Full disclaimers at beginning. read while I try to lure elves to my abode.
Special THANKS to my beta, Artuta, who without her help, I would have the
worst fic littered with severe punctuation errors uploaded here.
Thanks to the reviewers, especially those that say they enjoy the characters and their interactions. I do try to make this as close as cannon as possible, complete with trying NOT to use contractions.
Isilwen-Telpefion: I have a LOVELY collection of Haldir/Craig pictures to refer to.. hence my descriptions..hehe And as for Mowaea's history, I have no clue if she of Dúnedain or not. but I am honored you thought she was from my descriptions. *Elven gesture of gratitude*
The Epilogue is the last installment and I should warn the readers before hand. its not as nice as you would like it to be. But I had wrote this some time ago and had no idea the characters would be so well liked. Sorry.. but I am currently in the revision stage of a hearty Legolas fic. There won't be any Lothlorien adventures, but there will be Rivendell, complete with the occasional twist and LOTS of elven torture.
And also I wanted to mention that there were several discrepancies in the original and what FF.net uploaded and posted. I apologize for any misunderstandings or anything that doesn't seem to be coherent or characterized properly.. for some reason FF.net hates italics and bold from these documents.
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Haldir woke to find the night blanketing the land just beyond his window. Stars winked high above, casting their soft essence upon the world and bathing it in iridescent twilight. With a start the March Warden shot up out of bed, his eyes resting on an elf placing a pile of clothing on a dresser in the corner.
"What are you doing here?"
"Sorry, Sir," The elf nodded shortly. "I did not mean to wake you."
"You did not," Haldir said, pulling himself up to sit on the side of his bed. "I did not mean to sleep all day. It is time I got up."
The elf cocked his head curiously and said rather slowly, "Sleep all day? Warden, Sir? Do you know what day it is?"
Haldir scoffed. "Of course I know what day it is! I may have been gone from home for a time, and worried about my brother, but I do know how to keep track of time."
"Yes, yes of course," The elf bowed curtly. "I just thought you may have thought that today was the day of your return."
Haldir's head whipped around to stare at the elf that was making a retreat. "WHAT?! What do you mean, the day of my return? I have only slept for an afternoon."
The elf bit his lip, and then shook his head slowly. "I am sorry March Warden, sir. But it has been two days since you arrived with your brother."
Haldir jumped from his bed and bolted down the stairs faster than the elf had time to realize what happened. He stared at the retreating back of the March Warden, his mind buzzing with questions. With a shrug, he left Haldir's quarters to find his friends to let them know that the Warden was now awake.
Haldir burst into the healing talan with his clothes rumpled, his hair messed up, and his breathing heavy and labored. His eyes were wild as they stared around for his brother, but they did not fall on anyone occupying the beds that lined one side of the wall. His heart leapt up into his throat and he swallowed hard, trying to dislodge the lump of uncertainty and fear.
Racing to the stairs that led to the upper talan, Haldir fought the feeling of uneasy that had settled in his stomach, and trying desperately to calm the nagging voice in his head telling him that his brother did not make it. He was too late.
Haldir nearly dropped to his knees in thanks as he rounded the top of the stairs and found his brother in one of the beds, surrounded by Orophin and the Lord and Lady themselves. Gasping for breath, the March Warden went to his brother's side, fighting back the tears that wanted to spill in happiness.
Rúmil smiled as he saw his brother approach and look shocked as Haldir embraced him securely, then pulled away at arms length, his features comical to look upon.
Orophin laughed at Haldir's display. "Brother, you act as if you have never seen your own kin before! I did not think you slept that long!"
"I feared the worst when I was told that I had slept for two days, and then found the ward downstairs empty," Haldir said, his eyes roaming over his brother, mentally noting his returning color and freshly-bound wounds wrapped securely.
Rúmil smiled and squeezed his brother. "I have been in good hands. The healers are to release me within the next few days."
Galadriel took the lull in conversation to speak. "Your brother will make a full recovery, Haldir. Was it not for the herbs used in his care, he would have not survived his injury."
Haldir blinked furiously, glancing at the Lady of Light, a look of confusion on his face.
Celeborn, who had been quiet, interjected. "Rúmil told us of your encounter with the human woman, and of the promise that was made upon her visiting our lands."
Rúmil grinned sheepishly, ducking his head under his covers.
Haldir's face grew clouded, his voice barely over a whisper as he stared at Rúmil. "Mowaea stayed by my side all through the night as your life hung in the balance. She could have told those that hunted us our location, but she gave us shelter and said she would do everything she could to save your life."
Galadrial smiled, "For one to show mercy and kindness to strangers is not to go without reward. The promise will stand and the border watches will be told."
Haldir turned to the Lady of Light and bowed his head. "I thank you, My Lady."
