The campfire flames danced in lively contrast to the tranquil darkness surrounding them, while the myriad of stars up above twinkled their harmony as Ithil smiled in crescent benevolence.
Aragorn tossed another log onto the fire, before once again leaning back against the boulder he was sharing with his beloved Arwen. His calloused hand enfolded her own slender one and her atonishingly beautiful face became the very picture of contentment, as she rested her sable locks upon his strong shoulder.
Ja-zel looked at the elven maiden, who had become a friend during the course of this journey, and thought that she had never beheld a being so lovely in all of her long years of existence...
Suddently, the images she had seen within the mirror on that last evening in LothLorien came unbidden to her mind and Ja-zel was barely able to suppress a growl as she remembered The words uttered by the Lady of Light.
// { I know what it is you saw... } Galadriel's voice had sounded in the Lyoness' head. { For it is also in my mind. }
Ja-zel had lifted troubled eyes to the ancient elleth, who returned the look with a penetrating gaze.
{ It is what will come to pass... If you should fail. } //
Abruptly, Ja-zel returned to the present as her mate's hand came to rest upon her arm in silent querry. Turning her head, she gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile. Erestor loved the Peredhel Lord and his cubs as if they were kin and because of that, the Lyoness saw them as part of the ' Pride'. A pride that also included the Dunadan ranger before her, the golden warrior who was in charge of guarding Imladris and that warrior's sweet, young mate. All of whom, she had seen in the mirror's dark portends.
Giving her love one last smile, Ja-zel returned her gaze towards the crackling campfire, the pupils of her dark eyes eerily reflecting the tonguing flames as she lost herself in thought once more. Lyons were fiercely protective of all members of their pride...
No... She would not fail.
Back at the Last Homely House, Elrohir and Melpomaen were enjoying an animated game of chess as Glorfindel and Elladan looked on, offering some good-humored -and on occasion off-colored-, commentary.
The first time the seneschal and his young beloved had invited the twins over to their rooms for a relaxing evening however, it had started out as anything but...
Although the Balrog Slayer had assured the brothers that they need not hide their mated bond in front of him or Melpomaen, Elladan and Elrohir had been too afraid that if the other two elves actually saw them behave in the manner of lovers, those assurances would quickly give way to disgust.
Surprisingly, it was Melpomaen who succeeded in braking down that barrier.
The shy assistant and devout scholar had simply asked the twins if they would mind explaining their shared fea, his violet eyes holding only an open expression of interest. The brothers had done so, gradually becoming completely at ease as they once again experienced the feeling of peaceful release that came with being able to unburden themselves from the weight of their forced secrecy. After that, the two let go of their fear and the rest of that first evening had been spent in comfortable companionship, as originally intended.
And so it had been ever since. The seneschal's quarters quickly became a second haven. A place where the twins could openly indulge in the playful, casual touch and banter that all other lovers took for granted. A place where they found the simple, yet for them precious, enjoyment of socializing with another couple. Dinner, good conversation, a game of cards...
And, on this particular night, a chess match.
" Careful gwenneth. Do not understimate that innocent face. For it hides the mind of a formidable opponent!." Elladan called out.
Elrohir looked up from the chess board, quirking an eyebrow at the shy assistant.
" Ai! well I know it!. For did he not manage to turn our own fierce Balrog Slayer into a besotted twit?." He asked cheekily, turning his head to wink at his brother.
Melpomaen blushed all the way to the tips of his delicately pointed ears, as Glorfindel growled at the younger twin in mock indignation.
" Curve that tongue young rascal, lest you feel the flat of my blade upon your impertinent rump!."
" Aye." Elladan chortled. " Is that any way to treat the ancient and venerable elf who changed your swaddling cloths?."
Now it was Elrohir's turn to blush.
" Do not forget that he also changed yours, brother." He scowled. " And cease with these distractions!. For I do believe that I am finally managing to get the better of my ' formidable opponent'... Is that not so, Melpomaen?." Elrohir asked, with a rakish grin.
" Check Mate." was the shy assistant's sweet reply.
Elrohir's eyes widened comically and he looked down at the board where, belatedly, he could see the series of moves that had so easily ensnared him.
" I'll be a goblin's arse..." He muttered, disgustedly.
Glorfindel and Elladan roared with laughter...
Much later, the two rather inebriated twins were making their way back to their new quarters when Elladan, on a whim, pulled his brother into one of the small coves along the hallway, taking his lips in a passionate kiss. Elrohir yielded hungrily for a moment before sanity returned, like a dousing of sobering cold water.
" Elladan, are you mad?!." He hissed, pulling away. " Someone could see!."
" There is no one about, at this late hour." Elladan answered, though he did stay any further advance. " But you are right. This would be much better pursued in the privacy of our chambers... Forgive me?." He asked, sheepishly.
" Always, seron vell." Elrohir said, with a soft smile.
Neither noticed the figure that emerged from the shadows to stare at their retreating backs with eyes that first widened in shock.
And then narrowed with outrage...
TBC...