Title: Little Swan

Pairing: None

Rating: R

Genre: Angst / Drama

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 Seòras, Naelie, Bricta and Beleril who are from my own imagination and therefore 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: Before the War of the Ring. Not following movie-verse.

Summary: After her mother's brutal execution, young Naelie and her father are left to piece their lives back together. But the outside world will not allow this.

Chapter 6

The morning sun had barely risen, and yet already there were signs of life from below the trees. The sounds of clashing metal and cries could be heard along with scuffling and the continuing snapping of twigs – the very sounds of battle.

However, contrary to what the sounds told, this was not a battle. It was a friendly one-on-one match between Haldir and Beleril. As both Beleril and Haldir were generally early risers, the time was ideal for them to get in some practise as Haldir was due to set off for border duty directly after breakfast which had not even been cooked yet.

By the sidelines sat Orophin and Naelie, watching intently as the two warriors fought well-matched in ability and strength. Though he did not look it, Haldir was remarkably agile upon his feet, dodging most of Beleril's attacks with deceptive looking ease.

An expanse of eight years had passed since Naelie had first entered Lorien and yet to those that knew her, it seemed like less than a week had gone by. Naelie herself was just fourteen and her once short curls fell now just below her shoulders. She had grown up well, but was not yet fully mature. She had also grown also in stature, though she was nowhere near as tall as those around her.

As Beleril made a successful lunge at his opponent, Naelie whooped and cheered her friend on. "Go on, Bel!" she called happily.

Orophin chuckled and looked down at the grinning face of the girl seated next to him. "I did not know that you were always up with the dawn" he commented.

"Oh, I am not usually" she replied. "But I decided to come down today and see how Bel fares".

Orophin nodded. "That is all well and good, but I will wager that Haldir carries this round".

Naelie smirked and resumed watching. "Well, we shall see" she smiled.

"On form today, aren't you, Haldir?" remarked Beleril as Haldir dodged his lunge yet again.

"I could say the same about you, friend Beleril" replied Haldir, still not pausing in his attack. "However, I feel that it is your footwork that may trip you today".

Beleril raised a brow and looked swiftly down. "By the Valar, you are right" he said, remarking his appalling footwork.

As it was, Haldir did indeed carry the round after Beleril stumbled slightly, giving his captain the opportunity he needed to knock Beleril's sword out of his grasp.

"Well fought, Haldir" said Beleril, good naturedly after retrieving his sword from the ground.

"Thank you, Bel" Haldir replied with a grin.

Then both opponents put their hands to their breasts and bowed swiftly before retreating and sheathing their swords, as was polite in combat. The pair made their way over to where Naelie and Orophin sat and collected their belongings from them.

"Well matched, you two are" remarked Orophin as he handed Haldir his outer garments.

"Oh, I don't know about that" said Beleril. "Haldir's ability far surpasses my own, but I will say it is always a pleasure and an honour to fight against him as it is alongside him".

Haldir nodded and smiled. "I do declare, I think you give yourself far less credit that you rightly deserve, Bel. For I believe with a little extra training, you and I may one day be completely equal".

"Maybe" laughed Beleril, collecting his own tunic from Naelie. "But mark my words, that day is many a decade away".

The four stood up and made their way back to their own talans and as they reached a fork in the path, Haldir and Orophin bid Naelie and Beleril farewell as they parted for the time being.

"Haldir?" said Orophin thoughtfully as he walked alongside his elder brother. "I do believe I am having the most inspirational thought."

"Oh yes?" said Haldir with question. He had had much experience with Orophin's little sparks of so-called inspiration to last him many years, and almost none of them brought back very pleasant memories.

Orophin nodded. "I think that Naelie should be granted the opportunity to learn sword fighting".

Haldir stopped dead in his tracks. "But Orophin, she is merely a child. Surely you cannot expect someone of her age to learn how to fight?"

Orophin shrugged. "She certainly has the enthusiasm, Haldir. I was watching her today in your fight with Bel and she was enthralled, watching each and every movement either of you two made. Besides, fourteen is not a bad age to start learning. Indeed, I would say for a human it is exactly the right age".

"You do, do you?" But still, Haldir looked thoughtful as though mulling the idea over in his own mind. Finally, he spoke up again. "Alright. But who will train her?"

Orophin stood agape at his brother. "I was thinking you might".

