Title – Behind the Mirror.

Chapter – 2 - Dreams of Fire.

Pairing – Haldir/Oc

Rating – M – Just to be safe.

Warnings – Romance, violence.

Quick Intro – Ella protects a boy, pretending he is her son, they find themselves at the mercy of the Elves, specifically the March Warden, secrets unfold and under the arrogance and contempt a passion begins to burn.

Disclaimer – I don't own any of the character from Lord of the Rings alas they belong to J.R.R Tolkien, there is no financial gain here just a love of fanfiction.

Chapter Two

In the early hours of the morning Ella stirred and Haldir felt his stare go cold, she was still lying to him, he knew she was, yet her pain seemed to be true. She stretched before opening her eyes, sleeping with her eyes shut must have been something she adapted to while sleeping around humans. Almost instantly she sat up and called out for Cal, she seemed to jump when Haldir spoke "The boy is sleeping, you will follow me." He stood and climbed down the ladder he knew her leg would still be aching but her discomfort was not his problem.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by her "March Warden, I assume we are to travel to the city today so I can meet your Lady of the wood, if this is the case all I ask is we go by foot, Cal is afraid of horses." Haldir simply nodded but in his mind he formed more questions, why was he afraid, what had happened, had she come all this way by foot and nothing more.

Ella followed him silently through the trees until they heard laughter, it was Cal, Haldir could see he was sat by Orophin and Rumil eating breakfast and laughing at Rumil who was pulling silly faces. Ella overtook Haldir as they entered the clearing, upon seeing their brother Rumil stood up and become serious standing tall and not smiling, Orophin on the other hand stood up and smiled to Ella "Cal has been telling me of your journey, it seems you have had many adventures along the way."

Ella smiled to the charming elf, in order to keep Cal happy and entertained over the long roads they had travelled she had made up stories and games, creating adventures from the lands they were walking through. Cal ran over to Ella and she picked him up and hugged him, he whispered in her ear but the elves heard him loud enough "Did the mean tree-hugger hurt you?" He did seem genuinely worried and Haldir tried not to stare icily at the child. Instead he stared at Rumil who was trying not to laugh at someone calling Haldir a tree-hugger.

"I am fine Cal and the tree-huggers name is Haldir, I am sorry I did not put you to bed last night, I feel asleep after talking with Haldir for so long." Cal smiled as she put him down "That's okay Orophin told me a story for bed time, it was great, it had a dragon in it that had breath of fire." Ella looked over to Orophin smiling before speaking excitedly to the boy "Really, you will have to tell me all about it."

Without being told Ella took Cal's hand and followed Haldir as he led them through the forest, Orophin walked with his brother for a while before moving behind them and disappearing in to the trees above them, although Ella knew he still kept pace with them.

After a few hours of walking Cal turned to Ella and asked "Where are we going?" "I think we are going to see the Elves." Cal became very excited "Do you think they all live in tree?" she laughed again "I believe they do." They walked on with Cal talking animatedly about Orophin and the Elves they could meet once in the city. They stopped briefly for food and rest although Ella could tell the March Warden had not wanted to stop, she on the other hand was grateful her throbbing leg was beginning to ache and needed rest.

After a few hours more of walking Cal silently turned to Ella and she instantly picked him up and carried on walking, the sun was low in the sky and Cal was exhausted, Ella also felt tired but would not admit it to the haughty March Warden. Haldir had barely even spoken to them the entire journey. Ella heard a rustle in the trees above and smiled when Orophin dropped next to Haldir, they began whispering and although she tried Ella could not make out what they were saying.

Haldir stopped walking and looked back at her scowling slightly, he returned his gaze ahead of him "We carry on, it is not much further." Ella knew she was meant to hear his words and the contempt in his voice. Orophin frowned at Haldir before turning and walking towards her, she stood there watching them as he approached "May I carry Cal the rest of the way? It is not far and we cannot stop." She smiled to him and noticed the anger on the March Wardens face, he had obviously not asked Orophin to help, he looked annoyed and shot her a glance before stalking forward towards the distant city.

The weight of the now sleeping Cal had made Ella begin to limp slightly, Haldir saw this but decided the sooner they got to the city, the sooner he would find out what she was lying about. He didn't know why she annoyed him so, if she was telling the truth then he should feel sympathy for her but all he felt was anger and he did not know why. They carried on walking and Haldir could hear Orophin telling Ella about the different trees and creatures of the land, Ella talked of Lord Elrond and Rivendel where she had grown up, she did not speak of meeting her husband or her decision to leave the elven land and Orophin did not push the subject.

Haldir realised he wanted to know, she intrigued him, why would an elf fall for a human, why would she leave the Elven land for that of a human one, why did she travel to Lothlorien and not Rivendel, who did she leave behind, did she want refuge and a place to live in Lorien. He wanted to hear more but Orophin spoke the rest of the way about the land once more.

Once they reached the city Orophin promised Ella he would stay at the foot of the mellon tree while she spoke with the Lady, Cal was still asleep and she had not wanted to wake him, Haldir led her up to the platform and she waited as the Lord and Lady decended. The Lady smiled to her and she nodded her head to both but did not bow, Haldir could not believe it when she spoke first but he remained silent, it was not the time for him to reprimand her.

"Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel, it is an honour to see you again." Haldir kept his face calm but inside he was reeling, he had not idea the she had met the Lord and Lady before, he felt sure he had never met her before. He listened as she continued.

"I have done what you, Master Gandelf and Lord Elrond asked of me though I feel we were too late in our plans, you have heard nothing from them?" Lord Celeborn stepped forward and addressed her "Do not worry yourself Ella they are fine, they were delayed by a few days nothing more, you will see them before the next moon I hope. How is the boy?" She smiled but returned her face to a passive look "He is tired of travelling but has adapted well, he kept to his word and spoke the plan to no-one."

Galadriel smiled and came forward "You have become attached to him young one." Haldir noticed she kept her stance to attention but softened her face "He is so innocent and young, it would have been impossible for me not to get attached, I assume that was apart of your plan as well." Galadriel smiled "You see more then you let on, you have had a hard journey but I fear there is more heartache to come." She looked over to Haldir briefly then stepped back next to her husband "The boys father…and mother have entered the forest and will be here by morning, is there anything you need before you retire for the night?"

Haldir notice she held her breath before asking "I have lied to your March Warden and to one of your soldiers, I believe an explanation is expected of me, though I doubt they would believe me if your assurance was not given." Lord Celeborn looked over to Haldir "Haldir please fetch Orophin, Ella is right you two deserve an explanation." Haldir nodded and left the platform but soon returned with Orophin in tow.

Orophin place Cal on a long seat and he did not stir, he then came to stand to attention next to Haldir and bowed in respect to the Lord and Lady, Celeborn nodded to Ella to begin, she turned to the two but did not meet Haldir's eyes "My name is Ella and he is Cal but he is not my son like I led you to believe, he is the son of the last royal family of the North. I was summoned to protect him, his mother and father fled to Rivendel once the royal house was attacked. It was at the border to Rivendel the plan was put into action, I was to take on the role of Cal's mother and travel with him to Lorien. His mother and father would travel a different route and we would meet here, the last royal family are the only ones who can sign the treaty between the dwarfs and the humans allowing the mining of the mountain to carry on."

Both elves listened with interest "There are a group of humans who do not want the dwarfs to mine, they would have the whole land to themselves, it was explained that the dwarfs were the rightful owners to the mine but they did not see it that way, they saw through greedy eyes. I left with Cal and brought him here, Lord Elrond left with the other members of the family and thankfully have also arrived."

Ella finally met Haldir's eyes though they gave nothing away to his thoughts or feelings "I was never married, although I was not the only one sent to protect the boy, there was another acting as my husband but he was killed, Cal did not see this and I have not told him, he believes the man left to help his father fight. It is my belief that he had gone through so much that telling him of another death would have been cruel."

She looked to Lord Celeborn who placed his hand on her shoulder "She is speaking the truth, the family of Lockhorn wrote to Lord Elrond fearing the trouble to come, they pleaded with his loyalty to the family to come and help them, he sent two of his most loyal warriors, Ella was one of them and after a little persuading she agreed to the plan that was formed. Haldir the family approach via the west gates, they will be here by sunrise, preparations for their stay are already under way."

Haldir nodded and Ella spoke again "I do not apologise for the lies, they were needed before and I was not sure I could trust you, I am sorry for the threat I held to you March Warden." Haldir nodded but did not speak. Ella turned to the Lord and Lady "I have done what you asked in bringing the boy to your land, I will not leave him now, he trusts I will protect him and I will do so until I am certain of his safety. You both know my connections to Rivendel, however the child's safety is now my first concern."

She nodded to them both before walking over to Cal bending to pick him up, Lord Celeborn spoke as he walked over to her and she stood without picking up the Cal, "The child needs no protection while he is here and his parents are on their way to look after him, it is not your place to state the terms of his guidance." Where many would have backed down from the stern words of the noble Lord, Ella stood tall as she replied to him.

"His parents are good people but they waited too long before calling for help, they will return to their city and lead their people once again, how long will it be before the rebels force them from their homes once more? Cal is too young to care about such things yet his dreams are filled with worry, I will protect him for as long as he needs me with or without your permission." Haldir braced himself to restrain the woman or defend the Lady but Ella spoke again softer then before "I mean no disrespect to you or those in your land but you knew why I refused in the first place, all I wanted to do was live out the rest of my days in Rivendel but that was not good enough for you. You have given me a purpose again and I thank you, you both may rule this land but you do not govern me, not anymore." She stood tall before bending and picking Cal up, he stirred slightly and snuggled down in her arms.

Lord Celeborn did not speak but Galadriel came forward and stroked Cal's head "His mind is filled with dragons and fire, he is calm this night. I believe you are more surprised then anyone that you now love the child, this is all I hoped to achieve on this journey, I prey you remember this love even when the child is no longer with you." Although she smiled Ella felt a shiver run down her soul "The child, will always be with me my Lady. I will get some rest before sunrise."

Thank You to Milaskovich for being the first person to review one of my stories.

Many Thanks.

SoloSea