29. The Mesh Tightens
"Do you think it is any good?" Indelin asked hesitantly, biting her lip as Elladan read the note in his hand. "I do not wish to seem too put off."
"You should be put off." Elladan replied with a scowl. "Orophin has behaved like a cave troll of the lowest order." The whole thing rankled him. Whatever Orophin's motivations, he was convinced they could not be good. He glanced down into Indelin's upturned face and he suddenly felt shame and even a hint of embarrassment. How many elleths had he mislead himself? Were he completely honest the number would likely be too many to count, far more than Orophin. Never once had he given it any thought before. He had never even thought to consider who he might hurt.
"Indelin," he sighed, crouching beside her chair and taking her delicate hand in his "are you certain you wish to go through with this pen neth?" She took a deep breath before nodding.
"I cannot cower in the corner forever," she insisted "you said so yourself. Perhaps Orophin is not the right elf but I will never know one way or the other if I do not at least try to get to know him." he stroked her knuckles gently with his thumb, a helpless feeling washing over him.
"If he does not behave himself, you will tell me." His words were a demand not a request and when she hesitated he continued, "You will tell me everything and I will deal with him." Indelin bit her lip again, nodding her understanding and Elladan rose to his feet.
"Would you like me to deliver it for you?" he asked, frowning down at the letter in his hand.
"I do not think I would have the nerve to deliver it myself." Indelin replied, blushing with a wry smile.
"I will see to it then." Indelin saw him to the door and he paused a moment on the threshold, opening his mouth as if to speak. Instead he brushed a gentle kiss on her cheek, giving her arm a squeeze.
"Be careful Indelin." he said almost pleadingly.
"Elladan!" she giggled. "It is only Orophin!"
"I know," he said with a sigh as he left and the door closed behind him "that is exactly what concerns me."
Meril crept stealthily down one of the corridors on silent feet, her pale blue gown making only the slightest noise as she conducted her methodical search of the house. She had not been able to find Legolas all day and time was running out. How much longer he would stay in Imladris she could not be certain but it was likely he would depart soon.
She sighed dismally. She could never remember feeling more miserable. Well, once, but she did not care to thank about that at the moment. She had laid out her plans carefully and she had no intention of being disappointed.
Without meaning to her thoughts drifted to Orophin and she cursed under her breath, trying not to think about him.
Instead she thought about the scores of roses in her room.
No, she shook her head, trying to dispel that memory as well and searched for another one. Immediately she thought of his passionate kiss the night before and she let out a soft groan, rubbing her forehead.
"Meril," she whispered to herself quietly "you will stop this foolishness and you will find that bloody prince. Now grow up and pay attention to the task at hand!"
She took a deep breath, steeling her nerves before continuing her search, feeling no better and still thinking of roses.
Elrohir could not help but give Eirien's hand a squeeze as they walked up the steps to the second floor and she immediately turned her head to smile up at him. His heart thudded in his chest at the sparkle in her eyes and he felt himself grin stupidly. It must have been more stupid than he thought because she looked away quickly, struggling to keep from giggling at him.
He could not bear to tell her, he could not face the betrayal in those beautiful eyes. He could not lose her.
"Elladan?" He had never hated the sound of his twins name before and deep inside he felt a stab of jealousy. He felt like he had to compete with his brother all his life, he had never minded so much, until now.
"I am sorry, what was that?" he asked with a sheepish smile.
"I said you looked distracted by something." Eirien giggled.
"Perhaps it is the charming company." he suggested, feeling insanely pleased with himself as he watched the blush creep up her cheeks. He reached out, grabbing her around the waist and she gave a squeal of protest.
"You are filthy!" she laughed, trying to push him away "You will ruin my gown!"
"Then I shall buy you a new one." he whispered softly against her ear. She stopped struggling almost instantly and he drew in a breath as he felt her shudder in his embrace. He brushed a soft kiss against her neck before nuzzling her ear with his nose and to his utter delight she trembled, her small hand twining in the sleeve of his shirt.
It was not unknown to him, in his long life he had made many an innocent maid tremble at his touch but there was something special in this he had not felt before.
"Let me go." Eirien whispered. She was making a valiant effort to continue her game but despite her protest she was leaning into his embrace.
"No," He replied gently, kissing her cheek before whispering in her ear. "I shall never let you go." He released her, taking her hand in his once more and she looked up at him with wide eyes.
"Elladan?"
"We will talk more later." he promised, caressing her cheek and drawing her into a tender kiss. She drew in a shaky breath as their lips parted and she glanced away, her face glowing red again.
"It looks as if I did ruin your gown." he said with a sheepish smile. Eirien looked at the front of her gown and let out a giggle.
"I will have to change." she said shaking her head as she tried to wipe away some of the dirt.
"I am sorry." Elrohir apologized. Eirien smiled up at him, kissing his cheek.
