Chapter Summary: Silmarien still has friends, but Barahir discovers Silmarien's shame, and the Haradrim arrive, giving Alfirin pawns.

Shout Outs:

Mercury Gray - Sometimes? How about MOST of the time?

Illuvien - Silmarien's honor will be proved soon.

Roisin Dubh - The errors have been fixed. I'm sorry I didn't catch it, even though I went over it like five billion times before I posted it. Apologies in advance as the computer I'm working on for this chapter doesn't have spell check, for some God-forsaken reason. I'll do the best I can. And it wasn't a dress that Alfirin gave to Elessar, but Silmarien's bed sheets. Remember Ailinel, Silmarien's chamber servant? The wussy girl? She was threatened into giving Alfirin anything she asked for. Little did she know Silmarien would be so shamed.

Sabre - Alfirin's going to get bitch-slapped, if you'll pardon my French.

Author's Notes: Sorry I didn't get much up during Spring Break, guys. Crap happened, and now I've got lotsa crap to do. It'll take longer, but I'll get things up, I promise.

Silmarien was seen very little in the next few weeks. It was expected of her that she did not attend feasts and festive gathering for a period of time, so that she may do penance for her great sin. However, Silmarien withdrew not out of penance but anger. Bitterness against Alfirin festered in her proud heart and many methods of vengeance whirled like burning leaves in her mind.

Her allies did not forsake her. Lord Elrohir kept watch over Anaron and Alfirin at feasts, and kept Silmarien company as best he could. Elemmire too went to her, though she went secretly during Silmarien's supposed penance. If she were seen with Denethor's daughter too soon, it would mean more trouble for them both. But her shoulder was strong, and she bade the wrongfully shamed woman to weep upon it.

"It is like Alfirin to work a dastardly deed," Elemmire admitted as she embraced her friend.

"She will pay," Silmarien vowed sullenly. "If ever there was a time to break her, it is now."

"Let your revenge be paid. But take care that you do not become your enemy, my lady. Guard yourself!"

The time for penance passed, and Silmarien began to be seen more often in court. She held her head high, though veils she was not accustomed to wearing covered it. It became known that Ailinel had been released from Silmarien's service with much disgust, and that Denethor had asked that the servant be sent to Osgiliath, to keep the poor girl safe from his daughter's poisoned anger.

After a time, Queen Arwen sent for Silmarien and held private audience with her. The wife of Elessar began to instruct her in the methods of Elven braids to decorate her hair as best she could. Mari's hair was now too short for it to be pulled back successfully unless by a tie at the nape of her neck like a Man of Gondor. Even then, locks of hair framed her face and rested before her eyes. Undomiel braided her hair close to her head, alternating between the fashions of men and women of her race as the length of hair permitted. Silmarien quietly adopted the styles of the Elves, and it was whispered that she had finally turned her back on her own race because it betrayed her.

Elemmire braided her hair like an elleth at whiles, so that Silmarien would not be the only lady of Gondor to do so. Those who did not truly hate the sister of Faramir and Boromir in their hearts also took up the trend, becoming less suspicious of the ways of the Queen and her people. Aragorn took note of this and called Silmarien to his side one day at a feast nearer the coming of the New Year.

"In a strange way, good has been done, my lady," Elessar began quietly. "Unity between Elves and Men in this court has become better."

"Must so high a price have been paid by me?" Silmarien returned.

"Let vengeance come from my hand, Silmarien. Do not take justice from whom it belongs to."

Silmarien inclined her head in respect. "I do not deny it, my lord king, I anger to the point of alienation. Alfirin's own degradation is my chief desire now."

"It will come. She has sealed her own fate, though it is not seen at this time. The Valar do not allow such treachery to go unpunished. But I say again, Silmarien, though you have right to vengeance, justice belongs to me."

"Know that I submit," she replied grudgingly. Aragorn knew that she would obey him, though her heart was not truly in it. He was glad of her loyalty, but mourned that it was only duty-driven in this matter.