"Me?" Now it was Haldir's turn to look shocked. "Orophin, you know all too well I have neither the time, nor the patience to start training her. Find an elf who can teach her the basics and then maybe, and I mean maybe, I could take her on to the more advanced techniques".

Haldir began walking again, and Orophin had to jog to keep up with him. "But Haldir. Who else is there, besides you? You are the one of the best, everyone knows that. The only other that could possibly rival you is Galáril, and you know as well as I do his temperament. So I do not think the concept of Naelie training with him is that much of an idea"

"But that would still leave the problem of the time required to train her" argued Haldir.

"Easily solved. You abandon your morning training sessions with Beleril and take on Naelie instead".

"What?"

From the expression on Haldir's face, Orophin had the feeling he was not going to win him over in this debate, but still he persevered.

"You said yourself, Haldir, that Beleril had a great skill with the sword, why would he need training at the moment, if he already possesses that skill?"

Haldir suddenly spotted something in Orophin's comment that provided him with an exceptional counter attack. "True. He is very good with a sword, therefore why cannot Bel train her?"

Orophin sighed. "Because they are both too close as friends. I fear if Beleril took Naelie on, he may let his relationship with her blind him from the task of tutoring, and go too easy on her".

"Fair point" said Haldir admittedly, running a hand through his hair in deep thought. "I will offer to train her, Orophin" he said finally. "But if she refuses the offer, we will say no more about it, understand?"

Orophin nodded, and from that moment on, they walked the rest of the way to their talans, neither speaking a word, too lost in their own thoughts to do so.

"Train me?" Naelie looked from Haldir to Orophin and back again, her eyes shining with glee. "Would you really?"

Haldir nodded. "Yes. For you are old enough to be able to learn at least the basics, but as I said before, your training would mean me foregoing Beleril's morning fights".

Beleril smiled. "I do not mind in the least, Haldir" he said. "For Naelie's training is infinitely more vital than friendly matches between friends. And, unlike you, Haldir. I have time in the day when I may seek out another elf to engage in combat."

Again, Haldir nodded. "This is true of course, and I appreciate your agreeing to this so graciously, Bel."

Beleril just smiled. "As I said, Haldir. There are more important things at stake".

The next morning, Naelie woke bright and early as the lark. She hurried around the talan before Beleril was even considering waking up, and got swiftly dressed in a light tunic and leggings as well as a leather jerkin on-top – in all, the attire needed for every beginner at sword combat.

She ate a light breakfast and Haldir had told her too, for apparently anything too heavy would sit equally heavy upon her stomach ad restrict her movements. Naelie didn't know quite how that would come about, but she trusted Haldir's judgement completely.

She was all ready to leave by the time Beleril finally emerged from his room, his silver hair slightly tousled. "Up and dressed already?" he said admirably, eyeing Naelie with amusement.

Naelie nodded in response and gestured at the table. "I made your lemon tea" she said. "Thought I'd save you some time",

Beleril nodded and smiled thankfully as he retrieved the already brewed cup from the table. "All ready for your first training session?" he asked, joining Naelie on the couch.

"I think so" she replied, sounding a little unsure. "I mean, I am very happy that Haldir is taking me on, very happy indeed, but I wonder if his form of training will be too advanced for me".

Beleril patted Naelie reassuringly on her arm. "He will start steady and slow for the beginning" he said. "Do not worry. He knows what level you are at and will train you accordingly".

Naelie smiled gratefully up at Beleril and soon resumed drinking the tea she had made for herself.

By the time Naelie arrived at the training ground, Haldir was already there, checking over his sword for any signs of bluntness. Beside him, lay quite a thick branch that had fallen from a tree. Its length was about two foot and it was now smooth, for Haldir had been working on it with a small piece of sandpaper he had borrowed. Upon hearing Naelie arrive, he looked up and smiled in greeting. She returned the gesture and hurried over to him. She had deliberately not brought a sword with her, not because she forgot or was lazy, but because of something Orophin had accidentally let slip the night before.

Haldir picked up on the absence of a sword immediately. "Ah, I see you have not brought a sword with you" he commented.

Naelie nodded. "Yes, for Orophin told me of your training methods for beginners last night".

Haldir smirked. "Did he now? Well, I'm glad to see that brother of mine is being useful for a change".

Naelie chuckled then continued. "Shall I go and fetch one now?"

Haldir shook his head and gestured at the stick upon the ground. "Nay, for I have one here. Give me a moment for I need to halve it".

