Offertory
Haldir, being in the thick of combat. was surrounded by half a dozen Uruk- Hai from the latest ladder to scale the wall.
[Which one will it be??]
Drawing up her bow, Arelén makes quick work of three of the attackers.
Expecting an easy kill, the scaling Uruk-Hai reached for the distracted elf form. Turning around at the last second, Arelén fired one shot through its head.
Killing not only that one, but the one behind it as well.
From the corner of her eye, Arelén caught the sight of a red cloaked figure falling off the wall.
"NO!" Arelén screamed as she took out four more scaling Uruk-Hai. In the middle of her fifth shot, the searing pain in her back told her when Haldir's body made contact with the ground.
Turning her attention back, she saw Legolas dragging Haldir's body to a small alcove under the stairs.
Taking up her sword, Arelén left the wall. Taking out a small handful of Uruk-Hai on her way to that alcove under the stairs. She knew she only had a few moments left before Haldir's wounds would be too much for his system to handle.
She arrived to the sound of Legolas' panicked voice. "Friend, come here. Get Arelén. She's in the caves. Tell her..."
Arelén rips off her helmet. "I'm right here."
Handing her cloak to Legolas, "Rip this up." Opening her smaller bag, she pulls out a vial. Haldir's bleeding continued after the contents were drained out.
Opening another vial, Arelén pleaded, "Please stay, Love." This mixture did nothing to slow the bleeding. ((I do not understand))
Gasping through the pain, Haldir pleads, "Legolas, please forgive me. I did what I thought was right."
Arelén tried yet another vial adding herbs this time. "Stay still!" The bleeding was too much for the shredded cloak to absorb.
Legolas grasps Haldir's hand "There is nothing to forgive, brother."
Fighting back her tears, Arelén stammered, "Stop it - both of you. I will not let you die." She resumed pulling vials out of her bag.
Haldir's eyes returned to his clear gray as he wiped away one of her tears.
"Arelén, my angel, I love you." Not a shred of pain was seen on his fair face.
"I love you, Haldir, my light." Her dark hair falls over his face as a kiss is exchanged.
Haldir's eyes loose focus.
Arelén's hands move faster to stop the bleeding.
Haldir's breathing stopped.
Shaking, Arelén whimpers "Haldir?" ((I have failed))
Legolas bows his head. "He's gone."
"No. My light will never fade." Arelén feels the familiar burning in her eyes as gray darkens to black. Sounds of combat fade into the distance. Not even the explosion of the wall garners a glimpse of acknowledgement.
[What heals all??]
Reaching again into her bag, her fingers find an unfamiliar vial. ((Water of Lorien))
With a quiet chant, she sprinkles the water onto the wounds.
"Stella Maris,
Semper Clara,
Rose Munde,
Res Miranda,
Misterium
Mirabile+"
The bleeding stops as the drops touch.
A new influx of Elvin and Uruk-Hai arrows fly past their location.
Arelén places a few drops on Haldir's lips.
Haldir starts breathing again.
Pouring the remaining water into her hands, her chanting becomes louder. Overpowering the noises of the new battle raging not too far from them.
As she touched, Haldir's wounds healed.
Bringing back her concentration, she turned to face a mystified Legolas. Her dark voice spoke, "Carry him to Theoden's chambers. Keep him warm. Go!"
Arelén caught a Uruk-Hai arrow shot at her brother's head. "As I said, I love you both. Go!"
A turn of Arelén's head brings her eyes to focus on the source of the arrow. The Uruk-Hai from her nightmare. Tall and broad. Sauron's white hand smeared on his armor. Grabbing her sword, Arelén's solid black eyes solely focus on Uruk-Hai. Uruk-Hai releases one shot off the bow. Arelén deflects without a blink.
"I am the light that will destroy you"
A smaller Orc crosses Arelén's path. An easy kill with a quick stab through throat.
"You have no means of escape."
Uruk-Hai puts down the bow & raises sword - swings.
Arelén blocks. Counter parries.
"I am the vengeance of the Valar. You will not escape."
Uruk-Hai blocks - takes one more swing.
