Chapter 3
Melian and Thingol sat high upon a balcony, enjoying a cool breeze that wafted through the cave. Melian smiled before pointing.
" It seems as if he is not lonely these days."
Thingol chuckled a bit also, seeing his Captain of the Guard.
" I guess in any unwed Elf's eyes, she is very beautiful."
Melian just laughed, a beautiful tinkling sound of the sweetest bells. Thingol's eyes crinkled when a few nightingales lighted nearby, singing a beautiful chorus in response to her laugh. Melian lifted a hand out to one. The nightingale sat on her hand happily, wishing to please her with its sweet song. Melian turned her eyes back to the couple before looking up at Thingol.
" A Noldo and a Sindar. I believe I never foresaw this."
~*~
Celeborn and Artanis walked down the path, arm-in-arm. Finrod had left to return to his unfinished realm of Nargothrond. Artanis remained because she had no wish to leave so soon. There was also the small fact that she was slowly falling for the quiet Sindar captain. That detail she refused to admit even to herself.
Artanis swung her hair back, allowing it to fly free of its usual constraints. It was an unusually hot day though a cool breeze wafted through at times. She caught sight of others wading in the lake and began towards it. Celeborn grabbed her hand.
" There is a path down there."
She pulled her hand away, striking a defiant pose.
" Why is it I cannot go down right here?"
Celeborn took a step back, clasping his wrist with a hand in front of him.
" By all means, lady. Go ahead."
Artanis did not like his slight smirk. She began down cautiously. Suddenly, there was no ground beneath her feet. She fell the last couple of yards, ending with a loud splash. Celeborn crouched down by the bank, waiting for her to surface. When she did, he managed to keep a straight face. Artanis crossed her arms, wringing her hair out and pulling a plant or two from it.
" I know you are dying to laugh, Teleporno."
Celeborn nodded, straightening when he saw his lord and lady approaching. Artanis looked up at him, her hands falling on her hips.
" Are you going to help me out?"
Celeborn glanced down.
" If you come up by ways of the path."
Artanis shook her head.
" I am wearing a white dress and now I am soaking wet. There is no way in Arda, Aman or the Void that I am leaving this water."
Celeborn gave an irritated sigh. He unbuttoned one of his outer tunics, carefully making his way down to her. He scrambled back up when the ground gave way. He was luckier than Artanis and managed to remain dry.
Artanis sloshed towards him, taking the robe. She was in no mood for revenge. Celeborn motioned to the path nearby.
" I suggest you take that way back up."
Artanis imitated his words snidely. Celeborn just chuckled. He climbed back up and sat under the shade of a tree.
" Where is Artanis?" Thingol approached him with Melian on his arm.
Celeborn gave a small shrug.
" And where is your outer tunic?" Melian demanded.
A soft cough came. The two turned to look at the soaking wet and dripping Artanis. She had pulled Celeborn's robe over her wet dress tightly. Melian's eyebrows rose.
" Where did you get such an immodest dress? It is nearly see-through."
Artanis managed a dignified and offended pose.
" My mother gave it to me. She is the daughter of your husband's brother. This is the dress of the Teleri."
A shadow fell over Artanis' face so quickly, the three Sindar wondered if they had really seen it. Melian just clucked.
" Rule number one, Artanis. Never go swimming in a white dress."
Artanis' face hardened.
" I did not plan to swim, Melian."
Three sets of eyes fell on the overly content Celeborn. Celeborn looked up before his face fell and he held up his hands.
" I did not push her in. I told her to take the path."
Artanis ' brow knitted together.
" Well, you did not inform me well enough."
Celeborn sat up.
" I warned you, but you are the hard-headed one."
Artanis threw her hands up.
" Oh, so now I am the hard-headed one. Yesterday, it was you, you infuriating son of Galadhon."
Thingol and Melian watched Artanis stalk away. Celeborn quickly rose, following her. Melian looked up at Thingol with a small, knowing smile.
" I suspect you shall be finding a wedding present soon enough for Artanis."
~*~
Artanis' nose was buried deep in a book. She sighed irritably when the cushion she sat on deflated a bit more.
