18: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Christmas Eve Day, in the afternoon, Finrod found himself helping to decorate the tree. Boxes were brought out and lights were strung. Ornaments, both large and small and of a wide variety, were hung along with candy canes and ropes of silvery tinsel. A star was placed on the top and when the room lights were turned off everyone oohed and aahed at the sight of the tree all lit up. Hot chocolate was passed around and they saluted the tree and spoke animatedly about the evening’s schedule. Already delectable smells emanated from the kitchen and mysterious presents were piled in a corner of the dining room. As the afternoon progressed, presents also began to appear under the tree. Finrod brought down the pins he had bought, keeping them in the bag because of their small size. Everyone studiously ignored the gifts; everyone secretly wondering who was getting what from whom.

Around six-thirty, the doorbell rang and Glorfindel and Finrod went to answer it, greeting Alex, Derek and Andy warmly, shaking their hands. As they were doffing their coats and boots, Alex introduced the fourth member of their party, his mother, Anne. Finrod saw a Woman of middle years, though her looks were youthful. Her hair was still dark brown with only the hint of gray in it, her blue eyes were bright with intelligence and humor and her posture straight. She blinked in surprise at the sight of the Elves, but recovered herself well enough to give them her greeting. Both Glorfindel and Finrod bowed over her hand.

“I am pleased to finally meet you, Mrs. Meriwether,” Glorfindel said. “Alex has had nothing but good to say about you.”

“Please call me Anne,” she said. “Artemus has told me something of you, but he failed to tell me how… gorgeous you were. If I were twenty years younger….” She gave them a sly smile.

Derek poked Alex in the ribs and whispered loudly, “I think your mom is hitting on our friends.” Alex rolled his eyes and actually looked embarrassed, while both Andy and Anne smirked. Finrod grinned and Glorfindel laughed out loud as he gestured for everyone to follow him down the hall. Finrod brought up the rear.

Introductions were made as they entered the dining room where most of the others were gathered. Finrod watched in amusement as Anne just stood there with her mouth open and her eyes wide. Andy snorted in amusement; Alex and Derek just stood back and watched with knowing smiles on their faces. Finrod doubted that Alex’s mother remembered even half the names, but that did not really matter. He had spoken to Glorfindel earlier about his decision that both Anne and Andy should be told the truth about them for all their sakes. Surprisingly, Glorfindel had raised no objections, but suggested that they wait until after the holidays to do so.

“They will both be here until after the New Year,” he had pointed out. “Let Anne get used to being here first before we spring the truth on her. We’ll have Alex and Derek bring them over for a meal and tell them then. Perhaps the Friday after the New Year will do. Traditionally, the sixth of January is known as Epiphany, commemorating the manifestation of the Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi.”

“A sort of revealing, then,” Finrod had said and Glorfindel nodded, saying, “That would be appropriate, don’t you think?”

So, for now, the Elves introduced themselves by their Mortal names. Elrohir handed their four guests some homemade eggnog and Finrod suggested that they retire to the library until it was time for dinner. The Mortals admired the tree and all the decorations and the time passed pleasantly until the cooks called everyone to the table.

A buffet had been set up and people served themselves. There were too many to sit at the table so it was reserved for Finrod and Glorfindel, sitting opposite each other, while the four Mortals joined them along with Helyanwë, Daeron, Melyanna, Amroth, Nimrodel, Vorondur, Ercassë and Prince Legolas. A few sat in the breakfast nook and everyone else just stood about balancing their plates. When both Anne and Andy protested and were ready to give up their own seats, Glorfindel assured them that it was fine.

“We had to do the same at Thanksgiving,” he told them. “We drew lots to see who would sit where. No one minds, truly.”

So, they settled down to enjoy their meal. Alex looked up at one point and nodded toward the gifts that were piled up in the corner near his seat. “What’s the deal with the gifts?”

“Ah, those are our Secret Santa gifts,” Daeron replied with a smile. “Perhaps you would do the honors. We each were a Secret Santa to someone else and we left clues as to our identity. Now the moment of truth arrives and we are allowed three guesses before we can open our gift. If no one has any objections, perhaps we can play once we’ve finished eating but before we put on the coffee and dessert.”

