Chapter Six: Surprised Awakenings
Beams of the sun's golden light permeated the darkness of Londe's room as Arien began her journey across the day-time sky. After the room was filled with the brilliant light Londe's eyelids fluttered and her slumbering eyes came to life. They were met with an unexpected image. The cloth of a shirt, stretched over the chest of one sharing her bed. Looking up quickly and yet with careful intention not to disturb the other sleeper, Londe gazed into the face of Haldir. As if things were not strange enough Londe suddenly became acutely aware of the arms enfolding her body against his.
What is going on..., Londe asked herself confounded by her current situation.
As if sensing Londe's thoughts Haldir began to stir from sleep. For some irrational reason Londe felt a twinge of fear. He had not made the most friendly impression on her the day before. Haldir seemed to go through the same period of confusion as Londe had gone through moments before, only he came to a realization. Looking down he saw the small elf nestled close to his chest stare up at him with apprehensive eyes. To Londe, Haldir's eyes seemed to hold some emotion that she could not recognize.
After a long silence Haldir seemed to muster the words needed to voice his thoughts,"Do you remember, Londe, anything of last evening?"
Londe shook her head slowly in confusion.
"I was awoken by the sound of your screams last night. I rushed into your room, fearing some evil had permeated its walls, but when I arrived I saw that you were in the midst of a nightmare. You thrashed and screamed as if some evil apparation were appearing to you." Haldir paused to study Londe's face as she reacted, she seemed to have a sudden dawning, as if this had happened before."I shook you from sleep and you began to weep and...and cling to me. After a length of time I attempted to return to my own quarters, but your slumbering mind refused to part from my presense, and so I lingered here with you."
Londe rolled his words around in her mind, attempting to find some reason for his compassion. In the end she realized that she must have been a burden on his rest and endeavered into apologizing,"I'm sorry, my lord, for my silly actions. I fear I have disturbed your rest and for that I apologize. I thank you, though, for coming to my aid."
For a long moment Haldir observed Londe's eyes, thinking that in some way he could find his own answers through her.
"There is no need to apologize, Londe. As all of our kindred, I am aware of the mental burden of night terrors. Tell me, though, if it is not wrong of me to ask, do you recall what plagued your nighttime thoughts?"
Londe did remember, she remembered vividly, she just did not know if she could bear to describe her memory,"My dreams, of late...since my parents' passing, have been filled with terrible images. My mind mourns and envisions their death through my dreams. Often, I am disturbed by sickening pictures of my beloved parents. I never saw what happened to them...but I...imagine it. Last night, though...last night it was different. I saw only blackness, but I could hear my parents' desperate screams, their cries of agony. I could hear the orcs as well, they spoke no intelligeble words, they only growled and grunted. I stood their, frozen behind my home, listening to my parents being murdered...and I did nothing. I could have saved them..." Londe broke off into silence.
"Do not speak like that,"Haldir said immidiately,"such thoughts will only lead to dispair. You must understand that everything happens at the will of the Valar. It may seem unfair now, that you've had to lose your parents, but ultimately there is some brighter end that will come of it. Do not let your grief overcome you. Be strong, you are strong you do know that, don't you?"
"A half-elf, yes I'm as strong as any of the strongest,"spoke Londe sardonically.
Haldir had little love for the race of men, but this small elf inspired him,"You believe yourself to be weak because of your heritage? Nay, you are stronger than most. You come of two powerful races. Elves, the First Race, powerful and immortal, filled with magic and love. Men, strong-willed and passionate, they govern Middle-Earth, even while not all of the eldar have passed onto the Straight Road. And you, Londe, you are a mix of both, you have the ipower/i to choose your fate. Whether it lies with the elves, or with the race of men."
Londe looked up into Haldir's eyes, moved by his words,"And how shall I know where my fate lies?"
Haldir sensed a suggestion in her tone that alarmed him somewhat,"The Valar will guide you on your way, Londe. You have suffered a worse grievance than most beings face in a lifetime, but do not let it crush your spirit. I can sense your soul, Londe, I believe you have a future before you that will be remembered long after you have left this world."
"Your speech is fair, Haldir. Thank you for giving my your counsel." Londe spoke these words slowly and clearly.
After silence had fallen about them once more, Haldir glanced down and realized that he still clutched Londe in a protective embrace.
