Deny Me Not

Disclaimer: LOTR belongs to the creative genius of JRR Tolkien, not me.

Deny Me Not.

Chapter 2.

Glorfindel was still seething with anger at the young maid and had barely gone a few more paces when a sweet voice called him to a halt.

“’Tis a pity to mar such a lovely summer’s day with the dark storm clouds I see in your eyes, dear Glorfindel,” said Celebrían as she stepped into view carrying a basket filled with some of the roses she had been tending in one of the smaller gardens.

“I have good reason for my foul mood, my lady,” he stated through gritted teeth.

“I know.” Glorfindel raised an eyebrow in query at the simple words of understanding.

“I am afraid I overheard the whole unpleasant encounter, and I have a mind to remind that that young maid of the meaning of moral behaviour,” Celebrían stated with an exaggerated air of dignity that made Glorfindel smile.

“Then I suggest you keep your lusty sons away from her until you do,” he teased, his words earning him a playful slap on the chest.

“I already spoke to them on this matter when they so kindly offered to keep her too busy to be bothered with you.” Glorfindel could well imagine how Elladan and Elrohir would keep a pretty young maid occupied, and could not help but wonder whether Amien would even be affected by their attempts at seduction. The Balrog slayer was worldly enough to know a very determined lady when he met one, and he thoroughly disliked being the object of her desire.

“However, I can not allow them to feign interest and possibly hurt the maid’s feelings in the process,” she was explng ang as Glorfindel refocussed his attention on his current surroundings.

“Ai, Celebrían, you are as compassionate as you are beautiful,” said the seneschal as he kissed her cheek with friendly affection. “Maybe Erestor should try reasoning with her?”

“My dear Glorfindel, surely you are not serious? As fearsome as we both know Erestor can be when a young one needs scolding, I am afraid he is the last one who should approach Amien. Certainly your betrothed has every right to express his displeasure, but since she views him as a rival I doubt that she would heed anything he had to say.”

“Perhaps she would listen to the Lady of Imladris?” Glorfindel suggested, eager to have the siton ron resolved. “I would be grateful if you would attempt to make her see the error of her ways.”

“A wise suggestion now seems like a most opportune moment and if you will permit me, I would like to offer you some advice in return,” she said, taking two red roses from her basket.

“I think it will do wonders for your spirit if you take one of these lovely roses to Erestor and use it, and perhaps the offer of a picnic in that romantic little spot by the waterfall, to entice him of of that stuffy library for the rest of the day.” Her wicked smile and suggestively raised eyebrows made the intent of the words she did not say plain, as the seneschal’s equally suggestive wink intimated.

“Now that is a very appealing idea, especially if I can also entice him out of his robes.” Glorfindel mused, his eyes darkening with longing rather than anger, knowing from long years of friendship, and a like sense of humour, that his candid comments would not offend.

“Somehow I doubt that will present a problem, as long as you do likewise,” Celebrían giggled, as always enjoying the slightly erotic tone to their banter.

“But what of the other bloom?”

“Give it to Elrond, he will know the meaning,” she replied mysteriously.

“And what might that be, although I think I can guess,” Glorfindel teased, causing a delicate blush to colour Celebrían’s cheeks at the innuendo.

“All I will say is that there is a reason why I did not suggest you spend the afternoon in the glade by the stream,” she admitted with a mischievous smile. ”Now be off with you. Go and find your beloved whilst I see what I can do to dissuade your unwanted suitor.”

“I wish you success in that endeavour my lady,” Glorfindel said, his scepticism obvious in his raised eyebrow. With a gallant bow as he lifted a delicate hand to his lips and kissed it lightly, then disappeared along the pathway that lead to the house and Erestor, apparently oblivious to the fact that he and Elrond’s wife had not been alone.

**************8

Celebrían had been well aware of the intense scrutiny she and Glorfindel had been under during their brief conversation and without invitation she walked over to the stone bench and sat beside the tearful young maid. Amien eyed her new companion warily, and not without a hint of envy for the display of easy affection she had witnessed between the two elder Elves.

