Chapter Summary: The bishops move in, and the knight guards the queen for a while.

Author Notes: The only midterm test I have is in my easiest class. Won't be too hard. And Mercury Gray helped with the writing of this chapter, so kudos to her!

Shout Outs:

Roisin Dubh – Uh oh. If I'm setting it up so that there's some great finale, I'm in trouble. I feel that my endings are weak, because I don't exactly know how to wrap everything up. Chaos is coming.

Dread Lady Freya – You got it!

Mercury Gray – Barahir will get wind of it, and he's going to have some confrontations.

Jousting Elf With a Saber – I wasn't grimacing. I'm just wondering what it is about me that make people want to adopt me.

During the winter months, Silmarien's elected "court" seemed dormant. Underneath the everyday activities they performed, their eyes eagerly sought out Alfirin and her own "court". Silmarien's chessboard became active as her knight and bishops positioned themselves ever closer to the sable queen.

Alfirin made all appearances of not knowing her danger. During court feasts, she did not see the watchful eyes of the ivory knight as she spoke to her peers. She was not aware of the bishops who whispered together as their eyes gazed upon her. The rooks remained inconspicuous. The sable queen could only see the other of her rank, so focused was her hate. Until the bishops moved closer.

Elladan and Elrohir made sure they were seen. One evening, while Alfirin was on her way to the feasting hall, the twins put on the appearance that they had just awakened. Their clothes were haphazard and unkempt. Elrohir's tunic wasn't even buttoned, and Elladan's trousers were loosely tied. The twins met Alfirin in the hall, startling her.

"Ah, Lady…" Elrohir smiled upon seeing her as he blinked.

"Alfirin," she supplied, shocked at their appearance.

"Forgive us our unkempt hair," Elladan said. "We are unused to rising at so early an hour."

"My lords, it is nearly time for the evening meal," Alfirin said, trying to hide a mocking tone.

"Exactly," Elrohir returned with a roguish grin.

Elladan smiled at his brother as she suddenly took in Elrohir's bared chest, her eyes lingering on the unclothed skin. He saw her eyes widen only slightly as she caught sight of his own untied trousers. She was beginning to get flustered.

"As I said, please forgive us, lady," Elladan said, bending over low to bow. "We are meeting friends and thought it best not to be late."

"Perhaps," Alfirin began, her voice lower. Elrohir noted that her eyes still lingered over his abdomen. "Perhaps it would be best that you refresh yourselves, my lords. It would not do for your present appearance to be seen in the hall."

"You mistake us, lady - we do not dine in the castle tonight."

"Indeed, we do not dine on anything the castle might seek to serve, either," Elrohir said with a smile. "Elladan, we must be off!"

As they departed, the twins talked to each other in Sindarin about her reaction and their success, all the while keeping an eye on her through their peripheral vision. She stared after them, her lips parted, her breathing quite uneven.

"There is a stirring in her blood," Elladan said, laughing.

"That doesn't surprise me," Elrohir smirked. "See how she watches us. I think she likes your backside!"

Silmarien waited in her chambers, reading a book on strategy in her sitting roomwhen two disheveled elf lords wandered in, looking pleased with themselves.

"I do hope you've not been cavorting with the enemy," she smirked as Elladan hastily tied his trousers up and saluted as if she were his commander.

"Cavorting? Us? Why, whatever made you think that?"

"She does not attract me, really," Elrohir said with a smile, lacing his shirt.

"You do well at projecting a certain image, then. Well done. What happened?" she asked. "Or do I truly want to know?"

"Nothing happened, Silmarien. Of that you can be assured," Glorfindel said confidently, looking over the twins with a stern eye.

They pretended not to notice. "It may be that if her fancy is tickled by another, Barahir will be made safe," Elrohir reported.

Silmarien thought about this for a moment. "Perhaps...perhaps not. Would you be willing to test your theory?"

"With much pleasure," Elladan smirked. "Come brother; let us prepare the first test. Good evening, Lady Silmarien, Glorfindel."

"Glorfindel, what am I doing?" Mari sighed, covering her face with her hands after they had gone. "She can't be simply doing nothing. Surely she's not just waiting. Something is going to happen, and I'm not certain what it shall be."

"Silmarien, in every battle there is uncertainty. But your attack has not been launched yet. Rest, beautiful one," he said softly. "And when your battle does come we shall be here for you, meleth nin."

He sat near her, covering her hands with his, large, warm and reassuring. She looked up into his eyes, understanding that he had just declared her his love.

"I am glad you came for the winter," Silmarien said, smiling softly. "It would have been unbearably cold."

Glorfindel smirked a little. "And you needed me to keep you warm?" he asked wryly.

To give him his answer, her hand slid from his grasp, up his arm to his shoulder as she laid her head on his chest.

"You are very warm," she murmured against the high collar of his tunic. Her breath whispered past the cloth and teased his throat. He could smell the light wine she had been drinking, and the aroma in her hair taunted him. He could feel her lips smile as she let them graze his Adam's apple.

"Silmarien," he muttered. "I cannot begin to tell you how much I missed your presence while I was in Rivendell."

"Did you?" Silmarien laughed lightly. "But we do not know each other yet. How could you have missed me?"

"Time is my enemy. Whether it pass or it refuse to, I still have longing. I desired to hold you like this every night, to share you with no other, to kiss your soft lips."

Here he drew her close and covered her mouth with his in a gentle kiss. "You are very beautiful, Silmarien. I must confess now that my heart is lost to you."

Silmarien was quiet for a while as they held each other. Then she looked up at him with a shy smile. "I find myself wishing the same, my lord. To be near you constantly, to sing your praises, to take your hand in mine."

Here, Mari took his hand and covered her cheek with it after softly kissing his palm. His smile as he looked into her eyes set a thrill through her being, for it was loving and protective. His strong arms wrapped around her and held her for the longest time as they simply listened to each other's breath and the sound of their hearts beating.

"I love you, Silmarien," Glorfindel whispered into her hair, kissing her softly.

"And I you, Glorfindel," she murmured in reply.

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