Disclaimer: It's Tolkien's and the people who own the rights to his works, I just own the personalities of the original characters.
Game and Set
Chapter Four: A Candle Lit
Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act—act in the glorious Present!
Heart within, and God o'er head!
-Longfellow, A Psalm of Life
Imladris TA 2929
Elladan was walking through the warm gardens of Imladris as he went through his personal correspondence. He absent mindedly chewed on an apple as he walked, even if Erestor's voice was in the back of his head admonishing him for daring to get strains of the apple on the letters. To Erestor correspondence was more sacred than mithril. He had passed that particular obsession onto Morwen and Eluialeth, which was why Elladan was taking his correspondence far away from them and their "it is a source for the archives, you fool!" screams.
He happily opened the letter from Arador, eager to hear about the Rangers and how Arathorn was progressing.
Scanning the first few lines of the letter, Elladan stopped mid-chew and stared at the letter in shock. Coming back to himself he ran inside to get his father, wondering if what he had read was even legal.
Elrond tried not to laugh at his son's bewildered expression, "Yes, Elladan, it is perfectly legal and common for Arathorn to marry at this age. Though, his soon-to-be wife is a bit younger than usual, however if her parent's do not object to such a thing…"
"But, father, they are so young! And Gilraen, she is only twenty-two!" Elladan interrupted.
"Elladan, if they have sent notice of this to you already, then they must have a reason for marrying so soon. We can not all wait for the better half of an age to even ask our intended to marry us."
Elladan's jaw dropped as he stared at his father, "We are not speaking about me." Elladan squeaked out. "Furthermore, how long, exactly did you make mother wait?"
"Less time than you are making Rian wait for a simple admission of a renewed relationship." Elrond said as he watched his eldest open and close his mouth in indignation. Elrond stood up, patting Elladan's shoulder. "Ask her before it is too late, Elladan. If you will excuse me, I wish to spend some time with your sister before she leaves for the Golden Wood."
"Again?" Elladan asked.
Elrond nodded ,"Yes, she does adore being there, under the golden leaves." Elrond turned at the threshold, "Will you and Elrohir be riding out to attend the wedding?"
Elladan nodded in the affirmative.
"Good, take Morwen with you before she ends up doing irreparable harm to Glorfindel. You may also want to take Rian." Elrond told him.
"Into the Wild?" Elladan asked.
Elrond nodded, "They will not hold such a ceremony there, but yes."
Elladan looked torn, "Glorfindel is not likely…"
"I will handle him." Elrond told his eldest. He gestured to the letter, "You should send a reply to them now."
Elrond opened the door, "Oh, and Elladan?"
"Yes?"
"Try not to get apple bits on your correspondence again. We like to save things such as this for the archives."
Glorfindel walked into the library, stopping as he watched Morwen write in the book to Celebrian. Her movements were just as quick and efficient as usual, none being able to tell that less than twenty years ago she had sustained a poisoned wound to her shoulder. There had been an underlying hint of anger between them since that day. Glorfindel had not taken the news well, seeing as how he was informed four months after the fact and seeing as how Morwen had somehow been successful in getting Glorfindel's allies to also withhold such information from him. As much as he did not wish it to, that, more than anything, has caused some suspicion to arise.
Glorfindel cleared his throat, "Are you writing to Celebrian?"
Morwen looked up, giving him a quick smile, "Yes, I am telling her of the twins latest expedition with the Rangers."
Glorfindel came to stand beside her, "Are you telling her the whole account or are you waiting to see her before you tell her the twins are now healed?"
Morwen clenched her jaw, biting back words she did not wish to say. She turned stormy eyes to his face, "As I have told you a countless number of times since then, I did not tell you I was harmed because there was nothing you could do. You were needed here, we were all in the Havens healing and you knew all the pertinent information. We were targeted…"
"You were targeted."
"So was Thandrog. I did tell you what happened, I only waited until I was healed to let you know I was attacked to spare you from any less worry." Morwen stood up gathering her books. "I am sorry I cared so much for your nerves. The next time I suffer a simple bruise you will be the first I inform." Morwen gave him one last loathing look before she stormed out of the room.
"Well, that was lovely." Erestor said from his place in the book stacks.
Glorfindel turned, loose golden hair flying, as he faced his friend. "Have you been there the whole time?" Glorfindel asked.
Erestor nodded, "And you wondered how your not so secret relationship became public knowledge." Erestor walked over to stand next to Glorfindel, "Enough people know now that it is too difficult to discern who may have provided the information to the orcs. For all we know a flying spy saw you."
"Oh, Erestor, do not blame the birds for they often carry your messages." Glorfindel said.
Erestor gave him a bored look, "I am simply stating a fact. As the years have gone by you and Morwen have not been the shining example of discretion. Even Arador as a young child was able to puzzle out your relationship."
