Dream Warrior
Author: Heather Lynn
Email: ring_of_adament@yahoo.com
HET/ NC-17
Haldir/Lirimaer
Disclaimer: The characters, settings, places, and languages used in this work are the property of J R R Tolkien, the Tolkien Estate and Tolkien Enterprises. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended
Summary: This story begins in the year 3018 (S.R. 1418), the same time that Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin have begun their journey. They are now with Aragorn, having left Amon Sûl (Weathertop) after battling the ringwraiths. Arwen Evenstar has Frodo and is taking him to Rivendell. Lirimaer is an elf from Rivendell who journeys to Lothlórien to speak to Galadriel about the haunting nightmare she repeatedly has. Haldir comes across her along the way and he leads her to Lórien.
Notes: While writing this, I followed the Tolkien's books and the two movies and made up a few things as well. My timeline does not coincide with the books, only to try to keep things short! The numbers after a sentence means there is a definition at the end of the chapter. I hope the translations are correct, if not please email me so I can make any necessary repairs. I hope to add drawings soon, having just moved I will need some time. I hope you enjoy my first fan fic I've ever written, please let me know what you think! This fan fic was also part of the www.haldir-lives.org Fan Fic Challenge.
Chapter 1 - The Dream
"Na Barad! Na Barad!" 1 There he is, gleaming in his golden armor and red cloak on top of what is left of the great wall. All around him are the bodies of men and elves. And the horrid orcs with white handprints painted on them. He is calling to everyone to retreat when a sword stabs him in the arm. He quickly slays his assailant. Another orc slashes him in the back and he is falling to his knees. His deep blue eyes look upon the dead and dying around him. A dark-haired man catches him before he falls, but his eyes are unseeing.
"No!" Lirimaer awoke suddenly in a sweat. 2 It was the dream again. She had been having the dream for several months now. It was becoming more frequent now, more vivid. Who was the warrior elf? His face was a blur, only his eyes did she see clearly. She felt like her heart was being torn in two from his death. Were these visions of the future? Why were they having such a great bearing on her?
She tried to go back to sleep but could not. Too many questions filled her head. The sun would rise in a few hours; she would have to seek counsel about her dream. Master Elrond would surely know what to make of them.
"Lirimaer, you wish to speak with me? Please, come and sit," said Elrond, motioning to the seat next to him. Elrond had become like a father to her after her father, Megilindir, died in battle when she was just a child. 3 Her mother, Elena, felt the pull to the Grey Havens three summers ago, leaving her alone in Imladris. 4
Lirimaer sat down and began to tell Elrond about her dream. He listened very carefully to everything Lirimaer said especially about the white marks the orcs carried. This made his back stiffen. The White Hand of Saruman. Gandalf had shown up the night before and told him of the goings-on with Saruman. He also told him that the One Ring was on its way to Rivendell. So it has begun.
Could Lirimaer predict future events? "You must go on a journey with my sons Elladan and Elrohir," said Elrond. "They will lead you to Lothlórien. They have a message to deliver to the Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim. You can seek counsel with Galadriel. She will help you."
Lothlórien! Galadriel! Lirimaer always wanted to go to Lórien and meet the fair elves of that realm. And to meet the Lady Galadriel! "When do we leave?"
"As soon as you can gather some supplies to take with you. The journey will be treacherous, no place for an elf maiden wearing pretty gowns. You will need to dress as a male elf. There are evil men and orcs everywhere. It will be safer that way. Go now and hurry!"
She needed to find a tunic and leggings. Where? Then she thought of Vuranor. 5 He was about her size but a bit larger in build. She found him in the high garden overlooking the river, watching the water plummet over the falls. "Vuranor! You must help me! I need to borrow some of your clothing. I am going to Lórien with Elrond's sons to meet with Galadriel!"
"And why the clothing?" he asked, with a questioning smirk.
Lirimaer explained the morning events with Elrond as quickly as possible on the way to his rooms. He gave her two sets of clothing and a pair of boots. "I want you to take this as well," said Vuranor as he handed her a dagger with a beautiful golden jewel-encrusted handle and long, straight blade. "Your journey will not be easy and this might come in use."
"I cannot thank you enough. But now I must hurry for they wait for me." She gave him a hug and was gone. He watched Lirimaer go with a great sorrow in his eyes. He never told her of the love he had for her. May the Valar grant my love safe journey, he said to himself.
The clothing Vuranor gave her was soft and comfortable. She wore a tight undershirt, to help flatten her chest. She didn't care much for the boots, but they would protect her feet better than her slippers. She plaited her hair in the style of the male elves. With her she took her bow, which she was pretty good with, having practiced with Vuranor since they were children. She was fairly good with a sword as well, but hoped the need for it would not come up.
Elladan and Elrohir decided the safest course to Lórien would be to follow the Misty Mountains south to the pass of the headwaters of the Gladden. This route should keep them far enough from Moria and the hideous orcs and goblins that dwelt there. From there they could follow the Gladden east to the Anduin, which flowed south along the eastern perimeter of Lórien. Then they would follow the Celebrant, which the Nimrodel flowed into.
Lirimaer had heard about the Nimrodel many times. It was named after the fair maiden elf, Nimrodel. Nimrodel and her lover, Amroth, were to sail from the Bay of Belfalas, where the elves of Lórien set sail for Valinor. Nimrodel never showed to the ship where her lover waited for her for she had gotten lost. They say in the spring you can hear her voice echo by the falls calling to Amroth. The waters apparently had the power to heal the weary.
So they packed up their horses and said their farewells. It was long way to Lothlórien so they would have to get moving. Vuranor watched Lirimaer as she rode over the bridge, around the bend and was gone. He felt as though this would be the last time he would ever see her beautiful face, her chestnut colored hair, and her bright green eyes with golden flecks. Now he was full of regret for not telling her of his feelings for her. And now perchance he never will.
1. Na Barad - To the keep (to the Tower)
2. Lirimaer – Lovely One
3. Megilindir – Bladesinger
4. Elena – Of the Stars
5. Vuranor – Fiery Sun