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 7 – Setting Up Camp
It was getting late in the day. Haldir decided it would be best to set up camp. It would not be safe on the open river at night.
"Are you all right? Can you stand?" asked Elrohir. She shook her head. The poison still had her feeling unsteady. "We were very concerned about you." He picked her up and followed Elladan and Haldir to the trees. "We saw your horse get taken down by the warg and you go soaring into the river. We rode into the river to get you, but the water was too strong and we lost our mounts. We found your pack and bow down the river a ways. Unfortunately, everything is pretty wet. What is this that I heard about a wound?"
"I will be fine. An orc arrow pierced my right shoulder. Haldir took care of it," she said, giving an irritated look in his direction. Elrohir placed her down on the blankets Elladan had spread out for her. They were in a tiny circular clearing. The tall trees around them would provide cover for the night. Haldir and Elladan walked back to the raft to get the rest of the provisions and to hide the raft for the night. She turned to Elrohir: "You are right about Haldir! He is arrogant! I do not blame you for not liking him. I wish I never met him!"
"Even though I don't like him, he can be trusted. I have to admit I'm glad he found you! He is a great warrior and would protect you with his life," said Elrohir. "Just don't lie to him anymore or you will feel his wrath! It's not good to be on his bad side!"
"As I found out!" exclaimed Lirimaer, looking down at her wet clothing, shivering.
Haldir and Elladan hauled the raft into some nearby river grass. It would be safe there for the night. Elladan noticed Haldir's tension and decided to approach him very cautiously. "Lirimaer is very fortunate that you found her. Only the Valar know what could have happened to her."
"I should have let her drown, the insolent girl! She has been nothing but a thorn in my side since I found her."
"Lirimaer? A problem? Surely you jest! She is a sweet girl. She is like a sister to me," chided Elladan.
"I'm sorry that you disapprove of my words. Maybe it is that I'm not used to traveling with she-elves. Particularly ones that lie!" he added.
"You have to understand. She has never been away from Rivendell. She was almost taken out by a warg, which she never saw the likes of before. She was found by someone she didn't know who was probably a bit abrasive with her." At that, Haldir tried to cut in but Elladan stopped him. "And on top of that all, she is having problems that she needs to approach the Lady Galadriel with, to ease her mind."
"What problems?" Haldir asked. "Does it have to do with the unexplained marks?" Elladan nodded. "She was having a nightmare just before you came across us. She awoke and looked at me with terror in her eyes and said 'please don't die.' What are her dreams about?"
"She didn't tell you?"
"She didn't get the chance," Haldir said, quietly, remembering how he bullied her trying to remove her tunic to look at her back. No wonder she fought him. She was afraid to reveal herself. He was feeling a bit guilty about his actions.
"Well, I think she should be the one to tell you about them, when she's ready," Elladan said.
They continued their way back to the clearing. Haldir saw Lirimaer sitting on her blanket, shivering. He handed her his pack. "Here. You'll find some dry clothes in here. They will be large on you but you will be warm until your own dry." With that he gave her a small smile.
A smile! She couldn't believe it! Why the sudden change? She looked at him suspiciously.
"Elrohir, bring your bow. Let's see if we can find a rabbit or something for dinner," said Elladan. "I am in the mood for something besides dried fruit and cheese. We'll be back shortly. Haldir, how about building a fire?" With that they turned and left. Haldir thought he heard Elladan laughing.
"I'll be back shortly. I need to gather some wood. Will you be all right?" he asked. She nodded. "Fine. Change your clothes while I'm gone." He turned and disappeared into the wood.
She opened his pack. His heady scent drifted up and assailed her senses. She closed her eyes, recalling the site of him walking out of the river. She felt a tingle go up her spine. Why was he having such an effect on her? She pulled out a pair of earth-colored soft leather leggings and a gray tunic. His smell assailed her nostrils once again. How would she be able to wear these? She would go insane! But she couldn't sit there in wet clothes.
She removed the cloak and tried pulling her tunic over her head. Pain registered in her shoulder straight away. She tried different ways to get it over her head, but pain resulted no matter what she did. "Looks like you need some help." In her struggling she did not hear Haldir return.
"I can do it myself!" she retorted.
He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Let me help you before you hurt yourself further. I see your wound is bleeding through your shirt. Now, lift your arms up a bit." He gently lifted the tunic over her head and handed it to her. She took it and held it in front of herself. He examined her shoulder, noting the gooseflesh on her skin. She must be really chilled. "Your wound needs tending. I'll get some water and bandages."
As he removed her tunic, she felt his warm breath on her skin. She felt herself shudder and the gooseflesh pop up. I hope he didn't notice! she thought.
He came back with the supplies and sat down beside her. He took notice of her shape. The beauty of her skin. The way her hair fell across her shoulders and back. He moved her hair out of the way so he could cleanse the wound. He found himself rubbing the silken strands between his fingers. He wanted to brush them against his cheek. He wanted to feel her skin against his. He wanted to take her mouth with his… Why was he thinking of these things? He couldn't stand this insolent she-elf! But something about her was affecting him in ways he never expected.
She felt him moving her hair. What was he doing? Then she felt him washing the wound. She thought she would explode at the feel of his warm fingers on her body. His movements were soft and caressing. He washed both sides of the wound. Ever gentle, he quickly bandaged it up. She was sorry that he was done. "Lift up your arms again so I can slip on the tunic." She did as he bid with no complaints. As he pulled it down over her head, his knuckles lightly brushed the side of her breast. They both sucked in their breaths! Neither said a word. He pulled her hair out so it could spread out across her back. "I take it that you'll have no problems with the rest," pointing to the leggings. "I'll leave you so you can change."