Quite unexpected

Chapter seven top of the iceberg

Boromir knocked on the door and opened it after the call. He bowed and beamed. “Three Galadhrim to see Lord Celeborn.”

Aragorn practically ran down the stairs and smiled when he saw Haldir and his brothers enter. He knew Celeborn was fond of them. “Haldir, Mae govannen. Rumil, Orophin.” He narrowed his eyes at their appearance. /What is it with these ‘Lóriën elves to make them look so troubled?/ But he put it to their worry for Celeborn. /And they don’t even know the worst yet./

He smiled warmly and beckoned them to follow. “You must be weary from your journey. How did you know he was here?”
Haldir looked grim, but less than the others so Aragorn focused on him. The warrior shrugged. “Joreb told us.”
Aragorn’s eyes widened. “Don’t tell me you’ve made two journey’s in such a short time?” Haldir nodded. Aragorn’s face showed his awe and he smiled. “Well, than you certainly are in need of a bath and some refreshment and a decent bed. Which one do you wish first?”
Haldir’s face became hard. “We need to talk to Lord Celeborn. It is important.”

Aragorn sighed and showed them in his private rooms where the others were waiting. Only Celeborn and Thranduil were absent. Legolas smiled and quickly greeted the Galadhrim. “You look dusty. Why have you come?”
Haldir and his brothers shared a look that no one liked and Arwen stood before them at once. “If this involves my grandfather I demand to know.” Her voice was one that would not be denied.
Haldir and his brothers once more looked at each other and Rumil shrugged.

Haldir sighed and stepped forward. “Forgive me, my lady, but this is personal.”
Her eyes hardened and she placed her hands on her hips. “He’s my grandfather, Haldir. How personal do you want it? Or do you want me to get grandmother first?”
The three brothers jumped back. “No!” The answer was too sudden, too loud and too heart-felt to keep the others in blank masks.

Aragorn grasped Haldir and practically shook them through. “What happened? Why do you want to speak to Celeborn?”
Haldir hissed at the human’s grip, which was harder than he had held for possible, but he shook his head. “Nay, that is for Lord Celeborn’s ears only.”
Arwen nodded and brushed briskly past them. “Come on then.”

The others followed. Haldir and his brothers to find Celeborn and the others because they didn’t want to miss the show.

Arwen briskly opened the door, making Thranduil flare upright. Arwen entered and stepped aside to let the brothers enter. “Here he is. Good luck talking to him.”

Their eyes went wide as they saw what Celeborn had become. Orophin went to his knees, Haldir released curses that would have made a Dwarf blush and Rumil ran to the bed. The proud warrior no longer cared about whoever was present and released his tears. He sat on his knees next to the bed, hiding his head in his arms on the bed sheets.

Their commotion made Thranduil smile and he sat back down though he frowned at their presence. Before he could do or say anything Aragorn indicated he should remain silent instead. His eyes glared at Aragorn but he did his bidding. But if their presence was going to hurt Celeborn they were out faster than they’d could believe.

Eldarion woke up and hearing someone cry brought him to cry himself and his sudden outburst woke up Celeborn. The white haired elf looked around dazed and looked troubled when he realised Eldarion cried.

His eyes flashed to where he had seen Thranduil and he relaxed, seeing him calm and at ease. His eyes now turned to his other side and they widened when he saw Haldir, Orophin and Rumil. Arwen and Aragorn still stood in the doorway and he could see some faces behind Aragorn’s back.

His eyes begged Arwen to come closer which she promptly did. He did not speak but looked at the crying infant and held him up. She smiled and instantly took him and cradled him to her chest, soothing him in her soft voice.

Celeborn’s puzzled gaze now was fixed on Rumil. He had never seen him cry before. His eyes settled on Thranduil, knowing he would be able to understand him.
Thranduil smiled, reading the quens ins in his eyes, but he shrugged. “I don’t know why they are here, meldir. Ask them yourself.”

