Hi everyone,
Thank you to all who have read and reviewed the story! Your reviews are so smart and passionate - they really keep me going.
As the characters' relationships continue to evolve, there will be many more events to come.
-Edith
Lauren knocked nervously on the door of Orophin and Lyari's flet. The middle brother and his wife had offered to host the celebration of baby Hamir's arrival. Given the difficult delivery, his mother was worn out and still recovering her strength. The Princess clutched the gift basket in her hands. She wasn't nervous about the gift, in her experience new parents loved getting a monogramed baby blanket. Many of Lauren's friends had been having children of their own, at some point, Lauren jokingly called it an epidemic. She couldn't count how many baby showers she'd gone to in the last year, enough to be well practiced in gift giving in this particular area. She had found the same garment shop Arwen had taken her to previously, and had the blanket made that morning.
It had been a restless night for Lauren. Not usually an emotional person, she had been filled with conflicting feelings. The attraction, affection, desire for the marchwarden was undeniable. Better yet, he was unfailingly loving and loyal. In any other situation, Lauren would be thankful to have found someone who felt that way about her. But Haldir lived in Lorien, he was an elf. He knew nothing about her life. She was reminded of her life on Earth – her career, her condo, her friends, her family – the Johnsons! The parents who raised her, the brother who played with her. She couldn't reconcile the two, and it had become overwhelming.
She took a deep breath. Right now, she was here to celebrate a new baby and not to brood about her personal problems. No sooner had she let out her breath, the door opened. Orophin gave her a welcoming smile and ushered her in.
"Princess Luthien, welcome back to our home. When Haldir mentioned you accepted his invitation, we were all very happy to hear you were on such good terms" Orophin said genially. He may have reservations about the woman his brother loved, but he would never stand in the way of his brother's happiness.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to being called Princess. It's just Luthien, please." Lauren said graciously, as she walked into the living room.
Suddenly, a tiny blond blur came running towards her. "Luthien! Look, naneth fixed my hair to be just like yours!" Sionia pointed at her ponytail. Lauren wore her hair up frequently; it was almost unheard of for elves.
Lauren smiled, "well it looks wonderful on you Sionia. Now your hair won't get in the way of your world domination" she said, winking at the little girl. Someone had to encourage girls to be everything they can be.
"She has not stopped talking about you since you came for dinner. She wants to be just like you" Orophin relayed, gently rubbing the top of his daughter's head.
"Come see baby Hamir!" the little girl declared. She took Lauren's hand and pulled her into the room. Nyani sat on the sofa, next to Haldir who was holding the infant. Rumil was off to the side of the sofa, with two elfings hanging on each of his arms. His son and nephew, Wyrran and Kieran, were dangling on each arm and swinging back and forth.
"Princess Luthien!" Nyani exclaimed when she saw Lauren. She made to stand, but Lauren rushed to put her back to her seat.
"Nyani, you're still recovering. Please sit. Please call me Luthien, I hate titles" Lauren placated. She had, at some point, decided to accept that the elves will call her Luthien. It was, after all, the name they had given her.
"I've not had the chance to thank you, for helping me through the delivery. I could not have done it without you and Haldir" Nyani said earnestly.
Lauren shook her head. "You were the strong one. I was just a bystander." Lauren knew she was nowhere near prepared to have a child, or want one for that matter. "How's the baby?" she asked, peering over the bundle of blankets in Haldir's arms.
Haldir smiled as Lauren carefully peeled back a corner of the blanket covering the newborn. Lauren smiled at the baby; he was adorable. Round, rosy cheeks and bright blue eyes. The same eyes as his father and uncles. She grazed the top of his head where a thin layer of fuzzy blond hair was poking through. Her hands met Haldir's, whose were supporting the infant's head. Their gazes met and she saw the tremendous love in them. Despite being a hardened Captain, Haldir's soft spot was his family.
