Luineraugwen: Hello ppl!! Here's another chapter. Can some of u plz e-mail me some ideas about how I can make Rhiannon not a Mary-Sue; I'm fresh out of ideas. Oh well, R&R. Also a warning, this chapter is rated R, or at least the ***Dream*** part of it is, but I think I have to rate this chap R. If you don't like reading about a very sexual situations and abuse, don't read the parts of the story in ***Dream***and ***End Dream***okay. If you read, keep in mind I warned you.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything that belongs to Tolkien or the Night Hunter; he is a character belonging to Traci Harding. I don't own Rhun either, he belongs to either Traci Harding or history but if you've read Traci Harding's works, then I'm telling you that Rhun's attitude as done a 180. He's evil.
Holly: Thanks for that. I thought he was, but I just wanted to make sure. Expect some e-mail from me sometimes. I don't know everything, but I will check the back to the book about the elven heaven Glad u like it.
Lady Light: Yeah this is going to be a Haldir/Rhiannon fic but Legolas will also be competing for Rhiannon's attention hence the rival looks and archery comp. There r a lot of Legolas stories on the site, so Haldir getting this girl. Hope ya like. Also my friend suggested that Glorfindel joins in and tries to compete too. Tell me what you think.
ElvenSatr5: If I had killed Haldir, my story would be over and I would kill myself. Haldir is a great guy…although you don't get to see him much of him. That elf demands respect in my eyes. Thanks for the info about the Halls of Mandos.
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Rhiannon awoke to find herself lying on her back in her bed. It was night time and a dozen scented candles offered some light in the room, although the shadows still dances across the hidden walls. She moved slightly and found out that most of her upper body and her left ankle was bandaged.
"I thought I told you not to over do it, Rhiannon" Elrond said coming out of the shadows. Rhiannon jumped. How long had he been there?
"Then tell me Lord Elrond, what was I meant to do? Watch the uruk-hai kill Lord Glorfindel and Haldir, then wait for them to kill me too…or worse? I am not one who will standby and do that!" Rhiannon replied harsher than she wanted but she was sick and tired of people treating her like a helpless child.
Elrond looked at her for a few seconds in amusement, the smile never leaving his face. He chuckled before he answered. "Looks like you can breathe fire. You are truly the Dragon's daughter, Rhiannon".
"How…how do you know my father?" Rhiannon stammered. The 'Dragon' was her father's nickname because he was the first one in his family to tame a dragon and be able to call on its assistance when it was needed.
"Because he knows me" a man said coming out of the shadows lust like Elrond had and stood next to the lord. He was slightly taller than the lord, his brown hair and beard was neatly trimmed, and his brown eyes shone with happiness. Even though she hadn't seen him in three and a half years, Rhiannon instantly knew this man was her father.
"Father!" she cried happily scrambling out of the bed and rushing into his open arms. Rhiannon had missed her father dearly. She missed the way he taught her to fight, the history lessons, the dances they shared and just the plain old times they spent together. After her mother died, her father had been her only support as he knew up, but being the High King of Britain as well as correctly raising two children on his own was extremely hard job, yet somehow he managed it and for that she was grateful.
"Greetings daughter. Too long has the time between our meetings been. It's been far too long since I have seen you smile thus. To see you truly happy lifts a heavy burden from my heart". He took a step back to admire her shook his head. "You've grown up" he whispered sadly.
"And you haven't aged a day father. Mark my words, I'm glad to see you, but whatever are you doing here?" Rhiannon asked curiously.
"Well many people in the court began to panic when we found out you weren't still in the 21st century. Many believed Rhun had finally gotten to you but Night Hunter and I knew better. We searched numerous places but it was only by pure chance we found you here for you see Lord Elrond contacted me a short while ago and asked me about my woes. I told him that you were missing but then he eased my worry by telling me that you were safe and currently staying in Rivendell. For that I am grateful" her father explained, giving Elrond a few thankful looks.
"And you are welcome to stay here as long as and whenever you want. From what your father has told me of your world presently, I believe it would be wise to stay here Lady Rhiannon…or perhaps you would like your title of Princess back?" Elrond replied.
"Nay milord, I would prefer just being called Rhiannon. No titles. But father, what is going on back home?" Rhiannon answered then beseeched her father to answer.
After a few minutes of consideration the King replied. "Nothing that needs to worry you my daughter. I am afraid I cannot stay any longer. Britain will not rule itself you know" and before she could stop him, he had kissed her forehead and vanished. She hated it when he left her midst, with her only knowing half, if that, of the answers she wanted. But this time Rhiannon believed he must have done it to protect her. So the problem back home had to be the reoccurring issues with her brother. Only this time, what had he done?