Picking up his sword from the bench, Haldir dealt a swift swing to the branch which cut cleanly into two. He then proceeded to round off the ends to make them also smooth and rounded and easier to grip. Once finished, he threw one half to Naelie who caught it as it flew through the air.

"Now" said Haldir, picking up his half and walking back towards her. "I hear from Beleril you already have some skill with a dagger, is that correct?"

Naelie nodded. "Yes, but what skill I have is not terribly advanced".

"That does not matter. All I am going to try and do is expand upon you knowledge already, alright?"

Again, Naelie nodded in response.

"So" continued Haldir, "the first thing I am going to try and teach you today is how to control your footwork, for as you saw yesterday with Beleril and I, poor footwork puts your opponent at a great advantage. Remember, your main aim is to try and push me back and get me to surrender, and to do that, you must know how to move".

Naelie looked at him, then to the stick and then back to Haldir again. "So we won't need these at the moment?" she asked.

"Nay, that is true" he said, tossing his aside. "You are learning quick, pen-neth".

Following suit, Naelie discarded her stick and waited patiently for the next command.

"But as I have learnt in my years of service, one learns quicker practically than theoretically. Now, remember, you are trying to push me back". Looking around, Haldir's eyes searched for a possible destination and quickly found one. "Let's see if you can force me back against that tree behind me"

Naelie stepped forward, as did Haldir, her heart pounding for some unknown reason inside her chest. Was it fear? Anxiety? Concern of humiliation? Naelie didn't know. All she knew was she wanted to prove herself worthy of being tutored, especially in front of Haldir.

Her first few attempts were not successful and within seconds, Haldir had Naelie backed against a tree of her own. She suddenly began to realise just how much work was involved in the skill of sword combat. It wasn't just whirling a sword around in mid-air and hoping to kill your opponent. There was true skill and great precision needed, considerably more than what she had previously learnt with a dagger.

On her fifth try, she managed to make Haldir move back a few paces, but still not enough to back him against the tree.

"Good, good" he commented. "You are most certainly improving well".

Naelie smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Haldir, but I fear it may take many a try before I can back you against that tree instead of me!"

Haldir chuckled. "Enough banter, I think. Shall we try again?"

They continued in this formula for over fifteen minutes and with each try, Naelie grew more confident and moved with slightly more agility. Then just as she was about to be backed against the tree yet again, she feigned a move left, causing Haldir to act for a step that never came. As quick as lightning, she played her next move, and then the next until to his utmost surprise, Haldir found himself feet from the tree. Holding up a hand, he stopped her as his tunic brushed against the bark.

"Very good indeed, Naelie." He said, seating himself on the bench. "You have made excellent progress and I am well pleased, especially considering this is your first lesson".

Naelie did not reply as she was too out of breath to do so. However she smiled in response, and seeing her need, Haldir handed her the skin of water he always carried with him, which she accepted gratefully.

After she had finished drinking, he stood up again. "Do you feel ready to try the sticks or would you prefer to rest?" he asked.

Naelie was adamant. "Nay, I am quite alright now, thank you, Haldir. If you believe I am ready, I will certainly try the sticks".

Haldir did indeed believe this and said so. As he did before, he tossed Naelie the other half of the stick, which she caught, though not quite as swiftly as before.

"Now remember, a sword weighs quite a bit more than the stick you are holding, even the most lightweight wrought swords are substantially heavier. We will use sticks for you to get used to the movements and then progress onto handling the weight of a real sword later on" Haldir explained.

Naelie nodded and held her stick tightly, gripping it within both hands which Haldir soon noticed and corrected.

"When holding your sword" he said. "Only use one hand, for using two restricts the freedom of movement – both the sword's and yours. I have notched the stick as to where the top of the hilt would be. Grip your sword with one hand below that notch".

Naelie looked down and soon found the notch he was referring to. Taking a hand off the stick, she let it hang by her side and remarkably, she felt the tension in her sword-arm lessen as she relaxed the other.

"Good" commented Haldir as he watched her free up her hand. "Now, all I will do today is teach you the basics of blocking. For once you know how to block an attack; you will learn more quickly how to make an attack".

As was the fashion in friendly combat, Haldir then did what he did with Beleril out of pure habit. Placing a hand on his breast, he bowed to Naelie, who, after seeing what Beleril had done the morning before, followed suit.

"Remember your footwork, Naelie. This time you are trying to block every attack I make." he said, before beginning. "And go!"

