Chapter 25

Imladris, 21st December 3019, Yule

Lothíriel sat by the fire, contemplating the flames. Her tea was forgotten on a nearby table, cold by now. It was around midday, but it was very foggy day outside. It was good to just feel warm in the closed gathering hall. It was one of the few closed spaces of the city since most divisions in Imladris were open to nature. It was their way to bind with it, the Elves believed, and because the weather was usually very agreeable, it made the experience of living there very beautiful. But, in truth, Imladris could quite cold in the winter.

Lothíriel wasn't used to that. Although she lived in a city by the sea, Dol Amroth was never this cold. She shivered. She missed Dol Amroth... She missed home. And most of all, she missed her family and at this time of year even more so.

She laced her fingers together over her belly, now softly rounded belly, and looked around one more time. All over the walls, decorations hung, so different from everything she had ever seen but very lovely. Twigs of mistletoe on the doors, a big centrepiece made form pines and leaves in the grand table, candles of all shapes and sizes. Back home, they had a big necklace made of seashells that they used to hang over the fireplace in the hall. It had a shell for every household member and loved ones, present or passed. It was a family tradition to set it up there, in that place of honour, for everyone to see.

I wonder if they will do that this year...?

"Oh no..." She heard behind her. "Don't tell me you're one of those people..."

She turned and faced Elrohir.

"Excuse me?"

"You know... Moping on Yule. Feeling miserable and tearing up... "

Lothíriel smiled inward but pretended to gasp in affront.

"No, I don't mope over anything. And I'm most definitely not moping over Yule."

"I think you were... You had that look on your face. You're wondering what your family is doing right now, in your palace by the sea."

She couldn't help a sigh.

"So it's true. Elves can really read thoughts."

Elrohir chuckled.

"No, all I need is to look at you. I can see the longing in your eyes." He drew near and knelt by her side. "But you don't need to be sad. I know it's not the same but you have us here. We will have fun, we always have a great Yule."

She smiled at his words. It's was so endearing that he was trying to make her feel happy. She was very fortunate in her friends, indeed. Elladan and Elrohir treated her like a baby sister. Always getting her flowers to brighten her room or steeling cookies from the kitchen to sweeten her day. It was indeed endearing. She couldn't ask for better friends.

"I know and so far it's wonderful. Your decorations are so beautiful and the smell from the kitchen is just... absolutely divine!"

Elladan came in to the room and walked over to them.

"It's the blueberry pie."he said. "Cook makes it every Yule. It's supposed to be the best in the entire Middle Earth."

"I'm very inclined to believe that."

"And it tastes so good..." Elrohir said, day dreaming. "Do you think Cook will let us have a bit before dinner? Like she used to when we were little?"

Lothíriel smiled at that. Were they ever little?

"I don't think so..."

"Too bad, I could eat a piece of that pie right now..."

"Me, too."

"Me, three." Lothíriel added.

"Actually," Elladan said. "You, four!"

They laughed at the joke.

She had told them of course, it was of no use to hide it. After all, it was the reason she had chosen to come to Imladris. To carry out her pregnancy and have her baby in peace, without being the target of rumours and gossip of Dol Amroth and Minas Tirith. She thought it would shock Lord Elrond and his sons but they were very understanding. Not judgemental at all.

"You didn't go ridding today?"Elrohir asked her.

"No, it was too cold in the morning. It's still too cold."

"Thank the Valar for that..."

"What? Don't tell me you're going to lecture me about pregnant women ridding, because I already heard it from your dear brother here." She said pointing to Elladan.

"Well, it's a rare phenomenon but in this case he's right."

"Hey!" Elladan interrupted, feigning hurt. "Rare phenomenon!"

Ignoring his brother, Elrohir continued.

"It could be dangerous for you both."

"I appreciate your concern, I really do but I have been ridding all my life and the healers said it was alright as long as I'm careful. And I have been very cautious. There's nothing to worry about."

"But..."

"Oh, peace, for Elbereth's sake! It's Yule, let's just enjoy the day! Please?"

The brothers looked at each other and conceded.

"Very well... But only for today! Tomorrow we'll annoy you with this again!"

"Agreed. Now,"she rose from her chair and continued. "Should we go and see what cook has for lunch? I'm starving and that pie talk wasn't helpful."

