The Golden Mask

by Kwannom

THIS STORY HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. FOR MORE INFO, VISIT AUTHOR'S PROFILE. Year 3429 S.A. Middle Earth is at war. Elves and Men must form an alliance. Haldir has to prepare for the battle of his life and deal with the discovery of something that is going to change the future. Winner MEFA 2006 Honourable Mention for races: men

14. Sing to the morning light

Title: The Golden Mask
Author: Kwannom
Rating: M
Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance
Betas: Winsome Elf (chapters 1 - 6), Rainien (7 – 15 – ?) e Wenont (16 - ?)
WARNING: Violence, strong language and sex
Disclaimer: I own no one from The Lord Of The Rings. All the characters and place names displayed belong to JRR Tolkien. I do not intend to, nor am I making any financial gain from the writing of this story. However, the original characters - Haleth, Siward, Wilrog, Seyton and others - are mine, and don't you dare put your claws into them:D
Timeline: Year 3429 of the Second Age, one year before the Last Alliance. A.U. Following book-verse and movie-verse.
Summary: Sauron has the One Ring and Middle Earth is suffering in the hands of the Orcs' armies. Elves and Men decide to make an alliance against the Dark Lord, and they are searching for great warriors from both races to lead their armies. These warriors are the Chosen Ones and one of them is Haldir, the Captain of the Golden Wood. Haldir is then sent to watch a human warrior called Golden Mask and prove that the Man can be one of them. In the meanwhile, Haldir has to prepare for the battle of his life and deal with the discovery of something that is going to change the future.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hello guys! I feel like starting the story all over again, after the big climatic scene of the battle, so don't expect too much action for a while. I don't know if you have noticed but I have given the titles of my story accordingly with the music I'm listening to when I am writing. Lucky you it is by Deftones, this one and chapter 12 were parts of the song The Battle of Evermore, by Led Zeppelin.

Thanks to:

My betas Rainien and Wenont.

SadieSil: Well, in my case, I didn't suddenly love Wilrog; I've always loved him, since when the story began to take shape in my mind almost two years ago. In the beginning, I imagined him as one of the good guys; he was captured by Sauron, but he redeemed himself and Haleth ended up with him in the end. The three of them – Haldir, Wilrog and Haleth – would fight side by side during the Last Alliance. But then, the little devil who lives on one of my shoulders whispered in my ear and Wilrog became Mouth of Sauron! In my opinion, it is better this way. I love tragic characters...

Sebstar: Hey! I'm so honored that you are taking your time to review every chapter I post! I feel relieved that you understand and agree with the changing of my fic's title. This scene between Haldir and Haleth is great, isn't it? I also love the scene between Haldir and Siward. It is great to see their friendship grow with every chapter I write. And poor Wilrog… I love him, but unfortunately he decided to challenge a Galadhrim Warrior and a Gondorian hero at the same time. Enjoy this new chapter!

Back to the story…

SING TO THE MORNING LIGHT

Haldir voiced the enchantment that would break the sleeping spell and looked down at the woman that had curled into his arms during her sleep. She stirred in his embrace, although giving no signs that she was going to wake up. They should break camp in a few more hours, but it seemed that if she continued to sleep, they would be delayed. Haldir stroked her wild hair, smiling when Haleth let out a contented sigh. She seemed so peaceful… It was a shame to wake her only to throw her into that hard life of hers; one where she had to hide herself, pretend to be someone else, with no kind of freedom.

This is so unfair… he thought while tightening his arms around her tall frame. The whole night Haldir had watched Haleth, paying attention to every single mumbling and movement that she made in her slumber. The soft weight of her form on his chest, the warmth of her breath in contact with his skin and the way the long curls of her hair spread over him filled him with desire and tenderness. As if such distinct emotions were allowed to exist in harmony.

He had never seen her so vulnerable, not even when she had almost died in his arms. However, now she was secure within his embrace and he caught himself thinking that he was delaying her wakening only because he wanted to hold her a while longer. Woman, do you have any idea what you did to me? Haldir leant his back up on a saddlebag behind him and reached for the book where Haleth wrote her mysterious notes.

