I do not own The Lord of the Rings or its characters.
Page 8
Kalin tossed back and forth in her bed in agitation, sleep eluding her. It was so obvious, once she thought about it. No wonder Haldir was irritated with her. He had wanted nothing more than to get away from her, and she had practically thrown herself at him. He was surely sick of being stuck with her every day instead of roaming out in the Wood that he loved, doing his real job. The attraction she was beginning to feel for him was no doubt a result of allowing herself to become too dependent on him. What had she been thinking, after all? Elves and Men rarely had anything to do with each other, and never mixed that she had ever heard, not in that way. Well, she had heard of King Elessar and Queen Arwen, but that had to be a rare exception. Unfortunately Tirendil had never spoken to her of such things.
Maybe it was good that he was going away for a while; she had to learn to rely on herself, like he had said. Maybe tomorrow the healer would give her back her sight and she wouldn't be an object of pity to anyone anymore. "Maybe tomorrow," she repeated over and over to herself as she drifted off into a restless sleep, the feel of Haldir's face and hair still on her fingertips.
* * * * *
Haldir arrived in a light morning shower to escort her to the healer. Kalin donned her cloak. They said very little to each other, and Kalin refused the offer of his arm as they walked down the path, relying on her cane to guide her. Finally Haldir ordered, "Take my arm, Kalin, you do not know the way from here," and she complied. However, immediately upon entering the healer's chambers, she dropped her hand away from him. Serwen and Orophin had also come to be with her.
"You three will wait in the outer chamber," the healer instructed. Kalin, please sit down here and we will begin."
Kalin's session with the healer was different than anything she had expected. The strong aroma of herbs filled the chamber as the healer crushed and steeped the plants in steaming water and set them on a table next to Kalin. Kalin breathed deeply of the heady aroma and soon fell into a deep, dreamy relaxation. As the elf placed and held her fingers over Kalin's eyes, then on each side of her temples, Kalin felt a soft light entering her mind, almost like her first meeting with Celeborn. The healer spoke quietly to her, and occasionally asked her questions. Did she still have headaches? Was she ever dizzy? Kalin could no longer discern whether they were speaking aloud to each other, or only in her mind, but the healer finally seemed satisfied. She withdrew her hands slowly from Kalin's temples, and the warm glow slowly retreated from Kalin's mind.
"Haldir, Serwen, Orophin, you may enter now," the healer said, stepping to the arched opening.
"Kalin, the blow to your head was severe. There is damage within that I do not know if I have the skill to repair. In time, perhaps, we may be able to do some good, or the damage may repair itself, but I cam promise you nothing except that I will not give up trying to help you." As the healer spoke, each word was like a physical blow to Kalin. She stood, losing her balance, and Haldir stepped in to steady her. Kalin shook him off.
"Thank you for trying," Kalin said to the healer in a strained voice. "Thank you all for trying."
Kalin would not allow Serwen or Orophin to assist her outside, and the healer held Haldir back when Kalin faltered near the entrance. Only after she had heedlessly stumbled down the slick steps to the ground, thrown down her cane and sank to her knees with her head in her hands, did the healer release Haldir to rush down after her.
All of Kalin's fears and woes came crashing down on her like a great tide. Fist Malach, then Haldir, and now this! She would never see again; she should never have let herself hope, her mind screamed at her, not about anything! She doubled over, holding her hands over her open mouth, gasping for breath. She couldn't break down like this, in front of everyone; in front of him! She struggled to stand, and felt strong hands grasp her clenched shoulders from behind.
"Please don't," she managed to say shakily.
"Come with me."
"No, I can't. I don't want to be seen like this. I don't want you to see me like this," she forced out as tears began to roll down her face and blend with the rain.
"Kalin, come with me," he coaxed, turning her around. "There is a place not far away."
"Let go of me! I want to be alone!"
