A/N: Review please... don't make me start begging! Hehe, ;-)
Also, I am using more Elvish in the following chapters, with the translations at the end of each sentence they are used in. While I imagine all talking between the elves to be in Elvish, as the Galadhrim generally only know Elvish, except for the small bit Haldir knows, and Galadriel and Celeborn also, I write the story in the 'Common Speech' so us non-elves have an easier time understanding the story. Only a few phrases will be in Elvish... and I do not claim that they are correct, or that they are solely Sindarin, Quenya or Noldorin...
Chapter 9- Morning Tea
Indilisse woke the next morning just as the morning sun was beginning to peak through the high branches of mallorn leaves. She did not feel like removing herself from the comfort of the heavy bed covers and soft feather mattress, but she knew to lay around would not be a good thing for her to do either... especially with the threat of Haldir coming and banging on the door because she had failed to meet him at the appointed time in his talan for breakfast with him and his brothers. Slowly she removed and deposited herself on the floor, standing up and stretching her long arms over her head.
Walking over to the wardrobe, Indilisse pulled back the doors, closely surveying her clothing. It was in dire need of attention; of the few articles she had brought with her, most of them were tunics and leggings which were torn, needing desperately to be mended. Of the few dresses she had, they were more formal than she would have liked to wear out on a regular day. She sighed, pushing the dresses back and thinking about each one carefully. It would be better when her mother arrived with the rest of her belongings from Mirkwood, and maybe she could talk her father into procuring a seamstress for a few dresses.
Indilisse decided on a pale green dress made of a soft filmy cloth, pulled it over head and grumbled a little bit more. Usually she would not wear a dress, but she figured that a tunic and leggings would not necessarily be the best clothes to wear while walking around the city. While she had seen a few female wardens walking around in men's clothing, the majority of female city dwellers wore dresses, showcasing the elegant formality that was Lórien. Pleased, but not content with her appearance, she sat heavily in front of her dressing table, brushing her long hair out of all its sleep- made tangles. Reaching for the small vial of niphredil water, she splashed a tiny amount on the brush and ran it through her hair again. Breathing in the light scent caused a long wistful sigh to escape her lips, reminding her of the previous night.
She had needed time to clear her mind from all that had happened that day, and a walk had seemed the perfect distraction. Arriving at the flet, she spotted Haldir sitting there and looking longingly up at the stars. He had been the last thing she wanted to see, especially with his new penchant for being uncouth to her. But he had stopped her retreat with a simple breathy call of her name that made a shiver travel up her back, of which she was sure was not due to the cool breeze. Indilisse had paused for a moment and thought about it, almost deciding to leave him, but in the end her curiosity won out as she wanted to find out the reasons of his unusual character.
After they had gotten over all of the formalities and Haldir explained his reasoning behind the things he had done, their conversation changed to a particularly nice one. It had brought back many fond memories that she had forgotten since her short childhood in Caras Galadhon, most of which reminded her of how much she had grown to care for the three brothers, especially Haldir.
He had always been of a certain interest to her when she was younger. When she had said that she watched Orophin on the practice field as an elfling she had lied, and Rúmil knew this, but she was glad that he had enough decency not to say it aloud. Haldir was the one she watched. She found it hard to believe that such a person could fight like he could- so fearsome, yet so refined and elegant. He was even more skilled than Targon, she had to admit. Targon always brandished a flair when he fought in battle or in practice, making it a sort of intricate dance and often did not achieve the same affect as Haldir did when he fought. When Haldir was wielding a weapon, he had his own finesse, but he achieved the aura of being muscle bound and trained for one purpose- to fight to the death and scare any further foe from challenging him.
The passion in his eyes as he swung the scimitar at her had been the only thing to trigger her memory as to he had been when he threw himself into the spar a few days ago. It was remarkable, his fervor, even for an event not coinciding with an actual battle.
