Riders in the Rain by Fiamma Galathon  

Celegorm let his thoughts fall into an disorganized heap, the movement of the horse calming him down. It was raining, the wet hoof-falls and splashes of Huan’s paws methodically eating away at the distance, and he tried not to feel the leaden pit in his stomach. 

Aredhel rode on the hound, scowling at the sky.  Her hair plastered to her head miserably, thin cape nearly soaked. 

She had to be cold.

He didn’t have any more cloaks with himself, and he couldn’t give her his own, not when he was holding Lómion. 

He made a face, baring his teeth. At least the boy was calm and pretty content, tucked against his chest as he was, and even still, Celegorm couldn’t shake off the awful, awful sense of fear. 

Lómion was tiny. Too small, even for a babe. The fierce fire of Finwe’s line burned in him, yes, but still his fëa wavered and flickered, barely tethered. Aredhel was exhausted, in spirit and body both, so it was up to him to keep the taint of the world away from this fragile flame. It was an honor, a joy. 

It was terrifying.

Celegorm swallowed harshly. He could not keep them safe, not in these open plains, not alone, not even with Huan. 

A drop of water slid over his nose, falling onto the back of his horse. To Ost Aglon. Ost Aglon that has tall walls, a few regiments, his crafty, cunning brother and nephew, and more cloaks.

He adjusted Lómion on his chest, gritting his teeth. He had him for a day and a half, and still he would slay anyone and anything that would dare to touch a hair upon his head, but an odd sort of stomach curdling terror sat in his gut. 

Had his father felt that way? 

Turkafinwe, strong-finwe, a Finwe with Miriel’s hair. 

His father decidedly had felt this way. The way he had always doted on their mother when she was pregnant, always made sure to hold them at least for a few hours every day until they grew too big for him to carry… Yes, he had felt this way. 

Celegorm smiled sourly. Well, at least he wasn’t alone in this. Curvo never showed such panic, but Curvo had had a good spouse, an alive spouse, and Celebrimbor had a horde of uncles and grandparents to dote on him.

Aredhel sighed from her place on Huan’s back, and the hound agreed with her with a mournful warble. She was alive. She was there, and little Lómion would be fine.

He exhaled heavily, gently cradling the head of the baby with one hand, stroking his wispy black hair with his thumb. Lómion stirred, harrumphing against his tunic, and Celegorm drew his cloak tighter. 

It was quite cold. Babies shouldn’t get cold.

He would prefer to have him skin-to-skin, but he didn’t have anything with himself that he could wear with an open front, and he didn’t fancy riding half-naked in the rain. That had to wait. 

Never before was he so thankful for the way his spirit was marginally less uncontrollably fiery than those of his brothers, tempered by the wilderness. It was a campfire, warm and inviting. He wouldn’t burn Lómion by accident. Gently, ever so gently, he wrapped his fëa around him, and sighed in relief when the baby relaxed, a vague sense of safety radiating from his tiny spirit.

This too, was terrifying. The way Lómion had quickly, nearly immediately latched onto him as an indicator of safety. Him? Safe? 

Celegorm swallowed harshly. He had to be, now. He would be. 

-Hey, Tyleko?- Aredhel murmured after a while, wiping some water away from her eyes with a hand. He hummed in acknowledgement. - Do you know how is Finno doing?-

Celegorm frowned. - No, the last missive from him was mayhaps half a year ago. He must be fine, though. - he double-checked his brother-bonds just to be sure and nodded decidedly.-Neylo is not going ballistic, so he is fine.  I can ask him to pass a message along? They have a trained bird for personal correspondence, it shall arrive much faster than sending a message directly from Aglon.- 

Aredhel smiled softly, chuckling. -Sounds like my brother, right.- she reached out to squeeze his hand, and his frown deepened. She was truly cold. He chanced a glance into her eyes, and exhaled slowly. 

It wasn’t bad yet. The light glimmered in them stronger than it had even the night before. 

But she was cold. 

-Írissë?- he frowned at her, and halted his horse. Huan also stopped, tiling his head.

She sighed. - Yes?- 

- Come on, ride with me. Netya is strong enough to carry us, aren’t you, pretty thing?- he crooned to his mare, and she neighed in affirmation. She was quite taken with Aredhel. It was adorable to watch.

-Why? - she inquired, but slipped off of Huan’s back, landing in the wet grass. Celegorm smiled at her, and offered his hand, helping her up onto Netya. He waited until she seated herself comfortably behind him, winding her arms around his waist, before he replied.

- You are cold. It will be warmer that way. I would give you my cloak, but I’m holding Lómion, and well. Neither can he get cold nor you should extend your spirit more for now.- he sighed, patting his mare so she resumed their walk. 

Aredhel huffed a soft laugh into his shoulder, wet hair soaking a wet spot on his hood. - Chivalrous.- she exhaled, squeezing him harder, voice dropping into a whisper. -Thank you. How is he?- 

- Good. Sleeping now, watched the world for a bit before. Got him in a fëa - hug, snug like a bug under the rug.- Celegorm smiled, amused.

