Well, how I managed to squeak this out in only two days, and two extremely busy days, I'll never know, but I managed it. Somehow. *melts into puddle* I barely went over to check it for typos or errors, so if you see any please forgive me but I'm admittedly tired and a bit too lazy to do it.

But at any rate, I hope the next update will be next week, and in the meantime, please

Read!

Enjoy!

Review!

Chapter 19

I woke up to feel a pair of slightly cool arms wrapped around me, and looked up blearily to see Atto looking down at me with a warm smile. "Did you sleep well, yeldë?"

I nodded, yawning and absently snuggling into the Vala. "Yea Atto," I replied faintly, and he chuckled before letting go and sitting up.

"As much as you are warm, I'm afraid to admit that it's time to get up, Míleth," Námo said, getting out of bed as Vairë stirred behind me.

"Unfortunately so, dear," she agreed with a sleepy voice, and I sighed.

"Yes Atto," I groaned, then sat up, rubbing my eyes. "Don' wanna get up..." I sighed, stumbling out of the rather large bed and then promptly tripping over my own feet and landing on my stomach with a yell of mingled pain and shock.

"Snap!" I yelled, fully awake. I sat up with a grimace and rubbed my chest, banging myself on my head. "Stupid stupid stupid-" I mumbled, and Námo sighed before picking me up and setting me back on the bed.

"How does Glorfindel put up with you in the morning?" he grumbled, and I looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Atto, really? I mean, after all, it's me who puts up with him," I said dryly, and he chuckled wryly in defeat.

"Point taken," he winked, ruffling my hair. My face lit up as I grinned at him happily. "Be good, yeldë," he said, sweeping out the door. I watched him go wistfully, then rubbed at the sudden, aching pang in my chest.

"Are you alright, dear?" Vairë asked gently, drawing me into a hug as I looked up at her with a troubled look on my face.

"I don't know, Ammë. My chest suddenly hurts..." I replied, feeling a stab of pain.

Vairë sighed. "You know, Námo loves you very much, Míleth. Never has any of his Maia dared to act around him as you do. You truly treat him as your Atto while they only see him as their master and nothing more," she said. I looked at her with my eyes wide, just as a knife seemed to pierce into my very heart.

I let out a cry and bent over, clutching my neckline as I attempted to claw out my heart. Vairë caught me and held my wrists gently, murmuring into my ear. "Don't worry, dear, it's fine, just let it hurt. It'll go away," she said as I whimpered and tried desperately to escape. But soon the feeling dissipated, and I fell to the bed sweaty and panting.

Vairë leaned over me gently, rubbing my chest soothingly. "It's alright, dear," she comforted. Soon my tears abated, and I sat up gingerly.

"What happened?" I asked weakly. She hugged me gently.

"Your love for Námo as your Atto is very strong, dear one. Because of this, you are connected to him on a very deep emotional level. You felt what he does when a soul enters his halls. It is something that you did unconsciously, showing your level of connection and love for him. It does you credit, dear," she replied gently, and I curled into her, weeping.

"I love him, Ammë, I do," I whispered, shaking. "It hurts..."

"Shh dear. It'll be alright," she replied softly, and then brushed a hand across my brow. "You'll learn to shield yourself," she replied comfortingly, and I managed a jerky nod. "Love him, Míleth. He needs it."

Love him, Míleth. He needs it.

The words wouldn't stop ringing in my head. Even as I arrived home that evening to have everyone bombard me with questions as I laughed my head off, it still rang through my mind. It disturbed me on a very deep level, and I didn't understand it. Námo was loved, wasn't he? By his Maiar, by his brethren, by his wife, by Atar. The implications were disturbing.

I looked down at the soiled tabard in my hands, sighing as I grabbed the bleach from under the kitchen sink and put it in the sink. I rolled up my sleeves, getting ready to try to work a small miracle on that pitiful tabard.

"Nana?" Beleg wandered into the kitchen, and I hummed.

"Here yonya," I replied. "Do you need something?" I asked, looking back at him.

