Disclaimer: Same old... same old... Heaven forbids that I own LOTR...
Author's Note: I'm really REALLY sorry that I left you all on a cliffhanger but I was too tired to finish it. And I still have to do a stupid project for school. ::muttering:: stupid school. *kicks school*
We Are One
Into the Halls of Mandos
Hithiel felt nothing at first then overwhelming pain like she never experienced before. The arrow hit her hard and sank in deep with nothing but fabric to fight through. The poison that was smeared across the arrowhead was pumping the venom through her veins towards her heart. Her eyes went dark with pain and they locked onto Haldir's shocked expression. Her hand went up and reached towards the arrow and made to pull it out but she didn't have enough strength. Blood flowed freely from the wound, staining the tunic and dripping onto the already blood soaked ground upon which they battled. Her fingers grasped the shaft of the arrow and she yanked it from her body with a pain filled cry. She had reached the end of her strength and she swayed unsteadily before falling into Haldir's waiting arms. Darkness claimed her and she went forth on her final journey to Mandos Hall.
Haldir looked at the limp bloody figure in his arms. His mind froze not registering what had happened. He looked up to see who fired the arrow but he only saw the swaying branches as if someone had leapt off it just seconds ago. Battle raged around him but he cared not. He looked at her face that was as pale and as snow. He ran from the battle towards the healers, receiving accusing stares from his fellow Guardians.
Black Elves swarmed around him but he slashed them brutally with one arm. His hatred for the one who hurt Hithiel gave him strength he didn't know he had. Adrenaline flowed in his veins and he cut down everything in his path. "What do you think you're doing?!?" cried a young Elf desperately fighting for his life. "We're hopelessly outnumbered and you run off to save one life? We need you! One life doesn't matter anymore! Is the life of that one Elf greater than the lives lost if the Black Elves reach the city?"
Haldir regarded the soldier with respect and he felt guilt churning in his stomach. He was the March Warden and it was his duty to fight for his people but he couldn't let Hithiel die! He was torn in two. Either he loses the one he loves most or he loses his honor. He looked down at the Elf he was carrying. Already, her skin was freezing cold to touch. The life of the Eldar was leaving her. Haldir despaired but he made up his mind. He went on running towards the Healers. 'Forgive me, milady,' he thought pleadingly to Galadriel. 'I'm sorry I failed you. I'm sorry but she means so much to me! Please forgive me. I have failed you.'
To his shock he felt the comforting words of the Lady echo in his mind, 'Do not despair for in times of great need, one needs to choose whether to save loved ones or do his duty. You have chosen well, Haldir. You chose her despite your loyalty to Lorien. You have found love and you deserve it more than anyone.'
He felt a wave of relief wash over him but it was replaced by an even greater sense of urgency as he reached the Healers. It was full of wounded soldiers and the Healers were running everywhere. There were very little beds so some of the wounded Elves had to lie on the floor. The entire place reeked of dried blood that made Haldir want to vomit. He swallowed the feeling and carried Hithiel inside.
The Healers paid no attention to him. One of them promptly ran into him and then got up without a word, continuing his journey. Haldir cursed at the Elf. He searched for a Healer but every single time he tried summoning one, they would rush off to another injured Elf. His patience was wearing thin but he forced himself to keep his temper under control.
He finally got a Healer to notice him and the Healer led them to a room. Haldir gently laid Hithiel on the bed as the Healer examined her wound. "Well?" asked Haldir impatiently when he straightened up.
"I'm sorry but your friend is mortally wounded," he said in a grave tone.
Haldir practically choked. "You mean she's--" He couldn't get the next words out of him but he didn't have to.
The Healer nodded and turned around preparing to leave and care for another patient but Haldir grabbed him by the collar. "No! She can't die! There must be something you can do to help! Please!" he was practically begging, something he very seldom did in the 2000 years he lived.
The Healer, understanding the pain that the Elf was feeling gently eased the hands off him. "I'm sorry but she's too far gone. Look." He bent down and pointed at the wound made by the arrow. "The arrow here went deep, having nothing to fight through. The arrowhead was probably poisoned too because the wound is infected and purplish around the edges. And on top of all that, she has a very high fever. Feel her head, it's burning but her body is as cold as ice. There is nothing I can do here. I'm sorry." He bowed his head and put a hand on Haldir's shoulder. Then without a word, he left him.