She snorted. - You spent too much time with your Kano if you started rhyming spontaneously.- 

They fell quiet after that, the plains around them empty until they got to the road.

It was muddy, the rain like a gray curtain around them, muffling all noise, but the tracks looked like a regiment of elves had walked northwards not even three hours before. 

-The stones and the grass say they were metal-bound. - Aredhel murmured softly after a moment of staring at the tracks. - Well, not bound as in shackles, in metal armor. Noldor.- 

-Íri, those are very much Noldo tracks, even on sight. Nobody else sews shoes this way.-  Celegorm frowned, and jumped off of his horse, careful to not jostle Lómion too much. The mud was wet and trodden over, but he easily found a footprint preserved well enough to see the pattern of the underside of the boot that left it. He hummed. 

It was probably one of his regiments, judging by the spacing of the nails. The one that was to return from the mission in Estolad, maybe. They were meant to march through there somewhere around now.

Good. They could catch up to them soon. It was always safer to travel in groups, and his men were good at fighting. 

Some part of his guts unclenched minimally. He wouldn’t have to worry about orcs. 

- Ai, winimo! This is excellent.- he whispered to Lómion, grinning. The boy wriggled, blinking blearily at him. 

-Bah?- he vocalized softly, nearly shy. Celegorm’s grin widened. 

- Bah, bah indeed . Talkative, aren’t we? Íri, he is finally making normal baby sounds!- he laughed with relief, and her eyes widened. - Good boy!- he crooned at him, standing back up. 

Lómion wiggled again, smiling. Celegorm felt a fierce burst of pride as he climbed back onto Netya, Aredhel staring at him with soft eyes. -Good boy. Now, we will catch up to the regiment, and the travel will get more noisy. Can you handle some noise? Huh?- he continued murmuring to the baby with a smile, and Aredhel just snorted behind him, gently spurring the horse back into movement. - They can be quiet if your ears will be too soft still, they are good like that.-

Huan laughed at them, shaking himself off of the water. - You are really one of your brood, you all are besotted with little pups.- 

- Sush, hound, you are the one to talk. Amabarussar after a family dinner ring a bell?- Aredhel teased back, relaxing behind him. - The tracks are fine then?- 

-Yes, yes. One of my troops, probably, maybe Curvo’s.- Celegorm smiled at her, twisting to look over his shoulder. She looked better now, marginally more settled. - Chances are they are going to Ost Aglon too. It’s always safer to move in groups.- 

Aredhel patted his thigh, sighing. - Yeah.- hiding her face in the hood of his cloak she relaxed her shoulders, and he felt her reaching to touch her son with her mind. He tried not to frown. She shouldn’t be using much spirit arts any time soon, but on the other hand, she had to be used to checking up on him like this. 

Lómion mewled softly, frowning at the fabric of the cloak that shielded his view. Celegorm raised an eyebrow at him. -It’s quite chilly, winimo. I would not recommend swatting that away.- 

-He likes sparkly things. Especially sparkly things he can chew.- Aredhel muttered. - If you need him to be silent and calm. -

-Ai, Íri,no. It’s good that he is awake and curious. It doesn’t bother me. - he gently murmured back, squeezing her hand. Huan warbled in agreement.

- Thank you. For being patient with him.- she whispered, voice soft in a way that scared him. Celegorm exhaled heavily, patting Netya to go a bit faster. 

He already killed Eol. He kind of wished he could do it again.

Lómion pouted, wiggling again. - Bah.- he stated, glaring at the offending piece of fabric. Celegorm rolled his eyes. 

-You will get cold. If you are bored I can sing you something, huh?- 

- Bah .- the boy glared at him, pouting heavier.

-No? All right. You really want to see the sights, don’t you.- he smiled. - Íri? Would you be up to holding the reins for a moment?- 

-Sure. I won’t get my son back anytime soon, will I?- she chuckled.

-Nope. - he carefully undid the knot of the sling on his chest, and loosened the cloth up enough to free Lómion’s arms and draw him up a bit. The boy froze a bit at the contact, but blinked at him trustingly. -Now, winimo, shinies, huh? - Celegorm wiggled his eyebrows at him, and tied him up again, now with his arms free. - I do know something about shinies. -

-Ga.- the boy smiled, flailing his arms, and a raindrop fell off of the edge of the cloak onto his nose, startling him. 

Celegorm froze for a second, prepared fully for a wail, but Lómion just scrunched up his nose and mewled softly in displeasure, curling his hands into fists. Aredhel hummed from behind him.

-It’s normal for him.- she stated, smiling sadly. - Doesn’t cry much.-

-It’s weird, that’s what it is.- Celegorm harrumphed under his breath, drawing the cloak tighter over the boy. - He will yet get loud, and that shall be an improvement. But now. We should catch up to the regiment soon, they are on foot and not far before us, just behind the hill. Huan, would you be a dear?-

The hound cocked his head. - Tell them you are incoming? They don’t talk dog normally.-

- I think your presence shall be enough of a warning. There is one hound of Valinor on this side of the Sea.- Celegorm nodded to him, and he took off, tail wagging cheerfully.

