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Fifteen Years	By : Ertia Category: -Multi-Age > Het - Male/Female Views: 14168 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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Not my garden, I just play in it. Ah, but isn't it full of such lovely flowers to play with?

Fifteen Years

Chapter 15: More To Being A Courtesan

The afternoon spent with R�mil on the archery fields was truly enjoyable for Legolas. The Prince-turned-Courtesan thought himself decent enough with bow, and moving targets were his specialty, but where he could match the targets, strung from the trees to swing at random, nine out of ten arrows, R�mil never missed. Legolas stood in awe as the sharp eyed warden sent arrow after arrow to it's target. At last, he had held up his hand and said only, "Show me."

R�mil had been more than willing to share his skills. So it was that after days of worry and anticipation, Legolas had found himself enjoying not only the attentions of his new lords, but also the tutelage of the March Warden-avowed best archer in Lothlorien. Legolas was thrilled to find someone from whom he could learn, and R�mil was fast becoming a friend, so it was with some regret that they returned their bows and quivers to the locker in the armory and said their farewells for the day.
Illiene was waiting for him at the baths, and they bathed together, washing each others hair and oiling each other's skin. Legolas was amused to find himself rubbing oil into the breasts of the lithe elleth, while she did the same favor, working it into his chest and shoulders.
Although Illiene was quite beautiful, and he had seen her behave quite flirtatiously with both the Seneschal of Imladris and R�mil, he did not find himself attracted to her, and he wondered why. She felt more like a sister or comrade in arms to him. Perhaps that was it. They both wore the collar after all. But still, he had been attracted to Feanal. He was still puzzling about it as they dressed and brushed out their hair, eating a light and hasty meal before turning towards the dining hall.
Lord Celeborn and Lord Glorfindel were talking quietly near the hearth as dining preparations went on around them, and Legolas was not surprised to recieve a gesture to join them. Celeborn tucked an arm around his waist and pulled him close for a moment, almost coddling him. "I trust you had a pleasant day, Sarnlass."

"Most enjoyable, My Lord." Legolas replied, returning Glorfindel's nod of greeting. "R�mil is an excellent archer. I hope I will have more opportunities to practice with him."
"Archery, aye?" Celeborn gave Legolas a quick smile. "As long as it doesn't interfere with your other duties, you are welcome to spend as much time on the ranges as you like."
Legolas managed a graceful "Thank you, My Lord," before Glorfindel spoke up.
"You seem to be settling in quite well, Courtesan." Giving Celeborn a wry look, the Seneschal said, "I shall be sorry to leave on the 'morrow."
Celeborn laughed heartily, lightly shaking his head, "Perhaps you'll have to visit again soon, old friend."
Legolas belatedly realized the hidden implication behind Glorfindel's words and the gentle rejection of it by Celeborn and couldn't restrain his gasp. Celeborn squeezed Legolas tighter for an instant and then released him entirely as Galadriel swept into the room and they made their way to the table, Legolas hurrying before them to draw their chairs and pour their wine.
Dinner went smoothly. Although he kept an eye out for the Marchwarden, Haldir and Feanal did not appear. It was something of a relief, but at the same time, it worried him. Legolas kept his attention on the table, and was feeling quite confident as the meal drew to a close and Celeborn stood to toast and bless the diners. Then he turned to Glorfindel and a few of his trusted advisors. "Will you join my lady and me in our private hall?"
The others nodded, and Illiene shot Legolas a meaningful glance. He understood that they would be called on to perform some entertainment, and was glad that Illiene had warned him the day before. As the others preceded them from the table, Illiene darted to his side. "The Stars Song?"
"Aye," Legolas replied, "I know it very well."
She sighed in relief. "I doubt they will call for much more than that, but I'm sure we can improvise. They mostly just want to talk and relax. I'm certain we'll be bored half-way to fading before the evening is out."
Legolas managed a chuckle. "I never dreamed that Lothlorien could be so boring as that!"
Illiene rolled her eyes as they entered a warm drawing room furnished with soft cushions. A fire burned to one side, and Illiene opened a cabinet to produce cordials, glasses, and a bowl of sweetened nuts, which she setttled on a small table before returning to the cabinet. She gestured to Legolas and he joined her. Within were a variety of woodwinds, and he took a rich tenor flute, blowing it experimentally. The fingering was exact to the one he had left behind, but the tone was richer, warmer, and seemed to vibrate the very core of his body. Smiling his delight in the instrument, he nodded to Illiene and they made their way to one side of the room, becoming unobtrusive shadows.
Illiene settled herself before the harp, and as the conversation began in earnest she started to play a soft instrumental piece that Legolas recognized and played a refrain for. It was a simple occassional harmony, tying together the sound of string and flute in an ageless rhythm of sound. Legolas lost himself in the rich tones of the flute he played, the music becoming one with his fingers and his breath. When the music reached it's softly swaying conclusion, he was surprised that it had come to an end and slowly lowered the flute, catching Illiene's eye as she smiled warmly at him over the harp.
"That was lovely, dears." Galadriel's voice called softly, "Now do something with words. I do love your voice, Illiene."
Illiene took a deep breath and nodded at Legolas. Her fingers danced across the harp and Legolas met the harmony with a soaring descant. Her rich contralto voice began softly, as the words described the coming of the night.
"Anor sinks apon the western sea,