An urge to capture that woman forever untouched by the decay of time surged inside of him. Haldir looked at the last pages of her book, two blank spaces that begged to be filled, and got the piece of charcoal that he always brought with him to his travels. He loved to draw and with expertise he began to trace Haleth's image on the white paper. His imagination ran loose and he immortalized her nude, face relaxed, eyes closed. Wondering if this was how she would look after the last ripples of passion sent her into oblivion, Haldir smiled and signed the exquisite work.

I love to watch you close your eyes,

H.

H&H&H&H

Damn, where are they? The sun has been up in the sky for two hours already… Siward thought angrily. He was running out of ideas for excusing her absence and it was beginning to make him angry. Even Seyton was beginning to suspect something, and he was a slow one at that. At least Siward had received good news; the Gondorian family had decided to stay in the city. They had found a good market for their herbs there and wouldn't join Haleth's army during their trip to Minas Ithil anymore. Haleth wouldn't have to be afraid of being discovered for a while longer.

Siward strode purposefully toward Haldir's tent with a large bucket of hot water for Haleth's bath. Her bad humor increased ten fold when she spent too long without cleaning herself, and he couldn't take it any longer. She thinks that she is an Elf, bathing all the time, that silly woman.

When he came inside the tent and saw Haleth sleeping intimately in Haldir's arms, he almost let the bucket fall, spilling out all the water that he had taken hours to heat. His face flushed with anger at the sight. Siward placed the bucket in a corner and began to pace back and forth under Haldir's always-arrogant gaze, without knowing if he should shout at the Elf or forget the conversation and strangle him.

'If you continue with this pacing, you will make a hole on the ground, Siward,' Haldir said smirking and returned to Haleth's book that he had decided to read a few minutes ago in order to see her notes on the Orcs' maneuvers.

Siward stopped and looked at him furious. 'You arrogant…'

'Bastard, yes I know,' Haldir said in a low tone, not raising his eyes from his reading. 'You are getting repetitive.'

Siward swallowed the remark that threatened to rise in his throat. Instead, he took a step forward and pulled the book from Haldir's hand. 'This doesn't belong to you,' he said. Siward knew that he was only capable of doing that because the Elf had allowed him to. 'Why didn't you remove the sleeping spell from her yet?'

'I did, but she did not wake up. I thought that she could get a few more minutes of rest.'

Siward shoved his hands into his hair, tugging the short ponytail that he wore, absolutely infuriated. 'You promised me last night to respect her and now you are taking advantage of Haleth!' he hissed between his teeth, his now louder voice making the woman turn in her sleep.

'Lower your voice, Siward. There is no reason for anger. I still have kept my promise,' Haldir said.

'But…' Siward couldn't finish what he was saying. He was cut off by Haldir's finger, which had been raised to his lips in a sign of silence.

'Be patient,' the Elf said in a quiet voice. 'And now give me that great novel that I was reading.'

Haldir stretched his hand and Siward gave the book back to him reluctantly.

'You have one more hour. I'll go get her clothes,' Siward said and left the room, cursing the Elven arrogance and Haldir's smirk.

H&H&H&H

Haleth turned to the comforting warmth that was enveloping her. The smell of woods and rain surrounded her and filled her with a sense of familiarity that permeated her dreams and made her imagine herself in a green field, under a canopy of golden trees and in the arms of a lover with hair the same color as their leaves. His bright blue eyes had become stormy with passion and she could feel him fill her completely with love and his desire. Haldir…

The whisper that left her lips began to pull her out of her dream and a strong and steady beat became ever so close to her, as if it was calling her back to the awaking world. No, let me stay in this heaven for a while, she pleaded, but when her eyes fluttered and opened, Haleth found herself in another dream. Because being wrapped in Haldir's arms as she was could only be a dream.

'Good morning, Belegaer.'

His deep voice reverberated in his strong body until it reached her ears and made her body shiver, her dream suddenly returning to her mind. Haleth sat up slowly and looked at him warily. Haldir's blue eyes were fixed on her and she didn't know what to do. At least she knew that the symptoms of her cold had almost vanished; Haleth was rested and better than in a long time. Shifting uncomfortably, her hands seemed to become too big and she didn't know where to put them. But, worse of all, she felt self conscious of her messy hair and face. However, Haleth did not turn away from Haldir's gaze. His hair was still unbound, cascading over his broad shoulders, but now he was dressed, much to her disappointment. One thousand times damn…

'Good morning, Spy,' she finally found her voice again and greeted him softly.

