To Tie The Knot

CHAPTER FOUR:

" She is a rather peculiar female." Orophin remarked, as he watched her go down the path at a full run.

" Aye, she can be so at times. But it rather adds to her charm, do you not think?." Rumil said, smiling.

The two brothers resumed walking until they reached the door to Haldir's talan. With the kind of familiarity that only the Marchwarden's siblings could dare, they just let themselves in without knocking. Noticing the empty living area, the brothers walked over to the bedroom.

" Haldir!" Rumil called out. " We just ran into Annaien on the way here and she wanted to convey her sincerest apologies for having tied up so much of your..."

The two elves came to the open doorway and froze, as looks of absolute shock came over their faces.

"...time."

they looked at one another, blinked, then looked towards the bed, blinked again, then looked back at one another...

" WaaaaaaHahahahahahahahaha!!!."

The brothers threw their arms around each other's shoulders, while their other hands clamped tightly across their own stomachs as they doubled over, completely overcome.

" Apologize for..." Orophin snorted.

" Tying up so much of his..." Rumil choked.

" Time!>" They gasped in unison.

" WaaaaaaHahahahahahahahaha!!!."

A voice that could have sent a Nazgul running for cover, spoke from the bed.

" If you two do not get over here and untie me RIGHT NOW. I will see to it that you both spend the next century standing guard over the barrack's outhouse!."

That seemed to sober the two siblings in a hurry and they rushed to undo their older brother's bonds. Haldir bounded off the bed and immediately began to put his boots back on, before stomping to the living area where he proceeded to strap on his knives and buckle up his sword. Rumil looked at him, worriedly.

" You are not going to punish her too severely, are you?." He asked in concern.

" I am not going to punish that half-human hellion at all." Haldir answered, the fires of Mordor burning in his eyes.

" I am going to kill her."

And with those words, he went out of the talan, slamming the door behind him.

" I think she might have pushed him too far this time." Rumil observed.

" Aye." Orophin agreed, solemmly. " I would say that Haldir has finally reached the end of his rope."

The two brothers whipped their heads to look at each other...

" WaaaaaaHahahahahahahahaha!!!."

" Where are you off to in such a hurry, pen-neth?."

Annaien came to an abrupt halt and executed what was arguably the most ungraceful bow ever given to the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood.

" My Lady, my Lord. I was..er..that is..I... I thought to perhaps find a place where I could enjoy some... solitude." She finished, lamely.

Her eyes involuntarily looked up into the Lady's, before she quickly dropped them, realizing her mistake.

But it was too late.

The Lady of Light had seen in that glance an image that would forever stay with her. She casually touched her fingers to her Lord's hand and Celeborn, who had been looking at Annaien with an indulgent smile, suddently went rigid as his eyes widened in shock at the mental picture his Lady had just sent him.

" The seeking of solitude can be a great way to ensure one's continued well-being." Galadriel said enigmatically, her sky-blue eyes twinkling mischievously.

" Indeed." Celeborn agreed, as he struggled to contain his twitching lips.

Annaien did not notice their reactions, as she had just spied Haldir making his way down one of the massive Mallorn trees and so had now become desperate to escape. Noticing where her glance was directed, Galadriel spoke again.

" There is a place, quite secret and most certaintly private, where my Lord Celeborn and I sometimes go when we are in need of solitude. I am sure it will serve your...needs."

Annaien struggled to look nonchalant, yet could not hide her pleading expression. So Galadriel, taking some measure of pity at the young female's distress, quickly told her the way to this secret place. The Lord and Lady watched, as the half-elven maiden they had raised since she had first come to them as a runaway urchin sped off into the forest. Galadriel sent a mental request to the thorn bushes that grew along the hidden path Annaien was following. It was a request the mischievous plants were all too happy to comply with, the snagging of clothing being one of their favorite pastimes.

That done, the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood moved to intercept their Marchwarden..

TBC...