Author's Note: What can I say? I have no excuse for my lateness. I'm a writer and writers tend to be the biggest procrastinators. I feel ashamed asking you, my devoted readers, to overlook my lack of updates, but I will anyway. Good news is I've gotten rid of my writer's block and with any luck I should be able to finish this story shortly. I want to thank those of you who have stuck around, particularly lovenhope who was so kind to contact me and offer help with this story. This chapter is dedicated to you. Also, I'd like to thank my beta, Dragonfly32, who has continued to help me with this story even over such an expanse of time. And, just to avoid confusion, the second half of this chapter is from Rumil's point of view. Thanks again! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Tolkien's work.

Chapter 22 Underhanded Tactics

I did not consider myself to be a cruel elf, but in the throes of anger anything was possible. I wanted revenge, revenge against Ethuil and her terrible ways. She had no right to take my Haldir from me. And although I pitied her tragic life I could not ignore the fresh wave of hate that stole over me when I heard her words. It was no longer a pretense, a matter to be danced around. The truth, though horrid, was the truth and I must face it. No longer could I hide behind the delusions and fervent assurances that Ethuil would "warm up to me" after awhile. No, this elleth fully intended to disrupt our wedding and I could not let that happen.

I hurried through Caras Galadhon filled with more purpose than before. Luckily my innocence was relied on by many and though I hated to, I decided to use that asset to its greatest extent. Turning left by the statue of Luthien I came to stand underneath the armory. Judging from the sun's position the guards would be returning from their first shift, the perfect opportunity for me to set my plan into action. I lingered by the wild flowers that grew beneath the trees, enjoying the sweet air and gentle breezes that blew my way. Soon the sight of returning guards entered my view and with them came my future brothers-in-law.

"Rumil, you must learn to curb your tongue!" Orophin scolded his younger brother who simply smiled. "It is your luck that Haldir was not present this afternoon or else, oh, Elenwen!"

I smiled widely at the sight of them. "Mae govannen, my dear friends!"

"Well someone seems rather pleased with herself," Rumil mused. "What mischief is our fair little flower now indulging in?" My chest tightened, how true his words were! I was being mischievous and dishonest, though now I thought it the only course of action.

"That is because I carry with me a great secret," I cajoled. Rumil's eyes lightened, he loved intrigue as much as any gossipy elleth. Orophin, however, being the more serious of the brothers, frowned.

"Well, be a good future sister-in-law and tell, or I shall certainly tattle to Aunt Ethuil on you," Rumil laughed. Now it was my turn to frown. Tattle to Aunt Ethuil, that was the last thing I wanted them to do.

"Mind your tongue for a moment, brother," Orophin admonished. His grey eyes were like the mist that sometimes rolled off the hills by the borders of the wood. "Elenwen, what is it that you speak of?"

I chewed the inside of my cheek nervously. "It must stay here. No one else must know. Do you swear?"

"Yes!" Rumil breathed.

Orophin smiled. "If we must know."

"Well, if you should find yourself by the north end of the city tonight, it might be advisable to stop in the gardens there. I am sure you will find a wedding."

Orophin's eyes widened, the mist was ceding. Rumil looked slightly perplexed for a moment but then his face paled. "Do you mean….? So soon?"

"Aye." I nodded, feeling a fresh wave of shame sweep over me at such underhanded tactics.

"Ai Elbereth!" Rumil screeched.

"Please." I grasped his shoulder. "No one must know, you swore it!"

"But why?" Orophin asked, always swift in thought. "I do not understand. Why would we not be informed?"

"Your brother and I meant it to be a private ceremony," I explained, though a blush glowed in my cheeks. "But I could not bear the absence of you both." In truth I did sorely wish them to be present at our nuptials though I would not mind if it traveled to Ethuil that she was the only one excluded from the event.

"If that is what you wish," Orophin replied. "We will of course be present." I could sense the lingering suspicion about him. Never before had I lied to someone so dear to me. And such a lie is was! Perhaps I deserved the unhappiness Ethuil brought me.

"Thank you. But please, tell no one." No longer able to bear their sweet gazes, I fled the glade.


I parted with my brother after Elenwen's abrupt leave taking. Orophin suggested finding some fresh flowers to bequeath upon our new sister-in-law as neither of us had decided on a wedding present. I, however, was too dreamy-minded to undertake such a task. I left it to him and went for a stroll along the paths that weaved beneath the flets. Such a beautiful day, to think my brother would be…

"Rumil." The voice echoed in my mind once, persistent and yet soft. It sounded like a breeze that sweeps the morning dew clouds away or perhaps one that brings about a late afternoon storm. "Rumil, come to me."

The command sent a pulse through my body. Of course I must obey. Lady Galadriel never gave me reason not to. I cannot say why I feared our meeting this time, and as I made my way through woodland paths down to the garden by the stream I tried to dispel my anxieties. Sweet laughter, rushing forth on a breeze settled my worries. The delicate call of the stream and the elleth that sat on its banks drew me forward till I stood before her.

The Lady's legs were tucked beneath her white gown and she stroked the lush grass with a fine-boned hand. Her fingers made patterns in the soil and brushed aside the wild flowers that grew there. She did not look up at me but kept her eyes on the ground.

"What thoughts trouble your mind?" She did not have to ask, the spoken inquiry was for the sake of politeness only.

I swallowed. It was useless trying to hide my thoughts from her and I never entertained falsehood. "Unexpected news, hiril nin. Dear Elenwen informed me that…"

"She is wise to trust you with her secret, though there are things that she hides from herself," Galadriel said, finally abandoning the flowers and fresh earth. She gazed at me for a moment with pure maternal affection. "Surely you do not plan to wear that to the ceremony?"

I looked down at my stained guard uniform and felt a smile creeping along my lips.

"Of course not."

"And I intend to change my own attire," the Lady remarked, rising gracefully. My look of surprise caused her to beam magnificently. "It is my intention to attend the wedding of my devoted Captain and his beloved. I sense Elenwen will not object to my presence. Though there are others…" She halted her speech and her face darkened.

"Hiril nin?"

"You must have strength, Rumil, for Elenwen and others. I fear that not all are pleased with this union." Galadriel turned her gaze fully on me and I knew. Aunt Ethuil. Orophin and I had talked the matter over and even mentioned the subject to Haldir. None of us believed Aunt Ethuil would go so far as to disrupt the wedding, even though she did not care for Elenwen.

"Underhanded tactics," my Lady said, gazing at the stream which rushed over glassy pebbles. "A shame that it has come to this." She sighed and her shoulders fell back as her head bent in sorrow. I understood, though the knowledge came with a great price. Elenwen and Ethuil would surely abandon all pretenses of friendship after the wedding. But the mere thought of my small family falling apart in such a way struck my heart like an orc dart. I felt its poison swimming in my veins, bewitching my senses and turning me ill. I did not notice Lady Galadriel draw near.

"Come." She touched my arm gently. "The sun descends against the horizon. Your brother is to be wed shortly. Do not fear the future, it may succumb to change. All else does." The Lady of Lorien glided to the exit of the garden, pausing only once to regard me with kind eyes. "I am certain, however, that there will be a time when you must stand up for what is just and deliver news you do not wish to. Remember the virtue in your task and do not fear."

She left, her quiet words reverberating in the garden as small rumble of thunder echoes in the vast heavens.

Elleth: Female Elf

Mae govannen: Well met

Hiril nin: My lady