Fated to Love
by Haldirsbaby
Disclaimer:I do not own the lord of the Rings or its characters. I only own Cassie and the plot of this story. No money is being made from this work of fiction.
Note: Sorry an update on this story has been too long coming. As of right now, my muses are not with me much. I am unsure of when I will get to the next. This chapter has been in my files and almost complete for quite sometime, the other night I finally finished this chapter. Perhaps if you all review, tell me what you think, I may feel more inspired. Also...Any suggestions on Haldir's surprise would be appreciated..Huggles. PS-I am working without a Beta at the moment...so sorry for any typos and errors.
Chapter Twenty Three: Elven Marriage 101, Surprises and shopping
Meeting the Lady...
Cassie walked amongst the roses in the Lady's personal gardens on her way to the Lady's private bower. She had just left Haldir to do his little planning. When trying to get it out of him of what he was doing, he said it was a surprise and walked away. So much for preparations. This morning was a good one, but foreshadowed by doubts she guessed you would call them.
She found the bower and the Lady sat there at the small tea table waiting on her. The lady stood and smiled at her warmly.
"Come, my future foster daughter. We have much to speak of." she said waving her hand toward a chair beside her. "Would you like some tea and crumpets?"
"Yes, my lady. Thank you." Cassie said holding up the skirt of the gown Haldir gave her. She still felt uneasy wearing it, but it made him happy. She reached the chair and sat down watching the lady as she poured the tea and dished out the crumpets.
"Cassie, my love was right, that gown looks beautiful on you." she said sitting down and handing the tea to Cassie.
"Thank you, but I still feel a little out of sorts wearing it. Haldir told me of its past a little. I am afraid of ruining it." she admitted.
"That is not to be worried about. There is not tear nor stain that elven techniques cannot fix." she said sipping her tea. Cassie was nervous suddenly about being in the Lady's presence. Galadriel sensed this. "Cassie, worry not about being around me. Soon you will be family. Besides, I am no different than any other elleth." she said calmly.
Cassie looked at her sideways. She giggled. "My lady, that is so not true. You are perhaps one of the most powerful people in all of Middle Earth. How can you say that?"
"Cassie, I may have some power, but it is slowly waning. But no matter. I want to talk to you as a mother would a daughter." she said sitting down her tea cup and then looking at Cassie fully. "This morning, I sensed some sudden doubts about your impending nuptials to my foster son. Why?"
Cassie set down her cup and thought a moment. How would she answer? Would the lady understand what she said? She looked at her a moment debating on how to put it. Bluntness would do, she decided. "Well, my lady, it is just that in my world, my time, marriage is like undergarments...it is changed all the time. It never lasts. Love does not seem to be enough to keep it going. The words 'I love you' is often said, but not meant. I love Haldir, I do, but is it a love that would last the ages? I am afraid that it is not. How do I know that what we have is true? It hit me this morning the full meaning of what an immortal is, and what I am now. To tell the truth, I am scared to death." Cassie said feeling perplexed.
The lady smiled at the girl before her. She understood it all. When she first saw her in the mirror those months ago, she looked at the chaos of the world she had lived in. She understood the full meaning of her fears.
"Cassie, what you are experiencing is a form of cold feet. It happens to most who chose to marry and bind. Let me explain something, did this writer, oh, what was his name? Ah, Tolkien ever explain about elven marriage?" she asked.
"Yes, a little. It was said that elves bind with both body and soul. That elves once they find the one they are meant for, that one is the only one they want. That once they bond, if their mate dies, then they too will fade." Cassie said.
"That is right, but did he also mention that they would know from the moment of meeting that they are meant for one another? Or that once they decide to be together, that if the love is not returned, or is rejected, that the elf would live a life of celibacy and without love from anyone else?" she asked.
Cassie searched her own mind, he had said that. "Yes. But it still does not help me to know for sure what I have for Haldir." Cassie said feeling lost a little.
"How does Haldir make you feel? What happens when he touches you?" she asked.
"When I am with him, I feel safe, protected, loved. If I am sad or uncertain, he holds me and I feel alright. Did I mention the first time I met him, I shook his hand and I felt an energy run up my arm that went from head to toe on me?" Cassie said.
