Languages:

'Valari words/ or Erika's mother tongue'

"Quenya/Sindarin"

"Westron/Common tongue"

Disclaimer: LOTR and Silmarillion are properties of J.R.R. Tolkien and Tolkien Estates. None of the songs used in the story are mine too and only borrowed for entertainment purposes.

AN: another late update (ಢ_ಢ)

Shout out to my beloved readers and new story followers. You are all awesome (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)ﻭ!

-.-

Chapter 10

The House of Círdan

I sighed in relief while Lord Nestaron rebandaged my leg not only because my wounds are healing in miraculous pace but also because of what happened earlier in the garden. The sudden rain was unexpected and if I didn't get inside fast, who knows what might have happened and I'm not taking any chances. Thankfully, the fabric of my dress resisted the bits of raindrops that fell on it. Glorfindel was also smooth. In fact he is very smooth to just sweep me off my feet and actually carry me in his arms. I thought those things only happens in stories and if one week ago, I would see myself in that situation, I might have gagged myself in disgust but hey, gotta admit, it wasn't that bad. Especially if such an impossibly, too handsome, too perfect male specie has done it to you. Those strong arms of his… le sigh… I felt every contour of his strong biceps. That lean and strong chest, the fresh, almost minty scent of his body, those…

No I'm certainly not fangirling him. It's just hard not to appreciate those… things… damn it. C'mon… maiden virtue, maiden virtue. I cringe internally as I try not to think like a pervert.

The blond left to check out his abandoned horse if it really went back to the stables by itself. More like he sneaked out to get away from the eyes of these two healers who are grinning like two foxes and giving us a burning look with stuffs that could mean a lot of things. I feel a storm brewing.

Anyway, the good sir Nestaron here is also very handsome. He has a milky white skin and of course with the ever present strange glow these elves must have. He possesses such mysterious green eyes and his long, rich chocolate brown hair is flowing like a smooth waterfall in a…

Wait a minute… chocolate! I gasped. I did accept the eighty percent possibility of me in another dimension or something but how about the existence of chocolates? How about pizza? Hello?!

I suddenly felt horrified at the thought, and I guess Ms. Heledh and Lord Nestaron have also noticed my reaction. "Erika, is there something wrong?" The latter said, tucking in the end of the bandage with a gold clip that looks too pretty to be just a mere bandage clip.

"Please tell me you have chocolates here?"

"Chocolates?"

I feel like sobbing. "It's official. I'm being punished by the heavens." I sat with my legs tuck in my chest and two arms wrapping around it. I rested my left cheek on my knees and sighed forlornly.

I heard Ms. Heledh laugh gently. "You are so weird."

"I feel like the world is about to meet its end. If I can't eat chocolate anymore then just let me perish in peace. Life has no meaning."

"Young one, you might need to go out and amuse yourself. Though it's still a mystery how your wounds healed so fast, I think it is fine for you to finally explore outside. It will do wonders not only for your lungs but for the state of your mentality as well." Nestaron said, shaking his head maybe from being weirded out but what's a world without Reese's peanut butter cups?

"Later, I will ask the Lord Círdan to have someone arrange a chamber for you. He told me he would have you stay in the lord's manor once you are well enough to move on your own." Ms. Heledh said with a gentle smile, she sat down next to me in the bed after handing out another cup of what I call her pain reliever tea.

"Wow, thank you. That's really kind of you guys."

Ms. Heledh pinched my cheeks gently. "Do not mention it, penneth, you are our special guest here." She said with that familiar motherly smile she always shows to me.

"Later eve, we will have our dinner served here, I believe it is merrier to eat if you have company. Do you have any requests?" Nestaron asked while munching gracefully on biscuit.

Hearing that really touched my heart. It's true that I sometimes feel a little bit sad whenever I eat alone 'coz I'll suddenly remember my family eating together. Especially the weekend get together that was too rowdy, too loud, noisy and downright chaotic. It was a celebration full of laughter with guitars and an old karaoke machine.

"Thank you, guys." I can feel my eyes heating up from tears because of the nostalgia but I tried my best to hold it in. "And no, I'm fine with anything. I eat almost anything, I'm not picky. Well, just… don't give me spiders and scorpions. My cousins once tried to make me eat them, I fainted at the sight of it."

"Spiders! Why would they do that?!" Nestaton exclaimed out loud. His handsome face shows a picture of disgust.

Ms. Heledh looks like she's about to toss some cookies. "Elbereth, that was horrible!" She said with a hand on her temple as if she's about to pass out.

"I know, they were so mean! But, well… some people consider those as food, I just don't see myself trying them anytime soon… or like ever! Well, I might crunch on some fried crickets and grasshoppers as I've already had them before but certainly not scorpions and spiders!" I shuddered at remembering that fried spider scene, as a payback to my cousins I put a piece of strip wax on their legs while sleeping. Needless to say they were in extreme agony as they have no other choice but to pull it away.