"No! I will not leave you alone like this," Haldir said firmly as Kalin struggled to release herself. "Trust me..Kalin, stop it..Ouch! You..are the most...stubborn creature I have ever encountered! If you do not stop fighting me, I will throw you over my shoulder and carry you there!"
"You wouldn't dare! Besides, I am not as light as an elf, you aren't strong enough! Haldir..Haldir! Put...me..down!"
* * * * *
"They have great affection for one another," the healer observed calmly from the balcony where the others had paused.
"Yes," responded Serwen over the argument raging below, "They just won't admit it yet."
"I am very fond of Kalin," spoke Orophin, serious for once, "but I begin to fear for my brother."
* * * * *
After a few turns along a narrow path, Haldir deposited Kalin in a hidden grotto surrounding a waterfall with a clear pool at its base. Ferns tall as a man nestled about the banks beneath the trees, glistening in the rain and the mist rising from the churning water at the base of the falls.
"Remove your shoes and cloak," he ordered as he removed his own.
"What!?" she sputtered in disbelief.
"If you do not do it yourself, I will."
Kalin took the items off, barely able to contain her misery. Haldir took her hand firmly and led her waist-deep into the water.
"Have you lost you mind?"
"Trust me," Haldir urged once more, and ducked beneath the waterfall with her, into a narrow recess between the overhanging rock bank and the tumbling sheet of water. "No one can see you here. No one can hear you," he soothed as he pushed the damp hair out of her face. "Here, at this moment, you do not need to pretend that you are not afraid."
Kalin could hold back no longer. Torrents of great, racking sobs burst forth from deep within her, as Haldir pulled her head to his chest and cradled her there.
* * * * *
Later that day as the clouds receded and the sun reappeared, Haldir left Kalin in Serwen's care and went out at last from Caras Galadhon to survey his guards and the borders. It seemed to his guards that something lay heavy on their leader's mind, but he would not speak of it. Indeed, he seemed more close with his thoughts even than was his usual custom, and he taxed them more greatly in their skill and preparedness than ever in their memory, no matter how perfect their mark or flawless their maneuvers. Yet, loving both him and Lorien as they did, they strove tirelessly to meet his demands without complaint. Diligently Haldir had prepared Rumil his brother and others of his lesser wardens for the leadership skills they would require if ever he fell in battle or was long absent, but now he tripled his efforts in this regard.
Often, Haldir would wake in the early hours when the stars still shone, and climb high in the trees to take the watch alone. Other times, when one or the other of the groups of guards rested, he would leave them to walk alone in the woods that were now heavy with summer foliage. On one such occasion Rumil saw him return with a long, straight, stout branch such as their bows were crafted of. This he took up onto a lone talan and sat whittling in the quiet hours of the morning watch, day after day. When Rumil asked about it he would only reply, "It is naught but a stick for idle hands to pass the time." As many of the guards silently whittled to pass the watch, it was not further commented on. Yet it was not to be seen by the others thereafter.
Finally, after a time Haldir seemed to become more like himself, albeit still demanding as was his nature and position, and things thankfully seemed to return more or less to a normal routine.
There came one late afternoon when Haldir left Rumil in charge and went to stand for a time at the top of Cerin Amroth. He looked first to the East, where the skies were now clear. Then for long hours he gazed into the West until the sun sank and twilight grew, recalling from song white Elven towers on the western hills looking toward the sea, and Valinor in the far West. Finally as the twilight deepened he turned toward the South, regarding the starlit meadows of Cerin Amroth blanketed with summer flowers, and Caras Galadhon twinkling in the distance.
A relief group of guards arriving from the south broke his long reverie. He descended from the hilltop to greet them, and Aranel was with them.
"We bring word that Lord Celeborn calls a council tomorrow at mid-day, and your presence is asked for there," spoke Aranel.
"What is the purpose of the council?" Haldir inquired, but Aranel did not know. After leaving instructions for the guards to take to Rumil, Haldir set off at a swift pace for the city.