my eyes burn tears of farewell,

I turn my weary gaze to the East,

The dark of night so fell,

Peace comes with glimmering,

shimmering pale distant light,

Elenath of blessed Valar flies,

Tinnu rising on the wings of night",

As the stars rose, so did Illiene's voice, echoing amidst the notes of flute and harp, until not a dry eye was in the room. The song named the stars and gave voice to each beloved light of the sky. Illiene sang the starlight into the room through the open windows, so that her voice seemed caressed by the night much as the harpstrings were caressed by her fingers. When the song crescendoed into the coming of the Minuial, and the lighting of Anor of a new day, again, Legolas felt surprised that the song had come to an end already, even as his fingers played the final notes welcoming a new sunrise and saying farewell to the stars for another day.
The applause was not polite. It was overwhelming. Several of the assembled stood and clapped, and it took a few bows and gracious thank you's to settle the guests once more. They returned to quiet conversation, and Illiene and Legolas played soft background music that would be unobtrusive to the conversation. Suddenly, Illiene stopped playing. "Sarnlass, this string has turned sour. Could you fetch me a fresh one? They're in the bottom of the cabinet."
Legolas was quite certain he hadn't heard a sour note, but laid aside the flute as Illiene began to slowly unwind and release the offending string. As he opened the cabinet drawer he heard one of the advisors say, "Yes, but if Verdean hadn't encouraged him, nothing would have come of it."
"Are you certain?" He heard Galadriel reply, "Sevilan was never in line to take the position of March Warden. Valar only knows how he came to think such a thing. It was his foolish pride that led to the trouble. I am certain it would have led to trouble one way or another, with or without Verdean's aid."
Legolas pretended to search for the correct string, even though each little compartment in the drawer clearly labeled which strings were inside, suddenly quite certain that Illiene hadn't heard a sour note from her harp at all.
"I say it was both of them." Someone else said, "And yet, either way, it doesn't matter now, does it? Haldir's name has been cleared, and the guilty parties punished."
"Haldir is a decent Elf, and a loyal warden. He should have been able to rely on my trust." Celeborn sighed, "I should never have doubted him. Yet, I did, and perhaps now only time can correct the damage that was done."
"I was certain he was innocent." Another, the elleth who Legolas knew was head of the weaving hall from his tour that morning, said softly, "But I could not provide the proof."
"You aren't to blame, Lord Celeborn. Neither are you, Lanthiri." The first advisor said encouragingly. "And I am sorry that you Verdean was involved such as he was, but perhaps some time under King Thranduil will do him some good."
Legolas glanced over at the assembled as he returned to Illiene and handed her the string. He was certain that Galadriel glanced directly at him before she said, "Haldir will recover. I cannot blame him for his bitterness, but the rumors are already ceasing and with the coming of summer, everyone will soon be too busy to remember the trouble."
"We can only hope, my lady." One of the advisors said as Illiene ran her fingers across the harp, adjusted the new string, and give a meaningful glance to Legolas.
He nodded and picked up his flute once more. There was obviously much more to being a courtesan that just caring for the Lord and Lady!
Illiene had been right. The group talked and the Courtesans played late into the night, when at last Lord Glorfindel stood and stretched. "I am sorry to leave your company, but I ride with the sunrise."
Lady Galadriel stood and embraced him. "Losto vae, cousin. Do you care for company this evening?"
He laughed. "Your husband already declined my the loan of his Courtesan for the night. I'm certain he would deny me his wife as well."
Now Celeborn laughed as Galadriel lightly slapped the Seneschal on the shoulder for his deliberate misreading of her words before calling, "Illiene, please see the Seneschal to his room and see that he has all he requires."
Illiene stood gracefully and moved to Glorfindel's side as he said his farewells, not bothering to hide her anticipatory smile.
"I'll see you off in the morning." Celeborn said warmly, clapping Glorfindel on the shoulder.
Legolas stowed away the instruments and waited for the group to say their goodnights and disperse. He desperately wished that he had a few minutes alone with Illiene to clarify all that they had overheard, but long habit as a member of the royal family had taught him that sometimes the gossip left unspoken was the gossip which carried the most meaning.
He was dragged by his musings by Lord Glorfindel's voice calling to him and went to his Lord's side.
"Well played tonight, Sarnlass. I see that your love of the flute is as great as my own." Celeborn complimented as he led the way from the hall with Galadriel at his side. He smiled down at her golden head. "Shall we to your room, my lady?"
But the lady bit her lip softly, even as she masked a yawn with one hand. "Would you be terribly disappointed, melleth nin, if I retired alone tonight? I'm certain Sarnlass will keep you good company."
Celeborn kissed her warmly and bid her goodnight as she opened her door and slipped inside. Then he turned to Legolas, a predatory look in his eyes. "Shall we to my room, then, Sarnlass?"
Legolas nodded, smiling at the challenge in Celeborn's eyes. "Lead the way, my lord."

