Chapter 9
Celeborn vaguely recognized the sound of a fist against his door. He rose quickly, yet delicately for he did not wish to awaken the sleeping beauty beside him. Artanis awoke anyways, missing his warmth beside her. She turned over, watching with groggy eyes as he dressed.
" Celeborn?"
He glanced over at her, fastening his boots.
" Hmm?"
" What are you doing?" she propped herself up on one elbow, giving him a flash of flesh.
" Celeborn, I know you are in there," Oropher's voice came. " Please leave your bed, no matter how tempting it is to stay."
" What is it, Oropher?" Celeborn called back.
" May I be allowed entrance, Celeborn? It is no shouting matter."
Celeborn knelt down, gently kissing his lover.
*I shall return later.
He pulled the covers lovingly over her exposed shoulder. He stood with the rustle of his robes and exited the inner chamber, taking great care to shut the door behind him. Celeborn opened the door, allowing Oropher in.
" What is it?"
Oropher gave a heavy sigh.
" While I thank your haste in leaving you bed, I am thankful it is not an orc attack that brings me. Menegroth would have fallen by the time you rose."
Celeborn raised his eyebrows threatingly, trying to stifle a yawn.
" I am far from being in the mood to jest, Oropher."
" Hard night?" Oropher asked innocently.
Celeborn sent him a hard glare.
" What brings you here?"
Oropher shrugged.
" Melian asks that you escort our visitors to Menegroth's entrance. They are at the farthest post North. You can probably reach it in a couple hours if you hurry."
Celeborn nodded, grabbing his bow and strapping a sword to his side before running out after Oropher. Escorting visitors could mean only one thing…
*I take it Eru answered my prayers about having Artanis' brothers return.
~*~
Celeborn slowed his horse, approaching the post. A Sindar guard met him. He raised his hand peacefully.
" Who are our guests?" Celeborn asked.
The guard motioned for him to follow. Celeborn could see the glow emitted not too far away.
The two sons of Finarfin, Fingolfin himself, (Celeborn stiffened at the next guest) Fingon, a young boy and an unknown red haired Elf sat under the comfort of the trees. Finrod was the first to stand.
" Celeborn," Finrod extended a hand, giving Celeborn a half-hug. "Mae Govannen, brother."
Celeborn's eyebrows rose slightly.
" I am surprised to receive such a greeting, Finrod." He turned to the rest of the group. " Welcome to Doriath. Lady Melian awoke me this night to escort you to Menegroth's entrance."
" How is Artanis?" Orodreth asked.
Celeborn sent him a small smile.
" She is fine. My head is still intact, I believe."
A small laugh went around, but Fingolfin did not smile. Celeborn shook his head slightly.
*When did the leader of the Noldor become such a hard fellow?
~*~
Finrod walked beside Celeborn. Every now and then, the golden haired Elf would glance back. Celeborn glanced at Finrod questioningly. The eldest of the children of Finarfin was dying to say something.
" The boy is Fingon's son, Ereinion and the red haired Elf is Maedhros, eldest of Fëanor's sons," Finrod whispered. " Uncle Fingolfin means to try and have Artanis grow to love him."
Celeborn kept his emotions veiled.
" Artanis has revealed her distaste of the Sons of Fëanor. She confided that this Maedhros already was to ask her to wed him."
Finrod shook his head.
" I tried to convince Uncle, but he would not listen. He thinks Artanis should wed a Noldo."
" I guess this puts a damper on if I wanted to ask you for her hand."
Finrod's head swung to look at the silver haired Elf.
" Be you serious?"
Celeborn nodded.
" Aye, I have never been more serious. My parents are sure to visit in the months to come and I had wanted to present her as my beloved. It all hinged on whether or not you and Orodreth approved."
A smile lit Finrod's face.
" What is it you two speak of so softly?" Fingolfin asked suddenly.
The two Elves looked back and Finrod tried to hide his huge smile.
" Absolutely, nothing, Uncle. Celeborn is quite the jester. He knows every joke in the book." Finrod continued to tell jokes Celeborn had never heard before.
Finrod exchanged a glance with Celeborn.
*We shall speak later. I cannot let you wed her without a proper interrogation.
Celeborn let out a pent-up sigh.
Another Elf had fallen in stride with him. Celeborn glanced at the Son of Fëanor.
" You are the one Artanis loves, are you not?"
Celeborn arched an eyebrow.
" How could you tell?"
Maedhros gave a shrug.
" Your quiver. You bear a silver tree upon it." Celeborn's brow must have furrowed or he looked confused because Maedhros continued. "The Two Trees."
