Dúlinnor's Story

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Reinette felt the bed shift slightly as Dúlinnor took the space next to her. He watched her for a moment, before he left a lingering kiss along her jaw. She felt herself sigh in contentment at the action, her eyes fluttering closed for a little while before snapping open to gaze upon his now upright form as he spoke. "Perhaps you would like to join me for a walk? I've a surprise for you but I'm afraid that I could not bring it within the city."

Reinette laughed slightly, her voice melodic and light as she spoke. "Yes. Of course, I'd love to join you. You cannot tempt me with talk of surprises and expect me to not come along, now can you?" Her eyes were twinkling with mirth as she took hold of his now outstretched hand and let him help her from the bed.

"I shall meet you in the sitting room when you are ready." Reinette watched Dúlinnor as he left, her happy smile still lingering on her features as she moved from his room to her own old one. She was quick to slip into a warm bath, and scrub off whatever unpleasant things remained on her skin from sleeping for four days. Finally, one she was done with her body and hair, Reinette dried off and made her way to her collection of dresses, finding a silk and lace gown with elbow length butterfly sleeves. After slipping into the dress, Reinette found herself in front of the mirror, clasping the necklace that Dúlinnor had given to her so long ago around her neck.

But she didn't pull away from the mirror straight away, instead getting lost in the image reflected back at her. There truly was a difference in her appearance, and while it was clearly her own face that was staring back at her, it felt foreign to her all the same. Reinette reached out her hand, letting her fingers brush against the reflection before her. She almost expected the reflection to flinch and move away, as if she was touching the face of another. But the only image reflected back at her was that of her own confused visage. She turned away after a moment, telling herself that one day she would get used to the changes that had occurred, and it would seem to her as if it had always been that way.

Her eyes turned down to the ring that adorned her finger, then. And the bright smile that Reinette was known for once again crawled its way onto her face. Yes, she reminded herself, she was engaged to marry Dúlinnor. Things were changing, but they were changing for the better.

Reinette was soon joining Dúlinnor in the sitting room, following him out of the home that they shared and taking his arm as she fell into a comfortable pace beside him. She was immediately accosted by her senses as soon as they made their way out of their home, though. Everything was definitely different to her - the world around her was brighter, the smells around her were fuller, and the sounds about her were definitely louder. But Dúlinnor did his best to keep her mind concentrated instead on what he was saying, engaging her in the way that she so loved as they talked.

Soon, the two found themselves at the rope bridge. They crossed it - Reinette, without much assistance. She was quite proud of herself in that moment; her balance had greatly approved, and she'd only needed a bit of help from Dúlinnor towards the end of their crossing. She silently celebrated that little victory, though she did not inform Dúlinnor of how very proud of herself she was, as she knew that it wasn't entirely her own doing, but rather, it had a lot more to do with the changes that had happened to her instead.

The blonde walked beside Dúlinnor for a short while longer, the stables finally appearing in front of them as they progressed. Reinette wondered momentarily what the surprise could be, and why it would need to be all the way out near the stables. But her questions were soon answered as they came to rest in front of Rochiril's stall. Her eyes turned to Dúlinnor's as he spoke, and she could feel the tears beginning to prickle at the sides of her golden orbs.

"Reinette, I had thought... that since you are staying in Middle Earth, that perhaps you would benefit from having a horse of your own." He was smiling at her, in that way that he did when he was presenting her with something. The way that warmed her heart and set her skin aflame all in the same time.

With shaky fingers, she slipped up the latch that separated her eyes from viewing the beautiful creature held within. Almost as soon as she saw Rochiril's nose pushing towards her, eager to smell who had come to visit, she found herself crying and laughing all at the same time. The horse seemed to instantly recognize who it was on the other side of the stall, and was pushing her nose into the palm of Reinette's hand. The young woman immediately pressed her forehead against Rochiril's own as the beautiful mare bowed her head, letting out a puff of air in greeting. Reinette felt herself laugh as she pulled away from the horse that had carried her over countless thousands of miles, that had protected her as Dúlinnor and Aglaron had done, as well. She could almost feel the happiness as being reunited emanating from the proud creature before her.

But she soon turned to Dúlinnor, quickly pulling him into an embrace and crashing her lips against his own. She didn't care if there were any stable hands nearby that might see their public embrace - she couldn't care less if she was being indecent or way too 21st century for Middle Earth to handle. She wanted the ellon, whom she loved more than life itself, to know just that - that she thanked him more than words could express for the gift, and that she was beyond elated, beyond happy.

Pulling from Dúlinnor with a laugh as well, she wiped the lingering tears from her eyes and cheeks, smiling brilliantly at the Elf before her. "Thank you, Dúlinnor. Thank you... This is an amazing gift, really. I," her eyes turned to Rochiril, who whinnied in agreeance with the previous statement. Reinette laughed slightly, before turning back to Dúlinnor, and continuing. "I could not think of a better way to wake from four days of sleep."

She regarded him for a moment longer, before speaking. "What made you decide on Rochiril, though?" She was happy for the decision; she didn't want him to get the idea otherwise. She had just wondered where the idea had come from. The horse beside them tossed its head slightly at the sound of its name, its dark eyes watching the two, but settling finally on Reinette with a calm sort of resonance hidden somewhere inside. It was clear that Rochiril was loyal to Reinette, and that the love that she had for the proud and strong mare was easily reflected within the horse.

