Author's Note: Wow, it's been longer than I truly thought it would be. I've been busy of course, but that's no real excuse. Anyway, I'd like to thank those who have reviewed, and I mean truly you guys are great people. I'd like to thank Shannon, my best LOTR buddy for just being there for me, and also to Ellbee who's been helping me get this fanfic to be the best it can. (I know, I still have to change some of the language, but that's for another editing day) That's my other main point, I've only read through this once for errors, so until my friend proofs it there my be grammatical errors and such. Lastly, (I promise!) I'll put a song that I like in each chapter. This chapter's song is "Bad Day" by Something Corporate and it actually goes along with the chapter well, suprisingly. Enjoy, you wonderful LOTR people!
Chapter 2 "Many Meetings"
"It's bad enough to think about it when I'm awake, Humil, much less when I'm dreaming, and it's all so real." Humil glanced sadly at his master. "I just wish there was some comfort I could offer, sir." "That's just it," said Haldir "there is nothing you can do. Lady Galadriel is the only one that can bring me back to my post, and right now she won't even accept my request for an audience!"
Somewhere from the back of his mind he heard the soft feminine voice that could only be Galadriel, say 'Be patient Haldir, you will be seen when you are ready' Haldir jumped slightly, even after all his years in Lorien he still was not used to that, and he was afraid he never would be.
"Is there anything you need, my Lord?" Humil asked quickly, seeing his master had tensed suddenly. "No, thank you Humil, I am fine for now." Haldir then sank back into his own thoughts about Galadriel and his requested meeting. Seeing Haldir deep in thought, Humil quietly exited the talan and went back to his other duties.
Haldir gingerly stood up and walked over to the edge of the talan looking out across Lorien, the one thing he loved most in life. He had to admit, while he was still pretty shaky, he could at least stand up and slowly walk around. "You will be seen when you are ready..." he muttered. "That could be anytime from now until I cross the sea!"
He stared into the forest for a few more minutes until he crawled back into his bed. His full intention was to start reading the war reports that Humil had brought in this morning. It had only been four days and already there was a pile of papers good for at least an hour's reading.
He picked up the first report and glanced over it quickly. Seeing that nothing in that report was too bright, he set it down and pick up the next, and then the next, and then the next. "I wish there could just be some good news for once!" he muttered. He fished out the first report once more and commenced reading it in depth. As he scanned each line of print he slowly felt his eyelids getting heavier. He refused to give into the urge to fall asleep. He was an Elf after all! Even though he had an injury he still should only need a small amount of sleep.
He resisted the pull of sleep to no avail, for what he didn't realize was that he was being pulled into sleep by someone, not just his own exhaustion. Before he knew it, Haldir was gently snoring in the soft rays of the afternoon sunlight..
It was a pleasant dream. He was just a young elf, not nearly over a hundred. His father was taking him to the archery grounds for practice, and Haldir couldn't have been a more excited Elf. "Will I really get to shoot orcs one day, Ada?" "Perhaps, my son," his father said softly, "but I hope that the day of that event will be long in coming." "How will I ever wait that long, father?" he said dejectedly. "You are an Elf, Haldir!" he chuckled "Time is of no consequence to you."
"That's easy for you to say; you've already slain thousands of orcs I bet!" He looked at Haldir with sadness in his eyes. "I've seen my share, Haldir, and it is something that I wish you would never have to witness, but I think even the Lady could not stop your lust for battle."
Just as his father mentioned Galadriel he saw the archery range slowly melting away to reveal a glade, a glade that Haldir knew all too well. Then he heard footsteps descend ever so softly over the path leading into the glade. He didn't bother to turn around, he knew who it was.
"What do you want, my Lady?" Haldir asked in a formal tone, trying to keep the annoyance out of his voice. He could not believe that he would still be upset with her in a dream! "Haldir, what else do you remember of that day with your father?" She said quietly, in almost a whisper. "Well, I remember that he did utter a few choice words after tripping over a tree root. Well, maybe he didn't just trip, maybe I happened to throw it in front of his feet..." Haldir was glad he was not facing the Lady as he was sure he could not hide the merriment that played across his face. I mean, this was a dream after all, it's not as if he was really speaking to Galadriel!
"Haldir..." she commanded in an icy tone. The hairs on the back of his neck stood straight up. 'After all these years, Galadriel still cannot take a joke.' Haldir tried to remember what else his father had said that day that Galadriel could possibly want to know. He said the first thing that came to mind, it was in fact the next sentence his father had said to him before he was transported to the glade. "He said battle was the great equalizer. That being immortal, or of any other race, held no such privileges there. 'Elf blood is spilled as easily as that of an orc or of a human' were his exact words, and that thinking like that could only hasten one's own downfall."
