Title: 'First Impressions'
Author: Anarane Narmolanya
Type: FCS
Genre: Romance, Adventure, some angst
Characters: Haldir/ OFC, Galadriel, Celeborn, OC's
Rating: Eventually M

Disclaimer: I hereby quote that I Anarane Narmolanya receive no profit for publishing LOTR Fan fiction. I do not own the characters except for Brynwyn, but I don't make a profit.

Summary: Brynwyn, daughter of the chief advisor of Mirkwood, is sent to Treetown (a human town) from Lothlorien on the matter of gaining diplomatic experience. As such, Haldir is appointed as her guardian. But before the journey has even begun, they fall into each other's bad graces. Will they survive the trip and each other? Or succumb to hatred and disdain. Please heed the M warning.

This story contains images on .com. The images/ manips have been designed personally and represent how I would view certain characters.

Warning: While eroticism is not the focus of this story, it does contain sexual contentand warrants an eventual M rating.

~~~ Chapter 1 ~~~

"My Lady, I have no wish to care for a little elfling," the Marchwarden grumbled.

Galadriel raised her eyebrow sternly at her commander. "You will do as bidden, Marchwarden."

Haldir grimaced, but bowed his head. "Of course my Lady, my obedience was never in question."

Galadriel nodded. "Lord Idhrenion is a valued guest, as always. Yet his young daughter Brynwyn is new here and she is no elf ling. You are to take Brynwyn to Treetown upon Gladden River. Her father wishes her to have the maximum amount of experience before being promoted from scribe to advisor. Treetown is a relatively serene town as you know, but she will still need protection. It is a mediocre task, but Thranduil is fond of them both, yet he was unable to spare warriors for this length of time. You are my most trusted warrior, the wisest and strongest. You will take Brynwyn to this town where she will present an iron trade agreement to Lord Hildan. She has skills in this area that are far beyond even her age and I can think of no two people more worthy to convince these stubborn peoples to participate. You leave two days henceforth." She paused and looked him over in amusement. "And who knows, you may find something you have been missing, Haldir."

Haldir's eyes narrowed suspiciously and the Lady laughed before dismissing him. With a formal salute and a bow he took his leave.

As Marchwarden it was his duty and oath to live in service of his Lord and Lady, yet Haldir could not help but feel exasperated at this new mission. Galadriel had insisted he take a leave after many years of constant service; as commander he would have thrashed anyone who argued when he organised monthly leaves, yet he had never taken such care with himself. He would have preferred to stroll amongst the boughs in his home and even go camping, but he would spend the next week or two watching the whereabouts and doings of a young she-elf, barely out of swaddling.

Haldir paused as he heard a noise from the river. His ears twitched and his senses strained to identify friend from foe. Feeling no danger, yet his curiosity piqued, he crept silently towards the source of noise. Stepping behind a trunk, his breath caught as a vision rose from the river surface.
An elleth with fiery auburn hair broke the surface and arched her slender back as water ran in rivulets down her body. His mouth became suddenly dry as he watched one particular droplet trail between her perfectly rounded breasts, down her flat abdomen and disappear into the river. He would have given anything at that moment to be that droplet of water.

The stunning, strange elleth exited the water, her long auburn curls trailing down her back. She suddenly froze and looked about, and to Haldir's dismay her deep green eyes focused sharply upon him. With a horrified gasp she dove for her gown and lifted it to cover herself.

"Who are you? Come out from there, you coward!" she snapped.

With an exasperated sigh, Haldir stepped out from behind the tree and regarded the elleth haughtily.

Brynwyn regarded the stunning creature before her in surprise; his delicately pointed ears were visible from beneath a fall of thick, heavy, silky hair which fell down his chest and back in waves. His head was almost twelve inches taller than her own, and he had the broadest, most muscular body she had ever seen in an elf. He was power and masculinity in elven form. Yet it was his eyes that caught her attention most: ice blue irises beholding wisdom, intelligence, coldness and even mischief stared back from above a proud, perfect nose. His exquisite full lips were set in a sharp edged, high-cheek boned face that set her pulse quickening and not only in anger.

"You are an elf of Lothlorien?" she gasped before looking at him in outrage. "How dare you! Is this the hospitality of Lorien? For its sons to spy on ellith as they bathe! Shame on you! What is your name? The Lady will hear of this."

Haldir leant casually against the tree trunk, his arms folded across his huge chest as he regarded her in amusement. He had been caught, he may as well enjoy himself. "It is not I who is in the wrong, Mistress. Frolicking in the Celebrant is forbidden. I could have had you shot if I so chose."

Her glare darkened. "You dare to try to switch blame to me? And I was not frolicking, but I am sure you knew that," she replied saucily before her back straightened. "Now I would have your name."

To her frustration, his eyes slowly raked over her barely clad form before rising back to her own aluminous, emerald eyes. "There are many things we all would have which are denied, Mistress."

Her lip curled at his seductive tones before he straightened and cleared his throat. "I will, however, propose terms."

She regarded him in suspicion. "Terms?"

