A/N: Sorry about the delay; family matters and the holidays took priority. But I also have a new method for writing, so please bear with me as I try this out. I'm going to shoot for posting every other week right now and maybe go back to every week as school and my new schedule will allow.
Also Galadriel's mental contacts will be in italics while other musings or mind to mind conversations will be in .
Chapter 6- Temper, Temper
"Ronyo, are you decent?" The elf lord asked from outside the door.
"Celeborn, I'd thought you had left."
"No, I wanted to speak with you for a moment before you retire."
She gestured for him to step in and sit down. He hesitated for a second, debating between the chair and the bed, but decided to sit next to her on the bed. They sat in silence for a moment before Celeborn spoke up.
"Ronyo, I just wanted you to know that I meant what I said. I will not allow anyone under my protection to be tormented as such. Gandalf will provide some answers. I understand this is difficult for you and I will do my best to get what you…"
"Celeborn, please, I …" Sighing, the she-elf put her head in her hands for a moment before continuing, "I don't want you to do that for me. I think Gandalf wants me to find some things on my own and I think that I need to. I'm just not sure how to do it and I'm scared." Pulling her into a hug, Celeborn kissed the top of her hair and smiled.
"I know, little one. I just want to protect you. Indulge an old elf-lord this once. You were so helpless when I found you; I feared the worst and I still do. But if you do not wish it, I will not interfere. At least in your discovery process that is. Gandalf does own me some answers, if not as your guardian, but as a friend."
She snuggled closer and he was reminded of the first night they'd spent in the healer's talan. He began to sing quietly. Ronyo was no elfling, but Celeborn refused to let a gentle soul such as Ronyo's wander alone in her turmoil. Her spirit, in the rare glimpses of her true nature, reminded him of himself at times and where he's had two caring parents, she'd had none to help her through the difficult times. He'd made this mistake once, but he'd not do it again. The Valar gave him a second chance and he would not let it slip away.
A knock at the door abruptly ended his song as a servant entered requesting his presence back in the study.
"Go. I will be alright," Ronyo whispered sitting up. She walked him to the door and paused wanting to say more, but Celeborn shook his head. He simply said, "Get your rest. Gandalf will be off early tomorrow."
As he closed the door, a war waged within his mind. Celeborn felt his wife's mental probes and ignored them, finally locking them out. He decided for once he would listen to his instincts. Ronyo could not be helped if he did not know what he was up against.
"Gandalf!" Celeborn's voice echoed through the study as the doors flew open revealing an irate elf lord.
"Celeborn, I …"
"Silence, wizard. You have entered my realm and disturbed my guest. You will give up your secrets this instant."
"Celeborn."
"Address me in formal Mithrandir."
"Celeborn!" Galadriel's verbal and mental exclamation was quite loud as she rose from her seat to stand between the two males.
"Be still woman. I am lord of this realm and far too many think I am merely a pawn to you. Need I remind you of your duties as a wife to her husband and a Lady to her Lord?" his eyes glinted dangerously daring her to challenge him.
Galadriel frowned and returned to her seat, muttering, "Yes, my Lord Husband." She would deal with this later.
"Alright, my Lord Celeborn. I have had quite enough of your foolishness," the wizard drew himself up to full height and the room darkened as he stepped up to the elf-lord's face. "I will not be ordered as one of your servants. This task was appointed to me by the Valar and the course set as such. They state that I cannot reveal what I know, the sparse bits of information that I have and I agree with them. In the best interest of Ronyo's mental health, the Valar's will shall stand. I certainly shall not be the one to interfere with Their decry. And that is something quite outside your realm, my Lord. If my presence offends, I would take my leave, my Lord, my Lady."
The wizard stormed out of the room, shocked and angered at his old friend resorting to his position to get information from him. He headed to his room slamming the door. Grabbing his pipe and pipeweed, Gandalf sat by the fire and lit up in an attempt to clear his head.
My dear friend, Galadriel's mental voice interrupted his reverie and hour later. Please forgive my husband. I fear his emotions have taken a hold of him once more and robbed him of his sense. Even if the hour is late, you know where you can find me.
Gandalf walked out to the Lord and Lady's gardens to where Celeborn usually came to brood. He felt Galadriel's presence at his side and she pointed up into the mallorn.
"My Lord Celeborn, may I request a word with you?" A quiet swish of branches and Celeborn dropped from the tree.
"Please drop the formalities Gandalf. We've been friends too long for such. You must forgive my earlier outburst; I was not myself."
"No, my Lord, you were quite yourself; too much I think," Galadriel said emerging from the bushes to sit on one of the benches under one of the trees.
"Galadriel, love, I owe you an apology also."
"Later, our guest must leave early and he has something of importance to tell."
"My friend, please sit," Celeborn gestured Gandalf to the bench.
"All is forgiven for I fear our tempers got the best of both of us. We're becoming ill tempered and rash in our great youth," the wizard's eyes glittered with mirth.
"Ronyo is special to me. Almost a second daughter; a second chance. I fear I did not pay enough attention to Celebrian, to the minute details of her life, when she was young. I will not make that mistake again."
"Do not fear for Ronyo is not Celebrian. In as much as your esteemed daughter was a lady and the likeness of her mother, but Ronyo is something altogether different. She is much like you Celeborn: rash, fiery, impetuous, but in the true manner of any female, she has the shrewdness of a true lady."
The elves in question merely arched their eyebrows as Galadriel feigned ignorance at Gandalf's assessment. "Tis not shrewdness, merely insight and prodding in the direction of the heart's desire."
"Humph. Gala, you forget that I've known you for millennia and you've always had your own agenda. Don't you agree Gandalf?"
"I know nothing of the sort, about our dearest Lady, I merely report on what I see about females in general."
"Of that I'm certain," Galadriel said, "But pray tell, what do you have to report on our Lady Ronyo?"
Gandalf chuckled, "Your insight is much appreciated my Lady. As for Ronyo, I charge you two with her care until we next meet. I expect that shall be Imladris at the Summer Solstice as we've already discussed. But you must continue her lessons on riding."
"Why would we stop?" Celeborn asked, "It is necessary for her travel needs."
"Nay, it is necessary for her life. All I can say is that the Valar have a plan for her and Maquissar and Kotumo are only the beginning. But I must ask your leave as I plan to be off at dawn and would like to have a few hours of rest."
"Thank you Gandalf, dear friend. May you enjoy your rest. I will see to your arrangements," Celeborn said as the wizard took leave, leaving the silver haired Lord and his golden haired Lady to discuss things.
Morning arrived swiftly and found Ronyo to be the first at breakfast. With a good meal in his stomach, Gandalf took leave of a teary eyed she-elf and her calm royal guardians. A night of talk had returnrd the rulers to their usual stoic selves.
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"May your travels be swift and the Valar guard your way. Until we meet again, Gandalf," Celeborn stated as the wizard mounted his chestnut mare and left the city.
Ronyo watched until his form disappeared into the forests. Her heart was torn as yet another friend abandoned her. No, abandon was not the correct term, for that denotes an unfeeling casting off without any regard to further happenings. But Gandalf had left her in the care of the Lord and Lady of Lothlorein, two of the most respected and powerful elven rulers on Arda. And one was her savior. She would be alright. She would have to be.
TBC in Chapter 7