Disclaimer: I don't own them, the great Tolkien does. But I do own Morna and Sycha

Feedback is greatly, greatly welcome.....belethil@winterchill.com

With the river Anduin on their left, they made good time the first day. Their ride was, for the most

part, silent, and Sycha stayed to the off right of Haldir's steed. Evening set in and they rode until

they could not easily pick their way through the uneven terrain. They found a small secluded

clearing and set camp as the final light diminished from the trees above. Sycha easily found

bushes around them still bearing the last of the season's fruits and brought them back, Haldir

having pulled one of the loaves of bread from a sack pulled from his horse. They settled with the

horses to their backs and ate silently, with no fire. Sycha had warmed a crystal she pulled from a

bag and it gave off light akin to soft moonlight. They wanted no undue attention brought to them.

"We will ride at first light?" Haldir nodded, seemingly craning his neck to listen to the woods

around them. "Do you think orcs would be about?" Haldir looked over at her. "Of course, but I fear

more for what else there might be." Her eyebrows furrowed and she glanced about. "I should not

think of anything else that would be a real threat.....at least here." Haldir handed her another

chunk of bread and glanced around yet again. "Legolas and Gimli spoke at length of what was

told at the council held in Rivendell. Who once had been our ally, has now joined league with your

father's realm. Do you know of Saruman?" She nodded. "Of course, he is the lead of the White

Council....Gandalf has spoken of him at length when he has visited Mirkwood on occasion. I have

not ever met him, though." Haldir nodded. "Was the leader of the white council......but at any

rate, Gimli spoke of Gandalf's tale of great orcs...Saruman's `master race'; orcs that do not know

fear of daylight." Her eyes widened and she nearly laughed. "I'm sorry....just it seems that

anything is possible anymore.....so Saruman is breeding a master race now.....sad that I am not

surprised...." She sighed and drew her knees up to her chin, wrapping her arms around her legs.

"Let us hope we do not come upon them then....or that I might at least have time to prepare..."

Haldir looked up at that. "On the matter of that....I have two questions that I might hope you

answer." She rested her chin upon her knees and nodded, smiling kindly. "Of course...I have no

need to keep secrets from you." He handed her the rest of the bread and sat back. "I've known

you for a long as you care to remember life....and I have seen you much of that time as well....I'm

curious of the powers you possess." She cocked her head. "I'm not sure what you mean?" He

motioned around him. "I've not ever seen you exhibit anything more than simple sorcery....I am

simply curious as to what you are capable of?" She was quiet for a moment, and lowered her

eyes to the ground. "I would venture that you are curious because no one has ever really seen

me exhibit grandiose power as my father and mother are so infamous for?" Haldir looked away.

"In a manner of speaking....I've faith in you, please don't think I don't.....but I believe the only one

to have ever seen you practice is Elrond?" She nodded slightly. "And Thranduil...for I practiced

much in Mirkwood.....as much as he is known for having such a hard persona, he was always

quite kind and compassionate to me.....but I never gave him reason not to be.....but I digress and

that does not answer your question. My father's power is of destruction, and of deception. My

mother's power was of healing and enchantment. Unfortunately, I did not inherit my mother's

innate ability to heal, and that I regret. I have power over the elements....much like Elrond has

power over Imladris and its safety....I have minimal enchantment abilities, enough to fool lesser

races...the race of men, maybe, but elves have always been able to see through my

enchantments. It is hard to describe exactly what I can specifically do, for it has always been

more of a visualization not set in stone. I have little sorcery that my father has, and I have

compensated with elemental power." She paused, meeting Haldir's intent gaze. "But

unfortunately, I have also inherited some of the lesser qualities of my `esteemed' parents.....my

mother's weakness and my father's temper....as though that were not obvious.....My power

drains me quickly....and I have never found a way to surpass that. As for my temper, we have all

seen my exhibition of that. I think in my years, I have become better in keeping my tongue, for I

was quite an angry young girl when I came to Caras Galadon, I'm sure you remember." Haldir

nodded slightly. "But you never directed any of it toward any of us.....you were angry to yourself

and only in your speech when you spoke of Mordor and your parents." She shifted and smiled.

"Why would I have? I held no anger to those who saved me.....and Elrond knew well of my sharp

tongue, for I was most comfortable with him and spoke quite freely at times on my past and my

hatred for the wars.....but he always spoke softly on my need to calm myself; that I did myself no

good by riling myself. I keep his words close, for I would only be likened to my father were I to let

my anger better me." Haldir laughed kindly. "And for that reason alone it would be folly for any to

liken you to him.....you must let go sometime....those that matter in your life know you for what

you truly are....and you should be content with that." She shrugged and was quiet for some time.

She looked up finally and smiled a sad smile. "Have I answered your question, dearest Haldir? If

not, I will do what I can to elaborate." He shook his head. "No....you have said enough....but I

would ask one favor." She cocked her head, and said in jest, "In addition to your second

question? You ask much of me, fair elf....." He laughed, and motioned around them. "Show me

something.....anything....I've not ever seen your power....I've always been most interested."

Even in the dim light, he saw the high blush rise on her cheeks and she hesitated, finally drawing

gracefully to her feet. She looked around for a time, then, and walked past where Haldir sat. He

stared at the glowing crystal on the ground until she returned, folding her legs beneath her as she

dropped back to the ground. She held a branch broken off of one of the bushes she had plucked

berries from earlier. He watched her, fascinated, as she held up the branch and released it. It

stayed in the air, hovering of her accord for a moment. She held her hands out and with a grace

that could never be taught, breathed upon that branch, her fingers moving in some silent spell.

The small green leaves upon that branch began to change shades of color, brightening into

shades of reds and yellows, as though the autumn wind had graced them early. The berries

detached themselves and she caught them all as they fell slowly, the leaves following. Haldir was

motionless, watching whisps of her breath curling about the branch and changing it. Once the

branch was bare, she raised one hand over it and motioned subtlely, and it suddenly became

transparent. She blew softly, and he realized then that it had changed to ash, and she blew it to

the ground, partaking it back into the earth it had come from. She turned back to the berries and

picked up her forgotten piece of bread, folding it over in her hand. She closed her eyes and blew

again upon her hands knelt forward, opening her hands in front of Haldir. He took the bread,

surprised that it was warm; even more surprised that what he bit into tasted like freshly baked

cranberry bread, as thought he handmaidens of Galadriel had baked it only moments before. He

laughed brightly as she sat back, and shook his head at her. "I am most delighted.......though I

envy the meals Elrond must have partaked of due to your expertise." She smiled sadly, and blew

down upon the crystal, its light brightening instantly. "I thank you for your kind words, dear

Haldir.....but, I believe you have yet something more to ask of me?" He finished the bread she

had given him, simply stunned at it's pure taste, and nodded. "What did Galadriel give you?" Her

expression changed, and it seemed a shadow fell over her. Her hand came up to rest upon her

bodice, beneath which lay the silk pouch she tucked there. "Herbs and leaves of the further

reaches of Mirkwood......which might prove useful at some point." By her expression, he knew

she would say no more. She smiled then, and rose, stretching lightly. "Have I answered

everything that you would have of me this eve, then?" He laughed and nodded. "Of course....and

I would think we should rest.....if we are to ride at first light." She laid down then, next to him,

leaving Morna to keep watch over them as the night passed.