Celeborn's Nine - Riders of the Night

Author's note: yeah Himeros is a booger for sure, but he's not as bad as the Olympians. And Prometheus couldn't very well stop by...could he?
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Elrohir stood outside on the battlement, the cold night wind blowing his hair about his shoulders. He was trying hard not to think, not to be lonesome, but he missed the little Saka girl who had warmed his nights. Some of the other girls had tried to take her place, but he wasn't interested. It was enough that he had lost that one; it would be unbearable to lose two.

He heard someone coming and knew it to be Elladan. "You should be inside where it's warm," he said as his brother stopped beside him.

"I could say the same for you," Elladan replied uncomfortably. "Standing out here will not bring her back brother, no matter how much we both wish it."

Elrohir looked at his brother and smiled. " If only wishes came true," he said as the wind blurred his eyes. Elladan smiled softly and embraced his brother.
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The snow came hard that week, leaving the ground covered in a hard white crust that crunched under the feet of the men and centaur. Glorfindel, troubled by Himero's visit, spent a great deal of time away from the keep in the woods hunting, usually with the twins. Elrohir was becoming more depressed as it finally sank in that the little Saka was gone and not coming back, that it wasn't a bad dream. Humans always fretted that they got the worst end of the deal when they fell in love with an immortal, but here was the other side of the problem. Elrohir was despondent, but he only made it worse by not admitting that he missed her and letting himself grieve.

Glorfindel would not interfere though, it wasn't his place, besides he had his own troubles. No man or elf should ever love another man or elf's woman. It was wrong; he knew it was wrong, but he couldn't gt the image of Tiger as Prometheus' Tiger out of his mind, and he feared it was now carrying over to his own perception of her.

Climbing into the loft for a wrap of dry hay, he got enough to keep Asfodel happy and was on his way back down when he spotted Tiger brushing down Horse. Only it wasn't Haldir's Tiger. His breath caught in his throat as he watched her.

Without looking up, she said, "You wish to talk to me?"

Glorfindel finished climbing down the ladder and gave the hay to his horse. "Why are you appearing to me this way?" he asked curiously.

"Is this not what you wanted?"

"Yes, but only because this is the You that can lie to Haldir."

"And you think I would lie to Hal-dear?"

"By omission," Glorfindel answered, keeping one eye on her, the other on the doors. He didn't want Haldir to overhear THIS discussion.

Tiger smiled and shook her head. "No, I would not lie to him. He just doesn't know what question to ask to get the truth."

Glorfindel lowered his head and shook it in amazement. " Riddles, I should have known. Are you looking forward to the day Prometheus takes you back? " Tiger's expression told him that she had not given this any thought. "You would be with him now if he hadn't made promises to you and Haldir. What promise did he make you?"

Tiger frowned. "Old Master promised Tiger a cub," she answered.

"And he can't give you one? He created you from nothing and he can't give you a cub?" Glorfindel didn't know why he was suddenly angry, but he was very mad. "And I can only imagine his promise to Haldir."

"I do not know what promise he made to Hal-dear," Tiger replied anxiously and suddenly stopped, her eyes on someone behind Glorfindel.

Glorfindel jerked around expecting Haldir or one of his brothers, but this was worse. "So you show your face now?" Glorfindel snapped at the Titan.

Prometheus did not respond to Glorfindel right away. He went to Tiger and caressed her cheek, but it was obvious he was resisting the urge to kiss her. After a moment of studying her face, of letting his thumb brush her lips, he looked at the elf and said, " I am sorry that you have become the innocent victim of a game the immortals play."

"I am immortal," Glorfindel responded indignantly."

Prometheus closed his eyes and inclined his head. He was not going to argue semantics with Glorfindel.
"Eris, come out!" he suddenly called to the thin air. "Do so, or your brother and I will have words."

Glorfindel blinked as a fiery haired woman in a leather curass and a very short chiton appeared in the stable with them. Tiger ducked her head and hid behind Prometheus.

"You call?" the savage goddess of Strife responded sullenly.

"I thought you were away preparing the demise of Troy," the Titan said.

"I have time to visit...your creation."

Prometheus smiled and glanced back at Tiger. She looked up at him and then at the goddess. "You've tormented my Tiger enough," Prometheus said, a warning in his voice. "If I find you anywhere near her or those around her, then the great war your brother is so looking forward to may not happen."

"You can not stop it. We have already put it into motion."

Prometheus' smile became almost evil as he said, " One word in the right ear can put a stop to this. Do you want to risk it?"

"Ares would destroy you," Eris hissed.

"You think I fear Ares, a bully? Heed me Eris, leave these people alone. If you don't you will regret it...I promise.....and I always keep my promises."

Eris hissed viciously but knew better than to provoke the Titan , who was once more in Zeus' favor. Scowling at him, she disappeared. Prometheus waited a moment and then told Glorfindel, "She was the one putting the evil thoughts in your head. That is how she works."

Glorfindel frowned even harder. "I wish you gods would go away and leave us alone."

"Not while you have what is mine," Prometheus reminded him.

"Here's your chance. Take her and be gone. I'll tell Haldir she just disappeared."

"Tempting," Prometheus replied, but then he stopped and looked behind him. Haldir was standing in the doorway.

"What is tempting Titan?"

"The idea of just taking her and going," Prometheus replied.

Haldir hissed at Glorfindel, "This is your idea!"

"Not an original one," Prometheus said and turned to face the highly agitated Haldir. "It is one I have considered."

Haldir was not going to let Prometheus just take Tiger. "You made some promises to me and her," he reminded the god. "Are you going back on them now that you are free?"

"Do you think you can stop me?" Prometheus asked curiously.

Haldir looked uncertain of himself, although anger was deeply etched on his face. He was tired of everyone interfering in his life....from the Persian demons who had wanted his mind and body to this god who now wanted his heart. "Tiger, come here," he beckoned to her.

"Stay," Prometheus said.

Tiger looked from Haldir to Prometheus, tears glittering in her eyes. Glorfindel wanted to yell at them to stop this, that they were hurting her, but neither was thinking rationally. Haldir was scared too death, and Prometheus was determined.

"Tiger, come to me," Haldir repeated and held his hand out to her.

Prometheus looked at Tiger who was staring at Haldir with tears running down her face. She wanted to go to him but stayed because she also loved him. "Go on Tiger," he finally said, releasing her from his hold. Tiger threw herself in Haldir's arms and laid her head on his shoulder. "Two promises must be kept before she returns to me, but she will return to me," he reminded the elf. Turning to Glorfindel, he said, "Now that Eris is gone, you will be returning to normal."

"Sanity? I look forward to it."

Prometheus flashed a handsome grin and said, "I could not let you face the balrog as agitated as you were."

"And when are we destined for that dance?" Glorfindel asked curiously.

"Take to the mountains the moment you can. He'll be waiting."

Glorfindel sensed the Titan was about to do his disappearing act and asked, "How can I save the men or elves that Himeros said were going to die?"

Prometheus' face softened. " I can not undo what the Fates have ordained," he replied. "better you know nothing else."

Glorfindel slowly nodded his head. "So as soon as the weather permits?"

"Yes."

"I guess we better go get ready. Celeborn thinks it will break by the end of the week."

"Yes."