Seeing Spots: Well, my beta said that using lots of words to convey something is a HUGE NO-NO! So, I agree with her.. "Less is More"... I seem to get drawn into stories when they aren't as long winded. I wont mention names, but there a few of them on this site that just make me lapse into a coma. LOL I just try to change chapter lengths so one does not allow their butts to fall asleep while reading. LOL Yeah, takes a lot to keep a good elf down. ;) I wanted to keep the theme going that Rúmil was asked by Galadriel to watch over the ground and be wary of evil. I think I kept with the thread. :D Yeah, Haldir didn't like the idea that he had lost track of time while listening to the songs... but since I'm a huge fan of the songs myself, I can understand his lapse in attention. ;)
Naomie: Great, a Ren and Stimpy review! LOL Thanks for making me laugh! I take it you are a fan of Enya and Beethoven as well? EG I wrote that last chapter while we had massive thunderstorms, sitting on porch and by my window as it poured in on me, while listening to those songs... hence the imagery. Nothing smells better than the woods during/after a spring rain. dreamy sigh In fact, there is a storm brewing outside right now, and I just got a cd by "ALKAEMY" which is WONDERFUL and I highly recommend, especially if you like Enya and Enigma. Hope you like this chapter as well.
Lady of Light: Glad you liked the imagery... I like to listen to music while I write. It depends on what I'm aiming for, but mostly I listen to new age and soft tech... helps with the emotions. I have a few ideas in mind for some upcoming fics, but the problem is finding the time and getting the muse to talk so I can work on them. I'm looking to make each of them like this one... 8-14 pages per chapter, and 25 chapters. Thought that would be good.. theres just SOOO much information I wanna get in and keep as a running thread. Hope you enjoy this one as well.
AN: Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. Its been like TWO WEEKS since I updated, and all I have to say for my self is that I have been doing a LOT of school shopping and there's nothing more tiring than taking teens to a mall. snickers I have all my college stuff on hold at the moment, so that should give me some time to get some more writing done. :D Wish me luck and thank all of you for keeping with me. I shall update again within the week as a way to say THANKS to all my reviewers!
Don't forget to leave me a message and tell me what ya think about this chapter or the story. Thanks!
Chapter Twenty-Two: An Invitation
The early morning light peeked through the opened curtains into the room that the elves shared. Haldir had wished for a peaceful sleep, but all through his dreams he heard the enchanting song that Amarah had played. He tossed and turned, something that was strange within it self, but the strangest of all was the way his mind seemed to hold onto the song and replay it over and over.
The dawn's rays crept through the room and landed on the face of the grumpy warden, who tried to turn over to avoid the sun's glare, but after laying there for a few minutes, decided he was better off getting up and starting his day.
Stretching languidly, Haldir rose and glanced over at his brothers, who were still sound asleep, side-by-side. Wondering if he should disturb their rest just out of spite, Haldir ventured over to Rúmil's side and was about to wake him up when a soft voice caught his attention.
"Haldir?"
Haldir turned to the voice and nearly dropped when he saw Lómetar staring back at him. He knelt by the makeshift bed and took the other elf's hand in his own, feeling it cold to the touch.
"Lómetar, how do you fare?"
Lómetar blinked slowly, as if the effort was costing him every bit of his energy, "I am cold."
Haldir immediately grabbed a blanket that was bundled up around Rúmil and pulled, untangling his brother and making him roll over with a grunt that resembled that of an orc. Haldir folded the thick blanket and placed it over Lómetar. The injured elf nodded once in thanks and drifted back off to sleep.
Haldir went to Orophin's side of the bed and poked him right between the open eyes, "Wake up, Orophin! There are orcs dancing naked!"
Orophin bolted upright, his eyes wide and glaring, then stared hard at Haldir who was laughing so hard that tears streamed down his face, though he tried to muffle his mirth with his hands. Giving up, Haldir drew his hands into fists and buried his face against the mattress.
"I should kill you while you sleep," Orophin said through a yawn.
Haldir regained himself and raised a brow with a grin still plastered on his face, "You should have seen your face, Brother! I will carry that memory for the rest of my life!"
"However long I allow that to be," Orophin lay back down against his pillow and swatted Haldir upside the head, "I will get you back for such an awakening, you mark my words, Haldir."
Haldir stopped laughing and withdrew his face from the blankets, "I wanted to let you know that Lómetar had awakened."
Orophin shot up again, looking across the room to where the injured elf lay motionless. His keen gaze swept over the prone form and detecting nothing out of the ordinary, turned a piercing stare to his brother, "Lómetar sleeps. Do not think you will escape my wrath so easily by telling me such things."
Haldir placed his hand over his heart and said sincerely, "He awoke long enough to tell me he was cold. I took a spare blanket from Rúmil and covered him with it. He is very cold to the touch."
Orophin's brow drew together until they resembled one fine line. Without a word, he clamored over top of Rúmil, who grunted and kicked out in his sleep, nearly fell off the edge of the bed, and knelt down beside Lómetar.
"Lómetar? Can you hear me?" Orophin asked quietly into the elf's ear.
