"Hey Zach! How're you?" I asked, plopping myself next to him in etiquette class.
"J-just fine. I t-think I'm doing a little bet-etter with my stutter." He replied, and I nodded.
"Sounds like it! That's great! I assume Lark gave you some advice?" I asked interestedly, tapping my pencil against my notebook, and he nodded.
"Y-yeah. She said that I n-need to try to chant t-things because I don't stutter while s-singing." He said, and I grinned.
"That's great! So you're supposed to meet her today too?" I asked, and he nodded shyly.
"Y-yeah, at the café." He said. Then there was no more time to talk, because it was time for class to start.
There was no fencing class that day, so I got off early and was heading out the door to go for my shift at the café when a young man walked up to me.
"Excuse me." He said politely, and I paused.
"Hello." I answered with an easy smile.
"My name is Ben Cedric, and I was just noticing your- um- name tag. Do you happen to work at the new café in town?" He asked, and I smiled, nodding.
"Pleasure to meet you, Ben. Yes, I am the founder and one of the workers of the café." I answered.
"Oh, that's a relief. I was actually wondering if I could come over later and speak with you? After my classes? Would that be alright?" He asked, giving me a curious look.
I shifted my bag. "That would be just fine, Ben. My shift gets off at four this afternoon, so anytime between now and then will be fine." I answered, my curiosity peaked by the interesting request. He nodded.
"Thanks. I'll be there sometime around two then." He said, waving and walking away.
I hit the door and pushed it open, moving out into the cold with a faint sigh. I was realizing how much responsibility came with being an adult, and even though I was a Maia, that even worsened it because of the duties I had to my master. Not that I regretted it, but it was a rather large and daunting task.
When I finally made it to the café, it was to see that it was packed again. I went into the locker room to change and went back out with my hair up and skirts down. When I got to the main desk, I was faintly surprised to see Elíl still there. She gave me a slight grin.
"I'm getting off my shift now, I'm running late." She said, and I nodded.
"How's Lir?" I grabbed her arm, and she nodded.
"Had another sick spell this morning, but she's fine now like it never happened. I honestly can't figure out what would make her do this." She answered, and I shrugged.
"I'm sure we'll manage just fine as long as she stays healthy." I remarked, and she nodded.
"I'll be back at two to meet Zach." She said, and throwing off her apron, headed for the locker rooms. Moryo was already there, and I gave him a wave as I went to my first table. Although being a waitress was somewhat tiring, it was still a fun job because of all the questions and comments I got as an elleth. Glorfindel and Maeglin came in soon after, and I stopped in front of the wolf pen to say hello to the children and Mairon, along with the wolves of course.
Esgal leaped into my lap as I cuddled him and he yapped. "Aww, you cute wittle thing, you're happy to see me, aren't you my wittle wolfie?" I cooed as he panted happily. Mairon gave me a sloppy kiss as I grinned back and squeezed him before going back to work. After washing my hands, of course.
I made my way to a booth with a couple seated at it. The male looked up at me with a smile, and my heart leaped into my throat. His face was pale and fair, while his eyes were the color of wet slate and his hair was very dark. He wore a hat with the emblem of a skull and crossbones, and he also wore a black duster with a deep purple turtle neck and deep blue jeans. I swallowed heavily as the woman also smiled, deep violet eyes framed inside a fair face and dark ringlets falling over her forehead and shoulders. She was also dressed in a lavender-colored shirt and black tights. I bowed.
"My lord, my lady." I managed, and he chuckled.
"My name is Nate. It is good to see you as well, dear one. Why don't you bring us all a drink and sit with us for a while?" Námo asked, and I nodded.
"Of course- sir Nate. What drink would you like?" I answered, feeling both overjoyed and yet faint from their presence, not to mention bewildered at the name. Vairë smiled.
"The Weaver's Wonder, of course." She answered, a twinkle in her eye, and I smiled wryly.
"Blame Lir for that one." I said, and she laughed lightly, her voice like bells.
"I'll have whatever you recommend." Námo said off-handedly, and I just had to roll my eyes as I scurried off.
"Cover for me." I said hurriedly. "Got some eminent guests." Moryo didn't question what I meant and just nodded, grabbing a tray and making the drinks while I took another order. I came back to get the finished drinks and went back to the table, where Námo and Vairë were obviously talking.
