A/n: Back again!!! Here! Story!
Disclaimer: Not mine. (bawls)
Chapter Three: Journey
Eilphdi and her husband went to the gates of Eryn Lasgalen to see the procession away. At the front rode a third of the guard. Another third rode at the back. In the middle were the civilians and the remaining third of the guardsmen intermingled.
Gwaloth rode close to the front, alongside Legolas. She smiled at him. "So! Legolas. How are you feeling today?" He didn't answer. He did not make a sound. He merely smiled at her.
He could not remember why he must be silent, but the fear of the memories was overlaid with pain. He must never remember what it was. He had to forget everything to be safe from the hurt.
Naturally, this made Legolas repress his memories as soon as they were built up. How could he not, when the whispered danger lurked within them? Legolas had to forget.
Don't think of a thing. Don't remember a thing. Do not even think of breathing a word to anyone. They are all against you. You have to hide, you have to hide.
Don't make a sound.
He absentmindedly tugged at the bandages on his knuckles. His eyes were vacant, devoid of interest in what was going on around him. The only way to avoid memories altogether was to not think to begin with. Especially now, when he was supposed to be emotional over leaving the safety of his rooms.
Emotions brought up memories. For now, he wasn't allowed to feel.
In about an hour, Legolas had managed to push to the very back of his mind the reasons for his departure. He sat4, apparently attentive, and listened to Gwaloth, but his mind was elsewhere.
His heart, on the other hand, was something he privately believed dead.
Erin was riding on his other side, wrapped up in a cloak that was too big for her, and still shivering. She looked forlorn, a dejected look in her eyes. Even though the cloak covered her whole body and some of her horse's, she shivered.
******************************************************************
Galadriel stood firmly behind her dais, and looked with soft eyes at her Marchwarden. He was standing straight and proud, like a tree himself. He was a sturdy fellow, and dependable as a rock. His face was settled into a firm, monotonus gaze that betrayed no emotion whatsover. It also gave him the look of someone who allowed no nonsense, which was precisely what the ancient Lady of Caras Galadhon needed at the moment.
Galadriel smiled inwardly at her Marchwarden's stoic, never-changing attire and stance, and then began to speak.
"Haldir. The Mirkwood elves are sending four elves, that may or may not be suffering dementia, here to live until they are healed. They have despaired of healing said afflicted by themselves. The party shall arrive in nearly a week's time, so I want you to escort them to me."
Haldir bowed shortly. "Thank you for the warning, my Lady," he said smoothly. "Who are these elves so afflicted?"
Galadriel bowed her head and sighed. "I know three of them are nobles, but among them is the Prince."
Haldir drew in his breath sharply. He was silent for a while, and then he spoke again.
"Why is he- are they driven into madness? Has Thranduil told you anything?"
Galadriel frowned. "To tell you the truth, he is hoping that we can tell him." A gust of cold wind ran through the leaves, and Haldir leaned into it. Though Lorien was nearly unaware of the seasons, the wind's temperature clearly shouted that it was winter. Galadriel herself did not feel the cold, for her dais was sheltered. She creased hre brow and hoped what she was about to ask would not sit too badly with her Marchwarden.
"Haldir, I am assigning an Elf to look after each of the mad ones, for they are not destructive except to themselves. I have decided that you are best to look after the Prince, for you are the most responsible of my leaders." Haldir's expression was that of a man who has been struck with a poleaxe very recently, and his mouth dropped open.
"But-" he said weakly, and then sighed irritably. "I consent," he said in a voice that hinted very strongly he felt quite the opposite of what he was saying. Galadriel decided to politely overlook this detail, and smiled with relief.
"Thank you, Haldir. You have my permission to go now. And I will be giving you half-time duties on your post as Guardian."
Haldir nodded, and slowly walked out of the room, down the hall, up two ladders, and into his talan. Once there, the silent and dignified Marchwarden of Lothlorien let out a muffled scream, pounding his fists against his head.
"Stuck with a loon instead of duties, Valar there is no justice!!!!" he screamed to the trees. He slumped over to his bed and folded his arms over his knees, which were drawn up to his chest. He glared angrily at his pillow.
