5. Of Luck and Loss

"And what might you be doing out here all alone pen neth?"

Arwen turned, startled to find her grandfather standing only a few paces away, too lost in her own thoughts to hear his approach. Lord Celeborn was dressed in a silver tunic and pale blue leggings, adding to the ethereal radiance that seemed to flow from him. The corners of his mouth were turned in the softest smile as he watched his granddaughter expectantly. She turned back to gaze at the river, willing herself to present a cool, collected demeanor she didn't feel.

"I needed some time alone with my thoughts." she said softly, hoping he didn't catch the tears that glistened in her eyes.

Celeborn sighed, so like her mother. The thought sent a sharp pain through his chest and he struggled to suppress it. It would not do to have her see him hurt. Like his little Celebrain she would be even more devastated if he were not strong for her.

"I know you have been unhappy, pen neth." he said gently, crouching beside her, careful not to face her so that she could continue to hide her tears from him if she wished, "I do not pretend to know why. You have confided your sorrows in no one and it makes my heart heavy to think that you carry these burdens alone."

"They are mine to carry." she replied, her voice quiet. He marveled at it, as he had in her mother. Celebrain had never thrown a tantrum, even as a small elfling. She seemed to understand from the very beginning that she held far more sway over him if she simply looked up at him with those mournful eyes, silently pleading with him to rescue her. Arwen understood it too but for some strange reason she seldom used it to her advantage any more, choosing to hide her feelings whenever possible.

"That, I do not know." he said, his mouth curving into a thin smile. "I do know that it is a shame to waste a perfectly good evening alone by the river when there is a warm hall and fine food nearby."

"I am not sure it matters," Arwen sighed, looking down at her hands in her lap "as I can think of very few who would welcome my company, and you are already here." she turned to face him with a smile that did not fill her eyes and Celeborn felt as if she were patiently wrapping him around her finger. He gave a chuckle, shaking his head.

"Pen neth," he sighed, holding out his hand to her. "Tell me why you are out here alone, and do not hide from me this time. I want to hear everything." he helped her to her feet and they turned back down the path to the house.

"I do not think I can tell you everything." she blushed as she held his hand "because it would incriminate some elves I am quite fond of. But suffice it to say that Father wished me to wait inside until the ball and I wished to take in the gardens."

"From the look of your gown I take it that you did not climb out of the window." he smiled down at her.

"No," she sighed "I arranged to have someone escort me."

"Does this someone have a name?"

"Haldir." She said his name with so much venom it surprised him. Arwen's heart seemed to be a glacial sea, she neither loved nor hated with any great depth. It made her terribly easy to get along with, and ridiculously difficult to get to know.

"And what grievous transgression has he committed?" Celeborn asked, arching his brow "Shall I condemn him to the fences for the next millennia?" Arwen actually giggled but she shook her head.

"He has done nothing to warrant your wrath." she replied with a sad frown "It is not his fault that I am such an abysmal companion."

Celeborn groaned inwardly. He had been aware of Haldir's obsession with his granddaughter almost from the beginning. Haldir was far and away his bravest warden but even a moment in Arwen's presence seemed to be enough to reduce him to a speechless idiot.

He made it a rule never to involve himself in such things, but secretly he felt nothing but pity for Haldir. He remembered vividly how Galadriel had affected him when they were courting. He would say the most ludicrous things, simply to make her laugh. Being near her made him flustered and on more than one occasion he had graciously excused himself so that he could be violently ill. He had managed to beat himself into shape in order to win her heart. If Haldir could not do the same, a woman like Arwen would walk all over him.

No, better that he not interfere.

"You are not so terribly Abysmal." Celeborn consoled with a teasing smile "True, your unmatched grace and beauty reduce all around you to fat, bungling dwarves by comparison but those of us who love you care very little about that." Arwen tried to suppress a laugh and Celeborn stopped, drawing his arms around her. She snuggled against his chest with a sigh and he kissed the top of her head.

"You will find your joy, pen neth." he whispered gently.

****************************************************

"Glorfindel, have you seen my daughter and Haldir?" Elrond asked, his brow furrowing as he looked out over the hall.

"I have not," The tall blond elf replied with a bright smile, taking in the pomp and gallantry of the ball with an easy grace. "though I am painfully curious as to why I would see the Undomiel in the company of such a dismal elf."

"They were enjoying the gardens together and I thought they should be here by now." Elrond replied. Glorfindel gave him a mischievous sidelong glance.

"There must be a fascinating tale there." he said, sipping his wine casually. He watched as a dark haired elf with a harsh frown approached them. "Speaking of dismal elves, what has you so tormented, Erestor?"

"I have seen no sign of her, Elrond." Erestor said, throwing Glorfindel a harsh glare before ignoring him entirely.

"If she does not make an appearance tonight, Eru help me, I will kill her." Elrond hissed.

"Old friend, why do you persist in this?" Glorfindel asked with a sigh, shaking his head "Can you not simply accept that the child does not wish to wed and leave her bloody well alone?" Elrond let out a desperate sigh.

