Yule Gift's
Eruraviel found herself feeling equally grateful and irritated at the fact that she had yet to have a moment alone since her return. Her belongings had been moved into Glorfindel's room, without anyone even bothering to ask if she wished otherwise…she didn't in a small – okay larger part of her mind. Still, it was the thought that counted right? She now spent her nights curled against Glorfindel feeling warm and safe in a way she had never thought that she would feel again. She was always escorted to meals and drawn into conversations that caused her to become so involved that she never realized when she consumed a full meal until they were headed back to Glorfindel's chambers. Celeborn had seemed especially pleased and she was unable to resist slapping him over the head with one of Elrond's newer manuscripts, which he saw and in return for her damaging it made her sit beside him as she rewrote it to his satisfaction. Still, being able to hit Celeborn was worth it.
She and Celeborn had had a slight conflict when he discovered how she had come by her daggers however. It turns out that Doriath had fallen because a large group of dwarves had attacked the city. Celeborn and Galadriel had been forced to flee and he had held a grudge ever since. Through some long conversations they had found that the group of dwarves that Eruraviel had helped was not the group that had attacked Doriath. In fact, after sending out a missive to the same group she had found out that the group of dwarves responsible for the sacking of Doriath had been denounced from the rest of the race. Celeborn had settled after that and had apologized for his actions. Eruraviel had then told him that considering her actions in hunting down the forces responsible for Gondolin's destruction were far more drastic than his own. Galadriel had privately thanked her later on, as this had been haunting Celeborn's dreams for many years. Him knowing that those responsible were gone and none remained, that they had faced punishment for their actions had gone a long way to helping him heal.
Glorfindel had sat with her and both had a lengthy, emotion filled talk about the fall of their home and the feeling of failure that both carried from it. Neither had talked with others before about their thoughts on the topic, feeling as though they wouldn't understand. Eruraviel had felt the same and both tried to pick apart the others logic in assuming responsibility for the destruction. Logic had gone a long way in beginning the acceptance phase instead of them remaining in denial. Both had seemed lighter to their friends, prompting them to ask about the change only to get a small smile in return. Eruraviel had asked Erestor for a canvas and paint supplies and had taken up painting in her spare time, a hobby she had not indulged in since she had been a young elleth. The very first painting she had done, she had given to Glorfindel. It was kept in the bedchamber above the fireplace. It was a painting of the possible future; of her, Glorfindel and their children. Both had come to treasure the picture.
The second picture she had done for Celeborn and was a picture of his Naneth and sister as they were boarding the ship to Aman. She had wrapped it and set it aside for a yule gift as she was going to do with the rest. Elrond received a painting of Eärendil and his parents as they were before they had been forced to flee Gondolin. She wasn't sure just yet as to what to paint for the others. Glorfindel's yule gift would actually be given to him early, as unbeknownst to all but her, Arvellas was pregnant. She estimated that her mare would give birth shortly before midwinter. Arvellas had already conveyed to Eruraviel that the mare wanted Glorfindel to be the one to bond with her offspring.
The thought made Eruraviel have a large smile on her face whenever she thought of it, much to the others confusion. She had moved Arvellas to a separate location so that no one else would discover the secret too early. Currently, she was on her way to the smith. She wanted to see if she could have a traditional Gondolin Saddle made for Arvellas foal. The color pattern of the saddle would match the house of Golden Flower, the house Glorfindel was Lord of, which were blue and gold. As she entered the building, she took notice that the front room was filled with many kinds of product; swords, daggers, bows and many different kinds of personal effects. A light voice spoke from her left and turning, Eruraviel noticed the smith had entered the foyer of the shop. A door swung closed behind him and she saw what was part of a large work room.
The smith had dark silver hair and light green eyes. His build was more muscular than one would expect from an elf, but expected from a smith.
"Greetings, my name in Ancalё. What can I help you with?" Ancalё asked. Eruraviel handed him a scroll with the schematics of the saddle on it.
"I was hoping that you could craft this?" She asked as she handed him the scroll. Ancalё took the scroll and unrolling it stared for several seconds, his eyes flying from one side to the other.
"Aye, I can make it. If I started now I could have it finished in the first enquië (elvish week; six days) of rhîw (Winter, elven calendar). It is a different saddle than is requested, may I ask where it is from?" Ancalё asked in curiosity. Eruraviel was satisfied with the time factor. They still had seven enquië till yule after all.
"This was the saddle used by the warriors of Gondolin. Our steeds were of different build than the rest, they were slighter of build though just as strong and far more agile, possessing far greater speed as well. This saddle was the one we used as it is the most comfortable and doesn't hinder the rider or the steed." Eruraviel told him. It wouldn't be prudent for todays mounts as they were bred for heavy combat.
