Hidden In These Lies
Welcome to my new story! I hope you enjoy it! This is a little bit different to Rivendell's Star, but I'm really looking forward to writing it! Reviews are always welcome, but please no flames! Thanks guys c:
Disclaimer: I own nothing apart from Eleniel, Feredir and my other OCs (basically anyone you don't recognize). Everything belongs to the amazing J.R.R Tolkien :)
This fanfic takes place about 5 years after Rivendell's Star. (You don't have to read that before this, but see the beginning of that fic if you want to know a little more about Eleniel).
(If you haven't read Rivendell's Star: Eleniel is my OC. She is Lord Elrond's youngest child and Elladan, Elrohir, Arwen and Estel's little sister. For this fic, she is the equivalent of a 16-year-old human, and Estel is 21).
Eleniel sighed heavily as she placed her elbows on the big wooden table in front of her, resting her chin in her hands and inwardly groaning at the annoying drone of her father's voice. Looking across the table at her twin brothers, she tried to catch their attention, but they seemed to be listening intently to Lord Elrond, not appearing in the least bit as bored as she was.
When Eleniel's father had told her two days ago that she would be attending her first council meeting soon, the idea seemed exciting to her - she had always wondered what it was like. However, her views on it had quickly changed thirty minutes into the actual meeting.
Boredom.
If the young elf could describe it in one word, it would be boredom. A load of boring councillors talking about boring politics. Half the things they were talking about didn't even seem relevant!
Turning her head to the human sitting next to her, Eleniel kicked him under the table.
"Ow!" Estel whispered loudly, causing a couple elves to turn and narrow their eyes slightly before going back to listening to their lord.
Estel looked at Eleniel. "What was that for?"
"I'm bored. Can I leave?"
"No, you can't, and you know that. Now be quiet and listen to Ada, else I won't spar with you later."
With a barely audible groan, Eleniel glared at her brother before turning her head and staring at the paintings on the wall opposite. Maybe if she stared long enough, the time would pass quicker and the meeting would be over.
"… village not far from here…"
Bored.
"… with orcs…"
Bored.
"…must not…"
Bored.
"What do you think, Eleniel?"
Bored.
Wait.
"Hm?" came the youngest Peredhil's tired answer. Noticing that all eyes were on her, she quickly sat up straight, turning to her father. "What?"
Elrond narrowed his eyes and Eleniel widened hers, feeling her cheeks beginning to heat up. "I mean…pardon, hir nin? I… I didn't hear that."
Elrond sighed. "No, you didn't," he said, before adding a, "nothing odd about that", underneath his breath. "Never mind. Elladan, what do you think?"
Eleniel couldn't feel more embarrassed. Had he really said that? He had said it quietly, but had he forgotten that everyone in the room were elves? Beings with amazing hearing?
Why did this keep happening? These past few weeks she had just kept being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and everything she did seemed to always lead to an argument with someone, or her simply embarrassing herself by doing something stupid. It hadn't always been her fault – everyone had been in a bad mood for ages now, it being around the time that the Lady Celebrian sailed. No one ever talked about it, and if they did, it was about a happy memory they had just remembered, or finding something that had once belonged to her and had been forgotten until then, but it affected Lord Elrond and his family more than anything, therefore affecting everyone in Rivendell; when their lords and lady were upset, so were they. That was just how it worked.
"Alright then, I think that concludes this meeting. Thank you all for attending."
Eleniel's head snapped up at those words and before anyone had the time to get out of their seats, the young Peredhil pushed her chair back and stood up, bolting out of the room.
Elladan and Elrohir looked at their father, looks of concern on their faces.
"I'll go," Glorfindel said.
Elrond nodded in thanks, watching the balrog-slayer disappear out of the room before leaning back in his chair and sighing heavily. He hadn't meant to embarrass his daughter like that, or say what he had said. Thinking back, he should have checked to see if she was listening first before asking her a question. She had never attended a council meeting before and, from experience, he knew that the first few ones were always boring. But eventually she would come to get used to it. She would have to, if she was to remain one of the future leaders of Rivendell.
Walking out of the door and into the gardens, Glorfindel breathed in the fresh air and immediately turned, knowing exactly where he was going. If he was right – which he usually was – the young elf would be in the exact same place that she always was.
The balrog-slayer slowed his pace once he reached the end of the garden, bending down a little to look up into the leaves of the huge oak he was slowly approaching. Sure enough, his blue eyes caught sight of two black boots dangling over the edge of a branch, and a glimpse of blonde hair.
The warrior closed the distance between himself and the tree and leaned against the trunk, idly fiddling with a bright green leaf he'd just picked. It was silent for a moment before Glorfindel spoke.
"Can I come up?" he asked.
"If you want," Eleniel replied, not looking down. She knew who it was, and if she was being honest, he would be the one she was most likely to talk to at this moment in time.
Dropping the leaf, Glorfindel turned and easily climbed the tree. Leaning back against the trunk, he lifted his leg and placed it along the sturdy branch, nudging Eleniel's thigh with his boot.
