Chapter 10: The Last farewells…
The next day, Haldir got up and started to get his things ready. Walking around his room, packing the minimal provisions that he needed. Clothes, Lembas bread, an Elvish cloak, and his most trusted weapons. His beautiful Galadhrim bow was crafted by Elros, and detailed by Mablung, it is also the same kind as what Legolas had. He laid it carefully on his bed and moved on to his sword. Also crafted and designed by Elros and Mablung. He held the sword up and examined it; he then pulled it out of the sheath. It was still sharp and brighter than ever. Many fights he had won with his weapons, and the next day, they will be used once again.
While he was packing his things, he bumped the bedside table. The Golden rose and the letter fell to the floor; Haldir sighed and leant over to pick it up. He had completely forgotten about Isabella. He had not the heart to tell her that all the Elven men had to go to war, including himself. But Isabella had to be told; maybe she could catch the ship sailing to the Undying Lands. At least there she shall be safe, and living… but Haldir had also forgotten about the poison running through her veins. It was killing her, and there was nothing Haldir could do about it. Still with the Rose and letter, Haldir sat on his bed and thought about the first time he had met her. Why did these thoughts hurt him, like a blow to the stomach. He had never felt such pain before. He fingered the Rose petals, it was as soft as silk, and then he had remembered another thing that Isabella had given to him, the Butterfly of Life. He hadn't thought of it until now. He leaned over to the bedside table, and opened the drawer. Inside was the glass jar with the butterfly fluttering inside. The only person he wanted to use it on was Isabella, but she had said once when she had given it to him, "This is the Butterfly of life. It revives anyone who has died of a natural cause, or by an accident. It can't revive anybody who has been stabbed by any blade, or any arrow. It's beautiful isn't it?"
It's not like he could use it since he had to go to war. Maybe he could set it free? He shook his head and placed the butterfly on his bed, and walked out to get some fresh air.
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"Larien, could you come here please?" Isabella Asked. Larien walked over to the bed holding a tray with Elvish food and water in a glass pitcher. "Yes Miss Isabella? Is there anything else I could get you?" She answered while she sat the tray in the bed.
"No Larien, I was hoping that we could talk." Larien looked worried, she knew that Isabella had to rest. But if Isabella wanted to talk, Larien was always there to listen. The dark shadow was still over Isabella's face and Larien found that she couldn't look exactly into Isabella's eyes, because most Elves believe that the colour maroon brought evil into their lives.
"Yes Miss Isabella?" Larien said busying herself with Isabella's breakfast.
"Can you see to Haldir for me?" Isabella whispered. Larien nodded "What about Miss?"
"See to it that Haldir received my letter, and too ask him for one more meal together, I feel strong enough to eat outside today." She laid down into bed and rested her head on the pillow, smiling slightly. Larien nodded and left the room, to find Haldir. She walked to his and knocked on the door, when there was no answer she headed out to the garden to the seat that he usually sat at when he wanted to think and be alone. Larien saw him sitting under his tree with his head down, deep in thought. She walked over to him and sat besides him. He didn't stir.
"Isabella wanted to know if you got her letter?" Larien's voice was soft. He nodded gently still not raising his head to look her in the eyes.
"And she wanted to know if you are free for lunch today, she said that she is feeling a little stronger…" her voice trailed off waiting for a reply. Haldir sat there for a minute, thinking. "I don't know if it would be wise to see her." He said after a time, sitting up straight in his seat. Larien looked puzzled and asked "Why do you think that? …Sir?" she said looking at him. He stood up and walked over to the pond, he remembered once that someone dear to him said not to get involved with people. But when he thought of leaving Isabella, his heart started to break. "Because, Larien, seeing her will only break my heart further, and a Commander can not have feelings that can ruin all chances of the elf survival…" his voice started to choke up. Larien stood up and moved in next to him, placing a hand on him shoulder.