Elrond led her back to the bed and implored her to sleep. Indeed, Rhiannon could feel the great pull of tiredness lagging her down. So it was only seconds after the lord left that she fell into a deep slumber.
Haldir lay motionless between the sheets of his own bed, his chest swelling slightly with every shallow breath. His eyes were closed and his body was covered in a fine sheet of cold sweat but it was not the force of the fever he was enduring that caused him to kick the blankets off, or for him to moan, it was the dreams he was succumbing to.
***Dream***
He stood hiding in the branches of the trees where the orange light of the fire couldn't reach him. Tonight everyone was celebrating something with ale, dancing and merrymaking. Many of the women were half naked but there was one that caught his eye. She was dancing around the bonfire, the flaming torches she held swirled around her, creating quite a sight under the starry night sky. She was bare footed and wore very little. A silver belt sat lightly on her hips while two pieces of lavender material tried to hide some of her body. Thin strips of the same colored fabric covered her breasts and with his keen elven eyesight, he saw the tips of her nipples jutting out. Her skin was ivory, her hair was dark brown and her eyes were the color of green emeralds. Her lips were painted a deep purple and her eyes were lined with black kohl.
She discarded the torches and began weaving her hands above her head swaying to the music that the people played. Her hips moved seductively with the tune while she leant her head back, letting out a moan that we barely audible to him and her back arched slightly. The dance became more complicated and the music faster, along with her breath. He unknowingly changed his breathing pattern to match her panting. His eyes focused more and he watched a bead of sweat that had formed on her body slide down her exposed cleavage, and then he let his eyes wander over her body. Her stomach muscles were tight and her legs long and slender. His lips were dry and he desperately tried to make them moist again. Haldir's eyes never left her dancing body and his heart soared with longing…and lust. It was then that he realized his breeches were feeling very snug. Damnit…oh well, tonight was all about getting laid. He knew he desired her…yet she would never be his for she was the King's daughter. But he wanted her so much!
The dance ended and she silently made her way through the crowd and to the tree he hid in. She ran her fingers over the bark and then looked up into the branches as though she knew he was there. He wouldn't be much of a gentleman if he made her climb to him, so he jumped down behind her. Sensing someone was there, the princess turned around and came face to face with Haldir. He was about to speak but she touched his lips with her fingers, silencing him.
"Did you like my little dance?" she asked playfully and she twirled a lock of his hair around her index finger. He grabbed her around the waist and drew her against his body, enabling her to feel his desire. Haldir began to rub her cold flesh and wrapped her arms around his neck tightly, leaning her head on his shoulder. The elf's hands began to explore her body. One of his hands ran over her thigh and gently caressed her leg while the left went in the other direction, His thumb moved over her stomach muscles and underneath the piece of material and started to stroke her breasts. She moaned into his shirt and he suddenly wanted her to do it again…but louder. He trailed wet kisses down her neck and across her shoulders while his other hand gripped her leg and wrapped it around his own. The princess kissed his face gently; a hand slipped underneath his tunic and traced the tense lines of his stomach. Haldir hastily unbuckled his belt, hopping she'd go lower. She did and he gasped as she came dangerously close to his groin. As the kisses became more passionate, Haldir pushed her back against the tree and stripped his tunic off. He began to eagerly undo the ties of her shirt but he suddenly felt as though something was amiss. The princess had stopped her kisses, her hands still holding his face, but her body was tense and she was trembling. Haldir looked up to see her gazing over his shoulder at something behind them, her eyes wide with fear. He took a deep breath and prepared himself to see the enraged face of the King as he turned around, but when he did, he saw the calm expression of her brother, Prince Rhun. He came forward, obviously wanting to speak with his sister, so Haldir took a step back, bowing as he went.
"That was quite the dance little sister, you seemed to have captured the hearts of many men tonight. So tell me, if you could have any man, why did you choose an elf? Then again, you've always been interested in elves but I didn't expect you to go as far as to see how that made love. But I should have always know would become a whore for them. If you decide to be one then I will have to treat you like the whore you are!" Rhun hissed then slapped her across the face, sending her crashing to the ground. Haldir, realizing this was no ordinary talk between siblings, strode forward and defended the princess. He was the chief of her guard after all and it was his job.
"Stand down elf. Stay out of matters that don't concern you!" Rhun ordered but Haldir stood his ground. The prince punched him and the guard hardly moved. Haldir was well informed about how the prince punished people. One of his usual beatings would be enough to almost kill the princess but he would not let that happen…not in all eternity.
