Chapter 11: How it All Turned Out

Four years later, Lumenna stood on the balcony outside Feanor’s banquet hall on a warm spring night. She could hear music and laughter coming from inside the house. It was Maedhros’ coming-of-age feast, and she really ought to have been inside, but things had gotten a little too loud for her. Besides, she barely knew any of the guests.

Hearing footsteps, she glanced over her shoulder. Maedhros had just walked onto the balcony, a glass of wine in one hand. “Hey, Lady Lumenna,” he said. “More peaceful out here, huh?”

“Sure is,” agreed Lumenna. She grinned at Maedhros. “It’s hard to think of you as being an adult. Why, it seems like only yesterday that you were seventeen and flirting with me while I tried to teach you history.”

“I wasn’t flirting with you!” protested Maedhros.

“You told me I had very pretty eyes,” said Lumenna. “What was that all about?”

“I was trying to be friendly! So you’d feel welcome! Why you’d think I was flirting with you I don’t know…”

“You were so totally flirting with her, Maedhros. Don’t try to deny it,” said Maglor, appearing on the balcony. Over the past four years, Maglor had gone from sulky and silent to clever, popular, and handsome. Lumenna had noticed several girls eyeing him earlier in the evening.

“I was not,” said Maedhros. “Gods, can’t a guy compliment a girl without getting yelled at?”

“Not if she’s your teacher,” said Maglor. “Anyway, Lady Lumenna, Gilraen and her husband are here. Just thought you’d like to know.”

Lumenna squealed with pleasure and ran in to greet her friend, who was by this point a historian in King Finwe’s court, married to a very nice, well-off young man, and soon to have a baby. Living with Anarrima had definitely been good for her.

“Oh, Lumenna, it’s wonderful to see you!” cried Gilraen, embracing her. “You must be so proud of Maedhros. It’s because of you that he ended up completing his education, you know.”

“Don’t be silly, Gilraen,” said Lumenna, slapping her lightly on the arm.

“No, I’m perfectly serious! I want you to teach my baby when she’s born.”

“What if it’s not a girl?”

“When he’s born, then. But I want it to be a girl. And I want to name her Lumenna.”

“Aw, that’s sweet. But I still have to teach the other six boys, you know. It’ll be fourteen years until the twins are grown up.” Amrod and Amras had started their official education two years before, and proved to be very lively pupils.

“Well, whenever you’re available, we are,” said Gilraen. “Excuse me for a moment, won’t you?” She went to join her husband, leaving Lumenna standing by herself and wishing that she had someone else to talk to.

Celegorm ran up to her. “Hey, Lumenna, your boyfriend’s here.”

“Who’s my boyfriend?” asked Lumenna.

“That carriage driver guy. I forgot his name. Anyway, he’s down by the entrance.”

“Alferin is not my boyfriend,” said Lumenna sternly. “But thanks. Say hello to your mother for me, will you?” Without waiting for a reply, she hurried to the entrance, where Alferin was helping a lady in a long black dress out of the carriage.

“Have a nice evening, Ma’am,” he was saying. “Oh, hello, Lumenna. Fancy seeing you here.”

“Hello, Alferin,” said Lumenna. “Celegorm told me you were here, and so I absolutely had to come and talk to you.”

“I’m always happy to see you, Lumenna,” said Alferin, bowing gallantly. “So how are all the boys?”

“They’re all doing wonderfully. Oh, and Gilraen says that she wants me to tutor her baby when it’s old enough. I can’t believe that only four years ago she was a destitute maidservant with a drunken father.”

“I hear her father’s doing very well for himself these days. Apparently his forgework skills have greatly improved.”

“Yes, Gilraen is very proud of him.” Lumenna sighed. “Isn’t it funny how fast time goes by, Alferin? Look at me. I’m twenty-six and getting no younger. I should’ve been married five years ago. What’s going to become of me? Will I just be an old maid teacher all my life?”

“Quite honestly, Lumenna, I couldn’t say,” said Alferin. “I haven’t got the gift of prophecy. But I do know one thing. Whatever happens, you’ll be able to deal with it.”

The two of them smiled at each other for a moment, perfectly serene.

“Say, Lumenna,” said Alferin softly. “Has anyone ever told you what pretty eyes you have?”

The End

(Finally)

Maid of Imladris, your review made me super happy. Thanks a million!