A/N: Kind of angsty in the middle. Happy chapters.... for now anyway. A
word to my readers- the story will be ending soon, and I have enjoyed your
continued support. I have not decided if I should plan a sequel or not.
Please drop me a line if you wish to see another story with Indilisse and
Haldir!
Chapter 28- Treasure In The Bed Chamber
They had spent the rest of the afternoon together, making love repeatedly, fortifying their binding with each other. Neither could believe the change that had come over them once they had first accepted each other in the most intimate ways. They felt different... more joyful and content than either had ever been before in their long lives. While the actual act of lovemaking was not the only cause for their newfound closeness and happiness, it did make them completely surrender to each other's proclivities and control, and with that came a higher level of respect for the other.
"I started my life in this very room." Indilisse sighed as she twirled a piece of Haldir's silky hair between her fingers. "I never thought I would end up back in it, and in the March Warden's bed."
Haldir chuckled, "But being in the room in this manner is much better than your past times being in here. Less messy than when you were born."
"Aye, that is true. However, you have not seen messy until you have helped birth a human." She replied repositioned her resting head upon his shoulder so she could look up at him. "Though, they are lucky that they only must carry the child for nine months."
"You do not like that elf women must wait for twelve?" He asked.
Indilisse shrugged, "I do not think it would be bad, a year is such a short time, but I have never carried a child before, so I do not know. When that time comes, I will be sure to inform you of my opinions."
Haldir looked down at her with a broad smile, and brushed his fingers across her cheek. "Unfortunately, you will be sure to inform everyone of your opinions, Indilisse, meleth nin. And not just on that issue."
She scoffed and shook her head, but ended up laughing lightly, "You are correct, as much as it chagrins me to say."
Haldir sighed, and said contemplatively, "Many have decided that it is not right now to beget a child with the shadow on ever growing."
"You still must have some joy in your life. And binding is chiefly for begetting children." Indilisse said, and moved one of her hands across his expanse of smooth chest. "Though, I must say, it has its possibilities elsewhere besides just begetting children."
"I am glad for your views on children. I have long wanted little elflings." Haldir replied. She looked up at him for a long time, a soft smile playing on her lips as she thought of Haldir as a father. He would be a good father and would probably have just the right amount of tough love and devotion towards his family. Indilisse saw evidence of that fact everyday with his brothers and with his wardens.
Indilisse giggled lightly, "It worries me though that we will end up with children like Orophin and Rúmil."
"Do not speak of my brothers in such a way." Haldir looked angry, but quickly his frown was replaced with a mirth filled smile. "Only am I allowed to do so... and that is a fear of mine as well."
"If it were to happen, we can always send them to live with their uncles." She replied.
They were quiet for awhile more, enjoying the closeness of the other and the feel of two unclothed bodies resting against each other, Haldir pulling her closer to him with the arm that was around her. Indilisse would have been content if they could stay in this position for the rest of their lives, but she knew it would be inevitable that she would have things to do, friendships to keep in tact and wifely duties. Haldir would soon be back on the fences, doing what he loved the most (she hoped second to her, though). Reality would set in with the absence of her parents and the threat of what others would do when they found out about the binding.
These thoughts, though, were quickly dissipated when he brushed his lips across her forehead. "I must tell you something."
"What is it, meleth nin?" Indilisse asked, only slightly apprehensive.
"I have had partners before you, but I never allowed them to enter my bed chamber." Haldir began, "I always found it to be too personal to allow them into my bed chamber, when I really did not feel that close with them. I know it was probably wrong to have that rule, and it should have been a reason for me to stop my wanton ways, but I did not. It grew to be a rumor passed around by the elleths of Lórien that I was hiding treasure or that I kept no bed."
Indilisse smiled, "But you were hiding a treasure."
He raised a brow in question.
"Your love." She replied and propped herself up on an elbow, the silky bed covers falling slightly away from her. "I have heard this rumor as well. What the elleths do not realize is that while it was treasure, it was not of gold, jewels or mithril. It was a gift you gave me when you allowed me- nay, trusted me enough- to enter your most private space."
Haldir smiled, "I never thought it possible to find an elleth like you, Indilisse."
"And I never thought I would find an ellon like you, especially when I again met the arrogant March Warden." She jabbed his side with a finger.
