Disclaimer: This story is based on the work of Tolkien. The setting and most of the characters are his. Valarie, Maranwe, and Runevalas are my own creations. In this section a portion of dialogue is quoted from the movie for purposes of plot continuity in this fanfiction and was not originally written by me. The Elvish language here is from the Tel'Mithrim and is used with permission. The word "feahoon" is used PENDING approval from the Grey Company. For more information please see their web site: www.grey-company .org.
Please note, as this is a work of fiction, it is BASED on Tolkien's work. Those of you who are purists will have noticed I've taken some creative liberties with my Elves. Just want you to be aware as you read. Hope you enjoy the story regardless.
Rating: PG
** ** ** ** ** **
Not long after the Fellowship crossed the border, Haldir and the Archers intercepted them and told them they'd been summoned by the Lady of the Wood. The Marchwarden knew what Frodo concealed in his shirt and was loathe to let them any further into 'Lorien, but Galadriel touched his mind and he bowed to her wishes.
They walked in silence and Haldir glanced briefly at Legolas. To the Marchwarden's eye, the Prince of Mirkwood looked tired, as if the burdens he carried were too heavy even for the shoulders of an Elf, and Haldir wondered what had happened to make him look so. He wondered too, what would have happened if Valariel were in Lothlorien this day, and not on an errand for Galadriel. He'd never forgotten his daughter's words in the forest although she'd never spoken of it again, the memory had ever been vivid for him.
That night there was much conversation and much sorrow. The tale of Gandalf's fall in the deep darkness of Moria chilled them all, and Haldir understood the sorrow he'd seen in Legolas' face. Soon songs of lament drifted through the trees. Haldir had spent some time with Legolas and the others. Aragorn, he knew and respected, for his renown as a warrior was well known. Boromir of Gondor, however, troubled Haldir. Boromir had not been able to meet the gaze of Lady Galadriel. Perhaps her beauty overwhelmed him. Perhaps some other failing troubled the Captain of Gondor. Haldir did not entirely trust him.
Of the Hobbits, Haldir paid them little mind and wished he could pay less to the Dwarf. Stocky and rough, Gimli grated on the Marchwarden's nerves. It had been too easy to overhear the Dwarf as he came into the Golden Wood with his tales of wicked enchantresses. Given leave to do what he would, Haldir would probably have been just as happy to escort Gimli to the tree line and leave him to his fate. But the group, this odd fellowship, seemed to be bound by purpose, and now by grief for Gandalf. The task of splitting their numbers was not Haldir's fate.
In a few days they were gone. Borne away from Lothlorien with the blessings of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn in three Elvish boats that took them swiftly down river, heading south towards Gondor and the paths that would take them to their destiny or their doom in Mordor. Two weeks after they disappeared on the silver river, Valariel returned.
Elrond stood gazing from the arched window down at the courtyard. If you looked quickly, he could have been mistaken for one of the many statues that dotted Rivendell. Arwen, his daughter, looked back over her shoulder once as she rode out of Rivendell towards the ships that would bear her and her people to Valinor, the Undying Lands.
His eyes may have rested on his daughter, but Elrond's mind was far from Rivendell. He had Seen things, Seen them in his waking dreams, and they disturbed him. Then, like the first glow of dawn on the horizon, he felt the presence of the Lady Galadriel in his mind moments before her echoed words drifted to him.
:The power of the Enemy is growing,: she said in a whisper. :Sauron will use the puppet Saruman to destroy the people of Rohan. Isengard has been unleashed. The Eye of Sauron now turns to Gondor, the last free Kingdom of Men. His war on this country will come swiftly. He senses the Ring is close. The strength of the Ring Bearer is failing. In his heart, Frodo begins to understand… The quest will claim his life. You know this. You have ForSeen it.:
Elrond's brow furrowed, but he said nothing.
:It is the risk we all took. In the gathering dark, the will of the Ring grows strong. It works hard now to find its way back into the hands of Men, Men who are so easily seduced by its power. The young Captain of Gondor has but to extend his hand, take the Ring for his own, and the world will fall. The time of the Elves is over. Do we leave Middle Earth to its fate? Do we let them stand alone?:**
:No,: was Elrond's reply. :We cannot, we must not, though it means bringing more death to our race even as we depart for the Undying Lands.:
"You summoned us, Lady Galadriel?" Haldir saluted and bowed at the waist. The Archers of 'Lorien, all standing behind him, did the same.
