Disclaimer: I own nothing except my original characters.
Author's Note: 01/17/06 - It's weird because the brackets that I once used to indicate that Elvish was being spoken are no longer in this chapter when I opened it up to edit it so...hm. All I can say is that ifElenmírë is talking with Haldir, she is most likely speaking in Elvish unless indicated otherwise, lol.
The Imperfect One
By: JDArc
Chapter Fourteen: Arrival in Lothlórien
There were soft voices in the air, and although none sounded vaguely familiar, the language definately was. It was that of the Silvan folk from the East, and although Elenmírë had never traveled beyond the borders of Imladris, Lord Elrond had taught her well in speech. Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked up in confusion at the golden leaves that shimmered just above her head. She was in a tree, that was certain, but even with her Elven eyes, she could not discern where the tops finally reached out to the sky's embrace. She knew she was flat on her back, but it did not feel as though she were lying prone on a mere branch. She tried to lift her head slowly, but a wave of dizziness caused her to lie back down. She panicked momentarily; Elves never got dizzy, nor did they ever regain consciousness with their eyes closed.
"What has happened?" she muttered groggily, and her hand flew to her throat at the harshness of her voice.
"Ah, child," a male answered in the Elvish tongue. "It is time you have awoken."
She carefully turned her head toward the sound, and her eyes grew wide at the sight of the Elf in front of her. He was attired in a beautifully embroidered tunic of silver and gold, and a green cloak fell from his shoulders. His light hair shone even in the darkness of the night, and his ethereal glow enhanced his beauty. A small gasp escaped Elenmírë's lips before she could prevent it, and she turned away shyly, well aware of her plain features. His beauty was far beyond that of an average Elf, reminding her very much so of a certain Prince of Mirkwood.
"Who are you?" she questioned, avoiding his gaze. "Where am I, and what has happened?"
"You are in the Realm of the Golden Wood, Elenmírë," he answered with a smile.
"Lothlórien!" she called out in alarm. "How..." Her voice trailed off as cloudy memories began to replay in her mind. Thoughts of the darkness of Moria brought shivers to her arms, and she hugged herself tightly, shaking her head to rid herself of the coldness that had begun to creep into her body. Then, without warning, Gandalf's fall into the great abyss beneath the Bridge of Khazad-Dum struck her like a flash of lightning, and tears sprung to her eyes. She looked up tearfully at the mysterious Elf, unanswered questions flashing across her face, and she struggled for a moment to decide which to ask first. "Who are you?" she repeated.
"My name is Haldir," he answered in the Common Tongue. A strange accent decorated his words, and a flash of amusement teased the corners of Elenmírë's lips. "We have not had dealings with those from other lands; therefore we rarely speak in any tongue other than our own." She nodded in understanding.
"Where exactly are my companions?" she asked, slowly pulling herself up into a sitting position. The dizziness she had experienced seconds before did not return, much to her relief, and she looked about her. Her eyes widened at the vastness of the forest and at the beauty of the majestic Mellyrn, and immediately she realized what she had been lying on. It was a talan, or a wooden platform, that had been built into the branches of the tree, and there were a number of talan scattered throughout.
"Behind you, young one, are your Halfling friends," Haldir explained, pointing them out, and only then did Elenmírë notice the four tiny bodies. Merry, Pippin, and Sam were asleep, but Frodo was breathing far too heavily. She knew he was still awake, even if his closed eyes tried to show otherwise.
"What of the others?" she questioned and furrowed her brow. She watched as Haldir extended his hand out gracefully, pointing at the next Mellyrn over, and there were the rest. Aragorn, Boromir, Gimli, and Mary Sue were all asleep, bundled in fur blankets, most likely provided by the Elves of Lorien, but Legolas was on his feet, his eyes wide as he stared back at her in disbelief, and within another moment, he quickly disappeared from her sight.
