Celebrían kissed Maegwen quickly on her soft lips and slipped out the door to join Haldir in the hallway. He was standing straight and tall, staring intently down the corridor, and Celebrían thought he might make a good guard some day. She supposed he would follow in his father's footsteps and be assigned to the border patrol eventually, but she knew this would not happen until her father tired of him.

Poor lad, she thought as he turned his face toward her and inclined his head, his expression relaxing slightly, though he did not smile. He was lovely, and she understood why Celeborn wanted him. He was too young for her own taste, but she liked him well enough, aside from the fact that he and Maegwen barked like dogs at each other every time they met. He had quick fingers with the harp and was quite good at it, though she knew he far preferred archery and sword play.

Celebrían herself had never even held a sword or bow. They frightened her slightly, she could admit to herself. Maegwen had wanted to learn both weapons, and had taken lessons from Thandronen and proved herself quite good at fighting, but Celebrían had not joined her. Why should she need to? The Golden Wood was the safest place in Middle-earth, now that Sauron had been overthrown.

Lord Elrond had been at that battle, she thought. What horrors had he seen? He was known to be a great warrior as well as a wise scholar. Her heart pounded at the thought. Intelligent, and brave as well. King Thranduil had fought at the Last Alliance as well, but she could not imagine that the King of Mirkwood was much of a scholar. Already Celebrían had her heart set on Elrond and wondered what it would take to change the course of the planned marriage. Then again, she had not yet met Thranduil. Maybe she would like him. Maybe he would affect her the same way that Elrond did.

"Are you certain that you truly wish to do this, my lady?" Haldir asked. "I must caution that I do not think it wise."

"And what would you know of wisdom, little Haldir?" Celebrían teased, bumping up against him playfully. Haldir staggered slightly, looking surprised before he regained his balance.

"I am bigger than you are," he said, arching a dark eyebrow. "And wise enough to know the dangers of spying."

"Have you done much spying yourself?" Celebrían asked, arching her own brow.

Haldir set his face in a firmly blank expression which gave her the answer to her question. She wondered who he had been watching, and if perhaps it was herself. Laughing, she slipped her arm through his and urged him down the corridor.

"This hot spring is outside in the garden somewhere, is it not?" she asked innocently, thought there was absolutely nothing innocent about the question at all.

"Yes, through the rose trellises, which are no doubt withered at this time of year, down the path to the left, behind the ornamental hedges. I imagine that from behind the hedges will be the best place to watch."

"Perhaps I shall come back later tonight and watch you with my father," Celebrían teased as they left the palace and began to descend the stairs to the garden.

A look of helplessness crossed Haldir's face. His brow creased and he pouted slightly, as if he were torn inside. Celebrían immediately felt bad for having made the remark, even in jest.

"Will you not help me, my lady? I love your father, for he is my lord, but also do I respect your mother."

"Mother turns a blind eye. She takes her own lovers, I suspect. Would you be one of those, Haldir?" Celebrían asked slyly. It was a test, of course. Haldir passed. His eyes widened as if he did not believe her.

"Of course not! It is not appropriate."

"No," Celebrían agreed, "It is not."

"We should not even speak of such things."

"Probably not, but if not me, who will save you from my father?"

Again, Haldir looked agonized. "I fear I will offend him. Have any dared refuse him? What became of them?"

"Truly, I know not," Celebrían said. "I generally do not concern myself in his affairs."

"Then why should you do so for me?"

"There are many reasons," Celebrían replied. "I feel close to you, as you have spent so many months learning the harp from me. Perhaps if you were a better pupil it would not be so, but—"

"I am an excellent pupil!" Haldir replied hotly.

"I am teasing you again. Forgive me," Celebrían sighed. "But my mother speaks highly of you. She sees great things in your future. I would have you ready for them, not living in fear of my father. We will see this resolved, I promise you."

"Thank you," Haldir mumbled.

"Is there someone else you have cast your eyes on?" Celebrían asked gently. "A fair maid you love and would not spoil yourself but for her?"

"No—"

"A lad then?"

"No, my lady. I confess I have begun to feel the urge to seek a mate, but I have not yet done so, and I certainly will ruin my chances if I am labeled your father's property."

"Ah, very well. And here I thought you fancied me."

They turned the bend through the rose trellises. To Celebrían's surprise, the red roses were in full bloom. She stopped in her tracks, and Haldir stopped beside her.

"They are beautiful," he said softly. He had not replied to her last teasing statement.

"Lord Elrond must be a special elf indeed that he can cultivate such blossoms, even in the snow."

"Perhaps he is. But perhaps roses bloom in Mirkwood as well."

"Perhaps they do, Haldir. I will see in time, I suppose," she said vaguely but she did not truly mean it.

"Will you?" Haldir arched an eyebrow.

She grinned at him. "Maybe. Or perhaps I will stay in Imladris."

"Such a fine palace deserves a fine queen," Haldir said. "Yet I do not know if Lord Elrond seeks a queen."

"No? Why should he not?"

Haldir's lips twisted in an arrogant little smile than made her want to turn him over her knee and spank him, though if she tried she would probably only wind up breaking her knee.

"It is said that Lord Elrond and King Gil-galad were lovers, and that Elrond has never loved another."

Celebrían paled. "I have never heard such a thing. How could such gossip reach your ears?"

