I awoke in Elrohir's arms, his leg thrown across me for good measure, my head tucked
under his chin, and my face pressed against his smooth, strong chest. I woke with a start,
as I did sometimes of a morning, and felt him stir against me at the jolt. Beneath the
heavy softness of his cloak, there was the warmth of bare flesh upon bare flesh, and as
full awareness returned to me, my face turned crimson as memories of the previous night
flooded my mind. I shifted a bit in the circle of his arms, and they tightened reflexively,
drawing me even closer, were such possible.
"Be at peace, Snowsteel," he murmured sleepily in his dulcet voice, "'Tis only me." A
hand strayed idly up and down my back, and after a moment his head shifted, and he
nuzzled the side of my neck. I turned my head enough so that I could rub my cheek
against his, and felt his lips smile against my skin. Looking over his shoulder, I watched
the leaves shift in the morning breeze, making dappled green and gold patterns in the
sunlight. His lips were plying my neck most delicately, and I was beginning to feel all
nice and warmly melted inside, when realization suddenly struck me, and I yelped.
"What is it? Did I hurt you?" he asked with concern. I pushed away from him a little, and
shoved up onto one elbow.
"No--the sun's up! The sun is up!" He looked up, narrowed his eyes, and released me,
rising swiftly to his feet and going to the edge of the flet to look out upon the world. He
tossed his gleaming black hair back over his shoulders, and his slim, naked form was
palely magnificent in the morning light.
"It is not too late yet, but Anor is well above the horizon." I took stock of my hygienic
situation. It was not good. My cloak was certainly a lost cause, and as for the rest of me....
"I need a bath! And clean clothes! I'm supposed to meet your grandfather this morning!"
Elrohir returned, began gathering up the leftover food, and throwing it back into the carry
sack. He took the wine flask, uncorked it, took a swig, and offered it to me. I followed
suit, and he recorked it. I began to pull on my leggings, and he stopped me.
"Just grab everything and come with me. There's a spring on the north side of the
mound." He gathered up his clothes and cloak and bow, and started for the ladder.
"What if someone sees us?" I asked, after I'd done the same.
"The only people who would see us would be elves, Snowsteel, and elves don't care,
remember?" I shut my mouth, and followed him fast as I could, scampering down the
ladder without a stitch on. He led me down the mound, back into the shadow of the
forest, and there, as he had said, a spring rose from the earth within an elegantly carved
stone ring. Upon one side, it overflowed, and poured off down the hill. Elrohir followed
the new-born stream a way, till we had gone a little distance from the source, then pulled
his dagger from the belt he carried in his hand, laid his clothes aside, and grubbed up a
plant from the verge of the stream.
"Soaproot?" I asked, recognizing it.
"Yes, and there's mint down there--why don't you grab some?" I did so, and he sliced
and crushed the soaproot and the mint together upon a convenient rock. When he had a
large double handful, we stepped into the center of the little stream. I wet him down, then
myself, with the bracing cold water, then he gave me half the mixture, and we began to
wash ourselves.
"Scrub my back, please?" he asked after a moment, and I obliged him, then he returned
the favor, and soon the back scrubbing turned into front scrubbing and tickling and
laughter.
"This soaproot makes more suds then I've ever seen before," I noted, dabbing some on
his face. He gave me his mock-superior look.
"Of course. It's Royal Elven Soaproot." I chuckled.
"There is no such thing!" He stooped, and began to rinse me with splashes of water.
"How would you know, oh child of scarce twenty-two summers?" Admitting he had a
point there, I returned the favor, then we left the water, gathered our things, and returned
to the sunlit side of the mound. He wrapped his cloak around me to pat me dry, I did the
same to him, then we dressed and armed ourselves, and set out on the trail to Caras
Galadon at a quick trot. The morning air was cool and pleasant, I had been well-rested the
night before, and my stomach was empty, so it was no hardship to quicken the pace till
we were running along the trail quite swiftly.
When we were halfway there, I panted, "Mayhap I can get up to my room and get
changed before I'm too late." Elrohir gave me a somewhat smug look.
"Let me handle that." He said nothing else, and I did not know what he intended--till I
saw Elladan waiting for us at the eave of the wood, slightly out of breath, and with a
bundle in his arms. The bundle turned out to be a complete change of clothes for each of
us, mine being another elven ensemble--this one a pale yellow tunic with a pattern of
little, star-like flowers, and light brown leggings. We withdrew back under the trees to
change, and for once, I was not overmuch worried about modesty--it was Elladan, after
all. He was not in a good mood.
"You owe me something more than a forfeit for this one, Brother! Are you mad? Father
will be furious!"
"Father is already furious, and he has made me so as well. This is not about Father
anymore. Though I am sorry if we disturbed your rest last night." I thought about the
implications of that statement for a moment, and began to blush furiously, but Elladan
seemed somewhat mollified.
"As it happens, I had some company at the time, so it was not a problem," he admitted.
"'Twas the dragging me out of bed this morning you owe me for, Elrohir." Elrohir
nodded, and accepted a comb from his brother, drawing it ruthlessly through the ebon fall
of his hair.
"Name your forfeit, Brother," he said quietly. Elladan gave him a surprised look.
"I will need some time to think about it."
"As you wish." Elladan then turned to me and gave me a kind smile.
"Good morrow to you, Snowsteel."
"Good morrow, Elladan. I too am sorry if we disturbed you." Elladan shrugged.
"I can shut Brother out, if need be. Do not distress yourself. By the way, Elrohir--Arwen
knows." Elrohir cursed quietly.
"Why did you tell her?"
"Why not? She is on our side, Brother. And our side needs all the allies it can get.
Besides, she was setting Snowsteel's clothing out when I arrived to get it, so I suspect she
was already trying to cover for you." I was refastening my sword belt, when Elladan took
the comb from his brother, and ran it through my hair. "These pieces in the back are
almost long enough to blend in, Snowsteel."
"I'm very glad to hear it--I've felt like a hedgehog for so long." Elladan chuckled, then
began gathering up our old clothes.
"Run on! I'll deal with these." Elrohir gave his brother a swift, hard hug, then we started
running again, all the way around the fosse till we came to the white bridge and gate.
Once inside, Elrohir said "Short cut, Snowsteel," turned right, and led me along the inside
of the great green wall. In a very short time, we could see down into Galadriel's garden.
There were two white-clad figures seated below upon a larger carpet than the Lord and I
had used previously, and what looked to be all manner of dishes before them.
