A/N: Wow! Thanks to everyone for the great feedback, I never expected such
a fantastic response! Well, on to the next chapter then, I suppose . . .
Before I continue though, I should warn you, I have no idea whether elves
in Lothlórien have dances at all, but for my purposes, I invented an annual
ball. Does anyone know whether there's actually anything similar?
Disclaimer: I've kidnapped Haldir and he is now mine. Rúmil and Orophin decided to accompany him so that he wouldn't feel lonely. Oh, hang on, no that's not actually true in real life. Only Larien belongs to me.
Chapter 2
"You are wise not to have repeated the details of our meeting to anyone," Galadriel told her in a faraway voice. "Have you thought about what you saw in the mirror?"
"Yes, Lady. But I do not understand why you have summoned me once again."
"I know you have faced many burdens thus far, but you must also believe you are capable of withstanding much more. The fates of your parents still hang like a cloud around your head, but it will pass." A tear welled up in Larien's eyes.
"It is so difficult. Every day I remember them, and the pain still refuses to dull.
Galadriel raised a white hand to Larien's face. "You must have faith in yourself, child. Believe in your strength, and your happiness will follow." Larien nodded slowly. She had to believe what Galadriel was telling her. Without that, there was no hope for her. **Your strength shall make you a great leader.** Galadriel's words reverberated in her mind as she smiled at the young elf.
"Now go. They seek you once again."
* * *
"Larien, once again you fail me," came Haldir's irate voice through the trees of Caras Galadhon.
"Forgive me, Haldir, for I had another task to attend to," she said hanging her head. She had not expected to see him in the woodland city so soon.
"Another task greater than confronting the intruders? More important than defending your lands?" His anger was becoming more tangible as the minutes passed.
"What of the intruders?" she asked.
"Aragorn of the Dúnedain was among them. They have been admitted into the city under close guard," he said impatiently, not wanting to be distracted from his original argument. "That should be your fate also. You deserve banishment to your telain under guard for you are rapidly wearing out my temper," he fumed as he caught hold of her arm. She turned to him, irritation in her eyes.
"You treat me like a child, yet I am barely one hundred years younger than you." He ignored her outburst.
"Word has also reached my ears that still you defy me, break your word by spending time with my brothers."
"I love them, Haldir. You cannot ask me to forget our past." He remained in a brooding silence. "Haldir, I have tried being patient, I have tried acquiescing to your every demand, but you are unappeasable." She shook her arm, attempting to release his grip on her, but only managed to twist away and trip on a root. She landed with a light thud on the ground, Haldir on top of her, for he had not let her go. His weight pinned her down uncomfortably, and she could feel her chest heaving as she fought to breathe with the pressure of Haldir's body on her.
"Woman, are you trying to break my self control?" he whispered harshly. Larien stared back at him uncomprehendingly. "Is this what you get from my brothers? Is this why you refuse to cease meeting with them?" he asked her, emotion burning in his eyes. No elf had ever been as close as Haldir was now, and she realised in panic that it was pleasurable.
"No, Haldir," she managed to whisper. "It is not true. I love them only as brothers."
"You call me brother, yet I see your reaction is far from negative," he breathed. She could not deny it. Her breathing had become more laboured, and she could feel a heated flush rising throughout her body. She closed her eyes, not wanting to give away any more.
He stopped abruptly, rising from the ground and pulling her up with him. "My response remains unchanged," he said roughly, his voice free from all earlier emotion. "You have behaved irresponsibly and in a way unbecoming of a warden of Lothlórien. Stay on your telain until I have decided how to proceed."
* * *
She sat on her telain going over the earlier events in her mind. How would she ever convince Haldir that she was not the irresponsible maiden he believed without telling of her conversations with the Lady? It was an impossible situation, and now she faced expulsion from the Galadhrim wardens.
Her mind settled on the interchange between Haldir and herself and a renewed flush heated her face. How could it be that in centuries of knowing Haldir, she had never felt this way towards him? He had always been so distant and forbidding, never giving her a chance to realise her feelings for him. Her heart fell as the realisation dawned. He obviously could not think very highly of her, and she had discovered feelings for him. What possible hope could there be for her now?
A sound made her turn her head in time to see Rúmil and Orophin climbing onto the telain.
"You shouldn't be here," she exclaimed. "If your brother finds us together again . . ."
"He is an overbearing elf when a thought enters his head," interrupted Orophin. "We can deal with the consequences."
"What happened?" asked Rúmil worriedly. "Why were you not present when we challenged the travellers?" Larien sighed, hating herself for keeping secrets from these two.
"I cannot say." She closed her eyes, willing the unshed tears to stay away. The brothers looked at each other in concern. They had not seen her this upset for many years. Orophin approached her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Something troubles you, Larien?" She shook her head, determined not to let the events of the past week overcome her.
