Author's note: Normally, I have to sit down for hours and think of plot lines, but this one came to me one night when I couldn't sleep! I hope you all like it, I am trying not to make this character a Mary-Sue but they always seem to turn out like it!
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings and its characters, except the plot and my own characters ... shame really.
Chapter 1: Farewell to Lothlorien
"Captain," barked Haldir, "word has just reached my ear that the Lady Galadriel wishes to speak with you."
Alasse jumped at the sound of his voice, even though she had heard it a million times before it still sent shivers down her spine. She turned to face her Captain, smiling broadly at his stern face. Knowing that it would not take long before that look would be wiped off his face; she walked slowly up to him and brushed her fingers along his side.
"No need to be so abrupt Captain." She replied in mock harshness.
Haldir frowned at her whilst trying to conceal his amusement. His mouth twitched as she walked around the back of him and planted kisses on his neck, making the hairs stand on end. Crossing her arms around his chest, she whispered softly into his ear.
"So, Captain." She breathed. "Do you know why I have been summoned?"
"No." He answered a smirk now prominent on his face. "But I do think that you should answer her, my lady."
"Who says I am a Lady, Captain." She growled.
Chuckling he turned round and pressed his lips against hers forcefully. He of course knew that she had just earned one point against him, but he did not care. It was worth every minute. He cupped her face in his hands and stroked her cheeks gently with his thumbs. He felt her smile against him. After what seemed like eternity, they drew apart and looked each other in the eye.
"Well Captain, the Lady calls and Alasse shall answer." She said briskly.
He grabbed her hand as she made her way from the room.
"You will return?" He asked. "For I must ask you something."
She smiled and kissed him gently on the cheek. "I will my Captain, I will!" She chortled, and then swiftly exiting the room.
Alasse walked slowly through the every darkening forest of Lothlorien, and even though she had lived under the giant trees for almost four thousand years now; the sight caught her breath every time she walked through them. Whole cities perched on the branches, not moving even in a brisk wind. Thousands of years of history never fading, and will never fade. Shinning as brilliantly as they did when they were fist built. Alasse came to the largest tree of them all; stairs winding up its bark. The city of Galadhrim; the eldest and most magnificent of all Elven cities. Ascending the steps, she knew immediately something was not right, for no singing could be heard drifting through the trees, none of her kinsmen was dancing merrily. Her heart was troubled by this, and she knew that whatever the Lady Galadriel had called her for would not be pleasant.
When she reached the top of the staircase, she was hit by a crowd of very troubled looking Elves. Messengers from Mirkwood and Rivendell, Thranduil and Elrond's men. Nervously, she made her way across to the Lady Galadriel and coughed to attract her attention. Galadriel turned slowly, and smiled gravely when she saw Alasse.
"You summoned me, my Lady." She said quietly, not daring to look into her searching eyes; for they knew more than she wished to let out.
"At last Captain," she answered, smiling and beckoning Alasse to sit with her. "I was afraid that you had not received my message. I trust that I did not disturb your watch?"
"Not at all," Alasse answered, feeling somewhat more relaxed, "we have not seen or heard from another soul."
"For that I am relieved." Whispered Galadriel, leaning forward and looking her straight in the eye. "I have been sent a messenger from Thranduil of Mirkwood. The beast that was trapped is free."
Alasse's eyes widened, it could not possibly be true. He had been trapped for over three thousand years; he could not have possibly escaped without outside help. When she voiced this thought to Galadriel, she nodded gravely.
"I am afraid that dark forces are stirring." She sighed. "The Elves cannot contain the evil that has awakened, and it will not be long before Sauron has gained the strength he once had. It has been found Alasse, hiding from us all these years."
"The One Ring had been found?" Exclaimed Alasse, fear washing over her. "Where?"
"In a land called the Shire, habited by Halflings." She said, with a fond smile. "Concealed from our eyes for sixty years, but now the enemy knows that we have it and they will stop at nothing until they find it. The Nazgul have already been awoken."
"Nazgul!" Muttered Alasse, feeling her voice leave her throat.
"That is all that you will need to know for now." Said Galadriel, taking Alasse by the hand. "But it was only I that summoned you. I received word from Lord Elrond of Rivendell that a Council is to be met. He wants an able Captain to attend; and that is you."
Alasse's mouth opened slightly in surprise. "If you so not mind me asking my Lady," Alasse began cautiously, "why have you chosen me? Why not Haldir?"
"I chose you because of you time as a Ranger." Stated Galadriel simply. "You have been to places that Haldir has not, and he will stay and protect the forests. He knows Lothlorien better than anyone – even I for that matter." She added with a smile.