"I vowed to her mother she would be happy." he said desperately, his eyes misting despite his carefully schooled expression of control. "If her grandparents are to be believed, she has been no happier in Lothlorien than she was here."

"Far be it from me to disagree with the Lady of Light." Glorfindel smirked.

"For once I am forced to agree with my friend." Erestor shook his head "I do not think marriage will do anything to improve her happiness."

"Erestor, I am shocked." Glorfindel said with a grin "That you should agree with me on anything must mean that all Arda stands upon the brink of destruction."

"Could you, not once, show a little maturity?" Erestor demanded, pressing his lips in a thin line.

"If the halls of Mandos can not dampen my spirits I fail to see what you think you can accomplish." Glorfindel replied with a maddening smile.

"I cannot help but wonder if he were more tolerable before he died." Erestor said to Elrond with a deep frown.

"I have had my fill of the both of you." Elrond replied, desperately trying to reign in a laugh "Drink something."

*****************************************************

Galadriel stood outside the doors to the Hall of Fire, a picture of calm and grace despite the growing unease she felt inside. She felt certain something was amiss, more than that, as if all middle-earth stood upon a turning point and this night would set in motion a course of events that would change the fortunes of all. Stranger still, she sensed the fulcrum was near, as if time was rushing like a river to this point. She sighed.

Or perhaps she was simply getting old.

She could sense Celeborn approach long before she could hear him and she turned to meet him.

"My Lady Wife." He said warmly, taking her hand "I apologize if I kept you waiting." She smiled at him as he led her into the hall.

"I was beginning to wonder what had become of you." she replied throwing him the faintest sultry glance before speaking into his mind. ^Cavorting with the kitchen maids were we?^

^Nay^ he whispered back, suppressing a grin ^the stable boys.^ Galadriel very nearly laughed, her careful control only barely threatened. They had played this game for centuries without measure now, each trying to push the other into losing control in public, giving a laugh or a blush. It was a game that Celeborn took a great deal of delight in and he intended to win. He had all the ages of the world and in one of them he was determined to reduce her to a giggling girl.

^You are a wicked elf.^ she smiled serenely as they descended the steps into the hall.

^You were right.^ he said, suddenly turning serious ^I found her in her old hiding spot near the river.^

^My Love, I am always right.^ she teased, he paused with a tender smile, drawing her hand to his lips.

"Aye." he whispered.

Across the hall twin elves, one in blue the other in crimson, surveyed the dancers with narrowed eyes as if searching for something. Their expressions were emotionless and they kept their voices low despite the noise of chatter and music that filled the room.

"That one is not bad." Elladan said nodding at a dark haired elleth who passed them, dancing with one of the Imladris guardians. The maiden in question giggled at something her companion had said and Elrohir wrinkled his nose.

"She laughs like a horse." he said to his brother.

"Be serious." Elladan replied with a crooked smile "When have you ever heard a horse laugh?"

"Look brother, we are just in time for the Weeding." Rumil said to Orophin with a sly grin as they slid up beside the twins. Elladan threw the two younger elves a mischievous smile and turned slightly to allow them into the conversation.

"I am afraid the garden is thick with weeds this time my friends." He said with an evil grin.

"And roses seem precious hard to find amid the thorns." Orophin added, looking out over the crowded hall with a frown. "No wonder you have managed to go so long without choosing a wife."

"Elladan values his freedom." Elrohir replied, scanning the faces as if watching for someone.

"Elladan has no values." Estel corrected slipping between his brothers with a smile. "Otherwise he would have settled by now."

"Orophin, you and Rumil have not met our foster brother." Elladan said, giving the young human's shoulder an affectionate squeeze. "This is Lord Aragorn, son of Arathorn. Aragorn, Orophin and Rumil are wardens of Lothlorien and brothers to Haldir." Estel beamed at the use of his title and Elladan had to work hard to keep from laughing at him.

"Oh, we have met the young heir of Gondor before." Rumil grinned, at his brother with a sidelong glance. Orophin pretended not to notice as Estel's face suddenly crinkled in a frown.

"You were the ones who tricked me into putting vinegar in Erestor's tea." He said, his eyes flaming in recognition.

"I am surprised you remember." Orophin said casually "You could not have been more than a few seasons old."

"I remember the enraged look on Ada's face quite clearly." Estel replied, his eyes narrowing as the twins chuckled.

"It still amazes me." Orophin said to Rumil with a frown and his brother nodded in agreement.

"I have never seen an elf gag so violently." Rumil added with a smirk.

"Well you are quite grown now." Elrohir said, slipping his arm around his brothers shoulder "So if they trick you again it is your own bloody fault. Besides, we have more important things to attend to."

"Like what?" Estel asked curiously.

"Maidens." All four elves said in unison.

"Orophin and Rumil join us at every ball for the Weeding." Elrohir explained.

"The Weeding?" Estel asked with a confused expression.

"Aye," Elladan replied. "We weed out all the less than exceptional Elleths and then we divide the remaining flowers between us."

"It is much more efficient than to compete with each other over them." Rumil explained.

"And it allows visitors to avoid wasting precious time." Orophin added.

