Hi!

I am so sorry. Life sucks sometimes. Still haven't had my operation date, still in pain, being a woman is really awesome. Really. As to make up for my disappearance, this one is an epic! Please enjoy, I really like this one.

Love, always

MM-x


Haldir

So he had been right, Haldir thought with a mocking smile. She had held up an argument, electing to break him down into components in a matter of moments. He was well aware that perhaps he had fuelled that little scene – he was exhausted after taking a double turn at the border and was in sore need of rest. The question remained, however. How had she set upon his person so quickly and with surprising accuracy? It wasn't possible. He hid himself so well that even those closest to him – his brothers, Glorfindel, and once upon a time his parents – were never entirely sure of what he thought and felt. Yet she, like Galadriel, had seen right into him and swept aside the shield he had kept so carefully in place.

Did she realise what she had done?

Unlikely, Haldir thought bitterly as he made his way to the entrance to the city; the trees splitting to reveal the ethereal tree-top dwellings, bridges and staircases; glowing as if starlight were woven into the woodwork. Haldir allowed himself a true smile as he viewed his home from a distance, appreciating the beauty of the city.

"We are not lost! Look, there is Haldir; I told you I knew my way to the city from our place of rest!" Haldir heard the incessant accusations (mainly that Glorfindel had almost got them completely lost and that Haldir, amongst other things, smelt funny) of that over-bold elleth and allowed himself another smirk. Over-bold and slightly uncouth she may be, but she had an amusing quality; he assumed that smelt funny came in replacement of the taboo language she was accustomed to using.

"Hail, Glorfindel! I see you found the city." Haldir called out without turning. "The Lady would see you as soon as you are ready. I advise a change of dress and drying off." He turned to face them, and examined the girl for a moment.

"Do you want me to take a picture for you? It would last longer." She said smirked.

Haldir closed his eyes and sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose and reigning in his foul mood. "Come. I shall lead you to your talan. There you may change and do as you will before I escort you to the Lady."

He started off in the right direction, not checking to see if the two would follow. He knew they would; if they did not then that was their problem to deal with, not his.

xxxXxxx

Benny

"Damn, damn, damn, damn, DAMN!" I shouted as I attempted to peel off the soaked elvish leggings whilst stood up, failed in my attempt, and landed solidly on my wrist. "Ow!" I was lucky it hadn't snapped.

I removed them whilst sat on the floor, and then the rest of my clothes. A bath had been drawn for me ahead of time and everything I needed had been laid out in the room: I sincerely appreciated the hot water on my sore muscles after many hours of solid riding. I washed myself and my hair thoroughly, contemplating what had happened in the few short weeks I had spent here so far. Everything had changed, and was changing more as each second passed. I was still gaining a little height, but it wasn't much now.

Elvish. The word didn't seem to sound right in my head. I was Elvish. Part of this insane world, this insane time where men carried swords not guns, wore leggings (I snorted here for effect, I knew no man at home that would have willingly worn a pair of leggings except my one cross-dressing friend, Martyn), and seemed so damn chivalrous it was disturbing. A twisted smile formed on my lips - I wasn't opposed to a little chivalry now and again, but I was highly unsure how long I would last before insisting I do things completely by myself, no help, no nothing.

I grimaced. Yeah, blowing up like that would be a brilliant idea if I wanted to keep my cover, keep my history to myself, and try and avoid death-by-Sauron at any cost. Unfortunately, that damned irritating man - elf - Haldir wasn't going to make my life easy. He just rubbed me the wrong way, and I was surprised I hadn't thought of it earlier. In principle, I'd always liked Haldir's character... when he was a fictional character and merely a theoretical person, rather than the real one I had encountered. In the reality of Middle Earth, however, he was arrogant, sarcastic and undoubtedly so far up his own behind he could see Sauron's flaming eye out of the other side.

I dunked my head under the water for a final time as the temperature cooled and hauled myself out of the bath, grimacing as my muscles protested against the action. I pottered around the very simple bathing room, collecting my soggy clothing and wrapping myself in what seemed to be a towel; the material was soft against my skin, almost like silk. For a humble student like myself it felt beyond richness; something that should be used to make bedding, or a dress, rather than dry myself with. I scratched my nose and looked around the small side room, making sure I'd collected everything, before walking back into the bigger room next to it.

