"The small contingent from Himring arrived earlier today." Gideon reported. He had just returned from scouting duty and had spotted the returning warriors during the night.
"How do they dare show their faces among elves? The last act of their Lords, the sons of Feanor, was yet another kinslaying to regain the Silmarils." His friend heatedly declared.
"In the end Maedhros was said to perish in fire as he returned the silmaril back to the earth. It is said that Maglor's silmaril was thrown the sea and that he has lost his mind and shall forever wander middle earth as an outcast."
"And what of the two Vanyar warriors who had come from Aman to aid us in this war only to lose their lives months before they were to head home! What justice is there that this kinslayer still lives?"
"Justice is a fickle lady."
"Most unlike your beloved." The Noldor smiled as the topic changed.
"They are to arrive from the village tomorrow. Our family will blossom in this time of peace."
"Are you then to give up your position among Gildor's wandering tribe?"
"I would become a farmer if my beloved would but ask."
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
"I would not miss this night of celebration." Indiriel kissed his cheek gently, but Ereinion turned and captured her lips with his, suffusing the kiss with longing and the promise of more.
"Our duty calls for us to inspire hope in our people. But my heart longs for a more private celebration." His hands moved lower.
"We promised to go." Her mumbled words caressed his neck. "We have ignored all others for several days."
"I believe they can live without us for awhile." He slipped his hand under her chemise.
"But what of Elrond and Elros?"
"They are grown now. They will embark on their own destinies. Besides we shall see them in a few more hours."
"Ereinion."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Where are your nephew and his wife?" Finarfin's Seneschal inquired. His Lord was busy discussing logistics with his gathered council.
"Making up for years of forced separation." Galadriel said tonelessly. They turned at melodious laughter and moments later the Noldor princess' silver Lord bent to kiss his Lady.
"An admirable endeavor." Celeborn smirked as his next comment was shared mind-to-mind. "Shall we seek compensation for our too numerous lonely nights spent longing for each other?" The images he sent her brought color to her pearl complexion.
"The dance started in public can seek blissful completion in private." She returned as her hand ghosted down his chest.
"Has everyone arrived?" Finarfin turned to survey the wide beach. They had specifically chosen the site for this ceremony as it was nearly equal distance to the four of the campsites and even the edain and Vanyar would come to participate.
"I sent Lord Glorfindel to retrieve the peredhil. Ereinion and Indiriel should arrive shortly. All others are seated and await the ceremony."
"Then make ready the fire." Finarfin smiled as he watched his son in law kiss his daughter's hand as silent promises flashed obviously between them.
"Light the torch indeed." Galadriel's laughter floated in his head.
"As you wish beloved." Celeborn departed. King Gil-Galad and his Queen meandered to their places, only too happy to abdicate their responsibility for the solstice rituals. The couple sat in seats of honor but were no required to lead the festivities.
"We pray to Eru on this, the shortest day of the year. We remember the gifts of life and light as we herald the return of the sun." Aran Finarfin began the ceremony. Soon all were chanting the ancient versus in praise of light and life.
"The emissary of the Valar delivers the flame of light." Galadriel's voice rang out as Lord Celeborn bore the flaming torch through the shadowed crowd. The small torch burst into a bright bonfire as the Sindar Lord touched his burden to the readied pyramid of dried wood and twig. Songs burst forth in Quenya, Sindarin and other tongues as all chanted in their native languages. The ritual songs evolved into dances celebrating the promise and hope of the future.
Glorfindel walked through the crowd, carrying two bowls of a thin stew. His charges would need it to offset toasts of Edain whiskey. As he approached, it was clear that Elros and Thranduil were singing loudly and not a little off-key. Elrond sat quietly beside them, a disarmingly innocent smile painted features that glowed with the magical light of his mixed heritage.
"Tis the light of Lúthien." Galadriel's voice echoed in his mind. Glorfindel turned around in confusion but did not see his illustrious cousin in the crowd. He wrote it off to his imagination.
"Elros! Elrond! Please humor me and have a bite to eat." Glorfindel smiled as he handed over the dishes.
"It seems we have acquired a Vanya nurse maid." Elros announced wryly, causing Thranduil and his brothers eyes to bulge wide at the peredhel's audacity. Elrond's smile was unchanged and he still gazed with awe-filled eyes at the bonfire, now circled by dancing figures. Glorfindel bet that his friend had not heard the comments over the din of the songs that whirled around them.
"Here Elros." He handed him a bowl and sat down between Eärendil's two sons. As he guided the bowl into Elrond's hand, the somewhat glazed silver eyes focused on him for the first time. Their gaze momentarily so keen that the Vanya swore they swept his very soul.