"No, not really. I was just bored so I wanted to find you," was his reply as he plopped down on a chair and stared at me.

"Oh? Where's Maeglin and the twins?" I asked curiously, vigorously trying to scrub a certain stain out of the tabard.

"Well... Upstairs... But I wanted to see you," he finally admitted. I shot him a smile and returned to my scrubbing.

"And I'd be glad to have you," was my reply. "I have to clean this out, but after that I'll go up with you, deal?" I asked.

"Okay!" A moment of silence. "Umm, what are you doing, Nana?"

I glanced at him as he came up behind me and peered over my shoulder. "Hmm? Oh, I'm trying to clean this tabard for Salmar..." I sighed.

"For who?" Glorfindel wandered in, peeking over my other shoulder.

"My friend, a Maia of Ulmo. He's always spilling his seaweed soup, and I promised to clean this for him because I owed him a favor," I sighed, giving it another scrub.

"Can't you just use your Maia skills?" he asked, pecking my cheek.

I gave him an amused smile. "It's a Maia tabard, Glorfy. Of course I can't- that would destroy it," I replied dryly. "And I'd rather not expend energy to make a new one out of nothing," I said, poking at the limp and wet tabard. He hummed and went out again, while Beleg watched my progress quietly.

I finally managed to clean it to an acceptable level, leaving only one very faint spot on it that was unnoticeable even to Elven eyes. With a weary sigh, I rolled my shoulders and hung it up to dry, turning to see Beleg frowning at me.

"Something wrong, yonya?" I asked, concerned, and he grabbed my hand before dragging me up to the second floor balcony in the living room where Maeglin and the twins were playing. Then he sat me down on a stool, bending down and beginning to rub my hands softly. I noticed that they were red and raw from the cleaning, and smiled at him thankfully.

"You work so hard Nana..." Beleg said softly, and I laughed gently.

"True. But I love my work, and it's worth it to see my family happy," I replied, and he smiled up at me.

"We love you too, Nana!" he exclaimed, and Maeglin and the twins turned to nod affirmation. Maeglin scrambled over to my side and took one of my hands, rubbing it gently as well.

"What d-did you do, m-muinthel?" he asked with a frown, and I grinned.

"Wash a filthy tabard," I replied amusedly, and his mouth opened in an 'o' as he blinked.

"Oh," he managed, and the twins clambered to welcome Lir just as she walked in, sitting down on the couch and rubbing the small of her back with a faint groan. I kissed Beleg and Maeglin's cheeks before standing and sitting next to Lir.

"You okay, sis?" I asked sympathetically, and she grinned at me ruefully.

"I love the idea of having children, but they sure take a lot out of you even at such an early stage," she replied dryly, and I laughed as I patted her hand.

"I can't agree or disagree, but I'll take your word for it," I replied with a grin, and then began to plan with her about converting the music room into a nursery.

"But then what about the piano and other instruments?" she asked with a frown, and I smiled.

"We'll put the piano in the living room so anyone can play whenever they want, and the little antechamber off the living room can be used to store the other instruments," I answered, and she nodded thoughtfully.

"That would work," she mused as I agreed.

I began to rub my own hands absently just as the main door opened and the rest of the household came in, calling greetings and scattering to their different floors to prepare for dinner. It was Maglor's turn to prepare dinner, and we were looking forwards to his frumenty and King's bread, as per usual. It was in great demand among the household.

Mairon came in later with wet hair, the wolves pattering after him and beginning to play with the twins as Drago and Saphira trailed after Mum, Dad, Uncle Jonathan, Aunt Carrie, and Naneth Nerdanel. I smiled up at them wearily in greeting just as Glorfindel and Ecthelion and Elíl came in as well. I moved to another small love seat to make room for Elíl to check on Lir, and Glorfindel sat next to me, beginning to take over rubbing my hands.

"What happened to your hands, dear?" Mom asked with a frown, and I laughed.

