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 14 – Caras Galadhon
"Lirimaer, wake up." She looked up and saw Haldir standing over him. She gave him a warm smile. He did not return it. "We must be leaving now if we are to get to Caras Galadhon by the evening." With that he turned and left the talan.
What was wrong with him? she thought. Maybe he is weary from yesterday. He didn't get much rest. She folded up the blankets and put them in her pack. Nearby was a pitcher of water, a bowl and a piece of lembas. She poured some water in the bowl and washed her hands and face, and then she quickly ate. She dropped her pack to the ground and climbed down the rope.
Elladan and Elrohir were talking with two blonde, blue-eyed elves. "Ah, good morning, Lirimaer!" Elladan said. "Come and meet our friends. This is Orophin and Rúmil, Haldir's brothers. And this," he said putting his arm around Lirimaer, "is Lirimaer."
They bowed to her. "Mae govannen, Lirimaer. Welcome to Lórien. We hope your stay will be pleasant," said Orophin.
"Thank you. I'm glad to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you," she said.
"I'm sure nothing good about this one," laughed Rúmil, elbowing his brothers in the ribs. With that, Orophin grabbed him in a headlock and both fell on the ground. Everyone was laughing.
Orophin and Rúmil were so different from Haldir. Orophin was a little larger than Rúmil, but neither was built like Haldir. He was more muscular than his brothers. They were also vivacious compared to their somber brother.
"Don't you two have anything better to do?" asked Haldir sarcastically.
"Yes, as a matter of fact we do," said Orophin, smiling at Rúmil. With that they both charged at Haldir, grabbing him and knocking him to the ground.
"Get off of me!" growled Haldir through his teeth. Orophin and Rúmil got up and helped their brother to his feet. "I am leaving Orophin in charge once again until I come back, but after this display I don't know if it is a wise decision." He turned to Elladan, Elrohir and Lirimaer. "Come, we must leave now." With that he picked up his pack, turned on his heels and marched down the trail that would lead them to Caras Galadhon.
They picked up their packs and said their goodbyes to Orophin and Rúmil. They hurriedly went in the direction Haldir went. He was almost out of site already. Something is bothering him, thought Lirimaer.
Lirimaer took in the sites and sounds around her. Beautiful birch trees grew all over, their white bark shining in the sunlight. There were also tall oaks and many spruces. They passed by streams along the way; she listened to the water splash over rocks. Lots of birds sang in the trees overhead. She could feel the life force of this forest, glorious and ancient.
The sun was high in the sky. They had been walking for several hours at a fast pace, Haldir showing no signs of easing up. Lirimaer was starting to show her fatigue. The path was becoming narrow so that they had to walk in single file, Haldir leading followed by Elladan, Lirimaer and then Elrohir. Lirimaer stumbled on a root, falling to her hands and knees.
"We must stop," yelled Elrohir.
Haldir turned with an irritated look on his face. When he saw Lirimaer on the ground, he quickly ran back down the path. "Are you alright?" he asked, brushing dirt and leaves off of her.
"I am fine, just scraped my hands a bit," she said.
"We will take a break for a while. Come with me," he said, taking her by the hand. "There is a stream over there where we can tend to your hands." He led her down the path a short distance to a large rock next to the stream. He sat her down on the rock and got a cloth out of his pack. He dipped the cloth into the cool water and squeezed it out over her palms then wiped them dry. "Just a few scratches, I think you'll live," he said, smiling.
"It's good to see you smiling again. You have been in a mood all day. What is bothering you?" she asked.
Haldir stopped smiling. "I told you that we could be nothing more than friends. But still you slept with me last night. We cannot do this!"
"Can't friends console each other? You had such an awful night I thought you could use the comfort of a friend," she said cheerfully. I needed you as well, she thought.
The smile returned to his face. "We'll rest for a while longer. We don't have much further to go. I will lead at a slower pace this time!"
The path they were on began to slope downward. Lirimaer could see a clearing ahead. When they came to it, she gasped. There, rising up like a mountain was a cluster of very large trees. Their leaves were a deep gold color and they had silver bark on their thick trunks. Mellyrn! All around the foot of the trees grew beautiful elanor and niphredil. 1 & 2 In all her thoughts she never thought to see something so magnificent. "It is breathtaking!"
Haldir stood next to her and took her hand in his. "Creoso a'Caras Galadhon, mellonamin." 3
1. Elanor – Small yellow flower that is exclusive to Lórien
2. Niphredil – Small pale blossom that grows with elanor in Lórien in the wintertime
3. Creoso a'Caras Galadhon, mellonamin. – Welcome to Caras Galadhon, my friend