Partners in crime.
Warning: This story is about to go AU in one important aspect of the relationship between Celegorm and Aredhel. If this bothers you, consider yourself warned!
Aredhel and Celegorm collected their hunting gear from Celegorm's home, all that is except Aredhel's horse, a pretty grey mare, which they quietly removed from Fingolfin's stables.
Food they didn't worry about. They had both eaten well at the feast, and Celegorm knew he could find something to eat in the forests, there were always rabbits about, and at this time the bramble berries were ripe and juicy.
Celegorm however, was much more worried over something else than food or if he and Aredhel would incur Grandfather's wrath for sneaking off. It was something he had to talk to Aredhel about, and for the first time he was nervous about speaking to Aredhel, they had always discussed everything freely and openly. A little too freely and openly sometimes for their mothers' peace of mind, but neither could keep from occasionally setting out to shock their elders, just as they couldn't help but vanish on hunting trips together. Some of the family were slightly scandalised by Celegorm and Aredhel spending so much time together alone. They were cousins and under Elven law they couldn't marry so what was the point of them spending time together? They should be seeking spouses, not playing truant in the woods together.
Frankly, it was exactly that attitude that caused the friends to disappear so often hunting, thought Celegorm as he thought about setting snares for rabbits. He had just decided not to, when Huan bayed, indicating he and Aredhel were on the trail of a deer. Aredhel galloped up with the horses, and Celegorm executed a perfect flying mount onto his bay stallion, something that Aredhel had never mastered despite trying for years.
They were hot on the stag's heels, a cunning animal that had evaded Huan once before, but he didn't get away this time. The stag paused by a small stream, and then leaped, but as he was in mid-air Celegorm loosed his arrow, and felled the stag with a perfect shot.
'Well done, cousin!' Aredhel clapped her hands in delight, and once she'd dismounted joined Celegorm who was already kneeling by the dead stag, preparing to begin butchering it.
'Do you want the hide?' asked Celegorm.
'Yes, please,' Aredhel replied as she began to set up camp, and lit a small fire for cooking. By the time she had finished Celegorm had removed the stag's hide, so Aredhel salted and rolled it while Celegorm finished dressing the meat, and set some to cook on their improvised spit.
It didn't take long for the venison to cook, as both Aredhel and Celegorm liked it fairly rare. They ate their fill, accompanying the venison with some red wine that Celegorm had managed to acquire from his father's store. Huan scorned the cooked meat, preferring his venison raw, and he had dragged a huge piece under a near by tree to consume at his leisure during the night.
The light indicated the mingling of the tree light was approaching, and that Telperion would take over from Laurelin soon. So Celegorm and Aredhel laid out blankets, and settled down for a sleep, as they were both tired from the day; the celebrations, followed by their hunt had worn them out. Aredhel cuddled against her best friend Celegorm thinking how lucky she was to have such a friend, he was much more fun to spend time with than most of her lady friends! And he made such a good pillow too, she thought sleepily as she nestled into Celegorm's warm shoulder and she felt his fingers smoothing her hair from her face.
Celegorm lay still as Aredhel slept. He was not as tired as he had thought, for his mind would not settle, his thoughts kept him awake. He thought of the happenings of two days ago, and wondered how he was to broach that subject with Aredhel. It had begun, he remembered with visiting Grandfather.
Finwe had been delighted to see his grandson, the king's only slight disappointment that Feanor had not accompanied Celegorm, but Feanor's absence had not occupied the King and his grandson for long, as Finwe had another subject to broach with Celegorm.
'I wish to speak to you about your friendship with Aredhel', said Finwe.
'Why? Aredhel and I enjoy each other's company. We are doing nothing wrong!' said Celegorm rather defensively.
Finwe smiled affectionately at his grandson. 'I did not say you were! I want to ask you something, my grandson; just exactly what are your feelings towards Aredhel? Do you consider her just a friend, or is she something more?'
