RATING: PG-13
DISCLAIMER: The characters from Lord of the Rings and their wonderful world are borrowed from J.R.R. Tolkien. The plotline and all other characters are copyright 2002 Emily (emi_kins@yahoo.com)
29.
So that was the way of it. That was what Elrond was planning. Elenath's suspicions were confirmed by a large number of Rivendell's warriors gathering with those who had traveled from Lothlorien to surround her and Haldir. This was to be an assessment of her skills by the one who her grandfather hoped would be her new Captain. Elrond wanted to send her to Lothlorien.
The princess wished to yield then and there, but when she glanced back at Thorondil, she knew that she could not. This battle was a matter of reputation for her uncle, and she could not blame him for gazing upon her with such hope. To be offered a place in Lothlorien's guard was a high honor for both the warrior and that warrior's master. Haldir moved to stand at the ready and Elenath mirrored him before she even knew what she was doing. Fine, she thought, This is for you Uncle.
The terrible sound of clashing swords filled the meadow, drawing even more spectators from Rivendell. Elenath knew that her skill was not nearly equal to that of Haldir at once. The Captain of Galadriel's guard moved like lightning and the princess was barely able to defend herself, let alone return his blows. Still, she withstood his vicious attack and finally let her anger at her grandfather fuel an assault of her own.
The blades glinted in the sunlight and sang in metallic voices as Elenath leapt, spun and thrust Calmakil toward Haldir multiple times. He seemed surprised for a moment. Indeed those he commanded stood gaping as three times Calmakil came dangerously close to nicking the skin of their captain. Before long, however, he had the upper hand once more. He rained blows down upon the she-Elf as if she had personally attacked his Queen. Desperately blocking and dodging, Elenath struck out once more, finally catching Haldir's arm lightly with the edge of her sword.
It seemed to happen in slow motion - the small red line appearing on the Captain's forearm, staining his sleeve as Galadriel called the battle to halt. Rivendell's warriors burst forth into cheering and applause, and Haldir stepped forward with a large grin on his face. "You fight like a lion, my lady," he said, kneeling before her and kissing her hand. "I am your servant."
"It was naught but luck, my lord," she replied, inviting him to rise. "You honor us with your presence, Haldir of Lothlorien. Welcome to Rivendell."
"And you would honor us with yours, Your Highness. There is a place for you on Lothlorien's guard should you desire to join us there."
She did not give an answer just then, but nodded as she stepped forward to tend his wound. It was not deep though his blood still flowed freely from it. "Forgive me, Haldir. I would not normally harm you intentionally."
Those who had gathered began to disperse, though many looked as if they wished they could congratulate the princess. Her grandfather's head servant was shepherding them away and leading the Lothloriens to the palace, but Haldir took no notice, his attention completely upon Elenath.
"This I know, Lady, for I have heard that you are as gentle and kind away from the battlefield as you are fierce when you are upon it." He winced a little as she applied a poultice and wrapped his arm in a clean bandage.
"My grandfather can see to healing it more completely," she said softly with a chuckle. "You are not nearly so tall as I remember."
"And you are not nearly so small," he replied with a rare smile. "Did I not tell you that you would be a great warrioress someday?"
"That you did, my lord."
"And would you still come away with me if I asked?"
She glanced at him from the corner of her eye as they walked toward her mount. What exactly was he asking her? For what he said could be construed as a marriage proposal. She dodged the question. "You are much sought after as an instructor, Haldir…"
He stopped and gently took her hands, gazing steadily into her eyes. "Lady, I am aware that we do not know each other well, but your grandfather has given me leave to court you."
Elenath's eyes widened and her mouth opened slightly. She was speechless.
Haldir sighed. "You are very young and I do not understand Lord Elrond's intentions. Perhaps he sees something in the two of us that is not apparent even to ourselves."
"Perhaps," she murmured, looking away from the Elf she had admired since she was four years old.
He moved closer to her, rubbing the backs of her hands lightly with his thumbs. "Vanimle sila tiri es lle naa belegohtar, arwen en amin Your beauty shines bright and you are a mighty warrior, my lady. I am willing to try if you are."
Elenath felt her heart beat a little faster. How many childhood dreams had she had of this moment? Yet now that it was here, she felt only regret for the noble Elf before her and anger toward her grandfather. She had never been so angry with him, in fact. The only outward sign of that anger was a single tear that fell silently down her face. She gazed up at Haldir. "Captain Haldir, I cannot tell you how flattered I am. Words cannot express…" She shook her head and stepped forward, giving him a lingering kiss on his cheek. "But I must decline, for my heart belongs to another. I am sorry."
"It is as I feared, then," he replied, gently returning her kiss. "Who is the lucky Elf?"
"That I cannot say," she replied, "for not even my grandfather knows. But he will soon, my lord. He will soon. Come, let us join your Queen at the palace."
