Part Nine

Celeborn stood in the doorway, supremely irritated with his grand-son. He had completely underestimated Elladan. The boy was soft, like his father. Why did he not possess some of Celebrían's strength? Arwen had it. She did not stand for anything. Some called her spoiled, but Celeborn was proud of her. They had much in common, and she listened to him. She obeyed him, but few others. Celebrían had been harder to control, but Celeborn had been proud of her, too, when she had the nerve to leave Elrond and to return to Valinor. Celebrían had wanted to go to Valinor for a long time, but until the orc attack had allowed her family to sway her.

For a while now Celeborn hoped that Elladan's lust, which was as strong as Celeborn's own, would help them form a bond. The sharing of Legolas could have made them grow closer. Celeborn knew full well that he would only be able to keep the son of Thranduil temporarily, but he had hoped to delay freeing him long enough to bend the young prince to his own will. Celeborn did not doubt that Legolas would love him after he took him.

Now Elladan had betrayed his own blood. Celeborn would not forget this, and the young elf would suffer for it. Perhaps he would find himself digging ditches on the border with Haldir, Rúmil, and Orophin. Or perhaps there was a better way to punish him. Celeborn would have to consider this carefully. In any case, Elladan would have to learn not to cross him.

He believed Haldir when he said that Elladan had not invited him. In fact, Celeborn was not surprised at all that Haldir was there. He had only hoped that Haldir would walk in on Legolas and Elladan passionately embracing. Why had they turned each other aside, when they so obviously wanted each other? Was Legolas' so-called love for Haldir so strong? How young and foolish he was. Eventually he would learn that eternal life did not bode well for fidelity.

"You are brash, Haldir," Celeborn said sharply.

"Perhaps," Haldir agreed, staring Celeborn straight in the eye. Celeborn had to admire that, for Elladan certainly could not do it right now. Legolas clung to Haldir, trembling like a leaf, his face buried against the bigger elf's shoulder.

"You know that this will cost you everything and gain you nothing."

"Grand-father, please," said Elladan.

"Quiet, Elladan."

"I will not be quiet. I cannot stand for this any more than anyone else can. Can you not see how great their love for each other is, that Haldir is willing to take such a risk? I admit that I came here tonight intending to take Legolas for myself, but... well, I do respect the prince. I like him, maybe even care for him more than I wanted to. I could not do it. How could you, Lord Celeborn?"

Celeborn lifted his chin and looked down his nose at Elladan. "At last you find the courage to speak out."

"My heart will not let me do otherwise."

"I am glad to see you are not as weak as I thought," Celeborn replied, his eyes traveling over Elladan. "So you choose to be strong and stand up for what you believe in instead of using our relationship to try to cajole me into doing what you like, such as not send Rúmil and Orophin to dig orc graves on the borders for ten thousand years."

Elladan nodded slightly. "Please do not think I disrespect you, Grand-father, but this is wrong."

"You fail to see the intricacies of the situation, Elladan."

"Perhaps," Elladan sighed. "Still, will you not let Legolas go?"

"For the sake of love?"

"Yes."

"The three of you are fools."

"Do you no longer believe in love, my lord?" Celeborn heard the voice of his wife from the doorway. He turned to see Galadriel standing there, as perfect as she had looked the day that he first met her. Inwardly he sighed, knowing the game had been foiled. He should have kept Saelbeth. At least he would not be forced to lie alone tonight. "You never need have a cold bed, Celeborn. I am always here for you."

"Of course, my lady," Celeborn said quietly.

But no, he did not believe in love. He had been married for thousands of years and had thousands of lovers in his bed in that time. No matter how often he took Galadriel into his embrace she seemed cold and distance, like a star he could never touch.

"Perhaps we need to speak together, you and I, and build a bridge over this gap which has opened between us," she said lightly.

He nodded. He hated that she could read his mind. She looked slightly sad, and that made him feel both guilty and sad himself. He had loved her once, he still did, of course he did, but… He nodded. He took a step forward to lay a hand on Legolas' wrist and the cuff fell away.

"Thank you," Haldir said.

"Haldir, tomorrow it will be announced that you are to be named Marchwarden of the Golden Wood," Galadriel said softly. "Congratulations."

"Thank you, my lady," Haldir said. He had not let go of Legolas.

"And Legolas, tomorrow it will be announced that you are to marry Lady Arwen."

Well, that made Celeborn smirk slightly. He watched the reactions of Haldir, whose delight at his own news melted into a stony expression, and Legolas, who looked blatantly disappointed. He did not say anything, however. Elladan did not look surprised. He had probably figured out that it was in his best interest to say no more at this point.

Oh, yes, Elladan, I will deal with you later.

"Lady Arwen is very lucky," Haldir said softly.

"Do not be bitter, Haldir. Be grateful that the two of you found love together, for some do not taste anything so pure in all of their lives. Go now and spend this last night together," Galadriel said.

Haldir took Legolas by the hand, made the proper bows to Celeborn and Galadriel and practically dragged Legolas out of the talan. Celeborn wanted to laugh out loud, but he consigned himself to a cheeky smirk. Elladan began to fidget and Galadriel dismissed him as well, leaving the two of them alone.

"Arwen will never marry him," Celeborn said to Galadriel.

She laughed. "No, probably not, but let us see what tomorrow brings. I want this union, and Thranduil, and Elrond want it."

"You will force them, then, to your will."

"Unlike you, I do not need to use force," Galadriel said, smiling at him.

Celeborn moved forward swiftly to bring his wife into his embrace. Obviously his previous assault on her had failed. She had robbed him of Legolas, so now he must redouble his efforts to keep her from being angry with him. He kissed her and she wound her arms around him, kissing him back with an intensity which he rarely felt in her any more. It made his whole body hum in surprise.

"My lady," he gasped…and then he realized that somehow she had slipped the cuff onto his wrist. He was manacled to his own bed, and he could not remove the cuff. "What is the meaning of this?"

"I think you will be my prisoner for a small time."

He grinned. "Perhaps I will not mind."

"We shall see," she said. She pushed him down on the bed and straddled him, smiling down at him with her fair face, her long golden hair trailing over her shoulders and down around them both. "You have become far too wicked of late, Celeborn."

"Have I?"

"I wish this to change."

Celeborn considered this for a long moment. "I suppose that is possible. If anyone can change me… it is you."