The bedroom was by no means large; I'd been in larger at friends houses. It reminded me of a hotel room, I realised with a jolt. Neutral colours that matched the wood, whites and creams and browns, clean and functional. The bed was the same size as a modern double bed, low to the floor with the cushioned headboard pressed against the back wall. To the left of the bed, a small balcony that was currently covered by gently swaying curtains in a shimmering brown-gold. To the right, the entrance to the bathing room, and a dressing table near a medium-sized window, the curtains matching those at the balcony. The room was bright and comfortable, I'd be happy here. By the side of the bed was a small bed stand, and on it was my rucksack, which seemed to be untouched. I looked around the room again from the door to the bathing room. Opposite was a lovely chest of drawers that I assumed my clothes would go in, and the door that led me to the living area . It was a far more spacious double room that consisted of a what could be considered a small kitchen with a dining table, and a wider space with chairs, some form of sofa and an empty book case.

I felt a stab of sadness. At home I had over 300 books that would have filled that case nicely; and now I had none. Tears prickled my eyes as I thought of my own room, and my place in my University halls. None of that was mine now; all I had was the few small trinkets that had come with me on the aeroplane. I toyed with the ring on my finger absent-mindedly, before shaking myself and standing tall. No, I'd make the most of this... whatever it was. New life, adventure, whatever. I bit my lip and looked around the room finally, before eyeing up the chest of drawers. I put the wet clothes on the dressing table and made my way over, opening each drawer in turn. The top held a few tunics and leggings, the middle dresses, and in the bottom some formidable-looking underwear. I shrugged and looked at the tunics in turn, each was simple and unadorned, not much use for a meeting with the powers-that-be in Lothlorien.

I stood straight and secured the towel around me, then wandered to the bed stand and opened my rucksack. Finding the clothes and pulling them out, I rooted for my underwear, the clean pair i had washed in Rivendell, and slipped the bra on, alongside a pair of knickers. Dropping the towel I looked at the dresses in the drawer, and decided that the green one would do just fine. The dress seemed to fit well, a square neckline with long, draping sleeves that were like muslin or gauze, very thin with darker green lines tracing through the material. Like veins on a leaf , I thought with a grin – how appropriate for the woods. The dress fell to the floor in folds and I inspected myself in the mirror at the dressing table – it seemed respectable enough. I sat down at the small stool and shoved the wet clothes off the surface, leaning on it with my elbows and resting my chin in cupped hands. I heaved a sigh as I looked at myself; how could I look the same when so much had changed?

I examined the drawers and found a few hair pieces, diadems, a blade that reminded me of the razor's used to cut hair, and a comb. I dragged it through my tangled locks, now sitting on my shoulders, and glared at the length. Too long. I picked up the razor and examined it.

"Hmm... can I use you?" I asked it out loud, and the metal seemed to glitter as if it was responding with an affirmative answer. I knew the general gist of how it was used after watching TV programme after TV programme on it at University, usually whilst procrastinating from the work I knew had to be done.

"Well, I cant cut the back, so how about blunting it?" I timidly brought the razor to my hair, and used my fingers as a clamp whilst I brought the razor down in gentle movements, the hair cutting and falling away.

I let out a yelp as I caught my finger on the blade, and the wound began to bleed immediately. I dropped the razor on the table and put pressure on my finger to try and stop the blood, internally cursing myself for trying to cut my own hair with a razor. I popped my finger in my mouth as I tucked one side of my hair behind my ear, the longer side, and sulked.

With a snort I looked at my ears. Pointy. That was one of the strangest things I had yet to encounter. Leaf-shaped ears that marked me as part of a race that I didn't understand. I removed my finger from my mouth and put pressure on it again.

"A race I don't want to belong to." I said softly, biting on my lip again. I loved the Elves, but I wanted to love them from a distance. From a human perspective.

"But that's just the thing." I said again to myself. "How different are they, Man and Elf? How different do I feel, knowing what I am?"