"Sir, if it is not too bold to say, but I think that your heart will break by not seeing her. And her heart will break because you turned her down for lunch." She said while rubbing his back gently. He turned to her and nodded. "Tell her I will see her, I'll take her out, somewhere nice." He wiped his face and walked towards the hall, back to his room. He said over his shoulder to Larien, "After I collect Isabella, you may have the rest of the day off, go say good bye to your friends and family, they leave at dawn." And nodded and headed back to Isabella's room with a jug full of water.
While Larien busied herself with the meal that Isabella and Haldir were going to have for lunch, Isabella sat up in bed drinking water and watching Larien wonder around packing two blankets, some extravagant Elf food, wine, and to finish the preparations, a cane basket to hold all the food stuffs and blankets. Larien stopped by the end of the bed and turned to Isabella, "Well, everything is packed now, should I send for Haldir? Or would you like to seat yourself outside before he comes?"
Isabella looked up at Larien and answered, "I'll go outside before Haldir joins me." Larien nodded and stepped outside to fetch someone to help Isabella outside. Isabella knew in her heart that his might be the day she'll depart that world, and leave Haldir. Her heart sank at the thought that she will leave him, although in her dream that she had a few nights ago, she saw Haldir's death in the Helm's Deep battle. She breathed in deeply and closed her eyes, wishing that her premonition was wrong. When she opened her eyes, Larien was standing at the end of her bed holding a beautiful golden dress trimmed with a white satin ribbon. She laid it on the end of the bed and helped Isabella get out of bed, leading her to the warm bath. Half and hour later Isabella was clean and smelled of fresh garden roses. Larien dressed her in the golden dress and led her to the full length mirror. With a weak smile Isabella sat on the near by chair and sat patiently as Larien played with her hair trying to make something beautiful out of something that was a disaster. In the end Isabella felt like a princess, her hair done up in a bun with threads of hair falling over her eyes and back of the neck, and a pink orchid attached to the bun. Her dress draped a little on her body, While Larien tried to pull it in so the dress gave her a shapely figure. Isabella said nothing, and thought nothing. She just tried to enjoy the moment as best as she could, she was never pampered like this before and she rather liked the attention. Larien stepped back and admired her work, she had made this dress for herself but decided that she wouldn't wear it to anything, and it suited the occasion for Isabella and Haldir perfectly. They looked at each other for a moment, when Larien asked, "Where would you like to sit? It's a lovely day out side, and Haldir's bench is free?"
Isabella sat back down. "I would like another place. I saw it briefly the other night…" she paused, knowing that her secret was out; she shouldn't have walked around that night. Larien smiled kindly, "Miss Isabella, I know that you walked the other day, I was really watching you out side with Haldir, and I didn't come down to fetch you because I knew that he would look after you. And I also knew that there was nothing that I could do to stop you going anywhere you wished to go…" Isabella smiled and slowly got up from her seat. "I think I'm ready to go out now."
Larien nodded and walked out to get her help. In walked a tall Elf, taller than Haldir. He had a darker skin, and his hair was a dark mahogany red which fell over his shoulders and shielded his eyes from other's view. He started to bend and pick her up in his arms. But she objected and told him that she was able to walk, she just needed to lean on him for support. She exited her room which was spotless, just as she had seen it when she had first came into the room, still looking at the room until Larien had came out. She seized the basket and closed the door, following Zeebo out to the garden.
Haldir sat in his room looking at the letter. He couldn't leave it here when he was battling. He folded it up and placed it in his pocket close to his heart. Standing in front of the mirror he fixed his clothes and hair and took a long look at himself. "Why am I doing this?" He asked himself, but no answer was heard. He saw in himself his features; they were not as bright as he once saw them. His eyes were not a bright blue as he grew up with, they seemed to be darker. He knew that his days were starting to come to an end, maybe not now. But he thought about the battle, and that it would be nearly impossible to come home from that alive. Maybe it was his destiny to die there, but in his heart he might live through the battle and be given another chance at life if he was lucky enough, this thought was hard to fathom. He took in a deep breath and headed to the door.
