Chapter 8

                  Artanis stretched with a smile. She turned over and her smile increased.  She ran a gentle hand over his smooth cheek, watching him sleep.

*Thank Eru Finrod left.

Artanis' lips lifted a little more as she grazed Celeborn's lips with hers.

*Finrod would be in Mandos from heart failure if he knew whom I allowed in my chambers…

Celeborn stirred slightly, his forehead creasing as if in distress.  Artanis swiftly froze, waiting until his face fell peaceful again.  She slowly sat up, allowing the sheets to slide off her naked body.

*And know exactly what we did inside my chambers…

                  Artanis slipped on a light robe to watch her adored lover sleep.  She curled her feet up under the robe and leaned back, contemplating how they had come this far in less than a month after Finrod's departure.  Her lips lifted in another smile.  Celeborn had been the perfect gentlemen, but given certain ministrations even that was thrown aside.

*I doubt any suspect.

                  Celeborn stirred again, stretching under the covers.  His graceful moments attracted her undivided attention.  His hands rubbed the sleep from his eyes and his mouth opened with a silent yawn.  His eyes remained shut as he placed a hand beside him, almost searching for her.  His gray eyes flew open when he realized he was alone in the bed.  He sat up quickly, his eyes focusing instantly on her.

                  " I thought you had left," he breathed.

Artanis quickly rejoined him in the bed, snuggling up to him.  She looked up at him receiving a gentle kiss.  They both looked down at their toes at the same time.

                  " I guess we need to speak about this," Artanis said softly.

                  " Aye, I would not wish your reputation soiled on my account," Celeborn replied.

Artanis laid her head on his chest with a mournful sigh.

                  " We should have run into the woods and disappeared when I suggested it."

Celeborn laughed softly, running a hand through her hair and initiating a kiss.

                  " Oh…my…"

                  Both heads darted up to stare at Oropher in the doorway.  The Elf swallowed.

                  " I…I came to ask the lady Artanis if she had seen you, Celeborn.  I guess without a doubt she has," Oropher explained.  " Excuse me, I shall-"

                  " Oropher," Celeborn called him back inside.

The Elf appeared again, shifting from one foot to another.

                  " Yes, master Celeborn."

                  " Please do not speak of what you have seen here."

Oropher nodded his head vehemently.

                  " I would not dream of debasing your reputation in such a way."

Oropher disappeared and the door clicked shut behind him.

                  "Debase my reputation?  Well, I guess he does not approve," Celeborn murmured.

Artanis laughed softly.

                  " I love thee, Celeborn."

He accepted the gentle kiss.

                  " Just as I love you, Galadriel."

Artanis gave a happy laugh.

                  " I knew you called me that last night.  I almost thought you cried out another woman's name."

Celeborn shook his head.

                  " Only you, Artanis."

Artanis shook her head.

                  " Call me Galadriel, Celeborn.  It sounds beautiful rolling off your tongue."

Celeborn nodded.

                  " Galadriel."

~*~

                  Artanis laughed as she left Lúthien's side.  Melian had wished to speak to her.  Artanis paused outside the throne room, hearing Thingol's raised voice.

                  " You sicken me.  This…it…Be quiet!"

Artanis peeked her head inside and winced.  Thingol and Melian were both nearly glaring at her.  Her eyes turned to the slumping Celeborn in a seat nearby.

                  " Am I interrupting anything?"  Artanis asked nervously.

Melian bid her inside.

                  " No, we were waiting for you to begin our meeting.  Take a seat and close the door."

                  Artanis slipped into the seat beside Celeborn.  His eyes lifted briefly.

*Oropher could not lie to Thingol.  He had to tell Thingol where I was.

Artanis' brow creased with anxiety.  She looked up, tilting her head up as two pairs of eyes surveyed them.  Thingol began pacing before them.

                  " Both of you are like my own children which is why I will discipline you as I see fit."  Thingol ran a hand through his hair.  " I awoke this morning to hear maidens whispering of you two.  It seems that Artanis' maids have loose tongues.  I asked Oropher to find Celeborn and the good Elf could not lie."  Thingol's face softened.  " Take no anger out on him either, Celeborn.  You have a hard enough time trying to lie to me."

                  Thingol bent before the two, looking up.

                  " I sent for the two of you because I wanted to make sure it was but a rumor."  Thingol stood abruptly, turning away.  " But I can see it in your eyes that it is not."

Melian stood, coming to the two.

