Title: 'First Impressions'
Author: Anarane Narmolanya
Type: FCS
Genre: Romance, Adventure, some angst
Characters: Haldir/ OFC, Galadriel, Celeborn, OC's
Rating: Eventually NC-17
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.
~~~ Chapter 4 ~~~
The Mountain
Haldir rubbed at his wrist for what seemed like the millionth time since that morning, frustrated that the tingling sensation had yet to wane. He had heard of such occurrences before, energy produced by the joining of two faer, bound together before time began. Could she, possibly... the Marchwarden shook his head at his own foolishness and returned to concentrating on their surroundings, ignoring the elleth who rode behind him.
Brynwyn was in a similar predicament. She looked down at her fingertips, covered by her black gloves, and rubbed them lightly; the tingling sensation did not cease. She looked up at the Marchwarden's back and her eyes narrowed; she wondered if he had felt the connection, or if he had caused it.
Brynwyn sighed audibly before looking at the darkening sky. "There is an impending storm," she stated and to her surprise his back stiffened further at the sound of her voice.
"Aye." He replied impassively. "We will be over the mountain by the end of the day; let us hope the rain does not fall until then."
"Will it cause a major problem?" she asked curiously.
"The mountains are perilous enough without the hindrance of rain. The rocks are smooth and unstable, and with rain there is an increased possibility of a landslide or one of the horses slipping."
Brynwyn held her breath. "Is there no other way?"
"This is the swiftest." The Marchwarden glanced at her. "Worry not, my Lady, I have traversed these mountains many times. Just follow my orders and all will be well."
Brynwyn's lips tightened against a protest, convinced he was testing her. She would not rise to his baiting, not this time. "Of course, Lord Marchwarden."
Haldir grinned behind his hood and pulled Thirin to a stop. He turned the grey towards her as a scowling Brynwyn pulled Filith to a quivering halt.
"Is there a problem my Lady?" he questioned, his brow raised and his lip curled into an arrogant smirk. Brynwyn looked him over before grinning.
"Nay, Marchwarden, I am merely expressing my obedience."
"Indeed," he grumbled; he gazed at her for a long moment until she looked away. "It is just a little further until we reach the mountain. Once we have crossed we will set up camp for the evening. Understood?"
Brynwyn bowed her head and touched her hand to her heart. "Of course."
Haldir turned Thirin back to the path and urged his stallion into a light canter once more.
They had not travelled much farther when Haldir raised his hand and brought Thirin to a halt. Brynwyn frowned and pulled Filith to a stop beside the Marchwarden. They had reached the edge of the trees and an expanse of open grass separated the forest and the beginning of the mountain.
"What is it?" she whispered and he jerked his hand impatiently. She waited in silence, stroking Filith's neck as she looked about.
After a moment he turned to her. "These open plains leave us exposed and vulnerable," he began. "For now, I sense nothing, but that does not ensure that there is nothing. I will keep Thirin at Filith's pace so that we remain level. Keep her swift and forward. Be vigilant and keep a watch for any holes. Ride to the mountains as quickly as Filith is able. Do you understand?"
Brynwyn fought to keep her concerns from her expression as she nodded. She was amazed to see his own expression soften. "Remain calm my Lady, it is my duty to keep you safe and to that I hold."
"I am calm," she lied.
Haldir looked over her face. "Let us ride." With a soft order their horses surged into a gallop and Brynwyn ducked low over her mare's neck.
"Noro lim Filith."
Filith whinnied energetically and her gait lengthened. Brynwyn glanced at Haldir and took a few seconds to admire his form: bent over his stallions neck, his eyes as grey as the clouds, he looked formidable, yet gracefully beautiful. The elleth returned her gaze to the mountains, occasionally glancing at the ground before them in search of any holes.
They covered the distance rapidly, yet Haldir did not call for a stop until they were deep into the mountain pass. When he did, Brynwyn gratefully took a moment to gather her nerves, praising her powerful mare as she huffed.
