The Song Of Sunset
Part 11 - Leaving the Nest
Posted: September 26, 2008
*****
Galadriel caught up with Elrond as the latter hurried to his study after breakfast.
“Good day, Elrond”, she wished him as she tried to gauge his mood. She had waited for a chance to speak with him concerning the alliance with her daughter. He had been less melancholy after the Sindar Prince’s arrival. So she thought it best to approach him now before he fell back into his brooding.
“Good day, My Lady Galadriel”, Elrond squinted at her suspiciously, “We usually start our conversations without these pleasantries.”
Galadriel mentally wrung her hands. He was referring to their last mind-speak, when she had taunted him with his love for Erestor.
“Elrond”, Galadriel said smiling, she knew she was acting, but she would do this for her daughter. She thought wryly, her father had always said that only she could charm even Feanor. Now was the time to exert that charm. She continued tritely, “We have been at loggerheads for I envied you your love, which as I know, is pure. I was estranged from my husband then and had been bitter towards lovers in general. Forgive me.”
Elrond shook his head bewildered, Galadriel had never apologized to anyone in her life or so he had heard, he said disbelievingly, “No offense, my lady, but I do think that some of Celeborn’s ale fumed through your head too.”
Galadriel laughed, “Come, Elrond, lead me to your study. I would speak with you, but it is rude to keep you in the corridors.”
Elrond said firmly, “I am already running late for the council, as are you. We can talk on the way if you wish”, he did not add that he had no wish to have her in his study, his comfort zone and retreat.
Galadriel nodded and began, “I was thinking of my daughter’s happiness.”
“If you begin with that idea of a ridiculous alliance with me”, Elrond intoned, “do not bother to waste your breath. There is nothing to be gained in polluting your royal blood with my human taint. And Lady Celebrian will never forgive you for trothing her to an ellon who cannot even treat her with due love. Forget it.”
Galadriel said carefully, “I know that. I wish my daughter a truly happy marriage. I was thinking of something in which you could aid me if you wished so. Then we could drop the idea of your alliance.”
Elrond tilted his head to scrutinize her, there was a slightly smug expression on those features he disliked so much. But the idea of escaping from this torturous alliance plan heartened him and he nodded.
“Ernil Thranduil will make my daughter a good match. Moreover she is not averse to the idea. They will suit each other well, my husband will be happy to unite his blood with that of the royal lines of Elwe and Ingwe”, Galadriel said softly.
“You mean that I should aid you in spoiling the council today?” Elrond asked emotionlessly though inside, he was seething with fury. How could she expect him to lower to her base standards?
“Yes, put succinctly”, she said relieved that she did not have to spell it out for him. They had nearly reached the council room doors and she was afraid to carry this conversation on, but she had to reach an agreement with him now.
Elrond took a deep breath and said, “Your words are true, but they overlook a greater truth, My Lady Galadriel. Anoriel and Thranduil are soul mates, meant for each other, it is obvious to anyone who sees them together. Celebrian can find no happiness in an alliance with Thranduil than she will find with me. I suggest that you leave your daughter free to make her choice as you did all those years ago.”
Galadriel retorted furiously, “I should have expected nothing better from you, Peredhil! Unworthy heir to the throne of Nargothond!”
“No wonder you wish you had a son to claim the kingship”, Elrond spat back angrily.
“No”, Galadriel snapped, “I merely wish you had made your brother’s choice!”
“Is there a problem?” Erestor’s smooth voice addressed them. With him was Glorfindel who watched the arguing duo warily.
Glorfindel knew that Elrond was quick to anger. But Elrond rarely lost his composure in arguments. The scene before him was scary. Galadriel had clenched her fists in the folds of her dress and her eyes were fiery. Truly Feanor’s kin, Glorfindel observed. Elrond looked worse, with his slightly wild expression and aggressive body language. He actually had his fingers over the sheath of his sword.
“Lord Glorfindel”, Erestor said silkily, “Would you escort the Lady Galadriel inside and show her to the assigned seat?”
Glorfindel nodded, at present being in an angry Galadriel’s company seemed a better choice than being in an angry Elrond’s company. He offered his hand to Galadriel, who accepted it and walked with him stiffly.
Erestor asked Elrond worriedly, “What was it? The proposal for their daughter?”
Elrond nodded wearily, “She is a bit trying at times.”
They entered the chamber together. Elrond noticed that the Sindar from Lothlorien were all bedecked in their glittering ceremonial robes. Across them, sat the Sindar from Green wood, their muted greens and browns less overstated but none the less equally stately. The Noldor Council of Lindon except for Gil-Galad, (according to Erestor, Gil-Galad was struggling with yet another immense hang over) were seated directly facing the door, the King’s seat raised higher than that of the others. In the King’s absence, Erestor presided over the council in his position as the Chief Administrator of Lindon.Elrond and Erestor took their places to the King’s left and right, an empty seat between them.
Oropher was talking in a low voice to his cousin, Celeborn, who despite the scathing looks he received from the Lorien nobles, still stood by his cousin proudly. Thranduil had not yet arrived.
Galadriel, Elrond observed, was seated next to Amdir. On the Lorien King’s other side was his wife, who, Elrond noted sarcastically, almost resembled a statue, so still and pale. To the Lady’s right was seated Anoriel, who smiled at him nervously. To Anoriel’s right sat Amroth, whose countenance was dark and sullen.
Thranduil opened the door and let himself in as the bell tolled for beginning the council. He was dressed in a simple green tunic and brown leggings, his hair braided back into one thick warrior’s plait. As he walked past the Lorien nobles, Elrond could not help noticing the stark difference between the mere outer beauty of the Lorien elves and the tranquil fire that was Thranduil.
Erestor waited until the Prince had taken his seat to his father’s left and then said authoratively, “We are here to speak of the possible alliances between the realms of Lothlorien and the Green Wood. I call upon the royal scribe to give us the details.”
