Disclaimer: It's still fanfic, I still don't own Tolkien's world, though I like playing in his sandbox.
Chapter Twelve: Blind
Yet often in lies truth is hidden
-Glorfindel, The Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring, Book Two.
King Thranduil had accepted the invitation for a season long visit to the realm. The purpose for the visit was threefold: to strengthen diplomatic ties, to show goodwill between the two realms, and to ensure the crown prince could rule for an extended period of time. Thranduil, his wife, his two youngest and a small entourage were scheduled to arrive within the month, permitted the weather was still fair and there were no unfortunate surprises along the way. Winter was not yet upon them, but its frost was coming quickly.
The impending arrival had set Erestor's patience at the edge, never one to suffer fools lightly under normal circumstances, many did not attempt to darken Erestor's door. Morwen's choice, sadly, had been made for her and she now tentatively knocked on her mentor's door, opening it upon the "That better be you, Morwen, Valar Help Me."
"You wished to see me, Chief Councilor?"
The sharp eyes of her longtime teacher and friend mocked her, "Drop the titles, Morwen, we are all equals here. The day I let you pander to me is the day I let Crabanon transport a message of top secrecy. Come in, shut the door, and sit down. We have much to discuss and little time to do so."
Obeying her instructions, Morwen hurried to her seat.
Erestor continued, "As you know there are whispers of darkness come out of the north and the east, many are worried about a possible force being raised with an express purpose of mayhem and destruction. Their closest elven target would be the Green Wood, anyone with half a mind knows that. I fear certain…..members of King Thranduil's party are not delighted with such a visit to a foreign realm and could care little in the way of showing friendship. You know of the two I speak. They will either attempt to spread strife, spread rumors or do their best to destroy all sense of cooperation between us and them. I fear they will use Rian as a pawn in their twisted game, since she is most known to them. These…members have the ear of the King and while I do not fathom Thranduil has lost enough of his senses to be blind to their intrigues, I still would not give them any opportunities to aid in their prejudices. Please, speak with Rian, convince her that these members are not her trusted confidants. As confrontational as she is, she is far too trusting of those two….elves. I admire Rian's skills, but she has not had as much exposure to the different courts as you, nor, I fear, has she ever taken heed of mine, or Elrond, or Glorfindel's tales of political intrigue. After you are done with Rian, find something with which to bribe Elladan into proper behavior. We can not have a fiasco like last time, and no, I do not care to know who threw that snowball. I do not think Legolas will find it so amusing this time, he is at that age, you know. And please, make sure Elrohir does not have another jealousy fit when Legolas meets his current lady of the century. Finally, please find a way to remove that illustration of Galion Glorfindel uses for his knife throwing practice. Honestly, it is not as if the butler meant to drop the wine on Glorfindel's head, I swear, that elf has no sense of humor sometimes, the nerve…."
Morwen nodded at Erestor, noticing he was lost in his rambling as she quickly made her way out of Erestor's office to perform her tasks. Elladan and Elrohir would be easy, Rian, sadly not so, and she could always ask Balanauth to remove the illustration from Glorfindel's office.
As she had expected, Elladan was easy to bribe into respectable behavior, but that could have simply been his wish to wash off the mud he was completely covered in and in the wanting of the bathing products that few of the staff trusted Elladan with. With a promise of securing said products, Morwen had Elladan's sworn promise of good behavior. Elrohir, incidentally not covered in the mud his twin appeared to have bathed in, also promised he would be on top of his manners, stating he had no wish to be chastised by all of the realm. Now, now it was time to find Rian.
As Morwen made the long trek from the resident apothecary to Elladan's chamber, she spied Rian outside of the Memorial Gallery. The sacred spot would have nothing but silence and reverence, its walls covered with prayers for those who had passed. A list was kept under glass inside the room, containing all the known names of the elves who had died in Arda.
Morwen has always found it odd, how detailed and sacred the mourning rituals were for a supposed immortal race. She waited outside the Gallery, giving Rian her privacy.
"Are you in need of something, Morwen?" Rian softly inquired.
"Only a moment of your time. I can wait."
"No, no, I am done. For this year at least. What is it?"
"The delegation from the Green Wood, many councilors will be among them."
"Yes, I know them well. They are trustworthy."
Morwen sighed, silently cursing both her time and Erestor's decree, "Rian, do you know much of courtly intrigue?"
"I live in a court, Morwen, I know it well enough."
"Rian, we….do not live in a typical court. Lord Elrond has set up a more egalitarian court than any I have read about, I mean a court like the one in the Green Wood."
