Lord of the Rings: Pastime Promises, Memories

By: Shadow Chaser

Summary/Disclaimer:

Before the fellowship was created, before Sméagol/Gollum found the One Ring, there were the Elves who ruled the land with peace and serenity, guiding all to their fates.  One such fate is that of two young elves, Legolas of Mirkwood and Haldir of Lothlorien.  The best of friends, and the worst of rivals, here is their story of how the two went down their own paths to history.  Based off of the movie (Haldir does not die, but participated in the Battle of Helm's Deep) and the various history books by J.R.R. Tolkien.  I do not own the characters, situations, or languages of the Elves, these belong to Tolkien and I am not making a profit from this fic.

Characters:

Legolas of Mirkwood – Elven Prince of Mirkwood

Haldir of Lothlorien – future Elven general of Galadriel

Yulin of Lothlorien – Elven archer of Lothlorien

Thorwen of Lothlorien – Elven general of Galadriel

Artalion of Mirkwood – Guard general of Thranduil

Valiya of Mirkwood – Elven Swordmaiden of Mirkwood

Davandil of Lothlorien – Elven swordsman of Lothlorien

Arwen of Rivendell – Elven Princess of Rivendell

Mischa of Rivendell – Handmaiden for Arwen

Thranduil of Mirkwood – ruler of the Elves of Mirkwood

Galadriel of Lothlorien – Queen/Lady of the Lothlorien Elves

Elrond of Rivendell – Ruling Prince of Rivendell

Celeborn of Lothlorien – King/Lord of the Lothlorien Elves

(*Character list subject to change)

Story:

Prologue – Of All Things Must Come to Past

The Battle of Helm's Deep was done.  They had finally won, but the casualties were high.  Not only for the Men and Elves that participated in the battle, but also for those of the Uruk Hai, Goblins, and Men that were of Saruman's side.  In the waning daylight giving way to the noon-light of the sun, Legolas of Mirkwood walked around what used to be the front defensive wall of Helm's Deep.  He surveyed the dead bodies of both his fellow Elven compatriots, Men, and Uruk Hai, looking for salvageable arrows shot from others.  In his hand, he gripped the gift of the most beautiful and strongest bow given to him by Galadriel when they departed Lothlorien just those few weeks ago.  It seemed so long though, as he remembered the beautiful face of the Elven Queen, yet his gaze had lingered on the beauty of the bow given to him.

He suddenly bent down and pulled an arrow out of the decaying body of an Uruk Hai.  Glancing at its tipped point, he smiled grimly, it was useable and looked to be one of his original arrows that he had shot during the battle.  Wiping it clean with the fold of his cloak, he placed it back into his quiver.

"A good battle," a voice behind him spoke, startling him and he spun around to see Haldir, bloodied but in good health, leaning on the hilt of his sword in a casual manner, a wry grin on his semi-tired face.

"Yes," Legolas agreed, picking up another bow and examined the tip then wiped it clean and placed it in his quiver which was getting full of arrows, "I saw you fighting…you fought very well, but I think that had you not ducked at the last minute, that ax the Uruk Hai was wielding would have cut you in the back of your head."

"Hnn," Haldir looked a bit sheepish, but then again, Legolas didn't know what his friend was thinking as it had been a long time since they talked to each other, but only briefly during their stay in Lothlorien those weeks ago.  "You may be correct, but from what I saw, you and the dwarf were having a competition of sorts?"

"Ah, yes…that," now it was his turn to grin sheepishly, "it kind of grew when we were escaping to Helm's Deep and were attacked by Wargs.  But so far, I think I have the most kills of the two of us by far."

"You were always very competitive, my friend," Haldir shook his head and sheathed his sword, "even back then all those years ago."

"I seem to remember that you got the most kills, but I, having the most elaborate kills, you just hacked away at whatever there was," Legolas took out one more arrow and examined it, but then frowned and tossed it away.  It was a useless one, the tip broken off.

Haldir made a noise of a strangled agreement, "Who needs elaboration when you just slay your enemies.  Legolas of Mirkwood, you've gone a bit senile."

"Senile?  Me?  I happen to remember you to be the older one."

