Chapter 5- Dancing
Haldir sat listening to the story that Targon was telling of a particularly good hunting trip he had gone on with the Silvan kin of Northern Mirkwood. Truthfully, he could have thought of many other better ways to use his time this evening, but he figured he should just allow this time to listen to Targon and be polite to his master. Picking the large wine goblet up off of the table in front of him, Haldir placed it to his lips and took a long drawn out sip of the strong wine, savoring the taste within his mouth for a few moments before swallowing. The berries mingled nicely with a fall spice, reminding him of a crisp winter morning out on the borders. Letting an inaudible sigh escape from his lips, he glanced around the table and found Galadriel speaking with her granddaughter and Indilisse. They laughed at something particularly droll as he could tell be the way Indilisse chuckled with a bright smile, and covered her mouth, leaning slightly into Arwen as they shared the great laugh.
I wonder what they are speaking of, Haldir thought to himself, tuning his ears to listen to the conversation instead of the one Targon was almost through with. He really knew it was impolite to try to listen in on the conversations of others, especially where such elves as the Lady of Light and the Evenstar were concerned, but he figured that they were at a celebration and speaking rather loudly, so it was only a matter of time before someone overheard the conversation. Haldir heard the name of Aragorn come up in the elleths' conversation, and quickly turned a deaf ear. While he was glad that Arwen was happy once in her life, he was not so glad that she had chosen a man over another elf. Such things always ended badly.
That was when he realized that someone was calling his name. He looked up into the expectant eyes of Targon and Celeborn, "Aye?"
Celeborn gave him a suspicious look and sighed, "Targon tells me you engaged Indilisse in a fight?"
"I did no such thing, milord." Haldir replied, glancing quickly into the gray eyes of the high elf. "It was Colindo who engaged her, I merely stepped in."
A crooked smile appeared on Targon's face and the teacher took a sip of the wine. "Do you remember when she was small, Haldir?"
"Only faintly, Master Targon." The March Warden replied glancing quickly around the party field. This conversation was not so much making him nervous as it was uncomfortable. It seemed to him that Targon was almost regarding him as a possible suitor for his daughter, though Haldir knew that could not possibly be the case. Targon did not like him that much to take him as a son. Haldir took a long breath, and glanced sideways at the elleth across from him as she giggled again with mention of the names of Glorfindel and Elladan. Her laugh was like the faint patter of rain on the leaves of the mellyrn, or the trickling of a small clear-watered stream. It was lovely. And her smile was absolutely bewitching by the way her eyes twinkled and the apples of her cheeks turned a deep plumb either from laughter or from the wine she had imbibed, he did not know. Realizing he had spent far too much time concerning her, Haldir glanced at Targon, "I really do not remember. Long years have passed."
Actually, he had spent too much time paying attention to her this entire evening. From the moment she had taken Targon's arm to walk to the party field together, he could not steal his eyes away from the way the dark fabric grazed her form, rounding the mounds of breasts nicely, and her rump even more visibly, to the easily flowing and sensuous move of he ruffled skirt. All elves were beautiful creatures, but she was not one of the golden or silver haired, pale skinned elleths that continually surrounded him. She had slightly darker skin, her eyes no discernable color from the green-brown that they were, and changed easily between those colors when angered, defeated, or any other vibrant emotion going through her at the time. Haldir had only really looked into her eyes that one time when she was laying flat on her back, but he could see everything going through her mind within them. Her hair was shorter than most, even though she was not that young, as it was a halfway color between a lovely yellow gold and brown. In a way they reminded him of dark gold mallorn leaves, browned, with a hint of gleaming gold hewn within them.
Targon's smile grew wider and he set the goblet down in front of him, "I was only wondering."
She was different, that was what he liked about her. Even though he still had a feeling she was a little too spirituous for his own tastes, but then again that was what had originally intrigued him about her.
Realizing that Targon and Celeborn were now in conversation with each other, not finding any words from him, he stared out over the party field and leaned back in his seat, catching the eyes of a fair silver-haired elleth to the right glancing surreptitiously up at him, as did her other friends surrounding her. He smiled at Nindë and raised his wine goblet slightly in her direction, so as not to draw too much attention to himself and also to elicit excited talking from her friends. Her overly social conscious friends that relied on nods like this from any of the esteemed members of Lothlórien found this particularly exhilarating.
