Chapter 9
Orodreth found Celeborn later that night, standing at a high place, looking over at the hard-working dwarves.
" My brother says you are to wed our Artanis?"
Celeborn glanced over his shoulder slightly before nodding.
" I have yet to ask her, but your brother has given his consent." Celeborn looked down at his hands. "I sense in all of Finarfin's sons that you wish I were a high-ranking Noldo, or any Noldo, instead of a Sindar."
Orodreth shook his head.
"Nay, we want what is best for our sister. Finrod is overprotective of her. He always has been; always will be. She is the baby, the only girl." Orodreth chuckled, waving about his lit pipe and staining the air with the thin trail of smoke. " You have tamed Artanis' wild streak. For her to even think of marriage is a miracle in itself." Orodreth glanced at him, pointing out Fingon. "She and Fingon once had strong feelings for each other, through they knew it could never be. They are too close in blood for such a relationship." Orodreth sighed. "Fingon then made the mistake of asking her to stand behind him, to be submissive; and they have not been the same since."
Celeborn stuffed his hands into his pockets, wincing slightly. He eased his sore shoulder back, never noticing his lover approaching the two Elves. Orodreth glanced at him, an unasked question lingering between the two males.
" Galadriel cannot be contained. She is meant to be free and wild. That is what I love about her. If she would cease to become herself because of me then our relationship is wrong." Celeborn said softly.
" Are you willing to follow her?" Orodreth asked quietly. " Artanis is a leader. She does not tread behind lightly."
Celeborn glanced up, honesty shining deep in his eyes.
" It will take time and humbling, for it is against any male's nature to be dominated by a woman; but I would follow her, even unto Angband or death."
Orodreth held his pipe in one hand and extended the other with an admiring smile.
" Then you are worthy of my sister," Orodreth grinned cheekily, "No matter your close and…ahem…physical relationship."
Celeborn took the hand, flushed and fumbling at the truth.
Galadriel swept up, placing her hand on Celeborn's shoulders, sensing his great discomfort. She gently kissed his neck, sending Orodreth a smile. Orodreth just rolled his eyes.
" And you chastise me for my forward talk."
Galadriel smiled at him from behind her lover's shoulder.
" I have not said a word until now, Orodreth."
~*~
Celeborn rolled over, hearing the soft footsteps. He peered into the dark, but could not see anyone. Her scent gave herself away as she slid in beside him. Celeborn opened his arms glad to oblige her. She leaned into his chest, placing a quick kiss on his lips. Celeborn smiled drowsily, his hand twisting itself softly in her rich glowing strands. He breathed in deeply before slowly fading back into dreams.
~*~
Finrod walked quickly towards Celeborn's door. The Sindar stepped between him and the door.
" My lord is not awake, Lord Finrod."
Finrod tapped his foot impatiently, glaring at the young Elf.
" May I just peek into the room? I did not know Celeborn needed a guard to check on his well-being while in the house of a friend."
Oropher licked his lips nervously in indecision.
" Master Celeborn prefers that we stay out of his room, where ever it might be. I always stand guard. He is my captain; I guard him with my life."
" There is much love between Celeborn and his men."
Oropher nodded.
" Celeborn is wise and just. We cannot help but admire and love such a man. Any Elf under his command would lay down their life to save him or his lady."
Finrod tried to slip by Oropher, but the guard moved right along with him. Finrod sighed impatiently, before drawing Oropher close.
" I know of Celeborn's activities with my sister." Finrod hissed, watching Oropher's eyes widen to reveal the knowledge. "That is why I am here. I am looking for her."
Oropher bowed, motioning for the lord to continue by him. Finrod entered the room cautiously. He closed the door behind him, gazing at his glowing sister lying peacefully (and fully clothed) in Celeborn's arms.
*I have not seen her look so at peace since our early days in Valinor.
Galadriel turned her head, sensing the presence. She motioned for him to be quiet, glancing down at her sleeping Celeborn.
" Why have you come, Finrod?" She hissed.
" You should be in your room, not here lying in his bed." Finrod did not care how loud he spoke.
" Shh." Galadriel rebuked.
