19. Dinner and a Show

^You are looking radiant as ever, Meleth nin.^ Celeborn whispered to the mind of his wife as they made their way to the great hall.

^Such a tease^ Galadriel replied playfully though her serene appearance belied her taunting, ^was that not you I saw earlier wenching with my handmaidens in the storeroom?^

^Nay,^ he replied suppressing a smirk, ^It must have been the balrog slayer^

"Glorfindel, how fare you?" She asked with a warm smile as he approached them with his usual look of aberrant serenity on his face.

"Very well, my Lady." He replied with a cordial bow. "Lord Celeborn, a pleasure as always."

"Likewise," He gave his wife a sidelong glance, suppressing an evil grin ^My, he is a pretty one isn't he, Meleth?^ The corner of Galadriel's mouth twitched slightly and she turned her sparkling gaze on him.

^Nay, do not dare to think it.^ she feigned malice ^I saw him first.^ Celeborn nearly lost the game as he fought down a laugh.

Glorfindel studied them a moment, his brow creased in a frown. He was no elfling but the ancient Lady of the Noldor still held the power to make him feel like a child when she turned her probing eyes on him, a slight he felt compelled to pay her back for by behaving like one. Not that he minded so much, he only wished he knew what it was that went on inside that mysterious mind of hers.

"Indelin, dear, what are you doing hiding there?" He asked in surprise as he noticed the young elleth peering out from behind a statue of Elwing. Indelin bit her lip, looking up at the elf with wide eyes. She had been lurking near the door to see where Orophin sat with plans to take the seat beside him.

"I was... you see... I..." she sputtered a moment, "suilad, My Lords, My Lady."

Glorfindel chuckled, taking her hand and laying it on his arm with a flourish. Indelin looked up at him with terrified eyes and he gave her his most alluring smile.

"Well dinner awaits, pen neth." he said charmingly, leading her into the hall. Indelin felt her knees begin to shake and she struggled to suppress the urge to bolt. She had little choice but to comply.

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

"This can not be good." Rumil said shaking his head as he watched Legolas lead Arwen to her customary seat before taking the place beside her. "I wonder how he ever got free." He stole a glance at Haldir who was following their Lord and Lady into the hall before looking up at his brother for some answer but Orophin's face had taken on a rather besotted expression.

"Orophin, will you forget that stupid elleth and concentrate on Haldir!" Rumil demanded angrily. His words fell on deaf ears, however. Orophin moved off after Meril as if he could not hear him.

"Where do you think you are going?" Rumil asked angrily, racing to keep up.

"To dinner!" Orophin replied with a rather manic grin as they approached the high table.

"She is irritating and she does not even like you!" Rumil pointed out as Elrohir drew out Meril's chair before seating himself next to Eirien and Elladan. "What do you plan to do, wear her down until she caves?"

"That is the general idea, yes." Orophin replied happily.

"Legolas, you are looking well." Meril smiled at him warmly as the prince squirmed in his chair. Arwen seemed not to notice, or at the very least not to care, but it wasn't her wrath Legolas feared, seeing as how she didn't even know they were supposed to be romantically involved.

"I am well, thank you" he replied darting a glance at Elrond and trying to look absorbed with Arwen.

"Really?" Meril said with a wolfish smile "You are rather flushed, I thought you might be a bit... hot." Legolas nearly choked on his wine.

"Meril, Meleth," Orophin said with an enraptured smile as he took the chair beside her "How dark my day has been without the light of your eyes." Her warm expression frosted instantly like a lake in a blizzard. Rumil looked from the sneer of disgust on Meril's face to the expression of spellbound fascination on his brother's and slumped in the chair between Orophin and Legolas with a sigh.

"Trying day?" Legolas asked sympathetically. Rumil looked up at the older elf, barely suppressing the urge to glare.

"You might say that." he replied darkly.

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

"Where ever has my son got off to?" Gilraen asked Elrond as she frowned, looking out across the hall.

"I forgot to mention." Erestor apologized, turning from Indelin and Glorfindel and leaning closer to them to gain his Lord's attention. "Estel said he had a problem to deal with and would not be here."

"That is Estel." Elrond chuckled, rolling his eyes as he sipped his wine. "Haldir, do take Aragorn's seat and tell his mother of Lothlorien." Elrond motioned to the March Warden as Celeborn led Galadriel to her chair. Haldir obeyed with a halfhearted sigh, seating himself between Erestor and Gilraen.

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

"Now, do tell my dear, why were you hiding in the corridor?" Glorfindel asked with a happy grin.

"Well, I was... um." Indelin wheedled a moment longer, staring at the balrog slayer with a mixture of fascination and horror.

"Ah, well, it can only be one thing then." Erestor said drily as Glorfindel gave Celeborn a sidelong glance.

"Wooing." All three males said in unison as Galadriel smiled tranquilly. Indelin slumped down in her chair, her face glowing a vibrant red.

