Part Twenty-Three
Arwen Undómiel was pleased to no end that her father was loudly touting her singing
abilities in front of the entire Great Hall. She decided to ignore the fact that this seemed a
rather odd thing for him to be doing, as he had never once done so before. Certainly he
had asked her to sing at banquets, but usually in advance, and never so flagrantly. Still, she
graciously accepted his praise and pretended it certainly had nothing to do with the fact
that Legolas was still rather ill and probably not much in the mood for singing.
It had been a chore to sit all morning and half of the afternoon next to the unconscious
body of the Prince of Mirkwood when the time certainly could have been put to better
use. She rather wished she could have sat with Rúmil instead… there were so many more
interesting possibilities there. Possibly this was why her father asked her to sit with
Legolas instead. Elrond knew that she hated Legolas. Yet he also knew that on his
command she would behave herself, and look after the prince.
She had wasted the opportunity, she thought as she rose up to stand in front of the Great
Hall. Legolas joined her and the musicians scurried to join them for accompaniment. At
least she had not been asked to play the harp as well. It had been so long since she had
practiced. Arwen glanced at Legolas, whose skin was paler than her own, even. He did
not look at her. He seemed to be using all of his powers of concentration not to fall over
flat on his face. Secretly, she wished that he would.
She could have snipped off his braids, she thought. Or stained that golden hair he was so
proud of with walnut. Perhaps she could have said it was an infrequent side-effect of that
herb he had taken. No, Elrond would know it was not. A little voice whispered inside that
she could also have neglected to give him the draught Elrond had left for him and he
would have been too ill even to attend the banquet tonight, but that was going too far.
If she had disliked Legolas before, it was stronger now after what he had done to Haldir.
Arwen did not blame Rúmil at all -- she was certain that Legolas had seduced him, just as
he had done on the stairs outside her grandmother's talan yesterday. Of course, even
though she did not blame Rúmil, she was still slightly angry with him, and had decided that
Haldir would make a better companion for the evening. He might never touch her, but he
would be amusing to talk to and might do with some cheering up.
She had waited for him to return to his talan after Legolas left out of concern. She had
seen the seething rage he had been in when he left it and she had worried for him. Arwen
truly did care for Haldir, who had always been kind to her. He truly was a friend, and in
return she meant now to be a friend to him.
Arwen had been afraid he would boot her out when she saw him step inside without his
clothes on. Despite many attempts, she had never seen him unclothed before. Modesty
was not a quality that most elves possessed, but Haldir had always tried to maintain a
certain level of propriety with her. She knew this owed to her position, and the fact that
any improper behavior on his part might be cause for her father to insist that Haldir marry
her.
This, of course, was part of the reason she had been trying to seduce Haldir for the past
few centuries and part of why the friendship that had been easy between them when she
was younger grew harder and harder as the years passed. Arwen did not understand why
Haldir would not want to marry her, but males were stubborn at times and so she had not
given up until just recently when she found herself undeniably more attracted to Rúmil
than to his eldest brother.
Today Haldir had simply glared at her, then tossed his clothing aside. Her breath had
caught in her throat. He was undeniably the most beautiful male specimen she had ever
viewed naked. His shoulders were broad, his chest and arms well-muscled, his body sleek
and fit. Her eyes widened as she let them drop lower but it had been then that he turned
around and started getting dressed.
She was pleased when he had agreed to escort her to the banquet, but his curt mood and
gruff treatment of her had led her to wonder if he would be any fun at all. Oh well, if he
bored or irritated her, she would simply force Oro to switch seats with her and spend her
attention on Rúmil. She had just the gown to wear, she thought, when she saw Haldir's
dress robes. She had gone off to change into it and had been gratified by his reaction when
he had come to her talan to fetch her.
"You are beautiful, Lady Arwen," Haldir said, and his expression told her that he meant it,
that he was not just being polite. He did not comment on the fact that they matched.
"So are you," she replied frankly, "Though I do think I like you better unclothed."
"I do not believe Galadriel would be amused if I arrived at the banquet unclothed," Haldir
said, extending his arm to her.
"Then perhaps we shall save that for…after," she said hopefully.
"Perhaps," Haldir replied automatically, giving her the faintest shred of hope that he meant
it.
And yet, deep down inside, Arwen knew that Haldir really did have feelings for Legolas.
He had for a long time, which was part of why she hated Legolas so much. Haldir thought
he had kept his heart hidden, but she had seen many times how distant and slightly forlorn
he looked when Legolas was mentioned. With a woman's heart, Arwen knew that Haldir
loved Legolas -- and after her shouting match with the prince this afternoon, she knew
that Legolas returned his feelings.
