Chapter 11- Farewell
Indilisse lay in her talan, waiting for the first morning light to appear through the trees. She had not slept at all this night as her head was so full of different thoughts, traveling many diverse paths, that they would not let her rest. First, she thought about what Galadriel had said, and about her impending assignment as the legend archivist for the Lord and Lady. She worried that she would not remember stories as they were meant to told, or that she would not be able to deliver what the high-eves had been expecting, therefore tarnishing her father's words to them about her affinity for storytelling. She knew that she was probably being too hard on herself, as she had not even placed quill to parchment yet, but it still sat at the back of her mind.
Then she had thought of her bath house experience with the two most vain elves she had ever met. She was not even sure Nindë and Valaina qualified as being vain, they being beyond vile and dissolute. Surely others recognized their plights for status and did not give in to their false ways. Most of all, she hoped that by the Valar, Haldir had not fallen into Nindë's perilous trap. He was weary of most elves, and wiser than the others he was not weary of, but Indilisse could not bare to think that in matters of the flesh, Haldir was no more than prey caught in a sticky spider's web. After all, it seemed that he and Nindë had shared many a night together. Probably under the bedcovers, making passionate love...
At that point Indilisse had to start singing to herself to get the visions out of her head. Not that she was disturbed with the scene, but the fact that she had replaced her own image with Nindë's was distressing her. She had imagined his strong lean body over her, holding her down... the passion in his eyes... the way his long dark lashes would lower as he centered his ministrations on her body... feeling his silken hair between her fingers.
Unfortunately, singing did not work. Neither did sitting at the dressing table, plaiting and re-plaiting her hair into different hairstyles. She had even sprinkled some lavender onto a pillow, in hopes that its relaxing powers would put her into a fast sleep. Now all she had ended up with was a dry mouth from singing, messy hair from the different braiding techniques and a headache from the strong odor of the flower water. And that was where her state of anxiety now was at, her sanity hanging upon the thinnest string from the branch of her talan's mallorn branches.
Finally, there was a soft knock on her door. She slid from her bed and pulled a robe over her thin nightshift, calling, "Who is it?"
"Narië." Came the soft reply.
Indilisse sighed and walked to the door. She pulled it back slowly, to reveal the elleth already dressed in her gown for the day. "It is early."
Narië nodded her head and chuckled, "Aye, that it is. Why are you not dressed, Indilisse?"
"Am I supposed to be?" Indilisse asked, looking down at herself.
"The wardens are leaving today." Narië said, "Did you forget the tradition?"
Indilisse was quiet for a moment, and then rested her head in her hand with a disgruntled sigh. She lightly massaged the bridge of her nose, "I completely forgot. Come in, and let me dress."
"I should tell your adar about this." Narië laughed, stepping in and closing the door. "The former Captain's daughter completely disregarding one of the pastimes we of the Wood hold closest to our heart."
Giving Narië a sour look, Indilisse walked back into her sleeping room and grabbed a pale blue dress from the wardrobe, "I cannot believe that there is that much pomp and circumstance surrounding all the of the wardens. Is this occasion marked only for Haldir and his brothers?"
Narië nodded, "We really do not wish the wardens a farewell and a safe return, but the brothers have a legion of admirers that wish to see them gone, and promise them... other things when they return."
Indilisse laughed and threw off her robe and shift in one fluid movement, tossing it across the room and into a corner, landing in a mangled heap of cloth. She pulled the long sleeved dress on and quickly sat down at her dressing table, pulling her hair back into one neat braid. Narië appeared behind her and grabbed her brush, pulling the braid out with her other free hand. "What are you doing? I was trying to make this simple."
Narië giggled, "Do not worry, I am quite proficient at plaiting by now. I have done it too often."
"I am surprised you came to fetch me. I had imagined you would be down with Rúmil by now." Indilisse remarked with a tiny smile.
"I need someone there with a bigger mouth than Rúmil." Narië blushed slightly. "In case I get nervous..."
"Uh-huh." Indilisse nodded her head in a unimpressed fashion.
"Besides," Narië added quickly, "the brothers do not have anyone else to see them off besides their phony followers, and sometimes the Lord and Lady."
Indilisse sighed and watched in the mirror as the younger elleth took smaller sections of hair, completing three dark gold braids on the crown of her head. "What do you mean?"
