Into the Fire

Disclaimer: I only own the oc’s, Tolkien owns all the rest.

Arcana

Chapter Two: Temperance

Never advise anyone to go to war or to marry.

-Spanish Proverb

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Imladris TA 2793

Rian dropped her traveling bag down on top of Morwen’s desk.

“Three years. I have been in Mirkwood for the better part of three years since Elladan has seen me last. Yes, Elladan, the elf who is supposedly in love with me. The elf who has been trying to make amends for very harsh words he once spoke to me and thus ending our previous relationship. Yes, that elf, that elf….who was not here to greet me as I came back.”

Morwen put down her quill and moved the bag from the desk to the floor, “Rian, to be fair, the dwarves have just begun to wage their war.”

Rian started to pace, “Oh, it is just dwarves and orcs, who honestly cares?”

Eluialeth laughed, “Would you listen to yourself? Have you lost all sense?”

Rian glared at Eluialeth, “Oh, just wait until you fall in love and I will gladly sit back and watch what happens.”

Eluialeth just smiled at Rian, “You need to focus on something else.”

Rian shook her head, “No, no I do not. The only thing pulling me through my decades of exile in Mirkwood….”

“Exile is a bit harsh.” Morwen said

“…was the knowledge that when I finally returned to Imladris, Elladan would be here. Waiting, here. In Imladris. But do you know where he is?” Rian asked.

“Gondor?” Morwen tried.

“Havens?” Eluialeth attempted.

“Rohan?” Morwen asked.

Rian finally answered, “Out with the Rangers. Somewhere out in Arda, risking his life. For what?”

“Revenge?” Eluialeth asked.

Morwen, trying to be a bit nicer asked, “The security of us all?”

“Guilt.” Rian threw up her hands, “Guilt over his mother. Guilt over me. Guilt.”

Eluialeth turned to Morwen, “Is she attempting to argue about guilt with you? She does know you are with Glorfindel, correct?”

“She does,” Morwen nodded, “to be fair, Elladan’s guilt is more recent and is caused by something he said to her.”

“Did his city burn down?” Eluialeth asked.

“No.” Morwen answered.

Eluialeth nodded, “Well then, a few words does not a total destruction of a settlement make.”

“But they can be nearly as deadly.” Morwen said in a sing-song voice.

Rian glared at them, “Are you two even listening to me?”

“No,” Erestor said from the doorway, “they are not. And can you blame them? Honestly Rian, all that time with the wood elves and all you seem to have learned is how to whine.”

Rian grimaced, “I shall go write my report now.” Rian grabbed her bag and made her way to the library. Erestor watching her go with a smile on his face.

“As for you two, I have assignments for both of you.”

“Are we writing reports?” Morwen asked.

“Do we get to travel?” Eluialeth asked.

“Travel and reports?” Morwen asked again.

Erestor laughed, “Travel and reports. Eluialeth you are being sent to the Havens.”

“Me?” Eluialeth asked.

“Her?” Morwen asked.

“Eluialeth is being sent, yes. Morwen is needed elsewhere, by special request.”

Morwen raised a brow, “Me?”

“Her?” Eluialeth asked , confused.

“Yes, Morwen.” Erestor answered.

Morwen nodded, “Where am I going?”

Erestor took a deep breath and seemed to ponder how he would phrase his statement. He shook his head and went for the quick and easy, “Morwen you are being sent to LothLorien.”

The office was silent for a moment as Morwen and Eluialeth stared at Erestor,

“Oh, that was very funny.” Morwen said.

“Very.” Eluialeth agreed.

Erestor looked at them, “Morwen, I am serious. You are being sent to LothLorien. Arwen has requested you.”

Morwen grimaced. “She did?”

“Yes, she did.” Erestor answered.

Morwen swallowed loudly as she forced herself up from her seat, “Well, then I should be getting ready to leave.”

Erestor nodded, “There is one more thing.”

Eluialeth backed away, fearing what her father was about to say.

“Yes?” Morwen asked through a clenched jaw.

“Haldir will be escorting you.” Erestor spoke quickly, finding himself oddly fearful of his former pupil.

“What?” Morwen demanded.

“Haldir will be escorting you.” Erestor said.

Eluialeth's eyes went back and forth between her father and her friend, wondering what would happen next.

Morwen laughed. “That is..”

“Morwen,” Erestor patted her side, “Glorfindel approved it. You will be escorted by Haldir and a party of LothLorien elves from the halfway mark on, Balanauth will be going with you the whole way.”

