A work in Progress
Chapter Twenty Four
As Laingalad ran off with the twins I rolled my eyes causing Arwen to laugh, "This is their last few days before you marry," Arwen noted following them with their eyes.
I nodded, wondering what they were plotting together.
"Haldir," Elrond greeted breaking away from the Lord and Lady, striding towards me.
"Lord Elrond," I smiled, his personable aura flooding me.
"Come, walk with me," I nodded, smiling briefly at Laingalad's parents who were now being sheparded towards their accommodation by Arwen.
"You are to marry," Elrond started causing me to frown.
"Aye," he knows that I am to marry, he created the match.
"You wonder why I say this."
"Aye." I had always though that cryptic questions and answers were reserved for Mithrandir and Lady Galadriel.
"I sense the trepidation in both of you," Elrond turned to face me, stopping. "Perfectly natural I assure you; the days before I was to marry Celebrian...they were interesting."
Where was he going with this line of conversation? "I had fears of course but I knew that she was my life partner, our feä were one; we loved each other."
I gazed ahead pensively, "whereas Laingalad and I do not," I replied softly.
"Are you so sure?" Came the assured reply.
Startled, I scrutinized Elrond's expression. He was gazing at me his eyes soft, mouth quirked into a fatherly smile, "Laingalad does not love me, she barely tolerates me. As for myself, I do not love her, I wouldn't dare. We are too different." I reasoned.
"And yet opposites attract. Look at Luthien and Beren; they were even of a different race."
Anger suddenly flared within me, "They choose each other! Laingalad and I would not be given grace by Mandos to live again if we were to die. It is more likely that they would separate us so that we could cease out continuous arguments!"
Elrond's expression did not change, "and yet you want to be March warden."
"Aye, but that does not really give me the right to change Laingalad's life so drastically. The Galadhrim are not her people, she has no ties with them."
A smug smile spread across Elrond's features, "You have come to care for her I see." I started to reply but he continued, "Do not think us fools. Galadriel and I would not have put you together if we believed you to be completely incompatible."
With that he left, quickly blending into the shadows.
... ... ...
Standing in a corner I was attempting to conduct a conversation with Arwen between the bombardment of pleasantries that went hand in hand with balls. Well, the ball hadn't actually started yet; it wasn't due to start for another two hours. I had gone to the main pavilion in hope for quiet, to contemplate what Elrond had said. Arwen, however, seemed to have second guessed my actions and had arrived shortly after I had.
"Haldir!"
Turning away from Arwen I came face to face with Elrohir, Elladan grinning next to him.
"We see that you have not yet dressed for out welcoming feast," Elladan noted appraising my attire.
"We shall help you," Elrohir continued, unceremoniously grabbing my arm and dragging me out, "don't worry, dear sister, we shall bring him back in one piece!"
"We thought we should have a word with you." Elladan explained when we arrived at an empty platform.
"Really?" I questioned, eyebrows raised, "What words of wisdom do you need to impart upon me?"
"No need to be sarcastic," jibbed Elrohir.
"And there was no need for you to write a letter to Laingalad telling her to dye my hair pink, but you still did so!" I retorted, arms crossed, lips pursed.
"I thought it had a slight pink tinge..." Elrohir trailed off noticing my dark expression.
"There was no need for such childish idiocy!" I reprimanded, "It is hard enough having to live peacefully with her without your immature recommendations. Life may be one big joke to the two of you, but you are playing with people's lives. It does not just affect Laingalad or me, others-"
"While your pontification is amusing it is not needed, we hear it from our Ada enough." One of them said; I didn't pay attention to whom.
"Your father is a wise man, maybe you should listen to him for once!"
There was a heavy silence as I glared and they stared nonplussed. "We are not your brothers, nor are we under your command. Do not take out your situation on us." Elladan started, his face becoming a mask, "We actually came to give you some advice, though I can see you obviously do not need it. We will leave you now."
They strode away, backs tense, leaving me to fester in a pool of uncertainty.
... ... ...
Arwen bit her lip, "Maybe you should have given them a chance to talk. While they have a façade of not caring they did inherit some wisdom. While I do not always agree with them I find them a good source of counsel."
Arwen squeezed my arm in reassurance as the first song of the evening started. "I suppose I should ask Laingalad to dance..." I trailed off unsure.
Smiling softly Arwen nodded, "That would be clever Haldir," she replied condescendingly.
I rolled my eyes, she could change from being serious to, well...whatever would best suit my mood quickly.
"Wish me luck," I replied deprecatingly.
I wandered around for some time before I spotted Laingalad and her father talking. Stepping towards them I said, "Laingalad, Golwen. I am sorry to interrupt your reunion but I believe we are expected to dance."
