Forty Four - Celebration

“Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country. Hail the victorious dead,” Theoden said from the front of the Hall. 

To sum up the events of a few hours ago, Aurelia picked out a red dress for me to wear, put multiple braids in my hair, then I helped her and Eowyn get ready as well. I stood between Nik and Alek at a front table, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli across from us and the rest of our large family around the table as well. 

“Hail!” The room toasted. Everyone took a drink and Sat back down, talking and eating. 

“Have I told you, sister, that you look lovely tonight?” Hadrian said in a more than formal tone and I rolled my eyes.

 “Save it for your nonexistent lover, Hadrian,” I said. 

“That wasn’t very ladylike,” Alek joked. “You want to see ladylike, I'll show you ladylike,” I threatened. “You will do no such thing,” Nikolas said. “I was merely implying-” “I know what you were implying. The three of you will behave,” He said. 

“Yes, father,” We mumbled and Le snickered. 

~~~

“No pauses, no spills,” Eomer said as he set three tankards down in front of Legolas, Gimli, and Cleos. These three and their competitions.

“And no regurgitation,” Gimli finished and brought the tankard closer to his mouth as the men laughed. “So, it is a drinking game?” he asked. “Pretty much,” I answered and he picked up the tankard, eyeing it.

“Last one standing wins,” Cleos said as he sat across from Gimli and they began drinking the ale quickly. Legolas hesitated and smelled it first. “It’s just ale, Greenie, it won’t bite,” I teased and the men laughed. He smiled, then began drinking as well. 

“Who do you have your money on?” Eomer asked as I stood next to him. “Definitely not Gimli,” I answered and he laughed. 

“Then your cousin, I presume?” He asked. “Valar no. The Tempest men have always had one weakness,” I said. 

“What’s that?” He asked. “They’re all lightweights,” The men began to laugh again and Cleos rolled his eyes. “Stop spreading your lies,” Cleos said. 

“We shall see,” I smiled. 

~~~

“I feel something,” Le said and looked at me. “A slight tingle in my fingers. I think it’s affecting me,” He said and I laughed. “What did I say? He can’t hold his liquor,” At the end of his sentence, Gimli fell backwards in his seat.

“Alright, we're down to two. Who’s it gonna be, the Elf or the Tempest?” Eomer said loudly and the others cheered.

“Ah, how is our cousin?” Nik asked as he, Alek and Nikolas walked over and Hadrian hung his arm around my shoulders, putting some of his weight on me. He’s been drinking as well. 

“Your cousin is winning,” He said again and continued drinking. He’s definitely not winning. “You should slow down, Cleos,” I warned. “I don’t think he heard you,” Hadrian whispered and I chuckled. 

“I’m starting to think you’re right,” Eomer said and stood next to me again. “Only now?” I asked and he chuckled. 

Suddenly, Cleos grabbed a pot, and threw up. “Game over,” Le said, looking at me and I smiled, walking over to Cleos and patting his back. “It was a good try, Cleos,” I said. After he stopped, he turned and looked at me, then tried to stand. He stumbled and I caught him. 

“Let’s get you to bed, yeah?” I asked and got his arm around my shoulder. “Vvver, I am perrfffectly fine,” He slurred. “I know, but you’re getting really tired, remember?” I said, hoping to trick him. “You're right!” He said, surprised and my brothers laughed. “I’ll be back,” I said and Nik nodded as Alek sat Hadrian down. 

He continued to ramble and mumble things all the way to the room he shared with my brothers and nephews. “But I need to tell someone and you’re right here!” He whisper-shouted. 

“You can tell me once you’ve sobered up in the morning,” I told him and sat him on his bed. “Alright,” He said and looked at me. “Ver,” He said and I nodded. 

“You’re getting very tired, Cleos,” I said and he nodded, laying down on the bed and I pulled his blanket over him. “You know what I think, Ver?” He said. “What is it, Cleos?” I asked. “You’re my favourite cousin,” I said and I chuckled. 

