Chapter 3- Swordplay
Haldir stood atop the highest vantage point in the city, looking over the tree and talans, and around the ground where the elves were now but tiny specks moving along the forest floor. He sighed. It had been only a few weeks since he had returned from the borders, and already he was longing to get back out and protect his city. And he could have been back out by now if he had not received word that Targon had entered Caras Galadhon the night before. With the arrival of Targon, the March Warden who had taught him everything knew, Haldir knew there would be celebrations and the like for the return of one of the greatest warriors that had ever been on Middle Earth. Also, Targon would probably be around to check up on Haldir's role as the March Warden who took his place when he left.
That fact was slowly eating away at Haldir's insides. What if he had let many of the stiff rules Targon had held go? What would Targon think of him? Would he have not lived up to Targon's expectations? After all, Haldir had not been Targon's first choice in replacing him as March Warden. It was only by the counsel of Lord Celeborn that Targon named Haldir as his successor. He was sure Galadriel must have also seen something and had also advised Targon. Haldir worried that his whole existence as March Warden had not been deserved and that there was someone out there that would have been a better fit than himself.
Biting his lip, he shook the thoughts from his head. He had not lasted this long as March Warden by having these thoughts. He had to be completely sure of his capabilities, as he was most of the time, but it was only when Targon visited Lórien did he again become nervous. It would have been so much easier if...
He heard the unmistakable clash of heavy metal swords off in the distance, and turned his head, cocking it to one side to listen more closely. It was coming from the direction of the practice field, but he could not see past the dense foliage to see who was there practicing. Curious, though, to who is was at such an early hour of the morning, Haldir walked down the long paths and walked towards the field, finding that there was a good following of elves already standing around. He walked up to the group of watchers and stood next to his friend of many years, Luinil.
"It is early for you to be up Luinil." Haldir remarked, clasping his hands behind his back.
Luinil glanced at his friend and chuckled, "Not so early, my friend.
Haldir looked towards the open field and saw Colindo striking ferociously with his elven scimitar, the metal flashing against the morning light. The elf parrying him did so in great force and determination, and they looked to be about equally matched a the other elf gained a strike on him, and Colindo started parrying the violent strikes. He gazed at the elf, not able to see who it was, as their back was turned to him. The elf's hair color was honeyed brown, and fell to the bottom of their shoulder blades. It was a young elf as he could see by the length of the hair. And this elf was also of a lithe, but rather small bodily bulk, and it amazed him that the elf could block Colindo's strikes because Colindo was by far more superior to the new elf.
Then they turned their positions and for the first time, he realized that it was not a he-elf, but rather an elf maiden dressed in a tunic and leggings. He had never seen this elleth before, and wondered how she made it into the city without his knowledge. Her green-brown eyes flashed wildly as she brought the sword down hard over Colindo's head, but it was quickly parried, and he watched with great aplomb at how her body accepted the hard jolt. She jumped back agilely and swung around, trying again to best Colindo. Haldir noticed that her stance was expert and her moved were fancy and too intricate for anyone who had actually seen time fighting the evils of the world. One who had been in battle before modified the steps to make them easier and more beneficial when it came to protecting your life.
"Who is the elleth?" He questioned, seeing her take a strike to her arm with the blunt edge of the blade.
Luinil shrugged, "I have yet to ascertain that, mellon nin."
"How long have they been going at it?" Haldir asked, crossing his arms over his chest now.
"A half hour." Luinil spoke, "I am actually quite impressed with the little elleth. She is holding her own very well for being unevenly matched."
"Do you know who wished for this pairing?" Haldir asked.
Luinil looked at Haldir and chuckled, "Rúmil and Colindo met her when she came down for the morning meal. Your brother was too much a pansy to take on the elleth."
"He is not a pansy." Haldir laughed, "He would much rather watch the elleth move about in this dance. He finds it spellbinding."
"As do all other he-elves," Luinil replied, motioning for Haldir to look around the group.
Haldir stepped back and smiled slyly, "I believe that this elleth needs to be taken down a few notches."
"What do you suggest?" Luinil asked.
The March Warden smiled wider and raised a brow, "Nothing too serious. May I have your sword?"
