied vaguely.

I nodded. "Thank confirms it, Elíl." I said gravely, just as Lir joined the conversation through ósanwe.

*It confirms what?* Lir asked, having heard what had been said. I grinned.

"That there's a Valala land." I grinned, and Elíl collapsed on the floor as I grinned wickedly. Lir was howling in amusement as the Valar shouted at me good-naturedly.

*Yeldë, how could you!* Nàmo whined at me, although although the odd intonation in his voice had betrayed him.

*Don't whine, Atto, or else you know I'll have to tell Glorfindel!* I said in mock-surprise.

*Perish the thought.* Irmo sniggered. Nàmo grumbled sourly.

I staggered through the library door to find Lir rolling on the floor as a bewildered elf stood there helplessly. Elíl tumbled through, joining Lir on the floor. I sighed.

"Oh come on, for the love of Atar, it wasn't THAT funny you two." I tried to scold in mock-annoyance, but they just went into further hysterics. I sent the nonplussed elf a wry look.

"Forgive them, they're quite insane." I said apologetically, and that hushed them up.

"We're Maiar, not completely insane." Lir sniffed, getting up.

"Riiiight." I said in a tone that suggested the very opposite. "As you wish to believe." I snorted, and waved a negligent hand. "But anyways, greetings, Prince Ingwion son of Ingwë." I bowed to the elf who bowed back.

"My pleasure..." He gave me a baffled look as I laughed.

"My name is Míleth, my lord, and these are my sisters in the thought of Eru, Lir and Elíl." I smiled. Elíl bowed and Ingwion returned it.

"Well, Lir, we will wait until you are finished to discuss some things." Elíl said with a smile, and she nodded, then shot us an amused look.

*And I expect to hear who you chose, sister mine.* Lir directed at Elíl, who merely smirked.

*Meet us at Lòrien- Beleg and Maeglin's grove.* I said, and both of them shot me looks. I smiled.

*Yes, welcome our new baby hanno to the family.* I winked, and then thought myself away with a maddening laugh.

...

"Beleg?" I called, popping into the room where they stayed. Beleg was holding a distressed-looking Maeglin, and looked up at me with relief on his features. I immediately was at his side, gathering Maeglin into my arms as Elíl comforted a distraught Beleg.

"It's alright, he's going to be fine." She whispered to him as he clutched her tabard.

"Maeglin, hanno, what's wrong?" I asked, concerned, as he clutched me frantically.

"He-he's here... P-please, muinthel, don't let him find me!" Maeglin wailed, trying his level best to bury himself into my side. I winced as his nails accidentally poked me and cradled him, rocking gently.

"Who's here, hanno? No one here would hurt you, not while I'm around." I said gently, stroking the dark hair that reminded me so much of a raven's feathers. He shivered.

"H-HE'S here, muinthel, please, tell him I didn't do anything wrong!" His teeth chattered as I frowned. Did he speak of Melkor, or Eöl? I didn't understand.

"Hanno, baby, you've gotta tell me who, so I can go tell him." I tried softly. Maeglin sniffled.

"No, don't leave!" And he clung to me all the more tightly. Elíl and I frowned at each other.

*Its obviously paranoia* Elíl answered my silent question, and I nodded.

"I wasn't very good, was I? He said so." Maeglin sounded forlorn. I sighed.

"Hanno, no one can change their past. Perhaps you were not very good then, but that doesn't mean you aren't now." I replied gently. "And remember, muinthel loves you, as does Elíl and Beleg." I reminded him. "You must see your ghosts as they are- nothing more than phantoms that cannot hurt you." I coaxed gently.

He stilled, and then carefully poked his head out of my tabard, peering about. "He's not there?" He asked hesitantly. I shook my head.

"No one is there, hanno." I replied gently, and kissed his hair. "See now? Muinthel is here, and Beleg, and won't you meet your other sister, Elíl?" I asked. "Don't you remember her?"

He nodded shyly and waved, which Elíl returned with a smile. "May I have a hug, Maeglin?" She asked softly, and he hesitantly nodded as she gathered him up. Beleg threw himself into my arms just as Lir made an appearance.

"Are you alright, yonya? You were so very brave to help Maeglin." I said gently. He nodded into my shoulder.

"I'm okay, nana." He replied quietly, and I kissed his cheek for comfort.

"Good." I nodded.

*Everything okay?* Lir asked.

*Well Maeglin had a fit of paranoia, but otherwise we're fine. Nothing more untoward than that.* I replied with a thin smile that she returned.

"Look, Maeglin, this is our other sister in the thought of Eru, Aegliriel." Elíl smiled and turned him to Lir, who smiled gently.

"It is good to see you, Maeglin." She bowed politely. Maeglin looked wary.

"Y-you're my muinthel too?" He finally asked. Lir smiled happily.

"If you'd like me to be." Was her reply. And Maeglin smiled back hesitantly. Lir hugged him carefully as he returned it shyly, creeping back to my side. I gathered him up and began to sing a lullaby, and Elíl and Lir joined me as they set the small cottage to rights. Maeglin and Beleg fell asleep, and Elíl and I tucked them in.

We thought ourselves away after being satisfied that our charges were alright, and then settled down to talk.

"Well! That was eventful." Elíl sighed.

"Rather." I grumbled, sinking down into my chair.

"Well, that coulda been-"

"Don't jinx it!" Elíl and I chimed as she laughed at us. We rolled our eyes.

"Speaking of which, plans?" Lir wriggled her eyebrows at Elíl who snorted.

"Fionwë." Was her concise and curt answer. Lir grinned.

"He's nice." She agreed.

"Hmm." I mumbled. "You need to tell me what happened to you on valentines day." I said suspiciously at them both. They raised their eyebrows at me.

"You too." They bartered in tandem.

"Fine." I sighed, and we agreed to share our memories. So Lir started first...

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