Mandos's Embrace

A/N: Okay so I found time today. I had not expected to, so I shall post a chapter in celebration. Much love and happy reading! Do not worry, this story will live up to it's NC-17 rating soon. SpiritChild

Chapter Five

Three shadows slunk silently along the bridge leading to Glorfindel's talan. He had been gone for hours the day before and had arrived only after dark. Curious would be an understatement. Downright demanding of details perhaps would explain it better. The door opened silently and three pairs of eyes peeked around the corner at the prone form of the unsuspecting elf. At a silent command, the three invaders pounced.

Glorfindel barely had time to even register something was wrong, before he was tackled. He managed to get out an "Oompf!" as Elladan, Elrohir, and Orophin sprang upon him and pinned him down to the bed. Orophin sat on his chest, his knees pinning Glorfindel's arms down, while he held his shoulders down with his hands. Elladan and Elrohir each held a leg down, while peering around their accomplice, or instigator, depending on how one viewed the situation.

Glorfindel looked between the three of them, mildy unamused at being woken up in such a manner. "Something I can do for you this morning?" He frowned up at them.

Orophin grinned. Turning, he shared a look with the twins. "Yes." He looked back down at him. "You can tell us what happened yesterday."

"I do not belive I am accountable to you three for my actions." He growled at them, somewhere between being utterly furious, and amused beyond all belief. So this was what they wanted! He plastered a smug smile on his face. Well, he could play as well.

Elladan exchanged a look with his twin. Elrohir sighed. "Oh fine. You can drop your laundry off this afternoon..."

Orophin leaned in closer to him. "Is that a look of satisfaction on your face?" He pulled back. "You didn't!" He took on the tone of a person who had just learned something truly dirty about his friend.

Unable to keep up pretense any longer he shook his head. "No, we did not. Although we did kiss, and in a round-a-bout way she accepted pursuing a relationship together."

Orophin smiled brightly. "See? What did I tell you?"

Elrohir gazed serenely back at his twin. "And you, dearest brother, can do your own laundry." Elladan grumled and the friends broke out laughing, though it was somewhat hard for Glorfindel. Seeing as how Orophin had yet to move off his chest.

"Now would you all get off of me!"

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Azalea finished the last of her braids. It had taken her longer than usual to do them, due to the fact that she had slept without them in, and hadn't brushed her hair before that, either. She picked up her silvery clasp and swept them back into a tail, leaving a couple hang down on either side of her face. Getting up, she went over to her wardrobe and pulled out a clean uniform. She laced up her leggings and slipped into her black undertunic, then her heavier grey one. Sitting back down, she began to lace up her boots. A knock at her door startled her a bit. She hadn't been paying attention, or she would have heard the footsteps. She looked up. "Enter!" She heard the door open and soft footsteps approach.

"Ready to go, yet?" It was Orophin.

"Almost. Just have to get my cloak and weapons." She finished her boots and stood up. "I see you're ready." He stood before her in full uniform already.

He nodded. "I was up pretty early." A mischevious glint in his eyes told her quite a bit.

"Twins, huh?" At his innocent look, she laughed. She fastened her cloak and slung her quiver over her shoulder. Her hammer was slipped into it's sling and she picked up her bow. "I'm ready. Shall we go?"

With a nod he exited her talan and they made their way down the winding stairs towards the city gates. She had hoped to see Glorfindel before she left. It seemed he wasn't going to show, though. He's probably still asleep, she thought to herself. The gates loomed ahead of her. She had never been loathe to go to the fences before, this was crazy! A soft sigh passed her lips before she could stifle it. Orophin glanced over at her. "Is something wrong Azalea?"

"No, why would you think that?" She pulled up her hood as they neared the guards.

"You seem upset about something."

She shook her head. "No, Orophin. I have nothing to be upset about." She turned a smile to him. "Honest." She replied to his lifted eyebrow.

"I just thought you might be a little dissapointed someone hadn't come to see you off.."

She gaped at him. "What do you know?"

"Everything unfortunately." A dry voice replied from her right. "He pressed it out of me, you could say." Glorfindel stepped out from behind a tree, a wry grin on his face.

At the sight of him, her heart fluttered and she broke into a soft smile. "I see. Perhaps I'll have to swear you to secrecy from now on. Just for safety's sake." She teased. She heard Orophin snicker behind her. Turning to him, she crossed her arms. "As for you.." With a quick movement, she had her bow out and an arrow nocked. "..run." She and Glorfindel bit back a laugh at his shocked expression.

"Better listen, Or. She sounds serious."

With a nod, Orophin turned and started off at a jog. She sighted down the shaft and let one fly, whizzing it right past him. Strangely, he picked up his pace.

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Glorfindel could hold in his laughter no longer, and broke out in peals of it. Azalea turned to him with a grin. "That's not the first time, I've shot at him. He knows when I mean business." He stepped closer and took her in his arms.

"I couldn't let you leave without bidding you farewell properly." He felt her breath catch. Finally, some measure of revenge. He thought to himself. With a coy smile, he lifted her face towards his, and placed a soft kiss on her lips. He had meant for it only to be that, but it seemed she had other plans. Deepening the kiss slowly, Azalea drew him in further. Thier kiss grew in ardor until it became searingly passionate. He felt lost in this kiss, rocked to the core with desire.

Suddenly, she pulled away. His eyes shot open and he looked at her, confused. "Something wrong?"

She grinned coyly. "No. Just wanted to give you something so you didn't forget about me." She winked and spun to go.

