Author's Note: For the purpose of this fic, I have given Celeborn and Galadriel the ability to mind-speak. So that is indicated in italics. e.g.- 'blah'

The first trial- that of Aurief- was scheduled for the next day and the Lord of Imladris was yet to find sleep. He was tired, drained and very worried. For hours he had paced his rooms, trying to find a way to reconcile the expected public outcry and his own distaste for it.

He sighed and turned to look out the window, gazing blankly at the view for comfort, smiling slightly as he observed one of his cooks sneak out to the soldiers' barracks. It seemed at least a few of his people were to have a better night than he was, at any rate!

Which only served to dampen his spirits again.

He looked to the door that separated him from Legolas. It was not locked; he knew that for a fact! It would be easy to open it, and he was almost certain of his welcome. He stepped cautiously towards it, fingers twitching as if ready to grasp the handle. After all, they needn't do anything; they could just talk. Then the fingers dropped and he strode to his own bed and bounced in with a petulant frown. Talking there would- and plenty- in the morning.

On the morrow, there was all the public outcry that he had envisioned. Elves sat in their seats in the large, graceful hall and whispered softly amongst themselves in their well-bred voices. Galadriel and Celeborn sat in front, blank-faced and aloof, listening as Elrond shut his pointed ears and baldly stated his case:

"... and his actions placed my child and I in fatal circumstances that almost led to one or both our deaths. I demand justice."

Celeborn nodded and leaned forward slightly. "And justice shall be had. Let Aurief of Lothlorien answer these charges against him." Silver-blue eyes looked sternly to the rising chatter. "And I would ask all else to remain silent."

Aurief stepped forward, cleaned and bathed and looking very mutinous. "My Lord, I have no answer," he said clearly.

Galadriel looked her surprise. "Have you nothing to say?" she asked incredulously, brows lowered over a piercing gaze. "Lord Elrond of Imladris brings a very serious charge against you."

"He knows not of what he speaks," Aurief said simply, "His back was to his attacker and to my ears, he has not mentioned ever seeing him. Or mentioned ever questioning his guards as to who placed him in their hands."

Glorfindel snarled and rose to his feet. "My Lord and Lady," he called urgently, "There were witnesses who heard Aurief admit to his part in the kidnap of the Lord of Imladris. We would take sworn oath to that effect! And all of us are honourable elves as the Court knows."

There were nods of agreement from the elves assembled behind, the majority of them being Imladris folk who did not appreciate the news that a renegade elf from Lothlorien was implying that their Lord and his family and advisers were liars.

Aurief shook his dark head and looked theatrically to the sceptical judges. "If it please you, they are surely honourable; but they are also Lord Elrond's friends and family! Is it not possible that they might be mistaken and willing to place blame on me because of their dislike and prejudice?"

The murmurs rose to almost to a low shout and Elrond turned to level a cold eye at his supporters. Celeborn did the same and Haldir took the opportunity to motion to Galadriel, asking for permission to speak. The lady nodded her blond head, waving a hand to beckon him forward from his position beside the captives.

Haldir stepped forward and bowed slightly in respect. "My Lord and Lady, I am no family member of this noble house, and I bear no more than a respectful acquaintance with the Lord of Imladris. I can vouch that the confession from Aurief's lips by the interrogation of Lord Erestor, as spoken in the presence of Lord Glorfindel, Lord Elladan and Lord Elrohir was perfectly in accordance with the one who assaulted and stole Lord Elrond."

"And how do you argue this?" Celeborn placed a lot of trust in his Marchwarden; he was not about to start disbelieving him now.

"There were details given that none but the kidnapper himself would have known," Haldir pointed out, "And Aurief did indeed admit to it himself. I do not recall the exact words- no doubt Lord Erestor can supply you with the written confession- but in effect they admitted not only to guilt, but to working in collusion with the human slavers for the specific capture of the Elf Lord."

Celeborn nodded and looked to his wife. 'I would hesitate to distrust Haldir,' he said mentally, 'And the written confession is sure enough.'

