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 16 – Realization
"Na Barad! Na Barad! Haldir! Na Barad!"
He turns to look at the voice shouting to him and nods. "Na Barad! Na Barad!" He calls to those left upon the wall. He strikes out at an orc. Suddenly another stabs him in the arm. No! yells a voice nearby. Then an Uruk-hai blade comes down on his back. He looks at all the dead and dying. Someone grabs him from behind. "I'm too late! Please don't die! I cannot live without you!"
It had been a long time since Haldir was able to sit on his balcony and unwind. He sat in his chair, leaning back, closing his eyes. He listened to the creaking the branches made in the breeze. He smelled the fresh air, clean and crisp. He was starting to nod off when he heard a sound that made him jump to his feet.
"Haldir!"
It was Lirimaer! He ran across the balcony to her room. She was curled in a ball on her bed, crying. "What is wrong, Lirimaer," Haldir asked. She was still asleep. He noticed a deep red mark running from the side of her neck down her spine and disappearing under the cloth wrapped around her. She had a smaller one on her arm.
"I'm too late! Please don't die! I cannot live without you! Haldir? Haldir!!! You cannot die! I love you, Haldir! I love you!"
Haldir couldn't believe what he was hearing. She loved him! No one ever said they loved him before, besides his family. But this was different. He looked down at Lirimaer lying on the bed, tears flowing freely from her eyes, weeping for him. It was breaking his heart.
"I couldn't save him! I am too late! Haldir, please come back to me! A'maelamin! 1 I never told him! I never told him I loved him!" she cried out, her heart wrenching in pain.
Haldir couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't stand seeing her in such pain. And it was over him! He caressed the side of her face. Lirimaer stopped crying, leaning into his hand. It made Haldir's heart skip a beat. An expression of tranquility came over her face. He placed a small kiss on her forehead and quickly left her room.
Alfirin came in a short time later and woke Lirimaer up. "It is time, my Lady, for you to get ready. Are you all right? You look tired. Did you not rest well?"
Lirimaer remembered the dream. Haldir dying. But she felt him come back to her in her dream, touching her face, kissing her forehead, calming her. But she couldn't see him. This dream was different from the others. She was there! She was on the wall with him, fighting next to him. But she couldn't save him…
"My Lady?" said Alfirin, a curious look on her face.
"I am all right. Let me wash my face and then I'll get dressed," she said.
When she finished, Alfirin helped pull the gown over her head. Lirimaer sat down and Alfirin went to work on her hair, combing it until it shown, bringing out her beautiful red highlights. She pulled the sides back and gathered them together in the back in a single braid. Then she placed a beautiful silver and gold diadem upon her forehead. She stood and looked in the mirror. Her face looked pale. She pinched her cheeks and bit her lips to bring up some color. There was a knock on the door.
Alfirin opened the door. It was Haldir. Lirimaer stared at him, her mouth dropping open. He was handsome! He had on a silvery blue tunic with silver embroidery that shimmered with every movement. He wore tight black leather leggings that showed the strong muscles in his legs. His hair shined like the midday sun. It was plaited on the sides and tucked behind his ears. He was smiling at her.
Haldir walked in the room and stopped dead in his tracks. He could not believe the splendor before him. She was wearing a striking golden gown. It made her green eyes stand out, bringing out the sparkling gold flecks. The neckline was low, revealing creamy white skin. Her beautiful chestnut hair was glowing like a fiery sunset. Seeing her brought a realization to him, hitting him like a blow to the chest: he loved her! More an anything else in his life he loved her. But the smile left his face. They could only be friends. Nothing more. Guardians never marry.
Lirimaer noticed the change in his expression. Is he displeased with me? she wondered, becoming self-conscience of how she looked. He had only seen her dressed like a male elf. Did he not like her like this?
"Are you ready to go?" he asked, smiling once again, holding out his arm to escort her. She quickly put on her slippers and took hold of his sturdy arm. "By the way, you look stunning." She tingled all over.
Haldir led her back to Celeborn and Galadriel's apartments. They went to the talan above where she had first met them. There was a great table in the room. Celeborn, Galadriel, Elladan and Elrohir were already seated and rose when they entered. Haldir and Lirimaer bowed the Lord and Lady. Haldir pulled out a chair for Lirimaer to sit.
"The gown looks lovely on you, Lirimaer," said Galadriel. The others nodded their approval as well.
"Thank you so much. It is beautiful. You are too kind," said Lirimaer.
"Now everyone eat, you must be famished after your long journey. We will talk later," said Celeborn. With that, servants brought out many plates with lots of appetizing food. Lirimaer was ravenous. They all ate and chatted together.
When everyone was finished, they moved to comfortable chairs at the back of the room. "Elladan, Elrohir, tell us of the message from Rivendell," said Celeborn.
"Gandalf arrived to Rivendell the night before we left on our journey. Saruman is making an army of Uruk-hai. They bear the White Hand of Saruman. He had taken Gandalf captive," said Elladan. "Gwaihir the Windlord rescued him from the top of the Tower of Orthanc. 2 A Halfling has found Isildur's Bane. He will bring it to Mordor to destroy it in the fires of Mt. Doom. He will be traveling with others."
"Elrond wants you to keep watch for them," added Elrohir. "They will encounter many hardships, they will need friends to help them."
"The Halfling will be here soon," said Galadriel, with a far off look on her face. Then, returning her attention to the group, she added, "Haldir, I will need you to go to the eastern borders to keep watch for their arrival. You will depart in four days. Haldir, I wish to speak privately with you tomorrow midday."
Four days! How long would he be gone for? She didn't know what she would do without him near. Her eyes began to tear.
Do not worry, Lirimaer, he will not be gone long. Galadriel smiled at her. You will have a pleasant surprise coming to you very shortly. We will talk after Haldir's departure.
1. A'maelamin – my beloved
2. Gwaihir the Windlord – King of the Eagles