Title: Restless Souls
Author: Haldir of Lórien
Disclaimer: The world of Middle Earth and all it's characters (etc) do not belong to us and we claim no rights to, or make any money from them. The original characters -created for the purpose of role-play and other forms of amusement- are the property of the individual users (the character's creators) of our board.
Rating: R (due to possible language and violence)
Notes: Some characters may be a bit out of character. Also, there are original characters within this fic, made up by the RPG players. This is a fic written by more then one author at a Haldir RPG board. Please read and review. We are anxious to know what everyone thinks of the fic! The fic may be a little confusing for it jumps around a little between our characters, but we hope you enjoy it none the less.
Restless Souls
Chapter Five: Near Death
Luhma hurried through the trees. Lord Celeborn had finally dismissed her and she was hurrying to get back to her room and meet Haldir. How she missed him! All she wanted at that moment was for him to hold her and comfort her. She was so worried and so scared at the same time. She was even more frightened now that Lord Celeborn had told her to run. But how could she? This was her friend, her protector, Pirotess. She could never run from her. But she would have to do as she was told.
As she ran, she suddenly frowned. Was her breathing becoming different? Uneven? No, it couldn't possibly be. That only happened to those of the race of Man. Suddenly she came to a halt and nearly fell over. Her hand went up to her chest as she struggled to breathe.
What's happening to me? she wondered. She glanced down at her wounded arm, the sleeve had been thrown back from when she stopped. The wound seemed to be getting worse. What's going on?
As she struggled to breathe, her ears picked up the sound of running footsteps. Then she began to fall to the ground and darkness descended. Haldir, was her last thought as she fell to the ground with a thud.
Then, vaguely, as she began to drift away she heard Galadriel's voice in her head... Urgent and worried: ::Luhma? Luhma?! Haldir, Falmarin, hurry!::
***************
With Haldir at her heels Falmarin ran into the clearing. Luhma lay sprawled across the path. Falmarin bent down to her placing her hand gently on her head.
Haldir knelt beside her to pick Luhma up.
"Wait, do not move her."
Falmarin took Luhma's arm and carefully examined the wound. Haldir was whispering soft words to his beloved.
"This is beyond our ability to heal my friend," she said placing her hand on his arm. "We have to clean this quickly; we must get her to Galadriel."
Haldir picked up Luhma and carried her to her room.
Falmarin poured water from the pitcher into a shallow bowl and found a cloth. Haldir laid Luhma on the bed.
"Here." She dipped the cloth into the bowl of water and handed it to Haldir. "Clean her wound. I will go find Galadriel."
***************
Falmarin glanced once more as she hurried out into the hall. She was so deep in thought that she nearly ran through Lord Celeborn.
"Falmarin. What's happened?" He took hold of her shoulders.
"There isn't time my Lord, I must find Lady Galadriel, Luhma has lost consciousness. I fear her wound is taking her."
Celeborn looked concerned, but let her go. "I will go to Haldir. Hurry Falmarin! Hurry!"
He hurried past her towards Luhma's room. Falmarin ran as fast as she could towards Galadriel's glade, the only place Falmarin could think to find her. But she hadn't even gotten halfway there when Galadriel came sweeping down the hallway. One of her handmaidens hurried along behind her with a tray filled with bowls of medicinal plants.
::Falmarin please lead the way.::
Galadriel had not spoken a word, but Falmarin heard her clearly.
"Yes, my lady."
So Falmarin hurried back the way she had come with Galadriel and her handmaiden following.
***************
Haldir stared down at Luhma as he quickly cleaned the wound with the wet cloth. He stared at it for a moment. It wasn't that deep, but it was deep enough. Why hadn't it healed?
"Luhma?" he asked softly. "Luhma?" When he got no reply he went back to cleaning the wound. Her skin looked so pale...almost pasty. He was afraid that she would die. She couldn't, not now! Not when he finally had her back.
