Title: Lost in Lórien – Chapter 2
Author: Nevoreiel (lamort_noir@hotmail.com)
Pairing: Lucius/??
Rating: R just to be safe, very questionable behaviour, snogging going on between two males *winkwink* and maybe something a little more, language. That about sums it up. This is actually for later chapters.
Summary: HP & LOTR Crossover – Lucius Malfoy needs a vocation so he takes one and ends up unwittingly in the woods of Lothlorien. There he meets the Guardians of Lorien and they take him deep into the forest. There the Lady of the Wood proposes a compromise.
Disclaimer: The characters in no way, shape, or form ever did, are, or will belong to me. The outrageous storyline belongs to me though. J.K. Rowling and J.R.R Tolkien would never write such horrible stories. No money is made of this and who would want to pay for something like this? If you really want to sue me talk to me when I actually have some money. Also this is not meant to be taken seriously in any way, it's part humor for a reason.
Warning: This story is SLASH (male/male relationship), nothing much, yet; the R rating is not for a very good reason. :)
Archive: My website: http://www21.brinskter.com/fracturedprose and any other website that wants it, jus tell me about it so I'm aware of it.
Notes: Ha, finally a new chapter, took me long enough didn't it? Rest assured, I'm never ever putting another deadline on anything I write, I'm hopeless with deadlines. Oh, and the setting is Caras Galadhon, Lothlórien at the end of February and that is why the golden leaves of the mellyrn are falling off, just to clarify. This is based on book canon but obviously not completely.
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Lucius once again took measure of this Haldir. If this was to be his companion in the strange land Lucius might as well make use of it. Maybe there is power to be gained from getting on the good side of these people. "Hello, again, Haldir…" at the steely gaze he received from Haldir Lucius trailed off and decided it'd be best to wait a bit before becoming very friendly with the man.
"Come along …what should I call you?" said Haldir of Lórien. Which was certainly a surprise to Lucius.
"Lucius will do just fine, thank you." The wizard could not help smiling; well… it was more of a smirk, really. But when Lucius realized that Haldir was quickly disappearing among all the foliage he wiped the smirk of his face and lengthened his stride to catch up to Haldir. Now keeping up with him did prove to be tiresome.
"Where, exactly are you leading me Haldir, if I may call you that?" Lucius glances at the silent man beside him.
The reply was measured and held some contempt, "As that is my name, you may call me that. Our destination, Lucius, you will see soon enough, I have much to show you."
The reply was not completely satisfactory but further inquiries, as Lucius surmised, would be just as scornfully answered.
Lucius carefully maneuvered between the tall tress on the paths of the city while Haldir seemed to move with the lightest of steps not even stirring the fallen leaves on the ground. He was about to speak when Haldir halted.
Startled, Lucius looked at his surroundings and was startled to find himself in a glade with a small fountain in the middle of it; a white tent with a bed roll were the only other "unnatural" things to be seen.
"This will be your resting place during the night. I will come for you every morning with the rising of the sun and you will dine among the Elves. At the request of the Lady I shall guide you through the woods of Lothlorien."
At the mention of eating with the elves Lucius' expression soured instantly, "Pardon, but did you just say that I will be dining with elves?"
"Yes, would that be a problem?" Haldir's tone was less then friendly.
"Yes, it would be a problem. I will not lower myself to dine with the house-elves." Lucius was beyond outrage. He, the illustrious Lucius Malfoy, dine with common house-elves? Never!
Haldir's expression was unreadable but you could be certain he wanted nothing more then to put an arrow into the offending body. "Ah, I see, you shall not lower yourself to join the company of elves? Then how may I ask will you explore these woods if you have to endure their company?"
"Do you always treat your guests this way?" Lucius' eyes narrowed dangerously.
"No one has ever complained quite as you do but I'd say that the Dwarves would be quite proud of you." Haldir stood still and this unnerved Lucius to no end so in response he just smiled tightly.
"I think I shall rest now, Haldir, if you do not mind."
"Not at all. But you should know that you will be guarded even if you do not see the guards; we cannot allow you to leave just yet by order of Galadriel." With that he was gone and Lucius could not see how someone could move so quickly without actually apparating.
