By: Shadow Chaser
Disclaimer:
Based off of the movie and the various history books by J.R.R. Tolkien. I do not own the characters, situations, or languages of the Elves, these belong to Tolkien and I am not making a profit from this fic. Timeframe: 2,000 Years and more before Fellowship of the Ring
Chapter 5 – From Imladris to CaradhrasWhen the sun rose on the morning of their fourth day of staying in Rivendell, Haldir was already up, dressing himself. They were to leave this day, headed on their six-day journey to Lothlorien. Stepping out of the room he was given, he felt relaxed and at ease, something he hadn't really felt for a long time, but he knew that the uneasiness and pressures of his journey were going to catch up to him once again when he left the borders of Rivendell.
Thankfully, Lord Elrond was to lend them horses for their journey all the way to Caradhras, before they were to cross the dangerous snow covered mountains on foot. The horses would make their way back to Rivendell on their own, as they were smart enough to do.
He made his way down to the courtyard where six horses were waiting for them. Already Artalion was bridling his and loading up a small provision pack, while Legolas was stroking his horse's mane while talking to Rinaran who had come to see them off along with the Swordmaidens. Valiya had finished readying her horse and was laughing along with a small group of Swordmaidens, who surprisingly weren't dressed in their battle armor, but in dresses and had their hair down. Yulin and Davandil had not arrived yet and just as Haldir was descending the stairs to join the others, Elrond came sweeping into the courtyard.
The various Elf Swordmaidens and other people who wanted to say their goodbyes immediately either snapped to attention or bowed as Elrond past. Even Artalion and Valiya bowed as Elrond passed by but Legolas only nodded his head briefly.
The Elven Lord stopped in front of him and he gave a small bow to acknowledge him, "What can I do for you, Lord?"
"I know that you've been expecting to part Imladris with your seventh companion, Petrio, but sadly to say, his wound has not healed and he is still in a deep sleep that we cannot revive him from. I've already communicated with Lady Galadriel about this and she knows of what to expect. I am sorry to bear such dreadful news," Elrond looked a bit grave and Haldir nodded.
Though he hated leaving Petrio in such a state, they were hard press to find out what was happening in Rhun, and the Lady Galadriel was probably anxious of their news that they have picked up from their trip. He knew that the Lady of the Light was wise beyond her years and had the ability to see into the possibilities of the future, but that still did not count as she always sent scouts out to find the happenings of Middle Earth.
"There is no need to apologize," Haldir replied, "but if Petrio does wake-"
"He will return to Lothlorien in good heath, Haldir. Rest assured that your companion will not fall ill to the evils of this world," Elrond said, giving a half smile.
"Then I shall be leaving now. I thank you for your hospitality," Haldir bowed again just as Yulin and Davandil appeared from one the paths, all their packs and weapons ready. They took one glance at Haldir and seeing that he was in the midst of saying their farewell, they climbed on the horses.
Mounting his horse with one fluid graceful movement, he nodded once more to Elrond then glanced at the others. Valiya was saying what was probably the last of her goodbyes to the Swordmaidens of Rivendell in their language and there were a few titters of laughs running through them as she turned giving him one of the most brilliant smiles he had ever seen her wear before turning back down and laughing a bit more. Haldir had a feeling that a joke or two had been passed and he wasn't too keen on finding out if one of them had been about him…but still the others looked ready to leave.
"Artalion," he called to the Woodland Guardsman, "lead them."
Artalion needed no further orders as he whispered to his horse and it took off, the others following suit. Haldir hesitated for a second, taking in the beauty of Rivendell and with a small wave to Rinaran, before whispering to his mount and the horse snorted lightly before taking off.
Leaving Rivendell behind, Haldir had a feeling that he wouldn't see the Elven community for a long time.
* * *
They rode on for at least three days, only stopping to let the horses rest a few hours roughly every sixty miles or so. It was on the fourth day that they came by a small stream flowing down from the high points of the Misty Mountains to their left, their peaks reaching high above the clouds.
Haldir called for them to rest, as they would be crossing the Redhorn Pass at Caradhras in the next day or so. He was glad that it was the summer time, and the snow wouldn't be as heavy as it was in the wintertime. He had heard stories from travelers about others getting stuck on the Redhorn Pass, with no food, no way to get down and freezing to death only to be found in the summer by others a frozen stiff corpse.