Naelie did indeed remember her footwork and used it quite effectively, the only problem being that she concentrated too hard on that aspect, and soon enough she found herself squarely tagged on the shoulder.

"Not bad" Haldir said graciously. "Let's try again".

As they had done with the footwork, Haldir worked Naelie fairly lightly but effectively, correcting her mistakes and giving her praise on her accomplishments.

The time flew by quickly and soon, Haldir noted the sun's position in the sky and stopped fighting. "I am afraid we will have to leave it here for today" he said, lowering his weapon, "as I have border duty starting in little over half an hour and what would a captain be without a decent breakfast inside him?"

He winked at Naelie who grinned and nodded. "Shall I keep this, or do you want it back?" she asked him, referring to the stick.

"You may keep it, as long as you don't lose it, pen-neth" he said. "You would not believe how long it took me to find a decent length stick that had already fallen".

"Do not worry. I shall not lose it" she assured him.

Haldir nodded then bent down to retrieve the remainder of his belongings. He put everything away swiftly, and then swung the material pack over his shoulder, ready to leave. As he began to walk off, she spoke again. "Thank you for agreeing to train me, Haldir" she added.

Haldir turned around and smiled. "It was my pleasure, Naelie, and I think you will prove to be a most worthwhile student".

That evening, Haldir spent the late hours with his brothers as Rumil had recently taken to cookery, and had prepared the evening meal in his talan.

"This looks delicious, Rumil!" remarked Haldir as Rumil ladled out rabbit stew and dumplings onto their plates.

"Thank you, Haldir" Rumil smiled appreciatively as he sat down and gestured to the porcelain dishes upon the table, their contents steaming. "Help yourselves to vegetables".

After the meal, Rumil and Haldir settled down by the fireplace to enjoy a few rounds of chess, while Orophin curled up in a chair reading the next chapter of a thick novel.

"Twas a nice day, today" said Haldir as he waited for Rumil to make his next move.

Rumil looked up, a note of query about his brother's sudden remark more than audible in his voice. "Yes. Indeed it was".

Rumil moved his bishop three spaces then clicked his tongue in surprise as Haldir took it with his rook, finally making their score even.

"I was thinking today, Haldir" said Rumil, not quite earning his brother's attention, "about Beleril".

"Oh yes?" said Haldir, not looking up from the board.

"Do you think he may be becoming too attached?"

"Attached?" Haldir looked up questioningly, and Rumil, glad that Haldir was finally listening attentively, continued.

"To Naelie I mean. We all know that Lord Celeborn could not find another housing arrangement and so it was decided she should stay with Beleril. I know it appears she has no family to speak of, but Haldir, you know as well as I do we have no evidence to prove that. I am just worried that the day may come when Bel has to give her up to go back to her own kin. I don't know if he could cope with it. You've seen them together and I am sure he regards her quite like a younger sister now".

Haldir abandoned trying to figure out his next move and sat thinking hard, his chin resting in his open palms. "I do not think that will happen, Rumil" he said finally.

"What makes you say that?" asked Rumil.

"Well, she has been with us for many years and I believe she considers and views Lorien as her home now".

Haldir paused and Rumil took the opportunity to speak up again. "True, brother, but we still haven't ruled out the possibility of her still having living relatives".

"I think, Rumil, that any hope of anyone finding her has long passed. It has been over eight years after all. I am sure if anyone was still out there, they would have found her by now".

"Would they?" Rumil didn't look convinced.

"Yes Rumil, I am positive they would have. Look, if you are concerned, go and speak with the Lord and Lady. If I cannot suffice to put your mind at rest, they will most certainly be able to" Haldir added kindly.

Rumil shook his fair head. "Nay. You have helped to put my mind at ease, brother, and for that I thank you".

Haldir nodded and with a smile returned to the game to seek out the next move.

But despite what his brother had said and the assured tone in which he had spoken, Rumil still remained thoughtful and wary of the prospect that someday, Naelie may have to return to her own kind. However, he never voiced his opinion again.

In Lorien that night, there were two restless figures in their own beds. One was Rumil, as his conversation with Haldir still lay heavily upon his mind and the other was Naelie. Though she was sleeping, she was tossing and turning every few seconds and the first appearance of cold sweat was beginning to form upon her pale brow.

She was running through a forest, panic stricken the sounds of clashing metal and gruff roaring ringing in her ears. The tree branches whipped about her face and her feet skidded and slipped upon uneven ground. She suddenly came into a clearing and gasped at what she saw.

