[Gil'dae Cheb] In the still of the darkening...(Calairiel & Nimavel)

[Calairiel Mynendil Gil'dae]

Last darkening of Summer, Era XIII pf.

It was the middle of the darkening and the young Lady of Gil’dae couldn’t sleep.

Sighing softly, she rolled over and watched Nimavel sleep for quite some time. It was something that usually brought her peace, reaching out and caressing his face, but not that darkening for he was at the middle of her torment.

Torment was too strong a word and she knew it but no others came to her mind. Unease possibly was closer. Whatever word fit, Nimavel was the center of it although not in any way that was his fault or reflected badly upon him. She loved him so much…and couldn’t possibly think of living without him anymore then she could live without breathing. He was part of her now…a part that she cherished more then life itself.

But what was she doing to him?

Rising up, she quietly slipped out of bed and wrapped her long silk robe around her form and tip-toed out of the room to do a little thinking, hoping to find a way to make her thoughts clear. Before she left the room though, she went to Nimavel’s side of the bed and kissed his forehead gently.

Oh how she loved him.

Closing the door behind her, she thought about the elf that had changed her life forever and what it meant that he wanted to be in her life. Part of the problem she was having though is that she feared she wanted –too- much from him –too- soon.

Her travels down the hallways brought her to the room where the newest members of the Gil’dae House slept. The children they had brought home from Medonia were adapting well to their new environment and family, and all were sleeping soundly…which was music to Calairiel’s ears. It hadn’t been that long ago that they had been in Medonia, meeting them for the first time. Nimavel had been wonderful, giving of himself for her…doing what he knew she wanted. He always was like that. He did what he knew would make her happy but, was –he- happy?

-That- was the question.

Engaged to be married they were…their lives so different from when they had met in Imperia. Calairiel was deliriously happy with her job, family and most of all…Nimavel. Her studies were going well and House Gil’dae was prospering under her leadership. She was happy…..but was he?

She needed to know.

She wanted him to be comfortable. She wanted him to be happy in the place he was in. If he wasn’t, she didn’t want to be the cause of that. In the rush to have all the things she wanted, was she making him forget about –his- dreams?

She hoped not.

Closing the door to the children’s room, she journeyed further down the hallway to the large balcony. It was a beautiful summer darkening, full of moonlight and animal noises. Calairiel took up on of the cushy seats and simply sat there and let her mind wander.

She loved Nimavel….so much. She wanted to be with him forever and share everything with him…but not at the expense of losing everything –he-was….everything –he- cared about. That wasn’t love. That was one taking advantage of another…and Calairiel would never be that type of person…especially to Nimavel.

No…she wanted him to be happy and who he was…even if it meant losing him…something she couldn’t even bare to think about without tears welling up in her eyes. She’d have to find a way to talk to him about it, for they shared everything, but she didn’t even know how to begin.

So she sat there…losing herself in the darkening and hoping that eventually, inspiration would come…solving all her problems in one fell swoop.

[Nimavel Mynendil]

The tender brush of Calairiel’s lips against the elfin lord’s cheek aroused him from reverie, though the Syl’rosyan Lord conveyed no indication that he had stirred from the land of dreams. Attuning to the sounds of Calairiel’s distancing movements, Nimavel’s eyes fluttered open as the door was eventually closed between him and his beloved, leaving him swathed in the darkness.

Sitting up on the mattress, the elfin lord fixed his hands behind his head and rested against the bed frame, his gaze occasionally darting to the open window that he had oftentimes intruded through in the wee hours of the night.

A foreign breeze then entered through the opening and batted alluringly at the elfin lord’s ebony locks.

It was strange to remember that his inconspicuous entries of the past were no longer necessary. The last time that Nimavel had mounted the tree and scaled it to Calairiel’s chamber had been months ago. Ever since then, however, the elfin lord had been gifted with the luxury of the front door –though in retrospect he much preferred the window as it enabled him to circumvent the perfunctory greetings to the various household staff inside –and House Gil’dae was certainly blessed with a surplus of them.

It was not that Nimavel disdained the Gil’dae family –on the contrary, in fact. Still, nothing could change the reality that he was an introvert by nature, far preferring the solitude of the shadows over needless social interactions. He had changed, though –oh how he had changed!

As his lavender eyes focused upon the gloom of the outdoors, the assassin of House Mynendil could not help but feel as though the shadows had gradually become foreign to him over time. He was now a dweller of the light, a traitor of the underworld and perhaps a shell of his former self.

No, that was going too far and distant from the truth.

He was a master of the shadows still, and in actuality, more commanding and indomitable than he had ever been before, and it was because of people like Calairiel and Vasha in his life that he had reached this pinnacle of perfection.

It was because of them that he was stronger, and he would grow stronger still.