“Why not Thandrog? Or Elrohir? Or anyone other than Balanauth, relatively good friend of Haldir?” Morwen asked.

Erestor shook his head, “Glorfindel is the captain, he makes the choices for an escort. The only one who can go above him is Lord Elrond and Lord Elrond……”

“Is currently in LothLoiren.” Morwen said through a clenched jaw.

“Which is why Elrohir needs to stay here.” Erestor said.

“Right, well then. I should go pack.” Morwen said.

Erestor held up a hand to stop her, “Glorfindel has already packed for you, he is waiting in his office.”

Morwen grimaced again, and nodded, “Very good.” She said in a strained voice, giving a nod to Erestor and Eluialeth.

Father and daughter watched her go, her pace obviously one of controlled anger.

“Oh, I would not desire to be Glorfindel at this moment.” Eluialeth said.

Erestor smiled, “Glorfindel does have a creative way of proving his point, conceding to another’s demand, and getting his own will done all at once. You must admire that.”

“Admiration? I only pity his foolishness.”

Erestor laughed, “There is that as well.”

**************************************

Morwen walked sedately into Glorfindel’s office, “You have my pack?”

Glorfindel held out the bag, “Clothes and hair ties and even a novel.”

“Oh, how kind you are.” Morwen said as she glared at him.

Glorfindel stood up, “I am. I am even giving you my most trusted second-in-command as an escort.”

Morwen’s jaw clenched, “And what an escort it is.”

“You wish to leave the realm do you not?” Glorfindel asked as he moved closer.

“Yes.” Morwen answered.

“Travel all over Arda doing your duty? Is that not what you said to me three years ago?” Glorfindel asked as he closed the door to his office.

“Yes, it was.” Morwen said.

Glorfindel smiled, “Then you are in need of an escort.” He gave her an amused look, “As you have often told me, just because I know how it must be, does not mean I have to like it.”

Morwen let out a disgusted sound, “I just want you to know how much I truly dislike you right now.”

“Such a shame because I adore you so very much right now, anger makes you face all pink and lovely.” Glorfindel said with a dazzling smile.

Morwen glared at him, “Flattery will not work on me.”

“Alas, I know.”

Glorfindel reached to give her a farewell kiss, laughing as Morwen moved out of the way, “Now, if I get attacked on my patrol you are going to have so much guilt because you did not let me kiss you goodbye.”

Morwen narrowed her eyes at him, “Alas, logic does work on me.”

Glorfindel smiled and kissed her, “Be safe.”

“I still dislike you at this moment.”

“Do you want me to order Haldir to be polite?”

Morwen shook her head, fighting back a smile, “No, but if you felt the need to incapacitate him so that he could not be in my escort I would be much more inclined to liking you again.”

Glorfindel laughed, “I shall miss you.”

“Do you know why Arwen asked for me? If she needed company, Rian would be the logical choice.”

“Rian was traveling back from Mirkwood. Besides, you are older and wiser.”

“Then why are you not going?” Morwen asked.

“She asked for you, Morwen. Do you want to upset the Lady of Imladris and therefore upset Lord Elrond?”

“Logic.” Morwen stated.

“Logic.” Glorfindel cradled her face in his hands, “You will not be there long. Come back with Lord Elrond, you will be there a month at most.”

Morwen nodded and pulled away, “I best not keep the party waiting.”

“No. Haldir will meet you at the halfway mark.”

Morwen turned from the door, “Are you not coming to wish us farewell?”

“I cannot.” Glorfindel said.

“Glorfindel….”

“Morwen, there is a war going on in the mountains, I cannot go out there and wish you farewell, for I would never allow you to leave.”

Morwen smiled tiredly, “So be it. I wish you well, Glorfindel.”

Glorfindel nodded, “Have a safe trip and despite how arrogant he is, do not harm Haldir. It would be very bad for relations.”

Morwen let out a small laugh as she made her way out of the office and towards the stables.

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Glorfindel paced the floor of Erestor’s office, both waiting on the message which said the party had made it to the halfway mark. Eluialeth watched both elves with a small bit of amusement, though she did admit her own fear. A war between dwarves and orcs might appear to mean little to elves, but the ramifications of such a thing impacted the future of all. The latest report from Mirkwood already showed a resurgent orc population. Eager to break the mounting tension in the office, Eluialeth put down her quill and turned to her father and Glorfindel.

“Why does Morwen dislike Haldir so much?” Eluialeth asked them.

