28. Meddle or Muddle

Indelin climbed the stairs with a listless sigh. It had been a very long morning and she could not wait to wash up for a very late lunch. A contingent of guardians had met up with some orcs on the borders and she had spent the morning stitching them back together. It was a process she found wearing for though the stoic guards refused to complain of their injuries, that did not keep them from glaring whenever she cleaned out their wounds.

She paused at her desk, picking up her mail. On the top was a letter from her cousin in Lorien, one from a friend who had married last year and moved to Mirkwood and one...

She scowled curiously at the letter in her hand. It was written on the fine parchment of Lorien and not the linen of Imladris but clearly it had not been addressed for a courier. The letter must have come from someone inside Imladris. She turned it over to break the seal and paused with a audible gasp. She had seen this crest before, worn by three of their Lorien guests on their leather riding armor the day they had arrived.

It was the crest of the March Warden and his brothers.

Her hands trembled as she carefully opened the letter and as she began to read she slumped into the chair. Her eyes growing wide in shock. She swallowed hard, blinking several times before reading it again.


My Dearest Lady,

Let me begin by voicing my most humble and abject apology for the manner in which I have treated you. Not only for my continued gruff behavior but also for my deplorable conduct at the recent ball. My rude treatment of you was inexcusable and I beg your forgiveness. Doubtless you have come to believe that I dislike you and this pains me greatly for nothing could be further from the truth.
Though we have not spent sufficient time together to know each other well, you have not escaped my notice, indeed, your charm and beauty cannot be overlooked. But as I have come to know you better it is your intelligence and skill as a healer that I have come to admire.
In truth, your wit and radiance have overwhelmed me and this, more than any other reason, is why I find it so difficult to speak in a rational manner in your presence. Perhaps I am little more than a fool for thinking you could ever return my affections. I can only hope that you might find it in your heart to forgive me and allow me to express my deepest, undying devotion. If you would, it would be my honor to attempt to speak my heart to you in person, if not, know that I remain always...

Your Guardian


Indelin stared at the parchment fluttering in her hand, her head swirling with emotions. She had never read anything so touching and the idea that Orophin had wrote such a thing to her brought tears to her eyes. It was the most tender, heartfelt apology she had ever witnessed and she let out the tiniest laugh as a single tear trickled down her cheek.

From the beginning all she had truly hoped to gain from this fiasco was a bit of experience. She would freely admit that she would have been content simply to carry on a reasonable conversation with an elf without making a fool of herself. This was more than polite interest or harmless infatuation. This was a declaration of love. Guarded and unsure but a declaration none the less.

She allowed herself a smile before leaping to her feet and dashing out of the room, the thought of lunch all but forgotten. She would need help, and she new just the elf to ask.

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

Eirien's feet pelted down the path, a silly playful grin on her face. She had finished her translations early and Erestor had been gracious enough to offer her the rest of the afternoon to herself. He really had been quite indulgent. She would freely admit to being distracted by thoughts of Elladan lately but rather than scolding her for neglecting her work Erestor had been incredibly understanding, even teasing her that, once she grew tired of her new love, he expected her to make up her studies.

She very nearly skipped as she hurried along. She knew just where he would be and she planned to surprise him.

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

"You are going to get us both gelded!" Elladan snapped angrily, drying his sweaty face with a towel. "Why will you not tell her?"

"I do not know how!" Elrohir replied miserably, running his fingers through his hair as he paced. Elladan slumped on one of the benches, glaring at his twin.

"I do not care how!" he growled, sheathing his sword with a snap. "just tell her!"

"Brother," Elrohir whispered, his face ashen as if in panic "I think she may..."

"Do not say it!" Elladan warned, cutting him off "Do not even think it! When you tell her the truth you will be lucky to come away with your life, much less her affection. Elleths do not take kindly to being deceived."

"It was your idea!" Elrohir defended.

"It was my idea to have a little tryst with her." Elladan corrected "Not to lie openly and mislead the whole of Imladris! Either you will tell her or I will!"

"Brother, I cannot..." Elrohir began, his face contorted in pain.

"Elladan!" Eirien called happily. Both twins turned to look and Elladan felt his heart sink like a stone. He had promised himself he would not allow this to continue any longer. Now he would be forced to break two hearts. Eirien he knew he could bear but he was not certain he could live with himself for crushing Elrohir.

He watched his brother's adoring smile and to his shock Eirien hurried to them casting herself into the younger twins arms. Elrohir cradled her close, kissing the top of her head and she giggled, pushing away from him.

"You are filthy." she teased.

"That happens when one is practicing, Meleth." Elrohir replied with a smile. Elladan stared at them, rather stunned by the change of events.

"Elrohir," Eirien acknowledged, glancing at Elladan.

"My lady," he said with a polite nod "I hope you are well."

"Yes, very, thank you." she replied, gracing him with a smile.

"I did not think to see you until dinner." Elrohir said caressing her cheek.

