22. Conflicts of Interest
Elladan heaved a listless sigh as he made his way through the darkened trees toward the ranges. The situation between his twin and Eirien was getting entirely out of hand. He had assumed that Elrohir would borrow his name, have his tryst and be done with the maid but now it appeared that he intended to woo her and Elladan could not see how it could end any way but badly.
He was not so naive that he did not recognize Elrohir's flushed grin and general idiocy for what it was. His brother was in love and the thought made him shudder. Not that he objected to Eirien in particular, he simply felt marriage on the whole was a rather bad idea. He shook his head as he tried to imagine what it would be like to have Eirien wed to his brother, or more likely, what it would be like to have her chasing them both down with a very sharp sword when she discovered their deception.
He frowned as he reached the ranges. Training suddenly seemed like a less than promising idea and he continued down the path his thoughts still dwelling on his twin. It would all end in heart ache, he was certain, one that Elrohir would likely never recover from. Why could he not settle for a bit of shameless groping like a sensible elf?
Elladan resigned himself to the truth that there was little he could do about it now. He would simply have to wait and see what transpired and pick up the pieces from there. His attentions would be better spent on a plan to part Estel and Arwen, that at least was a problem he could do something about. Meanwhile he would check on his horse. Yes, that was an excellent idea, at least with his horse he could be assured of reasonable, intelligent companionship.
He frowned to himself as he approached the stables, slipping past the heavy wooden door. Normally the stable master kept a lantern lit in the yard, even at this late hour but all was shrouded in darkness. Even with the keen sight of his elf eyes he could only barely make out the slightly moving shapes that could only be horses.
Before he could consider this he felt something soft and warm slam into him and a pair of slender arms twine around his neck. His assailant kissed him with a furious passion, her breasts grazing his chest as she molded against him. He felt a jolt course down his spine and his arm tightened reflexively around her waist, drawing her closer as he returned the kiss.
Some distant corner of his mind was urging caution but he firmly pushed it aside. He was enjoying the sensation far too much to care who he was kissing. She tasted of strawberries and sweet wine and he very nearly gasped as her fingertips grazed the back of his neck. His assailant gave a startled squeak as he deepened the kiss, her fingers tangling in his hair as he pulled her closer. He backed her against the stable wall, enjoying the sensation of her lithe body as it pressed hard against him. Perhaps a bit of shameless groping was an even better idea than he had thought.
The notion was quickly driven from his mind by the sound of the stable door slamming shut and the draw bolt falling into place.
"Wait!" he shouted, racing to the door and catching hold of the latch, it would not budge and he jiggled it a moment in frustration.
"Elladan?" a frightened voice drifted to him, he whirled at the sound.
"Indelin?" he asked in horror. There was the sound of flint striking and Indelin appeared in the darkness, one terrified hand clamped over her mouth, the other clutching a lantern.
"Indelin what are you doing in here?" he demanded, feeling a bit repulsed by what he had been about to do.
"I didn't know you were you, I thought you were Orophin." she squeaked, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Well why is the door locked?" he asked angrily.
"Locked?" a fresh wave of horror washed over her features and she raced to the door, pounding on it as she tried to force the handle. "Who is out there? Let us out!"
"Pen neth, it will do no good to shout." he soothed, He reached out to lay a comforting hand on her shoulder, but winced, quickly drawing it back. He was not sure he trusted himself to touch her at the moment.
"Why do I listen to Meril?" She groaned, letting her head fall against the door with a thump as a single tear coursed down her cheek.
"Where did you learn to kiss like that?" Elladan asked before he could stop himself. He watched her stiffen and with a sigh he sat down in the hay to await her reply.
"I practice." she mumbled, her face still resting against the door. He felt his ire rise for some unknown reason and he scowled.
"With whom?" he demanded, a bit more sternly than he intended. Indelin turned to face him, leaning against the door as she stared at her toes.
"With umm... with my pillow." she replied, with a small voice, her face growing flushed.
Lucky pillow. Elladan shook his head furiously at the thought. Indelin was counting on him to help her and the last thing he needed was to begin thinking with parts of his body other than his mind.
"Was I any good?" she asked timidly.
"What?" Elladan frowned, too distracted by the lingering tingle of her kiss to hear the question.
