"What kind of name is Tess?" he blurted out.
Tess narrowed her eyes at him and replied, "what kind of name is Celegorm?"
He huffed, "a normal name for an elf. Is Tess short for something?"
Her cheeks flushed, and he grinned at her. Oh, how the tables have turned now. "Come now, we are to be companions after all. I am sure it is not that bad."
Tess turned her head and mumbled softly. With his elf hearing, he did catch her name but seeing as she had tormented him for the past week, it was time to return the favor. "Sorry," he drawled with a long purr. "I didn't quite catch that?"
"It's Tessandra," she spat.
Celegorm smirked. Honestly, it wasn't that bad of a name. Tess was a decent shortened name, abet a little odd. At least he had something to lord over her head if she annoyed him. In his silky voice, he called out, "a beautiful name for a beautiful woman."
She snorted and then huffed in her cell. He was enjoying himself much more now than previously. His companion seemed to really hate her name as she moved back to her cot and laid down. Grateful for the silence, he proceeded to drift off into a light slumber. If they had to fight their way out tomorrow, he needed to be at full strength. He was startled out of his slumber by a large banging against his cell. His jailer had arrived with his evening meal.
The elf in question looked at him with such hatred and loathing he wondered if he personally killed someone he loved. He didn't care to find out, nor did the elf offer up the information to him. Instead, he was greeted by silence from most of the elves, with the exception of the prince. If he ever came face to face with that smug little bastard outside of these halls, he's going to knock his teeth out. Maybe his knees too, but he wouldn't be greedy.
His cell door clanged open, and a second elf came to stand behind him with a sword. Celegorm rolled his eyes at them. He could have easily overpowered both of them, but the underground halls were a maze, and he was smart enough to realize he probably wouldn't make it out alive. He had time anyway, so he waited.
The glaring elf had a bowl in his hand. The bland porridge was all they fed him, and he only received it once a day. He knew it was to keep him weak, but he took whatever food they gave him without a word. However, just as he did yesterday and the day before, the elf spit a long strand of saliva into his bowl. Knowing he was leaving soon, he said, "thank you. I couldn't imagine another day of bland porridge. It might have some taste and flavor now."
The elf got visibly upset as he clenched the bowl tightly in his hands. Celegorm thought he was going to break it and end up with no dinner. The other elf grabbed his arm and said, "leave it. Perhaps tomorrow, you should add some shit to it. See if he eats it then."
The elf liked that idea as he smiled darkly at him. He set the bowl onto the ground and then closed the door behind him with a thud. Celegorm waited until their footsteps died off before he reached for the bowl. He smirked to himself as he scooped out the area that had the spit in it and flung it between the bars of his cell. The porridge made a small splat as it landed on the rocks in the cavern. Then, he dug into his meal with gusto.
He had grown up with six brothers. A little spit wouldn't kill him, and he's eaten much worse, but that little trick came in handy multiple times when he was younger. As he scooped his bland meal into his mouth, he thought about his brothers again. It was so strange to be alone. He couldn't remember the last time he had been by himself this long. While he is an avid hunter, the twins usually joined him, or he came home after a few days. Time felt different in Mandos, and he never felt truly alone. He knew his brothers were there with him and that gave him comfort. Now, he had no idea, and that bothered him. He didn't really know if he could survive a long time without them, but now he had no choice.
After he scraped the bowl clean, he tossed it outside of his cell. Some days it rolled off the side and fell into the cavern, and he always smirked at the idea that he was ruining their bowls. He planned on doing it every day, but he didn't know if they would keep feeding him after that.
Time crept by, and he found himself looking over towards Tess's cell periodically. She was still asleep or pretending to be asleep. She did that a lot, but he wasn't sure if that was normal for humans or if she was just bored. A soft pitter-patter of feet grew nearer, and then the red-headed she-elf came into view. Without a glance at him, she snatched up the bowl and kept on walking. He tried speaking to her on his first day and was hoping to woo her to open the cell.