"So," he said quietly. "In a week or less, I am going to be forced to take time off my schedule to look after a Prince who's a babbling, slack- jawed, mindless madman who isn't capable of coherent thought. Well. That just makes my day!"
Sighing, Haldir brushed back his pale, platinum blonde hair and flopped down on his bed to enter the dream-world, having no other outlet for his aggravation. His neck and back were aching with tension, and he exhaled gustily, popping out the kinks and rubbing the sore spots with a free hand. Valar, he hated talking to people other than the members of his guard. Now, he was probably going to have to live with an insane one every waking moment.
He knew, with a tangible annoyance, that he certainly wasn't going to get any sleep tonight. Out of stubborness, he stayed put, brooding in the darkness.
The majority of his life was lonely. But loneliness in the dark, with nothing but a melancholy ray of starlight half-heartedly shining through the window and no other talan around for quite a distance-
Well, it brought up old memories that he would rather stayed hidden. He got under his blankets and squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out the mental image of his mother, but to no avail. She appeared before him, as she had been the moment before she had fallen, an arror through her heart. She had given him a silver pair of rings with a soft smile.
"The orcs are getting closer, little one. You must take these. When you grow up, give one to the Elf you fall in love with. The Valar know I may not have time to give them to you in the future-" she had said, her bright eyes and smile making it seem as though this were just a game, as though the situation was much less desprate than it was in reality. He had clung to her back tightly, and smiled back as they ran through the trees, back to the city. She had kept smiling, stopping right in her tracks, as she fell to the ground. Haldir was pushed off her back by the crude arrow that was jabbed through her body.
His brothers had saved his life, and a few years later Haldir discovered that mother was not going to come back, no matter how many times he asked them when. Even at that early age, he had comprehended that his mother was dead.
Haldir grew up a quiet child, loved by his two brothers and the Lady Galadriel, but he had sworn to defend all Elves from the filthy orcs as long as he lived. So, he took up the arts of archery, equitation, and bladework as he grew older. Now he was the Marchwarden, and he had almost forgotten why he wanted to fight the enemy in the first place.
Haldir sighed and rolled over, wishing he could muster up the irritation of a few minutes ago, but he couldn't. He bowed his head in defeat, and began to try to think of what he could do to prepare for the new Elf in his talan. For starters, he would have to find out as soon as the cavalcade arrived whether or not this Prince required anything special, like medication of a sort, or if he had seizures that might make him spasm at times. There were plenty of things that he had to watch out for. Haldir was just musing over the possiblity that his new roomate could be a pyromaniac, when Rumil walked in, a smile on his face.
"Why the long face, brother? Did Galadriel dump a charge on you in the procession that's heading from Mirkwood?"
Haldir growled. "Yes," he said bitterly. Rumil grinned.
"Me too. Orophin and I got a pair of brothers that refuse to eat and have to be forced to drink. Apparently, they're walking skeletons. Yours?"
Haldir quietly absorbed the information, then sighed again. " I got the Prince," he muttered blackly. Rumil stared blankly.
"What's wrong with him?"
"No one knows. Keep quiet about it, though, okay? I want to avoid a scene when the Mirwood Elves arrive." Rumil nodded wisely.
"I see. Now, come down and have a drink with me and Orophin and the the other poor chap- I think his name is Hellë- who got landed with a madwoman."
Haldir got up, interested. "Madwoman? This sounds interesting."
Rumil giggled. "Her name's Erin. It means 'day' in Sindarin. Bit plain. eh? But she's got a terrific story, you have to hear it. Quite sad, really."
Haldir sighed. "You know, those brothers are going to eat, not because you tell them to, but just to get you to shut up." Rumil mock- scowled at him, then laughed again.
"Honestly, Haldir, you're so gloomy all the time, you're almost morbid."