"Please don't mention this, as it is to be a yule gift." She asked respectfully. Ancalё nodded and she left the smith and headed over to her hidden stable for Arvellas, who was nearing the end of her pregnancy. Her mare was currently curled in the shade of a large oak tree. Her stomach was large with the little one developing within her. Arvellas radiated contentment. She quietly approached and sat next to her, stroking her forelock with care.
"I am glad to see you happy, mellon-nin. Do you think I should inform Elrond and have him ready incase he is needed to assist?" Eruraviel asked her friend. Right now, no one knew Arvellas was carrying. But Eruraviel knew it was far better to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best than the other way around. She nodded to herself. Elrond could keep this a secret. She stayed in the meadow for another hour before standing and heading up the path to Elrond's office, where he usually was this time of day. Her life had surely changed, she mused. Had someone told her this was her future she would have scoffed and ridden off, content to ignore the words of a fool. As she passed through the stone halls, she realized that she was coming to see Imladris as her home and she for the first time, she didn't feel guilty at the thought. She knocked on Elrond's door and smiled as she her his voice telling her to enter.
The elf-lord sat at his desk a large pile of papers on either side of him. She smirked, glad that this was a fate she was able to avoid.
"Eruraviel, what can I help you with?" Elrond asked as he set the quill aside to give her his full attention. She sat across from him and smiled.
"Right, the whole lot of you have been pestering me as to the reason for my peculiar glee. I must ask that you not tell anyone just yet, as this is intended to be a surprise for someone later on." She said and saw him nod even as he leaned forward, eager to hear what had been going on.
"Arvellas is pregnant as is due just before midwinter." She said and saw his eyes widen and his jaw drop. He suddenly laughed, filled with glee as he clapped his hands.
"Come, let me see that wonderful mare of yours. I take it you want me on hand incase something happens?" He asked as he pulled her from the room. She laughed lightly at the mighty elf-lord acting like an elfling.
"Yes, better to be prepared than not." She said and at his nod she led him down a less known path to Arvellas meadow. As they entered the grove, she gave a light whistle letting her mare know that someone was with her. Mare's could be very protective of the foals, she didn't want to startle her mare. Arvellas looked up and slowly stood, hindered slightly by her enlarged abdomen. Elrond stood just behind her, waiting until Arvellas approached him. After her customary greeting with Eruraviel, the mare turned to the waiting elf and gently nudged his shoulder. Taking the greeting as the permission it was, Elrond gently examined the mare and announced her to be in perfect health.
"In fact," he said with a smile, "both the foals are healthy as well." Both elleth and horse froze in shock.
"Aye, she is carrying twins, both male from what I can tell." Elrond said. Eruraviel turned to stare at her mare, wondering who the mare would will the second foal to. Arvellas had closed her eyes and seemed to be deep in thought and Eruraviel knew better than to interrupt her. After several minutes, Arvellas opened her eyes and an image appeared in Eruraviel's mind. Eruraviel smiled and nodded her head, approving the mare's choice.
"What has she decided?" Elrond asked.
"She has decided who the second recipient will be." Eruraviel told him, knowing his curiosity would be driving him up a tree. Elrond gave her a dry look and she laughed.
"Fine, fine. The first foal is to go to Glorfindel, the second will be bonded to Celeborn." She told him. Elrond smiled and nodded in agreement. The pair spent a little more time with Arvellas before the went their separate ways. Elrond went back t his office, a skip in his step while Eruraviel went back to the smith. He raised his eyes as she entered.
"Hello again, I was hoping you may be able to make a second saddle but done in silver and green." She asked. The smith tilted his head in curiosity.
"Aye, but why the rapid change?" He asked.
"It turns out there will be two foals not the one I expected." She said slight shock still in her voice. The smith laughed.
"Aye, nature rarely follows expectations." He said. She bowed in thanks and once again left the shop.
"Eruraviel, there you are! Come it is time for the midday meal." A deep voice said from behind her. Turning, she saw Glorfindel coming out of another shop. She smiled lightly as he fell into step beside her and placed his arm around her shoulders, pulling her against him.
"I do remember the way to the Hall, Glorfindel." She stated drily. He looked down at her and smirked.
"Maybe, but I don't trust you not to get distracted and 'forget' beloved. One cannot be too cautious after all." He said laughing as she scowled at him.
"I do not always get distracted. Last time it was Erestor's fault! He was the one that told me about the new maps needing to be updated. It is only fair I help what with my travels." She said petulantly.
