Chapter 3
As Haldir made his way up to his sister's flet, he noticed her talking with Rumil and Orophin; but as soon as Talar saw him, she stopped and ran up to Haldir and embraced him with another hug. Talar loved Rumil and Orophin, but sometimes they could be a bore. Haldir on the other hand would tell his sister tales of his travels and old stories of the Golden Wood.
Haldir entered the room and poured a bowl of stew and sat down with his brothers. Rumil and Orophin looked at him as if to say "Well?" "What happened?" Haldir gave them a look that said, "Not in front of our sister." Rumil and Orophin took the hint and said nothing. Talar had been busy chatting and had not seen the exchange between the brothers. She turned to Haldir and sitting down said, "Brother, tell me a story of this last time you were guarding." "You looked so intense when I saw you , something delightfully exciting must have happened."
Haldir smiled at Talar and said, "I have a bad habit of always looking intense." He lovingly nudged her with his foot and said, "I would rather hear how you have been planning for the festival." That was enough of a change of subject for Talar. "Oh!" she exclaimed, "I can hardly wait for it!" Looking at her brothers she asked, "Would you like to see the dress I made?" The brothers all nodded yes.
With a delighted smile she ran to the closet and took it out. Rumil and Orophin let out small gasps and even Haldir was surprised. It was a most beautiful dress. "It is incredible," remarked Haldir. "Do you really think so?" Talar asked. The brothers all nodded in agreement. "Thank you," she replied. "The Lady Galadriel herself gave me ideas and suggestions." "She even helped me stitch some of it." As Haldir studied it closer he could indeed see where his Lady had input, for the dress had a faint glow to it.
"Most expertly done," Haldir said. He was glad to see his sister so excited. She was so young and deserved happiness. He smiled to himself as he knew Talar was unaware that Celin would be there tomorrow for the festival. Haldir and his brothers all approved of Celin, he was young as well but most loyal and loving. Celin was brave in battle and never afraid to stand his ground. Haldir thought to himself if he could pick a partner for his sister Celin would be his first and only choice.
They spent the majority of the night not really talking about anything important, just enjoying each other's company. After a while they decided getting some 'sleep' would be a good idea. Rumil and Orophin were getting up to leave and Haldir was doing the same. As all three were about to walk out, Talar grabbed Haldir and said, "No, please stay, I have missed your company so much."
Haldir kissed his sister on the forehead and agreed. He told his brothers to go and he would see them later. After Rumil and Orophin left Haldir walked over to the bed and sat down with his legs stretched out. Talar went over and laid her head on his lap. Haldir started to stroke her long, golden hair and felt his sister relax. "Goodnight sister," Haldir said. "Goodnight," she replied.
As all elves can do they slept with their eyes open, straying in and out of beautiful dreams. Sometimes the dreams were pictures of the past and present and sometimes it was nothing more than feeling as though you were walking through the woods and feeling the life in the earth and smelling the clean air.
In a few hours, as elves do not need much 'sleep' to go on, they were up and about getting preparations ready for that evening. Talar was so excited she couldn't concentrate so Haldir sent her off to the field to pick fresh flowers. Talar headed off to a spot where she knew that Lavender flowers grew. She loved the smell of Lavender; it was soothing and refreshing at the same time.
When she was done she went back to her flet and saw that Haldir had set out everything for her already. Haldir was no longer in the room so Talar set off to find where he had gone. It didn't take her long. Haldir was talking to Rumil and Orophin, all of them having breakfast. Haldir had his back to Talar and when Rumil saw her approaching he nudged Haldir under the table to make him stop talking.
Talar was puzzled at why her brothers went silent when they saw her, but she decided not to press the subject. Haldir turned and said, "Ah, did you get everything you needed?" Talar nodded and sat down next to him and laid her head on his shoulder. Haldir out his arm around her and asked, "Nervous about tonight sister?" Talar shook her head no.
"Well, get something to eat and come join us." Talar got up and went over to a table filled with various fruits. As she was walking back she noticed a couple of elf maids staring and pointing at her. When she looked in their direction they started to giggle and one said, "You have quite a surprise in store for you tonight." Not bothering to find out what they meant, she returned to her brothers. Rumil and Orophin had finished and were taking their leave. "Where are they going?" Talar asked. Haldir answered, "We are going to the archery field." Talar raised an eyebrow, her brothers, especially Haldir, were already the best archers in Lothlorien, why did they need to practice?
