Entanglement

Entanglement

Chapter 3
Author: Frosty the Junior Mint
Rated: NC-17
Codes: Legolas, Haldir, Elrond, OC, AU, N/C
Summary: Novlomiel is sentenced to marriage, but it doesn't work out as planned.
Disclaimer: Tolkien's stuff isn't mine.
Author's Notes: Yes, another one of those fics from Frosty. Please R&R!

*

Legolas stared at Novlomiel as she hummed a tune while adjusting her wedding dress. She looked almost happy as the tailors worked on it, and she smiled as she stared at herself in the mirror. They had spent the day together, and he found that she often seemed distant, like she was immersed in thought. He found it annoying. "It's quite pretty, isn't it?" she said, smoothing her hands over the front of the dress.

"Yeah, it's nice," he replied, narrowing his eyes. She was too peaceful. This was supposed to be a stressful thing. "You seem to be in a good mood, today," he ventured, "What's going on?"

His eyes narrowed even further when he noticed a blush cover her cheeks. "Nothing's going on," she said, paying more attention to her dress, "I'm just feeling happy." She turned to look at him and raised an eyebrow. "That's okay, isn't it?"

He gave her an insincere smile. "Of course," he replied, irritated, "No need to be sarcastic." Sighing, Legolas sat down in a chair and rested his head in his hand. This wasn't exactly his idea of a good time, but he had nothing better to do.

Novlomiel continued humming her song until the tailors finished their work. When they had moved away, she turned and swished the skirt of the dress around her legs. "It's beautiful," she said, almost to herself, "Haldir's going to love it."

Legolas shot his eyes up to Novlomiel, but she didn't pay him any attention. Pursing his lips, he concentrated all his irritation at his mind's image of Haldir. He didn't like that elf.

When he glanced back up, he was surprised to see that Novlomiel was gone. Seconds later, she emerged from the dressing room in her usual robes. "Are we leaving now?" he asked, getting up. She cast him a weary look and he followed her out the door.

"I have a meeting tonight," he said as they walked towards her house, "Haldir does, too." He clenched his teeth when she seemed to perk up at his name. "Those Rivendell elves will be arriving this evening. Remember to stay inside after dark."

"Yeah, yeah," she answered with a wave of her hand, "Whatever."

He looked at her seriously. "It's for your own safety," he said, clearly tired of her attitude, "I'll come visit you after the meeting."

She licked her lips and smiled, "Oh, it's okay. You don't have to do that." At his questioning glance, she rolled her eyes. "Haldir said he'd drop by."

He raised his eyebrows and tried to appear nonplussed. "Oh?" he said, forcing a smile, "Well. That's good, then."

The rest of the walk was silent. Novlomiel couldn't understand why Legolas seemed to hate Haldir so much, but she found it affected her more than she would have liked. She wanted her best friend to like her future husband. It hurt her that he didn't.

Thinking back, she remembered that morning had been a good one. There was very little discomfort between her and Haldir, and he had been very attentive. She bit back a smile at how happy and relieved she had been. She had definitely lucked out at getting him as an intended.

*

Elrond looked around as he entered Mirkwood. While the elves who lived here really caused him little concern, he couldn't help but keep in mind that they had a recent alliance with Lothlorien. Two states against Rivendell were uneven odds, so he had decided it would be in his best interest to take up talks with these elves.

He and his company dismounted their horses when they arrived at their welcoming. There were at least a dozen armed elves, along with the King and his associates. Elrond smirked. They were obvious in their distrust.

"King Thranduil," he drawled, stepping forward, "It is an honour." He kept an eye on the surrounding elves, noting their contempt.

The King's eyes were hard. "Elrond," he said, nodding his head curtly, "If you will follow me, we can get started on the talks immediately. My guards will take care of your...company."

Elrond glanced back at his people and nodded softly, letting them know it was alright. He then, accompanied by two of his guards, followed the King to a small building nearly a mile away from where they arrived.

The room inside the building was small, set with only a long table that extended nearly wall to wall. Elrond took a seat on one end, and his guards sat on either side of him. The King sat at the other end of the table, and his company took up the remainder of the seats. Elrond frowned. He didn't like being outnumbered.

He took careful notice of who each of the elves at the table were. To the left of the King was Haldir, the spokeself for Lothlorien. Elrond's lips thinned at the fact that Celeborn himself didn't attend the talks. Cowardly, he thought.