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Isabella pointed to the solemn tree besides the river. It was away from others, but it was definitely a nice place to have a picnic. Zeebo help Isabella as Larien unpacked the basket and laid the blanket down, which Isabella carefully sat on. She said her thank you's to Zeebo and wished him well, which he nodded and walked off. Larien set up the meal and poured a glass of wine for Isabella, which she took and sipped on. Behind Larien's back was a copy of a book that she wanted to give to Isabella. It was her favourite book, and she thought that while waiting for Haldir, she could read it to occupy herself. Isabella looked up at her and gave a weak smile at the book Larien handed over. She took in her hands carefully and gazed at the cover. It was leather bound and tied with a tough red ribbon neatly in a bow. "What is this, Larien?" Isabella asked feeling the smooth but bumpy case. Larien sat besides her and undid the ribbon, and turned to the first page, where the letters had said 'to my darlings Larien and Elros, love forever from Mother.' She fingered the page and touched the gold writing of 'Mother'. "This book… was written by my Mother long ago. My Father had given it to me to read to myself. It was a book about all the good things in life, and things that makes us happy. Like love from friends and family… and what it feels like when you're loved by another. It reminded me of you and Haldir. He loves you and you love him, everyone can see that. Cavanthir and I could, not to mention the higher elves at the meeting. Please read this while you are waiting for him." Larien let go of the book and stood up. "I hope that you have a lovely lunch with the one you love…" a tiny tear swept her face, but it went unrecognized by Isabella as Larien turned away from Isabella for what could be forever.
Isabella leant against the tree and opened to the second page and began to read, "In the years that you live on this planet, you will experience what everybody feels, love, pain, happiness, anger. All these emotions are normal. The one that I feel the most is, Love. The love I feel for my family, and to my friends, and to the wilderness around me. I will never forget the first time I felt loved…" Isabella read to herself as the sun warmed her body. She seemed to forget all about everything, her wound, her hurts of Pippin and Merry, the hurts of being an orphan. All the pain just seemed to fade away. But the one thing that stayed in her mind was Haldir, and while she was reading she started to believe that he was the only one for her, and what ever happened with Pippin and Merry was not love, but something that they thought was. They only felt they loved her because she was the 'perfect being' and all through her life Gandalf had said that this would happen to her. But she knew that this feeling with Haldir was something of a different origin. She closed her eyes and listened to the baby birds singing joyfully as they were chasing each other in the sky while their mother was watching them carefully, and the river trickling around the rocks in the river. She relaxed more and more as the minutes when by. She felt happy, truly happy. Nothing could drag her spirits down. She turned her face up to the sky, so her face could bath in the warmth of the sun, then dropped her head back down towards the book, which fell from her fingers.
Haldir was walking around the grounds looking for Isabella, from what Larien said Isabella wasn't too far away, but he just couldn't see her. Until he turned the corner and saw her reading peacefully the large tree that sat besides the smell river. He was taken back by the beauty of her. She was glowing in the sunlight. He laughed the fullest laugh that had hadn't done in a long time. He kept his smile as he walked softly across the green grass not taking his eyes off her. He saw her tilt her head to the sun for a moment. He thought to himself that this would be the perfect moment to ask her to marry him, be he knew that would be impossible. All he could hope for was her unconditional love. He stepped closer and closer, he saw that her head had dropped and her body slowly started to collapse to one side. His heart was beating rapidly. He started to jog, then ran faster and faster until he met her lying by the tree. Haldir stood for a moment thinking that she was just playing, but as be bent down to side, he saw that there was nothing there, no sign of breathing, and no pulse. His eyes were filling with tears as he clutched her limp body into his own, shouting out cries until the sun had set over the mountain, and darkness surrounded both of their bodies for the last time.
{Each Time The Wind Blows
I Hear Your Voice So
I Call Your Name . . .
Whispers At Morning
Our Love Is Dawning
Heaven's Glad You Came . . .
