Mary Goes to Mirkwood

Mary Goes to Mirkwood

Chapter 22/?

Red 2ed 2004 Edition

Authors: Mary A, Malinorne and Sheraiah

Disclaimer: Just playing with Tolkien's characters for fun, not profit. Thaladir is our own creation.

Warning: Adult sexual situations/nudity/bathing

Summary: Mary, Mal and Sheraiah cope with Middle Earth winter and prepare for the holidays


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Sheraiah~

Winter had arrived in Rivendell. I had been told by the twins that the weather here was not as severe as in other parts of Middle Earth, but it was bad enough. I had always hated snow, even as a child and had been ecstatic when my family had moved to a warm climate. However, that was a disadvantage here because I wasn't used to cold weather anymore. In addition, while elves noticed differences in climate, they weren't particularly bothered by them, which meant that windows were left open and fires unlit, freezing this poor, now less than rowdy, human wench.

Bless Duiniel! The elleth had made certain that the fires were kept going in my room and bathing chamber constantly. She had also arranged for heavier clothing for me. I had packed a bit of winter gear, but winters at home seldom get below 40 degrees. She insisted that a heavy tapestry be hung over the doors to the balcony to block the chill draft and that rugs be put over every inch of the floor so as not to chill my feet. The twins and Legolas had begun to call me ‘hothouse flower', but the one time they had done so in my assistant's presence had put an end to that. Duiniel pinned their ears back for them, even Legolas'. She was quite eloquent, that elleth.

She must also have said something to Lord Elrond, albeit with considerably more courtesy, because I found that anywhere I was expected to be was warmed prior to my arrival. It was better, but I was still a bit cold most of the time unless I was in my room. The guys, as I affectionately called the twins, Legolas, and Gimli, spent as much time with me as they could, but with the exception of Gimli they quickly became bored indoors and had to go off hunting or riding.

Gimli and I had commandeered one of smaller rooms off the library, mainly because it had an iron stove and only two small windows which were easily covered with tapestries. The stove was large enough for Gimli to melt gold and silver, and for us to heat water for tea, and sometimes toast our bread and cheese. Gimli would craft jewelry and I would write or read while our friends were out and about.

It was fascinating to watch him. Gimli's trade, he said, was weapons-making but his hobby was crafting jewelry in gold, silver, and mithril with precious and semi-precious stones. It amazed me how deftly his strong, squat fingers twisted and tapped the metal into shape. His touch was light enough to set the smallest of stones in the most delicate of settings and his creations were made to endure far longer than their maker. Some of his work was beaten into shape, some of it shaped in molds that Gimli had painstakingly carved. His patience was infinite in his work. It mattered little to him how long it took to achieve the result he wished, only the result itself was important.

As I had been told how secretive dwarves are of their crafts, I felt honored beyond reason that he allowed me to be present while he worked. He had become almost a second father to me in the short time I had known him. I had rarely met so genuinely warm and great-hearted a being, his pretense of gruffness aside, and counted myself blessed to have been so fortunate as to have done so. I easily saw what Legolas valued so highly in his unusual friend.


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mary ~

The cold winter temperatures had frozen both of the Mirkwood rivers solid, which meant no boat travel until spring. The road was still passable by horse, however, and one frosty morning, while I stood outside beside the king to wave farewell, the royal sleigh flew out of the great gates of Thranduil's realm and bounded off toward Esgaroth. Riding within, buried under soft wool blankets, and warm wolf-fur pelts, sat Malinorne; beside her, holding the reins, sat Thaladir.

With permission from the king, they were off on an overnight shopping trip to buy supplies we two mortals felt were necessary for us to have on hand for the coming Winter Solstice festivities. I felt sorry for Mal that she had to spend time alone with that grouchy old elf. However, I was happy that Thranduil had so kindly consented to allow his concubine out of the palace for this little venture. I certainly was not going to go anywhere overnight with the seneschal and neither Mal nor I trusted him to purchase our much needed personal items for us.