Glorfindel smiled brightly as Erestor put a hand over his mouth to cover his snicker. Erestor gestured for Glorfindel to speak.

Glorfindel shook his head and laughed as he began, “Haldir was the first elf to insult Morwen for being an orphan. Elrond had always forbid such talk around her and the others. Haldir was our escort the first time the twins and Morwen visited the realm, they were all very young. Morwen, not being of the wood elves nor having lived in their dwellings, was understandably struggling with keeping up as they ran through the trees. Haldir mocked her for that. She tumbled on one of the ropes as they tried to cross the river. Haldir again taunted her and then moved to help her. Alas, he dropped her into the river. Being so young she had never swam in a real river so…well. You can understand why Haldir is one of her least favorite elves. It does not help that Haldir has a very detailed memory and can sometimes have a very loose mouth.”

Astonished, Eluialeth asked, “How is he still living?”

Glorfindel started to giggle much to Eluialeth’s surprise as her father laughed out loud.
Erestor wiped his eyes and took a breath, “Oh, Morwen did attempt to get her revenge.”

Glorfindel steadied himself, “She was only forty at the time, though she did manage to…ehem..practice her daggers on him. They have had a small, but greatly amusing, battle of the wits ever since. The sad thing is, I believe Haldir truly enjoys Morwen’s company while Morwen does every thing in her power to avoid him.”

Erestor nodded, “They do respect each other, but Morwen would not cry if he were to sail. There is no doctrine which insists all elves must like each other, but most do enjoy Haldir’s company. If you ever do meet him, do not let Morwen’s prejudices cloud your judgment. He is a good elf.”

“He does his duty very well.” Glorfindel agreed.

“He dropped her into a river.” Eluialeth said.

“He usually does his duty very well.” Glorfindel amended.

A messenger bird flew in, waiting as Erestor hurriedly took the note before flying off again.

“How are they? Are they not well?” Glorfindel asked.

Erestor laughed, “Balanauth says they are all well. A few minor skirmishes and Morwen did get a flesh wound from an orcish arrow…”

“WHAT?” Glorfindel roared, much to the pain of many an elven ear.

“But she is fine. No poison was on the tip and she is already well enough to pass insults with Haldir. She is fine Glorfindel. Now, would you like to know how your soldiers are doing or are they not important?”

“Oh, of course, yes.” Glorfindel said.

Eluialeth shook her head ash she turned back to her work, relishing in the sight of her father so firmly putting Glorfindel in his place.

**************************************

Caras Galadhon, TA 2793

Balanauth pressed a hand to his brow as Morwen and Haldir continued their bickering. They had not stopped, not when they crossed the river border, not when the first came under the true eaves of the Golden Wood and had certainly not stopped now that they had reached Caras Galadhon.

“Balanauth you might want to tell your Chief Councilor to suggest an eye glass for her,” Haldir gestured to Morwen, “an elf who cannot see an arrow headed in her direction is a dangerous thing.”

“I obviously saw the arrow as I dodged out of the way.” Morwen stated.

“It still glanced off your arm. You did not dodge far enough.” Haldir said.

“Did you expect me to become part of the tree, Haldir?” Morwen asked.

“You could always climb the tree. You are an elf, that is what you should do.” Haldir answered.

“I am not a wood elf.” Morwen said.

“Lord Elrond and his children are not wood elves, they climb trees often.” Haldir said.

“His children are half-wood elf.” Morwen said.

“Celebrian is half-Noldo actually, so the wood elf comes from Celeborn.” Balanauth felt compelled to say.

“Lord Celeborn and Lady Celebrian.” Haldir emphasized.

“Right. All I am saying..” Balanauth continued.

Morwen interrupted him, “Balanauth, Elrond is also descended from the Maia yet we still call him halfelven do we not?”

“Yes, we do.” he agreed.

“Lord Elrond.” Haldir said.

“Oh, Haldir, I am so sorry you are not familiar enough with your rulers that they have not yet told you to drop the titles. I, however, am, and therefore do not often used them. You must forgive me.” Morwen said with false manners.

Haldir smirked, “Oh, she has a bad memory as well, horrible councilor.”

Morwen narrowed her eyes, “You do not have a cousin named Tharien, do you?”

“You ask me this each time and each time the answer is the same, no.” Haldir said.

“I just find it so difficult to believe you two are not related.” Morwen said.

“Perhaps they should marry.” Balanauth suggested.

“Oh, do not say such things, Balanauth.” Morwen said.