Galadriel rose, softly murmuring something when Celeborn began to stir. She gently caressed his cheek.
" Sleep, Telperionnya."
Finrod watched in amusement as Celeborn fell almost instantly back to sleep like a young child. Galadriel smiled up at her brother.
" I love him, Finrod; and it scares me to think of a life without him after such a short time of knowing him." Galadriel looked back at the sleeping silver haired Elf. "He needs me, Finrod; and I need him. You may not approve of our relationship, but I do not need approval. I just need you to know that he will never hurt me."
Finrod sighed, walking towards the door.
" Stay here, sister. Stay here with me. Forsake this Sindar."
Galadriel just stared at him.
" You ask me to forsake my spirit, my soul. I will not; I cannot." Galadriel touched his elbow. "He and I are nearly one. You cannot understand what lies between us, and I do not expect you to."
Finrod shook his head.
" If you leave now, I will not come to the wedding. I do not like this between you two."
Galadriel lifted her chin.
" That is your choice, brother, but I will never forgive you if you do not show up. Never."
With that, Galadriel climbed back into Celeborn's arms and buried her face into his chest. Finrod looked down and then took his leave.
Galadriel stared down at Celeborn long after her brother left. She sighed, rising again to go and sit on the seatee nearby. Celeborn awoke, sensing her trouble. He slipped off the bed, snatching her robe and placing it around her shoulders.
" What bothers you, my love? Tell me?" Celeborn whispered, wiping the sleep out of his eyes as he sat beside her.
Galadriel just shook her head.
" Tis family problems." She looked up with a smile, touching his cheek. "You need not trouble yourself."
Celeborn gently ran his thumbs over dried tear stains.
" Since when does Galadriel-nin cry for no reason?"
Galadriel pushed him away, rising and commencing to pace. Celeborn stared down at his hands, unsure of what to do.
Galadriel ran a hand through her long waves and then beheld her lover. Quickly she fell to her knees beside him.
" Forgive me." She whispered, raising a hand to caress his cheek.
Celeborn helped her stand.
" There is nothing to forgive. We are all given a time to succumb to our emotions."
Galadriel buried her face into his chest.
" I do not understand why I am being like this, so-"
" Feminine?"
Galadriel pushed him.
" Do not anger me."
Celeborn smiled at her and all her faux irritation fell away.
" Ok, I am acting a bit feminine." She pushed Celeborn again when he arched an eyebrow with a smile. "You are not helping, Celeborn."
Celeborn gently began to massage her shoulders.
" You need to relax."
Galadriel cannot help but relax in his arms. Celeborn smiled as the tension drained away. He finally picked her up, laying her upon the soft bed. She clung to his robes.
" Celeborn." She whispered.
Celeborn lay down beside her, gently stroking her hair until she fell into a sleep-filled oblivion.
~*~
Celeborn walked along the finished halls with Oropher beside him. The Sindar captain looked at ease among the celebrating Noldor while his companion held a distressed expression.
" If you would liked to depart, Oropher, you are free to do so." Celeborn said softly.
Oropher began to shake his head. Finrod appeared out of the Noldor suddenly, a stern expression on his face.
" Celeborn, I would like to speak with you."
Oropher bowed and took his leave, sending Finrod a wary, distrusting look.
Finrod clasped his hands behind his back, slowly meandering down the hall.
" I would like to entertain you with a tale, Celeborn."
Celeborn just nodded.
" Feel free."
Finrod pointed ahead and they came to a standstill before a beautiful mural of two trees: one made purely of gold, the other of silver.
" In Aman, these were our Anor and Ithil. They lit all of Aman with the purest light ever to be found. The gold one there was called Laurelin; the other Telperion." Finrod sighed, his eyes full of memories. " To make the story short, they were destroyed in their youth, killed by Morgoth and his friends."
Celeborn, a bit confused as to the story's meaning, just nodded again.
" Galadriel has spoken of these Trees before, but I fail to see the application here, Finrod."
Finrod faced Celeborn, lowering his voice to near inaudible tones.
" The Sindarin name for Telperion is Celeborn."