Rian started to walk past her, heading towards the corridor that went off to the bed chambers of the family, "Morwen, is there a point to your rambling?"
Morwen followed her swiftly, "Power, Rian. The power and the sway the councilors hold over their leaders. The power they can use to make their own prejudices the prejudices of their realms."
"You have been spending far too much time with Erestor. Such intrigues no longer exist, at least not to the degree you are implying." Rian said.
"Rian, we know they have never died. That is not the point, I just wish for you to consider how important it is to not give these councilors anymore than what they need to know."
"Morwen, you are being ridiculous!"
"No, Rian, please listen to me. Those who share a ruler's confidence, or their bedchambers, are the ones who hold the most power."
"Morwen."
"No, Rian. Those closest to a ruler are able to use their cunning, their knowledge, and their gilded tongues in order to sway a ruler into deciding on the side of a favored cause. Often lovers and close confidants have been used as pawns in games of the court. Things are no different here even if they are to a lesser degree, please tell me you are not that deaf and blind."
"Sigilion?"
"Yes, he is an example, used by his father who wanted to use me for his own gains. It is why Elrond allows so few very close to his family and his mind. We are different, in that we have been raised among him, but our lord has never been a fool. He swayed us to his side with comfort and kindness, inspiring loyalty to him from a very young age. Elrond knows how to play the game, he has been used as a pawn in the past. They all have. Ask Glorfindel to tell you of the secrets of the court in Gondolin."
"I have spent more time in the Green Wood than you have, Morwen, I would know better the minds of those….."
"Rian, you were an outsider from a rival realm and despite the amount of time you have spent within their presence, they would never trust you in full confidence. They would never trust any of us. All we have to go on is mutual respect for our positions and the hope that we are all willing to put aside our petty differences for the sake of unity and peace, or the semblance thereof. You could marry the crowned prince of the Green Wood and you would still be viewed with suspicion. Never, Rian, never assume what you are told is the complete truth."
"So, am I to just constantly view my colleagues as enemies? How are you so learned, Morwen, you are of the same stock as I…"
"Rian, cease. You and I, while the same age, are not in the same position. I have been learning from Erestor since I was a child, have been prepped for this position almost from birth, and while you travel to the Green Wood once a year, I spend as much time out of Imladris as I do in it. This, however, is not a critique of your performance, for I will be the first to say you are becoming a formidable councilor, this, however, is a critique of the naiveté you bring to your position. I say it, Rian, only because I care about you and I do not want to see you, or your future as a councilor, hurt. Many of the councilors and advisors from the Green Wood and LothLorien, even the senior members here can be cruel. You would do well to remember that. Do not let them destroy you, Rian, do not let them make you a pawn."
Rian studied the sincere countenance of her foster-sister and friend.
"I thank you, Morwen, for your concern."
Morwen nodded, "And I thank you, Rian, for listening. And Rian,….I am sorry about your family, I hope they are doing well, wherever they may be on this day."
She walked off, suddenly stopping and turning around, "Forgive me, Rian, but I've just remembered something I have to get for Erestor. Could you please take this parcel to Elladan? He is in his chambers, as you know they are not far from here."
Rian, if only slightly suspicious took the parcel from Morwen's hands, "Third door on the left, correct?"
Morwen nodded and waited until Rian was further down the corridor before she let her smile show.
"I thought Elladan said he would be taking a bath in his chambers?" Glorfindel inquired from behind.
Morwen turned to face him, "He did, and he asked me to bring that package full of bathing oils and cleansers."
Glorfindel was attempting to hold back his smile, "And to think, I thought you above the frivolity of elvish match-making. Perhaps we should limit your time among Lady Celebrian, this could get dangerous."
"Glorfindel, correct me if I am so very wrong, but was it not you who rigged the door to lock Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian into Lord Celeborn's study so they could finally have a peaceful conversation alone without the whole court of LothLorien staring at them?"
"That, young one, was an act that has never been nor ever will be pinned to me. The door simply stuck."
"And I am certain that the salve you put on the door's hinges had nothing to do with making it stick even more."
"Who exactly have you been talking to?"
"Hador speaks very freely when he has young elves to hear his tales."
"Hmm, he always was a talkative one. Worse than a she-elf."
"You would do well not to assume, Glorfindel, Crabanon is male and the largest gossip in all of Imladris. I really must get back to Erestor, he is more worried than usual."
Both elves started walking back towards the studies.
"With the misgivings Lord Elrond has had and the increased bickering between the woodland realms, Erestor is right to worry. We cannot afford a diplomatic blunder." Glorfindel said.
