"I'm bored, Nana." Luthien complained.
"Well, I can not help you there, can I? Where are your friends?" Melian didn't even look up from her tapestry.
"Not here. Can you not do something with me?" Luthien opened her blue eyes wide and bent her head low, keeping her eyes on her mother. Melian laughed.
"What did you have in mind, Luthie?"
"Well, I don't know. Maybe..oh, never mind! I just thought of something!" Luthien's eyes lit up.
"Alright, run along. But if it is Celeborn you are thinking of, why not give him a day's rest? I think he is in the woods." Melian had guessed correctly, Luthien stopped in her tracks, and turned around. But as she turned, her eye caught sight of her cousin walking over the field with the Lady. Her whole face lit up this time.
"No, Nana, he's right there! I am going to talk to him!" She ran off. Melian smiled. She looked out the window. After seeing who Celeborn was with, she jumped up and chased after Luthien. Luthien had inherited her long legs from her mother, but she still wasn't as fast as the Queen.
"Luthien! I do not think you should interrupt Celeborn at the moment. Try to find him later, when he is no longer in the company of Lady Artanis. Please Luthie." Luthien hesitated. She was too young to understand why she shouldn't run out to her beloved cousin. "How about I make your hair look nice for tonight?" Melian suggested.
"OK." Luthien agreed happily. Melian sighed in relief. She felt that the friendship between Celeborn and Artanis would grow strong. As long as no one tried to stop it.
"So why do you love the forest so much?" The whole day, Celeborn and Lady Artanis had been walking through Doriath, asking questions and learning more of each other. Celeborn refrained from asking any questions that seemed to be nosy, but Artanis questioned to her heart's content.
"I don't know. It just appeals to me. I love the peacefulness that I find there. When I am troubled or need to be alone, the forest is the only place where I can.well, escape to. And yourself?" Artanis raised her eyebrows. Did she dare to tell her new friend the truth?
"Well, I'm much the same as you." She said lamely. Celeborn nodded. "But- well, another reason is.to get away. I mean, leave the world behind me. That is not the only reason, of course, but it is one of them." She stopped there, testing him. Celeborn forgot about being courteous, and went on:
"Get away? How do you mean? From what?" She took a deep breath.
"My brothers. I have not shared this with anyone, so I beg you to keep this to yourself." Celeborn's face softened.
"Of course, Milady."
"They are too over-protective. They do not seem to want to let me go. It is actually mainly Orodreth. He may seem bitter, but I know him better than many. He wants the best for me, but he tries to hide it beneath an almost- permanent mask. He is really kind and gentle. But for him to warm to you, he needs to respect you, and you must respect him. Otherwise you have no chance." Artanis looked down, realising that she did not know Celeborn very well, and here she was, telling him one of her well-kept secrets. Celeborn reached forward and took her hand in his. Strangely, she did not lash out at him, as she would normally to anyone else. He hesitated, but then lifted it and kissed the warm skin softly. He looked at her.
"You need not worry, Lady Artanis. Your secret is safe with me." She searched his eyes for any doubt, yet they remained truthful.
"Thank you." She smiled somewhat sadly.
"Well, it is getting late. Do you think that perhaps I should finally do what I meant to do this morning, and accompany you back up to the palace?" There was a small smile on his face.
"Yes, I think that would be appropriate. My brothers are probably getting worried."
At the bottom of the staircase, Artanis looked at Celeborn as though thinking hard about something. Then, making a decision, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. It left his skin feeling tingly. "Thank you, for everything. I hope I will see you at dinner." With that, she glided away, leaving him both bewildered and flattered.
~*~
"Cele!" A small figure pushed through the crowds and made her way towards the tall Elf.
"Luthie, come here, you little gwilwileth***! I haven't seen you for an entire day!" Celeborn eagerly greeted the child.
"Well that is because you have been walking with the Lady Artanis the whole day and Nana said-" Luthien trailed off as her mother gave her a Look. Celeborn glanced at Melian, then gazed at Luthien again.
"What did your Nana say?" Celeborn enquired. Luthien blinked at her cousin.
"Nana? Nana didn't say anything. Why?" She asked innocently. Celeborn frowned.
"But you just said-"
"Well, I didn't mean to. I am sorry. I was.thinking of other things." She replied pointedly. "If you say so." Celeborn responded with a raised eyebrow. He still wasn't convinced. He looked at Melian, who simply shrugged.