Celegorm considered his answer carefully. 'For a long time, she was but a friend, a good close friend. Then she grew into a charming woman and then, well Grandfather, frankly if she were not my cousin I should wish to wed her. I know that she is the woman Illuvatar intended for me, but it is an impossible dream I have. I can never marry Aredhel, so I will marry no one.'
Finwe guided his grandson to a chair and handed Celegorm a cup of wine. He too sat, and smiled at Celegorm, 'what if I told that the Valar have discussed the situation and that because you and Aredhel are only half-cousins that marriage between you and she might be possible? That it is considered likely that if Feanor's son weds Fingolfin's daughter the tension between my two eldest sons might stop; that their conflict could end?'
'Then for the good of the Noldor, Aredhel and I might wed?' question Celegorm with a look of wonder on his face.
'Indeed, if the lady is agreeable,' said Finwe smiling broadly at the happy expression on his grandson's face. 'As King of the Noldor, I have been asked to tell you of this matter, how it is be resolved is between you and your lady.'
Celegorm looked apprehensive then, before he answered his grandfather, 'What is the best way to ask a lady's hand in marriage, Grandfather?' asked Celegorm
'I cannot tell you that, so much depends on the lady, and on the circumstances of each proposal. You shall have to find the right time and situation to ask Aredhel for her hand.'
Frustrated, Celegorm had stayed to have lunch with Finwe and Indis, and since then his only thought had been proposing to Aredhel, and a certain amount of nervousness about her answer. He decided he had to respect his grandfather greatly, for Finwe had proposed to two women! At different times of course, but surely Finwe was a man of courage to put himself twice through such a difficult experience!
So now two days later Celegorm found himself in a forest, during the duller silver light of Teplerion with Aredhel fast asleep using him as a pillow. And still he hadn't been able to work up his courage to propose to her for she was fast asleep thereby preventing from saying until she woke. Amused by the sheer foolishness of his situation, Celegorm finally fell asleep knowing that Huan would awaken him if a dangerous beast approached.
Aredhel woke before Celegorm and found she had rolled away from him as she slept and was therefore able to rise and tend the fire before Celegorm stirred. She had hot tea made by the time he woke, and they breakfasted on cold venison. Huan was not to be seen, so Celegorm assumed he was wandering about nearby, seeing what was about.
The horses were by the stream drinking but came willingly enough when the elves called them. As Celegorm and Aredhel groomed their horses, Huan appeared with a rabbit dangling from his mouth, clearly he had not wanted venison for breakfast and he lay by the stream to eat it. Once Huan finished his breakfast, he got up and ran to the trail where it wound it's way through the trees and sat down, very clearly expecting his companions to follow him. Aredhel laughed brightly at Huan making it plain he considered it time to go home.
Well, Celegorm thought, Aredhel was in a pleasant happy mood, perhaps he should speak now? But wait, Huan would interrupt as he wished to go home, now. The big hound insisted on only two things: lots of food, and going home when he considered it time. So Celegorm's plans were going to have to wait a while, they would stop for a break in 3 or 4 hours time, because Huan would want a rest. Probably so would the horses by then and that would give Celegorm the opportunity he sought.
The light of Laurelin was bright and warm when the hunters stopped for their rest. The horses immediately began grazing on some lovely fresh green grass, and Huan flopped under a tree, keeping one eye firmly fixed on Celegorm and Aredhel. Something was about to happen between those two, he was sure, and he was never wrong, well, hardly ever.
Aredhel took a long drink from the water bag, and handed it to Celegorm who also took a long drink before reattaching it to his horse. Now, or never, he thought.
'Aredhel, I saw Grandfather two days ago,' he began hesitantly.
'I know', she said, 'Father said to me that Grandfather wanted to see you over something concerning us. I know he knows what it is, but when I asked him, he said you would talk to me soon. So cousin, tell me, what is it, before I burst with curiosity!'
