Chapter 9
The next day Larien arose in a sombre mood. She could not dispute the fact that Haldir was the elf she loved, but he had been behaving strangely recently, and she could not work out the reason for this sudden change. It was, therefore, a pleasant surprise for her to find Legolas waiting for her when she arrived at her watch.
"Legolas! What are you doing here?"
"Good morning Larien. I trust my presence is not a burden to you?"
"Of course not, I was only wondering what brings you here, so far from your companions."
"Did I not say I wanted to get to know the Galadhrim? I hoped you would not mind my company today," he replied. She smiled at him in return. He was always so pleasant, always knew how to make someone feel appreciated.
"That should not be a problem, as long as Haldir doesn't disagree, of course."
"Ah, Haldir, I am afraid I have not discussed this with him. I was worried he would assign me to another warden were I to ask him first," Legolas grinned cheekily.
"I would not have thought there would be a problem. You will have to explain your presence to him when he passes by, though."
"Of course," he returned, as Larien launched into her explanation about the role of the wardens, the different watches and various tests having to be passed before one would graduate to the position of warden. It was not long before Larien heard the familiar footfall of the marchwarden, and she motioned to Legolas, warningly.
"All is well, Larien?" asked Haldir briskly, before catching sight of the Mirkwood prince seated next to her on the branch. His eyes narrowed as he glared at him. "May I ask the purpose of your presence, your highness?"
"Purpose? Simply to learn more about your kin and experience the life of a Galadhrim warden, Haldir. I trust this meets with your approval?" Haldir remained silent, his eyes flicking from Larien to Legolas and back.
"Far be it for me to restrict the movement of the Prince within these woods," he muttered, trying but failing to keep his cool as the familiar jealousy raged within him. He nodded finally at them as he left, making his way towards the next watch post.
He trudged mindlessly through the woods, his elven light-footedness failing him as he sped along, lost in thought.
"Haldir!" came a familiar cry, making him snap out of his reverie. "Haldir, are there orcs on your tail? Where are you going so rapidly?"
"Orophin," Haldir greeted in relief. "No, there is no danger around. I was, " he paused, "I was thinking." Orophin grinned evilly.
"Thinking! That explains everything, dear brother! It is not often that you exercise your brain, hence I understand the trouble this thinking has caused you." Haldir could not help the small smile that crept upon his stern face.
"If you do not want to end up as the second brother taking up residence at the healers' I suggest you watch your quick tongue," he managed to berate.
"So, what is it that makes you stride through the woods as noisily as a human with a broken leg?" Orophin questioned, brushing away the threat easily.
"That Prince of Mirkwood!"
"Prince Legolas? I thought you did not mind him. In fact, I was under the impression that you liked him."
"How can anyone like that spoilt, swaggering, prancing elf?" he fumed, lost in his own ire.
"Larien seems to like him. As do most of the others."
"That, brother, is exactly my point," started Haldir, before realising that he had said too much, and changing the subject. "Enough of that irritating elfling royalty, I take it all is well?"
"Elfling? I did not think he was much younger than you?"
"He behaves like an elfling. Now Orophin, will you answer my question? I am still marchwarden of these woods."
"Yes, Haldir, all is well," he sighed as he watched the retreating Haldir continue his striding towards the next watch post. Orophin pondered the encounter as he sat, scanning the horizon with his keen eyes. There could only be one reason for his bad mood, the same reason for most of his bad moods lately. It had something to do with Larien." Having come to that conclusion, he decided to visit Larien once their watch was over.
A few hours later, he set off towards her post. As he approached, he heard Larien's giggle, followed by a lower pitched laugh. Obviously Larien was distracted, otherwise she would have heard him coming from further away, and would have known it was he, also. He stood a short distance away, not wanting to eavesdrop, but consumed by curiosity as to what the Prince of Mirkwood wanted with Larien. He waited only a short time before an uncomfortable suspicion formed in his head.
"Well, Larien, it was a privilege keeping watch with you this morning, but I fear my companions may become anxious if I were to stay away any longer," Legolas finally told her as he jumped down from the tree.
"Indeed, you have not been spending a great deal of time with them recently," she replied, "but it has been a pleasure keeping you company."
"I look forward to our next meeting," he answered as he kissed her hand, and with a last look into her eyes, turned away and ran off lightly. Orophin moved towards Larien, finally making his presence known, and drew her attention.
"Larien, are you ready for the change?" he asked her. Larien's head jerked up in surprise.
"Orophin, I did not hear you approach."
"I see you were otherwise distracted."
