Chapter Two: Clashes
Haldir turned and left the flet, dropping down through the branches of the tree quickly. The signal of the approaching messenger did not surprise him as he landed silently, ignoring the curious stares of his visitors.
He slipped through the trees, intercepting Rúmil as he ran toward him, another messenger keeping pace alongside.
The messenger bowed low before Haldir, his hand over his heart. "A message, Haldir, from the Lady of Light."
Haldir took the thin scroll, waving away the messenger and began to walk reading the message quickly. Rúmil looked at him curiously, having met the messenger before reaching Caras Galadhon, knowing his mission to seek out the lady was no longer needed.
"So she knew they were here." Rúmil said. He frowned when Haldir stopped, turning back to look behind him.
"Aye, the elven maid said as much. I still will not allow them further until tomorrow." Haldir frowned. He slid the message scroll into his boot. "The Lady wishes them to continue on my terms, it seems she was not overly impressed by the young elven maid either."
Rúmil laughed at Haldir's expression of irritation. "What has this elven maid done to irritate you so?" His eyebrows rose high in astonishment when Haldir related the elven maid's words. "She assumes much, to speak before her father and to address such as you, has she no common sense?" He shook his head in bemusement. "I shall have to see this one who dares defy my brother's authority, she must be brave indeed."
Haldir snorted. "Brave? Or foolish, brother. I think more of her tiny sister, her eyes miss nothing. Larider said he could have sworn she met his gaze when they first crossed the border, and he high above them. We shall see what these new elves bear in abilities. We shall see."
Keliar stared down through the leaves, watching Haldir speak with another of his elves, this one smaller in stature, slim but with unmistakable similarities in features to Haldir, marking him as another brother. They spoke quietly and he could not hear what they said, and he grew pensive seeing the expressions that crossed the March Warden's face. The warden tucked a small scroll into his boot, and Keliar smiled. So he has had word from his lady, he wondered if he would admit it, or delay them further.
He crouched down, waiting as the March Warden scaled the tree quickly, followed by his brother. Keliar rose as they reached the flet. Haldir stepped onto the platform meeting his gaze with a stare that was expressionless, Haldir's features closed and aloof.
"You have had word then, March Warden." Keliar spoke bluntly, knowing the elf would not reveal the information if he did not.
Haldir's eyes narrowed slightly as one brow rose in amusement. "I have, Keliar, but you may go no further this night. The road to Caras Galadhon is long, a full days walk yet, we will leave in the morning." He turned to leave, but Keliar caught his sleeve.
"I hope young Aranel has not displeased you so that you delay on her account." Keliar asked quietly, hiding a grin that threatened to belie his serious tone.
Haldir stared at Keliar for a moment, the dark grey eyes searching Keliar's brown ones for the brief moment before he answered, deciding to be frank with the Laiquendi commander. "I do. Do you deny me my right?" he asked, the corners of his lips curling slightly, staring at Keliar who smiled broadly.
"Nay, Haldir. You have every right for the insult she placed upon you, I was only curious to see if you would admit it." He laughed softly, seeing Haldir's lips curl into a crooked smile.
"My brother, Rúmil." Haldir introduced the lean elf who still stood beside him, his blue eyes twinkling in humor. The elf bowed slightly, gripping Keliar's outstretched hand in a firm grip.
"My brother, I fear has little sense of humor," Rúmil grinned. "But he is usually well stocked with immunity to insults. But your young maiden seemed to find the chink in Haldir's armor quick enough. Few dare to defy the Guardian of Lorien, I can only assume it was her ignorance to do so."
Keliar glanced over to the two maidens who sat whispering together. "I fear Aranel oft times speaks before she thinks. I warn you now, that it might perhaps sway your displeasure as I assure you it will happen again. Do not think me disloyal, but I know how she is and I fear she will unthinkingly override her own father's speech if she is able."
Haldir frowned, Rúmil laughing softly in amusement. "I am surprised Lord Tathar allows her to speak so." Haldir said.
Keliar sighed, shaking his head. "What can you do, Haldir. You have no sisters? That one has a mind of her own, and the only choice to prevent it would be to lock the maid away."
Haldir grinned wickedly, his gaze moving over the two maids. "Perhaps that would have been best. But at any point, Keliar, we wait until morning." He nodded to the Laiquendi, and dropped back down into the trees, the two brothers disappearing into the gloom.
Tári sat up slowly as the March Warden and the other elf descended, glancing over the edge of the flet to watch them. She rose to stand beside Keliar. He stood, rubbing his chin and looked down at her in amusement.
"You eavesdrop, Mouse, for shame." He laughed softly.
