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The Tale of Deadly Love

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Here is my third and final piece for Hellghoul Week 2025, based on the prompt of 'are you afraid of the dark'!

I decided to take the prompt literally and based my story on one of my favourite shows from my childhood - Are You Afraid of the Dark!

Word count: 13.4k

Summary: None of us are safe in life or in death. There are forces of darkness everywhere, and if we aren’t careful, they’ll strike us down, condemning us to haunting our loved ones forever.

In a time not so long ago, in a town not far from here, a great tragedy occurred. A young man was murdered…

Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, I call this story… The Tale of Deadly Love.

Warnings: Murders, killers, ghosts (oh my!) hehe. Mild violence also. Mind the tags and join us around the campfire if you dare...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 😈🎃🔪👻

“Ghosts. Killers. Haunters. Pain causers.” “‘Pain causers’? Really, Isil?” “Shut up, Valandil! This is my intro, don’t step on it!” “Yeah, just let him talk, you’re ruining the mood!” Spoke up Nori, the leader. Valandil reluctantly shrank back into the shadows, and let Isildur continue - who was doing his best to sound creepy and ominous.

The way the campfire danced in his youthful eyes helped a little. This was only his second story for the Midnight Society since Ontamo sponsored him. The first one bombed a little bit, but was just good enough to earn him a spot in the forest. Valandil had teased him and said Nori’s pity kept him by the fire, and as he looked at her now, he could see slightly that he might be right. Isildur cleared his throat and continued, knowing deep down that this new story needed no pity.

He was going to keep them awake at night.

“None of us are safe in life or in death. There are forces of darkness everywhere, and if we aren’t careful, they’ll strike us down, condemning us to haunting our loved ones forever.” He was animated, putting on a show, emphasising the words ‘strike’ and ‘haunting’ with exaggerated hand movements and jolts of his body. Theo was trying not to laugh at how it easily made Eärien jump. Isildur didn’t flinch. Confident, he finished his intro in style.

“Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, I call this story… The Tale of Deadly Love.” “Lame title.” “Ugh shut up, Valandil!” Poppy sneered. “Go on, Isil.”

“In a time not so long ago, in a town not far from here, a great tragedy occurred. A young man was murdered…”

…………

Galadriel didn’t cry at the funeral. She had no more tears left. Not even the sky would cry for her, as the sun shone down upon the Lindon Funeral Home like it was mocking her. Is it too much to ask for some rain? She wondered, sad and aggravated.

She felt the touch of her Mum and Dad’s arms around her but it did nothing to soothe or ease her pain. They may as well have been comforting a porcelain doll. Empty and hard, but so easily broken. Elrond and Arondir were the only ones who could make her feel anything during this time. This unfathomable time of great loss.

Sitting in the front most pew, Galadriel had a clear view of the open casket of her boyfriend, Celeborn.

“What can one say to summarise Celeborn’s short life?” The pastor began, emitting nothing back fake sorrow. “He epitomised someone who lived each day to the best of their ability. He was kind. Charitable.” Sure, unless you pissed him off. Galadriel couldn’t help but think. “A friend to so many. A gifted sportsman. Intelligent and looking forward to his studies at Eregion University.” His daddy bought him his football scholarship. He wasn’t perfect, but he deserves better than these lies. “There was a life ahead of Celeborn. One that may have lead to greatness. But now… the lord has seen fit to call him home.”

Galadriel had to hold in a twisted laugh.

God saw fit to have him hacked up into pieces and thrown in the nearest dumpster.

She craned her neck a little to see if she could see the stitching on his neck, but the mortician had done a great job to conceal it with the shirt and tie. The black suit his corpse wore served as a morbid facade, an illusion constructed to keep him together as one. Suddenly Galadriel’s grief forced an image of Celeborn kissing her into her mind, his smile and his laugh filling her thought like an echo in a cave.

Despite the negative truths the pastor was concealing, Galadriel did love Celeborn. They had been together for so very long and there were many wonderful memories. He was good to her. He loved her. But it seemed that the overwhelming amount of goodness had finally worn thin, and Galadriel was like a frog nestled in a pot of water that had boiled around her.

“I was about to break up with him!” “What?” Both Elrond and Arondir exclaimed in unison. “I should have done it ages ago… after exams maybe, before the holidays started.” “You’ve been hanging onto this for this long?” Elrond asked, completely shocked. “Yeah…” Galadriel was crying. Sad for losing Celeborn and shameful for expressing her want to break the heart of a dead man. “But we all thought you’d be together forever…” Arondir spoke, dismayed by the tragedy. “You gave me and Bronwyn hope. We might have broken up if it wasn’t for you guys.” “Don’t make me feel even worse, Arondir…”

The three friends were out the back of the Doriath residence, with Galadriel needing a break from the incessant run of relatives that wished to give their condolences for losing ‘the love of her life’. “Everyone’s talking to me like I’m the one that died. Like my life has no purpose now that he’s gone.” “That’s all the adults care about though. Wanting their girls to settle down with nice boys and have kids.” stated Elrond, sounding a little frustrated with old fashioned parents. “I’m 18 though! There’s still time!” “Not if the killer gets you there isn’t.” Arondir pointed out, half teasing half serious.

The police had not been able to catch the person who murdered her boyfriend. Galadriel hadn’t really had any time to think about that yet, with all the focus on Celeborn’s death and his funeral. But Arondir was right, the killer was still out there. Roaming free, weapon in hand, probably stalking their next victim. The only evidence Galadriel had heard about from Celeborn’s father, Galadhon, was they knew a meat cleaver had done the job. There were also no defensive wounds on his arms or hands, so either Celeborn knew the person who did it, or, and probably more likely, he didn’t even see it coming.

Galadriel yawned. “Still tired?” Elrond asked. Then she nodded. “Yeah. Sleeping still escapes me. The police kept me for ages at the station the night Celeborn was found. And something tells me the worst nightmares of my life await me if I do fall asleep so… here we are.” “I’ll go find Bronwyn, she was chasing up a glass of lemonade for me. I’ll see if she can get you coffee.” Arondir offered. “Thanks, Ron. You’re the best. You are both the best.” She added the reiteration after Elrond gave her a mock insulted look.

He then put an arm around her to pull her close. “You gonna be okay, Gal?” Leaning her head on his shoulder, she thought about her answer for longer than she probably should have, given the tears that were starting to fall once more. “He… he didn’t deserve to die.”

Her voice broke and her body gave way to sobs as Elrond wrapped both his arms around her. “No… he didn’t.” He replied, sadness overcoming him also. The two friends remained in an embrace on the back porch until Arondir and Bronwyn arrived with Galadriel’s much needed dose of caffeine. Then the group took a moment of silence as they remembered their friend, before proceeding to talk about anything other than Celeborn and the killer that stole him from them.

-----

Almost a month after the tragedy, Galadriel began her first day at University. Walking into Eregion U solo felt strange for how much her and Celeborn had talked about spending their college days together. Him completing his masters in business and politics, and her finishing a course in horticultural sciences. Everything was weird about him not being here. But quickly, something changed. Something that seemed to turn everything around for her.

Galadriel met Halbrand.

Staring at a map of her dormitory, she hadn’t been looking where she was going, clumsily strolling into an innocent bystander and causing him to drop his coffee and papers. “Oh my god… I am so, so sorry!” She was mortified and wanted to go hide behind the nearest tree. But then he looked up at her, his longish auburn hair flicking out of his face in the most perfect way. Eyes of speckled green gazed up at her, and it seemed Galadriel’s breathing had gone into hiding instead.

“It’s no trouble at all, Miss…?” “Galadriel. Galadriel Noldor.” “I’m Halbrand Smith, nice to meet you.” He introduced himself as he got to his feet, offering her a coffee stained hand, which she took anyway without thinking.

So soft. She thought, biting back a grin.

“Please, Halbrand… let me buy you a new coffee.” “Oh no, it’s fine, really.” “No, I insist. I’m a caffeine fiend myself. If anyone destroyed my morning coffee before I had a chance to finish it, I’d want nothing more than to finish them.”

This made Halbrand laugh, which in turn caused butterflies to swirl in her stomach. “You make a good point. I was enjoying that coffee.” Then he gestured ahead of them. “Lead the way.” He smirked at her and now her heart was fluttering. Boy, this is moving fast. Slow down, body. Smiling awkwardly back at him, Galadriel headed in the direction of the nearest on campus café. Or at least, in what she thought was the direction of the campus café. When Halbrand didn’t immediately follow her, she knew she’d made an error.