There were murmurs of assent and then the conversation flowed into other directions with the Elves skillfully encouraging their four Mortal guests to speak about their own holiday traditions and memories. Both Anne and Andy were more than eager (too eager to Alex’s and Derek’s minds) to tell them tales about their respective sons as they were growing up and there was much laughter (embarrassed laughter from Alex and Derek) as everyone listened. Eventually, plates were emptied and cleared. Daeron asked Alex to pick out gifts at random and hand them to whoever was the recipient. The first gift was for ‘Randall’ (Daeron had reminded everyone to use their Mortal names, knowing that Anne and Andy would be there), and Laurendil accepted the gift, smiling with embarrassment.

“Well, the first clue was…”

His Secret Santa turned out to be Elennen and everyone clapped when he guessed correctly. Then he opened his gift: a t-shirt with the words ‘Raised by Elves’ on the front. Everyone laughed and congratulated Elennen on finding such a clever gift.

Then Alex grabbed another gift and read the tag — Daisy — and the game continued. It turned out that Glorfindel was Daisy’s Secret Santa and Mithlas was Glorfindel’s. Then it was Cennanion’s turn to guess.

“The first clue was a miniature Statue of Liberty and that threw me at first and I had to really think about it. The second was a picture of Father Christmas, and that didn’t help at all until I got the third clue, which was this ring with a fake emerald in it.” He held up his hand to show them the ring on his pinkie finger. “When I saw that,” he continued, “I went back to look at the picture more closely and realized that Father Christmas was wearing a crown of flowers, but the fourth clue, this harp ornament, was the clincher.” He pulled the ornament out of his shirt pocket for everyone to see and then glanced at Finrod with a grin. “So, it can only be Quinn.”

Finrod nodded and smiled and everyone clapped as Cennanion opened his gift, holding up the CD. “Mozart’s Magic Flute,” he said and there was laughter among some of the Elves who understood the significance.

“I do not know if you already have this,” Finrod said, “but I know how much you enjoy playing the flute.”

“It’s perfect,” Cennanion said sincerely. “It’s always been one of my favorites.” Then he pulled out the book and held it up. “Robert Frost.” The Wiseman Elves all nodded in understanding.

“Nicholas Greene suggested it to me,” Finrod explained. “I thought the illustrations particularly beautiful.”

Cennanion rifled through the book and nodded. “Very beautiful. I’m familiar with the illustrator’s work. She specializes in illustrating poetry and does an excellent job of capturing the spirit of the poet’s words. Thank you.”

Finrod nodded and Alex picked up another gift. “This one is for Nell,” he said, giving the elleth a smile as he handed her the gift. Finrod noticed the shy look on his niece’s face as she accepted the gift from the Mortal and he wondered about that, but put the thought away for another time, concentrating on listening to Nell explain her clues. Eventually, it was Finrod’s turn and he explained the clues he had been given.

“I had to ask someone about the postcard, for I did not recognize the city,” he was careful to say, “and even when I learned which city it was, I was still unsure of the identity of my Secret Santa. Then I was given a statue of Titania, Queen of the Faeries, and that only told me that my Secret Santa was female.”

“Well, that certainly narrowed the field,” Glorfindel said with a smirk and there were chuckles all around.

“Yes, well, the fourth clue was this riddle,” Finrod continued and spoke the riddle and there were nods of understanding all around, though Finrod noticed the four Mortals looking somewhat bemused and spoke to them. “Telling riddles is a favorite pastime among us and this one is fairly straightforward as such riddles go.”

“So, what’s the answer?” Derek asked.

Finrod glanced around and gestured at Eirien. “Daisy, of course,” he said and the elleth gave them a brief curtsey while everyone clapped.

“Daisy?” Alex asked looking perplexed. “How do you figure that?”

It was Amroth, sitting opposite him who answered, feigning disgust. “Honestly, did you forget all your training, Meriwether? Think it out.”

