Disclaimer: I only own the oc's everything else is Tolkien's and co.
Arcana
Chapter One: Strength
With the gift of listening comes the gift of healing.
-Catherine de Hueck
People talking without speaking, People hearing without listening, People writing songs that voices never share, and no one dare disturb the Sounds of Silence.
-Simon and Garfunkel, Sounds of Silence
Mirkwood, TA 2790
Tirnion walked into Mirkwood's library, a small skip in his walk. There had been two months without a death among the ranks and the patrol rotations had been brought down. Tirnion was on a week's rest for the first time in decades and he was reveling in it by finding a novel to read in order to relax. He walked over to the shelf holding literature and scanned it for a possible prospect.
"Hello, Tirnion."
Tirnion crashed into the shelf at the voice. He turned around and looked at his guest, eyes wide and heart racing.
"Morwen, What are you doing here?"
Morwen continued looking through one of the research tomes as she jotted down notes on a tablet, "Oh, I was sent out to try and offer the dwarves aid in their coming battle. They turned it down, which is understandable because there are places dwarves can go and elves cannot and they are fighting inside a mountain."
Tirnion nodded as his heart resumed its normal pace, "But why are you in Mirkwood?"
"The twins wanted to visit Rian." Morwen explained.
Tirnion nodded, understanding it had been twenty years since Elladan had seen Rian, yet another delay in their close to reconciled relationship. Still, it did not explain why Morwen, and in all honesty, Elrohir were currently in residence.
"Does Glorfindel know you are here?" Tirnion asked.
Morwen glanced up at him and slowly swallowed. She turned her eyes to the window, "Oh, look, what a lovely bird."
"Morwen….."
Morwen sighed, "Glorfindel knows we are in this part of Middle Earth."
"But in Mirkwood?" Tirnion asked.
"He does not have to know everything, honestly. Even Lord Elrond does not know every little thing that goes on in Imladris." Morwen said.
Tirnion put his head in his hands, "Oh, Eru. Glorfindel is going to kill us all."
"He will not if he does not know." Morwen said.
"So, you are lying to him." Tirnion said.
Morwen stood up as she tried to defend herself, "I am…doing no such thing. I am…..withholding information for the greater good of all. Elrond even told us if we were to venture into Mirkwood to find a way not to inform Glorfindel. You know how he can get."
Tirnion nodded, "Yes, and I find it justified."
"It is, but honestly Tirnion, if Mandos so desires to take us all tomorrow there is nothing Glorfindel's will or paranoia can do to change that."
"He is quite powerful when it…" Tirnion started.
"Whose side are you on?" Morwen asked.
Tirnion gave her a shocked look, "Neither, none, I am no-sided. I am, however, required to even the battle field by informing Glorfindel."
"Tirnion…" Morwen started.
Tirnion shook his head, "I have to, Morwen, from one seneschal to another, I have to let him know. The twins may be willing to gamble with your safety and Glorfindel's sense, but I am not. What if he needed to contact you?"
"Elrond and Erestor both know where we are." Morwen said.
"And they have seen fit to withhold this information from Glorfindel?" Tirnion asked.
Morwen nodded, "He has been having horrible nightmares lately and Elrond did not want him to become even more distressed and Erestor, well, would you want an enraged Glorfindel on your hands?"
Tirnion smiled, "You really are doing this for the sake of all."
Morwen nodded, "Sometimes silence is needed."
"If any of you are harmed on the journey back, he will never forgive himself." Tirnion said as he walked over to Morwen, pulling her down to sit on the bench.
"It is not his fault or his choice." Morwen said.
"We both know he has little sense when it comes to his family." Tirnion murmured as he glanced over the notes Morwen was taking.
"Yes, that does seem to be a common trait among males in the house. Elladan and Elrohir….what is it?" Morwen asked as Tirnion started shuffling through her notes.
"The dwarves really are going to war?" Tirnion asked.
"You would know better than I and despite the prejudices of many a wood elf, you have more sources on dwarves than we do at Imladris. That is why Elrond urged us to come here if we had the time and it was not dangerous."
Tirnion snorted.
"More dangerous than usual. Despite them turning away our help, Elrond still wishes to offer them aid through suggestions. They are attempting to take on an unknown number of orcs." Morwen said.
Tirnion nodded, "And if they do so, there is a possibility some of the orcs will come running into Mirkwood. Well, I am sure some of our more lovely creatures will handle that."
