#i said i was gonna post this later but��I'm impatient whoops

[amerrierworld]

Oh, brother

for the request: Galadriel and her brothers

Summary: Galadriel’s surprise birthday bash! Modern AU 

Characters: Galadriel x Celeborn, a whole lot of Silmarillion and LOTR elves :D

Word Count: 1.9k

Warnings: none really, family fluff, annoying older brothers. a whole lot of blondes. 

If there was one thing Galadriel couldn’t stand, it’s surprises. She likes to know when things happen and have everything planned out. If she had the choice to foresee the future, she totally would.

But Celeborn wasn’t like his wife. And he really couldn’t refuse three ruthless blondes from barging into his home to throw a surprise birthday party for Galadriel, their baby sister. They would’ve broken the door down anyways.

It was a weekday, so of course Galadriel was working. Celeborn had taken the day off to pick up the cake that Galadriel had chosen for herself, and pick Celebrian up earlier than usual from school to help get a few decorations. The decor included a handful of balloons, and some party hats, which were mostly for their daughter than for Galadriel herself.

The door practically shook in its hinges at the sudden knock later that afternoon, making Celeborn jump. If it had been Galadriel, he would have been worried, but she had said she was working late. So who on earth...

“Celebooooooorn!”

“Oh... great.” Celeborn sighed and cursed internally. He set his laptop aside next to where Celebrian was colouring and hurried to the door, bracing himself.

“Is that Uncle Angrod?”

“Sadly.. yes,” Celeborn grumbled. He opened up and nearly fell back at the sight of three grinning faces. They were carrying large plastic bags and a few gift bags, and he immediately regretted opening the door.

They pushed inside, with Celebrian jumping into one of her uncles’ arms without any preamble, and Celeborn had a looming sense of dread about why they had shown up randomly at their home.

Finrod was the eldest, and the more approachable of the three. He explained their plans to set up a surprise party. 

“You know she hates surprise parties! The actual birthday dinner is this weekend, you know that!”

“Yes, yes, we know, but we figured we’d do something different this time.”

“Why?!”

“Galadriel works wayyy too much, Celeborn,” Aegnor huffed, flopping down on their couch. His blonde mullet was sleek and straight, and Celeborn caught a section of pure white that shot through one side of his hairdo. Another last-minute dye job, no doubt. “You both work way too much. If you’re not going to do anything about it, then we will.”

“She’ll kill us all.”

“Yeah, that’s fine. Come on, help me with the disco ball.”

“The disco ball?!”

-

Galadriel knew what was going to happen the minute she pulled up to her home. If the half a dozen extra cars in the street didn’t say anything, the flashing lights from the living room window gave enough away. She sat inside her car, genuinely debating if she should speed away and just come back in the morning, leaving Celeborn to deal with the aftermath of what looked like an attempt at some sort of party.

But then she remembered her chosen cake and pursed her lips in defiance. She had been very excited to eat it, and curl up with her own  family to just watch a silly movie the rest of the night. She’d find a way to enjoy her birthday, even with her nagging extended family.

But the first person who greeted her at the door wasn’t her husband or any of her relatives. It was Gandalf, with a butterfly painted on his cheek and a top hat on his head. He had a juice box in hand and pulled her into a hug when he saw her in the hallway.

“Happy birthday, dear friend!” 

“Oh, Gandalf. What have you done?”

“For once, this idea wasn’t mine. I was simply invited.”

“I’m sure you arrived on time.”

“I always do!”

He promised there’d be no fireworks this time; when he had set off his pyromaniacal schemes last, poor Radagast’s hedges and flowerbeds had burned to a crisp. 

In the kitchen, Celeborn was nursing a wine glass filled with apple juice. Galadriel didn’t see any alcohol opened anywhere, which did help relieve her stress. He saw her come in and his face scrunched up in an apologetic expression, and it made her laugh.

“My love.. I’m so sorry-”

“Don’t start, Celeborn. What’s done is done. I suppose I’ll be forced to enjoy my birthday now?”

He grimaced and sipped his drink a little more. “If it helps, Celebrian is enjoying herself immensely.”

“Oh, is that right?”