"They do not have wives or children to see them off." Narië said.
"I guess that is true." Indilisse replied, "When my father was still the Captain, only he would receive the pageantry of a farewell and return. And he had my naneth and me to be there. I cannot imagine what it is like for Haldir."
Narië finished with the braids and stepped back, "I believe that is why he takes Orophin and Rúmil with him when he goes. They are his support system, though sometimes I do not know how supportive of an elf Rúmil can be."
"Do not fret about that." Indilisse giggled quietly, realizing that her headache had lessened greatly since she and Narië had been talking. "Rúmil is compassionate when he needs to be, and with you he will be even more so."
Narië smiled, "When he comes back, Indilisse, that is when I shall tell him. By then I hope to have the courage."
"You have the courage now, Narië." Indilisse stood up and turned to look at Narië. "But I do agree with you waiting until he returns. The last thing he needs is for you to tell him you love him before he leaves. Elbereth knows what he would do if he could not have you right after you had told him."
"Indilisse!" Narië turned a bright red, this time the blush radiating from the tips of her ears to the white neck exposed by her gray gown.
Indilisse laughed wickedly and put her slippers on before heading for the door. Narië followed close behind and down to the inside of the gates where they would wait for the wardens. As she had suspected, but was not overjoyed to see, Nindë, Valaina and Eruanne were huddled together in their most revealing dresses, waiting patiently for the wardens to appear. She sat on a bench next to Narië and waited while the Warden Clique shot accusatory glances in their direction, reminding Indilisse, once again, of the previous afternoon at the bath house. Indilisse shook her head and waited for Nindë to catch her gaze, affording her a soft smile and a friendly wave of her hand. Nindë snorted and turned back around to share some other vital flaw she had found in Indilisse with her friends.
"Such conniving elleths they are." Indilisse looked at Narië.
Narië nodded in agreement, "I still cannot believe what they said to you at the bath house. I mean, sure I have known it all along, but for Nindë just to come out and announce it like that takes quite the gall of someone."
"I only hope that Haldir knows on some level about her vindictiveness." Indilisse replied with a heavy sigh, resting her elbows on her legs.
They were quiet for a while longer, listening to the incessant chatter of the other elleths. Her eyes were about ready to close when she noticed Narië stand up quickly and smooth out her dress. Indilisse looked to her side and saw Haldir leading the way, Orophin and Rúmil straggling behind, trying to keep up with their brother's decidedly powerful and long strides. Haldir looked as if he were on a mission, which technically he was, but did not want to be bothered with anything at moment. Ignoring that fact, Indilisse stood and smoothed out her own gown, and smiling at them. Knowing that Haldir had not even noticed Indilisse's presence and was focusing in on the other elleths, Nindë smiled in a delighted and spiteful manner towards Indilisse.
Indilisse sneered back and then smiled again as Orophin stopped in front of her. "Good morning."
"Tis a good morning that we get to see you before we depart." Orophin replied with a smile, "I was wondering if you would come out."
"And miss my favorite Galadhrim leaving for the fences?" Indilisse chuckled, "Never would I do that."
Orophin laughed and pulled her into a cheerful embrace, "When we return, you must make sure to save me a dance at the celebration of the Fall harvest."
"Of course, astalder." Indilisse smiled, and felt Orophin being shoved from her arms. She found Rúmil standing there with his arms held out for his own farewell hug. Orophin gave him a disgusted look, knocking Rúmil's shoulder for good measure as he walked by to join Narië.
"Will you not wrap me in your arms as well?" Rúmil asked flirtatiously and let out a low laugh.
"You are incorrigible, Rúmil of Lórien." Indilisse scowled, but smiled when he placed a hand on her ribs and tickled there. She batted at his hand and finally he stood back, reopening his arms.
This time he did not wait for her to act and rather grabbed her close to him. "I will miss you, Indilisse, mellon nin."
"Quit sounding as if you are leaving for Valinor, Rúmil." She commanded and sighed, "You will only be gone for not even a blink of an eye for the Eldar."
"I know, but I will miss teasing you." Rúmil said, "Haldir is no fun to taunt, and Orophin is not that great either."
"I heard that Rúmil." Came a soft reply from Orophin.
