Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
Authors Note: OK, just about everyone caught me on this in the last chapter, so I figured I'd clarify. The little section 'Elisandra's horse - which was a human horse and liable to run away, unlike Arod, who was a human horse that was not liable to run away' was not typed wrong. I was just being confusing and clarifying that Arod wasn't likely to run away, while Elisandra's horse was likely to run away, despite the fact that they were both human horses. However, since everybody was obviously confused by it, that section has now been changed to: 'Elisandra's horse - which was a human horse and liable to run away, unlike Arod, who was a Rohirric horse that was not liable to run away' Sound good? Good. And let this be a warning to all the other authors reading this - this is what happens when you edit a chapter when half asleep. You miss blatantly confusing things.
And on the bright side - I have a Sindarin dictionary now! Go me! So Legolas will actually be using some Elvish now! *hop* And the chapter's title is Sindarin...it means 'mother'.
------------------------------
-No Eyes Needed-
------------------------------
-Chapter XXIV-
-Naneth-
------------------------------
When Legolas, Elisandra, Aragorn, and the guard from Gondor reached Rivendell, they found, to their surprise, that Elladan and Elrohir were already waiting for them. It was still raining - and quite heavily - but the twins were standing out in the courtyard in their normal, indoors clothes, thoroughly soaked. Legolas and Elisandra glanced at each other in confusion, and then Elisandra spotted Haldir standing not far off, also dressed in normal indoor clothing and thoroughly soaked. She pointed him out to Legolas with a nod of her head, and he grinned, the realization that Celeborn was responsible for all three of them being out in the rain coming to him, as well.
"Greetings, Estel." Elrohir said with a smile as they rode up. Aragorn arched an eyebrow at the soaked twins, then, noticing Legolas and Elisandra's grins, decided not to comment.
"Greetings, Elrohir, Elladan." he said cheerfully, dismounting. Legolas and Elisandra were quick to follow him to the ground, despite the annoyed glances they were getting from the twins for their grins.
"This is a most welcome surprise, brother. What brings you to Rivendell?" Elladan asked.
"Them." Aragorn said, nodding towards Elisandra and Legolas, who looked at him in surprise.
"Ah, you received word of their adventures on the journey here, then?" Elrohir said, and Aragorn nodded.
"I have. But perhaps we should continue this conversation inside?" Aragorn said pointedly. Elisandra watched, slightly amused, as Elrohir and Elladan glanced at each other, then over to Haldir, who shrugged in response to their silent question.
"We should, yes." Elladan said, turning back to Aragorn. When neither brother moved, Aragorn arched an eyebrow inquiringly.
"We should, but Elladan and I will not risk entering the house until supper." Elrohir said, glancing towards the house with slight nervousness while Elladan shifted from foot to foot.
"And why not?" Aragorn asked, his eyebrow rising higher. The twins glanced at each other, but neither answered. When Aragorn started to look impatient, Elisandra decided to step in.
"I believe they are in fear of Lord Celeborn's wrath?" she said with a smirk. The twins glared at her. Both of Aragorn's eyebrows shot up.
"What did you do this time?" he asked.
"Why do you automatically assume WE did something? Could it not just be that Grandfather is in a bad mood and we wish to steer clear of him?" Elladan asked with slight annoyance.
"I assume you did something because you are standing out in the rain soaking wet, something you would never do under normal conditions." Aragorn replied. "But whatever it is you did, you are going to have to live with the consequences of it, since I, for one, do not intend to stand out here until supper time. Neither do I intend to let my men, after riding with me almost non stop from Gondor, to continue standing out in the rain." With that, Aragorn strode past the twins, who, after glaring at him, quickly followed. Legolas and Elisandra were not far behind, both noticing that Haldir remained outside.
Once inside, Elladan and Elrohir, without even stopping to change into drier clothes, immediately started assigning rooms to Aragorn and his men, and Legolas and Elisandra soon excused themselves to go find their own dry clothes. On their way back to their rooms, they encountered Celeborn, who, with a rather evil gleam in his eyes, asked them if they'd seen Elladan, Elrohir or his 'renegade Marchwarden'.