Translations from Hisewolkes Online Sindarin Dictionary:

http://www.jrrvf.com/hisweloke/sindar/

miniuial - 'morrow dim' - coming of dawn when the stars fade

Elenath - The hosts of stars

Tinnu - Dusk

ta da!
--------------------------

I know. Dull, But rather essential.

:) I know some of you wanted to see Legolas show Rumil a thing or two, but really, I think, Legolas is rather young, not the clever excellent archer we know from Lord of the Rings. How do you suppose he became such a fabulous archer?
Othello, I'm sorry! No sex again THIS week. I'm gonna make it up to y'all next week. I promise.
Thalionwen, Thanks for reading! And yes, Haldir and Feanal are rather interesting, aren't they? *author snickers viciously* And I hope your Easter was as good as mine! Jelly bellies are my friends!
Minerva: Keep hoping! Maybe if you cross your fingers and jump up and down while singing the Original Star Trek theme song maybe..just maybe...Legolas and Haldir might get together... *heh. I just wanted to see if you'd do it!* :D
MorierBlackLeaf; I do appreciate not being kicked anymore! :) As for sending me Thranduil, yes, a hot, dominant,, SOBER Thranduil might just go over very well. But if you don't want these extra Galadhrim I just got Celeborn to send me... hmmm....
DarkDreamer; lol What is it with everybody wanted Legolas to show up our poor Rumil? I'd much rather Legolas find some way to show up his arrogant brother! (any ideas on what we can do with Haldir?) By the way, I LOVED todays installment of Forbidden Falls. It even got me out of thinking in Tree Speak for a while.
Soda; Glad you're enjoying it! No Sugar-Sparkling-Water Elf? Well, okay. :) But how about I just let you figure out a way to take care of Haldir on your own, then. Here. I'll just stuff him in this box and Fed-Ex him... don't worry. I'll poke air holes in it! Maybe you could give him a long lecture about not ravishing raven haired courtesans?
MarzBar; Yay, you're still with us! yes..hints and bits and tiddles. My favorite kind. But things get ...uglier ...soon. :) Yes, that's kind of what I thought. That being a courtesan for a while is certainly a way to make a spoiled prince begin to look at others in a new light. or in total darkness under blankets...or something...
Tuxedo Elf; Don't worry! More Rumil coming soon! I just sent Haldir to Soda. But I have these spare Galadhrim that I just borrowed to send to Morier...would you like some of them? *What, Celeborn? No no! I said...ummm... all pike can swim! Yes. They are FISH you know...* la la la
Gabby; Welcome on board!!!!!!!!! Darn, I'm sorry! I decided not to let Glorfindel have Legolas just yet. There will be a time for Legolas and Glori, I think, but not just yet. Celeborn has to 'tire' of him first. (Yah, like THAT's gonna happen?)
You nailed it exactly! I meant to have each Realm have it's own kind of systems for Courtesanship. This story is actually a prelude to another one, which comes much later along the time-line, so I'm trying to establish the universe here as best I can. Go back and read the Thranduil/Legolas scene again and see if you can figure out what's really happening. (here's a hint: Mirie can be a manipulative little wench! :D)
As I've mentioned before, I really try to stay three chapters ahead of where I'm posting and I'm a bit behind at the moment. I shall take the laptop with me this weekend and write like a mad fiend, but I make no promises! :D
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Fifteen Years