At that moment Finrod and Orodreth walked into the hall. Finrod smiled politely at everyone, but Orodreth gave Celeborn an icy stare with narrowed eyes. Celeborn looked away uneasily. Somehow he didn't think Orodreth liked him too much. But then how was he to make him understand that he and Artanis were meant to be together? Celeborn shook his head, stunned. Where had that thought come from? He was not in love with the Lady. He still hadn't fallen under her "spell" at all. Why should he care if Orodreth seemed to hate him? It wasn't his problem, and besides, the Lords and Lady would probably be leaving Doriath after another year or so. When he thought this through, he wondered if he actually wanted them to leave. He felt a hand touch his shoulder slightly. He looked around, and Artanis smiled at him affectionately. He returned the smile hesitantly, aware of Orodreth's eyes on him.
Artanis tried to seize the opportunity to talk to Celeborn that night, but she could never catch him. She didn't want to admit it, but he seemed to know anyway, so there was no point in trying to hide the fact that she wanted to get to know him better. She felt so content when she was around him, free to speak her mind, and he wouldn't tell her how to act, he'd listen to her, and he would give his opinion, whether it was the opposite to hers or not. Something at the back of her mind told her that she was falling in love with him, yet that thought refused to come forward clearly. She wandered around, talking and laughing along with everyone else, but she was trying to find someone that she could talk to about Celeborn, like Melian. But Melian wouldn't do. She may not tell the truth. She needed someone who she knew would not lie at all. Suddenly she spotted Luthien. Smiling, she made her way over to the child.
Luthien looked up, stunned. Artanis laughed. "Good evening, Little Luthien." Luthien grinned.
"Good Evening, Lady Artanis. Have you been enjoying your stay so far?" She asked sweetly.
"Yes, as a matter of fact. You live in a beautiful place." Artanis answered truthfully. Luthien looked relieved. "Would you still like me to teach you how to make dresses?" Artanis asked. Luthien's eyes widened considerably.
"You meant it? When you said you would teach me?" Her smile was like a window to her feelings. Artanis smiled and nodded.
"Of course I meant it. It is quite foolish to say things you do not mean."
"It is rather, isn't it? When can I have my first lesson?" She asked enthusiastically.
"Does tomorrow suit you?" The Lady's cloudy blue eyes looked into Luthien's bright blue-grey ones. Luthien's face fell slightly.
"Well, it would. But I have lessons with Cele during the day. But maybe after.?" Luthien looked up, hope etched into her face.
"Of course, after would be fine." Artanis smiled. "This dinner is becoming only slightly boring, so to make it more interesting, would you be able to give me a short tour of the Palace? Just a brief tour. You need not show me every room. What do say?" "Of course. Let me show you my room!" She grabbed Artanis' hand and tugged her through the crowds. Celeborn saw this and smiled. Luthien must be delighted. She adores Artanis, he thought. I do as well, come to think of it.
"You have a very pretty room. Did you draw this?" Artanis observed one of the pictures stuck on Luthien's brightly coloured and very decorated walls. Luthien took one glance at the drawing and replied proudly.
"No, that was Celeborn. I have no patience for drawing so carefully and including so much detail." Artanis leaned closer. Indeed, it has much detail. Every leaf is different. Celeborn knows and loves his forest.
"I think he could probably fall in love with you." Luthien said definitely.
"What makes you say that?" Artanis looked at Luthien.
"Well, I do not really know what he thinks of you. I haven't seen much of him since you arrived. And one or two days to go without the company of my cousin is not something I am used to. I never thought he would ignore me like he has been doing lately." Artanis felt bad for the child. She was a small girl, who loved her cousin as she would an older brother, and she felt as though he was ignoring her.
"I am sure he does not mean to be that way. Go and talk to him tonight. He loves you, you know. He told me himself that you are like a baby sister to him." She said comfortingly. Luthien looked up with tears threatening.
"I am?" Artanis nodded. "But if he says that, how come he does not notice me anymore? I waved to him a little while ago and he looked away!" Luthien's bottom lip trembled as a tear travelled down her cheek. Artanis couldn't bear watching her feel so hurt without doing anything to help her. She sat down next to Luthien and wrapped her arms around the small girl, who buried her head into the Lady's shoulder. Artanis relaxed and rubbed the youngster's back instinctively, muttering soothing words.
~*~
***= gwilwileth..um..sindarin word for 'butterfly'- I think. My friend told me that, anyway. (
~~~~~~~~~~A/N- Likies? No likies? I'm sorry I haven't updated for a while *:P a few days....hehe*, but I was sick a whole 10 days, and I didn't have much to do, I can't sleep during the day, so I sat in front of the comp, covered in blankets and drinking tea. :P OK, the comp isn't the best method of getting better, but oh well. I went to school again today, and Whoooooooooo do I have work to catch up on!! An ~*8*~ page essay for history!!! ARG!!!!! I'm only in year 9! What has the class come to?! :P Anyway, I'll try to update ASAP! In the mean time *in stupidly cheerful voice*, please keep reviewing, and thank you to those who already have! ^_^ Byez! *Waves*
"Well, I can not help you there, can I? Where are your friends?" Melian didn't even look up from her tapestry.
