Chapter Four: Skirmish
Tári groaned, sitting up in the bed and gasped, seeing the light flooding into the small talan. She had only laid down to rest, musing over the last night. She flew from the bed, pulling on her tunic as a light knock sounded on the door. She hurried over to open it, smoothing the tangles from her hair.
A young elf stood outside, his eyes widening at her disarray.
"I am sorry to disturb you, my lady, but Haldir sent you clothing, and requests your presence at the training arena this morning."
Tári frowned, sighing, rubbing her head. "Perhaps I will not attend." she began but stopped at the horrified expression on the young elf's face.
"My Lady, The March Warden is to be obeyed. He said I was to drag you if you did not come, but I thought he only jested."
Tári stared at him in surprise. "Drag me? Who does he think he is?" she laughed at the strangled expression in front of her. She reached out to touch his shoulder, pulling the clothing from his clenched fist. "You can tell the March Warden I will be along, sometime soon." She grinned when the color washed from the elf's face.
"I cannot, My Lady. Please, you must come along, now. I beseech you, you must not refuse. He will have my head if I do not bring you."
Tári gazed at the young elf. "He will not blame you if I refuse. You have no say in this." She folded her arms over her chest, suddenly feeling quite stubborn. The elf opened his mouth to argue but closed it with a snap when she glared at him. He bowed quickly and left. She sighed, pitying him for having to relay her refusal.
She was tired. The evening had been long. Although she had danced with many elves, only once had she danced with Haldir. His arms had whirled her around the clearing easily. She closed her eyes remembering the feel of his hands on her waist. His long fingers gripping hers while they danced, the warmth of his body, his scent. She was broken from her reverie when the door flew open. How long had she sat daydreaming? Haldir stood staring at her, folding his arms over his chest.
"I thought perhaps you would refuse Corinth. Although I am quite sure he was clear about orders were you to refuse."
Tári frowned, tossing the clothing he'd sent on the bed. Haldir's eyes strayed to the clothing and then to the unmade bed. His brows rose slightly, his gaze turned back to her.
"Ah perhaps too much wine last night?" he tilted his head when she snorted.
"I didn't drink that much, I just have changed my mind."
Haldir frowned. "Are you afraid? Perhaps I was wrong again." He stared at her and she suddenly knew he was rarely wrong in his impressions.
"I am not afraid, I am just tired." Tári turned away, shivering at the amusement that now gleamed from his eyes.
She poured some water into a glass and turned back to find him directly behind her. She had not heard him move, nor felt his presence, which was unusual for her. She backed up only to find the table behind her. His smile changed slightly and Tári swallowed, holding the glass of water in front of her.
"Tired? I do not believe you, Tári." He reached down to pull the glass from her fingers. "I thought perhaps I made you uncomfortable. You were very tense when I danced with you last night."
Tári frowned, her knees suddenly shaking from his nearness, but she met his gaze stubbornly. "You do not make me uncomfortable."
The smile Haldir gave her sent chills down her spine. His eyes had narrowed and glittered appraisingly. "No?"
She couldn't breath, and he knew it. He leaned toward her, and she would have fallen from leaning away, except that his arms slid around her, pulling her toward him. She put her hands between them, holding him away from her, her hands pushing against his chest.
"You are being much too forward, March Warden. I don't think my father would approve." She gasped, but he only smiled wickedly.
"Are you going to tell him? Perhaps I will skip my practice today, I might find more interesting things to do." He laughed softly, sliding his hands over her hips to grip her wrists.
Tári's eyes widened. "I think you would be missed, besides, I am not one of your wardens to command, I am a guest here and you should treat me as such." Her breath was coming out in gasps, and the last word an indignant squeak. She sounded like a mouse she thought in embarrassment.
Haldir grinned, and stepped back, releasing her wrists. She rubbed them unconsciously, her chin rising while he gazed at her in silence.
"I am sorry if I offended you, My Lady." He said, bowing slightly. His expression became aloof when he straightened.
"You did not offend me, Haldir." She picked up the water, but set it back down quickly when she realized her hands were shaking. She glanced over to him to see if he had noticed. His gaze told her he had.
"I did not mean to make you uncomfortable, although you may still deny it." He said when she began to argue. He smiled. "I would like you to come but if you care not, I cannot argue. As you say, you are not one of my wardens." He bowed and turned to leave.
Tári hurried to the door, blocking his exit. "Yes, you make me uncomfortable, I admit it. You are very intimidating." Tári sighed, her heart fluttering madly in her chest.
His mouth curled up slightly and he stepped closer, gripping her shoulders. "I do not mean to intimidate you, little one, I would prefer to keep you tucked into a pocket as I said when I met you. You will have to prove to me you are as skilled as Keliar says, for I cannot override my initial desire to protect you. Or my desire to kiss you."
Tári gasped. "No one ever wants to kiss me." She said then covered her mouth, her eyes widening in mortification. He only laughed and pulled her hands from her mouth.