"Was I..." she sighed, her shoulders sagging in defeat "never mind."
"Indelin, why ever are you ambushing elves in darkened stables?" he asked, struggling to keep the frustration out of his voice.
"Orophin was supposed to come and Meril sad I should kiss him." Indelin replied, her ears growing pinker as her head dipped lower, her hair all but hiding her face.
"Pen neth, you cannot trifle with an elf like that." he said as gently as he could "Have you no idea how dangerous a game it is?" No, she did not, he could tell from her expression, what he could see of it behind her curtain of hair. She was too inexperienced to realize she had been seducing him.
"Elladan what are we to do?" she asked, distress showing plainly on her features as she turned back to the door, gripping the handle once more in small, frustrated hands.
"We will simply have to wait until someone finds us." he shrugged, stretching out in the hay and lacing his hands behind his head.
"Bu we cannot stay here all night!" she declared in alarm.
"Pen neth," He sighed, "I do not see that we have any choice."
****************
"I take it things went as planned." Orophin stated smugly as he watched Rumil approach from the stables at a near run.
"Aye," his brother replied with a wicked grin "I heard him keeping the maid 'company' before I left. That one did not waste her opportunity."
"Whom did you find to snare him?" Orophin asked in amusement.
"No one of consequence," Rumil answered hurriedly, a tense flush creeping over his cheeks "Now we must send Arwen after them."
"That will be all too easy." Orophin smirked, "I saw her not a moment ago in the rose garden."
***************
Arwen let out a gloomy sigh, her fingers brushing a pale rose bud on a nearby bush. Just an hour ago everything had seemed so wonderful but now she only felt dreary again. Try as she might she could give no account for her pendulum rush of emotions and she stopped to consider the bloom for a moment.
It was so delicate, so beautiful and so content with its purpose, an emotion she could truly say she had little experience with. The garden seemed to breath into her a longing she did not know how to express. A sad smile graced her lips and she continued down the path.
What she needed, she reasoned, was a distraction of sorts. Immediately her thoughts turned to Estel and she smiled. Yes, of course, she would find Estel. He always seemed to know how to cheer her. With her mind made up she paused once more, wondering where to begin her search for him.
"Have you seen Legolas?" Rumil's voice drifted to her.
"Aye," Orophin chuckled, as they rounded the hedge. "He is in the stables with his latest conquest."
"I do not wish to see him that badly." Rumil replied in disgust, "I will never forget the time in the wine cellar..." his voice trailed off as Orophin jabbed him in the ribs, nodding in her direction.
"Good evening my Lady." Orophin greeted her with his most suave smile as Rumil had the decency to look embarrassed.
"Orophin, Rumil." she replied with a nod, her lips pressed tightly to keep from laughing as thoughts of Legolas accosting maids in the stable swirled through her imagination.
"I am surprised to find you out here alone." Rumil said, hesitantly "Does something trouble you?"
"Oh, nothing." she assured, desperately trying to mask her amusement. "I was looking for... someone." She gave them both a nod, dipping her head to hide her grin as she slipped past them.
Legolas you wicked little elfling, she giggled to herself, quickening her steps before she could burst into laughter. That was one bit of information she could certainly say she did not need to know.
"That was almost too easy." Orophin said with a smug smile as they watched her hurry away in the direction they had come.
"Aye," Rumil agreed, folding his arms over his chest "such a shame we cannot go watch."
"Well, in the morning we shall have to set about securing the Evenstar a new love." Orophin added with satisfaction. "I am afraid I have other business to attend to this night." He clapped his younger brother on the shoulder before turning down the path, heading deeper into the gardens.
Rumil watched as his brother disappeared in the darkness, whistling happily. If he felt even the faintest hint of remorse over his deception it certainly did not show on his face.
**************
A lone figure crept stealthily through the trees that shadowed the swift waters of the Bruinen, all but shrouded in a cloak of darkness. She moved like a hunter, silent and sinuous as a cat as she stalked her quarry.
Meril had been tracking Legolas for some time now, losing him several times as she attempted to catch up to him. It occurred to her now that he was most likely avoiding her and she cursed angrily under her breath. Her attempts to corner him earlier in the day had accidentally led her into the male's bathing chamber, a mistake she was quite obviously paying for now. A lack of attention to her surrounding had always been her weakness.
