A.N/ Here is my second attempt at a story, after the first one was a total disaster and consequently deleted. Please, no flames, but constructive criticism would be wonderful! Or just a review...please?! Hannon le, mellyn nin! (Thank you, my friends!)
Disclaimer: I own nothing published or even thought of by the great Professor Tolkien. Vanafindel and Apsenniel are mine though. This goes for any other chapters and stories.
"Ai! Apsenniel, wait for me!" a tall, handsome blonde said, hurrying over towards an elleth standing with a small group of females.
"I am not going anywhere, you orc!" she laughed, hugging her brother. "How were the borders? Did anything exciting happen? Or was it dull?"
Ruffling her plain golden locks, he answered, "With the two brothers of Haldir there, it was anything but uneventful."
"I should have known," she smiled. "I am happy you are back, Vanafindon. Very happy."
"As I am happy to be back, small one. Oh, and by the way, Haldir is coming for dinner."
"What! And just when were you planning on telling me?" she shrieked.
"Well, I told you now, did I not?" he shrugged.
"When is he going to arrive?" she growled.
"One hour."
"Labo vi Orodruin! Garich i dhôll goll o orch!"
"I am sorry! Ah! Do not strike me, petty female!"
"I am not petty, it is you who is at fault! How dare you think you can just prance right in and tell me to expect a guest in an hour, the time it takes to prepare everything, much less cook and serve! I cannot do this! You should have been named Empty headed, not Vanafindel! Go live with the Men."
"Oh, now that wounded me, miunthel!" He received no answer in reply.
A knock sounded on the door as she had just completed setting the table and laying out the dinner they were to have that night. "Go get it," she said tersely, smoothing out the silver of her gown.
"Alright, alright, no need to snap," her brother muttered.
Apsenniel was about to reply, but bit back her retort as Haldir stepped over the threshold. "Marchwarden," she said, going up to curtsy to him. "I hope this day finds you well."
"Aye, it does, my lady," he answered, inclining his head and smiling.
"I am afraid the dinner is not the best I can do, for my brother here gave me such short notice of your arrival," she said by way of explanation, shooting a venomous glare at him.
"That is alright, I do not mind," he chuckled, as she seated him. "Hannon le."
"Of course, Marchwarden." She brushed past her brother without even sparing him a second glance.
"Will you not be joining us?" he asked, when he saw only two places were set. "Or do you mean to make your brother starve?"
"Though that notion would be very welcome, I am afraid I must decline. I had a very late lunch. And, I need to finish the dessert as well. Please, eat. I am sure you both must be famished after having naught but lembas and dried food for the past three weeks."
They needed no encouragement. Soon, they were on to second, and then third, helpings, of everything that was offered on the table. Silently, she cleared away the now empty plates and brought over the dessert, a seemingly mile-high cake topped with delicious, fresh whipped cream, and candied violets.
"Wonderful!" Haldir cried in delight when he saw it. "This is my favorite!"
"Really?" she said in surprise. "I should make it more often then, and send it over to you."
She cut him and her brother enormous slices, refilled their wine glasses, and then left them to themselves as she began to wash the dishes. Between the two, they demolished half of it in seemingly thirty seconds, and another quarter in less time than it took to blink an eye.
Both pushed their chairs back with a satisfied sigh, and Haldir muttered, "Apsenniel, if I do not bond with you right now, I do not know what I will do. To live without your food, your cake...utter torture!"
"But if you eat as much as you did tonight, soon you will be too fat to leave your bed! You are better off without it," she returned, whisking the plate away with the remnants of the towering behemoth, even as his eyes still followed it hungrily.
"That is something I am willing to give up," was his response.
"Oh, I am positive that that is the case," she snorted.
"Truly, it is," he returned. "I do not believe I shall ever take dinner at my talan again."
"Marchwarden, you are free to dine with us whenever you wish. If you request something you would rather eat, I could prepare it for you," she said to him as she refilled his water goblet again, whisking away the now empty wine glass.
"Really?"
Vanafindel laughed at the eager expression on his face. "Marchwarden, you look as if you were just presented with the title of Lord of Lothlórien!"
