AN: Thanks to Michelle for beta-ing.
Chapter 2
Melian watched the glimmering maiden as the girl slipped through the trees.
*She is as fair as the Vanyar.
Artanis' head lifted proudly sensing the stares of the other Elves around.
*But she has the pride and knowledge of the Noldor.
Melian turned her head, watching her husband lead the awe-filled Finrod around Menegroth. For some strange reason, Thingol had called off Celeborn's trip. Melian shook her head, just at the mention of the Elf.
*He changed his name into the Sindarin tongue as soon as he could.
Melian glanced at the Elf speaking with the guards rapidly.
*It fits him, yet…
Melian's eyes flitted to Artanis.
*Hers does not. She is not a man-maiden as Nerwen suggests; and neither does noble woman fit for she throws aside her title. I believe that is what Artanis means. Alas, Quenya is not a language I know.
"Mamil," Lúthien tugged on her mother's dress.
Melian smiled down at her, picking her up easily.
" Yes, my dear?"
" Atar is too busy for me; he is talking with Celeborn's friend."
Melian smiled. The Noldor were hardly Celeborn's ideas of friends. The Elf would brave Morgoth before befriending the two.
" Is he now? You usually bother Celeborn, not me."
" He is busy too. He says he cannot play today because there is a large host at the edge of this land."
Melian nodded. She had known that for along time. The Noldor wished to find their friends again. Celeborn suddenly appeared.
" My lady, where is your husband?"
Melian's face bore worry also, suddenly feeling the peril at the edge of their borders. Her mind sought out, entering one Elf's. Her eyes flew open.
" They are attacking."
~*~
Thingol met them halfway out of Menegroth, dragging Finrod behind him.
" What are you doing? Release my brother," Artanis ran up.
" No, lady. Your uncle is attacking us."
Artanis stood up to Celeborn, taking his sword. Celeborn lifted his chin feeling the point push into his throat. Thingol had frozen. Celeborn and Artanis glared at each other with all the hatred that Fëanor must have felt for Morgoth.
" Let my brother go, Thingol, or your captain shall fall under the Doom of Mandos. Even if you do not understand that, I believe you do, Melian."
Thingol glanced at his wife. Melian's eyes had narrowed as she simply tilted her head. Artanis tried to resist the force, but her body obeyed. Celeborn took back his sword with a smug smile and a thankful look at Melian.
*I have no doubt Artanis would have loved my head on a platter.
Celeborn pinched Artanis' cheek endearingly before walking by her.
" I swear your head will be on a platter when I am freed from this, Teleporno."
Celeborn luckily glanced back at Artanis just as Melian released the girl. He met Artanis' tackle full on, thanking Eru as he put his hand-to-hand fighting skills to use. Somehow, after many well placed kicks and punches from her, he ended the victor, holding her wrists and straddling her back. She glared up at him still struggling under his grasp.
" You have no respect for ladies, Teleporno."
" I respect those that deserve it." He pulled a piece of rope to tie her wrists, " Now if you will excuse me. I have a job to do."
" Celeborn, wait. You need to subdue the forces. Take her with you," Thingol stopped him.
Artanis' lips turned up in a smile as Melian released her.
" And if anything happens to Celeborn, your fault or not, Lady Artanis, the same harm will come to your brother," Melian cautioned.
Her smile fell and she joined Celeborn. She landed a kick to his groin, smiling when he doubled over. He managed a dignified pose, an iron hand wrenching her arm as he pulled her after him.
" I hope I can use you as a shield," Celeborn muttered.
" I wish the same, though regretfully nothing can happen to you. I will risk my life, because at this moment you represent my brother."
~*~
Fingolfin nearly fell off his horse when his niece strode out of the woods, accompanied by a silver haired one. The Noldor aimed at the unfamiliar Elf, hoping to keep Artanis safe.
" Hold your fire," Fingolfin yelled.
Artanis stood before Celeborn.
" Come to me if you wish to speak to me," she ordered.
A rider began to try and sweep her up. Artanis pushed Fingon away almost causing him to fall from his horse.
" Let me be, Princeling."
" Ach, you are ever a thorn in my side. We should have left you to be tortured by the Moriquendi."
Artanis shrugged, allowing the jesting to go on about Moriquendi. Celeborn leaned towards her.
" I am seeking for an armistice and you are not helping it. May I remind you that your brother's fate lies with you?"
