Chapter Twelve: Sound Plans Gone Askew
Haldir was greatly regretting having accepted Lord Glorfindel's invitation. On either side of him sat the two chattiest, uncouth Elflings in all of Middle-earth, and even at the Golden Lord's not-so-subtle suggestions that they take themselves elsewhere, the pair seemed determined to stay. He glanced into his teacup, still a quarter full, but perhaps Glorfindel would understand. Haldir was about to interrupt Elrohir, who was recounting some lewd tale he'd heard from one of his Ranger friends, and excuse himself, when there came a knock at the door.
Quickly Glorfindel jumped up and shot Elrohir a warning glare that was supposed to serve in silencing the younger Elf. It worked, though moreso due to the twin's curiosity, as both he and his brother leaned foreward to get a good view of who was at the door.
There stood a young Elf-maid, a look of great surprise on her face when she beheld the Golden Lord. "Oh my!" She gasped, "Lord Glorfindel! Whatever are you doing here?"
"Well Madame, these are my quarters, so it is not so very odd that you would find me here," he replied. There was something of apprehension in his voice and eyes, he recognized this little maiden from the earlier 'incident' in the lower hall. Haldir also recognized her, and frowned.
Unfortunately the twins were not as dense as would have been convienient in this circumstance. They noted to themselves the unease of the other two Elf-lords and exchanged a conspirational grin.
Elrohir stood and approached the doorway. "Will you not introduce us to your lovely visitor my lord?"
Elladan rose also and followed his brother. "Indeed, for we have not yet had the pleasure of making her acquaintance."
Glorfindel frowned at glanced at Haldir. Haldir shook his head slightly and shrugged one shoulder. Glorfindel frowned more deeply and looked back to the maiden who was carefully scrutinizing the twins.
"I am afraid I myself have not yet had the pleasure of this lady's name," he waited expectantly for her to respond.
"Oh, yes of course," she blinked at last, tearing her eyes from the dark-haired brothers, "I am called Lirinwen, and I have come seeking Lord Erestor, are you certain these are not his apartements? The Sentinel I spoke to gave me very concise directions."
Glorfindel openned his mouth to reply, but was hastily cut off by Elrohir. "You are seeking Lord Erestor? Now that is an odd thing indeed is it not my brother?"
"It certainly is! I do not believe I've ever heard of such a thing, a maiden purposely seeking to find Erestor, whatever is this world coming to?" Agreed Elladan.
"Forgive them my lady," spoke up Glorfindel, shooting the offending Elves a hard look, "too much time spent in the company of mortals has sullied their manners, these are Elrohir and Elladan, the sons of Lord Elrond, and I am sure you are already familiar with your Captain, Haldir."
"It is an honor to make your acquaintance my lords Elrohir and Elladan," she responded evenly, "and though you might find it odd that I seek Lord Erestor, I do seek him just the same."
Glorfindel was eager to have her on her way, he didn't care for the interest the twins were showing at her arrival. "You will find his quarters one suite over, my lady," he told her with a polite bow.
"I thank you my lord," she responded with a small curtsey, "I apologize for the intrusion on your privacy," with that said, Lirinwen nodded to Haldir, then turned to leave.
"But my lady!" Protested Elrohir, causing her to pause in her retreat, "we have only just come to meet, perhaps you might be persuaded to stay and take tea with us?"
"Indeed!" Added Elladan, "I for one am very eager to hear why it is you seek Lord Erestor, it is no common thing for a maiden to want to speak with him."
Lirinwen considered their invitation. It had not escaped her notice that both Haldir and Glorfindel were agitated, be it from the reminder of their earlier 'meeting' in the lower hall or the enthusiasm of these two strange siblings, she knew not. Lirinwen was inclined to think it may be a combination of both. Still, the allure of speaking with those so intimately acquainted with Erestor was strong, though she did not entirely approve of their manner. It occurred to her only very briefly to wonder why a gathering of male Elves were drinking tea instead of wine.
"Surely the lady does not wish to sit and answer your inappropriate questions," growled Glorfindel.