I set them down and slid into the booth next to Námo, placing the tray on the table as well. Vairë took her pale purple drink and Námo looked down into his muddy brown one.
"And this one is called?" He asked as I took a slow sip. I nearly choked, bending over to cough as Vairë giggled and tears rose to my eyes. Námo hummed and patted my back gently.
"Námo's Nightmare." I coughed, my face flushed as he raised an eyebrow and Vairë went into a spasm of laughter. "Couldn't help it." I rasped, taking another steadying sip. "And yes, master, it's a compliment." I said, taking a long pull from the tall cup. He gave me a sardonic look as I hid my devious smile in my straw. Then he took a large drink. His eyes widened, and I couldn't help it, stuffing my face into my napkin as Vairë leaned back with helpless laughter as Námo swallowed convulsively.
"That is- strong." He managed as I burst into a paroxysm of laughter.
"Revenge!" I choked gleefully, and Námo gave me a withering look. I remained stubbornly un-withered, however, and he sighed.
"Nevertheless- Vairë, stop laughing dear- I came here to ask- oh for the love of Atar, stop laughing." Námo said in irritation as Vairë and I struggled to calm down.
"I wish I'd had a camera, dear." Vairë giggled, and that sent me off again.
"I would've put it on my bedroom wall! Or even better, in the family album!" I gasped, and Vairë veritably shrieked with laughter as Námo groaned. He probably would have done a face plant into the table if he weren't afraid of ruining his reputation.
"Would you pay attention?" He asked with a scathing glare, and I swallowed my laughter.
"I'm a-all ears, A-Atto." I managed, and he took a ginger sip of the drink.
"Right." He went on, ignoring Vairë's giggling. "Now, tell me what has happened so far." He folded his hands, and I took a deep breath to gather myself.
By the time I finished my report, he was nodding and Vairë was happily sipping away at her drink. "That is good. I knew about Zach, of course, and I am glad to see-" then he stirred himself. "Well, that is good." He smiled faintly at me.
"Now, I am pleased with you, yeldë. Here. I was told to give this to you." He said, and I raised an eyebrow before taking the paper and nodding.
"Of course, thank you Atto." I replied, tucking it into my pocket.
He bent to kiss my forehead. "Better get back to it." He winked, and I smiled, standing to bow and take the empty cups back to the desk. By the time I went to clean the table, it was empty with nothing but a few bills on it. I smiled amusedly and took it, handing it to Moryo and going to take another order.
Two o clock passed and Zach and Elíl appeared, taking a seat. I dropped off two drinks and left them to it after a quick greeting.
By the time two thirty rolled around, Ben came in and I asked Moryo to fill in for me again as I went to greet him. "Mae Govannen, Ben. What can I get you?" I asked with a smile, and he looked up from his menu with an uncertain smile.
"Hello Miss. I'd like to try the Balrog Slayer, if you don't mind." He said, and I smiled.
"Good choice. Please, just call me Celine. I'll be right back." I said, and went to get the drink. I stopped by the wolf pen to drop off a child on the way, and took the drink back a few moments later, sitting in the opposite chair.
"Here you go. Now, you wished to speak with me?" I asked, and he took the drink.
"Thank you. Yes, I did." He took a sip of the drink and looked into it with surprise. "This is really good." He said.
"Thank you." I laughed, and he grinned sheepishly. "Actually, I wanted to ask for help. I asked president Roy if I could join the Ohtar en Oionaaru, and after a few days was accepted. Then he gave me this to study. He said it was a history manual. I don't get it. Isn't it just a book?" He slid me a copy of the Silmarillion, and I took it with a faint smile.
"Ah. That's a very good question. This is my answer to you- are you familiar with the Lord of the Rings?" I asked. He nodded.
"I'm familiar with the Silmarillion too." He answered.
"Then you will remember Tolkien said he wrote this as a possible history for England." I said simply, and he frowned even as he nodded.
"But it's just a fantasy. I mean, there are no such things as elves or dwarves or hobbits." He said, and I discreetly used my Maia skills to project a discreet sound barrier all around us so that people would hear us talking about something else.
