Chapter 6

Holly and Eruana chatted idly as they made their way to the dressmakers,

"Ethiriel is very good," Eruana said, simply. Holly nodded and asked,

"Does she make your dresses?"

She tried to keep her sentences simple and understandable for the elleth. Eruana spoke well, but he vocabulary was limited. Eruana nodded,

"Yes, many. She has skill." Holly smiled, looking forward to wearing something other than the simple green dress. They walked in companionable silence for what seemed like ten or so minutes. They came upon a small talan and Holly could the musical sound of chattering ellith inside. According to Eruana, there were many seamstresses in Caras Galadhon, but Ethiriel was, in her distinct opinion, the best. They walked into the talan and there were three blonde ellith standing there. One being fitted for a gown, one pining the gown, and another surveying from a distance, pointing and scrutinizing the cut and flow of the fabric. Even unfinished, the dress was lovely. It was a pale, shimmering grey, adorned with small freshwater pearls and beads of crystal glass on the sleeve and hem. The elleth who was closest to the door turned around at their entrance and greeted Eruana warmly. This must be Ethiriel, thought Holly.

Ethiriel was very tall, almost as tall as Galadriel, she thought. Galadriel was the tallest elleth that Holly had seen so far. She seemed nearly as tall as her husband, Celeborn, and Haldir, who were the tallest ellyn she had seen so far. Unlike most ellith, however, Ethiriel's hair was curly, falling down her back in big, thick waves of silvery-blonde hair. Eruana, herself, had more golden-blonde hair, fairly straight, curling lightly at the ends, and Haldir and his brothers had the same straight, silver-blond hair of most inhabitants of Lothlórien. Somehow, despite the general uniformity of the elves of Lothlórien, Holly was beginning to be able to spot their differences. Herself, with her long, dark brown hair, seemed very out of place in Caras Galadhon. She wondered if there were any elves in any of the other elven realms who looked like her.

Ethiriel remarked on all these things as she fitted Holly for dresses. Ethiriel, like Eruana, spoke limited but functional common. Thankfully, most of her vocabulary was trade-related, and she was able to communicate words such as 'length', 'sleeves', and the names of colours with relative ease. Eruana repeated each of these words, practicing them in common. In turn, Holly asked for the Sindarin word, and she, too, practiced her Elvish vocabulary.

Ethiriel was assisted by a slight elleth named Melenia. She remained mostly silent, only meeping quietly at Ethiriel's snaps and criticisms. Melenia did not seem to speak any common at all, and so Holly could not tell her what a fine job she thought she was doing. At first, Holly had requested more dresses similar to the one she had been wearing for the last two days. At this, Eruana snickered and Ethiriel grinned.

"This dress for leisure. For home." said Eruana between giggles. "Not wear outside of talan."

Holly blushed hotly, realizing that she had basically been traipsing around the city in a glorified nightdress for two days. Between Eruana and Ethiriel's understanding of common, Holly managed to convey her preferences and they settled on three dresses.

"Two dresses for day," said Ethiriel, pointing at the two swathes of fabric they had selected –

one of light grey, another of sage green, "One for night. Pretty one."

The pretty one would be made of a light, lavender shade. Ethiriel draped the silken fabric over Holly's shoulder as though to illustrate how this colour was 'pretty'. Indeed, the lavender brought out the green in her eyes and contrasted nicely with her dark hair. "Dark hair, nice with colour." Ethiriel stated with a smile.

Holly smiled appreciatively and nodded. Ethiriel began to put away the fabrics, making small notes on a sheet of paper at her desk. Holly considered the dresses for a moment then addressed the two ellith, "Eruana, Ethiriel?" they turned to look at her. "Could I also have pants?"

They both looked at her in confusion. Holly bit her lip and tried again, "Trousers?"

Still, nothing. Eruana shook her head, not understanding. "Breeches?"

Eruana's eyes lit up with understanding, but then sudden went dark again, "Holly," she began carefully, "Ellith wear dresses."

Holly understood immediately – elven women did not wear trousers. However, as she thought this, Ethiriel tsked and swatted her hand at Eruana, muttering something in Sindarin. Eruana seemed to make a face of concession, though she did not seem pleased. Ethiriel addressed Holly again, "Yes, breeches. Leather?"

