Isilwen had a problem, and the problem came in the shape of her two best friends, Rúmil and Orophin of Lorien. The pair of tall blond Elves happened to be standing in front of a door. The door was closed, and Isilwen was very interested in what might be going on behind it. If the two big lugs would just move out of the way, she might be able to press one of her own pointed ears against it and find out.

The door led into the bedroom of Lord Elrond, and Isilwen had a sneaking suspicion as to who might be in that bedroom with him which she wanted to confirm. Unfortunately, she knew the person in there with him was not herself, and she desperately wished that it was. Isilwen had been in love with Elrond for at least five hundred years now, and the sad part was that he had absolutely no idea.

It was not that she had never tried to tell him. In fact, her feelings were blatantly obvious to all of the Elves who still remained in Rivendell except Elrond. Their number was small now, as little by little they departed to sail into the west to the Undying Lands. Isilwen's brother, Erestor, had tried to send her with them more than once, but she had steadfastly refused. Isilwen knew Erestor did not truly wish for her to leave Rivendell without him, but Erestor was Elrond's advisor, and her crush on the king of the Elves was a tremendous embarrassment to him. He loved her dearly, but he was constantly after her to find someone besides Elrond on whom to focus her affections.

How could she? Elrond as kind and bold and noble and handsome and… a lump came to Isilwen's throat when she thought about him. Elrond had been through so much, seen so much. She knew he was much older than she was -- she was nearer in age to Elrond's daughter, Arwen, but that mattered not to her.

She and Erestor had come to Rivendell from the East when she was a mere babe, too young to remember the faraway land which gave them features different from the Elves of Rivendell, dark eyes that slanted slightly and black hair that fell in a curtain of silk. Isilwen did not know what had happened to their parents. Erestor had ever been her guardian, and he refused to speak of it.

She had loved Elrond all of her life, but it had blossomed into obsession after the assault by Orcs upon Elrond's wife, Celebrian. She had been rescued by their sons, but had gone into the west to the Undying lands soon afterwards, and Elrond had been alone. Well. Maybe not quite alone. Lord Elrond never lacked for lovers, and Isilwen could name every single Elf, male and female, who was known to have crossed the king's bed. Only her love for Erestor held her back from throwing herself at Elrond body and soul.

She had tried a great number of tricks to get Elrond to invite her to his chambers, for certainly Erestor would not expect her to refuse, but either she was too subtle, or Elrond was just not interested. She preferred to believe the former. How many hours she spent watching Elrond… well, spying on him. She almost never missed his visits to the bathing pool, had his schedule down pat. She was small and quiet enough that he never sensed her presence.

She had been miserable when Elrond had left for a visit of several weeks to Mirkwood, from which he had returned only a month before. Unfortunately, he had brought back with him Haldir, the Marchwarden of Lorien. Why did the irritating blond bastard not go back to Lothlorien and stay there? Did he have to come around sniffing after Elrond? If Legolas Greenleaf had not rejected Haldir, he would have been long gone and out of the way.

Isilwen knew that Haldir and Elrond were lovers off and on, and she was desperately trying to find out which it was at the moment. His return was a mixed blessing in one way -- Isilwen adored his brothers, Orophin and Rúmil, and she was glad enough to see them (despite that fact that, sigh, they too had also slept with Elrond) but she could not stand Haldir. The Marchwarden was arrogant, irritating, smug, and promiscuous. Isilwen did not like the way he acted in regards to Elrond. He was not nearly respectful enough, in her opinion. What Elrond saw in him, besides his big blond good looks, was beyond her. She really hoped that he was not in Elrond's bedchamber at the moment, but the fact that his brothers were outside of the door was not a good sign.

How to get rid of them? She looked around the hallway which she knew so well. There was a terrace that wrapped around the front of Elrond's apartments, but she would have to get up onto the roof to listen from there. She had always longed to go up there, because she would finally be able to see into Elrond's bedchamber, but it was just too far to reach without assistance.

Assistance.

The answer was right in front of her. It had been all along. After all, she trusted Rúmil and Orophin more than anyone else…even more than her own brother, Erestor. Smiling slyly, she sashayed forwards.

"Ho there, Isilwen," said Orophin conversationally.

"Spying on Elrond again?" Rúmil teased her. Isilwen felt her cheeks heat up.

"What exactly are you two doing here?" she asked them, not answering the question.

"Defensive maneuver, I like it," said Orophin, grinning.

"You are trying to find out if Haldir is in there, are you not?" Rúmil said, smirking.

"I might be curious," she admitted.

"He is in there," Orophin said, grinning, "But not doing what you think."

