Disclaimer: Once again, I do not own Lord of the Rings because I'm not
smart enough to think up such a great story.
Author's Note: Nobody reads there but what the heck, my math class is getting harder so I won't be able to update as often. I write all my stories in my math class if you didn't know that and since it is getting harder, I'm forced to pay attention. *yawn* I'm not gonna fail math cause it's my best subject if you get over the fact that the teacher hates me. Anyway, next chapter. I probably bored half of you to death already.
We Are One
In Thoughts
Haldir stood tall among the thick branches of a mallorn tree looking westward with unseeing eyes. Visions passed before him of himself and Hithiel together. Remembering the feel of her silky hair, her woodsy scent, and her delicate features. His heart clenched painfully as he recalled their last encounter. He didn't mean to loose his temper but it was just too much to keep it inside. Flashes of the conversation went through him, her face, her tears, her voice.. He couldn't stand it any more. He tried to focus back on his duty but her tear-streaked face came back to haunt him. 'Get a grip! You've known her for two days and she's leaving tomorrow. She'll be out of your life forever.'
Even as Haldir thought about it, trying to convince himself, he still felt his heart tearing at the thought of never seeing her again. Haldir knew he was fading but tried to convince himself not to think about her anymore. He would not fade! His once confident form was now blurry and he walked like a flickering flame hanging on desperately for life. Haldir turned his head up and felt the warmth of the sun on his face but it didn't cure the chill that was seeping through his bones. His heart was ice, cold and never melting. It kindled a light in his eyes unlike any other that few could endure.
Soon the majestic rays of sunset filled the sky. A beam of red light fell upon the still form of Haldir. A gust of wind blew and brushed his pale silvery hair behind him but he did not stir. From afar, he looked like a great Elven king of old. His eyes spoke in great volumes of sadness and regret. As the evening came, he stood watch but his powerful stance was weakening. His form was fading and his eyes grew pale. He mechanically left the flet where he was standing and swiftly started towards his talan.
~*~*~With Hithiel~*~*~
"I will NOT spend the rest of my life with Ambaril! I refuse!" she pleaded desperately with her Lord Elrond but he only shook his head sadly.
"I'm sorry if you feel that way but there is nothing I can do about it now," he said gently. "I've already gave my word-"
"Without MY consent," interrupted Hithiel hotly.
"-to Prince Ambaril and he is going to wed you as soon as you reach Mirkwood," continued Elrond. "Please, Hithiel, I know you do not like this but understand that he is also you're Lord and you must respect him. Besides you will learn to like it there. You will be one of the most powerful Elves in Middle-Earth. You will be the Fair Queen of Mirkwood. It will be a wonderful life of luxury unlike the harsh lifestyle you currently have," he added with a glance at her baggy stained Guardian outfit. "A fair maiden like you should be wearing a dress and courting not fighting."
"But I don't want to be Queen! I do not desire power! I like my life!" she said desperately. "Please, milord! Understand me! I do not wear dresses! I am not proper! And I'm not fit to be Queen! You cannot make me marry him! Never!" she yelled stubbornly. She knew she was being very rude to her Lord but she didn't care. "Lord Elrond, please understand, I am a warrior not another helpless maiden! Recall how many times I saved Imladris from Orc invasions! Think about how many times I faced an army by myself! I'm NOT a fair helpless maiden and I NEVER will be!" She threw that at him ignoring the shocked expression on Elrond's normally calm emotionless face. 'By the way, go wax your eyebrows,' she thought angrily.
Having said that, Hithiel went off in search of Legolas. She walked nosily through the forest making a lot of noise. She tramples the grass but her anger made her want to punch something and really cause pain. Ambaril's smirking face was begging for it. She didn't notice where she was going until she almost ran into Orophin. "Sorry," she muttered and impatiently tried to get away.
"What are you doing here?" he asked. "Are you not with my older brother?"
"Nay," she answered shortly unwilling to go into another fit of tears in front of him. "I thought you were with the healers."
"I'm all cured," he said with a grin. He looked into her eyes and detected a redness in them. 'Was she crying?' he wondered. He also saw her eyes cloud in sadness for a second when he mentioned Haldir but she was quick to hide it. 'What happened between them? Is Haldir ok?' He was concerned for his brother. Last time when he lost a beloved one, he nearly died himself. He was so faded that you could practically see through him. "Do you know where Haldir is?" he asked innocently. "I wish to tell him something."