"Where is Legolas going?" Haldir inquired, his voice tinged with slight annoyance. "He must watch the Dwarf-"
"Gimli is no threat!" Elenmírë defended, swerving her head and locking her grey eyes with his. This time she did not look away, as uncomfortable as she was. Haldir still looked genuinely worried, but before he could speak another word, Legolas's head emerged from the bottom of the talan, and he climbed up swiftly the rest of the way.
"Haldir," he greeted with a slight nod of his head. "I must speak with her."
"But you must have an eye on that dwarf!" Haldir protested.
"He is asleep, and I assure you, even if he were awake, he is no trouble," Legolas stated, a hint of a plea in his tone. Haldir's eyes narrowed, but he soon climbed down the ladder the same way Legolas had climbed up, and sure enough, the two spotted him as he took post where Legolas had been mere minutes before. Elenmírë could not meet Legolas's eyes, and instead, opted to study her hands, both of which had remained pale. Legolas seated himself noiselessly beside her, contemplating the perfect way to initiate a conversation, but she spoke first.
"What happened outside of Moria, Legolas?" she asked, her voice slightly quavering. "I do not remember."
"You collapsed," he answered simply, "but I do not know why. I hope that once we meet the Lady of the Wood, we will find answers."
"But how did I get here?" she asked. "If I were unconscious, how-"
"I carried you," Legolas cut in, and Elenmírë snapped her head to stare at him. Her mouth fell open slightly, but no words would come out, and she turned away once more.
"You shouldn't have," she spat. They remained silent, Elenmírë concentrating on some unknown spot on the talan, and Legolas studying her weary face. The sound of running water greeted her ears, and she straightened in curiosity. There was a sweet voice infused within it, and she frowned slightly, trying to figure out what it was.
"The fair Nimrodel," he whispered. "She calls to you, does she not?" She closed her eyes, as if to focus on the water's gurgling babble.
"Nimrodel," Elenmírë repeated, opening her eyes, revealing the shimmer of unshed tears. "Some in Rivendell sing of her, in the Westron speech."
"Yes," he replied, nodding, and softly, he began to sing. Elenmírë watched and listened to him as his voice filled her ears, the words sounding oddly different, though she knew the song by heart. Love filled his eyes as their gazes locked, and try as she might, she could not tear her gaze away from his, and her lips trembled.
"Stop," she urged suddenly, and he broke away from song. She shook her head at his questioning gaze. "Nimrodel lost her love, Legolas. Amroth and Nimrodel lost each other. It is not a tale I wish to remember...not when I still grieve." He reached for her, but she edged back, shaking her head again. "Please." Clenching her hands into fists underneath the blanket that covered her, she inhaled sharply before spitting out her next words. "Go away, Legolas. You've done enough damage, carrying me here. I will not yield to my...attraction to you." Legolas flinched, as if slapped, and he soon shielded his hurt with a sneer.
"Is that all I ever was to you, Elenmírë?" he demanded. She would not meet his gaze, nor would she answer him. "Beneath the snow on Caradhras, did I not matter to you? Were my words, my hopes all in vain?" She turned away and lay down, covering herself almost completely from his view with the warm fur blanket.
"There is no more hope, Legolas," she whispered. "What should we dare to hope for? Love?" She let out a bitter laugh. "Love does not pass the test of time. Nothing lasts forever, or was that not apparent to you in Khazad- Dum? Gandalf is gone, the Ring is growing ever stronger, and the tension in our Fellowship is rising. Do you not feel it? What hope have we? Hope is lost to us, much like Nimrodel is to Amroth." She shuddered and pressed her face against the soft pillow beneath her head.
"I will not give up on you," Legolas declared fiercely, before rising to his feet. "Say what you will, but there is still hope...even in all things left unsaid."
"You are too optimistic for your own good," she sighed, her voice muffled. "The higher you dare to hope, the farther you will fall, Legolas."
"I will not give up on you," he repeated just as fervently, and paused slightly before leaning down and placing a loving kiss in her hair. Her mind protested as her body weakened at the contact; she could not deny that one simple touch from him could provide her with all the warmth she needed, warmth that the blanket she lay under could not give her. She retracted from him, and whimpered.