She nodded slowly, her eyes still fixed on the accused, but leaving the arrogant figure every so often to look to Elrond's steady regard, sympathizing with the set of his jaw and his obvious dislike for the entire situation. His children sat with him, as pale and as expressionless, fixing their eyes only on the scene before them and ignoring the whispers from behind.

'I am in agreement,' she answered back, laying her hand on his, 'Let judgement be served. He does not mean to talk.'

"Aurief of Lothlorien, step forward," Celeborn ordered, turning back and rising swiftly to his feet.

Dark blue eyes darkened in apprehension for there was nothing on the Elf Lord's face to hint at pardon or even mercy. Aurief, in fact, was finished. But he straightened his shoulders and did as he was bid, gazing defiantly at his Lord and refusing to drop his eyes when that silver-blue glare burned into his soul.

"You are judged guilty," Celeborn said simply, "You plotted against an elf and sought to aid his capture. By your own hands you carried him from safety and left him with those who would have sold him into imprisonment. And you worsened your crime by accepting payment for it. You had full knowledge that your victim was in a delicate condition, and you deliberately used that condition to your advantage, leaving him in the hands of those who almost brought about his death."

The words died away in the echoing stillness, accompanied by the melodic inflection of disapproval and anger. Celeborn let his judgements sift gently through the minds of all present, sparing a glance for the one who had brought the charges, watching the grey eyes close for a few minutes as if in relief. Then he returned to his task at hand.

"Lothlorien is ashamed," he said severely, "To own you. You were the good friend of my daughter; your family was respected by all who knew them. You, Aureif, were respected for your service to your land in spite for your arrogant disobedience to your commanding officers. But I will and must now banish you from Lothlorien and order you to never return. You are no longer welcome."

Aurief felt his eyes widen. Surely Celeborn would not do so? Stunned, he watched the sensitive lips continue to move, continue to speak though he could not hear the words through the roaring of his blood in his ears. He had no more status. As an exile he was left to wander the lands of Arda forever, lost to all peoples and alone. He would be no better than those humans who ran away from their ravaged kingdoms!

"... but I will grant you this one concession- a ship sets sail for Valinor in six months. I would advise you to accept passage on that ship and leave."

Aurief felt his heart leave his throat and settle once more into his chest. However, a movement from the corner of his eye made him break concentration and frown to his left, where the regal Prince of Mirkwood had risen to his feet and patiently waited for his turn to speak.

Celeborn looked to the Legolas and sighed. The elf was dressed in simple tunic and trews, obviously expecting his challenge to be accepted and thereby dressing for it accordingly. "Prince Legolas," he called, waving the young elf forward, "You have something to say, I believe."

Elrond shut his eyes and shook his head. As if it was not enough for his people to find out the entire rigmarole of his most recent pregnancy, but now they were about to find out that he seduced innocent-looking young princes too! He was doomed!

"Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel- I crave your pardon for interrupting your judgement on the accused," Legolas began sweetly, looking as if butter would not possibly have melted in his mouth, "I have a demand for the Court."

Aurief rubbed his tired eyes and groaned softly. "Get your own trial," he groused, "And leave me mine!"

Galadriel felt a laugh bubble in her throat but Celeborn glanced sternly back at her and she subsided. But not before noting that her husband too was laughing uproariously with his eyes.

Legolas simply shot the 'Lorien elf a dirty look and then slowly began to smile, an evilly contemplative little smile. "I demand the right to reclaim honour," he said simply, his grin widening as Aurief turned to stare at him with shock on his handsome face, "In the name of Lord Elrond and our daughter."

That did it. Celeborn simply sat down and massaged his aching temples. Galadriel watched in amusement as elves craned their heads forward to catch a glimpse of the petitioner, confident that they had either heard wrong or that they had mistaken the identity of the person. Surely the Lord of Imladris had not taken the young Prince of Mirkwood as a lover? And even if he had, would such an ancient and noble lord have submitted to being taken by him?!