"I believe I last saw my uncles finding rooms for Aragorn and his men." Elisandra replied innocently. "I have not encountered Haldir since breakfast."
"Many thanks." Celeborn said, a grin breaking out over his face, and he headed off the way Legolas and Elisandra had come. Legolas arched an eyebrow at Elisandra once the Lord was gone.
"May I ask why you did not mention Haldir's whereabouts?" Legolas asked.
"Mmm, I'll tell you later." Elisandra replied. "Or, actually, you shall figure it out later when I tell you something else." Legolas paused, digesting that, and then nodded.
"Very well." he said, and they started walking towards their rooms again. When they came to the hall were they had to part to get to their individual rooms, they paused, and Legolas pulled Elisandra close to him for a brief kiss.
"I shall see you later, meleth [love]." Legolas said with a soft smile. Elisandra returned the smile, and they parted ways. Going to her room, Elisandra changed quickly, then grabbed the rain-proof cloak that she'd acquired from her uncles on her arrival at Rivendell, and headed in the direction she knew Haldir's room was. She didn't expect him to be there - he'd most likely still be outside, avoiding Celeborn - but she could find one of his cloaks and take it out to him. And then she could ask him the question that had been itching at her mind since they'd talked last night.
As she suspected, Haldir was not in evidence in his room, so after a minimal amount of searching, she found one of his cloaks, and with the cloak draped over her arm, headed back out into the rain. It was still raining quite heavily, she discovered happily, and smiled as she watched the rain come down. Haldir, thankfully, had not gone far from the entrance, though he was now looking rather longingly at the entrance. When Elisandra approached him, he eyed her warily for a moment, then brightened when she held out the cloak.
"I thought you might appreciate a little protection." she said with a smile as Haldir hurriedly put on the cloak.
"I do. Thank you." he said, wrapping the cloak around him. "Though I'm afraid it will not do much good, since I am already soaked."
"I'm sure you'll dry out." Elisandra said. "And perhaps after Celeborn has dealt with the twins, his wrath will have subsided enough that you may go in and dry off properly."
"IF Celeborn deals with the twins. Those two know many ways to stay out of the path of one they do not wish to meet." Haldir said, his appreciation clearly heard in his voice.
"Ah, but they were still showing Aragorn and his men to their rooms when I directed Celeborn their way." Elisandra said with a wicked grin. "There was no way for them to escape him." Haldir arched an eyebrow.
"After hearing that, somehow entering the house before supper does not sound like such a good idea, especially coming from you." he said.
"Oh, I won't tell Celeborn where you are." Elisandra said, and then as a thought occurred to her, she grinned again and added, "If you answer a question for me."
"And what question might that be?" Haldir asked warily.
"One about...our conversation last night." Elisandra said, suddenly unsure. Haldir seemed just as unsure as her, but after a moment, nodded.
"Ask away, then." he said. Elisandra bit her lip, and remained silent for a moment longer. Finally, she took a deep breath and asked.
"Are you my father?" For what seemed like hours, but was only minutes, the only sound was the rain coming down around them. Then, Haldir spoke.
"Unless Eneira was hiding another reason for leaving Lothlorien, yes." he said.
"You speak as if she already hid a reason for leaving." Elisandra said with curiosity.
"She did, though I did not know it at the time." Haldir replied with a sigh. "She saw me only briefly before she left, insisting that she could not bear the hurt she would bring to me when she grew old and died. I tried to talk her out of leaving, but she was persistent, and I was on watch and could not go after her as I wished. I doubt it would have made much difference, anyways. But when I returned to Lothlorien in the evening, I was determined to go after her.
"It was then that Orophin handed me a letter from her, saying he would not let me go anywhere until I had read it. I think Eneira ordered him to do that under pain of her wrath." Haldir smiled wryly. "Ever since my brother has claimed that as he stood in my way and insisted I read the letter, he was in mortal fear of another kinslaying occurring.
