Celeborn let his head drop in some strange mixture of relief and exasperation at his brother's reply. He snorted and gave the younger elf a hard squeeze on the shoulders. There wasn't much more he could do besides grin and shake his head. "You bastard. You'll get breakfast sooner or later, but not until I have recovered from the heart attack you just gave me," Celeborn said. His voice was all mirth. Thranduil just laughed at the sight.
Galathil grinned back at Celeborn. It was good to have the elf, indeed, both the elves, looking so high in spirits. He took a painful breath and was reminded of his condition. He thought he should be dead, but then he should be grateful. Galathil spoke quietly, hating to be the one to bring seriousness back to the conversation… he didn't often have to do that… He could do it with style at least. "You think you feel bad. Vala, I haven't hurt this bad since…" Galathil honestly couldn't remember a story good enough to mention at this time. "Never mind, I hurt." He struggled to sit up, but Celeborn stayed him.
"I don't think you should be moving around too much right now, Gal. Let's sit quietly for a bit."
Galathil wouldn't have listened to his brother if he hadn't been in so bad a spot, but alas, he was. He decided to relent just for the sake of Celeborn's peace of mind. "Alright, but you have to tell me the story of how that thing was… slain?"
Celeborn smiled, nodding as he settled down upon the ground, crossing his legs beside Galathil. He motioned Thranduil to sit beside him. The young noble's hand looked quite nasty, being burned and looking very painful.
Celeborn opened his mouth, directing his next words to Thranduil. "You should tell the tale, Thranduil. It is mostly your tale after all. And while you tell it, we can see to your hand. I have a bit of healing materials in my pack." He stood up. Celeborn found his pack among the ruined landscape while Galathil hounded the ellon with questions. The sturdy, leather satchel had been launched far into the boughs of a tree nearby. He nimbly leapt up, snatching it from the needled fingers. As he made his way back to the place where Galathil lay, Celeborn glanced at the dead serpent. He wondered what exactly the creature was. It was certainly ancient… It reminded him of Ungoliant that legendary spider his wife had told him about. The one that had destroyed the Two Trees.
Celeborn turned his attention to his brother and Thranduil. He sat down beside the Son of Oropher and offered the elf the supplies he had brought. Thranduil took it but continued with his story. "I really had no idea what it was and when it grabbed me… I must say I was more than terrified."
Celeborn chuckled lightly, meeting the prince's azure eyes. "I was terrified as well. I don't think I have ever faced something so vile and large. You challenged it quite nicely though, Thranduil."
Thranduil felt his face redden slightly when Celeborn praised that. He had honestly not thought anything of it at the time. He hadn't been looking for heroics, as he assumed Galathil often did. He had merely been trying to do his best. The ellon felt a surge of pride. He was glad that Celeborn apparently thought it had been enough. He supposed it was more than enough because he had killed the beast. He squared his shoulders and continued whilst bandaging his hand. It was painful, indeed, and would need more than this emergency care, but at least he could still use it.
So the trio sat for some time in rest, recovering from the attack. The morning was still young. The air was deathly quiet and the clouds above further muffled all noises. It hung heavy and grey like a thick cloak over the shoulders of the mountains. It looked like it would rain soon. Firs and cedars swayed silently in the soft, gentle breeze.
Galathil was surprised to hear the account of Thranduil's exploits. It seemed the elf had found a large bit of courage on the trip. He had always struck Galathil as one of those types of elves that kept it long hidden until it must be shown. At first, Thranduil did not sound that comfortable telling the story but as he went on the elf seemed to grow more relaxed. As the tale progressed to the part of Thranduil's contesting of wills with the serpent, the ellon seemed quite proud of himself. Galathil nodded and gave Thranduil an approving comment.
It was not easy to overthrow such beasts filled with that level of insatiable hunger. In all of his travels, he had heard of lusty creatures that only lived for sustenance. They were dangerous creatures to deal with. This was not his first encounter with a dark beast from the younger years, but it had been the first he had seen in the form of a serpent. He wondered whether there were more like this kind out there and, if so, where. Perhaps they would find out when back in Menegroth. Galathil was feeling somewhat better and the essence of time was returning back to him. The account seemed to be winding down.
Thranduil finished the tale not long later with the telling of the final blow and the following occurrences. Finally, Galathil spoke up, "That was an impressive fight you put up." He sighed as he tried to sit up.
This time, Celeborn did not stop him. Instead he helped his younger brother into a sitting position. It was time for them to gear up and go home. This hunt had gone far differently then what he had expected. He had thought they would go out just the three of them and they would perhaps find some sort of game, they would kill it, and they would bring it back. They certainly couldn't bring this serpent back - Galathil broke into his thoughts like he always did.