"Oh, Valar!" hissed Elrohir. "You go on, Snowsteel." I was about to explain to him about
how unenthused I was about this plan, when he stiffened slightly, and stared off into
space. After a moment his eyes regained their focus, he looked at me, and sighed. "Too
late." Gently, he took my elbow, and we started down the stairs together.
It was indeed the Lady Galadriel who had joined Lord Celeborn, and they watched us
approach expressionlessly. As we drew closer, I could see that a breakfast had been laid
out upon the carpet. With a gesture, Lord Celeborn indicated that we should join them. I
bowed to both of them before I sat, and while Lord Celeborn gave me a small smile, the
Lady Galadriel acknowledged me with merely the slightest inclination of the head.
Elrohir sank onto the carpet beside me and his expression was somber once more.
"Lady Hethlin, Elrohir. We thought you might be hungry this morning," Lord Celeborn
declared. "I believe you enjoy our honey cakes, Lady Hethlin?" he inquired politely,
indicating a large pile of the lacy pancakes I'd been enjoying so much during my stay.
When I nodded, he picked up an empty silver plate and served me a generous portion.
Elrohir began to help himself from the dishes set before him, and the Lady gave me a cup
of cider, for which I thanked her quietly.
"Be at ease, child," she told me in her low voice. "You are not here to face some sort of
judgment. What passes between you and my grandson concerns the two of you alone. I
will say that Lord Elrond was somewhat....concerned last night over Elrohir's location,
and it is known that your bed was not slept in. So it occurred to my lord that you might be
missing breakfast, and he caused it to be provided, that you might eat before your
morning lesson. And it suited me to greet the morning with him, for we have not as much
time alone as you might think, or we might wish." She looked then upon Lord Celeborn,
and their eyes met and held, and though I could not hear what was said, it was obvious
that something passed between them.
Lord Celeborn reached out and took a strand of her golden hair between his fingers and
lifted it to his lips, and she smiled at him suddenly. I wondered what it would be like to
be married to the same person for thousands of years, exactly how well you could get to
know another person with all that time to spend upon the relationship. Had either of them
any secrets from the other after all this time? Had they succeeded in becoming the one
soul in two bodies that all the romantic songs liked to refer to? Or had they become
utterly sick and tired of each other through too much contact and familiarity? The latter
did not seem to be the case, judging from how they looked upon each other, and I found
that heartwarming.
Lady Galadriel's reassurance restored my appetite, which had been much abated by sheer
dread when I'd seen the Lady and Lord waiting for us, and I started into the pancakes
eagerly. After a moment or two I realized I was the wolf among the dainty cats, and
forced myself to slow my headlong rush to devour my breakfast. Elrohir gave me a
knowing grin, and I elbowed him in response.
"'Growing girl', indeed," I growled at him, and he laughed out loud. The Lord and Lady
smiled, and we ate in perfect amity, Lady Galadriel speaking of her intention to bring
some looms down onto the lawn that day and work with the ladies, the Lord speaking in
turn to her of various patrols and their findings.
"And what will you do today, grandson?" Celeborn asked Elrohir. He swallowed the bit
of melon he'd speared on a silver fork, and reached for another.
"I thought I might go and check on the horses today. I think the Prince would rest easier if
he knew that muck-loving stallion of his was doing well. And Alagos will be missing
me." I had no doubt that he could stretch that particular errand to last till well into the
night, in his ongoing quest to avoid his father.
"'Muck-loving stallion?'" the Lady Galadriel inquired, "You have told us very little of
your journey here, Elrohir." Taking the inquiry as a command, he began to recount the
high points of our trip, including Caerith's passionate love affair with riverbanks, and
some of the Prince's more pithy comments about the same. He also told of the orc attack,
and the aftermath of that, and how I'd summoned the Eagle. The Lord and Lady both
actually laughed when he came to the part about Elladan and Gwaenaur.
"I knew that he would come to grief over that one day," was the Lord Celeborn's amused
comment. "I remember when he first stole that feather. As chance would have it, I came
to Imladris almost immediately afterwards, and found him still in bed, having to lie only
upon his stomach because his father had just finished removing all that gravel from
his......rump." I smiled at the mental image he presented, and the Lady Galadriel lifted a
golden eyebrow.
"What I am amazed about in all this is that Gwaenaur came to you, Lady Hethlin. There
have been very few occasions that I can remember where a lady of the Eagles has lowered
herself to serve anyone--we deal almost exclusively with the Windlord and his vassals.
The windladies keep to themselves and tend the nests. They do not risk themselves in
battle, or in the delivery of messages. Did you not know this?" I dabbed delicately at my
mouth with a napkin, trying to be mannerly and couth.
"No, milady, for my father perished before he could explain anything to me about the
heritage of our house. I wonder if, in fact, he would have told me at all, or merely waited
till my brother was of age, and told him instead. I'm finding out about this as I go along.
Do you know her? Is she important?"
"We have spoken a time or two, she and I. And I suppose you could say she is
important--she is the Windlord's dam."
"Oh." I digested this along with my breakfast. Lord Celeborn, who had been eating some
grapes, laid the naked stem upon his plate.
"Your father passed through Lorien once, Lady Hethlin, headed East on an errand for the
Eagles. He was in great haste, both because of the errand, and because he did not wish to
leave his wife, who was heavy with a child I believe now to have been you. I noticed at
the time that while he spoke with all the Eagles, he was actually closest to Landroval, the
Windlord's brother. Perhaps one of the Eagles becomes a particular companion, and
perhaps Gwaenaur's interest is because you too are female." I considered this.
"It seems a reasonable assumption, my lord. I do not know if any of the women of my
House have actually spoken to the Eagles before. I don't know anything at all."
"An admission that is the seed of all true wisdom," chuckled Lord Celeborn. I smiled
uneasily in return, for despite the Lady Galadriel's words, I was still waiting for the axe to
fall. But the meal was finished peacefully enough, and Lady Galadriel eventually rose to
depart. Her delicate hand reached out to her Lord as she did so, and stroked his cheek
gently. He raised it to his lips, and kissed it, and watched her go with a smile for a
moment before he turned back to me.
"Let us move some of these things aside." We did so, stacking the plates in piles to be
removed later. Elrohir helped us, and his grandfather indicated that he was welcome to
stay. So he settled himself down beside me as his grandfather and I did as we had done
the day before. Once again, we worked upon anchoring, and once again about an hour
passed before Lord Celeborn declared himself satisfied. He seemed to feel that I was
making good progress, and if he and Elrohir had exchanged thoughts while he was
teaching me, I couldn't hear them. They did speak briefly, at the end of the lesson.
