LOVE'S LABOR LOST
PART NINE
Elrohir slipped silently through the dark forest, almost invisible in his Lorien cloak, made for him by Eloessa as a gift. She had given them to his brother and father, as well. He knew it had not been meant as a heart gift from her. But he treasured it. He wore the cloak whenever he traveled and believed it carried the blessing of Eloessa in its making.
He saw torches in the treetop flets of the city's residents, but the paths beneath the trees were largely empty of people. He easily avoided the occasional passerby, turning aside in his cloak to disappear behind the large trunk of a nearby tree. With the information provided by Glorfindel, he knew he was close to the place Eloessa had dwelt these many months.
He meant no harm with this nighttime visit. The behavior of his grandparents was so mysterious and out of character he felt he had to see Eloessa alone to understand what was really going on. He wanted to talk to her at a time and place where she would not be constrained by the affection or influence she felt from Lady Galadriel. He also wanted privacy to explain his conduct and apologize for having, as Arwen diplomatically put it, "the sensitivity of an Orc with a toothache."
Arwen had strongly supported his journey, even when their father doubted its wisdom. Only Elrond's continuing sense of danger looming over Lorien had finally prompted him to give his consent. Though he had not said so, Elrohir suspected Elrond knew his lack of permission would not have stopped his son from going.
After hearing Eloessa had been hurt and was in grave danger of not recovering, Elrohir prepared to ride to Lorien, alone, within the hour. Elrond at first reasoned with him, then threatened to put him in bonds if he did not stay and wait for more information. At a cost that he wasn't sure his father appreciated, Elrohir finally agreed.
He had tried to be patient, but the lack of response to his father's inquiries had nearly driven him mad. He had never felt relief like he did when they finally received word that Eloessa had recovered enough to leave Lady Galadriel's care. Arwen had wept with joy. Even Elrond's eyes had appeared moist.
But no further message came. There was never an explanation of how the children of Gilrond were hurt in the first place. Elrohir thought Celemedril or Eomeril would have sent word so other travelers from Rivendell could take precautions, but he heard nothing. The silence from Lorien seemed ominous. Elrohir's fear for Eloessa had begun to grow again.
But now, as much as he wanted to see Eloessa again, his footsteps seemed to slow the closer he got to her talan. How would she react at seeing him again, after he had turned aside her confession of love? How could he make her understand that he really did love her and had for many years?
He stopped for a moment and pulled out the leather pouch Eloessa had given him the day she left Rivendell. She had left her heart in his keeping, she said. He gently shook the token she'd left him into his hand. The single heirloom of the House of Gilrond, the entwined mithril swans glittered in the starlight. Of its origins he knew only that the brooch had been brought by Gilrond out of Valinor and later given by him as a bride-gift to his wife Evasta.
That Eloessa had entrusted him with this priceless inheritance in the face of his rejection gave him the only hope he possessed that she would listen to him now. He knew he would have to fully confess his burdens and his mistakes, the full truth of which even his family did not know. Maybe then she would understand.
**************************************************************************** *******
Well he remembered the day he first knew he loved the spirited, talented Elf. He had come to his grandmother's bower with a message from Lord Celeborn. He and his brother Elladan had returned to Lorien for the first time in many years, after patrolling long in the north with the Dunedain. They had diverted here to meet with their mother, who was expected any day from Rivendell.
It was autumn and the light in the chamber had been golden but sharp, throwing all objects into relief. He heard a beautiful voice singing of the lomelinde, the nightingale in Galadriel's garden. He looked for the singer and saw Eloessa. Her golden head was bent over the tapestry she embroidered. Her face lifted into the light to continue her song and Elrohir's breath left his body. Her expression radiated peace and joy as she sang and sewed with her sisters in the workroom. The feeling in the room was peaceful, yet powerful, and overwhelmingly female. Elrohir suddenly felt out of place and feared to disturb the song and the spell. He withdrew before he was noticed.
He walked alone in the forest for several hours. He contemplated his love for her and mused in true lovesick fashion on all her wonderful qualities: Her gifts as a broideress, her singing, and her quick wit and of course, her golden beauty. He was going to do this right. He even planned on getting his friend Celemedril's consent. He would then spend quite some time delightfully persuading Eloessa to marry him. He had never doubted that they would wed. He forgot all about delivering his message.
