Kiera
The walk back home felt like an eternity. Tuor pushed open the door to the house, and they all crowded around the living room. Kiera took a seat awkwardly on the couch as Celebrimbor started to make a fire. All around the room, her friends were quiet and looked at her with uncertain glances.
Ecthelion must have seen the unease on her face as he started, "I know I would like to speak privately with you, and so does Glorfindel. I am sure others do as well. Perhaps if you need to say something to all of us, you should start."
Kiera sighed as the weight of the knowledge she knew was getting harder to carry. As she looked around the room at the people she had come to love as her friends and family, she struggled to find the words to say. Pushing that aside, she said, "I love everyone in this room. I am really sorry that I caused you all to worry, but I believed that I was going to be brought back to the city to be killed. The only good solution I saw was climbing the mountain and fleeing the city. I would rather take my chances out there than to be executed. Please don't blame Cele for this as it was a misunderstanding from all of us."
Her friend's faces held mixed emotions, but she caught Celebrimbor's eyes. He looked at her with pure sadness and grief. She knew that he would never forgive himself for what happened, but she needed to hear why he left.
"The two years in the mines is going to be long, but that is alright. I need time away and there are things I have to do. Thorondor and I spent the afternoon speaking. He gave me a lot of information and some advice. There are things I need to tell you, but not yet. I need time to sort everything out, and Cele is going to help me when we get to the mines. Part of our argument was because I am keeping secrets."
Kiera took a deep breath and said, "the secrets I am keeping are heavy, but I need to share them with you, as I trust each and every one of you. I promise I will tell you all when I return. Please don't ask me now or before then but know that I will tell you everything I can."
She paused then and added, "there are a few things about my family and the reason why I am here, that I can't share. I am sorry, but please don't be mad at me. I do not want to go against the Valar and these are their wishes."
Idril spoke first, "we understand. I trust in the Valar, so I won't ask. You can trust us when you return with your secrets. I will be here for you whenever you want to talk."
The others agreed and then Celebrimbor spoke, "I would like to talk privately. Unless you have more to say to everyone."
She nodded at him, but then looked over at Ecthelion and Glorfindel. Ecthelion smiled at her as he said, "we will speak after. Send Celebrimbor back when you are done speaking."
Celebrimbor waited for her at the entrance to the hall. She joined him as they made their way up to her room. It was an awkward walk as they didn't speak to each other. Once they were in her room and the door was closed, he fell to his knees and sobbed at her feet.
"I am so sorry. I am undeserving of your forgiveness, and you are right. I am just like my father, and I was unnecessarily cruel. I knew what it meant to tell the king, and I threatened your life to get what I wanted. Then you ran and my heart shattered. I could not live with myself if something happened to you because of my words and actions. I prayed for the Valar for your safe return, and I am so thankful that Thorondor rescued you. I promise I will help you in any way that I can, and I won't ever ask about my family again."
His words made her breath catch in her throat. Celebrimbor looked so defeated and destroyed that the pain ripped across her chest. There was something else going on and she needed to hear what he had to say. Joining him on the floor, she reached out to him and pulled him in close to her. "It's ok. I am alright and I forgive you. I understand know that you wanted to know about your family. I promise I will tell you everything I know. Before, I thought I had to do everything alone or that my friends wouldn't believe me. Thorondor helped me realize that I can help the world and make changes. Some things can not be changed, but I want to try."
Kiera hugged him tighter as she said, "I never met your father, but I know you are nothing like him. Your words did hurt me and I spent the entire day agonizing over where you actually told the king or not. Part of me didn't believe you would ever do something like that, but the other part of me was terrified. I love you so much and I need you in my life. I was so scared to lose you as a friend and I was heartbroken thinking that you would do that to me. I promise to tell you everything that I can, but I need your help."
Celebrimbor hugged her even tightly as he gripped her fiercely in his arms. He sobbed softly into her shoulder for a while, until he had calmed down enough to speak. "I am sorry I left that night. I was lost in my own grief, and I needed to get back to the city. After you refused to tell me about my family, I realized how foolish I was. I haven't spoken to them in years, but the thought of never being able to again, broke me. I understand the oath they swore, but it was never put into focus until we spoke about the future. I always believed that they would be around forever and that I could send a letter whenever I wanted. After you wouldn't tell me, I thought the worst would happen before I got the chance to hear from them again. That knowledge ruined me and when you wouldn't tell me, I said the only thing I could think of."
