Chapter 3 - Grey Eyed Gaze
For the next month, Haldir instructed Elemmire in archery. His intense training sessions gave Elemmire such skill to rival even his brothers, Rumil and Orophin. During this time, Haldir's feelings for Elemmire grew. Every time he saw her his pulse raced and he had a strange feeling in his stomach. It was torture to have her so close, just within his grasp. He wanted to devour her. To drown in the violet pools of her eyes. To feel her cherry lips on his skin. To hold her slight frame safe in his strong arms. But he kept his desires within, controlling himself.
Elemmire also came to know Haldir, yet she was still wary of him. She could never forget what had transpired in the garden. He was still the same person. He still possessed enough strength to overpower her. That made her feel anxious when he came too close to her. Even though he had since controlled his 'desires', there was nothing to prove that he still didn't feel the same way. Elemmire didn't loathe him anymore, but she didn't trust him either.
At the end of the month, Haldir knew that Elemmire's training would soon be over. He was certain that if he could take her away so they were totally alone, he could reveal his feelings for her. She may even feel the same way. It was worth a try. He approached Elemmire with his idea at the end of the lesson. "Elfling, might I have a word with you?" he sat on a bench and motioned for Elemmire to sit beside him. "As you have probably realised, your training is almost complete. You have become a fine archer and I doubt there is much more that I can do to improve your technique or skill. However there is one last thing, call it a test if you will. It will be entirely up to you of course, but I would not have suggested it, had I not felt it necessary." He paused. "What is your proposal, Haldir?" Elemmire was in suspense. "A retreat. Just you and me. We would travel to the edge of Lórien; I know the perfect place. It would give you experience." Haldir tried to make it sound appealing to Elemmire. She wasn't too sure that it was a great idea. The thought of being alone with him so far away from other elves made her feel uneasy. She studied his face for a moment. His eyes sparkled as they usually did. There was nothing in his expression that showed he had other reasons for the trip. In fact, he seemed totally trustworthy for once. "How long would we be gone for?" "Two days, unless you decide you want to stay longer." "Let me think about it, I'll find you when I have made my decision." Her answer seemed to satisfy Haldir. "Very well then, I'll be waiting." Elemmire left the clearing deep in thought.
Later that week, they set out on their trip. They were headed for the outskirts of Lórien, to patrol the borders. However, the part of the forest that they were headed for was not usually crossed by many, elves or otherwise. Haldir was taking Elemmire to a talan that was hidden totally from sight, even from the sight of elves. Leafy branches, that provided cover surrounded it, but those on the talan had a perfect view of the forest. Throughout his life Haldir had used it as a place of refuge whenever he wanted to be alone with his thoughts for a few days. It was perfect. Setting out just before the sun rose, they reached their destination mid-morning. Even though the sun was riding high in the sky, trees overhead filtered out most of the light. Walking in the cool shadows, Elemmire felt somewhat refreshed, though she could not explain why. They each carried a bow and quiver of arrows; Haldir also carried a pack with food and other supplies. Haldir did most of the talking, telling Elemmire stories of his time patrolling the borders of Lórien. Approaching a rather tall tree, Haldir announced that they had arrived. "Welcome to the Inn of Haldir, madam Elfling. Just wait here and I shall return with your key." Bowing low, he sprung up and disappeared into the branches overhead. Soon a rope ladder appeared beside Elemmire. She ran lightly up into the trees and came onto the talan through a door in the floor. "Is it to your liking, young elfling?" Elemmire looked around and nodded her head. "It is remarkable. Such a perfect view all round. And we are hidden so well. I would not have known anything was up here. Did you build it here?" "No, I cannot take credit for such workmanship. This was once a place of high traffic. Now not many cross here. That is why I thought it would be a great place for you to start. An easy assignment if you will." Again Elemmire simply nodded. She walked to the edge and looked out over the trees. It was so peaceful up here. It would be a great place to come if you wanted to be alone. That thought gave Elemmire an uneasy feeling. It gnawed at her, as though she was missing something. She dismissed it and sat with Haldir to eat a late breakfast.
The day passed without incident. During the afternoon, Haldir had Elemmire do target practice, after all that's what they were there for. Shooting from a height was certainly different from shooting on the ground. Elemmire was enjoying herself immensely. It seemed to her that sunset came suddenly out of nowhere. They both stood on the talan and watched in silence. There were no words to describe its beauty. Haldir stood a small distance behind Elemmire. As it drew near to the horizon, the sun sent out its last rays of light. They coloured Elemmire like the autumn. Her hair was golden red, her skin emanated a russet glow. It was almost as though she was burning. Haldir had never seen anything so beautiful. His pulse raced. He had an almost overwhelming urge to take her in his arms and kiss her, slowly and passionately. He took a deep breath and walked around the other side of the tree. If he didn't see her, he wouldn't crave her. Soon the sun had disappeared and Elemmire stirred from the trance-like state she was in. Turning around, she realised that Haldir was no longer standing behind her. She stood as quietly as possible, listening. Walking around the tree, she found Haldir sitting with his back against the tree, eyes closed. "You breathe too loud!" she laughed. Haldir opened his eyes. "Not as loud as you!" he retorted. His grey eyes laughed at her. "I had no idea that something so beautiful existed, did you?" Elemmire commented, gesturing to the sky. "No, I didn't." Haldir looked right at her, almost betraying his feelings towards her. Elemmire could feel the air grow heavy around them. The uneasy feeling that she had felt earlier returned, stronger.
