Chapter Seven
Ahrhî inhaled deeply, pressing her face further into the comforting warmth that surrounded her. A light pounding in her head as she drifted closer to consciousness caused her to groan in complaint. Seldom did she sleep so deeply, and apart from the shadowy remnants of a distant nightmare, she felt she had slept well.
As the pain in her head became insistent, she squeezed her eyes more tightly closed, but sought to rub at the ache. The blanket she clutched had a curious silkiness to it, and she rubbed it between her fingers appreciatively before releasing it. When her bed shifted beneath her, she lifted her head in alarm, gasping in shock as she realized she was reclining on Haldir.
"What..!" she squeaked, attempting to crawl backwards, and landing in an inglorious heap of tumbled blankets.
Haldir quickly stood to his feet, relieved to be released without further injury to his hair, or his pride. Ahrhî peeked at him from under her blankets, but winced and covered her face again.
"You must rise now, it is near time to depart." He adjusted his gray cloak, which had become quite twisted in the night by his restless burden.
"I cannot," came the soft, muffled whisper, "a troll pounds my head relentlessly."
Haldir frowned and knelt down, pulling her covers aside so he could look at her. Strands of her hair had escaped the long braid she kept it in, and curled around her face in wild disarray. Her eyes were red with irritation as she squinted at the light.
Suppressing his amusement at her bedraggled appearance, he gave in to the urge to smooth down the most rebellious of her red locks, and found the texture of her curls to be surprisingly soft.
She looked at him with unfocused eyes, blinking rapidly. When her vision cleared, she pushed up to lean on her elbow, glancing around the deserted talan.
"Please," she implored him, "never let me drink that wine again. The aftereffects are insupportable!"
"Better that you should learn from your mistakes and be your own keeper in such matters," he said, laughter in his voice.
Screwing up her courage, she began to voice the question she most wanted an answer to. "During the night, how did I come to…" But she was interrupted by the arrival of Rúmil and his cheerful morning greeting, which to her ears seemed over-loud.
Haldir pulled her to her feet, and there she stood, clutching her head and glaring at Rúmil while he chuckled at her unhappy state.
"This is all your fault," she grumbled, falling into a worse humor as her ill stomach made its presence known.
At Haldir's insistence, she made herself ready as quickly as she could, despite her misery. Rúmil followed them down to the forest floor, where Orophin joined them as they made their goodbyes.
Orophin clasped her on the shoulder, but Rúmil pulled her aside for a brief, whispered conversation. When she returned, her cheeks were flaming, and she would not meet the eyes of any of them.
Haldir looked at his younger brother questioningly, but he merely smirked, so Haldir chose to ignore Rúmil's intrigues. They set off for Caras Galadhon before the sun was fully risen.
Ahrhî thought muzzily back to the mystery of the night. Waking in his embrace had been bad enough, but to find herself plastered against him, her fingers entwined in his hair with the intimacy of a lover… She had never known such mortification. Her clumsy attempt to unseat herself from his lap had ended with her sprawled across the talan, her legs hopelessly tangled in her blanket.
These embarrassments alone she could have borne, as she had some faint memory of her grieved weeping, and his comforting kindness. What she did not understand was why he had continued to hold her throughout the night; but his severe, indecipherable expression caused the question to die on her lips.
His low order to ready herself for travel, followed by his immediate departure, left her stewing in her puzzlement. At last, she worked up the courage to ask Rúmil why Haldir held her while she slept. His laughing reply that she was the one that would not release Haldir, made her jaw drop in horror. When he further commented with a wink, that Haldir had not really been unhappy with his position, Ahrhî gave up on trying to understand.
She trudged silently behind Haldir, stumbling yet again on the path that was so smooth, she should be experiencing no trouble. Frustrated by her pain, which was the source of her unusual clumsiness, she swore in Westron.
When Haldir stopped to look at her disapprovingly, she colored in embarrassment. Had she realized he understood the profanity she used, she would have refrained. She rubbed her temples, starting in surprise when Haldir replaced her hands with his own.