Rúmil could see the heartache that Haldir had tried to conceal in his eyes. His hand gentle lay across his brother's that was soon covered by Orophin's. "When I am well, we will travel to see Mowaea and bring her personally to Lothlorien." As an afterthought, the elf turned to the lord and lady. "With your permission of course."
Celeborn smiled to his wife, who returned it, then nodded; "When you are well you may go. We would consider it an honor to have her as our guest."
With a soft smile the Lord and Lady took their leave, allowing the brother's time to talk and express the emotions that were boiling beneath the surface.
Haldir told Orophin about the escape, the sensation of time slowing down as he watched his brother fall, and the harrowing escape the two had into the forest. He told of the meeting with Mowaea, her acceptance and her help and the turmoil that they endured watching Rúmil fight for his life.
Rúmil recounted his dreams he had while his mind decided if it was time for him to journey to the Halls of Mandos. He spoke of lights, and beautiful voices. Singing, joy, love, and happiness, but also of the pain knowing he would leave behind his beloved brothers. And the ache knowing they would mourn his passing.
Orophin launched into a vivid collection of the wild thoughts that plagued his imagination as he worried about the safety of his brothers. The worry and angst he fought as he hoped for word of his kin yet dreaded it in case of foul news. How evening after evening, he would wait by the borders, hoping against hope that his brothers return safely.
As the evening wore on, the three brothers found themselves locked together, tears staining their faces as they thought of the outcome that almost came to be. Their hearts rejoiced at the reunion, their minds hoping that they never will grieve the loss of the family that remained closely knit.
When the seriousness was all talked out and hearts were much lighter, the conversation turned to the disheveled Haldir, and to his brother's great amusement, his composure after hearing his brethren's recount of the past few days.
"If you keep that appearance brother, you could pass as a human," Orophin teased.
Haldir tried to pull his matted hair from his face but with little success. He rolled his eyes and started to take his leave. "If you two are finished, I am going to have a long bath and finally get some rest." As an afterthought he added, "I really could use a vacation."
Rúmil laughed heartily, gingerly clutching his still healing side. "When you do that, it will be the day I walk naked through Lothlorien singing human drinking songs and dancing like an idiot!"
"Do you not do that already?" Haldir asked in mock curiosity.
"OH!" Rúmil scoffed, casting his brother a look of pure malice.
Orophin narrowed his eyes at Haldir, his face contorted into look of disbelief. "Oh, brother," Haldir turned and regarded his other brother. "Have you put on weight?"
"Oh, shut up!" Haldir fumed and stormed down the stairs, the merry laughter of his brothers filling his ears as he descended.
Thanks to the reviewers, especially those that say they enjoy the characters and their interactions. I do try to make this as close as cannon as possible, complete with trying NOT to use contractions.
Isilwen-Telpefion: I have a LOVELY collection of Haldir/Craig pictures to refer to.. hence my descriptions..hehe And as for Mowaea's history, I have no clue if she of Dúnedain or not. but I am honored you thought she was from my descriptions. *Elven gesture of gratitude*
The Epilogue is the last installment and I should warn the readers before hand. its not as nice as you would like it to be. But I had wrote this some time ago and had no idea the characters would be so well liked. Sorry.. but I am currently in the revision stage of a hearty Legolas fic. There won't be any Lothlorien adventures, but there will be Rivendell, complete with the occasional twist and LOTS of elven torture.
And also I wanted to mention that there were several discrepancies in the original and what FF.net uploaded and posted. I apologize for any misunderstandings or anything that doesn't seem to be coherent or characterized properly.. for some reason FF.net hates italics and bold from these documents.
^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ ^ * ^ * ^ *^ * ^* ^
Haldir woke to find the night blanketing the land just beyond his window. Stars winked high above, casting their soft essence upon the world and bathing it in iridescent twilight. With a start the March Warden shot up out of bed, his eyes resting on an elf placing a pile of clothing on a dresser in the corner.
"What are you doing here?"
"Sorry, Sir," The elf nodded shortly. "I did not mean to wake you."
"You did not," Haldir said, pulling himself up to sit on the side of his bed. "I did not mean to sleep all day. It is time I got up."
The elf cocked his head curiously and said rather slowly, "Sleep all day? Warden, Sir? Do you know what day it is?"
Haldir scoffed. "Of course I know what day it is! I may have been gone from home for a time, and worried about my brother, but I do know how to keep track of time."
"Yes, yes of course," The elf bowed curtly. "I just thought you may have thought that today was the day of your return."
Haldir's head whipped around to stare at the elf that was making a retreat. "WHAT?! What do you mean, the day of my return? I have only slept for an afternoon."
The elf bit his lip, and then shook his head slowly. "I am sorry March Warden, sir. But it has been two days since you arrived with your brother."
Haldir jumped from his bed and bolted down the stairs faster than the elf had time to realize what happened. He stared at the retreating back of the March Warden, his mind buzzing with questions. With a shrug, he left Haldir's quarters to find his friends to let them know that the Warden was now awake.
