CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Haldir lightly rapped his knuckles against the door of Lothrin's talan, and waited impatiently for her to appear. As he waited, he plucked at the dress uniform he now wore. Even though it was comfortable, it still didn't feel right, and he always hated wearing it. But he wanted to look as presentable as possible.
I wonder why people were looking at me strangely as I walked through the city. A few even looked like they were angry at me, or even disgusted. Have I made such a bad reputation for myself here?
Haldir's thoughts were cut off as the door opened, and Lothrin stepped out. Haldir could only stare at her with amazement, his jaw dropped open to show his awe. Lothrin was wearing a cerulean blue dress that brought out her eyes like Haldir had never seen before. His heart rate sped up as he noticed how the dress emphasized all the right parts of her body.
Her golden blonde hair was wrapped up into an elegant braid that had several elanor flowers interwoven between the knots of hair. She also wore a silver band, the flawless piece resting on and around her head, the subtle and intricate curves of the headpiece perfectly contrasting against her hair.
She took a step forward, the dress shimmering over her body as she smiled nervously. "Judging by your expression, my appearance isn't all that bad," she said softly. She was looking away from him, eyes trained on the floor. She chewed her lip anxiously, and a faint blush spread to her cheeks.
Haldir closed his mouth, and gently took her arm, handling her as though she might break. "Shall we go, then?" he asked her. She nodded, and they started walking to the talan where the celebration would be taking place.
It was undoubtedly the largest talan in the entirety of Caras Galadhon. It spanned several trees, and could hold most of the city's population. Those that couldn't fit were usually elves who held more personal celebrations. Or they could celebrate on talans that overlooked the main talan.
But none of this crossed Haldir's mind while he escorted Lothrin to the Winter Solstice festival. He only noticed that more and more elves were looking at him like he were a snake. Truthfully it made him nervous.
But they finally reached the ceremonial talan and joined the throng already assembled. As he waited next to Lothrin for the celebration to begin, Haldir kept his ears open for any threats. Something was wrong, and it had him on edge. He spotted Galadriel and Celeborn sitting in two thrones atop a raised platform, and at that moment Galadriel looked him square in the eyes.
Haldir knew he was a servant of Galadriel, and for as long as he could remember, when their eyes met, she would give him a small, wise, and noble smile. But today was different. Her eyes held nothing but a cold displeasure. She leaned over to Celeborn, who was speaking with Elrond, and whispered something in his ear. He straightened and caught sight of Haldir. The lord of Lothlorien actually frowned slightly, something dangerous glinting in his eyes.
But then it was when Anor set. Celeborn stood, and the dull murmur of conversations died down instantly. "Tonight is the longest night of the year, and the edain view it as a time of evil spirits, and that they have to pray to the Valar, and show their reverence and humbleness so that they might stave of the evil spirits of the night." A ripple of laughter spread through the crowd.
"But we edhil know different. We, the chosen children of Ilúvatar, remember the ages of the stars. We were awakened by Varda, Lady of the Heavens, when she took dew from the sacred Silver Tree of the Valar, and rekindled the dim stars. We were born under a sky with no Anor. We view the Winter Solstice as the one day of the year where Ilúvatar reminds us of our humble beginnings, and so that we may never forget our origins.
"So let us celebrate this night! Let us remember the ages of the stars this night! Let us be merry and feast and drink with the name Varda on the tip of our tongues. Let us rejoice!"
The elves assembled cheered, and soon the revelry commenced in full swing. Though Haldir felt an underlying current of danger in the elves around him, he tried to appear as though he were enjoying himself.
He danced with Lothrin, in fact that might have been the only time when he was truly happy. The feel of her warm body against him made him glad to be in her company, and he was always disheartened when the minstrels stopped playing their music.
After a while Haldir felt a prickling at the back of his neck, and he turned to see Galadriel still upon her throne, staring at him like a hawk watching a mouse. He shifted uncomfortably as he looked away.
Spotting Rumil standing by the wine casks, he brought Lothrin into a light embrace. "Do you wish for something to drink?" he asked softly. "I see Rumil by the wine, and I wanted to speak with him shortly. I'll get you something if you'd like."
"No, thank you for asking however. I may want some later, so I hope that this isn't the only time you offer."
Haldir chuckled quietly. "I'll be right back." He disengaged himself from her, and walked nonchalantly towards his brother. When he reached him, Rumil gave Haldir a worried glance.
"How can you be so calm, brother?" Rumil hissed.
Haldir looked at him for a few seconds, trying to understand what he just said. "What?" he asked with an uncertain chuckle.
"There have been rumors, and I…you need to return to Lothrin before any damage is done."
Without another question, Haldir spun and walked quickly towards Lothrin, who was talking to another elleth. He reached her, and put on an amicable voice to hide the panic he was beginning to feel. "Lothrin, sorry I was so long. My shoulder is beginning to ache, would you mind if we excuse ourselves from the revelry for a short while…"
"How…dare you…so toy with my emotions!"
Haldir paused, his mouth going dry. "P-pardon?"
All noise within twenty feet of the two stopped abruptly as the sharp sound of Haldir being slapped sounded throughout the talan. "'I'll win the bet, and she won't even suspect anything as she falls hopelessly in love with me'?"
Haldir brought his hand up to touch the flesh that now stung from the force of the blow. "Who said this?" he asked, trying to keep his voice calm and steady.
"So you were so drunk that you don't even remembering uttering this? Ask around and see just how many elves here heard that you were a little too loud when you drank some eves ago!"
"Lothrin, I…" he started as he gently lay his hand on her shoulder.
She threw it off. "Don't touch me! I trusted you, I thought that you had changed!" she hissed, angry tears falling from her eyes. She turned and walked away.
Haldir watched in shocked silence before he came to his senses. "IF YOU BELIEVE SUCH FALLACY THEN I WAS WRONG ABOUT YOU!" he bellowed towards her retreating back. When she did not turn around but started to run faster, Haldir dropped his extended hand.
He was suddenly aware of Rumil and Orophin standing by his side. "Half of the wardens are now unsure of your honor," Rumil said quietly.
"Brothers, find those who you trust, and find the nadorhuan who started these lies!" Haldir snapped before he turned and started towards the walkway opposite from the one that Lothrin exited by. Before he took three steps he collapsed onto his knees with a painful sob. Before any could touch him, he was up again, only a single tear showing just how grieved he truly was.
Not many people saw the tear for what it was. But one of the few was Galadriel. She realized that someone who was false would cry openly to all, or simply not cry at all. But to hide one's grief like Haldir was, even though it caused him pain as he marched calmly out of the talan, doing such showed that you truly were wronged. The queen of Lothlorien leaned over towards her husband. "We have been deceived, and I will find out who has started this, and see that they are justly punished. Two of my most talented commanders have been wounded this night. This is a high crime."
Celeborn nodded gravely, and Galadriel leaned back into her chair. Now she had to figure out how to bring the two wounded elves back together again so that they may heal each other…
AN- Bet you never saw that one coming! Okay, when you review, tell us who you think is responsible for the rumors.