Galdor stood up and began his recital, “The proposed alliance of the Princess Anoriel of Lothlorien and the Prince Thranduil of Greenwood.”
Erestor said clearly, “We call upon those of Green wood to ask the Lady or her guardians any questions regarding her education, achievements and interests.”
Oropher stood up and bowed to Anoriel saying, “May I ask you a question, iel-nin?”
Amdir bristled at the use of familiarity, but before he could respond, Anoriel had risen and bowed to Oropher saying respectfully, “I am at your service, King Oropher.”
Oropher asked her clearly, his melodic voice, reverberating in the room, “Do you love my son?”
There was a stunned silence in the room. Those from the Green wood exchanged furtive smiles, Oropher’s bluntness was surpassed only by Thranduil’s. Many from Lorien were on their feet protesting the question. Elrond watched amusedly as Thranduil stared open mouthed at his father’s daring.
Amdir was on his feet and protesting, “You cannot ask my daughter such a question!”
Erestor intervened, “My Lady Anoriel”, he said quietly, “Do you find the King of Greenwood’s question offensive?”
Anoriel took a deep breath taking care to avoid her father’s and Galadriel’s eyes as she murmured, “No, my Lord Erestor.”
“Then you would consider answering it?” Erestor asked her carefully. Though he was prejudiced against Galadriel and Amdir, he could not risk their wrath. If he openly aided Thranduil’s cause, it would cause an unending diplomatic muddle.
Anoriel nodded nervously. Her brother’s hand closed over hers reassuring her of his support and love whatever her answer.
She looked deeply into Thranduil’s eyes, those eyes that ensnared her so. For a moment it was as if there were only both of them, their heart beats mirrored, their souls bared before each other. Then, she could understand completely the elf she had fallen in love with. Every secret that he had carried was laid open before her. She knew, at that moment, that he would love her, honour her and die for her. And she realized, she would the same for him. They were soul-mates. She would leave her family if she had to. But she could not be parted from him. She smiled wryly as she realized that her Adar’s little bird was finally leaving the nest he had enclosed her in.
She said proudly, her fingers intertwined with those of her brother’s hand, her eyes never leaving Thranduil’s, “I love your son, Lord Oropher.”
For a moment there was a deathly silence in the room. Then the nobles of Green wood cheered loudly. Oropher and Celeborn exchanged relieved smiles. Thranduil, Elrond watched delightedly, looked as if he had run all the way from the Green wood to the Havens. There was a fine sheen of sweat on his handsome features betraying his tension.
However, on the Lorien side, there was only hushed whispering. Amdir looked furious and he was talking to Galadriel in a low voice. Anoriel bowed to Oropher and resumed her seat gracefully, her bosom still heaving with nervousness.
“Well done”, Amroth whispered to her.
“Without your support, I do not think I would have found the courage”, she murmured weakly.
“Love finds its own courage, pen-neth”, he said quietly, “Always.”
Erestor waited for the council to settle down before he began speaking, “Now my Lords, is there any other from Greenwood who would ask the Princess a question?”
Oropher shook his head.
Erestor resumed, “Then we ask those from Lothlorien to ask the Prince or his father any questions regarding his education, achievements and interests.”
Amdir nodded at Haldir subtly and the Marchwarden arose from his seat, his smug expression firmly etched across his handsome features. Thranduil arose and bowed to him and waited patiently.
“My Lord Thranduil”, Haldir began, “Would you please tell us of your illustrious heritage? Those from Lothlorien have heard much regarding your pure bloodlines.”
A slight frown creased Thranduil’s forehead, but he began none the less, “My father is descended from the line of Elwe and bears both the blood of the Teleri and the Sindar. My mother”, he paused, “she is of the house of Ingwe. From her, I have Vanyarin and Eldar blood in my veins.”
“You are rightly called the crucible of royal blood lines”, Haldir pronounced smugly, noting with relish the discomfort on the Prince’s face, “You are aware of the fact that the Princess of Lothlorien is descended from the Sindar royalty of Elu Thingol. She carries within her veins the blood of Melian the Maia.”
Thranduil nodded saying politely, “Indeed, marchwarden, I would be a poor son to my worthy father were I ignorant regarding the bloodlines of King Elu Thingol and Queen Melian.”
“Then you would not say that you wish to marry the Princess so that your offspring might bear the blood of Ingwe, Elwe and Melian all?” Haldir suggested.
Elrond watched with interest, the sudden flash of anger in Oropher’s usually placid eyes.
Thranduil however retained his calm as he said coolly, “If the Lady accepts my hand in marriage and the Valar bestowed their blessings upon this union, then marchwarden, our descendants shall certainly bear the blood of all those whom you named.”
“But that was not the intention behind this marriage proposal?” Amdir got to his feet as he demanded.
Thranduil said calmly, “I am a prince, heir to my father. If I were not that, would you have proposed this, My Lord Amdir? We are bound by our duties to the throne to choose well and make the best of those choices, if not for us, for our people. It was in such a light that you offered me your daughter’s hand in marriage. I love her and she has said that she loves me. Your plan has succeeded, King Amdir. What more can you ask for?”
Haldir asked him smirking, “We have heard much regarding your, for the want of a better word, may I say ‘activities’.”
Thranduil raised his eyebrows sardonically as he obviously waited for Haldir to explain. Elrond shook his head wryly, trust the Prince to be dispassionate about this. He caught Anoriel’s eyes. The lady was scarlet with embarrassment as she waited for Haldir to elaborate
“You have taken partners in pleasure indiscriminately”, Haldir said bluntly, “With a regularity that is immoral even for us long-lived elves.”
The Green wood contingent got to their feet as they took insult at Haldir’s words. Celeborn was watching Thranduil apprehensively. Oropher was trying to settle his angry advisors.
“While an alliance between a King’s daughter and a Crown Prince will be a public affair, what goes on behind our doors is, I feel, private. I have no qualms in explaining my doings and their motives to those who should be concerned about it, including the Lady’s family. But I see no reason to do so before a council”, Thranduil said quietly.