Haldir burst into the healing talan with his clothes rumpled, his hair messed up, and his breathing heavy and labored. His eyes were wild as they stared around for his brother, but they did not fall on anyone occupying the beds that lined one side of the wall. His heart leapt up into his throat and he swallowed hard, trying to dislodge the lump of uncertainty and fear.
Racing to the stairs that led to the upper talan, Haldir fought the feeling of uneasy that had settled in his stomach, and trying desperately to calm the nagging voice in his head telling him that his brother did not make it. He was too late.
Haldir nearly dropped to his knees in thanks as he rounded the top of the stairs and found his brother in one of the beds, surrounded by Orophin and the Lord and Lady themselves. Gasping for breath, the March Warden went to his brother's side, fighting back the tears that wanted to spill in happiness.
Rúmil smiled as he saw his brother approach and look shocked as Haldir embraced him securely, then pulled away at arms length, his features comical to look upon.
Orophin laughed at Haldir's display. "Brother, you act as if you have never seen your own kin before! I did not think you slept that long!"
"I feared the worst when I was told that I had slept for two days, and then found the ward downstairs empty," Haldir said, his eyes roaming over his brother, mentally noting his returning color and freshly-bound wounds wrapped securely.
Rúmil smiled and squeezed his brother. "I have been in good hands. The healers are to release me within the next few days."
Galadriel took the lull in conversation to speak. "Your brother will make a full recovery, Haldir. Was it not for the herbs used in his care, he would have not survived his injury."
Haldir blinked furiously, glancing at the Lady of Light, a look of confusion on his face.
Celeborn, who had been quiet, interjected. "Rúmil told us of your encounter with the human woman, and of the promise that was made upon her visiting our lands."
Rúmil grinned sheepishly, ducking his head under his covers.
Haldir's face grew clouded, his voice barely over a whisper as he stared at Rúmil. "Mowaea stayed by my side all through the night as your life hung in the balance. She could have told those that hunted us our location, but she gave us shelter and said she would do everything she could to save your life."
Galadrial smiled, "For one to show mercy and kindness to strangers is not to go without reward. The promise will stand and the border watches will be told."
Haldir turned to the Lady of Light and bowed his head. "I thank you, My Lady."
Rúmil could see the heartache that Haldir had tried to conceal in his eyes. His hand gentle lay across his brother's that was soon covered by Orophin's. "When I am well, we will travel to see Mowaea and bring her personally to Lothlorien." As an afterthought, the elf turned to the lord and lady. "With your permission of course."
Celeborn smiled to his wife, who returned it, then nodded; "When you are well you may go. We would consider it an honor to have her as our guest."
With a soft smile the Lord and Lady took their leave, allowing the brother's time to talk and express the emotions that were boiling beneath the surface.
Haldir told Orophin about the escape, the sensation of time slowing down as he watched his brother fall, and the harrowing escape the two had into the forest. He told of the meeting with Mowaea, her acceptance and her help and the turmoil that they endured watching Rúmil fight for his life.
Rúmil recounted his dreams he had while his mind decided if it was time for him to journey to the Halls of Mandos. He spoke of lights, and beautiful voices. Singing, joy, love, and happiness, but also of the pain knowing he would leave behind his beloved brothers. And the ache knowing they would mourn his passing.
Orophin launched into a vivid collection of the wild thoughts that plagued his imagination as he worried about the safety of his brothers. The worry and angst he fought as he hoped for word of his kin yet dreaded it in case of foul news. How evening after evening, he would wait by the borders, hoping against hope that his brothers return safely.
As the evening wore on, the three brothers found themselves locked together, tears staining their faces as they thought of the outcome that almost came to be. Their hearts rejoiced at the reunion, their minds hoping that they never will grieve the loss of the family that remained closely knit.
When the seriousness was all talked out and hearts were much lighter, the conversation turned to the disheveled Haldir, and to his brother's great amusement, his composure after hearing his brethren's recount of the past few days.
"If you keep that appearance brother, you could pass as a human," Orophin teased.
Haldir tried to pull his matted hair from his face but with little success. He rolled his eyes and started to take his leave. "If you two are finished, I am going to have a long bath and finally get some rest." As an afterthought he added, "I really could use a vacation."
Rúmil laughed heartily, gingerly clutching his still healing side. "When you do that, it will be the day I walk naked through Lothlorien singing human drinking songs and dancing like an idiot!"
"Do you not do that already?" Haldir asked in mock curiosity.
"OH!" Rúmil scoffed, casting his brother a look of pure malice.
Orophin narrowed his eyes at Haldir, his face contorted into look of disbelief. "Oh, brother," Haldir turned and regarded his other brother. "Have you put on weight?"
"Oh, shut up!" Haldir fumed and stormed down the stairs, the merry laughter of his brothers filling his ears as he descended.