Glorfindel sighed knowing Erestor was, as always, correct, "I have been an…"
"Ass? Quite. Luckily, Morwen loves you and for some unfathomable reason finds you worthy enough to tolerate. Give her some time to let her frustration out. You have been more intolerable than usual."
"It is soon…"
Erestor shook his head, sighing, "I know, the festival and the anniversary of the Fall. Even all these years past, it is not something easily forgot. Be that as it may, Glorfindel, just because Morwen may put up with you does not mean you should let your frustrations out on her."
Glorfindel's shoulders slumped, "I know. I should go…"
"No, let her have this time to herself." Erestor cautioned. "She has not had much of her own time since she has returned."
Glorfindel nodded, "The twins have been staying awfully close to her since then, Eluialeth as well."
"And Thandrog. They all have their own memories of sad times to motivate them. Even in the Havens Morwen did not get a moment to herself. If it wasn't Eluialeth, Melui, or Eregeth camped out in her room, it was Galdor, Thandrog, or Thalion at her side. We all know she was targeted, Glorfindel, and we all know why." Erestor spoke softly.
"To get to me." Glorfindel muttered.
"Yes, but Morwen is still here, despite the fear and the pain." Erestor clasped a hand to Glorfindel's shoulder, "Do not try to drive her away due to your own fear. She is here, she is healed and I dare say, she will not leave you."
Glorfindel nodded, as his tried to pull his mind away from the visions of his own fear and the every encroaching worry of the future.
"Will you got to a wedding with me?" Elladan asked Morwen as he leaned over her shoulder, doing his best to distract her from her work.
Morwen looked up from her desk, "As long as we are not the ones getting wed, I would love too."
"The day I marry you is the day I…" Elladan stopped at Morwen's look, "….the day I rejoice in my good luck to be able to wed such a close friend of mine."
"Smart elf." Morwen said, the smile on her face welcome to the anger that had been there earlier.
"He can be taught." Rian murmured. "Who is getting married?"
"And why did you not ask Rian to go?" Morwen asked.
Rian smirked, "Elrohir got to me first. Though he still did not tell me who is getting married."
Morwen turned to Elladan, "I am your reserve plan?"
"As I am yours." Elladan said.
"No, you are not. Elrohir is." Morwen protested.
Elladan shook his head, "I am insulted."
"That makes two of us." Morwen muttered.
Elladan and Morwen smiled at each other both laughing.
"Arathorn is getting married." Elladan said as he answered Rian's question.
Morwen blinked in surprise, "He is a bit young, is he not?"
Elladan nodded, "His wife is even younger. She is only twenty-two."
Rian put her papers down, "Is that even legal?"
Elladan shrugged, "Father says it is. And Arador has always had this fear Arathorn will not be long –lived."
"Did he have a vision?" Rian asked.
Elladan shrugged as he played with Morwen's quills, "I know not. He has never said such, but it has always been a worry. Though, from what I can remember, Arador also married very young."
"Family tradition." Morwen said.
"Like yours is making she-elves wait." Rian muttered.
"What?" Elladan asked as Morwen chuckled.
"You heard me." Rian said as she went to sit at her desk.
Elladan bowed his head, a slight blush staining his cheeks and the tips of his ears.
The door to the office opened and the young elves turned their attention to the intruder.
Glorfindel stood back as three sets of elven eyes stared at him with accusation. Glorfindel swallowed, trying to remember when he had become wary of his former pupils.
"I was simply wondering if it would be possible to speak with you." Glorfindel said.
"All of us?" Rian asked.
Glorfindel looked up, "No, just Morwen."
Elladan and Morwen looked at each other, silently communicating. Morwen sighed and stood up walking towards Glorfindel, "Let us go." she said.
Glorfindel followed Morwen, feeling the eyes of Rian and Elladan burn into his back.
"I apologize for my behavior recently." Glorfindel said as the door to the office closed.
"Recently?" Morwen asked as she walked to Glorfindel's in-house office.
"Since you have returned from the Havens. There has been a slight undercurrent of resentment in my actions and words." Glorfindel said as he followed her.
"Slight?" Morwen asked as she opened the door.
Glorfindel reached out an arm to stop her, "Morwen, I am trying. But when you lie to me.."
"I did not lie." Morwen stated as she guided them into the office, closing the door.
"Morwen, when you do things like this, withhold such pertinent information from me it makes me wonder if you truly trust me and my judgment."
Morwen glanced down saying nothing.
"There are things our duties cause us to withhold from each other, I know that. But when it comes to your safety and the safety of this realm, I have to know. Not just as your lover and your betrothed, but as the seneschal of this realm. You may think an attack targeted on us as a whole is all I need to know but when it is you, Morwen, specifically targeted, that changes many things and impacts the safety of all."