"Not at all, my lord," replied Lirinwen quickly, "I should be more than happy to oblige if no one objects to my company."
"Oh," he murmured, "well, very well then, please, do come in," the Golden Lord stepped aside that she might enter. The twins exchanged a victorious grin and returned to their seats next to Haldir, much to his chagrin. Lirinwen accepted the chair offered and thanked Glorfindel for the tea he poured her.
"I am most curious, my lords, why you should think it odd for a maiden to desire an audience with Lord Erestor," began Lirinwen, glancing between the two brothers.
"I am certain the sons of Elrond were only teasing, my lady," cut in Glorfindel quickly, "there is of course no reason for anyone to avoid the Counsellor." Haldir found himself slightly amused by the direction that this conversation appeared to be taking, and poured himself some more tea.
"Come now Glory!" Chirped Elladan, "you know perfectly well he has yet to meet a maiden that didn't either fear or dislike him near instantly!"
"Aye, he is, unfortunately, not in possession of charm," afirmed Elrohir. Glorfindel looked utterly aghast at these bold statements, not to mention the use of the inappropriate nickname they took so much pleasure in calling him.
"How is your sister?" Demanded the Golden Lord suddenly in an awkward attempt at subject change.
Lirinwen suppressed a smile. "She is resting, my lord," was the reply, "this morning's labors were trying for her I believe."
Glorfindel frowned and Haldir coughed on a mouthful of tea. The twins' eyes fairly bulged with curiosity.
"Of what labors do you speak?" Asked Elrohir before Glorfindel could ruin the moment and change the subject again.
Lirinwen glanced at Haldir and noted his frown. "Nothing of great importance, my lord," she replied, "just a bit of lifting, are you at all acquainted with my sister Andúnil?"
"Nay, we are not," he replied, a note of disappointment in his tone.
"That is a beautiful ring, my lady," tried Glorfindel again, "of Rivendell craftsmanship I do believe, when do you plan to be married?"
Lirinwen smiled brightly at this compliment, it was nothing short of her favorite subject. "Yes indeed it is of Rivendell! Tiniond and myself are only just promised, we plan to be joined following next years autumn festival," she sighed, momentarily forgetting the company she was in, caught in her own thoughts, "if only I could see my sister so happily matched, my delight would be complete."
"It seems to me that grown Elves with the sense to avoid marriage ought to be left to their own designs," grumbled Haldir, speaking more for himself than for Lirinwen's desire to have her sister paired off. It was a topic on which he was very passionate.
"Quite so," agreed Glorfindel, "but there is no fault to be found in wanting good things for others," he added, shooting Lirinwen a pacifying smile. She frowned at their censure.
"Is that why you're looking for Erestor?" Piped up Elrohir, as the idea suddenly dawned on him. Three other pairs of astonished eyes joined his in staring in shock at Lirinwen.
The maiden pinkened at the tips of her ears, she cursed herself silently for not being as discreet as she had intended. She wished, not for the first time, that she was in possession of more tact. "Well, sort of, b-but not entirely," she stammered, suddenly anxious under the force of their stares, "she mentioned him to me that is, and since she is not in the habit of speaking about males, I though perhaps she might have an interest in him."
You could have heard a mallorn leaf drop in the room.
The room was silent and still, save for the movement of the Elf-lord's arm as he brought the wine cup to his lips and the darting of his eyes as he read from a tidy stack of parchments. All at once his solitude was threatened as the sound of raised voices drew near. The Elf-lord looked up and quirked one elegant brow, daring the voices to breech the sanctity of his pointedly shut door.
"Are you certain he is not engaged at present? I can return later if the Counsellor is indisposed," came the sound of a feminine voice. It sounded vaguely familiar, but he struggled to place it.
"Don't be silly my dear lady!" Responded a cheerful male voice, "he'll be thrilled to give you an audience!"
"And even more thrilled that we are here to take it with you!" Added a near identicle tone. Erestor had only a moment to cringe inwardly before the door to his little study was thrown open.
"Ernie!" Exclaimed Elrohir with a wide grin, "marvellous to see you again!"