They watched him go for a moment before Aredhel prompted Netya to start walking again. - Do you think they will have something to eat that isn’t lembas with jerky?- she murmured after a moment, inquisitive.

He pursed his lips. - In this weather? Unlikely. I’m sorry. There shall be soup at Aglon, at least that I can guarantee.- 

-Ah, beggars can’t be choosers.- she said breezily, and promptly sneezed, arms squeezing around his middle like if she was in pain.

-Bless you.- Celegorm twisted around in concern, and Lómion flailed his arms, startled by the noise.

- ‘S fine. Let’s catch up, then you can worry about me.-  Aredhel smiled at them blearily, waving him off, holding one hand under her nose.

Celegorm frowned, but returned to his position. He felt her shift and hiss a soft curse, before she buried her face in his shoulder.

The leaden feeling in his gut was back, twice as heavy as before. 

She could not get sick. Not now, when he just got her back.

-I’m constantly worried about you.- he muttered to himself under his breath, tightening his hold on the edge of his cloak. Lómion looked at him from its depths with huge eyes.

-Ga.- he breathed sadly, little fingers grabbing a fold of his tunic. - Bah.-

Celegorm nodded solemnly. - Indeed, winimo, indeed.-

******** 

Norgalad could only keep his bewilderment to himself as the massive Hound of his Lord barfed at him, wagging his tail. 

-Lord Celegorm is incoming? In this rain?- he felt his eyebrows ride up his forehead despite his best efforts. Huan nodded once. - Alone???- 

The hound tilted his head, barking something, before tapping the ground three times. 

Norgalad blinked. - With three companions?- 

Huan huffed, tapping twice. - Ah, him and two other?- 

An affirmative bark confirmed his guess. - Anybody injured?- he grimaced, scratching the back of his head. They had a spare bedroll or two, but in this rain everything was slightly damp and unpleasant. The small copse of trees shielded them a bit, but even thus the camp was meager.

The hound whined. Norgalad groaned. - How bad?- 

A soft bark, and a tail swish. The best approximation of a shrug a canine can manage.

-Not terrific, but better if a medic looks them over.- 

The hound agreed. 

He sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose, and turned around to holler at his people. - Harincer ! We will have management on site soon!- 

A chorus of panicked yelps and hissed curses rung through the camp. 

-Who, boss?- Bara called out, finishing tying up their tarp to a beech. 

- Management. - Norgalad stressed. 

-Oh fuck.- their eyes lit up with understanding. - Like management- management ? Fuck.- 

-Exactly. So get your asses moving, we have to get this under control asap.- Norgalad straightened himself. 

The Hound barked once, cheerfully wagging his tail. 

*******

Honestly, the faces of his warriors upon seeing them ride in were a sight Celegorm wanted to paint and frame on the walls to laugh at. Huan smugly wagged his tail at him, rolling his eyes, and the poor captain nearly fell over.

-Greetings!- Celegorm dismounted, smiling widely. Lómion blinked at the new people from his sling, and made a gurgling noise of interest.

-W…Well met, Lord!- Norgalad valiantly tried not to stare, blinking wildly. - Your Hound informed us there was someone injured with you???- his voice went a bit thin at the end as he noticed the baby and Aredhel slinking off of the saddle. -Oh.- 

-Ah, not exactly, although I would like the medic to take a look at both of them, thank you captain. Allow me to introduce them. This, - Celegorm gestured to his cousin leaning against Netya with a miserable expression. - Is Aredhel Irisse Nolofinwiel, the White Lady.-

-Lady of the House of the White Tower, if you want to be all courtly.- she interjected, smiling weakly.

-Lady of the House of the White Tower, then.- he smiled back, suppressing the urge to make an inappropriate joke. - And this; - he gently took Lómion’s tiny hand in his and waved to the soldiers. Some waved back, puzzled but smiling softly at him. - Is Lómion. Lómion is very young still, so I expect you all to be on your best behaviour.- Celegorm flashed his eyes and teeth at them and they quickly nodded.

-Ah, my Lord, we have prepared some bedding for you and your…companions, but alas, in one tent, as we didn’t know…well.- Norgalad appeared tongue-tied, scratching the back of his head.

-Bah.- Lómion stated, grabbing Celegorm’s thumb in a vice grip and furrowing his brows with curiosity at the capitain. Norgalad blinked. 

-Uh. We have a few spare cloaks too?-

-Gaa.- Lómion agreed.

-It’s fine, truly. Thank you, captain.- Aredhel decided to put the poor soldier out of his misery. - We will arrange ourselves. But have you mayhaps gotten anything warm to eat?-

-Sure thing, Lady!- the one soldier that hadn’t come to greet them called out from between the tents. - Lembas soup. With rabbit. Rather watery, but warm! In half an hour it shall be ready.- 

-Very well, thank you.- she inclined her head regally. - Tyleko.-

-Yes?- Celegorm hummed, distracted by Lómion’s attempts to wiggle away.