"What's the matter with you?" he asked softly. "Why didn't you tell me?"
For a moment he could have sworn that he saw her lips move, but it must have been his imagination. Little did he know that she was slowly fading away from him. Each minute growing more closer to death.
Moments later, he heard the sounds of approaching footsteps. Falmarin must have found Lady Galadriel. He turned slightly and saw Lord Celeborn rush into the room. His lord looked down at the small elf lying on the bed, and gave a small sigh. Haldir went back to cleaning the wound, as the two male elves waited for the Lady and Falmarin.
***************
Galadriel stepped around the corner the very second that Falmarin almost turned. The Lady looked at her ::Falmarin please lead the way.:: she said in her mind. They made their into Luhma's room a moment later. Celeborn and Haldir were waiting for them.
Galadriel's handmaiden sat the bowel down next to the bed and as the Lady approached Luhma's side. She looked down at her a moment and closed her eyes, gently placing a hand on her handmaiden's forehead.
::Luhma?:: she asked. ::Luhma where are you?:: As she searched she could find no trace of the Elf....she was fading.
Galadriel's eyes snapped open. "We must hurry," she said aloud. "Luhma is slowly beginning to leave this reality." She gestured for the other handmaiden to drench a cloth in water, mixed with a few herbs. Then she took it and began to clean Luhma's wound.
"Let us hope that when Lord Elrond arrives, that he can help save Luhma!"
***************
Luhma was vaguely aware of what was going on around her. She could feel Lady Galadriel cleaning the wound with the herbal water that she had brought with her. She was unsure who was in the room with her, but she knew there were at least five of them present.
She felt dizzy. As if she were spiraling down into nothingness. Everything whirled around her. Then she felt as if she were getting lighter, and she heard a voice. A voice so familiar that it nearly surprised her.
::Luhma,:: the voice whispered. ::Luhma it is not your time to die. Do NOT make me come and shake you!::
"Pirotess?" Luhma asked.
::Who else would be here this way?:: came the sarcastic remark. ::You must allow yourself to heal. Let Lady Galadriel and Lord Elrond heal you. You need not be afraid Luhma, I am coming....::
Pirotess' voice drifted away and Luhma called out for her. "Pirotess?! Wait, come back!"
Then, once again, she was vaguely aware of what was going on around her body. Someone else had stepped into the room. It was Lord Elrond!
***************
Galadriel frowned when Luhma murmured a name in her unconscious state. Pirotess? She had heard Luhma speak that name before, but where? She glanced toward the others.
"Do any of you know who this Pirotess is?" she wanted to know.
Haldir and Falmarin shook their heads no. Celeborn frowned. Could this have been the Elf that Luhma had talked about?
"Pirotess?! Wait, come back!" Luhma cried.
Falmarin and Haldir looked at one another concerned. Then there was a sound in the doorway. And then turned to see Lord Elrond standing there. They all seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
Galadriel looked at the Lord of Rivendell and smiled as he crossed to the room to stand beside her, and look down at Luhma.
***************
Falmarin had taken a place next to Haldir, her hand resting on his shoulder. If Galadriel could not save Luhma, she knew of only one other who could. She desperately wished that Rivendell was not such a far distance, she could fetch Lord Elrond herself. Just as the thought passed her mind Galadriel spoke.
"We must hurry. Luhma is slowly beginning to leave this reality."
Falmarin gripped Haldir's shoulder tighter.
"Let us hope that when Lord Elrond arrives, that he can help save Luhma!"
With a flutter like a leaf in the wind Falmarin's heart leapt.
Galadriel must know he is coming, for she would not have said so unless it was true.
She only hoped Elrond's arrival would not be too late. She watched Luhma's face. Luhma's lips moved as she spoke a name, Pirotess.
Galadriel looked at her and the others.
"Do any of you know who Pirotess is?"
Falmarin had not heard that name before, she shook her head.
Suddenly Luhma cried out. "Pirotess?! Wait, come back!"
