Part Twenty
Amroth woke shortly after dawn with a clear head. He smiled to himself as he sat up and
stretched, climbing out of bed to stand in a ray of sun shining through his doorway.
Amroth stepped out onto the balcony to enjoy the vision of Lórien kissed by gold. Oh, but
it was rich, and he never tired of the sight of his beautiful city. It would always be home.
The powdered root Elrond had given him made him feel much better than he had since he
arrived, and he had always been good at holding his wine besides. He wondered if Lord
Elrond was the same, or if he found himself with a headache this morning.
Amroth liked Lord Elrond, despite himself. Despite the fact that had Elrond his way,
Nimrodel would never have belonged to Amroth, Amroth liked him. He found the somber
elf both witty and intelligent. Elrond was passionate and serious, and far more interesting
than either Celeborn in his brooding jealousy and Thranduil in his mean-spirited joviality
had struck him. He envied the hope Elrond still held that Nimrodel might be found alive.
Amroth did not dare to believe this might be so. He would be satisfied knowing what had
happened to her at the end. He would grieve, then he would move on to the next world.
And yet, were there not reasons to stay in this one? Orophin was such a light to him. Was
he foolish to cast the young elf aside, to refuse the love offered so vibrantly… love that
tempted him even now? Orophin had been a great part of Amroth's revival, as much so as
anything Galadriel and Elrond had done for him. He admitted to himself that he had felt a
black jealousy at Arwen's confession that she had seen Orophin kissing Celeborn. Amroth
had suppressed his rage and walked away. The anger had passed, but he could still feel the
press of a sadness born from jealousy inside.
Maybe it was simply a growing dislike of Celeborn. The Lord of Lórien was an arrogant
pup. He had never been good enough for Galadriel. The Lady of Light should have been
worshipped and adored by her husband. She had more power in her smallest finger than
every other elf in Lórien combined, and she wielded it wisely. Probably many of them did
not even fully comprehend their lady's strength. Haldir seemed to, and Amroth knew she
had chosen well when she made him Marchwarden.
Galadriel had said that Celeborn was not lover to Orophin. Was this so? Did this mean
Celeborn had forced the kiss on Oro? Amroth wondered. Galadriel would certainly know.
He supposed that the best course of action was simply to ask Orophin, not to walk away
from him. After all, had he not said the same to Orophin just yesterday when the young elf
had been too ashamed to face him?
Just as he had decided to go in search of the Galadhrim, Amroth saw Orophin making his
way up the stairs towards him. He was crisply dressed and his hair was wet as if he had
been bathing. Amroth smiled in welcome. He saw relief come into Orophin's expression,
as if he had been afraid that he would not be well-received. He held out his arms, and
when Orophin reached the platform, he enfolded the young elf in his embrace. He heard
Orophin take in a deep, shaky breath and felt him tremble. It felt so good, so right to hold
him.
"I want you to know," Orophin said, when Amroth let go of him, "That is was not my
choice to kiss Lord Celeborn."
Amroth nodded, his expression calm, but something inside him soaring slightly. "I
understand," he said.
"I am not as…free… in my affections as Rúmil is."
"Rúmil's freedoms are no bad thing," Amroth said reassuringly.
"They lead him always into trouble…and I always wind up following."
Amroth threw his head back and laughed. "You make me wish that I had brothers."
"You are welcome to mine," Orophin said, smiling cheekily.
"I missed you last night," Amroth confessed, lifting a hand to Orophin's cheek.
"We were drinking with Celeborn and Thranduil. Luckily, wine turned their interest away
from my brothers and I, and to each other. Lord Celeborn may not be my favorite elf at
the moment, but he does have splendid bottles. Rúmil may never recover."
"Galadriel has bottles no less splendid. I dined with her last night, and with Elrond and his
advisor."
Orophin's eyes widened. "And… how found you the company of Lord Elrond?"
"I like Elrond," Amroth said frankly. "Despite what tangles he may have wrought in my
relationship with Nimrodel, I cannot help but like him. We have much in common. More,
perhaps, than he realizes. I think that together we will find the answers we both seek
regarding Nimrodel."
Amroth wondered if Orophin held any jealousy towards Nimrodel, but he merely nodded
thoughtfully.
"I wondered if you might tell me what passed in the council yesterday," Orophin said
hesitantly.
Amroth raised an eyebrow. "Did not Haldir tell you? Or Celeborn and Thranduil, as you
shared wine?"
Orophin shook his head slightly. "No," he said. It seemed as if he wished to say much
more but withheld.
"Galadriel has given her blessing to a search party, to look for Nimrodel. We will depart
tomorrow in the afternoon, when Haldir returns from his patrol of the border."