"Go."
"Rest, melamin," he bid farewell and exited the way he entered, and Elenmírë let out another sigh, this one of relief. She could not trust herself in his presence; the wall she had tried to build between them was slowly crumbling before her, but she did not want to succumb to him. Nonetheless, he was right: she needed rest. However, she could still feel eyes watching her, and she sat up quickly, startling a wide-eyed Frodo Baggins.
"Frodo, you should sleep," she chided in a low voice. "You will need your strength."
"I-I...cannot," he replied, his wide, tortured eyes revealing an inner struggle. "The song of Nimrodel haunts me."
"It is a sad tale, but do not let it trouble you."
"Then why do you?" Taken aback, the She-Elf gazed at the young Hobbit, but did not know how to reply. Frodo merely studied her for a moment before speaking again. "I also see you suffer, Elenmírë; Legolas is right. You need your rest, too. It will be a long journey." Elenmírë stared in disbelief at the hobbit before her, but he paid no heed as he rolled over on one side and curled into a fetal position, drawing the covers over his small frame.
"You speak wisely, friend," she whispered. "Sleep well." She also lowered herself into her makeshift bed, pulling the covers close. It took only mere seconds before her eyes glazed over with sleep.
"YRCH!"
The yell drew Elenmírë from her rest, and she was on her feet even before the hobbits next to her struggled with their heavy eyelids.
"What's going on?" Pippin's small voice came from under the heavy covers, and the She-Elf was by him in a matter of seconds.
"They've spotted Orcs," she explained in a hushed tone, and Frodo drew a glowing Sting from his scabbard as Merry and Pippin sat up abruptly. Sam lay still, shivering underneath his blanket in a quivering lump. "Quiet now," Elenmírë warned, glancing down to the ground below. They were a long ways up, but she knew that orcs were great climbers. She studied Frodo's blade as it began to fade, but there was some mischief in the air. She could feel it, but she did not know what it was. She turned to Frodo, and the look in his eyes told her he felt exactly the same thing. He shuffled closer to the tree's trunk and peered down through the hole in the talan.
"Elenmírë, I hear something sniffing," he whispered, his voice tinged with fear. Her hand drew to the hilt of her sword and she slowly approached behind Frodo.
"Get back," she hissed.
"I see something," he protested, "with two glowing eyes..."
Suddenly Haldir appeared, and Elenmírë let out a terrified squeak. The Elf looked at her in amusement.
"Did you not sense my approach, my Lady?" he asked, his voice teasing, though his eyes were worried.
"I sensed something evil," she answered, narrowing her eyes at him, but he shook his head.
"It was not I," he replied. "I saw a shadowy figure approach the talan, but it was gone before I could get any closer. What I did see, however, were two large eyes."
"As did I!" Frodo exlaimed, placing Sting back into its sheath.
"Yes," Haldir nodded. "It was no orc. My two brothers, Rumil and Orophin, and I led those away into the wood with feigned voices. Curse them! They ran through Nimrodel's clear waters with dirtied feet, but they will not leave the woods alive. Orophin has gone ahead to warn our people."
"But what was that creature in the tree then?" Elenmírë inquired, glancing at Frodo.
"I know not," Haldir sighed. "But it had some skill in climbing. Else would I have thought it were one of you hobbits!" Frodo's eyes widened at that, but a realization seemed to dawn on him for he pressed his lips into a determined line.
"What shall we do then?" he asked.
"You must take the road south as soon as it is fully light," Haldir answered, and with a nod at Elenmírë, "if the Lady is up to it. I fear you must go forward anyway even if you feel weakened from-"
"I am not weak!" she hissed indignantly. "I am no helpless Elf maiden-"
"I meant no offense, arwen en amin," he cut in, his eyes flashing dangerously. "I merely said what I did for you had fallen ill. I spoke with your health in mind." Elenmírë felt her cheeks redden and bowed her head to avoid his eyes.
