Glorfindel gave a mental warning. 'There is something in the ravine. Of its nature, I'm not sure.' His squadron of handpicked warriors from Imladris slid off their horses and cautioned the animals to be silent and wait for their return. Led by Glorfindel they spread out along the ridge and looked upon a small group of dwarves in the light of an equally small fire.
They slipped single file down a sheep track until the warriors silently ringed the tattered band of dwarves. Assuring all was ready, Glorfindel stepped into their sight and let out a golden hew to his skin and was satisfied when they all cried out in fear and reached for weapons. "I wouldn't attack if I were you," he warned. "You are surrounded."
Slowly the dwarves put down their weapons. He looked for signs of their clan and didn't find any indication which group they belonged. The apparent leader rose with hands splayed wide and palms out. "I thought we were alone on the mountain. We are travelers an planned on reaching Erebor tomorrow ta seek employment in the mines."
"Where did you come from?" Glorfindel asked pleasantly, although his eyes and fëa searched for deception and he felt they were discomforted at his presence.
"We heard from ah group traveling east that the mountain was retaken an hurried ta seek jobs before all were filled. As for where we came from; we are nomadic dwarves an belong ta no clan. Our ancestors were from all clans at one time, but we are intermarried an think of ourselves as dwarves only."
Glorfindel searched his memory and couldn't think of such a group, but didn't know all the locations of all dwarven clans and would seek information from Erebor about this being a possibility. He did remember unaffiliated clans that fought on the side of Sauron during the War of the Last Alliance. "There are orcs and wargs on the prowl, so don't wander into the night alone," he cautioned and motioned with his hand and the fire blazed higher, drawing all dwarven eyes upon it. When they looked back to him, he was gone.
The leader of the group gave a sigh of relief he wasn't grilled further. His plans had to succeed or his kin would be sacrificed and fed to wargs. He'd seen it happen all too often. It never occurred to him to tell the truth and throw his group at the mercy of King Thráin.
Bilbo strode into the Durin tavern to a lively tune and everyone singing and sloshing ale from mugs that rose and fell to the beat of music. He meant to quietly retire to his bed when entering the mountain with the elven ladies, but Gimli, who was on duty, spotted him and called out that Thorin wished a word with him. Bidding the elven ladies a pleasant night, he trotted down into the bowls of the mountain. He spotted Thorin and Dwalin swaying against each other and obviously drunk. He wasn't sure who was supporting whom. When the tune ended, he approached. "You wished to see me, Thorin?"
Thorin let go of Dwalin and Bilbo found himself trying to support the larger dwarf. To his relief, Thorin staggered to a chair and dropped like a rock, tankard slipping to the floor. Bilbo picked it up and saw it empty. He turned and in a dwarven like manner, threw it across the room where a servant expertly caught it. The dwarves that witnessed Bilbo's act, laughed and clapped.
"We'll make ah dwarf out of ye yet," a drunken Bofur slurred.
Bilbo smiled at those he came to love and focused on Thorin. "Again he repeated, "I was told you wished to see me, Thorin."
"Yes," Thorin acknowledged and seemed to gather that particular memory. "I wish you to be witness tomorrow when I present my dowry to Lord Dóvad."
Bilbo was surprised. "I would be honored, Thorin." He was curious what this dowry entailed and to be on the front row, so to speak, delighted him.
"Balin will draw up the contract in the morning and it will be signed by me and Dóvad," he motioned across the room, where the lord in question was arm wrestling with Dori. "Balin will sign for my side and Tóvad as witness for the other side and you will be an impartial witness on nobody's side."
"What are my duties?" Bilbo asked.
"Make sure everyone agrees that I've presented dowry honestly and not confiscating anything after being logged in. I'm sure Gandalf will be present, but I want you present also. That way there shouldn't be any question that I may have cheated Dóvad."
Bilbo was humbled by the high esteem Thorin had of his abilities and thought back to when he stole the Arkenstone.
"You sure you trust me after what I did to you?" he questioned.
Thorin met his eyes and smiled. "It's because of what you did that I'm trusting you. I haven't found any guile in you. I also insist when you leave us, you take more than an acorn this time."
"That acorn sprouted this spring," Bilbo replied. "I retrieved the chest of gold and it still reeks of orc, but the gold spends just the same as newly minted in the hands of greedy hobbits."
"Since I don't know how long it will be until we see you again, I insist you take another chest of that size."
Knowing the dwarves would never miss that small of amount, Bilbo nodded, overwhelmed by Thorin's generosity. "Is it coming from your fourteenth share?"
Thorin threw back his head and roared. "I believe it is." He wiped his eyes. "I cannot spend my fourteenth share, even divided among the Company, in my lifetime. We found another vein of gold when the miners were cleaning up the mess Smaug made. The battle we fought caused damage to the walls and a seam was uncovered."
