The Blacksmith

The sound of birds flitted in through the window along beams of sunlight. Eyelids slowly opening, you took in the picturesque blue sky of this new day. The sleep from which you woke was heavenly, much like the view to your left. Halbrand lay peacefully next to you, his arm across your chest, his messy hair covering half his face. You grinned so wide, your love for him bursting out of you. Though it was then you remembered your other companion, the Lady Galadriel, and remembered the feel of her lips on your skin. Holding your grin, you turned your head to the right to drink her in, but were met with an empty sight. She was not in the bed.

Your stomach dropped and your mind began to buzz anxiously. Was the morning light too sobering for her? Had she regretted going to bed with you, with Halbrand? Perhaps it was too much for her, this you would understand. Elves generally only took one love in their long lifetimes, and Galadriel had already shared herself with her lost husband Celeborn. It broke your heart a little to think your actions last night might have hurt her.

Slipping delicately out from under your husband's grasp, hoping not to wake him, you treaded lightly out of your chamber to see if Galadriel was somewhere in the house. Thankfully, you did not have to search long. "I do hope you were planning to put some clothes on before going outside to find me." she spoke softly, humour in her tone. Turning in the direction of her voice, you saw her in the washroom, bathing in your tub, steam rising from her skin. You felt your cheeks redden a little, suddenly aware of your still nude form. "You can't be blushing now, not after everything we did." Maybe the morning was sobering for you instead.

"Come here." she commanded you, and you obeyed, wandering slowly towards her, feeling the warmth of the water in the air before it even spilled over your body. "How long have you been awake?" you asked as you stepped into the bath.
"Since before dawn." she admitted, gliding across to you, the sound of water splashing against the tub filling your ears. "I've been feeling rather restless, my mind will not quieten." You wrapped your body around her then, and she rested her head gently over your beating heart. "I've a good ear if you wish to speak. I think I owe you quite the listen, Galadriel." you chuckled lightly, running a hand through her damp blonde locks. She placed a gentle kiss on your breast and sighed.

"There's… just so much that has been uncovered… I've learned secrets about myself that not even I was aware existed. Or at least… secrets I had been desperate to hide. I followed you both all the way here, not only because I wanted to end your lives… but because I missed you. I wanted to see you both again. And I loathed myself for it. Part of me thought at least if I killed you that then not only would Middle-earth be free… but so would I. I would be able to move on with my life and keep my secrets hidden. Nothing prepared me for this. For the confusion I now feel."
"The last thing I wish to do, Galadriel, is cause you any pain. I have done my share of that already. If you would rather take your leave of us, of this city, I would let you."

Galadriel rose to face you, shaking her head profusely. "That is not what I wish." She gazed at you with determination, unflinching and serious. You raised your hand to her face, stroking her soft cheek, warm water trickling down your arm. She leaned in slowly, pausing at the shortest of distances from you, almost asking for permission. You acquiesced and let your lips meet, the same hand that held her cheek now held her head in place against you. The kiss was one of love, of pure adoration. Your way of reassuring the she-elf that she was cared for, wanted, and needed. That you were here for her to ease her mind however you could.

You felt her tongue begging entrance, and you let her in, deepening the kiss, your passion for each other growing. Both of you quickly became lost in each other, every touch containing a new spark of delight. Though after a few moments, Galadriel broke away from you. You watched her eyes as she did so, saw her gaze drift to Halbrand's wound on your neck, then followed her hand as it fearfully roamed up her wet body, finding her own gash. The she-elf's eyes darted around in panic, her breathing quickening.

"Are you alright, Galadriel?" You reached out to comfort her, but she recoiled.
"Forgive me… I… I need some solitude." With those words, she rose out of the tub, hurriedly moving back into your chamber. You could hear Halbrand's voice try to question her, but he got no reply. Then you yourself moved with speed out of the tub, making swiftly for your chamber. Though as you approached the door, dripping water with every step, Galadriel flew past you, the lace sleeves of her gown billowing behind her as she fled down the stairs and out into the sunshine.

You did not follow, only reaching for a towel on the rack just inside the washroom door. Wandering into your bed chamber you took in the sight of Halbrand, bare chested and dazed. You dried yourself a little and crawled onto the bed next to him, feeling your brow furrow with concern. Your love sat up against the headboard, unsurprised at the turn of events. "I think we… may have overwhelmed her last night." you declared. "I did not intend to upset her or make her doubt herself. Everything just… happened."
"It happened the way it was supposed to. The way it needed to. She is undergoing the same struggle as you when I told you of who I am. You ran from me too, remember?"

As always, your love was right about these matters. You thought back to how much turmoil you felt when you ran from Sauron that day in the woods, scared beyond belief. Confusion racked your brain so completely, you had felt so desperately lost. This must be nothing compared to what Galadriel was feeling at this moment. Her long life and experiences no doubt weighing heavy upon her.

