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The staff of Middle Earth Inc have spoken of nothing but the Christmas meal and after party since November, when the first calendar invite was circulated via email. Once the location of the Last Homely House had been confirmed and the Christmas dinner menu released, Elrond has been telling anyone who would listen about the organic farming practises of the Harfoots – the main suppliers for the Last Homely House – and how that will elevate the flavour of the vegetables included in the dishes. Durin, with equal fervour, has been singing the praises of the free-range pig farmers of the Shire and how that will make the pigs in blankets “the best you’ve ever tasted.”
Nori and Poppy have been more than happy to indulge them both and enthusiastically join in any conversations about the menu and any farming practises related to the food but other members of the group, like Isildur and Valandil, have been avoiding Elrond and Durin at all costs, lest they get stuck talking about roast potatoes for half an hour.
Two days ahead of the big day, Disa is continuing her attempts to persuade Galadriel to partake in the after-party karaoke she’s organising at the Lazy Hobbit. The pub has a little karaoke stage and the landlord, Bilbo Baggins, often lets groups use it during special events.
“Come on Gal, you’ve got a wonderful voice. It will be fun! I was thinking we could do a duet.”
Galadriel looks at Disa over the wispy tendrils of steam escaping from her mug of tea and sighs. She is reluctant to agree. The singing part doesn’t bother her, she had singing and piano lessons as a child but singing in front of her colleagues and a bar full of strangers feels a bit much. She is worried that she would spend the whole time worrying what everyone thought about her rather than just enjoying the performance.
Just as she is about to respond, Halbrand wanders into the kitchen area, carrying his own mug. Galadriel’s blue eyes track his tall loping figure as he heads towards the coffee machine and selects his usual Americano. She watches him, studying the way he leans back against the wall, absentmindedly running his hands through his chin length auburn curls as he waits for his drink.
There’s a small cough, and Galadriel turns back to find Disa smirking at her. She flushes and fumbles an answer about just not wanting to sing in front of that many people.
Durin turns in his chair. “Hal, what’s this I hear about you not coming to the Lazy Hobbit?”
Halbrand takes a sip of his coffee, pausing by Durin’s chair on his way out.
“I can just about stand all of you enough to attend the meal. I am not coming to the pub.”
Halbrand’s mossy green eyes flick to Galadriel for a second, as if he’s trying to gauge her reaction at what he’s just said, before returning to glare at Durin.
Durin sighs heavily in a very over the top manner, as if Halbrand has greatly insulted him. “Well, you will be missing out, Disa and Gal are going to sing.”
Galadriel splutters in protest, “I am not.”
Disa waves away her answer. “Ah, yes, you will. Once you’ve eaten well and had a few glasses of wine, you’ll be unstoppable.”
Disa looks up at Halbrand, a wide flirty smile on her face. “We’re going to put on a real show for you all, we’ve got gorgeous red dresses picked out, absolutely in the Christmas spirit.”
Durin seizes on this piece of information. “You’re not going to want to miss it, I can promise you that Halbrand.”
Halbrand blushes and Galadriel gives Durin her best death stare, trying to get him to shut up. Durin doesn’t look phased in the slightest.
“What, you two have been chatting nonstop about wearing red dresses for Christmas for months. I heard far too much talk of red lace and glitter during your online shopping spree from my sofa last week.”
Nori saunters in at that exact moment, a takeaway food container in hand and slides into the chair next to Disa. “What’s this about red lace and glitter?”
“Gal’s dress for the Christmas party,” mutters Disa, pointedly looking between Halbrand and Galadriel.
Halbrand looks well and truly flustered. His eyes find Galadriel and the pair share one last awkward look, before he flees for the safety of the main office.
Leaning forward in her chair and opening her takeaway container, Nori says to Galadriel, “You and Halbrand have been dancing around each other all year.”
Disa agrees. “I keep saying this.”
“We have not been dancing around each other.”
Nori rolls her eyes. “It is so obvious you like him and that he likes you.”