“C’mon, Noldor. It’s this way.”

Noldor. I already have a nickname? More like slow down, Halbrand.

Clearing her throat, she told a fib. “Oh right, yeah, it is that way isn’t it! Of course. Maybe I hit my head when I bumped into you.” Halbrand didn’t respond, only smiled and chuckled at her as they wandered together in the direction of what would turn out to be Brimby’s Café.

They spent hours there, losing the entire first day of Galadriel’s classes and lectures. But she didn’t care. She was so enraptured in the handsome and slightly rugged man sitting opposite her.

“I still can’t believe you’re a teacher’s aid. I could have sworn by looking at you that you were a student.” “I’m a lot older than I look, but don’t let that startle you.” Halbrand stated. “I guess I am young for an aid though. But Professor Aulë is kind of like my uncle you could say. Complicated family connection, but a connection strong enough to get me a job here.” “I wish you were in my course.”

Did I really just say that? Out loud?

He smiled that smile of his that kept making her weak. She was guaranteed to be a pool of lovesick goo by the time she got to her dorm. If she made it there at all. Galadriel was completely at his whim. His mercy.

“Well at least we are at the same college, right? And I’m glad you got distracted reading that map.” “Coffee tastes better when it’s free.” Galadriel joked. “It tastes better with you.” Halbrand spoke, unprompted but definitely not unwarranted. Thankfully her mouth was empty, otherwise she would have done the worst spit take of all time and covered him in coffee for the second time today. “That’s… um… that’s nice of you to say.” “You haven’t enjoyed our time together?” He asked her, looking mildly concerned. Galadriel tried to recover so fast, her words came out like vomit.

“Noihaveitsbeensolovelytotalkwithyouanddrinkcoffeewithyouand–” She stopped to take a breath. “What I mean to say is… I wasn’t expecting you to say that. I wasn’t expecting you to feel the same way.”

In a moment of spontaneity, Halbrand took out his notepad and pen from his pocket, scribbled something on it and passed it to her across the glass table. Then he stood up, grabbing his bag. “Maybe it is a good thing I’m not in your course. Teachers aren’t allowed to date students. See you later, Galadriel Noldor.” He was so smooth and completely charming, turning to walk away from her with subtle confidence. She was stunned. After a few seconds she reached for the small piece of paper and looked at it. His phone number.

Smiling joyfully, she looked up and called out after him: “But you’re a teacher’s aid!”

He kept walking but she knew deep down he heard.

Now she couldn’t wait to get to her dorm to tell her roommate Míriel everything. She’d only met her once at orientation but felt a connection instantly. She’d want to know. Besides, what girl doesn’t love a bit of gossip?

Gathering her things, Galadriel got to her feet and exited the café, immediately looking forward to the next time her and Halbrand would be in there.

However the moment she passed through the doors and into the cooling sunset air, everything changed for Galadriel again.

Ahead of her, not five metres… was Celeborn.

Bloodied. Bruised. Rotting. The stitches around his neck perfectly clear now. Eyes white as the moon.

Galadriel let out a blood curdling scream before passing out, unconscious before she hit the ground.

-----

She woke up in the infirmary, Elrond at her side, the fluorescent lights stinging her eyes. “Nurse, she’s awake!” He called out to someone somewhere else in the room, and in a matter of seconds, a kind looking woman arrived and began to check her over. “What… what happened?” Galadriel asked, groggy. “You had a fainting spell, Miss Noldor.” The nurse replied, her voice sounding concerned but calm. “How long was I out? What day is it?”

The nurse smiled and Elrond looked on fondly. “It’s only been 15 minutes. Just enough time for you to be moved here safely.” “And for me to find out. The men’s dorm is next door.” Elrond chimed in.

Figures. Galadriel thought. “Am I going to be okay?” “You’ll be fine. Just drink lots of water and get some rest.” “Thank you.” Galadriel spoke appreciatively, and the nurse nodded her head and left the two friends alone. Barely a second with her out the door, Elrond rounded on Galadriel.

“What the hell happened? Some random guy told me you were screaming for your life before you passed out! Like you saw something that scared you to death!” Galadriel had to think for a second, remember, so she closed her eyes, but the moment she did so, she saw him again.

Celeborn’s corpse.

She gasped and her body shook with the fright of it. It wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real.

“You saw it again didn’t you? Just now?” Elrond was so eager. “I… I think I just had too much coffee. It was nothing.” “C’mon Galadriel, really?” “I’m sure my mind was just playing tricks on me.” She was refusing to admit it.

Admitting it meant making it real.

So she changed the subject. “But since you are so interested in gossip, Elrond, the reason I had too much coffee was because I… met someone.” “I think I might faint now.” He joked. “Oh shut up.” Galadriel ordered, hurling a pillow at his head. “You’ll never believe this. He’s a teacher’s aid.” She lowered her voice not wanting anyone nearby to hear her scandalous little secret. Elrond’s jaw dropped and he threw the pillow back at her. “Get out!” “I know right!” “What’s his name?” “Halbrand Smith.” “And who does he teach with?” “Professor Aulë.” “Oh that’s engineering right? Metallurgy?” “Yep. So nowhere near my field of interest.”

Elrond sighed upon taking in the mischievous look on his friend’s face. “Please don’t tell me you are planning on switching courses?” Galadriel laughed. “No. Derailing my career prospects for a man? Not going to happen.” “Be realistic, Galadriel. I know you. And I know how laser focused you can be. When you decide you want something… its to the exclusion of everything else.” “Maybe so.” This she couldn’t deny. She’d pursued Celeborn in a similar manner, leaving her field hockey dreams behind to spend more time with him. But it had also come in handy academically, when her love for the earth bloomed in the science room, learning about the life cycles of plants, the endless types of flora all over the world, and what goes into keeping these species alive. There was a chance for balance here. Lectures and love. Both could co-exist.

“But this will be fine. It’s university, Elrond. We’re adults now. Our lives are at stake.”

If only she knew how right she was.

-----

“Okay but you have to show him to me, Gal!” Míriel proclaimed excitedly, shaking the arm of the much less excited Elendil, her boyfriend, at her side. Galadriel was very satisfied that Míriel was just as interested as she was in the fascinating Halbrand. The night Galadriel got to her dorm, after Elrond walked her there, the two young women stayed up all night discussing him, and Míriel shared some stories of her own, particularly the tale of how her and Elendil got together.

“My entire family frowned upon it, especially my cousin, Pharazôn. He’s always been quite stuck up that one, so when he realised Elendil had no standing in ‘higher society’,” Míriel had uttered with a exaggerated eye roll, “he saw it as his responsibility to shut him out from my life.” “And that worked so well, I see.” “We’ve been together three years.” They both laughed hysterically, just as Galadriel was doing now at her new friend’s passion for her own potential partner.

Walking down the corridor of the engineering wing, they finally hit the lecture theatre they were after, and wandered inside, sneaking up the back but not too far up the back that they couldn’t get a good look. “Oh come on, are we really going to waste our break in here?” Elendil was not interested. “Just five minutes, baby. Then you can go. At least then you’ll be able to get a good glimpse of what we are on about.” “Whatever you say.” He replied, taking out his laptop and opening his latest marine biology assignment.

The seats began to fill quickly over the next minute, until Professor Aulë wandered in, followed by the one and only Halbrand in tow. “Is that him?” Míriel exclaimed, eyes wide. Galadriel nodded, giddy for the sight of him again. “It sure is.” “Damn, has no right to be that fine.” “Absolutely no right.”

Galadriel’s heart was racing. Just being in the same room as Halbrand gave her such a thrill. No man had ever excited her this much before. It might be a little scary if it wasn’t so incredible.

Elendil gave them the five minutes he was promised, before packing up and high-tailing it out of the theatre. He kissed Míriel on the head as he left, and Galadriel couldn’t help but hope for that kind of tenderness from a certain someone. The two women stayed until the lecture was over, finding they actually ended up enjoying Aulë’s class, as he was a gifted professor. He spoke well and knew how to engage his audience, making things like the compositions of certain alloys sound completely riveting, and almost entertaining.

But despite everything, Galadriel was feeling a little cheeky for being there, and with cheekiness in mind, decided to sneak out of the theatre with Míriel, hoping to be lost within the gaggle of students exiting so that Halbrand wouldn’t see her.