"My wrath was not that strong, however, and the pull of a letter from Eneira, even though I had no doubt it would say naught but goodbye, was strong. So I stayed and read the letter. Among many other things, it warned me not to come after her. She claimed that she would rather die than live to see my pain as she grew older. She knew that I would still try to follow, thinking I could convince her otherwise, and warned that if I still followed, I would be risking not one life, but two. At the time, I thought she meant that she was threatening my life, as well. But I now know she was not." Haldir smiled sadly as he finished, and Elisandra swallowed heavily.
"She knew she was with child - she knew she was carrying me." Elisandra choked out. Haldir nodded.
"Aye, she knew. And true to her personality, instead of it bringing her great joy, it brought her great pain, for she knew that you would be Half-Elven, and that you would live to see her grow old and die, and far beyond." he said.
"What is so terrible about growing old and dieing that she feared it so? It is no terrible thing, from what I have seen. Certainly those in Minas Tirith do not appear to fear it as you say she did." Elisandra said with a slight frown. Haldir paused, frowning in thought, before he answered.
"Eneira did not so much fear growing old and dieing as fear for others feelings as she grew old and died. Eneira hated to cause others pain - taking them down a notch, or embarrassing them, was fine. But she drew the line at emotional or physical pain. It was one of the reasons her and Orophin's victims always forgave them rather quickly. They would come and apologize for their pranks and explain why they had done them if their victims seemed to become distressed over the incident. Once they even managed to order all the Elves in Caras Galadhorn not to mention a prank they had pulled the day before because the Elf they had played it on had not taken it as well as they had thought he would." Haldir explained. "So Eneira's great fear was not of dieing - she seemed fully ready to accept it when it happened - but her fear was of causing others pain with her death."
"And yet, in her attempt to escape causing such pain, she seems to have caused more than she would have if she had just remained." Elisandra said softly.
"Aye, one could say that." Haldir said, and then smiled suddenly. "But come, the rain has stopped, the sun is shining. Let us leave sad memories behind for now." Elisandra smiled and nodded in return, noticing for the first time that the rain had indeed stopped, and the clouds that had caused the rain were far distant.
"Let's!" she said, removing her cloak. Haldir did the same, and then glanced down at his still damp clothes with a critical eye.
"I believe these clothes need some sun to dry properly." he said, they offered Elisandra his arm. "Care to walk with me while they dry?"
"Would you not prefer to return to your room and change into dryer clothes?" Elisandra asked, arching an eyebrow.
"These clothes need to dry sooner or later. Whether they dry on me or not makes no difference - the sun shall be doing the work either way." Haldir said with a shrug. Elisandra grinned at Haldir's logic, and then took his arm.
"In that case, I shall be delighted to accompany you for a walk." she said, and then frowned as she felt a twinge in her stomach. "But only if the walk leads to food. I seem to have forgotten lunch."
"As have I." Haldir remarked, then added thoughtfully. "Though I did not so much as forget, as fear my Lord's wrath more than I needed food." Elisandra chuckled as the two of them began to walk in the general direction of the kitchens. The kitchens had their own door to the outside, so Haldir didn't need to enter the house and risk running into Celeborn. Though, truthfully, there was just as much risk of running into Celeborn outside, now that the rain had stopped. Neither Elisandra nor Haldir choose to think on that, however.
They walked in silence for a while, Elisandra enjoying the scenery and the sun like only one who is newly able to see them can, and Haldir lost in his thoughts. After awhile, however, Haldir's thoughts became too depressing and sad for him, so he shook his head and turned to Elisandra to talk.
"So, now that we have dismissed talk of your mother because of the weather, perhaps we shall talk about you?" he said.
"There is not much about me to talk about." Elisandra said with a smile, pulling herself away from the scenery. "But if there is anything you wish to know, ask." Haldir paused to consider that for a moment, and then grinned almost mischievously.
"Anything, you say?" he said. Elisandra eyed him warily, wondering if perhaps she had made a mistake, and when Haldir spoke again, she realized she had. "How is your relationship with Legolas coming along?" Haldir asked, and Elisandra held in a groan.
"What relationship? We are friends." she said, suddenly finding the path very interesting.
