Chapter three : Cofusion
Haldir was deep in slumber on this calm, still night. He had just returned from a lenghthy, two week patrol along the borders of Lothlorien. He hadn't even bothered to change out of his dirty and worn clothing. Upon entering his chambershe dropped his bow and quiver of arrows to the floor beside the bed. He then proceeded to flop, rather ungracefuly onto it. He was asleep before his body even came to rest on the heavenly soft matress and its fresh, white linnens. This, however, was to be expected as he had only managed to get the equivilant of three nights of sleep. Unfortunately, these few, brief respites from patroling were less than satisfying.
A growing sense of danger and longing had plauged him for many weeks now. He could feel that a menacing force would soon confront him, but he also felt that it would bring him something that he desperately needed. However, he couldn't begine to imagine himself desperately needing anything.For as long as he could remember he had been fiercely independant. He had always been able to fend for himself, and get what he wanted. By nature, he was far from needy of anything. In time he had come to take great pride in bieng so sef- suficient; so much so that tis sudden and desperate need, for Valar knows what, was producing much strife and self- loathing beneath his calm and collected exterior.
While on patrol he had managed to keep this strange feeling of want from showing to the others. The feeling of impending danger, however, was more noticeable. They all felt it. It was like a vapor that had settled on their minds. However, none of thier surroundings were yeilding any indication of what it might be. In fact, everything was perfect. The good weather was holding, something vey odd for the middle of winter, and there wasn't an orc in sight. The mission wentt unusualy well and this worried Haldir. He was so plauged by worry that he took most of the night watches. He wanted to be fully alert in case whatever it was out there decided to show itself. His frustration grew as they reached the city. He knew something was out there, waiting, biding its time, yet he was powerless to find it out. Perhaps he would seek Galadriel' s council on the matter, but for now all he could think of was sleep.
Haldir had only been asleep for an hour when Celeborn, himself, burst through the door. " Haldir, wake. The Lady of the Wood has requested your immeadiate audience."
Haldir immeadiately sat up. "Neru en amin? " ( my lord) He was exteemely confused. Why would Celeborne come to wake him? Before he had always sent a servant. Now Haldir noticed the disheveled appearance of his lord and great concern washed over him. Something must be terribly wrong. Haldir knew that it must have to do with the feeling of danger that he had been dealing with of late.
He quickly jumped out of bed and met Celeborne by the door. Then they started off to the recieving hall where Galadriel was now waiting for them. The journey, that in reality only took minutes, seemed to take hours. Haldir couldn't help but feel responsible for the unknown situation because he hadn't been able to confront he source of it while on patroll.
Upon entering the great hall Celeborn went to his lady's side and took her porceliane hand in his and looked into her eyes. He was greatly relieved to find that she had more or less returned to her old self. The burden on his heart was lifting as he turned to face Haldir.
He was not sure how to tell Haldir of this new mission, but it had to be done. He could only hope that Haldir would try to understand and comply with thier wishes. Celeborn knew he would be unable to answer any of Haldir's questions. He would be forced to keep him in the dark for now.But Celeborn took great faith in the fact that Halkir was feircly loyal to both he and Galadriel. Although he may not understand, he would do what was needed.
Celeborn began to calmly, but authoritativley address Haldir. " Haldir, Galadriel has brought to my attention a great and horrible danger. We feel that in order to defeat it we must aquire the object it most desires. Go to the Great Tree and retrieve ti. You will know what it is when you get there. Regretfully I can not answer any questions. We have great faith in you Haldir. We know that you will not fail us. "
Haldir gracefully bowed to his lord and lady, saying, " I am honored to accept such a great responsibility my lord. I will not fail you" Even as he said this he felt the load he had been carrying on his shoulders for so long double. He was weak, tired, and confused,but he knew that Celeborn and Galadriel had their reasons for giving him this assignment. He had great faith in thier judgement. He resolved to; do thier bidding even if there wasn't a clear reason why he should.
Just as he was about to turn around and leave Galadriel adressed him. Verbaly she was givign Haldir her bst wishes and faith. Mentaly, however, she said something that struck a chord in Haldir's troubled heart." At he Great Tree you wil find what you are looking for." All he could give in response was a nod as he left the great hall. He hoped with all his heart that she was right.