"Whatever, come friend, King Théoden wants a word with us," Haldir gestured to him with an outstretched hand of friendship and Legolas took it.  "Remember the time when you ate that berry bush and received a huge allergic reaction…"

"Don't remind me about it…"

                                    *                      *                      *

Chapter 1 – The Tale of Two Best Friends

Timeframe: 2,000 Years and more before Fellowship of the Ring

Legolas sat back in the high backed chair, bored with all the proceedings happening in the court of his father, Thranduil, ruler of the Woodland (Mirkwood) Elves, the largest Elven population settlement in the whole of Middle Earth.  He didn't know why his father wanted him in these proceedings; it wasn't like his father was going to die in the next few years.  He had time to learn, except he didn't want to.  He didn't want to be confined to a throne to deal with bureaucrats.  He wanted adventure, a sense of freedom…and he was not one to sit in a seat for a long time.  His mother, before she passed on, said that he was all the more active of Elves she had ever known, and was pretty feisty even when just a Youngling, wanting nothing of a ruling position even though he was known as the Prince of Mirkwood.

Fidgeting slightly, he wondered how long until he could leave.  The Trader Minister was babbling about something to the likes of Wargs raiding distant lands and how trade was going to be destroyed by these attacks.  The realm of Men was though but silent, after all they were not the ones to speak up because of those atrocities committed during the Second Age.  Though he himself was not born during the Second Age, his friend Haldir, an elf of Lothlorien, was.  Haldir had participated in the War of the Ring during the Second Age as a common soldier; he hadn't talked about it too much.

"And that is my report, Milord," the Trader Minister finished up and stepped back.

"Thank you," Thranduil, waved his hand to gesture for the next person to step up and make his report.

Legolas started slightly as he saw whom but Haldir with a small group of Lothlorien Elves, all armed to the teeth.  He sat up and watched his friend with interest, noting the tense strained expression on his face.

"Haldir of Lothlorien, you haven't passed by these woods in a long time, old friend," Thranduil's deep voice rumbled.

"Thranduil of Mirkwood," Haldir bowed slightly, "Prince Legolas, I bring grave news from The Lady of the Light Galadriel.  Followers of Sauron have arisen but we do not know where they will attack.  It is possible that they might be massing in Rhun, in the East.  We request assistance of a small contingent of your Elven warriors to help us in this quest."

"We have not heard of these attacks…what proof do you have?" Thranduil looked a bit skeptical and Legolas glared at his father before turning his attention back to Haldir and his group.

"We dare to think that it could be a Nazgul, self proclaimed to rule and is gathering all those he can muster to drive back the Elves.  The Orcs are already in its service and we've noted that they have begun to raid certain small settlements with Elven population," Haldir looked a bit pale with the news and Legolas knew that his friend had certain disgust towards Orcs who would only raid certain towns just to capture the Elves.  Though he didn't really know the reason why, pretty much everyone didn't like Orcs, as they were twisted and evil.

"Have you talked to Elrond about this?" Thranduil asked.

"Not yet, Milord," Haldir apologized, "The Lady of the Light bid me to come fast towards your kingdom because of your great army strength and able warriors."

Legolas tried to hide a smirk behind his impassive mask, as he knew that his father was very prideful of the great amount of Elves serving in the Woodland Army, much greater than those of Lothlorien and Rivendell combined.  Those were the right words to try to persuade his father and he knew that Haldir hit the jackpot.  However, the smirk on his face wasn't completely wiped away and unfortunately his father caught it.

"Do you find something amusing about all of this, Legolas?" he asked giving him an arched look.

He dared not to look at his friend who probably had a wry grin on his face, along with the rest of the people in the court and just stared at his father and mustered the strength to reply in a smooth voice.  "No, I do not find anything at all amusing, father.  Yet, I wonder," he hesitated for a fraction of a second to come up with something relevant, "if this 'Nazgul' is able to come with such power, then have the Rangers of the Northern Plains been informed?"

"To answer your question, my Prince, yes.  They have notified us that they've sent scouts out.  Elrond's sons are with them and it is most likely that Elrond himself knows of this threat," Haldir's voice betrayed no hint of laughter, but his eyes and the crinkle of the skin around them told otherwise.

