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Chapter Thirty: Ríve

The edge of the sword glinted in the frosty, winter sunlight despite the dimness of the season and Glorfindel watched it carefully as Elrilya slowly moved toward him. Her boots barely crunched on the frozen ground covered in a foot of snow and she stood poised, ready to act at a moment's notice. A trickster smile crept onto her lips as they eyed each other waiting for the other to make the first move. She loved watching him when he was so intently involved in her training. Glorfindel knew this well and hoped that it would distract her at least momentarily.

A quick movement and twist of the wrist caught Glorfindel off-guard as Elrilya shifted position backward but managed to still bring a heavy blow from the side. He adapted without hesitation and brought several slashes and thrusts in her direction; thus driving her back further. Elrilya moved with a rapid response to each move he made and never let it seem she was overwhelmed. Though, a rather hard hit knocked her sword out of her hand and she glared at him in annoyance at having been so rough. Elrilya knew he had meant to use that much strength since it was training but she would have to get him back for it.

Glorfindel had already assumed the fight was over and had just lowered his sword when Elrilya pounced at him, sending them both tumbling to the ground. Her plan backfired however when her golden love used her acceleration into him to flip her over onto her back, he now the one pinning her. Elrilya let out a loud exhale as she found herself down in the wet, cold snow and an elf sitting upon her.

"I relinquish," she said with a sigh.

"I gladly accept," Glorfindel said slyly.

He lowered his head and met her lips in a warming kiss. Elrilya let herself be drawn in by his affectionate caress and the heat emanating from his body above hers. She wrapped her arms around his thickly bundled form as his gloved hand gently brushed her rosy cheeks. He finally pulled away but instead nuzzled his face into the warmness of her neck and just inside her cloak.

"Aiya! Your nose is cold!" she squealed and tried to pull away from him the best she could under his hold, which was nowhere.

"You wish that your love not hold you?" Glorfindel exclaimed loudly with pretend hurt in his voice as he removed himself from her.

"Nay! It is too cold here in the snow," she laughed as he helped her to her feet.

"Then I must change that," he said.

As soon as she was standing, Glorfindel took her into his arms again with a welcoming kiss. They smiled at each other gladly as the air between them came in white puffs as they breathed. It had been nearly a decade since Glorfindel had brought Elrilya to the beaches near Vinyamar and proclaimed his affection but their love was as strong as ever. Barely a day passed when they did not seen one another at some point but that was due to Glorfindel's closeness to Turgon's family as kin and it was typical to have him around them.

"I wonder," Elrilya pondered out-loud a moment. "That training session years ago when I sent you to the ground and then you pinned me... I think you enjoyed that a little overmuch."

Glorfindel pretended to think it over before peering down at her with his green eyes.

"Thinking about it now, I cannot believe I did not take that chance to do this," he said and paused to taste her once more and drew away slightly. "Yes, I do believe I enjoyed it though not as much as I should have."

"Then we should do this more oft," Elrilya said cuddling closer to him as he brought her tighter against his body.

"If this happens each time we train I doubt you will learn much," he said, their foreheads meeting. "Perhaps when Ecthelion returns from his duties afar he will take the task since it seems I am overly distracted when I teach you."

"It is a great excuse to have time with you; especially considering you have been busier than usual," she said with a kiss to his lips.

"Time will be made then so that I will be in your presence much more," Glorfindel assured her.

"Will you visit me tonight?" Elrilya asked him with hopeful eyes.

"I would not miss that," he said. "Now, perhaps we can get some more practicing in before midday?"

"I was not the one who interrupted," she reminded him.

"Ah, but you invited it," he countered. "I believe you purposely did that move knowing full well I would take that opportunity to give you my attentions just as you did before years ago."

"Theorize if you will and try your best, but I shall never tell the truth," she teased with a quick kiss.

"Coercion is a matter I do not take lightly," Glorfindel cautioned before taking her into another deep kiss.

*
The seasons were passing quickly with hardly a thought at the time passing from Glorfindel. Content in his life, he finally relaxed to the fullest and was enjoying himself as he had always hoped to but never thought possible. His courtship with Elrilya was going well even at the steady pace it was at though he did not mind much if the rate their relationship developed quickened.

The leaguer following the battle years before had kept Morgoth and his vile creatures secluded but a few bands of orcs and goblins still perused the wilderness. The Eldar cities and kingdoms were in a state of peace and growth without the outside threats of the Dark Lord and all bode well for future years if things stayed the same. It was because of this lack of danger and his growing love that Glorfindel nearly forgot about the building of the secret city Turgon had been developing. It was only when the golden lord thought of his friend Ecthelion, who had been away for three years at the site of the city, did he remember that he might be called away anytime.

Today appeared to be such the case as Turgon had called to Glorfindel to join him in his study. It did not bother him that Turgon might send him away for an extended time of many years but Glorfindel wondered how it would affect his relationship with Elrilya. He was not worried that either of them would falter or betray their oath of trust and fidelity to each other but that the time spent apart might strain the young and fragile bond they were still weaving. Though, Glorfindel also considered happily it might make for a great welcoming once he returned from his extended leave.

Ecthelion and Aredhel's relationship seemed to still be going strongly despite his absence the past few years. It seemed even more difficult for them due to the secretiveness they kept and the fact neither could confide in others, save for Glorfindel and Elrilya. However, Ecthelion had neither present with him at the building of Ondolindë and Aredhel had the one elleth who was like a sister whom she could confide in though only so much. Hopefully, Glorfindel thought, it would not be as hard on Elrilya when he would leave since their courtship was public and she could speak to both Aredhel and Idril.