"I do not think that true." He said softly, and before she could deny him he kissed her, pulling her face close to his as he bent over her. His lips were firm, teasing the softness of her skin, pressuring her to open her mouth so his tongue could sweep over hers. She closed her eyes, and his hands slid up into her hair, his kiss demanding a response she had never felt before. She pushed him away when he broke the kiss, his eyes darkened with an emotion she had never seen directed at her.
Haldir bowed his head. "Forgive me, my lady" he murmured.
Tári's hand rose to her throat and she willed her voice not to shake. "There is nothing to forgive." She swallowed when the steely grey eyes met hers, their dark depths glittering with desire. For her! She stepped back when a loud knock sounded on her door. She whirled to open it to find Keliar and another Lórien elf standing outside.
Keliar stared at her for a moment, his glance resting on her face, then moving to Haldir's. They stared at one another as adversaries for a long moment then Keliar bowed to Haldir. The Lórien elf next to him bowed his head, his hand resting on his heart and greeted Haldir hastily.
A large party of Orcs had just crossed over the river, heading directly for the Golden Wood. Haldir frowned and sent the elf to gather his brothers. He turned to Tári.
"We leave for the border then." He nodded to Keliar and they turned to stride down the steps into the city. Haldir turned back, his gaze slightly amused, staring at Tári.
"Are you coming?"
* * *
The Orcs had crossed the borders of Lórien, tracked once more by the wood elves hidden high in the canopy. Tracked while the Orcs trampled the soil beneath steel shod feet, slogging through the crystal waters of the Nimrodel. Haldir gritted his teeth, his fury at their audacity driving his anger, but he composed his emotions, gripping the anger in a tight fist, pushing it away until only coldness remained. Ice, cold, calm; the lack of emotion reflected itself in the grey eyes.. Ice.
Tári shuddered at Haldir's expression. She had never seen Keliar like that. Was it only hours ago that the March Warden had kissed her? Those eyes had not been cold then. She shook her head slightly, she needed to concentrate. The Orcs swarmed below them, and she watched them in silence, gripping her small bow tightly.
She still was surprised she had been allowed to come, her shock at Haldir's invitation had surely been evident, but she hadn't given him time to reconsider, quickly changing into the clothes he'd sent. And now she was here, high in the canopy, watching the Orcs below her. The Orcs had stopped, why she was not sure, but the Lórien elves somehow knew they would. The Orcs were surrounded and didn't even know it yet.
Haldir glanced above him to the Laiquendi. Tári was sitting in the crotch of the tree, her bow held tightly, her gaze scanning the Orcs below them. Keliar sat slightly above her, his gaze on her, and on him. Haldir nodded slightly and Keliar began to climb down to his level.
Haldir glanced at Tári again, concern darkening the grey eyes for a moment. She met his gaze and her brown eyes met his calmly. He turned to Keliar.
"She will be fine, Haldir." Keliar murmured softly with a grin. Haldir nodded.
Some of the elves dropped silently out of the trees, surrounding the Orcs. Haldir slid down and slipped behind the cover of the trees, Keliar following quickly. Haldir signaled the remaining elves within the trees to fire and once again arrows rained down among the Orcs. They roared their fury, foolish to think they could traverse the glades of the elves without confrontation.
Haldir pulled his bow from his back, sliding around the protection of the Mellyrn tree, nocking the arrow and pulling back the string. His gaze followed the line of the arrow, targeting the Orc before him. He released the shaft to watch it hit the Orc, the force of the arrow spinning the Orc rapidly around where it fell, clutching the arrow as it protruded from his chest. Haldir moved closer, the arrows from high in the canopy claiming their share. He pulled back, nocking another arrow, sensing the movement of Keliar behind him. Their arrows sped into the hoard and the two elves moved closer yet.
Keliar pulled another arrow quickly from the quiver on his back; soon he would have none left. He glanced up into the canopy, knowing Tári would have moved closer, waiting for the right time to shoot. He nocked the arrow he held, pulling the blond bow back, the string taut with tension, the wood creaking slightly. He could see Haldir from the corner of his eye. His arrow flew with precision into the Orc he'd sighted, and the creature dropped to the ground, its red eyes glazed quickly. A quick death was the only mercy the elves employed.
Tári moved through the trees, easily following the path of destruction, the mellyrn branches intertwining so that she could move as fast as those on the ground. Perhaps not as fast as Rúmil who waited for her ahead, but just as quickly as those below her. She pulled the bow up, seeing Keliar shoot his last arrow. The Orc that had turned to face the elf staggered back, gripping the arrow that now protruded from his throat. She dropped down lower, searching for Haldir.
Haldir shouldered his bow, pulling his sword from its sheath, his quiver empty and no time to pull arrows free from the Orcs that lay dead. He ducked when he sensed the arrow, recognizing the Laiquendi fletching when it embedded itself into the Orc that fell to its knees before him. Haldir smiled, pushing past the gasping creature as it fell forward. She chose her shots well.
