Chapter Text
“Someone is confident,” Galadriel teased while getting pulled up by the cord of her keepsake until she sat up, looking at the man in front of her with a quirk of her brow.
“Ah, so you can hear all my thoughts,” Halbrand mused, picking up the Elf who immediately wrapped her legs around his waist as if on instinct. He carried her to the bed across the room.
“Well yes, given that we’re in each other’s minds,” she felt herself getting dropped on the soft cushions unceremoniously. “I thought we established that.”
“Insolent brat,” the man retorted, getting a mock offended look in return. I’m weak for you, you hear that? got him a shy smile from Galadriel. This time it ignited a dark, possessive need inside him. “On your hands and knees.”
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Afterwards, they lay intwined, Galadriel’s thigh hooked over Halbrand’s leg, her head on his chest, a steady heartbeat under her ear. She both marveled and detested their state – all in a world created by their minds, the world not seen nor unseen, but somewhere in between. Halbrand’s real heartbeat was days away, his heat against her skin a shared illusion, his smell - constructed from memory. Together and alone at once. A formidable thing.
“A fortress,” she said, her fingers trailing down his stomach. “I think this is a fortress.”
“A fortress…” He hummed. “Mighty and tall?”
“No. Old and abandoned but not in ruin,” the Elf responded. The image came to her easily - the grey walls were covered by ivy, thick trees surrounding and engulfing the gates, that have been shuttered for ages.
“Hidden from sight?” Sauron could picture it now. The pale grey stone of the fortress, its delicate shape disappearing in the mountains like a mirage.
“Hiding in plain sight,” Galadriel corrected. The fortress was shrouded in a thick mist, a shadow, and no wanderer thinks to look closer into its darkness, choosing to be blind to its foreboding existence.
“And the name of our fortress?” He liked the idea. A place for them alone. Perhaps there could be one out there in the Middle Earth just like it, waiting.
“Endless Trouble,” she said slowly.
“Endless trouble? Is that how you think of us?” He teased. That made her smile. “Endless Trouble it is,” he conceded, playing with the Elf’s hair. “How does one get to a fortress with no accessible gates?”
“Tunnels, of course, that lead straight inside” Galadriel sounded certain. “Bridging wherever we are, the entryways known only to us. Perhaps hidden by an illusion.”
“Hmmm. I like that. Not like any fortress that I know.” He was quiet for a while.
“No. Every brick and every room has its place. Every object – a meaning,” Galadriel’s mind was restless. “Some are mine and some are yours. A constant puzzle.” Their current room took shape. The sturdy wooden table now covered with scattered tools once more. Shelves along the wall appeared. Her brother’s dagger was displayed proudly on the wall.
“Hmmm? I guess I’ll have to get used to decorating.” Halbrand sounded drowsy. “Though, how much can I offer without tarnishing this paradise with pieces of me?”
Galadriel did not have to ask to know that Sauron was hesitant to share pieces of him that she’d find…distasteful. A problem for another day. She held him tighter.
A loud series of knocks on the door reverberated through the small space, and their paradise seemed to melt away at once, sending Galadriel’s heart racing. “Stay with me!” she commanded, while quickly assessing her old room. Old and drab and no longer theirs. The table and their chair were where elaborate shelves were a moment ago, the middle of the room was empty. Her bed was plain and old and cold. What remained of Halbrand was a small shadow in the back of her mind. She was wearing the same dress that she wore all day, though creased. She straightened it up as much as she could, took a deep breath and opened the door.
Sauron’s presence was now a mere shadow in the back of Galadriel’s mind. Celebrimbor stood in the doorway with a practiced placid smile.
“Celebrimbor, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” Galadriel asked with barely concealed impatience.
“Galadriel, I came with some wonderful news,” his eyes narrowed, “But are you quite all right, my friend?”
“Perfectly well, why do you ask?” she asked slowly. She did not like the direction of the question, not one bit.
“Forgive me for my forwardness, but as I was approaching, I thought I heard you in distress. I was worried,” Celebrimbor elaborated carefully.
“I am not sure I know what you mean,” Galadriel managed to look confused. You know exactly what he means, Halbrand’s voice supplied with clear amusement.
“There is nothing to be ashamed of,” Celebrimbor said genially, “We all understand how scarred you’ve been by your search for Sauron. If you’re still having nightmares about it, it’s only natural.” To Galadriel’s horror, he continued talking: “I just hope that you will seek the help of the healers. You may have not been aware of it, but you screamed Sauron repeatedly. This must have been a terrifying dream.”
“I will keep that in mind,” Galadriel responded stiffly. I told you I’d make you scream my name. She willed herself not to roll her eyes. “Now, you had some good news?”
“Ah yes, of course! I wanted you to be the first to know – we are making more rings! Elrond will tell you more tomorrow, but this is going to change the presence of Elves in Middle Earth!” He beamed.
“No,” Galadriel was in disbelief. “There is no need for more, who made this decision? Why?”
“Galadriel - do not be so skeptical, friend. Three rings were a great idea, to start, I would agree, but imagine how we can all shape the Middle Earth with more? Together, us Elves, can guide and heal Middle Earth!”
“Heal or rule?” she could not believe that she had to ask this question twice in a week. She could hear the response before it came. Her head throbbed.
“Oh, what’s the difference? We all know we are the right ones to do it!” Celebrimbor said, dismissively.
And you were angry at me, Galadriel heard in her mind. This isn’t good.
“Of course,” she responded listlessly. “Thank you for the news.” She turned to close the door only to be stopped again.
“Galadriel?” he started.
“Yes, Celebrimbor?”
“This isn’t Elvish.” He said, pointing at her keepsake, which she forgot to hide underneath the dress.
“No, it isn’t,” She responded coldly. “I got it off a dead man.” She added and shut the door. Nice line.
“I can’t say that this much power given to the Elves is a good idea” Halbrand’s faint voice mused.
“I tend to agree…” she responded simply.
“Galadriel. You must leave Eregion,” he said firmly.
“I know...” She exhaled.