Haldir slowly sank to his knees beside her and brushed back the raven locks. Her face was deathly white and he would've thought she was already gone if it wasn't for the shallow rise and fall of her chest. The blood dried and stopped flowing but the poison was inside and was slowly killing her. Haldir closed his eyes and looked up to Valor as if in prayer.
~*~*~With Hithiel~*~*~
'Everything is so white...' she thought sleepily. Her mind floated free of her damaged body and was now at the entrance of Mandos Hall. 'What happened?' As she thought this, her memories returned as vividly as if she was watching it from the sidelines. She felt her left shoulder remembering the arrow that hit her instead of Haldir. 'Haldir... Where are you?'
"He's not here yet. His time has not yet come," said a sharp voice to her left.
Hithiel whirled around prepared to strike but found nothing. Silvery laughter floated out to meet her ears. "Have you not guessed yet, Little One? You are in the entrance of Mandos Hall. Few look upon it without going back to the mortal realm."
'I don't want to go yet,' though Hithiel frantically. 'I want to see Haldir again!'
"That is not for you to decide, Little One," the voice replied reading her thoughts once more. "Already your body is trying to enter Mandos. It is useless to resist."
It was true. As she said that, Hithiel felt a strong urge to go into Mandos. She fought it off but could not resist the pull for long. Her body longed to go in and live in peace forever more with no more pain but her mind willed her to say.
"Do what you will but no one can resist forever," said the voice once more before fading off into nothingness.
~*~*~With Haldir~*~*~
He watched his beloved as her condition grew worse. He soaked her burning forehead with a cool towel every hour but she wasn't showing any signs of life. Her breath was now shallower and grew more labored with each passing moment and he had watch helplessly. Haldir looked at her pale face once more and went to get another towel. 'She saved my life. She sacrificed her own so that I would live and now I can't save her.' The guilt was welling up in his stomach. 'I never did anything for her and she risked everything for me. If she dies because of me, I'll never forgive myself.' He wanted to throw up. He felt so disgusted with himself and his helplessness.
As he walked out the room, he spotted more Healers running back and forth, comforting those in great pain. He walked to the water basin with his head bowed avoiding any eye contact and he bumped into an Elf. He murmured an apology but before he could walk away, the Elf threw out an arm and caught his upper arm. Haldir turned around and met the face of Lord Elrond. "Haldir, right?" he said in the proud regal voice.
"Yes, milord. How may I help you?" Even though he was impatient to get back to Hithiel, he could not avoid passing a Lord.
"Have you seen Hithiel anywhere? I've been looking all over for her. She's suppose to be long gone by now." Elrond's eyes clouded with worry. He knew Hithiel well and she was the type to enter battle no matter how dangerous they are. He looked at Haldir who seemed to pale suddenly. "What?" he asked reading his expression. "What happened to her?"
Haldir didn't say anything. His face was clouded with guilt and pain. "Say something!" the Elven Lord cried with worry. Hithiel was like a daughter to him and he couldn't bear the thought of having her hurt.
"She was wounded by an arrow," said Haldir quietly but Elrond sensed that there was more to it.
"And?" he asked impatiently.
"And the arrow was poisoned," finished Haldir not saying that she did it for him.
Elrond's usually calm demeanor vanished replaced with one of worry. "Where is she?" he cried looking urgently at Haldir.
Haldir beckoned him to the room where Hithiel was resting. Her was face pale and deathlike and her shell pink lips were tinted with blue. Elrond quickly checked her pulse and his eyes flew open when he only felt a very slow faint pulse. "No..." he uttered unable to register what was happening.
"Is there anything you can do for her? Anything at all?" said Haldir. A small ray of hope filled his heart now. Elrond was the best healer in all Middle-Earth. Surely there was something he could do. Anything.
Elrond looked at Haldir's hopeful face and shook his head sadly. "She has gone too far. There is nothing I can do to bring her back."
Haldir went cold. He was really going to loose her forever. Because of his own stupidity. Because of him. 'I should've died,' he though bitterly. 'I'll do anything to get her back now.' The tears he was holding in flowed freely from his eyes as he smashed his fist into the wall.
Elrond was shocked at his behavior. 'Did Haldir fall for her? Is he willing to risk everything for her?' He looked at the broken Guardian in front of him to the near-death Elf on the bed. He kneeled down until he was eye to eye with Haldir. "There may be something you can do for her though," he said in a quiet voice.
