Author's Note: Words in single quotes are in elvish; double are common
Chapter 1- Strangers in the Wood
'Haldir, halt. What is that lying in the leaves?'
'My Lord, I will investigate. It may be a spy or straggler for that band of orcs that ambushed us. I will not risk any further injury to you.'
'Haldir,' came the irritated response.
'My Lord, our Lady requested that you be kept safe. I can explain your wounds from the battle; we were lucky none of us were killed, but I cannot allow you to knowingly walk into a potential ambush.'
'My Lady will understand. I am a warrior and well trained. I-'
A soft moan coming from the pile interrupted their debate. Celeborn dashed forward before his Guardian could voice a word of caution.
Brushing aside the leaves, the cloaked Lord motioned for his patrol to remain still. Rolling the figure over, he realized it was a she-elf, but a very pale one at that. A low whistle from one of the sentries alerted him that a band of travelers was coming their way. He picked up the limp form and returned to the safety of the patrol. A second whistle a few moments later indicated the travelers were only humans, seemingly searching for something.
The young she-elf opened her eyes and attempted to pull out of Celeborn's hold.
'Hush, my Lady. You are among friends.'
'Where am I? Who are you?'
Uncertain of why an elf would not know of the Golden Wood, he answered cautiously, 'I am Celeborn and this is Lothlorein.' The names did not reassure her, for her eyes beheld only confusion.
Sensing something was amiss Haldir whispered, 'Celeborn, we should make camp.' Celeborn nodded and carried the she-elf to a sheltered part of the wood.
'We shall camp on the ground tonight,' Haldir announced to his men. 'This woman is injured and it will not be well for her to be that high.'
The troops made camp and started a fire. Celeborn quickly assessed the woman's physical condition. Finding only scratches and bruises, he attempted to talk to her. Her answers were vague and confused, so he suspected head trauma. Leaving her by the fire under close watch, he motioned for Haldir to his side.
'Look at her clothes. They are of human make.'
'Aye, but she is an elf.' Haldir paused and leaped into the nearest tree. 'I will return shortly.'
'Haldir, what is the --'
'Don't worry. Let me play out my theory. I may return with others.'
As he disappeared into the treetops, Celeborn reflected on Haldir's words and smiled to himself, 'Aye, I taught him well. Perhaps the humans can be of help.'
A few hours later Haldir returned with a small, but very weary group of humans. He motioned for their leader to stand by the fire and gently lifted the cover off the sleeping figure so the human could see her face. The man nods and Haldir gently replaces the blanket. They walk to the other side of the fire where Celeborn is sitting, eyes glazed.
"Perhaps we shouldn't disturb him," the leader whispered.
"That won't be necessary," Celeborn said in the Common Tongue as an astonished gasp left the man's mouth.
"I . . . I thought that elves slept with their eyes open. . . ugh. . . It was just. . ."
"Peace, friend. We do, but I was merely thinking," Celeborn replied giving Haldir a knowing look. He had been far speaking with Galadriel. "You know this woman?"
"Aye to an extent. . . Master ugh. . ."
"Celeborn."
"Celeborn. . . Hmmm. . . "
"Yes."
"It is nothing, I just seemed to remember hearing your name. I just don't know where."
"It is probably something you heard in passing. Celeborn does a lot of correspondence with other realms" Haldir interjected not wanting to reveal his Lord's true identity until he knew the girl's history.
"Aye that must be it. I am Maltendorth of Rohan." Celeborn gestured for the man to sit.
"May we have some refreshments for these guests and perhaps you can tell me of how you came upon this elf-maid."
After a light meal of some roasted deer and lembas, Maltendorth began his tale:
"My men and I had started earlier than usual trying to use as much daylight as possible, due to the orcs running through the outskirts of Rohan. We had come from the southernmost village and were returning home to Ubria, just outside of the Elven Woods. It was about three days later, a little after our midday stop to water our horses when we came upon that maid wandering the hills. There was no one else in sight and villages were naught. The nearest one was about three days to the west and that would put you on one of the outlying farms. A real friendly fellow, I've taken my men there a few times when they were injured. I couldn't imagine what group would be traveling through there this time of year. Most are preparing for the fall harvest in a few weeks and have already settled.
"So I sent one of my men to check the area to see if maybe there was a battle and she was a survivor. He found nothing.
"She looked at us very strange, confused and asked where she was. I replied about three days from Edoneth. That did not seem familiar, so I asked what village in Rohan she was from. Her clothes were torn and dirty and her hair all about her face, being that it was windy and I couldn't see her ears or else I'd never mentioned Rohan. She muttered something and kept repeating Rohan. I couldn't make out what she was saying. She paused and I asked her name, but she couldn't give one. She couldn't remember. I asked about how she got here and she said she was walking along with her dog and then all went black and then she was here.