The rest of the day was peace in the grand hall. The entire household gathered in the evening, stories were told, songs were sang and delicious food was served.

And with the night, came the time to exchange gifts.

"We have a surprise for you."Elrond said to Lothíriel.

"A surprise?"

"Yes, a gift.."Elladan added.

"But I don't have any for you, I... I didn't expect... Well, quite frankly I forgot about the sharing of gifts..."

"We don't need anything in exchange, Thíri, but we wanted to give you something nice. For you and the baby."

A present for her and the baby? Tears came to her eyes.

"Really? Thank you..."

"Well, let's see if you like it before thanking us!" Elrohir teased.

They led her to a concealed corner of the room and there it stood, a small crib made of light wood, with intricate carving all around.

"Oh, thank you, it's beautiful! It's the most lovely crib I've ever seen!"

"We could take all the credit and say that we carved it ourselves but I couldn't carve even if my life depended on it!"Elladan said.

"Same here!" said Elrohir.

Laughing and crying at the same time, Lothíriel enfolded them in her arms and gave them a warm embrace.

They hugged her back, almost lifting her of the floor and making her laugh even more.

Elrond shook his head. At times, his sons didn't act the age they had.

"Be careful, my sons, Lothíriel carries a very precious load."

"Yes, but Ada if she insists she's fit to keep ridding, she can take our hugs!"

Lothíriel laughed at their attempt to go back to the subject of her ridding but suddenly felt a light flutter on her belly.

"Oh, I think I felt something..."

"What? What do you mean?"

"Everything alright?" Asked Elrond, with concern. "Shall I fetch the healer?"

"No I mean, I think I felt the baby move... Here." She took Elladan's hand and placed it on her belly. After a while, there it was, as light as a feather.

"Did you feel that?"

"I felt something but I'm not sure it was the baby..."

"Maybe you're just hungry..." Elrohir tried.

"What? No, it's the baby!"

"Let me see."The twins exchanged places and this time Elrohir touched her abdomen.

"I don't fell anything."

"Just wait a bit."

Again, after a while another feathery touch.

"There! You felt it?"

Elrohir removed his hand and looked at her. He liked seeing her this way, so at ease and happy. He hated to spoil her mood.

"I don't Thíri... It is still early in your time...It seems more like wishful thinking to me..."

Finally, Elrond intervened.

"Oh, you two have the sensibility of an Orthanc Orc! It might be the baby moving." he turned to Lothíriel and asked. "Do you mind, my dear?"

"Of couse not, my lord."

He gently laid his hand on her and closed his eyes. Lothíriel was breathing steady now but she was so excited about feeling her child. And at this special time of Yule. It was a good sign.

Another light kick hit her belly. Lord Elrond opened his eyes and smiled at her.

"That is one mighty kick."

"It's the baby, isn't it?"

"It most certainly is, my dear."

Lothíriel squealed in delight and at once, the twins tried to fell it again.

"Let me try that again."

"No, me first."

"Careful!"

In the midst of it all, Lothíriel closed her eyes. This was the best present ever. Her baby was finally moving.

.

Edoras, 21st December 301, Yule

"Éothain, that garland has to go higher!"

"Well, how do you suggest we do that, my lady?"

He was already perched dangerously on the highest ladder available.

"Don't give me that tone!"

"Damn it, Éowyn, it's the same every year!"

"And don't swear at Yule, it's not nice!"

The decorations were scattered all over the Hall of Meduseld. It was Éowyn's favorite day and every year, since she was living in Edoras, she made sure the place looked perfect for the occasion.

"Higher, Éothain."

"It's as high as it goes, girl! Now, hand me those pine cones."

"No, up there is the star."

"What are you talking about? The star is always at the entrance!"

"That's the golden star, you twit!"

"We have more than a star...?"

"Éothain!"

"Oh, will you two stop bickering?" Éomer said as he came in to the hall. "I can hear you in my study! I had to cancel the meeting with the Marshall's of the East and Westmark because I can't heard them with all your shouting!"

Éowyn and Éothain had the decency to look embarrassed. His sister blushed and his friend looked at his hands. But it was only for a short amount of time.