They looked to the side to find Orophin leaning into Narië and whispering something in her ear that made her giggle. Indilisse felt Rúmil's body tense against her and she found unbridled revulsion for what his brother was doing within his affable eyes. Indilisse laughed at him and leaned to whisper in his ear, "Do not worry, Rúmil. Orophin will not steal her. She has given her heart to someone else even though she will not tell him that."
Rúmil gave her a quizzical look. "Is it true?"
Indilisse nodded, knowing she should not have said anything, but the moment moved her. She smiled finally and placed her hand to his cheek, "Protect your brothers, Rúmil, because I will find you if you do not."
"That frightens me." Rúmil chuckled, "And I will to the best of my abilities, fair Indilisse. Only if you will watch over my heart while I am away."
"I would do nothing less.' Indilisse replied, "Though, I fear it will be her protecting me."
Rúmil glanced quickly in Nindë's direction, and then back at Indilisse, "Her bark is worse than her bite."
"I know." Indilisse laughed and shoved him away. She pushed him towards Narië with, "Kela, lle holma vé edan."
"You are always so lovely, sweet Lily," Rúmil bowed mockingly and turned back to Narië and Orophin.
She sighed, watching those three converse, and clasped a hand to her mouth to stifle a long yawn. Indilisse looked over to see Haldir standing alone now, Nindë and her friends gone from the area. He was looking over her in an untouchable way, as if he was in some dream land and she was but an illusion before his eyes, the moment he reached for her she would disappear. Or maybe she was a vision of a detestable orc, and he was looking at her for a way to rid himself of her. His gaze was so confusing, she could not decide which look was more prevalent. And at the moment, with this look, she was able to suppress the flashbacks of her thoughts the night before.
Indilisse gave him a small smile, and moved smoothly over to him. "Why so distant, mellon nin?"
He did not answer, and kept his gaze looking straight ahead, focusing on something far off in the distance. After a while he let out a long breath and lowered his gray eyes to look into hers. "I am sorry."
"I would think you would be glad to head back to the fences." She said, trying to lift his seemingly downed spirits.
"I am, but for once I am truly sad to leave Caras Galadhon behind." Haldir took hold of her hands.
Indilisse smiled, "I have a feeling you are always sad to leave, Haldir. And at least you will be back in a short time."
"That is true." He nodded and finally let a half smile pull at his lips. "But you will promise me to not get into too much trouble while I am away?"
"Is that a comment or a question?" Indilisse asked.
"That was a statement." He chuckled, "This is a question. Promise me?"
She sighed, "I do not know what trouble I could get into here, but I will promise you, Haldir. Only if you promise me that you will protect my naneth at all costs.'
Haldir grumbled, "I already listened to an extremely long oration from your father on this issue."
"Then I shall go not further." Indilisse said, removing her hands from his grasp. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close in a long squeeze. He was at first tense and then warmed up to it, wrapping his own arms around her back. She could smell the woodsy scent of the gray woolen clothing and cloak he wore over his black tunic and leggings, and the spicy smell in his silvery hair from some kind of soap. The feel of his strong body so close to hers, even through their layers of clothing was sweet torture for her, especially after her visions.
His fingers slipped underneath the hair that had fallen across her shoulder, and he pushed the strands back, using his hands to cup her soft face. Gently, he pulled away and appraised her face, his long thumbs caressing the apples of her cheeks. Feeling an uncontrollable blush creep up her ears and to the rest of her face, she tried to avert her gaze. His eyes were holding her in place more than any physical force he could- or would- ever exert on her. There was something behind those gray orbs. Something she did not recognize.
"Cormlle naa tanya tel'raa, belegohtaramin." Indilisse looked up at him again, "Naneth always used to say that when Ada was leaving for the fences."
Haldir's smile grew infinitely larger, "Coramin niuve tenná ta elea lle aú. She also said that to him."
She giggled, "You pay too close attention to details."
He removed his hands from her face and whistled for his brothers. They turned and nodded their heads in unison to his unspoken command. Haldir gave her one last smile and turned quickly on his toes, causing his cloak to swing out dramatically and brush against her.
"Too much flourish, Haldir." Indilisse replied, "Leave that to Rúmil."
Haldir glanced back at her and chuckled, before turning back to his brothers. Indilisse let out a long sigh and walked over to Narië who stood a few feet away. Narië looked very sad and even heartbroken to a certain extent, which Indilisse had to empathize with, for she was now feeling as a lovesick pup watching Haldir depart from the gates of the city. Indilisse placed a friendly arm around Narië's shoulder and squeezed her.