Haldir's tear-stained face jerked up. "Anything. I'll do anything for her."
"Even if it costs you your life?" questioned Elrond, his eyes searching the Elf for any signs of doubt.
"Yes," said Haldir without hesitation. "What do you have in mind milord?"
"There is a method of healing which requires the essence of another of which she loves. The two of you will be bound by life so that if one of you dies, the other will fall. Neither can live while the other dies. However, the magic is extremely complex. If there is one mistake, it could cost both of your lives," said Elrond gravely.
Haldir raised his proud head. "I do not fear death. Do it."
"Are you sure? You cannot reverse it."
"Yes, anything to save her life. She gave her life up selflessly so that I may live. I will do the same for her," he admitted to Elrond.
"So that's why she's wounded," said Elrond with a flash of anger. "She did it for you. If it wasn't for you she wouldn't be this way, am I correct?"
Haldir bowed his head. "Yes, Lord Elrond but I beg you to do this so that she may live."
Elrond looked at her with concern. "I will do it. But only for her. She doesn't have much time left. We must hurry."
He got up and left the room for a couple minutes. Haldir got up from his spot and knelt besides Hithiel. "Hold on. I will not fail you. Amin mela lle, Hithiel... Ten'oio." [I love you, Hithiel... Forever]
Elrond returned swiftly carrying a strip of white cloth and a jar of salt. He took a dagger from his belt and said, "Hold out your wrist, Haldir."
Haldir winced slightly as the dagger pierced his wrist. His own rich blood ran down his arm, staining the white sheets on the bed. Elrond did the same with Hithiel and bound their wrists together tightly, mingling their blood. He placed a hand on Haldir's head and began to chant a spell not heard for centuries. The spell was not of healing but of binding, returning, and... transformation?
Haldir felt himself becoming light-headed listening to the soothing voice of Elrond. He was dimly aware of the salt falling on him and then his mind blanked out. He saw an endless amount of whiteness, blinding him. His head fell forward on top of Hithiel as he too fell unconscious.
Author's Note: Yes! Winter Break rox!!! I'll try to update more but I'm going to Texas for a week. Review Review REVIEW!!!! *prances off to watch ROTK again* Oh yeah and the Elvish was REAL and not nonsense. It's in Quenya from the book The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-Earth.
Author's Note: I'm really REALLY sorry that I left you all on a cliffhanger but I was too tired to finish it. And I still have to do a stupid project for school. ::muttering:: stupid school. *kicks school*
We Are One
Into the Halls of Mandos
Hithiel felt nothing at first then overwhelming pain like she never experienced before. The arrow hit her hard and sank in deep with nothing but fabric to fight through. The poison that was smeared across the arrowhead was pumping the venom through her veins towards her heart. Her eyes went dark with pain and they locked onto Haldir's shocked expression. Her hand went up and reached towards the arrow and made to pull it out but she didn't have enough strength. Blood flowed freely from the wound, staining the tunic and dripping onto the already blood soaked ground upon which they battled. Her fingers grasped the shaft of the arrow and she yanked it from her body with a pain filled cry. She had reached the end of her strength and she swayed unsteadily before falling into Haldir's waiting arms. Darkness claimed her and she went forth on her final journey to Mandos Hall.
Haldir looked at the limp bloody figure in his arms. His mind froze not registering what had happened. He looked up to see who fired the arrow but he only saw the swaying branches as if someone had leapt off it just seconds ago. Battle raged around him but he cared not. He looked at her face that was as pale and as snow. He ran from the battle towards the healers, receiving accusing stares from his fellow Guardians.
Black Elves swarmed around him but he slashed them brutally with one arm. His hatred for the one who hurt Hithiel gave him strength he didn't know he had. Adrenaline flowed in his veins and he cut down everything in his path. "What do you think you're doing?!?" cried a young Elf desperately fighting for his life. "We're hopelessly outnumbered and you run off to save one life? We need you! One life doesn't matter anymore! Is the life of that one Elf greater than the lives lost if the Black Elves reach the city?"
Haldir regarded the soldier with respect and he felt guilt churning in his stomach. He was the March Warden and it was his duty to fight for his people but he couldn't let Hithiel die! He was torn in two. Either he loses the one he loves most or he loses his honor. He looked down at the Elf he was carrying. Already, her skin was freezing cold to touch. The life of the Eldar was leaving her. Haldir despaired but he made up his mind. He went on running towards the Healers. 'Forgive me, milady,' he thought pleadingly to Galadriel. 'I'm sorry I failed you. I'm sorry but she means so much to me! Please forgive me. I have failed you.'
