Seeing-spots: Thanks for your review! I hope you continue to read the rest of it…there is plenty to left to happen. :D
Lady of Light: As always, all my thanks for your kind words! I hope this chapter lives up to expectations!
Naomie: Don't worry, I cant write an X rated fic if my life depended on it. I have tried and only got like three lines and it just wasn't happening. I can NOT keep a straight face when I write one. I just giggle like an idiot and for some reason, that just ruins the mood. ;) Haldir I think, at least at this point in my story, is only curious and in a kinda 'experimental' stage… he's gonna have some very strange feelings in this story. Virtual roller coaster ride for the elf. EG Stay tuned!
AN: Due to a a host of nasty worms, I had to format my computer, which means deleting everything and reinstalling all my stuff. Took me almost all week to get caught up, but I'm back now and rearing to go! I'm so sorry that I've taken so long and that the update was slower than normal. I'm hoping this time, with all the antiviruses and program guards I have installed, my comp will be protected and this wont happen again. Thanks for reading and thanks for sticking with me!
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Chapter Twelve: The Impudence of the Young
The new day had yet to dawn fully; light tinges of pink streaked the horizon to the east, casting a rose-colored highlight on the sleeping world and waking the inhabitants of the estate for another day.
Amarah stirred in her large feather bed, her intense green eyes fluttering open to greet the morning. She sighed and rolled out of bed, her bare feet nestling snuggly in the animal pelt rug on the floor. Not knowing how early the Elves rose, she thought it best to arise as early as possible to awaken them and get a good start on the day. As quickly as possible, Amarah dressed in her riding gear and hastily braided her hair, letting it fall like a thick ebony rope down her back, and left to rouse the Elves for the days search.
When Amarah approached the end of the corridor that led to the rooms the Elves were staying in, she stalked sternly to the sandy-haired person waiting patiently beside the closed door.
"Calorad?!" Amarah breathed hard, yet kept her voice lowered as to not alert the room's occupants.
"Good morning," Calorad said cheerfully, though his exuberance died a little at the look on Amarah's face.
"What do you think you are doing?" Amarah hissed angrily, standing just a few inches away from Calorad, their faces close as she stared him down.
"I am going with the elves," Calorad said, starting to fidget.
"You are to do no such thing!" Amarah snapped, her hands balled into fists.
"I will not allow you to go by yourself," Calorad said, gaining resolve. "We do not know them, and I do not trust them with you."
"Oh, Calorad!" Amarah said with great exasperation, "You are just a child! What would you do if something happened?"
Calorad bristled, "I am a child no longer! I am of adult age. I look after myself as well as you!"
"You may be of adult age, but you are still just a child. And I am quite capable of handling myself!" Amarah broke off her tirade when the door they were standing before opened to reveal a curious and stern Elf that looked from one to the other before asking, "What are the two of you doing out there so early in the morning?"
Calorad blushed but said with a voice full of forced confidence, "I come to see which direction you wish to begin your search for your lost friends."
"And I," Amarah said, stepping forward and staring at the March Warden with flashing emerald eyes, "And I was explaining to Calorad that he is too young and not invited to aid in the search."
"They will need escorts to ensure the guards allow them passage," Calorad said defiantly.
"Which is why I was going!" Amarah snapped, "You are too young."
"I was thinking. . ." Haldir started but was drown out by Calorad raising his voice.
"I am an adult! Even if you refuse to see, others have realized it! Your father asked me to look out for you, so that is what I am going to do!"
Rúmil joined Haldir at the door and gave his brother a knowing smile. Haldir sighed and started again, "I was planning. . ."
Amarah's voice rose higher, her face screwed up in anger, "Need I remind you who has taken care of themselves and the tagalongs she is surrounded by? And who is the oldest?"
"I AM!" snapped Haldir curtly, his nerves now frayed. It was so easily done when near humans. "Since I am the oldest here, I make the decisions! And I say both of you stay!"
"Absolutely not!" Amarah's voice took on the same commanding tone that Haldir used quite often with his subordinates. "As you are strange to these lands, and guests, I may add, there is no way you wander alone. As daughter of the Lord of the land, is MY decision and I have made it! I am going with you!"
"You are not going alone with a stranger!" Calorad injected stubbornly.