"And I believe you get ten percent for the title Crown Prince?" Bilbo had heard that rumor when last in the mountain.
Thorin nodded. "With my share, I'm going to hire miners to explore Moria and see if we left enough mithril to make an effort in reclaiming those long abandoned halls."
"From the stories told when coming here, Moria has a great evil lurking in the deep. What are you going to do about that?" Bilbo was curious and accepted a mug of ale when a servant saw neither he nor Thorin had drink in hand. Thorin readily accepted his and downed half, while Bilbo set a much slower pace.
Wiping his mustache with the back of his hand, Thorin belched and replied. "I'm instructing the miners to find the veins of mithril and mine quietly. There are goblins living under the halls also. We need mithril much worse than another vein of gold. Our meager supply is almost gone."
"Hey, Thorin, ye look like yer going ta yer funeral," Dáin yelled out and staggered across the room to them. He slapped Thorin none too gently on the shoulder. "I still have ta explain the facts of life ta ye. I know yer father tried last night, but ye passed out when he got ta the good part, so I'll pick up where he left off."
There was laughter heard around the cavern. Bilbo set his mug on the table and rose. "On that note, I believe it is past my bedtime and my young ears don't need to hear such graphic details."
"Coward," Thorin called after his retreating back in a jovial tone.
Arwen and her grandmother met in the main chamber for a last cup of herbal tea designed to induce sleep. Azthêla and Bethíel were also seated with them and ready to jump should either lady need anything. "Tell us another story, Daernaneth," Arwen prompted and the ladies-in-waiting nodded they also wished a story.
Galadriel let her eyes play over each of them from over the brim of her cup. Setting it aside, she asked, "And what story do you wish I part with? Maybe one of the many battles your daeradar fought?"
There were groans of protest and Arwen replied, "No, and you know it. We want to hear of love this close to the wedding; something to get us in the mood."
"That is our desire also," Azthêla added.
Galadriel got a faraway look and her audience knew she was thinking of him. "I remember the first time I informed Celeborn I was with elfling."
"I thought the father's knew the moment it happened?" Arwen interrupted and Bethíel nodded she thought that also.
Azthêla laughed. "My husband was clueless when I got with elfling. He was gone so much, a tryst was in between battles produced our first son during the War of the Wrath."
"Celeborn was also clueless," Galadriel added. "Unless you tell them their pleasure was creating an elfling, they are only thinking of their pleasure." She got down to the story. "We spent five years at Lake Evendim, making improvements for men that settled in the area. The elves didn't feel it was to be our home, so one spring day we set out for land in the foothills west of the Misty Mountains and south of Hollin Ridge. Celeborn didn't want to live that close to dwarves and I had to bear his angry fëa for most of the journey. He wanted to press over the mountains and settle in Lothlórien with his kin nearby. It was still early in the Second Age and peace was with us once again and I wanted a baby. After the tumultuous First Age, with so much death and sailing to the undying lands, the elven population was severely depleted and Sindar rulers few and far between. With Amdír and Oropher ruling their realms beyond the mighty mountains, it fell to Celeborn and I to be rulers between the mountains. I always wanted to rule my own kingdom and convinced Celeborn now was our time to fulfill my dream to rule."
"How is this a love story?" Arwen braved the question, but knew the others were wondering the same. It was late and they wanted to go to bed with visions of romance, not a history lesson.
Galadriel smiled at their impatience. "Well, I could just say Celeborn came home to find me with elfling and we had wild sex he was so pleased. There, now I'm going to bed." She started to rise when three voices begged her stay.
"Forgive my eagerness," Arwen begged. "I just don't want the story to be like some of your other ones where it took days to finish. With Daeradar nearby, I know you won't tell this story in front of him, so want it all in one sitting."
"You are correct that I will never tell this story to others with him anyplace nearby. One; he would stop it and two; I would be embarrassed to divulge our intimate time to others with him present." She paused. "Now, where was I?"
"Leaving Lake Evendim," Bethíel quickly supplied and it earned her a smile from the great lady.
"With my mind made up that I wanted an elfling, I began once again preparing my body. When Celeborn and I were first wed, we tried for an elfling, but I never became pregnant. It was always a great disappointment to us that we couldn't give Nimloth a cousin her age. In retrospect, I suspect the Valar may have intervened due to our lifestyles and the raising offspring of our kin in one form or another. It did give us experience for when Celebrían was born though. I could feel evil the further east we went and knew we were approaching the place the Valar wished us to live for the unfolding of events in Middle Earth.
"We entered Ost-in-Edhil with Celebrimbor standing at the gate to welcome us personally. It had been centuries since we'd seen him and I was overjoyed to see kin again and he was the best of the Fëanorians. He insisted we stay at his home until ours was completed. Celeborn was opposed to the offer, but I overruled him. We settled into an unused wing of his large house and rarely saw my cousin, for he was obsessed with metallurgy and spent most of his time at the forges with others like him."