Amdir got to his feet saying, “As the father of the Princess I have the right to demand an explanation, and I choose to do so now. Explain before this noble council whatever you would tell her guardians in private regarding this.”
Elrond felt a surge of sympathy for Oropher, who was holding tightly onto his cousin’s hand, grief etched on his face, the King had realized that there was nothing he could do to shield his son from Amdir’s question, for as the Lorien King had correctly pointed out, he had every right to demand an explanation.
“My Lord and Father”, Anoriel rose to her feet, “The Prince has explained his past to me and I see no shame in it. I do not think that there is a need to elaborate before this council what, as the Prince says, is strictly private.”
Amdir snapped, “Iel-nin, if there is no shame in it as you say, then why should the Prince be averse to explaining his motives to us? I seek not to embarrass him, as those of the Greenwood may take it. I am simply a worried father who seeks to give his cherished daughter to an elf who will love and honour her. I need to be sure that the Prince of Greenwood is such an elf.”
Erestor looked across at Elrond worriedly; the situation was fraught to become worse.
An advisor of Oropher stood up and retorted, “Then go search for an elf that suits you, King Amdir. Yours is not the only offer that our golden prince has had for marriage. We shall choose him a better family to marry into.”
Haldir smirked, “And why then was the Lord Oropher keen to take a bride from our realm if your ‘golden prince’ has had other offers?”
Oropher stood up, his face set grimly. Celeborn tried to coax him back to his seat, but he refused with a crisp shake of his head. Thranduil looked over at Elrond and Erestor, lines of worry etched on his face.
Erestor intervened, “The marchwarden’s words were disrespectful to the royal house of Greenwood, as the one presiding over this council, I would ask him to retract his words and render an apology to the Prince Thranduil.”
Haldir said silkily, “Lord Erestor, this partiality to the Prince from your side is to be expected, after all, you were probably partners in pleasure.”
Glorfindel got to his feet and said in a low voice, “I demand a duel to avenge this insult to Lord Erestor, marchwarden.”
Amdir stepped in saying, “Lord Erestor is a warrior and must avenge on his own if he so wishes. I do not understand why Lord Glorfindel feels bound to answer to a remark on the High King’s bonded mate.”
“So, Peredhil, see, they are already at odds. My will shall be done; you tried to be noble in your morals. But nobility does not suit half-elves.”
Elrond turned to look at Galadriel; there was an expression of such supreme confidence on those features that he despised so.
Erestor’s voice sounded above the din clearly as he spoke, “We are here to discuss the alliance between Green Wood and Lothlorien, not to debate as to who should avenge my honour. Let us return to the discussion. Lord Oropher wishes to speak and I request the rest of you to hear his words.”
Silence descended on the council as the King of Green Wood stepped forward, his grey robes swishing gently about his spare form as he walked. There was true nobility writ across his austere visage. Life had aged him; taken away much of his beauty, but it could not take away from him his grace. Elrond knew that he would never forget this sight as long as he drew breath, the sight of Oropher lying aside his pride so gracefully for the sake of his son.
Oropher bowed and started speaking in his low, melodic voice, “My Lords, I am aggrieved that what should have been a mere formal agreement of this alliance between my son and the princess has become such. I wish no discord between my realm and Lothlorien. If the King Amdir does not wish to give his daughter’s hand in marriage to my son, I will not question him. Every parent has a dream for their child; I do not condemn Lord Amdir for his harsh words regarding my son. He is doing his duty as a father. I understand him, more so as I am a single parent.”
Elrond noticed a sudden change in the council. The elves, who had been brawling a few moments ago, were all seated silently, hanging onto each word that Oropher spoke.
Oropher continued, “I do not wish to be estranged from my Sindar kin in Lothlorien. I wish to explain my reasons for seeking the princess’s hand for my son. It was not because of her illustrious blood lines. I may sound proud when I say this, and indeed I do feel proud of this, the bond I share with my son is deep. I know what his heart wishes. I felt that he would find his soul mate in the princess, and indeed I have been proved right. I would have him marry for nothing less than love. I have never married, but I have known love. And I am glad and grieved in equal measure that my son has known love now. But, my kin from Lothlorien, you need not fear for our attentions to your daughter. We have no claim upon her except that upon her heart. And in life, that does not amount to much. King Amdir, his family and the elves he rules shall not be dishonoured by my son’s association if they resent it so.”
He bowed gracefully and walked out of the now silent room.
*****
Oropher rested his head against the bole of a young orange tree, letting the tree’s song soothe him.
“ Ada?” Thranduil arrived worriedly, his features set in a frown, he had obviously been searching for his father, “There you are!” he smiled and walked swiftly towards Oropher. He flopped down on the ground, resting his head on his father’s shoulder before whispering, “Why did you leave? I was scared.”
“I wanted a dramatic exit, ion-nin”, Oropher reached up to ruffle his son’s hair, “Why did you braid your hair thus, it reminds me of the ill times you rode out to battle”, he unbraided the golden hair swiftly.
“It was a battle of sorts”, Thranduil said wryly as he played idly with his father’s robes, “But do not change the topic, Ada-nin, tell me, why did you leave thus? Celeborn had an argument with Amdir after that, Erestor and Elrond was hard put to restrain Glorfindel who wished to throttle Haldir.”
Oropher sighed, “I wish to tell you something, ion-nin.”
Thranduil snuggled further into the warmth of his father’s robes before drawling, “Adar, have you finally agreed to take a mate? If so, I can have a sea side wedding arranged for tomorrow.”
Oropher said sadly, “No, ion-nin, it is not something jest worthy that I wish to tell you. It is about your mother.”
Thranduil took his father’s hands in his and kissed them lovingly, his silent support saying more than words could.