***My last two chapters have been fairly scanty, I know, the next one will be nice and meaty for ya. Please review!!
Beams of the sun's golden light permeated the darkness of Londe's room as Arien began her journey across the day-time sky. After the room was filled with the brilliant light Londe's eyelids fluttered and her slumbering eyes came to life. They were met with an unexpected image. The cloth of a shirt, stretched over the chest of one sharing her bed. Looking up quickly and yet with careful intention not to disturb the other sleeper, Londe gazed into the face of Haldir. As if things were not strange enough Londe suddenly became acutely aware of the arms enfolding her body against his.
What is going on..., Londe asked herself confounded by her current situation.
As if sensing Londe's thoughts Haldir began to stir from sleep. For some irrational reason Londe felt a twinge of fear. He had not made the most friendly impression on her the day before. Haldir seemed to go through the same period of confusion as Londe had gone through moments before, only he came to a realization. Looking down he saw the small elf nestled close to his chest stare up at him with apprehensive eyes. To Londe, Haldir's eyes seemed to hold some emotion that she could not recognize.
After a long silence Haldir seemed to muster the words needed to voice his thoughts,"Do you remember, Londe, anything of last evening?"
Londe shook her head slowly in confusion.
"I was awoken by the sound of your screams last night. I rushed into your room, fearing some evil had permeated its walls, but when I arrived I saw that you were in the midst of a nightmare. You thrashed and screamed as if some evil apparation were appearing to you." Haldir paused to study Londe's face as she reacted, she seemed to have a sudden dawning, as if this had happened before."I shook you from sleep and you began to weep and...and cling to me. After a length of time I attempted to return to my own quarters, but your slumbering mind refused to part from my presense, and so I lingered here with you."
Londe rolled his words around in her mind, attempting to find some reason for his compassion. In the end she realized that she must have been a burden on his rest and endeavered into apologizing,"I'm sorry, my lord, for my silly actions. I fear I have disturbed your rest and for that I apologize. I thank you, though, for coming to my aid."
For a long moment Haldir observed Londe's eyes, thinking that in some way he could find his own answers through her.
"There is no need to apologize, Londe. As all of our kindred, I am aware of the mental burden of night terrors. Tell me, though, if it is not wrong of me to ask, do you recall what plagued your nighttime thoughts?"
Londe did remember, she remembered vividly, she just did not know if she could bear to describe her memory,"My dreams, of late...since my parents' passing, have been filled with terrible images. My mind mourns and envisions their death through my dreams. Often, I am disturbed by sickening pictures of my beloved parents. I never saw what happened to them...but I...imagine it. Last night, though...last night it was different. I saw only blackness, but I could hear my parents' desperate screams, their cries of agony. I could hear the orcs as well, they spoke no intelligeble words, they only growled and grunted. I stood their, frozen behind my home, listening to my parents being murdered...and I did nothing. I could have saved them..." Londe broke off into silence.
"Do not speak like that,"Haldir said immidiately,"such thoughts will only lead to dispair. You must understand that everything happens at the will of the Valar. It may seem unfair now, that you've had to lose your parents, but ultimately there is some brighter end that will come of it. Do not let your grief overcome you. Be strong, you are strong you do know that, don't you?"
"A half-elf, yes I'm as strong as any of the strongest,"spoke Londe sardonically.
Haldir had little love for the race of men, but this small elf inspired him,"You believe yourself to be weak because of your heritage? Nay, you are stronger than most. You come of two powerful races. Elves, the First Race, powerful and immortal, filled with magic and love. Men, strong-willed and passionate, they govern Middle-Earth, even while not all of the eldar have passed onto the Straight Road. And you, Londe, you are a mix of both, you have the ipower/i to choose your fate. Whether it lies with the elves, or with the race of men."
Londe looked up into Haldir's eyes, moved by his words,"And how shall I know where my fate lies?"
Haldir sensed a suggestion in her tone that alarmed him somewhat,"The Valar will guide you on your way, Londe. You have suffered a worse grievance than most beings face in a lifetime, but do not let it crush your spirit. I can sense your soul, Londe, I believe you have a future before you that will be remembered long after you have left this world."
"Your speech is fair, Haldir. Thank you for giving my your counsel." Londe spoke these words slowly and clearly.
After silence had fallen about them once more, Haldir glanced down and realized that he still clutched Londe in a protective embrace.
***My last two chapters have been fairly scanty, I know, the next one will be nice and meaty for ya. Please review!!