"Now now, none of that!" Glorfindel said with a grin "Just point him out to us, we will be more than happy to help."

"Yes, I seem to remember having some rope in my study." Erestor said with a dull frown.

"Pay him no mind." Glorfindel waved him off "he is only jealous."

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

"Elladan have you read 'The Defender of Gondolin'?" Eirien asked curiously.

"Eirien, I grew up around the defender of Gondolin." He said with a slightly annoyed tone before catching the panicked look on his twin's face. He raised his eyebrows in question and Elrohir nodded vigorously behind Eirien's head. "but yes I have read it." he added.

"I just find the author's description of the escape so emotional." she said wistfully.

"Emotional?" Elladan asked, he couldn't remember ever thinking that about a book.

"Yes, the heart rending distruction." She sighed. "I can not imagine what it would be like to have hosts of dark forces descend upon Imladris and burn it to the ground."

"You should try spending the day with Estel." Elladan frowned sarcastically as Elrohir choked on his wine, coughing and sputtering violently.

"What?" Eirien asked, startled.

"It is one of my favorites." Elrohir added, trying desperately to salvage the conversation. "I have read the part where Tuor carries Idril up the path and then turns back to see Glorfindel plunge into the abyss so many times I nearly have it memorized." Eirien threw him a scathing glare that made his jaw snap shut before returning her attentions to Elladan.

"Not that it matters." the younger twin muttered to himself.

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

^How fortunate for me to be seated beside such a pretty elf^ Celeborn said teasingly to his wife as he cast a glance at Glorfindel. He could see the faintest hint of a grin tugging at her perfect lips and he smiled into his goblet.

^You haven't a chance.^ Galadriel taunted with her most haughty look, ^What would that elfling want with an old man when he could have beauty and power?^

^Ah, an old man or a very old woman.^ Celeborn pursed his lips as if considering the food on his plate. ^Such a difficult choice. I suppose we will just have to share him.^

^I am sorry, Faer nin, but I do not share my affections.^ she replied, her expression impassive as he fought to keep from laughing.

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

"Mellon, you look as though you might be ill." Arwen said with a frown, stroking Legolas's arm affectionately "what ever is wrong with you?"

"It is nothing Undomiel." Legolas sighed, watching Meril out of the corner of his eye as she tried to shrug off Orophin. He was thankful to have the two younger elves between himself and his pursuer but if Orophin did not desist, and soon, it would likely come to blows.

"Perhaps after dinner we might take in the gardens together." Orophin suggested with an adoring smile.

"Perhaps you can remove yourself from my sight and never darken my presence again." Meril replied viciously.

"Ah, Meleth." Orophin soothed, slipping his arm across the back of her chair so that he could lean closer to her. "I swear on my honor that I will be on my best behavior. If you would but give me a chance you would see my sincerity."

"You have very nice arms." Meril said through clenched teeth "would you like to keep them?"

"Meleth... " he began but her icy glare cut him off.

"Remove your arm or I will remove it for you."

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

"I have never had the privilege of visiting Lothlorien." Gilraen said brightly, "It is said that the Mellyrn are so large that they could span the Bruinen, is such true?"

"Yes." Haldir replied flatly, darting dismal glances in Arwen's direction as he stirred the food on his plate.

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

"Now, whom might the lucky elf be that you plan to conquer?" Glorfindel asked, scanning the crowd with sparkling eyes.

"There is Linder." Erestor pointed out.

"Oh yes," Glorfindel nodded with a grin "he's a fine one, very sharp."

"I don't think..." Indelin began but Glorfindel seemed not to notice.

"Perhaps not." he said after careful consideration "Rumil of Lorien then?"

"Elrond has a fine brew that can reduce the most stalwart elf to a senseless fool." Erestor suggested.

"Ignore him." Glorfindel advised as Indelin sunk farther into her seat. "Do not be troubled pen neth, we shall have you wed by breakfast.

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

"What ever do you think you are doing?" Elrohir demanded in an angry hiss. He had leaned back in his chair and yanked Eladan to him by his tunic.

"What would you have me do?" Elladan whispered savagely glaring at the back of Meril's head as she chatted casually with Elrond "She is unspeakably dull! Her head is full of nothing but books."

"Well if you keep up your rubbish we will never have any cause to worry over our deception. She will never speak to us again!"

"Brother, tell her!" Elladan glared.

"She hates me even more now that she has you!" Elrohir replied.

"She does not have me!"

"I am so confused." the younger twin shook his head with a sigh.

"You are confused?" his brother demanded "I can no longer remember my own name so often I have changed it today and to add insult to injury, I am being forced to have dinner with Erestor in a gown!"

"And Estel is not here." Elrohir frowned. "That cannot be good."

"Thank you for pointing that out, brother." Elladan snapped "I was not miserable enough already."

