Title: The Golden Mask
Author: Kwannom
Rating: M
Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance
Betas: Winsome Elf (chapters 1 - 6), Rainien (7 – 15 – ?) e Wenont (15 - ?)
WARNING: Violence, strong language and sex
Disclaimer: I own no one from The Lord Of The Rings. All the characters and place names displayed belong to JRR Tolkien. I do not intend to, nor am I making any financial gain from the writing of this story. However, the original characters - Haleth, Siward, Wilrog, Seyton and others - are mine, and don't you dare put your claws into them:D
Timeline: Year 3429 of the Second Age, one year before the Last Alliance. A.U. Following book-verse and movie-verse.
Summary: Sauron has the One Ring and Middle Earth is suffering in the hands of the Orcs' armies. Elves and Men decide to make an alliance against the Dark Lord, and they are searching for great warriors from both races to lead their armies. These warriors are the Chosen Ones and one of them is Haldir, the Captain of the Golden Wood. Haldir is then sent to watch a human warrior called Golden Mask and prove that the Man can be one of them. In the meanwhile, Haldir has to prepare for the battle of his life and deal with the discovery of something that is going to change the future.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hello there! My story is situated at the end of the Second Age, one year before the Last Alliance and I don't know when it's going to end. There are many original characters and I tried to remain faithful to the original plot. However this is an A.U. I'll keep true to the actual dates, but some events will be changed.

Thanks so much to my beta Winsome Elf for challenging me to translate my original fic, in Portuguese, into English.

Thanks to Rainien for accepting to continue Winsome Elf's legacy of impeccable beta-reading.

Let's get to the story, shall we?

NOTE: the elves are near Caras Galadhon, that's why they got there so quickly. Elvish dialogue will be displayed like this 'dialogue', Westron dialogue like this "dialogue" and thoughts like this dialogue.

PROLOGUE - SMOKE IN THE SKY

A wall of dark smoke rose into the skies, near Lothlórien Forest. Eyes - very blue and fierce – watched behind the great mallorn trees, unnoticed by the rest of the world. They were trying to see what was happening miles ahead of them.

'I think the smoke comes from the Men's village near Rhovanion. What should we do?' The soft voice from one of the Elves was directed to his commander, who was positioned in a talan nearby

'We should wait. It has been a long time since we had contact with Men. And remember--their nine kings were the first ones to side with Sauron.' Haldir turned to gaze defiantly at his youngest brother while he spoke.

He was a March Warden, the commander of the group that protected LothLórien's borders. The last word was always his, so the other Elf resumed watching the battle that was being fought ahead of them without arguing. It seemed that the Orcs were giving the humans a hard time.

'Furthermore, I think that is the village where Haleth's army hides when they are not protecting Gondor's borders. But only Men and some Elves know this. If we go there,we will be showing, through our interest in help, that this village is important and Mordor would slaughter them all. We cannot act without a direct order from our rulers.'

'But if we do not, they will be killed anyway.' While challenging his commander, Orophin met Haldir's severe look. He is too young to understand the implications of an intervention made too soon, thought Haldir, who didn't reply to Orophin's statement.

Haleth was the son of Háma, one of the Men's leaders. His existence was surrounded by mystery. Little was known about the warrior and few had ever seen his face, for it was always covered by a golden mask made by the Dwarves of Khazâd Dûm. Some said that the artifact was in homage to the tragic human warrior Turin Turambar, and because of that mask, Haleth was also called Golden Mask. Háma had given the leadership of his army to this son before dying in battle.

While Hamá was still in charge, the Numenorians from Minas Ithil had noticed the strength of his little army of Men, and they decided to form an alliance with them against Mordor to protect their homes; for the Dark Lord Sauron had plunged Middle Earth into war once again. In his desire to rule all races, the Dark Lord wanted to end the enormous power of Gil-galad, the elven king of Ossiriand, and intended to pervert the easiest species to manipulate of all: the race of Men.

Many were the mortals who were deceived by Sauron. Háma's Men, in order to prevent his kin from becoming extinct, went to protect the border of Gondor, the kingdom ruled by Isildur and Anárion, sons of Elendil, the King of Men, while the Numenorians helped them to defend their homes. After the agreement and under the leadership of Hamá, the heroic acts of his son Haleth grew more frequent, and the men began to show more confidence in the son than in the father.

'Haldir, do you remember their language? I know you fought alongside them once.' The blue eyes of the commander went back to the Men's village. After thinking for a moment, as if he remembered a forgotten time, he made his imperious voice to be heard in the woods once more.