"Rúmil will be back, Narië." Indilisse said, "And probably as sassy as ever. He will have plenty of time to think of new retorts on those long cold nights on watch."
Narië giggled through her cheerless haze, "Hopefully he will see you first, so he can wear out the brazenly sexual ones."
Indilisse laughed, "Narië, that is half the fun of joining with an elf, the banter between couples. Rúmil and I only do it because he has not found his release in you."
"You are so frank." Narië blushed deeply again, turning to find that they were still in decent hearing distance.
"Have you ever joined before?" Indilisse asked, truly suspicious of Narië because of her unusual reserved words and uncomfortable nature when speaking on these topics.
Narië looked up at her with wide eyes and shook her head, "No, I have not."
"If you have any questions, I can answer some." Indilisse said, "I am not so experienced as say... Nindë... but I can help you."
"Who is to say that he will even...?" Narië interrupted.
"Because Rúmil told me himself he has feelings for you." She answered, and turned them around to walk back towards the smell of the morning meals being prepared in the talans. "I am starving. Let us go have breakfast, and then I can go sleep."
Narië smiled, "Did you not sleep last night?"
"No," Indilisse replied, "Too many things going through my head."
"Oh."
"And then we have about two weeks to plan how you are going to seduce Rúmil." Indilisse added, with a definitive nod of her head.
"Indilisse!" Narië cried in protest, "We... I can't..."
The mentor looked down at her student and smiled warmly, "It will not be so bad, trust me, Narië. Rúmil will not know what hit him."
"You are just as devious at Rúmil and Orophin combined." Narië commented.
"That is why we get along so well." Indilisse nodded and started up the stairs for her talan.
*-*-*-* Adar, Ada- Father, dad Naneth- Mother Astalder- valiant one Mellon nin- My friend
Kela, lle holma vé edan- Go away, you smell like a human
Cormlle naa tanya tel'raa, belegohtaramin- You have the heart of a lion, my mighty warrior.
Coramin niuve tenná ta elea lle aú- My heart shall weep until it sees you again
Indilisse lay in her talan, waiting for the first morning light to appear through the trees. She had not slept at all this night as her head was so full of different thoughts, traveling many diverse paths, that they would not let her rest. First, she thought about what Galadriel had said, and about her impending assignment as the legend archivist for the Lord and Lady. She worried that she would not remember stories as they were meant to told, or that she would not be able to deliver what the high-eves had been expecting, therefore tarnishing her father's words to them about her affinity for storytelling. She knew that she was probably being too hard on herself, as she had not even placed quill to parchment yet, but it still sat at the back of her mind.
Then she had thought of her bath house experience with the two most vain elves she had ever met. She was not even sure Nindë and Valaina qualified as being vain, they being beyond vile and dissolute. Surely others recognized their plights for status and did not give in to their false ways. Most of all, she hoped that by the Valar, Haldir had not fallen into Nindë's perilous trap. He was weary of most elves, and wiser than the others he was not weary of, but Indilisse could not bare to think that in matters of the flesh, Haldir was no more than prey caught in a sticky spider's web. After all, it seemed that he and Nindë had shared many a night together. Probably under the bedcovers, making passionate love...
At that point Indilisse had to start singing to herself to get the visions out of her head. Not that she was disturbed with the scene, but the fact that she had replaced her own image with Nindë's was distressing her. She had imagined his strong lean body over her, holding her down... the passion in his eyes... the way his long dark lashes would lower as he centered his ministrations on her body... feeling his silken hair between her fingers.
Unfortunately, singing did not work. Neither did sitting at the dressing table, plaiting and re-plaiting her hair into different hairstyles. She had even sprinkled some lavender onto a pillow, in hopes that its relaxing powers would put her into a fast sleep. Now all she had ended up with was a dry mouth from singing, messy hair from the different braiding techniques and a headache from the strong odor of the flower water. And that was where her state of anxiety now was at, her sanity hanging upon the thinnest string from the branch of her talan's mallorn branches.
Finally, there was a soft knock on her door. She slid from her bed and pulled a robe over her thin nightshift, calling, "Who is it?"
"Narië." Came the soft reply.