Elemmire walked back to the opposite side of the platform and watched the stars appear. "I have a few things to do, I will return shortly. Perhaps you could prepare an evening meal for us?" She watched as Haldir vanished through the opening in the talan. She could hear a slight thud as he jumped to the ground. His light footsteps faded into the night. Picking up his pack, Elemmire found the food intended for their supper. It took a while to prepare everything, but eventually their meal was ready. Haldir had not yet returned. Sitting with her legs over the platform, Elemmire thought about Haldir's strange mood swings. He seemed a most complicated elf in her mind. She almost wished that he had gone and would not return that night. Wrapped up in her thoughts, she didn't notice the moon rising overhead. The night was still young, but Haldir had been gone for quite a long time.
That was how Haldir found her when he returned. Like a statue glowing under the light of the stars. "This is a great feast you have prepared." His words stirred her and she rose to face him. "Shall we eat?" Haldir sat and waited for Elemmire to join him. His attitude annoyed her. He had not even apologized for taking so long. However, she sat and ate with him. Some minutes passed as they ate in silence. Elemmire was the first to talk. "You were gone longer than I expected." "I apologize profusely, dear elfling, I did not realize you missed me so." Elemmire ignored the comment. "Don't be angry with me, I did not intend to be so long. I have apologized, what more can I do? I don't wish to fight with you, understand that." Elemmire stared at him in amazement. His face was as sincere as his words. His smile soothed her anger. "I'm not angry at you. If I was, it has passed. Let us just enjoy this beautiful night." Haldir nodded in agreement. When she had finished eating, Elemmire lay down on her back gazing at the stars overhead. Closing her eyes for a moment, Elemmire took a deep breath. When she opened them, she stared straight into Haldir's grey eyes.
For the next month, Haldir instructed Elemmire in archery. His intense training sessions gave Elemmire such skill to rival even his brothers, Rumil and Orophin. During this time, Haldir's feelings for Elemmire grew. Every time he saw her his pulse raced and he had a strange feeling in his stomach. It was torture to have her so close, just within his grasp. He wanted to devour her. To drown in the violet pools of her eyes. To feel her cherry lips on his skin. To hold her slight frame safe in his strong arms. But he kept his desires within, controlling himself.
Elemmire also came to know Haldir, yet she was still wary of him. She could never forget what had transpired in the garden. He was still the same person. He still possessed enough strength to overpower her. That made her feel anxious when he came too close to her. Even though he had since controlled his 'desires', there was nothing to prove that he still didn't feel the same way. Elemmire didn't loathe him anymore, but she didn't trust him either.
At the end of the month, Haldir knew that Elemmire's training would soon be over. He was certain that if he could take her away so they were totally alone, he could reveal his feelings for her. She may even feel the same way. It was worth a try. He approached Elemmire with his idea at the end of the lesson. "Elfling, might I have a word with you?" he sat on a bench and motioned for Elemmire to sit beside him. "As you have probably realised, your training is almost complete. You have become a fine archer and I doubt there is much more that I can do to improve your technique or skill. However there is one last thing, call it a test if you will. It will be entirely up to you of course, but I would not have suggested it, had I not felt it necessary." He paused. "What is your proposal, Haldir?" Elemmire was in suspense. "A retreat. Just you and me. We would travel to the edge of Lórien; I know the perfect place. It would give you experience." Haldir tried to make it sound appealing to Elemmire. She wasn't too sure that it was a great idea. The thought of being alone with him so far away from other elves made her feel uneasy. She studied his face for a moment. His eyes sparkled as they usually did. There was nothing in his expression that showed he had other reasons for the trip. In fact, he seemed totally trustworthy for once. "How long would we be gone for?" "Two days, unless you decide you want to stay longer." "Let me think about it, I'll find you when I have made my decision." Her answer seemed to satisfy Haldir. "Very well then, I'll be waiting." Elemmire left the clearing deep in thought.