"A strange, yet fair question." I jumped a mile high, turning on the stool to see who had been listening in to my one-sided discussion. "One would wonder, however, why you would be asking it at all." Haldir stood in the doorway, eyes focused on me intently.

"We all have our secrets." I said lightly but coolly, determined to keep the situation calm. "Why are you here?"

xxxXxxx

Haldir

Haldir wasn't surprised at her tone, or her annoyance; she could keep her secrets for all he cared. What he was surprised to see was that she was wearing a dress, a lovely one at that, and looked somewhat presentable.

He glanced at her hair suddenly, and at the small pile on the table at which she was sitting. Then he spotted the razor, and her hand desperately clamping the other.

"What have you done?" he asked in a bored tone, whilst internally he was making sure she had not tried to... do something; He did not know what. She gave him a hard look before unclasping her hands and examining her finger, which dripped red with blood. He felt a tinge of relief, and a little guilt, at what he had subconsciously supposed of this young elleth.

"I was trying, " she hissed, sounding in pain. "To cut my hair. It's too long at the front and it won't grow properly if I don't cut it straight." her voice held a note suggesting she was resigned to a fate she did not appreciate, and Haldir had to hold back a laugh. He set his jaw as Bernadette glared at him, her eyes narrowing in annoyance. "And yes, you can stop looking so damn smug, I know I'm bleeding and I know I can't do it by myself."

With a sigh, Haldir walked over to where she was sat and took her hand, examining the small cut. Bernadette gave a harrumph of indignation and snatched her hand away, glaring at him as if he had burned her.

"The cut will heal by the end of the night. However, your hair..." he eyed her critically. "Something needs to be done about it."

Haldir watched as she rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't have guessed that, at all." Her voice was dripping with sarcasm, and if Haldir were not irritated with he, he would have been suitably amused; that particular tone only he had achieved, out of everyone he knew.

"Give me the razor." He commanded coldly, bored of her childish pouting and sulking. They had a meeting to attend with the Lady, and he had no intention of being late.

He saw fear flash in her eyes for a moment, briefly, before they set like stone as she looked up at him. "No, I'll be fine by myself." She turned back to the table and picked up the razor again, combing the longer side of her hair till it was straight.

"Lady, I've had enough experience with a blade to do a better job than you are currently doing. I shan't do any more damage, I thank you, and you have a meeting to attend. I'm sure you would not want to be late." She still shook her head, biting her lip... with nerves! He wanted to laugh outright at that. He'd scared this poor girl half to death! Chuckling, he stood behind her, putting a hand on her shoulder. "I promise, I shall not hurt you." He met her eyes in the mirror and she seemed to give up, holding the blade up for him to take. He plucked the blade from her fingers, and examined it for a moment, an then dropped into a crouch next to her.

"Turn around." he said, softer perhaps than he intended, but he needed to show her that he would do her no harm. She sat stiffly, he noted, barely breathing as he ran the razor carefully, taking the hair away to match the length at the back. Her hair was thick, he noted absently, and soft, but there were dry areas at the ends which he made sure to take away.

If she would but let her hair grow he thought as he studied her face. And took out those infernal pieces of metal.

"What are they?" He asked suddenly, unaware at first that he had said it. It shocked him a little, but he was intrigued as to why she was as she was.

"Piercings." she said, still very stiffly. She offered no more, and stared straight ahead.

Why was her blasted hair so thick? "Why do you have them?" He asked again, conversationally. It was awkward, tense, and he did not like it.

"Because." It seemed like she was thinking of an answer. "I like them. They make me stand out." She bit her lip, a habit, he noticed. He was not prepared for such an honest answer from this elleth – but then again, he realised with a start, he should not have been surprised. She was honest... painfully so, as he has discovered.

She does not think much of herself, then, Haldir thought, frowning as a piece of hair was stubborn to cut. He could understand that, having a low opinion of oneself. He could even empathise with her, to a degree.

He finished her hair but didn't move, simply looking at her. Her eyes had shut, and she was still tense, but perhaps a little less so than when he had begun.

Bernadette took a deep breath, but didn't open her eyes. "Thank you." she said, stiffly but with meaning.

