Title: Faril Nin [My Huntress]
Author: Codi Lyn { iluvobiwan91
Genre: Romance, Angst, Hurt/Comfort
Rating: PG-13 – R (for descriptive battle scene/wounds)
Pairing: Orophin/OFC [Gwaeron]
Timeline: Begins before the Fellowship enters Lorien in Third Age 3018… concludes during Fourth Age 250
Chapter: 10/13
Chapter Summary: "I will allow no man to dishonor you, my beautiful huntress, not even me. I would have the integrity of my princess intact." Orophin looked upon her with eyes that saw her dressed in royal raiment in Gondor, and he found her perfectly suited to either the throne of her ancestors or the trees and garb of the Northern rangers.
Author's Note: Follows movie-verse, but I make a few references to things that happened in the books. J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson have rights to the important stuff, this story is written purely for pleasure.
Chapter TenA routine of health was soon established now that the Lady had granted Orophin leave from his sickbed. The freedom allowed Gwaeron to take him away from that lonesome room every morning to take long walks with her through the city, regaining his strength a little at a time. Each day they went further, finding more isolated lanes when they did not have Véredhiel in arms so that they might find each other's arms more privately. The lady ranger held no lack of incentives for his recovery when every moment he longed to touch her and she often encouraged the play of his pursuit when they moved through the younger trees that encircled Caras Galadhon.
More than once, she had been fooled into his pretense of exhaustion and captured into her beloved's arms when she drew near. Orophin used this act with pleasure, for his lover dealt him little real punishment after her capture. "I must be careful or you shall doubt me at every turn." Chuckling between kissing her ear and her neck, Orophin held the woman between a cluster of aspens and his body.
"In little things, I already do!" She hit him lightly at his uninjured side. "You ask me for tea only to watch me make it and hold my hands around your cup as you drink, we go to watch the sunset and yet your eyes are closed to kiss me until nightfall—"
"Do you have any objection, faril nin?" There was a rasp in his voice that she felt through his breath on her neck. His lips lingered in one more kiss there before pulling away to study her face.
Gwaeron's eyes were half-closed in tender delight as she smirked at him. "No, I do not… But my brother might."
He laughed with a nod, admitting she was right as he glanced a their feet. "I've actually wanted to talk with you along that vein, and I've delayed it." Her head tilted curiously, a little more sober at his words. Orophin's hand reached up to finger her long curls, thinking how he should proceed. "You know a little about elven customs of marriage, but mostly I imagine you've been told only about the ceremony and feasting." At her nod, he proceeded. "Traditionally, the bond is consummated between the couple first… and then the ceremonial words are spoken before the people and the celebration lasts for a week or so."
Gwaeron believed she had known this, but now it seemed to really apply and resonate, and it sent nerves to tangle within her in mixed delight and anxiety. It was right in the eyes of her elven family to commit themselves this way… but that was not the way of men, and without her brother even to be present for the bonding ceremony?
Orophin saw how the information absorbed into reality for her and he touched her arm reassuringly. "Rúmil has offered for me to return and stay with him in the talan beside yours—ours. But I wanted to tell you that I refused." Her gaze returned to his, waiting for his reasoning. "I want to honor you by your people and family, Gwaeron. And for myself, it means to sleep in another part of our city until the day you become my wife in the presence of your family. The marriage customs of men are not so different from our own, it is only the timing."
Smiling, Gwaeron knew exactly what he meant. These intimacies of courtship and engagement would go no further than what honor would keep her a maiden and their love pure. Not only this, but in the presence of her family—Orophin knew, as she did, that Aragorn's path was as yet unknown in this war, whether he would return to her and be the ranger, fall in defending Middle Earth from the Dark One's armies, or remain in Gondor to take his crown. Gwaeron's family included the house of Elrond, as well as her heritage from Elendil, and Orophin would share their ceremony with those of Imladris who loved her, if war claimed her brother. "You are good to me, my beloved warden." Her eyes had turned glassy.
"I will allow no man to dishonor you, my beautiful huntress, not even me. I would have the integrity of my princess intact." Orophin looked upon her with eyes that saw her dressed in royal raiment in Gondor, and he found her perfectly suited to either the throne of her ancestors or the trees and garb of the Northern rangers.
Gwaeron counted now that seven weeks had passed since Orophin's return from Helm's Deep, marking each day by the progress of his physical and emotional healing. She returned home—as she thought of Orophin's talan now—with a drowsing baby girl in her arms. They had all become too tired to stay in her beloved's cramped room to stay, and the woman's kiss had awoken Orophin just enough to bid her good night.
With familiar routine, she put the little one to bed with blankets all around and went to take her bath, looking forward to joining her daughter in rest. Gwaeron was combing through her wet curls when she felt, rather than heard, a presence at the entrance to her flet. Presently, there was a gentle knock. "I'm coming…" The woman called softly and made her way past the baby and to the door.