He evaded the next Orc's swing, bringing up the curved elvish blade in both hands. Their swords met with a reverberated crash, sparks flying from the metal. He slid his sword back, the two blades screeching harshly. The Orc stood taller, even slouched as it did, but Haldir was more agile and he avoided the next swing. He turned to the side, swinging his blade low, slipping below the Orc's defensive swing, to slice into its hip between the protective armor.
The creature squealed shrilly, clutching one hand on the wound, black blood oozing from between its fingers. It swung its blade clumsily toward Haldir and Haldir blocked it with his own blade, the force of his swing jarring the grip of the Orc's fingers. In the moment it took to adjust its grip Haldir's blade found its mark, impaling the creature under its arm.
Tári stared at the scene below her, watching Haldir fight. The March Warden's title was well deserved, and she moved quickly behind Rúmil to follow the fighting. The elves were now fighting hand to hand, the arrows had lessoned, but still rained their havoc. The Orcs still outnumbered the elves on the ground, and more elves began to drop quickly from their positions in the trees.
Tári jumped down out of the tree, still following Rúmil. His glances kept her in his view, but she ignored his concern. She pulled back her bow, launching the arrow swiftly into the Orc that leaped only a few feet from her, and it fell howling, shuddering, the shaft piercing armor that had thought to withstand it. She felt a brush next to her and glanced to the side to see Keliar move among the Orcs, his blade flashing in the shadowed light, his white hair vivid against the black armored Orcs.
She shifted slightly, raising her arrow to nock it quickly, aiming past Keliar's shoulder. The arrow flew close to him, the white hair fluttering when he whirled away in the opposite direction, ignoring the Orc that now fell at his feet.
She reached for another arrow, and froze. Her quiver was empty, and before her stood a large Orc, its nostrils flared with hate, its red eyes pinned on her. It laughed, stepping toward her and Tári gripped her bow with both hands. It leaped at her, attempting to seize her. She whipped the thin bow forcefully toward the Orc, slamming the thin wood across the Orc's unprotected face. The Orc howled as the wood sliced open a huge gash on its cheek, but continued to reach for her. She twisted away, sliding the long bladed knife that had been strapped to her wrist into her hand. The blade slashed the Orc along the inside of its arm, opening it to the muscles and tendons beneath the skin.
The Orc screamed in rage and pain, holding the injured arm against its chest, and swung out with the other hand, grabbing a handful of white hair when she tried to avoid his grasp. She was jerked from her feet, but Tári twisted more, falling to her knees. She pulled another blade into her left hand, and with both knives, slashed at the arm gripping her hair. Only one made contact with flesh, the other cutting the wrist guard free, but the Orc howled again, releasing her.
She turned to crouch, facing the creature and stepped back when both Keliar and Haldir leaped in front of her. The Orc's eyes widened in fear and shock when Keliar slammed into him, and Haldir's sword sliced its throat. Both elves turned to her briefly, staring at her in aggravation then turned back into the fray, disappearing once more. Rumil gripped her arm, stuffing more arrows into her quiver.
"We need to keep up, their numbers dwindle, but there are still too many." He slipped behind the trees, using them for cover and Tári followed quickly. She saw flashes of Keliar again, and once Haldir when he spun around a large Orc. His silver blond hair had whipped out around his head with the speed of his turn, the long sword spinning in his hands, impaling the Orc when he slammed the blade into the creature as it stood behind him.
Haldir glanced along the tree line, pulling his bloody sword free. Rúmil moved quickly, and he could see Tári following with her bow drawn. Her quick reflexes had her bow up and arrow released faster than many of his own wardens. He grinned, ducking past the Orc that rushed toward him. The foul creature staggered, turning back toward the elf, but stopped, catching a glimpse of Rúmil and Tári behind the trees. The creature spun, leaping toward them and Haldir whistled a piercing warning.
Rúmil turned as the Orc leaped toward him, sliding in front of Tári. She drew her arrow quickly, releasing it over his shoulder. He felt the stirring of his hair, the shaft passing only a mere inch from his cheek. He turned, the Orc spinning from the force of the arrow, and pulled out his sword from its scabbard. He leaped toward the Orc, forcing it away from him, and Tári.
Tári pulled another arrow from her quiver, her eyes on Rúmil, waiting for another clear shot. She gasped in surprise when she was yanked off her feet, the large black hand that gripped her quiver flashing in front of her eyes. The Orc spun her around, its eyes narrowed. He threw her back, and she landed hard on the ground. Tári rolled quickly, trying to regain her breath, but the Orc was faster. He kicked her feet out from under her when she tried to stand, and she twisted, trying to avoid the huge steel booted feet that tried to pin her down. She pulled her knife from her wrist, but the creature saw her, and stomped hard on her arm.