He stood abruptly, feeling awkward. He was not used to thanks from anyone, and it was actually meant with true emotion. "You're most welcome." He was equally hard in his response.

Her eyes were still shut. "I'm sorry."

Haldir didn't need to ask what she was apologising for. It was on her mind as much as his, it seemed. However, much against his character and what he thought was his desire, he sighed, rubbing his eyes. "Forgiven."

Her eyes popped open and she looked at him sharply. "You do?" she was surprised and, Valar help him, so was he.

"Do not get too comfortable." He said dryly. "I am not known to be forgiving." She sighed and grabbed one of the circlets off the table, sliding it into place.

"Come." His cold, sharp demeanour was back. "We will be late." She looked around in a panic for a moment, then eyed a pair of shoes and slipped them on.

Bernadette looked at him with apprehension, then nodded. "Let's go"

Only the pile of hair left in the room was witness to the moment shared between the two stubborn, proud elves. And that hair, sure enough, would not be telling anyone of it any time soon, and neither would the two elves. It would remain buried, hidden, and left well alone.

Or so they hoped.

XxxXxxx

Benny

The dark-haired girl heard a scream from somewhere behind where she was seated and she automatically grabbed her mother's hand, panic and nervousness creeping into her stomach. She tangled her feet in the straps of her rucksack so she knew it was with her, and she whimpered as the plane bounced and dropped again. Another tremendous crash and everything in the cabin went dark, the storm threw the passengers violently to one side and the emergency lights flickered into life, oxygen masks dropping from the ceiling.

Rapidly they dropped, and then without warning the planed tilted and the girl was thrown to the right into the wall of the plane. The twins in front of her were sobbing and she told them it was going to be okay as the girl held onto her mum. She screamed as she looked out of the window, the engine and wing was on fire and smoke billowed threateningly. She was in full panic mode as they began to spiral uncontrollably downwards through the bottomless sky – then the world exploded in heat, deafening noise so close it went right through her chest, and lights-bright whites and reds and yellows. There was unimaginable pain, and finally, there was nothing.

I sat up in one swift motion, bolt-upright and chest heaving from fear. I let out a dry sob, trying and failing to control my erratic breathing. I clawed at the constricting night dress, pulling it away from my throat in an attempt to gain air. I tried to imagine what my mother would be saying to me and I focused on counting, cupping my hands over my mouth to shallow the inhalations and avoid hyperventilation.

It's just a dream, I told myself as I climbed out of the bed and moved the curtains leading to the balcony and slipped out, leaning on the twisting wooden railings. I closed my eyes and took a breath of the sweet, clear air and felt my chest loosen completely; I could hear voices in song, like spiritual bells chiming in the distance. I opened my eyes and looked up; the branches of the tree that held my talan reached higher and higher, and I could see the odd twinkling star in between the leaves of the magnificent trees. I could see bridges passing from tree to tree, with glowing elves gracefully walking from one tree to another, and I wished for a moment I could be as graceful as these beautiful creatures.

The meeting with Galadriel had not gone well. She spent more than an hour invading my mind, pulling up awful and purposefully well hidden memories that left me torn and exhausted. The worst had been those of my father, of whom she had a great interest yet would tell me so very little; she brought back the horrific memories of his death that she practically forced, causing a searing pain in my mind as I tried to stop her. I could feel my sorrow at his passing raw and fresh as if it had been only hours, minutes, since it happened... And yet not one single person would tell me any more than that which I had already assumed – that my father was somehow, somewhere, originally from Middle Earth.

I closed my eyes, my head dropping into my hands. Sobs shook my body as I remembered his face, pale and gaunt, as he spoke to me on his deathbed, the last time I heard his voice forever.

"You know... You know I'm... Not long left." He rasped and I took has hand with a gentle nod, his fingers thin and frail between my own. His chest heaved and he coughed, his pale face surrounded by a halo of dark hair, a desperate contrast to his skin. He gripped my hand and pulled me closer with as much strength as he could muster.

"Promise me. Promise me that you'll look after them." His eyes were desperate as he held my hand.