"You are rather apt to this, it seems, Snowsteel," Elrohir commented. His grandfather
gave him a disapproving look.
"Apt enough that you could have taught her. And should have, as soon as you knew what
was going on, Elrohir. You or your brother. As the only two Gifted in the area at the time,
it fell to you two to deal with it, that she not be put into peril." Much to my amazement,
he did not bridle at the rebuke, but bowed his head and spoke quietly.
"Yes, Grandfather. I am sorry." Lord Celeborn made to rise, and as he did so, his hand
stroked the black head before him gently.
"I will speak to your brother of this as well. But I am not the one you need to apologize
to. Good day to you, Lady Hethlin--I will see you in the morning." I rose to my feet, and
bowed.
"Thank you, my lord. Good day to you as well." He smiled at me, and swept towards the
stairs, a towering, regal figure. Elrohir got to his feet, and reached a hand out to me.
"I am sorry, Snowsteel. He is right--I should have endeavored to teach you sooner." I took
his fingers in mine.
"As I recollect, we've both been a bit busy." He drew me towards the stairs.
"Even so, there were opportunities. Around the campfire at night, that sort of thing."
"Ah, but then I wouldn't have had the chance to be taught by the best." He looked at me
sidelong, his eyes twinkling.
"Is that a generous excusing of my shortcomings, or an insulting comparison of my
abilities to my grandfather's?" I grinned back, and squeezed his hand.
"A little of both, I think." He let go of my hand, and his arm slipped about my waist, and
drew me close as we climbed. After last night, I found I did not mind such casual contact,
at least not from him.
"I haven't asked yet, Snowsteel--are you all right this morning?"
"Can you not tell?" I felt the touch of his mind on mine, more completely than ever
before. He'd been right, it seemed, about our becoming lovers strengthening the bond.
"Oh, you are! That is good!"
"You sound surprised, Elrohir. It would appear that you are a better healer than you
thought you were." There was a surge of pleased gratitude through the link.
"Are we lovers, then?" I considered this for a lengthy moment.
"It would appear that we are." Another surge of happy pleasure through the link, and he
actually bounced a step as we ascended the hill toward the royal mallorn.
"Well! That is most excellent! Would you like to come with me today to see the horses?"
"I would like to very much, if the Prince does not require me."
"Of course. I have been rather demanding of your company of late. You should see if he
needs you. If he does, we can always meet again tonight." There was nothing snide or
malicious in his voice for a change when he spoke of the Prince. Apparently, getting
exactly what he had wanted made him the soul of courtesy and amiability.
We said nothing else until we reached the verge of the lawn, whereupon he turned to me
and drew me close.
"I will return in a little while, to see if you can join me. Until then--" His lips came down
softly on mine, then became more demanding. I leaned into the kiss, beginning to be
accustomed to and welcome the feeling of warmth that rose within me when he caressed
me. I was both abashed and pleased that he was doing this in broad daylight--abashed
because I was not used to such public displays, and pleased because he obviously was not
ashamed of having me as a lover. This was not some furtive pleasure-grab on his part, to
be done in darkness only.
"ELROHIR!" Elrohir and I jerked apart, and looked about the lawn for the source of that
outraged exclamation. To our right, ladies-in-waiting were assembling and arranging
some tall looms, and spinning wheels, and baskets of fiber. To the left, the odd elf or two
looked at us curiously. Murmurs rose from both these groups, and elegant necks craned to
regard us. Hard by the fountain, in a large chair padded with pillows, and a matching
footstool also so padded, rested my lord the Prince, well-covered with blankets. And
standing over him, with a face as dark as the clouds that had used to hover over the Ephel
Duath, was Lord Elrond of Imladris.
Elrohir blanched for a moment, then I saw his jaw harden.
"Yes, Father?" he called sweetly across the lawn. Lord Elrond's eyes blazed grey fire.
"Where have you been?"
"Just now? Having breakfast with Grandmother and Grandfather."
"Yesterday. And all of last night." The Lord of Imladris' words were bitten off short with
fury.
"Yesterday, I took Snowsteel out to show her the forest, and practice our shooting. We
spent last night at Cerin Amroth. Why? I was unaware you required me for anything."
"Hethlin," called my liege lord quietly, crooking a finger, and though I did not want to
come any closer to Lord Elrond than necessary, I came across the lawn to him, and sat
where he indicated upon his left side, opposite the Elf-lord, who looked at me with
undisguised anger. Elrohir followed right behind me, and stood before his father.
"What I require of you is that you show some control and discretion, which, it seems, you
are incapable of doing." Elrohir's lip curled slightly.
"On the contrary, father, we stayed at Cerin Amroth rather than tryst within the walls of
Caras Galadon, and we were alone. How much more discreet do you wish us to be?" My
Prince sucked in a quiet breath when he heard that, and I watched his eyes flick quickly
from Elrohir's face, to his father's, to mine, assessing the situation and possibilities with
all of his usual discernment. Worried about distressing him further and aggravating his
illness, and feeling Elrohir's anger and grief through the link, I got to my feet, shaking off
the Prince's weak attempt to restrain me. The time had come, I decided, to confront Lord
Elrond at last.
"Actually, my lord, the only thing you have required of your son is that he come West,
and as he has been coerced into giving his oath to do so, and as he is an adult and you
know that he is a person whose word is good, what he does in the meantime is really none
of your affair." I addressed him with my chin up, making an earnest effort to control the
quaking feeling in my middle. Both Lord Elrond's eyebrows shot up--it seemed I had
surprised him at last.
"You would dare--" he began, and I cut him off, my surpressed anger at my treatment at
his hands flaring forth at last.
"--Yes, I would dare! Your behavior towards me and your son since our arrival here
shames both my house and yours! How dare you interrogate me as if I were some
common criminal, left hungry, thirsty and weary while you satisfied your curiosity? How
dare you force him to swear to you to come West when he told you he had already sworn
to me not to give up his immortality? If you cannot see that these ill-advised efforts to
bind him to you more closely have only hurt him and succeeded in driving him further
away from you, then you are nowhere near as wise as legend paints you." I glared at him,
breathing hard. He stared back for a long moment, his expression unreadable.
"This is not the time or the place for a discussion of my shortcomings as a parent, young
woman." Then, dismissing me entirely, he turned to the Prince.
"Are you well, Prince Imrahil? I am sorry if we have distressed you."