She could detect movement on the path ahead and she crept closer. Innuendo and enticement had obviously been ineffective and she was now running out of time. She would have to try a more direct approach.
She took a deep breath, steeling her nerves for what she hoped would not be another bad decision. She darted from the shelter of the trees, catching the sensuous blond off guard and wrapping both arms around his neck, kissing him passionately. She felt a thrill of excitement as his arms drew her closer and he returned the kiss eagerly. She buried her hands in his hair savoring the moment as a satisfied smirk tugged at the corners of her mouth. Males could be so predictable in their responses.
"I take it you are pleased to see me, Meleth." he whispered as their lips parted.
"Orophin!" she fairly shrieked, trying to struggle from his grasp. "You evil, perverted, self absorbed..."
"Meleth, I was not the one who jumped out of a hedge and accosted you." he smiled teasingly, "As I recall you were the one doing the kissing."
"You kissed back!" she snapped, thumping him hard in the chest with her slender fist.
"I was under the impression that was the whole point of kissing in general." he replied.
"Let me go!" she demanded angrily. He released her almost immediately and Meril spun on her heel, storming down the path.
"Meleth, do not be like this." he soothed, as he tried to mach her pace "It was a very nice kiss. In my own defense, I could hardly help but respond."
"Do not call me that!" she insisted, "Never call me that again! Go away and leave me alone!"
"Meril, meleth, I cannot call you aught but what you are." Orophin defended "And I cannot leave you, you are my very heart and soul!"
"And you are a cruel opportunist who uses elleths for your own pleasure!" she declared, rounding on him, her eyes flaming "I have been familiar with enough of your discarded conquests to know that I do not wish to be among them." She continued down the path at a quicker pace, the Lorien elf trailing in her wake.
"Have so many elleths found me selfish?" he asked contritely. Her words stung, though he was loath to admit it.
"Have there been so many that your memory needs refreshing?" Meril countered "Or have you completely forgotten Melannen or Vaniel or Nethwen?"
"Now, Melannen... well it was her idea!" he defended "and Vaniel and Nethwen were old enough to know better."
"Falaswen, Rinnalaiss?"
"You know Rinnalaiss," he replied in exasperation, "And I parted badly with Falaswen, I do not deny it, but I did write my apologies!"
"Galaseth?" Meril demanded, pausing with a steely glare. Orophin opened his mouth and just as quickly shut it with a snap, his shoulders sagging slightly.
"That was entirely my fault." he admitted softly. Meril threw him a triumphant sneer before continuing down the path but he seemed unlikely to give up the chase.
"I will not deny that in the past I have been less than admirable in my pursuit of maidens," he conceded. "but I have not attempted to hide that from you. I wish to court you properly Meril, meleth nin. I would not lie to you."
"I am sure Galaseth would be most pleased to hear that." she snorted in reply, resisting the urge to shove him over the bank and into the river "I will be sure to tell her." Orophin winced at the thought and for the first time in his life he truly wished he had behaved a little more like Haldir.
"Meleth, if you would but give me a chance." he said pleadingly, taking her hand. For a moment he considered begging but his pride got the better of him.
"I do not want to give you a chance." Meril replied angrily,jerking free from his grasp and backing away from him, her feet coming dangerously close to the high bank of the river "I want you to go away and never speak to me again!"
Time seemed to still to a crawl as Orophin reached out to pull her back to safety. Meril pushed him away angrily, the force of her shove causing one foot to slip over the edge of the embankment and with a startled cry she tumbled to the shoals below.
"Meril!" Orophin cried in panic as he scrambled down the steep bank to the river below.
"Stay away from me!" she shouted, angry tears welling up in her eyes as she struggled to her feet on the slippery pebbles. She let out a painful cry, landing on her back side in the mud again and clutching her ankle.
"Meleth, let me help you!" Orophin pleaded, kneeling beside her on the muddy bank.
"I do not want your help!" she whimpered through gritted teeth, pulling away from him.
"Perhaps not." he replied softly, his fingers brushing her arm ever so gently. "but I do not think you have much choice." She drew in a shaky breath, eyeing him suspiciously before leaning back and giving him a curt nod. Orophin carefully took her ankle in his hands, noting her wince of pain. He admired her bravery, clearly she was hurt quite badly but she made not a sound as he finished his appraisal.