"Confide in us as you once did," Rúmil pressed.
"You will say I am a love sick maiden," she replied in between muffled sobs which escaped her throat, much to her chagrin. Orophin raised an eyebrow.
"If it is a matter of love, we can only hope to support you for we are not experienced in these matters," he told her. "We would not laugh it away as a maiden's passing fancy." Rúmil stroked her silver hair behind her ear as she wiped a tear from her cheek.
"I think I am in love with Haldir," she finally whispered. The brothers exchanged knowing smiles.
"Then, dearest Larien, what is your problem?" Rúmil asked. She stared up at him in surprise.
"Is it not obvious? He detests me even more than before now. His belief that there should be no female wardens has been strengthened, he believes my relationship with you is other than it is, and he especially detests my stubbornness and sharp tongue."
"The last could be dealt with by just telling him why you could not be at your watch." She shook her head violently.
"I cannot. Please do not press me."
"But Larien," continued Rúmil. "Can you not see what is before your eyes? Haldir is behaving in this manner because he fears exposing his feelings for you."
"Why did you think he has always resented the term brother when spoken by you?" finished Orophin.
"It cannot be true," she whispered to herself. "He detests me too much." The brothers grinned at each other as a plan hatched in their minds.
* * *
"But my Lady, I do not understand. I was given to understand that matters of the Galadhrim wardens were under my jurisdiction," Haldir questioned.
"Haldir, while you have not given any of us any reason to doubt your competence as marchwarden, there are some matters you should leave to the Lady," responded Celeborn patiently. Haldir looked from Celeborn to Galadriel.
"If I may ask, what is the purpose of your request?"
"Haldir, have faith in the power of the mirror. What I have seen I cannot impart to others," responded Galadriel. Haldir hung his head in reverence. He had realised too late how he had questioned the Lady of Lórien. He could have bitten off his tongue in shame, but instead he bowed and made his way to find Larien.
"You have been given a reprieve," he told her coldly when he found her where he had left her on her telain. She looked up at him with red- rimmed eyes. "The Lady does not wish me to remove you from your station as a warden of the Galadhrim."
"Thank you," she whispered, not knowing whom exactly she was thanking, but hoping it would appease Haldir somewhat.
"Be warned that although she has prevented me from carrying out this punishment, I shall expect you to be more vigilant from now on. She may not be able to help you next time you slip up. I expect you at your watch tomorrow morning as usual."
* * *
The next morning she was at her post as usual, more watchful than ever. Her keen ears picked up the sounds of elven feet approaching. Rúmil was approaching, she thought with a smile. His footfall was unmistakeable.
"Good morning, Rúmil," she said without turning.
"I remain in awe at your talents, Larien," he replied as he swung up into the tree she perched in. "Any news of Haldir?" he asked.
"What news do you wish for?" she asked thoughtfully. "He was advised by the Lady that he should not expel me from the wardens, and he is not happy."
"Has he not talked any further with you?"
"About what? There is nothing to discuss between us." Rúmil shrugged as if it were of no consequence. A comfortable silence reigned between them as they scanned the horizons together.
"Any thoughts on the Chorai?" he asked after a while, his eyes still trained on the horizon.
"You mean do I have anyone to go with?"
"I mean are you going this year? You have been refusing for the past few decades." She sighed.
"You know why I refuse, Rúmil. It is embarrassing going to a ball without a partner."
"Orophin and I do not have partners either this year. Come with us," he replied with a grin in her direction.
"Do you realise how Haldir would take that?" she gasped. "Going to the Chorai with you both!"
"What do you care what he thinks? You never have thus far," he murmured.
"Yes, but now things are different between us," she muttered. "He has already tried to expel me from the wardens."
"What is the worst he can do, Larien? As you said, he has already tried his worst, he cannot do any worse." There was a pause as she contemplated the situation.
"Actually, I think I will go," she replied with a determined smile. "After all, if he's going to play rough by attempting to stop me being a warden, this will show him I can play just as rough." Rúmil grinned, he had hoped he would provoke this reaction in her. "He has power over me only as marchwarden. How dare he tell me who I can and cannot spend my time with?"
With Larien successfully heated up, Rúmil jumped down lightly and made his way back to Orophin.
"Mission accomplished, stage one complete," he grinned.
* * *
JadeGoddess - You'll find out as time goes by, I can say nothing!
Lady of Legolas & corrina - Thanks for the compliments, hope you also enjoyed this chapter.
Cathy - I obviously didn't notice the typos, so apologies for that. As for the RumilRumil, I only realised when you mentioned it, and I have no idea why it happened. I'll try to get rid of it. Thanks :o)
Kathy - Your wait has ended!
lausie - Thank you for your multiple pleases! I don't think it's classic Mary Sue cos (a) Larien is nothing like me, and (b) although she's an OC, she didn't just turn up in ME. She has a past within the story.
superchick - Hopefully this chapter has sounded better!