“Get some sleep,” I said. Just like that, he was out. 

~~~

“Ah! She’s returned!” Hadrian said, stumbling toward me. “Did I miss something?” I asked as he walked over to me. I looked behind him at Nik and Alek, who were frowning and Aurelia, Zion, and Iston gave Le a sorry look and he looked at me with a small smile. Zion stood as I walked over and looked uncomfortably between Hadrian and Legolas.

“You missed a lot, dear sister,” Hadrian slurred. “You’re drunk, Hadrian, sit down,” Alek said. “Brother, brother, brother, she should know,” Hadrian chuckled. “It is not yours to tell, Hadrian Tempest,” Nikolas said sternly. 

“What is it?” I asked, concerned. “Nothing, aunt Ver,” Iston assured me. I walked over and sat next to Legolas, who smiled drunkenly at me. “How much have you been drinking? Aside from the game,” I asked and the others laughed. “Not much,” He answered shortly. 

They all stayed rather quiet, the noise behind us being the only things said. “Honestly, what did I miss?” I asked. “Nothing, Ver,” Aurelia said and smiled. “Then why have you all gone mute?” I asked. 

“Ver, listen,” Nikolas said and leaned closer. I heard the music playing in the background and rolled my eyes. “You are such a child,” I laughed and he stood up. “Come dance with me,” He said and reached his hand out to me. “We haven’t danced in years,” I said, shaking my head. “All the more reason to, dear sister,” He said. I smiled, standing up and taking his hand. The rest of our family cheered as we walked over to the floor, and began dancing with the other men and women. 

Dancing in Rohan was something Nikolas and I always did on our trips with mother and father. They had taught us here and it was a tradition we had with every generation of Rohan. It would start with Nikolas and I dancing, then in the partner change, he would dance with the oldest daughter of the king and I would dance with the oldest son. 

Nikolas nodded to Eomer and Eowyn dancing together as well and I smiled. He spun me under his hand, then took my other hand and did it again the other way, and continued with the rest of our pattern, left, apart, together, right. 

Eventually it was time for the switch, and Nikolas quickly went to Eowyn and Eomer took my hand and continued. “My lord,” I greeted him with a smile and he nodded. “Princess,” He smiled. “Please call me anything but, ‘Princess’,” I laughed. “Alright, Ver,” He corrected. “Much better,” I smiled. 

“You dance well,” He complimented as he switched my hand for the other and stepped apart. “Thank you, you’re not doing too bad yourself,” I said and he smiled. 

Once the song was over, we clapped and I laughed as the four of us walked back over to the table.

“We should do that again sometime,” Eomer said and I nodded. “We should,” I agreed. I looked around and noticed Le was gone. “Where is Legolas?” I asked. “Outside,” Zion answered. I nodded headed towards the doors. 

“Greenie,” I said as I walked towards him, sitting next to him. “Shouldn’t you be dancing?” He asked, looking at the stars. “I came to ask if you wanted to dance with me?” I asked. He glanced at me then looked back at the night sky. “Shouldn’t I ask you?” He asked, trying to hide his smile. 

“Maybe. But who’s to say the girl can not ask the boy?” I said and he smiled wider. “Come on, we can dance right here, no one has to watch,” I said and nudged his shoulder. “Valar knows they play the music loud enough,” I commented. “Alright,” He said and I smiled, standing and taking his hand. 

The song was slower, we only swayed to the beat and he would occasionally spin me and I’d laughed. 

“This reminds me of when we were children,” He said. “When we weren’t allowed to the Starlight balls,” He said and I nodded. 

“We would sneak away from Nik and Alek after they had fallen asleep and we would watch the other Elves dance then we would try to dance,” I chuckled. “Only now, we know how,” He said and I laughed. “Yes we do,” I nodded. 

“We don’t have to go back to the party,” He suggested. “What do you say we just stay out here, you and me,” He said and I smiled. “I’d like that,”