Part Twenty-Five
Rúmil had enjoyed Lady Galadriel's banquet far more than he had expected to. It was
something of a relief that Haldir had ignored him all night, and both Legolas and Arwen
were seated too far down the table for him to have to attempt polite conversation with
them. He had taken the place next to Elrond that he had been assigned, but after the food
was served, it was easy to move around and talk to the others on this end of the table.
Elrond gave him the promised restorative and he felt better at once.
He learned from Fereveldir what Haldir had done that afternoon, going off to the border
and hollering at the patrol group on duty there. Although Fereveldir did not blame Rúmil
for that, he still felt guilty, for if he had not made Haldir so angry he would not have done
such a thing. Still, it wasn't his fault. He really had not meant to kiss Legolas, it had just
happened.
Rúmil thought he should go speak to Legolas about it, but Legolas looked far too ill for
such discussions, and besides, Rúmil was not in the mood for either Haldir or Arwen.
Haldir would probably kill him, and Arwen… well, she confused Rúmil. One moment she
seemed to like him, the next she did not. And why had she told Orophin that she was in
love with Rúmil when everyone knew she was after Haldir?
He had felt a moment of jealousy when he saw them come in together. They looked
beautiful together, and Haldir was worthy of her, being Marchwarden of the Golden
Wood, while Rúmil was no more than a border guard. Arwen was not anyone Rúmil could
just have a fling with. It was far too dangerous to trifle with her. Yet he could also not
deny that there was some prickle of interest inside him. She had gotten to him… affected
him… over the past few days.
The best course of action was to find another course of action, so Rúmil drank his wine,
ate his dinner, and tried to look anywhere but at Legolas and Arwen when they were
called upon to sing. When he realized that Celeborn had arranged for them to perform the
Ballad of Nimrodel, he had been surprised, but his trouble-making side thought it was very
funny. In the end nobody seemed particularly offended, so when Thranduil turned away
from Celeborn to speak with Galadriel, Rúmil slipped into the seat next to the Lord of
Lórien.
"An excellent jest, my lord," Rúmil said. Celeborn smiled slightly at him, picking up a
bottle to refill both of their cups.
"Think you so, Rúmil?" he said mildly. "I fear my wife was not nearly as amused."
"There was no harm in it."
"I quite agree," Celeborn replied. He put his fingers on top of Rúmil's and began to stroke
them lightly. Rúmil felt an immediate reaction in his body. He picked up his wine goblet
with a shaking hand and drank deeply. He looked up at Celeborn, but the lord was staring
past him at Orophin. Rúmil sighed and Celeborn's attention came back to him.
"You are fond of my brother," Rúmil blurted out. It sounded like an accusation. Celeborn
apparently found it amusing.
"More fond of him than he seems to be of me," he said lightly. "But tell me, Rúmil, are
you jealous?"
Rúmil stared into the cerulean eyes of the Lord of Lórien. Celeborn's pale hair hung down
to his shoulders. He was fairer than many, but his mouth held a hint of cruelty that excited
Rúmil. In some ways, Celeborn reminded him of Haldir. They were both hard and tough,
but polished -- like mithril. Celeborn seemed to possess some inner calm and strength that
Rúmil could never find within himself. He was someone to be obeyed, and Rúmil felt the
urge to obey him.
"I am not jealous," he said, but it sounded like a lie even to his own ears.
"Would you like to come to my chambers tonight, little Rúmil? I see desire in your gaze
when you look upon me," Celeborn said in a silky tone.
He continued rubbing Rúmil's fingers, and the younger elf could not reply. His tongue
seemed stuck to the roof of him mouth. He started to nod, but then suddenly felt as if a
soft light had brushed against his mind. Galadriel was giving him some sort of warning.
What would she do to him if he lay with her lord? Rúmil knew he would not be the first or
the last, but he had great respect for Galadriel and he did not wish to betray her.
"I cannot." He forced out a whisper at last.