"The look in her eye was one of truth. I didn't feel that a spy could act and look so lost. We couldn't rightly leave her there, so we made room for her on one of our ponies. I took personal charge of her to ensure she was not some type of spy nor was she going to fall ill. My man Beldor mentioned that we head for Edoneth, but it would have been a three day's march out of our way and there was no knowing of when we could get a healer skilled in head injuries once we arrived at Farmer Plegon's. He can set an arm or leg and knows his herbs, but he doesn't do head injuries of this sort.
"We made camp that night and my son Dargoth had gone to the stream with her, to guard her whilst she freshened up. I fancy he was fond of her being a young lad of 16; won't be the first maid he's fallen for, nor the last, I expect. However, while there, he saw her ears and knew she must be of your folk.
"I questioned her after supper, but she knew as much as any peasant of the elves. Letting her talk of what she knew, I realized she was telling me of the tales of the elves my mother told me when I used to sit at her knee. It is said that elves do not know illness, nor death, so I wondered what could have happened."
Celeborn interjected at this point, "Aye we do not know sickness or death as men do, but we can be wounded in battle like them and suffer the same fate if the wound is mortal or is not treated properly. Was she injured?"
"No, narry a bump on her head, but she seemed a tad chilled and we sat her close to the fire."
Haldir mouthed 'Mandos' and Celeborn acknowledged him with a look, nodding for the man to continue.
"Well we let her rest in as much as possible and even stopped to give her a quick breakfast, a hot one to help her along. She was no better by that evening. I had decided to continue to Ubria with haste. We had enough supplies to make it without all of our normal stops. Usually we make several to sell the rest of our wares, but I wanted to return her to her people as soon as possible.
"So we've been together about one week and were caught by some orcs not far from here a few days ago. They pursued us and pushed us off our trail near the border. Yesterday I had planned to make for your woods, but they surprised us and we were scattered. We've lost no men, but a few are injured."
"Well Master Maltendorth, we would be pleased if you and your men stayed with us. There is a healer that can tend to your wounds at one of our outposts," Celeborn said.
"Aye. I'll take your offer, but I must check on my men."
"Do not trouble your self with that. My men are guiding them here as we speak." Haldir interjected.
"But if you forgive me Master Elf, these woods are ruled by an elf witch and her lord, a fearsome man. . . er. . . elf and guarded by an ever watchful Guardian that does not take well to trespassers."
Haldir and Celeborn regarded each other for a moment before an unlordly smirk broke out on Celeborn's face.
"You need not fear them. The elf…..witch……of which you speak is my wife."
The man's face went ashen and then reddened as he realized with whom he was talking and what he had said. Haldir let out a barely muffled laugh. "My friend, we would not harm you. You are a good man."
"I apologize, my Lords." The man stumbled to his feet in an attempt to bow.
"Please. You are our guest and are wounded. I have some basic healing skills and we will head to our outpost with better supplies tomorrow." Celeborn paused letting the words settle in. His eyes left no doubt that though it was phrased as a request, his statement was an order. "Then we will escort you closer to you Ubria, a safe passage through our terroritory. It is the least we can do in return for your kindness to one of our own.
"It was no matter my Lord Celeborn. I have a niece that looks right around her age." Thinking that these were immortal elves, he wondered how old the maid truly was.
"Well, that is as your people go. I would no more leave a helpless woman or child of your race than I would mine. But I thank you for your kindness."
Celeborn simply inclined his head sparing the man any further discomfort. He rose to his feet and helped the man up. Maltendorth's eyes went wide as he felt the strength in Celeborn's elven frame. "Come, let us see to our men and we shall retire."
In the morning the group headed for the outpost. Celeborn had awakened the she-elf. She had started at first, but it seemed to be normal morning sleepiness. She still could not tell anyone anything about the days before she met Maltendorth and his men.
The men rested two days at the elven post and were led by a small group of archers and Haldir to the edge of the woodland realm.
"Thank you Lord Haldir" Maltendorth said as he men headed out of the woods. "You did not have to bring us this close, but we are grateful. Please give my regards to the young maid. And I will not forget my promise"
"I have no fear of that my friend. Our Lady knows a man of his word."
You have a good heart Maltendorth. Give my thanks to your mother for keeping her word and telling the truth of the elves. I admire her work.
Maltendorth looked around attempting to locate the source of the female voice. Haldir smiled as Galadriel had allowed him to hear her comments.
"Do not fear. The Lady has many powers. She holds your family in high esteem." Haldir extended his hand and shook Maltendorth's. "Just be sure you keep the 'tradition' as you travel." Maltendorth smiled and headed towards his men.
TBC in Chapter 2 next week.