Orophin’s head flashed up at the words and his smile broke through when he saw Celeborn awake and alert. He ran towards the bed and flung himself at him.
Haldir hissed at the image. He wanted to spare his brother the pain. Who knew how Celeborn would react?

The elf stiffened at first but after a long moment, filled with silence, he placed his arm around Orophin and the other reached out to Rumil.
Feeling a hand on his arm made Rumil look up and Celeborn winced when he saw his tear streaked face. Again he looked at Thranduil and the ruler nodded.

His eyes turned to Rumil and the emptiness in them made the warrior hiss. He crawled on the bed and laid his head on Celeborn’s chest. “Don’t leave us.” Celeborn’s eyes revealed his surprise at the words as well as his disbelieve.

Thranduil smiled, pleased he had been wrong about at least three Galadhrim. He settled his eyes on Haldir. “Why have you come?”
Haldir glared at him but Thranduil didn’t seem to mind and Haldir sighed before he nodded towards the bed.
Thranduil nodded. “It is obvious you came for him, but what I am asking is why?”
Haldir’s eyes hardened and he flung his bow to the ground, making Aragorn jump up. “None of your bloody business.”

Celeborn’s eyes flashed towards him and they were commanding. Haldir looked puzzled. What did his lord want of him? Celeborn’s eyes temporarily flashed to Thranduil, enough to make him understand Celeborn wanted him to answer Thranduil’s question.

Haldir sighed and closed his eyes. “It’s personal and…”
He stopped when he found himself falling to the ground. He looked up surprised and stared at Legolas’ angered face. “Do you think you are the only one to care about him. Arwen is his granddaughter and to me he’s the uncle I never had. Don’t you even dare think you can belittle our care.” His tone was forced, showing he gave extreme efforts to strain himself.

Aragorn’s calming hand settled on his shoulder. “Peace Legolas. We’ve all been under a lot of strain lately. But he is right, Haldir. And besides, I don’t think Celeborn is capable of making decisions for a while. If it informs your realm talk to me or Thranduil and we shall help.”
His eyes showed there was no compromise and Haldir sighed again. “Forgive me. We too have been under strain.”

He turned his head towards Thranduil. “How come you came here? We were under the impression he was under your care in Mirkwood, healing.”
Thranduil nodded. “Celeborn wanted to go to Gondor.” He didn’t elaborate further and smiled when he saw Celeborn’s look of gratitude.
Haldir nodded and smiled meekly. “Your son gave us the directions after we’d arrived there. Give him our apologies for the way we just barged in but…”
Thranduil smiled and waved it away. “Your concern for him dictated your actions. Joreb understands that. So you came because of his message?”

Haldir closed his eyes, unable to make up his mind. Rumil made the decision for him when he growled and sat up. “That… that… witch!” His eyes spat fire and Thranduil involuntarily jumped back. He shook his head and smiled at Celeborn. “Remind me never to make that one angry.”

Celeborn smiled and reached his hand for him. He wanted to feel Thranduil’s calm support. His eyes begged him to forgive his words, his actions and his absence.
Thranduil’s eyes watered as he read it and he sat down on the bed as well, taking Celeborn’s hand in his own. “I came after you did I not?” He smiled at his friend who nodded.

All others shared a look of utter surprise and Arwen fervently wished for some sort of translation while Legolas frowned and wondered what it was he just kept missing. Orophin was oblivious to everything as he clung to Celeborn, who slightly tightened his hold on him. Rumil looked surprised but after seeing Celeborn’s pleased look he didn’t mind anymore. He drew his legs to his chest and started thinking. Haldir sighed when he saw that distant look. /Great, I have to do this alone now./

Aragorn grasped his shoulder and hauled him to his feet. His eyes begged him to talk and Haldir nodded, taking him aside. He made sure none but Aragorn could hear. “When the message came Galadriel was pleased and not in the way Arwen would have been if it had been you. She made it clear none was to go after him and that she hoped Thranduil would hold his promise and end his life. She called Celeborn a nuisance, useless and that she was the true ruler of ‘Lóriën.”