Haldir moved to hand the infant to Lauren. At first she bristled, she was uncertain that she should hold a baby. She had never held an infant for any significant period of time, and she generally saw babies as bundles of unwanted responsibility. Haldir's presence was reassuring, he was handing her his nephew – a show of confidence. She stiffly received the infant in her arms. Haldir's hands lingered over hers for a few moments, before withdrawing. To her surprise, he moved to put his arms around her. He meant to signal to his family how important she was to him.
She cradled the tiny baby in her arms. Haldir's reassuring touch on her shoulder calming her irrational fears about dropping the baby. The infant cooed and smiled at her.
"He likes you" the marchwarden murmured.
Just then, the baby started to fuss and cry. Lauren rolled her eyes, growing impatient with the noise. There was no better reminder to her of why she enjoyed being childless and career oriented. She quickly handed the child back to its mother, shrugged Haldir's hand off her shoulders and stood up.
"I'll see if my help is needed in the kitchen" Lauren muttered, leaving the room. Being with Lyari beat holding a baby at this point.
Nyani calmed the baby and looked at Haldir with sympathetic eyes. It was no secret in the family how much Haldir yearned for a wife and family of his own.
"Be patient Haldir, she will get there. She just needs a little more time to mature" Nyani advised.
In the kitchen, Lyari was busy putting the finishing touches on the cake. When Lauren entered unexpectedly, Lyari gave her a hard look. In the days after the Lauren's first visit to their home, Sionia had been chattering non stop about Lauren. Never mind it was Lyari who cooked every meal, tended to every wound, soothed every illness. Lyari felt surplanted in the eyes of her daughter by a woman who she viewed as immature. Now this woman held the heart of the elf she viewed as her brother.
"Stack those plates" she directed Lauren, without looking up.
Lauren silently obliged. As friendly as ever, Lauren thought.
"Sionia cannot stop talking about you" Lyari threw out there.
"She will come to appreciate you. Kids always think anyone who isn't their parent is cool" Lauren smiled.
Lyari didn't seem convinced. "Haldir told me that you two have become much closer since your trip."
"We are" Lauren answered simply.
Lyari sighed. "I hope you know what you're doing. Haldir, he is loyal. When he loves, he does so with his whole heart. He is ready for a wife and children. Are you?" She asked pointedly.
Lauren was now speechless. Wife? Children? The answer was no. She shook her head angrily. No one was going to dictate to her what to do in a relationship.
"I am not trying to be harsh, but Haldir takes this seriously. If you don't, you will hurt him. I don't want to see that. Haldir, of all people, does not deserve that." Lyari finished.
"Thank you for the advice Lyari. Are you bringing the cake?" Lauren said curtly, carrying the plates out of the kitchen.
The cake was served and the baby was celebrated. Lauren could feel the eyes of Haldir's family on her. She got through the party as if nothing bothered her.
On their walk home, Lauren was quiet. Haldir could perceive something bothering her. He put his arms around her.
"Something bothering you?" He asked.
Lauren could've complained. But, she looked at Haldir and smiled. She was happy being in his arms so why let anybody else bother her about it. "Aren't you going to invite me to your place?"
Haldir smirked and led the way. Haldir's flet was spartan and practical. His armour and weapons were stowed by the door. A desk by the window overflowed with maps. As soon as he closed the door, Lauren trailed her hands over his chest and gave him a smouldering look. He leaned into her and gave her a passionate kiss. She closed the distance between them and he hugged her close to him. Together, they made their way into his bedroom. With one knee anchored on the bed, he gently lowered her onto his bed. She tugged on his shirt and he came towards her. They were locked in another kiss when she drew her legs around his waist. He groaned at the contact and she smiled, enjoying the reaction she got out of him.
A firm knock on his doors interrupted their activities. Haldir cursed, and with a regretful glance at Lauren, broke their kiss. Haldir stalked to the door, eager to return to his present company. Lauren sat up on the bed, hearing Haldir's clipped responses – he was back to being a solider. The door closed and Haldir could be heard packing his equipment. Lauren bounded out of the bed and into the living room as Haldir was pulling on his armour.
"A pack of orcs has grouped close to our borders. I will be leading a force to intercept them" he said calmly, as he lifted his bow onto his back.
