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 27 – To Helm's Deep
Haldir quietly dressed and gathered his pack and weapons together. He stood next to the bed, watching Lirimaer sleep, not wanting to wake her. He didn't want a tearful goodbye. He gently kissed her mouth, caressed her cheek and touched her hair, thinking that this could very well be the last time he would see her in Arda. With a heavy heart he turned and went out the door.
Lirimaer quickly sat up and threw on the leggings, tunic and boots she had stashed under the bed. She went to the door and peeked out. She darted to Vuranor's door, knocked and went inside. Vuranor was dressed and in his armor. "We must hurry," he said. He picked up a flask off the table. "You will need this to finish the disguise. Come over here to the basin. Hold your head over it."
She stood with her head down, feeling something wet pouring over her head. Vuranor rubbed it into her hair. "What is it?" she asked.
"It is boiled tree bark. It will stain your hair. You cannot risk being noticed." He handed her a cloth, which she dried her hair with. She combed it out and looked into the mirror. Her hair was as black as Vuranor's. "Now you can really pass as my brother!" exclaimed Vuranor. She quickly braided her hair and put on the armor.
There was a knock on the door. It was Alfirin. She raced into Vuranor's arms. "You must promise to come back to me!" she cried, not noticing the other elf in the room.
"Of course I will, melamin," he said sweetly, brushing the tears from Alfirin's face. "Do not cry. I will be back for you. I will take you back to Rivendell with me." He gave her a kiss, long and passionate. Lirimaer smiled. "My friend, Astalder, will make sure that I come back unscathed," he said, turning Alfirin towards Lirimaer.
Lirimaer held her breath. Surely she would be recognized. "I beg your pardon, Astalder. I thought that Vuranor was alone," she said, blushing.
"It is quite all right," Lirimaer said, trying to make her voice sound deeper. Then she said in her normal voice, "I will take care of him, Alfirin, do not worry!"
Alfirin knew the voice. Lirimaer took off her helmet. "Lirimaer! What are you doing?" Alfirin asked.
"I would try to explain, but we must go. I will tell you all about it when we get back," she said. She hugged her friend and headed for the door. Vuranor gave Alfirin another kiss and headed for the door as well. "Namárië," they said and they were gone. 1
Lirimaer stepped in line with the rest of the troops with Vuranor behind her. Unfortunately he had caught Haldir's eye. Haldir marched down to where they were. Lirimaer bit her lip, hoping he wouldn't see her. She diverted her eyes away from him. "Vuranor, what do you think you are doing?" Haldir asked.
"I am going to Rohan with my friend," he said, looking Haldir in the eye. Haldir stood there, returning his gaze. Then he smiled and clapped Vuranor on the shoulder.
"Well, Haldir, we wish you safe journey," Elrohir said, walking over with Elladan. "We must get back to Rivendell. We will see you again soon." He grasped Haldir's shoulder. "Take care of yourself. You have a lovely wife to come home to!"
Haldir smiled. "I am very fortunate. I never thought I would ever be so privileged to have someone like Lirimaer in my life." Lirimaer smiled to herself at hearing his sweet words.
"Do take care of yourself," added Elladan. "And watch your back. Namárië."
It took the troops almost two days to reach the borders of Fangorn Forest. They camped on the outskirts; even they were not wild about the idea of entering the forest with the great dark shadows. They could feel the sorrow and the anger in the trees. They would follow the edge of the forest south to Helm's Deep. They would be there in about four days, if things went well.
Lirimaer stayed close to Vuranor. She kept her helmet on as much as possible, wearing the hood of her cloak when she removed it. She longed to be near Haldir, but dared not. It would prove to be a disaster if he caught her, so she would have to watch him from afar. At night, he distanced himself from the rest of the troops, sitting by himself. He looked to be in deep thought most of the time, occasionally a slight smile on his face, other times looking gloomy. She could only imagine what he was thinking about, she thought, smiling to herself. It upset her not being able to comfort him.
"Vuranor, Haldir looks lonely. Why don't you go talk to him?" she said. "He looks like he could use a friend."
"I'm sure he's thinking of the love he had to leave behind, like I am," he said.
Lirimaer noticed for the first time the sorrow in her friend's eyes. She had been too preoccupied with Haldir. "I am sorry, Vuranor. Of course you are sad. You too had to leave your love behind." She wanted to hug her friend, but knew that it would bring attention to her. She gave him a consoling smile.
"We should rest. We have a lot of traveling to do tomorrow."
"No!" Lirimaer yelled, making the elves around her jump to their feet.
"Astalder, wake up!" Vuranor said, shaking Lirimaer out of her dream. "It's all right," he said, the others around him. "He was just dreaming." The elves all settled back down, except for Haldir. He started walking towards them. "Hide your face! Haldir is coming. Act like you are sleeping."
"Is everything all right here, Vuranor?" He looked at the elf next to Vuranor. He was rather gaunt in shape, even with the armor. "Do you know him?" he asked.
"Yes, he is from Rivendell. I have seen him before." He glanced at some of the other elves, noting curious glances from a few. "He must have been having a dream. He's quiet now."
"Good, we don't need to alert every orc within earshot of our location. Get some rest, Vuranor." Haldir walked back to his blanket.
"That was close," said Lirimaer, rubbing the aching mark on her arm. She lay back down but didn't sleep any more that night. They were close now.
Four days later, at dusk, they came into sight of Helm's Deep. A knot twisted in Lirimaer's stomach. As they got closer, she could see a vast wall that stood before a tall tower, running from one mountain face to another. It stood about fifty feet high. She could see torches and men all along it. Then she heard the sounds of the Elven horn being blown. They marched up the causeway to the gates opening for them. Men stood on either side, watching the procession. They stopped before a staircase, where a bearded man in his later years stood in awe. This must be King Théoden. Haldir stopped in front of him, standing proud in his golden armor and red cloak. Then Lirimaer heard Haldir speak.
"I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An Alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago we fought and died together." He stopped speaking and smiled, looking at the top of the staircase. Lirimaer saw Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli running down the steps. "We come to honor that allegiance."
"Mae govannen, Haldir," said Aragorn, smiling. "You are most welcome!" He gave Haldir a big hug, leaving Haldir bewildered. Lirimaer was trying hard to hide her smile but it was so wonderful to see her friends again. Then she saw Haldir return the hug. Legolas stepped forward and they patted each other on the shoulder, smiling.
Haldir turned back to King Théoden. "We are proud to fight alongside Men once more."
1. Namárië - Farewell