*****tbc*****
A/n: :) Glad u like!!!!!!!! And sorry once again for the short chapter, am not functioning as well as usual. Isn't Rumil so bouncy? I think so. He's almost as fluffy-bunny as I am!!!! And Haldir is displaying a fluffy-bunny side, as well. Yay! Here's to fluffy bunny Lorien Elves!!!!
In response to reviews:
Cheysuli: Meh, really? I thought your personal favorite was Legolas/Haldir. *Tahlmorra lujalla mei wiccan, cheysu*. Read the book that that line comes from? Cos it would be a cool place for your name to come from... ^^.
Silvawen the Elf Crumpet: Here! More! ^^. Your reviews are so constant, they always make me smile when I read them. I try not to update a chapter before you review, so good thing you review so constantly! Hahaha... meep! Having a fluffy bunny day, I'm afraid... I had a three day weekend, cos stupid teachers don't know how to teach a class and now the whole school's teachers are being retaught. - -;;; yea. And these are the people who are supposed to be sending me to high school? Hello!!! We aren't even past the adjective yet! Help! Is there anyone out there? Lol... m' fine... EXCEPT I HAVE JUST BEEN FORCED TO READ 'WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS' FOR THE THIRD TIME IN CLASS!!!!! AIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!! (begins to beat her head against a watermelon)
Checkmate: @_@ i am compelled to write... @_@ compelled! ^^. Lol. Nice to have you review again!!!! Oh, and don't let the bounciness of Haldir & co. fool you, I still have plenty of angsty darkness and awfulness to wreak upon my pet characters. Ho ho ho ho ho... :}
Aeneas: :) Thanx a tun! Mwah, air-kiss!
leggylover: U like it? It is slash, tho, to warn you if you're a slash-hater. ^^. Probably not, seeing as how I say it's slash quite a lot... don't worry about the being lost bit. My muses are even confusing ME.
blue jeans baby: Thank you!!!!!!!!!! I luv giving out cliffies.... ^^.
Legolas19: Haldir, of course. We all know they're predestined...
Keeper of the Dreams: Spot on! Yep, that was foreshadowing. (shifty eyes) My muses will probably kill me for giving that away...
Byex!!!!
Disclaimer: Not mine. (bawls)
Chapter Three: Journey
Eilphdi and her husband went to the gates of Eryn Lasgalen to see the procession away. At the front rode a third of the guard. Another third rode at the back. In the middle were the civilians and the remaining third of the guardsmen intermingled.
Gwaloth rode close to the front, alongside Legolas. She smiled at him. "So! Legolas. How are you feeling today?" He didn't answer. He did not make a sound. He merely smiled at her.
He could not remember why he must be silent, but the fear of the memories was overlaid with pain. He must never remember what it was. He had to forget everything to be safe from the hurt.
Naturally, this made Legolas repress his memories as soon as they were built up. How could he not, when the whispered danger lurked within them? Legolas had to forget.
Don't think of a thing. Don't remember a thing. Do not even think of breathing a word to anyone. They are all against you. You have to hide, you have to hide.
Don't make a sound.
He absentmindedly tugged at the bandages on his knuckles. His eyes were vacant, devoid of interest in what was going on around him. The only way to avoid memories altogether was to not think to begin with. Especially now, when he was supposed to be emotional over leaving the safety of his rooms.
Emotions brought up memories. For now, he wasn't allowed to feel.
In about an hour, Legolas had managed to push to the very back of his mind the reasons for his departure. He sat4, apparently attentive, and listened to Gwaloth, but his mind was elsewhere.
His heart, on the other hand, was something he privately believed dead.
Erin was riding on his other side, wrapped up in a cloak that was too big for her, and still shivering. She looked forlorn, a dejected look in her eyes. Even though the cloak covered her whole body and some of her horse's, she shivered.
******************************************************************
Galadriel stood firmly behind her dais, and looked with soft eyes at her Marchwarden. He was standing straight and proud, like a tree himself. He was a sturdy fellow, and dependable as a rock. His face was settled into a firm, monotonus gaze that betrayed no emotion whatsover. It also gave him the look of someone who allowed no nonsense, which was precisely what the ancient Lady of Caras Galadhon needed at the moment.
