30. Rude Awakenings

Aragorn groaned at the handful of dwarves pounding mercilessly at his skull. He was not entirely certain how they had managed to become trapped inside his head but then, he was not entirely certain of anything at the moment. He made to roll over but stopped with a jerk, pinned in place and unable to move.

He felt a sudden stab of fear and wondered if he had been captured and killed by orcs, or worse. It was unlikely that being dead could feel this terrible but he wriggled his fingers and then his toes feeling the panic build within his chest.

He realized that in addition to being largely immovable he was also rather chill and his panic surged to near terror as he blinked his eyes willing them to focus through the haze that clouded his vision. The ceiling above him solidified and he looked around his room.

His room.

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to calm himself before tilting his head to look down the length of the bed. He let out a fresh groan, falling back on the pillows.

He was gagged and bound to his bed, hand and foot, stark naked.


Arwen folded her arms over her chest with a frown. She had been sitting at the stone bench waiting for Estel for hours now. She had come out a bit early just to watch the sun set, knowing it would be easier to disappear from the house before dark. Dinner in the Great Hall was long over by now, Estel should have been there ages ago.

She allowed herself a scowl. What in arda could he be doing that was so important he could not at least send word he would be late? It was inconsiderate and unfeeling and downright rude. She stood to her feet, glaring at the river as if it were somehow to blame.

In a flash she made up her mind. She would hunt him down and find out exactly what was keeping him.

Elladan smirked to himself as he stood on the terrace facing the gardens, from here he could just see his sister pacing angrily back and forth as she waited for Estel by the stone bench. She had never been an easily angered child but once she perceived any mistreatment her temper would.

When she was small her ability to appear imposing had rivaled that of their formidable grandmother and more than once he had witnessed their adar quailed by her rage. Even Celeborn had been cowed once or twice and she had bent her dear brothers to her will more times than he cared to count.

They had tied Aragorn to his bed nearly three hours ago. Her patience was log suffering, but it was not eternal. Soon she would snap and he only hoped that when she found him she would scream first and ask questions later. Of course considering that he was tied with silk scarves and there were scented candles all over the room he doubted she would believe Estel was the victim of an innocent prank.

"You!" Elladan glanced over his shoulder at the sound of the elleth's voice and he rolled his eyes as Meril stalked up to him, her hands balled in angry fists.

"Where is Legolas?" she demanded, her eyes blazing.

"However should I know?" Elladan asked, still watching the clearing "I am not his nursemaid.

"I know you are friends!" Meril replied stetting with rage "I have searched every inch of Imladris for him, where has he gone?"

"I do not know, Meril." Elladan replied with a sigh "Perhaps he has gone riding."

"I checked the stables, his horse is still there." She replied. Elladan chuckled, inwardly hoping that Arwen was at least half as angry at Estel by now.

"Meril," He asked with a coy smile "is your dear prince avoiding you?"

"I know you know where he is." she said with a glare.

"In that you are mistaken." he replied truthfully, shaking his head, In the glade near the stone bench he could just barely see his sister, storming toward the house with an enraged expression and he felt a wicked smile tug at the corners of his mouth.

"But I do know who would." he said with a sly grin

"Who?"

"Estel."

"Are you certain?" She asked, glaring at him skeptically.

"You know as well as I what good friends they are." Elladan said smoothly "I would not be surprised if they were both in Estel's room now."

"I had not thought of that." she admitted.

"Well then I suggest you ask Estel." Elladan said. Meril gave him a curt nod before turning on her heel, stalking away. Elladan watched her go with far more satisfaction than was good for him. This was a most fortunate turn of events, one that Arwen could not easily dismiss.

Meril turned the corner, heading to Estel's room as fast as she could without actually running. She came to one of the side passages and let out a squeak, making a dive for the statue of Earendil, and crouching behind it.

"How long do you intend to stand here?" Rumil asked with a frown.

"As long as I must." Orophin replied with a grin. He clutched yet another bouquet of roses in his hand as he leaned against the door to Meril's room. She let out a groan of frustration, not only was he between her and Estel's room, he was now keeping watch at her door.

She would just have to slip away unseen. As long as he did not spot her she could take another route to find her prince.
"I am drunk." Legolas said with a frown as he sat on the floor, blinking several times as if hoping his head would clear.

"Yes you are." Haldir replied from his position stretched out on the couch of his sitting room. He stared at the ceiling admiring the intricate design of the woodwork and making himself quite dizzy.

"You are drunk too." Legolas said with a pout, leaning on the low table and resting his chin in his hand.

"I am not drunk." Haldir said in a surprisingly even tone.

"Then what are you?" Legolas demanded, his head slipping until it was lying on his arm.

"I am ineb... inerb... inbre..." Haldir paused taking a breath.

"You are drunk." Legolas stated.