Holly nodded, not really knowing what else breeches could be made of here. Ethiriel was clearly either more modern than her new friend, or not wanting to displease a guest of Galadriel's. Melenia scampered off in search of swatches of leather. She returned with several samples, from which Holly chose light, thin doeskin. It was soft and supple to the touch. Ethiriel muttered to Melenia, who scampered off again and returned with bolts of material that seemed like wool. "For cloak."

Holly chose a deep, muted forest green and Ethiriel bowed her head appreciatively. She returned to her notes and took down Holly's selections. Ethiriel informed Eruana that the clothes would be finished in about a fortnight, and they could return then. Eruana muttered something to Ethiriel and she nodded in understanding. Holly did not know what they were speaking of, but moments later Eruana was nudging her out of the seamstress' talan and bidding Ethiriel a cheery goodbye. They had spent nearly all morning there and Holly desperately wanted a bath. She asked Eruana how to get to the hot springs from where they were,

"Easy!" announced Eruana. Then, she looked puzzled, as if she wanted to explain to Holly exactly how to get there, but could not. Instead she opted to show Holly herself, "Follow!"

Holly obliged and followed the elleth down a path to their left. As they walked, Holly asked her questions about her and Orophin, "When did you and Orophin get married?"

Eruana stopped walking for a moment and seemed deep in thought, as though both counting and trying to figure out how to say the complicated number in common. She gave up on how to say three-hundred and fourty-seven years ago this October and said, "Over three-hundred year."

Holly gaped. Imagine being married for over three-hundred years? Eruana noticed Holly's shock and winked at her, "Not very long."

"Not very long?" Holly repeat with laughter. She'd been married over ten times longer than Holly had been alive! Actually, she thought, that was not true. Apparently she had been alive for well over eight-hundred years, though she still could not wrap her head around the number. Eruana wrinkled her nose and giggled,

"Yes, correct. It is long. Too long." she laughed with a heavy sigh. The two women broke into peals of laughter. "Today eve, you eat? My talan?"

Holly broke into a grin at Eruana's request, "You want me to come eat dinner with you tonight?"

Eruana nodded enthusiastically, her golden hair bouncing about below her breast. "I, Orophin, Rúmil, you."

Holly took Eruana's hand in hers and squeezed it with happiness, "Oh yes! I would be happy to." Eruana clapped her hands together with pleasure and grinned at her new friend. Rúmil and Orophin would be returning to the borders tomorrow. Their patrol was set to be gone for two weeks – it would be nice to have a small gathering to send them off.

They continued down the path. It veered ever so slightly to the right and then forked. To one side was the centre of Caras Galadhon, and to the other was a well-worn path that led down a small hill. "Springs there," she pointed down the hill. "Bring clean."

Holly furrowed her brow for a moment, trying to understand what Eruana was saying. Eruana made a motion as though washing herself, and then pointed to her hand. Bring soap! Brings things to clean with! "Ah, yes, bring soap. Le hannon, Eruana."

"Soap." Eruana repeated. "Glûdh."

"Glûdh." Holly repeated back to her. "Soap."

Eruana smiled and nodded. Holly bid her goodbye and made her way down to the centre of Caras Galadhon and to her talan. She was happy to have made a friend today.

Holly had collected her small vials of soaps and oils, wrapped them in a linen towel. She was not pleased to have to change back into her wrinkled, worn 'nightdress', but for the moment she had nothing else to wear. Perhaps this evening she would ask Eruana if she could borrow a dress until hers were done at the dressmakers.

She found her way back to the fork in the road that Eruana had showed her, and made her way down the hill. As she walked further down the slope, the air grew humid and warm, and she knew she was going in the right direction. In the distance, she could see the many pools of steaming water coming from the ground – they looked deserted. It was no wonder, most of the elves were probably working or making themselves useful, not taking luxurious afternoon baths. As she approached the nearest pool, she breathed in the heavy air. It smelled of herbs and grass and flowers – likely the soaps and products used by the elves who bathed there. She was about to settle in but noticed that she could easily been seen from down the path. Instead, she continued further, past a great mallorn tree that obstructed a smaller pool from view.

As she rounded the corner around the tree, she realized that she was not alone. From the corner of her eye she saw long, silver-blond hair and a broad, muscular chest sticking out from one of pools. With a yelp she ran back behind the tree, hiding herself from view. She heard movement in the water and then a voice call to her,

"Holly?" the voice asked. The unmistakeable, deep, slow drawl of none other than Haldir. Holly let out a deep breath to ease her embarrassment. The hot, sticky air did nothing to sooth the red flush growing on her cheeks.

