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 13 – Warrior Revealed
The flooding from the heavy rains the night before made the river flow swiftly. The raft moved with great speed. They would reach the borders of Lórien in the early evening. I'm almost home! thought Haldir. Even with the thoughts of home he had heaviness in his heart. He looked at Lirimaer. She was staring towards the shore, twirling a strand of her beautiful hair around a finger. There was great sadness in her eyes and her face was pale. It made his heart want to break. There was nothing he could do. He felt helpless.
Elladan and Elrohir felt the transformation in their companions. Elrohir saw the look on Haldir's face and truly felt sorry for him. "Haldir, how are your brothers? I am looking forward to seeing them again."
Haldir was a little taken back that Elrohir was talking to him. "They are doing well. I left Orophin in charge when I left to go to Mirkwood," he said. "We will be there late in the day, if things go well. Orophin and Rúmil will be waiting for us."
"Anyone in the mood for fishing?" asked Elladan, smiling. "Something to do to pass the time and possibly catch our dinner!" He handed his brother a line, who held it out for Haldir.
"Sure, why not," smiled Haldir. He always enjoyed fishing since he was a young child. He spent many days along side the Celebrant, by himself or with his brothers, sitting in the sunshine beneath the golden mellyrn.
Elladan held a line out to Lirimaer. She shook her head. "Come on," he said to her quietly, "it will help pass the time. Take your mind off things." He took her hand and placed the line in it, closing her fingers around it. He gave her hand a small caress and a caring smile. It brought the tears to her eyes again.
Lirimaer was the first to get a bite. She felt a slight jiggle, then a hard tug. "I've got one!" she exclaimed, pulling the line up. It gave a good fight.
"Let me help you," said Elladan, grabbing for the fish as it came to the surface. All he managed to do was tangle his line with hers. And make her laugh.
It was about the sweetest sound Haldir ever heard. He looked at her, a gleam back in her eyes and a smile on her face. She watched Elladan, who was getting quite wet trying to catch the fish and to keep the lines from tangling worse. Elrohir also joined in the laughter. Haldir watched with a smile on his face but was unable to laugh. The weight on his heart was too great. He wanted her more than anything in his life. Possibly more than being the Captain of the Guard. But it could never be. He had his responsibilities to the people of Lórien.
Lirimaer caught the largest and the most fish. Elladan and his antics had her laughing for hours. He couldn't bear to see Lirimaer so sad. Haldir was so thankful that Elladan was with him. He was a good friend to her. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the day flew by. Haldir's face suddenly lit up. Off in the distance, a great forest arose. It was Lórien.
Lirimaer saw the look on his face. She looked in the direction he was looking and saw the tree line. When she looked back at him, she knew they were almost to Lórien. Such a look of pride on his face! He truly loved his home. She looked at his eyes; they were picking up the reflection of the sun from the water, making them sparkle. The midday sun made his hair shine like spun gold against his bronzed skin. Her thoughts started to wander to the morning when he held her in his arms. A lump rose in her throat. She had to stop thinking about it. They would be nothing more than friends. She supposed she would have to be happy with that. It was better than not having him in her life at all. But it still didn't stop the pain in her heart.
A half-hour later they were paddling the raft to shore. It would be almost another hour-long hike to reach the woods. They needed to hurry, for it was getting late in the day. They wanted to be in the safety of the trees before nightfall. They gathered their belongings and followed after Haldir.
Haldir walked rapidly on his long, well-formed legs. Lirimaer had to almost run to keep up. After a half hour she started to lag behind. She was still worn out from her wound and now also from heartache. They were almost to the woods when thirty or more elves came running from the trees towards them. Haldir stopped and turned to where they came from. In the blink of an eye he had an arrow notched and fired! He turned to Lirimaer: "Uruk-hai! Na aldar! Na aldar!" 1
Lirimaer stopped dead in her tracks. Na aldar! Na aldar! The voice in her dream! Na Barad! Na Barad! Haldir! He is the one in her dreams! It can't be!
