Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with the Tolkien estate or New Line Cinemas. All elves and people of Middle Earth belong to Tolkien. Any movie scenes are owned by Peter Jackson and new Line Cinemas. All Original Characters are mine as is the plots and any facts, not in book or movies, are mine and mine alone. This piece is a work of fiction. No money is being made from this work of fiction.
Warning: Possible Mary sue, Het, Graphic sex toward end of story. May contain vivid descriptions of battles and gore, definitely...AU.
Chapter Nineteen: Meeting Nana at the Mirror, News of the Fellowship, Dinner with Brothers
Mother, daughter chat...
Arlothiyenne entered the Glade of her Mother's mirror yet again.
She saw her standing there, her gaze clearly fixed upon the images playing upon the waters. Silent as a mouse, Arlothiyenne approached the pedastal, and waited for her mother to look up.
Many moments passed, Galadriel's eyes lifted, she smiled warmly, and came to the other side. Placing an arm about Arlothiyenne's shoulders, she spoke, "I am sure you are wondering why I have called you here, my daughter." She led her to a set of benches on the other side of the glade and sat next to her, holding onto Arlothiyenne's hands.
"Yes, mother, has something happened?" she asked looking up into the baby blues of her mother's eyes.
"Nothing yet, but many things have come to light that you must know of." she said cryptically.
"What is it, nana?" she asked searching her mother's face.
"It has happened as you have seen it. In one weeks time, a party of travlers, I believe, will enter our beloved realm, seeking refuge and rest. One of the members, a hobbit, is carrying an ancient relic of old. A ring of power once lost, but found by his kin. His task to destroy it, is why the Fellowship was formed." she said looking away a moment, then back to her, "A very brave young hobbit he is indeed. Such a task for someone so small." she commented.
"So it was how I had seen it." Arlothiyenne said searching her nana's mind and seeing the images clearly.
"Yes. In five days time, Haldir will leave once more to the borders and await for their arrival. I am not purely sure, that they will come this way, but my feeling is that they will, and are passing across the mountain as we speak. Their journey will not be an easy one, that is for sure." she said looking at the ground, her mind clearly troubled by something, that Arlothiyenne picked up on.
"There is something else, is there not, nana?" she asked, the feeling of doom hitting her soul.
"Yes, the mirror has revealed some things to me about their journey, and about the things to come, that trouble me. I feel it is best not to mention it, but be warned, it is not good, and that it is painful for all that will know it soon enough." she warned, her voice low and grave. She looked up, wiping away her ill feeling and smiling warmly. "The Valar spoke to me as the images played. Your time of destiny is coming sooner than once thought. Elbereth said that your call is coming at the time when the Fellowship leaves our realm and for you to be ready."
Arlothiyenne shook her head, "Aye, I am ready, have been so. I tire of waiting. I will not fail them, nana, I promise." she said squeezing her nana's hand.
"I know, my daughter, I know. You have courage within you. I see it and so do they." she said acknowledging it. "The Valar wants to, at that time, to bestow gifts upon you, that will help aid in your task, and make it easier." She stopped talking as a shadow passed her beautiful features. "I fear, that your coming task, will lead you from us once more, but not for long. You will travel alone, but you will be safe." she assured.
"Oh." Arltohiyenne said sadly, the thoughts of leaving caused her a slight fear, but she shook it off. Bravely she spoke, "Well then if it what I must do, then I shall. I find some comfort that it will not be for long." she said looking at her mother.
"I find some in it. But it does not make the fact any easier." she said reaching up and brushing aside a wisp of hair from her daughter's eyes. She grew silent a moment, debating, Arlothiyenne caught on about something. She searched her mother's face.
"I sense something else, nana. What is it?' she asked curiously.
"There was another reason I called you here. I saw what happened out upon the training field. It is why I sent your Ada there." she said smiling. "It was a precaution to prevent that which could have gotten out of hand."
Arlothiyenne was shocked, but only stared at her mother. "Nana, Haldir would not have taken my virtue. He realizes how important my innocence is to my destiny." she blushed. "I will not deny, that I wish to go further, but it cannot happen now. I get so caught up in it all." she admitted.