Arelén moves aside.
UK's sword sticks for a second in a fallen body.
"I am the last living thing you ever will see."
Five Flashes of Elvin silver: Down - slices off one arm. Across - through the knees. Up - removes the other arm. Diagonal - dissects it's body.
Arelén watches the pieces fall. ((This is my sacrifice))
"I AM VENGANCE!"
Last flash severs head from body. It rolls away from the pile of body parts. Stopping face down in front of Arelén's feet.
"Na Barad!" Aragorn call for a retreat into the keep breaks her concentration.
A wide trail of corpses mark Arelén's route back up the stairs.
From the top step, Arelén turns to see Legolas making his way up the inner corridor. He is followed by a horde of Uruk-Hai.
"Behind you!" Readying her bow she fires off a series of shots. Falling Uruk-Hai two at a time. Giving Legolas enough time to get away.
He quickens his pace. Turning around as he lands on the top step.
"GET IN HERE!" Aragorn's voice isn't heard as Legolas and Arelén continue releasing arrows into he thundering horde.
Last two Rivendell archers run in.
White fletched arrows of Lorien fly from the bows of Legolas and Arelén.
"LEGOLAS! ARELÉN! GET IN HERE!"
Hearing their names, Legolas and Arelén raced into the keep. Slipping through the closing gate at the same time.
Aragon catches Arelén's arm. "Guard the gate. No - Wait." Recognition and confusion crossed his face.
"Haldir?" Arelén interrupted.
Aragorn nodded "That way." Through the chaos of gathering material to secure the inner gate, Arelén found her way into Theoden's chamber. One of the Rivendell archers stood guard inside the door.
Arelén came to a complete stop as she walked through the chamber's door.
She took a deep breath, blocking out the noise from the keep.
((focus))
Weapons and armor dropped from her body as she made her way to the table where Haldir's body was lying.
The Rivendell archer took a tentative step forward. He was told to guard this Captain's body.
Arelén met his eyes and raised her hand. "Make sure we are not disturbed" Hiking up her sweat and rain soaked under tunic, she climbed onto the table. Straddling Haldir's body, she wrapped her hands around the back of his head and leaned over touching their foreheads together.
((Haldir, Guardian and Marchwarden of Lóthlorien, Husband, come back))
Nothing.
((Haldir, come back)
Nothing.
Her dark voice began to chant as a whisper.
"Lucem sanctaum exaudi orationnem Oro supplex et acclinis Gete mei parce Haldir Sempiternam eleision"
The dark voice grows stronger and louder.
"Lucem sanctaum gere mei Faceas Haldir transire de morte Sempiternam eleison"
The dark voice grows even more intense and louder - Echoing off the walls.
"Luceum sanctaum necadant Necadant Haldir Semoiternam, Haldir eleison"
First light of dawn fills the chamber.
"Luceum sanctaum exaudi orationnem Dicturus pie Haldir Sempiternam eleison"
Arelén's chanting is now at the top of her lungs overpowering all other sounds in the keep.
"Semoiternam Haldir eleison Libera Haldir de morte Eleison luceam sanctaum Eleison, Eleison, Eleison" (1)
Haldir's gray eyes open, meeting her solid black.
[Your sacrifice is accepted]
The quick reflexes of the Rivendell warrior prevented the dark haired healer from falling on the stone floor.
*****
Credits
+From "Cantcus" from Connie Drover.
Translation
Start of the Sea, Ever-bright Spotless Rose, Most Admirable Wondrous Mystery
(1) Rough Latin translation.
Holy Light hear my prayer Low I kneel with heart submission Help me spare Haldir Grant him mercy
Holy light help me Let Haldir pass from death Grant him mercy
Holy light save them Save Haldir Grant Haldir mercy
Holy light hear my prayer I plead for Haldir's salvation Grant Haldir mercy
Grant Haldir mercy Liberate Haldir from Death Mercy, Holy Light Mercy Mercy Mercy
(note: My Latin is very bad, so any corrections are happily accepted)
Note 2: Last chapter, Lux Prepetua, is in progress. Really. :-)
Haldir, being in the thick of combat. was surrounded by half a dozen Uruk- Hai from the latest ladder to scale the wall.
