Okay! News flash, people: I have exams coming up, so I will not be updating for a week. Therefore, please don't spam me with emails demanding to know what's up with me. I hope you had/have a great Saturday! Thank you all for the reviews. To those I didn't personally reply to my apologies: I was away yesterday with no internet. Let me reply to you here.
horseyyay: well it had to be addressed. *-*; I like cider too. Yummy. XD
The Mysterious Masked Hunter: I'd wondered where you were. ;) glad you like!
Gwestiel: glad it was! ;)
People, this is not rated M or R. Wedding night is mentioned in passing, not explicitly described, thank you very much. Get your minds outta the gutter.
Chapter 8
We were seated at the large table, where everyone was seated, eating cheerfully and making conversation. I found myself across from Finrod and Amarië. I shoved a lock of hair behind my ear. Finrod grinned.
"I was wondering when you'd ever give me an invitation, gwador." He teased Glorfindel, who sighed. Amarië giggled as I raised an eyebrow with an amused smile.
"Really." Glorfindel dead-panned. "Well sorry to keep you waiting."
Finrod laughed. "Should've known you would have to have prodding." He ribbed.
"Twelve years." Glorfindel said disbelievingly. Finrod had the grace to blush as Amarië and I laughed.
"Nerí." I sighed.
"Násië." Amarië remarked. Elíl and Lir giggled, hearing the conversation.
After the meal, people mingled, saying hello and moving about. Glorfindel dragged me to Eärendil, Elwing, Elrond and Celébrian. According to Glorfindel, Elladan and Elrohir weren't in Aman but had stayed behind on earth. We had exchanged looks at that one.
"My lords, my ladies." Glorfindel inclined his head. They turned to us with smiles, and I curtsied.
"Glorfindel! It's good to see you again, Mellon nîn." Elrond said with a slight smile, and Eärendil hugged Glorfindel.
"Yes, uncle Glorfy." He winked, and Glorfindel grinned as I smiled amusedly, pulling the circlet off of my head. I pulled my hair free of the braids and slipped it back on, feeling better.
Then they turned to me. "It is good to meet you, lady Míleth." Eärendil inclined his head. I laughed with a curtesy.
"Please, lord Eärendil, no formalities. Just Míleth will do. It's my pleasure to meet you." I said with a grin. They smiled.
"As it is to see you." Was the general answer. I gave Celébrian a keen look. She smiled slightly at me.
"It is good to see you well, my lady. I trust that all is well with your family?" I asked politely. A flash of pain I had expected went through her eyes.
"Yes, thank you." Was her gently reply nonetheless.
"I see-"
*Arwen gave her love.* Nàmo said.
I smiled. "Your daughter gave her love before she left." I added, and she smiled gratefully as her eyes sparkled with moisture.
"Thank you." She whispered. I inclined my head.
"It was my pleasure, my lady-" in a moment, I had something clinging to my dress. I picked up Mairon, settling him on my hip. "Ai little brother! Be careful!" I laughed lightly, kissing his brow. He grinned up at me innocently.
"No, it's your fault. You're the one who keeps falling down the stairs when I hug you." He answered cheekily, and I distinctly heard Elrond choke. I sighed.
"Oh Valar." I rolled my eyes to the ceiling and heard Nàmo laugh. "Hug me indeed- more like crash into me, little ringbearer." I grinned. He pouted as Glorfindel laughed himself silly and Elrond and Celébrian looked like they didn't know what to do.
"Oh, if you will excuse me, I think someone's calling me." I apologized to the group, who nodded and smiled in reply. I nodded and left Glorfindel to speak with them longer while I went to find Fingon and my brothers.
I finally made it there with Mairon trying to pull the circlet off of my head as I laughed at him. "Sorry!" I gasped, finally letting him have it.
Then I squeezed myself between Caranthir and Celegorm. "So? You called?" I asked cheerfully, lowering the squirming Maia on my hip to the floor as he ran off.
"Is it true that Moryo is your favorite Feänorion?" Fingon asked, giving me a hug by way of greeting. I snickered at Caranthir's uncomfortable and slightly red face, reaching up and kissing his cheek.
"Yes, it's very true." I answered slyly, and Fingon went into a roar of laughter with the rest of my brothers at a sour-looking Moryo. "Aww Moryo, don't look like that." I teased. "You know you love me too." I said, and walked off with a pleased nod as they doubled over laughing at a balefully glaring Moryo. But I saw the spark of humored fondness in his eyes, which I returned with a wink.
