I Shall Wear A Red Cape
Disclaimer: I own an Aragorn action figure and that's it.
I crouched up in the tree, staring intently below. In my mind I was the Marchwarden of Lothlorien. No evil would ever enter Galadriel's Wood while I was guarding it. And as I never wanted evil to enter the Golden Wood, I would guard all of the time. It would be my purpose.
I would lead Lorien's Elf army. I would walk at the head of it in a red cape. I would not be afraid to die protecting my land. Thinking these noble thoughts, I arched my head proudly. All the other guardians would look up to me.
I shifted to a different position in the tree. My thoughts shifted as well. In my mind, orcs were surrounding my tree. I dodged imaginary arrows and sent down a few of my own, which hit the orcs dead on. When the enemy was vanquished, Galadriel herself came to thank me for saving her land.
I was torn from my reverie by a voice at the trunk of my tree.
"Haldir, come down. These borders are well protected."
Galadriel. I scrambled down most un-Elvishly and bowed neatly to the Lady.
"I was practicing to be Marchwarden milady."
"And you shall lead my army?"
"Yes. I shall wear a red cape."
She smiled, and then her face darkened. "What if you die in battle, child?"
"I shall no longer be a child when I lead your army. But if I do die, it will be worth it."
Galadriel smiled again and departed from my tree.
I called after her. "Namariё!"
Yes Haldir, you shall guard my borders. You shall lead all the others. They shall all look up to you. You shall kill orcs. You shall see battle.
And you shall die in your red cape.