Title: The Golden Mask
Author: Kwannom
Rating: M
Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance
Betas: Winsome Elf (chapters 1 - 6), Rainien (7 – 15 – ?) e Wenont (16 - ?)
WARNING: Violence, strong language and sex
Disclaimer: I own no one from The Lord Of The Rings. All the characters and place names displayed belong to JRR Tolkien. I do not intend to, nor am I making any financial gain from the writing of this story. However, the original characters - Haleth, Siward, Wilrog, Seyton and others - are mine, and don't you dare put your claws into them:D
Timeline: Year 3429 of the Second Age, one year before the Last Alliance. A.U. Following book-verse and movie-verse.
Summary: Sauron has the One Ring and Middle Earth is suffering in the hands of the Orcs' armies. Elves and Men decide to make an alliance against the Dark Lord, and they are searching for great warriors from both races to lead their armies. These warriors are the Chosen Ones and one of them is Haldir, the Captain of the Golden Wood. Haldir is then sent to watch a human warrior called Golden Mask and prove that the Man can be one of them. In the meanwhile, Haldir has to prepare for the battle of his life and deal with the discovery of something that is going to change the future.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hey guys!

I would like to say AGAIN that I am not going to leave this story unfinished. Period. If someone still has any doubts, they end here. I would also like to say that this is not a Mary Sue (I hope!).

Thanks to:

RipperAngel: Thanks for reviewing! I hope you enjoy this chapter, it introduces my favorite character: Wilrog.

THE ELF MAN

Her husband.

She thought he was dead and forever lost--and now this happened. Haleth had dreamed of this day and when it finally came, his presence was like a ghost coming back from the dead to haunt her. Haleth's fists clenched. She wanted to hit him and make him pay for every pain he had caused her.

Stupid boy! Her mind screamed at him.

His eyes were so distant, cold, and full of evil. Wilrog was lost indeed. Haleth looked at him, with a lump in her throat. I wanted to feel hate for you, reckless boy, my husband, she thought. Though, that was not the feeling that was waking inside of her. Haleth let out a tired breath. I am too tired of this, too tired.

The men approached his Commander, still holding Wilrog firmly by his arms. The lad didn't say anything; he just gazed obliquely at the woman.

"I'm sorry, Haleth, but it was he who betrayed us! We found Wilrog leading the Orcs!"

Haleth's face was tense, while Wilrog's didn't show any expression, as if he was an empty body. Suddenly, when he looked at Haldir's figure standing next to Haleth, Wilrog's face contorted in pain, and he diverted his gaze very quickly, shutting his eyes as if he had looked straight at the sun. The glow that the Elf's body emanated was too strong for him to bear.

"So, Wilrog, you came back after two years." Spoke Haleth, trying to remain calm. "It seems that ruin and treachery found you. Just like my father said would happen." She sighed before continuing, her voice steady but full of hidden sorrow. "It disgusts me to see you like this, Wilrog. Weak... Traitor..."

The lad gave a wicked smile that made a chill run down Haleth's spine.

"Wilrog... I remember him now." The boy said those words in a guttural voice that touched everyone there with the cold hand of fear. "Wilrog had promised to come back to you after he had brought Sauron's ring… At least that was what he told me. I thought I had gotten rid of him, but the stubborn fool is still in here, somewhere, thinking that he can fight me. He's afraid I might hurt you, woman. What would he do if I did... THIS!"

With a super human strength, Wilrog freed himself from the arms that held him captive and charged against Haleth, his hands searching for the woman's neck. Haleth gasped in shock when she saw Wilrog advance towards her. This is not him! This can't be him, she told herself, in vain; the figure in front of her still had her beloved's face. Wilrog was getting closer and closer and Haleth froze. I'm dead, she thought, but before he could reach her, Haldir's strong hands grabbed the boy and forced his head onto the ground, under Haleth's feet.

Minutes after that Siward hit Wilrog in the stomach with the handle of his sword, making the boy cough and lose his breath. Wilrog's mouth filled with blood, and he spat it on Haleth's boots, in disdain. How could he do this to me, she asked herself in disbelief. Haleth was both infuriated and heart-broken. Her brown eyes filled with reluctant tears and Haleth brushed them brusquely away. She was so mad at herself for feeling anything that she didn't notice the Elf staring at her at first.