"I am sorry," she whispered softly. "Diola lle, Haldir." (Thank you, Haldir.) He waved her apology away with a shake of his head and a wave of his hand.
"Worry not," he said. "Resume your rest, young ones." He settled down beside Elenmírë's place on the talan and sat with his legs crossed, his back straight. She blinked blankly at him.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Someone must watch over all of you," he stated matter-of-factly, giving her a slightly arrogant smirk. She felt her cheeks redden again, but she nodded, and slowly lowered herself onto her covers, feeling self- conscious with the Elf watching over them, knowing she could feel his eyes on her. She lay on her side, giving Haldir her back, and she smiled in reassurance to Merry and Pippin who mimicked her movements, though their faces revealed the shock of the news of orcs. A soft Evlish lullaby filled the air, and she turned sharply to give Haldir a look of surprise before she once again drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
She was up ere the sun shone in the pale blue sky, and Haldir greeted her with a slight nod. She looked away, terrified of how horrid her morning appearance might appear to the beautiful elf, and her gaze softened as her eyes landed on the four sleeping hobbits. She sat up quickly, running her fingers through the tangled mess that was her hair and straightening her tunic.
"Uuma dela," (Don't worry) Haldir spoke, his words halting her movements. "Amin uuma malia." (I don't care.)
"Mani?" (What?)
Haldir sighed and shook his head. "You needn't worry about your appearance, arwen en amin. It matters not." Her jaw dropped slightly and snapped shut in an instant.
"What, can you read minds, Haldir?" she inquired, the nervousness she felt slowly fading away like the morning mist. He rewarded her with a blinding smile, one full of amusement.
"No," he answered. "The blush that covers your cheeks and the way you avert your eyes indicate your feelings. You are easy to read." He tilted his head to study her. "You are young." Her back went rigid.
"Is that so bad?" she demanded, a growl rising from her chest.
"Nay, your naiveté is rather...endearing." She was taken aback with his direct reply, unable to absorb his words. She narrowed her eyes at him and looked away, opting instead to rouse the sleeping hobbits from their sleep. She rose to her feet and stretched before she knelt next to Pippin.
"Awake, Peregrin." An incorehent jumble of words flew from his lips as he turned on his side, not before he unconsciously flung his arm in her direction. Elenmírë frowned, crossed her arms and sat back on her heels. Quicker than she deemed possible, Haldir was at her side.
"Allow me," he said quietly, with a smirk. He looked at the sleeping Took's face and whispered one word: "Food!" Immediately, the hobbit's eyes sprang open, as did Merry's and Sam's, and Frodo blinked for a few seconds before he sat up. Elenmírë gaped at the hobbits before turning her surprised gaze to Haldir. He merely smiled at her before he crossed to the edge of the talan, letting out a low whistle to the other tree, and an almost identical whistle answered back. "Rumil and the others are ready!" Haldir informed them, and Pippin frowned.
"Why, it's time for breakfast!" he said. "Where's-"
"We must continue South, friend," Elenmírë answered. After a few minutes of packing and organizing their belongings, they met with the rest of the Fellowship on the forest floor by the path, and Haldir and Rumil took their place at the front to lead the company forward.
"Elenmírë!" a voice greeted her in a strangled tone, and Elenmírë whipped around to see Boromir, and his gaze, full of relief and love, was fixed on her. Choking back a sob, she ran into the open arms of her betrothed, burying her face onto his shoulder, and from her position, she did not see the look of triumph the Man of Gondor shot in the direction of the Prince of Mirkwood, nor did she catch a glimpse of the icy glare Legolas sent in return. She felt his hands cup her cheeks as he pulled away slightly, but he tilted her face just enough to study it as if to memorize every detail. "Don't you dare worry me again, Elenmírë," he whispered fiercely.
"My apologies," she answered, the corners of her lips twitching into a smile as she swept away the strands of hair that fell across his eyes and tucked them behind his ears. Just as Boromir leaned down to kiss her, Haldir cleared his throat in annoyance (much to Legolas's relief), and the couple broke free from each other as the Warrior of Lorien glared openly at their display of affection.