Feeling eyes on him, he turned back to the table and noticed that Galadriel was watching him with much interest. She smiled warmly as if she knew what he had been thinking. Haldir laughed at himself, of course she knew what he was thinking, she was Galadriel for Elbereth's sake! Galadriel chuckled again and shook her head, and glanced at Celeborn. He looked down at her, the simple look, or perhaps her speaking telepathically with her husband, broke him from the conversation. She leaned into him and smiled, "I think it is time for song and dance, my lord."
Celeborn nodded, and turned to Targon quickly before standing up. This drew the partygoers' attentions enough that no call had to be made to quiet everyone down- such was a nice thing about elven homes, their leaders were so reverently looked after that anytime they moved, politeness was observed. "The Lady requests that we now join in many dances and much more wine until you elves find it upon yourselves to take leave of the festivities."
With that, the minstrels took there spots for the next long while and began to play melodious music as tables were cleared away and a large spot made in the field for the dancing. Soon many couples were gather together in a sea of satin creams, silky forest greens and velvety deep reds, as were colors of predominance at this certain banquet. Haldir drew himself from the chair in an intention to free himself from the vice of Targon to go and spend time with the eye-batting elleths, but his attention was quickly seized by the pale blue brocaded tunic worn by Rúmil. His brother walked easily towards the table and stood in front of Targon, bowing his head and placing hand to his heart.
"Master Targon, I was wondering if I could request a dance from your lovely daughter." Rúmil asked.
Targon smiled, "You will have to ask her yourself, Rúmil."
Rúmil nodded his head and turned to the elegantly dressed elleth. "Lady Indilisse, is it at all possible that I may have this first dance."
She giggled and shook her head, standing carefully up from her seat. Indilisse fidgeted slightly, gathering the dress around her and Haldir chuckled. She truly was not comfortable in fine dresses. But on the other side of his brain, all Haldir could think about was that he did not want Rúmil to dance with her. Elbereth knew what else they could do to get him into trouble with Targon.
"I could not deny such a request," Indilisse said, taking his outstretched hand. Rúmil smiled, placing her hand around his arm to lead her out onto the dance floor.
Haldir sighed. It was no secret that Rúmil was by far the most flirtatious and easily befriended of the three brothers, though Haldir wished for one moment that Rúmil would take a cold bath and not be his usual self. Allow the other males to move in on her. No, Rúmil was an adept predator when it came to the fairer sex and catching his prey. Rúmil had left many hearts broken along the way, and Haldir seriously worried for Indilisse. Though, maybe she had invited him to ask her to dance... this morning when they first spoke to each other at the morning meal. Did Indilisse find Rúmil easy to let in? He grumbled to himself. Why was he even thinking like this? Rúmil could have her if he wanted and Haldir did not even know her enough to worry for her.
The March warden glanced back up at the crowd and stood, bowing to his Lord and Lady, excusing himself to go dance.. and to keep an eye on Indilisse. ____________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________
"I am mad at you, Rúmil." Indilisse said, looking up into the playful gray eyes of her dance partner.
"Why are you mad at me, lirimaer." Rúmil gave her a warm smile.
She could not help but smile back at him, the gesture infectious. "You let your brother enter that spar earlier. He is three times the size of Colindo... and I only agreed to Colindo."
Rúmil chuckled, parting their movements for a moment to twirl her about in the midst of the elven dance. "I could not stop him."
"He is your brother." Indilisse said.
"He is my big brother, Indilisse. As you said, I would not fight someone larger than me." Rúmil said.
Indilisse smiled warmly and glanced at his chest where her eyes were level, glancing up at him with a coquettish look in her eyes. She placed a finger on the collar of his tunic, slipping a finger beneath the flap of fabric, feeling the hard chest beneath and ran her finger slowly down, passing over the first fastener to move to the next open spot. "I do not think he is so much larger than you, Rúmil."
He glanced down at her, "Oh really?"
"And you fight detestable creatures whenever on the border," she said, removing her finger and placed her hand on a strong shoulder. "Uruks that are truly larger than you." Indilisse smiled again, taking her hand and running a finger over the curve of his earlobe to the tip.
Rúmil grabbed her hand and held it tightly, "We have barely met, fair maiden. You should not be doing that, especially not here in the midst of all these other elves."