- Give me my baby back, you heathen.- 

Celegorm blinked at her. -Uh.-

Aredhel raised one eyebrow, and a snicker could be heard from the soldiers slowly dispersing again around the camp. - He is hungry, you moron. That’s why he is wiggly. You two shall have ample time to cuddle yet.- 

He tried not to scowl in front of his people, but something had to have shown on his face as he reluctantly handed Lómion over and took off his cloak to wrap it around her shoulders, because Norgalad’s expression flickered between faintly amused and stunned.

The rain had slowed down to a soft drizzle, but it was still chilly. Aredhel looked quite funny in his cloak, being a head shorter and less broad in the shoulders. Red suited her, right now. It made her look more alive, less ashen. 

She smiled at him, and wandered off to find the promised tent.

He watched her go, and turned to the captain idly. - She took him. Can you believe? Stole my baby like that. Awful.- Celegorm snorted, rolling his eyes with a sappy smile. - Ai, I had missed that. And having gotten that sorted, how is the situation in Estolad?-

Norgalad frowned at him, eyes wide. - Uh. - he cleared his throat, straightened, and started his report.

And if Celegorm listened to him only tangentially, mind busy with plans for a nursery, it was not his place to comment on that.

Chapter End Notes

I hope you enjoyed!

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The tent wasn’t big, just enough for two bedrolls one next to the other and a third one squeezed in the back, perpendicular. Celegorm hummed thoughtfully, carefully lowering himself down on one of the bags, trying not to wake up Aredhel.

She looked peaceful sleeping like that, Lómion cocooned in the shawl and a small blanket tucked close to her, but far enough she wouldn’t crush him if she moved. Something in his chest melted at the sight, and with a sigh he settled on his side, watching them. 

He took careful note of how Lómion slept, and how far away she was, exactly. If he wanted to help her, he needed to know these things. And he would help. He had to. He could not ruin this.

He clenched his jaw, anxiety churning in his gut. He was very likely to ruin this, wasn’t he.

Aredhel’s ear twitched, and she blinked wearily, mumbling a detached;. -...Tyleko?- 

Celegorm made a face, feeling like an awful person. Much help he was, waking her up. 

-I’m here.- he replied quietly, stretching his hand so he could brush his fingers against hers. 

-Its so fucking cold.-  She exhaled heavily, rubbing her nose with her other hand. - Come here.- 

Celegorm did as he was bid, carefully making his way to her other side. - Cuddle, right?- he covered them both with his blanket, but carefully kept a half-handspan of distance between them. 

-Yeah.- Aredhel pressed her back to his chest.

-Where should I put my hands?- he asked, voice soft. After Neylo’s return they all got used to asking. 

Celegorm felt slightly nauseous at the comparison.

-I don’t know? I…midsection, I guess. Thank you.- she exhaled, and he carefully hugged her closer, tucking her head under his chin. Her hair smelled weird, of some sort of herb she had never used for it before.

It was still damp, little braids coming undone. She didn’t have any of the hair ornaments he remembered, not even the ribbon stolen from Fingon that she never parted with, nor the bead of Orome’s Hunt.

Something angry opened its jaw in his chest. Those things were hers.  

She relaxed against him, a hesitant smile on her face. - You are warm. Pity we didn’t have some Fenorioni on the Ice. Ah, I know, I know, I can feel your grimace. Water under the bridge, by now, I think. I already punched you for that in Mithrim.- she mumbled, coughing into her hand, a sharp, awful sound like barking. Celegorm froze, mind suddenly numb. 

Fuck. Fuck no, not her, not now. 

-Tyleko?- Aredhel wheezed out once she caught her breath again. - What’s it?- 

He gathered her closer, trying not to panic. -Nothing, Íri, just.- he exhaled. - I was just wondering how the fuck am I supposed to hold you both, you know?- Celegorm lied, summoning a fake smile. She snorted. 

- You will figure something out, don’t worry. Enlist Curufin all I care, he is also warm. Or Tyelpe. Hmm, actually, a cuddle pile sounds nice.- with a small smile she patted his hand.

Celegorm swallowed harshly. -Yeah, I think I will. Curvo gets quite sweet when he has a baby to hold, actually, and Tylepe will get all starry eyed at the prospect of a little cousin. It will be fine, yeah.- he swallowed again, and placed a soft kiss on the crown of her head. - Sleep now. -

Aredhel huffed another short laugh, and relaxed fully into his hold, eyes slowly going misty with sleep.

Celegorm exhaled slowly, mind screeching at him.

She could not be sick. She could not . 

Gritting his teeth, he reached around her to gently put one hand around Lómion too. He could feel his own heart hammering against his ribs with stomach-turning terror, and the small heartbeat of the boy under his palm.

She cannot. Fuck, its still three days to Aglon. If she…then Lómion too, and… No, fuck no, I just got them back.

Celegorm squeezed his eyes shut, feeling tears gather in the corners of his eyes. A prickly, thorny feeling wrapped itself around his heart. 

He had to get himself under control. He needed too, else all of his brothers would feel an echo down their bonds and come investigate like the snoops they are.