"It is only a dress." she replied "shall we meet in the Hall of Fire?" Elrohir nodded and released her hand she smiled sweetly at him before turning down the hall to her room. Elrohir watched her go, his heart fluttering in his chest, the memory of his twin's earlier threat all but forgotten.
Elladan scowled as he made his way toward Orophin's room. He had the sudden urge to hit the warden though he could think of nothing Orophin had done to deserve it. In truth he was quite fond of Haldir and his brothers and had treated them like family. Now he very much wished he could disown the lot of them and pack them back to Caras Galadhon.
He heard voices on the terrace at the end of the hall and he paused a moment. A familiar laugh met his ears and he nearly smiled. Carefully he crept to the edge of the terrace, his smile melting into a snarl as he took note of the figures sitting on the floor in the middle of the terrace.
"Oh, I do not want to go to the Great Hall for dinner." Arwen said, her voice somewhere between a giggle and a whine.
"And you had the nerve to scold me for missing last night!" Aragorn laughed from where he lay on the floor staring up at the sky.
"That was different." Arwen replied.
"What was so different about it?"
"I am not as ill behaved as you are." Arwen replied with a grin. Aragorn reached for her and she let out a squeal of protest as he tickled her ribs.
"I will have you know I am incredibly well behaved." Aragorn said with a superior tone "Even Erestor says so."
"That is only because he is comparing you to the twins!" Arwen protested with a laugh. "We should sneak off."
"Aye, you are right," he said with a touch of sarcasm, "You are far better behaved than I."
"Oh, but a picnic in the moonlight would be so perfect!" she sighed wistfully "Please, Estel?"
"And I suppose I am the one who will have to steal our dinner from the kitchens?" he asked.
"Of course," Arwen replied, flipping her hair back from her shoulders, "Why else would I invite you?"
"You do me too great a courtesy, my Lady." Aragorn said with a frown. Arwen gave him her best pouty expression and he sighed in resignation "And where shall I be assembling this feast?"
"At the stone bench?" she asked with a grin.
"Aye," he chuckled shaking his head.
Elladan frowned, but the frown was soon replaced with an evil smile. An idea was forming in his head and he would have just enough time to prepare for it.
"This was a good idea." Legolas said with a smirk. Haldir watched in amazement at the prince carefully buttered two slices of bread and then proceeded to cover one with hunks of chicken he carved from the bird Haldir had found in the larder. He added some of the cheese as well and then proceeded to flatten the whole thing together. It was the third time he had done this and Haldir was beginning to think it was by far the most odd thing he had ever seen anyone do.
"There is little chance of them finding you here." Haldir said, trying to hold back a sigh. "most elleths tend to avoid me."
"I wish they would avoid me." Legolas said dismally as he helped himself to more wine. "I have no idea how to get rid of them, I do not wish to be cruel, but they do not seem to hear me when I say I am not interested."
"And why are you not?" Haldir asked with a frown. "what is so horrible about two elleths gracing you with their regard?"
"I have no objection to their regard." Legolas replied. "I only wish they would stop stalking me."
"I can not remember two elleths in my entire life that have stalked me." he stated with a despondent sigh. "Much less two intent on my affections at the same time." Legolas let off a rather unprincely snort.
"It is because you terrify them away!" he stated "How ever do you do it? There are not four elleths in Middle Earth brave enough to approach you and two of them are hounding my every step."
"Scare them away?" Haldir asked in confusion, "I scare them away?"
"Rhach!" Legolas rolled his eyes "You intimidate me! I can not imagine what you must do to some of the younger elleths!"
"I have never tried to intimidate you." Haldir stated, the wine seemed to be making him listless and he frowned.
"You are Haldir of Lorien." Legolas replied, "even the name is intimidating. One would think you were the son of the Lady Galadriel and not her fosterling." Haldir chuckled at this, his mouth curling in a sheepish grin.
"If that is the effect I have on elleths it is little wonder they scurry away from me." he said with a guilty smile.
"You could try to be more approachable." Legolas pointed out. Haldir shook his head.
"No I could not." he sighed.
"Why ever not?"
"Because," Haldir took a deep breath "I am... afraid of them." Legolas burst into laughter, he clutched his stomach, his shoulders shaking as he fell off the couch and hit the rug with a thud.
"How kind of you to be so understanding." Haldir said drily, pouring himself more wine.
"Just what is so fearsome about an elleth?" Legolas demanded with a grin as he sat up on the floor, picking at the food on the low table between them. "Most of them are shy around elves, those that are not are usually uninterested in romance... well apart from the two following me around."
"What do they giggle about so much?" Haldir asked, his brow creasing "Why do they whisper? Why do the wear those gowns to the ranges that make it impossible to concentrate?"
"Marry one and find out." Legolas suggested.
"I am not that curious."