"Crickets and grasshoppers?! What kind of life have you been living before?! Now I don't know who is more mad between you and your cousins." Nestaron crossed his hands on his chest and a disgusted frown on his face. "Anyway, young lady, since your leg is healing very well, you can now take a bath if you like." Finally! My body is in need to be in the water! "You can use the bathing chamber here in the Healing Halls and our Lady Heledh here will accompany you to help you bath."

My body froze like a statue. Uhh, what?

The lady must have noticed my 'oh, shit' face and quickly said, "You are not well enough yet so you might have a hard time moving around."

"Aah… well, t-thanks? But ah… I think I'm cool, I can do it on my own. Th-there's no need to bother you, Ms. Heledh." I'm trying not to panic at all but with that reaction and that stuttering, I don't think I would even believe myself.

"Are you sure? Because if you feel shy, please do not be." The concerned look on the woman makes me feel guilty but what can I do, I just can't let her find out my half fish part.

Not that I don't trust these people but who knows what mermaids are for them? Back at home, people created a lot of legends and stories about the merfolk. Some folk lores even consider them unlucky and that they bring death to fishermen, in other versions, they are monsters who feed on humans, and for some they are demons who live underwater. I mean, knowing all that, I can't just reveal myself to them. What if they too have negative views about merfolks? I don't wanna see myself being grilled in a pike.

"Totally sure. And uh… yeah, I'm kinda shy but that's not really why. I just think since I can move properly now then there is no need to bother everyone with my personal needs." I told her with a shrug while trying to look convincing.

The two healers look at each other in question but thankfully, they decided not to push it. "Alright. But if you need anything, do not hesitate to ask." Nestaron kindly said.

"Thank you very much." I said with a deep bow.

"You can wear a sleeping dress for now and tomorrow someone will come to give you clothes that will fit your stature. Anything you need is in this closet and Lord Nestaron will be the one to check on you this evening." Ms. Heledh said while collecting the teacups we used in a tray. "We will leave for now so you can do your private business. And remember, no one will ever judge you if you try to sneak here again a certain Ñoldorin lord known in the legends for his golden hair, but do it once you finally move into the Lord Círdan's manor for the chambers there have doors with locks."

As soon as she said it, I felt my face overheat as if I was thrown into a pond of hot water. "I-I…" my plan to say something failed after words decided not to come out of my mouth.

Lord Nestaron grinned widely. "Bronwëg and the company are going to celebrate once they hear this. I might as well send a messenger raven to the Lord Elrond."

"About time, the Lord Elrond might say."

"Truly. The Lady of Light will be thrilled once the news reach the fair woods of Lorien. For a long time she thought of the Lord Glorfindel to be like her brother who swore his loyalty to his beloved Amarië who is in Aman and remained chaste until his death."

These two are brewing some catastrophe, and before things escalate, I decided to run away. "Okay, chop chop. I'm gonna need a bath now, thanks a lot, so no more gossips for you two grown ups!" A beautiful and merry laughter rang out from the two of them as they made their way out of the room. Seriously, why would they make a room without doors and windows? Not that I'm planning to sneak anyone inside like they said but… argh! Forget it. I'm gonna take a bath.

Those two gossips forgot to tell me where's the bathroom, but no matter, I think it's not gonna be hard to find it. Like the lady healer said earlier, I opened the huge cabinet to find some towels and clothes. The underwear here is surely weird and looks like a small version of old style bloomers. I decided to cut away the frills on it to make it look like a regular boyleg undies. I gave up my search for a bra after opening all the drawers inside the cabinet and still found nothing. I walked out of the room with all my necessities in hand. The hallway is wide and the floor is made of a smooth, white stone. The wall has a seashell decorated lamp lit with a soft white light and the ceiling is as high as a two-storey worth of height. There are low pillars with a vase full of beautiful fragrant flowers on top of it and candles of various colors at the foot. It reminds me more of a high end spa than a hospital. At the end of the hall, there is a chandelier that is undoubtedly made of gold and is filled with the same white light in the lamps. There are two intersections at the end of the hallway and as I turned left I found a room with a wooden door. Luckily it was the bathroom, but not just a mere bathroom, it was a wide room with a high ceiling and arches. The light from outside made the room brighter, but surely if night will fall, the lamps in the walls and in the ceiling will be sufficient.

Inside, there's a roughly fifteen feet long and ten feet wide lagoon pool made of smooth sea rocks with the water being carried by a small flowing stream. It doesn't look like a man made pool but a purely nature carved one. The water is crystal clear and the sound of its soft splashing is so good to the ears. There are tables on the side filled with neatly arranged clay pots, glass bottles with different sizes and colors and bars of what I think as soaps.

How did they manage to build a house at the top of this?! This sight is breathtaking. The room is too spacious and open with the air freely flowing from the wide windows.

