MEETINGS IN THE DARK PART TEN

So here he was, hiding like the thief in the night his grandfather had accused him of being. He hoped his grandparents would eventually understand. Preferably before his wedding day.

He had approached Eloessa's talan from behind. He planned to use his rope to climb up the tree upon which the talan rested, and avoid the guard. The guard would change at moonrise, and he would make his approach during the short time of inattention during the change. That is as far as his plan went. The rest depended on Eloessa.

He hid behind a smaller tree to the north of Eloessa's talan. He had a clear view of the rear and could still see the base of the spiral stair where the guard stood. It appeared the change of guard was about to occur, for several soldiers stood at the bottom of the stair.

Then shadowy movement in the branches several feet below the windows of the talan caught his attention. A bulky figure moved quickly down what must have been a rope of some kind and then dropped softly to the ground, belying its apparent size. Elrohir, his mind dark with fury that someone dared violate the sanctity of Eloessa's home, waited until the figure moved in his direction. Elrohir lunged out and grabbed the cloaked form, putting his dagger to the throat of the struggling figure. "Speak quickly your purpose in being here, or my knife will find its sheath in your throat." He said in a fierce whisper.

Suddenly, the hood fell back, revealing the face Elrohir most longed to see. His knife dropped unheeded from his hand. Eloessa's eyes were wide with fear and then narrowed in recognition. "Elrohir, what are you doing here?" she cried. Another time, he might have noticed the thread of despair in her voice.

But seeing her luminous skin in the moonlight, her full lips parted in her distress, he could no longer help himself. He had waited centuries for this moment. He cupped her cheek with his hand and drew her face near to his. Slowly, deliberately, he sought her trembling mouth. At once he drank in the sweetest taste he had ever known. His tongue teased her lips seeking her willing participation. She sighed as if releasing a great burden and leaned into him, her lips parting in welcome. He felt her draw closer, her excitement rising as the kiss deepened. Her hands came up to entwine themselves in his hair as if she would never let him go.

Passion flooded him, sweeping all thought before it, leaving behind only sensation. He gladly abandoned himself to it. His hand trailed to her breast and unerringly found the sensitive nipple through her gown. He stroked it lovingly, reverently. He gently cupped the fullness of her breast in his hand and bent down to kiss it.

Suddenly Eloessa jerked away from Elrohir, ending the embrace. Elrohir was disoriented a moment and clutched Eloessa closer to prolong their pleasure. But something was not right. She had not the slender figure he expected. His brain struggled to blend expectation and truth. He stumbled back a step, seeing her figure in the unmistakable shape of advanced pregnancy. "Eloessa.What is this? What happened to you? A child?" He cried, bewildered.

His blank look of shock fulfilled Eloessa's worst fears. She saw not just shock but revulsion in his confused response. Passion that had consumed her just moments ago fled before panic and despair. "Oh don't look at me, please don't look at me like that! I have to go. I have to get away," she cried. She turned and began to run away from him.

Elrohir stood in surprise for several moments and then took off after her. He did not know what had happened, but he was not going to let her get away. Still, she moved quickly for all her ungainly shape. She also wore an elven cloak, and proved difficult to see in the gloom of the wood. "Eloessa come back! I love you. Please don't run away from me," he called.

Suddenly, seven or eight guards with bows drawn and arrows pointed straight at him stepped out of the forest to surround him. They encircled him, coming between him and Eloessa. Elrohir started to move through them, saying curtly "Let me pass. I must find Lady Eloessa."

The guards did not move and two of them brought their arrows directly to his throat. "What is this madness? Let me pass I say! Lady Eloessa needs my help." His hand went to his sword in warning. "Who is your captain?" he said when still none of the guards moved aside.

"I am their captain", said a familiar voice. Haldir stepped into the circle of guards. "I think I will ask the questions this time." The Elf's voice was tight with fury. "Why are you abroad in the night, Lord Elrohir? Why do I find you outside Lady Eloessa's talan and the Lady missing? Did you come to steal her away?" Elrohir stepped forward in anger, but the deadly arrows at his throat stopped him.

