No, no, no, no, I haven't forgotten about Astal just making sure this don't
turn into a freaking Mary-Sue. We all know how stories like that are. In
this chapter we will see Astal... And to little-lost-one Do you WANT the
diplomats to become important characters? I wasn't planning on it, but I
will if that is what your request. I'm trying to be reader friendly here
peoples! :) Okay I have a chapter to type. And ooh sorry for my unplanned
illness, I back for now. Just on pain meds so things may get a little
weird.
Disclaimer I do not own Tolkiens work, I'm just a fan that happens to be a writer, and wants more.
~
Haldir walked up to the bush that hid Astal. Behind him Orophin was giving halfhearted complaints on how the diplomats would hate this stop. In truth, he didn't really care. All elf's knew that the only thing diplomats were good for is making the lord and the lady cranky. Right now it was worse, because it was just Celeborn to deal with these men, Galadriel was still expected back home in three more days.
'She's not here!' Haldir gasped.
'What do you mean not here?' Orophin asked.
Haldir pulled back the bushes to reveal all Astal's toys but no child. Orophin's face turned to an I-told-you-so look, but it was softened when he brother frantically began to pull out bedding. A feeling of guilt washed over him, knowing Haldir must love the child.
Finally Haldir collapsed back on the ground holding his head. All the bedding pretty much ripped out. His face contorted as his breath heaved in and out. At first Orophin thought Haldir to have given up. Then he saw what Haldir saw. There was little Astal asleep, she must have curled up underneath the blankets for warmth.
'Haldir, I told you to get rid of that child, she's going to be the death of you.'
Haldir shot Orophin a look of agreement, then began rolling up the bedding not taken up by the child. With the help of Orophin soon the bedding, and toys were cleaned up. Packed into a backpack Haldir left beside the bushes. Haldir picks up the little child, as Orophin puts the backpack on his own back.
'Well, shall we face the nasty diplomats now?' Haldir asked.
'Afraid so brother.'
~
One of the diplomats spins around hearing the return of the two brothers. His eyes squinted even more, angry beyond measure. First he saw Orophin walked out with a backpack on his back. That didn't help his temperament, confusion does not help anger. Then Haldir walked out, carried something wrapped up in bedding.
'What is so important that you had to go and get?!' The main diplomat shouted. 'I'm tired of delays I want to see Lord Celeborn now or relations are OVER!'
Startled by the diplomats shout, Astal awoke screaming. Haldir hugged her closer, bouncing her with an elvish lullaby on his lips. Astal cried loudly, not taking comfort from her elvish father. The look that followed from Haldir, made the diplomat step back beside his buddy.
'One more outburst from you, I'll leave you with the Orcs, that is no threat.' Haldir growled. 'Come, the lady of the woods maybe away, but the lord is waiting.'
Astal wrapped her arms around her arms around Haldir's neck tightly, her crying gone down to a tired whimper. Proudly Haldir walked past the diplomats, leading the way to Caras Galadhon. Orophin remained in back, knowing his brother was in a foul mood. An Orc would make better company right now.
'Haldir has a child?' The quietest of the diplomats asked Orophin.
'Yes, you think all elves remain childless all their lives?' Orophin asked in reply. 'Just a warning, Haldir is a fierce father, do not get between him and his daughter. Being a diplomat will not save you if you do.'
The walk to Caras Galadhon remained surprisingly quiet. Neither elf spoke, nor a bird sang. Silence hung in the Lórien woods just as if sound was renounced. But once they caught site of the main elvish city, they were soon greeted by a less quiet elvish army. Haldir bowed respectfully to Celeborn, forgetting that Astal had drifted off.
'Do not drop your daughter Haldir,' Celeborn warned. 'I dropped Arwen once, it was not a pretty site.'
'Yes, I remember that day.'
'Tell me about the Orcs.' Celeborn ordered.
'We scared them away, but they'll be back. I'm certain of it.'
Celeborn paused thoughtfully, looking over at the elves prepared to rescue the already rescued elves. It could be assumed that the Orcs would be back, despite their fear of the woods, they were extremely stupid. That is what gave Middle Earth a fighting chance all these years, Orcs were stupid. The only evil to befall Middle Earth that caused rile, was Sauran. Especially the darkness he brought upon Mirkwood when he guised himself as a Necromancer, in the southern regions of Dol Guldur. "Increase the patrols.' Celeborn ordered. 'Keep an eye on the Orcs, I want none to pass the border of Lórien.'
'Yes, Lord Celeborn, and the diplomats?' Haldir asked. 'You will escort me, the diplomats, and your brothers back, there you and your child can rest.' Celeborn's energy seemed to drop. 'Diplomats of King Thranduil I welcome you, I'm sorry for any inconvenience you may have suffered upon arriving here.'
'Lord Celeborn, I'm displeased to say, there are no apologies that will be accepted for you delay in help, also the delay in arrival. Your march- warden, Haldir, proved quite disrespectful, along with the border-gaurds, but I'm certain they were just following his orders.' The loud mouth of the diplomats spat out. 'Your standings with Mirkwood stand on a thread.' The quieter one spoke. 'I advise you to tread carefully from now on Lord Celeborn.'
Celeborn gave the diplomats look of understanding, then glared a warning at Haldir. Who was hiding his concern for what Celeborn might do to him. Astal had woken up, staring confused at the unhappy elves. Haldir knew he would be punished for his actions, elves must remain in good standing. It was just the way, thus war was rare between elves.