She should have known better.

“Forgetting something, Noldor?”

Noldor? Míriel mouthed at Galadriel before they turned around to face the owner of that incredible voice. Standing near the doorway and leaning against the frame like it’s a crime, was Halbrand. He wore dark brown chinos with black slip on shoes, and a navy blue button up shirt not done up the whole way, exposing just the right amount of skin. His near shoulder length hair was tucked behind his ears, and he ran a hand across his stubble as he looked at her.

The man knows exactly what he’s doing.

Galadriel was stunned. It took Míriel nudging her into action for her to even move. “I’ll see you back at the dorm, Gal!” She called out, not that it mattered. Galadriel didn’t hear her. The pull towards Halbrand was great, and once she started stepping towards him there was no escape.

“What did I forget, exactly?” She asked, looking up at him through batted eye lashes. “You’ll see. Come with me.” He replied, turning immediately away and down the corridor, leaving Galadriel with no choice but to follow. After a few seconds they rounded a corner and Halbrand opened the door to a small study room. It was empty. “After you.” He gestured with his perfectly muscular arm that the shirt was having no trouble enhancing. She smiled timidly, her breath shaking, her instincts telling her what was about to happen, but she didn’t want to give in to hope.

Walking past him, Galadriel had no chance to take in any features of the room before Halbrand slammed her against the back of the door, attaching his mouth to hers. Her head started spinning as the older man began to consume her, his tongue, his lips, his hands–

“Um, Isil, you wanna rein it in a bit there?” Ontamo spoke up, interrupting the story. “This isn’t the kind of story we usually tell.” “Shhhh, you’re ruining it!” Came Poppy, whose chin rested on her hands, listening avidly. “Yeah, keep going, Isil!” Both Valandil and Theo cheered. This made Isildur grin from ear to ear, then he looked to Nori for approval. She was smiling, but didn’t say exactly what he wanted to hear. “Keep going, finish the story. But let’s keep this PG-13, okay?” He nodded reluctantly, a little embarrassed. “Yep. Right. So, anyway…”

The kissing eventually ended, leaving the two of them breathless, lips swollen, with their eyes unable to look anywhere else but at each other. “I… can’t believe I just did that.” Halbrand was the first to speak. Galadriel became crestfallen instantly. “Why? Do you… do you regret it?” He laughed, that velvety sound she was falling in love with. “Oh no, god no. I definitely do not regret that.” Halbrand smiled, and Galadriel could tell he was thinking about their kiss. “Then what is it?” She asked with a little smile forming.

“I… this isn’t usually how I do this.” “What, you don’t lure helpless students into empty rooms and have your way with them?” “No, I don’t do that.” There’s that laugh again. “But what I mean is, I don’t usually… move this fast. But when I saw you in the lecture theatre, from the moment my eyes spied you… I had to have you.” “Really?” “Really. I knew that I couldn’t do anything else until I kissed you.”

Now Galadriel was laughing, or giggling more accurately, her cheeks going bright red. “Oh my god. This is… wow. Just… wow.” “You okay?” “Oh yeah, I’m great. All I’ve been wanting to do is kiss you too.”

Halbrand smirked, and stretched his arms above Galadriel, trapping her with nowhere to go, his body a cage, a prison, one in which she would gladly be held. “Mmm that’s good to hear.” He stated, his voice low, sultry. Galadriel’s eyes dropped to his lips, and she leaned in to claim them on her terms this time, but Halbrand backed away before she could.

“Dinner first, Noldor? Then a kiss for dessert, perhaps?”

She took a deep breath in, trying to steady herself. She’d be a little annoyed if it wasn’t for his exceptional cologne that was setting her senses on fire. “Dinner first.” “Somewhere off campus work for you?” “Absolutely.” “Great. Meet me by Lake Mirrormere. I know just the place for us.” “Tonight?” “Tonight. 7PM. See you then, Noldor.” He farewelled her with a gentle kiss to her hand, then he exited the room leaving Galadriel’s head spinning like never before.

She closed her eyes and waited for her body to calm itself, thinking about what outfit she would wear, the kind of makeup she might use, what perfume. Then the thought of Míriel’s reaction to all of this popped into her head and she laughed, feeling the happiest she had in so long.

“You think this is funny?” Came a twisted and creepy voice. Galadriel’s eyes shot open, her joy fading to nothing. There was no one in the room, yet she knew she heard someone. A voice that was familiar in some weird way, but she couldn’t place it.

Or more accurately, she didn’t want to.

“Are pain and suffering a joke to you?”

There it was again, causing a chill to run up her spine.

“Because that is your future, Galadriel. All will lead to your doom!” “Leave me alone!” She cried, but it was futile. Engaging with it only made it stronger, inviting it to get closer. The room lost all heat, and the sun coming through the windows vanished. A deep blue hue overtook the space, and out of the shadows, a figure began to move towards Galadriel, her suspicions realised as its terrifying face came into view.

“I will never leave you alone, Galadriel.” Celeborn’s dead voice spoke. “I still love you.” “You’re scaring me!” “You should be scared! For soon you will be joining me in death!”

She screamed but this time did not faint. Celeborn reached out for her and Galadriel could see the bones of his arms and fingers peaking through his decaying flesh. With no intention of sticking around, she bolted out of the room, running the fastest she ever has, in the opposite direction of her dead boyfriend.

-----

Galadriel spent the night alone in her dorm room. Míriel was out with Elendil so she had the place to herself, which on one hand made her sad, but on the other made her grateful, as she definitely didn’t want to, or let alone knew how to, explain what had happened to her new friend. She could barely make sense of it herself.

Celeborn was haunting her.

And his timing could not be more worse.

She didn’t go meet Halbrand by Lake Mirrormere. So many thoughts, reasons, plagued her mind to the point of near insanity.

What if Celeborn appears? What if he goes after Halbrand? What if Halbrand thinks I’m crazy? What if the reason Celeborn is haunting me… is because I’m moving on?

She couldn’t even bring herself to call him. Galadriel felt trapped. She curled herself up into a ball under the covers of her bed, crying quietly, waiting for sleep or dawn to come. Dawn came first. She was so tired she didn’t think anything when she noticed Míriel hadn’t come home. Her bed still made, everything as it was when she’d left the night before. Galadriel was so tired she didn’t notice the hushed whispers, the students she saw gathering in small groups everywhere on her way to class. So tired that she didn’t notice anyone crying.

The first thing she noticed, was Elendil.

Galadriel saw him standing by a bench, being interviewed by police. His face was distraught, eyes red with tears. The cool calm persona she’d so far known him to have was nowhere in sight.

Suddenly Galadriel’s stomach dropped.

Míriel.

She sprinted over to Elendil, but the police tried to rush her away. “It’s okay,” Her friend spoke up. “She’s Míriel’s roommate.” Suddenly the officer was interested. “We’ll need to speak with you then, Miss–” “Noldor, Galadriel Noldor. But why… what’s happened?” She knew the answer but prayed he would say something different. Tell her Míriel was going to be okay, that she was resting in a hospital bed somewhere. That there was nothing to be worried about.

But when he lead her over to sit down on the bench, Galadriel’s tears started to flow.

“I hate to be the one to inform you, Miss Noldor, but Míriel Palantir was brutally murdered last night.” Galadriel covered her mouth with her hands to hold in her gasp. Then she started crying into them. “She was found only a couple blocks from campus. Bisected.” “Oh my god…” Her voice was a ghost of itself. How fitting. “We need to ask you a couple of questions. Where were you last night between 11pm and dawn?” “In my room.” “Can anyone verify this?” “No, I… I didn’t speak with anyone after… oh but, there is a security camera in the hallway of the building. That should help you.” “Yes, we already have someone looking into that, thank you. Tell me… how long had you known Miss Palantir?” “Days.” “Then you might not know why someone would want to hurt her?”

Galadriel saw only Míriel’s smiling face within her mind, heard her soft laugh as if it were carried past her ear by the wind. A sickening feeling took hold of her as she imagined what she looked like now, what she would look like forevermore. Like Celeborn.

Wait, did Celeborn do this? Is he punishing me through her? Taking down a lover in her prime to show me what I will never receive again?