Isilwen blushed even more greatly. "Really."

"If he was, it would be well worth listening," Rúmil assured her.

"I would your brother would leave Lord Elrond alone," Isilwen scowled. She was not sure that she believed that nothing was going on.

"So do we," said Orophin. "It would be nice to finally go home, before there is no home left to go back to. Galadriel will be going into the west soon, and I will not see my own tree ever again if we do not get there in time to join them."

"Orophin is so sentimental," Rúmil said. "I, for one, and perfectly happy to stay here in Rivendell."

"Perhaps the two of you could stay, and Haldir could leave," Isilwen said sweetly, then she slipped over to Orophin and put her arms around his waist. He was a great deal taller than her, and she looked up at his angular chin. "Oro, I need a favor…"

He chuckled wickedly. "At last my wish comes true," he said.

"That depends if your wish is the same as mine," she said in a breathy voice.

"What is it?" he said, licking his lips.

"Boost me up onto the roof."

Rúmil roared with laughter, no doubt at the disappointed look on his brother's face. Orophin frowned for a minute, but then he grinned.

"All right, little spy, but you will owe me."

Isilwen stepped back from them and put her hands on her hips. "Owe you what?" she asked suspiciously.

"A kiss," Orophin said.

"Just one?" Rúmil commented. "I would ask for at least three for that sort of favor."

"It will be worth it for one," Orophin replied.

"One it is, then," said Isilwen. She leaned forward towards Orophin, puckering up her lips. Both brothers burst into laughter.

“I’m going to cash this in later,” Orophin said.

Isilwen glared at him, but bit her tongue, not wanting to lose her boost up onto the roof. “Very well. Lift me up!”

Orophin bent over and tossed her easily over his shoulder, making Rúmil laugh even harder. He put his hand on her rear end and she thumped him on the shoulder with her fist. She wished the two of them would not tease her this way. They really were not any more interested in taking her to bed than Elrond was, so sometimes their constant flirting bothered her.

Oro carried her over to the edge of the terrace, where she could grasp the edge of the roof and pull herself up onto it. Looking down, she gasped. It was made entirely of glass, and she could see absolutely everything. The terrace, of course, was open, so she would also be able to hear what was going on as well. She would have to remain completely silent, however, for if Elrond or Haldir glanced up, she would probably be spotted. Carefully she crawled further up on the roof, testing its strength. The glass was thick. It would hold her easily.

Before she could concentrate on what was going on in the room below, the glass creaked as Orophin pulled himself up onto the roof beside her. He grinned at her and she gasped.

“What are you doing, Oro?” she whispered as softly as she could.

“You want to watch -- I want to watch,” he whispered back.

“But the glass!”

“Oh, it will hold. Don’t worry, Rúmil and I do this all the time.”

Hoping that Orophin was right, Isilwen peered down into Lord Elrond’s chamber. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the room that she daydreamed about so often for the first time. Elrond’s bed was on a dais, raised slightly, in the center of the room, but set back into an alcove. The color scheme appeared to be silver and purple, and there were several plush-looking chairs. Everything seemed to sparkle with tiny lights. It was beautiful. The only thing that marred the view was the big blond Elf who lounged far too comfortably on the bed.

Elrond, thankfully, was not on the bed, and they were both fully dressed. For a moment Isilwen wondered if she would even be able to watch if the King and the Marchwarden made love. She had seen Elrond naked many times, mostly at the waterfall, but never engaged in an intimate act...and to have to watch him with Haldir, of all irritating people, might be beyond the pale.

Elrond was pacing slowly as he spoke with the Marchwarden. His expression was grave and pensive at it usually was, and Isilwen let out a small sigh, forgetting Orophin was there next to her until he chuckled at the sound. Blushing furiously, she tried to concentrate on listening to the slightly muffled conversation floating up from below.

“You and your brothers have been here nearly a month, Haldir. Surely all of you are getting anxious to return to Lothlorien. Do you not wish to sail with Lady Galadriel? She is going soon into the west, with all of your people,” Elrond said.

“Not all, my lord Elrond,” Haldir replied smoothly. “Celeborn intends to go to Mirkwood--”

“Perhaps you should have stayed in Mirkwood.”

“Perhaps,” Haldir said sardonically. “I am beginning to think you are wishing to get rid of me.”

Isilwen hoped he was right. She glanced over at Orophin but he was staring down through the glass.

“Do not think of it that way,” Elrond said, but Isilwen thought she detected a hint of impatience in his voice. This pleased her. “You know that you are welcome to stay in Rivendell as long as you like -- but Haldir, I do not think you are happy here.”