~@~
Ut oh, Haldir in trouble. Suggestions on what to do? Or maybe he shouldn't be punished by Celeborn? Come on guys, last chances to get your opinions in before I quite being an all nice author and let you get your two cents in. So review and speak up, I am waiting. Oh any questions, email me.
Disclaimer I do not own Tolkiens work, I'm just a fan that happens to be a writer, and wants more.
~
Haldir walked up to the bush that hid Astal. Behind him Orophin was giving halfhearted complaints on how the diplomats would hate this stop. In truth, he didn't really care. All elf's knew that the only thing diplomats were good for is making the lord and the lady cranky. Right now it was worse, because it was just Celeborn to deal with these men, Galadriel was still expected back home in three more days.
'She's not here!' Haldir gasped.
'What do you mean not here?' Orophin asked.
Haldir pulled back the bushes to reveal all Astal's toys but no child. Orophin's face turned to an I-told-you-so look, but it was softened when he brother frantically began to pull out bedding. A feeling of guilt washed over him, knowing Haldir must love the child.
Finally Haldir collapsed back on the ground holding his head. All the bedding pretty much ripped out. His face contorted as his breath heaved in and out. At first Orophin thought Haldir to have given up. Then he saw what Haldir saw. There was little Astal asleep, she must have curled up underneath the blankets for warmth.
'Haldir, I told you to get rid of that child, she's going to be the death of you.'
Haldir shot Orophin a look of agreement, then began rolling up the bedding not taken up by the child. With the help of Orophin soon the bedding, and toys were cleaned up. Packed into a backpack Haldir left beside the bushes. Haldir picks up the little child, as Orophin puts the backpack on his own back.
'Well, shall we face the nasty diplomats now?' Haldir asked.
'Afraid so brother.'
~
One of the diplomats spins around hearing the return of the two brothers. His eyes squinted even more, angry beyond measure. First he saw Orophin walked out with a backpack on his back. That didn't help his temperament, confusion does not help anger. Then Haldir walked out, carried something wrapped up in bedding.
'What is so important that you had to go and get?!' The main diplomat shouted. 'I'm tired of delays I want to see Lord Celeborn now or relations are OVER!'
Startled by the diplomats shout, Astal awoke screaming. Haldir hugged her closer, bouncing her with an elvish lullaby on his lips. Astal cried loudly, not taking comfort from her elvish father. The look that followed from Haldir, made the diplomat step back beside his buddy.
'One more outburst from you, I'll leave you with the Orcs, that is no threat.' Haldir growled. 'Come, the lady of the woods maybe away, but the lord is waiting.'
Astal wrapped her arms around her arms around Haldir's neck tightly, her crying gone down to a tired whimper. Proudly Haldir walked past the diplomats, leading the way to Caras Galadhon. Orophin remained in back, knowing his brother was in a foul mood. An Orc would make better company right now.
'Haldir has a child?' The quietest of the diplomats asked Orophin.
'Yes, you think all elves remain childless all their lives?' Orophin asked in reply. 'Just a warning, Haldir is a fierce father, do not get between him and his daughter. Being a diplomat will not save you if you do.'
The walk to Caras Galadhon remained surprisingly quiet. Neither elf spoke, nor a bird sang. Silence hung in the Lórien woods just as if sound was renounced. But once they caught site of the main elvish city, they were soon greeted by a less quiet elvish army. Haldir bowed respectfully to Celeborn, forgetting that Astal had drifted off.
'Do not drop your daughter Haldir,' Celeborn warned. 'I dropped Arwen once, it was not a pretty site.'
'Yes, I remember that day.'
'Tell me about the Orcs.' Celeborn ordered.
'We scared them away, but they'll be back. I'm certain of it.'
Celeborn paused thoughtfully, looking over at the elves prepared to rescue the already rescued elves. It could be assumed that the Orcs would be back, despite their fear of the woods, they were extremely stupid. That is what gave Middle Earth a fighting chance all these years, Orcs were stupid. The only evil to befall Middle Earth that caused rile, was Sauran. Especially the darkness he brought upon Mirkwood when he guised himself as a Necromancer, in the southern regions of Dol Guldur. "Increase the patrols.' Celeborn ordered. 'Keep an eye on the Orcs, I want none to pass the border of Lórien.'
'Yes, Lord Celeborn, and the diplomats?' Haldir asked. 'You will escort me, the diplomats, and your brothers back, there you and your child can rest.' Celeborn's energy seemed to drop. 'Diplomats of King Thranduil I welcome you, I'm sorry for any inconvenience you may have suffered upon arriving here.'
'Lord Celeborn, I'm displeased to say, there are no apologies that will be accepted for you delay in help, also the delay in arrival. Your march- warden, Haldir, proved quite disrespectful, along with the border-gaurds, but I'm certain they were just following his orders.' The loud mouth of the diplomats spat out. 'Your standings with Mirkwood stand on a thread.' The quieter one spoke. 'I advise you to tread carefully from now on Lord Celeborn.'
Celeborn gave the diplomats look of understanding, then glared a warning at Haldir. Who was hiding his concern for what Celeborn might do to him. Astal had woken up, staring confused at the unhappy elves. Haldir knew he would be punished for his actions, elves must remain in good standing. It was just the way, thus war was rare between elves.
~@~
Ut oh, Haldir in trouble. Suggestions on what to do? Or maybe he shouldn't be punished by Celeborn? Come on guys, last chances to get your opinions in before I quite being an all nice author and let you get your two cents in. So review and speak up, I am waiting. Oh any questions, email me.