'First, Aredhel, am I just your cousin? Just a friend or more? For that is what was discussed, if you and I as half-cousins should be permitted to marry, if we both wish to, that is,' said Celegorm, sliding an unsure arm about Aredhel's shoulders.
She frowned at him, 'Celegorm, is this what you've been so nervous about? Proposing to me?'
He found it hard to look into her eyes, fearing that she might be angry, and when he did look, he was a little surprised to realise of all things that Aredhel was amused!
'You are laughing at me!' he said, a hurt look in his eyes.
'No, no, I'm not laughing at you, but at this situation we find ourselves in. It is forbidden for cousins to marry, so how could we?' she questioned, taking his hand in hers to prevent him walking away from her.
Celegorm turned back to Aredhel, and placed his hands on her slim shoulders, 'Grandfather said because we are but half-cousins and that if we marry, it might help to end the rivalry between our fathers.'
'So', she began, feigning anger, 'you would wed me for the good of the Noldor people, to heal the breach between the two eldest princes, and for no other reason!'
'Aredhel, it's not like that!! I truly do wish to wed you, because I love you!! He caught her to him in a tight embrace. 'I do love you; I know in my soul that you are meant to be my wife. Please say that you will marry me?'
She regarded him for a moment as she stood within his encircling embrace, and then stood on tiptoe and brushed her lips softly across his. 'Ever since the day you found in the woods, lost and frightened and took me home I have loved you, but I have always thought we could only be friends although I have longed for more. Imagine my shock when Mother told me that as we are cousins we could never wed, so I made up my mind to wed no one. So, yes Celegorm, I will wed you.'
'Yes, you said yes,' he stammered.
'Indeed, I did, so take me home and we can announce our betrothal.'
'Not before I get a proper kiss!' he laughed, and kissed her.
Huan watched happily from under his tree, everything was going exactly as the hound wanted.
Author's Notes: I know some people believe elves don't sleep, and perhaps they don't normally sleep as we do. I propose that elves that are very tired, or those still quite young might.
Warning: This story is about to go AU in one important aspect of the relationship between Celegorm and Aredhel. If this bothers you, consider yourself warned!
Aredhel and Celegorm collected their hunting gear from Celegorm's home, all that is except Aredhel's horse, a pretty grey mare, which they quietly removed from Fingolfin's stables.
Food they didn't worry about. They had both eaten well at the feast, and Celegorm knew he could find something to eat in the forests, there were always rabbits about, and at this time the bramble berries were ripe and juicy.
Celegorm however, was much more worried over something else than food or if he and Aredhel would incur Grandfather's wrath for sneaking off. It was something he had to talk to Aredhel about, and for the first time he was nervous about speaking to Aredhel, they had always discussed everything freely and openly. A little too freely and openly sometimes for their mothers' peace of mind, but neither could keep from occasionally setting out to shock their elders, just as they couldn't help but vanish on hunting trips together. Some of the family were slightly scandalised by Celegorm and Aredhel spending so much time together alone. They were cousins and under Elven law they couldn't marry so what was the point of them spending time together? They should be seeking spouses, not playing truant in the woods together.
Frankly, it was exactly that attitude that caused the friends to disappear so often hunting, thought Celegorm as he thought about setting snares for rabbits. He had just decided not to, when Huan bayed, indicating he and Aredhel were on the trail of a deer. Aredhel galloped up with the horses, and Celegorm executed a perfect flying mount onto his bay stallion, something that Aredhel had never mastered despite trying for years.
They were hot on the stag's heels, a cunning animal that had evaded Huan once before, but he didn't get away this time. The stag paused by a small stream, and then leaped, but as he was in mid-air Celegorm loosed his arrow, and felled the stag with a perfect shot.
'Well done, cousin!' Aredhel clapped her hands in delight, and once she'd dismounted joined Celegorm who was already kneeling by the dead stag, preparing to begin butchering it.
'Do you want the hide?' asked Celegorm.
