Hope you are all keeping well out there, I'm thinking of you.
-Edith
Lauren awoke the next morning with a mild hangover. She rushed to bid Legolas farewell, arriving at the stables just in time. By the bags under his eyes, Legolas was also feeling the after-affects of alcohol. Haldir was present, ready to see the Prince off with a small escort of guards who would accompany him to the borders.
Before Lauren had arrived, the two ellons were in the stables, saddling up Legolas' horse.
"I do hope the Princess is feeling well after all the excitement of last night" Legolas said provocatively. "I trust I can count on your discretion about the swimming" the prince added as an afterthought.
"Princess Luthien deserves better than one who indulges childish whims" Haldir said, looking at the Prince squarely.
At this, Legolas straightened and stared back. "You will do well to remember to whom you speak Marchwarden. Childish whims or not, at least she does not find me boring and uninspired. But you are right, the Princess deserves someone worthy. Someone of royal standing." He stared Haldir up and down, silently appraising him and deeming him unworthy.
"There you are! I thought I'd missed you" Lauren said, as she popped her head into the stables.
"You're dismissed Haldir" Legolas said coldly. Haldir silently left the enclosure, his last view was Legolas embracing Lauren.
After bidding Legolas farewell, Lauren took the roundabout way home, wanting to enjoy the wildflowers in bloom. As she walked along a deserted path, an abnormal rustling of leaves just off the path caught her attention. As she kept walking along the path and closer to the source of the disturbance, she heard a soft moaning. The path still looked empty, Lauren slowed down and approached cautiously. Slowly, a figure in a soft pink dress came into view. An elleth, several feet off the path, hunched over and clutching her large pregnant belly. She was leaning her weight against a tree.
Lauren immediately looked around for help. Finding none, she walked up to the elleth.
"Are-are you alright? What's your name?"
"Nyani" the woman whispered, eyes closed and focussed on her pain. In between deep breaths, she managed to convey "I started getting pains on my walk back to the flet."
"Oh my god, we need to get you to a hospital!" Lauren said in a panic.
"I can go no further, something is wrong. The baby is not due for several weeks. The pains are so much worse than my first child" Nyani grimaced.
Lauren looked around for help, seeing no one, "I'll go get some help."
Crying out at another wave of pain, Nyani clutched Lauren. "Please, don't leave me."
Lauren looked at her helplessly. "Ok, then I need to get you to a hospital. You have those here right?"
"The healers flet, it's not far" Nyani informed her.
"Ok, that's good. I'll help you" Lauren responded. She put her arm around Nyani's shoulders, enabling the woman to lean on her. Very slowly, and stopping when Nyani had a contraction, they made for the healer's flet.
Laurne felt a wave of relief when they arrived. She waved down the first attendant she saw and Nyani was quickly ushered into an examination room. She decided to wait a while, to make sure Nyani would be taken care of. The sounds from the healer's room were not encouraging. It sounded chaotic, several healers were in the room, shouting orders at each other. In the midst of the medical speak, Lauren could hear Nyani's agonized moaning. Finally, a healer emerged from the room. As he closed the door, Lauren caught a glimpse of bloodied bandages strewn across the room.
"Is she going to be alright?" Lauren asked nervously.
The healer sighed. "The baby is early and breech. Her husband needs to be here."
"Is this serious?" Lauren asked, though she could already sense the answer.
The healer nodded grimly. "You can help by getting her husband. He is a soldier in the Galadhrim, I don't know if he is at the borders presently. His name his Rumil." The healer instructed.
"Haldir's brother?" Lauren clarified.
"Yes, you know him? Please hurry." The healer followed with instructions on how to find Rumil's flet.
Lauren thanked her routine jogging for the speed that she was able to reach Rumil's flet. The lights were out and the place was silent. She racked her brain at what to do next, she decided to go to the training grounds, where there was a high chance Haldir would be. Lauren did a full sprint to the training grounds, where she saw Haldir and Orophin conversing and she headed straight towards them.
It was immediately apparent to the brothers that something urgent as afoot.
"Rumil's wife, her name is Nyani?" Lauren asked breathlessly. "She's pregnant?"
"Yes, how did you know?" Orophin responded.
"She – I came upon her on a path in the woods. She's gone into early labor. The baby is in the wrong position. She's bled a lot. The healers think it might go terribly wrong. Rumil, he should be with her. Where is he?" Lauren panted in her breathlessness.
Orophin paled visibly and Haldir's jaw clenched. "He is still at the borders though he should be on his way back already, his rotation ended yesterday. Orophin, go meet him and tell him to make haste" the elder brother ordered.