Galadriel is trying hard to keep her voice steady, lest they think she protests too much. “He does not.”
Nori gestures at Galadriel insistently with her fork. “He does. He bought you hot chocolate-”
“He only did that because he felt sorry for me after Finrod died back in May-”
Nori just raises her voice and drowns Galadriel out as she carries on. “And has continued to buy you hot chocolate once a week since then from a café that is not close to the office. He has to go out of his way to buy it for you but he does so because he knows it’s your favourite and he likes you!” She slows the last few words down to really emphasise them.
“And you like him.” Disa leans over, taking Galadriel’s hand. “Sweetie, it’s obvious. You look for him in any room you enter, and you brighten like a lighthouse every time someone says his name, and yet you can’t speak more than 2 words to him directly without blushing. The party will be a great occasion to get closer to him and tell him how you feel.”
Galadriel sighs. Damn Disa and her observation skills.
She clings to Halbrand’s earlier answer. “But he said he’s not coming.”
“Ah, he will now. You’ll see.”
Galadriel doesn’t share Durin’s confidence.
As she picks up her mug to finish the rest of her tea, Galadriel doesn’t see Nori send Disa a text message that makes them both smile at each other conspiratorially.
The crowd in the Lazy Hobbit is loud and raucous, as everyone celebrates the approaching Christmas holidays. Most people have finished their last day of work and intend to dance and drink late into the night.
The group from Middle Earth Inc is particularly boisterous. After their Christmas dinner at The Last Homely House, they have decamped to the pub to continue the celebrations as planned. The meal had been excellent, plenty of turkey, stuffing, pigs in blankets, gravy and organic vegetables to go round, and a rich chocolate and raspberry torte with extra cream for dessert. Everyone is well fed and in high spirits after far too much alcohol.
As the night had worn on, and the Christmas cheer continued, Disa arranged with the landlord, Bilbo Baggins, to get the karaoke machine out and Bilbo, being a man who could never resist a song or a dance, happily agreed.
After Poppy’s rendition of the local classic ‘The Wandering Song’ and Isildur and Valandil’s hopelessly out of season sea shanty, Disa and Galadriel have taken to the small stage in the far corner of the pub with a much more Christmassy song in mind.
Both are resplendent in their red dresses and heels. The bust and hem lines of Disa’s strapless knee length dress are fringed with white faux fur, and the rich scarlet fabric accentuates every curve. Galadriel’s short skater dress is bright berry red, the tulle skirt of is covered in a layer of gold glitter, that shines under the stage lights with every twirl of her body.
As they each pick up the microphone, the very familiar refrain of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas is You” begins to play over the speakers. There are roars of excitement and a few groans from the crowd that has gathered to watch them.
Disa begins the song, her voice rich and melodic. As she sings, her eyes twinkle at her husband, Durin, standing right at the front of the audience in an overly large Santa hat, beaming with pride.
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
As she sings the final line of the opening chorus, Disa gestures at Durin, pointing with her index finger and arm outstretched.
All I want for Christmas is you
He jokingly points at himself, mouthing, “Who me?” in response, earning a laugh from Elrond and Isildur standing either side of him.
Everyone else cheers and whoops as the bells and drums kick in and Galadriel takes over the vocals. She does a little shimmy as she moves forward on the stage for the verse. Whatever apprehensions she had about singing in front of everyone have gone and she can feel the adrenaline buzzing through her veins with excitement.
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need (and I)
Don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking there upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy with a toy on Christmas Day
As Galadriel moves to sing the next part of the song, the door to the pub opens, letting in a blast of icy air, and a tall figure with tousled auburn hair enters, huddled in his black biker jacket against the cold.
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You, baby
Halbrand weaves his way towards the stage through the throng of people. His forest green eyes are wide with bewilderment as he takes in the sight of Disa and Galadriel on stage, as if he can’t quite work out what is happening. Galadriel had been so insistent about not singing, but here she is, microphone in hand, utterly radiant and revelling in her performance.