"I am confused." Estel sighed, his face turning slightly red "I thought that once you... joined with an Elleth you were mated for life."

"Aye, little brother." Elladan said with a wolfish grin, "but there are so many pleasurable things you can do with an elleth that do not involve a joining." Estel felt his ears turn pink at the insinuation.

"I think it is time we educate the young one." Elrohir said with a smile, Elladan nodded in agreement as the Lorien brothers considered the crowd.

"We should find him someone with a little experience." Rumil grinned.

"You mean someone with good hands." Orophin said, Rumil nodded.

"Has anyone seen Legolas?" Estel asked, feeling increasingly uneasy.

"No, I haven't, now that you mention it." Elrohir replied with a shrug.

"Perhaps he has already picked his flower of the evening." Elladan suggested.

"I think maybe I had better go look for him." Estel said, backing away toward the doors.

"You are sure?" Elladan asked "We wouldn't want you to miss all the fun."

"Quite." and with that he disappeared. The four elves exchanged wicked grins.

"Humans." The twins sighed in unison, Rumil and Orophin nodding in agreement.

*********************************************************

Haldir took several deep breaths as he made his way to the Hall of Fire. He had never been squeamish but he was not looking forward to this meeting with Elrond. Try as he might, he had been unable to find Lady Arwen and now he was forced to face the consequences.

"I take it she has eluded us?" Legolas asked, appearing from a side passage. Haldir gave him a curt nod and then sighed dismally.

"I shall have to tell Lord Elrond I have lost his daughter." Haldir shook his head. "I doubt he will be pleased."

"That," Legolas replied with a grimace "is an understatement."

"I do not fear his wrath." Haldir said evenly, continuing down the corridor with his arrogant head held high "but I fear I will only cause the Lady more grief." Legolas glanced at the elf beside him, wondering for a moment if he detected a hint of regret. Was it possible the intolerable March Warden had feelings for Undomiel? Haldir's expression was one of calm control, the face of an elf hardened by countless years of battle, but that hardness did not extend to his eyes. He was decidedly distracted by something and Legolas did not think it was worry over Elrond's reaction.

No, he decided, shaking his head as if to clear it of the foolish notion. If Haldir truly cared for Arwen he would have approached her by now. He was not a squeamish boy after all.

Haldir paused at the threshold, steeling himself and throwing his shoulders back. He would face his doom with pride.

"Good luck Haldir." Legolas said, sincerely. The March Warden gave him a nod before descending the steps into the Hall of Fire.

Legolas hung back, watching from the door as Haldir strode purposefully into the hall. The Mirkwood prince had to admit as he followed at a reasonable distance that the elf was nothing if not brave. As Legolas did his best to blend into the crowd and still observe the conversation, Haldir walked with pride in his step facing the Elf Lord without wavering.

"Haldir." Elrond said, his face creasing in a frown. "I expected to find you in the company of my daughter."

Haldir looked at the Elf Lord before answering. He felt no fear. The very worst Elrond could do to him would be to kill him and how could that be any more miserable than living the rest of his eternal life pining for Arwen? He threw his shoulders back, his lips curling down in a frown.

"It would seem, my Lord, that I have angered her." Haldir replied, his voice holding a note of resignation.

"Angered her?" Elrond asked, his frown growing menacing and for a moment Haldir felt a twinge of unease.

"Aye, my Lord." Haldir replied "It appears she has lost the taste for my company." Elrond's eyes blazed and he glared at Haldir, taking a step toward the blond elf.

"Where is my daughter?" he hissed. Haldir opened his mouth to reply but for some reason he couldn't make his voice work. The Elf Lord's eyes cut through him like a knife and he began to wonder if perhaps Elrond might forego killing him in exchange for torture. He suppressed a shudder.

"I am waiting, March Warden." Elrond said, his voice deathly quiet.

The hall fell into silence and Haldir turned to see Arwen standing at the top of the stairs, flanked by a pair of columns. She had discarded her plain pearl gown for one of sapphire blue and silver that shimmered with the shifting light, casting her in a ethereal glow, her long hair crowned with a silver circlet, thin as a thread and studded with tiny diamonds. He caught his breath at the sight of her and suddenly he felt weak in the knees.

She was simply the image of beauty itself, her head held high as she descended the steps, her sad eyes sweeping over the crowd and coming to rest on him. There was no accusation in her stare and for a moment it frightened him. Her sorrowful expression was almost worse than the anger he had expected to see. Without another word, Elrond slipped past him, moving to the foot of the stairs to collect his daughter and she looked away, meeting her father's gaze.

"You are a lucky elf." Glorfindel said with a wiry smile.

"Very lucky." Erestor nodded. "She never turns up again once she disappears."

"Aye," Haldir sighed in agreement, feeling as if he were, perhaps, the most unlucky soul in all Middle-Earth.

********************************************************

pen neth - little one

***

Thanks for all the lovely reviews everyone, you've all been very gracious. I've been quite stunned by the reception.

For all of you who asked, Arwen and Aragorn are currently meeting in chapter 8 and, for the record, I adore Haldir and I promise to make it up to him... eventually.