But in the end he had never approached Celemedril or confessed his love to Eloessa.
The next day, the lone survivor of his mother's escort arrived, mortally wounded, on the borders of Lorien. Before he died, the Elf reported a large party of Orcs had overwhelmed the group at night in the Redhorn Pass, slaying everyone but Celebrian. Unusually for Orcs, they had taken Celebrian prisoner and fled into one of the innumerable tunnels and holes the Orcs possessed in the Mountains. The surviving guard had been left for dead.
At first, Elrohir had been tempted to slay the man on the spot for not following to save his mother. Thankfully, his brother Elladan stayed his hand, pointing out that if he had pursued, the man certainly would have died and they would not know what happened to Celebrian.
Elladan and Elrohir rode out within hours, taking with them fifty Lorien Elven warriors in full armor. Rarely did the Elves venture forth in force in the latter part of the Third Age and many that watched the warriors ride out were reminded that never again would a true Elven army set forth to battle in Middle Earth.
With the information provided by the dying guard, the brothers located the most likely area for the Orcs' tunnels. They set a watch on the entrance of several, with the main force of the Elves hidden some distance away. After two nights, their patience was rewarded and they captured three smallish Orcs. By the application of means the brothers never afterwards discussed, the Orcs were persuaded to lead the Elves through the tunnels.
They hid in the caves with their informers for many hours, listening to the foul speech of the other Orcs and forcing their prisoners to translate. Finally they formed a plan and sent a messenger back to the others. As designed, the larger force of the Elves mounted a noisy attack at the entrance of the tunnel to draw off most of the Orcs. The brothers stowed their captives in a small hole, binding and gagging them.
They used the diversion above to search the dark pits and stinking holes for their mother. They did not at first find her, and grew increasingly desperate. They had so far not called out for fear the remaining Orcs would set up an alarm. Finally, Elladan dared to speak their mother's name. "Celebrian! Mother! Where are you? It is Elladan, and Elrohir. Mother, please, help us find you." Elladan's voice seemed hoarse and rough.
At last Elrohir thought he heard something. Faint came their mother's voice in the blackness. They followed it and at last found her. There were several Orcs guarding her cell but they did not live long enough to know what fell spirits came upon them in the dark. Celebrian was chained to the wall, weak and bitterly wounded. Elrohir smote the irons that held her so hard sparks flew and the stone wall split.
Elladan carried their mother tenderly from that dark place. Celebrian spoke but little. They met several parties of Orcs hurrying up to join the battle at the tunnel entrance. Elladan was hampered from fighting while carrying Celebrian, for she was too weak to walk. Elrohir fought like one possessed and dead Orcs piled round about them.
Finally the brothers neared the entrance. The Lorien Elves had slaughtered the attacking Orcs and their corpses fairly blocked the tunnel. The warriors helped clear a way for the brothers to exit from the Orc den. More Orcs could be heard coming to join the fight from deeper levels. Elladan and an escort of a dozen warriors went back to the Golden Wood with their mother. Elrohir stayed to fight with the rest of the Lorien contingent.
The Elves of Lothlorien had lost many of their number over the years to Orc raids in the Mountains and now they took full payment for what had been taken from them. The Elves, led by Elrohir, ranged back through the tunnels at will and killed every Orc they met. At last, all the Orcs in the area were dead or driven so far into the deeps the Elves could not find them. By Elrohir's order, the corpses were dragged out of the tunnels and piled in a huge mound in the rocks of the Pass.
Elrohir was the last to leave. It was dark outside. He stood under the stars and thought he would never be clean of the stench of blood, death and Orc refuse. His eyes seemed to have no light in them as he gave the order for the corpses to be burned. With the fire still burning in warning, the Elves mounted and left the Mountain.
By ways that Elrohir had never understood, Galadriel could send word at need to Elrond without messengers. She summoned Elrond this way now. In less than two weeks, Celebrian's husband was at her side, healing her with all his considerable wisdom and skill. Celebrian did recover bodily and for a time, Elrohir thought all would be well. But his mother was not the same. She did not laugh or even smile, no matter what her family did to lighten her heart. Even Arwen, when she arrived, did not change Celebrian's sad and somber mood.