Indilisse sighed to herself again and stood, smoothing out her filmy dress before leaving her talan. She passed many elves on her way to his home, bidding them a fair morning as she went by, gifting them with a pleasurable smile, even though she had not met many of them. The trek to Haldir's talan was an easy one, a change from trying to remember where everything else was in the city, and she found herself walking over a small bridge and stopping in front of his door. Loud and obnoxious insults were being thrown about, and she almost did not want to knock for fear of disrupting their brotherly caterwauling. She raised a hand and touch her knuckles lightly to the wood door and waited.
"Who are you expecting, brother?" The voice she could distinguish as Orophin's said.
"Mankoi lle irma sint?" Came the reply and then an angry, "Make yourself useful and open the door." Why do you want to know?
Indilisse giggled and waited for the door to be pulled back. Rúmil was there and let a lazy smile cross his features as he leaned against the door, "Ever is the sight of you a joy, fair Indilisse."
"Antolle ulua sulrim." She replied with a smile, pushing him aside so she could enter. Much wind flows from your mouth
"Is there ever a time at all that you are not so cynical?" Rúmil asked.
She shrugged her shoulders and pushed past his large frame easily, "Have you ever known a time?"
Rúmil frowned, "No."
"Then there is your answer, Rúmil." Indilisse flashed him a sweet smile, and found Orophin standing up quickly and pulling her into a friendly embrace. She giggled lightly at his neediness. "Orophin, my mighty warrior."
He laughed and pulled back from her enough to look down into her eyes, his hands on her upper arms. She tried not to notice that the other two were watching them intently. Obviously after yesterday's conversation they were a bit suspicious, "To what do we owe this pleasure of having you for company this morn?"
She shrugged, "Haldir is to show me around Caras Galadhon today, and invited me to share the morning meal with you fine elves."
"But you know your way around the city already." Orophin said.
Indilisse noticed Haldir's glare from the corner of her eye, "Aye, I do, but since I was only an elfling when I left, I was not given a craft to learn, so he will have to show me that. Narië is with Lady Galadriel today."
Indilisse took the next few seconds to look around the room, and into the rooms off of the main area. She sighed to herself, thinking about the beginning of her life and the time she had spent here. This had been her family's talan, the one set aside for the March Warden and his family. When they left Lórien, Haldir was given full ownership of the talan, but it seemed as if not much had changed in two thousand years except for the pieces of furniture within the room. She had not realized that the brothers were watching her intently until she turned back to glance at them. She let a soft smile cross her lips and a blush creep to her ears.
"You seem preoccupied." Rúmil commented, sitting in one of the wooden chairs surrounding the intricately carved table.
She sighed, "I am only making sure Haldir is taking care of my old talan."
Orophin laughed and motioned for her to sit in the chair at one end of the table, "For what he sees of it, it is well taken care of."
Indilisse sat down gracefully into the seat and glanced in Haldir's direction, noting that he had been particularly quiet ever since she had entered. As a matter of fact, he had said nothing to her except to grunt or make a face at something said, like he was doing now after she brought up the talan. "Oh, do not give me that look Haldir, I am only kidding."
"But are you really?" He questioned, handing her a clay cup of hot tea.
With a dramatic roll of her eyes, she giggled and turned to look at Orophin, "He is not here often, Orophin?"
"Nay," Orophin said, shaking his head, "He is usually out on the borders. This is the longest I remember him staying within the city in a long time."
"I am in the room." Haldir reminded.
"I had not noticed." She retorted sarcastically.
"You have gotten snippier since have been away." Orophin said. "I am surprised your father did not do anything about that."
Indilisse scoffed and kicked her foot out, coming into contact with his leg. He grimaced and grabbed for his leg, Haldir trying to restrain his laughter as she giggled, Rúmil remaining uncharacteristically quiet and sullen.
"Now, children, you must not hurt each other..." Rúmil replied, a smile finally pulling at the corners of his mouth.
She grabbed a strawberry from the platter in the center of the table and threw it at Rúmil. Before she had realized what had happened, Haldir's hand was reaching in front of Rúmil, snatching the offending fruit from the air. Haldir shook his head and finally sat a plate of bread and cheese down in front of them, dropping the berry into his mouth.
