Luineraugwen: Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Appreciate it. Also I've decided to change the Simarillion's (the horse) name to Saxon, in honor of a horse my family once owned. I miss him *sniff*. Can't say my father and brother do. He wouldn't let a man anywhere near my. He liked women. Can't blame him. J
Disclaimer: Don't own anything that belongs to Tolkien.
Kurodreamz- Thanks. I plan to.
Lady Light- It goes with the story.
Saber Apricot- Thanks for pointing all those things out but they must be explained. I'm trying to add more description, make my chapters longer and I'm aware that my grammar is appalling, but I'll try to change that. You'll find out why Rhiannon knows what a time, space vortex feels like in future chapters. Sorry can't pin point what ones. I feel comfortable writing at that hour or later so most of my stories are written at that time and I happen to like many of them. It's also hard to find someone who will help me because my parents aren't that good with grammatical correctness and my friend, who's really good at English, is writing her own story. Best not to disturb her.
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Rhiannon watched the black stallion continue to evade the commands of the elf who was TRYING to tame him. The horse dragged him through the dirt from one end of the paddock to the other and back again. The cheeky creature would walk up to the elf, annoy him till he moved, then when he did move, the stallion would drag him for another ten meters or so before it repeated it's actions again.
"That horse is torture to tame. He dragged me through quite a few spiky bushes" Rhiannon said a Haldir looked at the creature in surprise. Haldir was about to ask her how she knew the horse when this was her first time in Rivendell, but the stallion seemed to of heard her and he was racing towards her, still dragging the elf behind him.
"Saxon" Rhiannon said making him realize his extra luggage. He stopped, retraced his steps and somehow managed to help the elf to his feet. The stallion aid the elf as he tried to remove all the leaves and grass from his hair, before Saxon made is way back over to Rhiannon.
"Hello Saxon, I've been wondering where you were" she said giving the horse a huge hug, while the stallion nuzzled with affection.
"Excuse me milady, are you sure this is your horse? I find it hard to believe that a wild and untamed stallion like the one in front of you could belong to such a beautiful young woman like yourself" the elf said coming and standing next to Rhiannon.
"Aye, this is my horse. I can tell by the scar on his neck" Rhiannon replied stroking the horse's neck.
"But…"
"Lord Glorfindel, I believe that Lady Rhiannon is telling the truth. Think about it, none of us can control him, yet the Lady can. You also saw the way Saxon treated Lady Rhiannon. Her claim holds the truth" Haldir interrupted. The two elves then realized the way the stallion nudged and snorted at Rhiannon. Seeing their inquisitive glances she replied.
"He wants to go for a ride".
"Not by yourself. Do you think your feel enough to ride because, keep in mind; you've only just woken up Lady Rhiannon? Lord Elrond will have our heads should anything happen to you" Glorfindel said, hesitant to let her go.
"I feel fine. I've fallen off Saxon before, causing a rib to break but I climbed back on. Like the old saying goes, you fall of a horse, you jump straight back on. Although I would like to change out of this dress" Rhiannon replied looking down at herself.
"We are not familiar with that proverb, but I will accompany you. I'll saddle the horses while you change" Haldir said stepping forward and patting Saxon on the beck. The stallion's ears had gone back at the mention of the saddle.
"Since nothing commands my attention this afternoon, I think I shall come as well" Glorfindel said standing behind her.
"Thank you but, Haldir that may not be a good idea because Saxon doesn't like saddles or bridles. I never found out why. Oh well, I'll be back soon" Rhiannon explained, and then walked back up one of the paths to her room.
"Should we tell her that the dress was Lady Celebrian's normal everyday wear?" Glorfindel asked quietly.
"Nay, I'm looking forward to seeing her in something other than a dress" Haldir replied.