The flickering spirit of the boy nudged his hand, seeking something, and he did his best to pass some reassurance to him. 

Aredhel would not die. Not with him there.

*****

Huan curled up on himself, flicking one ear to get rid of an annoying drop of water. It was calm now, amongst other orc-hunt-people. His Tyleko had smelled awfully of fear for the whole trip until now. Protective fear, not even something he could do anything about.

Huan huffed, tracking the movement of one of the other people in the camp with his eyes. The pup was tiny, and he understood the need to protect. 

But it was the Lady who worried him more. She smelled of foul magics, of a deeper fear, and of something slightly sick. Huan bared his teeth at the thought. The Lady was sick, and Eldar didn’t get sick, not unless something really bad happened to them. 

His Tyleko’s eldest littermate had been sick, after Kano-with-gold-ribbons rescued him from the Iron Prison. Huan didn’t want the Hunt Lady to be sick. She was one of his, and she had a tiny pup, and he couldn't really do anything. He didn’t have hands like his Tyleko did. He had already bitten the Foul-elf-smelling-of-sorcery where it hurt the most, because it had been his fault Hunt Lady was sick. But Huan couldn’t do much more. 

He growled. The tiny portable roof behind him where his close-pack slept was well guarded. That was as much as he could help. The pup was still too tiny to need playmates, his Tyleko was just worried, and the Hunt Lady was sick, and Huan could not do anything about these things. But he could keep them safe.

Chapter End Notes

hope you enjoyed! 

Aredhel, with a cold and elf-asthma from magic whiplash: Mhhh warm cousin good for snuggles, pity didn't have him underfoot earlier
Tyleko, five seconds from a panic attack, generational baby and new mother realted trauma: activated : please don't die I can't become a single father five minutes after I got you back, pleasepleasepleaseplease
Aredhel: coughs
Tyleko: FUCK NO

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Aredhel felt like shit. 

Honestly. It was some sort of joke on Namo’s part, she had to surmise, because what the fuck. The moment things had started locking up she had to go and fall sick.

…It had probably a lot to do with the stress finally falling off of her. She had not realized how much strain sustaining Lómion on her own took on her until Celegorm started helping.

But the fact was, her head hurt, lungs tickled, throat burned and all bones felt like they were on fire. So, she felt like shit. It wasn’t dangerous, as far as she could tell, not like a true illness that took lives on the Ice, but it was still truly undignified.

Also Celegorm looked more and more harried with every sniffle and cough she made, nearly hovering, and his soldiers echoed his mood. She had forgotten how antsy the Feanorians could be. 

It was…kind of nice. It felt good to be cared about. He was less handsy than she remembered him being, and made an effort to always ask first, and it actually helped. 

Aredhel furrowed her brow, and sniffled. Lómion started crying again from his place in the carrier strapped to Celegorm, and she got the faint feel of him being antsy because it was too loud.

She should probably deal with that.

Ugh, but her head hurt. She idly realized her ears flattened themselves against her skull at the sound.

It was amazing how easily Lómion had started to actually behave like a baby once he determined Celegorm to be an additional source of comfort, and she was overjoyed he felt well enough to scream when he needed something, but by the Valar , was it not doing anything good to her headache.

Aredhel gathered her wits to go and deal with this before somebody took offense or she started crying too, but the wail quietened abruptly after a few sharp commands to the soldiers to be quieter and some murmured words from Celegorm to the baby.

Fuck, he was truly a godsend. 

She wanted to lie down in a warm bed with a warm blanket and a warm fireplace crackling merrily, have a cup of tea with honey, snuggle to her warm cousin and baby and fucking sleep for a week.

Scratch that, both her warm cousins. Curvo was significantly softer than Tyleko, at least around the middle. Would absolutely make for a good pillow.

The rain tinkled merrily on the armor of the infantry unit walking with them. It only pattered against her hood.

At least she had a nice, thick, soft waterproof cloak now. Even if it was red. And it was theoretically Tyleko’s. Aredhel could guess it smelled of him, for if she inhaled with her mouth open she could taste it on the back of her throat, but her nose was clogged.

She wished she could smell it. It was a comforting smell.

And not have her nose stuffed with mucus. Honestly. Her sinuses hurt like somebody pumped them full of some sort of scratchy water. Who invented colds?

Eru, probably. Although not, for it was said He loved His children. She would never wish this sort of annoying thing on her son.

No, Morgoth, the fucker. It seemed exactly like the petty, annoying thing he would do with his time.

Alas. She would not get her warm blanket and warm bed until they got to Aglon. 

Which was two days away.

She wanted to cry a bit at that thought. The mare lent to her was a sweetheart, truly, nothing like the foul-mouthed Netyaraccë of Celegorm’s, and her gait was smooth, and she was a lovely horse all around, but it was still two days of riding on a pack-horse without a proper saddle.

Celegorm had offered Netya, but Aredhel knew how much he loved all of his horses, and she didn’t want to separate them. And he needed his saddle, for technically they could get attacked. 