He paced the glade thinking over his situation. On one hand he could stay and see what these strangers can do, the Dark Lord would be pleased to gain more allies but on the other hand, what if these people meant to keep him prisoner here. Nodding resolutely he decided to chance it and try to find a way to escape. He was told that there were guards but how could anyone hide from him, there are no guards he decided in the end. Now if only he knew in which direction would the exit be…
Deciding that to the right the trees did not look as imposing as in the other directions he walked confidently towards the space between two of the towering giants. He passed the trees and not finding any interference he stepped forward only to be whisked into the tree by strong hands. Lucius' stomach stuck in his throat.
Those same hands sat him down on the same branch that a grey figure sat crouched on.
"That was most unwise, Lucius," the figure leaned in closer and Lucius was shamed to see that it had been Haldir who stopped him. And more than slightly baffled he looked at the man in a new light, what strength was needed to do that little trick.
"Pardon me, Haldir, I do not know what came over me." Lucius did not really mean it but he sure was not going to lower himself further. But he was cautious he did not fancy repeating that little stunt ever again. Imagine him – right hand man to the Dark Lord – being yanked up by his collar like a common boy! The thought left a sour taste in his mouth.
"Be sure it does not happen again, it would be a shame to have to restrain you." Haldir smiled wickedly at the horror on the wizard's face. "I recommend you get a goodnight's sleep for we will start early tomorrow."
Lucius' tried putting a coherent sentence together but it would not form. Seeing his distress Haldir offered assistance to get back down. Seeing no other way to get down – Lucius accepted.
Haldir quickly stood and offered a hand to the wizard who very carefully stood up and swayed dangerously, he was definitely not made for climbing trees. Lucius' stomach stuck in his throat again as he was deftly picked up. He started thrashing about almost causing Haldir to drop him.
"Calm down, Lucius, unless you'd like me to throw you to the ground, maybe you'll grow wings and fly?" he tightly gripped the shocked Lucius and bending his knees lightly jumped to the ground, easily absorbing the impact. As the soon as they were on the ground Lucius scrambled out and staggered away from this apparently strange creature and convulsively dusted himself off and straightening his cloak.
A smile flitted over the March Warden's face and just as nimbly, grabbing a low branch he swung back up into the tree, taking up his post again. Ignoring Lucius staring at him he sat back against the trunk and continued his watch. When the still figure spoke Lucius jumped, "Do you need me to guide you to the clearing again or can you find your own way?"
"I think I can find my own way, think no more of it." His earlier haughtiness returned as he realized that he was being made fun of…again.
He huffily made his way back to the tent, who was Haldir to order him around? Who was he indeed?
Unrolling the grey bed roll, everything seemed to be either grey or light blue in this forest, Lucius scowled at it and with distaste he took of his long cloak, hanging it on one of the tent's posts. Slowly easing into his seemingly uncomfortable bed, Lucius discovered that it wasn't as bad as he feared it would be. Come to think of it, it was even pleasant. And so were the dreams that visited him that night, all of them containing a strange figure cloaked in grey. And a sad song wove its way around them, a song that would break the heart of anyone who heard it.
The Next Morning…
Lucius was shaken awake gently. Slightly befuddled he almost squeaked – very unmanly – when he saw someone leaning so close to him. It was just Haldir, but saying that would be as saying that nothing of the extraordinary was hanging right over your face, which was not the case with Lucius.
"Ah, is it time to get up already?" Lucius vainly tried to smooth his hair but it would not obey, he glared at Haldir with jealousy. Haldir's hair was as perfect as ever. The air was balmy but there was very little light coming into the forest. For all Lucius knew it was still night.
"Yes, Lucius, in Lothlórien we rise early." This was said with a touch of pride.
Grumbling unintelligibly Lucius grudgingly arose and straightened out his rumpled clothes as best he could which to tell you the truth didn't make much difference.
Saying nothing, Haldir led the way. They passes beneath numerous trees and turned an awful lot. Lucius was very happy that he had a guide who knew all these roads. Imagine getting lost in such a big forest or maybe it was a city, hard to tell.