"Yes, my dear. And the time before that, you were busy painting, then you and Galadriel got to talking about Melian with Elrond and the time…" Glorfindel began rattling off before she interrupted by shoving him into a nearby bush and kept walking on her own. Laughter echoed from the bushes and a reluctant smile crossed her face. She entered the hall by herself and joined Elrond and the others at the head table.
"Eruraviel? I could have sworn Glorfindel had gone looking for you?" Elrond asked puzzled.
"He was and he found me, he merely got distracted upon seeing the beauty of your garden. He will catch up soon." She said smiling a spark in her eye. Galadriel looked at her and began laughing lightly, drawing confused looks. Silence fell, and turning the group saw Glorfindel standing in the doorway several sticks and leaves in his hair and smudges of dirt on his skin. Celeborn snickered and the rest of the group followed as the golden elda made his way to the table.
"Now Eruraviel, I would have thought you would know better than to shove people just to escape conversation." Glorfindel mocked lightly as he sat down, pulling stray twigs out of his hair.
"Why is that what you thought? I could see you eyeing the flowers with such awe that I wanted to help you in getting a closer look. I cannot help it if you lost track of time and had to rush here." She said false surprise in her voice. Elrond had his head cradled in the palm of his right hand as he shook his head back and forth. Erestor smirked as did Celebrian as the two Gondolin elves traded words. Glorfindel gave her a flat look before the group started in on the meal. The conversation flowed and she and Elrond had grinned when the Lorien rulers announced that they would stay for a few years until things had settled down. That worked perfectly as the foals would be fully grown in two years but would need to remain with Arvellas for another year before leaving on their own. The also needed to remain close to their riders to allow the bond to continue to develop. The others traded looks at her and Elrond's shared smile but move on when the two refused to elaborate.
Time passed quickly for the elves and soon, midwinter was but days away. Currently, she and Elrond stood inside the meadow ignoring the cold and snow as Arvellas worked to bring the two foals into the world. Elrond could not touch the foals and would look after Arvellas after birth while Eruraviel tended to the newborns. Eruraviel already had an animal bond and as such she was safe, Elrond didn't and he would imprint on them if he touched them. Celeborn and Glorfindel must be the first unbonded to touch the foals. She stepped forwards and gently untangled the first foal and as she dried him, she saw he was a deep sun gold with the same white mane of his mother. She finished drying him just as his brother was born. The second foal was pure silver, like molten metal with a black mane and tail. She finished cleaning them and stood giving Elrond a look. He nodded and she took off towards the house.
She found Celeborn first, or rather she nearly ran him over.
"Eruraviel, what is wrong?" He asked worriedly. She grabbed his hand and dragged him with her as she ran for Glorfindel's room. Galadriel followed behind, equally curious and worried.
"Nothing is wrong, but I need you and Glorfindel to come with me. Your yule gift has arrived, and it needs to be given now." She said as she reached her and Glorfindel's shared chambers. She left the pair at the door as she ran into the room and drew Glorfindel's attention from where he had been seated on the couch. She grabbed his hand and dragged him from the room. He traded confused looks with the others but subsided after a long look with Galadriel. She led the small group down the narrow path to the meadow and stopped just before she entered.
"Now, this is very important. Glorfindel yours is the gold one, Celeborn yours is silver. You have to be the first to make physical contact to seat the bond." She said.
"Love what are you talking about?" Glorfindel asked puzzled. She huffed but answered knowing that they were probably very confused.
"Arvellas was pregnant, she just gave birth to two foals." She said and saw all of their eyes widen as a deep joy and appreciation filled Glorfindel's eyes. Celeborn looked shocked and that seemed all he was capable of even as Galadriel laughed into her hand at the expression on his face. She led the group forward and heard the males sharp intake of breath as they saw the two newborn foals one curled on each side of their mother. Glorfindel slowly walked forward and crouched in front of the golden foal awe and love blossoming in his eyes. He gently raised his hand and after looking at Arvellas in confirmation, stretched his hand forward and rubbed the foals head as the pair started to glow with a faint golden light that grew brighter and brighter before finally fading away. Glorfindel then sat in the snow, headless of the cold and cradled the foal in his arms, contentedness radiating from him.
Celeborn upon seeing his friends' actions repeated the process and a grin covered his face as the bright silver light faded away. Eruraviel, Galadriel, Elrond and Arvellas stood and watched all happy for the small foursome. Eruraviel coughed.
