What goes around, comes around (editing in progress)

The plan works

Tinnueth was astonished when the prince requested Esteleth to dance with him. But she became completely perplexed when she realized that Esgaron had not even given her a single glance during the whole evening. She had seen him dance all night long with different beautiful ellith, and watched as Esteleth danced blissfully with the prince. Tinnueth, standing on the side of the large hall, began to feel strangely alone. No matter where she had always been, at least Esteleth had always been with her. Tinnueth suddenly felt out of her element. She decided to return to her chambers and left the large hall in a hurry.

When the music faded and another tune started to play, Esgaron thanked the elleth he had danced with and returned to his brother's side. He looked over to where Tinnueth had been standing before and noticed that she was gone. The smile on his brother's face confirmed that their plan was working. Maldor laid his arm around Esgaron's shoulders and pulled him close.

"My dear brother, do you understand now why it was a good idea to consult with our mother? It is not possible to understand an elleth, unless you are one. Even then it is difficult as they are all very different from each other. Mother was right. If you do not give Tinnueth attention, she will feel that something is amiss. It is true; absence makes the heart grow fonder."

Esgaron chuckled at his brother's words and they both left the hall, feeling exhilarated for having accomplished their first task for this night with great success. Now they would go for the second part.

Thranduil had watched Tinnueth leaving the hall and was glad. That meant that no one else could get in their way. He watched the elves dance and drank his favourite wine while he nonchalantly conversed with Belegur from time to time.

As soon as Tinnueth arrived in her chambers, she dressed into her leggings and a tunic. She grabbed her sword and left, heading for the practice ground. She stroke hard against the tree trunk and counted each of her powerful strikes.

"...seventy eight, seventy nine, eighty, eighty one..."

"If you continue to hack at the trunk like this, there will soon be nothing left. What will you do then?"

Tinnueth turned around and swung her sword with full force at Esgaron who, having expected her strike, blocked it with his own sword. She attacked him so aggressively that he had difficulty fending off her fast and powerful strikes.

Maldor watched them from the entrance and could do nothing else but smile. This trip had been worth it. Even if the king was unkind towards them, his brother would finally have the wife he had always wanted.

Tinnueth swung her sword across Esgaron's legs and he jumped back, yet he was not fast enough. Her blade cut his lower leg deeply. Blood flowed from the wound and he momentarily winced in pain before he returned into position, ready to continue their fighting. He thought that Tinnueth would continue to attack him, but her reaction was very different from what he had expected. She stepped closer to him and kneeled down. Tinnueth gently pulled up his leggings and inspected the deep wound. When she looked up at him, he noticed that her eyes were full of concern.

"I am so sorry. I did not mean to hurt you. Please allow me to help you. Let me get you back to your chambers."

Esgaron looked at her, unsure about what to do. But then he remembered his brother's advice and decided to decline her offer.

"Please do not bother yourself about me. I will be fine. I'm leaving you for tonight. Don't worry about me."

He left her behind in the dark and empty hall. When he had gone, Tinnueth turned around to face the tree trunk once more. She hit it a few times with her sword before she sank down on her knees, feeling worn out and tired. What was going on with her?