"Do you think, after so many years, she may be found?"
"I dare hope only for news of what happened to her, though Elrond feels she may be
located. I hope he is correct."
"As do I," Orophin echoed. "And so you will be leaving Lórien already. Are you well
enough for an arduous journey?"
"I am much better, due in no small part to your friendship," Amroth said. "Lord Elrond
gave me a restorative last night which is working quickly. I imagine I will be ready to
leave then, yes."
"Who will be accompanying you?"
"Thranduil, Legolas, Haldir, and Elrond. I know not who else, yet."
"I imagine that will be enough…"
"Shall I request your presence of Galadriel?" Amroth asked, smiling. "I would have your
company on the journey."
"I would like to go," Orophin said. "But ask it of Rúmil as well. He will not like being left
behind. I have ignored him too much lately. Besides, I think perhaps it would be best to
separate him from Arwen."
"Elrond's daughter? Why is that?"
"Yes. She told me last night that she is in love with Rúmil. I do not wish him to take
advantage of her."
"Or vice versa?"
Orophin smiled. "Yes. That as well."
"Shall we go speak to Rúmil now, then?"
"And Haldir, perhaps. He is Marchwarden, after all, and I should not like him to think his
own brothers have gone over his head. If he does not approve, I will stay behind."
"Your loyalty is commendable, Orophin."
"Loyalty is one trait that all three of us share, even if Rúmil may cast his own aside in the
bedroom."
Amroth indicated that they should descend and they made their way down the stairs to
look for Orophin's brothers.
"To our tree, first," Orophin said. "Haldir surely has finished with his bath by now. He will
go home for fresh clothing, then report to Galadriel. This is always his routine. Rúmil is
probably still in bed."
"Very well."
As they drew near the brothers' mallorn, Amroth spotted Arwen at the base of it looking
as if she were deciding whether she ought to go up or not. She turned as she heard them
approaching and a faint blush stained her cheeks. The dress she wore was green, bordered
with gold ivy. Her ebony hair gleamed like silk in the sunlight. She was lovely. His heart
sounded loudly in his chest as he was reminded of Celebrían… but not. If only he were a
millennia or so younger, this girl might have captured him.
It bothered Amroth slightly that he should feel this way when he was too quickly ready to
put Orophin aside for his own sake, but this was not the time to dwell on it. She spoke.
"Lord Amroth--"
"Please, just Amroth, my dear."
"Very well. I must apologize for my brashness last night. I spoke out of concern for my
grandmother."
"I understand," Amroth said, gently laying a hand on her arm. He felt her shiver and knew
in that moment that Arwen was attracted to him just as he was to her. Fearing that
Orophin would see what passed between them, Amroth withdrew his hand.
"If you will excuse us, Lady Arwen, we have need to go up and see Rúmil," Orophin said.
Arwen smiled at him.
"Then I shall come with you, as I was hoping to see Rúmil as well."
Orophin set his mouth in a line, then nodded. Amroth offered Arwen his arm and she took
it as Oro led the way up the stairs. Just as they approached the first landing, Haldir came
storming towards them. The Marchwarden looked enraged, but he stopped when he saw
the three of them.
"What is wrong?" Orophin asked.
"Nothing!" Haldir said sharply. "Let me pass, Orophin. And be ready to depart tomorrow
afternoon. We accompany Amroth on his quest. I imagine he has told you all about it
already. You will tell Rúmil the same."
"Is Rúmil upstairs? Did you not come from seeing him? Did something happen with
Legolas?" Orophin asked, sounding puzzled.
"Orophin, you ask too many questions. Let me pass."
"Not until you tell me what ails you, Haldir," Orophin said.
"Perhaps I do not wish to speak of this in front of others." Haldir indicated Amroth and
Arwen.
"Where is Rúmil?" Orophin asked, sighing.
"You may go upstairs and look," Haldir growled.
"Haldir--"
"He is in my room with Legolas!" Haldir shouted. "Now get out of the way!"
Orophin and Arwen both looked shocked, and Amroth's heart sank as he realized what
Haldir must mean. All three stepped aside and let Haldir continue stomping down the
stairs. Orophin bolted up towards Haldir's talan, and Arwen let go of Amroth's arm to
follow. Amroth wondered if he should not go after Haldir, but decided he had better see
what was going on first.
He looked around the small, neat room as Orophin and Arwen shouted at the two elves
entwined in the bed. Amroth spotted the empty leaf on the floor and picked it up. He
sniffed at the remains of the herb that clung to it and realized at once what had happened.
He knew not if Rúmil and Legolas had truly been doing what Haldir (and Orophin and
Arwen) assumed, but he did know that they had inadvertently poisoned themselves.