"I understand it completely, pen neth. I, too, understand perfectly how it feels to be drawn to the one that stirs my blood. It happened ages ago, this ellon, whom I thought was annoying at first, caught my eye. His bravery, his good heart, the protectiveness he presented." she stopped, her eyes and mind drifted to that time, thinking on her past.
Arlothiyenne sat there waiting to hear more and spoke when her mother spaced out. "And?" she said wanting more.
She smiled warmly. "I married him." she said simply. Arlothiyenne looked at her stunned that she would speak about her past like this. It was as if her nana was a young lady again. "Oh do not look like that at me. I understand the pull you have toward Haldir, the way he causes you to burn. I trust you both, completely, it is just I am a mother and Celeborn a father. We worry about things."
Arlothiyenne crinkled up her nose at her father's worry. Her nana she was not worried about, but Ada on the other hand was unbearable. "I understand you both worry, but does Ada have to be protective of me? He knows Haldir will not cause harm to me."
"Yes he has to be protective. He was toward Celebrian, but once she married Elrond, that dissipated, but he always said, if we had another child he would stop at nothing to keep our next child well guarded." she said frankly. "but in many things, he is much more lenient with you than your sister."
"Fathers. Cannot live with them, cannot live without them. Right Nana?' she said sighing, the conversation had went from deadly serious to light and airy in no time, and the relief of it, came to Arlothiyenne like a breath of fresh air.
"That is right." Galadriel agreed, she slapped her hands to her knees and stood up. She looked down at Arlothiyenne. "Let us go to the training field. I believe your Ada is making quite a spectacle of himself. It has been ages since he last sparred, and today, of all days, he decides to do it again." she stared off again, thinking on it, the snapped out of it. "I shall love to watch him again, long has it been since I ogled at him while he fought." she reached out a hand for Arlothiyenne to take it.
Galadriel led her adopted daughter down the path toward the training field, they could hear in the distance a roaring cheer from the sidelines and knew that a great host of residents and wardens had gathered there to see the swordplay. But though they heard it, they both gasped at the sight, for it seemed that all that lived in the city, had arrived to watch their Lord spar with the Marchwarden.
Swordplay...
There the two stood, the Lord and His Captain, sword to sword, ability to ability. They danced around each other, their movements like that in the mirror. Matching each other. Arlothiyenne stared at her mother as she looked on at the two on the field. Behind her eyes, Arlothiyenne saw the passion and love she still held for her father after all these millennias together.
She felt her mothers feelings, they ran deep and had moved into every cell of her body never ending, never dying. Arlothiyenne smiled at this, for it was how she felt inside for Haldir. She looked back to the field and watched as the two fought.
The two's skills matched the other to the letter, both just as good as the other. But in a flash, both whirled around, their fair blond hair wisping through the air as they moved. Haldir pulled a trick from his arsenal of techniques, that from what Arlothiyenne could tell, Celeborn was not expecting. At the end of the movement, though no one saw it fast enough, Celeborn laid upon the ground, disarmed and looked quite surprised at it.
Galadriel smiled and nodded warmly, as her husband looked over to see her. She clapped, sending him a mental message, Arlothiyenne knew. Haldir held the tip of the sword near Celeborn's chest and spoke so the crowd could hear. "Respectfully, my lord, do you yeild?" he said, his voice never wavered.
Celeborn looked up at him, smiled, and shook his head. "Aye, Mellon, I yeild. Good play." he said gladly accepting his defeat. Haldir sheathed his sword to his side, and turned to the lord and held out a hand to help him up. Celeborn took it, upon standing he turned to the crowd. "I give the winner, our most gallant and brave Marchwarden. His skill today is testament to how much my techniques have improved over the millennias." The crowd applauded, then spoke among themselves, then disbanded back into their homes and duties.
Galadriel and Arlothiyenne walked out onto the field to greet them. Celeborn was speaking to Haldir. "Thank you, Haldir. You are a most worthy opponent." he wiped the sweat from his brow, "To fight again, makes me feel like I did in my youth. I appreciate that."
