Part Twelve

"Saelbeth?"

Saelbeth sat up and threw one of Legolas' daggers at the door. Luckily for him, and luckily for the party standing in the doorway, he was still half asleep and he missed. The dagger stuck into the door frame. Grinning, Lord Glorfindel pulled it out and strutted over to the bed.

"What do you want?" Saelbeth groused. He huddled beneath the sheets and blankets of the bed which had been meant for Legolas. He had spent the night alone in the guest talan, to which Lord Elrond had directed him after they had taken Thranduil to Elrond's rooms. Saelbeth had wanted to go to Legolas, but Elrond had cautioned him to leave the matter to Galadriel and to count his good fortune that Legolas was such a good friend to him.

Legolas had freed him, and at what cost. Saelbeth would never have let him, but he also could not have stopped him. His great fear of encountering Celeborn had kept him bound to this room… but Celeborn was probably with Legolas anyway. Saelbeth wondered if the prince would be made to enjoy the attentions of the Lord of Lórien as much as he had.

Saelbeth ached for Celeborn's touch, and he hated himself for it. He had slept very little, and now when he had finally drifted off Glorfindel came and awakened him. Saelbeth was still dressed in Legolas' clothing, which was ill-fitting at the moment.

"You are not very cheerful in the morning, are you?" Glorfindel said, sitting down on the bed next to him.

"How can I be cheerful knowing that Legolas is a prisoner because of me?"

"Oh, Legolas is fine. Galadriel freed him last night."

Saelbeth gasped. "All this night I worried for naught. Why did no one tell me?"

"I am sorry. I should have come to you sooner, but I thought you might like some time alone, to rest."

Glorfindel reached up and touched Saelbeth's face, making him shiver. He inclined his cheek into the touch, unable to help himself. What had Celeborn done to him? Had he made him a wanton?

"I took very little rest," he said.

Glorfindel inched closer. Saelbeth did not try to stop him. It was as if he did not know how to say no any longer. He let the War Councilor take him into his arms and stroke his hair. He leaned against Glorfindel, wishing he had the strength to push him away.

"Galadriel released Legolas and entrusted him to Haldir's care," Glorfindel said. "I saw them returning to Haldir's talan last night. I imagine Elladan was disappointed. He desires Legolas so desperately."

"Elladan is not worthy of Legolas."

"And what do you think of Haldir?"

"My thoughts are not your business, Lord Glorfindel."

"Come now. I am only trying to be friendly. Are these Legolas' clothes?"

Saelbeth sat up and Glorfindel's hands fell away from him. He realized then that Glorfindel was wearing one of Celeborn's robes, just as Elladan had been, and that the silver and white flattered him. Glorfindel was a beautiful elf, but he made Saelbeth undeniably nervous. Saelbeth had not forgotten his actions in Mirkwood.

"Legolas gave me his clothing when Celeborn stripped him of it. And Haldir has proved himself both noble and loyal to Legolas. If he makes the prince happy, then yes, he is worthy."

"We will all have new clothing before the banquet tonight," Glorfindel said. "I hate these ghastly robes of Celeborn's. Try fighting an orc is this get-up."

Saelbeth laughed at Glorfindel's consternation. "At least you will not have to do so. I am certain that the seamstresses of Lothlórien are hard at work to please you."

"One can hope," Glorfindel said, smiling back at him. "Saelbeth, will you accompany me to the banquet tonight? I realize that I have made a mess of it all, but I really would like to know you better."

Saelbeth was only slightly surprised by the invitation. He lifted an eyebrow, considering. He did not doubt the fact that he could get Glorfindel to spend the night with him if he wished it. The longing in the older elf's eyes told him this, and Saelbeth was aching. He did not want this loneliness coupled by a lust that had been spitefully stirred up by the Lord of Lórien.

And yet Saelbeth knew deep in his heart that he could not love Glorfindel. He would never be able to overcome the discomfort that nagged at the back of his mind when the War Councilor was near. He would never be able to dispel the sight of Legolas chained to the dungeon wall, knowing that Glorfindel had done this in his name.

"Thranduil may need me," Saelbeth said. "I shall go as his loyal servant. I cannot be your guest."

A deep sadness reflected in Glorfindel's dark blue eyes. He nodded slowly and stood up. "I understand," he said. "I will trouble you no more."

Saelbeth nodded. "Forgive me."

"It is I who should ask your forgiveness," Glorfindel said. With that he turned and disappeared.

Saelbeth stood up and ran a hand over his hair and straightened his clothing as best he could. He was hungry and desired to bathe, but he found in himself a fear to leave this talan. Miserably he stood staring out the window, wishing that he knew what to do. He should have accepted Glorfindel's company, then at least he would have some protection from Celeborn. What if Celeborn desired to return him to his slavery, since Galadriel had taken Legolas away from him?

Relief filled Saelbeth as he saw Haldir and Legolas appear from the wood and start up the stairs. Legolas was wearing clothing that appeared to be Haldir's, which was far too large for him. A moment later, they entered the talan. Saelbeth noted the sadness in their expressions and he wondered why they should seem so melancholy when they had obviously been reunited.

"My prince," Saelbeth said, bowing appropriately. "Lord Glorfindel told me that Galadriel freed you from your… obligation. I cannot offer you enough thanks for your selfless gesture, but you must never risk yourself for me in such a way again."

Legolas smiled slightly. "Saelbeth, there was no other course of action for me. I was lucky in that I was unharmed by Lord Celeborn. You were not so lucky…"

"I will survive. And yet I fear…"

"Celeborn will not take you again," Haldir said, his mouth set in a firm line. "You are under Galadriel's protection now."

"And mine, and my father's." Legolas turned to Haldir. "We must go see him. I would know that he is well, though I do not worry as he is in Elrond's care."

Haldir nodded. "As you wish."

"Come with us, Saelbeth, and then we will bathe, and have some breakfast—"

"Let us have breakfast first," Haldir said.

"I am glad to come with you," Saelbeth said with some relief. "And I am glad to know all is well."

"As well as it can be," Legolas sighed, leaning slightly against Haldir. "You see, Galadriel still wishes that I marry Arwen."

Saelbeth sighed inwardly. Happiness was so elusive, he thought. If Legolas, who deserved it above all, could not find it, then Saelbeth himself was even more doomed.