Lómetar remained asleep, his breath deep and even.
Orophin felt the injured elf's cheek and gasped, feeling how cool it was to the touch. Opening the herbal bag beside the bed, he withdrew a small cache of liquid and parted Lómetar's bluish lips and spilt a few drops. Lómetar sputtered for a moment, then relaxed against his pillow.
Haldir went to Orophin's side and asked, "How does he fare?"
Orophin glanced at his brother, then looked back down to Lómetar, "It is hard to say. I do not know a lot about healing, but I know that it is a bad omen to feel him so cold and to see such color upon an elf."
Haldir noted the blue tinge around the elf's lips and nodded, "Will he be able to travel?"
Orophin slowly shook his head, "We will wait to see if he awakens again. Perhaps it was a good sign. We shall see."
Haldir nodded and went to Rúmil who was still curled up among his covers and sound asleep. Haldir leaned over and whispered, "Wake up, little elfling."
Rúmil moaned and rolled over, grumbling something incoherent and settled himself back in his nest of blankets.
Haldir smirked at Orophin and as inconspicuously as he could, began to un-tuck the blankets around Rúmil's form. When all were free from his sleeping grasp, Haldir yanked the blankets off to the foot of the bed, the cold air rushing instantly on Rúmil's warm cocoon.
Feeling the cold invasion, Rúmil yelped and sat up, his eyes frantically searching the room. When they fell on Haldir, sitting on the edge of the bed in heavy laughter, he placed his foot on his brother's backside and pushed, sending Haldir crashing to the floor, still laughing.
"Haldir, revenge will be mine!"
Orophin rose and stretched, "You will have to wait in line, Brother, for I have first turn at him."
"Who says?" Rúmil snapped, his face drawn in disgust and ill temperament due to his unfriendly rousing.
Orophin held out his arms wide, "He woke me up first! Believe me, Brother, I would have liked to sleep in as well, but Haldir thought it fun to wake me from my warm slumber."
Rúmil seemed to contemplate this and then nodded, "Agreed. You may go first and then I shall take my revenge when the time comes."
Haldir had stopped laughing and was listening to their conversation. He knew he should feel some sense of dread but could not bring himself around to entertain such thoughts. His brothers were priceless, and they never made life dull.
"That is enough," Haldir said, regaining his feet and rubbing his backside after Rúmil pushed him onto the floor. "There will be enough time for revenge later. Lómetar woke for a moment. We hope it is a good sign."
Orophin sighed, "If he does not wake again soon, I fear we may lose him among his dreams."
Orophin stretched and went to the bed that Haldir had slept on during the night, "Wake me if you need me."
Rúmil grinned and grabbed his blankets from the foot of the bed and curled up, taking the whole bed and nestled contently in their midst.
Haldir frowned at his siblings and snapped at Orophin, "Get up, that is my bed!"
Orophin raised his head up slightly to look at Haldir and shook his head, "Not for today it is not. Today it is my bed, you sleep with Rúmil."
Haldir pursed his lips together, "I hate to sleep with Rúmil! He kicks in his sleep and takes all the blankets."
Rúmil rose up and stuck out his tongue, "I do no such thing, Haldir!"
"Liar," Haldir mumbled with a frown.
Orophin nestled into the bed further and smiled smugly, "I have my fair share of bruises from sleeping with him last night; it is now your turn, dear Brother."
Haldir opened his mouth to rant, but a soft knock came at the door. Wondering who it could be, Haldir pulled the chair he had propped against the door away and opened it up to find the elderly servant holding a large kettle. Several others were with her, carrying different vessels of dishes. With a bow of his head, Haldir gestured them inside.
The servants placed their burdens on the long table and removed the dishes from the previous day. With a bow they left, Haldir closing the door behind them.
Rúmil started to sniff and rose from the middle of his blankets, eyes wide and mouth open. Throwing off his blankets he dashed across the room and piled up a plate, then hurried back to his bed, sat against the headboard, drew his blankets up his lap, and began to eat.
Haldir laughed and shook his head, knowing that only food or possible death could get Rúmil up with so much enthusiasm. Still laughing, he went to the door that lead into the next room and knocked, waking up the slumbering elves. The sounds of muffled voices came through the thick wooden door, and Haldir called, "Breakfast is served."
The door opened, and Aravitan emerged, his color returned and his eyes bright and alight. Wethíar came in yawning and holding onto his bandaged ribs, which were still smarting from their recent breaks.
Láiraen stretched in the doorway and got in line to fill his plate as the others began to pick through and find a comfortable place to eat. Múrendil was last to leave and waited until everyone else was done before he filled his plate and went to his corner.
"Any news?" Láiraen asked between mouthfuls.
"Lómetar woke up for a minute and then went back to sleep," Haldir said.
"Are we to return home soon?" Wethíar asked, wincing from a deep breath.
Orophin waved a hand over at Lómetar, "He is cold to the touch. I gave him what I could, but I do not know if it will be enough." Orophin leaned over to Lómetar and felt the cheek of the fallen elf, "His warmth returns. That is a good sign."
