Chapter II: Old Lessons

"Good morning, my dear Simbelmynë! Would you terribly mind if I joined you for breakfast?"

"Captain Haldir." She gave a short nod in salutation. "Your presence shall be a most welcome one, even if unexpected. I thought you out on a patrol or on another of those horrid things that keep you guards busy and away from home..." Simbelmynë had the strong belief that the patrolling guards did unnecessary service, for Lórien's only enemies were the orcs and those were far and short in numbers. Truthfully, she had difficulty in comprehending the reason why warriors were still trained and such duties still assigned.

"Simbelmynë, you have no idea how I wish you were correct, but you forget that there are orcs near, and nearer than we'd all like. But let us not talk of so foul creatures right now. The day is too warm and beautiful to be spent with such matters. Tell me, how is Moralphwen?" The noble lady again lightly nodded her assent and resumed talking.

"She still grows as fair and strong as she did the last time you asked, my lord." Haldir shifted position on his chair, remembering just how long it was since he had spent some proper time with his protégé. Across the table, the marble face of the lady produced a soft smile, pleased that her mark was hit. "She has been having those dreams again."

"I thought they were gone. The last time she had them, she was very young. I thought she had forgotten about it! Did she tell you what they were about?" Haldir was taken off guard with the revelation.

"No, she just told me they were dreams, but I could see in her eyes that there was more to it. We should tell her the truth, my lord. We should tell her!..."

"Nay, Simbelmynë! I have told you before, need I tell you again? You know well that I share your opinion, but the Lord and Lady permit it not. It was said in the letter that her identity was to be kept a secret. The only reason why you and I know of this is because it was I who brought her here." Simbelmynë diverted her eyes from the captain's and, after a moment in which silence reigned, her solemn voice was again heard.

"I only wished..." Haldir half-lowered his head, but then looked behind the lady.

"Wished what, Simbelmynë?" A new, cheered voice broke through the room. "Haldir, you're finally back! I missed you, my friend!" Moralphwen launched herself at her guardian and started telling him something about Simbelmynë not allowing her to do things. The serious lady immediately interrupted her.

"Know you not your manners, young one? That is no way to greet someone!" Moralphwen made a face at Haldir with 'See what I was talking about?' written all over it and answered her other tutor.

"Simbelmynë, Haldir is not someone! He's... Haldir! And as he always says, I've already dirtied him too many breeches when I was younger to bother with that!" Haldir was highly amused and had to contort his face to hold a laugh within, because Simbelmynë was now utterly shocked, her mouth hanging open, but no words coming out. "Don't worry, though. I keep my manners to those that require them." And the respectful lady had to content herself with that, for off flew Moralphwen, as fast as she'd come. But she kept her eyes gazing in the direction the young maiden had disappeared, while she resumed the original conversation.

"And then there is that, my lord. She is much too restless for a maiden. I often find myself at loss as to what to do of her." The captain looked as well and answered the lady with a glint in his eyes.

"Rest assured, my noble lady Simbelmynë. Today, you don't have to worry, I'll keep her busy for you!" Simbelmynë undoubtedly had her doubts concerning the captain and his intentions, but all she did was stare as he raised and left, following the maiden.

~*~

"I'm sure Simbelmynë has done nothing but to keep you locked in a room full of books, trying to get you to study as much as possible. Moralphwen smiled at Haldir as they walked through one of the many small gardens of Lothlórien. She liked both her guardians, each in their own way, different as they were, but she had always felt more related to Haldir rather than to Simbelmynë.

"Yes, well, she has had no one to stop her from it..." And for the second time that day, Haldir felt uncomfortable. "Where have you been? You've been away for longer than usual, is there something wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong, my dear alph [swan], it's just that our situation is not improving, and no matter what Simbelmynë might say concerning the borders and the warriors, the need for them grows with each day. But do not trouble yourself with it... Now, I want to show you something." Moralphwen's curiosity took the cue and sprouted instantly.

"What is it you want to show me?" Haldir's eyes again glinted.

"All in due time, but let me say this: Simbelmynë worries too much with what you know. I think that you also need something else more... physical to distract you." Moralphwen almost glowed in anticipation. If Haldir meant what she thought he did... Ai! Simbelmynë would have them both in Mandos in the blink of an eye!

