Chapter 6: Time Will Tell
A/N: Wow, sure has been a long time since I last updated. I think I'm losing the joy of fan fiction writing. Oh, and just to clarify, this fic is a flashback. I sometimes jump back to present time though when I'm stuck on ideas. Now, with that said, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own Lirael. Everything else belongs to Tolkien.
Lirael's POV
For days Haldir did not return. Although the nightmares had more or less ceased, I still felt as though I needed him there with me each night. To feel his muscles ripple as he moved, the warmth of his body, his azure eyes…
I stopped myself. Surely I was not having these thoughts about my only friend in Lórien, Haldir. He was nothing more than a friend who knew what I was going through when others did not. Yet something in the back of my mind was telling me otherwise.
In the morning of the 6th day since Haldir and his scouting party had left, I was given a special visit by none other than Lord Celeborn himself. I was still in my sleeping wear, lying in bed when a soft knock came from my door.
I did a double take when I saw who had walked through my door. I hurriedly tried to cover myself with the sheets of my bed. Imagine, the Lord Celeborn walking into my room and I was not properly dressed.
"My-my-my lord!" I exclaimed. "I was not expecting to see you."
He smiled and waved me off. "Do not fret my dear Lirael. For I have only come this morning to tell you that Haldir and his company have returned."
I was confused. Yes, I was happy they had returned, but what did this have to do with myself?
Celeborn must have read the confusion on my face for he soon added, "You must be relieved to hear that a certain march warden has returned safe."
"I do not understand."
He nodded. "I see. Well, I ma afraid I must take my leave from you now, Lady Lirael. If you need anything, please, do not hesitate to ask." And with that, he was gone.
What had he meant by his comment about the march warden? Surely he did not think- Why that thought was positively ridiculous! Or was it?
Haldir's POV (earlier)
We entered Caras Galadhon at dawn. My first duty was to report to the lord and lady about our scouting party.
"Haldir, it is good to see you back and well," the lord of Lórien said.
I bowed my head in respect. "Thank you my lord. It is good to be home."
"Tell me, how went the search?"
"We found the bodies of Lady Lirael's friends among orc corpses. It appears as though a civil war took place among them. We buried the bodies of her companions and burned those of the enemy." (A/N: I don't know if that is the custom of the elves. If you know would you tell me? Thanks)
"This is ill news you bring," he said thoughtfully. "Lirael will be most grieved."
I nodded. I felt sorry for Lirael; she was alone now. After everything she had gone through, this would be most hard on her.
"Will you not be the one to break the news to her? She seems to have taken a liking to you," Celeborn stated.
I nodded once again. "Aye, my lord." And with that I bowed and left to break the news to Lirael of her friend's death. Of all the tasks I had been assigned throughout the years, bearing news of death was by far the most difficult.
***
"I knew they would be dead," she said quietly. She sat upon her bed, staring at the ground, emotionless. "Who could survive something like that?"
I did not know how to respond. She was taking all this news in almost too easily. Her eyes looked lost, hopeless, and she tried had to cover the pain she was feeling inside. It could not fool me though; for I too did this when my parents sailed away to the Undying Lands.
"Lirael…" I said taking a step closer to her and kneeling down to look her in the eye. "It is alright to cry," I whispered.
Her eyes filled with tears and she threw her arms around my neck as she sobbed. Lirael sank down to the floor with me and I held her close.
Rubbing small circles on her back and whispering soothing words to her, I tried to calm her down. She cried for close to 20 minutes before sitting up and wiping her tears.
"I'm sorry," she chocked out.
"Do not apologize for grieving the loss of friends and loved ones, Lirael."
She tried to smile but it came out as more of a grimace. "I just…fell responsible for their deaths. Like everything happened because of me. If it hadn't been for me suggesting-"
"None of this was your fault. Remember that."
"I know but-"
"It was not your fault," I said sternly. "I know what it is you are feeling for I too had the same thoughts when my parents sailed away. But in time I came to realize that it was not my doing. You must do the same."
Lirael nodded. "Thank you, Haldir," she said gently.
***
I sat in my talan trying to read a book that I had started many months before as being a march warden does not leave much time for leisure. I saw and read the words on the page but they were not registering in my head. My mind was elsewhere. I could not help but worry about Lirael.
For some reason she was all I could think about. The way she smelled, how her body shook earlier with each sob, how wonderful it felt to hold her in my arms…
Wait, I was could not be thinking about her in that way! The very idea was laughable. She was a poor, helpless maiden I had barely met but a few days ago! No, she was only an acquaintance and nothing more.
Narrative POV
"Do you think they know?" Celeborn asked his wife s he stood looking out the window at the golden wood.
"I think," Galadriel said, "that they both do not wish to recognize the truth."
"Surely in time that will change, will it not?"
"Only time will tell." And she turned away and exited the room.
"Time will tell…" Celeborn repeated.
A/N: Cool, I'm finished. Well, please review and let me know what you thought of this chapter. Thank you.