"Thank you Glorfin." Elrond's tongue tripped over the final syllabus. But the light of his smile seemed to bring warmth and healing. A vision of this more reticent peredhel seated in the place of honor among a throng in a great hall dangled before his eyes.
"Glorfingel?" The slurred voice carried worry and Glorfindel blinked in confusion for a moment until the vision passed and the image of the great lord was replaced by the tipsy young elf beside him.
"Just a memory of another celebration." Glorfindel smiled at the usually far too serious elf beside him, suddenly finding himself agreeing with Elros' at times heavy-handed methods of forcing his brother out periodically for celebrations. The bonfire light danced and flickered a promise of peace in a world now cleansed of Morgoth and his minions. Glorfindel left the brothers with Oropher's family and went to seek the Vanyar. Orondo and several of the other Vanyar had already charmed several ellith out to the dance circle.
"Niphendriel, I had heard that you and your daughter arrived safely." Glorfindel turned towards the slender elf with beautiful dark hair. Erestor's Mother was an enigma – a feisty survivor of Doriath with a sarcastic sense of humor. There was little mystery in where Elrond's friend had inherited his personality.
"My Lord Glorfindel, Elbereth has truly blessed us with this outcome. At least we will enjoy some years of peace for a change."
"You do not think it will last?"
"This is not Aman. Here we forever struggle against challenges."
"Is that not what makes life worth living?"
"And yet to see my beloved again, I must somehow reject this glorious land and sail west."
"But not as of yet, my dear Lady. Perhaps you might grace me with a dance or two?"
"It would be my pleasure, my Lord." She smiled knowingly. "I can not yet foresee the day when I would be tired of these lands." The pair walked off to join the circle of dancers. Calimdriel waved at her Naneth. She and Orodiun were already whirling in the great circle around the bonfire.
"You did not wish to partake of Elros' whiskey?" Calimdriel teased.
"Far better to dance with you." Orodiun returned as he lifted her up in time with the music.
"They did not offer." She teased knowingly.
"You should have heard Elros just asking Lisbon to dance. Never have I heard such a line!" Orodiun told her conspiratorially. "It was something to the effect of 'you can tell your children that you danced with the King of Men.' I have never heard Thranduil laugh so hard."
"You must be joking! And she accepted?" They had come full circle, but only Oropher and his wife remained seated. She saw Elrond retreating towards the ocean.
"Years ago he even charmed a few dances from the Lady Galadriel, much to her husband's chagrin."
"Are you talking about me?" Elros teased as he passed. Lisbon waved.
"Do you always believe yourself to be the center of conversation?" Orodiun tried to huff indignantly but he could not keep a straight face while Calimdriel was laughing.
"We were talking about your impressive methods for gaining a dance partner."
"It is a line I am unlikely to hear again." Lisbon agreed.
"Would it have worked on you?" Elros grinned.
"Perhaps." Calimdriel giggled as Orodriun glared in mock indignation.
Xxxxxxxxxx
The mysterious elf shook his head in concern as he watched his charge strip down to modest underwear. He had been charged to secretly guard the peredhel, who obviously now intended to join the hundreds of other revelers in the cold water. A midnight swim did not seem like the safest prospect for the inebriated revelers. The exotic peredhel had the same misgivings and stood momentarily motionless before lifting his head to look up at the sky as if seeking a sign. A soft sigh of disappointment escaped him before he strode purposefully to join the other swimmers in the surf. His clandestine guardian stationed himself stealthily among the dune grass. The song and banter from the young elves drowned out the roar of the waves. In the moonlit night, the silent guardian had little trouble keeping tabs on the young peredhel. Yet, even he was surprised when a hooded elf silently approached the abandon clothing carrying a wriggling cloth bag. The assassin bent to examine the clothing more closely.
"You would do well to tighten the drawstring and hinder your slippery friend's escape, least he bite his master." The dark one's archaic language hissed harshly as his knife drew a thin line across the would-be assassins' neck.
"Who are you?" The Noldo returned. His language and cadence clearly marked him as one born later, after the exiles returned to middle earth.
"My identity is not your concern. My Lord requires no fanfare or pageantry unlike you Noldor and your Kings. He is far older than any here. As the Herutaurë, a Lord of the First Ones, he bids me to remind you and your co-conspirators that this Peredhel is bound now to the Eldar and has the protection of those who have settled these lands since their awakening." The knife moved lower as the dark protector twisted the Noldo's left arm painfully and it snapped. No sound left the now quivering lips, even though the knife cut a symbol in the dark tunic. "Let this injury and mark ever remind you of the ancient forest dwellers. Now you will dispatch your poisonous pet with your own knife."
