Author's Notes: This is chapter four in my Haldir romance fic. I know the last chapter didn't have any Hal in it but I promise this one does :D Please read and review!
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Those You Love
Arrival
by Celebrían
The golden sun had risen, and it was the start of a new day. Rúmil climbed up the ladder and found his brother in the exact same position as he left him, while he scouted out the Eastern border. "You haven't moved at all, have you?"
Haldir didn't look up at his brother; he kept his eyes transfixed on the borders. "There was an attack last night, didn't you hear it?" He looked over at his brother with a skewed smile. "Or did you fall asleep while you were out patrolling?"
Rúmil returned his brother's crooked smile with his own. "Yes Haldir, I took a nap." He said sarcastically. "I dreamt of my wife. I am beginning to forget what her face looks like." He sat down next to Haldir and let his legs dangle off the flet. "Thank the Valar we get to return to Caras Galadhon today. It's been a lovely eight days out here with you.... I think we did some real brotherly bonding." He said sharply.
Haldir snorted. "It seems some of my charm has rubbed off on you." He laughed heartily for a moment and then stopped, cocking his eyebrow and pursing his lips together tightly. "We still have to wait for the company from the Woodland Realm to arrive, and who knows...They might still be two or three days away, if they got caught up in trouble."
Rúmil sighed and tilted his head back. "You just love to crush my dreams, don't you?" He asked, but Haldir wasn't listening to him anymore. "Hal?"
Haldir squinted his eyes as he peered out into the Eastern borders. He put his finger up to his lip, to hush his brother. "They have come." He simply said as he quickly stood up and began to descend the ladder to the forest floor. Rúmil smiled to himself and then followed his brother.
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Legolas had dismounted and slowly led his horse, with his sister sitting upon it, through the forest. Lutheriel sat quietly and still, amazed at the beauty of the woods. Her heart beating a bit faster than normal and she couldn't decide if it was from the orc attack or the mere thought of being in the Lady Galadriel's realm. One thing that she noticed right away about the woods, was it was very still and quiet. She had expected something more like how it was in Rivendell. Yet these woods looked old and untouched. She looked at her brother, as he slowly led the horse down the path. "Lego-"
"Daro!" A strong male voice came from behind a tree.
Legolas immediately stopped, looking side to side for the source of the voice. Lutheriel felt as if her blood had frozen. Her mind racing, "What are the Galadrim like? Are they like the Elves of Rivendell or Mirkwood?" She thought, looking for the Elf that the voice belonged to.
Haldir stepped out from behind a tree, and bowed ever so slightly. "Mae Govannen! Legolas Thranduilion." He greeted. Haldir arched his eyebrow, looking at the very small company that he had brought with him. "Where is the rest of your company? Surely you did not leave the Woodland Realm without chaperones."
Legolas nodded. "We set out from Mirkwood with a company of six but last night we were attacked by orcs. Only my sister, Lutheriel, and I escaped."
Haldir drew a deep breath. "I feared there was a raid last night, though I could just barely hear the fighting." Haldir's eyes locked onto Lutheriel but then Rúmil stepped out from behind another tree and Haldir broke his gaze off of the Princess. He gestured to his brother. "This is my brother, Rúmil, and I am called Haldir. I serve as March Warden to the Lord and Lady. We are to escort you to the city."
Rúmil bowed his head. "Mae Govannen Prince and Princess." He greeted. "We did not expect to have two royal Elves from the Woodland Realm visit Lorien. It is a lovely surprise."
"Neither did Legolas." Lutheriel laughed. "My father thought Lothlorien would be a safe place for me to go." Lutheriel gave Rúmil a warm smile and he returned it. She gave the same smile to Haldir and he returned it with an icy glare that sent chills down her spine.
"I suppose we should lead you to the city now. The Lord and Lady should not be kept waiting." Haldir said rather curt, taking another quick glance at Lutheriel. He turned on his heel and began to walk down the path.
Legolas and Lutheriel took a quick look at each other, wondering if they had said or done something that offended the March Warden. Rúmil came up behind the Prince and Princess. "Don't mind my brother." He whispered, patting Legolas on the back. "Come now." He smiled and the three of them began to follow Haldir, even though he was quite a bit ahead of them already.
For the longest time they all walked in silence. Lutheriel gazed up at the trees, marveling over their size. "I've always dreamt the day I'd get to walk among the great mellyrn. They are bigger than I ever imagined." She spoke quietly.
Rúmil looked up at the trees and nodded. "To think that Lorien is the only place that they grow. Many people think that they are just fables."
Lutheriel looked over at Rúmil as they walked. "Do you travel much?"
"Me?" Rúmil laughed slightly. "No, I have never traveled out of Lorien before." He glanced at Haldir who was walking a couple of feet in front of them. "Haldir has traveled out of this forest a great number of times. He even speaks Westron."
Lutheriel's mouth dropped open slightly. "Really? I've been trying to learn a little Westron myself." She laughed. "Haldir, do you think if you have a few minutes to spare, you could teach me a little?"
Haldir had been listening to the entire conversation since they all left the borders, but did not once speak to add anything to it. Now he was asked a question, and knew that he needed to speak. "Westron is hard language to learn. One needs patience and knowledge to grasp it. I doubt I'd have any kind of time to teach you even one phrase...I am very busy." He said coldly.
Rúmil rolled his eyes and then smiled. "No you're not brother. You have a few days off since you spent the last eight days on border patrol. I'm sure you could spend a little time with the Princess-"
"I said I am very busy, Rúmil." Haldir said bitterly, turning and giving his brother a sharp look.
Lutheriel looked at her brother and then back to Haldir. "It's okay.... I just thought...never mind..." She said quietly.
Haldir took a deep breath and started to walk again, feeling just the slightest bit of guilt that he spoke like that to a lady, who happened to be a Princess. He would never dream of speaking like that to the Lady of Lorien, but then again, Galadriel, would never ask him if he'd teach her Westron. For a moment he felt like apologizing but that notion soon left him. "Welcome to Caras Galadhon."
Lutheriel looked at the back of Haldir's head as they walked into Caras Galadhon. "What did I say to him? Did I do something? Why is he so cold and unfriendly? Is he having a bad day or is he always like this? He can't be like that everyday! No Elf could be like that everyday of their life." She thought, and the more she thought about it, the more she wanted to find out why he was the way he is. If he did have a few days off, she'd make sure that she would try to speak with him again.
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Author's Notes: I hope you are still enjoying the story, please review and let me know. Reviewing lets me know that people are actually reading my story (when I get reviews it makes me want to write more, even if they are negative ones)! Thank you :D
Elvish Translations:
Daro!- Halt!
Mae Govannen! Legolas Thranduilion- Welcome! Legolas, Son of Thranduil