"Follow me," he commanded as he turned away abruptly, and he led the company onto the west side of the Silverlode, following the path a ways southward. Boromir protectively held onto Elenmírë's hand, as if afraid to let her go, but his eyes were not keen enough to capture the dark, furtive glances Legolas sent their way, though Elenmírë caught them sure enough. Something had happened between the two males while she had been ill, she was sure, but she did not know exactly what it was, but she was in no mood to demand an answer from Boromir right then. It would have to wait until they reached their destination, wherever that would be. Haldir cut through into the trees before abruptly pausing on a bank of the river, and he turned to look at the company.
"Across the stream, one of my people awaits," he informed them before he gave a low whistle, and out of the shadows, an Elf clad in similar fashion emerged, his hood thrown back to reveal a golden head of perfect hair, much to Elenmírë's chagrin. 'Is every inhabitant in Lorien so beautiful!' she thought to herself in discomfort, but her thoughts were momentarily interrupted as Haldir skillfully flung a cord of rope to the other side, and his comrade caught it with the greatest ease, tying the cord to a tree as Haldir did the same on the western bank. Much to the amazement of the hobbits, Haldir ran swiftly across the rope to land gracefully on the other end before running back and Legolas beamed.
"I can walk this path," said Legolas, "but the others have not the skill. Must they swim?"
"No!" Haldir answered. "We have two other ropes to tie just above this one. Those the rest may use to balance themselves to cross to the other side." When this slender bridge was made, the Company passed over, some cautiously and slowly, others more easily. Pippin proved the best out of the hobbits, and Elenmírë waited on the eastern bank with a congratulatory smile.
"Ah, Pippin, you are sure on your feet!" she greeted him.
"Of course!" he answered in mock offense before breaking out into a proud smile. When at length all the company was gathered on the east bank of the Silverlode, the Elves untied the ropes and coiled two of them. Rumil, who had remained on the other side, drew back the last one, slung it on his shoulder, and with a wave of his hand went away, back to Nimrodel to keep watch. Haldir called their attention.
"You have now entered the Naith of the Lorien, or the Gore," he informed them, his tone serious. "We allow no strangers to spy out the secrets of the Naith. Few indeed are even permitted to set foot here." He turned his eyes to Gimli the Dwarf, who then shuffled in uneasiness. "Therefore we must blindfold the Dwarf. The others may walk free awhile until we draw closer to our dwellings."
"This agreement was made without my consent!" Gimli roared, his eyes ablaze. "I will NOT walk blindfolded like some prisoner for I am no spy! I am no more likely to betray you than Legolas, or any other of my companions!" There was a note of panic and distress in his voice, and Haldir looked at him wearily.
"I do not doubt you," he anwered, "but this is our law. I am not the master of this law, nor can I set it aside-"
"I will walk free!" Gimli insisted, his face turning red. "Else I will go back and perish alone in the wilderness-"
"You cannot go back!" Haldir hissed. "There are guards now who hide secretly, and you would be slain ere you saw them!" Gimli growled and reached for his ax, which Aragorn immediately lay his hand on to stop his movements.
"A plague on Dwarves and their stiff necks!" Legolas sighed, crossing his arms with impatience.
"Haldir, please," Mary Sue pleaded, her eyes glancing from the Elf to the Dwarf. "Try to be reasonable! Gimli wouldn't do anything!"
"Come," Aragorn said, looking over the company sternly. "Blindfold us all, even Legolas." Gimli let out a hearty laugh.
"Ah!" he said, grinning widely. "I will be content, if only Legolas here shares my blindness!" The Mirkwood Prince stood frozen, his mouth agape for a few seconds before he reacted.
"I will not!" he cried out indignantly, very much like the young elf he was. He clenched his hands in anger. "I am an Elf and a Kinsman here-"
"Now let us a cry: 'A plague on the stiff necks of Elves!'" Aragorn commented dryly.
