A/N: Okay! Here is Chapter 9 and I hope you enjoy please r&r! This chapter
starts up when the Fellowship just enters the Golden Wood. 'words' denotes
thought. //"words"// denotes elvish I don't know the words for and I am not
about to go destroying the Elvish language.
Disclaimer: Helaku is really the only character I own so far.
Chapter 9: Love and Heartbreak
"Helaku! Come on, keep up!" Aragorn yells.
"What's the rush?" I manage to ask as I pant heavily.
Legolas stops and waits for me. Once I reach him he grabs my hand and starts running again.
"Oh come on. I'm tired."
As we enter the woods of Lothlorien Aragorn slows to a careful walk.
"Stay close, young hobbits!" They say a great sorceress lives in these woods - an Elf witch." Gimli tells the hobbits.
"All who look upon her fall under her spell and are never seen again."
Frodo stops short and looks confused and a little scared.
"Mr. Frodo?"
Frodo looks at Sam and then continues to walk.
"Are you okay, Frodo?"
"Yes."
I raise my eyebrows slightly because my instincts tell me different, but I decide not to push the matter.
"I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!" Gimli declares only to find an arrow in his face a second later.
Legolas has his bow ready, and I whip out my knives standing in a defensive stance next to Frodo.
"The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark." A snobby and very arrogant elf says glaring at Gimli.
"Haldir of Lorien." Aragorn breathes sounding relieved.
Great. Haldir of all people. This is going to be a fun visit.
"You can go no further, Aragorn. I will not put the Lady in danger. I must ask you to leave the Golden Wood."
"We need the protection."
"I'm sorry. There is nothing I can do."
"I'll fight you for entrance, Haldir." I challenge knowingly.
"I don't think this is a good-" Aragorn starts.
"I can beat him."
"Only one girl has been able to win a fight against me. You have no chance, foolish elfling."
I unstrap my quiver and hand Legolas my bow.
"Blades only." I tell him.
"Okay. Rumil, will you tell us?" Haldir asks.
"Helaku, once again don't do this." Aragorn pleads.
"Yea, we don't want him to hurt you." Pippin adds with concern in his eyes. Actually, everyone looks worried. Scary.
"I'll be fine. Stop worrying, Aragorn, I can handle this."
I turn to face Haldir and pull out my blades.
"Okay, you two, no killing intent here. The first one to get the other into a position, that they can't fight back in without doing severe damage, wins." Rumil explains.
Haldir and I nod in understanding, never looking away from each other.
"Fight!"
Haldir darts forward and starts moving his blades. As he tries to cut he, I duck under and kick his legs out from under him.
As we keep blocking each other's movements, I realize that this can only be solved by a fistfight.
He darts to the left trying to get under my guard, and I see my chance. I quickly kick both blades out of his hands and throw mine into a nearby tree.
"So we are really looking for a fistfight, eh?"
"It'll go quicker."
I stand in a fighting stance and wait for Haldir to make the first move.
He jabs to give me a black eye, but I move to side enough that he misses. Coming out of nowhere his right foot kicks my lower back and then behind my knee.
"Aiiiii!"
"No! Haldir, stop this." Aragorn yells trying to hold Pippin back as Boromir grabs Merry who also tries to make a run to help me.
I jump back on my feet and ready myself.
"Foolish girl. Just concede because like I said you have no chance."
I lunge forward and the fighting starts anew only more fierce this time.
He tries to punch me in the eye again, only this time I fall back on my elbows so I can kick him in the stomach.
I get up, and this time he lunges at me- making us both fall to the ground.
I can feel Orophin's eyes on me.
"Haldir, stop!"
Everyone looks at Orophin in surprise.
Haldir and I stop instantly, and Haldir turns on his heels to glare at his younger brother.
"Why? I am winning."
"Nay, you're not."
"Aye, I-"
"You're fighting a losing battle."
"Explain."
I walk over to the tree that has served as a crude sheath for my blades. I pull them out easily and move next to Boromir.
"Yes, Orophin, explain this to him." I say snidely.
Everyone looks back at Orophin.
Rumil's eyes widen as he finally sees it.
"Haldir, the Lord and Lady are going to kill you." He puts in.
