Disclaimer: As always, please see Chapter 1 for a full disclaimer on what's mine and what's not.
Diola lle, my friends!
Utsuri... Fits of giggles? Excellent! I'm flattered you look forward to reading my postings. A writer can't ask for more than that!
Anonymous... Thanksfor the review. Hope you're liking the story.
Mercury Gray... You did tell them, didn't you?
Evenstar Elanor... I love "obstreperous" but hardly ever have the chance to use it. Another favorite of mine is "kerfuffle."
Here Comes the Hockey Puck... Welcome, and my apologies for missing you on my last chapter. Hope you're still enjoying Rekindled.
Chapter 18: Premonition
Two years went by in relative peace. As she got older, Valariel continued to challenge her father and there were a few times where Haldir despaired of ever having a civil relationship with his daughter. But the good times far outweighed her misbehaviors and more often than not, Valariel sought her father's praise in everything she did.
During these years good news also came from Dol Amroth. Runevalas' sister, Torvalen, sent word that she was with child and asked for Runevalas to come attend her when it was time for the birth. Runevalas planned her trip well in advance, eliciting a promise from Valariel to be on her best behavior for Haldir. It didn't take much to get that promise for Valariel was quite delighted to know that she would be looked after by her father and uncles. Runevalas, still remembering the untilla targets, was not so confident. Nevertheless, she left when planned to attend her sister.
It had been four weeks since Runevalas left for Dol Amroth to be at the birth of her sister's child. The wind had brought storms and rain these past days. In the distance, Haldir could hear thunder, feel the tingle of lightning as it rent the thick air, and his mood grew fouler as the storm approached. Near his dwelling he heard shouts and laughter, and he found his daughter playing with Rumil.
Valariel crept along a tree branch while Rumil pretended to search the bushes and the ground. "I was so certain," he said loudly. "Certain that I'd seen her around somewhere..."
With a shout, Valariel leaped from her branch, landing on her uncle who – in one deft move – slid her over his shoulders, planted her on the ground, and tickled her until she was shrieking with laughter. Despite his foul mood and dark premonition, Haldir couldn't help but be amused.
"Well, my ravenna, it appears your prey turned the tables on you," he said. Valariel smiled. She loved it when her father called her "lioness."
"Atar! (father!)" She threw herself into his arms. Haldir hugged her and then put her down. Another low rumble of thunder rolled through the woods. Haldir looked up and into the distance, the lightness in his eyes becoming shadowed and wary.
"Go upstairs," he said to Valariel. "It is time for dinner."
"Oh, atar, not yet..." Valariel wanted to play longer with Rumil, and she had been hoping that Orophin would come over, too.
Haldir looked down and raised an eyebrow at his daughter. He had been summoned to attend Celeborn and Galadriel for a short time in the evening and he had no time for any games from Valariel.
"Yes, atar," she said reluctantly, sensing there would be no leeway tonight. She disappeared up the stairs and Haldir turned back to where he was looking before – out at the ever darkening sky.
"What troubles you?" asked Rumil.
"I know not," answered Haldir, "but I mislike this storm. It heralds misfortune. I can feel it in the core of my heart."
"It is but a storm... It brings rain."
"It brings death."
Haldir looked into the distance for another moment and then went in side to have dinner with his daughter.
Scant hours after Haldir's black prediction one of the Archers of 'Lorien raced into Lord Celeborn's sitting room. The tone of his voice made Galadriel rise from her seat, a chill slithering down her back. Haldir didn't move, but deep inside him a gaping abyss of fear opened, threatening for a moment to swallow him entirely.
"Marchwarden! Marchwarden! My Lady Galadriel!"
"What is it? What has happened?" the Lady asked urgently.
"There has been an attack. Orcs! A party of Elves was riding for Lothlorien and they were ambushed..."
"Summon the other Archers, including my brothers." Haldir's order was sharp and the other Elf vanished down the stairs almost instantly. The Marchwarden had taken two large strides out of the room, and then he turned back.
"My Lady..."
Galadriel knew; Haldir didn't need to say anything else. "Go. I will watch Valariel until your return. Save those you can," Galadriel said and there was no mistaking the urgency in her voice. And may the Valar forgive me, she thought, but I pray these Elves are not bringing Runevalas back to Lothlorien.
Well, I'm almost done with this story... probably a chapter or two more. Let me know what you think of this chapter. Please read/review!