Haldir walked over to him, pulled Elrohir's head back and put his face close to Elrohir's. "A son of Lord Elrond and you stoop to having others spy for you in the land of your mother." Haldir said with contempt.

"You used me to gain information." A knife appeared in Haldir's hand, pricking the vulnerable skin under Elrohir's jaw. "I will make sure you do not get the chance carry out your treachery against Lorien!"

A voice rang out from the trees above. "Lay down your arms, all of you. Master Haldir is in our sights. He will be dead before you even find us to take aim. Let Lord Elrohir go, March Warden. He means no harm to the Golden Wood." Elrohir realized his friends must have followed him to keep him out of trouble. Sorry to disappoint you lads, he thought grimly.

But Haldir did not release his hold. The captain called out. "Why should I listen to you, Glorfindel? Trust the honor of a spy? I would sooner trust an Orc. Lord Celeborn would be in his rights to execute me on the spot if I let you all go and danger came to Lorien".

"To abuse your trust when I was a guest was wrong." Glorfindel sounded apologetic. "But do not do anything you will regret. As you serve your Lord, so I serve mine, Haldir. I promised Lord Elrond I would bring his son back safe and sound." Glorfindel's tone turned deadly. "And I say, let him go now". In refusal, Haldir pressed the knife deeper into Elrohir's throat.

Suddenly, another voice above cried, "Onoril, no!" and an arrow flew out of the darkness to lodge in Haldir's shoulder. Haldir cried out and tumbled backwards to the ground. Elrohir drew his sword and placed the tip against the March-Warden's chest. The circle of guards drew back but the arrows remained pointed at Elrohir.

He knelt down warily, keeping an eye on the guards. He checked and saw Haldir was still breathing and that he was cursing, faintly, from the pain. Elrohir heaved a sigh of relief and called out. "Glorfindel, he still lives!"

Elrohir stood and spoke to the guards, sword still drawn. "Your captain is wounded. He needs care. I do not wish any injury to Lothlorien, but I will not be hindered in my search for Lady Eloessa." A deep sense of fear for her had been growing in his mind throughout the confrontation. "She is in danger and I must find her. Decide now if you aide me or not."

There was a tense silence. The arrows remained drawn and Elrohir prepared to break through the circle. Then came the voice he least wanted to hear. "Put down your weapons at once! All of you." Lady Galadriel walked regally into the midst of the standoff. "Elrohir put away your sword and call your men down from the trees!"

Galadriel appeared tall and imposing and seemed to illuminate the clearing with a cold silver light. "Have you all run mad? Elves have not spilled the blood of one another in over three thousand years."

She stared hard at each one gathered there. "I saw the Kinslaying at Aqualonde and lived under the Doom of the Noldor in consequence. You have no conception of what you risked here tonight!" The soldiers put their bows aside in shame. Elrohir lowered his sword but did not put it away.

"Elrohir, I hold you responsible for the actions of your men. As I will hold Haldir responsible." She looked at her grandson coldly. "But now we must find Eloessa. Explanations can wait," Galadriel could sense the terrible confusion and worry emanating from Elrohir. She sympathized but had no time for it.

"Eloessa is in terrible danger. I can feel it. But not from one thing only." Galadriel shook her head and said very softly. "All outcomes appear ill."

She then said aloud "Elrohir, take your men and search toward the docks. I spoke with Calmae when I learned Eloessa was missing. Calmae said they were to meet on the dock before dawn and then go away."

Elrohir looked at his grandmother his eyes full of questions, and regrets, then turned and set off toward the Anduin River. Glorfindel dropped from the tree above, bowed deeply to Lady Galadriel and ran after Elrohir, followed by Erestor and Onoril.

Once her grandson's men were gone, Lady Galadriel turned to the remaining soldiers. "Orophin," she said to a nearby guard, "have Haldir taken to the healers. Then take the rest of the men and search for Lady Eloessa near the stables. She is upset and frightened, that is why she is trying to run away. Don't hurt her, but for her own safety, she must be stopped." The guards hastened to obey.

Soon Lady Galadriel stood alone in the clearing. She walked over to where Haldir had lain. A pool of blood was there. She stood and watched as the blood turned from red to black, soaking into the soil of Lothlorien.