The knowing smile of the Lady of the Wood greeted her. "Good evening, Gwaeron. Am I disturbing you?" The high elf queen inquired politely, seeing her damp curls collected to one shoulder.
"No, of course not. Véredhiel is just sleeping… please, come in." Gesturing inside, both women sat quietly at the small dining table.
"I have come to share news and make you an offer." Galadriel was serene and happy to see this young mortal so content, waiting patiently for what she now began to tell her. "The One ring of power has at last been destroyed." Gwaeron's face went slack in shock, yet her Lady continued. "The young halfling you met, Frodo Baggins, has accomplished this with Samwise Gamgee at his side."
Gwaeron had moved to the edge of her seat now and asked so many questions with bright eyes, but only voiced one. "What of the others? My brother…"
"Your brother is well, along with the others who now rest in Minas Tirith. I'm afraid only the Steward's son, Boromir, was killed on this quest of the Fellowship. His death came while protecting the other two hobbits, Meriadoc and Peregrin, in Amon Hen."
Her face fell sorrowful as she remembered the man from their brief stay in Lorien. Amon Hen… not even a great distance beyond the Golden Wood when he was killed. Gwaeron remembered his last looks had been dark, and she prayed he had redeemed what honor he seemed to have lost.
Galadriel had not come to bring ill tidings, however, and now she brought the maiden's attention to more encouraging truths. "Your brother has been working hard with his people to rebuild the lives and brilliance of his White City. He strives to make it shine as bright from within as any of its long line of kings had sought to do."
The ranger's green eyes shot up at the implication of her words. "His people, his city? Has he…" Galadriel's smile and sparkling gaze were enough to assure her. Trembling hands rose to hold her mouth as a joyous sob rang out, tears that shone on her Dúnedan features only reflected the happiness of relief. At last, he had chosen to take his inheritance, to be the heir to the throne of Gondor as she had long prayed he would.
A tender hand lay upon her arm and she met the well-pleased eyes of Galadriel. "There is more, child, can you stand it?" Amusement was clear in her tone. "My granddaughter will soon be on her way from Imladris to meet him, no doubt ending their troth in marriage. My lord husband and I will not be traveling to the White City, but we shall send a party to represent Lorien and attend both the coronation, and the union of the King and our Evenstar." She gave the young woman a sly glance, a smile in her voice. "It would seem you now have strong ties to both this realm and Elessar's, which makes you the obvious choice to accompany our Marchwarden on his journey there."
Green eyes swam in tears of utter happiness so that Gwaeron's sight was blurred to match the trembling in her limbs. She laughed brokenly in excitement, hardly able to accept so much wonderful news without being overwhelmed. How long had they struggled? Not just her family, not just her race! But all Men, Elves, Dwarves, and creatures of Middle Earth… against the Ring that gave the Shadow its powerful evil. Ages beyond her lifetime, and now they could finally heal without fear and urgency.
Specific thoughts of Aragorn becoming one with his beloved at last came to fill her with warmth. Her Estel would accept reign of Gondor and have his worthy Queen at his side. What joy and love shall fill their kingdom with peace! "Thank you, my Lady. Surely you can see the depth of my gratitude, I cannot express it."
Gwaeron found herself laughing in pure elation, and soon the White Lady affectionately joined her, taking hold of her hands. "It is good to see you smile once more, child."
The Lady of the Wood talked some with her about a few details, when they should depart, and how long the journey may take, before she left the ranger to find her rest. Gwaeron finished readying in a daze and soon found herself nestled in beside her daughter, watching her so peaceful and precious in a baby's slumber. Soon the same manner of peace came to her as well.
Orophin could not find such rest; though his heart was full with peace and joy at the news his lord Celeborn had brought him this night. His thoughts raced still with visions of each battle his Lord had discussed with him, the numbers, the waves, and the losses that finally triumphed with the source of evil eradicated.
This knowledge of the war's ending and Aragorn's acceptance of the throne threw Orophin's plans into action swiftly. The elf grinned, standing in thought where his Lord had left him beside the outer railing. He would marry the sister to the King of Gondor. He needed to see his bride. No more than a few hours had passed since their last kiss, yet so much had been revealed to change everything. Celeborn had told him that his Lady Wife had gone to Gwaeron, and so by now she must know the outcome of things as he did.
The warden turned to look through the open door of his chamber and signaled to his companion, Tar, who had waited patiently half-sleeping on the end of the bed. "Come, lad." The hound trotted up to him and was rewarded with affection as his master slowly descended the stairs. "Let's go see your mistress." Reaching the ground from his residence higher in the healing ward always proved the larger challenge, and Orophin took a moment to check his bandages afterward, as Gwaeron would consistently do. The woods were quiet as made his familiar way to her, only Tar's happy panting breaking the silence.
