Chapter 20
Haldir's P.O.V again, this guy can be quite persistent when he wants me to write about him, the brat. Perhaps he needs a good spanking!
Elandra and I walk together to the council room. She seems recovered from her ordeal earlier in the evening, an ordeal I am disgusted she had to endure. The only bright spot in the evening is that she allowed me to comfort her, for which I am grateful. I could not have borne it if my lady had turned from me in distress from her attack. I do notice she is holding my hand rather tightly.
'I would I had been by your side earlier', I say to her.
'It is not your fault, Haldir', she says, giving my hand a little squeeze. 'He had to be answered, and I was not to know of his unpleasant behaviour. Besides, if you had been there, you would have killed him, and I know Aragorn would not have been happy',
'Surely the King will punish Therron? It is not only your honour, or Gondor's which was attacked tonight, but the honour of every woman.' I shake my head in disgust at the thought that anyone should endure what Elandra has.
'I know, and Therron has been punished, but in such a way that his usefulness to both Gondor and Rohan will continue'. She smiles at me, and I wonder how that horrible man will be punished.
'You do not want to speak more of this do you?' I ask.
'Not now please, maybe later, but I do not think so' she says.
'What ever my lady wishes', I say.
We are in the council room now, and Elandra seats herself by Aragorn's side at his indication, and she pulls me into the chair at her side. I look around the room and see Aragorn's most trusted councillors, plus Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. Lord Elrond is present, and Elladan and Elrohir. King Eomer represents Rohan, and Legolas and the Dwarf Gimli are there too. That is every people who stood against Sauron had a representative here.
'We are all gathered here to discuss the Lady Elandra's mission to Harad. As all know, this mission has been delayed by the death of the man who was to have escorted the Princess on her mission. Are we all agreed that a way must be found for this mission to proceed', the King's chief councillor spoke.
All agree to this, and I felt a knot in my stomach as I realised Ellie was probably going to Harad. She notices my unease, and grips my hand under the table, trying to reassure me.
'Why is it necessary for Elandra to do this? She has been a Ranger all her life, and fought valiantly in the Ring wars. Surely this lady has served Middle Earth and her people enough?' It was the Prince of Mirkwood who spoke, a slight scowl on his beautiful features.
'Legolas, my friend you know that I can not leave Gondor now, and the one who undertakes this mission must go with the authority of Gondor, and the only other who can do this is my sister', Aragorn spoke. 'This is the last mission of her life of as a Ranger, she is aware of the dangers involved'.
Legolas speaks again, 'I understand, but you do not propose to send the lady alone, I hope'.
'No indeed, and that is why the Lord and Lady of Lorien are present. In their kindness they have loaned me some of their warriors to assist in bringing peace to Gondor in the aftermath of the Ring war. I ask them to extend this kindness, and allow me to retain the services of one of their archers for a further time', said Aragorn.
'Which of our people do speak of', said Celeborn in his clear voice.
'Your distant kinsman, Haldir, is the one I speak of', said Aragorn.
'Haldir?' Celeborn asks.
I feel uneasy now. Why me? Elandra is smiling, and she whispers to me that she thinks she knows what is happening.
'Then tell me', I whisper back.
'Don't have to, Aragorn is about to tell everyone', she replies, also in a whisper.
'Yes, Haldir. If all concerned agree, I would have him accompany Elandra into the Harad. She cannot go alone, but she has been there before, and knows how to make contact with the native people once she is there, but a lone woman may not be allowed to speak to the leaders of these people. As all know, the primary aim of this mission is secret, and a large delegation may not be sent', Aragorn replied to Celeborn.
'And you believe Haldir should be the one to accompany the Lady. That she cannot go alone I understand, but there must be one of your own people it would be more appropriate to send', this now is Galadriel.
'Elandra and Haldir have known each other for many years, they have fought as comrades in arms many times, and trust each other. They will need this knowledge of each other if this mission is to succeed', Aragorn answered the Lady of Lorien.
I now feel prompted to speak. 'My lords and ladies, if I might give my opinion. I am prepared, with my Lord Celeborn's permission to accompany Lady Elandra, and to assist her in any way possible.
Celeborn looks hard at me 'If this is what you wish, then I give permission for Haldir to stay in service to King Elessor, and for him to perform what ever duties that might be seen fit'.
'Then this is resolved', said Aragorn. There is one other matter to resolve tonight, some here know of this, others do not, but it concerns why Elandra has been given the title of Princess of Gondor, a title I know my councillors do not believe she has the right to claim. I shall now ask my father-in-law, Lord Elrond of Rivendell to explain.'
There is a short break, while everyone waits for Elrond to commence speaking. Elandra whispers to me again, 'Thank you, my friend, for your offer, it means a great deal that you would willingly go with me'.
'Did I not say earlier this evening that I would do anything for you, you have but to ask', I say.
'I know, but you're so good to me, and I don't deserve it,' she says.
Elrond stands and begins to speak, 'for those who do not know, Lady Elandra is my daughter', he says.