I smiled with glee and closed the door behind me, making sure that the lock was securely set. The long dress was discarded immediately and the bandage of my right leg was carefully peeled away. Before I plunged myself into the water, I randomly grabbed stuffs from the table. The clay pots and glass bottles clinked on the stone floor as I put them down unceremoniously. As soon as the water drenched my whole body, the mysterious smoke came out and I transformed into my fish form. I sighed. I'll never get used on calling myself a mermaid.

Thankfully the bath was wide enough to accommodate the length of my tail and I sat there in pleasure, happy to finally be in the water even though it's not the same as the ocean where I can swim around. Looking down at my tail, I noticed the wound also marred the blue scales like how it looked on my leg. If I manage to successfully run away from the elves, I still might have died from bleeding out or from infections even if I'm in the sea already.

I sighed again and stopped berating myself. It won't help me with my current situations and besides, past is past. And as stupid as it might be, I guess there's nothing wrong with being self-cautious.

I decided to check the bottles I took from the tables and a beautiful smell came out of it as soon as I removed the cork lid. I poured a small amount of it at the tip of my finger and when it bubbled up with the water, I realized it's a shampoo. I lathered the contents of the bottle in my long ass hair, enjoying the sweet scent of what I recognize as orange blossoms. I checked the pots and inside looks like a pinkish cream which I have no idea what so I decided not to use it. I took the bar of soap and scrubbed it to my whole being even down to the tails. The relaxing smell of lavender and rosemary wafted in the air as I struggled my way down, why am I so long? Though I can bend and twist the tail body, it's not easy to scrub my almost eight feet long self that even the whole bar of soap was spent.

I was trying to reach the soft stuff I call pelvic fins when a huge bird rushed inside the room and hooted loudly while hovering down my face.

"Hey!" I exclaimed as its wings flapped the shampoo bubbles out of my hair and it flew straight into my eyes and my mouth. The bitter taste spreads on my tongue and I spit in disgust. My eyes felt the sting and I quickly washed it away with water. The owl continues to hover and hoot loudly that I was forced to snatch it from the air with two hands and shook it mildly. 'Stop it, you little twerp or I will turn you into bird barbecue!' As I stop shaking the thing in my hand, I realized it was none other than Hedwig, the great grey owl in the forest. 'Hedwig! What in the actual f-?' The bird stopped flailing and immediately nuzzled my neck. In that instant, three more owls appeared. The two perched at the stone near me hooting sweetly and the white one landed at the top of my head and joined Hedwig in his quest for a cuddle. I recognized the little Luna and I pulled her away as her talons dug mercilessly on my scalp. The way the four of them hoot sounds as if they are both sad and angry with me. I should be the angry one here, they made me eat shampoo! But dang it, they are being cute. Who would have a heart to become angry with them. 'What are you guys up to? Missed me?' Hedwig headbutted my chin while Artemis, the smaller eagle owl gently nibbled my ear. She did that to me before when we were walking to the forest of fruits. 'Did you guys try to search for me?' I laughed gently as the realization hit me and I gently patted their heads as a small reward. 'Aww… thank you, guys. I didn't mean to leave like that but shit happens. Or well, my stupidity happens.' I shrugged my shoulders and flapped my fins into the water.

If it's just me, I would choose to stay in the water for the rest of the day but Lord Nestaron won't be happy and might think I died in this pool if he found out I'm not back yet. I put the two owls beside the other two and fully submerge into the water, washing out all the bubbles from my body. I stayed down for at least ten minutes before pulling myself out of the water to finally dry. This takes a bit more time so I can't afford to stay longer in the water. Anyway, I can come back again. I'll also find a way to sneak out into the sea. Not to run away of course, I'm a half fish and I feel like the ocean is now a part of me.

I used the towel to dry my hair and my whole body and soon, thin smoke started to appear out of my body. In less than ten minutes I was back on my feet. Literally.

The owls followed my form as I stood up from the ground and started to put on the sleeping dress that doesn't really look like a sleeping dress at all. Rather, it looks like a regular, casual summer dress with three-fourth sleeves and below the knee lenght. It even has a soft foam breast pads. Granted it was thinner than my dress earlier, but if these guys realize that girls back at home wear clothes that's thinner and shorter than this so-called sleeping dress, they might convulse and pass out of being scandalized. We're not even talking about see-through stuffs and micro mini shorts to show off some ass. Micro-bikini has left the chat.

Before I go, I decided to clean up the bathroom and try to made it look as proper as it was before I used it. The four owls followed me as I made my way back to my room and perched in different places. 'You guys, I'm not sure if it's okay to bring you here since this is literally a hospital but if it's not, please, I need you all to return back to the forest.' Hedwig hoots in indignance and prance around where it was perched in the vanity mirror as if scolding me. 'What can I do? I'm just a freeloader here, I can't decide for the house rules. If they say no owls, it means no owls! ' The owl looked away one hundred ninety degrees stubbornly as if saying he doesn't give a shit about what I say. 'Oh, are you trying to give me an attitude?' I placed my hands on my hips, trying to look intimidating but the pissed off Hedwig hoots angrily and flapped its wings trying to look intimidating. 'What?! You got a problem?!' I said loudly too.

