Whatsoever You Do
By Dreamstrifer
Disclaimer: Nindariel is mine and mine alone. All other characters are the brainchildren of the indispensible John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.
Chapter 6: Family Glares and Matchmaking Pranksters
"So Arwen is coming to the Golden Wood, then. I suppose she'll bring her brothers with her."
Nindariel and Rumil had made amends the day before, though the she-elf was still quite annoyed with him. Rumil caught onto that, and tried to ease around her anger softly.
"Actually, they're bringing her. And then they're leaving after only a day or so. A good thing, I should think. I can't stand them."
"You can't stand anybody, Nin." Rumil grinned, but it disappeared when he saw her scathing glare. Anyone who thought Nindariel was shy obviously hadn't seen her bad side. And she was still very grumpy from having been drunk and been made a fool of in front of the Marchwarden.
Nindariel looked back at the gown she was sewing for her sister, and continued making stitches. "I can stand you, when you're not getting me drunk."
"That's not what I mean, Nindariel. Oh, nevermind. Will nothing cure you of your shyness?" Rumil left her talan in something of a huff, and Nindariel felt a smidgen of satisfaction. She didn't know exactly why she felt that way. She'd never responded well whenever she made someone upset. She usually felt guilty, and too shy to talk to them until they cooled down.
But now… what was different? She couldn't say. She sighed and pushed Ára's gown to the side. Her thoughts wandered back to the morning before, when she'd woken up in Haldir's talan. What had been his motivation in helping her? Or even taking her back to his own talan when he didn't know where hers was located?
It was a strange question, and as she pondered different ideas, her eyes landed on the white folded fabric she'd acquired for Haldir's new sheet. She'd been putting off cutting and hemming it by busying herself with Ára's gown. But honestly, she did not want to embarrass herself further by bringing up what had happened in his talan. But… what if she just left it in his talan without speaking to him? Even if he didn't figure out who it was from, he might have an idea what it was meant for.
Suddenly cheered, and unfolded the rich white material and started measuring it out, wondering if she was to make it plain like most male elf's sheets, or to perhaps do a little needle point on the sides? Nothing too feminine, or Haldir might be frightened and consider whoever sent the gift rather forward, but she would enjoy perhaps sewing some hunting scenes…
And soon she became engrossed in the work she loved to do, not even realizing how personal she really was making this gift which she considered nothing more as a replacement.
Galadriel, the Lady of the Wood, who was walking with her husband Celeborn, suddenly smiled.
"What makes you smile, my love?" Celeborn asked as Galadriel tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow.
"I see an elleth in the beginnings of infatuation. And as many such beginnings, she cannot even see it herself. And I suppose that is a very good thing."
"Nindariel, Galadriel?" Celeborn, though he wasn't born with the gifts of his wife, was very wise in his own way, and cared every bit about the elves in his wood as she did.
"Yes Celeborn. She is taking a suggestion and turning it into exactly what I hoped. And without the fumbling attempts by Rumil. Nindariel needs to be drawn out not by harsh motions, but by gentle persuasion."
Celeborn just smiled as well. Arwen really would be good for Nindariel when his granddaughter arrived. If only Haldir was as easy to bring around…
"Now don't you dare think to pull any more pranks on poor Nindariel again," Arwen was admonishing her brothers as they rode at a brisk pace into the woods of Lothlorien. "You nearly scared the poor dear to death last time."
"But she makes it so easy, Arwen," Elladan said with a mischievous grin not unlike Rumil's. "And her reactions are even better than yours."
"Quite right. You nearly stabbed me in the leg when you ran after us after we dyed your hair purple," Elrohir put in, and Elladan laughed at the memory.
"Are you saying I'm more dangerous than Nindariel?"
"Exactly. We knew you weren't completely stupid." For his remark, Elladan received a slap on the back of his head. "Ow! Arwen!"
"You deserve it. And if I even hear you picking on poor Nindariel you'll get much worse than that. Just because she's so shy, doesn't give you license to tease her or play your pranks on her. Play your pranks on an elf who already adores you."
"And what do you mean by that, sister dear?" Elrohir looked innocent, or at least that's the look he tried to convey. Of course, his practiced sister saw right through his façade.