"Come, we should get them into the stables where it is nice and warm." She said and nodding, Glorfindel and Celeborn carried the foals who were completely calm as Arvellas led them back to the main grazing field and the stables. She heard a cough behind her and saw the smith who gestured at a large empty stall, more than big enough for the three. On each side of the stable was a saddle. She smiled and pushed the gate open. Arvellas entered the stall first followed by the two elves carrying her foals. Both stopped short when they saw the saddles.
Glorfindel laughed and headed over to the left side where the one that had his house colors on was while Celeborn did the same on the other side.
"Yes, these are the other part of the gift. You need a special saddle to ride comfortable when on a Gondolin steed." She said. Both ellon gave her matching grins. Both elves refused to leave the foals side and so that was how the group spent their night, curled in a stall chatting about the skills and techniques one could use with a Gondolin steed.
As the yule morning dawned, Eruraviel stretched and curled back against Glorfindel's chest. She wondered at the fact that this would be the first midwinter she had celebrated since her brother's death so long ago. She also knew her calm emotions and acceptance had more to do with the powerful ellon beside her than anything else.
"Good morning, beloved. Shall we arise and face the day?" a deep voice rumbled in her ear where it rested against his chest. She hummed lightly in agreement and the pair rose and dressed with the clothes made for today, done in blues, silvers and whites. Glorfindel gently brushed her hair and pulled two ends back in a lose braid. She in turn brushed out his golden locks and deciding to surprise him pulled it into the braided pattern of a Gondolin lord. She felt his confusion until he looked in the mirror and froze, his eyes becoming slightly glazed as memories surged in his mind. She wrapped her arms around him and smiled as his eyes cleared and thankful look entered into his eyes.
The pair left the room and headed to the family room a few doors down. There they would pass the morning with Elrond, Celebrian, their children, Erestor, Celeborn and Galadriel. The yule morning was filled with happy talk and thanks for the gifts given as all loved the many paintings and other gifts. The feast was filled with elves as they celebrated, danced and feasted filled with hope for the coming seasons. As she and Glorfindel returned to their room, she could tell that the ellon had something planned. The looks he gave her made her extremely curious.
"Eruraviel of Gondolin of the house of Ankale (Bright one, radiance, etc.) You arrived in my life as a complete surprise and one that I am grateful for every day. I love you with everything I am, I will continue to do so until the stars themselves no longer shine and into eternity. Will you do me the honor of bonding with me?" Glorfindel asked as he held her hands and stared into her eyes. Eruraviel breath caught and she stared into the hopeful and loving azure gaze of the elf before her. She never thought she would bond with someone. Too many wanted her for her prestige than for who she was. Now she had that chance with the one person who understood.
"Glorfindel, Lord of the House of Golden Flower. You came to me and found me lost in the depths of darkness. You helped me to understand that healing is possible if one is only willing to try. You have loved me and helped me even when I ran in fear of hurting you. I would be honored to bond with you and remain by your side into eternity." Eruraviel said into the silence of their room. The bright, glowing grin he gave her made her smile even as he caught her lips in a kiss. The journey to the bed was lost in a haze of desire and pleasure as their souls began the process of fusing as one.
A/N: to any who want to write this scene feel free just give me the title so I can direct people to it.
Eruraviel came to the next morning feel sore and achy yet content and sated. She was still curled up against Glorfindel's naked form their limbs intertwined and locked together. She laid there for an hour just relishing in the protective, dominant hold Glorfindel's faer had on her own. A hand carding through her sleep mused hair brought her attention back to the waking world.
"I love you, Glorfindel. Thank you for not letting me run." She said and felt him tighten his embrace.
"I would have followed you to the ends of the earth, beloved. I love you and I will always do so." Glorfindel said, his voice still deep with sleep. Together the pair rose and after dressing, headed into the hall of fire of the morning meal. As they entered, all sound stopped. Every elf could sense the way their two faer's had bonded and fused together. They knew the two had bonded as one. Slow clapping started before the entire room was on their feet, cheering for the newly bonded couple. Elrond approached with a large smile on his face and clapped them on the shoulder.
"Congratulations, mellon-nin. I am so very happy for you." Elrond said.
"Thank you hîr-nin." Both chorused and sat at the table to eat. As she ate Eruraviel wondered at the fortune in her life that allowed her and Glorfindel to find each other. It seemed life had more to offer than she thought, and the surge of Glorfindel's faer within her made sure she understood that she wouldn't be facing said life alone either.
A/N: Thank you to leggyrespect123, purpleXorchid, angel897 and daughterofthechief for your reviews, This will probably be the last chapter before Christmas so Merry Christmas and I hope you and yours are safe and happy this holiday season.