"Oh, I would rather not know." Morwen shuddered. She smiled, "The dwarves are calling for a gathering, dwarves from all over Arda.."
Tirnion laughed, "Oh, Thranduil will be so overjoyed. All those dwarves so close to his realm." Tirnion gathered Morwen's notes, "Let me call a scribe and get these copied, I want these, very detailed might I say, notes for reference."
Morwen nodded, "I've had a lot of time, Rian is the councilor here, I am merely a wandering scholar."
"Who made Bellion hide in his quarters for over four hours." King Thranduil said from the doorway.
Morwen and Tirnion stood up quickly in respect.
Thranduil waved them off as he came to sit beside them, "I wear no crown at the moment and am merely an elder elf speaking to a young warrior and an even younger visitor from Imladris."
"Visiting scholar." Tirnion said.
"Of the wandering kind, I have heard." Thranduil smiled as he looked over the notes. "Tirnion, order a scribe to copy these. That is, if Morwen is willing."
"It is your information, merely my interpretation." Morwen said.
"A very good one." Thranduil said. "Are you enjoying your stay here?"
"Of course, even if certain members are trying to make me feel guilty." Morwen said as she narrowed her eyes at Tirnion.
"If I was in Glorfindel's position I would like to know." Tirnion said.
"Glorfindel needs to learn that there has to be freedom in love, a stifled person can react badly." Thranduil laughed, "And sometimes you must simply have faith, because there comes a time when you cannot know where your loved ones are you. You can only have faith and must believe they are safe."
Thranduil was quite surprised as he felt Morwen's arms around him. She backed off, as if suddenly realizing what she had done. "I am sorry, I have just…you needed it." she said.
Tirnion smiled as Thranduil let out a long and genuine laugh, rarely heard now that Laeriel and Tholinnas had sailed.
Mirkwood, TA 2790
The sun beat down on the elves gathered in the woods below. Morwen and Rian were sitting under one of the massive trees watching the unofficial archery competition taking place between a select few from Mirkwood and the twins. Morwen was tossing an apple back and forth as Rian peeled an orange, both catching up with each other and local gossip.
"Apparently Legolas likes talking to Smaug." Rian said.
Morwen stopped mid-chew and stared at Rian, "The dragon?"
Rian nodded with a smile on her face.
Morwen shook her head and sighed, "Just watch, that one will befriend a dwarf one day."
"Oh like any wood elf would do such a thing." Rian muttered.
"He talks to a dragon." Morwen said.
"It is an interesting dragon." Rian tried to defend the young prince.
"It is a dragon." Morwen repeated.
Rian laughed, "Yes, it is."
A cheer went up from the crowd as Legolas won yet another round. The twins congratulated him as they gracefully bowed to the winner.
"He is a very good archer." Morwen said.
"One of the best and with training he will only get better." Tirnion said as he dropped down beside the two stealing a piece of Rian's orange.
"Why are you not out there?" Rian asked.
Tirnion smiled, "I can only take being bested by Legolas so many times."
The group laughed as they watched the targets moved farther away for the next round.
"Does he really talk to dragons?' Morwen asked Tirnion.
Tirnion gave Rian a mock censured look, "Rian, Rian, gossiping elf."
"I was simply sharing news with my friend." Rian said.
"I will forgive you this once, since she leaves you next week." Tirnion said.
Rian sat up, "You are leaving?"
Morwen smiled, "Yes, I am leaving as is Elrohir. Elladan, however, is staying on for a bit longer. I have no idea why."
"No, I could not imagine why." Tirnion said, sharing a laugh with Morwen at Rian's expense.
Rian cared little as she smiled widely.
Imladris, TA 2790
Elrohir and Morwen had returned to Imladris a month ago and Glorfindel had spoke very little to both of them in that time. Elrohir was hurt, Morwen amused, and Glorfindel was angered.
"He will not speak with either of us! And he keeps putting me on the most pathetic patrols." Elrohir yelled as he paced back and forth in Morwen's office/
"He is your Captain." Morwen said as she moved from one stack of work to another.
"He is abusing his position. Can you not do something?" Elrohir asked.
Morwen looked up at Elrohir, "What do you want me to do?"
"Talk to him. At him. Force him to listen, to understand. This is ridiculous…and why are you not upset by this? The elf you are in love with is not speaking to you."
"When Glorfindel stops acting like an elfling I will be more than willing to speak with him." Morwen turned back to her work.