Finrod grinned at Alex’s affronted look. “I’ll explain it later, if you still cannot figure out why daisy is the correct answer.”

Alex nodded sheepishly and Finrod opened his gift, which turned out to be a calendar with illustrations of some place called Camelot.

“I liked the paintings,” Eirien explained shyly.

“It is lovely, thank you,” Finrod said sincerely.

“Calendars are always handy,” Glorfindel said and Finrod had the feeling he was speaking more for the benefit of the Mortals than for him.

Anne spoke up then, giving them a grin. “I always say, if it’s not written down on my calendar….”

“It doesn’t exist and it didn’t happen,” Alex concluded for her, rolling his eyes. “I learned early on to make sure anything important, like a cub scout meeting or my senior prom, was on my mom’s calendar or else it was a no-go.”

There were amused chuckles all around.

The game ended with Findalaurë guessing that it was Daeron who was his Secret Santa (Daeron had also been Beleg’s Secret Santa as well) and then everyone retired to the library while coffee, tea and dessert were brought in.

“I hope this isn’t too boring for you,” Finrod said to the four Mortals as they made their way down the hall to the library, “especially as you could not play.”

“Oh, no, it wasn’t boring at all,” Anne said, “though I found the clues somewhat strange and some of them made no sense to me, I mean, I couldn’t always see where a clue or clues led to identifying one person rather than another. After all, what do the Statue of Liberty, a picture of Santa, a ring and a harp ornament have to do with you?”

“Ah, that would take some telling, but someday you will hear the story and then you will understand,” Finrod replied with a smile, looking at Alex and Derek, both of whom gave him puzzled looks. He gestured with a jerk of his head and moved to stand beside the fireplace and the two Men joined him while Amroth and Nimrodel neatly steered Anne and Andy toward the tree, with Nimrodel asking Anne about when she had carried Alex.

“Well, let me tell you….” Anne started to say.

“What’s up?” Alex asked Finrod as his mother regaled the others with her tale.

“… and I spent three months throwing up every morning….”

Finrod saw Alex roll his eyes and grinned.

“Glorfindel and I have decided to tell your parents about us,” he explained softly. “We are planning to invite them for dinner after the New Year before they are due to leave and reveal ourselves to them then.”

“Do you think that wise?” Derek asked.

“… started kicking just as I would fall asleep and I swear the little snot did it on purpose.”

“Mom!!! Please, don’t embarrass me in front of my friends.” Alex moaned while the Elves listening all chuckled. He turned to Finrod with a pleading look. “Why do parents always do that?”

“Wait until you’re a father yourself, Artemus, and you’ll see,” Anne retorted with a sniff. “And if you’re embarrassed it’s only because you want to think of yourself as the perfect little angel when you were anything but. If your friends are truly your friends they will not hold it against you. I’m sure they were all holy terrors at one point or another to their parents. It goes with the territory.”

“Indeed, it does,” Finrod said, then gestured for Alex and Derek to follow him out into the hallway, while Ercassë began speaking about her own pregnancies and what she had put up with. Derek closed the door.

“Okay, why do you want to tell my dad about you?” he asked. “He’s already asking me questions I can’t properly answer but I don’t think he’s really ready to hear what any of you have to say.”

“And my mom just got here,” Alex said. “You notice she calls me Artemus? I even told her that everyone here knows me as Alex and she knows I don’t always use my real name but it hasn’t really sunk in or else she’s just being ornery for the sake of being ornery. It’s hard to tell with my mom sometimes.” He gave them a grimace as he spoke.

“I understand and I sympathize with you both,” Finrod said, “but we are doing this more for your sakes than for theirs.”

“How do you mean?” Alex asked.

“You are concerned about your mother and her safety, are you not?” Finrod said and when Alex nodded he continued. “So are we. Promises by the Valar notwithstanding, I know you would feel better about the situation if your mother were here and aware of the truth. I know you do not like lying to her or you to your father, Derek.”

