050: Breaking the Rules

"I can't believe that I let you drag me into this!" Embrethil hissed as she and Annaeth crept through the empty hallways of Rivendell. It was nearing midnight and most elves were asleep, preparing to stay up all night for the Yestarë festival the next day.

"For the love of the Valar, Embi, don't be such a prude," Annaeth shot back playfully as she hitched her skirt up further and crept up the stairs, raising the torch about her head as she stopped to wait for Embrethil. "Have some fun, some adventure! And trust me, this will be worth it when my book is finally finished and you can read it."

Embrethil rolled her eyes. "Who says I want to read it?"

Annaeth looked back at her companion and winked. "You know you do."

"And what do we do if Lord Elrond finds out that not only are you writing a book on a private matter, but stealing his diary to do it?!"

"He won't find out," Annaeth assured. "And I'm not stealing. I'm borrowing it."

"Oh, I see. Why did you have to make me your partner in crime? Why not Glorfindel or Erestor? I thought you had a massive crush on Glorfindel?"

"I most certainly do not!" Annaeth replied indignantly.  "Besides," she explained, flicking her hair back, "they would both tell Elrond. Why are you so worried?"

"Because unlike some people with no fear, I don't want to meet Elrond's wrath!" Embrethil stated. "Honestly, Ann. The chroniclers don't tell you anything about his relationship with the High King for a reason!"

It was Annaeth's turn to roll her eyes. "If it was so taboo then why do the chroniclers know so much about it?"

"Who says they do know? I don't think they actually know as much as you think they do." Embrethil replied. "And I'm worried because not only are you going to write about things that are meant to be kept hidden, going against all that is moral - and against Lord Elrond's will, I might add - but now you're about to steal his diary in order to do so. Can you not see what is wrong with all that?"

"Yes! But he won't find out about what I've done. I'll read the diary tonight, and put it back in the morning before he's awake." Annaeth whispered.

"He'll know when your book is finished!" Embrethil shot back. "Why are you whispering?"

"I thought I heard something. Shh." The dark-haired elf stood absolutely still, listening. After a few moments she shook her head. "I think I imagined it. Either that, or I'm going mental."

"You already are mental." The redhead muttered under her breath.

"I heard that!" Annaeth climbed a few more stairs, and then turned around, waiting for Embrethil to catch up. "But think about it, Embi. If it was so secret and private, why do so many people know about their relationship? True, they were careful about it, but a lot of people knew, or at the very least, strongly suspected that they were lovers. Every elf that came here from Lindon will tell you that they were more than friends, despite what Elrond himself might tell you."

Embrethil crossed her arms and gave Annaeth a haughty look. "I rather think that Elrond's word should be taken as more truthful than the word of those who merely repeat court gossip."

"Oh, tosh." Annaeth waved away her friend's response and headed up the hallway to her left. "Elrond would not admit it because he has to uphold their reputations. After all, it's not entirely proper for a King to be sleeping with his herald, much less so when that herald is male." She stopped in front of Elrond's private study. "Here we are."

"Of course. I'm sure that's the reason why he does not admit it." Embrethil rolled her eyes and walked up behind Annaeth. "What if he's inside?"

"He won't be. He'll probably be in bed, asleep like the rest of the city."

"Lucky elf," Embrethil said under her breath. "I wish I was in bed, not out here committing treason."

"Hey, you didn't have to agree to this," the brunette pointed out as she walked inside and slipped the torch into a sconce mounted on the wall. Embrethil conceded the point, staying near the door as Annaeth stepped over to the desk in the centre of the room. The light of the moon streamed into the window, lighting the desk where the small flame didn't reach. Annaeth knelt on the floor and pulled open the bottom desk drawer, lifting up the papers it contained to reach the bottom of the wooden tray. She pulled out a black leather-bound notebook with the initials 'E.P.' stamped on the front in gold lettering.

"I still cannot believe that you're doing this. If Elrond finds out-"

"He won't. I'll make sure of it."

Embrethil sighed. "If you're going to have it read by tonight, then I suggest we get back to the library, and quickly."

Annaeth nodded and stood up, pushing the drawer closed with her foot and tucking the diary under her arm. As she followed Embrethil out of the study she retrieved the torch and pulled the mahogany door shut behind her. They walked back to the library in silence, until they had almost reached the door.

"What do you have to do in here?" Annaeth asked.

"I have to write a letter to my husband."

"Oh right." Annaeth said as she pushed open the door and walked inside, putting the torch in the holder to the left of the door frame and placed the diary on the small table under that. "What about?"

She frowned when Embrethil didn't answer. "Embi?" She turned around and her hands flew to her mouth as she gasped, eyes widening. Embrethil looked just as shocked.

"Good evening, ladies." Elrond said, rising from the desk that Annaeth had commandeered to write her book. He came to stand in front of the female elves. "Quite interesting subject matter in this book of yours, Annaeth," he said as he tapped her manuscript against his other hand idly, his expression totally unreadable.

Annaeth swallowed, hard. They were in big trouble now.