Chapter 17 – Partings

Legolas watched Arlannis walk away from Haldir and saw Haldir following her with his gaze. From his place on the Deeping Wall, next to Gimli, Legolas had seen the exchange between them but had no idea what had transpired. The urgency of Haldir's demeanour had been obvious, as had the distress he had caused Arlannis. She was coming towards them now on her way to meet Eomer and Aragorn. Legolas watched her brush a hand over her eyes and then pause to look over the Wall at the enemy army so closely positioned outside.

Once again Legolas felt an irrational anger as he turned his gaze to Haldir. The Lorien archers were welcome, not just welcome if truth be known, but desperately needed. But if the price of their strength was Haldir's presence, then Legolas would rather have made do without their numbers. He had made them welcome as one elf would do for another though he burned with frustration to see Haldir and the effect he had on Arlannis.

'Arlannis,' he said quietly as she passed him, 'is all well with you?'

She faced him and the evidence of tears was stark on her face. He reached out to touch her cheek, but she moved back and Legolas withdrew his hand, confused.

'I'm sorry, Legolas,' said Arlannis, 'I must go to my brother now.'

He watched as she hurried towards Aragorn, with each step she became less like an elf maid and more a Ranger. Her strides lengthened and her hand gripped the hilt of Gilraen's sword. As she moved to stand beside her brother, Legolas was startled when he saw them thus together. They wore identical stern expressions and had the same determined air, Legolas had never seen them look more alike. He had never seen Arlannis look less elven or more noble.

Soon all time for thought was gone, the Uruk Hai attacked on all sides and the fighting grew desperate. Theoden gave the order to fall back to the Keep before they were all slaughtered. Arlannis and Aragorn heard the order and Arlannis ran to pass it to Eomer. He had last been seen fighting in the large gap left by some devilish weapon wrought by Saruman's skill. Arlannis rushed towards the thick of the fighting, ducking and slashing as necessary to get to the beleaguered band under Eomer's command. As she ran on, she was unaware of Legolas running behind her, guarding her back. Aragorn had asked it of him, but Arlannis was as unaware of her brother's request as she was of Legolas' presence. Having reached a point within earshot of Eomer, Arlannis shouted the order to retreat. Eomer swung around, his countenance one of absolute fury, he was clearly reluctant to fall back. They had not expected to need the refuge of the inner keep so quickly. But the explosive force of the attack dictated the timing of the orders and Eomer shouted to his men to retreat.

He called to the Lorien archers who still stood atop the Deeping Wall defending it against the massive influx of Uruk Hai.

'Retreat to the Keep!' he bellowed. Arlannis looked upwards and met Haldir's gaze. He nodded at Eomer and passed the order to the rest of the Lorien archers and any other men who remained on the wall.

Arlannis turned to make her way back to the Keep and saw Legolas battling two Uruk Hai with his twin swords, his arrows being long since spent. She charged the nearest one and skewered it through its massive chest, Legolas slit the throat of the second spattering them both with black blood. They started to run when both heard a terrible wail of grief from the Deeping Wall. All sound faded as Arlannis felt a tearing sensation in her chest. For a moment she thought she had been transfixed with an arrow but looking down she saw she was still whole and unhurt.

Turning slowly, she looked upwards and beheld Haldir staring sightlessly forward and falling slowly to his knees. Her vision clouded with sudden tears and without conscious thought of what she was doing, Arlannis raced back to the Deeping Wall. Legolas pursued, knowing she would not get there alive without him. The Lorien archers fought with the renewed fury of grief as they hewed a path to Haldir's fallen body.

Arlannis flew up the steps on wings of anguish and stumbled forward to kneel beside the fallen elf. Heedless of the fighting she hung over his body, her eyes quickly taking in the wounds that only Gandalf could have healed.

Haldir smiled slightly as she filled his vision. Only a few moments of life remained to him, already his sight was fading.

'My spirit will await yours in the Halls of Mandos, my love.'

Arlannis bowed her head as his spirit flew free.

'Namárië, Haldir,' she wept, 'farewell, my love.'