Rising to his feet, the elfin lord maneuvered to the windowsill of Calairiel’s private chambers, ensconcing at the ledge and peering out into the star-dotted skyline. There had been a time in his life when that horizon had been barren and devoid of light, but the stars (even if a few) had been born one at a time, shedding their radiance upon him and ascribing meaning unto his life.

A meaning that he clung to even now…

Craning his head to face the doorway, the elfin lord’s latest image of Calairiel’s departure had informed him that something was wrong. The Arwen Gil’dae had never been gifted at completely concealing her emotions from him, and it had not been difficult to discern that she was bothered .

Sweeping up his cloak and fixing it over his shoulders, the Syl’rosyan Lord left from the chambers and followed the hallway until reaching the balcony, spotting Calairiel shortly and pausing a few steps behind her.

“You cannot sleep?”

He asked, gradually advancing and leaning on the balcony beside his beloved.

[Calairiel Mynendil Gil'dae]

He always knew.

Nimavel was always there…sometimes even when he wasn’t. He guided Calairiel’s life with a soft hand and loving embrace simply by being a part of it…and she knew that there was nothing she could hide from him, nor did she want to.

They were partners….in all things.

So when she heard him behind her, there was little she could do but smile. As he joined her at the railing, she slipped under his cloak and wrapped her arms tightly around him. In truth, there was little else in life she wanted to do other then just spend it with him…and it was moments such as the one they were sharing that make her life worthwhile.

She knew she had to ask him.

Laying her head against his shoulder, she pulled him closer and asked the questions she knew she must.

“A’maelamin, I have to know…are you happy here with me? Have I rushed this with the marriage….the children…? I didn’t mean to change things for us so fast…and I certainly didn’t want to do anything that might drive you away. I don’t think I’ve been considering your feelings enough and I’m ashamed of that. I love you…with everything I am…and I would never hurt you. I would rather die then do that. I’m so sorry.”

She was babbling…and she knew it, but there was so much that she wanted to tell him and it all was trying to come out at once.

[Nimavel Mynendil]

Clutching Calairiel in his slender arms, the elfin lord leaned against the balcony, holding her securely and intimately. Resting his cheek against the side of her head, he listened intently as she poured out the feelings that had been burdening her heart –for however long they had been there, though, he did not know.

Sighing deeply, Nimavel squeezed her shoulder comfortingly as she apologized for not considering his own feelings, though truth be told there was little that she needed to repent for –at least not to him.

No, there was nothing to be sorry about.

Calairiel was one of the few people who had ascribed meaning unto his life and for that he would never hold anything against her. She had given him purpose, value, and significance.

Without her he would always have been nothing more than a shadow…

Still, the Arwen Gil’dae’s words did ring familiarly in the elfin lord’s mind, not because she had asked him similar questions before, but because he had asked them himself at several points in the past.

“It is true that things have changed, dae’amin.”

Nimavel whispered softly, raising a slender digit to stroke her cheek gently.

“The life I am living is not entirely how I imagined it.”

Pausing momentarily, the elfin lord tilted Calairiel’s chin upwards and brushed an affectionate kiss against her lips.

“But I would have it no other way.”

And there it was. It was true that the Lord of House Mynendil had believed that his life would have taken a different course, but at the same time he enjoyed the road that he had taken regardless if it was what he had expected or not.

He and Calairiel were on their journey together…forever.

[Calairiel Mynendil Gil'dae]

She never doubted Nimavel and his love. It might have seemed as though she did, but in truth the only thing that she doubted was her ability as a conscientious partner in life….aware of her mate’s goals in life.

But that was something she was going to change.

Lifting her lips to his and kissing him softly, she smiled the brilliant smile that was reserved for him and him alone.

The one that told him that he was truly loved.

"I’m so relieved to hear you say that….but I never want to be accused of taking you or this beautiful life we have for granted…so I want you to promise me that if there is something you want to do…or a goal that you wish to strive for…let me be a part of it? You’ve helped me bring so many of my dreams to reality…and I want to do the same for you."

Her fears were brushed away with the touch of his hand and lips, as she knew they would be. Nimavel had always been very aware of her moods and inner thoughts, giving her room to breath when she needed it, but always being right there when she needed his shoulder. Some would say that their minds were linked together, but they both knew it was the unexplainable, amazing bond their shared.

She cuddled closer to his body, feeling the cool autumn winds picking up. Their wedding day was approaching quickly…a brightening the young elf was looking forward to with great anticipation. She didn’t expect her bond with Nimavel to grow because of the experience, but being his wife was a title she would cherish until the end…but there was another question burning in her mind. Not one on the same level of importance as the subject they had already cleared up, but important to her regardless. Snuggling against him, she kissed his neck and whispered her question softly.