Luinil looked over his friend for a few moments, wondering why his friend was acting in such a way. It was clear that Colindo was slowly losing this battle, but Haldir would never enter a spar like this to change the outcome, as was his teaching style, to let the fight end and then he would teach. "She but an elleth, Haldir. You cannot pit her against the March Warden. I do not even think she herself would ask to fight you."
Haldir shrugged, "If she chooses to fight like she is, then she is open to this."
With a disgruntled sigh, Luinil removed his sword from the scabbard and presented it Haldir. "I only do this out of morbid curiosity."
"Thank you." Haldir took the sword and gripped it a few times, getting a feel for the different handle and weight of the blade. He swung it about and walked into the field, making it no secret that he was about to enter the fight. The elleth's eyes caught him for a moment, but she glanced too long, and Colindo was able to gain a step on her.
Indilisse swung around, parrying the powerful elven blade with her own, and glanced up at Colindo, seeing the intenseness of his eyes. She swung again, her eyes catching a glimpse of a large, imposing elf behind Colindo but a safe distance behind. His silver-blond hair hung long on his back, a long braid in the back holding it from his strong and harsh looking features. His gray eyes had a slight twinkle of amusement, as did the pleased smile on his lips, accentuating the jutting line of his masculine chin. She felt Colindo using this to his advantage and began a slightly more powerful barrage of sword swings. To miss a particularly threatening swing she ducked down and flipped backwards to right herself on her feet again.
Only this time, she was looking up into the new elf's eyes. How dare he interrupt this spar between her and Colindo? It was not as if she was threatening to Colindo in anyway, and it had been Rúmil who had talked her into this little test of skills, why would another elf be taking his spot? This was truly an unequal pairing, as this elf was extremely large in both height and muscle tone.
He swung at her carefully, and she held her sword up to parry it. The force at which their blades struck she had never experienced before, and it shook her deeply. Already she was worn out from Colindo's expert fighting skills, but after a few more parries like this, and she would be laying out flat on the ground with a sword pressed to her throat. She heard excited chatter fill the air from the congregating group of elves. Who was this beast?
The elf seemed to lessen his advances on her, allowing her time to recover and she immediately got even angrier, "Do not treat as an unable elleth!" She said through gritted teeth.
"I am merely giving you time to catch up, sweet one." He replied.
Did he even know who he was talking to? Indilisse sneered at him and watched his eyes closely, seeing a flash of dangerous abandon in his eyes. He swung again, this time his hair falling over his shoulder, and a few strands clinging to his slightly sweaty forehead. She parried this with much force to counter act his, and he stepped back slightly, with a small smile. Who did he think he was?
"You are not so bad pen neth." He said and struck again.
Indilisse felt her arms start to give out and then a sudden jerk of his head made a thought cross her mind. She knew who he was. It was Haldir, the one who had taken her father's place. He had been only a millennia old when he had taken over the position from Targon, and had looked different than at that age. When Haldir had been young, he had been so large and muscle bound that he now was. And she did not remember him being so handsome, even in the condescending state he was now presenting himself in. The other she knew was that he held great respect for Targon. What would he do if he knew who's daughter he was fighting and being so rude with?
"I am not little, March Warden," she said breathlessly, swinging at him, to which he easily blocked her sword.
"So you know who I am?" He asked, raising another haughty eyebrow. "But I fear I do not know who you are."
Indilisse bit her lip hard and set her jaw, "Why should I be so acquiescent to your requests, March Warden, when you are so belittling of me?'
"Indilisse!" She heard the strong voice of her father float across the field in a scolding manner.
She turned her attention to the side for a moment, but it was a moment too long and Haldir swept his sword down to her legs, the blunt edge hitting her hard and making her stumble back. Indilisse felt her legs give out and slowly she watched as the elves gazing at her were peering down at and making sure she was not too hurt. The air in her lungs escaped with the impact of the ground, and she closed her eyes for a moment to collect herself. Naturally her father would have to show up.
Haldir offered his hand to help her up, the smirk playing on his lips enough to make her want to rip him apart. Indilisse brushed it forcefully away and stood up on her own accord, but the slight pain on her left leg where Haldir had struck her shot up her body. She gasped slightly and turned to walk to her father, "Ada."
"How did you think you could possibly take on the March Warden?" Targon scolded underneath his breath, only loud enough for her to hear.