Celebrimbor sniffed as he pulled away. They were still close as they sat tangled in each other's arms on the floor. "Forgive me, please," Celebrimbor begged softly. "I said those words in a moment of weakness and I will regret them until the unmaking of this world. Even if you will not share the future that you know of my family, I still would like your help. I want to send them a letter, telling them that I am alive and that I love and miss them, regardless of the horrible deeds that they have done."
"Oh Cele," Kiera cried softly. "I am sorry I worried you. You have time and I will gladly tell you everything and help you send letters. Knowing is just a heavy burden and some things can't be changed. I will tell you more when we get to the mines. Please don't blame yourself, and I am sorry for my harsh words. I love you and care about you."
Kiera was wrapped in another quick bear hug as he whispeared to her, "thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me. I love you. I would do anything for you, and I am deeply sorry for causing you panic and making you run. Please don't ever leave the city, at least not without me."
She laughed as she nodded in agreement. With one last squeeze, he let her go so he could wipe the tears from her eyes. He smiled at her as he asked, "who do you want next? Glorfindel or Ecthelion?"
"Glorfindel probably."
After he left, Kiera moved over to her chair and took a seat to wait. Glorfindel arrived quickly and walked in hesitantly with a grimace on his face. Nothing was said as he walked across the room and took a seat in the chair across from her. Glorfindel refused to meet her eyes as he started to speak.
"I do not believe sorry is enough for my words. I know you are forgiving, but I crossed a line. I do not expect forgiveness, and I am not here to ask for it."
That made her eyebrows raise in surprise, but she remained quiet to let him speak.
"I could never marry a mortal. It has nothing to do with you, and I care about you very much. I am selfish and I know that. I want to find love, but it would destroy me to lose the love of my life. Your lives are just too short, and no amount of happiness for a short period of time would make up for the eternity spent alone. Perhaps, if the children were elvan I could, but I doubt it. I am very sorry for my words to you, and I want you to know that not every elf is like me."
Her mouth fell open in shock as he finally met her gaze. There was honesty in his words as well as sadness. Kiera had always known that most elves were of like mind to Glorfindel. She didn't hate them for it as she completely understood everything that he was saying. But just as she understood where he was coming from, she also knew that not every elf was like that.
Glorfindel seemed to guess her thoughts as he continued. "Ecthelion is my best friend. He has been there for me since the beginning. I love him and cannot imagine my life without him by my side. I will have to let go of that fear someday, as we cannot always be together. However, I want more than anything for him to find love and to have a family. I did not realize how selfish I was being. Ecthelion deserves to make his own choices about his life. If he marries you or any mortal someday, that is his choice. I cannot allow my own personal and selfish reasons get in the way of his happiness." He paused for a moment as he choked down a soft sob. "I want to apologize for my harsh words and even though I shouldn't, I would like to say something. Ecthelion has been through enough. He has dealt with a lot in this city and continues to treat everyone with kindness and compassion. I envy him for that some days. I know he cares for you, maybe not love yet, but I can see it growing. I am begging you now, not to lead him on. If love grows between you, then love him with everything that you have. Give him the best life possible and love him until your dying breath. If he gives up everything to marry a mortal, I want his years to be blessed with happiness. If you never grow to love him, please tell him. Don't drag it out for years and then decide to leave him. It would destroy him, and I am not sure if he could recover from a broken heart again. That is my only wish."
He stood and looked at her with a stern expression. "You should keep up your training with the guards at the mines. I will send a letter with Maeglin giving my permission. I would be happy to have you join me again in lessons when you return. Thank you for listening to me."
Without another glance, he left the room. Stunned, she stared at the door he just walked out of.
Her heart was pounding at his words and she was deeply surprised by his honesty. A knock brought her back into focus as Ecthelion stepped into the room. The smile on his face made her heart thump in her chest as he took a seat across from her.
Ecthelion spoke first. "I know these last few days must have been rough for you. I wish I could give you some time, but you will be leaving for the mines and I won't see you for a long time."
Kiera nodded and Ecthelion relaxed into his chair. "First, I would like to say thank you for spending the night of the wedding with me. I care about you, and I am so thankful you were there for me when I needed a friend. I hope you know you can come to me with anything and I will listen. We were coming to speak to you at the mines when you ran."
He paused and looked at her with such love and affection. "My heart shattered when I found out you were running. I do not understand everything, but I am very sorry you thought we were there to take you back to the city to be killed. Please know that even before today, I wouldn't have let that happen to you. I promise I will never let the king kill you or harm you in any way."
Her eyes blurred up from the tears forming as she nodded at him. Ecthelion must have known as he reached over and took her hand in his.