The prince didn't like that, and Celegorm knew he had feelings for her. It was written all over his face, and every time the prince came, he teased him mercilessly for it. They had gotten into a few spats here and there, but then the she-elf just avoided him and only focused on Tess.
Now, she was back and carrying food on a tray for Tess. Celegorm noticed Tess received much better food than him, but it wasn't a lavish feast by any means. The she-elf knocked on the cell door, and he had to snort at the politeness.
Tess rolled over and said, "hello. Is it dinner time?"
The she-elf nodded, "yes. I brought you a small plate of food. Some meat, bread, and fruit. After you finish, I will escort you to the bathing pools where you may clean."
He rolled his eyes at that. So far, he had been there a week without a chance to clean. They took Tess almost every night, and he wondered if they were scared he would try to escape if they took him. Or they wanted to make him suffer, but he was actually fine with being dirty. It never bothered him.
While Tess ate, she started to question the she-elf, and he eavesdropped on the conversation.
"Will this be the only bath I get for the next few days? Seeing as there's some big festival tomorrow night."
"Yes," the she-elf nodded. "The king granted permission for a bath tonight. That way, we can focus on the festivities tomorrow."
"Hmm," Tess replied as she ate. "What is so special about tomorrow? Something for the prince?"
The she-elf nodded but then became more reserved and cautious. "Yes, it is his begetting day."
"So," Tess said smugly. "What's so great about the prince's birthday? He's probably like a thousand years old. Does anyone really care that he ages another year?"
Celegorm had to hide his smirk. She was good and now that he knew her plan, he admired the way she baited the elf into giving her information. Just as he suspected, the elf got upset.
She bristled and clucked, "the prince will be 3,000 years old. It is a huge milestone, and the king wishes to celebrate his only child's begetting day. Perhaps mortals do not care about their short lives, but elves cherish theirs."
Tess shrugged and added, "I mean, sure, but it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. Why celebrate 3,000 years when you live forever? Wouldn't it make more sense to celebrate things that matter? I am sure there are elves older than 3,000. What makes this age so special?"
He smiled to himself and waited eagerly for the elf to reply. Celegorm could see where she was going with this, but he was sure the she-elf didn't. It took a while for her to answer, and then when she did, it fell flat.
"The king celebrates each of his son's begetting millennium with a huge festival."
"So there is nothing special about it except that he is a prince," Tess mused. "Does the king celebrate everyone's 3,000 begetting day or just his sons?"
The she-elf didn't answer, and Celegorm knew she wouldn't. Tess barked out a large laugh. "Figures. Personally, I think it is just another excuse for the king to throw a party and drink. Are you all invited to this grand party, or does he exclude it for those he feels are unworthy?"
The she-elf was quiet again, and then Tess giggled, "are you not invited, Tauriel? Seriously?"
Tauriel looked away as she said, "all are welcome. Only a few are permitted to attend the prince's dinner feast. We all come together in the evening to dance and drink under the stars."
Tess giggled again, "how come you're not invited to the feast? Seeing as the prince has the hots for you."
Celegorm couldn't control himself as he snickered loudly. Thankfully, Tauriel seemed confused and paid him no mind.
"I am unfamiliar with the tongue spoken by humans."
"It means he likes you," Tess said as she wiggled her fingers at her. "A lot, considering how often he drools over you and follows you around like a lost puppy."
Tauriel looked away, and Celegorm wondered if she was blushing, but he couldn't see. "The prince does not see me in that way."
"Are you dumb?" Tess exclaimed. "Or just blind. The prince is obsessed with you. I'm shocked you can't see it. I'm pretty sure he would fall over if you asked him out."
To his surprise, Tauriel took a seat next to her cell. "What do you mean?"
Tess grinned but then made her suffer by eating most of her food before she answered. "Do elves date? I have no idea if you do or not?"
"I don't know what you mean."
