In the Eye of the Beholder
Chapter 4 – Those Eyes
Now I believe she really is an orc, Haldir thought, annoyed at having received two punches on a single night by a female. His jaw really hurt. His ego, wounded. For no one dared challenge the renowned Guardian of the Golden Wood.
But a female orc? I don't think I have heard of such, never seen one…but, Oh Iluvatar…
Haldir's aggravation faded as he thought of what Skaian might look like...then he remembered her eyes. He tried to recall the day he first saw a pair of golden yellow eyes.
Skaian.
He could not be mistaken. Haldir sighed in remembrance of that fateful encounter.
Six against twenty, it was easy for Haldir and his archers to slay all of them, but Haldir could hear more Orcs coming. They will be outnumbered soon. He thought it was best to flee. He had given the command to run to safety, and four of his archers have disappeared into the darkness.
The fifth archer, Zepherin, was stranded between two orcs. Haldir knocked down the orc in front of his shield-brother. It had been too late; the one behind Zepherin was fast and felled the Galadhrim archer even before the March Warden could draw another arrow.
Haldir looked squarely at the orc who killed his archer, his friend. Haldir's cold, gray eyes met a pair of determined, golden-yellow eyes that sparkled. His eyes, full of hatred, contempt and grief, Haldir was a sight to be frightened with. The orc quickly turned away. Haldir then drew an arrow and aimed at the creature.
He aimed…and focused. He does not move. He is awaiting his death, then. I need to get this done before more of his kind arrives…
He aimed, but could not bring himself to release the arrow.
The March Warden of Lothlorien turned back and fled into the darkness, leaving the golden-eyed orc and his friend Zepherin behind.
Haldir ran as fast as he could away from the melee, and caught up with his surviving archers. They journeyed back home to Lorien, but stopped to rest as dawn crept into the sky.
Haldir sat alone and reflected on the past night's events.
He regret having to leave Zeph's body, almost blamed himself for his archer's death. His friend Zepherin just got back into duty after he and his life mate were given a child by the Valar. Haldir felt sorry for the now fatherless elfling. He felt really bad about Zeph, but he did not regret letting the orc live.
He aimed, but could not bring himself to release the arrow.
He never knew why.
That was twelve years ago.
The orc with the golden-yellow eyes…it was Skaian. Haldir was certain.
"Here, have some.
Haldir returned to his senses at the sound of Skaian's voice. He looked at her as she entered the cave.
"I believe you are hungry. You've been unconscious for nearly two days. So eat," She placed the tray on a table a few paces away from Haldir. Then she turned back and moved away. She wished to maintain her distance. "You have to get the food on the table by yourself, as I can't bring it to bed. I'm sorry."
Haldir came to the table, grabbed the tray, then went back to the bed and sat. He did not touch the food just yet, but stared at Skaian.
"It is cooked, I assure you. I'm not like the rest of the orcs who eat it raw," Skaian said, thinking that it was the reason Haldir did not touch the food.
"No, it's not that," came Haldir's reply. "Won't you join me? Aren't you going to have dinner?" He then took a bite of the beef stew.
"Later. Outside. When you're done." Skaian curtly answered, and sat on the nearest stool.
They sat in silence as Haldir continued to gobble the food. He was hungry, but he never thought of that until he ate, for there were a lot of things going on inside his head. When he was finished, he got up and brought the tray back to the table. He remained standing, and looked piercingly at Skaian.
"You said I was unconscious for two days, yet I cannot find a single wound on my body. How is that possible?" Haldir wanted to lay his mind to rest, needed to know how he got in the strange cave of the orc lady.
"I was the one who knocked you down and brought you here. It was the best I could do to save you. Many of your archers were able to flee, some were unfortunate enough," Skaian looked down and let her voice trail off.
"Why me?" Haldir asked, but he already knew the answer.
"I don't know."
"You don't know? Well, I know. You tried to save me because I let you live after you killed my friend in a raid many years ago." He spoke calmly, but firmly.
Skaian froze, unable to speak.
"In all honesty, I never knew why I even let you live. I had the chance to avenge my friend, but I didn't grab it." Haldir went on.
"You remember it well…" It was all Skaian could say.
"Yes, your eyes made me remember."