Scenes from a Life

Author's notes: Timeline: September 19th, TA 3013 (this chapter); AU; Set about five minutes after "Offence".

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"The lady doth protest too much, methinks".

William Shakespeare (Hamlet, Act III, Scene II).
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Eadhild's feelings were in an uproar and she didn't know what to think about what had just passed in the room behind her. Though she hadn't worked here for long, she knew already that many of her fellow maidservants allowed guests at the inn to take them to bed, often for coins to add to their meagre salary, but not seldom just because they fancied the man. Or Elf.

It was often the Elves, she thought, and there had even been occasions when girls had quarrelled about who should wait at their tables or clean their rooms. But not tonight. Nobody had wished to go near the Wood-elves, and all had been relieved when the fierce leader of the company had retreated to his room immediately, not to emerge again.

She shivered at the thought of the sinister Elf. He had used her beyond anything she had heard of from the other servants, just pulled her into his room without even asking for the pleasure of her company. He had been arrogant, threatening, condescending, insensitive... and yet, she had felt immense pleasure at his every touch.

Eadhild sighed. There were so many things in this world that she didn't understand. But she did know that she must do everything in her power to keep her situation at the inn, and idle thinking in corridors was not what she was paid for. Hurriedly, she straightened her skirt, relieved that it wasn't too badly crumpled, and knocked on the door to the room where the two Elves who had smiled to her earlier this evening were staying.

Quickly and with accuracy, Orophin put an arrow into his target and drew another from his quiver. Rumil nodded appreciatively at his brother, who had just hit a fat spider on the opposite wall. They were both too involved in the game to notice the knock on the door.

Not receiving any answer, Eadhild opened the door and was met by a shocking sight. She couldn't believe it! Everyone at home had said that Elves were odd folk, but this was beyond her wildest dreams. Not only had the arrogant Elf in the other room used her most impudently; but now these seemingly well-behaved nice ones were damaging their room. She was not going to tolerate anything more from members of that race. She was so furious that she forgot for a moment that she was a servant and that guests were to be treated with respect at all cost.

"Stop it," she yelled at the Elves who had turned to watch her, but not put aside their bows. "What do you think you are doing?"

"It's nothing... just an archery contest." It was the smaller of the two who had spoken.

"An archery contest!?", she said angrily. "Indoors? Are you out of your minds!?"

"We meant no harm. We were just playing..." he continued, his eyes glittering mischievously.

'This was a respectable house', Eadhild thought. The Elves who had suddenly started to frequent the inn some years ago had drawn more common customers as well, who were eager to take a peek at the exotic guests. It would not do to have its reputation ruined by some child play! It would take hours to fix the marks the arrows would leave in the walls once they had been removed. She sighed deeply, shooting a disapproving look at the other Elf. He at least looked a bit more serious and had now put away the offending bow.

"We can make it up to you," he said.

"How? By taking my next shift, perhaps?" The mere thought of two Elven warriors scurrying around in the main hall, aprons and all, dodging the hands which attempted to pinch their bottoms whenever they passed a table... it made her giggle to herself. But she did not show her amusement.

"Not exactly," said Orophin. "We thought you might like a bath."

"Of course," she snapped. "So that you could stand there and leer at me. You would like that, wouldn't you?"

"Yes!" Rumil wanted to shout, but a glance at his elder brother made him keep his mouth shut.

"We've brought some healing herbs from our forest", Orophin said in a friendly voice. "You seem upset and a herbal bath would help you to relax."

Eadhild thought for a second. Actually, she would like a bath. Now that she was used to it, she found it quite enjoyable to soak in warm water, and she suddenly felt an almost desperate need to cleanse her body after the encounter with the other Elf. Herbs were supposed to be good for the skin, and if they would have a relaxing effect as well that would only be welcome. She had had a tough week at her new job, and she didn't have any more duties this evening... delivering the towels were the last thing for tonight.

The towels! In the tumult she had forgotten her reason for coming to this room in the first place!"Oh, I'm so sorry," she said. "Your towels! Good lords, can you ever forgive me? I... "

"Don't worry," Orophin interrupted her. "We've already had our baths and there were some towels lying around in the corridor that looked clean enough, so really, it doesn't matter. And there's no need to be so formal. My name is Orophin and this is Rumil, my younger brother". "He's a little childish," he added with a loving glance at the other Elf. "And your name is?"

"Eadhild," she said.

'From Rohan,' Orophin thought. He should have guessed that from her height and her unruly blond hair. How had she ended up here? Not that it was his business... humans did so many strange things one could never keep up with even their more important affairs.

"Now, Eadhild, if you please come over here, you can choose which herbs appeal most to you. They are all similar in their effect." She smelt the little pouches he held towards her. They all seemed good, but she chose a fresh aroma that reminded her of the white flowers of here homeland. Simbelmyne... but that was so distant now, so far from her life here, nothing she wanted to dwell on.

She watched the elder brother; Orophin was his name, she reminded herself, pour some of the contents of the chosen pouch into the water. This bath would feel good, she thought. The only thing that still made her a little uneasy was the thought of removing her clothes and getting into the tub in the presence of the younger Elf... he was staring at her in a hungry way and looked like he didn't have any sense of shame in him! And now he blinked at her! How dare he!