"Not here. Can you not do something with me?" Luthien opened her blue eyes wide and bent her head low, keeping her eyes on her mother. Melian laughed.
"What did you have in mind, Luthie?"
"Well, I don't know. Maybe..oh, never mind! I just thought of something!" Luthien's eyes lit up.
"Alright, run along. But if it is Celeborn you are thinking of, why not give him a day's rest? I think he is in the woods." Melian had guessed correctly, Luthien stopped in her tracks, and turned around. But as she turned, her eye caught sight of her cousin walking over the field with the Lady. Her whole face lit up this time.
"No, Nana, he's right there! I am going to talk to him!" She ran off. Melian smiled. She looked out the window. After seeing who Celeborn was with, she jumped up and chased after Luthien. Luthien had inherited her long legs from her mother, but she still wasn't as fast as the Queen.
"Luthien! I do not think you should interrupt Celeborn at the moment. Try to find him later, when he is no longer in the company of Lady Artanis. Please Luthie." Luthien hesitated. She was too young to understand why she shouldn't run out to her beloved cousin. "How about I make your hair look nice for tonight?" Melian suggested.
"OK." Luthien agreed happily. Melian sighed in relief. She felt that the friendship between Celeborn and Artanis would grow strong. As long as no one tried to stop it.
"So why do you love the forest so much?" The whole day, Celeborn and Lady Artanis had been walking through Doriath, asking questions and learning more of each other. Celeborn refrained from asking any questions that seemed to be nosy, but Artanis questioned to her heart's content.
"I don't know. It just appeals to me. I love the peacefulness that I find there. When I am troubled or need to be alone, the forest is the only place where I can.well, escape to. And yourself?" Artanis raised her eyebrows. Did she dare to tell her new friend the truth?
"Well, I'm much the same as you." She said lamely. Celeborn nodded. "But- well, another reason is.to get away. I mean, leave the world behind me. That is not the only reason, of course, but it is one of them." She stopped there, testing him. Celeborn forgot about being courteous, and went on:
"Get away? How do you mean? From what?" She took a deep breath.
"My brothers. I have not shared this with anyone, so I beg you to keep this to yourself." Celeborn's face softened.
"Of course, Milady."
"They are too over-protective. They do not seem to want to let me go. It is actually mainly Orodreth. He may seem bitter, but I know him better than many. He wants the best for me, but he tries to hide it beneath an almost- permanent mask. He is really kind and gentle. But for him to warm to you, he needs to respect you, and you must respect him. Otherwise you have no chance." Artanis looked down, realising that she did not know Celeborn very well, and here she was, telling him one of her well-kept secrets. Celeborn reached forward and took her hand in his. Strangely, she did not lash out at him, as she would normally to anyone else. He hesitated, but then lifted it and kissed the warm skin softly. He looked at her.
"You need not worry, Lady Artanis. Your secret is safe with me." She searched his eyes for any doubt, yet they remained truthful.
"Thank you." She smiled somewhat sadly.
"Well, it is getting late. Do you think that perhaps I should finally do what I meant to do this morning, and accompany you back up to the palace?" There was a small smile on his face.
"Yes, I think that would be appropriate. My brothers are probably getting worried."
At the bottom of the staircase, Artanis looked at Celeborn as though thinking hard about something. Then, making a decision, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. It left his skin feeling tingly. "Thank you, for everything. I hope I will see you at dinner." With that, she glided away, leaving him both bewildered and flattered.
~*~
"Cele!" A small figure pushed through the crowds and made her way towards the tall Elf.
"Luthie, come here, you little gwilwileth***! I haven't seen you for an entire day!" Celeborn eagerly greeted the child.
"Well that is because you have been walking with the Lady Artanis the whole day and Nana said-" Luthien trailed off as her mother gave her a Look. Celeborn glanced at Melian, then gazed at Luthien again.
"What did your Nana say?" Celeborn enquired. Luthien blinked at her cousin.
"Nana? Nana didn't say anything. Why?" She asked innocently. Celeborn frowned.
"But you just said-"
"Well, I didn't mean to. I am sorry. I was.thinking of other things." She replied pointedly. "If you say so." Celeborn responded with a raised eyebrow. He still wasn't convinced. He looked at Melian, who simply shrugged.
