My eyes opened. Or at least, I thought they did. The sight in front of me was shocking, and I scrambled backwards away from the steep cliff that was inches in front of me. Where was I, and how had I gotten here!?
As I looked around, I suddenly realized that there was nothing but clouds around me and fog, along with snow everywhere and rock. The tip of Taniquetil, obviously. Why was I here?
There was a sudden roar behind me, and I whipped around to find myself face-to-face with a dragon, large and quickly making its way towards me. I frantically tried to think some sort of weapon into my hands, only to realize that I was stuck in human form, with nothing to defend myself with. Frantically, I tried scrabbling around in the snow for anything to use, feeling the air start to heat as a plume of fire made its way towards me. Just before the flame hit me, it all disappeared.
The next time I opened my eyes, I was standing on the edge of a lake, looking over the glass surface. Just then, I noticed someone swimming in the dark waters that must have been as cold as ice, judging by the snow on the ground. I struggled to call out, panic swelling inside of me as the swimmer got closer to the center of the lake. Something was wrong. It was dangerous to go there.
The swimmer suddenly flailed, and went under the water as though dragged down, resurfacing for a split second and making eye contact with me. It was myself, except for one fact- my face was twisted in a horrific sneer, a demonic look on my face.
Everything went black.
Help me! God, whoever is out there, if there's anyone out there who'll get me out of this alive, I swear by all that's good and holy I'll serve you forever! Just help me, I can't take this anymore... I don't want to live this way; I've never wanted it. But I never had a choice. Help me, please! Help me, please... Show me a better way to live...
My lungs were collapsing. There was nothing but suffocation, no air, I couldn't breathe... As though bursting from water, my lungs gave a great, shuddering gasp of air and reached out. "Hold on to my hand!" I wasn't even aware of what I was saying: all I knew was that there was someone calling for help, and I was here to serve as a servant of Eru. "I'll help you..."
...
"Wait!" I bolted up, then bent over double, clutching my head with a groan. "Oh snap no..." I moaned, and then there was something cool placed on my forehead and I was being given something to drink. I swallowed obediently, my swimming head slowly clearing.
I looked up to see Námo sitting by my side, and immediately wrapped my arms around his torso. "Atto." I rasped, and he drew his cloak around me gently.
"Breathe, yeldë." He murmured gently. "Breathe. You will be fine." He said, and slowly my breathing evened out and I could think calmly.
I turned and looked up at him in confusion. "Who was that calling me?" I asked, noticing absently that I was in his room. Ammë was not to be seen.
"And what makes you think he was calling you?" Námo asked, face expressionless.
I frowned thoughtfully, taking note that he'd said it was a male. "I- I don't know. I just heard someone calling for help, and I thought that I should help because it sounded like I was nearby and I am meant to serve." I replied slowly, and Námo nodded.
"Very good. It is because you were meant to serve him. He is your ward, one that must be brought to Wiseman and taught the ways of the elves. He is one of the throwbacks, child, and he will be a valuable asset to the War. You were feeling his spiritual state." Námo replied, rubbing my back softly, and I nodded wordlessly, waiting for instructions.
"Sleep, child. You will know what to do when the time comes. All things shall be taken care of in due time." Námo murmured, and I felt my eyes closing slowly.
"Yes master." I yawned, and my eyelids closed slowly. "Love you, Atto."
There was an answering chuckle. "As I do you, yeldë."
...
"So, the café is now ready for opening." Elíl said in satisfaction, looking around at the interior of the café that we had just finished decorating.
"The students are planning to turn out en mass to come." Elrohir grinned, and we all laughed at the thought of cramming all of the students into the café.
There were five booths against each left and right wall, while there were about ten other tables scattered about in strategic locations on the polished floors. In the center of the café was a large, empty space that was currently occupied by a knee-high plastic fence in the shape of a large rectangle. Quite a few dog beds, chew toys, rubber bones, and food bowls, along with mounds of bean bags, were scattered about inside the pen, made for the wolves.
At the back was a large bar counter with the left section glassed for displaying shelves of pastries for sale, and all of the commodities for making drinks and dishing out snacks were already set up neatly. Behind the counter were shelves of other small things for sale like special mugs, t-shirts (courtesy of Ivrinel), and a few displays of things like ornamental daggers.