"It was just once." Morwen protested.
"As far as we know." Glorfindel pressed a hand to Morwen's cheek, letting out a relived breath as she leaned into the touch, "I know you think me overprotective and I am. But this Morwen, it is not something to jest about. We cannot simply ignore it all these years later because it was a supposed one time occurrence. Do you understand?"
Morwen nodded as her hands encircled Glorfindel's wrist, holding his hand in place. "I do." she whispered.
Glorfindel smiled, "I do apologize though. My recent behavior has been so clearly shown to me, it is…"
"This time of year, I know. I just had hoped maybe I would somehow help you cope with the pain a little more each year." Morwen whispered.
Glorfindel pulled her close, "You do. You do." Glorfindel murmured as he breathed in the scent of Morwen's hair. "For centuries I could not even say their names. Now, I am able to share my memories of them." Glorfindel breathed out slowly, "I never thought I would be able to do such a thing." He laughed at an old memory, "Ecthelion once told me I was doomed to meet my match in someone like you. He had a dream, you see of finding his own heart."
"Did he…"
"No, it never happened." Glorfindel sad, a note of sadness in his voice.
"Maybe not in that lifetime." Morwen smiled, "He may be like you, he needs a second lifetime to find it."
"Mithrandir did say he has been reborn. I hope you are right, few deserve happiness more than him."
Glorfindel held Morwen close for a moment longer, needing to feel her alive in this present do banish dark thoughts of that past and even darker thoughts of the future.
TA 2929, A Settlement of the Dunedain.
"Gilraen looks so nervous." Rian said.
Morwen looked toward the young bride, preparing to be led out, "She is marrying the future chieftain of the Dunedain and she will be responsible for carrying the next heir of Isildur. I believe she is allowed to be slightly nervous. "Morwen observed the twins, both standing with their chests puffed out in pride. Morwen smiled, "You think their own child was getting married as proud as they are."
"They have had a hand in raising him." Rian said.
"True." Morwen agreed.
"We may want to warn Gilraen." Rian said.
"Indeed." Morwen agreed again.
Rian looked around all that were gathered, "We are being stared at."
Morwen heard the slight whispers as she scanned the crowd, "I do not think they are used to seeing elf maidens. Well, with the exception of those who run in the patrols. We must seem quite foreign to them. The twins are like family, but we are not the kind of elves they are used to meeting."
"I do not wish to scare them off." Rian said.
Morwen smiled, "Rian, you've been known to scare off formidable elves."
"I only made the councilor cry once, once. How was I to know…"
"Everyone knew, it was the biggest talk of Mirkwood." Morwen said.
"Well, I had not heard….." Rian grew quiet as Gilraen was led out.
She looked so beautiful flowers encircling her head and entwining within her braids. There was an obvious nervousness in the girl, as there was in Arathorn, but underneath that there was such happiness.
"He truly loves her." Rian whispered to Morwen.
Morwen nodded, "Gilraen's father did not wish to consent to the marriage, but her mother somehow convinced her father."
Morwen and Rian silently watched the vows, both amused and touched by the mistiness that appeared in Elladan and Elrohir's eyes as Arathorn was married.
It was a joyous celebration, certainly as joyous as any elven wedding. There was signing and dancing and while Rian and Morwen were not ones to sing, they joined with the twins in an elvish song for future happiness. Both Arathorn and Gilraen were bombarded with advice on how to handle the new marriage. For one night, at least, the Dunedain were again allowed to rejoice in happiness as opposed to fearing the darkness.
TA 2930.
The letter tumbled from Elladan's hand, blowing away as the wind stole it from the ground, as if doing its best to spread the news. Elrohir caught the letter, recognizing it as one similar to what he had just read.
Elrohir walked to his twin, giving him a tight hug.
"All of Arathorn's life, Arador feared he would die young. And yet, not a year after Arathorn marries, Arador dies at one hundred and ten." Elladan muttered.
"I know, killed by trolls of all things and not so far from Imladris." Elrohir said.
Elladan clutched to his twin's side, "Arathorn will have to become chieftain now."
Elrohir nodded, "Let us ride out. We should attend this ceremony and help Arathorn with his grief."
"Will he even have time to grieve?" Elladan asked.
"And Gilraen is with child." Elrohir said.
"I think we should stay with them until the child is born at the least. Arador was a brave and formidable warrior, they will need help…." Elladan struggled over the words, "..replacing his loss."
Elrohir nodded, "I agree. We should tell father and then prepare to leave."
Elladan nodded, pulling from his twin's embrace, "You go tell father, I have something I must do."
"Elladan?"
"Do not worry, I will be fine. I will meet you at the stables at dusk."
Elrohir nodded as he watched his brother run off, a determined air in his stride. Elrohir pulled himself up and made his way to his father's study, preparing to tell him yet another Dunedain had died long before his time.