“Orodreth is here. I promise everything is family-friendly, even if it is a little... wild.”

“Was the disco ball Aegnor’s idea?”

“Yes.”

“Of course.”

Galadriel’s siblings were all successful, hard-working people. At least, when they were on their own. Once you put the three brothers together, all hell would break loose. Despite their sheer differences, they were able to put things together and become a team. Often to the dismay of their younger sister who had to endure the torture.

Finrod was the eldest, and therefore the most responsible. He was a successful CEO who took his time to travel and explore every corner of the world. He was stern-faced, and defiantly defensive of his family and his life choices. 

Angrod was the middle brother, and the most outlandish. His passion could lead to anger very quickly, but it made him the most emotionally expressive. His son was practically the sheer opposite of him. Orodreth was a little older than Celebrian, and very soft-spoken and quiet. He was incredibly gifted and intellectual, but you would never be able to read his face and discern that yourself.

And Aegnor was the unhinged youngest brother. As an artist and creative thinker, he explored one medium of art to the next. Galadriel believed he had a lot of potential, and being the two youngest they bonded and got along very well. But she had no idea where his life would lead him. One week it would be pottery, the other it would become architecture. But he was kind and encouraging, which made him the most favourable to babysit Celebrian out of the three uncles.

But once put together, all precedented rules of their characters went out the window.

Eldalote was in the bathroom giving people painted faces, and Galadriel assumed that was where Gandalf got his colourful butterfly. She knocked on the door and came in on Orodreth getting a big fish painted on his forehead. Her daughter was watching diligently next to her aunt as she painted. She had a large flower and heart on one cheek, and a party hat tied snugly on her head.

The minute she saw her mother she squealed and ran into her arms. Galadriel picked her up swiftly, and suddenly felt she  couldn’t be mad at her brothers anymore. Nor could she be mad about them getting ahead of themselves and starting the party before she got home. It made it easier to blend in rather than have all the focus on her as soon as she had opened the door.

“Hello, sweetheart,” she nuzzled her daughter’s unpainted cheek who began babbling about the party thus far. Orodreth said a shy hello and wished her a happy birthday. Galadriel wondered how her idiot, reckless brother had ended up with such a diligent and sweet son. Nonetheless, she gave him a hug before Celebrian tugged her back to the living room, where the main socializing seemed to be happening.

The three elder brothers were plotting in a huddled group near the disco ball, and as soon as they saw Galadriel, they swarmed her. Aegnor set Celebrian on his hip, and Celeborn rushed to Galadriel’s side, still looking a little forlorn and guilty for letting the party get so rowdy.

“Sister! Happy fucking-”

“Hey! There’s kids.”

“Sorry. Happy freaking birthday, sis. Do you like our party?”

“I hate it.” Galadriel crossed her arms, but her eyes were twinkling. “You know how I hate surprises.”

“Hey, that’s why we’re not giving you a speech, alright? You should thank me.” Aegnor bumped Finrod with his fist. “Fin was planning on drawling on for forever if we hadn’t stopped him.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Finrod rolled his eyes, but he gave Galadriel a quick side hug. “We know you never celebrate yourself, Galadriel. So this is for you. We practically had to tie down your husband to let us decorate.”

“I mean, clearly.” Galadriel looked at the overwhelming amount of  paper decorations and bright balloons. “He’d never allow it to look so hideous if he could help it.”

“You wound me, sister,” Angrod clutched his chest. 

“Your cake remains untouched though,” Celeborn pointed out. “That’s the one thing I was able to protect. The rest of the house.. not so much.”

“Oh, well I suppose that’s alright,” Galadriel sighed. She watched the small group of friends and other people in her life gather in the living room and other spots in the house. The music was cheery but not blaring. And from the looks of it.. people brought their own dinner items, like an impromptu potluck.

Elwing and Earendil came over to greet Galadriel with happy smiles and a congratulations. The couple were constantly glued to each others’ side, and Galadriel was glad to have another set of seemingly sane parents in their social circle.