Haldir bowed and held out a hand to do the tradition elven handshake, which Celeborn obliged. Galadriel seeing her husbands outer robes, bent to pick them up and placed them over her arm. As she neared him she spoke, "That was most exciting, my love. Long had it been since I watched to spar." She walked into his loving embrace. She looked over to Haldir, "I thank you, Haldir for allowing me to see it once more." she stopped and eyed him.
Haldir had a small cut upon his forehead, nothing major, but it was enough to cause some concern for it was bleeding steadily. Arlothiyenne saw it and went to him immediately. Taking out her handkerchief, she bid him to bend over. Haldir complied and stared into her eyes as she did her task. Galadriel walked over and looked at it. "Haldir, my foster son, are you alright?" she asked.
"Aye, tis just a scratch, my lady. A small price to pay for the honor of sparring with my Lord." he told her smiling. Arlothiyenne still holding the cloth to his wound.
Celeborn looked worried. "I apologize for my wounding you Haldir." he said.
Haldir held up a hand. "Nonsense, my Lord. I took it, knowing the risk. Worry not, I shall be in good hands." he said looking back down at Arlothiyenne, who was blushing beet red.
Galadriel looked to her husband sternly, but you could see the humor behind her eyes. "You know my husband. Tis a crime to wound you own kin. You shall be punished severely." Arlothiyenne heard her mother's words, but the images of what her mother had in mind flashed in her mind. Arlothiyenne was shocked that her mother, of all elleths, could think such thoughts. She blushed and looked at Haldir, who was smiling, but looked to his Lord. Arlothiyenne looked to her Ada, and saw him smiled, then bend his head in mock shame.
"Yes, my love. I shall take it ,willingly." he said a little too proudly.
Haldir's eyes flashed something before Arlothiyenne, she could not recognize. It was as if he knew how they felt. She mentally slapped herself on the head. Of course he knew what they would be doing. It was assured the Haldir had experienced physical love many times over. She blushed again at the thoughts on it. She really needed to get her mind elsewhere. She looked at Haldir. "You need a healer. It will not stop oozing." she told him worried.
He shook his head. "Of course, will you be my nursemaid?" he said playfully.
"Of course I will take care of you, but we must get you looked at by the healer first." she told him as his placed his arm about her waist, her hand still raised to his wound with the handkerchief.
From behind them came the Lady's sweet voice. "Let me know how he is later my daughter. But not for a while. I have things to attend to." she said nonchalantly.
Haldir and Arlothiyenne stopped looked at each other and smiled. Arlothiyenne felt the blush come back on. Haldir took his hand and tapped her nose. "You know, my little Arltohiyenne, you are beautiful when you blush."
She held him around his waist as well, and pushed him away a little in play. "Oh, stop it Haldir." she reached up on tip toes and kissed his cheek and continued to hold the handkerchief to his forehead.
"So how did the meeting with your nana go?" he asked curiously.
"Well, the One Ring has been found. And within a few days you will leave for the borders to escort the bearer and the companions here to the city. But nana will speak to you on that matter before you go." she told him.
"Ah, I understand it. Where was it found?" he asked looking down at her.
"In the Shire. Seems a little hobbit by the name of Bilbo Baggins had it for several years, and left it to his nephew, who now is on a quest to see it destroyed. My time of destiny is approaching fast, and their arrival marks the beginning of what I must do." she said looking up at him. They resumed their journey to the healers. The silence was short-lived when he spoke again.
"So may I escort you home, my sweetness." he asked.
"Yes, first stop, the healers." she told him.
They arrived at the healers, who dutifully took care of the cut, and instructed him on how to apply the creams and poultices. After that, Haldir led Arlothiyenne through the city to her talan.
At her door, he bent down, kissed her sweetly and then left on his way.
Dinner...
It was now four days after her last meeting with her mother and the spectacle upon the field, and Arlothiyenne sat upon her window sill awaiting her three dinner guests. This was their departure dinner before heading off to the borders and await the travelers they were expecting.
She sat there, the smell of dinner, the bread, and the lembas she had baked permeated the air. This was going to be hard, seeing the brothers go, especially Haldir. Over the many days since their return from their last stay upon the borders, Haldir and she had spent every waking moment together. Picnics, fishing trips, daily horseback rides, and strolls about the city in the late evening hours.