Haldir looked at her, the way Haleth's wild and untamed hair floated freely around her face enchanting him. A feeling of possession took over his heart. He wanted to have her like that, only for him, and no one else. Waking up everyday to be greeted by such an exotic being… Haldir pushed that thought deep into his mind. There couldn't be anything between them. He was an Elf and she was a mortal. That kind of union was always tragic. However, he would crave for such tragedy only if he knew that he would be able to hold her in his arms at night, hear her wise comments and her joyful teasing. Haldir inhaled deeply and the scent of her, musky and a mix of leather and flowers, flooded his senses with an inappropriate desire.

'How do you feel?' He asked her in a tight voice.

Haleth frowned. What did she feel? She was confused and she also felt awkward. When she remembered how she had touched him so boldly last night, a flush threatened to adorn her features.

'I feel as if the weight that I had settled upon my shoulders has vanished only to be lodged into my heart.'

Haldir narrowed his eyes. 'Do you think that I am a burden?'

Haleth smiled sadly. 'No, you could never be a burden. You … vex me, because you offer to me something that I want, but that I know that I could never have.'

They held each other's stares, black fighting blue, not moving, without knowing exactly what to do. They knew that they had crossed the line of friendship, and what lay ahead of them was now uncertain. Anything they did from that day on would settle the course of their relationship and that scared them both.

Haleth was the first to move, touching Haldir's glorious hair, testing its silky texture. She pulled a few strands behind his pointed ear, her chest giving out a heavy sigh when she saw his eyes darken.

Stop it, woman… Haldir had to gather all his willpower to repress the shiver that threatened to shake his body when Haleth's fingers brushed the tip of his ear even so lightly. It was as if she were there, but yet, apart from him by the restraint he could also feel in her. Haldir took her smaller hand in his, and kissed the back of her knuckles gently.

'You know that we are in trouble, do you not?' He asked her while he held her black eyes with his piercing blue gaze.

'Yes, I know,' Haleth replied quietly. Sweet trouble this is. She studied his expressionless face, trying to find any trace of emotion that could show her what path she should take. But it was a lost cause. Haldir guarded his feelings very well and he was already retreating from her, she could sense this in his formal touch. Haleth decided to dismiss the subject before the sadness ruined that almost-wonderful morning. 'Where is Siward?'

Haldir's face straightened, his eyes almost betraying his indignity at her quick change of subject. Sometimes it annoyed him how much she acted like him. 'I do not know,' he said while standing up. 'You will find water for your bath and clean clothes over there. Siward left them for you.'

'Thank you.'

Haldir nodded politely and went to the entrance of the tent where he stopped. Looking back at Haleth, who had stood up and was feeling the temperature of the water, he cursed himself mentally for already missing her touch so badly to the point of hurt. Haldir walked to her. She stood a little lower than him, their eyes almost leveled.

'If you need anything, I will be just outside. Be quick. We are late.'

With those words he cupped Haleth's face, his long fingers sliding until they circled her neck and pulled her to him gently. Their lips touched, his tongue sliding inside her mouth, seeking for her own. It was a slowly, deep and wet invasion that consumed Haleth from head to toe.

'You should stop doing this…' she told Haldir almost breathlessly. The Elf's face was impassive, but the spark in his eyes betrayed the emotions he held inside of him.

'Make me,' he commanded her arrogantly.

Haleth looked at him, the challenge in his voice, and she thought for a moment that she wouldn't be able to stop him.

'Go,' she said pushing him away gently. 'I need to bathe and as you said, we are already late.'

Haldir smiled at her and crossed the tent toward the entrance. Haleth watched, amazed at the feline grace that was present in his walk. His loose hair was absolutely gorgeous, floating around his shoulders with the touch of the wind. Any woman who saw him like that would fall spellbound by his beauty.

'One last thing, Spy,' Haleth called him once more, making the Elf turn his attention back to her, raising his eyebrow at her sudden smirk.

'What is it, Belegaer?' Haldir was curious. What was she about to do now? His thoughts were disturbed when Haleth threw a hairbrush and a tiny band at him. He caught the objects easily in the air and looked from them to the smirking woman in front of him.