"Then a contingent of my warriors will join you in this quest.  Pray that you do not fail," Thranduil said, and then waved his hand for Haldir and his group to leave.  "I shall be taking a recess for the rest of the day."

As the people of the court moved to leave to other business, Legolas stood up quickly to join them.  He wanted to talk to Haldir before they left and probably ask if he could join them.  He wanted something to do and going with his best friend seemed like a great idea. Just as he took two light steps towards the exit to the courtyard, his father's voice boomed out.

"Legolas, I would like to speak with you."

Freezing on the spot, he turned around and sighed, then noticed the warning look on his father's face.  He was in trouble, he knew it.  Following dejectedly, he walked behind his father, noticing that they were going to the open garden fields near the living quarters of the royal family.  It was probably one of the most beautiful wooded gardens there was, full of at least every single different species of tree on Middle Earth and had flowering plants along with small Elf-made waterfalls to give it a tranquil setting.

His father stopped at a clearing, secluded but giving enough light that it wasn't pitch black as most of the outer and some inner woods of Woodland were.  "You find these proceedings boring and uneventful," his father began without preamble.

"No, not really-"

"Don't lie in my face Legolas!" his father suddenly barked, and Legolas' eyes widened for a second before he involuntarily stepped back.  He had never seen his father so angry except for the time when he discovered that his wife, and Legolas' mother had been ravaged then killed and chopped to pieces by a raiding Orc party.  "Don't you ever lie to me."

Legolas didn't know what to say and stayed silent, trying to avoid his father's gaze, but something kept those piercing angry eyes on his.

"You are an Elf Prince, son," his father's tone softened, but those angry eyes didn't, "you are heir to your own part of the Elven community outside of here.  You must learn how to rule, how to become a benevolent ruler.  Wasting your time by longing for adventure with your head high up in the trees is not becoming of a future ruler."

"But I don't want to rule, father," Legolas pleaded.

"Silence!" his father suddenly roared, shutting Legolas up and making him step back again.  "Stubborn and mule-headedness are not going to get you anywhere but the life as a common soldier."

"So?  Maybe I do want to become a common soldier," Legolas was getting angry.  Why couldn't his father understand that he didn't want to rule?  He didn't want power over others; he just wanted to experience the world of his own, not by inheriting something.  "Maybe I do want to just disown my royal blood and just become a common soldier."

"You do, and I swear, you will be serving the life of a servant.  I will make your life hellish so that you would want to die, but are unable to.  You will wish to retreat into the Gray Havens, never to be seen again, but no, you will not be able to," Thranduil glared at him and he matched the glare with his own.

"You would do that to your own son?" he whispered dangerously.

"Right now, I have no son," Thranduil said and Legolas blinked back the surprise that erupted within him.

"Fine, then I guess I should be heading to the barracks, Milord," he gave a mock bow, all the while glaring at the Elf who was once his father, but now nothing more than a selfish bastard.  Turning on his heel, his made his way out of the secluded area, his fists clenched with anger.

                                    *                      *                      *

Haldir waited until Thranduil left the secluded place before stepping out of his hiding place.  He winced inwardly at what just happened.  Never before had he witnessed such an awful fight, not of a physical one, but one of verbal sparring.  He knew that during his times with Legolas his best friend didn't really drop too much hints about why he didn't want to rule, but never before did he knew it was this bad.  Walking back to where his company was, he mused over how to explain this to Galadriel when she would find out that Legolas was not with them.  He had wanted to make a personal request to Thranduil to let Legolas join in their quest, with the reasoning of his sharp bow skills and natural ability as a Ranger, even though he wasn't trained.

Now he didn't really know how to make that request without furthering enraging the king of the Woodland Elves.  Arriving at the place where his company was allowed to rest before making their second leg of the trip to Rivendell, he noticed the curious looks of Yulin, Davandil, and Petrio, the three other Elves who made up his company, and raised an eyebrow at them.

"Something the matter?" he asked.

"Just wondering where did you run off to," Yulin grinned at him, plucking at his bowstring and closing his eyes as he listened to the wonderful tune of it being pulled.

"Scouting," was Haldir's reply.