More reviews would just be brilliant, so please continue to R&R! :oD
Disclaimer: I've kidnapped Haldir and he is now mine. Rúmil and Orophin decided to accompany him so that he wouldn't feel lonely. Oh, hang on, no that's not actually true in real life. Only Larien belongs to me.
Chapter 2
"You are wise not to have repeated the details of our meeting to anyone," Galadriel told her in a faraway voice. "Have you thought about what you saw in the mirror?"
"Yes, Lady. But I do not understand why you have summoned me once again."
"I know you have faced many burdens thus far, but you must also believe you are capable of withstanding much more. The fates of your parents still hang like a cloud around your head, but it will pass." A tear welled up in Larien's eyes.
"It is so difficult. Every day I remember them, and the pain still refuses to dull.
Galadriel raised a white hand to Larien's face. "You must have faith in yourself, child. Believe in your strength, and your happiness will follow." Larien nodded slowly. She had to believe what Galadriel was telling her. Without that, there was no hope for her. **Your strength shall make you a great leader.** Galadriel's words reverberated in her mind as she smiled at the young elf.
"Now go. They seek you once again."
* * *
"Larien, once again you fail me," came Haldir's irate voice through the trees of Caras Galadhon.
"Forgive me, Haldir, for I had another task to attend to," she said hanging her head. She had not expected to see him in the woodland city so soon.
"Another task greater than confronting the intruders? More important than defending your lands?" His anger was becoming more tangible as the minutes passed.
"What of the intruders?" she asked.
"Aragorn of the Dúnedain was among them. They have been admitted into the city under close guard," he said impatiently, not wanting to be distracted from his original argument. "That should be your fate also. You deserve banishment to your telain under guard for you are rapidly wearing out my temper," he fumed as he caught hold of her arm. She turned to him, irritation in her eyes.
"You treat me like a child, yet I am barely one hundred years younger than you." He ignored her outburst.
"Word has also reached my ears that still you defy me, break your word by spending time with my brothers."
"I love them, Haldir. You cannot ask me to forget our past." He remained in a brooding silence. "Haldir, I have tried being patient, I have tried acquiescing to your every demand, but you are unappeasable." She shook her arm, attempting to release his grip on her, but only managed to twist away and trip on a root. She landed with a light thud on the ground, Haldir on top of her, for he had not let her go. His weight pinned her down uncomfortably, and she could feel her chest heaving as she fought to breathe with the pressure of Haldir's body on her.
"Woman, are you trying to break my self control?" he whispered harshly. Larien stared back at him uncomprehendingly. "Is this what you get from my brothers? Is this why you refuse to cease meeting with them?" he asked her, emotion burning in his eyes. No elf had ever been as close as Haldir was now, and she realised in panic that it was pleasurable.
"No, Haldir," she managed to whisper. "It is not true. I love them only as brothers."
"You call me brother, yet I see your reaction is far from negative," he breathed. She could not deny it. Her breathing had become more laboured, and she could feel a heated flush rising throughout her body. She closed her eyes, not wanting to give away any more.
He stopped abruptly, rising from the ground and pulling her up with him. "My response remains unchanged," he said roughly, his voice free from all earlier emotion. "You have behaved irresponsibly and in a way unbecoming of a warden of Lothlórien. Stay on your telain until I have decided how to proceed."
* * *
She sat on her telain going over the earlier events in her mind. How would she ever convince Haldir that she was not the irresponsible maiden he believed without telling of her conversations with the Lady? It was an impossible situation, and now she faced expulsion from the Galadhrim wardens.
Her mind settled on the interchange between Haldir and herself and a renewed flush heated her face. How could it be that in centuries of knowing Haldir, she had never felt this way towards him? He had always been so distant and forbidding, never giving her a chance to realise her feelings for him. Her heart fell as the realisation dawned. He obviously could not think very highly of her, and she had discovered feelings for him. What possible hope could there be for her now?
A sound made her turn her head in time to see Rúmil and Orophin climbing onto the telain.
"You shouldn't be here," she exclaimed. "If your brother finds us together again . . ."
"He is an overbearing elf when a thought enters his head," interrupted Orophin. "We can deal with the consequences."
"What happened?" asked Rúmil worriedly. "Why were you not present when we challenged the travellers?" Larien sighed, hating herself for keeping secrets from these two.
"I cannot say." She closed her eyes, willing the unshed tears to stay away. The brothers looked at each other in concern. They had not seen her this upset for many years. Orophin approached her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Something troubles you, Larien?" She shook her head, determined not to let the events of the past week overcome her.
"Confide in us as you once did," Rúmil pressed.
"You will say I am a love sick maiden," she replied in between muffled sobs which escaped her throat, much to her chagrin. Orophin raised an eyebrow.
