Finding Hope

Chapter 4

Elrond sent servants hunting in the attics for his children’s clothing from when they were elflings, diapers, stuffed animals, and of course a cradle and little beds. He sent each of the families to their rooms so the elflings could start acquainting themselves with their new parents, and quiet down after all the excitement. There would be time for more celebration later.

He requested two of the more senior guards, Glaurion and Dolvelig, to come to his office and tell him what had lead to their finding the orphaned elflings. He didn’t want to keep Glorfindel or Caladir away from their families just now.

Sitting across from Elrond at his desk, the two guards told their Lord what had happened.
“Thank the Valar you found them,” Elrond said. “The little girls with Caladir seem to have adjusted better than the others, but Amdiriel worries me. I never heard her speak.”

“No, my Lord, she hasn’t,” Glaurion answered. “This was the second time her parents were killed. She was Gailion’s cousin. His parents adopted her when her birth parents were killed two years ago.”

“Oh, sweet Elbereth,” Elrond sighed. “The poor little one. She will be afraid that Glorfindel and Erestor will leave her, too.”

The guards nodded. “Gailion seems to be really attaching himself to Glorfindel, and Amdiriel is afraid to let go of him.” Dolvelig added. “Amarion’s two I think will adapt well. Still, it will be hard on all of them. They can’t just see their parents killed and go on as if nothing happened.”

Elrond nodded. “We will help them. And perhaps we should have a memorial for their parents every year. We don’t want them to think that we don’t want them to remember their birth parents.”

“Glorfindel told Gailion to always honor and remember them. A memorial would be good for them, my Lord,” Glaurion said. “Maybe you could even arrange for something sooner?”

“Perhaps in a few weeks after they settle in. I will speak to their new parents about it and see what they think.” Elrond thanked the guards and dismissed them, then sat at his desk considering what he could do to help the elflings recover.

The servants returned laden down with everything they could find. Luckily the twins had gone through several sizes and variations of little beds, so there were enough. They would need to decide on what arrangements each family needed as far as living quarters, but there would be plenty of time for that later. Tonight the only important thing was getting the elflings settled in with their new families, bathed and fed, with a comfortable place to sleep.

Elrond had two of the little beds sent to each family, with the cradle added for Erestor and Glorfindel, then sorted through the rest of the items in his office, assisted by several excited, willing helpers.

Melpomean and Turidon found the baby bottles and diapers. They went to the kitchens to clean the bottles and fill a couple with warm milk, and grab some muffins and pastries for the older elflings, then delivered them to Erestor and Glorfindel. They hurried back to Elrond’s office to find clothing for all three of Erestor and Glorfindel’s elflings, and linens for the beds. A small stuffed horse for Faelion, a stuffed oliphant for Gailion, and an adorable little doll for Amdiriel completed their stash. They hurried back to Erestor and Glorfindel with their treasures to help with the elflings and make up their beds.

Lindir and Taurfaeron gathered what Caladir and Gurvelon would need, along with two dolls for Calariel and Glawen, and hurried off.

Elrond and two servants found clothing and linens for Amarion and Diwen’s elflings, as well as a doll for Laerien and a stuffed pony for Lainon. The servants hurried off to deliver their bundles.

At this point, Elrond was rather glad they had spoiled the twins and Arwen, and there were so many clothes and dolls and stuffed animals. There was enough clothing to get by until larger wardrobes could be ordered for them, and they had even managed to come up with nightshirts for the elflings. The only thing they really needed was shoes, but those would have to be ordered from the shoemaker. He gathered some healing supplies in case he might need them, and set off to visit with each family to check on the elflings.
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Erestor was giving Faelion a bubble bath. The baby splashed and giggled, making Erestor smile and chuckle. He tickled the baby, and was altogether having a wonderful time with his new little one. Glorfindel had managed to whisper what had happened to them, and told him about Amdiriel not talking and losing both sets of her parents. Erestor’s warm heart broke for the little elfling’s pain, and he looked forward to cuddling his new gorgeous little daughter. But a wet, less than clean baby came first. Glorfindel would stay with the others while he acquainted himself with his youngest son.