Indeed, Haldir saw Haleth's tears and was puzzled by them. I can feel her pain from here, he thought. When Haleth met his eyes, he couldn't restrain a flicker of compassion for her. Poor woman… Some other Men came to help and took the boy from Haldir. Then, the Elf rose proudly, his brilliant gaze never leaving Haleth's shocked face.

'It is like Sauron himself is talking through the boy -- a perfect spy for his evil purposes. Your husband is nothing but Mordor's eyes and ears now, Commander Haleth.' Haldir told her now, a trace of compassion in his voice. 'He can not stay among you, or among any race. We would be in serious danger with him… this thing, around.'

"I agree with the Elf, Haleth." Said Siward hesitating to pronounce the words that would bring a tragic end to the history of those two together. "Wilrog cannot stay among us, he needs to be sacrificed. If he stays alive, all of Gondor's army's maneuvers will be made known to the Dark Lord and our defeat would be almost certain. Not even a party of one hundred thousand Elves and Dwarves would be able to win a lost battle."

The tension in the air was tangible, and Men started shouting, demanding Wilrog's head. He was a traitor and deserved to die the most painful of all deaths. Haleth felt something burn inside of her, it was the anger that she had courted and carefully hidden since Wilrog abandoned her. She couldn't control herself anymore. An evil whisper in her mind was all she needed to lose her temper. A moment later her voice boomed and all the Men feel silent.

"Enough!" All the eyes in the village square were set upon her. "So you think I'm not aware of this, Siward? I only find it odd that you should agree so calmly with Commander Haldir over the need to end so soon with Wilrog's life--the only person that is between you and the second highest position in command!"

Siward himself was filled with fury and exploded, screaming at Haleth.

"How dare you doubt my loyalty!"

Both Siward and Haleth were about to punch each other when Haldir motioned to two of his soldiers. They took hold of the humans while the Elven Commander forced them to drink the liquid from his water skin, the water from the Elven river Nimrodel. The faces of Haleth and Siward softened at the first cold and fresh touch from that pure liquid. It washed away any black thoughts from their minds and brought a peace so deep that made both of them come back to normal. The river was a little piece of the Elves' beloved Lorien, and held its magic power within it.

'See.' Haldir said with his crystalline voice. 'He could spread deceit among us also. If it were not for this water, nothing could have stopped you from killing each other just now. Sauron has many ways of destroying people and one of them is playing with our deepest fears.'

Wilrog smiled at the Elf's words, an ironic and malicious smile, his green eyes reflecting evil. Almost in a whisper, the boy spoke in perfect Elvish for the last time.

'Damn you, Elf, and the whore that lives in Caras Galadhon.'

All the elves trembled with rage, but Haldir made them calm down, because he knew that it was another of the boy's dirty tricks. The insult should be forgotten. That laugh, however, made Seyton, the huge soldier who was quiet and had not gotten involved in the discussion until then, be taken by a startling hate. Treachery was nothing compared to the fact that Wilrog had been responsible for it since the beginning, when he disobeyed Háma's orders and left, two years ago. With that terrible feeling, Seyton unsheathed his sword, still dirtied by the black blood that belonged to the Orcs, and advanced toward Wilrog.

"You deserve to die, son of a fucking whore!"

Before the sword could chop Wilrog's head off, Haleth put herself between the assailant and his prey. She grabbed the blade of Seyton's sword with her hands. When they locked gazes, the man almost cried when he saw the torment in Haleth's brown eyes. Her face was transformed by doubt, grief, hate and love. And the reason for all of those feelings was the boy in front of him. Still a boy, yes, Wilrog should be eighteen now. He was too young..., he thought.

Despite that, for Seyton a traitor was a traitor no matter what age he was. The Man couldn't show him the same compassion that Haleth had. But Seyton could not withstand the distress in his beloved Commander's face. He sheathed his sword, his fists clenched, showing that his anger had not diminished. He knew he should obey her. She was wiser than him for sure. But Seyton couldn't do that.