She grinned, "Aye, I did. And I have no shame. So the warden was insulted. But he must have had word from the Lady."
Keliar nodded. "Aye, he did. But I am sure he acts within her approval, or we would be gone from here this night. He is interesting, I see a flash of humor that is hidden quickly. He is hard, that one, you must be careful, Mouse."
Tári stared at him. "Why do you say that, Keliar?"
Keliar looked down at her, an odd look in his eyes that she had never seen before, protectiveness, and amazingly, jealously. "I saw how you gazed upon him, Tári Namolanya, although you hid it well. He is different from us, do not be caught in a net that will only bring you heartache. I do not know this elf, or his reputation."
Tári swallowed, uncomfortable with Keliar's sudden change of tone. "I do not know what you speak of Keliar, I only gaze upon him with respect, he has impressed me, yes. But that is all."
Keliar laughed, gripping her shoulders to turn her toward him. "You are not in his league, Mouse, he will eat you alive. So you are only impressed, why then do you blush as I look into your face." He smiled softly, releasing her when Lord Tathar approached them.
"You spoke to the March Warden, Keliar, what did he say?"
Keliar bowed slightly, "He said it is a full days walk yet to the city, and prefers to lead us in the morning."
Lord Tathar smiled, shaking his head. "So he makes us wait. I shall have to speak to Aranel." He frowned. "She will not usurp my authority again this journey." He turned away and walked to sit with his first born daughter.
Keliar sighed. "I should have known he would see the March Warden's intent. But we have no choice. I suggest you gather some rest, Tári, for we have a long day ahead."
* *
Tári leaned against the tree trunk, watching the Lórien guards, taking in their dress, their weapons, their expressions while they stood along the edge of the flet. Their gazes drifted occasionally toward the visitors, and she had caught one or two when they settled upon her. Their eyes were curious, but wary. She smiled, sensing Keliar's frustration when he sat once again beside her.
"Keliar, this waiting is making you impatient, you have paced and sat and paced. Can you not relax?" she said but Keliar shook his head.
"Nay, Mouse. I am surprised you do not feel it?"
Tári frowned. "Feel what?"
Keliar glanced at the Lórien guards. "Their tension. They hide it well, but I have heard the signals, Haldir has dropped out of the tree, and his brothers. Something is happening, but they try to hide it from us."
Tári leaned to look over the edge of the flet. Indeed, the elves who had lingered close were no longer to be seen, but she could make out Haldir while he stood below them on the ground. He was listening to another and with a wave of a hand, turned to climb back into the tree.
Keliar rose quickly, waiting until the March Warden stepped onto the platform. "Something is happening, you must tell me." He murmured quietly.
Haldir frowned, gazing at the others. "You have been followed. We are tracking a party of Orcs
Keliar brows rose. "Why would they just follow, we skirmished some weeks ago."
Haldir gazed at him, "It does not matter, they have crossed our borders, they have made their mistake." He turned to leave, but Keliar caught his arm.
"You must let me go with you, please." He said, meeting Haldir's gaze earnestly.
Haldir's chin rose, and he looked to disagree, but suddenly smiled briefly. "Follow me then, if you can." He dropped quickly down through the tree, Keliar following hastily
* *
Haldir stood next to the tree, his cloak blending into the bark, shielding Keliar from view. He glanced behind him, hearing the Laiquendi's soft oath. The green-elf had kept close, and Haldir grinned to himself. He had not made it easy for the green-elf to keep up. Haldir signaled to his elves, and they fanned out around him, circling the Orcs who sauntered brazenly along the edge of the wood's border. The Orc patrol stopped every few moments, unaware of the elves that tracked them, following them easily on foot as well as in the trees.
"You have much patience, March Warden." Keliar whispered softly, the Orcs had paused again and seemed confused, arguing over the tracks they followed.
Haldir lips twitched briefly. "They walk effortlessly into our trap." He said and with a quick flick of his fingers Keliar saw the elves converge upon the Orc patrol. The creatures reared up, suddenly smelling the elves scent as they closed in around them, and closed together rapidly, pulling shields and swords free. Elven arrows rained in on them, bouncing off the grotesque armor, wounding some here and there, but the Orcs had fought elves before, and huddled close, their armor shielding them from the projectiles that barraged them.
The elves on the ground drew closer, long curved swords drawn from scabbards. They drove forward, pushing in on the Orcs, until finally the creatures broke free of their group, anger and hatred sweeping away their reason.
"Ela sen!"[1] Haldir shouted.