“Miss Noldor? Are you alright?” The officer spoke politely, trying to snap Galadriel out of it. “Of course she’s not alright, her roommate just died!” Elendil interjected, his grief spilling into rage. “Alright, that’s enough out of you. You’re coming to the station.” Another policeman spoke. “What? No!” Galadriel called out as she watched Elendil be cuffed, his rights read to him. “You can’t honestly believe he’s responsible?! He loved Míriel with all he had!” “He’s aggressive and has no alibi for the time of the murder. He was the last person to see the victim alive. I’m sorry, we’ve gotta take him.”

It felt as if just as soon as she’d found her two new friends, they were both gone.

And the world around her went on.

-----

Galadriel didn’t go to classes for the next two days. Too scared to do anything, too scared to be around anyone, having convinced herself that she was somehow to blame for Míriel’s death. She could feel it in her gut. Celeborn had terrorised her, but she got away. Míriel hadn’t been so lucky.

Three days after Míriel’s death, Galadriel attempted to go to class, but kept finding herself falling asleep against her will. It got so bad at one point that the teacher sent her away on a mission to get coffee. “I don’t care for snoring as background music.” She had said. Galadriel was so embarrassed, but also found it pretty cool that she was just allowed to go get coffee during the middle of a lecture. She was still getting used to that part of university. The freedom that came with studying as an adult. It was up to the students to keep themselves in line. They and only they would be responsible for their education, given how much they are paying for it. Hell, it was part of the reason Galadriel had finally decided to drag herself out of bed. If anything at least, it could be a welcome distraction.

However, while in line at Brimby’s, another type of distraction presented itself.

“Did I scare you?”

It was Halbrand.

The inevitable moment had come for Galadriel to face up to what she’d done. She had believed it had all been for good reason, but the second she turned and looked at his very pretty face, she was overcome with immense guilt.

“I wasn’t trying to scare you. If I came on too strong, please forgive–” “I think it’s me who needs to ask for forgiveness here.” Galadriel admitted, struggling to make eye contact with him. His gaze on her was very intense, it made her feel like the whole world was watching her. A strange thrill.

“Oh?” Halbrand looked concerned. “I…” Don’t mention Celeborn. Do not mention Celeborn! “I… think I scared myself, honestly. It’s just… been awhile since I’ve been with someone new.” Well that’s not entirely untrue. “I’m sorry.” “Don’t be,” Halbrand spoke, his voice filled with empathy and understanding. “We’ve all been there. But I need to ask, why didn’t you call? It would have been okay, Noldor.” “I know… again, I’m sorry. It’s just… I didn’t know what to say and then the next day I found out… um…” She started to tear up at the thought of her dead friend, and it didn’t take long for Halbrand to put it together.

“Oh god, Galadriel…” He said my name! He never says my name! “You were Míriel’s roommate?”

She just nodded, trying to shake off the stupid excitement over the sound of Halbrand saying her name. He pulled her out of the coffee line. “Come here.” And into an embrace. He tucked her head under the crook of his neck, and she immediately nestled against him. Searching for comfort, for consolation, for connection. But also, still really tired and not thinking. Was she supposed to be pushing Halbrand away or bringing him closer? Her body shook at the thought of Celeborn once again waiting for her outside the cafe, and upon feeling it, Halbrand pulled her in tighter. She felt as if he might never let her go, and perhaps, she didn’t want him to after all.

“I’m so sorry. That’s… that’s terrible. And so unfair. Taken so young… and in such a horrific manner. Bisected? That gives me Black Dahlia vibes.” “Black Dahlia?” “You know, Elizabeth Short? Young actress in Hollywood in the 40’s, killed in the same manner as Míriel. Very famous cold case.” “I take it you’re into true crime?” Galadriel asked awkwardly. “It’s a weird hobby of mine. Sorry I’ll shut up now.”

Shit, he thinks I’m judging him.

“No, no, it’s okay. Just, didn’t think you were the type.” “Oh so what type did you think I was then, Noldor?” Good, back to playful. Now hit him in return. “The type who kisses students in classrooms.” Halbrand laughed. “I told you I’m not that type.” “You are now though, aren’t you?” He smirked at her, his eyes lighting up at her forwardness. “How about we skip the coffee queue and get straight into the main course, huh?” He pulled at the belt loops on her jeans, his long fingers threading through with ease and locking in. Keeping her close. Something stirred within her, but she chose to ignore it.

“I can’t right now.” She spoke, a little bashful. “I’m falling behind on my studies. But we can lock in another attempt at a date?” Halbrand smiled, almost reluctantly, like he prayed she would lead him into the café bathroom and have her way with him. His eyes were so darkened by his lust. But he sighed, resigned. “Okay, Noldor. We’ll try again. Lake Mirrormere. Tomorrow night?” “Tomorrow night.” She agreed, hoping she would stick to it. “It’s a date.” Halbrand declared, before kissing her hand, turning on his heel and leaving Brimby’s with Galadriel’s eyes following him.

Though when she stepped up to the counter to place her order for an extra strong mocha, Galadriel forgot her favourite drink order like she’d never spoken it.

On a stand next to the register, was a newspaper with Míriel on the front page.

Local College Girl Slaughtered

Her smile leapt out of the photo.

Completely ignoring the server, Galadriel grabbed a copy and moved to the side, studying the article furiously, hoping to find some answers. Proof. Evidence. But the article revealed nothing new to her. It was sensational if anything, making it sound like Míriel was the type of young woman who invited trouble. It mentioned a row she’d had with her cousin Pharazôn that needed police involvement.

Mmm… she never said it was that serious. Galadriel noted, slightly surprised. She didn’t think Míriel would hide something like that. But then again, she had only known her for a short time before her sudden and tragic demise. Skimming the article further, she concluded the only thing of any use to her was this:

The police have issued no comment on the manner and cause of Míriel Palantir’s death, but have asked it be noted that one man, the victim’s partner, has been taken into custody over the matter.

Galadriel found that strange, the police withholding the cause of death. Though a bisection is hardly front page friendly. Even some things are too gruesome to show.

A bisection. A worrisome thought just burst into her mind. The paper didn’t mention a bisection. So how did Halbrand know about it?

Would being a teacher’s aid give him authority to hear such things? Maybe other teachers knew and he overheard. Maybe he overheard the police telling someone about it. Or did another newspaper have the exclusive gory details?

It was all getting a bit much, so Galadriel finally ordered her coffee and headed back to class. Though now something else was causing her not to focus.

-----

“He kissed you?!” Elrond was livid he was only finding out now. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, it’s just…” “Míriel. I know, Gal. It’s okay. But what the hell he kissed you!?” Galadriel blushed. “Yeah. It was incredible. It would be all I could think about if… if things were different.” “Have you seen him since?” “Yeah, and I’m seeing him tonight.” She completely avoided telling him she stood Halbrand up because she was too busy rocking herself into a depressive stupor. No need to make Elrond worry more about her. “Although…”

Maybe he should worry.

“Although what, Gal?” “I don’t know… I just… I can’t shake this weird feeling.” “Explain.” “Well… Halbrand and I talked about how Míriel died. And the way in which she died, which I already knew because I spoke with the police–” “Is there anything else you need to mention?” He was fuming, but it was of the adorable kind. “-about it. Míriel was bisected.” “Well that’s horrible.”

Galadriel threw the paper at Elrond. “Tell me. Do you see the word bisection in there at all?” She waited for Elrond to finish reading the text, hoping that maybe she misread it, that maybe he’d find something. But it was not to be. Her friend shook his head. “That’s… that’s not good, Galadriel.” “I know… but… it is possible that he heard it somewhere else. Surely.” “I guess?” Elrond gestured with his hands. “Eregion U is a small campus. I’ve already heard from three other people about your ‘incident’ outside the cafe. Speaking of, any more episodes?”

Yes.

“No. I think the shock of Míriel’s death has set me right.”

It hasn’t.

Galadriel looked at her watch and realised they’d been studying too long. “Shit, I’m gonna be late for this date.” “Maybe that’s a good thing?” Elrond was trying not to look too concerned, but at this point his worry lines were becoming tattooed on his forehead. Galadriel sighed. “Elrond. It’ll be fine. It has to be fine, right? Plus I’ve already stood him up once–”

Shit!

“You already what now? Galadriel!” “Sorry, gotta go, bye!” She haphazardly grabbed her things from the study hall and ran out as fast as she could towards her dorm, leaving Elrond behind, begging her to come back.