When the little sleigh had disappeared into the distance, the king put his hand at my shoulder and guided me back toward the interior of the torch-lit halls.

"Where are we going?" I asked, already knowing exactly where we were going. And Thranduil knew that I knew.

"I want to show you something," was his answer.

"You always say you're going to show me something," I said, "but it always turns out to be the same exact thing." I was not complaining at all, or hardly at all.

"This time will be different," countered the king.

"Yes, that's exactly what you said the last time," I replied. "And the time before that and the time before that and the... "

"I mean it this time," he interrupted. "It will be completely different."

"You said that the last time, too, as I recall..." I paused when I realized the direction Thranduil had been steadily heading me toward. "Wait, hold it!" I cried. "Are we going to your study? No, no, no." I stopped dead in my tracks.

"With Thaladir gone, you can hardly have any objections," the king pointed out.

"Oh! But you're so wrong. Feeling his disapproval just outside the door is half the fun. Delicious, in fact."

"How about," he said, "if I promise you will not be disappointed." Not interested in waiting for me to answer, he picked me up and carried me into his study.

"Well, I am never disappointed," I answered as the door slowly closed behind us, "never, but you did say that exact same thing the last time, too..."


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mal ~

It hadn't been very difficult at all to convince the king to allow me outside his realm, perhaps because the Long Lake wasn't really that far. I had of course preferred to make the trip together with him, and Mary, but as he would neither leave his kingdom nor be deprived of the company of both his mortal ladies, if even for just one night, this was the best solution. Mary had declared that after her adventure in Rivendell, she didn't need more travel in the nearest months, and after seeing the the king looked at her hungrily the whole morning, I was sure that she wouldn't regret remaining at home.

I was happy that the seneschal accompanied me on this trip, despite his less than sunny disposition, and I tried to show my appreciation by not talking more than necessary. I felt safe in his company, and I knew that he would be able to handle any situation that might occur in the town. I was less sure about our relationship, which during the past weeks had been exclusively platonic in nature, and it was hard not to think about intimacies when being so close to him, and wonder if he missed our "lessons". But the king trusted him and that was all I needed to know.

Thaladir looked different today, dressed in dark-grey breeches and a short tunic, instead of his usual brown robes. His thick woolen cloak hid the sword at his side, revealing it only when he sat in the sleigh, and it made me look twice. I had not seen him armed before, not even with a hunting bow, and now this. And before we left, he was brought a bow and a full quiver as well. I just hoped he wouldn't have to use them.

The sleigh-ride was uneventful, and I felt wonderfully at peace sitting under the furs, looking at the trees above our heads, occasionally ducking from the snow that fell from the branches as our little carriage passed by. It was not too cold, but with the added effect from the breeze I was surprised to see that the seneschal wore neither gloves nor a hat.

The two grey horses seemed to like their job and snorted playfully now and then. It was like in a fairy-tale. The only thing missing were the bells that should have jingled all the way to Esgaroth, but Thaladir had frowned disapprovingly when I mentioned that, saying that we made too much noise as it was.

It was nearly dark by the time we approached the town, so I didn't see much of it. I could only make out the contours of the wooden houses as we travelled along the poorly lit main street. We stopped outside a fairly large building that Thaladir explained was an inn, the one the Mirkwood elves always stayed at when compelled to visit this town of Men. He said that the people here were less influenced by the ridiculous and distasteful rumours about elves that flourished in Esgaroth now when the Battle of Five Armies was already forgotten by many.

The seneschal got out of the sleigh, knocked on the door and talked to someone. After a short while, a man, who I assume was a stable hand, came out and took care of the horses. Thaladir carried our small luggage and left me at the far end of one of the long tables in the main hall while he went to leave our belongings. He was back after just a minute or so, and seemed to be satisfied. I hoped it meant that the rooms were decent and not infested with lice or something, as I had already discovered that the humans of this world weren't nearly as cleanly as the elves.