Rhiannon vaguely remembered the way back to her room. No one she passed recognized her, so she thought, or questioned why she was alone, thankfully. She finally found it and when the young woman opened the door, she saw that Nessa was making the bed. Rhiannon informed the maid that she would be going riding with Haldir and Lord Glorfindel, before asking if she could find her a pair of breeches, a shirt and some boots. Nessa agreed and left while Rhiannon walked out onto the balcony as she slowly tried to take the pins out of her hair.
"Here, let me do that" a strong male voice said and Rhiannon spun around to see Lord Elrond standing behind her. She was about to say something but Elrond turned her around and spoke. "I know you aren't from Middle Earth, so it may take some time for you to settle in. I have made that aware to the others, as well as Haldir. Understand that we shall do what we can to help you" he said taking the last of the pins out and putting a hand on her shoulder, the corners of his lips were curved in a warm smile.
"I doubt I'll ever forget my home but I will try my best to settle here in Middle Earth. My home will be greatly missed" she replied, mildly surprised that Elrond knew her place of origin. Now Rhiannon's inner fears of not going back were confirmed, but then again, she didn't really belong there anyway.
"Lady Rhiannon?" Nessa appeared in the doorway carrying a bundle of clothes.
"Going riding are you?" Lord Elrond asked, an eyebrow raised in curiosity.
"I'm feeling fine Lord Elrond, really and I won't be alone. Lord Glorfindel and Haldir will be coming with me" she said trying to convince the lord.
"I'm glad to see you are getting out and doing things but please don't overdo it" he replied and left the room. Nessa bought the bundle over and set it on the bed before she too left.
Rhiannon took the dress off and put it on the bed before putting the brown breeches and the tan color shirt on. She tied a black belt around her waist and then clasped a green cloak over her shoulders. Rhiannon felt more comfortable in these clothes than she did in the silver dress. She looked at herself shortly in the mirror before she remembered to change the shoes for the boots. Having done that, the walked out of her room and back to the stables, where the two elves were still trying to saddle Saxon, who was evading them with his ears pinned back all the way.
"I told you he doesn't like them. Don't worry, I don't need a saddle or bridle to be able to ride him" she said coming up and patting the creature.
"Then you with ride bareback then Lady Rhiannon?" Glorfindel asked and she nodded. The elves stared at each other in amazement before grabbing their horses and lifting themselves into the saddle.
"How will you…" Haldir began but he was silenced when she jumped lightly into Saxon's back. The stallion started to prance around in excitement but they managed to follow the other horses of the stables. Haldir and Glorfindel marveled at how she easily controlled him with only voice command and the gentle touch of her knees. They silently rode on and over the hill that the stallion had ran over only days before.
Meanwhile in Elrond's study, Galadriel, Gandalf, Celeborn, Elrond and the fellowship all stood around a table covered by a map of Middle Earth. The places where orcs, goblins and uruk-hai populated were circled.
"We must do something about the remaining orcs and the likes so something akin to the dealings of Sauron and Saruman had with them will never be repeated" Celeborn said bringing up the issue which they had been arguing over for the past few days.
"And I still agree that to try and rid Middle Earth of them would take any years and many more lives, even if we had the help of the Ents" Aragorn replied and everyone sided with him.
"But we must do something. If only we had more allies and people to help us" Gandalf said, then her noticed Legolas's gaze over the hills.
"Three people are riding over the hill. Someone has managed to tame the black stallion, it seems" he answered.
"Never mind that Prince Legolas, the black stallion belongs to Lady Rhiannon and both Haldir and Lord Glorfindel are escorting her while she rides" Elrond explained and even though he received many inquiring looks, the lord continued their discussion.
They rode past the river that Rhiannon had fallen into. Its waters lazily carried leaves and twigs through its crystal waters and away down the hills they swirled. The grass swayed around the hocks of the horses, which walked carelessly in the open field. Saxon still pranced around, eager to run like the wind.
"Saxon seems to be quite energetic today Lady Rhiannon, are you sure you can handle him?" Haldir asked as he watched the two.