"Really now." Haldir said in a disbelieving tone. "I must say, I've never encountered a pair of friends before that likes to take moonlit strolls through deserted gardens." Elisandra stumbled a bit, and then glared at Haldir.
"And how would you know how Legolas and I spend our time?" she asked with mock severity, really just hoping to get off the topic of her and Legolas. She had accepted her feelings for him, yes, but that didn't mean she was particularly inclined to share them with others.
"Hmm, you ran into me on your latest walk, perhaps?" Haldir replied, and then added thoughtfully. "Dwarves are handy sources of information, as well."
"I am going to shoot Gimli." Elisandra declared.
"Be gentle, yendë [daughter], Dwarves are also very easy to get information out of without them even knowing they are giving anything away." Haldir said with a smile. Elisandra was silent then, thoughtful, also trying to get over her surprise at how easily Haldir had referred to her as his daughter. Haldir, however, did not intend to let the subject he had chosen drop.
"So, is my information about how you and Legolas spend your evenings correct?" he prodded. Elisandra sighed, rolling her eyes.
"Even if it is, what is wrong with walking?" she asked.
"Nothing at all, if that is ALL you two are doing." he replied, arching an eyebrow. He grinned when he saw a blush start to creep up Elisandra's neck, knowing he'd hit the mark. "Lovers, then?" The glare he received confirmed his guess, and he smiled back at her placidly. After a moment, Elisandra relaxed her glare and smiled back ruefully.
"Somehow I get the feeling I had it much easier in Gondor than I would have had if I had grown up in Lothlorien." she said.
"Most likely. Aragorn is rather pliable in any woman's hands." Haldir said, hiding a snigger. "Though I would inquire after Elladan and Elrohir about ways to avoid those seeking you should Aragorn discover that you and Legolas are lovers."
"I was already planning on it." Elisandra replied dryly. "I have felt his over protectiveness first hand, after all, what with my sight being so limited during all the time I was in Minas Tirith. I am actually surprised he has not come looking for me by now, concerned that I am wandering about in a strange place by myself."
"He is probably either tired, trying not to laugh at Elladan and Elrohir as they complain about Lord Celeborn, greeting various elves, or all three." Haldir said as they approached the kitchen entrance. Elisandra laughed, then let go of Haldir's arm as he opened the door to the kitchen. He had barely stuck his head in and found one of the cooks that he recognized before he was rudely shoved out again, followed by said cook that he'd recognized.
"Árahen, what -" Haldir was cut off as the Elf's hand clamped over his mouth.
"You have the worst timing of any Elf I know!" she hissed, and then fell silent, cocking her head to one side, listening. Elisandra and Haldir, now listening as well, soon heard Lord Celeborn's voice drifting out from the kitchen, mixed with those of the kitchen staff. He was not there for long, however, and soon they heard him bidding farewell. Only once Árahen was sure Lord Celeborn was gone did she remove her hand from where it was still clamped over Haldir's mouth.
"Honestly, Haldir! The one time in the entire morning Lord Celeborn thinks to look in the kitchens, you show up!" she said in exasperation.
"I did not plan it that way!" Haldir said indignantly. "I have been avoiding him all morning! It is simply bad luck on my part!" Árahen snorted, obviously not believing him for an instant.
"Whatever you say, Haldir." she said. "What dragged you down here at such an inopportune moment, anyways?"
"Hunger." Elisandra replied for Haldir. "Both of us managed to skip lunch."
"Ah, well now that can be remedied." Árahen said brightly, then shot a look at Haldir and added, "Unlike the unerring ability some Marchwarden's have to show up wherever their Lord's are, whether it is wise or not." Haldir scowled slightly at the cook, and Elisandra grinned.
"Ah, what wouldn't all children give to hear their parent scolded by a kitchen cook." she said soft enough that only Haldir could here, and barely managed to dodge Haldir's grab for her ear. Her grin growing, Elisandra dashed into the kitchen, Árahen and Haldir following at a more sedate pace.