"Well... Yule is a time to be around family and friends, not dealing with affairs of state. Your Marshals want to be with their families and you should be here, in this Hall, with your people and helping me with the decorations. And since he," she added pointing to Éothain in the ladder, "isn't cooperating, I suggest you take his place."

"Good idea!" Éothain said, already starting to climb down the stairs.

"What?" He could still remember the last time he and his sister had decorated the hall for Yule. They had argued and she had been so mad at him that she hadn't spoken to him for three hole days. "No, no. Éothain will help you here and I'll go fix the fireplace and gather the wood necessary for the night.

"The fireplace!"she said, smacking her hand on her forehead. "I forgot about it..."

"Don't worry, I'll handle the fireplace. You just carry on here."

"But Éomer, you'll need help with the wood..." Éothain tried. "I can help..."

Éowyn turned t him with her hands on her hips.

"And who will tie the garlands around the hall?"

Éothain resigned and held her hand to her.

"Just give me that damn star!"

Éomer was heading for the fireplace but he could still hear them.

"And no swearing!"

He smiled. He loved Yule but Éowyn wouldn't be around for the next one. She would already be in Ithilien, with her husband. He had managed to delay the wedding to the next Winter but he could ask her to spend another Yule in Edoras. Sighing, he knelt by the fireplace and started gathering the ashes from last eve with a small broom and shovel.

"Milord, please, you shouldn't be doing that." A gentle voice said.

He turned and saw Alfwyn, the daughter of one of his counselors. He knew her since they were little, when they came to Edoras. She was about the same age as Éowyn and soon became friends. She had always been a pretty child and now she had grown to be a very beautiful woman.

"It is not fitting for a king to be knelling, doing servants work."

"Alfwyn, I don't mind getting my hands dirty and honestly I hate the idea of just sitting around and do nothing."

She smiled sweetly at him and knelt by his side.

"Well, they let me help you with that."

She gathered a basket and the started collecting the ashes.

"I have been meaning to ask you how is you grandfather?" Éomer asked. "I heard he was sick sometime ago."

A sadness came to her eyes.

"He passed just last week."

He had been in Alburgh. He had wanted to be here for the funeral, after all Filimer had been an advisor to his uncle in his golden age.

"I'm so sorry... I didn't know... I would've liked to be here with your family..."

"My father didn't want to bother you in Alburgh. It was a quiet ceremony, just family and close friends. He was ill for some time now and we were expecting it."

"Still, it's always dificult. It isn't simple to let family go."

"It's true..."

"And you how have you been?"

"Alright, I guess. I finally convinced father to let me spend some days in the orphanage, helping."

"Really?"

"Yes, I love children and I think I'm quite good with them. And I like to help, to feel useful."

"I know what you mean. And what about family of you own?"

Alfwyn blushed at his question and Éomer quickly added.

"I don't mean to pry."

"Not at all my lord..."

"Come now, what's this my lord thing? Éomer. We've always been friends."

She smiled and lifted her eyes o his.

"Yes, but you are king now."

"I'm still the same. So, family of your own?"

"Not yet, Éomer, but I would really like to take care of my own household."

"And you'll make a fine wife to a very lucky man someday."

Alfwyn just smiled, blushed again and rose.

"I'll take the ashes out."

"And I'll start the new fire."

As Alfwyn walked away, Éowyn drew near.

"The decorations are all set?" he asked.

"Almost." Then looking at her friend just exiting the hall, she turned to her brother and said. "She's fond of you, you know?"

"Who?" he asked absentmindedly.

"Alfwyn, brother."

Éomer stopped what he was doing and looked straight at his sister.

"Éowyn..."

"I'm just saying what I know is true... She's fond of you and she is my friend. I know you don't even want to hear about it but the counsellors all think you should marry and have an heir. Just... act cautiously brother. For your sake and hers, as well."

Thoughts of Lothíriel came to haunt him once again. He's face clouded with sorrow.

"But today, I want you to enjoy Yule. No sad thoughts nor heavy hearts, alright?"

He smiled at her and nodded.

"Fair enough."

She smudged a line of ash from his left cheek and placed a kiss there.

"Happy Yule, brother."

"Happy Yule, Éowyn."

.

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A|N Again, I'm sorry for the delayed update but to make it up, I'm adding 2 chapters today! =)

Kept enjoying the story and once again, thank you so very much for the reviews. Happy New Year everyone!