"I will." My lips trembled and I bit down, hard enough to draw blood. My eyes were filling and my heart was breaking as my father lay dying in front of me. The stark white sheets of the bed, the pale walls, it all seemed too clean, too good, for what was happening to this wonderful man in front of me. This man who had made me who I was.

"No." His voice was sharper and deeper than it had been a moment ago. "No tears, I will not see you cry, darling, please don't." I nodded, taking a deep, steadying breath.

"No tears, see?" I pointed with my free hand to my face, and a smile graced his features, though it looked distorted, as if his face were too thin to hold it properly.

"Good girl. Beautiful girl." He said, his hand shaking. "My beautiful princess... take my ring. It is yours, and one day I am sure you will need it. One of many gifts that you should be graced with in your life." He took his hand away and pulled off the ring that sat on his middle finger, and he slipped it onto my thumb.

"I... There are many things... should have told you. I... I promise...see you again... beautiful Benny!" He coughed hard, wheezing and choking. I looked alarmed and made to call a nurse, but he shook his head. "One day...I'll... explain everything. Do not hate me..." he coughed again. "I'm sorry... Benny!...Know this... I... Love you. Tell... your mother... I love her more... than my life is worth. I..." He coughed, but this time the coughing didn't stop for minutes... and then he was still. Too still. I stood and leaned over him, calling him.

"Dad? Dad? DADDY!" I tried to shake him, make him wake up. I had said I wouldn't cry, but the tears flowed freely and onto his face as I put my hands either side of his cheeks. "Daddy?" I whispered, but he didn't respond. In a cool, clinically detached motion I felt for a pulse – his neck, his wrist, and my hand came to rest finally over his heart. I soul-wrenching sob escaped me and I backed away from him, in absolute horror. "No... NO!" I stumbled backwards and ran out of the private room, and headlong into a nurse. She caught me as I tried to run.

"He's dead! HE'S DEAD!" I cried, and the blue-clad woman looked around and motioned for a consultant who rushed into his room.

"Come on, let's find your mum." She put her arm around me and led me to one of the many family rooms. My mother stood, pale faced, as I flew into her arms, and we stood, shaking and crying, barely paying attention as my father's consultant and a small group of his carers came into the room.

"Time of death, 17:32." He said, professional yet edged with compassion. "I'm very sorry, Mrs Richards. There was nothing else we could have done."

I had screamed bloody murder at Galadriel as she brought the memory back, and it took the full force of Glorfindel to hold me back from doing something I would regret to the lady. I had looked her dead in the eye before he led me away, and whilst she looked shaken from my outburst and from the memory, she still seemed to have no compassion, no feeling about me. About what she had just done to me by pulling back the worst day of my life.

"I hope you're happy." I'd said coldly – without feeling, without anger. It was all spent from the upheaval of the memories I had worked for 5 years to repress, and to get over. She had bowed her head as Celeborn moved to stand next to her, a gentle hand placed on her shoulder.

"Come." Glorfindel had tugged me in the direction of my talan, passing Haldir on the way out as he stood guarding the doors. I caught his eye for a moment, and he looked directly back with little emotion, save for a flash of repressed anger and empathy. He closed his eyes and bowed his head at me, and I moved to follow Glorfindel again.

As I reached the bottom of the long staircase, the only straight case in Lothlorien, I'd looked up again. Haldir was staring down at me, a look of confusion etched on his proud face, but as he saw me looking in his direction his features became void of all emotion and he stood straight, staring out at the tree line in the stance of a defender, of a warrior.

Now, I stood straight on the balcony, looking upwards again at the stars again. I looked for the brightest, the North star, but I couldn't see it. Maybe it didn't exist here, or maybe it just wasn't in view... but without it, I didn't have the comfort of my father.

I sighed and wandered through my talan to the kitchen, where a large stone jug stood on one of the surfaces. I searched for one of the small, wooden cups Glorfindel had served me tea in and I poured a small amount of water into the cup, struggling a little with the weight. I thought again about earlier in the day, and turned my mind back to the stubborn, proud, arrogant warrior that was Haldir. I would never be able to understand him, as much as I might have known him. I thrived on emotion and feeling, and aiding others... whereas he lived by pushing all emotion away, save the ones that would keep others safe. I knew, in that instant, that though I was safe, I would be forever tormented here. Haldir unsettled me, he made me feel on edge and brought out the very worst in me; even though we had seemed to call a truce on our natural bickering, something just wasn't right.