Seeing her confused expression Haldir said, "We are looking over the newest recruits and making sure they are ready to join the ranks of Watchers." Being a Watcher was where all the new and young elves started out. Talar said excitedly, "May I come and watch with you?" Haldir hesitated slightly, it wasn't customary for any but the Marchwardens to be present but he finally gave his consent. Why not let his sister watch?
"Very well, but you must promise not to interfere or interrupt when I am there." Talar promised she wouldn't be any trouble. Haldir smiled. One of the reasons he loved his sister so much is when she made a promise, she kept it. They set off together towards the archery field. Rumil and Orophin were already giving advice to the new recruits. Haldir went over to his brothers and Talar found shade underneath a tree and sat down.
Haldir stood in front of the new recruits and started speaking. "Mae Govannen il'er, you all have been chosen based on your personality, skills, and your potential to grow." All the elves were looking at Haldir with a touch of reverence and awe, after all he was head Marchwarden and the most highly trained warrior. Haldir continued, "I am here to help you learn, grow, and eventually let a fortunate few of you join the ranks of Marchwarden."
"It is not an easy task to guard the realm and protect our people, however, it is a great honor to be chosen to protect our Lord and Lady." No one said a word as Haldir continued. Talar looked at her brother with the deepest respect. He seemed so powerful and confident. "I will do everything in my power to help you learn, all I need to know is where your allegiance lies," Haldir said.
One by one the elves bowed to Haldir showing him that they pledged to serve and follow him anywhere. He smiled and said, "Well then, let the training begin." With that Rumil and Orophin started giving instructions to the young elves. Haldir walked back and forth observing. He was giving advice to a few elves as well. "Do not slouch," he said. "Stand strong and firm." "Be unmovable."
To another he would say, "Do not put your arm up so high, relax and trust your bow." Soon Haldir told all the elves to mark the targets and shoot. They did as they were told. Thankfully they all hit the targets but none of them hit the center mark. Rumil and Orophin started to laugh but Haldir gave them a look that silenced them. Standing in front of them again Haldir said, "Not bad, but not good enough." "If those targets had been real you would have done very little damage to the enemy."
"The main goal is to cause as much damage to the enemy as possible with one shot, and with that one shot it is preferable that you kill them." Haldir was not angry with them, but he wanted them to understand that this was not a game. They needed to be able to fight and fight well. "Let me demonstrate," he said. He grabbed a bow and arrow and aimed for a target. When he released the arrow is shot off and hit the target directly in the center, not off a little to the left of right, but exactly center.
The younger elves started applauding including Talar. Haldir made his way over to one of the elves. "Here," he said, "try it again." The elf took his stance and aimed. "Feet apart," Haldir said. "Stand taller." Haldir pushed him into a straight position. "Relax your arm." "Eyes straight down the line of sight." "Breathe and release," Haldir said. With the sound of rushing air the arrow sped from the bow and hit the target directly in the middle.
Talar was amazed, it was an incredible shot. Haldir smiled and turned to the young elf. "Well done," he said. The elf bowed and thanked him. "Remember," Haldir said, "make every shot count." The elves nodded in recognition and Rumil and Orophin went back to instructing them. Haldir went over to Talar and sat down. "Well?" he asked her. "Amazing!" she replied. "Even I did not you could shoot like that." Haldir laughed. "Dear sister, I have had hundreds of years to practice, I would hope that I could fight well by now." Talar smiled, "I did not mean to hurt your feelings, but to see you in action is incredible." Haldir took his sister's hand and kissed it. "Le Hannon," he said.
After an hour or so had passed, Haldir told everyone to stop and go home for the day. After all tonight was the festival and he did not want to wear them out. They all bowed and took their leave. Haldir could tell that they were pleased he hadn't made them do anymore for the day. They were excited and wanted to spend the rest of the day getting ready.
Haldir and Talar walked over to Rumil and Orophin. "Well brother," Orophin said to Haldir, "maybe tonight you will finally find yourself a beautiful young elf maid." Haldir playfully punched his brother on the arm and smiled. He and Orophin knew that their one and only true responsibility was protecting the people. Haldir turned to Rumil, "What about you Rumil, is there some fair maid that has caught you eye?" Haldir teased.