Though the weather didn't affect Elves as badly as it did to Men or dwarves, Haldir knew that even if with high amounts of snow drifting their way, they would also be trapped.
Dismounting from his horse, which he had found out that its name was Aramellion, he patted its neck and led it to the stream where it started to drink. He glanced at the others, Yulin setting some tinder down and getting a small fire started, Davandil trudging towards the small fire sullenly, Artalion watching the area with his sharp eyes, Legolas following the Guardsman's lead and also surveying the area, and Valiya bringing their group's horses to the stream to drink.
"Are we staying here long?" she asked, absently stroking her horse's chestnut mane as she stared at the stream that the horses were drinking from then at him.
"Possibly. I think for the rest of the waning afternoon into the night. We'll be leaving by the early morning hours. Redhorn Pass is supposed to be less treacherous at midday than in the morning or afternoon," Haldir said, shrugging slightly. "Was there something you wanted to do, if I may ask," he put in the last words hastily as a glint of what looked to be anger lit up in her eyes.
"Nothing special, just a simple purification ceremony Rinaran and the other Swordmaidens taught me at my stay in Rivendell," she replied evasively and Haldir decided to let it at that as he didn't want to anger her…especially after seeing what she did to the young soldier back a few days ago.
"All right then, we will not bother you," he said then walked away, leaving her to watch the horses drink.
It was much later on, nearing the sunset that Haldir awoke from his quick rest to see Legolas wicking something out of a small thick branch he had found. Yulin and Davandil were no where to be seen, but their packs were still on the ground along with their main weapons so they couldn't have gone far. Artalion was standing as still as a rock that Haldir almost missed him in the waning light, keeping his sharp eyes trained on anything that could be disconcerted as an enemy or creatures looking to attack them.
Valiya was probably doing her purification ceremony or whatever it was and Haldir didn't dare to check on her.
"Davandil and Yulin said that they were going to hunt and they be back in at least before the sun has fallen," Legolas said and Haldir nodded, but for some odd reason he felt at a slight unease. "You're uneasy," his best friend stated and Haldir blinked…was he that transparent to read?
"It's nothing," he replied, folding his arms and leaning back against the log that he had been rest on, "I see that you've been learning the craft of wicking…did Rinaran teach you?"
"Yes," Legolas replied scraping off a big wedge of wood before giving the wood a quick blow to clear off little bits and pieces, "it's actually quite relaxing if you can get the hang of it…" Haldir stifled a small laugh as he watched his friend look quite frustrated at the piece of wood he was trying to carve.
"Ah, quite relaxing isn't it?" he jabbed a bit sarcastically and received a wiry glare from the Woodland Elf.
"Fine then, here," Legolas tossed him the wood and dagger he had been using, "you try if you think you can do better."
He caught them then stared at what his friend was trying to carve. It looked like the beginning formation of what seemed to be a horse, but with a broader body, thick legs, and a very small head. Shaking his head slightly he sighed and started to cut into the wood. "You know that Rinaran learned all of this from her husband," he said as he flicked off a few pieces of wood.
"She is married?"
"Yes, but he's gone over the Sea and I think that she'll be following soon, but as of now, she hasn't given any hints of heading to the Grey Havens yet," he explained, flicking off another piece of wood then scratched a part of the horse with the tip of the dagger, creating the horse's mane.
Flipping the wood carving over, he made a few more nicks before looking up and tossing the completed horse and dagger back to Legolas who caught them and sheathed his dagger before picking up the completed wooden horse and staring at it.
"I am in envy," the words came out haltingly.
"It's quite easy if you do it a lot. In between battles during the Second Age, I used to do this a lot," Haldir shrugged, "but I think that you'll be better than I since that horse looks a bit angular in places. I think it's the difference of carving that brings out your fighting style."
Legolas nodded, staring absently as he rotated the wood carving around, "You killed the enemy in what looks like an ungainly style…"
"It works, it's fast, efficient," Haldir sat forward.
"Don't let Artalion hear that from you. When I was taught, he told me that killing is an art form, like a dance or a song that flows from the river," Legolas set the horse down and grinned, "I think I'll start with something small next time…"
Haldir quirked a small smile and was about to reply when the sudden trampling of bushes alerted the two of them and he drew his sword halfway out of its sheath when he relaxed as Davandil came back…an oddly shape bundle in his hands. Yulin was nowhere in sight.