I moved to one of the wicker chairs and sat, curling my legs underneath me, and I took a sip of the cool, clear water. Glorfindel would be leaving as soon as his horse was recovered to make the journey – tomorrow or the day after – and then I would be completely alone. I would have no companionship with those I felt easy around, and I knew myself too well to believe that I would easily find friends. I stood no chance.

Oh, what I would give for a healthy dose of Tori and J right now, I smiled with fondness as I thought of my sisters. Whilst they were boisterous, teasing, and often irritating, we spent many wonderful hours together – me leaving home had mellowed us out towards each other far more than I had expected. I wonder where they are now? I thought with a sad smile. Were they alive, hurt, dead? Were they here somewhere, thrown here with me?

They would be safer than me, most assuredly. They knew next to nothing about this world and only knew the name of the books and films, though they had never paid much attention when they saw them and they had certainly not read them. They weren't at all bookish, I thought with fondness. They were the exact opposite from me in many respects – hence why we grated so easily on each other's nerves but seemed to keep our cool around each other.

I laughed out loud suddenly. What on earth would happen if they met Haldir? They would have him out of his shell in a matter of minutes, with their boundless energy and unyielding optimism, and their ability to be persuasive by adorable cuteness that still showed lingering childhood.

I shook my head and laughed again; at least I could think of them fondly and with smiles. I wasn't crying over them yet, and I still had hope that somehow, some way, that they would find me. I finished my drink and looked out of one of the windows. The sky was starting to lighten – not much reason to go back to bed when in a few hours I would be up again. I placed the used cup on one of the counters and went to get dressed; I intended to do some persuasion and get a tour of Lothlorien from someone, somehow!

As I exited the room, I glanced out of the window absently, completely missing the two elves sat on a platform only a few meters away from my own that had spent the last three hours watching my talan with interest... On the command of their brother.

xxxXxxx

Haldir

Haldir heard shouting, screaming, and then broken, gut-wrenching sobs. He winced at each one internally as he stood guarding the doors that hid the Lord and Lady of the wood from view, and for a brief moment he wondered just what the Lady and Bernadette were discussing. However, what made that difficult was the fact that only the lady Bernadette was doing the shouting, each phrase drenched with emotion and pain and anger that was almost tangible in the air – he heard no response from the Lady, which left him to wonder just what they were speaking about.

He turned as the door opened – a concerned Glorfindel held his arm around lady Bernadette, whose eyes were red from the tears she had shed, shoulders slumped in defeat and fatigue. The exact opposite of the strong-willed elleth she appeared that morning. He wondered what could have broken her down so fully, and he was surprised that she paused to look him in the eye. He felt a stab of regret and anger as he saw her eyes were void of any emotion, and for one of the few times in his life, he questioned the actions of the Lady Galadriel. Instinctively Haldir bowed his head at the elleth – it was a mark of respect that the Lady expected of all her Wardens and was so embedded into his routine that he did it without thought. However, that simple nod carried a different message, whether he realised it or not.

I understand.

Haldir found the thought unnerving, and he watched the elleth and Lord Glorfindel slowly descend the stairs. He stepped forward and watched her movements closely, confused. They were graceful enough, but not in the way of the Elves. He began to wonder if she really had been raised by humans... but that thought did not poses him for long. Haldir was unnerved by this lady, and what tormented her so – but she would be too stubborn to tell anyone, as she had proved to Galadriel. Her problems, it seemed, were her own.

Haldir realised she had stopped and looked back, and he shook himself from his reverie. glaring and standing straight, he began staring at the magnificent mallorn trees, and did not look down until she was a good distance away.

Let Glorfindel be her comfort He thought, eyes narrowing. That is a role I am not suited to, and never shall.

He turned to the hall of the Lord and Lady, and marched in, clearing his mind of those clouded, confused thoughts.

"Haldir. I trust you are well?" The Lady asked him as he bowed low.