Arwen fetched Elrond quickly enough, but Legolas and Rúmil had both lost consciousness
before he arrived. While they waited for the Evenstar to return with her father, the healer,
Orophin paced the floor and worried.
"I should not have spoken harshly to him. He would not betray Haldir like this -- neither
of them would."
"Orophin, would you like to go to Haldir? Tell him what has happened?"
"I think that should be explained by those involved," Orophin said. "After all, we do not
truly know."
"I know not either," Amroth sighed.
"Will they be all right?"
"I know little about this herb, except how to take it -- and how not to take it. Elrond will
know better than I."
Orophin fell on his knees beside the bed and took Rúmil's limp hand in his own. "My
stupid little brother," he said tenderly. "I cannot go on without you, foolish elfling. You
must come back to me quickly."
The love the two brothers shared outweighed anything Amroth could ever know. He
bowed his head, and hoped that Elrond would be quick. And what would Thranduil do if
his only son was lost? Surely he would declare war on Lothlórien. Even Galadriel would
not be able to hold back his wrath.
Elrond entered the talan followed by his daughter, carrying a satchel no doubt filled with
many herbs and antidotes. He put this on the floor beside the bed, ushering Orophin out of
the way. His mouth was set in a grim line. Amroth handed Elrond the empty leaf and the
Lord of Imladris sniffed it.
"How great was the dose?" he asked Amroth.
"I know not."
"Haldir usually keeps a fair amount of that handy," Orophin volunteered. He had stepped
back and Arwen had put her arms around him. They huddled together like children, and to
Amroth's eyes, they were. Beautiful, frightened children who were counting on Amroth
and Elrond to make it better.
"I doubt highly it was enough to be fatal, but I will give them each a draught to nullify the
effects. It will take me only a few moments to prepare. Orophin, fetch me a pitcher of
water, please."
Elrond opened his satchel and got to work. Orophin went for the water and returned with
it quickly. When the potion was ready, Elrond opened the mouths of each of the two
unconscious elves and poured in a small amount, rubbing their throats to make them
swallow. It went down easily. Amroth admired his confident manner. When he finished,
Elrond stood up and looked at the three of them who waited anxiously.
"They should awaken in between two to four hours, then they must take a second draught.
After that they will feel slightly ill, but it will pass in time for them to attend the banquet. I
think we must keep this incident among ourselves for the time being as everyone here has
enough on their minds as it is. Am I clear?"
Arwen and Orophin nodded their agreement. Elrond turned to Amroth and he, too,
nodded slowly. "I must wonder, Lord Elrond, if Haldir, Galadriel, and Thranduil should
not be informed," he said politely.
Elrond did not answer the statement. "I wish for them to be separated," he said. "We will
leave Legolas here and move Rúmil down to his own bed. Orophin, you will sit with
Rúmil until he awakens, and Arwen, you will stay here with Legolas. Make sure he takes
the draught when he wakes up and that he gets to the banquet on time. Amroth, Orophin,
if you will assist me in moving Rúmil."
"But father--"
"Do not argue with me, Arwen."
Amroth helped Orophin lift Rúmil from the bed and take him down the flight of stairs to
his own talan. The unconscious elf groaned slightly, but did not awaken during the
transfer. Elrond gave Orophin the second draught and repeated his instructions, adding a
few more.
"Do not allow Arwen to leave Legolas alone. If Haldir returns, keep him here. You
explain to him what happened, do not let Arwen do it. While my daughter means well, at
times she may lack in tact -- much like Rúmil. I will see you at the banquet tonight.
Amroth, will you come with me?"
"I will return later if time permits," Amroth assured Orophin, then followed Elrond out of
the talan and down the stairs.
"Galadriel will know of this on her own," Elrond said gently.
"And what of Haldir? Thranduil?"
"You have met Thranduil. What do you think?"
"I think we should leave the telling of this tale to Legolas, if he so wishes."
"Thranduil will be outraged if he finds his son over-dosed in the bed of the Marchwarden.
It will cause Haldir more trouble than he needs."
"And what of Haldir? He thinks Rúmil and Legolas were making love in his bed."
"Were they?" Elrond asked sharply.
"I know not."
"Then let it lie for now. One afternoon of anger will be less harmful to Haldir than one
spent in worry for the lives of his brother and his lover. I believe Rúmil should speak to
him, not you or I."
Amroth raised an eyebrow. "Haldir and Legolas…"
"Apparently," Elrond sighed. "Will you come back to my talan? I should make you a
draught of the root I gave you last night. We may speak more on this and anything else
you like there."
"Very well," Amroth said, and he followed Elrond back to his tree.