Tári cried out in pain, feeling the bones shatter beneath the Orc's foot. Pain shot up her arm, but she tried to ignore it, pulling another knife from her boot. She slashed at the Orc, cutting the tendons behind his knees and the creature howled, dropping over her. She grunted, its heavy weight knocking the wind from her once more. The Orc screeched, grabbing handfuls of her hair, but then froze, its eyes glazing in death. Tári tried to move but the weight of the Orc pinned her down, blood from its mouth staining her hair. She struggled, trying to roll out from beneath it when it was thrown off her.
Haldir stood over her, his eyes dark with concern. Tári rolled over, gasping as she tried to stand and Haldir gripped her arm. She cried out in pain, and he slid his arm around her waist, pulling her into the relative safety of the trees. He set her down against a tree, glancing quickly at the fighting.
"Your arm is broken. You must stay here, Tári. I cannot stay, but you are small, you may not be seen." He frowned, staring at the large brown eyes that tried to hide her pain.
"I will be fine, Haldir." she grunted, holding her arm against her chest. He glanced again at the fighting, seeing he was needed, but gazed back at the tiny Laiquendi elf in front of him. "I am fine! Haldir, damn it. go!" she hissed and he scowled, but rose to disappear into the fighting once more.
Tári watched him go, sighing, shaking her head to clear her vision of the dark spots dancing in front of her. It would not do to lose consciousness now, it was bad enough to be so defenseless. She twisted, trying to see where her knives had landed. One lay under the Orc, she could just see the handle. The other was several feet further. She shook her head again, willing away the pain that was numbing her shoulder. She glanced around quickly, seeing the Orcs engaged with the elves near her, and staggered to her feet. She slid down next to the Orc, grabbing the knife underneath it, and yanking it out from the creature and turned just as another blade swept over her head.
The creature that wielded the blade fell with a groan at her feet, and Tári looked up to see another Lórien elf standing over her, his face pale, his bow drawn. He reached down to pull her back to her feet when Keliar found them.
Rúmil swore, stepping back away from the Orc as it fell face down into the dirt. He pulled his sword free, the sounds of the fighting growing dimmer, the remaining Orcs growing few. He turned, seeing Haldir straighten, pulling elven arrows from the bodies of several Orcs. He turned around, seeking the Laiquendi elves.
"Haldir, where are the Laiquendi?"
Haldir looked up, his gaze moving over to the trees, and Rumil saw that Tári was lying against a tree arguing fiercely with Keliar, her face growing paler by the minute.
"Why do they argue?" Rumil asked stuffing the arrows Haldir handed him into his quiver.
"I do not know. I did not wish to interrupt."
Tári sighed, trying to ignore the pain that now made her whole body ache. Her vision was growing blurry, but she refused to acknowledge it to Keliar, who crouched in front of her. It was foolish to argue with him, he only wanted her to be free of the pain, but she did not think she could bear to have the March Warden heal her as Keliar had suggested.
Tári clamped her lips together. "I will wait, Keliar. My father can heal the arm, it does not bother me much." She did not think she could bear his touch, her reaction to him had already overwhelmed her. She feared strongly what his magic might do.
Keliar almost growled in his frustration. "Tári, you are being stubborn and foolish. To bear the pain you do, it is not necessary when the March Warden can heal you."
"I do not want him to heal me." She closed her eyes, and made to stand, but his hand closed around her arm.
"Your eyes reveal the depths of your pain, we can see it! I insist. Why do you balk? Has he harmed you, Tári? I will speak to him if he has transgressed against you!" Keliar frowned, his brown eyes suddenly dark with fury, glittering icily and Tári gripped his arm.
"Nay, he has done nothing, Keliar." She ran a hand through her matted hair, grimacing at the tangled blood. She closed her eyes when she saw that Haldir and Rúmil were both approaching.
Keliar stood up, frowning. "She needs to have her arm healed, but she refuses."
Haldir crouched down, gripping Tári's chin. "Why?"
Tári grimaced. "I will wait until we reach the city."
Haldir glanced at Rúmil and he turned and disappeared into the trees. He met Keliar's gaze. "She cannot wait."
Keliar nodded in agreement, ignoring the glare that Tári sent him. "Nay she cannot, but she is stubborn. If she sets her mind against you, the healing will not be effective."
Haldir nodded slightly, reaching out suddenly to place his hand over Tári's eyes, whispering the sleeping spell quickly and she slumped back. He sighed.
"She will be very angry when she wakes. Why did she not wish me to heal her?"
Keliar tilted his head, looking at Tári, then at Haldir. "I do not know, I thought perhaps you could tell me?"
Haldir met his gaze, the grey eyes gleaming in sudden amusement. "I only kissed her."
Keliar's brow rose in amazement. "Already?" He grinned but then frowned fiercely. "If you hurt her, March Warden, you will have me as well as her father to face." Keliar stared hard at the elf before him, but Haldir only smiled softly.
"I do not plan to hurt the this tiny maid, Keliar." He laid her on the ground when Rúmil returned with a small handful of leaves. Haldir bent over the sleeping elf, sliding his hands over her arm, sensing for the injury. His hands were gentle as he pressed the bones into place, noting she flinched even in her sleep. He shook his head at her stubbornness. What had she feared from him?