Glorfindel walked through the open entry of Turgon's study to find the King of Nevrast, Prince of the Noldor, hunched over more plans that undoubtedly had to do with the subject of his lifetime achievement in the works. A greeting knock on the open door announced Glorfindel's arrival and Turgon motioned for him to enter, close the door, and join him at the table.

"What have we today, Turgon?" Glorfindel asked him.

"I must ask a favor and duty of you, nilmo," Turgon said as he turned the parchment on his desk around so that Glorfindel could view it right side up. "Several of the artists and architects will be taking the place of a few returning from Ondolindë and I need you to lead them there and oversee the continuing construction."

A slight sadness fell on Glorfindel's heart but he had known this was coming.

"How long will it be?" he asked his friend and king.

"At most ten years but that is because I trust you and the people adore you as well as feel heartened to have you with them in this unknown land I have sent them to work," Turgon explained.

"I understand," Glorfindel nodded in agreement. "When do you wish for me to depart?"

"After winter's thaw," he said.

"If I may make a request?" Glorfindel asked, then continued after Turgon nodded. "Being that my begetting day is typically seen with the first warm changes of the season after winter, could we wait till after that day? I believe Elrilya has much planned since it is an important year in her mind."

"Is it not to you?" Turgon asked with curiosity.

"I do not care much for the celebration of my age, it has never been of much import to me," Glorfindel confessed. "Though, if she wishes to plan a celebration then I will not complain. You understand how she is when an idea is stuck in her mind."

"Yes, very much so," Turgon laughed. "Very well, I do not think it will matter to put it off a few weeks to accommodate that small request."

"Thank you," Glorfindel said with a bow of his head.

"How old are you to be then?" Turgon asked with an upturned eyebrow.

"You of all should know the answer," Glorfindel scoffed. "You were more than likely the one who told Elrilya since I never have done so when she pestered me with the question many of these years. As I said, age is of no importance to me."

"Though it is to us when we wish to have festivities and a great excuse comes so that we may have them oft!" Turgon exclaimed happily. "Besides, three thousand is a good age."

"If you say it is," Glorfindel chuckled to himself. "If we are finished here, I must be going. A certain elleth has told me my presence is required at dinner tonight."

"Go quickly then," Turgon said with a wave of his hand. "I am certain you will need to discuss with her your leave."

Glorfindel knew Turgon was right and he hated to bring up the news at their dinner but he would have to do so. The inviting smells of a scrumptious meal wafted in the hallways as Glorfindel made his way to Elrilya's chambers. He was not surprised to find that the scents emanated from her room and, with hunger starting to nip at his stomach, Glorfindel opened the door to join her in their small feast.

They often dined together in their own chambers when wishing privacy and time alone since their days usually involved being around many during the day with many interruptions. Glorfindel found Elrilya attired in one of her nicer dresses with her hair intricately held in place with beading and clips that matched her clothing. Around her neck, Glorfindel espied, was the necklace he had given her years before for her present in Eglarest, which she had taken to wearing quite often in his presence. The meal she had prepared herself in the kitchen and brought to her room was placed on a round table near to the warm fire ablaze in the hearth. It also afforded a view out of the room's double doors to the white, wintry world below aglow in the light of a full Isil.

"It smells delicious," Glorfindel said as he came close to her.

"Thank you," she said with a smile. "I hope it is as you expect."

"I am sure it will be," Glorfindel said as he seated himself in one of the chairs and she joined him across the table.

*
Neglecting to drop the news just yet, Glorfindel waited through the course of dinner and dessert to tell Elrilya of Turgon's need of duty of him. It was when Elrilya was curled up in the lap and arms of Glorfindel laying on the fur rug in front of the fire that he decided to speak up.

Elrilya shifted noticeably as she felt Glorfindel's arms tighten their hold on her in comfort. She felt his face nuzzle into her hair on the side of her face at the same time as if he wished not to forget her scent and touch.

"What is it?" she questioned, knowing him well enough already that there was more to his caresses than loving cuddles.

Glorfindel sighed into her ear, "Turgon wishes for me to go for a time to take care of dealings for him."

"Like the others?" Elrilya said turning to him. "Wherever Ecthelion and many of the people have gone to?"

"Yes," Glorfindel said with a short reply, he did not want to give away too much.

"How long?" she asked timidly.

"At the most, ten years," Glorfindel said as he brushed wayward strands of hair behind her pointed earlobe.

He could see the sadness in her eyes but her face remained the same and unchanged. Taking her into his arms he comforted her with all the might he could muster.

"I only wish you could tell me of these plans Turgon has and where all of you are off to," Elrilya said with a hint of sorrow.

"You know I cannot," he whispered consolingly. "You will be able to see the ending of our labors soon."

"I hope not too far away," she said softly. "Another of these leaves will be hard."

"It will not be so terrible," he cooed. "If we think of each other hard enough we will hear and feel the strong connection between us. Everyday I will think of you and imagine you by my side."

"As I will you," she said with a sigh. "When will you be leaving?"

Glorfindel smiled with amusement, "If you are wondering... I will still be here for your celebration for me. Turgon would have seen to it if I had not asked him."

"That pleases me at least," Elrilya said as curled into his embrace again to stare into the fire.

Glossary
Aiya: Oh!
nilmo: friend
Isil: the moon
Ríve: winter