"We will give the horses a moment." To his surprise Brynwyn did not argue. Haldir dismounted and stepped towards the fiery elleth; he grasped her waist and lowered her to the ground with frightening ease. Energy surged from his touch and Brynwyn jerked away from him, moving to stand in front of her horse, ignoring the warrior.
Haldir observed her for a moment before climbing atop a huge boulder, silent and still.
Brynwyn shuddered slightly and rubbed at her side; sensing her distress, Filith pressed her muzzle to her mistress' chest.
"Mae im Filith." She whispered. Brynwyn looked up at the Marchwarden, her breath catching at his magnificence before she rubbed her brow. What was happening to her?
"Come," he ordered as he leapt from the boulder onto his stallions back; Thirin snorted in irritation and Haldir chuckled. Brynwyn mounted Filith and glanced at the Marchwarden in surprise, but his amusement had vanished, to be replaced with impassivity.
Haldir waited until she was settled before clicking his tongue and Thirin shook his mane haughtily before trotting along the path.
They had not been riding for long when Haldir brought Thirin to a halt.
"Dismount," he ordered firmly.
"For what reason? The horses can travel along the path," she questioned with a frown.
Haldir looked at her sharply. "My Lady I will not have my orders questioned! I am commander here," he snapped. "Now dismount before I make you!"
Brynwyn glowered at him for a moment before dismounting, her lips pinched in irritation.
Haldir looked her over before sighing. "The path curves around the boulders on the left. Around the bend the trail inclines for a short distance. At the peak it is narrow and the mountainside is an almost vertical drop, made of loose, unstable gravel. It is very easy to slip and for the horses to stumble, which is why I asked you to dismount. The last thing we need is a landslide," he explained.
"That is the problem Marchwarden; you know not the concepts of everyday propriety. You merely order and expect all to be done," she snapped. He looked her over before walking over to his pack.
"Wrap this rope around Filith's neck and then around your waist."
Brynwyn snatched the rope from him before doing as he instructed, following him as he led the way, Thirin trailing behind him. They climbed up the slope and once reaching the top, Brynwyn's stomach churned as she looked down the mountainside.
"Keep your eyes on the trail my Lady," he instructed. Brynwyn swallowed thickly and followed the warrior along the narrow path. "The passage does not continue this way for long, it will soon open as wide as the entrance and there we will set up camp." Brynwyn knew his aim, he was trying to distract her. "Just remain behind me and be wary of your footsteps."
Brynwyn glanced back at Filith who followed obediently. "Come Filith."
"Remain behind me Brynwyn," Haldir called as she walked a little too close to the edge. "Keep to the boulders."
The she-elf glanced up at him, fear and frustration bubbling in her abdomen. She cursed as she stumbled.
"Brynwyn, keep to the boulders!"
"I am trying!" she yelled back. "Stop-" Brynwyn screamed as the pebbles beneath her feet gave way and she slid down the mountainside.
"Brynwyn!"
Filith whinnied loudly as the rope around her neck came loose and her mistress slid from view. Brynwyn clawed desperately at the rocks and managed to roll onto her stomach, snatching at a protruding root. "Haldir!" she screamed in terror.
"Hold on!" Haldir removed the rope from around his waist and looped it around his wrist. "Hold strong Thirin." The stallion snorted and settled his hooves firmly into the rocks; the Marchwarden carefully slid down towards her, resting upon his front, but the rope was only long enough to reach three feet above her. "Brynwyn," he began. "Brynwyn, I need you to find a toehold so that you can reach for me."
"I-I-I... c-can't," she whimpered, frozen in terror.
"You must, pen neth. Come now, take a deep breath and search carefully for a foothold with one foot."
Brynwyn sobbed softly as she reached towards the mountain with one foot, digging for a hold.
"Careful now, we do not want another landslide." Brynwyn gasped as her foot found firm ground. "Excellent, now shift your weight carefully so that you can push up towards me and grab my hand."
