CHAPTER ELEVEN
Lothrin turned slightly to look up into the Lady's eyes. The lady had a calm look on her face, but as she turned her head to Haldir who lay on the stairs clutching his shoulder as blood gushed from the now re-opened wound, her eyes flashed in anger.
Arwen gasped and rushed past Lothrin and fell to her knees by Haldir's side. She brought her face close his, her hair blocking both their faces as it fell off her shoulder. Her hands ran across his chest in attempt to soothe him, as she whispered to him. Lothrin took a step forward but stopped herself.
When Haldir placed on hand on Arwen's shoulder, Lothrin resisted the urge to push her away from him.
What on Eru's earth am I feeling for him? Arwen was joined by Elladan and Elrohir who helped stand the March Warden. When Lothrin took another look at his pained face she returned to her senses and turned to Belegorn again.
Galadriel slid down the stairs with her husband and looked at Belegorn.
"Do you know the punishment Feanor and his kin received for the kinslayings?" Galadriel turned her head to her husband who nodded.
"Though I believe the Commander has a better punishment in mind?" Celeborn inclined his head toward Lothrin who took one look at him and rushed toward Belegorn and yanked the elf to eye level.
"As your commanding officer I order you to come to the tribunal on the royal talan after Anor rises to full height. Your judgment will then be passed." She threw him back in disgust, anger fading into grief.
She held her composure as Celeborn placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Gather your officers and have them meet me in my study." He spared Belegorn a look before turning and guiding his wife away from the study.
Throughout the ordeal Elrond stood by Haldir's side placing his hand over the reopened wound and murmuring softly to the soldier.
"Lothrin," Haldir called, his teeth clenched in pain.
"Commander Haldir, the offender will be punished accordingly. Belegorn you are dismissed." She watched as the Belegorn let tears fall freely from his eyes.
"Lothrin, I want to apologize, please, don't send me from your side…" Belegorn stepped closer to her, and she turned from Haldir, whipping her long knives out from their sheaths and facing him.
"If you do not wish to have your fingers handed to you, then you shall leave NOW! You! My most trusted and loyal companion, YOU! My friend! The one I turn to when I am in need! This is how you betray my trust! Do you not realize the crime you have committed! 'Tis the equal of treason against the whole of Lothlorien!" She stepped closer to him, spinning the blade between her hands.
"That shall be enough, Commander. He will be properly dealt with, yes?" Elrond stated, arching an eyebrow.
Belegorn fled, he ran as far from the stair as he could before Lothrin could answer. She turned to Elrond, her eyes watering and nodded.
"It shall be done, my Lord."
Galadriel stood with Celeborn by her side on the top most stair of the Royal Talan. Elrond and his children stood but a few steps down to the left looking down at Lothrin who stood at the base of the stairs her back to them.
Haldir stood but three steps higher than her, his face pale as he was framed by his brothers. He watched Lothrin intently as she clutched the parchment in her hand, taking deep breathes to steady herself.
When she finally looked up her face met with Belegorn. His eyes were watery as he stood before her in his Junior Commander's uniform. Three paces behind him stood Captains Mirgalen, Nemir and Nirorn. Pelilas was also present, but his radiant smile was replaced for a deep frown. Another was present as well, a larger elf, with a commanding stature, Hirvegil son of Tathar, who was the Royal Guard's messenger.
"Today a terrible crime was committed on the soils of Lothlorien. We are here today to remedy such grievances, and to set the offender to his punishment.
"Belegorn son of Elchim, you stand before the Lady and Lord, The March Warden, The Lord Elrond and myself as guilty of attacking the Commander of the Galadhrim. You are charged with attacking an injured elf as well as several counts of assault."
She bowed her head, readying herself for the sentence.
"Your punishment…" she stopped again, taking in a steadying breathe "Your punishment is removal from rank and 30 years displacement from the Royal Guard."
His eyes widened as tears fell from his eyes. He opened his mouth to protest but she shook her head and stepped down from the step she was on and closed the distance between them. She reached for the patch, marking him as Junior Commander and ripped it from his chest.
