Chapter 17
'Why was it so long before you were rescued? I ask her.
Elandra laid her head on my shoulder, as if seeking comfort. 'Because everyone thought I had perished in the battle too. The other Rangers who survived reported me killed. Mother did not believe it, and searched for me, one day watching from a hilltop she saw me, and rushed back to Rivendell. A force of Rangers and Elves lead by Elladan and Elrohir hit the camp two nights later. Those that were not killed fled into the hills, leaving me behind, it was Aragorn who found me bound to a post, naked and badly beaten.' She said softly.
I am aware she is crying, and I rest my cheek on the top of her head, pleased she cannot see me face, for I am weeping too, both for Ellie and my memories of torment. For a long time, we simply hold each, lost in painful memories.
After what seemed forever, Ellie raised her head, and looked at me. 'Haldir, why do you weep?' she asks. 'Is it because of what I said?'
Unable to speak, I simply nod. 'Gods I wish I not had to tell you that!' she exclaims, 'But I promised father',
Suddenly, I have to know, I have to ask her a difficult question. 'Ellie, the wild men, did they just beat you, or , or……' my question trails off, as I cannot say more.
She looks at me; her blue eyes brimming with unshed tears. 'Rape me', she whispers. 'Yes, they did, many times', she is bitting her bottom lip, clearly deeply distressed. 'There is more', she said. She swallows, and continues, 'I was also pregnant'.
Shocked, I am speechless. Ellie buries her face in my shoulder again, and after a time, I find my voice again. 'My poor little one, why did you not tell me this years ago'.
Her voice, muffled because she will not raise her face from my shoulder, is still clear enough, 'It is not exactly something you go about advertising', she says.
'True, but have you spoken to anyone of this', I ask her.
'Yes, my parents, father has helped me much', she replies.
'And the child?' I ask hesitantly.
'Born dead, I went into labour at 6 months, and a child born so early will not survive. This is why I was chosen to travel to Lothlorien , it was to get me out of Rivendell, to give me something to do to stop me brooding; father wanted me to speak to Lady Galadriel too, and she was able to heal me to an extent from my fears. It was then that Lady Arwen became aware I am her sister.' She says, her voice shaky with memories.
Pleased to have a change of subject I ask her 'When did you know Lord Elrond is your father?'
'I was told on my sixteenth birthday. I was summoned to Elrond's private quarters, and was very surprised to see Mother there too. They told me of my parentage together, and Elrond gave me the ring I sometimes wear, with the crest of his family on it.' She smiles happily in memory, 'I think I was the happiest girl in Middle Earth that day'.
'You adore your father', I state
'Yes, and my brothers, especially Aragorn', she says.
'What about an elven Archer from Lothlorien,' I joke.
'Haldir, I am very fond of you, but I do not know if I love you like that. After my earlier experiences, I do not know if I can love anyone, but if I can it will be you. More than that I cannot promise you,' she says, and kisses my cheek.
'Then I will ask no more for now', I answer.
The sun is lowering in the sky, and we must both be prepared for a banquet, and possibly a council session afterwards. I point this out to Ellie, and we walk back to the Palace, laughing at the children playing. Some of the bolder ones ask if I am an elf, and I find myself promised to speak to them on Elves, and Elvish history the next day. Eventually, we reach the palace, and Ellie and I go our separate ways until the evening.
'Why was it so long before you were rescued? I ask her.
Elandra laid her head on my shoulder, as if seeking comfort. 'Because everyone thought I had perished in the battle too. The other Rangers who survived reported me killed. Mother did not believe it, and searched for me, one day watching from a hilltop she saw me, and rushed back to Rivendell. A force of Rangers and Elves lead by Elladan and Elrohir hit the camp two nights later. Those that were not killed fled into the hills, leaving me behind, it was Aragorn who found me bound to a post, naked and badly beaten.' She said softly.
I am aware she is crying, and I rest my cheek on the top of her head, pleased she cannot see me face, for I am weeping too, both for Ellie and my memories of torment. For a long time, we simply hold each, lost in painful memories.
After what seemed forever, Ellie raised her head, and looked at me. 'Haldir, why do you weep?' she asks. 'Is it because of what I said?'
Unable to speak, I simply nod. 'Gods I wish I not had to tell you that!' she exclaims, 'But I promised father',
Suddenly, I have to know, I have to ask her a difficult question. 'Ellie, the wild men, did they just beat you, or , or……' my question trails off, as I cannot say more.
She looks at me; her blue eyes brimming with unshed tears. 'Rape me', she whispers. 'Yes, they did, many times', she is bitting her bottom lip, clearly deeply distressed. 'There is more', she said. She swallows, and continues, 'I was also pregnant'.
Shocked, I am speechless. Ellie buries her face in my shoulder again, and after a time, I find my voice again. 'My poor little one, why did you not tell me this years ago'.
Her voice, muffled because she will not raise her face from my shoulder, is still clear enough, 'It is not exactly something you go about advertising', she says.
'True, but have you spoken to anyone of this', I ask her.
'Yes, my parents, father has helped me much', she replies.
'And the child?' I ask hesitantly.
'Born dead, I went into labour at 6 months, and a child born so early will not survive. This is why I was chosen to travel to Lothlorien , it was to get me out of Rivendell, to give me something to do to stop me brooding; father wanted me to speak to Lady Galadriel too, and she was able to heal me to an extent from my fears. It was then that Lady Arwen became aware I am her sister.' She says, her voice shaky with memories.
Pleased to have a change of subject I ask her 'When did you know Lord Elrond is your father?'
'I was told on my sixteenth birthday. I was summoned to Elrond's private quarters, and was very surprised to see Mother there too. They told me of my parentage together, and Elrond gave me the ring I sometimes wear, with the crest of his family on it.' She smiles happily in memory, 'I think I was the happiest girl in Middle Earth that day'.
'You adore your father', I state
'Yes, and my brothers, especially Aragorn', she says.
'What about an elven Archer from Lothlorien,' I joke.
'Haldir, I am very fond of you, but I do not know if I love you like that. After my earlier experiences, I do not know if I can love anyone, but if I can it will be you. More than that I cannot promise you,' she says, and kisses my cheek.
'Then I will ask no more for now', I answer.
The sun is lowering in the sky, and we must both be prepared for a banquet, and possibly a council session afterwards. I point this out to Ellie, and we walk back to the Palace, laughing at the children playing. Some of the bolder ones ask if I am an elf, and I find myself promised to speak to them on Elves, and Elvish history the next day. Eventually, we reach the palace, and Ellie and I go our separate ways until the evening.