All her children remained close at hand for some months in Lorien, wanting to heal their mother's spirit. Their father spent many hours holding Celebrian close while they sat in Galadriel's garden, the only place Celebrian would go outside her room. But then she stopped even going to the garden.
One day Elrond came from his wife's room looking far older than before. He called his children together. When they arrived, Galadriel and Celeborn also were there, silently holding hands. Elrond announced he would escort Celebrian to the Grey Havens and she would take ship to the West, the only place she would find peace from the horrible memories of her captivity. All the pleading and arguing made no difference. Elrond would not let his children continue to bother Celebrian when she had made her decision.
But that night, Elrohir went to his mother's room in hopes of talking to her one last time, and saw his father and mother together. Elrond was kneeling beside Celebrian and weeping bitterly while Celebrian held his head and shoulders in her lap. Elrohir had never before seen his father cry. He must have made some sound for Celebrian looked up. Elrohir saw only that she wept no tears over his husband's grief. He did not see the infinite sadness and helplessness in her eyes. He turned and left without speaking.
The family traveled back to Rivendell in easy stages through the southern Gap of Rohan, avoiding the Misty Mountains. Several weeks later, Elladan and Arwen accompanied Elrond to see Celebrian off to the Grey Havens, but Elrohir refused to go. When his father returned, Elrohir saw a new sadness and reserve settle over Elrond's countenance. It would remain there for as long as Elrond abided in Middle Earth.
And Elrohir swore he would not risk a love so consuming that when it failed, it could slay without killing, leaving the survivor little better than a wraith.
So he locked away his newfound love for Eloessa and tried to avoid her. He managed successfully for many years, until last winter in Rivendell. There they met again. He had seen Eloessa's feelings for him kindle and then burn brightly. His own love had blazed up in response and he was helpless before it.
But his old fear of surrendering his heart to the keeping of another had cast shadows over his mind. He knew he could not accept her offering of love unless he returned it fearlessly and in full measure. Until that time, he thought it kinder to give Eloessa no encouragement in her feelings.
Then word had come of her injuries. At the thought of losing her before they had made a life together, his fear of being hurt vanished like smoke. He had ridden to Lorien to confess his love and protect Eloessa from the danger threatening the Golden Wood.
PART NINE
Elrohir slipped silently through the dark forest, almost invisible in his Lorien cloak, made for him by Eloessa as a gift. She had given them to his brother and father, as well. He knew it had not been meant as a heart gift from her. But he treasured it. He wore the cloak whenever he traveled and believed it carried the blessing of Eloessa in its making.
He saw torches in the treetop flets of the city's residents, but the paths beneath the trees were largely empty of people. He easily avoided the occasional passerby, turning aside in his cloak to disappear behind the large trunk of a nearby tree. With the information provided by Glorfindel, he knew he was close to the place Eloessa had dwelt these many months.
He meant no harm with this nighttime visit. The behavior of his grandparents was so mysterious and out of character he felt he had to see Eloessa alone to understand what was really going on. He wanted to talk to her at a time and place where she would not be constrained by the affection or influence she felt from Lady Galadriel. He also wanted privacy to explain his conduct and apologize for having, as Arwen diplomatically put it, "the sensitivity of an Orc with a toothache."
Arwen had strongly supported his journey, even when their father doubted its wisdom. Only Elrond's continuing sense of danger looming over Lorien had finally prompted him to give his consent. Though he had not said so, Elrohir suspected Elrond knew his lack of permission would not have stopped his son from going.
After hearing Eloessa had been hurt and was in grave danger of not recovering, Elrohir prepared to ride to Lorien, alone, within the hour. Elrond at first reasoned with him, then threatened to put him in bonds if he did not stay and wait for more information. At a cost that he wasn't sure his father appreciated, Elrohir finally agreed.
He had tried to be patient, but the lack of response to his father's inquiries had nearly driven him mad. He had never felt relief like he did when they finally received word that Eloessa had recovered enough to leave Lady Galadriel's care. Arwen had wept with joy. Even Elrond's eyes had appeared moist.
But no further message came. There was never an explanation of how the children of Gilrond were hurt in the first place. Elrohir thought Celemedril or Eomeril would have sent word so other travelers from Rivendell could take precautions, but he heard nothing. The silence from Lorien seemed ominous. Elrohir's fear for Eloessa had begun to grow again.