"You cannot stop me," she challenged with a mirth-filled smile.
"You minx," Rúmil replied with a short laugh, but his eyes grew serious. "Would you wish to continue... elsewhere?"
Indilisse licked her lips and contemplated her actions for a moment. It would be a treat to be with Rúmil, one of the finer Lórien wardens, despite the rumors she had heard of his and Orophin's juvenile nature, but she did not wish to start off her tenure in Lórien as an elleth rumored to offer sexual favors. Besides, Rúmil was only teasing, wasn't he?
"I like the fact that you actually think through it." Rúmil said deeply, "That gives me hope for the future."
"Who said I would allow you more of my company in the future, Rúmil of Lórien?" Indilisse chuckled, "Do you not think I have better prospects?"
Rúmil leaned in and placed an innocent kiss upon her brow, "The only better you can get here in Lórien are my brothers or Lord Celeborn. And since Galadriel can do unnatural things to you, I would not suggest Lord Celeborn."
She nodded with a long, playful sigh, "You are right Rúmil, sadly."
Rúmil and Indilisse continued to spin around the field, dancing for a long while until finally they both decided that they should take a time to relax and dance with other elves. He was quick to leave her side because they had talked about the other prospects for him during the dances, and she had pointed out a specifically enchanting elleth he should ask to dance. Indilisse watched him make his approach, the elleth looking up at him, completely surprised. She turned back to watch the swirling groups, sipping her wine, noticing that her entire table was empty. Celeborn and Galadriel were dancing, and Targon was busy speaking with another group of he-elves, she presumed probably of the same hunting story he had everyone else this night. Targon was quite fond of that story.
Indilisse rested back in her seat, finding that Arwen had been picked up by Colindo and then passed off to another elf she did not know. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, relishing in the cool night air, in the company of these fine elves and in the songs coming from the minstrels. All of Middle Earth should be able to experience this wonderful past time, she sighed, feeling a large shadow fall over her.
"I will take a wild guess and say that it is not a spar you want?" Indilisse asked, not opening her eyes.
A deep chuckle resounded and the elf sighed, "No, I think I put you into your place early enough."
"You put me no where, March Warden." She replied with deep inflection on her resentfulness. Indilisse opened her eyes, finding that Haldir stood over her peering down with his gray eyes, silver hair spilling over his shoulder and creating a sort of curtain. She sat straight in the chair.
"So that was not you laying conveniently on the ground earlier today?" He asked, raising a dark and arrogant brow. "I could have sworn those were your angry eyes I looked into."
"And they were rightly so." Indilisse said. She stood up suddenly and readjusted the long dress on her shoulders, and he let out a low chuckle. "What do you find so hilarious, March Warden?"
Haldir pursed his lips together and stepped back, regarding her image. "I do not think you were meant for a dress so fine."
She sneered bitterly at his remark. What had he just said? Was he mocking her? "I do not take your meaning Warden."
"You seem more befitting of the soiled tunic you wore this morning." He replied.
Indilisse recoiled at his words, "If you are attempting to win me over with your charms, Haldir, March Warden of Lothlórien, you are seriously mistaken as to what females prefer."
Haldir smiled superciliously and licked his lips. "I know exactly what females prefer."
She had heard enough from the menacing warden, and shook her head. If he truly was trying to impress her, it was definitely not working. With a quick turn, she was stomping across the field and to her father. ____________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________
Haldir watched as she made her way to her father, and took a few calming breaths, praying that by the Valar, she would not tell Targon of what he had just been doing. He did not even know what he had been doing. He was attracted to her- liking the way she looked, the way she acted as a strong female and not innocent and helpless, and also of her dry sense of humor, no matter how little of it he had seen- and here he was being none too friendly, overly egotistical and basically belittling her to a point where he did not even think it was himself speaking to her. Indilisse gathered her father's attention and it looked as if she was saying her goodnights to people before she headed back to her talan.
"Maybe if you were not so forward, Haldir."
He turned at the soft voice behind him, finding Undómiel coming from behind a bush. "Lady Arwen..."
She chuckled, "You are truly being a beast to her. No woman- whether she be elfkind, mankind or dwarfkind- would want to cuddle with an orc or warg."