I was ready to find some way how to talk bird when a merry laugh suddenly rang in the room.

I turned my head at the doorway and a guy with long, intricately braided hair that almost looks like fine strands of soft white platinum was leaning at the entrance with his arms crossed. His countenance and even his hair almost looks so feminine but his build definitely proved me wrong. His steel grey, almost silver colored charismatic eyes are sparkling with mischief and they were being weighed down by long and thick, brown eyelashes making his eyes look languid and sensual. "Forgive me for laughing but it was really interesting to see someone argue with a bird." He said, trying hard to hide the amusement that's clearly written on his face.

I pointed my forefinger to Hedwig. "He's stubborn." I said with a burning passion and still miffed with the owl who then tried to peck the offending finger. The handsome -of course!- elf guy chuckled again. "And you sir, is?"

"Oh, where are my manners. Forgive me." He looked away, is it because of my dress again?

"Oh, please, why does everybody here think I'm wearing nothing when I'm clearly clothed?" I ranted.

The guy grinned mischievously. "I was merely trying to protect your honour, my lady." He said with eyes glued to the ground.

I waved my hand. "Nah, forget it. I'm not naked. I'm wearing something that's still longer than my grandmother's patience."

"You are not trying to seduce me right?" The elf looked back to me and gave me a skeptical look, his perfect light brown eyebrow arched as if he's being cautious.

I gave him a wide smirk. "Not in a millions of years, dude. You're really handsome but you're no Keanu Reeves in my eyes." Or Glorfindel… Shut it, mind! Though he is trying to sound provocative, I can feel that his words are light and playful. His presence feels really comfortable.

The guy chuckled and put his hand upon his heart and bowed. "Well then, forgive my intrusion, my lady. I am called Faeron, son of Feredir. It is an honor to finally meet you." He said lightly with a gentle smile on his face. Just how many children does Ms. Sivrethil has and yet still managed to look better than a supermodel?

I smiled widely. "Yeah, nice to meet you too, handsome guy. I am Erika." I stuck out my hand in front of him and he gave me a questioning look. "Oh, I forgot. You're supposed to shake it." I walked up to his towering height and took the hand that's on his chest before giving him a handshake.

"Interesting, is this how you get acquainted in your homeland?"

"Pretty much, if you're gonna do it formally. You can smooch each other's faces if you're that close. Or you can dab if you don't want any close contacts yet still wanna be cool." I let go of his hand and gave him a quick, glorious dab.

Faeron was weirded out for a second but he just gave me a reluctant nod, he smiled eventually and when he did that, he almost look like the male version of his mother minus the eye color. If I remember correctly using my 128mb worth of short memory, Ms. Sivrethil has blue eyes. "It is not my intention to barge in here and invade your privacy but I am hoping to know how you are doing. I am one of the sentries who found you in the forest and I've been concerned since then, but I was on duty and did not have a chance to visit you. I only returned this afternoon."

That was touching. "Aw, thank you! I really appreciate that." I smiled widely up to him. "Please come in, I don't have anything to offer though."

"It's fine, my lady, besides I won't stay long. My parents and my sisters are waiting for my return, I only decided to drop by and greet you. Though, I am glad to see that you are doing well and your injuries are healing properly, please refrain yourself from doing anything reckless for now… like flirting with an elf." He gave me a playful wink.

"Yeah, I'll try to do that." I laughed and shook my head. "I don't know where your humor came from but I'm liking it. You and I are just gonna be good buddies."

"Then if you think you are well enough, let me catch you tomorrow and I will show you around. It's much better than arguing with a bird." He smiled kindly.

"I'll take your offer then, but do not come in here by tomorrow because Ms. Heledh said I will move out to the Lord Círdan's place. Maybe you should go there."

"Until tomorrow then, my friend. Have a good night." Faeron flashed an angelic smile and pinched my cheek before going out of the room.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Half of the day passed in a snap and here I am lying down on my new bed in my new room staring at another dramatic design carved in the ceiling. This particular room looks way different than the room I got in that place they call the Healing Halls. Not to mention this room now is waaay too spacious and bigger.

Earlier, Nestaron started the day with checking my bandages, my pulse and my back to check the regularity of my breathing. He was deeply puzzled by the pace of my healing but seeing me finally in a good shape, the healer was extremely happy. The gentle and sweet guy that he is, Nestaron (who insisted 'to be addressed without titles') even brought his breakfast over to my room so I won't eat alone. It was just like last night when the two kindhearted healers took their time just to eat dinner with me. They did not mind whether I was using the cutleries right nor was disgusted when I started to use my hands while eating my food. Then after that he told me to be ready and grab the things that I'm already using so I can bring it to my new 'chambers' in the Lord Círdan's manor, which is by the way, a very huge and a very grand place.