To the right was the King's general, and to his right was the King's son. The rest of the table was made up of different servants to Mirkwood and Lothlorien. They all stared at him like he was there to do something unseemly. He was definitely outnumbered.

The talks took several hours, and by the end it was near morning. Elrond, King Thranduil, nor Haldir were happy with the outcome so far. It was decided that a break was needed, so they all dispersed. Elrond and his company were given leave to walk around Mirkwood, but he knew they were going to be watched the entire time.

He watched as the King and his company walked towards the dining hall. He had been invited, oddly enough, but didn't want to be around them any longer. He had had enough.

Telling his guards to do as they wished, he walked in the opposite direction of them all. He wanted to be alone, to think about just how much he hated having to deal with this. If it wasn't for this damn Lothlorien/Mirkwood treaty, he wouldn't have to be doing this at all.

In the past, everything had gone so well. People got along, for the most part. But then things changed, and Elrond now found himself caring less and less, especially since the loss of his family. What was the point anymore? And the appeal of Valinor was diminishing.

Now it was time to take everything he wanted.

And he wanted to take Lothlorien and Mirkwood.

He grimaced as his gaze took in his surroundings. He wouldn't get far in his takeover if he was outnumbered.

His gaze settled on an elf standing outside a small house not far from where he was. She seemed to be preoccupied with something, and didn't notice him. Licking his lips, Elrond got up and approached the residence.

When he got closer, he saw that she was gardening. She was on her knees, her long dark hair falling over her face. She wasn't immersed, enough, though, to not hear him approach.

Turning her face, she squinted as he stepped towards her. "Hello," she said, getting up and slapping the dirt off her robes. When she met his eyes again, her face immediately realized that he wasn't from Mirkwood. She looked momentarily frightened, then stood up straighter, trying to cover it. "Can I help you?"

He looked her over and smiled softly. She was quite young, with hair black as his daughter's. Her eyes were dark; quite dark for an elf. She was beautiful, and Elrond stepped closer.

"I didn't mean to scare you," he said, and her strength wavered at his notice of that. He smiled and stepped by her, examining the garden. She turned and crossed her arms. "I was just exploring the city. It is quite lovely here." Out of the corner of his eye he caught a sparkle of something, and looked down at it. It was her cloak. And on it, an emblem of royalty.

Her expression became stoney. "You're from Rivendell, then?" she said, more as a statement than a question. Elrond smiled and looked at her. She bore a slight resemblence to some of the men he had met with. "Is the meeting over already?"

He raised an eyebrow. "You know of the meeting?" he asked, clasping his hands behind his back, and deciding to attempt something. "Are you part of the King's circle? His private womaerhaerhaps?"

Her eyes widened at that, and Elrond bit back a grin. "Excuse me?" she said, looking quite angry, "I serve my King, but not like that. I don't know what kind of society you have in Rivendell, but things are not like that here."

"Oh, my mistake," he said, his eyes amused, "I thought I heard him speak of you in such a way. What was your name again?"

"Novlomiel," she said immediately, "And he would have spoken of me because my father is in his circle." For a second she thought she probably shouldn't have said that, but her anger had gotten the best of her.

He seemed to notice. "I didn't mean any ill-will," he said, nodding slightly, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Novlomiel. I am Elrond."

She narrowed her eyes and looked him over. She remembered the warnings Haldir and Legolas had repeatedly given her about the Rivendell elves, and she could see they looked untrustworthy. The look on this Elrond's face was definitely more than just distasteful.

"You should probably leave," she said, pursing her lips. "I'm busy, and my father and the King wouldn't approve of you speaking to me."

He grinned, and Novlomiel shivered slightly. That wasn't the reaction she had been going for. "But they're not here, are they?" he said, stepping towards her. She held her ground. "And I'm sure you could use a break from your gardening."

Novlomiel froze as he touched a finger to her jawline. A sudden jolt of fear raced through her body, and she stepped back from him. "Leave now," she said, her voice strained and low. She didn't meet his eyes as he smiled at her discomfort.

"Have a lovely day, Novlomiel," he said as he walked past her. She clenched her teeth and stood shock still until his footsteps were no longer heard. Turning, she looked for him, but he had disappeared. She let out a deep breath as a wave of relief passed through her, and quickly made her way into the house, locking the door behind her.

*

TBC