"A’maelamin, I know we are keeping the Houses separate when we wed, but would you permit me to take your name as well as keep mine? I know it would be expected that I keep my own name as I’m keeping the House…but I’m proud of the fact that I’ll be your wife…and I want it to be a part of who I am. Besides, I think Calairiel Mynendil Gil’dae has a beautiful sound to it."

[Nimavel Mynendil]

The interesting thing about dreams was that they were subject to change. In Nimavel’s case, they had altered significantly and swiftly ever since he and Calairiel had first met. She had become a crucial part of his life and subsequently a major aspect of his future. He could not imagine the upcoming years without her and nor would he ever care to do so.

“I promise.”

Guaranteeing his beloved with a light kiss to the forehead, the elfin lord drew her tightly into his arms as if emphasizing his claim. Of course there was little that he would ever request of Calairiel as the business that he was involved in was far too precarious and shady to taint her with.

No, he never wanted her part of his business life –at least not all of it.

Calairiel was strong, stronger than any woman that the elfin lord knew. Her heart, however, was pure. Despite the internal and external strength that she so awesomely conveyed, Nimavel could not imagine her murdering someone in cold blood let alone an innocent person.

Ironically, though, this pleased the Syl’rosyan Lord greatly.

Shifting so that his arms were wrapped around Calairiel’s waist, Nimavel rested his forehead against hers as she asked him a simple question, one that he had never actually considered before.

“Yes, of course.”

Grinning lightly, the elfin lord leaned downwards to kiss her once more upon the lips.

“It does have a certain ring to it –well, at least to me. I cannot say that the other Combine leaders will agree.”

Shrugging apathetically, the elfin lord’s stoic visage erupted into a rare fit of laughter. Indeed, he would love to see the faces of the others when they learned that he and Calairiel were soon to be wed.

[Calairiel Mynendil Gil'dae]

Caressing his face softly, she beamed when he agreed to allow her to take his name. In truth, there was nothing more she would have wanted then to take his and his alone, but she had a responsibility to her House and would never waiver in that duty. She was proud to be a Gil’dae, but would be equally proud to be Nimavel’s wife.

Her name would reflect such.

Stepping away from him, she tugged softly on his hand and pulled him back inside, closing the door to the balcony behind them, then down the hallways to the room where the children resided.

Arandron…Caladwen…Saerwen…Nariel…and Alasielle.

As she peeked open the door and leaned against the frame, she wrapped her arms around Nimavel’s waist and pulled him close to her, letting him view the room as well. They hadn’t been a part of their family for that long, but the children were already stars in the Gil’dae home. So many hearts opened up to them…so many more opportunities would be available to them then would ever have been left in Medonia.

And most importantly, they had Calairiel and Nimavel to watch over them and protect them.

Rubbing Nimavel’s back gently, she looked up at him, giving him a soft smile.

"It’s a lot to get used to, I know. It will just take time….and I promise to help you all I can. We are in this life together…for good or ill, Heru Nimavel Mynendil..which means you can’t get rid of me, even if you tried."

It was a loving tease, and he would know it…just as she knew that there was no place he would rather be.

[Nimavel Mynendil]

Calairiel’s fears were not unfounded. Her future husband had never been normal by any standard, and even amongst the oddest of society he would still be considered somewhat of an enigma. The Arwen Gil’dae, however, had managed to solve a part of the riddle that was Nimavel Mynendil, but a great portion of him would forever remain a mystery.

Drawing Calairiel into a long embrace, the elfin lord brushed a light kiss against her forehead as they strayed away from the balcony and back indoors.

“They look so peaceful.”

Nimavel whispered as he and Calairiel peered into the room of their adopted children. Noting the tranquil and rhythmic breaths of the adolescents, the elfin lord rested his head against Calairiel’s, listening quietly as she spoke.

“Then let us hope more good than ill, dae’amin”

The Syl’rosyan Lord calmly replied, draping an arm around her shoulders.

Although Calairiel’s words reinforced what Nimavel already knew, he was nevertheless glad to hear them anyway. She was the one person in his life who he would never tire of seeing, and it was true that they were in their situation together –as it had always been and always would be.

[Calairiel Mynendil Gil'dae]

They stood there, in each other’s arms for the longest time, staring at those that they had chosen to love and protect. It was easy for Calairiel to understand why Nimavel had such a hard time getting accustomed to a ‘normal’ life, for he had never had the luxury of anything remotely close. She still felt guilty of pulling him away from the life he knew, but was as well trying to show him the benefits of their life as it now was.

Lost in her thoughts, she only came out from within at the sound of small whimpering….and then another. Looking into the room, she noted movement within Caladwen’s crib, which seemed to have disturbed the darling Saerwen as well. The other two babies and Alessielle continued to sleep happily and undisturbed, but wouldn’t for long if the other two kept up.