Haleth eyes sparkled with mischief. 'Braid your hair. You're looking like a girl.'

Haldir returned her smirk with a predatory gaze. As if the look of desire on her face would not give her away, he thought sarcastically 'You are a terrible liar.'

The bright smile that she granted him filled Haldir's heart with joy and hope for a thing that he wanted, but was still too uncertain to accept. Finally he left the tent to find Siward. All the way he thought that Haleth was really almost a perfect match for him. Almost, because unfortunately she had been born mortal.

H&H&H&H

Haleth walked through the camp, giving orders and feeling renewed. Although she had had a hard time trying to have what was the closest thing to a bath, she now was somewhat cleaner. The tents had been dismantled and the fires had been put out. A white mantle covered the plains and the sky was almost as blue as Haldir's eyes. Everything seemed to be just fine with the world.

However, she was worried. Her pouch with the Elven powder had disappeared from her tent and if anyone had found it there, she would be in trouble. Only women used that medicine. When she noticed that it was missing, she felt fear settle in the pit of her stomach and her mouth go dry. Haleth searched frantically for it in her tent and all over the camp, but couldn't find anything and she couldn't ask about it openly.

If only I didn't have to hide myself behind this mask and all these lies… Once more she had the golden mask hiding her face and that made her unhappy. When she had first used it, at the age of fourteen, it had been only as a protection during battle.

By the time she had moved back to Minas Ithil with her father, the object had stolen her gender and real self in order to preserve her life. I am getting tired of hiding, she thought with a sigh. She wanted to tell the world who she was and stop all the lies. It was so hard to be someone else that sometimes she couldn't remember who she was. Haleth wanted to walk with her face free of disguises at least one time, to be herself once more, and those feelings had been brought on by the Elf who had made her feel like the person behind the mask again.

Haleth shook her head to dismiss that trail of thought. It would lead her to nothing but brooding. The sudden feeling of eyes burning the back of her neck brought her back to reality. It was the unmistakable sense of being watched and, with no surprise, she found Haldir's blue gaze bored into her.

She narrowed her eyes and said in a voice that only Haldir's keen eyes could hear. 'Will you stop that?'

Grinning, Haldir shook his head. No.

Annoyed but also pleased with his protective behavior, Haleth turned away from Haldir and went to find Seyton or Siward. The family's wagon had not been ready for the journey and she was wondering why. Haleth found her huge friend loading one of the horses with provisions. They had been a present from the villagers. Seyton smiled at her without stopping his work.

"Morning, Hal. Did you sleep well? Or should I ask if you didn't?" He winked at her and Haleth blushed behind her mask.

"Why do you ask this?"

Seyton loaded the last package on the horse and walked at her. "You slept in Haldir's tent last night. While he was already awake," he told her in a secretive voice.

"I was tired and fell asleep. He didn't want to disturb me and left me there, that is all," she answered him in a dry tone. Haleth didn't like the way that conversation was going. "I wonder if everybody is having the same foolish idea as yours inside of their wicked heads, Seyton."

The Man scratched his beard thoughtfully. "None even noticed that you slept there last night. However… today they began to question your late arrival and Haldir's incessant gaze fixed on you." Seyton looked at her concerned eyes and smiled softly. "Don't worry, Hal. The men respect Haldir and find this union befitting of a woman as great as yourself."

Haleth couldn't help but laugh. "You speak as if Haldir and I were together. We aren't. Now let's stop this gossip and talk about important matters. Where are Keelia and the others? I haven't seen them packing."

"They are going to stay at Deothá for a while longer. This city seemed to be a great market for their herbs."

"And where are they now?"

Seyton pointed at the doors of Deothá. "They are near the city's gate for the farewells, along with your admirers."

Haleth sighed deeply. "Oh no, I hate when they do that." Every time Haleth's army got near Minas Ithil, where she was well known, there was always someone wanting to see her and touch her as if she were some kind of deity.

"Go talk to them, big hero," Seyton said while he tapped on her shoulder playfully. Haleth shot him a glare that could have frozen the fires of the Mountain of Doom and left to do that annoying task.

While she walked throughout the white field to the people at the gates, Siward went running and fell into step with her.