Haldir sighed in relief, "That is good to hear. Hopefully, he will awaken again."
As soon as the words were out of Haldir's mouth, Lómetar moaned. Orophin knelt beside him and caressed the fallen elf's face, "Lómetar? Can you hear me?"
Lómetar moaned again and allowed his eyelids to flutter. He licked his dry lips, trying to speak, and after a couple of seconds, rasped out, "I hear... you... Orophin."
Orophin smiled, "That is good to hear. You have had us worried for some time."
Lómetar smiled faintly and said, "Sorry. So... tired."
"Sleep then, my friend," Orophin said. "The more you rest, the more you heal and may return home."
Lómetar's smile widened at the mention of home then went slack as unconsciousness stole over him once again. Orophin opened his medicinal bag and began to undo Lómetar's bandages that were soaked with blood. He diligently cleaned and rebound the wounds, happily noting that they were healing, though not as fast as he would have liked.
As mid-morning approached, Orophin had ordered everyone to remove their wraps so they could be cleaned and rebound with fresh bandages. Other than Wethíar, everyone seemed to be in good shape, their minor cuts and abrasions nearly healed. Wethíar winced as Orophin checked his ribs and rebound them, tightening the fabric to give him support.
A light knock came on the door and Haldir answered to find Amarah standing with an apprehensive look.
"My lady, please, do come in."
Amarah shook her head, "I do not wish to interrupt. I was wondering, would you like to walk with me? There is much I wish to say."
Haldir nodded and explained to the others that he was going to walk with Amarah, ignoring the sly looks exchanged between his siblings, and the narrow eyes of Múrendil.
As the couple walked down the hall, Amarah looped her arm around Haldir's and steered him down another hall.
"First, I want to thank you for rescuing Calorad," Amarah's voice was soft and laced with heartache.
"I only wish I could have been sooner," Haldir said, his voice quavering as his mind replayed the fateful events. "I should have seen the trees earlier and prevented him from venturing into the waters."
"Do not let it plague you so, Haldir," Amarah said with a bit of forced calm. "It was very brave of you to risk your life like that. There are no words I can think of that would express my gratitude about your behavior."
"Words of gratitude are not necessary," Haldir felt his heart thrumming against his ribs.
"Nonsense," Amarah said, her voice stronger and more forceful. "What you did was very noble and I thank you for what you did."
"There is nothing noble about losing a life," Haldir said, his eyes casting down.
"You risked your own life, and that is the noblest action," Amarah said as they passed into a large room that had sheets draped over its furniture.
Haldir felt like arguing, but his heart just wasn't into the conversation. He looked around the room and felt like he was surrounded by ghosts and was suddenly thankful that it was daylight, for he would have hated to venture into this strange room at night.
"How do your kin fare?" Amarah asked.
Haldir shook himself from his thoughts and smiled, "Aravitan and Wethíar are recovering quickly. Lómetar has awakened twice and Orophin feels he is recovering. He will need to return home as soon as he is able to travel."
Amarah walked in front of Haldir, stopping a mere inch from his face, "I shall miss you. Will you not stay, at least for a bit longer?"
Haldir's heart fluttered in his chest like a swarm of butterflies. His gaze traveled over Amarah's face, finally resting on her lips.
"My kin need me to take them home," he said lamely, Amarah's proximity causing a reaction in his body.
"I am sure the others are more than capable of escorting them to your home land," Amarah said, her face brightening when she noticed the reaction of Haldir.
Without waiting for a word, she leaned forward and brushed her lips against his. At first, Haldir stood transfixed, stunned at the human's brash actions, and felt a familiar heat flush his skin. Placing his hands on her waist and pulling her forward, he deepened the kiss, allowing their tongues to engage and dance. Amarah's hand caressed the side of his face, her fingers finding his pointed ears and lightly touching the peak. Haldir hissed, digging his fingers into her waist and pulling her even closer.
When the two broke apart, they gasped for breath. Amarah leaned against Haldir's frame, her fingers still tangled in his hair and running through the soft strands.
"Will you not stay a while longer?" Amarah asked breathlessly.
Haldir felt his lips tingle with fire that spread throughout his entire body, setting it aflame with desire. Feelings emerged, long since forgotten, but returning with a burning vengeance, reminding him that he was still a male and needed female companionship. Quelling the emotions that sought to surface, Haldir took several deep breaths and nodded, "I do not know when we will travel, but if they do not need my protection, I shall stay behind for a time, but must return to my duties of my home."
Amarah nodded with a pout, leaning in to rub her cheek against Haldir's, "Will you return to me?"
Haldir felt his stomach do a flip and nodded, her scent making him feel dizzy, "I shall return when I can."
"I will hope that time passes quickly."
"I need to get back," Haldir stammered, not trusting himself in this situation.
"Will you dine with me this evening?" Amarah asked, heading back the way they came.
"I will be most honored," Haldir smiled.
When they reached the door that lead into the rooms Haldir shared with the others, Amarah gave him one last brush against his lips before smiling seductively and left, swaying her hips down the hall.
Haldir took a deep breath and opened the door, wondering how he was going to survive such an invitation.