"It is not broken I think." he said finally
"Then if you would be so kind as to help me up the bank I will return to the house." she frowned, swallowing hard against the pain.
"Meleth, you can not walk." he replied, shaking his head. "you must let me carry you back."
"I must do nothing of the sort!" she replied indignantly. "If it is not broken there is no reason I cannot walk on it."
"Meril, you shall only injure yourself further, and I could not bear to see you in pain on my account." he said seriously, his eyes urgent. "I give you my word I shall be on my best behavior. If nothing else can you not trust my word as a warrior?"
Meril studied him a moment, with an uneasy frown, carefully weighing her options. Finally she took a deep breath, her shoulders sagging in resignation as she nodded in agreement.
"Aye," she sighed, "I can trust that."
**********************
Author's Note - I know this post is late but, alas RL has conspired against me and I stand powerless against it. *insert dramatic Howard Shore score* I will have to play catchup for a while so if I don't manage to update regularly, don't panic... we will return to our regularly scheduled programing shortly.
[radio announcers voice] - Will Indelin and Elladan Escape? Will Arwen find her wayward human? Will Orophin be castrated by his myriad of ex-girlfriends? Tune in next week...
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dragonfly- close, but no cigar.
Converted - You don't think Glorfindel will let you borrow his horse if you pout and ask nicely? I have never seen Saved by the Bell but any show with a guy named Screech in it has to be disturbing... actually the story is loosely based on real life, if you can call my life real.
Cerridwen - you have no idea.
Grumpy -Since he's used to dealing with thousands of rabid fangirls I thought he could handle 1 Meril, *shrugs* I guess I was wrong.
Ivy - definitely wishful thinking.
Jesla - Meril whimpers sadly on my shoulder and begs me to write her better... and that I do something about her ankle.
Kath - The boy has been single for nearly 3000 years for a reason... truth be told, I think he's terrified of women.
Yavanna - They really are perfect, aren't they? If only Eirien weren't so clueless, and Elrohir wasn't lying through his teeth.
Elladan heaved a listless sigh as he made his way through the darkened trees toward the ranges. The situation between his twin and Eirien was getting entirely out of hand. He had assumed that Elrohir would borrow his name, have his tryst and be done with the maid but now it appeared that he intended to woo her and Elladan could not see how it could end any way but badly.
He was not so naive that he did not recognize Elrohir's flushed grin and general idiocy for what it was. His brother was in love and the thought made him shudder. Not that he objected to Eirien in particular, he simply felt marriage on the whole was a rather bad idea. He shook his head as he tried to imagine what it would be like to have Eirien wed to his brother, or more likely, what it would be like to have her chasing them both down with a very sharp sword when she discovered their deception.
He frowned as he reached the ranges. Training suddenly seemed like a less than promising idea and he continued down the path his thoughts still dwelling on his twin. It would all end in heart ache, he was certain, one that Elrohir would likely never recover from. Why could he not settle for a bit of shameless groping like a sensible elf?
Elladan resigned himself to the truth that there was little he could do about it now. He would simply have to wait and see what transpired and pick up the pieces from there. His attentions would be better spent on a plan to part Estel and Arwen, that at least was a problem he could do something about. Meanwhile he would check on his horse. Yes, that was an excellent idea, at least with his horse he could be assured of reasonable, intelligent companionship.
He frowned to himself as he approached the stables, slipping past the heavy wooden door. Normally the stable master kept a lantern lit in the yard, even at this late hour but all was shrouded in darkness. Even with the keen sight of his elf eyes he could only barely make out the slightly moving shapes that could only be horses.
Before he could consider this he felt something soft and warm slam into him and a pair of slender arms twine around his neck. His assailant kissed him with a furious passion, her breasts grazing his chest as she molded against him. He felt a jolt course down his spine and his arm tightened reflexively around her waist, drawing her closer as he returned the kiss.
