When least expected

Chapter seven back to business

It had taken a couple of days but now Celeborn was back to health. He had immediately dismissed the others but every hour someone came to check on him. He couldn’t really blame them but it drove him mad. Rielle, Haldir, Orophin, Rumil, Envinyaroa, they all came to check on him.

He had made peace with Mandos’ decision. He didn’t like it, but he would not cry over it or let it break him. If he wasn’t allowed to die, he would burry himself in work. And if that didn’t work he would travel. But for now work would have to do.

So now he was walking through the corridors. He was going to his office. He quickly went through the papers that were still waiting for him; road maintenance, rules on selling hours, a request for this and a request for that. He looked up when he heard a knock. When he heard Orophin addressing him he quickly bade them entrée. He had sent Rielle, who had seen him last, to find Haldir and his brothers and tell them he demanded their presence.

The three her her quickly entered and bowed before their lord. They were pleased he no longer looked haunted or gloomy.

“Ah, Haldir, Orophin, Rumil, please sit.” Celeborn waved some comfortable seats across his desk. When they were seated he spoke again. “I still need to get a report from you on the southern road. Are things over-exaggerated or not?” His gaze settled on Orophin. From what he remembered Orophin had been in charge.

And so Orophin told him what they had learned. That unidentified subjects were using their road. That they had no idea as to whom those subjects were, unnerved Celeborn. He did not like the idea of strangers this close to them.

Rumil now joined his brother. He had given the border signs, he and Orophin had talked about, some more thought and felt they should use them. It was a human thing and the changes that it had been humans were high.

Hearing that Celeborn’s face cleared immediately. The guard had just given him an idea. “No, Rumil, no border signs. Our realm ends where the trees do. But we could use human ideas to our benefit.” He gave it some more thought and signalled for the others to help themselves to some drinks and food which they did, but Haldir also served Celeborn as he always did.

After some moments he addressed them once more. He was sure it would work and that it was easy to carry out. “Do you remember the Fellowship staying here?” All three nodded. Orophin looked at Haldir. Why Cel Celeborn ask this all of the sudden? It didn’t make sense. Haldir didn’t know either, but he was sure there was a good reason and the explanation would follow shortly. He pushed the goblet closer to Celeborn, who now noticed his filled plate and drink. He threw Haldir an appreciative smile; a smile that Haldir found highly sensual.

“Well, there was this human with them.”, Celeborn continued.

Orophin interrupted. “Two humans, milord, Ellasar Telcontar and Boromir of Gondor.”

“I mean the second. I keep forgetting Ellasar was human. I’ve always seen him as a mortal elf, I guess. Probably because Elrond raised him. But that’s beside the point. That Boromir was scared of our woods. Do you remember why.”

Rumil snorted. “He had already fallen to the ring and he was afraid to be surrounded by so much good.”

“Rumil!” Celeborn practically yelled, making the unexpecting elf jump form his seat. He did not approve this attitude or thoughts. “Everyone, no matter what species, has good and bad in them. No matter who we are or where we are. And we must all thrive to let good prevail over evil.” Haldir beamed. This waseboreborn speaking, the one that had ruled their realm for millennia. Rumil reddened under Celeborn’s words. He knew Celeborn was right.

Celeborn would have scolded him some more had Orophin not come to his rescue. “My lord, are you saying he had another reason to be afraid?” Celeborn smiled. “Aye I do. He said it was haunted.” He now beamed.

Orophin and Rumil still did not know why Celeborn was addressing this particular time, but Haldir did. He beamed as well and jumped up in excitement. He had understood Celeborn’s intentions and his quick thinking had given him the same conclusion. They could do it easily. “We can make it a haunted forest. YES!” He realised his brothers did not share his enthusiasm and looked at them in wonder. It was a great plan; superb in simplicity.

“Who yoo you mean, Haldir?” Haldir’s brothers spoke unison.

Haldir groaned. At times like this he wondered if he was the only one with brains. “Don’t you see brothers? We can use their silly superstition against them. We can make them believe this is a haunted forest. They would stay away then and wouldn’t dare walk our roads.”

Orophin now understood but he saw some trouble. “But how would we do that?”

“It’s easy. All we have to do is make sure they think we are ghosts.”

“But how?” Rumil and Orophin yelled in unison. They had no idea what a ghost was, let alone how to pretend to be one.

But Celeborn spoke up. “I don’t know what it is precisely, either, or why they believe in it and fear it. But the sources all state the same, a ghost shines at night and creates noise or moves things without being seen. During the day and night. And I think we can easily make them believe Lothlorien is haunted.”

But Rumil saw some problems. “But, my lord, the humans have walked our roads for years now, they will never believe a sudden appearance of those ghosts and secondly; there are moran oan one group of humans that use our road.”