"I have already said something similar to Rian. This visit is most important, and while I have no concerns in regard to the King and his family, it is certain members of his entourage that cause me worry."
Glorfindel gave Morwen a pointed look, pulling her closer and speaking lowly, "You speak of Saeros."
"Of course I do. First, how could anyone name their child that?" Morwen asked.
"I believe it is a family name." Glorfindel said.
"And secondly, why is he so trusted? He is barely older than I am."
"He is trusted because his grandfather was an advisor to Thranduil's own sire, Oropher. In all honesty, I do not know if Thranduil himself trusts Saeros all that much, but the opinion of the people hold sway, and while you and I and Erestor all know the truth of his actions and his dark character, the people of his realm know little of what he actually does, of the strife his comments often breed. Even Bellion is more tactful and calm than he. In the end, it is all about what Saeros represents, a noble line going back to their first King."
"Let me be the first to say nobility is overrated. If that is the type of…..elf a line produces than…" Morwen drifted off.
"I agree," Glorfindel said, "however, now is not the time to make such sentiments known, not when Rumor is waiting hungrily for her prey. Shall we go calm Erestor down?"
"Yes, but first, I must talk to you about an illustration you have, you see, Erestor feels….." Morwen's voice trailed off as the two elves finished their walk.
Elladan was luxuriating in that sinfully clean feeling of not being covered with mud. He had washed once just to get the dirt off and now planned to wash again to relax. That really was the last time he agreed to help Thandrog rescue some poor forgotten piglet. Elladan sat on the side of the tub, waiting for Morwen to arrive with the promised bath goods. Honestly, when that decree against him came for the improper use of bathing oils in the entrance way fountain came down, he did not think it would be for all time. Finally the much anticipated knock came at the door, and while it was not their normal knock code, Elladan figured Morwen was too distracted to remember such a thing and called for her to enter.
"Elladan, Morwen asked me to.." Rian's voice suddenly stopped, her eyes wide.
"RIAN. Wha…what are you doing in, in here?"
Elladan, why not normally a bashful elf (long patrols tended to force modesty away, unless one wished not to bathe or change their clothing), was still not accustomed to elf maidens who he was not intimate with on normal levels, nor elf maidens whom his parents had not seen fit to communally bathe him with (Erestor claimed to have a pictorial rendering of Elladan, Elrohir, and Morwen in a tub full of dirty water, the end result of a day spent running through puddles), and therefore was most surprise and uncomfortable with Rian seeing him in such a state of undress. As Elladan hurriedly reached for a towel, Rian hurriedly shielded her eyes with the package of bathing products.
"I..I am sorry, Elladan, Morwen she..and there was this speech..and she just walked off…and Erestor…and why are you lounging around in such a natural state when you knew Morwen was to arrive? Do you have no sense of propriety?"
Elladan, trying both to quell his embarrassment and his indignation at Rian's apparent indignation quietly stated, "To answer your inquires, I will simply remind you of the fact Morwen has been here nearly as long as I have and also that we travel together often. I am as comfortable with her as I am my twin or my fellow sentries on a patrol. I would have been more covered if I was expecting any other. Now, if you will just give me that package, I can go off to my bath and you can go off to wherever and we can both just forget this incident ever occurred. After, of course, we both have our discussions with Morwen."
Rian lowered the package from her eyes, quickly handed it to Elladan, gave a nod and hurried towards the doors, Elladan assumed she was in hot pursuit of Morwen.
Silently Elladan watched her go, slamming doors and all. He gave a laugh, a happy smile covering his face, and as he poured the oils into the bath water he reminded himself to find a pretty gift for Morwen later, after all, she had held up her end of the deal, both things promised had been fulfilled.
Glorfindel did not even bother to look up from his work as the doors to his office crashed open,
"She is not here, Rian."
"Then where is she? She is not in the study, or Erestor's office, the library, the stables, her room, the memorial hall, the music hall, and I know she is not in Elladan's room, so where is she?"
Still concerned only with his work he replied, "Now, I know this would be a novel concept to you in your current state, but perhaps she is, oh, what do they call it….working?"
"You are no where's near as humorous as you think, Glorfindel."
"Come now, Rian, I have been told I am quite funny."
"This is not a little game, Glorfindel. She did something deliberately cruel to Elladan, how could she.."
"What makes you think Elladan had no knowledge of it?" Glorfindel asked dryly.
"Because has so sup.."
Giving her a brief but pointed look Glorfindel said, "As if you have never seen Elladan lie through his teeth."