Celeborn's eyes narrowed. "Leave in a few moments and meet me in the glen between
your tree and the one where Thranduil is staying," he said, then he turned away from
Rúmil and began to speak with Thandronen, Fereveldir's father.
Rúmil's heart pounded violently in his chest. What should he do? He looked at Galadriel
but she was still talking to Thranduil. Had she really been inside his mind, warning him
away from Celeborn or had he imagined it out of guilt? Part of Rúmil wanted very much
to give himself over to Celeborn, but another part was desperately trying to convince him
that this was a very bad idea.
He looked at Arwen. She was dancing with Amroth now. Haldir had gone, apparently,
and Legolas looked miserable, his face buried in his hands. What had happened between
them? Rúmil had lost track. He thought he should go speak to Legolas, but he knew not
what he should say. He could wait for Arwen to return to the table and ask her to dance,
but she was likely to say things he did not wish to hear.
He should just go back to his talan and go to bed. He had caused enough trouble for one
day. Rúmil got up from the table and left the Great Hall without saying good-night to
anyone, not even Orophin. He went lightly down the stairs and headed towards home. He
was nearly there when he realized that someone was following him.
Rúmil spun around to see Celeborn standing there, looking beautiful and hungry, staring at
Rúmil as if he were a nice plate of grapes and cheese. Rúmil licked his lips nervously. He
knew why Celeborn had followed him. He wanted to say no, but it was easier to give in
than to argue with the Lord of Lórien so he stepped boldly forward. Celeborn moved
closer, close enough to take a lock of Rúmil's hair between his fingers. He twined it
around them.
"You are the fairest of your brothers," he remarked lazily.
Rúmil lifted an eyebrow. "Then why is it that before now you have paid me no mind?"
"I did not think you were ready to handle me."
"Did you think Orophin was?"
Celeborn smirked. "Are you so naïve that you cannot understand the pleasure of the
hunt?"
"I am glad to hear you have given up hunting my brothers," Rúmil replied, his voice so icy
that Haldir would have been proud of him.
Celeborn laid a hand on Rúmil's back and pressed his body against the younger elf. Rúmil
was slightly taller than Celeborn, but he knew that Celeborn was stronger and more
powerful. His body felt as though it were hewn from granite. It was unyielding.
"Think you that I have? Do not forget that time is infinite among elves and before the
world ends both of them will have lain beneath me."
Rúmil drew in a shuddering breath. "Have me instead. Leave them be," he countered.
"They do not desire you."
"Your attempt to be noble is almost admirable," Celeborn drawled, "But for the fact that
you do desire me."
"Elves are meant to come together for mutual pleasure," Rúmil said bewilderedly. "To
take one who desires you not is the highest crime--"
"Do not speak to me of crime, Rúmil," Celeborn hissed. "I am lord here and my word is
law. Besides, I speak of seduction."
"Haldir and Orophin will never submit to you. They have far too much respect for
Galadriel," Rúmil said, lifting his chin.
"And you do not?"
"I--" Rúmil felt his cheeks burning as a blush came into them. He did not know how to
reply. It was true that he desired Celeborn, but he would have refused him in honor of
Galadriel… but then again, he would give himself gladly to keep Celeborn away from his
brothers. His mind swam with confusion and he wished he had not had any wine tonight.
The small quantity he had consumed was addling him.
"Stop trying to think, Rúmil -- it is not your strength," Celeborn said.
He pressed his entire body fully along the length of Rúmil's now and enfolded him in his
arms. The Lord of Lórien's mouth came down upon Rúmil's brutally and Rúmil sighed
against it. He could not fight Celeborn, and his body wanted to be used by the lord. Let
Celeborn take all his choices away. It was easier that way. Rúmil hung limply in Celeborn's
embrace as his mouth was seared. He had never been kissed like this before, so
masterfully, to the point where breathing was only a memory.
"Grandfather?"