'That was ages ago, when we fought against the Haradrim. I have never spoken it again since then. I do not even remember what Men look like.' That was not true; he still remembered the humans, their language and culture. No matter how strange they still were to Haldir it was too painful for him to recall the friends he had lost in that battle, Men of value who had taught the commonwealth that courage was not limited to Ilúvatar's Firstborn.

Moments went by when none of them spoke as they watched the events unfold. Silence ruled among the trees until Rúmil, who was positioned on the top of a very tall mallorn some trees away, called them, pointing to the sky.

'Look! Gwaihir is coming from Lindon's direction! Gil-galad and King Amdír must have sent him to help the Men's army!'

Haldir looked at the sky and felt that familiar feeling of mingled fear and respect at the mighty eagle's presence. If Gwaihir had been sent by Gil-galad, the High King of the Noldor, in order to help the mortals, then that was a sign that something in the relationship between the kingdoms of Elves and Men had passed unnoticed by Haldir's eyes. The Elf looked at Orophin, with a smile on his lips.

'Now brother, we can maybe do something.'

The Elves ran through the forest, with Gwaihir above their heads, until they reached the elven city under the temporary rule of Celeborn and Galadriel. Amdír, the true King of those woods was in Lindon for a Council with Gil-Galad and his son, Prince Amroth was with Elrond in Rivendell, discussing secret matters. The three Elves stopped in front of Lady Galadriel.

They were not Haldir's true King and Queen, however he had learned to trust them as much as he trusted his true Lord. At first he had feared that Galadriel and Celeborn would take Lothlórien from its rightful ruler. After the first years of their stay in the Golden Wood, Haldir began to reproach himself for turning his warrior heart to those two high Elves that, he was sure, would be claimed by the Woods themselves as their new rulers.

Without needing any explanation, Galadriel knew the reason that had brought the three brothers there. Gwaihir landed graciously by her side, whispered something into the Lady's ear, and then left once more to his home. Galadriel spoke lowly to her husband Celeborn, who then turned to the three Galadhrim to tell what news was brought to the woods.

'Elendil, through Gil-galad, asks our help to save his human friends from death,' he said lowly, his voice unwavering. 'Haldir, take some of our best warriors with you to the Men's village. It will take one day of journey, so be quick.'

Haldir absorbed the orders in silence, his heart racing in anxiety for what was about to come. He could sense the slight changing in the world. No one needed to tell him that, for he heard the world weep. He stood quietly while his trained mind worked. The Elf already knew which warriors he would take. And none of them were his brothers. Orophin and Rúmil wouldn't accompany him. They should stay behind with a platoon to keep protecting 'Lórien's borders, for they were the most qualified for that task. Haldir stared right into the eyes of his Lord when he finally spoke.

'As you wish, my Lord' and left after that.

Haldir gathered sixty of the best archers and swordsmen, and the fastest horses from the kingdom. Then he went home, and performed his usual ritual before a battle. Haldir checked on his finest sword, noticing if the blade was polished and sharp enough. One by one he examined the feathers of his arrows, seeing if they were aligned correctly and putting them inside of his quiver.

His brothers had many times teased him about his near obsession with the readiness of his weapons. Everyone who knew Haldir was aware that he never allowed his weapons to fall into disrepair. Though he could not explain it, he only knew that he felt better once he had given his weapons this final inspection.

One feather out of place and the shot was entirely lost. One blunt blade and he could be killed.

His daggers were placed in his boots and they shone with a deadly light. When he finished with all the weapons, Haldir changed into his magnificent armor. It was made of a golden material so bright that it was capable of blinding the eyes of a mortal. It was then that he noticed the soft footsteps entering his talan. He turned to face the intruder and met the fair figure of the Lady of Light in front of him. Haldir bowed his head in a sign of respect.

'What do you need, my Lady?'

Galadriel's immortal blue eyes were fixed on Haldir, as if they were scanning the Elf's thoughts and desires. Then she spoke, her voice deep with the weight of the countless ages she had already lived, but with the grace of those who had seen the Undying Lands.

'My dear Haldir, you have sensed the world's cry also.' Her face was solemn and ethereal, but her eyes seemed to stab him in his heart. 'Do not be clouded by your doubts when your part in this changing comes. I've foreseen it. Be careful with your choices, Commander.' She paused, her gaze so intense that it was hard for him to keep looking into those blue orbs. 'Now go. Your soldiers are waiting and so are Men.'

Haldir was a little confused by the Lady's words, but he bowed silently and left. His magnificent horse Arthung was already ready for him, as was the army of Elves that shone like stars in the dark of the night. He mounted and in a few moments they were on their way to the Men's village, with the moon above their heads.

H&H&H&H

A/N: Reviews, comments or just a note to say that you are still reading this story is highly welcome.