The kitchen was behind the back wall, accessible only to those who worked behind the bar counter; and the locker room where the ellyn and ellith could change was also adjoined to the space behind the bar. In the locker room were two sections divided for changing clothes and contained cubbies for storing personal belongings. Of course, there was a generally accessible bathroom in a discreet corner of the café clearly marked.
It was decorated in predominate Elven colors of the Fëanoriáns, with red curtains over the windows, occasional burgundy carpets scattered over the floors, and the tables were all dark wood as were the booths, which also had red coverings. Most of it was brown and dark red, soothing to the eyes and making a comfortable atmosphere, like stepping into a velvet cloak. The contrast of the dark wood and burgundy under the bright lighting was rich, and the star of Fëanor was featured everywhere from carvings to paintings.
The subtle grace of all of it from placing to decoration and taste distinctly smacked of elvish work, and I grinned as I turned to the ones who had come- Lir, Elíl, Nerdanel, Nelyo, Glorfindel, Ecthelion, Moryo, Tyelko, Káno, Beleg, Mairon, Maeglin, Ivrinel, and Elladan and Elrohir.
"Congrats guys. We open tomorrow." I declared, and everyone cheered as we high-fived.
I would work on afternoon shift because I got off classes at 11:00. The morning shift was 6:00 AM- 11:00 AM and was taken by Tyelko, Elíl, Ecthelion, Nerdanel, and Mairon. My shift was from 11:00 AM- 4:00 PM, and was with Moryo, Glorfindel, Maeglin, Nelyo, and Mairon. The evening shift from 4:00 PM- 8:00 PM was taken by Lir, Káno, Beleg, and Mairon. Mairon was there all the time to take care of the wolves.
The schedule was a lose one, though, as anyone could work whenever and for as long as they wanted, as long as they worked at least one full five-hour shift. There were more crew on the noon shift because it would be the busiest time of day. We had hired the academy cook Grace to be our head cook, along with a few other cooks as well. Nelyo, Nerdanel, and Lir would also occasionally take over the kitchen, though.
We closed up the shop for the time being and scrambled into the van and other various cars, chatting happily as we continued on our way back home. "I can't wait!" Elíl squealed, and we laughed along with her.
"So do you think we'll see any elves coming soon?" Lir asked curiously. "I mean, Roy made the site, so..."
Elíl shrugged. "It will be as Eru wills." Was her only cryptic answer, and I nodded.
"Speaking of which, what's our plan for this evening?" Tyelko asked, leaning back in his seat and tapping away at his phone. I seriously want to know what he does on that thing all day.
"No idea. Anyone got a plan?" Elíl asked. There was a silence for a moment, and then I whipped out my phone.
"Wait a sec. I think I have a genius idea, if I can find it..." I fell into incoherent muttering as I typed in a search. I scrolled through the list, muttering under my breath. Then I found it.
"Yes!" I yelped. "They're doing a rerun of the Fellowship of the Ring in the Goldmine Theater tonight at six!"
For a second, there was dead silence. Then- "ohmymelkothiswillbesomuchfunletsgo." Lir blurted, and Elíl and I burst into laughter as the rest wondered what in the name of all that was good we were talking about.
"A movie at the theater." Elíl explained through bursts of laughter. "We'll go see it, and Lir is fangirling." She snickered as Lir smacked her.
"If they had a movie on the Silmarillion..." Lir left it hanging as Elíl and I looked decidedly ill.
"Let's not go there." I croaked, and noticed that Dan and Ro were sniggering. "You know, no wonder they left Elladan and Elrohir and Glorfindel out of LotR. I used to be mad, but now I see the sense in it." I said gravely, and the twins stopped laughing. Glorfindel merely smiled amusedly, guessing what I was about to say.
"Why?" Elladan asked.
I shot them a grin through the rearview mirror. "Because the three of you would capture so much attention there'd be nothing else left worth seeing. I mean, how many fans do Thrandy and Leggy have? If they have that many from the movies, imagine how many the three of you would have?" I pointed out, and Dan and Ro immediately began groaning as Lir and Elíl collapsed laughing. Everyone else decided we were insane and gave up following our conversation.