Their twins, Elros and Elrond, were sprawled out on the carpet with Lego and toy cars. Elrond’s face had been smeared with cupcake icing that he had scarfed down, and Galadriel watched, amused, as her daughter went over to him, tutting like she often would. She had a napkin in hand and proceeded to wipe his face, effectively smearing the icing even further onto his cheeks. 

The sight made her chuckle, and the initial stress she had seemed to finally leave. She supposed she could enjoy as much of it as possible. 

“To be fair, this party is looking to be the best I’ve ever had.” She looked around, slipping her hand into Celeborn’s. “Food I don’t have to pay for. No idiot college friends or condescending relatives. Kids who are actually enjoying themselves? I’d rank this in the top five, boys.”

“Then our work here is done!” Aegnor declared, bouncing Celebrian who giggled happily in his arms. “Now let’s get that cake.”

“Nuh-uh,” Galadriel wagged a finger at him. “That’s for me and my family alone. There’s enough food for you behind you. Go on, you swine.”

Aegnor stuck out his tongue, and she swatted him. He went off to explore the dishes that were laid out on the dining table. So did the rest of the group; going to get their faces painted or wolf down whatever fatty snacks were in reach. Galadriel turned to her husband and gave him a firm kiss.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t defend our fortress, my lady,” he sighed. She rolled her eyes. 

“It’s quite alright. I’m not angry. Maybe because I was met with a very gleeful Gandalf at the door rather than my overbearing siblings. Besides, we didn’t even have to cook.”

He laughed. “I knew that would be the thing to win you over.”

A/N: I love these guys ;-; This is my character interpretation of Galadriel’s brothers/family in a modern AU. I posted this out of order for CB’s birthday- I finished it over a week ago but then I realized how close it was to the 14th so I just waited! I hope you enjoy my loves 

[xxblackballoonxx]

The Heart Underneath: Chapter 16

***This fic is being posted simultaneously on FanFiction.net and Ao3. I originally began it in 2016, and then life was life, and now I’m bringing it back because it deserves to be finished! Rating M as of Chapter 10 ***

Chapter 15: J&M Letters 1 Chapter 17: March 1915 Part 2 (18 and 19)

Full story here

This will be a two parter, I'm so invested in this relationship I need more content for myself.

The Heart Underneath

Chapter 16: March 1915 Part 1 (18 and 19)

It was a bitterly cold late February morning when Tommy was called to Captain Moore’s tent.  Rumors had been swirling through the British camps for days that the army had finally decided to start giving every man leave. Since the war hadn’t ended by Christmas after all, which had been clear to anyone on the actual battlefield that it was just a pipe dream.

Tommy entered the Captain’s tent and stood at attention in front of the field desk, hoping for good news that he could pass along to his men.

“Corporal Shelby, all is well?” Captain Moore asked, glancing up from his papers.

“All is well, Captain, sir.” Tommy responded as he stared ahead.

Captain Moore nodded and shuffled the maps on his desk, pulling out a list he’d worked on late into the night.

“I’m sure you’ve heard that leave is coming. It’s true. Here’s a schedule for all the men under your command.” 

Tommy took the paper as calmly as possible, relief washing over him. Every man out there needed leave desperately. He scanned the list and saw his name towards the top, and then in the middle, John’s. 

“Captain Moore, sir. The men will be pleased to hear this. I do have a request, sir. I see I’m slated to take my leave in a few weeks. Would it be possible, sir, to switch with Lance Corporal John Shelby?” Tommy asked.

“Lance Corporal Shelby is your younger brother, correct?” 

“He is, sir. His wife is pregnant, their first. It would do him good to see her as soon as possible, sir.” 

“Well, Corporal, if that’s your request, I’ll honor that. Please give him my congratulations.  Make sure every man writes home, at least twice, about their leave. We don’t need every woman in England to faint at the sight of a ghost on their doorstep.” Captain Moore commented.

Tommy nodded and saluted before turning and walking quickly out of the tent. He made his way through camp back to his platoon’s tents. He saw John and Arthur in the distance, sitting near a bonfire.

“Good news, boys.” Tommy said as he greeted them.

“Well? Are you gonna spill it or not?” John replied impatiently, praying the rumors about leave were true.