So why did she feel so determined to keep them apart?
Either one of them would have been a politically well-suited match for her. Why did they
choose each other instead? Who would she have, in the end? There was no other prince
among Elvenkind any more, her brothers aside. Haldir was Marchwarden, which was rank
enough, but Rúmil was not. Would a mere Galadhrim be suitable? He was not even patrol
leader, he was second to Orophin. Of course, her grandmother could change that. She
would never make Rúmil Marchwarden in his brother's place, however.
Perhaps she was doomed to be forever alone. Her heart might be hers to give where she
would, and she might love wherever she pleased, but she knew that if she wished to wed,
it could only be to one worthy of her station. Maybe she should give up and go to Aman,
to Valinor, to be with her mother.
As she stood before the Great Hall, Arwen's eyes turned to Amroth. He was looking at her
with a vast appreciation that made her heart miss a beat. Amroth had been King of Lórien.
What about him? It was true that he was millennia older than her, but he looked it not in
face or figure, so did that matter? Arwen looked over at Rúmil, who was not paying her
the slightest mind. He was throwing grapes up in the air and catching them on his tongue.
She would have scowled if she had not been so aware that everyone else was looking at
her. Why should she want him instead of someone like Amroth?
Haldir had been great company at dinner, and he too was looking at her now. Or maybe he
was staring at Legolas, standing beside her as the musicians took instruction from Lord
Celeborn. It was hard to tell. At the least, Haldir had ignored Legolas completely over
dinner, amusing her with tales, bantering back and forth with her, and making her feel as if
the two of them were alone, dining in private. She had wanted him so badly, but she could
not help stealing the occasional glance at his youngest brother.
When Haldir had taken her hand between his two and started rubbing her fingers, Arwen
had felt her insides turn to liquid. If she had not known better, she would have sworn he
was trying to seduce her. Many elves had tried this before, and all had failed. She knew the
looks and the signs. She just could not believe that she might finally have what she had
been after for so long, the moment that she had turned her back on it. Should she try again
to spend this night with Haldir? Should she tell Elrond they had been alone together in
Haldir's talan this afternoon, and that he had been unclothed?
No, Elrond had seen Legolas lying naked in Haldir's bed, and he had cautioned them all
not to speak of it to Thranduil. A thought came to Arwen's mind. Thranduil! Yes, that was
the solution. If she told Thranduil what had happened, surely he would take Legolas and
go home, and Haldir would be free for her. Unless it was Rúmil that she really wanted…
Arwen stamped her foot as she battled her confusion. Legolas turned his head and looked
at her with a wry smile.
"Do not worry, Lady Arwen, I am certain Celeborn will have the music sorted out in no
time," he drawled.
She wanted to slap him, but she remembered her manners and that everyone was looking
at them even though they were not likely to hear what was said between them, so she
simply smiled at him sweetly. "Are you feeling better?" she asked in a honeyed tone. "Well
enough to sing? I could tell your father that you are too ill…" Arwen let the threat hang in
the air.
Legolas lifted his chin slightly. "You could. Yet I should rather think your fondness for
Haldir will hold you back. He would suffer far more than I would from the revelation."
"You are cold," she said softly.
"You deliberately misunderstand," he replied. "I love him. Do you?"
Before Arwen could reply, or even search her heart for a truthful answer to that question,
Celeborn approached them with a grin. "You will know this tune," he promised as he
returned to his seat.
"I wish they would tell us what we are meant to sing," sighed Legolas.
"As do I," Arwen replied, agreeing with him for the first time.
She felt ice in her veins as the music began. Her eyes widened as she turned to look at
Legolas, who seemed shocked as well. In fact, everyone in the banquet hall wore looks of
surprise except for Celeborn, who looked smug, and Amroth, who obviously did not know
the tune.
Arwen took a deep breath and began to sing it. What else could she do? She just could not
understand why her grandfather would want her to sing the Ballad of Nimrodel. Perhaps
Elrond would be pleased. It was his favorite song. Legolas came in on the second line,
having obviously been so startled that he forgot to begin. Their voices sounded clear and
strong together, Arwen had to admit. They were matched in this talent.
She brought her gaze sympathetically to Amroth, wondering if he would be embarrassed
or taken aback by this, but he was listening politely and if she did not mistake him, looked
quite amused. Galadriel's expression was completely blank, Elrond looked slightly
embarrassed, and Erestor had his mouth wide open. Arwen had to stop looking at him to
avoid lapsing into a fit of giggles mid-song.
Haldir's face seemed unreadable to Arwen, though he was certainly paying strict attention.
