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 11 – Rough Waters
It was mid afternoon and dark clouds and a chill wind were coming from the north. They could see lightning flashing in the distance. A storm was on its way. Haldir debated on whether they should stop and let the storm pass or continue for as long as they could. They already lost precious time that morning. He urgently wanted to get to his home, to his Lothlórien. They would continue.
The winds were quickly increasing. The clouds were dark and menacing, threatening to rain at any moment. The river was getting choppy, splashing on them and their packs. Time to stop for the night.
Suddenly an arrow stuck into the raft next to Elrohir. They looked to the shore. Swarming out of the high grasses came a troop of about fifty orcs. They had white handprints on their helmets, faces and bodies. Lirimaer's mouth dropped open. They looked like the creatures in my dream!
"We have to get off the raft, we are like sitting ducks here," Haldir said. He reached over and grabbed Lirimaer and rolled off the side of the raft with her in his arms. Haldir broke the water's surface and pulled Lirimaer to the raft. "Hang on," he said and looked for Elladan and Elrohir. He found them hanging on the other end of the raft.
The arrows flew and they could hear the Uruk-hai growling and snarling as they ran along the river's edge. Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled across the sky. The winds were getting wilder and the river rougher. The current was getting stronger. The water was chilling them all to the bone. "We need to huddle together to try to keep warm. Elladan, Elrohir, come to this side. Lirimaer, come over here." She shot him a glare. "Please!"
They drifted along for what felt like an eternity. It was getting dark. Lirimaer's hands were so cold she could barely hang on. Haldir felt her slipping and pulled her tight into his chest, crushing her. She could feel the tension in his muscles as he fought to hang on to the raft and her. She wrapped her arms about his neck. He was so strong, so well built.
The sounds of the Uruk-hai began to fade, and then ceased altogether. Elladan peaked his head over the top of the raft. His elfin eyes scanned the shore. He saw nothing move. "I think they have tired of us!" he shouted over the storm.
"We need to kick towards the shore," Haldir said. "Lirimaer, do you feel up to it?"
"Of course I can do it!" she retorted. Just as she released him to grab hold of the raft, the wind whipped and spun the raft around. A small wave hit her from behind, dunking her under. She came up choking, loosing her grip.
"Lirimaer!" yelled Haldir. "You two get the raft to the shore!" He dove away from the raft, swimming as fast as he could to her. The currents were pulling her away; waves were smashing into her, sucking her under. She was still weak and getting very tired and numb all over. She was going under when strong hands grabbed her, pulling her to the surface. An arm went firmly about her waist and was pulling her backwards. "We're almost there! Hang on!"
Haldir's feet finally touched the bottom. He took Lirimaer in his arms and carried her to the shore. Elladan and Elrohir were a short way down the shore, pulling the raft out of the water. As he carried her down the shore towards them he felt her shiver violently in his arms. He looked at her face. She was unconscious. He surveyed the area for shelter. "Over there," he shouted to the brothers, pointing to a large rock formation. Elladan and Elrohir grabbed the packs and followed.
He looked for shelter amongst the rocks. He found a large boulder that jutted out sharply from the earth on an angle, making a shelf where they could all get out of the rain. Elrohir pulled a blanket out of one of the packs. It was damp but it would have to do. He spread it out on the ground. Haldir set Lirimaer down on it and immediately began removing her clothing.
"Get more blankets out quickly! We must get her warm," Haldir said. He pulled off her boots. Her toes looked blue. He rubbed her feet vigorously to get the blood flowing. Next he removed her leggings. Her skin was red and blotchy from the cold. "I need the driest tunic we have," he said, pulling her wet one over her head. He sucked in his breath at the site of her beauty. Now is not the time! he thought to himself. He took a cloth and dried her off, and put the dry shirt on her. Then he grabbed a blanket and laid it over her.
Weariness suddenly hit him. He removed his boots and wet clothes and slid under the blanket next to Lirimaer, pulling her into his arms. He savored the way her body molded against his. He pressed his face against her hair, breathing in her fresh scent. He snuggled closer, feeling the warmth growing between them. He soon fell asleep, a serene look upon his face. The storm had passed.