"It did not start out against him, Ada." Indilisse said, and looked at him defiantly, "It was against Colindo, and then Haldir decided it would be good for him to take over."
She felt the intense eyes on the back of her head, knowing who it was, as most of the other elves had dispersed.
"Master Targon." The deep voice said, and she felt him close the distance.
Indilisse saw Haldir bow reverently to her father and looked up at him. Targon nodded towards Haldir, "It is good to see that you can best an elleth, March Warden."
She heard the iciness in his voice. Was he mad at Haldir for engaging in the fight, or for her thinking she should fight with Haldir? "Father, it was only a spar, nothing more. None of the other elleths were willing to be my opposite."
Targon glared at her, "Be quiet, Indilisse, you have already done enough."
Indilisse stepped back and felt her blood rising. She open and closed her mouth a few times, unable to say anything, and she grumbled, storming off the field.
Targon watched her go and turned to Haldir, "I am sorry, Haldir, my daughter is not accustomed to the ways of Lórien."
Haldir raised a brow, "I do not mind, she had excellent form."
"Aye, but as you can see, not the concentration." Targon said, "One of these days she will severely hurt herself."
The March Warden sighed and nodded his head, not really wishing to speak of this any longer. Had he known that the elleth was Targon's daughter, he would have never thought to fight with her. He held too much respect for Targon to be so haughty to him or any of his kin. "Welcome back to Lórien, Master Targon. It has been long since your last visit."
Targon smiled, "I have come to check up on you, my charge."
"I hope you will find everything in order," Haldir replied, hoping the sarcasm that came with it was not so evident, but the look in Targon's eyes told him differently.
Luckily, though, Targon did not mention it. Targon sighed, "I should be getting to my meeting with the Lord and Lady. That was where I was originally headed."
Haldir nodded and watched Targon walk away from him, noticing that Rúmil stood to the side of the field with Luinil and Colindo. He stalked over to them, "Did you know?"
"I am not sure what you mean, Haldir." Colindo replied.
"Did you know who you were fighting?" Haldir asked.
Colindo nodded, "Aye, I did. I do not see why we should treat her any different than all of the other elleths here. They are welcome to spar if they wish."
Haldir was quiet and pursed his lips together, "But she is Master Targon's daughter!"
"And she could fight." Luinil said, stepping in between the two.
Rúmil nodded in agreement, "And Colindo was about ready to relent when you decided to be creator of the universe, and marched in between them."
Haldir glared at his youngest brother and grumbled to himself, handing the sword back to Luinil. "Someone could have at least warned me."
"And miss this moment when Haldir, the revered March Warden, was scolded by his teacher?" Rúmil laughed, "I think not."
"Why did you do it anyway?" Luinil asked, "It is not like you."
Haldir did not reply to this, as he really did not have an answer. With a heavy sigh, he waved them off and started back for his talan. He needed to be alone for awhile, to think of the big mistake he had made this day. What would Targon think of him now?
However, on his way up to the talan, Nindë was coming down in the opposite direction. She paused and smiled, "Good morning, Haldir."
Haldir glanced at her and grunted, seeing the disappointment on her face when he did not smile in return. "Hello Nindë."
He continued on his way, breezing by her, and missing the vengeful look now crossing her eyes. Haldir closed the door to his talan and looked around the room, taking a long breath. What was it about Targon's daughter that made him go out and engage her in spar that she had already clearly won? This as horrible to not know his actions for something. Everything he had ever done had purpose. But this just seemed to be for his own juvenile pleasure. A pleasure he got besting an elleth. It was utterly despicable of him to have done it.
Haldir grumbled to himself again, and walked into the back room to plait his hair again, now that it had fallen out during the spar. ____________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________
Indilisse limped up the stairs carefully, stopping every few feet to rest her hurt leg, when finally she heard a soft voice, "I hear from many sources that you could not help yourself again."
Indilisse looked in the direction of the voice and saw the dark-haired, strikingly blue-eyed elleth making her way towards her. "I do not wish to speak of it, Arwen."
Arwen chuckled, "Yes, still the same as I remember you."
"It has been a long while," Indilisse nodded, walking slowly to meet Arwen in a friendly hug. She and Arwen had developed a bond with each other when Indilisse had been in Imladris, more sisterly than anything because both of their fathers were very much alike and it was nice once and awhile to have someone to commiserate with.