"I learned that in studies," Arwen complained. "When are we getting to the steaming romance part?"
Galadriel smiled patiently at her. "As I explained, I was preparing my body, but living in another's home wasn't the time to conceive. Our house was finished three years after we arrived and we joyfully departed Celebrimbor's house for our own. It sat upon a hill overlooking the city and we had a bedroom with balconies that looked east to the mountains and north to the city. A cooling breeze kept us comfortable at night. Celebrimbor was lord of the city, but had little interest in the lands surrounding it. He suggested that Celeborn and I become lord and lady of the lands the locals called Eregion. Celeborn took to patrolling his new kingdom and was gone for long periods. That wasn't how one got pregnant and I was growing frustrated with my absent husband."
Azthêla snickered. "I should say not. I know being married to a warrior that absence from the home is a way of life for them."
Galadriel nodded in understanding. "Absences marked Celeborn's and my life up to that time also due to him not only being a warrior, but a lord in charge of armies or being a prince helping to rule lands." She found her place. "He came home one spring afternoon after being gone for several weeks and I was determined not to let him out of my sight until I was pregnant. I pleaded with the Valar to allow a child this time. Celeborn was anxious to push east of the Misty Mountains to Lothlórien when the pass opened. King Amdír sent repeated letters beseeching us to visit. I made a bargain with my husband. If he catered to my every whim until he could make it over the pass, I would allow him to travel through Caradhras Pass and visit the kings of the Sindar and see those lands for the first time. Celeborn is an explorer at heart and loves to see new lands.
"We spent many passionate hours in our bed that month and Celeborn took to massaging my body with scented lotions that further enhanced my desire to ovulate. Early in April, I knew the time had come. I planned a private retreat and instructed the servants in food choices and privacy.
Azthêla smiled knowingly. "I remember that time. You and the lord were scarce about the place, sequestering instead in your bedchamber. We suspected you two were trying for an elfling, but no mention of it dared pass our lips."
"Celeborn was more interested in planning his next trip abroad and insisted I accompany him, for Amdír's letters also invited me. My mirror told me to go and take the Mallorn nuts I packed and carted from place to place since Aldarion, king of Númenor, gifted them to me. I remember actually crying when holding nuts from Valinor and had visions of planting them in the rich soil of Lothlórien. With that in mind, I pressed ahead with the conception anyway.
"I'll never forget the bonding that produced our elfling." Galadriel's focus faded and everyone knew she was reliving the moment. "Night had fallen and we ate a perfect repast in our private chambers. Wine was an exceptional vintage aged three hundred years and a bottle graced our table. We ate early spring salad, and after winter of root vegetables tasted like food found on the table of the Valar. In fact, I suspect they may have enhanced the flavor and will ask them someday. A young bull was slaughtered and we had the finest cuts of meat, sautéed in spicy marinade that melted in our mouths. Even Celeborn knew this night was special; just not baby producing special. He thought it was us celebrating the end of winter and he would the next day prepare us to leave sometime that month. After supper, we strolled along our balcony, arms around each other; first to the north where we looked out over our realm and darkness descending and the lights of the city coming alive in the dusk. Then we meandered to the east balcony where Eärendil's ship the Vingilótë was flying so low, we could actually make out his hull. We waved to him and he nodded with the Silmaril back to us. I suspect the Valar informed him that tonight was special for us.
"He no sooner passed out of sight over the house when the largest moon I've ever seen rose over the mountains. 'Even the moon is serenading us,' Celeborn commented. In the distance, down in the city, music rose to welcome the super moon. We watched and exchanged kisses and a grope or two while watching the moon rise. Celeborn took me in his arms and our love was exchanged through some of the most fervent kisses ever bestowed upon my lips. He took command and I let him set the pace with his firm lips and inviting tongue. I could feel through his robes that he was ready for our passionate night and led him by the hand to our bathing chamber. The servants did exactly as I asked and steaming water rose from a large sunken stone bathing pool. We spent at least an hour in the water until it was tepid and our fëas merged into one long before our bodies followed suite. I didn't want a possible conception in the water, so insisted we take our pleasures to bed.
"With Ithil our only light, we conceived. Celeborn's hair shone ethereal silver and my fingers couldn't stop toying with it. Likewise, he said my hair also shone brighter than he ever seen it at night and his fingers entwined with my locks until morning. Our bed was next to the balcony, so we were practically outside. Spring was warm that year and I opened our bed chambers to the air days before. We rested in the other's arms and watched Ithil relinquish its light to the greater Anar. Still I didn't say a word of my suspicions. We had been disappointed so many times; I didn't want to see that look in his eyes once again.