Haldir was deep in slumber on this calm, still night. He had just returned from a lenghthy, two week patrol along the borders of Lothlorien. He hadn't even bothered to change out of his dirty and worn clothing. Upon entering his chambershe dropped his bow and quiver of arrows to the floor beside the bed. He then proceeded to flop, rather ungracefuly onto it. He was asleep before his body even came to rest on the heavenly soft matress and its fresh, white linnens. This, however, was to be expected as he had only managed to get the equivilant of three nights of sleep. Unfortunately, these few, brief respites from patroling were less than satisfying.
A growing sense of danger and longing had plauged him for many weeks now. He could feel that a menacing force would soon confront him, but he also felt that it would bring him something that he desperately needed. However, he couldn't begine to imagine himself desperately needing anything.For as long as he could remember he had been fiercely independant. He had always been able to fend for himself, and get what he wanted. By nature, he was far from needy of anything. In time he had come to take great pride in bieng so sef- suficient; so much so that tis sudden and desperate need, for Valar knows what, was producing much strife and self- loathing beneath his calm and collected exterior.
While on patrol he had managed to keep this strange feeling of want from showing to the others. The feeling of impending danger, however, was more noticeable. They all felt it. It was like a vapor that had settled on their minds. However, none of thier surroundings were yeilding any indication of what it might be. In fact, everything was perfect. The good weather was holding, something vey odd for the middle of winter, and there wasn't an orc in sight. The mission wentt unusualy well and this worried Haldir. He was so plauged by worry that he took most of the night watches. He wanted to be fully alert in case whatever it was out there decided to show itself. His frustration grew as they reached the city. He knew something was out there, waiting, biding its time, yet he was powerless to find it out. Perhaps he would seek Galadriel' s council on the matter, but for now all he could think of was sleep.
Haldir had only been asleep for an hour when Celeborn, himself, burst through the door. " Haldir, wake. The Lady of the Wood has requested your immeadiate audience."
Haldir immeadiately sat up. "Neru en amin? " ( my lord) He was exteemely confused. Why would Celeborne come to wake him? Before he had always sent a servant. Now Haldir noticed the disheveled appearance of his lord and great concern washed over him. Something must be terribly wrong. Haldir knew that it must have to do with the feeling of danger that he had been dealing with of late.
He quickly jumped out of bed and met Celeborne by the door. Then they started off to the recieving hall where Galadriel was now waiting for them. The journey, that in reality only took minutes, seemed to take hours. Haldir couldn't help but feel responsible for the unknown situation because he hadn't been able to confront he source of it while on patroll.
Upon entering the great hall Celeborn went to his lady's side and took her porceliane hand in his and looked into her eyes. He was greatly relieved to find that she had more or less returned to her old self. The burden on his heart was lifting as he turned to face Haldir.
He was not sure how to tell Haldir of this new mission, but it had to be done. He could only hope that Haldir would try to understand and comply with thier wishes. Celeborn knew he would be unable to answer any of Haldir's questions. He would be forced to keep him in the dark for now.But Celeborn took great faith in the fact that Halkir was feircly loyal to both he and Galadriel. Although he may not understand, he would do what was needed.
Celeborn began to calmly, but authoritativley address Haldir. " Haldir, Galadriel has brought to my attention a great and horrible danger. We feel that in order to defeat it we must aquire the object it most desires. Go to the Great Tree and retrieve ti. You will know what it is when you get there. Regretfully I can not answer any questions. We have great faith in you Haldir. We know that you will not fail us. "
Haldir gracefully bowed to his lord and lady, saying, " I am honored to accept such a great responsibility my lord. I will not fail you" Even as he said this he felt the load he had been carrying on his shoulders for so long double. He was weak, tired, and confused,but he knew that Celeborn and Galadriel had their reasons for giving him this assignment. He had great faith in thier judgement. He resolved to; do thier bidding even if there wasn't a clear reason why he should.
Just as he was about to turn around and leave Galadriel adressed him. Verbaly she was givign Haldir her bst wishes and faith. Mentaly, however, she said something that struck a chord in Haldir's troubled heart." At he Great Tree you wil find what you are looking for." All he could give in response was a nod as he left the great hall. He hoped with all his heart that she was right.