There was however something else that surprised you all last night, and you had somehow forgotten about it until now. Not only had your feelings for Galadriel come forth, but it seemed other unmanifested emotions had also surfaced. Halbrand and Galadriel also cared for each other, longed for each other. Though witnessing your love proclaim as much had not been the shocking part. It was the she-elf, speaking of her desire for Halbrand, for Sauron, that was something you didn't think either of you could have foreseen. You couldn't help but wonder then, who she might love more, giving you an unexpected thrill at the thought of having to win over her affections. Though, you knew of course, who you loved more. There were just two different kinds of powerful love coursing through you for each of them now, incomparable.

"Then she will just need time." you stated, trying to reassure yourself.
Halbrand nodded, running a hand through your hair. "Speaking of time…"
"Yes?"
"Can we just lay here, all day, and do nothing else?" he smiled at you dreamily, the sun's rays twinkling in his hazel depths. Your eyes couldn't help but drift to the open door, and how you wished to see Galadriel walking back through it. Halbrand placed his hand gently on your chin, moving your head back to face his. It was then you returned your husband's loving gaze, letting him pull you close to him to capture a kiss. Moaning a little into his mouth, you removed your lips from his, but only for a moment enough to say, "Yes, my king. We can do that." Halbrand smirked at you before resuming the kiss, pulling your body onto his in the sweetest of embraces.

And the two of you did just that, wrapped up in the sheets and each others limbs, back and forth between conversation and copulation, as the sunshine outside began to fade behind the clouds. The scent of rain permeated the air now, a far cry from the spring like awakening of the morning, with clouds of grey varying in shades, only darkening as time went on. "We should probably go find Galadriel, my love." you suggested, ready to return to the world. "Before the rain gets too heavy."
"I suppose we shall. I had half expected her to return by now. Ready for round two." Halbrand snickered, before letting his mouth suck on your throat. You gasped in delight. "We're never getting out of this bed, are we?"
"That's the idea, my queen." he hummed into your skin, lips and teeth grazing you.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Someone was at the front door, you could just hear them rapping on the wood over the rain that was beginning to increase. For a fleeting second you considered it could be the she-elf, but she likely would not knock, it wasn't exactly her way. "Halbrand?"
"Yes…" He was continuing his kisses along your skin, trying to claim every inch of you. "…my love?"
"Would you be a kind husband and get the door?"
Halbrand laughed, ending it with a sigh. "If I must." He placed a final kiss on your lips, before exiting the bed and pulling on some trousers, wandering out of your chamber with no tunic on. Sure to give the knocker something to gossip about, the sight of their bare chested king. Taking the opportunity your isolation had afforded you, you decided to dress quickly, and desiring something comfortable you chose the plum dress. Taking a seat at the vanity, you gazed at your reflection as you gently combed your hair, detangling the messy strands your husband was responsible for.

You could hear voices coming from downstairs, all male, followed by the stomping of feet up the stairs and towards you. In the mirror you now saw your brothers standing in the doorway, both dripping wet from the rain. Noticing their expressions, you spun fast to look at them directly. Their faces were white as sheets, Azrahin was struggling to keep it together, his anguish clear. Târikun's tears attempted to hide themselves with the rain drops on his cheeks, but you watched them fall from his eyes. Halbrand walked over to stand beside you, placing a tender hand on your shoulder. You were thankful for his touch in this moment.

"What is it?" you asked, anxiety beginning to creep in.
"I'm afraid…" Azrahin began, but he paused, unwilling to finish his words.
"Brother… just say it." you implored him.
"I'm afraid we bring bad tidings, sister."
Your heartbeat began to race as Halbrand squeezed your shoulder, sensing your distress. "What has happened?"
"We… we were exploring the market… looking for some fresh fruit to snack on… and… and we overheard… we overheard a conversation we could not believe."
"They are plotting to end you both." Târikun chimed in, cutting to the chase and saving his older brother.
"Who?" Halbrand demanded, and you swore you felt the temperature rise in his palm.
"Many. It seems a revolt is nigh."

"Are… are you sure?" you stammered, going into shock.
Azrahin nodded gravely. "There was a small gathering, in a secluded part of the market. We counted twenty, maybe thirty citizens."
"Did you recognise any of the rebels?" inquired Halbrand, really asking if Galadriel was amongst them.
"Aye." Târikun admitted, bowing his head a moment. "There were two women at the forefront." Your brother turned his gaze on you. "One was your red headed friend I saw you with at the feast yestereve. The other… was Bronwyn." Olwenna. Bronwyn. Your stomach dropped sharply and you felt as if you might be sick.
"Bronwyn?" gasped your king, taken aback. "But why… what were they saying?"