"Ah, it did did it? Well there you have it. That jolt of energy, was your feas recognizing each other. It only happens, when the two meant for each other touch the first time. Cassie put your fears away, I know the hearts of both you and Haldir, I know your love will grow, prosper and it is meant to be. Trust it. To question it will only put a wedge between you. Do not let that happen. Haldir has always been one that was closed off from the affection of others, has been since his mother sailed so long ago. For the first time in millennias, he is like the young ellon he used to be. You have done that Cassie. Your love for Haldir, is unlike any other in all of Middle Earth. Think on it, before you came to this time, you held a torch for him. That flame was bright, and still is, enough to have the Valar bring you here. The light within you, that purity of your heart, is what the enemy wanted. That goodness is a power within itself." The Lady smiled warmly, "But that is the past now. The battle has been won. Now on with more pleasant things." The Lady reached over and patted Cassie's leg. "What about your wedding? What things would you like to have done? Hmm?"
Cassie noticed the Lady's way of changing the subject. Though she did feel somewhat at ease, she could not help hold a small flame of doubt. Perhaps it was a lingering effect. She smiled at the Lady. "I am not sure. Right now, all I worry about is learning more of the Elven ways and the languages. Focusing on getting to know Haldir more. I told him to please give me a couple months to adjust." she told the Lady respectfully.
The Lady lit up and smiled again. "Ah, I understand that, but does it not excite you a little about the thoughts of the wedding? You can have it however you want." The Lady stood up and looked down at her a moment before turning back. "I know what we shall do. Arwen and I will help in the planning should you permit us. After all, Haldir is my foster son and it is custom for the future mother in law to help when the mother of the bride is absent is it not?"
"In my world, my lady, it is not. But if you wish it, I am sure a little help with it is good." Cassie said still overwhelmed about the prospects of marriage.
"Then it is settled." she walked back over to Cassie and held out her hand. "Since Haldir is off planning a special evening and I assume you have nothing else to do, Arwen and I want to take you to some of the markets to have a look around for things for your big day and hers." The Lady smiled and looked to the walkway outside the bower. Arwen stood there with her Father and Celeborn waiting. Cassie seeing them, took the Lady's hand and smiled.
"Well, I guess it will be alright to have a look." she told the lady as she lightly chuckled at the eagerness these elves had.
The Surprise...
Hours later, mid afternoon, the three ladies had walked around. The amount of markets unknown, but one thing was for sure. They had not been to all the shops. Followed by Celeborn and Elrond, the ladies all three stopped and stared at the materials. Mounds of bolts of materials of all colors, designs, from delicate silks to lace to thicker material like velvet. Arwen found a light green bolt of material, that in the light, it shimmered. It was a mix between silk and velvet the material still light enough that it would be great for early summer.
Galadriel and Cassie flipped over the material. Both telling her how beautiful it would be. Elrond agreed and gladly paid the pretty price for it. The lady looked at Cassie. "Now you choose your material." she told her smiling at her.
Cassie was shocked and excited. She had seen the prettiest materials for the gown she had in mind. Immediately she pointed to the sheer silk white material and white lace. The lady looked at the store keeper who stood there quietly waiting for the selection to be made. He smiled seeing she had made what he thought was the right choice. He waved to his assistant who had just wrapped Arwen's purchase. Celeborn stepped forward with a rather bulky purse and handed the keeper the money. Cassie looked at the purse then to him. He smiled down at her. "Haldir gave this to me this morning after you went to speak with my wife. He told me 'Anything she desires, she may have it.' So anything you wish, it is yours." He said happily.
Cassie's mouth dropped open in shock. "He said that?" she finally got out after a pause.
"Yes. He was quite adamant." Celeborn said taking change back the keeper. He spoke to the keeper, "Have this sent to Haldir's talan immediately, then have the seamstress to come by there tomorrow and have measurements taken." The keeper nodded to him in respect.
"Where did the money come from?" Cassie asked curiously.
"Haldir is wealthy on his own. Having been in our service for many millennia. But this money," Celeborn held up the bag, "Is special. His mother saved it up many years ago and told Haldir it was to be a surprise to any woman he chose to wed. She did the same for his brothers. So in essence it is her gift to you." He said placing the bag on the belt around his waist.