"We left three days later and skirted the main road that led to Moria's West Gate and used a lesser known track up the pass. As soon as my eyes beheld the trees of Lothlórien, I knew that it would someday be my home and the Mallorn nuts would thrive in the rich, virgin soil. Elves were living in tree houses called flets or talans among the stars and leaves. We informed King Amdír of our desire to live in his realm and he was most agreeable to the idea. 'How will you rule Eregion?' he asked us.
"'We will remain rulers for now. It will be centuries before the trees, Galadriel is anxious to plant, mature to build us a proper home.' I listened to Celeborn talk to Amdír that evening and my eyes couldn't stay open. That never happened to me before. Celeborn felt my weariness through our fëas and grew concerned. Before I could make my excuses and seek our sleeping chamber, Celeborn jumped up and stated, 'Galadriel, do you require a healer?'"
"Everyone that was in the room stopped talking and I became the center of their focus. 'I'm just weary from the trip,' I admitted, but did not disclose what my body was going through. Celeborn could feel a change through our fëas and grew frightened. 'I insist a healer be brought,' he almost begged Amdír."
"A servant rushed from the talan at the wave of Amdír's hand. I was escorted by a worried husband to bed, where he fussed over me until a healer presented himself. He placed his hands on my abdomen, for that was where Celeborn said he felt a change. As soon as he touched me, the healer laughed. I thought Celeborn was going to deck him.
"'My wife may be dying and you think it funny?' Celeborn raged."
"'If she is dying, she will be the first to die from conception,' the healer replied."
"Celeborn's eyes grew very large and he swung his gaze upon me. 'You knew?'"
"I could feel his mixed emotions of disbelief and rage at being kept in the dark, and second guessed my decision not to inform him the night I conceived. 'Now is not the time for this discussion,' I deflected and saw rage win the battle. Before he could blow up, I quietly asked the healer to leave us. He saw a martial fight brewing and stated, 'I will be here in the morning to examine you further.' With a bow of his head to Celeborn, he all but ran from our room.
"That left Celeborn and I looking into the other's eyes. 'I didn't know if the pregnancy would take,' I offered as a weak explanation."
"'And you think so little of me that you figured I couldn't handle another false attempt?' he spat back and I realized once again that's exactly what I thought."
"Now I'm bummed," Arwen complained. "I want a love story; not another installment of the feud between you two."
"You may be bummed, but he was reduced to the same ellon as the moment when he heard of the kinslaying. He raged at me. 'You think so little of me you went behind my back to conceive? Since you have what you want, you no longer need me.' With that, he grabbed his belongings and without a backward glance, left the room. Here I was, adjusting to a baby attaching itself to my womb and a husband that just walked out on me. I knew of elves that chose to live apart, but divorce is forbidden by the Valar, so I knew we would forever be linked; even if I never saw him again. As when he threw the shirt in my face, I went into shock. Unlike that time when he found out about the kinslaying, I didn't have loving brothers caring for me and was all alone among the Sindar and Silvan elves."
Arwen's eyes filled with tears. "I pray to Elbereth that I may be spared your tumultuous life."
Galadriel turned sad eyes on her beloved granddaughter. "You will have your own journey with hardships and joy. I wouldn't trade my life's journey for one day of pampered comfort in my father's palace."
The face of a man flashed through Arwen's mind and she knew her grandmother also saw, for the older elleth frowned, but she didn't want to distract from the story and motioned her grandmother to continue.
"Like those days long past, I cried myself to sleep, longing for his arms. I didn't have the luxury of burying myself in sorrow; for the child in me needed nourishment and I was guest in another's home. Next morning, I presented myself before the king. 'The Valar have granted my request to plant the mighty Mallorn nuts in your forest. I should like to begin today.'"
"'Request denied,' Amdír promptly replied. Before I could remind him I was more powerful of the two, he continued. 'Have you eaten?'"
"I shook my head and he commanded we continue our discussion over breakfast. Once seated with a bowl of hot mush and biscuits set before me, he added, 'Celeborn sought me out last night and congratulations are in order. He also told me he was going east to Amon Lanc and spend time with Oropher before taking you back over the mountains.'"
"I should have known Celeborn wouldn't have disclosed our private disagreement and was grateful. 'Then I will spend my time planting future trees,' I happily explained.
"'Celeborn has forbidden you taking on manual labor,' Amdír replied, and held his hand up when I started to protest. 'However, I am more than agreeable to allowing you to supervise the planting, provided you are resting while overseeing. I shall be keeping an eye on you and if for one moment, I spot you dropping a seed into the ground, I will terminate the planting.'"