Oropher began, “I was Elu Thingol’s seneschal when I met your mother. I was young, wild almost. She was a few years older than me. As beautiful as the clear skies above our woods. It was love at first sight for me. I lost my heart to her when I saw her standing on the deck of her father’s ship off the shores of Beleriland. She told me later that it was thus for her too. We used to meet on the sea shore, Cirdan and cousin Celeborn often aiding her to escape her guardians. Long walks and longer talks made up our evenings. Then I had to leave to lead the army against the enemy. I took up the sword and bid my good bye to her. She felt the same sense of desperation that I did, we made love that night, I remember it well, for it was the night of the first full-moon of that winter. It was on the seashore, with only the sound of the waves crashing upon the land, the moonlight shining down upon us. We lay together peacefully till dawn before she left for Cirdan’s palace and I, for war. It was during the war that I learnt of her pregnancy. And the rest of our sad story has been sung far and wide by minstrels. The odd thing was, however much I grieved at losing her, as she left me with an year old elfling in my hands, I did not regret that night.”
Thranduil asked him quietly, “You made love only once, that night alone?”
Oropher said heavily, “It was so. My greatest mistake, I took her away from her family, I took you from her.”
Thranduil said incredulously, “ Ada! You are a fool! I want you to take a partner to your bed! How can you remain celibate for so long? It does nobody good!”
“You do not condemn me?” Oropher asked his voice tight with emotion.
“ Ada”, Thranduil looked up into his father’s eyes, “I love you. I would follow you anywhere. Even if you take a mad oath like Feanor and his crazy breed, I would follow you to damnation.”
Oropher said wearily, “And the Valar forgive me if I have already doomed you.”
“How so?” Thranduil queried, “By spoiling me? That is not a serious sin, Ada. Anoriel actually found it touching that I was spoilt to the hilt.”
Oropher said sighing, “Anoriel loves you. If I had never been so determined to see you married, none of this would have happened.”
Thranduil said nonchalantly, “I did warn you about that before you embarked on this plan. Who cannot love me, Ada?”
Oropher said sombrely, “Amdir will not take it lightly that she admitted her love so bravely. I was proud of her.”
“So was I”, Thranduil smiled, “She is a firebrand, Ada, she will burn our forest into ashes if we anger her.”
“Our forest? Why our forest, ion-nin?” Oropher asked curiously.
“ Ada!”, Thranduil complained, “After hearing all about your love, do you really think I would settle for one less exciting? I am going to win her hand, at whatever cost. And I will certainly execute a kinslaying if Amdir tries to send her across the sea. I shall not give up her to any elf.”
Oropher pondered silently as his son prattled on about other topics. He knew that his son would stop at nothing to marry Anoriel. But at what cost? He decided firmly, he would make Celeborn his messenger and try to talk sense into that fool Amdir. He could not risk his son’s life becoming an echo of his own.
Aredhil caught up with Erestor as the latter walked away from the room, a pile of parchment in his hands.
“My Lord Erestor, could you spare a moment?” Aredhil asked nervously. Whatever Glorfindel had said about the Chief Counsellor, Aredhil found it difficult to believe. His advisors were ill-tempered always after a meeting with Erestor. And Aredhil could not blame as he too had experienced Erestor’s sharp intellect.
“Yes?” Erestor smiled warmly, “What may I do for you, King Aredhil?”
“I was wondering if you could enlighten me as to Lord Glorfindel’s whereabouts now”, Aredhil hesitated, then took the plunge, “I wished to speak with him certain matters.”
Erestor said easily, “Of course”, Aredhil wondered how such a cold mannered diplomat could morph into this warm, helpful creature, “Lord Aredhil, I suggest you come to my study after the mid day meal. He will be there.”
Elrond and Glorfindel walked together towards Erestor’s study. The advisor had arranged for a lunch there. As Elrond was keen to avoid Galadriel and Glorfindel, avoiding Aredhil, they found this arrangement pleasing.
“I hope Gil does not ask me to explain our defences to your kin again”, Glorfindel sighed, “If he does, you can take over. I’ll do your paper work”, he offered.
Elrond said fairly, “Aredhil is wise for his years and he will understand if you tell him that his attentions are not wished for. Why don’t you do that?”
Glorfindel sighed, “I am no good at matters of the heart. I have a good mind to throttle Erestor for all the blatant encouragement he has given Aredhil.”
They opened the study door, Erestor was singing to himself softly as he placed the dishes on the rug before the fire. Elrond took off his formal robes and draped them about a chair before sitting down cross-legged.
“You have laid for four”, he observed.
“The Prince is coming”, Erestor replied as he set about filling crystal goblets with Dorwinion, “the wine’s courtesy him.”
Glorfindel asked concernedly, “Is Gil still grappling with that hangover?”
Erestor shrugged, “He was not in a very good temper when I went to look in on him after the council, he told me to inform the guards not to let anyone in till evening because he wished to seek counsel from Galadriel. I am tired of all the councils and the squabbling and did not wish to play the diplomat at yet another meal, so I arranged the repast here. I presumed that both of you were not likely to take the meal in the hall and asked you to come.”
Elrond took a sip of his wine and remarked, “I had never thought that a single marriage could cause so many arguments.”
“It will when it is Thranduil getting married”, Erestor said wryly.
Thranduil jumped in through the open windows lightly and took his place between Elrond and Glorfindel.
“You look as if you have been in a mudfight”, Erestor observed as he passed on a goblet to the prince.
“I was with Adar”, Thranduil explained, “In the gardens, and I rolled about a bit in the grass.”
Elrond looked him over and said, “You are well?”
Glorfindel groaned, “We should never have let you become a healer.”
Thranduil shrugged, “I am well enough, though Adar is not. At the moment it is Haldir who will need a healer.”
“What happened?” Erestor asked curiously as he helped himself to a particularly large piece of the plum pie.
“It seems Anoriel innocently left a cushion littered with sharp pins on his seat, and the result was, well, you know, I could hear the scream from the gardens”, Thranduil smirked, “So all those who challenged him to a duel shall have to wait for a month atleast, unless Galadriel patches him up.”