"Why would they?" Haldir yells at his youngest brother. "I have done nothing wrong."
"LOOK AT HER!" Orophin screams.
"She is a stranger who challenged me. Not the other way around."
"You're wrong; you just don't recognize her."
"What are you talking about?"
"Do you remember Helaku?"
"Yea, but what does that have to do with her?" "Are you that blunt, Haldir?" Rumil yells, joining back in the fight.
"I don't get what you are saying."
"You gave their GRANDDAUGHTER bruises, Haldir!"
"WHAT? She's not - oh."
"Hello, Haldir." I say with a mischievous smile.
"Wait a second. You are Galadriel's granddaughter?" Legolas asks just making the connection himself.
"Ummmm. yes."
"Then why didn't you tell him that in the beginning."
"I didn't want you guys to know, and there is much more to this than you know."
"You will follow me." Haldir says glumly.
Haldir leads us to the main talan in Caras Galadhon. As they descend the staircase so we can talk, Haldir steps forward.
" M'lady, there is something you ought to know."
"Very well then. What is it?"
"Your granddaughter has come to visit."
"Arwen? I thought she was staying in Rivendell for a while longer before returning."
"She is still in Rivendell. I'm talking about the other granddaughter."
"Oh, Helaku is here, but she avoids coming here at all costs."
"Why?" Haldir asks turning to me.
"Hmmmm. I wonder why. Maybe to avoid certain people."
I walk over to my grandparents and give each a loving hug. As I step back I explain my presence.
"Aragorn decided to lead the fellowship here for protection. Therefore I am here."
I turn around and walk back to the Fellowship, but Celeborn's keen eyes noticed my new "battle scars".
"Ummmm. Helaku?"
"Yes?"
"Why do you have so many bruises? Surely Orcs did not do that to you."
"No, umm, the Orcs didn't cause too much damage."
"Then what's with the bruises?"
"Well, I hate to point fingers, but it was all Haldir's fault!"
"What?" Haldir screams outraged. "You challenged me!"
"Only because you wouldn't let us into Lorien."
"So that makes it my fault?"
"Stop it." Galadriel says. "Haldir, you should have taken them right to me, so I place no blame on Helaku."
"You're just playing favorites." Haldir grumbles.
"of course she is. She always favors the younger."
"This is just great! She challenges me, and I have to take the blame."
"Where is Gandalf?" Celeborn asks finally getting to the point why we are all here.
"Gandalf the grey never passed the borders of this land."
"he was taken by both shadow and flame. A Balrog of Morgoth." Legolas states regretfully.
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all." Galadriel tells us in warning.
She looks at Boromir, and I notice he starts to tremble slightly and is on the verge of tears.
"Grandmother, STOP IT!"
"Stop what?" she asks feigning innocence.
Everyone looks at me.
"The whole talking in the head thing. It freaks people out!"
"You know how to do it, and you have used it to get your way many times if I recall correctly."
"I haven't used it in years with the exception of Caradhras."
"Did anyone hear her in their head at the mountain?"
Eight people shake their heads in the negative.
"Who's head did you visit?"
"Legolas', but I didn't say anything. I just listened."
"MINE! WHY MINE?"
"You were the easiest to access art the time."
"Well as long as the company remains true, and doesn't kill a certain princess, you still have hope to succeed. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil.
Grandmother has kindly given us a pavilion like thing that is near the room that I had when I was little.
But I don't get my old room. No of course not. I have a little attachment to the pavilion for privacy.
"A lament for Gandalf." Legolas says staring into the trees.
"What do they say about him?"
"I have not the heart to tell you. For me, the grief is still too near."
"Mithrandir, Mithrandir, A Randir Vithren ú-reniathach i amar galen I reniad lín ne mór, nuithannen In gwidh ristennin, i fae narchannen I lach Anor ed ardhon gwannen Caled veleg, ethuiannen."
(Mithrandir, Mithrandir, O Pilgrim Grey No more will you wander the green fields of this earth Your journey has ended in darkness. The bonds cut, the spirit broken The Flame of Anor has left this World A great light has gone out.)
"You know it?" Sam asks as I finish with the Lorien elves.
"Yes, I do."