"I am well enough, Lord Elrond, and quite happy to find myself with new sights about
me," the Prince reassured him, his hand suddenly tight upon my arm once more. "I intend
to enjoy myself today--your daughter is to join me shortly for a chess game." Lord Elrond
acknowledged this with a brief nod, gave Elrohir and me one last displeased look, drew
his robes about him, and departed. The Prince released my wrist, and I sank back into my
chair with a groan.
"So much for my dynasty." Elrohir stared at me, a suddenly stricken look upon his face.
"Oh Valar, Snowsteel! I completely forgot about that! Here, let me go talk to him. If I
apologize enough, perhaps I can persuade him to help you." He made as if to leave, but I
raised my hand to stop him.
"Nay, Elrohir, wait a while. Let his anger cool a bit first. Though I don't know what you
will be able to say to him to change his mind. No manner of apology can change the fact
that we are soul-bonded lovers. Even if you could make him be more kindly disposed
towards me, he would simply think you were trying to have me healed so that we could
have children."
"There is some truth to that," Elrohir said glumly, but then he brightened a bit. "I think I
shall speak to Grandmother on your behalf instead. She knows something of healing, and
might be able to help. And Grandfather approves of you, so she does as well, for she
trusts his instincts in such matters."
"I should not like to put her to any trouble." Elrohir shrugged.
"In truth, I have no idea how much trouble it would be for her, or if it is even within her
abilities. But I will ask. If she cannot, or will not, she will have no qualms about telling
me so."
"Thank you, Elrohir. I would appreciate that." The Prince looked from one of us to the
other, and sighed quietly.
"This is where I fear I must ask you, Prince Elrohir, what exactly is the nature of the
relationship between you and my esquire? 'Tis not prurience that makes me inquire, but
necessity. If it is her intention to go North with you when you leave Gondor, I will not
oppose her, but I should like to know so that I may speak with the King, and release her
from her vow." Elrohir dropped gracefully down to sit upon the grass at the Prince's side.
"First, let me explain what a soul-bond is, and how it was that Snowsteel and I happened
to become so joined." I listened quietly as he recounted the story of my rescue from the
Grey Lands, and explained about soul-bonds and Elven marriage bonds. He told of his
promise to me in the Beacon Hills, and of his father's reaction to the discovery that we
were bound together, and how he had been forced to swear to go into the West. Imrahil's
mouth tightened slightly as he listened to that last bit--I knew from personal experience
that the Prince thought little of people who would compel someone to swear an oath.
"I gather from the.....conversation with your father just now that the two of you
were...together last night," he said when Elrohir had finished his tale. Elrohir nodded, and
I answered.
"Aye, my lord." He gave me a very intent look.
"And was this done with your consent, Hethlin?"
"Aye, my lord." He frowned slightly, and rubbed the bridge of his nose for a moment, a
gesture shared by his nephew.
"Is it your intention to wed in some human fashion, even if you do not undertake the full
Elven ceremony?'
"Nay, my lord," I answered quietly.
"Is it then your intention to continue in this......relationship without a marriage of any
kind?"
"For now, my lord." He considered this for a very long moment, then nodded and spoke
to me seriously.
"Very well. Hethlin, you are not my ward, you are an adult, and you are the head of your
household. Within certain limits, you may do as you please in such matters, and I will not
dictate to you what you may do any more than I would interfere with my male esquires in
the matter of their affections. But I am going to say something to you, and I will only say
it once."
"If you wish to be released from your vow to me, I will do that, even as I arranged to have
done should I have died. But if you continue with me, and actually start the training, then
I will expect you to endure the same privation as your male counterparts, who rarely see
their sweethearts during its duration. There will be no exceptions made for your sex or
your station or the exalted station of your companion. Do we understand each other?"
"Of course, sir," I said, somewhat offended. "I don't recall asking for special privilege."
His severe air softened a little.
"I know you have not, Hethlin, but I feel it best to make clear to you what would be
expected from the start. Likewise, Prince Elrohir," and he turned his attention to my
companion, "by virtue of your lineage, and your relationship to the King, you are
welcome in my home at any time. But do not come to Dol Amroth expecting to be able to
carry Hethlin off on one of your adventures whenever you please, for she will be busy
with her training. We generally take an extended holiday during Yule and Mid-Year, so
those would be good times to come and see her. She would have the leisure to be with
you then." Elrohir nodded.
"I understand, my lord. I will not interfere with Snowsteel's training. Estel would not
appreciate it."
"What is more to the point is that I would not appreciate it," declared Prince Imrahil, a
momentary flash of ire in his grey eyes. "However, if at any time the two of you decide to
alter your current arrangement, and wed in the human manner, I would be glad to host the
wedding." Elrohir's eyebrow flicked up in genuine surprise.
"That is very kind of you, my lord." The Prince smiled.
"I would do a great deal to secure Hethlin's happiness, for I owe her for my nephew's life
as well as my own." A tired look came to his face of a sudden, and he laid his head back
against the pillows and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. I clasped his hand,
concerned.
"My lord, are you well? Shall I fetch Lord Elrond?" He shook his head the tiniest bit.
"There is no need, Hethlin, though that is generous of you indeed, considering what just
passed here. I merely felt weary of a sudden. And weary I am indeed--weary of being so
weak! But Lord Elrond assures me I will be stronger soon."
"Shall I stay with you today, my lord? It seems the Lady Arwen has been a better esquire
to you than I lately."
"No, that won't be necessary. Please, the two of you go do whatever it was you had
planned. I shall bide here, and perhaps converse with some of the lovely ladies over
there."
"We had thought to go back across the Silverlode and check upon the horses," Elrohir
told the Prince, who opened his eyes once more.
"Indeed? Will you take my poor lad some bread, and give him a pat for me then? I fear he
is probably feeling much deprived." Elrohir grinned.
"I should rather fear that he is feeling much spoiled--the warders love animals." Imrahil
shook his head ruefully.
"It would take Elven magic to spoil Caerith worse than he is already."
"These woods are thick with it," commented Elrohir, and the Prince gave me a pointed
look.
"Yes. Apparently." His tone, though not exactly disapproving, was certainly very dry, and
I blushed a deep pink under his scrutiny for a moment. Then came that imperious,
dismissive flick of the hand.