And Huan, as much as he had the patience of a saint, was not as comfortable a steed as a horse.

Her mare flicked an ear, making a concerned neigh. She patted her idly. -I know, girl, I know. Wet, uncomfy and far from home.- 

The mare huffed in commiseration.

The rain pattered around them, drowning out other sounds, muffling them strangely. 

Aredhel straightened, and took a breath, just deep enough not to send her careening into another fit of coughing. 

She could survive another two days without proper bed. She had made it through far worse things.

It didn’t mean she had to like it.

******

Norgalad rubbed his brow, a bowl of soup balanced on his knee, and sighed deeply at his Lord.

His Lord, who was having the jitters because the Lady of the White Tower had a cough. Truly. At least the baby was less fussy than they had all thought, crying only when they got too rowdy or it was time to change diapers. But Valar . Lord Celegorm fussing worse than a babe not weaned yet. That was decidedly not in his betting pool. 

That the Lord would be so…panicky…over the health of someone was unheard of. And the Lady was tough, to be true, so Norgalad could only be more baffled. She didn’t appear much strained from the road, if only for the subtle tightness around her eyes and the glaze in them, brought by a cold.

But Lord Celegorm looked halfway to a kinslaying every time she as much as breathed with a audible wheeze. Norgalad frowned. No. Halfway to panic, more so. Or maybe to both. It was mildly amusing to watch him toe the thin line between concerned and overbearing over both the baby and Lady Aredhel, but also kind of terrifying.

He did not envy anyone who thought to cross them anytime soon. 

The fucking Hound was looking at them like they could break too. What the fuck, actually, was that, he wondered. That a Hound could look concerned, all right, he could see, but to look actually heartbroken that he couldn’t hold the babe? 

Norgalad took a sip out of his soup, watching Lord Celegorm do breathing exercises leaning against the side of his dog, ears pinned back, fingers flying through the air in quick movements to dispel energy. The rain that fell onto his cloak hissed and streamed back into the air, enveloping the Lord in a thin layer of mist, and he cast a small circle of light around himself.

The captain took another sip. Truly. Lady Aredhel just retired earlier for the night, citing a killer headache, and took the babe with her, as was her due. This was not necessarily cause enough for a panic attack. 

Unless the Lord knew something he did not, which was mildly likely. Only mildly, though, for Norgalad had obediently walked beside the Lady’s horse for the whole day, and she chatted normally with him. 

She seemed to have a common cold, possibly stress-induced. Eru knows his own wife always got them after a birth. Lord Celegorm was just paranoid. 

New fathers were usually paranoid. Especially new fathers who had a muddy history.

Norgalad wasn’t blind, and the child was…to say remarkably similar to the Lord would be to lie, but similar enough in coloring and ear-shape that it would be plausible. 

And the Lord behaved…honestly. No, why was he even doubting it. It was his child fair and square.

Which could explain the anxiety. He remembered himself right after his first daughter was born, and oh, Eleberth, had he been paranoid.

Norgalad took another sip, and a bite out of his lembas. Lord Celegorm slowly stopped glowing, but the rain still evaporated when it touched him.

He would probably calm down fully only when they finally got to Ost Aglon. Hopefully. 

The captain blinked. Did Lord Celegorm need someone to explain to him how babies worked, or…?

No, no, probably not. Lord Curufin had a son, didn't he?

Shrugging, Norgalad finished his soup. Good. At least he didn’t need to explain diapers to his superior.

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They announced themselves in Ost Aglon with a single note from a hunting horn, and the gates opened before them seamlessly, banners flying in the wind. Celegorm felt his shoulders relax a tiny bit at the sight of his fortress.

They managed to get there. It would be all right.

Huan barked sharply thrice, and leapt, dashing towards the fortress playfully. He was going to spread the story amongst the other hunting hounds, or at least make some chaos, if the long, happy howl had anything to say.

Lómion startled in his sling at the sound, face scrunching up, and promptly started wailing, wiggling around like there was no tomorrow. 

-Shhh, winimo , shhh, it’s all right.- he easily pressed a sense of security into his tiny mind, making him calm down quickly. Lómion disliked sudden loud sounds, it seemed, but once reassured nothing bad was happening he calmed down nearly instantaneously, unless he was feeling very cranky.

Celegorm could understand that. He also flinched at loud sounds, even if it was only Huan howling, and the world could get exceptionally irritating sometimes. 

Lómion’s bright spark of a fëa reached out for his own, clumsily conveying tired and safe?. 

He smiled softly at him, meeting his wide-eyed gaze. -In a moment, little one. We are nearly there, you can sleep, it’s fine.- 

Lómion pouted at him, his tiny hat having slid off of his ears. Celegorm adjusted it gently, and pressed a more concrete reassurance back. Safe to sleep, he thought at him, in feelings of warm blankets and being held.

The boy settled down, curling his tiny, chubby fingers into the fabric of the tunic, and gurgled contentedly.

Celegorm melted a bit at this. Lómion was such a wonderful baby, truly. It was easy to guess what he needed, and he made absolutely no fuss once it was provided, content to watch the world or sleep in his sling. So tiny, and so trusting.