Orophin nodded. "Lyari took Wyrran to our flet this morning, so the elfling is cared for. I'll take my leave now. Brother, you should be with Nyani in the meantime."
The group dispersed, Haldir accompannied Lauren back to the healer's flets. When they arrived, the activity inside Nyani's room had not diminished. Healers continued to rush in and out bringing supplies and medicines. Whenever the doors opened to allow people in or out, they would catch a glimpse of Nyani – she was pale, sweating and in clear agony. Her anguished cries occasionally broke through the doors, reaching the visitors outside.
Lauren glanced at Haldir, who looked increasingly worried. Lauren guessed he was unused to a dire situation where he was so powerless. They were both sitting at a bench outside the room. Without thinking, she took his hand in his. He was jolted out of his thoughts by this, and turned to look at her. Only then did she see the tears in his eyes.
"Haldir, it- it'll be alright" Lauren soothed.
"I cannot shield her or Rumil from such pain" he admitted. He cannot bear to see them suffer, Lauren thought. How heavy the burden the marchwarden carried alone.
The doors to Nyani's room swung open and a healer emerged. Lauren and Haldir scrambled to their feet, Lauren giving Haldir's hand a reassuring squeeze.
"We have held off the bleeding for now. We will try to deliver the elfling. It will be dangerous. She will need someone with her for support. Where is her husband?" The healer relayed.
"He is on his way from the borders. I will sit with her" Haldir volunteered, without a second thought.
The healer turned to Lauren. "And you, Princess? In my experience, a woman's presence is often helpful."
Lauren could not disagree more, she definitely did not feel qualified in this situation. She knew nothing about childbirth and children. "I- I'm not sure" Lauren began. When she saw the desperate look on the faces of her companions, she swallowed and steeled herself. "Of course, anything you need."
Lauren followed Haldir into the healing room timidly. A total stranger was having a very complicated labor. She felt like she was intruding on a very private moment. Haldir kneeled at the head of the bed, bringing his face next to Nyani's. She was breathing heavily, in obvious pain.
"Where is Rumil?" Nyani cried softly.
"He is rushing to be at your side" Haldir answered calmly.
"Something is wrong. They said I may not survive, or worse, the elfling may not survive. Tell Rumil I love him" the distressed elleth sobbed.
Haldir soothed her, stroking her face. "You will tell him yourself, when he holds your elfling." Then, the marchwarden took Nyani's hand and grasped it firmly. He sat partially on the bed, supporting her back.
"Nyani, upon the next contraction, push" instructed the healer strictly. She did as instructed and let out a desperate cry. Her free hand clutched the bedsheets harshly. Lauren was stricken by the entire scene and remained motionless. Nausea swept over her as she saw the blood soaked bandages being discarded by the healer. In a rare moment, she pushed her feelings aside and stepped towards the patient. Lauren grasped Nyani's free hand, and stood opposite to Haldir. Reaching over to a basin, she wet a towel and placed it on the mother's forehead.
"Nyani, I know you can do this. We'll get through it together. Haldir and I are here for you" Lauren spoke in a calm but decisive tone. The next several hours felt like eternity. Nyani fought valiantly, with each contraction her body grew weaker but was bolstered by the support of those in the room with her. In the early hours of the morning, it was finally over. With one last push, the cries of an infant rang out. The exhausted mother collapsed against Haldir, finally relieved of pain.
"You did it Nyani" Haldir said emotionally, placing a gently kiss upon her forehead.
She new mother smiled weakly, "thank you Haldir, for everything" she said gratefully.
The healer gently swaddled the infant and placed him in his mother's arms. Instinctively, Nyani moved to feed the baby. Lauren stood from the crouching position she had been in for the last several hours, feeling once again like an intruder in this intimate scene.
"You were wonderful Nyani. I'll leave you to feed him now" she made for the exit. Haldir followed the Princess out the door, giving Nyani some much needed respite with her baby.
Outside, Lauren could finally let a breath out, debriefing herself after an intense experience.
A hand landed gently on her shoulder. "Lauren, I don't know how to thank you for what you did for Nyani" Haldir said in the most heartfelt way.
"I did what anyone would've, I'm just glad I was able to help" Lauren replied. She gave Haldir's hand a squeeze. He brought his hand to her face and lightly stroked her cheeks. The pull she felt towards him was so intense, she brought her face closer to his. She was too exhausted to fight her feelings.