'Yes, please,' Aredhel replied as she began to set up camp, and lit a small fire for cooking. By the time she had finished Celegorm had removed the stag's hide, so Aredhel salted and rolled it while Celegorm finished dressing the meat, and set some to cook on their improvised spit.
It didn't take long for the venison to cook, as both Aredhel and Celegorm liked it fairly rare. They ate their fill, accompanying the venison with some red wine that Celegorm had managed to acquire from his father's store. Huan scorned the cooked meat, preferring his venison raw, and he had dragged a huge piece under a near by tree to consume at his leisure during the night.
The light indicated the mingling of the tree light was approaching, and that Telperion would take over from Laurelin soon. So Celegorm and Aredhel laid out blankets, and settled down for a sleep, as they were both tired from the day; the celebrations, followed by their hunt had worn them out. Aredhel cuddled against her best friend Celegorm thinking how lucky she was to have such a friend, he was much more fun to spend time with than most of her lady friends! And he made such a good pillow too, she thought sleepily as she nestled into Celegorm's warm shoulder and she felt his fingers smoothing her hair from her face.
Celegorm lay still as Aredhel slept. He was not as tired as he had thought, for his mind would not settle, his thoughts kept him awake. He thought of the happenings of two days ago, and wondered how he was to broach that subject with Aredhel. It had begun, he remembered with visiting Grandfather.
Finwe had been delighted to see his grandson, the king's only slight disappointment that Feanor had not accompanied Celegorm, but Feanor's absence had not occupied the King and his grandson for long, as Finwe had another subject to broach with Celegorm.
'I wish to speak to you about your friendship with Aredhel', said Finwe.
'Why? Aredhel and I enjoy each other's company. We are doing nothing wrong!' said Celegorm rather defensively.
Finwe smiled affectionately at his grandson. 'I did not say you were! I want to ask you something, my grandson; just exactly what are your feelings towards Aredhel? Do you consider her just a friend, or is she something more?'
Celegorm considered his answer carefully. 'For a long time, she was but a friend, a good close friend. Then she grew into a charming woman and then, well Grandfather, frankly if she were not my cousin I should wish to wed her. I know that she is the woman Illuvatar intended for me, but it is an impossible dream I have. I can never marry Aredhel, so I will marry no one.'
Finwe guided his grandson to a chair and handed Celegorm a cup of wine. He too sat, and smiled at Celegorm, 'what if I told that the Valar have discussed the situation and that because you and Aredhel are only half-cousins that marriage between you and she might be possible? That it is considered likely that if Feanor's son weds Fingolfin's daughter the tension between my two eldest sons might stop; that their conflict could end?'
'Then for the good of the Noldor, Aredhel and I might wed?' question Celegorm with a look of wonder on his face.
'Indeed, if the lady is agreeable,' said Finwe smiling broadly at the happy expression on his grandson's face. 'As King of the Noldor, I have been asked to tell you of this matter, how it is be resolved is between you and your lady.'
Celegorm looked apprehensive then, before he answered his grandfather, 'What is the best way to ask a lady's hand in marriage, Grandfather?' asked Celegorm
'I cannot tell you that, so much depends on the lady, and on the circumstances of each proposal. You shall have to find the right time and situation to ask Aredhel for her hand.'
Frustrated, Celegorm had stayed to have lunch with Finwe and Indis, and since then his only thought had been proposing to Aredhel, and a certain amount of nervousness about her answer. He decided he had to respect his grandfather greatly, for Finwe had proposed to two women! At different times of course, but surely Finwe was a man of courage to put himself twice through such a difficult experience!
So now two days later Celegorm found himself in a forest, during the duller silver light of Teplerion with Aredhel fast asleep using him as a pillow. And still he hadn't been able to work up his courage to propose to her for she was fast asleep thereby preventing from saying until she woke. Amused by the sheer foolishness of his situation, Celegorm finally fell asleep knowing that Huan would awaken him if a dangerous beast approached.