He chuckled and pushed her back on the bed, and leaned partly over to place a long kiss on her lips. "I have found that you have separated the March Warden from Haldir more than you know."
"I know, but as much as I say I do not like the arrogance," Indilisse paused, "I would not mind the commanding March Warden with me every once and awhile."
Haldir kissed her again and pulled back, caressing her cheek, "You are the treasure of my chamber now, Indilisse."
"The distinction that comes with that, I do like." She giggled, kissing him back.
Haldir removed himself from the bed, not bothering to cover himself as he walked across the room towards the small chest of drawers in the corner of the room. He produced a small wooden box and opened it, taking out a small ring before placing the box back into the drawer. In two long strides he was back in the bed, and grabbed for her hand. "I know that the giving of rings is not commonly done when elves bind, like I have heard it is common among the world of Men. But my father gave my mother this ring as a gift, and she told me before she passed into the Halls that I was to give this to my wife."
"I have nothing to give to you, though, Haldir." She said as he slipped the mithril and gold twisted band onto her left ring finger, a white stone centered on the ring with greens, blues, pinks, purples and oranges aflame in it.
"You do not need to give me anything that you already have not already given me, Indilisse." He held her hand for a few more seconds, appraising the ring upon her finger.
Indilisse saw the sadness in his eyes now that he had brought up his mother, "It is very beautiful. Your father had good taste."
Haldir glanced at her, "It is not as beautiful as you."
She sat up and pulled the covers with her, to wrap her arms around Haldir, "Thank you."
"You are more than welcome." He smiled slightly, thoughts of his mother still in his mind as evidenced by his still saddened demeanor.
"What is wrong, meleth?" Indilisse asked.
"I have missed both of parents, Indilisse, especially my mother." Haldir said, "She would have liked to meet you, you are very much alike."
She brushed back his hair behind his shoulders and placed a loving kiss upon his shoulder. "And I would have liked to meet her. I am sure both she and your father were exceptional elves to beget such a wonderful son."
He looked closely at her for a long time, it almost appearing that his eyes were misty and he was close to tears. "Sometimes I cursed her for leaving us, and then inadvertently causing my father's heart to break. It was so hard raising my brothers, Indilisse. I had to grow up so fast, and be everything to my brothers. I would get so angry at my parents for leaving me this task, then show that anger towards my brothers and then get angry at myself for letting my mind to think that."
"Haldir, meleth nin." Indilisse could not believe the utter vulnerability that Haldir was showing her. "You did a fine job raising your brothers, they are some of the finest elves I have ever met."
"Do you really think so?" He asked.
"I would not say it if I did not mean it." She smiled.
Haldir sighed heavily and held her tightly, "I do not even know why I bring this up now, except for the fact that I am worried that the same fate will befall me as my father. That is why I was so apprehensive about telling you my feelings. I did not want to get so close to you that if something did happen, I would not hurt so horribly. Everything is so much simpler when love is not involved."
Indilisse nodded her head. "True."
He was quiet for a moment, leaning down to kiss her. "But I do love you, so I will be forever in a state of complexity and worry."
"That is what love is, Haldir." Indilisse giggled and moved away from him. "I am quite hungry, shall I rummage through your kitchen and find something for us to eat?"
"For one, that is now our kitchen. And two, everyone will be getting suspicious that we have been in here all day. They knew that your 'injuries' were not that bad." Haldir replied with a smile.
"Then what do you suggest we do?" She asked.
He removed himself from the bed and reached for his leggings. "Let us take a walk to the dining hall, so I can show off my wife."
"I do not have a gown." She replied.
"That is not my problem." Haldir tried his hardest to give her a serious look, but the corners of his lips twitched upwards.
Indilisse raised a challenging brow, and scoffed for good measure. "Then you would expect me to go with you with nothing on?"
He shrugged and tied the strings on his leggings. "I would not mind."
"And what about others?" Indilisse asked, "Would you not care that they saw me in such a manner? Like Luinil perhaps, or the Lord and Lady."
"The only one that concerns me is Luinil. And if he were to attempt taking you, I could still kill him with my eyes closed and both my hands tied behind my back." Haldir remarked with a smirk, beginning to fasten the tunic as he walked to the bedroom door and opened it. He disappeared out into the front room, and she heard more scraping of wood on the talan floor and the door open. She heard his soft footfalls again and he returned to the room carrying a bundle in his hands. Haldir placed it on the bed beside her, smiling arrogantly, "I have many connections."
