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 5 – Strange Feelings
When she woke, it was early afternoon. She felt her shoulder to find it had been rebandaged. She slowly sat up and looked around her. Where was Haldir? She saw the raft on the bank. It looked completed. But no sign of the arrogant elf. Then she saw movement in the river; something was swimming just under the surface. Thinking it to be a strange creature, she reached for the dagger Vuranor had given her that she kept strapped to her thigh. Suddenly Haldir's head broke through the water's surface. He laid his head back in the water and let his hair fan out on the surface. He had magnificent, strong features.
"I see that you are awake," he said, sensing her observing him. "Perhaps you would like to bathe before we move on?"
"No thank you. I think I had enough of the river last night!"
Haldir grinned. "Then I will make us something to eat before we go." With that he proceeded to walk out of the water. She watched the water glide off his well formed muscles and didn't notice until it was too late that he wore nothing. Once again she sucked in her breath sharply.
"Is your shoulder still paining you? I can make some more of the drink for you if you wish."
"No, it is not too bad," she said, her face turning red.
"Are you sure? You look flushed."
"I'm fine!" she snapped. He stooped down next to his pack and pulled out a cloth. He started to dry his hair, running his fingers through it as he did to keep it from tangling. Lirimaer began imagining what it would be like to run her fingers through the silky strands, to feel it against her skin. She felt a warm sensation building deep within her. She imagined what it would be like to run her hands over his smooth skin, to feel the muscles in his strong arms, his chest, his back. She even wondered what he smelled like…
"Astalder!" She almost jumped out of her skin! Then, remembering what she was thinking about, she felt heat coming to her cheeks. "Are you alright? I have been calling your name. You seemed to be off someplace else." He took the cloth and wrapped it around his waist. "I don't have much for food. Just some dried fruit and some lembas." He took the food out of his pack and poured some water in bowls for them.
"I've never had lembas before." She took a bite. It tasted like a rich bread with honey and other things she couldn't place. Delicious. After they finished, Haldir put the remainder of the food back in his pack. Lirimaer watched him stand and stretch out his arms and legs. He picked up his tunic and pulled it over his head. She watched the muscles move down his back as he pulled it into place. The warm feeling deep inside was returning. He removed the cloth to draw on his leggings. Turn away and stop torturing yourself! Remember, you don't even like him!
He walked over to where Lirimaer sat and bent over, picking her up. "What are you doing?" she exclaimed.
"I am putting you on the raft. You cannot walk and you need to get there somehow. Hold on."
He put one arm under her knees and the other around her back, being careful of her shoulder. She leaned her head against his shoulder and inhaled deeply. Her head started to swim. He smelled like a breeze blowing through the trees on a warm summer's day, mixed with a touch of earth and lavender and soap. She could inhale his scent forever! Then she felt his hair against her cheek. It sent shivers up her spine. She began to wonder what a kiss from him would taste like…she sucked in her breath yet again!
"Am I hurting you?" he asked, genuine kindness in his voice this time.
"My shoulder hurts a bit. I'll be fine," she said.
He placed her on a blanket he had laid out for her. Then he went back and got the rest of their belongings. He pushed the raft into deeper water and jumped on. He picked up the paddle he made and paddled to the center of the river. From there he would let the river take them south.
He turned to Astalder in time to see a large yawn escape him. Haldir could see he was in need of a healing sleep. "You should try and get some rest. It would be good for your wound. There's not much else for you to do anyway."
"Perhaps you are right. I am feeling a bit worn," she said and was quickly asleep.