"Indeed I have. We have the pleasure of Elrond of Rivendell's company here in Lothlorien, and it is Elrond who wishes to speak with you with my blessing and support." She gestured to her side and Elrond stepped forward. The Elven host bowed respectfully to him as well.
"The Elves are leaving Middle Earth," he said. "You all know this. Our time in this land is coming to an end, yet we cannot simply leave it. Our fates are too entwined. Even now, the power of Sauron grows great and dark again. The destruction of the One Ring is the only thing that will save Middle Earth from falling under his dominion."
Galadriel spoke then. "The people of Rohan are trapped in Helm's Deep. A host of Orc and Uruk-hai march from Isengard, bent on the annihilation of Rohan."
The Archers were too well trained to mutter amongst themselves, but faces darkened and frowns deepened at her words.
"We cannot let them stand alone. For centuries, Elves and Men worked together to keep Sauron and his minions contained in Mordor. For centuries, we have lived – and died - side by side. Yet the Lady Galadriel and I would not order you to a battle where so many would die. The siege at Helm's Deep will be bloody. Without help, Rohan will perish. Even with help, there is a great chance that they will be utterly destroyed."
"I will go," said Haldir without hesitation. Galadriel's face softened; she had expected this, but she also feared for Haldir if he went to Helm's Deep.
"I, too, would honor our allegiance with Men," said Valariel, stepping up next to her father. "I will go."
For a moment, Haldir stopped being the Marchwarden of 'Lorien and became Valariel's father. He turned to refuse her, to order her to leave for Valinor. Instead, he came face to face with a haughty, icy stare that dared him to refuse her, dared him to treat her differently before the other Archers – something he had never, ever done. He was vanquished with that look, knowing he'd worn the same one on many, many occasions. Valariel would march to Helm's Deep and he could do nothing to stop it.
** ** ** ** ** ** **
Thanks again as always to everyone who took the time to review. Mercury G., Evenstar E., Haldir's H&S, I appreciate the consistency. Irith, as I said, sorry that my creative departures from Tolkien's world have lessened your enjoyment of the story. Nevertheless, I appreciate you taking the time to review. Ciao bellas!
Please note, as this is a work of fiction, it is BASED on Tolkien's work. Those of you who are purists will have noticed I've taken some creative liberties with my Elves. Just want you to be aware as you read. Hope you enjoy the story regardless.
Rating: PG
** ** ** ** ** **
Not long after the Fellowship crossed the border, Haldir and the Archers intercepted them and told them they'd been summoned by the Lady of the Wood. The Marchwarden knew what Frodo concealed in his shirt and was loathe to let them any further into 'Lorien, but Galadriel touched his mind and he bowed to her wishes.
They walked in silence and Haldir glanced briefly at Legolas. To the Marchwarden's eye, the Prince of Mirkwood looked tired, as if the burdens he carried were too heavy even for the shoulders of an Elf, and Haldir wondered what had happened to make him look so. He wondered too, what would have happened if Valariel were in Lothlorien this day, and not on an errand for Galadriel. He'd never forgotten his daughter's words in the forest although she'd never spoken of it again, the memory had ever been vivid for him.
That night there was much conversation and much sorrow. The tale of Gandalf's fall in the deep darkness of Moria chilled them all, and Haldir understood the sorrow he'd seen in Legolas' face. Soon songs of lament drifted through the trees. Haldir had spent some time with Legolas and the others. Aragorn, he knew and respected, for his renown as a warrior was well known. Boromir of Gondor, however, troubled Haldir. Boromir had not been able to meet the gaze of Lady Galadriel. Perhaps her beauty overwhelmed him. Perhaps some other failing troubled the Captain of Gondor. Haldir did not entirely trust him.
Of the Hobbits, Haldir paid them little mind and wished he could pay less to the Dwarf. Stocky and rough, Gimli grated on the Marchwarden's nerves. It had been too easy to overhear the Dwarf as he came into the Golden Wood with his tales of wicked enchantresses. Given leave to do what he would, Haldir would probably have been just as happy to escort Gimli to the tree line and leave him to his fate. But the group, this odd fellowship, seemed to be bound by purpose, and now by grief for Gandalf. The task of splitting their numbers was not Haldir's fate.
