Author's Notes: I've added indents to make reading slightly easier, hopefully. While I love MS Word on most days, I simply can't stand "saving as a Web Page" when I can just do all the formatting myself. Thanks to everyone who sent me a review!
The Course of Love: Chapter 2
The next day, while the twins and Celebrían visited with Galadriel and Celeborn, Glorfindel found himself strolling the walkways of Caras Galadhon. He had not particularly wanted to accompany Celebrían here to Lothloríen, he had so much work to do in Imladris, but Elrond had insisted that he come. Not only had he insisted, he had also ordered Glorfindel to treat the assignment as a vacation and now that Glorfindel was here, he couldn't help but enjoy the peacefulness. He found his thoughts drifting back to the impromptu archery contest that took place last night after the feast. Most of the marchwardens attending the banquet had eventually made their way to the archery range, so it was likely that unofficial contests were held after most functions. It was interesting that the Captain of the guard had also been present and actually participated. Granted, her lieutenant had had to challenge her to get her to compete but he could understand her reluctance. The captain had beaten out her lieutenant and the rest of her marchwardens fairly quickly, losing only to two visiting elves from Greenwood. He didn't know the Captain's name but a she-elf who had risen to the command of such a powerful and important realm intrigued him. He had been too preoccupied with keeping Elladan and Elrohir quiet when they had entered Lothloríen the day before to hear her name and hadn't been able to get close enough the night before at both dinner and the archery range to introduce himself.
Somehow, Glorfindel found himself at a training field where a group of novice students were practicing their swordsmanship. Upon a closer look, they were being reviewed by the Captain and her first Lieutenant. He stopped at the edge of the field to watch. The Captain was obviously very good at her job. The younger elves treated her with the utmost respect and her second in command was clearly very devoted to his superior. She gave orders and corrections with the ease of a seasoned commander and watched each elf with rapt attention while her Lieutenant studiously took notes. All too soon, the group began to break up and the Lieutenant noticed Glorfindel standing at the edge of the field.
"Lord Glorfindel," he said as he walked over "What brings you to the training grounds?"
"I merely wished to observe, if I may." Glorfindel replied "It is useful to have some knowledge of your ally's fighting abilities before any need to join forces should occur."
He nodded. "Indeed it is. Perhaps you would like to join me on our inspection tour tomorrow?"
"Gladly"
"Excellent," he replied "I shall come find you in the morning."
The next day, Glorfindel woke early and dressed, pulling on his light traveling armor before going to breakfast. He was nearly finished with his meal when Celebrían appeared.
"Where are you off to this morning, Glorfindel?" she asked, eyeing his armor curiously.
"The Captain has invited me to join her on their inspection tour."
Just then a knock sounded on the door of the flet. Glorfindel looked out the window to see Haldir staring back at him. He waved to Celebrían and slipped out the door.
Haldir led Glorfindel down to a clearing on the forest floor. The Captain was already there, checking the tack on their horses. She turned when she heard their approach.
"Good morning, Lord Glorfindel." She said with a slight bow.
"Good morning, my lady Captain." Glorfindel returned the bow. "Unfortunately I still do not have the pleasure of knowing your name."
"I am Celegil, daughter of Brethelwin, who was Captain of the Marchwardens before me."
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Celegil." Glorfindel smiled
Celegil gave a small smile in return that did not quite reach her eyes and turned to her horse. "Come, we must be off. Half the posts at the northern reaches of the forest must be inspected before noon."
The platforms the wardens used as look out posts were built in the branches of the towering mallorns were simple structures and easy to maintain. Most of the time was spent listening to the warden's concerns regarding supplies and any possible orc activity. Celegil was kind enough to carry messages to the wardens from family in the city. While the wardens on duty wrote quick replies, she explained the strategic importance of each post.
Glorfindel saw that Celegil cared deeply for her wardens and the land she guarded, though she hid it beneath an iron hard exterior. She was a stern commander who expected her orders to be carried out to the letter. Any mistakes were reprimaneded and corrected immediately. Smiles and compliments were rare, but when given, they were fully deserved. Celegil demanded perfection from her elves and in return she gave them her trust and respect.
The tour had been going smoothly until they were on their way to the last post on Lothlorien's northern border. Celegil reined her horse to a sudden stop and craned her neck to peer through the trees. Haldir and Glorfindel pulled up beside her.
"Orcs." She said "Perhaps thirty of them."
"What are they doing here?" asked Glorfindel
"They come out of the Misty Mountains sometimes." Replied Haldir "But they usually do not venture so close to the Wood."