Haldir's P.O.V again, this guy can be quite persistent when he wants me to write about him, the brat. Perhaps he needs a good spanking!
Elandra and I walk together to the council room. She seems recovered from her ordeal earlier in the evening, an ordeal I am disgusted she had to endure. The only bright spot in the evening is that she allowed me to comfort her, for which I am grateful. I could not have borne it if my lady had turned from me in distress from her attack. I do notice she is holding my hand rather tightly.
'I would I had been by your side earlier', I say to her.
'It is not your fault, Haldir', she says, giving my hand a little squeeze. 'He had to be answered, and I was not to know of his unpleasant behaviour. Besides, if you had been there, you would have killed him, and I know Aragorn would not have been happy',
'Surely the King will punish Therron? It is not only your honour, or Gondor's which was attacked tonight, but the honour of every woman.' I shake my head in disgust at the thought that anyone should endure what Elandra has.
'I know, and Therron has been punished, but in such a way that his usefulness to both Gondor and Rohan will continue'. She smiles at me, and I wonder how that horrible man will be punished.
'You do not want to speak more of this do you?' I ask.
'Not now please, maybe later, but I do not think so' she says.
'What ever my lady wishes', I say.
We are in the council room now, and Elandra seats herself by Aragorn's side at his indication, and she pulls me into the chair at her side. I look around the room and see Aragorn's most trusted councillors, plus Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. Lord Elrond is present, and Elladan and Elrohir. King Eomer represents Rohan, and Legolas and the Dwarf Gimli are there too. That is every people who stood against Sauron had a representative here.
'We are all gathered here to discuss the Lady Elandra's mission to Harad. As all know, this mission has been delayed by the death of the man who was to have escorted the Princess on her mission. Are we all agreed that a way must be found for this mission to proceed', the King's chief councillor spoke.
All agree to this, and I felt a knot in my stomach as I realised Ellie was probably going to Harad. She notices my unease, and grips my hand under the table, trying to reassure me.
'Why is it necessary for Elandra to do this? She has been a Ranger all her life, and fought valiantly in the Ring wars. Surely this lady has served Middle Earth and her people enough?' It was the Prince of Mirkwood who spoke, a slight scowl on his beautiful features.
'Legolas, my friend you know that I can not leave Gondor now, and the one who undertakes this mission must go with the authority of Gondor, and the only other who can do this is my sister', Aragorn spoke. 'This is the last mission of her life of as a Ranger, she is aware of the dangers involved'.
Legolas speaks again, 'I understand, but you do not propose to send the lady alone, I hope'.
'No indeed, and that is why the Lord and Lady of Lorien are present. In their kindness they have loaned me some of their warriors to assist in bringing peace to Gondor in the aftermath of the Ring war. I ask them to extend this kindness, and allow me to retain the services of one of their archers for a further time', said Aragorn.
'Which of our people do speak of', said Celeborn in his clear voice.
'Your distant kinsman, Haldir, is the one I speak of', said Aragorn.
'Haldir?' Celeborn asks.
I feel uneasy now. Why me? Elandra is smiling, and she whispers to me that she thinks she knows what is happening.
'Then tell me', I whisper back.
'Don't have to, Aragorn is about to tell everyone', she replies, also in a whisper.
'Yes, Haldir. If all concerned agree, I would have him accompany Elandra into the Harad. She cannot go alone, but she has been there before, and knows how to make contact with the native people once she is there, but a lone woman may not be allowed to speak to the leaders of these people. As all know, the primary aim of this mission is secret, and a large delegation may not be sent', Aragorn replied to Celeborn.
'And you believe Haldir should be the one to accompany the Lady. That she cannot go alone I understand, but there must be one of your own people it would be more appropriate to send', this now is Galadriel.
'Elandra and Haldir have known each other for many years, they have fought as comrades in arms many times, and trust each other. They will need this knowledge of each other if this mission is to succeed', Aragorn answered the Lady of Lorien.
I now feel prompted to speak. 'My lords and ladies, if I might give my opinion. I am prepared, with my Lord Celeborn's permission to accompany Lady Elandra, and to assist her in any way possible.
Celeborn looks hard at me 'If this is what you wish, then I give permission for Haldir to stay in service to King Elessor, and for him to perform what ever duties that might be seen fit'.
'Then this is resolved', said Aragorn. There is one other matter to resolve tonight, some here know of this, others do not, but it concerns why Elandra has been given the title of Princess of Gondor, a title I know my councillors do not believe she has the right to claim. I shall now ask my father-in-law, Lord Elrond of Rivendell to explain.'
There is a short break, while everyone waits for Elrond to commence speaking. Elandra whispers to me again, 'Thank you, my friend, for your offer, it means a great deal that you would willingly go with me'.
'Did I not say earlier this evening that I would do anything for you, you have but to ask', I say.
'I know, but you're so good to me, and I don't deserve it,' she says.
Elrond stands and begins to speak, 'for those who do not know, Lady Elandra is my daughter', he says.