"I heard it from Fereveldir. His father fought along side them in the Last Alliance."

"Really! Well, this does not change my desire for Lord Elrond. Now come, which hedge is that spring behind?"

Haldir stopped. "I should consider which path carefully, so we do not emerge in full view of Lord Elrond. Of course, that might afford you the best view."

"And here I thought you knew how spying worked."

"Shh, lower your voice, and come this way," Haldir commanded.

Celebrían thought she should have been affronted that he would boss her around, but not only was it his nature, he had a fair amount of common sense and good manners, so she knew that he did this for a reason. She followed him, both walking silently down a narrow path lined with hedges that rose up at least ten feet. Haldir examined the hedge as they went along. He stopped suddenly and motioned her forwards. Celebrían saw that there was a small gap in the hedge, as if she were not the first to spy upon someone bathing in the hot spring.

"It is empty," she whispered, turning towards Haldir with disappointment, but he urgently motioned her to be quiet and a moment later they heard footsteps approaching, and voices.

"Erestor has everything under control. Do not worry," Lord Glorfindel said airily as he came abruptly into sight of Celebrían's peephole.

The tall blond War Councilor cast aside his robe, revealing a splendid body. Celebrían was not stirred by him, but she could appreciate the muscular planes and well-defined muscles. He had golden hair that flowed to his waist as was elaborately braided. Celebrían felt nearly lacking in comparison to him. She hoped she was not about to see Elrond trysting with his beautiful bathing companion. Jealous already? What a silly fool she was. She glanced at Haldir, but he was busily watching the shadows around them and the path ahead to make sure they were not discovered. Celebrían turned back to her spying just in time to see Elrond.

"I am not worried, though it would be nice if you helped Erestor," Elrond suggested mildly. He was wearing a different robe from the one he had greeted the Lórien party in, Celebrían noted at once. It was purple, a color he seemed to favor. She would remember that.

Glorfindel stepped into the water. It had a slightly sulphurous smell to it, but it was not unpleasant. Clouds of steam rose from the softly gurgling water and Glorfindel reached for a small vial from a stone shelf next to the pool. He sprinkled some of the contents into the water and at once the smell of roses pervaded the air.

"Much better," Glorfindel sighed…but Celebrían could not let the pleasant smell distract her. Elrond was undressing!

The Lord of Imladris unclasped his robe and pulled it off. Celebrían's breath caught in her throat. He was slender, but muscular, though not as wide in the chest and shoulders as Glorfindel. A small dusting of dark hair curled over his chest, just enough to be enticing, and it plunged in a line straight down his flat belly. Celebrían felt her cheeks and ears grow warm as she gazed where she should not and found herself impressed.

Elrond had long legs, brown nipples, graceful toes. It was hard for Celebrían to concentrate on any one feature. She felt herself grow achy and moist as she did when Maegwen would kiss and fondle her. She wanted to do those things with Elrond. His long hair was dark and straight, a curtain of silk and as he stepped into the hot spring, the ends of it floated on the surface of the water. She wanted to feel that silk falling over her body as she lay beneath him. She bit her lower lip. Why him?

But she knew why. It was not that she preferred Imladris over Mirkwood, for of course she had never even been to Mirkwood… but Celebrían had read so much about Elrond and so much that he had written that she felt as though she knew him. Of course, she had not known the gossip about him and Gil-galad, but that was merely hearsay as far as she was concerned. So busy was Celebrían warring with her own lustful and sentimental feelings that she almost missed Elrond's entire conversation with Glorfindel.

"I needed a bath," Glorfindel said. "And so does Thranduil, but I would bet my favorite boots that he will not take one."

"Does it matter?" Elrond sighed.

"Do you want him to meet Celebrían smelling like a horse? Then again, the lady may smell like a horse herself if they have not both time to change and dress. Females take forever to ensconce themselves in all that clothing."

Celebrían found herself affronted by Glorfindel's insinuation and her temper flared. She turned to look at Haldir and saw a wicked glint in his eyes. She frowned at him and made a questioning motion. After all, she had not had time to bathe. He leaned forward and sniffed her, then nodded. She smelled like horse? Irritated, she elbowed him in the side and he glared at her. She reminded herself that Haldir had not bathed either and smelled no better than she did, to soothe her wounded pride, and turned back to her peephole.

"I am certain the ladies will bathe," Elrond said. "Glorfindel—"

"Well, she may not. I sent Thranduil up to her room."

"You what?"

"He was eager to meet her, so I told him to go up there. You know he has no patience."

"Glorfindel, that was completely inappropriate," Elrond said stiffly, but then he laughed. His smile reached his grey eyes and lit up his face. He seemed even more beautiful then to Celebrían. "I hope he likes the lass. Thranduil is so lonely."

"I would have offered him my own company, but I fear I am not to his taste," Glorfindel sighed. "I kissed him, Elrond. There was no response."

"That is probably for the best."

"I suppose." Glorfindel grinned mischievously. "I told him he ought to kiss Celebrían. He will know, then, if he wants her for his wife."

"A moment, please. You sent Thranduil to kiss the maid? Not just introduce himself?"

"Yes."

Celebrían heard no more. She turned and grabbed Haldir by the sleeve, hauling him after her as she ran back up the path towards the palace. She had to get to Maegwen!