Galadriel smiled inwardly at her Marchwarden's stoic, never-changing attire and stance, and then began to speak.
"Haldir. The Mirkwood elves are sending four elves, that may or may not be suffering dementia, here to live until they are healed. They have despaired of healing said afflicted by themselves. The party shall arrive in nearly a week's time, so I want you to escort them to me."
Haldir bowed shortly. "Thank you for the warning, my Lady," he said smoothly. "Who are these elves so afflicted?"
Galadriel bowed her head and sighed. "I know three of them are nobles, but among them is the Prince."
Haldir drew in his breath sharply. He was silent for a while, and then he spoke again.
"Why is he- are they driven into madness? Has Thranduil told you anything?"
Galadriel frowned. "To tell you the truth, he is hoping that we can tell him." A gust of cold wind ran through the leaves, and Haldir leaned into it. Though Lorien was nearly unaware of the seasons, the wind's temperature clearly shouted that it was winter. Galadriel herself did not feel the cold, for her dais was sheltered. She creased hre brow and hoped what she was about to ask would not sit too badly with her Marchwarden.
"Haldir, I am assigning an Elf to look after each of the mad ones, for they are not destructive except to themselves. I have decided that you are best to look after the Prince, for you are the most responsible of my leaders." Haldir's expression was that of a man who has been struck with a poleaxe very recently, and his mouth dropped open.
"But-" he said weakly, and then sighed irritably. "I consent," he said in a voice that hinted very strongly he felt quite the opposite of what he was saying. Galadriel decided to politely overlook this detail, and smiled with relief.
"Thank you, Haldir. You have my permission to go now. And I will be giving you half-time duties on your post as Guardian."
Haldir nodded, and slowly walked out of the room, down the hall, up two ladders, and into his talan. Once there, the silent and dignified Marchwarden of Lothlorien let out a muffled scream, pounding his fists against his head.
"Stuck with a loon instead of duties, Valar there is no justice!!!!" he screamed to the trees. He slumped over to his bed and folded his arms over his knees, which were drawn up to his chest. He glared angrily at his pillow.
"So," he said quietly. "In a week or less, I am going to be forced to take time off my schedule to look after a Prince who's a babbling, slack- jawed, mindless madman who isn't capable of coherent thought. Well. That just makes my day!"
Sighing, Haldir brushed back his pale, platinum blonde hair and flopped down on his bed to enter the dream-world, having no other outlet for his aggravation. His neck and back were aching with tension, and he exhaled gustily, popping out the kinks and rubbing the sore spots with a free hand. Valar, he hated talking to people other than the members of his guard. Now, he was probably going to have to live with an insane one every waking moment.
He knew, with a tangible annoyance, that he certainly wasn't going to get any sleep tonight. Out of stubborness, he stayed put, brooding in the darkness.
The majority of his life was lonely. But loneliness in the dark, with nothing but a melancholy ray of starlight half-heartedly shining through the window and no other talan around for quite a distance-
Well, it brought up old memories that he would rather stayed hidden. He got under his blankets and squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out the mental image of his mother, but to no avail. She appeared before him, as she had been the moment before she had fallen, an arror through her heart. She had given him a silver pair of rings with a soft smile.
"The orcs are getting closer, little one. You must take these. When you grow up, give one to the Elf you fall in love with. The Valar know I may not have time to give them to you in the future-" she had said, her bright eyes and smile making it seem as though this were just a game, as though the situation was much less desprate than it was in reality. He had clung to her back tightly, and smiled back as they ran through the trees, back to the city. She had kept smiling, stopping right in her tracks, as she fell to the ground. Haldir was pushed off her back by the crude arrow that was jabbed through her body.
His brothers had saved his life, and a few years later Haldir discovered that mother was not going to come back, no matter how many times he asked them when. Even at that early age, he had comprehended that his mother was dead.
Haldir grew up a quiet child, loved by his two brothers and the Lady Galadriel, but he had sworn to defend all Elves from the filthy orcs as long as he lived. So, he took up the arts of archery, equitation, and bladework as he grew older. Now he was the Marchwarden, and he had almost forgotten why he wanted to fight the enemy in the first place.