"You know, I should spend more time with you." the prince grinned "You could scare away the elleths so I would not have to hide from them and if any are not intimidated you can ask them why they giggle and whisper."
"I am so pleased to be of service." Haldir rolled his eyes. A knock sounded on his door and he pulled himself to his feet. He was not so drunk that he could not stand but he was beginning to feel a bit lightheaded. He opened the door to find Elladan standing there.
"Is Orophin in?" he asked as Haldir gave him a slightly inebriated frown.
"No he is not." Haldir replied.
"Elladan!" Legolas said with a grin from his position sprawled on the floor, "Come and join us."
"I have plans, but thank you." he replied with a smirk before turning back to Haldir "Would you give this to him, a friend asked me to deliver it."
Haldir took the letter with a nod and closed the door as Elladan left.
"What do you think that is?" Legolas asked curiously.
"I do not know." Haldir shrugged, laying the letter out on the table "But if it involves Orophin I do not what to know.
"I take it you will not be at dinner this evening either?" Gilraen asked her son as she appeared in the doorway of his room.
"What gave you that idea?" Aragorn asked with a grin, motioning her to come in as he finished folding the blanket he was holding.
"It is only that a cloak and a pack are not normal dinner attire for Elrond's hall." She said with a smile.
"Is that so?" Aragorn asked teasingly as she settled on the edge of his bed. "I had not noticed." Gilraen's face broke into a knowing, smug smile.
"So," she began, trailing her fingers over the bedspread absently "who is she?"
"Who is whom?" Aragorn asked uneasily.
"Do not toy with me, My Lord." Gilraen scolded playfully "Save that for the lady who has captured your heart."
"I have no idea what you mean." he said.
"Really?" She asked disbelievingly, "Enough humans come through Imladris in any given week that one of them was bound to catch your eye eventually.
"Most rangers are male, mother." he smirked "Or was that a suggestion?"
"Don't be vulgar!" she pouted, smacking his arm "Is she a trader's daughter? Or perhaps her father is one of the chieftains who seek Elrond's aid from time to time."
"Mother," he said with a sigh "At the moment the only human woman in Imladris is you."
"Sweet Eru! She's not a dwarf is she?"
"No!" he replied in annoyance.
"Ah, so there is someone then!"
"Mother!"
"Oh, Aragorn!" Gilraen said wistfully, standing to wrap her arms around his waist "I can see it in your eyes. I was so happy with your father. I only wish for you to be happy as well."
"And grandchildren too I suppose?" he asked with a smirk.
"Well," she smiled, kissing his cheek. "as long as I'm wishing." He shook his head with a chuckle as he moved away, placing the blanket in his pack.
"You've been spending a great deal of time with someone." she pressed. When he only smiled she continued "someone you have feelings for."
"Aye." he admitted.
"Estel?" Gilraen frowned, folding her arms over her chest.
"If you must know, Arwen." he replied, he smiled as he said her name. It felt good somehow to say it, as if it were an old familiar sound he had longed to hear.
"Elrond's Arwen?" Gilraen asked breathlessly, her hand moving to her throat.
"I know of no other." Aragorn teased, turning away from her to set his pack by the door. Gilraen slumped on the edge of the bed, her face growing white.
"Have you any idea that she might feel the same for you?" Gilraen asked.
"Yes, I do. I was not certain at first but now..." Aragorn's voice trailed off as he remembered Arwen's arms around him, her head resting on his shoulder. He had adored her from the moment he had first laid eyes on her. He turned to see his mother trembling ever so slightly, her delicate hand pressed over her mouth. "Mother?"
"My son, your reach has far exceeded your grasp." she said, shaking her head. "She is the most beautiful lady to grace arda. Those who have seen Luthien claim she is a pale shadow to the beauty that is Arwen." Aragorn scowled darkly turing toward the door, but she caught his arm.
"The first born do not wed mortals." she insisted.
"Then perhaps you would like to explain Beren and Tuor to me?" he suggested with a clipped tone.
"That was a very long time ago." Gilraen replied gently. "My Estel, if it had not been for the good will of Lord Elrond the line of Numenor would have been lost. You tempt him by casting your affections on the one closest to his heart." Aragorn pulled away, his jaw clenched.
"Without the good will of Lord Elrond the line of Numenor will end here." he replied with a low voice "I have given my heart. I would sooner wander the wilds alone for the rest of my life than take it back." Without another word he snatched up his pack and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Gilraen sighed heavily, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Yes, my son." she whispered "That will be your fate."
"There you are!" Elladan said with an evil grin as he entered his twin's bedroom.
"Whatever you are thinking the answer is no." Elrohir said cautiously.
"You can not say no," Elladan said crossly "because if you do I will march downstairs now and explain to Eirien exactly what has been going on!"
"But I am suppose to meet her in a few minutes!" Elrohir protested.