“Just got the leave assignments from the Captain. John, you’re taking my scheduled time, and I’ll take yours in about a month, no arguments. You need to get home to Martha, brother.” 

John stood in shock for a moment and then hugged Tommy tightly, who laughed in response. Arthur patted John’s shoulder and smiled as he caught Tommy’s eye, and they nodded to each other.

“Now, go write home to the entire family and let them know you’re coming, so the news gets through. She’s going to be so happy to see you, John.”

John nodded and wiped his eyes, practically running to his tent to start writing his letters.  Tommy worked his away around the tents, informing his men of their leave dates, and their whoops of joy joined others in the city of tents around them.

A week later, Martha had been home alone when the mail arrived. She shuffled through the small stack quickly, looking for John’s familiar handwriting. His letter was in the middle and she sat down, carefully opening the envelope and pulling out the folded sheets of paper. Tears sprang to her eyes as she read the news that John had been granted leave.

Polly and Ada came home to find Martha sitting on the small sofa in the parlor, the letter in her hand and strange look on her face. 

“Martha, darling? Are you alright?” Polly asked worriedly and hurried over to her.

“He’s coming home, Pol. They’re all getting leave in the next few months and he’s coming home.” Martha responded, shock coming through her voice.

Martha looked up and smiled at the two of them, something they hadn’t really seen in months. Ada threw her arms around her and they started talking excitedly. Polly closed her eyes and thanked God for the break they had been given. She prayed that all three boys would make it home unscathed. 

************************************************************************

The following Friday, Martha was up at dawn, sending Finn off to school and then occupying herself with baking. Polly had gone down to the train station the day before to get the timetable. John had written that he expected to get in later in the day, and had asked them to stay home, since he wasn’t sure what train he’d be able to catch. Really he was concerned about Martha standing on a train platform all day, and Polly had read between the lines. The boy was a nervous wreck and she hid a smile every time she read his letters to her with thinly veiled questions about Martha’s health.

By noon, Martha had cooked an array of John’s favorite foods, including a large batch of sausage rolls, and after a small lunch, she laid down in the front parlor. Polly and Ada had cleaned the rest of the house, neither of them letting her take on anything else besides changing her own bed sheets. She had hit the stage in her pregnancy where the fatigue had worn off and she had more energy and a constant urge to clean house and prepare for the baby to come. 

As the afternoon hours crept by, they all mentally checked off another train time. Polly had wrangled Finn into the kitchen to keep him distracted, while Ada wrote letters and Martha pretended to read a book. She must’ve read the same page for the tenth time, when she had a strange feeling come over her, like a breeze. A few moments later, there was a knock at the door.

Polly and Ada stood and went to the kitchen doorway, and nodded to Martha as she looked at them and straightened her dress. She took a deep breath and opened the front door.

John was standing there, looking a little thinner and paler than she’d last seen him, but with his signature grin on his face. Martha threw herself into his arms and he carefully picked her up, immediately aware of her pregnancy bump between them. He kissed her with all of the passion that had been built up in the months apart, stumbling into the house.

“Are you really here?” Martha whispered as she looked into his eyes.

“I’m really here, love. It’s me.” John whispered back.

Polly and Ada both held back tears as they watched the young couple reunite in the front hall, the pair staring into each other. Blue grey back with bright green. 

John leaned down and kissed Martha again, oblivious to anything else around him. He had imagined their reunion from the moment he had left for France, and as the months had gone on, that reunion became his fuel. It became like food and water. He needed it to go on.

Martha could feel tears running down her cheeks as John held her face, wiping the tears as away as they came. She felt like she was dreaming.

“I love you, Mar. Forever.” John said and pulled her into him.

Martha rested her face against his chest, wrapping her arms around him. He ran a hand down her dress and placed it against her stomach, rubbing gently. His other hand ran through her blonde hair, it was longer than it had been the last time he’d touched it.

“We love you, too, Johnny.” Martha whispered back.

After a quiet moment, Finn busted through Polly and Ada’s legs and ran full speed towards his brother.

“John!” Finn exclaimed he threw himself against John’s leg and burst into tears.

