Thanks Lady Legolas for visiting my web page and signing my guest book!
FYI: I am almost done with this story, and I will be submitting a sequal as soon as this one is finished.
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Chapter 24 The big question.
A knock upon the door. Who could it be? What could they want? She did not want to see anyone. She wished they would just go away. She did not answer the knock. She wanted to be alone. They would go away eventually.
The knock continued.
She lifted her head from the tear-stained coverlet for the first time in hours. The suns rays, as it filtered in upon her balcony, indicated that it was almost sunset. The sky was just beginning to darken, to change color. Her tears had darkened the coverlet upon the bed, and her hair had dried in a frizzy knot. The dress that just a few hours before had seemed so enjoyable to wear on such a sunny day, now felt stiff and cold against her skin. It made her ashamed that she had gone out in the open with such a revealing neckline, and it pained her to know that so much of her marred skin had been apparent to spectators.
Unconsciously, she reached a hand over her shoulder and fingered the scarred flesh at the base of her neck.
They were right. How could he love me now? Elves are supposed to be the fairest in all of Arda. And look at me: I am blemished, marked, scarred. I don't expect him to even want to look at me now! Will he even speak to me?
She thought darkly, drawing the covers comfortingly about her bare shoulders.
The knocking continued.
Breaking out of her reverie, she went to the drawers in search of a cloak with witch to hide her blemished flesh. Opening the bureau that contained her favorite such tops, she paused when her eyes beheld the mirithril crown and silver wrought scepter of her mother's house.
I don't deserve these gifts now; I don't deserve such a heritage.
Bitterly, she pushed the artifacts aside, hurriedly finding a suitable mantle of pale blue, and tossed it about her shoulders. Going to the door, she flung it open with a flourish.
There stood Haldir, a concerned look on his face.
The sight of the other one standing there caught each one so off-guard that they just stood there staring at one another for a few moments, stunned and unmoving.
"Élhar…" Haldir began questioningly.
The door slammed.
She did not mean to let it go, her hand simply went numb. The sight of him had rendered her momentarily incoherent. He was so commanding, so beautiful, and so perfect. His hair, always combed straight and flawlessly braided, lay in thick layers upon his strong shoulders. And his eyes, eyes that she could loose herself in, eyes that could both pierce, freeze, and melt all at the same time. Eyes that would eventually see the flaws and imperfections of her body.
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He stood there, mouth agape, staring at the now- closed door.
Her eyes! They were clear, and focused, and….
His heart leapt with joy. He had come fully prepared to see her either with the bandages still engulfing her head, or to find out that she was permanently blind. But, surprise: Neither of those would be his reality! And what a sweet surprise it was. He did not care that he was now standing again staring at her closed door, for the impeccable image of her beauty still stood, wreathed in a background of the sunset, in front of him, burned into his mind forever.
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She knew that he would have to find out sooner or later. She took a deep, calming breath. It did not help; her heart was racing a mile a minute.
She opened the door.
"Arwen????!!!!!" She asked in disbelief.
The elf princess, who had just approached the door, grinned, "That would be me!" She stood back and eyed Élahrma curiously, "What is wrong? You look as if you just seen the dead walk!"
Élharma, who had just stood there, her mouth agape, mentally shook herself, "Wha…? Where is Haldir?"
Arwen laughed slightly, "Oh, I sent him home. You should have seen him, Élharma--- He was staring at your door (for what reason, I haven't a clue) in such a shock that I could have knocked him over with a feather!"
"Why did you send him home?" Élharma asked, more than a little confused.
"Because. He needs, just like you, to get some rest, and then he needs to get cleaned up for the council that you have been summoned to tomorrow." Arwen bounced into the room happily.
Élharma let the door shut behind the elf, "What council??? Why?"
"Well, silly, that is why I am here! Galadriel called us all here, she said that it was some sort of emergency and Lord Tharanduil, Elrond and Celeborn all needed to talk with you and Haldir about whatever you saw in the land of Rohan."
She clucked her tongue, "And I do say, we have an awful lot of work ahead of us! You are a mess!!!"
"I went swimming." Élharma admitted soberly
"And you did not brush your hair out before it dried, did you?"
Élharma shook her head, relieved to have Arwen to help her get going, but at the same time desperately disappointed that Haldir was not there.
"And your clothes! My goodness, Élharma, what are we going for? Beggar?" Arwen scolded teasingly.
Before Élharma thoroughly understood what was happening, Arwen had pulled the mantle from the maiden's shoulders.
Élharma stood there, feeling naked and exposed as Arwen gasped, "Élharma- your back! What did they do to your back? Oh my…"
Élharma fidgeted, moving away from the princess slightly, well aware that the dress that had seemed so perfect just that morning, actually flaunted her disfigurement. It made her cheeks warm at the thought of having walked in a public place clad in such a revealing article of clothing.
Arwen, not noticing her friend's obvious discomfort, moved closer, "You know, those scars really aren't as bad as they look at first!" She finally exclaimed.