"Half an age, my dear friend." Arwen replied, and saw Indilisse misstep on her leg and grimace. "Let me take you to my talan. I can heal you."
Indilisse sighed, "I thought you would never offer Undómiel."
Arwen laughed happily and placed an arm around Indilisse's shoulder to help her hobble to the talan not many feet away. Indilisse looked around the large talan, finding it to be a rather good sized dwelling, she figured because of Arwen's birth rite as Lord Elrond's daughter and Celeborn's and Galadriel's granddaughter. "Are you happy to be back, Indilisse?"
"Very," Indilisse said and walked to a side cushioned chaise that Arwen had motioned her to sit in. She sighed and glanced up at Arwen who was gathering a few herb together and mixing them into a paste. "Though, I would be better if the March Warden had not decided to take over the spar I was having with Colindo."
Arwen smiled and came to kneel in from of Indilisse, "Haldir is someone it would behoove of you to make friend, Indilisse. He is valorous and noble."
"And arrogant." She added, "If you had only seen his face as he swung that sword. It almost seemed as if he was amused that I fought him."
"Most people do not continue when the March Warden is around, Indilisse." Arwen replied, lifting the leg of the legging, seeing exactly where she had been hurt. She placed her hands over it, and then an intense heat touched her leg, and was gone quickly as was the pain. Arwen spread the heard over the slight black and blue mark and sat back. "That should take care of you tonight. You must be able to dance at your own welcoming celebration."
Indilisse frowned, "I hate parties."
Arwen chuckled and shook her head, "Aye, you are still the same old Indilisse that left for Mirkwood a thousand years ago."
"And you are the same Arwen, Evenstar of her people." Indilisse joked and let a soft laugh escape her lips. "I would much like to catch up with you Arwen, but I need to bathe after this tragedy."
Arwen nodded and showed her to the door. "We will see each other tonight at the celebration. And I will keep you away from the arrogant warden."
"Thank you." Indilisse smiled, even though she knew Arwen was but kidding about protecting her from Haldir. "I will see you this eve."
Haldir stood atop the highest vantage point in the city, looking over the tree and talans, and around the ground where the elves were now but tiny specks moving along the forest floor. He sighed. It had been only a few weeks since he had returned from the borders, and already he was longing to get back out and protect his city. And he could have been back out by now if he had not received word that Targon had entered Caras Galadhon the night before. With the arrival of Targon, the March Warden who had taught him everything knew, Haldir knew there would be celebrations and the like for the return of one of the greatest warriors that had ever been on Middle Earth. Also, Targon would probably be around to check up on Haldir's role as the March Warden who took his place when he left.
That fact was slowly eating away at Haldir's insides. What if he had let many of the stiff rules Targon had held go? What would Targon think of him? Would he have not lived up to Targon's expectations? After all, Haldir had not been Targon's first choice in replacing him as March Warden. It was only by the counsel of Lord Celeborn that Targon named Haldir as his successor. He was sure Galadriel must have also seen something and had also advised Targon. Haldir worried that his whole existence as March Warden had not been deserved and that there was someone out there that would have been a better fit than himself.
Biting his lip, he shook the thoughts from his head. He had not lasted this long as March Warden by having these thoughts. He had to be completely sure of his capabilities, as he was most of the time, but it was only when Targon visited Lórien did he again become nervous. It would have been so much easier if...
He heard the unmistakable clash of heavy metal swords off in the distance, and turned his head, cocking it to one side to listen more closely. It was coming from the direction of the practice field, but he could not see past the dense foliage to see who was there practicing. Curious, though, to who is was at such an early hour of the morning, Haldir walked down the long paths and walked towards the field, finding that there was a good following of elves already standing around. He walked up to the group of watchers and stood next to his friend of many years, Luinil.
"It is early for you to be up Luinil." Haldir remarked, clasping his hands behind his back.
Luinil glanced at his friend and chuckled, "Not so early, my friend.