Amarah opened her mouth for another verbal lashing, but Haldir snapped loudly, "ENOUGH! I do not wish to argue further!" Amarah made to protest but Haldir leveled off with her, his deep blue eyes flashing dangerously, "And you, my lady, may accompany us if you so choose. Be warned, we travel hard and fast, and will not slack our pace. If you fall behind, then that is where you will remain. Calorad may journey as well to be your companion and protection, should he feel you require it. Now, give us peace so we may prepare for our search."
Calorad's face blanched slightly at the elf's sharp manner, then nodded and started down the corridor.
Amarah chewed her lip for a moment, piercing the March Warden with a stare that left others to fear her wrath. Haldir merely peered at her with a raised brow, his posture rigid and seemed to expand, clearly daring the human woman to counter him.
After a deep breath, Amarah nodded curtly and made to leave. She barely took a step when she drew back to the March Warden, placing her face dangerously close to his, and breathed heavily, "I concede the battle for now. But if you ever raise your voice to me again, I will have the guards imprison you and your friends. You will keep a civil tongue when addressing a lady and the daughter of the Lord of the land on which you stand."
With a tense second of staring hard at each other, Amarah turned on her heel and left. The slamming of a door echoed down the hall, telling her she had hit her intended mark.
Haldir stood transfixed for a few seconds, his breathing ragged, his fists curled up, his eyes closed as he fumed. When he calmed down some, he turned to see both Rúmil and Orophin smirking.
"I do believe," Orophin said with a wild grin, "That Haldir has finally met his match, Brother."
"I agree," Rúmil said as if commentating while watching a sporting event. "Yes, it seems this will be a test of endurance."
Haldir stormed between them none too gently, bumping into both as he made his way to the door that led to the adjoining room. He opened the door and disappeared through it without even a glance at his kin. He secretly wondered how his parents ever survived the bantering and childish teasing that went on between him and his brothers. The human's behavior reminded him of a similar argument he once had with his parents and siblings, and mentally groaned, vowing to never have children of his own.
Orophin and Rúmil waited a moment before they followed Haldir in the room. Orophin looked to Rúmil and whispered, "Oh, he is going to be in a sour mood now. Do you think one might kill the other?"
Rúmil shrugged and lowered his voice as they entered and saw Haldir talking with Múrendil, his back purposefully to his brothers, "But if it comes down to it, Amarah can take him."
Orophin grinned and whispered back, "You, my brother, have got yourself a bet!"
When Haldir, Rúmil, Orophin, and Múrendil left their rooms, they half expected to have the humans escorting them. However, the hall was empty, as was the one after that. Láiraen had stayed behind with Eremae, tending to the injured elf as he slept and regained his strength.
Leaving the house and stepping onto the finely crafted cobblestone walkway, the Elves were greeted by Amarah and Calorad and a host of horses, all saddled and waiting to disembark.
Praying to the Vala that the two humans wouldn't continue their argument, Haldir led the others to where Amarah stood, stroking the neck of a tall, white horse that whinnied at the Elves when they approached.
"Are we ready to leave now?" Amarah asked politely, favoring the March Warden with a small smile with an apologetic face.
"YES!" came the high-pitched voices of the twins as they raced through the courtyard.
Amarah sighed and leaned her head against her steed's neck.
Haldir turned and poised his hands in the air in front of him, "I am sorry. There are going to be enough people on this trip. I can not and will not allow children to ride into a possibly dangerous situation. You two will remain here."
The twins' faces fell into identically crestfallen frowns.
Etáin pouted, his lower lip protruding slightly, "But we know the lands as well."
"And we will be twelve next month! We are not young!" Eotáin added, "We ride this land as they do. Why can we not go too?"
Haldir heard Amarah stifle a giggle as he addressed the twins, "We may encounter many enemies. I do not wish for you to become injured."
"But Amarah's going," Etáin pouted more intently, hoping that the elf would cave in and allow him and his brother to go along on the adventure. "She could be injured as well."
"That is true," Haldir said. "But she will not be in any danger, for Calorad is coming to protect her. If we encounter any trouble, they will return immediately and not endanger themselves further."
"But I can watch Etáin!" Eotrán said.
"And I for Eotrán! We do not need someone else, we have each other," the twin added.
