Oh merde merde merde. A dog. Huan. Celegorm. What am I supposed to fucking do? Run? Stay still? Please Huan be alone in those freaking wood. Please!
Out of context, but can we talk about the size of this mutt? His head must be at the level of my shoulder! Even bigger than a dire wolf in Game of Thrones! Shocked! The beast must have sensed my change of mood because it started to growl softly and by instinct my gaze was planted on the ground, making me bend my back slightly. This a particularly good reflex because staring at animals, especially dogs, can be taken as a sign of defiance and that is not what I am looking for… I started to move back slowly, keeping him in my field of vision, we will avoid the bug jumping on me..., with a bit of luck I will be able to reach Aclar quickly and get out of here before his master arrives... or I will be eaten by Huan. You never know. I do not know this dog.
"Where do you think you're going, intruder?"
Merde. Wait, is it me, or did the dog just speak? I looked up a little to get a better look at Huan and the voice resumed while his mouth did not open.
"Are you stupid or just deaf? What are you doing half on the floor?"
Ah yes. Youpi. Celegorm. Couldn't you wait to get here? So, I could get away from here? No? I got up slowly without meeting Huan's eyes and looked for the only possible human form in this forest. Except for me of course. As I continued to look for him, a shiver ran through me, and I suddenly felt a presence behind me. Before I could turn around, my back was already crashing against the nearest trunk, and I could only look up at the angelic face of Celegorm. Damn it hurts! I am not made of steel shit!
"What's wrong with throwing people on wood like that? I could have broken something! And then get out of the way stp. Don't you know about living space? Coronavirus? Ah yes, you didn't get it here… lucky bastard."
His reaction was to put his arm on my throat and press gently but firmly anyway to warn me that he could crush my breathing voice at any moment. I gave him my best hypocritical smile while staring at his face. I am relieved of these perfect elf faces. No, but seriously it is not nice of everyone to have made them so physically perfect.
"Speak better intruder, don't you know who I am?"
I rolled my eyes. Of course, I know who you are, espèce de caca! Who do you think I am? But if I tell you that I know you, that I know your future too, it is like I am offering you reasons on a silver plate to kill me on the spot. And that, no thank you. Might as well play dumb and survive than try to be Ms. Know-it-all and show it.
"Uh, no? And I should know? All I see here is an arrogant guy."
" Arrogant me? Have you never heard of Celegorm, son of Fëanor, son of Finwë? The best of them all? And who are you anyway? What family do you come from?"
"Never heard of a Celegrom or Celegorm. And for your information, know that I am the daughter of a rich and powerful lord."
Your uncle. But you do not need to know that now.
"Your name?"
"Nenlissë."
"What are you doing in these woods?"
"I was... walking? Are we not allowed to do that now?"
He raised an eyebrow and despite looking at me suspiciously, he released me from his arm on my throat and walked away from me. Thank you for giving me back my breathing space Celegorm. Now adieu.
"Where do you think you're going? You are on my uncle's land and so you must be taken to his dwelling so I can know if you are telling the truth."
"What? I refuse-"
"Oh, it would be such a shame if I unintentionally allowed Huan to eat your arm. Or your leg. After all, he has not eaten anything and must be hungry."
Celegorm placed a hand on the top of his doggie's head. Doggie who decided to show me his fangs. Seriously Huan! I thought you were nice and all. Like it is just for Luthien but not me being nice? Thanks!
"Listen, I don't want to argue with you about the usefulness of arresting me for almost nothing so I'm going to come in very nicely and you won't have to threaten me with anything okay?"
He did not answer me but a big smile formed on his lips and he waved me past him. I answered him by rolling my eyes and emitting a small whistle between my teeth. Aclar joined us and Celegorm did not comment on his arrival. I took his bridle in my hands and turned to Celegorm.
"Which way to your uncle's castle?"
"To not know and live in this area, you must live in a cave all year round..."
He huffed and took the lead but left Huan to close the gap. What were you thinking? I am going to savor my 'revenge' when you finally know who I am. Your cousin.
"Follow me."
The journey was quick and quiet and soon we could start to see the front of Arafinwë's mansion, the few people we passed looked at us strangely but none of them made any comment. Celegorm abruptly opened the door and grabbed my sleeve to pull me into the dining room where everyone was still there. As he entered, Arafinwë stood up and stopped whatever move he was going to make when he saw the situation I was in. I met his gaze and a wide smile played on his lips, instinctively understanding the situation.
"Good morning my dear nephew, we have been waiting for you."
"Hello uncle, I am glad to see you and I see my aunt has already arrived. How are you?"
"For the best, but... Why does Nenlissë seem to be your prisoner?"
"You know this wanderer, Uncle? I caught her on your land and she had no permission so I thought I should inform you of this."
Behind Arafinwë, I saw Angrod choke on his glass of water and burst out laughing. Celegorm glanced at him in puzzlement but did not seem to question the amused smiles on everyone's faces. Arafinwë approached his nephew and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Turco, Nenlissë is my daughter. Adoptive, perhaps, but my daughter."
Celegorm turned to look me in the eye. I gave him a contrite smile and shrugged.
"Your daughter? My cousin? Wait, what?"
"Yes. Your cousin."
I moved away from him and wanted to sit at the table but Arafinwë stopped me.
"Don't sit down Nenlissë, we had all finished and I had just suggested we go outside to play a little game. "
Oula... a little game with Arafinwë is never a game. I saw Artanis roll her eyes behind her father before coming to take my hand. She led the way out with me in tow. How will he make us suffer today? When we arrived outside, our horses were waiting for us, along with our bows, and a bag was lying on the ground next to the horses. I can feel it already.
Arafinwë went to his stallion and stroked his muzzle before turning to us.
"This morning when I got up, I learned that my dear nephew, son of Fëanor, was coming. So I thought it would be a good idea to set us a little challenge to see if my children are stronger, more skilled, and clever than my half-brother's."
I have a bad feeling about this...
"So I'm going to give you a little survival challenge! In teams of two, you will have to spend a whole night in the forest without my men finding you! My sister, Findis, will draw the teams at random."
Findis approached her brother with a box in her hand and pulled out the first paper.
"Ambo and... Artanis!"
Disappointed not to be with my dear Galadriel... But well. Maybe being with Finrod will be beneficial and I will have less chance to die... Angrod can be a good choice too. Anything but Celegorm because I want to stay alive a little longer.
Findis put his hand back in the box and I crossed my fingers, praying that someone would answer my call and not put me with Celegorm.
"Nenlissë and..."
Each second seemed like hours, I saw her hand move in slow motion... Nah I am kidding. The rest happened at normal speed.
"Celegorm!"
Damn it! Eru fuck you!