“Finn, I missed you, mate. Come on now, don’t cry, it’s alright.” John replied as he bent down to pick up Finn.

Finn wrapped his small arms tightly around John’s neck, who held him with one arm while he held Martha against him with the other.  Polly and Ada joined the family reunion, and John felt tears come to his own eyes as well. To be back home was the greatest feeling in the world.

Later that night, after the best dinner that John could remember, the rest of the family left Martha and John alone in the kitchen. John sat in the bathtub, scrubbing weeks of trench dirt off his skin. Martha sat on a small stool next to him, running her hand over the back of his head. He leaned back into her hand and she took the cloth from him, dipping it in clean water before gently cleaning his face.

He watched her face carefully as she smiled at him, wiping the cloth down his cheek and then his neck. 

“You’re so pretty, Mar. I dream every night about seeing your face again. Touching your hair, your skin.” John said softly, reaching a wet hand up her waist.

“Under all this dirt, you’re as handsome as ever, John.” Martha replied, smiling again.

John sat in the water until it turned cold, rinsing off before standing. Martha caught sight of a small scar on his side and tentatively reached out to touch it. 

“I’m ok. Looks worse than it was, really.” John commented, forcing his voice to remain light.

Martha leaned down and put her lips to the scar. John shivered and closed his eyes, trying to keep the memory of what happened at bay. She stood up and reached for the clean clothes she’d brought down for him, and he opened his eyes as she pulled the shirt over his head.

John tossed the bath water out of the kitchen door into the yard, and then took Martha’s hand and led her up to their room. She had made their bed with the wedding linens, had carefully arranged the items from his pockets on the dresser earlier, the room spotless. John felt relief as he closed the door and they were alone in the room they had shared for so long.

Martha sat on her vanity chair and John stood behind her, running his fingers through the loosening plaits. He picked up her brush and pulled it slowly through the blonde cascade that he dreamed of every night.  

He knelt down and took off her shoes, which he could tell must be getting more difficult to do with her growing belly. Martha smiled at him and they both thought of how he done the same thing the night before he’d left. 

John stood up and pulled Martha up with him. He took his time removing her dress, each undergarment slowly taken off, as he took in how her body had changed. He needed to see all of her.

Martha could sense his desire, and led John over to their bed, where he shrugged off the pants and loose shirt he’d thrown on. He sat down on the edge and Martha pulled up her shift and dropped it on the floor. He ran his hands up the sides of her legs and then across her middle, slowly taking in how real it was, to see it in front of him. He leaned forward and kissed the taut skin.

“Hello in there.” John whispered and Martha grinned down at him.

John lifted his head, and continued exploring her body, his mouth over her breasts, which had become larger. And more sensitive, as he learned when he heard Martha moan his name quietly.

She stepped as close she could between his legs and kissed him with all of the pent up feelings she’d had over the past months. John wrapped his arms around her, holding her steady as she leaned further into him. He felt like he couldn’t breathe as she kissed his neck, sucking on a spot that had long been the most sensitive.

“Mar, is it safe, you know, for the baby?” John asked, unable to think straight.

Martha laughed and looked down at him, her hair swinging over her shoulder. She looked even more beautiful to him. Remember this.

“It’s safe, my love. I promise. Might have to work around the bump.” Martha responded.

John laid her carefully down and then lay next to her, kissing her slowly and deeply. He could hear her breath speed up and her fingers gripped the back of his hair, as he ran his hand down to her hip and then further. She bent her knee up and moved her leg out.

“Being pregnant can make a woman want this more, you know.” Martha managed to say.

“Oh?” John replied as he put his lips around one of her nipples.

“Yes. I’ve had a lot of time alone, thinking about you, like this.” Martha responded, as her pleasure began to increase.

John looked up at her, eyes darkening. This he hadn’t thought about. Much.

“I’m here now. Tell what you need, sweetheart.” John responded, his voice gravelly with desire.

“Touch me.” Martha sighed, closing her eyes.

John slid his hand between her legs, surprised at how wet she was already. His fingers easily entered her and she reached down to touch him. It was nearly too much, he moaned her name loudly and then buried his head into her shoulder.