"what – you're going into battle? Do you have to go?" Lauren asked in a panic. She knew Haldir was a soldier, but the reality of the dangers he faced was only now close to her.
"I am their commander, I ride into battle with my soldiers. How can I expect them to put themselves in danger if I cannot do it myself" Haldir said, like a true leader. "I make for the barracks, the troops will be deployed from there. Stay here, you will be safe."
Lauren grabbed her coat, "I'm coming with you to the barracks" she said, as if she hadn't heard Haldir's last instructions.
When she stepped out of the flet, she saw that in many flets in the city, the same scene was being repeated. Messengers awaking the soldiers in their homes at night. Soldiers hastily heading out the door to meet the oncoming threat, leaving worried families in their wake. At the entrance of the barracks, a steady stream of soldiers entered the building. Haldir's command became evident as soldiers they passed saluted him. A crowd of families congregated outside of the barracks, saying last minute farewells. Lauren spotted Orophin and Rumil in their midst. Haldir's brothers stood with their families. Sionia clutched her father, crying into his chest.
"Ada, please don't go" the little girl begged. Orophin's face was filled with anguish. Lyani stepped in and peeled the child off him, leading to even more cries.
"Sionia, I will be back soon" Orophin soothed, but his daughter could not be placated because she was old enough to know it was a promise he may not be able to keep. He kneeled to his son's height.
"Kieran, don't be afraid. Be strong and take care of your sister for me" he entrusted. The boy, forced to be mature beyond his age, nodded. Orophin ruffled his son's hair and placed a kiss on his head.
Lastly, Orophin stood to face his wife. "Take care of them Lyari. I will always be with you." It never got easier to part with his family. To her credit, his wife always remained stoic, for both of them.
A short distance away, Nyani was having a more difficult time coping. She wept as Rumil wrapped his arms around her and their oldest son. The baby fidgeted in her arms, unaware of what was happening. Rumil whispered encouragement into his wife's ears and caressed her with kisses. After a time, not long enough for Nyani, he reluctantly let his family go. He transferred Nyani into the Lyari's arms. The more stoic elleth nodded to him, telling him to go while his strength still allowed him to. Her gaze then fixed on the eldest brother. Haldir returned her gaze, silently pledging that he would look after his brothers.
Lauren felt her chest squeezing with emotion. She turned to Haldir, "don't go" she begged. She could not fathom the thought that he could be injured or killed.
"I must. I go to protect our people. To protect you. I would die before I let any harm come to you Luthien" Haldir replied softly.
Before Lauren could protest, he walked away. He had to, before he could stop himself. Lyari was standing beside her now, giving her a steely look.
"If you love a soldier, you cannot beg him not to go every time he must fulfill his duty" Lyari scolded.
Lauren was furious and stalked off. She found herself in the stables. Longing to feel the freedom of being on horseback, she saddled a horse and rode off. She pushed the horse faster and faster. She finally had to admit to herself she was in love with Haldir. It was a deep love that she hadn't experienced before. She realized he had seen her vulnerabilities and flaws and still loved her. But how could she be with him? How could she be with a soldier, whose life was devoted to his command? Could she stay in middle earth with him? Her thoughts were in disarray and she soon could not keep track of how far she had gone.
The group of orcs was seen by the sentries grouping right outside the borders of Lorien. They were a moderate sized group, well led it seemed. The Galadhrim began the assault with a wave of arrows, followed up by a ground assault. As Haldir worked his way through slaying orcs, a figure on the periphery of his vision suddenly caught his eye. The orc commander was a chillingly familiar figure – Baldor. The creature had changed little since his last encounter with Haldir. A renewed sense of anger powered the marchwarden and he sliced through the orcs with increasing ferocity. The elves were winning the battle. When Baldor spotted Haldir, he sneered and retreated from the fighting on his warg.
"Phin! Follow him!" Haldir commanded. Orophin nodded and followed his orders immediately.