"Lirimaer! What are you doing? Fly! Fly!" he yelled as he fired more arrows at their assailants.
She couldn't move. Visions of her dream flew by in front of her. By now the elves had reached them. About fifty orcs were coming straight at them. Arrows and spears were flying everywhere. Everything around her was spinning. Still she stood there like her feet had sprouted roots into the ground. …the warrior in gold with the red cloak … the dead all around … stabbed in the arm … slashed in the back … falling … the blue lifeless eyes … his eyes … Haldir's eyes!
What was wrong with her? thought Haldir. Why is she standing there? Then he saw her face. She was in shock. He ran to her and shook her. "Lirimaer! You must make for the trees!"
Suddenly she saw him in front of her. "Please don't die! Don't die!" she cried and fainted.
"We don't have time for this! They are almost upon us!" He flung her over his shoulder and ran as fast as he could to the safety of the trees.
It was dark when she woke. She heard the murmur of voices. She sat up and looked around. She was on some sort of a platform in a tree. There were three elves near by, talking quietly together. Then she remembered what had happened. She made a gasping sound and put her hand to her mouth.
"You're awake," he said.
"Haldir!" She jumped to her feet and wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him tight. "Thank the Valar you're safe!"
He stood there stiff, not knowing how to react. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and never let go! He released her grip from him and took a step back, holding her hands. "I am fine," he said. "Why didn't you run? You just stood there! We lost five guardians out there today. You could have very well joined them. What happened to you?"
What could she tell him? You are the one! You are the one I see die in my dreams! He would think she was insane. "I don't know. I had a bad feeling that something was going to happen to you."
"Well, you can see that I am uninjured," he said, smiling. "We will stay here on the talan tonight. We will leave for Caras Galadhon at first light. Are you hungry? Elladan prepared your fish for you."
With the mention of food, her stomach began to growl noisily. Haldir laughed at the sound and went to get her some food. Elladan and Elrohir sat down beside her. Elladan looked at her thoughtfully. "It is Haldir, the one in your dreams? You figured it out. That's why you froze out there." She nodded. "What made you realize it was him?"
"When he shouted 'na aldar.' He sounded like the voice in my dream yelling 'na barad.' Everything flashed before my eyes. I saw him die again. You were right. I do have a connection to him. I love him!" She started to weep.
"Please don't cry. We will figure this out. Galadriel will help us. We will not let him die," said Elladan. Elrohir nodded in agreement. "Now dry your eyes. Haldir is returning with your food. Don't let him see you upset. He's been concerned about you."
As usual, Elladan did a fine job with the cooking. Everything was delicious. Haldir gave her a plate and told her he had to leave. He said he had to find his brothers and some troops to help pile the orc bodies for burning. Then they would have to bury the fallen guardians. She did not envy his task.
Elladan and Elrohir volunteered to help. "We have a very long walk ahead of us tomorrow," said Elladan. "I think it is time that you try to get some rest." She watched them climb down the rope and vanish into the trees.
Lirimaer lay on her blanket looking at the stars. In the distance she could hear singing. It was a lament for the dead. The voices were beautiful but the words were sad. She could not fall asleep. Her thoughts kept going to the dream. What was she doing to do?
After everything was done, Haldir, Elladan and Elrohir went to a nearby stream and washed away the blood of their enemies. Haldir washed the clothes he had been wearing and dressed in the clothes he had lent to Lirimaer. They still smelled of her sweetness. They quietly climbed onto the talan. It was very early in the morning hours. The sun would be up in a few hours. Haldir was exhausted. He got a blanket from his pack and lay down upon it. He heard movement next to him and looked up. It was Lirimaer. She picked up her blanket and covered him with it. Then she slid under it and snuggled up next to him. He was too tired to argue. They both fell swiftly to sleep.
1 Na aldar – to the trees