It was mid-afternoon. The heat of the sun was at its strongest, the birds were having a small rest, the flowers of the gardens were all drooping in the heat and the guests (with the exception of the hobbits) were battling with a poor siesta due to the lack of decent luncheon. All that had been provided was dry bread and a few pitchers of spring water, which as Eomer observed showed a decided lack of imagination from the host. However the seasoned warrior Mablung who had been overseeing the serving did not look as though he would take criticism especially well and so the King of the Mark had wisely held his tongue.
In the Hall of the Fire Frodo had been forced to abandon his tome on the fall of Gondolin and was being forced to listen to the story being properly related by Elrohir who was trying in the only way he knew to make up for the bruised hairy toes.
Frodo was intently bored. Elrohir had no gift for storytelling, he did not impersonate Glorfindel very well, his representation of a Balrog left a lot to be desired and it was in fact time for his afternoon snooze. Many of the other elves who had gathered around the fire had attempted to put their own details in here and there, which had led to one or two pitched battles when they did not agree on the Lady Aredhel's dress colour. These had proved to be the only realistic part of the narrative.
Faramir had attempted to listen in and feebly protested as the fourth spate of sword rattling started but as the other more important people (Aragorn and Eomer) declined to help he very quickly gave up. This turned out to be a wise decision as Pippin and Merry emerged from behind the 'Valley in Spring' tapestry, ambushing both parties and knocking them onto the floor.
It was then, with Lindir and Gelmir pulling each others' hair and Haldir shouting out obscenities about the Noldor that Celebrian, newest member of the WMU walked in. She ignored her son who as subtly as possible slid behind a tapestry, gave a look of scorn to the elves on the floor, simpered slightly at Aragorn (she decided that he certainly did not have hairy toes) and then cleared her throat to make sure everyone present was listening.
"It is time for everyone here to make themselves look presentable and assemble in the central courtyard." Celebrian announced, "You will then be given tasks to do so that the evening's festivities can proceed smoothly. I expect everyone to be ready and prepared to assist in no less than an hour."
This statement was greeted with protests and groans. But on hearing this, Gimli (who had started following Celebrian around whenever he could) started waving his axe around and raging about good-for-nothing elves who sat about without a care in the world and Kings who were unable to build decent houses expecting other people to do all the hard work. As the axe started swinging closer and closer to the pristine hair of Haldir and the bruised toes of Frodo people started to shuffle away with the vague inclination finding somewhere else to practice being slovenly.
Once the hall was clear Gimli bowed to Celebrian and offered his assistance in any way he could, for the diamonds of Moria were no longer bright, the gold of Erebor was dimmed and all the jewels beneath the earth could not equate with her kindness. Celebrian thanked him profusely for ridding the hall of the layabouts and called out to Mablung to start bringing the flowers into the hall.
Between the meagre luncheon he had served and then Mablung and his kitchen staff had been scouring the gardens, picking every single flower they could find. This task completed they cheerfully brought as many as they could carry into the Hall of the Fire and dumped them in a large pile in the centre of the room, wondering what they were then supposed to do with them. Already a few were beginning to look a bit battered and limp.
But Galadriel was sweeping through the newly appointed compost heap and had already plucked out a few of her favourite roses. Deciding that they would look particularly nice in the bridal bouquet she started to converse with her fellow WMU members as to how the rest should be arranged.
Smiling at her mother, and satisfied that she had a task which would occupy her, Arwen and Rosie for the rest of the afternoon Celebrian went in search of her husband to try to find a solution to the problem of the rescue attempt being a total disaster.
Elrond's Study
Gandalf, Bilbo and Elrond were enjoying a few minutes of relative peace. Cirdan was gone (no one really cared where to), Frodo was not whining to anyone, the WMU were relatively quiet and the obtuse men from Gondor and Rohan seemed to have found some other occupation. Elrond being the wise and learned elf that he was had firmly decided that what went on outside the walls of his chamber was nothing to do with him. Anyone who could not see that was frankly not worth bothering with. So if people came to him complaining of the lack of food, the presence of too many trees in the kitchen, the quantity of dwarves in the cave behind the waterfall then they could seek the help of someone better positioned than he to sort out their tribulations. Especially as the helpful people from the kitchen had supplied him with a fresh carafe of wine.