"Commander, there's no other punishment for a traitor but death!"

"I hate him now, almost as much as you do, but I can't do it, Seyton, and you know that!"

"That's exactly the reason why you should let me bestow the penalty..."

"No!"

"But he betrayed us! He betrayed you most of all!"

"I said no!" she paused for a moment, thinking "Not yet. Keep him imprisoned under a strong guard in one of the houses. Go take care of your face. The others will bury the bodies and help the survivors. When you are done, rest. Tomorrow we will meet at Varin's house and talk about what we're going to do from here. Siward, I need you to help me with my leg. All of us need to rest in order to think clearly. Understood?"

Men nodded their heads and began to execute the orders. When Wilrog looked at her once more before being taken away from there, Haleth's heart hurt as if it had been stabbed. What is that in his eyes? I must be imagining things! Well, she wasn't. Deep inside of those green orbs there was still a glimpse of love and regret. Haleth's heart beat faster.

Oh Gods, tell me what to do now…

She felt so impotent against that situation, but there was nothing she could do. The woman could only wait until the moment for ending his life came. She shook her head and sighed deeply. Let that time come and I will deal with it, she thought.

One of the soldiers took the child that Haleth had saved from there. When she looked around and saw everything being taken care of, the woman finally succumbed to the pain in her leg. Her knees were unable to support her body's weight anymore and gave out. Haleth sank to the ground, but before she could reach it, a strong arm steadied her. Haleth looked up to thank Siward, but the brunet Man had turned into a blond Elf.

Haldir stared at her face, curious. He was sure that her eyes were brown minutes ago, but now they were entirely black. The Elf could feel the changing of the world in those black orbs. His gaze shifted to the rest of her, searching for the cause of her impossible strength, but he could not find it. The woman was covered with the putrid Orc's blood. Her dark curly hair had escaped her ponytail, the curls now shadowing her fair face. For the first time he noticed a long and faint scar on her cheek, probably made by a sword blade. Without that threatening golden mask she seemed so fragile… so young… so beautiful… Who are you? He wondered, as he once again stared into her dark eyes.

Her fierce eyes glared at him.

'Thank you, m'lord.'

Haleth's voice was cold, but with a hint of confusion in its tone. She was disturbed by the imposing and ethereal Elf in front of her. She had never felt such a strong presence--or seen such penetrating eyes--before, not even among Elves. He was so pale, but there was something in his gaze, something deep and profoundly focused on her. Her body shivered against its will, sensing Haldir's powerful energy.

'I am sorry, my Lady. I was trying to understand how you could be so strong, when you look so...' His mind screamed feminine, fragile, but Haldir did not say those words out loud. He didn't want to offend her, she had suffered enough already. His arms tightened her waist unconsciously at that thought.

Haleth gazed directly into those dark blue eyes and smirked. The Elf seemed distant, but he was worried about her. The woman could feel it in his touch. She detached herself from his hands and gathered all the strength she had left to stay stand without any help.

'I know what you're thinking.'

Haldir was perplexed. How could she stay standing with that terrible wound? And smirk like it was nothing at all? A grown Man would have fainted by now, he wondered. The black eyes were still fixed on him, demanding a reply.

'Really?' His voice sounded detached and emotionless, despite the curiosity that grew inside of him. 'And what is that?'

'A woman can't fight. Well, that's one of the reasons why I keep the fact that I am a woman a secret.' She sighed deeply, regretting the half life she had just told him while pain was washing through her, but she continued. 'I want you to say to your soldiers that they cannot tell this to anyone. I was reckless showing my face, I know. Like all humans, I'm too emotional and sometimes my heart controls me instead of my head. Can I have your word?'

Haldir touched his heart with his right fist and bowed his head, doing the most respectful Elven salute. The woman had proved her point and deserved that.

'Of course, my Lady.'

To his amazement, Haleth returned the gesture and smiled at him. A true and gentle one this time. Haldir's breath caught in his throat.