Hithiel's eyes clouded over once more but this time she didn't try to hide it. Orophin clearly saw through her mask. She waved a hand carelessly behind her towards Haldir's talan. "Somewhere over there," she muttered with her head bowed.
For the second time that day, someone saw through her and asked, "What's wrong?" She looked into Orophin's eyes and saw Haldir's face swimming in them. Her own red-green eyes filled with tears once more but refused to let them fall.
Night was approaching quickly and the two were just a black silhouettes standing there. Orophin held her in his gaze, unrelenting and demanding. Hithiel tried to walk away but she was rooted to the ground as if an invisible force connected her to Orophin. Slowly, and with much effort, Orophin eventually drew the story out from the She-Elf. "You have to tell him," he said bluntly afterwards.
"How?!" she asked. "I've tried and failed many times. He just won't listen!" She growled in frustration.
"It doesn't matter how," he said gently. "Just tell him from your heart."
Hithiel looked at the ground. "I know what I must do now, it's just that...I'm afraid."
Orophin tilted her chin up till they were eye to eye. Gray locked on green filling it with new hope. "You don't know Haldir as well as I. He can and will die by grieving over loss. He's done it before. If you don't heal him, he will die. You must heal him."
Hithiel nodded with understanding. "I know. He was fading last time I saw him." She looked up and saw the light of the star Earendil struggling to break through the thick clouds. "Tell me what to say."
"That I cannot do," said Orophin firmly. "Be honest and trust yourself. Remember Haldir before this happened and how caring he could be. He still is. You just need to let it come back." Orophin laid a hand on her shoulder in a comforting touch and walked away leaving her to her troubling thoughts.
Her mind was tired of all the thinking she did that day. Midnight was almost here and she didn't have any plan whatsoever to get Haldir to love her again. She sighed. Her fate was clear now. She was going to be Ambaril's forever. Her heart ached for Haldir and his love but he would never return it now after what he saw. As if on their own accord, her feet took her to Haldir's talan. In a moment, she found herself staring at the polished wooden door to his talan. She stood there for a moment debating what to say but nothing came to her mind. She remembered what had taken place right there earlier that day. 'Well now you're here again and you're going to get yelled at-again.' She raised a hand and knocked firmly on the wooden door. The silence seemed to be forever until Haldir answered it.
"It's you," he said coldly staring down at her.
"I want you to know that we're leaving tomorrow night," she said softly hoping for some reaction that showed he still loved her.
Haldir nodded emotionlessly. It broke his heart to see her gone but he knew he would be rid of his grief if he weren't reminded so constantly of her. He tried to say something but his brain just didn't function. The thought of her leaving forever was unbearable.
"Haldir I just-"
"Say no more. You've caused enough grief here already," he said. He was about to close the door but Hithiel stuck a foot out before he could close it all the way.
"Haldir, I'm going to say this and I want you to listen. I don't care whether you want to or not just hear me out, ok?" she pleaded. She looked at him for a sign to continue. She found none. His form was fading quickly and he lost a lot of strength already. She could see that his muscles were still taunt as if ready for a strike from her.
"It's not what you think, Haldir," she said softly. Her voice was no more than a whisper but every word hung in the air and was heard. "Ambaril used aphrodisiacs on me. He used it on me last time to get me with him and now he did it again to try to separate us. I did not know he had one so strong. It...it overpowered me. It forced me to kiss him and things I never want to remember. Listen to me! What you saw wasn't me! The aphrodisiac was controlling me! I would never betray you, Haldir. Never. I've always loved you and always will." Hithiel finished and took a deep breath.
Haldir's golden head snapped up as soon as he heard that. Was it possible that she still loved him? Can it be true? He heard everything and wanted to believe what she said was true but he was afraid to believe it. He didn't want to be hurt again. He attempted to stamp out the little flame of hope that flared within him.
"Tomorrow night, I won't be going back to Imladris. Ambaril planned it all. He talked to Elrond and I am to wed him as soon as we reach Mirkwood."
The little flame of hope got snuffed out with that sentence. He was going to loose Hithiel forever and that was probably for the best. He lowered his gaze and instead concentrated intently on the wall. He would not meet her eye.
"Haldir, please, believe me when I say I love you," she pleaded. "I never wanted to hurt you but you don't know how strong the aphrodisiac was. I would never hurt you," she repeated softly hoping for an answer. "Please forgive me." Anything...