Glorfindel laughed heartily before saying sombrely, “She is nothing like her stupid, cowardly father. We used to be irritated so by his messages during the war.”
Thranduil nodded, “He used to send us message ravens. Thalion had them shot and gutted. Now we are selling them to the men and dwarves of Erebor. Of course, none of this should reach Ada’s ears. He’ll have Thalion and me skinned alive.”
Erestor said grinning, “You should be grateful that we Noldor are kinder towards the messenger birds. Else your falcon would have been inside a dwarf’s stomach now.”
Thranduil snorted, “My falcon would have better sense than to end up in a dwarf’s stomach! I trained it, after all!”
Elrond suppressed a smile and asked something that had been bothering him, “You met Anoriel after the council?”
“Yes”, Thranduil said easily, tugging away a piece of pie from Erestor, “She was nearly scared out of her wits after her father and Celeborn came to blows.”
“You do know that your father has promised the Lorien people that you will not pursue her?” Glordindel cautioned him worriedly, “Your father will be in a lot of trouble with Amdir if the latter hears of this.”
Thranduil shrugged, “What I like, I get usually. Now, I love Anoriel, so I mean to claim her hand in marriage.”
Glorfindel gave a low whistle as he appraised the Sindar Prince from above his goblet and said quietly, “You are confident. I wish we were all so in the matters of the heart.”
Thranduil smiled as he unsuccessfully tried to snatch the last slice of pie from a marauding Erestor and said softly, “My father has suffered for his confidence in love. Mayhap it might be my destiny also. But never the less I shall not give up Anoriel. Not even if I have to fight the entire army of Lorien!”
Erestor licked clean his fingers before remarking, “You will not have to do that, mellon-nin. You will just have to outsmart Galadriel for it is she who runs Lorien.”
Elrond nodded miserably, “She is evil, whatever Gil says!”
Thranduil said firmly, “Elrond, you are brooding again. This will not do. Come with me. I leave tomorrow.”
Glorfindel said quietly, “The prince is right, pen-neth, you should stay away from Galadriel and her scheming for a few days.”
Elrond muttered darkly, “Gil will never let me go with King Oropher!”
Erestor said dismissively, “I will manage Gil. You do not have to worry about that.”
Thranduil said briskly, getting to his feet and brushing off the crumbs of food from his soiled tunic, “Then we are in accord. Elrond, tomorrow at dawn. Now, let me go and do some wooing.”
“You might change your tunic before you go”, Glorfindel advised.
Thranduil grinned saying, “It is well suited for I plan to woo in a more original manner.”
Elrond shook his head muttering, “I don’t want to know what your scheme is! Anyway it will be the talk all around tonight.”
Thranduil merely laughed and leapt out of the window.
Erestor got to his feet and looked out worriedly, but his frown disappeared as he remarked, “He has landed on his feet, the nimble rascal!”
A soft knock broke the ensuing silence.
Erestor said blandly, “Would you answer, Glor? All the pie I ate makes moving difficult.”
Glorfindel squinted at him suspiciously, but went to answer the door. It was Aredhil, wearing a richly embroidered black tunic and silken leggings that showed off his broad, muscular body to its best. Elrond suppressed a smile as Glorfindel tried to catch Erestor’s eye in vain.
“Lord Glorfindel”, Aredhil said bravely, “Would you walk with me?”
“I..”, Glorfindel had always been bad at inventing excuses, a skill he should have learnt from Erestor, he thought furiously, “I am afraid that”
“That you have beaten him to it”, Erestor finished the sentence smoothly, “He was about to call on you.”
Aredhil’s eyes widened as he asked breathlessly, “Was it so, Glorfindel?”
“Yes”, Glorfindel cringed on seeing the hopeful expression in the human’s eyes, “Come, let us not tarry”, he offered his arm to a delighted Aredhil and walked out, taking care to make his displeasure known by banging the door behind them.
Thranduil looked about carefully. There were only a few elflings playing hopscotch. He smiled at them and proceeded with his simple plan. He climbed easily onto a window ledge and determinedly scaled the stone walls. He knew that the third floor housed Amdir’s family. Now, he wondered, he just had to find out which was Anoriel’s chamber. He pirouetted gracefully onto a balcony on the third floor and silently opened the curtains, and closed it with an alarming alacrity. He most definitely did not wish to watch Amdir and his wife make love. Wrong room.
He lightly jumped onto the next balcony. The door leading into the chamber was closed. He considered his options. It might be Anoriel or Amroth. Amdir was notorious for keeping his family together. He knocked softly.
The doors opened and Anoriel stood before him clad only in a light, yellow gown that clung to her body. Thranduil quickly cupped his hand on her mouth as a soft scream betrayed her shock. He waited until her features relaxed and then lowered his hand.
She beckoned him in and drew down the curtains. As she walked across the room to lock the door, he looked around curiously. There were large half-finished oil portraits that were propped up against the walls. A large bed concealed by curtains stood to a side. There was a bright fire in the room. Thranduil wondered why she would need a fire during mid-day. It was hot.
She said apologetically, “I light a fire when I feel lonely. Shall I douse it?”
Thranduil said smiling, “It is of no consequence. But”, he looked around the room taking in the paintings, “you did not tell me of this marvellous talent of yours!”
“It is merely a past time”, she blushed lightly, “nothing to tell anyone about.”
He asked her, “May I see them?”
She said fidgeting, “If you wish. Why are your clothes so soiled? Never have I seen Thranduil Oropherion thus?”
“Climbing three floors does that”, he said nonchalantly, noting her stunned expression with relish.
“You scaled the walls!” she gasped.
“Yes”, he smiled, “I wished to see how you were faring and I did not want to displease your guardians.”
She shivered as she imagined him climbing on the smooth walls. If he had but slipped once!
“Are you well?” he asked concernedly.
She said weakly, “If ever you attempt this madness again, let it be for a more reasonable errand!”
He looked into her eyes and spoke softly, “What greater reason than this shall I have?”
