Imladris Revisited
By: DLR 2002
Disclaimer: Ditto, ditto
Elrond/OFC
Rated:PG13 for violence
Chapter 29
"Elrond" exclaimed Gandalf, striding up to him.
"Mithrandir," responded Elrond, taking a handful of nuts from the bowl on the table.
"I needed to speak with you earlier."
"I was not receiving anyone this afternoon."
"That does not change the fact that I needed to speak with you," retorted Gandalf.
Elrond looked at him. "I am here," he said, eating the nuts. "Speak."
"You are missing the point," admonished Gandalf, with some heat.
Elrond looked around. The dining hall was beginning to fill up. "Calm yourself. What is the point?"
"I needed to speak with you and your servant stated I could not."
"Oh?" inquired Elrond, wondering what might be a nice reward for Lindir.
"He actually barred my way." Gandalf bristled .
"Did he, now?" A very nice reward.
"And he had the audacity to ask me to leave!" exclaimed Gandalf, indignantly. "I insist that you speak with him."
"Indeed I will." Elrond began a mental inventory of his rings and other jewelry.
"After all," said Gandalf, "it may have been important."
Elrond stopped chewing. "You mean it was not?"
"Of course it was," said Gandalf, flustered.
An eyebrow went up. "Then speak."
"Nay, later, in private."
"I thought it could not wait," said Elrond with a dangerous look in his eyes.
"Lady Culurien," remarked Gandalf. "How lovely you look."
"Thank you, Mithrandir." She looked back and forth to each of them. "What are you two fighting about?"
"Nothing," said Gandalf, quickly.
Elrond continued to scowl as he reached for the nuts once again.
Culurien tucked her arm through Elrond's. "Come and speak with my cousin."
Elrond reluctantly allowed himself to be led away, not without a dark look at the wizard.
During dinner, Legolas sat next to Culurien as her guest. It was a pleasant affair, with delicious food and plenty of wine. In some areas, maybe too much wine as some revelries became raucous.
"It is such a lovely evening," Culurien remarked as she laid her napkin down, determined to get away from the noise. "Will anyone walk in the gardens with me?"
Elrond smiled. "I will join you shortly. Either take someone or wait for me. Do not go alone." He crossed the room to speak with Glorfindel.
"Why can you not walk in the garden alone?" asked Legolas, incredulous.
"There is no reason, really," Culurien said. "Just vague fears. There are so many strangers in Imladris right now. I have had an uncomfortable feeling of being watched, lately."
Legolas looked at her with wide eyes. "Strange that you should say that. There was a man in the garden when I left you earlier and it seemed odd."
"Yes, I saw him as well."
"Was he at dinner tonight?" asked Legolas. "How long will all of these guests stay?"
"Most will be leaving in a day or so, save you of the fellowship, and yes, I noticed him at dinner."
"Was he watching you then?"
"Yes," Culurien said quietly.
"You must tell Lord Elrond," Legolas insisted.
"There is no crime in staring at someone. I have no wish for any guest to leave here insulted."
"Your well-being comes before petty grievances."
"We do not know that my well-being is in jeopardy," argued Culurien.
"All indications are pointing in that direction," Legolas argued back.
Culurien sighed. "Never mind, I have no wish to walk in the gardens any more."
Legolas looked ruefully her. "I have been irritating. I apologize."
Culurien laid her hand on his sleeve. "No apology necessary."
"As long as you are not going outside walking, I think I will retire," said Legolas. "It has been a long day. Good night, Cousin." Culurien looked around her. She and Legolas had been walking as they talked and she found herself far away from the dining hall.
The Hall of Kings was a little way to her left and the massive door was open. That is odd, she thought, for the door always stood closed.
"Legolas," she called, but he was gone.
Culurien paused, looking at the door. I am in the house, I have nothing to fear, except maybe this room, she thought, which always made her a little uneasy, all those statues and warriors.
She stood in the doorway and peered inside. She saw nothing. There were candles on the table in the corridor, and she lit one. She walked into the room about ten feet and the candle went out, extinguished by the draught coming through the doorway.
Drat. She turned to leave and froze. The man Brandir stood in the doorway, effectively blocking her exit.
He had a bottle of wine in one hand and he took a long drink while he gazed at her in the dim light. "Looking for someone, Lady?"
Culurien said nothing, her eyes wide.
"I cannot help but notice the way you stare at me, Lady." He curled his lips in a sneer. "Tired of all those pretty elf boys, are you?" He snickered, coming closer. "Think you can handle a man?" He licked his lips.
Culurien's brain worked feverishly. She took a deep breath and smiled inticingly. "I can handle anything you wish to give me." She put her hands on his shoulders and pulled him closer.
All the color drained from his face as she brought her knee up sharply into his groin.
"You little bitch," he gasped and reached out his arm to grab her. He got a handful of her bodice and pulled, tearing it.
Culurien took hold of his wrist and yanked it towards her, positioning her foot so that he tripped, falling flat on his face.
She side-stepped him as he fell and ran out the doorway, closing and locking the heavy door behind her.
She raced back to the dining hall, her heart pounding wildly. "Elrond, Elrond!" she cried as she entered the room. Everyone ceased talking at once and stared at her.
Culurien promptly fainted, falling to the floor.
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Windy, she thought, why is it so windy? Culurien's eyelids struggled open. There was a crowd of people gathered around her as she lay on a couch, all of them fanning her.
"Stay," she cried, covering her face.
"Culurien," Elrond said with intensity, shaking her a little. "What has happened?"
"It was Brandir," she whispered. "He is locked inside the Hall of Kings."
Elrond and Gandalf exchanged looks. "Did he touch you?" demanded Elrond, his face growing dark as he took in her torn dress and disheveled appearance.
"No," she whispered, "although he meant to. He was drunk."
Elrond frowned. "What were you doing in the Hall of Kings?"
Culurien looked around. "Legolas and I were talking . . . I do not know . . . he left . . . the door was open, it was odd, so I went in and . . . and . . . ," she started to make choking noises.
"Here." Elrond gave her some water. "Brandir was in the hall?"
"Yes, but behind me, in front of the door," she whispered.
"You escaped him?" asked Elrond, "How?"
She gave him a thin smile. "I remembered my lessons."
He smiled back at her. "Maer sell,"* he whispered, touching her face.
He stood and his expression changed instantly. He looked at the circle of elves around him and collected the eyes of his captains. "Come with me."
"What has happened?" asked Hirion.
Elrond looked at him with ice in his dark eyes. "Your companion Brandir, has insulted Lady Culurien with unwanted attentions." Hirion paled slightly. Elrond turned on his heel and left the room. Several elves followed him.
Arwen came and put her arms around Culurien as they watched the males go out.
"What will happen?" whispered Culurien.
"I know not," Arwen whispered back. "The last time I saw that look on Adar's face was when Naneth* was captured by the orcs."
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Pippin turned to Merry. "Where are they going?"
"I do not know," Merry answered. "Let us follow them."
"I am with you."
Frodo looked up. "Where are you going?"
"With them," Merry said.
"You cannot possibly be of any help," said Frodo.
"We just want to see what happens," said Pippin. "Gandalf and Strider are going too,"
"Do not get in any trouble," warned Frodo.
"Cousin," said Merry. "When do we ever get into trouble?"
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*Good girl.
*Mother