Indilisse glanced down at the bundle and found that it was her filmy pale green gown folded carefully so as not to crease the embroidered bodice. Under the tie holding it together was a piece of parchment with her name scrawled on it. She untied the ribbon and took the parchment, opening it.
'Dearest Indilisse,
I figured that you would need a clean gown after our spar this morning, and Haldir carried you off to his talan like a greedy Man. I was lucky enough to escape the claws of Aragorn, who, by the way, said that you fight better than he and Haldir do. You mustn't tell Haldir I said that. Aragorn is giving me dirty looks now because I have taken so long trying to think of what to write and which dress to send. As far as I am concerned, he deserves it after taking time to fight today! I will be on pins and needles until I hear of your day tomorrow at the noon meal.
Your friend, Undómiel'
Indilisse giggled and shook her head, looking back at the dress, running her fingers along the intricate embroidery along the low collar of the gown. "You do not have connections, Haldir. You are only very lucky."
Haldir chuckled from his spot at the dressing table where he was combing his hair. "I knew someone would bring you a gown. Orophin would have told Rúmil about the situation he interrupted, so Narië could have brought you one. Your mother could have brought you one, because she is a mother and knows things that I am sure we both wished she did not. But that is from Arwen, as I recognize her writing."
She quickly removed herself from the bed and pulled the dress down over her head, pulling the ties down the back tight and securing them with a bow. Indilisse straightened the bedding as best she could before turning back to Haldir who was beginning to braid his hair. She walked up behind him and removes his hands, braiding his hair herself. After finishing, she reached over him and took the comb to detangle her own hair, that looked horrible after their little escapades under the bed covers... or on top- whichever they were doing.
He stood from the stool and looked down at her for a few long moments before puling her face to his in a long kiss. Haldir pulled away and smiled, offering her his arm, "Shall we, my lady?"
"Let us go." Indilisse smiled and rested her hand in the crook of his arm. They walked through the talan and out the door, finding that the walkways were pretty empty now that it was peak meal hour. However, as they moved closer to the dining hall talan, they came across one of the elves in Haldir's guard who bade them a fond hello, and continued on, but stopped suddenly and turned back to them. The guard looked over them silently and shook his head, before turning back on his heels. Indilisse glanced up at Haldir, "What was that all about?"
"He was not expecting to see that I had changed." Haldir replied, "You know all elves look more beautiful after they have bound themselves to another."
Indilisse sighed, "I would not go so far to say more beautiful, but there is a different flicker of life in their eyes."
"You are certainly more beautiful after you bound yourself to me," Haldir started, lifting her chin to look up at him. "If that was at all possible."
She giggled, "But you have always been the most handsome elf, so I cannot say you have grown more so because every time I look at you become more perfect."
He smiled and leaned down to kiss her again. "You have not met many ellyn then, have you?"
Indilisse pushed away from him and shook her head, looking towards the entrance to the dining hall that was still a good distance away. They walked quietly the rest of the way, and entered the large open-aired hall that was only occupied by a few people. It seemed that Haldir did not wish to stay, and Indilisse noticed that neither Rúmil or Orophin were there. She glanced up at him, "We should try Rúmil and Narië's talan. They are almost always over there now, when he and Orophin are not sidling and plotting."
"Why do you think I wish to see them?" Haldir asked curiously.
"Because they are your brothers and you wish to share in your glad tidings with them." Indilisse said.
"How do you know that?" He asked again.
She looked up at him, and pulled him in the direction of the talan. "I know that you love your brothers more than anything else in Arda, Haldir. Well, besides me possibly..."
"I love you." Haldir leaned in and whispered into her ear, his warm breath flowing past her ear tip, sending a shiver down her spine.
Indilisse giggled, "I know."
They walked up to the door, finding that there were loud shouts of protest coming from inside the talan, sounding like it was coming from Orophin and not Rúmil. Stopping at the door, they listened for a few moments at the commotion inside.
"You know, if you are going to come over so often, you might as well start helping out with the chores." Rúmil threatened.
"I could always use help with the cooking and mending, Orophin." Narië called.
Indilisse could not help but laugh at the situation. Orophin protested, "I have nothing else to do! I have not been back to the fences in nearly two months and I am slowly becoming bored of having nothing to occupy my time here."
