Three

Despite all efforts to return to Lothlorian that night, Haldir and the Galadhrim spent three long days following the way the girl had traveled. They found no companions alive or dead, and the rain continued swiftly hiding all evidence of pursuit. They saw no men or orcs, but the scent of both was heavy in the air.

They rode back into the wood on the dawn of the third day, completely drenched to the bone and exhausted. A meager sunlight was peering under the clouds and the rain was nothing more than a sickly drizzle by the night they arrived.

"Welcome home warden," Gault greeted him taking the reins Haldir tossed him, "What news?"

"None," Haldir replied running his hands along his horse's flank and patting the animal's hance, "Where is my Lord?"

Gault jerked his head up, "With the Lady. They await your news."

Haldir nodded, "See he has oats. He gave his best these passed days."

He left the horse in Gault's kindly hands and headed up the lengthily flight of stairs that wound up to the great chamber of the palace. Everywhere in the wood, elves were stirring about their tasks, taking advantage of the break in the severe weather to return some of the beauty to the wood. There was a wholeness about the sight that eased some of the tiredness from his bones.

He stepped into the antechamber. He put off his weapons and made a vain attempt to wipe some of the grim of travel off his hands.

"Marchwarden?" the deep, throaty voice of the Lady called out, "Come through, have no care for your appearance."

Haldir bowed his head as he entered the presence of his Lord and Lady. They were not seated at their thrones, but standing thoughtfully around a long table filled with maps, and charts. Celeborn barely nodded to him as he studied the layout with his chin thoughtfully perched on his thumb and forefinger. Haldir looked for his Lady, but she was already by his side, taking his right arm in her arms.

"Come Haldir," she guided him toward the table, "See what my Lord and I have been doing while you have been away."

Galadriel's voice caused a tightness that gripped his heart to slip away immediately. Her powerful grey eyes suddenly gentle in the morning light. The light in them shimmered as she turned to her husband.

"Tell Celeborn what you have found," she said, "We have made preparation for your arrival."

"Alas, Lady," Haldir bowed his head again, "I found evidence of the presence of orcs and men, but no trace of her people. The trail disappeared because of the rains. She could come from any of the surrounding peoples. We found no trace of Rangers or any search party."

"Ah," her voice was soft and sad, "It is possible they yet live."

Seeing the light that leapt into Haldir eyes, she said, "She is well. Very weak, very fragile, but some metal in her has refused to give into darkness."

Haldir nodded briefly.

Celeborn, seemingly content with his finished musses turned his attention to his Warden, "You must go see her once you have refreshed yourself. She comes into waking for a few hours and has asked for you."

"For me?" Haldir asked confused.

A smile tugged at Celeborn's mouth and Galadriel answered it with one of her own.

"She asks for the beautiful one," she explained. "Your visage is imprinted on her mind it seems, from your rescue of her. It is possible she will tell you something of herself and her people so we may return her."

"It is perhaps better if one of the maids were to befriend her and discover these details," Haldir said tightly, "My time is better served—"

"Go," Galadriel gave him one of her rare, brilliant smiles, her small, pearl like teeth flashing a moment, "You need not always be on guard."

Filled with a mix of annoyance and resignation, Haldir took his leave of the royal pair. A hot bath and change of clothes slowly leeched the cold from his bones, old wounds needing the attention more every year, he felt. After he had dined, he inquired on the location of the human girl and headed to make himself known to her.

She had been moved toward the heart of the wood, close enough to be safe, but not too close to learn more than she should of the elves fortifications. A maiden was sat on a cushion outside the small rooms where the girl had been installed, a long garment on her lap and a needle and thread in her hands.

"Ah Marchwarden," she stood and bowed respectfully, "They said to expect you. She is awake," she nodded toward the door, "Mayhap you will find her more willing to speak to you."

"She is reluctant?" Haldir asked curious.

"I am unsure. She does not seem very trusting," the elleth shrugged, "Prehaps for good reason?"

"Prehaps," Haldir nodded to her before pushing the door open and stepping into the chamber.

The girl sat looking out a window at the far end of room. Still too weak for a chair, she lay on a soft chaise. She was clothed in a long, warm robe of grey stuff, her long dark hair waving away from her narrow face. Tall she was not, but her limbs were slender and fine boned as a swan. She was not as young as he had previously thought as brilliant grey strands mingled in the darkness of her hair. But her face was quite youthful. He must have made a sound because she turned sharply toward him.

His breath caught in his throat.

"Hello," she ventured, she made a move to stand, but stepped to her side before she could, stopping her.

"Good evening," he answered.

"You are—you found me? Saved me a few nights since?" she asked. Her voice was tired and worn with illness, "You are the one?"

"I am Haldir of Lothlorian," he answered, "A few of my guard and I found you. Yes."

She nodded, "It comes to my mind that I spoke—inappropriately to you before—in my illness. I trust you do not hold it against me?"

"Na, lady, I recall no offense."

She smiled briefly drawing her robe more closely around her, "Such discretion, how refreshing. I do recall saying you were beautiful. I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable."

He demurred, "I am a soldier lady."

"As I see," she returned lightly, "Discomfort is likely part of your life. Come sit, it tires me to look up at you."

He sat in a chair near her chaise. They studied each other for a long moment. He had no idea how he must seem to her eyes. His presence could scarce have been a comfort to her. His face was not a friendly one. Dark brows crowned deep blue eyes set a touch too close together for handsomeness. His nose was strong and carried a high ridge from too make breaks in the past. A full mouth, set in grim lines finished off his features and she took her time taking them in.

Finally, she nodded and sighed, "At least my inquisitor is handsome."

"I am no inquisitor, my lady."

"You are come to learn my name and people are you not?" she demanded suddenly harsh. A cough stopped her.

Haldir waited until the fit passed and spoke, "Do you not wish to return to your home?"

She wiped her mouth on the back of her hand, "I certainly do not belong here."

"You said that your people had died—been murdered," Haldir reminded her, "Were you attacked at home? As you traveled? We had difficulty tracing your steps."

"We were traveling. I was—we were traveling to deliver the princess to her betrothed."

"Princess?"

"Aye, the Princess Gilraen, she was betrothed to Arathorn of the Grey Rangers. We were delivering her to him." Her words dripped with scorn, "We were set upon a few days away from home. I am surprised I got away at all."

"The princess did not?" Haldir asked pointedly.

"I did not stay to find out," she looked away, her hand crept up to her head as if it ached, "I got safely away and watched from hiding as all the fighting men were slaughtered and worse."

"Death is a hard thing to witness," Haldir said gently, "And the death of friends is more difficult."

She shook her head, "I should have been among them as they died."

"But you did not," Haldir spoke carefully, "You live to give their deaths meaning."

Her eyes flashed to his and then away, "You speak from experience?"

"Many, many years of war have been my experience, lady. But I see you tire. My questions may wait another day. You need to rest." He stood and called out to the elleth outside the door.

She floated into the room with her needlework and stood ready as the Warden took his leave of the girl.

"Will you come tomorrow?" she asked.

"I have many more questions," he answered, "Yes. But you must be strong enough to answer them."

She set her chin, the fatigue bright in her eyes, "I will be."

She held out her hand to him and he took it lightly in his.

"One more question lady."

"Yes, Haldir of Lothlorien?"

"What is your name?

She blinked and made as if to draw her hand away, "My—name? It is—it is Hylin." She blinked rapidly, "Just Hylin, I am not a lady."

Haldir released her hand, but held her eyes for a long, silent moment until she looked away.

"Thank you," he said simply, "Tomorrow then."

"Tomorrow," she echoed.