Bilbo had now obtained enough material to finish his book on 'The Fairer Race.' He felt that his research had been detailed, thorough and from an objective viewpoint. It was clear to him that whilst there may be a few elves whom were of a sensible nature these were not the norm, so how on earth a people had managed to survive this long was beyond comprehension. In the lull of drama (and indeed to make sure he cross referenced the subject in enough depth), Bilbo started to discuss the 'art gallery' which Cirdan was opening with Gandalf and Elrond.
"So what exactly is going to be going on within this enterprising gallery?" The filthy hobbit asked, slurping down another glass of wine. "From what Rosie tells me it sounds quite revolutionary!" Clearly hoping for a story which involved scantily clad ladies of dubious reputation making a mockery of the elven lords in public, Bilbo looked up eagerly at the Wizard and host.
"Oddly enough there is no such venture," Gandalf admitted with a heavy sigh. "The whole point of making the rumour up was so that Cirdan might leave and be a killjoy somewhere else. Sadly it hasn't really worked."
"That may be due to you not employing the services of my two sons," Elrond put in thoughtfully. "This could well prove to be a large oversight on our part. Generally speaking for tasks which require irritating and annoying other people they do get the job done with great equanimity, even if it isn't done in quite the way we would have wanted."
"A sad oversight on our part indeed," Gandalf agreed with a heavy sigh. "But such things happen. We shall not make the same mistake twice."
Their peace and reflections were rudely shattered by a door being flung open and a distraught Aragorn rushing in. Hard on his heels followed Glorfindel who had almost regained possession of what sanity he owned.
"My Lord," Aragorn cried in anguish, "I bring terrible news! Your beloved wife, of who we all rejoiced so heartily to see once again and whom brings such light into the merry valley of Imladris, whose beauty illuminates us all, has fallen into shadow!" Here Aragorn carefully moved Glorfindel away from the wine, and pushed him firmly into a chair which Bilbo had vacated in an attempt to reach for more paper for his ramblings.
"It cannot be," Gandalf whispered tensely, the realisation dawning on him of what had come to pass.
Elrond paled and sank into his chair, shaking uncontrollably. How could he have allowed this to happen? How was it possible that after all his care, ministrations and wisdom, she could had caved in to such darkness?
Glorfindel, seeing that no one was paying much attention to him sneaked around Aragorn and refilled Elrond's goblet. In transferring it back to its rightful owner the goblet was drained by the noble councillor twice, which started to make him see things a little more clearly.
Drinking deeply, Elrond considered what was now to be done. There was no point in running. There was no way to hide, nor was this something he could pay no heed to.
"Well," Glorfindel said brightly, in an attempt to break the tense atmosphere. "I think we should all confront her about this. Perhaps there has been a terrible misunderstanding which means that we cannot comprehend. Womenfolk have always had a different way of thinking to our logical ways."
"Perhaps this is a test," Bilbo mused, "As you have been apart for so long perhaps she is trying to make sure that you do actually love her rather than..." The hobbit sensibly finished mid-sentence. This earned him a withering look from Elrond.
"I'm not entirely sure what you are referring to," Celebrian commented levelly to the hobbit, "However I would rather that you did not address my Lord and Master in such a disrespectful manner. Save that for Cirdan." Celebrian returned to the door she had entered through, closed it firmly and turned to attend to the company.
"I know you are upset that I have joined the WMU," Here Elrond stifled a sob, "But please bear with me, it is all for a very good cause. Now, enough of the sulking," This was aimed at Elrond, "And tell me if you have sorted out how Legolas is going to rescue Idril. We all know that he won't be able to do it alone, and we have only got three hours to formulate a plan."
"To make matters even more interesting," Gandalf said happily, relighting his pipe, "The rescue is going to take place in a non-existent tower. I am really looking forward to it, this evening promises to be most entertaining."
Celebrian groaned. Perhaps she had been too hasty in saying that she would deal with the issues of sorting out the WMU. How any of them managed to get through the day unattended was simply incredible.
"Where is Legolas anyway?" Celebrian asked to the room in general. "I haven't actually met him yet. Perhaps there is more to him than we all think?" But even as she said this, from the look on the faces of her companions it was clear this was a vain hope.
"He is a wood elf that cannot climb trees," Glorfindel poetically announced, springing to his feet. "A wandering minstrel that cannot sing. A teller of tales that cannot manage to recount the simple tale of Gondolin. He is an archer that cannot find a bow, a prince that is destined never to wear a crown,"
"And someone who is locked into a cupboard a few rooms away," Bilbo chipped in, hoping to quieten Glorfindel who was becoming quite animated. "Perhaps if we were to explain to him what was going on then he would be able to attempt a rescue and then as the fireworks start and everyone is distracted someone else more deserving could rescue Idril."