Lirinwen frowned slightly. She noted right off that the Counsellor did not look anywhere in the vicinity of 'thrilled'.
"Have you missed us?" Asked Elladan with a cheeky smirk.
"Perhaps we have come at a bad time," suggested the maiden, feeling quite ill at ease with the intensity of the Counsellor's glare.
"I feel inclined to take this opportunity to remind you of the merits of knocking on doors before you enter someone's private apartments," was Erestor's monotone reply.
The Elf-maiden looked noticeably disturbed by this censure, but the twins only grinned more broadly. She was beginning to believe this had been a terrible idea.
"Perhaps next time, aye?" Replied Elrohir, plopping himself up on the corner of the desk, "but today we have a delicate matter of some great importance to discuss with you." Elladan nodded his approval at that statement, and ushered the reluctant maiden closer to the imposing Counsellor.
Erestor folded his hands into the sleeves of his robe and waited for them to proceed without comment. Lirinwen marvelled slightly at his apparent tolerance of the twins' misguided manners. He certainly didn't seem the type of Elf to take such blatant disrespect from any being, and yet he seemed willing enough to indulge them. Albeit with very direct disapproval in his countenance.
"Go ahead my lady, he is listening," urged Elrohir, smiling encouragingly at the maiden.
"Well, I..." she began with uncertainty.
"She would like you to consider courting her sister," Elladan supplied helpfully. Lirinwen paled at his bluntness and looked to the Counsellor in apprehension. This had all gotten quite carried away, not at all like the discreet inquiries she had had in mind.
Erestor did not appear to react, and the maiden went from trepidation to bemusement as he sat there stone-faced and silent.
"Her-her name is Andúnil," she stammered suddenly to break the quiet, "you've met her before."
"Do not worry my lady, he is thinking on it," comforted Elladan, patting her hand with a charming smile.
"Aye," agreed Elrohir, "be not discouraged fair one."
Lirinwen had now returned to the opinion that this had been a terrible idea. Surely this severe, solemn creature would not suit her beloved sister, indeed she was not certain if there were any maiden to suit him. Andúnil had been right all along to dislike him, though smug and insipid did not seem to do him credit, he was more 'scary' and 'sour' in Lirinwen's estimation.
"I must question why I have been offered this honor," replied the Counsellor at length. There was nothing in his tone to suggest he sincerely considered the offer an honor.
Lirinwen opened her mouth to respond but Elrohir cut in. "The maiden is fond of you my lord, and favors no other."
"It is no mark of great taste, to be certain," added Elladan, "but how often does a maiden take it upon herself to fancy you Ernie? I say you ought to accept!"
Was it her imagination or did the statue's eyes narrow slightly at that comment?
"I do not think that..." began Erestor.
"Agree to this and you'll not see hide nor hair of the two of us until we leave the Golden Wood," interrupted Elrohir quickly, flashing his elder a sly grin.
Erestor blinked. "Done," he replied without further hesitation. The twins shared a whoop of victory and clapped Lirinwen on the back simultaneously. It was all she could do not to topple over.
How had it come to this? She wondered in a panic. Her mind was altered! She did not want him to court her sister any longer! This was surely a disaster!
"Th-thank you Counsellor," she managed to sputter before the twins dragged her from the room chatting merrily between themselves. The maiden glanced back only once as the door was shut behind them. The grim picture of Erestor sitting imperiously at his desk, his eyes dark and hard like slate. It was an image that would surely haunt her for all eternity.
Oh dear! Whatever had she done? And what was she to do to fix it? There was of course only one logical solutinon; find someone else to vie for her sister's affections against Erestor. But who? There was little time to seek out someone proper and suiting. She needed a good sort of Elf, prestigious enough to be a serious rival against the Counsellor's position, and proud enough not to cower or shirk from this great challenge. The thought of pride triggered an image of a particular male in her mind. He would have to do, there was no other his equal to be called upon in so short a time. And if Haldir couldn't foil the infamous Rivendell Elf, there would not be another that could.