"Just bleach and strong soap, Mom," I replied, and she subsided, mollified by my explanation.

Pursing my lips, I furrowed my eyebrows. "What's our plans for tomorrow?" I asked Lir and Elíl, who also thought for a moment.

"I'll take over my shift tomorrow again, since I know I'm not sick or anything," Lir said slowly. "How am I supposed to meet Ben though? He doesn't even know of his heritage..."

"Oh he doesn't need to. I think we'll keep that under the table for now and have him meet you just whenever he will; in fact, why don't I invite him over to dinner tomorrow night on pretense of answering his questions?" I offered, and Lir nodded.

"That would work," she replied.

"You can work, just be careful Lir," Elíl warned. "Ben's dream concerns me because he emphasized on how tired you looked. I think that's a warning to take it easy," she cautioned, and Lir nodded calmly.

"I promise, Elíl," she smiled.

"As for me, I'll be meeting Zach tomorrow at the café for another session. Has he expressed any interest in joining the other classes?" Elíl turned to me, and I smiled faintly.

"The fencing class," I answered, and she nodded, unsurprised.

"As expected," she remarked cryptically.

"Then I'll just continue my schedule of going to school tomorrow morning and resuming my job at the café afterwards," I said. "I'll also drop by the archery classes to see Beleg teach," I said with a smile, and they nodded.

"You're the only one who hasn't found their ward yet," Elíl looked at me with a frown, and I smiled back in reply.

"Oh, I think I have - he just hasn't appeared here yet," I answered, and they just gave me a look to say that they would be talking with me later before turning to other topics.

That night, my dreams were filled with Námo and Alex.

...

The next morning, Roy and Dan drove Beleg and I to the school, with Dan leading Beleg to the archery grounds as Roy and I walked into his office for a few minutes.

"Zach applied for fencing classes," Roy said without preamble, and I nodded calmly.

"I expected. Did Dan say anything?" I asked, and Elrohir gave me a long look.

"He passed with a perfect score. That never happened before, not even with you," he said flatly.

Not at all offended, I hummed. "That actually doesn't surprise me. He is... surprisingly innocent," I said thoughtfully, and Roy sighed.

"I hate to think of how much that will have to be spoiled before the end," he said softly, and I have him a sharp glance.

"That is not for you to be concerned with. Such innocence cannot be retained in any long run in this life. Besides, I think we all know that he will be an invaluable asset in the gathering Army of Light," I said, and he looked stricken for a moment before nodding.

"True," he replied lowly, and I bowed curtly.

"I should get back to class, principal," I said without emotion, and he stared at me for a moment before nodding.

"Of course," he answered, but I could see that I had triggered some old hurt within him. I didn't regret it. It had festered too long now. Such a hurt needed to be cleansed.

I walked into the classroom, sitting in my normal seat and idly taking out my necessary utensils for the class. The tip of my pencil clicked absently on the desk as I thought deep and hard. How would I ever meet Alex anyway? I would not be joining the government as an agent, oh no way in Mordor. But as an active agent, how would he come here? He didn't even know where this was, but I trusted Eru and the Valar to do that much.

Just as a thought began to form in my mind, Zach threw me out of my thoughts by sitting down quietly next to me. I turned to him with an easy smile, showing none of my thoughts on my face. "Hey Zach!" I said cheerily, and he turned to give me his usual, awkwardly bashful smile.

"Hi Celine," he replied, and I grinned widely.

"You are definitely getting better," I said approvingly, and he laughed quietly.

"Thanks. I c-certainly hope s-so," he answered, and then slid me a piece of paper. "I got accepted into t-the fencing cl-classes yesterday," he said, and I picked up the acceptance paper with a delighted grin.

"Awesome! That means I'll get to see you there soon!" I beamed, and he grinned back.

"Yeah. I'm a-also looking forwards to s-seeing Mrs. Lark to-today," he said, and I nodded.

"She is too! She's really fond of you - I think you remind us all of my little brother Galen," I replied, but before he could answer the door opened and the teacher and rest of the students came in.