"Haldir!" she called, trying desperately to sound casual. She heard a dry chuckle from his direction and frowned in annoyance. "I'm sorry, I didn't know that you were here."

She heard more movement in the water, and soon he was peering around the bottom of the tree trunk and up at her, "It is no matter. Do you wish to bathe?"

"Yes," she answered. She did not look at him, abashed at his apparent nakedness. "But I do not wish to bother you."

"It would be no bother. Please, join me." he answered, and she heard him swim back to his previous spot on the outer edge of the pool.

"J-join you? In there?" she sputtered. Naked?! She heard him laugh.

"Yes, how else do you intend to bathe? From the grass?" he asked, sarcastically. Holly felt suddenly extremely warm. Still, she managed to bristle at his comment,

"No, of course not. But you are in there, and you are not clothed. Would it not be inappropriate?" She couldn't believe she was having this conversation. Back home it would be utterly preposterous to even suggest that two strangers bathe in the same pool, naked. She wondered if maybe he was playing a joke on her, or teasing her.

Haldir swam back to her position by the tree and looked up at her again, with sincerity in his eyes, "Elves are not so self-conscious as humans. I assure you, the springs are a public place, used by all, elflings, ellith and ellyn alike. I shall not look as you enter, on my honor."

When she did not respond, mentally grasping for something to say, he continued, "Unless, you are too straight-laced to take a simple bath in the company of another. Then I shall move to another pool."

Holly stepped out from behind the tree, still clutching her towel and soaps in her hands. She looked down at Haldir, who was staring at her challengingly, an eyebrow raised in interrogation. Holly stepped over to the side of the pool opposite him. She sat down beside the edge and gingerly dipped her foot in. The water was very warm, smooth and pleasant against her skin. She thought about coming back later, when she could be alone, but there was no guarantee that the springs would not be occupied, even then. With a sigh she looked over at him. He was leaning on the edge of the pool, elbows up on the grass and his chest almost fully exposed. The ends of his hair were wet and stuck to his shoulders. His face glistened with sweat and steam from the hot water. Holly felt a bubble of interest rise in her stomach and flutter around her chest. These elves were too handsome for their own good.

"Turn around." she said hotly, gesturing with an outstretched finger for him to face the tree. His face impassive, he turned around obligingly and Holly quickly shed her dress and laid her towel and soaps out on the water's edge. She sat on down and dangled her feet in water. Hearing her stir and the water disturbed, Haldir cocked his head to the side as if to turn around. Still very naked and very exposed, Holly yelped and jumped into the pool.

"I was not going to turn around, I was simply going to ask if you were in the water yet." he announced as he finally did turn around. Holly rolled her eyes at him and pushed her now wet hair back from her forehead. As if not even noticing her, Haldir leaned back on the edge of the spring, closed his eyes and let his head hang back, exposing his neck.

Holly said nothing and stretched an arm out to grab a vial of soap. She poured the sweet-smelling hair soap into her hand and began to lather her hair. It felt so good to be clean, and thoroughly clean. Her bath had been exquisite, but she always preferred bathing in rather more water than could fit in a bath. What she wouldn't give for a shower, she thought.

"Your soap smells very nice." Haldir remarked conversationally, still in the same position as before. Holly wiped the last of the soap from her eyes and dunked her head under the water for one more quick rinse.

"It does, I do not know the smell." she said, reaching for the bar of soap she had brought with her. Her hands under the water, she began to wash her feet and legs, working her way up until she was washing her arms and back.

"It is Elanor, it is the white flower that grows all over the wood." he stated simply. He then brought his head forward and opened his eyes, still leaning backward. He watched her clean her shoulders and back. She reached a hand back and look strained as she attempted to wash the middle of her back without completely exposing her front. Haldir could not help but be amused at her apparent need to hide herself from him. It was not the elven way, to be so self-conscious.

A strange after-effect of having previously lived as a human, no doubt.

Holly averted her eyes to the water under his gaze. She understood that the elves lived differently than she had, but she felt extremely self-conscious with him there, watching her. She was careful to move in a way where nothing was exposed, but still, she wished he would just go away.

Haldir watched her continued struggle to wash her back and could not bite back the comment that threatened to escape his lips, "Would you like some help with that?"