Lauren blinked as the sunlight hit her eyes. She suddenly realized that she was no longer shielded from the blazing heat by the canopy of trees in the forest. She was outside of Lorien. Nervous, she began to look around to see if there was anything she recognized. She had wandered out of her grandparents' realm. Emerging in front of her was a patch of beautiful white flowers, an oasis surrounded by a sea of plain grass. Lauren was drawn to the flowers and dismounted from her horse and approached on foot.
The spot was sunny and peaceful. Yet Lauren felt a deep sadness in the location. Unbeknownst to her, she was standing in the spot where her life had changed as a baby. The very spot where she had been ripped from her family all those years ago. Lauren felt a connection to the spot. She knelt to the ground, picked a flower and brought it to her nose. It smelled sweet and fresh, bringing a calming smile to her face.
Heavy footsteps trudged up behind her. Lauren looked up from her reverie and recoiled at the sight. A creature, the ugliest she had ever seen, stood in front of her. Its stance was decidedly unfriendly.
"We meet again Princess" Baldor greeted. To call him an orc would not have done him justice. He commanded orcs, but Baldor was a creature much more sinister and intelligent. He had been in the high ranks of Sauron's army, and the dark lord had shared his magic with the creature. As he rode away from the battle with elves, his felt his luck turning as he saw the princess.
"H-have we met?" Lauren stammered, tripping as she tried to back away from the orc.
"Many ages ago. There is no marchwarden or elf lord to protect you today. When I heard you had returned to Middle Earth, I wondered whether I would get my hands on you again" Baldor continued.
"What do you want from me" Lauren said, working to calm the panic from her voice.
"Don't you know, Princess? Your blood, it's quite the commodity. Has your father not told you…" Baldor toyed with her. It was obvious she didn't know, and Baldor relished in the thought of destroying Elrond's bond with his daughter. That, he knew, would cause much greater pain than any sword.
"You were conceived in the third age, under a full moon, by elves with ancient and powerful lineages. Ancient elvish legends predicted such a child would have blood of powerful and healing qualities. Funny to think, Elrond did not even want to have another child. Your father was terribly disappointed to find his wife with child again" Baldor laughed and leaned to face Lauren, so close that his fetid breath made her nauseated.
"You're lying!" Lauren shouted venomously and slapped him. How many times had Elrond told her how much she was wanted?
Lauren immediately regretted the rash move as Baldor hit her harshly across the face, sending her flying backwards.
"Your father wouldn't save your life for a trinket. I offered to trade you for a ring and he refused. That marchwarden thought he made the right choice too. Mind you Haldir was the one who chose to save the evenstar and threw you to the orcs" Baldor taunted her.
Still defiant, Lauren looked the animal in the eyes. "I don't believe you" and moved to kick him.
Baldor laughed and picked her up and threw her several feet backwards onto the ground.
"Would you like to see the proof Princess?" the creature spat, losing all pretense of decorum as he walked to her. He grabbed her arm, unsheathed a dagger and made a large, deep cut.
Lauren screamed in pain, it was so intense she couldn't breathe. She was stunned and began to feel dizzy as the blood poured out of her. To add to the depravity, Baldor took his free hand and pressed his fingers into the wound. Lauren screamed in agony – the pain was blinding. Her eyes were clenched shut and the vision began.
Lauren's vision swirled and she could see her father sitting at his desk, busy with paperwork. Her mother approaches him from behind, kisses his cheeks and gives his shoulders a squeeze. Elrond is still buried in his work. Celebrian walked around him and leans against his desk, commanding his attention. Elrond reluctantly puts down his quill and meets his wife's gaze. She is smiling, taking his hand into hers and guides it to rest over her abdomen. His eyes widen when he feels the presence of a life within her. Elrond shoots up onto his feet, to the bewildered expression of his wife.
"Another child, Celebrian? I thought we were done with elflings" Elrond muttered.
With a raised eyebrow, Celebrian responds dryly "I suppose the Valar had other plans. It is a blessing Elrond"
The ellon moves away from her to the window and gazes outside with a serious expression. "This is the child of the third age, conceived under a full moon…if I had known, I should have been more careful, we shouldn't have been…"
"Professing our love for each other? It's a bit late for that Elrond" Celebrian said, amused. She knew her husband would love the baby, there was never any doubt in her mind.