"Could you translate it?"
"No. Not now anyways."
With that I walk off into the forest waving off any further pleas or cries.
I sit down in a clearing, and I can feel the tears that I held back start to fall.
"Helaku, are you all right?"
"No, Grandmother, I am not. Gandalf just died, and I'm here facing Haldir who is going to push for a bonding ceremony."
"And you don't want to marry Haldir. Do you?"
"No, I'd rather - well it doesn't matter."
"That is were you are wrong. It does matter. I know you love the Prince of Mirkwood as more than a friend and desire that kind of love in return."
I look at her with wide eyes. "Is it that obvious?"
"No. I listened to your thoughts earlier."
"Grandmother!"
"I am sorry. I just needed to know something, and now that I know I am here to help you feel at ease."
"What did you need to know?"
"Nothing too important."
I raise an eyebrow.
//"Tell him how you feel, Anariel*"//
//"I can't."//
//"Yes you can. I know you can."//
Just as suddenly as she came, my grandmother was gone.
"Good bye."
It is early the next morn when I walk back into camp.
"Where have you been?" Aragorn hisses as he and the rest of the Fellowship walks out of the pavilion.
"I spent the night in the woods, Mom."
"I am sorry. I was just worried about you. You disappeared without a trace."
"Look, Aragorn, I am Princess over these lands. I doubt I'll get lost."
"I'm worried about attacks, not you getting lost."
"Fine, I'll stay - Legolas, will you stop looking at me like that?"
"I know you."
"Wha- oh. Look I know it's a shock and when I remembered-"
"You knew! You knew, and you didn't say anything. You were the girl I - arrgh! I'll kill you."
"I'm - I'm s-s-sorry." I stutter as I back away.
"Don't talk to me. I can never forgive you for this."
I feel and heart plummet as these words left his lips. His beautiful lips that I have longed to taste but never will because of this.
"Legolas, wait."
"No."
I feel like ice has spread through my body and run off into the forest crying.
I stop once and look back at Legolas with nothing less than love in my heart for him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Anariel means Daughter of the Sun. It is the name Helaku will take when she is crowned Princess of Lothlorien once the Ring is destroyed. You will see this name used more often in the second story to this. A Search for Peach and the Two Towers.
Disclaimer: Helaku is really the only character I own so far.
Chapter 9: Love and Heartbreak
"Helaku! Come on, keep up!" Aragorn yells.
"What's the rush?" I manage to ask as I pant heavily.
Legolas stops and waits for me. Once I reach him he grabs my hand and starts running again.
"Oh come on. I'm tired."
As we enter the woods of Lothlorien Aragorn slows to a careful walk.
"Stay close, young hobbits!" They say a great sorceress lives in these woods - an Elf witch." Gimli tells the hobbits.
"All who look upon her fall under her spell and are never seen again."
Frodo stops short and looks confused and a little scared.
"Mr. Frodo?"
Frodo looks at Sam and then continues to walk.
"Are you okay, Frodo?"
"Yes."
I raise my eyebrows slightly because my instincts tell me different, but I decide not to push the matter.
"I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!" Gimli declares only to find an arrow in his face a second later.
Legolas has his bow ready, and I whip out my knives standing in a defensive stance next to Frodo.
"The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark." A snobby and very arrogant elf says glaring at Gimli.
"Haldir of Lorien." Aragorn breathes sounding relieved.
Great. Haldir of all people. This is going to be a fun visit.
"You can go no further, Aragorn. I will not put the Lady in danger. I must ask you to leave the Golden Wood."
"We need the protection."
"I'm sorry. There is nothing I can do."
"I'll fight you for entrance, Haldir." I challenge knowingly.
"I don't think this is a good-" Aragorn starts.
"I can beat him."
"Only one girl has been able to win a fight against me. You have no chance, foolish elfling."
I unstrap my quiver and hand Legolas my bow.
"Blades only." I tell him.
"Okay. Rumil, will you tell us?" Haldir asks.
"Helaku, once again don't do this." Aragorn pleads.
"Yea, we don't want him to hurt you." Pippin adds with concern in his eyes. Actually, everyone looks worried. Scary.
"I'll be fine. Stop worrying, Aragorn, I can handle this."