"Well, where do the stories of them come from, then? Doesn't every legend have a grain of truth from whence it sprang to life? I think Shakespeare said it best. There are more things in heaven and earth than is dreamt of in your philosophy." I answered, handing him back the book.
"Are you saying that it's real?" He asked skeptically, looking down at his book.
"No. I never said that. What I said is that there is always room for something more. It all depends on your point of view. What do you think? Do you believe there's a chance that such beings existed? Is it possible there are such creatures or beings that exist today? Perhaps even descendants of them?" I replied calmly.
"Then why don't we see them?" He scoffed.
"Why did you come to me?" I countered. He stared at me. "Why me? Why not Roy or Dan? Why not any of the other students?" I pointed out.
"Because- because Roy seemed to- I don't know, look up to you or something." Ben struggled to explain. "And you seemed like the best person..." He frowned.
"Or maybe it's because on a deeper level you sensed something different about me." I said gently. "Maybe it's because deep within, you never lost that childhood hope that fairies and Santa and elves existed. Maybe it's because you are being faced with something that you don't understand, and it frightens you. You are searching for reassurance of what's tangible in this world, the proof of the cold hard facts that you've grown up learning. And you came to me because you sensed that I wouldn't give you that." I said softly, and his face grew more and more pale as I went on.
"You are on a cusp, Ben Cedric, and there's no going back once you fall over. It's your choice which way you go now- forward or back. You can be safe, but that's your choice and yours alone." After a moment, I stood. "Well, I'll go get you a refill and come back, shall I?" I asked kindly, and took his glass as he nodded absently, eyes vacant.
Moryo gave me a questioning look as I asked him for a refill and a frumenty with king's bread. "New recruit?" He queried mildly, and I nodded.
"Seems like it." Was my noncommittal answer, and he nodded before handing me the drink. I took an order while waiting for the frumenty, and came back to find Glorfindel at the desk. He gave a questioning look, obviously having heard from Moryo, and I nodded.
"Good luck." Glorfindel said with a smile, and kissed my cheek as I returned the smile.
"Thanks Glorfi." I replied, turning back to the table and gathering it up onto the tray.
I returned to Matt to see him holding the book in his hands and staring at it blankly. He looked up at me as I sat down, ignoring the drink in front of him.
"I don't know." His voice was hollow, and there were dark rings under his eyes. "Before I came here, I kept having dreams of skiing on the steep slope of a mountain. And when I came here, I saw the exact same mountain here in Wiseman, the one named Red Peak." He put his face in his hands as I listened. "And as I was skiing, there was a sudden Avalanche that buried me in it. But the Avalanche- it was caused by..." He seemed to be struggling for words, and I sat there quietly, waiting patiently.
"It was caused by a being." He rasped. "A guy with black hair and red eyes, huge and frightening..." He looked haunted, and I reached over.
"Drink." I said firmly, and he automatically complied at the quiet authority in my tone, his face slowly regaining a bit of color and life.
"But I was saved by a woman, one with brown hair streaked with red, and tired, hazel eyes. She was... Beautiful, but also she looked so, so tired. There was hand on her stomach, and she reached out to me with her other hand. It was like... She was supposed to be my mother or relative." He said hoarsely. My gaze sharpened.
"Your mother or relative?" I asked keenly, and he nodded, shakily taking a drink. I leaned back, my mind whirling.
The description was undoubtedly Lir. So she was meant to look over Ben, who I now knew to be a throwback. But if he felt related to her- how could that be? My mind leaped to his name, and I suddenly pulled out my phone.
"I want to know."
I looked up to see Ben looking at me with a pale but determined face. "I will believe."
I smiled faintly, looking at him with an approving look. "That is good, Ben. Welcome to a new world." I said softly, and turned my head so he could see my ears. He gasped faintly, and I turned back to face him.
"So- they're... Real?" He asked faintly. I nodded.
"As real as yours. And my name is Míleth." I said simply. I glanced down at my phone.
Benjamin Cedric- Benjamin: Hebrew origin for 'son of the right hand.' Cedric: Celtic origin for 'chief.'
I swallowed and saved it, then reached out my hand, as he took it with a firm grip. "And they-?" He asked uncertainly, and I winked, standing.