He had obviously felt her eyes upon him and he looked at her, "I would not have you start a messy fight within the talan. That is unless you wish to clean the mess yourself."
"You are so oppressive." Indilisse scowled playfully and reached for a piece of bread. "When do you think you will be going back out to the borders?"
"Tomorrow." Haldir said, sipping his tea. "Lord Celeborn wanted us to head for the borders to await your mother's arrival."
She nodded her head, "I cannot wait for her return."
They all nodded and dug into the light meal in front of them, enjoying each other's company in silence and in some pleasant talking. It was not until they were almost finished that Haldir glanced at her and spoke, "Have you thought of what you would like to do?"
Indilisse shrugged her shoulders, "I do not know. I have not any infinite natural ability in any area really."
Rúmil raised a curious brow, "You could always become a warden. Your fighting skills are better than some of the wardens we do have, right Orophin?"
"Auta miqula orqu." Orophin replied over the clay cup he held to his mouth. Go kiss an orc
Indilisse giggled, but quickly became quiet. She let a long sigh escape her lips, "Whether my skills are perfect or not, my father would not let me. He thinks that my concentration is bad and one moment I lose it, it will be the end of me."
"It was." Haldir replied, "When I fought with you."
"That was not fair. First of all, I would have won the spar against Colindo easily, had you and your big puffed up head not entered." She shot at him, "And my father purposely drawing my attention away..."
"Aye, aye," Haldir held his hand up defensively, "I understand."
"I do not think you do." She said, casting eyes down towards the table. "You would not allow me to become a warden either."
Haldir sat back in his seat and looked at her for a long while, the other two brothers remaining quiet, unwilling to speak over the thick tension in the room. "Not because I do not think you are capable, Indilisse. Rúmil is correct when he said you are better suited for being a warden than many of our other elves, but I would not wish you to be a warden because too many people care about you."
Indilisse found this comment strange, and gave him a confused look, "And no one cares for you three? I know that the Lady sees you as her own sons. I care for you..."
"Aye, but..." Haldir trailed off.
She shook her head furiously, and held up her hand to stay whatever he was going to say. "Please say no more, Haldir, I do not wish to become a warden as it is. I will find something else."
The rest of their conversation was cut short by the sound of a quiet knock at the door. With a final look towards her, Haldir stood up and moved to the door, pulling it back hastily, and slumping when he saw who it was. Indilisse watched this with great interest and tried to see around his large frame, but all she could manage to make out was the flowing skirt through his legs. She turned back to the table and sipped her tea thoughtfully, and heard the voice of the person who had knocked. Indilisse let a slow smile cross her features, finding that Rúmil and Orophin were giving her weird glances. ____________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________
"Nindë, what a surprise to see you this morning." Haldir said, wishing her away with the thoughts in his head. The last thing he needed was to be confronted with this problem right now. She had been increasingly forceful the past few times they had been together, ever urging him to his sleeping room, or pushing her attentions upon him. It felt odd, truthfully, though he was not one to quickly brush aside female attention, in any of its forms.
"I hope you rested well, Haldir." She said with an utterly feminine smile and quick bat of her lashes.
It did not have the effect on him that she had hoped though. For some reason he felt impervious to her advances now, and all he could afford her was an arrogant smile. "I did. Would you like to come in and share a cup of tea?"
"I do not even think you need to ask." Nindë said, licking her lips seductively.
Haldir stepped back and motioned for her to pass into the talan, but she did not move as soon as she saw who else was in the room. He had suspected that she had no idea that they were there, and he let a smile cross his features. Yes, she had other plans for this visit. Plans that he would now be able to succinctly squelch before she got carried away with her flirtatiousness, he hoped anyway. Nindë stood, looked from Rúmil to Orophin and then her gaze fell upon Indilisse's honeyed-brown head. The look that passed through her gray eyes was not the least pleasant as she gazed at the seated elleth's head. He thought he even saw red flame flash within her gaze.