I turn to face Haldir and pull out my blades.
"Okay, you two, no killing intent here. The first one to get the other into a position, that they can't fight back in without doing severe damage, wins." Rumil explains.
Haldir and I nod in understanding, never looking away from each other.
"Fight!"
Haldir darts forward and starts moving his blades. As he tries to cut he, I duck under and kick his legs out from under him.
As we keep blocking each other's movements, I realize that this can only be solved by a fistfight.
He darts to the left trying to get under my guard, and I see my chance. I quickly kick both blades out of his hands and throw mine into a nearby tree.
"So we are really looking for a fistfight, eh?"
"It'll go quicker."
I stand in a fighting stance and wait for Haldir to make the first move.
He jabs to give me a black eye, but I move to side enough that he misses. Coming out of nowhere his right foot kicks my lower back and then behind my knee.
"Aiiiii!"
"No! Haldir, stop this." Aragorn yells trying to hold Pippin back as Boromir grabs Merry who also tries to make a run to help me.
I jump back on my feet and ready myself.
"Foolish girl. Just concede because like I said you have no chance."
I lunge forward and the fighting starts anew only more fierce this time.
He tries to punch me in the eye again, only this time I fall back on my elbows so I can kick him in the stomach.
I get up, and this time he lunges at me- making us both fall to the ground.
I can feel Orophin's eyes on me.
"Haldir, stop!"
Everyone looks at Orophin in surprise.
Haldir and I stop instantly, and Haldir turns on his heels to glare at his younger brother.
"Why? I am winning."
"Nay, you're not."
"Aye, I-"
"You're fighting a losing battle."
"Explain."
I walk over to the tree that has served as a crude sheath for my blades. I pull them out easily and move next to Boromir.
"Yes, Orophin, explain this to him." I say snidely.
Everyone looks back at Orophin.
Rumil's eyes widen as he finally sees it.
"Haldir, the Lord and Lady are going to kill you." He puts in.
"Why would they?" Haldir yells at his youngest brother. "I have done nothing wrong."
"LOOK AT HER!" Orophin screams.
"She is a stranger who challenged me. Not the other way around."
"You're wrong; you just don't recognize her."
"What are you talking about?"
"Do you remember Helaku?"
"Yea, but what does that have to do with her?" "Are you that blunt, Haldir?" Rumil yells, joining back in the fight.
"I don't get what you are saying."
"You gave their GRANDDAUGHTER bruises, Haldir!"
"WHAT? She's not - oh."
"Hello, Haldir." I say with a mischievous smile.
"Wait a second. You are Galadriel's granddaughter?" Legolas asks just making the connection himself.
"Ummmm. yes."
"Then why didn't you tell him that in the beginning."
"I didn't want you guys to know, and there is much more to this than you know."
"You will follow me." Haldir says glumly.
Haldir leads us to the main talan in Caras Galadhon. As they descend the staircase so we can talk, Haldir steps forward.
" M'lady, there is something you ought to know."
"Very well then. What is it?"
"Your granddaughter has come to visit."
"Arwen? I thought she was staying in Rivendell for a while longer before returning."
"She is still in Rivendell. I'm talking about the other granddaughter."
"Oh, Helaku is here, but she avoids coming here at all costs."
"Why?" Haldir asks turning to me.
"Hmmmm. I wonder why. Maybe to avoid certain people."
I walk over to my grandparents and give each a loving hug. As I step back I explain my presence.
"Aragorn decided to lead the fellowship here for protection. Therefore I am here."
I turn around and walk back to the Fellowship, but Celeborn's keen eyes noticed my new "battle scars".
"Ummmm. Helaku?"
"Yes?"
"Why do you have so many bruises? Surely Orcs did not do that to you."
"No, umm, the Orcs didn't cause too much damage."
"Then what's with the bruises?"
"Well, I hate to point fingers, but it was all Haldir's fault!"
"What?" Haldir screams outraged. "You challenged me!"
"Only because you wouldn't let us into Lorien."
"So that makes it my fault?"
"Stop it." Galadriel says. "Haldir, you should have taken them right to me, so I place no blame on Helaku."
"You're just playing favorites." Haldir grumbles.