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

"Is it true that Caras Galadhon is built entirely in the trees?" Gilraen asked.

"Yes." Haldir replied, the faintest hint of melancholy in his voice. She waited expectantly a moment before leaning closer to Elrond and lowering her voice.

"Not one for conversation is he?" she asked with a smile. Elrond glanced at the March Warden unable to hold back a smirk.

"You might try topics with more death and destruction." the Elf Lord chuckled.

"I'm sure it will go lovely with the venison." Gilraen giggled.

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

"Arwen, there is something I must tell you." Legolas said with a low whisper.

"Is this why you seem so uneasy?" Arwen asked with a twinkle in her eye.

"Aye, it is." he replied, leaning closer to her. "After we parted last night.... " He let out a grunt of pain and twisted around to find one of his braids tangled around the back of the chair.

"And how are you this evening, Lady Undomiel?" Rumil asked with his most charming and innocent smile as Legolas struggled to free himself.

"Very well, Rumil, thank you." she smiled back at him warmly "Are you finding enough to occupy your time during your visit?"

"More than you know." He replied, trying not to glance at the Mirkwood prince.

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

^The elleth is not so bad either.^ Celeborn said, watching Indelin out of the corner of his eye with careful consideration.

^Oh, dear Valar.^ Galadriel replied nearly giggling.

^No, I am serious, Meleth.^ he said shaking his head as Glorfindel made a rather ribald comment that sent the young elleth slouching deeper into her chair ^She seems to be having no luck at all despite the fact that she is quite charming.^

^Ah so that is the way of it?^ Galadriel teased, ^You intend to replace me. I warn you, court my wrath and I will have a new gelding.^

^Well, were I a bit younger I might be tempted.^ Celeborn replied with a twinkle in his eye.

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

"Meril Meleth," Orophin said sincerely, his face creased in a frown "I think perhaps I have given you the wrong impression of me. I have no dishonorable intentions toward you on that you have my word of honor."

"Orophin, I can assure you that I have no wrong impressions." she replied, her jaw set as she met his gaze unwaveringly. "Now, kindly find someone else to occupy your time."

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

Elladan was only half listening as Eirien talked about poetry and picked at the food on her plate. He found himself wishing that she would just eat and grant him a little peace. He reached for his wine and glanced at his twin. Elrohir looked terrible, he was decidedly pale and there was a look of illness about him. Elladan sighed as he took a long draught from his cup.

There was a tickling on his leg and he froze, gazing down at Eirien out of the corner of his eye. As she talked her hand had snaked under the table and was now drawing lazy circles up the inside of his thigh. He gripped his goblet with white knuckles, shaking ever so slightly as he fought to keep his body under control. He glanced at his twin again only to find that Elrohir was gazing at him with an expression that could only be described as bloodthirsty. He downed a huge gulp of wine to steel his nerves and choked as Eirien's hand drifted higher.

"Are you well, Elladan?" Elrond asked with a frown, taking in his son's trembling hand and slightly red face. "too much wine perhaps?"

"Just tired, Ada." Elladan replied, forcing a smile. he glanced back at Elrohir and then down at Eirien again before muttering to himself "actually I don't think I've had enough."

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

^You haven't the slightest chance.^ Galadriel scoffed, her eyes dancing merrily at her husband.

^Are you implying that I am not male enough to capture her?" Celeborn asked pretending to sound offended.

^I imply nothing.^

^That is a fine thing!^ he snorted in reply. ^Despite all your best efforts over the long years of our marriage, Meleth nin, I can assure you I am still a male.^

Galadriel burst into laughter, her hand pressed over her mouth to stifle her giggles. Celeborn continued to eat as if nothing were out of the ordinary. His wife shook with laughter hardly able to contain her glee and the deepening red of her cheeks.

He felt a satisfied smirk twitching the corner of his mouth. Finally after all those centuries he had won.

The hall fell into silence as all eyes turned to the Lady of the golden wood who was giggling as if she were mad. Erestor and Glorfindel stared at her, baffled as to what could have caused her outburst.

A loud clatter from the opposite end of the table filled the silence and the attention of the entire room fell on Meril, her eyes blazing as she stood over Orophin. She had overturned her chair, casting several dishes to the floor in the process as the Lorien elf smiled up at her adoringly. Without a word she stormed from the hall, her head held high.

Glorfindel looked back down at Indelin to find her seat empty and no trace of her anywhere. He glanced at Celeborn who was eating as if oblivious to all that had transpired and then to Galadriel who was still struggling to reign in her laughter. He smiled placidly and settled back in his chair with his wine.

"Do you ever have the feeling that there are forces at work of which you are completely and wholly unaware?" Erestor asked with a heavy sigh.

"Constantly." Glorfindel replied with a happy grin "I simply refuse to care."

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

suilad - greetings

faer nin - my soul

meleth - love

mellon - friend