Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Lord of the Rings.
Chapter------Fourteen
She pulled away, and began to anxiously pull out things to treat his wounds.
"The cut doesn't look too deep. How long have you had it?" She asked, bringing a bowl of water and cloth over to where he was sitting.
"No more than a day maybe," Haldir replied. She started to clean the cut, and he managed to keep a straight face. She glanced up humorously at him while she worked.
"What's so funny?" He asked indignantly.
"Watching you." He raised his eyebrows and she continued. "I know you want to wince, but your pride disables you from doing so," she explained.
She finished and stood up to move away. He jumped up quickly and pulled her into him, his arm wrapped around her waist in a steel-like grip. He leaned down to take her into a breath taking embrace, that lasted too short for her liking.
"What was that for?" She asked, sweeping her hand up to rest on his shoulder.
"It was for you. Come," he lead her out onto the back porch of his talan. They sat down together and he pulled her against him. She somewhat hesitantly laid her head on his chest.
"Orophin and Rumil can both tell you I have not courted an elleth for quite some time," he said.
"Oh? Why is that? Why are you telling me this?" Anira looked up at him.
"I would think that would be quite obvious," he explained.
"Haldir, do you wish to court me?" Her eyes stared back at him questioningly.
"I believe I would, if you consent."
"Is that allowed? I am in your service. I live with you," she said.
"All the more better an environment to do so. There is no rule of my people that says I cannot carry a relationship with you."
"Well then, why have you not enticed a maiden for some time? One would think they'd be thowing themselves at you."
"They do, or, did. That was before the ellith of Lorien realized the March warden's heart could not be won by flattering remarks and brainless flairing of words," he said, trying to keep the laughter from his voice. "However most of those that attempted to pursue me saw only my status. That Imladris elleth seems to think the same way." He smiled at her clear amusement upon this memory.
"What did she say to you?" Curiosity coated her voice.
"I have not the audacity to tell anyone, not even my brothers," he responded. Her eyes widened and her cheeks turned to a scarlet blush.
"She is still here isn't she? I remember her cousin saying she would remain here until the next spring," she said distantly.
"How delightful, she'll be at the autumn festivities," he said rather unenthusiastically.
"The what?"
"A chance for the congregation of the citizens in Lorien. Or, in other words, a long, boring, drunken revelry night in which much needless activity occurs." He tilted his head up and tightened his hold on her.
"You do not like them?" She asked surprisingly.
"I haven't attended them for a while. Rumil and Orophin are present most years," he said lazily, while carressing her hair. Silence ensued. For a while, Anira thought Haldir had drifted off. His breathing was steady and she could hear his heart beating slowly. His warm breath made her mind go hazy and she inhaled his woodsy scent.
A new feeling came over her. She had never been held or carressed or kissed in the way Haldir had done to her. She had taken few ellon in Mirkwood, none with the intention of ever bonding with them. Her father had been a commander in the Royal Guard, which accounted for her only courting soldiers. Her older brother had taken a wife not a month before she had left.
Snuggling closer into the curve of his neck, she fell asleep against him and in his arms.
The next morning, Haldir awoke with the stubborn sun shining in his face. He looked around him, sensing a familiar presence, before finally looking down. She was still sound asleep and tight against him. They had fallen asleep under the stars, outside. He felt movement and glanced down again to see her stirring from her slumber. She groaned a bit and pulled herself upright, bringing her face to face with Haldir.
"Good morning. Sleep well?" Her sleep filled eyes and mussed hair seemed to contradict his cheery statement.
"I could get used to it, if that is what you meant," she replied coyly, suddenly very awake. His eyes darkened and gave her a silent warning to tread carefully, though she never did. She stood up slowly and he pulled her back down.
"I never recieved an answer to my proposition," he whispered into her ear. She shuddered involuntarily at the close contact.
"I consent, most obligingly," she answered. He kissed her slowly and sensually, showing his love through actions instead of words, as he usually did. Only then did he allow her to leave and prepare for the day.
His eyes followed her as she walked slowly to her room. He stood up and pulled out a tunic and a pair of leggings for the day.
"There is someone at the door for you," Anira's voice broke into his thoughts, he turned to her and nodded distractedly. She had braided her hair again and put on a simple blue dress worn for chores. She left the room and he dressed quickly. How had he not heard the knock on the door? Was he too wrapped up in his thoughts of her to nothear it?
Haldir stepped into the main room of his talan to see a worried looking Orophin and a weary Rumil, his arm in a sling and heavily bandaged.
"Your wound was treated?" Orophin asked. Haldir nodded and lookedtoward Anira, who was busy preparing a meal.
"Why do you worry? Your face shows more than just interest in my safety," Haldir asked.
"It is the borders. We are low on guards, if we were to be assaulted again I fear the city nor the Golden Wood would hold," Orophin said.
"The orcs are the only enemies Lorien fears, and they have just finished an attempted siege, defeated. They may be foolish, but they knw enough to not try again even if we are at one of our weakest points," Haldir argued.
"True as that may be, the leaders want the new trainees ready to fight at the next moon," Orophin said.
"Two weeks! You know as well as I do that it would take at least five more moons to even consider putting them at the city gates!"
"You know what this means don't you?" Rumil spoke up, lifting his know slightly dull eyes to Haldir's frustrated ones. "All the healthy and reasonably unhurt wardens are expected to do whatever it takes to ready them. You and Feredir are among the ones who have escaped without major injuries, your obligation is manditory," Rumil said.
"He can't do that!" Anira said, turning from her work. "If the wound is reopened it will become a major injury!"
"I am sorry, my dear. We are only repeating the words of the leaders," Orophin said, failing to console her.
"I will be fine, Anira. I have suffered worse injuries than this and still continued my duties," Haldir said. "When do we need to begin?"
"Tomorrow, or as soon as you can today," after Orophin said this, he and Rumil bid them farewell and left.
"You shouldn't be going," she stood, calmer in the least, staring at him with her obdurate blue eyes. He walked over to her and folded his arms around her.
"I will be fine," he repeated.
"Well, there is nothing I can do to stop you then," she said, feeling beaten.
"No, there is not. I will stay here till noon, then start to help with recruits," Haldir said.
"Why not leave now? You have four hours till noon," she said questioningly.
"Not if I'm going to spend them with you. This will be the most time I'll get with you for two whole weeks. After training starts I will be leaving at dawn and arriving home near midnight," he told her. He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her into a second lingering embrace.
Okay, short chapter, but I needed to get something out so you didn't think I gave up on it. If you like it, or don't, but I really hope you do, please review. I appreciate all feedback and readers suggestions. I'll get around to Feredir/Minaethiel in the next chapter. I'll try to update soon! Thank you!
-ElfLuver13