"of course she is. She always favors the younger."
"This is just great! She challenges me, and I have to take the blame."
"Where is Gandalf?" Celeborn asks finally getting to the point why we are all here.
"Gandalf the grey never passed the borders of this land."
"he was taken by both shadow and flame. A Balrog of Morgoth." Legolas states regretfully.
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all." Galadriel tells us in warning.
She looks at Boromir, and I notice he starts to tremble slightly and is on the verge of tears.
"Grandmother, STOP IT!"
"Stop what?" she asks feigning innocence.
Everyone looks at me.
"The whole talking in the head thing. It freaks people out!"
"You know how to do it, and you have used it to get your way many times if I recall correctly."
"I haven't used it in years with the exception of Caradhras."
"Did anyone hear her in their head at the mountain?"
Eight people shake their heads in the negative.
"Who's head did you visit?"
"Legolas', but I didn't say anything. I just listened."
"MINE! WHY MINE?"
"You were the easiest to access art the time."
"Well as long as the company remains true, and doesn't kill a certain princess, you still have hope to succeed. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil.
Grandmother has kindly given us a pavilion like thing that is near the room that I had when I was little.
But I don't get my old room. No of course not. I have a little attachment to the pavilion for privacy.
"A lament for Gandalf." Legolas says staring into the trees.
"What do they say about him?"
"I have not the heart to tell you. For me, the grief is still too near."
"Mithrandir, Mithrandir, A Randir Vithren ú-reniathach i amar galen I reniad lín ne mór, nuithannen In gwidh ristennin, i fae narchannen I lach Anor ed ardhon gwannen Caled veleg, ethuiannen."
(Mithrandir, Mithrandir, O Pilgrim Grey No more will you wander the green fields of this earth Your journey has ended in darkness. The bonds cut, the spirit broken The Flame of Anor has left this World A great light has gone out.)
"You know it?" Sam asks as I finish with the Lorien elves.
"Yes, I do."
"Could you translate it?"
"No. Not now anyways."
With that I walk off into the forest waving off any further pleas or cries.
I sit down in a clearing, and I can feel the tears that I held back start to fall.
"Helaku, are you all right?"
"No, Grandmother, I am not. Gandalf just died, and I'm here facing Haldir who is going to push for a bonding ceremony."
"And you don't want to marry Haldir. Do you?"
"No, I'd rather - well it doesn't matter."
"That is were you are wrong. It does matter. I know you love the Prince of Mirkwood as more than a friend and desire that kind of love in return."
I look at her with wide eyes. "Is it that obvious?"
"No. I listened to your thoughts earlier."
"Grandmother!"
"I am sorry. I just needed to know something, and now that I know I am here to help you feel at ease."
"What did you need to know?"
"Nothing too important."
I raise an eyebrow.
//"Tell him how you feel, Anariel*"//
//"I can't."//
//"Yes you can. I know you can."//
Just as suddenly as she came, my grandmother was gone.
"Good bye."
It is early the next morn when I walk back into camp.
"Where have you been?" Aragorn hisses as he and the rest of the Fellowship walks out of the pavilion.
"I spent the night in the woods, Mom."
"I am sorry. I was just worried about you. You disappeared without a trace."
"Look, Aragorn, I am Princess over these lands. I doubt I'll get lost."
"I'm worried about attacks, not you getting lost."
"Fine, I'll stay - Legolas, will you stop looking at me like that?"
"I know you."
"Wha- oh. Look I know it's a shock and when I remembered-"
"You knew! You knew, and you didn't say anything. You were the girl I - arrgh! I'll kill you."
"I'm - I'm s-s-sorry." I stutter as I back away.
"Don't talk to me. I can never forgive you for this."
I feel and heart plummet as these words left his lips. His beautiful lips that I have longed to taste but never will because of this.
"Legolas, wait."
"No."
I feel like ice has spread through my body and run off into the forest crying.
I stop once and look back at Legolas with nothing less than love in my heart for him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Anariel means Daughter of the Sun. It is the name Helaku will take when she is crowned Princess of Lothlorien once the Ring is destroyed. You will see this name used more often in the second story to this. A Search for Peach and the Two Towers.