“We aren’t exactly lying,” Derek said, “just not telling them the whole truth.”

“But it still weighs on you,” Finrod said knowingly. “By telling them about us, that may help protect them, for they will understand why you are both here and what you hope to accomplish. You, especially Alex. You have enemies, some of them your former colleagues. Your mother is your weakness and we are trying to eliminate that weakness as best we can.”

“Do you think your mom would want to move here?” Derek asked. “I’ve been sort of sounding out my dad on the subject. He owns his own business and it’s pretty much a one-man operation, so he could set up shop here as easily as anywhere, but your mom may be in a different situation.”

Alex nodded. “She’s a teacher. History. She’s not ready to retire yet and I don’t see her just packing everything up and moving here.”

“It is something that needs to be addressed,” Finrod said. “At any rate, I wished to let you know what our decision is.”

“And why is it your decision and not ours?” Derek asked, his tone one of curiosity rather than belligerence. “They’re our parents after all.”

“But we are the ones who are risking ourselves every time we reveal ourselves to the Mortals,” Finrod pointed out.

Before either Alex or Derek could comment, the door opened and Vorondur was there giving them a significant look. “Everyone’s waiting for you.”

Finrod nodded and gestured for the Mortals to precede him and they went back inside the library. The coffee and tea had been set up on a side table along with several kinds of desserts and Finrod, Alex and Derek took a moment to make their selections before joining everyone else.

“So who’s playing Santa?” Derek asked with a grin.

“We thought you and Alex would like to do the honors,” Glorfindel said where he was standing with an arm around Helyanwë.

Finrod watched as Alex and Derek exchanged smiles. “We’d love to,” Alex said. He put his cup of tea down and began checking the gifts under the tree, apparently looking for something in particular. Finrod glanced at Laurendil and Valandur, giving them a knowing smile, which they both returned. Earlier, the three of them had brought the swords down and placed them behind the tree so that they were not easily visible. The tree itself had been situated in such a way that, by moving an overstuffed chair to one side of it, getting to the back would prove difficult. Each sword had been shoved into a long cardboard shipping tube and then wrapped in colorful paper.

“Hmm… I know they’re here somewhere,” Alex said as he asked Manwen if she wouldn’t mind getting up from the chair so it could be pushed out of the way to make more room. “Aha! Here they are. Give me a hand Derek.”

Derek, of course, was right beside him as Alex bent down and handed him one of the tubes, laying it against the chair. Soon the other two swords were brought out and placed beside the first one. Alex then straightened up and Finrod was amazed at the change in the Mortal’s demeanor. Suddenly, he seemed older, graver, yet there was a sense of solemn joy in his expression. For some reason, Finrod was reminded of Eärendil at that moment. Even Derek appeared more dignified as he stood at military rest, his hands behind his back.

“These three tubes hold something very special within them,” Alex said, speaking to them all and not necessarily looking at Findalaurë, Calandil or Elennen. “Every culture has a way of acknowledging when a child is no longer a child but is on his or her way to becoming an adult within that society. In some cultures, there’s an actual ceremony, like the bar or bat mitzvah’s among the Jews. In other cultures, like ours, it’s obtaining a driver’s license. Well, there are three here who thought they were adults but proved themselves not to be and the symbols of their status as adults were taken from them for a time until they could prove themselves worthy of them again.”

He paused and Derek took up the speech which they had apparently decided between them, looking directly at the three ellyn as he spoke their names. “Lawrence, Cal and Alan, when we first met, you were rather obnoxious little brats and if you’d been under my command when I was in the Navy I would have cheerfully had you keel-hauled.” He gave them a chuckle and all three ellyn blushed. “Well, that was then. Recently, you were victims, along with me and Alex, of a kidnapping. You kept your cool, as they say, and were a tremendous help in our escape and eventual rescue.”

“But we didn’t rescue you,” Findalaurë protested. “Atto made us hide in the trees.”

“But you were there when we needed you,” Alex said. “You three made it possible for the others to track us and rescue us. You even attempted to take the kidnappers down at the farmhouse.”

