Aren't you lot lucky - two chapters this time! I'm going away so two chapters in one go finishing this part of the tale will have to do for a while. Please please please review the hit counter tells me people are at least looking so I know you're there... heh
ps. i updated my profile! I only just realised how old and 'eww' it was.
Chapter ten
The chill breeze on Celeglin's face was refreshing after the harsh and brief fight he had just won. Wandering the wastes and wilds offered plenty of opportunities for Celeglin to wreak his revenge on the foul creatures of the dark Lord. Using water from the leather carrying pouch to clean his blade, Celeglin went through the fight in his mind.
He had come upon the small band of orcs, hearing their harsh and foul voices first, he had tethered his horse not far away and crept upon them. Seeing there were only five, he had ran swiftly back to his horse and charged upon the group, they were killed before their simple minds could think of a defence. To be fully bent on killing any creature of the dark lord was madness, Celeglin vowed he would never take his revenge to that extreme; it would be putting his life on the line and degrading himself to the reckless level of an orc. Only kill when the safest opportunity arose.
As he went to gently stoke his horse's neck, Celeglin felt a twinge of pain in his lower arm. Looking down he saw the torn fabric of his tunic and the bloodstains around the area, sighing in annoyance he began to dress the wound. Deciding the sleeve of his tunic was beyond repair, he cut if off at the elbow and bound his wound with the otherwise useless material.
Being thankful that he had taken his thick cloak upon his travels, Celeglin drew it around him; the colder weather was coming in fast and with his injury that needed proper care, Celeglin decided it was time to return to Imladris. It was a dishonour to be wounded and Celeglin scowled as he looked down at the makeshift bandage again. Hopefully the wound would not require too much attention when he reached Imladris.
After a late night stroll in the gardens, Elemiriel returned quietly to her rooms. Through the dark, she picked out the shape of another figure ahead of her, curious she quickened her pace. Upon hearing her, the other elf turned and his face revealed: "So you are still wandering around at the strangest of hours…" Celeglin muttered dryly, still in a foul mood from being injured. He had hoped that returning at a late hour would mean avoiding others and being able to clean the wound himself…
"That is a fine greeting to one you have not seen for a time!" Elemiriel berated him but then saw the makeshift bandage upon his lower arm. "You are injured! Come – the wound will need cleaning properly-"
"No thank you" Celeglin almost snapped the words
"You cannot go wake the healers now when there is someone perfectly capable of tending your wounds!" Elemiriel retorted, feeling hurt
"I shall manage by myself" was Celeglin's sharp reply. Elemiriel breathed in deeply, trying to control the rise of emotions she felt.
"I thought you were past this kind of behaviour!" she snapped back at him, before she hastily brushed past him and hurried to the privacy of her room.
"If you only knew half of what I feel…" Celeglin whispered after she had moved off. Why could people never understand? To tell them only brought endless and annoying sympathy…it showed his weaknesses and he despised it. "If only I knew half of what I am…" he whispered again to himself, how he wished to know more of his parents, to discover his past and true family.
Entering the main hall, after avoiding Celeglin for a few days, Elemiriel received a great shock when she saw Tinwë and Celeglin deep in conversation. A multitude of thoughts ran through her mind and instantly she prepared to turn around and flee from the hall. Could Tinwë have told Celeglin what they had talked of? How did she know him? Would Celeglin be even harsher towards her?
Tinwë looked up and saw Elemiriel about to leave and realised what she must be thinking. Rushing over to her she took her new friends arm, "I know what you must be thinking; trust me when I say I have said naught of our conversation!" Elemiriel looked at her a little uncertainly
"You could have informed me that you knew him closely," she muttered feeling slightly betrayed.
"I apologise, I am his cousin."
"Oh!" Elemiriel said softly, feeling less hostile to Tinwë "I did not realise Celeglin had family here?"
"He wishes to speak with you…" Tinwë said, for some reason avoiding Elemiriel's question. Elemiriel glanced over to Celeglin where he was standing with his friends and tried to make up her mind.