To his shock he felt the comforting words of the Lady echo in his mind, 'Do not despair for in times of great need, one needs to choose whether to save loved ones or do his duty. You have chosen well, Haldir. You chose her despite your loyalty to Lorien. You have found love and you deserve it more than anyone.'
He felt a wave of relief wash over him but it was replaced by an even greater sense of urgency as he reached the Healers. It was full of wounded soldiers and the Healers were running everywhere. There were very little beds so some of the wounded Elves had to lie on the floor. The entire place reeked of dried blood that made Haldir want to vomit. He swallowed the feeling and carried Hithiel inside.
The Healers paid no attention to him. One of them promptly ran into him and then got up without a word, continuing his journey. Haldir cursed at the Elf. He searched for a Healer but every single time he tried summoning one, they would rush off to another injured Elf. His patience was wearing thin but he forced himself to keep his temper under control.
He finally got a Healer to notice him and the Healer led them to a room. Haldir gently laid Hithiel on the bed as the Healer examined her wound. "Well?" asked Haldir impatiently when he straightened up.
"I'm sorry but your friend is mortally wounded," he said in a grave tone.
Haldir practically choked. "You mean she's--" He couldn't get the next words out of him but he didn't have to.
The Healer nodded and turned around preparing to leave and care for another patient but Haldir grabbed him by the collar. "No! She can't die! There must be something you can do to help! Please!" he was practically begging, something he very seldom did in the 2000 years he lived.
The Healer, understanding the pain that the Elf was feeling gently eased the hands off him. "I'm sorry but she's too far gone. Look." He bent down and pointed at the wound made by the arrow. "The arrow here went deep, having nothing to fight through. The arrowhead was probably poisoned too because the wound is infected and purplish around the edges. And on top of all that, she has a very high fever. Feel her head, it's burning but her body is as cold as ice. There is nothing I can do here. I'm sorry." He bowed his head and put a hand on Haldir's shoulder. Then without a word, he left him.
Haldir slowly sank to his knees beside her and brushed back the raven locks. Her face was deathly white and he would've thought she was already gone if it wasn't for the shallow rise and fall of her chest. The blood dried and stopped flowing but the poison was inside and was slowly killing her. Haldir closed his eyes and looked up to Valor as if in prayer.
~*~*~With Hithiel~*~*~
'Everything is so white...' she thought sleepily. Her mind floated free of her damaged body and was now at the entrance of Mandos Hall. 'What happened?' As she thought this, her memories returned as vividly as if she was watching it from the sidelines. She felt her left shoulder remembering the arrow that hit her instead of Haldir. 'Haldir... Where are you?'
"He's not here yet. His time has not yet come," said a sharp voice to her left.
Hithiel whirled around prepared to strike but found nothing. Silvery laughter floated out to meet her ears. "Have you not guessed yet, Little One? You are in the entrance of Mandos Hall. Few look upon it without going back to the mortal realm."
'I don't want to go yet,' though Hithiel frantically. 'I want to see Haldir again!'
"That is not for you to decide, Little One," the voice replied reading her thoughts once more. "Already your body is trying to enter Mandos. It is useless to resist."
It was true. As she said that, Hithiel felt a strong urge to go into Mandos. She fought it off but could not resist the pull for long. Her body longed to go in and live in peace forever more with no more pain but her mind willed her to say.
"Do what you will but no one can resist forever," said the voice once more before fading off into nothingness.
~*~*~With Haldir~*~*~
He watched his beloved as her condition grew worse. He soaked her burning forehead with a cool towel every hour but she wasn't showing any signs of life. Her breath was now shallower and grew more labored with each passing moment and he had watch helplessly. Haldir looked at her pale face once more and went to get another towel. 'She saved my life. She sacrificed her own so that I would live and now I can't save her.' The guilt was welling up in his stomach. 'I never did anything for her and she risked everything for me. If she dies because of me, I'll never forgive myself.' He wanted to throw up. He felt so disgusted with himself and his helplessness.
As he walked out the room, he spotted more Healers running back and forth, comforting those in great pain. He walked to the water basin with his head bowed avoiding any eye contact and he bumped into an Elf. He murmured an apology but before he could walk away, the Elf threw out an arm and caught his upper arm. Haldir turned around and met the face of Lord Elrond. "Haldir, right?" he said in the proud regal voice.