-----

The moment arrived much quicker than she had expected. Lake Mirrormere was in sight, she was wearing her best casual dress, her favourite dusty lip, and waiting for her, leaning against a lamp post, was the man she desperately needed to kiss again.

“There she is!” Halbrand called out, full of enthusiasm. “Noldor… you look ravishing.” “You’re not so bad yourself, Smith.” “That’s my move.” He smirked, his green eyes twinkling almost devilishly. Holding out his arm, Halbrand gestured for her to take it. Galadriel hesitates, contemplating everything on her mind. The doubt surrounding him was strong. “C’mon,” He egged her, oozing charm. “There’s a bottle of red wine with our name on it.”

He was so beautiful. Dressed casual, but smart, his shirt and pants clinging to him in all the right places. His hair, his stubble, all just so perfect. The warmest of smiles. Eyes so inviting–

“Let’s go then.” Galadriel smiled back and twined their arms together. She felt a chill at her back, which disappeared once Halbrand’s arm covered it.

She didn’t see Celeborn staring at them. She couldn’t. Or perhaps, she didn’t want to.

They wandered a short way down the sidewalk beside the lake, which was sparkling magnificently under the twilight sky. Waiting for a break in traffic, Halbrand threaded their fingers together and lead them across the road to a small but delightful looking restaurant. Númenorea it was called. “I hoped you might enjoy some seafood with me tonight?” “Absolutely!” “Great. If you’d rather dine elsewhere there’s also–” “No,” Galadriel cut Halbrand off, despite appreciating his considerate nature. “I love seafood. Besides, don’t they say oysters are an aphrodisiac?” She raised her eyebrows and smirked. “Why, Noldor… you don’t mind being a little forward now don’t you?” Halbrand was revelling in her flirtatiousness. Galadriel simply said nothing and remained silent but smiling as they were lead to a nearby table.

“Any drinks to start, sir?” “Why yes, a bottle of the beaujolais please.” Halbrand ordered. Galadriel had never had beaujolais before. But then again she hadn’t had much alcohol, having only been drunk once at a friend’s going away party during their last year of high school. Though she wasn’t going to tell Halbrand that. She would sip the red wine with confidence. She was a college student yes, but she was an adult after all, and she wanted him to see her as one.

“Do you mind if I quickly duck to the ladies?” Galadriel asked, the nerves taking over. A tactical toilet trip was expected for a first date right? “Only if it’s a cover for you running out on me.” He spoke with humour. She felt the guilt from standing him up come back. “It’s fine. Go for it.” Halbrand added after seeing said guilt apparently manifest itself in the blush of her cheeks. “I’ll be waiting.” She smiled at him half awkwardly before proceeding to trip over a chair next to their table. Thankfully it wasn’t a complete mess with no recovery, but she still walked as fast as she could, without attracting attention, to the restroom.

After a couple minutes of pride and confidence recovery inside the nearest cubicle, Galadriel flushed the toilet and headed for the sink, checking her face over whilst washing her hands. Makeup was still good, hair… why does my hair never agree with me when I need it to? She thought to herself, giving her long locks a couple of tousles to get it to sit in a somewhat agreeable manner. She resigned herself to her appearance after she remembered that she had looked much worse than this when Halbrand had pulled her into the empty classroom to kiss her. So anything with more effort in than that was sure to knock his socks off. Plus he did call her ravishing, and she loved the sound of that.

“Welcome back.” His sultry voice announced her return as she sat down opposite him. He had poured her glass of the beaujolais and was halfway through pouring his own when she arrived, the scent of the wine playing with her nostrils in a wonderful way. He placed the bottle aside and lifted his fresh glass, prompting a surprise toast.

“To learning. To the machinations of the mind leading to the marvels of the heart.”

Wow, super poetic.

“To learning.” Galadriel replied, clinking their glasses together and taking an accidentally generous sip. Her head swam immediately. The beaujolais was divine. Better than she expected. It was all better than she had expected. Especially when Halbrand moved his hand to rest atop her own. Galadriel couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face, nor settle the butterflies that were multiplying in her stomach every time Halbrand did something romantic. But he made no fuss over this simple gesture, instead he just notioned for her to peruse the menu.

“Anything you want. It’s my treat.” “That’s too kind, Halbrand. I… I don’t want to put you out.” She spoke nervously, eyeing one of the pricier menu items - lobster. “Oh, go on, Noldor. You deserve it.”

As if summoned by invisible force, a waiter arrived to take their orders. “Ladies first.” Halbrand stated with a gesturing hand. Galadriel gazed at him one last time for confirmation before asking for the Lobster Thermidor. Halbrand grinned and ordered himself a seafood basket with extra sauce. And a serving of kilpatrick oysters of course.

“Lobster?” He asked with a chuckle. “You said anything! Besides, I’ve always wanted to try it.” “Good for you.” He spoke, his voice low, before taking a sip of his wine and staring unblinking at her from over the rim.

Who needs oysters when Halbrand looks at me like that?

Though, Galadriel ate them all the same when they arrived, scooping the shell innards into her mouth and savouring the flavour like Halbrand told her to. “Good, right?” He asked when he noticed the satisfaction she was getting. “Mmm hmm.” Was all she could manage before she scooped down another.

“So tell me about your family. Do they live nearby?” “No, I’m on my own here. Mum and Dad live on the other side of the country and my brother passed away when I was younger.” “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.” Halbrand gave her hand a small comforting squeeze. “It’s okay. I’ve dealt with it. It was years ago now. Almost spent more years being an only child than otherwise.” “You’ve got friends at school though, yeah?” “Yeah. Elrond and Arondir. I’d give my life for those guys, and I’d hope they’d do the same for me.” Galadriel smiled to herself thinking about the two of them, sipping more of her wine.

“What about you, your family, friends?” “I was a foster kid. Never really had a home to be honest.” “That must have been hard.” Now Galadriel squeezed his hand back. Halbrand grimaced, clearly uncomfortable to talk about the subject. “It was. I found it difficult for a long time to make meaningful connections with people. In fact… in this brief time since I’ve known you… you might be the closest to anyone I've ever been.” He was smiling so earnestly.

Weird. It’s only been like what, a week? Galadriel thought to herself, sipping more of that irresistible wine. She wasn’t sure what to say to that honestly, so instead she sucked down another oyster and tried to seem sympathetic. Although Halbrand noticed her instant demeanour change.

“I’m sorry I… I’ve said too much.” He ran his hand through that sexy hair of his she adored so, the move was almost tactical - Galadriel suddenly found something stirring within her at the sight of him and all was forgiven. “It’s okay, Halbrand. It’s sweet of you to be so honest with me. It’s a good start.” He beamed at her, looking relieved.

The conversation changed and suddenly it was like they were flying. It was so easy with him. Laughing, talking about everything and anything. It was the perfect first date. But as Galadriel finished her first glass of beaujolais and began her second, something did not feel right.

She felt dizzy. Her stomach, queasy. It reminded her of that bout of gastro she’d had when she was 15. This was not good.

“Galadriel… are you okay? You’re pale as a ghost…” Halbrand spoke. However his voice contained no affection or consideration. It was dead pan. Bland. As were his eyes, what she could make out of them at least. Her head was spinning so fast she could only hold onto something for dear life or just simply let go.

And when only one thing became crystal clear to her, Galadriel abandoned consciousness without a second thought.

It was Celeborn. His spectre stood next to Halbrand. Even though he was rotted and decayed like he’d appeared to her these past few days, his face contained no horrors.

Only sadness.

“I tried to warn you.”

His words, the last she heard.

Halbrand’s sinister smile, the last thing she saw.

-----

The scent of copper and dust filled her nostrils. Galadriel moaned as she stirred, her head pounding.

“Wakey wakey!”

Halbrand’s voice caused her to jolt, and it was then she realised she was tied up, rope burning her wrists. The world around her had not yet come into focus, but before she could even try her eyes, Galadriel was vomiting onto the concrete floor.

“It’s okay baby, I got you.” He spoke with twisted care. “I’ll clean up your mess.” She felt a damp cloth dab at the corners of her mouth and she flinched away from it. Halbrand did not like this. “Hold still, baby.” He uttered through gritted teeth, grabbing her chin with a vice-like grip. Galadriel couldn’t help but mewl. “There… good as new.”

Halbrand was speaking as if this was normal, as if nothing was wrong. Somehow that made her predicament even more terrifying. She did her best now to take in her surroundings, to see if she was somewhere she recognised. The walls were metal. Bars on the windows. But there were boxes strewn haphazardly around the room, all covered in dust, some covered in mould stains. Wherever she was, it was somewhere that was forgotten.