"You know her well, milady?" Haldir asked.
Arwen smiled and slid into her seat, "I can tell you a few things about her, if you wish Haldir. But I do not like to involve myself with the affairs of others."
Haldir slipped into the seat Indilisse had vacated and looked at Arwen. "You know she intrigued me and that was why I was pulled into the fight? I have never seen anyone with such a confident and high spirit."
"She is only like that when she is fighting, Haldir." Arwen said, "While she does remain confident and quick witted, she does like to be treated like a lady, despite her choices in clothing, or free time activities. Not as one of you subordinates."
He nodded, and internalized what she was saying, and then sighed when she was finished. He still did not know why he was so attracted to her, despite the fact of the reasons he already knew. It seemed so odd he wanted to be with her, after all they had exchanged were cursory phrases out on the practice field, and now here at the dance. Not a good record, he had to admit. This was why he had not married yet. It was much easier to woo a passing pleasure back to her talan than to have any type of meaningful relationship with them.
Haldir stood and bowed slightly, "Milady, would you care to dance in payment for your words?"
Arwen smiled, "See, you are already getting better."
He lead her out to the field and pulled her into the next dance, finding that Indilisse was again with Rúmil. Haldir had pulled Nindë over in the direction of his brother when they were dancing earlier, in order to hear the conversation they were having. Hearing only small snippets in between the other couples' conversations, he found that she had been very flirtatious with Rúmil, almost to the extent that Rúmil did not know how to take it. But then again, he underestimated the skills of his youngest brother.
Now Indilisse was leaning against a tall tree, Rúmil being a head taller than she had his arm resting above her and against the soft bark, looking down at her and caressing her cheek with his hand. She looked up at Rúmil and giggled at something he had whispered into her ear. She was entirely too much a wench if she was giving in that easily to Rúmil. Indilisse pushed Rúmil away from her and patted his cheek, placing a kiss on his other cheek before leaving the celebration. Haldir watched her go until he could see her no longer, and finally turned his attention back to Arwen who giggled at him.
"I think she struck you over the head harder than you struck her leg." Arwen said. "I have never seen you so consumed."
Haldir did not reply and gave Arwen a weak smile.
Haldir sat listening to the story that Targon was telling of a particularly good hunting trip he had gone on with the Silvan kin of Northern Mirkwood. Truthfully, he could have thought of many other better ways to use his time this evening, but he figured he should just allow this time to listen to Targon and be polite to his master. Picking the large wine goblet up off of the table in front of him, Haldir placed it to his lips and took a long drawn out sip of the strong wine, savoring the taste within his mouth for a few moments before swallowing. The berries mingled nicely with a fall spice, reminding him of a crisp winter morning out on the borders. Letting an inaudible sigh escape from his lips, he glanced around the table and found Galadriel speaking with her granddaughter and Indilisse. They laughed at something particularly droll as he could tell be the way Indilisse chuckled with a bright smile, and covered her mouth, leaning slightly into Arwen as they shared the great laugh.
I wonder what they are speaking of, Haldir thought to himself, tuning his ears to listen to the conversation instead of the one Targon was almost through with. He really knew it was impolite to try to listen in on the conversations of others, especially where such elves as the Lady of Light and the Evenstar were concerned, but he figured that they were at a celebration and speaking rather loudly, so it was only a matter of time before someone overheard the conversation. Haldir heard the name of Aragorn come up in the elleths' conversation, and quickly turned a deaf ear. While he was glad that Arwen was happy once in her life, he was not so glad that she had chosen a man over another elf. Such things always ended badly.
That was when he realized that someone was calling his name. He looked up into the expectant eyes of Targon and Celeborn, "Aye?"
Celeborn gave him a suspicious look and sighed, "Targon tells me you engaged Indilisse in a fight?"
"I did no such thing, milord." Haldir replied, glancing quickly into the gray eyes of the high elf. "It was Colindo who engaged her, I merely stepped in."
A crooked smile appeared on Targon's face and the teacher took a sip of the wine. "Do you remember when she was small, Haldir?"