Tess, being the vulgar and blunt person she was, asked, "do elves fuck? Like outside of marriage, or are you all virgins until you marry."
He was in for a real treat as Tauriel's entire face flushed red. "Love is a sacred bond. We do not enter relations on a whim. Elves only give themselves to another on the wedding night."
"Bummer," Tess drawled. "Does that mean everything, though? Is all of it off limits?"
Tauriel averted her eyes as her face grew to the same color as her hair. Celegorm knew she would never answer, and he was loving this too much not to interject. "Only prudish and old-fashioned elves wait for marriage. There are other ways to give and receive pleasure without bonding."
"It is disgraceful," Tauriel spat. "To lay with another without the bonds of marriage is a disgrace to the one."
Celegorm shrugged, "if he wanted us to wait until marriage, he would have made us bond at the first coupling. It must just be the elves of this age or this realm. Most of the elves during the first age didn't care about it."
"Yes, however, one shouldn't look to you for a moral compass," Tauriel snarled. "I would be surprised if a woman ever came near you again after what you've done."
"I would," Tess interjected.
He grinned and then winked at Tess. Tauriel snapped, "you don't count. You are mortal."
"So," he drawled. "She's a beautiful woman. I would pleasure her all night long if given the chance." He looked at her innocently, "you could move me into her cell if you are feeling generous."
Tauriel started mumbling in rapid elvish about sick and twisted elves and delusional humans. Celegorm roared with laughter, and he wished he had known these elves were so prudish. He could have had a lot of fun in the past week.
Tess just smirked at him, "anyway. We should get back to the topic at hand. Why don't you just ask the prince to spend the evening together?"
"Why would I do that?" Tauriel questioned.
Tess began to talk really slowly, as if she was talking to a child. "Because…. you…. like… him."
"I do not," Tauriel replied quickly. Tess shot her a disbelieving look, and she sighed. "Let's say hypothetically that I do. What would the purpose be of asking him to spend the evening together? What would we do that we don't already do every day together? We are good friends."
Tess smashed her head against the bars of her cell and groaned. "How can you be so old and an immortal elf, and yet be so stupid about the opposite sex." Her sarcasm was dripping out as she added, "gosh, if I had a handsome elfish prince alone, I would have a list of things we would do together."
Tauriel arched her brow at Tess, "not all of us have such loose morals as humans."
"Normally, I would be offended by that comment, but you have no idea what you are missing out on. At least I know why all the elves here seem so uptight," Tess grinned cheekily at her. "However, not everything has to be so dirty. Why don't you find a nice, quiet spot, so you can spend the night together? Maybe something romantic like a tree under the stars."
"Legolas and I have spent many nights in trees together under the stars. I fail to understand what you are trying to say," Tauriel admitted.
Celegorm thought they were both hopeless. The prince had a mountain of perfect opportunities, and he did nothing with them. If he was alone in a tree under the stars with a beautiful elf, he would enjoy every minute of it. Even his dumber cousins were not as dense as Tauriel was. Or maybe she just turned a blind eye in lieu of getting rejected.
Tess finished eating and was let out of her cell to bathe. The two talked more as they walked away, and he was curious if it would get more vulgar when they were alone. Celegorm thought as much, but he did glean a lot of information in the conversation. It was a bit too quiet now for his liking, but that didn't last, as the prince came storming into the dungeons.
"Tauriel," he called.
Their eyes met, and the prince seethed in anger but turned his head towards Tess's cell. Celegorm called out, "why does the mortals get to bathe, and I don't? Too scared I will escape?" he taunted.
The prince turned to face his cell, but he didn't come over. He opted to lean against the cavern wall and wait. "Mortals smell more than elves. If the women did not get a bath every other day, the dungeons would reek."
"Really," he drawled. "I think you are full of shit."
Legolas shrugged, "and I don't care what you think. Kinslayer."
Celegorm was having too much fun to stop now, so he said, "waiting for your lover to return?"