Later that week, they set out on their trip. They were headed for the outskirts of Lórien, to patrol the borders. However, the part of the forest that they were headed for was not usually crossed by many, elves or otherwise. Haldir was taking Elemmire to a talan that was hidden totally from sight, even from the sight of elves. Leafy branches, that provided cover surrounded it, but those on the talan had a perfect view of the forest. Throughout his life Haldir had used it as a place of refuge whenever he wanted to be alone with his thoughts for a few days. It was perfect. Setting out just before the sun rose, they reached their destination mid-morning. Even though the sun was riding high in the sky, trees overhead filtered out most of the light. Walking in the cool shadows, Elemmire felt somewhat refreshed, though she could not explain why. They each carried a bow and quiver of arrows; Haldir also carried a pack with food and other supplies. Haldir did most of the talking, telling Elemmire stories of his time patrolling the borders of Lórien. Approaching a rather tall tree, Haldir announced that they had arrived. "Welcome to the Inn of Haldir, madam Elfling. Just wait here and I shall return with your key." Bowing low, he sprung up and disappeared into the branches overhead. Soon a rope ladder appeared beside Elemmire. She ran lightly up into the trees and came onto the talan through a door in the floor. "Is it to your liking, young elfling?" Elemmire looked around and nodded her head. "It is remarkable. Such a perfect view all round. And we are hidden so well. I would not have known anything was up here. Did you build it here?" "No, I cannot take credit for such workmanship. This was once a place of high traffic. Now not many cross here. That is why I thought it would be a great place for you to start. An easy assignment if you will." Again Elemmire simply nodded. She walked to the edge and looked out over the trees. It was so peaceful up here. It would be a great place to come if you wanted to be alone. That thought gave Elemmire an uneasy feeling. It gnawed at her, as though she was missing something. She dismissed it and sat with Haldir to eat a late breakfast.
The day passed without incident. During the afternoon, Haldir had Elemmire do target practice, after all that's what they were there for. Shooting from a height was certainly different from shooting on the ground. Elemmire was enjoying herself immensely. It seemed to her that sunset came suddenly out of nowhere. They both stood on the talan and watched in silence. There were no words to describe its beauty. Haldir stood a small distance behind Elemmire. As it drew near to the horizon, the sun sent out its last rays of light. They coloured Elemmire like the autumn. Her hair was golden red, her skin emanated a russet glow. It was almost as though she was burning. Haldir had never seen anything so beautiful. His pulse raced. He had an almost overwhelming urge to take her in his arms and kiss her, slowly and passionately. He took a deep breath and walked around the other side of the tree. If he didn't see her, he wouldn't crave her. Soon the sun had disappeared and Elemmire stirred from the trance-like state she was in. Turning around, she realised that Haldir was no longer standing behind her. She stood as quietly as possible, listening. Walking around the tree, she found Haldir sitting with his back against the tree, eyes closed. "You breathe too loud!" she laughed. Haldir opened his eyes. "Not as loud as you!" he retorted. His grey eyes laughed at her. "I had no idea that something so beautiful existed, did you?" Elemmire commented, gesturing to the sky. "No, I didn't." Haldir looked right at her, almost betraying his feelings towards her. Elemmire could feel the air grow heavy around them. The uneasy feeling that she had felt earlier returned, stronger.
Elemmire walked back to the opposite side of the platform and watched the stars appear. "I have a few things to do, I will return shortly. Perhaps you could prepare an evening meal for us?" She watched as Haldir vanished through the opening in the talan. She could hear a slight thud as he jumped to the ground. His light footsteps faded into the night. Picking up his pack, Elemmire found the food intended for their supper. It took a while to prepare everything, but eventually their meal was ready. Haldir had not yet returned. Sitting with her legs over the platform, Elemmire thought about Haldir's strange mood swings. He seemed a most complicated elf in her mind. She almost wished that he had gone and would not return that night. Wrapped up in her thoughts, she didn't notice the moon rising overhead. The night was still young, but Haldir had been gone for quite a long time.
That was how Haldir found her when he returned. Like a statue glowing under the light of the stars. "This is a great feast you have prepared." His words stirred her and she rose to face him. "Shall we eat?" Haldir sat and waited for Elemmire to join him. His attitude annoyed her. He had not even apologized for taking so long. However, she sat and ate with him. Some minutes passed as they ate in silence. Elemmire was the first to talk. "You were gone longer than I expected." "I apologize profusely, dear elfling, I did not realize you missed me so." Elemmire ignored the comment. "Don't be angry with me, I did not intend to be so long. I have apologized, what more can I do? I don't wish to fight with you, understand that." Elemmire stared at him in amazement. His face was as sincere as his words. His smile soothed her anger. "I'm not angry at you. If I was, it has passed. Let us just enjoy this beautiful night." Haldir nodded in agreement. When she had finished eating, Elemmire lay down on her back gazing at the stars overhead. Closing her eyes for a moment, Elemmire took a deep breath. When she opened them, she stared straight into Haldir's grey eyes.