Wow, I can't believe I have so many reviews! This is, like, freakingly awesome, I didn't think so many people would read this! Thank you, everyone, cookies for all!
~Hoshiko
Of New Dresses, Dolly's, and Food
Haldir put the doll on the top of his dresser and looked around his quarters. There was nothing sharp or dangerous in the small girl's grasp; all was safe. He decided that they must have been almost finished, and he walked back to the Royal Chambers.
When he arrived there, an elf-maiden rushed to him and put in his hands three dresses.
'Here you are, Haldir. They're very practical and they're her own. Rumil came a little while ago with them from her mother's things.' She said, and he looked at the dresses. One was actually a nightshirt, and the others had short or no sleeves, well made for her. 'She is an active little girl,' the maiden said, and smiled. 'You are a brave elf, Master Haldir, a very brave elf.'
'Thank you. I would not call it bravery, though, rather duty.' He said, for in his mind it was clear that the Lady Galadriel assigned him this.
'Call it what ever you like, but I still believe you are a brave one,' she said and nodded, hurrying back behind the Royal Chambers. He had just put Thinthar's things under his arm when the doors to the Royal Chamber opened. Galadriel stood there with Thinthar and it was plain to see the child had been crying. When she saw Haldir, she ran up to him and grabbed onto his hand. She had on a new dress of white, simple and good for a girl her age.
'Hawdir, my mommy's dead!' she cried, and suddenly latched onto his leg. He looked up at the Lady, who nodded and turned, going back into her chambers.
'Yes, I have heard, I am very sorry.' He said, and stroked her hair. He kneeled down and looked Thinthar in the eyes. 'Did she tell you what was to happen now?' Haldir asked, and Thinthar wiped tears from her eyes.
'Gawadriel said that I could stay with you.'
'Would you like that?' the girl vigorously nodded her head, and he stood, taking her hand. 'All right then, little one, come along.' He said, and they walked to his quarters. When they arrived, she instantly started poking around in every little corner, seeming to forget her mother.
'Oo, Hawdir, I haven't seen this since we left home!' she said, and pointed to the dresser. She said that with most of the things in the quarters, and after he put her clothes in a drawer, he looked at the doll. He could think of no better time to give it to her, and as she was bouncing on the bed, he turned.
'Thinthar,' he said, and she hopped over to him. 'I did not know if you had any thing to play with or not,' he said, and put in her hands the doll. Her eyes opened in wonder again, and she looked at the doll.
'Hawdir!' she said, and jumped on him, hugging him. Now, you must understand Haldir's reaction to this, for he had not been hugged by any one since he were a small child by his mother. It was strange, and he stood there for a second, not sure of what to do. He rapped his arms around her small body, though, and hugged her back after a second.
'Hawdir, I haven't had a dolly since we left home! Thank you!' she said, and he set her back on the bed.
'I'm glad you like It.' he said, but she made no reaction. Instead she sat on the bed, looking at the doll's hair, her features, her small pointed ears, and her dress.
'I want a dress like this when I get older!' she said to herself, looking at its flowing sleeves. She played with it for quiet some time while Haldir double-checked his quarters. He seemed to be very worried about her safety in his home.
'Do you know any one here?' he asked, and she looked up at him, shaking her head.
'No, I've never been here before,' she said. He looked out a window and down to a small group of children about her age, playing together on the forest floor. He could make out two of them, both brother and sister. Their father was one of Marchwardens of the forest, assigned to the opposite side, and his wife was most likely home. After a moment of considering, he looked at the girl who was still enthralled with her doll.
'Would you be all right if I left you alone for a short while?' he asked, and she looked up at him again.
'You're going to leave me?' she asked, and he shook his head.
'No, I will be right where you can see me.' He answered, and went to a window, her following him. 'See those quarters two talans over, with the red door?' he asked, and she nodded. 'I will be right there where you can see me. Now, I will lock the doors and you are not to come out, do you understand?' he asked, for another fear had hit him. He was afraid she might fall off the talan, being only a small child.
'Yes, Hawdir, sir.' She said, and he smiled.
'Good, I will be back shortly.' He said, going out the door, setting the latch so it would catch. She watched him walk over two talans and knock on the red door. There another maiden came out, and he nodded to her.
'He-' he started, but was not given the chance to say her name.
'Haldir! Oh, I have heard what you are doing for the child, very sweet of you.' She said, and he nodded.
'Yes, tha-'
'Oh, I know what you would like, to see if she might play with the other children. Of course she can! If you bring her over tomorrow morning I'll introduce my two to her.' She said, and he was slightly taken aback by her sudden offer.
'Thank you, I did not know what I would have done with her while I was on duty.' He said, and the woman nodded.
'Tis not a problem. I will keep an eye on her, as will all the other mothers in Lorien. She is quiet safe, even alone by herself.' She said, and Haldir said his thanks again and departed back to his quarters. There he jiggled the doorknob a bit, and heard the lock unlatch. He had had a locksmith make it so it would do that, a rather costly experiment, but he did not need to carry keys with him. What he saw there almost made him burst out laughing.
Standing in a pair of his clothes was Thinthar, sleeves hanging over her hands, leggings dragging on the floor. She even had his extra cloak over her head.
'Look, Hawdir!' she said, 'I'm you!' she then went into a fit of giggles, while Haldir laughed too. He could not help it; she was very funny all dressed up.
'So I see,' he said, and she stuck out her arms, twirling around, 'you'll have to grow into them first, though.' He said, and she giggled some more. She then put her hand on her stomach and stopped giggling.
'Haldir, I'm hungry…' she said, and Haldir looked at the moon outside. It was not a time for meals, but he was sure the kitchens could make an exception.
'All right. If you change out of my clothes I'll take you to the kitchen, and I will see what they can prepare.' He said, and she quickly took his cloak and clothing off, putting them on his bed. She grabbed her doll and followed him to the kitchens. When they arrived, Haldir knocked on the door, and out stepped a male elf, shorter than others, but with the same basic build.
'Yes?' he asked, and Haldir looked down at Thinthar.
'She is very hungry, I was wondering if it were possible to give her something to eat?' Haldir asked, and the cook smiled.
'Certainly. If you will sit at the table, it will be ready shortly.' He said, and Haldir nodded his thanks. They went and sat at the table, Thinthar playing with her doll, until the same elf came out with a plate of food and a small glass of some juice.
'Food for the lady.' He said, and she giggled, looking at the plate of food.
'Thank you!' she said, and took her fork, eating quickly. She was a neat eater, and nothing spilled on her dress or her face. She finished it quickly and drank the rest of her juice. When she was done the elf picked up her plate, and smiled. She had fallen asleep again. Haldir picked her up, not as awkwardly as he had before, and carried her back to his quarters, where he put her in his bed. He changed her carefully, putting her in her nightgown, and tucked her under the covers. She sighed contently, hugging her doll to her. Haldir was surprised to see only five hours of the night had passed. She would be awake by seven the next morning; he had no doubt in his mind.