Celeborn shook his head.
" I do not understand."
Maedhros looked up.
" There were two trees: Laurelin and Telperion. Laurelin was the tree of gold; Telperion of white or silver. Maybe it does not mean this to you, but you bear Telperion upon your quiver. Artanis bears Laurelin."
Celeborn shook his head.
" I never knew of your two trees. My name means silver tree."
Maedhros merely nodded.
" Sometimes a name means far more. Sometimes it is a sign of what will be. The Trees lived and died together."
" I pray dying is not my fate," Celeborn replied with a half-smile.
" Maybe living is."
~*~
Artanis closed his door behind her hoping no one would notice the robes she wore or the silver tree mark upon them. Her dress had been far too wrinkled; so after a bit of searching, she had found a thick enough robe to slip over her bare body and look as if she wore more.
" This is most definitely not discretion, Artanis," Thingol's voice came.
Artanis froze, before turning guiltily.
*What trouble will I put
Celeborn in now?
Thingol approached, a twinkle in his eye, though his eyes were still dark with
distaste. He took her elbow gently.
" I suggest you hurry and change, child. Your kinsmen ride here with Celeborn at this moment."
~*~
Celeborn led them inside Menegroth's entrance, hearing the hitched breaths as the Noldor stared.
" Beautiful," Maedhros whispered.
" Celeborn!" A call came. " Where are…"
Artanis ran to them, engulfing her brothers in a joint hug.
" You are safe," she whispered.
Finrod watched Celeborn take a step away from the scene, allowing the reunion to take place without his presence. Thingol approached also, carrying a tunic. Thingol handed to Celeborn with a soft whisper. Celeborn's high cheekbones were lit with a flush as the Elf glanced at Artanis.
Finrod studied his sister then with a smile.
" You look lovely, sister. You are radiant." Finrod tapped his chin teasingly. " Has this anything to do with a certain Captain of the Guard?"
Artanis blushed, pushing her brother.
" Hello, Uncle Fingolfin." She embraced her uncle.
Artanis took a step back sending Fingon and Maedhros curt nods.
" I believe I have never seen you look so becoming, Artanis," Fingolfin said with a smile.
Artanis sent her uncle a smile. Orodreth chuckled.
" So it is true. The taming of Artanis has begun," he said.
Artanis arched her eyebrows with a smile.
" You watch it, Orodreth or I will tame that tongue of yours and cut it out. How would your wife like that?"
Orodreth sent her another cheeky smile.
" Not at all. She would curse you."
Fingolfin lightly cuffed Orodreth's ear.
" Do not speak of that in the presence of a lady."
Thingol then stepped forward, extending his arm to Fingolfin.
" Welcome, Fingolfin, leader of the Noldor, to Menegroth. My wife is busy, but she asked that I convey her welcome also."
Fingolfin took the hand.
" I thank you for the entrance here. I have come but to retrieve my wayward niece."
Artanis' head turned at that as she swung the young Ereinion onto her hip.
" What do you mean, Uncle?"
Celeborn's eyes darkened slightly also, hearing her too calm voice.
Fingolfin turned with a smile.
" Let us discuss this elsewhere."
Artanis shook her head.
" No, if you cannot speak of it in front of those I consider family, then it does not need to be spoken."
Fingolfin gave a tiny shrug.
" Your hand belongs to Maedhros."
Artanis' eyes turned to the red haired Elf. She moved towards him.
" I deny you my hand for it is not fair to you when my heart belongs to another."
Ereinion's tiny face screwed up.
" Are you gonna get all mushy-gushy like Ada and Nana?"
Artanis smiled at him.
" No, I'm not. That is probably the farthest from what I will get here."
Ereinion clapped his hands gleefully.
" A fight, a fight."
Fingolfin chuckled, his face softening. Ereinion leaned into his grandfather's arms.
" Dardar, are Artan's and Ma'dhos gonna fight?"
Artanis walked over to Celeborn, taking his sword from the sheath.
" If it so pleases-"
Celeborn took his sword from her grasp easily. He shook his head slightly. Artanis gave an impatient sigh.
" I will talk to you about it, but my position remains the same."
~*~
Fingolfin let his grandson sleep soundly on his shoulder as he paced the balcony. His eyes turned to the silver haired Elf in the courtyard below. His niece suddenly appeared. Her fingers danced upon Celeborn's shoulders. Celeborn's eyes followed her as she skipped away. Celeborn simply clasped his hands behind his back, almost as if expecting her to come back.