"I am sorry, little ones," Haldir said kindly, remembering a similar talk centuries ago with Imladris' troublesome two-some. With a sudden bout of inspiration, he added, "If you wait for us and do not get into any mischief, when I return, I will tell you of the Elven twins."
Eotrán and Etáin's faces brightened instantly.
"Promise?"
"I promise," Haldir said, placing his hand over his heart.
The twins exchanged excited looks. "Let us go help Mother. We can tell her about the Elves telling about the elf twins!"
With a laugh, both humans were sprinting across the courtyard.
"Shall we?" Amarah's voice called from atop her mount. The white horse pawed the ground, the muscles rippled beneath its snowy coat.
Calorad handed each elf a set of reigns with a strange look on his face, a mixture of agitation and disgust. He mounted a black and white dappled horse and waited for everyone to saddle up, his face set in a scowl. The thought that Amarah thought him incapable to handle himself really ignited his ire, but the thing that earned the most aggravation, was the fact that the Elves thought him insufficient and tagging along like useless baggage.
Haldir accepted the reigns of a tall gangly black horse. It reared its head, tossing every which way and stamping the ground with its large hooves that seemed too big for its build.
Amarah maneuvered her horse about, its legs rising high in a prance, muscles taunt and poised, ready for flight. The horse was clearly built for speed.
"Do you wish a new horse, Haldir?" she goaded, knowing full well the cantankerous horse had a reputation for its harshness to riders and its sluggish demeanor while under human control. "I am sure we can ask a stable hand to prepare you a more willing horse."
Haldir felt his ire rise at the woman but patted the black steed gently on the neck and whispered words in Elvish. The horse tossed his head angrily and pawed the ground, its round, chocolate eyes staring at the March Warden.
Haldir nodded once, then turned to Amarah, "Would it be possible to remove the saddle and bridle?"
Amarah tugged on her leather reigns, looking skeptically to the elf, "Can you ride in such a manner?"
Haldir gave a weak smile and nodded, "I prefer that way and so does he."
Amarah looked from elf to horse, fighting the urge to laugh at the ridiculous thought that the elf could understand the horse. Shaking her head, she agreed, "Do as you wish, but it will be on your head if you fall off. We will not wait for you if you fall behind."
Haldir physically bristled at her words but bit back his sharp words. He started to unfasten the leather straps securing the saddle and bridle in place. A stable boy, no more than fourteen years of age and very wary around the Elves, approached and took the saddle and bridle the elf had removed from the slow, stubborn horse.
With a swift, practiced movement, Haldir was on the steed's back and entwining his hands in the ebony mane. The horse whinnied softly, clearly pleased by the Elf's presence and bowed his head. Haldir noticed that Amarah's face flashed annoyance, but she quickly changed her expression and did not meet his gaze. He smiled wickedly to himself and gave the horse an affectionate pat.
"Shall we?" Amarah asked with honeyed sarcasm.
"Where are we headed?" Calorad asked, giving the elves a fearful look.
"To where you found us," Haldir said, turning the horse efficiently, though there were no reigns. "We can pick up the trail from there and follow it."
Amarah kicked her horse hard in the sides and let out a cry, spurning the horse onwards. The white steed became a flash, past the open gates and plunging into the forest beyond.
The other horses took their leaders' directions and raced after the white steed. Haldir recognized the way from their journey to the estate the day before.
"Everyone still on his horse?" Amrah shouted over her shoulder.
The sounds of pounding hooves drowned out her words to Calorad, but the Elves, with their superior hearing, heard her clearly, though Haldir was the only one who understood her meaning.
Whispering an Elvish endearment, Haldir lowered himself to the horse's neck. The horse neighed excitedly and put on a burst of speed.
Hearing the thundering hooves change pitch and pattern, Amarah turned her head. She didn't have to look far, as Haldir and the black steed easily gained her side long enough for Haldir to grin before he and his horse passed them easily. Feeling her face flush from fury, Amarah planted her booted feet roughly in the white steed's ribcage, urging him on.
Orophin and Rúmil watched the scene then smirked to each other. Calorad was calling Amarah back and Múrendil was riding along, looking from treetop to treetop, enjoying the woodlands in the early-morning light.