"Erestor suggested that I enjoy the fresh air." Eirien replied coyly. "But the air is not so fresh here." Elladan could not help but chuckle at the wounded expression on his twin's face. Eirien giggled at his pout and he tickled her in retaliation before pulling her close again.

"I shall simply have to make myself presentable for my lady." Elrohir replied with a smirk. He kissed her ear, making her giggle again before turning to his twin "I shall see you later brother." Elladan nodded in reply as Elrohir took Eirien's hand in his and they made their way back toward the house. Elladan shook his head, his brow furrowing. Eirien could tell them apart, he knew she could. There could only be one explanation, she was so distracted by love that she did not even truly see him. Her eyes saw only the one who loved her.

As he watched them go he was struck by how much Eirien resembled their mother. He frowned, tilting his head. The same rippling golden hair, the same carefree spirit. She even skipped a bit when she walked, just as Naneth always had. Even the laugh, bright and sweet, and begging others to join it. If he squinted he could almost imagine he was watching his own parents. And for the first time in many years the memory ached.

He rested his elbows on his knees, rubbing his forehead, trying to dispel the frightening loss of control. He forced his mind to think, to reason, to do anything but remember. The past engulfed him like a tidal wave, dredging up memories, good and ill he had long tried to forget. How long he sat there, drowning in the past, he did not know. He drew in a tight breath and startled at the hand on his arm.

"Elladan?"

"Indelin!" he said in surprise, blinking as he bolted to his feet. "I am surprised to see you."

"I did not mean to bother you." she said with a faint blush to her cheeks.

"It is no bother." he said quickly "I was only thinking."

"I need your help." she said. She clutched a letter in her hand and she held it out to him. He frowned for a moment as he took it, opening it and reading with wide eyes.

"Orophin sent this to you?" he asked in bewilderment. He checked the seal, frowning. It was certainly the family crest.

"It cannot be Rumil or Haldir." Indelin replied, twisting her fingers nervously. "I hardly know either of them." He read the letter again, feeling completely disconcerted.

"Pen neth," he said, choosing his words carefully "I thought we had decided you would give up your pursuit of Orophin."

"I know!" Indelin replied in dismay "but he is pursuing me now." Elladan felt an irritation he could not explain. Orophin had shown no regard for Indelin at all, even to the point of being rude, and now this. It made no sense at all, what could have changed his mind? Unless...

"Indelin," he asked warily "did something happen between you and Orophin last night?"

"Well, not between us, exactly." She said uneasily "Well, yes, slightly."

"Slightly?"

"We had a... disagreement." she finished lamely.

"A disagreement about what?" Elladan demanded.

"I cannot tell you." she answered with a pleading look.

"This disagreement would not have anything to do with the removal of clothing, would it?" he asked his eyes blazing.

"No!" she squeaked her cheeks burning red, "It... it was nothing. But he admitted he was wrong afterward." Elladan had to concede that such an admission from any of the Lorien brothers was a rare thing indeed.

"I want you to think carefully before you answer me, Indelin." he said finally. "Is there no other elf you are fond of, no other you would rather give your attentions to?" She took a deep breath, her shoulders sagging a bit as she looked up at him.

"No, Elladan." she said softly "no one." He was keenly disappointed, though why he could not say and he considered the letter a moment more before meeting her gaze.

"What is it you would like me to do, pen neth?

"I want your help," she replied "writing a letter."

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

"You are getting dirt on the rug." Erestor said with a frown, never looking up from his book.

"Yes I know." Glorfindel replied with a wide grin, slumping in the finely upholstered chair across from Erestor's desk and raising a small cloud of dust in the process.

"There are not ten elves in all arda combined as filthy as you." Erestor said with a distasteful snort as Glorfindel drew his sword and leaned back in his chair, resting his muddy boots on the edge of the desk.

"Ah, but it is a glorious day for training!" Glorfindel replied, sighting along the edge of his blade. He pulled his whet stone from his pocket and began sharpening the edge, the the abrasive sound of stone grinding on metal filling the room.

"Must you do that here?" Erestor sighed, making some notes on his parchment.

"Legolas got a letter today." Glorfindel said with a smirk.

"Really?" Erestor replied, all sign of annoyance vanishing. "From Arwen I hope."

"Yes from Arwen!" Glorfindel rolled his eyes as he continued to sharpen his sword. "It was a rather sweet letter actually."

"How would you know that?" Erestor asked, his eyes narrowing.

"It was delivered with my mail by mistake." Glorfindel replied "You'd best have a talk with that scribe of yours."

"She is only a bit smitten." Erestor shrugged, turning back to his book "It will pass."

"Well, until it does you'd best see that she does not mix up the trade agreement to Thranduil with Lindir's love poems."

"Aye, well that would never do." Erestor agreed. "What did the letter say?"

"It was private!" Glorfindel replied, looking affronted.

"You read it!" Erestor replied, "how private can it be?" Glorfindel leaned closer with a conspiratorial look on his face.

"Can you keep a secret?" he asked. Erestor nodded and the balrog slayer settled back in his chair, sharpening his sword again. "So can I."