Indilisse sighed and walked to the door. She pulled it back slowly, to reveal the elleth already dressed in her gown for the day. "It is early."
Narië nodded her head and chuckled, "Aye, that it is. Why are you not dressed, Indilisse?"
"Am I supposed to be?" Indilisse asked, looking down at herself.
"The wardens are leaving today." Narië said, "Did you forget the tradition?"
Indilisse was quiet for a moment, and then rested her head in her hand with a disgruntled sigh. She lightly massaged the bridge of her nose, "I completely forgot. Come in, and let me dress."
"I should tell your adar about this." Narië laughed, stepping in and closing the door. "The former Captain's daughter completely disregarding one of the pastimes we of the Wood hold closest to our heart."
Giving Narië a sour look, Indilisse walked back into her sleeping room and grabbed a pale blue dress from the wardrobe, "I cannot believe that there is that much pomp and circumstance surrounding all the of the wardens. Is this occasion marked only for Haldir and his brothers?"
Narië nodded, "We really do not wish the wardens a farewell and a safe return, but the brothers have a legion of admirers that wish to see them gone, and promise them... other things when they return."
Indilisse laughed and threw off her robe and shift in one fluid movement, tossing it across the room and into a corner, landing in a mangled heap of cloth. She pulled the long sleeved dress on and quickly sat down at her dressing table, pulling her hair back into one neat braid. Narië appeared behind her and grabbed her brush, pulling the braid out with her other free hand. "What are you doing? I was trying to make this simple."
Narië giggled, "Do not worry, I am quite proficient at plaiting by now. I have done it too often."
"I am surprised you came to fetch me. I had imagined you would be down with Rúmil by now." Indilisse remarked with a tiny smile.
"I need someone there with a bigger mouth than Rúmil." Narië blushed slightly. "In case I get nervous..."
"Uh-huh." Indilisse nodded her head in a unimpressed fashion.
"Besides," Narië added quickly, "the brothers do not have anyone else to see them off besides their phony followers, and sometimes the Lord and Lady."
Indilisse sighed and watched in the mirror as the younger elleth took smaller sections of hair, completing three dark gold braids on the crown of her head. "What do you mean?"
"They do not have wives or children to see them off." Narië said.
"I guess that is true." Indilisse replied, "When my father was still the Captain, only he would receive the pageantry of a farewell and return. And he had my naneth and me to be there. I cannot imagine what it is like for Haldir."
Narië finished with the braids and stepped back, "I believe that is why he takes Orophin and Rúmil with him when he goes. They are his support system, though sometimes I do not know how supportive of an elf Rúmil can be."
"Do not fret about that." Indilisse giggled quietly, realizing that her headache had lessened greatly since she and Narië had been talking. "Rúmil is compassionate when he needs to be, and with you he will be even more so."
Narië smiled, "When he comes back, Indilisse, that is when I shall tell him. By then I hope to have the courage."
"You have the courage now, Narië." Indilisse stood up and turned to look at Narië. "But I do agree with you waiting until he returns. The last thing he needs is for you to tell him you love him before he leaves. Elbereth knows what he would do if he could not have you right after you had told him."
"Indilisse!" Narië turned a bright red, this time the blush radiating from the tips of her ears to the white neck exposed by her gray gown.
Indilisse laughed wickedly and put her slippers on before heading for the door. Narië followed close behind and down to the inside of the gates where they would wait for the wardens. As she had suspected, but was not overjoyed to see, Nindë, Valaina and Eruanne were huddled together in their most revealing dresses, waiting patiently for the wardens to appear. She sat on a bench next to Narië and waited while the Warden Clique shot accusatory glances in their direction, reminding Indilisse, once again, of the previous afternoon at the bath house. Indilisse shook her head and waited for Nindë to catch her gaze, affording her a soft smile and a friendly wave of her hand. Nindë snorted and turned back around to share some other vital flaw she had found in Indilisse with her friends.
"Such conniving elleths they are." Indilisse looked at Narië.
Narië nodded in agreement, "I still cannot believe what they said to you at the bath house. I mean, sure I have known it all along, but for Nindë just to come out and announce it like that takes quite the gall of someone."
"I only hope that Haldir knows on some level about her vindictiveness." Indilisse replied with a heavy sigh, resting her elbows on her legs.