“I could not believe that you wouldn’t let us do just that,” Calandil said.

“It would not have worked,” Alex said with a shake of his head. “It was a valiant attempt but if you had tried to take Farrell, Zach would most likely have died. I am glad for everyone’s sake that you were willing to listen to me and do what I told you.”

“We realized you had the experience that we did not,” Findalaurë said.

“And that is why we have decided you should have these,” Alex said, bending over to pick up one of the tubes, glancing quickly at the tag and handing it to Elennen. Derek, meanwhile was giving Findalaurë a tube and then Calandil was handed his. All three ellyn stood there for a moment, staring at the tubes in their hands. Finrod watched as his son caressed the tube, his face pale.

“Will you not open your gift, my son?” he asked softly. Findalaurë looked up at him and Finrod could see his eyes were bright and he suspected his son was holding back tears. Then, the ellon shook his head and actually handed the tube back to Alex.

“I’m not ready,” he said softly, the tears now beginning to flow. Both Calandil and Elennen looked stricken. “I haven’t earned it….”

Finrod wanted to go to his son and comfort him, but Derek beat him to it, wrapping an arm around his son’s shoulders, giving him a squeeze. “Hey mate, the very fact you think you don’t deserve it tells us that you do. Now, stop sniveling and open your gift or I’ll give it to Nell to play with.”

Findalaurë gave him a disbelieving look and then grinned shyly as Alex handed him back the tube and for a few seconds there was only the furious sound of wrapping paper being ripped and then the swords were being drawn out.

“Swords?” Anne said in surprise.

“Yeah, that’s what I said when I heard about this,” Andy said, “but apparently it’s a cultural thing or something.”

“What culture hands swords to children?” Anne asked, looking perplexed.

“They’re not children, mom,” Alex said with a laugh. “I promise I’ll explain later. Right now there’s something else that we need to do.”

Without a word, Manwen, Melyanna and Helyanwë stepped forward and took the swords from the ellyn and buckled the swords on them while the three stood stock still. Once the swords were strapped around them, the three ellith stepped back, then Finrod, Laurendil and Valandur came and stood before the three younger ellyn.

“And now, my son, know that we are very proud of you and your gwedyr and all that you have learned and accomplished in these last few weeks. You have truly earned your right to these swords. May you never dishonor them.” He embraced Findalaurë and gave him the three kisses of a warrior even as Laurendil was doing the same for Calandil and Valandur for Elennen. Everyone else clapped and cheered and as Finrod, Laurendil and Valandur stepped back, others came up and gave the ellyn their congratulations.

After a few minutes, Finrod suggested that the three take their swords and put them in their rooms for safekeeping. “And when you return, we will start opening these other gifts,” he concluded and five minutes later, divested of their swords, the three were back and now the other gifts were being distributed. Finrod took up the bag of pins and began handing them out to the other Elves.

“Let these be symbols of our unity of purpose,” he said and there were many exclamations of delight as the boxes were opened and the pins revealed.

“And we haven’t forgotten you,” Glorfindel said to Alex and Derek, handing each a gift.

“Beginning Quenya?” Alex said as he pulled off the wrapping paper to find a large textbook. Derek’s was the same.

“We would’ve bought these anyway,” Derek said, looking a bit puzzled.

“Yes, but now we’ve saved you the trouble and the expense,” Glorfindel said with a grin.

“Well, thanks, really,” Alex said. “I appreciate the thoughtfulness. Now I can get a jumpstart on the course.”

“We figured you would like that,” Glorfindel said.

“And here is something for you,” Finrod said, handing a couple of gifts to Anne and Andy. “We did not wish for you to feel left out.”

It turned out that Anne had been given a lovely, hand-woven table runner and Andy a fishing guidebook for Alaska.

“An incentive to come visit as often as possible,” Glorfindel said and there was laughter all around as Andy thanked them and began looking through the book.

By now, it was getting late and Alex reminded them that they needed to leave soon if they were going to make it to the midnight service. Everyone wished them a Merry Christmas as they headed for the foyer to don coats and boots.