"Yes, milord. How may I help you?" Even though he was impatient to get back to Hithiel, he could not avoid passing a Lord.
"Have you seen Hithiel anywhere? I've been looking all over for her. She's suppose to be long gone by now." Elrond's eyes clouded with worry. He knew Hithiel well and she was the type to enter battle no matter how dangerous they are. He looked at Haldir who seemed to pale suddenly. "What?" he asked reading his expression. "What happened to her?"
Haldir didn't say anything. His face was clouded with guilt and pain. "Say something!" the Elven Lord cried with worry. Hithiel was like a daughter to him and he couldn't bear the thought of having her hurt.
"She was wounded by an arrow," said Haldir quietly but Elrond sensed that there was more to it.
"And?" he asked impatiently.
"And the arrow was poisoned," finished Haldir not saying that she did it for him.
Elrond's usually calm demeanor vanished replaced with one of worry. "Where is she?" he cried looking urgently at Haldir.
Haldir beckoned him to the room where Hithiel was resting. Her was face pale and deathlike and her shell pink lips were tinted with blue. Elrond quickly checked her pulse and his eyes flew open when he only felt a very slow faint pulse. "No..." he uttered unable to register what was happening.
"Is there anything you can do for her? Anything at all?" said Haldir. A small ray of hope filled his heart now. Elrond was the best healer in all Middle-Earth. Surely there was something he could do. Anything.
Elrond looked at Haldir's hopeful face and shook his head sadly. "She has gone too far. There is nothing I can do to bring her back."
Haldir went cold. He was really going to loose her forever. Because of his own stupidity. Because of him. 'I should've died,' he though bitterly. 'I'll do anything to get her back now.' The tears he was holding in flowed freely from his eyes as he smashed his fist into the wall.
Elrond was shocked at his behavior. 'Did Haldir fall for her? Is he willing to risk everything for her?' He looked at the broken Guardian in front of him to the near-death Elf on the bed. He kneeled down until he was eye to eye with Haldir. "There may be something you can do for her though," he said in a quiet voice.
Haldir's tear-stained face jerked up. "Anything. I'll do anything for her."
"Even if it costs you your life?" questioned Elrond, his eyes searching the Elf for any signs of doubt.
"Yes," said Haldir without hesitation. "What do you have in mind milord?"
"There is a method of healing which requires the essence of another of which she loves. The two of you will be bound by life so that if one of you dies, the other will fall. Neither can live while the other dies. However, the magic is extremely complex. If there is one mistake, it could cost both of your lives," said Elrond gravely.
Haldir raised his proud head. "I do not fear death. Do it."
"Are you sure? You cannot reverse it."
"Yes, anything to save her life. She gave her life up selflessly so that I may live. I will do the same for her," he admitted to Elrond.
"So that's why she's wounded," said Elrond with a flash of anger. "She did it for you. If it wasn't for you she wouldn't be this way, am I correct?"
Haldir bowed his head. "Yes, Lord Elrond but I beg you to do this so that she may live."
Elrond looked at her with concern. "I will do it. But only for her. She doesn't have much time left. We must hurry."
He got up and left the room for a couple minutes. Haldir got up from his spot and knelt besides Hithiel. "Hold on. I will not fail you. Amin mela lle, Hithiel... Ten'oio." [I love you, Hithiel... Forever]
Elrond returned swiftly carrying a strip of white cloth and a jar of salt. He took a dagger from his belt and said, "Hold out your wrist, Haldir."
Haldir winced slightly as the dagger pierced his wrist. His own rich blood ran down his arm, staining the white sheets on the bed. Elrond did the same with Hithiel and bound their wrists together tightly, mingling their blood. He placed a hand on Haldir's head and began to chant a spell not heard for centuries. The spell was not of healing but of binding, returning, and... transformation?
Haldir felt himself becoming light-headed listening to the soothing voice of Elrond. He was dimly aware of the salt falling on him and then his mind blanked out. He saw an endless amount of whiteness, blinding him. His head fell forward on top of Hithiel as he too fell unconscious.
Author's Note: Yes! Winter Break rox!!! I'll try to update more but I'm going to Texas for a week. Review Review REVIEW!!!! *prances off to watch ROTK again* Oh yeah and the Elvish was REAL and not nonsense. It's in Quenya from the book The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-Earth.