Quite unexpected

Chapter two Complications

Slowly the darkness gave way to light and Celeborn’s eyes gradually gained their alertness. He blinked a couple of times, wondering where he was and frowned when he was unable to link this ceiling with any room he knew.

“Ah, finally. I feared you had planned to stay asleep on us for the duration of the day.” Celeborn turned his head and stared at a very concerned and warm, friendly face. “Hi there. I’m Joreb.” The name soundly vaguely familiar to Celeborn but he nodded. “Father saved you and brought you here. You were real lucky, you know that? Do you remember what happened?”

Celeborn frowned as he tried to recall. “Wait a minute…. Yes, I think I do. I was in Rohan and eager to go to Gondor. Too eager. I rejected their kind offer to travel together if I had the patience to wait.” He rubbed his head. “And then I got caught in that storm, which drew me to this dark forest and than those blasted orcs showed up. I should have died.”

Joreb smiled. “Glad to see your memory still intact. I was wondering why you were travelling alone and had imagined a lot, but this wasn’t one of them. Wait a minute, will you; father told me to inform him once you’ve awoken and I need to get you something to drink.”

Only now did Celeborn realise he was thirsty. He still didn’t know why his host’s name sounded so familiar to him but he ignored it for now.

Joreb temporarily left his eyesight to instruct a servant to inform his father and fill a glass. He walked back to the bed and handed Celeborn the glass.ink ink this and try to ignore the awful taste. As good a healers we have, they blatantly ignore our taste buds, I’m afraid.”

Celeborn grimaced as he found the words to be more than true and managed a sour smile. “I’m eternally grateful to your father. If there’s anything I can do for him…”
Joreb shook his head. “Father will be insulted if you say that. Do you hail from Rohan or Gondor?”
Celeborn shook his head. “Nay, I’m from Lothlóriën.”
Joreb nodded. “Never been e. Ie. I hardly leave my realm. Father needs me here and I’m not that fond of travelling. I take it you are? Or did business call you to the human realms?”
Celeborn smiled. “Both. Rohan has the finest horses you can image. It is a rare treat to see the Rohirrim ride.”

He stopped talking when a violent shiver attacked his frame.
Joreb instantly stood. “We need to get you something warm.” He looked around but saw no tea. He grabbed a blanket and placed it around the shivering elf. “I’ll go get some tea. Try to get a little warmer with this.” He ran outside and to the kitchen. He could kick himself for not thinking of some warm fluids.

Celeborn pulled the blankets close to his frame, trying real hard to stop shaking. But the combination of the cold and the poison made it hard for him to do so. He didn’t look up when the door opened, expecting Joreb to return with the tea. He felt a soothing hand on his shoulder and saw a flask appear on his lips. He automatically drank and smiled when he sensed miruvor flow down, heating him from the inside. He was fed another sip and he closed his eyes in bliss and grabbed the flask. He purred when two hands started rubbing his arms through the blankets and moved to his back, helping him drive away the cold.

“Adar. You’re here. I forgot the tea.” Hearing Joreb’s voice Celeborn snapped up his head and looked confused. Joreb had walked in and had already poured him a mug warm tea. He now had to let go of the flask to accept the mug and drank greedily.
Joreb smiled. “I knew you would like those herbs. I thought to myself that elf looks like he’ll love it. The girls told me to use mint, but I ignored them. They send their greetings and love, but they do that to everybody, so that’s not that special. And they asked me your name.” Celeborn smiled at him and extended his hand to get a refill. “See, I knew you’d like it. He came from a human realm, adar. He was travelling from Rohan to Gondor.”
He ignored his father’s frown. “He got caught in a storm that drew him here and then orcs showed up and then you saved him.”

Celeborn closed his eyes at the ramblings. His shaking subsided and he wondered why the rubbing hadn’t stopped; there was no more reason to rub him warm. He handed the mug to Joreb and laid back down, his eyes still closed. “For which I have to thank you. I owe you my life.”
Joreb frowned when he saw a pained look cross his father’s features and shook his head. “Adar, don’t. I warned him you wouldn’t like hearing that. But no, he goes on and says so anyway. But what can you expect from one so stubborn.”