Golwen nodded waving his hand in Laingalad's direction. "Worry not; take her, it was not a conversation of much importance."
Laingalad gave her father a tight smile; it was more of a grimace. "Perhaps we shall finish this conversation after the celebration." She turned towards me, "shall we?" she asked stiffly as a matter of courtesy.
I nodded, taking her hand and leading her to where elves had already started to dance. "You have missed your family," I stated lamely not really paying her that much attention.
"They are dear to my heart," she replied emotionlessly. "You seemed intense in your conversation with Arwen."
She had noticed then, "We were not talking of anything important..." I lied not wanting to disclose the truth, "just the wedding."
"I see..." Laingalad frowned almost doing a double take, "wait a moment, did you just say unimportant?"
I paused, that probably wasn't the best thing to lie about, "Yes, I suppose I did."
I could see a flame appearing in her eyes, I had easily caught her ire, again. "I cannot believe you just said that! It is supposed to be the most important day of our lives, and you cast it aside like a piece of rubbish."
"I did not cast it aside; I simply decided it wasn't overly important. You are taking me out of context." This was not going to appease her.
"There you go again! Not overly important? Do you know how much my life has changed in the last three months?"
Of course I did, I had just said this to Elrond, of course I did not word this in the same way, "Both of our lives have changed irrevocably but what I am saying is that while what the wedding represents is important the actual event is negligible."
"What?" she questioned loudly.
"Be quiet!" I hissed, "We do not need the whole of Caras Galadhon's attention. If you think about it the wedding is but one day in the eternity we shall spend together."
"The one day that results in us spending an eternity together." She uttered dangerously, eyes hard.
It seemed that I was intent upon digging myself a deeper hole, "Do not tell me you are still annoyed about the wedding. We have been betrothed for three months. We marry next week; you have had plenty of time to get used to the idea."
"I am used to the annoying idea," came her biting reply, "but the fact that you said the day is unimportant is another matter altogether!"
"You are being most temperamental, what does it matter?" I questioned.
"It matters because it is important to me," she replied through gritted teeth, "and if I'm being temperamental it is your fault." As she said this she stamped on my foot, "Oh, I'm so sorry Haldir," she simpered thinly.
"My fault?" I questioned ignoring her behavior, "I do not control your feelings, for if I did you would not be so volatile."
"Don't insult me Haldir, there's still the rest of the evening to go..." she trailed off insinuating everything.
"Do not be childish, it is unbecoming," I snapped.
"Am I now to embarrassing to even talk to?"
"No, just too immature."
Her eyes narrowed, her navy eyes carrying a cold fire, "you are infuriating."
"So you have told me on many separate occasions."
Laingalad took a deep breath muttering, "Mismatched, a complete mismatch," as she exhaled, "The sooner this is over the better."
"Do you mean the dance?" Or the marriage?
"Aye," she replied through gritted teeth.
"Good, I believe it shall end soon."
"Thank the Valar for that," she murmured effectively ending the conversation. We continued to dance in a dense silence.
After several meaningless dances the music quieted in preparation for the feast.
"It is good to dine in Lothlorien again," Elrond announced after taking a sip of wine from a silver goblet.
"Aye, it has been long since we last saw you," Lord Celeborn replied grinning.
"Your betrothed does not look too happy," I turned to my right to see Thinfileg glancing towards Laingalad, who was sitting across from me.
I looked up before replying, "Nay, she does not like being seated next to her naneth for too long."
As if feeling my gaze upon her during my reply, she looked up to hear the tail end; she proceeded to kick me under the table. "He is jesting nana, of course I love sitting next to you, it has been so long since we last had a meal together." She glared pointedly at me, giving her mother a sickly sweet smile.
"We all love being with you Doldaer, you are a pleasure to be around," flattered Elrohir.
I turned from the conversation; I did not want to listen to more sycophantic talk.
"No, he appointed Rodenruse," Celeborn was explaining.
"A wise choice," Elrond stated.
"You cannot fault Haldir's choice, especially as his brothers were involved. He stayed level headed." Galadriel pronounced. I was flattered, though I could not say this, they would realise I was eavesdropping.
"As he should," Celeborn replied.
"A fine choice for both March warden and son in law," Golwen enthused.
As he joined in from the other end of the table he caught Elrohir's attention. "All of these compliments for your future husband Laingalad, you must be proud," he smirked, he knew better of course.
"Of course!" Laingalad replied falsely.
Elrohir, who was sitting to my left jolted in surprise. "Did she just kick you as well?" I asked in a hushed undertone. He nodded.
"I assume you have chosen a dress, Laingalad?" Doldaer asked loudly.
"Aye," she replied through gritted teeth.
