Party Time! (March 1 through 3-ish)

[bemerry]

CHARACTERS: Meriadoc Brandybuck & Anyone who wants food and presents
LOCATION: O₂ Gardens
WARNINGS: nothing that i know of...
SUMMARY: Meriadoc's birthday bash meant as a morale booster for anyone and everyone who wants to pop in
NOTES: There is a starter comment for prep team, everyone feel free to do whatever they want


After the wonderful set-up by many volunteers, and the work of several weeks, Meriadoc's birthday party is finally in full-swing, with plenty of pies and cakes and bread and drinks and cookies and waffles (with blackberries!) and other baked delights. Even with the absence of some he would have wished to be present, he doesn't dwell on it, instead trying to make sure everyone who drops in feels wonderful, and receives a small gift or two, be it a carved spoon or a bouquet of flowers, or something else that could be made easily and quickly with his sometimes-clumsy hands.

It was only proper for the ribadyan to make sure everyone had a gift, after all.

Comments

[fertilefeet]

"As well as most others though it promises to turn out for the better. I hope that it finds you well."

She moves then to his side, discreetly trying to find any similarities between them and considering just how and when to question him. For now though, she's content enough to see him and to enjoy the party.

[summerlord]

"As well as can be expected." He smiles, though, a little. "It is good to find something to celebrate, even here."

[fertilefeet]

"It is and it so far promises to be enjoyable. I think it is needed." A reminder of ones home when so far away and when so much has happened. Even for those not of their world, it's a nice distraction.

[summerlord]

"I will not argue that," Elrond answered. "Have you been well, Luthien?"

[fertilefeet]

"I have been well, aside from becoming lost more than once. And yourself?" They've all been through enough in the past month that, even if Thranduil hadn't told her certain details, she would still worry and wonder.

[summerlord]

His lips quirk in a quick, wry smile. "I was once lost in these hallways for days on end." He sobers before answering the question. "I have been well enough."

[fertilefeet]

"Days?" She can't imagine being lost for days, even if she's sure he wouldn't make something like that up. She's not sure she could even bear being lost that long.

Pleasantries aside, Lúthien has to think now what she wants to say. Of course, she could simply say what's on her mind.

"I am glad. Family should worry for one another, should they not?" She asks this with a smug glint in her eye.

[summerlord]

His gaze turns sharp at her words, but fades away to wary amusement in the face of her smugness. "So you have been told."

Some things, at least.

[fertilefeet]

"Mm, Thranduil told me. Though I wish you had been the one to do so."

It had almost felt like a terrible secret and she can't see why it would be. Family is important. Even Artanis had been willing to tell her that she'd married Celeborn.

[summerlord]

He has the grace to look chagrined -- if only a little. "I had through to spare you."

He doesn't know if she knows the rest of it all, and so, he won't elaborate. It could be that he wished to spare her the confusion and disbelief that could come with meeting a descendant.

[fertilefeet]

"Spare me? From what?"

There's so many blanks in what she's been told, it's a wonder that she hasn't gone poking and prodding more often to learn more.

[summerlord]

He shakes his head. "I did not wish to overwhelm you, especially in this place." It was hard enough to acclimate without added complications.

[fertilefeet]

It's true that it definitely would have overwhelmed her. And it's still hard to think that she has a descendant when she hasn't even met whoever she's going to marry.

"I appreciate that and I understand why you said nothing. Would it be unwise of me to ask how far down my line you are?"

[summerlord]

"I do apologize, Luthien. It was not my intent to deceive." It might not be wise to ask, but it may not be unwise, either. "You are my mother's grandmother."

[fertilefeet]

She could be angry, if she tried, but she really can't do it. He's family and he's not the only one who says very little about her future.

"Your mother's grandmother." She repeats that softly before smiling. "I suppose coming to this ship has some benefits. I have met you without having to wait."

[summerlord]

"So you have," he says. (And he says nothing about him finally meeting her at all.) His voice turns a touch wry. "Family is quite important to me, my lady. Even had I not been revealed to you, I would have found some reason to remain near."

[fertilefeet]

"I am glad for that. You make for good company, family or otherwise." And she'd have found out eventually, somehow. Or, at least, there was a good chance of it. And if ever she had come to suspect anything, well, she wouldn't have stopped until she'd gotten an answer.

[summerlord]

"And I am honored to hear you say such a thing." Secrets were hard to keep and harder still when others were, perhaps, unaware that he was intent on keeping secrets. She would have found out eventually and perhaps in a far worse way. This worked out fairly well, at least.

[fertilefeet]

She loops her arm around his, drawing him to somewhere comfortable. Whether he lets her or not is the question. It won't stop her from trying though. She's used to getting her way.

"Now that I know our relation, tell me more of yourself?"

[summerlord]

He allows her to lead him to where she will. "What would you like to know?"

[fertilefeet]

It takes her a moment, she hadn't really thought of anything specific she'd like to know.

"Anything. Your family, your home."

[summerlord]

Well, that he can speak of. "My home is called Imladris and it is a beautiful, quiet valley where all are welcome." He has made sure of that. "There is very little that can compare."

[fertilefeet]

It's not a lot but it's not a little either. Just from what he said, she can tell that he loves his home. Just as she loves Doriath. Not that she came blame him.

"I wish that I could see it."

[summerlord]

"You would bring much joy to it, of that I am sure." He smiles. "I have a family there."

[fertilefeet]

"Family?" You have all of her attention, Elrond. All of it. Family, if he hasn't figured out, is important to her. Or she wouldn't have mentioned her discovery.