"Yes, Legolas voiced his eagerness to learn more about the Galadhrim way of life, and so I was just telling him a little about the wardens." Orophin walked in silence beside her as they made their way back to the telains.
"Legolas was eager to know about the Galadhrim," he mused. "Would he not have learnt much more by following Haldir?"
"I suppose so, but he seemed more than happy to talk to me. I did not want to burden Haldir unduly, for he seems preoccupied recently." Orophin nodded slowly.
"He does indeed." He turned to Larien decisively. "Larien, does it not trouble you that Legolas has chosen you?" Larien looked up at him in surprise.
"Why should it trouble me? We seemed to get on well from the first time we met. It is only natural for him to want to converse with someone he connects with." Orophin tried a different tactic.
"You are not unattractive Larien, it is not impossible that elves may feel attracted to you . . ." Larien turned to him, interrupting him.
"What are you implying?"
"Has it not occurred to you that Legolas may be interested in you for something other than your conversational skills?" he finally blurted out. Larien laughed.
"Legolas? Interested in me?" she asked incredulously. "Orophin, your jokes are no longer humorous. Legolas is a prince, I am a nobody. He would never be attracted to me."
"Sometimes it takes a third person to realise what is happening between two people," he warned.
"Legolas is not interested in me, Orophin, and I am not interested in him. I love Haldir, and that could never change. I do not find Legolas in the least attractive, so your concerns are unnecessary."
"Haldir has been rather irritated recently," he said, trying yet another approach.
"Haldir seems to get more irritable every day," Larien replied slightly irritably herself. "Do you wonder that I seek someone else to lift the cloud that hangs over my head?"
"You can always come to me or Rúmil. There is no need to worsen the situation by turning to Legolas."
"You are busy with Tarí in your spare time, and I could not burden Rúmil with my troubles when he has sufficient troubles of his own. How am I worsening the situation by conversing with Legolas? He is witty and makes me laugh, that is all. No, Orophin, you do not know what you are talking about."
"Larien, please, consider my words," Orophin pleaded.
"I am tired of having you all thinking these things about me. First it was Haldir thinking there was something more between you, Rúmil and myself, and now you are doing the same thing with Legolas and myself," she fumed. "For the last time, there is nothing between Legolas and myself, and there never will be!" she stormed off.
* * *
fan81981 - Three year olds! Yup, that's exactly now they're behaving! Although you've got to feel sorry for poor Haldir who doesn't know how to cope with his feelings. ;o)
Auror198 - Awww, poor Larien! Of course she deserves Haldir! She's just getting really confused as to what's going on with Haldir.
Lady of Legolas - Haldir's got a whopper of an insecurity complex, doesn't he, poor dear! :o)
Nika-Chan - Hmmm, would I let Larien and Legolas be paired? Probably not, but I reserve the right to change my mind! ;o)
Tap-dancing Hobbit - Woohoo! More Haldir! But I must admit, Legolas would have been sexier with blond eyebrows to match his hair. :oP
Kate - Thanks, glad you're enjoying it.
Jazz - Thanks for your compliments and constructive criticism, although I don't completely agree with your view that viewpoints should not change mid- chapter. I still believe they were necessary at that point, although I will admit that I could have handled it a little better rather than stick them in so blatantly. I'll work on that and get back to you about it.
JadeGoddess - Stop right there! Let's not go down THAT avenue of thought! Larien IS in love with Haldir. Although I understand it is possible to love more than one person at the same time??? You'll just have to wait and see! ;o)
Aurora - Haldir certainly has some very negative views of Legolas, but most of them stem from the jealousy, I'm sure! Poor Legolas, little does he know what's waiting for him!
Ilúvien - Thanks! Haldir did get a little carried away, but I suppose the best of us do too!
padawan_jinx - Hope you've wound down now. You squealed? I'm touched! :oD Don't you just hate it when work descends on you all together? Glad you're enjoying the tension in the fic though, and I'll try to be a little firmer with Haldir!
soul - *grinning back* Oh boy it THAT statement true!!
superchick - I gather the viewpoints aren't everybody's cup of tea, so I will try to modify them. I'm keeping them in, but maybe I can tone it down a little, make them a little subtler. :o)
Rayvin813 - Oh BOY do the eyebrows bug me!! I much prefer the natural and de-wigged Orli! Thanks for the compliments! :oD
Brandi* - Ooh, a woman after my own heart! LOL, do you read minds?? Having said that, I couldn't possibly do that to Larien, after all the trouble she's had trying to fight the anti-feminist stigma. Pity, cos it would have been great to write! ;o)
The next day Larien arose in a sombre mood. She could not dispute the fact that Haldir was the elf she loved, but he had been behaving strangely recently, and she could not work out the reason for this sudden change. It was, therefore, a pleasant surprise for her to find Legolas waiting for her when she arrived at her watch.