"Come, Rumil, let our guest have some privacy."

With a disappointed look on his face, the younger followed his brother out of the room. She was relieved and quickly undressed and stepped into the tub. The water was still warm and the herbs delightfully fragrant. It was so soothing to her tired limbs, pure pleasure just to sit there and relax into the embrace, thoughts drifting...

Eadhild was startled by the sound of voices in the corridor. Oh, Helm help her, they were already coming back from the hall! A soft knock on the door and Orophin peered inside.

"Rumil, wait here, please," he said when he saw that she still hadn't gotten up from the water. Perhaps he had overdone it with the relaxing ingredient, he thought. She might need assistance and he wouldn't have his brother frighten her with his, sometimes indelicate, manners. He picked up a towel and went to her, demonstratively turning his head to look at anything except her.

While she appreciated the modesty, it did look rather funny, Eadhild thought while accepting the towel he stretched towards her. This Elf was a true gentleman! She wasn't uncomfortable with him and he was quite a pleasant sight with his handsome face and blond hair. It was so different from hers, so ...silky. She blushed, realizing that she had actually reached out and touched it and quickly withdraw her hand. "Please forgive me, how rude of me, I did not mean to..."

"It's all right," he reassured her. "May I help you with your hair in return? The locks look very nice, but I would like to braid them for you - would you like to try that?"

Eadhild sat on a chair in front of him, towel wrapped around her body, as he combed and plaited her hair in what she assumed must the way of the Elven females. It felt good to have him running his fingers through her hair, to be taken care of. She almost didn't notice when he turned his attentions to her neck and shoulders instead, massaging and caressing them. He placed a small kiss between her shoulder blades...

"Thank you, Orophin, that was really nice of you."

"I could continue, if you like. Your back is still a bit tense, isn't it?"

She accepted his offer and lay on her stomach on the bed, surprised that she felt so relaxed in the company of an unknown male. He stroked over her whole back, sometimes so gently she shivered from pleasure, and sometimes so hard she had to suppress a scream. But it felt good and she didn't protest when he turned her over to lie on her back. His hands continued to roam over her body, now only stroking her tenderly, caressingly, soothingly.

Orophin had removed his tunic and Eadhild rested an arm on his strong neck as he bent down to place a kiss on her breast, carefully moving closer to the nipple and finally taking it into his mouth. He suckled gently and let his hand caress the neglected one. She couldn't hold back a soft moan at the enticing treatment he was giving her.

That was the signal Rumil had been waiting for. Silently he opened the door, slid into the room and gracefully shed his clothes. He didn't always understand Orophin's romantic ideas, but he appreciated the way his brother seemed to have with even the most reluctant females. It was in moments like this that he felt the bond between brothers the strongest. They would never abandon each other, never do harm, always share. So different from Haldir, who had always preferred to be the lone wolf, to make his conquests on his own only and enjoy the spoils all by himself.

Orophin briefly lifted his eyes and smiled at his brother before returning his attention to the woman. He knew these next moments would be crucial, so he renewed his efforts, suckling a little harder and moving one hand between her legs, causing her to part them in order to allow for his sweet ministrations. He found her little nub and started to rub it gently with one finger, but soon left room for his brother's tongue.

Rumil let his tongue swirl around the centre of the woman's lust, at the same time caressing her moist folds. Occasionally he swept a little lower, to taste her and feel her readiness. "Oh, she is ready!" he thought, when she bucked her hips to allow entrance for the fingers he had placed teasingly at her entrance. He directed a look of pure love at his brother, as Orophin shifted a little to give him more room for movement.

Eadhild's eyes widened with astonishment as she saw the handsome face of the younger brother hovering over her. There was no mockery in his gaze now, only lust, she registered moments before his entry made her close her eyes again and let out a loud moan. She couldn't control herself any more and she continued to moan and whimper, soon writhing under him.

With a last groan of satisfaction Rumil emptied himself in her, not too worried that she hadn't reached her peak yet. He knew that Orophin would take care of that as soon as he had left, so he dressed quickly and disappeared out into the corridor, directing a broad grin at his brother.

"Rumil, always the impatient one!" Orophin chuckled to himself. He had learned that this was the best way to get some privacy, which was how he preferred it.

'Eadhild of Rohan,' he thought. 'Now I am going to truly pleasure you'.

Not having found her release Eadhild had not ceased whimpering after Rumil's withdrawal. She was aching for more! She sighed deeply as she felt Orophin moving in and let out a little sound of disappointment when he didn't enter her at once. Instead he caressed her whole body with his hands and tongue, avoiding no area except the one where she most wanted him. Only when she begged for him to stop this torture did he take her, slowly at first, tenderly, torturously sweetly, with shallow thrusts until she bucked heavily to make him go deeper. Only then did he increase the speed, the force, and the intensity as she lifted her legs up higher around his waist in an attempt to make him touch her deeper still. And then he felt her body shaking at her peak and he came as well.

As she drifted off to sleep she saw that the younger Elf had come back and he now lay down beside her; still smiling he placed a kiss on her lips. "Goodnight, Eadhild."

She felt happy and safe lying between the two Elves who had both snuggled up against her, and had almost forgiven the incident with the other of their kind. Almost. And in the dim light she could still make out the outlines of the accursed arrows protruding from the wall above her head. Elves!