"Yulin's hunting, Haldir," Davandil called to him as he came over to the fire that they had started and set the bundle down.
"What is that?" Legolas asked.
"Nothing," was the reply from Davandil before a piercing scream echoed from the wooded area…right around where the stream flowed.
Haldir was instantly on guard, leaping up his sword drawn. Even Artalion tensed and Legolas was loading up his bow. Only Davandil looked unconcerned. He stared at him then his gaze traveled to the bundle and he realized with a start that the bundle was actually clothing and armor wrapped tightly…clothing and armor that looked suspiciously like Valiya's.
Frowning in anger, Haldir immediately sheathed his sword and marched over to where Davandil was blissfully closing his eyes. He picked the Elf up by his front, lifting him off the ground so that they were eye to eye. The blissful expression was instantly wiped off of Davandil's face and it became one of ignorance.
"What?"
"Are those Valiya's clothes?" he asked, as he heard the edge in his own voice, the anger seeping through.
"So? She's supposed to be one of those high and mighty Swordmaidens then she should endure some humility," Davandil avoided his gaze and Haldir shook him slightly.
"She is a warrior like the rest of us. She shouldn't have to endure this embarrassment," he said, narrowing his eyes, "return her clothes at once-"
"There's no need," Valiya's voice echoed through the mostly silent camp, save the crackling of firewood.
Haldir turned to see her walking up towards them, dressed in what looked to be spare clothing probably from her pack, but there was anger burning in her eyes and she stalked towards them. Releasing Davandil he took a step forward to the Swordmaiden when she suddenly let out a yell and charged towards Davandil whose eyes had widened in either fear or surprise, he didn't know.
But what he did know was that he had to stop this. Luckily as soon as he put himself in between the path that Valiya was taking towards Davandil, Artalion had reached over and halted the warpath the enraged Swordmaiden had been on by grabbed her and pinning her arms together. Likewise, Haldir had placed an arm on Davandil's shoulder, holding him to his place.
"This has to stop. It's childish, you two are acting like children. I don't care if you hate each other or if you have prejudices against each other, it has to stop. Now. Both of you do not have to apologize to each other, but you will keep your distance from each other. If I see any of this behavior for the rest of the journey then you will both be left behind in Lothlorien. I will choose two new companions if I have to," he glared at the two of them, making sure that the both caught the anger he had in his eyes.
"Do I make myself clear?" he asked, suddenly feeling very old. He felt like an old Elf talking to the younger charges…almost like giving each of them a good slap on the hand for doing something wrong.
The murmurs of them agreeing to what he said was barely audible but Haldir nodded. He was about to walk back to his spot when he caught the glares the two sent to each other. He had a feeling that he would have to stay up for the rest of the night to prevent the two from killing each other during their rest.
Sighing, he looked around and raised an eyebrow as Yulin came back, a few coonies in his hands. So Yulin was telling the truth and Davandil wasn't. Cringing slightly, he wondered if he had made the right choice to choose the headstrong Elf to be part of his group…
* * *
Legolas quietly kept an eye on Valiya as they headed towards the Redhorn Pass the next day. Though they left during the wee early hours of the morning when the sun had yet to rise, it was nearly noon by the time they arrived at the foot of the mountain. Valiya was riding up front where Haldir was leading them, Davandil in the back with Artalion. Only he and Yulin were the ones in the middle, the two of them keeping an eye on the two of them.
He didn't know what was Davandil's problem with female Elves becoming warriors, but didn't really give much thought to it. Reining his horse in, he noticed that up ahead, Haldir had dismounted then whispered into his horse's ear before it suddenly took off, heading off in the direction that they had come from.
Dismounting also, he gave his horse a quick pat on the neck before nodding for it to follow the other horses. His horse gave a quick whinny before it galloped off, leaving a small cloud of kicked up dirt in the air as it joined the others, all of them headed back to Rivendell.
He jogged toward the others as they started up the mountains. Shifting his quiver pack behind him, Legolas hoped that they would arrive in Lothlorien soon…he didn't want to know what kind of giant fight the two would get into if they stayed in the wilderness a lot longer.
* * *
Author's Notes:
Sorry if this chapter seems short. I'm currently studying for midterms and they've been messing with my mind. Though I hope that I can finish this whole fic before the end of January, it might be doubtful. Don't know though. Anyways, hope you enjoyed the story so far! Shadow Chaser signing off…1/11/03.