Some distant corner of his mind was urging caution but he firmly pushed it aside. He was enjoying the sensation far too much to care who he was kissing. She tasted of strawberries and sweet wine and he very nearly gasped as her fingertips grazed the back of his neck. His assailant gave a startled squeak as he deepened the kiss, her fingers tangling in his hair as he pulled her closer. He backed her against the stable wall, enjoying the sensation of her lithe body as it pressed hard against him. Perhaps a bit of shameless groping was an even better idea than he had thought.
The notion was quickly driven from his mind by the sound of the stable door slamming shut and the draw bolt falling into place.
"Wait!" he shouted, racing to the door and catching hold of the latch, it would not budge and he jiggled it a moment in frustration.
"Elladan?" a frightened voice drifted to him, he whirled at the sound.
"Indelin?" he asked in horror. There was the sound of flint striking and Indelin appeared in the darkness, one terrified hand clamped over her mouth, the other clutching a lantern.
"Indelin what are you doing in here?" he demanded, feeling a bit repulsed by what he had been about to do.
"I didn't know you were you, I thought you were Orophin." she squeaked, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Well why is the door locked?" he asked angrily.
"Locked?" a fresh wave of horror washed over her features and she raced to the door, pounding on it as she tried to force the handle. "Who is out there? Let us out!"
"Pen neth, it will do no good to shout." he soothed, He reached out to lay a comforting hand on her shoulder, but winced, quickly drawing it back. He was not sure he trusted himself to touch her at the moment.
"Why do I listen to Meril?" She groaned, letting her head fall against the door with a thump as a single tear coursed down her cheek.
"Where did you learn to kiss like that?" Elladan asked before he could stop himself. He watched her stiffen and with a sigh he sat down in the hay to await her reply.
"I practice." she mumbled, her face still resting against the door. He felt his ire rise for some unknown reason and he scowled.
"With whom?" he demanded, a bit more sternly than he intended. Indelin turned to face him, leaning against the door as she stared at her toes.
"With umm... with my pillow." she replied, with a small voice, her face growing flushed.
Lucky pillow. Elladan shook his head furiously at the thought. Indelin was counting on him to help her and the last thing he needed was to begin thinking with parts of his body other than his mind.
"Was I any good?" she asked timidly.
"What?" Elladan frowned, too distracted by the lingering tingle of her kiss to hear the question.
"Was I..." she sighed, her shoulders sagging in defeat "never mind."
"Indelin, why ever are you ambushing elves in darkened stables?" he asked, struggling to keep the frustration out of his voice.
"Orophin was supposed to come and Meril sad I should kiss him." Indelin replied, her ears growing pinker as her head dipped lower, her hair all but hiding her face.
"Pen neth, you cannot trifle with an elf like that." he said as gently as he could "Have you no idea how dangerous a game it is?" No, she did not, he could tell from her expression, what he could see of it behind her curtain of hair. She was too inexperienced to realize she had been seducing him.
"Elladan what are we to do?" she asked, distress showing plainly on her features as she turned back to the door, gripping the handle once more in small, frustrated hands.
"We will simply have to wait until someone finds us." he shrugged, stretching out in the hay and lacing his hands behind his head.
"Bu we cannot stay here all night!" she declared in alarm.
"Pen neth," He sighed, "I do not see that we have any choice."
****************
"I take it things went as planned." Orophin stated smugly as he watched Rumil approach from the stables at a near run.
"Aye," his brother replied with a wicked grin "I heard him keeping the maid 'company' before I left. That one did not waste her opportunity."
"Whom did you find to snare him?" Orophin asked in amusement.
"No one of consequence," Rumil answered hurriedly, a tense flush creeping over his cheeks "Now we must send Arwen after them."
"That will be all too easy." Orophin smirked, "I saw her not a moment ago in the rose garden."
***************
Arwen let out a gloomy sigh, her fingers brushing a pale rose bud on a nearby bush. Just an hour ago everything had seemed so wonderful but now she only felt dreary again. Try as she might she could give no account for her pendulum rush of emotions and she stopped to consider the bloom for a moment.
It was so delicate, so beautiful and so content with its purpose, an emotion she could truly say she had little experience with. The garden seemed to breath into her a longing she did not know how to express. A sad smile graced her lips and she continued down the path.
What she needed, she reasoned, was a distraction of sorts. Immediately her thoughts turned to Estel and she smiled. Yes, of course, she would find Estel. He always seemed to know how to cheer her. With her mind made up she paused once more, wondering where to begin her search for him.