But now, as much as he wanted to see Eloessa again, his footsteps seemed to slow the closer he got to her talan. How would she react at seeing him again, after he had turned aside her confession of love? How could he make her understand that he really did love her and had for many years?
He stopped for a moment and pulled out the leather pouch Eloessa had given him the day she left Rivendell. She had left her heart in his keeping, she said. He gently shook the token she'd left him into his hand. The single heirloom of the House of Gilrond, the entwined mithril swans glittered in the starlight. Of its origins he knew only that the brooch had been brought by Gilrond out of Valinor and later given by him as a bride-gift to his wife Evasta.
That Eloessa had entrusted him with this priceless inheritance in the face of his rejection gave him the only hope he possessed that she would listen to him now. He knew he would have to fully confess his burdens and his mistakes, the full truth of which even his family did not know. Maybe then she would understand.
**************************************************************************** *******
Well he remembered the day he first knew he loved the spirited, talented Elf. He had come to his grandmother's bower with a message from Lord Celeborn. He and his brother Elladan had returned to Lorien for the first time in many years, after patrolling long in the north with the Dunedain. They had diverted here to meet with their mother, who was expected any day from Rivendell.
It was autumn and the light in the chamber had been golden but sharp, throwing all objects into relief. He heard a beautiful voice singing of the lomelinde, the nightingale in Galadriel's garden. He looked for the singer and saw Eloessa. Her golden head was bent over the tapestry she embroidered. Her face lifted into the light to continue her song and Elrohir's breath left his body. Her expression radiated peace and joy as she sang and sewed with her sisters in the workroom. The feeling in the room was peaceful, yet powerful, and overwhelmingly female. Elrohir suddenly felt out of place and feared to disturb the song and the spell. He withdrew before he was noticed.
He walked alone in the forest for several hours. He contemplated his love for her and mused in true lovesick fashion on all her wonderful qualities: Her gifts as a broideress, her singing, and her quick wit and of course, her golden beauty. He was going to do this right. He even planned on getting his friend Celemedril's consent. He would then spend quite some time delightfully persuading Eloessa to marry him. He had never doubted that they would wed. He forgot all about delivering his message.
But in the end he had never approached Celemedril or confessed his love to Eloessa.
The next day, the lone survivor of his mother's escort arrived, mortally wounded, on the borders of Lorien. Before he died, the Elf reported a large party of Orcs had overwhelmed the group at night in the Redhorn Pass, slaying everyone but Celebrian. Unusually for Orcs, they had taken Celebrian prisoner and fled into one of the innumerable tunnels and holes the Orcs possessed in the Mountains. The surviving guard had been left for dead.
At first, Elrohir had been tempted to slay the man on the spot for not following to save his mother. Thankfully, his brother Elladan stayed his hand, pointing out that if he had pursued, the man certainly would have died and they would not know what happened to Celebrian.
Elladan and Elrohir rode out within hours, taking with them fifty Lorien Elven warriors in full armor. Rarely did the Elves venture forth in force in the latter part of the Third Age and many that watched the warriors ride out were reminded that never again would a true Elven army set forth to battle in Middle Earth.
With the information provided by the dying guard, the brothers located the most likely area for the Orcs' tunnels. They set a watch on the entrance of several, with the main force of the Elves hidden some distance away. After two nights, their patience was rewarded and they captured three smallish Orcs. By the application of means the brothers never afterwards discussed, the Orcs were persuaded to lead the Elves through the tunnels.
They hid in the caves with their informers for many hours, listening to the foul speech of the other Orcs and forcing their prisoners to translate. Finally they formed a plan and sent a messenger back to the others. As designed, the larger force of the Elves mounted a noisy attack at the entrance of the tunnel to draw off most of the Orcs. The brothers stowed their captives in a small hole, binding and gagging them.
They used the diversion above to search the dark pits and stinking holes for their mother. They did not at first find her, and grew increasingly desperate. They had so far not called out for fear the remaining Orcs would set up an alarm. Finally, Elladan dared to speak their mother's name. "Celebrian! Mother! Where are you? It is Elladan, and Elrohir. Mother, please, help us find you." Elladan's voice seemed hoarse and rough.
