Part Ten
Half of the night had passed, and they had spent it all in the exchange of words, Orophin
thought with only a small amount of regret. Speaking with Amroth was a joy, a pleasure,
an opportunity unlike any Orophin had ever had before… yet still he knew he longed for
other pleasures. He had admitted his desire for Amroth to himself.
Orophin longed to know the caress of Amroth's mouth. He wanted to put his hands on
that pale flesh. He wanted to pull aside Amroth's tunic, to strip off his leggings, to bare
him as he had been bared when Oro had carried him out of the bay. He wanted to lie
beside the wise and ancient elf. They were both lonely. Why should they not ease this for
each other?
Rúmil had fallen asleep a few hours past, bored by the conversation of times past but not
daring to leave the talan lest he be cornered by Arwen. He hung over the side of the chair
in which he had been sitting, his long hair sweeping down to the floor. Amroth had offered
to leave when Rúmil had begun to snore, but Orophin had insisted he stay. Truly would he
have preferred to be alone with the former king, but there were so few places they might
go. Speaking with him here was better than sitting here all night alone but for Rúmil's
snoring.
It was no small matter of pride that Amroth stayed, that he did not seek out the company
of Galadriel, or of Arwen, to whom Amroth had seemed to be attracted, at least in
Orophin's view. They spoke of many subjects, but one was avoided -- that of Nimrodel.
Orophin did not dare ask about her. He was afraid of what he might learn. Jealousy left a
bitter taste in his mouth.
He had almost worked up the courage to kiss Amroth when Rúmil had burst into the talan
earlier. It had taken all his reserve, knowing that what he had bid for was something far
above his reach. He was no match for a king of old. He was too young, too far below
Amroth's station. The fact that Amroth spent so much time with him, even going so far as
to request him from Galadriel, amazed Orophin.
It had offered him courage. Amroth had insisted that he was king no more, lord no more --
did that mean he saw them as equals? Did he find Orophin worthy of more than his words?
Orophin felt positive that Amroth would have accepted his kiss, returned it. He felt that
surely there would have been more. Rúmil could not have had worse timing.
"Forgive me, Orophin, it is late," Amroth said, interrupting the younger elf's reverie. "I
should return to my room, and you should rest."
"Unlike my brother, I have little need of resting," Orophin said, "But you must forgive me,
for surely you are still not recovered from your ordeal and I have kept you here for my
own entertainment all night."
"I have stayed of my own will, fear not," Amroth said, smiling. "Come, walk with me back
to Lady Galadriel's tree."
Eagerly Orophin accompanied Amroth, leaving Rúmil asleep in the chair. Together they
descended the stairs and walked in silence towards the tree that house Galadriel's room
and the small talan where Amroth was still residing. There were very few other elves
about at this hour, and Caras Galadhon seemed strangely silent, but for the soft of hum of
crickets in the underbrush. Amroth stopped at the foot of the winding staircase and looked
at Orophin, his expression emotionless.
"If you like," Orophin said softly, his heart pounding like a drum, "I would come up with
you…"
The invitation was clear enough, and Amroth understood it. He raised one eyebrow and
looked for so long into Orophin's eyes that Oro felt his ears begin to burn. He chewed his
lower lip slightly. He should not have said it, he thought. He was a fool. He tried to come
up with some way to retract his words, but his tongue was blank.
Amroth reached up and touched Orophin's face. He trailed his long, white fingers down
his cheek. The gesture was intimate and tender, and Amroth smiled at him, shaking his
head slightly.
"You know not what a temptation you lay before me," Amroth said.
"I…I am sorry--"
"Do not apologize, Orophin. Do not taint the beauty of what you are offering."
"I do not understand," Orophin confessed.
"Truly would I like to lie with you," Amroth said. He withdrew his hand and took one step
backwards. Regret seemed to sit heavily on his brow.
"Then why turn me away?" Orophin whispered.
"I would not hurt you," Amroth said.
"Hurt me?"
"Your heart is tender, and you are young. I cannot offer you love," Amroth said
regretfully. Orophin felt a rock sink into the pit of his stomach, and ache worse than that
which occurred when he tried to eat Rúmil's attempts at lembas.
"I do not ask for love," he said, lifting his chin slightly. "I have your friendship, and that is
enough. Still I wished to offer you an easement of the body which we both desire. Is it not
true?"
"It is true enough," Amroth admitted. "You are very beautiful, Orophin. Taking you
would be a pleasure, but it has been so long since I have known such pleasures."
"I do not think you have forgotten the ways of love," Orophin said, the corners of his
mouth lifting.
"If I had, certainly you possess the ability to remind me… but let it go, Orophin. I cannot
accept what you so graciously and generously offer me."
Orophin nodded slightly, biting at his lip again to keep himself from begging. He wanted
Amroth so badly, and he felt dizzy from the rejection. Ai, but it was true. He would love
Amroth always, and never be allowed to show how much.
"Is it Nimrodel?" he whispered. "Is it to her memory that you are faithful?"
Amroth nodded slightly. "Perhaps. Yet it is more than that. There are those who would
not look fondly upon me should I take you for a lover."
"What right have others to keep us from happiness?" Orophin asked bitterly.
"They simply are watching out for you," Amroth replied. "Do you truly wish to love
someone who cannot promise to remain in Arda with you?"
"You could stay," Orophin said petulantly. "None would cast you out of Lórien. This was
your land, your kingdom. Galadriel knows this."
"Galadriel is wise, and she knows that I would not threaten her, or challenge her for the
rule of Lothlórien," Amroth said. "But there are others who do not see as well as she does.
I cannot stay here indefinitely, nor do I wish to. Once I fulfil my purpose, I will go."