Elrohir pulled the papers away, "Morwen, please. If not for me, if not for you, than him. He is not well, Morwen. He is tired and his reflexes are starting to slow."
Morwen rolled her eyes and said, "Fine." She capped her ink well and walked out of the room.
Elrohir smiled, knowing things were about to be fixed.
Morwen watched Glorfindel from the doorway. His attitude with them upon hearing the news they had been in Mirkwood, no matter that they had returned safe and healthy, had been immediately cool and harsh. Morwen had found herself locked out of his office for the first time she could remember. She had passed from anger weeks ago and had been waiting for his mood to change. Again it appeared she had to be the bigger elf.
She studied his appearance, worry lines in his face and tired bags under his eyes. His hands were shaking and it was quite obvious he had not had even a small rest in some time.
Perhaps she should have done this sooner.
She sighed as she came into the room and crossed over to his desk. He kept on writing. Morwen gave him a dark look and then came to stand beside him, forcibly removing the quill from his hand.
"Whether or not you wish to speak with me now, you will listen." Morwen said.
Glorfindel did not raise his eyes to meet her own.
Morwen continued, "Yes, we were in Mirkwood. We were visiting friends and showing the ties between our realms have not been broken. Tirnion often comes here, we rarely go there."
"There is a reason for that." Glorfindel said.
"You cannot protect me forever and from everything, Glorfindel. Even trying to do so is a great insult to me." Morwen said.
Glorfindel finally looked up at her, "You are not able to fully defend yourself."
Morwen shook her head at him in exasperation, "I was with the twins who would defend me more fiercely than any other, even you."
Glorfindel rose to protest that but stopped as Morwen held up a hand, "You would be distracted over worry for me, I have seen it whenever you are leading my escort and we are attacked. The twins, they do not worry, they often attack first with the knowledge they must be focused on the battle to protect those they are fighting for."
"That can be foolish." Glorfindel said.
" 'Can be' is not 'is.' We all love and respect you, Glorfindel, but you must also let us grow up and go out on our own. We will always take your judgment into consideration, but we need to do some things on our own. The world has changed and letting us go out thinking we can or cannot do something because of 'what Glorfindel says' or 'Glorfindel will fix this' is putting us at a great disservice, perhaps even a risk."
"You are saying I should have been cold and cruel with you? Let all of you learn such harsh lessons long ago?" Glorfindel asked.
"I say no such thing. I am saying you have helped to raise us well. Now, you must let us live those lessons you have taught us." Morwen insisted.
Glorfindel shut his eyes and let out a slow breath, "I can let the others do such, but not you Morwen."
"Glorfindel if you continue to hold me back from my life, I will resent you." Morwen stated.
A shudder seemed to go through Glorfindel. He suddenly stood up and pushed away from Morwen and walked over to the window, staring at into the sky. He turned to Morwen, a dark look in his eyes.
"You are right of course." His gaze traveled over her before he turned back to the window, "Perhaps we should end this."
Out of all things, Morwen had not expected that. She quickly placed a hand out on the desk in order to steady herself, her vision suddenly gone blurry.
"I would not wish to hold you back from your life." Glorfindel spat out as he continued to look outside the window. "Obviously my love and care and concern for you is too much of a burden for you to bear."
Glorfindel turned around to look at Morwen who had not said anything for some time.
She stood there, staring at him with a head held high as tears silently rolled down her face.
"Are you finished?" she asked, her shaking voice doing no disservice to the conviction in her tone.
Glorfindel nodded.
"You once told me you would never see me caged." Morwen spat out.
Glorfindel started to protest but stopped as Morwen held up a commanding hand. "Let me finish." She stated.
Glorfindel was coming to understand why she had become a feared councilor in some realms.
"Your love has never held me back, it is not your love I protest to. Your fear, however, your guilt for things past, those are completely other matters. I love you as much as you do me, and yet you do not see me demanding you stay within this realm, always going outside the house with a guard."
"I am a warrior, it is my duty to defend and to travel." Glorfindel said.
"I am a councilor, it is my duty to defend with words and to travel all over Arda." Morwen said.
"I am more able to defend myself." Glorfindel argued.
"And how do you expect me to learn such a thing if your forbid me the chance to even have the slight opportunity to use what I have been taught?" Morwen asked.
"I should stand back and allowed you to be attacked?"
"Are you not attacking me right now? Using deliberately cruel words and phrases to injure me as much as you seem to think I injured you." Morwen said.