The unmistakably clear voice of Arwen rang out in the glen. Celeborn let go of Rúmil so
abruptly that he nearly fell to the ground. He had to scramble to keep his footing. His
knees were weakened form the kiss. Celeborn turned around to face the Evenstar and
Rúmil did not know whether to be disappointed or relieved.
"Yes, my dear, what is it?" he asked, his tone softening.
"Oh, hello, Rúmil!" Arwen added brightly. "What are you doing out here?"
She knew perfectly well. He scowled at her. "I was--"
"Is there something you wished of me, Arwen?" Celeborn asked his granddaughter,
cutting Rúmil off.
"Actually, there is. I want to go on the journey to find Nimrodel."
"Do not be silly, Arwen. Your grandmother and father would never permit it. They are
going into orc country and it will be far too dangerous," Celeborn said in a soothing tone.
He stepped away from Rúmil, who stayed behind him, and closer to Arwen.
"I am not a child," Arwen said. "I can fight as well as any. Besides, certainly Rúmil could
protect me. I shall have him as my personal guard."
Rúmil groaned inwardly, but comforted himself with the knowledge that Arwen would
most assuredly not be allowed to go.
"Even if I gave my blessing to that ludicrous arrangement, you would still not be allowed,"
Celeborn said with less patience. "If you will run along, Arwen, perhaps your father can
explain to you better why."
Arwen lifted her chin and folded her arms over her chest, smiling slightly. "I think you can
adequately convince him and grandmother that I should go."
"I am busy, Arwen."
"Yes, and it would probably interest Galadriel a great deal to know what you are busy
with," Arwen said.
"Would you dare tell her?" Celeborn asked, looking both angry and amused at once.
"What do you think?"
"I think you are foolish. Galadriel knows all. Why should this matter to her?"
"It will matter to someone. If Galadriel will not act, there is my father, or Haldir."
Celeborn sighed. "If you were not practicing such wiles on me, I would almost be proud
of you. We do share blood. Very well. I will convince them to take you on the journey.
Now, leave us."
Arwen looked at Rúmil, and he caught a glimpse of anxiety in her eyes. "Do you wish me
to go, Rúmil?" she asked in a lower voice.
"Yes!" Rúmil said vehemently. He even wished he could go with her, but as he opened his
mouth to tell her so, she snapped at him.
"Fine," she said loudly. "I will leave you here to kiss Celeborn, you whore of the
Galadhrim. It was not enough that you were kissing Legolas this morning!"
"Was he now?" came the cold voice of Lord Thranduil as he stepped into the clearing just
as Arwen turned towards him. Her eyes grew wide and Rúmil knew she had not mean to
tell him this. "Celeborn, can you not keep your plaything away from my son?"
"Just a moment!" Rúmil snapped. He was getting tired of being abused by all three of
them. He had not realized how tarnished his reputation apparently was. "I do not
appreciate being spoken to this way by any of you."
Celeborn rounded on him. "We are your elders, and you will not take a tone such as this
with us."
"Arwen is not my elder," Rúmil pointed out.
"She outranks you, then," Celeborn amended. "As does Legolas. You are beneath him."
"And I would prefer that you were not beneath him," Thranduil snarled. "I have a mind to
teach you a lesson."
"Please," said Arwen, "Let him be. It-- it was just a kiss, and he did not mean to make
Legolas so sick with that herb--" Arwen clapped her hand over her mouth. Rúmil wished
he could sink into the forest floor and disappear.
"Rúmil gave him an herb? That explains why he looked so ill tonight," Thranduil said
softly, looking more and more angry. He looked even more dangerous than Celeborn,
perhaps because he was the largest of them all. He was tall and broad and well-muscled,
and Rúmil knew that the fastest way to anger him was for him to perceive any sort of
threat to Legolas.
"I was trying to help him," Rúmil whispered. No one heard him. Celeborn and Thranduil
advanced on him.
"I am sorry, Rúmil," Arwen cried. She ran away into the darkness.
