For The Love Of Glory 2

For The Love Of Glory

Part 2

Posted: September 7, 2007

*****

Aranel learned that the twins had been very serious when they said they would not take it easy on her. If anything she felt as if they had been harder then they normally would with anyone else. As if that had not been bad enough, Legolas did not go easy either when it was time to practice some archery.

“You cannot quit now.” Elladan said when Aranel had taken a seat by a nearby tree.

Looking up at the older twin she merely nodded her head

“I can and I will.” She said. “The three of you may be used to this but I am not.” She pointed out. Not only did her arms hurt along with every muscle in her body but she was also sure she would have a few bruises as well. She knew now why the twins have rarely been injured in battle.

The three males finally took pity on her and made her promise to train again the next day if they let her rest. Leaving them at the training grounds, she headed back to her own rooms and looked forward to enjoying a nice bath to ease her sore muscles. There was still plenty of time before dinner so she knew she did not have to rush, not that could anyway.

Once inside her room she headed straight into the bathing chamber. Adding her favorite scented oils into the water just as she settled into the bath.

“Nothing could feel better than this.” She purred quietly to herself.

As she let the warm water soothe her, she had to again wonder if this was such a good idea. While her brothers had assured her she was better with a sword then she gave herself credit for, she still knew that there were ellith that were far better then she was. And some of them just might be competing for Glorfindel as well. She let her mind wander to Glorfindel and could not help but smile to herself. She thought back to when she was only an elfling and would listen to him as he told his stories. He had a way with elfings that made them all just sit still and listen to him as he spoke. One would not know just by looking at him how gentle and calm he could be.

She could easily remember the day she saw him differently, someone more then just one of her former teachers. As she became older, she went from being one of Erestor’s students to helping him with the younger elflings. They had all been sitting in the garden for one of Erestor’s lessons when Glorfindel came over and greeted them. Aranel had been helping a young elleth with her reading and looked up as she heard him speak. For a few brief seconds she could not even manage to breathe. She had not even realized that the twins were with him at the time. Glorfindel stood but a few feet away and to her it looked like the suns rays were attracted to him alone. At that very moment, she found him to be the most handsome ellon she had ever seen. He had looked directly at her and smiled and she felt her heart skip a beat. Erestor had to call her name twice before he got her attention and the twins, who had seen he watching Glorfindel had found it all very amusing. Teasing her about it every chance they had.

Aranel noticed the small things after that. Things he had always done before but something had changed for Aranel. Each time he placed his hand against her back, she shivered softly. She could feel her heart pounding every time he smiled at her or even just hearing him call her name when he would greet her. She had been late to meet with Erestor one morning and had almost ran right into Glorfindel. As he had placed his hands on her arms to steady her, she could not help but close her eyes as she tried to control herself. When she saw the concern in his eyes, she had assured him that she had been fine and was merely late. She was even more later after he had smiled and kissed her cheek before he went on his way, she could not even move for a few minutes.

The water in her bath had turned cold and Aranel decided it was time to get out. She took her time getting dressed and combing out her hair before it was time to join the others for the evening meal, wondering if she would see Glorfindel there as well.

Elrond sat in his rooms, many hours after the evening meal. Things had felt different as everyone had gathered around the table. The twins as usual were focused mainly on their conversation with Legolas, what had concerned him the most was Aranel. She seemed to be even more quiet then usual. When Erestor had mentioned he had received new books for the library Aranel had merely nodded in reply. During times like this was when he missed Celebrian the most. She would have known what was bothering their daughter and Aranel would have had her mother to turn to. As it was, the elleth did not feel as if she could come to her father. Elrond had long ago accepted this but it was still his wish that she would come and talk to him. Celebrian had sailed a few months after Aranel was born and in the state of mind she had been in had not had the chance to bond with her daughter. Elrond had pleaded with her to take the child with her yet she had refused. It was not that he did not want Aranel with him he just had not wanted Aranel to miss out on being with her mother, to know and feel the same love that the twins and Arwen had known from Celebrian. He learned years later that Celebrian had left a letter for Aranel, one to be given to her on the day of her majority. It had been Erestor who had kept the letter hidden until that day. Aranel had admitted to him that she had been to nervous to read it right away and waited for weeks before she had worked up the courage to read her mother’s words. Through she had not told him much of what Celebrian had written; she did mention that Celebrian had asked only one thing of her. That she would live her life in Rivendell. Looking after not only her siblings but him as well. Aranel had made her choice that very day and like her brothers had chosen to embrace her elven blood, to live her life as an elf and had promised she would sail to Valinor when it was her time and meet her mother.

Elrond moved onto his balcony, his wine glass in one hand as he gazed towards the sky, enjoying the sight of the stars above. He tried to think of when Aranal’s mood had changed. It was almost around the same time Glorfindel agreed to this competition. He arched an eyebrow slightly, surely that could not be the reason. Could it be that she was upset over Glorfindel being the prize to whichever elleth had won? Did she have feelings for Glorfindel or was there perhaps something already between them. Elrond shook his head at that thought. Had there been something between Glorfindel would have turned down the offer if there had been. With these thoughts still running through his mind, Elrond finally made his way to his bed to rest, hoping to dream of Celebrian once more.