"To die?" Orophin whispered with horror.
"I do not fear death. I have longed for it since the sea took me," Amroth said evenly. "I
believe that I have avoided my fate for too long."
"You have been offered a second chance at life!"
"I have been offered the chance to discover what happened to Nimrodel. I do not hold out
much hope that the news will be good. Once I know…well, the knowledge will be
enough. Do you understand now, Orophin, why I cannot permit you to come any closer
than you already have?"
Orophin's throat was closed, and he nodded slightly. He drew in a deep breath, shuddering
with it.
"I do not withdraw my offer," he said. "It will stand, until you are ready to make use of it.
I am fully aware of the consequences."
Amroth's dark blue eyes grew wider. He smiled. "I appreciate that, my friend," he said.
He turned away and walked up the stairs into the tree. Orophin watched his ascent until he
was no longer visible, his noble figure hidden from view by leaves and branches. He sighed
inwardly. He knew not if Amroth would ever relent. He wished he had someone to speak
about this with. Haldir would simply tell him it was forbidden, and Rúmil would tease him
until he lost his temper.
"He does not deserve you, Orophin."
The low voice from behind him startled Orophin. He whirled around, knowing his ears
were bright red. They burned like fire.
"My lord Celeborn," he said with surprise as the Lord of Lórien stepped forth from the
shadows.
"He does not deserve you, and he is a fool," Celeborn said, coming even closer. "If you
offered yourself to me, I would have you moaning beneath me within moments."
Orophin took a step backwards and found himself up against the tree. Never had he heard
Celeborn speak this way. Never had he seen such a wicked glint in his pale blue eyes. The
Lord of Lórien licked his lips and stepped forward.
"I was not… that is, I did not--" Orophin began but Celeborn lifted a finger and pressed it
against the young Galadhrim's lips.
"Galadriel is not the only one who can tell when a young elf is lying. Save yourself,
Orophin. There are better uses for your tongue."
Orophin nodded slowly. He did not like the way that Celeborn was looking at him, or
what he was insinuating. He also did not know how to extricate himself from this situation
without insulting the lord.
"Forgive me," he said when Celeborn's finger was withdrawn.
Celeborn's hips pressed against his own as the Lord of Lórien leaned his body against
Orophin's. He nodded slowly.
"You offered yourself to Amroth."
"Yes," Orophin whispered.
"Are you lonely, Orophin? I would have you for myself."
Orophin's eyes grew round and wide and before he could reply, Celeborn kissed him. His
mouth was hot and tasted of wine. The kiss was vicious and demanding. His tongue
sought entry, and when he found it, attacked Orophin's own. His hands went up on either
side of Orophin to pin him against the tree. Orophin gasped against his mouth. He threw
his hands up against Celeborn's firm chest and pushed at him. Celeborn bit Orophin's lower
lip to still him.
Finally it ended, and Orophin's chest heaved as he fought for breath. He stared at
Celeborn, who smiled at him calmly.
"Come up to my chambers," Celeborn demanded.
"My lord, I cannot do this," Orophin whispered.
Celeborn seemed not offended. He merely raised his eyebrows. "Why not? Why for
Amroth, and not for me? I have known you far longer, Oro."
Orophin shook his head. Celeborn ran his hand over Orophin's shoulder, then down his
arm. His cool fingers slid up under Orophin's tunic to touch the bare flesh of his belly.
Orophin pushed further back against the tree but there was nowhere to go.
"The Lady Galadriel," Orophin blurted out.
Celeborn withdrew his hand and looked over his shoulder. "Where?"
"I mean only, sir, that she is why we should not-- I must not--"
"Silence," Celeborn said wearily. He lifted his hand and finally took a step backwards. His
hands settled on his hips and he stared hard at Orophin. "Do you think Galadriel does not
know that I take my lovers where I will?"
Orophin did not dare answer this. Celeborn smiled at him coldly.
"If you choose to go around offering yourself, someone will eventually accept your offer.
However, it might merely lead you into trouble. You understand?" he said quietly.
"Yes," Orophin whispered, though he was not entirely sure that he truly did.
"Good," said Celeborn. "Do not forget that I am your lord, Orophin, and you ought obey
me as thoroughly as you do Lady Galadriel."
The sound of a throat being cleared came to them. Celeborn turned around, irritation
flashing over his face while relief met Orophin. It was his elder brother, Haldir. The
Marchwarden stared at Celeborn with a lifted brow and a challenge in his eye.
"Good evening, my lord," Haldir said. "I trust the night has been pleasant for you."
"It might be more so did you take yourself elsewhere, Haldir," Celeborn said.
"Very well, but you must excuse my brother also. I wish to discuss the patrol schedule
with him."
"At this late hour?"
"Duty never sleeps," Haldir said. Orophin hurried over to him as quickly as dignity would
permit. Haldir turned and began to walk away. Oro followed him gratefully.
"Good night, Orophin," he heard Celeborn's voice follow after him menacingly on the
wind. Orophin did not answer him.
"Thank you," he whispered to Haldir as they neared their own tree. His older brother
turned around to face him.
"Do not let Celeborn convince you that you are not permitted to refuse him," he said
gently.
"Am I not?"
"You owe him your allegiance, not your body." Haldir paused. "The same might be said of
Amroth."
Orophin looked down at the ground. "Amroth does not want me," he said in a small voice.
Haldir lifted Orophin's chin with a finger and looked down deeply into his eyes. Orophin
thought he saw some hint of compassion in the eyes of the Marchwarden who was known
for being so cold.
"You will be all right, Orophin," Haldir said gently. "Now, go to bed."