Artanis' lips tightened. She slapped the horse's flank, watching in satisfaction as the horse bolted, leaving a stunned Fingon on the ground.
" Speak no ill, Fingon, for you stand before one. I believe he is the only one present of the Moriquendi to understand Quenya."
Fingon nodded tightly to the Elf as he rose, brushing himself off. Artanis contained her laughter. Celeborn sent him an assessing gaze.
" Fingon, son of Fingolfin," Fingon introduced.
" They call me Teleporno in your tongue."
" What do they usually call you?"
" Celeborn," his voice raised so all the Elves could hear it, " And you are all trespassing on the lands of Elu-Singollo."
Fingolfin moved forward on his horse.
" So this is Menegroth?"
Celeborn nodded, though his eyes were still wary of the high-king's appraising eyes upon the forest.
" Your troops have wrongfully slaughtered and I suggest you leave before you are met with the power of a Maia," Celeborn replied.
Artanis flinched. Celeborn caught it.
*So slaughter is a tender subject? I wonder why…
Artanis moved before Celeborn, her lips curling at the syrupy sweet words she had to use. She touched her uncle's horse, petting it before looking up with an innocent look that she knew would make her uncle listen to her words.
" Uncle, the Elves here have been more than kind to us. They have sheltered us, fed us and are showing us their lifestyles. Please, apologize and then leave. You had no reason to worry. My other brothers have come here before."
Her eyes searched his.
*We do not need more blood upon our hands.
Fingolfin nodded.
" It is as you wish."
Celeborn watched curiously. It was odd for an Elvish woman to have such power over the Elves. He glanced back, seeing the hundreds of archers ready to fire. He held up one hand. One made a motion towards the prince, taking a good aim. Celeborn quickly shook his head, taking a half step towards the prince.
" Daro (Stay-S)."
The archers relaxed their arms. Artanis glanced at him questioningly.
" Just ensuring a little safety."
" How do we know you have not betrayed us?" Fingon challenged.
Celeborn turned, glancing at the one archer, and then back at Fingon's head. He glanced back making a foreign gesture. As if on cue, an arrow sliced the air, hitting the ground at Fingon's feet. Celeborn looked up.
" That was meant for your head."
Fingon merely clenched his jaw, picking up the arrow and breaking it violently.
" Why should I trust you still?"
" Because I just saved your life and the lives of all your men here. You do not know these trees. They are filled with Elves. Elves that do not need to take aim to hit anything. They never miss," Celeborn wore a smug smile, " And I am their captain."
" You are cocky," Fingolfin said, "Pride will kill you."
" I am not proud, I am simply declaring to you that we are not "stupid Moriquendi" as your son says. We are the people of Elwë. Do not forget you are strangers here. Not we."
" You fear us?" Turgon joined them also.
Artanis looked at Celeborn also.
" I fear the knowledge that is hidden within all of you. What is so terrible that none of you will tell?" Celeborn lowered his voice, sensing the reaction, " I believe it has to do with death, for the mention of slaughter sent a chill down your backs. Who did you kill on your way here?"
~*~
" Is this true?" Melian was trying not to weep.
Finrod had broken down, hearing that Elves on both sides had been murdered. He bore a heavy guilt for he had actually killed many of his mother's people.
" I did not know that Fëanor slaughtered needlessly. None of us, save him and his sons knew that it was a merciless rampage upon the pristine shores."
Thingol dropped his head into his hands. Melian leaned her head against him, giving him a half-armed hug in comfort.
" Exile me from here, but I tell you, Artanis did no fighting that day. She has forgiven none of the Sons of Fëanor for the evil dealt that day. Do not harm her, for I know it is in your grasp."
Thingol wearily sighed. He looked at Melian.
" So your fears were true. The Noldor are seekers of revenge," he placed a hand upon Finrod's head, " Nothing you seek to lay down as permanent shall remain. All shall pass away. Go back to where you came."
" We are dishonored if we return," Finrod shook his head.
Melian nodded, looking so tired.
" Let us go and meet them. I never wish to see a Noldor in my life."
~*~
Celeborn turned, unsheathing his sword as Melian approached with Fingon beside her. He did not know what evil the Noldor might produce.
" You Elves are cursed, you slaughter your own people and then come here and slaughter more. I curse thee. Never set foot near my lands again." Melian lifted her face so that all the Elves could behold once again the beauty of Aman the Blessed.
Her dark eyes blazed with the fire that had begat Arda and her equally dark hair blazed with the light of Anar.