She shuddered inspite of the warmth of the room. The elf before her would not rest until and unless he made her his.
Thranduil walked to the paintings and said softly, “Would you give me a painting? I leave Lindon tomorrow at dawn and may not be able to see you for a few seasons atleast.”
She felt a sense of loss. She had known that they would be separated but that did not make her reconcile to the idea. How easy was it to fall in love!
“Anor-nin?” he asked her.
“What?” she said scandalized, “If Adar hears that!”
“Well, he might chop off my tongue,” Thranduil said matter-of-factly, “But that will not change the fact that you are my Anor, the sun in my life.”
She smiled like a fool before hastily collecting her composure and walking over to her paintings and pondering quietly. Most of the paintings she had done after meeting him figured him. Except, she remembered, for one. She drew out a long scrolled up painting and handed it to him.
He unscrolled it carefully. She watched his eyes show the depth of emotions as he greedily drank in the painting. Joy, love, respect and an ever-present regret flashed across his features.
Finally, he met her eyes and whispered, “I will value this forever. It means a lot to me that you understand.”
She smiled, “Ernil-nin, I have given my gift, what would you give me to help me pass my days without your company?”
He said uncertainly, “I am sorry, but I did not bring anything with me.”
“Would you give me something that you can right now?” she asked him seriously.
“Of course, Anor-nin”, he replied immediately, “though I do not even have a single jewel on me now.”
Anoriel said quietly, “There is a jewel that I value and desire above all else, Thranduil, your hair, it has captured me so since the first time I lay my eyes on it. So rare and rich, give me but a lock of it to remember you and feel your scent each lonely day.”
Thranduil frowned saying, “If I had known my hair fascinated you so, I would have taken care to wash it!”
She laughed, “You are vain!”
“Well”, Thranduil admitted, “I do have an overlarge ego at times”, he unsheathed a small dagger suspended from his belt and cut out a lock of his hair and gave it to her saying, “I wish there was something more precious I could give you.”
She asked him softly, “Would you give the kiss you denied me yestereve? I desire it so.”
Thranduil looked into her eyes uncertainly, but there was only love and confidence in them, he drew closer to her inhaling deeply of her fragrance. She was only a few inches shorter than him. He bent down to catch her lips with his reverently and carefully knitted his hands around her waist.
“I am not made of glass”, she whispered, “You need not, Ah!”, she gasped as his tongue delved into her mouth without any warning, she moaned into his mouth as the overpowering taste of pine, cedar, fresh mint and strong Dorwinion assailed her senses. His tongue explored her mouth thoroughly, taking its time with every nook and cranny. Their noses bumped causing them to giggle softly.
He withdrew his tongue and brought their foreheads together whispering, “I lose myself when I look into you eyes, Anor-nin. I cannot promise to wait.”
“Nor can I”, she said weakly as she rested her head against his chest.
There was a sharp knock on the door followed by a sharper voice, “Anoriel, Adar and Naneth are coming. Ask the Prince to leave.”
Thranduil pressed a chaste, lingering kiss on her forehead before whispering softly, “Till we meet again.”
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. He bounded across the room, the scroll in his hand and leapt down fluidly. She rushed to the balcony to see him land heavily on Celeborn, who helped him up. She hastily shoved his lock of hair inside the bodice of her gown and gathered her composure to meet her parents.
Glorfindel watched Celeborn chastise the Prince. He sighed, if Thranduil continued his campaign, then Amdir might have to contend with a grandson out of wedlock. The Prince feared nothing and certainly would stop at nothing.
“Glorfindel”, Aredhil’s voice brought him back to his reality, how was he going to turn down the human painlessly.
“Pen-neth”, Glorfindel said uncomfortably, “I am sorry that Erestor has given you encouragement regarding me. But, I am the worst choice at the moment. A woman I love to death has rejected me, chosen another, become betrothed to him. So that will give you an idea of my lack of sense.”
Aredhil said quietly, “I am young, Glorfindel, only twenty-three. Yet, I am married to a woman I do not even understand, have heirs who are tutored by my advisors in Gondor, rule a kingdom which is yet to forget my father’s rule and after all that, I have fallen in love with you.”
Glorfindel said aghast, “You cannot be in love with me! It is merely lust, a desire for a fellow warrior, I understand that completely, please, Aredhil, distinguish love and lust always lest you break a heart! Love comes only once to us, and we must be sure before we say thus.”
Aredhil smiled sadly, “My race is shortlived, Glorfindel. We really do not have your time to distinguish love and lust. What our heart says is right, is what we take to be right. We cannot wait for elven time to make sure if the one we love is the one for us.”
“Yet, I am an elf”, Glorfindel pointed out, as he watched Thranduil flirt with one of Lindon’s warriors, “I live by elven standards, pen-neth. I wait for happiness.”
Aredhil followed his gaze and remarked, “There are some even among elves who do not waste time, who live each moment to the fullest.”
Glorfindel sighed, “The Prince is an enigma amongst us, Aredhil, the feyest of the fey folk, the dwarves call him.”
Aredhil said, “Be it so, but Glorfindel, do you understand lust?”
Glorfindel nodded saying, “Yes, I control it well usually, but”, he looked into the dark, cobalt-blue eyes of the human, “I am barely able to suppress my lust for you. Take me not wrongly, it is merely the elven way to not hide our feelings when asked. I am not propositioning you. Lust is powerful, but it is not love.”
Aredhil said boldly, “But I am propositioning you, Would you accept?”
Glorfindel said weakly, “You are young.”
“If I could fight a battle alongside you, can I not be an equal in this?” Aredhil smirked.
It was dark. And empty. Where was he? He looked around, he was in a dungeon, stinking corpses and half-dead forms surrounding him. It was sickening. But in the midst stood shackled an emaciated, ragged, yet, noble figure, whispering harsh words of defiance.
There was a sudden creaking and orcs entered the room. He gasped as they were followed by something more evil than anything he had seen or felt thus far. It was a shadow trying to break his soul, to pull him into the void. He backed involuntarily.