"Why did you not ask for my aid? You know I am able to ease you," he murmured chidingly. His fingers moved expertly across her forehead and closed eyes, and she gradually relaxed into his touch.
"I did not wish to vex or importune you with my troubles." The familiar liquid heat of his healing gift flowed through her, and she grasped his forearms to keep from swaying at the titillating onslaught.
"Your stubbornness does you no credit. It would seem unwise to suffer, when assistance is readily available to you."
Feeling much recovered as the ache faded, her teasing nature reasserted itself. "I thought it was desirable for a female to suffer in silence," she quipped.
"I do not know who gave you such ludicrous ideas, but I would not exactly count stumbling around and swearing as silent."
She opened her eyes to glare at him, but his gaze was mild, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "You prefer that I be bold, and command you to do my bidding?" she asked sarcastically, dropping her hands to her side.
"I think it is in your nature to be bold, and as to the rest, well,…it might be amusing to see you try." He ceased the soothing massage and gave her a questioning look. "Better?"
Her mind was reeling at the strangeness of the conversation, and she looked at him blankly. "Pardon? Oh! Yes, much improved, my thanks."
He nodded and turned, and she followed behind him. Before another quarter hour had passed, they came to the bank of a rushing stream. Haldir whistled low, then glanced at her.
"We cross here. This is the Celebrant." He uncoiled a rope he withdrew from his belt and tossed it to an elf waiting on the other side, who seemed to suddenly materialize from the foliage. Her brow furrowed in confusion until Haldir ran lightly across the rope which had been secured around the trunks of trees on either side of the Celebrant.
He stood perfectly balanced on the narrow strand and looked at her expectantly, beckoning her to follow. She laughed incredulously and pointed to the rope.
"I cannot cross in such a way, or I should end floundering in the water. Should I not just swim across in the first place? I can swim well enough."
Haldir pursed his lips and came to stand in front of her.
"No, the current is too swift and deep, and the water is very cold. I shall carry you across then."
Ahrhî backed away from him a step, and shot a glance at the golden-haired elf across the stream who was regarding her curiously.
"I would prefer not to be tossed over your shoulder again, if it is all the same to you."
She spoke quietly, in hopes that the elf across the way could not hear their discussion. Her memories of the number of times she had been carried by Haldir in their brief acquaintance, still fresh in her mind. It felt like a commentary on her helplessness and inferiority, and she resented any such implication.
"If you cannot manage the rope, then I must carry you, for there is no other way to cross. We keep no bridges in these watchful days. I will bear you in my arms this time, if it is more to your liking." he said, his voice growing stern. She looked to the sky in frustration, trying desperately to think of another way, when the thought came to her.
She looked at the rushing river with her eyes narrowed. She had managed something smaller on a whim once before, but could she do it again on command? There was but one way to know. She walked to the edge of the water and closed her eyes to focus.
Imagining the small bridge she wished to form, she stretched her hands toward the water, but the power refused to gather, remaining elusive as wisps in the wind. The harder she tried to command it, the faster it slipped away. Fire was far quicker to come to her and easier to call than ice. Discouraged, she began to lower her hands in defeat, when she felt a presence in her mind of a greater power than she had ever known.
Welcome Ahrhî Elnaur, it has been long years since I last felt the touch of one of your line. You will require my aid if you wish to accomplish your thought, a feminine voice spoke inside of her.
Ahrhî looked around in shock, when she heard a soft laugh from the same, beautiful voice. Unless you wish to let Haldir carry you across the water. He has no objection to the task.
She knew it must be the famed Lady of the Wood. For who else could have such power to speak in a person's mind? She looked back at the impatient elf who was staring at her, before answering.
"What must I do?" she asked in a whisper, not really sure how to have a conversation without speaking aloud.
Try once more, and I will assist your focus.
Ahrhî nodded and closed her eyes, extending her hands again. Instantly, she felt the power rush through her and out her fingertips. When she opened her eyes, a small bridge of ice arced just above the stream. She clapped her hands in delight.
"Oh, thank you, my Lady!" she gushed in gratitude.
You are most welcome, child. I will see you soon, Lady Galadriel said, amusement strong in her tone.