The scene in front of Lauren changed to the day Celebrian lost her life. Lauren saw the picnic, in the very spot they were now. The arrows piercing Celebrian…the orcs holding Arwen and an infant Lauren…Haldir reaching out to pull Arwen towards him, the baby left behind and taken away by the orcs…
The vision swirls again, the offer to Elrond to trade his daughter's life for a ring…Elrond's refusal, Haldir's silent approval –
An arrow struck Baldor in the shoulder, causing him to reflexively release Lauren's arm. This snapped Lauren back into the present. A blurred figure rushed past her and was now in a swordfight with the creature of her torment.
"Luthien, get out of here!" Orophin yelled at her.
Lauren staggered for a few steps before falling onto the ground again. She had lost a lot of blood and was delirious with pain and the poison from the orc blade. She resorted to crawling, though she had no idea where she was going. She felt herself grow weaker, she groaned as she made slow progress.
A second, agile figure appeared on the scene and joined the fight with Baldor.
"Phin, tend to her. I will deal with the orc" Haldir ordered.
Orophin reluctantly left the fight. Baldor sneered at the marchwarden in recognition and the two began to fight fiercely. Orophin ran to Lauren and dragged her a safe distance from the danger. The elf's touch caused Lauren to recoil, and she tried to fight him off. She was screaming, crying, and bleeding all at the same time. Orophin tried his best to calm her down and applied pressure to her wound.
Lauren's screams hurt Haldir more than any blade wound. He attacked the creature who had hurt her with all his ferocity. Baldor was surprised by Haldir's hatred, and suddenly found himself on the defensive. At long last, Haldir ended Baldor's ugly existence by plunging his sword into the creature's abdomen. Baldor fell limply onto the ground. Haldir breathed heavily and closed his eyes for a moment – he had finished what he started ages ago.
Haldir sprinted to Orophin and Lauren. A short distance away, he could see reinforcements of the Galadhrim arriving, amongst them George, Elladan and Elrohir.
"Luthien, you must stay still and let me inspect the wound. It is likely poisoned!" Orophin yelled, trying to cut through Lauren's sobbing.
Haldir kneeled by her side, "Luthien, it's alright – please, you must listen" he pleaded with her.
Lauren, seeing Haldir reach for her, became hysterical. "No!" she screamed. Then she saw her cousin arriving with the reinforcements. "George! Get him away from me!"
George surveyed the scene in front of him with horror. There was blood everywhere, Lauren's blood. Lauren was crying and yelling nonsensically. She was obviously seriously injured. Haldir and Orophin were trying in vain to calm her down. Haldir looked to him for help. George knelt down beside Lauren and pulled her towards him. Lauren accepted his embrace and sobbed into his tunic. He pressed a bandage over her arm to staunch the bleeding and lifted her up. He ran, as fast as he could, towards the forest.
By the time Lauren was brought to the healers in Lothlorien, she was barely conscious. The poison was slowly seeping throughout her body. Even in that state, she refused to let Haldir touch her. As the doors to the healing room closed, Haldir collapsed into the bench outside. He put his hands in his face and rubbed until it hurt. There was only a moment of solitude before he heard the rush of footsteps. The Lord of Rivendell and the rulers of Lothlorien had arrived. Elrond rushed into the exam room, followed by Galadriel and Celeborn. Lauren was barely conscious, with several healers working on her. Elrond, an eminent healer himself, reached for Lauren's hand. To his surprise, she moaned and withdrew from him. When he motioned towards her, she grew agitated. Galadriel, sensing this was more than delirium, motioned to Celeborn to draw Elrond out of the room.
"Her injuries are grave, things may get delicate. I will attend to her myself, Elrond." Galadriel told her son-in-law, there was no better healer than the Lady of the Woods.
Elrond reluctantly agreed and Celeborn ushered him out of the room.