Page 8
Kalin tossed back and forth in her bed in agitation, sleep eluding her. It was so obvious, once she thought about it. No wonder Haldir was irritated with her. He had wanted nothing more than to get away from her, and she had practically thrown herself at him. He was surely sick of being stuck with her every day instead of roaming out in the Wood that he loved, doing his real job. The attraction she was beginning to feel for him was no doubt a result of allowing herself to become too dependent on him. What had she been thinking, after all? Elves and Men rarely had anything to do with each other, and never mixed that she had ever heard, not in that way. Well, she had heard of King Elessar and Queen Arwen, but that had to be a rare exception. Unfortunately Tirendil had never spoken to her of such things.
Maybe it was good that he was going away for a while; she had to learn to rely on herself, like he had said. Maybe tomorrow the healer would give her back her sight and she wouldn't be an object of pity to anyone anymore. "Maybe tomorrow," she repeated over and over to herself as she drifted off into a restless sleep, the feel of Haldir's face and hair still on her fingertips.
* * * * *
Haldir arrived in a light morning shower to escort her to the healer. Kalin donned her cloak. They said very little to each other, and Kalin refused the offer of his arm as they walked down the path, relying on her cane to guide her. Finally Haldir ordered, "Take my arm, Kalin, you do not know the way from here," and she complied. However, immediately upon entering the healer's chambers, she dropped her hand away from him. Serwen and Orophin had also come to be with her.
"You three will wait in the outer chamber," the healer instructed. Kalin, please sit down here and we will begin."
Kalin's session with the healer was different than anything she had expected. The strong aroma of herbs filled the chamber as the healer crushed and steeped the plants in steaming water and set them on a table next to Kalin. Kalin breathed deeply of the heady aroma and soon fell into a deep, dreamy relaxation. As the elf placed and held her fingers over Kalin's eyes, then on each side of her temples, Kalin felt a soft light entering her mind, almost like her first meeting with Celeborn. The healer spoke quietly to her, and occasionally asked her questions. Did she still have headaches? Was she ever dizzy? Kalin could no longer discern whether they were speaking aloud to each other, or only in her mind, but the healer finally seemed satisfied. She withdrew her hands slowly from Kalin's temples, and the warm glow slowly retreated from Kalin's mind.
"Haldir, Serwen, Orophin, you may enter now," the healer said, stepping to the arched opening.
"Kalin, the blow to your head was severe. There is damage within that I do not know if I have the skill to repair. In time, perhaps, we may be able to do some good, or the damage may repair itself, but I cam promise you nothing except that I will not give up trying to help you." As the healer spoke, each word was like a physical blow to Kalin. She stood, losing her balance, and Haldir stepped in to steady her. Kalin shook him off.
"Thank you for trying," Kalin said to the healer in a strained voice. "Thank you all for trying."
Kalin would not allow Serwen or Orophin to assist her outside, and the healer held Haldir back when Kalin faltered near the entrance. Only after she had heedlessly stumbled down the slick steps to the ground, thrown down her cane and sank to her knees with her head in her hands, did the healer release Haldir to rush down after her.
All of Kalin's fears and woes came crashing down on her like a great tide. Fist Malach, then Haldir, and now this! She would never see again; she should never have let herself hope, her mind screamed at her, not about anything! She doubled over, holding her hands over her open mouth, gasping for breath. She couldn't break down like this, in front of everyone; in front of him! She struggled to stand, and felt strong hands grasp her clenched shoulders from behind.
"Please don't," she managed to say shakily.
"Come with me."
"No, I can't. I don't want to be seen like this. I don't want you to see me like this," she forced out as tears began to roll down her face and blend with the rain.
"Kalin, come with me," he coaxed, turning her around. "There is a place not far away."
"Let go of me! I want to be alone!"
