Chapter Twenty-four: Míriel and Aerandir Suspect
The protective measures Gil-celeb gave in the closed council with his councilors were immediately initiated. While Aerandir, Míriel, and Legolas were visiting with each other, Gil-celeb's subjects were called and orders were issued to them forbidding them to go outside, to go about their daily activities in groups of five, and to keep a watchful eye for anything suspicious. They were also informed about Falathar returning, and not to mention anything to either Aerandir or Míriel. The King was careful to keep the fact that Legolas made Falathar his personal servant a secret. He did not want to embarrass the young Prince.
So later that evening, when everyone was gathered in the dining hall for the evening meal, the Elves were especially festive. They talked and laughed with each other in loud voices. There was much song and many dances were held. Aerandir and Míriel assumed that it was all held in their honor because of Celoneth. Legolas, however, knew better, although he did not know about the protective measures Gil-celeb had placed. His sharp eyes picked out several of the Elves standing around the King, Míriel, and Aerandir who seemed somewhat out of place. Their unusually heavier cloaks seemed to be bulging slightly at odd places, and the Prince was sure he saw the hilts of swords and bowstrings. Then he knew without being told that they were guards.
Legolas went to King Gil-celeb and drew him aside.
"I see that you have placed guards." he whispered.
Gil-celeb looked sharply at him.
"Who informed you?" he hissed.
"My eyes." Legolas replied calmly.
"Verily, you have very sharp vision, Legolas."
The Prince of northern Eryn Lasgalen smiled.
"The Quest required sharp eyes. I must admit it has improved them. But I have not come to boast about my vision. I have come to offer my services to you. If you permit it, I can serve as a guard. Though I know not the entire story, I know enough to understand that their lives are in danger. Who is Falathar? I feel he is related to Avathar." he said.
Gil-celeb stiffened.
"While I appreciate your offer and accept it, I am not sure I will answer your question." he said slowly. "All I will say is that it is indeed as you feel, Avathar is Falathar. You should know this at the very least, for it is your duty to see that he does not come in contact with either Míriel or Aerandir. In fact, if you see him, kill him. I must leave you now."
The Prince watched Gil-celeb thread his way to his daughter and Aerandir. Several of the surrounding Elves casually followed him. Legolas joined Aerandir and Míriel, noticing how mysteriously Gil-celeb looked at him. It was a strange expression the King gave him, a combination of wonder and sudden understanding. Gil-celeb finally comprehended the Lady Galadriel's prophecies. The puzzle pieces were falling into place.
"Do not turn away all whom you may judge to be a rival, for through them is the key to heal the bitter past." she had told Aerandir.
'Legolas…it is Legolas.' Gil-celeb realized. 'Ai, Elbereth!'
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The following day, Gil-celeb called Amorith and Giliath to him. He knew his daughter trusted them the most, and for his own purposes they were invaluable resources. He did not sidestep the issue; he told them about everything truthfully: the reason he issued the orders the previous day, Legolas' meeting with Falathar, the unknown protective measures he placed, and Legolas offering himself to protect Míriel and Aerandir. They stood before him speechless, but he saw the fear in their eyes.
"It is very difficult now for me to act normal. I know he is returning for my life, as well as the life of Aerandir. It is only a matter of time. I know in my heart that whatever measures I take he will still get through them unscathed. He will kill us; the Lady Galadriel has prophesied this. And Falathar has sworn to do it." the King said.
The handmaidens choked, and covered their mouths.
"I call you now not to have you give me your farewells from now, but to perform a duty for me, perhaps the last duty." he continued.
"Say not that!" Giliath whispered.
"What duty will you have us do?" Amorith asked quietly.
"There, there, Giliath. Weep not! At times, to weep is to admit weakness. Show a stony heart, and you will sink Falathar with it. His greatest delight is when he is asked to show mercy and pity, for he knows none. I have called you here to ask if you may please look after Míriel. Legolas cannot look after her as you can; she will more readily allow you to enter her chambers than she will allow Legolas. And now you have a legitimate reason—Celoneth. Persuade her to have you sleep in one of their extra chambers to look after Celoneth. From there, you have a perfect post to watch out after Míriel. Perhaps you can arrange it so one of you is always watching Míriel while the other watches Celoneth. When it is all over, Míriel will thank me and you as well." their King said.
The handmaidens smiled through their tears.
"We will do as you wish, hîr nín. There is nothing more pleasing to us than your satisfaction. We love Princess Míriel dearly." they said.
"And perhaps it will be better if you tell Legolas, just so he knows. It may prove beneficial when the need arises." Gil-celeb said.
The two maidens bowed deeply before leaving. Their King watched them as they went, their heads bowed with sadness.
Amorith informed Legolas of their appointment as guards. The Prince thought it was a good idea, since no one knew what the coming days would bring. The trio therefore spent as much time as possible around Aerandir and Míriel. The handmaidens were allowed to look after Celoneth and were given a spare room in the Princess' quarters.
"There is something mysterious happening." Aerandir told Míriel that night as they lay down to rest.
The Princess turned over so that she faced her husband. He saw her breasts, so delicate and transparent, rise and fall with each breath she took. She still had her figure; Elves do not gain weight after they give birth. Her arms slipped to the sides of his face. She traced his cheeks.
"What makes you think so?" she asked softly.
"It first began with your sire the day after Celoneth was born. He changed so suddenly. He does not laugh anymore, and there is a haunted look about him, as if he expects to face Death himself." he said.
Míriel shook her head at him, and her silver hair covered her eyes.
"You are imaging things, Aerandir." she said to him gently.
"I am not. I never imagine things. And that is not the only thing I have noticed. I have noticed many things, but I have never spoken of them before. Legolas, Amorith, and Giliath…" Aerandir whispered.
"What is wrong with them?"
"Do they not seem to be following us everywhere we go?"
"Amorith and Giliath are my handmaidens. It is quite natural that they should follow me. As for Legolas, he is our guest."
"I do not suspect anything from the Prince. That is not my intention. I only noticed that he is following—"
Míriel laughed quietly at Aerandir, her eyes glowing.
"Meleth nín, Legolas is here to visit us. If he wishes to follow us, I see no harm in that." she said. "Unless you do."
"I do not, and you know so. But is it not strange how we are never out of sight of any of them: Legolas, Amorith, or Giliath?" he protested.
The Princess silenced him with a kiss.
"Nothing is strange. Everything is normal." she said soothingly.
After making passionate love to each other, Míriel was left alone to her thoughts. Aerandir was resting peacefully, his head on her bosom. She ran her hand through his dark hair, and felt his arms about her waist. She loved him dearly, and could not think of life without him.
"You are correct, Aerandir, in your suspicions. I have seen and noticed everything you mentioned to me. Something is happening, something strange and mysterious." she said quietly into the night.
Her only response was Aerandir's shallow and rhythmic breathing.
The Princess did not tell Aerandir what she had overheard Amorith saying to Giliath that day. She had come to feed Celoneth, and their chamber door was slightly open, allowing her to hear their conversation.
"…did you see his face? He looked terrible." Amorith said.
"I did. I would be looking like that, too, if I knew my daughter's life was in grave danger and my kingdom as well. Mind you, I am quite frightened myself. Can you believe he is coming back?" Giliath answered.
"If aran Gil-celeb believes so, then I believe it too."
"You are correct."
Míriel feared the worst. If her sire believed it, than it was true.