Celeborn’s eyes flashed open. “And just what makes you think I am stubborn?”
Joreb shrugged. “Maybe the fact you didn’t wait until you had the safety of the Rohirrim to protect you? Or maybe because you continue to ignore my hints? Or the fact you…”
“That’s enough Joreb. You sound like an elfling. Go make yourself useful.”
Joreb threw on his most innocent look. “But I am being useful. I am offering our wounded guest some entertainment while I keep him company and someone has to tell him about our realm. Someone who travels will like that. Maybe we can even show you around, master…?”

Celeborn smiled and opened his mouth to answer but another shiver stopped him from doing so. Instantly the hands were back, rubbing him to warmth. “Joreb, go get the chief healer. I fear our guest has stayed in that storm too long.”

He sighed relieved when Joreb had left. “Thank you. Does he always talk so much?”
Thranduil laughed. “No. Usually it’s worse. Be lucky his sister and brother aren’t here or they would have put up a show for you. Is your breathing getting worse?”
Celeborn nodded. “Harder.”
“Sit up.” Thranduil manhandled him until Celeborn leaned against him and indeed his breathing went easier.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”

It was silent. An awkward silence in which Celeborn wondered about his saviour, who continued to stay out his view and in which Thranduil forced himself to stay focused and in control.

“Why haven’t you mentioned your name?”
Celeborn shrugged. “I told Joreb I heal from Lothlóriën. Most people need only to see me or know where I hail from and they know who I am. Don’t you?”
Thranduil smiled. “Joreb doesn’t. Many here don’t. You seem relieved?” His voice betrayed his surprise.
Celeborn nodded. “I’m not welcome in this realm. King Thranduil doesn’t really like me.” /Anymore./ Thranduil wanted to disagree but he remained silent, knowing his voice would betray him.

Joreb returned with the healer who halted when he saw the predicament his king was in. He quickly walked towards the bed. Thranduil smiled at him. “I think he contracted a cold from last night’s sto The The healer examined Celeborn and nodded. “He did.” He reached inside his pouch and pulled out some dried herbs. “Add these to his tea and make him drink a mug every hour. Keep him warm. And if he’s thirsty only water.”
Thranduil nodded and the healer cocked his head, silently asking if he should stay instead. But Thranduil shook his head. He wanted to take care of Celeborn. He would not be able to stay away anyway.

Joreb smiled. “We’ll take care of it.”
The healer understood the begging eyes of both his sire and his patients and turned to Joreb. “And he needs rest and calm, so you go.” He had uttered those words against his better judgement but if his patient felt tired by Joreb he really didn’t have a choice.
Joreb pouted. “But I still don’t know his name.”
The healer started pushing him out and Joreb raised his voice. Celeborn could still hear him as they walked down the corridor. “Please, at least tell me his name. What am I gonna tell Legolas when he comes back? Or my sister? Legolas will want to know who our father saved.”

Celeborn’s eyes widened at the last words. /our father…/ “-Our- father?”

A mug appeared in front of him and he drank without realising it. His head was trying to understand this and his cold wasn’t helping him reach a conclusion. Suddenly he gasped and turned his head, afraid of what he might see. “Thranduil?” His voice was disbelieving but his eyes didn’t betray him. In front of him sat Thranduil, the last elf he expected to tend to him. He instantly recognized his features. Thranduil -had- been his saviour.

His head reeled. “You saved me?” He could not stop the disbelief and shock from entering his voice.
Thranduil nodded. “Of course. You’d rather had I’d let you get killed?”
Celeborn swallowed and shivered but didn’t give into it. “No, but I would have expected it. You hate me.” He saw the pain enter Thranduil’s eyes and the king stood.

“I’ll tell the healer to return.” /This was a mistake. What was I thinking?/
“Thranduil, wait?” Celeborn’s tone was so pleading he actually turned. He gasped when he saw him struggling to leave his bed. He took two fast strides and placed his hands on Celeborn’s shoulders. “You are staying in bed or you’ll never heal.” He read the questions in Celeborn’s eyes but refused to answer them. He could not. Not ever.

About to stand Celeborn’s hand reached out and touched his knee. He stared at the limb as if it was something he’d never seen before.
Celeborn swallowed. “Stay? I’d prefer someone I know. Maybe we can talk? We were friends once. I always wonder what went wrong. Can’t we become friends again?”
Thranduil shook his head. “Nay. I don’t think so. Too much has happened.” Celeborn could hear the pain in his voice and he ached to help his friend from old if only he knew how.