She prayed she wouldn’t be forgotten too.

Looking at his legs, Galadriel could tell Halbrand was still wearing his dinner outfit. Though she dared not carry her gaze any higher. She didn’t want to see his face. For so many reasons.

This can’t be real, it just can’t…

A mantra she repeated in her head over and over. And as if it were a call to the universe, someone soon answered. “But it is real, Galadriel.” Celeborn spoke, crouched down next to her. Galadriel couldn’t stop crying. Haunted by her dead love and kidnapped by her next one. If she ever made it out of this she decided she was going to remain single for a while.

“No, no, no this won’t do. You can’t go shy on me all of a sudden, Noldor!” Halbrand cried out, kneeling before her. “Where’s the woman I fell in love with, hmm? Look at me.” She sobbed but did nothing to meet his eyes. “Look at me!” The words came out in a fierce growl that reflected the man he truly was, and not the man she thought she knew. He grabbed her chin again and forced her to face him. Halbrand stared at her intensely for what felt like forever. He was studying her, memorising her, or trying to summon something from within her that Galadriel knew wasn’t there.

“You are so beautiful. A maiden fair as the ocean. Or the sun on a cloudless day.” He was being poetic. She wanted to vomit again. “Has no one ever told you this? Fools. You should be worshipped like the queen you are, Galadriel. Doted upon by men and women alike. People should give up their lives for you. My Helen of Troy.” His usual charming smile had taken on an unhinged characteristic. Halbrand was batshit bonkers.

“If you think I am a queen then why have you shut me up in here?” “Ahhh she speaks! But that is not what your voice should be used for. Instead I need you to say, ‘Hello Halbrand. Thanks for saving me from that pathetic and pitiful world. I love you.’. Go on, try it.” “Screw you!” “Maybe later, Noldor. Once you’ve had time to accept your new reality.” “And what reality is that?” She challenged him, starting to find her strength. “The reality that you are mine. No one elses. I told you. From the moment I spied you, I knew. I knew I had to have you all to myself.”

“You did have me, Halbrand! Did you not see that? You made me care for you, I wanted to be with you! You didn’t have to do this. You can still let me go. We can work this out.” “You don’t understand. This is the only way we can be together. I had to remove you from the world that doesn’t appreciate you like I do. I had to make you see how important you are to me.” Galadriel slunk against the wall, choosing to give up for the moment. He was never going to see things the way she wanted him to. There was no fixing him. If she wanted to escape she’d have to find another way.

Rolling her head to the side, Celeborn stared at her, still sad for her situation. “Why didn’t you listen to me? You know I love you. I wouldn’t want to hurt you.” “Then why did you scare me like you did? Do you realise what you look like now?” “Being like this is… not easy. It’s hard to… control yourself. To communicate.” “Then how are you talking to me now?” “Because things are at their worst. It forced me to learn.” “Celeborn… I–”

“Noldor, what the hell are you doing? Who are you talking to?” Halbrand was filled with confusion. Of course he couldn’t see Celeborn. Galadriel must have looked crazier to him than he was. “Nothing. No one.” “Good.” He said, although suspicion remained etched upon his face. “Because you don’t want to misbehave again. I don’t want to have to punish you like last time.” Now Galadriel was confused. “What do you mean, again? Punish me like last time?” “You’re lucky I forgave you, Noldor. Offered you a second chance to be with me.” “Forgave me for wh–”

Oh no. The suspicions were right.

Galadriel felt her spirit practically leave her body. A sickening feeling spread through her like she had never known.

I stood him up. The same night that–

“You killed Míriel.” Her voice was little more than a whisper, disbelief filling her eyes as she looked up at him. “To prove what you mean to me. That I would do anything to keep you. Killing those close to you teaches you a valuable lesson.” Halbrand leaned in, his face barely an inch from hers. His eyes were dark and pitiless, like two endless voids from which there was no escape. “If you hurt me, I have no choice but to hurt you. Now you won’t do it again, will you, Galadriel?”

Tears once again streamed down her cheeks, her bottom lip trembling. Halbrand’s eyes darted down to it, and whether it was out of desire for her or desire to stop it, he took her lip into his mouth and sucked on it, before forcing a kiss she never wished to receive.

“Please… just let me go…” Galadriel begged, sobbing. “I promise I won’t tell anyone. Please.” “Don’t lie to me, Noldor. You and I both know that’s exactly what you will do. Elendil is in jail because of you, and you need me to get him out.” Halbrand snickered. “No… no the only way this ends, is if you submit to me… or I kill you.” He was chilling, horrifying. All Galadriel could do was cry. “Oh did I scare you?” Halbrand asked, calling back to the last time he’d asked that question, when he was just a cute guy in a coffee shop. “Good.”

He rose to his feet and made for the door on the other side of the room. “I’ve got some errands to run, my love, but I’ll be back soon. Don’t miss me too much.” He farewelled her by blowing a kiss, leaving her alone with the ghosts of her mistakes.

-----

Galadriel found herself slipping into memories of her past, the only escapism she could find for the moment. Her ropes wouldn’t give, and even if she did undo them she was pretty confident that the locking sound on the door Halbrand made when he left meant she wasn’t going anywhere. So she drifted inwards instead of outwards, and smiled for the first time in hours as she saw Celeborn’s loving and warm face.

The memory was nothing special. It was just the two of them walking down the street, fingers entwined, as they discussed their plans for the future. High school had been a lot for them both and Galadriel was glad to be done with it. Celeborn however, wanted to remind her it was only the beginning.

“You can’t slack off now, baby. College is where the serious stuff begins.” Galadriel sighed. “Are you my boyfriend or my father?” Celeborn laughed. “I can be your daddy if you want?” “Eww gross!” Galadriel exclaimed as she gave him a playful tap on the arm. Celeborn only laughed harder. “No but seriously, Cel, can’t I just enjoy my freedom from the clutches of education for a little while longer before reality drags me all the way back?” “Of course you can, of course. I just want you to be sure you don’t become lazy or form any bad habits.”

They stopped walking and he pulled her aside. “This is your moment, Galadriel Noldor. And I wanna see you shine.” He beamed at her before she pulled him in for a quick kiss.

Then the memory returned to being what it was. In the past.

“You were always trying to protect me, huh.” Galadriel stated to the empty room, calling Celeborn’s apparition forth. “I only wanted what was best for you. You deserve the world. Not this psychopath.” “And you didn’t deserve to die.” Galadriel suddenly had a brainwave. Surely not. But she had to know for certain. “Celeborn? I need to ask you something really personal.” “You can ask me anything, Galadriel. Always.” “Do… do you know who killed you?” “I’m not going to answer you when you already know.”

It was then that Halbrand returned and Galadriel rounded on him with a fury she did not know she possessed. “You killed my boyfriend too?!” “Well hello to you too, Noldor.” “Did you?!” “I told you… I had to have you all to myself.” His tone was almost nonchalant, unbothered. “How could you? He was young, he had a future!” “Oh please. I heard the conversation you had with your little friends. Honestly Noldor, if you had broken up with him sooner than I wouldn’t have had to kill him in the first place! Look again! Another death on your hands!” “No! Shut up! That’s not true!”

Halbrand hurled the grocery bag onto the floor and stormed over to her. “Do you want more blood, Galadriel? Because I’ll give it to you. Elrond. Arondir. Bronwyn. Your parents. All are next in line. Descendants of your folly.”

Galadriel spat at him. Though it didn’t affect Halbrand in the slightest. He licked his lips to get a taste of her. “He wasn’t worthy of you. He had to go. He didn’t treat you how I can. How I will once you come to your senses.” He groaned, remembering what he brought. “Now look what you made me do! I hope this doesn’t spoil our dinner.”

She watched him rifle through the grocery bag and calm his demeanour once he knew the contents had survived his rage. “Dinner?” She asked. “Our second date. Or is it third now, I’m losing track of all these happy occasions. I just came in to check on you before I went to cook up our feast. I’ve had a chicken roasting all day. But… I don’t know if you deserve my hospitality, Noldor.”

Galadriel’s stomach spoke for her. “I do. Please, I do!” “Prove it. Kiss me. Make me moan like you mean to please me.”