There weren't many other guests in the common room and we were served quickly. It was a simple, but very tasty meat and potato stew, served with thick slices of dark bread. The wine was a bit sour, not at all like the one served in the Mirkwood halls, and I presumed that a large part of the best vintage was taken up the river to embellish the Elvenking's table.


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mary ~

It was a treat to dine alone with Thranduil without the seneschal sniffing disdainfully at my table manners or Mal showing off her Elvish speaking skills. After dinner, the king took me to the bathing-pool chamber where we washed each other lazily but thoroughly. I think I may have ended up a bit cleaner than he did; as it was harder for me to remain focused. The hot water made me feel drowsy, so after he was done with me, I laid my head on his shoulder and ran my hand over his chest. The smooth texture of his shiny wet skin gleamed in the torchlight; it was impossible to resist touching him.

I sighed, "Poor Mal, having to spend two whole days with that grou..., I mean, with His Excellency, Thaladir." Thranduil had his eyes closed and his head tipped back against the curved tile surface of the pool's edge. He grunted slightly in response to me but otherwise seemed unconcerned. I continued, "She is going to need lots of cuddles to make up for it, don't you think? I know I would."

The king opened one eye and looked at me sideways for a moment before responding.

"I do not believe that Malinorne suffers as much in the company of my seneschal as you seem to do." he said. "I would not worry too much for her, if I were you," he added before closing his eye back up with a satisfied sigh. What he said was true. For some reason, Mal and Thaladir seemed to have grown closer while I was away off in Rivendell. When I hskedsked her about it she could not give me a straight answer but her cheeks turned pinker.

At first she had denied, almost heatedly, that the seneschal treated her different than he did any of the other subjects in his master's realm but she had to admit, finally, that he was more pleasant to her than he was to me. I think she was trying to spare my feelings, but it was obvious to me that the ever-dutiful Thaladir found her more fitting and suitable for display alongside His Majesty the king, than he did me.

Despite my own best efforts, I still had not managed to crack through the crusty exterior of the king's seneschal. I felt withered by his disapproving demeanor whenever I had to be in the same room with him. I had avoided our Elvish lessons for a few weeks using one excuse after another as Mal and I got ready for the holidays. But as soon as the festivities were over I was doomed to be locked up with him in Thranduil's stuffy study and that time was rapidly approaching. Thinking about the study brought something else, closer at hand, to my mind.

"When exactly will they get back tomorrow?" I asked. My hand traveled over the glistening surface of the king's chest muscles and then down, under the water, over the sleek surface of his firm abdomen, and then lower. The king chuckled as I grasped him but sobered quickly when I began slowly moving my hand. "I like what you showed me in your study today," I whispered. "Do you want to show me some more of that?"

"I thought you were sleepy," he said softly. His lips traveled freely over me from my neck and collarbone to tease my breasts as he lifted me up while pulling me over on top of him. His hands made their own journey from my waist to cup my bottom as he assisted me into place.

"Mmmm," I purred as we shifted our slippery wet bodies even more to better accommodate the situation. "I guess I am never too sleepy for this, besides, as soon as they return I will have to go back to sharing you, so right now I want to make the most of having you to myself." And I did.


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mal ~

After the meal, Thaladir led the way up the stairs to the second floor, where the rooms were located. He stopped outside a rustic door, opened it and, with a chivalrous bow, bade me enter. It was a fairly small room, with just a bed, a small table and a chair, but it looked rather cosy in the dim light from the candle on the table. But I was surprised to see the seneschal's bow next to my basket in the corner and even more surprised when he closed the door behind him and began to remove his cloak.

"Thaladir, isn't this my room?" I asked him quickly; unable to decide whether I was thrilled or appalled by the prospect of sharing a room with him.

"These quarters are intended for both of us," he responded calmly, while continuing to undress.

"There's only one bed here, you can't mean that I'm supposed to share it with you!" I was irritated now, not because I had anything against the seneschal, but it was quite preposterous of him to just assume that I'd sleep with him in the same bed after so long and not say anything about it. And it annoyed me even more that I wanted to do just that. Very much, in fact.