He positioned himself behind her, wrapping an arm underneath her to hold her against him. She leaned her head back and looked up at him, a satisfied smile on her face and he kissed her again. It took him a minute to get the right angle, slowly sliding into her, pulling out and sliding in even deeper the second time.

“God I missed you.” Martha sighed as she reached her arm back to hold onto him.

“I missed you, too, darlin’. I missed how this feels, to be with you.” John replied.

He kissed her neck and cupped her breasts, moving his hips at a slow pace. He listened to every breath, every sigh, every time she called out his name. He had never needed her so badly in his life.

************************************************************************

The next morning, Martha woke up before John, feeling his even breaths against her back. His hand was on her belly, protective. She placed her hand over his and rubbed his knuckles, trying not to think about what his hands had seen and done. And what that was going to do to his mind, eventually. 

John stirred, praying that when he opened his eyes it hadn’t been a dream. He opened one first, then the other, sighing with relief as he saw the blonde hair in front of him, and felt Martha’s skin against his.

“I’m here.” She said quietly, squeezing his hand. 

Martha carefully turned over in his arms and he put his hand on her face. He didn’t think he would stop touching her the entire time he was home.

“I have a surprise for you.” 

“What’s that?” John asked, his eyes never leaving Martha’s.

“I asked Mrs. Averill about the cottage, it’s all arranged for us to go there in a few days.”

He grinned and kissed her as Martha laughed. They had both daydreamed of their time at the cottage with the green door nearly every day, it was their safe space to find each other, even when separated. 

John leaned his head down to kiss her stomach and felt something move back against his hand. He looked up at Martha and she nodded, happy tears in her eyes.

“He or she knows it’s you. That their daddy is home.” Martha said softly.

The baby kicked a second time against John’s hand and the tears that he’d been holding back for months came flooding out, falling down onto Martha’s skin. She wrapped him against her and held him close, kissing his head as his shoulders shook.  

“We love you, darling. We both love you and we’ll be here waiting for you.” Martha whispered.

Remember this.

************************************************************************

WWI Historical Context:

Once it was clear that the war did not, in fact, end by Christmas 1914, the pressure was on to provide British men leave. This began some time in 1915 and leaves were often around 2 weeks but could be shorter. Officers would eventually receive leave periods more frequently, around every 3 months, while private soldiers received leave about once a year. Sometimes a leave would only be short enough to leave the front lines or make a short trip back to Britain. Leave is extremely valuable for morale and the mental health of any soldier. 

As volunteers to the army (Britain’s WWI draft wouldn’t happen until 1916), men like the Shelby brothers would enlist as privates but could work their way up through the enlisted officer ranks over time. This is different than being a commissioned officer. Think of commissioned officers as “career military” - they would have been in the armed forces prior to the breakout of the war, or training to be, potentially at a military academy or college. Commissioned officers hold the higher classes of officer ranks in the military.

[barry-j-blupjeans]

:O!!!!!!

as promised (n bc im impatient about waiting any longer sldkf) the magnus talks to red robe barry au thingy will be posted later today!!! i just wanted to say thank you to all of u!!! bc that's a lot of ppl, holy shit sldfsd I super duper appreciate it and I hope ur at least semi-enjoying the wild amount of writing I'm doing sldfksd

a reminder for any new folks (or any old folks who forgot sldfkjds): I also post my ficlets on ao3 every Wednesday and Saturday! You can find those here. There's nearly 300 chapters (sometimes with two ficlets per chapter bc they're sorta short sldfkds) and we're still sorta early 2022 in my backlogs. if u wanna see old ficlets without having to go through my entire writing tag, feel free to go there!

also for new ppl: said writing tag is #ise cube writing. i also have a art tag under #ise cube art (if u just search this one on tumblr, it'll give u my art blog too, which is for art unrelated to taz or any other fandom blog I have. i don't post on it too often tho whoops sldfs)

again, thank you all so much!!! i super duper appreciate you all and I adore getting any comments/tags/feedback about my work, which I have been getting a Lot of lately!!! i rr can't express my gratitude enough so I'm just gonna start polishing up my fic one more time so I can post it sdkfsdf. thank u all !!!