"You are a fool if you would allow me to gain access to my knife."
"With one useless arm, you seek to best one who has been a warrior before your Adar was even born?" The ancient voice was threatening. "I will not have any poisonous snake released to bring harm to any elf or ally on this eve."
Xxxxxxxxxx
"Where did your brother go?" Calimdriel inquired.
"I am not his keeper." Elros shrugged, before giving Orodiun a cheeky grin then bowing to his betrothed. "Shall we dance, my Lady?"
"You are incorrigible!" Calimdriel laughed out loud. But she took the peredhel's outstretched arm.
"My days are numbered." He grinned to Orodiun. "Best to use my time judiciously!" Then his arm snaked around her waist, pulling her closer than tradition dictated. "What better way than dancing with a beautiful elleth!" But even as they joined the circle he whispered a cautious question to his partner.
"Orodiun will not be upset that we danced?"
"No, Elros, he quite expected such a move from you. Your reputation precedes you."
"But you argued about Elrond." Elros raised his eyebrow pointedly.
"Your choices are of great interest."
"And the consequences of our choices."
"I am afraid that Elrond has already been singled out. It takes elves a long time to accept new ideas. No one dare approach him. I wanted to go pull him into the dance. You know how he enjoys it."
"I am thankful that my brother has such friends. In time, elves will learn to accept his choice. But Elrond stills feels guilty that you were placed in danger just for being his friend. He would not want to be the source of discord between you and Orodiun. Your betrothed is right to worry." He lifted and spun her as the dance dictated, though he also pulled her close enough to kiss her cheek.
"Yet, does not giving in to such bullying only encourage it as it accomplishes the same as they were seeking in the first place?"
"Perhaps, but your safety is not something that Elrond would ever trifle with."
Xxxxxxxxxx
The revelers left the ocean together. Its chilly temperature encouraged the mass exodus, although much joy could be heard from chattering lips. One tall slim figure broke off from the group and turned towards the more rocky shore, which was under guard of the ancient warrior. Elrond bent to pick up his clothes but paused when he sensed the presence of another. His eyes darted but he could not see anyone in the dim light and he quickly gathered the clothes together and darted back to the crowd. The guard followed his charge easily and found the elf, now clothed, crouched and shivering in the mists of the crowd yet somehow alone.
"Greetings Penneth." The guard squatted nearby but not too near to frighten the youth, who stared at him silently. He noted the confusion that was plainly written in the silver eyes. Perhaps the young one had never heard such ancient speech. "Congratulations upon reaching your majority." The guard paused but the elf did not respond.
"My Lord sent me to remind you of his invitation, which he issued at Gil-Galad's marriage ceremony."
"The Lord of the Forest?" Elrond managed to stutter from lips that were blue with cold.
"Yes, Eluchil (heir of Elu)." The warrior nodded and looked down at the cloak and towel that was flung over his arm. "Allow me to aid you." He dropped all barriers and allowed the astute silver gaze to probe his mind freely. The young elf was surprisingly gentle in the touch upon his mind. Moments later his charge nodded in agreement. Then he wrapped the warm cloak around the shivering figure and moved behind him to briskly dry the dripping locks.
"You are yet very young in this world Eluchil." The guard whispered soothingly. "No one has taught you the ways of the forest. The children of Oropher, upon their majority, spent years with us to learn the voices of nature and listen to the song of the world. Think upon this and call to the forest when you are ready. We will respond."
"Who are you?" The momentary bewilderment of the youth allowed the ancient warrior to glimpse the fractured beauty of the young elf's soul. Sympathy and concern flooded the guardian and his next words were full of compassion.
"There is no need to hide your true nature from us. We are not ones to judge or set rules. We simple draw our joy from nature's wonders. My Lord and your ancestor Elu awoke on the same day and therefore considered themselves brothers. Our tribe rejected the rules and order of what was to become Doriath and settled instead among the forest."
"Were you at odds?"
"Never at odds. Our views and choices were different but we respected each other's opinions. We rejoice in living in harmony with Eru's creations." He gently urged the younger elf to rise. "Allow me to escort you to your tent."
Xxxxxxxxxxx
"Tis finally time for our private celebration." Ereinion whispered to his Queen.
"The boys?" Indiriel turned back towards the dancers. Elros was clearly visible, dancing with yet another partner.
"Elros is well guarded and the Captain reported that Elrond has retired already. They are safe."
"They enjoyed the festivities."
"And soon perhaps, so will we. But in a far different manner." Ereinion eyes narrowed suggestively, which made his wife blush. "Happy Yule." He pulled her closer and bent to kiss her neck.