Indilisse turned in her seat to face Nindë, "Nindë, what a pleasure it is to see you this morn. I meant to stop by your talan on the way here, to speak with you about our trip to the bath today, but I realized I did not know which one was yours."
Haldir could tell that this was a blatant lie from the overly sweet tone to Indilisse's voice, but only shook his head and closed the door behind Nindë. He walked in and poured a cup of tea, handing it out to the new guest. "Please sit Nindë."
Nindë sipped the strong brown liquid and then held the cup back out to Haldir, "I actually cannot stay long. Valaina is expecting me to help her with the gardens today."
"Well, then, I cannot make you stay here." Haldir smiled and took the cup.
"When shall we meet, Nindë?" Indilisse questioned.
"After the noon meal." Nindë said, walking towards the door. "Namarie."
With that, Nindë was out of the talan and the door was closed. The remaining inhabitants of the talan exchanged looks for a few moments, and then burst out into laughter, save for Haldir, who sat quietly still. He sighed, thinking of how oddly the elleth had acted. He would have a talk with her as soon as he could about their continued trysts.
"I have never seen an elleth move so fast." Indilisse replied.
Orophin laughed, "We will keep you around more often Indilisse, if that is the effect you have upon clingy elleths."
"Like you mind clingy elleths, Orophin." She giggled and glanced towards Haldir who was watching her from the corner of his eye again.
"Most I do not mind, but there are a few that just..." He trailed his words, adding a small shudder for his point.
Rúmil nodded and sighed, "So what is this I hear about you going to the baths?"
Indilisse shook her head and stood up, carrying some of the dirty dishes over to the kitchen wash basin. "That would not concern you, Rúmil."
"Will, uh, Narië happen to be present as well?" Rúmil questioned.
She looked at Haldir who gave her a warning glance with his eyes. Indilisse shrugged off this look and smiled, "I do not know, and even if she was going to be there, I would not tell. You would look for her, and inadvertently see other elleths, one of which I know would not like eyes upon her."
This piqued the attention of the other brothers, and they turned quickly from their amused states to seemingly seriously thinking about trying to spy on the bare elleths from the lofty tree branches. Rúmil recovered quickly form her jab, "You do not like the attention of male elves, fair Indilisse?"
"Oh, I do." Indilisse said, "But not when all they can look at are my breasts, and continually imagine me with nothing on."
Haldir smiled softly to himself. Was it bad that he had already imagined her with nothing marring his view from her assuredly perfect elven body? He did not even need to see her at the bath house to know that she was beautiful and perfect beneath the filmy green dress she was wearing. A hand on his shoulder, though, interrupted the vivid thoughts of her body, and he glanced up to find that Indilisse was standing close beside him.
"Can we go now, Haldir?" She asked, "I have had enough of these ingrates."
He nodded and pushed his chair back. Standing easily, he offered his arm to her and showed her towards the door. They walked out, leaving Rúmil and Orophin to their own devices, and continued quietly down the long staircases to the city floor. Indilisse glanced up at him quickly, noting the way his lustrous silvery hair fell around his shoulders and down his strong back, and the way his prominent chin sloped down and into a squared jaw line...the way his ears were particularly pointed, even for elves, and protruded nicely form his hair. Such a fine statue wrought from the hands of a master elven sculptor could not create that same look of his face, nor capture the haughty light in his eyes.
She sighed, "I like this much better than you being arrogant, Haldir."
"Oh, this is still Arrogant Haldir, though now I have a reason to be with a beautiful elleth on my arm." He replied without thinking, and hoped she did not read too much into the statement.
Giving him an odd look, Indilisse chuckled, "I will thank you now and ask questions later."
Haldir nodded, though he swallowed hardly, hoping that she would forget about it all together.
*-*-*-*
Review! Review! Review! Please? I love my reviewers... and to those of you who are faithful reviewers, the higher powers will know this on judgment day!