"His Majesty specifically commanded that you are not left unattended in the land of Men. Furthermore, this arrangement mitigates his expenditure somewhat, which leaves more for you to transfer to the merchants on the morrow."

At this point, Thaladir had removed all clothing but his undertunic and he sat on the chair, demonstratively turned from me, and suggested that I undress as well, unless I wished to crumple my dress further. I had a good mind to do just that, only because he said it, but going to bed fully clothed wasn't really a good idea, so I sighed heavily and divested, slowly. I left my undershift on and climbed into bed, under the thick blanket. It was not too warm in the room, but after the long sleigh-ride it was nice to lie still and I closed my eyes for a moment. I wondered how I could manage to keep my hands to myself once he would lie down beside me.

When I looked up, I saw a ghastly sight in the moonlight. The seneschal was standing next to the bed, holding his drawn sword and looking like a madman elf, and a very severe and determined one. I thought for a second that he wanted to kill me, but I was too scared to scream.

Without a word, he placed the naked blade on the sheet in the middle of the bed, and then lay down on the other side of it, pulling his cloak over him. When the shock was gone, I became aware that I had hogged the blanket, and I reached over the sword to let him have at least a corner of it.

"I wish you a pleasant night, my lady." He spoke softly, but there was a hint of bitterness in his voice that I didn't understand.

I lay still and tried to sleep, but every time I dozed off, I seemed to wake up again. I listened to Thaladir's soft, even breaths and I regretted being angry with him. He was courteous and loyal, and I felt safe with him. But I wanted more and I missed the Elvenking already.

If you've tried lying in a bed with an elf beside you, you know that it is very difficult to keep one's hands to oneself. Even if that elf happens to be a very uncuddly specimen, like Thranduil's seneschal. I couldn't do it. I guess I didn't even try very hard. I just had to
touch his hair, a little, feel his soft skin under my fingers, a little, and snuggle up closer, too. But, as this elf was Thaladir, I decided to take it easy despite everything we had shared some weeks ago.

With due caution, I reached out a hand and touched him, careful not to get too close to that sharp-edged sword. A quiet hiss was heard from the seneschal, but he did not speak. I ran my hand over the muscles of his arm and whispered to him: "Thaladir?"

I was answered by a sigh. Not much, but at least he was awake, so I continued. "Would you not think you could find a better place for that sword?" I almost had to giggle, suddenly reminded of a less literal sword that the king had shown me months earlier. And he had found a very good place for it too. The memory of that night still made me aroused when I thought of it. And Thaladir had been involved too...

"While I would not find it the least troublesome to acquiesce to what I interpret as a wish to have the weapon removed from our lair, it would hardly be acceptable from the point of seemliness." The seneschal's promptly delivered answer made me smile. Seemliness, indeed! As if it was very seemly that we were here together in the first place.

"But these are not royal halls, and nobody is observing our behaviour," I said pleadingly, continuing to run my fingers over his arm. "Please put it into the scabbard."

"Absence of observers does not justify deviation from correct manners." Thaladir's voice was crisp, and perhaps just a little strained.

"I don't believe Thranduil would make us share a room but forbid you to touch me." Of course, I believed him very capable of doing so, but I didn't feel I had to tell Thaladir at that particular moment. Especially as it was the king who had initiated, or at least facilitated, all previous touching between his concubine and his seneschal.

"Indeed, His Majesty did not see fit to leave such instructions. This is however, a matter of personal honour."

"Please? I only ask you to remove that weapon so that I can sleep without risking to cut myself!" It was a blatant lie, of course, but I couldn't care less if he believed me or not, as long as he would get rid of the sword.

He caught my wrist in a firm grip, stilling it before he replied. "My doing so would result in certain consequences, of which I believe you are fully aware." He chuckled, but it was not a happy chuckle, and his voice was serious when he continued. "It would also depend upon your willingness to accept these consequences without complaint, my lady. You will not sleep."