"Uh huh…scouting in Mirkwood where there is nothing to scout," Davandil replied.

"Hold your tongue Davandil, it is not Mirkwood, but Woodland that you speak of.  You are a guest here and you will treat it with respect, not some warmongering derogatory statement," he cuffed the brown-haired elf on the back of his head.

"Ow!" Davandil yelped and rubbed the back of his head then turned and sat down sullenly while staring off at some plant.

"Am I disrupting anything?" Thranduil's deep voice brought all of them to face the king who was standing with his hands clasped behind his back.

"No, milord," Haldir noticed the subtle signs of strain around the king's eyes as he bowed slightly in respect.  "Just instituting some discipline into my men."

"Hnn," Thranduil nodded curtly, "discipline is something some lack these days."

Haldir nodded in agreement, but inwardly he knew whom the king was talking about.

"But enough of this," Thranduil clapped his hands together, "I will be assigning three of my best warriors to join you.  They will meet you in a few hours before you are to leave, by the gates.  They are Artalion, my Guardsman, Valiya, and Rien."

"A She-Elf?!" Davandil looked incredulous and Haldir gritted his teeth against the impolite manner.  Davandil had always been old fashion, even after being born in the Third Age, and still retained some of the ignorance most of the more conservative Elves had, meaning they greeted She-Elves who were trained like warriors with the utmost contempt.  Haldir didn't even know the reason why Galadriel assigned him to his group, but figured that the Lady of the Light always knew what was best as she was also a Seer-of-Things.

"Hold your tongue Davandil," he turned slightly to face the Elven swordsman who was running a hand over the sheath of his long-sword.

"I assure you, Haldir of Lothlorien, if you have any qualms about Valiya, she is very capable," Thranduil said, pointedly ignoring whatever outburst Davandil had said.

"Unlike some, I do not doubt the strength of Elves, whether male or female," adding another glare to Davandil.

"Good, then until you leave, please enjoy whatever we have to offer to you," Thranduil looked to leave when Haldir burst out.

"Milord, do you know where I can find Legolas, as it has been too long since we've spoken to each other," he didn't know if Thranduil would order him executed for such an outburst, but he just wanted to know if the threats exchanged when he was spying on them were true.

Thranduil hesitated then said in what was an indifference voice, "Unfortunately, I do not know where the Prince is."  With that he left and Haldir was left standing, his mouth slightly opened in shock.  With the admission of just the title Prince and not even a single hint of familiarity in the words of Thranduil, then the threats must be true.

"Yulin, watch camp, I'm headed to the barracks."

"Why, if I may be inclined to ask, commander?" Yulin, the ever so disciplined Elf asked.

"Thranduil would not send Artalion, his Guardsman, unless there is something that he does not trust about us.  I have a feeling that things are growing darker in Woodland, and Thranduil might be behind it," Haldir frowned.

"It's that bad?"

"Possibly."

                                    *                      *                      *

Making his way towards the barracks, which was located near the entrance into the Woodland realm, he weaved his way through the various Elves practicing or sparring.  It was like walking back into the Lothlorien barracks, except this was on a much grander scale.  He noticed targeting ranges set up in various places and Elves were shooting at it, some hitting their mark over and over again, while others were obviously beginners and though hit their mark at what looked like close range, their instructors was yelling at them.

Suppressing a silent chuckle, Haldir passed by them and climbed the steps to the beautiful rocky complex that was the barracks itself.  He used to be one of the instructors for the Lothlorien Army, and was promoted out of that position and given the position of a field commander.  Though his goal, ever since he joined the Lothlorien Army during the Battle for Middle Earth in the Second Age, was to become the personal head general of the Lady of the Light, Galadriel.  Currently Thorwen, a female Elf who had but a wise tactical knowledge and the charisma to rally up her troops held that position.

Approaching who looked to be the quartermaster of the barracks he gave a quick salute, "I would like to talk to Rien, Artalion, and Valiya, if possible."

"Certainly Master Haldir of Lothlorien," the quartermaster replied, "Rien and Valiya are at their quarters, but Artalion is with the King at the moment.  He is, but of course, Lord Thranduil's personal Guardsman."