But the figure did not notice him as it approached the shackled elf and asked in its high, harsh voice, “Will you tell me now?”
There was no answer, but a proud chin lifted in defiance. The voice laughed coldly as it said, “Then you shall know more of my dungeons, Ringmaker, and that will change your mind.”
As if on cue, the orcs pushed down the elf and ripped away his clothes violently before starting to whip him raw. The cries of the elf rose higher and higher, yet the persecution continued, until the elf stopped screaming and fainted from pain. The cruel voice laughed and jeered. There was a golden ring on its finger. In the faint glimmer from the ring, he could see the profile of the fallen elf.
“CELEBRIMBOR!” Elrond shouted loudly, rising to his feet.
“Are you all right?” warm hands pushed him down onto the chair where he had fallen asleep reading a book, “A nightmare?”
Elrond sighed, “I dreamed that he was being tortured in Barad-dur. I hope it was just a dream.”
Erestor poured him hot tea saying reassuringly, “It was probably the Dorwinion”, he took the open book from Elrond’s lap and placed it back on the shelf murmuring, “I had been about to retire when I saw the lights in the library. So I came to douse them. That was when you screamed and scared the wits out of me. Come, let us retire. You have a journey tomorrow at dawn.”
*****
Thranduil knocked on his Ada’s chambers impatiently.
“Come in, ion-nin”, Oropher called. Thranduil barged in and shut the door behind him. His father was poring over official correspondence, an expression of abject boredom on his austere face.
“ Ada”, Thranduil laughed, “I will do it later. Paper work does not agree with you.”
“You have already seen her”, Oropher scrutinized his son, “Is half the Lorien guard behind you?”
Thranduil said in a long-suffering tone, “Why, Adar-nin, do you always expect me to bring trouble to your doorstep?”
Oropher smirked saying, “You are predictable, ion-nin. Now, what is it? I was about to retire. The correspondence has made me sleepy.”
Thranduil took out the scroll from within his tunic and handed it to his father, who curiously opened it.
It was an oil painting. Of Oropher and his son. Oropher remembered the day, it was Gil-Galad’s bonding ceremony. Thranduil was standing in a posture of aggression; his green eyes flashing with ire, the painter had truly captured the magnificent golden hair that clashed against his rich, green robes. Oropher’s eyes lingered over his son’s depiction awhile before moving onto his own figure. He wore light blue satin robes that made him look less world-weary. He was standing in a defensive stance. Whoever the painter was, they had truly understood his desire to protect his son from the world. He could not help noticing the stark difference between his son’s aggression and his defensive stance.
Thranduil murmured, “She is a good painter, is she not, Ada?”
“Yes”, Oropher said softly, “And she understands us entirely.”
Glorfindel whispered as they reached his chamber door, “This is folly.”
“Then there is much pleasure to be found in folly”, Aredhil said laughing as he opened the door and walked in, “Glorfindel! This is wonderful!”
Glorfindel looked around, his cream wall décor had been despoiled by huge bunches of fragrant red roses stuck onto the walls. The bed, his very normal bed, was littered with rose petals and silken cushions. He made a mental note to stuff all the flowers down Erestor’s throat the first thing tomorrow.
Aredhil was saying awestruck, “You actually meant to talk with me about this! I had not believed it then.”
Glorfindel smiled saying, “Pen-neth, I never lie”, butErestordoesliberally, he mentally added.
Aredhil drew closer and said huskily, “Let us then hide our desires no longer, My Lord Glorfindel.”
The intoxicating masculine scent of the man assailed Glorfindel’s sensitive elven nostrils and he hungrily captured Aredhil’s mouth. The lips were not soft like those of elves. They were hard, hot and full. Glorfindel lost control as Aredhil bit and nibbled at his lower lip passionately before nudging open the elf’s mouth with his tongue and thrusting inside. No elf had kissed Glorfindel thus before, with so much passion and strength. Glorfindel felt himself drown in the kiss. He forced his tongue to duel for dominance, but in vain as Aredhil’s ale flavoured tongue roughly explored the deepest recesses in Glorfindel’s mouth.
Glorfindel said hoarsely as they broke apart for breath, “Bed.” He was not sure that his knees could bear him any longer if Aredhil continued this assault on his senses. He had never felt such strong desire for another. His love making was preferably slow and pleasant. But Aredhil had no patience in this as in all else. Glorfindel realized that this would be rough and passionate in a way he had never experienced earlier. And strangely, he found himself excited by that.
Aredhil complied and pushed him onto the bed before landing atop him. The human roughly pulled up Glorfindel’s tunic and shoved it away before swooping down to bite and suckle on the long, pale, elven throat. Glorfindel moaned in desire as the blood rushed to his loins. Aredhil moved downwards, pinching and suckling Glorfindel’s nipples. Glorfindel arched with the sensation of exquisite pain and pleasure.
The human king gripped Glorfindel’s waist with one hand tightly before pushing down the elf’s leggings with the other. He greedily swallowed Glorfindel’s erection whole as soon as it protruded out completely.
Glorfindel’s face convulsed as he gasped, “Why are you in such a hurry?”
“I have waited a long time”, Aredhil whispered before moving his mouth up and down Glorfindel’s erection. Predictably, Glorfindel climaxed quickly. He panted heavily, trying to clear his head as he wondered about humans’ impatience.
Aredhil hastily disrobed and crept onto the bed beside him whispering, “Please, take me.”
Glorfindel suppressed a snort as he explained, “My impatient friend, you have already made me come. However, you are yet to find release. Take me.”
Aredhil’s features betrayed his uncertainty as he said, “I cannot. I might hurt you with my impatience.”
“You might”, Glorfindel agreed, “I am an elf, and healing is one thing I can do faster than you. So it will not matter. Get the oil.”
Aredhil frowned, “Oil?”