She would rather do literally anything else, but with potential survival at stake… she was left with little choice. Nodding in assent, Halbrand grinned as he wandered back to sit before her, placing himself willing and ready to receive her touch. Galadriel gulped, took a deep breath, and got it over with.

The kiss was frenzied and hurried, all tongue and lips all over the place. There was no romance to it at all. But Halbrand seemed to respond okay.

Then Galadriel had an idea. It was a messed up one, but it was an idea all the same.

She trailed her kiss away from his mouth, down along his jaw, and straight to his throat. Galadriel wasted no time. She bit down hard. The taste of blood entered her mouth but she only let it drive her. Although, Halbrand was not crying out in pain like she had expected him to.

He was moaning in bliss.

“That’s quite enough out of you.” He stated near breathless, pushing her off. He pulled a handkerchief out of his jacket’s inner pocket and held it to his throat. He didn’t seem worried at all that he might bleed out. She was hoping she’d get his jugular. But now she’d likely never get a chance to again. “But you’ve pleased me all the same despite this rather pathetic attempt. I’ll be back with our dinner in an hour.” He left her alone with his blood still on her tongue.

“I didn’t know you had that in you.” Celeborn spoke, a little shocked by the violent display. “What else am I supposed to do? I saw an opportunity and I took it.” “No, it’s good. It’s shown me you want to live, really want to live, to get out of here. Keep looking for those opportunities, Galadriel. They will come along.”

It was the longest hour she’d ever experienced. Celeborn offered little more in the way of solace. He’d said all that really needed to be said. Galadriel still couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that she’d fallen for the man who murdered him. It made her sick. But now she had even more reason to get out of here and see Halbrand brought to justice. He was a mass murderer. A serial killer. He had to be stopped.

Especially before she or anyone else she cared about became his next victim.

The scent of dinner reached her nostrils before Halbrand reached the door. She couldn’t deny it smelt delicious, but that could be because she hadn’t eaten in so long. Halbrand wheeled in their meals on a trolley. Then he quickly left and came back again with a small fold out table and two chairs.

“Now, Galadriel.” Halbrand began, setting the table, Galadriel’s hungry eyes solely on him and not on the roast chicken and vegetables steaming before her. “I am going to show you that I can be trusted.”

What?

“It wouldn’t be very civilised if I didn’t allow you the use of your hands to eat your meal. This date of ours is a special occasion. The door is locked. And your utensils are made of cardboard. So don’t worry, I’m not entirely crazy.”

Whatever you say, psycho.

“Still. If I grant you the gesture of movement, all I ask is for you to return that gesture with the respect it deserves. You remain seated. You eat with me. You do what I say. And I will see that you are greatly rewarded.”

Galadriel was secretly smiling to herself. Halbrand was completely bonkers if he didn’t think she’d seize this opportunity to escape. She’d find a way. Somehow.

“Do you understand, my love?”

Galadriel nodded.

“Good girl.”

Moving around to the rear of her, Halbrand loosened the rope and Galadriel felt step one of her freedom. It was almost like breathing for the first time, being able to move her hands and wrists freely again. She rubbed at their soreness as she watched Halbrand pour them glasses of white wine. Sauvignon Blanc.

It was then that Galadriel saw it. Her escape.

He put her here with a glass of wine. It was only fitting if she escaped because of it.

Galadriel turned her head to the left and saw the spectre of Celeborn gazing at her. He was smiling. “That’s the way, Galadriel.”

She hid her smile behind a fake cough. “Are you alright?” “Yes. Parched is all.” “Would you like me to get some…” Halbrand’s voice trailed off as he watched Galadriel down her wine glass. He smiled at her, approving of her eagerness, liking what he saw. He rubbed his chin appraising the woman before her. “Well… good thing I brought more than one bottle!” He spoke, lifting a second bottle from underneath the food trolley.

“You going to keep up with me, Halbrand?” Galadriel dared him, playing into his clear desires for her. He was noticeably surprised by this change of demeanour in her, but nevertheless, his grin widened and he did as she asked. Galadriel watched every last drop disappear down his throat.

Then after the next time he filled her glass, she waited for him to tip his head all the way back.

Then she tipped her drink over her shoulder.

“Wait, wait, wait, stop.” Eärien chimed in, interrupting Isildur as he breathed in to speak his next part. “This is Raiders. You’re doing a Marion.” She was very satisfied that she’d caught him ‘plagiarising’ someone else‘s work. Especially her brother. “I can’t wait to tell Anarion!” “You can’t actually. He’s not a member.” Theo spoke up. Eärien looked at Nori for confirmation. “He’s right, Ari. Sorry.” “Still! He’s ripping off a movie!”

Isildur groaned. “If you had paid attention last time we watched instead of ogling Kemen, then you’d realise this is different. Marion can hold her liquor. Galadriel just isn’t drinking every glass.” Eärien rolled her eyes. “Oh come on! Are you going to let this fly?” She was determined to see Isildur in trouble.

Nori, to Isildur’s advantage, didn’t see the issue like Eärien wanted. “I love Marion. Great inspiration choice, Isil.”

He beamed then poked his tongue out at his sister before continuing…

This went on for a while, the two of them consuming delicious food, and only one of them really consuming the wine. Galadriel of course couldn’t get away with it cleanly, taking the occasional sip here and there to throw Halbrand off her scent. And the drunker he got, the bolder she became.

“What do you like about me, Halbrand?” She asked, a little playful, a little curious. He ran his intoxicated eyes over her, and a hand through his hair. “I think you’ll find the list of what I don’t like shorter.” He laughed. “Come on, Halbrand. Tell me.” He smirked, the expression now unnerving to her. But she didn’t back down. She stared and she waited.

“If you insist… Stand up for me.” “Are you sure you can trust me?” She batted her eyelashes, playing coy. “Just stand up for me, darling.” He chuckled. Galadriel did as she was told, loathing every second of it. She positioned herself before him, even doing her best to smooth out her crinkled and dirty dress. Halbrand shifted his seat to face her, his legs manspread apart.

If he wasn’t psycho she’d be turned on by how he looked right now.

“Let’s see… I like… your hair. It flows so beautifully, cascading down your body like a heavenly waterfall. I like your legs and the way your hips sway when you walk. It’s positively criminal.” He paused, biting his bottom lip. “C’mon Halbrand, that can’t be all.” “Far from it actually. I adore your smile and the way it lights up your face. And your eyes… they sparkle with such hope and wonder. But I also appreciate what’s on the inside. Your mind, your heart. The way you care. The way you engage with the world.”

It really was a shame he was psycho. Not even Celeborn had said such nice things about her.

And don’t I regret it. The voice of her ghost boyfriend sounded in her mind. It almost made her jump but thankfully she kept her cool. Don’t do that. She thought in reply, hoping he’d hear.

“What’s wrong?” Halbrand asked, noticing her presence shift slightly.

Everything.

“Nothing. It’s just… I wasn’t expecting you to say anything so kind.” Galadriel recovered. “Why wouldn’t I?” He seemed genuinely confused, perhaps a little hurt by her comment. “You are an incredible woman, Galadriel. And you should be celebrated as such.” She blushed a little at his words, not liking all the attention. Especially from someone like him.

“Brush it off, Galadriel. You can do this. Keep going.” Celeborn encouraged, only this time she could see him standing next to Halbrand. “But you’re not going to like what comes next, Cel.” Galadriel warned him, but he was unphased, gesturing with a move of his hand for her to continue.

“Well then let me tell you what I like about you. Then we can even things up a little.” Halbrand smiled. “This should be interesting.” Galadriel stepped towards him and gave herself over to the role she was playing. It was this or death. “I like your thighs. They look strong and perfect for sitting on.” And she did just that, setting herself astride his lap. Halbrand’s smile turned into a wild grin. “Oh I like this.” He couldn’t help but admit.

“I like your chest. Not too broad or overly muscly but,” She ran her hands over his shirt as she spoke. “It is defined… tight. Firm. And it feels good under my fingertips.” “Good gods, Galadriel.” He was gasping, intoxicated by the wine, and by her. “I like your hair… its soft and fits around your face just right. Plus… it’s perfect for running my fingers through, and for holding on.”

Halbrand closed his eyes and moaned as she moved her hands through his hair and tugged on the ends. “And I also like… kissing you.” “Really now?” He spoke, his voice low, his eyes half-lidded. “Show me how you like it.”