Rúmil's heart sank. With her there, he had hoped that Celeborn and Thranduil might
restrain themselves, but now he was utterly at their mercy. He stared at them with round
eyes, trying to think of something to say that would stop them from whatever they
intended.
"I see you have little control over your people, Celeborn," Thranduil said bitterly.
"I see you have little control over your son, Thranduil," Celeborn replied.
Thranduil glared at him for a moment. "You go too far, Celeborn."
"Do I? Do you even know where Legolas was all afternoon? Perhaps he is as big a whore
as Rúmil."
Thranduil swung his fist at Celeborn, but the Lord of Lórien ducked and Rúmil, standing
too close behind him, caught the full force of the blow. Thranduil's fist connected with his
face, blackening his eye and dropping Rúmil to the ground. Celeborn laughed, and Rúmil
felt tears stream down his face. It hurt so badly. Thranduil cursed, and then he and
Celeborn leapt upon each other, fighting like dogs. Rúmil pulled himself to his feet and ran
blindly to his tree. He sprinted up the stairs, past his own talan to that of his brother
Haldir. Throwing himself on the bed, he sobbed openly.
He knew not how much time had passed before he saw the blurry outline of Haldir
standing in the doorway. Despite the fact that he feared Haldir might be angry with him,
Rúmil had come to him and not to Orophin. He whispered his brother's name urgently.
"By the stars, Rúmil! Who did this to you?" Haldir came swiftly to the bed and grabbed
Rúmil's chin, tilting his head to examine the wound.
"Thranduil," Rúmil whispered, "But it was an accident."
"Tell me what happened," Haldir demanded. "Tell me everything, starting with when you
woke up this morning. Be truthful, and do not leave out even a minute."
Haldir let go of Rúmil's chin and began lighting some candles, then went to the fateful
shelf where he stored his herbs and medicine, listening to Rúmil's long monologue as he
sifted through it. He found what he needed and came back to the bed. Rúmil did as he was
told, leaving out no details, and Haldir carefully applied a salve to his eye.
Rúmil concluded just as his brother finished putting the cooling paste on his flesh. The
pain began to fade immediately. "You possess as much skill as Lord Elrond."
"Hardly," Haldir said, "But what knowledge I do have came from him. Rúmil -- does
Thranduil know that Legolas spent last night with me?"
"No."
"Why did you not tell him?"
"I did not wish you to wind up looking like me!" Rúmil said. "I would not betray you,
Haldir, despite what you saw this morning. You must forgive me, and Legolas, too."
"I do forgive you," Haldir said. "Both of you. I should have stayed and demanded to know
what was going on. If Orophin had not arrived when he did, the both of you could have
been in much worse danger. I could have been responsible for harm coming to you both.
The one who I cannot forgive is myself."
"Do not say that. All is well enough. You should go to Legolas now, and waste not this
night with him!"
"Legolas wants no more to do with me," Haldir sighed.
"But--"
"Let us speak of him no more, my brother. I am glad you are well -- and I shall have to
thank Arwen for interrupting you and Celeborn. Rúmil, think of the consequences of your
actions. You must not lie with him. It will cost all of us too much."
"I know," Rúmil whispered, feeling ashamed that he had ever desired such a thing.
"Off to bed with you, then." He enfolded Rúmil in his embrace and kissed him gently on
the mouth.
"I will sleep well knowing we are friends once more," Rúmil said as he got up to leave. He
smiled at Haldir.
"As will I. Now rest well. Tomorrow we will have a long day."
Rúmil left his brother's talan, feeling much better about the events of the night, even if he
still had a mouthful of scathing words for Arwen. Those would hold until tomorrow. Still,
he could not help but feel that Haldir had not been truthful when he said that he would
sleep well also. Knowing Haldir, he would not sleep at all while the rift stood between him
and Legolas.
Starting tomorrow, Rúmil was going to fix that rift.