“Aye, but that’s where they help us out.” Celeborn had to subdue the urge to laugh. Rumil looked so funny in his disbelieving face. “Really they will. They are known for their gossip and, what’s better, their tendency to over-exaggerate things. Each person will blow the story up and in the end not one ghost has been seen, but an entire army. It’s their desire to make things bigger that’s going to make them afraid to enter our woods and it’s their tendency to gossip that’s going to spread it around. I really think it will work.”

Haldir suddenly remembered some of those silly ghost tales. “My lord, isn’t it so that those humans believe only in female ghosts?”

“What, Haldir, do you mean female ghosts have no spouses?” Rumil had a hard time believing this conversation to be real.

“If I remember correctly the males are walking around without a head.”

Celeborn laughed but sobered quickly. “Well, that does complicate it a bit. I think it best to have the women help you out and.”

Haldir stopped Celeborn. He had figured out a way to increase the success of their plan. “We have to split up. If we do that we can create ghosts on different spots at the same time. And the women only have to help at night, when those ghosts are visible. I t tht think more than one of us needs to provide protection.”

Orophin wanted to speak but Celeborn silenced him. “Haldir is correct. It’s not necessary for all three of you to accompany a woman. Their superstition will stop them from attacking it and if they do, well, elven-eyes see more and better in the dark than humans, not to mention that even our women run faster than they do. No, they’re quite safe. But I would ask you to search for human arrows and gather them.”

Now even Haldir was lost. Why did they need human arrows? But Celeborn’s orders made all clear. “Ok, now this is what we will do: Orophin and Rumil, you two find me all the human arrows that you can and you, Haldir ask around for women willing to help. If they are provide them with the mithril armours that we have, and tell them to wear long white gowns.”

But Rumil still saw a problem. “But…the arrows?”

Celeborn smiled. “Rumil, you’ve reminded me earlier on of the human nature to shoot first and ask questions later. They will most likely fire an arrow at the appearing ghost. The mithril armour will stop the arrow from hurting the woman and one of you will have to shoot another arrow. And since our own are so different from theirs it is better to shoot with another human arrow. The darkness will cover up any differences the arrow might have with the one that was shot by them. It will make them think the arrow they’ve shot went straight through her, creating the illusion of a ghost.”

Rumil and Orophin now understood the plan and agreed with Haldir. It was superb. They all drank to this before going. But as they were at the door Celeborn stopped them. “Just one moment. You did not take your days off yet. Remember you asked for them before going to check the southern road?”

A quick look passed between the three and Haldir nodded, giving his brother consent to address it. “Well, my lord,” Rumil started, “Actually that wasn’t really what we wanted to ask?” Celeborn remained silent but cocked his head in question. Orophin continued. “Well, you see, it’s just that all the people say we’re not Galadhrim anymore, but Celebhrim and….eh….well….we….eh….just….eh,” Now that he was actually asking for permission Orophin was highly nervous.

Celeborn had closed his eyes in annoyance. “Haldir?” He hoped Haldir would not beat around the bush. Haldir didn’t. “What my brothers are trying to say, my lord, is that we would like to have permission to change our titles to Celebhrim.”

His eyes widened. Celeborn had considered many possible outcomes of the stuttering Orophin had produced, but this had not been amongst them. He stood and approached them. He needed to see them in the face. He could scarce believe his own ears. “You…you… want to be officially known as Celebhrim?” He swallowed.

Suddenly all his pain and sorrow went away. Before him stood three elves that have always been there for him. Who now wanted to give him the greatest honour there was for him. Again he swallowed a lump and finally he spoke. “I don’t see why you would want to change your titles. Nor do I deserve such an honour.”

All three of them wanted to speak but Haldir was fastest. “No, my lord, you are. I can think of no one who deserves it more. And it would be our honour to bear that name. Unless you feel we don’t deserve it.” Those words brought tears to Celeborn’s eyes. Haldir had meant his words and he hurried to assure the guardian. “No, no, Haldir, never say such a thing. No title will be good enough for you and your brothers.”

Rumil, always the impatient one, spoke. “So, do we have permission?” This got him a hit over the head from two sides. He scolded himself. When would he ever learn not to stand in between his brothers?

Celeborn smiled. “Aye, you have permission. And I think we need to celebrate it with everyone. Either that or you will have to hide for the rest of eternity.”

When the smiling guardians left Rielle just entered with a new tray of food. From now on she would make his food and bring it herself. Celeborn asked her to inform the others there was going to be a celebration tonight. He also asked her if she either knew of anyone who owned long white gowns or who could make them fast.

End Chapter seven.
TBC.