Haldir looked towards the open field and saw Colindo striking ferociously with his elven scimitar, the metal flashing against the morning light. The elf parrying him did so in great force and determination, and they looked to be about equally matched a the other elf gained a strike on him, and Colindo started parrying the violent strikes. He gazed at the elf, not able to see who it was, as their back was turned to him. The elf's hair color was honeyed brown, and fell to the bottom of their shoulder blades. It was a young elf as he could see by the length of the hair. And this elf was also of a lithe, but rather small bodily bulk, and it amazed him that the elf could block Colindo's strikes because Colindo was by far more superior to the new elf.
Then they turned their positions and for the first time, he realized that it was not a he-elf, but rather an elf maiden dressed in a tunic and leggings. He had never seen this elleth before, and wondered how she made it into the city without his knowledge. Her green-brown eyes flashed wildly as she brought the sword down hard over Colindo's head, but it was quickly parried, and he watched with great aplomb at how her body accepted the hard jolt. She jumped back agilely and swung around, trying again to best Colindo. Haldir noticed that her stance was expert and her moved were fancy and too intricate for anyone who had actually seen time fighting the evils of the world. One who had been in battle before modified the steps to make them easier and more beneficial when it came to protecting your life.
"Who is the elleth?" He questioned, seeing her take a strike to her arm with the blunt edge of the blade.
Luinil shrugged, "I have yet to ascertain that, mellon nin."
"How long have they been going at it?" Haldir asked, crossing his arms over his chest now.
"A half hour." Luinil spoke, "I am actually quite impressed with the little elleth. She is holding her own very well for being unevenly matched."
"Do you know who wished for this pairing?" Haldir asked.
Luinil looked at Haldir and chuckled, "Rúmil and Colindo met her when she came down for the morning meal. Your brother was too much a pansy to take on the elleth."
"He is not a pansy." Haldir laughed, "He would much rather watch the elleth move about in this dance. He finds it spellbinding."
"As do all other he-elves," Luinil replied, motioning for Haldir to look around the group.
Haldir stepped back and smiled slyly, "I believe that this elleth needs to be taken down a few notches."
"What do you suggest?" Luinil asked.
The March Warden smiled wider and raised a brow, "Nothing too serious. May I have your sword?"
Luinil looked over his friend for a few moments, wondering why his friend was acting in such a way. It was clear that Colindo was slowly losing this battle, but Haldir would never enter a spar like this to change the outcome, as was his teaching style, to let the fight end and then he would teach. "She but an elleth, Haldir. You cannot pit her against the March Warden. I do not even think she herself would ask to fight you."
Haldir shrugged, "If she chooses to fight like she is, then she is open to this."
With a disgruntled sigh, Luinil removed his sword from the scabbard and presented it Haldir. "I only do this out of morbid curiosity."
"Thank you." Haldir took the sword and gripped it a few times, getting a feel for the different handle and weight of the blade. He swung it about and walked into the field, making it no secret that he was about to enter the fight. The elleth's eyes caught him for a moment, but she glanced too long, and Colindo was able to gain a step on her.
Indilisse swung around, parrying the powerful elven blade with her own, and glanced up at Colindo, seeing the intenseness of his eyes. She swung again, her eyes catching a glimpse of a large, imposing elf behind Colindo but a safe distance behind. His silver-blond hair hung long on his back, a long braid in the back holding it from his strong and harsh looking features. His gray eyes had a slight twinkle of amusement, as did the pleased smile on his lips, accentuating the jutting line of his masculine chin. She felt Colindo using this to his advantage and began a slightly more powerful barrage of sword swings. To miss a particularly threatening swing she ducked down and flipped backwards to right herself on her feet again.
Only this time, she was looking up into the new elf's eyes. How dare he interrupt this spar between her and Colindo? It was not as if she was threatening to Colindo in anyway, and it had been Rúmil who had talked her into this little test of skills, why would another elf be taking his spot? This was truly an unequal pairing, as this elf was extremely large in both height and muscle tone.
He swung at her carefully, and she held her sword up to parry it. The force at which their blades struck she had never experienced before, and it shook her deeply. Already she was worn out from Colindo's expert fighting skills, but after a few more parries like this, and she would be laying out flat on the ground with a sword pressed to her throat. She heard excited chatter fill the air from the congregating group of elves. Who was this beast?
The elf seemed to lessen his advances on her, allowing her time to recover and she immediately got even angrier, "Do not treat as an unable elleth!" She said through gritted teeth.
