Riders in the Rain by Fiamma Galathon  

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Rainy days

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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.

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Chapter End Notes

I hope you enjoyed!