Also, I am using more Elvish in the following chapters, with the translations at the end of each sentence they are used in. While I imagine all talking between the elves to be in Elvish, as the Galadhrim generally only know Elvish, except for the small bit Haldir knows, and Galadriel and Celeborn also, I write the story in the 'Common Speech' so us non-elves have an easier time understanding the story. Only a few phrases will be in Elvish... and I do not claim that they are correct, or that they are solely Sindarin, Quenya or Noldorin...
Chapter 9- Morning Tea
Indilisse woke the next morning just as the morning sun was beginning to peak through the high branches of mallorn leaves. She did not feel like removing herself from the comfort of the heavy bed covers and soft feather mattress, but she knew to lay around would not be a good thing for her to do either... especially with the threat of Haldir coming and banging on the door because she had failed to meet him at the appointed time in his talan for breakfast with him and his brothers. Slowly she removed and deposited herself on the floor, standing up and stretching her long arms over her head.
Walking over to the wardrobe, Indilisse pulled back the doors, closely surveying her clothing. It was in dire need of attention; of the few articles she had brought with her, most of them were tunics and leggings which were torn, needing desperately to be mended. Of the few dresses she had, they were more formal than she would have liked to wear out on a regular day. She sighed, pushing the dresses back and thinking about each one carefully. It would be better when her mother arrived with the rest of her belongings from Mirkwood, and maybe she could talk her father into procuring a seamstress for a few dresses.
Indilisse decided on a pale green dress made of a soft filmy cloth, pulled it over head and grumbled a little bit more. Usually she would not wear a dress, but she figured that a tunic and leggings would not necessarily be the best clothes to wear while walking around the city. While she had seen a few female wardens walking around in men's clothing, the majority of female city dwellers wore dresses, showcasing the elegant formality that was Lórien. Pleased, but not content with her appearance, she sat heavily in front of her dressing table, brushing her long hair out of all its sleep- made tangles. Reaching for the small vial of niphredil water, she splashed a tiny amount on the brush and ran it through her hair again. Breathing in the light scent caused a long wistful sigh to escape her lips, reminding her of the previous night.
She had needed time to clear her mind from all that had happened that day, and a walk had seemed the perfect distraction. Arriving at the flet, she spotted Haldir sitting there and looking longingly up at the stars. He had been the last thing she wanted to see, especially with his new penchant for being uncouth to her. But he had stopped her retreat with a simple breathy call of her name that made a shiver travel up her back, of which she was sure was not due to the cool breeze. Indilisse had paused for a moment and thought about it, almost deciding to leave him, but in the end her curiosity won out as she wanted to find out the reasons of his unusual character.
After they had gotten over all of the formalities and Haldir explained his reasoning behind the things he had done, their conversation changed to a particularly nice one. It had brought back many fond memories that she had forgotten since her short childhood in Caras Galadhon, most of which reminded her of how much she had grown to care for the three brothers, especially Haldir.
He had always been of a certain interest to her when she was younger. When she had said that she watched Orophin on the practice field as an elfling she had lied, and Rúmil knew this, but she was glad that he had enough decency not to say it aloud. Haldir was the one she watched. She found it hard to believe that such a person could fight like he could- so fearsome, yet so refined and elegant. He was even more skilled than Targon, she had to admit. Targon always brandished a flair when he fought in battle or in practice, making it a sort of intricate dance and often did not achieve the same affect as Haldir did when he fought. When Haldir was wielding a weapon, he had his own finesse, but he achieved the aura of being muscle bound and trained for one purpose- to fight to the death and scare any further foe from challenging him.
The passion in his eyes as he swung the scimitar at her had been the only thing to trigger her memory as to he had been when he threw himself into the spar a few days ago. It was remarkable, his fervor, even for an event not coinciding with an actual battle.