During the festival of the New Year, visitors to the king arrived from the south. A small band of Haradrim had come to pay homage and seek his favor upon their divided tribes. At least three or four tribes were represented in the party, and it seemed some did not see the king as their benefactor.

Not only did the Haradrim arrive, but Lord Barahir came also. Alfirin made pretense of all possible joy as she greeted him and walked with him often in the gardens, which were blooming busily. When Barahir had been told of Silmarien's supposed deeds he was shocked into silence. Had the elf lord transformed her mind so much that she threw away all sense of decorum? She had always been a woman of good sense, grace and propriety in his eyes.

In the days that he remained in Minas Tirith, Barahir made several attempts to speak to his cousin. On most occasions Alfirin, who insisted that she be with him nearly all the time, hampered him. At last, Lord Anaron spoke with her and asked on the king's behalf that she entertain one of the Haradrim. Excusing her presence from Barahir, she went on her way while Barahir made his way to the gardens alone.

There, he sat upon a stone bench in thought. So many rumors had bombarded him about his cousin. His heart was torn. Barahir had always loved Silmarien, and yet Alfirin had given him comfort after the news of Silmarien's acceptance of Glorfindel. He could not reconcile disregarding either woman. Putting his head in his hands, he sighed a slight sob for Silmarien.

"I do love you," he whispered. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw Elemmire.

"Forgive me, my lord," she apologized. "I had not meant to frighten you."

"No need to forgive," he replied. "I am well."

"Silmarien sent me as a messenger to speak to you. What would you know, Lord Barahir?"

Barahir's bearing deflated slightly but it was visible.

"I would know why she did not see fit to grace me with her own presence and quiet my questioning of her."

Elemmire cast her eyes upon her slippers. He had a right to know, but it was difficult to answer. "Silmarien feels that she can no longer defend herself," the lady replied quietly. "Since the accusation before the king, she has grown very weary and heartsick over her present situation. However, I know of the truth of the matter, and I am willing to relate to you everything that you would wish."

The two walked in the gardens, speaking to each other privately for a long while. So engrossed were they in their conversation that they did not see Anaron from a window overlooking the lush gardens. He saw Elemmire's eagerness to help both Barahir and Silmarien, and his brow darkened. With the fall of the ivory queen came the exposing of the rook.

Imladris was peaceful that spring, as Elrond oversaw the ruling of the valley and the preparation of his departure. Any elves who did not yet desire to pass into the West were instructed to be lead by Glorfindel. The Noldorin Elf lord gave them direction to improve his living quarters, expanding and remodeling so that a woman might find it comfortable. The women of his race began to add softer graces to his home, creating a less bare, military atmosphere. He was pleased by this, and hoped Silmarien would find it comforting.

Lord Elladan arrived as if a storm of Sauron were on his heels. Elrond expected him to race to him with the news of rebel orcs descending from the mountains. Puzzled, he quietly followed his son's hurried steps to Glorfindel, noting that his son carried a letter which bore the seal of the Steward of Gondor.

"Read this immediately, Glorfindel," Elladan urged his former teacher. "There has been much trouble since you've gone."

Glorfindel was perturbed by his protégé's earnestness, for it was seldom seen unless in very dire need. Snatching the letter, he tore it open and read it hurriedly. Elrond, unnoticed by either of them, watched Glorfindel's furrowed brow as he began to read the letter. It progressed from confusion, to sorrow to great wrath.

"Must I elope with her to save her from such misery whenever I depart?" he asked angrily. "Why must she be punished for her loyalty?"

"Alfirin and Anaron purposely waited until you left, Glorfindel. She knows part of our game," Elladan said.

"Then they shall wish they had never been born," the Noldorin replied, his eyes flashing dangerously. Elrond had seen such anger only once, a very long time ago. He pitied whomever had raised this hate, for their end would be bloody.

Glorfindel directed renovations to continue even as he prepared Asfaloth. Elladan would follow in two days. Swiftly as the wind in a meadow, Glorfindel rode away to Minas Tirith to exterminate a mouse and rat.

I know it's short, but review anyway.