You Know How I Feel
This Thing Can't Go Wrong
I'm So Proud To Say
I Love You
I Hear Your Voice Now
You Are My Choice Now
The Love You Bring
Heaven's In My Heart
At Your Call
I Hear Harps,
And Angels Sing
You Know How I Feel
This Thing Can't Go Wrong
I Can't Live My Life
Without You – Just can't stop loving you - Michael Jackson}
Fin
The next day, Haldir got up and started to get his things ready. Walking around his room, packing the minimal provisions that he needed. Clothes, Lembas bread, an Elvish cloak, and his most trusted weapons. His beautiful Galadhrim bow was crafted by Elros, and detailed by Mablung, it is also the same kind as what Legolas had. He laid it carefully on his bed and moved on to his sword. Also crafted and designed by Elros and Mablung. He held the sword up and examined it; he then pulled it out of the sheath. It was still sharp and brighter than ever. Many fights he had won with his weapons, and the next day, they will be used once again.
While he was packing his things, he bumped the bedside table. The Golden rose and the letter fell to the floor; Haldir sighed and leant over to pick it up. He had completely forgotten about Isabella. He had not the heart to tell her that all the Elven men had to go to war, including himself. But Isabella had to be told; maybe she could catch the ship sailing to the Undying Lands. At least there she shall be safe, and living… but Haldir had also forgotten about the poison running through her veins. It was killing her, and there was nothing Haldir could do about it. Still with the Rose and letter, Haldir sat on his bed and thought about the first time he had met her. Why did these thoughts hurt him, like a blow to the stomach. He had never felt such pain before. He fingered the Rose petals, it was as soft as silk, and then he had remembered another thing that Isabella had given to him, the Butterfly of Life. He hadn't thought of it until now. He leaned over to the bedside table, and opened the drawer. Inside was the glass jar with the butterfly fluttering inside. The only person he wanted to use it on was Isabella, but she had said once when she had given it to him, "This is the Butterfly of life. It revives anyone who has died of a natural cause, or by an accident. It can't revive anybody who has been stabbed by any blade, or any arrow. It's beautiful isn't it?"
It's not like he could use it since he had to go to war. Maybe he could set it free? He shook his head and placed the butterfly on his bed, and walked out to get some fresh air.
==========================================================
"Larien, could you come here please?" Isabella Asked. Larien walked over to the bed holding a tray with Elvish food and water in a glass pitcher. "Yes Miss Isabella? Is there anything else I could get you?" She answered while she sat the tray in the bed.
"No Larien, I was hoping that we could talk." Larien looked worried, she knew that Isabella had to rest. But if Isabella wanted to talk, Larien was always there to listen. The dark shadow was still over Isabella's face and Larien found that she couldn't look exactly into Isabella's eyes, because most Elves believe that the colour maroon brought evil into their lives.
"Yes Miss Isabella?" Larien said busying herself with Isabella's breakfast.
"Can you see to Haldir for me?" Isabella whispered. Larien nodded "What about Miss?"
"See to it that Haldir received my letter, and too ask him for one more meal together, I feel strong enough to eat outside today." She laid down into bed and rested her head on the pillow, smiling slightly. Larien nodded and left the room, to find Haldir. She walked to his and knocked on the door, when there was no answer she headed out to the garden to the seat that he usually sat at when he wanted to think and be alone. Larien saw him sitting under his tree with his head down, deep in thought. She walked over to him and sat besides him. He didn't stir.
"Isabella wanted to know if you got her letter?" Larien's voice was soft. He nodded gently still not raising his head to look her in the eyes.
"And she wanted to know if you are free for lunch today, she said that she is feeling a little stronger…" her voice trailed off waiting for a reply. Haldir sat there for a minute, thinking. "I don't know if it would be wise to see her." He said after a time, sitting up straight in his seat. Larien looked puzzled and asked "Why do you think that? …Sir?" she said looking at him. He stood up and walked over to the pond, he remembered once that someone dear to him said not to get involved with people. But when he thought of leaving Isabella, his heart started to break. "Because, Larien, seeing her will only break my heart further, and a Commander can not have feelings that can ruin all chances of the elf survival…" his voice started to choke up. Larien stood up and moved in next to him, placing a hand on him shoulder.