*I swear I will kill the next Elf that tries to come onto me.
" I am sorry."
Artanis let her book droop slightly. Celeborn stood quickly, turning towards some books. Artanis stood also, her feet following him unwillingly.
She found him leaning across a secluded balcony. He did not glance back, but she knew her presence did not go unnoticed. Her steps took her to the opposite side of the balcony. The sweet singing of creatures, Elves and nature wafted up from the trees to them, filling the silence. She turned her eyes towards the silver haired Elf. The soft light now filling the caves made it seem as if he glowed like one of the Calaquendi, an Elf that had come to Aman. She approached him slowly, linking an arm through one of his.
" You do not need to apologize. I was merely irritated with myself. I did not mean to take it out on you."
Celeborn glanced over at her, his arm sliding around her small waist. She laid her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes. Her lips lifted when she felt his lips touch the top of her head. She tilted her head up, her eyes meeting his. He gently ran his own lips over hers. Artanis refused to let him back away. One of his hands gently cupped her cheek as the blissful merging of lips continued. Celeborn was the first to back away, even if it was only millimeters away. His warm and quick breaths hovering over her lips made her flush slightly. His eyes darted up and then hardened. Artanis turned her head seeing an unfamiliar Sindar.
Celeborn straightened, instantly reverting back into his Captain of the Guard manner.
" What is it, Oropher?"
The golden haired Elf stepped forward.
" If you can manage to tear yourself away-"
Celeborn's eyebrow arched dangerously. Oropher coughed slightly into his fist.
" I mean if you are able to come, then Thingol wishes to see you."
Celeborn nodded. He glanced down at Artanis. She merely looked down.
" Duty calls," she failed to hide her disappointment as well as she would have liked.
Celeborn shot a glance at Oropher. Oropher took the hint and left them. Celeborn's hands gently played with the waves of hair falling down her back.
" I shall see you later."
A plan popped into Artanis' mind. She looked up at him.
*I should not…but it is far too tempting…
Her hand trailed down his chest and she sent him a secretive smile.
" Come by my chambers later."
~*~
Celeborn sat in the council as Thingol talked in the front. Another Elf stood to report the Noldor movements. The Sindar kept close watch on the Noldor, unable to trust them. Celeborn found it unnecessary to hold the guards and such present for such a meetings. His mind drifted back to Artanis and her last comment.
*Come by her chambers? What does she mean by that? Have I found her favor?
His joy faded just as quickly as it appeared.
*Or does she wish to refuse me?
~*~
Artanis paced her chambers with hands clasped, dressed in a light summer sheath. The pale peach dress glistened against her milky white skin in the low light. The drooping neckline cascaded in a river of material to her naval. She rubbed her hands together before glancing at herself in the nearby looking glass.
*Will he refuse me? This practice is nearly shunned in our cultures.
A soft knock came at the door breaking her from her thoughts. She stared at the door motionless.
~*~
Celeborn knocked again when she did not answer and then began to move off.
*She must have already retired…
The door slowly opened. Celeborn entered hesitantly, closing the door behind him. He turned and then could only stare at what looked like a Valië standing nearby. She glowed like the stars he seldom saw. The plunging neckline made him notice, not for the first time, her well-endowed curves.
Artanis began to slowly walk towards him, her hair sending shimmers dancing around the room. Celeborn was lost in the mere enchantment of her spellbinding beauty. Her skin glowed against him, still filled with the light of the Trees, and it made him feel inadequate beside her. Her gentle lips found his in a searing kiss. Celeborn allowed her the control, in no mood to vie for it. Artanis finally pulled back.
" I seek no union at this time, but I do give you my heart and my hand."
Celeborn softly kissed her, his strong arms encasing her.
" Likewise I do-" He paused, his eyes falling on the halo encasing her head- " Galadriel."
And thus in the Twilight of Summer came the naming of Galadriel and began a never-ending love.
AN: When Artanis says that she means to seek no union at this time, but gives her heart and hand, she is in other words saying, we cannot get married right now, but lets have a bit of fun before hand. Sex=marriage, so you think up in your own mind what else other than sex they can do in a bed.