Elrond looked to the heavens and gave up all hope of ever returning to a normal life. It would a wonder, he concluded gloomily, if his people ever respected him again.

"... I might have guessed Lord Glorfindel, but Prince Legolas?"

He turned to glare his displeasure at the wife of the wood carver who had mistakenly gasped that statement to her friend right behind him. She cowered beneath his gaze and begged his pardon. He nodded and turned back, to find that Glorfindel had heard it too and was studious not looking at him. There would be a 'Conversation' now, he realized. For that alone he was willing to kill Aurief.

"Silence," Galadriel said quietly, her words effectively calling everyone to some state of order as her sharp eyes bored through the hordes of excited people to remind them of whose exact presence it was that they were in. 'Celeborn?'

'Thank you,' he answered back. "Prince Legolas, I have no doubt of your intentions, but surely such a means for revenge..."

"My Lord, he placed my daughter in grave danger and even should she have had a normal birth, he sold her as irrevocably to slavers as he did her father. Resting that fact aside for the moment, he caused great disturbance and misery in the household for the six months that he resided here. Lord Elrond in particular was daily subjected to an almost constant stream of insult and embarrassment, the mental and emotional stress only adding to the problems of his physical condition. If you call it revenge, my Lord, so be it. I only ask for the chance to repay him those harms done to both my daughter and my..." he stopped, mortified at almost admitting his feelings to an entire court.

Celeborn smiled a little but composed himself enough to nod gravely and say, "I see. And have you discussed this with Lord Elrond?"

"He has, Lord Celeborn," Elrond said quietly, "I do not advise it, but I will not dissuade him."

"And King Thranduil of Mirkwood? The Prince is your heir and should he be harmed, your Kingdom will suffer the effect. As his King, your permission must be sought."

Thranduil shrugged from his seat with what seemed almost to be a disinterested air. "Legolas will fight his battles," he replied coolly, "My permission is not needed in this case and my approval is freely given."

Galadriel was intrigued. She had not had the chance to speak much on this topic, preferring to keep all questions to such time when she was required to give objective opinion. But now she was intrigued- "You approve?" she echoed, "But your son may be harmed! And if my estimation is correct, he means this duel to last to deathblow. Aurief is skilled enough to deliver that deathblow. It is strange that you seem unconcerned by it."

Thranduil looked insulted. "I am not unconcerned," he corrected, "As a father, he is precious. As a King, he is too important to lose. But I have taught him to act on his feelings; and most especially to never allow someone to hurt those he loves. I am proud of his determination to fight that elf and I believe you place too little faith in the skills of my son."

A general gasp and Elladan and Elrohir leaned across to their very uncomfortable father- "You never make pretty speeches about us!"

Elrond did not even blink. "If either of you even think of reclaiming honour I will personally lock you both in a holding cell and throw the keys into the Bruinen."

Galadriel smiled, satisfied and leaned back, content to let her husband make his decision.

Celeborn thought it out, weighing the situation in his mind with the utmost care. On the one hand, his refusal would cause insult to Mirkwood and indirectly also to Imladris as it was done in the name of Elrond. On the other, he truly did not want to see the young archer killed in a dual through his own hotheadedness. "You will not reconsider?" he asked once more.

"I will not, my Lord."

"Very well," Celeborn agreed, shaking his silver-blond head as if he could not fathom why he was agreeing to this, "Your demands are heard and we will accept them. Know this, however- should Aurief win, he will walk free and be proclaimed innocent on the charges. His rights will be re-instated and justice will not be served."

"I have considered that, Lord Celeborn, and I still ask for a reclaiming of honour."

Bright blue and silver-blue shared equal looks of determination and then the entire court suddenly gasped. For a loud, long peal of laughter rang through the hall to echo and clatter against the cool walls and soft tapestries. Galadriel frowned and leaned forward; Celeborn narrowed his eyes as Aurief gave way to mirth.