Élharma frowned, "I can't go out like this. I can't go out at all."
Arwen, catching the desperation in her companion's voice replied, "Of course you can!"
"I disagree." Élharma replied, looking at the ground.
"Well, I think that you will come weather you like it or not!" Arwen exclaimed, "I don't know what evil, and most untrue thoughts are in your head, but one thing I know is that even if you have some scars, you are still one of the fairest elf in all of arda. And I am not just saying that. You hold a beauty that I have never seen before."
Élharma did not believe the princess, and refused to meet the piercing blue gaze.
"ACK! You can be so stubborn sometimes!" Arwen exclaimed, pushing the maiden into a seat and arming herself with one of Élharma's thickly bristled brushes.
"How do you think I put up with you for so long?" Élharma asked
"Hey!" Arwen laughed
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"Explain to me again why I am here and not where I REALLY want to be right now? With Élharma?" Haldir asked sharply, his lips drawn tightly over his teeth.
Elladen rolled his eyes, "There is to be a meeting, a conference, if you will, with all of the elfin lords. They need the information you gleaned from your time in the land of men." The princeling said, saying the word 'men' with distaste, spitting it out of his mouth like it was a rotten piece of meat
"I already told the Lord and Lady of Imladris," He pulled away from the elf, "so," He walked to the door, "I am marching myself back to her door, and this time you will keep your sticky little hands off of me!"
Rhumil, a sour expression on his face, put his hands on his hips and tapped a toe, "Even if you go right now, Élharma is on her way to the meeting herself! You would just find an empty room," He jerked Haldir into a chair, and began handing him various pieces of food, "And I know that you are most likely hungry, and tired! SO SIT DOWN AND RELAX!"
Haldir scowled, "Fine! But only if you promise to leave me alone after this meeting is over with."
Elladen held up his hands in defeat.
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Élharma squirmed, "OUCH!" flinching as Arwen loosened one of the rather large knots that had formed in her tresses.
"Hold still!" Arwen commanded in a voice that would not take no for an answer
"I wish I had your hair Arwen. Then this would not be such a problem." Élharma gasped, as her head was jerked roughly back.
"Your." She gave the lock a yank, "Hair" She pulled, "Is" She wrenched at the tangles, "Beautiful!" She finished jubilantly, finally working the brush through the long strands.
Élharma pouted, "But I never had so much trouble brushing your hair! *ouch*
I *ouch*
never *ow*
had *eech*
to *oww*
yank *oww*
your *oww*
hair *oww*
so *oww*
HARD!"
Arwen, through gritted teeth replied, "I never let my hair dry in knots!"
Élharma winced, waiting for the torture to finish. Soon, the tangles dissipated and Arwen brushed Élahrma's waist- length curls as easily as if they were made of butter. Deftly, she put two tiny braids in the maiden's hair, one behind each ear, I the traditional style for any social gathering. Leaving the rest hang loose, Élharma noticed with satisfaction, that it covered her back and shoulders from any prying eyes.
"Now, lets get you into something a little more presentable." Arwen said as she began digging through Élharma's wardrobe.
She brought out one of a gauzy material in a lithe mauve color. She held it against Élharma's chest, "I think this one will do nicely!"
Élharma grimaced, "No! Absolutely not!"
Arwen, her eyebrows practically reaching her hairline, asked, "Why? It is a beautiful light gown!"
Élharma took the dress and presented the back to the princess, revealing a very low, very open back, "I really don't want to be accenting by back right now, my dear."
Arwen pouted, "But the color is so perfect for you, and the cut is so cute!"
"No"
"please?"
"No"
"Pretty please"
"absolutely, positively NO!"
"Fine." Arwen frowned as she spun back towards the closet.
When she re-emerged, she was carrying a dark purple dress, it was a soft linen and had a high neck, long billowing sleeves and a simple yet comfortable bodice.
"That is more like it!" Élahrma said as she quickly slipped into the flowing material.
"I still liked the other one better." Arwen groused
"I don't want to hear about it." Élahrma said, regaining some of her composure.
She felt more comfortable now, knowing that very little of her blemished skin was actually showing to the prying eye.
"Lets get out of here. Lady Galadriel is waiting for us in her inner chambers."
The two maidens set forth together.
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They arrived to the Lady's inner chambers of Lorien shortly thereafter. Tharanduil and his son Legolas, Elrond and both of his sons, Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel, and Haldir, captain of the guard were there.
"Welcome, child. Please, take a seat." Galadriel greeted quietly.
Élharma did so, feeling many pairs of eyes watching as she seated herself in the only chair left: right next to Haldir.
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He watched her walk in and his mouth almost fell open. She was the epitome of beauty, surpassing the meaning of such a simple word so thoroughly that he did not have a word in his vocabulary to describe the effect she had upon his senses. She was more beautiful than anything he had ever seen in all of Arda, and his heart yearned to make her his own.