\/---Reviews are nice, yes indeed. Please leave one? *puppy dog eyes* Pretty please? With an elf on top?---\/
Authors Note: OK, just about everyone caught me on this in the last chapter, so I figured I'd clarify. The little section 'Elisandra's horse - which was a human horse and liable to run away, unlike Arod, who was a human horse that was not liable to run away' was not typed wrong. I was just being confusing and clarifying that Arod wasn't likely to run away, while Elisandra's horse was likely to run away, despite the fact that they were both human horses. However, since everybody was obviously confused by it, that section has now been changed to: 'Elisandra's horse - which was a human horse and liable to run away, unlike Arod, who was a Rohirric horse that was not liable to run away' Sound good? Good. And let this be a warning to all the other authors reading this - this is what happens when you edit a chapter when half asleep. You miss blatantly confusing things.
And on the bright side - I have a Sindarin dictionary now! Go me! So Legolas will actually be using some Elvish now! *hop* And the chapter's title is Sindarin...it means 'mother'.
------------------------------
-No Eyes Needed-
------------------------------
-Chapter XXIV-
-Naneth-
------------------------------
When Legolas, Elisandra, Aragorn, and the guard from Gondor reached Rivendell, they found, to their surprise, that Elladan and Elrohir were already waiting for them. It was still raining - and quite heavily - but the twins were standing out in the courtyard in their normal, indoors clothes, thoroughly soaked. Legolas and Elisandra glanced at each other in confusion, and then Elisandra spotted Haldir standing not far off, also dressed in normal indoor clothing and thoroughly soaked. She pointed him out to Legolas with a nod of her head, and he grinned, the realization that Celeborn was responsible for all three of them being out in the rain coming to him, as well.
"Greetings, Estel." Elrohir said with a smile as they rode up. Aragorn arched an eyebrow at the soaked twins, then, noticing Legolas and Elisandra's grins, decided not to comment.
"Greetings, Elrohir, Elladan." he said cheerfully, dismounting. Legolas and Elisandra were quick to follow him to the ground, despite the annoyed glances they were getting from the twins for their grins.
"This is a most welcome surprise, brother. What brings you to Rivendell?" Elladan asked.
"Them." Aragorn said, nodding towards Elisandra and Legolas, who looked at him in surprise.
"Ah, you received word of their adventures on the journey here, then?" Elrohir said, and Aragorn nodded.
"I have. But perhaps we should continue this conversation inside?" Aragorn said pointedly. Elisandra watched, slightly amused, as Elrohir and Elladan glanced at each other, then over to Haldir, who shrugged in response to their silent question.
"We should, yes." Elladan said, turning back to Aragorn. When neither brother moved, Aragorn arched an eyebrow inquiringly.
"We should, but Elladan and I will not risk entering the house until supper." Elrohir said, glancing towards the house with slight nervousness while Elladan shifted from foot to foot.
"And why not?" Aragorn asked, his eyebrow rising higher. The twins glanced at each other, but neither answered. When Aragorn started to look impatient, Elisandra decided to step in.
"I believe they are in fear of Lord Celeborn's wrath?" she said with a smirk. The twins glared at her. Both of Aragorn's eyebrows shot up.
"What did you do this time?" he asked.
"Why do you automatically assume WE did something? Could it not just be that Grandfather is in a bad mood and we wish to steer clear of him?" Elladan asked with slight annoyance.
"I assume you did something because you are standing out in the rain soaking wet, something you would never do under normal conditions." Aragorn replied. "But whatever it is you did, you are going to have to live with the consequences of it, since I, for one, do not intend to stand out here until supper time. Neither do I intend to let my men, after riding with me almost non stop from Gondor, to continue standing out in the rain." With that, Aragorn strode past the twins, who, after glaring at him, quickly followed. Legolas and Elisandra were not far behind, both noticing that Haldir remained outside.
Once inside, Elladan and Elrohir, without even stopping to change into drier clothes, immediately started assigning rooms to Aragorn and his men, and Legolas and Elisandra soon excused themselves to go find their own dry clothes. On their way back to their rooms, they encountered Celeborn, who, with a rather evil gleam in his eyes, asked them if they'd seen Elladan, Elrohir or his 'renegade Marchwarden'.