"You may have the beginnings of a plan," Elrond said slowly, "Go and fetch Legolas here," This was directed to Glorfindel who could be trusted sometimes to do his Lord's bidding, "And see that no one else finds out."
Celebrian hummed tunelessly to herself as Glorfindel hurried off to retrieve the Mirkwood prince. She pointedly ignored the glowering looks that were coming off Elrond who was now feeling so intensely betrayed he was almost annoyed. The smell of pipeweed coming off Gandalf was not improving his mood and he was well aware that the scent would linger in the room for many months to come. Added to which there was almost no wine left.
Glorfindel reappeared in a matter of minutes with Legolas in tow. The prince looked more composed than he had for a while and seemed quite pleased to have an audience with someone other than the WMU. When Celebrian introduced herself as the newest member Legolas' face crumbled.
"Don't panic," Celebrian said with a merry laugh. "I didn't really mean it when I said I was passionate about being a member. It was so difficult to stand there and say how important it was to be part of such a brilliant organisation when actually all I wanted to say to them was why are you being such pains in the-"
Here Gandalf tactfully butted in with a "So do you know what is going on this evening? And have you worked out where you need to be?" This was said slowly and clearly so that there could be no confusion.
Legolas considered this. All he knew was that Idril was in the tower, and that he had to rescue her at some stage. It had occurred to him that as elves are very long lived there may perhaps not be a time frame set to this task. In which case he could take as long as he wanted. That would mean his love song which would illustrate how wonderful a prince he was would be completed. "No." He replied carefully. "I don't think anyone has said when this will take place. Only that it will. As sure as the sun will rise, as certain I am as of the waxing and waning of the moon, I will rescue Idril."
Elrond rolled his eyes skyward. "It is tonight Legolas. That means we have to have you ready and in position to rescue Idril in less than three hours. Arwen has the key to the tower, I do not have a spare and there is no other way into it except if you were to fly."
Legolas looked crestfallen. There was simply no way the melody would be completed in time.
Bilbo, remembering something about his travels towards a mountain that contained a dragon turned to Gandalf; "What about getting a spider to spin a web to make a ladder? Surely they would love to see the happy union of two such people."
Gandalf sighed with a fair amount annoyance. "The elves of Mirkwood did not see fit to let the spiders live. They were all destroyed when the darkness was cleared out of Mirkwood. I believe we can blame Legolas himself for some of that." This was delivered with a withering look at the prince.
"Alas!" Legolas cried softly, "What is to become of me? Am I to remain in Arda, wondering the wild, bound to the grief of losing my one true love!"
Celebrian looked as though she was about to be sick. It was quite obvious that Legolas was really not the one for Idril if she really was Elrond's daughter. Even Arwen had better taste.
"All you need to do Legolas," Celebrian said with a fair amount of aggression in her voice, "Is to tell Gimli that the door of the tower is the entrance to a famous mine. That way you will be able to get through it."
"And Elrond will have a reason to redecorate that tower!" Glorfindel delightedly exclaimed. "Really, my lady, how did we not see the simple, logical explanation to this conundrum? It is so simple when you put it like that!"
Gandalf raised a bushy eyebrow at Celebrian. He knew that she possessed a good sense of direction, as well as a the knowledge of the absurdity of the WMU and yet she had failed completely to specify which tower.
The North East Tower
Idril had now been trapped in the blasted tower for nearly a week. She was totally fed up with this imprisonment and was furious that everyone else was getting to spin tales, move trees, design fireworks (the bangs could be heard throughout the valley), drink wine, fight each other and even upset the noble Shipwright.
The WMU had at first spent a few hours of each day telling her to put on the lovely dress (it was a hideous shade of magenta) compose a song about how handsome Legolas was and generally to be a bit more grateful that they were helping her along the road to true happiness. Idril's response to these ministrations had not been dissimilar to the feelings Elrond's cat had expresses when Elladan had inadvertently placed it by the tail into a pond containing one of the Master of Rivendell's noble councillors. Galadriel, using all the wisdom she had found in her long life came to the conclusion that Idril was merely expressing the nerves which was such a common problem amongst brides to be.
Idril had become more and more rude to the WMU as the days had past, until she had addressed the Queen of Lorien in a manner that would have caused even Cirdan's eyebrows to be raised. Since then, no one had been to see Idril and for the past two days Idril had been alone with only the spiders to talk to.
And as the sun reached its peak she was visited by a rather large moth.