I grinned. "I know, I the voice of reason." I said, and Ivrinel giggled.
"That reminded me of a webpage I saw recently and was laughing my head off." She giggled.
"Don't tell me. Incorrecttolkienquotes on tumblr." I jumped in, and she collapsed laughing.
"Exactly-" she choked, and I grinned maniacally.
"What did it say?" Mairon looked interested.
"Okay... So what does Naneth say when introducing my dear brothers?" I asked, and Ivrinel nearly fell off her seat.
"Oh?" Nerdanel sounded amused.
"These are my children. Their names are The Hot One, Good Harpist, Morning Person, Blushes A Lot, Dad Jr., Damned, and Last One." I choked, and an uproar rose in the car. Some of them like Tyelko and Nelyo were roaring with laughter, while Moryo and Káno were loudly protesting. Glorfindel and Ecthelion were shaking with suppressed laughter, while Mairon and Beleg and Maeglin were thoroughly enjoying the scene.
By then we had arrived home, and everyone tumbled out of the car in various stages of arguing or laughing hysterically.
Of course, once inside and gathered because of the racket, everyone else demanded to know what was so funny. Elíl blurted the good news which was received happily, and the idea of going to the movies was heartily approved by everyone. The wolves were told that they would have to stay home, which they took with good grace. Then we filed into the kitchen to help prepare dinner while Ivrinel replayed the conversation which was met with roars. The twins decided to laugh instead of argue, and then begged me for another.
"Alright then. What did Ata Fëanor say about the changing of the s to th sounds?" I asked, and everyone's eyebrows raised.
"Huh?" Káno asked.
I grinned at Ivrinel, who obliged. "In concluthion, I hope I've illuthtrated how thtupid you all thound when you thpeak in thuch a dithrethpectful fathion." She said soberly. There was another uproar as the Fëanoriáns decided that that one was worth falling to the floor over.
"Oh, oh, while we're Fëanorián bashing, what did Lúthien tell Celegorm at some point?" I asked gleefully. Tyelkormo glared at me, which I ignored.
"Oh, I've gotta hear this one." Moryo said with sadistic glee.
"Oh, sure! Nothing says romance like a gift of a kidnapped, injured woman!" I replied sarcastically. Moryo leaned back in his chair and clutched his stomach. The rest just rolled their eyes.
"What did Arafinwë say to the Noldor after the darkening?" Ivrinel asked, whipping up a bowl of batter.
"What, something along the lines of 'my half brother's an idiot let's ignore him?'" Nerdanel snorted, and the rest chuckled.
"No, but close. Okay, I know this looks, like, horribly catastrophically terrible, but if we all calmed down and dealt with things in a rational manner, I'm sure we could pull together and get through the - FËANÁRO YOU IDIOT THAT ISN'T WHAT I MEANT." Ivrinel yelled, and this time everyone decided to stop what they were doing, tears streaming down cheeks as people laughed. Nerdanel sighed and wiped her eyes.
"Very straight." She said, and everyone went into another fit.
"Okay okay, what about Elu Thingol to all and sundry Noldor guests?" Ivrinel gasped, and they calmed down.
"What, get out of my house before I kill you? Don't try to court my daughter else I send you to your doom first?" Tyelko asked dryly.
"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the Angband out of here." Ivrinel snapped back, and everyone grinned.
"Sounds like him. Reminds me of the letter he sent me when I asked for help. He basically wrote back and said in polite terms 'Yeah, you killed some of my kin so I'll just step back and stay here in my undefeated house so good luck to you and adios amigos!'" Nelyo snorted, and everyone screamed in laughter.
"Oh I've got a good one. What did Beren say to Finrod when they were in the pits of Tol-in-Gaurth?" I asked with a grin.
"What, 'this looks dangerous so yeah why don't you do something and help!'?" Lir asked.
"Close. You just started talking about how if the wolves come back you're going to bite them to death and you're telling me to be careful?" I gave them an incredulous look and they almost died laughing.