"I believe I last saw my uncles finding rooms for Aragorn and his men." Elisandra replied innocently. "I have not encountered Haldir since breakfast."
"Many thanks." Celeborn said, a grin breaking out over his face, and he headed off the way Legolas and Elisandra had come. Legolas arched an eyebrow at Elisandra once the Lord was gone.
"May I ask why you did not mention Haldir's whereabouts?" Legolas asked.
"Mmm, I'll tell you later." Elisandra replied. "Or, actually, you shall figure it out later when I tell you something else." Legolas paused, digesting that, and then nodded.
"Very well." he said, and they started walking towards their rooms again. When they came to the hall were they had to part to get to their individual rooms, they paused, and Legolas pulled Elisandra close to him for a brief kiss.
"I shall see you later, meleth [love]." Legolas said with a soft smile. Elisandra returned the smile, and they parted ways. Going to her room, Elisandra changed quickly, then grabbed the rain-proof cloak that she'd acquired from her uncles on her arrival at Rivendell, and headed in the direction she knew Haldir's room was. She didn't expect him to be there - he'd most likely still be outside, avoiding Celeborn - but she could find one of his cloaks and take it out to him. And then she could ask him the question that had been itching at her mind since they'd talked last night.
As she suspected, Haldir was not in evidence in his room, so after a minimal amount of searching, she found one of his cloaks, and with the cloak draped over her arm, headed back out into the rain. It was still raining quite heavily, she discovered happily, and smiled as she watched the rain come down. Haldir, thankfully, had not gone far from the entrance, though he was now looking rather longingly at the entrance. When Elisandra approached him, he eyed her warily for a moment, then brightened when she held out the cloak.
"I thought you might appreciate a little protection." she said with a smile as Haldir hurriedly put on the cloak.
"I do. Thank you." he said, wrapping the cloak around him. "Though I'm afraid it will not do much good, since I am already soaked."
"I'm sure you'll dry out." Elisandra said. "And perhaps after Celeborn has dealt with the twins, his wrath will have subsided enough that you may go in and dry off properly."
"IF Celeborn deals with the twins. Those two know many ways to stay out of the path of one they do not wish to meet." Haldir said, his appreciation clearly heard in his voice.
"Ah, but they were still showing Aragorn and his men to their rooms when I directed Celeborn their way." Elisandra said with a wicked grin. "There was no way for them to escape him." Haldir arched an eyebrow.
"After hearing that, somehow entering the house before supper does not sound like such a good idea, especially coming from you." he said.
"Oh, I won't tell Celeborn where you are." Elisandra said, and then as a thought occurred to her, she grinned again and added, "If you answer a question for me."
"And what question might that be?" Haldir asked warily.
"One about...our conversation last night." Elisandra said, suddenly unsure. Haldir seemed just as unsure as her, but after a moment, nodded.
"Ask away, then." he said. Elisandra bit her lip, and remained silent for a moment longer. Finally, she took a deep breath and asked.
"Are you my father?" For what seemed like hours, but was only minutes, the only sound was the rain coming down around them. Then, Haldir spoke.
"Unless Eneira was hiding another reason for leaving Lothlorien, yes." he said.
"You speak as if she already hid a reason for leaving." Elisandra said with curiosity.
"She did, though I did not know it at the time." Haldir replied with a sigh. "She saw me only briefly before she left, insisting that she could not bear the hurt she would bring to me when she grew old and died. I tried to talk her out of leaving, but she was persistent, and I was on watch and could not go after her as I wished. I doubt it would have made much difference, anyways. But when I returned to Lothlorien in the evening, I was determined to go after her.
"It was then that Orophin handed me a letter from her, saying he would not let me go anywhere until I had read it. I think Eneira ordered him to do that under pain of her wrath." Haldir smiled wryly. "Ever since my brother has claimed that as he stood in my way and insisted I read the letter, he was in mortal fear of another kinslaying occurring.