Smiling softly, she pulled Nimavel into the room with her and went over to pick up Caladwen, who instantly stopped her fussing and laid her tired little head upon Calairiel’s shoulder. The elder elf took the toddler over to the nearby chair, lowering gracefully into it and rocked back and forth…. gazing over at Nimavel, seeing if he would follow suit.

Saerwen, as expected, was rather insistent in his soft cries for the male elf. While he had warmed to Calairiel finally, there was –no- substitute in Saerwen’s mind if Nimavel was present. His small arms were held up in indication of what he wanted…which of course, was the Heru of House Mynendil.

[Nimavel Mynendil]

Arriving at the children’s’ room, the Heru Mynendil quietly stepped across the carpet with Calairiel as the sound of crying erupted into the air. Cringing at the noise, Nimavel sighed and dismissed all efforts at inconspicuousness. The children, it seemed, harbored little fondness for guardians with stealthy natures.

Staring down at the infant Saerwen, Nimavel watched as the child reached upwards as if anticipating that he would be scooped away from his bed. Nimavel had personally never been gifted with the luxury of having such compliant caretakers, but that did not mean that he would fail to provide as much as possible for the young boy.

And there was something about Saerwen that continued to amaze the pale-skinned elfin lord.

“Here…”

The Heru Mynendil whispered, reaching down and clutching Saerwen in his grasp. Fixing a hand behind the child’s head to support him and another beneath his bottom to hold him, Nimavel ensconced in another chair a short distance away from his beloved, who currently held Caladwen in her arms.

As he rocked in the chair to console the child, Nimavel breathed silently and rested his head against the frame of the chair. Closing his eyes tiredly, he listened to the small breaths that Saerwen took. For no reason whatsoever, the sound of the boy’s chest rising and falling was like music to his ears.

[Calairiel Mynendil Gil'dae]

Caladwen didn’t need any additional convincing to go swiftly back to sleep…and soon, her breathing turned back to that of a child deep in sleep. Smiling softly, Calairiel gently rose from her chair and began the process of laying her back down again. It was a difficult process to be sure, attempting to make sure the child stayed asleep. Caladwen was old enough to sleep on her belly, and usually preferred to do so in contrast to Saerwen who preferred his back. Placing a child on their belly was the more difficult task, as there was usually a flip involved, which Calairiel performed almost perfectly, laying the girl into her crib and patting her back gently to keep physical contact until she was sure she remained sleeping.

Slipping a small blanket over her, the Arwen of Gil’dae turned her attention to Nimavel and his small charge. Smiling, she glided over to the pair and knelt down to the side of the chair, stroking the child’s hair.

"It seems that you have a fan in this one, my love. Remember, these children trusted no one before coming here. Him being this attached to you means that he is healing…and that is something we can be proud of. These children are getting what they need here, and –you- are giving him what –he- needs. A feeling a safety and love. You may not think yourself suited to this task, but you are…and –together- we will protect them."

Leaning up, she kissed his softly on the lips.

"Now, to put him into bed. Saerwen likes to be on his back so all you need to do is slip him into his crib on his back and slowly and gently pull your arms from beneath him. Pat his chest gently to make sure he feels that physical contact and when you are sure he’s still asleep, you can withdraw it and pull the blanket over him. Simple as that."

Obviously, it wasn’t simple but Calairiel liked to be positive.

[Nimavel Mynendil]

Parenthood was not something that Nimavel Mynendil was accustomed to quite yet, and it was certainly not a responsibility that he had been prepared for prior to his and Calairiel’s adoption of their five children. Nevertheless, adaptation was one of his finer characteristics, and he knew that it would enable him to acclimate to the role that he had willingly chosen.

With Saerwen held securely in his arms, the elfin lord listened to the sound of the boy’s breathing, the rhythmic rise and fall of his little chest that indicated that he was resting peacefully. And when the Syl’rosyan was confident that the boy was prepared to sleep once more, he rose and approached the crib.

Nodding in response to his beloved’s words, Nimavel set the child carefully upon his back, rubbing his bare stomach softly until Saerwen was asleep. Once this was done he withdrew his hands and pulled the blanket over the boy’s small frame to keep him warm.

“Yes, simple.”

He replied, leaning over and kissing Calairiel gently upon the forehead before draping an arm around her shoulders.

[Calairiel Mynendil Gil'dae]

Grinning softly, Calairiel tugged on Nimavel’s hand, assured that their charges were fast asleep. It was a mischievous grin…one that the young elf’s love knew well. She didn’t hide her feelings from him. Everyone else…obviously….but not him.

Leading him back to their room, she closed the door softly behind them and returned to the sanctuary of their bed…and his arms. They were wide awake in the middle of the night…and well…

…perhaps it wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

Children were one thing but in –her- world…the night belonged to Nimavel.