"Go on. Go forth. Go do whatever it is the two of you are doing." We wished him a good
day, and went forth in search of food to carry with us on our journey. I looked over my
shoulder to see him lay back against the pillows, his hands folded in his lap. His head
turned away from us, and it looked as if he were falling asleep once more.
under his chin, and my face pressed against his smooth, strong chest. I woke with a start,
as I did sometimes of a morning, and felt him stir against me at the jolt. Beneath the
heavy softness of his cloak, there was the warmth of bare flesh upon bare flesh, and as
full awareness returned to me, my face turned crimson as memories of the previous night
flooded my mind. I shifted a bit in the circle of his arms, and they tightened reflexively,
drawing me even closer, were such possible.
"Be at peace, Snowsteel," he murmured sleepily in his dulcet voice, "'Tis only me." A
hand strayed idly up and down my back, and after a moment his head shifted, and he
nuzzled the side of my neck. I turned my head enough so that I could rub my cheek
against his, and felt his lips smile against my skin. Looking over his shoulder, I watched
the leaves shift in the morning breeze, making dappled green and gold patterns in the
sunlight. His lips were plying my neck most delicately, and I was beginning to feel all
nice and warmly melted inside, when realization suddenly struck me, and I yelped.
"What is it? Did I hurt you?" he asked with concern. I pushed away from him a little, and
shoved up onto one elbow.
"No--the sun's up! The sun is up!" He looked up, narrowed his eyes, and released me,
rising swiftly to his feet and going to the edge of the flet to look out upon the world. He
tossed his gleaming black hair back over his shoulders, and his slim, naked form was
palely magnificent in the morning light.
"It is not too late yet, but Anor is well above the horizon." I took stock of my hygienic
situation. It was not good. My cloak was certainly a lost cause, and as for the rest of me....
"I need a bath! And clean clothes! I'm supposed to meet your grandfather this morning!"
Elrohir returned, began gathering up the leftover food, and throwing it back into the carry
sack. He took the wine flask, uncorked it, took a swig, and offered it to me. I followed
suit, and he recorked it. I began to pull on my leggings, and he stopped me.
"Just grab everything and come with me. There's a spring on the north side of the
mound." He gathered up his clothes and cloak and bow, and started for the ladder.
"What if someone sees us?" I asked, after I'd done the same.
"The only people who would see us would be elves, Snowsteel, and elves don't care,
remember?" I shut my mouth, and followed him fast as I could, scampering down the
ladder without a stitch on. He led me down the mound, back into the shadow of the
forest, and there, as he had said, a spring rose from the earth within an elegantly carved
stone ring. Upon one side, it overflowed, and poured off down the hill. Elrohir followed
the new-born stream a way, till we had gone a little distance from the source, then pulled
his dagger from the belt he carried in his hand, laid his clothes aside, and grubbed up a
plant from the verge of the stream.
"Soaproot?" I asked, recognizing it.
"Yes, and there's mint down there--why don't you grab some?" I did so, and he sliced
and crushed the soaproot and the mint together upon a convenient rock. When he had a
large double handful, we stepped into the center of the little stream. I wet him down, then
myself, with the bracing cold water, then he gave me half the mixture, and we began to
wash ourselves.
"Scrub my back, please?" he asked after a moment, and I obliged him, then he returned
the favor, and soon the back scrubbing turned into front scrubbing and tickling and
laughter.
"This soaproot makes more suds then I've ever seen before," I noted, dabbing some on
his face. He gave me his mock-superior look.
"Of course. It's Royal Elven Soaproot." I chuckled.
"There is no such thing!" He stooped, and began to rinse me with splashes of water.
"How would you know, oh child of scarce twenty-two summers?" Admitting he had a
point there, I returned the favor, then we left the water, gathered our things, and returned
to the sunlit side of the mound. He wrapped his cloak around me to pat me dry, I did the
same to him, then we dressed and armed ourselves, and set out on the trail to Caras
Galadon at a quick trot. The morning air was cool and pleasant, I had been well-rested the
night before, and my stomach was empty, so it was no hardship to quicken the pace till
we were running along the trail quite swiftly.
When we were halfway there, I panted, "Mayhap I can get up to my room and get
changed before I'm too late." Elrohir gave me a somewhat smug look.
"Let me handle that." He said nothing else, and I did not know what he intended--till I
saw Elladan waiting for us at the eave of the wood, slightly out of breath, and with a
bundle in his arms. The bundle turned out to be a complete change of clothes for each of
us, mine being another elven ensemble--this one a pale yellow tunic with a pattern of
little, star-like flowers, and light brown leggings. We withdrew back under the trees to
change, and for once, I was not overmuch worried about modesty--it was Elladan, after
all. He was not in a good mood.
"You owe me something more than a forfeit for this one, Brother! Are you mad? Father
will be furious!"
"Father is already furious, and he has made me so as well. This is not about Father
anymore. Though I am sorry if we disturbed your rest last night." I thought about the
implications of that statement for a moment, and began to blush furiously, but Elladan
seemed somewhat mollified.
"As it happens, I had some company at the time, so it was not a problem," he admitted.
"'Twas the dragging me out of bed this morning you owe me for, Elrohir." Elrohir
nodded, and accepted a comb from his brother, drawing it ruthlessly through the ebon fall
of his hair.
"Name your forfeit, Brother," he said quietly. Elladan gave him a surprised look.
"I will need some time to think about it."
"As you wish." Elladan then turned to me and gave me a kind smile.
"Good morrow to you, Snowsteel."
"Good morrow, Elladan. I too am sorry if we disturbed you." Elladan shrugged.
"I can shut Brother out, if need be. Do not distress yourself. By the way, Elrohir--Arwen
knows." Elrohir cursed quietly.
"Why did you tell her?"
"Why not? She is on our side, Brother. And our side needs all the allies it can get.
Besides, she was setting Snowsteel's clothing out when I arrived to get it, so I suspect she
was already trying to cover for you." I was refastening my sword belt, when Elladan took
the comb from his brother, and ran it through my hair. "These pieces in the back are
almost long enough to blend in, Snowsteel."
"I'm very glad to hear it--I've felt like a hedgehog for so long." Elladan chuckled, then
began gathering up our old clothes.
"Run on! I'll deal with these." Elrohir gave his brother a swift, hard hug, then we started
running again, all the way around the fosse till we came to the white bridge and gate.
Once inside, Elrohir said "Short cut, Snowsteel," turned right, and led me along the inside
of the great green wall. In a very short time, we could see down into Galadriel's garden.
There were two white-clad figures seated below upon a larger carpet than the Lord and I
had used previously, and what looked to be all manner of dishes before them.
