Yalúmessë

Artanis sat comfortably on the edge of a fountain in the gardens of Melian reading a book. Her rooms she had found to be quite nice and accommodating, Finrod had found his the same but, had more to say about it.

“This place is absolutely magnificent!”

“If you like caves . . .” Artanis said sourly.

“I think they’re growing on me.”

Artanis looked up from her book at her brother. “What is happening to you?”

“Hm?”

“Hopefully our brothers will join us soon, and knock some sense back into you.”

“Why do you not like this place so?”

“It is not so much the place, but a certain elf in it.”

“Ah . . .” Finrod nodded, a knowing grin crossing his face.

Artanis glared at her brother. “He is absolutely the most arrogant and incorrigable elf I have ever met!”

“Methinks, dear sister, thou hast a little flame for him in your heart,” her brother said, teasingly tugging on one of her golden tresses.”

“I would rather wed a balrog!” Artanis declared passionately. “The only flame I bear for him is the fire of scorn.”

“’Tis a pity for he is coming this way.”

Artanis groaned. She would have gotten up and left but put a restraining hand upon her shoulder. “Be pleasant, please!” he urged her quietly. Artanis heard the desperate tone in his voice.

“Very well. For our sakes I will try.”

“Good. Suilad, Lord Celeborn!”

Artanis shot her brother a glare mixed with what seemed a bit of a look of betrayal.

//You are learning their language?//

//It is really very simple, in fact, in comparison to ours, a lot easier to master//

//Then it must not be a language of accomplishment//

Finrod gave his sister a look of warning before greeting Lord Celeborn who had finally arrived and stood before them.

“And good day to you, Lord Finrod. I am pleased to see you.” Celeborn added silently, “I wish I could say as much for your sister.” The silver lord mentally grimaced.

“Well,” Finrod said, “I have some business to attend to, if you will excuse me.”

Artanis hid her scowl behind the book, which she had picked back up again. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Celeborn sit down beside her.

“What are you reading?”

“Be pleasant . . .” she reminded herself. “At the moment, a lay dedicated to the Two Trees of Valinor.”

“Telperion and Laurelin.”

“Yes.”

Celeborn noted an expression of despair cross her face and his heart softened. “I wish I had seen it.”

Artanis’ turned to him, a flash of arrogance came through her, “that is why you are Moriquendi.”

Anger boiled in Celeborn but, he bit down the sharp remark that was in his mouth. “She is never going to tell me anything if all we do is quarrel,” he thought.

As he gazed at her, he saw the arrogance vanish and it was replaced by a look of anguish as she turned from him.

The anger he had held against her immediately cooled. He was suddenly finding it hard to stay mad at her for a prolonged period of time. He felt a great inclination to do something that would make her smile, something he had not seen ever since he had first laid eyes on her.

Hesitatingly he moved forward and touched the back of her hand. Artanis whirled around. He saw that a few tears had fallen down her cheeks. Celeborn gave her a warm smile and Artanis was quite startled at this sudden change.

“Come,” he said softly, taking her hand. “I want to show you something.”



*~*~*~*~*~*




Artanis looked up in absolute rapture at the work of art. A great replica of the Two Trees stood before her. Laurelin in gold and Telperion in silver. Tears came to Artanis’ eyes as she slowly moved up to it. A single shaft of light came down through a hole in the domed roof of the room, which had smooth walls and was circular in shape.

“Hannon le, Celeborn,” she whispered. “Hannon le.”

Celeborn came up and stood silently next to her. They stayed that way for quite some time, neither speaking, just looking up at the trees.

It was Artanis who broke the silence first. She let out a great sight shuddering sigh. Then turned to Celeborn, a small light of curiousity flashing in her bright blue eyes.

“Celeborn . . .”

“Yes?” he answered without looking at her.

“Why did you bring me here?”

“I . . .” he tried to think up something, but then decided to be candid in his answer. “I was hoping in some way that it would to ease your sorrow . . . That you are in a house of elves who care for you.”

“Do you care for me, Celeborn?”

The elf lord was thoroughly startled by this unexpected question and was not sure of the answer. Did he care for her?

Before he could reply a servant stepped into the room. “Lord Celeborn, Lady Artanis, I have come to bid you to dinner.”

“Thank you,” said Celeborn. He offered his arm to Artanis. She looked up at him and he felt himself being in want of air. Her beauty had intensified ten-fold.

She was smiling.




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