Holly froze and looked at him like a frightened doe. Had he not been so certain that she would not risk exposing herself to him, he would have thought that she was ready to leap out of the pool and bound away in fright. Her mouth opened slowly as though to expel some witty retort, but then it snapped shut when she realized that he was teasing her. She narrowed her eyes at him, "No, thank you."

Haldir smiled sardonically and resumed looking up at the sky, watching the way the light reflected off the deep green tops of the mallorn leaves. Holly floated there in the water, now feeling very clean, but not wishing to get out just yet. Even Haldir's irritating presence could not move her to leave the warm pool just yet. Taking a cue from the very relaxed-looking elf in front of her, she leaned her head back and looked at the sky, letting the still water soothe her anxious muscles. After a moment, Haldir spoke again,

"Do you have any idea what you shall do in Lothlórien?" he asked, moving out from the shade of the tree he was under and closer to her, into a patch of sunlight a few feet away. She looked at him thoughtfully.

"Truthfully, I don't completely understand what I am currently doing here, let alone what I am to do in the future." she said, honestly. He nodded slightly, looking pensive,

"Might I make a recommendation?" he asked, that stubborn eyebrow cocked again in question. She nodded, waiting for his advice, "Perhaps you should consider healing. Do you have other knowledge of plants and herbs, other than of the one you used on my arm?"

"Feverfew, we called it," she responded. She felt her shoulders relax under the easy conversation as it turned to thoughts of home, "Yes, at home I worked in a shop that sold salves, poultices, soaps and ointments. We made everything ourselves. It was much like...like an apothecary, if you will."

Haldir made a face of approval and interest, "You may have knowledge of plants and remedies that we do not use. You may be of use to our healers. The borders of the forest grow more and more dangerous, we are sending back and increasing number of wounded wardens."

Holly looked at him as he said this, seeing the regret that had settled on his features. He looked down at his fingernails and made to wash them in the water, "Maybe, thank you. I will look into it." she smiled politely at him. After a moment, she asked, "What do you do here?"

Haldir looked up from his ministrations on his hand, "Me? I am the Marchwarden of Lórien. I am captain of the Galadhrim."

She looked at him, utterly confused by the words he had just spoken. Haldir rolled his eyes slightly and sighed, "I am captain of the guard, if you prefer. Marchwarden is my title. The Galadhrim are the inhabitants of Caras Galadhon."

"Captain," she repeated. "We have captains back home too. That is a very important position, you must be very proud," she said honestly. He certainly seemed like a fearsome captain. He had been nothing but kind to her so far (with the exception of some dry remarks and light teasing, she noted), but she could see when he furrowed his brown and frowned, how his wardens could respect him and his enemies fear him. Holly, herself, had been intimidated by his size and demeanor upon their first encounter. She was not entirely sure if she was not still intimidated by the elf now.

Haldir smiled at her, "Yes, I am. And proud of my wardens, too. But I have been Marchwarden for over a thousand years, it is not quite so impressive to me as it is to you."

Suddenly, Haldir looked up at the sky and sighed, "I must go. It is nearing sunset and I must depart for the evening meal."

Holly looked up at the sky, too. She could not have looked at a more opportune moment, for Haldir had hopped out of the pool and was walking around stark naked, collecting his breeches and tunic from a nearby tree branch, and strutting over to his towel that lay on the grass. Holly unleashed a squeak of surprise before looking in the opposite direction, at the path that led back to the city. Haldir rolled his eyes for what must have been the third time in their short interlude, and donned his breeches.

Suddenly a boot-clad foot stepped in front of her view and she looked up to see a still tunic-less Marchwarden staring down at her. She stammered something about also having to leave and prepare for dinner,

"Maer aduial, Holly." Haldir said. "That means 'good evening'."

Holly continued to look up at him, studiously ignoring his bare chest. "Maer aduial," she repeated, "enjoy your evening."

"And you." he said with a polite bow of his head, before walking down the path, patting the last of the water droplets off his skin and throwing his tunic on before heading back into the city. Why he couldn't have done that before bidding her a good evening, Holly did not know. Now that she was mercifully alone, she pushed herself out of the pool and dried off quickly, hoping to remain unseen by any other strangers this evening. She put her loose green dress back on and also made her way back to her talan to prepare for dinner at Eruana's.

A/N: So, I said things would get a little more fun, didn't I. :) Please review!