Aredhel woke before Celegorm and found she had rolled away from him as she slept and was therefore able to rise and tend the fire before Celegorm stirred. She had hot tea made by the time he woke, and they breakfasted on cold venison. Huan was not to be seen, so Celegorm assumed he was wandering about nearby, seeing what was about.
The horses were by the stream drinking but came willingly enough when the elves called them. As Celegorm and Aredhel groomed their horses, Huan appeared with a rabbit dangling from his mouth, clearly he had not wanted venison for breakfast and he lay by the stream to eat it. Once Huan finished his breakfast, he got up and ran to the trail where it wound it's way through the trees and sat down, very clearly expecting his companions to follow him. Aredhel laughed brightly at Huan making it plain he considered it time to go home.
Well, Celegorm thought, Aredhel was in a pleasant happy mood, perhaps he should speak now? But wait, Huan would interrupt as he wished to go home, now. The big hound insisted on only two things: lots of food, and going home when he considered it time. So Celegorm's plans were going to have to wait a while, they would stop for a break in 3 or 4 hours time, because Huan would want a rest. Probably so would the horses by then and that would give Celegorm the opportunity he sought.
The light of Laurelin was bright and warm when the hunters stopped for their rest. The horses immediately began grazing on some lovely fresh green grass, and Huan flopped under a tree, keeping one eye firmly fixed on Celegorm and Aredhel. Something was about to happen between those two, he was sure, and he was never wrong, well, hardly ever.
Aredhel took a long drink from the water bag, and handed it to Celegorm who also took a long drink before reattaching it to his horse. Now, or never, he thought.
'Aredhel, I saw Grandfather two days ago,' he began hesitantly.
'I know', she said, 'Father said to me that Grandfather wanted to see you over something concerning us. I know he knows what it is, but when I asked him, he said you would talk to me soon. So cousin, tell me, what is it, before I burst with curiosity!'
'First, Aredhel, am I just your cousin? Just a friend or more? For that is what was discussed, if you and I as half-cousins should be permitted to marry, if we both wish to, that is,' said Celegorm, sliding an unsure arm about Aredhel's shoulders.
She frowned at him, 'Celegorm, is this what you've been so nervous about? Proposing to me?'
He found it hard to look into her eyes, fearing that she might be angry, and when he did look, he was a little surprised to realise of all things that Aredhel was amused!
'You are laughing at me!' he said, a hurt look in his eyes.
'No, no, I'm not laughing at you, but at this situation we find ourselves in. It is forbidden for cousins to marry, so how could we?' she questioned, taking his hand in hers to prevent him walking away from her.
Celegorm turned back to Aredhel, and placed his hands on her slim shoulders, 'Grandfather said because we are but half-cousins and that if we marry, it might help to end the rivalry between our fathers.'
'So', she began, feigning anger, 'you would wed me for the good of the Noldor people, to heal the breach between the two eldest princes, and for no other reason!'
'Aredhel, it's not like that!! I truly do wish to wed you, because I love you!! He caught her to him in a tight embrace. 'I do love you; I know in my soul that you are meant to be my wife. Please say that you will marry me?'
She regarded him for a moment as she stood within his encircling embrace, and then stood on tiptoe and brushed her lips softly across his. 'Ever since the day you found in the woods, lost and frightened and took me home I have loved you, but I have always thought we could only be friends although I have longed for more. Imagine my shock when Mother told me that as we are cousins we could never wed, so I made up my mind to wed no one. So, yes Celegorm, I will wed you.'
'Yes, you said yes,' he stammered.
'Indeed, I did, so take me home and we can announce our betrothal.'
'Not before I get a proper kiss!' he laughed, and kissed her.
Huan watched happily from under his tree, everything was going exactly as the hound wanted.
Author's Notes: I know some people believe elves don't sleep, and perhaps they don't normally sleep as we do. I propose that elves that are very tired, or those still quite young might.