Disclaimer- I no own, u no sue.
Chapter 3
Sabina awoke the next morning earlier than usual. She threw back her covers and walked over to her vanity. She then dressed in her usual attire of a loose shirt and a pair of breeches. Running a brush through her tangled hair she pulled it up into a bun. Sabrina exited her flet and headed down to the kitchens. It was where she went on most mornings, to help out.
"Morning Salma." She greeted the head cook. The older elf looked up and her face broke into a broad grin. "Good morning! I was hoping to see you today, here." She dusted off her hands and reached into one of her vast pockets, in her apron. Out came a small bulky package. Sabina smiled. "Salma, you did not have to do this." She said taking it.
"Oh yes I did. Go on and open it." Sabina pulled the drawstring and gasped at what the bundle held. It was a silver necklace with a tiger-eye (not the real one! A stone for all you idiots out there) in the middle. It gleamed and Sabina smiled in pleasure. She fastened it around her neck and said. "Thank you so much." She hugged the older elf and then sniffed the air.
"Salma, did you just make some of your famous bread?" she asked curious. Salma nodded. She led her over to a counter and handed her a small loaf off the rack. Quickly Sabina bit into it and smiled. "Salma, this is wonderful!" she said when the mouthful was down. She finished the loaf and washed her hands. "Is there anything I am able to help with?"
"Yes there is, Tiamine, over there could use some help making some more bread. And maybe later, you two could get me some herbs for tonight's dinner." She gestured over to a short blond elf with gray eyes. Sabina nodded and thanked her again before going to help Tiamine. "Hello." She greeted her. Tiamine smiled. "Hello. You are Sabina, right?"
"Yes. You are Tiamine?" when the elf nodded she asked. "What do you need help with?" she asked. Tiamine set her to work mixing the bread dough and doing various other things. Before long both were friends and knew a lot about each other. Salma came over later and said, "Why don't you girls go outside, it is a beautiful day out." Sabina nodded. "What were the herbs that you needed?"
Salma gave them a list of the herbs and both of them bid her good bye. Tiamine and Sabina walked down the path to a large clearing. "We should spread out and each get half the herbs. It will take less time." Thia commented. Sabina nodded her agreement and they separated. Sabina walked about and headed over to a heavily wooded area. The large mellorn trees rustled in the breeze and Sabina bent down on her knees to get some reds foil; it was a long red plant with greenish tendrils. She was unaware of the men swathed in green and brown watching her.
The leader gave signal and the men fanned out. He watched her and then drew his sword. The other men drew their swords and he moved forward silently. Sabina looked up when a cold blade pressed against her throat. Her golden eyes shot up to the man and it was then she realized that she was surrounded by at least 30 men clothed in various browns and greens.
"This is her," the man said holding the blade closer. She held her breath and glared up. "Let me go!" she said venomously. He grinned and lifted his sword to trace along her cheek. She moved her head away and he growled. "Get her."
Sabina lashed out at the nearest man and caught him in the stomach. He groaned and doubled over. Sabina crouched and turned around to face the leader. He swung at her with his sword and she cursed herself for not bringing her sword with her. "Tiamine!" she shouted. Receiving no answer she dodged the blade again. Someone grabbed her wrist and she turned angrily. She threw a kick at him and yelped when he caught it. She was tossed back on her back and she rolled away. The men drew closer and another grabbed her. "Tiamine!" she shouted again. A backhand was her only answer. The man before her threw back his cloak and grinned down at her.
"I wouldn't be a yellin' if I was you. The masta' wants you in one piece, but he didn't say nothin' about doing anythin'- else." He bent down and reached for her blouse and her eyes widened. She fought as much as she could but he drew closer. Suddenly she screamed out for Haldir the one person who could help her. "Haldir!!" all of the men stopped their eyes flashing back and forth as their swords aimed back at them. She was free and at that moment, the swords impaled themselves into their owners. All of the men fell down dead.
****At the same time Haldir was talking with Galadriel when her voice rang out in both his head and the Lady's. "Haldir!!"
He gasped and jumped out of the chair, which fell down sideways. Fear raced through his heart as he tore out of the room and ran to Sabina. Galadriel also stood and had heard the voice. She picked up her skirts and ran after Haldir.
**** Flashback****
The smell of things burning and the cries of orcs rang out in the smoky afternoon. Cara led her small daughter out of the burning house and ran to the woods. Siobhan saw her home burning and then… her father being shot. She was pushed out of sight from the orcs and hid. Cara tried to fight the orcs but was killed. When Siobhan screamed the swords turned on the orcs and buried themselves into them. The small girl looked around in fear and saw her mother's body lying crumpled on the ground.