"Did you find what you were looking for? I saw that you were searching for something earlier."

She looked at him angrily. "What do you think?" Her gaze went back to the grinning people near the gates. 'I lost my medicine,' she told him in Elvish. 'I am afraid someone has found it. If this has happened, I am as good as dead.'

'How did you lose it?' Siward asked her in a low voice, his face etched with worry.

'I don't know, but I remember leaving it inside my tent last night, before I went to get the water for Haldir's bath.'

Siward shove a hand into his hair, shaking his head. They were now very close to the group of people that was watching them with too much wonder. Strange… 'If someone has really found it, say that you bought the medicine for Raihza. I am going to order the men to mount now. We are already late. The sooner we leave, the better.' When he turned to go, Siward almost ran straight against Haldir's strong chest. 'Ilúvatar's balls, Haldir! Do you always need to be so silent?'

Haldir's lips curved up slightly when he looked at Haleth and saw the mirth of repressed laughter in her eyes. He knew that she had sensed his approach. 'It is not my problem that you mortals are almost deaf.'

Siward only shook his head and left, he was still angry with Haldir and didn't want to start another argument with him.

How can anyone be so nervous all the time? Haldir thought. The Elf watched the Man's tantrum with amusement in his blue eyes and turned his attention back to Haleth, walking by her side. It was incredible how much she tried to be someone else. Haldir was stunned by the way she behaved like a true male now. Her walk, voice and way of speaking were not a woman's, but a man's. He wondered, for the first time, that he liked the gentle woman that she was when alone with him, but also this strong warrior that, apparently, had no fear.

'So, you lost some sort of important medicine…' he began lowly.

'It is nothing that you should worry about. Siward and I already solved this problem. Now let me talk with these people.' Suddenly, something occurred to Haleth and she eyed Haldir suspiciously. 'Why are you here?'

Haldir grinned. 'I need to thank them for helping me while I was ill.'

'You? Thanking a mortal? You must be jesting...' she said while approaching the family and the head of the village. Haldir smirked down at her.

'I wish I were. I think that your humanity is contagious.' Haldir stopped a few paces away from a group of women that were looking him over with sly grins on their faces. 'I would like you to thank the family for me. By the way… how did you know that I was behind you?'

Haleth looked over her shoulder and spoke so lowly that only his Elven ears were able to hear her words. 'I smelled you. You smell like a rainy day, Spy,' she told him and turned to speak to the people, leaving an almost flattered Elf behind.

The tall, blonde Man that was the head of the village had the Gondorian family by his side. Haleth didn't remember his name, though. He wore a rough beard and he looked to be in his middle age. A few young men and women from the village were also there; they wanted to have a glimpse of the great hero that the tales talked about. Keelia had her youngest son clutching at her hand while her husband had an arm wrapped around her waist. Haleth bowed slightly to them, as was fitting for a warrior, and looked the Men in the eye.

"I thank you for your kindness and hospitality. I hope I can repay them someday in kind."

The head of the village stretched his arm and held Haleth in a warrior embrace. His accent was heavy as was the ways of the Men from Calenardhon. "You don't own us anything, lad. 'Tis our duty to help the Man who protects our land with such strength and courage."

Haleth shook her head. "No, my good Man, you are wrong. I don't do this alone. You should thank my whole army for this. Those Men protect these borders as much as I do."

The Man nodded in agreement. "An honest Man. You show much quality, Commander Haleth."

If he knew my flaws, I'm sure that he wouldn't be praising me so much as he is, Haleth thought dryly and turned her attention to the family. "Thank you for helping my friend. He says that he is most grateful."

Keelia and her husband nodded their heads in acceptance. Haleth looked at the young boy clutching at the woman's hand and ruffled his hair as red and curly as his father's. The little one lifted his chin to meet Haleth's eye and spoke with his childish voice. "Why do you wear this mask all the time? It is scary."

Haleth sighed. Most people were afraid of asking her this, but she knew that they were curious. "When I was a little older than you," she began to tell her old lie, "I got trapped inside of a house in flames during an Orc attack and my face was burnt. Since then, I have never shown my face again, little one. Believe me, it is scarier than this mask." Haleth took a moment to see the looks of pity in their eyes and almost laughed at their naiveté. She looked at the sun, high in the sky. It was time to leave. "Farewell, my friends, and I thank you once more."