Suddenly the bonfire, the village people and event he stars disappeared, leaving them alone, surrounded by trees. A whip appeared in Rhun's hands and it soon snaked its way around Haldir's neck. As the prince jerked the whip, the elf was thrown into the base of a nearby tree. Chains locked around his wrists, ankles and waist, pinning him to the plant. He struggled and thrashed but the chains bit into his flesh, causing blood to ooze over his hands, the tree and onto the ground. Haldir's neck was freed of the leather and he gasped for air. He then watched in horror as Rhun brought the whip down on the girl's body. Ten…eleven…twelve times Haldir counted but the prince didn't stop. Hot tears prickled Haldir's face and he continued to strain against the chains. How could someone do this to their own race…let alone their own family?
The princess still lay where she fell, not moving even as the whip bit into her. Unlike Haldir, she shed no tears. She wouldn't give her brother the satisfaction of knowing she was in pain. She heard the whip being thrown to the ground with a heavy thud and she knew what was next. Rhun grabbed a handful of her hair, dragging her to her feet and he slammed a fist into her stomach. She doubled over and he continued to hit her. The prince suddenly changed his mind and he began to kick her instead. He finally stopped and the princess kneeled on all fours while she coughed up small amounts of blood. Rhun then drew a dagger from his boot, grabbed another handful of her hair, and forced his sister to her feet. He pulled her head back, exposing her throat and placed the weapon against her skin.
"You know father won't be impressed with your decision on your new like so I guess it'll also be a first for our family. Never the less, we can't overlook the law, even for one as royal as you. Goodbye little sister" Rhun whispered and sliced the blade cleanly through her flesh. He eyes opened wide in surprise and a gurgling noise came out of her mouth. Her brother released her and she collapsed to the ground. Rhun kicked her once more before disappearing, taking the whip and chains with him.
Haldir stumbled to his feet and ran to her side. He gathered her lifeless body in his arms and cradled her to his chest. Her eyes stared hauntingly over his shoulder. Unable to look them any longer, Haldir gently closed the lids with his hand and said an elvish prayer. He then buried his head on her shoulder, tears rolling down his cheeks. For years he had watched her grow, endure the hardships that came with her mother's death and then mature into the young woman that she was. He was heartbroken to see her die. She had been the only one he had ever truly loved. Haldir took a deep breath, stifled his sobs and flew his head back, letting out a heart rending yell. He poured all his hate, anger, sadness, love and most of all, his pain into his cry. Then darkness took them both
***End Dream***
It had been a day since Rhiannon had woken up and she was now sitting on a chair, watching over Haldir as he slept. He had been thrashing around and speaking in elvish for hours. Elrond had come in to check on his every so often and told her it was nothing than a fever induced talk. Rhiannon continued to sit and watch his well into the night.
It was close to midnight when Rhiannon began to worry. Haldir's movements had become more wild and his cries louder and aggressive. Rhiannon gently wet his face with a damp cloth, trying to cool him down. One of his hands came up out of nowhere and hit her across the neck. Then, while she was still in shock, Haldir let out a loud yell that scared her out of her wits. She distinctly heard the pain and hut in his voice. Suddenly his eyes snapped open and he sat up like a bolt of lightning, a look of pure terror on his face.
"Haldir, what is wrong?" Rhiannon asked resting a hand on his cheek. He looked up at her and she saw the raw emotions swirling around his eyes like a raging sea. He gently wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled against him, burying his face in her shoulder. Rhiannon, taking this as a sign of him seeking comfort, held him close and rubbed his back soothingly. Haldir decided to let the tears he'd held back for thousands of years fall. And there they sat for a long time, ignoring everything around them except for the other.
Lord Celeborn and Galadriel watched the two from their balcony. They were glad to see him like this. He hadn't opened up to someone in many years. Haldir had been like a son to them, they were proud of what he had become and who he had found. Perhaps now was the time for him to pursue love instead of orcs. The life of a guard and scout was a time consuming calling and now that they weren't needed, maybe the sentinels would learn to relax…for a time at least. Galadriel sighed and went back into the bedchambers, Celeborn followed her seconds later. Even with her mirror, she couldn't see what would become of the two. Only time would tell.
Haldir still lay in her arms, his tears had stopped some time ago and yet he was awake, listening to her heartbeat. Unfortunately Rhiannon wasn't so lucky, he head was beginning to droop slightly onto his shoulder. He lay back down, taking her with him and resting a pillow behind his head, he began to run a hand through her hair as he snuggled against his bare chest.
"Do you feel better Haldir? That must have been some nightmare" she said yawning but she was too sleepy to register the meaning behind his answer.
"Elves don't have nightmares in fact they don't even dream" he replied solemnly and he waited till she had fallen asleep before he decided to follow her example.
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Luineraugwen: I'm a little meanie aren't I. I don't know when the next chapter will be up; you'll just have to be patient. I also realized that I spelt mallorn wrong in the last chapter. Oh well R&R.