As the class commenced, I kept looking down at the piece of paper that had been slid into my desk by Elrohir. Dan wants to speak to you before you leave today.

I merely gave him a nod after class was over and headed for the woodland studies class. Gordon greeted me with a calm nod that I returned before beginning classes, and I couldn't help but fidget slightly, thinking about Zach. To think that he had passed with a perfect score... It had some sort of import but I couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was.

I finally made it to martial arts class, and once there I was approached by Ben who was there for the first time that day. "Hi Ben," I welcomed him with a smile.

He returned the greeting, then blurted, "I didn't know you were a Maia."

I raised an eyebrow. "You catch on fast," I replied with an amused smile, and he shook his head.

"Teacher Roy told me, and I didn't know you were a teacher either," he said wryly, and I laughed.

"There are many things you have yet to learn about the world, Ben," I replied with a wink, and he gave me a strained smile in reply. "I'm sure, though, that you have many questions that should be answered, and I wanted to invite you to dinner at my house tonight. You can meet my family, and there's also someone I think you should meet," I added, and he gave me a surprised look.

"O-oh. Thanks then, I'll accept. Mind if I drop by the café this afternoon to settle the time?" he asked, and I shook my head.

"Not a problem. Now, let's get started," I said, and clapped my hands to indicate that the class would start.

After an hour of coaching and teaching, I dismissed them with a smile, answering a few questions on the way out.

"Hey teacher, what time do you work at the café? I seem to have missed your shift," Mark grinned at me, and I laughed.

"I work the eleven to four shift," I replied amusedly, and he and Evelyn promised to be there sometime then.

"Hey Celine, I was wondering if you could use this," Justin jogged up, and handed me a flyer that listed sale days at Walmart. I nodded, pleased, and put it in my bag.

"Thanks Faelon, I could use it," I answered with a nod of thanks, using his Elvish name.

"Sure thing! See you later!" he waved and headed off while I went to fencing class. Zach wasn't to join until tomorrow, so all in all I just watched and once in a while challenged another student to help out Roy and Dan.

After that, I went out to the archery grounds. Beleg was standing by with his longbow, checking over bins of bows and arrows with a critical eye. Roy came out and called for attention to the twenty odd students that had gathered.

"I know I've been teaching you archery for the past weeks, but we've recently hired a new teacher who is far more experienced than I am and can train you better," he said, causing a slight stir that was quickly quelled. "Here is your teacher, Brian Cad DelaFiore," he said, and gave the floor over to Beleg, who bowed shortly and re-introduced himself softly.

I was amused to see some girls sending shy glances his way, and one look at Roy made me bite my lip to keep from bursting into laughter at the smirk he sent my way. I sat on the sidelines and watched as he patiently and expertly taught the other students how to shoot accurately. Many of them improved rapidly under his careful and meticulous guidance, and I nodded in satisfaction at his tutelage skills.

After class was over, I stood and stretched, absently noting that the students crowded around Beleg, peppering him with questions as he sweat dropped and laughed awkwardly, stammering answers. Now that he was out of his line of expertise, his reborn tendencies were returning full force. I had just gotten ready to head over to Roy when I heard Beleg call me.

"Naneth!" he called, and I immediately turned and walked his way.

"Yes, yonya?" I replied with a smile, earning the attention of the girls.

"Umm, they're asking about my family," he said awkwardly, and I laughed.

"Oh, so you come to me first?" I teased gently, and he blushed.

"Y-yeah. This is my adoptive mother," he told the class, who turned to look at me in clear shock.

"But you can't be more than twenty," a young man said in bewilderment.

"And you would be right! I am twenty and happily married to Loren DelaFiore. I adopted Brian here two years ago when he was sixteen. He was a friend of the family," I replied easily, squeezing Beleg's shoulder and kissing his temple. "Well if you will excuse me, President Dan is calling me," I said, and with a short bow, walked away and left a nervous Beleg behind to extricate himself from the buzzing crowd.