"No! I will not leave you alone like this," Haldir said firmly as Kalin struggled to release herself. "Trust me..Kalin, stop it..Ouch! You..are the most...stubborn creature I have ever encountered! If you do not stop fighting me, I will throw you over my shoulder and carry you there!"
"You wouldn't dare! Besides, I am not as light as an elf, you aren't strong enough! Haldir..Haldir! Put...me..down!"
* * * * *
"They have great affection for one another," the healer observed calmly from the balcony where the others had paused.
"Yes," responded Serwen over the argument raging below, "They just won't admit it yet."
"I am very fond of Kalin," spoke Orophin, serious for once, "but I begin to fear for my brother."
* * * * *
After a few turns along a narrow path, Haldir deposited Kalin in a hidden grotto surrounding a waterfall with a clear pool at its base. Ferns tall as a man nestled about the banks beneath the trees, glistening in the rain and the mist rising from the churning water at the base of the falls.
"Remove your shoes and cloak," he ordered as he removed his own.
"What!?" she sputtered in disbelief.
"If you do not do it yourself, I will."
Kalin took the items off, barely able to contain her misery. Haldir took her hand firmly and led her waist-deep into the water.
"Have you lost you mind?"
"Trust me," Haldir urged once more, and ducked beneath the waterfall with her, into a narrow recess between the overhanging rock bank and the tumbling sheet of water. "No one can see you here. No one can hear you," he soothed as he pushed the damp hair out of her face. "Here, at this moment, you do not need to pretend that you are not afraid."
Kalin could hold back no longer. Torrents of great, racking sobs burst forth from deep within her, as Haldir pulled her head to his chest and cradled her there.
* * * * *
Later that day as the clouds receded and the sun reappeared, Haldir left Kalin in Serwen's care and went out at last from Caras Galadhon to survey his guards and the borders. It seemed to his guards that something lay heavy on their leader's mind, but he would not speak of it. Indeed, he seemed more close with his thoughts even than was his usual custom, and he taxed them more greatly in their skill and preparedness than ever in their memory, no matter how perfect their mark or flawless their maneuvers. Yet, loving both him and Lorien as they did, they strove tirelessly to meet his demands without complaint. Diligently Haldir had prepared Rumil his brother and others of his lesser wardens for the leadership skills they would require if ever he fell in battle or was long absent, but now he tripled his efforts in this regard.
Often, Haldir would wake in the early hours when the stars still shone, and climb high in the trees to take the watch alone. Other times, when one or the other of the groups of guards rested, he would leave them to walk alone in the woods that were now heavy with summer foliage. On one such occasion Rumil saw him return with a long, straight, stout branch such as their bows were crafted of. This he took up onto a lone talan and sat whittling in the quiet hours of the morning watch, day after day. When Rumil asked about it he would only reply, "It is naught but a stick for idle hands to pass the time." As many of the guards silently whittled to pass the watch, it was not further commented on. Yet it was not to be seen by the others thereafter.
Finally, after a time Haldir seemed to become more like himself, albeit still demanding as was his nature and position, and things thankfully seemed to return more or less to a normal routine.
There came one late afternoon when Haldir left Rumil in charge and went to stand for a time at the top of Cerin Amroth. He looked first to the East, where the skies were now clear. Then for long hours he gazed into the West until the sun sank and twilight grew, recalling from song white Elven towers on the western hills looking toward the sea, and Valinor in the far West. Finally as the twilight deepened he turned toward the South, regarding the starlit meadows of Cerin Amroth blanketed with summer flowers, and Caras Galadhon twinkling in the distance.
A relief group of guards arriving from the south broke his long reverie. He descended from the hilltop to greet them, and Aranel was with them.
"We bring word that Lord Celeborn calls a council tomorrow at mid-day, and your presence is asked for there," spoke Aranel.
"What is the purpose of the council?" Haldir inquired, but Aranel did not know. After leaving instructions for the guards to take to Rumil, Haldir set off at a swift pace for the city.