Author's Note: Here is my nineteenth chapter. Wow! I can't believe how long this story has gotten. Again, I must thank you all for your wonderful reviews. I cannot thank you all enough! Thanks again! I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Tolkien's work.
Chapter 19 Discussions
I looked up to meet my husband's eyes and gave him a frightened stare. But Haldir just smiled down at me, gently urging me forward to talk to the Lady. I balked slightly, grabbing onto his wrist in protest. I was not a very sociable elf and talking to the Lady of Lorien herself terrified me. She could read the minds of others and peer into their hearts, seeing their most inner feelings and doubts. This did not make me all the more keen on discussing anything with her and now, in my throes of panic, I found my own husband abandoning me. Well, to be quite honest that didn't surprise me, the way things were going of late.
"Go, go," Haldir was pushing me forward. "She wishes to speak to you, do not be anxious." I had no choice, I would be forced to. So, with grim determination I clutched my harp tightly in my hand and moved forward. The Lady Galadriel smiled kindly as I curtsied clumsily, my large abdomen preventing much of the formality.
"Oh, Elenwen there is no need for that," she said, her smile growing bigger. I tired to smile myself, but panic gripped my being and froze my facial muscles. I watched as Haldir moved off, disappearing into the crowd. I had never felt so alone, utterly lost in a sea of faces and bodies. Galadriel was speaking, I did not even notice. I quickly snapped my attention back to her, dropping my gaze to the ground and trying to stare at my feet in their satin blue shoes but failing due to my rotund abdomen. "How are you feeling dear?" she was saying. "I know that your child is due to be born soon, when is it exactly?"
"Any day now hiril nin," I murmured, my voice soft from nerves. I knew that she was quite aware of how far my pregnancy was, but was just trying to make conversation and be polite.
"Have you thought of any names yet?" she asked gently.
"No hiril nin," I managed to respond, swallowing the bile that had begun to rise in my throat as she spoke. "I have decided to wait until after the birth and then choose a name."
"Ah, that is smart," Galadriel replied softly. "Lord Celeborn and I had not chosen a name for our daughter Celebrian until after her birth as well. Tell me child, has the March Warden suggested any names?"
"No hiril nin," I squirmed uncomfortably under her gaze, I could tell that she was looking me over carefully, observing my nervous manner and searching my soul. I swallowed hard and made a strange gagging noise, causing me to blush a deeper shade of red.
"Is there anything wrong Elenwen dear?" the Lady asked. I looked down at my trembling hands and realized that it didn't take the Lady of Light herself to notice that things weren't right. I was struggling to appear calm and nonchalant, when in reality my nerves were on edge. I was nervous about performing for the first time in years and even more worried about my current situation with Haldir. If he didn't sense my angst through the lyrics of the song, I would have to face him and that was something I just didn't want to do. I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment, feeling dizziness swamp me.
"No Lady Galadriel," I finally answered, feeling my heart beat rapidly in my chest as the lie slipped from my mouth. Oh, why was I even bothering to play dumb?! It made no sense when I stood before the one of the most powerful elves in Middle-Earth! She seemed to feel my utmost distress and being as kind as she was, changed the subject quickly.
"So I hear you are going to perform tonight. It has been quite a while since you graced us with your lovely voice, has it not?"
"Yes hiril nin," I managed a weak grin. "After much deliberation I have decided that it would be nice to sing again." Try pure revenge against another elleth, I thought bitterly to myself, for once not caring if she interrupted my thoughts. Should I tell her about Lintelin? After all she was a wife as well and she should understand. Shouldn't she? No, it was my own personal business. I would not trouble her with it. Finally, I raised my eyes to meet hers, knowing that my decision had been the right one. She seemed to sense it to as she smiled kindly once more and bowed her head slowly, signaling the end to our conversation.
"Well Elenwen," she said, "I am so glad to here that you are doing well and I look forward to hearing the news announcing the birth of your child." I mumbled a thank you and curtsied once more. Then as if he had been summoned, Haldir appeared by my side, bowing in respect to the Lady as well. He took my arm once more and led me away, into the crowd of the many elves.
Narrative POV
The Lady Galadriel watched Haldir and Elenwen's retreating backs as they slowly disappeared into the thick of the crowd. When they were gone from view she turned to see her own husband Lord Celeborn standing by with a concerned look upon his handsome face. She moved closer, allowing him to take her arm and whisper in her ear.
"She did not mention anything, did she?" he questioned her quietly.
"No my dear I am afraid the poor thing said nothing," the Lady of the Galadhrim responded sadly.
"Are you going to question her further, my beloved?" Celeborn asked.
"We must be patient in all things hir nin," she answered, her voice holding thousands of years of knowledge upon it. "I foresee that Elenwen will not much longer be able to keep her worries hidden. She will begin to find it more and more difficult indeed, in fact right now I sensed that she was about to falter in her strength finally, after all there is only so much one can take."
"And what of Haldir?" the Lord inquired. "Do you know if he is in truth being unfaithful towards his wife?"
"That my Lord Celeborn I have not the heart to venture into," Galadriel sighed sorrowfully. "The truth will expose itself in some manner quite soon, I fear, whether it is good or bad. All we have to do is wait." Celeborn met his wife's gaze for a few seconds and then turned his attention back towards the festival.
"Aye," he replied. 'I believe that you are correct."
Hiril nin: My lady
Hir nin: My lord