Haldir’s smug look faded away. He turned his head bowing it, no longer looking at Elrond...but only for a moment. When he looked back, his expression was determined. “Perhaps it is because you have been making every excuse to keep me out of your bed. We used to enjoy each other once, Elrond. Why not now?”

“Is that why you came with me back to Rivendell? Looking for a lover?”

“I came back at your command.”

Elrond nodded slightly. “It was no command, merely an invitation.”

“Have I misunderstood the invitation, then?”

“Perhaps. I do care for you Haldir, and I was concerned after what happened in Mirkwood.”

“What happened in Mirkwood?” Isilwen hissed to Orophin.

“Haldir was betrothed to a Princess who turned him aside for the favors of Legolas Greenleaf,” Oro whispered back.

Isilwen put her hand over her mouth to keep from snickering. It was what Haldir deserved. She remembered Legolas Greenleaf and his princess, Ciendriel of Ingra, who had come through Rivendell several months ago. Haldir had caused some sort of trouble between them then, and he and his brothers had left with them for Lothlorien. She had not gotten all the details. Erestor loved to prevent her from hearing any good gossip.

But what Isilwen liked best about Legolas Greenleaf was the fact that he had refused the bed of Lord Elrond. She remembered well the party that had been given the night the Prince of Mirkwood and his strange Hobbit and Dwarf companions had come to Rivendell. She remembered her own jealousy coupled with arousal as Elrond had bent to kiss Legolas’ ear, stroking the tip with his tongue. Legolas had said no, but he was a Prince and able to do such. Elrond had commanded Orophin and Rúmil attend him after that, and they had gone.

Yet, the two of them were so jovial and good-natured and truly just enamored of each other and of having a good time that she could not bring it to her heart to be angry with them for very long. After all, she might have even considered playing with them herself, if they asked her earnestly, instead of always in jest. She was sure that Oro would never collect the kiss he had bartered for.

“I am fine,” Haldir said smoothly to Elrond, snapping her back to the present. “If you do not wish my company, I will excuse myself. I can send someone else in my stead if you like. My brothers, perhaps?”

His tone dripped with sarcasm and Isilwen felt a flash of anger. How dare he talk to Elrond that way? Orophin seemed to think it was funny, however, as he had his hand over his mouth and was shaking with silent laughter. She reached over and pinched him and he snorted. He slipped slightly, sliding a few inches. Isilwen gasped. If he fell, they would certainly be caught. Oro managed to firm up his grip and climbed further up the roof, closer to her. The glass creaked again.

“Haldir,” Elrond said with infinite patience, “I will be leaving Middle-earth soon. I have to supervise the departure of the rest of my people. Erestor and I have our hands full. I simply do not wish to worry for your sake as well.”

“I have never needed you to worry for me, my lord,” Haldir said, but he sounded slightly humbled.

Elrond approached the bed and looked down at the blond Marchwarden thoughtfully. He reached out a hand to touch the other Elf’s fair face, and stroked it with his fingers. Don’t give in, Elrond, Isilwen thought, silently furious. That wicked Marchwarden is simply playing on your emotions.

Isilwen was so caught up in what was happening below that she did not realize that Rúmil was climbing up onto the roof as well. The glass creaked even more loudly and she suddenly worried that the roof would not support the weight of the three of them, especially concentrated in one small area.

“Rúmil! Get back down!” she whispered, shimmying up higher.

“I want to see, too!” Rúmil muttered determinedly.

Orophin looked at him in horror. “There are too many of us! The roof won’t hold.”

Isilwen glanced back down into Elrond’s bedroom. She was sure that the king was going to kiss Haldir! Elrond bent forward, his long, dark brown hair trailing down around the Marchwarden, but before anything could happen, someone knocked at the door. Elrond straightened up, sighing.

“Enter.”

Erestor came into the chamber, his head bowed respectfully. Isilwen knew he was pretending not to notice that Haldir was sitting on Elrond’s bed.

“My lord, the Wizard Gandalf has just arrived with a party of Hobbits, Gimli, son of Gloin, Legolas Greenleaf, and Princess Ciendriel of Ingra.”

“All of them?” Elrond said, sounding slightly surprised. “Very well. Offer them my hospitality, and tell Gandalf that I will meet with him shortly.”

“Yes, my lord,” said Erestor. He turned to go, but before he could leave the room, the roof creaked loudly.

Rúmil had shimmied further up the roof between Orophin and Isilwen. They both motioned frantically for him to go back down, but it was too late. The glass cracked and the three of them fell through the roof, narrowly missing Haldir as they landed in a heap on Elrond’s bed.