Haldir sighed and rolled over, wishing he could muster up the irritation of a few minutes ago, but he couldn't. He bowed his head in defeat, and began to try to think of what he could do to prepare for the new Elf in his talan. For starters, he would have to find out as soon as the cavalcade arrived whether or not this Prince required anything special, like medication of a sort, or if he had seizures that might make him spasm at times. There were plenty of things that he had to watch out for. Haldir was just musing over the possiblity that his new roomate could be a pyromaniac, when Rumil walked in, a smile on his face.
"Why the long face, brother? Did Galadriel dump a charge on you in the procession that's heading from Mirkwood?"
Haldir growled. "Yes," he said bitterly. Rumil grinned.
"Me too. Orophin and I got a pair of brothers that refuse to eat and have to be forced to drink. Apparently, they're walking skeletons. Yours?"
Haldir quietly absorbed the information, then sighed again. " I got the Prince," he muttered blackly. Rumil stared blankly.
"What's wrong with him?"
"No one knows. Keep quiet about it, though, okay? I want to avoid a scene when the Mirwood Elves arrive." Rumil nodded wisely.
"I see. Now, come down and have a drink with me and Orophin and the the other poor chap- I think his name is Hellë- who got landed with a madwoman."
Haldir got up, interested. "Madwoman? This sounds interesting."
Rumil giggled. "Her name's Erin. It means 'day' in Sindarin. Bit plain. eh? But she's got a terrific story, you have to hear it. Quite sad, really."
Haldir sighed. "You know, those brothers are going to eat, not because you tell them to, but just to get you to shut up." Rumil mock- scowled at him, then laughed again.
"Honestly, Haldir, you're so gloomy all the time, you're almost morbid."
*****tbc*****
A/n: :) Glad u like!!!!!!!! And sorry once again for the short chapter, am not functioning as well as usual. Isn't Rumil so bouncy? I think so. He's almost as fluffy-bunny as I am!!!! And Haldir is displaying a fluffy-bunny side, as well. Yay! Here's to fluffy bunny Lorien Elves!!!!
In response to reviews:
Cheysuli: Meh, really? I thought your personal favorite was Legolas/Haldir. *Tahlmorra lujalla mei wiccan, cheysu*. Read the book that that line comes from? Cos it would be a cool place for your name to come from... ^^.
Silvawen the Elf Crumpet: Here! More! ^^. Your reviews are so constant, they always make me smile when I read them. I try not to update a chapter before you review, so good thing you review so constantly! Hahaha... meep! Having a fluffy bunny day, I'm afraid... I had a three day weekend, cos stupid teachers don't know how to teach a class and now the whole school's teachers are being retaught. - -;;; yea. And these are the people who are supposed to be sending me to high school? Hello!!! We aren't even past the adjective yet! Help! Is there anyone out there? Lol... m' fine... EXCEPT I HAVE JUST BEEN FORCED TO READ 'WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS' FOR THE THIRD TIME IN CLASS!!!!! AIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!! (begins to beat her head against a watermelon)
Checkmate: @_@ i am compelled to write... @_@ compelled! ^^. Lol. Nice to have you review again!!!! Oh, and don't let the bounciness of Haldir & co. fool you, I still have plenty of angsty darkness and awfulness to wreak upon my pet characters. Ho ho ho ho ho... :}
Aeneas: :) Thanx a tun! Mwah, air-kiss!
leggylover: U like it? It is slash, tho, to warn you if you're a slash-hater. ^^. Probably not, seeing as how I say it's slash quite a lot... don't worry about the being lost bit. My muses are even confusing ME.
blue jeans baby: Thank you!!!!!!!!!! I luv giving out cliffies.... ^^.
Legolas19: Haldir, of course. We all know they're predestined...
Keeper of the Dreams: Spot on! Yep, that was foreshadowing. (shifty eyes) My muses will probably kill me for giving that away...
Byex!!!!