The rest of my time was spent with the Valar and my parents and Glorfindel.
"By the way, you leave in three days." Manwë added, and I nodded in reply.
"Of course, my lord." I answered. Nàmo kissed my brow.
"Be good, Padawan." He said sternly, making my parents choke as I grinned maniacally.
"Yes, master." I answered gleefully. "I'll be perfectly sadistically good." I grinned, and he sighed as the rest of the Valar laughed.
"I never understood Tegaladwen." Ulmo shook his head as Glorfindel and I laughed ourselves silly.
"It's much easier to understand Níssi. Nerí are much harder." I said facetiously with a sniff.
"That's a joke." Nàmo snorted.
"... Okay, you have a point." I admitted.
They laughed at me.
...
All three couples were supposed to stay at a single, large hunting lodge in Oromë's woods for two days before going back. We had been offered separate cabins, but had unanimously voted on a single one.
As Ecthelion had said: "After all, the six of us are that close, so it's not as if we won't go to each other's cabins for meals anyway. Best we stay in one cabin."
So we were. We had gotten stuck in a downpour of rain going to the lodge, so it was a relief when we finally arrived. There was a fire going in the fireplace, and a pot of stew was on the fire along with a plate of bread. We looked at each other and then shrugged, sitting down to eat without even bothering to change clothes.
"I'm tired." I mumbled through my spoon.
"Same here." Elíl sighed.
"Me three." Lir said wearily.
"I'll be glad to get changed." I wrinkled my nose, and finished my bowl, carrying it to the kitchen and setting it in a pan of water. Everyone stacked their dishes and then saying good-night, retired.
Glorfindel and I entered the room to find that there was a single bed, a large fireplace, two chairs with a small table, and a single wardrobe. I went over to the wardrobe and was relieved to find clothes in it. There was an attached bathroom, which I immediately made use of, moving inside and filling the large tub.
I peeled off my clothes and making sure that I had a night shift, same as the one that Vairë had given me, took a bath and came out drying my hair with a relaxed attitude, feeling much better. Glorfindel gave me a smile as he went to take his turn, and I returned it as I sat down at the table, picking up a book that was on it.
I smiled amusedly as I saw the title. "Baby Names." I laughed lightly and began to read, giggling over some of the ridiculous names and the comments that went with them.
Glorfindel finally came back out to find me smiling over the book. He peered over my shoulder as he scrubbed his hair dry. He snorted. "Looks like a broad hint to me." He said amusedly. I laughed.
"Maybe. Who knows?" I replied, closing the book and setting it back down. I moved to the window and peered through a chink in the curtains at the lightning and rain that fell outside and lit up the night sky.
"I like it when it rains. It's so pretty and soothing." I murmured, and felt Glorfindel wrap his arms around my waist as he peered out with me just as thunder crashed.
"Even when it's loud?" He asked into my hair.
"Yes." I answered. "It's amazing. Then again, probably only when I'm in a warm place looking out at it." I added humorously, and he chuckled.
"I have to agree. Especially like now, when I have something warm right here in my arms." He said into my ear, ghosting his lips against the tip of it. I shivered, saying nothing and feeling heat creep into my cheeks. He turned me around, pulling me closely against him.
"I love you." He murmured, burying his fingers into my hair and pulling my face up to look at him. I smiled back softly.
"I love you." I answered, and he lowered his lips on top of mine. He moved down to my neck, his golden hair tumbling over my shoulders.
"Melda." He groaned. "I've waited so long... So many years..." He said thickly, pulling back to look at me. His eyes were a dark blue. "And now I finally found you." His voice was deep and raspy as his hands trailed down my sides, pressing me against him.
I clutched his tunic in my hands, looking down at it with a blush. His hand reached up to tangle in my hair, kissing me hungrily. I was left breathless when he finally allowed me to breathe. "Laurëfindel..." I said breathlessly, and he groaned, burying his face into my shoulder. His hands twitched.
"Say it again." He pleaded.
"Laurëfindel." I whispered. The laces of the dress were tugged. And after that, I lost all coherent thought.
...
My eyes peeled open wearily, and I muffled a groan as light hit my eyes, making them water. Then I yawned and sighed, stretching- and found myself tangled in something. For a moment I felt confused, then remembered.