Haldir looked at Falmarin they exchanged a wordless look of concern.
A sound behind them in the doorway brought their eyes away from one another to fix on the one who held all their hopes of saving Luhma.
Lord Elrond's arrival was a comfort, but Luhma was not healed yet. Falmarin waited patiently at Haldir's side. Hoping that Elrond could heal her she breathed an inward sigh of relief. If she had any chance of being saved, Lord Elrond was the only one who could do it.
***************
Elrond's grey gaze roamed the area, pausing on those who stood in wait, and lingering on Galadriel before his eyes rested on the one in true Peril.
Glorfindel walked close behind Elrond, hoping to be of some help. He walked up to Luhma and stood back, watching Elrond begin the healing process.
With a nod of acknowledgment, Elrond moved to the girl's side, his practiced fingers moving over her body, checking vital signs. He placed the palm of his right hand against her forehead, murmuring softly, elven healing words to ease the chaos of her mind, to help her focus.
"Cloth, water, herbs," he muttered quietly to those nearby. "Cold to attend the wound and hot for a tea."
***************
Galadriel nodded toward the handmaiden that had carried her bowl along for her. Quickly the handmaiden sprang into action. Luhma had been a friend of hers and she would do anything to help heal her. Galadriel turned her glance toward Haldir.
::Haldir find some cloth!:: she ordered. Immediately he went to look through Luhma's drawers. Instantly he found what he was looking for and placed some on the bed in front of Elrond. It was cloth that Luhma kept around incase he himself was ever injured.
Galadriel turned to look at Falmarin. ::Get some hot water, Falmarin!:: Quickly she hurried away to do as she was asked. Moments later she reappeared. The water that Galadriel had brought with her was already cold, and Galadriel's handmaiden was setting out the different herbs that they had brought with them, for Elrond.
Slowly Galadriel stepped back out of Elrond's way and allowed his to take over and save her handmaiden's life!
***************
Galadriel stood at the window, looking out onto the light forests. Her mind was heavy with pain and sorrow, she didn't want to turn and look at Luhma. When she now again glared around, she spotted a rider coming through the entrance. It was an Elf on the back of a gray horse.
::Who are you and where do you come from, fair stranger:: she asked silently.
The rider pulled hard on the reins to stop the horse and jumped from its back. She looked around wildly to find the source of this voice. It didn't take long until she found Galadriel upon the balcony, leaning against the windowsill.
The Elf could not utter the words in her mind, for she was weary and tired, but she hurried towards the guards on the doors to lead her to the Lady of Light.
Standing in front of her, she couldn't take her eyes off her beauty, but the pain so obviously showing on her face made her answer the questions at first.
"My name is Márovaí, and I come from the Forests of Mirkwood. I bring news of a stranger in our woods..."
***************
Luhma twitched under Elrond's healing hands. Causing him to pause and frown down at her. She had sensed the presence of the arrival of the new elf Márovaí. Then she felt another presence, or rather she felt Glorfindel move closer toward her. The Elf-lord was there to help and assist Elrond.
Luhma twitched again, and her small body jerked against the bed...something was happening!
When Luhma started to twitch under Elrond's hands Glorfindel quickly went over to Luhma and began holding her down. All throughout the time Glorfindel was very worried about the well being of the small elf.
Elrond and Glorfindel quickly restrained her.
***************
Elrond's frown deepened, speaking quietly to his patient, trying to reassure her, bring her back to the light while his free hand worked the healing waters over the wound.
"Galadriel, perhaps a friendly, familiar voice would help..."
He then let Glorfindel hold her a moment as he prepared the tea.
***************
Falmarin was beginning to feel as if she were in the way, but did not wish to leave Haldir. His distress was growing stronger as Luhma began to convulse. Falmarin had to grab his shoulder to keep him back.
"Be still Haldir, Lord Elrond will heal her."
She only hoped she was right.
