Authors' Note: Here is my thirteenth and final chapter. Thank you all so much for the wonderful reviews that I have received! I really do appreciate it. I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Tolkien's work.
Chapter 13 A New Maiden
With the air of grace and nobility Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel dismounted their two white horses. It had been a long journey from Lorien, but from what they had heard from Elrond's messengers, it was well worth it. Their son-in-law himself came to greet them shortly after their arrival, sweeping into the courtyard in some of his finest robes.
"Hir nin," he laid his hand upon his heart and extended it out in the elven manner. Lord Celeborn did the same. Then the Lord of Imladris turned to his most esteemed mother-in-law. "Mae govannen, hiril nin," he bowed and kissed her hand. But Galadriel observed him coolly, taking in all of his unspoken language.
"It has been quite a stressful summer for you, has it not?" she finally spoke, her musical voice, gentle and kind. Elrond sighed and shook his head.
"Aye," he muttered. "Quite an uproar has been brought to my household.
"I hope it has nothing to do with the presence of our guards and March Warden," Celeborn inquired in a worried tone.
"No, not at all," the lord answered, being as best a host as he could. "There was a little strife between Haldir and one of my younger advisors, but that has passed now."
"Ah, but you are not being truthful with us, I'm afraid," Galadriel linked her arm with his as Elrond swore quietly in his head, forgetting that she could read minds. "Come, enlighten us."
Figwit, having decided that it was best to clean up his wounds before his execution, headed back to the healers' hall. Inside it was deadly quiet and when he pushed open the heavy door, all gasped.
"He's alive!" Elladan whispered loudly to his twin. "I would have thought that he would be dead by now." But the young elf paid no attention to them, instead he moved back to his bed, where he was surprised to find Rumil and Orophin sitting on the edge of it, arguing with their brother, who sat opposite them. Minyoiel appeared to be dozing peacefully, yet one of her hands still stroked the back of her fiancé. Normally, Figwit would have shied away and found another bed that was not occupied, but now, he just didn't care.
"You see what you have done now brother!" Orophin was growling at the March Warden. "We are all in trouble because of you! You could not just leave things alone. No, you had to start a riot. And that is why mother always favored us."
"What?" Haldir hissed, back, equally distressed. "How dare you speak of mother like that? You both know that she favored me!" And though Figwit was thoroughly enjoying this argument, he really wanted to lay down.
"Excuse me," his voice was neither timid nor rude, "may I please have my bed back." The brothers looked up at him in shock.
"Of course," Rumil muttered. They stood and moved across the room.
"Thank you," he replied respectfully and laid down. Haldir however, did not move from his position and Figwit was quite aware of his eyes upon him. After a few tense minutes, the Captain sighed and turned his attention back to his bride.
"Well, that is quite a tale you have told us," Galadriel replied bemusedly.
"Hmm," Elrond rubbed his temples and turned to face the lord and lady who were now comfortable seated in his study. "I do feel very sorry for Figwit. Mayhap I should not have promised him a punishment. But then I could not go back on my word."
"Would that really be all that bad?" Celeborn asked. "It would be just this once after all. No one needs to know. Besides, watching Minyoiel get married is enough of a punishment for him."
"I suppose so," the half-elf agreed. "Just don't let it out that I have become soft, or else I'll be ruined."
The day of the wedding dawned bright and clear. The birds chirped happily in the trees and the sky was of the lightest blue. Most of the Imladris elves were quite cheerful, for they would finally be free of the cruel tyranny of the Lorien guards. But Figwit himself could not find a reason to be joyous. Even though he had repeated Elrond's words of advice in his head, he could not help but feel that Minyoiel was meant to be with him. And even as he stood on the sidelines next to Lindir, Erestor and Glorfindel, he felt more depressed than he had been in his whole entire life. Several minstrels played soft tunes from their instruments and Minyoiel began to make that seemingly endless trip down the aisle. And just when he was about to despair, Lindir nudged him hard in the ribs.
"Look!" he whispered and pointed toward Haldir, who stood with his brothers at the other end of the aisle. The March Warden seemed very pale. Perhaps it was because he was not used to wearing dress robes in such extreme heat or perhaps it was because the full weight of what he was about to do had just fallen upon him. But whatever the reason was, it did not matter, for now he was slowly turning green. Minyoiel was only about halfway down the aisle, her white dress trailing behind her and sweeping up the tossed rose petals when it happened. The Captain's huge form suddenly swayed and then with an almighty crash, he fainted, smacking his head on one of the benches set to the side and bringing some of the floral arrangements down with him. Rumil and Orophin had tried in vain to catch him, but now they stood over their fallen brother both blaming the other for not supporting him. Minyoiel hiked up her skirts and trotted over to her fallen groom, while Lord Elrond along with the Lord and Lady of Lorien began to revive the March Warden. The whole scene was rather comical and Figwit couldn't help but let a loud shout of laughter out. He was quickly followed by Lindir, Glorfindel and finally the twins. And before they knew it, all of the Imladris elves were hysterical, letting two months of pure aggravation directed towards Haldir out. But when he was revived all laughing ceased immediately and the ceremony continued on without event.
Haldir stood shaking the hands of all those present at his union as they trickled into the feasting hall. He was holding a cold compress against his head and had no memory of his brief loss of dignity. So you can imagine his great perplexity when a few elves burst again into shrill laughter as they shook his hand. But, being too wrapped up in his reception, the Captain ignored it and turned his attention to Minyoiel. They shared the first dance and then many other couples began to follow their example and headed out onto the space provided for dancing. But Figwit stood alone, the others having moved off with maidens of their own, leaving him to watch in envy. He scanned the dance floor bleakly, when suddenly he caught sight of her. She was the most radiant creature he had ever seen, even more beautiful than Minyoiel had been! She had deep gold hair that fell about her waist and even though she was waltzing with a tall elf lord, he felt up for the challenge. It was just then that Lindir walked over and interrupted his fantasy.
"Figwit!" he exclaimed. "Why are you looking at the Lady Galadriel like that?"
Hir nin: My lord
Hiril nin: My Lady
Mae govannen: Well met