I was still pressed against Glorfindel, his golden hair splayed everywhere and tangling in my platinum locks as his arms held me close to his large frame. I smiled slightly and kissed his cheek, to which he stirred but didn't wake, and carefully crawled out of bed.
I winced at the ache that manifested itself in my body and wrinkled my nose. I felt sticky and awful, and went to take a bath. When I finally came back out, dressed in a simple pair of leggings and shirt, drying my hair, Glorfindel was awake and waiting his turn. He gave me a quick good-morning kiss before disappearing for his own shower.
When he came back out, I was by the window and looking out at the clean air and blue skies. I turned and smiled at him happily. "Hungry. Going down to eat!" I said, moving out the door. With a chuckle he followed me, hand around my shoulders.
"Hey! Morning!" Elíl and Ecthelion walked next to us, and Maglor and Lir joined soon after. I had to get used the new aura that radiated off of them. Their bonds were strong, and it made me smile at the thought, even if all of us felt a bit embarrassed at it.
We sat down for a pleasant breakfast, and talked about the day. "Do you think we should we go out?" Elíl asked.
"How about out to the lake out back?" Lir asked. "It might be one of the last chances to swim- I mean, after all Alaska isn't exactly the best place, is it?" She asked dryly, and Elíl and I laughed.
"How about we take turns?" I suggested. "Someone take an hour of swimming, another two go on a walk, and another two do something else." They nodded in agreement.
"Good idea." Glorfindel said. "How about Elíl and Ecthelion go on a walk, Lir and Maglor go for a swim, and Míleth and I stay here to wash up the dishes?" He asked, smiling at me. I nodded.
"Good idea! The next two who stay here can make dinner and the last two get dessert." I winked, and they laughed in agreement.
So we finished up and Lir and Maglor went to swim while Elíl and Ecthelion started off on their walk, chatting happily. Glorfindel and I turned to the dishes.
"I wonder if we will meet Elladan and Elrohir on earth." I murmured.
"Maybe so. I wouldn't doubt it." Was his thoughtful answer.
Then I sighed. "Elíl and Lir and I were talking about what to do since we can't have time to take a month or two off, so we came up with a plan." I said. We finished the washing, and Glorfindel took me to the couch, settling me on his lap.
"Oh?" He encouraged me to go on.
"Well, we decided that it would be best if we settled in as soon as possible. Since everyone is aware of our predicament, we'll just have to settle on a 'personal space' in case it... comes up without warning." I said, twirling a lock of his golden hair in my fingers. He buried his nose into my shoulder, dragging his nose up my neck.
"I can do that." He said, kissing my shoulder.
I squirmed. "Glorfindel." I protested half-heartedly. "Don't sniff me."
"Can't help it. You smell like lemongrass and rosemary.." He answered against my throat. I sighed.
"Please not now. I still ache." I protested. He pulled back with a concerned frown. "Don't be worried. It's normal." I reassured, and he nodded, looking mollified.
"Should we try to find a puzzle?" He asked.
"Mmm. You go find it while I go try to find some hawthorn juice." I answered, and he nodded as we scattered.
I poured us glasses of the juice and took them to the living room, where he had set the puzzle out on a table. "It's supposed to be of this lodge." He said absently, thanking me with a kiss as he took the glass. I squeezed next to him and set my own cup down.
"Hmm... Well, we get the easy part." I said with a grin. "The edges." I said slyly, and he laughed along with me as we began. When Elíl and Ecthelion came back in, they found us finished with the edges and trying to work on the rest.
"Hey! Our turn for a walk?" I asked with a smile. They nodded and came to look at the puzzle. "Lir and Maglor get to try to do as much as possible after they finish making dinner." I said with a sly grin, and they laughed.
"No fair! You got the easiest!" Elíl mock-whined with a wink, and we howled with laughter. Lir and Maglor came in for their shift as Elíl and Ecthelion went for their swim. Lir was looking decidedly flushed, and Maglor looked much too smug. Glorfindel and I decided to make our escape. "I'm not even gonna ask." I said, and Lir blushed as Maglor merely smiled.
We went on our walk. "What do you think of the Elf Café?" I asked.
"I don't know. Oh I mean I like it, but what I meant was that I'm not sure about the courses. Something tells me that we won't need to do that." He answered thoughtfully.
