Hello there! /Waves happily/ I want to say a huge THANK YOU to those who read, reviewed and added my first story posted on this account – "We Were Told That We Are Alone In This World" – and I am honored to present my new multi-chapter story: "Gaur – Werewolf". It is a Haldir/Legolas story yet again, because, well, OTP is OTP, though I have not decided yet whether it will be a romantic relationship or just friendship (by the way, you could help me decide by commenting! lalala).
It very well may be considered AU, but if you squint, turn around three times and eat a rubber ball, it could fit canon, I guess.
Disclaimer: I am no genius = I am no Tolkien = Those pretty creatures are not mine, though there will be secondary OCs, like Menelmahtar, whom you could have met in "We Were Told…". Those OCs are mine, obviously.
Rated T for blood and violence in future chapters.
Reviews make me happy!
Now on with the story.
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It's not me who should be walking on edge forever,
But, see, I'm doing that again.
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- We rest here.
As I called, the rest of the group halted their horses and dismounted soundlessly. I looked around, scanning the area, and nodded to myself approvingly: the clearing was big enough to fit twenty elves and their mounts, and sound of a brook could be heard nearby, a perfect place to rest for a day or two and regain strength to continue. After all, even Elven people can get tired after a long and difficult passage through the forest.
After we were told by human messengers that evil had been awoken to the north of White Mountains, and were asked for help, Lord and Lady decided to send a patrol to aid humans in their fight against children of the Shadow. I took the lead, and it has already been two months since we left Lothlorien and headed south. People told us that the especially dangerous area was the territory encircled by Anduin on the east, Limlaith on the north and Onodlo on the west and south. That was quite confusing, since it was nearly the central territory in the dreadful Dol Guldur-Isengard-Mordor triangle, and – hating to admit that, but – I was clueless, why this area, and not the ones close to those exact three fortresses, would be the most restless these days.
Anyway, for nearly two months we were circling around counter-clockwise through the forests and plains, occasionally fighting orcs here and there, and so far I was proud to say that none of my twenty charges was killed or seriously injured. I was honored to know that Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel's trust in myself was not misplaced.
Nearly an hour later, after the camp was set, firewood and water brought to the clearing and guards appointed – even though everything was quiet for the past several days and the trees seemed calm, I didn't want to risk – I realized that the sun was still high in the sky, so everyone not on duty could have some free time for themselves. Tired warriors cheered for my words gratefully and, after deciding the time of our evening meal, scattered around the camp and into the forest. I smiled satisfiedly and sat down near the line of the clearing, facing forest, determined to keep watch as well. A minute later I heard someone approach from behind and felt a hand on my shoulder as the person sat down near me. I turned my head to face Menelmahtar, my second-in-command.
- Your offer to rest was generous, Haldir. But are you not going to follow your own words as well? – he asked, a hint of concern in his eyes.
- Nay, my friend, I am not tired yet, - I gave him a small smile, but he didn't seem reassured.
- Haldir, you have been leading us for more than fifty hours without stops now. If we were tired – those who simply followed your commands – than how much should you be tired, constantly worrying about our well-being, just as any other leader should, – he paused. – You should regain your strength, my friend. I will make sure everything is under control in our camp, you can trust me.
- I know I can trust you, Menelmahtar, - I smiled again at the blond elf and stood up, brushing off leaves that clung to my clothes. – I indeed could have a small walk around this place, - he smiled back and stood up as well. – I will be back soon, then. Maybe in two or three hours. And don't you dare eat up all the food without leaving anything for your leader! – I made a mock-scary face and growled, and Menelmahtar answered with a mock-terrified one before grinning brightly. I patted his shoulder and stepped out of the clearing and into the forest, heading west, to the river, for I decided to have a swim.
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An hour later I finally reached Onodlo – or Entwash, how humans called it. The riverbed was narrow here, making the torrent incredibly fast. For a second I felt disappointed, for even Elves would have troubles competing with such speed and power, but then I noticed a small bay down the river. I headed there, and indeed it was a bay, the torrent was not so fierce in its waters, though it was racing over rocky rapids like a herd of furious white horses just a meter away from the bay's imaginary border. Anyway, I decided it would be a perfect place for a swim, so I took off my weapons and most of my clothes, placing them on the bank, and slowly descended into relatively calm water of the bay.
I relaxed in the water, feeling my muscles lose their tension because of the long passage. Menelmahtar was right, just as he always was – that was just what I needed. I should heed his words more often, I thought lazily. Though wait, has there ever been a time when I did not heed him? I let out a small amused chuckle and dived underwater, watching the white stream of bubbles that was the main torrent of the river. Its dance was mesmerizing, and I found myself moving closer to the bay's border. Not quite realizing what I was doing, I inched closer and held out a hand, watching the bubbles make their way among my fingers. Suddenly, an especially strong rush of water caught my hand, jerking it violently, and I realized that the stream had caught me and started pulling me out of the bay's safety. I tugged at my hand, trying to release it from the torrent's hold, but in my struggles my body came too close to the stream and got enwrapped in white threads of bubbles as well. I understood with fear I lost control and fought to the surface the best I could, for my lungs were already burning. I resurfaced, gasping for air, the torrent swirled me around violently before drowning my helplessly struggling body underwater again. I got caught in its hold once more and realized I could not fight against it anymore, so strong was its pressure over me. My lungs screamed for air, and unconsciously I made a sharp inhale, only to fill them with cold water. That was when I felt my head colliding with something – possibly a rock of the rapids – and gratefully succumbed to darkness.
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Now, how was that? Good? Bad? I know that was short, but I am reluctant to post continuation before I know at least some opinions D:
(I must assure you that Legolas appears in the next chapter)