Indilisse sighed to herself again and stood, smoothing out her filmy dress before leaving her talan. She passed many elves on her way to his home, bidding them a fair morning as she went by, gifting them with a pleasurable smile, even though she had not met many of them. The trek to Haldir's talan was an easy one, a change from trying to remember where everything else was in the city, and she found herself walking over a small bridge and stopping in front of his door. Loud and obnoxious insults were being thrown about, and she almost did not want to knock for fear of disrupting their brotherly caterwauling. She raised a hand and touch her knuckles lightly to the wood door and waited.
"Who are you expecting, brother?" The voice she could distinguish as Orophin's said.
"Mankoi lle irma sint?" Came the reply and then an angry, "Make yourself useful and open the door." Why do you want to know?
Indilisse giggled and waited for the door to be pulled back. Rúmil was there and let a lazy smile cross his features as he leaned against the door, "Ever is the sight of you a joy, fair Indilisse."
"Antolle ulua sulrim." She replied with a smile, pushing him aside so she could enter. Much wind flows from your mouth
"Is there ever a time at all that you are not so cynical?" Rúmil asked.
She shrugged her shoulders and pushed past his large frame easily, "Have you ever known a time?"
Rúmil frowned, "No."
"Then there is your answer, Rúmil." Indilisse flashed him a sweet smile, and found Orophin standing up quickly and pulling her into a friendly embrace. She giggled lightly at his neediness. "Orophin, my mighty warrior."
He laughed and pulled back from her enough to look down into her eyes, his hands on her upper arms. She tried not to notice that the other two were watching them intently. Obviously after yesterday's conversation they were a bit suspicious, "To what do we owe this pleasure of having you for company this morn?"
She shrugged, "Haldir is to show me around Caras Galadhon today, and invited me to share the morning meal with you fine elves."
"But you know your way around the city already." Orophin said.
Indilisse noticed Haldir's glare from the corner of her eye, "Aye, I do, but since I was only an elfling when I left, I was not given a craft to learn, so he will have to show me that. Narië is with Lady Galadriel today."
Indilisse took the next few seconds to look around the room, and into the rooms off of the main area. She sighed to herself, thinking about the beginning of her life and the time she had spent here. This had been her family's talan, the one set aside for the March Warden and his family. When they left Lórien, Haldir was given full ownership of the talan, but it seemed as if not much had changed in two thousand years except for the pieces of furniture within the room. She had not realized that the brothers were watching her intently until she turned back to glance at them. She let a soft smile cross her lips and a blush creep to her ears.
"You seem preoccupied." Rúmil commented, sitting in one of the wooden chairs surrounding the intricately carved table.
She sighed, "I am only making sure Haldir is taking care of my old talan."
Orophin laughed and motioned for her to sit in the chair at one end of the table, "For what he sees of it, it is well taken care of."
Indilisse sat down gracefully into the seat and glanced in Haldir's direction, noting that he had been particularly quiet ever since she had entered. As a matter of fact, he had said nothing to her except to grunt or make a face at something said, like he was doing now after she brought up the talan. "Oh, do not give me that look Haldir, I am only kidding."
"But are you really?" He questioned, handing her a clay cup of hot tea.
With a dramatic roll of her eyes, she giggled and turned to look at Orophin, "He is not here often, Orophin?"
"Nay," Orophin said, shaking his head, "He is usually out on the borders. This is the longest I remember him staying within the city in a long time."
"I am in the room." Haldir reminded.
"I had not noticed." She retorted sarcastically.
"You have gotten snippier since have been away." Orophin said. "I am surprised your father did not do anything about that."
Indilisse scoffed and kicked her foot out, coming into contact with his leg. He grimaced and grabbed for his leg, Haldir trying to restrain his laughter as she giggled, Rúmil remaining uncharacteristically quiet and sullen.
"Now, children, you must not hurt each other..." Rúmil replied, a smile finally pulling at the corners of his mouth.
She grabbed a strawberry from the platter in the center of the table and threw it at Rúmil. Before she had realized what had happened, Haldir's hand was reaching in front of Rúmil, snatching the offending fruit from the air. Haldir shook his head and finally sat a plate of bread and cheese down in front of them, dropping the berry into his mouth.