DISCLAIMER: The characters from Lord of the Rings and their wonderful world are borrowed from J.R.R. Tolkien. The plotline and all other characters are copyright 2002 Emily (emi_kins@yahoo.com)
29.
So that was the way of it. That was what Elrond was planning. Elenath's suspicions were confirmed by a large number of Rivendell's warriors gathering with those who had traveled from Lothlorien to surround her and Haldir. This was to be an assessment of her skills by the one who her grandfather hoped would be her new Captain. Elrond wanted to send her to Lothlorien.
The princess wished to yield then and there, but when she glanced back at Thorondil, she knew that she could not. This battle was a matter of reputation for her uncle, and she could not blame him for gazing upon her with such hope. To be offered a place in Lothlorien's guard was a high honor for both the warrior and that warrior's master. Haldir moved to stand at the ready and Elenath mirrored him before she even knew what she was doing. Fine, she thought, This is for you Uncle.
The terrible sound of clashing swords filled the meadow, drawing even more spectators from Rivendell. Elenath knew that her skill was not nearly equal to that of Haldir at once. The Captain of Galadriel's guard moved like lightning and the princess was barely able to defend herself, let alone return his blows. Still, she withstood his vicious attack and finally let her anger at her grandfather fuel an assault of her own.
The blades glinted in the sunlight and sang in metallic voices as Elenath leapt, spun and thrust Calmakil toward Haldir multiple times. He seemed surprised for a moment. Indeed those he commanded stood gaping as three times Calmakil came dangerously close to nicking the skin of their captain. Before long, however, he had the upper hand once more. He rained blows down upon the she-Elf as if she had personally attacked his Queen. Desperately blocking and dodging, Elenath struck out once more, finally catching Haldir's arm lightly with the edge of her sword.
It seemed to happen in slow motion - the small red line appearing on the Captain's forearm, staining his sleeve as Galadriel called the battle to halt. Rivendell's warriors burst forth into cheering and applause, and Haldir stepped forward with a large grin on his face. "You fight like a lion, my lady," he said, kneeling before her and kissing her hand. "I am your servant."
"It was naught but luck, my lord," she replied, inviting him to rise. "You honor us with your presence, Haldir of Lothlorien. Welcome to Rivendell."
"And you would honor us with yours, Your Highness. There is a place for you on Lothlorien's guard should you desire to join us there."
She did not give an answer just then, but nodded as she stepped forward to tend his wound. It was not deep though his blood still flowed freely from it. "Forgive me, Haldir. I would not normally harm you intentionally."
Those who had gathered began to disperse, though many looked as if they wished they could congratulate the princess. Her grandfather's head servant was shepherding them away and leading the Lothloriens to the palace, but Haldir took no notice, his attention completely upon Elenath.
"This I know, Lady, for I have heard that you are as gentle and kind away from the battlefield as you are fierce when you are upon it." He winced a little as she applied a poultice and wrapped his arm in a clean bandage.
"My grandfather can see to healing it more completely," she said softly with a chuckle. "You are not nearly so tall as I remember."
"And you are not nearly so small," he replied with a rare smile. "Did I not tell you that you would be a great warrioress someday?"
"That you did, my lord."
"And would you still come away with me if I asked?"
She glanced at him from the corner of her eye as they walked toward her mount. What exactly was he asking her? For what he said could be construed as a marriage proposal. She dodged the question. "You are much sought after as an instructor, Haldir…"
He stopped and gently took her hands, gazing steadily into her eyes. "Lady, I am aware that we do not know each other well, but your grandfather has given me leave to court you."
Elenath's eyes widened and her mouth opened slightly. She was speechless.
Haldir sighed. "You are very young and I do not understand Lord Elrond's intentions. Perhaps he sees something in the two of us that is not apparent even to ourselves."
"Perhaps," she murmured, looking away from the Elf she had admired since she was four years old.
He moved closer to her, rubbing the backs of her hands lightly with his thumbs. "Vanimle sila tiri es lle naa belegohtar, arwen en amin Your beauty shines bright and you are a mighty warrior, my lady. I am willing to try if you are."
Elenath felt her heart beat a little faster. How many childhood dreams had she had of this moment? Yet now that it was here, she felt only regret for the noble Elf before her and anger toward her grandfather. She had never been so angry with him, in fact. The only outward sign of that anger was a single tear that fell silently down her face. She gazed up at Haldir. "Captain Haldir, I cannot tell you how flattered I am. Words cannot express…" She shook her head and stepped forward, giving him a lingering kiss on his cheek. "But I must decline, for my heart belongs to another. I am sorry."
"It is as I feared, then," he replied, gently returning her kiss. "Who is the lucky Elf?"
"That I cannot say," she replied, "for not even my grandfather knows. But he will soon, my lord. He will soon. Come, let us join your Queen at the palace."