"I quickly agreed and for the next two months supervised a crew of thirty elves. We planted all the nuts over a several mile area. My body changed and I longed to share everything with Celeborn, but not one word of him reached Lothlórien. I decided it was time to leave and wanted to be back in Ost-in-Edhil by summer solstice and my own home and bed. I feared my heavy fëa was damaging the baby and longed to be at my parent's palace so they could take care of us. That not being possible, I chose what I thought the next best place; near Celebrimbor. We were always close and I knew he cared about me as a kin would.
"Tongues wagged when I returned minus a husband. 'He is traveling', was my response to questions. Any elf near me could feel I was pregnant and they raised eyebrows at my missing spouse. Everyone knew a caring husband would never leave his wife without good cause during the time she was carrying his elfling. Summer solstice dawned on a hot, cloudless morning and I didn't want to socialize, but as leader, it was expected of me. There was a feast in the town square and everyone came. I sat in the shade and watched games and contests and dancing. My heart was heavy and I feared my latest bought of selfishness drove him away for good. I rubbed my abdomen often that day and ate fresh greens and fruit so the elfling would be properly nourished. I was worried it wasn't getting the love of two fëas and my sorrow turned to anger. So he wasn't informed during the making of the baby; or not told that I may be pregnant. That didn't excuse his absence. Like in the days he jilted me, I started planning for a future without him and the kingdom I would build and rule. So caught up in my thoughts, I missed the crowd going silent until a shadow fell over my face, causing me to look up.
"There he was. As swiftly as he stormed from our bedchamber in Lothlórien, he was back. With all eyes upon us, I spoke mentally. 'If you think you can treat me like trash again, walking away in a tantrum and then returning to my bed, you have another think coming. The child and I are doing just fine without you.'
He looked at me for a full minute; our eyes flashing a showdown. He replied mentally so our audience couldn't hear our conversation. 'All my life I was prepared to be a ruler and husband. When I created a new life, I expected the moment my seed left my body I would be informed of the journey to the womb. I desired to share that joy with my wife. I didn't plan on you being that elleth. If you desire we live apart and I only see our elfling rarely, it will be thus. I cannot live another day with an elleth that withholds the most important parts of her life from me. I came back to pack my belongings and am moving permanently over the mountains.'
"I didn't expect that of him, especially after our spring and the love we shared, both in fëas and bed. I didn't know what to say. I closed my eyes and placed a hand over my face lest he or anyone see my anguish. I clamped down on all emotions and felt the baby stir in protest. With a hand to my abdomen, I passed out.
"When I came to, I was in my bed with healers surrounding me. My abdomen was on fire and I knew I was losing the child. Of Celeborn, there was no sign. I cried in anguish and pleaded to the Valar not to take my baby, but by morning, I had lost him."
Tears were running down the faces of her three listeners. Arwen was hearing this story for the first time, as were their ladies-in-waiting, although Azthêla knew of the loss of a child, was hearing the details for the first time. The death of an infant, even unborn was heartbreaking.
"Maiawë showed me the tiny body and said it was a male. I held him and cried and screamed my anger at the Valar for deceiving me. Not only had I lost my love, but my beautiful baby boy. When Maiawë tried to take him for burial, I insisted on accompanying him. They helped me up and I dressed in black with a veil over my face. We walked to the city graveyard where a tiny hole had already been prepared. Maiawë asked, 'Did you have a name for him so Mandos can receive him properly?'
"'If a son, I wanted him to be called Celedarion, after his father and the Númenorean king Adarion, that gave me the Mallorn seeds. Someday, when this age is done and I'm again in Aman, I will petition Mandos to let me have the baby to raise.' I watched them place the remains in the ground and wished it me being placed to rest in his stead. I felt Celeborn's presence at my back, but didn't turn around or acknowledge him. In all our married years, this was the moment we were the furthest from each other. I spurned him and didn't want him near me. Alone in my grief, I returned to our home and a darkness settled upon me. I didn't visit my mirror or receive visitors, even Celebrimbor. Summer gave way to fall. I walked in the hills daily, praying for an orc to come and end my life. Without Celeborn, I had nothing to live for; a kingdom to rule was hollow. When I had an elfling, I had hope, but now I was bereft of both my love and child. I had never been so alone or despondent and my fëa was fading."
Arwen had a flash of a woman in a long black veil walking among the trees in the same state. She assumed it was a vision of her grandmother and her heart bled and she would wish for death if her love was dead or had forsaken her.
"It was late November and I was walking in the woods. It was the only place I felt any spark of life and that's why to this day the Mallorn's call to me. The trees and woods are where I belong. The Valar was wise in paring me with a mate who yearned for the same wooded home. I saw him walking towards me. We stopped a pace apart. 'Our fëas are fading,' he spoke first. 'We must reconcile and grow strong in love once more, or I will be forced to do something I dread….sail.'