Tári groaned, sitting up in the bed and gasped, seeing the light flooding into the small talan. She had only laid down to rest, musing over the last night. She flew from the bed, pulling on her tunic as a light knock sounded on the door. She hurried over to open it, smoothing the tangles from her hair.
A young elf stood outside, his eyes widening at her disarray.
"I am sorry to disturb you, my lady, but Haldir sent you clothing, and requests your presence at the training arena this morning."
Tári frowned, sighing, rubbing her head. "Perhaps I will not attend." she began but stopped at the horrified expression on the young elf's face.
"My Lady, The March Warden is to be obeyed. He said I was to drag you if you did not come, but I thought he only jested."
Tári stared at him in surprise. "Drag me? Who does he think he is?" she laughed at the strangled expression in front of her. She reached out to touch his shoulder, pulling the clothing from his clenched fist. "You can tell the March Warden I will be along, sometime soon." She grinned when the color washed from the elf's face.
"I cannot, My Lady. Please, you must come along, now. I beseech you, you must not refuse. He will have my head if I do not bring you."
Tári gazed at the young elf. "He will not blame you if I refuse. You have no say in this." She folded her arms over her chest, suddenly feeling quite stubborn. The elf opened his mouth to argue but closed it with a snap when she glared at him. He bowed quickly and left. She sighed, pitying him for having to relay her refusal.
She was tired. The evening had been long. Although she had danced with many elves, only once had she danced with Haldir. His arms had whirled her around the clearing easily. She closed her eyes remembering the feel of his hands on her waist. His long fingers gripping hers while they danced, the warmth of his body, his scent. She was broken from her reverie when the door flew open. How long had she sat daydreaming? Haldir stood staring at her, folding his arms over his chest.
"I thought perhaps you would refuse Corinth. Although I am quite sure he was clear about orders were you to refuse."
Tári frowned, tossing the clothing he'd sent on the bed. Haldir's eyes strayed to the clothing and then to the unmade bed. His brows rose slightly, his gaze turned back to her.
"Ah perhaps too much wine last night?" he tilted his head when she snorted.
"I didn't drink that much, I just have changed my mind."
Haldir frowned. "Are you afraid? Perhaps I was wrong again." He stared at her and she suddenly knew he was rarely wrong in his impressions.
"I am not afraid, I am just tired." Tári turned away, shivering at the amusement that now gleamed from his eyes.
She poured some water into a glass and turned back to find him directly behind her. She had not heard him move, nor felt his presence, which was unusual for her. She backed up only to find the table behind her. His smile changed slightly and Tári swallowed, holding the glass of water in front of her.
"Tired? I do not believe you, Tári." He reached down to pull the glass from her fingers. "I thought perhaps I made you uncomfortable. You were very tense when I danced with you last night."
Tári frowned, her knees suddenly shaking from his nearness, but she met his gaze stubbornly. "You do not make me uncomfortable."
The smile Haldir gave her sent chills down her spine. His eyes had narrowed and glittered appraisingly. "No?"
She couldn't breath, and he knew it. He leaned toward her, and she would have fallen from leaning away, except that his arms slid around her, pulling her toward him. She put her hands between them, holding him away from her, her hands pushing against his chest.
"You are being much too forward, March Warden. I don't think my father would approve." She gasped, but he only smiled wickedly.
"Are you going to tell him? Perhaps I will skip my practice today, I might find more interesting things to do." He laughed softly, sliding his hands over her hips to grip her wrists.
Tári's eyes widened. "I think you would be missed, besides, I am not one of your wardens to command, I am a guest here and you should treat me as such." Her breath was coming out in gasps, and the last word an indignant squeak. She sounded like a mouse she thought in embarrassment.
Haldir grinned, and stepped back, releasing her wrists. She rubbed them unconsciously, her chin rising while he gazed at her in silence.
"I am sorry if I offended you, My Lady." He said, bowing slightly. His expression became aloof when he straightened.
"You did not offend me, Haldir." She picked up the water, but set it back down quickly when she realized her hands were shaking. She glanced over to him to see if he had noticed. His gaze told her he had.
"I did not mean to make you uncomfortable, although you may still deny it." He said when she began to argue. He smiled. "I would like you to come but if you care not, I cannot argue. As you say, you are not one of my wardens." He bowed and turned to leave.
Tári hurried to the door, blocking his exit. "Yes, you make me uncomfortable, I admit it. You are very intimidating." Tári sighed, her heart fluttering madly in her chest.
His mouth curled up slightly and he stepped closer, gripping her shoulders. "I do not mean to intimidate you, little one, I would prefer to keep you tucked into a pocket as I said when I met you. You will have to prove to me you are as skilled as Keliar says, for I cannot override my initial desire to protect you. Or my desire to kiss you."
Tári gasped. "No one ever wants to kiss me." She said then covered her mouth, her eyes widening in mortification. He only laughed and pulled her hands from her mouth.