"I'm sure, he just wants to run" she said running her fingers though his mane.
"I think all the horses could do with a good run, and who are we to stop them? First one to the line of trees wins" Glorfindel said and urged his horse on, giving himself a head start. Haldir reacted quicker than Rhiannon but she and Saxon soon caught up. The manes and tails of the horses whipped through the air, while the ground passed quickly under their hooves. The trees loomed ever nearer and the stallion took off towards them, causing his rider to hang on tighter. Strands of hair that had come out of Rhiannon's braid flapped in the wind, while her eyes watered and the afternoon air bit through her clothes. She loved to ride Saxon at this speed and faster, it made her feel like she was flying. Rhiannon laughed as they passed the others and bolted towards their target, unaware of the danger awaiting them.
Hidden just behind the line of trees, a group of twenty uruk-hai waited for their victims. A scout had noticed the riders coming towards them minutes ago and they prepared themselves. They would kill the two males, but they aimed to capture the woman. She would bring much entertainment to them, so they watched and waited in silence.
It was when Rhiannon was twenty or so meters away from the tree line that Lord Glorfindel became aware of a wicked and evil presence. He immediately called out to Rhiannon.
"Lady Rhiannon, come back. Something isn't right!"
But he was too late! As soon as he spoke, a group of twenty uruk-hai came over the ridge. Haldir and Glorfindel panicked when Saxon reared in fear as the enemy came for them. They watched Rhiannon slip from his body and land roughly on ground before Saxon lost his balance and fell on top of her. It was then that the two elves grabbed their bows, fitted the arrows and let them fly through the air to their targets. They hit but there were only two of them and they also needed to protect Lady Rhiannon from harm. So far they were doing an excellent job of it. They rode their horses hard, loosing arrows at the uruk-hai every few seconds, desperately trying to defend their charge at all costs.
Back in Elrond's study, the discussion about what to do had only gone around in circles. None of them were aware of the incident in the hills until Legolas suddenly stopped mid sentence and froze.
"Legolas, what is it?" Aragorn asked in concern. Had the prince of Mirkwood heard something…or even felt something? It took the prince a few seconds to reply, but it was an answer they truly didn't want to hear.
"Uruk-hai! They're in the hills to the north west of Rivendell. They're attacking Lady Rhiannon, Haldir and Lord Glorfindel!" With that Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn ran out of the study, leaving the elf lords, the lady, Gandalf and the hobbits to pray for their friends' survival.
Saxon had gotten off Rhiannon long ago, but she had get to rise or she was catching her breathe. Her right collar bone was broken, along with two of her ribs and her left ankle was sprained, not that she showed any sign of it to the two elves, which were protecting her with their bodies, while they still took down the ugly beasts with their arrows. Rhiannon counted six left but even if Haldir and Glorfindel combined their arrows, they wouldn't even have enough to take them all out, so they resorted to using their swords. Haldir gave Rhiannon a knife from his belt in case she needed it, which he hoped she didn't.
The remaining uruk-hai had surrounded them in a tight circle. They taunted Rhiannon, telling her the things they would do to her when she was captured. Glorfindel turned to see Rhiannon's reaction and was surprised to see that she showed none. Indeed her breath was ragged and pain filled her yes, but her face showed determination. She made it clear to Glorfindel, by her stance and the way she held Haldir's weapon that she was prepared to fight rather than be captured by these disgusting creatures.