Oh, I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow (and I)
I'm just gonna keep on waiting underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it to the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to hear those magic reindeer click
Halbrand comes to a stop next to Isildur and Valandil, who are both swaying, holding their drinks aloft and singing along. Valandil looks across at Halbrand before nudging Isildur in the ribs, inclining his head pointedly to draw his friend’s attention to Halbrand’s shell shocked face.
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do?
Oh, baby, all I want for Christmas is you
You, baby
Galadriel spots Halbrand and her heart skips a beat. He wasn’t supposed to be here. But now he’s right in front of her and she can't take her eyes away from him as she continues to sing with Disa. He’s gazing at her like she’s the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen, and she wants him to keep looking at her like that. All her feelings that have built up for Halbrand in the last year are about to spill over and she can’t stop them. She doesn't want to stop them. All the lyrics are for him. He is the one she wants for Christmas and she hopes she can make him realise that. She pours everything into the rest of the song, fuelled by red wine and longing.
Oh-oh, all the lights are shining so brightly everywhere (so brightly, baby)
And the sound of children's laughter fills the air (oh, oh, yeah)
And everyone is singing (oh, yeah)
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa, won't you bring me the one I really need? (Yeah, oh)
Won't you please bring my baby to me?
Halbrand feels the power of Galadriel’s gaze, her keen blue eyes pinning him to the spot. He's forgotten how to breathe, his heart is pounding wildly in his chest, and the room suddenly feels too hot, as if he has stepped into the very fires of Mount Doom itself. She is a mesmerising vision, in her glittery dress, long blonde hair loose down her back, singing about the one she wants for Christmas.
Oh, I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just wanna see my baby standing right outside my door
Disa has spotted how Galadriel and Halbrand are looking at each other. In fact, most of the group have noticed the same thing. Smiles and more nudges have broken out as they direct their attention to the unfolding performance before them.
Oh, I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Oh, baby, all I want for Christmas is you
You, baby
As Disa and Galadriel sing the final chorus, standing back to back on the stage, Disa repeats her earlier gesture to Durin, and this time Galadriel copies it, pointing towards Halbrand as she sways her hips.
All I want for Christmas is you, baby
All I want for Christmas is you, baby
All I want for Christmas is you, baby
All I want for Christmas (all I really want) is you, baby
All I want (I want) for Christmas (all I really want) is you, baby
As the music fades, and the pub bursts into applause, with many patrons giving them a standing ovation, Galadriel passes her microphone to Disa, who winks at her and quietly murmurs “go get him girl.” Galadriel steps boldly off the stage and walks straight up to Halbrand, who looks like he has frozen. She pauses for a fraction of a second, rocking slightly in her heels as she steels herself, internally begging her courage not to fail her now.
Galadriel reaches up and seizes the front of Halbrand’s jacket, pulling him down towards her. Her lips crash against his in an urgent, fierce kiss, unable to wait any longer.
It takes a heartbeat for Halbrand’s brain to catch up, before his hands cup her face possessively, matching the intensity of the kiss. Her tongue trails along the seam of his lips and he opens his mouth to her. He tastes like whisky and chocolate.
It is a moment that each of them has been imagining for far too long.
As they pull apart, both panting into each other's mouths, stunned for different reasons, their friends burst into further applause. Durin even raises his pint glass in a toast to the two of them.
Elrond sighs and shakes his head, calling over the group, “Who had the Christmas after party?”
Nori, seated in the corner with Poppy, calls eagerly over everyone and raises her hand enthusiastically like she’s in class and finally knows the answer, “Me!”
Everyone else groans and Galadriel buries her head into Halbrand’s jumper in embarrassment. He protectively wraps his arms around her as he growls, “You were fucking betting on us?”
“Yes!” they all chorus in unison, sounding exasperated that he even had to ask.
Halbrand looks down at Galadriel. Her lips are slightly swollen after the kiss and her cheeks are still tinged pink, but her blue eyes are sparkling back at him.
“What do you say, Noldor, want to get out of here?”