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Dúlinnor simply continued to smile at Reinette as he waited for her to open up the stall that they stood in front of. He was patient, allowing her the time that she needed. His sharp eyes followed her movements, noting the slight shaking of her hand as she reached up for the latch. The male Elf suddenly realized that he was nervous for her reaction. He had no idea how she would feel about receiving the creature as a gift and yet he hoped that she would be happy. The moment that the upper half of the stall had been opened, Rochiril was moving towards Reinette, happy to see the woman.

The male Elf found himself watching the interaction between Rochiril and Reinette. The woman was laughing and crying though Dúlinnor could see her happiness. It only served to make him happier though his expression never changed. It seemed like Reinette did not spend very long with the horse before she was turning to him. Suddenly, she pulled him into a hug and was pressing her lips to his own. For a second, he hesitated. He was so ingrained with his peoples' customs that her sudden actions had nearly thrown him off. However, Dúlinnor could not resist Reinette. His arms encircled her tightly and his lips suddenly moved against hers.

For once, he did not care if anyone saw them as they were likely to. He knew that if they did his father was likely to hear..and that would lead to another argument. Yet, he would gladly face his father's wrath if that meant that Reinette was happy. The kiss almost seemed to last forever to him and honestly it could have truly lasted that long and he would never tire of their closeness. When she did pull from him, Dúlinnor allowed his grey eyes to open so that he could regarded her. Her laugh only continued to aid in his smile. "Thank you, Dúlinnor. Thank you... This is an amazing gift, really. I," Reinette paused as Rochiril whinnied in agreeance with the woman. "I could not think of a better way to wake from four days of sleep."

"I am most pleased that you approve of the gift." He said softly. A moment passed before Reinette spoke again. "What made you decide on Rochiril, though?" The male Elf tilted his head to the side as if in thought, his gaze soft though regarding the female closely. He did not answer her right away, instead allowing a easy silence to flow about them. Only after another Elf passed by them did he speak. "I know how fond of each other the two of you are. I simply thought that since Rochiril's previous master fell that perhaps she would appreciate a calmer life. Besides, she will allow no other to ride her. She has eyes only for you. But, if you do not want her..I can find another." His last statement was said with a light laugh. He was joking with her and he knew that she would easily pick up on this.

He waited, allowing her time to speak if she wished it. Slowly, he turned his gaze back to the horse. "Rochiril is from these woods and as such I would trust no other with your safety. Though all of the horses that come from this land are wise and willing to do anything we ask of them, Rochiril is different. She reminds me of Suldal in a way." He suddenly thought back to the proud horse that was in the next stall. "I knew Rochiril's previous owner. She was not nearly as loyal to him as she is to you. The same was with Suldal. The Mortal that owned him could not even ride him."

The Elf was smiling at the memory. "Our Borders are still not safe or I would take you riding this day." He said, easily showing the woman near him that truly, he would have if it had been possible. However, he did not speak further of the troubles that they were still having. He saw no reason to worry her. At least their family was not on active duty for the time being.

He allowed Reinette to spend as much time as she wanted with the horse. Only once he was sure that she was done did he suggest that they return home. Along the way, he spoke with her and even as they passed others the Elf had eyes only for Reinette. He knew that his Mother would want to see them soon and so he'd suggest to her later that they join his family for the evening meal the following day. There was no immediate need and after all, Reinette had wished to spend time with him that day. Before returning to the flet, Dúlinnor took Reinette about the market, purchasing items that they needed.

Thurilostel had offered to do the shopping but he'd not wanted to bother her. She had enough to worry about without having to worry for him. He'd had plenty to do with until Reinette had woken. Only once they were done did Dúlinnor suggest returning to the flet. He carried most of the items, making sure that he had the heaviest. Once they arrived, he allowed the woman to get the door as his hands were full. The Elf headed towards the kitchen so that their purchases could be put away. Once they were done with that, he offered to start their meal. They'd spent the entire day simply enjoying each other's company and Dúlinnor had a strange feeling that it would be some time before they'd have another day like today. However, he did not speak of it to Reinette.

As they finally sat down to eat, the Elf found himself in happy chatter with the woman. It was about halfway through the meal that he felt like he needed to say something to her. "Reinette," His tone suddenly becoming more serious. "I wanted you to know something." He paused, his gaze easily resting upon her. "Do you remember when we argued about moving our relationship forward? I had said that my family would not approve. I was thinking about it while you were asleep and I did not want you not understanding what I meant by that."

Another pause. He was not intending to cause any trouble or to make Reinette upset. He simply couldn't stand the thought of her thinking that his family did not want her to join them. Of course, he'd made sure since then that she felt that she was fully welcomed but it was all too easy for something like that to cause doubts. "I had only meant that they would not approve of my decision. They know me all too well. Though I'd wanted to take the time to think it over, there had only ever been the one choice. I would not be able to live in this world without you by my side. My family is truly happy that you will be joining us." He smiled at her then, hoping that she understood why he was telling her these things.