Disclaimer: Still not as talented as Tolkien.
James is still beta-ing for me so thanks to her. Another big thanks to those who are reading my story especially those who review and let me know what they think. You know who you are, luv ya! I'm sorry I haven't updated in so long.
"Speaking" Thoughts
Chapter 11Haldir and his guard rode through the woods headed towards Limduin for the first time in three and a half months. Winter was settling over the land in gusts of wind and a few flurries of snow here and there. The elves could feel the change in the world, but the change in seasons did not affect them the same as humans. The coolness in the air just put the horses in playful moods. Nimrohspell danced around throwing his head into the wind. Haldir laid a gentle hand on his neck, smiling at his friend's anticipation of clearing the woods. The elven horse quieted underneath him. The group of elves were about thirty feet from the clearing when Haldir saw movement along the tree lines.
"Halt."
Haldir pulled Nimrohspell to a halt and sat motionless using his keen hearing to judge how many men were hiding. Behind him, Haldir sensed his guards doing the same.
"We have not threatened Limduin or Lady Gaealis's lands. We are friends to the Gaealis family." Haldir could feel eyes on him and turned his head to look as a man approached the group from the right.
"You are?" The man held an arrow in his quiver, yet had it at his side in a non-threatening manner.
"Lord Haldir of the Golden Woods of Loth Lorien, captain of the galadrim of the Lady of Light." Haldir spoke slowly and deliberately to allow his words to sink in. "We have business with Lady Gaealis of Limduin." He paused, "and you are?"
The man lowered his weapon even more, "I'm sorry my lord. I meant no disrespect to the Lorien elves. We are under orders to guard the borders of Limduin."
Things have changed. Haldir nodded to the man in front of him. "Then may I offer a rule of being a guard?" He did not want to insult the Limduin guard, even if they were new.
The man eagerly shook his head.
"Do not lower your weapon so much until you know if the one who approaches is friend or foe. Be sure to keep the arrow in check though, you don't want to hurt a friend. You also do not want to give a foe the upper hand by not having your weapon ready."
The man shook his head again and whistled towards the border. Several men moved into view, lowering weapons as they came out of hiding. "You may continue on then my lord."
Haldir nodded and moved his guard onward. They crossed out of the woods a moment later and into the grass lands on the Gaealis spread. Haldir allowed the horses to pick up a smooth canter. They would reach the manor in a few minutes.
XxXxX
Valandil leaned against the fence watching Elegain work Pharaohirrim. The colt had healed in less than two weeks. His back leg had taken a little longer, but he did not even carry a scar of what had happened. Naturally, the colt had been skittish of people, but with Valandil and Elle working with him everyday, he had accepted people once again. Elle had begun working with Pharaohirrim after he had healed completely with Valandil's help. The colt was two years old now and Valandil felt the colt was more than ready for work.
Valandil and Elle had experimented with a bridle and saddle, but Pharaohirrim had refused both. Valandil had explained it might remind the colt of what the thieves had tried to do. Elle had been nervous about learning to free ride, but quickly developed the qualities needed. Pharaohirrim accepted Elle without a second thought and they worked together well. She was still nervous about working outside the riding ring, but Valandil felt she was ready. He watched the fluid pair glide around in circles, half circles, figure eights, and any other working move that came into Elle's mind. She was practicing handling a bow and arrow on horseback. They had set up dummies throughout the arena for her and Pharaohirrim to work with.
Elle and Pharaohirrim picked up speed along the rail of the arena. She pulled her bow from her shoulder followed by an arrow from the quiver around her shoulder. She fired rapidly hitting the first two dummies in the chest. Elle leaned to the left signaling Pharaohirrim to move around to set up for the next two targets. Again, two arrows sunk into the chests of the dummies. Pharaohirrim turned to the right as Elle slung the bow over her shoulder. At the same time, Elle pulled her sword from its sheath tied around her waist. She swung at the first dummy decapitating it with one blow. The second dummy received a stab wound through the shoulder and into the chest cavity. Pharaohirrim slid to a halt in front of Valandil and tossed his head excitedly.