Elladan raised an eyebrow at me but merely quirked a smile, walking with me to his office. Elrohir followed soon after, and I sat down in a chair. "You requested an audience," I remarked emotionlessly, and he nodded.

"It's about Zach," he replied. "It's not that I don't trust him. But you already know that he passed with extraordinary results, and I want to know what that means," he not so subtly demanded, and it was my turn to raise an eyebrow.

"And what makes you think I have an explanation?" I replied curtly, making him do a double take.

"You don't know?" he asked, stunned.

"No. But does it matter? It's meaning will reveal itself in due time, not a moment too soon nor a moment too late," I replied steadily.

Elrohir broke. "But what if it does come too late?" he snapped, banging a fist on the table. "What if it means something and we didn't know what it was supposed to mean?" he demanded in frustration.

I sat there stonily, waiting for him to finish. Elladan looked shocked before grabbing his brother. "Ro! Calm down! What's gotten into you?" he asked, and Elrohir shook.

"You were right, Míleth," he whispered. "He is so innocent... And by joining us that will be stripped from him... I don't want to see that happen to anyone I know ever again. I promised myself that I... I'd stop such a thing from happening again," he whispered, not looking anywhere in particular. Comprehension dawned in Elladan's eyes, and he winced.

"Ro," he whispered sadly.

"Some things cannot be prevented, nor undone, Elrohir - but nothing ever happens the same way twice," I said softly, standing and placing a hand on his white-knuckled fist. Then I turned to Elladan, and knowing that there was nothing more that I could do, nodded and quietly took my leave. Beleg was waiting at the front door, and I smiled at him faintly as he took my hand and we began to walk down to the café.

"Are you okay, Nana?" he asked, feeling my sorrow. I sighed.

"I will be, Beleg," I replied. "In time, I will be. It's sad to know that not all can be reborn."

Beleg looked up in understanding, and sighed, squeezing my hand. "I see, Nana. Tye melin," he tried his best to comfort me, and I brightened up.

"And I you, yonya," I replied cheerfully. Now, let's go to the café shall we?" I asked, and he nodded, seemingly relieved at my turn in manner. But honestly, it was just a facade. I knew that I would cry tonight in bed, undoubtedly distressing Glorfindel.

...

When I entered the café with Beleg, the first thing I saw was the full booths. The second thing I saw was Glorfindel, Maeglin, Mairon, and Moryo waving at us as we waved back. The third thing I saw was Zach sitting at a booth with Elíl. But the thing that surprised me most was seeing Nerdanel, Mom, and Aunt Carrie sitting at the front bar stools while the Ambarussa twins played in the wolf pen with Mairon.

Beleg took his place behind the bar, relieving Moryo, who decided to exchange glasses for a tray and notebook. I went and greeted the ladies with surprise.

"Naneth! Mom, Aunt Carrie! I didn't expect to see you here," I said delightedly, and they smiled.

"We decided to see the café now that things are running smoothly," Naneth answered, and I nodded.

"Well, please enjoy. I'm afraid I have to go change and get to it - we seem to always be short of hands," I winked, and they laughed and waved back.

I quickly changed and grabbed a tray as Glorfindel came up. "Have a good time?" he greeted with a brief kiss to the cheek, and I nodded.

"Well, I do think you need to talk with Elrohir... But otherwise it was fine," I answered, and he frowned.

"What about Ro?" he asked in concern, and I sighed.

"He's... Apparently got his own Balrogs to fight," I replied quietly. "I am not close enough to him to do anything," I said softly, and he gave me a swift hug.

"I will talk to him tonight," he murmured, and I nodded.

"Well, enough of gloom. Beleg did exceptionally well today," I said fondly, and he chuckled.

"Good," was his short answer as I greeted Maeglin with a kiss to the cheek and swept off with a tray.

The first table I served was that of a young couple, obviously on a date. "Should I make that a couple cup?" I asked with a wink, and they nodded shyly.