"I am willing." I really was, I wanted him badly now and it was not an egoistic desire only. That bitterness in his voice had told me that had he missed our trysts and I was quite desperate to make him as happy as possible under the circumstances.

Hearing my words, the seneschal stood from the bed and reached for the sword. He lifted the weapon carefully and slid it into its scabbard, leaving it on the floor, still within reach from the bed.

"Then be it as you request."

Thaladir wasted no time. Having gotten into bed again, he immediately lay down over me, resting on his elbows, and his legs, which were already between mine. He took my face between his hands and kissed me, at the same time pressing his hips against mine, letting me feel that the strong back under my hands wasn't the only part of him that was hard.

My undershift was pushed up to my belly and as the seneschal continued to kiss me fervently, his hand between my thighs moved skilfully to make sure that I was wet enough to fully enjoy his further advances. Before long, he had me moaning and writhing under him. I took great pleasure in the arms of the seneschal and slept soundly until first daylight.


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mary ~

As Thranduil and I ate lunch the next day, I cautiously brought up the idea of gift-giving to celebrate the holiday. I needed the king's help with getting Mal the present I wanted to give her. I could not very well have asked her to purchase something for herself in Esgaroth.

"Once a year," I explained, "some of us humans celebrate the winter holidays by giving gifts to everyone we know. Sort of like hobbits do for their birthdays? Only we all do it at the same time, on the same day. And we wrap the smaller ones in pretty paper so they are a surprise for the person who gets it." Thranduil thought about that for some time while he continued to eat his meal.

"I suppose," he answered finally, "that you are expecting a present, then?"

"No, well, maybe I do. But it's more fun to give them than to get them." I could hardly ask the king to give me one more thing. He fulfilled every wish I ever had before I even knew I had wished it, so far. "And," I added, "I do need your help with Mal's present. I can't go out and buy one and I don't know how else to get one."

"What could my concubine possibly need that I have not already given her?" Thranduil leaned back in his seat for a moment and waited for my response.

"She needs a chair in her room, a nice soft chair," I said. "All she has is that big pile of pillows on the floor and I guess I know what they're for." The king smirked. "I don't need to be reminded," I told him. He put a hand over one of mine and squeezed it.

"You are jealous of Mal's pillows," he pronounced. I took in a deep breath and collected myself. This conversation was not going in the direction I had intended it to go. I exhaled.

"Okay, yes I am jealous, a little," I admitted, "but that doesn't mean Mal shouldn't have something better to sit on. Every girl needs a chair to sit on every once in a while. All she has is her bed." The king leaned toward me. He had a very familiar look in his eyes. I started to feel warm from the inside out.

"I thought you said you did not like the floor," he reminded me with a raised eyebrow for emphasis.

"Well, not your floor!" I cried, "It's as hard and cold as, as, well, as a rock! It is rock! Who wants to be messing around on rocks?" The king smirked and moved his hand from on top of mine to under the table. "Oh," I said as I felt his hand caress my thigh. "You do. I keep forgetting."

"Do you want some pillows for your floor, too?"

"No." I did. But even though his hand on my leg was distracting, I was determined not to let him change the subject and so I continued. "I want to give Mal a chair. This isn't about what I want you to give me." The king chuckled. It is not possible to fool him. "Okay," I surrendered. "I would maybe like a big pillow or two to lounge around on in front of my fireplace sometime, but, right now, can we talk about Mal's chair?"

I described exactly the kind I thought would be nice for her room, and suggested she should have two of them so I could sit somewhere when I visited with her. He graciously consented to my idea and suggested I help pick out the fabric to cover the seat cushions that I had insisted on including.

"But, we will do that later," he said, "right now let's go somewhere else and discuss something different." He stood and drew me up with him.

"Wait," I said, "don't tell me. Let me guess. You want to show me something, right?"

"You are becoming quite skilled at reading my mind," answered the king as he led me from the dining hall.