"I felt a spark in my fëa rejuvenate with just his presence. 'I was wrong to withhold the making of our baby from you,' I confessed. 'I can't take back what I did. If not cut off from sailing after the War of Wrath, I would have sailed this summer and camped outside the Halls of Mandos pleading for the life of our unborn son. I am convinced that our union is cursed and you can never be happy with me. I wish now you had married Lárraki and I never knew love or passion of a man.'
"He approached and to my surprise took me in his arms. He held me for a long time, just the two of us alone. When he finally pulled back, I saw remorse in his eyes, for he also lost a child. 'I would have made him into the finest warrior in all Middle Earth,' he stated and I felt tears make tracks down my face. 'Celedarion is a fine name. I am tired of camping in the wilds and patrolling our realm. I want to come home.'
"'Not without a pledge from both of us that from now on, good or bad, we share our thoughts and fëas.' I made my own demands."
"He nodded and we linked arms and needless to say, tongues wagged when we were spotted together entering our neighborhood and home. That night, we dined in our private rooms, bathed together and went to bed. It was there for the next four days we stayed in bed with our fëas linked and shared every detail of our time apart, from the conception of Celedarion to our loneliness and all that Celeborn saw and did. All through the winter, we never left each other's presence for more than personal needs. By spring, it was as if we were never parted. To this day, we share everything." Galadriel looked at her subdued audience and smiled. "And now for the real love story I promised to put you in the mood for the wedding and nights to come for Thorin and Lióni.
"Years passed and I had no desire to prepare my body to go through that again. Celeborn had a taste of fatherhood and wanted another baby, but he couldn't budge me. One summer morning about forty years after my failure, I awoke in our bedchamber to a room full of flowers. Every niche and flat spot held a bouquet of fragrant, beautiful colors. My nose didn't know where to turn next to catch a heavenly scent. I hadn't experienced this since an elfling while visiting the meadows of Yavanna. I stretched and looked around for him. He was standing just inside the doorway. 'And what do I owe the pleasure of waking to such sublime colors and scents?' I asked.
"'I am going to woo you until you agree to try for another baby,' he honestly replied."
"'If you keep giving me pleasures upon waking like this, I may never prepare myself. I do love the pampering though.'"
"'This is just the beginning. Until you are with elfling, I am indulging your every whim.' He approached the bed and held out his hand for me to rise. Instead, I pulled him on top of me. Our morning passions made me want to thaw from my frigid state, but another part of me loved his efforts and desired this renewed courtship. That part won. Celeborn never left my side for long and his kisses were the envy of many a maiden who chanced upon us. It was like when we courted, and we walked among the streets of Ost-in-Edhil where Celeborn showered me with attention and gifts. Many a married elleth took their husbands to task for not acting like Lord Celeborn. Normally elves don't display such affection in public, but courting couples are allowed leeway. That we'd been married for centuries was overlooked, for the entire community remembered our strained relationship when we lost our iôn.
"Word spread like a fire in dry grass that Celeborn and I were once again trying for an elfling. I was brought many small presents designed to aid my body and fëa. One morning in early fall, I told Celeborn, 'I fear this child will belong to the entire region for their efforts to make it happen.'
"'It will belong to Middle Earth,' Celeborn clarified."
"My mirror informed me the Valar once again gave blessing for an elfling and thus championed by them, I began to prepare my body. Celeborn was attuned this time to the minute changes and we took the journey together. I was wondering what month I wished it to be born and decided May was perfect. The baby would have all summer to grow strong for the coming winter. Winter babies never thrived like summer ones. So in May, I ate the fruit designed to induce ovulation. This time, Celeborn fed me and we declared our love and devotion to each other and asked the Valar to bless our offspring. On the warm night of May 15th, 805 of the Third Age, Celeborn came to me in our bed after our baths. We both knew this was the time so my pronouncement of, 'I am ready,' was unnecessary."
"'Last time this happened, we had a super moon,' Celeborn whispered softly in my ear as he settled over me.
"'Tonight, you and I will make our own light.' I did something I rarely did and lit from within with the light of the trees of Aman. He drank in my radiance, for it was only a handful of times he'd ever seen me in all my glory. Glorfindel does it all the time, but he is twice born. For me to achieve the same affect, takes much out of me. I surrounded us with light provided only from me, he pierced my core…"
'TOO MUCH INFORMATION!' screamed in Galadriel's head.
'I promised them a love story and you aren't supposed to be eavesdropping,' she reminded her other half.
'Finish this silly story. Glorfindel returned and needs a meeting of the council.'
She looked at her rapt audience and continued the story. "Celeborn took control and pushed me over the edge in rapture and a moment later joined me in release. We were attuned to his seed pushing ever inward and with linked fëas; we saw a tiny spark burst within me. Now anyone who has made an elfling on purpose can tell you all about the spark of life, but to actually experience it first hand is indescribable. Celeborn basked in my arms as my inward light died and we drifted to sleep, knowing in a year we would be holding our own baby."