[Which one will it be??]
Drawing up her bow, Arelén makes quick work of three of the attackers.
Expecting an easy kill, the scaling Uruk-Hai reached for the distracted elf form. Turning around at the last second, Arelén fired one shot through its head.
Killing not only that one, but the one behind it as well.
From the corner of her eye, Arelén caught the sight of a red cloaked figure falling off the wall.
"NO!" Arelén screamed as she took out four more scaling Uruk-Hai. In the middle of her fifth shot, the searing pain in her back told her when Haldir's body made contact with the ground.
Turning her attention back, she saw Legolas dragging Haldir's body to a small alcove under the stairs.
Taking up her sword, Arelén left the wall. Taking out a small handful of Uruk-Hai on her way to that alcove under the stairs. She knew she only had a few moments left before Haldir's wounds would be too much for his system to handle.
She arrived to the sound of Legolas' panicked voice. "Friend, come here. Get Arelén. She's in the caves. Tell her..."
Arelén rips off her helmet. "I'm right here."
Handing her cloak to Legolas, "Rip this up." Opening her smaller bag, she pulls out a vial. Haldir's bleeding continued after the contents were drained out.
Opening another vial, Arelén pleaded, "Please stay, Love." This mixture did nothing to slow the bleeding. ((I do not understand))
Gasping through the pain, Haldir pleads, "Legolas, please forgive me. I did what I thought was right."
Arelén tried yet another vial adding herbs this time. "Stay still!" The bleeding was too much for the shredded cloak to absorb.
Legolas grasps Haldir's hand "There is nothing to forgive, brother."
Fighting back her tears, Arelén stammered, "Stop it - both of you. I will not let you die." She resumed pulling vials out of her bag.
Haldir's eyes returned to his clear gray as he wiped away one of her tears.
"Arelén, my angel, I love you." Not a shred of pain was seen on his fair face.
"I love you, Haldir, my light." Her dark hair falls over his face as a kiss is exchanged.
Haldir's eyes loose focus.
Arelén's hands move faster to stop the bleeding.
Haldir's breathing stopped.
Shaking, Arelén whimpers "Haldir?" ((I have failed))
Legolas bows his head. "He's gone."
"No. My light will never fade." Arelén feels the familiar burning in her eyes as gray darkens to black. Sounds of combat fade into the distance. Not even the explosion of the wall garners a glimpse of acknowledgement.
[What heals all??]
Reaching again into her bag, her fingers find an unfamiliar vial. ((Water of Lorien))
With a quiet chant, she sprinkles the water onto the wounds.
"Stella Maris,
Semper Clara,
Rose Munde,
Res Miranda,
Misterium
Mirabile+"
The bleeding stops as the drops touch.
A new influx of Elvin and Uruk-Hai arrows fly past their location.
Arelén places a few drops on Haldir's lips.
Haldir starts breathing again.
Pouring the remaining water into her hands, her chanting becomes louder. Overpowering the noises of the new battle raging not too far from them.
As she touched, Haldir's wounds healed.
Bringing back her concentration, she turned to face a mystified Legolas. Her dark voice spoke, "Carry him to Theoden's chambers. Keep him warm. Go!"
Arelén caught a Uruk-Hai arrow shot at her brother's head. "As I said, I love you both. Go!"
A turn of Arelén's head brings her eyes to focus on the source of the arrow. The Uruk-Hai from her nightmare. Tall and broad. Sauron's white hand smeared on his armor. Grabbing her sword, Arelén's solid black eyes solely focus on Uruk-Hai. Uruk-Hai releases one shot off the bow. Arelén deflects without a blink.
"I am the light that will destroy you"
A smaller Orc crosses Arelén's path. An easy kill with a quick stab through throat.
"You have no means of escape."
Uruk-Hai puts down the bow & raises sword - swings.
Arelén blocks. Counter parries.
"I am the vengeance of the Valar. You will not escape."
Uruk-Hai blocks - takes one more swing.