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mal ~ ThalThaladir surprised me by bringing a breakfast tray and I ate and dressed quickly, eager to get started with the shopping. I had a list of items that Mary and I had discussed, and some things that she didn't know about yet. Like the coffee. I so hoped that I would be able to find some, imported from southern Harad or beyond, along with the spices I needed for my traditional cookies.

The weather was sunny and not too cold, and the streets were crowded already. Thaladir had told me on the way that the people of Long Lake had a winter festival at the same time as the elves celebrated the turn of seasons, and it was apparent that it involved as much cooking and eating and giving of gifts as our Christmas. There were people everywhere, and though there were shops here and there, the true marketplace seemed to be out in the street.

Almost at once, we ran into Haryl, the Town Master's treasurer, who swept off his fur hat in a deep, courteous bow, and after receiving permission from "lord Thaladir," he took me by the elbow and steered us toward a stall with steaming frying pans. "Roasted almonds, as good as nuts," he said. And he bought me a whole screw of them, the sweet young man, and insisted I try one immediately. He watched me chew it and smiled when he saw that I liked the treat.

I noticed something different about him, and when he handed me the almonds, I noticed a ring on his middle finger. Not the kind of pompous signet Master Darek wore to show his station, but a thin band of two entwined silver threads. It looked delicate, almost feminine, and when I raised my eyes to his face, his blushing cheeks confirmed my suspicions. He was engaged, or, rather betrothed, to the Town Master's daughter; he told me shyly when he understood that I wouldn't let him go without saying anything about it. The nuptials would take place in spring, during the festivities that would be held at the time of new season's moon.

The almonds were delicious, roasted in sugar, and I decided to at least try to save some for Mary. I thanked Haryl and was going to ask him about his fiancé and how the winter festival was celebrated here, but he excused himself and said that regrettable as it was, he was prevented from partaking in further conversation.

He hoped that I would return another season 'to see the marvellous fir trees outside the Town Hall' and I said that I would be happy to do that, and added, as he was so interested in greenery, that I hoped the next negotiation with Mirkwood could be held when the beech trees opened their new leaves.

I found my spices almost at once, in a stall tended by a sturdy matron. It was only the saffron and clove I needed to buy, as cardamom, ginger and cinnamon were used in the mulled wine and the king's kitchen had a good supply of them. Thaladir winced when I paid; apparently the price of saffron was as scandalous here as in the world I had left.

The sewing things were easy, too. I managed to buy both soft lamb wool knitting yarn in green and red, and decorative silk thread in gold and silver. The shopkeeper selling them insisted on showing his rich assortment of 'trinkets' as he called them and after seeing lots of ribbons and needle cushions and handkerchiefs in all possible colours, with laces and without, I was grateful when Thaladir cleared his throat and stared at the man, frowning. The poor vendor quickly scrambled together his merchandise, and I left with no more than what I intended to buy in the first place.

The coffee proved to be a problem. Black tea leaves were sold everywhere, but no coffee beans. I had almost given up, when a small freckled boy tugged at my sleeve. He declared that he knew of a blue man who sold wondrous things unheard of by most, and that he could show the way, for a small gratification, of course. This one wasn't shy for sure! The boy led us through narrow alleys to a tiny shop, where I finally found my coffee. The shopkeeper was a slender dark-skinned man, his face so black that it almost had a bluish tone. Thaladir gave the boy a small coin and the rascal dashed off in the twinkling of an eye.

We bought a whole bag of coffee, and a coffee-mill too, and a small bag of brown sugar, and made our way back to the market area. The seneschal was quite loaded now, the basket he carried full to the brim, but he did not complain, though he didn't look particularly happy either. To think about it, he looked exactly like the men forced to escort their wives on shopping rounds around Christmas. Only he was immensely more proud, handsome and stoic than any mortal man.

I had enjoyed walking around the small town with its crowded streets and grey wooden houses, but was happy when the last item, a roll of paper and some ribbon for gift-wrapping, had been bought and we could go back to the inn. We ate a light meal, soup this time, while the horses were made ready, and then prepared to leave.

