Author's Note: Special thanks goes out to my Beta Buddy, Wendy, for all her time & effort in helping me with my story. Enjoy!
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Chapter 14 – QUESTS & QUESTIONS
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Celeborn and Galadriel had brought Ciriáran, the Telerin King, back to Caras Galadhon to stay with them. Most of his Royal Guard had entered the City of Trees along with the Mariner King.
But the vast majority of the Telerin Elves, due to their numbers, remained camped out upon the Anduin plain. The people of Lorien brought what provisions they could out to the Telerins, lembas, fresh fruit and whatever other comforts could be spared. But for the most part, the Telerins were self-reliant; during the course of the long journey from their homeland, they had grown accustomed to this nomadic lifestyle. Being Elves, they enjoyed sleeping under the open night sky and obtaining what they needed from nature.
Becoming the wielder of Artanis, had gained Taelyra immediate membership into the King's personal protectorate. Now, however, she remained behind with her kinsfolk, rather than accompany the King to Lorien with the rest of the Royal Guard: Ciriáran knew that the presence of the treasured sword and its wielder would strengthen the hearts of his people.
As the royal entourage prepared to depart from the plain, Taelyra told Haldir that she was remaining behind and bade him farewell. Haldir's duty was to escort the Lord and Lady back to the Golden Wood. As he mounted Nénharma, he looked down upon Taelyra lovingly. She reached up and grasped his hand, he squeezed it quickly and released it but their fingertips gently lingered in contact with each other. It was a swift and subtle, loving gesture that went unnoticed by all but Taelyra's father.
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Daintáro was most impressed with the magnificence of Caras Galadhon. His heart felt strengthened being within the elvish stronghold and amongst the beauty of this ancient realm. But his mind kept returning to that briefest of touches that his daughter and the Lorien Captain had shared.
Although it had been an innocent display of affection, he sensed a powerful bond lay between the two young Elves. When he'd first seen Taelyra again after several weeks apart, he had noted immediately that she seemed more grounded: she emanated calmness and confidence. He'd thought that perhaps it was the result of accomplishing her mission successfully; now, however he had a nagging feeling that it had more to do with Haldir.
As Celeborn, Galadriel and Ciriáran took private counsel, Daintáro followed his sons to the quarters that he would share with them.
"What do you know of this Captain of the Guard?" he asked when they were out of earshot of the Lorien sentinels.
Rumil and Kieran exchanged quick glances, anticipating what their father was about to hone in on.
"We've only been acquainted with him a short time, father," replied Kieran.
"But he seems to be a respected leader and a dedicated protector of the Lord and Lady," offered Rumil.
They reached their rooms; Daintáro cast his small travel pack upon the bed provided for him and began to unbuckle his sword belt. He was a physically powerful man. At 8,000 years of age, he had lightning-quick reflexes and formidable strength. He tossed his broad sword down upon the bed as well, and turned to his sons.
"And what do you know of Haldir's relationship with Taelyra?"
Rumil gulped. His father's swiftness in assessing situations combined with his unblinking directness never ceased to amaze him.
"Well," began Kieran vaguely, turning to Rumil for support.
"I think you should speak of the matter directly with Taelyra," stated Rumil matter-of-factly.
"I intend to. However, I wanted to gather information from you, her beloved brothers, before doing so."
Kieran noted his father's carefully chosen words, his meaning did not go unheeded. While it was true that Taelyra held the champion sword of their people, within their small and close-knit family Daintáro still expected his sons to look out for their younger sister.
"Father," Kieran replied. "We have noticed Taelyra's attachment to the Lorien Captain. She has, only recently, begun spending a great deal of time with him."
"Taelyra encountered Haldir when she first entered the Golden Realm, and they fought the Orcs and Wargs we told you of together. He brought Taelyra here when she was injured and ensured she was healed and has kept her safe."
Daintáro nodded thoughtfully at this. "Have you seen to her training with Artanis? She cannot put aside duty for a romantic entanglement."
"We have done so, father," said Rumil. "Taelyra has fully recovered from her wound and she was most eager to resume training with us upon our arrival."
"Good. She will fight alongside us against the coming evil and then we will all sail together to the Undying Lands."
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After spending a day and a half upon the Anduin Plain, Taelyra had returned to Caras Galadhon in order to attend the feast being held to honour the King Ciriáran.
Now Taelyra wandered silently down the quiet, wooded path. She sought tranquility in order to digest all the information she had received this evening.
Firstly, the Lord and Lady had called all the Telerin high elves together in order to tell them of the strange Fellowship that had passed through the Lorien Realm only a few weeks ago, its mission to destroy the One Ring of Power.
The creation and purpose of the One Ring had been made clear to them all. It was undeniable that Sauron's Ring must be un-made at the place of its origin, Mount Doom in Mordor. But it baffled Taelyra that such a monumental task should be entrusted to a race of creatures, described as being small and peaceable, as those called Hobbits.
Hobbits must have great, brave hearts indeed, wondered Taelyra, to face such formidable foes and obstacles, as those that the Dark Lord would cast before them.
And what an odd band of comrades had been assembled to aid the four Hobbits. Two men of noble birth, a Dwarf – Taelyra knew not what a Dwarf was, she had never encountered one – and one Elf. One single Elf in the whole party, she marvelled. Granted, he was the King of Mirkwood's son and, apparently, a highly capable warrior. But to have only one Elf along on such a challenge seemed incomprehensible to her.
The ninth member of the Fellowship did sound extraordinary though. A wizard named Gandalf, who possessed mystical and ancient powers. Taelyra had never met any wizards before either; their abilities were unknown to her. But Galadriel's description of Gandalf's strengths and skills reminded her of the powers of Artanis. Powers that Taelyra barely comprehended but knew existed, flowing within the great sword's metal.
The Lady's explanation of Gandalf's transformation from near-death, after his battle with the Balrog, to his rebirth allowing him to fulfill his purpose in the Quest, reminded Taelyra of her own mystical metamorphosis when she was younger. Her own personal quest, which had ended in her establishing herself as Artanis' Wielder.
Strange days, indeed. As fantastic as these stories and beings had sounded, no one present at the meal could deny the feeling that all good creatures and forces in Middle Earth were banding together in defence against the Dark Lord's aggressions.
After the meal, Daintáro had drawn Taelyra aside and asked that she take a walk with him. During their evening stroll, he had enquired about all that had happened to her during their time apart.
Taelyra loved her father dearly and was glad to be in his company again but she couldn't help but feel he was directing the conversation with a specific aim in mind. She knew that Kieran and Rumil had briefed him on much of the information that she was now repeating to him. Finally, his goal became clear as he asked repeatedly about Haldir.
They had arrived at a small, cascading brook. The rush of the water was like music amongst the leaves of the surrounding trees. Taelyra had taken a deep breath and turned to face her father.
"We are deeply in love with each other."
His expression had been unreadable. She could not tell if he had been pleased or not. However, he asked her no further questions and soon after had bade her goodnight.
Now, as she wandered into a clearing, she found herself at the base of the great mallorn tree that housed Haldir's quarters. Seeing light emanating from within, she climbed the steps to his rooms.