"Why don't you take a peek at their real names on their nametags, child?" I asked, then picked up my tray. "And eat that before it gets cold." I fussed before walking away calmly, leaving him looking down in surprise at the mysteriously still-hot frumenty and bread.
My shift finished without any other mishaps, and I went to the locker room to meet Lir. She gave me a strained smile and I frowned, taking her by the arms.
"What is wrong?" I asked anxiously, and she shook her head.
"I'm fine, I promise, just tired and hungry." She sighed. "My lower back hurts, though."
I shook my head and took her arm. "Nope, that's it. I'm taking your shift today. Don't say a word, I'm officially concerned about you now. Plus, I have to tell you something." I said, leading her back out and helping her sit in a corner booth.
She sighed reluctantly. "Are you sure? I can still do this-"
"Not a word." I said sternly. "Now, tell me everything you're feeling." I gave her a sharp look and she gave in.
"Well, I've been feeling really bloated recently, my lower back hurts, I've been sick every morning, and I've been having a salt craving recently, not to mention really weird mood swings, plus some foods that never bothered me before really turns me off or the smell makes me feel nauseated." She said, wrinkling her nose, and I frowned. All of that sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn't remember why...
"I'll check on that later, okay? I'll talk it over with Elíl and see what sort of medication to give you." I said, and she nodded, absently rubbing her stomach. That seemed familiar too, but I still couldn't put my finger on it.
"Anyways, today a student named Ben Cedric was added to the Army of Light that's being formed." I said, and told her about Ben. She frowned and nodded slowly.
"Sounds like I'm supposed to look over him. But why did he feel related to me? Because I'm supposed to look over him? And why did I seem tired?" She frowned.
"I thought that too, and when I looked up his name..." I handed my phone to her, and her eyes widened.
"Aragorn." She breathed. "Son of Beren OneHanded, who lost his right hand- chief of the Dúnedain." She handed me back the phone. "My great-grandson by adoption. That explains it." She noted.
"I'd say so too." I shook my head. "His dream makes sense. Obviously he saw Morgoth. Looks like lord Irmo is doing his work again with dreams and visions." I murmured thoughtfully. Then I heaved myself up. "You stay here and rest while I take this shift, Okay?" I said, and she thanked me.
"I'm sorry you have to shoulder this for me." She said regretfully, and I scoffed.
"Your health is more important than a few extra hours of work." I replied, and kissing her cheek went to the counter.
"Míleth?" Káno asked in surprise as I picked up a tray.
"Hi Káno! Hey yonya." I kissed Beleg who smiled shyly and hugged me back. "I'm taking Lir's shift today. I think she caught a small virus or something." I said, and hurried to assuage the fear rising in Káno's eyes. "I'm sure it's not serious, Káno. She should be just fine. Elíl and I will check her tonight."
He nodded in relief and thanked me softly, his blueish-grey hair falling in wavy strands around his face. I nodded sympathetically and went to the door where Glorfindel and Maeglin were.
"Sorry guys, I'll have to take Lir's shift. She's not feeling well. I'm sure Roy and Dan could take you." I apologized, and they frowned.
"Will she b-be alright, m-muinthel?" Maeglin asked, tugging on my sleeve, and I bent to kiss his cheek gently.
"I'm sure she will, hanno." I answered, and he nodded, mollified. Glorfindel drew me into a swift kiss.
"Are you sure she will be well?" He asked, and I sighed.
"I think so, but I can't be sure until Elíl and I check her tonight." I answered, and he nodded.
"We'll take a taxi home. Be safe." He said, and I nodded as they left.
I could only hope that Lir would be alright.
...
When we finally arrived at home, things were not so well. There was chaos everywhere, the Peredhil twins were arguing, Tyelko and Moryo were trying to separate them without much success, Nerdanel was looking put out, and Elíl was trying to get everyone's attention to no avail, while the rest of them were looking bewildered.
Lir immediately tried to help, and I frowned as it didn't get any better. Glorfindel and Amroth looked rather upset as well. Then Elíl threw up her hands and turned to me, while I sighed. I hated to use the wrath of Mandos on anyone, but this time it couldn't be helped.