Orophin looked mortified, and Rúmil had his hand clamped over his mouth, his blue eyes
wide, as if he was trying to stop himself from laughing. The sight of him was indeed so
comical that Arwen had immediately to look away from him as well.
The song finished and a silence so complete fell over the Great Hall that Arwen could hear
crickets chirping outside. She looked desperately at Haldir, but in that moment of her
panic, Amroth began softly to applaud. Haldir immediately followed his lead, as did
everyone else.
"Bravo, Legolas!" Thranduil called out.
They returned to their chairs and Arwen's knees were weak with relief. She sat down next
to Haldir and grabbed his hand. He squeezed her fingers gently then let go to refill her
wine goblet. Arwen picked it up and drank it down in one long, unladylike gulp. Before
she could recover much, Galadriel called again for dancing. Haldir rose immediately and
offered his hand. She would not have refused him for the world.
"Why did my grandfather ask for that song?" she said to Haldir as they moved about the
floor gracefully. They had danced together many times and were used to each other's
movements.
"He wished to embarrass Amroth, but I do not think he succeeded."
Arwen stole a glance at Amroth as they whirled past him. He was not dancing, but sitting
with her father. "He is watching us."
"Everyone is watching us."
"We look well together, Haldir."
"Yes," Haldir agreed, "We do. If you dance with Rúmil tonight, watch your toes. He is not
nearly as talented as I am."
"What makes you think I will dance with Rúmil?"
"Your great love for him, of course."
"Do not mock me, Haldir."
"Oh, I am only teasing you, Arwen. Has singing stolen your sense of humor?"
Arwen pressed her lips firmly closed. When the song ended, she thanked Haldir and
marched back to the table ahead of him. Amroth has moved and was talking now to
Legolas, and she stopped abruptly when she saw this.
"Will you do me the honor, Lady Arwen?" Amroth asked. "I have not danced in a very
long time, but you have inspired me to make the attempt."
"How could I refuse such a charming request?" she replied, but was immediately sorry that
she had agreed when she saw Haldir sit down beside Legolas at the table.
Amroth was far lighter on his feet that Arwen expected, but it was difficult to pay
attention to him when she so desperately wished to hear what Haldir and Legolas were
saying to each other. At first Amroth's mind appeared to be on his steps, but once he
found the graceful rhythm of the music, he turned his attention to her.
"You are as beautiful as your mother. Perhaps more so," he said.
Arwen smiled. "Thank you. I miss her."
"You must. I miss her, too. She was younger than you are now when I saw her last."
"The song we sang--" Arwen stuttered with embarrassment.
"I was glad to hear it. It is nice to know what is being said about oneself. Besides, I know
you did not choose it."
"I do not understand why Celeborn would attempt to make a guest uncomfortable,"
Arwen said, biting her lower lip softly.
"Do not think ill of your grandfather," Celeborn said lightly, but she saw his eyes darken.
He changed the subject. "You and the Marchwarden suit nicely."
"What a pity he prefers Legolas," Arwen said. "You saw that this afternoon."
"Yes," Amroth agreed. "And you, my dear? Where does your heart lie?"
"In my own breast," Arwen said, but her gaze went to Rúmil, who was now chatting
animatedly with Celeborn, who was glancing blankly past him at Orophin.
Amroth chuckled softly. "Will you miss Rúmil when we leave tomorrow?"
"Leave?"
"Haldir and his brothers will be accompanying your father and myself as we go to search
for Nimrodel."
"No one told me," Arwen said. "Do not tell me I am to be left alone in Lothlórien with
only Legolas Greenleaf for company!"
"Legolas and Thranduil come with us as well, but surely there are others here for you to
talk to."
"My grandparents are always busy. That leaves Erestor, but I would rather talk to the
wall. Can I not come as well?"
"It will be dangerous."
"I am not afraid."
"I am not afraid for you," Amroth replied, smiling. "But you must ask your father, not
me."
Arwen sighed. She knew what his answer would be. She glanced over at Haldir and
Legolas. They were both standing up now and appeared to be arguing. Good. Haldir
turned and left the hall, and Legolas sat back down, resting his face in his hands.
"I should go after Haldir!"
Amroth followed her gaze. "Let them be, Arwen, if you care for either of them."
"I hate Legolas!"
Amroth lifted an eyebrow. "Then for Haldir's sake."
Arwen sighed. It was growing late and many elves were starting to depart for the night.
When next she looked, Rúmil was going out the door. Arwen saw Celeborn look furtively
at Galadriel, then get up to go after him. She thanked Amroth for the dance and he smiled
at her, then went to sit back down next to Orophin. Arwen waited until he was no longer
paying her any mind, then turned and ran out the door after her grandfather.