Thranduil closed his eyes. “I shall send in the healer or Joreb and once Legolas returns he can take over. You’ve met him.”
Celeborn placed more force behind his grip, preventing Thranduil from rising. “Please stay? If only until Legolas returns. I really would love to catch up.” The pleading in his eyes broke Thranduil’s resolve and he nodded. “I shall stay.”

Celeborn smiled gratefully and wondered why it had been so easy to make Thranduil stay. But then again: before they’ve grown apart Thranduil had always done what Celeborn wanted. It had gotten him into trouble more than once but still Thranduil was eager to please Celeborn. He frowned and wondered for the gazillionsth time what had happened to drive them apart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Celeborn, wait for me.”
Celeborn stopped and turned, smiling when he saw Thranduil running towards him, cheeks flushed. “Your day started good.”
Thranduil smiled and nodded. “Adar wrote. He said I could stay. Isn’t that great?”
Celeborn laughed and hugged his friend. “That means we can spend the summer together. The thought of saying goodbye to you made me sick.”
Thranduil beamed. “It wouldn’t have been forever. Can we go swim?”
Celeborn nodded. “In the river. That way we can ride first. I just love riding.”

He stopped when he noticed Thranduil wasn’t so ecstatic. “What’s wrong?”
Thranduil shrugged. “Nothing. It’s just that the horse they gave me hates me. I don’t like riding it. Can’t we walk there?”
Celeborn laughed and hugged his friend. “Tell you what: we’ll change horses. You take mine and I’ll take yours.”
But that seemed to terrify Thranduil even more. “That one only listens to you and I have no desire to fly through the air, thank you.”
Celeborn smiled. “Oh, Thranduil, please. Ask the grooms to give you another horse. Please come with me to the river.”
Thranduil bit his lip, as was his wont when making up his mind. Celeborn’s eyes took on a begging look and Thranduil sighed. “All right, let’s go.”
Celeborn hugged him tight. “You’re the best friend ever. Come on.”

He ran down the stairs, pulling Thranduil along. Several elder elves jumped aside when they passed. “Hey, easy there, you two. Your fathers want you to behave!” Celeborn stuck out his tongue and sped up, forcing Thranduil to do the same. Their tutors shook their heads.

“Maybe we should have intervened.”
“No, Thranduil needs some guidance and, more importantly, a friend.”
“I agree, but Celeborn is too dominant for him. Just look at them. Thranduil does everything Celeborn wants. That’s not friendship. It’s heroism.”
“Are you sure? Maybe you’re not looking closely enough. Only the Valar know what will happen to them.”
“Suppose you’re right, but I still fear for Thranduil. He’s not strong enough.”
“All the more reason to have strong Celeborn as a friend to defend him.”
A third elf joined the conversation and smiled, seeing Celeborn saddle two horses. “A born leader.” They nodded.
“Aye, he is. But Thranduil one day must rule his realm. He truly is a born leader.”
“True, but I have it on good authority that Celeborn’s father wants him to marry soon. Before the seasons have come full circle five times.”
“No, what does he say of that?”
“I don’t think he knows. But believe me when I say their meeting will be in a relaxed environment. Celeborn won’t know what’s going on until it is too late. And maybe he’ll even love her.”
But now a fourth elf denied that.
“What about Thranduil?”
“They’re friends. I suspect he’ll come to the wedding.”
“I doubt that. If this goes as you say, their friendship will be over. Mark my words.”
“And since when can you see the future?”
“Since I see the present clearly enough.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Celeborn’s eyes flashed open and he stared at Thranduil’s apologizing face. “I’m sorry to wake you but it is time for your medicine.”
Celeborn sighed and nodded. “It wasn’t a nice dream anyway.”

He hissed when he move his shoulder. “How long before that blasted poison leaves my body?”
Thranduil shrugged. “Should be soon, but with this cold it might take longer. Are you in pain?” Thranduil shook his head and Celeborn’s stubborn shake, even though his face contorted in pain. He glared at the grinning blond. “Don’t lie, Celeborn. I know you too well.”
Celeborn snorted. “You don’t. We haven’t seen each other for millennia. I’ve changed.”
Thranduil raised his eyebrows. “Have you? You’re still a stubborn fool.”

