Chapter 49

Indulgence


Elrohir couldn't keep track of the questions showered to him. Not only were the Silvan maidens enthusiastic and curious, they were incredibly friendly and he found them interesting. They were like Arestel in a nutshell and it certainly made him laugh.

They were inside a small room within the lodge; the fireplace gave them enough lighting. He sat on the carpeted floor, surrounded by the curious younger elves, and he answered all their questions politely. The day waned yet the talk went on and on; Lindir had to check the place if Elrohir was still around. And he brought them pastries at the request of Elrond. Tauriel had surprisingly stayed throughout the whole time. She was interested on what Elrohir had to say about his adventures and his mischief, both with Elladan and Arestel.

"And then trolls surrounded us," he continued his story, hands trying to show what he was trying to say. Some of the listeners giggled at this, but nonetheless continued to listen. "There were five of them, all from the mountains, and their weapons were that of ragged daggers that your captain uses."

At that, Tauriel blinked and felt everyone's attention on her.

"Elladan and I held them off. There were lots of fighting, struggling, and one of the trolls got hold of my cape!" Elrohir drew the attention back to him, and his listeners giggled again when his hands motioned about swordplay. "I unclasped my cape and Elladan chopped off the wrist of the troll!"

"Why isn't your brother here?" a maiden asked from the middle.

Elrohir looked at her. "Well, it has been a long journey for both of us. He's more exhausted than you think he is. But he'll meet you, I promise. Maybe tomorrow."

They smiled. "We are yet to see the whole valley. Won't you take us on a tour, Lord Elrohir?"

"Why not?" He chuckled. "As long as my brother gets to accompany us."

"Can we take Lord Glorfindel with us?" another one said.

"If he's not busy," Elrohir answered again. "Aside from Lindir and Erestor, he's the busiest elf in Imladris."

"Are the stories about him true? That he defeated a fiery demon thousands of years ago?" The next question poured in.

Tauriel looked on, interested. How come she had never known? That golden-haired smug captain was a hero who defeated a fiery beast? He didn't look like it. He was too lax to be one. And how did these Silvan maidens even knew? Elrond must have given them Glorfindel's background while the golden elf was out doing his duties as a captain.

Elrohir shook his head, finally feeling uncomfortable about the topic. "He doesn't really talk about it, but perhaps you should ask him tomorrow when we take the tour around the valley. Lord Glorfindel could give you the full details." He proceeded to stand up and fix his grey robes. "It is already late. Dinner will be served soon. I am grateful to have shared this wonderful conversation with all of you. If fate is with us, my brother Elladan might join us tomorrow."

The maidens smiled and bowed. "Thank you, Lord Elrohir."

Tauriel made an effort to bow as well, and her hazel eyes followed the figure of Elrohir as he turned around and left.

At last, the silence was still, and the captain enjoyed it. But as soon as the silence was convenient, the maidens began to whisper and giggle and squeal in satisfaction. Tauriel made sure no one noticed when she rolled her eyes again out of annoyance, and she groaned and went back beside the window sill. Not long after, the other Silvan guards returned. It seemed to her that the guards had been up to something since that afternoon; they looked worn out. She got up once more and approached one of the guards.

"What happened to you?"

"We were admitted into Lord Glorfindel's training sessions," one of the guards answered. "As requested by the Elvenking."

Tauriel nodded in understanding. So that was why Lord Glorfindel dropped by earlier. But why did he have to take Arestel along?


"I am never doing that again!" Arestel complained for the umpteenth time since this afternoon, her eyes sill trying to pierce that smug look on Glorfindel's lips. They were walking along the hallway, on their way to dinner just as Elrohir was.

He chuckled merrily. "Forgive me, Estel. I have no other choice. It was not my fault the Elvenking requested for such a thing!" His smile turned devious. "I never knew you were such an excellent actress. You should have been working out to develop that talent, not running around with warriors."

She punched his shoulder; her cheeks burned red from the memory.

When Glorfindel had called out to her, he led her out into the training grounds where most of the Silvan guards of Mirkwood were gathered. All were equipped in their battle gears and weapons, and she had wondered what the commotion was all about. Then, Glorfindel whispered something on her ear, something dramatically impossible and one of the King's ideas. Glorfindel was asked to train the Silvan guards how to fight effectively with swords, as the Silvan folk were used on using bows and daggers.

"Where do I come in?" Arestel asked exasperatedly that afternoon.

He leaned in again to whisper. "You will serve as the damsel in distress."

"What?!" She flushed red in that revelation. Glorfindel did not let her argue more. He instantly covered her mouth with his big hands, hushing her before she could complain further. Her complains were turned into muffled screams as the Silvan guards looked on. She felt somewhat embarrassed from making such a scene, and eventually halted her screams and proceeded to glare at her friend.

"This isn't the kind of debt I owe you!" She sharply whispered.

Glorfindel held up his hands. "I know, I know," he sounded apologetic. "I am very sorry but I never had the chance to ask King Thranduil why he would choose you, when he could have chosen his captain instead."

She sighed and crossed her arms. "Fine. What am I to do anyway?"

