Deny Me Not

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

Deny Me Not.

Chapter 4

Finallcidiciding she had seen and heard enough, Amien left the lovers to their privacy and stole quietly away, her imagination busily occupied with trying to devise another way to win Glorfindel’s heart. It was apparent that a more subtle approach was required, but as yet no suitable idea had presented itself. She wandered back to the garden, and spent the rest of the afternoon in quiet contemplation, becoming ever more annoyed as she was forced to admit just how difficult the task she had set for herself would be. Amien was so lost in thought that she neither noticed that twilight was upon her, nor did she hear the approach of another until she was startled by the gentle touch of a hand on her shoulder.

“Amien, your Adar and I wish to have a few words with you,” said Inilwen, the maid’s naneth who had come in search of her daughter when it was apparent she had missed the evening meal. The sternness in the normally soft spoken voice warned Amien that all was not well so she simply nodded and silently accompanied her naneth to her parent’s chambers, the outer room of which was a small sitting room that was also used as a study.

“You wished to speak with me, Ada?” she asked, taking a seat as Inilwen closed the door so that they would not be disturbed.

“Aye. Your naneth and I were most distressed to learn from Lady Celebrían that, despite your promise to us that you would not do so, you were again attempting to force your affections on an unwilling Lord Glorfindel.” Galen stated, glaring at his daughter with cold fury in his eyes.

“But he has been so kind to me lately, I thought it was a sign of his attraction to me,” replied Amien succeeding in sounding totally innocent and allowing her own eyes to fill with tears, a ploy she often used to soften her Ada’s anger, but one that had no effect this time.

“Nay daughter it is not. Lord Glorfindel treats you no differently than he does any of his acquaintances,” said Inilwen as she placed a comforting hand on Amien’s shoulder. “I know you would wish it otherwise, but he and Erestor are betrothed, and will be wed on Midsummer’s Eve.”

“So soon?” Amien could not hide the distress that this news heralded. It was but two short months to the wedding she needed to prevent if she were to have Glorfindel as her own.

“Aye, you must not only accept that fact, but respect it as well. Lady Celebrían has made it plain that any more inappropriate behaviour from you towards Lord Glorfindel or any bonded Elf for that matter, will be very poorly regarded and may lead to our shameful return to Lothlorien.” Galen said, exchanging a concerned glance with his wife as they both sensed something of their daughter’s inner turmoil.

“So she threatened me also, and although it will be difficult, I will try very hard to remove my love for him from my heart,” replied Amien meekly, choosing her words carefully to dispel the storm of anger she could see brewing on Galen’s face from bursting forth. Whereas Inilwen was sympathetic to Amien’s predicament, and did not wish to see her daughter suffer any more heartbreak, Galen was more sceptical and disposed to distrust her words. That she believed she was in love with Glorfindel he had no doubt, but her lack of respect towards the betrothed couple was a serious breach of morality that he could not condone.

“I could hope for a little more sincerity from your promises, and a little less deception in your words,” admonished Galen as he handed Amien a small cloth with which to dry her eyes.

“You may not agree with us, Amien, but you are still very young and unknowing of matters of the heart. I am certain you only think you are in love with Glorfindel and the sooner you realise that he belongs to another and that you must seek your love elsewhere, the happier we all will be, yourself included. Besides are there not many attractive, unbound Elves in Imladris from which to choose?” Inilwen asked consolingly. Amien looked extremely doubtful but held her tongue. The thought that there was none more attractive than Glorfindel was plain to read on her face and roused Galen’s anger once more.

“However, since you have difficulty keeping your word to us, and your thoughts from ways of seeking affection from one who is unattainable, I find myself in agreement with Lord Elrond and Erestor...”

“You spoke with Erestor… about my feelings for Glorfindel…?” Amien interrupted, horrified to find such intimacy had been so freely discussed with her adversary. Galen was unmoved by the resurgence of tears that were borne of genuine anger and hurt.

“Aye, Erestor, Elrond and I had a brief conversation at the evening meal which you failed to attend.” There was no mistaking the reprimand as Galen continued. “When Glorfindel arrived, I also apologised to both he and the advisor for your inappropriate advances,” Galen stated succinctly, his ire returning at the memory of the rather embarrassing moment preventing him from keeping the harshness tone out of his voice. All three had been willing to forgive the young one’s unseemly behaviour, however Galen saw no reason to mention that Erestor had also been more flattered than offended that his lover was the object of such affection, and had graciously conceded that Amien was behaving much like any elf who had just reached their majority.

“Just what was it that you agreed that I would do, Adar?” Amien asked angrily as she recalled the rest of Galen’s words.

“I agreed that perhaps you needed something to do to keep your mind occupied elsewhere and asked for suggestions. When I mentioned your talent with herbs, Lord Elrond was very impressed and is expecting you to report to the Healing Hall in the morning to continue the training you began in Lothlorien.”

“Under his and Erestor’s watchful eyes no doubt.” Amien said sullenly.

“Amien! Do not speak so disrespectfully of your elders.” reprimanded Inilwen.

“Lord Erestor is not a healer, and even if he were you would still be expected to attend,” added Galen.

“As you wish, Ada,” replied Amien with a pleased smile, not because of her new task, but for the opportunity to deal with Erestor that had just presented itself.

********

The next day after the morning meal, Amien made her way across the courtyard towards the Healing Hall, and was surprised to cross paths with Glorfindel and Erestor who had not been in the dining hall. The advisor eyed her warily as she neared them, but nodded a polite greeting even as his betrothed pointedly wrapped an arm possessively about his waist.

“Good morning, my lords,” said Amien with a friendly smile and a hint of a respectful bow.

“Good morning Amien. I see you are off to the Healing Halls,” Glorfindel commented, exchanging a not so secret smile with Erestor. He heartily approved of this particular solution to his problem with the young maid and had shown his lover just how grateful he was earlier that morning.

“Aye, Lord Elrond is well known as a healer and I am eager to resume the training I began in Lothlorien,” she said, speaking as if nothing untoward had passed between her and Glorfindel. “And you my lord? You are dressed for patrol if I am not mistaken?” she asked needlessly. Glorfindel was armed with his sword and bow and was garbed in the tunic and leggings that formed the uniform of his warriors and was obviously on his way to the stables.

“You are correct. I am leading the patrol to the northern borders, and will likely be gone for at least a month,” replied the captain of the guard.

“A month! You will return in plenty of time for your wedding, I trust?” Amien asked the seneschal, her deliberately personal inquiry designed to provoke a response from the advisor. Erestor was far too mature and trusted far too deeply in the commitment he and Glorfindel had made to each other to be bothered by Amien’s words, but he was not unwilling to make his feelings plain to the young maid.

“Of course he will. Nothing could keep either of us from attending that eagerly awaited event, is that not so Glorfindel?” Erestor asked as he turned to face the seneschal so that he could gaze adoringly into the brightness of the love shining from clear blue eyes.

“Aye that is so, my love,” responded Glorfindel ignoring Amien’s envious glare as hew hiw his lover into his arms and sealed the promise with a passionate kiss that lingered long after the angry maid had stormed off and disappeared into the Healing Hall..