Glorfindel was showing Gailion and Amdiriel the kittens when Melpomean and Turidon arrived to deliver the milk, diapers and pastries. They handed Glorfindel the items and dashed off again, telling him they’d be back with more things.

“Look, little ones, pastries!” He sat down next to the elflings and handed them the gooey rolls.

“Thank you, Ada,” Gailion said, taking the offered pastry. Glorfindel grinned. Gailion had called him “ada” twice!

Amdiriel gingerly reached for her pastry and nodded at Glorfindel, but did not say anything. Tinnu sat and watched the little elfling. Something was wrong with this one. He slowly walked over, and crawled onto her lap, then reached a paw up and touched her cheek.

Erestor had finished giving Faelion his bath, and stood in the doorway holding the baby wrapped in a fluffy towel and watched.

Amdiriel looked questioningly up at Glorfindel. “This is Tinnu, sweetheart. He is the kittens’ ada.” Glorfindel reached over and stroked Tinnu. “He likes you.”

Holding her pastry in one hand, Amdiriel slowly reached the other hand to the cat, cautiously petting him. Glorfindel grinned. Who cared that Tinnu now had sticky sugar in his fur? Tinnu purred, then gave the little elfling’s cheek a lick. Amdiriel giggled. Tinnu decided this one needed him the most, and curled up in her lap, purring. Amdiriel sighed, almost happy, and took a bite of her pastry.

Erestor smiled, and walked into the room. “Is that a bottle of warm milk I see there, my love?” he asked.

“It is indeed, compliments of Mel and Tur, along with diapers.” Glorfindel handed Erestor the bottle.

Erestor sat on the floor next to the others, cradled the infant in his arm and gave him the bottle. The baby sucked hungrily, cooing and waving his arms at Erestor. Erestor smiled down adoringly at his littlest son. With his big blue eyes and blond, curly locks, Faelion would be just as beautiful as his older brother. The two boys looked like they were Glorfindel’s birth elflings. He sighed happily, and looked up at Glorfindel. “Thank you, my love.”

Glorfindel knew Erestor wasn’t thanking him for the baby’s bottle; he was thanking him for bringing the elflings home to him. Glorfindel nodded, and mouthed, “I love you,” to his husband.

Erestor finished feeding the baby, expertly burped him, and laid him on the floor. The diapers were sitting next to Amdiriel. Smiling at the elfling, Erestor said softly, “Would you hand me a diaper for your little brother, sweetheart?” Amdiriel picked up a diaper and handed it to Erestor. “Thank you, sweetheart.” Amdiriel nodded, then petted Tinnu again, spreading more sugary stickiness in his fur. Erestor and Glorfindel bit their lips to keep from laughing at the poor cat.

Glorfindel grinned at the two older elflings, and put his finger to his lips. Erestor was about to find out something about Faelion. Erestor unwrapped the baby, lifted his little legs in one hand, and slid the diaper under him. And then it happened, right on queue. A warm stream of pee hit his chest. Glorfindel rolled on the floor laughing as Erestor quickly flipped the towel back over the baby.

Gailion laughed and Amdiriel let out a small giggle. “He always does that, Ada. Every time you put a new diaper on him,” Gailion said.

Erestor’s heart thumped when he heard Gailion call him “ada”. “Oh, he does, does he. And you let me get it and didn’t tell me before, huh?” He grabbed Gailion and tickled him madly.

The elfling rolled on the floor, laughing hysterically with tears running out of his eyes.
“No..Ada…don’t tickle me! Hahahaha. Adaaaa.” Erestor finally had mercy on the elfling. He scooped him up in his arms, smothered his face with little kisses, and finally set him down.

A knock sounded on the door before it opened. Mel and Tur dropped their bundles on the floor. “Clothes, linens, toys. Going to get your dinner. We’ll be back.” The door shut.

