Quite unexpected

Chapter eight Elrond arrives

Elrond hit his foster son’s back for the man nearly squished him to death. “Estel, saes, let me breath.”
Aragorn quickly let go, relief washing over his face.

Elrond could see he had been under great strain lately and wondered what was wrong. “You look troubled my son.”
Aragorn sighed and nodded. “We are in dire need of your council, ata.”
Elrond cocked his head and walked up with Aragorn, who started explaining. “Some days ago Celeborn showed up here.”
Elrond beamed with the news. “Wonderful. I long held the desire to visit him but with his late travels I dared not risk going to find him gone.” His smile faded at Aragorn’s expression and his own became one of dread.
Aragorn sighed. “We were pleased and ecstatic to see him, though that soon changed. He fainted, ata. He’s not been taking care of himself at all. He’s way too skinny and his hair has turned white. It used to be silver.”

Elrond nodded and frowned. “Tell me everything. If I am to help him I need to know why he is fading.”
Aragorn nodded. “Thranduil and Legolas arrived shortly after. Apparently he had given Legolas the slip after some argument between himself and Thranduil.” He saw Elrond’s questioning expression and shrugged. “He was on his way here from Rohan when a storm drove him to Mirkwood where he got attacked by orcs. His realm is still infested by the dark.”

Elrond gasped and his gaze became one of disbelief. “But how? Why? I don’t understand…”
Aragorn shook his head. “Me neither. But right now we need to focus on Celeborn, don’t we.”
Elrond nodded. “I want to see him before anything else. I need to know how far he is.”
Aragorn nodded. “He’s not been speaking for a while. Only Thranduil’s been able to draw some words from him. And he seems to be the only one who completely understands what it is Celeborn is trying to say.”

Elrond shook his head at the information. He had been under the impression the two lords were mortal enemies.

Aragorn grinned. “O, and Haldir and his brother’s showed up as well. Their care for him surprised Celeborn. Maybe it will turn him around.”
“Maybe.”

Elrond declined any offers of refreshment and rest, needing to see Celeborn instantly. Of all the things he had feared to find this had not been amongst them.

He smiled when he entered. Thranduil’s eyes widened. “Did you fly here, Peredhel?”
Elrond inclined his head in greeting. “Not according to my sore bum. I don’t think I’ll be able to sit for weeks.”

He pulled up a chair and looked Thranduil in the eye. “Aragorn informed me on the walk here. We need to know exactly what happened if we are to be of any use.” His hand caressed the white strands. “It’s strange to see you hold him like this. I was under the impression you were mortal enemies.”
Thranduil shook his head. “Wrong impression obviously. We were friends once.” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Still are.”

Elrond smiled and nodded. “Would you join us in Aragorn’s rooms? There we can discuss this in length.”
Thranduil nodded. “Not before he awakens though. I promised I’d still be here.”
Elrond sighed. “Than wake him up. We cannot afford any delay.”

He stood and smiled at Haldir. “And we could use a ‘Lóriën influence in this conversation as well.”
Haldir nodded and stood. He gently shook Rumil, whose eyes instantly returned to their normal focus and he stopped rocking. “Lord Elrond just arrived and wants to talk to us. You and Orophin look after our lord.”
Rumil nodded and turned his attention towards Celeborn.

Thranduil gently brushed the white hair and spoke softly, asking Celeborn to wake up.
After a while his eyes returned to focus and he looked confused seeing Rumil look at him. He briefly panicked but then rel, fe, feeling Thranduil hold him.
“Celeborn. Are you awake?”
He nodded and wanted to draw closer, but sensed Thranduil was rising. His eyes flashed towards the Mirkwood King and their expression was accusing.

Thranduil smiled at him. “Elrond just arrived and wants to greet me. I cannot deny him but I could not leave while you still slept. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Rumil and Orophin are staying with you.” He smiled as he saw the sleeping elf still cling to Celeborn. “Poor elf, I do believe he cried all his tears.”

Celeborn nodded and smiled. He saw Rumil’s look of hope and question, but what surprised him most was the complete and total loyalty he saw. The elf would follow him everywhere.
He averted his head. He did not wish to be reminded of what he’d lost. Even if Haldir and his brother’s followed him it said nothing of the others and the fact that they’d come alone told him enough.