“Thank you for everything,” Alex said to Glorfindel and Finrod who had escorted them to the front door and the others echoed his sentiment.

“Thank you,” Finrod said with all sincerity.

“We’ll see you again tomorrow around noon,” Glorfindel said as he opened the door and everyone shook hands. “Have a good evening and Merry Christmas.” Then he was closing the door behind them and he and Finrod returned to the library where everyone was examining the various gifts which had been given. Finrod took a seat offered him by Cennanion and he accepted it gratefully, for he was feeling a little fatigued. He resisted a sigh as he settled into the comfortable chair and accepted the glass of mulled wine that Cennanion handed him. He had picked up the calendar that Eirien had given him and was paging through it, looking closely at the pictures and reading the captions, trying to figure out what this Camelot was all about. He looked up when Glorfindel came and settled himself on a footstool in front of him, holding a large box.

“I’ll tell you the story of Camelot and Arthur later if you’re interested,” he said.

“Yes, I would appreciate it,” Finrod said, closing the calendar and placing it on the floor beside the chair.

“Thank you for your gift,” Glorfindel said and Finrod nodded. His gift to his gwador had been a small bound volume of paintings depicting the many people — family and friends — whom Glorfindel had left behind in Valinor. Included in the volume were letters written by some of them. Finrod had meant to give it to him when he first arrived, but there never seemed to be an appropriate time and then Finda and the others had been kidnapped. “I have something for you,” his gwador said, holding out the box.

“You already gave me a gift,” Finrod said, taking the box. Glorfindel had given him a beautifully illustrated book on Christmas customs around the world, both past and present.

“Yes, but this is the real gift,” Glorfindel said.

Finrod gave him a puzzled look as he began unwrapping the box and lifting the lid. Inside was a plain leather-bound book. He picked it up and opened it, his eyes going wide as he saw the neatly written tengwar and began reading it. He only got a few lines along before he realized what he was reading and began flipping the pages before looking up at his gwador who sat there with an expression that was hard to read.

“Your letters,” Finrod said. “You still continued writing even after there was no chance of my ever reading them?”

“It helped me to put things in perspective,” Glorfindel explained. “Writing to you, it was almost like having you there beside me even though I knew that in all likelihood you would never see them. I’ve kept them all these years, carefully binding them every so often to help preserve them. The earlier ones I even copied out again and I didn’t change anything, even down to the words I’d cross out. I guess I figured that someday I would return to Valinor and I would bring these letters for you to read, but you came to me instead. This is the first volume and covers the period shortly after we fled south before the onslaught of the glaciers. I’m afraid there are huge gaps of time where I was not able to write, but….”

“Thank you,” Finrod said, interrupting Glorfindel’s apology. “To be offered this glimpse into your life here in Ennorath is a gift beyond price.”

“Most of the volumes are in storage and I’m having them shipped here. For some reason, no matter where I go, I’ve always carried this first volume with me even as I am creating new ones, which is why you have it now instead of later. We’ll clear a space here in the library for the other volumes and then you can read them whenever.”

“I am only sorry I never thought to do something similar for you,” Finrod said.

“Rather impractical, considering how you came,” Glorfindel retorted with a grin. “Besides, I’m sure my life has been far more interesting than yours.”

“Oh? Well, perhaps you are right. Valinor was beginning to be boring. I was grateful for the Valar in allowing me the chance to come here.”

“Well, anyway, happy reading,” Glorfindel said, looking suddenly shy.

Finrod laid the book back in its box and placed it on the floor, then reached over and gave Glorfindel a hug. “Le hannon, hanar nîn.”

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Glorfindel whispered, hugging him back. Finrod could tell he was trying not to weep and hugged him harder.

“So am I,” he whispered back, giving Glorfindel a gentle kiss on his cheek and then he began humming an ancient lullaby as Glorfindel wept quietly in his arms.

****

Le hannon, hanar nîn: (Sindarin) 'Thank you, my brother'.

-Metta-

The story will continue in Elf Academy 3