One of them charged at the lord and he let the blade of his sword once again taste the flesh of his foes'. The other five then descended on them. The metal of the swords clashed and sung as they cut through the air. Rhiannon hadn't had a chance to use her weapon yet, for the elves had been guarding her intensely, but that was about to change. Glorfindel was knocked to the ground, slightly dazed and he was unaware of the uruk-hai, sword raised above its head, posed to kill him. Rhiannon saw this and immediately threw the knife at it, watching as it buried itself deep in the beast's neck. Glorfindel watched the creature drop like a sack, and then looked at Rhiannon in surprise. He gasped as and uruk-hai grabbed her from behind. One of its arms kept her in a head lock, while his other hand began to grope her chest. Glorfindel saw the look of pure disgust on her face and he didn't blame her. What kind of person would enjoy being touched in such a manner by a foul creature? The uruk-hai began to drag her backwards and the lord jumped to her aid, but another one of them stood in his way. He fought with all his strength but failed to get to her, so Glorfindel called to Haldir, who noticed the problem and began his way over to his charge.
Rhiannon had been surprised when one of them wrapped its arm around her throat, but she was repulsed as soon as she felt where his other hand was. The creature began to become more insistent. The uruk-hai was slowly suffocating her with his arm. She could barely breathe! The only air around her was tainted with the putrid breath of the beast, combined with its sweat. Rhiannon was on the brink of passing out when she felt the pressure of something against her leg and the disgusting feel of the uruk-hai's wet and slimy tongue running up the back of her neck. She felt herself being pulled backwards. It finally clicked in her mind about his intentions and she remembered her Taekwondo training. Rhiannon saw Glorfindel try to make his way to her, only to get blocked, then the elf lord said something and Haldir began to come her way. She had to do something or he's never get to her. Rhiannon japed her assailant in the stomach…nothing, she stepped on his boot…resulting in a very sore foot because of the armor, she flung her fist into its nose…which really did nothing except make his nose bleed and him to jostle her around harshly. Rhiannon only had enough sense left in her to complete the move…she just hoped it had balls. Apparently it did, although they were most definitely balls of steel. She almost broke her hand…but least she got a result. The creature let go of her and clutched his abused manhood, that was when Rhiannon swung her led around and kicked the base of its neck, breaking it immediately. She then sunk to the ground holding her swollen throat and trying to breathe again.
Haldir had sliced though one of the monsters before he heard Glorfindel call his name, and indicate the trouble Rhiannon was in. From his angle, the chief guard could see her distress. He also saw the creature's desire involving the Lady and he became very…there was no word or words to explain his emotions, but he did feel suddenly overly protective of her and something else…was it jealousy? What did he have to be jealous about? He put that entire idea aside and made his way towards them as the uruk-hai began to pull her backwards to the trees. Under no circumstances was he going to leave her to that beast! Even if they got away with her, he would track them to the ends of Middle Earth and delight in killing the creature himself.
Suddenly Rhiannon began to retaliate again the foe. He watched as she jabbed in the stomach, stomp on his boot, punch him in the nose, which only made him mad and for him to throw her round like a rag doll. Haldir winced in pain as she hit its groin area. He hissed. Doesn't she know that hurts? She didn't seem to care that much though, and while the uruk-hai was on the ground, she kicked it, breaking its neck like it was a mere twig. He even heard it snap. Haldir was too preoccupied with watching Rhiannon to take notice of the uruk-hai fitting an arrow to its bow. He became aware of it when he heard the familiar twang of the bowstring. Haldir went to look over his shoulder and felt the arrow pierce his flesh. Pain swept through his body and cried out before falling to his knees.
Glorfindel and Rhiannon heard his pained cry and saw him fall, blood gushing out of the wound. The elf lord was closer than Rhiannon so he made his way over to the chief guard, while Rhiannon began to wind her way towards them, fending off uruk-hai with her blows. Suddenly a rock came flying out of nowhere and struck Glorfindel on the head and he lost consciousness, leaving Rhiannon to defend them all.
When she reached them, she grabbed Haldir's sword from his hand. She saw him look at her, his eyes glassing over ever so slightly. The grunts of the enemy brought her back to reality. The handle of the sword was far too big for her but the weapon itself was as light as a feather. She twirled the blade around her hand, before standing tall in front of her friends. The foes charged and Rhiannon prepared to fight. She cut off the heads of two beasts before running the third through the stomach. She sighed and turned back to see Haldir wrench the arrow out of his shoulder.