" Surely," Fingolfin began.
" Say no more, son of Finwë. For though you were betrayed, blood lies heavily upon you. I will not make a treaty with you or anything else with you at this time. I pray you find peace, for your hearts will always long for home."
Melian touched Celeborn's arm. Celeborn sheathed his sword following his queen.
Fingolfin leaned down to Fingon, his wisdom falling death to his outright anger.
" Kill him. If she wishes to undermine my bloodline, then I shall show them not to cross me for I am king of the Elves here."
Fingon took aim. Artanis stepped forward before the arrow, her eyes hard.
" Do not do this."
Finrod pushed her away. Fingon let the arrow fly. Artanis pushed Finrod away.
" You slime, scum of Morgoth! You have killed again! What is this accomplishing?"
She fought off her brother's hands, landing as many kicks as she could so they would free her. It took all of her brother and many of the Sons of Fëanor to help also. Artanis stopped resisting.
" You have killed again," she looked up, submitting the last of her strength to free herself, " I will not have it."
Her family stared at her as she stood between the two peoples. Artanis looked at them, her eyes hot with angry tears.
" What has brought you to this, people of the Noldor? Why do you kill needlessly? You are no better than Fëanor, and I will have no part in such a people."
She turned her back and walked towards Melian.
" What is she doing?" Fingon was too stunned to move.
Finrod just gaped.
" I think she just cursed us all."
~*~
Artanis allowed the Elves to drag her before Melian. Melian turned to her, drying her hands on a towel supplied by another Elf.
" Will you remain here?"
Artanis rose proudly.
" I will not be associated with those that kill their own people."
Melian's eyes were set deep with grief.
" Have you ever slain an orc?"
Artanis nodded, though her brow was furrowed.
" Then you have slaughtered Avari."
" Pardon?" Artanis was aghast. " You lie."
Melian shook her head.
" Orcs are just twisted Elves. Morgoth first takes their minds and twists them into horrid brains of destruction. Then he takes their body and mutilates it. He has been breeding them from the same accursed Elves since your birth."
Artanis lifted her head, her heart falling even farther.
*So many orcs lie dead at my hand. So many…Elves…
" How is Celeborn?" she sought to change the subject.
Melian shrugged.
" He will be fine in a few days."
Artanis came forward, her temerity renewed.
" Can you teach me?"
Melian glanced at her oddly.
" What?"
" Will you tutor me? I wish what you have and surely you can teach some of it."
Melian probed into the girl's mind before nodding.
" Okay, I will, but you cannot leave Doriath until it is finished."
Artanis paused before nodding.
" So be it."
~*~
" You should not practice so soon after being injured."
Celeborn tossed his hair irritated at his bad aim.
" And why not?"
" It messes your aim. See."
He faced her.
" And what do you know of aim?"
Artanis never moved her eyes from his as she drew an arrow, fitted it into her bow and fired. Celeborn glanced and his eyebrows rose when it hit dead center.
" Forgive me, I knew not that I was in the presence of a master," he replied sarcastically.
Artanis shrugged.
" I do not care what you think of my aim. You should not be shooting. Shooting a day after having your shoulder injured will only prolong the length and pain of the injury, even for Elves."
Celeborn dropped his bow, sitting down on the cool grass.
" I am not as hurt as everyone believes. I wish they would let me be."
Artanis laughed a little.
" But you are a prince of Doriath."
Celeborn muttered a Sindarin curse under his breath. Artanis let a stream of arrows fly. Celeborn had to admire her aim. It was the best he had seen in a woman.
" How long have you practiced?"
She shrugged.
" I prefer outdoor games and such to stuffy libraries. I was the best in Aman. I beat anyone at anything. Only the Valar could beat me, and Maiar only rivaled me but a little."
Celeborn shook his head.
" You are cocky."
" So are you."
"Not like you," Celeborn shot back.
Artanis shrugged. She glanced over at him.
" In families of mostly all males, it is the only way to survive. My mother wished me to be a lady and sing beautiful songs and be just a beautiful face. Instead I won respect on the fields, beating every respectable male."
A dark haired Elf interrupted.
" Celeborn, Melian sent me to find you. She wishes to speak with you."
" Thank you, Oropher," Celeborn stood and followed the prince.
Artanis went back to her shooting.
*I bet he would be a good rival at any game. He has already proved better at wrestling than I. I wonder if I could beat him given a second time?