"Like I said," Rúmil replied, "you can help with the chores. And why do you not annoy your other brother, who at this moment is probably very alone in the solace of his talan fletching arrows?"
"He has been detained all day." Orophin said. "And I do not think he is so alone now."
Rúmil let out a sarcastic laugh, "You suggest that he is still with Indilisse? Just last evening it looked like they were going to scratch each other's eyes out. I know that at the spar they seemed changed, but do you really think that our bullheaded brother would finally admit his feelings to Indilisse and our stubborn friend Indilisse admit hers to him?"
Indilisse felt herself blushing heavily when Rúmil said this, and Haldir looked down at her, narrowing his eyes. She whispered, "What?"
"They knew all along?" Haldir asked. "You mean to tell me that I could have threatened my brothers with menial duties to find that information out?"
She nodded her head and smiled, "I am surprised they even have kept quiet as long as they have. It must be a new record."
"It does not matter if they admitted it or not," Orophin informed Rúmil and Narië. "When I went to look at his injuries, he rushed out of his chambers as if he was trying to keep me from going back there. And let me tell you, he was not in the most... presentable state."
Rúmil laughed, "We should have the smithy make him a lock for his door."
There was silence and Indilisse could only imagine the brothers looking at each other as they pondered that possibility. And then Orophin chuckled, "Nay, we should not. That would eliminate a whole spectrum of possibilities of annoying him."
Indilisse felt Haldir's arm around her tighten in response to the conversation and she giggled, raising her hand to knock on the door. "You should not worry, I will yell at them before you do if they do interrupt without knocking next time."
"That might be a good idea, considering they listen to you." Haldir nodded and waited for the door to be pulled back.
Soon the knob turned and the door opened to reveal Rúmil, not expecting who he found. Indilisse tried to hide the fact that she and Haldir had indeed bound, but she did not know what she would have to do exactly to disguise it. One look over them, and Rúmil stepped back, aghast. "By the Valar!"
The other activities in the room fell silent as Narië and Orophin appeared behind Rúmil's shoulders. Each of the them stood in silence, looking over Haldir and then Indilisse. Narië was first to let any recognition of the knowledge that Haldir and Indilisse had undoubtedly bound pass across her features and grabbed Indilisse's hand, pulling her into the talan and pushing Rúmil out of the way. "Indilisse! You did not tell me..."
Indilisse chuckled as Narië pulled her into a close hug. "I did not know I had to have you approve it."
Narië laughed, "Nay, I am only saying that this comes as a shock after, well you know..."
"I know." Indilisse nodded and glanced back at Haldir who had a worried expression on his features. She had indeed kept Narië up to date on the workings of their relationship, and she had heard of the argument they had a few days ago. "But we have already forgotten about that."
Narië sighed, and let a large smile cross her face, pulling Indilisse into another excited hug, "Oh, Indilisse, I am so happy for you!"
The brothers were pulled into quiet conversation, congratulating Haldir and it seemed to be clarifying a few things that were confusing to both Rúmil and Orophin. Rúmil glanced over at Indilisse and Narië, and said, "Gwathel nin, welcome to our family."
Indilisse smiled and walked over to Rúmil, throwing her arms around him. "Hannon le, gwador nin."
"That is far from being fair!" Orophin exclaimed, "Where is my hug?"
She pulled away from Rúmil and went to Orophin who, in one easy movement, wrapped his arms about her and lifted her easily from the ground. Indilisse giggled, "Please put my feet on the ground."
"Why?" Orophin asked.
"Because I said so." Indilisse said.
Orophin put her on the ground, and cupped a cheek in one of his large hands. "It is about time, Indilisse. I was about ready to tell everyone in Caras Galadhon of your secret."
Haldir chuckled and shook his head, "Oh yes, brother, you do have a curiosity with death."
"If you did, Orophin, you would no longer be capable of wooing maidens." Indilisse laughed and stood on her toes to kiss Orophin's cheek. She looked around at her new family, and let a content smile form on her mouth. She was in love and bound to a wonderful elf, and had a magnificent family to be a part of. Two jester-like brothers to keep her entertained and a sweet, lovely elleth whom she counted among her closest friends. It was certain to her that she would be the envy of many of the other elleths living in Caras Galadhon. Especially one in particular.