"Legolas! What are you doing here?"
"Good morning Larien. I trust my presence is not a burden to you?"
"Of course not, I was only wondering what brings you here, so far from your companions."
"Did I not say I wanted to get to know the Galadhrim? I hoped you would not mind my company today," he replied. She smiled at him in return. He was always so pleasant, always knew how to make someone feel appreciated.
"That should not be a problem, as long as Haldir doesn't disagree, of course."
"Ah, Haldir, I am afraid I have not discussed this with him. I was worried he would assign me to another warden were I to ask him first," Legolas grinned cheekily.
"I would not have thought there would be a problem. You will have to explain your presence to him when he passes by, though."
"Of course," he returned, as Larien launched into her explanation about the role of the wardens, the different watches and various tests having to be passed before one would graduate to the position of warden. It was not long before Larien heard the familiar footfall of the marchwarden, and she motioned to Legolas, warningly.
"All is well, Larien?" asked Haldir briskly, before catching sight of the Mirkwood prince seated next to her on the branch. His eyes narrowed as he glared at him. "May I ask the purpose of your presence, your highness?"
"Purpose? Simply to learn more about your kin and experience the life of a Galadhrim warden, Haldir. I trust this meets with your approval?" Haldir remained silent, his eyes flicking from Larien to Legolas and back.
"Far be it for me to restrict the movement of the Prince within these woods," he muttered, trying but failing to keep his cool as the familiar jealousy raged within him. He nodded finally at them as he left, making his way towards the next watch post.
He trudged mindlessly through the woods, his elven light-footedness failing him as he sped along, lost in thought.
"Haldir!" came a familiar cry, making him snap out of his reverie. "Haldir, are there orcs on your tail? Where are you going so rapidly?"
"Orophin," Haldir greeted in relief. "No, there is no danger around. I was, " he paused, "I was thinking." Orophin grinned evilly.
"Thinking! That explains everything, dear brother! It is not often that you exercise your brain, hence I understand the trouble this thinking has caused you." Haldir could not help the small smile that crept upon his stern face.
"If you do not want to end up as the second brother taking up residence at the healers' I suggest you watch your quick tongue," he managed to berate.
"So, what is it that makes you stride through the woods as noisily as a human with a broken leg?" Orophin questioned, brushing away the threat easily.
"That Prince of Mirkwood!"
"Prince Legolas? I thought you did not mind him. In fact, I was under the impression that you liked him."
"How can anyone like that spoilt, swaggering, prancing elf?" he fumed, lost in his own ire.
"Larien seems to like him. As do most of the others."
"That, brother, is exactly my point," started Haldir, before realising that he had said too much, and changing the subject. "Enough of that irritating elfling royalty, I take it all is well?"
"Elfling? I did not think he was much younger than you?"
"He behaves like an elfling. Now Orophin, will you answer my question? I am still marchwarden of these woods."
"Yes, Haldir, all is well," he sighed as he watched the retreating Haldir continue his striding towards the next watch post. Orophin pondered the encounter as he sat, scanning the horizon with his keen eyes. There could only be one reason for his bad mood, the same reason for most of his bad moods lately. It had something to do with Larien." Having come to that conclusion, he decided to visit Larien once their watch was over.
A few hours later, he set off towards her post. As he approached, he heard Larien's giggle, followed by a lower pitched laugh. Obviously Larien was distracted, otherwise she would have heard him coming from further away, and would have known it was he, also. He stood a short distance away, not wanting to eavesdrop, but consumed by curiosity as to what the Prince of Mirkwood wanted with Larien. He waited only a short time before an uncomfortable suspicion formed in his head.
"Well, Larien, it was a privilege keeping watch with you this morning, but I fear my companions may become anxious if I were to stay away any longer," Legolas finally told her as he jumped down from the tree.
"Indeed, you have not been spending a great deal of time with them recently," she replied, "but it has been a pleasure keeping you company."
"I look forward to our next meeting," he answered as he kissed her hand, and with a last look into her eyes, turned away and ran off lightly. Orophin moved towards Larien, finally making his presence known, and drew her attention.
"Larien, are you ready for the change?" he asked her. Larien's head jerked up in surprise.
"Orophin, I did not hear you approach."
"I see you were otherwise distracted."