"The orcs are heading in the direction of the last post. If we pick up our pace we can reach the post first. No doubt the wardens have already spotted them."
Ooh! A cliff hanger! Dun dun dun!
The next day, while the twins and Celebrían visited with Galadriel and Celeborn, Glorfindel found himself strolling the walkways of Caras Galadhon. He had not particularly wanted to accompany Celebrían here to Lothloríen, he had so much work to do in Imladris, but Elrond had insisted that he come. Not only had he insisted, he had also ordered Glorfindel to treat the assignment as a vacation and now that Glorfindel was here, he couldn't help but enjoy the peacefulness. He found his thoughts drifting back to the impromptu archery contest that took place last night after the feast. Most of the marchwardens attending the banquet had eventually made their way to the archery range, so it was likely that unofficial contests were held after most functions. It was interesting that the Captain of the guard had also been present and actually participated. Granted, her lieutenant had had to challenge her to get her to compete but he could understand her reluctance. The captain had beaten out her lieutenant and the rest of her marchwardens fairly quickly, losing only to two visiting elves from Greenwood. He didn't know the Captain's name but a she-elf who had risen to the command of such a powerful and important realm intrigued him. He had been too preoccupied with keeping Elladan and Elrohir quiet when they had entered Lothloríen the day before to hear her name and hadn't been able to get close enough the night before at both dinner and the archery range to introduce himself.
Somehow, Glorfindel found himself at a training field where a group of novice students were practicing their swordsmanship. Upon a closer look, they were being reviewed by the Captain and her first Lieutenant. He stopped at the edge of the field to watch. The Captain was obviously very good at her job. The younger elves treated her with the utmost respect and her second in command was clearly very devoted to his superior. She gave orders and corrections with the ease of a seasoned commander and watched each elf with rapt attention while her Lieutenant studiously took notes. All too soon, the group began to break up and the Lieutenant noticed Glorfindel standing at the edge of the field.
"Lord Glorfindel," he said as he walked over "What brings you to the training grounds?"
"I merely wished to observe, if I may." Glorfindel replied "It is useful to have some knowledge of your ally's fighting abilities before any need to join forces should occur."
He nodded. "Indeed it is. Perhaps you would like to join me on our inspection tour tomorrow?"
"Gladly"
"Excellent," he replied "I shall come find you in the morning."
The next day, Glorfindel woke early and dressed, pulling on his light traveling armor before going to breakfast. He was nearly finished with his meal when Celebrían appeared.
"Where are you off to this morning, Glorfindel?" she asked, eyeing his armor curiously.
"The Captain has invited me to join her on their inspection tour."
Just then a knock sounded on the door of the flet. Glorfindel looked out the window to see Haldir staring back at him. He waved to Celebrían and slipped out the door.
Haldir led Glorfindel down to a clearing on the forest floor. The Captain was already there, checking the tack on their horses. She turned when she heard their approach.
"Good morning, Lord Glorfindel." She said with a slight bow.
"Good morning, my lady Captain." Glorfindel returned the bow. "Unfortunately I still do not have the pleasure of knowing your name."
"I am Celegil, daughter of Brethelwin, who was Captain of the Marchwardens before me."
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Celegil." Glorfindel smiled
Celegil gave a small smile in return that did not quite reach her eyes and turned to her horse. "Come, we must be off. Half the posts at the northern reaches of the forest must be inspected before noon."
The platforms the wardens used as look out posts were built in the branches of the towering mallorns were simple structures and easy to maintain. Most of the time was spent listening to the warden's concerns regarding supplies and any possible orc activity. Celegil was kind enough to carry messages to the wardens from family in the city. While the wardens on duty wrote quick replies, she explained the strategic importance of each post.
Glorfindel saw that Celegil cared deeply for her wardens and the land she guarded, though she hid it beneath an iron hard exterior. She was a stern commander who expected her orders to be carried out to the letter. Any mistakes were reprimaneded and corrected immediately. Smiles and compliments were rare, but when given, they were fully deserved. Celegil demanded perfection from her elves and in return she gave them her trust and respect.
The tour had been going smoothly until they were on their way to the last post on Lothlorien's northern border. Celegil reined her horse to a sudden stop and craned her neck to peer through the trees. Haldir and Glorfindel pulled up beside her.
"Orcs." She said "Perhaps thirty of them."
"What are they doing here?" asked Glorfindel
"They come out of the Misty Mountains sometimes." Replied Haldir "But they usually do not venture so close to the Wood."
"The orcs are heading in the direction of the last post. If we pick up our pace we can reach the post first. No doubt the wardens have already spotted them."
Ooh! A cliff hanger! Dun dun dun!