Chapter 21
There is silence as the members of Aragorn's council stare at me. My sister has come to stand beside me, and I sense the twins flanking her. The Queen's voice is harder than normal as she speaks 'Stand, sister', she says to me, 'And let all look upon you, standing with your siblings'.
All in the room look at us, Elrond's children. No doubt of the truth of father's words is expressed on any face. I am feeling a little giddy, after the difficult and tiring day I have had. Haldir is still holding my hand, and it is he who seats me again.
Finally one of the councillors spoke, 'Then we accept the Lady Elandra as Princess of Gondor, and understand why it is she who goes to the Harad'.
Father is at my side, and leans down and says softly, 'that went better than I expected. Now, you have had a tiring day, and I think you as you have been excused further attendance at tonight's entertainments that you might like to retire to your rooms'.
I agree, as he is right, I am exhausted. Father asks Haldir to escort me, and we make our goodnights to various people.
Haldir is being very protective of me. As we walk through the Palace corridors, he is carefully putting himself between me and anyone else we see. I question him on this, and his only reply is that all now know who I am, and I might be a target for kidnappers or assassins. Somehow, I don't believe that is all the answer, and I feel slightly embarrassed at the thought that this magnificent elf is in love with me.
'I would kiss you goodnight, but there are too many people wandering about tonight', he whispers into my ear, his lips so close that I feel his breath.
Startled, I open my door, no one is in sight, and on impulse I pull Haldir in the room with me.
'Why Ellie,' he says 'you are bold tonight.'
'I won't be able to sleep for a while, and I thought you might like to stay and keep me company.' Distracted by the thought that I had just dragged a male into my private rooms, I nervously make us both a cup of tea, and manage to produce some cookies I have hidden in a cupboard for midnight snacks.
'Why so tense, my dear', he asks as I hand him his cup. 'Surely you are not afraid of me?'
'No, not really. Just what you might be thinking of me for dragging you in here', I reply to him.
He laughed softly. 'I did not resist you, did I?' he says. 'Do you want to know why?'
'Yes', I say, curious, but a little worried.
'Do not look so worried, I just think you should not alone tonight', he answers, taking my left hand in his and kissing it.
'You are too good to me', I say.
'Nonsense, you need someone here tonight, and I promise to make no advances to you, just to be here if you need me', Haldir says; now speaking in Elvish.
'Thank you' I say, also in Elvish.
I take his now empty cup from his hand, and ask if he wants more. He agrees, and watches as I move a small leather bound book to another table, and pull the small one it had been on close to the fireplace, and sit on the floor. Haldir joins me, the firelight turning his blonde hair more of a red colour.
Curiosity gets the better of him and he asks what the book is, for he has not seen it before, people like Haldir and I who have lived uncertain lives, constantly on the move do not acquire many belongings.
'It is my mother's diary. Father gave it me this morning, and suggested that I should read it', I say.
'Are you going to?' he asks.
'Not tonight. I am too tired, and I just want to sit by the fire, and relax' I say.
For a long time, neither of us speaks; just relax in each other's company as we have before.
I finally speak, 'Well, I think I might go to bed', I say.
Haldir knows me well, and understands my fears, he know that I can be subject to terrible nightmares and correctly assumes that this is why I am reluctant to sleep this night.
'I will stay if you wish, and guard your sleep.' he says.
When I start to protest, he simply says that he has been appointed as my personal guard for the night, and that in his way of thinking includes guarding me from nightmares.
I give in, because I know he won't, but am a little worried about having him stay all night. He gently turns me around, and unlaces the back of my gown, and before I can protest, he has turned away and is telling me to change into my night attire and get into bed.
Ashamed that I would think he would behave in anything but an honourable fashion I do as he asks, and am soon cuddled up in my bed. Haldir pulls up a chair and settles into it. He reaches over and strokes my hair, singing very softly in Elvish, which is the last thing I remember for that night.