"I do not think that true." He said softly, and before she could deny him he kissed her, pulling her face close to his as he bent over her. His lips were firm, teasing the softness of her skin, pressuring her to open her mouth so his tongue could sweep over hers. She closed her eyes, and his hands slid up into her hair, his kiss demanding a response she had never felt before. She pushed him away when he broke the kiss, his eyes darkened with an emotion she had never seen directed at her.
Haldir bowed his head. "Forgive me, my lady" he murmured.
Tári's hand rose to her throat and she willed her voice not to shake. "There is nothing to forgive." She swallowed when the steely grey eyes met hers, their dark depths glittering with desire. For her! She stepped back when a loud knock sounded on her door. She whirled to open it to find Keliar and another Lórien elf standing outside.
Keliar stared at her for a moment, his glance resting on her face, then moving to Haldir's. They stared at one another as adversaries for a long moment then Keliar bowed to Haldir. The Lórien elf next to him bowed his head, his hand resting on his heart and greeted Haldir hastily.
A large party of Orcs had just crossed over the river, heading directly for the Golden Wood. Haldir frowned and sent the elf to gather his brothers. He turned to Tári.
"We leave for the border then." He nodded to Keliar and they turned to stride down the steps into the city. Haldir turned back, his gaze slightly amused, staring at Tári.
"Are you coming?"
* * *
The Orcs had crossed the borders of Lórien, tracked once more by the wood elves hidden high in the canopy. Tracked while the Orcs trampled the soil beneath steel shod feet, slogging through the crystal waters of the Nimrodel. Haldir gritted his teeth, his fury at their audacity driving his anger, but he composed his emotions, gripping the anger in a tight fist, pushing it away until only coldness remained. Ice, cold, calm; the lack of emotion reflected itself in the grey eyes.. Ice.
Tári shuddered at Haldir's expression. She had never seen Keliar like that. Was it only hours ago that the March Warden had kissed her? Those eyes had not been cold then. She shook her head slightly, she needed to concentrate. The Orcs swarmed below them, and she watched them in silence, gripping her small bow tightly.
She still was surprised she had been allowed to come, her shock at Haldir's invitation had surely been evident, but she hadn't given him time to reconsider, quickly changing into the clothes he'd sent. And now she was here, high in the canopy, watching the Orcs below her. The Orcs had stopped, why she was not sure, but the Lórien elves somehow knew they would. The Orcs were surrounded and didn't even know it yet.
Haldir glanced above him to the Laiquendi. Tári was sitting in the crotch of the tree, her bow held tightly, her gaze scanning the Orcs below them. Keliar sat slightly above her, his gaze on her, and on him. Haldir nodded slightly and Keliar began to climb down to his level.
Haldir glanced at Tári again, concern darkening the grey eyes for a moment. She met his gaze and her brown eyes met his calmly. He turned to Keliar.
"She will be fine, Haldir." Keliar murmured softly with a grin. Haldir nodded.
Some of the elves dropped silently out of the trees, surrounding the Orcs. Haldir slid down and slipped behind the cover of the trees, Keliar following quickly. Haldir signaled the remaining elves within the trees to fire and once again arrows rained down among the Orcs. They roared their fury, foolish to think they could traverse the glades of the elves without confrontation.
Haldir pulled his bow from his back, sliding around the protection of the Mellyrn tree, nocking the arrow and pulling back the string. His gaze followed the line of the arrow, targeting the Orc before him. He released the shaft to watch it hit the Orc, the force of the arrow spinning the Orc rapidly around where it fell, clutching the arrow as it protruded from his chest. Haldir moved closer, the arrows from high in the canopy claiming their share. He pulled back, nocking another arrow, sensing the movement of Keliar behind him. Their arrows sped into the hoard and the two elves moved closer yet.
Keliar pulled another arrow quickly from the quiver on his back; soon he would have none left. He glanced up into the canopy, knowing Tári would have moved closer, waiting for the right time to shoot. He nocked the arrow he held, pulling the blond bow back, the string taut with tension, the wood creaking slightly. He could see Haldir from the corner of his eye. His arrow flew with precision into the Orc he'd sighted, and the creature dropped to the ground, its red eyes glazed quickly. A quick death was the only mercy the elves employed.
Tári moved through the trees, easily following the path of destruction, the mellyrn branches intertwining so that she could move as fast as those on the ground. Perhaps not as fast as Rúmil who waited for her ahead, but just as quickly as those below her. She pulled the bow up, seeing Keliar shoot his last arrow. The Orc that had turned to face the elf staggered back, gripping the arrow that now protruded from his throat. She dropped down lower, searching for Haldir.
Haldir shouldered his bow, pulling his sword from its sheath, his quiver empty and no time to pull arrows free from the Orcs that lay dead. He ducked when he sensed the arrow, recognizing the Laiquendi fletching when it embedded itself into the Orc that fell to its knees before him. Haldir smiled, pushing past the gasping creature as it fell forward. She chose her shots well.