Aranel sank slowly into the hot water of her bath. For weeks now this had been her routine, She would meet the twins for training then would join Legolas for archery. Once that was finished, she would spend time teaching the elflings some lessons then would spend the rest of the evening easing her sore muscles in a bath. The twins spent a lot of time convincing her she was learning well and had become skilled with a sword. She thought back to the day she had scratched Elrohir’s cheek and had almost turned and ran when Elladan had stopped her. The twins assured her that she had not hurt him and that only a few others would have managed to even get that close to him. She had still been upset for the rest of the day and had confided in Arwen later that night. She had not expected Arwen’s response. Her sister had almost squealed with delight and hugged her tightly, saying she was not only proud of her but that she was doing what she needed to do. Arwen had since then convinced Aragorn to help as well. Where the twins helped with her sword, Aragorn had taught her how to outsmart her challenger. She had to admit that things were going better then she thought they would have. The only problem now was with her training and her time giving lessons she found little time to rest. Her nights were spent worrying about what she was doing and if it would even matter in the end. Even with all her training, she was still faced with the fact that she may not win and would still lose Glorfindel after everything was done.

A knock at her door pulled her from her thoughts and from her bath. Pulling on her night robe she slowly moved to answer.

“You should be resting.” Elladan said, making his way inside. “The competition starts tomorrow.” He pointed out

“I know.” She replied.” I am too nervous to sleep.” She added, making her way to the sofa

“I had thought you might be so I brought this.” He said, handing her the cup of tea he had been holding.” It has some of father’s sleeping herbs, just enough to help you relax.” He said

Aranel looked at the cup first then knew it would be the only thing that would help. If she did not have any she knew she would be awake all night.

“I spoke with Erestor.” Elladan said as she sipped her tea. “The competition shall begin with Archery.”

Aranel was relieved to know this. At least with the archery she did not have to worry too much. Legolas had given her many tips that had been very helpful and she planned to use them all.

“Get some rest.” Elladan said as he noticed the tea was already taking effect. He placed a light kiss on her forehead and saw himself out.

Aranel curled up on the sofa and after a while, finally drifted off to sleep.

If Aranel thought she had been nervous the previous night, it was nothing compared to how she felt that morning. Sitting at the breakfast table was almost impossible, everyone was discussing the competition. Aranel caught Elrohir’s look and knew he was silently telling her to relax, easier said then done. Once the meal was over, Aranel hid herself in her room. She paced back and forth and stopped once in a while to stare at the outfit she was to wear. It was pure white leggins with a light blue tunic. The tunic had a hood attached that would not only cover her hair but all of her face as well. She would be able to see out with no problems but no one would see her face. No one would know it was here and only the ones who helped her train knew what her number was. She looked down at nu,ber stitched to the back of the Tunid and let out a deep breath.

“I cannot do this” She said to herself. “I was wrong to agree to this.”

A while later, Aranel made her way to the training grounds. When she saw how many others where there she almost backed out again and returned to her room. Just as she had turned around she walked right into Elladan. The older twin just grinned as he apologized, giving a slight bow but did not move out of her way. She knew Elladan could not acknowledge her there but he knew it was her. This was his way of making sure she did not back out, she had no choice now.

As far as Aranel could see, there about ten who would compete this day. This made her nervous but she had been expecting a bit more for some reason. As she made her way slowly to the others, she noticed Glorfindel watching her. She wondered if he had somehow knew it was her. She tried to calm herself enough to stop shaking as she gripped the bow tightly. She spotted Legolas in the crowd and had to take a deep breath.

“It is time to start” Elrond addressed them. “at the end of this day only 4 will remain, tomorrow will eliminate two more and the two remaining will face each other in two days time” he said. He wished them all luck and went back to his seat.

Aranel tried to calm her nerves. She refused to look at the others as she prepared her first arrow. She could still hear Legolas’ words in her mind as she took a few deep breath. When she practiced with him it had only been the two of them so she was relaxed. Now she knew everyone would be watching how well she did and she had a hard time focusing on the target. She could feel herself being watched and it sent a shiver though her as she wondered if Glorfindel was one of them.

When the order to fire was given, Aranel released her arrow but had closed her eyes, not wanting to look at first. After a few deep breaths she opened her eyes and glanced at the target. She had done better then she had expected, though she had not hit directly in the center it was very close to it.

After the first Arrow, Aranel had been able to relax a bit more and focused only on the target each time. She had glanced at Legolas when she could and was glad to see him nod in approval. By the time their time was up, Aranel’s shoulder hurt worse then ever and she had to reach up to message it gently. She watched silently as the other ellith had left and leaving only the four who made it standing there. Elrond had stood and let them know what was expected for the next day then said they were free to go. Aranel made it back to her room before anyone had stopped her.

Elladan opened the door to Aranel’s room and walked in with Elrohir and Legolas. They found her asleep on her bed and Elladan woke her gently

“Ada asked about you at dinner.” He said

“Dinner? Aranel sat up and looked towards her window, surprised to see how dark it was. “I had not planned to fall asleep.”

Elladan sat next to her while Elrohir and Legolas took a seat on the edge of her bed

“You were exhausted.” Legolas replied. “it was obvious.”

Aranel looked over at him and nodded.

“this will be over soon.” Elrohir replied.” Then you can get all the rest you need.”

Elladan chuckled as he looked over at his twin.

“That may not be true” he said.” Glorfindel may have other plans for her.” He added

“You are assuming I will win.” Aranel pointed out. “that may or may not happen.” She said

“It will.” All three elves had replied in unison, making Aranel arch an eyebrow slightly then started laughing. She could only hope they were right but only time would tell.

She sat quietly as she listened to them talk , never seeing when they left as she had drifted back to sleep.

“Are you sure it is her?” The elleth questioned.

“Yes I followed her back to her room,” the elf replied quietly. "It was Aranel’s room.”

Nodding silently, the elleth started to plan what she wanted to do. She would see tomorrow how things went but had no plans to lose her chance at having Glorfindel.

“Leave the rest to me.” She said, closing her own door before the ellon could say anymore.

*****

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