Alasse fell silent. An enormous pride made her chest swell and she felt better about what was being asked of her. But seconds after that feeling surfaced, another one reared its ugly head; sorrow. Her leaving for Rivendell would mean leaving Haldir behind. Her expression must have told a story to Galadriel, because she voiced exactly what she was thinking.
"I am sure that Haldir will understand you departure." Smiled Galadriel. "He will have duties of his own to attend to."
Alasse nodded and slowly rose from her chair; Galadriel followed suit. She pulled Alasse into an embrace, trying to retain any shred of hope.
"You shall leave with a small company tomorrow morning." Stated Galadriel, letting go of Alasse. "Good luck, and may the Valar be with you child."
"Thank you my Lady." Replied Alasse.
Alasse bowed deeply at the Lady and hastily exited the room, eager to be with her own thoughts without worry of them being read. Not only was this a major step to take, but to do it without Haldir. They had been together for over a thousand years, only being apart for days at a time; a breath in the life of an Elf. But she could tell, even before she set off, that this journey would entail being away months if not years. For the One Ring would not be destroyed by any simple means.
She descended the last step of Galadhrim, and felt the soft, springy grass under her bare feet. Not noticing where her feet where carrying her, not even acknowledging the many Guards that saluted her as she passed them. Instead of returning to her treetop home as she had promised Haldir she would do so, she carried on walking and eventually took up her normal watch position facing south of Lothlorien. It was not her turn for the watch tonight, but Alasse had always found great rest here. The slow trickle of the many small streams that ran through the woods, the birds sounding their early evening calls and the steady setting of the sun. She felt the debate going on between her heart and her head. On the one hand, her heart told her to refuse Galadriel's proposal and stay with Haldir. On the other hand, her head was telling her that this was a great challenge laid before her and she should accept. She knew that her head was right, but she loved Haldir dearly, and she could not bear to leave him.
"You must have to worst memory of any Elf I have ever met." Stated an amused voice from behind her.
Alasse jumped as if someone had put a sword to her throat, and it did not help matters when it turned out to be Haldir standing behind her.
"Haldir." She said breathlessly. "I am sorry! I just lost track of time."
But Haldir simply kissed her on the cheek and took a seat next to her in the treetop. "That is one of the many things that I love about you," he chuckled, "unpredictable!"
But Alasse did not smile; instead she turned to face the horizon. Haldir instantly knew that something was troubling her. It distressed him greatly to see her melancholy; for she never wiped the smile upon her face, even in her sleep. So to see her clearly upset about something made him realise that something terrible must be happening.
"I have to go, Haldir." She sobbed suddenly. "I have to leave for Rivendell in the morning and I do not know when I shall return!"
"What has happened?" Asked Haldir sounding extremely concerned, pulling her close and squeezing her shoulders tight.
"The One has been found." She wept, clutching at Haldir's tunic. "I must leave for Rivendell at dawn tomorrow for a Council, and I do not wish to leave! I wish to stay and be with you for the future is blurred and I do not know whether we shall meet again after I depart."
"You must go, Alasse." Pushed Haldir. "You must. The Lady Galadriel clearly thinks very highly of you to ask, and when the Lady Galadriel calls, Alasse shall answer."
Alasse slowly lifted her head and greeted Haldir's eyes. She knew he was right of course, he always was (although, you will never hear her admit this, oh no) but still her heart had control over her head.
"Now," said Haldir briskly, sitting her up and stroking her cheeks, "I wanted to ask you something and I had better do it now before you leave."
"I do not – "she began, but he overrode her by pressing his finger lightly against her lips.
"Please, let me finish." He whispered, bringing his hands up to his tunic pocket and taking a small wooden box from it. "I would be honoured if you would answer yes to my next question; will you be my wife?"
Alasse's eyes widened, allowing further rivers of tears to escape from them. She took the box from Haldir and opened it carefully. What was inside caught her breath; a ring of pure silver, a jewel of sparkling emerald in the centre.
"I-I," she stammered, looking up at Haldir, who seamed nervous. "Y-Yes." She breathed, making a triumphant smile shoot across his face.
Haldir pulled Alasse into an embrace and kissed her gently on the lips. When they parted, he saw in her eyes that she meant to stay. But he knew that it was not her destiny, he knew that she was meant to help in all of this.
"We shall be married on your return." He said softly, kissing her on the forehead.
"But I do not wish to leave you!" She argued, sitting up and facing him.
"You may not, but I wish to give into destiny Alasse!" He retorted. "My proposal is a promise that we shall see each other again, and then we shall marry."
Alasse smiled. It was then that her mind was made up; she would go to Rivendell and where ever after. If Haldir believed in her this much, then perhaps she should too.
Author's note: Don't you just love Haldir (say yes or I'll kill you with a spoon)!
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