My jaw almost fell on the floor as I saw the manor not far away from the healing halls itself. The architecture has no resemblance to the designs that I was familiar with, not even from the iconic renaissance period buildings I only saw in history books and google. The manor stands proudly at the top of a low, wide hill with four grand towers on its four sides that glows like a luminous pearl. Those towers are connected to the manor through white stone bridges that's as wide as three meters. At the right side of the manor's grand entrance, there's a wide and beautiful pavilion carved from white stone that shines at the sun's light. Curtains of seashells hangs on each side and it chimes whenever the winds blew gently unto it. At the right foot of the pavilion, there's a crystal clear stream that runs gently all the way down to the city. At the left side of the manor, there's a wide and beautiful garden with statues and above the garden stands a wide balcony filled with pillars wrapped in small ivy vines and other plants that sprouts colorful flowers and it leads up to the upper level of the manor. Each pillar has intricate designs, each arch of the ceiling was so elegant that Italian history would pale in comparison.

This place is like a living art in a canvas from the extraordinary architecture down to the blue ocean and hills that wraps around the whole city. It's almost like a place that only exists in a dream.

Seeing my amazed face, Lord Cirdan, who was standing at the entrance of the manor proudly welcomed me into his house… or better yet his castle! And that's exactly what I blurted out, that his castle has beaten the all the castles that I've seen so far in my whole life. The old elf wanted to tour me around but decided to do it next time because of my injuries which is by the way ninety-five percent healed.

And so we came into this room fit for a royalty. They left me alone here to rest for a while before they call me for lunch. The Lord Círdan invited me to join him and of course, who am I to say no? I was honestly a little bit surprised because he was too nice to me considering I'm an outsider and a human to boot. Usually (well in my society's standards), noble people tends to ignore commoners. But Lord Círdan is down to earth and acts almost like a caring middle aged grandfather. Seriously, his appearance looks like a handsome fifty years old guy with good build instead of fifty thousand years old!

Roughly thirty minutes has passed when I hear someone knocking on my door. I got up from the huge bed to see who it was, and a huge smile lightened up my face as my sight landed on the tall figure of Faeron now wearing a simple elf style red shirt that looks awesome with his hair and a black pants tucked inside his brown leather boots. In his hand there's a pot of violet hyacinth flower.

"Hey! What's up?" I greeted him and his own smile lopped as confusion hit him, he slowly looked up and his eyes stared at the ceiling. A laugh almost burst out from my mouth but thankfully I stopped it and only became a small snort. "Sorry." Damn, it's almost too clichè but seeing it in actuall was too funny.

"Well, you asked what was up." He said still confused. He handed me over the pot of hyacinth.

A suppressed giggle came out. "I'm sorry, I mean, how are you. It was just an informal way to ask that." I put a hand in my mouth to stop myself from laughing out loud but I'm failing miserably. "Well, come on in. I finally got some cookies and water to offer to you." I stepped out of the way to let him in.

"So, how are you?" He grinned mischievously. "My turn to ask." He sat down in the ridiculously soft beige single sofa and I on it's long version after putting down the jar of cookies and a glass of water at the center table. Too bad I don't know how to make a tea without my priceless electric water heater. Damn, I suck at being a good host.

"Nah, good. Just chillin'. Lord Círdan gave an awesome place to a freeloader like me." I shrugged.

"Well, you will always be welcome to stay even at our family's home. My mother would adopt you if you ask her, that's how much she adores you."

"She is a lovely person both in and out. But isn't it a little bit frowned upon to have a human with you guys? I heard from Lord Nestaron that elves and men are not that much in good terms."

Faeron shrugged. "To be honest, not every eldar views a Second Born in a food light, and you might encounter people who will scoff at you but my father had and still has a lot of comrades in the race of men who fought with him at the War of Last Alliance and they are dear friends to us. While it is true that Isildur was killed because of his weakness, not all men are tainted with black nor all elves are as pure as white."

"Wow… that's really kind of you, guys." I almost forget that this guy is also way older than me and is wise in his own way, though I'm glad he could keep up with the jokes of an immature person like me. "Thanks for the plant by the way, I like it." I touched the violet flower, pot still in my hands.

"Well, I'm glad. Luinil said it was a bad taste as who would give a potted plant instead of a beautifully arranged set of flowers."

"Nah, they will die eventually. This way they will still grow. But teach me how to take care of it, last time I had a potted plant, they died from drowning." I remember that poor little cactus that I watered three times a day.

"Well, plants are not supposed to be watered every time you see them." Then he started giving me tips on how to take care of it (more like how to keep it alive while the plant is in my possession) and how much water to put, until somebody knocked at the door again. Wow I'm getting a lot of visitors today. Who might that be?