"You know all the elleths back home are infatuated with you. Even if they are mad that you played a prank on them, they're secretly thrilled that you noticed them. Honestly, are you two observant at all?" Arwen shook her head, but brightened when they were met by the border guard.
"Ah, the sons of Elrond and the Evenstar!" one spoke up as they recognized Galadriel and Celeborn's grandchildren. "Welcome back to Lothlorien! I shall escort you to the city."
"Thank you," Arwen said, in her gracious tones that made any elf who heard it smile. The border guard nodded, and the four continued on through the wood, Arwen giving her twin brother's warning glances, which they didn't quite take to heart.
"You know, when you glare like that, you look just like father," Elrohir commented gleefully.
"Except you don't have his eyebrows. You have mother's," Elladan continued further.
The glare that followed their comments was all pure Arwen. And it shut them up right quick. The glare might have been pure Arwen, but it had the same effect Elrond's glares had. And you did NOT mess with the elf with that glare.
Elladan and Elrohir exchanged glances behind Arwen's back. Really, they didn't want to get their sister mad at them, but if she was being so outrageously unfair already, they were going to strike back.
And most definitely not in the way Arwen would expect, and it most definitely would not be detrimental to anyone's well being.
"Nindariel, it is wonderful to see you again!" Arwen pulled the younger elleth into an embrace, and Nindariel looked over Arwen's shoulder to see her twin brothers give her mischievious glances. She was torn between giving them a glare or looking away, but she was saved the decision by Arwen pulling away and adressing her again. "How have things been here in Lorien."
"The same, Lady Arwen," Nindariel said softly, sending glances at Elladan and Elrohir.
The four were just outside Arwen's talan, and Rumil and his brothers were nowhere to be seen. Arwen and her brothers had just finished addressing their grandparents, and made their way back to Arwen's guest talan when they came upon Nindariel.
"We know each other well enough to leave such formalities behind, Nin," Arwen said with a smile. "Or have things changed since I was last here?"
"I doubt anything has changed, Arwen," Nindariel replied, relaxing at the kind tones in Arwen's voice. Arwen could make anyone feel at ease, even with her two prankster brothers in sight.
"You aren't stuttering, Nindariel!" Elladan spoke up. "Surely that's changed!"
Elrohir snickered, and Arwen cast them another Glare. They were both stony silent as soon as they saw the look.
"Don't you two have anything better to do? Such as playing your pranks on someone else for a change?" Arwen asked, her expression not lost on them.
"Of course Arwen, but we would like to visit with you and your friend for awhile," Elrohir answered.
"Elladan. Elrohir. I am almost certain you have something better to do." Ah. The warning tone. It might have been funny to Nindariel if it wasn't about the twins who tormented her the last time she saw them. Well, it might have been funny if she was anyone but Nindariel.
"Oh, fine, Arwen." Elladan rolled his eyes. "Don't argue with an elleth."
"Just go!"
"We're going!" Elrohir protested, and the two walked off.
"I swear, having brothers can be helpful sometimes, but did I have to be cursed with twins?" Arwen shook her head. "Come on up, and we can catch up." She gestured the quiet Nindariel to follow her up into the talan.
Elladan and Elrohir, on the other hand, didn't go off to play tricks as Arwen had said. With a glance at each other (they long since abandoned speaking to each other unneccessarily. They were twins), they went off to find Rumil, Nindariel's best friend.
"So, Rumil, how are things in Lothlorien?" Elladan asked as they cornered the Marchwarden's brother.
Rumil raised an eyebrow. "Welcome, Elladan, Elrohir. Everything is well in Lorien. What did you really come to ask?"
"He knows us well, Elladan," Elrohir commented with a smirk.
"That he does. We come, Rumil, about your beautiful friend Nindariel."
"Oh, don't tell me one of you wants her!" Rumil gave them a long-suffering look, and the twins exchanged very amused glances.
"Quite the contrary, my friend," Elrohir answered. "Do you?"
"No!" Rumil glanced between the two. "You aren't planning on playing any pranks on her, are you?"
"That all depends," Elladan said solemnly. "You see, we've gotten past our childish ways of pulling pranks for no good reason."
"I find that hard to believe," Rumil said with a smirk.
"Ah, but we're not finished," Elrohir continued. "We didn't say we gave up pranks altogether. Lately our pranks have been of the matchmaking nature."