"Only faintly, Master Targon." The March Warden replied glancing quickly around the party field. This conversation was not so much making him nervous as it was uncomfortable. It seemed to him that Targon was almost regarding him as a possible suitor for his daughter, though Haldir knew that could not possibly be the case. Targon did not like him that much to take him as a son. Haldir took a long breath, and glanced sideways at the elleth across from him as she giggled again with mention of the names of Glorfindel and Elladan. Her laugh was like the faint patter of rain on the leaves of the mellyrn, or the trickling of a small clear-watered stream. It was lovely. And her smile was absolutely bewitching by the way her eyes twinkled and the apples of her cheeks turned a deep plumb either from laughter or from the wine she had imbibed, he did not know. Realizing he had spent far too much time concerning her, Haldir glanced at Targon, "I really do not remember. Long years have passed."
Actually, he had spent too much time paying attention to her this entire evening. From the moment she had taken Targon's arm to walk to the party field together, he could not steal his eyes away from the way the dark fabric grazed her form, rounding the mounds of breasts nicely, and her rump even more visibly, to the easily flowing and sensuous move of he ruffled skirt. All elves were beautiful creatures, but she was not one of the golden or silver haired, pale skinned elleths that continually surrounded him. She had slightly darker skin, her eyes no discernable color from the green-brown that they were, and changed easily between those colors when angered, defeated, or any other vibrant emotion going through her at the time. Haldir had only really looked into her eyes that one time when she was laying flat on her back, but he could see everything going through her mind within them. Her hair was shorter than most, even though she was not that young, as it was a halfway color between a lovely yellow gold and brown. In a way they reminded him of dark gold mallorn leaves, browned, with a hint of gleaming gold hewn within them.
Targon's smile grew wider and he set the goblet down in front of him, "I was only wondering."
She was different, that was what he liked about her. Even though he still had a feeling she was a little too spirituous for his own tastes, but then again that was what had originally intrigued him about her.
Realizing that Targon and Celeborn were now in conversation with each other, not finding any words from him, he stared out over the party field and leaned back in his seat, catching the eyes of a fair silver-haired elleth to the right glancing surreptitiously up at him, as did her other friends surrounding her. He smiled at Nindë and raised his wine goblet slightly in her direction, so as not to draw too much attention to himself and also to elicit excited talking from her friends. Her overly social conscious friends that relied on nods like this from any of the esteemed members of Lothlórien found this particularly exhilarating.
Feeling eyes on him, he turned back to the table and noticed that Galadriel was watching him with much interest. She smiled warmly as if she knew what he had been thinking. Haldir laughed at himself, of course she knew what he was thinking, she was Galadriel for Elbereth's sake! Galadriel chuckled again and shook her head, and glanced at Celeborn. He looked down at her, the simple look, or perhaps her speaking telepathically with her husband, broke him from the conversation. She leaned into him and smiled, "I think it is time for song and dance, my lord."
Celeborn nodded, and turned to Targon quickly before standing up. This drew the partygoers' attentions enough that no call had to be made to quiet everyone down- such was a nice thing about elven homes, their leaders were so reverently looked after that anytime they moved, politeness was observed. "The Lady requests that we now join in many dances and much more wine until you elves find it upon yourselves to take leave of the festivities."
With that, the minstrels took there spots for the next long while and began to play melodious music as tables were cleared away and a large spot made in the field for the dancing. Soon many couples were gather together in a sea of satin creams, silky forest greens and velvety deep reds, as were colors of predominance at this certain banquet. Haldir drew himself from the chair in an intention to free himself from the vice of Targon to go and spend time with the eye-batting elleths, but his attention was quickly seized by the pale blue brocaded tunic worn by Rúmil. His brother walked easily towards the table and stood in front of Targon, bowing his head and placing hand to his heart.
"Master Targon, I was wondering if I could request a dance from your lovely daughter." Rúmil asked.
Targon smiled, "You will have to ask her yourself, Rúmil."
Rúmil nodded his head and turned to the elegantly dressed elleth. "Lady Indilisse, is it at all possible that I may have this first dance."
She giggled and shook her head, standing carefully up from her seat. Indilisse fidgeted slightly, gathering the dress around her and Haldir chuckled. She truly was not comfortable in fine dresses. But on the other side of his brain, all Haldir could think about was that he did not want Rúmil to dance with her. Elbereth knew what else they could do to get him into trouble with Targon.
"I could not deny such a request," Indilisse said, taking his outstretched hand. Rúmil smiled, placing her hand around his arm to lead her out onto the dance floor.
