Author's Note: Thanks for taking the time to read my newest LOTR fic! Naturally I do not own any of Tolkien's characters, locations, etc. I do however own my OC's and the creative changes I have made within the story. I have also created my own branch of Rivendell elves that have taken up residence along the rivers of the outskirts of Rivendell, I won't give away too much but I'd like to think it will add some uniqueness to the story. This story takes place after the Fellowship of the ring departed from Lothlorien and there will be plot changes as the story unfolds, this is NOT a 10th walker story and will not follow the journey of the fellowship for the vast majority of the story. This is a story focusing on Haldir, my OC Aearonel and adventures/struggles untold. All text in italics are spoken in elvish, I am not fluent enough to attempt to use actual elvish! I hope you enjoy my story, please feel free to review! I respond personally to every review at the end of every update. Thanks! On with the story now!
Song of the River
Chapter One
Haldir's POV
Morning came swiftly, the rays of the sun peered through the canopy of trees allowing me to face the cloaked figure wandering deeper into our woods. Its' attempts of remained concealed while trailing behind the now departed fellowship had been abandoned by a sense of urgency its' steps were now taking.
"You are far from Mordor spy…and your prey is now beyond your reach. What now will you do?" I whispered as I drew a single arrow back and aimed it towards the very path the creature was upon. My eyes narrowed to focus on a single golden leaf that was soon to be under the foot of our intruder. A warning shot, I was not one to kill without warning. Every creature has a story to tell, it is up to the Lady Galadriel whose story is worth believing.
I released the arrow, the pointed tip cut through the air with ease before landing a few inches before the creature's feet. I awaited the creatures stumble, perhaps even an attempt to run for cover but my eyes widened to the sight of the creature lifting it's hooded gaze to my very location before pulling into sight a bow and hastily drawn arrow and firing towards me.
I spun around the protection of the aging tree and remained steady upon the branch that held me. I was quick to allow my gaze to return to the earth below to find my now opponent had vanished. I scanned the area, my senses now ready with an elven vigilance that had not yet failed me. My eyes focused on every movement the woods had to offer my gaze as I searched for the latest foe of Lothlorien. Within seconds I took notice of a slight shift in color of shadows being cast by a grouping of boulders.
"You will get no further."
I quickly made my way to the ground and allowed the silent steps of my kindred guide me closer to the creature. I kept an arrow still and aimed with every step I drew closer.
Soon I pressed my body against the rigid bark of the oak before aiming the sharpened arrow to the cloak of my opponent still seemingly unaware it had been found my the eyes of Lothlorien's march warden. A fatal mistake.
I would allow the arrow to graze the hood's fabric, stun my opponent enough to reach its location without fear of yet another effort to flee.
I then released the arrow. I watched as it reached its mark instantly, but to my surprise the cloak was driven back from the force of the arrow before being pinned to a tree in the near distance…with no sign of its' owner.
"Resorting to tricks are we?"
"Tricks are what keep an elf alive in this dark age." Responded a voice behind me, it was in the closeness of our presence that I realized who it was I was facing. An elleth. I instantly replaced the bow within my grasp with the familiar hilt of my blade. I spun around to hear the crash of steel connecting against steel.
I was taken off guard by the features of the elleth now facing me; she was no stranger to beauty yet her kindred was unknown to me. Her skin flawless and resembled that of the finest porcelain, the intensity of her pale blue eyes was only matched by the shade of amber her lengthy locks dancing beneath her shoulders.
"You will not win in combat against me spy." I spat, ensuring both her and I that her striking appearance did not change the seriousness of her crime.
"Spy? This is no foreign realm to my eyes, I am no spy."
"What business do you have following the fellowship then elleth?" I demanded while keeping my sword steady against her own.
I watched her lips curl into a smirk before she responded in a sweet tone.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" With that response I quickly retracted my blade before striking at her once more. She blocked my attack with ease which only marked the beginning of our conflict.
Within moments the forest echoed with the sound of the dance of our swords. Our motions were similar in style; graceful yet fueled with a gentle strength. Elves were no stranger to elegance in battle; it would seem this elleth was no exception.
We continued to fight, our motions becoming more desperate to penetrate each other's guard but no such advantage could be found. Noticing this, I quickly forced my leg out in a sweeping motion sending her to the ground. But she quickly rolled and pulled forth a set of small blades concealed within the confines of her belt. With a swift gesture I saw the shimmer of the blades approaching me at great speed. The quickness of my blade's movement allowed the sharpened weapons to alter direction into the company of trees bearing witness to our battle.
The warmth of the sun was slowly reaching my features. The tension only added to the thickness of the air now between us.
I kept my blade pointed to the elleth as she scrambled to her feet.
"You must be of great importance here. Your skill is impressive."
"Flattery will not allow you safe passage beyond my reach elleth." I snapped as I took a step towards her, I was ready to engage her once more.
