Haldir's senses were acutely attuned to the forest around him. His eyes scanned purposefully over the forest floor, searching for any conspicuous movement. His sharp ears highly tuned to the forests sounds. His skin made him aware of the slightest change in the wind or temperature. All was calm.
Lady Galadriel told him to expect her new handmaiden to come, traveling from Rivendell. There had been no sign of the elf maiden yet. His brother, Rhúmil, sat tensely, also waiting for any sign of trouble. "Do you think she will come today?" He muttered.
They had been waiting to escort the newcomer to the presence of the Lady for three days now and were both tired of waiting. Haldir held up his hand for silence, he heard a sound. It was still far off, but it was unmistakably the sound of a horse's footfalls. A few minutes later, into the clearing proudly stepped a pure white stallion, his head erect, nostrils flaring. Upon his back sat a hooded figure, definitely elfen for she rode with no strap or binding of any kind, guiding the excited creature with the faintest of whisperings. She was not from any neighboring settlements, though, for she carried a dagger bearing designs of a bature that he had never seen before upon its hilt.
He dropped out of the tree just in front of the prancing horse, causing it to rear upon its hind legs in defense. The rider stayed on easily, calmly waiting until her steed had calmed to unfurl her face.
He saw there a lightly drawn face, its expression cold and stone-like. She had wavy sandy-colored hair and light gray eyes which pierced into him.
He stepped back, indicating he had no weapon drawn, and greeted the maiden, "I am Haldir, Keeper of Lothlorien. Her ladyship awaits your presence."
She glared at him, declaring sternly yet softly, "It would suit you well next time to not jump in front of my horse like that. He has slain many wild animal when they tried such a stunt. I am D'immaren Calaelen, but you may call me Élharma."
He bowed. By this time Rhúmil had joined them. Introducing himself, he told her, "We are to escort you to Lady Galadriel's court. If you will please follow us, it is but a short distance."
Haldir smiled at Élharma before he turned to join his brother. She met his smile with an icy stare.
Élharma sat watching these two elves before her. Inwardly she scowled sourly, 'I hope I don't have to put up with these two much when I am waiting on the Lord and Lady. They seem to be insolent'.
Her gaze was drawn in some unexplainable way to the taller one; he had introduced himself as Haldir. He strode proudly, His slender but muscular form moving smoothly through the wood. 'I could come to like that one, IF I could like anyone'. But she knew she couldn't.
They arrived at the door to the great hall shortly after the midday meal; Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn were inside, waiting patiently for the trio.
Élharma delicately dismounted her horse, whispering something in his ear. With a sound smack on his rump, she sent him galloping wildly into the wood. Haldir and Rhúmil stood on each side of her, as was the custom, offering her their arm up the flight of stair. Icily, she accepted their aide to the hall but once inside she walked as if alone, her hands hanging ready at her sides.
Élharma walked to the Lord and Lady, bowing to one knee she took the lady's hand and kissed it, "I am forever indebted to you, my lady for your kindness to one that is not of your blood and also cursed by the Miiran."
Galadriel bent and kissed the young maiden's head. Saying in her soft voice, "You will become as a daughter to me, a daughter blessed to have been gifted with the song of the Miiran running in her veins."
Élharma's eyes looked curiously at Galadriel, 'no one has ever mentioned the Miiran as a gift, especially not a blessing', She thought, 'I hope she means what she says.
In her mind she heard Galadriel's thoughts chime into her own, 'She does mean it, you are blessed to have such a gift, and I will help you to discover your many other gifts and talents. I warn you though; it will be hard and may cause you some pain'.
Élharma raised and eyebrow, mentally responding to Galadriel, 'I am not afraid of pain. Furthermore, I welcome It'.
She straightened to find a tear drip down the Lady's fair cheek. Embarrassed at having such an effect on the Lady of the Light but refusing to reveal so, she asked, "Might I be shown to my room? I require rest."
Haldir and Rhúmil offered their guidance once more, and she coldly accepted, allowing them to show her to her new quarters.
When they had left, Lord Celeborn comforted his lady, "What upset you, my Lady?" She wept openly upon his shoulder, "She has so much pain in her young heart. No one knows this because she hides it beneath her shell of ice."