"Oh, Valar!" hissed Elrohir. "You go on, Snowsteel." I was about to explain to him about
how unenthused I was about this plan, when he stiffened slightly, and stared off into
space. After a moment his eyes regained their focus, he looked at me, and sighed. "Too
late." Gently, he took my elbow, and we started down the stairs together.
It was indeed the Lady Galadriel who had joined Lord Celeborn, and they watched us
approach expressionlessly. As we drew closer, I could see that a breakfast had been laid
out upon the carpet. With a gesture, Lord Celeborn indicated that we should join them. I
bowed to both of them before I sat, and while Lord Celeborn gave me a small smile, the
Lady Galadriel acknowledged me with merely the slightest inclination of the head.
Elrohir sank onto the carpet beside me and his expression was somber once more.
"Lady Hethlin, Elrohir. We thought you might be hungry this morning," Lord Celeborn
declared. "I believe you enjoy our honey cakes, Lady Hethlin?" he inquired politely,
indicating a large pile of the lacy pancakes I'd been enjoying so much during my stay.
When I nodded, he picked up an empty silver plate and served me a generous portion.
Elrohir began to help himself from the dishes set before him, and the Lady gave me a cup
of cider, for which I thanked her quietly.
"Be at ease, child," she told me in her low voice. "You are not here to face some sort of
judgment. What passes between you and my grandson concerns the two of you alone. I
will say that Lord Elrond was somewhat....concerned last night over Elrohir's location,
and it is known that your bed was not slept in. So it occurred to my lord that you might be
missing breakfast, and he caused it to be provided, that you might eat before your
morning lesson. And it suited me to greet the morning with him, for we have not as much
time alone as you might think, or we might wish." She looked then upon Lord Celeborn,
and their eyes met and held, and though I could not hear what was said, it was obvious
that something passed between them.
Lord Celeborn reached out and took a strand of her golden hair between his fingers and
lifted it to his lips, and she smiled at him suddenly. I wondered what it would be like to
be married to the same person for thousands of years, exactly how well you could get to
know another person with all that time to spend upon the relationship. Had either of them
any secrets from the other after all this time? Had they succeeded in becoming the one
soul in two bodies that all the romantic songs liked to refer to? Or had they become
utterly sick and tired of each other through too much contact and familiarity? The latter
did not seem to be the case, judging from how they looked upon each other, and I found
that heartwarming.
Lady Galadriel's reassurance restored my appetite, which had been much abated by sheer
dread when I'd seen the Lady and Lord waiting for us, and I started into the pancakes
eagerly. After a moment or two I realized I was the wolf among the dainty cats, and
forced myself to slow my headlong rush to devour my breakfast. Elrohir gave me a
knowing grin, and I elbowed him in response.
"'Growing girl', indeed," I growled at him, and he laughed out loud. The Lord and Lady
smiled, and we ate in perfect amity, Lady Galadriel speaking of her intention to bring
some looms down onto the lawn that day and work with the ladies, the Lord speaking in
turn to her of various patrols and their findings.
"And what will you do today, grandson?" Celeborn asked Elrohir. He swallowed the bit
of melon he'd speared on a silver fork, and reached for another.
"I thought I might go and check on the horses today. I think the Prince would rest easier if
he knew that muck-loving stallion of his was doing well. And Alagos will be missing
me." I had no doubt that he could stretch that particular errand to last till well into the
night, in his ongoing quest to avoid his father.
"'Muck-loving stallion?'" the Lady Galadriel inquired, "You have told us very little of
your journey here, Elrohir." Taking the inquiry as a command, he began to recount the
high points of our trip, including Caerith's passionate love affair with riverbanks, and
some of the Prince's more pithy comments about the same. He also told of the orc attack,
and the aftermath of that, and how I'd summoned the Eagle. The Lord and Lady both
actually laughed when he came to the part about Elladan and Gwaenaur.
"I knew that he would come to grief over that one day," was the Lord Celeborn's amused
comment. "I remember when he first stole that feather. As chance would have it, I came
to Imladris almost immediately afterwards, and found him still in bed, having to lie only
upon his stomach because his father had just finished removing all that gravel from
his......rump." I smiled at the mental image he presented, and the Lady Galadriel lifted a
golden eyebrow.
"What I am amazed about in all this is that Gwaenaur came to you, Lady Hethlin. There
have been very few occasions that I can remember where a lady of the Eagles has lowered
herself to serve anyone--we deal almost exclusively with the Windlord and his vassals.
The windladies keep to themselves and tend the nests. They do not risk themselves in
battle, or in the delivery of messages. Did you not know this?" I dabbed delicately at my
mouth with a napkin, trying to be mannerly and couth.
"No, milady, for my father perished before he could explain anything to me about the
heritage of our house. I wonder if, in fact, he would have told me at all, or merely waited
till my brother was of age, and told him instead. I'm finding out about this as I go along.
Do you know her? Is she important?"
"We have spoken a time or two, she and I. And I suppose you could say she is
important--she is the Windlord's dam."
"Oh." I digested this along with my breakfast. Lord Celeborn, who had been eating some
grapes, laid the naked stem upon his plate.
"Your father passed through Lorien once, Lady Hethlin, headed East on an errand for the
Eagles. He was in great haste, both because of the errand, and because he did not wish to
leave his wife, who was heavy with a child I believe now to have been you. I noticed at
the time that while he spoke with all the Eagles, he was actually closest to Landroval, the
Windlord's brother. Perhaps one of the Eagles becomes a particular companion, and
perhaps Gwaenaur's interest is because you too are female." I considered this.
"It seems a reasonable assumption, my lord. I do not know if any of the women of my
House have actually spoken to the Eagles before. I don't know anything at all."
"An admission that is the seed of all true wisdom," chuckled Lord Celeborn. I smiled
uneasily in return, for despite the Lady Galadriel's words, I was still waiting for the axe to
fall. But the meal was finished peacefully enough, and Lady Galadriel eventually rose to
depart. Her delicate hand reached out to her Lord as she did so, and stroked his cheek
gently. He raised it to his lips, and kissed it, and watched her go with a smile for a
moment before he turned back to me.
"Let us move some of these things aside." We did so, stacking the plates in piles to be
removed later. Elrohir helped us, and his grandfather indicated that he was welcome to
stay. So he settled himself down beside me as his grandfather and I did as we had done
the day before. Once again, we worked upon anchoring, and once again about an hour
passed before Lord Celeborn declared himself satisfied. He seemed to feel that I was
making good progress, and if he and Elrohir had exchanged thoughts while he was
teaching me, I couldn't hear them. They did speak briefly, at the end of the lesson.