"Your social ineptitude however, that is far less impressive." She winked. I forced my building anger towards her obvious disrespect at bay, I had never allowed emotions cloud my judgment or hinder my ability in battle and I was not about to start at this moment at the hands of an elleth.
Our swords continued their demand for dominance once more. As time crept achingly by I was beginning to sense that my opponent was experiencing fatigue. She had not practiced the art of battle for hours upon hours as I had. My advantage was becoming more evident as her guard was slowly beginning to lessen.
I could hear her breathing becoming ragged until her breaths were reduced to desperate gasps. I seized an opening her body presented to me and I allowed my blade to snake through her weakened guard before striking her side. My blade pierced through her side only slightly, but the action was enough to send her crashing to her knees. Her sword dropped free from her grasp. Her hands now shaking gripped her side and looked up at me with tears glistening within her eyes. The intensity of her gaze had given way to a look of sheer helplessness.
It was then I realized that I was not dealing with a warrior. This was an elleth who had practiced with a blade but her experience in battle may have only this incident to draw from. A tinge of guilt for overestimating my opponent slowly crept into my mind.
"You are alright…it is no fatal wound my lady." I explained to her crumbled form below me. I then forced my blade into it's sheathe before falling to my knees to tend to her wound and her anxiety at hand.
"Here, let me see." I calmly offered as I gently pulled her hands from her side. I scanned the injury, ensuring my aim was still as accurate as I had intended.
"Being an elleth certainly has its advantages, wouldn't you say?" Her voice spoke with a newfound sense of confidence. Another trick. I quickly scrambled for my sword but the elleth had shoved me back onto the ground and a single knife was now being pressed against my throat. A first for me, I was now thankful I had requested to handle this intruder alone.
"Preying on an ellon's weakness for a defenseless elleth, very clever." I strained through my clenched teeth. I was becoming greatly irritated that I was rendered so helpless by such trickery. I exhaled loudly before beginning my struggle to rid the weight of the elleth from my chest but she maintained a steady posture upon me. Her knees driving hard into my biceps causing my muscles to scream from the unwanted pressure but still her blade only pressed harder against my skin.
"Settle down would you? Are you trying to get injured?"
"Oh do not play me for a fool and expect me to believe that is concern within your voice." I struggled to speak.
"All is fair in war my friend. But I do not intend to kill you; can we talk…like two civil elves for a moment?"
"Does not appear that I have any other choice in the matter." I muttered. I felt the blade being eased away from my neck and placed back into the small satchel intertwined around the leather of her belt.
"Could you remove your knees from my arms?"
"So you can obtain the upper hand? Come now march warden, you must know that I will not be so easily tricked like yourself." She presented a smile before folding her arms about her chest.
"Where did the fellowship go?" She asked. I felt my brow furrow at the question; she could not be serious with her inquiry, could she?
"Do you truly expect me to divulge such information to a stranger? As far as I am concerned you are an enemy to the free peoples of middle earth."
"Oh be reasonable here, do I honestly look like an enemy to you?" She asked.
"Well, in my honest opinion, you have deceived me on more than one occasion. It would be no strange thought to consider you to use such deception." I responded while readying myself for my knee to drive hard into her back. The fact remained that I could have freed myself long before now and perhaps she knew of this. I was curious as to her intentions, and our conversation would surely lend me information vital to reaching an understanding. I needed her to keep talking, and perhaps she knew of this as well.
"I do not want the one ring if that is what you are thinking."
"How do you know of the ring?" I instantly asked.
"Who doesn't know about it? News travels fast in this land or have you been here too long that you have forgotten the ways of the outside world?" Her tone was beginning to infuriate me.
"Why else would you be inquiring about the location of the fellowship? You have been following them have you not, why?" She released a sigh.
"I would not be doing what I set out to do very well if I went around speaking of my intentions now would I?"
"Tell me your name at least, where do you hail from?" I quickly asked.
"You as far too many questions march warden."
"It is my job to ask questions when intruders wander into these woods." I spat before finally forcing my knee hard into her back. I could hear the air being driven from her lungs as she slumped forward and I found my footing as well as my sword which know sat firmly within my grasp. I directed my blade towards the coughing elleth.
"There is more at hand…th-than you realize." She struggled to find breath as she continued coughing.
"You are alone…because she knows you are in no danger here. She knows my intent." She continued only building my suspicions. Who was this elleth? Was she honestly speaking of Lady Galadriel knowing of her arrival? If that was the case surely I would have been made aware of this. That did not settle well in the realm of believability, no, this was surely another attempt of deception. A manner of deception in which I could not allow to continue.
"You will accompany me to Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. Your fate rests within their hands." I said calmly.
"I do not have that sort of time! Do not force me take back my words of not intending to kill you. I can assure that if you continue to stand in my way I will strike you down!" As she roared, her fists tightened around the loosened earth a grass she ripped from beneath her grasp.
"Is that a threat?" I asked in slight amusement.
"It is a guarantee!"