Only a little favoring to his right leg remained visibly to slow him, a constant reminder of the deep wounds he had sustained at the thigh and hip. Idleness grated on him, and the only thing—aside from Gwaeron's determination— to keep him from risking further injury was the desire to resume his galadhrim training in full. Having brought his muscles to their pique with hard training and sparring sessions long before the battle, his body was now eager to move and return to activity. Perhaps the long travel would placate him for a while, stretch his legs at the least.
He looked forward to the journey to be shared with his beloved and their daughter. Thinking of his own frustrations in idleness reminded him of the baby and what struggles the trip might give her. Long rides and unable to lie on her belly or back and play as she had grown used to doing every day in his room. A smile could not keep from playing on his mouth just to think of her, though. His own childhood was filled with the same restless energy to move or play with his eldest brother, and then later Rúmil. "Véredhiel would do well with a brother or sister, herself." Orophin murmured to himself, and the idea brought a full grin to brighten his countenance.
Steadily he climbed the stairs and reached the door to his talan, hearing the quiet noises of his two beloved women once he had calmed his own breathing. The elf's uneven stride was careful to step lightly into the open bedroom, but rooted him to the spot when he glimpsed the sweetness of his bride and their little one tucked within her grasp. The fullness of his circumstances nearly overcame him then and tears burned behind eyes transfixed upon his beloved. A daughter, a woman who would soon become his wife, the thoughts and reality of raising a family in a world no longer threatened by darkness. Praise of the Valar painted his lips.
As he stood near, Gwaeron's dark lashes began to flutter and eyes from a southern sea came to focus on him. She studied him with a knowing, peaceful smile for a few moments and admired the man who returned her love. His hair fell long and straight over strong shoulders, leaving only the two braids she had plaited above his ears to withhold it. Orophin seemed made of mountains and moonlight from where she beheld him, strength and the tender renewal of night's growth breathed in his movements. She would bind to this elf.
"Go back to sleep, faril nin. I did not mean to stir you." A calm, deep voice greeted her, yet she continued to watch him silently a minute more.
"You have heard, as I have, everything that's happened?" Quietly, she spoke over the baby's resting head. Orophin merely nodded, still adoring her with his gaze. Gwaeron turned her attention to Véredhiel, the sweet baby who had grown even since finding her at the edge of Mirkwood, and who had certainly established a place in their lives forever. Forever. The sting of tears pricked the maiden's eyes as thoughts washed over her mind to console her. Gwaeron could not live forever, would not be there at the end of all things to hold her husband… but Véredhiel would, perhaps even other children if the Valar so chose. Orophin would not be alone in his life, no matter how short hers might come to be. Relief and comfort were infused in these thoughts.
Everything was right as it should be, and Gwaeron now felt the desire to complete it, and begin her life, while long compared with her kin, which would be a short, lovely while with her beloved. Her eyes shone now as they met Orophin's, her voice so soft and filled with love that it was not quite steady. "When shall we be married, Orophin?" The woman felt as though dawn had come with the response of his smile.
Coming to sit at the head of her cot, he looked down upon the two of them curled in the middle, letting one hand encircle the crest of tiny curls on his daughter's head, while the other wove into the thicker beauty of his huntress. "I had thought to ask the High King of Arnor for your hand. It is not fitting that the Princess Gwaeron should be hidden away from her people…" Her free hand came up to stroke his wrist and arm that touched her, admiration and gratitude in her expression. "Although, I'm fear I must steal her away back to my Wood, at some point." The elf teased his lover in a whisper and leaned down to lay tender kisses at her neck. Holding his head close above her own, Gwaeron closed her eyes at the feel of his silken hair touching her brow and melted when loving lips met tenderly with hers.
Orophin pulled away only to see the beautiful flush he had put on her cheeks, the blissfully closed eyes and relaxed smile that would evermore receive his kiss. A deep sigh settled in his chest and filled him with pride that this creature, so strong and loving, would belong to him. "Perhaps I should not tell this to you, my Gwaeron, before we are joined, but I have lately been thinking of the children we might be blessed with in the future."
Her eyes opened with sudden attention up to see him and another shade darkened her blush. "How many children have you imagined to bless me with?" The mixture of modesty and coy play in her tone sparked a grin upon his face.
"There is no number, yet, which I've fixed upon. Only the vision of my beloved wife filled with child as I hold her. You are a beautiful mother, faril nin. Already, I love you for it."
"And you, a perfect father, my mountain. Already I see the pains you will take with your first daughter as she grows. A man does not understand what strong love he can have for any woman but his own until his wife brings him a daughter. I have seen it many times among men, and I know it will be so as Véredhiel comes of age."
The wisdom with which she spoke made his heart warm to know her experience. Among Men his beloved was no youth, and many lessons had she learned first hand through her travels and relationships. In regards to family, he would lean much upon her. "I shall try not to disappoint, in this matter." Laughing softly, laid another kiss on her mouth and they spoke of little, endearing things until the motion of his fingers through her hair lulled the woman back to sleep. Orophin looked forward to the day he never had to leave her repose again.