Author's Note: Hello all and welcome back to chapter twenty-three! Those of you who have read "Married to the March Warden" will recognize one part of this chapter as a flashback scene from that story. Also the second half of this chapter is from Rumil's point of view. I would like to thank all my kind reviewers for showing their support and patience so far. And of course, I would like to thank my brilliant beta Dragonfly32 for her help. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Tolkien's work.
Chapter 23 Vows
We were married. And as I stood in that living garden, my hands resting in Haldir's, I felt lost in the wonder of it all. I had never asked for much in my life. This has given me a certain humbleness of mind. I wished to live quietly, simply. I did not seek glory or renown. I did not wish the bards to sing of my beauty, but rather I wanted to be minstrel who kept such tales in order.
How things had changed.
I had been given everything in Haldir. I thought perhaps the Valar were jesting and had made me their object for bitter amusement. Such happiness I had not asked for and yet I had it. I had it in his smile and his kind words. And in his eyes that bore such an unfathomable love that I was bewitched by them.
Lady Galadriel laid her hands on our rings in a manner of blessing as I had seen her do at many other weddings. Lord Celeborn recited the ancient words of our oaths. I repeated them with a quiet voice and watched as Haldir's face flushed with joy.
Rumil and Orohphin stood with us, beneath the stars after which I had been named. Their companionship offered me strength even when my thoughts turned dark as Aunt Ethuil's harsh face entered my mind.
I remember not the last words Lord Celeborn uttered, for as Haldir's lips drew close to mine I knew only of him. At that moment our future seemed to unfold before me, though I was no seeress. But amidst his tender love, I did not doubt the peace and comfort that lay before us.
I was on my way to the flet of my beloved. My footsteps were almost as light as my heart. In my arm I carried a few belongings that I would need immediately, for I had not yet moved all of my personal affects over to his home. No one yet knew of our union, which somehow I thought made it all the more romantic. For the first time since my parents had left for Valinor, I was happy. I had someone to love and that someone loved me back. I hummed a little tune, as I knew that he was at his flet now, trying to make it proper for his new wife. Oh, his wife! My stomach squirmed in glee to think of that, I was his wife! My happiness would have remained undisturbed if I had not heard the giggle of an elleth nearby. I stopped and tilted my head in curiosity, seeing a few maidens that were about my age, standing near a small fountain under the mellyrn. Their giggles increased and finally they all broke out into a chorus of laughter. I smiled, not catching on right away.
"What is so amusing?" I asked. "Please let me in on your jest." This forced them into even more laughter.
"Why you are a silly, little elleth," the one said. She appeared to be the leader. "You are what causes our amusement."
"Me," my voice came out squeaky. "What have I done?" This caused them to laugh all the more.
"Oh, so you have not heard," the elf continued. "Well, we shall let you in on a little secret." She stepped forward and for some reason I cowered and moved away. But she grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me into their group. "It has been said," she spoke in a whisper as I took a few steps backward in sight of their leering smirks, "that you and the March Warden were bonded last night, that you became his wife." The others had managed to keep a straight face, but now they all let out loud shouts of laughter and stared at me as though I was something disgusting to be found under a rock.
"But why is that funny?" I didn't understand. "It is true, why should you laugh?" This just caused them to laugh more and more loudly. I continued to ask them why, my voice becoming more persistent, even tearful. Yet they laughed and laughed till I could take it no more. I ran from the glade sobbing to seek out Haldir.
"This will never work, brother," I panted, shoving a piece of dented plate armor into a dusty cupboard.
"Aye," Orophin sighed from where he sat cross-legged on the floor. Strewn before him were no less than half a dozen bows of different sizes and design. "Have you considered moving your weaponry to the armory? I think it highly advisable."
"No." Haldir looked up from shuffling his maps into some order. "I have my own place for things and I would not have that changed now."
"But you are married now," I chuckled. "Surely Elenwen…"
"Elenwen," he muttered, "understands. She must have her harps and lutes; I must have my arrows and swords."
"Then you need a larger flet." Orophin stood and gathered up the bows. "To put it simply."
The door clicked open and I heard the light footsteps of my sister-in-law entering the front room.
"Pardon my delay!" she cried. I raised my eyebrows. Her voice sounded thick, tight with tears.
"Pardon ours," Orophin said. "I'm afraid we've made little progress in our work."
"Ah, no matter then." She rounded the corner, her thin arms laden with cloth bags. A beguiling smile rested on her countenance. I noticed her eyes were red.
"Here, I won't have my bride toiling needlessly." Haldir stepped forward at once and shifted her belongings into his arms. He swooped down and kissed her graciously, a grin tugging at his lips.
Elenwen stepped back and rubbed her palms on her breeches. She had that awkward look about her, the one she displayed so often in Aunt Ethuil's presence.
"What is wrong my sweet?" Haldir questioned. But she shook her head and moved into the room.
"It has been decided," Orophin quipped. "You are in need of a bigger flet. My brother refuses to part with any of his, hmm, treasures." He held up a quiver split down the middle.
"Orophin, that was a gift from our Ada when I first joined the guard." Haldir frowned.
"I see you have put it to good use then."
"Elenwen?" I watched her as she drifted away from us and towards the balcony, her hand rubbing at her nose.
"It is nothing, truly."
Haldir set down her bags and hurried to her side. "Meleth nin, lying never came easy to you. Tell me, what has happened?"
She sighed, a deep, harsh breath escaping her tiny frame. "It seems the news of our union has become common knowledge already. I met with several maidens on my way here. They were not at all pleased."
"What did they say?" Orophin was by her side now too. I clenched my fists.
Aunt Ethuil.
"I know," I mumbled, feeling the rush of anger and sadness all at once. I remembered the Lady's sorrowful eyes the day before.
"What?" Haldir glanced at me over his shoulder.
"Never mind now." I was halfway to the door.
"Where are you going?"
"Never mind now," I repeated firmly, breezing through the open door and onto the staircase landing outside. Galadriel was always right.
I did not have to look far, for I already knew where my Aunt would be. The garden I had met the Lady in the day before seemed so different know. The flowers looked foolish with their bright colors, much like the cluster of elleths that stood amidst them. I watched them for a moment, I suppose steeling myself for the moment of battle. The brief space before combat is always one of dreadful anxiety, even for the most seasoned warrior. It is casting oneself forward into the abyss of the unknown. A truly fearful thing for any creature.
Aunt Ethuil stood just to the back of the gathering. Her eyes were fixed on the stream that rushed happily through the garden. She did not see me. I smiled, a surprise attack would work to my advantage.
"I have news," I proclaimed, moving further into the garden. The maidens glanced up at me then stepped aside as I pushed past them. Aunt Ethuil raised her eyes slightly but did not meet my gaze.
"I have news, Aunt Ethuil." This time I addressed her specifically. Her shoulders jerked upward at the sound of her name as if it startled her. "I come from Haldir's flet," I continued, ignoring the sudden desperation that filled me. "And I would have you know he has been lately wed."
Silence. I took a minute to gather my wits and finally uttered the next words. "But you already know of this Aunt, as Elenwen has told me." I saw her pale brow harden and her hands clench at the neat folds of her gown. At last, her eyes caught mine. They were fierce.
"Yes," she whispered. "Yes I knew."
Author's Note: To those of you who are unsure of what Aunt Ethuil did, I assure you it will be made clearer in the next chapter. Thanks for reading!