"I am drunk." Haldir agreed with a grin.

"I need fresh air." Legolas said rubbing his forehead and staggering to his feet. He swayed precariously a moment before grabbing the couch to steady himself.

"You can not even walk." Haldir replied, his grin widening "and those elleths are probably camped outside my door waiting for you." Legolas stumbled to the door, opening it a crack and peering out into the hall.

"The way is clear." he said in a loud whisper, making Haldir nearly giggle. "What say you? Shall we go out and find some maids to suit our fancy?"

"There is only one to suit mine." Haldir replied, his smile melting into a dejected expression. "And she loves another." Legolas stumbled back to the couch, flopping down beside the march warden and flinging and arm around his shoulders.

"If I were you," Legolas said, poking his arm "I would march up to her, declare your undying love and tell her you would worship her to the very end of all things."

"She would not care." Haldir sighed. Legolas was a bit annoyed, if only he could convince Haldir to pursue Arwen he would have at least one less problem. Clearly Haldir did not know who Arwen favored, only that it was not him.

"Elleths care only for eloquent words and gifts." Legolas insisted. "There is very little else that matters to them in regards to romance. If you wish to win her heart then you must speak, and speak boldly. She will soon forget all others if she knows of your devotion."

"I might have better luck if only I could keep her away from the object of her affections." Haldir replied dejectedly, Legolas very nearly laughed.

"That you might." he agreed, patting Haldir on the back, he stood to his feet, wobbling as he made his way back to the door.

"I thank you for your hospitality March Warden." he said, nearly falling over as he bowed, Haldir chuckled and a sudden inspiration occurred to Legolas. "I am going hunting in the morning, perhaps you would like to join me?"

"Nay," Haldir shook his head. "I have plans with my brothers." Legolas frowned in disappointment. The last thing he wanted was to spend time alone with Arwen at the moment.

"Good luck to you then!" he said, managing a salute before stumbling out the door.

Haldir slumped back on the couch, his mind turning in ever more miserable directions. Try as he might to move on, he was not ready to give Arwen up.

You never had her in the first place, he reminded himself sternly. And who's fault was that? He frowned as he considered Estel. The boy was not a total fool surely. How could he be so brazen as to think the Evenstar should simply forsake her people for an exile. Perhaps he could intimidate him into backing down.

A smirk crossed his face. He had never thought of himself as particularly intimidating abut if what Legolas said was true a child like Estel would be easy to bully.

The more he thought about it, the better the idea sounded and he staggered to his feet, going to his room and tucking his knife in his belt. He checked his appearance in the mirror, making certain he did not look too drunk and straightened his tunic. He gave a practiced sneer and smirked lightly at the effect.

Yes, he thought as he made his way out the door, quite intimidating.
"What are you doing?" Elrohir asked his twin as he leaned over the rail. Elladan was sitting on the floor, his legs dangling over the front hall. He had placed himself in a position to see both the stairs and the front and rear doors without being observed.

"Preparing to watch the fruits of our labors." Elladan replied. "Did you have a nice evening with your intended... Elladan?"

"Do not rub it in!" Elrohir snapped.

"Then be quiet," Elladan replied, "Arwen is on her way to Estel's room and I do not want to miss a moment of this."
Aragorn drew in a sharp breath, not certain whether to be relieved or terrified at the pounding on the door. He let out a call for help but it was muffled by the silk scarf in his mouth. There was another knock and he closed his eyes pleading desperately that whoever was on the other side of the door would rescue him. He tensed as the door was opened and he let out a groan.

Haldir stood, framed in the doorway, his mouth working silently like a fish as he took in the state of the room and the human bound to the bed.

"Pardon my intrusion!" He blurted out, hastily moving to leave.

"Haldir wait!" Aragorn called. It was, at least, what he meant to say. The garbled sound that came out of his mouth resembled more a dying animal than anything else. Haldir paused, frowning before cautiously making his way into the room. He stopped at the side of the bed, looking utterly confused.

Aragorn tilted his wrist, pointing at the gag in his mouth as best he could. Haldir, fortunately, was just sober enough to understand his meaning and cautiously he removed the scarf.

"Thank the Valar." Aragorn said with a sigh. "untie me!"

"I might be wrong," Haldir replied his eyes turning icy, "but I do not think your... lady friend would approve of that."

"It wasn't a woman!" Aragorn replied hastily, "It was my brothers." Haldir took a step back from the bed.

"My brothers always claimed they were depraved but this is too much." Haldir replied shaking his head.

"I was a practical joke!" Aragorn declared in exasperation

"If it is a joke," Haldir said with a frown. "then it is the least practical one I have ever seen."

"Valar Haldir!" Aragorn snapped "just untie me!" Haldir considered the request a moment before shaking his head with a sigh and loosening the knot. He crossed around to the other side of the bed to free the human's other hand. This knot proved more tricky and he let out a frustrated growl.