****End****
Sabina swayed and tears poured down her pale face. Suddenly she cried out. "Mother!" the smells of smoke and the cries of orcs that had been imbedded in her mind for so long suddenly rushed up. She screamed repeatedly like a tortured soul. Haldir ran into the clearing and stopped in shock. Memories of what had happened almost 1000 years before surfaced. Sabina was standing in the middle, pale and tears streaming down her face. Haldir walked up slowly and held out his hands. "Sabina?" he asked softly. She whirled and backed away.
"S-s-stay away!" she cried out. Haldir stopped and then resumed walking to her. "Don't touch me!!" she screamed in terror. Her body was frozen in panic.
"Sabina it is me. Haldir." He coaxed. She stopped and Haldir reached for her. Carefully he wrapped his arms around her shaking frame. He scanned the area was again struck by the resemblance of what had happened so long ago. Sabina held him close and buried her face in his tunic. Galadriel ran into the clearing where her daughter was standing crying in Haldir's arms. Her blue eyes looked around them in surprise at the bodies littering the ground around them.
"What has happened?" asked Galadriel in bewilderment. Haldir looked at the lady and suddenly gasped. He stumbled back and caught Sabina, who had fainted from exhaustion. He picked her up and held her to him. "This is what had happened last time." He whispered. Galadriel paled and looked around. She walked around and then something caught her eye. She walked over to the bushes, and felt her eyes tear up. The body of a female elf lay sprawled on the ground. Blood caked on the she elf's chest and immediately the lady knew that she was dead.
*Rumil! Get a patrol over here as soon as you are able. * She thought. Once she knew that he received it and she turned her attention to the 2 elves. "Haldir take her back to her flet." She said tiredly. Haldir nodded and walked off. Not too much later Rumil arrived with 3 other elves. Galadriel explained what she knew about what happened. Then she left it to them to dispose of them. She then quickly headed back to Sabina's flet.
Haldir carried Sabina to his flet and opened the door. He laid her down on the bed and covered her up. He sat down in a chair beside the bed to wait for the Lady. She arrived and closed the door. "How is she?"
"She is not wounded as far as I can tell, but she has not moved since I found her." His voice was calm and steady, but his eyes betrayed his emotions. He was worried. "Can you explain what happened?" asked Galadriel. Haldir told what he knew and Galadriel nodded when he finished. "I see. Can you stay with her? At least until she awakens."
Haldir nodded. "Of course." He watched the lady leave and stayed with Sabina for the rest of the day. When she finally awoke it was dark out. Memories assailed her and she groaned and rolled over facing Haldir.
"Sabina?" Haldir asked hesitantly. She saw him and reached for him, pulling him to her in desperation. Sabina started sobbing into his shoulder almost two seconds later. He held her close rubbing her back in circles, murmuring nonsense to try and comfort her. Her body shook as memories, old and new flooded her mind. Finally her crying quieted and she hiccoughed occasionally. She felt immensely better with Haldir's strong arms making her feel safe.
"Do not leave me." She whispered. "Don't leave me please." Haldir tilted her head up and looked seriously in to her eyes. "I will not leave you Sabina. I would not dream of it- ever." He caressed cheek. "Can you tell me what happened?" he asked softly. Her eyes widened in fear. She shook her head swiftly.
"No. Do not make me, please. Not now." She wiped her eyes on her sleeve and then looked down at what she was wearing. The once clean clothes were dirt caked and muddy. "I have to change." She whispered. She moved off the bed and walked over to the wardrobe. She picked out a pale blue nightgown and stepped behind the dressing screen. "Sabina, I do not think…" he started but when she stepped out again her stopped.
Her hair fell in soft waves down her shoulders and around her waist. Haldir stood up and walked over to her. "Sabina, are you all right?" he asked gently. She smiled grimly. "Is that a rhetorical question?"
He shook his head and placed his arms around her waist. His warmth comforted her and she reached a hand up and stroked his face. "Thank you for being with me." She said. He nodded. "Of course." His arms pulled her closer and tightened. "Stay with me?" She asked. He nodded and she led him over to her bed. His eyes widened when he realized. "Sabina, I can sleep in the chair." Haldir said. 'Even though I do not wish to.' Haldir thought resentfully.
"No. Just stay with me." She said. Haldir didn't resist anymore. He swept her off her feet (Ouch bad cliché I know) and laid her on the bed. Sabina was curled in his arms and his legs were stretched out before them. He shifted slightly and she tucked her head under his chin, and fell asleep.
Ack- way to sweet. I don't know if you all like the fluff but I am going to write it. (Review it you don't. but no promised if I change.) Haldir IS acting way out of character and I really don't care. Review! I am sooo pathetic. Bye!!!