I came back to the table shortly after with their order, but before I could leave the young lady asked a question. "Oh, wait, can I ask you something?" she asked, and I paused, looking at her.

"You just did," I teased with a grin, and she giggled as the young man grinned at me.

"Umm, your nameplate says your Míleth of the House of the Golden Flower... did you choose that house for a particular reason?" she asked curiously, and I laughed.

"Well funny you should ask," I replied, shifting the tray to my hip comfortably. "I suppose I should have allied myself with the Sindar considering the hair and all, or even the Vanyar, but the truth is its because of this," I held out my hand to show them the ring.

"Glorfindel over there is my husband," I said in faint amusement, and her eyes lit up.

"Really? Oh that's wonderful!" she gushed, clasping her hands together while the young man tried to look interested.

"Thank you," I bowed. "Please, enjoy," I dismissed myself politely and scurried off again, looking up in time to see Mark and Evelyn wave at me as they sat at a booth.

I walked over to them and grinned. "Anything I can do for you, fair mortals?" I teased subtly, and they snickered.

"Oh, we get to be served by a Maia? Now this is rich," Mark pretended to preen as Evelyn snorted.

"Forget him Míleth. I'd like a Minstrel's Madness with a custard please," she chirped.

"Oh spoilsport," Mark sulked. "I'd like a kings bread with frumenty with a Sweet Shire Supreme please," he said, and I nodded.

"Coming right up!" I replied, and then walked away to give the order to Beleg.

Just then, someone touched my arm, and I turned to see a woman dressed in pale blue, covered with a red apron that had a white Fëanorián star embroidered on it. I looked up into pale blue eyes surrounded with dark locks of hair and grinned.

"You look very good, Aunt Esther," I said gravely with a bow, and she threw back her head to laugh.

"Your insolence is absolutely refreshing, dear niece mine," she said, pinching my cheek warmly as I smirked.

"I must balance respect with flippancy, mustn't I, dear aunt mine?" I replied smartly, and she kissed my cheeks.

"Indeed dear. Now, if you wouldn't mind showing me where the trays are," she said, and I nodded, handing her mine.

"Here Aunt Esther, you can have mine while you're here - I'm guessing there's someone to, er, nudge in the right direction?" I asked, and she nodded as she took the tray.

"Indeed there is," she answered simply, and with a wink, headed off - but not before I saw a new name tag on her apron that read 'Esther' on it. I grinned and grabbed a new tray that Beleg slid over to me.

Ignoring Aunt Estë and taking the order back to Mark and Evelyn, I took a moment to chat with them idly before noticing Ben come in. Then I excused myself and walked over to his table, smiling.

"Good to see you, Ben. Anything I can get you today?" I queried, and he smiled at me faintly.

"Just any drink you'd recommend, please," he said, and I gave him a keen look.

"I'll go get something that might calm you, then," I replied, and headed off before he could say a word. "Beleg, yonya, mind making a cup of Earl Grey tea really quickly?" I asked, and he nodded as I took two orders to another table. When I came back the tea was done and I took it back to Ben, sitting across from him.

"Here, this should help," I said softly, and he looked at the cup.

"Earl Grey?" he asked, and I nodded. "Thank you," he said quietly, sipping from the cup. Then he sighed. "I'm having a hard time accepting all of this," he finally admitted. "I believe it, but... It's just hard to get accustomed to it and all. It's just such a big concept and..." he frowned in frustration.

"I know. It's mind boggling," I sighed and leaned back. "You know, I was a human once," I said, and his head shot up in clear shock. I smiled at him wearily.

"Yes, I was. When I was fifteen, my entire world came to a halt. I learned of the existence of Elves and Valar and Maiar as well - because I was the soulmate of an Elf. I was given the choice to go to Aman or stay on Earth; you can guess what I chose. However, my soul was considered too bright to be an Elf. Instead, Eru Ilúvatár changed me into a Maia, and I pledged my allegiance to Námo Mandos, judge of the dead. However, going between the tenth dimension where Aman is and coming here... Time isn't the same. I aged rapidly, and now..." I shrugged. "So I understand what you mean."