He had obviously felt her eyes upon him and he looked at her, "I would not have you start a messy fight within the talan. That is unless you wish to clean the mess yourself."
"You are so oppressive." Indilisse scowled playfully and reached for a piece of bread. "When do you think you will be going back out to the borders?"
"Tomorrow." Haldir said, sipping his tea. "Lord Celeborn wanted us to head for the borders to await your mother's arrival."
She nodded her head, "I cannot wait for her return."
They all nodded and dug into the light meal in front of them, enjoying each other's company in silence and in some pleasant talking. It was not until they were almost finished that Haldir glanced at her and spoke, "Have you thought of what you would like to do?"
Indilisse shrugged her shoulders, "I do not know. I have not any infinite natural ability in any area really."
Rúmil raised a curious brow, "You could always become a warden. Your fighting skills are better than some of the wardens we do have, right Orophin?"
"Auta miqula orqu." Orophin replied over the clay cup he held to his mouth. Go kiss an orc
Indilisse giggled, but quickly became quiet. She let a long sigh escape her lips, "Whether my skills are perfect or not, my father would not let me. He thinks that my concentration is bad and one moment I lose it, it will be the end of me."
"It was." Haldir replied, "When I fought with you."
"That was not fair. First of all, I would have won the spar against Colindo easily, had you and your big puffed up head not entered." She shot at him, "And my father purposely drawing my attention away..."
"Aye, aye," Haldir held his hand up defensively, "I understand."
"I do not think you do." She said, casting eyes down towards the table. "You would not allow me to become a warden either."
Haldir sat back in his seat and looked at her for a long while, the other two brothers remaining quiet, unwilling to speak over the thick tension in the room. "Not because I do not think you are capable, Indilisse. Rúmil is correct when he said you are better suited for being a warden than many of our other elves, but I would not wish you to be a warden because too many people care about you."
Indilisse found this comment strange, and gave him a confused look, "And no one cares for you three? I know that the Lady sees you as her own sons. I care for you..."
"Aye, but..." Haldir trailed off.
She shook her head furiously, and held up her hand to stay whatever he was going to say. "Please say no more, Haldir, I do not wish to become a warden as it is. I will find something else."
The rest of their conversation was cut short by the sound of a quiet knock at the door. With a final look towards her, Haldir stood up and moved to the door, pulling it back hastily, and slumping when he saw who it was. Indilisse watched this with great interest and tried to see around his large frame, but all she could manage to make out was the flowing skirt through his legs. She turned back to the table and sipped her tea thoughtfully, and heard the voice of the person who had knocked. Indilisse let a slow smile cross her features, finding that Rúmil and Orophin were giving her weird glances. ____________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________
"Nindë, what a surprise to see you this morning." Haldir said, wishing her away with the thoughts in his head. The last thing he needed was to be confronted with this problem right now. She had been increasingly forceful the past few times they had been together, ever urging him to his sleeping room, or pushing her attentions upon him. It felt odd, truthfully, though he was not one to quickly brush aside female attention, in any of its forms.
"I hope you rested well, Haldir." She said with an utterly feminine smile and quick bat of her lashes.
It did not have the effect on him that she had hoped though. For some reason he felt impervious to her advances now, and all he could afford her was an arrogant smile. "I did. Would you like to come in and share a cup of tea?"
"I do not even think you need to ask." Nindë said, licking her lips seductively.
Haldir stepped back and motioned for her to pass into the talan, but she did not move as soon as she saw who else was in the room. He had suspected that she had no idea that they were there, and he let a smile cross his features. Yes, she had other plans for this visit. Plans that he would now be able to succinctly squelch before she got carried away with her flirtatiousness, he hoped anyway. Nindë stood, looked from Rúmil to Orophin and then her gaze fell upon Indilisse's honeyed-brown head. The look that passed through her gray eyes was not the least pleasant as she gazed at the seated elleth's head. He thought he even saw red flame flash within her gaze.