At last Elrohir thought he heard something. Faint came their mother's voice in the blackness. They followed it and at last found her. There were several Orcs guarding her cell but they did not live long enough to know what fell spirits came upon them in the dark. Celebrian was chained to the wall, weak and bitterly wounded. Elrohir smote the irons that held her so hard sparks flew and the stone wall split.
Elladan carried their mother tenderly from that dark place. Celebrian spoke but little. They met several parties of Orcs hurrying up to join the battle at the tunnel entrance. Elladan was hampered from fighting while carrying Celebrian, for she was too weak to walk. Elrohir fought like one possessed and dead Orcs piled round about them.
Finally the brothers neared the entrance. The Lorien Elves had slaughtered the attacking Orcs and their corpses fairly blocked the tunnel. The warriors helped clear a way for the brothers to exit from the Orc den. More Orcs could be heard coming to join the fight from deeper levels. Elladan and an escort of a dozen warriors went back to the Golden Wood with their mother. Elrohir stayed to fight with the rest of the Lorien contingent.
The Elves of Lothlorien had lost many of their number over the years to Orc raids in the Mountains and now they took full payment for what had been taken from them. The Elves, led by Elrohir, ranged back through the tunnels at will and killed every Orc they met. At last, all the Orcs in the area were dead or driven so far into the deeps the Elves could not find them. By Elrohir's order, the corpses were dragged out of the tunnels and piled in a huge mound in the rocks of the Pass.
Elrohir was the last to leave. It was dark outside. He stood under the stars and thought he would never be clean of the stench of blood, death and Orc refuse. His eyes seemed to have no light in them as he gave the order for the corpses to be burned. With the fire still burning in warning, the Elves mounted and left the Mountain.
By ways that Elrohir had never understood, Galadriel could send word at need to Elrond without messengers. She summoned Elrond this way now. In less than two weeks, Celebrian's husband was at her side, healing her with all his considerable wisdom and skill. Celebrian did recover bodily and for a time, Elrohir thought all would be well. But his mother was not the same. She did not laugh or even smile, no matter what her family did to lighten her heart. Even Arwen, when she arrived, did not change Celebrian's sad and somber mood.
All her children remained close at hand for some months in Lorien, wanting to heal their mother's spirit. Their father spent many hours holding Celebrian close while they sat in Galadriel's garden, the only place Celebrian would go outside her room. But then she stopped even going to the garden.
One day Elrond came from his wife's room looking far older than before. He called his children together. When they arrived, Galadriel and Celeborn also were there, silently holding hands. Elrond announced he would escort Celebrian to the Grey Havens and she would take ship to the West, the only place she would find peace from the horrible memories of her captivity. All the pleading and arguing made no difference. Elrond would not let his children continue to bother Celebrian when she had made her decision.
But that night, Elrohir went to his mother's room in hopes of talking to her one last time, and saw his father and mother together. Elrond was kneeling beside Celebrian and weeping bitterly while Celebrian held his head and shoulders in her lap. Elrohir had never before seen his father cry. He must have made some sound for Celebrian looked up. Elrohir saw only that she wept no tears over his husband's grief. He did not see the infinite sadness and helplessness in her eyes. He turned and left without speaking.
The family traveled back to Rivendell in easy stages through the southern Gap of Rohan, avoiding the Misty Mountains. Several weeks later, Elladan and Arwen accompanied Elrond to see Celebrian off to the Grey Havens, but Elrohir refused to go. When his father returned, Elrohir saw a new sadness and reserve settle over Elrond's countenance. It would remain there for as long as Elrond abided in Middle Earth.
And Elrohir swore he would not risk a love so consuming that when it failed, it could slay without killing, leaving the survivor little better than a wraith.
So he locked away his newfound love for Eloessa and tried to avoid her. He managed successfully for many years, until last winter in Rivendell. There they met again. He had seen Eloessa's feelings for him kindle and then burn brightly. His own love had blazed up in response and he was helpless before it.
But his old fear of surrendering his heart to the keeping of another had cast shadows over his mind. He knew he could not accept her offering of love unless he returned it fearlessly and in full measure. Until that time, he thought it kinder to give Eloessa no encouragement in her feelings.
Then word had come of her injuries. At the thought of losing her before they had made a life together, his fear of being hurt vanished like smoke. He had ridden to Lorien to confess his love and protect Eloessa from the danger threatening the Golden Wood.