She closed her eyes as her lifelong friend inclined his head towards her, his eyes pleading. Her hands moved to his shoulders as she ripped the patches from them and then she stepped back, returning to her step.
"You are so ordered to return all uniforms and insignia bearing the Junior Commander colors to the Armory by the rise of Ithil. " She raised her head gazing into the trees behind him and Haldir watched as her back straightened and she tensed.
"The Royal Guard is grieved to lose a warrior. We shall be changing the chain of command. Sergeant Mirgalen, please step forth. You are here by promoted to Junior Commander, do you accept this honor?"
"Yes, My Lady."
"Hirvegil, you are promoted to Sergeant of the First Regiment, the Lady's Personal Guard, Nemir you are promoted to Sergeant of the Second Regiment, Nirorn you are promoted to Sergeant of the Third Regiment, and Pelilas, you are now promoted to Sergeant of the Fourth Regiment of the Royal Guard. Do you accept your positions and ranks?"
The four of them answered with a soft "Yes, my lady."
"Place your hands over your hearts and make ready to take the oath to the Lady of Light." Five hands went to their hearts, followed by Haldir, Rumil, Orophin and Lothrin placing their hands over their hearts.
"I am a Royal Guard. I am a member of the Lothlorien Army – a protector of the greatest Elven Nation in Arda. Because I am proud of the uniform I wear, I will always act in ways creditable to the military service and the nation it is sworn to guard.
"I am proud of my own organization. I will do all I can to make it the finest unit in Lorien. I will be loyal to those under whom I serve; faithfully do I plead my allegiance to Galadriel, Lady of Light, and Lord Celeborn.
"As a Royal Guard, I realize I hold an honorable position and swear in doing my share to keep alive all the principles of freedom of which my land and lady stand. No matter what situation I am in, I will never do anything for pleasure, profit or personal safety which will disgrace my Lord and Lady. I will use every means I have, even beyond the lines of duty to restrain my comrades from actions disgraceful to those whom I serve.
"I am proud of the land I defend and pledge my love to the Lady and Lord. I will strive to make the people of this nation I serve proud, for I am Lothlorien Soldier."
Lothrin dropped her hand as did Haldir, Rumil, Orophin and the five elves before Lothrin. Belegorn stood in the corner of the talan his face buried in his hands, his shoulders shaking.
"Royal Guard, you are dismissed. And take the offender from my sight." Once the guardians left Lothrin turned and looked up to her Lord and Lady.
"My Lady, My Lords, respected Commander of the Galadhrim; I would have it that you find this as a suitable punishment for the crime that was committed. I would also take blame for not controlling my Junior Commander's actions. Please accept my humble apology, for I erred in judgment."
Galadriel nodded as her gaze shifted to Haldir.
"Commander, you will learn that you may pick the best suited warrior to be your right hand, and they will still fail to impress you. Do not take blame for what you could not stop. Your punishment was sufficient for the crime." Haldir waited for Lothrin to make eye contact with him but she did not.
When she was dismissed, she swept out of the talan quickly to be replaced by the new guardian of the royal talan, Hirvegil, who held his bow at his side and stood at the opening of the stair his eyes ever watchful of the by passers.
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When Lothrin stepped out of her talan she didn't expect to run into Haldir. She had stepped out of her talan so quickly that she couldn't stop herself from walking right into him.
Fortunately she caught herself fast enough to change her direction and walk into his right arm, instead of his wounded arm. Instinctively his right arm wrapped around her waist to steady her and balance himself from falling backwards.
She kept her face buried in his right shoulder, until he shifted his left arm to ease the pain. It was then that she pulled her head up and looked up into his eyes, and felt her heart speed up again.
She watched his eyes for a moment and moved her hand up to his good shoulder.
He has the most magnificent green eyes I have ever seen. Before she could notice their heads had moved closer and she could feel his breath on her lips. She closed her eyes and yielded to emotions she couldn't explain, waiting for him to move closer.