Galadriel had stepped out onto the balcony and Falmarin sensed that her inability to heal Luhma -- had left her feeling vulnerable in a way she had never felt before.
Falmarin waited once more as Elrond administered treatment. Haldir's face twisted with sadness as Luhma convulsed again. Glorfindel restrained her tiny body, and Falmarin felt Haldir tense up.
Perhaps I should get some water for everyone, I can see no other use for myself.
She whispered to Haldir that she would return quickly and made her way out into the hall.
***************
"Does anyone know where the Orc that wounded her came from?" Glorfindel asked the crowd that seemed to be growing around Luhma.
***************
Elrond continued his administrations, calmly dampening the cloth and trying to get the girl to drink the healing tea...He had seen too much battle, to many wounds to let this disturb his calm though he was a bit worried.
"Come back to the light," he whispered again and again, wiping her brow, stroking the sides of her ears, trying to bring her back to awareness.
***************
Haldir thought that he would go crazy if he didn't do or say something. Falmarin was not there at the moment to calm him and reassure him that Elrond could save Luhma.
Finally Glorfindel said something that he could answer: "Does anyone know where the Orc that wounded her came from?"
"We are unsure," he said. "They did not look like any Orcs we have seen before. They kept trying to test our borders, but after a while they went away. They look stronger then any Orc I have ever seen before, and they were walking in the Sun light!"
***************
Elrond paused long enough to look at Haldir for a moment. Glorfindel looked up as well. This was definitely news to them. They never even seen such Orcs on their journey to Lothlorien.
Before anyone could say another word, they all turned to look at Luhma. She had just muttered something. Two names: "Uruk Hai...Nazgul...."
Elrond gave a small smile, she was beginning to return to them...
***************
Luhma felt like she had come to an abrupt halt, in her downward spiral into further darkness. Then she began to hear Elrond's voice. Slowly, she began to move toward the sound of his voice. The closer she got the more she felt the pain of her wound.
Then she paused. She could hear Pirotess again. ::Good girl Luhma...Come back to the living world. I will be with you soon...just follow Elrond's voice...::
As she grew nearer to consciousness she was aware of the hands that were holding her down on the bed, and Elrond taking care of her wound. Then she felt someone take her hand comfortingly....Galadriel. The Lady of the Golden Woods gently stroked her hand, urging her to return while Elrond completed his task with her wound.
Finally she opened her eyes, and snapped them shut. The light was too blinding! It hurt and stung her eyes.
***************
Word of Luhma's sudden illness had spread and many of the elves of Galadriel and Celeborn's household stood in the hallway whispering to one another.
As they saw her they grew silent. Falmarin gave no thought to the stranger being escorted by guards towards where Luhma lay ill, as they passed her.
Soon she found one of the small springs and filled a tall pitcher and gathered goblets on a tray and brought them back to Luhma's room.
When she entered the crowded room her heart leapt....
***************
Elrond smiled gently at his patient. "Easy...Your eyes will adjust in time. Breath deeply and relax your body. I want you to drink this tea when you can," he murmured.
The elven lord stroked her hair a moment and then continued carefully cleansing the wound. "You gave us quite a scare."
***************
Falmarin hurried into the room as Luhma began to stir. She set the tray down on a table, her quest to get water forgotten.
Haldir stood up from where he had been sitting helpless and pushed his way to the bedside. Lord Elrond stepped aside a bit to allow Haldir to see his wife.
Falmarin went to the bedside as well, looking over Haldir's shoulder as he sat on the bedside beside his wife. Luhma had regained some color, which Falmarin was pleased to note.
***************
A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I have yet to officially edit this chapter, so please ignore any spelling mistakes. I don't have the time right, but I will get to it eventually...
Chapter Six will hopefully be up soon! We've had a bit of an accident and lost a few chapters, but thanks to our dear Elladan and Elrohir, we were able to continue because the chapters were saved for entertainment! Please review. We would like to know your thoughts!!