Haleth turned away, under the many good byes and good lucks, being joined by Haldir. The Elf looked down at her, his face serious. 'The mortal woman is following us,' he said and went to meet Arthung leaving Haleth alone.

A few moments later, when Haleth was about to mount Dernhelm, Keelia's gentle voice reached Haleth's year. "My lord Haleth, please stop."

Haleth did as asked and turned to face the woman. Keelia was breathing hard because of the run and reached for something inside the bag that she always carried by her side. She offered to Haleth a package of dry dark herbs.

"My husband sent the herbs as a gift to your soldiers. They are good for the treatment of wounds," the blonde woman said while pulling out something else, a pouch that Haleth knew very well. "This is from my part. I noticed that you had almost run out of the powder, so I took it to refill it. I added a stronger version of it, prepared by the Elves of Imladris. Don't worry; your secret is safe with me."

Haleth almost snatched the pouch from the other woman's hand. "How?" she asked Keelia in a whisper. The older woman smiled.

"I may not be very wise, but I can recognize the look of a woman in love when I see one. And I saw it in you when you treated your Elf-friend. This pouch was only the proof."

Unfortunately, the look of shock that appeared in Haleth's face was not witnessed by Keelia, who had already sprinted back to where her family was. Haleth shoved the pouch inside her saddlebag and mounted Dernhelm, who whinnied softly. She shouted for the men to leave, and all of them sprinted their horses throughout the snowy field.

H&H&H&H

After a few hours of riding, the landscape began to change and the white plains gave way to hills and trees. Some of the snow had melted leaving the path covered in mud.

The road was busy now, with parties and groups of people coming and going from Minas Ithil to Calenardhon. There were many cities in the vicinity and families, Gondorian soldiers, and merchants could always be spotted. Haldir watched them with interest. Many times he saw the mortals turning to greet Haleth, who would answer with a curt nod of her head; others, simply cleared the path for them to pass, with awe in their eyes.

Siward paused a few times, to ask for news from the travelers and give news of his own. A great party of Orcs had been sighted not three days later heading to Ithilien. He told Haleth this ill news and Haldir saw her eyes grow serious. She decided to divert from their path, so they could intercept the party if the rumors were true.

The Elf watched her stray ahead from her army, an action that he was beginning to identify as a sign that she was considering what to do. Haleth was like him. He also liked to make his decisions alone. But he knew that sometimes a little advice from others was welcome, though he would, of course, never admit it. Haldir went back to study the variety of Men that crossed his way.

One group of women caught his attention. They were in a camp on the side of the road, hanging freshly-washed clothes out to dry. When they reached out to hang the clothes, he could see through the sleeveless gowns that they wore that there was hair in their armpits. His handsome brow furrowed at the sight. It was… strange.

He looked at Haleth, riding proudly on the back of Dernhelm. When they sparred, she wore sleeveless shirts, but he didn't remember seeing any trace of hair on her, only that soft, downy hair that covered her arms. Haldir's eyes were fixed on her now, the languorous sway of her hips in front of him was stirring a desire so powerful in him that he cursed himself mentally and averted his gaze. It is going to be hard to keep my hands off her this way.

From the top of Dernhelm, Haleth, who was watching Haldir from the corner of her eye, smiled.

When they left the main road, toward the forest, the people became rare until none could be sighted again. They stopped for the night, Adranel and Sador quickly leaving to scout the area. The sky was clear, a black mantle full of stars. Haleth already had her tent up and was now rummaging through her things, searching for her book. She could hear the laugh of her men outside, Seyton must be telling some of his jokes. Suddenly, a crystalline sound that reminded her of wind chimes arose among the others and made Haleth become still. A slow smile adorned her face. It is Haldir's laugh; he is smiling…

Book, ink and quill in hand, Haleth left the tent and walked to the men gathered around the fire. The night was freezing and the warmth was welcome.

"I believe this is a result of one of Seyton's jokes?" she asked them amused.

Siward, still with mirth in his eyes, laughed harder. "What did you expect? That it was Haldir's jokes?"