I excused myself from Faerom before getting up and open the door. Standing there is another beautiful elf with silver white hair and a set big, deep blue eyes. Her lips are so pink and her nose is so perfect. She almost looks so angelic with her flowing white dress with golden sash and golden hair ornaments in her braids. Her hands are full with long cloth bags and one is placed down at her feet.

"You must be Lady Erika." She said with a bright smile that literally emits soft light.

"Ahh… y-yeah… that's me." I said awkwardly.

Her smile never vanished. "I am called Anauriel, daughter of Amonthar. I have come here to give you your clothes as I have finished making them for your build."

"Hey, thank you, you must be the friend of Ms. Luinil and Ms. Faewen. Come on in please and let me help you with that." I took the bag that's on the floor and let her in. When I was about to close the door, I heard the lady gasp softly in surprise.

"Oh… Faeron." I heard her say almost like a whisper.

And as I turn around, I saw the two of them staring at each other eye to eye.

"Anauriel." Faeron greeted back almost too stiff and then eventually look away. As he did, subtle signs of being hurt registered on the beautiful elf lady's face. As if she doesn't want to show it but it was clearly written in her blue eyes.

Wait a sec, are these two…?

I decided to break the awkward atmosphere that's starting to thicken up in every second. "So…. You brought me stuffs."

Anauriel look back to me. "Yes. Allow me to show them to you." She brought the bag that she is holding into the center table and brought out a beautiful baby blue dress in the common A-line style elven dress design with square neck and creamy white inner flounce on the mid thigh. It was definitely adjusted on my puny height and size. Next dresses she put out are all light shades and bright colors, which is not bad but I'm a lover of black, red and simple clothes. She might have forgotten Faeron for a while as her excitement take over while showing off her creations. This person must be so passionate in her love of dress making.

"Thank you very much, Anauriel. They are gorgeous." I sincerely told her as they really are beautiful.

"You are welcome, dear one. And that is not all, the Lord Círdan has told us to make a formal evening dress for you might need it when there is an occasion to be held."

"You mean these aren't enough for formal occasions?!"

She gave me an amused smile. "No silly, these are for everyday wear."

"Are you gonna be mad at me if I tell you that they are so grand enough for me? My daily clothes before consist of only a shirt and pants. Not that I'm saying I will not wear your clothes or something like that… but…"

Her smile turned into a giggle as she watch me blubber in embarrassment. "It's is fine, penneth. Do not be afraid to tell me if there is anything that you would like. Do you prefer breaches and tunics? I can make a set of them for you if you like. That is also ideal if you want to ride."

"I'll really thrilled if you would. Thank you very much. But please, can I ask you to make them very very veeery simple? And uh… black?"

She beamed again. "We, the eldar has love for all things that is bright but I can make a darker clothes for you. I'm happy that you are open with these kind of things, not many would prefer dark colors to wear."

"Do you design all these dresses?" I asked while checking out an emerald green dress with white laces.

She nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, I do. And I also like to try making designs from another cultures but not that much like them." She said shyly.

"Well, if you like I can teach you my culture's own pattern of clothing. They will be weird but it's not a bad thing to try." As I told her this her eyes shines and sparkle.

"I would be so ecstatic. Thank you very much. Let us do it next time." She said with a bright smile. And I notice that all throughout our conversation, the little bug known as Faeron has his eyes stuck in her face.

I'm starting to be really curious about these two. Let me dig in some info when I have time. And for now, let me create some chances were the two of them would meet since I sense some really big attraction between them.

"Of course, for sure you will like them."

The elven lady nodded her head and collected her cloth bags. "As much as I would like it to do it now, I am afraid I still have things to do and finish. Until next time, mellon nin. I pray to Elbereth for you to get well." She reluctantly steps but decided to look back to Faeron and greet him once again. "I'll see you again, Faeron."

"And I, you." He simply said and with that Anauriel smiles at me before she let herself out.

I guess it's time to tease this handsome friend of mine. "Coz if you like it then you should've put a ring on it… if you like it then you should've put a ring on it… don't be mad when you see that he want it. If you like it then you should've put a ring on it… Woah oh oh-"

"She's betrothed."

My singing and ugly dancing of Single Ladies was stopped as soon as those words came out of his mouth.

"What?!"

"She is betrothed and has exchanged rings with another ellon."

"What's an ellon?"

"It's a male elf."

"Oh… i see. Well, okay, she is betrothed. But she clearly looks at you with something."

"Don't be ridiculous. A noble like her would never look at my way like that. Her great grandfather was one of the high born Teleri who was with the Elu Thingol until the destruction of Beleriand. It is only right for her to marry someone of her status."

"But your dad is a lord too, right?"

"As great as a soldier my father is, he is not a noble blood."