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

Haldir sighed dismally as he descended the stairs that led to the kitchens. The faintest flicker of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he remembered the first time he had snuck into Elrond's larder. He had been barely more than an elfling, visiting with the Lord and Lady shortly after the death of his parents. The twins had adopted him as their unofficial uncle and had inaugurated him in the fine art of behaving badly.

Even that happy memory from his youth did nothing to dispel the gloom that now hung over him. It ate at his soul, tearing away at him bit by bit. He stopped in the middle of the stairs, closing his eyes tightly. Even the loss of his parents had not cut him so deeply. He drew in an uneasy breath before continuing on. For the first time in his life he felt directionless. Fear was not a feeling he was well acquainted with, but now he was afraid. Afraid of the future and the long, endless stretch of years ahead. Days unnumbered with no hope of ever seeing her smile lovingly at him, never holding her hand, never kissing her. Nothing more than the endless turning of seasons.

Alone.

He came to the base of the stairs, pushing the narrow door open and slipping into the pantry, stopping short and very nearly laughing at the sight that met his eyes.

Legolas was seated cross-legged in the middle of the bakers table, looking rather dejected as he fletched arrows. The prince glanced up as if in fear when the door opened, his body tensing, ready to spring. He sighed dismally, relaxing as Haldir entered, easing the door shut behind him. The Lorien elf stared at the prince in silence a moment, his brow furrowed in confusion as his eyes took in the dusty, unkempt room.

"I must admit to being curious as to what you are doing here." Haldir said finally, studying Legolas with a bit of uncertainty. They had never been good friends, despite their close age. To be the prince's friend was to be Arwen's as well and Haldir had never been brave enough for that.

"Cowering in fear." Legolas replied with a shame faced expression "Apple?" Haldir caught the apple Legolas tossed to him before opening the door to the larder and inspecting the shelves.

"Dare I ask why?" Haldir questioned.

"I am being stalked by elleths." Legolas replied with a frown. Haldir could only barely contain his mirth and he stuck his head farther into the pantry until he could reign in a more serious expression.

"I do believe you have spent too much time in the company of humans" Haldir said finally "You are picking up their bad habits. Still I should never have counted you as one to prefer males."

"Most amusing." Legolas rolled his eyes as Haldir tried not to chuckle. "You know very well it is not the elleths I object to, it is the stalking."

"Exactly how many elleths track you this time?" Haldir asked, taking a bite of his apple.

"Two," Legolas replied with a sigh. "neither of which I have any interest in whatsoever"

"And your obvious solution is to hide in the larder until they give up the chase?" Haldir asked. Legolas looked up at the march warden. Haldir's expression was impassive but there was a definite air of misery about him. The prince felt his shoulders slump. If what he suspected were true, Haldir might be the closest thing to a kindred spirit he was likely to find.

"I have already tried hiding everywhere else." Legolas replied hopelessly "They keep finding me."

"You have not tried hiding in my room." Haldir replied, walking to a cupboard and shifting aside several bags of flour before producing a bottle of spring wine.

"I did not know Elrond hid his best wine down here!" Legolas said in surprise watching as Haldir proceeded to empty the larder of food.

"He has it stashed all over this house." Haldir smirked "To keep it from being stolen."

"It does not work well." Legolas observed.

"No, it does not." Haldir agreed, collecting his feast in his arms "Will you be joining me?"

"I would not want to keep you from the great hall." Legolas replied, shaking his head.

"Your Highness." Haldir replied, pulling together his most dignified expression, "Even if it meant the difference between life and a lingering death from starvation I would still not enter the great hall tonight. Join me." Legolas smiled slightly, setting his arrows aside.

"I would like that." he replied.

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

Author's note - My apologies for not making last Saturday's post. I just had more work than I could keep up with. I'd like to take this opportunity to mention that a lot of lovely ladies who are exceptional writers have had their stories yanked from ff.net recently on the grounds of baseless claims of inappropriate content. I figure my days are numbered. That being the case, I would like to mention to all of you a lovely little place called Open Scrolls. The link is available on my profile page. They're and all HET all LOTR fanfic site and in addition to reviews they also offer message boards and some other great stuff. When I get the ax here I hope to see you all there.


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

70% 0f reviewers -
I'm so glad so many of you are so hopelessly confused! Hang in there... It won't be long now! Everyone is on the verge of clinical insanity after this chapter so we must be reaching the end... The HAPPY end! Legolas is going to hide... if I'm nothing else, at least I'm consistent.

Shirley - I have a flow chart.

Dragonfly - I'm a teacher, I was a camp counselor... any questions?

Converted - The roses are coming!... The roses are coming!... Yes I've cracked.

Whyte Ivy - I keep e-mailing you but I never hear back from you! *sob* I think your server is bouncing me. Can you e-mail me... maybe a reply would get through.

Leila- Ack! Don't Fade! This is a NO fading zone... you can't fade here! I think I've got myself organized again so the updates should continue on schedule now.