Elle laughed, "I think he likes this!"
Valandil smiled at her, "He certainly enjoys running around. Your aim has improved, though your sword tricks could be dangerous."
"Yeah, I guess I should think about my attacks more before I actually do it." Elle patted the colt's neck and slid down from his back. She walked to the arena gate and opened it followed by Pharaohirrim. "I will see you later beautiful." She gave Pharaohirrim another pat before he galloped off towards the field next to the manor. Elle and Valandil began to walk towards the manor for dinner. They climbed the manor stairs in silence, but Valandil stopped at the top to turn and look at the field Pharaohirrim had just run to.
"Elle, we have guests."
Elle turned to see Pharaohirrim running back to the front of the manor steps. He neighed loudly and reared up waving his front legs wildly. Behind him, Haldir and his riders cantered up and pulled their horses to a halt. Elle moved down the stairs to greet her guests. She gave Pharaohirrim a hug before urging him to go back to the field with the other elven horses.
Haldir met her on the stairs and bowed, "Lady Gaealis, it is good to see you again. We met your colt just coming into the field."
"Lord Haldir," Elle returned the bow, "and the Lorien elves, welcome back to Lumduin."
Haldir and Valandil gripped each other's arms in a friendly handshake. "Well met Haldir."
"Well met Valandil. You have changed things since last I was here." Haldir raised an eyebrow.
"I have offered suggestions only to Lady Gaealis. She has made many wise decisions about the ruling of her lands." Valandil smiled.
"Why are we talking out here? Come in and join us for dinner." Elle motioned for the elves to come into the manor.
XxXxX
The atmosphere at the table was light and friendly as the sun sank into the mountains surrounding the great Lumduin valley. Dinner had been made a big event. Everyone had dressed accordingly for a good time. Elle wore a simple, but elegant dress of dark green material. She had brushed her hair out and tied up just the front of her bangs. Haldir had been impressed how quickly she had assumed the ruler's appearance. She had seated herself at the head of the table and made sure her guests had been comfortable before beginning her own meal. Elle and Haldir were discussing what had happened since he had last stayed with her. Valandil was speaking with Orophin and Rumil to find out what was going on in Loth Lorien while he was away. The night was pressing in as a storm moved in from the mountains bringing big heavy flakes of snow.
"Lady Gaealis, the horses have been moved in for the night to avoid the storm." One of the grooms had come in to talk to Elle about what was being done in the barn.
"What of the elven horses and Pharaohirrim?" Elle diverted her attention towards the groom.
"They are in the barn. There was no problem bringing them in."
Haldir nodded, "This must be a large storm, possibly several days for our horses to move into the barn. They will be fine lady."
Elle looked to Valandil who nodded his head in agreement. Haldir did not miss the exchange.
XxXxX
A couple of hours later, Elle was walking out of her father's study and decided to walk along the terrace surrounding the house. She pulled her shawl over her shoulders a little tighter and let herself out through the front door. The snow was falling steadily, but the wind had died almost completely. Elle pulled her hair over her one shoulder to keep it from blowing around too much. Elle looked towards the barn and stopped to lean against the stone banister in the garden that followed the terrace. She could see a light from a lantern as one of the grooms performed a check on the horses.
Elle smiled when a warm hand descended onto hers covering it from the cold air. "I was wondering if you would join me for our nightly walk."
The hand tightened, "It is too cold for you to be out here with just a shawl. It was not this cold last night."
"Winter is usually not too difficult for Limduin. The storm may last a few days, but the snow will be gone in less than a week afterwards. It will stay cold though." Elle smiled, I know the land well enough.
"You should go in, it is still cold now."
"You do not feel the cold." Elle teased, though, she allowed herself to be lead back into the manor. At the door, she removed her shawl and pushed her hair back over her shoulder allowing it to hang down her back.
"I will send one of the house servants to your room with something hot to drink." Elle did not look away when Valandil placed a kiss on her hand. "Sleep well my lady."
Neither noticed Haldir watching from his bedroom doorway.
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