There is silence as the members of Aragorn's council stare at me. My sister has come to stand beside me, and I sense the twins flanking her. The Queen's voice is harder than normal as she speaks 'Stand, sister', she says to me, 'And let all look upon you, standing with your siblings'.
All in the room look at us, Elrond's children. No doubt of the truth of father's words is expressed on any face. I am feeling a little giddy, after the difficult and tiring day I have had. Haldir is still holding my hand, and it is he who seats me again.
Finally one of the councillors spoke, 'Then we accept the Lady Elandra as Princess of Gondor, and understand why it is she who goes to the Harad'.
Father is at my side, and leans down and says softly, 'that went better than I expected. Now, you have had a tiring day, and I think you as you have been excused further attendance at tonight's entertainments that you might like to retire to your rooms'.
I agree, as he is right, I am exhausted. Father asks Haldir to escort me, and we make our goodnights to various people.
Haldir is being very protective of me. As we walk through the Palace corridors, he is carefully putting himself between me and anyone else we see. I question him on this, and his only reply is that all now know who I am, and I might be a target for kidnappers or assassins. Somehow, I don't believe that is all the answer, and I feel slightly embarrassed at the thought that this magnificent elf is in love with me.
'I would kiss you goodnight, but there are too many people wandering about tonight', he whispers into my ear, his lips so close that I feel his breath.
Startled, I open my door, no one is in sight, and on impulse I pull Haldir in the room with me.
'Why Ellie,' he says 'you are bold tonight.'
'I won't be able to sleep for a while, and I thought you might like to stay and keep me company.' Distracted by the thought that I had just dragged a male into my private rooms, I nervously make us both a cup of tea, and manage to produce some cookies I have hidden in a cupboard for midnight snacks.
'Why so tense, my dear', he asks as I hand him his cup. 'Surely you are not afraid of me?'
'No, not really. Just what you might be thinking of me for dragging you in here', I reply to him.
He laughed softly. 'I did not resist you, did I?' he says. 'Do you want to know why?'
'Yes', I say, curious, but a little worried.
'Do not look so worried, I just think you should not alone tonight', he answers, taking my left hand in his and kissing it.
'You are too good to me', I say.
'Nonsense, you need someone here tonight, and I promise to make no advances to you, just to be here if you need me', Haldir says; now speaking in Elvish.
'Thank you' I say, also in Elvish.
I take his now empty cup from his hand, and ask if he wants more. He agrees, and watches as I move a small leather bound book to another table, and pull the small one it had been on close to the fireplace, and sit on the floor. Haldir joins me, the firelight turning his blonde hair more of a red colour.
Curiosity gets the better of him and he asks what the book is, for he has not seen it before, people like Haldir and I who have lived uncertain lives, constantly on the move do not acquire many belongings.
'It is my mother's diary. Father gave it me this morning, and suggested that I should read it', I say.
'Are you going to?' he asks.
'Not tonight. I am too tired, and I just want to sit by the fire, and relax' I say.
For a long time, neither of us speaks; just relax in each other's company as we have before.
I finally speak, 'Well, I think I might go to bed', I say.
Haldir knows me well, and understands my fears, he know that I can be subject to terrible nightmares and correctly assumes that this is why I am reluctant to sleep this night.
'I will stay if you wish, and guard your sleep.' he says.
When I start to protest, he simply says that he has been appointed as my personal guard for the night, and that in his way of thinking includes guarding me from nightmares.
I give in, because I know he won't, but am a little worried about having him stay all night. He gently turns me around, and unlaces the back of my gown, and before I can protest, he has turned away and is telling me to change into my night attire and get into bed.
Ashamed that I would think he would behave in anything but an honourable fashion I do as he asks, and am soon cuddled up in my bed. Haldir pulls up a chair and settles into it. He reaches over and strokes my hair, singing very softly in Elvish, which is the last thing I remember for that night.