"Haldir, how is she?" Rumil shouted, as he raced up the stairs to the flet followed closely by Orophin. The marchwarden and princess' moment vanished just as quickly as it appeared. Lauren broke their contact and stepped back.
"Rumil, she had a difficult time but she made it through. You have a son, congratulations" Haldir smiled reassuringly. His brother's shoulder relaxed immediately. Rumil pulled Haldir into a tight embrace and let out his emotions.
"Thank you Haldir, for all you've done. You've always been there for us. Ever since Ada died, you've been the rock of this family" Rumil said thickly.
"It is my honor Rumil. Now go be with your family" Haldir directed his brother towards the door. Rumil rushed into the room to be at his wife and new son's side.
Orophin stepped up to Haldir, the brothers gave each other relieved looks. Before anything more was said, Lyari arrived with both brothers' elflings in tow. The children bounced around noisily, becoming inpatient to meet the newest member of the family. Luckily Rumil emerged from the room and was met with hugs and kisses from Lyari and the children. He announced Nyani was ready to receive visitors and the small crowd thronged towards the room. Lauren hung back and in the chaos, she quietly slipped away feeling like her work and presence were done.
Lauren didn't see Haldir for days following the baby's arrival. She had kept her distance, feeling like the family needed space after the drama of the baby's delivery. It was an intense experience. The way Haldir had sat with Nyani, coached her, supported her through the delivery added a new facet for Lauren. She knew she should stop being surprised to discover the marchwarden was so layered. Each demonstration of Haldir's humanity, each affirmation of his impeccable character managed to increase Lauren's attraction to him. Unfortunately, it was exactly what she didn't want. She was frustrated that Haldir was, in fact, a wonderful, kind, caring, responsible person. It frustrated her because she was increasingly attracted to him. Lauren had finally acknowledged that the feelings she had were affection and attraction. Now, her new strategy was suppressing those feelings and vowing never to act on it.
Lauren looked forward to accompanying her grandfather on a diplomatic mission to the human settlements close to the forest's border. The realm's security depended on being in good terms with the neighbors. For this, Lord Celeborn made intermittent trips to encourage cooperation. Over the years, he had forged a strong relationship with the leaders of the settlements. The human settlements were structured like a kingdom. A king ruled, but nobles held tremendous power and land.
Lauren arrived at the stables, well packed for the journey. She had done her research on the trip and packed an array of outfits to accommodate the various formal and informal activities she would be taking part in.
Unexpectedly, her grandfather was at the stables but not wearing travel clothes. Haldir was also present, cloaked and ready for the journey on horseback.
"Lauren, my sweetling" her grandfather greeted with a kiss on both cheeks. "I have decided to let Haldir handle this trip. He has accompanied me many times to the Kingdom of Vanmar. King Eldred is friendly to us. He presides over a small but wealthy kingdom. He has his hands full with wealthy nobles constantly jostling for more influence. It should be an uneventful trip. I know you'll enjoy being outside the woods."
"Haldir is coming?" Lauren asked, catching up on what was just said.
"Haldir is leading the delegation. I place great trust in my marchwarden, he has proven himself many times to be capable in battle and diplomacy" Celeborn praised. "You do still wish to go?"
"Of course" Lauren said defensively. Great, more time with Haldir. The universe is torturing me, she thought. She reminded herself of her commitment that she not act on any feelings for the marchwarden. It's a phase, you'll get over him.
Soon, they were on their way. The elven contingent was being led by Haldir, with Orophin as his lieutenant. Lauren felt a sense of freedom when the horses left the forest and began traversing the plains. There was nothing in front of her except grassland and an expansive blue sky. When they stopped for lunch, Lauren was careful to avoid Haldir's eye. For his part, he seemed to be giving her space, concentrating on planning the journey forward.
Orophin came to sit next to her as she nibbled on some bread.
"Nyani told us how much you helped her. Rumil and I, our families are very grateful" Orophin said sincerely.
"I was no hero Orophin. I'm glad I could be a little help" Lauren said reluctantly, she did not want accolades. She felt as if she barely made it through, and she wasn't even the one giving birth. "How are Nyani and the baby?"
"Doing well. Nyani is at home now getting some rest. Baby Hamir is keeping Rumil up at night. They named him for my father. My brother" Orophin paused to turn his head making sure Haldir could not overhear, "he has a hard exterior but he loves very deeply."
"Haldir's love of his family is evident" Lauren said, before rising and walking to her horse.
Orophin watched her walk away. If the Princess had feelings for Haldir, she wasn't sharing it with anyone.