Haldir sighed. It was no secret that Rúmil was by far the most flirtatious and easily befriended of the three brothers, though Haldir wished for one moment that Rúmil would take a cold bath and not be his usual self. Allow the other males to move in on her. No, Rúmil was an adept predator when it came to the fairer sex and catching his prey. Rúmil had left many hearts broken along the way, and Haldir seriously worried for Indilisse. Though, maybe she had invited him to ask her to dance... this morning when they first spoke to each other at the morning meal. Did Indilisse find Rúmil easy to let in? He grumbled to himself. Why was he even thinking like this? Rúmil could have her if he wanted and Haldir did not even know her enough to worry for her.
The March warden glanced back up at the crowd and stood, bowing to his Lord and Lady, excusing himself to go dance.. and to keep an eye on Indilisse. ____________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________
"I am mad at you, Rúmil." Indilisse said, looking up into the playful gray eyes of her dance partner.
"Why are you mad at me, lirimaer." Rúmil gave her a warm smile.
She could not help but smile back at him, the gesture infectious. "You let your brother enter that spar earlier. He is three times the size of Colindo... and I only agreed to Colindo."
Rúmil chuckled, parting their movements for a moment to twirl her about in the midst of the elven dance. "I could not stop him."
"He is your brother." Indilisse said.
"He is my big brother, Indilisse. As you said, I would not fight someone larger than me." Rúmil said.
Indilisse smiled warmly and glanced at his chest where her eyes were level, glancing up at him with a coquettish look in her eyes. She placed a finger on the collar of his tunic, slipping a finger beneath the flap of fabric, feeling the hard chest beneath and ran her finger slowly down, passing over the first fastener to move to the next open spot. "I do not think he is so much larger than you, Rúmil."
He glanced down at her, "Oh really?"
"And you fight detestable creatures whenever on the border," she said, removing her finger and placed her hand on a strong shoulder. "Uruks that are truly larger than you." Indilisse smiled again, taking her hand and running a finger over the curve of his earlobe to the tip.
Rúmil grabbed her hand and held it tightly, "We have barely met, fair maiden. You should not be doing that, especially not here in the midst of all these other elves."
"You cannot stop me," she challenged with a mirth-filled smile.
"You minx," Rúmil replied with a short laugh, but his eyes grew serious. "Would you wish to continue... elsewhere?"
Indilisse licked her lips and contemplated her actions for a moment. It would be a treat to be with Rúmil, one of the finer Lórien wardens, despite the rumors she had heard of his and Orophin's juvenile nature, but she did not wish to start off her tenure in Lórien as an elleth rumored to offer sexual favors. Besides, Rúmil was only teasing, wasn't he?
"I like the fact that you actually think through it." Rúmil said deeply, "That gives me hope for the future."
"Who said I would allow you more of my company in the future, Rúmil of Lórien?" Indilisse chuckled, "Do you not think I have better prospects?"
Rúmil leaned in and placed an innocent kiss upon her brow, "The only better you can get here in Lórien are my brothers or Lord Celeborn. And since Galadriel can do unnatural things to you, I would not suggest Lord Celeborn."
She nodded with a long, playful sigh, "You are right Rúmil, sadly."
Rúmil and Indilisse continued to spin around the field, dancing for a long while until finally they both decided that they should take a time to relax and dance with other elves. He was quick to leave her side because they had talked about the other prospects for him during the dances, and she had pointed out a specifically enchanting elleth he should ask to dance. Indilisse watched him make his approach, the elleth looking up at him, completely surprised. She turned back to watch the swirling groups, sipping her wine, noticing that her entire table was empty. Celeborn and Galadriel were dancing, and Targon was busy speaking with another group of he-elves, she presumed probably of the same hunting story he had everyone else this night. Targon was quite fond of that story.
Indilisse rested back in her seat, finding that Arwen had been picked up by Colindo and then passed off to another elf she did not know. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, relishing in the cool night air, in the company of these fine elves and in the songs coming from the minstrels. All of Middle Earth should be able to experience this wonderful past time, she sighed, feeling a large shadow fall over her.
"I will take a wild guess and say that it is not a spar you want?" Indilisse asked, not opening her eyes.
A deep chuckle resounded and the elf sighed, "No, I think I put you into your place early enough."