Celeborn hissed again when he felt his sheen throb and closed his eyes to force the pain away. He opened them in surprise when he felt Thranduil manhandle him until he comfortably rested against the other’s chest. It took the pressure of his shoulder wound and he sighed relieved.

“I must confess you confuse me, Thranduil.” Thranduil didn’t answer and Celeborn sighed. He knew he could get in trouble if he uttered the next words, but he didn’t have much choice. “You swore you’d throw me in your prison if I ever stepped foot inside your realm again. And yet I am in a very comfortable room. You also said you’d kill me if I’d even so much as wrote to you and yet I am not only still alive, you -saved- me. Can I hope there’s a chance to renew our friendship?”

Thranduil was glad Celeborn could not see his face for he’d surely would see his tears. He forced his voice to remainady.ady. “Don’t flatter yourself. The only reason you’re still alive is my people. If I wasn’t responsible for their safety you’d be dead and we’d be in war with your wife. Which reminds me, we should probably inform her you are here.”
Celeborn shook his head. “Nay, inform Gondor. They are the ones expecting me. Not ‘Lóriën. And you give Galadriel too much credit.”
Thranduil closed his eyes and stifled a longing sigh. “She’s your wife and we all know how wonderful your marriage is.” He looked stunned when Celeborn snorted.
“I’d say the reports are somewhat exaggerated. Our marriage isn’t great, Thranduil, far from it. It was the biggest mistake in my life.” He closed his eyes to force his tears to stay inside. “Not only do we not love each other. I also lost my best friend over it. For that’s why you left, is it not? I know it was, but I never understood why.”

Thranduil stood, careful not to place pressure on Celeborn’s injuries, and started pacing. “I’m sorry to hear your wedding has lost it’s glow. Perhaps it is not too late to salvage it? Surely what drove you two away happened only recently.”
Celeborn shook his head. “It happened twenty-two years after the wedding. The day I realised our wedding was fake. Well, not fake, unfortunately, but not real either. Father had arranged our meeting back in Doriath. Do you remember? She had been acting all along. Her connection ensured me of rulership, which was what father wanted, and I gave her the chance to be a real lady. Through me she had enough power to wield the ring”

Thranduil’s head spun. /Twenty-two years after the wedding…. But that’s when…./ He gasped and sank down on the floor. For the first time since it happened he knew Celeborn had come to him for a shoulder to cry on, for advice and what had he done? He had threatened him, told him if he ever returned he’d throw him in prison. “I… I did not know.”
Celeborn shrugged. “There are none that do. Without her I do not have a realm to rule. Daily I pray she’ll make a mistake, but she has made none.”

Suddenly his eyes filled with hate and anger. “Why am I telling you this? You’ll probably laugh at me and tell it to the world. Way to go Celeborn, tell your number one nemesis how he can destroy you. Real smart.” He brushed away Thranduil’s comforting hand. “So that’s why you are still here? That’s why I am not locked in some dark prison cave? You don’t even think I am good enough for that. Just go!”
Thranduil shook his head. “You leave when you’re healed.” He sat back down and let his mind wander to the past.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They had just been to the river again and we’re laughing when they walked down the streets of Doriath.

“Excuse me, do you perhaps know where I might find the sowing rooms? My cloak needs some mending.”

Celeborn and Thranduil halted and looked at the face of a beautiful she-elf. Thranduil smiled but frowned when he noticed the look she shared with Celeborn. His conclusion was swiftly drawn. /It is true. He -is- getting married and this is her. But why didn’t he tell me?/ Seeing the interaction between the two his eyes darkened and he briskly turned. /He knows and pities me. Thranduil, you’re a loser not to believe those tales. He’s not your friend. Only pity keeps him at your side. Not friendship./

He ran to his room and locked it. When Celeborn came to talk he yelled at him. “Just get lost. Go to your pretty lady. Leave me alone!”

He distanced himself from Celeborn and watched his friend start courting that lady, who he now knew was Galadriel. Every time Celeborn looked at her his heart contracted in pain.

He went to the only other friend he had, a healer and he told him everything. Every little detail of his pitiful life. The healer had comforted him, told him he could alwgo tgo to him. “Celeborn is your best friend. He would never pity you. Grant him this love and stay silent or tell him how you feel and fight.”

End chapter two
TBC