Chapter 9 – SWORDPLAY
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"I have missed you so!" Taelyra exclaimed to her two brothers.
"How have you fared, dear sister?" asked Kieran excitedly.
The three tall Elves were walking through the shimmering woods, arms intertwined.
"Well," began Taelyra, "the Lord and Lady, and indeed all their Lorien kindred, have been most warm and welcoming."
Rumil couldn't suppress a laugh. "Warm and welcoming is not exactly the way I'd describe these Elves."
"The Lorien Elves are both proud and brave," Taelyra admitted, "wise and noble. But yes, they are very reserved compared to our kind."
She stopped beneath a great arching mallorn tree. "I have missed you both, and father, most terribly."
In turns, both Kieran and Rumil embraced her warmly.
"We are relieved to find you safe here," Rumil said after hugging his younger sister. "Tell us how you arrived here and all that has happened since we parted."
They sat beneath the enormous tree and listened to their sister's tale.
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Haldir was walking past the large clearing when he heard the ringing of steel. It sounded like swordplay. He was in a hurry to return to his chambers to bathe and dress for the evening's festivities but he was curious who was fighting in the meadow. He peered through the tall ferns.
Taelyra stood with her back to him, watching her brothers' parry. Her stance was relaxed, she stood with her weight shifted to one foot, making her hips sway to one side, she held a long knife casually at her other side. Haldir thought the pose most alluring.
He shook his head slightly and focussed on the male Elves' fighting. Were their skills equal to those of the Galadhrim?
They were quick. Their swords' clashing rang out through the wood. They fought just as they conversed, with great passion and assurance. Haldir's heart soared at the sight of such impressive warriors, he hoped they were representative of the Telerin forces to come.
Abruptly, Rumil turned from his brother and engaged Taelyra who brought her knife up in defence with lightning quick reflexes. She deflected his blows backing up towards the brush where Haldir was standing. They halted just short of the ferns, as Taelyra stopped her brother's advances and began her own offensive. She regained the ground lost and was attempting to disarm Rumil when he fell into laughter.
"Well, I see your injuries have not diminished your sword skills," as he staggered back winded from the skirmish.
Haldir couldn't resist a proud smile, his presence was noticed by Kieran. "Haldir!" he shouted.
Haldir was forced to step from the underbrush and enter the meadow. He smiled at the three siblings and complimented them on their fighting skills. He noticed the colour in Taelyra's fine cheekbones – she was flushed from the fight and coppery wisps of her hair fell about her face. Her lips were crimson and slightly parted as she was breathing somewhat heavily from the exercise. She looked ravishing.
"Our sister tells us that you saved her from a slow and somewhat watery death after a scuffle with a warg," declared Rumil.
Haldir smiled modestly, "I think your sister would have endured without me. But I was glad to have helped her and personally escort her into the City of Trees."
"I think you are being somewhat humble," challenged Kieran.
"Or possibly evasive," suggested Rumil.
Taelyra shifted on her feet uneasily.
"We have an ancient law," continued Rumil laughing, "that states that by saving a Teleri Elf's life is to make them yours forever."
Kieran laughed and Taelyra cringed slightly.
Haldir looked questioningly at Rumil; he did not understand his meaning.
"Once you've saved another Elf's life," Rumil explained,"she is pledged to you forever."
Rumil laughed as he clapped Haldir on the back. Haldir, for his part, looked disconcerted.
"Of course," grinned Kieran,"we wouldn't uphold that law, Haldir. We wouldn't wish our sister on anyone who wasn't born bound to her."
Taelyra thought in two short strides she could be at Kieran's side, grasp his tongue and cut it out in one quick move. The fleeting image left her mind and was replaced with mortification as Haldir laughed, quite insincerely, and bid them good-bye. He mumbled something about 'things to do before the feast'.
Taelyra's cheeks flamed as she tried to control her urge to butt Rumil over the head with the hilt of her knife.
"Oh Tae," Rumil laughed as he noted the furious blush of her face, "we were just jesting."
"It's all in fun Tae," Kieran added giving her a quick hug around the shoulders.
Taelyra felt deflated. Not only had Haldir not found the joke funny, he had looked postively horrified at even a jest about being bound to her.
She sighed sadly as she handed the knife to Kieran and exited the meadow.
Kieran and Rumil both looked at each other and shrugged.
"Want to try disarming me?" asked Kieran.
"Gladly," replied Rumil as they began circling each other.
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The leaves of the enormous trees trembled with the vitality of the Elven voices below. It was a great gathering of the high ranks of the Lorien Elves. Fine wines sat uncorked and resting on the enormous hardwood table that was draped in handsome linens and topped with the exquisitely hand-crafted silverware and glass of the Golden Wood.
Haldir stood conversing with Celeborn about his recent sightings across the plains of Rohan.
"Clearly, a great battle has been waged upon the plains. But who the victor was, we know not yet," stated Haldir.
"Hopefully," replied Celeborn, "the scouts will find Gandalf or at least someone of trust, who can tell us of Gandalf's movements."
"What news from our kindred in Rivendell?" asked Haldir.
"The Lord Elrond reports sensing an energy most foul emanating from Isengard. Ill news we expect. Saruman's will has grown depraved and twisted."
Haldir frowned at this information.
"We fear," continued Celeborn,"that the wizard may have fallen into league with the Dark Lord."
"That could mean a potential battle from two fronts," said Haldir, his frown deepening,"How will we defend attacks from both East and West?"
"We should speak of the matter with our newly arrived kindred," suggested Celeborn,"perhaps they can lend the support we need."
Celeborn looked up smiling as Rumil and Kieran entered the room. They were clad in the fine silver and white clothes that Galadriel had gifted them.
Haldir smiled at the sight of them. Indeed, it was his heart's hope that the coming Teleri people would be a fighting force to be reckoned with. However, all thoughts of battle strategy left his mind as his breath caught in his throat.
Immediately behind Rumil and Kieran, followed Taelyra. She glided gracefully into the room and smiled joyfully at seeing Galadriel. Taelyra was wearing a pale grey gown, made up of layers of gossamer fabric. It followed her curves, gracefully flowing from a deeply cut neckline bordered with an intertwining silver-threaded pattern. The gown accentuated her trim waist with a fine silver chain; the fabric grazed her slim hips and then flowed down to swirl about her feet.
Her hair was pulled up gracefully with tendrils that fell whispering about her fine, pointed ears and long, elegant neck. She looked positively breathtaking. He tore his gaze from her before it became a gawking stare. He was sure he could not mask the desire that rose within him like a tidal surge.
He took a deep breath and strode forward to welcome Taelyra and her brothers. The Elves began to take their seats at the great table. This was going to be a long night, thought Haldir.
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