In a few days they were gone. Borne away from Lothlorien with the blessings of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn in three Elvish boats that took them swiftly down river, heading south towards Gondor and the paths that would take them to their destiny or their doom in Mordor. Two weeks after they disappeared on the silver river, Valariel returned.
Elrond stood gazing from the arched window down at the courtyard. If you looked quickly, he could have been mistaken for one of the many statues that dotted Rivendell. Arwen, his daughter, looked back over her shoulder once as she rode out of Rivendell towards the ships that would bear her and her people to Valinor, the Undying Lands.
His eyes may have rested on his daughter, but Elrond's mind was far from Rivendell. He had Seen things, Seen them in his waking dreams, and they disturbed him. Then, like the first glow of dawn on the horizon, he felt the presence of the Lady Galadriel in his mind moments before her echoed words drifted to him.
:The power of the Enemy is growing,: she said in a whisper. :Sauron will use the puppet Saruman to destroy the people of Rohan. Isengard has been unleashed. The Eye of Sauron now turns to Gondor, the last free Kingdom of Men. His war on this country will come swiftly. He senses the Ring is close. The strength of the Ring Bearer is failing. In his heart, Frodo begins to understand… The quest will claim his life. You know this. You have ForSeen it.:
Elrond's brow furrowed, but he said nothing.
:It is the risk we all took. In the gathering dark, the will of the Ring grows strong. It works hard now to find its way back into the hands of Men, Men who are so easily seduced by its power. The young Captain of Gondor has but to extend his hand, take the Ring for his own, and the world will fall. The time of the Elves is over. Do we leave Middle Earth to its fate? Do we let them stand alone?:**
:No,: was Elrond's reply. :We cannot, we must not, though it means bringing more death to our race even as we depart for the Undying Lands.:
"You summoned us, Lady Galadriel?" Haldir saluted and bowed at the waist. The Archers of 'Lorien, all standing behind him, did the same.
"Indeed I have. We have the pleasure of Elrond of Rivendell's company here in Lothlorien, and it is Elrond who wishes to speak with you with my blessing and support." She gestured to her side and Elrond stepped forward. The Elven host bowed respectfully to him as well.
"The Elves are leaving Middle Earth," he said. "You all know this. Our time in this land is coming to an end, yet we cannot simply leave it. Our fates are too entwined. Even now, the power of Sauron grows great and dark again. The destruction of the One Ring is the only thing that will save Middle Earth from falling under his dominion."
Galadriel spoke then. "The people of Rohan are trapped in Helm's Deep. A host of Orc and Uruk-hai march from Isengard, bent on the annihilation of Rohan."
The Archers were too well trained to mutter amongst themselves, but faces darkened and frowns deepened at her words.
"We cannot let them stand alone. For centuries, Elves and Men worked together to keep Sauron and his minions contained in Mordor. For centuries, we have lived – and died - side by side. Yet the Lady Galadriel and I would not order you to a battle where so many would die. The siege at Helm's Deep will be bloody. Without help, Rohan will perish. Even with help, there is a great chance that they will be utterly destroyed."
"I will go," said Haldir without hesitation. Galadriel's face softened; she had expected this, but she also feared for Haldir if he went to Helm's Deep.
"I, too, would honor our allegiance with Men," said Valariel, stepping up next to her father. "I will go."
For a moment, Haldir stopped being the Marchwarden of 'Lorien and became Valariel's father. He turned to refuse her, to order her to leave for Valinor. Instead, he came face to face with a haughty, icy stare that dared him to refuse her, dared him to treat her differently before the other Archers – something he had never, ever done. He was vanquished with that look, knowing he'd worn the same one on many, many occasions. Valariel would march to Helm's Deep and he could do nothing to stop it.
** ** ** ** ** ** **
Thanks again as always to everyone who took the time to review. Mercury G., Evenstar E., Haldir's H&S, I appreciate the consistency. Irith, as I said, sorry that my creative departures from Tolkien's world have lessened your enjoyment of the story. Nevertheless, I appreciate you taking the time to review. Ciao bellas!