Chapter 23
The first part of this is still from Haldir's P.O.V. It will change, but don't worry, I will make it quite clear when.
The sun has fully risen now, and it is a beautiful morning. This is not the first time I have watched the sun rise with Elandra, but it is the first time she has snuggled up to me with her head on my shoulder.
It is strange, but since her admission to me of the torment she suffered years ago, she has been more accepting of me, allowing some physical contact. It is as if her confession has erased some of her fear, or is it because she feels I now understand her?
Still, we must move soon, as it will cause too much gossip if we are seen here, sitting together thus.
'We must go soon, love', I say to her
'Yes, I know. It's a pity though, I am very comfortable where I am', she replies, smiling up at me.
I want to say something to her, but I hesitant in case she misunderstands me. Then again it needs to be said before we go into the Harad. I am about to speak when Elandra beats me.
'Thank you for last night, dear friend,' she says.
'Why do you thank me, tis I who should thank you for allowing me to stay, and for letting me comfort you,' I say, stroking her hair back from her face.
She laughed, and said 'If we don't stop thanking each other we will never leave here, and there are far too many people about now, and the servants are already gossiping about us'.
'Really!!' I said. Apparently mortals have the same liking for gossip that Elves are noted for, although I did not know this before coming to Gondor.
'Yes, really,' Ellie says still laughing.
Reluctantly I stand up, 'Come, we should go in to breakfast'. I gave Ellie my hand, although I knew perfectly well that she could stand unassisted. She too, humoured me by allowing me to help her up.
Slowly we walk back to the great carved door, and then as we part company, Ellie speaks quietly, 'Will I see you later today?'
'Of course, my dear, but perhaps not until evening, as I have a busy day', I say as I kiss her in parting.
I watch Haldir walk away, admiring his Elvish grace, something I have always been a little envious of. Even though I have Elvish blood, I have not inherited any of their abilities, except maybe my hearing and sight are little better than would be usual in a mortal.
It is strange, although I have always enjoyed Haldir's company, it is only recently I have started to feel such joy in being near him, and I don't understand why. Perhaps I should talk to Arwen, I muse.
Breakfast calls me by its smell in the corridors; I am hungry, as I didn't eat much last night. I notice the dining area is nearly deserted, and that suits my current mood quite nicely. I get a plate and eat quietly by myself, wondering what Haldir is doing; doubtless he is the guard's quarters with his brothers who will probably be teasing him about his whereabouts last night.
Back to my room I wander, and wonder what I shall do. Then I remember mother's diary and decide now is as good a time as ever to begin reading it. I throw open the window to my room, and pull a chair up. The window opens on to part of the grounds that the guardsmen often use for weapons practice. I wish I could be there, instead of up here, playing princess. Maybe later I shall join them, as I feel in need of some practise myself, as I feel out of practise, and I shall need all my skills for the mission to the Harad.
As I gaze out of the window, I see Haldir with his brothers arrive on the practise field. They are in good spirits, laughing and teasing each other. They carry bows and clearly having an Archery session. Oh well, at least I can watch from the window. I open the diary, and look over the first few pages as I wait for the elves to set up the targets and begin. This section is mother's childhood, something she never did speak of, either to Aragorn or I. Against my will, I find myself drawn in to her writings, and soon become absorbed in her tale.
The first part of this is still from Haldir's P.O.V. It will change, but don't worry, I will make it quite clear when.
The sun has fully risen now, and it is a beautiful morning. This is not the first time I have watched the sun rise with Elandra, but it is the first time she has snuggled up to me with her head on my shoulder.
It is strange, but since her admission to me of the torment she suffered years ago, she has been more accepting of me, allowing some physical contact. It is as if her confession has erased some of her fear, or is it because she feels I now understand her?
Still, we must move soon, as it will cause too much gossip if we are seen here, sitting together thus.
'We must go soon, love', I say to her
'Yes, I know. It's a pity though, I am very comfortable where I am', she replies, smiling up at me.
I want to say something to her, but I hesitant in case she misunderstands me. Then again it needs to be said before we go into the Harad. I am about to speak when Elandra beats me.
'Thank you for last night, dear friend,' she says.
'Why do you thank me, tis I who should thank you for allowing me to stay, and for letting me comfort you,' I say, stroking her hair back from her face.
She laughed, and said 'If we don't stop thanking each other we will never leave here, and there are far too many people about now, and the servants are already gossiping about us'.
'Really!!' I said. Apparently mortals have the same liking for gossip that Elves are noted for, although I did not know this before coming to Gondor.
'Yes, really,' Ellie says still laughing.
Reluctantly I stand up, 'Come, we should go in to breakfast'. I gave Ellie my hand, although I knew perfectly well that she could stand unassisted. She too, humoured me by allowing me to help her up.
Slowly we walk back to the great carved door, and then as we part company, Ellie speaks quietly, 'Will I see you later today?'
'Of course, my dear, but perhaps not until evening, as I have a busy day', I say as I kiss her in parting.
I watch Haldir walk away, admiring his Elvish grace, something I have always been a little envious of. Even though I have Elvish blood, I have not inherited any of their abilities, except maybe my hearing and sight are little better than would be usual in a mortal.
It is strange, although I have always enjoyed Haldir's company, it is only recently I have started to feel such joy in being near him, and I don't understand why. Perhaps I should talk to Arwen, I muse.
Breakfast calls me by its smell in the corridors; I am hungry, as I didn't eat much last night. I notice the dining area is nearly deserted, and that suits my current mood quite nicely. I get a plate and eat quietly by myself, wondering what Haldir is doing; doubtless he is the guard's quarters with his brothers who will probably be teasing him about his whereabouts last night.
Back to my room I wander, and wonder what I shall do. Then I remember mother's diary and decide now is as good a time as ever to begin reading it. I throw open the window to my room, and pull a chair up. The window opens on to part of the grounds that the guardsmen often use for weapons practice. I wish I could be there, instead of up here, playing princess. Maybe later I shall join them, as I feel in need of some practise myself, as I feel out of practise, and I shall need all my skills for the mission to the Harad.
As I gaze out of the window, I see Haldir with his brothers arrive on the practise field. They are in good spirits, laughing and teasing each other. They carry bows and clearly having an Archery session. Oh well, at least I can watch from the window. I open the diary, and look over the first few pages as I wait for the elves to set up the targets and begin. This section is mother's childhood, something she never did speak of, either to Aragorn or I. Against my will, I find myself drawn in to her writings, and soon become absorbed in her tale.