'You can camp next to Varin's house. I know the Elven skills in the art of healing are enormous, but if you need help with your wounded, ask Siward. He speaks Elvish and is our best healer.'

Haldir nodded and watched the Man called Siward come and introduce himself. After the short exchange of words between them, Haleth let the man help her walk. When she was about to leave, the rich voice of the Elf returned to her ears.

'What are you going to do with the boy?'

Haldir thought she should have let the huge Man named Seyton kill Wilrog. That was how the Elves dealt with Sauron's prisoners for ages. They all became Dark Lord's spies and lost the good in them. Because of that, they could no longer exist.

The woman stopped and turned her face to him.

'I still don't know.' Came the answer.

That was true, she didn't know. Who had asked for the Elves' help was also unexplained. Haleth needed to clarify a few things for certain. For that reason, she made the request.

'You, Commander Haldir, join us tomorrow for the meeting.'

Siward didn't like the idea. Just like most of the Men, he feared and envied the Elves, the Eldar, those who never aged and never knew suffering. For him, the ageless creatures lived in their perfect realms, not caring about what happened with the other people of Middle Earth. Sorceress and wizards, they attracted mortals to the woods with their magical powers and made them get lost.

'This concerns Men! Why should an elf take part in our decisions?'

Haleth met the Elf's blue eyes. Haldir didn't make a move, but she could sense the thin wave of anger that came from him. How can he restrain his feelings like that? she wondered. Then, the woman returned her attention to the Man beside her. The aloof Elf had been insulted, so she decided to answer that provocation in Elvish.

'Because, Siward, it was Haldir who saved our lives today. He deserves to understand what is happening. Moreover, if this was Men's concern only, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to be included among you.'

Siward's face softened at Haleth's gentle irony, but he stiffened when he saw the Elf's lips curl in a hint of smile. Arrogant bastard, he thought.

Haldir stood still. The woman had a sense of humor, one of man's qualities that he praised the most. An Elf could tell how amused he was, but the mortals in front of him could not.

'So, are you joining us tomorrow?'

Her voice was soft, but the recent humor had already been replaced by the sorrow the elf had sensed in her since the first time his eyes fell upon the woman. To his surprise, Haldir felt a pang of regret. Then he gave himself a mental shake and responded to her question.

'Yes, my Lady. I will see you tomorrow then.'

With those words Haldir left. He needed to attend to his army. Many Elves were wounded and did not understand Westron, which reminded him that he should remember that language as fast as possible to serve as an interpreter for them. His losses couldn't be compared to men's, though. The Elves healed faster and were stronger than humans, which made them hard to kill. A strange feeling of concern made him look back at the woman.

She had taken Siward's arm and had started to walk. Every man around looked at her with devotion and respect in their eyes. Haleth approached a Man that was kneeled down, crying. Haldir heard her call him Donalbain. It seemed that his brother had been killed and the body now lay down beside him. When she crouched down next to that Man, releasing a soft grunt of pain that only Haldir's sensitive ears could hear, he felt an urge to stop her, but he didn't. The Elf only observed. Haleth talked to Donalbain quietly, saying soft words that tried to ease his sorrow. Haldir then heard that the body needed to be buried. Before he realized what he was doing, he returned to her side and made the offer.

'It would be an honor for me to bury such a brave man. Now you really should go, before this wound opens again.'

Haleth stood, using Siward's arm for support. The woman felt a strange warm feeling cross her heart when she heard those words.

'This is a priceless offer and I'll never forget what you have done for him, my Lord.'

Neither she nor the Elf knew that this little exchange of words sealed the connection between them. Their part in the world's changing had begun.

Haldir smiled for the first time and he felt the warmth of his emotion invade her. She didn't notice when Siward's face became stern once more. He was furious with the Elf's interference, and couldn't keep his sharp tongue inside of his mouth any longer.

'You may have saved our asses, Elf, but my Commander knows what to do and doesn't need your advice.'

Haleth's eyes darted to Siward, and then back to the Elf. She saw Haldir arch his eyebrow at the Man, as if Siward was an insignificant insect. Maybe the water from Nimrodel had not been enough for the man recover his normal senses, Haldir thought. What a weakling and loathsome creature! The Elf towered in front of Siward who swallowed hard in the fact of that ferocious being.