"I understand," Haldir frowned.  He did want to talk to Artalion to prod him a little, but if Artalion was with Thranduil, then it was impossible as Guardsmen rarely left their charge's side.  The only time he was able to talk to Artalion would be when they started their trip to Rivendell.  He was curious also to ask if Legolas was at the barracks, but he didn't know if it was public knowledge and held his tongue.

"Come this way Master Haldir," the quartermaster gestured and Haldir followed.

He was led through a maze of halls, but he memorized the route that they took, as it was a knack in him to memorize whatever path he took, and they arrived at a blank silver doorway.  This was one of the few doors to be closed and he realized that it was quarters of a female Elf.

The quartermaster knocked on the door, "Valiya, Master Haldir is here to see you."

"Send him in," was a muffled reply and the door slid open.

Haldir stepped in and the door closed silently behind him.  He was greeted with a salute by an Elf who was standing by her bunk.  Returning the salute, he noted that Valiya was actually quite beautiful, even by Elf standards, but her body language spoke of that of a warrior's.  On her bunk was a belt satchel, with an assortment of daggers and one very long staff with two wicked looking curved blades on the end.  He recognized the weapon as one he used during the Battle for Middle Earth.

"What can I do for you sir?" she asked, standing at attention.

She was very disciplined, he could give her that and tilted his head slightly, "I gather that Lord Thranduil has informed you of your mission with my group?"

"Yes sir," she replied, "I am to assist your company in searching for a threat against the Elven community."

"Did you volunteer for this?" he asked.

"No, sir.  I was chosen from all of the Swordmaidens of Woodland," she said without any hint of pride or arrogance and Haldir suppressed a whistle of exclamation.  The Swordmaidens of any of the three largest Elven communities were noteworthy as they were considered the best soldiers, even more than most barrack trained Elves.

"Do you know who your other two companions are?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Yes sir," she replied, "Rien of the Archery, and Artalion, Lord Thranduil's personal Guardsman."

"Good," Haldir nodded in approval, "then I shall be expecting you in a few hours along with them."  He made a move to leave the room and as the door slid open Valiya opened her mouth.

"Sir," she said and Haldir turned back to her, "I request a favor of you."

Perplexed, Haldir nodded a bit uncertainly, wondering what she would ask.

"I request that if we do see combat, then I would not be placed in the back lines.  I am a front line soldier, sir."

Haldir blinked once then looked at her closely.  He could tell that she desperately wanted to be placed in the front line and realized that even if she saw combat, she was usually placed in the back lines because she was a She-Elf.  "I will consider it," was his reply before he stepped out.

The quartermaster was waiting for him with what looked to be a leering grin on his face and Haldir stared at the Elf with disgust on his face.  "Is something the matter?"

"I should be saying this, but you are very lucky you know…Valiya rarely lets other Elves other than her fellow Swordmaidens into her quarters," the quartermaster said, sighing a bit wistfully and Haldir looked at him with incredulous eyes.  Was this Elf even thinking of what he thought he was thinking?

He stopped suddenly, making the quartermaster bump into him before grabbing a fistful of the Elf's collar of his tunic and shoved him up the wall of the hall that they were walking in.  Other Elf cadets and some soldiers stopped what they were doing and watched the proceeding with interested eyes, while others just scurried away, but Haldir didn't care for all that.  He focused his attention on the quartermaster and pinned him to the wall.

"Hey!  What's the meaning-"

"Shut up," Haldir whispered in a deadly quiet voice, "you, as the second of this barrack have no right to be saying such lewd and disgusting comments about such warriors as she or of anyone else.  If I hadn't known better, I'd say that you were an ugly dwarf, with nothing more than to snivel at your riches and fantasy."

The quartermaster spluttered, but Haldir silenced him further with another shove.

"I think it be best for me to report this to Lord Thranduil, don't you think," he allowed himself to smile in a predatory way, watching as the Elf's eyes widened with fear and surprise.

Dropping him to the ground, he spun and walked away, leaving the quartermaster to the ridicule of the others in the hall who both murmured and chuckled.  Grabbing a cadet by the sleeve he asked, "Where are Rien's quarters?"

"O-Over…t-there, s-sir," the cadet was completely green and was shaking slightly.