Elladan found Rian in the Remembrance Halls. He watched as she lit a candle and said a small prayer, reaching for a slip of parchment and burning it in the flame.
Elladan walked in, pressing close to Rian's side.
"You have heard?" he asked.
Rian nodded, "Elrohir told Morwen, she told me. I know Arador was dear to you."
Elladan pulled her close, "Thank you." he whispered into her ear.
Rian tenderly ran a hand through Elladan's hair, "You are most welcome."
Elladan pulled away from Rian, turning her to face him. He stroked her face and started to speak softly, "I once stood in this room and made many vows to you that I have now broken and even more than the words I once uttered, I do not think a broken vow can be forgiven."
"Elladan.." Rian started but was stopped by Elladan pressing his fingertips to her mouth.
"And while I would make new vows about the future, I have learned that such is a foolish thing, for with each breath the future is changing and it is doing so at a rapid pace." Elladan dropped his eyes to the ground for a moment and took a deep breath, "There are only two things I can promise you now, Rian. One, that if I survive it, I will be on the ship bound for Aman, by your side, whenever that may be."
Rian inhaled sharply, knowing the lore, knowing of the twin's choice and knowing Elladan had just made his.
"The second thing," Elladan continued, "though I cannot change the past, and I will not attempt to again predict the future, I will strive as best as I am able to give you as wondrous a present as I can." Elladan nervously smiled, "That is, if you will have me of course."
Rian stared at him, her eyes wide in shock. Soon her demeanor changed and she reached up to lightly smack Elladan on the head, "I have only been waiting for how many years?" she asked as she joyfully smiled at Elladan. "Of course I will have you."
Elladan embraced Rian, "Well, that is good, since I doubt anyone else would take me."
Rian smiled as she leaned up to kiss Elladan, "Yes, well, someone has to be merciful."
Morwen and Elrohir watched them from outside the room, both wearing large grins.
"And now, all is right in the world." Morwen murmured.
Elrohir nodded, "Even if it is joy in sadness."
"Does it matter what brings about joy as long as joy is there?" Morwen asked.
Elrohir smiled, "That is a question for my father." He reached out and grabbed Morwen's hand, tugging her along, "Let us go, we need to prepare Elladan's pack for departure."
From a balcony above, the elder triumvirate of Imladris watched Morwen and Elrohir walk off.
Elrond smiled, "As old as they are and they still act like children."
Glorfindel looked up from where he was measuring out the drinks, "Is Elladan still tugging Morwen along as he walks off?"
"Elrohir actually. I do not see Elladan, but something has made both Morwen and Elrohir quite happy."
"One can hope," Erestor said, "Elladan has finally gone to Rian and asked…"
"Shh, do not say it for we do not wish to curse them." Elrond said.
Glorfindel came to stand by Elrond, offering him a glass. "To our precious elflings." he said.
"Should you be saying that?" Erestor asked. "You who is currently betrothed to one of those precious elflings?"
Glorfindel shrugged, "If the Valar have little problem with it, I certainly will not protest."
Elrond smiled, "Of course you will not. Even with all the problems we are currently facing, you are happy."
Glorfindel smiled, "Yes, even with her glares, her anger, and our duties. We are happy." Glorfindel's eyes followed Morwen into the house, "and for that I am grateful."
Elrond and Erestor shared a glance as they watched their friend, both happy for him but both also concerned. For that was the way of things these days.
At least there was still hope. Hope in the present, hope in the friendships, hope in the new life and yes, despite the foreboding clouds of darkness, hope was indeed in the future.
The End.
A/N 1: Again, end of story not series. The next in line will be "Loss and Hope" which concerns the coming of Estel to Imladris. It won't be written/posted until after Nov. 12th, unless I find some free time within the next week.
A/N 2: Renna, even though it was in a library, it's good to know it made you laugh. I plan to write out the whole account of that tale and put it in the "Once I Was" story group on the lj. You are indeed correct about the attacks but really, it is not Morwen so much being targeted as any elf in her position as relation to Glorfindel would be targeted. Always good to know you enjoyed the chapter and I, as always, thank you….even if I forget to say that from time to time.
Mya, thank you for the review and the compliment! It is good to know you like the characters, it's always tricky with all the original elves wandering about. After a week of me enjoying time with a friend, the new story will be up under the title "Loss and Hope."
Nima, the attack does, indeed, have to do with the relationship. One easy way to cause conflict to a realm and to test whether the head of the forces will either do his duty or follow personal motivations. As for the ice, well, even elves can have off days as far as I'm concerned, and that was Elrond's. I'm sorry you're having sudden cold weather, alas, it is starting to get into the winter months…okay, not for a month or so, but it's going to get there soon. Thank you, again, for the review.