A man stood fighting ill-matched against two wildmen. His clothes were ripped and bloody and he had a gash across his head which was bleeding profusely. She called out to him but he did not hear her cries and carried on fighting the already lost battle. Then, with a stroke of luck, the man flung his sword into one of the wildmen's backs and with a deafening howl, his opponent crashed to earth.

The other wildman let out a roar of fury and brought his club down upon the poor man with a sickening crack. Swaying only slightly, the man's knees buckled and he fell to the ground and lay unmoving.

It was then that Naelie recognised him. It was her father. She tried to run towards him, to help him but she was frozen to the ground on which she stood. Everything was dissolving around her, swirling out of focus and then, quite suddenly, she found herself in another clearing. She was up in a tree, looking down upon the ground when she noticed a lone figure crawling through the undergrowth and emerging in the clearing. The other thing she noticed was that it was morning. The bleak light made his features hard to make out but it was obvious he had been badly wounded.

She watched, horror-stricken as the man crawled to the base of the tree above where she sat and heard an ear-splitting crunch as something was pulled roughly out of the trunk. Then she heard the sound of heart-wrenching sobbing and a jumble of words mixed in thickly. She tried to hear them, but she could not pick out what the man was saying. Suddenly, she heard a few words that shocked her beyond belief. "Oh, Naelie! I failed you! I'm so sorry!"

Naelie? That was her name! Then it clicked. The man here was her father also.

"PAPA!" she cried and began to climb down the tree towards him. Then, quite suddenly she lost her footing and slipped. As she fell, she didn't worry. Her father would catch her. But no strong arms came to lift her up and hold her tight. Instead she kept falling, and falling… everything was turning white, falling and falling………..

With an abrupt jerk, Naelie sat bolt upright in bed, sweating and shaking, her breathing coming in short, and heavy gasps. Reaching onto her bedside table for her glass, she took a gulp of the water and slid slowly out of bed, finding herself suddenly in dire need of fresh air.

Naelie padded her way out to the balcony and stood, gazing out at Lorien by night. The crisp night air fluttered gently about her pale face, cooling her and gently easing her breathing. She rested her elbows upon the railing and tried to recall what the nightmare had been about. Then she remembered. It was her father in her dream and he was being attacked. He had called out her name too, but what did it mean? Was he still alive?

Naelie shook herself and cursed herself mentally for being stupid. "He is dead" she told herself sternly. "He's dead, and nothing you say, do or dream will bring him back".

She stood upon the balcony for a little while longer, breathing in the refreshing air until she felt at ease enough to try and sleep again. Naelie retreated back inside the talan, closing the door behind her, still unaware she was being watched.

Upon hearing her awake so quickly then go out to the balcony, Beleril had slipped out of his room and watched and waited to make sure she was alright, not wishing to invade her privacy by making his presence known. Once he saw he go back inside her room, he was certain she was well and retired into his own.

Most likely, the only two elves that were now not in slumber at that moment were the lord and lady. Celeborn was pacing their talan, disturbed at what Galadriel had just told him. She had been down to the Mirror that evening and had seen a large pack of timber wolves prowling dangerously close to the forest outskirts. From what she saw, none had yet ventured into the forest itself, apparently preferring life in the smaller copses nearby.

"Are you certain none have entered Lothlorien?" he asked again.

"I am quite sure" she replied.

Celeborn sat down on the bed, in deep thought. "That is good news to be sure, but these wolves will certainly leave the copses at some stage from either lack of food or some other reason, and come searching for another source. My fear is that they will come into the forest sooner than we think."

"In which case" Galadriel interrupted. "We should send word down to the Galadhrim right away, for they need to be on their guard for such an attack."

Celeborn nodded. He agreed wholly with his wife but could not help wondering about the size of the pack. If it was large enough, the Galadhrim may be outnumbered. Still, it wasn't certain the wolves would come into Lorien but it was not an impossibility.

"I will go now and alert them."

Galadriel looked up and fixed her husband with a firm stare. "Leave them be for tonight. They need their rest".

"I am sure they do" Celeborn replied. "But I know for a fact I will not sleep until they are told of this".

Galadriel sighed in resignation. "Very well. But when you return, I will most likely be sleeping. So please come back in very quietly".

Celeborn smiled and dealt a soft kiss to his wife's forehead. "I will make sure of it" he assured her. Then turning on his heel, he disappeared into the night.