She sat there staring out upon the city, which was now becoming darker by the moment as the sun sunk lower in the sky. Her feelings these past days for Haldir, had grown more, and though she knew he would only be gone a few short days, it was still almost unbearable. How would she survive without him? She reflected on what he had told her, when she told him on what she thought.
"Take it one step at a time," he had told her as he wiped away the tear, and then brushed the lock of hair from her eyes. "Take comfort knowing I will be home for only a short time. Two days is not long at all." He had then looked down at her, smiled at her sweetly, then kissed her forehead as he pulled her to him.
Her words to him had only been, "But the last time you were only to be gone a short while and it took nearly three months for your return. My heart cannot bear it."
He had looked down at her, his eyes full of understanding, he smiled and pulled her closer. As he stroked her hair, his sweet baritone voice rang in her ears. "My sweet Little Arlo. Have faith, have courage. This time will not be as long as the two centuries we had apart. This mission is different and I will return to you. I promise. Besides my heart is strong and beats only for you, so with you it remains, take comfort in that." he held her chin, and then brushed his lips against hers. It was sweet, tender kiss full of promise. It was then, if her heart had not fallen fully for him, it did in that moment for sure. She had held to him tighter than the air she breathed.
That evening was one that she would carry with her no matter that outcome. Her thoughts were broken when a knock upon the door sounded. They were there.
She arose from her perch and went to the door and was greeted by two rascally younger brothers of Haldir, who nearly knocked her over with hugs and kissed upon the cheek. But Haldir was more reserved, he just simply bent and kissed her a quick peck and walked on in. The three clad in their warden's garb, fully armed and ready to go.
She went to them held out her arms to receive their weapons, and carried them all to her bedchamber as the guys took up their seats at the table. By the time she returned they had already helped themselves to the food. She just shook her head and watched as Rumil and Orophin devoured their meal, making noises of satisfaction as they chewed. She took up her seat next to Haldir who had been waiting for her, and began to spoon out her portion of the meal.
Arlothiyenne served her dinner of mutton stew with all the trimmings. The four sat there eating heartily and talking among themselves. The feeling in the air, though light and airy, had the underlining sense of sadness. Arlothiyenne blushed at the comments about her special dinner from all three of the brothers, who went on and on about how good it was. But she took it graciously. Once the dinner was done, the dishes picked up and taken to the sink for washing, dessert was set to be served.
Haldir watched Arlothiyenne as she spooned out her mouthwatering blackberry cobbler with vanilla cream, iced. She moved about the table, spooning out some to each brother with Haldir being the last. Haldir on a whim, reached out and grabbed her by the waist. She squealed at his brazen act and half laughed out, half protested, but Haldir won. She found herself there, upon his lap, their eyes meeting. Intimacy unlike she ever known before as he began to feed her some of his dessert. She blushed bright red and the indications of it, and dared not to look at Rumil and Orophin, whom she knew would tease them both. But the two said nothing and only made sounds of satisfaction as they ate.
Haldir held her tight and looked at his brothers, who finally looked up and excused themselves from the table. Each coming over, kissing her cheek and telling her 'thank you' for dinner. Haldir and Arlothiyenne watched as they made their way into her bedchamber to retrieve their weapons and then walked from the talan. Haldir and Arlothiyenne found themselves alone.
He sat there, holding her still to his lap, looking up he smiled. His voice low, and full of emotion, he told her, "I will miss you, lirimaer. Will you miss me?"
She rolled her eyes, smiled then slapped him slightly, her true emotions she tried to hide, she looked down at him. "Of course I will, you know that you silly Elf!" she kissed his forehead, then took her hand and placed it to his left cheek. Her face now serious, the emotions she painstakingly tried to hide evident behind them, she whispered. "I always do."
He reached up, both hands now holding her face, pain and hurt behind his fair blue eyes, he spoke softly. "I hate leaving you, it seems like it is all I do anymore." His eyes searched hers, his thumbs caressing her cheeks.
She bit the urge to cry back, smiled and bravely told him. "I know, Haldir, when this is all over, I know you will not have to go as often. There will be peace in the land and the need for you will not be as much as now." she kissed his lips lightly and pulled back up to search his face. "I do not like this, I admit it, but it is necessary. I will be fine. Wherever you go, my heart will go with you."