Haldir guided her through the trees, to a more sheltered part of the woods, until they got to a construction, larger than most, but also less welcoming. A small clearing lay next to it, in which a couple of elves were also busy. Then Haldir explained.

"This is the armory and stables, and those are the practicing fields. I think it would do you good to learn something of fighting. Simbelmynë tells me that you are too active for her taste, but of course that does not surprise me at all." Moralphwen was radiant; she was finally going to learn. She had asked the captain so many times before, but he had always said 'no', and needless to say that Simbelmynë fully backed these decisions. But now... She could hardly stand still with the excitement.

"Thank you, Haldir! Thank you! Thank you!" Haldir smiled, but he knew he'd have to be stricter to the maiden in this situation, otherwise, she could get hurt.

"Easy, little alph! Keep in mind that you'll have to start slowly, and not all will be easy! Today, I just want to show you around, maybe teach you some of the basics, chose a horse for you to learn how to ride..."

As they entered the building, Moralphwen was amazed with the amount and variety of weapons within. She carefully picked up a silver knife. It was well polished and the elvish runes inscripted into it brightly reflected the light. So beautiful and cold... It captivated and fascinated her in an odd way. But when Haldir realised she wasn't following him, he joined her and held her shoulder.

"It is beautiful, is it not? Yet so deadly..." He paused briefly, collecting his own thoughts, only to continue on a more rushed tone. "I assure you that you wouldn't like to be on the receiving end. But come, that is not why you are here. For now, the only weapons you shall be wielding are a bow and a quiver full of arrows. And even before that, I want you to know how to ride a horse. Would you like to start even today?" All she had to do was look at the captain with those expressive eyes. "Then follow me!"

Moralphwen put the knife back in place, upon a dusty table, and followed the captain out of that room and into the stables. Along the way, though, she could not help sparing a last glance at the old beauty.

After crossing the door, she found herself in an even larger room, full of horses. She'd never been very near any and suddenly realised just how mighty an animal they were. She was scared and shied back, but Haldir told her it was all right and walked with her across the room. Some horses stretched their heads to them, but most simply ignored the newcomers.

"You needn't fear them. They are gentle and kind animals, and very smart as well. You'll soon trust them as you do yourself, just wait till you find yourself on a horse!" Moralphwen kept her suspicious look, thinking Haldir mad.

The captain walked over to a brown steed, bigger than most, whispered some words to it, and the three walked out of the building, Moralphwen keeping as far away from the gigantic horse as Haldir permitted. Then the captain stopped the horse and turned to Moralphwen, in a voice not free of amusement.

"Get on the horse."

Moralphwen just looked between one and the other, trying to decide which one was worse. In the end, she opted on Haldir and approached the horse. The captain held her foot and she climbed on top of it. With the change of weights, the horse readjusted his position and the maiden on top froze, not knowing what to hold on to.

Haldir looked at the way she had sat and found it to be the right one for riding. He told her not to tense and to hold to the horse's mane for support. Then he slowly started walking the horse around the field. Much to her surprise, Moralphwen found it was not difficult at all, and after merely minutes, she felt entirely comfortable atop the horse and was asking the captain, who was no less surprised with how little time it had taken for her to accommodate, to go faster.

He showed her how to direct the horse, to make him go faster, slower and to stop. By the end of the day, Moralphwen was riding as if she'd been doing it all her life. She galloped off, contoured the building and circled Haldir, who was now utterly astonished with it.

When Haldir finally took Moralphwen back home, she was exhausted and dirty, and Simbelmynë would have throttled the captain if not for her good and respectful manners. She kept saying that those were not things meant for maidens to be doing. Inwardly, though, she was thinking of what a good way to keep her occupied it was, but that she would never say out loud, even if everyone else knew it.

After a light evening meal, the captain took Moralphwen back to her room and tugged her in her bed for a well deserved good night's sleep. She could barely keep her eyes open, but still asked for a story of her guardian. He smiled warmly and started talking, but before he could finish his first sentence, she was already sound asleep. He stayed there by her, watching her during sleep. He noticed how her sealed eyes twitched now and then and wondered on what it was she was dreaming of.