Ben seemed to think about it for a moment, and his eyebrows furrowed as he looked back up at me. "But more than anything, to be honest, it's my dream that bothers me. I know my brain will catch up to reality soon enough, but no matter what I try I can't reconcile with my dream. Now I realize that the figure who started the Avalanche was probably Morgoth, but the woman just... she haunts me," he said with the air of a man who feels his life slipping through his hands.

"I cannot yet determine what exactly your dream means, but I can solve that one mystery for you. However, that will be answered tonight," I answered, and his head snapped up. "No, I won't tell you anything more; it is something you need to find out for yourself. But that will come soon enough," then I stood.

"Drink all of that tea before you leave, it'll do you good. And will six o clock be fine with you?" I added, and he nodded absently, obviously thinking on my words.

"Yes, thanks," and he took another absent sip.

I looked around to see that Aunt Estë was gone, and then nodded to myself before going about my duties once more.

...

"I'll go get Dad!" I said, closing the door of the van behind me as I trudged through the wind to the car garage where my dad worked. I was driving the people who had finished their shifts home to prepare dinner, and stopped to pick up Dad on the way.

A bell jingled as I closed the door, and with a "whoo, that wind is fierce!" looked up to see Dad and Mr. Lakes talking again.

"Well this is a nice chance meeting once more, Mrs. DelaFiore!" Christopher exclaimed, and I heartily returned the greeting as I shook his hand warmly.

"And unfortunate that I must once more interrupt your conversation to tell Dad that the bus won't wait forever," I answered, eyes twinkling as he laughed merrily.

"Unfortunately so!" he answered. "And how is Mr. DelaFiore?" he asked genially as Dad closed up shop.

Eh? Oh, he's doing very well!" I replied cheerily. "He's as hale as ever," I answered, and he smiled and nodded.

"Very good. Now, I should excuse myself. I hope to sit down one day and have a good chat, though, not just saying hellos and goodbyes," he remarked, putting on his coat.

"Actually I'd like that as well. I work an eleven to four shift at the Elf Café that opened up nearby the school recently, if you'd like to drop by one day," I said, and he turned with a nod.

"That would work splendidly. I hope to see you sometime, then!" and with another handshake with Dad and I, he hurried off. I hummed and turned to dad, who escorted me out after locking the doors.

"A nice, genial man," dad remarked, but I said nothing, just nodded.

When we arrived home with Ivrinel and Uncle Jonathan in tow, it was to see that dinner was almost finished being prepared and that it was Elíl's turn. I quickly washed up before setting the table, mentioning to Elíl that we had a guest. She merely nodded, and slowly the family gathered at home, the final shift being over for the day.

I slipped away to check on Lir and help her a bit, and then gently began to talk to her. "You remember who's coming home for dinner right?" I asked, and she nodded. "Any particular way you want it done?" I asked calmly, and she pursed her lips as I took a moment to study her.

She had tied her hair up into a slightly messy but attractive bun, little wisps of tendrils falling around her face. There was a touch of weariness in her eyes already, but the effects of pregnancy had made a healthy glow about her and there was a distinctly motherly air about her. Her face was content as she laid a hand absently on her stomach. Then she shook her head faintly. "Not really. I suppose when he sees me he sees me," she replied, and I agreed.

"Before dinner how about you go scope out the nursery a little more? I asked the ellyn to move the piano, which they did, and Elíl told me she moved the other musical instruments to the little powder room. She says it's all yours now," I said cheerfully, and Lir nodded with a smile.

"You mind coming with? I'd feel better if you had some say in it; never know if you might be in my shoes one day," she winked at me as I blushed but laughed.

"Well if that day comes I will be ecstatic, but right now I think I'm a little too concerned about you to even think about attempting to have a child," I replied amusedly. "Gotta make sure the most delicate of our sisters makes it through first," I said, guiding her with our elbows linked.

Lir raised an eyebrow. "Who said I was delicate!?" she demanded in mock-outrage.

