Chapter 5
Artanis enjoyed waking to the gentle light of Menegroth, the sweet singing of birds and the warmth of her lover beside her. She opened her eyes a bit, finding him actually asleep. She ran a hand over his smooth cheek, knowing he would not awake. He had been oddly tired of late, an attribute not commonly seen among Elves. Artanis gave a small sigh.
*Tomorrow, I forever change my name.
She ran another soft touch along his strong jaw.
*But it is well worth it.
Celeborn shot up suddenly with a deep gasp. Artanis sat up also, seeing the stiffness in every fiber of his being. She touched his shoulder softly.
" Celeborn?" She asked cautiously.
His face faded from its terrified expression to relief and then embarrassment. Artanis gently rubbed his shoulders.
" What haunts you," she paused, trying to sound the unfamiliar words, " Meleth-nin (my love)?"
Celeborn just rubbed his face with his hands and then shook his head.
" You need not-"
" I do, Celeborn. I worry about you, even if I am not your wife." Artanis raised her voice forcefully.
Celeborn sat there a moment, looking much like a scolded child. He finally met her eyes and sighed, his shoulders deflating.
" My watch three nights ago took me near Nan Dungortheb." Celeborn saw Artanis' headshake at the unfamiliar place. " It is a crevice between Menegroth and the mountains. The demon, Ungoliant, has bred her children there."
Artanis shivered, closing her eyes for a moment.
" I know what you saw." She whispered. " You need not go on."
" You know of Ungoliant?" Celeborn asked.
Artanis nodded.
" 'Tis that wretched creature that teamed with Morgoth to destroy the Two Trees and put Aman into darkness."
It was silent for a moment before Celeborn lay back down, beckoning her to the shelter of his arms. She consented without hesitation and took solace in his understanding.
" I see we have the same fear."
Artanis laughed softly, looking up and kissing him softly.
" I do not fear anything, mind you, Master Celeborn."
Celeborn just chuckled, resting his head against hers. His slowed breathing indicated he was near dreams. Artanis suddenly disappeared from his grasp. Celeborn turned his head quickly.
" Gala-"
Oropher entered the room, leaning against the door.
" I am glad to see you are awake. Thingol sent me to find you."
Celeborn sat up lazily, rubbing his eyes with a yawn.
" Now? It is so early."
Oropher shook his head.
" Your curtains are drawn, sir. Tis well past noon time."
" What does Thingol want?" Celeborn asked.
Oropher waved a hand dismissively.
" The woman Noldo is missing. I dare not utter her name for it is in that cursed Noldor language still and not ours."
Celeborn tried to keep breathing.
" If you give me a moment to dress, I shall join the search right away."
Oropher left. Artanis came out of her hiding place, pausing to pick up her dress. She slipped it on, but left the many fastenings undone. Celeborn had already risen, slipping on leggings and a soft, long shirt. She touched his shoulder.
" I will dress and then head for my room. Go there first so we may end this quickly."
Celeborn nodded, gently kissing her. Artanis lifted her long hair, turning her back to him. Celeborn began to quickly button the numerous buttons.
" By Morgoth, Celeborn, come…."
The three stared wide-eyed at each other. Oropher flushed a deep red, running a nervous hand over his neck. Celeborn took a couple of steps, pulling the Elf inside and then shutting the door. Artanis had to admit that her lover looked formidable when he glared at the young guard.
" You shall speak no word of this, Oropher. Understand?"
Oropher licked his lips before nodding. He kept his eyes downcast.
" I shall say nothing, sir."
" Good." Celeborn's face lightened. " Now go and tell Thingol that Galadriel and I merely skipped breakfast on our own accord."
" Galadriel?" Oropher asked.
Celeborn made a motion to Artanis.
" I can no longer call her by her given name, now can I?"
Oropher gave a small nod.
" I shall tell them what you said."
Celeborn stopped him.
" And about what you saw?"
Oropher just nodded again. Celeborn released him. Artanis moved forward to stand beside Celeborn. He turned back to the last few buttons to be fastened. He kissed her neck when he was finished.
" He will remain mum."
~*~
Celeborn poked a head out of his room to make sure there was no one in the hall. He looked back at Artanis and motioned for her to follow. Celeborn offered his arm.
" Care to join me in a walk, m'lady?"
Artanis smiled, taking his hand instead.
" By all means, sir, please lead on."
At a leisurely pace, the two strolled down the hallway, smiles on their faces as if naught had happened. They turned a corner to find an incensed Maia waiting for them.
~*~
" If you two think I have not know of this…" Melian paused in her pacing before continuing in a disgusted tone. " Relationship, then you are terribly wrong. I know of all that goes on in Menegroth, including what happens on hot summer nights."
Artanis rolled her eyes slightly, crossing her legs in her chair and staring at Melian with an uninterested look. Celeborn, on the other hand, wrung his hands as he stared down at the ground. Melian leaned against her desk with a headshake.
" What have you two to say? I expect some kind of rebuttal."
Celeborn looked up and then at Artanis. He stood, his eyes flashing with an insubordinate light. Melian sent him a warning look. He laid a hand on Artanis' shoulder.
" I do not expect you to understand, Melian, for though you see all, I doubt now that you feel, at all."
" Celeborn," Melian said in a low, warning tone.
Celeborn shook his head. Artanis stood also, crossing her arms.
" I know what he wishes to say." Artanis came forward towards Melian. " He loves me, as I love him. We have given each other our hearts and hands."
" And yet you take great care to not consummate a union." Melian took one of each of the Elves' hands. " Both of you have become so dear to me. Daughter of Finarfin, you are like another daughter to me as I instruct thee. Celeborn, you are the son Thingol and I never had. I do not want either of your reputations soiled."
Celeborn squeezed Melian's hand, sending her a comforting smile.
" You need not worry."
Melian brushed away, becoming formal again. She turned, glancing at them.
" If this continues as it has, I expect wedding rings by the end of this year. That is one month." Melian's eyes and tone darkened. " If it does not occur, then she shall return to her people and this relationship will be null."
Artanis' temper flared. She crossed her arms.
" Then you are forcing us to wed!"
Melian looked up coolly, a small smile on her face.
" Or you two quit your-" Melian coughed-" Extra activities."
Celeborn glanced at Artanis.
" And we have until the end of this month which is…" He raised his eyebrows in a question.
Melian glanced outside with a sigh.
" Echuir."
Artanis just shook her head, storming from the room. Melian watched her go sadly.
" Somehow I knew she would react so."
Celeborn saw her sit down and then he knelt beside her.
" She has never been one to be ruled."
Melian ran a hand over Celeborn's cheek. She shook her head with a sigh.
" I can see that you truly love her. Nothing I say will dissuade you."
Celeborn shook his head.
" I am not as fiery as she is, but I am ever bit as stubborn."
Melian laughed, though her eyes remained sad.
" You have no notion of what you shall go through, Celeborn."
Celeborn sent her a small smile.
" And yet that does not scare me."
Melian stood, pulling him to his feet.
" What shall you do? I will not breech my ultimatum just because I am fond of you."
Celeborn shoved his hands into his pockets.
" I presume Artanis and I shall be having a long talk."