*Artanis will leave him there. He makes no moves.
Artanis reappeared, extending her hands to Celeborn. To Fingolfin's surprise, Artanis then submitted herself to a kiss. Fingolfin could only stare.
*By Eru, blessed Mandos, she is in love with the Sindar…
~*~
Finrod crossed his arms, shaking his head when he saw his sister's lips brush Celeborn's.
" Celeborn, my friend, I wish to speak with you."
Celeborn felt no discomfort as he kept an arm around Artanis' waist. Artanis rested a hand on his shoulder, brushing a stray silver strand away from his face.
" Must you speak with him now?" Artanis asked.
Finrod smiled to himself.
*Artanis is so deeply in love, I doubt at times that she remembers her name.
" Yes, darling sister."
Celeborn kissed her again.
" Later, Galadriel."
Artanis' rare radiating smile glowed with a glimmer of white teeth. She turned off, joining Fingon, Orodreth and Maedhros. Finrod glanced at Celeborn.
" Galadriel?"
" My name for her," Celeborn translated.
Finrod nodded. The two began a slow walk among the trees in the great caverns of Menegroth. Finrod sighed.
" There is no reason that I can find to ban you from my sister. I wholly approve of giving her hand to you. I will ask Maedhros to drop his right and give it to either you or for Artanis to choose."
Celeborn nodded.
" Word came a few minutes ago that my parents and brother and his family should arrive a few months from now."
Finrod nodded.
" I would like to meet your family." He glanced at Celeborn. " I like to know the family of those that are joining it."
Celeborn gave a half-sigh of relief.
" I am glad you are as lax about this as I hoped. I feared you would wish someone worthy of Artanis, such as a Noldo, like yourself."
Finrod stopped Celeborn.
" You are as worthy of my sister as anyone could be. No one is worthy of her, but she loves you. It is obvious."
Celeborn smiled to himself, enjoying that thought.
~*~
Artanis snuggled against his cooling flesh. She lay in front of him, feeling his warm chest against her back. They were overly careful to be sure no union was ever formed on nights as passionate as this. Artanis turned over, running a hand down his face. He watched her with half-open eyes.
" I love you," she whispered.
He smiled slightly, reaching out a hand to the sweaty tendrils framing her angelic countenance. She closed her eyes at his touch.
" I wish we were in your room," she whispered.
" Why?"
Artanis snuggled against his chest.
" I would know that I would still be lying beside you in the morn."
Celeborn gently kissed her neck.
" I will remain beside you this night until the morn."
Artanis shook her head.
" Tis too dangerous. Finrod might wake me."
Celeborn sat up, rubbing his eyes. He reached for his leggings just as a telltale squeak indicated that the door had been opened. Artanis and Celeborn exchanged wide-eyed and terrified glances. The two were frozen in place as Orodreth came around the corner. Luckily, Celeborn had finished pulling up his leggings. Orodreth's eyes darkened in anger.
" What in Arda is going on here?"
Artanis pulled the sheet up as she sat up.
" Orodreth," she began.
Her brother's eyes turned to that of one in pain.
" You have taken on a lover, Artanis?"
Artanis looked down.
" Aye."
Orodreth shook his head.
" I know Finrod is to grant Celeborn your hand." He sent Celeborn a displeased look. " At least you have the decency to do that right."
Artanis glanced at Celeborn questioningly. He kept his head down, his face flushed.
" Orodreth, you will not tell will you?" Artanis asked.
Orodreth sighed.
" I should, but that would only cause Uncle to make you wed Maedhros. I am not heartless enough to see you suffer by Maedhros' side."
" Orodreth, is Artanis up?" came Finrod's voice.
Celeborn dropped his head into his hands.
*What a mess…
Artanis leaned over, rubbing his back softly.
*They will not refuse me what I want.
Celeborn looked over at her and drew strength from her fearless face.
*Thank you.
She nodded slightly as Finrod came into view. Artanis wrapped the thick burgundy sheet around her body, turning to Celeborn so he could tie it up under her undone hair.
Finrod could only stare. His hand went to his sword. Orodreth put a hand on his brother's arm, watching the couple's swift movements.
" Let them be, brother. If this is what she needs to be happy, then so be it."
Finrod shook his head.
" No one defiles my sister."
Orodreth physically blocked his brother.
" It takes two, in case you have forgotten."
Finrod's sharp intake of breath indicated his realization of the fact.
Two shining heads looked up at him. Finrod sighed, looking down.
" I hate to ruin your morning with bad news, but Uncle will not let Maedhros forfeit his right to Artanis."