The elleth rolled her eyes and pushed his foot away before sighing and looking down at her hands. "He seemed really annoyed with me. He embarrassed me and didn't even look sorry for it."
"Who? Your father?"
Eleniel nodded. "I know I should have been listening, but council meetings are so boring! I don't know how you can stand them," she said with a sigh.
"You'll get used to them. I hate them – who doesn't? – but as a lord, even if I'm not lord of Imladris, it is a necessity for me, as it is you and your brothers," Glorfindel said, before looking pointedly at the elf. "But either way, he should not have said what he said."
Eleniel nodded before turning, taking a deep breath and running a hand through her loose blonde hair. "He's been like this for weeks now. Have I done anything wrong?"
"Of course not," Glorfindel assured with a shake of his head. "You know what time of the year it is."
"But what happened with Nana was not my fault… why should I have to suffer his- his moodiness and his shouting? I don't understand, Fin."
Glorfindel completely agreed with this. Elrond – as well as his twin sons, though not as much as their father - still grieved for his wife even to this day, but he was very good at hiding it. Nevertheless, when that time came, he caved in and took it out on everybody, whether it was family, friend, or complete stranger.
"I know, El, I know. I suppose that is just how it is with your father and your brothers though. Of course it isn't your fault. It's nobody's fault but those disgusting… creatures," the blond said, speaking the last two words as if they were poison. "You shouldn't have to suffer for this, and neither should Estel, or anyone for that matter. But remember that once this month is over, everything should be back to normal."
Eleniel nodded with a barely audible sigh before turning her head slightly to look at the older elf. "I… I'd like to speak with him. Just, you know, to tell him how I feel about this."
Glorfindel nodded. "I think that is a good idea. And I will stay with you, just in case he is being more of a moody grouch than usual."
That cracked a smile on the young elleth's face, just like the warrior had intended, and Glorfindel felt himself grinning. "Now, are you going to come and give me a hug, or are you going to make me get up and come over to you?" he said with a raise of his eyebrows.
Eleniel grinned. "Come over here yourself, lazy."
Glorfindel raised his eyebrows higher as his face morphed into one of mock-shock. "You did not," he said.
"Why would I want a hug from you? Lle holma ve' edan," the Peredhil said with a giggle, shifting on the branch slightly so she was ready to jump down if need be.
Glorfindel actually gasped.
"You will pay for that you little-" and with that, the balrog-slayer leapt up from his position on the branch, grabbed the young elf in his arms and fell back out of the tree, laughing as Eleniel squealed. He turned, making sure he would hit the grass below and cushion the elleth's fall.
Once they reached the ground with a thud, Eleniel immediately rolled off the elf and lay giggling on the floor. "Fin!" she said, turning an accusing look on the elf next to her.
Glorfindel laughed and stood to his feet, rubbing his back. "What? You deserved that."
Eleniel grinned, standing up and looking at the warrior who was busy picking leaves and strands of grass off of his robe which he had shed before climbing the tree earlier.
"Llie n'vanima ar' lle atara lanneina."
Glorfindel turned sharply at that, staring straight into Eleniel's laughing blue eyes. "You better run," he said, chasing after the Peredhil as she took off across the gardens, heading for the Last Homely House.
"Where are you getting all these insults?" he shouted as he jogged behind the elleth, knowing he could catch up to her in about three strides but deciding to be nice. For now.
"Feredir!" came the slightly muffled response.
Glorfindel sighed heavily as he ran, shaking his head. "I should have known."
The fire blazed in the Lord of Imladris' study, casting its light around the room and shining on a lone elf who was sat on a chair in front of it, a glass of wine in his hand. His stormy grey eyes were focussed on the orange and yellow and red flames, dancing in the fireplace.
Hearing a knock on the door, Elrond lifted his head slightly, eyes never leaving the fire. "Who is it?" he quietly called.
"It's Glorfindel, Elrond, and Eleniel," came Glorfindel's voice.
The elf lord nodded, even though he knew they couldn't see him, and told them to enter, standing up and placing the glass of red liquid on the table next to his chair.
As the two blondes walked into the room, one playing idly with her hands behind her back, Elrond smiled faintly.
"Is all well?" he asked Glorfindel, nodding towards his daughter.
The warrior shrugged slightly, turning to look at Eleniel.
Eleniel hesitated before giving a nod of her head and a smile up to her father.
Stepping forward, Elrond reached out and brought the young elf into a hug, placing his chin on top of her golden head (that was getting even more difficult now, considering the fact that she was almost as tall as him!)
"I am sorry for embarrassing you like that, tithen fileg, and saying what I said. I didn't mean it, I promise you, but you know how council meetings are; they are long and slowly begin to annoy me, and, regretfully, I take it out on others. Can you forgive me?"
Eleniel nodded, before looking up at her father. "But Ada… I would like to talk to you about things that- that have happened these past few weeks…"
Elrond's face changed into one of confusion, and he drew back, holding his daughter at arm's length.
