Authors' Note: Here is my eleventh chapter. I can't thank you all enough for the reviews I have received. So thanks again! I hope everyone enjoys!
Disclaimer: I do not own Tolkien's work.
Chapter 11 Tension
My feet moved soundlessly through the underbrush. I ran as fast as I could, wanting to get away from those horrible ellith. They had frightened me terribly and now I felt like a spooked animal, running from the hunter in the wild. I reached my flet and nearly collapsed from exhaustion. The healers had been right. I could not exert myself like this anymore. I fell into a chair not far from the door and shut my eyes until my breath became steady once more. I would not let the chatter of a few moronic elves bother me. I was determined not to. They did not know Haldir, they did not know me! Any knowledge they may have gained was of a false nature and I would not trust it. Yes, it was true that I did love Haldir, but as for this other business, it was utterly ridiculous. I was pregnant now, things were different and I trusted my husband once more. No, Lintelin may try to steal him, but she would not succeed. My beloved's heart was pure and true, he would not stray. He would not turn to her empty delights, no, no. I shook my head and muttered these very words to reinforce my beliefs. I had never trusted the word of maidens of that manner. I do not even know why I let it bother me in the first place. I had had too many bad experiences regarding them. I suppose that is the reason for my lack of friendship, but I had been trod upon once before and would not let that happen again. I clearly remembered one incident that was the harshest, it stood out in my mind freshly as though it has just occurred, it should have been a happy time, the day after my marriage to Haldir. We had kept it secret from the general populace at first allowing our Lord and Lady to know only along with Haldir's brothers. But somehow, the rumors had gotten out and spread and as usual, I was the naïve one to fall victim.
/Flashback/
I was on my way to the flet of my beloved. My footsteps were almost as light as my heart. In my arm I carried a few belongings that I would need immediately, for I had not yet moved all of my personal affects over to his home. We had been married the night before, in the company of the Lord and Lady and my new brothers-in-law. No one else knew of it, which somehow I thought made it all the more romantic. For the first time since my parents had left for Valinor, I was happy. I had someone to love and that someone loved me back. I hummed a little tune, as I knew that he was at his flet now, trying to make it proper for his new wife. Oh, his wife! My stomach squirmed in glee to think of that, I was his wife! My happiness would have remained undisturbed if I had not heard the giggle of an elleth nearby. I stopped and tilted my head in curiosity, seeing a few maidens that were about my age, standing near a small fountain under the mellyrn. Their giggles increased and finally they all broke out into a chorus of laughter. I smiled, not catching on right away.
"What is so amusing?" I asked. "Please let me in on your jest." This forced them into even more laughter.
"Why you are a silly, little elleth," the one said. She appeared to be the leader. "You are what causes our amusement."
"Me," my voice came out squeaky. "What have I done?" This caused them to laugh all the more.
"Oh, so you have not heard," the elf continued. "Well, we shall let you in on a little secret." She stepped forward and for some reason I cowered and moved away. But she grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me into their group. "It has been said," she spoke in a whisper as I took a few steps backward in sight of their leering smirks, "that you and the March Warden were bonded last night, that you became his wife." The others had managed to keep a straight face, but now they all let out loud shouts of laughter and stared at me as though I was something disgusting to be found under a rock.
"But why is that funny?" I didn't understand. "It is true, why should you laugh?" This just caused them to laugh more and more loudly. I continued to ask them why, my voice becoming more persistent, even tearful. Yet they laughed and laughed till I could take it no more. I ran from the glade sobbing to seek out Haldir.
/End of Flashback/
I pulled myself away from those terrible memories. There was no reason to dwell on them. It was near a hundred years ago and not of any importance anymore. I rose slowly from my chair and stretched, carrying my jar of herbs with me into the pantry. Haldir would be home soon, I must begin to prepare dinner. I fixed a poor looking salad and a piece of meat that the butcher told me was fresh. The bread had already been baked; the one thing that I kept up on and we had a few pieces of cheese left from the previous night that were still good. I set the table slowly, always for two, sometimes for four if my brothers-in-law dropped by. But we were not expecting anyone this eve, so I arranged the usual two places, looking forward to spending some with my husband. At near nightfall, the door creaked open and I smiled. But for some reason two voices met my ears. One was undoubtedly my husband's. The other was a female's. Immediately I recognized it, how could I not. Haldir and Lintelin stepped into the main room, both were laughing. I shuddered visible.
"Meleth nin," he stepped forward and kissed me gently upon the lips.
"Haldir," my voice was pleasant but spoken through gritted teeth, "what is Lintelin doing here?"
"Oh, I invited her for dinner," he said flashing me a loving smile. "I did not think you would mind."
"Mae govannen mellon nin," she stepped forward with that stupid grin of hers plastered all over her false face. She dare call me mellon nin? I was not her friend. I nodded briefly, there would be no use fighting it, she was here now and there was nothing I could do. I graciously showed her to the table and pulled out another place setting. At least my Naneth had taught me good manners. Lintelin sat and began to help herself to my food. I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths to calm myself. And then I sat, Haldir next to me, my smile just as fixed.
"So Lintelin," I was wringing my hands. "We have not really spoken much. Please tell me more about yourself."
Elleth: female elf
Ellith: female elves
Mae govannen: Well met
Meleth nin: My love
Mellon nin: my friend
Naneth: Mother