He grinned at her and her eyes narrowed. "Aye, a kiss for my name."

She gasped in outrage before her hand shot out to slap him; in a movement quicker than she could comprehend she found her wrist seized before it could land, and she was pulled up against the powerful body. Brynwyn could not struggle, for to do so would mean she would lose her gown. Not that he had not already taken his eyeful, she thought angrily.

"Release me, you fiend! Is this how you treat all of your guests?"

He smirked and pulled her closer. Brynwyn's eyes bulged as she felt something hard poke her hip, and to her horror she felt warmth coil in the bottom of her stomach.

"Nay, only the stunning ones." His bold fingers trailed down her bare back, and Brynwyn could barely suppress a shiver that left him chuckling. With outrage consuming her she released the gown and delivered a slap to his cheek that made him jerk away before she clutched her gown once more.

"You are an orc," she spat fiercely. The warrior regarded her coolly and Brynwyn felt her breath catch. She had truly angered him.

He straightened his back and looked her over, this time disdain flashing within his eyes. Yet his face remained a cool, collected mask. "Very well, Mistress, I will leave you. Let us hope you do not meet an orc worse than I." With that, the warden spun on his heel and stormed away, tension and anger radiating from his muscular form.

Brynwyn waited until he was out of sight before swiftly dressing and brushing back her hair. She cautiously glanced about and collected her things before threading her way through the trees back towards the city.

Once inside Brynwyn sighed with relief. She had most certainly been worried about colliding with that pompous, arrogant toad once more. She shivered in disgust, the very thought of him made her tremble with rage. In a dark recess of her mind a voice reminded her of her earlier reaction to the proximity of his masculinity and the spark she had felt between them. She silenced the voice and continued down the path to their temporary living quarters. Her father would be waiting for her to attend the evening meal at the Lady's dining table.

Idhrenion was sitting upon the porch gazing peacefully about the city as she stepped onto the platform.

"Ah, Brynwyn, I was just about to have a search party sent for you. Come dear, we do not wish to be late."

"One moment, Adar." She brushed past him to place her belongings before the fire to dry before joining him at a trot and accepting his arm.

"How was your first day in Lothlorien, iell nin?"

Brynwyn chewed her lip thoughtfully. She would refrain from telling her father of the obnoxious warrior, for he would only cause a fuss, and the embarrassment such a revelation would cause would be almost too much to bear. She opted for a blinding smile instead.

"It is beautiful here, Adar, so peaceful and bright. I simply took my time to bathe and relax. And you, Adar?"

"The same, child, there is such a different atmosphere here. Much more..." he paused in thought. "Tranquil."

Brynwyn chuckled before inwardly snorting. Tranquil, indeed. They reached the second platform within the royal tree, where they were guided through a large antechamber to a huge public dining room already filled with standing, bustling elves awaiting their meal.

Brynwyn gazed at the different faces in fascination and blushed as many gazes of admiration and awe were returned. She could not refrain from letting her gaze wander in search of a pair of particular icy blue. Strangely saddened, Brynwyn took her seat beside Celeborn after greetings were exchanged, and grew angry at herself for feeling so. That fool should not cross her mind.

"So, Brynwyn," Celeborn began. "Have you been amongst the Adan before?"

"Aye, Adar and I have been to Dale, Esgaroth and Rohan numerous times by order of King Thranduil. I find humans... fascinating to an extent." Those at the table chuckled at her choice of words.

"Ah, an elleth with a silver tongue. One after my own heart," Galadriel's chief advisor, Arbellason, teased as he raised his goblet. Laughter broke out about the table.

"You know what this mission entails, do you not, Child?" Galadriel asked gently once the meal was finished.

"Yes, my Lady, my Adar explained the details a short while ago. I am to travel with a guardian by the name of Haldir, am I not?"

"Aye, he is our Marchwarden," the Lady replied with obvious affection. "Ah, here he is now."

Brynwyn rose to her feet with her father, a smile of excitement upon her stunning face. She had heard much talk of the fierce, heroic Marchwarden of Lothlorien, and looked forward to making his acquaintance.

"Haldir!" Celeborn called.

Haldir made his way through the crowd until he appeared before his Lord. They clasped arms in greeting, his back turned towards the guests.

"My Lord?"

"Haldir, I would like to introduce you to Lady Brynwyn, daughter of Lord Idhrenion. You will be accompanying her on this mission." Haldir turned and ice blue eyes clashed with flaming emerald. Haldir tensed and Brynwyn gasped before they stepped back from one another; the tension between them was palpable and the other elves frowned.

"Brynwyn, are you well?" Idhrenion asked in concern.

"Yes, Adar." Her gaze hardened as she looked over the formidable Marchwarden.

"Haldir, is something wrong?" Celeborn questioned, confusion obvious upon his face. Haldir's face twisted into an arrogant smirk.

"It seems, my Lord, that Lady Brynwyn and I have already met"

TBC

Author's Note:

Don't panic readers, some things may seem confusing in this chapter, but all will become clear.

Translation:
Adar: Father
Iell nin: My daughter
Adan: Human

Ellith: Elven women

Name: Meaning: Pronunciation
Idhrenion: Wise :(Eeth-rehn-ee-on)
Brynwyn: - : (Brin-win)

Arbellason: Noble strength: (Ar-bell-ass-on)