"Do you think the dwarves know when they make a new life?" Arwen asked.
"I'm told they unite into one and feel presence of the other; just cannot read minds," Galadriel relayed her knowledge. "The uniting is done upon their first copulation. It is a mystery of Aulë and a gift to the dwarves. I know this wasn't the love story you were hoping for, but everyone must experience love and passion first hand. I cannot tell you how the touch of Celeborn makes me feel, for words are none. We link through our fingers and two become one instantly and I am healed and whole, as is he."
Azthêla nodded that she understood.
"How come I've never been told of an uncle?" Arwen asked and just as quickly added, "Did Naneth know?"
Galadriel smiled with love upon her beloved granddaughter. "Celeborn and I never discuss that time, but do relive the moment of conception, and yes, your naneth was told of an older brother that never drew breath. I believe Elrond and Glorfindel and the rest know, as it was never a secret. Your brothers may not be aware, so feel free to entertain them with an uncle they will surely miss. I am almost grateful now they didn't have an uncle or they would be much worse than just Glorfindel spoiling and catering to their every wish. But back to why I told that story tonight. It is the love of married people that produce the babies. Our dwarven prince and his intended exhibit such devotion and I'm sure in the not too distant future we will be informed of a baby in Erebor."
"Thorin and Lióni do seem to be in love," Arwen reflected upon her observances of the courting couple.
"I believe they are falling in love," Galadriel confirmed. "Theirs is such a short courtship, it will continue long after they are wed. Now, I hate to end the tale, but must return to the tents. I've been summonsed."
"Am I needed also?" Arwen asked.
Galadriel blessed her with a smile. "No, but I would ask a couple of the elven guards to escort you to the library for a book on romance among dwarves. You will find they are not so different from us. I don't know how long I will be, so don't wait up." The last was directed to Azthêla.
The guards came to attention when Galadriel opened the door to leave in what appeared to be the midnight hour.
"Is all well with you?" The one in charge asked.
"I am going to the tents," she replied.
"M'lady, does the lord know you are leaving the mountain?" he asked and fell into step with her when she was done standing in the doorway.
They no sooner were out of sight when the door opened again and Arwen appeared. The remaining guards came to full battle awareness. Having both ladies depart their chambers in the night bode ill for elves and peace.
"I'm going to the library," Arwen informed them and walked in the opposite direction of her grandmother. With a hand gesture, the next elf in charge motioned for two guards to accompany her. They fell in behind and very few dwarves were still up and about when the trio walked the halls of Erebor.
Galadriel approached the main door and saw it was Lord Nori on call. "I am summonsed to the tents of the elven lords," she courteously informed him.
"Is all well outside our walls?" Nori asked.
She smiled down at him; a light emitting that had him wishing to bask in it forever. "I won't know until I am present. Don't worry; the dwarves are safe within this mountain."
Nori motioned for the door to open just wide enough for her to depart. Beyond her, he saw a platoon of elves standing just outside to escort the lady away and figured she knew more than willing to disclose. He made the decision. Motioning for a guard, he ordered, "Go to the drinking halls and rouse the king or Prince Thorin. Tell them the lady of the wood has left the mountain." Nori went back to trying to clear his aching head and cursed his luck at drawing the short straw to relieve young Gimli at his post.
When the guard entered the sacred area reserved for Durin's when they gathered to drink and celebrate, he looked around in awe at the richness of their tavern. He quickly found the king still awake and conversing with Lord Garad of the Blue Mountains. "Yer highness, Lord Nori asked me ta inform ye that Lady Galadriel has left the mountain."
Thráin thanked him and told him to return to his post. He turned back to Garad. "I'm sure if it's important, the elves will inform us."
Celeborn was among the guards outside the mountain. He reached for her fingers and hers automatically found his. 'Why did you tell Arwen that story now?'
Head held high, she answered. 'I'm surprised she hadn't heard of her unborn uncle. I will ask Elrond why he and Celebrían never informed the young ones. I was trying to instill in Arwen that the happiest babies are those conceived with love and in wedlock. Her future husband being a man can produce unwanted advances and consequences.'
'I will personally chaperone them when the time comes if they are in Lothlórien.'
'Elrond and I have already had a prognostication of you splitting them up from an inappropriate embrace. The young man sustained damage when you backhanded him into the bole of a Mallorn.'
'Too bad you two didn't witness me killing him.'
Their private conversation ended when Celeborn escorted her into Círdan's tent. The lords and Gandalf were waiting for her.
Glorfindel relayed his encounter with the rogue band of dwarves. Galadriel glided across the tent and took his hand. Thus linked, she saw through his eyes the lack of markings on the dwarves and heard the conversation Glorfindel had with them. Breaking the link, she moved back to Celeborn's side and they linked through their hands so he could see her thoughts. "They are lying. I sense malevolence in their unspoken thoughts. They wish to gain entrance to the mountain and disrupt the wedding."