After a moment of silence, she knew her answer. She was not forgiven. She looked down and found her leaf-shaped amulet hanging around her neck. She wrapped her hand around it and yanked down. The slim chain snapped and it fell from her neck like a falling star. She looked at Haldir and still found him still staring blankly at the wall. She took his hand and pressed the cool piece of metal into his hand. With that, she left as silently as she came with tears streaming silently down her pale face. Earendil was hidden among the clouds once again.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sorry for the delay but I was starting to feel guilty about not responding to my wonderful reviewers. So here are some of the responses:
Llama: Sorry, Edwards, but no killing Elves in this chapter but I can promise you some action in the next chapter so continue reading. Thanks for the great things you said!
Haldir's Heart and Soul: lol Thank you so much for reviewing! Somehow you always manage to review my story practically five minutes after I update it!
Melia: You are awesome! *glomp glomp* Sorry! I'm hyperactive from your reviews!
Aragorns-gurl33: I read your story and left a review! It's really good. You should continue it! Thanks for your review!
Isdule07: Sorry, I wanted Hithiel to do it by herself. No Legolas! Heehee.
Absent: Claire! Go away! No actually don't go away...
Mithithiel: Don't worry I feel you're pain. I hate Ambaril too. ::takes out knife::
LotrFreako: Ambaril is a jerk and he'll get it in the end. Thanks for the reviews!
KeeperOfNenya: Awww..poor Haldir. I know. I didn't want to hurt him but I needed a plot.
DarkCloudSurfer: Go read and find out what will happen! And ReViEw!!!!
Benita: I told you that Haldir was the really hott Elf in the movie and you STILL don't know who he is? You're sad!
Alina11: Thanks for your kind review!
Cherryfaerie: I'm sorry if you don't like slash but my friends made me into a perv. Lol I don't want Haldir in trouble either.
Jasminda: I guess I just like Legolas with another guy. *shrugs* Maybe it's just me...
Author's Note: Ok, ok, I know. I won't say it this time. Just tell me what you think about this chapter, ok? *hint hint* I'm also starting a new fic so check it out. Don't worry, I'm not abandoning this one.
Author's Note: Nobody reads there but what the heck, my math class is getting harder so I won't be able to update as often. I write all my stories in my math class if you didn't know that and since it is getting harder, I'm forced to pay attention. *yawn* I'm not gonna fail math cause it's my best subject if you get over the fact that the teacher hates me. Anyway, next chapter. I probably bored half of you to death already.
We Are One
In Thoughts
Haldir stood tall among the thick branches of a mallorn tree looking westward with unseeing eyes. Visions passed before him of himself and Hithiel together. Remembering the feel of her silky hair, her woodsy scent, and her delicate features. His heart clenched painfully as he recalled their last encounter. He didn't mean to loose his temper but it was just too much to keep it inside. Flashes of the conversation went through him, her face, her tears, her voice.. He couldn't stand it any more. He tried to focus back on his duty but her tear-streaked face came back to haunt him. 'Get a grip! You've known her for two days and she's leaving tomorrow. She'll be out of your life forever.'
Even as Haldir thought about it, trying to convince himself, he still felt his heart tearing at the thought of never seeing her again. Haldir knew he was fading but tried to convince himself not to think about her anymore. He would not fade! His once confident form was now blurry and he walked like a flickering flame hanging on desperately for life. Haldir turned his head up and felt the warmth of the sun on his face but it didn't cure the chill that was seeping through his bones. His heart was ice, cold and never melting. It kindled a light in his eyes unlike any other that few could endure.
Soon the majestic rays of sunset filled the sky. A beam of red light fell upon the still form of Haldir. A gust of wind blew and brushed his pale silvery hair behind him but he did not stir. From afar, he looked like a great Elven king of old. His eyes spoke in great volumes of sadness and regret. As the evening came, he stood watch but his powerful stance was weakening. His form was fading and his eyes grew pale. He mechanically left the flet where he was standing and swiftly started towards his talan.
~*~*~With Hithiel~*~*~
"I will NOT spend the rest of my life with Ambaril! I refuse!" she pleaded desperately with her Lord Elrond but he only shook his head sadly.