"Just what is the sense of tying you to your bed?" the march warden demanded. "If I wished to humiliate my brothers I would make sure to do it somewhere where they would be found." They both froze as the door creaked open and the color drained from both their faces.

"Oh my." Arwen stared into the room, wide eyed, her hand clamped over her mouth as she took in the scene before her. Haldir stared back at her, his hands clutching the scarf that tied Aragorn to the bed. A thousand emotions seemed to play across her face, each more disturbing than the last.

If Aragorn thought things could not be any worse he was wrong.

Meril stepped into the doorway at that moment and gave a rather unlady like snort as she tried to suppress her laughter.

"I never would have thought either of you the type for such things." She said with a glee filled grin, "March Warden, what do you elves do at the borders?"

"It... I... we..." Aragorn sputtered.

"If you had plans," Arwen said, her voice as cold as ice "You could have simply told me." without another word she turned on her heel, marching away.

"Arwen!" Aragorn shouted "Arwen, wait! For the love of the Valar Haldir, stop her!" Haldir was as white as a sheet and he could hardly breathe but some force seemed to shove him toward the door, forcing him in pursuit.

"Arwen." he called as he pushed Meril aside, hurrying after her. She paused but didn't turn around.

"It is none of my business Haldir." she said, her voice shaking, "you do not owe me an explanation."

"I, but I..." his voice trailed off as her shoulders began to shake.

"Just leave me be." she sobbed. She broke into a run, heading for the stairs.

"Arwen!" Haldir shouted, a lump forming in his throat "Arwen!"

She flew down the steps, blinded by tears and before she could reach the bottom she collided with a broad chest and strong arms surrounded her.

"Arwen," Glorfindel declared "whatever is the matter?"

Leaning over the railing above them twin smirks glanced at each other as their sister hugged the blond elf furiously.

"Goodbye, Heir of Gondor." Elrohir grinned.

"Hello, Balrog Slayer." Elladan nodded with satisfaction. They shook hands in congratulation and retreated to their room to celebrate.
"My, my, my," Meril said with a smirk "You are in an interesting... position, aren't you?"

"If it wouldn't be too much trouble," Aragorn said, his voice a little higher than normal as Meril's eyes roamed over him. "would you mind untying me?"

"Well I have to confess to being wrong." Meril replied, gazing at him with frank appreciation. "I can certainly understand what Luthien and Idril saw in you mortals."

"Meril?"

"I wonder if the Peredhil are so... gifted." Meril considered.

"Meril?"

"Perhaps Elrohir might be feeling lonely now that his twin is spending so much time with Eirien."

"Meril!"

"Patience," Meril scolded with a teasing grin as she set to work on the knots at his feet. "you have nowhere to go."

"Would you mind hurrying a bit?" Aragorn asked in frustration.

"Well, If I'm doing such a terrible job of freeing you I can always go for help." she said with a cool glare "like Glorfindel or Erestor perhaps." Aragorn let out a long-suffering sigh.

"You're doing a splendid job." he replied miserably "do take your time."

"I thought as much." Meril smirked, glancing at him as she picked at the knot.

"Would it be too much to ask you to find me a blanket?" Aragorn asked, trying to look pitiful.

"Yes it would." she replied, her eyes narrowing.

"Don't mind me, I'll just lie here and shiver then." he said hastily, more afraid she would leave him in his unfortunate state than anything else.

"From what I can see," Meril said with a wicked grin "You are not half so cold as you pretend."
"Oh Glorfindel!" Arwen sobbed, flinging her arms around his neck as he rubbed her back soothingly. "He deceived me! I thought he loved me!"

"Arwen, sweetling," he said gently, "I am sure it is a misunderstanding."

"No, I just saw him with," she let out another wrenching sob "with Haldir."

Whatever Glorfindel had been expecting this was not it. Nor was he expecting to see Legolas stumble in the door from the gardens. The Mirkwood elf wore a confused expression as he took in the sight, one that was nearly matched by the Balrog Slayers.

Glorfindel looked at the prince with a frown, then looked up the stairs, then back to the prince again before deciding that he needed a better explanation.

"Arwen," he said gently "tell me what happened."

"It doesn't matter!" she declared, "none of it matters!" she pushed out of his embraced and raced out the door and into the gardens, nearly knocking Legolas over in her hurry to leave.

"What was that all about?" Legolas asked, his brow creasing.

"For once," Glorfindel replied, folding his arms over his chest, "I would actually like to know."
Author's note - I am just way swamped lately and I didn't get a chance to answer reviews this week. I figured that, given the choice between answers and a new chapter, that you all would pick a new chapter. I am in a desperate search for my groove right now and as soon as I find it I'll get back to normal. Thanks to everyone who reviewed!