"My wrath was not that strong, however, and the pull of a letter from Eneira, even though I had no doubt it would say naught but goodbye, was strong. So I stayed and read the letter. Among many other things, it warned me not to come after her. She claimed that she would rather die than live to see my pain as she grew older. She knew that I would still try to follow, thinking I could convince her otherwise, and warned that if I still followed, I would be risking not one life, but two. At the time, I thought she meant that she was threatening my life, as well. But I now know she was not." Haldir smiled sadly as he finished, and Elisandra swallowed heavily.
"She knew she was with child - she knew she was carrying me." Elisandra choked out. Haldir nodded.
"Aye, she knew. And true to her personality, instead of it bringing her great joy, it brought her great pain, for she knew that you would be Half-Elven, and that you would live to see her grow old and die, and far beyond." he said.
"What is so terrible about growing old and dieing that she feared it so? It is no terrible thing, from what I have seen. Certainly those in Minas Tirith do not appear to fear it as you say she did." Elisandra said with a slight frown. Haldir paused, frowning in thought, before he answered.
"Eneira did not so much fear growing old and dieing as fear for others feelings as she grew old and died. Eneira hated to cause others pain - taking them down a notch, or embarrassing them, was fine. But she drew the line at emotional or physical pain. It was one of the reasons her and Orophin's victims always forgave them rather quickly. They would come and apologize for their pranks and explain why they had done them if their victims seemed to become distressed over the incident. Once they even managed to order all the Elves in Caras Galadhorn not to mention a prank they had pulled the day before because the Elf they had played it on had not taken it as well as they had thought he would." Haldir explained. "So Eneira's great fear was not of dieing - she seemed fully ready to accept it when it happened - but her fear was of causing others pain with her death."
"And yet, in her attempt to escape causing such pain, she seems to have caused more than she would have if she had just remained." Elisandra said softly.
"Aye, one could say that." Haldir said, and then smiled suddenly. "But come, the rain has stopped, the sun is shining. Let us leave sad memories behind for now." Elisandra smiled and nodded in return, noticing for the first time that the rain had indeed stopped, and the clouds that had caused the rain were far distant.
"Let's!" she said, removing her cloak. Haldir did the same, and then glanced down at his still damp clothes with a critical eye.
"I believe these clothes need some sun to dry properly." he said, they offered Elisandra his arm. "Care to walk with me while they dry?"
"Would you not prefer to return to your room and change into dryer clothes?" Elisandra asked, arching an eyebrow.
"These clothes need to dry sooner or later. Whether they dry on me or not makes no difference - the sun shall be doing the work either way." Haldir said with a shrug. Elisandra grinned at Haldir's logic, and then took his arm.
"In that case, I shall be delighted to accompany you for a walk." she said, and then frowned as she felt a twinge in her stomach. "But only if the walk leads to food. I seem to have forgotten lunch."
"As have I." Haldir remarked, then added thoughtfully. "Though I did not so much as forget, as fear my Lord's wrath more than I needed food." Elisandra chuckled as the two of them began to walk in the general direction of the kitchens. The kitchens had their own door to the outside, so Haldir didn't need to enter the house and risk running into Celeborn. Though, truthfully, there was just as much risk of running into Celeborn outside, now that the rain had stopped. Neither Elisandra nor Haldir choose to think on that, however.
They walked in silence for a while, Elisandra enjoying the scenery and the sun like only one who is newly able to see them can, and Haldir lost in his thoughts. After awhile, however, Haldir's thoughts became too depressing and sad for him, so he shook his head and turned to Elisandra to talk.
"So, now that we have dismissed talk of your mother because of the weather, perhaps we shall talk about you?" he said.
"There is not much about me to talk about." Elisandra said with a smile, pulling herself away from the scenery. "But if there is anything you wish to know, ask." Haldir paused to consider that for a moment, and then grinned almost mischievously.
"Anything, you say?" he said. Elisandra eyed him warily, wondering if perhaps she had made a mistake, and when Haldir spoke again, she realized she had. "How is your relationship with Legolas coming along?" Haldir asked, and Elisandra held in a groan.