"I'm sorry if you feel that way but there is nothing I can do about it now," he said gently. "I've already gave my word-"
"Without MY consent," interrupted Hithiel hotly.
"-to Prince Ambaril and he is going to wed you as soon as you reach Mirkwood," continued Elrond. "Please, Hithiel, I know you do not like this but understand that he is also you're Lord and you must respect him. Besides you will learn to like it there. You will be one of the most powerful Elves in Middle-Earth. You will be the Fair Queen of Mirkwood. It will be a wonderful life of luxury unlike the harsh lifestyle you currently have," he added with a glance at her baggy stained Guardian outfit. "A fair maiden like you should be wearing a dress and courting not fighting."
"But I don't want to be Queen! I do not desire power! I like my life!" she said desperately. "Please, milord! Understand me! I do not wear dresses! I am not proper! And I'm not fit to be Queen! You cannot make me marry him! Never!" she yelled stubbornly. She knew she was being very rude to her Lord but she didn't care. "Lord Elrond, please understand, I am a warrior not another helpless maiden! Recall how many times I saved Imladris from Orc invasions! Think about how many times I faced an army by myself! I'm NOT a fair helpless maiden and I NEVER will be!" She threw that at him ignoring the shocked expression on Elrond's normally calm emotionless face. 'By the way, go wax your eyebrows,' she thought angrily.
Having said that, Hithiel went off in search of Legolas. She walked nosily through the forest making a lot of noise. She tramples the grass but her anger made her want to punch something and really cause pain. Ambaril's smirking face was begging for it. She didn't notice where she was going until she almost ran into Orophin. "Sorry," she muttered and impatiently tried to get away.
"What are you doing here?" he asked. "Are you not with my older brother?"
"Nay," she answered shortly unwilling to go into another fit of tears in front of him. "I thought you were with the healers."
"I'm all cured," he said with a grin. He looked into her eyes and detected a redness in them. 'Was she crying?' he wondered. He also saw her eyes cloud in sadness for a second when he mentioned Haldir but she was quick to hide it. 'What happened between them? Is Haldir ok?' He was concerned for his brother. Last time when he lost a beloved one, he nearly died himself. He was so faded that you could practically see through him. "Do you know where Haldir is?" he asked innocently. "I wish to tell him something."
Hithiel's eyes clouded over once more but this time she didn't try to hide it. Orophin clearly saw through her mask. She waved a hand carelessly behind her towards Haldir's talan. "Somewhere over there," she muttered with her head bowed.
For the second time that day, someone saw through her and asked, "What's wrong?" She looked into Orophin's eyes and saw Haldir's face swimming in them. Her own red-green eyes filled with tears once more but refused to let them fall.
Night was approaching quickly and the two were just a black silhouettes standing there. Orophin held her in his gaze, unrelenting and demanding. Hithiel tried to walk away but she was rooted to the ground as if an invisible force connected her to Orophin. Slowly, and with much effort, Orophin eventually drew the story out from the She-Elf. "You have to tell him," he said bluntly afterwards.
"How?!" she asked. "I've tried and failed many times. He just won't listen!" She growled in frustration.
"It doesn't matter how," he said gently. "Just tell him from your heart."
Hithiel looked at the ground. "I know what I must do now, it's just that...I'm afraid."
Orophin tilted her chin up till they were eye to eye. Gray locked on green filling it with new hope. "You don't know Haldir as well as I. He can and will die by grieving over loss. He's done it before. If you don't heal him, he will die. You must heal him."
Hithiel nodded with understanding. "I know. He was fading last time I saw him." She looked up and saw the light of the star Earendil struggling to break through the thick clouds. "Tell me what to say."
"That I cannot do," said Orophin firmly. "Be honest and trust yourself. Remember Haldir before this happened and how caring he could be. He still is. You just need to let it come back." Orophin laid a hand on her shoulder in a comforting touch and walked away leaving her to her troubling thoughts.
Her mind was tired of all the thinking she did that day. Midnight was almost here and she didn't have any plan whatsoever to get Haldir to love her again. She sighed. Her fate was clear now. She was going to be Ambaril's forever. Her heart ached for Haldir and his love but he would never return it now after what he saw. As if on their own accord, her feet took her to Haldir's talan. In a moment, she found herself staring at the polished wooden door to his talan. She stood there for a moment debating what to say but nothing came to her mind. She remembered what had taken place right there earlier that day. 'Well now you're here again and you're going to get yelled at-again.' She raised a hand and knocked firmly on the wooden door. The silence seemed to be forever until Haldir answered it.