"Yes, Haldir, that is what your father told you, I am glad you still remember it. It holds just as much importance now as it did when the words were first uttered." Galadriel paused for a moment letting Haldir consider this. "Haldir?" she asked. "Yes, my Lady?" he finally turned to look her in the eye. "You are ready."
At that moment Haldir was awoken by a knock from the trap door of his talan. It was Humil. 'Probably bringing me some more war reports' he thought blandly. "Sir," Humil began, "the Lady is ready to meet with you."
~~
"My Lord, my Lady" Haldir bowed to the pair. "Thank you for granting me an audience." He said '...finally' "Haldir," Lord Celeborn began, "For several weeks you have been requesting more aid for the border patrol, and we have just received a company of soldiers from Rivendell." "Thank you, my Lord, they are greatly appreciated." 'Well I suppose a good thought does enter his mind every now and again does it not?' he thought to himself. At that moment Galadriel turned her gaze to meet his, her eyebrow raised in a questioning glance. 'Why can I never remember that she can read my thoughts!' He quickly looked at the ground, never seeing the small smile played on Galadriel's lips.
The silence stretched on, and Haldir took the opportunity to survey the scene since he did not know if it was the appropriate time to brooch the subject of returning to his post. He also did not want to be making eye contact with the Lady of the Wood anytime soon. As he scanned the large meeting talan he noticed several elves, obviously soldiers, speaking about battle plans and their assignments. A few feet away was a cloaked figure also in the uniform typical for Rivendell soldiers. He sat quietly looking over parchments containing war reports most likely. 'Their commander...' he thought.
Haldir didn't realize how much time had elapsed until he heard the Lady say, "There is something on your mind, March Warden Haldir. Do you wish to speak it?" "Yes, my Lady. My condition has much improved, and I wish to know when I might be assigned back to my former post." Celeborn replied, "You are a true warrior, Master Haldir, and you may return to duty as soon as three days from now, but you have been assigned to guard our eastern borders.
'What?!?!' Haldir seethed. He gritted his teeth to get the next sentence out without ripping off Celeborn's head. "My Lord, Lorien's eastern borders have no threat of attack! There are already plenty soldiers at those posts, possibly too many, and I am needed in battle!" "Haldir," Galadriel spoke softly as she glided toward him and placed her hand gently on his arm, "I know this assignment is not your wish, but I have looked into the Mirror, and this is what you must do." The last few words rang with a tone so commanding that Haldir almost flinched. He was still furious, but the touch of the Lady calmed him unknowingly.
"I will do as I have been commanded." He managed to say. He then bowed and turned to exit the talan. "Master Haldir," Celeborn said, "before you leave you must meet the leader of the company from Rivendell." "Of course, my Lord." How could he have forgotten, of course he must meet the leader of the company, they had much to discuss, and little time. But he so wanted to go back to his talan and kick something very, very hard. He pushed these thoughts from his mind and turned to meet the elf.
"Haldir, this is Anaril of Rivendell." 'Anaril,' he scoffed 'Those Rivendell elves sure have interesting names. Here a name such as that would only be given to a...' The last word got stuck in his throat as the captain's hood was removed. 'female...?!!?!' For that is what the captain of the company was, a female. "Mae Govannen March Warden Haldir, I have heard much of your bravery and ability on the battle field." She seemed to be waiting for a welcome from him, one she was surely not about to get.
"My Lord," Haldir said quietly, turning to Celeborn. "I certainly do not think that this women is capable of leading a company into such conditions as the battle raging on our western borders!" Haldir could see Celeborn saying something in reply, but a voice, this time a very angry one was ringing in his ears. 'So you doubt our judgment, Haldir, Captain of the Guard' it almost sneered. Haldir had never heard her this upset before. 'You seem to forget that the ruler of this land, a female, is the most powerful Elf living in Arda! Do you still think us so inept?'
He was speechless. By now Celeborn was giving him a questioning glance, obviously waiting for him to reply to what he had said. Haldir cast a pained glance over to Galadriel, and she was standing there as if nothing happened. Then he looked around aimlessly for a few seconds trying to search for words. He knew he was beaten, but he managed to say, "I stand by my judgment, my Lord. Excuse me, I must look over more war reports while the night is young." Without waiting for a reply Haldir turned and almost ran out of the talan, leaving a very confused she-elf standing by.
~~
She had heard what he said. Of course she had, she was an Elf. She had heard it all too often by now so it was nothing new, but the change that came over the Captain of the Guard... Obviously something had happened, and she was left wondering what to do. Luckily, she didn't have to make that decision. 'You must follow him, child,' the voice said, 'you will need his guidance before leaving for battle, and you must not let walls be built between you.' She looked at the ruling pair and bowed saying, "Excuse me, but I am afraid I have matters that I must take care of." With that she quickly exited, hoping she would be able to find the March Warden in this labyrinth of a forest.