"You put me no where, March Warden." She replied with deep inflection on her resentfulness. Indilisse opened her eyes, finding that Haldir stood over her peering down with his gray eyes, silver hair spilling over his shoulder and creating a sort of curtain. She sat straight in the chair.
"So that was not you laying conveniently on the ground earlier today?" He asked, raising a dark and arrogant brow. "I could have sworn those were your angry eyes I looked into."
"And they were rightly so." Indilisse said. She stood up suddenly and readjusted the long dress on her shoulders, and he let out a low chuckle. "What do you find so hilarious, March Warden?"
Haldir pursed his lips together and stepped back, regarding her image. "I do not think you were meant for a dress so fine."
She sneered bitterly at his remark. What had he just said? Was he mocking her? "I do not take your meaning Warden."
"You seem more befitting of the soiled tunic you wore this morning." He replied.
Indilisse recoiled at his words, "If you are attempting to win me over with your charms, Haldir, March Warden of Lothlórien, you are seriously mistaken as to what females prefer."
Haldir smiled superciliously and licked his lips. "I know exactly what females prefer."
She had heard enough from the menacing warden, and shook her head. If he truly was trying to impress her, it was definitely not working. With a quick turn, she was stomping across the field and to her father. ____________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________
Haldir watched as she made her way to her father, and took a few calming breaths, praying that by the Valar, she would not tell Targon of what he had just been doing. He did not even know what he had been doing. He was attracted to her- liking the way she looked, the way she acted as a strong female and not innocent and helpless, and also of her dry sense of humor, no matter how little of it he had seen- and here he was being none too friendly, overly egotistical and basically belittling her to a point where he did not even think it was himself speaking to her. Indilisse gathered her father's attention and it looked as if she was saying her goodnights to people before she headed back to her talan.
"Maybe if you were not so forward, Haldir."
He turned at the soft voice behind him, finding Undómiel coming from behind a bush. "Lady Arwen..."
She chuckled, "You are truly being a beast to her. No woman- whether she be elfkind, mankind or dwarfkind- would want to cuddle with an orc or warg."
"You know her well, milady?" Haldir asked.
Arwen smiled and slid into her seat, "I can tell you a few things about her, if you wish Haldir. But I do not like to involve myself with the affairs of others."
Haldir slipped into the seat Indilisse had vacated and looked at Arwen. "You know she intrigued me and that was why I was pulled into the fight? I have never seen anyone with such a confident and high spirit."
"She is only like that when she is fighting, Haldir." Arwen said, "While she does remain confident and quick witted, she does like to be treated like a lady, despite her choices in clothing, or free time activities. Not as one of you subordinates."
He nodded, and internalized what she was saying, and then sighed when she was finished. He still did not know why he was so attracted to her, despite the fact of the reasons he already knew. It seemed so odd he wanted to be with her, after all they had exchanged were cursory phrases out on the practice field, and now here at the dance. Not a good record, he had to admit. This was why he had not married yet. It was much easier to woo a passing pleasure back to her talan than to have any type of meaningful relationship with them.
Haldir stood and bowed slightly, "Milady, would you care to dance in payment for your words?"
Arwen smiled, "See, you are already getting better."
He lead her out to the field and pulled her into the next dance, finding that Indilisse was again with Rúmil. Haldir had pulled Nindë over in the direction of his brother when they were dancing earlier, in order to hear the conversation they were having. Hearing only small snippets in between the other couples' conversations, he found that she had been very flirtatious with Rúmil, almost to the extent that Rúmil did not know how to take it. But then again, he underestimated the skills of his youngest brother.
Now Indilisse was leaning against a tall tree, Rúmil being a head taller than she had his arm resting above her and against the soft bark, looking down at her and caressing her cheek with his hand. She looked up at Rúmil and giggled at something he had whispered into her ear. She was entirely too much a wench if she was giving in that easily to Rúmil. Indilisse pushed Rúmil away from her and patted his cheek, placing a kiss on his other cheek before leaving the celebration. Haldir watched her go until he could see her no longer, and finally turned his attention back to Arwen who giggled at him.
"I think she struck you over the head harder than you struck her leg." Arwen said. "I have never seen you so consumed."
Haldir did not reply and gave Arwen a weak smile.