When the rest of the party caught up with Haldir and Amarah, both were already off their horses. Haldir was searching the ground intently; Amarah stood a few feet away, her arms crossed and her lips pursed together in anger.
Orophin dismounted, pulling the reigns along behind him as his horse puffed heavily from exertion. He noted Haldir's horse seemed to have barely lost its breath, the animal's massive sides now expanding in a much slower rate than any other horse. He also noted that Amarah's horse was panting heavily, its coat drenched with a light sheen of sweat.
Múrendil had dismounted and was searching as well. Rúmil remained upon his horse and gently steered the beast over to round up the now rider-less horses.
"Here!" Orophin called in Common.
Haldir hurried to his brother's side and scanned the underbrush quickly, "This way."
Haldir kept his eyes sharp for any broken limb, twig, or damaged leaf, or clump of grass. Slowly, the group trudged through the forest, skirting briar thickets and heading southeast from their previous path.
Amarah stayed close to Haldir's side, watching him detect and interpret his findings.
Orophin and Múrendil took flanking positions, their eyes sweeping the forest floor of leaves and disturbed tree debris. Rúmil remained on his horse, following behind as he directed the horses. Calorad held the reigns of his and Múendil's mount, his ears perked, listening for any sounds that could lead to an attack. The least rustle of leaves seemed to set the youth on edge; his eyes darted everywhere at once. Rúmil guessed what Calorad was doing, but didn't tell the youth it wasn't necessary to be so jumpy. The elf mused quietly to himself, wondering how the human would react to all the sounds the heightened Elven ears detected.
The afternoon wore on as they lost the trail and doubled back, picking out a different direction and heading off into the depths of the forest.
Something nagged Orophin's mind, and after their third redirection, he asked, "How to find home?"
"What?" Amarah asked, pulling her eyes from Haldir's from.
Orophin sighed, angry with himself for not knowing more Common. Vowing to learn more at a later time, he asked in Elvish, "How do we find our way back? We have changed direction many times, Brother."
Haldir thought for a moment, knowing that they could go on well into the night without rest, but Amarah and Calorad couldn't possibly trek like elves, and probably couldn't remain awake through the night.
"Amarah, do you know the way back to the estate?" Haldir asked.
"This is my home, Haldir. I know precisely where we are," Amarah said with a knowing grin, then narrowed her eyes suspiciously, "Why do you ask? We are not returning without you, so do not think you can send us away."
"That was not my intention," Haldir said, giving Amarah a penetrating gaze. Secretly, he had thought of at least suggesting the action but knew that Amarah would argue, and another disagreement was something the March Warden wanted to avoid. Something struck him odd, and he asked, "How do you know where we are? We have changed direction many times."
"Haldir, we have played, gotten lost, and explored every bit of my father's land," Amarah indicated herself and Calorad. "These woods have given us shelter and directed us home for years."
Seeing Orophin's confused look, Haldir explained, much to the relief of the others.
Haldir thought back to all the times he and his brothers explored Lothlorien as children, then later as adults. He knew every nook and brook in his realm, as did his brothers and many of the Galadhrim. Knowing that personal memorization of the place one protected is essential, mainly for knowing places where to hide when under heavy attack and most importantly, knowing where your enemy may hide during an attack. Since his assignment as March Warden, Haldir made it a regular exercise for all Galadhrim to properly know their home and all the secrets it held. Of course, some of the secrets were deep in the heart of the Lorien wood, and as far as Haldir knew, he and his brothers alone knew of all of them. The three of them, and a set of always visiting, never-ending exploring, and troublemaking Elvish twins from Imladris.
"Do not worry, Haldir," Amarah said with a grin, "I can find the way home."
Haldir nodded and returned to his tracking, finding the trail and once again tracing it into the woods, winding and twisting over the terrain. A deep chill crept through him, settling itself in his chest and remaining locked against his heart. The sensation worried him, but he pushed it aside, focusing his mind on the task at hand.
After a few minutes, a strange rumbling caught the attention of the trackers. All of them turned to face Calorad, who turned a deep scarlet and held his hand over his midsection, "I think I am hungry."
Even those who didn't understand Common laughed. Rúmil, still on his horse, fetched a couple squares of lembas and handed them to the others. The Elves took a fraction of the waybread and then passed it around. When the lembas had reached the human contingent, they stood there staring at the smaller-than-palm-sized- pieces, then looking at the elves in politely bewildered expressions.