"You must show it to me and the ring of course." Doldaer continued not noticing her daughter's terseness.
"I can see why Laingalad feels the way she does," Thinfileg remarked in a whisper.
"Pardon?" I asked, having forgotten his presence.
"About her naneth," he prompted.
I nodded absently, turning to the twins' zesty conversation.
"And then Elrohir rolled into a puddle of mud!" Elladan finished vivaciously.
Arwen shook her head, "it was not that funny."
"You only say that because he then ran after you and put mud in your hair," Elladan grinned.
"Yes, it was so mature of him," Arwen grated.
"Arwen whatever did you do to taunt him so?" Laingalad questioned smothering a smile.
"Nothing, they are just immature brats with nothing better to do," she replied matter-of-factly.
"It is not exactly a wise chouse to call your brothers brats; they might just be immature enough to be vengeful!" Laingalad smiled, winking at Elrohir.
"I thought you had grown out of that childish nonsense." Golwen groused.
"Children will always be children, no matter how old they get, for they shall always be younger and less wise comparatively." Elrond winked at his daughter, who smiled back.
"Ada, worry not I have done nothing but suppress my childish nature of late," I tried to stop myself rolling my eyes , if this was her suppressing her nature, Valar knows how her parents coped with her in Imladris. "Ask Haldir if you believe otherwise." She smiled to all. Under the table her foot brushed against mine as if in warning.
"She has been nothing but a lady," I deadpanned.
Elrohir started to cough.
"Have you something in your throat Elrohir? Maybe Arwen would like to pat your back to stop it?" Laingalad quirked a brow, her hand clasped around a wine glass, finger idly tracing the rim.
Elrohir stopped coughing, "No, I merely had some food lodged in my throat."
"And I trust you have dislodged it now" I asked grinning.
"Of course," Elrohir glanced at Laingalad briefly.
"You seem fast to answer Elrohir," Laingalad continued, sipping some wine.
Elladan laughed, "You are between a rock and a hard place my brother."
Rumil and Orophin had come to me after the meal had ended, wanting to know all that had happened. They would have known if they had accepted their invitations to sit at the head table.
"How was your meal?"
"Entertaining, a lot of sibling rivalry," I replied as we followed the Lord and Lady out onto the forest floor to continue the festivities. Laingalad and the Peredhil twins were behind us.
"We wouldn't know anything about that, of course," Orophin grinned, making both myself and Rumil laugh. "Though we all know that I am the best with the sword!" Orophin proclaimed.
"Nay, we kn-" Whatever Rumil was about to say was cut short as I found myself flying through the air. I closed my eyes anticipating the hard jolt, only to have a surprisingly soft landing.
I heard the music stop, and padded feet coming rushing towards me, "Ai Elbereth!" I opened my eyes to see a lot of white fabric. "Haldir are you alright?" I could feel Laingalad tugging at my arm.
"Lady Galadriel! Are you alright?" I heard Thinfileg ask, concerned.
I mentally groaned; I had taken the Lady Galadriel down with me!
"What happened?" Elladan questioned urgently.
"He just...tripped!" Laingalad replied. How did she know this? And just what did I trip on?
"Onto my Daernaneth?" Elrohir asked dubiously.
Realising that I was still lying atop the Lady of the wood I got up hurriedly, my face burning.
"I am so sorry my lady, I do not know how it happened," my gaze flickered towards Laingalad who seemed to be smothering a grin.
Galadriel got up gracefully, her hair still immaculate, "Worry not, I am not harmed." She rearranged her skirts.
"Are you sure my lady?" Laingalad probed, "the scorn he would get, should you be harmed by your own March warden." It was as if she wanted me to be reprimanded!
"No, I am fine. Everyone can be clumsy at times."
"Honestly Haldir, you should choose these clumsy moments better!" Elladan mock scolded.
"Though better here than at the borders, "his brother noted.
"By Eru Haldir, you can be more embarrassing than me at times!" Laingalad clung to my arm her cheeks tinged pink, but I still didn't believe that I could have just tripped.
I glanced at her, wanting to get to the bottom of the matter, "Maybe we should retire for the night."
"Nay! You have not given us enough time to make fun of you!" Orophin exclaimed.
"Imagine falling on the Lady like that," Rumil pondered aloud.
"Haldir doesn't need to imagine it though." Orophin replied grinning from ear to ear.
"What ever got into you Haldir, you are never this clumsy..." indeed I am not, maybe someone helped me trip? I cask an inauspicious look towards her, "Well the Haldir I have seen anyway." She turned to my brothers, "Is there a side of him I have yet to see?"
"Oh I am sure there is," Rumil smirked.
"But you shall have to wait for the wedding night for that," Orophin continued.