Legolas flinched as a small blush crept across his cheeks. It didn't last long as the prince schooled his features. He clenched his hands into fists as they rested at his side. In an even and flat tone, he answered, "Tauriel is not my lover."
"Really," he asked with an excited tone. "Do you mind if I have her then? While I usually don't like red hair as it reminds me of my brothers, Tauriel is exceptionally beautiful. I wouldn't mind spending an evening rolling around with her if you know what I mean."
A loud snarl came from Legolas as he pushed himself off the wall hard. He ran over to his cell and raged, "how dare you speak about her in that manner. Vile, disgusting creature. Keep your comments to yourself before I cut out your tongue."
He moved so fast as he pressed himself up against the cell bars and grabbed the prince's tunic tightly in his hands. The next second, he pulled him towards him until he smashed against the bars. "Pathetic," he spat.
Legolas recovered quickly and pulled away while unleashing his dagger. He felt the blade pressed deep against his neck as Celegorm hissed, "do it. Become a kinslayer. You know you wish to."
The two elves stared down one another until Legolas broke first. Celegorm roared with laughter as the knife left his throat, "coward."
He knew that he got deep under the prince's skin as he turned and fled. His throat still stung where he had the blade pressed up close, and he could feel a bit of blood running down his neck. He wiped it away with his hand and rubbed it on his breeches. It was a toss-up for him if he actually wanted to die or not. At the current moment, with the hope of escape looming, he preferred not to. He just couldn't pass up the opportunity to torment the prince.
The halls grew silent again as he slid down the wall to sit in front of the bars. Tess and Tauriel returned a little later, with Tess being dressed in a pair of clean tunic and breeches. He had no idea how she had convinced the elf not to put her in a dress again, but he wouldn't complain. The two were quiet when they returned, and Tess walked back into her cell without a fuss.
Celegorm called out, "the prince was looking for you. You should probably go find him, as he needs his pride soothed."
While he expected a comment or glare, he received nothing from the elf as she left. Celegorm stared at Tess, who just smiled warmly at him. After a few minutes, she said, "most of the elves are celebrating tomorrow. After the feast, they make their way to the woods, where there is a large cleaning. They spend the evening dancing, drinking, and singing. With the exception of a few guards, the city is empty."
He wasn't entirely surprised by how much information she gained. Women always gossiped, and elves were no exception. Tess seemed to be well-versed in manipulation and gaining information from others subtly. She had to have been raised around royals or politicians, as they were the only ones who cared about such things. It was curious and still a mystery to him. Wanting to know what happened next, he asked, "will our plan succeed tomorrow?"
"Most likely," Tess mused. "I think we should be good. I'm not sure what they will do if they catch us, but we have the best chance tomorrow. I want to at least try."
"Agreed," he replied. "Is everything in order, or is there something I can help you with?"
Tess took a moment to think. He really wanted to know the plan, and it bothered him to no end that he didn't. It was the price he was willing to pay to make it out of here. They couldn't openly talk about it, but he was left very much in the dark.
"Should be fine. Just try not to kill anyone."
He smirked at her, "no promises. I do not want to kill anyone, though. Only if it comes down to protecting my life or yours. I would rather knock them unconscious first."
The grin on her face faded as she took in what he said. It was the truth, but he was hoping that she might have brushed it off. To his surprise, she nodded solemnly and asked, "are you hoping for a fresh start, or are you trying to make up for your past deeds?"
The question made him mentally stumble. No one had ever asked what he wanted in the future. Neither Mandos nor his maiar ever cared enough to ask. All they focused on was his past. He didn't really have an answer, as it was a loaded question and one he couldn't honestly answer at the moment. Instead, he gave the simplest answer he could.
"I do not want to be a monster anymore."
It grew quiet as he waited for Tess's response. He was expecting to hear one of the usual responses. That he wasn't evil, that he could make a change and fix his mistakes, or that he was worse than a monster. Instead, her answer shocked him to his core.
"Neither do I."