"I am merely giving you time to catch up, sweet one." He replied.
Did he even know who he was talking to? Indilisse sneered at him and watched his eyes closely, seeing a flash of dangerous abandon in his eyes. He swung again, this time his hair falling over his shoulder, and a few strands clinging to his slightly sweaty forehead. She parried this with much force to counter act his, and he stepped back slightly, with a small smile. Who did he think he was?
"You are not so bad pen neth." He said and struck again.
Indilisse felt her arms start to give out and then a sudden jerk of his head made a thought cross her mind. She knew who he was. It was Haldir, the one who had taken her father's place. He had been only a millennia old when he had taken over the position from Targon, and had looked different than at that age. When Haldir had been young, he had been so large and muscle bound that he now was. And she did not remember him being so handsome, even in the condescending state he was now presenting himself in. The other she knew was that he held great respect for Targon. What would he do if he knew who's daughter he was fighting and being so rude with?
"I am not little, March Warden," she said breathlessly, swinging at him, to which he easily blocked her sword.
"So you know who I am?" He asked, raising another haughty eyebrow. "But I fear I do not know who you are."
Indilisse bit her lip hard and set her jaw, "Why should I be so acquiescent to your requests, March Warden, when you are so belittling of me?'
"Indilisse!" She heard the strong voice of her father float across the field in a scolding manner.
She turned her attention to the side for a moment, but it was a moment too long and Haldir swept his sword down to her legs, the blunt edge hitting her hard and making her stumble back. Indilisse felt her legs give out and slowly she watched as the elves gazing at her were peering down at and making sure she was not too hurt. The air in her lungs escaped with the impact of the ground, and she closed her eyes for a moment to collect herself. Naturally her father would have to show up.
Haldir offered his hand to help her up, the smirk playing on his lips enough to make her want to rip him apart. Indilisse brushed it forcefully away and stood up on her own accord, but the slight pain on her left leg where Haldir had struck her shot up her body. She gasped slightly and turned to walk to her father, "Ada."
"How did you think you could possibly take on the March Warden?" Targon scolded underneath his breath, only loud enough for her to hear.
"It did not start out against him, Ada." Indilisse said, and looked at him defiantly, "It was against Colindo, and then Haldir decided it would be good for him to take over."
She felt the intense eyes on the back of her head, knowing who it was, as most of the other elves had dispersed.
"Master Targon." The deep voice said, and she felt him close the distance.
Indilisse saw Haldir bow reverently to her father and looked up at him. Targon nodded towards Haldir, "It is good to see that you can best an elleth, March Warden."
She heard the iciness in his voice. Was he mad at Haldir for engaging in the fight, or for her thinking she should fight with Haldir? "Father, it was only a spar, nothing more. None of the other elleths were willing to be my opposite."
Targon glared at her, "Be quiet, Indilisse, you have already done enough."
Indilisse stepped back and felt her blood rising. She open and closed her mouth a few times, unable to say anything, and she grumbled, storming off the field.
Targon watched her go and turned to Haldir, "I am sorry, Haldir, my daughter is not accustomed to the ways of Lórien."
Haldir raised a brow, "I do not mind, she had excellent form."
"Aye, but as you can see, not the concentration." Targon said, "One of these days she will severely hurt herself."
The March Warden sighed and nodded his head, not really wishing to speak of this any longer. Had he known that the elleth was Targon's daughter, he would have never thought to fight with her. He held too much respect for Targon to be so haughty to him or any of his kin. "Welcome back to Lórien, Master Targon. It has been long since your last visit."
Targon smiled, "I have come to check up on you, my charge."
"I hope you will find everything in order," Haldir replied, hoping the sarcasm that came with it was not so evident, but the look in Targon's eyes told him differently.
Luckily, though, Targon did not mention it. Targon sighed, "I should be getting to my meeting with the Lord and Lady. That was where I was originally headed."
Haldir nodded and watched Targon walk away from him, noticing that Rúmil stood to the side of the field with Luinil and Colindo. He stalked over to them, "Did you know?"
"I am not sure what you mean, Haldir." Colindo replied.
"Did you know who you were fighting?" Haldir asked.
Colindo nodded, "Aye, I did. I do not see why we should treat her any different than all of the other elleths here. They are welcome to spar if they wish."