"Thank you," Haldir released him gently and walked in the direction the cadet pointed out.  He entered into the door-less quarters that were Rien's and noticed and Elf sitting on the top of two bunks, back facing him, in what looked to be a meditative position.  "Rien?" he asked hesitantly.

"Outside practicing, Haldir," the Elf replied and Haldir raised an eyebrow at being addressed so bluntly when he finally noticed the clothes the Elf wore and the style of the hair.  Blonde hair pooled down the back, with two distinctive raised braids running from the ear and back, ending in a miniature fishbone braid that tied the hair back.  His clothes were of a dark green hue, and by the side of his bunk laid a quiver with arrows in them, and two distinctive milky white handles of what looked to be daggers.  A bow rested against the wall and it was of a design that Haldir recognized.

"Legolas?!"

                                    *                      *                      *

Legolas suppressed a smile as he heard Haldir finally say his name.  It actually took him longer than he knew, but that could be accounted for the fact that the two best friends had not seen each other in such a long time.  "Took you long enough," he said then opened his eyes from his meditative position and turned to face his friend.  "I heard you outside giving Gilgald a talking," he grinned at him and Haldir rubbed his brow.

"How many more of these Woodland Elves are sick bastards?  Especially the happy-go-lucky ones who seem to always get on my nerves?" he asked then waved his hand to stop Legolas from answering, "don't bother…I don't want to know.  The sooner I get out of here, the better."

"I heard that Artalion is going with you," Legolas watched his friend's face carefully for any reaction at all, but found none.  If Haldir was grimacing beneath that chiseled mask of impassivity, then he was hiding it with a professionalism that he himself had never seen before.

"It will be fine.  Guardsmen are good at scouting," Haldir replied, "so, if I may be inclined to ask, what are you doing here?  From what I found out last time, you were a Prince living in the royal facilities."

Legolas suppressed a wince of the recent fight that had erupted between his father and him.  Haldir didn't know and was just making a joke.  But even in ignorance, it still hurt slightly.  He shrugged, "I convinced my father that I should at least spend a few days in the barracks to better understand the ways of soldiers."

"Oh," was the reply he received from his friend before his friend sat down on the wooden chair in the room he shared with Rien, "don't lie to me Legolas.  I heard what happened between your father and you."

Legolas blinked in surprise.  It was common knowledge then, the fight and disownment between his father and him?  He wondered if the various cadets and soldiers outside had already heard the news and bowed his head down in shame.  He was disgraced forever…

"It's not common knowledge Legolas," Haldir continued and Legolas' head snapped back up, "I was listening to your conversation."

"So you were the one in the trees.  I knew there was someone," Legolas narrowed his eyes in anger, "and so you decided to come here to convince me about apologizing?"

"No, I just came here to see if you needed someone to talk to.  Of not being noble born, the perspective is a bit different, need I remind you."

"No, I don't think I need a reminder," Legolas sighed and leaned back against the wall, "it's not bad here.  So far the other Elves have accepted my lie, but I wonder how long it will last.  I probably will disappear and run to one of the outer Elf communities to stay there after a few weeks.  My father wouldn't want me around anyways and having them constantly talking about me would probably be a bit unnerving."

"You know, you're always welcomed in Lothlorien.  The Lady of the Light is always welcoming strangers with open arms and certainly you are no stranger," Haldir didn't like to see his friend in such a dejected state.  He wondered if the usually cheerful Legolas that he knew had been scared away, only to be replaced by a sullen Elf.

"Thank you, Haldir," Legolas cracked a smile then stood up, signaling that their brief conversation was at an end.  Though he missed his friend terribly, it seemed a bit awkward to reminisce about old times when he was in such a position.  Clasping his forearms, he gave it a strong shake, "I will be seeing you off before you leave for your quest."

"Then I look forward to it," Haldir replied.

                                    *                      *                      *

Author's End Notes:

            By far, I like working on this fic better than my Dragonspire one at least a year ago, and thus will probably continue it since it's the prelude to LoTR and The Hobbit.  Hope you enjoyed it so far!  Oh yeah, my muse, Haldir made me write the fic.  He's been hopping mad since he found out that the character with the same name as his was put into the movie and got killed…