Galadriel forced a cheeky grin, before moving in to close the gap between them. As their lips met, she did her best to imagine Brad Pitt on the receiving end, which greatly inspired her passion to be convincing. Halbrand met her with equal fervour, feeding off her false desire.

As they kissed Galadriel started to rack her brain for how she was now going to get out of here. Her plan had been to get him drunk. Check. But getting away? That was going to have to be more improvisational.

Then it hit her. Or more accurately - it would hit him.

The wine bottle.

She opened her eyes and glanced to her left a quick moment, spying immediately the empty bottle. Miraculously, it was within her reach.

Halbrand moaned into her mouth a little as if he was calling her attention back, so she responded with a small moan of her own, before trailing her kisses away from his lips, along his jaw, and down to his neck, giving her the perfect opportunity to get closer to her weapon.

Then in the subtlest way she could imagine, she leaned over and grasped it. “Oh Galadriel…” Halbrand called out. She couldn’t help but grin. She had done it. She was about to escape.

“I wouldn’t try that if I were you.” Halbrand uttered so nonchalantly, like it wasn’t a bother, like he was so sure she was making a mistake. He grabbed on her hair and pulled her off of his throat. Galadriel cried out in pain, and felt the wine bottle slip through her fingers, crashing loudly on the floor.

Her breathing quickened and her heart raced. What was going to happen now?

“Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice..." He laughed, a little sinisterly. "So sweet of you to think that you could deceive me. But you should realise, darling - you can’t fool a deceiver.” He pushed her off of him roughly and she hit the floor with a thud, scrambling away from Halbrand towards the door, praying she’d reach it before he did.

Her prayers went unanswered.

“Not so fast, my precious.”

Halbrand grabbed her and tossed her back across the room. She would surely be left bruised and bleeding from these violent displays. Though she didn’t care. What mattered most was getting out alive. And it looked like the chances of that happening were very slim.

She looked up in time to see Halbrand standing over her, wielding something sharp in his hand. A long shard of the wine bottle, perfectly broken into a weapon as if it was forged for him. He was grasping it so tightly, Galadriel could see a trickle of blood dripping from his knuckles. A sign that perhaps he was losing control of things. That his plan was not going the way he had envisioned.

“Why are you trying to get away from me?” He asked her, looking genuinely hurt but insane. “I’m only trying to treat you how a lady should be treated! How someone I love should be loved!” “You have a twisted way of doing it!” Galadriel yelled back, feeling bold in the face of her fate. “If you really loved me you’d let me go! Then maybe we could try again?” She was desperate, saying anything, repeating her earlier offer, even if she didn’t mean it. “No, it’s too late for that.” Halbrand stated, unwilling to see reason. “I just want you to stay, Galadriel! Stay with me. And if you won’t do so willingly, then I can fix you so you will.” Galadriel shrieked as he reached for her legs, kicking at him to no avail. He was stronger than her, taking hold quickly, and raising up her heels to meet his makeshift blade, Halbrand looked perfectly mad and Galadriel felt nothing but terror.

But before he could slice through her achilles, something in the room changed.

The fluorescent lights overhead started blinking, causing darkness to appear and disappear within the room. The sound of wind howling filled the space, yet there was no breeze and no open window or door to let that noise in. Intermingled with that howl was a voice. Haunted. Pained. It echoed all around them and caused Halbrand to freeze, the pair of them locked in their struggle, both waiting for an answer to what this phenomena was.

Galadriel smiled. She knew what it was.

Or more accurately, who.

“Halbrand!” Celeborn’s voice boomed from across the room, calling his killer’s attention. She watched terror enter his expression. Even the ego maniacal killer is afraid of something. Facing the consequences of his actions, perhaps? “Turn around, Halbrand. Turn around.” Galadriel demanded of him through gritted teeth. She had no idea what was about to happen, but it had to be better than what Halbrand was about to do to her.

He released Galadriel and she scurried away, towards where the ghoulish spectre of Celeborn now stood. Halbrand turned around if only to watch her run away from him. His eyes widened at the supernatural sight before him, and the shard of glass fell from his bloodied hand, breaking into smaller parts. “This… this can’t be real! You’re not real!” “Oh but I am. I am what you made me, Halbrand. This is what you did. You stole me from life and gave me a torturous existence in death!”

Galadriel backed herself against the wall, herself cowering in fear from his ghost. Even though he was on her side, he was still terrifying. The door was only three feet to her right. Freedom. But she couldn’t escape now, she had to see how this would play out, and hopefully watch Halbrand get what he deserved.

“Am I supposed to say I’m sorry? I love her! She is the most beautiful thing this world has ever seen! She deserved better than you!” Halbrand found some courage and remembered his arrogance. “And you deserved what I did to you! A punishment fit for someone not fit to be by her side!” “You don’t get to decide who lives or who dies, Halbrand! You are not a god!” “Yes. I. AM!” He bellowed fiercely, but his cry was cut short, his voice fading, as he watched Celeborn lift into the air around them all the broken shards of glass upon the concrete floor.

“If you are a god then, Halbrand, you should survive this.” “No. No. No!” He protested, realising what was coming. His time was through. In a split second, Galadriel watched as Celeborn moved his arms in Halbrand’s direction, a silent command for all the glass to pierce his flesh and end him. The killer became the victim now. His breathing laboured, his blood exiting his body through small wounds all over. Halbrand dropped to his knees, struggling to hold onto what little life remained in him.

Galadriel walked over, saddened but satisfied to see justice carried out. “For Míriel. For Celeborn.” She spoke quietly as he reached out for her. “And for me.” Taking one last look at his dying form, she turned away then, wanting her back walking away to be the last thing Halbrand would see.

Then he fell to his death with a final thud.

“I didn’t know you had that in you.” Galadriel spoke, back at Celeborn’s side. “Are you okay now?” He asked full of concern. She nodded. “Yeah. I’m okay. Thanks to you.” “Don’t sell yourself short. You didn’t exactly do nothing. You didn’t let him do those things to you without a fight. I just came with the assist at the end.” “Celeborn, I’m sorry. You were trying to warn me the whole time he was trouble and that I should stay away. And I was too scared and too guilty to listen.” “It probably doesn’t help that this is what I look like now. But guilty? Why?”

Galadriel took a deep breath. “Because I was going to break up with you. And then you died in the worst way thinking and feeling a lie.” “Oh Galadriel. It’s okay. I’m at peace now. I still care for you, and I know you care for me on some level too. Sometimes things just don’t work out the way we plan. I mean, look at me.” He smiled and his words made her giggle. “I’ve done my duty. My unfinished business. I saved you. And now we can both move on.”

“You… you’re leaving?” “I’m going where all the good ones go. I can feel it.” Galadriel smiled and watched as his eerie glow began to brighten, bathing him in pure white light. “Be free, Galadriel. I’ll see you in the next life.” She couldn’t help but start to cry as she watched him fade away. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all. “Goodbye, Celeborn. Thank you.”

And just like that, he was gone.

Galadriel wiped her tears away. She didn’t look back before she left…

“What happened after that? To Halbrand’s body?” Valandil asked, looking spooked. “Did he get the blame for the murders?” Poppy also wanted to know. “What about Galadriel? Was she okay?” Ontamo was swooning for the fictional heroine.

Isildur held back a grin, not wanting to break the ominous mood he’d set up. “Galadriel reported anonymously the location of Halbrand’s corpse, and told the police he was the murderer. There was enough evidence to match him up to the crimes so Elendil was released with an apology, and the case was closed. Galadriel invited Elendil into her friendship circle with Elrond and Arondir, and the four of them remain close to this day. She never saw Celeborn’s ghost again, and Halbrand was too deep in hell to reach her.”

“Good story, Isil.” Nori stated proudly with approval. “Yeah, much better than your last one.” Theo said, tapping him on the shoulder. Everyone agreed in unison. But there was one person who wasn’t all smiles. Valandil.

“You okay buddy?” Isildur asked him. “I start college next week.”

Everyone groaned and laughed at him getting scared by the tale, and Ontamo gave him a friendly shake to try and snap him out of it.

“I declare this meeting of the Midnight Society closed.” Nori announced, and Poppy grabbed the bucket of water and tipped it on the fire. “Until next week everybody.”

They all grabbed their backpacks and torches, and made their way out of the forest, leaving their secret place alone for another seven days. Isildur fell asleep that night with the biggest smile on his face. He was definitely one of them now.

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