Brynwyn shook her head. "I can't," she sobbed.
"You can, Brynwyn," he crooned. "Look at me." She raised her dirty, tear-stained face and he marvelled at her beauty and youth. "Trust me elf ling; I will not let you fall." He stretched out his hand. "Reach for me."
Brynwyn took a shuddering breath before raising her hand to him. "I cannot reach!" she sobbed as their fingertips brushed.
"You need to push off a little," he grunted, straining towards her. Suddenly the root gave and Brynwyn screamed in terror. "No!" Haldir jerked and seized her wrist, wincing as he did so. The terrified elleth clutched at his wrist with her free hand, snivelling miserably. The huge warden drew her close. "Can you climb over me to the rope?"
"Y-yes," she gasped. With a grunt, she hauled herself over him and grasped the rope: Haldir rotated himself until he rested over her, breathing heavily.
"Thirin is going to pull us up at my order. Climb up the rocks to help him. Understand?" Pinned by his huge form, Brynwyn could only whimper in response. "Thirin!" The stallion snorted before pulling back; the rope strained and the two elves clambered up the mountainside.
They reached the path and the elves collapsed against a boulder; Brynwyn clutched Haldir, adrenaline and fear coursing through her veins. Haldir closed his eyes to calm himself; the sheer, instinctual fear he had felt at her fall stunning him. The thought of losing her, despite their short acquaintance, filled him with terror.
After a moment Haldir's firm hold eased. "Come, my Lady, let us descend from here." Brynwyn lifted her face and the ice around his heart melted; he ran his hand over her hair whilst looking her over. "Are you injured?"
"Nay," Haldir rose to his feet and held out his hand. "Thank you," she whispered as she accepted his aid.
The Marchwarden bowed his head before looking his horse over for injuries."Maer roch, mellon nin," he whispered as he stroked his withers. "Come my Lady."
Brynwyn shakily followed the Marchwarden, clutching Thirin's tail.
They had not travelled much farther when the path began to widen and steadily decline.
"Careful now."
They descended quickly, but carefully, and breathed identical sighs of relief as they reached steady ground. The Marchwarden turned to Brynwyn and without a word, lifted her onto Filith before leaping atop his great stallion.
Filith and Thirin trotted forwards until their masters urged them into a gallop; they bounded over the plains, desperately increasing the distance between themselves and the mountain.
~~~ Some time later ~~~
Once deep into the forest, safely away from the mountain, Haldir called for a stop beside a fresh spring. "We will set up camp here. Dismount."
Brynwyn did not protest and docilely dismounted. In silence, the two elves set about preparing camp and settling their horses.
"We will eat only waybread this eve; I imagine you cannot stomach much else." The quiet elleth shook her head and accepted a piece. "You should rest, you are still in shock. Today has been eventful enough and we will not reach Treetown until tomorrow's eve."
Brynwyn walked over to the spring to refill her flask and wash her face before making her way over to her bedroll. She had never been more grateful to rest as she was now. She pressed her face into her travel pillow and nestled beneath the blanket, swiftly sinking into exhausted reverie.
Haldir watched her sleep for a moment. She had yet to overcome her shock and fear over the events of the day. The Marchwarden shook his head in amazement, confused himself. He took a moment to simply breathe before turning back to the map in his lap. "Day one Haldir." He grunted to himself. "Day one."
Tbc
Translation:
Noro lim Filith: Ride Fast Filith
Mae im Filith: I Am Well Filith
Maer roch: Good Horse
Mellon nin: My Friend
Pen neth: Little One
Name: Meaning: Pronunciation
Idhrenion: Wise :(Eeth-rehn-ee-on)
Brynwyn: - : (Brin-win)
Arbellason: Noble strength: (Ar-bell-ass-on)
Thirin: - : (Thir- reen)
Filith: - : (Fil- eeth)