---- Meleth- love Meleth nin- my love Melin le- I love you Gwathel nin- my sworn sister Hannon le- Thank you Gwador nin- my sworn brother.
Chapter 28- Treasure In The Bed Chamber
They had spent the rest of the afternoon together, making love repeatedly, fortifying their binding with each other. Neither could believe the change that had come over them once they had first accepted each other in the most intimate ways. They felt different... more joyful and content than either had ever been before in their long lives. While the actual act of lovemaking was not the only cause for their newfound closeness and happiness, it did make them completely surrender to each other's proclivities and control, and with that came a higher level of respect for the other.
"I started my life in this very room." Indilisse sighed as she twirled a piece of Haldir's silky hair between her fingers. "I never thought I would end up back in it, and in the March Warden's bed."
Haldir chuckled, "But being in the room in this manner is much better than your past times being in here. Less messy than when you were born."
"Aye, that is true. However, you have not seen messy until you have helped birth a human." She replied repositioned her resting head upon his shoulder so she could look up at him. "Though, they are lucky that they only must carry the child for nine months."
"You do not like that elf women must wait for twelve?" He asked.
Indilisse shrugged, "I do not think it would be bad, a year is such a short time, but I have never carried a child before, so I do not know. When that time comes, I will be sure to inform you of my opinions."
Haldir looked down at her with a broad smile, and brushed his fingers across her cheek. "Unfortunately, you will be sure to inform everyone of your opinions, Indilisse, meleth nin. And not just on that issue."
She scoffed and shook her head, but ended up laughing lightly, "You are correct, as much as it chagrins me to say."
Haldir sighed, and said contemplatively, "Many have decided that it is not right now to beget a child with the shadow on ever growing."
"You still must have some joy in your life. And binding is chiefly for begetting children." Indilisse said, and moved one of her hands across his expanse of smooth chest. "Though, I must say, it has its possibilities elsewhere besides just begetting children."
"I am glad for your views on children. I have long wanted little elflings." Haldir replied. She looked up at him for a long time, a soft smile playing on her lips as she thought of Haldir as a father. He would be a good father and would probably have just the right amount of tough love and devotion towards his family. Indilisse saw evidence of that fact everyday with his brothers and with his wardens.
Indilisse giggled lightly, "It worries me though that we will end up with children like Orophin and Rúmil."
"Do not speak of my brothers in such a way." Haldir looked angry, but quickly his frown was replaced with a mirth filled smile. "Only am I allowed to do so... and that is a fear of mine as well."
"If it were to happen, we can always send them to live with their uncles." She replied.
They were quiet for awhile more, enjoying the closeness of the other and the feel of two unclothed bodies resting against each other, Haldir pulling her closer to him with the arm that was around her. Indilisse would have been content if they could stay in this position for the rest of their lives, but she knew it would be inevitable that she would have things to do, friendships to keep in tact and wifely duties. Haldir would soon be back on the fences, doing what he loved the most (she hoped second to her, though). Reality would set in with the absence of her parents and the threat of what others would do when they found out about the binding.
These thoughts, though, were quickly dissipated when he brushed his lips across her forehead. "I must tell you something."
"What is it, meleth nin?" Indilisse asked, only slightly apprehensive.
"I have had partners before you, but I never allowed them to enter my bed chamber." Haldir began, "I always found it to be too personal to allow them into my bed chamber, when I really did not feel that close with them. I know it was probably wrong to have that rule, and it should have been a reason for me to stop my wanton ways, but I did not. It grew to be a rumor passed around by the elleths of Lórien that I was hiding treasure or that I kept no bed."
Indilisse smiled, "But you were hiding a treasure."
He raised a brow in question.
"Your love." She replied and propped herself up on an elbow, the silky bed covers falling slightly away from her. "I have heard this rumor as well. What the elleths do not realize is that while it was treasure, it was not of gold, jewels or mithril. It was a gift you gave me when you allowed me- nay, trusted me enough- to enter your most private space."
Haldir smiled, "I never thought it possible to find an elleth like you, Indilisse."
"And I never thought I would find an ellon like you, especially when I again met the arrogant March Warden." She jabbed his side with a finger.
He chuckled and pushed her back on the bed, and leaned partly over to place a long kiss on her lips. "I have found that you have separated the March Warden from Haldir more than you know."