"Have you seen Legolas?" Rumil's voice drifted to her.
"Aye," Orophin chuckled, as they rounded the hedge. "He is in the stables with his latest conquest."
"I do not wish to see him that badly." Rumil replied in disgust, "I will never forget the time in the wine cellar..." his voice trailed off as Orophin jabbed him in the ribs, nodding in her direction.
"Good evening my Lady." Orophin greeted her with his most suave smile as Rumil had the decency to look embarrassed.
"Orophin, Rumil." she replied with a nod, her lips pressed tightly to keep from laughing as thoughts of Legolas accosting maids in the stable swirled through her imagination.
"I am surprised to find you out here alone." Rumil said, hesitantly "Does something trouble you?"
"Oh, nothing." she assured, desperately trying to mask her amusement. "I was looking for... someone." She gave them both a nod, dipping her head to hide her grin as she slipped past them.
Legolas you wicked little elfling, she giggled to herself, quickening her steps before she could burst into laughter. That was one bit of information she could certainly say she did not need to know.
"That was almost too easy." Orophin said with a smug smile as they watched her hurry away in the direction they had come.
"Aye," Rumil agreed, folding his arms over his chest "such a shame we cannot go watch."
"Well, in the morning we shall have to set about securing the Evenstar a new love." Orophin added with satisfaction. "I am afraid I have other business to attend to this night." He clapped his younger brother on the shoulder before turning down the path, heading deeper into the gardens.
Rumil watched as his brother disappeared in the darkness, whistling happily. If he felt even the faintest hint of remorse over his deception it certainly did not show on his face.
**************
A lone figure crept stealthily through the trees that shadowed the swift waters of the Bruinen, all but shrouded in a cloak of darkness. She moved like a hunter, silent and sinuous as a cat as she stalked her quarry.
Meril had been tracking Legolas for some time now, losing him several times as she attempted to catch up to him. It occurred to her now that he was most likely avoiding her and she cursed angrily under her breath. Her attempts to corner him earlier in the day had accidentally led her into the male's bathing chamber, a mistake she was quite obviously paying for now. A lack of attention to her surrounding had always been her weakness.
She could detect movement on the path ahead and she crept closer. Innuendo and enticement had obviously been ineffective and she was now running out of time. She would have to try a more direct approach.
She took a deep breath, steeling her nerves for what she hoped would not be another bad decision. She darted from the shelter of the trees, catching the sensuous blond off guard and wrapping both arms around his neck, kissing him passionately. She felt a thrill of excitement as his arms drew her closer and he returned the kiss eagerly. She buried her hands in his hair savoring the moment as a satisfied smirk tugged at the corners of her mouth. Males could be so predictable in their responses.
"I take it you are pleased to see me, Meleth." he whispered as their lips parted.
"Orophin!" she fairly shrieked, trying to struggle from his grasp. "You evil, perverted, self absorbed..."
"Meleth, I was not the one who jumped out of a hedge and accosted you." he smiled teasingly, "As I recall you were the one doing the kissing."
"You kissed back!" she snapped, thumping him hard in the chest with her slender fist.
"I was under the impression that was the whole point of kissing in general." he replied.
"Let me go!" she demanded angrily. He released her almost immediately and Meril spun on her heel, storming down the path.
"Meleth, do not be like this." he soothed, as he tried to mach her pace "It was a very nice kiss. In my own defense, I could hardly help but respond."
"Do not call me that!" she insisted, "Never call me that again! Go away and leave me alone!"
"Meril, meleth, I cannot call you aught but what you are." Orophin defended "And I cannot leave you, you are my very heart and soul!"
"And you are a cruel opportunist who uses elleths for your own pleasure!" she declared, rounding on him, her eyes flaming "I have been familiar with enough of your discarded conquests to know that I do not wish to be among them." She continued down the path at a quicker pace, the Lorien elf trailing in her wake.
"Have so many elleths found me selfish?" he asked contritely. Her words stung, though he was loath to admit it.
"Have there been so many that your memory needs refreshing?" Meril countered "Or have you completely forgotten Melannen or Vaniel or Nethwen?"
"Now, Melannen... well it was her idea!" he defended "and Vaniel and Nethwen were old enough to know better."