Glorfindel did not have an answer for that.
Morwen sighed and came over to him, the tears already drying on her face, "You succeeded in that matter, but you forgot one important part in your battle strategy. I am not so easily dissuaded by your words."
"No?"
"I know you, Glorfindel. I know when you say something to be deliberately cruel and when you are genuine. This, well, this is your way of letting me go to protect me. It will not work, it never has. You cannot let your guilt from two ages past harm us. You did not open the gates and let in the evil, Glorfindel. You died defending it. You need to let the guilt go."
"Morwen, you were not there…."
"Oh, but I was Glorfindel. I saw it, do you not remember? "
"It is.."
"It is not different. And really, Glorfindel, that was a city burned to the grown and destroyed within its own walls. If that was your real reason to protect me, well then, would you not be keeping me anywhere but within the boundaries of Imladris?" Morwen walked up to him, placing her hands on his chin to force him to look at her, "What is between us Glorfindel, it will never end. We have become far too entwined over the years. No words spoken by you in hurt or I in frustration will truly force us apart. If you are feeling stifled than perhaps…"
"I am not. I just…"
"Fear. You fear, Glorfindel, far too much." Morwen gave him a soft kiss. She stared into his eyes "Trust me, Glorfindel."
"I do." Glorfindel said with force.
"Then show it. Show that you believe me able, let me do my duty so that you can do yours."
Glorfindel smiled weakly, "I do not know if I have the strength for that."
"You have no choice." Morwen said.
She pulled back and held a hand out.
Glorfindel took it, grasping it tightly.
"Come," Morwen said, "You are in great need of your rest."
Glorfindel gave a tired smile, "I will not sleep, I have been trying."
"Yes, but not with me there." Morwen said.
"You have lots of work to…" Glorfindel tried to protest.
"Eluialeth will jump at the chance to handle my workload for the day." Morwen tugged on his hand, "Let us go."
Glorfindel pushed back from the wall and wrapped his arms around Morwen, "I am sorry."
"About what?" Morwen asked.
Glorfindel sighed, "What I said earlier."
"You said something? That is funny, I do not remember you talking much lately." Morwen said.
"Morwen, what I just said…."
"Oh, I am afraid I went temporarily deaf, because you would never suggest something as nonsensical as ending our relationship."
Glorfindel smiled, full of gratitude, "Thank you."
Morwen raised a brow and smiled, "For what?"
Glorfindel just shook his head and followed Morwen out of the room.
Elrohir walked into Morwen's office, stopping as he saw Eluialeth at Morwen's desk.
"I take it their talk went well." Elrohir said.
"I did not ask. All I know is that Glorfindel is truly sleeping now and Morwen needed someone to do her work as she watched over him." Eluialeth looked back over the letters, "Did Morwen really make Bellion hide?"
"Yes, well, she did verbally back him into a corner dressing him down like I have never seen." Elrohir propped himself on top of Morwen's desk, "I think Bellion has learned never to insult orphans in front of Morwen again."
Elrohir cocked his head as he studied Eluialeth, "So, when, you and Tirnion talk about squirrels you are really…."
"Talking about squirrels." Eluialeth said as she moved onto the next letter.
"No, really." Elrohir said.
"Squirrels, Elrohir. As in woodland creatures with bushy tails who live in trees."
"You are so odd." Elrohir said.
"And your twin is so normal with his eavesdropping from tree limbs."
Elrohir protested, "I never said my twin was normal."
"True. Now, will you let me be so I may work?" Eluialeth asked.
Elrohir smiled at her, "I should watch over you, if only to answer any questions you might have."
Eluialeth considered this for a moment, "That would be wise. Now, please, be quiet."
"Hand me a pencil and a tablet and I will do nothing but draw."
Eluialeth shook her head and handed him the asked for items.
Elrohir settled back in the chair at Rian's desk as he stared out of the window and started to sketch the trees.
A/N 1: So, for some odd reason, I was feeling the inspiration from the Tarot. The major and minor arcana are the division between the two decks, so, that's where the name comes from…though it also comes from the word arcana itself. The card of strength (not reversed) can mean "strength, willpower, compassion, patience, courage, triumph, fortitude." The card usually shows a calm woman standing over a lion, often with her hands on the lions jaw. You just go with that imagery.
A/N 2: Thanks to Rian and Nima for the Frost on Glass reviews.