They were quiet for a while longer, listening to the incessant chatter of the other elleths. Her eyes were about ready to close when she noticed Narië stand up quickly and smooth out her dress. Indilisse looked to her side and saw Haldir leading the way, Orophin and Rúmil straggling behind, trying to keep up with their brother's decidedly powerful and long strides. Haldir looked as if he were on a mission, which technically he was, but did not want to be bothered with anything at moment. Ignoring that fact, Indilisse stood and smoothed out her own gown, and smiling at them. Knowing that Haldir had not even noticed Indilisse's presence and was focusing in on the other elleths, Nindë smiled in a delighted and spiteful manner towards Indilisse.
Indilisse sneered back and then smiled again as Orophin stopped in front of her. "Good morning."
"Tis a good morning that we get to see you before we depart." Orophin replied with a smile, "I was wondering if you would come out."
"And miss my favorite Galadhrim leaving for the fences?" Indilisse chuckled, "Never would I do that."
Orophin laughed and pulled her into a cheerful embrace, "When we return, you must make sure to save me a dance at the celebration of the Fall harvest."
"Of course, astalder." Indilisse smiled, and felt Orophin being shoved from her arms. She found Rúmil standing there with his arms held out for his own farewell hug. Orophin gave him a disgusted look, knocking Rúmil's shoulder for good measure as he walked by to join Narië.
"Will you not wrap me in your arms as well?" Rúmil asked flirtatiously and let out a low laugh.
"You are incorrigible, Rúmil of Lórien." Indilisse scowled, but smiled when he placed a hand on her ribs and tickled there. She batted at his hand and finally he stood back, reopening his arms.
This time he did not wait for her to act and rather grabbed her close to him. "I will miss you, Indilisse, mellon nin."
"Quit sounding as if you are leaving for Valinor, Rúmil." She commanded and sighed, "You will only be gone for not even a blink of an eye for the Eldar."
"I know, but I will miss teasing you." Rúmil said, "Haldir is no fun to taunt, and Orophin is not that great either."
"I heard that Rúmil." Came a soft reply from Orophin.
They looked to the side to find Orophin leaning into Narië and whispering something in her ear that made her giggle. Indilisse felt Rúmil's body tense against her and she found unbridled revulsion for what his brother was doing within his affable eyes. Indilisse laughed at him and leaned to whisper in his ear, "Do not worry, Rúmil. Orophin will not steal her. She has given her heart to someone else even though she will not tell him that."
Rúmil gave her a quizzical look. "Is it true?"
Indilisse nodded, knowing she should not have said anything, but the moment moved her. She smiled finally and placed her hand to his cheek, "Protect your brothers, Rúmil, because I will find you if you do not."
"That frightens me." Rúmil chuckled, "And I will to the best of my abilities, fair Indilisse. Only if you will watch over my heart while I am away."
"I would do nothing less.' Indilisse replied, "Though, I fear it will be her protecting me."
Rúmil glanced quickly in Nindë's direction, and then back at Indilisse, "Her bark is worse than her bite."
"I know." Indilisse laughed and shoved him away. She pushed him towards Narië with, "Kela, lle holma vé edan."
"You are always so lovely, sweet Lily," Rúmil bowed mockingly and turned back to Narië and Orophin.
She sighed, watching those three converse, and clasped a hand to her mouth to stifle a long yawn. Indilisse looked over to see Haldir standing alone now, Nindë and her friends gone from the area. He was looking over her in an untouchable way, as if he was in some dream land and she was but an illusion before his eyes, the moment he reached for her she would disappear. Or maybe she was a vision of a detestable orc, and he was looking at her for a way to rid himself of her. His gaze was so confusing, she could not decide which look was more prevalent. And at the moment, with this look, she was able to suppress the flashbacks of her thoughts the night before.
Indilisse gave him a small smile, and moved smoothly over to him. "Why so distant, mellon nin?"
He did not answer, and kept his gaze looking straight ahead, focusing on something far off in the distance. After a while he let out a long breath and lowered his gray eyes to look into hers. "I am sorry."
"I would think you would be glad to head back to the fences." She said, trying to lift his seemingly downed spirits.
"I am, but for once I am truly sad to leave Caras Galadhon behind." Haldir took hold of her hands.
Indilisse smiled, "I have a feeling you are always sad to leave, Haldir. And at least you will be back in a short time."