She couldn't resist turning to Haldir with a triumphant grin on her face, but he was walking to the rope bridge, his back to her. Shrugging, she stepped gingerly onto the ice, being careful not to slip. If she fell in the water after all her effort, she would deserve to be washed away.
Reaching the other side quickly, she rejoined Haldir, who had just accepted a small parcel from the other elf. Their quiet conversation was obviously not intended for her ears, and the intense scrutiny by the unknown elf made her uncomfortable.
Haldir inclined his head towards the path they were to take, so she walked ahead of him for a time, losing herself in the glory of the day.
After traveling for a distance, he drew her aside into a quiet glade, and gave her food from the parcel he had received. They drank fresh water from a container he carried, then after a brief rest they continued on.
When the daystar had nearly completed the trek across the sky, they stopped for the night. Haldir pointed out the talan they would take their rest in, mostly hidden in the canopy. Ahrhî trudged to the tree, intending to climb up and rest when he stopped her.
"There is a warm spring that feeds into a small pool nearby, if you wish to bathe."
She looked at him with a raised brow.
"If? Does a dwarf wish for an ale? Of course I wish to bathe!"
He led her in the direction of the spring, and she followed eagerly.
"I rather hoped you would. It would undoubtedly embarrass you to enter Caras Galadhon in your present state." Haldir waited for her offended response, but when none came, he glanced at her only to find her grinning.
"Never let it be said that I do things by half-measures. It takes dedication and perseverance to become this thoroughly soiled." She held up a particularly filthy corner of her tunic as proof.
"This is a pursuit you have devoted effort to? As what, a ploy to cause orcs to believe you are one of them?"
When she laughed so hard that she actually leaned over and clutched her middle, he looked at her dubiously, as though she had sprouted a second head. When she caught sight of his face, any attempt to compose herself was lost.
She finally regained control, gasping for air. His crossed arms and bland expression made her feel compelled to explain.
"I was just attempting to imagine a red-haired orc…" She trailed off when he continued to regard her with no trace of humor. She tilted her head in a way that made Haldir think of a curious bird, before throwing her hands up and sighing.
"Never mind," she muttered. Ahrhî strode past him, missing the tell-tale twitch of his lips.
When they reached the spring, she exclaimed in delight, stooping to test the temperature with her fingers. She smiled at Haldir in excitement, then pushed to her feet and glared at him in warning. "I certainly hope you have no misguided ideas about lingering here. I require no protector in these circumstances."
He clasped his hands behind his back, unable to resist goading her. "I have a duty as Marchwarden to watch over my charge, and for that, I must be present."
She stood perfectly still, measuring his resolve with her eyes before giving a resigned shrug and favoring him with a mischievous smile. She removed her cloak, then sat to remove her boots. "Very well. Perhaps you can at least make yourself useful by scrubbing my back?"
She withdrew a small cake of soap from her pack and approached him, holding it out. He accepted it automatically. Haldir knew she was jesting, but was reluctant to be the one to give in first in the little game they seemed to be playing.
Ahrhî smirked and turned away, having noted the slight uncertainty in his eyes. What he did not realize was how desperate she was to be clean. If it meant disrobing before one overbearing elf, then so be it. Maidenly reserve meant much less than being free of filth. She was nothing if not practical, and if she kept her back to him, she thought it likely she could ignore his presence. She freed her hair from its long braid and shook it out, then removed her sword belt.
Haldir watched her remove articles of clothing with a complete lack of concern, becoming angered by her behavior. When she stood in nothing but a pair of breeches, which barely hung there by the curve of her hips, he found his feet moving of their own accord.
Snaking his arm around her middle, he jerked her back against him. She gasped and clutched the tunic she held before her tight against her breasts. He grazed his lips and nose against her neck, his voice pitched low and dangerous.
"Be careful what temptation you offer, minx, lest you raise appetites you know nothing of."
His hand splayed possessively across the smooth skin of her belly in a light caress, causing her to shudder. He dropped the soap at her feet, then released her and strode off, soon lost to sight among the trees.
~o~