Indilisse turned in her seat to face Nindë, "Nindë, what a pleasure it is to see you this morn. I meant to stop by your talan on the way here, to speak with you about our trip to the bath today, but I realized I did not know which one was yours."
Haldir could tell that this was a blatant lie from the overly sweet tone to Indilisse's voice, but only shook his head and closed the door behind Nindë. He walked in and poured a cup of tea, handing it out to the new guest. "Please sit Nindë."
Nindë sipped the strong brown liquid and then held the cup back out to Haldir, "I actually cannot stay long. Valaina is expecting me to help her with the gardens today."
"Well, then, I cannot make you stay here." Haldir smiled and took the cup.
"When shall we meet, Nindë?" Indilisse questioned.
"After the noon meal." Nindë said, walking towards the door. "Namarie."
With that, Nindë was out of the talan and the door was closed. The remaining inhabitants of the talan exchanged looks for a few moments, and then burst out into laughter, save for Haldir, who sat quietly still. He sighed, thinking of how oddly the elleth had acted. He would have a talk with her as soon as he could about their continued trysts.
"I have never seen an elleth move so fast." Indilisse replied.
Orophin laughed, "We will keep you around more often Indilisse, if that is the effect you have upon clingy elleths."
"Like you mind clingy elleths, Orophin." She giggled and glanced towards Haldir who was watching her from the corner of his eye again.
"Most I do not mind, but there are a few that just..." He trailed his words, adding a small shudder for his point.
Rúmil nodded and sighed, "So what is this I hear about you going to the baths?"
Indilisse shook her head and stood up, carrying some of the dirty dishes over to the kitchen wash basin. "That would not concern you, Rúmil."
"Will, uh, Narië happen to be present as well?" Rúmil questioned.
She looked at Haldir who gave her a warning glance with his eyes. Indilisse shrugged off this look and smiled, "I do not know, and even if she was going to be there, I would not tell. You would look for her, and inadvertently see other elleths, one of which I know would not like eyes upon her."
This piqued the attention of the other brothers, and they turned quickly from their amused states to seemingly seriously thinking about trying to spy on the bare elleths from the lofty tree branches. Rúmil recovered quickly form her jab, "You do not like the attention of male elves, fair Indilisse?"
"Oh, I do." Indilisse said, "But not when all they can look at are my breasts, and continually imagine me with nothing on."
Haldir smiled softly to himself. Was it bad that he had already imagined her with nothing marring his view from her assuredly perfect elven body? He did not even need to see her at the bath house to know that she was beautiful and perfect beneath the filmy green dress she was wearing. A hand on his shoulder, though, interrupted the vivid thoughts of her body, and he glanced up to find that Indilisse was standing close beside him.
"Can we go now, Haldir?" She asked, "I have had enough of these ingrates."
He nodded and pushed his chair back. Standing easily, he offered his arm to her and showed her towards the door. They walked out, leaving Rúmil and Orophin to their own devices, and continued quietly down the long staircases to the city floor. Indilisse glanced up at him quickly, noting the way his lustrous silvery hair fell around his shoulders and down his strong back, and the way his prominent chin sloped down and into a squared jaw line...the way his ears were particularly pointed, even for elves, and protruded nicely form his hair. Such a fine statue wrought from the hands of a master elven sculptor could not create that same look of his face, nor capture the haughty light in his eyes.
She sighed, "I like this much better than you being arrogant, Haldir."
"Oh, this is still Arrogant Haldir, though now I have a reason to be with a beautiful elleth on my arm." He replied without thinking, and hoped she did not read too much into the statement.
Giving him an odd look, Indilisse chuckled, "I will thank you now and ask questions later."
Haldir nodded, though he swallowed hardly, hoping that she would forget about it all together.
*-*-*-*
Review! Review! Review! Please? I love my reviewers... and to those of you who are faithful reviewers, the higher powers will know this on judgment day!