He evaded the next Orc's swing, bringing up the curved elvish blade in both hands. Their swords met with a reverberated crash, sparks flying from the metal. He slid his sword back, the two blades screeching harshly. The Orc stood taller, even slouched as it did, but Haldir was more agile and he avoided the next swing. He turned to the side, swinging his blade low, slipping below the Orc's defensive swing, to slice into its hip between the protective armor.
The creature squealed shrilly, clutching one hand on the wound, black blood oozing from between its fingers. It swung its blade clumsily toward Haldir and Haldir blocked it with his own blade, the force of his swing jarring the grip of the Orc's fingers. In the moment it took to adjust its grip Haldir's blade found its mark, impaling the creature under its arm.
Tári stared at the scene below her, watching Haldir fight. The March Warden's title was well deserved, and she moved quickly behind Rúmil to follow the fighting. The elves were now fighting hand to hand, the arrows had lessoned, but still rained their havoc. The Orcs still outnumbered the elves on the ground, and more elves began to drop quickly from their positions in the trees.
Tári jumped down out of the tree, still following Rúmil. His glances kept her in his view, but she ignored his concern. She pulled back her bow, launching the arrow swiftly into the Orc that leaped only a few feet from her, and it fell howling, shuddering, the shaft piercing armor that had thought to withstand it. She felt a brush next to her and glanced to the side to see Keliar move among the Orcs, his blade flashing in the shadowed light, his white hair vivid against the black armored Orcs.
She shifted slightly, raising her arrow to nock it quickly, aiming past Keliar's shoulder. The arrow flew close to him, the white hair fluttering when he whirled away in the opposite direction, ignoring the Orc that now fell at his feet.
She reached for another arrow, and froze. Her quiver was empty, and before her stood a large Orc, its nostrils flared with hate, its red eyes pinned on her. It laughed, stepping toward her and Tári gripped her bow with both hands. It leaped at her, attempting to seize her. She whipped the thin bow forcefully toward the Orc, slamming the thin wood across the Orc's unprotected face. The Orc howled as the wood sliced open a huge gash on its cheek, but continued to reach for her. She twisted away, sliding the long bladed knife that had been strapped to her wrist into her hand. The blade slashed the Orc along the inside of its arm, opening it to the muscles and tendons beneath the skin.
The Orc screamed in rage and pain, holding the injured arm against its chest, and swung out with the other hand, grabbing a handful of white hair when she tried to avoid his grasp. She was jerked from her feet, but Tári twisted more, falling to her knees. She pulled another blade into her left hand, and with both knives, slashed at the arm gripping her hair. Only one made contact with flesh, the other cutting the wrist guard free, but the Orc howled again, releasing her.
She turned to crouch, facing the creature and stepped back when both Keliar and Haldir leaped in front of her. The Orc's eyes widened in fear and shock when Keliar slammed into him, and Haldir's sword sliced its throat. Both elves turned to her briefly, staring at her in aggravation then turned back into the fray, disappearing once more. Rumil gripped her arm, stuffing more arrows into her quiver.
"We need to keep up, their numbers dwindle, but there are still too many." He slipped behind the trees, using them for cover and Tári followed quickly. She saw flashes of Keliar again, and once Haldir when he spun around a large Orc. His silver blond hair had whipped out around his head with the speed of his turn, the long sword spinning in his hands, impaling the Orc when he slammed the blade into the creature as it stood behind him.
Haldir glanced along the tree line, pulling his bloody sword free. Rúmil moved quickly, and he could see Tári following with her bow drawn. Her quick reflexes had her bow up and arrow released faster than many of his own wardens. He grinned, ducking past the Orc that rushed toward him. The foul creature staggered, turning back toward the elf, but stopped, catching a glimpse of Rúmil and Tári behind the trees. The creature spun, leaping toward them and Haldir whistled a piercing warning.
Rúmil turned as the Orc leaped toward him, sliding in front of Tári. She drew her arrow quickly, releasing it over his shoulder. He felt the stirring of his hair, the shaft passing only a mere inch from his cheek. He turned, the Orc spinning from the force of the arrow, and pulled out his sword from its scabbard. He leaped toward the Orc, forcing it away from him, and Tári.
Tári pulled another arrow from her quiver, her eyes on Rúmil, waiting for another clear shot. She gasped in surprise when she was yanked off her feet, the large black hand that gripped her quiver flashing in front of her eyes. The Orc spun her around, its eyes narrowed. He threw her back, and she landed hard on the ground. Tári rolled quickly, trying to regain her breath, but the Orc was faster. He kicked her feet out from under her when she tried to stand, and she twisted, trying to avoid the huge steel booted feet that tried to pin her down. She pulled her knife from her wrist, but the creature saw her, and stomped hard on her arm.
Tári cried out in pain, feeling the bones shatter beneath the Orc's foot. Pain shot up her arm, but she tried to ignore it, pulling another knife from her boot. She slashed at the Orc, cutting the tendons behind his knees and the creature howled, dropping over her. She grunted, its heavy weight knocking the wind from her once more. The Orc screeched, grabbing handfuls of her hair, but then froze, its eyes glazing in death. Tári tried to move but the weight of the Orc pinned her down, blood from its mouth staining her hair. She struggled, trying to roll out from beneath it when it was thrown off her.