"Falaswen, Rinnalaiss?"
"You know Rinnalaiss," he replied in exasperation, "And I parted badly with Falaswen, I do not deny it, but I did write my apologies!"
"Galaseth?" Meril demanded, pausing with a steely glare. Orophin opened his mouth and just as quickly shut it with a snap, his shoulders sagging slightly.
"That was entirely my fault." he admitted softly. Meril threw him a triumphant sneer before continuing down the path but he seemed unlikely to give up the chase.
"I will not deny that in the past I have been less than admirable in my pursuit of maidens," he conceded. "but I have not attempted to hide that from you. I wish to court you properly Meril, meleth nin. I would not lie to you."
"I am sure Galaseth would be most pleased to hear that." she snorted in reply, resisting the urge to shove him over the bank and into the river "I will be sure to tell her." Orophin winced at the thought and for the first time in his life he truly wished he had behaved a little more like Haldir.
"Meleth, if you would but give me a chance." he said pleadingly, taking her hand. For a moment he considered begging but his pride got the better of him.
"I do not want to give you a chance." Meril replied angrily,jerking free from his grasp and backing away from him, her feet coming dangerously close to the high bank of the river "I want you to go away and never speak to me again!"
Time seemed to still to a crawl as Orophin reached out to pull her back to safety. Meril pushed him away angrily, the force of her shove causing one foot to slip over the edge of the embankment and with a startled cry she tumbled to the shoals below.
"Meril!" Orophin cried in panic as he scrambled down the steep bank to the river below.
"Stay away from me!" she shouted, angry tears welling up in her eyes as she struggled to her feet on the slippery pebbles. She let out a painful cry, landing on her back side in the mud again and clutching her ankle.
"Meleth, let me help you!" Orophin pleaded, kneeling beside her on the muddy bank.
"I do not want your help!" she whimpered through gritted teeth, pulling away from him.
"Perhaps not." he replied softly, his fingers brushing her arm ever so gently. "but I do not think you have much choice." She drew in a shaky breath, eyeing him suspiciously before leaning back and giving him a curt nod. Orophin carefully took her ankle in his hands, noting her wince of pain. He admired her bravery, clearly she was hurt quite badly but she made not a sound as he finished his appraisal.
"It is not broken I think." he said finally
"Then if you would be so kind as to help me up the bank I will return to the house." she frowned, swallowing hard against the pain.
"Meleth, you can not walk." he replied, shaking his head. "you must let me carry you back."
"I must do nothing of the sort!" she replied indignantly. "If it is not broken there is no reason I cannot walk on it."
"Meril, you shall only injure yourself further, and I could not bear to see you in pain on my account." he said seriously, his eyes urgent. "I give you my word I shall be on my best behavior. If nothing else can you not trust my word as a warrior?"
Meril studied him a moment, with an uneasy frown, carefully weighing her options. Finally she took a deep breath, her shoulders sagging in resignation as she nodded in agreement.
"Aye," she sighed, "I can trust that."
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Author's Note - I know this post is late but, alas RL has conspired against me and I stand powerless against it. *insert dramatic Howard Shore score* I will have to play catchup for a while so if I don't manage to update regularly, don't panic... we will return to our regularly scheduled programing shortly.
[radio announcers voice] - Will Indelin and Elladan Escape? Will Arwen find her wayward human? Will Orophin be castrated by his myriad of ex-girlfriends? Tune in next week...
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dragonfly- close, but no cigar.
Converted - You don't think Glorfindel will let you borrow his horse if you pout and ask nicely? I have never seen Saved by the Bell but any show with a guy named Screech in it has to be disturbing... actually the story is loosely based on real life, if you can call my life real.
Cerridwen - you have no idea.
Grumpy -Since he's used to dealing with thousands of rabid fangirls I thought he could handle 1 Meril, *shrugs* I guess I was wrong.
Ivy - definitely wishful thinking.
Jesla - Meril whimpers sadly on my shoulder and begs me to write her better... and that I do something about her ankle.
Kath - The boy has been single for nearly 3000 years for a reason... truth be told, I think he's terrified of women.
Yavanna - They really are perfect, aren't they? If only Eirien weren't so clueless, and Elrohir wasn't lying through his teeth.