"So, that's it then. They have decided I am a little toy to be trifled with! And Morwen, after that long speech about who can and can't be.."
Glorfindel sighed, dropping his papers and resting his quill down, "RIAN. Please, sit down and listen. They did nothing but speed along which you have been taking ages to accomplish.."
"I do not know what you….."
Glorfindel held up a hand, "Let me finish. They know you, Rian, and they can see. For the past few centuries you have been pining away. Elrohir knows, Morwen knows, and Elladan…well…he has his own reasons for devising this scheme. Not, I assure you, that I am deliberately breaking his confidence."
"But why now? Why after all this time, have they become so proactive in this? Is it not my wish, my choice?"
Glorfindel again sighed and stood up, going towards his window and looking out at the training fields, watching the young elves play in fake battles. Smiling at the irony, pain, and beauty of it all. Fake battles in times of peace for amusement's sake, war a mere child's game.
Glorfindel spoke again, "Elrohir and Morwen specifically have decided to act now because of who is coming with Thranduil. There are those who know of your…weakness…when it comes to Elladan, who would use that care and that jealousy to turn you against those you have known for some time."
"Li..like Morwen." Rian said.
"Yes, like Morwen, one whom I promise you, you have no reason to fear. You have no reason to envy her, Rian. And while it is never possible to be as close to Elladan as she is, or more so as Elrohir is, you will still have the chance to know him in a way they both never will, nor do they want to. Rian, you cannot let your own doubt and fear and jealousy be used against you. You have a very good chance of obtaining that which you desire."
Rian quietly considered Glorfindel's words, after some time she spoke, "Should I consider all the allies and friends I thought I had made in the Green Wood new enemies?
"Of course not, we all have very good friends there. Elrohir himself is quite close to Thranduil's middle son. I will tell you what I told Elladan, Elrohir, and even Morwen, the first time they set out alone from this Valley, 'If you do not trust them with your own life, and even less with the life of the one you hold most dear, than do not share with them anything that could cause an end to said life.' It is a lesson, Rian, I have learned well."
"I suppose I should smack you and thank you for earlier."
Morwen looked up from her book at Rian's words, "I'd most likely welcome the smack now, in order to wake me. As for the thanks, I take it you enjoyed the view."
Rian smirked, "As brief as it was, yes. Glorfindel has told me why, for which I am glad. I was looking to murder you, to be truthful. Why you out of all people would risk such possible retribution for that act…."
"Glorfindel knows well how I feel about him, as I am told does the whole Valley and a good portion of Arda itself. As for a possible act of retribution, if you think in all the times Glorfindel has been my escort I have not take the chance to…"
Rian held up a hand, "I do not want to know. Honestly, he is like a father to me. How do you not feel the same?"
Morwen shrugged, "I have Elrond and Erestor for that. Even as an elfling, I viewed Glorfindel as more of an equal than someone to be admired and awed. I only tend to remember his proper title when I am annoyed with him or when someone reminds me to speak of him properly. And while I am unable to do anything in my situation, what will you do about yours?"
Rian gave a devilishly smile, "I figure, Elladan can come to me. I've been doing the pinning away all these years, he can do the wooing to make up for it."
"I believe, dear Rian, despite the extra work it will be for me on Elladan's side, you have a most excellent plan of action."
"I know." Rian suddenly went over to Morwen and quickly embraced her, "thank you." She whispered. She pulled back slightly than reaching a hand up, quickly slapped Morwen on the back of her head, "but do not do that ever again. I could have dropped that package and ruined my clothes with all those oils."
The two shared a laugh, reveling in the comfort of friendship
The elves of the House of Imladris were gathered on the steps and around the entrance yard waiting for King Thranduil's party. The group was sadly missing the Lady Celebrian and the Lady Arwen, but the rest of the assembled would do their best to fulfill those roles until the ladies were returned.
Elladan in proper regalia leaned over to his brother, "Do you know any funeral dirges?"
Elrohir glanced sideways at him, "Why would you ask that?"
"You might want to start singing them now." Elladan said.
"Statement. Point." Glorfindel said.
Elrond looked over at his friend, "I thought I asked you never to teach them that game."
"It must have slipped my mind." Glorfindel answered.
"Of course it did, " Erestor said, "it is not as if there is anything useful in there."
"Children, be quiet and look nice for the King and his party." Faeleth stated, quite annoyed, from her spot next to Erestor.
Morwen quickly pinched the bridge of her nose and quickly said to Rian, "This is going to be a long, hard visit. I can feel it."
Chapter title sort of, kind of taken from the Placebo song of the same title, but the definition of the world itself also works