“I know you are very fond of Glorfindel, but why do you keep making such improper advances to one who is betrothed to another?” Celebrían asked, coming straight to the point. The maid’s face lit with a brilliant smile at the mention of the seneschal’s name.

“I love him, my lady,” she replied. It was the simple truth and stated plainly.

“So I see, but he does not love you, his heart belongs to Erestor. Surely you know it is immoral to behave the way you do?” Celebrían spoke kindly, not wishing to sound accusing.

“They are not wed yet, and I know it is only a matter of time before I win his heart,” Amien replied with confidence and a little arrogance that served only to harden the Lady of Imladris’s attitude towards her.

“Glorfindel and Erestor have been in love since the day they met well over a thousand years ago, although they have only recently admitted it to each other. You are sadly akenaken if you think he will turn away from Erestor, now or ever.”

“I think not. I may be young, but I know my own heart, and it tells me that he will one day be mine, especially since he is so free with his affections towards another’s spouse,” Amien answered with a pointed look at the basket of roses. She had not heard the conversation, but had seen the gestures of affection. Celebrían glared at the insolent young maid, only now fully realising how frustrated her dear friend must be feeling.

“I need not explain my behaviour to you, but in defence of mine and Glorfindel’s honour, you are beraberately misinterpreting a friendship based on respect, affection, and aye, even a kind of love that in no way resembles the love Elrond and I share, nor that of Glorfindel and Erestor.” Celebrían sensed her words had not been taken to heart by the young one, and searched her mind for another approach she could take in dealing with this problem. The obv obvious way to gain cooperation from the obstreperous maid quickly sprang to mind and she had no qualms about employing it.

“Erestor was very impressed by Galen’s letter of recommendation from Adar and he tells me he is pleased with the quality of your adar’s work,” Celebrían said with a deceptively casual air. Amien blinked away her surprise at this unexpected change of subject and met the ice blue eyes that sought hers warily. She had forgotten that the Lady of Imladris was the daughter of Celeborn and Galadriel.

“Thank you, my Lady. Adar is very skilled at his craft and I once heard Lord Celeborn say that his documents were almost works of art.” bríabrían nodded her head in silent acknowledgement as she sensed the pride Amien felt on hearing such words of praise. Unfortunately the insincerity in the pretend show of respect did not escape Celebrían’s inherited ability to see into other’s hearts and there was hardness to the cold smile on her lips that sent iveriver down Amien’s spine.

“High praise from Adar indeed and I am sure he would willingly accept the return to Lothlorien of Galen and his family should your unacceptable and immoral behaviour towards Lord Glorfindel continue.” Amien paled and her eyes widened with disbelief and fear.

“Please do not send us away my Lady. Adar would be so ashamed to be sent back to Lothlorien.” Amien begged unable to keep her tears from tracing a path down her cheek.

“He should already be ashamed of your behaviour. I will have Erestor remind your parents that Imladris is a refuge and a peaceful haven and whilst there is a certain amount of levity and sionsional questionable behaviour at our celebrations, our residents are generally expected to obey our laws and customs. Am I understood?”

“Aye, my lady. Do you wish me to apologise to Glorfindel and Erestor?” Had she believed the offer was a sincere gesture of remorse, Celebrían would have readily agreed but she doubted very much that this was so. She still did not trust young Amien.

“Not with words, but by your deeds. Stop your pointless attempts to steal Glorfindel from Erestor, and behave as a lovely young maid should,” replied Celebrían as she glanced around at the shadows, estimating that it was almost noon and time to meet Elrond for their ‘secret’ rendezvous.

“I promise I will behave in a more fitting manner, and will respect Glorfindel and Erestor’s relationship,” Amien vowed with a smile for the Lady.

“As long as it lasts, that is,” said the voice of jealousy in her mind