"I know, but as much as I say I do not like the arrogance," Indilisse paused, "I would not mind the commanding March Warden with me every once and awhile."
Haldir kissed her again and pulled back, caressing her cheek, "You are the treasure of my chamber now, Indilisse."
"The distinction that comes with that, I do like." She giggled, kissing him back.
Haldir removed himself from the bed, not bothering to cover himself as he walked across the room towards the small chest of drawers in the corner of the room. He produced a small wooden box and opened it, taking out a small ring before placing the box back into the drawer. In two long strides he was back in the bed, and grabbed for her hand. "I know that the giving of rings is not commonly done when elves bind, like I have heard it is common among the world of Men. But my father gave my mother this ring as a gift, and she told me before she passed into the Halls that I was to give this to my wife."
"I have nothing to give to you, though, Haldir." She said as he slipped the mithril and gold twisted band onto her left ring finger, a white stone centered on the ring with greens, blues, pinks, purples and oranges aflame in it.
"You do not need to give me anything that you already have not already given me, Indilisse." He held her hand for a few more seconds, appraising the ring upon her finger.
Indilisse saw the sadness in his eyes now that he had brought up his mother, "It is very beautiful. Your father had good taste."
Haldir glanced at her, "It is not as beautiful as you."
She sat up and pulled the covers with her, to wrap her arms around Haldir, "Thank you."
"You are more than welcome." He smiled slightly, thoughts of his mother still in his mind as evidenced by his still saddened demeanor.
"What is wrong, meleth?" Indilisse asked.
"I have missed both of parents, Indilisse, especially my mother." Haldir said, "She would have liked to meet you, you are very much alike."
She brushed back his hair behind his shoulders and placed a loving kiss upon his shoulder. "And I would have liked to meet her. I am sure both she and your father were exceptional elves to beget such a wonderful son."
He looked closely at her for a long time, it almost appearing that his eyes were misty and he was close to tears. "Sometimes I cursed her for leaving us, and then inadvertently causing my father's heart to break. It was so hard raising my brothers, Indilisse. I had to grow up so fast, and be everything to my brothers. I would get so angry at my parents for leaving me this task, then show that anger towards my brothers and then get angry at myself for letting my mind to think that."
"Haldir, meleth nin." Indilisse could not believe the utter vulnerability that Haldir was showing her. "You did a fine job raising your brothers, they are some of the finest elves I have ever met."
"Do you really think so?" He asked.
"I would not say it if I did not mean it." She smiled.
Haldir sighed heavily and held her tightly, "I do not even know why I bring this up now, except for the fact that I am worried that the same fate will befall me as my father. That is why I was so apprehensive about telling you my feelings. I did not want to get so close to you that if something did happen, I would not hurt so horribly. Everything is so much simpler when love is not involved."
Indilisse nodded her head. "True."
He was quiet for a moment, leaning down to kiss her. "But I do love you, so I will be forever in a state of complexity and worry."
"That is what love is, Haldir." Indilisse giggled and moved away from him. "I am quite hungry, shall I rummage through your kitchen and find something for us to eat?"
"For one, that is now our kitchen. And two, everyone will be getting suspicious that we have been in here all day. They knew that your 'injuries' were not that bad." Haldir replied with a smile.
"Then what do you suggest we do?" She asked.
He removed himself from the bed and reached for his leggings. "Let us take a walk to the dining hall, so I can show off my wife."
"I do not have a gown." She replied.
"That is not my problem." Haldir tried his hardest to give her a serious look, but the corners of his lips twitched upwards.
Indilisse raised a challenging brow, and scoffed for good measure. "Then you would expect me to go with you with nothing on?"
He shrugged and tied the strings on his leggings. "I would not mind."
"And what about others?" Indilisse asked, "Would you not care that they saw me in such a manner? Like Luinil perhaps, or the Lord and Lady."
"The only one that concerns me is Luinil. And if he were to attempt taking you, I could still kill him with my eyes closed and both my hands tied behind my back." Haldir remarked with a smirk, beginning to fasten the tunic as he walked to the bedroom door and opened it. He disappeared out into the front room, and she heard more scraping of wood on the talan floor and the door open. She heard his soft footfalls again and he returned to the room carrying a bundle in his hands. Haldir placed it on the bed beside her, smiling arrogantly, "I have many connections."