"That…" Azrahin began, steadying himself. "That is the part I wished I didn't believe." He sighed, before revealing all to you and your husband. "Bronwyn claims she saw you kill Olwenna's husband. Garion was his name?" he asked Târikun to confirm, and he did so with a small nod. You and Halbrand locked eyes then, and for the first time, you saw fear in his hazel orbs. Tears were welling up in your eyes, and your husband reached for your hand, holding it tightly as Azrahin continued. "She saw something in the two of you that was… evil. A darkness swept over you, she said. She told everyone listening that the king snapped Garion's neck, and the queen gutted him to pass his death off as a casualty of the battle."

Bronwyn had witnessed the entire murder it seemed. How could you be so careless? No wonder she had recoiled from you as you tried to comfort her over Theo. "Then your friend told the crowd…" Now it was Târikun who wished not to speak, though he knew he must. "She told the crowd that… you massacred an entire village… barely a week ago… is… is this true, sister?" His voice shook as he asked the question, terrified for the answer you knew was coming. Releasing Halbrand's touch, you paced towards your brothers, using all your might to keep your tears from becoming you. "There is much I haven't told you. About me, about father, about mother. I need you to hear everything before you cast judgment. Let us go downstairs and-"

"No." Azrahin spoke for the pair of them, but they were both unobliging with your request. "Whatever it is, you say it right here. Right now." You felt Halbrand at your side once more, locking his fingers tightly with yours. You took a deep breath, and let the truth leave your body, entering your brothers ears, praying they would not run. They listened intently as you told them about your father and Waldreg, and how they carried out Sauron's plan to bring fire and ash down upon the Southlands; about how you were swayed to their devious way of thinking as a small child who didn't know any better. You told them about how that changed when your mother died, and how you've been seeing her in your dreams, though you were still unsure as to why. You told them that you and Halbrand were fighting a war within yourselves, that the light was winning, but some battles it did not. The decimation of that village was the resulting loss.

Their faces went through the gamut of emotions as they let each single word sink in, grasping what it all meant. "But why did this… darkness… only infect you? Why not us?"
"Because it was destined for your sister. As she was destined for me." spoke up Halbrand, wise when the time called for it.
"Don't worry, I think each of you has some darkness within." you stated, feeling your dismay from the other night return.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Târikun asked, offended.
You just sighed, deciding in the scheme of things right now, it wasn't worth pursuing. "Nevermind."

Silence permeated the air, with only a clap of thunder from above breaking it. Your brothers were thinking, considering everything you had said, before deciding what to do with the knowledge they had learned. "Are you both certain that you are on a path towards goodness? That you seek to atone?" asked Azrahin, needing to be sure.
"Yes. Wholeheartedly." you assured him desperately.
"Then why did you kill Garion?" Târikun interjected, not yet satisfied.

You looked to Halbrand, rage beginning to boil under his skin. He closed his eyes, gathering himself, no doubt trying to vanish the memory of what Garion did to you. And what he then did to him. His eyes opened, an intense gaze now on Târikun as he answered his question. "Because Garion tried to kill your sister." Halbrand chuckled lightly at your brothers stunned reactions to this. "Left that part out did they? How convenient."
"My love, perhaps Bronwyn didn't see-"
"She saw enough. All she needed." In frustration, Halbrand let go of your hand and began to pace the chamber rapidly.
"You said they are plotting to end us. Did you happen to hear their plan?" you asked your brothers, determined to put a stop to it before things got out of hand.

"They said that Bronwyn would call for you both, ask to meet you in the town square. Then, ambush you." revealed Azrahin. "After that, we'd heard enough, and ran here as fast as we could to warn you."
"And to figure out who's side we should be on." admitted Târikun. You took a hand of each of them, holding them up and close to your chest, eyes darting back and forth between them, pleading with them to see reason. "You are with us, are you not?"
The two men exchanged knowing looks, and without hesitation placed their other hands on top of your own. "You are our family. We're not going to abandon you. We will stand beside you."
"Until the very end, silly sister."

You smiled then, for what felt like the first time in forever. This news had been so daunting, so unexpected, you had almost forgotten how to. Suddenly your brothers pulled you into a tight embrace, and the three of you stood there holding each other, whilst Halbrand continued to pace the room, his fear taking hold. Realising this, you left the arms of your brothers and stepped towards your husband, blocking his movements, taking his hands in yours. "It's going to be alright my love. We will stop this uprising before it occurs. We will sway them back to us, back to the light." You placed a tender hand on his face, his stubble tickling your skin. Halbrand leaned into your touch and took a deep breath. "You are right, my love. We will."

In that moment, the storm ceased, water from the sky no longer crashing loudly upon the earth. And as if on queue, another presence entered your household, standing dripping in your doorway. Galadriel had returned.