Haldir was quiet and pursed his lips together, "But she is Master Targon's daughter!"
"And she could fight." Luinil said, stepping in between the two.
Rúmil nodded in agreement, "And Colindo was about ready to relent when you decided to be creator of the universe, and marched in between them."
Haldir glared at his youngest brother and grumbled to himself, handing the sword back to Luinil. "Someone could have at least warned me."
"And miss this moment when Haldir, the revered March Warden, was scolded by his teacher?" Rúmil laughed, "I think not."
"Why did you do it anyway?" Luinil asked, "It is not like you."
Haldir did not reply to this, as he really did not have an answer. With a heavy sigh, he waved them off and started back for his talan. He needed to be alone for awhile, to think of the big mistake he had made this day. What would Targon think of him now?
However, on his way up to the talan, Nindë was coming down in the opposite direction. She paused and smiled, "Good morning, Haldir."
Haldir glanced at her and grunted, seeing the disappointment on her face when he did not smile in return. "Hello Nindë."
He continued on his way, breezing by her, and missing the vengeful look now crossing her eyes. Haldir closed the door to his talan and looked around the room, taking a long breath. What was it about Targon's daughter that made him go out and engage her in spar that she had already clearly won? This as horrible to not know his actions for something. Everything he had ever done had purpose. But this just seemed to be for his own juvenile pleasure. A pleasure he got besting an elleth. It was utterly despicable of him to have done it.
Haldir grumbled to himself again, and walked into the back room to plait his hair again, now that it had fallen out during the spar. ____________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________
Indilisse limped up the stairs carefully, stopping every few feet to rest her hurt leg, when finally she heard a soft voice, "I hear from many sources that you could not help yourself again."
Indilisse looked in the direction of the voice and saw the dark-haired, strikingly blue-eyed elleth making her way towards her. "I do not wish to speak of it, Arwen."
Arwen chuckled, "Yes, still the same as I remember you."
"It has been a long while," Indilisse nodded, walking slowly to meet Arwen in a friendly hug. She and Arwen had developed a bond with each other when Indilisse had been in Imladris, more sisterly than anything because both of their fathers were very much alike and it was nice once and awhile to have someone to commiserate with.
"Half an age, my dear friend." Arwen replied, and saw Indilisse misstep on her leg and grimace. "Let me take you to my talan. I can heal you."
Indilisse sighed, "I thought you would never offer Undómiel."
Arwen laughed happily and placed an arm around Indilisse's shoulder to help her hobble to the talan not many feet away. Indilisse looked around the large talan, finding it to be a rather good sized dwelling, she figured because of Arwen's birth rite as Lord Elrond's daughter and Celeborn's and Galadriel's granddaughter. "Are you happy to be back, Indilisse?"
"Very," Indilisse said and walked to a side cushioned chaise that Arwen had motioned her to sit in. She sighed and glanced up at Arwen who was gathering a few herb together and mixing them into a paste. "Though, I would be better if the March Warden had not decided to take over the spar I was having with Colindo."
Arwen smiled and came to kneel in from of Indilisse, "Haldir is someone it would behoove of you to make friend, Indilisse. He is valorous and noble."
"And arrogant." She added, "If you had only seen his face as he swung that sword. It almost seemed as if he was amused that I fought him."
"Most people do not continue when the March Warden is around, Indilisse." Arwen replied, lifting the leg of the legging, seeing exactly where she had been hurt. She placed her hands over it, and then an intense heat touched her leg, and was gone quickly as was the pain. Arwen spread the heard over the slight black and blue mark and sat back. "That should take care of you tonight. You must be able to dance at your own welcoming celebration."
Indilisse frowned, "I hate parties."
Arwen chuckled and shook her head, "Aye, you are still the same old Indilisse that left for Mirkwood a thousand years ago."
"And you are the same Arwen, Evenstar of her people." Indilisse joked and let a soft laugh escape her lips. "I would much like to catch up with you Arwen, but I need to bathe after this tragedy."
Arwen nodded and showed her to the door. "We will see each other tonight at the celebration. And I will keep you away from the arrogant warden."
"Thank you." Indilisse smiled, even though she knew Arwen was but kidding about protecting her from Haldir. "I will see you this eve."