"Then you will be late!" his twin replied, grabbing him by the arm and dragging him toward the door. "I have a plan, one that will insure Arwen will hate him for the rest of her life, and this time our dear little brother will not outsmart us." The expression on Elrohir's face changed almost instantly to one of evil glee
"Do you really think she will reject him?" He asked hopefully.
"When we are through with him not a single maid in arda will touch him." Elladan replied with grim satisfaction.
Aragorn cursed himself as he descended the stairs to the store rooms. It was bad enough to lose his temper with his mother. Worse yet, she was right.
He gave the wall an angry thump with his fist. Even if Arwen did love him, how could he ever ask her to marry him? How could he be so cruel? To take her away from her family, from those who loved her, for all time. To take her immortal life away from her, it was unthinkable.
And yet he could think of little else.
She had comforted him today as if she loved him. He had no doubts in this. There had always been moments in his life that he could see clearly things that he knew were true, and he knew that Arwen loved him.
As much as he loved her? He didn't know. He had given her his heart, wholly and unwaveringly, never thinking and now he knew he would never have the strength to take it back. He would love her always, whether she loved him in return or not.
He could hear laughter as he crossed the store room, filling his pack with a few added items and as he descended the steps to the wine cellar he stopped.
"What are you two doing down here?" He asked with a half smile.
"Estel!" Elrohir called with a happy grin. "Where have you been hiding?"
"Where has the spring wine been hiding?" Elladan demanded with an irritable tone.
"It's not down here." Aragorn replied a grin spreading across his face.
"I do not believe this!" Elladan said with a huff "Ada tells Estel where he hides the spring wine and he will not tell us?"
"We are his own sons." Elrohir added, attempting to look hurt. Their younger brother was not fooled
"You're thieves." Aragorn said with a laugh, walking to one of the racks and selecting a bottle. "Try the Lake Town Port."
"It is vile!" Elrohir stated, pulling a face.
"It is not!" Aragorn replied grinning.
"It is!" Elladan agreed, pulling a bottle off the shelf and taking out the cork. He snatched up a glass, filling it. "Taste it if you don't believe us!" Aragorn took the glass from him, rolling his eyes. He took a long drink and gagged, swallowing quickly.
"Well?" Elrohir demanded.
"It's not bad." Aragorn replied breathlessly "for fabric dye."
"Well at least we have thought of a use for it." Elladan said, frowning at the bottle in his hand.
"We are taking dinner in our rooms." Elrohir said "Do you wish to join us?" Elladan gave him a firm jab in the ribs.
"Fool, can you not see he has... plans?" Elladan said with a suggestive grin. Aragorn's face immediately flushed and both twins now wore matching wicked expression.
"Do let us know who she is." Elrohir grinned.
"Do let us know how she is." Elladan added.
"You know... there's still a bottle of the black currant wine from Mithlond." Aragorn suggested. "On the last rack."
"Thank the Valar!" Elrohir said with a grin, heading toward the rack as Aragorn beat a hasty retreat up the steps. Both twins fell silent as soon as he disappeared. Elladan held up one hand slowly counting on his fingers. As he reached five there was a loud thud and both twins grinned at each other hurrying up the stairs.
They left the store room and at the foot of the stairs they found their foster brother, passed out in a dead faint, the bottle of wine still clutched in his hand.
"How long do you think he will be out?" Elrohir asked as he tossed the bottle aside.
"Long enough." Elladan replied, taking hold of one arm "I can not believe he fell for that."
"Aye," Elrohir grinned as he grabbed the other "We will have to tell Ada that Glorfindel has been neglecting his survival training." Elladan let out a grunt.
"Rhach!" He swore "he is getting heavy!"
"He eats too much." Elrohir replied as they began to drag Aragorn up the stairs like a dead orc. "And he is not a child any more. He's going to have a terrible headache when he wakes."
"Serves him right." Elladan shrugged. "perhaps he will learn not to sample things he shouldn't."
rhach - Curses
pen neth - young one
Author's Note - (Drum Roll) this is it... the moment you've all been waiting for!
[TV Announcers Voice] - What will Indelin's letter contain? What fell deeds await the heir of Gondor? Tune in next week for the long awaited Aragorn gets Buff' episode of... Galadriel's Light.
Yavanna - Ooops! Too late!
Sareh - The draft now stands at 36 chapters and the Epilogue but that is not etched in stone.
Converted - no, ff.net does not check stories before pulling them. I got an author alert from a friend about a new story and before I could get to the web site someone had reported it and it had been pulled. Since enough time had not passed for more than one person to read the story there's no way they could be reviewing accusations.
Alexathenle - he'll be getting his letter shortly.
tru spirit - houkd on fonix woked fo me! :-)
Heikaru - here... have an aspirin.
grumpy- no wonder you're grumpy
Kaimee - hang in there... more of your favorite filthy mortal in the next chapter