"Hey, he might not be a noble by blood but he is more damn noble than anyone else. Not many can rise up to their rank with a kind heart and good morals and survive a war." Nestaron and Lady Heledh told me those stories while I was with them at the Healing Halls and how Lord Feredir and his squad of elves and men tried to help High King Gil-Galad and King Elendil to their fight with that asshat named Sauron.

"Thank you, Erika. But not all shares your views and even Anauriel honored her parents when they told her they want her to be betrothed with the kin of Lord Celeborn, the lord of Lorien."

"Oh, you mean it was arranged? Does it happen a lot with elves' culture?"

Faeron shook his head. "Not really, but her parents and the parents of Lord Caramir are close to each other and has sworn to Eru that they will wed their children in time."

"And did Eru approved?"

"Not really but that is not the point."

"Which is exactly what I mean, my friend. Unless God Himself says it nobody can ever go against it. And even if they swore to wed the poor fellas to each other, what about their feelings?"

Faeron shrugged. "Well, the two of them were never really against it and the betrothal has proceeded. Besides, Lord Caramir is a good and honorable man."

"And you aren't?"

"He's a noble."

"Pussy."

"What?"

"I mean you are such a scaredy cat! Have you ever tried to do things before you judge a situation? Dude, her eyes are practically begging for your attention! What if she's just waiting for your go signal? C'mon grow some balls and be a man!" I spoke indignantly.

"I'm an elf." He said after a moment of confusion. "Although… I appreciate what you say to me."

"Does anyone know about your feelings for her?"

"My sisters."

"Sisters are true nosy beings that loves to make their brother's life a living hell but other than them. Like your friends."

"Nobody."

"You're fucked. That is why no one's helping you at this journey."

"And young lady, I will wash your mouth with soap and water if you swear again in my presence."

"Make me!" I crossed my arms and gave him a snarled lip with eyes sizing him up and down.

"Don't swear!" He said with a snarl of his own. "So, what about you, oh dear friend of mine. Would you help me?" He asks with a manly eye roll.

"Well I'm not doing it if you're half assed into this. You should be ready for an all out war if you want me to help you because I'm not doing all the damn work for you." He reached his long arms to me and pinched my cheeks so hard. "Awwr wert de fek! Shtaahp!"

"I told you to stop swearing!"

I slapped his other hand away and it came off. One more hand but he was really wrestling with me. "Aw, you shithead. This is abuse!"

"I will, if you promise me not to swear again."

"Okay, I will! I will not swear in your presence, damn it owww!"

"Not in my presence and not ever."

"No shit, sherlock. You said only in your presence!" He got my other cheek again. And in return I reached my uninjured left leg and dug my foot on his stomach and tried to push him away. I know we look ridiculous but I'm not losing this fight.

That was the sight the three people in the doorway has seen after they opened it. Maybe took the initiative of barging in because nobody has opened it before when they were knocking. Mainly it was Lord Círdan, Lord Feredir and Lord Glorfindel.

Lord Feredir sighed and shook his head while Lord Círdan crossed his arms and continued to watch as I struggle. I was almost distracted by the person with golden hair but my grandfather told me not to back away from a one on one fight.

"Promise me not to swear again or I will not stop pinching your cheeks."

"And I will kick you in the balls!" At that, the Lord of the house burst out laughing and decided to be the referee of this battle.

"Alright, children. Both of you stop at the same time." Lord Círdan stepped forward unto us. Faeron and I look at each other, both of our eyebrows quirked up. Then we decided to let go.

"Aw…" I groaned as I caress my two throbbing cheeks. This asshole will not get away without me getting a revenge, and for that I threw a punch at his arm.

"You call that a punch?" Faeron smirked.

"No, Cabron, I was swatting a fly as big as you."

"Don't swear." He said smilingly as if he won.

Lord Círdan shook his head again. "I thought something happened that's why I heard you shouting." He chuckled. "The young lady would've done a good job to your son if she happens do her threat." He said the last part to his general who smirked in exchange. While Glorfindel was clearly hiding a grin.

"That would be a sight."

"Come along then, lunch is served."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

High above the hallowed ground of Taniquetil, Irmó made his way up to the Ilmarin, the palace of the King Manwë and Queen Varda, the two chiefs of the Ainu. Beside him was his older brother, Namó who's not only trying to fulfil his duty as a supportive sibling but also because the Vala was concerned with what his brother has revealed to him.

Unclad of their fana, their spirit form of white came down at the highest dome of the palace where they found their two leaders who held both each other's hand. Varda's light reflected on her star-filled dress as if it was the reflection of their sky, her black hair contrasted her snow white skin and her face shines with love and compassion. In her forehead is a crown full of golden and silver stars, one of Aulë's greatest creations. Besides her was her beloved Manwë, who's blue eyes are filled with kindness and has the gentlest visage. His fana was clad in robes studded with hundreds of sapphires and his white hair has strings of gold. In his forehead was a simple and humble crown of gold and mithril whom Varda filled with stars very much like hers. His ever youthful face displays with a small smile. The two of them rarely separates and one of the reasons was because Varda is a little overprotective of him, which is quite amusing to other Ainu because one would think it was the other way around.