"I wonder how he would take that one." Glorfindel mused.
"Probably he'd stare at me before laughing to the point of tears." I replied dryly, and Elíl snickered in agreement.
"Twelve little elves chained up in the dark, twelve little elves chained uuuuuuup! Send out a hound! Take one down! Eleven little elves chained up in the daaaark!" Mairon shrieked, and Ivrinel and Elíl and Lir and I fell to the floor. Everyone else shook their heads at our insane laughter, with much eye-rolling.
"What's that one Sindarin proverb, Amroth?" I asked, and Amroth gave me an amused look as he chopped vegetables for a salad.
"What, let sleeping Túrin's lie?" He asked wryly, and I gave him a thumbs-up as the rest snorted.
"You know, I honestly wonder what Elwing was thinking when she decided to leave Elrond and Elros." Elíl said thoughtfully, tossing the salad. "I mean, what'd she do, stand on the cliff and think to herself 'So, I'm just gonna jump off a cliff with my Silmaril and leave my sons to the kin-slayers. Sounds like a plan!'?"
Nelyo and Káno and the Ronaldson twins groaned loudly as the rest howled.
"That reminds me, how do you think Elrond felt about his unusual family? 'You think your family's weird? My mother's a bird. My father's a star. MY DAUGHTER IS MARRYING MY FOSTER SON.'" Lir said dramatically, and Elladan and Elrohir rolled their eyes.
"Basically what he said in more voluptuous grammatical order of fitting proportions." Elrohir dead panned as Glorfindel laughed in agreement.
"And what did Atar say to Melkor when he corrected him during the Great Music?" A new voice asked, and we all turned to see a tall man dressed in a white trench coat over a blue turtleneck and a pair of washed blue jeans. His eyes were the most vibrant blue ringed with gold, and his hair was ash blonde. He smiled easily, and I bowed.
"Hello uncle Manny!" I said cheerily, turning to the sink. "Would you join us for dinner?"
The rest openly gaped at me, and Manwë threw back his head and laughed, causing the ones who hadn't before seen the Elder King to sink into chairs, white-faced.
"No, my dear niece, I have no time I'm afraid. I merely dropped by because I was passing this way and happened to hear your laughter." He chuckled. "So, have you an answer for me?" He asked, eyes twinkling as he winked.
"No idea." Glorfindel sniffed, and Manwë chuckled.
"What are you, tone deaf?" And then he faded away into the fabric of space as Elíl and Lir and I laughed maniacally. The rest decided that they didn't want to think about what had just happened and instead sat down to eat, while Glorfindel and my brothers teased me about the name I had given Manwë Súlimo, Elder King of Arda.
"What? I mean, it only makes sense!" I wailed, and they decided to laugh at my expense and ply me for names for the others.
...
I squirmed in my seat in the theater, almost unable to keep in my excitement as Glorfindel chuckled and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. I quit squirming and leaned into him, sharing popcorn. Everyone else was whispering quietly, while Dan and Ro just looked resigned. The place was packed, and I was glad for the darkness that helped to cover us a bit. We still got stunned looks nonetheless though.
When the movie started rolling the elves hushed and leaned back to watch. It was just the first movie, and we had agreed to come the next two nights as well to see the other two. I giggled throughout the movie, exchanging hilarious ósanwë comments with Elíl and Lir over certain parts. The first time Elrond came into the scene I yelled through ósanwë 'lord of the eyebrows!' Making them laugh hysterically.
When Legolas came on, I groaned out loud as the girls in the theater shrieked. Lir and Elíl screamed happily out loud when Gandalf came on, including the elves who knew him and most of the audience. But when the Nazgûl came on, I let out a yelp of 'Khamûl!' Causing the elves to look at me oddly as I giggled.
When the council commenced, there were clear stirs among the elves. And then when Sauron came on, it was all I could do not to laugh hysterically as Mairon in the seat next to me glomped onto me and crawled into my lap as though in terror. Elíl and Lir were gasping, and the elves looked amused.
There were ear-piercing whistles as Aragorn came on scene as well, and Dan and Ro chuckled.
