Chapter 14
I continue to sit, stunned under the white tree. Father has vanished from sight, and I am wondering what will happen next. Mother's Diary is old and worn, I sit on, to bewildered to move, to frightened to open the diary, and not hungry enough to want breakfast.
Maybe an hour passed, and then a very familiar baritone voice speaks. "I was told I would find you here'.
I look up into Haldir's face, he is smiling. "Are you not having breakfast today?' he queries
'Not hungry', I reply.
'You must eat, Ellie', he said, seating himself next to me. 'Fortunately, I have brought food; will you share it with me?'
"As you will not take no for an answer, I will say yes', I answer him
He produces fresh bread, still hot from the ovens, and honey, and even some apples, small but sweet. I manage to eat some bread and honey, and discover that I was hungrier than I thought. We finish our meal with some Elvish drink from Haldir's flask, I don't know what it is but it is refreshing.
'Now we have eaten, I was told that you have something to talk to me about. Lord Elrond spoke to me on his way into the castle, it was he who suggested my bringing you breakfast.' Haldir hesitated, then leaned close to me, almost whispering into my ear. 'He also told me another thing, one that I am at loss as to why you have never told me.'
Apprehensive, I look into his hazel eyes. His eyes normally show gold flecks, with a little green; today the green is dominant, this elf is a little angry although it doesn't show in his manner or voice. More than anyone I have ever met, I can judge Haldir's moods by his eye colour. But I can't hold his gaze today, and turn away.
'What is it that you speak of', I ask him.
Before he answers, he moves closer, and slips one arm about my shoulders. The fingers of his other hand slide under my chin, and he turns my face up to him. The grip he has on me is strong, but not painful. Clearly he believes that I might try to leave, and he does not want me to.
Looking deeply into my eyes, he says softly, 'That Elrond is your father'.
Not for the first time this day am I bereft of speak. 'Did you think I would hold the fact you are illegitimate against you?' he asks
'No, not at all. If you can get past my mortality, I'm sure you won't hold that I am illegitimate against me', I reply, aware that he very angry indeed.
'Then why?' he all but snaps.
'Because I have been able to tell no one. The fact I am Elrond's child has been kept secret till now. Besides me, Arwen, the twins, and Aragorn, only the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien have known for sure.'
Haldir stares at me, and I feel his anger dissipate a little. 'I do not care who your parents are, my dear, but that you are part elf does have bearing on our relationship. If there is to be one, that is', he says, his voice and hands much gentler now. He pulls me closer, and kisses my lips very softly 'You do not have to fear telling me anything, silly girl', he said.
Forgetful that this courtyard will soon be full of people, I suddenly lay my head on his shoulder, and hug him tightly. 'I know, but I was under oath. And there is something else I must tell you, but not here, somewhere private', I whisper to him, not wanting to give those already in the courtyard more to gossip about, as I am aware several of castle servants saw Haldir kiss me.
'Very well, then. I have arrangements to make for Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel before they arrive, I will be free this afternoon. Can we meet on the third level, in the Children's Park there? No one will take any notice of us there, we can sit under the trees by the pond and be quite private' he asks.
'Yes, that will better than anywhere else I could think of', I answer.
'Until this afternoon then,' he said, and left the courtyard, moving as only elf can, and startling some of servants with the speed of his departure.
I continue to sit, stunned under the white tree. Father has vanished from sight, and I am wondering what will happen next. Mother's Diary is old and worn, I sit on, to bewildered to move, to frightened to open the diary, and not hungry enough to want breakfast.
Maybe an hour passed, and then a very familiar baritone voice speaks. "I was told I would find you here'.
I look up into Haldir's face, he is smiling. "Are you not having breakfast today?' he queries
'Not hungry', I reply.
'You must eat, Ellie', he said, seating himself next to me. 'Fortunately, I have brought food; will you share it with me?'
"As you will not take no for an answer, I will say yes', I answer him
He produces fresh bread, still hot from the ovens, and honey, and even some apples, small but sweet. I manage to eat some bread and honey, and discover that I was hungrier than I thought. We finish our meal with some Elvish drink from Haldir's flask, I don't know what it is but it is refreshing.
'Now we have eaten, I was told that you have something to talk to me about. Lord Elrond spoke to me on his way into the castle, it was he who suggested my bringing you breakfast.' Haldir hesitated, then leaned close to me, almost whispering into my ear. 'He also told me another thing, one that I am at loss as to why you have never told me.'
Apprehensive, I look into his hazel eyes. His eyes normally show gold flecks, with a little green; today the green is dominant, this elf is a little angry although it doesn't show in his manner or voice. More than anyone I have ever met, I can judge Haldir's moods by his eye colour. But I can't hold his gaze today, and turn away.
'What is it that you speak of', I ask him.
Before he answers, he moves closer, and slips one arm about my shoulders. The fingers of his other hand slide under my chin, and he turns my face up to him. The grip he has on me is strong, but not painful. Clearly he believes that I might try to leave, and he does not want me to.
Looking deeply into my eyes, he says softly, 'That Elrond is your father'.
Not for the first time this day am I bereft of speak. 'Did you think I would hold the fact you are illegitimate against you?' he asks
'No, not at all. If you can get past my mortality, I'm sure you won't hold that I am illegitimate against me', I reply, aware that he very angry indeed.
'Then why?' he all but snaps.
'Because I have been able to tell no one. The fact I am Elrond's child has been kept secret till now. Besides me, Arwen, the twins, and Aragorn, only the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien have known for sure.'
Haldir stares at me, and I feel his anger dissipate a little. 'I do not care who your parents are, my dear, but that you are part elf does have bearing on our relationship. If there is to be one, that is', he says, his voice and hands much gentler now. He pulls me closer, and kisses my lips very softly 'You do not have to fear telling me anything, silly girl', he said.
Forgetful that this courtyard will soon be full of people, I suddenly lay my head on his shoulder, and hug him tightly. 'I know, but I was under oath. And there is something else I must tell you, but not here, somewhere private', I whisper to him, not wanting to give those already in the courtyard more to gossip about, as I am aware several of castle servants saw Haldir kiss me.
'Very well, then. I have arrangements to make for Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel before they arrive, I will be free this afternoon. Can we meet on the third level, in the Children's Park there? No one will take any notice of us there, we can sit under the trees by the pond and be quite private' he asks.
'Yes, that will better than anywhere else I could think of', I answer.
'Until this afternoon then,' he said, and left the courtyard, moving as only elf can, and startling some of servants with the speed of his departure.