“Have they been like this the entire way?” Lord Elrond asked as the party arrived into the greeting chamber of Caras Galadhon.

“The whole entire time.” Balanauth gritted out.

Lord Elrond patted Balanauth arm, “You are a very good and loyal elf. Go wash up.”

“Are you certain?” Balanauth asked.

“Yes, I need to take Morwen to see Arwen.”

Balanauth and Elrond looked at Haldir and Morwen as their voices became louder, “I should take her there now, for the sake of all.” Elrond said.

***************************************************************

Morwen pressed her hands to her face.

“Arwen, please tell me you did not call me all the way out to LothLorien to get advice on a possible relationship.”

Arwen cringed, “Then what would you like me to tell you?”

Morwen looked at Arwen, the combination of eagerness and nervousness in her face. “Arwen, you do realize I have only been in one relationship and that is with an elf I have been infatuated with my entire existence.”

“Yes.” Arwen answered.

Morwen looked at her, “You do realize there are better people to ask?”

“Yes, but you will not tell my father.” Arwen said.

“Is that the only reason?” Morwen asked.

“Well, no, it’s your relationship.” Arwen said.

“Relationship?” Morwen asked.

“Yes, the relationship between you and Glorfindel. Other relationships I have seen, they have never been so strong There is Thalion and Eregeth but I do not seem them nearly enough. My grandparents are so, well, my grandparents. There is Erestor and Faeleth, but they seem such opposites.”

“Perfect Balance.” Morwen said with a smile.

“Right, still, they are like my parents. Galueth and Orophin, well, they do not have to live under such public scrutiny as we do. There is Merileth but I do not talk to her often.”

“Why?”

“What she did to Tirnion, I know she did not mean to hurt him so, but, still how can you not consider such a thing?” Arwen asked.

“What of Elladan and Rian?” Morwen asked, not wanting to dwell on Merileth.

“Yes, I should talk to those two. However, their relationship ended in 2510, it is not 2793 and they are still…..”

“Your reasons are starting to become much clearer.” Morwen said.

Arwen smiled, “You and Glorfindel though, you have such a perfect relationship.”

Morwen blinked at Arwen, not quite believing what she had just heard, “Arwen, surely you jest.”

“You never fight.” Arwen said.

“Arwen, the only reason I am truly here, the only reason I was guided by his royal arrogance, was because Glorfindel is proving a point to get back at me because of a fight.”

“But, you two never…”

“Oh, trust me. We do.” Morwen sighed, “To be fair, we are more cold statements than loud yelling, though that has also been known to happen.” Morwen pushed a strand of Arwen’s dark hair back, “For your sake, you must abandon the notion of romantic perfection. It is an ideal, Arwen, it is hardly truth.”

Arwen smiled, “I know, I just have this feeling that there is someone out there perfect for me.”

“And you think this…warrior is it?” Morwen asked, alluding to a guardsman Arwen had become infatuated with.

“I do not know.” Arwen looked at her hands, “Which is why I wanted to ask you, to speak with you. How did you know?”

Morwen laughed and shook her head, “I…I cannot tell you. I, it…it has always been there, Arwen. I do not have an answer.”

“When I shall know, I shall know?”

“Yes.”

Arwen sighed, “That is what father said.”

*************************************************************

Imladris, TA 2793

“She asked you for advice on a romantic relationship?” Rian asked as she lay across Morwen’s bed.

The tired Morwen gave her foster-sister a smile, “I have just returned, can we not leave this for later?”

“No,” Rian said, “why did she ask you?”

Morwen raised a finger, “Which one of us is in a romantic relationship at this moment?”

“Point.” Rian muttered. “There is just….there’s never been this big declaration of anything between you two.”

“Were you expecting us to confess our undying love to each other? That’s a bit superfluous don’t you think since we are both immortal and be honest, when have I ever enjoyed pomp and circumstance?”

“There is no romance between you two.” Rian insisted.

“I do not want romance, I want love. And I have it. Meaningless words and perishable gifts can go to other she-elves. I will take a warm embrace and an unyielding vow instead. “Morwen said.

Rian seemed to consider her words for a moment. She shook k her head, “But, there should be something there.”

Morwen stopped attempting to unpack and turned to Rian, “As I have told Thandrog on more than one occasion, just because you do not see it, does not mean it is not there. Glorfindel and I, our lives together, they are spent more in privacy than in public. It is something we must do in our situation, but it is also something we prefer. I will not lie, I am envious of those who can rush into their mate’s arms when the patrols come back but…..to have that I would lose Glorfindel and no public display is worth that. “

Rian let out a disgusted sound, “I hate you right now.”