On our way through the main hall to the exit, I caught sight of something furry in a large, open basket, and I promised Thaladir that I would follow in a minute. I heard a merchant complain to the innkeeper that the local simpletons here failed to appreciate the refinement of long-haired cats. He sighed dejectedly. Seeing me draw closer, he smiled, encouraged when I approached to have a better look at the furry creatures.

They were kittens, five incredibly cute kittens with silky fur and sour little faces, much like Persian cats. The cutest of them all was a white, blue-eyed one, and when I wanted to put my hand into the basket to pet it, the kitten opened its pink little mouth and hissed at me helplessly. It reminded me of Helca and I bought it on the spot.

Thaladir shook his head when he saw my latest purchase, but stoically went out to the sleigh and came back with a small basket, into which he lifted the white kitten. It looked as sullen as before, but remained silent, as if it didn't dare hiss at the king's seneschal. Just like Helca. The kitten would be a fitting companion for her and a peace offering I hoped would not be without result.

Then we finally got out of the inn and climbed into the sleigh. Thaladir tucked the blankets and furs around me and the kitten, then, as the horses set off in a steady trot, I leaned against his shoulder and drifted into sleep. It felt good to be on the way home.

Home to Mirkwood, and the Elvenking, and Mary.


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Sheraiah ~

I knew that Midwinter was approaching and had asked Elladan what traditions were observed. He had told me that it was a time of feasting and merrymaking, but had mentioned nothing about gifts. In my conversations with Gimli, I had discovered that Dwarves celebrated the season as well, and did exchange gifts at that time.

"I want to give gifts to my favorite individuals here, Gimli," I said one morning several days before the festival as we were toasting a midmorning snack on the stove. He nodded, turning the bread over and topping it with thick slabs of the sharp cheese we both favored.

"Me too, lass. I've got a new circlet in the works for Legolas, and matching armbands for the twins. I think Lord Elrond would appreciate a new circlet as well." He shot me a sly look. "You'll have to wait until Midwinter for yours."

"Suits me just fine, I'd rather be surprised," I replied with a grin. "I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do, though. I'm not a jewelry maker."

"Well, let's put our heads together and see what we can think of." He handed me my bread and cheese before taking his own. We ate in silence, each of us thinking hard about what I should do for gifts.

"About the only thing I actually make is dreamcatchers, and I don't have the materials here," I said with a frown. "I suppose I could just write stories for everyone, but I don't want to do the same thing for everyone unless I have to."

"What is a dreamcatcher and what do you need to make them? Maybe I can help with the materials," my dwarven companion offered. Gimli was really very sweet, even if he tried to hide it.

"Well, they're made from hoops of wood or metal, wrapped with leather or suede, and strung with sinew or thread to look like a spider's web, then decorated with beads, shells, and feathers. The legend goes that when one is hung above someone's bed, the good dreams pass through, but the bad dreams become tangled in the web and vanish with the sunrise. It's an old legend from some of my ancestors." I gave him a sheepish smile. "I started making them as kind of a way to connect with my heritage and it turned out that I enjoyed it and was pretty good at making them."

"Sounds like something an elf would appreciate, even if they don't sleep as such," the dwarf commented. "I can make the hoops and beads for you, and supply you with the leather, and you can make me one in payment so there's no debt between us. How would that suit you?"

"Works for me. I'll need enough for four of them. One each for the twins, one for Duiniel, and one for you. I'm going to do something else for Legolas. Somehow I don't think that a Mirkwood elf would appreciate something that looks like a spider web. I'm going to do a gift for Lord Elrond, but not a dreamcatcher. I also have a present in mind for you, but you're going to have to wait until Midwinter as well."

"Not a problem, lass. I like surprises too," he said with a wink.

"Good. I guarantee that you'll like it," I replied, grinning mischievously at him. He returned his attention to the circlet he was making.


t b c

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