"If it is a matter of love, we can only hope to support you for we are not experienced in these matters," he told her. "We would not laugh it away as a maiden's passing fancy." Rúmil stroked her silver hair behind her ear as she wiped a tear from her cheek.
"I think I am in love with Haldir," she finally whispered. The brothers exchanged knowing smiles.
"Then, dearest Larien, what is your problem?" Rúmil asked. She stared up at him in surprise.
"Is it not obvious? He detests me even more than before now. His belief that there should be no female wardens has been strengthened, he believes my relationship with you is other than it is, and he especially detests my stubbornness and sharp tongue."
"The last could be dealt with by just telling him why you could not be at your watch." She shook her head violently.
"I cannot. Please do not press me."
"But Larien," continued Rúmil. "Can you not see what is before your eyes? Haldir is behaving in this manner because he fears exposing his feelings for you."
"Why did you think he has always resented the term brother when spoken by you?" finished Orophin.
"It cannot be true," she whispered to herself. "He detests me too much." The brothers grinned at each other as a plan hatched in their minds.
* * *
"But my Lady, I do not understand. I was given to understand that matters of the Galadhrim wardens were under my jurisdiction," Haldir questioned.
"Haldir, while you have not given any of us any reason to doubt your competence as marchwarden, there are some matters you should leave to the Lady," responded Celeborn patiently. Haldir looked from Celeborn to Galadriel.
"If I may ask, what is the purpose of your request?"
"Haldir, have faith in the power of the mirror. What I have seen I cannot impart to others," responded Galadriel. Haldir hung his head in reverence. He had realised too late how he had questioned the Lady of Lórien. He could have bitten off his tongue in shame, but instead he bowed and made his way to find Larien.
"You have been given a reprieve," he told her coldly when he found her where he had left her on her telain. She looked up at him with red- rimmed eyes. "The Lady does not wish me to remove you from your station as a warden of the Galadhrim."
"Thank you," she whispered, not knowing whom exactly she was thanking, but hoping it would appease Haldir somewhat.
"Be warned that although she has prevented me from carrying out this punishment, I shall expect you to be more vigilant from now on. She may not be able to help you next time you slip up. I expect you at your watch tomorrow morning as usual."
* * *
The next morning she was at her post as usual, more watchful than ever. Her keen ears picked up the sounds of elven feet approaching. Rúmil was approaching, she thought with a smile. His footfall was unmistakeable.
"Good morning, Rúmil," she said without turning.
"I remain in awe at your talents, Larien," he replied as he swung up into the tree she perched in. "Any news of Haldir?" he asked.
"What news do you wish for?" she asked thoughtfully. "He was advised by the Lady that he should not expel me from the wardens, and he is not happy."
"Has he not talked any further with you?"
"About what? There is nothing to discuss between us." Rúmil shrugged as if it were of no consequence. A comfortable silence reigned between them as they scanned the horizons together.
"Any thoughts on the Chorai?" he asked after a while, his eyes still trained on the horizon.
"You mean do I have anyone to go with?"
"I mean are you going this year? You have been refusing for the past few decades." She sighed.
"You know why I refuse, Rúmil. It is embarrassing going to a ball without a partner."
"Orophin and I do not have partners either this year. Come with us," he replied with a grin in her direction.
"Do you realise how Haldir would take that?" she gasped. "Going to the Chorai with you both!"
"What do you care what he thinks? You never have thus far," he murmured.
"Yes, but now things are different between us," she muttered. "He has already tried to expel me from the wardens."
"What is the worst he can do, Larien? As you said, he has already tried his worst, he cannot do any worse." There was a pause as she contemplated the situation.
"Actually, I think I will go," she replied with a determined smile. "After all, if he's going to play rough by attempting to stop me being a warden, this will show him I can play just as rough." Rúmil grinned, he had hoped he would provoke this reaction in her. "He has power over me only as marchwarden. How dare he tell me who I can and cannot spend my time with?"
With Larien successfully heated up, Rúmil jumped down lightly and made his way back to Orophin.
"Mission accomplished, stage one complete," he grinned.
* * *
JadeGoddess - You'll find out as time goes by, I can say nothing!
Lady of Legolas & corrina - Thanks for the compliments, hope you also enjoyed this chapter.
Cathy - I obviously didn't notice the typos, so apologies for that. As for the RumilRumil, I only realised when you mentioned it, and I have no idea why it happened. I'll try to get rid of it. Thanks :o)
Kathy - Your wait has ended!
lausie - Thank you for your multiple pleases! I don't think it's classic Mary Sue cos (a) Larien is nothing like me, and (b) although she's an OC, she didn't just turn up in ME. She has a past within the story.
superchick - Hopefully this chapter has sounded better!
More reviews would just be brilliant, so please continue to R&R! :oD