"Eat," Rúmil said, taking a bite of the waybread. "Good."
Haldir noted the perplexed looks on the human's faces and smiled, "It is Lembas. Elvish waybread. It will fill you up."
"Just one little piece?" Calorad asked skeptically.
"Just eat," Haldir smiled, finishing off his lembas and casting his eyes to the ground to begin the search again.
Amarah sighed and ate the waybread. Her face registered shock as she chewed. When she swallowed, her hand went to her stomach, "I feel full! What magic is this?"
"No magic, Amarah," Haldir answered as he found a cleverly disguised path leading in yet another direction. "It is of Elvish decent, made through the centuries to sustain travelers and warriors."
Calorad rubbed his stomach, still quite unsatisfied. Rúmil handed the human another piece with a knowing grin and chuckled as the youth made a quick meal of it.
Amarah paced behind Haldir, her brow furrowed, "And which are you Haldir? A traveler or a warrior?"
Haldir took a minute to reply, carefully choosing his words, "I protect my Lord and Lady and their realm. If they so ask me to journey, then I will do as they command."
"Such conviction," Amarah said more to herself. Nonetheless Haldir heard her soft words.
"So, you are a traveling warrior," Calorad said, his hunger abated for the time being.
Haldir smiled faintly, "My life is dedicated to protecting the borders of my home. I go to where the danger is in order to protect all that I hold dear."
"My, my," Amarah said with a hint of mirth, "A very noble elf as well as a traveler."
The laughter died on Haldir's lips as his keen eyes spied something among the foliage that made his heart stop. A spot of blood glistened on a fallen leaf, the bright red contrasting sharply with the greenery.
Haldir crouched down and touched the crimson stain, rolling it around on his fingers. Concentrating hard, he closed his eyes, focusing all attention on the red tint.
Amarah knelt beside the March Warden and whispered faintly, "That could be from an animal. It is not necessarily from your kin."
Haldir had closed himself off from the outside world, concentrating hard on what his subconscious sought.
With a heart-wrenching realization, he gained his answer. Haldir opened his eyes slowly and found Amarah knelt close by him, her hand on his arm and her questioning, worried face hovering close.
"Haldir? It could be just an animal that has been injured."
"No," Haldir said softly. "It is Elven blood. I am certain."
"How can you be so sure?" Amarah asked her face drawing in concern.
"I can feel the essence of the elf from whence it came," Haldir said sadly.
"You can feel their life?" Amarah's face turned curious yet saddened.
"Yes. All Elves can sense their own kind. Just as the trees talk to us and the animals speak, we can hear our kind's voices," Haldir found the explanation difficult. It was hard to put into words what one feels or senses to another who is deprived of such sensory attunements.
"From their blood?" Amarah gasped.
"Blood is what carries their life," Haldir explained. "When it is spilt, one can always sense the one who shed it."
"Then they could be nearby," Amarah exclaimed, rising to her feet and glancing around the wood. "The blood is fresh; we could be just a few paces from them!"
"Nay," Haldir said sadly as he rose, "This blood is at least two days old."
"How can you be sure?" Amarah snapped, stepping away from the elf and searching for more blood. "It looks fresh, not dark with age."
"Elven blood remains bright much longer than human blood. The blood barely retains the essence of the one to which it belongs. It has been here for some time," Haldir picked up the leaf on which the blood stained. "The leaf tells us that it has been days since it received the Elven blood. It is losing its green color and is withering."
Amarah looked at the leaf, once green upon its parent plant, now fallen and fading, its shine dulled, the edges withering, its life slipping away.
"I did not know one could tell so much from a leaf. I have learned much from you," Amarah said, a slight blush colored her olive cheeks.
Haldir smiled, then busied himself with searching the area once more for the direction in which the kidnapped Elves had been taken. His heart fluttered wildly in his chest and a strange sense pulled at the back of his mind.
Rúmil gave Orophin a bemused look, but his bother had a strange gleam in his eye. The look sent a shiver down Rúmil's spine and gave the elf a feeling that this mission could prove to be very interesting.
Rúmil prayed to the Vala that they found their brethren, if for their sake and for Haldir's.