"Sir, if it is not too bold to say, but I think that your heart will break by not seeing her. And her heart will break because you turned her down for lunch." She said while rubbing his back gently. He turned to her and nodded. "Tell her I will see her, I'll take her out, somewhere nice." He wiped his face and walked towards the hall, back to his room. He said over his shoulder to Larien, "After I collect Isabella, you may have the rest of the day off, go say good bye to your friends and family, they leave at dawn." And nodded and headed back to Isabella's room with a jug full of water.
While Larien busied herself with the meal that Isabella and Haldir were going to have for lunch, Isabella sat up in bed drinking water and watching Larien wonder around packing two blankets, some extravagant Elf food, wine, and to finish the preparations, a cane basket to hold all the food stuffs and blankets. Larien stopped by the end of the bed and turned to Isabella, "Well, everything is packed now, should I send for Haldir? Or would you like to seat yourself outside before he comes?"
Isabella looked up at Larien and answered, "I'll go outside before Haldir joins me." Larien nodded and stepped outside to fetch someone to help Isabella outside. Isabella knew in her heart that his might be the day she'll depart that world, and leave Haldir. Her heart sank at the thought that she will leave him, although in her dream that she had a few nights ago, she saw Haldir's death in the Helm's Deep battle. She breathed in deeply and closed her eyes, wishing that her premonition was wrong. When she opened her eyes, Larien was standing at the end of her bed holding a beautiful golden dress trimmed with a white satin ribbon. She laid it on the end of the bed and helped Isabella get out of bed, leading her to the warm bath. Half and hour later Isabella was clean and smelled of fresh garden roses. Larien dressed her in the golden dress and led her to the full length mirror. With a weak smile Isabella sat on the near by chair and sat patiently as Larien played with her hair trying to make something beautiful out of something that was a disaster. In the end Isabella felt like a princess, her hair done up in a bun with threads of hair falling over her eyes and back of the neck, and a pink orchid attached to the bun. Her dress draped a little on her body, While Larien tried to pull it in so the dress gave her a shapely figure. Isabella said nothing, and thought nothing. She just tried to enjoy the moment as best as she could, she was never pampered like this before and she rather liked the attention. Larien stepped back and admired her work, she had made this dress for herself but decided that she wouldn't wear it to anything, and it suited the occasion for Isabella and Haldir perfectly. They looked at each other for a moment, when Larien asked, "Where would you like to sit? It's a lovely day out side, and Haldir's bench is free?"
Isabella sat back down. "I would like another place. I saw it briefly the other night…" she paused, knowing that her secret was out; she shouldn't have walked around that night. Larien smiled kindly, "Miss Isabella, I know that you walked the other day, I was really watching you out side with Haldir, and I didn't come down to fetch you because I knew that he would look after you. And I also knew that there was nothing that I could do to stop you going anywhere you wished to go…" Isabella smiled and slowly got up from her seat. "I think I'm ready to go out now."
Larien nodded and walked out to get her help. In walked a tall Elf, taller than Haldir. He had a darker skin, and his hair was a dark mahogany red which fell over his shoulders and shielded his eyes from other's view. He started to bend and pick her up in his arms. But she objected and told him that she was able to walk, she just needed to lean on him for support. She exited her room which was spotless, just as she had seen it when she had first came into the room, still looking at the room until Larien had came out. She seized the basket and closed the door, following Zeebo out to the garden.