Realization dawned on him. He gaped at her. "Cruel elleth..." She turned and beamed at him, blowing a kiss as she broke into a jog to catch up with Orophin.

"Now that really was quite low." He turned to see Elrond watching him, a grin on his face. "Never thought I'd see you completely and hoplessly in love like this. I even thought my Foresight was faulty when it told me of it." He stepped closer to his longtime friend. "That's why I made sure you overheard that conversation with my children and Erestor."

For the third time that day, Glorfindel was shocked.

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Azalea made good pace through the forest, finally catching up with Orophin. "You missed." He jested the minute he saw her.

"I know." Was all she said. The two continued on in amiable silence, reaching the Northern Marches just before the evening meal. Haldir was waiting for them at the campfire.

"Reporting back in Marchwarden." She said as she plopped down on the grass next to him. Orophin merely grinned at his brother.

"How are the injured wardens?" He asked, passing her a bowl of berries.

"Recovering quickly. The arrows held no poison, so they were incedibly lucky." She popped a few berries into her mouth. "Lord Celeborn says they should be able to return to duties in a month. The one with the slash wound might be out a bit longer, but he is healing well."

Haldir nodded. "That is good news. They made rookie mistakes, but I think they learned their lesson and will not repeat them."

"You and your seriousness." Rumil chuckled as he came out of the forest and sat down next to Azalea. "Welcome back Zal. Can't think if I missed you, though." She shook her head and gave him a playful slug in the shoulder.

"I was only gone a day. Not much happens in a day." At a snicker from Orophin she turned to him. His eyes glittered. His brothers caught the look and glanced between Azalea and Orophin. She had seen this happen before and knew it wouldn't be long before they knew everything. At least whatever he got out of Glorfindel. She sighed. "Ok, so alot can happen in a day, but it's none of your business." They all turned to her. It wasn't long before she lost it under that scrutiny. "Ai Elbereth! Fine. I am being wooed by Lord Glorfindel. There. It's out. Are you pleased now?" She stood up and brushed off. "I'm going to bed." With that she wandered off to her flet, leaving Orophin to fill in the rest to Haldir and Rumil.

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Glorfindel sat in his favorite spot in the garden. The breeze ruffled the branches around him causing the flowers to release their beautiful fragrance. He had gotten into the habit of coming here to sit and think. Although, he groaned as he heard soft footsteps, everyone could find him easily. He looked up to see who it was and was startled to find Celeborn staring down at him. "Greetings my old friend." The Lorien Lord said as he seated himself on the soft grass near Glorfindel. "I apologize for not having sought you out since you've been here other than for business. My grandsons have been up to their old tricks, and needless to say, I've had my hands full."

Glorfindel smiled at him. "That is alright. I understand very well." He looked him over and gave a wry grin. "I see you're blond again."

Celeborn smirked. "Indeed. It took a very long time to fix that. Albeit Galadriel found it truly amusing everytime she saw me." They shared a chuckle. "I must say, you have managed to turn me off of blueberries, though."

"And for that I apologize." He reclined back on the grass, Celeborn soon doing the same. "Did Elrond tell you our stay has been extended?"

"Aye, and I tried to get him to send the twins home. Don't get me wrong, I love my grandsons, but.." He trailed off.

"I know. Afterall, I do live in Imladris." The two lay back in silence for quite awhile. Glorfindel enjoyed this immensely. The sunlight filtered trough the great mallorn trees, looking like shafts of gold. Imladris was beautiful, but Lorien was glorious. If not just for the natural beauty, he thought, a wry grin coming to his face as he recalled the parting with Azalea that morning. Celeborn stirred, raising himself up on his elbow.

He frowned at the look on Glorfindel's face. "You are thinking of someone." It wasn't a question.

"Aye. I am pursuing a relationship with an elleth here. She is one of your wardens.." He didn't get to finish.

"Azalea." His frown deepened. "I should have known that might happen." He sat up.

"What do you mean by that?" Glorfindel sat up as well. "Do you not approve?" He searched his friend's face with concern.

"Oh, do not get me wrong, I really do approve." He gave a comforting smile. "How much do you know about her, though?"

"Not much." He admitted. Glorfindel looked away, embarassed to admit he was in love with an elleth he hardly knew. "I know some about the Balrog. She faced one in Moria. Orophin told me that much, but said most of the tale was her's to tell."

Celeborn nodded. "It is indeed. For not even the brothers know the full extent of what happened. They only know what they heard her cry out in dreams of pain, when we first received her from Moria. The horror of that first day is still vivid to many who had been present. I felt responsible for her pain. It was I that decided to make her ambassador to Moria. She became our link with the dwarves and their talents. When the mines were sealed, she decided to stay. She had actually come to love the place. It didn't hold the same place in her heart as Lorien, but she had made many friends and it had become a second home to her. So when the time came, she helped to defend it. She was there at the very last, when Durin's Bane chased the last party of dwarves from Khazad-dum." He paused. "I trust you have seen her scars?" Glorfindel nodded. "The monster's whip caught her as she ran across the bridge. The rest is really up to her to tell, but when she was brought here, we were sure she would die or have to be sent to Valinor on a ship."

Glorfindel placed a hand on Celeborn's arm. "You could not have know that was to happen." Celeborn nodded. The two spent the rest of the afternoon reliving old times. What Celeborn had said, never left Glorfindel's mind. As he made his way to his talan that night, he went over the few more pieces he now knew of Azalea. She was indeed the most unique elleth he had ever met. A trait that seemed to pull him ever closer to her.