Haldir pulled her tighter to him, he brought his lips close to her ear as she rested her head upon his shoulder. "I love you, with all my heart." he said in a low voice, full of emotions. He pulled back and captured her lips with his and kissed her sweetly, tenderly. The Love he felt came in that kiss, and Arlothiyenne felt it emanating from him fully. They kissed for what seemed hours but soon pulled up for air.
She smiled, her heart pounding from the feeling she was having. "I love you to. I will be here when you return, and when you do, we shall spend every moment we can together." she gave him a quick peck on his lips, and hugged to him tighter. Though she still felt the unbearable pain of him leaving, she pulled back and looked down at him. "I hate to admit this, but I believe it is time for you to go."
He sighed heavily, his heart, she knew was full of dread, he looked up at her. "Aye." he said then bit his lip. "I promise you, when this war is over, and your destiny is done. We will be together, forever. I vow it." he said releasing her from himself. She stood and watched him stand up. He towered her by a full head, she gazed up at him. He saw the flash of sadness behind her eyes. The wetness beginning to gather at the corners of her eyes. She was trying to be brave, but her emotions were faltering.
She smiled at him, her cheeks beginning to turn red from the threatening tears, "I will hold you to that, Marchwarden." she wiped at the tear, and looked up at him again. "Now you better go, your brothers and fellowship are waiting for you." she said. He hugged her again, and then turned to go to her chambers and retrieve his weapons.
He emerged mere moments later, Arlothiyenne was turned with her back facing him cleaning up the table. His breath caught in his throat as she slowly turned to him. Her eyes caught his, and his heart nearly ripped from his chest. The tears were free-flowing now, silently, she turned again and sat the plate down on the table. He dropped the shoulder bag to the floor and went to her. His heart pounding, the tears, she was crying, it pained him. He grabbed her and forced her to turn toward him. He spoke softly as he stroked her hair. "Shh, my love, do not cry. I cannot bear it. I will come home in a day or two." He held her as if she were a dream about to disappear. He kissed the top of her head.
She held to him tighter now. She knew it was silly, feeling this way, but she loved him fully, wholl, and completely. She sniffled and then looked up into his eyes. "I know, it is just hard." she admitted again. He reached out, caressed her cheek with his hand then leaned in to kiss her one more time. The kiss was filled with all the emotions they both felt. Her knees went weak, her mind began to swoon, her heart raced. If Haldir had not been holding her, she surely would have hit the floor.
Haldir broke the kiss and looked down at her. "I have to go." he said, kissing her nose. "Please, go into your bedchamber so you will not have to watch me leave. I do not want to have the memories of your tears going with me to the borders." he finally told her, then looked away. She kissed his cheek and walked to the back of the talan. Before entering her bedchamber, she stopped and looked at him once more. He had bent and was now holding his sword and bow.
As strong as she could sound she spoke. "I love you, Haldir of Lorien. Until we next meet, my heart goes with you."
Haldir looked at her, flashed her his best smile. "I Love you, Arlothiyenne, my princess. Until we next meet, I will hold your heart close to mine." Arlothiyenne hearing his words, felt joy in her heart and flashed him a smile. He shook his head. She entered her bedchamber.
After several moments, Arlothiyenne heard the door to her talan click, and knew he was gone. Sure he was only to be gone a couple of days, but it was hard to see him go. She fixed her hair back, straightened her gown, and returned to the dining area to clean up. What she found stunned her. Upon the table was a single lavender color rose, native only to her mother's garden. She picked it up, and brought it to her nose, inhaling she took in its sweet aroma. She went to the kitchen found the prettiest vase she had, and placed it upon the table after she had gotten it cleaned up.
A short while later after readying for bed, she laid down and thought. Many things she had learned, sensed and realized all stuck with her, soon, her slumber took her and with it, the realization that Soon she would be called out for her destiny.
N/A: How did I do on this one? Please review...Word of warning. Two more chapters to be revamped and the major revamping will be done! WHOO HOO!, Then on with the original chapters 16 and up tweaking...YAY! Please let me know how I am doinG.
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Up Next: The FELLOWSHIP arrives, she meets up with an old friend