Finding Hope

Chapter 9

Elrond, Erestor, Gurvelon and Diwen began to plan the changes to the quarters.

“Well, while they are doing that, what say the three of us go off to the markets? I need to find shoes for my little ones,” Glorfindel said to Caladir and Amarion.

“I think that is a fine, idea, Glorfindel,” Caladir said.

Diwen looked up at the three. “Don’t forget to measure the elflings feet if you are getting shoes, or you’ll all come home with the wrong sizes.”

“Aye, Nana,” Amarion answered with a smile. He found a measuring tape, and the three adas took measurements. While they were at it, they decided to measure them for clothes as well. Gurvelon stopped planning for long enough to write everything down for them.

“Here’s the list of the sizes, my love. Don’t lose it, and a you’d better take that tape with you as well,” Gurvelon said.

Caladir just smiled, and kissed him goodbye.

“Anything else I should get, sweetheart?” Glorfindel asked Erestor.

“See if you can find any simpler dresses that Amdiriel can play in. I can’t see her making mud pies in the garden with that gown. I’m sure Arwen wore all hers out, which is why there are only fancier ones,” Erestor said. “And a cloak for her and Gailion would be good. And you’d better get some more nightshirts and underclothes for all of them.”

Glorfindel took the list from Caladir. “Would you mind writing all that down for me sweetheart? And anything else you’d like.”

“Erestor, add the same things for our girls, too, would you please?” Gurvelon said.

“And for Laerien as well,” added Diwen. “And a cloak and nightshirts for Lainon. Thankfully, there are plenty of leggings and tunics. Oh, and more underclothes for him. And Amarion, make sure you get something for Saercaeron, too. We don’t want him left out, even if he really doesn’t need anything right now.”

Glorfindel grabbed the list, kissed Erestor, and the three made a hasty exit before their spouses thought of anything else. They would take the fun out of shopping!

Entering the marketplace, the three adas decided to take care of the list first, then have some fun. They headed to the section where clothing and shoes were sold, and easily found shoes for inside the house, and sandals for playing outside. It was summer, and sandals were just fine for play. They ordered leather boots for the boys, and soft little boots made with suede and lined in fur for the girls. Glorfindel got several pair of little booties in every color available for Faelion, and found a pair of sturdy shoes that would fit him when he started walking, which would not be too long away.

Clothes were next. Nightshirts and underclothes were easy. But dresses, that was interesting. The adas spent what seemed like hours looking and deciding. In the end, Caladir had more than a dozen matching gowns for each – he couldn’t decide, so he simply got them all. There was a blue one and a red one, blue trimmed with white, blue trimmed with dark blue, pink, soft coral, another blue, white trimmed with blue, a green one, another light blue, a lovely mauve, and a deep burgundy. And a few more blue ones. When the merchant asked if he was sure he wanted so many blue ones, Caladir’s only answer was, “But they have blue eyes.”

Glorfindel fared no better. Except his were mostly in greens, to match his little angel’s eyes. And of course the lovely mauve and deep burgundy one. And a deep red one, because Erestor looked so good in red. And blue, because it was the color of his house, and he liked the boys in blue. And a couple more blue ones, so the family could all match on some days. And a few more green ones.

Amarion knew he had a wife at home to answer to, and so wisely only bought eight. One for every day of the week and one to spare. Of course Glorfindel and Caladir couldn’t see how Amarion could possibly pass up on some of the lovely colors, and wanted to purchase gifts for the other children as well, so they silently purchased a few more each for Laerien and secretly added them to his package.

After they left, the merchant closed his stall, not that there was much left in it, and hung a sign which read, “Gone for the Summer and Fall on Holiday. Back before Yule.”

Then came the cloaks. Oh, how to choose? The boys were easy. All dark blue to match their eyes, and a richly made black one with gold trim for dress. But how could the girls wear a blue cloak with a red dress, or a red cloak with a green dress? And so there were blue cloaks, and green cloaks, and deep red ones and rust colored ones. And a stunning black one embroidered with gold to match the boys'. All made of lovely fabrics and lavishly lined. Amarion wisely purchased just two. One dark blue and one deep burgundy. But of course Glorfindel and Caladir secretly added a couple more to his package. They couldn’t have Laerien and Lainon think they had gotten less than the other children.

The packages were all sent to the Last Homely House, and the adas went shopping for toys. “Oh, look,” said Glorfindel, “what adorable stuffed bunnies! The children will adore them!” Seven bunnies were purchased. “No, we forgot Saercaeron. Better make that eight, please,” Glorfindel told the merchant.

Caladir found already made doll clothing. They purchased every item of doll clothing the merchant had and split it four ways for the four girls. “Oh, and look. Are those kits to make dollhouses? Oh, the girls will just love them, and we can have the boys help us put them together.” Four dollhouse kits were added. And the girls just had to have more dolls, so they purchased four more for each.

Wooden horses, sets of carved wooden warriors, and tiny tents and weapons to set up a full battle scene were purchased. There were stuffed ravens and hawks, turtles and frogs, always in quantities of eight.

When they finished their toy purchases and moved on to another area, the toy merchant looked at his wife and said, “Oh, my dear, we will be able to finish the addition to the cottage now!”

Next came hair ribbons and lovely clasps to hold back braids. And broaches for their cloaks. And sweet little jeweled bracelets for the girls. An emerald pendant for Amdiriel, and sapphire ones for the others. And of course Glorfindel ordered gold circlets for his children. They were children of the Lord of the House of the Golden Flower now, after all.

They finally headed back home, merry after a hard day’s work, and hungry for their dinners.

They collected their families from Amarion’s quarters. The plans were finalized and Amarion’s family would be moved into their cottage the next day and the renovations could begin. It was a good thing because with all the new purchases, the quarters of all were now well and truly full.

Amarion calmly explained to Diwen that no, he had only purchased eight dresses, and that Caladir and Glorfindel had obviously added the others. And no, he had not purchased all the toys; the other two had simply insisted they were gifts for their children. And said the same thing about all the jewelry. Honestly they had.

Gurvelon and Erestor simply laughed at their silly husbands, and joined in the fun of opening packages and telling them what a good job they had done at the market.

Tbc…..

Mystkyten - Elrond and Erestor it is - so glad you like Elrond - there will be much more about him coming up in this story.