"I said nothing!" Elenmírë protested to the Ranger, though she shared Legolas's sentiments. Aragorn flashed her a quick apologetic smile before turning back to Haldir, who then nodded and proceeded to blindfold the company. Elenmírë watched anxiously as one by one, her companions were deprived of their sight, and when Haldir appraoched her, she shivered slightly.
"Lle desiel?" (Are you ready?) he asked her softly, and she shook her head fervently.
"Amin uuma merna ta!" (I don't want it!) she sneered with distaste, and he smirked at her. She did not fight him, however, when he brought the blindfold to her eyes, and satisfied with her silent acquiescence, he tied it securely.
"Worry not, arwenamin," he whispered softly. "You will not fall. The path I will lead you on will be clear and free of obstacles. You can trust me." She nodded, trying to calm her nervousness. He smiled fondly at her, though she could not see it, and he moved from her side.
The Company journeyed well through the day, and not once did a member of the Fellowship fall for Haldir remained true to his word and led them on a smooth and soft path. They relaxed and walked on worry-free, trusting in their own senses which had sharpened with the loss of sight. As twilight passed and dusk had fallen, they stopped and rested, but not once did Haldir allow them the freedom from their blindfolds, and because they could not see, they did not climb the trees for shelter and remained on the forest floor to rest, and for some, to sleep. They did not become distressed, however, for there was a secure feeling in Lorien; no shadow lay in its lands. The next morning, they journeyed further until midday, when they suddenly heard the melodic voices of Elves surrounding them all. Blindfolds came off, and the Fellowship delighted in the use of their eyes once more.
"A marching host of Elves have informed me of the Lady's commands," Haldir explained, his eyes merry. "The Lady of the Galadhrim knows who you all are and bids that you walk free the remainder of the way." He smiled in welcome to the Dwarf Gimli. "Look and be glad for you are the first dwarf to behold the trees of the Naith of Lorien since Durin's Day!" Gimli looked rather pleased with himself as he sat down on the soft grass, content with the new turn of events.
Elenmírë gasped audibly as she looked up into the left of the open field at which they stood and beheld a great mound where two rings of trees stood proudly, the outer ring of leafless, flawless white trees and the inner ring of tall, glorious mallorn-trees sprinkled with ancient talan. Numerous flowers were scattered about the hill, including the famed yellow elanor and pale niphredil.
"Cerin Amroth." Haldir was once again at her side as she gaped at the scenic hill. "Once the home to Amroth-"
"Nimrodel's lost love," Elenmírë sighed sadly, almost immediately turning away from the site. "It is a beautiful place, far more beautiful than I could have ever imagined." Her gaze fell upon Boromir and then Legolas, both of whom seemed happy at the moment to stare at the world around them. 'Cerin Amroth; 'tis but another place that proves love lasts not forever-' Elenmírë's private thoughts were suddenly invaded by an ancient, distant voice.
'Do not lose hope, young child,' the voice urged. 'The fulfillment of your destiny relies solely on you.' A pair of blue eyes flashed in her mind, and Elenmírë started, looking wildly this way and that, trying desperately to find the source of the haunting voice. Was she seriously starting to lose her mind? Was she officially going mad? Haldir looked at her strangely before he left to show Frodo the beauty of Cerin Amroth, and she turned to stare at Boromir and Legolas. Boromir motioned for her to relax with him on the green grass while Legolas watched on with jealousy raging in his eyes, and Mary Sue sat pensively, sadness burdening her pretty features as she studied Legolas's gaze with a heavy heart, knowing fully well with whom his interest lay.
'You alone will affect their futures,' the voice hissed, reverberating through Elenmírë's mind, and the She-Elf shivered, tearing her gaze away as she settled herself onto the grass with her back to them.
"I will not!" she protested in a voice just above a whisper. "I cannot-" A hand clasped onto her shoulder, and she yelped suddenly, jumping to her feet as she faced a surprised Boromir.
"What ails you?" he asked, drawing her near, but she stepped out of his embrace and shook her head, and without another word, she fled up toward Cerin Amroth.
TBC..