He continued, "I was terrified I wouldn't reach you in time. You have no idea the fear that gripped me as we followed you. I couldn't bear to watch you get hurt or, worse, run into orcs. I prayed to the Valar to watch over you, and then the eagles came. I was so relieved, beyond anything I had felt in a long time. When you arrived back in the city, I promised myself I would look out for you and make sure you had a long and full life. I do not want anything to happen to you, as it would devestate me. You are my friend and I care about you deeply." Ecthelion paused then and sighed softly as he squeezed her hand. "I do not know what the future may hold. I know it's difficult to be in a strange place without any family and only new friends to support you. I can't imagine being a human woman in this city surrounded by elves. I'd like to believe that there's love for everybody, and I will continue to hold onto that. I know it seems pointless and bleak for you, but I don't want you to give up. That's what I love most about you, is the drive to keep pushing forward, and you never let things keep you down. I don't want you to take Glorfindel's words to heart. While I know he speaks of like mind of most of the elves in the city, not all of us are like that. I know there are handfuls of elves who would marry a mortal as long as they were in love. Myself included."
Kiera gaped at him in shock. Knowing the truth was one thing, but hearing him speak the words was something else entirely. He chuckled at the shocked look on her face. "Yes, I would love a mortal. Love to me is love, and I would treasure it forever. I have met plenty of elves who have been around for thousands of years and have yet to find it. I would not throw love away when it is brought into my life just because she would be mortal. I am sure Glorfindel told you his reasoning, but I am not selfish. Love is a gift and a blessing. I would cherish every day and be thankful for every moment. If I have children, and they are mortal, I would love them all the same. I would spend every moment I could to make sure that their lives were long and happy. If I managed to stay after my wife's passing, I would continue to look over our children and extended family forever. I would watch over them and teach them, every single one of them. I will have love and a family forever, and I think that is a blessing."
His words made the tears trickle down her face as he stood. Then, without a word, he opened his arms wide as she barreled into his chest for a hug. Ecthelion wrapped his arms tightly around her as they both were quiet for a moment. He was warm, comforting, and soft. Kiera adored the hugs they shared as she felt safe and at peace in his arms.
"Love is a git," Ecthelion told her quietly. "It is one most cannot see. Loving a mortal does not bring pain, as I would have descentants forever, just as if my childern were elven. Please take my words to heart. Do not give up on love. There are others in the city like me and I beleive you will be blessed with love and a family someday."
Ecthelion pulled away first, but cupped her face in his hands. "I did not believe I was ever going to find love again. When you came to the city, hope blossomed into my chest. Here was a woman that didn't let some awful elf tell her who to be friends with. You spent your first couple of months reading your favorite stories and showing your world to me. You got to know me as a person, and not as a lord of this city. That was all I ever wanted again. You have given me hope again, even if you didn't know it."
"I do not wish for you to lose that hope, either. I want you to know I care about you and I do love you. While I'm not in love with you currently, I can see myself falling in love with you. I want nothing more than to see where this goes between us, but I don't want to force anything to happen or rush it. I belive you feel the same."
"I do," Kiera replied softly. "I love every moment with you, but I know that I would want it to progress naturally between us. Your one of my best friends in the city and losing you now becuase we rushed into something, would destroy me. I want to take things slow and see if we can be more than friends, but I want us both to be ready."
"I want the same," Ecthelion replied. "You are an amazing and wonderful person, and I'm so glad you were here, even if that is selfish to say. However, you will be gone in the mines for two years. I want you to enjoy your time there and have fun. If you meet a someone in the village, I will be overjoyed for you. If you come back and want to give this a chance, I would do so gladly. I will be cautious, and I will want to spend a lot of time with you, but just promise me that if you don't feel the same at any time in the future, you will tell me."
"I promise."
He sighed happily into her hair. "I will promise you this. If I fall in love with you, I will marry you."
Kiera choked on her sobs as he hugged her tighter. Ecthelion repeated the words in her ear as he hugged her. They stood toghter in their embrace for a few minutes, but she pulled away.
Ecthelion had a warm smile on his face as he added, "I am going to miss you while you are away. I am told there are some fun parties in the village and I want you to enjoy yourself. Please don't wait for me and cut yourself off from others. I don't want to be the reason you don't find love, and a lot could change in two years. Keep being yourself, and I will be here when you return."
"Thank you," Kiera smiled as she looked up at him. His eyes were shinning as he looked down at her which made her heart flutter in her chest. "You have given me a lot to think about. I don't want you to wait for me, either. If you find a woman while I am gone, I would be so happy for you. You deserve happiness and love, and I want that for you. I promise I will enjoy myself as best as I can in the village."