'Greetings, my brethren.' Manwë greets as the two fëanturi descends down on the ground. The four of them gave a court bow to each other in respect.

Irmó did not waste any moments and spoke to his leader. 'Milord, I seek your counsel about my visions for I have seen something of importance for our brethren.'

Manwë gave his spouse a questioning look for while Lorièn speaks, a mysterious smile appears on her lips but speaks none of it and instead looks deeply in the younger Fëanturi's eyes.

Irmó passed the vision to Manwë and as he take all of it, his blue eyes became wide. 'What has Ulmo done? Did he disregard the rule that it is forbidden to forge a life?' The king said in grief. He felt betrayed for the two of them are almost like brothers, Ulmo might be even closer to him than to his brother, Melkor. However, before the Vala forms other conclusions in his mind, Varda gently rested her hands on his shoulder.

'Calm your heart, Súlimo. Ulmo is wise and above all he puts the will of Atar before all his desire.' She says to him, gently squeezing his hand that she holds in hers.

'The soul in his hand did not pass my realm and I have no knowledge of who it was. There was a stain of shadow that clings to it like sickness and I know Ulmo knew it too.' Namó said in concealed desperation. 'My heart pains for it, my queen. I wish to save that soul before it's too late and the shadow consumes it completely.'

'Atar did not say anything to me about it. For if He have a purpose in Arda, He would say it to me first and foremost.' The highest of the Ainu said, putting one hand behind his back.

'Perhaps, it was a purpose that does not concern this world in general. Perhaps it was a purpose only for someone. We do not know the full works of our Father.' Varda said with the same mysterious smile.

And this time Manwë did not let it pass. 'Do you know anything about it?'

The Valië shrugged in such an unqueenly manner. 'Maybe yes, maybe not. I hear all voices in Arda and I have heard things which are supposed to be hidden from the ears of others.'

'Then why must he hide this from me?' Varda nearly smiles again at the sound of her spouse's voice as if whining in frustrations.

'You knew how lazy he is.'

Irmó made a wry smile while Namó did not hide his chuckles from the queen's comment. 'And he must knew how much everyone will make a big deal out of it. Especially with the history of our beloved Aulë.' Says the latter.

Somewhere in his forge, Aulë's fana gave an involuntary sneeze that almost shook the whole mountain itself.

'This might also be the one of the reasons why Ossë is trying to bombard the Enchanted Isles. To why is still unknown though Eonwë was a patient one and he has been trying to console his friend to calm or else another island will be pulled down again in the deep.' The king shook his head. 'For once I want to know the truth behind all of this without using my sight. I want to know it straight from Ulmo's mouth and why he is hiding this from me. Some friend he is.'

'Likewise, my king. I too would like to know it as well, and why Atar has sent me a vision of it.' Irmo agrees.

'Then I shall call all of you, my brethren, to gather in Máhanaxar, for it is the only thing that could force Ulmo to emerge from his domain and make him explain his act.' Manwë the king of Valars then materialized his scepter upon his right hand and dropped its end on the ground, creating a loud noise that surely all Ainu has heard even unto the deepest parts of Arda.

The call has been made, and all subjects has to comply.

And under the deepest ocean while sitting on his throne in Ulmonan, the king of the sea gave an exasperated sigh. He was thankful at Varda's respect in his privacy and kept all she had heard from Manwë even though he knew she must be curious too.

And while he knew he cannot hide the child from them forever, at least Ulmo wanted to take his time knowing who she was. Ossë might hate his method by sending her to the mortal lands but for the king of the seas, the best thing he can do is to give her even the slightest of familiarity that she can have. Ulmo does not want to directly plunge Ulumiel with the truth for he knew the shadow in her fëa will feed on her grief. She might be something that is new for him but the king of the seas became fond of her not only for her antics and her ability to annoy Ossë but because she came from a part of him and was gifted to him by the Atar.

Now that Manwë calls everyone using his authority, which is frustrating by the way, Ulmo has to comply. He calls for Ossë to come with him to Aman, much to the Maia's chagrin.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Ilmarin - the palace of Manwë and Varda

Taniquetil - (Quenya) the holy mountain, tallest peak in Arda and the highest of the Pelóri mountains in Aman.

Máhanaxar - or Rithil-anamo, the ring of doom, the court of the Valars where they held their official meetings. It's like the round table meeting of King Arthur minus the table, instead they have thrones for each Valar.

Ulmonan - the palace of Ulmo in the deepest place of Vaiya, the encircling seas.

Cabron - (Spanish/Broken Spanish) Dumbass