He did feel sorry for Orophin. /If only I could return your feelings. Than we might both be happy./ He remembered similar words he spoke when he had found out about Orophin’s feelings towards him. He had not changed his attitude towards him and he thought Orophin still harboured feelings for him, but he knew it could not be. His heart wasn’t his, not for a long while. He had realised that about four years before Orophin finally mademade his feelings known. Celeborn had tried not to hurt him, but hurt had been in his face none the less, knowing himself forever bereft of Celeborn’s heart. Celeborn understood his pain for he knew his own love would forever be unrequited. Maybe once, a long time ago it had been returned, when he himself was unaware he even had those feelings, but not anymore.

Rumil started talking to him but Celeborn didn’t respond. Why would he talk to them? There was no use. His eyes stared at the ceiling as he waited for Thranduil to return.

Rumil had to hide his pain and his tears but at some point he lost it. He grabbed Celeborn’s shoulders and shook him. “Turn your back on Mandos. I won’t let him have you! I’d bind myself to you before I’ll let you die.” He ignored Orophin’s shocked cry, who had woken when Celeborn had so suddenly disappeared and who had heard the words. Rumil’s eyes filled with tears. “What has happened to you? I do not recognize you, my lord. Please stay with us?”

Seeing Celeborn in his present state was bad enough but hearing his own brother confirm it was worse and Orophin screamed in pain and ran away.
Celeborn’s eyes darted after him and he glared at Rumil. He could see he had to speak if he wanted Rumil to do as he wanted, for the eyes he looked at where to misty to see his. “Go after him!”

Rumil’s hands dropped away at the sudden order and the warrior looked around dazed. While he had shaken Celeborn nothing else had existed but now he realised Orophin was gone and he cursed. He didn’t want to leave Celeborn alone. He felt a hand on his own and looked at Celeborn. “Go!” Rumil stood and ran away. But he refused to go far.

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Arwen smiled as she looked around the room.
Legolas sat perched on the window dresser, Aragorn was slumped on the couch, while Thranduil stood by the door, eager to return to Celeborn’s side. Haldir sat on the chair and Elrond on the desk. None of them cared for protocol or good manners.

She sighed. “Perhaps it is better if I bring Eldarion to him?”
Elrond nodded. “Stay with him.”

Aragorn sighed relieved when he saw two heads approaching even as Arwen left. They bowed respectfully to their Queen before they entered the room and bowed to all present. Aragorn smiled despite the situation and signalled them to sit down. “Faramir. You’re back. How was the hunt?”
“Better than the mood here. Boromir informed me on the way. Is there anything I can do?”
Elrond smiled. “You can help us think and find a reason.”
Faramir smiled and nodded. “But I’ve never met him, my lord. I don’t know him.”
Elrond nodded. “All the more reason to have you present. You might think of something we don’t and you, Boromir, might have seen something we’ve missed.”
Both stewards sat down and nodded, taking on their listening slash thinking mode.

Aragorn looked at Elrond. He had no idea where to start. Elrond shrugged. “I think it best to start with you, Thranduil.”
Thranduil shrugged as well. “I already know your questions and we had a fall out, yes. For millennia I’ve defended Mirkwood alone, without your aid.” Unwillingly his voice became hard. “He said he would send his soldiers here after his return but I did not believe him, though I did not say it like that. I merely uttered the same words I’ve been saying throughout life. We do it alone. And it’s not like you’ve minded.”

Legolas jumped up and placed a calming hand on his father’s arm. “Adar, please. This is not the time nor the place.”
But Elrond shook his head. “Nay, Legolas. This is important to all of us. Even if it doesn’t have anything to do with Celeborn’s condition this needs to be addressed.”

He closed his eyes, thought deep as he remembered the past and sought the right words. “Thranduil, please don’t fly of your handle, but how many letters have you written when the dark forces first invaded your lands?”
Thranduil glared but Legolas’ calming hand worked miracles. “One. By bird. There was no need for another.”
Elrond nodded. “And to ‘Lóriën?”
Thranduil growled. “The same. What’s our point Peredhel?”

Elrond closed his eyes and a sad yet angry expression came over him. He saw beyond the normal reasoning and prayed to the Valar the rest of them wouldn’t. “I had already prepared an army to send to your aid when I received another bird message. From Galadriel. Stating you had already done away with the evil threat and needed no more help. I’m sorry for never questioning it.”
Thranduil sank down to the floor and a moment later his eyes flared with liquid fire. “Galadriel.” Never before had Legolas heard that tone from his father, not with such amount of hatred and loathing in it.

His eyes misted over and his voice became sad. “Celeborn said he’d never received it.”
Legolas shook his head. “But then how can Galadriel have send the second message to Elrond?”
Thranduil sighed. “Because the message arrived in ‘Lóriën.”
Haldir nodded. “Just not with the right person. None of us knew I assure you. I know for a fact my lord often wondered if you’d be able to cope, without a ring to aid you.”