"Can none of you see the humour?" that elf finally asked, wiping wet eyes and blinking to clear his vision, "I stand here, accused of being a monster to the world, when the Court hypocritically allows a murder to be planned for dawn the next morning! Lord Elrond sits there and accuses me of placing him and an innocent in danger. But what of the wife who he endangered by refusing to allow her to remain in Lothlorien? Lady Galadriel- would your daughter not be safe now if Lord Elrond had agreed to let her end the farce of their marriage and return to her home? Was it not her return to Imladris that placed her in the path of the orcs who tormented and tortured her?"

The pretty face of the Lady of Lothlorien began to colour in anger, red staining the smooth cheeks as that venerable elf-maid rose to fix a deadly glare on the insolent elf addressing her. "Dare you," she asked quietly, "Dare you truly say that this- this travesty of betrayal was done in the name of my daughter?"

"Yes."

"Perhaps you should properly examine your facts," Celeborn interrupted, laying hand on his wife's shoulder and pressing her to silence, "There was no blame to be placed on Lord Elrond for the misfortune of Lady Celebrien. And he certainly never sold an unborn innocent to slavery!"

"The child sired by the Prince? She was no part of my plan and had she already been born, I would have left her. But Herdir wanted proof of Lord Elrond's, ah, talent and so I obliged him by putting a fertility potion into a cup of wine on one of the nights that the lovers met. The misbegotten brat of a half-elf is none of my concern."

Elladan and Elrohir were on their feet and dragged back in the nick of time by Glorfindel and Erestor, both of whom managed to catch the Peredhils just an instant before they reached the smugly smiling elf. Legolas was less incensed, secure in his knowledge of getting his revenge on the morrow, and the simple touch of his father's hand on his shoulder steadied him. None but Celeborn thought to look to the person who really had the cause for complaint.

Elrond felt the words stab through him like a knife, like the sharply agonizing pangs of childbirth magnified a thousand times until he was almost certain that he would see blood if he looked down to his robes. Trembling with rage, he stalked unseeing past his sons and his friends, brushing past Legolas without a glance to stand face to face with Aurief.

Celeborn signalled to Haldir to stand close in case the furious Elf Lord offered violence.

But in spite of his obvious emotions, Elrond's voice was clipped and controlled. "You have insulted me for as long as we were acquainted," he murmured, "You have insulted the gentle memory of Celebrien by causing harm in her name. I would have said nothing to the first, and demanded a public apology for the second. But you have insulted my children and my heritage. And I will not forgive that."

Aurief stepped back slightly, a little apprehensive at the being that confronted him. He had seen Elrond in most of his guises, had read him skilfully where the Elf Lord remained an unreadable blank to most others. But this... he had never seen this!

But Glorfindel had, as had Erestor and Thranduil and Celeborn and Galadriel. Just so had the Lord of Imladris looked during an incident in the past, when a human had attempted to belittle him for the human blood that flowed in his veins. And that usually meant war.

"Lord Celeborn, I have changed my mind. I object very strenuously to the reclaiming of honour as demanded by the Prince of Mirkwood... I claim that right for myself."

And if that wasn't a declaration of war, the Lord of Lothlorien had never heard one. And he had! What was worse, this was only the first trial!

"You are not well enough," Celeborn soothed, "Let another champion your cause."

"With all due respect, my Lord, I am the best judge of my health, or anyone else's in this State. Give me two days and I will be fit to cut the throat of the elf who has insulted and betrayed me and my family."

Celeborn looked regretful and opened his mouth to say something else when Elrond turned and stared intently at him, daring him with silver-flecked eyes to deny him.

He looked to Glorfindel and Erestor. Neither looked anything but resigned and rather as if they had predicted something of the sort. Even Legolas had nothing to say against it. "Very well," Celeborn sighed, "The Court accepts your demands. In two days you will meet in battle with Aurief; the outcome will decide the case."

He stepped down, offering his hand to his lady, and the both of them swept from the room, drained by their exertions and wondering if it was too late to return to their belovedly peaceful Lothlorien.