"What relationship? We are friends." she said, suddenly finding the path very interesting.
"Really now." Haldir said in a disbelieving tone. "I must say, I've never encountered a pair of friends before that likes to take moonlit strolls through deserted gardens." Elisandra stumbled a bit, and then glared at Haldir.
"And how would you know how Legolas and I spend our time?" she asked with mock severity, really just hoping to get off the topic of her and Legolas. She had accepted her feelings for him, yes, but that didn't mean she was particularly inclined to share them with others.
"Hmm, you ran into me on your latest walk, perhaps?" Haldir replied, and then added thoughtfully. "Dwarves are handy sources of information, as well."
"I am going to shoot Gimli." Elisandra declared.
"Be gentle, yendë [daughter], Dwarves are also very easy to get information out of without them even knowing they are giving anything away." Haldir said with a smile. Elisandra was silent then, thoughtful, also trying to get over her surprise at how easily Haldir had referred to her as his daughter. Haldir, however, did not intend to let the subject he had chosen drop.
"So, is my information about how you and Legolas spend your evenings correct?" he prodded. Elisandra sighed, rolling her eyes.
"Even if it is, what is wrong with walking?" she asked.
"Nothing at all, if that is ALL you two are doing." he replied, arching an eyebrow. He grinned when he saw a blush start to creep up Elisandra's neck, knowing he'd hit the mark. "Lovers, then?" The glare he received confirmed his guess, and he smiled back at her placidly. After a moment, Elisandra relaxed her glare and smiled back ruefully.
"Somehow I get the feeling I had it much easier in Gondor than I would have had if I had grown up in Lothlorien." she said.
"Most likely. Aragorn is rather pliable in any woman's hands." Haldir said, hiding a snigger. "Though I would inquire after Elladan and Elrohir about ways to avoid those seeking you should Aragorn discover that you and Legolas are lovers."
"I was already planning on it." Elisandra replied dryly. "I have felt his over protectiveness first hand, after all, what with my sight being so limited during all the time I was in Minas Tirith. I am actually surprised he has not come looking for me by now, concerned that I am wandering about in a strange place by myself."
"He is probably either tired, trying not to laugh at Elladan and Elrohir as they complain about Lord Celeborn, greeting various elves, or all three." Haldir said as they approached the kitchen entrance. Elisandra laughed, then let go of Haldir's arm as he opened the door to the kitchen. He had barely stuck his head in and found one of the cooks that he recognized before he was rudely shoved out again, followed by said cook that he'd recognized.
"Árahen, what -" Haldir was cut off as the Elf's hand clamped over his mouth.
"You have the worst timing of any Elf I know!" she hissed, and then fell silent, cocking her head to one side, listening. Elisandra and Haldir, now listening as well, soon heard Lord Celeborn's voice drifting out from the kitchen, mixed with those of the kitchen staff. He was not there for long, however, and soon they heard him bidding farewell. Only once Árahen was sure Lord Celeborn was gone did she remove her hand from where it was still clamped over Haldir's mouth.
"Honestly, Haldir! The one time in the entire morning Lord Celeborn thinks to look in the kitchens, you show up!" she said in exasperation.
"I did not plan it that way!" Haldir said indignantly. "I have been avoiding him all morning! It is simply bad luck on my part!" Árahen snorted, obviously not believing him for an instant.
"Whatever you say, Haldir." she said. "What dragged you down here at such an inopportune moment, anyways?"
"Hunger." Elisandra replied for Haldir. "Both of us managed to skip lunch."
"Ah, well now that can be remedied." Árahen said brightly, then shot a look at Haldir and added, "Unlike the unerring ability some Marchwarden's have to show up wherever their Lord's are, whether it is wise or not." Haldir scowled slightly at the cook, and Elisandra grinned.
"Ah, what wouldn't all children give to hear their parent scolded by a kitchen cook." she said soft enough that only Haldir could here, and barely managed to dodge Haldir's grab for her ear. Her grin growing, Elisandra dashed into the kitchen, Árahen and Haldir following at a more sedate pace.
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