Gandalf swiftly contemplated their courses of action. "The dwarves are unaware this band is so close. Maybe it is best if they never discover them."
"If Glorfindel wasn't patrolling, we would be unaware they are within an hour of the mountain's entrance." Elrond reminded the group it was the elves guarding the dwarves they had to thank.
"I didn't go to the tavern tonight," Gandalf informed everyone. "My lady, what is the mood inside the mountain?"
"Guards are increased and Lord Nori is taking watch, showing even Thráin isn't letting his guard down and most likely won't until after the wedding and couple sequestered in their honeymoon cavern."
"I wonder how many more surprises Sauron has in store for the dwarves this summer?" Círdan generally inquired.
Galadriel searched with her power and her fellow ring bearers added to her with their power. She saw all that was on the mountain. "There are orcs on the far side of the mountain near a cave. My guess is that inside we will find our missing Trow. They all need to be eliminated before the elves leave, or Thráin will be under constant attack."
Celeborn was still attached and witnessed the area. "I will take an army in the morning and do the job. We will take care of the dwarves on the way."
"I will join you," Thranduil offered.
"No," Círdan overruled him.
Thranduil looked peeved. "I would rather not attend the wedding of the princeling."
"It most likely will cause a diplomatic incident if you do not," Círdan patiently reminded him. "Celeborn, I understand will not attend, even if his carcass is parked right here."
"I wish the youngsters hadn't run off," Elrond lamented. "This is something they will regret missing. I'm sure they are almost to Goblin Town and taking Legolas on a tour he will long remember. I don't know what we were thinking allowing three future leaders of Middle Earth free reign over their actions."
"When Legolas takes young Elessar under his wing, he will know the lands from the Forodwaith south to where the Anduin enters the sea. I have foreseen great adventures for those three, and fear not, Elrond, no harm will befall them," Galadriel reassured, not only the fathers, but other lords.
"Glorfindel, would you please forgo the wedding and accompany my husband?" Galadriel asked.
Glorfindel looked to his left, where Erestor was sitting. "Without me there to insure you have fun, I fear your account of the wedding will be as dry as your manuscripts."
Erestor gave his long-time friend a slight smile. "I'm sure King Thráin will have the finest wines for me to indulge. I am joyful already just thinking of the pleasant buzz I will get while you are hungry and miserable."
Galadriel sensed the meeting was over and narrowly focused into Elrond's mind. 'Elrond, I told the story tonight about Celedarion. Arwen was uninformed. I figured you would have told your children.'
Elrond looked across the table at her in surprise. 'Celebrían and I never discussed it. She told me of an older brother that died in the womb and we decided if you and Celeborn wished it to be general knowledge, you would speak of it.'
The powerful lords knew a private conversation between Galadriel and Elrond was taking place and talking ceased, with all eyes on them. Finally, Círdan couldn't take not knowing. "What is so important that you two must whisper into the other's mind?"
"They are discussing my dead iôn," Celeborn blurted out. He had his hand on Galadriel's thigh and could hear their conversation.
Of all topics, that one came as a shock to everyone.
"Why bring it up now?" Elrond asked aloud.
"It is a great love story," Galadriel stated and eyebrows rose as one on all the lords, except Celeborn.
"I must admit, the night we made him was one of the best in your bed ever," Celeborn added.
"How much detail did you divulge?" Glorfindel asked.
Galadriel smiled at him. "Just enough to make them understand marriage is a wonderful institution and to leave an elleth alone for too long makes the heart grow cold."
"Ouch," Glorfindel responded quietly and smiled back at her, while everyone laughed at his expense.
Thranduil asked, "You two never mention that time any more than I mention the battle that took my dear Ríllas from me. Has time lessoned the pain?"
Celeborn exchanged a calculating look with her and answered for them. "Time allows for accepting, but we try not to dwell. It's the hope that someday we will be reunited with him that allows us to mention him now. We learned valuable, terrible lessons that Arwen is forcing us to remember."
A darkness settled upon all fëas and the camp felt the lords were troubled and songs quickly changed to reflect.
"Time is the most precious thing the Valar gave us." Galadriel sought to lighten their moods. It didn't do to have morose fëas this close to an important wedding. "Celeborn and I have lost much in our lives and know the value of cherishing each moment."
Celeborn stood and pulled Galadriel to her feet. "On that note, we will depart to our tent and make more precious memories before I leave at the crack of dawn." He looked at Glorfindel. "I trust you will have our chosen warriors assembled and ready?"
"I will put out word and see if any volunteers show up." Glorfindel also stood.
"Good night all," Galadriel floated behind her.