Indilisse glanced down at the bundle and found that it was her filmy pale green gown folded carefully so as not to crease the embroidered bodice. Under the tie holding it together was a piece of parchment with her name scrawled on it. She untied the ribbon and took the parchment, opening it.
'Dearest Indilisse,
I figured that you would need a clean gown after our spar this morning, and Haldir carried you off to his talan like a greedy Man. I was lucky enough to escape the claws of Aragorn, who, by the way, said that you fight better than he and Haldir do. You mustn't tell Haldir I said that. Aragorn is giving me dirty looks now because I have taken so long trying to think of what to write and which dress to send. As far as I am concerned, he deserves it after taking time to fight today! I will be on pins and needles until I hear of your day tomorrow at the noon meal.
Your friend, Undómiel'
Indilisse giggled and shook her head, looking back at the dress, running her fingers along the intricate embroidery along the low collar of the gown. "You do not have connections, Haldir. You are only very lucky."
Haldir chuckled from his spot at the dressing table where he was combing his hair. "I knew someone would bring you a gown. Orophin would have told Rúmil about the situation he interrupted, so Narië could have brought you one. Your mother could have brought you one, because she is a mother and knows things that I am sure we both wished she did not. But that is from Arwen, as I recognize her writing."
She quickly removed herself from the bed and pulled the dress down over her head, pulling the ties down the back tight and securing them with a bow. Indilisse straightened the bedding as best she could before turning back to Haldir who was beginning to braid his hair. She walked up behind him and removes his hands, braiding his hair herself. After finishing, she reached over him and took the comb to detangle her own hair, that looked horrible after their little escapades under the bed covers... or on top- whichever they were doing.
He stood from the stool and looked down at her for a few long moments before puling her face to his in a long kiss. Haldir pulled away and smiled, offering her his arm, "Shall we, my lady?"
"Let us go." Indilisse smiled and rested her hand in the crook of his arm. They walked through the talan and out the door, finding that the walkways were pretty empty now that it was peak meal hour. However, as they moved closer to the dining hall talan, they came across one of the elves in Haldir's guard who bade them a fond hello, and continued on, but stopped suddenly and turned back to them. The guard looked over them silently and shook his head, before turning back on his heels. Indilisse glanced up at Haldir, "What was that all about?"
"He was not expecting to see that I had changed." Haldir replied, "You know all elves look more beautiful after they have bound themselves to another."
Indilisse sighed, "I would not go so far to say more beautiful, but there is a different flicker of life in their eyes."
"You are certainly more beautiful after you bound yourself to me," Haldir started, lifting her chin to look up at him. "If that was at all possible."
She giggled, "But you have always been the most handsome elf, so I cannot say you have grown more so because every time I look at you become more perfect."
He smiled and leaned down to kiss her again. "You have not met many ellyn then, have you?"
Indilisse pushed away from him and shook her head, looking towards the entrance to the dining hall that was still a good distance away. They walked quietly the rest of the way, and entered the large open-aired hall that was only occupied by a few people. It seemed that Haldir did not wish to stay, and Indilisse noticed that neither Rúmil or Orophin were there. She glanced up at him, "We should try Rúmil and Narië's talan. They are almost always over there now, when he and Orophin are not sidling and plotting."
"Why do you think I wish to see them?" Haldir asked curiously.
"Because they are your brothers and you wish to share in your glad tidings with them." Indilisse said.
"How do you know that?" He asked again.
She looked up at him, and pulled him in the direction of the talan. "I know that you love your brothers more than anything else in Arda, Haldir. Well, besides me possibly..."
"I love you." Haldir leaned in and whispered into her ear, his warm breath flowing past her ear tip, sending a shiver down her spine.
Indilisse giggled, "I know."
They walked up to the door, finding that there were loud shouts of protest coming from inside the talan, sounding like it was coming from Orophin and not Rúmil. Stopping at the door, they listened for a few moments at the commotion inside.
"You know, if you are going to come over so often, you might as well start helping out with the chores." Rúmil threatened.
"I could always use help with the cooking and mending, Orophin." Narië called.
Indilisse could not help but laugh at the situation. Orophin protested, "I have nothing else to do! I have not been back to the fences in nearly two months and I am slowly becoming bored of having nothing to occupy my time here."
"Like I said," Rúmil replied, "you can help with the chores. And why do you not annoy your other brother, who at this moment is probably very alone in the solace of his talan fletching arrows?"