"Daro, a pústa." My voice was not raised, but the sheer amount of power in it made everyone suddenly pale and look to me as everything went silent and the temperature in the room dropped by a few degrees. Those who were under my care in Mandos actually whimpered and cringed away from me. "Will you kindly explain what is going on?" I asked icily, turning to the twins with the light of Mandos in my eyes.
"Sorry." Elladan whispered, like a miscreant elfling. "Elrohir and I were arguing about the school."
I stared at them in silence for a moment. "I trust you know how to sort this out and you do not need me to mediate between you like you are some wet behind the ears young elflings?" I asked quietly, and then shook their heads, looking ashamed. "Good. Take it into the library and don't come down before it's resolved." I finished, and they went up.
There was a dead silence, and then I turned to Lir, taking her arm. "Elflings." I snorted. "Come on, Lir. Let Elíl and I take a look at you after dinner." I said in a normal tone, and she nodded calmly as the rest visibly wilted in relief as we exited the living room.
Once in the kitchen, I saw that dinner was already set out and helped Lir sit while I brought out the drinks. Everyone slowly filed into the dining room, and normal conversation started among them. Several of them looked nonchalant while the others looked visibly shaken, including my parents.
"Well, let's eat." Nerdanel said warmly, and Mairon and I cheered, making everyone laugh. At length the twins came down, and everyone welcomed them as though nothing had happened, easing their embarrassment.
Just as dessert was about to be brought out, the doorbell rang. For a moment everyone froze and stared at each other, shocked. No one had ever come to our house before, and it was disconcerting to hear it suddenly ring.
"I'll get it." Amroth gathered himself and calmly stood, walking towards the hallway. We remained frozen for no more than another second before shrugging and going back to our food.
The door opened, and there was a pause before we all heard a sudden shriek. A female shriek. We looked at each other, wide-eyed, just as there was a cry. "Amroth!"
My mouth suddenly popped open, and I leaped up, scrambling for the door. I peered around the corner of the hall to see Amroth and a beautiful woman- no, clearly elleth- locked in a passionate kiss. I grinned and slipped back, shooing everyone back towards the table with a jubilant grin.
"Who is it? And why do you look like the cat that got the mouse?" Moryo demanded, and I hushed him.
"It's Mrs. Wood." I giggled. "In other words, don't go out there unless you want to barge in on a fond reuniting." I sang gleefully, and Roy and Dan and Ivrinel gaped while the rest looked confused.
"You mean Nimrodel?" Elladan asked in a strained tone, and I nodded happily. The rest gasped as Elíl and Lir squealed happily.
"Oh this is wonderful!" Ivrinel exclaimed. "Amroth would pine after her sometimes." She said with tears in her eyes, and everyone chatted happily while eating dessert.
Soon Amroth came in with a flushed, dark-haired, deep blue eyed elleth. "Family, this is Nimrodel, my wife." He said jubilantly, and there was an immediate scramble to welcome the newest member of the family.
...
Elíl, Lir, and I stayed home from the movie along with Amroth and Nimrodel who had some catching up to do. There were a lot of knowing grins at that, while the two ignored it blissfully.
Elíl and I took Lir into the empty nursery that had been turned into a music room with a piano and a few music stands and various instruments scattered about, making her sit on a couch.
"Give me all your symptoms." Elíl demanded, and Lir told her all of the ones she had told me. Then she hesitated.
"And- it's embarrassing to admit, but my chest also kinda hurts and feels heavy." She admitted slowly. That made the lightbulb go off in my head, and they looked at me at my sharp intake of breath.
"How long has it been since you've felt this?" I asked.
"Umm, I've been feeling bloated and tender since maybe two weeks ago." She replied confusedly, and I leaned back in my chair, speechless and dizzy.
"What?" Lir sounded scared. Elíl shook me.
"Tell us!" She all but shrieked.
"Lady Nienna, is it true?" I asked dazedly, and there was a sudden light as the Valië appeared in the room beside Lir, a sympathetic look on her face.
"Eru has allowed it, child." Was her gentle answer.
"Snap. How is Káno going to take this?" I asked weakly.
"Take what!?" Lir wailed as Elíl got it, turning pale and slumping into a chair as well.
"Calm down, dear." Nienna said softly, hugging Lir gently. "You are with child, Lir."