"As well as can be expected after months at the north border." he said with some humour, earning a smile from both Galadriel and Celeborn.

"We would be lost without you, as would your patrol, I am sure." Celeborn said to him, and a smirk graced Haldir's features, before he shook his head.

"My brothers would do equally well. Though I must say, they are so easily distracted by pretty elleths, it is a wonder they keep themselves alive." Haldir stood straight. "My Lady, I must ask... the lady Bernadette. She is a riddle, and in pain. What torments her so?"

Galadriel's eyes darkened and she walked over to one of the windows, staring out as the sun made it's way further across the sky, announcing the afternoon was dimming. "I am afraid that was of my doing. She was not easy to talk to, and holds many a secret close to her heart, guarded by walls she has erected to avoid hurt more." She looked at him; a small, playful smile on her lips. "Not unlike a Warden I have in my service."

"I cannot think who you may mean." Haldir narrowed his eyes, and Galadriel sighed again.

"No, I am sure you cannot." She stayed silent for a time. "Haldir, I would ask you to watch over her. She has seen pain, and hurt, and she has done very well to hide it, push it away. I fear that she may begin to relive all those memories that I have brought back, foolishly perhaps. I ask nothing more than a little of your time. You are not unlike her, Haldir, and I have heard about your argument at the border." She turned an icy glare at Haldir, and he resisted the urge to flinch. "Yes, I think you know that I am not best pleased. I have had you as a Captain of the March for many long years, and never have I needed to discuss your conduct. Why did it come to this?"

He bowed his head, angry at himself and Bernadette, for incurring the Lady's wrath. "I... that is to say, we, both have equally rash tempers, it would appear." His teeth were clenched as he bit out the words, making it clear that he was not the only one at fault.

Galadriel studied him for a time, sensing his anger and it's direction. She raised an eyebrow and walked back to her husband, who had remained silent. "She is a guest, Haldir, and you have a role within these woods that must not be shaken by pettiness."

"I believe it takes two to have an argument, my Lady." He was reminded sharply of her coarse words, and he dropped into his mask of uninterested, distanced, self-protecting annoyance. It was better for himself and for lady Bernadette if he was not reminded again of their easily avoided argument. She just got under his skin, and that unnerved him – he did not want strangers knowing all there was about him.

Galadriel stared at him again, her eyes focused on his own. "Very well, Haldir, I see you have solidified your opinion on Lady Bernadette, and I will not seek to change it. I would still have you watch her, speak to her from time to time, see that she is well and does not distance herself from others. You have my leave to go."

Haldir bowed to Galadriel and Celeborn in turn. "As you wish, my Lady." Haldir turned on his heel and left the room. Making quick work of the stairs, he went to look for his brothers, no doubt somewhere drinking already. They had a few months off whilst another group took their post and his brothers would want to make the most of it.

He found them in a drinking hall, near the centre of the wood. "Rumil, Orophin, I have something to ask of you." They looked at him, their smiles growing in unison.

"What, dear brother, would you ask of us?" Orophin asked, taking a swig of his drink.

"There is someone that needs watching. Lady Bernadette, who came to this wood with Lord Glorfindel. The Lady would have her watched, and I would ask you to help do some of the watching." His words were stiff – he did not like asking for favours, but he would not sit arguing with the elleth he had come to find so naturally irritating.

His brothers looked at each other for a moment, as if discussing between themselves. "Is she pretty?" Rumil asked, a glint in his eye.

"Passably." Haldir said blandly, willing to say anything in order to get the help of his brothers.

"Oh, it seems someone is a little jealous! Tell me brother," Orophin stood and clapped a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Why is it we are to do the watching, not you, if you have designs on this elleth?" He teased.

Haldir pushed Orophin's hand off his shoulder a little more forcefully than necessary. "I have no designs on the girl. She can barely stand to be in the same room as me, and I assure you, the feeling is entirely mutual." He looked at his brothers with a pleading stare, and they both sighed over-dramatically.

"Fine, brother, as you asked so nicely. Lead the way." They both finished their drinks and followed Haldir's quick pace to the lady Bernadette's talan.

