Title: A Rose Not Yet Withered
Pairing: None
Rating: PG13
Genre: Angst / Mystery
WARNING: Violence
Beta: None
Cast: Haldir, Orophin, Rúmil, Celeborn, Galadriel, OCs
Disclaimer: I own no-one from The Lord Of The Rings. All the characters and place names displayed belong to JRR Tolkien except Daealia and Glorendil who are from my own imagination and are the only ones I lay claim to. I do not intend to, nor am I making any financial gain from the writing of this story.
Feedback: Yes please! We "aspiring" authors thrive on the stuff.
Timeline: A.U. Not following movie-verse.
Summary: When news of a massacre reaches Lorien, time begins to run against the Galadhrim. Soon, even their trust for their own kin, is lost in a tangled web of lies, deceit and murder….
Spoilers: None
Chapter 7
Traitor
Glorendil awoke to the soft brush of wind against his cheeks. The soft rustle of the trees outside and the melodic singing of the birds, drifted in through the window. He opened his eyes but immedietly shut them again, for the light seemed so bright that it caused him pain.
"Glorendil?" came an echo of a voice "Glorendil? Are you awake?"
Glorendil tried to open his eyes once again but it was no use. Instead hespoke in barely a whisper to his companion.
"Who are you? Forgive me, but the light apins my eyes so I cannot see you."
A hand gently closed around Glorendil's icy palm and continued.
"Glorendil. It is I, Orophin."
At this Glorendil's eyes flew open in haste and heeding no more of the anguish the light caused him he raised himself from the pillow and embraced Orophin.
"Orophin, my friend" he sobbed, his words muffled in Orophin's shoulder "Forgive me."
Orophin released Glorendil and held his hand tightly.
"There is nothing to forgive" he said, tears beginning to trickle down his cheeks "I am just so glad that you are still alive."
At the far side of the room the door opened and the healer entered.
"Good. You are awake." She bustled over to the pair and checked the bandages that lay around Glorendil's chest. He flinched as she did so but her words were a comfort to him.
"That is good. That wound is healing fast, you should be out of here in a few days."
"A few days?" Glorendil's voice suddenly became shrill and his face tinged pink when the pair turned to stare at him in bewilderment.
"Yes. A few days should see you on your feet again" replied the healer "Why? Does that trouble you?"
"Nay. It's just longer than I expected, that's all" answered Glorendil.
The healer smiled knowingly at him "Well, you had us going through the night, I can tell you. We thought you weren't going to pull through. But you did and that's all that matters for now."
Orophin suddenly turned to the healer and spoke in an urgent tone, most unlike his own bright, gentle voice.
"Shall I remain with him?"
"If you wish, but there is little point. What he needs is rest and you shall be of little use to him if he is asleep. Besides your brothers will be wondering where you are."
"She speaks right, Orophin. I'll be fine here." Glorendil smiled
"If you are sure."
"I am."
The healer covered up Glorendil's chest with the bedcovers. "Well, that's settled then. I suggest you try and get some more rest. I'll be back in a couple of hours to put a new dressing on that." And with that said she refilled Glorendil's water glass and left the room.
The days passed uneventfully. Glorendil's wound was almost healed and on the fourth day since the incident, he was released. No news had come of Daealia and still Haldir hid his grief from his peers. Offers of comfort came from Rúmil and Orophin but Haldir shrugged them off insisting that he was fine and didn't need any help, nor comfort.
"He's not fine, I can tell" said Rúmil over lunch one morning.
"I know brother. He's getting paler every day and the lack of news isn't helping. Although when you look at it, from a different angle; that could be a blessing." replied Orophin.
"But we can't do any more to help him. He just refuses any help or comfort. I know Haldir's always valued his pride and dignity but he just doesn't see there's nothing to lose by accepting a shoulder to cry on once in a while."
Orophin nodded in agreement and went back to his soup.
On the second day of his release, Glorendil was summoned to the talan of Celeborn and Galadriel. He arrived to find that only Celeborn was there but he shrugged this off and bowed before the elf-lord.
"You wished to speak with me, my lord?" he asked.
"Indeed I did, Glorendil" replied Celeborn "Please, be seated"
Glorendil sat down opposite Celeborn and the elder elf seemed to waste no time.
"How is your injury faring?" he inquired.
"Oh. It is healing remarkably well, thank you my lord."
"I am glad to hear it. Now, Glorendil, I have a few questions that I wish to put to you if you are willing to answer."
"Of course" replied Glorendil, sounding slightly surprised.
"I suggest you take a seat" said Celeborn.
The elf lord questioned Glorendil of many things. He asked him if he knew how the barbaric demise of Elendir's company had come about and of the mysterious letter that Haldir had received. To these questions, Glorendil said that he knew only that a letter had been sent to Haldir and he only knew that because Orophin had told him. However he said he knew nothing of Elendir's company or how tragedy had befallen them.
Celeborn appeared satisfied and dismissed Glorendil who returned immedietly to his quarters.
Meanwhile, Haldir and his brothers still guarded the borders. Even though his grief weighed heavily on his heart, Haldir knew that he had a duty to perform and that was what kept him stable. The knowledge that he was protecting his homeland was a comfort to him and eased his aching soul.
Later that evening, the Lady Galadriel returned to the talan where her husband was waiting.
"My Lord?" she called through the room "Celeborn. Where are you? I need to speak with you."
"I am here, my Lady" said a voice from behing her causing her to jump a little.
"Celeborn, did you speak with Glorendil today?"
"I did and he has no more to tell us than we already know. Infact I would say he could tell us less. Anyway, where have you been all day?"
"I have been trying to get the Mirror to reveal itself to me."
"And?"
"Celeborn. We need as many skilled bowsmen as we can down on the borders. Orcs of Mordor have crossed the Emyn Muil and are travelling north up Anduin. I do not know if Lorien is where they are headed, but we need to be prepared."
"Right. I shall send word down to Haldir right away."
"Thank you my Lord."
At the edge of the forest borders a tall silhouette of an elf was running along the undergrowth, his hair streaming behind him like a banner. He came right to the foot of the last oak and sat down, ears pricked up for any movement. Suddenly another figure appeared. Though this once was smaller than the elf, it ran across the plains with incredible agilty until it reached where the elf was seated.
"I have sent some of my company up the Great River" said the creature "They should divert attention until you are ready." The creature's voice was high-pitched and though it was not distinguishable in the darkness what sort of creature it was, it was plainly not an enemy of the elf, who sat there as though speaking to an old allie.
"Good. You have finally learnt to do something correct for a change. You know what you and the rest of your party will do now, don't you?"
"Yes. When would you like it to happen?"
"Tomorrow, at noon. The Galadhrim will be less wary in the heat of the day. The best time for the attack. Though wait for my signal before you strike. An arrow shot to the west shall be my sign and then, and only then will you begin your advance."
The creature mouth curled upwards into a sadistic grin as the elf said these words and he gave a curt bow.
"It shall be done as you please. Master Glorendil."