Faramir looked at his brother, who nodded. “Ehm, excuse us.” All eyes settled on Faramir, who cleared his throat. “Sorry for interrupting, but I do think this might be involved. Well, -we- think. This news bring forth one important question, or actually two questions linked together. Why did Galadriel took aid away from Mirkwood and why withhold Celeborn that knowledge?”

Aragorn smiled, proud of their thinking.
Elrond sat back and nodded, throwing a grateful glance to Faramir. “You already keep us on the right track. Faramir is right. Thranduil, could there be any reason for her to keep the two of you apart?”
Thranduil shrugged. “Not back then.”
Aragorn’s eyes widened. “There is a reason now?”
Thranduil smiled. “There has been for a while. I’ve learned long ago Galadriel had never loved him.”

Legolas’ eyes widened at that. “What , but that’s insane. Ata, I saw them.”
Haldir shook his head. “Nay Legolas. I fear your father is not even close to the truth.”
Thranduil grabbed him. “It’s worse?” His eyes could kill an orc and Haldir was eternally grateful he was not the recipient of Thranduil’s wrath. He nodded. “When your letter arrived we, my brothers and I, found out.”

Hearing this the coin fell within Aragorn and he stood so suddenly the couch fell over. All eyes turned to him and he beamed. “That’s it. She never loved him.” He saw Elrond roll his eyes and approached him. “No, let me finish. I’ve always had the idea there was something wrong between them. That’s it. And all the wise lesson’s he’s given Arwen, she repeated them only yesterday, well, she said she had the feeling he spoke out of experience. ‘There’s a good to every bad, but sometimes we don’t see what is what until it is too late.’” He smiled and nodded.

Elrond closed his eyes in thought.
Thranduil growled. “That merely stated he had found out his wedding was a joke too little too late.”
Aragorn nodded. “Aye, but also that his heart lied elsewhere. Not with her.”
Legolas rubbed his head and jumped in fear when Faramir screamed. “That’s it. That’s it. Aragorn, That’s it.” Legolas shook his head. “Is anyone going to let me in or what?”

Faramir beamed. “Look, he married thinking himself in love with his bride and thinking her in love with him. Later he finds out that both is a lie.”
Boromir nodded. “Explains why he shone less.” Elrond’s eyes widened and he looked at Aragorn who had a smug smile on his face.
Faramir nodded and continued. “He was forever bound to a lady whom he felt nothing for and whom felt nothing for him in return.”
Legolas nodded. “I can follow up to there, but that does not explain why he started fading. He could take his beloved as a lover.”
Faramir frowned at that but Elrond sighed. “Not if he thinks that elf hates him.” Legolas looked puzzled.

Elrond nodded and rose himself. He clasped Faramir and Boromir on the shoulder. “Thank you. Without you I would never have solved it.” He turned to Aragorn and smiled. “Kindly leave me alone with Thranduil and Haldir. I’m sorry Legolas, but any questions you still might have will have to wait.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Legolas sighed as he walked down the corridor. Boromir and Faramir had asked him to join them, but he had declined, sensing the brothers wanted to send some time together. But that left him utterly alone. And at a time like this he’d rather have some company. /Where’s that Dwarf when you need him?/

His eyes widened when he heard frantic cries. Following his hearing he stumbled upon Orophin. He quickly approached. This image shocked him. He had not seen the Galadhrim often but the times he had seen him, the warrior appeared to be unshaken. And Helm’s Deep had proven his instincts correct. The three brothhad had faced the uncountable Uruks without a flinch. To see this one in such a pitiful state was more than unnerving to Legolas.

He silently stepped closer and stood still behind him. “Orophin?”
The tear-streaked face flashed toward him and then back again. “Leave me.”
Legolas shook his head. “Nay, you need a friend. What is it? Celeborn?”
Orophin pulled away when Legolas tried to embrace him so instead of trying to repeat his actions Legolas sat down next to the crying warrior. “Orophin, please, my heart aches seeing you cry.”
“Leave me.”
Legolas shook his head. “Nay. I refuse to leave you alone. Partly because you can’t be alone right now and partly because I do not wish to be alone.”