"Because, for all the time we elves have to choose our loves… some are just so blind to who they really want." Elladan raised his eyebrows at Rumil.
"You see, my friend…"
"We have a plan."
Rumil looked first at one brother, and then at the other. And smiled his michievious smile.
"I see we have an understanding." Elrohir grinned. "Most excellent."
"Now, tell me everything…"
And so, the three discussed exactly how they planned on pulling the matchmaking prank, and Rumil had to marvel at how good the twins actually were. He nodded appreciatively when Elladan asked if the plan was to his satisfaction. In fact, it was even better than he could have hoped.
He should have asked the sons of Elrond for their help long ago.
He continued grinning to himself as the twins took their leave, and he walked back to his talan. Really, Nindariel would be so mad at him if she ever found out exactly what was going on. Arwen would probably spot her brothers' mischief from the beginning, so he'd have to find a way to keep her quiet… without offending her ladyship. And Haldir?
Well, Haldir must NEVER find out. Nor Orophin, because he was the worst kind of tattletaler. Orophin loved to stir things up amongst the brothers, but Haldir was Rumil's main concern.
If Haldir ever found out what Rumil was currently doing, and what he was about to do, Rumil couldn't even take up residence with Orcs to be safe…
And that was exactly the attraction of the plan.
"You mustn't let the twins bother you so much," Arwen was saying. Nindariel looked up from where she was measuring Arwen's waist for her gown.
"I try to not let it bother me, but I can't seem to help it," Nindariel replied quietly as she put down her measuring string.
Arwen smiled gently. "They don't mean any harm. You are just a little too sensitive. Honestly, if you were as bothered by Elladan and Elrohir as much as I am, I think you'd be too frightened to leave your room. And I don't say this to be mean."
"I know that. I know I should be more social and more…" Nindariel hesitated for a moment, and then spoke again. "More outgoing. But I'm afraid it's just not who I am."
"You don't have to be everybody's best friend, Nin." Arwen put a hand on Nindariel's shoulder. "I'm just trying to tell you that if you become shy of everyone and everything, then what chance do you have of finding someone to fall in love with, or making a really good friend?"
"I have you and Rumil. And my family," Nindariel responded in a defensive tone.
Arwen pushed back a smile. Nindariel was a dear elleth, but sometimes she was so amusingly exasperating…
"Just that? That isn't very much. Don't you want to fall in love?"
Nindariel gave a non-commital shrug. "I have years and years to worry about that. I'm in no rush."
"I see that. But what if by the time you do worry about it, it's too late, and you missed your chance at someone you could really love?"
Nindariel gave Arwen a look that clearly expressed her puzzlement. "Then I'll just find someone else I could really love."
Arwen sighed. "I don't think it's that simple, Nin."
"But Arwen, who am I going to miss out on? I'm not interested in anybody… I don't think it would be a great tragedy if I didn't fall for this elf or that elf." Nindariel sighed. "Oh, I don't know. I just don't understand everyone's preoccupation with romance!"
Arwen grinned, and turned to look at Nindariel's work table. "Sometimes, romance can be a very good thing." She gently touched the white fabric. "This is lovely material. It looks as though you are preparing to make it into sheets?"
"Yes. And I'm going to do some needlework on the hems." Nindariel didn't give the sheets a second glance as she perused her bolts of fabric and material. Being a seamstress, she had quie a collection. She looked for just the right color to set of Arwen's beautiful eyes. Nindariel knew she was beautiful, but she often didn't acknowledge it. Next to Arwen, she felt positively plain. The same was true with Galadriel, but that comparison never made her feel anything; all elves in Lorien were used to paling in comparison to Galadriel's beauty. But Arwen… Nindariel didn't know whether feeling plain next to Arwen made her envious or relieved.
"For whom?" Arwen asked, innocently enough. She had no idea her grandmother had told Nindariel to sew Haldir new sheets. She also was ignorant about the incident the week before that was the cause of the sewing of new sheets. But she wouldn't be ignorant for long.
"Haldir, the Marchwarden," Nindariel answered, distantly. She was still engrossed in choosing material.
"Haldir? Surely a bachelor Marchwarden has no use for such fancy material or needlepoint." It was meant to be jesting, but it made Nindariel nearly drop the bolt of cloth she was holding.