He wanted to bite his own knuckles to keep himself from crying at the tangle of emotions this trust made him feel. He was the one that meant safe and warm and calm-because-mom-is-calm and interesting and so many other tiny things that weren’t yet emotions he could discern one from other but surmised to mean trust.

He hadn’t felt so responsible maybe ever, but it was a rewarding sort of responsibility, and not guilt. 

Oh , Curvo was going to melt into a puddle. He had wanted more children besides Tylepe, and babies always made him just dissolve into softness.

Aredhel laughed from her horse at the sight of the keep, and her soft chuckle of relief between breaths transformed into a hacking cough. She cursed under her breath, hands gripping the edge of her red cloak so hard he could see her knuckles white and bloodless.

Celegorm felt his insides clench, an ice-cold claw squeezing his heart. She shouldn’t have ridden for a week through the rain, not in the state she was in. 

(Yes, he was afraid . He could admit it to himself. He was afraid and anxious and she didn’t need to know this. Oh, how he understood his father now, returning from the forge red-eyed and trembling.)

At least they were home now. 

They rode through the gates without much ado, a regiment returning from their duties, and he quickly jumped off of Netya and grabbed the reins of Aredhel’s mare, his free hand wrapping his cloak protectively over Lómion. It was still raining, a damningly tiny, gelid drizzle that was constant and soaked everything. He wanted to snarl at the sky. 

-Íri, come here, let’s get you both inside.- Celegorm murmured, helping her off of the horse and handling the reins to a stablehand that jogged up to them, staring with wide eyes. Aredhel rolled her eyes, but accepted his hand.

He held back the flinch at how cold she was, even wrapped up in one of his best cloaks. She had been holding up to the journey very bravely, but the way she leaned heavily on him right now betrayed how exhausted she had to be. - Come on, let’s get you warmed up and checked around by a healer.- 

She scrunched up her nose. -You are right, probably. How’s Lómion?- 

-He is well, aren’t you, winimo?- Celegorm smiled reassuringly, leading her towards the buildings. Lómion looked at them with huge, silver-gray eyes and made a spit bubble.

-Gah.- he reassured his mother, too-big ears quivering softly, the small cap he had on sliding off of his head again. - Bah.- 

- That’s good. Ai , my boys.- Aredhel smiled affectionately, exhaling. -But fuck , my head hurts. Even my damn eyelids hurt, can you believe? Nasty, oh, nasty thing.- she groaned, missing a step. 

Celegorm’s stomach sank to his feet, and he swallowed harshly. - Could you get one of your hand around my chest? I don’t want you falling down.-

-Huh? All right I guess.- she blinked, sneaking a hand behind his back and grabbing in the strap of his bag where it rested over his hip, and he wrapped one arm around her shoulders. 

Lómion burbled happily seeing his mother, and Aredhel sighed, righting his cap with her free hand. 

They walked into the building, leaving wet footprints on the stone floor, and Celegorm flagged a servant down. - Find my brother and nephew and inform them that there is a family emergency of the happy sort. We shall convene in my rooms in a few hours time, tell them to lit the fireplace well. Thank you.- 

The girl blinked at the sight they made, but didn’t comment besides a nod of acceptance. As she hurried off, Aredhel snorted softly. - How much do you want to bet she will forget to say that it’s a happy sort of emergency?-

Celegorm shrugged. - Oh, nothing. Better yet, how many different rumors will be started tonight about us?-

She chuckled, and coughed a few times into the crook of her elbow. - Ow. At least three. Where are we going?- 

-Healers.- Celegorm said, maybe a bit too harshly. - Both of you need a trained eye to look you over. -

-Gaa.- Lómion sputtered, wiggling a bit. - Ga.- 

-Well, I think you are right.- Aredhel nodded, exhaling heavily. -And you little mister don’t try to fuss now, please. I truly don’t want to have to deal with screaming until I get a pot of willow bark infusion.-

The boy made an odd sound, pouting, but settled down at the faint sense of ' please, be quiet' from Aredhel. Celegorm smiled at that despite himself. 

He would make sure no ill befell both of them. They were far too precious for him to lose them again.

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With great relief Celegorm entered his rooms, glad to see the fire burning merrily in the fireplace and his brother and nephew pacing anxiously, twisting wire in their hands.

He stopped in the door for a second, amused at how similar they were. Even their expressions as they glared at the source of the sudden sound of the door opening were the same. 

Now if only Feanaro was there to complete the lineup.

He swallowed the sudden sting of grief, and entered fully. 

-Celegorm, what the fuck happened.- Curvo spat out, eyes burning as he looked him over. - You sent for family emergency and promptly disappeared into the healing wing.-

Tylepë nodded from behind his father, anxiously thrumming his fingers against his collarbone.

Celegorm smiled sheepishly. -Uhhhhh…. You two better sit down. I already killed the bastard.-

The silence that fell on the room was complete and absolute, two sets of silver eyes looking at him with identical expressions of shock.