Arelén moves aside.
UK's sword sticks for a second in a fallen body.
"I am the last living thing you ever will see."
Five Flashes of Elvin silver: Down - slices off one arm. Across - through the knees. Up - removes the other arm. Diagonal - dissects it's body.
Arelén watches the pieces fall. ((This is my sacrifice))
"I AM VENGANCE!"
Last flash severs head from body. It rolls away from the pile of body parts. Stopping face down in front of Arelén's feet.
"Na Barad!" Aragorn call for a retreat into the keep breaks her concentration.
A wide trail of corpses mark Arelén's route back up the stairs.
From the top step, Arelén turns to see Legolas making his way up the inner corridor. He is followed by a horde of Uruk-Hai.
"Behind you!" Readying her bow she fires off a series of shots. Falling Uruk-Hai two at a time. Giving Legolas enough time to get away.
He quickens his pace. Turning around as he lands on the top step.
"GET IN HERE!" Aragorn's voice isn't heard as Legolas and Arelén continue releasing arrows into he thundering horde.
Last two Rivendell archers run in.
White fletched arrows of Lorien fly from the bows of Legolas and Arelén.
"LEGOLAS! ARELÉN! GET IN HERE!"
Hearing their names, Legolas and Arelén raced into the keep. Slipping through the closing gate at the same time.
Aragon catches Arelén's arm. "Guard the gate. No - Wait." Recognition and confusion crossed his face.
"Haldir?" Arelén interrupted.
Aragorn nodded "That way." Through the chaos of gathering material to secure the inner gate, Arelén found her way into Theoden's chamber. One of the Rivendell archers stood guard inside the door.
Arelén came to a complete stop as she walked through the chamber's door.
She took a deep breath, blocking out the noise from the keep.
((focus))
Weapons and armor dropped from her body as she made her way to the table where Haldir's body was lying.
The Rivendell archer took a tentative step forward. He was told to guard this Captain's body.
Arelén met his eyes and raised her hand. "Make sure we are not disturbed" Hiking up her sweat and rain soaked under tunic, she climbed onto the table. Straddling Haldir's body, she wrapped her hands around the back of his head and leaned over touching their foreheads together.
((Haldir, Guardian and Marchwarden of Lóthlorien, Husband, come back))
Nothing.
((Haldir, come back)
Nothing.
Her dark voice began to chant as a whisper.
"Lucem sanctaum exaudi orationnem Oro supplex et acclinis Gete mei parce Haldir Sempiternam eleision"
The dark voice grows stronger and louder.
"Lucem sanctaum gere mei Faceas Haldir transire de morte Sempiternam eleison"
The dark voice grows even more intense and louder - Echoing off the walls.
"Luceum sanctaum necadant Necadant Haldir Semoiternam, Haldir eleison"
First light of dawn fills the chamber.
"Luceum sanctaum exaudi orationnem Dicturus pie Haldir Sempiternam eleison"
Arelén's chanting is now at the top of her lungs overpowering all other sounds in the keep.
"Semoiternam Haldir eleison Libera Haldir de morte Eleison luceam sanctaum Eleison, Eleison, Eleison" (1)
Haldir's gray eyes open, meeting her solid black.
[Your sacrifice is accepted]
The quick reflexes of the Rivendell warrior prevented the dark haired healer from falling on the stone floor.
*****
Credits
+From "Cantcus" from Connie Drover.
Translation
Start of the Sea, Ever-bright Spotless Rose, Most Admirable Wondrous Mystery
(1) Rough Latin translation.
Holy Light hear my prayer Low I kneel with heart submission Help me spare Haldir Grant him mercy
Holy light help me Let Haldir pass from death Grant him mercy
Holy light save them Save Haldir Grant Haldir mercy
Holy light hear my prayer I plead for Haldir's salvation Grant Haldir mercy
Grant Haldir mercy Liberate Haldir from Death Mercy, Holy Light Mercy Mercy Mercy
(note: My Latin is very bad, so any corrections are happily accepted)
Note 2: Last chapter, Lux Prepetua, is in progress. Really. :-)