"Yes, Legolas voiced his eagerness to learn more about the Galadhrim way of life, and so I was just telling him a little about the wardens." Orophin walked in silence beside her as they made their way back to the telains.
"Legolas was eager to know about the Galadhrim," he mused. "Would he not have learnt much more by following Haldir?"
"I suppose so, but he seemed more than happy to talk to me. I did not want to burden Haldir unduly, for he seems preoccupied recently." Orophin nodded slowly.
"He does indeed." He turned to Larien decisively. "Larien, does it not trouble you that Legolas has chosen you?" Larien looked up at him in surprise.
"Why should it trouble me? We seemed to get on well from the first time we met. It is only natural for him to want to converse with someone he connects with." Orophin tried a different tactic.
"You are not unattractive Larien, it is not impossible that elves may feel attracted to you . . ." Larien turned to him, interrupting him.
"What are you implying?"
"Has it not occurred to you that Legolas may be interested in you for something other than your conversational skills?" he finally blurted out. Larien laughed.
"Legolas? Interested in me?" she asked incredulously. "Orophin, your jokes are no longer humorous. Legolas is a prince, I am a nobody. He would never be attracted to me."
"Sometimes it takes a third person to realise what is happening between two people," he warned.
"Legolas is not interested in me, Orophin, and I am not interested in him. I love Haldir, and that could never change. I do not find Legolas in the least attractive, so your concerns are unnecessary."
"Haldir has been rather irritated recently," he said, trying yet another approach.
"Haldir seems to get more irritable every day," Larien replied slightly irritably herself. "Do you wonder that I seek someone else to lift the cloud that hangs over my head?"
"You can always come to me or Rúmil. There is no need to worsen the situation by turning to Legolas."
"You are busy with Tarí in your spare time, and I could not burden Rúmil with my troubles when he has sufficient troubles of his own. How am I worsening the situation by conversing with Legolas? He is witty and makes me laugh, that is all. No, Orophin, you do not know what you are talking about."
"Larien, please, consider my words," Orophin pleaded.
"I am tired of having you all thinking these things about me. First it was Haldir thinking there was something more between you, Rúmil and myself, and now you are doing the same thing with Legolas and myself," she fumed. "For the last time, there is nothing between Legolas and myself, and there never will be!" she stormed off.
* * *
fan81981 - Three year olds! Yup, that's exactly now they're behaving! Although you've got to feel sorry for poor Haldir who doesn't know how to cope with his feelings. ;o)
Auror198 - Awww, poor Larien! Of course she deserves Haldir! She's just getting really confused as to what's going on with Haldir.
Lady of Legolas - Haldir's got a whopper of an insecurity complex, doesn't he, poor dear! :o)
Nika-Chan - Hmmm, would I let Larien and Legolas be paired? Probably not, but I reserve the right to change my mind! ;o)
Tap-dancing Hobbit - Woohoo! More Haldir! But I must admit, Legolas would have been sexier with blond eyebrows to match his hair. :oP
Kate - Thanks, glad you're enjoying it.
Jazz - Thanks for your compliments and constructive criticism, although I don't completely agree with your view that viewpoints should not change mid- chapter. I still believe they were necessary at that point, although I will admit that I could have handled it a little better rather than stick them in so blatantly. I'll work on that and get back to you about it.
JadeGoddess - Stop right there! Let's not go down THAT avenue of thought! Larien IS in love with Haldir. Although I understand it is possible to love more than one person at the same time??? You'll just have to wait and see! ;o)
Aurora - Haldir certainly has some very negative views of Legolas, but most of them stem from the jealousy, I'm sure! Poor Legolas, little does he know what's waiting for him!
Ilúvien - Thanks! Haldir did get a little carried away, but I suppose the best of us do too!
padawan_jinx - Hope you've wound down now. You squealed? I'm touched! :oD Don't you just hate it when work descends on you all together? Glad you're enjoying the tension in the fic though, and I'll try to be a little firmer with Haldir!
soul - *grinning back* Oh boy it THAT statement true!!
superchick - I gather the viewpoints aren't everybody's cup of tea, so I will try to modify them. I'm keeping them in, but maybe I can tone it down a little, make them a little subtler. :o)
Rayvin813 - Oh BOY do the eyebrows bug me!! I much prefer the natural and de-wigged Orli! Thanks for the compliments! :oD
Brandi* - Ooh, a woman after my own heart! LOL, do you read minds?? Having said that, I couldn't possibly do that to Larien, after all the trouble she's had trying to fight the anti-feminist stigma. Pity, cos it would have been great to write! ;o)