Glorfindel and Erestor laughed. Erestor resumed diapering the baby as Glorfindel reached for the bundles.

“Oh, presents! Come, my little elflings! Let’s see what Mel and Tur brought us this time!” Glorfindel undid the bundles and sorted out the clothing. “Oh, Amdiriel look at the beautiful dress they brought for you, sweetheart!” He held up a beautiful emerald green velvet gown with gold lace trim, made for Arwen when she was small. “It will be beautiful on you with your lovely eyes. It will be perfect for you. Do you like it?”
Amdiriel nodded, and a small smile broke on her face. “Oh, look! More dresses. These are for you to wear during the day and play in.” He held up three more practical dresses, but they were still lovely and beautifully decorated. There was a white one, embroidered with red flowers, a light blue one, decorated with silver thread, and a light green one with cream flowers sewn around the neckline. Amdiriel’s large eyes grew even larger. She had never seen such beautiful dresses before.

“Is there a nightshirt in there for this little one by chance, my love?” Erestor asked.

“Let’s see. A nightshirt, a nightshirt. Ah…no, too big. This one’s Gailion’s, this one’s Amdiriel’s…oh…here we go! A little one for the littlest one.” He passed the nightshirt to Erestor.

Amdiriel reached for the nightshirt Glorfindel had identified as hers, and lovingly ran her hand over it. It was soft, and white, and warm, and beautifully embroidered. Little pearl buttons ran up the front. Erestor watched her, and directed Glorfindel’s eyes to her with a small head motion. The two parents realized that the elflings had probably never had or seen such things before. Their life in the village would have been much simpler. The hard work required would not have left much time for making fine clothing or decorating them, although Amdiriel probably was already somewhat skilled with a needle. Little girl elflings were usually taught sewing before they reached her age of eight.

Glorfindel returned to sorting through the clothing. “Look Gailion, oh these will look good on you.” He held up a deep blue pair of velvet leggings and a light blue silk tunic. “These are for dressing up. Let’s see what else we have. Ah, here they are.” He uncovered several pair of blue and brown leggings for everyday wear, and an equal number of blue and brown tunics.

“They are very nice, Ada,” Gailion said.

“They belonged to Lord Elrond’s sons when they were small, many years ago. You will meet them soon. They have been out on a patrol on our borders for a month, and it is almost time for them to come home. The dresses belonged to Lord Elrond’s daughter, Arwen. She is away visiting her grandparents, the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien, but she will be home soon, too.”

“We will thank them when they return, Ada.” Gailion said.

“They will be very happy to see you in them, little one. They will love having all of you here with us,” Glorfindel said. “Now what else do we have here. Oh, good, some underwear for you all. Clothes for Faelion. Oh, look Erestor! Remember this?” Glorfindel held up a delicately embroidered baby’s gown.

Erestor smiles. “I do. Elrohir’s. He always looked adorable in that. But may I say, I do believe our little Faelion will look even more adorable than he did?”

Glorfindel chuckled. “Indeed he will. I am surprised how well all these clothes held up over the centuries. They were stored well. Now, what else is here?” There were more clothes for Faelion and more diapers. Under the linens for the beds, he found the toys. “And what do I have here?” Smiling, he passed the small horse to Erestor for Faelion. Erestor held it in front of the baby, who instantly grabbed it and shoved a leg in his mouth. “Look, Gailion, a new friend for you.” He handed the oliphant to Gailion. The elfling smiled and hugged it to his chest. With a great display, he held up the doll for Amdiriel.

The little girl’s mouth formed a perfect “O”, and she held out her arms for the doll. She held it in her arms and stroked the doll’s hair, looking down at it. A tear rolled down her face, and she whispered, “I’ll never leave you. I won’t.”

Tears rolled down Erestor’s face as his heart broke again, and he pulled the little elfling onto his lap, cat, doll and all. He held her tightly and rubbed his cheek against her soft hair. “I’ll never leave you. I won’t. Oh, my little sweetheart. I’ll never leave you.”

Tbc….