XxxXxxx

Rumil and Orophin watched Bernadette as she moved in the main room of her talan, both intrigued by the unusual lady. She was sat with Glorfindel, talking about something or other, crying, storming about, and on occasion, throwing something at Glorfindel for which she immediately apologised and began crying again.

"She is a strange one, brother." Orophin said quietly. "She certainly has a temper. Oh!" He cringed. "She nearly hit him again."

"Haldir used to throw things when angry." Rumil commented. "When he was much younger, of course. Though I do not think he broke down in tears quite like that... oh dear, I am not surprised Haldir is not... ouch!"

"Oh dear, now Lord Glorfindel is angry..." they both heard a door slam and a stream of language foul enough to make Sauron blush flew forth from the talan, loud enough for the whole of Lothlorien to hear. "It seems Lord Glorfindel is not the only angry one."

They both sat and watched as Glorfindel coaxed her out of her room and held her in a tight embrace, speaking firmly to her and she nodded. Orophin watched with interest as she seemed to fall in on herself – he could see when she just gave up, all her anger released, her crying over. Then he felt panic as she collapsed in Glorfindel's arms, her legs falling from underneath her.

Glorfindel, however, looked quite clam as he lifted her and took her into another room, and then came out again, looking quite smug. He looked out of the window and spotted the two brothers, and motioned them into the talan.

"What are you doing here?" he asked quietly, and the two looked guiltily at him for a moment.

"Haldir asked it of us– apparently the Lady wants him to watch over her. However, for unspecified reasons, he will not watch her, so he handed us the job." Rumil laughed.

Glorfindel scowled. "How typically Haldir. He and Bernadette, this lady who has fallen into your care... well, as she would say, 'rub each other the wrong way.'"

"He did mention that. Have they already fought yet?" Orophin asked eagerly.

"Oh yes, it was quite spectacular. However, I do believe he scared her half to death by towering over her with a face like thunder. He looked prepared to have her by the neck if I had not stepped in." Glorfindel cast a weary glance towards the door. "She and Haldir are too similar for their own good. I think it is maybe best the two are kept apart."

"How similar is too similar?" Rumil asked, walking towards the door that was slightly ajar, looking at her pale, sleeping form for a moment before turning back to Glorfindel. "She's still resting – is she well?"

Glorfindel allowed himself a smirk. "I put a draught to induce sleep in her tea. She needs rest, and time to calm down. Too similar, too similar..." He moved to a chair and sat, drumming his fingers on his knee. "She is stubborn. She is proud, but not so proud as Haldir. She is dedicated to helping all those who may cross her path. She is afraid of emotional pain, and has suffered great losses in her life... though that is her story to tell, not mine."

"Quite similar then!" Rumil said joyfully, grinning. "You would think, then, that they should enjoy each other's company, rather than spend it squabbling."

"I am sure." Glorfindel said dryly. "Now, make yourself useful and watch Bernadette elsewhere. She will be hungry when she wakes, so make sure to have some food around. " He shooed the two brothers out of the talan, and settled himself down, making sure she didn't wake unexpectedly.

xxxXxxx

Rumil and Orophin heard her scream. It was all they could do not to rush in and make sure she was well, however each knew it was not. She wandered into the living space, pale and shaking, and struggled with the heavy water pitcher before sitting down to think.

"Nightmares?" Rumil murmured, and Orophin nodded.

"I would say so. She seems fine, if not a little shaken." They watched her, and were startled when she laughed. It first started as a hiccup, and then became a full, if not light, laugh.

As she moved, she looked out of the window, and each brother thought they were done for. Her face was soft, her hair a dark mass, but very short, for a female. A face that made a passer by stop and think about her – pretty in a unique way, but even at a glance, the barriers she held around her were clear to see.

However, to their surprise, she moved on without even acknowledging their presence. She had not seen them.

"Her mind is elsewhere." Rumil looked at the sky. "It is not far from sunrise, I do not think she will return to sleep. Perhaps I should get some food for her – some bread and fruit – and then we can introduce ourselves?"

Orophin nodded. "I agree. I would like to find out what irks our brother so."

"I would like to know why she look like she has lost the world." Rumil sighed softly, before climbing to the forest floor and running to find some food.


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