At that moment Finrod and Orodreth walked into the hall. Finrod smiled politely at everyone, but Orodreth gave Celeborn an icy stare with narrowed eyes. Celeborn looked away uneasily. Somehow he didn't think Orodreth liked him too much. But then how was he to make him understand that he and Artanis were meant to be together? Celeborn shook his head, stunned. Where had that thought come from? He was not in love with the Lady. He still hadn't fallen under her "spell" at all. Why should he care if Orodreth seemed to hate him? It wasn't his problem, and besides, the Lords and Lady would probably be leaving Doriath after another year or so. When he thought this through, he wondered if he actually wanted them to leave. He felt a hand touch his shoulder slightly. He looked around, and Artanis smiled at him affectionately. He returned the smile hesitantly, aware of Orodreth's eyes on him.
Artanis tried to seize the opportunity to talk to Celeborn that night, but she could never catch him. She didn't want to admit it, but he seemed to know anyway, so there was no point in trying to hide the fact that she wanted to get to know him better. She felt so content when she was around him, free to speak her mind, and he wouldn't tell her how to act, he'd listen to her, and he would give his opinion, whether it was the opposite to hers or not. Something at the back of her mind told her that she was falling in love with him, yet that thought refused to come forward clearly. She wandered around, talking and laughing along with everyone else, but she was trying to find someone that she could talk to about Celeborn, like Melian. But Melian wouldn't do. She may not tell the truth. She needed someone who she knew would not lie at all. Suddenly she spotted Luthien. Smiling, she made her way over to the child.
Luthien looked up, stunned. Artanis laughed. "Good evening, Little Luthien." Luthien grinned.
"Good Evening, Lady Artanis. Have you been enjoying your stay so far?" She asked sweetly.
"Yes, as a matter of fact. You live in a beautiful place." Artanis answered truthfully. Luthien looked relieved. "Would you still like me to teach you how to make dresses?" Artanis asked. Luthien's eyes widened considerably.
"You meant it? When you said you would teach me?" Her smile was like a window to her feelings. Artanis smiled and nodded.
"Of course I meant it. It is quite foolish to say things you do not mean."
"It is rather, isn't it? When can I have my first lesson?" She asked enthusiastically.
"Does tomorrow suit you?" The Lady's cloudy blue eyes looked into Luthien's bright blue-grey ones. Luthien's face fell slightly.
"Well, it would. But I have lessons with Cele during the day. But maybe after.?" Luthien looked up, hope etched into her face.
"Of course, after would be fine." Artanis smiled. "This dinner is becoming only slightly boring, so to make it more interesting, would you be able to give me a short tour of the Palace? Just a brief tour. You need not show me every room. What do say?" "Of course. Let me show you my room!" She grabbed Artanis' hand and tugged her through the crowds. Celeborn saw this and smiled. Luthien must be delighted. She adores Artanis, he thought. I do as well, come to think of it.
"You have a very pretty room. Did you draw this?" Artanis observed one of the pictures stuck on Luthien's brightly coloured and very decorated walls. Luthien took one glance at the drawing and replied proudly.
"No, that was Celeborn. I have no patience for drawing so carefully and including so much detail." Artanis leaned closer. Indeed, it has much detail. Every leaf is different. Celeborn knows and loves his forest.
"I think he could probably fall in love with you." Luthien said definitely.
"What makes you say that?" Artanis looked at Luthien.
"Well, I do not really know what he thinks of you. I haven't seen much of him since you arrived. And one or two days to go without the company of my cousin is not something I am used to. I never thought he would ignore me like he has been doing lately." Artanis felt bad for the child. She was a small girl, who loved her cousin as she would an older brother, and she felt as though he was ignoring her.
"I am sure he does not mean to be that way. Go and talk to him tonight. He loves you, you know. He told me himself that you are like a baby sister to him." She said comfortingly. Luthien looked up with tears threatening.
"I am?" Artanis nodded. "But if he says that, how come he does not notice me anymore? I waved to him a little while ago and he looked away!" Luthien's bottom lip trembled as a tear travelled down her cheek. Artanis couldn't bear watching her feel so hurt without doing anything to help her. She sat down next to Luthien and wrapped her arms around the small girl, who buried her head into the Lady's shoulder. Artanis relaxed and rubbed the youngster's back instinctively, muttering soothing words.
~*~
***= gwilwileth..um..sindarin word for 'butterfly'- I think. My friend told me that, anyway. (
~~~~~~~~~~A/N- Likies? No likies? I'm sorry I haven't updated for a while *:P a few days....hehe*, but I was sick a whole 10 days, and I didn't have much to do, I can't sleep during the day, so I sat in front of the comp, covered in blankets and drinking tea. :P OK, the comp isn't the best method of getting better, but oh well. I went to school again today, and Whoooooooooo do I have work to catch up on!! An ~*8*~ page essay for history!!! ARG!!!!! I'm only in year 9! What has the class come to?! :P Anyway, I'll try to update ASAP! In the mean time *in stupidly cheerful voice*, please keep reviewing, and thank you to those who already have! ^_^ Byez! *Waves*