Orophin looked at him and shrugged. “Celeborn is dying.”
Legolas sighed. “Fading. Not dying. We won’t give up on him.”
Orophin’s despaired eyes settled on him and Legolas hissed at the pain in them. “Rumil said so. And look at him. He’s dying.”
Legolas sighed andentlently cursed Rumil’s blabber mouth. “And I say we won’t let that happen. Elrond is here and he’s figuring out why Celeborn is like this. And then we can counter it.”
Legolas’ words gave him hope and then he shrugged again. “But it doesn’t matter, does it. Not for me.”
Legolas frowned at the words. “What do you mean?”
Orophin closed his eyes and shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t know anything anymore. Nothing makes sense to me.”

Legolas stood and pulled Orophin on his feet. “Come, we’ll go to the gardens and climb a tree. It will sooth our minds. Aragorn will fetch us should we be needed, but I doubt Elrond needs out help saving Celeborn. Come?” He gave Orophin the choice and waited for the warrior to grab his hand.

Orophin looked at him with his watered eyes. He could see the care and concern Legolas had for him. /But we hardly know each other./ When looking at the blond Prince he remembered his bravery in battle. The fact that such a warrior found him worthy of his concern warmed him and he managed a small smile. Seeing Legolas’ face lit up in response made him a little giddy and he nodded.

He wiped his tears away. “I’m sorry.”
Legolas placed his arm around his shoulder and smiled. “Nonsense. Celeborn is your lord, practically your father. If it were my lord and father in that bed I would be the one weeping. Come, let me take care of you.”

He frowned when he found he regretted letting go of the warrior. /Aiya, Gimli, where are you when I need you to keep me grounded?/ Normally Joreb would do that but he was in Mirkwood. He felt the tension between them and smiled rueful in understanding. Trying to get Orophin to let his mind go elsewhere he started talking about his home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elrond smiled and sat down before Haldir and Thranduil. “And now we find our answers.”
Haldir managed a brave smile. “Elrond, what do we do about h
E
Elrond waved it away. “Later. First we need Celeborn back to health. We can worry about the rest of the world later.”
Thranduil grinned at his words. “Is that how you fought evil? We can worry about it later?”
Elrond pretended to be hurt. “Priorities, Thranduil.”

He smiled warmly and sighed. “Right. Haldir, do you have any idea whom Celeborn desires?”
Haldir shook his head. “He’s never shown any interest in anyone. But his heart does lie somewhere else. At the time we thought he meant her, but now we know better, though we have no idea whom he meant.” Howneowned but then shook his head. Elrond’s eyebrow arched upward and Haldir shrugged. “Orophin. He’s always been in love with our lord. And when Celeborn found out he told him he regretted not being able to return those feelings and that his heart since long lied elsewhere. Orophin is positive it is true. There was love in his voice, he said. And we don’t have a clue or Rumil would have dragged that elf here by now.”
Thranduil grinned. “So that was why he was rocking. He was trying to figure it out.”
Haldir nodded and shrugged. “We’ve always been close.”

Elrond nodded and sighed. “Thranduil, do you have any ideas? You and he go back a long way, to Doraith even.”
Thranduil smiled but shook hisd. “d. “Nay, I’m sorry. There wasn’t such an elf there. Only her.”

Elrond stood and started pacing. Thranduil refrained from saying he saw Aragorn in that exact same pose only yesterday. Elrond spoke as he moulded the information in his mind. “He’s in love and pining for that elf, that is why he shone less bright. Haldir, when did he find out his heart belonged elsewhere?”
Haldir shrugged. “He never talked much.”
Elrond rubbed the brink of his nose. “Well, it must be before Arwen was born at the very least or he would not have said to her what he had. In fact, I remember similar words before my own wedding.”

He nodded as more became clear. He was agitated. Only minutes ago the answer had screamed at him but now it was lost in the fog. “I am positive his love dwelled in Doriath. Yes, yes. That is it.”

His smile broke trough and he looked at Thranduil. “Tell me, what was that animosity between the two of you? Why be enemies when you were friends before and now are again?”
Thranduil shrugged. “Galadriel’s fault and I don’t want to talk about it.”
Elrond shook his head. “But you must. You were Celeborn’s best friend in Doriath. If anyone knows the answer it is you. He married Galadriel and later finds out it has been nothing but a farce. He does not love her but he did and still does love another. Who?”
Thranduil growled at him. “How am I supposed to know. He never told me.”
Elrond nodded. “Aye, but you aerceerceptive. Surely you must know something?”

He shook his head. This wasn’t going to work. Than this would have to be done another way. “Right. We can safe Celeborn. Thranduil, you go to him, talk to him about Doriath. Try and find out.”
Thranduil rolled his eyes but hurried back, Elrond and Haldir hot on his trail. Haldir saw sparkles in Elrond’s eyes and knew the Peredhel was up to something.

End chapter 08
TBC