Soon, the meeting got underway, and immediately Haldir and Élharma were called forth to testify as to their experience in the land of men. When they had finished, they took their perspective seats, and it was the lord and lady's turns to discuss amongst themselves the actions that would need to be taken.
Haldir listened half – heartedly, unable to think of anything except for the beauty that had descended upon the chair to his right. She was incredible, her hair shone with an inner light, casting golden rays about the room. Her alabaster skin, though marked by their recent journeys was still breathtaking in its beauty. Her eyes, now a pale green mist, swirled and changed, its color ranging from pewter to lavender to dark green to the palest of blue. Such incredible eyes. Eyes that held him under their spell, pulling at him, calling him to make them his own.
At the end of the meeting, Élharma left quickly, not wanting to stay any more time under Haldir's piercing gaze. Haldir, unfortunately, was sidelined as Lord Tharanduil addressed him, "Haldir."
He turned to the lord reluctantly, "Yes, my lord?"
"I will be sending five hundred of my finest archers to be at your disposal as Lorien is under this threat." The lord commanded
"Your offer is accepted, and much appreciated. Unfortunately, I must be going." Haldir said hurriedly, desperately fleeing the chambers in the direction that Élharma had gone.
Unfortunately, Élharma was nowhere to be seen, so he made his way to her chambers.
The door was unlocked, so he pushed it gently open, "Élahrma?"
There was no answer, so he went in, "Élharma?"
Before him was a small room, containing one bed, a set of drawers and a closet. Élharma was nowhere to be seen. Just as he turned to leave, something bright and shining caught his eye from one of the drawers that had been left partially open. Curious, he investigated. Much to his surprise, what he pulled from the depths of the drawer was a delicate circlet of Mirithril, one not unlike the one Elrond wore, all except the small green gem inlayed into the design, and the inscription upon the inside of the headband. It read:
Upon the head of the princess, heir of Maeglin
The lost realm of the high elves
Shall this crown reside
Her mind shall be clothed in the valor
The valor of the blood of her lineage
And in her heart shall reside honor
And in her heart shall reside truth
And another inscription, in smaller, less refined writing read:
To my precious daughter
I shall love you from the depths of Valinor
Through all of eternity
Gilraen Calaelen
I love you, my precious daughter
Haldir, for some reason unknown to him, placed the circlet not back in the drawer, but in the pouch that hung from his belt.
Leaving, he found Unomial, one of the house servants, and asked her if she had seen Élharma. The maiden pointed out towards the gardens, and Haldir quickly thanked her and went quickly out the doors.
He felt her, she was near. His mind reached out to her. He followed that feeling until he found her, alone in a secluded glade, dancing to the music of the waterfall and with the music of the piping birds.
He wasted no time, refusing to be interrupted again. He was tired of being interrupted.
"Élharma?" He called softly, stepping into her range of vision
She stopped dancing and looked at him cautiously, "Yes…?"
This is it, either now or never. A voice said inside his head
Now. Definitely now. He could not even begin to think of never. Never was definitely not an option.
He walked up to her, kneeling he took her small, slightly trembling hands in his own and asked, "D'immaren Calaelen; Élharma, my love, will you bind yourself to me? Will you become my elf wife and reside with me as long as eternity prevails?"
A pause
…
…
…
…
…
She took a deep breath, a tear forming at the corner of her enchantingly lavender eyes.
"You don't know what you are asking." She murmured and looked away.
"I think that I have been rather straightforward. Will you bind to me and I with you? It is an easy question." He said softly, desperately.
"You don't understand," She paused, "I have been made imperfect, I have been blemished."
He raised an eyebrow, not understanding.
She knelt in front of him and, turning her back to him, bared the upper half of it. He saw the scars, weaving their ugly way through her skin.
He gasped slightly, for he had never seen such severe scarring on anything.
She turned back to face him, tears now streaming down her face as she looked away, "I am imperfect. I don't deserve you. You could do so much better than me."
He stopped, cold with shock, refusing to believe what he was just hearing. She was REFUSING him? Just because of some silly scars?
Standing, he drew her to stand in front of him, "Élharma, you are gravely mistaken. It is I who doesn't deserve you," He pulled the mirithril circlet from his bag and placed it lightly upon her silken head, "Élharma, princess and heir to the throne of the elfin realm of Maeglin. Daughter of the Lady Gilraen Calaelen? No, I say that I could do no better than you."
She looked at him in shock, stunned as the cold metal of the crown of a high elfin princess was fitted perfectly against her fair brow, her shoulders still burned from the residue of his gaze. It throbbed viciously, reminding her of her ugly blemishes and unsightly marks.
"Let me ask you again, PRINCESS," He asked, cupping her face gently between his hands, forcing her to meet his gaze, "Will you bind yourself to me?"
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HAHAHA evil cliffhanger, I know! Well, I have to get you to come back for more somehow! Well, let me know weather you think that she will say yes or no, or maybe something unexpected will happen again! (Evil laugh) you never know, well, let me correct that: I know and it is for you to read and find out!