Glorfindel did not think he could manage without that. Aredhil’s erection was broad and hairy. The musky odour almost made Glorfindel faint. As there would be no point in explaining about the oil to an ignorant, excited human, Glorfindel just prayed to the Valar that he be granted the strength to go through with this. He shifted onto his stomach and parted his legs expectantly. Predictably, Aredhil pounced atop him, gripped his waist bruisingly and started thrusting.
The first thrust was pure pain for Glorfindel; he tried to stifle a scream by biting onto his lips. It was as if he was being ripped into two from within. But the next thrust jabbed his prostate and he felt pleasure and ecstasy rising above the pain. By the fourth thrust, he was arching upwards to meet Aredhil. They set a punishing rhythm before Aredhil came with a scream and collapsed atop Glorfindel.
Glorfindel watched the human drift asleep and muttered, “Impatient, young, fool. Could have made it last longer.”
He pushed the blankets atop the exhaustedly sleeping form and carefully limped to the bathroom, his legs apart as he walked. A narrow trail of blood flowed down his thighs. He shook his head disbelievingly. He had been taken hard, without preparation, causing him to bleed and yet, he did not regret it, what had his world come to?
Erestor had the sense to have a hot bath ordered. Gratefully, Glorfindel descended into the tub and closed his eyes. Humans, he had fallen in love with their many failings, particularly, their impatience.
Erestor closed the door of their chamber behind him exhaustedly. He really wanted to do nothing more than take a week off from his duties. Maybe, he thought wryly, he should just drink a whole bottle of Dorwinion and render himself incapable.
Gil-Galad was already asleep in their large luxurious bed. Erestor did not bother to light a candle as he wearily removed his robes and leggings before slipping on a loose night gown. He crept silently into the bed beside Gil-Galad, pulled up the covers to his chest. A persistent knocking on their door made him curse.
Gil-Galad murmured sleepily, “When did you come?”
“Now”, Erestor sighed as he made to get up, “Couldn’t they have waited until dawn?”
“It is dawn”, Gil-Galad smirked, as he pushed the covers away and got to his feet, “Stay in bed, I’ll answer the door.”
It was Elrond, dressed in his riding clothes.
He said cheerily, “Good morning, Gil. We are about to set out, thought I would come here and wish you farewell as none of you have thought it necessary to see me off!”
Gil-Galad threw on a set of robes and hugged his cousin saying, “We would never have thought so. I overslept and Erestor reached bed only now. Come, I will bid you farewell.”
Elrond nodded as the King swept past him.
Erestor tiredly got to his feet and said, “I will come too, but do not blame me if I fall asleep on my feet.”
Elrond offered him his arm and they walked to the courtyard together. The Green wood delegation was already mounted. Gil-Galad and Galadriel were already wishing Oropher farewell. Celeborn was talking animatedly to Thranduil, who wore a smirk on his face.
Erestor muttered, “The Prince has bewitched her, look to your left”. Elrond obeyed, A familiar hooded figure stood by the group.
Elrond said concernedly, “If Amdir catches her, the prince shall be in trouble.”
Erestor yawned, “Guess so, but Thranduil has never known fear. You take care, mellon-nin and keep away from trouble.”
Elrond hugged the slender form tightly whispering, “You too.”
Thranduil came over to take his leave of Erestor. Elrond stood back as the Prince hugged Erestor and kissed his cheeks. Oropher mounted his mare and asked the rest to hurry. He was keen to reach the road by nightfall.
Gil-Galad ascended the steps of his palace, but Erestor waited until the party was no longer discernible.
Elrond turned back once, and saw a lone figure standing still, a single hand raised in a token of farewell.
Aredhil woke up and looked about the strange room disoriented, then the memories of the last night struck him like thunder. He sat up in breath, heavily breathing. He could not believe that he had done that.
“Up already, my friend?” Glorfindel’s voice asked him from the direction of the bathroom.
Aredhil hastily got to his feet. There were blood stains on the floor, and on the bed covers. He gasped in silent shock before sinking to his knees.
Glorfindel entered the room, clad in a loose robe and asked him, “What is it, Aredhil? Are you well?”
Aredhil said in a small voice, “I hurt you. I made you bleed.”
Glorfindel frowned. Was this some kind of false regret that some dominating lovers had, come morning? Then again, Aredhil did not seem the type. Which meant…
Glorfindel helped the limp form of the human into a chair and asked him quietly, “Was this the first time you made love to a male?”
Aredhil turned a shade of adorable crimson before nodding his head once, “I am sorry, I thought it would be the same, I”, he looked up with anguished, tear-filled eyes, “I am really sorry!”
Glorfindel shook his head, “No, if anything it was my fault for presuming things. I thought you would know of the differences, never mind. I am an elf, and will be all right soon. Now, dress up, let us not be late for breakfast. As it is, I did not see off Elrond”, he turned to walk to his wardrobe, trying to suppress a wince as pain shot through his legs.
Aredhil cringed at the Balrog Slayer’s discomfort and said plaintively, “Why don’t you stay there? I shall get whatever you want, if you tell me.”
Glorfindel nodded, he did not want to worry Aredhil and moreover he was aching all over.
“I am sorry”, Aredhil mumbled again.
“Now”, Glorfindel said firmly, “No more of that, I just have to rest awhile.”
They left for the dining hall. Gil-Galad was talking to Galadriel and luckily did not notice Glorfindel’s discomfort. But Erestor did and smirking, he directed an aide to bring in a soft padded chair. Glorfindel shot him a sharp look, but said nothing.
“Elrond was sad you could not see him off”, Erestor remarked, “But he understands.”
Aredhil looked up at the dark haired Chief Counsellor panickedly. But the latter continued buttering his slice of bread lazily.
Glorfindel asked Erestor, “You look ill, should you not take a day off?”
Gil-Galad stopped his conversation with Galadriel and agreed, “That he should! Erestor, I officially decree a week off for you!”
Erestor glowered, “I will be bored to damnation!”
Glorfindel said unhelpfully, “Indeed, and rightly is that deserved!”
*****
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