Ecthelion brushed a few stray tears from her cheek as he said, "two years is but a blink for an elf, but it is long to a mortal. I am sorry you have to spend your years in the mine, but I hope you get the time and space that you need. Now, the others are getting dinner ready, would you like to join them or do you need a moment?"
She laughed softly, "maybe a minute to wash up and change my clothes."
He gave her one last hug before he left the room. Kiera took a deep breath to compose herself and then turned towards the bathroom. After washing up, she changed out of her dirty clothes and into a light gown. Looking to make the most of this last evening with her friends, she made her way down into the dining hall.
All of her friends were waiting for her as food was already on the table. Sitting between Ecthelion and Celebrimbor, Kiera left at home.
She awoke the following day with aching muscles throughout her arms and legs. A soft knocking woke her from her slumbor as she groaned and began to rise. Lewiel stepped inside, apologizing, "Forgive me for disturbing you, Lady Kiera. Prince Maeglin and Celebrimbor have arrived and are waiting for you. I've brought some water for your bath. If I may, I also wanted to say that I will miss you these next two years. I has been a pleasure serving Tuor's household and you."
"Thank you," Kiera said as she smiled at Lewiel. "I will miss you as well."
Lewiel dumped the water and then left with a small wave. Kiera rose from the bed and made her way to the bath. After a long and hot bath, she dressed in a comfortable tunis and breeches. As she dressed, Kiera noticed her empty pack propped against the door, reminding her of the journey ahead.
She began refilling the pack with essential clothing and supplies, hoping that some of her belongings remained in her room at the mine, despite only a day having passed. Kiera added a few more dresses and some small pieces of jewelry to her luggage before making her way downstairs to the entryway, where Maeglin and Celebrimbor waited for her arrival.
"Do I get breakfast first?"
Maeglin shot her a smirk, "of course, I am not a slave driver. I have already eaten, but we will join you."
She dropped off her bad near the door and joined Tuor and Voronwë at the table, while Maeglin and Celebrimbor follwoed behind her. Despite the uncomfortable silence that hung over the dining area, Kiera grinned as she ate her breakfast. When she was almost finsihed, Maeglin spoke.
"My uncle has decieded that your punishment will be less than the other. You may keep your same rooms and will only be required to do one shift a day. Typically those who are punished are requried to do both shifts, but I convinced my uncle that the two years was punishment enough. However, you must remain in the sight of the guards if you venture outside the village walls. If you attempt to run again, my uncle has given orders that they are to shot you down. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Kiera replied evenly.
"Good. I will stop by every month and bring you money from Tuor, so you may purchase things. The room will be yours for two years, so make yourself at home. Alion will be informed of all the changes, and you will go to him if you need anything."
Maeglin looked over at to Celebrimbor, "there is a shop for the blacksmiths. You have been granted a workspace should you wish to use it. You may join an extra rotation and mine more material if you wish. After that, Alion will give you a small cut for your work. There is a stall in the marketplace that is kept open for the smiths on rotation. I can also bring the jewelry back and give it to Rhuidhen to sell in the markets here."
Celebrimbor just shrugged, "I'll think about it. I will probably pick up a few extra rotations, but I have a lot of money saved that I got from you and Lord Salgant. That has set me up nicely, but I won't turn down a steady flow of coin."
Maeglin scowled at him as Celebrimbor grinned smugly. God, what did he get out of them to set him up well? Kiera couldn't imagine the amount of money Celebrimbor's made, but she was genuinely happy that she had been able to help her dear friend. Truthfully, she had been looking forward to having him around the mine, as she hoped he could help her and they could repair their friendship. With a heavy sigh, she finished up her meal and gave Tuor and Voronwë one last warm, heartfelt hug before they prepared to leave.
The walk across the city was uneventful and rather dull, with nobody stopping them as they went about their daily routines. After they left the bustling streets of Gondolin behind, the journey fell into the same familiar pattern as it had a few days prior. Maeglin efficiently procured horses for them, and Celebrimbor rode on his own horse while she shared with Maeglin. The trio engaged in light, casual conversation, but Kiera could tell that Maeglin was happy to be rid of them, as he was short with his replies. He didn't even bother accompanying them all the way to the house, instead giving Celebrimbor with letters to deliver to Alion and leaving them at the front gates of the village.
As Maeglin took the reins of Celebrimbor's horse, he turned to Kiera with a hint of genuine warmth in his eyes. "I will miss you around the city, Kiera, but I promise to visit when I can. Enjoy your time here," he said, his words carrying a mix of sincerity and his usual aloofness. Kiera nodded, appreciating the sincerity behind his words, even as she looked forward to the peace and quiet that awaited her at the house.