"Hmm. Maybe the Valar have already 'inspired' someone." I said with a quirk of the lips, and he snorted.
"Contingency plans, my sword. As if." He said. Then I suddenly remembered the pin, and noticed that he had it on. By then, we were in a clearing.
"Glorfindel?" I turned to him. He turned back to me, a smile on his face.
"Yes, melda?" He answered.
"Your pin. That's not just... a pin." I said, giving him a look. He smiled.
"I was wondering when you were going to tell me." He chuckled, wrapping a hand around my waist as I rolled my eyes at him.
"Well excuse me if you made me forget." I retorted, and he pulled me closer, eyes sparkling wickedly.
"Oh? Should I make you forget again?" He asked lowly, and I smacked him.
"Not a chance!" I sniffed, and then plucked the pin off before handing it to him. "Here." I said with a smile. He took it with a questioning look.
"Try to put it on." I said. He pinned it to himself, and immediately everything went black.
...
I found myself in a room. It was wallpapered with blue, with golden vines all over the place. Glorfindel's mind. I looked around, to see that there were shelves of thoughts and memories, images, sounds, smells, tastes, all sorts of things. I walked over to one that was kept under lock and key, and placed a hand against it. It opened readily for me, and the scene suddenly changed.
I found myself in a body not my own, and suddenly realized that Glorfindel was in front of me, looking defiant as he raised his sword. Oh. This was apparently his fight with the Balrog. I changed form to a black and red mist, swirling around his form. He glared at me that was not me and the Balrog that was not the Balrog.
"Go back to the abyss, flame of Udun!" He shouted, and I felt like giggling at the quote. But I had to act in character.
"Are you truly protecting your people?" I hissed in the voice that was not my own. "Or are you just showing off, going against me, a Maia?" I asked tauntingly, swirling around behind him. For a moment he paused, then turned around.
"I do not answer to you. You will only attempt to corrupt my mind." He said, but there was confusion in his eyes. I snorted, morphing into the shape of lady Aradhel with my arms crossed.
"You failed to protect me, you know." I stated conversationally, motioning around. "Just as you failed to protect your city and King. It all adds up to failure in the end, after all." I shrugged.
Glorfindel dropped his weapons. "This is not my memory." He said quietly. "You- you are not Aradhel, nor are you a Balrog." He stated firmly. The ground shook, and his eyes hardened. "This. Is not. My memory!" He roared, and the ground caved.
We were back in the room of his mind, with the drawer wide open. Glorfindel sat in a chair, looking confused. I was in the form of a white mist, and I closed the drawer and locked it back. Then I morphed into my elf form. He looked startled.
"Míleth! What-"
"Yes, you were right. I tampered slightly with your memory. Oh it'll be the same as it always was before, it was just a one-time thing." I reassured him, sitting on a chair across from him. "I will explain." I said with a smile.
"I am a pure spirit, as you know. Therefore, I can choose any form. A part of me is in that pin that brought you here. This is your mind, and your memories. That pin is actually a weapon. It can change into any archaic weapon, sword, dagger, anything you wish, and you will also have access to my powers. However, in order to use it, and therefore me, you need to make a contract with me. As soon as you put on the pin instead of me, you were subjected to a test, to see how long it would take you to realize that something wasn't right and what your reactions would be." I said, and he slowly looked more understanding.
I stood. "You passed. You answered in a way that showed me that you do not seek revenge and that your heart and mind are stable." I held out my hand. "Will you make a contract with me?" I asked. He smiled, and took my hand... And it all went black again.
...
I opened my eyes, to find myself still standing on the ground, with Glorfindel lying down, eyes closed. Then he gasped, and opened his eyes, sitting up slowly. I knelt next to him, and he looked at me wonderingly, then down at the pin. I smiled.
"Wanna try it?" I asked with a grin, and he chuckled, standing up and taking the pin into his hand. Then he gave me a wry look.
"You'll need to teach me how to use it." He said. I grinned.
"Think of whatever weapon you want it to be." I answered. He looked down at it, and it immediately morphed into a long, thin, sharp sword. It had a shiny Mithril blade and a jet, onyx, and gold hilt. "If you want to use my powers, you'll need to call upon me." I offered. Glorfindel opened his mouth, then suddenly stiffened and thrust me behind him, holding the sword at ready.
"There's something coming." He said lowly.