Arrows continued to bounce off the Orc's armor, but shrieks of the dying and wounded began to fill the air. Keliar followed Haldir as he swept toward the Orcs, drawing his sword silently while above him more arrows rained down.
Keliar drew his sword, his hatred of the shadow's creatures just as strong as these Lórien elves and he drove into the pack with a relish that matched the others. His gaze was drawn to Haldir while he fought, catching sight of the March Warden in fleeting moments of respite from his own fight.
The Lórien elf was smooth. Smooth in his draw of his sword, his stance. His graceful movements while he fought drew the Laiquendi's admiration. The March Warden fought well, his senses seemed attuned to everything around him, ducking the arrows that flew narrowly past his head, his blond hair fluttering when he leaped away from an Orc's thrust, his aggression against the creatures that dared cross into his land.
Keliar ducked an Orc's swing, bringing up his sword , severing the head from the Orc's shoulders. He stepped back and the creature fell, and found himself beside Haldir once more. The Orc's remaining numbers were few, and those that were left soon found themselves surrounded by elves that had no mercy. Keliar turned to gaze at Haldir while he watched his elves dispatch the remaining Orcs with a face that bore no expression.
He was cold, this one. Keliar thought, knowing his own experiences were similar. Did he display this kind of aloofness, the icy calm that Haldir now expressed. Keliar did not think so. Haldir turned to him, his eyes glittering and Keliar bowed slightly.
"Your elves are highly skilled, Haldir. I am impressed."
Haldir smiled briefly. "Your own skills, Keliar, are quite remarkable. I did not make my journey here easy for you, and you fought as well as any I lead here. Do not judge yourself lacking."
Keliar stepped back, tilting his head when the March Warden turned to watch the elves while they began to gather the bodies of the slain Orcs. "You did not make it easy? Are you telling me you made it more difficult than you normally would have to reach here?"
Haldir glanced back to Keliar, amusement gleaming in his eyes. "Aye, I did."
Keliar laughed, shaking his head. "Then I doubly feel glad that I was able to keep up, I feared my shame would have been great had I faltered too far behind."
Haldir grinned widely, and Keliar saw again that flash of humor that was quickly hidden in the aloof expression. "You did well, green-elf. I will make note of it in my report to the Lady of Light." He turned to Keliar and they left the elves behind to return to the flet and the rest of the Laiquendi.
----------------------- [1] Ela sen!- Flank them!
Haldir turned and left the flet, dropping down through the branches of the tree quickly. The signal of the approaching messenger did not surprise him as he landed silently, ignoring the curious stares of his visitors.
He slipped through the trees, intercepting Rúmil as he ran toward him, another messenger keeping pace alongside.
The messenger bowed low before Haldir, his hand over his heart. "A message, Haldir, from the Lady of Light."
Haldir took the thin scroll, waving away the messenger and began to walk reading the message quickly. Rúmil looked at him curiously, having met the messenger before reaching Caras Galadhon, knowing his mission to seek out the lady was no longer needed.
"So she knew they were here." Rúmil said. He frowned when Haldir stopped, turning back to look behind him.
"Aye, the elven maid said as much. I still will not allow them further until tomorrow." Haldir frowned. He slid the message scroll into his boot. "The Lady wishes them to continue on my terms, it seems she was not overly impressed by the young elven maid either."
Rúmil laughed at Haldir's expression of irritation. "What has this elven maid done to irritate you so?" His eyebrows rose high in astonishment when Haldir related the elven maid's words. "She assumes much, to speak before her father and to address such as you, has she no common sense?" He shook his head in bemusement. "I shall have to see this one who dares defy my brother's authority, she must be brave indeed."
Haldir snorted. "Brave? Or foolish, brother. I think more of her tiny sister, her eyes miss nothing. Larider said he could have sworn she met his gaze when they first crossed the border, and he high above them. We shall see what these new elves bear in abilities. We shall see."
Keliar stared down through the leaves, watching Haldir speak with another of his elves, this one smaller in stature, slim but with unmistakable similarities in features to Haldir, marking him as another brother. They spoke quietly and he could not hear what they said, and he grew pensive seeing the expressions that crossed the March Warden's face. The warden tucked a small scroll into his boot, and Keliar smiled. So he has had word from his lady, he wondered if he would admit it, or delay them further.
He crouched down, waiting as the March Warden scaled the tree quickly, followed by his brother. Keliar rose as they reached the flet. Haldir stepped onto the platform meeting his gaze with a stare that was expressionless, Haldir's features closed and aloof.
"You have had word then, March Warden." Keliar spoke bluntly, knowing the elf would not reveal the information if he did not.