"You are rather apt to this, it seems, Snowsteel," Elrohir commented. His grandfather
gave him a disapproving look.
"Apt enough that you could have taught her. And should have, as soon as you knew what
was going on, Elrohir. You or your brother. As the only two Gifted in the area at the time,
it fell to you two to deal with it, that she not be put into peril." Much to my amazement,
he did not bridle at the rebuke, but bowed his head and spoke quietly.
"Yes, Grandfather. I am sorry." Lord Celeborn made to rise, and as he did so, his hand
stroked the black head before him gently.
"I will speak to your brother of this as well. But I am not the one you need to apologize
to. Good day to you, Lady Hethlin--I will see you in the morning." I rose to my feet, and
bowed.
"Thank you, my lord. Good day to you as well." He smiled at me, and swept towards the
stairs, a towering, regal figure. Elrohir got to his feet, and reached a hand out to me.
"I am sorry, Snowsteel. He is right--I should have endeavored to teach you sooner." I took
his fingers in mine.
"As I recollect, we've both been a bit busy." He drew me towards the stairs.
"Even so, there were opportunities. Around the campfire at night, that sort of thing."
"Ah, but then I wouldn't have had the chance to be taught by the best." He looked at me
sidelong, his eyes twinkling.
"Is that a generous excusing of my shortcomings, or an insulting comparison of my
abilities to my grandfather's?" I grinned back, and squeezed his hand.
"A little of both, I think." He let go of my hand, and his arm slipped about my waist, and
drew me close as we climbed. After last night, I found I did not mind such casual contact,
at least not from him.
"I haven't asked yet, Snowsteel--are you all right this morning?"
"Can you not tell?" I felt the touch of his mind on mine, more completely than ever
before. He'd been right, it seemed, about our becoming lovers strengthening the bond.
"Oh, you are! That is good!"
"You sound surprised, Elrohir. It would appear that you are a better healer than you
thought you were." There was a surge of pleased gratitude through the link.
"Are we lovers, then?" I considered this for a lengthy moment.
"It would appear that we are." Another surge of happy pleasure through the link, and he
actually bounced a step as we ascended the hill toward the royal mallorn.
"Well! That is most excellent! Would you like to come with me today to see the horses?"
"I would like to very much, if the Prince does not require me."
"Of course. I have been rather demanding of your company of late. You should see if he
needs you. If he does, we can always meet again tonight." There was nothing snide or
malicious in his voice for a change when he spoke of the Prince. Apparently, getting
exactly what he had wanted made him the soul of courtesy and amiability.
We said nothing else until we reached the verge of the lawn, whereupon he turned to me
and drew me close.
"I will return in a little while, to see if you can join me. Until then--" His lips came down
softly on mine, then became more demanding. I leaned into the kiss, beginning to be
accustomed to and welcome the feeling of warmth that rose within me when he caressed
me. I was both abashed and pleased that he was doing this in broad daylight--abashed
because I was not used to such public displays, and pleased because he obviously was not
ashamed of having me as a lover. This was not some furtive pleasure-grab on his part, to
be done in darkness only.
"ELROHIR!" Elrohir and I jerked apart, and looked about the lawn for the source of that
outraged exclamation. To our right, ladies-in-waiting were assembling and arranging
some tall looms, and spinning wheels, and baskets of fiber. To the left, the odd elf or two
looked at us curiously. Murmurs rose from both these groups, and elegant necks craned to
regard us. Hard by the fountain, in a large chair padded with pillows, and a matching
footstool also so padded, rested my lord the Prince, well-covered with blankets. And
standing over him, with a face as dark as the clouds that had used to hover over the Ephel
Duath, was Lord Elrond of Imladris.
Elrohir blanched for a moment, then I saw his jaw harden.
"Yes, Father?" he called sweetly across the lawn. Lord Elrond's eyes blazed grey fire.
"Where have you been?"
"Just now? Having breakfast with Grandmother and Grandfather."
"Yesterday. And all of last night." The Lord of Imladris' words were bitten off short with
fury.
"Yesterday, I took Snowsteel out to show her the forest, and practice our shooting. We
spent last night at Cerin Amroth. Why? I was unaware you required me for anything."
"Hethlin," called my liege lord quietly, crooking a finger, and though I did not want to
come any closer to Lord Elrond than necessary, I came across the lawn to him, and sat
where he indicated upon his left side, opposite the Elf-lord, who looked at me with
undisguised anger. Elrohir followed right behind me, and stood before his father.
"What I require of you is that you show some control and discretion, which, it seems, you
are incapable of doing." Elrohir's lip curled slightly.
"On the contrary, father, we stayed at Cerin Amroth rather than tryst within the walls of
Caras Galadon, and we were alone. How much more discreet do you wish us to be?" My
Prince sucked in a quiet breath when he heard that, and I watched his eyes flick quickly
from Elrohir's face, to his father's, to mine, assessing the situation and possibilities with
all of his usual discernment. Worried about distressing him further and aggravating his
illness, and feeling Elrohir's anger and grief through the link, I got to my feet, shaking off
the Prince's weak attempt to restrain me. The time had come, I decided, to confront Lord
Elrond at last.
"Actually, my lord, the only thing you have required of your son is that he come West,
and as he has been coerced into giving his oath to do so, and as he is an adult and you
know that he is a person whose word is good, what he does in the meantime is really none
of your affair." I addressed him with my chin up, making an earnest effort to control the
quaking feeling in my middle. Both Lord Elrond's eyebrows shot up--it seemed I had
surprised him at last.
"You would dare--" he began, and I cut him off, my surpressed anger at my treatment at
his hands flaring forth at last.
"--Yes, I would dare! Your behavior towards me and your son since our arrival here
shames both my house and yours! How dare you interrogate me as if I were some
common criminal, left hungry, thirsty and weary while you satisfied your curiosity? How
dare you force him to swear to you to come West when he told you he had already sworn
to me not to give up his immortality? If you cannot see that these ill-advised efforts to
bind him to you more closely have only hurt him and succeeded in driving him further
away from you, then you are nowhere near as wise as legend paints you." I glared at him,
breathing hard. He stared back for a long moment, his expression unreadable.
"This is not the time or the place for a discussion of my shortcomings as a parent, young
woman." Then, dismissing me entirely, he turned to the Prince.
"Are you well, Prince Imrahil? I am sorry if we have distressed you."