More laughs echoed from the Men and Haldir's musical voice filled the air. "I may not tell jokes," he said, "but I can laugh at a well-told one."

Haleth chuckled and sat by Siward's side, across from Haldir. Their eyes met for a brief moment, blue burning into black, and then the moment was gone. Haleth opened her book and began to write, her mind absent from the outside conversation now. She was pleased that Haldir was getting along better with the Men. They respected him so much, it was the least that he could do.

Moments passed, the conversation began to fade, and before Haleth could notice, Haldir and she were the only ones left by the fire, as they always were. But today something seemed to have changed somehow. There was a thick uneasiness in the air instead of the comfortable silence that used to surround them during the nights.

'Turn to the last two pages,' Haldir said breaking the silence.

Haleth met the intense blue gaze that seemed to be able to pierce her soul and did as told. Her mouth dropped open and her cheeks blushed furiously when she found Haldir's drawings. She looked at him in anger.

'What did you do? If somebody finds it…'

Haldir cut her off. 'They will think that you made it for a secret lover. A secret female lover. People will begin to wonder if you never find the company of a woman.'

Standing up with a feline grace, Haldir crossed the distance between him and Haleth, crouching down elegantly in front of Haleth. She raised her angry eyes to meet his.

'So it is all a lie.'

Haldir shook his head. 'No. The feeling behind the lie is real,' he told her softly, his eyes divesting themselves from their usual coldness. Haleth arched an arrogant brow at him.

'And why in the name of Mordor did you have to draw me naked?'

A perfect, distracting and hypnotizing smile illuminated his face. 'I leave this for you to find out.' His eyes looked her over while he said those words and Haleth felt herself to grow warm. She stoop up with Haldir following.

'I am going to sleep now. I don't really know what you did to me, but I know that I don't need any spells now to find peace in my sleep. Good night.'

Haleth prepared to leave, but Haldir's voice stilled her.

'Will we spar tomorrow?'

Haleth turned to face him. 'Yes. I'll meet you here just before dawn. Sleep well, Spy.'

Then I will be dreaming of you, he told himself with a sly smile on his face. He watched her disappear inside her tent and prepared himself for a lonely and sleepless night.

H&H&H&H

Glorfindel stood at the gates of Deothá, one day after Haleth's departure. What a filthy and disorganized place to live, the Elf Lord thought with disdain. He scanned the view outside the village. It hadn't snowed that night and the reminiscences of fires and tents outside the city were proof enough that an army had camped there. Glorfindel looked down to the guards of the gates without even dismounting his horse.

"Did Haleth's army camp here?"

The young Man gazed in amazement at the Elf Lord. He couldn't believe that he had already seen two of them in less than two days. "Yes, my Lord. They left yesterday to Ithilien."

"Was Haleth alive?"

The guard narrowed his eyes. "Why shouldn't he be?"

Insolent mortal, Glorfindel thought and the young Man flinched under his feral green gaze. "Was there an Elf with him?"

The young Man nodded. "Yes. He was badly wounded, but two nights ago he woke up, miraculously cured."

Glorfindel's grip on the reins tightened. There was only one reason for an Elf to be traveling with Haleth, and he began to get enraged by the thought. No it is not possible. They would not choose her, I told them that she was too young. "What was his name?"

"I think it was Haldir of Lórien."

Glorfindel felt anger flare in his nostrils. Haldir of Lórien, one of the Chosen Ones, was traveling with Haleth. That was no coincidence. There was only one place missing among that elite of warriors chosen by the most skilled Men and Elves in the arts of warfare. Glorfindel had chosen Haldir. And according to the letter that Gil-Galad and Elendil had sent to Imladris, Haldir and one of Elendil's captains had been sent to study two other warriors that the kings judged could fill the last position among them. That meant that they were trying to choose Haleth. And Glorfindel had given specific instructions that she couldn't be tested. The woman wasn't ready.

The one who chooses her will suffer my wrath, he silently vowed. Glorfindel threw a golden coin to the young human guard and turned Rochallor to the direction of Ithilien. The army's trail was easy to follow now and he was eager to find Haleth once more and put some sense into that empty mind of hers.

And, of course, he was also eager to kill Haldir if the idea of choosing Haleth even crossed his mind.

H&H&H&H

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