"What has happened these past few weeks?" he asked.
Eleniel hesitated, turning to look at Glorfindel. The warrior nodded, giving her an encouraging smile.
"Well… I know what time of the year it is, and- and things… haven't been going very well, I suppose you could say. You've barely spoken to me – apart from the times you're shouting at me for something I haven't even done wrong, and when you informed me that I would be going to my first council meeting – and, I don't know… I guess you just seem so angry all the time… and upset… I don't like seeing you upset… or the twins for that matter. They've been acting the same…"
Elrond took all this in before dropping his hands and turning, going to pick up his wine. "Eleniel, you said it yourself. You know what time of the year it is."
"But why should I have to suffer for something that barely affects me?" the elleth blurted out, widening her eyes once she realised what she had said.
Elrond looked at his daughter. "What happened to your mother doesn't affect you?" he whispered, not quite believing what he'd heard. Had he had too much wine?
Eleniel furrowed her eyebrows, thinking for a moment, before replying. "Not as much as it does you, Ada, or Dan and Ro. I… I never got to meet her. How can I miss someone I have never met? I wish I had seen her, and I wish I could remember her face without looking at paintings, but I can't," she said, tears beginning to well up in her eyes.
Celebrian's eyes, the elf lord had always told her.
Seeing this, Glorfindel stepped forward, placing a hand on Eleniel's shoulder, and looked up at his lord, waiting to hear his reply.
Elrond had two halves of his mind at this moment in time – one half telling him that his daughter was right; that she never got to share the amazing moments and memories with Celebrian as he and his sons did and so how could she miss her as much as they? But then there was the other half. The other half that was shouting at him and telling him that Celebrian was her mother, and she should miss her, no matter the circumstances. And unfortunately for everyone, this half was the one that took over.
"Do you not love your mother? She gave you your life," he practically growled.
Eleniel subconsciously stepped back into Glorfindel, who placed a protective arm partially around her chest.
"Of course I love her, Ada, you know I do!"
"It does not sound like it. Glorfindel, please wait outside while I speak to my daughter."
The balrog-slayer shook his head. "No," he said, "I will not leave her alone, Elrond."
"She will not be alone, Glorfindel," the elf lord said, but again, the blond warrior refused.
Elrond stared at his friend. "I am the lord of Imladris and you will do as I say. Why will you not listen to me?"
"Because my vow to protect your daughter is stronger than my vow to listen to you," Glorfindel said with no hesitation, standing his ground.
"Protect her? Protect her from what?" Elrond asked, before he noticed the strong arm around Eleniel's chest and the way she had backed into him. Realisation hit him like a tonne of bricks. "You… you think I am going to hurt her?"
Silence.
Elrond couldn't believe what he was hearing. Never had he hurt any of his children and never would he! Elladan, Elrohir, Arwen, Estel and Eleniel were the lights of his life and he would never lay a hand on any of them. To see that one of his oldest friends and beloved daughter didn't know this broke his heart.
"Glorfindel, you know I would never hurt her," he said in a hoarse whisper.
Glorfindel nodded, though not quite sure yet. "I know, Elrond, I know you wouldn't. But you are not you right now, and so I must stay to be sure."
Elrond found himself almost crying. They didn't trust him. They didn't trust him not to hurt his daughter. The elf lord suddenly became angry. With himself. What was he doing to himself? What was he doing to his family? Looking at the glass of wine that he had was clutching tightly in his hand, Elrond turned and threw it with as much force as he could, hearing the glass shatter against the wall and watching the ruby red liquid fall to the floor. Spinning around, he picked up a book and, with a growl, threw that too.
Glorfindel turned to Eleniel and gently pushed her towards the door. "Go, Eleniel," he said, before running to calm his friend down.
Eleniel hurried out of the door, shutting it behind her, before walking down the corridor and away from her father's study. She could feel her heart pounding inside her chest, and she suddenly felt quite dizzy. Making her way over to a blue velvet chair that had been placed a little further up the corridor, the elleth quickly sat down and leant back, feeling tears flow from her eyes.
She couldn't stand it anymore. Every year she counted down the days until her brothers and father would start acting like this. The twins weren't as bad as Elrond, sadness usually taking over their minds rather than anger, but Elrond… thinking about it, he was quite confusing. He did try. To stay away from everyone and grieve by himself. But by her visiting him and bringing up the subject of her mother, she had made him angry. It was her fault he had done that. Maybe everyone would just be better off if she left.
Eleniel looked up, tear marks running from her eyes and down her pink cheeks.
If she left.
That wasn't a completely horrible idea.
Elvish used:
Ada – Dad/Daddy
Peredhil – Half-elven
Hir nin – My lord
Elleth - Lady
Nana – Mum/Mummy
Lle holma ve' edan – You smell like a human
Llie n'vanima ar' lle atara lanneina – You're ugly and your mother dresses you funny
Tithen fileg – Little bird
First chapter done, now onto the next! Thanks so much for reading! Please review! :D ~ Gre3nleaf