"I'm surprised he allows you to speak so openly of him." She was uncomfortable with this line of conversation.
"He doesn't, and nor does he allow them to be so presumptuous," I replied.
"Why is he talking in third person?" Orophin questioned.
"You tell me, you've known him longer then me," said Laingalad.
"No one knows Haldir, he is a riddle," Rumil explained.
"Wrapped in an enigma?" I questioned dryly. I shook my head; they were distracting me from my aim of getting to my talan and having a discussion, which would quickly escalate into an argument, with Laingalad. "Anyway, I feel that Laingalad and I should leave now."
"But the night is still young," said Orophin smirking, "or are you planning to have a run through of the wedding night?"
I hit him on the arm, "we are not at the border, show a bit of decorum. Come Laingalad."
We walked to the talan in silence, her arm still linked with mine, my mind buzzing.
"What was the rush for? I was having fun." She sank into her chair, turning to look at me.
"On my account! What were you playing at? Tripping me up in front of all those people. I thought you had decided to act maturely after the hair dye incident."
"I can only tolerate so many insults," she replied levelly, not looking me in the eye.
"Insults?" I questioned incredulously, "I have not insulted you."
"Oh is that what you think? Are you so unaware of your actions?" Obviously, "first you tell me I am temperamental, then you say I am volatile, then you continue your insults by saying I am childish and immature. I may be all those things, but I do not need to be told so. The amount of times those words have been drummed into me, I don't need to hear them day in, day out, especially not from you!"
She did look genuinely upset, arms wrapped tightly around her; I came and crouched next to her seat. "I was not aware that you took what I said to heart," I said softly.
"Half of the time you are hardly aware of anything I do or think. The other half you are at the borders. If not, you are worrying about what I am going to attempt next, rather than thinking I am not up to anything at all." She got up and went to the kitchen to pour herself some wine.
I frowned, why was this just coming out now? "Why have you not spoken to me of this before?"
She took a gulp of wine before replying, "Why do you think?"
Why does she always answer my questions with a question? "I don't know...you are not scared of me." I hope.
"No, I have no reason to fear you. I know you have the decency to respect my wishes: when you deem them appropriate. I guess I didn't say anything because it is not in my nature...being an only child and that. I've learnt to keep things to myself and deal with it in my own way."
"We should be sharing things. As you have said I have no trouble telling you when I think you are not acting as you should. Rather than playing pranks on me, we should discuss it. I am sure I would be more likely to see from your point of view as well."
"Or be extremely argumentative." She poured the rest of her wine down the sink.
"Is that what you think? That if you ask anything of me it would end up in an argument?" I asked softly, "I am not that set in my ways."
"You should try to listen to yourself sometimes." She murmured softly.
I tugged at a braid in frustration, "I will listen to you more then, and you shall not play any more pranks?" I asked hopefully.
"What opportunity do I have for pranks? Do you realise how rushed we shall be? But, alright, no more pranks...I suppose I have to grow up some tome soon," she sighed.
I smiled softly, enfolding her in a hug, dropping a kiss on her brow, "we make a pair you know, set in our ways as we are." I could feel her laugh against my chest, "I suppose it is time for bed."
"Aye, it is. Separately mind you." She added pulling herself from my arms and walking into the bedroom.
A/n Well I have basically written, typed and edited this chapter in 2 days, which is very bad as I am a month late, exactly, for posting...I don't think I should set myself deadlines...I can never stick to them! Next chapter is the wedding (and wedding night!) the three of us our meeting up this weekend to write this chapter, but I don't know when the actual chapter shall be posted, though I do know that we aim to have finished by the new year (she says this now...)
On to reviews!
Lady Glory: Not dead, though I suppose you already know that. I think it's unheard of for a dead person to email, but you never know!
Chibi06: And the wedding is ominous, ::pulls face:: it's an unbelievably complicated chapter, I am not looking forward to it at all.
Odile Von Rothbart: Laingalad seemed to be slightly tepid towards him at the end of the chapter.
SunShine: Thanx
Poolbum: If I met Haldir I wouldn't get on with him, at all. Which is funny as I write his POV...
Anna: ::pulls face:: I don't suppose you'd believe that I broke my arm and couldn't write and that is why I didn't update? ::looks downcast:: I didn't think so.
Leggylover2004: lol, it took me ages to remember how to spell Laingalad's name, and her proper name Aglarebwen. I still have to use a name list to remember everyone! I am absolutely hopeless! Mo and I spent 5 minutes re reading chapters to find Laingalad's dads name.
Katie: Thank you very much, as you only read this 7 days ago it mustn't feel like such as long wait compared to everyone else...
Thankies to all those who review, and don't for that matter.
Much love,
PiXiE