Resigned, Lirinwen clenched her fists. She had some more matchmaking to do.
Rúmil awoke with a start, aware firstly of a great stench that filled the air, and secondly of the dampness pressed against his cheek. He groaned and tried to move without success, somehow his limbs had ceased to function. Or was it that he had lost the ability to command them to function? The haze of his mind puzzled over this dilemma.
"Haldir?" He called weakly. It was supposed to have been a proper yell, but came out as a husky whisper. Rúmil was very put out.
Two rooms over the youngest of the siblings was suffering a similar fate. Orophin lay motionless on his bed blinking rapidly, hoping this action would bring the room into focus. He was not entirely certain where he was at the moment, but it certainly was a smelly place.
Slowly the minutes ticked by and the brother's improved marginally. Orophin was the first to heft himself into an awkward sitting position, but was greeted by a wave of nausea that sent him reeling into unconciousness and he promptly toppled off the bed.
Rúmil heard the thump and managed to roll over. Briefly pleasure flashed through his mind at his successful escape from the dampness on his pillow. Then it ocurred to him he might be in danger. What was that thump? Where was he? Why couldn't he move properly? Why couldn't he remember what had befallen him? Was it too much to hope he'd been drugged and elf-napped by beauteous Elf-maiden waiting in the next room to pounce on him? He decided to go with that for the time being.
"I would not ask this of you if it were not direly important my Captain," pleaded Lirinwen as she stood before a horrified Haldir.
"Court your sister?" He demanded, "what has lead you to believe I would ever consider such a thing? It is entirely out of the question!"
"She is not good enough for you then?" Snapped the maiden, her eyes flashing irritation.
"I am certain, good lady, that it is quite the opposite," he replied quickly, clenching and unclenching his fists.
"Then why will you not accept? For if you do not rival Erestor's suit no one will! Surely such an important and pleasant task appeals to you?" She urged.
"Rival Erestor's suit?" He blinked. Much confusion and awe swirled in his mind. Erestor was intending to court a maiden? What sort of devilry was this?
"Yes!" She confirmed with an exasperated sigh.
"I am not certain I understand, my lady," he spoke hesitantly, "did you not desire the Counsellor to court your sister?"
"Well, yes, I did," admitted Lirinwen with a guilty shrug.
"Then why do you solicit me as a rival to him? I am afraid I do not understand your intentions," he tilted his head to the side and furrowed his brow.
Lirinwen sighed again, a great, deep, sigh of desperation. "I had not realized they were so ill suited when I set out to match them, having now met the Counsellor, I can see clearly that my earlier desires to have them woo were utterly misguided."
"I must admit I am surprised he agreed to it, I was certain that he would not," admitted the warden.
"Well," frowned Lirinwen, "the Sons of Elrond can be, shall we say, 'persuasive'."
"Ah I see," he nodded.
"Aye, they promised him respite from their presences for the duration of their stay in Lórien if he agreed to the suit," she added.
Haldir's eyes widened. "My good lady, for such a gift I would court Sauron himself!"
Lirinwen put her fists on her hips and glared at the Elf. "Well, it is not in my power to grant you that!"
The warden looked slightly disappointed, but matched her gaze evenly. "Then I am afraid I cannot aid you."
The maiden scowled. "Is there nothing I can offer to tempt you? No service or token? Really my Captain, I am most desperate to succeed in this task, I am near enough to agreeing to most anything!"
Haldir sighed in frusteration. Maidens! Why must they be so infuriatingly persistent? And why did he always get ensnared into their little plots and intrigues? He only wanted to be left to himself! Was it really too great a thing to ask? Perhaps it would be easier just to let in. He could surely get a fine service of this lady and would only have to waste a small margine of his time to make a pretense of courting her sister. Plus she would no longer try his patience with her counfounded female-persistance. Did the merits not out-weigh the sacrifices?
After a moment of thought he concluded that they did. "Very well my lady," he proclaimed magnanamously, "I will do this for a price."
"What is your price?" She asked quickly, worried he would change his mind.
Haldir grinned slyly. Lirinwen had the sense to be concerned.