By the time the movie was over and the people were filing out, I was laughing with Elíl and Lir over the whole thing and asking for opinions. There were mixed reactions, with elves butting in on incorrect scenes and a general hubbub. Then suddenly there was a pause as we heard a group of girls giggling in a hallway.
"Did you see Legolas? Like, the whole reason I came here." One of them gushed.
"Forget him, didn't you notice the guys in the row above us. Oh gosh." Another groaned, and the third sighed dreamily.
"Absolutely delicious." Was the agreement, and Elíl and Lir and I burst into screams of laughter as we hustled decidedly green Elves out of the theater into the car.
It was hours before we let up on the teasing of that one.
...
When I woke up the next morning, it was to hear Elíl calling for backup through ósanwë. I hurriedly stumbled out of bed, dragging on a robe as I rushed out the door to the downstairs kitchen sink. I found poor Lir bent over it in a state of misery as Elíl rubbed her lower back gently, holding her hair away from her sweating face. I took one look and rushed to the fridge, pulling out a pitcher of water and grabbing a piece of bread from the counter.
"No, no bread." Lir groaned, and I shook my head as she drank the water gratefully.
"Eat it." I said firmly, and thrust it under her nose. She looked terrified for a moment, but after flinching towards the sink as though expecting to retch, she reached out and took it, slowly taking a nibble. After another moment the bread was gone and she looked down guiltily at the crumbs that littered the floor.
"It's fine, Lir. Sit down a minute while we clean up." Elíl murmured gently, helping her to sit down as I swept up the crumbs and thoroughly washed out the sink.
"Sorry sisters. I think I may have caught a cold from staying in this form." Lir said with a sigh, and I shook my head.
"It's fine, Lir. It's to be expected, really. I wouldn't be surprised if Elíl and I became sick too. The elves can't, but I would think that we might. Occupational hazard." I said, and she sighed.
"Well as long as my throat doesn't feel uncomfortable and my nose stays clear I'll work at the café." She replied, and Elíl and I nodded.
"That's fine, we can always make sure that everything is clean before serving." Elíl smiled, and she gave us grateful looks.
"I feel better now. I sure hope it was just this morning." She replied, and we agreed before deciding to make breakfast while we were in the kitchen.
"It's five, so everyone should be almost ready to come down now." Elíl noted, and I nodded as I toasted bread and Lir cut fruit.
Soon everyone was coming into the kitchen with yawns and stretching, sitting down to grab a plate and eat. I would take classes before going straight to the café and taking my shift. After breakfast everyone began scattering for work, and I whisked Mairon into his room to dress him for the café. I had asked Roy for permission to take Mairon with me to school, and he had readily agreed, stating that normally he wouldn't but knowing Mairon it would be alright.
"Here Mairon, your uniform." I chirped, and he allowed me to dress him in it. I nearly squealed, but as it was I grabbed him in a squeeze as he shrieked.
"Don't ruin my outfit!" He wailed as I laughed. The outfits for the ellyn were simple but distinctive. They wore long-sleeved red tunics embroidered with a white star of Fëanor in the center, with black, sleek trousers. Their hair would be tied up into a low ponytail, and all of them would also have black shoes. Mairon was dressed in a small version, with the red tunic and black slacks, but he had on a pair of boots with his hair in a low ponytail with a black ribbon tied into a bow. I would change at the café.
When I took him out, everyone immediately complimented a beaming Mairon. Elíl nearly squealed and Lir squeaked. So with Mairon on my hip I climbed into the car with my backpack as we left for school.
Elladan and Elrohir and I walked in the front door chatting as Mairon walked alongside holding my hand. I nearly smirked as students stared at Mairon with eyes wide. Some of the female students actually clutched at their hearts with titters. Mairon blithely ignored it all, and I walked into etiquette class nonchalantly as everyone gaped.
Plopping down in a chair next to Zach who was also in this class, I set Mairon in my lap and chewed thoughtfully on a pencil as he happily set my books out for me. Zach stuttered a greeting, and I turned to him with a grin.
"Heyyyy Zach!" I said cheerfully. "This is my little brother Annatar Fair who's joining us today by permission of President Roy." I rattled on. "Little brother, this is Zach McScott, my best friend here at school." I said, and Mairon grinned at a blushing Zach as the room tittered.