"That is true." He nodded and finally let a half smile pull at his lips. "But you will promise me to not get into too much trouble while I am away?"
"Is that a comment or a question?" Indilisse asked.
"That was a statement." He chuckled, "This is a question. Promise me?"
She sighed, "I do not know what trouble I could get into here, but I will promise you, Haldir. Only if you promise me that you will protect my naneth at all costs.'
Haldir grumbled, "I already listened to an extremely long oration from your father on this issue."
"Then I shall go not further." Indilisse said, removing her hands from his grasp. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close in a long squeeze. He was at first tense and then warmed up to it, wrapping his own arms around her back. She could smell the woodsy scent of the gray woolen clothing and cloak he wore over his black tunic and leggings, and the spicy smell in his silvery hair from some kind of soap. The feel of his strong body so close to hers, even through their layers of clothing was sweet torture for her, especially after her visions.
His fingers slipped underneath the hair that had fallen across her shoulder, and he pushed the strands back, using his hands to cup her soft face. Gently, he pulled away and appraised her face, his long thumbs caressing the apples of her cheeks. Feeling an uncontrollable blush creep up her ears and to the rest of her face, she tried to avert her gaze. His eyes were holding her in place more than any physical force he could- or would- ever exert on her. There was something behind those gray orbs. Something she did not recognize.
"Cormlle naa tanya tel'raa, belegohtaramin." Indilisse looked up at him again, "Naneth always used to say that when Ada was leaving for the fences."
Haldir's smile grew infinitely larger, "Coramin niuve tenná ta elea lle aú. She also said that to him."
She giggled, "You pay too close attention to details."
He removed his hands from her face and whistled for his brothers. They turned and nodded their heads in unison to his unspoken command. Haldir gave her one last smile and turned quickly on his toes, causing his cloak to swing out dramatically and brush against her.
"Too much flourish, Haldir." Indilisse replied, "Leave that to Rúmil."
Haldir glanced back at her and chuckled, before turning back to his brothers. Indilisse let out a long sigh and walked over to Narië who stood a few feet away. Narië looked very sad and even heartbroken to a certain extent, which Indilisse had to empathize with, for she was now feeling as a lovesick pup watching Haldir depart from the gates of the city. Indilisse placed a friendly arm around Narië's shoulder and squeezed her.
"Rúmil will be back, Narië." Indilisse said, "And probably as sassy as ever. He will have plenty of time to think of new retorts on those long cold nights on watch."
Narië giggled through her cheerless haze, "Hopefully he will see you first, so he can wear out the brazenly sexual ones."
Indilisse laughed, "Narië, that is half the fun of joining with an elf, the banter between couples. Rúmil and I only do it because he has not found his release in you."
"You are so frank." Narië blushed deeply again, turning to find that they were still in decent hearing distance.
"Have you ever joined before?" Indilisse asked, truly suspicious of Narië because of her unusual reserved words and uncomfortable nature when speaking on these topics.
Narië looked up at her with wide eyes and shook her head, "No, I have not."
"If you have any questions, I can answer some." Indilisse said, "I am not so experienced as say... Nindë... but I can help you."
"Who is to say that he will even...?" Narië interrupted.
"Because Rúmil told me himself he has feelings for you." She answered, and turned them around to walk back towards the smell of the morning meals being prepared in the talans. "I am starving. Let us go have breakfast, and then I can go sleep."
Narië smiled, "Did you not sleep last night?"
"No," Indilisse replied, "Too many things going through my head."
"Oh."
"And then we have about two weeks to plan how you are going to seduce Rúmil." Indilisse added, with a definitive nod of her head.
"Indilisse!" Narië cried in protest, "We... I can't..."
The mentor looked down at her student and smiled warmly, "It will not be so bad, trust me, Narië. Rúmil will not know what hit him."
"You are just as devious at Rúmil and Orophin combined." Narië commented.
"That is why we get along so well." Indilisse nodded and started up the stairs for her talan.
*-*-*-* Adar, Ada- Father, dad Naneth- Mother Astalder- valiant one Mellon nin- My friend
Kela, lle holma vé edan- Go away, you smell like a human
Cormlle naa tanya tel'raa, belegohtaramin- You have the heart of a lion, my mighty warrior.
Coramin niuve tenná ta elea lle aú- My heart shall weep until it sees you again