Haldir sat in his room looking at the letter. He couldn't leave it here when he was battling. He folded it up and placed it in his pocket close to his heart. Standing in front of the mirror he fixed his clothes and hair and took a long look at himself. "Why am I doing this?" He asked himself, but no answer was heard. He saw in himself his features; they were not as bright as he once saw them. His eyes were not a bright blue as he grew up with, they seemed to be darker. He knew that his days were starting to come to an end, maybe not now. But he thought about the battle, and that it would be nearly impossible to come home from that alive. Maybe it was his destiny to die there, but in his heart he might live through the battle and be given another chance at life if he was lucky enough, this thought was hard to fathom. He took in a deep breath and headed to the door.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Isabella pointed to the solemn tree besides the river. It was away from others, but it was definitely a nice place to have a picnic. Zeebo help Isabella as Larien unpacked the basket and laid the blanket down, which Isabella carefully sat on. She said her thank you's to Zeebo and wished him well, which he nodded and walked off. Larien set up the meal and poured a glass of wine for Isabella, which she took and sipped on. Behind Larien's back was a copy of a book that she wanted to give to Isabella. It was her favourite book, and she thought that while waiting for Haldir, she could read it to occupy herself. Isabella looked up at her and gave a weak smile at the book Larien handed over. She took in her hands carefully and gazed at the cover. It was leather bound and tied with a tough red ribbon neatly in a bow. "What is this, Larien?" Isabella asked feeling the smooth but bumpy case. Larien sat besides her and undid the ribbon, and turned to the first page, where the letters had said 'to my darlings Larien and Elros, love forever from Mother.' She fingered the page and touched the gold writing of 'Mother'. "This book… was written by my Mother long ago. My Father had given it to me to read to myself. It was a book about all the good things in life, and things that makes us happy. Like love from friends and family… and what it feels like when you're loved by another. It reminded me of you and Haldir. He loves you and you love him, everyone can see that. Cavanthir and I could, not to mention the higher elves at the meeting. Please read this while you are waiting for him." Larien let go of the book and stood up. "I hope that you have a lovely lunch with the one you love…" a tiny tear swept her face, but it went unrecognized by Isabella as Larien turned away from Isabella for what could be forever.
Isabella leant against the tree and opened to the second page and began to read, "In the years that you live on this planet, you will experience what everybody feels, love, pain, happiness, anger. All these emotions are normal. The one that I feel the most is, Love. The love I feel for my family, and to my friends, and to the wilderness around me. I will never forget the first time I felt loved…" Isabella read to herself as the sun warmed her body. She seemed to forget all about everything, her wound, her hurts of Pippin and Merry, the hurts of being an orphan. All the pain just seemed to fade away. But the one thing that stayed in her mind was Haldir, and while she was reading she started to believe that he was the only one for her, and what ever happened with Pippin and Merry was not love, but something that they thought was. They only felt they loved her because she was the 'perfect being' and all through her life Gandalf had said that this would happen to her. But she knew that this feeling with Haldir was something of a different origin. She closed her eyes and listened to the baby birds singing joyfully as they were chasing each other in the sky while their mother was watching them carefully, and the river trickling around the rocks in the river. She relaxed more and more as the minutes when by. She felt happy, truly happy. Nothing could drag her spirits down. She turned her face up to the sky, so her face could bath in the warmth of the sun, then dropped her head back down towards the book, which fell from her fingers.
Haldir was walking around the grounds looking for Isabella, from what Larien said Isabella wasn't too far away, but he just couldn't see her. Until he turned the corner and saw her reading peacefully the large tree that sat besides the smell river. He was taken back by the beauty of her. She was glowing in the sunlight. He laughed the fullest laugh that had hadn't done in a long time. He kept his smile as he walked softly across the green grass not taking his eyes off her. He saw her tilt her head to the sun for a moment. He thought to himself that this would be the perfect moment to ask her to marry him, be he knew that would be impossible. All he could hope for was her unconditional love. He stepped closer and closer, he saw that her head had dropped and her body slowly started to collapse to one side. His heart was beating rapidly. He started to jog, then ran faster and faster until he met her lying by the tree. Haldir stood for a moment thinking that she was just playing, but as be bent down to side, he saw that there was nothing there, no sign of breathing, and no pulse. His eyes were filling with tears as he clutched her limp body into his own, shouting out cries until the sun had set over the mountain, and darkness surrounded both of their bodies for the last time.
{Each Time The Wind Blows
I Hear Your Voice So
I Call Your Name . . .
Whispers At Morning
Our Love Is Dawning
Heaven's Glad You Came . . .
You Know How I Feel
This Thing Can't Go Wrong
I'm So Proud To Say
I Love You
I Hear Your Voice Now
You Are My Choice Now
The Love You Bring
Heaven's In My Heart
At Your Call
I Hear Harps,
And Angels Sing
You Know How I Feel
This Thing Can't Go Wrong
I Can't Live My Life
Without You – Just can't stop loving you - Michael Jackson}
Fin