His blue eyes glinted in slyness. "That's the fun part."

Arestel covered face again when she remembered what happened. Glorfindel stopped walking and brought his face near to her. She was squirming in embarrassment and it was certainly a sight to behold. He leaned back, chuckling and patting her shoulder.

"Come now, Estel," he soothed her. "It wasn't that bad. You were an excellent damsel in distress."

She hastily removed his hand off her shoulder and stomped off. "I'm not talking to you for days!"

"Oh, really?" He laughed again, following her. "And how are you going to do that? Let's face it. I am too important to be ignored. And I'm your favorite person in the world, remember?"

She glared at him. "Shut up, will you? You're so full of yourself. It's scary!"

He draped an arm around her shoulder. "But I am your favorite person in the world, yes?"

"Maybe…" Her lips were curled into a small smile. Suddenly, she remembered what she said earlier and playfully shoved him away. "I'm not talking to you, remember?!" She laughed and ran away from him.

Glorfindel followed. "Oh, come on! Give me a break!"


The dinner went perfectly well… as usual. Nothing was out of hand, except for a panting Arestel and Glorfindel, and a delighted Elrohir who kept smiling at his brother at the dinner table. There was a sly glint in the Elvenking's eyes as he conversed with Bilbo Baggins; the two were really close friends despite being sundered for years. Legolas kept to himself, eating his dinner away whilst keeping track of Glorfindel and Arestel's conversation. He had heard of his father's exploits.

Following their usual routine, there were gathered at the Halls of Fire for little sharing of stories. Bilbo recited his newest poem about the beauty of the Shire and how he wished to see it again. When the fire in the hearth died down, it was time for bed, and everyone went on their separate ways.

"You're coming tomorrow, aren't you?" Elrohir asked hopefully at his brother.

Elladan shrugged. "I don't know. You know I'm not the one for social gatherings, especially with maidens."

"Are you conscious, brother?" Elrohir chuckled.

"What, of course, not!" Elladan interjected. "It would be better if you kept your promise and take them to tour the valley."

"Oh, come on. Indulge me for a while, why don't you?" He blocked his brother's pathway with his arms outstretched. "Promise me, brother. You will come tomorrow. You and Lord Glorfindel."

Elladan raised his brow. His brother looked dauntless. He let out a defeated sigh and said, "Very well. I'll keep you company tomorrow. I promise."

There was a smile on Elrohir's handsome face, an Arestel-like smile, and the brothers proceeded to their separated respective rooms.


For some reason, Legolas did not feel like sleeping early tonight. He took Arestel back into the courtyard. The silver fountain roared with its flowing waters. They sat under a shade of an oak tree. Arestel's head was leaned on his shoulder; his arm was around her shoulder while her arm was across his torso. It was a light embrace as they watched the moon and the stars fill the night sky. Legolas kissed her temple gently and smiled when she heard her laugh.

"How's your day today, beloved?" he asked.

"Oh, you wouldn't believe what happened." She felt the need to leave out the embarrassing situation that involved her being a damsel in distress in that afternoon's role-play, seeing as he would only ridicule her about it like Glorfindel. "I introduced Elrohir to your Silvan friends and they were all squealing."

Legolas laughed. "I wouldn't be too surprised." He leaned down to see her face. "And what about your little role-playing game with Lord Glorfindel and the guards today?"

Her face blanched. She removed her head from his shoulder; her eyes staring incuriously at his bright blue ones. Those eyes hinted mischief and it was unfair for him to rule her out on something in which she excelled at. "How…?"

His smirk turned cockier. "I pay attention to everything around me."

"King Thranduil told you? Or did you just eavesdrop?"

"A little of both."

She bit her lip. "Legolas, that's unfair!"

"What can I do?" He laughed, pulling her into his embrace again. He kissed her hair. "Tell me about you being the damsel in distress."

"I had to pretend like a helpless lady. It was awful." Her answer was fast.

"I wanted to watch you," he said, combing his fingers through her thick silver hair. "If I happened to be there, you are the damsel and I am your Prince… which is not very unlikely considering that I am already one and you are my Lady."

She looked up to him. "I am your Lady?"

"I can call you 'Princess' if you want to."

"No way!" She huffed and slammed him on the chest. "Don't treat me like a child with that kind of fantasy!"

"Okay, no," Legolas complied. He leaned down to capture her lips. When the brief kiss was broken, he whispered while his lips still brushed hers: "So sweet, meleth nin."

She buried her face on his chest, cheeks burning redder. "Stop it…"

He laughed loud. "You are terribly adorable when you're shy, meleth."

"Stop teasing me!" Her muffled voice came.

"Okay, I get it," he said. He lifted her chin up to look into her eyes. "Sorry, Estel. Forgive me?" She smiled and nodded. "Good," he said and kissed her again. It was longer than the last time, and he felt her moving closer to him. He smiled against her soft lips before claiming them once again with his own. "I love you very much. More than I love the forest. And I will marry you soon, okay?"

Arestel smiled. "You promise?"

"I always keep my promises, don't I?" Legolas smirked and kissed her again.