Haldir's eyes narrowed slightly as one brow rose in amusement. "I have, Keliar, but you may go no further this night. The road to Caras Galadhon is long, a full days walk yet, we will leave in the morning." He turned to leave, but Keliar caught his sleeve.
"I hope young Aranel has not displeased you so that you delay on her account." Keliar asked quietly, hiding a grin that threatened to belie his serious tone.
Haldir stared at Keliar for a moment, the dark grey eyes searching Keliar's brown ones for the brief moment before he answered, deciding to be frank with the Laiquendi commander. "I do. Do you deny me my right?" he asked, the corners of his lips curling slightly, staring at Keliar who smiled broadly.
"Nay, Haldir. You have every right for the insult she placed upon you, I was only curious to see if you would admit it." He laughed softly, seeing Haldir's lips curl into a crooked smile.
"My brother, Rúmil." Haldir introduced the lean elf who still stood beside him, his blue eyes twinkling in humor. The elf bowed slightly, gripping Keliar's outstretched hand in a firm grip.
"My brother, I fear has little sense of humor," Rúmil grinned. "But he is usually well stocked with immunity to insults. But your young maiden seemed to find the chink in Haldir's armor quick enough. Few dare to defy the Guardian of Lorien, I can only assume it was her ignorance to do so."
Keliar glanced over to the two maidens who sat whispering together. "I fear Aranel oft times speaks before she thinks. I warn you now, that it might perhaps sway your displeasure as I assure you it will happen again. Do not think me disloyal, but I know how she is and I fear she will unthinkingly override her own father's speech if she is able."
Haldir frowned, Rúmil laughing softly in amusement. "I am surprised Lord Tathar allows her to speak so." Haldir said.
Keliar sighed, shaking his head. "What can you do, Haldir. You have no sisters? That one has a mind of her own, and the only choice to prevent it would be to lock the maid away."
Haldir grinned wickedly, his gaze moving over the two maids. "Perhaps that would have been best. But at any point, Keliar, we wait until morning." He nodded to the Laiquendi, and dropped back down into the trees, the two brothers disappearing into the gloom.
Tári sat up slowly as the March Warden and the other elf descended, glancing over the edge of the flet to watch them. She rose to stand beside Keliar. He stood, rubbing his chin and looked down at her in amusement.
"You eavesdrop, Mouse, for shame." He laughed softly.
She grinned, "Aye, I did. And I have no shame. So the warden was insulted. But he must have had word from the Lady."
Keliar nodded. "Aye, he did. But I am sure he acts within her approval, or we would be gone from here this night. He is interesting, I see a flash of humor that is hidden quickly. He is hard, that one, you must be careful, Mouse."
Tári stared at him. "Why do you say that, Keliar?"
Keliar looked down at her, an odd look in his eyes that she had never seen before, protectiveness, and amazingly, jealously. "I saw how you gazed upon him, Tári Namolanya, although you hid it well. He is different from us, do not be caught in a net that will only bring you heartache. I do not know this elf, or his reputation."
Tári swallowed, uncomfortable with Keliar's sudden change of tone. "I do not know what you speak of Keliar, I only gaze upon him with respect, he has impressed me, yes. But that is all."
Keliar laughed, gripping her shoulders to turn her toward him. "You are not in his league, Mouse, he will eat you alive. So you are only impressed, why then do you blush as I look into your face." He smiled softly, releasing her when Lord Tathar approached them.
"You spoke to the March Warden, Keliar, what did he say?"
Keliar bowed slightly, "He said it is a full days walk yet to the city, and prefers to lead us in the morning."
Lord Tathar smiled, shaking his head. "So he makes us wait. I shall have to speak to Aranel." He frowned. "She will not usurp my authority again this journey." He turned away and walked to sit with his first born daughter.
Keliar sighed. "I should have known he would see the March Warden's intent. But we have no choice. I suggest you gather some rest, Tári, for we have a long day ahead."
* *
Tári leaned against the tree trunk, watching the Lórien guards, taking in their dress, their weapons, their expressions while they stood along the edge of the flet. Their gazes drifted occasionally toward the visitors, and she had caught one or two when they settled upon her. Their eyes were curious, but wary. She smiled, sensing Keliar's frustration when he sat once again beside her.
"Keliar, this waiting is making you impatient, you have paced and sat and paced. Can you not relax?" she said but Keliar shook his head.
"Nay, Mouse. I am surprised you do not feel it?"
Tári frowned. "Feel what?"
Keliar glanced at the Lórien guards. "Their tension. They hide it well, but I have heard the signals, Haldir has dropped out of the tree, and his brothers. Something is happening, but they try to hide it from us."