The blond wizard was getting impatient but just when he thought up a nice way to break the silence they stepped into a large clearing. Lucius was very surprised to find many men seated around a long table, all fair and cloaked in grey.
Haldir stepped forward and said a few words that sounded like gibberish to Lucius if not for his name being mentioned. There was no answer but the men seemed to understand each other. Haldir gestured toward the table, "You shall sit with me Lucius, unless of course it is too lowly for you."
The stately wizard decided not to comment as he saw no problem in sitting with these men. But he was very proud of himself because certainly something has been done on his behalf and he was spared the humiliation of eating with common house-elves.
Low conversation flowered all across the table but Lucius could understand none of it. He carefully sat down on the smooth bench and realized that he was quite hungry as the smell of fresh fruit and bread reached him. Haldir sat on his right and seeing that Haldir took a plate and started picking up whatever he wished he did the same. Lucius was nothing if not refined and he would not break any code of politeness if he could help it.
As his guide started talking to those seated around him in that same curious tongue Lucius' inquisitiveness got the best of him and waiting for a sufficient pause in the conversation he decided to ask, "In what language do you converse if I may ask?"
He was regarded with amusement but Haldir was good enough to answer, "Sindarin, Lucius, is our preferred language. And most of my companions do not speak the tongue of men like you so you will have to forgive them."
"Certainly, certainly, I was only asking." He went back to eating the light bread, very surprised to discover that this scant breakfast filled him so.
Seeing that their guest was finished, Haldir got up and said something in the curious language. Lucius got up with him but he did not know how to address these fine gentlemen so he just smiled nervously and quickly followed Haldir out of the clearing.
The duo traversed most of the city of Caras Galadhon and Lucius was mesmerized by all the magnificent stairways and groves that were built around the massive trees. He was shown in detail all the corners and his head spun when he saw from an edge of a platform the distant horizon and the setting sun.
With more respect for his guide than he had in the morning, Lucius followed Haldir back to the tent.
"Thank you for the tour, Haldir, it was…enlightening." Haldir nodded and with a small bow he disappeared among the tree branches.
Even though Lucius was exhausted from their long walk he could not fall asleep as his conscience battled itself. Part of him wanted to stay, Haldir held certain possibilities of…well that remained to be seen but staying here without his wand was making him feel very vulnerable indeed. But it was his vocation time after all so might as well get used to other people taking care of him for a while. For just a little while.
His brain was hazy and sleep filled when he heard a mournful voice singing, he did not understand a word of it but there was no mistaking the melody for anything but grief-stricken.
He roused himself and decided to investigate the source of this beautiful music. Lucius carefully crept towards the gap in the trees and to his surprise he did not have to go far to find the singer. Haldir was sitting, his eyes turned towards the sky as he continued his sad song.
He appeared not to notice the intruder but his voice soon quieted and the song ended quite abruptly. "You should not have come here, Lucius, you need to rest."
"Well…I… wanted to know where the music was coming from, it woke me up." This sounded foolish to Lucius' ears but he could find no other words.
"I'm sorry to have awoken you, it was inconsiderate of me." Haldir glanced fleetingly at the faltering man standing under the tree glancing balefully at his guide.
"No, it's quite alright, it was not the song itself that disturbed me for I don't understand a word but it was incomparably beautiful." Mortified about what he said – Lucius stumbled back and profusely excusing himself went back to his bedroll. Haldir, thankfully, did not follow him.
This night Lucius' dreams were more troubled but the grey figure still haunted his mind and it was still cloaked.
To be Continued…
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A/N: No, that wasn't lembas they were eating, just to answer the question before anyone asks, that's only for long journeys. :) There might be just one or two more chapters, depends on how fast I can get the "plot" all done. Thank you to those who reviewed the first chapter, sorry again for the wait.
**And I think this is a good time as any to say that I need a beta reader, anyone who would like to beta read for me, just e-mail me, I am considering to take two betas because then my writing can be the best that it can be. I have a weird feeling that I sound like one of those army commercials. :)**
Ahh, reviews would be appreciated. :)