Morwen laughed at her as she pressed a soft kiss to Rian’s brow, “Just wait. You will get there, one day.”

“I was there.” Rian said.

Morwen snorted, “You were not there. You were not even close.”

Rian smirked, “So you are an expert now.”

“Again, which one of us…”

Rian pouted, “Oh, be quiet.”

Morwen laughed, “You may stay here but I am going to see Glorfindel.”

“He is in his office with Elladan, and Elrohir and Balanauth and…”

“I can still let him know I have returned.” Morwen said.

“He already knows.”

Morwen held up a hand, “Again, which one of us…”

Morwen laughed as she walked out of her bedroom door, dodging Rian’s thrown pillow.

*********************************

“So, the dwarves have officially taken on the orcs?” Balanauth asked.

“Yes.” Glorfindel said.

“I’ll wager a week’s worth of patrol they’re decimated within the first month.” Elladan said.

“First week. The orcs have a balrog in Moria.” Elrohir said.

“I like to go with hope, I give them two months.” Thandrog answered as he played with a small kitten, not yet named by the twins.

“You are all unbelievable. A day at most.” Balanauth said.

“I would just go with the unbelievable, Balanauth.” Morwen stated from the doorway.

“Morwen….your eye is twitching.” Elladan said.

“Hmm, I wonder why such a thing would occur?” Morwen asked.

Morwen nodded to Glorfindel, “As per all of your last requests I am here as proof that I am indeed alive and well.”

Glorfindel glared at her, “Despite the arrow.”

Elrohir defended her, “It was a flesh wound.”

“It is always a flesh wound.” Elladan said as he pulled Morwen over to him, quite content under the watchful glare of Glorfindel.

Morwen patted Elladan’s head,” Why do I bother with any of you?”

Elrohir smiled, “Because we are witty and attractive and have nice pretty titles.”

“Oh, that must be it then.” Morwen laughed as Glorfindel pulled her from Elladan’s side over to his own, ignoring the snickers of the others.

“Elladan, why are you not with Rian?” Glorfindel asked, much to the amusement of a laughing Elrohir.

Elladan gave his twin a dark look, “I am giving her time and space to heal. Grandmother said that would be best.”

Elrohir snickered, “You give her anymore time and space and she is going to heal right into another elf’s arms.”

Elladan stared at him, “Did she say anything to you? Morwen, did she say something to you?”

Morwen glared at Elrohir, “No, your brother is simply teasing you. I would however advise you, to……move it along.”

“Truly?” Elladan asked,

“Yes.” Morwen answered.

“That means go, Elladan and take your brother with you.” Glorfindel said.

Elladan and Elrohir made kissing sounds as they left the room much to the disgust of both Morwen and Glorfindel.

Balanauth nodded to his captain, “I shall go out to the training fields. Thandrog, are you coming?”

Thandrog settled back in his chair, “No, I am quite comfortable.”

“Thandrog, leave, now.” Glorfindel ordered.

“Always ruining my fun, Glorfindel.” Thandrog said as he stood up with the kitten cradled to his chest, “You never let me save the wild bears nor do you let me…...”

“Go!” Glorfindel barked.

Morwen laughed as Thandrog hurried out of the room, “I have not seen you bark orders in quite sometime.”

Glorfindel smiled at her, “Normally I do not have to do such a thing. Did you have a lovely visit in LothLorien?”

“Very lovely, it was short and I only had to speak with Haldir as we went into Caras Galadhon. Very nice and short visit.”

“What did Arwen want?” Glorfindel asked.

“Just to talk about some concerns of her own.” Morwen said.

“About?”

“Perfection and balance.” Morwen answered.

“You are not going to tell me?” Glorfindel asked.

“Not now.”

Glorfindel smiled as he leaned down to kiss Morwen, pulling back at the sound of a knock.

“Glorfindel, do not glare at the door.” Morwen said.

Erestor walked in, “Morwen, I am sorry to break up your lovely reunion, but I have to gather all the councilors, Elrond has requested a meeting. Glorfindel, you too.”

Glorfindel sighed and touched his forehead to Morwen’s, “Duty.”

Morwen smiled, “Duty.”

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A/N 1: The card for Temperance card obviously has a meaning of temperance but can also, sometimes, mean balance and the blending of opposites.