"The way you fight is excellent milady. You would be quite the soldier" he whispered hoarsely. Rhiannon noticed his pale skin, but her idea of it just being the pain was thrown right out the window when Haldir turned away from her and retched.
"Haldir, what is wrong?" she asked urgently.
"That was a poisoned arrow. We must get to Lord Elrond quickly" he said trying to stand. Rhiannon helped but he lost his balance and toppled onto her. She tried to scream in pain but something soft was stopping her. Rhiannon suddenly realized it was Haldir's lips. To her it felt like eternity before the elf figured out what happened and broke the accidental kiss, while Rhiannon let out the painful groan she'd been suppressing.
"Lady Rhiannon, your wounded!" Haldir climbed off her quite smart realizing he was crushing her delicate body with his own well-built and heavy one. He was embarrassed about what had just happened. He just hoped his ear weren't red.
"Never mind that, we have to get you to Lord Elrond immediately" she replied helping him once again to his feet and calling Saxon over.
"Lady Rhiannon, Lord Glorfindel, Haldir, are you alright?" Legolas yelled from the back of his horse as they come over the ridge. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw them.
"I must get Haldir to Lord Elrond; he has been wounded by a poisoned arrow. I'm afraid Saxon cannot carry Lord Glorfindel as well. Will you take care of him?" Rhiannon asked as she aided Haldir mounting the horse while she looked at Legolas.
"Of course, now get going milady!" he replied. Rhiannon ignored the pan in her body as she sprung onto Saxon's back. With one hand she held Haldir close to her and with the other; she grasped the stallion's mane. Rhiannon silently urged the horse with her legs and Saxon immediately began to gallop towards Rivendell.
It seemed like the longest time she had even ridden as they made their way to the House of Elrond. Haldir was resting his head upon her shoulder, his eyes closed and his breath shallow. He groaned in pain as the poison spread through his body and Rhiannon took her hand out of Saxon's mane to hold him straight. Her hand brushed against his skin and it scared her because he was so cold, so she held onto him tighter, desperately trying to keep him warm.
Haldir felt the warmth of her body and opened his eyes to look at her. He could feel his life fading and Rhiannon must have felt it through him because she began to whisper words of comfort. The warrior smile slightly then lifted his hand so he could rest it on the back of her neck. Haldir gasped in pain, and then blinked several times, trying to banish the dark spots from his sight. Rhiannon must have sensed his end was close for he could see the tears brimming in her eyes. He smiled again and applied more pressure to the back of her neck, causing her to lean down more. Haldir prayed that if he was given one last gift before he left this life, he hoped it would be a final kiss from Rhiannon's soft lips. As though she read his mind, Rhiannon lent down further and graced Haldir with a kiss. Her lips tasted better than the berries that grew on the fruit bushes surrounding his home or even the scent of the beautiful Mallon trees on the breeze. With his prayer answered, Haldir slipped into darkness.
Rhiannon desperately tried to bring some heat to his chilled lips but she soon felt him slip away from the light. She urged Saxon on faster. Rhiannon would not let another person she cared deeply about die in her arms. It was approaching the twilight hour when she arrived. Elrond and Gandalf were there to meet them. The wizard helped carry the injured elf to his room. Rhiannon was sure she saw someone take Saxon back to the stables, so when she excused herself enabling Elrond to work better, she just went to her room and fell flat on the bed, ignoring the pain. Rhiannon's mind drifted and she fell into a deep sleep with the taste of Haldir kiss lingering on her own.
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Luineraugwen: All those who read this are going to think that I'm a bitch for killing off Haldir but understand HE IS NOT DEAD!!!!! Read the next chapter and see what happens. R&R Also can someone tell me if Glorfindel is a Lord or not. And do the elves have something the same as heaven after they die? Do they believe that they go somewhere after they die? Someone please enlighten me!