"I am well enough, Lord Elrond, and quite happy to find myself with new sights about
me," the Prince reassured him, his hand suddenly tight upon my arm once more. "I intend
to enjoy myself today--your daughter is to join me shortly for a chess game." Lord Elrond
acknowledged this with a brief nod, gave Elrohir and me one last displeased look, drew
his robes about him, and departed. The Prince released my wrist, and I sank back into my
chair with a groan.
"So much for my dynasty." Elrohir stared at me, a suddenly stricken look upon his face.
"Oh Valar, Snowsteel! I completely forgot about that! Here, let me go talk to him. If I
apologize enough, perhaps I can persuade him to help you." He made as if to leave, but I
raised my hand to stop him.
"Nay, Elrohir, wait a while. Let his anger cool a bit first. Though I don't know what you
will be able to say to him to change his mind. No manner of apology can change the fact
that we are soul-bonded lovers. Even if you could make him be more kindly disposed
towards me, he would simply think you were trying to have me healed so that we could
have children."
"There is some truth to that," Elrohir said glumly, but then he brightened a bit. "I think I
shall speak to Grandmother on your behalf instead. She knows something of healing, and
might be able to help. And Grandfather approves of you, so she does as well, for she
trusts his instincts in such matters."
"I should not like to put her to any trouble." Elrohir shrugged.
"In truth, I have no idea how much trouble it would be for her, or if it is even within her
abilities. But I will ask. If she cannot, or will not, she will have no qualms about telling
me so."
"Thank you, Elrohir. I would appreciate that." The Prince looked from one of us to the
other, and sighed quietly.
"This is where I fear I must ask you, Prince Elrohir, what exactly is the nature of the
relationship between you and my esquire? 'Tis not prurience that makes me inquire, but
necessity. If it is her intention to go North with you when you leave Gondor, I will not
oppose her, but I should like to know so that I may speak with the King, and release her
from her vow." Elrohir dropped gracefully down to sit upon the grass at the Prince's side.
"First, let me explain what a soul-bond is, and how it was that Snowsteel and I happened
to become so joined." I listened quietly as he recounted the story of my rescue from the
Grey Lands, and explained about soul-bonds and Elven marriage bonds. He told of his
promise to me in the Beacon Hills, and of his father's reaction to the discovery that we
were bound together, and how he had been forced to swear to go into the West. Imrahil's
mouth tightened slightly as he listened to that last bit--I knew from personal experience
that the Prince thought little of people who would compel someone to swear an oath.
"I gather from the.....conversation with your father just now that the two of you
were...together last night," he said when Elrohir had finished his tale. Elrohir nodded, and
I answered.
"Aye, my lord." He gave me a very intent look.
"And was this done with your consent, Hethlin?"
"Aye, my lord." He frowned slightly, and rubbed the bridge of his nose for a moment, a
gesture shared by his nephew.
"Is it your intention to wed in some human fashion, even if you do not undertake the full
Elven ceremony?'
"Nay, my lord," I answered quietly.
"Is it then your intention to continue in this......relationship without a marriage of any
kind?"
"For now, my lord." He considered this for a very long moment, then nodded and spoke
to me seriously.
"Very well. Hethlin, you are not my ward, you are an adult, and you are the head of your
household. Within certain limits, you may do as you please in such matters, and I will not
dictate to you what you may do any more than I would interfere with my male esquires in
the matter of their affections. But I am going to say something to you, and I will only say
it once."
"If you wish to be released from your vow to me, I will do that, even as I arranged to have
done should I have died. But if you continue with me, and actually start the training, then
I will expect you to endure the same privation as your male counterparts, who rarely see
their sweethearts during its duration. There will be no exceptions made for your sex or
your station or the exalted station of your companion. Do we understand each other?"
"Of course, sir," I said, somewhat offended. "I don't recall asking for special privilege."
His severe air softened a little.
"I know you have not, Hethlin, but I feel it best to make clear to you what would be
expected from the start. Likewise, Prince Elrohir," and he turned his attention to my
companion, "by virtue of your lineage, and your relationship to the King, you are
welcome in my home at any time. But do not come to Dol Amroth expecting to be able to
carry Hethlin off on one of your adventures whenever you please, for she will be busy
with her training. We generally take an extended holiday during Yule and Mid-Year, so
those would be good times to come and see her. She would have the leisure to be with
you then." Elrohir nodded.
"I understand, my lord. I will not interfere with Snowsteel's training. Estel would not
appreciate it."
"What is more to the point is that I would not appreciate it," declared Prince Imrahil, a
momentary flash of ire in his grey eyes. "However, if at any time the two of you decide to
alter your current arrangement, and wed in the human manner, I would be glad to host the
wedding." Elrohir's eyebrow flicked up in genuine surprise.
"That is very kind of you, my lord." The Prince smiled.
"I would do a great deal to secure Hethlin's happiness, for I owe her for my nephew's life
as well as my own." A tired look came to his face of a sudden, and he laid his head back
against the pillows and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. I clasped his hand,
concerned.
"My lord, are you well? Shall I fetch Lord Elrond?" He shook his head the tiniest bit.
"There is no need, Hethlin, though that is generous of you indeed, considering what just
passed here. I merely felt weary of a sudden. And weary I am indeed--weary of being so
weak! But Lord Elrond assures me I will be stronger soon."
"Shall I stay with you today, my lord? It seems the Lady Arwen has been a better esquire
to you than I lately."
"No, that won't be necessary. Please, the two of you go do whatever it was you had
planned. I shall bide here, and perhaps converse with some of the lovely ladies over
there."
"We had thought to go back across the Silverlode and check upon the horses," Elrohir
told the Prince, who opened his eyes once more.
"Indeed? Will you take my poor lad some bread, and give him a pat for me then? I fear he
is probably feeling much deprived." Elrohir grinned.
"I should rather fear that he is feeling much spoiled--the warders love animals." Imrahil
shook his head ruefully.
"It would take Elven magic to spoil Caerith worse than he is already."
"These woods are thick with it," commented Elrohir, and the Prince gave me a pointed
look.
"Yes. Apparently." His tone, though not exactly disapproving, was certainly very dry, and
I blushed a deep pink under his scrutiny for a moment. Then came that imperious,
dismissive flick of the hand.
"Go on. Go forth. Go do whatever it is the two of you are doing." We wished him a good
day, and went forth in search of food to carry with us on our journey. I looked over my
shoulder to see him lay back against the pillows, his hands folded in his lap. His head
turned away from us, and it looked as if he were falling asleep once more.