Aragorn’s eyes hardened at the words and he closed his eyes in disbelief. He forced his tears to stay in at at the pain he felt on Celeborn’s behalf. /I had been right all along. It ends here. But how?/ He opened his eyes and looked Haldir in the eye. “So why are you here?”
Haldir smiled. “Only Orophin, Rumil and I were present and we don’t agree. And we know the others don’t either, but there’s nothing we can do. Not alone anyway.”
Aragorn nodded. “Well, nothing is going to happen until he heals. But maybe….” His eyes shone and his mouth twisted upwards and he nodded. “Yes. That’s it. Legolas. Come.”

Legolas raised his eyebrows at the sudden command but walked with him, wondering what it was Aragorn wanted. He smiled when Aragorn told him everything and nodded in sudden understanding. “There’s something else though. Besides this I mean. But I’ll write the letter and send it by bird. That way she doesn’t know he’s here.”

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Aragorn returned to Thranduil’s room and smiled at the image. Arwen leaned to him and he eagerly pulled her to his own body. “They’re asleep?”
Arwen shook her head. “No, but the silence is comfortable.”

Haldir sat on a chair, guarding the four elves on the bed. Orophin had crawled closer to Celeborn and had fallen asleep. But he was the only one. Rumil rocked himself back and forth, thinking as he sat at the foot end. Arwen had worried at first but Haldir’s attitude showed this was normal and she had relaxed.

Celeborn had forced Thranduil to settle next to him and now had his head nestled on his chest. His eyes stared at the ceiling and his mouth smiled at Thranduil’s presence. Occasionally his eyes closed but only to flash open. Arwen had noticed his first glance was to make sure Thranduil was still there.

Aragorn pulled her away. “Come, Eldarion needs his own bed and so do we. Haldir and Thranduil will look after them.” Haldir and Thranduil looked at him and he smiled, seeing their determination. Pretending to think Celeborn asleep he spoke out loud. “Celeborn, my friend, they care for you more than you’ll ever image.” He bowed and guided his wife outside.

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Elrond cursed as the horse took another jump. /I should have ridden more. This has become too uncomfortable./

But Estel’s plea had been begging and he had understood the urgency. He knew Aragorn well enough to know he would not send for aid unless absolutely necessary. He sighed as another force of pain attacked him. /I hope he’ll appreciate it. I won’t be able to sit for another week./

He halted when he saw the white tower of Minas Tirith and smiled, knowing his agony was almost over. /I wonder why he needs my help. I hope nothing is wrong with Eldarion or Arwen./

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Celeborn turned his head when he felt Thranduil’s hand touch his cheek. Thranduil smiled. “Go to sleep. You need to heal.”
Celeborn shook his head.
Thranduil sighed. “Why not? And why don’t you speak anymore?”
Celeborn closed his eyes and smiled when Thranduil wiped his tears away. After some more minutes he opened his eyes and looked at Thranduil, begging him to understand.

Seeing Thranduil’s expression become one of wonder he sighed. /You must understand. You always do./ He sighed again, defeated. “I don’t want to say the wrong things. Drive you away again.” His voice was filled with pain, accumulated over the millennia.
Thranduil pulled him closer. “You won’t because you can’t. Let’s just forget the past and focus on the future instead. Together.”
Celeborn nodded. “And you won’t disappear when I sleep?”
Thranduil shook his head. “I vow to remain by your side.” /Forever./

Celeborn smiled and closed his head, lowering his head on Thranduil’s chest. “I’m sorry.”
“So am I.”
“Why were they so….” He didn’t have a word for it and just trailed of.
Thranduil smiled. “Have you looked in the mirror lately?” Celeborn shook his head. “Well, you’re too pale, too thin, too empty. And it scared them. All of us.”

Celeborn pressed a kiss on his clothes in a way of apology. “Never wanted to scare you.”
Thranduil smiled at the gesture and forced his tears back. He knew they’d be misinterpreted. “It’s all right. Don’t do it again. Heal.”
Celeborn nodded. “I’ll try.”
Thranduil squished him, happy. “Good enough.”

End chapter 07
TBC