'Are you still out of your mind, Man?'

Haldir spoke with a cold, impassive voice, but still he could not completely mask the hate that was hidden under the layers made of coldness.

That was it, Siward thought. He was about to release Haleth and put a black eye on the Elf's perfect face when his Commander held him back.

"Siward, stop it now!" Embarrassed, she looked at Haldir, searching for understanding, but she found only hate in him. His feelings weren't directed to her, however. Haleth tried to solve the dangerous situation Siward had gotten himself into. I'm sorry, Haldir, I think he's not completely well yet. Now I must follow your wise advice before more people lose their temper again.

Haleth finally got Siward away from there and when she thought the Elf's sensitive ears couldn't hear them anymore, she whispered into the warrior's human ear.

"If you don't control yourself, Siward, even after drinking from the Elves' water, I'll feed you to the Orcs myself! Hey!"

Siward, instead of arguing with Haleth, carried her to Varin's house, despite the woman's insistence that he put her down on the ground. After a certain point, she succumbed and let herself be carried without complaining. In a few moments she would be having a bath and her wound tended to. A warm bed would be waiting for her too.
Haldir watched Haleth disappear inside of the house, without understanding why the woman had managed to divert his attention from his kin once more. He shook his head and walked toward his soldiers. The bloodied Elves stood proud in a perfect line, waiting for their Commander to speak. The horses had been gathered and waited patiently as well.

'The fact that Haleth is a woman cannot be told.' Haldir's deep voice filled the air. 'It is a secret and we will keep it that way. We will camp over there. Take the horses and the wounded. Report how many casualties we had to me as soon as possible. You are dismissed.'

The Elves bowed their heads to Haldir and went to fulfill their duties. Haldir came up to Arthung, who lowered his head for his master. The Elf caressed the stud's silver mane. Haldir's face tensed when he felt the presence behind him.

'Is something wrong, Saeros?'

Saeros, second in command of the Elven army, studied Haldir. He must say it. After a few seconds of indecision, his crystalline voice sounded.

'What was that, Haldir?'

Calmly, Haldir turned his face to stare at the elf in front of him. He seemed to grow a few feet taller when he replied.

'What was that what, Saeros?'

Saeros trembled against Haldir's deep gaze, but he continued.

'You and the woman. We were sent to help mortals, not to befriend them. I saw the way you looked at her. You even offered to bury one of her filthy Men! You, an Elven Commander! What were you thinking?'

Haldir closed the distance between them, his strong figure a few inches from the other Elf's slim body. He could see the fear flare in Saeros's eyes.

'What I was thinking,' Haldir said tonelessly, his eyes unreadable 'Is none of your business. Now go help your men before I release you from your post for insubordination.'

Saeros swallowed and lowered his head before he left.

'Yes, Commander.'

Haldir watched him leave, turned his attention back to Arthung and resumed patting the horse's mane. What Saeros told about him was true. He didn't know why he acted so friendly toward the humans. Toward her. When he had felt Haleth in his arms he could swear now that his skin burnt where it touched her. Why? Her beauty was truly appealing to his male senses.

But she was only human.

There was only one explanation for his behavior: the effect she had on him was nothing but nature at work. His loins tightened when he remembered the feel of her fragile body in his arms, the way it had fitted so perfectly in them... He cleared his mind--that way of thinking was going to lead him nowhere. She was mortal, after all. Haldir strode away from Arthung, he still had a Man to bury.

The sun died in the horizon and the cold air of the night brought a black moon to the sky, sender of events as black as it. The evil from Mordor seemed to truly want to exterminate the humans, thought Haldir, while he had his soldiers finished burying Donalbain's brother. The Elves sang an Elvish song in his honor. Men did not understand the words but they felt the sadness through the Eldar's deep and clear voice. When they finished, Men had tears in their eyes. Donalbain thanked Haldir silently and the Elf nodded his head.

Haldir contemplated the sinister moon, while he returned to the Elves' campsite. He wouldn't sleep that night for sure.

H&H&H&H

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