The ellon struggled to his feet and spoke with a partially strained voice, "I think we had better start gathering our gear." His dark eyes drifted over the carcase. "Whatever is left of the camp supplies, that is. The creature certainly made a mess didn't he?" Galathil cautiously made his way to the front of the creature, not really listening for a reply. The smell reeking off the serpent was enough to make his eyes water… He tried to keep that to a minimum… The beast was certainly dead. He hoped it was really dead... Smiling despite himself and the circumstances, he bent down and placed a hand upon its dry, scaly nose. The creature did not stir. Galathil's mind raged with thoughts and guesses all centred on where and what this particular creature was.
"You going to flirt with the carcase all day, Gal?" Thranduil, cheekily asked after a minute.
Galathil looked up feeling good suddenly and like himself once again. "No, but if you wanted him all you needed to do was say, jealous."
Celeborn just rolled his eyes. This was going to be some trip back.
XxX
"The two of them chatted the entire way. I'm not lying, dear. It was almost too much." Celeborn spoke with a smile on his face to his beloved wife. The two of them were sitting in a large dining room in the inner halls of Menegroth. The chamber was well lit by two roaring fireplaces set on the right and left of the huge wooden table. Galathil, Thranduil, Oropher and a few others were among them, feasting and drinking and making merry. Galadriel's beautiful laughter mingled with the many sounds. She teasingly rubbed his arm. "I'm afraid you brought it upon yourself, my love."
He tutted loudly and stole a kiss. "It is always my fault isn't it?"
She leaned back quirking an eyebrow. "It most certainly wasn't mine," she said mock serious.
Celeborn grinned and turned around to face Galathil. The ellon was enjoying telling his own view of what had transpired. Celeborn raised his voice above the din. "Galathil, it was your fault!" The confused look his younger brother gave him sent Celeborn into a sniggering fit.
"What's my fault?" Galathil asked. His face was a picture of complete perplexity. Galathil decided to ignore the question when the only response was an uncharacteristic giggle… It was probably just his brother being drunk or something… The elf happily continued with his tale.
Celeborn was, in all reality, far from drunk but he was very content and happy. Galadriel bumped his arm firmly to pull him from his laughter. "You'll upset the delicate balance that is Galathil if you are not careful," She warned with a smile lightening her face.
Celeborn grinned and wiped his nose with the back of his hand. "I know… but he deserves to be teased." He sighed deeply as sobriety inched back into his thought. The elf's dark eyes were drawn to Thranduil and Oropher. Father and son were busily chatting about the prior event too.
Oropher had not been very happy when they had returned from the journey and especially not when he heard of the danger his son had inadvertently put himself in. However, after hearing of his boy's gallant stand and contest with the beast, the lord had warmed. Now, the silver haired ellyn were having a good time together and all was forgiven. That made Celeborn very happy. He was glad his own father, Galladon, was like Oropher in his sense of leniency and non-overly-strictness towards their sons. He shook his head "non-overly strictness" was only a word Galathil would have made up… His brother certainly could rub off on someone in a small amount of time.
Galadriel spoke into his thoughts, changing the subject, "Did they ever find out what the serpent was?"
Celeborn shook his head. "No, we have not yet. My figuring was that the beast was merely an ancient menace from before the Sun. That's all we can really say unless we find more of these. It was certainly old, and it was sentient as well, but it is also dead." That was all he would say aloud at this time. Maybe they would find more or maybe it was a solitude creature or maybe it was even a cast off experiment of the dark lord from old… His wife could read his thoughts and it was unnecessary to spoil the feast with such dark thinking.
This was a time of celebration. They had come back from a successful hunt safe and sound. Galathil was happy and recovering. Thranduil had new renown and was also healing quickly. He himself was content for the moment to enjoy this small victory and the time he had spent with his kin. Life was good for him; better than he had left it when he had set out on the hunt. Galadriel must have sensed her husband's mood for she settled closer to him and smiled.
He leaned back into the comfortable chair he was sitting in and turned his attention to the feast. It had been a grand hunt indeed.
~S~
The End
A/N: Thanks to all my readers and very special thanks to my reviewers. It always makes my day to get one of your guy's comments on my work and thanks a lot. Even if you only reviewed one chap, thank you.
That's the end of the story. This was my first finished multi-chapter story and I am really proud of it. I hope you liked it and see you next time.
~ Eldhoron