Tári leaned to look over the edge of the flet. Indeed, the elves who had lingered close were no longer to be seen, but she could make out Haldir while he stood below them on the ground. He was listening to another and with a wave of a hand, turned to climb back into the tree.
Keliar rose quickly, waiting until the March Warden stepped onto the platform. "Something is happening, you must tell me." He murmured quietly.
Haldir frowned, gazing at the others. "You have been followed. We are tracking a party of Orcs
Keliar brows rose. "Why would they just follow, we skirmished some weeks ago."
Haldir gazed at him, "It does not matter, they have crossed our borders, they have made their mistake." He turned to leave, but Keliar caught his arm.
"You must let me go with you, please." He said, meeting Haldir's gaze earnestly.
Haldir's chin rose, and he looked to disagree, but suddenly smiled briefly. "Follow me then, if you can." He dropped quickly down through the tree, Keliar following hastily
* *
Haldir stood next to the tree, his cloak blending into the bark, shielding Keliar from view. He glanced behind him, hearing the Laiquendi's soft oath. The green-elf had kept close, and Haldir grinned to himself. He had not made it easy for the green-elf to keep up. Haldir signaled to his elves, and they fanned out around him, circling the Orcs who sauntered brazenly along the edge of the wood's border. The Orc patrol stopped every few moments, unaware of the elves that tracked them, following them easily on foot as well as in the trees.
"You have much patience, March Warden." Keliar whispered softly, the Orcs had paused again and seemed confused, arguing over the tracks they followed.
Haldir lips twitched briefly. "They walk effortlessly into our trap." He said and with a quick flick of his fingers Keliar saw the elves converge upon the Orc patrol. The creatures reared up, suddenly smelling the elves scent as they closed in around them, and closed together rapidly, pulling shields and swords free. Elven arrows rained in on them, bouncing off the grotesque armor, wounding some here and there, but the Orcs had fought elves before, and huddled close, their armor shielding them from the projectiles that barraged them.
The elves on the ground drew closer, long curved swords drawn from scabbards. They drove forward, pushing in on the Orcs, until finally the creatures broke free of their group, anger and hatred sweeping away their reason.
"Ela sen!"[1] Haldir shouted.
Arrows continued to bounce off the Orc's armor, but shrieks of the dying and wounded began to fill the air. Keliar followed Haldir as he swept toward the Orcs, drawing his sword silently while above him more arrows rained down.
Keliar drew his sword, his hatred of the shadow's creatures just as strong as these Lórien elves and he drove into the pack with a relish that matched the others. His gaze was drawn to Haldir while he fought, catching sight of the March Warden in fleeting moments of respite from his own fight.
The Lórien elf was smooth. Smooth in his draw of his sword, his stance. His graceful movements while he fought drew the Laiquendi's admiration. The March Warden fought well, his senses seemed attuned to everything around him, ducking the arrows that flew narrowly past his head, his blond hair fluttering when he leaped away from an Orc's thrust, his aggression against the creatures that dared cross into his land.
Keliar ducked an Orc's swing, bringing up his sword , severing the head from the Orc's shoulders. He stepped back and the creature fell, and found himself beside Haldir once more. The Orc's remaining numbers were few, and those that were left soon found themselves surrounded by elves that had no mercy. Keliar turned to gaze at Haldir while he watched his elves dispatch the remaining Orcs with a face that bore no expression.
He was cold, this one. Keliar thought, knowing his own experiences were similar. Did he display this kind of aloofness, the icy calm that Haldir now expressed. Keliar did not think so. Haldir turned to him, his eyes glittering and Keliar bowed slightly.
"Your elves are highly skilled, Haldir. I am impressed."
Haldir smiled briefly. "Your own skills, Keliar, are quite remarkable. I did not make my journey here easy for you, and you fought as well as any I lead here. Do not judge yourself lacking."
Keliar stepped back, tilting his head when the March Warden turned to watch the elves while they began to gather the bodies of the slain Orcs. "You did not make it easy? Are you telling me you made it more difficult than you normally would have to reach here?"
Haldir glanced back to Keliar, amusement gleaming in his eyes. "Aye, I did."
Keliar laughed, shaking his head. "Then I doubly feel glad that I was able to keep up, I feared my shame would have been great had I faltered too far behind."
Haldir grinned widely, and Keliar saw again that flash of humor that was quickly hidden in the aloof expression. "You did well, green-elf. I will make note of it in my report to the Lady of Light." He turned to Keliar and they left the elves behind to return to the flet and the rest of the Laiquendi.
----------------------- [1] Ela sen!- Flank them!