                  " It is unheard of for a Noldo or Teleri to take on a lover.  I know for a fact that both cultures will abhor such a practice.  It is unheard of for the two cultures to even mix."

Artanis shook her head.

                  " What are you saying?"

                  At that Thingol whirled around from his pacing.

                  " Why did you choose the one you did?"  He stood before Celeborn.  " There are many maidens here that would die for you to take their hand."  He turned to Artanis.  " Your brother tells me that you have refused many marriage proposals.  Neither of you are lacking to find one of the opposite sex in your own culture."

                  " What if that is not what I want?"  Artanis asked softly.

Thingol and Melian both looked taken aback for a moment.  Even Celeborn's eyebrows had risen. 

                  Artanis stood.

                  " The Noldor worship me because they can still see what brought them here in my hair.  The Noldo men wish me as a political play piece; someone that will stand behind them.  They fear me and my power."  She glanced back at Celeborn.  " He is secure enough in his place that he does not care if I beat him or not.  He will admit defeat.  I am equal.  No one else will ever treat me that way."

Thingol sighed.

                  " What have you to say, Celeborn?"

                  " Nearly the same.  All the maidens that would die for my hand would also be so submissive they would act as servants.  If I wanted another to control and rule, I would remain single and merely add another member to my troop."

Thingol and Melian looked at each other seeming to communicate silently.  Thingol's face darkened before he nodded with a sigh.  Melian looked up at the two, a dissatisfied expression upon her face.

                  " Than all we can ask is for further discretion from the two of you."  She sent them warning looks.  " And if maturity is not displayed in this relationship I see and you two are blatant with this, I will forbid it and Artanis will return to Eithel Sirion."

The couple nodded.  Thingol waved a hand.

                  " You two are dismissed."

~*~

                  Celeborn and Artanis walked hand-in-hand outside Menegroth's entrance.  Artanis danced away, feeling the soft mist of rain sprinkle upon her uncovered arms.  Celeborn let her dance among the birches and oaks, stuffing his hands in his pocket as he ambled along.  He smiled to himself, hearing her joyful laughter echo through the trees.  Artanis peeked around a tree, finding him leaned peacefully against one, waiting for her to return.

*He uses nothing and yet I am drawn to him as a moth is to light.

                  He lifted up his chin, relaxing wholly upon the tree.  Artanis sighed softly. 

*He does not like having his Lord and Ladies' discontent aimed at him.

Celeborn lifted his head and looked straight at her.

                  " You have steps like a galloping horse."

Artanis pushed herself away from her hiding place, coming towards him.  She extended her hands, taking his and then leaning against him.

                  " Maybe I wanted you to hear me."

Celeborn merely sent her a knowing smile.  Artanis found she loved that small smile.  She gently kissed it, feeling his hands settle at her hips.

                  " If that is your argument, then I will accept it."

                  Artanis brushed hair away from his face.

                  " Do not let Thingol and Melian detract from your joy."

Celeborn sigh.

                  " They are like parents to me."

Artanis nodded.

                  " What of your parents and brother?"

Celeborn shrugged.

                  " They are by the Sea.  They will come here in the winter when the Seas are rough."

Artanis nodded, laying her head upon his chest.  Her hands gently clenched his soft tunic, relishing the feel of it against her face.

                  " Do you really love me, Celeborn?"

                  Celeborn tilted her face up.  She watched his brow furrow as he searched her eyes.

                  " What makes you believe I do not?"

Artanis buried her face back into his chest. 

                  " Nevermind, I am being superficial."

                  " What is it?"  Celeborn prodded.

Artanis tried to pull away, but Celeborn kept a firm grip on her wrist.

                  " Artanis, we are not leaving until you tell me what is bothering you."

                  Artanis put a hand over her eyes before looking up.

                  " I just feel stupid asking this.  I am not one to worry about how people perceive me, but you do not think your family will think I am unworthy of you?"

Celeborn sent her a small smile, hugging her to his chest.

                  " They may frown a bit, but they will not say anything."  He looked down at her.  " I am already the black sheep of the family.  What does it matter if my record becomes blacker?"

                  " Celeborn," Artanis pushed him.

Celeborn tapped his fingers on his lips as he watched her pace a few meters away.

                  " I have never seen you act so vulnerable, Galadriel."

                  Artanis looked up slightly, hugging her waist.

                  " You will not tell, will you?"

Celeborn sent her an understanding smile.

                  " I pray your brother returns here with great haste."

Artanis sent him a questioning look.

                  " And praytell why?"

Celeborn shrugged.

                  " That's my secret, Galadriel."