"All of us," I replied smartly with a smirk, and she subsided with a half hearted glare but twitching lips.

We moved into the empty music room, and Lir took a moment to frown and look at the walls. "Ive been thinking about the walls, and I thought it would be nice if we could ask the elves to paint the walls. With their most fond and memorable scenes," she said slowly, and I visibly lit up, hugging her.

"That's genius Lir! This would be the most beautiful room in the house!" I squealed as she laughed at my enthusiasm.

"I know right? I've always wanted something like that," she said contentedly, and I giggled.

"You do realize that your twins will be the most spoiled children on this planet, right?" I asked teasingly, and she sighed in mock horror.

"I know," she groaned, and then we both burst into hearty laughter.

"How about the cradles?" I wondered. "Are you gonna have one, or two?" I queried, and she pursed her lips.

"Probably two large ones, that way we can see how they react. I have a feeling they're gonna be clingy twins. I think you know how I can come to that conclusion," she gave me a wry look that sent me into spasms of laughter. "Anyway, two large ones will be more than enough. Not to mention I should leave room for the baby shower gifts..." she mumbled, and I hummed in agreement.

"You should think about the floor too. I think a nice coconut matting underneath a plush, furry carpet would work well," I remarked, and she nodded.

"You're right, I hadn't thought about that. But that'll work," she murmured, and then walked into the center of the room just as my ears picked up the doorbell ringing.

"Be right back Lir," I said, and she nodded absently. "I got it!" I yelled into the house, and then headed for the door.

"Can I help?" Nimrodel's voice asked softly, and I turned to see her smiling at me hesitantly. I grinned and gave her a hug.

"Thank you lady Nimrodel -"

"Please, it's just Nim. Or Della White," she said with a smile, and I nodded in understanding.

"Sure," and I began to open the door. "I think if you ask Elíl she could use some help in the kitchen," I remarked, and she nodded before heading that way and I swung the door open all the way to see Ben standing there, shifting his feet a bit awkwardly as he smiled at me.

"Hello Celine," he said.

"Hey Ben!" I exclaimed, hugging him swiftly. "Come on in, it's windy out there," I urged, and he stepped in as I shut the large door with some effort. He looked around in awe, and I took his hat from him.

"Coats off, we've got fires in fireplaces and heaters on!" I said cheerily, and he gave me his coat.

"Thanks. Your house is amazing," he said in an awed tone, and I smirked.

"It certainly is - though admittedly, it is said that this house was haunted..."

He raised his eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Exactly," I grinned at him as he laughed slightly.

"Well come on, dinners almost ready. I'll introduce you to the family before dinner, but in the meantime come into the living room," and I began to bustle him that way before remembering something.

"Oh right, do you happen to know someone who does carpeting and wall padding?" I asked, and he looked at me in some surprise.

"Umm, actually that's my dad's job. I learned how since I was young, so I could do it for you if you want. It's now necessarily how I want to spend my life though," he said, and my eyes lit up.

"Really? Oh that's perfect!" I crowed, and then changed direction. "My sister is expecting twins soon, and she wants to renovate our old music room into a nursery," I said. "Here, I'll let you talk to her, and I'll call you when dinner's ready," I said cheerfully, maybe a little too much so.

Then I shoved him into the room and slipped out the door, though I admittedly peeked in a moment later, unable to help myself. Ben seemed confused and disoriented for a moment, then he caught sight of Lir.

She slowly stood from where she had been bending to inspect the caulking on the walls and turned with a heavy sigh, rubbing her stomach gently. As soon as she saw Ben, her eyes held surprise, but then a moment later a small smile curled the corner of her lips and she held out her hand in greeting, almost exactly the way Ben had described in his dream.

"You must be Benjamin Cedric," her voice was soft but held a strained note of tiredness. "I am Lir Fëanturiel, though some call me Lyric Russ," she smiled, and Ben let out a strangled sound, stumbling back a step and staring at her with wide eyes.