Haldir stood over her, his eyes dark with concern. Tári rolled over, gasping as she tried to stand and Haldir gripped her arm. She cried out in pain, and he slid his arm around her waist, pulling her into the relative safety of the trees. He set her down against a tree, glancing quickly at the fighting.
"Your arm is broken. You must stay here, Tári. I cannot stay, but you are small, you may not be seen." He frowned, staring at the large brown eyes that tried to hide her pain.
"I will be fine, Haldir." she grunted, holding her arm against her chest. He glanced again at the fighting, seeing he was needed, but gazed back at the tiny Laiquendi elf in front of him. "I am fine! Haldir, damn it. go!" she hissed and he scowled, but rose to disappear into the fighting once more.
Tári watched him go, sighing, shaking her head to clear her vision of the dark spots dancing in front of her. It would not do to lose consciousness now, it was bad enough to be so defenseless. She twisted, trying to see where her knives had landed. One lay under the Orc, she could just see the handle. The other was several feet further. She shook her head again, willing away the pain that was numbing her shoulder. She glanced around quickly, seeing the Orcs engaged with the elves near her, and staggered to her feet. She slid down next to the Orc, grabbing the knife underneath it, and yanking it out from the creature and turned just as another blade swept over her head.
The creature that wielded the blade fell with a groan at her feet, and Tári looked up to see another Lórien elf standing over her, his face pale, his bow drawn. He reached down to pull her back to her feet when Keliar found them.
Rúmil swore, stepping back away from the Orc as it fell face down into the dirt. He pulled his sword free, the sounds of the fighting growing dimmer, the remaining Orcs growing few. He turned, seeing Haldir straighten, pulling elven arrows from the bodies of several Orcs. He turned around, seeking the Laiquendi elves.
"Haldir, where are the Laiquendi?"
Haldir looked up, his gaze moving over to the trees, and Rumil saw that Tári was lying against a tree arguing fiercely with Keliar, her face growing paler by the minute.
"Why do they argue?" Rumil asked stuffing the arrows Haldir handed him into his quiver.
"I do not know. I did not wish to interrupt."
Tári sighed, trying to ignore the pain that now made her whole body ache. Her vision was growing blurry, but she refused to acknowledge it to Keliar, who crouched in front of her. It was foolish to argue with him, he only wanted her to be free of the pain, but she did not think she could bear to have the March Warden heal her as Keliar had suggested.
Tári clamped her lips together. "I will wait, Keliar. My father can heal the arm, it does not bother me much." She did not think she could bear his touch, her reaction to him had already overwhelmed her. She feared strongly what his magic might do.
Keliar almost growled in his frustration. "Tári, you are being stubborn and foolish. To bear the pain you do, it is not necessary when the March Warden can heal you."
"I do not want him to heal me." She closed her eyes, and made to stand, but his hand closed around her arm.
"Your eyes reveal the depths of your pain, we can see it! I insist. Why do you balk? Has he harmed you, Tári? I will speak to him if he has transgressed against you!" Keliar frowned, his brown eyes suddenly dark with fury, glittering icily and Tári gripped his arm.
"Nay, he has done nothing, Keliar." She ran a hand through her matted hair, grimacing at the tangled blood. She closed her eyes when she saw that Haldir and Rúmil were both approaching.
Keliar stood up, frowning. "She needs to have her arm healed, but she refuses."
Haldir crouched down, gripping Tári's chin. "Why?"
Tári grimaced. "I will wait until we reach the city."
Haldir glanced at Rúmil and he turned and disappeared into the trees. He met Keliar's gaze. "She cannot wait."
Keliar nodded in agreement, ignoring the glare that Tári sent him. "Nay she cannot, but she is stubborn. If she sets her mind against you, the healing will not be effective."
Haldir nodded slightly, reaching out suddenly to place his hand over Tári's eyes, whispering the sleeping spell quickly and she slumped back. He sighed.
"She will be very angry when she wakes. Why did she not wish me to heal her?"
Keliar tilted his head, looking at Tári, then at Haldir. "I do not know, I thought perhaps you could tell me?"
Haldir met his gaze, the grey eyes gleaming in sudden amusement. "I only kissed her."
Keliar's brow rose in amazement. "Already?" He grinned but then frowned fiercely. "If you hurt her, March Warden, you will have me as well as her father to face." Keliar stared hard at the elf before him, but Haldir only smiled softly.
"I do not plan to hurt the this tiny maid, Keliar." He laid her on the ground when Rúmil returned with a small handful of leaves. Haldir bent over the sleeping elf, sliding his hands over her arm, sensing for the injury. His hands were gentle as he pressed the bones into place, noting she flinched even in her sleep. He shook his head at her stubbornness. What had she feared from him?