My first full day as wife to Cutch was - well, full. Filled with light heart, laughter and, of course, love. And not a few surprises.
I awoke my husband (*squee*) and we stepped outside to watch the Sun rise, after which we swam in the Lhûn and "renewed" our vows. I am of the opinion that wedding vows may be fragile things, and shall require frequent renewal...
The first surprise came after the swim, as we donned our thin sleepwear and returned to the warmth of The Lair. Cutch had gone back to his kitchen to prepare something tasty, while I strayed outside to gaze upon the grounds. The remarkable transformation that my dear Morenwenna had wrought upon Torech Besruth was the subject of much talk at the wedding feast. I contemplate leaving much of it in place for a time.
As I strolled the grounds, I heard a welcome sound: a high, shrill chittering shriek from above that told me Sûlpadron was about to alight with news. I gazed up with a grin splitting my face, and whistled in reply. In moments, my beautiful eagle touched the grass before me, a bright gleam in one eye as he regarded me.
"Hail, O Sûlpadron, my friend," I said. "I feared for thee in thy absence."
"I greet thee, LadyRedElf," he replied, "it is pleasing to see thee now in bliss. Indeed, I spied thee and the CutchMan at play in the waters, and waited until now to speak with thee."
"Thou dost spy on us at play? Have thee no mate of thine own, that thou must watch others?"
The eagle's eye gleamed with what could be called mischief. "Think that only thou hast a new mate this day? For indeed, I was away for that same reason: I, too, now have a mate, and younglings are on their way even now."
I clapped my hands in delight. "Oh, such news! All blessings unto thee, my friend!"
"I thank thee, LadyRedElf. But along with my news, I bring thee tidings. The message thou had asked of me was delivered, and the reply is what I bear. A moment," he said as he leaped to the airs again, and returned after a few minutes bearing in both talons a large parcel wrapped in black leather.
"They sent it? At only my request?" I asked.
"I also bear these words from Parfiolossë, the current Curator of the Archives. She declares this to be both a wedding gift and honoring thy request, and all grace be unto thee."
I took up the parcel without opening it, for I knew exactly what it was. "I thank thee, O Sûlpadron, and again bless thy union. Take thy ease in the gables of my manor, as is thy wont." I stroked the bird's neck and he lifted to the airs once more. I then hurried inside with the second surprise of the day...
I found Cutch in the Scullery, moving with a graceful sway to his labors that I now knew was the lightness of Elven-blood. I cleared my throat politely, and he beamed as he turned, holding a plate of red tarts and a red teapot.
"Just like that first day," I smiled.
"And just like every day, beloved," he replied, then saw the parcel. "But what is that?"
"I have a gift, melethel nin. I sent for this a few days before, and Sûlpadron only bore it to me now. I wish for this to be a gift, a wedding gift from me to you - in the hope you understand me more." I held out the parcel, which he took after setting the tea service aside and opened it, and hefted the book as he read the title.
"Read it, my husband - read, and know..."