"I… I know that." Nindariel set the bolt down and turned to Arwen, who was looking at her in total bafflement. "It is a replacement, and I had the material. So I thought it would be nice."
"Why waste time on needlepoint, though? Haldir will appreciate it, I'm sure, but it might confuse him of your intentions." Arwen smiled. "And you did tell me you weren't interested in anyone." She raised an eyebrow. "Right?"
Nindariel furrowed her brow. "I didn't mean anything by it," she said very softly. "I just thought it would be nice."
"Surely you thought of the message it might have sent, didn't you?"
Nindariel shook her head. "I did not. Oh dear. And I already measured out and hemmed the material."
"Ah, the material is fine, Nindariel. I did not mean to tease you so. Keep the needlepoint, if it makes you happy." Arwen tried to fix the damage done, but it was not to be so. Nindariel looked like she was about to cry, and it was probably all the dark haired elf Lady's fault.
"That's not why I'm upset." Nindariel sank into a chair. "You don't understand. The reason I'm sewing Haldir some sheets to replace his old ones was because I ruined his old ones."
Arwen looked at Nindariel with interest. This was definitely a strange turn of events.
"And now, if I give him sheets as anything more elaborate than the ones he already had, he will think I looked much more into the incident than I did!"
"With Haldir, I do not think that will be a problem. No matter what happened, you shouldn't let what you think Haldir thinks affect what you want to do. Or affect your talents. You sew beautifully. Don't let some arrogant Marchwarden stop you from doing it."
Nindariel smiled, all traces of the threatening tears gone. Much to Arwen's relief, she said, "I shall not. It is silly of me to become emotion over bed sheets! Honestly, if Rumil were here, he would never let me live it down."
"I suppose that is one difference between Rumil and myself. Where he would continue to tease you about this, I have forgotten it already and am wanting to continue choosing material for my dress. What bed sheets?"
Nindariel's smile grew to a grin. Yes, Arwen was a very wonderful elleth. And a true friend.
Author's Note: Let it be known, Elladan and Elrohir in the WYD universe are the Weasley twins of Middle-earth, and that is a wonderful thing. And the dyeing of Arwen's hair was written long before I read the Adventures of the Fanfiction Fellowship by Terreis (awesome story with awesome sequel. Go read! I command you! Found in my favorites…). You'll understand that little thingy if you read the story.
This chapter was hard to write. I just wrote bits of it ever sicne I last updated it and didn't get a good flow of typing until I hit the part where Arwen and Nin discussed romance. Wee. I'm glad I finished it though. And early present from me to you for my Birthday (on the 14th!).
What is The Twins and Rumil's plan?? Well, you'll have to read the next chapter to find out, don't you?
Lady Eleclya , heh, Elladan and Elrohir are so fun to write. I love the twinsies!
Estriel, yay for random Lion King lyrics!
hobbit shortness, Orophin… hmmm, he's a mysterious figure (figger!) in this game of loooove… God, I'm in such a weird mood. Action figures are fun. My brother and I used to play with our Ninja Turtles and GI Joes ALL the time.
La Pamplemousse, You frighten me. The End.
CassandraTheEvil,actually, I never turned in the work applications because I'm a lazy bum. I'm just gonna end up getting a job on my college campus (because it'll be easier to fanangle with and I won't have to drive 15-40 minutes when I move out… depending on where I'll ultimately end up living). Yay for college.
Michelleb102, Yes, what is Orophin's deal? Well, that's the mystery, ain't it?
Burger, insert long suffering sigh here. Read the title and description of this story very, very carefully. Do you see "The Fresca Files" or "The Additional Fresca Files" written anywhere in this story? No? Is it so hard to believe that I can write a story completely unrelated to The Fresca Files???
Aryan, Jeez, Nindariel DOES have anger management issues. We'll need to fix that…
So, stayed tuned for the next installment of WYD, Chapter 7, "Step Four: Acquire help and induce Jealousy" comin' atcha as soon as I finish writing it!
And also let it be known… Eomer knows "five ways to make him Orgasm!"
Eomer: HER! HER, DANGIT!
Haldir: I don't think this is a good conversation to have on a family website.
Stuff it, Halli-dear. So, with Eomer's Cosmopolitan obsessions, I bid you goodbye!