Cassie was speechless. "I-I don't know what to say." she smiled and shook her head.
"Say nothing and just accept it, Cassie. You can thank her once you reach the distant shores." Galadriel said sweetly. "Is there anything else here you wish to have." She looked over the bolts of material and her eyes lit up. "Ah, this material here." she pointed to the powder blue material in front of her. "Would be beautiful for Arwen's wedding."
Cassie looked at it. It was beautiful. She reached out and touched the soft silk material. "Yes, I want this." The Keeper took it and handed it to the assistant.
Arwen smiled and turned to her father. "Father. Pay for it. I want that to be my gift to her."
Elrond stopped Celeborn from paying for it. "No, my daughter insists."
Celeborn smiled and did not argue. Elrond paid for it. Cassie looked at Arwen and hugged her. This was a fun day after all. Cassie still felt guilty for spending all this money on it, but decided not to argue with anyone.
After a few more hours, a couple more shops, they stopped at the flower dealer. Flowers of every shape, color, size and species lined the shop. Arwen and Galadriel wandered in their own directions, while Cassie wandered around with Celeborn behind her. At the rose section, she found roses of every color and size. But one species caught her eye that she had never seen. The buds upon it was the size of a large softball and a light purple bluish color. Celeborn came closer.
"Those flowers are grown in my wife's garden near her mirror. They are her special blending." he said quietly.
Cassie looked at him. "They are?" she asked looking at him like a child intrigued.
"Yes. Do you like them?" he asked looking down at the delicate bud then reaching to touch its velvety bud.
"No," she said thoughtfully, her eyes glued. "I don't like them. I love them."
Celeborn smiled, he looked up and saw his wife coming toward them. "I see she has found my special roses."
"Aye, she has, my Love. She loves them." he responded looking down at the girl beside him. Her eyes clearly fixed.
Galadriel reached out and touched her arm. "Cassie. These flowers are grown specially here in Lorien. No where else can one find purple-blue roses that grow year round."
Cassie looked at her. "They grow year round?" she picked up a rose and brought it to her nose. The smell was more sweeter than normal roses. "I would love to have these at my wedding."
"I figured that you would. I have commissioned the gardener that when the time comes you would need these. You will have your roses, from my sacred gardens. As a gift to you." the lady told her. Seeing a lock of hair fallen from a simple braid, the reached out and pushed to the side as a mother would and hugged Cassie close to her.
Cassie wrapped her arms about the Lady's neck. "Thank you. May I have others as well with them?"
"Of course. Which ones?" The lady said looking around the bunches of flowers.
"It doesn't matter the species. I think some blues, greens, purple and light pinks should go with them." she said looking around more, pointing as she went.
"Alright. Most of them you pointed out, grow year round here, so when the time comes they will be ready." The Lady said happily looking about. Cassie noticed that she was enjoying helping to choose. The keeper was taking notes on the flowers Cassie chose. She gave a price and Celeborn paid it.
"Now that is all set. The Flowers, the materials, and of course, all we will have to do is planning the cake and banquet, but that can wait until it is closer to the wedding date." The Lady looked to her granddaughter. "Arwen, have you finished, dear choosing all you need?"
Arwen and Elrond stepped closer to them. "Well, grandmother, there is not much more I can do on this end. The material for my gown is about all I can do. Legolas is taking care of things on his end. Estel has not idea I still live. After all our marriage will be a surprise for him at his coronation."
That was right. For all Aragorn knew was that she was dying and that was before the battle of Plennor Fields. She still lived and Legolas was made aware of that. In the books, her showing up to marrying him was a surprise.
"That is right. He does not know does he? There has to be something more done that is special." Cassie was getting excited now. "I remember the story well from the books in my world."
"Perhaps we shall talk more about it tomorrow. Haldir wanted to meet with you at sundown. And by the looks of it," Celeborn looked out the at the sky. "It is within a couple hours. We need to get you home so you can get ready."
"Any of you know what he is planning?" Cassie asked them, looking at each. The lady knew, but was not saying, the others on the other hand, had no idea.