He frowned, replying his words in his mind. 

-Oh, fuck, no, not this way, Eru , that came out wrong as fuck.- he sputtered out as the realization dawned on him, slamming his hand against his forehead. 

-I sure as fuck hope so .- Curufin muttered out, still pasty white. - Not even you would kill a child of your own blood, surely.-

Celegorm swore. -All right, stop, return to beginning. No children were killed, quite to the contrary. - he muttered and then paused, deciding this was a conversation best had sitting down, sliding against the wall to sit with his legs crossed. -Írissë? Found her, alive, in good enough shape.-

-Tyelko, if you are joking I swear to my mithril hammers…- Curvo hissed at him with vitriol, incredulous fear glimmering in his eyes, standing to his feet. 

Celegorm only looked up at him, locking their eyes together. -I found Irisse.- he repeated, voice calm and steady. -I found her, or she found me, doesn’t matter. She is found, and she is there, she is safe.-

Curufin flopped back onto the bed like a marionette with cut strings, making a wounded noise. Tylepë scooted closer to his father, looking at Celegorm with eyes so wide it seemed they would pop out of his skull if they widened even a hairbreadth more. -So what…?-

-So that was the good news. You are not going to like what I tell you now.- the hunter stated, grimacing. - She has a baby. Lómion, tiny, quiet thing, sweet and very cute.- 

Tylepë blinked twice and smiled widely at the news.- Why is that the bad news?- he asked bemusedly, looking between his father and uncle.

Curufin’s face fell, and licks of fire started to dance over his shoulders. - She is not…not…-

-She is not at any spiritual risk, as far as I could tell. Strained from the pregnancy, nothing more serious.- Celegorm kept his voice even. - As you can imagine, carrying a child alone can be quite draining. Alas, the… donor. Has been disposed of already. That’s what I was referring to earlier.-

Curvo took a shaky breath. - Good. Good. Who ?-

-Eöl of Nan Emloth. Always knew there was something fishy with that guy.- Celegrom shrugged. -But Lómion was in a mediocre shape since he had only one parent to keep him safe. I volunteered to help. Írissë agreed. So. I guess, congrats, Tylepë, you have the little cousin you always begged us for. - 

******

Aredhel smiled, nuzzling her cheek into the soft fabric of Celegorm’s sleep-shirt. The fire crackled merrily in the fireplace, the rain falling like curtains behind the glass window, and she was finally dry and warm.

One warm cousin under her cheek, the other, warmer one, curled around her back, and her nephew holding her son in her direct line of sight, curled in an armchair with the baby in his hands and a book over his legs, reading something in a soothing voice.

Huan’s tail thumped methodically against the floor in the opposite corner, a sound so familiar she wanted to cry.

She curled her fingers in the soft fur of the bedding, exhaling softly. Curufin hummed right next to her ear, running his fingers gently through her hair, unbraiding the multitude of little braids she had with utmost focus. She felt a little bad about pressing her icy feet to his shins, but he hadn’t even twitched at that, and now he was being sweet.

Celegorm watched her with something weird in his eyes, glimmering and indecipherable. It didn’t escape her attention how he barely kept his fea from brushing against hers, and she wondered why. 

Curvo didn’t like to hug anyone with his spirit, the exception being Tylepë, but Tyleko? Tyleko had always put his whole being into his hugs. 

She missed the feeling of it. Aredhel gently nudged him with her mind, questioning. 

He immediately acquiesced, his living fire sneaking around her protectively. 

Oh, it was nice to be held. She sighed, content, and wiggled a bit until she could put her face into the crook of Celegorm’s neck. Both brothers only hummed in amusement, Tyleko adjusting his hold and Curvo  placing a soft kiss on the top of her head.

Lómion gurgled happily from where Tylepë read him a story, and she only smiled wider. She could keep this. 

The medicine the healer gave her made he mildly drowsy, but her head didn’t hurt anymore, and she was warm.

- I love you, boys.- she mumbled out, exhaling, eyelids dropping. -So much.-

Curvo’s hands stilled in her hair, and he only pressed another kiss to the crown of her head, this time holding it for a long, long time. 

She felt Tyleko exhale, chest falling under her hand. - We love you too, Íri. We love you too.- he murmured, squeezing her shoulder gently. 

Aredhel felt her spirit lighten, as if some layer of gunk had been wiped down. - Mine.- she whispered, not really able to put the feeling into words.

-Yours.- Curufin murmured into her ear, gentle fingers unbraiding yet another braid.

-Yours.- Echoed Tyleko, the fiery spirit around her flaring with conviction. 

She closed her eyes, exhaling, and felt tears slowly roll down her cheeks. 

They only held her closer, warm and steady. - We are yours.- murmured Celegorm, kissing her forehead gently.

-You are ours.- added Curufin, voice as soft as his fingers gently stroking the edge of her ear.

The fire crackled merrily in the fireplace, Tylepë’s quiet narration in the background, harmonizing well with the soft murmur of the rain outside, and Aredhel curled her hands into the shirt of her cousin and let herself weep.

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