"Nay, I could never be successful in that office. My only duty is to the service and safety of the fine elves in this Wood."
"Spoken like a true warrior and Marchwarden, mellon," Vanafindel muttered, gazing longingly at the wine bottle just out of reach. "Miunthel nín, more beautiful and kind than even Lúthien herself, could I please have that Dorwinion back? Please?"
"Are you mad? Of course you may not!" Apsenniel said, batting his hand away. "You have imbibed far too much already. Marchwarden," she said, turning towards him. "You may as well spend the night, seeing as you are in hardly a good condition to be walking back to your talan. You may have our parents' room. It has been empty for far too long. Allow me a few minutes to make up the bed and prepare it for you." With that, she walked off.
Once he was sure she was out of earshot, Vanafindel muttered, "Never lets anyone get the chance to say no, that one. You would be better off not bonding with her at all."
"I believe I shall manage, if only she continues to cook the way she did tonight," came Haldir's strained response.
Vanafindel looked over to where the Marchwarden's stare was directed at, and found him gazing yearningly at the cake. "You might as well take it," he said. "She does not care much for sweet items. Odd elleth, that one."
Haldir's eyes went comically wide when his younger friend said this, and muttered, "Odd indeed!"
Apsenniel returned to find the two arguing over the last piece of the monstrous white cake as if they were elflings again.
"This is half," Vanafindel was saying, making a motion with his fork over the tip of the cake. "That part is yours, Haldir."
"Nay, mellon, you misunderstand. This is half." And he took the plate and fork, and happily dug out a large piece, placing it reverently into his mouth.
"Fine, eat like a Man. I care not," he harrumphed, crossing his arms over his chest like a petulant child. "Didn't want the cake anyway." He jerked in surprise as his sister slapped him on the back of the head, and mumbled, "Morgoth's balls, what was that for?"
"Stop acting like a child, Vanafindel, or I may have to speak to the Marchwarden about having you removed from the Guard!" she reprimanded.
"You would never!" he gasped.
"Watch me," she smirked.
As she turned to go into her bedroom, Vanafindel said, "Do not go in there, Apsenniel, I am warning you now."
"And why should I not?"
"Because...oh never mind. You stubborn elleth, you will not listen to me anyway. Go on then."
Warily, she pushed open her door, and stepped in, but shrieked out in rage and shock as a bucket of ice cold water poured down onto her head. "Vanafindel!You son of an orc! What have you done!" Whirling around, she advanced on him, pale grey eyes flashing dangerously.
"Unfortunately, Marchwarden, I feel I must suddenly take my leave of you. Good night!" Vanafindel said hurriedly, and leapt out of his chair, but not before she launched herself at him and sent them both tumbling to the ground. They scuffled for a few minutes, during which her hands whirred around, striking any part of his body she could reach. "Ai, Elbereth!" he cried out.
Two large hands descended on them and pulled them both apart, Apsenniel's feet dangling a few inches above the floor. "Vanafindon, I sympathize with your sister. Apsenniel, you would make a fine warrior," Haldir said before letting them go. "Now, I am feeling quite tired. If you could please show me to where I will be staying tonight, I would very much appreciate it."
Blushing, the sopping wet elleth said, "Of course, Marchwarden. Follow me."
As he lay on the soft bed, Haldir could not help but think of the way her dress had molded to her form as the water soaked into the fabric. Then he rolled over, and let images of her cake take over his mind. Soon after, he was asleep.
Translations:
Apsenniel-merciful, translation of Jane
Vanafindon-fair haired, translation of Aurelius
Labo vi orodruin-go jump in Mt. Doom
Garich i dholl goll o Orch-go kiss an orc
Miunthel/miunthel nin-sister, my sister
Hannon le-thank you
Lembas-waybread of the elves, can fill the stomach of a grown man with just one bite.
Talan-platform or house in the trees where the elves live
Dorwinion-strongest wine
elleth-female elf
Morgoth-Dark lord in the First Age, before Rise of Sauron
Elbereth-wife of Manwe and queen of the stars