Rumil only looked at his brothers and rolled his eyes and shook his head no. Talar was glad to see her brothers in such a joyous mood. They were always so serious that it was nice that they were laughing and joking with one another for a change. "Well," she said, "I for one plan on dancing with a handsome young elf tonight." "I doubt it not sister," Orophin replied. "Many a young elf may get their heart broken tonight," Rumil teased and gave his sister a soft tug on her hair.
Walking together they started to head back. When they returned, Haldir, Orophin and Rumil all headed off to find some food. Talar however said she was too excited and nervous to eat anything so she bid them farewell and went her flet to start the night's preparations. In a few hours her brothers wandered up to the flet to see that their sister had put on the dress.
If they thought their sister was beautiful before she looked like an angelic being now. The dress shimmered and shone and seemed to emit an aura of light around Talar. "Elo!" Haldir exclaimed. "Truly your beauty tonight shall be like that of Lady Galadriel's." Talar flushed with pleasure. "Do you really think so?" she asked. Haldir nodded yes.
Rumil and Orophin had not spoken but just stood staring at their sister. Talar assumed that was a good sign.
"I must go and thank Lady Galadriel for her help." As Talar went down the steps she found Lady Galadriel a ways off talking to Lord Celeborn. As she approached the Lord and Lady, they both turned and looked at her. Talar bowed and said, "My Lady, I came here to thank you for the assistance you gave me."
She looked up to see Lord Celeborn smiling at her and Lady Galadriel replied, "I do believe tonight you have become the fairest elf in Lothlorien." "None could ever be fairer than you My Lady," Talar answered. Lady Galadriel smiled and beckoned her forward. Talar stepped closer and Lady Galadriel put a hand on her face. "I see tonight as the beginning of many happy occasions for you." Slightly confused Talar stepped back and bowed, "My Lady," she said. With the Lord and Lady's permission, she turned and left to go back to her flet. What had Lady Galadriel meant by what she had said?
At her flet she tried to pass the time by having Haldir tell her one of his many adventures, but she was too preoccupied by everything else to really listen to him. It seemed like forever but finally she and her brothers could hear the festival starting. With everyone dressed in their best clothes they headed down to join the other. As she and her brothers entered the room, everyone gasped at how beautiful Talar looked. She stood off to the side with her brothers, but it was not too long before she was asked for a dance.
After two dances she noticed her brothers had joined as well. She smiled to herself. How typical of her brothers to not fall in love with anyone yet be chivalrous and noble enough to never refuse a dance with anyone that asked them or to dance with someone they saw standing by themselves. Talar spotted Haldir at the corner of her eye dancing with a particularly lovely elf maid. Talar could tell by the look of the maiden's face that she was taken with her brother.
Talar could not really blame the young maid for being attracted to her brother. After all her brothers were handsome and eligible. The song ended and Talar's brothers took their leave and stood off to the side again. She was about to join them when she noticed another elf had entered the room. She looked and saw that it was Celin. Her breath quickened and she had to be careful as not to run to her brothers. She tried as much as possible to hide herself behind Haldir but it was of no use.
Celin spotted her and made a straight line directly towards her. Talar felt as if her heart was going to stop. Celin was even more handsome than she had remembered. Celin went up and greeted her brothers. Finally he asked, "May I dance with your lovely sister?" Talar was just about to refuse when Haldir said, "Of course." Talar looked at him angrily, but Haldir just looked back with a face of complete innocence. Then is struck her, her brothers had set the whole thing up!
Well, it was too late now, whether she liked it or not she had to at least dance once with Celin. As the music started her heart was beating so fast she thought it would burst. When their hands finally touched during the dance, Talar felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her hands felt a lingering tingle and warmth whenever Celin touched her.
Before she knew what had happened she agreed to dance with Celin again. As the night progressed Talar began to realize she was flirting terribly with Celin. What was wrong with her? She had told Celin before that she did not love him, but was that still true? After the ninth dance Celin took her back to her brothers and bowed to take his leave. "Are you leaving the festival?" Talar asked. "Yes," Celin answered, "there is something I must do." He bowed again and left. Talar felt disappointment rise in her. Tears started to well up but more than anything she felt silly.