"He has been detained all day." Orophin said. "And I do not think he is so alone now."
Rúmil let out a sarcastic laugh, "You suggest that he is still with Indilisse? Just last evening it looked like they were going to scratch each other's eyes out. I know that at the spar they seemed changed, but do you really think that our bullheaded brother would finally admit his feelings to Indilisse and our stubborn friend Indilisse admit hers to him?"
Indilisse felt herself blushing heavily when Rúmil said this, and Haldir looked down at her, narrowing his eyes. She whispered, "What?"
"They knew all along?" Haldir asked. "You mean to tell me that I could have threatened my brothers with menial duties to find that information out?"
She nodded her head and smiled, "I am surprised they even have kept quiet as long as they have. It must be a new record."
"It does not matter if they admitted it or not," Orophin informed Rúmil and Narië. "When I went to look at his injuries, he rushed out of his chambers as if he was trying to keep me from going back there. And let me tell you, he was not in the most... presentable state."
Rúmil laughed, "We should have the smithy make him a lock for his door."
There was silence and Indilisse could only imagine the brothers looking at each other as they pondered that possibility. And then Orophin chuckled, "Nay, we should not. That would eliminate a whole spectrum of possibilities of annoying him."
Indilisse felt Haldir's arm around her tighten in response to the conversation and she giggled, raising her hand to knock on the door. "You should not worry, I will yell at them before you do if they do interrupt without knocking next time."
"That might be a good idea, considering they listen to you." Haldir nodded and waited for the door to be pulled back.
Soon the knob turned and the door opened to reveal Rúmil, not expecting who he found. Indilisse tried to hide the fact that she and Haldir had indeed bound, but she did not know what she would have to do exactly to disguise it. One look over them, and Rúmil stepped back, aghast. "By the Valar!"
The other activities in the room fell silent as Narië and Orophin appeared behind Rúmil's shoulders. Each of the them stood in silence, looking over Haldir and then Indilisse. Narië was first to let any recognition of the knowledge that Haldir and Indilisse had undoubtedly bound pass across her features and grabbed Indilisse's hand, pulling her into the talan and pushing Rúmil out of the way. "Indilisse! You did not tell me..."
Indilisse chuckled as Narië pulled her into a close hug. "I did not know I had to have you approve it."
Narië laughed, "Nay, I am only saying that this comes as a shock after, well you know..."
"I know." Indilisse nodded and glanced back at Haldir who had a worried expression on his features. She had indeed kept Narië up to date on the workings of their relationship, and she had heard of the argument they had a few days ago. "But we have already forgotten about that."
Narië sighed, and let a large smile cross her face, pulling Indilisse into another excited hug, "Oh, Indilisse, I am so happy for you!"
The brothers were pulled into quiet conversation, congratulating Haldir and it seemed to be clarifying a few things that were confusing to both Rúmil and Orophin. Rúmil glanced over at Indilisse and Narië, and said, "Gwathel nin, welcome to our family."
Indilisse smiled and walked over to Rúmil, throwing her arms around him. "Hannon le, gwador nin."
"That is far from being fair!" Orophin exclaimed, "Where is my hug?"
She pulled away from Rúmil and went to Orophin who, in one easy movement, wrapped his arms about her and lifted her easily from the ground. Indilisse giggled, "Please put my feet on the ground."
"Why?" Orophin asked.
"Because I said so." Indilisse said.
Orophin put her on the ground, and cupped a cheek in one of his large hands. "It is about time, Indilisse. I was about ready to tell everyone in Caras Galadhon of your secret."
Haldir chuckled and shook his head, "Oh yes, brother, you do have a curiosity with death."
"If you did, Orophin, you would no longer be capable of wooing maidens." Indilisse laughed and stood on her toes to kiss Orophin's cheek. She looked around at her new family, and let a content smile form on her mouth. She was in love and bound to a wonderful elf, and had a magnificent family to be a part of. Two jester-like brothers to keep her entertained and a sweet, lovely elleth whom she counted among her closest friends. It was certain to her that she would be the envy of many of the other elleths living in Caras Galadhon. Especially one in particular.
---- Meleth- love Meleth nin- my love Melin le- I love you Gwathel nin- my sworn sister Hannon le- Thank you Gwador nin- my sworn brother.