"Hello Zach. Nice to finally see you- maybe now Celine will stop blathering on about you." Annatar gave me wicked look as I feigned offense.
"Aww, but Annatar now you see how true my blabbering is! Isn't Zach just the cutest thing like you?" I asked petulantly, and both Zach and Mairon spluttered indignantly as the room burst into roars just as Elladan came in grinning widely at me.
"Alright class. Zach, Annatar, I'll save you from having to answer that unfair question." Elladan said dryly as the room settled down from the laughter. "Now that I see we have been sufficiently introduced, let's open our textbooks to page sixteen."
The class groaned, and an hour commenced peacefully.
The next class was wood lore of course, where I produced generally the same effect before heading off to lunch with Zach. "So Zach, are you planning to take any other courses?" I asked, biting into a sandwich after making sure Mairon was settled.
"I'm not s-sure. I'd like to t-t-take the f-fencing class-ses." He shrugged. I hummed.
"You know, I think my sister could really help you with your stuttering." I said thoughtfully. "It sounds cute, but I doubt you feel that way. She could probably help if you'd like her to try." I offered, and he looked taken aback.
"She'd d-do that?" He asked. "I w-went to d-d-doctors before and they n-never could he-help." He stammered, and I grinned.
"Well my sister says doctors these days are all 'posh and hooey' and that she'd 'like to see them beat her at the game.' Personally I'd have to agree, because she's pretty good in her field." I replied, and he looked nervous.
"But I d-don't know how much s-she'd a-ask-"
"Nothing. Trust me, she's ask you for nothing. It's not an active profession for her right now; she works as an accountant here in town." I shook my head, and he looked relieved.
"Thanks. I-I'd like th-that." He said, and I nodded.
"Not a problem. Well, time for me to go to martial arts. If you'd like to stop by the café later I'd be glad to introduce you to her. She'll stay a while after her shift. They'll be a drink of your choice on the house." I winked, throwing my tray into the trash bin and hefting Mairon into my hip as he sucked happily on the juice box that Grace had given him on sight: and I quote "for the precious little thing."
He waved as we disappeared around the hall and Mairon waved back. "He is nice. I like him." My little brother declared, and I chuckled.
"I should hope so. Well, are you going to give me a match little brother?" I asked, and he grinned.
"Wouldn't miss a golden opportunity onónë!" He answered, and I rolled my eyes.
"Don't forget to pummel me good." I teased as we walked in, and he giggled.
"Hello everyone and welcome!" I called as the students gathered in. "Today we have a special guest, my little brother Annatar Fair. Before you ask, yes, this is Mairon, formerly known as Sauron." I said, and jaws dropped. "And no, he's not a murderous, bling-enamored eye." I added dryly as Mairon giggled again.
"But what about my precious sister?" He asked, and I rolled my eyes.
"I take that back, he's a sister-enamored little ball of fun." I said, setting him down and ruffling his hair as he squalled in protest which I ignored. There was strained laughter as Dan walked in.
"Oh, looks like you're already here. Are you two going at it first?" He asked me, and Mairon nodded.
"Uh huh!" He said, and tension in the room noticeably decreased.
"Okay then, just make sure not to ruin your outfit. I didn't dress you up for a good half hour this morning just to see you utterly ruin my work." I shook a finger at him.
"Yes nana, whatever you say nana." Mairon replied with a sniff as Dan rolled his eyes.
"Go it." He scolded, and Mairon leaped.
"Ahhhhhh!" He yelled in glee as I staggered backwards with a yell at the body-slam.
"Tell me there aren't any stairs behind me!" I shrieked, and then hit the mat rolling. I barely missed his next pounce before booking it across the mat as fast as I could with Mairon barreling after me screaming in delight at the game of tag. The students were roaring with laughter as I did everything to avoid Mairon, going so far as to take a flying leap off the wall and tuck into a roll as I hit the mat.
Finally though Mairon crashed into me, sending me down to the floor as I laughed, admitting defeat. The classes went rather well after that, and I had a good time indeed.
Now, time to head for the café.