"It's you," he said coldly staring down at her.
"I want you to know that we're leaving tomorrow night," she said softly hoping for some reaction that showed he still loved her.
Haldir nodded emotionlessly. It broke his heart to see her gone but he knew he would be rid of his grief if he weren't reminded so constantly of her. He tried to say something but his brain just didn't function. The thought of her leaving forever was unbearable.
"Haldir I just-"
"Say no more. You've caused enough grief here already," he said. He was about to close the door but Hithiel stuck a foot out before he could close it all the way.
"Haldir, I'm going to say this and I want you to listen. I don't care whether you want to or not just hear me out, ok?" she pleaded. She looked at him for a sign to continue. She found none. His form was fading quickly and he lost a lot of strength already. She could see that his muscles were still taunt as if ready for a strike from her.
"It's not what you think, Haldir," she said softly. Her voice was no more than a whisper but every word hung in the air and was heard. "Ambaril used aphrodisiacs on me. He used it on me last time to get me with him and now he did it again to try to separate us. I did not know he had one so strong. It...it overpowered me. It forced me to kiss him and things I never want to remember. Listen to me! What you saw wasn't me! The aphrodisiac was controlling me! I would never betray you, Haldir. Never. I've always loved you and always will." Hithiel finished and took a deep breath.
Haldir's golden head snapped up as soon as he heard that. Was it possible that she still loved him? Can it be true? He heard everything and wanted to believe what she said was true but he was afraid to believe it. He didn't want to be hurt again. He attempted to stamp out the little flame of hope that flared within him.
"Tomorrow night, I won't be going back to Imladris. Ambaril planned it all. He talked to Elrond and I am to wed him as soon as we reach Mirkwood."
The little flame of hope got snuffed out with that sentence. He was going to loose Hithiel forever and that was probably for the best. He lowered his gaze and instead concentrated intently on the wall. He would not meet her eye.
"Haldir, please, believe me when I say I love you," she pleaded. "I never wanted to hurt you but you don't know how strong the aphrodisiac was. I would never hurt you," she repeated softly hoping for an answer. "Please forgive me." Anything...
After a moment of silence, she knew her answer. She was not forgiven. She looked down and found her leaf-shaped amulet hanging around her neck. She wrapped her hand around it and yanked down. The slim chain snapped and it fell from her neck like a falling star. She looked at Haldir and still found him still staring blankly at the wall. She took his hand and pressed the cool piece of metal into his hand. With that, she left as silently as she came with tears streaming silently down her pale face. Earendil was hidden among the clouds once again.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sorry for the delay but I was starting to feel guilty about not responding to my wonderful reviewers. So here are some of the responses:
Llama: Sorry, Edwards, but no killing Elves in this chapter but I can promise you some action in the next chapter so continue reading. Thanks for the great things you said!
Haldir's Heart and Soul: lol Thank you so much for reviewing! Somehow you always manage to review my story practically five minutes after I update it!
Melia: You are awesome! *glomp glomp* Sorry! I'm hyperactive from your reviews!
Aragorns-gurl33: I read your story and left a review! It's really good. You should continue it! Thanks for your review!
Isdule07: Sorry, I wanted Hithiel to do it by herself. No Legolas! Heehee.
Absent: Claire! Go away! No actually don't go away...
Mithithiel: Don't worry I feel you're pain. I hate Ambaril too. ::takes out knife::
LotrFreako: Ambaril is a jerk and he'll get it in the end. Thanks for the reviews!
KeeperOfNenya: Awww..poor Haldir. I know. I didn't want to hurt him but I needed a plot.
DarkCloudSurfer: Go read and find out what will happen! And ReViEw!!!!
Benita: I told you that Haldir was the really hott Elf in the movie and you STILL don't know who he is? You're sad!
Alina11: Thanks for your kind review!
Cherryfaerie: I'm sorry if you don't like slash but my friends made me into a perv. Lol I don't want Haldir in trouble either.
Jasminda: I guess I just like Legolas with another guy. *shrugs* Maybe it's just me...
Author's Note: Ok, ok, I know. I won't say it this time. Just tell me what you think about this chapter, ok? *hint hint* I'm also starting a new fic so check it out. Don't worry, I'm not abandoning this one.